Telinda wrinkles her nose at Declan.

Jeanne looks over at Declan, "Well it gets us wet.." she wrinkles her nose at the thought.

Kyleen smiles at Kellan, and sits down on the cot she hasn't touched until today, proceeding to braid her long hair.

Declan grins, "Very cute Tel"

Atanna sets down Popeye gingerly.

Telinda smiles at Declan, "I try my best!" she answers sarcastically

S'ton blinks, paling slightly, before he murmurs, "It's time...." Louder, he shouts, "Get dressed people! Rain or not, it's time to go!"

Kinrowan vanishes suddenly, leaving behind a burst of chilly air.

Echo sighs

Carlina starts to throw on her robe in a hurry.

Declan says "Now?"

Atanna eeps and hurriedly changes her clothing.

Carlina says "Hurry Echo, it's time =)"

Amalthea gulps and peers up at S'ton. "What? Time?"

Kellan looks up from his sewing, a shocked expression on his face, then back down, relieved to see he only needs a few more stitches to be done anyway.

Zrellyn looks up from his peeling, letting the knife and unfished tuber fall into his basket and halts a moment.

Kyleen darts a startled glance at S'ton, mouth shrinking to a tiny 'o'. "What...? Oh... OH!" She blinks, trying to collect herself, and find her robe.

Judith gasps and leaps for her cot, where did she put that robe? socks..shirts..harp..here it is!

Atanna quickly twists her hair into a ponytail and ties it with a leather thong to keep it from getting in her way.

Echo releases Whiskey, who flies off to land nearby.

Declan starts pulling stuff from under his cot, throwing most of it into a heap as he pulls out a crumples robe and sandles, "I knew I should have pressed it yesterday"

Kellan takes those last few stitches, tying off the knot and biting the thread instead of fumbling for scissors.

Kaleum swallows nervously, looking at the others and puts on her robe and sandles.

Amalthea tosses aside the towel on her press, digging for her robe and pulling it over her head as she stamps into her sandles.

Echo jumps off her cot from her long nap and hastily puts on what must be some sort of robe

Atanna shakes with nervousness...

Kaleum continuing to look around, "I'm so nervous, where do we go?"

Kellan changes quickly, reflexively taking a moment to fold his clothes before throwing them on his cot.

S'ton wanders through the candidates, before announcing, "When I call your name, just step outside. Kyleen!"

Declan says "Well at a guess I would say the sands"

Jeanne blinks, now? Shells. She digs into her clothes press, pulling out her robe and slipping into it. Waiting nervously on the edge of her cot.

S'ton shakes his head. "Not yet....only when you've all been checked and I lead you over."

Hilo checks his gown for any small tears he may have missed

Echo shifts from one foot to the next impatiently.

Kyleen whews as she finally notices that she's /carring/ her robe, and swuiggles out of her healer uniform, pushing her arms into the holes of her robe just in time to hear her name shouted. "Oh!?" She's rushes over into line, trying to fit her head throu gh.

Atanna presses her hands to her stomach. "Ooooo, that doesn't feel good..."

Kaleum watches Atanna, feeling the pit in her stomach also.

Declan puts the sandles on, "Well at least I won't have soggy stockings"

Echo begins twirling a strand of reddish hair nervously.

Kyleen takes a deep breath, staring out into the rain. She sets her shoulders slightly, giving the candidate barracks one last sweep of a gaze before she heads out, standing sort-of alone.

S'ton says "Echo....you're okay. So are you Atanna."

Amalthea shivers slightly, pushing her still damp hair back from her face.

S'ton murmurs, "Head outside with Kyleen."

Carlina gets her sandles on straight, after putting them on the wrong feet to start.

Echo gives a little jump then races out, hair flying out from hind her

Zrellyn quietly waits on his cot, his hands figiting with the thread on the seems of his robe, as he waits for his name...Trying to breath...

Kellan watches Kyleen leave, bouncing up and down slightly on his heels.

Atanna needs a hug. "Maybe that'll stop the flutters a bit..."

Judith picks lent off her robe adn then looks at the wlm nervously.

Kaleum gives Atanna a hug, "Good luck."

Kaleum turns to S'ton, "I'm ready."

S'ton nods, before calling over the noise, "Alright! You're all okay! C'mon!"

Zrellyn looks up at S'ton and gives a nod as he goes quiet and slowly walks out of the door to join the others.

Kaleum gulps.

Amalthea takes a deep breath, nodding as she steps out after the others.

Everyone walks over to the Hatching Sands

"It's noy done! My robe was not done and they made me wear it anyway!" Chasity sighs deeply, wrapping her robe as best as she can around.

Carlina looks at hers and finds an extra pin, "Will this help? I didn't get all the pens out form changing the hem."

Telinda chuckles at Chasity, "Noone will be able to see" she offers as reassurance. "Besides, the rain will help!"

Echo chuckles and lifts her arms, "I know what y'mean" there's some gaping wholes in the side of her robe.

Kaleum looks at Chasity,"Wish I had something to give you."

Kellan looks out towards the sands. "Rain...almost looks like it's getting worse."

S'ton watches, helping a few candidates with their robes, fussing quietly. He nods at one lad, before giving a sigh to another, helping with the robe's shoulder.

Kaleum peers out, "And it's all black!"

Echo smiles,"There should be a tarp.I know I had to work on one."

Kyleen looks sooo tiny - or maybe it's just because she's dripping wet. She smiles nervously to those as they enter. She nods, wide-eyed to Kellan. "I hope there's no lightning!"

Zrellyn fiddles about with the seem on his robe, mummbling, "Should have done it over.... Looks like it could fall out..." blocking everything else out... *breath*

Atanna smiles sympathetically at Chasity. "I don't think that the hatchlings will care. They'll know that you love them anyway you look."

Amalthea takes a deep breath, staring out at the sands and gulping quietly with nerves.

Declan grins, "Might even garner you the attention of one

Kellan looks over at Kyleen. "Lightning...bothers you?"

"Yeah, I supposed you're right -- all of ya. I hope it's cool out there. Anyone else burning up?" Chasity waves a hand before her face, which has become tinged with bright crimson. Maybe she isn't only hot.

Atanna looks from face to face, smiling. "Good luck, everyone."

There is a flash and a boom from outside!

Kaleum nods, "Its hot in here."

Telinda shoots a reassuring smile at Kyleen, "Don't worry about the lightening. Worry about the dragonets."

Atanna eeps!

Jeanne looks out at the sands, and seeing rain. She lets out a sigh and glances over to Amalthea and whispers something to her.

Kellan jumps, just a bit.

Amalthea winces and jumps at the loud sound, shivering slightly.

Echo jumps nearly knocking poor Kyleen and Amalthea over.

Declan rolls his eyes, "What is it about this clutch and thunder storms?"

Atanna says "I've never been scared of thunderstorms, but I think I may just start..."

Kyleen blinks at Kellan, pushing wet hair out from her eyes. She starts to nod her head, then shutters as she NODS to Telinda. "You-you don't think they'll be more clumsier in the rain, do you?"

A gust of wind blows rain in through the open tunnel, sending a spray through the room.

Amalthea is knocked off balance by Echo, and reaches out to steady herself as she looks up to Jeanne, nodding and smiling as she murmers back.

From a distance, Maristh starts to hum louder, her volume rivalling that of the thunder echoing overhead.

S'ton comes in, shooing in the last candidate, before yelling, "Alright! Get in line! I need you in a line so we can go out!"

Echo tries to hurriedly cover up the gaping holes in her robe with piece of material.

Zrellyn looks up as the lightly flash catches his eyes, "Hope that doesn't get too close..."

Kyleen cries out, smiling up at Echo as she steadies herself, and the other girl.

Telinda shakes her head at Kyleen, "They _can't_ be any clumsier, dear" she comments, head tilted to the thunder. Hearing the order, she takes a deep breath and files into line.

Judith gets quickly in line with the others

Declan looks around for a line to get into

Carlina moves into line as quickly as she can.

Jerrika tries to find a place in the line.

Echo hurriedly gets in line behind Carlina and Kyleen

Amalthea gulps again, standing near Jeanne and Echo.

Atanna stands in as close to a line as she possibly can...

Kaleum says "aeeeeee."

Kellan scurries towards the line, then glances back towards Kyleen.

Jeanne grins nervously at Thea, taking the girls hand and stepping into line with the rest.

Declan quickly shuffles into place when the rest start forming up

"Whew, that's better," Chasity nods to S'ton, filing in line with the others. A quick glance around tells her she's at the end. Sigh.

Zrellyn moves slowly, being pushed by candie behind him....just follow the rest...

Kyleen is hesitant to enter the line. Does she /really/ know what she's getting herself into?

From a distance, Frightful Weather Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Echo smiles comfortingly and holds out her hand to Kyleen, "Come on..."

Kellan gestures Kyleen towards the line, smiling reassuringly. He can't really be that calm, can he?

Atanna smiles at Kyleen. "If I can do this, you can too..."

S'ton nods, "Lets go." OOCly, type S....and good luck, all.

Everyone wanders out onto the sands

From a distance, Echo wanders out looking around.

Kyleen is convinced by the smiles, and quickly steps foreward into the stampeed.

Frightful Weather Egg trembles on the sands, either it's a vibration from a particularly specatular peel of thunder, or it's close to hatching.

Declan stars hoping around, only now remebering the advice of padding the sandles when no one was looking

Kellan follows just after Kyleen, raising a hand futiley to shield himself from the downpour.

Zrellyn steps a bit quicker now, as the heat and steam of the sands hits his bear feet, "Och! Hot..." looking out between the drops of rain.

Kaleum looks around, "These sands are hot and I can't see a thing."

Amalthea steps hesitantly onto the sands, peering first this way and that as she tries to orient herself in grounds. Picking her feet up, she follows closely behind Jeanne, to join in the semi circle. Turning to face Maristh and Revarth, she bows to them and their riders, the rain streaming down on her.

Jeanne holds one hand above her hand, trying to shield herself against the rain.

S'ton bows to Maristh, before moving back from the candidates. Their day to shine, dispite the weather.

Carlina gives a bow to where she thinks the dragons are.

Telinda wanders out into the pouring rain, glancing up as -- shardit -- a droplet of water drips right down her back, causing her to shivver. She peers through the gloom, thinking she spots the dam and sire, and quickly sketches a bow, before moving into the circle with the other candidates.

Atanna bows to the golden dragon-shape and peers around, rocking from foot to foot to avoid the heat somewhat.

Kaleum bows to Maristh and gets into the line with the others.

Jerrika finds a place to stand, and shifts nervously from foot to foot.

Kellan sees other candidates bowing, and does the same, though his expression is unsure, as though he can't see much himself.

Echo bows and tries to find a place to stand.

Declan throws his head back and lets the water drip down his face in a nice calming fashion, for him at least

"I can't see anything," Chasity mumbles softly, falling in line after each candidate; a hesitant glance around, followed by a quick bow to the what she hopes is the gold and bronze dragons, then she moves to a place in the semi-circle.

With an almost hasty gesture, Jeanne bows to both the bronze and queen dragon, finding her place in the loose semi-circle with the rest.

Kyleen quickly forgets the pouring rain once she notices those eggs are moving. She glances nervously up and over at the large blurry forms of Maristh and Revarth. She follows the other's examples, and quickly ducks a bow to them. Telinda, Kellan and Echo are near her.

Zrellyn gives a bow to the queen, giving a quick look to the stands for a moment, before looking to the stands.

Raining Felines and Canines Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Declan stumbles forward, nodding to the queen as he goes

Kaleum peering around, "Can anyone else see anything?"

Rain pours into the hatching cavern, pelting candidates and eggs alike.

Carlina shakes her head, "I can't see much of anythin."

Kellan's foot-shifting brings him a bit closer to Kyleen, though he doesn't appear to be aware of it in the rain.

Jerrika pipes up, "I certainly can't." She is peering around.

Declan walks next to Tel and nudges her, whispering, "Now what. You been to these before"

Amalthea glances to Jeanne, trying to smile reassuringly; not all that successfully though as she tries to brush the water out of her eyes with her free hand to clear her vision a bit more.

Kaleum shifting, "I can't even see the eggs."

Atanna reaches out a hand to the shape next to her.

Zrellyn moves up behind Chasity, hearing her words, "Theres something out there moving... Can't tell if it's rain or something else."

Echo wipes her hair out of her eyes, an elbow flying up near Carlna's face barely missing her, "Not a thing..."

Frightful Weather Egg shivers again, this time so violently it must be from the dragonet trapped inside.

Raining Felines and Canines Egg wibbles, either from the rain of its occupant is hard to say. As water pelts, the egg shivers back and forth within the confines of self-made hollow of sand.

Jeanne shakes her head, "No I can't!" she says as a hand pushes hair behind her ear, gives Thea a nervous grin, "Well here we are.."

Judith steps towards the back of hte cavern, hoping the rain isn't so violent there.

Putting her hand to her forehead, Telinda glances up, shaking her head and spraying droplets of water to the candidates nearest her. Flashing an apologetic smile she turns her attention back to the sands. Was that an egg that just moved? Or was it merely the rain playing tricks?!

A sudden sharp gust of wind sends a thick shower of startlingly /cold/ rain lashing across the sands, a low roil of steam curling upwards from the burning hot sands.

"I know, and I can hardly hear with all the thunder and rain," Chasity nods slowly, moving back a step to stand beside Zrellyn. Eyes continue to peer into the mist and rain as she whsipers softly: "Are you nervous?"

Kaleum shilelds her face from the pelting rain.

Kyleen yelps quietly as Kellan bumps into him, grabbing his arm so that she doesn't fall over. She strains her eyes to see what's moving, absently trying to stay away from the eggs that are.

Raining Felines and Canines Egg shifts, before suddenly standing still.....too still....

Somewhere out in the darkness an egg cracks open. At least you thought it cracked open, it mostly seems intact now..well, except for those feet.

Declan shivers and wraps his robe tighter to him

Has the humidity gotten to your brain, or is that an egg walking across the sands? One blink tells you that it's not your imagination, there is indeed an egg moving around out there. No way to tell what color the owner of the feet sticking out from the bottom of the egg

Atanna blinks to keep rain from getting in her eyes, breathing rapidly, but shallowly.

Echo tries to shield herself fromthe rain backing towards the back part ofthe cavern, "Shells..." she mutters but no one can hearher

Jeanne blinks, stepping back and almost running into Thea, as she gasps at the shower of cold water, still trying to shield her face unsuccessfully.

Nothing more than a mutter escapes out of his lips as Zy says, "Scared shell-less..."

Declan peers though the rain and giggles

Carlina peers out, "Is that egg walking?"

Jerrika is looking around, evidently unable to see much of anything in the murk.

Echo cups a hand over her ear,"What'ya say Carlina?"

Amalthea raises her voice slightly, trying to keep her head down somewhat. "I can hardly see anything.. how are we meant to avoid the dragonets?" She asks, eyes narrowing as she peers at movement in the dimness. She jumps as Jeanne bumps into her, gasping slightly.

Pile of Shards with Feet falls from his former abode, shrill cry cutting though thunder and lightening crash. Slipping, the dragonet falls into a small puddle, flailing, before righting itself.

Kellan jumps too as he runs into Kyleen, slipping an arm around her to keep his balance.

Across the sands an egg starts to shake and then crumbles away from its contents.

Telinda rubs her hands down her arms as the cold chill makes the hairs on her arms stick up. She glances from side to side, that being almost the scope of vision. Feet though move -- even in the rain the sands are uncomfortable if Telinda's actions are an ything to go by. Hearing some of the other candidates, she squints, chin jutting forward as she tries to see what everyone is talking about.

Loud enough to scare ships away from hidden underwater hazards a foghorn calls out it's lonesome warning from the middle of the hatching grounds. Wait a minute is it just another candidate prank or is that boisterous noise really a dragonet? With another blast you catch a glimpse of outspread wings..yep, must be a dragon making all that racket.

Echo eyes grow wide and all of a sudden she stops noticing the storm, her eyes on the hatchling.

Kellan gasps, "I think one's hatched..."

Jeanne shakes her head, "I don't know Thea!" still trying to get a clear view of the eggs, like that'll happen.

Kaleum muttering, "I can't see anything."

Atanna rubs her hands quickly on cold arms to try and warm the,. She rocks from foot to foot to avoid the heat at her feet. "Why can't I be one temperature all over?" She turns and smiles at her friends on the sands with her.

Kyleen gasps as she makes out the shape of a dragonet, smiling nervously up at Kellan. She shakes her head to clear it - braid whipping about as it unwinds. She starts to shiver.

Declan says "Well whatever is haping, it certainly sounds intresting"

Zrellyn brushes the white curtain of hair from his eyes, as he looks out, "What was that?" he mutters in an urgent voice, and looks to Chasity for an answer."

Kaleum sees Atanna smiling and smiles back and mouths, "Good luck."

Telinda takes an involuntary step backwards at that sound -- a dragonet?! Attention becomes focussed directly in front. If its coming, she's moving, and she won't have much notice to dodge it. A hand rakes through blue hair, brushing it from her eyes.

Amalthea starts nervously at a large racket made nearby, peering through the rain and steam combination to try and see the clutch. Rubbing her wet hands on her wet robe doesn't much help, but she does it anyway as she tries to keep her eyes on the movement.

What is that, a Foghorn? gives a loud call that echos through the rain, making it sound like it's everywhere and nowhere.

A sudden, brilliant flash of light for a moment illuminates the grounds in freeze-frame...the silhouttes of the aroused, protective dragons, the confused circle of Candidates, and the subtler motions of the vibrating eggs...and one, moving, dragonet-sized form. Sort of. A rattling, deafening boom follows the flash by a double handful of seconds.

Pile of Shards with Feet stops after righting itself.....what is this stuff falling from the sky? Head lifts, only feet seen as it sways back and forth, before it stumbles, moving towards other moving things......moving white things.

Jeanne shakes her head again, "What's happened? Has one hatched?"

A thoughtful frown tugs as Chasity's lips; eyes swing left to right, searching for anything in the steam and mist. Sluggishly, the candidate's legs shift up and down -- the Hatching Sands Dance -- as the heat of the sand finally seeps through her thin san dals. "Did one hatch?" Her question is asked to the floating mist. "I thought I heard something, Zrellyn. A dragonet?"

Kaleum blinking from the bright light, "What happened? "

Atanna reaches out a comforting hand to Kyleen and mouths, "You too." Her attention is brought back to what's happening in front of her by movements and sounds of other things in the mist.

Kyleen smiles back at Atanna through the mist, although she remains mute. She cries out as the *boom!* echos throughout the cavern. She quickly grabs at Atanna's hand, squeezing it a little too tight.

Kellan calls to someone...is that Jeanne?..."I think a couple have."

Amalthea chews on her lower lip, squinting slightly and trying to brush the moisture out of her eyes as she moves back and forth on the sands to spread the heat from her feet. Shaking her head to Jeanne, she mutters. "I don't know.. I think maybe.."

Kellan smiles reassuringly to Kyleen, and offers her his hand if it'll help.

Jeanne glances at Thea and gives her hand a squeeze, "Luck." she wishes, before she looks out at the mound of eggs, trying to spy tha dragonets. She blinks, hearing an answer to her question, "Thanks!"

Zrellyn narrows his eyes, trying to peer through the rain for some other movement than the rain, "Maybe..." his voice low and nervious... "Maybe just the storm..."

Jerrika mutters, "Something is moving out there anyway..."

Declan says "I think I can see somethin moving out there. I take back everything I said about liking rain" Declan gives a nervous giggle"

Telinda nods as she gets a little clearer picture with the flash of lightening. Taking a deep inhalation of breath she moves her feet, jerking to one side as she touches something. Epp! A glance and she chuckles, a little hysterically -- Kyleen! "Sorry!" she mumbles, barely audible over all that crashing and banging.

Kaleum nods, I can see something moving, I just don't know what it is."

Pile of Shards with Feet continues to trundle, the only thing markting its passing is the splash of water puddles, rumbling snorts, and slithering mass of form.

What is that, a Foghorn? staggers towards the creatures in white, rain running in it's eyes and making it difficult for the creature to see, maybe more noise would help. It lets out a full throated crealing noise.

Carlina puts her hands to her ears, not remembering things being this loud.

Echo jumps a bit, that calm facade she presented to everyone, shattered like that newly broken shell.

Amalthea tugs at her robe, now soaked right through as she squeezes Jae's hand back. "You too!" She half whispers, eyes still darting back and forth in an effort to find the dragonets.

Declan says "Ahhh, that is loud"

Kaleum hears the noise, What is that?"

Atanna breathes loudly. "Such a noise from such a new one..." She squeezes Kyleen's hand nervously.

Jeanne blinks, a hand going to an ear as she hears the creel, "What was that?"

Thunderstorm Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Zrellyn looks closer, leaning down some, and points out a finger, "Is that egg moving? talking this way?" he whispers to Chasity.

Kyleen grabs Kellan's hand too. There. Now she's safe. Whew. But... she jumps as Telinda bumps into her, and starts to giggle as well. Nervous giggles. She smiles to let her know it's alright. Eeep! Not another one! She, once again, tries her best to keep the moving dragonet forms as far away from herself as possible.

Jerrika looks around wildly, feet doing the Candie Dance, trying to figure out where the sound is coming from.

Pile of Shards with Feet continues, bumping into a candidate or two, snorting disapproval. No. This is not the one. It continues, tail slashing, puddles splashed as he comes across another candidate, just as unable to see. A croon is warbled.

Thunderstorm Egg wobbles its way into a puddle, sending up a small spray of water.

On the far side of the grounds, there is a sharp cry and the sound of a falling body striking the wet but hot sands with a smack...then moments later, the sound of happy tears, as a young boy from Cove hold literally falls over a small mud-coated bronze d ragonet.

Declan holds one hand above his eyesm trying to keep the rain out of his face so he can figure out what is going on

Amalthea sucks in her breath slightly, eyes blinking rapidly as she turns her head towards where she thinks the noise is coming from.

Kaleum moves out of the way and she continues to get bumped into by the other candidates.

Aye! Chasity defiantely heard that. Since when do eggs splash through puddles of creel? "I think some hatched," is her simple statement, lithe fingers hooking on the unfinished egde of her white robe, not a floating gray as mist swirls around. Feet contin ue to shift up and down in alternating patterns: left-right, left-right, left-right.

Atanna's eyes widen at a small cry of fright. "That didn't sound good..."

What is that, a Foghorn? rushes up to a brunette lad and bellows right in his ear, no this one isn't right. With a snort of frustration it heads towards a pair of girls.

Jeanne misses the first impression, but she hears the joyous cry from the Cove-boy and grins, "Congrats!"

A bank of sand is softened by the fall of rain and sets a dark egg rolling. Upon impact against another egg it cracks open.

Kaleum looks at something large approaching and attempts to get out of the way.

This dragonet must have stumbled coming out the egg, because now it is covered, head to toe, in clinging damp sand. That could be a bare patch, right around the muzzle..the hide looks dark, maybe earth-toned? Then again, it's hard to tell in the dim light .

Declan says "congrats? Did someone impress/ i don't think I have even seen a dragonet yet"

Echo absentmindedly scratches herher back, darn wet robe is so itchy.

Amalthea takes a half step backwards, missing the first Impression entirely. She's barely able to keep upright as the rain pelts down on her impeding her vision.

Kaleum yells above the storm, "A boy from cove impressed a bronze."

Jerrika says "I can hardly see anyone, let alone a dragonet."

Zrellyn nods, and turns to hear another impresson off to his left, "Id say your right Chas...." he pulls at his robe, as he dances about from foot to foot, trying to pill the wet cloth from his body.

Kyleen winces at the first impression. Is that boy hurt? Hard to tell. What could she know? She's just a Healer. The girl squint, trying to see more.

Kellan hops sideways as a dragonet looms out of the rain - or was that another candidate? "We'd better watch out," he says. "If one charges us we won't have much time to get out of the way."

Pile of Shards with Feet snorts its frustration yet again, before stopping at a lad, rumbling softly as it looks up. Are you mine? Tenseness.....

Dragonet Covered in Wet Sand takes two steps away from the shards it just left and then trips, rolling in the sand a bit more, thickening the sandy coat.

Jeanne grins over at Declan, nodding her head, then realising he probably can't see her, "Yes!" she looks over at Kaleum, "You sure it's a bronze?" her eyes darting to where the mound of eggs is meant to be.

Telinda brushes her hands down her arms, flicking off more water, with a mumbled comment. She squints, shaking her head -- is that...? She takes a step closer, than quickly one back. No, not too close. Close is dangerous. We should know better! She misses the first impression, being on the opposite side, but nonetheless hears the congrats, uttering her own, knowing it'll likely be missed!

As the fleet footed egg collides with something in the darkness you realize that it has no idea where it's going. The impact makes a final crack in the shell, causing it to reveal a plump brown. Stout massiveness is cloaked in a mantle of mahogany, darkness flaring from ridged spine. Dripping down, the shade deepens the width of rounded haunches, elongated tail, and muscled limbs. The color pools at silt claws, avoiding soft underbelly and leaving it a light chocolate, blunt muzzle and blocky headknobs graced in the same speckling.

A rattling crack sounds just behind a small group of Candidates as a rainslicked egg slowly tears itself to pieces as its inhabitant tries to pry its way out.

Kaleum nods at Jeanne, "Maybe, it's hard to see."

Carlina looks out, "I think I see one, moving.

Atanna stops dancing, hardly feeling the heat at her feet. "She peers around, trying to keep up with what's going on, failing miserably with the rain and hair in her face.

What is that, a Foghorn? gives another ear-druming maddening bugle and rushes towards a female candidates, perhaps this is the one right here...

A tembling point out to Chasity, "Look there.." Zrellyn says, "Looks like that egg is now a brown!"

S'ton tries to see, head tilted, as he wanders out to get a couple of the now weyrlings, motioning them back to semi-dryer quarters.

Kaleum pushing her out from her eyes, "I think I see another one, what is it?"

Jeanne takes a deep breath as she hears another *crack*, she lifts her feet, letting the water wash over them and cool the burning before she lowers it again. "Shells..." her eyes flicking towards the source of the noise.

Atanna covers her ears from the out-sized noise. "I hope that's a good noise..."

Declan pulls at his soaked robe in a vain attempt to unsick it from his skin, still whipping his head round in all directions and with a totaly bemused expression

Echo gives up on pushing her wavy hair out of her face and just tries to peer throughthe hair, "Carlina...can you see anything?"

"Huh?" Chasity blinks her surprise, shifting her eyes back and forth. "I can't see a thing!"

Kellan jumps again, as another dragonet appears out of the rain, then takes a few steps forward. "Xaalth? I can't quite see you..."

Dragonet Covered in Wet Sand blinks it's eyes open finding that it's standing right next to two things in white that don't notice it.

Amalthea winces slightly at the sound of loud thunder... or was that a shell cracking? She shakes her head to free herself of some of the rain, and it helps some as she peers through the mist.

Jerrika calls out, "Shells! I've been facing the wrong direction." She turns around, and continues peering.

What is that, a Foghorn? can't see a thing either, in total agreement it goes to peer at the candidate thinking so alike.

Jeanne blinks, That Kellan? and a dragonet? "Kellan??"

Nearly deafening everyone on the sands, the dragonet impersonating a foghorn gives one more call and then steps out of the gloom and can be seen clearly. The satiny color of her green hide is as nearly as pale as a glass of crisp Chardonnay. She ducks her head in a surprisingly shy display after all that hullaballo and peers into the eyes of the candidate named Chasity.

Atanna says "Kellan? Is that you??"

Telinda shakes her head. This was a bad idea! How did we ever get into this mess?! She frowns, trying to see through sheets of rain, almost as thick as laundry, and tilts her head. A name? She nudges Kyleen, least she hopes its Kyleen, "I think that was Kellan? Did you" she pauses, the sound of thunder blotting her out, "hear any better?"

S'ton watches, brows rising. Ah....another one. Xaalth. He wanders over to....K'llan? Or....eh, nevermind. He makes his way over to Kellan, before murmuring, "Let's get you out of here."

A shadowy small shape brushes past between Jerrika and Amalthea. A sudden flash of light shows for the briefest moment an absolutely beautiful green dragonet, sand clinging to her muzzle.

K'lan looses Kyleen's hand, taking a few more steps forward, and finding the brown finally. "Xaalth...there you are! I can't see either."

Echo grins from ear to ear, "Congrats Kellan!" she yells out over the storm.

Zrellyn just about jumps out of his skin as he see's the green take his hand's partner, "Ohh Chasity... Congratulations!"

Carlina looks nearby and spots a green, but sees that she has already found someone.

Kyleen blinks, instinctively letting go of Kellan's hand as he steps towards the dragon that is suddenly /there/. Her face is full of mixed emotions - but it's hard to see through the rain. She grins suddenly, yelpins at Telinda's elbow. "Oh!"

Kaleum smiling, "Congrats Kellan!"

Atanna grins widely at Kellan and Chasity. "Congratulations, you...four!"

Amalthea blinks a few times and turns to peer over towards the candidates, gasping slightly in surprise and backpeddling automatically as the dragonet comes near her, trying to keep well out of its way.

Echo smiles, "Congrats to you too Chasity."hoping someone can hear her.

Jeanne grins as she sees it was Kellan, "Congrats!!" blinking as she sees as dragonet soo close, "Thea? Chasity?" eyes roving again to find the girls.

Kaleum says "congrats Chasity!""

"But I can't even *see* you Jezareth!" Chasity stumbles blindly forward, landing with a *thud* near that green lump.

Declan wanders a bit forward, away from the other candidates, trying to get a better look

Dragonet Covered in Wet Sand wanders around behind some of these things in white, they just don't seem to see it at all. Then it spots one of those white things that looks more interesting than the others.

The green dragonet thrusts her way through another group of people and butts insistently at the legs of a tall young seacrafter lass, crooning her heart out.

"Chasity? Congrats!!" Jeanne calls when she hears the healer call out her lifemates name.

Echo agains tries to sweep her hair behind her ears...got to see....need to see she thinks.

Atanna tries to cut through the mist as best as she can with her eyes. "I hear noises, but can't see anything."

K'lan turns back to look at Kyleen, the broadest smile of his life lighting his face, then he gathers up the brown and disappears towards the candidate's room.

Misty Rain Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Dragonet Covered in Wet Sand moves over and stands behind this particular white thing peering at it unnoticed.

Amalthea laughs happily, waving over to the newly Impressed group. "Congratulations!" She calls out through the pelting rain, hoping she can be heard.

Kaleum bumps into Telinda, trying to see through the mist, "Sorry Tel."

Jerrika is wandering, separated from the other candies, unable to get her bearings.

Kyleen smiles back at K'lan and his new friend. Well - maybe it's not all that bad. She squeezes Atanna's hand for comfort - for the both of them.

Lightening Flash Egg twists, an odd motion in a soupy puddle of muddy sand.

Carlina reaches over and squeezes Echo's hand, "Have you seen any get close yet?"

Atanna moves a bit closer to Kyleen. She whispers to the other girl, "How are you doing? Can you see any better than I can?"

Telinda's hand reaches up to wipe moisture from her brow -- whether its from the heat now causing her to steam slightly, or to stop rain water, you'll never know. She epps, a hand going out to steady Kaleum as the young harper lass bumps into her, "S'ok" she shouts out, hoping to be heard

Echo shakes her head, nearly squeezing Carlina's hand off in turn, "I can't see a thing...was that a green over there?"

Zrellyn sighs softly as he moves to one side and bumps Tel from the other side, he looks down at her for a moment, muttering "Sorry..."

Kaleum shaking her head, "It is sooo steammy here, can't see a thing."

Carlina shouts back to Echo, "I think so, it was looking at Chasity."

Declan has got totally lost now, he van here the cries of the other candidates of to his left somewhere so he starts working his way back there

Jeanne shakes her head, hair flying everywhere as she loses the clasp holding her hair in place, she squeezes the hand she's holding, hoping that it is Thea's.

Kyleen squints a bit, smiling at Atanna. "I'm... o-ok. I can see... a little bit?" She starts as a dragonet streaks by, jumping back instinctively, having second thoughts again. She nearly slips in the sand, pulling Atanna with her to her knees.

Amalthea slowly steps forward again, her eyes once again return to the clutch, half visible now through the hazy air. She clutches Jeanne's hand hard, brushing her free hand against her robe.

Zrellyn qasps quietly, "A gold..." as he sees the reflection of lightning through rain and off some skin, "Or is that the Queen..."

Shards! Echo thinks...why oh why must I always wear her hair down.

Kaleum looks in the direction that Zrellyn said gold.

Atanna drops to her knees as Kyleen pulls her down, but being unbalanced, ends up on her back. She rights herself and helps Kyleen to her feet.

Dragonet Covered in Wet Sand moves right up in front of this white thing, at least that looks like it might be the front.

Jeanne almost squeaks when she hears the word gold, "Who said that?" she calls out, "Are you sure?" one hand vainly trying to keep a grip in her unruly hair.

Telinda lifts her foot up, a sudden thought coming to her mind. The sands are hot, the rain is cold, so lets cool these fardling lumps of meat down. She wiggles her toes in her sandals, letting the cool precipitation wash over first one foot, then the other, as she lifts it to do likewise. Occasionally, she glances around, not being able to see much, just avoiding more than anything.

Zrellyn gives a quick bounce as he relizes after a moment he stopped hopping, and gives a little eek from the heat.

Amalthea shifts her foot to readjust her balance, plunging her foot and sandle into a deep sandy puddle. She gasps involuntarily at the cold shock, turning to peer around as she hears voices, "Where?"

Jerrika is slowly turning in circles, trying to find a point of reference.

Misty Rain Egg twists convulsively as the rain grows even heavier, sliding down a slight mound of sand as water flows about it.

A sharp change in the wind sends a sheet of rainwater forcefully over this dragonet, washing away the sand that clings to him. The hide revealed beneath is a shade of bronze, breathtaking in the way it glitters in the brief flash of lightening.

Kaleum shaking her head, "Thought it might be gold, could be bronze, then agian could be brown."

"I can't say for sure... Possibally a bronze... maybe..." Zy says as he tries to shelter his eyes from the dropplets of rain.

Echo gasps, "Carlinea...did y'see it...it was bronze I think.." still clutching the other candidates hand

Declan stumbles directly over the pile of sand that isn't

Kaleum hops on one foot from being stepped on from another candidate.

Declan says "Oh sorry Werenth"

Carlina looks at Echo, "Yes, I think it was!"

Kyleen flips back long hair as she lets Atanna help her up, mumbling a sorry that's lost in the howel of the wind, pelting of rain, and screams of joy - and terror - from candidates. The girl glances at Telinda nervously. The shapes that look like eggs. The clumsy, innocent demons that are baby dragonets. It's so wet. So hot. But she hardly notices these things.

With a tremendous cracking noise, that could easily be confused with thunder an egg breaks forcibly open.

Echo leans over to get a better look, "Oh....congrats over there!" wondering who that was.

Somewhere out in the midst of the rain where an egg once was is now what must be a Dragonet but from this perspective only looks like a concentration of darkness in the rain. A steady stream of water cloaks this particular dragonet like an oversized cloak hiding details from view. One thing only is for sure, this dragonet sure does move fast.

Jeanne finally lets out the breath she'd been holding for the last couple moments, opening her mouth and taking great gulps of air, trying to convince her lungs its the best thing.

Atanna looks towards the sound of Declan's voice. "Werenth? Congratulations, Dec...D'clan! And to your Werenth as well!"

Kaleum looking through the rain, "I think Declan impressed."

Carlina says "Is that Declan with that bronze over there?"

Pattering Rain Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Amalthea shivers lightly, trying to distinguish who it is who called out a dragon's name. "Is that.. Declan?"

Echo moves more hair out of her face to get a better view. In a flash of lightening she makes out Declan's figure, "It is Declan...Congrats!"

Dragonet Cloaked by the Downpour scrabbles helpless as the flow of water entering its shell nearly bowls it over backwards, but gamely it gains its feet, snorting in astonishment at this tempest it's been thrust into.

Kaleum shouting over the noise, "Congrats Declan."

Declan sits in the pile of sand turn mud and looks a bit stunned

Kyleen follows the whispers and smiles to who she thinks is Declan.

S'ton wanders out. Who Impressed what? Hard to say. He just keeps following the voices, shading eyes with a hand, before coming near dragonet and figure.

Jeanne blinks, "Declan?"

Pattering Rain Egg sinks into a puddle of water somewhere out on the sands.

Telinda was looking in Kyleen's direction as she glanced at her. Seeing the look, she moves a little closer, grasping her fellow candidates hand and giving it a light squeeze with a reassuring smile. "Take a deep breath!" she shouts out, glancing around at the noise. "Was that, Dec?" she asks, raising her voice like some might have heard her shouting at serving girls!

Zrellyn looks over at the new impression, "D'clan! Well done my friend..." he says as his voice drops and he looks out onto the sand again...

Declan shouts back, "It Was! He says his name is Werenth"

Jeanne jumps a little in the sand, excited, "Congrats Declan!!"

S'ton chuckles, plugging one ear as he muses, "Well done! Let's get you and Werenth off the sands, shall we?"

The sands shift and send the Pattering Rain egg rolling towards hte candidates.

Amalthea laughs softly, rain and visibility forgotten for the moment as she calls out. "Congratulations, D'clan!!"

D'clan says "Sure, which way is that?"

Dragonet Cloaked by the Downpour braces itself on unsteady legs as the sand gives way beneath its feet, and jumps slightly in surprise at a boom of thunder, muddily seeking refuge amongst those big forms over there.

Kaleum shields her eyes in time to see something coming her way, is that an....."

Echo doesn't even notice the discomfort of the robe, her hair in her face as she pulls Carlina with her and closer to the other voices.

Telinda chuckles and then splutters, swallowing more water than air, "Congrats, Dec" she calls out, using a pause in the thunder to do so. The candidates past disappearing from each side, she flickers a look to one side and then the next. Might have to move fast.

Jerrika spots somethink that looks throught the rain to be another candie. She heads that way.

Judith pushes wet hair from her eyes and follows the newly impressed from her the sands with her eyes.

Carlina follows after Echo, fighting with her wet, unruly hair.

Kyleen is suddenly a lot calmer now that Telinda is beside her. She peers around a lot more curiously, clasping Atanna and Telinda's hands- very- tightly. Oh, no! Not... thunder! Ky is suddenly torn to pieces by the loud noise, and starts to tremble again, however so slightly.

Zrellynreaches down to take the hand nearest his.... and turns and looks.... Blue hair? As he gives Telindra a nervous smile and whispers, "Is it always like this?"

Dragonet Cloaked by the Downpour pauses, dark head twisting, alert to a happy sound in all this...scary, WET, dark madness. A creeling sound emits from a young throat as the shape approaches the pair of women close by.

Amalthea returns to peering through the rain, muttering something softly to herself as she tries to distinguish candidate from egg from dragonet from rain. She turns towards Jeanne as if to make sure she's still nearby.

Atanna squeezes Kyleen's hand to let the frightened girl know that she's beside her. "You're okay... Just noise." She smiles to Kyleen and tries to look back out to the mess that is supposedly the Hatching Grounds.

Squinting through the rain you can only make out the vague shape of what must be a dragonet's head emerging from an egg.

*BUMP*

and a small cluster of soaked candidates nearly knock each other down at the sudden noise.

*BUMP*

Shells, what is that noise coming from? Certainly a small dragon couldn't make a noise that loud? There's only wet sand to stomp on around here.

*BUMP*

A candidate screams and darts over to a group of friends, pointing and yelling that *something* was just over /there/. Calling upon group bravery, a few hold hands and slowly make their way closer for a better inspection.

*BUMP*

Carlina screams and jumps closer to Echo, "Something bumped into me!"

Amalthea half shrieks, jumping well back at the loud sounds nearby. "What.. what was that?" She calls out, voice nearly frantic.

Telinda brushes her shoulder against Kyleen, offering her what comfort she can and then looks at her other hand as its taken. Oh Shards and shells! Zrellyn! This is all we need! She inhales deeply. Calm, Telinda, calm. He an't dye you out here. She nods, "Always" she manages in a neutral voice to Zrellyn.

Echo puts a comforting arm around Carlina and tries to put on a brave face, "Maybe...maybe..." she starts to say betweenclaps of thunder, "it's a hatchling."

Kaleum looks around trying to figure out why people are screaming.

Jeanne glances over at Thea, though she can barely make her out, biting her lower lip as she hears the bumps and thumps, "What was that???"

Dragonet Cloaked by the Downpour startles in response to the loud noise, and rushes towards the closest, formerly laughing shape, creeling in distress.

A thing that goes bump in the night *BUMP*

Kyleen nods quickly to Atanna. Noise. Just noise. Her eyes are large as she peers around, wincing at Amalthea's shreik.

The rain clears around Amalthea and you can now see the previously rain cloaked dragonet in vivid clarity. The shimmering iridescent shade of a tarnished glass of scotch, this green enchantress stands before the black haired girl and starts to croon in the happiness only impression can bring.

Drizzly Rain Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Echo watches a she thinks she sees a green...but...it rushes over to some other figure in the darkness.

Amalthea blinks and gulps once, then twice. "I uh.. Kilaranth? Uh.. no, not usually.." Her voice trails off slightly, eyes widening as her tears intermingle with the rain streaming down her face. "Kilaranth!" The word is joyous and exaltant all at once as she throws her arms around the dragonet.

Drizzly Rain Egg spins around in a circle as it rolls off a small pile of sound.

Echo thinks she recognizes the voice, "'Thea...is that you?"

S'ton smiles. He's close enough this time. He meanders over to Amalthea, before whispering something to her, quietly.

Atanna grins widely and brightly at Amalthea. "Congratulations!"

Jeanne blinks, "Thea??"

Carlina peers through the rain, "I think that is Thea!"

Kaleum looks over and attempts to see who has impressed.

A thing that goes bump in the night *BUMP* right near Echo and Carlina, behind them in fact.

Hilo jumps a bit at the noise near Echo

Echo smiles, "Oh 'Thea Congrats!" she says geniunely happy for the girl.

Zrellyn looks over, and see movement at THea's feet, "What... Ohhh..." the words melt from his mouth...

Carlina screams again! Jumping forward from the bump.

Kaleum finally reconizes who impressed. "Congrats Thea!"

Bank of Sand Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Echo jumps, screaming and almost into hilo.'

Amalthea blinks, still unable to believe it. "Kilaranth.. you hungry?" She asks, looking up and following behind the weyrlingmaster.

Drizzly Rain Egg wiggles rapidly all the way over into a puddle.

Kyleen whirls at more noises, the ones coming from Amalthea. She beams at the new impressee, getting more used to this as things go along.

Jeanne jumps at Carlina's screams, getting totally and throughly confused.

The storm, after its brief lenient lull, renews its intensity...the interval between lightening and thunder continues to shorten.

Kaleum puts her fingers in her ears to block out some of the noise and confusion.

Bank of Sand Egg rolls about, right on the edge of your vision getting coated in wet sand.

The darkness throbs pregnantly for a moment and then the sound of a dragonet's hungry crealing fills the air as it steps forth from the shell.

Telinda blinkblinks, water pouring down her cheeks that had been sitting on her eyelashes. She shouts over a congratulations, not knowing to who it went, but well, the thought's there. A foot squidges in a puddle, and her nose wrinkles -eww! Boots would have been _so_ much nicer. Ah well.

Squeals of pain, squeals of horror, squeals of hunger, squeals of cold? Who can tell the difference between noises with the rain pouring so thickly! Something rushes by a candidate, and the sound is heard after the body is long gone into the shadows before he hears it and turns to observe. He has no idea who, or what, it was? A hungry dragon or a frightened candidate? Its hard to tell with no light. A scream arises from the other side of the cavern and a red headed girl falls to the ground, knocked over by whatever it was that still pierces the night with an occasional cry of panic.

Echo instinctively grabs the nearest thing she sees and almost strangles Hilo in the process. She turns to see what and where the noise was coming from, "Shards! What was that.

Atanna smiles at Kyleen. "It's amazing, isn't it?" She looks out at the mist-shrouded Grounds and tries to make out any recognizeable shapes on the sands, whether they be eggs, hatchlings or Candidates.

Hilo shrugs and looks about "Dunno, Echo... didn't it come from there?"

A thing that goes bump in the night *BUMP* this time either right near Telinda's nose or somewhere to the left of Kaleum.

Carlina picks herself up off of the ground, "What was that??"

With one hand holding back her hair, the other desparately trying to shield her eyes from the rain, Jeanne fizes her gaze in the eggs, trying to see how many are left.

Kaleum jumps at the sound close to her, and looks around, "What was that Carlina?"

"Shards and shells... What is that?" Zy mutters as he looks about, not wanting to get knocked over by anything, let alone make him more nervious.

Echo shudders a bit and rights herself toward what she thinks is the eggs, "Am I facing the right way?" she yells out over the noise.

Squealing sound moving too quick zips right in front of Atanna, then makes a sharp right back behind a few other candidates.

Telinda jumps. What in Faranth's private parts was that?! She blinks, staring out in front of her. Something? No, can't see nothing! She squeezes on Kyleen's hand, though whether to reassure her or Telinda is uncertain

Hilo turns Echo "Maybe this way..."

Echo grins bashfully, "Uhh...thanks Hilo."

Kaleum shouts, "Whatever it is it's fardling fast!"

Judith shivers, stifling a scream of her own as something rushes by her in the rainy darkness.

Kyleen nods, wide-eyed, to Atanna, jumping again. She shrugs to the other confused candidates - she has /no/ idea what that noise is ether. Too many noises to count. Too many scary noises! She smiles to both of the girls on ether side of her, squeezing hands back.

Downpour Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Hilo turns the other direction from Echo. No point in not having each other's backs covered

Downpour Egg splish-splashes out, rolling about until it settles in a wet wallow.

Jeanne jumps, trying to get a look at what ever is rushing around, hoping that she isn't going to be in its path.

Jerrika is distracted by some movement atthe edge of her vision, amd starts moving towards it, hoping it's another Candie who can orient her.

Squealing sound moving too quick scurries by in a wet blur beside Telinda then disappears behind two unhatched eggs.

A thing that goes bump in the night *BUMP* right next to Jeanne *BUMP* right behind a toe-headed candidate who nearly faints in shock.

Zrellyn jumps, and jumps high as something runs over his foot, "Yeowch!"

Jeanne lets out a shriek, skitting sideways away from the noise.

Kyleen almost screams as the streak comes close to her. She clings to her friends.

Downpour Egg shivers, shaking water from it's surface. Lightening cracks....or was that the egg itself?

A fear-stricken hatchling, mud and sand almost entirely covering his slight blue form, nearly bowls over a very young lad from Southern Weyr in his urgency to seek solace.

Kaleum trips over her drenched robe and lands with an audible *whomp*.

Squealing sound moving too quick comes to a screaching halt in front of one of the candidates.

Hilo gasps and reaches out for a friendly hand as something goes streaking by

Telinda follows the noise that scurries past her -- head moves -- right to left -- *zoom* Shards, that was quick! She takes a step backwards, flicking her hair from her face, maybe thats whats disturbing her sense of vision. Clear eyes reveal nothing more though and she contents herself to squint into the rain sheeting down in front of her.

Faster than you can blink an eye an egg cracks open, giving you a hint of damp wings.

Zrellyn looks down at Tel, "What was that?"

Murmured questions ripple through the small clusters of candidates, huddled together in confusion and cold. What was that? Did you see that? I don't think there's anything there! It certainly doesn't seem to have a dragonet form - it could just be a rock, or another candidate for all they know. Are you going to go check it out? You first! No, you first! No... after you...

Bank of Sand Egg is nearly run over by something going *BUMP* in the night and starts to crack open.

Standing before Jeanne is a stunning, cider shaded green where once there were only shadows and a hackle raising squeal. The dragonet takes a stumbling step forward, peridot wings fluttering slightly to maintain her balance. With a triumphant noise she makes known that impression has occurred.

Echo grabs Hilo's hand as it brushes against hers.

Hilo says "Echo... did you just see something?"

Telinda shakes her head, body tilting towards Zrellyn, "Haven't a sharding clue! Wish this rain would let up!"

Atanna whips her head from side to side, hearing shouts and squeals on either side of her. "Shards, I hope people are alright in here... there's a lot of noise..." She looks worriedly at Kyleen...

Carlina says "Look Jeanne, right in front of you!"

Echo eyes wide responds,hervoice hardly audible,"I saw something...streak past here."

Jeanne's eyes widen, she drops to her knees, not caring about the heat of the sands, "Zarynth?"

Did you see what I just saw? sits like the lump is it. Some flares out from its solid surface, but is pulled back so quickly, it could have been the effect of the rain. Again it sits, only shifting just so.

A startlingly /LARGE/ and strong shape, low to the ground, appears as if by magic in the midst of a group of Candidates, shreds of broken shell still clinging to his dark wings as he creels urgently at one person, then another.

Hilo squeezes Echo's hand in his, waiting for the next surprise

A thing that goes bump in the night *BUMP* but is outclassed by a loud rumble of thunder and a flash of bright light, illumniating the sands for a fraction of a second.

Echo grins and points for Hilo,"Look it's Jeanne!" she says then yells, "Congrats!"

S'ton blinks. Someone else? Already? He trundles out, wandering over to Jeanne, before leading her and Zarynth away.

Jeanne glances around, trying to spot the WLM, "She shay she's hungry!"

Atanna grins towards where she thinks Jeanne is. "Congratulations, Jeanne!"

Hilo turns and smiles "Good for you, Jeanne!"

Kaleum picks herself up and rubs where the sand was, looks just in time to see what she though was Jeanne impress.

Zrellyn shakes his head, and mutters, "Wish they watch my toes... Dont need broken toes with hot feet..." he says, as he wobbles from foot to foot.

Kyleen's healer personality suddenly takes over as she catches bits and pieces of Atanna's whisper. She darts glances around, hopping slightly on her bare toes. She's more concerned for others than frightened. Interesting.

Did you see what I just saw? finally moves, streaking across the base of the sands, hint of form erased by the downpour. It slithers, low-crouched, heading towards white with incredible speed.

Echo backs away atthe shardin fast creature

Jerrika is slogging through the mist-shrouded sand, and suddenly a large something looms out of the darkness. She gasps, but then realizes it's S'ton.

Hilo erfs as Echo pulls him back, nearly sliding in the wet sand

Carlina moves towards Echo, not liking to be out in this rain without someone nearby.

Echo comes to her senses and tries to keep Hilo from sliding, "Sorry...." she calls out.

Zrellyn looks down at his toes and wiggles each one, one by one....an impressive feet in itself.... "They all work..."

A rail-thin cotholder shrieks with fear and bolts away, as it seems the very sand underneath him convulses...only to fall at the knees of the plaintively crying green dragonet mere paces away, ignoring the rain and starting to whisper soft, encouraging endearments.

S'ton blinks, before grinning down to Jerrika, helping her over to the other candidates. "Here ya go," he murmurs, before moving back to help another weyrling and dragonet.

Jerrika calls to S'ton, "Shells but I'm gad to see something alive after all that sand and fog."

Kaleum looks around and can't see anyone, heads in a directions hoping to see something.

Hilo smiles weakly "Don't worry about it. We're all nerves out... what was that over there?"

A thing that goes bump in the night *BUMP* this time near Zrellyn and *BUMP* moving closer to a female candidate *BUMP* and a rumble to pardon itself as it almost runs into an egg.

Echo shakes her wet head,"A green or blue I think."

Atanna peers around, trying to make head or hide of the goings-on around her. She closes her eyes and looks upward, letting rain wash over her. She then drops her head to her chest and sighs. "I'm trying to relax a bit, but thee rain and noise aren't helping any."

Echo calls out, "Watch out!" as she sees the pinball hatchling bump from one candidate to the next.

Telinda blinks rapidly a few times, blinded by the bright light of the lightening as it streaks down from above. She frees her hand from Zrellyn for a moment, wiping the back of it across her forehead and then blotting it against her cheeks, revelling in the cold against burning flesh. Strangely, she recaptures Zrellyn's hand, before glancing in front -- directly in front. Another dragonet?!

Judith steps out of another candidates way and looks about, trying to tell how many eggs are left in all the confusion.

Did you see what I just saw? continues, snaking quickly, wrapping about and scaring the bejeebers out of a candidate, the girl left wet and shaking as the dragonet continues on. Head tilted, it heads towards another group of candidates, huddled together.

Kaleum lands in the sand being hit from behind by something moving fast.

Echo says "Shells that thing over there is fast...watch out..." she edges closer to Carlina..then Hilo."

Something bumps into a gangly male candidate, pushing him over into the sand. When the lad stands back up the mists swirl about him and reveal a healthy sized blue dragonet. The blue of frigid vodka pooled on a surface of cool pewter colors this dragonet's hide. He nearly bumps into the same gangly lad again before Kaleum catches his eye and heart as well.

Zrellynswivils about, "What... Bumping? Speeding hatchling? WHats next?" trying to spot something between the drops of rain.

Atanna sqeezes kyleen's hand for some comfort, just in knowing that the girl is still nearby.

Hilo spies Kaleum and goes over to help her up "Are you okay?"

On the ledges, Javanth soars in from the open sky above and backwings to a landing on an empty ledge.

On the ledges, S'ard unstraps himself and lowers himself to the ground.

Kaleum blinks and moves her hair from her eyes.

Kaleum says "Nevorth?"

A brace of eggs shatter at once... one slowly, the other almost exploding in its haste. The two occupants spend long moments sorting themselves out...a muddy wing here, a membrane-trapped tail there... and then they both set off in seperate directiongs, creeling in loneliness and rising fright at the violence of the storm.

Echo moves over to see, dragging Carlina with her, "Congrats!"she calls out.

Hilo backs up, since Kaleum might not need help now

Jerrika also goes over to Kaleum and Hilo. "Which way are the hatchlings coming from mostly? I haven't seen one yet... I think."

Kyleen shakes her head, not pleased. "These dragons are going so fast - someone is going to get hurt! I know it." She smiles to Atanna, wincing as more ligntning strikes. Well, at least she could see for a few seconds - if she wanted to see!

A large egg rolls free from the rest of the clutch and then shatters apart, spilling forth a dragonet.

Something very impressive in size is now moving about on the sands with total disregard for hatching etiquette. While it should be approaching candidates and staring wistfully into their eyes, it is instead moving from puddle to puddle and stomping in them with great glee. It's not that this Dragonet is a rebel, far from it..it's just that there's so much fun to be had, and surely if that special human has waited this long, they can wait until all the good puddles have been dealt with. *SPLASH* Such fun! Isn't that what coming out of your shell is all about?

Did you see what I just saw? is making its way to the group, heedless of the water, sticking sands, and noises. It just continues.....did it hear something. Head lifts....before heading that way.

Kaleum says "His name is Nevorth!""

On the ledges, Janya waves to S'ard and turns back to the sands.

S'ton wanders out, before finding his way to Kaleum. "Nevorth, is it? Well, let's get you and Nevorth out of here, alright?"

Atanna beams towards the sound of Kaleum's voice. "Yay, Kaleum!" She turns her head towards the splashing noises. "What in Faranth's name was THAT???"

On the ledges, S'ard flops down at the edge of the lede and peers down, feet hanging over empty space.

Hilo grins at Kaleum and Nevorth. He wanders around through the rain to find Echo and Carlina

Echo can't help but chuckle,the only time tonight as she sees the splashing dragonet.

Zrellyn smiles and gives a wave through the rain at Kaleum, "Congrats!"

Carlina smiles, "Who's splashing around?"

Echo laughs,"I thought that was you.

Hilo turns around. "Don't know, Carlina, but this isn't exactly the best time to play, I'd think"

Telinda has to shakes her head as a bright flash of lightening reveals a splashing hatching?! She blinks and peers closer, a chuckle escaping from her as she does indeed see one. She tugs once on Kyleen's hand, "Looks like someone likes the rain" she shouts out

Did you see what I just saw? stops. That voice....it hasn't spoken again. How it hears it, one can only guess, but the dragonet slinks, racing towards that hudded group of guys and gals, stopping at last to sniff at each.

Zrellyn looks out towards the splashing sound, "Is some candidate playing in the rain?"

Something Large Stomping in Puddles rushes past Atanna and right to a big fat puddle, *SPLASH* all over some candidates nice white robe, good thing the rain already mad sure it was wet.

Carlina shouts to Echo over the noise, "I wouldn't be playing in puddles now!"

Echo can't help but giggle now. Is it from nerves or just her good-humour.

Lightening Flash Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Jerrika reaches down to adjust a sandal that has come loose in the burning hot sand.

Kyleen chews on her underlip, trying to take in everything at once. She grins as she hears that Kaleum impressed, then in distracted by Telinda's tug. She giggles quietly. "Well - I guess sometimes you need to make the best of it." Ky erks as she's suddenly a little bit more drenched than she was a few seconds ago. "Hey! That's not funny..." She's giggling!

Hilo pushes wet hair back again, and rubs his eyes. "Shells, but this rain picked a bad time to fall"

Telinda shakes her head at Zrellyn, "Nope. Had a set of wings I could swear!" Attention swivels back to the dragonets, eyes glancing up to check on the state of the rain. Still looks like there's plenty up there. Oh well. She sighs, though its doubtfully heard and looks down.

Did you see what I just saw? wanders up! It spoke! The one it's looking for spoke! It heads over to formerly vacated puddle, towards the yeller, and looks up at her, bumping her in the stomach with angled snout.

Something Large Stomping in Puddles takes a running splash into a puddle even larger than the last one, tis puddle is the best ever, I mean really..oh! Look at /that/ puddle! It's even better!

I think maybe I see what color it is! Someone excitedly whispers near you and points and now you see too. A dragonet the shade of tarnished scotch has stepped into an area that is momentarily free of rain. Mists swirl about her tail and legs but the beauty of her coloring is clear enough. She's turned her head and fixed whirling eyes upon the face of Kyleen.

Echo giggles again as she hears the splashing, "O.k. who is that?!"

Zrellyn looks out again as he pulls at his robe, the itchy wet materal stuck to his skin. He starts itching his side with his free hand, as he give's Tel's hand a squeeze from the itch.

Lightening Flash Egg wriggles in its enclosed position between an outcropping of rock and the shell of another egg, its motions slow at first and then becoming more frantic.

Hilo turns slowly around in a circle, trying to find the sound. "Whoever it is seems to be enjoying himself"

Telinda takes a step backwards and flickers her glance back out. Knowing those first few moments are precious she calls out a quiet "Congratulations"

Echo calls out, "Congrats Kyleen."

Kyleen blinks, momentarily stunned. She falls to her knees like a small, wet doll, staring at the beautiful face dragonet face before her. Whatever fear of dragon she once had materilizes immediatly. "Lucienth?" It's whispered sooo quietly, almost timidly. Very hard to hear.

Atanna notices a large shape in front of Kyleen. She smiles largely at her friend. "Congratulation!"

A sudden, brilliant flash of light cascades down into the hatching cavern area as the storm slowly builds even further, the shocking rattle of thunder close on its heels.

S'ton wanders up, seeing dragon shape and ...Kyleen? A quick grin, before he kneels to tell her something.

After rolling around in the rain for several minutes an egg finally decides to reveal what secret it holds.

What a Wet Night! Egg rolls out of the Great heap of eggs, leaving it one less in number.

Zrellyn looks over to the other side of Tel, "Kyleen? What is... Ohh... Congrats!" he calls out, waving his hand, the one that still hold's Tel's still in it.

Somewhere out in the middle of the eggs a dragonet is lost. A pitiful noise can be heard moving between egg shards, a lost and frightened noise that touches hearts. Occasionally you catch sight of a tail tip, or just the edge of a wing sparkling out of the darkness, but for the most part all you can hear is the sound of a dragonet calling for it's lifemate.

Hilo turns "Now, that was a dragonet, for sure. Sounds like its upset..."

What a Wet Night! Egg gets lost in sheets of rain, even if it is moving about.

Telinda nudges Zrellyn with her elbow. "Stop that!" she exclaims, tugging her arm back down

Frightened Dragonet Lost Among the Eggs shrieks in fear and huddles to the ground as the booming roll of thunder continues to sound.

Echo shudders at the noise, looking very much like a drenched wherry or some other animal.

Atanna looks worried. "That noise.... It sounds scared... Or maybe hurt..." She smiles at her friend as Kyleen leaves with her new lifemate.

Jerrika peers out towards the keening sound.

Kyleen forgot to let go of hands. She does that now, so that she can embrace her new friend!

Zrellyn offs, and smiles an apollogy, "Sorry there... FOrgot..." he mutters as he looks out, spying for more moving forms.

Hilo dares to step a few paces forward, trying to find the source of the creening. "I can't see anything out there."

Something Large Stomping in Puddles races from puddle to puddle, will the fun never end? It trips taking a big dive and ends nose down in the sands. With much paniced squealing the dragonet tries to right itself.

Frightened Dragonet Lost Among the Eggs looks quickly this way and that, faint glimmers of lightning showing potential escape paths this way and that. It darts fluidly down a likely way, only to come up against a pair of shells and the rock wall of the cavern....and it twists, creeling fearfully.

Carlina looks for the sounds of squeeling, but can't see anything for the rain.

Echo holds out a hand"Hilo be careful!"

Judith moves to the left, peering through to the crealing noise in the mist, but is unsure exactly where the dragonet is.

Hilo jumps, hearing another squeeling sound to his side. "Shells, what's going on?" He quickly backsteps to Echo.

What a Wet Night! Egg rolls into the upset waters of a recently splashed puddle.

Echo shakes her head, "I don't know but whatever it is it's big!"

Kyleen admires a Lucienth closely.

Atanna looks towards the double noses of squealing, her head turning back and forth, failing to be able to concentrate on both at the same time.

Frightened Dragonet Lost Among the Eggs whimpers, head tilting instinctively towards the large enormous shape hulking nearby, then strikes out, still seeking...sand-muddied, stubby fledgling wings flapping ineffectively in protest.

Zrellyn looks about, "It sounds like were having everything but a hatching here with everything thats going on..." he says....Ofcourse how would he know what a hatching sounds like... It's his first....

Something Large Stomping in Puddles manages to dig out of the sound, at least you think it did because something large just made a puddle splash on far side of the sands.

Frightened Dragonet Lost Among the Eggs brushes by very close to Zyrellyn, infant tones showing fear and uncertainty.

Echo cocks her head toward the noise, "Was that thunder or....shells..a hatchling?" her eyes growing wide.

A sudden flash of lightening reveals that an egg must have /just/ hatched, for bits of brightly colored shell litter the area where it once sat.

Hilo grabs Echo's hand again. "Who knows... but stick close to me, and uh... I'll keep you safe." Yeah, that's it. Protection in numbers

Judith shuffles her feet nervously, rain dripping from her hair.

A large, dark sweep of mist gradually gathers about an egg and settles for a minute. Suddenly it swells in size and then starts to move away from the egg, leaving only shards behind. It doesn't take long before you figure out that there must be a Dragonet in the center of all that mist because it's moving very quickly now, headed for the candidates.

Jerrika takes a few steps away from the other candies towards the sound, looks back, and has lost sight of them again. She stands still, peering through the veils of rain.

Zrellyn looks about, "Huh? What...."

Carlina heads towards Echo again, having lost her in the rain for a bit.

Zrellyn looks about trying to see what that was...

Telinda stands a bit closer to Zrellyn, "Can you see anymore out there?" she asks, tiredness exuding her voice.

Echo huddles very close to Carlina and Hilo.

Frightened Dragonet Lost Among the Eggs makes another soft sound, backing away quickly with a shriek of dismay, small tail brushing against Zrellyn's shins.

Atanna makes herself a bit dizzy with all of her head-spinning. She closes her eyes to settle herself. When she opens them, she tries to peer into the mists, knowing that there is something out there.

Something Large Stomping in Puddles splashes in another puddle and then suddenly realizes that all of hte eggs have been hatched, and here it is, still messing around. Reluctantly leaving the fabulous puddle behind it heads towards the candidates, peering at them curiously.

Mist Shrouded Dragonet drifts over towards a huddled group of candidates.

Zrellyn pulls Tel's hand, HARD as he points down at his feet, completely quiet and scarred....

Echo takes in a breathe and forgets to let it out.

Hilo opens his eyes wide "Is that something... moving closer?"

Something Large Stomping in Puddles creeps towards the candidates, you get an impression of large wings and whirling eyes before the mist eclipses it.

Telinda blinks and looks down at Zrellyn's socket wrenching pull and epps, pulling back out of the way. Dragonet equals danger. Lets go. Yep. Too close!

Echo stammers, "I...I...don't know."

Atanna's hands clench and unclench in her nervousness. She notices a dragonet near Zrellyn. She grins over at him. It's okay, Zrellyn. You won't be hurt..."

Imagine a finely cultured pearl, perfect in it's silken finish. Now, imagine that pearl submerged in a pool of sparkling champagne. The fine gold color of the liquid intoxication tints the rich surface of the pearl to create a color of flawless, golden beauty. The combined dampness of the rain and of all those puddles she's been gleefully stomping in clings to her skin and serves to heighten the illusion. In the moment that the rain reveals this newly hatched Queen you realize that she's finally run out of puddles to stomp and is now looking at Telinda.

Mist Shrouded Dragonet drifts away from that group and over towards another group.

Frightened Dragonet Lost Among the Eggs blinks in alarm...only its brilliant, hunger-red tinged eyes visible against the backdrop of the downpour, as it brushes even closer towards another of the Candidates, a yellow wash of fright and alarm flickering brightly.

Zrellyn doesn't move, afraid that he might smooch the dragonette at his feet, ignoring the burning of the sands in his fear, as he keeps tugging on Tel's arm.

Hilo holds his breath for a moment, wondering if the shapes around him will ever stop moving. After a moment, he realises he's holding his breath and exhales slowly.

Jerrika stumbles back a few steps from something moving off to her left, with a gasp of alarm.

Echo sees Hilo breathe and remembers to breathe herself.

The combined dampness of the rain increases the effect of molten gold hide on the creautre peering at Telinda.

Frightened Dragonet Lost Among the Eggs tilts its head upwards, snorting softly, then scurries away from Zrellyn, body startlingly fluid and lithe for one so newly hatched. It runs full on towards the next group of Candidates, urgently creeling now, seeking...something.

Hilo jumps, nearly knocking over Echo. "Something's coming this waaaayyy...."

Carlina looks over, "Is that a blue person with the gold?"

Atanna jumps out of the way as a streak zooooms past her! She lets aout a tiny shriek!

Echo stumbles, her left side covered in sand now, "Where..where...." she scrambles up.

Zrellyn whewwws, as he turns to say sorry to Tel, sees the golden hide infront of her...

Judith ohs and smiles, watching the last few impressions be made. She shuffles from foot to foot, relaxing a bit now that it's almost over.

Jerrika heads toward the sound of voices.

Telinda drops Zrellyn's hand with the shock of that voice, head flickering around to look around her, looking like it was red hot. She blinks, shaking water from her face and a hand stretches out, tentatively, "Tiarnath?" she whispers quietly. Then her face meshes into one of consternation and joy, all mingled into one, "Oh yes!" she declares, "There's much fun to be had!"

Hilo leans over "Sorry, Echo!" He reaches down to help her up

Mist Shrouded Dragonet wafts over towards another candidate, then keeps on moving leaving behind just a bit of mist.

Frightened Dragonet Lost Among the Eggs completes the motion Hilo started, bowling Echo back down again in its fright and urgency to be comforted.

Sparkling like the cool water of a high mountain stream, the hide of this blue catches the light right as he finds his way out of the labyrinth of egg shells and into Echo's life. Looking into the young smith's eyes the dragonet stops his frightened creeling and begins to trumpet in utter delight.

Echo blinks softly, "Don't be scared Firenth!" she says taking hold of the sparkling blue.

S'ton wanders over to Telinda, tsking quietly. "Tiarnath, eh? Let's get you and her off the sands, alright?"

Hilo jumps back, and nearly leaves his skin behind. "Oh, shells! Echo!"

Echo laughs softly as the blue crouches over her, as she lies in the sand.

Atanna grins at the sound of Echo's voice. "Congratulations, Echo..."

Hilo grins and gives Echo and her dragonet room to move.

S'ton blinks. Another, so soon? He gets up from his crouching spot, before making his way to Echo, murmuring something quietly to her.

Carlina smiles, "Echo!

Mist Shrouded Dragonet drifts about a little more, now where was that one I looked at just a moment ago.

Zrellyn sighs softly as he gives a soft "Congradulations Tel..." he sputters out as he watches erh leave.

Telinda frowns a little, "Hungry? Well that won't do. You know, theres some lovely red meat. Where? Just over here. Come on" she calls out to the tiny gold who continues splashing puddles all the way to the candidate room

From a distance, Jerrika stands watching the rain all round her. Rain and mist and sand.

From a distance, Atanna barely sees that there are very few people left on the sands. She turns to them all and says, "Good luck."

From a distance, Hilo rubs his arms to create some warmth. "Who's all left?" He looks about, trying to figure out if there are any dragonets left

Zale blinks, "Telinda! You impressed! Congrats!"

Echo grins,"Congrats all!"

Kyleen curls up with her Lucienth, buring her wet face into soft, yet dripping, green hide. Always in contact, Ky turns to watch the rest of the impressions, her face lighting up as she catches Telinda with the puddle-pouncer. "Oh! Tel! Congrats!"

From a distance, Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but doesn't that mist shrouded Dragonet suddenly look very much like a large mug of frothy bronze cocoa? In fact the mist is clearing up a bit and swirling off from around him, making you think even more of a steaming drink. Now that his hide is revealed you notice not only the attractive coloring on this large bronze but also the enchanting way he's looking at Zrellyn.

From a distance, Jerrika calls out into the air, "I'm still here, and I'm lost again."

Amalthea looks up, pausing in feeding Kilaranth to grin to Echo and Telinda. "Oh my.. congratulations, both of you!"

Telinda nods to everyone, eyes still wide in shock, "I never.." it trails off. "Oh Faranth!" she exclaims. "I'm hungry!"

From a distance, Carlina heads over towards Jerrika now that she doesn't have Echo to look for anymore.

From a distance, Eliora walks over from an archway leading off the sands.

From a distance, R'lien strides over from an archway leading off the sands.

From a distance, Jerrika sees a shape moving towards her... "Carlina!" She grins nervously.

From a distance, Atanna notices the small bronze by Zrellyn. She smiles up at the taller boy. "Look down," she says to him.

From a distance, Zrellyn catches his breath for a moment, and holds it as he knells down, "Breathe? Bu I..." he pauses, "Yes Helth.... Anything you want..." he cries out, not realizing the tears running down his cheeks.

From a distance, Hilo hears Jerrika's voice and heads over, trying to find a familiar face

From a distance, Carlina smiles, "Jerrika, I think I missed most of it all in this rain!"

Thakur appears from nowhere in a burst of frigid air, chittering happily.

From a distance, S'ton wanders over to Zrellyn. It's getting easier to find these weyrlings now. A grin, before he muses, "Helth, eh? Let's get you and Helth out of here."

From a distance, Jerrika grins back, "I know I missed most of it." she responds.

From a distance, "Food?" looking down hearing two grumbles...ANd looks at S'ton, "Yes... Ocourse..."

From a distance, Atanna grins at Zrellyn and his new mate.

Thakur vanishes suddenly, leaving behind a burst of chilly air.

From a distance, Hilo sighs softly and looks about. He rubs his arms again, trying to warm up

From a distance, Carlina spies the weyrleaders in the rain and takes Jerrika's hand, "I think it's over, let's go see what they have to say." She puts on a smile bigger than she feels.

From a distance, Atanna looks about, not seeing anymore hatchlings or eggs. She looks at her feet...

From a distance, Eliora goes to talk to the remaining candidates, "I'm sorry you didn't impress tonight, but not every candidate finds a lifemate on the sands. You're all welcome to stay on at the weyr, or visit often if you are crafters, and of course you are welcoem to stand again next time.'

Z'lyn wobbles in carrying his bronze beauty as he looks about at the rest of the weyrlings, not realizing he was the last one.

From a distance, Jerrika takes Carlina's hand. "Ok, lets. I want to get my feet cooled down at the least."

From a distance, Carlina heads over and smiles when she spots Atanna, "I guess it's back to work for us."

Zale grins, and snugas ya'll Congrats!

Kinrowan appears from nowhere with a breeze of chilly air.

Amalthea moves in the barracks, one hand resting lightly on Kilaranth's side. "Yes, love, this is our new home." She murmers to the green dragonet, glancing around at the other weyrlings with a smile.

Zale smiles as she watches the new paired weyrlings, she glances over at S'ton, "This remind you of anything?"

Telinda shakes her head, "No no, we _can't_ play! There's things..what things? Just _things_!" she exclaimsto the tiny gold

S'ton nods, chuckling quietlt as he looks over to Zale. "Aye....so you know what to expect."

K'lan finds a seat against a wall, cradling Xaalth's head in his lap and murmuring to him, oblivious to all else.

Kyleen grins at Telinda, tears streaming down her cheeks as she glances down at her dragon again. She's at a loss for words.

D'clan sits on his cot with a rather dazed expression

Zale grins wryly, "Yeah..well it can't possibily |`F that hard?"

Jeanne follows in, trailing behind the others, one hand on her lifemate. Is it an expression of pure bewilderment on her face? Most likely. She glances around the room, seeking out some stabilizer and finally tries a smile at Zale..shaky.

Z'lyn smiles as he goes over and picks up a bowl of meet from the druge and starts slowly feeding it to Helth, "Now now... Eat slowly..."