Merla and Hugin, entering the Sands, saying a relatively bright hello to Kazuko for the time of day.

It was a night where Merla felt like she could sleep peacefully. On most and many nights at the Academy since she’d begun to settle, she’d managed sleep, and had done so without much tossing and turning. But there was something that her subconscious acknowledged about the light drumming of rain upon her and Katare’s window, and the gentle sound of the water hissing upon the roof. It instilled a sort of instinctual calm as the patter of the water pervaded the silence of their room. All was quiet, even Hugin slept comfortably on his roughly crafted perch of wood and leather, a ball of ruffled feathers with his head and broad beak tucked into the plush blackness of his back. The girl of the forest turned in her sleep, settling deeper into the fine clothe of the Academy’s provided sheets, pursuing her dreams deeper into her subconscious, when something began to push through into her sleep from the outside.

What was it that persisted into her dreams so? It was beautiful. So deep she could feel it in her chest, and it brought with it an emotional swell of excitement that stirred the dreamscape around her to new heights and brighter colors. A sudden swell as the noise rose into a crescendo punctuated by a distant groan of thunder and the clear eyes of the once dreaming druid reflected the slight light of the room, revealing a some what glassy eyed alertness. There was the hum still, though faint, she could hear it only barely. Was she still dreaming? She sat up, and turned to her left, coaxing the flame of her lamp into a dim glow. What was it that she heard? Padding on with silent cat-like strides to the door, she put her ear to it, stirring Hugin from his slumber with her rising. He clacked his beak at her and shook his feathers out, still a disgruntled form of ruffled oily black. She could hear the hum outside of the door and she quietly opened it. “What’s going on?” she asked one of the garrisoned men in the Academy uniforms. They guarded the Candidate wings as well as the civilian wings.

He turned to her and with a slight smile on his face stated in words that made her heart pause then begin again, “That is the summons to the Hatching, young one. It is time for you all to ready yourselves and make your way to the sands.” She couldn’t breathe for a moment, and gave a numb nod in reply. It was the Hatching. Already. She darted back into the room and looked to Katare. “It’s time!” she called to her roommate in excitement, her voice coming in a rush. “They are calling for us. It is the Hatching!” she stated again. By now, Hugin was a rumbling ball of croaking grump who took a stab at her hands with his beak when she crossed to her armoire. She deftly pulled her hand out of the way and soothingly stroked the feathers beneath his neck on his face. With another groaning clack of his beak, he shrugged up his wings and allowed her to scratch his feathers, showing that she was forgiven. For now at least.

Merla stepped back and considered her clothing for a moment. A few months ago, she would have just simply placed her clothing on and gone. But she had learned around here, that the Academy held this once a year event in auspicious standards. Candidates had dresses picked out for months, and planned to gild themselves in brightness that would hopefully impress their soon to be dragons, and the parents that had birthed them. But Merla was not one for gilding herself. True enough, that she had the Awen of Carnelian on her necklace, and the Amethyst in her ear, but those were protective talismans, not useless jewelry used to impress. For her, perhaps simplicity was the best? She had worn the heather grey dress to the Touching, but now she was left without anything else of a dressy nature. She decided then, it would be best to go to the Hatching, her outfit representing all that she was, and all she had come from. She reached for the garb she wore when hunting. A soft white undershirt and a pair of tanned breeches. She belted her breeches, hanging her father’s gifted dagger from it, and nothing else. She figured that taking her bow onto the Sands would be unacceptable, and even such a slight weapon as the one she had might have some brows raised. She took another few moments to nervously fiddle with the feathers tied into her hair and to straighten the strands that had tossed themselves into disarray while she had slept.

“Hugin?” she called to the raven, uncertain if he was more interested in remaining behind to sleep or if he was simply going to go with her whether she wanted to or not. The raven seemed to clack his beak briefly in consideration, before in a flurrying beat of heavy black wings he glided across the room to settle upon her shoulder, where he settled down against her neck in a warm pile of feathers. Smiling, she reached up and stroked her hand across his wings, and felt his beak reach down to nip at her fingers. She laughed quietly and walked out of the room, following the array of Candidates that had started to pull themselves together and dart out of the door. Many of them were gilt in dresses and finely crafted suits or clothing that indicated their station that had once been before they had forsaken it to come here as candidates. But there were also a few who were simply dressed in the garb that they wore every day, and that allowed Merla a brief sigh of relief to know that she hadn’t under-dressed. Hugin grumbled at a few candidates who strayed too close to her and himself, but otherwise didn’t make too much of a fuss as they made their way down the hallways.

As they arrived at the courtyard to cross into the Hatching Sands, where the deep reverberation of the hum could be heard, Merla stopped, her ears, head, and heart all ringing. The drumming hiss of the rain mingled with the noise of the hum and muted it to some degree, but she could still feel it deep in her chest as it echoed about the dome that she had been visiting mothers and fathers in only a few weeks before. Her eyes cast from the warmly lit glass structure to the dark clouds above that she couldn’t see and the illuminated diamond droplets that cascaded from the heavens above. Hugin pushed himself closer to her neck and pushed his beak under her jaw, his head low, indicating his displeasure at the weather, but making no true noise. He felt the calm that seemed to flow over his flock at the presence of the weather, at the cool breeze that the rain on its own seemed to create, and the fresh smell of the precipitation. She looked at the others as they proceeded on through the rain, though not many had looked tired at the perspective of the Hatching, she was quite certain that they were all going to be awake by the time they’d sloughed through the storm and into the warmth of the Sands.

She took a gentle inhalation of breath, and turned to smile at Hugin. “Ready?” she asked him in a quiet whisper. In the bright refraction of light from the Hatching Sand’s dome of glass, she saw him blink once, tipping his head ever so slightly to see her out of one dark eye. She smiled and stepped out into the rain, briefly reveling in the sensations of the cold droplets that washed over her face and her fingertips. Her clothing was lightly dampened along the tops of her shoulders and breeches, and her hair hung in slightly limp strands by the time she reached the opposite side of the courtyard. She stopped at the small archway that lead in, out of the rain, and hearing the deep heavy thrum of the dragons inside, the loud echoing murmurs of others inside, and the beginning greetings of Candidates to the great white dragon, Kazuko. She could see it all in the multitude of washing colors that decorated the dome like a stained glass church window. Her eyes looked to Kazuko, bathing the sands in her own white light all around. She was their own ghost of the sands, who had been missing when Merla had first arrived, now returned. She had seen her from a distance, on a few occasions, flying every now and then over the Academy to stretch her wings, a behemoth of refracting white, and at the Touching, sitting in the back and out of the way of the nesting mothers, though she had been busy, Candidates said, crafting the crystals she would hand out to those who would bond.

Merla had not taken a step from where she’d stopped, and she bit her lip at the thought of the crystals. Would she be bonding this day? Would she be given a crystal by those great claws of their ghost? She didn’t know, but this night would prove whether or not her undertaking of this journey was all for naught. It would prove if her mother had been right, and the Fates had spoken true to her. “Here we go.” She said in a small voice, mostly to herself, and mostly to Hugin. Then she moved forwards, into the arid heat of the Hatching sands, so distinctly different from the cool, rain-touched atmosphere of the world outside this glass dome. Her eyes stared around first, at those who had all gathered here. There were so many dragons and humans, all looking excited, despite the hour, seated up in the stands. Even still, more were filtering in from the doorways around the Hatching Sands and filing up into the stands for a good seat for the ceremony’s proceedings.

Then her eyes turned up to Kazuko, the great white dragon, the current metaphorical sun of the Hatching Sands, and she suddenly felt very small. She was larger than even Lumiere had been, and she struck a very…ancient figure in her minds eye. What did one say to a dragon as old as the Academy itself, and older beyond that? Merla swallowed, lowered her eyes and gave Kazuko a low bow, unbalancing Hugin somewhat from her shoulder as she did so. “Bright blessings to you,Kazuko.” Was all she could come up with. It seemed far too arrogant to ask if there was a crystal for her, and she was quite certain Kazuko already knew why they were all there. So, what else was there left for her to say?

Forge, called away from work. Making his way onto the Sands, and giving a hello to Kazuko.

The steady rhythm of hammer against metal was all that had pervaded his senses for the past few hours. A steady double tap of the hammer against the piece of armor he was attempting to shape, and then the high clear peal of the anvil as he tapped it on the third strike. It was a chorus of heavy bells, a rhythm that helped him to keep pace and time of what he was doing and not fall out of his patterns. He checked the edges of the piece, his eyes squinting in the low light of the armory, even from where he stood beneath one of the burning lamps. Still too rough. Damn. He sighed and reached up an ash smeared hand to wipe the sweat off the back of his head. It was always hot down in the smith’s workshops, but he savored the heat. It was a comforting thing for him. Some liked the rain, some liked the wind, as for himself, he enjoyed the heat of the fires. The dancing flames and shadows, the high ringing peals of the metals being struck and shaped, all of it amounted to the final climax of having created something new and entirely your own. But still, he knew his work was still a novice’s in comparison to some of the men that had been working the Academy for far longer than he had drawn breath. Such was the upsides to bonding with a dragon, he supposed. They grew old, but never aged, they had the same strength as a young man like himself, and were able to easily craft with the same amount of energy he had.

He gave a soft chuckle at that and placed his hammer down, turning over the cuirass in his hands for a few moments, his eyes scouring it for signs that it needed to be changed in any way. He’d managed to shape it in the way he wanted, but the edges needed to be folded over, and shaped yet again. Noting this, he gathered it up under an arm and snagged a few tools off the wall as he passed by, noting they were the ones he generally used, familiar by the weight and feel of the metal in his hand. He set them down upon the anvil beside one of the operating forges, and noted that it was almost warm enough to use, the coals only covered by a bit of ash. Ah, it’d take some effort to get this to the point he needed it. No dragons were currently in the armory, as the hour was late, a fact that Forge had chosen to ignore. Because of their absences, he would have to reheat the forge on his own, without the aid of any who worked alongside him during the daylight hours. As he worked, he noted a soft ringing noise on the edge of his hearing.

A call from the doorway, and the smith looked up, wiping his grimy hands on the front of his somewhat singed leather apron. “Yeah? What’s going on?” he asked the man who was across the way, grinning at him. “Call to the hatching, lad.” A Forest rider and his dragon were standing before him, looking at him expectantly, excitement etched across their features, if only somewhat for the more draconic features of the dragoness. “Surely you know the call when you hear it, right?” he asked with a grin as he strode out, clapping Forge on the shoulder as he passed. “See you there, little one.” The forest hummed to him, her voice sweet as she passed by him, her head raised in excitement like all of the frills upon her form. Forge scratched his jaw and grinned. Well how about that, a hatching in the dead of night! He glanced back at his work station. Ah…well that would need to be cleaned up first…

Some time later, he was trotting through the halls, which were echoing faintly with the sounds of the soft rainfall upon the roofs above. He hadn’t had a chance to make his way back to his room and change his clothing, so he was left in a sleeveless shirt, smeared by soot and ash, just as his arms and pants were. His hair was in just as bad shape, clumped together by sweat and frizzed somewhat from the heat, it accented his stubbled jaw perfectly and made him appear no more than common riff-raff rather than a Sekkain candidate. Would they reject him on appearance alone? Well surely that’d be a foolish thing to do…Then again…His thoughts flickered back to Narcissa, the duck-like dragon matron who had judged him purely on the fact that he had been friendly to Jaime. Perhaps he wasn’t as well off as he thought he was in this dirty garb. He stopped in his stride, glancing down at his shirt and picking at it with his still soot stained fingers, and sighed out of his nose. Did he want to risk being late? Would it be testing fate just a bit too much? He chewed his lip, and then decided, it was just better off that he showed his face on time. He set back off at a purposeful stride down the alabaster hallways, and finally merged back into the main hallways, following the flow of Candidates that he could see in the distance already making their way across the courtyard and into the Hatching Sands beyond.

He paused at the curtain of rain, glancing up at it and squinting as some stray droplets caught him in the face or around his eyes, lit up like falling stars from the bright radiating light of the Hatchin Sands. Well, this was certainly nice weather for a Hatching. Rain was suitable for the Springtime he supposed, but weren’t most Hatchings more…bright affairs? Of course there was the light from within, and no doubt from the countless dragons, but still…He shrugged to himself, and figured that the babies would hatch when they were prepared to hatch. Just how did they all know to hatch together anyway? Was it a sort of inner clock thing with them all? Did they hatch hours apart? Was he going to be there all night? He didn’t know, but from the general excitement he could hear, he didn’t think it would be an incredibly monotonous affair. Who, after all, would be ecstatic to be awake all night watching egg’s twitch, and hope that one of them would burst open to reveal the child that would then bond? Sure it as someone’s cup of tea, and for the patient man, he wouldn’t have minded so much. But still, the curiosity of the way the dragonets somehow knew made him internally raise a brow.

He jogged across the courtyard, not so much minding that the rain was washing away the grime so much as he minded that it was soaking his clothes. The moisture that fell from the heavens wasn’t so soggy that it plastered it to him, for which he was thankful, but he did find the sensation of the wind cooling the droplets on his skin began to cause goose bumps to rise upon his arms and he couldn’t help but scowl just a little bit at that sensation of cold. All was made well, however, when he stepped back inside of the dry heat that comprised the Hatching sands and its occupants. The noise of the dragons and riders as well as the heavy thrum coming from some unknown source was almost enough to cause a headache to begin to form behind his eyes at the deafening nature. He shook his head slightly, and blinked, looking around before he realized that all of the candidates were beginning to make their way towards the bright white dragon, Kazuko. It seemed that they were to make their way to her then, in order for proceedings to continue. Shrugging to himself, he made his way in that direction.

Nearing the throng of young and old men and women, he picked out some that he recognized, and smiled at a few. They were all waiting in what appeared to be some semblance of order to have Kazuko acknowledge them, and perhaps give them a crystal. When it was his chance to step forwards and greet her, he glanced down at his attire and at the others own garb. He gave a bow. “Good evening to you, marm. Terribly sorry about this…” he picked at his shirt color with his fingers for a moment but gave a sort of embarrassed shrug.

Today had, at first, seemed to be an ordinary day, at least, until the call echoed, whispering of new lives that were soon to be waking on the sands. That, mixed with the fact that it was raining, a storm doing much more than whispers. More like storming, indeed. With haste, but not so much that Namiko was untidy, the young woman went back to her room and dressed for the occasion in her best. It was likely not the grandest or most vain of things, but it was proper for such an occasion as one such as the Hatching. With nerves bubbling in her, the usually straight forward girl was beginning to feel a little worried. What if, even after all this time, there was no dragon who would bond to her because of what had been done in the past, or perhaps even because she wasn't a native? She hadn't really heard of others whom had come long distances,- possibly because she didn't talk to a lot of people.

Hurrying along, Namiko brought herself to the hatching grounds, following other candidates whom had been called. Now was the test. Upon these very sands had the fates of riders been forged, or not, depending on the Greatmother's choice. Namiko had been among large dragons before, both when she'd been brought to the mainland and when she'd spoken to Lumi, but...When she saw Kazuko there, waiting, huge, bigger than most anything the girl could imagine, she almost stopped in her tracks just to stand in awe and look longer. But sense pushed her along quicker than wants did, and soon enough she paused before the Celestial, eyes wide in wonder. The light made by all the dragons together was something she hadn't even thought possible, but here it was. What wonderful creatures these dragons were...She very much hoped to be part of their world, and once again find some kind of order in her life.

As she'd seen the year before, (As she had seen the hatching prior), she cautiously stepped forward and bowed deeply to great Celestial. “Greatmother, it is an honor to be here before you.” Standing again, still nervous, she smiled with hope burning bright in her. She was almost too afraid to ask. “I hope I am worthy of having a crystal, it would mean the world to me...”

Mannix entering, to Kazuko

Gentle taps sounded from countless droplets of rain hitting against pale stone, showering its whispering song over the Academy. It sung a wordless lullaby to the sleeping candidate buried beneath his fur-lined coverlet, murmuring its shifting chant to ease the man's aching muscles after a long day's end. Candidate tasks had been completed, as was his duty, yet further still he pushed himself to busy his mind and hands. When he wasn't attending to his twin blades and honing his ability with them he was paying visit to the blacksmith bellows.

The recollection of his craft eased his mind after every tense, troubling day of wait and patience, bringing him a sense of well-earned, familiar stress to his working sinew to shape metals beneath the ringing of hammer and anvil. Such exhaustive efforts had granted him the gift of sound sleep, heavy and uneasily disturbed. No sooner than he had closed his eyes to the world did he find himself adrift in a dreamless sleep, a bottomless black sea of velvet comfort greeting him like a familiar friend. So wasted to his slumber that the reverberating hum that slowly began to drift through the nooks and crannies of the Acadamy walls did not so much as incite a twitch from the stilled blonde.

Lightly tumbling notes may have fallen on one pair of deaf ears, but a second were more welcoming to the faint, heartening symphony. Stone wings shuffled in response to the melodic tune, a dozen pinions fanning and refolding themselves into orderly alignment. A grinding snort chuffed from the terra cotta hewn creature, her carved ears flattening in disdain against fiery, stylized curls. Four hooves clattered to uproot the woken gargoyle, quick beats marking her trotting stride to Mannix's bedside. Aithne snuffled at his dusted gold locks, eliciting no more reaction than if she'd nosed at one of her favored pebble treats. She snorted, stamping a hoof for emphasis on her demands for his attention. This garnered no success for her either.

And then she loosed an ear splitting bray.

Mannix bolted upright with an incomprehensible splutter of vowels and consonants. Chocolate eyes narrowed, landing on his companion with a snarl building in his throat, “Aithne, what in the Taint has gotten into--” He paused, auditory canals finally registering and recognizing the rise and fall of the Great Mother's masked musical choir, nature seeing fit that its volume yield to the torrent's brilliance. “...Oh.” OH. Shit. A sweep of unfurled blankets freed the sleep deprived candidate, body reacting more on instinct than mentally commanded notions. Clothing was donned before he had even fully comprehended that surreal had well and truly become reality, that his future may shortly fall in the footsteps of his parents'.

He pulled the on his final boot, shouldering open the door with the falling of the same motion. He turned with one foot out the door, peering down at the grown gargoyle clicking her way to his heels. “No, sorry Aithne, you're staying.” Mannix rumbled, voice still abrasive from weariness. In heedless answer, she lowered her head and bowled past the bodily obstruction meant to bar her path, nearly toppling him head over heals from her determined haste. By the time he had sorted his limbs into proper array, he looked up to find her standing several paces ahead, waiting impatiently for him to follow.

“Oh, fine. But you cause trouble and it'll be your head, not mine, this time.” came his rebuttal, defeated. Aithne wasted no time on a callous huff in return, instead turned on nimble, cloven hooves to lead the way.

Her first steps on the sands of her birthplace were tentative ones, as if the fine grain brought back memory of her creation, of her bond. The scene was nearly right, save for in place of hybrids the sands were lined by a myriad of draconic parents and their proudly nested gifts of life, aglow from shifting orbs of multicolored light and energy. And people, so many people flocking into the vast arena with rapidly increasing progression. Aithne receded to her roots, taking up position behind her master's calves and tossing her head defiantly at the gathering crowd in a likened manner to the day she'd first bonded to him.

Mannix smiled wryly at her display, bemused by the invoked nostalgia of when he'd first been bound to such a trying and unusual brute. But the stone wrought sow had grown on him like stubborn moss to unyielding tree. It was with that reconciliation that he drew his rich umber gaze from rustic bolder to glimmering, slender mountain. The Ghost of the Sands stood vigil over the sands, her pale figure a beacon to all in the changing light. Carefully and precisely he started towards her, knowing the demanded customs he must now conform to, too late to withdraw his candidacy in favor of the smith's life.

Before her he finally stood after waiting for due turn, gaze lifted to seek her wizened recognition. Respect of the historic matron quelled any resistant pride he may have born any other dragoness, bidding worn sinew to coil his tall frame into a crisp, refined bow that bore no exuberant flair. “Hail and well met, Kazuko. Is there a crystal meant for me this night?” Mannix inquired, tone clear and concise as the last remnants of clinging sleep had slid away in the wake of unfolding events.


Amoux entering, to Kazuko

Colors and indistinguishable shapes blurred and blended in a whorl of dream's vision. The landscape was familiar as it was foreign, wild as it was tame. It coaxed its watcher deeper in, a promised lure not yet shown but surely right around the shadowy bend. Amoux followed unthinkingly, guided by the spirits to where they desired his mind to wander, to what they wished for his third eye to see. And see it would. Soon the gloom of pitch and darkened hues began to lighten, a lens finding its focus. Light began to pool from above him, pure as a winter morning after the season's first snowfall. It pulsed brighter with every passing second, shedding thick shafts of luminescence to brighten the dreamscape.

Russet eyes opened as the third veiled its gaze once again. The young shaman stared at his chamber's ceiling, absorbing the soft rush of rainfall murmuring in the night. Amoux pondered quietly, mulling the recalled vision over with careful consideration. It held an air of significance, a cryptic message wishing in earnest to be revealed. Idly he pulled a slender hand free of his sleeping skins, running fingers through the long wintery tresses of his hair. His ample mind alighted on a thousand thoughts, drifting from one to the next as a butterfly to every gemstone flower in a garden.

Then the rising notes of softly tumbling music filtered past mason and alabaster, filling the room with an assurgent orchestra of calling hidden beneath rain's lullaby. It pulsed in time just as the radiant light of his farsight had, marrying vision to reality in an irrefutable visage of harmonic summons. Amoux smiled knowingly, thanking the spirit guide who had lead him true before rising for preparation. The shaman dressed in his sunbathed attire, the aroma of home enveloping him as the familiar hides slid over his skin. Moccasins padded his feet like a leopard's muffled paw, masking his footfalls on stone hallway as he paced fluidly out from his quarter.

Soon the roughened stone gave way to shifting sand as he found himself at the ground's great basin. He gazed about the scene with tranquil grace, absorbing the moment of a painted world lit by lights of many spectrums. Such a splendid canvas the arena made beneath the domed glass high above. Even darkened by nightfall and slicked with sheets of glittering rain could not steal away its beauty, nor blemish the many mother's watching the clutches so dutifully tended before their talons. The greatest mother of them all drew the shaman's eye at last, her pearl and gilded form towering over all her kin, overseeing the Hatching Grounds with everlasting forbearance.

Amoux admired her from afar a moment longer, letting his ponderous musing meander before marshaling it once more. He stepped forward on nimble, padded feet as light and surefooted as any feline. When at last he stood before Kazuko, the shaman placed a hand over his pulsing heart and bowed as his tribe's greeting bequeathed.

His voice came evenly, fluid and patient when he addressed the Celestial, “The spirits have called me to stand before you, Light-Bringer, and I have come.”

Jadorn to Kazuko

---

He had been asleep, in deep slumber, when the hum reverberated through the halls. It had shuddered him quickly from his unconsciousness and his eyes had snapped open. The artist lay in bed a few moments, breathing quickly. The stir of the air; there was charge to the atmosphere. Jadorn rolled off of his mattress and attempted to get dressed in as quick a time as he could. The loud hum seemed to vibrate through his chest, his heart beating in a rhythm similar to the sound. He pulled on his trousers, throwing his pyjamas to one side, then his shirt, quickly buttoning it up, and finally a jacket, which he’d hung on the door. He left in silence, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and trying to stifle a yawn to no success. Soon, however, his pace quickened.

The day he had been waiting for was finally here. The day where the dragon children would finally wake from their slumber and break out into the world beyond their chamber. It was far from how Jadorn had expected it to be. For one; it occurring in the night, for another, the rain. However the artist could not believe it, nor how far he had come in such short a time at the Academy. It had been a couple of months, yes, but to Jadorn, they had gone by quickly. What he hadn’t expected was the opportunity to meet the hatchlings before they were hatched, to be one of many that would have the privilege of being chosen by them. The artist had arrived those months prior to increase his artistic skills, not knowing of the tasks he would undertake, and the special honours he and many others would be permitted to.

Everyone in the Academy had been chattering away about the upcoming hatching. They hadn’t known of the due date, but had instead replied with ‘soon’ to all questions pertaining to it. Jadorn had been awaiting that closing date.
Even though it was night and the drowsiness he felt was still imminent, Jadorn far too over-excited to stay in place. He could barely contain himself. It was like that time where he’d met that famous artist and he’d been contemplated on his own work. Now that had been an eventful day, but this was much more so. It was like four Birthday’s rolled into one, no, more than that. Argh, he was going to get a headache if he thought like that.

Now there was the familiar hustle and bustle of the crowds. One that he had long become accustomed to. However, many of them still suffered from having awoken rather abruptly from their sleep. Although, many of them were still half-asleep, yawning and rubbing their eyes, Jadorn was now as wide awake as anything. In the matter of minutes it took for the candidates to step through into the Hatching Sands, it was like he had never been asleep.

The hiss of rain outside was muted, ignored, as the artist walked along. He wasn’t deterred as the droplets beat down upon his head, his blonde hair becoming darker with the onslaught. Finally, they moved away from the outside and into the interior of the Hatching Grounds. The bright insides of the glass dome was enough to stun whatever remained of the drowsiness out of the young man. He paused, blinking, then raised an arm over his eyes to shield them from the blinding glare. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed the many parents, some helping to keep the light strong, others watching the candidates as they made their way back onto the Hatching Grounds. Jadorn swallowed, suddenly feeling a bout of shyness.

There were others to the audience too, gathering up and sitting down in the stands to watch as the new recruits came piling in. Jadorn’s eyes caught the pure body of Kazuko’s and he forgot how to breathe a moment. It hit him, finally. This was the day in which they were to meet their soon-to-be bonded dragon with crystal at hand. His excitement faded away to be replaced by something akin to anxiety. However, he still approached the great one, his eyes on her, as she was addressed by separate candidates. He bowed to her. ”Greetings, Great Mother, it’s a great honour to stand before you.” He offered her a smile, then shuffled a little. ”If I may be bold but to ask, is there possibly a crystal for me?”

Azazel to Kazuko

---

The time had finally come. Azazel didn’t know whether to be frightened, or excited. She worried for Tchaculi, worried in case her special friend may be eaten by the dragon she may end up with. Luckily, she hadn’t been up all night worrying about it. She had slept well, with her tarantula asleep at the end of the bed. Although Tchaculi was indeed a nocturnal creature, she sometimes rested when Azel did, and it was enough to soothe her. She had smiled, that night, thankful of the presence of her childhood friend. Soon, the hatching would be soon. She had been told that by an overexcited candidate. Now, all there was to do, was wait. That had been something that Azel could do, however, this particular night proved to be yet another waiting game.

Similar to the nights before, she had drifted off to sleep, Tchaculi resting at the bottom of the bed. However, as she fell into slumber, it felt like only a matter of moments later that she had awoke again. The humming that passed through the Academy walls brought forth a foreboding, as well as a twitch of excitement. Used to being woken at times such as these it did not take the girl long to be up and ready. However, she had instructed her tarantula to wait for her, so worried in case the creature was to be squished or eaten. Then she had left, following the sound and the throng of people that went to meet it.

The rain drew all the warmth from her as she marched toward the Hatching Sands. By the time she was within the warmer, brighter interior of the glass structure, she was chilled to the bone. She wrapped her arms about herself and advanced, still shadowing the crowd of candidates, her mind on one thing. There would be the meeting of the Great Mother. She had found that out from books and from quiet conversations with others. She was to treat her with the proper respect. That she would do anyway, being a part of her nature, although not the most prominent.

There was an audience gathering. Eyes upon her as she walked along. Eyes upon all of the candidates. She was anxious, but with the conversations she had had with some of the parent dragons, she managed to keep that well-covered, showing only a slight calm mask to those around her. Upon the sight of Kazuko, she paused a moment. She was far more magnificent than what any book could describe of her.

Azazel waited in line, patiently awaiting her own turn to come. Every candidate had their own way of showing their respect to the grand Celestial. Soon, the girl stood before her herself. She gave her a curtsy, although she wore no skirt. Most of the time, her sign of respect had been through her bow, but there was something that exuded a different kind of aura from the Great Mother. "My greetings to you, Kazuko," she spoke.

Elu and Captain entering; to Kazuko


A rough hand pulled her to safety.

She gasped and thrashed in her bed in the throws of restless haunting visions until the squawking of a particularly angry bird and a shouting voice ushered her groggy mind to moderate consciousness. She shivered beneath her blankets and stared up at the tall figure standing above her. Who the hell...was this guy? He grinned profusely, but the crease of worry on his brow had her narrowing her eyes in suspicion. Had he seen her experiencing a nightmare? Did he...? Elu made to reach out and grab his arm to hold his attention, but the blur of black and white feathers aimed at his head startled the young man into action. He darted off and shot out of the small room, a small dart squawking in his wake.

"Captain!" she shouted, rearing out of bed with a sickening lurch that almost sent her toppling into the floor. "Stop--hey, wait, where are you going? And what's going on?" Dressed in little more than her skivvies, the woman pulled on whatever she could reach that didn’t immediately emanate the stench of animals and darted out the door in pursuit of her bird and what she assumed had been some kind of messenger. A group of candidates ran past her in the gloomy barracks, their excited voices echoing off the walls in great peals of laughter. "Hey!" she called, running up behind them as they neared the stairs. "Can you please tell me what's going on?"

One of the older men in the group turned to her and beamed, jabbing a thumb up toward the ceiling. "Hatching!"

She stopped dead in her tracks. H-hatching? The group of candidates disappeared up the stair well, leaving her alone in the damp hallway. The sound of rolling thunder filled the corridors, settling an uneasiness in the pit of her stomach. Storms weren't...favorable. She turned about, peering down the hallways for signs of others, but it appeared that the first rush had left. Perhaps that was what the messenger was for? Elu ran a nervous hand through her hair and dug her heel into the limestone floor. Now was the time? Now? In the middle of the bloody night? Those hatchlings sure didn't waste their time, did they? She bit her cheek.

A squawk directly behind her startled the candidate out of her reverie more than she might have wished to admit. The magpie fluttered over and settled on her waiting arm, a tiny golden nugget clamped between his beak. Elu wheeled on the magpie and stuck a finger in his face, staring down the black and white bird with a look of feigned loathing. “ What do you think you're doing?” she growled. "We can't steal here, they'll find out you stupid bird! We'll be around them for who knows how lo---ong." She stuttered, choking on the words.

Was the Hatching really now? It almost seemed to impossible, too much of a fantasy to truly comprehend, but the harder she concentrated, the more she could hear of a gentle, rolling hum that seemed familiar in a way, something she couldn't quite ignore. Was that the call that they had been told about? Elu turned her gaze up the ceiling of the barrack where she knew the Hatching Grounds lie just above and beyond. "So...this is really it? Its time, Captain?" She looked at the bird once more, judging the hoarding magpie with his precious trinket, before setting off toward the stairs. "I'd always figured it'd be some time off..."

That wasn't to say she didn't think herself ready; really, why would she ever admit that? Of course she was ready! She was fully capable of tending a hatchling of her own to adulthood, without a doubt. They'd be soulmates, the best of friends, and the greatest of mounts. But why did she feel this lingering feeling that she was horribly wrong? She dampened it as soon as it fluttered in the pit of her chest and shook her head. No, definitely, she was ready. She had to be, for all she knew, this could be her only shot. Staying in one place too long was...boring, mundane, and vulnerable to attack.

The humming and light grew louder and stronger as she approached the entrance to the Hatching Grounds. Elu eyed the flurry of candidates with a stifled burst of envy; most were dressed to their nines in frillery, the finest their wealthy parents could afford. Her own garb paled in comparison, however functional. She pushed past them as soon as there was enough room to empart from the overjoyed guards and entered the sands as she had on the day of the Touching. But, unlike that day two weeks prior, the ghostly white Celetial loomed over the awaiting line of candidates, a vepser in her own right. A technicolor assortment of artificial light hung beneath the great ceiling's immense glass dome. She gaped with unrestrained awe, having never seen anything of the like before. It was beautiful, filling the cavern with a warmth that rivaled the serene glow of the morning sun and, beneath it, lie the quivering eggs, the stars of the evening's show.

Once she had gotten her fill of gaping at the ceiling, her eyes locked onto the pile of crystals at the dragoness’ side. Some gleamed like newly cut diamonds, while others shone in more dull tones; matte slate, polished glass, gemstones cut to perfect facets that played with the low light that bounced off the Celestial’s body. All were beautiful in their own way, valuable beyond normal reason, and as tantalizing to behold for what they meant than she could properly comprehend. Her hands twitched at her side, ready to reach out and grab one that suited her needs, but she clenched them harder into fists, knowing the repercussions of simply taking a crystal. The rumor mill had run fast through the barracks when they learned that one of their own had, supposedly, been stealing rider crystals. She didn’t particularly wish, or care much, to find out what their fate was, but she knew it wasn’t anything desirable if she wanted to stay free and ditch the Academy once she had a pair of wings large enough to carry them both.

Her heart began to pace with rapid succession. Sweat beaded her brow as she took her place in the rear of the line of candidates awaiting Kazuko’s judgment. Had that Sonic rider been wrong? What if she wasn’t found fit to bond? The trek she had taken to get here would be in vain if that were the case. Her heart sunk pitifully at the thought. As greedy as she was to get her hands on a Hatchling of her own, she’d have to pass judgement, something that not even she could scrape by. No short cuts, no cutting corners. The Celestial mother either bestowed a crystal to receive a dragonet or she did not. The ultimatum was clear, a yes or a no. Simple, right?

Elu came to a standstill before the white Celestial and removed her hat, placing it over her heart and bowing slightly forward. “Good evening, Great Mo---Kazuko,” she began awkwardly.The tension of excitement and apprehension laced the edges of her voice with a shaking tenor, however much she tried to hide it. The heat of embarrassment rose beneath her cheeks as she looked up, tentatively, and continued, “I’ve never really attended one of these before, ha ha. But...you wouldn't happen to have a crystal for me in your pile, would you?”

Michiru waking up and heads to the sands to see Kazuko

Dreaming yet again of her mistake at the Touching. It had haunted her since then, of the mistakes she had made. She felt so unworthy of anything of late and the lack of sleep from the nightmare was catching up to her. It was more than just her making a mistake by running away from Tonare, it was also the dream about the black celestial egg that has been haunting her as well. She didn't know what the second dream meant. It scares her that she kept dreaming that dream on top of the other one. More so in the fact she doesn't know why she keeps dreaming the dream. But here she was again, not only running from Tonare, but heading right towards the black celestial egg. She tries to stop this time, but instead hits into where the nest is and knocks it from its place somehow and it lands on the ground shattering into pieces. Just as a light enters her eyes she hears a cruel scream...

Michiru woke up on the floor next to her bed with the covers still on top of her. She felt the pain all over her body, but more than that was the noise right outside her door. The scream of the dream was fading from her ears, and now a loud excitement could be heard with chatter and more. She removes the covers from herself and feels the chilled air of the night. This wouldn't do at all for her so she uses the bed to get up and rummages into her clothes drawer for something warmer than what she had on. Soon she pulled out a pair a pants with silver furs on the top part and the bottom part of the legs leaving only a slim space where you could see the actual purple pants. She then placed on her plain black sweater and then pulled on her purple jacket that had silver fur trim on the outside, with most of in actually on the inside of the jacket, but with some showing on the sleeve ends and other open areas. She placed her hair in a low ponytail and finally placed her fur trimmed boots on and headed out the door.

Outside she saw the other candidates all waking up, talking and giggling about something as they all walked away from her. At first Michiru wondered if there was some secret party but then she heard the words, 'Hatching...' coming from one of the group nearby. She froze. Hatchings? Now? At this hour? She couldn't believe it. It felt like just yesterday the Touching Ceremony was. The memory of that day came back and Michiru flinched at the memory. She shook herself. She had to focus. She noticed that some of the candidates glared at her as they past by, but Michiru pretended not to notice. She was too nervous to worry about the bullies today. She made her way over to the Hatching Grounds with everyone else and waited to be able to enter inside. She tried looking around to see if at least Gar was outside, but she guess he wouldn't even be allowed near the place. Especially today.

Finally able to get inside she is shocked by how filled the room is already. People, dragons, and other candidates were filling up the spaces around the outside of the room. The candidates walked further in and walk up to a giant dragon she had seen only at the Touching. It was Kazuko, the Mother Dragon as her mentors called her. She remembered they had said she would have to go up to her and that was where she would get a crystal if there was one for her.

This was it. The moment of truth for her. Only Kazuko can grant her a crystal and then she would find her bondmate today. But would she get one. The memories of the Touching came back to her mind again and she shivered. but she knew she had to go up there. Swallowing, she walked up towards the great celestial and made a slight bow.

"El... Ello Kazuko," she started nervously, "It is really amazing to meet you at last." And it was true. If she told herself a few years ago she would be here at this place during a hatching she would had called herself insane. But now... The moment of truth was truly upon her. Would Kazuko have a crystal for her? Or will her fear be realized?

Sorin sitting at the stands

All the excitement was affecting him. His tasks were done, he had his shower and he had just finished his meal in the kitchen with the stable hands. Lounging against the table with his cleaned plate pushed before folded arms, the soldier hunched forward, content to be listening to the endless chatter about baby dragons. The boys didn’t understand his lack of fascination towards the colossal beasts, but well, for them, he was glad they were not soldiers. It would be waste for the kind fellows. He knew a good handful of his comrades who were like him, not at all enthused with the creatures. See, most of them either never managed to bond, were too old to be matched, or they were fighting the Tainted ones for too long to see the dragons as anything but monstrosities. Monstrosities to be feared and respected, certainly not get too cosy with. He belonged to the latter group.

Rainy nights usually meant an excellent night’s sleep for many. Ever since his return from the frontlines, the lucky few who didn’t get themselves squished, Sorin was beginning to enjoy them. If any of his comrades were about, they would have teased him for growing soft. Essentially, he was, but he didn’t see why he shouldn’t indulge when he pitched his ass in the war and came back still whole. A man has got to appreciate what luck he was given and if life was short, then all the more to enjoy the little comforts while he had them. However, sleep was not with him tonight it seemed.

Brend, a young fellow he considered a friend was busy rallying the remaining stable boys, telling them to hush, waving dramatically over the low chatter to gain everyone’s attention. He stood, brows furrowed, head cocked to one side. “Do you hear that? Hush! Listen!” Silence descended. They heard the chorusing drum of rain, and something else stronger but so low beneath the noise, was barely audible. Sorin’s brows rose and he joined the efforts of the rest to try and catch what the sound was. “Kazuko! And the mothers! The eggs are hatching!” As soon as the Brend’s delighting conclusion was uttered, the others rose from their tables, repeating the boy’s words and hurrying out to spread the news.

He had been conditioned to respond to the platoon camaraderie and cursed his readily reciprocating mood. No sleep, thanks to infectious excitement. Sorin heaved a short sigh and scratched his beard, watching the small entourage leave. Minted bronze eyes held the mildest curiosity, but still he remained in his seat. Until Brend weaved his way through the others and approached him. “Haven’t seen a hatching have you? Come on, you can’t miss this,” the boy coaxed, “You’ve been in the Academy for years and you’ve not seen even one? That is no way to go Galadmive.”

He gave Brend a droll stare. The boy grinned broadly at the soldier, a knowing look in his bright gaze. Well, Sorin had to concede, he certainly knew how to prod a mule to climb a mountain. When Brend put it that way, it was beginning to become hard to resist. Yes he had been in the Academy for a considerable time now, yet he had never been to a single hatching. He had come short. Sorin grunted and sat up. “Very well,” he said, resigned yet amused by the Brend’s wily nature. “Let’s go see some baby lizards.” So that was how the pair of them ended up skipping (mostly Brend’s skipping) towards the stands.

What a sight they were greeted with. Sorin blinked, squinting against the unnatural lighting high at the ceiling, bewildered with the glowing orbs of colourful suns. He glanced towards the younger, hoping to find some form of explanation, but Brend was just as awestruck. “Never seen this, ever,” the boy murmured in his daze. The brilliance of everything was simply ethereal. Sorin couldn’t resist returning his gaze towards the sands, actually desiring to look now, as though drawn by the glinting edges of diamonds. The sheer number of dragons lounging close to their tiny eggs staggered him. So peaceful, so unlike the blood thirsty, violent beasts they were on the battlefield.

Brend had chosen to sit close by the Celestial Kazuko, and to Sorin, was the ‘motherf*cking huge ass mother dragon’ he didn’t want to near. The boy assured him and insisted that she wouldn’t hurt a fly. That and he called Sorin a chicken. It wasn’t about cowardice, but to Sorin, it was like taking a seat next to a possible enemy. But what did Brend know? He would never understand. Folding his arms across his chest, the soldier stoically sat down. He was clearly experiencing discomfort sitting so close up, practically by the gilded dragon’s shoulder. Still, he simply hunched forward onto his knees and focused his gaze on the proceedings, rather than staring up warily at the great Celestial’s claws and jaws.

Dhruva deliberately barricading their egg so the baby cannot escape its father without a good climb over him

He had heard and felt the little one shift within the amber shell, seen its shadow when Ana warmed the egg. So very soon, their hatchling will finally emerge and the flaxen Fire refused to miss it. He was never far, ears constantly pricked to catch the humming from the mothers. Tonight he returned, like the many nights before, simply to snuggle with Anamchara and sleep by his mate. At first, Dhruva had tucked himself behind her, draping his jaw over her forearm while allowing her to use his shoulders for a pillow. One pale wing stretched relaxed, blanketing egg and mother under its folds. Sleep came easily for one who was so surely content with what he had.

Kazuko’s mellifluous thrumming roused him swiftly. Silvery eyes snapped open, darted with the instant alacrity to seek the darkness around them. Carefully, he lifted his head, unwilling to disturb Ana and blinked to try and comprehend, with a sleep fogged mind what was happening. The Celestial’s humming held the pulsing vein that lit his instincts with age old knowledge. Hatching. It was time for their young to break their shells. The flaxen Fire lifted his wing a fraction, glancing eagerly at the amber shell. Too dark for the youngling. He stirred his warmth to rouse his inner flames, casting a low nightlight from within his ribs. When bright flares flew overhead, he jerked to find its source, wary, guard up and the sudden ferocity to protect roared like swallowing waves over his excitement.

It was just the Celestial lighting up the grounds for them. Dhruva relaxed visibly, unlocking muscles he didn’t realize were tensed. He heaved a sigh and nuzzled his nose to Ana’s waking her gently. Soon after, he rose from behind her, came around and plopped himself before the dragoness. He had deliberately sandwiched their young between them, barricading its path to the candidates. Silly, he knew, but Dhruva preferred the youngling to clamber over his paws, his tail, or whichever part the little once fancied, rather than simply waddling off towards its chosen human. At the very least, it would grant him the chance to nuzzle the little tottering bundle he so loved. He gave his obsidian mate an affectionate brush of his cheek against her neck before parking his nose against their egg, silver eye intent upon the shell.

Vlitzcrig

The rain pelting against the dome and the slight chill sifting through were comforting to the dozing Lightning. She was still at the farthest edge, still apart from the others. Merla’s company during the Touching seemed to have given the Lightning a measure of balance, a little bit of peace. Gold dusted body lay curled around the little world against her belly as she slept. Bladed tail remained coiled around the dark, star strewn shell, loathe to release her young so soon. Kazuko’s voice roused her form her rest. Time. She shook herself awake, amber eyes blinking stubbornly for clarity. Bubbling mirth filled her breast, teased her folded wings to stretch and unveil the protected egg.

She remembered her first born. Esoriel had once sung a lullaby when Perkele was laid, but without her companion this time, the Lightning thrummed in sync with Kazuko’s melody in her throat. So soon her young would leave her side and all she currently had to give, was her voice and her touch. With a careful paw, Vlitzcrig gathered the soft sand to one side of the egg, supporting its spherical shape so her young wouldn’t roll around too much when it struggled to break through. She made a short huff of satisfaction, arched her neck to tuck her chin comfortably against, adopting a posture of the swan in repose.

The darkness around them was herded away to the edges by the Celestial’s light. The Ghost of the Sands was quickly joined by the efforts of other dragons. They cast their own colours to the ceiling, drawing her gaze briefly to the breathtaking display. She would have joined them if she wasn’t already so drained by the constant care her young needed.

Amber gaze bright with affection, she watched with curious intrigue, for the first movements. Little Gravity, what will you be?

Cleo; Entering and to Kazuko

Cleo breathed softly as she turned in her bed and pulled the covers closer to her body. The room was cold. The covers spilled over the edges of the bed, in disarray from her tossing and turning. Curled in the fetal position she stirred slightly as something brushed up against her hand. Mali wagged her slim, feathered tail as she licked Cleo's bare ankle with her tongue. Normally the companion would have been sleeping at that moment, but with all the commotion she could hear outside that was impossible! Therefore her master had to wake up and do something about it. Cleo groaned as she was pulled from her dream, but did not open her eyes. With a sigh she pushed Mali away. “Not now...” she muttered as she rolled over in an attempt to get away. "What time is it?" She questioned in her mind. It was probably some gods awful time in the early morning.

However Mali was still persistent in her efforts. She simply padded over to the other side of the bed and resumed her efforts. At the feeling of the soft tongue on her leg once more Cleo figured that she wouldn't go back to sleep and that it was time to wake up. No matter the hour. Blinking she pushed herself up on her hands and swung her legs on the floor. She really didn't feel like getting up. Even though she was cold, why couldn't she have 5 more minutes? The pitter patter of the rain outside soothed and calmed her. Scratching her head she looked down at Mali and sighed. “What did you wake me up for?” She asked as she ran a hand through her short brown hair. It was a bit tangled from her sleep, but that wasn't anything a comb couldn't fix.

She turned her head to watch as Mali trotted over to the door and scratched on it, her claws making the distinct sound that grated against Cleo's ears. She probably had to go to the bathroom or something. Still a bit groggy Cleo wandered over to her small dresser and began to pick through the articles of clothing in an attempt to find something suitable. It was then that a swift rapping fell upon the door. Mali, who had still been standing there, backed up at the sudden assault. Snapping her fingers for her dog to get away from the door, Cleo wondered who it could have been. With the impatience in the knock she figured that she had better answer it, night clothes or not. Hugging the door frame she slowly opened the door, then stuck her head out to see who it was.

She felt an eyebrow raise as she noticed a man whom she had never seen before; he looked to be a member of the Academy staff, judging by his rather plain attire. He was dressed in simple attire and spoke with haste. “Please hurry up and dress miss. The Hatching has started”, he stated as he swiftly turned and walked away from her door. Cleo stood there for a moment in shock, before she remembered that she was still in her sleep wear. Quickly she closed the door and leaned against it. Her mind reeled as she stood there. The Hatching!? It was starting?! “By the Gods...”, she muttered. As if to snap her out of her shock, Mali barked twice. The high pitched sound brought the young woman back to reality. Looking down at herself, one thought hit her. Clothes! She needed to find something to wear! It had to be the absolute best that she had, she refused to skimp on Hatching day. Immediately she fell upon her clothes. She moved things, tossed possible outfits on the bed, opened drawers, and pulled out pairs of shows from under the bed, all in her rush. She knew she needed to calm down but that would be hard.

Finally, amid a storm of clothes and things she finally found what she thought would be the perfect outfit for such an auspicious occasion. It was mostly a blue dress that her mother had made her oh so long ago. It was a beautiful light olive color that was embroidered with a dark gray, and in some places a near black thread to accentuate things. The designs were simply flowers and curving lines, symmetrical on both sides until they met in the center and formed one new pattern. The dress had thin straps at the top, but it had a thin coat to go over it and a belt to tie it all together. Normally it would have been rather gaudy but she figured that since it was a Hatching she had better look her absolute best, especially since there was a chance that she would bond. As she dressed she eyed the pairs of shoes that she had kept under her bed. Her mother had often said that brown went with green, and she looked good in both because they brought out her eyes. So that was what Cleo had chosen. It would help even more since the belt for the dress was brown as well.

As she sat down on the bed to lace up her boots she looked toward Mali, who seemed to pick up on her excitement and wagged her tail while pacing up and down the small room. She wondered who would be able to watch her if she Bonded, for she didn't know if they allowed pets into the wyrmling barracks. She certainly didn't want to have to give her up, put she didn't want to neglect her because of a small dragon either. If giving her up would be the best option, then that's what she would have to do. She was certain that there was no shortage of people who would be willing to watch a wonderful companion like Mali.

Whistling she waited for the dog to come over before she scratched between her ears. She was obedient enough and she didn't want to leave her in the room, because who knew how long the Hatching would last? Standing up she grabbed the belt, folded her coat closed, and tied the belt around her waist in a knot, leaving the ends to dangle as was customary for a maiden. Finally she left her arms devoid of jewelry for her markings that stretched to the back of her hands would be enough. Taking a deep breath Cleo rose and walked out the door of her room. Mali followed quietly behind, somehow realizing that it was not the time to make noise. She padded along silently beside her master and occasionally rubbed her head against the girls skirts.

Soon Cleo and her companion were joined by a multitude of other candidates, some rushing, and some taking their time like her. She didn't see much of a need to rush as she still noticed people going to doors and knocking on them. Folding her hands in front of her Cleo couldn't help but be anxious. Would she get a crystal? Would she bond? All the usual questions raced through her mind as she approached the Hatching Grounds. That place that she had been only what felt like days ago. She hadn't touched as many eggs as some candidates, but she hoped to heaven that hers was there somewhere on those vast grains.

As she stood in the gathering crowd of candidates Cleo stepped out for a moment and headed off to the side. Bringing Mali with her she ordered her friend to sit down and to stay. “I'll be back later, you stay here”, she instructed as she scratched under her chin before parting. She was near the stands so she figured that Mali would be all right. Passing people or children would probably pet her and she was very friendly to strangers so Cleo knew there was no risk of her biting someone. With one huge worry put beside her Cleo took her place back near the ever growing throng of candidates. She was, at first, surprised to see the miniature sun and all of it's “planets” orbiting at the top of the Hatching Ground. But then she smiled at the display of the awesome power of the dragons. She tried not to stare, as like a real sun, the mini one still left spots in her vision. She was content to just watch the various colors dance across the room.

She waited one by one as they stepped up to approach Kazuko. The bright cosmic form at the top of the Hatching Ground, illuminating the cavern all the while. The white Celestial had many names. Crystal giver, Great mother, Ghost of the Sands... she had heard n early all of them during her one year at the Academy. She had learned so much... if her family could see her now, she would be content even if she didn't Bond. Just to see them happy would make her happy. She would definitely have to go back and visit them one day. Her heart ached for her home sometimes, but she had to be strong because this was the path that she had chosen. Had fought so hard to get. As she breathed slowly, to ease her racing heart, she looked back up at the white matron.

She was absolutely enormous... Cleo had only ever seen one dragon even near that size and that had been Ore. And with her next step, she was staring up at Kazuko. At first her voice had seemed stolen, but she couldn't just stand and gawk at her. Feeling her cheeks heat up she cleared her throat and addressed the dragon. “My Esteemed Lady Kazuko, Great Mother of dragons. My name is Cleopatra...”, she began. Folding her hands she bowed deeply as a show of respect. “I would like to know... Does my future lay down this path?” She asked. She was glad to know that her voice had not wavered in the least.

Proxy, joining in on the light and watching her child

Proxy had both waited eagerly for this very day and at the same time feared its arrival wishing it to be many days away forever. Today was the day she would meet her child for the first time but it was also the day it would leave her side, slip from her protective grasp for good to live its own life. And that was not an easy thing to accept. Proxy wished to guard her child forever, to keep him or her safe until the world came to an end and yet knew it was not possible. That in order to allow it to be healthy she had to go. So when Kazukos voice rose and soon after the artificial sun did so too, she watched with very mixed feelings. Her wings were half-parted, casting long shadows across the sands, twitching restlessly with the desire to clutch her egg tightly in both paws and pull it tight against her chest. But she resisted. For not at least. Lowering her head instead to rest the tip of her muzzle against the golden shell, bright reflections from above dancing across her dark skin. She crooned softly to the egg, not the usual loving note altough it did carry much of the love and care she had extended to the quiet shell. It was moreso a sorrow filled note, filled with the oncoming loss she would soon experience, with the changes about to happen she could not keep from coming. It was a sad tone and carried far across the sands before the rain finally drowned it out, the loud pounding quieting even this noise and not just the happier tones.

Her tongue flickered across the shell for a few heartbeats, cleaning away a few specks of dust that had settled on it during the night. Proxy had no eyes for Ouray or even Lumieré at this moment, altough the latter might have similarly mixed feelings about the hatching. She only stared at her child. Her first child. She hoped it would bond well... ...but another selfish part of herself hoped it would not bond at all and stay with her to the very end instead. Be with her until they both were old and tired of living. It was her first child and letting go just felt terrible and wrong. Those foolish humans had no idea what a young dragon needed! How could anyone but her care for her child properly?! For a split second she bristled, the protective circle of her paws tightening, ready to keep her child by her side with force... ...but then the tension eased from her muscles again and her body relaxed, claws withdrawing from the tight circle. It was foolish to think she could keep her child from bonding. Selfish even to keep it away from the happyness she had found with Ouray. Somehow he too had managed to raise her. Without the help of her mother.

She would still be able to watch out for her young. Protect her where she could and teach her what she knew. She would find a way to care, find a way to ensure her childs well-being. Even if that meant she had to let go today. "At least say 'bye' when you leave...", she whispered gently to the egg, nudging it ever so slightly with the tip of her nose before she rose her head high, tilting her snout upwards. It took her a moment to shape her magic, to craft it into this new, unusual shape but when she opened her maw there was no hot stream of fire, only a single ball of red flames rose towards the ceiling to join the dance of flickering light. It burned and spun there for a moment, circling the artificial sun Kazuko had created and casting its own colorful light across the sands before it would finally gutter out and die after only a few minutes. She watched as it did, quiet and at ease. Only when it died did she turn her head back around to look at Kazuko, the glittering pile of crystals and the gathering number of Candidates approaching her. One of them... might be her childs partner and Proxy would watch them closely until her young finally hatched, having a few favorites among them she would like to see bond to her own.

---

Auster, waiting and preening her feathers

Auster was roused from her slumber rather apruptly when Kazukos first humm echoed across the sands and shook the sleep from her feathers rather firmly before perking up and looking down at the happenings. Her lofty perch was rather useful in this regard, giving her a good overview of everything and allowing her to keep an eye on things without being part of it. It was perfect for her. And as realisation begun to dawn on her, much of the tension she had felt the past days fell from her tight shoulders. She had made it. Made it to the hatching without her child being stolen, taken from her grasp. It was still safe, still unharmed and she too was well. Nothing bad had happened. She hadn't believed it was possible until this very moment.... but it had come true in the end nonetheless. There was no Denkou chasing her away, no dragon stealing the egg from in between her paws. Just her. And Lagrange. And the safety of the sands. Auster felt happy at the prospect of seeing her child hatch, seeing it bond altough her parently duties did not stretch much further. She felt no desire to hang around and care for it when it happened, being actually quite glad to see her duty done and regain her freedom. She was looking forward to flying, to soaring so high above the ground no earthbound creature could ever hope to catch her. Yes, flying off into the night would be good. Perfect even.

Speaking of perfection... she really needed to look her very best. And as the flickering light of Kazukos sun rose up towards the ceiling, Auster swiftly went to preening her feathers, arranging them just perfect and removing even the tiniest speck of dust from her pristine plumage before moving on to her egg which she cleaned with equal care to its most perfect appeal. She considered for a moment, then almost reluctantly extended her tail as a chushion under it, making sure her childs entrance into the world would not happen with a hard fall, just in case its magic did not save it from toppling from its lofty perch. The strings would tear and fall apart when the shell broke... ...so it was better it landed on her fluffy tail than the hard ground beneath. Or worse, even further down. She would not have a child gone stupid by hitting its head during the hatching. No, she would have no such thing. It would be perfect and magnificient. Just like she herself.

---

Salus at Lithias nest

Salus was instantly awake at the first noise, blinking wide-eyed into the darkness. He could hear the rain pouring from above but there was something more... a faint humm in the air... Long years of experience made it easy for him to pick out both reason and source of the noise, a wide smile pulling his lips apart long before the artificial sun rose within the glassen dome. He went to Lithias head, carefully stepping around their cold egg and its nest to nuzzle is mate gently: "Wake up love...", he whispered softly, resting his head against hers for a moment "...it's time.", he added quietly, stifling the elation and exitement that had begun to build within his chest from the second he woke. Today was the day. Today was the day. The most important day in their childs life. The day they would see it for the first time. The day they would find out if it were a boy or a girl, see it bond and grow from this day out. Today was perhaps one of the most important days for Salus too. The day he had thought he would never witness. The day he would see another child of Lithia wander out into the world, one more of his beloved young. And this time... it was an ice. It was special. Very special. And Salus was blessed to be allowed to be part of it. Blessed to have found a mate such as Lithia, blessed with a child like this. It really didn't matter what it looked like, which gender it was... all that mattered was that it was well. For Salus already loved it with all his heart and nothing could change that. Surely he did hope it would not be as excentric as many of his other children, but even if it were the most excentric of them all... he simply loved it already. And he was eagerly looking forward to welcoming it into the world. To see it with his own eyes... to talk to it, to bestowe upon it all the love and care it deserved... ...and more.

He knew that Lithia would perhaps find it harder to let go of their child today but he knew she was most likely looking forward to finally meeting their child as much as he did. And he knew she too loved it already. He truly was blessed. Ice eggs were not known for difficulties during the hatching but he still wished their child good luck quietly, hoping it would enter this world easily and without struggle, to come into this new life without pain and fear. There was nothing else he could wish for. Kazuko always chose the perfect partner as far as he could tell and had never failed him or anyone else. And it would hatch into the world under their loving care, be welcomed by Lithia and him before making its own way. What else was there to wish for? It did not matter what it looked like. What gender it was. What personality it had. They would both love it and all would be well. He knew that with complete certainty. Why? Because Lithia was here and this was their child.

---

Taiss, regretting the moment of bravey that made him Candidate


Taiss had been a good lad since he arrived. Not stolen much or at least not more than he needed. Not lied much and not gotten into many fights. Still, the amount of wealth these people her had was astonishing. Especially when you considered how given they treated it. And how much they freely gave away. It was simply mind numbing for someone like him who had fought hard for even the smallest things for several years. Who had not know a roof other than the top of a cave, not been sure he would survive even the next day. Supposedly, Taiss had it better than ever before with free food and clothing, a roof over his head and a warm bed. Supposedly. Taiss had found he didn't like humans. At all. They were... strange to him. Alien. And the dragons and their riders were even worse. All of them with their false friendly looks, their supposedly nice actions. He didn't trust any of it. It smelled rotten. Too good to be true. Taiss was waiting for betrayal. Expecting it. He would not be happy here until proven right. Not until his fears had been correct. Not until people started doing again what they always did. What he expected them to do. Care only for themselves and brush aside everyone else. Perhaps he was paranoid. Taiss would only call it careful and clever. He was not stupid enough to step blindly into this giant trap. He would not fall for their nice words and friendly gestures. He would stay alert!

It had gotten harder though. And he had at least been present for the Candidate lessons altough refusing to take part in it. Approaching giant dragons, particularly the type caring for eggs was just outright stupid and he found no value in it. So he kept to himself, stayed away from the core of the lessons and just watched without talking to anyone. He preferred it that way. Or so he told himself. Truth was... Taiss felt lost and alone in this new and strange world, Rascal being his only company... and he wasn't even sure if the rat liked him at all.

Being awoken by loud noises in the Barracks wasn't quite how he liked to start the day. Or rather the night as the sun had yet to rise and it was raining. A day to stay in cover unless you really needed food which would be hard to get.... in the wilds. Not here. He stood from his pile of blankets he used instead of his soft bed and crept to the door. He didn't need to dress since he only had a single garb and refused all others, wearing it night and day as he had learned was most clever. What you wore was harder to steal from you and when you needed to run you would hardly be given the time to dress first. That much he had learned during his years alone. He opened the door a crack to peer out, then slid out into the corridor to make his way for the sands, always keeping to the thickest shadows which wasn't really hard in a night like this. He could guess what was happening by the exitement all around him and knew what was expected of him. He wasn't going to openly oppose the authorities, he wasn't stupid enough for that but he did question his wits when it came to the question why he was here to begin with. In a moment of utter stupidity and bravery - he had requested to become a Candidate and then perhaps dragonrider. And his request had brought him here today. What a fool he had been!

Taiss snarled inwardly at his own stupidity as he slid quietly through the entrace to the hatching sands, gazing around. He had been here once but never moved further in, refusing to touch the eggs out of fear of the mothers guarding them. And by some things he had seen he had done rightfully so. But now he was expected to move further in. To greet the huge white dragon and if he were meant to be a dragonrider recieve a crystal. Well, best be quick about it! As soon as he was rejected by the white dragon, he could leave again and flee this weird place before anyone got any ideas about useless Candidates. He slunk towards Kazuko, his gaze flickering left and right as he approached, wary of dangers all around him. He didn't like the size of this place. The openness. The amount of light. It made his skin crawl. That and all those watchful eyes around him. The parents of the still unhatched dragons. He came close enough to Kazuko to be barely within her reach, much further away than any of the other Candidates, ready to jump, ready for flight and bowed... or rather dipped his head into her direction, his gaze never quiet lifted from his surroundings. He made no noise, his throat tight in silent terror. He would be easy to miss in his ragged clothing, his small stature with the fat rat on his shoulder. He hoped she would take notice of him briefly... and dismiss him immediately so he might flee this darned place. He didn't want to catch any attention... He just wanted to leave! Celestials, what had made him be so foolish and wish to be a dragonrider? Why did he commit such folly?

Raith to Kazuko and Being an Overly Formal Nusance


The sound came upon him, rosy dawn in the middle of dark night, and the boy opened his eyes gently to the slowly slipping light as if woken by a warmth that was not there. He stared out between half lidded eyes, as if aware, but, seeing nothing. His head was still in the clutches of midnight with heavy handed Hypnos still tracing his mind to foggy sleep and it felt as if he were back there again, held compliant prisoner by the traitor. Was that so bad? To be a pawn? He wouldn’t have had to think, wouldn’t have had to remember the blood and the gore and the pain, the flood before his eyes. Was that so bad? He slipped, listing back into a liminal state of near awareness while he laid there, staring into the abyss of night, not coming to the realization of where he was or what was going on. Slowly, however, his eyes reacted to the darkness and grasped every inch of light given. The details forming pulled him further awake and into thinking before he finally sat up and let his legs catch against the edge of the bed. He hadn’t been covered, he hadn’t changed from the day before. It was as if he’d just come to the housing and passed out upon the straw mattress.

As if still dreaming, Raith slowly turned his head to the window and looked out into the dark world beyond. The rain trickled over the glass like fingertips and, even with just the sound casting itself upon his ears, he could nearly feel the flecks of water dripping on him from nowhere, from the clouds drifting above his bed in thunderheads. And, with eyes trained more to the brief slip of water, he idly wondered why he woke up in the first place. He just could not remember. His mind was still, perhaps unnaturally, cloaked in the haze of thoughtless reverie.

The sleepy boy knit his brow for a moment and narrowed his eyes, trying to grasp why he was up at such a time of night. Then, as if breathing for the first time, a great breath pooled into his lungs and he let it loose from his chest in an anxious claim on reality. He snapped into focus and stuttered into being, remembering and now coming to understand what had woke him. The hatching. It was then that he heard the thump of feet, the hustle of bodies and voices outside his door. It… he hadn’t thought it would be today—tonight? He hadn’t prepared, hadn’t readied himself! But, he could do nothing for that, not now. Jumping off the bed to bare feet pressed against stone floor, the boy rushed to get himself presentable within the cool of the night. Looking into his meager wardrobe, he rolled his hands up his face and tried to think of what to wear. Everything available was bought at cheapest means. These things were normal, trivial and inexcusable for procession and ceremony such as this. Flustered, he sorted through what he had, but, could not help but selfishly think of how much easier it had been before. Home. At home things would have already been picked out. There would have been people to help him, to show him wear to go and what to do. He had to man up now and take care of himself, but, he felt so ill prepared for everything. Even from something so simple as getting dressed, he felt absolutely alone. He had no idea what was appropriate, what would make the least fool of him. It was all just so… insubstancial.

In the end, the struggling boy pulled out the newest of all the options. It was no stately affair, but, it was presentable for a man with no income and no wish for gaudy excesses. And, as he finished arranging himself, Raith gave one look back into the bleak, spartan room and to what remained of his clothing. Then, he shut the door behind him and left untouched the one arrangement of attire that most reminded him of what he used to wear in his native home. It was the one set he hadn’t even considered, but, he’d done so somewhat regretfully.

At the edge of the candidate housing, the boy peered out into the rain. The sound upon his ears now was not pleasant. Each drop fell, hit, and reminded him that, together, it was just a wall of water coming down upon them all. Water, too much water. It made him hesitate with a clenching feeling about his throat, as if being strangled, but, he could not deny, this was a scene he’d not been privy to before. It rained often enough up in the mountains, but, here, in the dark of the night, it seemed a scene less from reality and more an illustration of story, from lore. Silver and gold shone by lamplight and rippled through the slip of the rain as if turned to liquid and melted by the magic of the late hour. About them, shadows flickered to grow and shrink like ghosts, streetlight people searching for emotion in a dark sea. And, as he stood listlessly under the cover of the building, the boy watched as more lights flickered on against the sheet of night. However, even through the surreal, ethereal beauty, he could not ignore the slipping from the heavens. The pitter patter of the soft rain knotted his stomach and he gritted his knuckles white as he pulled against the door to force himself out into the gloom of the night. Still not fully woken, he let out a breath that misted into the air briefly before fading, but, uncovered, endured the rain to wander slowly to the hatching ground. He was not ready for this, not tonight.

Breathing through a tight throat, the boy pried off the sound of the rain from his ears and focused on trying to steel himself for what was to come. He’d traveled so far for this and, even if he had to wait for another year, two, three, it would be the same. He was here to find repentance, to piece himself back together, to make up for what he’d done. It was no game, no fleeting wish to see himself amongst the other riders and the great creatures they were a part of. This was it. This was all he had left. He had no home, no family, no rights to his heritage anymore. He felt like an empty shell of a shadow, like the ones that grew around the lamplight and struggled to reach something they could never touch, but always be burned away by. And, as he walked over the wet stone and ground, he could not help but imagine that, maybe he’d just keep on walking. He’d walk forever, never getting anywhere, always lost in the midst of the dark and the rain and the flickering lights of far off humanity as if he had really died that night a year ago. Maybe he’d stayed in the storeroom to protect his little sister. Maybe that was his own blood and body that he’d seen mingled with hers. But, it was just a fleeting thought and he pressed it away for fear of it subverting his duty now, though, he did wonder if it was true. Instead, he wandered on, away from his meager living quarters, and padded to the sands empty handed, willingly dressed as more pauper than prince.

As the great dome rose up before him, the dark haired figure slowed to a crawl. The bright, rippling lights of the psudo-dawn orb waved out, guiding him and others like a lighthouse. Dazed, he looked onward, to the great scene beyond and to the golden matriarch that presided over the ceremony like a gilded deity. The rain drizzled gently on him, but, he stood there for a moment in a disoriented stupor as others came and went and presented themselves and only his shadow grew longer in the swath of magic sun. Gingerly, he stepped onto the hallowed ground with uncertain feet. Raith bared his sandaled feet upon the warmth of the sands and proceeded forward to an uncertain future, but, despite his anxiety, he was pushed on by a civic need for duty. He took his time and, with each step closer, stood all the more straight and all the more calm until he reached the great celestial at his turn and looked up at her with profound humility in his heart. He’d never before imagined such a creature. Even now, her sheer size and power were somewhat beyond him to comprehend. And it was in her wise claws that he placed himself this night.

With hazy mind, he bowed as low as he’d ever bowed, but still found himself wanting. When he stood, he took his eyes back to her, but, felt a deep desire to avert them out of piety. And when he spoke, it was with an undertone of fearful hesitance. “Great Sun Mother, I come to you as a supplicant and greet you with all the accolade that you deserve on this auspicious occasion. My name is Raith Àn shuāng. And I humbly ask you if there is a place for me in today’s ceremony. However, if it is not to be so, I ask if I may stay and witness it regardless.”

And now, it was just too late for any more hesitance on his part. There was only the wait for an answer, a fate.

Brennick entering, addressing Kazuko

Brennick hated--hated--being woken up. He was a deep sleeper to start, and being woken up was like being kicked by an earth dragon. Not that he knew what being kicked by and earth dragon was like, but it was the closest thing he could imagine to the rather unpleasant sensation of being torn from a quiet, restful sleep into the world of the waking. He'd punched people for that particular offense. The only reason he'd punched and not stabbed was because Brennick had always been seen as the kind of boy who was best left to his own devices with naught but his fists as weaponry. After all, why give a knife to a bull when it could just trample you and toss your broken body into the next field?

So when he was awakened in the middle of the night, Brennick's first impulse was to swing at the nearest moving object. Luckily he missed, but not by much. He could feel his knuckles graze the other person's clothing, but Brennick was so busy blinking blearily and trying to wake up a little faster that he wasn't even aware if the almost-victim was even conscious of the near miss. It was probably just as well if he wasn't, Brennick thought when he finally had a good grasp on who he was and where he was and why it would be a bad idea to randomly pound one of his roommates into the dust.

Right, the hatching. Somehow, he hadn't gotten kicked out of candidacy, though the former bandit had his suspicions that this was mostly due to luck and the fact that he hadn't really tried to steal anything or murder anyone during his stay at the Academy. As far as he could tell, the Academy didn't really care what kind of person you were or what you'd done in the past. You could stand for a dragon even if you were a thief and a bully and a murderer. He would know, after all.

But from what Brennick had gathered, they didn't care simply because if you weren't meant for a dragon, you wouldn't get a crystal. Well, that suited him just fine. Brennick was fairly certain he wouldn't be getting one, but he didn't really care. Being a candidate was a pretty cushy job, all things considered. You did a little work here and there, didn't make too much trouble, and you got food and clothing and a roof over your head. Brennick honestly couldn't imagine an easier life. It certainly beat sleeping in the mud and eating moldy bread and risking your life every time the errant traveler you were trying to rob attempted to gut you in self-defense. And they would let you stay for more than one hatching, if what he heard was true. That meant it was a very cushy, long-term job. And they even taught weaponswork at the Academy, so when they finally did kick him back out onto the streets, he'd have a much better skill set to use whilst robbing those errant travelers.

It was hard to see a losing path there. One way (the extremely unlikely way), he got a dragon. The other, he got food and board and skills for years, potentially, if he played his cards right.

So he stumbled up out of bed and put on some clothes--ones that were actually freshly-washed, probably to the everlasting shock of anyone who actually knew him. And then he followed the other candidates, not really taking much care exactly where he put his elbows or whose heels he stepped on. They were heading to the hatching ground, and of course he knew the way by now, but Brennick was in no real hurry to rush ahead of or hang behind the group. Some primitive instinct told him there was safety in numbers, and against a huge gathering of dragons, he felt that he needed all the safety he could get. He felt oddly nervous all of a sudden, though it took him a while to identify the sensation...Brennick was not the type of person who got nervous easily.

He waited for a moment when they all reached the hatching ground, squinting against the light, but was honestly surprised to find himself near the head of the group. He truly had not meant to position himself in such a way...he'd figured that he'd be closer to the middle with how much time he felt he'd taken getting there, but the combination of a long stride and shy or slower peers had deposited him there. Awkwardly, he stepped forward to greet the ancient celestial waiting before them. "Uh. Pleasure, ma'am," he mumbled, recalling the proper polite words from years ago when his family hadn't had a legitimate reason to turn him out of the village to starve yet and any slip up on courtesy had ended with a slap to the face and an ear full of curses and disgust. They felt thick and bitter on his tongue and he hated saying them, but Brennick had no idea what he should say if not that.

Daria, Entering and greeting Kazuko

She was sleeping happily. It was the middle of the night and a storm was going on. It had woken her up slightly before she drifted back into sleep. But then someone was knocking on all the doors and people were moving. Daria sleepily sat up and did not look impressed. Then she heard what some of them were saying. The Hatching? Oh crap. She bolted out of bed too quickly and gave herself a head rush as she dressed. She wanted to look respectful but not too dressy so she put on a good tan pair of pants and a red tunic.

She pulled her brush through her messy hair as quickly as she could before leaving. She was greatful that the hatching sands and the candidate barracks were connected directly, getting soaked out in the storm did not sound pleasant.

Daria stared up in wonder at the lights as she enetered.

"Wow." She whispered as she stood there for a moment mesmerized. So many colors. So many dragons. Then Daria snapped out of it as she looked towards Kazuko. She looked away just as quickly as she did her best to calm down. She was very nervous.

Come on girl! Get a hold on yourself already. Yeah your nervous and you don't want to get rejected again but so what if you do? There is nothing you can do about it so just get on with it and hope Kazuko has different news for you today. Daria ranted at herself before turning back towards the riderless Celestial and bowed.

"Greetings Great Mother Kazuko. It is an honor to see you once again and your brilliant ideas." She stood and looked at the lights again. "I am pretty sure the large silver one in the middle is yours." She smiled happily as she turned back to Kazuko.

((I will post Takumi and Ayana later))

Arden, having some slight misgivings, but almost as excited as the day his daughter was born, to Kazuko

No terrible dreams wracked his slumber this night. No wraiths from his past had come to torment him. There was no fire and brimstone nightmares, no smoke, no ear-splitting screams or maddening laughter. The night simply... was. Complete an utter darkness had seemed to pervade while the Academy was pounded by spring-time rains, and Arden's slumber had been unremarkable and dreamless. This was normal, the usual, par for the course for the farmer-turned-dragon-candidate, but when he was roused by an excited voice through his door the night turned anything but.

He pushed himself onto an elbow and grimaced blearily into the darkness of his room toward the door. Surely he hadn't heard that right? The world was still asleep, the sun hours from rising! How Arden had always pictured Hatchings occurring was little like this; the world was green and verdant and warm within the embrace of the sun, the sky was always clear and blue, birds sang, music sounded.... Yet there it was again, an elated voice in the hallway declaring that the time had come for the eggs to break shell. He stood and nearly tripped on his sheets in his haste, heart thumping within his chest at the shock of being woken so late and for such a reason.

The clothing he had, in a moment of idleness a few days past, laid out for this very occasion lay in a neat pile upon his desk. A pale cream shirt, dark gray hide pants, thick leather belt, new boiled leather bracers of a color with the pants. He pulled it all on quickly and neatly, tucking the sleeves of the shirt under the wide leather bands around the lower halves of his forearms. Why he had spent some of his meager money on such things he wasn't quite sure. But the reason he had chosen to wear them was even harder to decipher. Did he think it looked good? Perhaps they made him feel safer? Stronger? It certainly wasn't going to be for comfort when he finally did step into the heat of the Hatching Grounds.

Sighing to try and rid himself of the anxiety that had been creeping like vines into his chest, Arden moved toward the basin of cool, clear water sitting upon a small table in his room. He gazed into the mirror leaning against the wall behind it and frowned. His hair was a mess that he should have gotten trimmed days ago, there was a fine layer of stubble marring his jaw, his eyes seemed to look a touch sunken. Would a hatchling dragon care about such things? He dropped his head and scooped up of water in cupped hands, splashing it across his face. He held back the gasp of shock at the chillness of it, reaching for the small towel sitting nearby. He patted his face dry, stood, smoothed out his hair with damp fingers, and then regarded himself again. Not much of an improvement appearance-wise, but he felt a bit better. More alert. Right. Time to go.

Arden strode toward the door, paused inside the threshold and turned to give his old life one last long, hard look. Considerations of his life occurred to him then; memories that made his heart ache and his stomach feel sick. Perhaps when he returned here he would no longer be alone....

The path to the Haching Grounds seemed strange and alien to the man as he marched along. Light seemed to radiate and dance about as he moved ever closer, strangely bright for so late in the night. It was fascinating, as well, to hear such sounds. Singing and music and excited trumpeting and chatter; and all of it punctuated by the steady droning of millions of raindrops drumming upon the many roofs of the Academy.

He turned, funneling into the enormous glass dome amid a myriad of other souls and found his breath had caught in his throat. He was not the only one to have paused in shock, either. He stared at the great false sun illuminating the area, casting a brilliant glow to everything it touched while its rays stabbed at the night outside of the dome. Dozens of smaller lights orbited the large one; a rainbow of hues set to spinning like stars. The work of dragons....

Someone Arden didn't know gave the man a gentle shove forward, encouraging the candidate to get to his proper place. The contact had shaken him out of his revere and he moved forward with a deliberate, confident pace. Many other candidates had arrived already, but he cared little. They seemed to know what they were required to do and he followed suit. High above him the regal, shimmering white form of Kazuko loomed. Yet her presence was not daunting or intimidating. It was... motherly and comforting, helpful and encouraging. Arden felt a great warmth envelope him at the sight of her, so radiant and beautiful, and he knew that it was she who had birthed the Hatching Sun that lit the world around them.

He bowed, holding his right arm across his stomach as he did so. The realization that this would be the moment he would find out whether or not he had a dragon here hit him square in the chest as he gazed at the sand beneath his boots. He rose, smiling, and spoke through a sudden knot in his throat. "You are inspiring and wondrous, Celestial Kazuko. I am honored and humbled to be in your presence. I hope I do not disappoint," he said in a firm voice with only the barest hint of the strong emotions that threatened to break it. He fell silent then, and the anxiety within him began to build....


Marcyl, looking like she hasn't slept in weeks, watching from the Stands

The time had passed since the Touching in a a hurry, but not spurred by excitement or anticipation or happiness. Self-imposed or not, it had been hell since Marcyl's shame upon the sands; she was jumpy and paranoid. She felt as though everyone and everything was judging her. She knew now why Iridae had reacted as she had and felt genuinely terrible for provoking such a reaction. She did not blame the Rosemary dragoness at all, but the sight of that upturned lip, those flashing teeth, the harsh words... they had given her nightmares in the days since and her nights had been restless as a result. She was tired and worn, her arm aching and puffy; an infection, most likely, but her fear and had kept her as far from the Infirmary as she could get, so she simply tried to tend and bandage it as best she could herself.

Dragons in general had scared her half witless in the days following the Touching and Marcyl's drive to do or learn anything had dwindled to nothing. She simply sat huddled in her room, reading over her previous notes over and over without actually registering any of it. Any and all vestiges of the courage she had gained after meeting those two dires and their riders and all of the events after that had disappeared at the snap of teeth.

And so Marcyl lay upon her bed, the sheets in disarray, curled into a loose ball. Her eyes were half open, her mind numb as she stared at the stone wall. Sleep would not come unless it was hand-in-hand with those terrible memories of Iridae attacking her, of that woman Opheyla flaying her verbally and exposing all of her faults to the world. So she simply wouldn't sleep. Her arm ached and burned enough to keep her mind busy, so it was not all that difficult.

A sound outside her door roused her and she twisted to listen. Her heart sank deep into her gut and fresh tears rose in her eyes. The Hatching.... She bit her lip and sat up, the movement making her head spin for a moment. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Of course, she was probably still officially a candidate... but how could she show her face among the others after what had happened? She simply couldn't.... but....

Marcyl rose from her bed and tugged off her sleeping attire. Without caring she pulled on the cleanest clothing she could find and meandered out into the hallway. Despite her mood and thoughts, there was a spark of curiosity...guilt...something within her that bid her not miss this. Disheveled and upset, she trailed behind the others, hair obscuring her face. She had left her notebook in her room, but she didn't seem to care. She wouldn't need it. Clenching her bandaged and swollen arm to her stomach she made her way into the Hatching Grounds, squinting at the brightness. It was... fascinating to see such magic at work, for certain... but....

She followed like a head of cattle as people filled the Stands, her own seat ending up in one of the rows midway from the glass at her back and the sands at her front. Though surrounded by people, she sat alone on a bench. She slumped, eyes still drawn to the lights dancing around the ceiling. People and dragons surrounded her and she had to fight the urge to flee, to hide away from all of the prying eyes. Glancing around, however, she found that eyes had been turned to the great Celestial dragon who was, surprisingly, only a couple dragon-sized paces from where Marcyl sat. Of course... she was not important here. Why would they care...? They probably didn't even know who she was.... Somehow this was a comfort and her anxiety lessened enough for her to focus more on the event at hand.

Glancing down at the ring of Candidates surrounding Kazuko, Marcyl watched as they introduced themselves and hoped that they would all find their dragons today. They deserved it.

((Bloods gonna be able to post her part after all :) All extra character interactions were approved by their players!))

Anala realizing “It’s Time”

Anala lay snuggled up to Buccinal. This had been a trying time indeed. For both of them loved their egg unconditionally but both were now suffering from cabin fever. Anala had reminded Buccinal he didn’t have to stay at all times and was free to go stretch himself and have a break, but the stubborn Sonic had proved a dedicated Father to Anala’s joy. But Anala herself was growing weary of being confined to the sands. There was so much to be done and she was stuck! Although every time she felt the itch, she just looked at her egg and it eased greatly. But still, she was ready for it to hatch and free her from this. Moreso than that she wanted to SEE their child. What would it inherit from them? The questions always danced in her mind.

But now, she peacefully slept. Sarafina and Mykhail had also stayed about lately because they also knew the hatching was due any time. For Anala AND Buccinal had both heard and felt the little one stirring inside the egg. Eager to emerge. At the moment both humans were also asleep in their makeshifts tents they had set up.
When Anala awoke it was due to the sound. The sound of their shelled child and of other parents stirring. Anala’s eyes shot open and she quickly rested her snout on her egg. The kicks and shifts were unmistakable. And what confirmed it for her was when she saw a couple other dragons noticing their eggs as well. Even Takumi’s egg was moving about in it’s Basin.
Her first instinct was to wake up her rider, but she knew this moment was more for her and Buccinal. She nudged his face.

“Buccinal!..Buc! It’s time! Wake up! Today’s the day!”
As he stirred she went back to her egg. She also heard Sarafina beginning to awaken and emerge. Anala’s mind was racing. She knew it was time to alert the candidates, but first, she had to give another song to her child before it left them. She searched her mind for a song and one came suddenly and she hoped it was appropriate as a “song of wisdom” for her little one before it set out to choose it’s rider.

“If I could go back in time
Wouldn't change a damn thing in my life
Love the dumb things we do when we're young
But the best is yet to come
Go for it
Run toward it
Dive in head first
Live life with no regret
Put your heart out there
Don't be scared
you might get hurt
But it’s all worth it in the end
It’ll all work out in the end
Because the best is yet to come”


Thyla awakening, freaking out, then leaving with Keiro and Luca , then off to greet Kazuko

Thyla slept strangely deep that night. She had dreams but they were so obscure and blurred she couldn’t remember any of it. But it was no matter. If it WERE important it would reoccur surely.
The day before had felt strange indeed. She had spent her usual time socializing with everyone but namely Luca and Keiro. Those two had fast become her closest friends. Especially since Thyla had sworn to get both of them to the sands. They had to bond to a dragon. They just had to! She had difficulty picking anyone more deserving. And if they didn’t she’d be heartbroken for them. And then she would HAVE to take them under her wing (no pun intended) But she worried because there was no guarantee she would bond either. Not that Thyla doubted herself. Her self esteem was at a healthy level and by no means vain or unrealistic. But she still had to keep an open mind to the possibility her dragon was not in this clutch.

Her first touch of exiting sleep was Keiro’s voice. At first she thought she was still dreaming. But when he felt him nudge her, her eyes shot open. When she actually heard his words, she sat up in a panic
“The eggs!?! Now?!? Holy crap …crap!!!” She shot out of bed at get dressed. Socks first, she almost tore off what she had but luckily remembered Keiro’s presence beforehand and stopped herself. In response she darted in the closet out of view to quickly dress herself….having a male roommate did have that one pesky drawback. But it was worth it.
Now she was hopping about on one foot getting her shoes on and trying to brush her hair. She did NOT want to go to Kazuko looking un-groomed! (The first time she really cared about such matters)
Finally when she was dressed and presentable (admittedly she rushed this for obvious reasons)
She followed Keiro out to the hall. He was just as excited!

Thyla saw the others emerging in a frenzy. She looked about and knew she had to make sure Luca was in her sight.
“Hang on Keiro I can’t go without Luca”.

She looked about frantically but didn’t see him, she ran to his room to see him inside luckily ready to go…but she could tell he was nervous as all hell
“Luca!” She ran to him and hugged him, So glad he was still there
“Come on…today’s the day…remember, bond or not…we’ll figure all this out and I’ll be there for ya. Remember our deal” She said with a grin. Both excited and terrified.
“Now come on, Keiro’s waiting for us too, I’ve been keeping an eye on him too…Long story.” She laughed “Come on! Let’s go, Kazuko awaits!...remember, you bolt I’ll have to tackle you again” She winked and they ran to the hall to meet up with Keiro and head out .

They followed the crowd to the sands. Thyla’s heart now pounding and her body shaking. Upon arrival, the first thing she noticed was the line of candidates headed towards The great moon scaled Kazuko. Thyla’s eyes widened. She had heard of the great dragon Mother but only dreamed about seeing her up close. And today was the day. She was only distracted by Keiro and smiled at him as he gestured before explaining the blessing of the weather. Thyla had to agree. The rain seemed a good sign. She nodded. “I agree my friend….today is a blessed day” She smiled again to the point it hurt. She then laughed softly when he offered to go up with her to the great dragon.
“Yep….That’s Kazuko…our fate today is in her claws” She said with a slight weight of fear rising within her.
Looking at Luca and then Keiro for support, she took a breath and stepped forward with them.

At that moment, everything blurred. Everything around her fell away. It was just her and the giant beautiful dragon before her. At that moment all she saw was the great Celestial look at her.
Naturally, she dropped to one knee in an utterly respectful bow. At first her voice seemed to falter, but then the words came almost beyond her control.

“I am so honored to meet you Kazuko…Is…Is there a dragon meant for me in this clutch?”
Thyla looked up again at the Celestial before her. Her breath and heart feeling frozen as she waited for the answer.

Keiro, freaking the heck out and entering with Thyla
No mere mortal words could ever describe the bevy of sensations that had flowed relentlessly through Keiro’s body and soul in the past few days. Had he not been periodically reminded of the earthliness of his new temporary abode, he would have firmly believed he had been abruptly warped out of Sekkai and quartered in heaven. Every moment he spent in this luxurious shelter, he wondered to himself why he hadn’t thought of coming here before and applying for candidacy officially, rather than this down-low, sneaky, and honestly… pitifully desperate affair. It still made him a little guilty that he’d never announced himself to any of the higher-ups, and probably none of them even knew he existed, let alone that he might just bond. Keiro didn’t quite know what to prefer, at this rate. The friends he had were wonderful, and announcing himself beforehand could have jeopardized his chances at experiencing this miracle. His association with the Taint, while not direct enough to harm anyone, clearly wouldn’t have sat well with many inhabitants of the Academy. If, by some miracle of divinity, he bonded to a little dragonet someday soon, he’d have to be accepted. And maybe… just maybe, he’d get to show everyone what he truly wanted to do with his life. He’d illustrate that Sekkai was his true calling, not the Desolation. By the sand and heat he loved, he’d swear to live like a true Sekkaian now.

After all, now that he had experienced what the Academy considered normal, how could he voluntarily choose to go back? There was nothing that could hold sway over him back in the dark lands… absolutely nothing. Proteus could live fine without him, he’d realized long ago. He had once believed, clutched in the talons of the blood-marked Bone dragoness, that he was doomed to die. He thought he’d been singled out just to be brought in front of another helpless village and slain as an example, to bring people under the Bone’s control. But then he’d been dropped into the path of a young Proteus, and awestruck by the peculiar man and his draconic counterpart, Keiro had begun to rethink his purpose in life. At that point, he’d come to think that maybe his mission was to save someone. Poor Proteus didn’t seem evil by his own doing, but by a strange stigma that had seeped into his body from youth and now simply called him its vessel. For over a year, Keiro had believed Proteus still had a soul buried beneath the scars and the broken bones, the missing fingers and twisted speech. And he’d seen a little bit of light emerge, when Proteus had learned the word “friend” and had applied it to Keiro… once. Only once. He’d never heard it again, and it had led Keiro to the sad conclusion that Proteus was beyond saving. With Yuurei in his mind, Proteus would never be able to shake the Taint from his life. He was destined to be a minion of darkness forever, and as the violence had begun to escalate, Keiro realized he needed out, and sooner rather than later.

And then he’d met everyone, and nothing could have prepared him for such kindness. What would he have done with his life if he hadn’t met the people he called friends? He would never have realized how much he actually wanted to learn how to read. He would never have gotten the opportunity to try and draw. By the Empress, he never would have been able to experience a real bed and proper food and a life where everything was guaranteed! Did anything better even exist? Surely Keiro believed not. With no real incentive to ever return back to the desert, he was intent on making this his new home. Whether he bonded or not, he could make himself useful. He could tend horses, maybe, or serve somehow. There were things he was good at… right?

Every waking hour, he found himself imagining just how he could contribute to the Academy until he learned whether or not he bonded. He had no idea how long it would be until he got to experience the magic of hatching dragons, but he’d found a way to make the time pass in the most heavenly way possible. Ever since Thyla had snuck him into her nearly empty room in the candidate barracks, he had learned the joys of a proper bed, and he had slept more in the past few days than he probably had the entire previous month. So as not to draw attention to himself, he often kept himself inside during hours of peak activity, simply allowing himself to lounge and enjoy not having to constantly be on the lookout for his hide. Nights now found him completely oblivious to the world around him, undisturbed by dreams, simply floating in unconsciousness without any of the cares that normally roiled in his turbulent mind. For that set of hours between sunset and sunrise, a rare expression of serenity wiped his face clean, erasing the stress lines that constantly threatened to etch themselves into his young visage. He allowed himself to believe that he slept wrapped in clouds and breezy silk every night, with clean clothes that reminded him of what he thought spirits and angels wore. He’d shed his tattered, permanently filthy garb from before and tossed it aside to be burned, his first step to abandoning his former life. He even had shoes of his own now! Shoes! Sure, after walking on calloused soles for nearly his entire life, shoes took some getting used to, but even the sub-par spares he had been given were gifts of immense value to him.

With those shoes resting beside the bed in an almost sacred spot, Keiro now lay wrapped in a cocoon of white warmth and luxury, clutching the sheets so tightly that his dark skin barely kissed the air through the cotton and the curtains of his bleached locks. Deep in the most untouchable vaults of sleep, he felt etheral almost, as if in a transitory state between reality and his own repressed imagination. It was a world he had never visited, not even when he had been comfortable with his family. In that strange bubble of unconsciousness, a color drifted across the black, as though skirting across the filmy surface of oil on water… not a slash, but a gentle wash of fading gold and sky blue, a faint memory of his desert home. But he had no business thinking of that place anymore, no reason to wish that the sands had spared the village the survivors had no doubt abandoned. His family thought him dead, most likely. What other outcome would they have expected, seeing their son swept up by an obviously Tainted dragon? Maybe, one day… if he bonded, perhaps he’d fly back and search for them, find what village they had gone on to inhabit. He’d tell them what really happened… and what he’d learned about himself and the world beyond the shifting sands.

This particular night, however, all was not serene and quiet in Keiro’s little bubble of white sheets and solitude. In the heart of the night, a strange sound began to pulse and echo, reverberating along the borders of his consciousness, a sort of song he had never heard before. Much unlike the powerful, passionate melodies of his home, this one started off soft, only amplified by his own imagination, and he began to waver from sleep back into a sort of half-awareness. Where was that noise coming from? It must be from the outside… certainly the melody wasn’t familiar at all. If it was from the outside, it had to be powerful to interfere with his serenity. Semi-consciously, he rolled over and burrowed a little further into the covers, attempting to bring himself back to true sleep. Whatever it was, it couldn’t possibly have been that important for so late at night, perhaps just a lonely dragoness calling for her mate to sleep beside her.

And then the sound crushed the peace he had tried to hold on to, its volume exploding into a crescendo of so many draconic voices, all belting the same melody iconic to all except the foreigner in residence. Immediately, Keiro bolted awake, clutching the sheets to his chin as he sat rigidly upright. The sudden explosion of volume concerned him… and led him to jump straight to the worst conclusion. “Thyla!” He yelled before leaping out of the bed. “Proteus! No, Yuurei must be trying to come and take me back!” Before she could say anything, he sprinted to the door and yanked it open, suddenly uncaring of who saw him, but paused in confusion when he heard the comments of the other candidates roused from their sleep. “By the Rider… They’re actually hatching, aren’t they? The eggs?” A few more seconds of observing the other frantic candidates, and he was certain. Now was his chance. “Come on, come on! We can’t miss it!”

When Thyla had gotten out of bed, Keiro motioned frantically for her to follow and darted a few steps down the hallway, constantly stopping and turning to make sure she was right behind him. It didn’t even matter to him that he had left his shoes back in the room. To feel the hot sand again… it would be absolutely wonderful, a perfect reason to wake him up from subconscious heaven into the heaven of reality.

As soon as his toes dug into the sand again, his eyes lit up and he gasped with pure ecstasy. Despite all the activity from excited spectators and awestruck candidates and gleeful parents, a sound very peculiar to Keiro caught his attention, and he froze in his tracks. His eyes roved upward, and by the illumination inside the Sands, he gasped audibly as he made out the source of the sound. Rain! It was actually raining! As a desert-dweller, rain was rare and considered an absolute blessing to his people. Abruptly, he dropped to his knees and crossed his hands in a rapid gesture before drawing a symbol in the sand in front of him. He bounced to his feet just as quickly as he’d dropped and glanced from the glass roof back to Thyla. “Ah…” She didn’t know what that was, did she? “In the desert, we… we believe rain is a blessing. And Thyla, this is absolutely the best day for it to be raining! Go, go, see if you get a crystal! I’ll walk with you.” He grinned softly and sighed, then let his eyes wandered to the great white dragoness facing the candidates. Was that… the crystalgiver? He gulped quietly, realizing something that made his stomach sink. He didn’t know this ancient Celestial’s name, or anything about her. If he was going to even think about asking about his fate, he’d need to address her, didn’t he? And no doubt it was near heresy to ask her name at the actual Hatching, so for now, he just stuck close to Thyla, hoping that he’d hear the dragoness’s name from someone. Maybe he could just get by with a polite generality… and hopefully she wouldn’t mind the nervous sweat beginning to break out over his body.

Talula, overwhelmed and entering.

The middle of the night, was not the time when one expected baby dragons. It was not the singing she had been told to expect that roused her. Thunder rumbled softly above in warning of the deep mighty storm. Foot falls and a sudden bang on her door roused her. She flew from bed, feeling the need to be in motion. Something was calling to her. She bounced out of bed and sucked in breath. It was time. Right now. She darted about her room in a panic, forcing a brush through her short red hair in an anxious mess. She had been hoping to have a day to wind herself down. Now her it was. That deep song that rattled in her bones and dragons were taking up. She had hardly slept that night, there had been something in the air that made it hard. Now she was slightly tired, but that was dissipating quickly as she got herself ready.

Talula yanked on her clothing as quickly as she could and tried to brush it smooth of wrinkles. She had spent the last few days so excited she had worn through all her good clothing except the set she had worn weeks ago to the touching. Time and time again people had told her not yet, but Talula didn't care. She was going to be ready when the time came. Honestly the breezy white shirt with the tiny two toned birds was the nicest thing she owned and would make do just fine. She tugged at the lacy sleeves hoping no one would notice or comment. The smooth hide pants were pulled over her legs and this time she grabbed a pair of black lacing shoes that covered to her ankles. She wouldn't be caught in low shoes there again. After all she didn't want to be sloshing through sand. Her heart slammed against her ribs and she felt her breathing come faster, it was time, she could taste it on her tongue as much as she could feel it through the song..

She had picked up the silver filigree for her hair again and tucked Daranau's quill into the little pendant for luck. It also gave her a small bit of courage. The kind dragon had given her a gift in kind. She had done something right. It felt like a ward against her shaking hands and growing nerves. She took a final look at herself in the mirror and straightened her shirt one last time. This was it. She leaned down and laced up her shoes, making sure they sat just so. Her heart pounded harder, reminding her of just how long she was taking to get ready. She looked a little tired, but otherwise like herself. Then the rush of joy and excitement that surged through the dragon song hit her.

This was it!

The eggs were hatching. She danced on her toes from foot to foot. This was it. This was the final moment. She spun around making sure she had everything she needed and then whirled out of the room as if she had been blown by the wind. She hummed softly to herself, unable to resist as she darted for the great sands.

Talula darted through the halls joyously. She would have danced if she didn't have somewhere to be. Somewhere important. She darted through the forming crowds of sleepy onlookers that pushed towards the stairs. She was careful to avoid the feet of dragons and excused herself often. This was it! The time was coming! Yet now that it was here, upon her like a looming shroud, doubts formed that little nagging voice of fear.

It whispered and cooed through her head. 'What if no dragon's want you?' It hissed like a foul viper. 'There are so many candidates who know what they are doing better then you.'

“No.”There was no reason to worry. If it didn't happen this time, it would next time. She couldn't doubt herself now. She couldn't behave exactly as her mother wanted her to. She was not going to run home now things got tough. She had been a good student. She had been the best candidate she could. Sure she would be upset if she was not chosen but now was not the time to think about it. Idle worries lead to panic. She was determined to be stable. “You can do this. This is what you came here for. Remember smiles and try not to talk too much.” She scolded herself. A good pep talk couldn't hurt after all, even if the people around her shot her odd looks. Yet all it did was reduce her shaking a little. That would have to do for now.

Talula joined the flood of people and dragons that worked their way to the great stairs, yawning and sighing with delight. The whole experience was joyous, despite the ridiculous hour. Talula wished she could tarry and watch the parade. Thunder boomed over head signaling that the storm was rousing. The soft chatter dulled for a moment as it rattled the hall then swelled again, and with it her excitement. She came upon a few other candidates and joined their ranks quietly. Her voice would have shaken if she spoke now; so she offered them a nervous nod in greeting instead. She silently wished them all luck, even that wretch of a girl who had thrown a tantrum at the second lesson. Hopefully a living dragon would put the girl in line and everyone would be better for it. They came upon the great staircase that spiraled endlessly towards the heavens. With a little wave of good bye she bounced up them.

The small group was left behind as she practically pranced up the stairs. Talula lighted gracefully on her toes and no sooner had her feet touched a stair, then were they darting to the next one. Her flighty motions and small form slipped her past onlookers and candidates alike. By the time she reached the top, which was farther then she remembered, her cheeks were flushed with life and her heart pounded with the exertion from her jog here. Her lungs burned a little bit from her now quick breathing. Yet when she walked through the doors everything was wonderful.

The vast sands laid out before her like a glorious desert. The massive room struck her again. The hall was so large, and the great glass dome over their heads showing only darkness and swirling clouds far over head reflecting the light and color across the beautiful sands from Kazuko's sun. Rain poured down the sides in streaks that reflected light from the many lights that swirled over head like a tiny universe that cast colored light across the sands and brought the world into strange uncommon hues. She blinked a few times, doe like, and tried to take everything in.

Her jaw dropped slightly as the momentousness of the occasion dawned on her. This was the moment her life could change forever. No longer would she be Talula Loreki, seamstress's daughter. She might become Talula Loreki, dragon rider. She caught in her steps and bodies passed by her tiny form as she took a deep breath willing herself on. Her eyes swept to the dragons and their riders that already crowded the stands, sleepily taking vigil as their excitement woke them. So many bodies, so many eyes. This was beautiful and terrifying. So many people were watching. If she wasn't chosen all of them would see. Tears stung at her eyes at the emotions that welled inside and she wiped them away quickly with the back of her hand. So much of her life she hadn't had a clue what she was doing. She had stumbled blindly. Now standing here on the sands, this is all she wanted. This was something she would remember irregardless. It was one of those moments you never lost.

Realizing she had fallen behind again Talula hurried on to catch up with the candidates. Her eyes fell on Kazuko and where the other hopeful candidates drifted like moths to a flame. She followed, stepping in line and dancing from foot to foot. Now she would know for sure which path she would be taking for this chapter in her life. More lessons? Or would she bond? The suspense only made it worse and she whispered softly to herself, nonsense really. Anything to calm her nerves.

All too quickly it was her turn. She stepped up to the great dragon and her pile of crystals. Talula's voice, for the first time in her life, nearly failed her. At first only a small squeak came out. Quickly she cleared her throat and tried again in a mildly shaky tone “I-I am Talula Loreki, Great Mother.” She bowed deeply and stood again her fingers trembling. “Is there perhaps a crystal waiting for me?” Her voice was meek, nervous. All at once to the point, which the girl never seemed to manage. However the intense circumstance had her reeling and it was all that needed to be said in the presence of the great Kazuko. All her emotions pooled at the surface, ready to burst, though unsure what to feel. Her breath caught as she waited for the guardian's response.

Liian, excitedly overseeing his nest and creating a ring of glowing shadows around it

Only when the dome had been a mass of dark, dreary brick had Liian ever seen the place so dismal and drab. The rain pounded the glass relentlessly, but the noise was so constant that it wasn't all that difficult for Liian to rest. He and Almirsael were curled about their, two halves of one whole with the sum of that union within the safety of their enormous, protective bodies. There had been a feeling growing within him for a few days now, some knowledge that, surely, the Hatching must be coming close, yet when he had lain himself down to slumber that evening his mind had put aside the excitement and concern for another night. Hatchings never happened when the sun was hidden on the other side of the planet, so why stay away and fret?

Yet something was happening. Kazuko had roused herself and a hum had added itself to the sounds surrounding him. Liian's head snapped up, his markings flashing with the shock of his waking and he stared at the Celestial dragoness across the sands. "'Sael, 'Sael!" he blurted as he swung his head around, voice straining to remain quiet in spite of the excitement that had begun to overwhelm him. "The Hatching! Our little one is coming to greet us!" he crooned, shifting himself into a crouched position to stare at the egg. It seemed to pulse, the effect doubled as the shining shell reflected its fathers glowing markings. He brushed his nose across the surface delicately and added his own deep-throated hum to that of Kazuko. "Time to rise, my little one," he rumbled happily before bouncing to his feet to prance about his mate and the nest.

He stretched his wings to shake the last vestiges of slumber form himself and watched as the Celestial dragon gathered her energies, the tendrils of light coalescing into an enormous ball of light which Kazuko sent skyward to light the world around them. Liian trumpeted in joy at her work and watched as a lightning male added his own light to the scene. The Chaos dragon shook out his frills and grinned. His markings glowed their brightest and, though he could not cast his efforts skyward, the world immediately around him began to take on an unearthly glow, as if the very substance of the ground beneath his feet were creating light. Shadows became bright as his mind focused upon them and the copper nest with its hanging crystals, now enveloped in a ring of brightness, sent shafts of rainbow hues bouncing in all directions.

This was the gift of dragons, to bring joy and light and happiness to a world plagued with the opposite. New life was on its way and it was a time to celebrate and to be joyful! "Pick a good one," Liian chortled to his egg as he stood above it.


Moss, hovering around Amaunet and purring with excitement

Rain on glass. Dark clouds. Slumber.... And suddenly there was a hum to break the monotony of the rainfall... deep yet musical and full of welcome... The shadows that had pervaded the world were banished by the fierce glow of a false sun that Kazuko had birthed and set to floating. Warmth enveloped Moss as he raised his head toward the light, the trees upon his back seeming to stretch toward it, to soak it in. He was bewildered and awed, the fact that this was it taking its sweet time to sink in.

He rose from his place and moved toward the nest, deep green eyes wide with joy as he beheld his precious child in its nest. The vines of flowers that he had coaxed and tended during his weeks with Amaunet at their nest seemed to rustle with excitement. The flowers, whose petals had folded inward as they shied away from the darkness, began to open again at a miraculous speed to make the most of the magical sunlight filtering down upon them. Moss sent his energies toward them, encouraging them until the nest was alive with color. Even the young squirrels, Navarre and Phillipe, had been roused and sat chittering with interest upon the branches making the leafy mane upon his back.

"Amaunet," he said quietly, nuzzling his head against her neck. "Can you believe it?" he asked of her, sitting on his haunches to peer at her and then moving his gaze to the egg and then, finally, to Kazuko. He let out a fluting call of greeting and thanks and happiness and then readied himself for the excitement that the next few hours would bring. His first child would be born soon!

Jaylynn entering the sands and kinda staring at Kazuko

It was very late, long past the time of sunset, when Jay was awakened. The sound of the rain had lulled him and kept him in a solid sleep, but a light and a song that hit his soul woke him. He groaned as he shifted and opened his eyes. He felt as though he had not slept enough; it couldn't be dawn yet... But the soft light against the storm told otherwise. It took him a moment to register the building hum, the song the waking dragons were singing-- Wait, a song. "Is it..." He mumbled to himself, falling - quite literally- out of his bed and scrambling for his clothing. Internally he snarled at his wrong body, hastily binding his growing breasts. How he despised his female body... It wasn't the best, but enough to hide them, as he slid on a shirt and pair of slacks. Slipping on sandals, he darted out of the door.

Other candidates were rising, with as much eager fervor, and as he left the candidate barracks, others were rising as well. Heart hammering in his chest, he walked beneath dragons, humming eagerly as they made their way to the hatching grounds...

He had never seen a hatching before, being stuck in the west his whole life. Which, wasn't exactly a long span of time in its own. Many boys didn't leave the mines till they were older, sixteen or eighteen maybe. Some sooner, if a dragon rider came around near a time of hatching. He wondered if children his age around here had attended the hatchings, even to watch. Were all so privileged by living close to this place?

As he approached the sands the humming was strong, intense, the hum of the great mother herself, and the dams and sires around her. Stepping onto the warm hatching grounds, the sound of the rain seemed dulled by the dragons' song, the hum filling his body with more excitment, a childish excitement. He had his chance to get a dragon! A dragon! And someday he could fly back to his mother, and she her that he was capable... Maybe.. Maybe even help her, give her money.

He realized then, that he missed her, and his brothers. The emotion was conflicting with his excitement, the sudden longing for his mother. It wasn't strange; a child could only be away so long before missing their parents, but why now, in a time so happy? Biting his lower lip, he walked with the others toward Kazuko. He bowed before her, before standing upright, arching his back and puffing his chest in an attempt to be proud and sure, rather than nervous and filled with a sudden sadness of his distant family.

"Great mother Kazuko..." He said breathlessly. He had heard about her, but her grandeur and glory was simply not compared to seeing her in real life. He licked his lips, his question of whether or not he was to be blessed with a crystal, lost in his staring.

Lilith, awaking and humming to her egg

Being on the sands, the chaos mother was one of the first to awaken at the great mothers humming. And from the sound of her own eggs twitching. Having been half asleep as it were, her bright eye slid open, pupil dilating and adjusting to the darkness. The great mother sighed as her hum was washed out by the pounding rain and stormy winds, Lilith raising her head and nuzzling the earth egg. It moved in response, and she let out a happy gasp. She looked over to Kazuko, as she began to form her sun, waking fully and humming eagerly.

Not her first egg, it was still an exciting time. New life. This was new life that she created. She purred softly, the pseudo-sun rising to the top of the hatching ground dome. As Kazuko began to sing once more, she gave her voice to call out to the candidates.

{{ I shall add my boys when their respective mates post ^u^ }}

Luca

Luca tossed and turned that night for reasons he simply couldn't explain. He couldn't get comfortable to save his life. His thoughts niggled at his brain, as though he'd forgotten something. Like leaving a candle burning on top of a barrel of explosive powder. He didn't have a clue what would make him so restless, especially not with the gentle patter of raindrops against the glass of his windowpanes. He was in a room by himself so it was quiet save for that and the sound of his own breathing that night.

So frazzled were his nerves from not being able to sleep that he almost jumped out of his skin when he heard someone shouting down the hallway to rouse the candidates. His brain instantaneously jumped to some horrible conclusion or other that the Academy was on fire, or being attacked by the Taints, or something equally horrific. It wasn't until his ears caught the distinctive words "eggs" and "hatching" that he tried to calm his frantic heartbeat. Swinging his legs over the edge of his bed, he wiggled his bare toes and contemplated putting on shoes, remembering how warm the sands were beneath his feet during the touching--even though that day he'd been wearing sandals--and grimaced as he decided he wouldn't. He went barefoot so often that the bottoms of his feet could practically turn away all but the absolute sharpest things one could potentially step on.

At least he'd opted to wear pants to sleep in tonight. With a shrug, he rubbed his eyes, feeling the fatigue that his restlessness had brought on, and grabbed one of the nearest sleeveless shirts he had. It had been unbearably warm during the touching when he'd worn the light coat he'd worn to hide a good deal of his entertaining tricks for the mothers he'd visited. The moment he had his shirt on, the nervousness started to take hold of him and his hands actually started to shake slightly. This was it...or it was going to be. Either he'd bond or he wouldn't, either his friends would bond and leave him unbonded or they wouldn't. There were so many factors up in the air that it made his stomach turn uncomfortably. Even if he did bond, there were so many undecided factors and he still had to worry about that war starting up again thing.

He'd promised Thyla. Not to mention Rurik would probably find him and wring his neck like a chicken if he ran again. But either way, he'd promised. He couldn't bear the thought of disappointing them again. And Sarafina...and Anala. Luca realized with those thoughts that what his friends thought of him was more important than what he was afraid of. He'd just have to go with whatever flow his life wanted to throw him from here on out.

The sudden presence at the door made him jump again and he almost yelped like a little girl, but was saved that disgrace when he turned to see Thyla standing there. That and her quick hug made things stabilize somewhat. It felt normal all of a sudden. He wasn't alone like he'd so desperately felt only moments before. He laughed, "Don't worry I don't even have time to run now," he said, following her into the busy hallway, yawning as he did so. "Now let's just hope Kazuko doesn't eat me," he chuckled. He heard Thyla mention someone named Keiro, but he didn't know who that was so he followed her to see. Apparently he wasn't the only one she'd be helping, either indirectly or directly with this hatching issue, whatever Keiro's story was.

When he sank into the grains of sand that began the hatching grounds entrance, he swallowed hard, finding it suddenly hard to breathe. He had to get his mind off of it. He had to stop worrying about it. He didn't realize he'd stopped and let Thyla walk on without him until a heavy, strong hand gripped his shoulder. He looked up like a startled cat at the human monolith more lovingly known as Rurik as he stared down at him, his eyes as dark grey as the storm clouds overhead. "Remember what I said," his voice grumbled out like a landslide and Luca nodded, straightening so as not to look like a weakling in front of the much stronger, much more dominant candidate.

"Right. Find my happy place, got it," he said, took a breath and strode forward with better determination to catch up with Thyla. Granted, Rurik's words were something more along the lines of 'don't think about it, think about something that isn't scary', but Luca had a way of twisting everything serious into light sarcasm.

When he entered the hatching grounds, he almost froze again and the brilliant display of color and light that spread about the ceiling, made by Kazuko and the rest that contributed. He'd never seen anything so beautiful in his life, not even at the Star Festivals they'd hold in Esam every year. If anything, he had a feeling he'd come away from this experience with stories to tell even if he didn't come away with a bond. As he fell in line behind the others greeting Kazuko, he shifted his feet uncomfortably, but not because of the heat. He listened intently to the ways others greeted the giant white dragon and tried to formulate a greeting of his own. He'd heard she was ancient, and though he assumed she might grow tired of hearing the same things when hatchings happened, he decided that giving her the respect due was better than trying to be creative at a time like this.

So when it was his turn, he looked up at her--way up given how much larger she was than he--and gave her his best smile he could muster in the middle of the night with little sleep to speak of. "Greetings Mother," he addressed, hoping his knees weren't visibly knocking as much as he felt like they were, "I hope you're well this night..." then he stammered and froze up. How could he have the audacity to actually ask if she had a crystal for him? Looking into those ancient eyes, he thought there was no way she couldn't see into his very soul and know he was afraid. Perhaps too afraid to be worthy of a creature as strong and intelligent as every other on these sands.

Rurik

He had not slept, had not eaten. Rurik's fast was into its third day, the last day for the time being. Doing his homework on the different dragon breeds and their strengths and weaknesses had only taken up most of his time. The rest had been spent in meditation, in combating the anger and fear he'd realized had merely appeared to protect him from the loneliness that gripped his heart. Even with Thyla, Luca, and Sarafina having broken into his life in one way or another, he still lacked the closeness his soul craved for the types of relationships he'd had before his betrayal. Those relationships were dangerous and had cut him so deeply before that he doubted he could ever maintain any like that again. But a part of him told him that he could. Rurik was at war with himself, and it had taken Dhruva's indirect pointing out of his condition to make him realize it.

Someone shouting in the barracks interrupted his quiet vigil, and his dark eyes opened slowly to the candle-lit dimness of his room. He took a moment to regain his bearings on the world around him. The faint glimmer of candle flame on his blades lining his wall, the flicker like ethereal dancers undulating across his vision. The light sounds of rain offered an ambiance of calm, being uninterrupted by blasts of thunder or flashes of lightning. Rurik felt like he could crawl into his bed and finally sleep, but he hadn't dreamed of the shouts that said the eggs were hatching.

Flashes of his memory showed him the Fire egg he'd been allowed to come close to with Anamchara and Dhruva's permission, and the pair of Lava and Metal he'd also seen up close. Any one of those eggs could hold the cure for his loneliness, for a companion he could truly trust. Humanity was an amazing race, but could be so fickle, so disloyal. Perhaps it was the crystal bond, or the fact that each pair seemed perfectly suited to each other that made dragons and their riders have such sturdy relationships--usually. Rurik, despite outward appearances, was tired of being alone. Tired of not being able to trust anyone. It made life so much more stressful to think that the entire world had the potential to turn on you, and given his experiences, it would be nearly impossible for him to view anyone in a positive light until he knew better.

Rurik stood silently in the middle of his room and stretched, feeling a few pops up the length of his spine and shoulders. A heavy sigh escaped him as relief from the previously stiff joints hit him. Time to try again. Perhaps Kazuko would have a crystal for him this time. Perhaps she would not. Either way, he wouldn't know unless he went to see. If anything, he felt tired enough that if she did not, he could simply come back to his quarters and sleep, then decide what to do with himself in the morning. Rubbing lightly over the scar on the side of his face, Rurik hoped that the mere blemish wasn't the reason that he'd been rejected the first time--though nothing in the histories hinted at such a thing preventing bonding--and that it wouldn't be cause for his rejection a second time. He slipped on his boots and walked out the door, being already fully dressed in his normal daytime clothes.

The hallway was a cacophony of excited candidates and Rurik felt like a rock in the middle of a gushing stream. Taller than a lot of them, he looked over several heads and planned a path that took him straight to the entrance of the hatching grounds. He waded through the crowd through his planned path, carefully reading the postures of the candidates around him to anticipate where he'd need to step next so he didn't step on them. It wasn't until he reached the entrance that he noticed the familiar back of someone's head and stepped forward to offer a comforting hand on Luca's shoulder. "Remember what I said," he told him, his voice sounding rougher than he realized. Probably because he hadn't spoken for close to twenty -four hours at this point.

When Luca moved on, Rurik shook his head. Luca had strengths he couldn't yet see, and even Rurik hoped he would bond to a partner that would show him that. The two worst things in the world to waste in Rurik's mind were time and potential. If the smaller framed candidate didn't realize it soon, he'd be wasting a lot of his own potential. Rurik didn't want to waste his either, despite how damaged he felt certain aspects of himself were, and that was the reason he was here. If it was a companion close to his heart that could help him glue together the shattered pieces of what was left after his best comrade's and most trusted elder's betrayal, then he would stand until he could no longer.

Walking into the sands was like walking into the very essence of a rainbow. All colors of light danced above, reflecting off of the darkened glass that covered the grounds, creating an ethereal ambient light that electrified the atmosphere with its brilliance. Rurik felt slightly uplifted as hope began to slowly claw its way out of the dim recesses of his practical heart. His time to greet Kazuko came without his notice of the passage of time and once before her, the candidate could only look silently up at her. She had to remember him from before. She had turned him away once, would she again? He cleared his throat, to allow his voice to carry to her ears. "Great One," he said, "Will this be the day?" It was all he could think to ask, because saying anything else would certainly bring about feelings he didn't want to feel again. Memories of that first rejection and the years that followed, bringing him to this point where he felt he was at a crossroads of many shadowed paths, uncleared for him to see which was right. Perhaps she would tell him yes and one would clear for him to walk, or she would tell him no and the same would happen, the opening in a different place. He could only await her answer.

((Hadassah and daddies coming soon, must get some more work done ]: ))

Paol and Strast arriving
((This will likely be the only time I mention them, unless someone addresses them, but I want it clear that they are present, unlike Ria and Mistra XD))

The rain pounded outside their caverns, and its drumming lulled Paol into a deep sleep. His sleep was untroubled by the dark dreams he had been experiencing of late. Instead he was visited by visions of a softer rain, away in the south, falling on flowers in an oasis in the desert in a time years ago when he had known peace even in a time of war.

Strast, disliking heavy rain because it dampened his abilities and hampered his flying, was awake, watching as the moons slid behind the clouds, glad that there was an eave over the dragon-exit to their rooms to keep the rain out of them. Still, now and then, his tongue snaked out to catch a raindrop or three from the storm, good clean storm water that tasted sweeter to him than any water from river or pond or oasis.

Gazing over the landscape outside that doorway, what he could see through the rain, Strast was brought to his feet abruptly at the sudden flowering of light that shone on the undersides of the clouds, a smooth, steady light that was certainly not lightning, a brilliant white light that drew the eye and the heart toward its source. Yet he did not move again until his rider stirred under that light that suddenly fell across his face.

"Strast?" Paol struggled away from the oasis that haunted his mind, his voice strained and full of sleep, yet peaceful, gentle. "Strast, has the lightning started?"

For he knew even in sleep, for it had started after he fell to dreams, that rain fell.

"There is light, Paol, but no lightning," the Fire dragon replied, turning to watch his rider's peaceful face, knowing what would happen when the peace passed. For once, he accepted the human's choice before the man knew he had made it, and made the choice himself not to argue--save perhaps in jest.

"Then what?" As his eyes fluttered open, the white light was changed, though not tainted, joined by other colors that shifted and flowed. He held his hand up to watch the light with wonder. "What is that, Strast?"

"It is a summons, Paol," was the response. "A summons to the Hatching. It begins."

"Hatching?" Now Paol was well awake, the peace fled from his face to be replaced by grinning excitement. "Oh, I have to get dressed."

He leapt from his bed and began to pull on clothes that, while not his best, were well made and sturdy, dignified on his muscular form.

"Paol, there will be far too many people on the Sands for my taste, as you well know."

Here Paol paused, and looked at his dragon, who had turned his face back to the rain to survey the glory of light on the thick clouds. While the objection was phrased, there was no heat or force in it, as the man was used to from his Bond. It was more habit than truth.

"Strast, love, you haven't been on the Sands since your own Hatching, and nor have I!" Paol returned, still grinning, as he finished dressing and pulled on his boots to lace them up.

"And there were too many people on the Sands for me then, too," Strast replied in a snort, turning back to smile gently at the man, recalling a day when, for once in his life, he had not noticed the many other souls nearby. As Paol rose and walked over, Strast nudged him gently with his snout. "I shall fly, and take a place on the stands. You, though, had bettered walk. It will keep you from becoming too wet. Even I could not take you through this pouring without soaking you. Go. You will take longer than I. Do not run."

Paol laid his forehead against his dragon's, then set out, no words needed to tell his dragon what their bond conveyed perfectly on its own. Strast smiled again, waited a bit, then took off carefully into the rain--careful both of the rain and of his still weak foreleg. They arrived almost at the same time, and marveled at the sights on the Sands, and even Strast's heart was caught in the excitement as they settled to watch.


Leeran arriving, marveling, and greeting Kazuko
A sleepy shuffle in the halls of the Candidate Barracks woke him from a light sleep. Leeran rubbed the sleep from his eyes and only then noted the fluctuating light that filtered through the curtains of his room. Rising, curious, he pulled them aside and saw the light in truth, dancing through the raindrops.

Next to his senses were the streams of people heading across the Academy through the rain, and he wondered at that, tracing their route in the map he had made of the place in his mind, but quicker than his sleep-addled mind were his ears, which picked out the words 'Hatching,' 'Sands,' and 'Kazuko' from the murmurs and shouting in the hall.

Then only did he understand the import of this light. It was a summons to the Hatching, which was upon them at last. A thrill of excitement ran through him that did nothing to dispel the sleepiness of his mind, but it pushed him to dress and join the throng of people. The sleepiness fled less quickly, but by the time he had reached the entrance to the Sands, the marvel of what he saw there woke him completely.

From the white sun in its place under the glass dome, with its rotating stars of other colors, to the glory of the mothers and fathers and riders and eggs and watchers and other Candidates under that shifting light, to the splendor that was one dragon, set apart, resplendent in silver scales and golden feathers, who watched the Candidates in particular. This, then, was Kazuko.

Leeran studied her a moment, completely in awe of her size (which intimidated him) and her beauty (which tied his tongue) and her importance (which was simply beyond his understanding). If ever there was perfection in dragonkind, surely he looked at it now. But even as he thought that, his memory threw up in objection other images that his mind placed over Kazuko's: Lithia, in all her exotic, cold beauty and the warmth of her eyes and voice; Cadence, whom he had met at the Touching, with her delicate wings and thrumming song; Harmon, who Leeran set beside her, a male Sonic to her female, wordless but far from voiceless, splendid in sapphire; and not least Anala, pink-orange and vivid. Each was perfect in a singular way, and Kazuko, though far different from these, was not, in his mind, the greatest of them, or of the others he had met.

This acknowledgement of his mind that, though important, lovely and quite large, Kazuko was a dragon as any other he had met, let him step forward to stand among his fellows. He waited for a break in their greetings to give his own. He gave it no flowers, no gilding, but spoke plainly, his voice far calmer than he had expected it to be.

"Kazuko, I greet you. It is an honor to be before you, to attend a Hatching, as Candidate or no. If it is my fate to Bond to one of those still egg-shod today, I would be grateful to receive a crystal from you as indication. Yet, if it is not my fate, I will be grateful merely to have seen this wonder."

Adirondack, about to explode

For the past few days, a certain Forest dragoness hadn’t been sleeping quite as soundly as the other mothers. Butterflies had settled in the pit of her stomach and every night, the slightest sound roused them and caused them to flutter frantically until silence bade them to settle again. Even the shifting of Hertz, the rustling of her nest in his breath, set her into half-wakefulness, and only her conscious effort could keep her from constantly reaching over to nuzzle her egg experimentally. Despite this being her first child, she figured she’d know somehow when it was about to hatch… there had to be some sort of cue she had to look for. Perhaps this unsettling in her stomach was at least part of the cue. After all, it had been a few weeks since the Touching, and every time she reached over to snuffle the shell, it seemed much more firm and mature than the day before. Any day now, any day!

But today, she’d tried to make herself sleep. The faster she passed the nights, the sooner it would feel when her egg and all the others finally began to crack. However, it wasn’t exactly going according to plan. She’d rolled herself so that she faced away from the nest, ears tilted against her head to try and block out any sounds from the nest. The possibility had not crossed her mind that perhaps the eggs would choose to break shell at night, and she assumed that checking on it in the darkness would prove a waste of sleep, like it had the last few nights. She had hatched in the bright of daylight, underneath her black mother’s protective gaze. Her own first view of the world had been bathed in sunshine and the love of the skies and the dragons who ringed the Hatching grounds. Idly, she attempted to focus her mind on the world when she had hatched, the brightness and the love of everyone fixated on her, the first to hatch. Perhaps that memroy would calm her, she thought, but instead it made her shift in excitement and quiver her tail. What if her own little one followed in her footsteps and chose its partner first? The thought excited her so much that she had to tuck her head into her chest and fold a paw over her eyes to keep from bolting awake to check on the egg again.

Just as she had begun to calm her breathing and attempted to fall back into proper sleep, she found her ears unconsciously twitching in the direction of a faint sound. Sure, she had tuned out the rain from the very beginning of the night, hoping that it would only serve to lull her to sleep, but something had begun to echo between the droplets on the glass. A song of some sort, and one that undeniably stirred the most deep-rooted of emotions. She had heard it only twice before. It was the same melody that had rung through the air as she watched Ammit and Galileo hatch beneath her mother’s wings, and the melody that had called her out of the egg on that fateful day when she’d first set foot in the real world. That meant only one thing… finally cracking her eyes open, she gazed for a few moments at Kazuko, and then the magnitude of the occasion finally hit her.

She made no attempt to restrain the squeal of pure and undiluted excitement that tore from her throat. Immediately, she rolled back onto her other side to face the egg, legs flailing in her frantic effort to confirm the occasion. One wing flapped aimlessly as she nosed her nest, blowing the stray sand off of it with constant flares of her nostrils. When all the sand had been blown off the shell, Adi pressed her delicate nose against it, ears pricked as far forward as they could go. And yes, her senses weren’t deceiving her! She had undoubtedly felt it twitch, had clearly heard a faint chirp from the wyrmling inside. “Hertz! HertzHertzHertz, wake up! It’s hatching! It’s hatching right right now! Our child!” Tail flicking wildly, wings flared, she cocked her head back and let loose a stream of notes as loud as she could, mimicking the ancestral song of new life, adding her melodic voice to Kazuko’s. All around her, other mothers were beginning to wake and sing the praises of their own children, and the light that the Celestials and Lightnings and Fires created could only be compared to the brightest of dawns. She gazed wistfully at the artificial sun, wishing that she could contribute somehow. Maybe she could grow some daffodils or sunflowers around her stirring child…

Before she could actually attempt any of that, a dog barked behind her, and she perked her ears and turned her head to the source, whose identity she already knew. Morpheus had already taken his spot, wagging his black-furred tail, and barked once more. Mere moments later, an out-of-breath Nevereki skidded to a halt next to the hunting dog, and as his eyes met Adi’s, a wide smile broke out over his face. “I came as fast as I can. I didn’t miss anything, did I?”

“Of course not, Reki! You’re perfectly on time!” Adi trilled, reaching her head down to nuzzle her rider. “Come on! Sit by me! I want you to have a front seat to watch my little one hatch!” She then tilted her head at Hertz. “Your Dedric must come too! I would want him to miss anything!”

Lithia, EXUDING LOVE EVERYWHERE

While the excitement had been roiling inside the veteran mother Ice, Lithia hadn’t let it keep her from sleep. With three clutches behind her, she had learned to tune out the motherly excitement. She’d gone through that phase before, and now, all she could do was pass the time until the children decided they were ready to face the world. She had no doubt it would come soon, but the sooner the better, and Lithia had so far managed to force the resurging feelings of new motherhood down. For the moment, she’d been sleeping soundly, lulled into the depths of calm rest by the rhythmic sound of rain on the glass dome above her. With Salus at her side, Reyzha tucked in bed, and Heine awake to alert the group of any important happenings, she couldn’t imagine any better night. Tonight, she dreamed of cold, of snow and ice and feeble sun rays that cast sparkling light and color across the whiteness, of her children and all the rest of her family flying together, all beginning a hum that she knew would crescendo into a song of welcome for the newest additions to this family.

What she didn’t know, however, was that the hum was not solely in her subconscious imagination. It took a bit of effort from Salus, but eventually, Lithia’s eyes cracked open and she raised her head to regard her mate. “Salus…?” She yawned quietly, and then mid-yawn, he finished his sentence. Her eyes instantly lit up, and she smiled broadly, returning his nuzzle and then moving to hover her head over her egg. All went quiet in her corner of the Sands for nearly a minute as she watched the little pale orb, inspecting it for signs of movement, wanting to be sure even though every nerve in her body screamed that Salus was right. And lo and behold, of course he was! The telltale crunch of snow seemed to trump every sound in her ears as her egg twitched just a little. Reveling in this certainty, she threw her head back and trilled loudly, the sound imbued with pure love and joy, her voice just one sound in the rapidly increasing draconic orchestra of the welcoming melody.
“Salus, love… I can barely believe this isn’t a dream.” She pressed her muzzle against him, savoring the soft caress of his feathers, and purred softly. “Our little miracle…” She sighed and allowed herself to stare up at the artificial sun, and quietly, she lowered her head and breathed over the egg, one paw cupping one side of the nest. Under the cloud of her condensing breath, a small wall of ice crystals forming behind the egg in a clear throne. The light shone and bounced through and off the smooth surface, bathing the little quivering pearl of an egg in the indoor sunshine. “Perfect.”

As she let her eyes roam lovingly over her little altar of ice, a streak of brown crossed the clear surface, and she felt the telltale scrabble of claws on her largest intact horn. "Hello, Heine. Glad to see you're chipper tonight." The flora phoenix squawked and pecked lightly at Lithia's eyeridge before swooping in a circle around Salus and then resuming his usual perch. "Reyzha!" Lithia called upon picking out her rider's form following shortly after the phoenix. "I had hoped Heine would wake you up."

Reyzha sighed and laughed nervously and rubbed a spot on her head, where multiple red marks glared back at Lithia. "He certainly didn't let me sleep in, that's for sure. Besides, I wouldn't miss your egg hatching for the world."

Hertz, extremely eager over the hatching and a nervous daddy

Since the laying, Hertz had stayed with Adirondack as much as possible on the sands. He would bring her food, and make music for the little forest egg, not wanting to leave her side in this time. It was both their first egg, and it was their first egg together! He wouldn't miss a moment of it, if he could help it! Dedric would visit on occasion, as would Tez and Legato, or all three together as it happened more often than not. Hertz was over joyed at the visits, but he relished the time when it was just him and Adi and the egg. Well, and every other mother on the sands.. But in their own little space, it felt like home.

And, unlike his mate, Hertz had been sleeping incredibly soundly for the past few nights. The storms noise pulled him into a deep sleep, dreaming of singing with the sky to the rumbling beat of thunder... It wasn't until a shrill squeal awoke him fully that he realized what was going on at all. He awoke with a snort and a start, looking around frantically, afraid there was something coming to bring evil upon the sands and his unborn child-- No... no there was nothing wrong but Adi was singing now and-

“Oh. OH. OH ADI! Is it hatching is it gonna hatch of boy its gonna hatch,” He said in a hushed and excited tone. He scurried upright. Sort of. His draconic arse was sticking up in the air, tail swinging side to side like that of an agitated feline as he inched his nose right up to the egg. It twitched! Yes he could not deny the movement. A low bass like rumble burst from his horns as he lept up on all fours, prancing in place. He turned to the bark of the dog, seeing Reki come.

“Oh yes, Oh yes, Dedric, uhm, Dedric where is--”

“I'm here, I'm here,” Came a breathless voice. The tall sonic rider trotted onto the sands, out of breath from running. “Didnt... miss anything.. right?”

“no no not at all not at all sit by Reki yes right here.” The dragon said, not bothering with pauses and breathing and that unecessary nonsense. He nosed Dedric over and plopped him by Reki, the rider giving the other a smile and a chuckle, trying to catch his breath.

Takumi and Ayana

Out of the pair it was Ayana who had been asleep, she was even using the satchel she had prepared as a pillow. Inside it contained the silver dress that Ayana was planning to change into as well as a brush and various drawing tools. The rider was not about to let Scythe down. She was going to draw the baby as it hatched as best as she could and even add color to it. She would do her best.

Takumi was not sleeping well. She kept having nightmares that involved Scythe and their egg. It worried her but yet she just could not wait. Then Kazuko started humming and created the light. Other lights joined in as the other dragon appeared.

"Ayana, wake up. The eggs are getting ready to hatch." She nudged her rider gently. Ayana woke up quickly and with several mutterings of 'oh dear!' she used Takumi's wing to hide from the others as she changed into the dress. Then she was sitting on Takumi's foreleg very lady like with her large sketch pad on her lap and pencils of various colors close by. She smiled up at Takumi as the egg twitched in the water from time to time. Takumi nudged the egg gently in a comforting carress before Takumi looked towards Anala and her rider.

"sarafina, can you send a message to Scythe for me please?" She asked.

Taios to Kazuko

It was clear that he was woken up at some utterly unholy hour. He had heard the word spread and was made to get up in the middle of the night. Fortunately enough, getting to the hatching grounds did not require that he walk through the pouring rain. No, he was able to stay dry quite easily enough, unless some sort of awful misfortune befell him, but Taios did not expect to be blasted by a water dragon. He groaned and sniffled a few times, sifting through his closet and moving the hangers from side to side as he debated what to wear. Perhaps it wasn't such a wise idea to be so picky about his outfit. His dragon couldn't be kept waiting, if it did indeed hatch by the time he had dressed. His dragon would just have to wait on him, then.

The candidate decided that he would wear no cloak today. No, but something presentable was in order. He pulled a soft purple vest off the rack and a white shirt. Taios slipped into a pair of breeches and black leather boots, then put his shirt and vest on. He made his bed, folded his sleeping outfit, placed it on the bed, and then off he was.

He arrived on the sands to see the strangest sight he ever saw. Taios squinted at the balls of light that were hanging from the ceiling of the hatching grounds. What? Oh, sure, they needed light to see, he supposed, but that was just obnoxious. What was also obnoxious was the ruckus caused by the dragons. Their calls and singing seemed to be competing with the roaring rain patter against the glass dome for loudest and most obnoxious noise. Taios sniffled and then ran his hand across his forehead. He was quite sure he was going to go deaf before this hatching was over. Oh, how he hoped his dragon was punctual and would not keep him waiting.

He strode toward the giant silvery dragon with some hesitation. Oh, what was he worried about? This dragon gave crystals to candidates. She did not harm a soul. He knew her large size was what put him off, but reason would say that, because she was harmless, he should not have feared her. Taios took a deep breath. He was strangely quite aware of how his boots sunk into the sand with each step. Yes, just focus on that.

The nobleman took his place amongst the throng of candidates all clamoring for a crystal to call his own. Taios snorted and tilted his head back to look up at the towering dragon of silver.

"Greetings," he stated. His voice was loud, as if he needed to be in order for the dragon to hear him. "I have come for a crystal. May I receive one?"

Faria dragging a very grumpy Opi to the Hatching

Like many others, Faria was asleep when the eggs began to stir. Unlike many others, she was sitting at a desk in the infirmary, plowing through various bits of paper work. Or, she had been, before she fell asleep. Opiat was keeping busy, pacing the infirmary and keeping a vigilant eye over the current wounded and ill. And snappping at anyone who dared to talk to him. He had not sired any egg this time of flying, but his little brother had. The thought irked and irritated him to no end, especially when he received jibes for not having mated. It didn't settle well with him, so he avoided as many people as he could by throwing himself into the infirmary and taking out his anger on the patients. A habit he could attest to his dam, who was sitting on the sands at this present moment.

Luckily – for them, at least – the patients were asleep, twitching occasionally, or moaning. Opis draconic lips were pulled tight as slitted eyes darted back and forth between beds. He knew Faria had fallen asleep, but was in no hurry to wake her. She needed her sleep after all and they had been putting in a lot of hours... Then he heard Kazukos song, following a bright light breaking through the storm. He grumbled and hissed to himself, trotting towards the office room his rider was using. Maybe she wouldn't wake... Maybe she wouldn't care to go to the hatching that was coming. He was wrong.

“Opiat! Is that- is the hatching starting?” Was her first words when he poked his head in. He snorted and threw his head, a paper stuck to the side of her face. She pulled it off and asked again with her eyes.

“Yeah. So?” He huffed.

“Look I know you're upset that you didn't sire-” A snarl “-And that Lichen did-” A growl. “-But you owe it to your mother at least, to watch your sibling be born.”

“Sibling or not Im not about to go down there and be made a mockery of for not getting a female.”

“Why would they do that, you angry parrot?” Faria snapped. He frowned and gave her a glare that would turn Medusa to stone.

“Im NOT a parro--”

“Look, a bunch of males didn't get picked, so suck it up,” She growled as she stood, pushing past him out the door. He snapped at her back, catching cloth. “let me go, you hot headed little wyrmling! Thats right, you're behaving like a wyrmling, a baby! Now, I will go down there and I will watch. I don't care if you don't want to go!”

He opened his mouth and she stomped out. His eye twitched, and he turned to see a few other night shift rosemaries looking at him. “What're you all looking at?! Get the fuck back to work already!”

Faria stomped down towards the hatching grounds, entering through the guest and viewers entrance to sit in the bleachers. The mothers and sires were stirring, eggs twitching and candidates walking onto the sands. She smiled softly, remembering fondly when she was the one walking to Kazuko... She stood up front, watching the great white mother, when she felt something bump her head. Turning, she smirked at Opiat. He wrinkled his lip at her.

“Shut up.”

Luthian being a nervous butt and arriving

In the dark of the candidate housing there was a creeping, a slight sound as a slim girl moved about in her room. She paced, biting her lip in nervousness. Her mind raced as she thought, her stomach churned in nervousness and she felt a soreness in her lower back. Her firey red hair was a mess and she was hardly dressed, though that seemed more acceptable given the time of night. No one else was up yet as far as she could tell, but knowing that no one else was awake yet did not calm her nerves or convince her to go back to bed. No, instead it simply fueled the torrent of thoughts.
The dragonesses had laid their eggs, and there were many of them as the candidates had found out during the touching ceremony. So many eggs… it had only suddenly come upon her, the realization that she would be participating in a hatching. That she would have a chance at receiving a hatchling from one of the great mothers. The realization of her future was finally dawning upon her. Though she did not regret her decision to leave her brother, to come to the academy and become a dragon rider it was only now that everything was sinking in. Her parents deaths, the fact that she would no longer see her brother, at least not until after her wyrmling training was over. It all came crashing down on her, flinging the girl into a perpetual state of anxiety and nerves. Would she impress upon a hatchling or would she leave empty handed? Was she even worthy of the honor of having a dragon bond to her? She thought not, she couldn’t imagine herself being much of a fighter though that could change with time.

Luthian fought down a shuddering breath as she paced. The hatching would be soon, it could even be today, there would be no knowing. She would simply have to wait for the call from Kazuko. Closing her eyes she sat on the edge of her bed, head weighed down by thoughts of the hatching and what could happen or come from it. It all ate away at her nerves and resolve; she was shaking like a leaf. Letting out a sharp laugh at herself she laid back.
“This is pitiful Luthian...we haven’t even made it to the actual hatching and you’re descending into a mess. You’re already second guessing yourself, you need to calm down…You’ll have a fir chance as everyone else to receive a hatchling. A partner for life” she muttered under her breath as she began to massage her temples, “It will be fine. You have just as much to offer as any of the other candidates…you’ll be fine you just need to relax.”

Her words had only lessened her never slightly, but it was enough that the shaking in her limbs had gone away. Raising herself up, she began to dress and pull her hair back. If she was awake she might as well leave her room, she hadn’t even lit a lamp. Stumbling through the darkness towards the door she put her arms in front of her, waving them around as she searched for a wall. Closing the door quietly she tried to not disturb any of the other candidates who might still be sleeping. Stepping out the pain door she jumped as droplets of rain hit her head. Through all her thinking and pacing in her room she hadn’t even heard the rain. Running to the dining hall the willowy girl picked up some food in hopes that eating would calm her churning stomach, but just as she sat down there was a faint humming, almost inaudible over the sound of the rain, coming from the hatching grounds. Quickly shoveling a few bites of stew down her throat and a mouth full of bread, she dumped her food and went to the doors and looked to the hatching ground.

Though it was raining in sheets, there was a radiance like the sun shining from within the hatching grounds that had not been there on her way to the dining hall. It was apparent though that Luthian was not the only one to notice this as there were figures flooding in. Taking this as a good sign, she too made her way to the glass dome which held the mothers and their eggs as well as the great celestial Kazuko. Moving towards a few other candidates, Luthian still kept her distance. Bowing to Kazuko, she couldn’t even find words for the massive mother dragon, but she hoped hr nervous excitement would suffice.
Looking around Luthian felt another surge of nervousness, though not nearly the crippling fear she’d hard earlier in the morning. This was excitement, buzzing within her ribcage and out to her finger tips. While yes she was still nervous she was excited, looking at all the mothers and other candidates she couldn’t help but feel that even if she didn’t bond this day it was a momentous occasion that she was lucky to take part in. With a heavy sigh she waited for the rest of the candidates to arrive and the hatching to begin.

Amaunet being a happy!nervous first time mom and talking to Moss, Elodie trying to not be obnoxious or step on an egg

The air dragoness had been awake and studying her egg long before Kazuko rose and let out her call which seemed to stop dead in the air with the sheets of rain pouring down and echoing throughout the glass dome of the hatching grounds. And as the great White Celestial sent up a warming orb that mimicked the sun, Amaunet knew it was time for the haching and that the candidates would be arriving soon. She was excited and nervous, happy that she would soon get to see her child. Her first laid, but also nervous and feeling like a protective mother. She almost didn’t want her child to bond so that it might stay with her. She knew whoever bonded to her dragonlet would be a wonderful bonded and that they would be a good pair, Kazuko was good at that. But still, she had a protective first-time mother’s instinct. Nuzzling her and Moss’ egg she let out a soft warble beckoning the hatchling out, to hurry in its breaking of its calcium womb. Aun watched as the flowers Moss had been nurturing and weaving throughout the nest opened and seemed to stretch up to the makeshift sun, taking in all its rays of light.

Turning her head to Moss Amaunet raised her crest as she spoke, “I almost cannot, it seems as if I’ll wake up and it will all have been a dream. I don’t even know how to describe my excitement. We’ll get to see out child today, but we also have to watch them bond and leave us. I almost wish we could have more time. I do hope that they and their bonded come to speak with us, I want to meet him or her.” She spoke calmly, though almost with a sad undertone. It was true, she wished for more time with her child before they were rushed off to wyrmling training. But that’s the way it was done and she would simply have to hope for time to meet the pair.
To her right Elodie slept leaning against the air dragoness. She’d come later in the day after Aun had laid her egg and had refusd to leave since, spending even her nights with her bonded and first time mother. Nudging her rider softly with her wing, the girl stirred in her sleep.
“Mine, the hatching is going to be happening soon. I suggest you wake up” With the word ‘hatching’ however, Elodie’s eyes shot open and she stood up awkwardly. Her hand shook as she looked at her dragon, a smile growing across her face, “Are you serious?” stepping forward, minding the placement of the nest she hugged the Air around her neck as she had no words for the dragoness. With a nod and a smile to Moss she looke dot the egg and the other mothers with their mates. Elodie had never been to a hatching this large before, nor had she been there throughout the entire process. The entire room seemed to be buzzing with energy and excitement for the hatchlings to come, though Kazuko had not even handed out the crystals yet.

“This is going to be some hatching”

Celiostiahle – helping in any way she can to aid in this lighting business
The sound of rain on the glass above had been ringing through the Glass dragon's ears all night, and though she slept, it was aided in actually soothing the dragon. A lovely echo rang out, making Celi crack one lovely white eye open. The Greatmother's voice, it could only mean one thing, that the little ones were about to hatch. Carefully lifting herself to a more wakeful laying, she gazed up at the light as it was formed, and how the others who could aid in it, did. Thinking quickly as to how she might be able to help make the light expand, perhaps brighter but not too much as to blind (even if that was her favorite level of eye-torture), she dipped her head and carefully began to make numerous small orbs, well, small to her. In a few minutes she had accumulated a bit of a pile, but kept up until she thought she had enough.

Now all she had to do was find the right dragon to help her. And, across the way and up, the perfect element to aid her was already up and looking after his egg with Auster. It was not hard to get the typically black dragon's attention, who left his nest for only a moment to see what Celi wanted. Delighted by her idea, he pressed his hands over the pile and transferred his control of their gravity to zero and flew back up, scattering them about and above. Where light caught in them expanded and grew brighter, in some cases sparkling. A dragon, Lag could not hover from far off, but small objects he had learned to levitate, and perhaps aided by the spurring of what seemed special magics going on already, kept them afloat.

Celiostiahle was quite pleased with this, and once it was done and Lag had gone back to his nest, and very likely having given Auster one of the tiny glass baubles- because they were very pretty-, Celi then turned to Mire and nuzzled his cheek. Surely by now he was awake? Rumbling happily, she nosed her own egg gently, and began to humm out her own addition to the hatching song, an echoing melody of joy for life. Truly, those born under the spectacular efforts of the dragons to light the great grounds would forever remember its splendor....

Kestrel - to no one since she is alone- sorta

In her chosen nest, highest in the grounds, the place her mother and Aurum usually took, Kestrel had enjoyed the lofty solitude. If she had to be alone, then so be it, she would be alone in the grandest means of the word...well, except for Lithia's nest, which was the closet. To be fair, the Air mistress was not truly alone, but for want of her mate she was. Her egg had known only her own downy comforts, and only her voice and that of Nivia's, her beloved rider who was most often reading. Tonight however, Kestrel had awoken to a glorious sound and sight. Being so high up, she had the advantage of being a bit closer to the light show, and it was slowly melting the coldness away.

She had been...a bit sharp to most people except her grandmother and probably grandfather as well, ever since it had dawned on her that she could not nest with her mate. But now, that sharpness was ebbing. When the call echoed up and around her, she sat up and lifted onto her haunches, head back and let her own cry waver up. Maybe, even over the rain, maybe her mate would hear her, and know that his child would hatch soon. Once her call had been let out, she moved to tend to her egg a bit more, making it more comfortable for a hatchling to come into the world in. and hopefully prevent another flying egg incident like last year- which had just about given her a heart attack. Not this year!

Fluffing up, the Air Dragoness took a moment to look and see what Lithia and Salus were up to. No doubt preparing like she was. Kestrel was overjoyed that soon there would be another young Ice in the world, and who better a mother than Lithia? “Oh Lithia, I'm just so excited, especially for you!” she called, tail swooshing like a cat's. The egg had been strong and long since proven to be truly alive, just as all the eggs born of those previously sterile. Such was a real miracle, one that Kestrel couldn't deny as being the most important thing since the war had ended. The hatchings had always brought everyone together in a time of joy, and this time...there was no war for the young to march off to. At least. She hoped so...

Tonare - being herself

Like the other new mothers, any from her generation, Tonare was feeling the bubbling nervousness ebb into her. But, unlike the others, she had worried quite a bit about the future for her own baby, who was certainly not like the others. Worried about the hate that might follow it. Or, on the other hand, the chance of redemtion. Perhaps it could prove even the 'tainted' breeds could be sekaien, trusted. Like Kestrel, she too let her voice ring out, wavering. She could only hope Gar knew how much she wanted him to be here too. Purring to her egg, she crooned. “You'll show them, they'll see, you can be just like us...Don't let their jeers get you down...” She also, in hindsight, hoped her nest had been adequate for such a breed. Those who'd cared enough to help her pick out the right things had surely saved this little one from being worse off, maybe...

Lagrange to Auster

After settling back in from aiding Celi, Lag had made sure to distribute the glass balls evenly to catch the light, and though he was focused in keeping them where they were, committing some of his magic to this purpose, he looked to his glorious mate, his own excitement having gotten his starry skies scales gleaming and swirling with colors and nebulae. Peering up, he smirked, since he'd chosen to set a nice dose of the floating orbs above them in the form of something like a galaxy of sorts, spinning slowly and catching and reflecting light around. A perfect halo for his queen, he thought. True he could not place the actual light over her, but the reflections were pretty enough. “Our child will grace the sands today...” he spoke softly, excited and happy. “Such a beautiful little thing will surely be the grandest here, aside from yourself, dear Auster.”

Paradisio to Iridae

Having woken up in the middle of a storm to see lights and glory, Disio perked with excitement, ears pricked and listening. With a smile, he fluffed up his feathers and looked to iridae, nuzzling her a little- cautiously- “Looks like this is it, I do hope our little one picks the best candidate...Nothing short of the best for ours,...” he looked on, peering at the candidates. In his opinion, Iridae had been harsh, but only on one occasion did he dissagree with her. Hating anothers egg, an innocent one at that, hadn't sat well with him, nor had her biting the girl whom had done so. He hadn't voiced the opinon, since it wasn't his place to, but he still felt that scorning the sonic didn't make anything better. Ah well. He'd wait and see what the other did when it hatched. Perhaps it would prove a point today?

Kazrael to Rya & helping to light the grounds

Tonight the Red Lightning had been doing what he enjoyed most- flying the storm, at least, until he heard faint echoes of sound and saw brilliant light shining in the hatching grounds. What a time to hatch, during a storm, indeed! Making haste, Kazrael had flown straight to the grounds, shaking off the water and sparking the rest, he'd taken up a spot where dragon spectators watched from. His children's children would hatch today, and he was all kinds of proud for them, sparks flickering off of his scales. His mood had grown brighter in the days following the end of the war, and though there were some dim times, such as learning that his mate and her now injured rider had needed to move wings and become spines, he had still kept up the hope that things would get better. And so they had. But today was the best thing he could hope for. Seeing another lightning with violet sparks aiding the light, and fires and celestials too, he gave his own blue-white charges to the growing display of weaving color. Turning, he spotted Disarya and seemed to perk up, padding over to her and sitting beside her, his eternal smile being sincere. “How are you faring, Rya?” he spoke softly, looking onward.

“Its strange, realizing that our children's children will soon hatch,...” his eyes looked from pairing to pairing, spotting the few lonely dragons with no mates. Tonare for one had been given an odd blow. He wondered if Rya was at all upset that he had allowed Gar in the wing, after being healed...Shaking his head he looked to Rya again. “I have heard that the other mothers are scorning that sonic and her egg...What do you think about it?” The father of that egg had of course, been the reason Rya's rider was hurt, but had she not also forgiven him too? “I heard at the touching that any candidate who touched that egg first was treated...oddly, to say the least. You'd think they think the little egg is going to spread some evil germs from one egg to another,...” He sighed. “I just hope there will be peace today,...” he ended. Was he talking to get things out, or just having a conversation? He wasn't sure himself.

Lanick greeting Kazuko

It was gloomy out, at least to his mind. Sitting at the edge of one of the buildings, the awning of which just barely extended enough to cover where he sat. It was somewhat quiet for once, especially since he was actually alone. The menace that often followed him was probably still in their room, or getting muddy somewhere. It was a nice time to think, though unfortunately the rain often brought about less than happy thoughts.

There were many reasons that Lanick often felt... Somewhat down when it rained, some things he wished he could just forget and be done with. The world never seemed to work that way though, or perhaps it was just his mind that refused to let some things fade to oblivion. His fate had changed from those days though, now he was in what seemed almost like a dreamland, even if it had its share of nightmares tucked into its closets.

He made the best of it though, they accepted him as a candidate and said that one day he might even bond to a dragon. What did fate have in store for him now? His family had been dispersed, either from death or undisclosed departure, and this place was all that he had. Well, and Pitch. It was pretty hard to ignore that one. If he didn't bond to a dragon, he'd have to learn something to make himself useful here... He had many talents, but was far from an expert on any of them, and they seemed well enough equipped as it was.

His somewhat downtrodden reverie was broken by a odd sound that mingled with the rain, it sounded almost like a song or echo. He strained to hear it, but the roof over his head blocked out all details... It was merely a moment later before the dome he was staring longingly out over burst into a bright light. It was amazing, as if the sun had decided to rise within the dome of the hatching grounds, he stood and stared for several moments before he realized there was a sudden crowd heading to its entrance.

Hurriedly he grabbed the poncho he had gotten for the rain, shook it, then threw it on and ran out in to the downpour. It didn't take him too long to reach the entrance, though he appeared to be fairly behind most of the others. He attributed this to the moment when all the other lights and fires lit up, who knows how long he stared in amazement at the unfolding sight... At the center of which was Kazuko.

He had seen the golden dragon only once or twice before, she was massive, and impressive. Almost a pure embodiment of wonder, power, and care. How she handled such miniscule (to her) crystals was beyond him.

As he approached, another fact came to light in his mind, the fact that her claws were... Taller than he was, and not by a small amount. He tried to put that back out of his mind as he arrived with the other candidates. He bowed to the great dragon, before looking up so far that it felt like he might strain his neck.

"It is nice to finally meet you Kazuko, I'm Lanick." He took a few steps back so he wasn't so strained when looking up at her... Looking up though, he was suddenly at a loss for further words, and instead just cleared his throat and looked down a bit more respectfully.

He... Was going to mention something about hoping for a crystal or such, but couldn't put the words together in a way that didn't sound like begging, or just pathetic... At least in his mind.

Amon showing up and generally being confused
Unable to rest, Amon frequently found his dreams plagued with thoughts of despair and failure. He feared the future with each consistent present failure. His mistakes seemed to pile up, causing him to constantly question his chances of success in life. Though his negativity stemmed from circumstances beyond his control, Amon refused to lay the blame anywhere beyond his shoulders. He had failed his parents and himself, seeking out dragons in a foreign land under the guise of diplomacy. And instead of either dragons of diplomacy, Amon only found a world moving too fast for his liking. He found no time to find the same level of involvement as the other young humans that rushed around the grounds, frittering away with needless tasks. Amon could not find the same joy, as he often found himself consumed by journals and other scholarly endeavors that demanded his attention. More and more he found the call of the intellectual to be too great a burden, especially compared to the simple joy that the peasants seemed to so heartily enjoy.

Amon sat quietly on his bed, his room silent and empty. His attempt at a nap had failed; he assumed he could add to the list of foolish endeavors. He believed he should soon conduct himself home, possibly even send for an escort from his well to do parents. They wouldn’t object, more than pleased to have their prodigal son home once more. No use debating with himself over the imminence of another failure. Oh, how Amon loathed the word. He thought himself better than it, but never found the means to prove it to others. Though, he had nothing to prove to anyone. He was the loved son of a diplomat and decorated soldier from his home. No one dared to think ill of him. And it was that complacency that drove him to find a success beyond his means. If he could achieve something seemingly impossible, Amon could prove to himself that his life meant something.

And thus, he came here, to Lihn, seeking these wondrous creatures. He claimed he was there for diplomacy, to spread the influence of his own home, but the truth became clear after any few moments of examination. Amon, despite all his love of analyzing and studying others, could not hide his own feelings or intentions. It proved beyond simple to read Amon like an open book with plus-sized print for elderly readers, a shameful fact which plagued his waking moments. Yet, while Amon cursed his shortcomings, a peculiar show caught his eye, dragging him from his mess of damp sheets to the window. The lights and sounds drew his mind away from his self-loathing, creating a show of pure beauty. And then he saw droves of others moving toward the sands, the location so many others visited over the past weeks. Was this the hatching? He realized there was only one way to find out.

Forgetting each moment of inward hate, Amon rose to his feet and quickly dressed, not worrying about the regality of his clothes. So long as he was covered, it didn’t matter. He was desperate, and needed to see the procession in person. He rushed outside, neglecting footwear, causing him to swear and hiss with each misplaced stone or chunk of gravel. Yet no amount of tiny scrapes and cuts could deter him seeing a mostly fabled ritual. For every story he heard, every rumor he gathered, Amon refused to believe any single idea. He needed to see the crystals, the great dragons, the lucky few who would be bonded; he refused to sit idly by as it all unfolded. Whether or not he was blessed (he feared a sort of retribution for his solitary nature), Amon intended to make his presence felt. Scraped, cut, battered, and tired, Amon found a place in the back of the surging throng. He wasn’t certain of his timing, but he felt incredibly late. Though only he was to blame, yet again, for this sloth-like nature.

The journey felt slugging from the massive surge of people out to seek the hatching. Surely, Amon would be late, if not last to arrive at this rate. He felt a surge of shame, thinking he would never match the intensity of his fellows. But that was again push aside in favor of the hatching itself. Although time felt as though it dragged, he arrived at the Sands in a relative hasty pace. Quietly, he observed the actions of others as they greeted, with great respect, an elder dragon that stood watch over the grounds. She was a great sight to behold, one deserving of the honor heaped upon her by the other awestruck humans. He stood dumbfounded, jaw slack as he watched the progression of ornate greetings. And then, a kind of silence overtook Amon. The oppressive lack of vocalization began to weigh on him, frightening the young man as he waited for another candidate to speak to the grand dragon.

Then it struck him: no one was speaking because it was Amon’s turn. He swallowed hard, unprepared to speak. He loved to talk, that fact was a certainty, but now here he stood, horrified of the magnificent beast before him. He stared up at her, contemplating if she even felt anything during these ceremonies. She must have sat through so many that they hardly registered as anything more than a chore. Shocked, Amon rushed into a series of poorly-rehearsed of salutations which made him look more akin to a duck riddled with motor-control issues than a human. He swept low, attempting a bow, but only kicking a foot out from under himself. He crashed hard, skinning his knees and peeling his hands as he attempted to catch himself. He kept his face hidden, hoping not to provoke any more feelings of deep-seated shame with his actions. He went to speak, his voice cracking as he prayed to save face in front of his peers:

“Greetings, oh wondrous Kazuko,” he winced, drawing himself up to his feet before continuing, “I wish to offer you a deal of respect on this day, but I feel myself a shameful display. Please forgive my condition and dress. As always, I’m woefully unprepared for anything thrust upon me.”

He stood, whipping streaks and smears of blood across his clothing. He offered a weak smile, one which reflected the churning of his stomach. Amon became convinced that he would pass out, but held strong, hoping his passion made up for his general disarray. At least he was here, he reminded himself, at least he made it this far.

Ammit to Dichroic

The soft rain hitting against the glass was what had lulled Ammit to sleep earlier. She had curled her paws around the dais on which her egg rested, and laid her head down on one. She blew on the coals one last time before drifting off. It had been a long few weeks spent on the sands tending to her and Dichroic's egg, but she wouldn't have had it any other way, for that was her duty as a mother. She would happily do it a thousand times over. During those heated weeks her concerns over the Hatchling inside had lessened. With each passing day she watched as those shadows danced and writhed, the sight secretly sent her a flutter. To know that her child would live pulled an invisible weight off of her shoulders. She was extremely happy and anxious for the upcoming Hatching. For she knew of the wonders that took place. She herself remembered breaking out of her stuffy and cramped egg and making a beeline for her own rider. At that thought a small smile crossed her lips. Alix had been there pretty much every step of the way. Of course like every dragon she thought her rider was the best. She wondered who her child would pick on that auspicious day. As a mother she obviously thought that none of them were worth Bonding to her child. Maybe Katare or Mannix. Or maybe even Striker. Maybe. She was also a bit sad at the fact that the Hatching would not be far off, now that the shell of her egg was hard. As any mother she was sad to see her child go, but she knew that they had to prosper and find their own path.

Her dreams were filled with simple and happy things, marking her momentary contentment. Her stirring was slow, as was the humming that had begun. Her ears caught the sound and her body responded by jolting her awake. She swiveled her head to see that other mothers too were starting to wake. She looked down at her egg before feeling the hum that resonated deep in her throat. It was time. Already? She asked herself as she glanced at her still sleeping mate. No, this was too soon for her... but she couldn't stop it. She crooned sadly as her child was going to hatch this day and leave with a rider of their own. She at least hoped that they chose well. Breathing softly she looked at the dais. It was a little high up... She didn't want her child to have trouble getting down. Using a bit of her own magic she forced the hardened rock to soften to a more malleable state. From there she curled each of the legs simultaneously, therefore lowering the dais as the edges of the legs curled up. With a paw she then moved a bit of sand into the pit, for there would be no more need for the hot coals.

Sighing she turned to her Glass mate. Nudging him with her snout she spoke softly. “Di? Di wake up, it's time”, she said. By now the miniature sun was lighting the Grounds, so any that were still sleep wouldn't be for long. She watched as other dragons soon added their own light to the sun. She folded her paws and sat as she waited for the ceremony to begin. For a few moments her vision wandered to the other mothers, wondering how they felt, especially the ones that have had other children. When she turned back she was greeted with the sight of her rider walking towards her nest, a smile on her face. She warbled as she laid her palm open and waited for the girl to step on. “You certainly look nice!” She complimented. The girl laughed as she tugged on her coat to straighten it. “Why would I wear anything but my best for you?” At that the Earth chuckled. “Are you sitting with me or in the Stands?” “Well I know Lamnus and Kala are here, and you see me everyday, so you can go sit with them. They probably have front row seats.” “As you wish my dear. I'll be watching out for your egg every step of the way.”

With that she let her rider down on the sand. She walked behind Ammit and took the long way back to the stands. Breathing she tried to slow her racing heart. She was nervous, excited, and afraid. She didn't want anything bad to happen to her child. And she hoped that they made the right decision like she had. Raising her head she watched as the candidates soon began to gather, some in formal attire and some in plain dress, in front of Kazuko. Which candidate would have her child's crystal?

Kazuko stretched out her form, trying to relax and release some of the building anticipation that even she felt when faced with the prospects of new lives to be born, letting her wings fall to the ground like a silvery cape, topped in golden feathers. She curled her tail around, using it's feathers to cover the pile of crystals while she stretched out her forepaws, watching the very first of the candidates come before her.

Merla

A young one with a black raven adorning their shoulder, she bowed low despite the friend that perched atop her, giving a short greeting. No question, but the meaning of presence in this place need not be spoken to be understood. Lifting her tailfeathers, her heavy gaze swept away from the candidate that beckoned to her, as her hand shifted through the pile to find the first to leave her care. Daintily selecting the appropriate stone, she held it out to the guest, a sugalite rod that tapers at either end, handing it over with the greatest of care, she let the candidate accept it, walking away before she turned her attention to the next arrival.

Forge

The next to come was dressed per their profession, showing that some still choose to work late into the night, even when the war has been won. Conflicts and needs still persist, and smithing is an art necessary to help with both. With his greeting and apology, she shook her immense head. "No need to apologize for doing work. Fanciness, though favored by many, is in no way necessary for an occasion such as this. The apologies are mine though, as there is none for you at this time, and I can only hope there will be in the future." And with that it was done, not a twitch from her tail that covered the pile, not a crystal within to be connected to them.

Namiko

The next stepped forward with caution, nervousness radiating out from them, despite their clear statement of honor, and the hope she held in her. Even when having to turn some away, the hope in others, and the chance to fulfill that hope, filled her with a joy even the dejected ones could not quash. "Perhaps it may indeed mean the world, or at least a new one for you." The Celestial replied, her tailfeathers shifting as she easily picked out the next crystal, one that rested upon the top of the pile, a strong jade, shaped like a sakura blossom, with a pale rosey center. Balancing the sculpture-like crystal on her claw, she held it out like the flower it was formed after, a beauty for her to accept.

Mannix

The nervous hesitation of the last was replaced with an awe, quick to flow into a polished bow paired with a noble greeting, no fear or question in the tone, no tired weight to the words. She nodded slightly as she replied to him, "Hail to you as well, it is always a pleasure to see events such as this, regardless of the time. And there is, indeed, a crystal for you." And with that, she slid her hand around her tailfeathers, removing a pale yellow star-shaped crystal from the pile, and presenting the shimmering gift to him, with a slight bow of her own head.

Amoux

The next had grace of their own, a bow that echoed of the Assarian desert tribes, the accent and wording of their greeting only confirming their origins. "The spirits have guided you well," she chimed back, "and I hope they shall guide you well in the future, for you shall be the guide to another." The crystal she bequeathed to this one lacked the brilliant colors of many others, and in fact, lacked much of it's color, the majority of it's structure being clearer than glass, but with pale bluish layers hidden within, like metal veins buried beneath mountains, treasures that which would be invisible if it were not for the clarity of the rest of the crystal.

Jadorn

As the previous continued on, the next arrived, standing before her to bow and smile, requesting a crystal of their own, if one such existed on this day. Returning a smile of her own, though careful not to show her immense teeth when doing so, her tailfeathers twitched, and she lifted one, extracting a crystal mottled with different shades of brown, like the tortoiseshell stone, and in a "T" shape, allowing her to easily balance it between the tips of two claws, as she held it out to the one whom it was destined to.

Azazel

The next to come was the first to give a curtsy, rather than a bow, giving a greeting and leaving the request unspoken. Bowing her head in a return greeting, Kazuko left the answer unspoken as well, proferring an unpolished hematite stone, vaguely spiderlike, to the candidate, before turning her attention to the next to stand before her.

Elu

She came before her with a bird, unlike the Raven from before, but no less monochrome. A Parrot rested upon her arm, as she removed her hat and bowed slightly, stammering in her sentence as she changed words halfway, laughing slightly from the embarrassment. The great white celestial calmly replied, "Greetings to you as well, though the time is well past evening. And there is a crystal for you this night." She moved her tailfeathers yet again, lifting out a crystal to give to the candidate, a circular ring with a line tangent to it made of malachite. Once the crystal was accepted, her tail settled back down over the pile, waiting for the next to be judged.

Michiru

And the stammering continued with this one, giving her honors and compliments to Kazuko like many others, in place of a verbal request. Slight amusement in her tone, the dragon replied, "As it is an honor to meet you as well, Michiru." The first candidate she named in a reply, though she only knew her name by chance. A crystal was still to be granted to her, however, a blue spinel shield that Kazuko held gently before her, as she finished with, "This is for you."

Soren

Sometimes fate worked in ways that could barely be fathomed even by one who acted as it's messenger, and while the next candidate paused to gawk at her size, the celestial's eyes were drawn away from the line before her, sensing a presence in the stands nearby. Discomforted and displeased, and only likely to become even more so given the coming chain of events. However, the decisions have been made, and the outcomes had yet to simply play out. Shuffling around the pile of crystals, as if organizing them, one was picked up, only to be blindly tossed to the side as if on a whim, something as precious as a dragon's crystal being seemingly discarded to the audience. The strange, yet undeniably mischievous grin that spread across the usually stoically calm Celestial's face revealed more behind the action.

Though the crystal's flight made it little more than a glint of light as it traveled to it's fated soul, it landed squarely in his lap, a mottled pink/red rose of glassy stone. A gift of love from an enamored lady, or at least it could be considered such, had it been an actual rose from any lady but the one that gave it. The meaning behind such a gift in such a place rested far deeper than even love, in the destiny that it bound the recipient to.

Cleo

After the seemingly flighty affair of the previous candidate, the next was long done with her gawking, clearing her voice in order to give a very formal greeting and bow to the Great Mother, her tone unwavering despite her earlier amazement. "There are many paths here," Kazuko replied, "and there is most certainly one for you here." Selecting the next crystal, she held out a crescent of blue amber to the girl, her seriousness returned as if the previous crystal had been given like any other.

Taiss

Before the next approached, she uncurled her tail, removing the feathery covering of the crystal pile, and stretching it out behind her, moving an arm and paw before the pile now, though the clear view provided in the interm revealed a quickly dwindling stash of crystalline objects. The next did not approach her, at least, not near as close as the rest, simply dipping their head towards her in silence. Their attempt to hide was clear, though despite the size difference between herself and a human, her eyes allowed her to see more than clearly enough, and she would not ignore any that came before her, especially when she held a gift for them. Given the distance, and the heightened attention they were giving the ground at their feet rather than the dragon before them, she displayed that the crystal she tossed before was certainly in no lack of accuracy, as this crystal landed square between his feet, a shining golden diamond that looked regal enough for the empress's own crown.

Raith

The next came to the customary distance from her, bowing far deeper than any other, their hesitant words talking as if they were speaking with a god, rather than a mortal dragon. "You may witness what occurs until your duty comes calling, but a duty has been chosen for you--bear it well, my friend." Shaking a bit of sand out of the crystal she raised, she held it forth to them, a jade spiral mixed with threads of gold, that revealed her answer, and his fate.

Brennik

The next stepped forward more awkwardly, with less of a worshiping supplication, and more of a clumsy politeness, strange and unusual to the one that spoke them. She responded in kind, though with more clarity and flow, "Pleasure to you as well this night." The rest went unspoken, without need to speak it though, as a moonstone disc was held out, a future waiting to be accepted.

Daria

The next was a familiar face, as saddening as it was, the smile upon their hopeful features. "It is always an honor to see you, Daria, and yes, the center light is my own work." Her tone quieted as she continued, though, "I am always grateful to see you persevering. Hope is hard to hold at times, and can be even harder to regain once lost. I wish you can keep it in you, however, and I am sorry that tonight is, once again, not yours." She leaned her head down, ever so carefully nudging the one that she has turned away before. "I hope that I shall see you again, and if it would make you feel better, perhaps we can meet at a time that is not centered around eggs. And we can both wish that a dragon for you will be born soon."

Arden

She watched as Daria walked away, for yet another time, only to see a new face appear before her, praising her in their anxious yet unspoken plea. Sorrowfully enough, this one held the fate of the last, and so she shook her head, feathers lowered peacefully. "It is not a matter of disappointment, but a matter of choice, and none tonight have chosen you, though yours may just be yet to be born. And it would be a disappointment to the one destined for you, if another was to take you before they were born." She tried to remain hopeful in her tone, careful not to break the will of the candidates that had not been refused before. After all, as common as it was for there to be refusals--there were only so many eggs each year, after all-- many still blamed themselves.

Marcyl

The next incited a bemused huff out of the colossal dragon. Bad enough that fate would choose one that did not ask for such a future, but now one that has and received has chosen to hide in the stands. Shame over mistakes or no, there is nothing that disqualifies one from becoming a rider save for the choice of the dragon, and when one has asked and been chosen, it is far more inappropriate to hide than it would be to not be chosen and ask anyways.

The location was more of an issue, however, as they were at more of a distance than the other, and though she had no concerns about how accurately she could throw, given her relative size, the preciousness of the fragile crystals required more care, and the distance was too much of a concern. Which left her with two choices. Either she spoke up and convinced the candidate over, something that would undeniably attract the attention of half the hatching cavern, or she could stand up and walk over to her in all of her 200-foot-long glory, undeniably attracting the attention of all of the hatching cavern. Well, shame over making mistakes is one thing, trying to hide from that shame and abandon a baby dragon was another.

Arcing her claws over the remaining crystals, she constructed a shield of pure light, ensuring their safety in her temporary absence. That covered, she gave a quick but polite, "Excuse me" to the next candidate in line, while she strode over to where the candidate sat. Looking down at her, she pushed her crystal into her lap, an intricate Bismuth-like stone, commenting, "Hello there, Candidate Marcyl. Here's you your crystal," She whispered lightly as she added, "and a bonus of everyone's attention."

Thyla

That taken care of, she returned herself to her usual spot, settling herself down on the carpets she had been laying on, stretching herself out contentedly as she dispelled the shield over the pile of crystals. Sighing, she stated, "Thank you for waiting," before listening to the next request, same as the rest but different in words and in who is asking, and unique to itself in the shape of the response. The human froze, waiting for the response, as Kazuko deftly snatched up a crystal, holding out the craggy, uneven stone of burnished, nearly metal-like red. "There is a dragon here for you, as you are here for them."

Keiro

The next to come was standing next to Thyla, and yet remained silent and distracted, as if they were waiting for a signal other than the one before receiving their crystal. The celestial waited patiently for a few moments, but there was still no action from the candidate, and noticeable confusion and impatience from those who waited after them. Taking action on behalf of those who would come after, she carefully grasped the smooth surface of the next crystal, depositing a malachite tear drop before them, whispering softly, "Best of wishes to you this night, Keiro. May you find yourself with the ally you desired."

Talula

The next was not nearly as silent as the previous, though starting out with little more than an amusing squeak, causing a quirk in the white mother's smile in response. She gathered herself enough for a shaky introduction and request, however, despite the overwhelming nervousness she displayed. Again she was one that ceased breathing as she waited for the response, and the celestial half considered waiting to see how long it would take for them to breathe again. Having done that in ages past, however, she decided against making candidates pass out tonight. They were already tired enough, and she had her fun with the one who hid in the stands already.

And so she shifted the pile some, extracting a fairly flat and thin crystal, smooth yet with rivulets like a seashell, shimmering like a deep purple amethyst, yet reflecting a pale yellow when caught by the artificial light that floated above inside of this great dome.

Jaylynn

As the crystal was accepted, she moved onto the next, an interesting one that caught her eyes, whose actions did not match their nature, whose belief did not match their body. She held no animosity for such, just curiosity for the individual and their unique situation. Such is beyond the necessity of what she must understand, and far too personal for her to indulge in questions, so silence is how she left it, for there was no reason for more. Though they spoke a greeting to her, the rest of their words, if there even were any, were last in a gaze of awe, and she simply answered with a hum and a hand, as she rolled a crystal out to them between two claws, completely clear and round, a sphere of transparent glass.

Luca

The next arrived, tired and stammering, seeming to be intimidated by her gaze, and yet still locked into a bit of a staring contest with her. Giving the poor soul a break, she blinked at him as she replied, "I am doing quite well and excited for all the young to be born and bonded. I hope you are also doing well, and perhaps will be doing even better with this...." She held her claw forth, hanging from the very tip a fascinating crystal of heliodor beryl shaped in two intersecting circles, the shape often used to represent infinity. "Hold strong, and try not to be so afraid. There is no danger here, only life. New life, for you."

Rurik

The next was another familiar face, one who had been to her before, as with Daria. And as with Daria, the same answer yet again. She sighed, apologizing, "This is not day, nor is it your day, I am sorry to say yet again. Hold your hope strong, little Rurik, and hopefully your partner will be born someday soon, and you will be there when they are. They will not be born tonight, though, and so you can rest, or stay to watch if you wish. If ever you need comfort, I will be here, should you wish to see me sometime that eggs are not on the sands." She lowered her head for him, nuzzling his shoulder ever so softly.

Leeran

The next was a grateful reprieve from the stammering, nervous ones, or the mournful rejections, as the next gave a calm introduction, requesting a crystal and expressing gratitude to her regardless of whether there was one for them or not. Such was unnecessary however, as she gladly smiled in response, nodding her head as she shuffled through the ever shrinking pile of crystals, selecting a shining pearl, black mottled with white, to hand to the calm candidate.

Taios

The candidate that followed was yet even more calm, with the bearing of a nobleman, and even some of the regalia. The request was clear and to the point, but not disrespectful in their manner, nor overly hasty. The Celestial's response was calm and clear, "Greetings to you this rainy night, young nobleman. It is a pleasure for us all to be here, especially for individuals like yourself, who shall indeed receive crystals, and thus, bond when their partners start hatching." And with that, she reached down, plucking a crystal from the top of the dwindling pile, an iridescent, multicolored ammolite, to be presented to the noble guest, in response to their request.

Luthian

The next to come before her seemed to return to the nervousness, though in complete silence as well. She bowed and waited, looking around at what seemed like everything but the gargantuan celestial before her. Chuckling slightly in amusement, Kazuko quickly selected a crystal, waving the tanzanite eighth note slightly in front of the candidate, to make sure they paid enough attention to receive it.

Lanik

The candidate to follow them seemed to be much more composed in their greeting, but alas, after a few seconds of staring at her, their eyes drifted to the ground and silence ensued. The white celestial responded, "It is nice to meet you as well, Lanick. And if you wouldn't mind looking at least forward instead of down, it'd make it a bit easier to hand you your crystal." And with that, she held out her hand, a red and white jasper oval balanced on her golden claws.

Amon

The last in the line for now held the bearings of a highborn, and yet seemingly little of the grace, as they manage to not only mess up their own bow, but collapse upon the sands. The celestial very nearly made a move to catch them, but the sands were likely softer than a massive dragon's claw, not to mention less dangerous should she have moved too slowly to get it underneath them. So she stilled her response, remaining calm while they tried to salvage their dignity. With a smile on her face, but calm dignity and respect in her voice, as if he had not had any such embarrassing display, but rather a flawless one, she replied, "There are no standards of decorum for an occasion such as this, dear Amon, and as presence is the sole requirement, also with at least enough decency to be wearing some clothing, there is no need to feel unprepared. You may, however, take this time you have between now and whenever they hatch to compose yourself better, if you so desire." And with that, she grabbed a crystal, holding out a gold-amber oval for him.


With the line cleared, for now at least, she surveyed the grounds, pleased with the many that have already gathered, and still coming in, often soaked from the rain but no less excited for the proceedings that will be starting soon. Shifting her eyes to that which held the thoughts of all who were present, she marveled at the strength of the lives locked within their shells, ready to come into the world, with many of them beginning their movements already, counting down the moments until the first cracks appear. Looking at her remaining pile, she counted the crystals left. Six more to go, then her duty will be done, and she can relax as she watches the newborns come out, and look forward to the coming days as they grow.

Jaylynn curiously admiring his crystal

He wondered where his words had indeed gone, while he stared at the great mother. She was an amazing spectacle to behold, but he did want to ask her if he was worthy of one, even if she would answer the question, regardless of if it was asked. However, she began to go down the line, selecting crystals from the pile that glittered with untold secrets to those worthy. Some people didn't receive a crystal; It was an event that happened. Wyrmlings were picky from within the shell, were they not?

A knot twisted in his stomach.. what if he was not found worthy? Perhaps the wyrmlings were too picky, and in distaste of the fact that he chose to be a man, when he was born the body of a woman? Or perhaps they would be displeased with his sudden and rebellious departure from his family? He felt himself begin to nibble gently on his lower lip, trying to hide the fear as she came to inspect him. For a moment, all he heard was the hammer of his heart in his ears... Then he was presented with a crystal.

He grabbed the perfect sphere, admiring it and holding it up to the dragon-made light... It was completely clear, like... like an orb of glass or quartz even. He titled his head, in awe of it. This meant he was chosen by dragon... This meant that despite one could stare right through it, it currently held a million secrets...

Kat

The rain that had moved in to fall in sheets and curtains upon the Academy prevented Kat from sleeping soundly. She lay in bed with her eyes shut hard and tried to think sleepy thoughts, listening to the deep, even breathing of her roommate as the forest-born girl, no doubt used to the sound of rain on leaves and roof, slept like the dead. But the alien noise kept awakening Kat whenever she would doze off, snapping her awake when the rain fell harder or softer. So she finally stopped trying to sleep at all, and turned her thoughts to something more useful, or at least less disturbing than midnight ghouls.

The Hatching would be soon. Two years she’d waited for it, in varying states of excitement, foreboding, even outright panic, and now she wasn’t even sure what she’d think about it. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if one of those dragonets chose her, or, worse, if they didn’t. What she’d told Iridae was truth enough- she had nowhere else to go, and she didn’t want to leave. She’d stay til they sent her away, but waiting was tiring. Oh, she supposed she’d find something to do, make an honest effort with her embroidery or learn healer craft in the infirmary, or work on her reading. It wasn’t that she thought she’d pass hours aimlessly, driving herself mad, but she was growing restless. So much of her life had been moving around. All of it, in fact, until she’d come here, and her soul was growing fidgety with being in one place and doing the same thing all the time, even if there were a million things to see and do.

She heard the humming long before it woke her roommate, but thinking it another trick of the rain, groaned and rolled over and put the pillow over her head. It didn’t really help, and she was further disturbed just minutes later when the door opened, closed, opened again, and finally shut behind Merla as the girl left and came back in the space of a moment. Then she was notified that it was, in fact, the Hatching, and in a flurry of flailing limbs and getting tangled in sheets, she managed to get herself awake. Merla was already dressing, her black bird grumbling sleepily at the incursion into his peaceful slumbers. Kat had taken to keeping shiny discards from her craft- large buttons from things she’d mended that had chipped edges, or other such things- to give to the bird when he was angry, and she snatched one from the table next to her bed. On her way to her own clothes, she handed it to the bird, deftly keeping fingers out of the way of the sharp beak. She dodged Merla automatically, so accustomed now to having to move around another in the crowded room that they hardly ever stepped on or in front of each other anymore.

For awhile now, she’d been trying to decide what she was supposed to wear to this thing, because her run of the mill everyday clothes just didn’t seem appropriate. Her eyes traveled her side of the room and rested on the long, almost jacketlike, short-sleeved tunic that her mother had once covered in birds and flowers. It was a dark, almost maroon color, but the threads were all the brightest colors they’d possessed. She could wear something fairly plain under that and it would still look nice, but be functional. Nodding to herself, she stepped over to take a tunic in darker brown from a shelf. It had her own embroidery on it, but mostly across the back where it wouldn’t be seen or clash with the jacket. She dragged on a pair of the light, wide-legged trousers her people preferred for hot desert days, and shoved her feet into slippers. Tossing the jacket over her shoulders, she followed Merla and Hugin out into the hall, darting along in their shadow, working herself into a state of near-panic before she realized what she was doing and stubbornly stopped. She found, by the time she’d calmed herself, that they were in the Hatching Grounds, which was filling with people and dragons. They were everywhere, though by far the most noticeable in the growing light of Lightning, Celestial, and Fire dragon magic, was Kazuko. Kat hat met her, once. She’d been hiding in the quiet of the Hatching Sands when the Celestial had returned quite unexpectedly, but she didn’t expect the dragoness would remember her. Still shrinking a little, uncomfortably aware again of her other-ness, she stood and waited to introduce herself to the dragon mother. The crowd was making her nervous on a level she’d not been for many months, the sheer numbers of them making her want to stand very still and disappear.

A familiar form caught her eye, guarded by a little stone she-boar. He was already greeting Kazuko, and Kat sidled up nearby, watching Aithne perhaps a little warily, to also say hello to the Ghost of the Sands. When she had a chance, she stepped forward and, tongue-tied, stared for a second.

“Er- Great Mother Dragon, I’m Katare, and I greet you,” she finally managed, and bowed before stepping back to let any others waiting get their chance to greet the great Celestial. Then she retreated to stand by Mannix, offering a wavering, nervous smile as she got closer. Around the nervousness, a buzz of excitement worked its way into the corner of her mind, and the smile grew a little more confident as she stood taller and turned to look around at all of the gathering dragons.

“You have a crystal!” she laughed, glancing down at his hand.

Jaime

At long last, the call to assemble for the Hatching resonated through the halls and ground and very air of the Academy. Asleep in his room, it took the sound of rushing feet and excited candidates to awaken Jaime. He rolled over with a groan, understanding perfectly well what was going on- these could very well be his last hours of freedom, if such a word could be used for this state of constant guard he’d been under for the past weeks. For a minute, he seriously considered sleeping through it. Surely you couldn’t bond if you didn’t show up. But then, that was a perfect way to seal his fate, so he supposed that wouldn’t work either.

With a long sigh, he stood and dragged on some clothes and rested his hand on the doorknob. When he looked out, a guard was standing there looking as excited at Jaime wasn’t. As soon as he stepped out, the man looked eagerly at him, like some kind of ridiculous collie dog with a recalcitrant sheep. Reluctantly, Jaime allowed himself to be herded, following the general throng to the warm sands, wherein possibly his worst nightmare appeared to have come to life. Well, perhaps his second worst nightmare, the worst being that of the cold, lonely, never ending darkness that was all he had to look forward to in the next life. It was dark, so dragon magic lit the inner domed roof. As if that wasn’t enough, there were those demon nightmare walkers all over the place, in all sorts of obnoxiously fascinating colors and kinds, gathering like bees to honey or flies to a kill.

Jaime did not want to be here. And he refused to go anywhere near the biggest dragon, a huge white one to whom all the other candidates seemed to be offering a greeting. The man guarding him did not agree with this choice of Jaime’s and prodded him a little with the spear.

He’d had it. With all of this stupidity, with people pushing and shoving and poking him around the place and guarding him and never letting him alone, and his nerves were at breaking point around all of these stupid dragons. He whirled on the man, caught the butt end of the spear up in one hand, and yanked it away from the man. Stunned that his captive had just stolen his weapon, the man backed out of swinging reach as Jaime stood and realized that here, he finally had a weapon in his hand. He could do damage with it. He’d go down, but he’d go down fighting, and maybe that would redeem him.

“Keep away from me with this damn thing, you hear me?” he snarled instead, snapping the shaft of it by burying the tip in the sand and then smashing a foot down on the shaft. He gathered the two pieces and shoved them at the surprised guard. “You would do well to remember that I am an ex-assassin, sir, and not some cowering captive. Touch me with that spear one more time, and I will put it in your eye,” he added threateningly, and then turned and walked away before the man could even react, walking forward only as far as he had to before stopping. There, he planted his feet, standing as rigidly as a pillar, hands in fists at his sides, glaring defiantly at all those around him. Surreptitiously, he looked for Forge, figuring the other man had beaten him here. No doubt he was somewhere around here looking excited all out of proportion. Jaime was sure that if he found him and went to stand with him, the other would just give him some sort of hard time about looking like a mouse in a fox den.

Then again, said a voice in the back of his head, there was safety in numbers. If anyone targeted him, perhaps Forge would keep them from barbecuing him. Or shredding him, or doing anything else deadly to him. So he stalked around until he found the taller man and loomed up next to him, offering neither greeting nor acknowledgment beyond the barest flick of eyes so he didn’t actually step on him, and resumed his tense, rigid watch of everything at once. He didn’t notice that Forge hadn’t been handed a crystal, and if he had, he probably wouldn’t have had much to say other than, “Lucky you.”

((Short posts for now. Will add more if I get a chance ;) SO FREAKING HAPPY!!!!))

Thyla overjoyed.... and full of love

Thyla's eyes opened at the great dragon's words. Her head rose to meet her gaze and she saw the crystal. To some it may not be the most beautiful, but to Thyla it was the greatest gift she could ever receive. The metallic red shone like a light from heaven. Almost beyond her control, she raised her hands to take the precious stone. When she stared at it and realized, that it was indeed happening, she finally snapped. She leaped up happily and turned to the first person she saw who happened to be Luca....and kissed him square on the lips. Not a hormone fueled kiss but a joy filled kiss. Parting with a loud smack she now turned to Keiro...and did the same to him. When she pulled away she looked around eagerly for anyone else she knew she could kiss....but by then a few people had backed away and she laughed sheepishly...surprised at her own reaction. She looked now back at Luca and Keiro.

"I...eheh...sorry guys...I just love you so much!" She said with a huge grin. And now it was their turn. Thyla watched now full of fear yet again.....when she saw they both received crystals...she leaped and whooped again. This time hugging both boys to her. Her eyes full of tears

"Thank you Kazuko! Thank you so much!!"

She watched again....Azael got a spider like crystal to Thyla's joy...but to her great sadness, Arden and her dear Rurik were rejected.
"No...." She whispered.

She ran to them now. Arden first.
"Arden....Arden I am so sorry. But please don't loose hope. I KNOW you have a dragon in your future. And I'd like to keep you in my sights" She smiled at him and gave him a hug.
She saw Rurik in the distance now and gave Arden another supportive pat
"I have to comfort others as well it seems...."
She ran up to Rurik and looked at him helplessly

"Rurik...I....gods I'm so sorry....Please tell me you're not going anywhere. I want you around always...plus even WITH a dragon you know Luca needs looking after and I'm only one person" She smiled at him both lovingly and sadly
'Plus...I know you're meant to be a rider" She decided to just go for it and gave him a hug as well...even though he may not enjoy it like she did


Anala/Sarafina watching Kazuko and Sarafina helping Takumi

Sarafina was out now. And to Anala's surprise, was dressed VERY nicely in a black dress with teal trim and her hair up in a fancy pony tail. Sarafina looked at her dragon and responded to her expression

"It's Leeran's big day....and the others. May as well look presentable"

Anala paused and then smiled with a nod. Sarafina went to Takumi and Ayana to check on them. As she predicted, it was time for Scythe to know the time had come.
"Certainly dear" She said and gave out a whistle. The little white gryphon shot out of the tent eager to go with a scroll and pen in his beak. Sarafina took it and wrote a quick nearly frenzied note

The time has come Scythe. Ayana is ready with her drawing tools! We will send word when the hatching has concluded with the "results" We all love you
-Sarafina and the gang

She handed the now rolled scroll to Kite and with a gesture by his master, he flew off.
Sarafina returned her attention to the candidates. They were all there and she waited with baited breath to see who had a dragon here today. He hands almost in prayer position. Anala was watching intently as well but keeping a partial eye on her now very eager egg.
Of the ones she had met, Thyla was first, she saw Luca at her side as always, another boy on her other side. When Kazuko handed her her crystal Sarafina whooped and hopped.
"Congratulations dear!!!" When she saw Thyla's reaction afterwords, Sarafina looked stunned.

"Huh...and she's so odd when Leeran and you kiss...." Anala chuckled.

They watched as Luca also received a crystal. Sarafina again cheered happily...extra for him after that one wonderful night. She was beyond thrilled to see him get Kazuko's blessing. When Rurik was turned away Sarafina felt her eyes grow tear heavy. She may not know him as well, but she knew he cared for Thyla and Luca. He was a good sort and she hoped he would also be a permanent addition in their lives.

Then Leeran appeared. Sarafina's heart was in her throat. She watched eagerly and even Anala tensed up.
Then it was official. He received a crystal. Sarafind nearly screamed in joy. And Anala roared happily for him. When she finished Sarafina latched onto her dragon's face
"Oh Anala....he got one...he got one" She was crying tears of joy

"Careful now" Anala muffled "We don't want tears on your lovely face or on that pretty dress"

Scythe receiving the big news

Scythe felt something in the air....He couldn't put his talon on it but he knew it was big

Could it be?

He stood in the mouth of his cave staring out into the jungle. After a while he relaxed a bit but he knew to stay alert. When he heard the cry of a gryphon his ears and eyes were at full attention to the white streak coming at him. Kite....And he held the familiar parchment...

"Kite dear little fellow! What is the good word?"

The gryphon dropped the parchment ant his feet and Scythe gently unrolled it with a talon. Reading the short message he looked up, his gold eyes looked twice their normal size
"Takumi....."
he leaped off the ledge and flew above the canopy. Kite following quickly behind. He had to get to any point he could see the Academy. He may not be allowed inside but dammit they couldn't stop him from trying to listen and see from a distance!
Landing on yet another jagged cliff higher than the rest, he looked out to the horizon to see the dome of the hatching grounds in the distance.
Frantically he plucked a feather and gave it to Kite
"Here, let them know I got the message! Oh fly swiftly little Kite! And bring me news of my child!"

Michiru recieving her crystal and walking away surprised


She waited for what seem like the longest time for Kazuko to notice her, but she was busy handing the crystals to the other candidates with at least one rejection already. Worriment began to creep over her again, but soon the Mother Dragon took notice of her and even named her as she replied. Michiru was shocked and felt her face turn a bit red from embarrassment, but she smiled back all the same. Hope rose in her chest as she watched Kazuko reach for the pile and pulled out a crystal to hand it to her. Once it was in her hands Michiru looked down at it amazed. It shone a brilliant blue, almost reminding her of the lakes she had seen on her journey. The shape of the crystal was that of a shield. A partner that would protect her. That's what it felt like as she held it in her hand. She gave another bow to Kazuko.

"Thank you," she said as tears sprang to her eyes. She walked away from the others, making sure to be far enough from the other candidates, but close enough to watch the nests in the room. She kept staring at the crystal in her hands, holding it tight as if she was afraid it would disappear on her. The tears kept coming as she cried in relief. She would find her dream at last. She would have a dragon partner like she promised herself all that time ago, in another age when she never did anything for herself. The journey she had taken to get here, the training she did, the teasing she suffered, and the few friends she had made. It was all worth it. She was here, but she knew this wasn't the end. This would be the new beginning for her. She continued to watch the proceedings of the crystals being given out, but it seem like when the last candidate went up there was still crystals left. Who was late to the hatching? Michiru only thought about it so long before her eyes went over to the eggs, waiting to see which would hatch first, and most of all, which one would be her bondmate. She shook from excitement more than fear now, like the fear didn't existed. She watched Tonare's nest more, wondering who would get Gar's child as well. She hoped it was someone who would be accepting of the baby. She smiled as she pulled the crystal closer to her heart, waiting with bated breath as she tried to hear the sound of the first egg crack.

Luthian accepting her crystal, crying like a baby

Luthian watched with a slight nervousness, crystals had begun to be handed out by Kazuko, but along with the candidates receiving a crystal that would bond them, many were being turned away. There were no hatchlings for them this time and though Luthian would be happy should she receive a crystal or not, the thought of being turned away still frightened her. She knew it was not the candidates fault, there was nothing to be done if there simply was no crystal for you, but she knew that she would feel shamed and like she’d done wrong if there was no crystal for her.
With limbs shaking like a leaf in the wind she looked around herself, at the candidates holding their crystals and to the ones who had not received one, half expecting herself to join them and watch the hatching from the sidelines. But it was a soft chuckle and a movement in her peripheral vision that drew her attention-finally- to the massive white dragoness.

It took a moment for it to sink in, that in front of Luthian the great Kazuko was holding the crystal that would bond her to a hatchling. Staring blankly for a few seconds, the sudden realization began to blossom across her face. Eyes lighting up nearly brighter than the artificial sun, a grin pulled her mouth open where a noise somewhere between a sob and a laugh emerged. With hands now shaking more than they were before (if such a feat was even possible) Luthian carefully took the crystal that was swaying back and forth in front of her face from Kazuko’s hand, cradling it in her own.
Beaming down at the deep blue music note, the girl had to fight back tears of joy. Feeling foolish, she wiped them away as best she could though her vision was still bleary as she looked at the dragoness. With a quavering voice she thanked Kasuko from the bottom of her heart, “You don’t know how much this means to me…thank you.” Fighting the urge to attempt a hug she moved back and away so that the next candidate might receive their crystal, still cradling hers like one might hold their new child, an action Luthian hoped to soon be doing with her hatchling. Tears now streaming down her face, the girl did not care if others saw the display of emotion. They knew not what this meant to her, it was a new beginning and one she looked forward to spending with her bonded.

Merla accepting her crystal, going to stand out of the way.

The Candidates were starting to line up, and in the shift of the artificial winds and beneath the lights of the dragon’s own magical making, Merla’s eyes glinted in different colors as they caught the lighting. The amethyst spire in her ear shone as she lifted her head to follow Kazuko’s movements as the dragon looked to something behind her. Merla awaited, with bated breath as there was a shift of bright golden feathers, that gleamed and appeared metallic in the light. Even with the heavy sound of rain on the roof and the night time above that dimmed the Hatching grounds, Kazuko was magnificent. It didn’t even have to because of the great silver light that shone from her or above her that decorated her in an artist’s palette of colorful hues. She was holding her breath, she didn’t even realize it until she felt her heart pounding against her ribs and her chest began to ache.

Then Kazuko lifted a large paw and swept it back behind her. She had said nothing to confirm nor deny what was going to happen, but some instinctual part of Merla cried joy at the aspect of what was occurring. She was going to bond! Fate had not been so cruel as to offer her the opportunity that had called her so far from home and then spurn her of this chance at joy alongside the others. She watched in faintly open-mouthed awe as the dexterous silver claws of the pale, magnificent matron dipped into the pile and brought forth one bright shining star, glinting in the colored lights of the dome and making it impossible for Merla to guess the shape or color of it from its distance. Then like a bright soul cast from the heavens itself, it descended towards her, as Kazuko turned to sweep back in her direction, the bright star of her very own crystal diminishing to a dark gleam of royal purple as she presented it to Merla.

The girl of the forests could only stare for a moment, uncertain if she was simply dreaming back in her room, a good dream inspired by far-fetched thoughts and the gentle song of drumming rain. But when she reached forwards, and her fingers touched the cool gemstone’s surface, she realized that perhaps, this might all be real? If she awoke, she would despair at the cruelty of the morning, with the warmth of it sun for announcing the end of something so beautiful, something so wondrous. She clutched the sugalite stone into folds of her hands, pulling it close to her chest and staring at it raptly for a few long moments. Her voice was just the faintest of whispers when it emerged from her lips. “Go raibh maith agat.” Her voice stumbled into the Old tongue as she proclaimed her thanks to the silver dragon.

Bowing once more, and nearly unsettling Hugin at the speed at which she had done so, she backed away, allowing the next Candidate to step up and take their place before her. She took a deep breath, feeling the rise and fall of her chest as she did so and held up her crystal in the light to behold it. Hugin also tipped his head to examine it, and leaned his head forwards to gently touch his beak to it, opening it and running his mouth along it as carefully as he might have been preening one of his own feathers. Strangely enough, the bird seemed to understand the levity of this situation, and its importance to her. But Merla didn’t doubt that she would still have to keep her crystal away from the sly bird, anything that shone in the light such as this did not remain important and untouchable to him for long. She reached up and fondly stroked his feathers, smiling as he leaned into the rubbing around his ruff and back. “We will meet someone new, this eve, Hugin. Soon…” she whispered, looking out to the eggs and their sires and matrons.

Forge, thanking Kazuko for her time anyway, shoving Jaime forwards to talk to her because he’s a wimp

Forge let out a sigh of relief, when he found out that his appearance bore him no ill will from the ancient dragoness. He agreed with what she said, most here were dressed in splendid robes, or colorful garb. Even those in the stand sported some kind of grand attire, and perhaps, had Forge had the opportunity to even return to his room, he would have worn something a little bit nicer than what he had on. Not much nicer, mind you, seeing as his budget was limited and his tastes simple, but it certainly wouldn’t have been smeared by ash and charcoal as well as dirty and singed. He probably also smelled a bit, like smoke and sweat. But he was far used to those things, never the less; he made a mental note to not stand near Candidates who looked like they might have been offended by his general appearance or overall state of existence.

But as she gave the inevitable apology that somewhere deep in the pit of his stomach he’d figured he’d receive as she denied him a crystal, he inclined his head in return. “There is nothing to be sorry for, ma’am. There are days for everyone, and this is simply not mine. Perhaps in the future yes, you may see me return.” He offered, and then bowed again to the silver form of the grand Celestial and backed away to stand away from the others. He glanced around himself, looking for that one form that he knew he would recognize. No doubt they would have to drag Jaime here kicking and screaming, but he knew that the boy would need to stand regardless of his wishes. It was simply…part of his punishment. But when the boy suddenly emerged like a dark shadow right next to him, Forge simply raised a brow.

“Rough night?” he asked with the faintest of grins, crossing his arms. “You should be over there, you know. You’ll not get the chance to receive a crystal if you’re standing all the way over here.” He unwrapped his arms from in front of his chest and put one on Jaime’s shoulder, and guided him forwards. “Go say hello to her, or just stand there and wait to be acknowledged. She won’t eat you.” At least he was pretty sure. Kazuko hadn’t eaten anyone in the past that he was aware of. “Go get your crystal so I can stand here and watch you bond, and also apologize to whatever poor thing must be stuck with your company.” He said with a good-natured grin. Truth be told, he hadn’t the slightest clue whether or not Jaime would bond, but suggesting he would was just a good natured prod he knew would cause the already grumpy boy to become even grumpier. Not that Forge minded, he could just laugh.

Lanick gratefully receiving his crystal

Lanick had accidentally allowed his gaze to drift so far down that he nearly missed her claws extending to him- which would have made him jump if he hadn't been started out of his silence by her response. Smiling in a apologetic manner, he eagerly scooped up the crystal and examined its vivid colors.

"Sorry, I'm still a bit... Overwhelmed by all of this. And thank you, I will not disappoint you, or the academy!" He sounded confident once more, as he made room for whoever else might be approaching...He tried to scan the mothers, and eggs which were visible from there. It was the hatching wasn't it? How long before... Dragons started breathing for the first time? The thought was almost dizzying, though not nearly as much so as the fact that one of them was going to be his.

His vision continued to shift from the stone, to the dragons and nests about him... He could already feel some sort of... fuzziness, strange emotions within him, it was impossible to tell if it was the mystical connection forming, or just the welling of feelings from what was slowly... Slooowly sinking into his mind. A real dragon... Before arriving here he had only seen a few tainted, and even then not exactly what you'd call often. The war was over though, what would they be called upon to do?

Those thoughts he pushed aside once more as he gripped the crystal to his chest, gentle though protective of the red emblem. Which dragon would emerge first? He heard there were many different kinds of eggs present today, possibly a record... It made sense, now that the war had ended that more mothers were willing to stop and take the time to nest.

Cleo accepting her crystal and being overjoyed

Cleo stood there and gripped the edge of her coat. She was so nervous! Was her crystal here? Is her destined dragon out there? She waited for what felt like an eternity as the Celestial spoke to her... What?... What did she say? She had almost missed it had it not been for the fact that the colossal Celestial was holding something out to her. She took it without really looking at it and walked to the side. She... she... she had a crystal! Her dragon was out there! As Cleo stood there she had to remind herself to breath. Clutching it close, so as to not ruin the surprise of what the smooth crystal looked like, she walked onto the sands with the others who had received their crystals.

Her heart was trying to jump out of her chest as she took a place near to the center. Shutting out all of the other people the candidates, the spectators, the eggs, and the mothers Cleo looked down at her chest and opened her hands. Immediately her breath was taken away. In her hands rested a crescent of pure and unadulterated blue. It was a dark shade, more akin to the ocean. It was as if someone had trapped the calm ocean in her crystal. When she looked close enough she swore that she saw flecks of green and gold... Then she held it up to the light and the ocean was burned away in an inferno. Cleo was stunned to see the change in color. All of the blue was gone and in it's wake she was left with a fiery expanse. All around were spots of red, orange, and yellow. It was as if she had the ocean and fire all in one...

She wanted to cry she was so happy. “Gods please don't let this be a dream...” She pleaded. She would be simply crushed if she awoke to find herself in a dream and that none of this had ever happened. Just as a precaution she pinched her hand. Nope. It wasn't a dream! All of it was real! She was going to bond! Looking out at all the eggs she wondered which one was hers... "I'm going to be a dragonrider." She whispered, for no one's ears but hers. A smile broke out across her features as she clutched the beautiful crescent back to her chest.