The Dragonriders of Pern® is a trademark, Registered U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, of Anne McCaffrey. This is a recorded session, generated by Harper's Tale MOO in November, 1999, for the benefit of members unable to attend. Logged by Pyrene.

First Egg-touching

[Immediately prior to this, the candidates had been making robes in the galleries. Chayath had stolen Pyrene's and wound it around her smallest egg. Incidentally, the Pancake Toss Egg from this clutch had been desced by Thesy at my request. The theme was traditions, and I'm a firm fan of Pancake Day (celebrated on Shrove Tuesday in England). Egg-touchings are a part of candidacy, and to spice them up a bit, SearchCo will emit a pose that only you can see each time you touch an egg. These are featured in the log in italics.]

Pyrene shuffles closer, nearly meek as she listens to D'renn--make the most of it, hmm? She sidles against the other candidates, while casting thoughtful glances at the eggs. Probably trying to figure out which ones are blues... and also reflecting that Chayath /owes/ her a touch of the little one after she sacrificed her robe to it's cause.

Tyara winces at D'renn's words. As if anyone'd prod the eggs with Chayath within sight.. well, maybe Kolen would, so the boy is watched closely by the nanny. One egg in particular is spotted though, and, semi-oblivious to the heat of the sands, she stops in front of it. "Hmm, this is really dark," she states, glaring at the egg. Been too much in the sun, eh?

Sena listens carefully to D'renn, moving her small form closer to Pyrene and Liseria. Nibbling her lower lip, the shy Candidate's lips quirk in a smile. Gazing around at the eggs, she ponders which one to touch first. Maybe that one? Or no, how about that one? What a choice!

Chayath clutches her baby egg closer to her. /Owe/ Pyrene a touch? Nonononono. That's not how it works. That Candidate gave her robe to the queen. It was a gift.

A shake of Shaela's head answers the silent question, then a spoken, "I promise. They'll be careful -- they always are." Okay? Okay! A fond stroke of the gold's muzzle, and Shae is off, over to the group of Candidates, offering a broad smile to each of them.

Liseria mostly listens to D'renn, though a good bit of her visual attention is given to the closely-guarded egg. Head is nodded in understanding as feet twitch with nervous energy. Or is the heat finally /really/ geting to her? She watches other Candidates wander off before setting out on her own - she's got an agenda in mind. But other Candidates are her too; "Sena?" Lis asks hesitantly. "Y'wanna come see some eggs with me? I'll make sure you don't get eaten," she adds with a wink.

Quedista listens, but is hesitant to move at the moment. She doesn't want Chayath to eat her, which being so close to the protective gold, seems a bit more likely than from in the galleries. She gazes self-consciously at the eggs, and isn't exactly eager to touch one immediately.

"Sure.." replies Sena in repsonse to Liseria's question. "Then we won't be alone.." with the crazy queen's eggs. "Where do we want to go first?" is asked as the phincrafter's gaze travels over the eggs, then returning to Liseria with a smile. 

Tyara slowly extends a hand towards the Solar Eclipse egg. Is it shivering slightly? Nah, must be the heat.. Arm is pulled back slightly though, green eyes quickly flickering around to see where the other Candidates are. Or rather, she won't be the first to touch.. she'd like to see what happens to the others first!
The shivering being Tyara's hand BTW

Chayath curls around her baby egg, her hide glistening like burnished gold, and watches the candidates closely. Just watching, no biting. Making sure nothing happens to her eggs.

Liseria grins delightedly - she's got another accomplice. "Well, I wanna check out some of the safer ones, but I /do/ want to get a look at the one Chayath's guarding. We gotta let her get used to us, though." All this is rattled of sage-like, in spite of this being Lis' first time on the sands this clutch. "So, I'll look at this one,

Pyrene pays no attention to Kolen. He can be D'renn's problem now. Or Shaela's. Just not hers. Instead she hovers around the clutch, still quiet for Pyrene. One hand reaching thoughtfully over the pancake toss egg, until she gets up the courage to actually /touch/ the shell. And it feels... leathery, like everybody says. But she's actually /touching/ it herself this time. Not just watching.

Lis' finger points to the red and brown shrouded egg with dark shapes flitting over it. "And you can pick out yours." With a cheeyry smile, Lis wanders closer to the the said egg. When within arm's reach, she brushes it lightly with a hand. Seems sturdy enough, but one can't be too careful.

Flip! That was your stomach turning over, a shaking of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar adding zest to the dizzying sensation.

Tyara watches Pyrene touch an egg without Chayath protesting. Oh, well. Here she is, with an egg and no Kolen in sight. So she could just touch it, for a moment.. Hand is extended again and slowly placed on the dark shell of the Solar Eclipse egg. Hmm, feels.. like hide actually, rather than an eggshell. Fingers lightly caressing the egg, the nanny smiles to herself.

Sena follow's Liseria's finger and wanders over to the Full Moon Egg and gently touches it with her fingertips. She is as gentle as she can be, as her small hand trails over the surface of the egg and a smile curves her lips. Turning to Liseria, she says in a hushed voice, "This is nice.."

Chayath watches those eggtouchers to make sure they're gentle. She has no qualms about using her tail to knock away a rough hand, but that's her mothering nature for you. She is very protective of her eggs, though she will share.. for now. Enjoy.

"Petita!" Shaela squeals, finally noticing the tiny little Candidate amidst the crowd. The young protege is welcomed into the goldrider's arms for a generous hug as the squealing continues: "How've you been? Where've you been?" And, most importantly, "It's so great to see you. Come, touch eggs!"

"Aye, it is," Lis agrees as her fingers trace the edge of a blood-red billow, arcing up over a winglike shadow the jarrs her vision for a moment. "Aren't they even more /amazing/ up close?" the girl asks somewhat breathlessly. Uh-oh, here comes the sheer giddiness.

Quedista reaches out gingerly, and with trembling fingers strokes All Hallow's Eve Egg. The odd sensation of egg sends chills down her spine, though it's quite warm enough on the sands. So this is what it feels like... 

Pyrene springs back, startled and eyeing the egg anew. "What was that??" Recovering herself she steps away from the egg to what she deems to be a safe distance. OK... Nice egg... let's find a safer one...

Sena jumps back, startled a bit by the egg, though her fingertips don't move from the egg. Turning to Liseria, she nods, "Yes they are. They are amazing.. I like this egg." Another egg catches her eye, and so she meanders over that way, her hand trailing gently off the Full Moon Egg.

Quedista goes home.

Tyara snaps her hand back from the egg, a startled expression vivid on her face. Eyes are closed for a moment, the nanny letting out a ragged breath as she feels something not unfamiliar to her. But it was so long ago now. Why is she feeling it right now then? The Solar Eclipse egg is eyed suspiciously. Hmm.. hand is extended again, this time without hesitation, palms sliding over the egg much more confidently. Hmm..

D'renn loiters near Shaela - and Faye-with-the-food - watching the Candidates with a casual smirk on his face.

Pyrene sidesteps a couple deemed to be too blue-potential. The sweet luxury of wimbledon strawberries and cream tempts her instead... mmm. Her right end smooths over this shell in approval. A brown perhaps?

Moving lightly on her feet so they don't get cooked too badly, Sena moves to the Winter Solstice Egg, but not before her gaze flows back to the Full Moon Egg, and stands in front of it. Reaching out, she lays both hands on the egg feeling it's surface. To Liseria, "Wow, this is soemthing I never would have dreamed of experiencing.." voice trails off as she leans her head in a little closer, her head bowing in just a bit.

D'renn remembers Petita, does he not? The littlest Candidate from Shae's final Candidate group? Most likely he doesn't, but now is as good a time as any for Shaela to make the introduction: "Petita, this is weyrlingmaster D'renn. D'renn, Petita, a Candidate friend. Which egg do you think she should touch first? We can't decide."

Liseria goes 'round to the back of the egg, her reply to Sena muffled by a large ovoid in the way. "I've always wanted to get a good look at this one. It's not silvery, like a lot of the other ones..." Words die away as the shadowy patterns shift - or is that just Chayath blocking the light? "I wouldn't have dreamt it either, but now, with shell under my fingers..." Lis comes around the side of the egg near Sena. "It feels more real than real."

Chayath hasn't moved from her perch near her eggs, though not around them so that the Candidates can touch them. Each candidate is eyed carefully, though not menacingly.

The jagged tinkle of silver against glass rings in your mind, muted applause accompanied by the taste of fresh sugar-soaked berries.

"Petita." D'renn peers down from his lofty height (of not very tall at all) to smile at Petita. "Why don't you see if you can touch Chayath's littlest one?" Ooh, he's evil....

Sena nods, jumping back a bit in surprise as her mind is filled with orange and nut flavors. "I know, touching the eggs makes it seem... well, so much more real. They are going to hatch and they are going to Impress.. and.." The Candidate turns to eye Chayath apprehensively before trailing her fingers along the shell of the Winter Solstice Egg again. "I think my favorites are this one and the first one I touched." She grins at her newfound friend. "I'm drawn to them."

Chayath lays her head down over the smallest of the small egg, blocking it from view. It's safe here, and anyone who wants to try can do just that: try and get to her prized egg.

Pyrene smiles in delighted appreciation of this egg. "Definitely a brown," she opines, before abandoning strawberries and cream to eye the inhabitant of her former robe-to-be. "Chayath...? Er, Shaela, do you think she'll let me?"

Liseria gives the Cliodhna Egg one more tickling of her fingertips, zig-zagging up the sharp lines of a shadow - now that one didn't move again, did it? - as she turns her head towards Sena and /her/ eggs. "Why don't we go look for the one that's hidden in the clump of eggs?" It looks like Chayath's not gonna let anyone near the tiny egg yet. And Lis is starting to get unnerved by all these fidgety shadows.

Tyara slowly steps away from the dark egg, one last caress before she spins around. Uhm, what just happened.. she casts a longing glance towards Solar Eclipse egg as she steps away, narrowing her eyes at another egg. That one looks interesting too, in a whole other way.. Walking towards it, she keeps an eye on Pyrene as well, grinning slightly. This will be interesting to watch.. coming to half in front of Fudge Frosty Divinity Egg though, she watches that one instead. She can hear if Pyrene is eaten anyway.. "How pretty," is mumbled, hand gently placed on the light surface of the egg, as if it'd break by the lightest touch.

"D'you think she'd let me, Shae?" the Candidate asks eagerly, peering up the not-so-far distance to look hopefully at her goldrider friend. A hesitation by Shaela, but Pyrene comes to save the day: "If you could take Petita with you, I'm sure she'll be fine with it. Right Chayath?" The last question is asked maybe too firmly, but it's a necessity, unfortunately.

Sena sighs softly as warmth seems to pervade her limbs originating not from the sands heat. Turning to grin at Liseria, "I wonder if it'd be okay to touch the other egg again? Or to try another one.." Her fingers trail off of the Winter Solstice Egg, and hearing Liseria's words she nods, "Yes, lets. An adventure!" Of course, before she leaves, she does want to touch the Full Moon Egg again, but that can wait.

Chayath grumbles in such a way that could be construed as a dragon whine. But it's /my/ egg.. She lifts her head though, exposing the white-robed egg. Chayath's eyes home in on Pyrene and Petita with extra close watching. Be careful..

Pyrene smiles delightedly. Petita can go first. "OK, then. Go ahead Petita, you're the expert at this after all," the first-timer says cheerfully, urging the luckless girl ahead of her. "Chayath, I gave it my robe, it's only fair that I get a touch, right?" Nod the head once for yes, eat Petita for no.

Chayath eyes Petita. To flimsy for my tastes. Eat Pyrene for no, y'see that candie has meat on her bones.

Petita approaches, hesitant, cautious, knees knocking. Nice big dragon. Pretty big dragon. And, "Shaeeeeee!" The little whiner -- nevertheless, the goldrider does come running.

Chayath rumbles innocently at her rider. She didn't do anything at all.

Tyara smiles slowly, eyes sparkling as she moves closer to the Frosty Divinity egg. Hands caress the shell gently, eyes flickering as all the color-details are taken in. "Ooh, how pretty," she breaths, actually /smiling/ to the ex-brat trudging over to stare at the egg next to it. "Kolen, don't be so rough," she hisses as the obviously-still-brat puts his hands on the egg just like that.

Pyrene is scrawny too unfortunately. A little taller than Petita, but at least as bony. Sticking carefully close to Petita (and within grabbing distance of Shae), Pyrene maneuvers her way close to the egg, Petita between her and Chayath at all times. "Try touching it Petita," she urges, moving the candidate's arm for her. And ready to leap backwards at the first sign of Chayath-teeth.

D'renn watches Pyrene egging on the small girl, and just tuts. Loudly. Pointedly.

Of course Chayath didn't do anything. Petita's just extremely.. well.. wussy. "Chayath's not going to hurt you," Shaela reassures the youngster, leaving Pyrene to mentor the child this time around.

Ah, but an adventure with Liseria is more like a long wander. Plodding across the sands towards a large clump of eggs, her less-than-focused attention is caught by the bright colors smeared across one egg, looking much like children's fingerpainting with a black, gritty base burried in the sand. "Wait, wait, wait. I need to see this one first," Lis explains to Sena, eyes turned on the psychadelic, hypnotic swirls of this egg's shell.

Pyrene glances innocently over her shoulder at D'renn. "But you told us to touch the eggs. And that's what we're doing." Emboldened by Petita's continued survival, she tweaks aside a fold of white fabric herself, and presses gentle fingers against equally white shell.

Tiri moves into the heat, shimmered and blurred by the ripples that rise off the Sands.

Chayath watches the pair with razor sharp gaze, and sniffs Pyrene and Petita. She must sniff and make sure they're safe before they go between her front legs. Sniiiiiiiiifff. Hrm. Deemed worthy to /try/ for the egg, and the gold raises her head again.

A flash of brilliant white dulls to a gentle hum as the tiny occupant in side seems to sigh softly at your touch. Tumult of scents assault your senses as the fresh pages of books and the loud, echoing calls of children fill your ears. The tiny dragon inside seems to echoes those childish calls.. or did it? Imagination takes hold as to what is actually heard..

"Tiri, you're late," D'renn scolds, sweeping his arm in order to indicate all the Candidates already on the Sands. "Off you go... choose an egg and be careful touching it!"

Tyara giggles slightly, part from watching Pyrene and the girl with Chayath, part from the sensations this egg provokes in her. This isn't perfect though.. no, that dark egg over there definitely moved something in her. She's not one for sweetness and warmth, cold seems more appealing to her. So with a last pat on the egg, the nanny moves back to the dark Solar Eclipse egg, smiling to the others as she walks. Hand are again placed on the enigmatic egg, green eyes half-closing in concentration.

Sena nods to Liseria and eyes an egg that seems to have caught her attention. Morning Mirror-Gazing Egg is saught after as the small phincrafter trips her way over to the ovid. Fingers lightly trail across the surface of the egg, and she closes her eyes gently, just imagining the dragonet inside. She sighs softly, gently even.

Pyrene ohs softly at the egg... too distracted to register Chayath's sniff. "Young..." she murmurs cryptically. She's not sure she likes that, although Petita seems happier. Still, Pyrene does not condemn it to her list of blue-containers which is compliment enough as she backs away from the young queen, towards the other eggs.

Tiri pants as she runs in, still pulling on one shoe as she hops across the sands. "Ooch! Ow!" She gets the other shoe on and runs the rest of the way. "Sorry, D'renn! Sorry!" She bites her lip and slows to a stop as she notices the big momma, Chayath, and suddenly decides that maybe touching the huge gold's eggs may provoke her. "Are you /sure/ we're allowed to do this?" she calls back at D'renn and Shaela. She looks worried, but notices her candie comrads are not being shreded into tiny pieces...

Chayath huffs and doesn't shred anyone to pieces. She's not like that, just ask Shaela..

But don't ask Pyrene. She might have a different answer.

"Course you are... everyone else is. And it's to get you used to the eggs before Hatching Day," D'renn lectures Tiri, starting to wander now himself between the eggs - careful not to touch.

Sena oohs softly at the egg and turns to Liseria, "I still say this is unbelievable.." Spotting Tiri, the small girl lifts an arm and waves. "Shall we go explore some more?" Or touch the egg again. Fingers gently trail the sides of the egg again, the contours of the shell imprinting themselves in her mind.

Liseria hesitantly puts one hand out towards the Flower-Power Volkswagen Bus Egg, as if the colors might smudge and smear when she touched them. After a few strokes down the egg's side, she's convinced nothing's going to come off on her hands; so she spirals 'round the egg, one hand trailing blue lines and red lines and yellow lines as he watches Pyrene and Petia try their luck with the special egg. "Not yet," is her reply to Sena - she's having fun going 'round and 'round.

"Please let me find you this time.." The words are muttered by Tyara, barely loud enough to be heard by herself. She walks up close to the Solar Eclipse egg, hand sliding further around it as if trying to embrace it. She stands like this for a few minutes, just enjoying the physical warmth of the shell.

Tiri takes a deep breath and lets it out again with a nervous glance at Chayath. She wanders catiously over to the enormous eggs and holds out a nervous hand to one. She relaxes as her hand touches the shell which is wonderfully warm. It's the Hide-the-Shoes Egg, the one that seems to be wanting the dark. Her hand moves over it's shell carefully, strangely facinated with being this close to a will-be dragon. She's at peace for the time being, and as she pulls her hand away, she's left with a warm glow. She beams and whispers, "That's a nice feeling..."

Chayath settles back down, watching her eggs carefully though with a little less reservation since they don't seem to be hurting the eggs.

Shaela strolls the Sands, content now that Chayath seems to be accepting the reality of people touching her eggs -- still only with special permission, but touching nevertheless. Violet eyes scan the paint-splatter design on one Candidate's chosen egg, and Shae, too, approaches the intriguing ovoid. "Bright choice, Lis. D'you like it?"

Pyrene wanders, she does, wander, wander. Not quite settling one egg, although finally she steps up to Helston Flora Dance... With all that blue on it, there can't be blue /inside/ right? Well, it's a theory, and she essays a stroke of the shell.

Sena lifts her hand from the egg with a content sigh and looks around for another egg to catch her fancy. A hint of yellow catches an emerald eye and so she nimbly steps over there, not far from Liseria though, and gently comes up to the Fudge Frosty Divinity Egg. Tentatively at first, she lays her fingertips on the warm surface of the egg, letting them trail gently down the side before placing her entire palm on the surface.

Tyara smiles tenderly and steps back from the egg, her expression almost one of awe as she regards it fully. Amazing, that such a small (well, compared to the grown dragons) egg will develop into a great creature one day. "Spotted all the blues yet, Py?" she calls out, finally tearing the gaze away from the enigmatic Solar Eclipse egg. The former head nanny is approached quickly, feet barely touching the sands.

Liseria pauses in her gleeful circling of the Volkswagen Egg, putting her hand against the egg softly. "Aye... It's warm and sort of soft, too," she states in Shaela's direction. "Like something that got left in the sun to dry." Sigh; Lis couldn't resist the laundry simile. Her fingers do the walking over yellow splotches, coming to rest on the be-speckled 'corners' of the rounded egg where perky vermillion peeks out of the fray.

Pyrene makes a face at Tyara. "Just because we're equal rank now doesn't mean you can call me that," she notes petulantly to her one-time colleague. Not that their knots ever stopped Tyara anyway. "And you /can't/ tell which ones are blues...." Lamentable isn't it?

Tiri circles around the eggs again, thoughts of being mauled by any dragon are temporarily put aside and left behind. She comes to another egg that attracts her and puts her hand on the base near the sand, not caring for the heat. It's the Pancake Tossing Egg and her hand moves up it's shell from the dark base and up to the lighter top, the browns and yellows and whites that tease her fancy, but this egg doesn't seem to entice her quite as much as the first did. She goes back to the Hide the Shoes egg and smiles at it again before moving on to another egg.

An interesting theory -- and Hatching day will come sooner or later to disprove it. For now, a gentle rustle of the pattern as a light breeze dances over the ovoid, friendly and welcoming.

Tyara smirks at Pyrene. "You're kidding, right?" she says. Ooh yes, that is sarcasm.. she's trying to shake off the feeling of that egg. It's almost calling at her, over there on the sand... "So-eh, found anyone you like yet?" she asks Pyrene, turning her back on the Solar Eclipse egg. So distracting..

D'renn reaches out a light hand as if to touch an egg: then remembers that it's not a very good idea, and circles back towards Faye. "Got anything edible there?"

Pyrene steps back and nods to the flora dance egg for Tyara's benefit. "That's a peaceful one." And she drifts off, feigning purpose as she crosses over the sands. "What was this one like, Lis?" she calls to the other girl, approaching the flower-power egg. "It looks like a green." Not as good as a brown perhaps, but not a blue and therefore Worthy.

Sena's mouth waters with the thought of all things delicious and so she turns towards the other eggs. Where is the hidden one? The one that.. Meandering through the eggs, careful not to touch them, she reaches the far end of the clutch. Peeking at her friend over the tops of the eggs, the small girl finds something.. "Hey Liseria! I found..." She moves away some sand and her fingers contact the Hide the Shoes egg. Using the other hand as well, she moves more sand away, wincing at the heat..

Shaela chuckles slightly, laying a tiny hand on the egg -- even she's hardly had the chance to touch the eggs thus far. "It certainly is flamboyant," she notes, trailing a finger along one of the many blue streaks. "Though laundry..? I think you've spent one too many days doing the wash, Lis."

Faye-with-the-food watches the Candidates as they choose eggs and touch them. Erm. Edible? Isn't most food edible? "What don't I have here," she replies, eyeing the plate. Meat, tubers, some bubblies. Basic necessities. "The heat's definitely keeping it all warm," she comments with a groan.

"Now, Shae, you shouldn't be touching the eggs!" D'renn is scandalised, even with a mouthful of meatroll. "What if.... what if perhaps you /could/ influence 'em in the shell? You can't exactly Impress another!" So what if that theory's never been proved....

Sena sniffs the air delicately, then moves more sand off the hidden egg, calling again to Liseria, "Come look.." Leaning back on her haunches, she gazes down at the partially revealed egg back in the corner of the clutch. It's darker back here.. Voices seem farther away and distant, though she's not that far back. Just seems isolated.

Chayath turns her head towards the moving candidates and sees that one go back there. Wait! She hid something back there. That candidate can't go there.. nonono. Rumbling loudly, the gold nudges Shaela to go get that wandering Candidate.

"Oh, shush, D'renn. I need to make sure the eggs are alright," Shae attempts to justify her actions to the weyrlingmaster. "But if you say.. Faye, you had food?" A playfully wistful glance to the Candidates, and she wanders back towards the other rider and the lady with the treats.

"Muah?" Lis' head tries to turn in too many directions at once: towards Pyrene, and her idea of what's in this egg; towards Sena, who's found the egg they were looking for; and back towards Shaela with her comment about laundry. One by one, Lis answers the various bids for her attention. "Well, I dunno. It could be blue..." Hopefully that won't offend Pyrene too much. "Huh? Oh, you found it..." the girl says to Sena, then sheepishly nodding at Shae. "Well, it /is/ my favorite chore." Favorite chores? Oh Fraranth....

Tyara snickers at Pyrene's back, then eyes Chayath and the small egg thoughtfully. Hmm, does she dare...? Deciding she might as well try, the nanny moves towards Shaela - better approach the rider than the dragon! "Shaela? D'you think I could.. I mean, d'you think Chayath'd mind if I looked at the small egg?"

A splish splash of all the colours of the rainbow, perhaps? Though dragons don't come like that, unfortunately. Here, have a touch -- add your own fingerpainted streak to the mural.

Tiri walks along, her shoes sinking into the sand with every step and rubs her chin as she looks around. When passing a few more, another strikes her eye and she moves to it. A milky colored egg that has a joyful spirit to it is the Full Moon Egg. A smile appears on her face as she closes her eyes ad her hand moves over it. Simple, yet euphoric in it's own special way. "How pretty..." she whispers. It reminds her of some firelizard eggs she's seen, yet so much...more-so? She sits awhile longer with this one, wondering if she should leave or not. For the first time after touching the eggs, she glances over at the others and smiles as they pick favorites.

"Uh huh. This s'what I brought the food here for, Shaela," Faye replies, a wry grin creeping onto her face as she watches the food closely. Oh, ickie. Too hot on the sands, though at least the food won't go all cold.

D'renn chews on his meatroll, grumbling under his breath at something or other.

Pyrene doesn't have Lis's sole and undivided attention? For shame... not that she's paying much attention to the candidate anyway. The egg demands her concentration as she strokes it, listening, reflecting. "Green," she decides firmly. "And a terribly proddy one too..." See? Not only does she predict colours, she forecasts personalities too. Now where? Chayath's watching another candidate, thank Faranth, so she heads along to the solar eclipse egg that Tyara so admired.

"Probably not, Tyara. Just, you'll have to fight with Petita for privileges on it," Shae laughs, pointing over to the youngster by the egg with one hand while she nabs a meatroll with the other. "What's that. Chay?" she dashes off after Sena. A little slow to follow, however, and no clue as to /why/. Silly dragon.

Sena grins and stands up again, "Yeah, Lis, it's a neat little egg too." Little isn't the right word, but it doesn't seem as huge as the others. Maybe because it's buried. Turning her attention back to the egg, she doesn't notice the weyrwoman coming towards her, though she doesn't touch the egg again.

Tyara chuckles at Shaela before moving to join Petita. She slowly approaches Chayath, peering up at the queen. Uhm, please don't eat me? "Uh, mind'f I take a closer look at that little love there?" she inquires, smiling up at the dragons. If you have to be eaten you might as well look good, right?

That's one dragon, not dragons..

Liseria watches wide-eyed as Chayath starts paying attention to something behind her, noding her head slowly in Sena's direction. "Aye, but, um, I think I'll stick with this egg." She doesn't want to be anywhere near anything that suddenly draws Chayath's attention. "Green, eh?" The girl asks of Pyrene with just the hint of skepticism. Then again, the girl did spend a few Turns at 'Reaches. "How 'bout this one?" A hand now reaches over the neighboring egg: Thanksgiving Turkey, with all the trimmings dancing over the shell as well.

Pyrene is busy with solar eclipse still but she glances over at the turkey egg... "I'm not sure... bronze?" She's said there'll be four in this clutch.

Tiri reluctantly gets up and pads over to another eggie that somehow gives her the feeling that some of the emotions she feels around dragons are being mirrored back at her. Both hands are placed upon the Morning Mirror-Gazing Egg and she listens, as if wanting to hear some sort of sound. There's none, of course, but she still does. Her anxiety of Chayath comes back, but is somehow comforted by the security of being near the egg.

Better pay attention. This egg gives off an odd feel. All goes dark? It seems like everything goes black with a feeling that something's missing.

Quedista moves into the heat, shimmered and blurred by the ripples that rise off the Sands.

"So, seems you found the hidden egg, there," Shaela smiles broadly, offering her congratulations to the Candidate Sena. A nibble of the meatroll, and she sighs happily. Food. "Touch away, don't let Chayath and I stop you. Chayath's just antsy because as soon as you folks are gone, she's going to have to re-hide it."

Sena grins at Liseria, wondering what has the gold in an uproar.. and realizes that great golden head is gazing at /her/. Looking up at the weyrwoman, "O-okay. She's not.. too mad I hope?" Visions of fear float through her mind. "Ooh, I guess I ruined her work, eh?" 

"Nah, not in the least. She's just playing games," Shaela reassures, tossing a glance behind her to her lifemate. "So, you like the egg? Which one's your fave so far?" she wonders, nibbling again at the meatroll.

Chayath's attention is focused on that Candidate who disturbed her eggie. Golden head remains locked on that poor soul who dared disturb her mastery of hiding the egg.

Pyrene steps back and makes a face. "Careful of this one Tya... you've picked a blue, I'm sure." she states. Her gaze follows to Sena, "Hidden egg? Nobody told me there was a hidden egg! Is it invisible-hidden, or just normal-hidden?"

Tiri sighs as she stands up again and she walks over to join the other candies, not being antisocial anymore. "Whatcha guys up to? Trying to guess what color is hidden inside?" she grins. "I really can't tell... I don't think I'm clicking with any of these /that/ well, either...?" She pauses for a moment. "Are any of you?"

Sena tilts her head and eyes the sea of eggs, "I like that one the best.." she points to the Full Moon Egg and turns to Shaela with a grin. "I've only touched it once, but I still like it. I also like the Winter Solstice Egg.." She smiles, remembering the warmth that emanated from that egg.

Tyara looks over her shaoulder at Pyrene. "Think so, Py?" she smirks. "Y'know, maybe a blue'll pick you?" She grins, then moves even closer to the small egg since Chayath's attention seems to be elsewhere. Fortunately.. Hands are placed on the small Frosh Day egg along with Petita's, the nanny grinning slightly at the girl.

Liseria peers at the Thanksgiving Egg under her fingers, stomach starting to rumble much as it did when she saw the thing clutched. "Well, whatever's coming out of it," Lis tells Pyrene, "the egg sure makes me hungry..." Lips are licked softly, eyes greedily following the drip-drip of gravy colors down the egg's top as fingers wiggle down the same surface. "/I/ think it's going to be brown."

Tyara narrows her eyes, one hand moving to her head as she suddenly gets a flashing sensation. "Hmm, this is really strange," she mutters, slowly drawing back from the egg. Let Petita be all over it again.. She moves to join Lis and Pyrene instead, peering at the egg under Lis' hands.

Quedista stumbles across a bump in the sands, eager to touch another one. "Oh, I like them all," she calls behind her, and reaches out once more, less afraid. She gently brushes the shell of morning mirror-gazing egg with her fingertips, a happy smile beginning to form on the corners of her lips.

Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Egg
The top of egg is smothered with lumpy, harvest gravy; gray, brown, and other earthy colors slowly fade into the succeeding dish of the pale, buttery yellow of cream corn. Encircling the center of the egg is the smooth crimson hue of cranberry sauce. Its deep color contrasts with the other pallid shades, making it stick out like a sore thumb. Egg grows less brilliant, but the main course is served up; the turkey drumstick's baked, not burned, its brownish-tan color blending in well among the autumn flavor of spice. At last, colors blending towards egg's base, dessert arrives; a scrupmtious pumpkin pie adds a yellowish-orange color to the meal, topped off by a creamy swirl of milk-white.

Hide-the-Shoes Egg
Though polished by the heat and the careful, maternal attentions of a gold dragon, the unobtrusive orb calls - begs - for the shadows, for the dark. Dully gleaming browns wrinkle over a perpetually-leathery shell, stitched in a worn form that lists to one flattened side. A wide lip - almost a tounge - of sepia arches up over the low-lying top, curling under a small pit of darkness; a blunt indentation barely noticed; but it's here where the real treasure lies. Burnished wrinkles of metallic umber sparkle amid the shadow, a hidden treat for the finder.

Tiri tilts her head and looks over her shoulder at the eggs. There's an awful lot of them, could she ever find one that's right for her? Not that she actually thinks that her being brought her was human, err, dragon error. With a another gaze over the eggs, one looks a bit darker than the others. Tiri likes the dark; best time to do pranks. So she skips on over to the All Hallow's Eve egg with a half-smile. She reaches down and pets it softly, even if it's pattern makes it look a bit creepy... It's not so bad, in fact it's quite nice in her opinion...could the outter shell only be a trick to the eyes?

Pyrene peeks over at Liseria. "Really? Brown?" That's got her attention, and she moves swiftly over the sands to the egg. "Why brown?" she asks curiously, hands continuing to rove over the shell.

Liseria slides her fingers almost to the bottom of the Turkey Egg, resisting the overwhelming temptation to lick her fingers. They'd only taste like sand anyway. Lis spots Tyara's entrance, finally leering at the egg under Chayath's scrutiny that's now left just to Petita. No crowds to fight through. Attention is jerked back by a Pyrene-comment. Lis'll get to the Frosh Egg, she will. "I keep thinking of a brown golden-baked roast when I see it. 'Sides, the eggs got lots of brown colors on it. Not that it makes a difference, but it just /seems/ brown to me."

Tiri's mouth makes a small 'o' as she pulls her hand away from the All Hallow's Eve Egg and without much reluctance, she places her hands back on it again. It's so tempting, and she couldn't resist. Is there something hiding in there, waiting to jump out and scare her. Well, if it's a dragon, it most likely /will/ scare her. She licks her lips as she waits silently beside the egg.

Sena moves away from the hidden egg and Chayath's gaze and wanders through the eggs to find another one to touch. Hand moves to BAtaille De Fleurs egg to lightly dance fingertips along shell's edge. Her fellow candies are given a glance, but her attention is on the egg. 

Pyrene places her hand carefully on the shell of the turkey egg. Brown? Maybe... "Sure it's not bronze then? There's got to be a few of 'em about..."

Quara moves into the heat, shimmered and blurred by the ripples that rise off the Sands.

With one last, longing glance at the Solar Eclipse, Tyara starts moving towards the edge of the sands. "I have something to do," she tells the nearest people, waving at the other Candidates and the riders. "See you all later."

Tyara escapes the earth-born heat and heads off the sands.

Fire-red tinges striat through her normally light purple-hued eyes as the gold shifts uncomfortably. Tailtip begins to twitch as the urge to start shifting and moving her eggs gets stronger and her allowances for the humans begins to shorten. Rumbling and grumbling the tiny egg is again clutched in her embrace as she moves closer to her eggs, her fire-brand hide gleaming in the light.

Hmm.. Shaela eyes her lifemate, raising a brow. So soon? Oh, fuss. A whispered comment to D'renn, and the rider is off yet again for some intimate words with her dragon.

Quara slips out onto the sands, grinning sheepishly. "How much did I miss?" she inquires, a cheerful tone to her voice. "Hi, Chayath!" She giggles brightly, with waves to each in turn.

D'renn nods to Shaela, striding over toward Quara. "You have time to touch one or two eggs, so choose carefully... and be gentle," he instructs the latecomer. [OOC - no more than one egg per pose please!]

Sena moves away from the eggs and the glowering gold, but hearing D'renn's words, she heads for the Full MOon egg. Hand lifts and lays on the warm surface of the egg.

Chayath rumbles slightly, her tail twitching a bit harder, though she's not ready to begin growling yet.

D'renn munches another meatroll, gesturing for Candidates to stay clear of Chayath and her precious, protected egg. 

Quara nods nervously, looking at the clutch. "Oh, okay... Uhm..." Thinking, she slowly meanders in the direction of the Solar Eclipse egg, reaching one calloused hand out to rest on the darkened shell. She glances nervously in Chayath's direction, hoping the queen isn't mad at her.

Sena smiles a thanks to D'renn and gives the Full Moon Egg one last touch before she leaves.

The aroma of roasted meat, rich with gravy and juices, permeates throughout, puddled with a sharper sauce and steaming with holiday hospitality.

Liseria pouts slightly as D'renn keeps the Candidates else-where. She won't be able to look at that egg just yet... Brushing hair back from her eyes, she sets out on her own this time towards a trio of ovoids, two green and flowery while one is set in sliver. Pausing for a moment to decide, she first settles a hand on the Kentucky Derby Egg, with it's rose colored highlights and unspoiled lines of green and brown.

Pyrene rests her hand a moment longer on the egg, and nods thoughtfully. "You're right, Lis, it /feels/ warm and comfortable like a brown..." she declares softly. Suddenly she blinks and winces. "Oh drat... I forgot to do the laundry. Bye everybody..." A wave to people dragons and eggs alike and gathering her skirts she dashes off, forgetting the new bolt of cloth that was left behind in the galleries in her hurry.

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