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Post by thedreamerlady on Mar 16, 2008 18:38:34 GMT -5
Come down to the Sands now. Saharth wined at her rider. There was only one time that her dragon ever truly whined, and it was when she was to start Clutching. The sand colored Queen never started clutching without her rider there, and if her rider tried to leave- for any reason, all Fall broke loose.
I'm coming, my sweet. Jenafa promised, and broke into a run, down out of her Weyr, across the Weyrbowl, and into the Sands. There was Saharth, pacing uncomfortably, belly swollen, hide stretched, bulk large and imposing.
You are here. Stay. Squatting carefully over a dent in the sand, Saharth released the first of her eight clutch into the world. The egg was decent sized, and though at the first the gleam made Jenafa wondered if it was a Golden egg, it turned out to be simple the light, and after Saharth carefully positioned it, she turned her attention back to Clutching the next egg, which was much smaller, and obviously a Green or Blue egg. Jen, thinking encouraging thoughts, moved to a cooler section of the Sands, content to watch for the hours it might take for all the eggs to be clutched.
As the second egg was given as much attention as the first, Saharth gently moved it into it's perfect position, before pacing again. It seemed the third egg wasn't content to slide out like the other two. Jenafa didn't care, watching her Golden beauty, and wondering when the Weyrfolk when begin appearing to watch the Queen lay. It was a treat open for all of them, and one much enjoyed. After all, an Egg meant a chance for yourself, or one of your relatives to Impress. And Hatching made everyone who saw them feel good for days, and even the rare death- something that had yet to happen at Saharth’s clutch, couldn’t ruin it.
“You’re doing beautiful, my love.” She told her dragon, unable to look away from the large Golden Queen, not caring that she was sweating from the heat on the Sands, nor that skirt was a somber brown, and her shirt large and white, not something bright and welcoming and pretty. It didn’t matter, and everything was going well. The dark skinned lady was proud.
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 17, 2008 16:29:31 GMT -5
The Weyrleader was one of the first to know that Saharth was clutching. As head of the Weyr, he was interested in the outcome of Saharth's last flight. If it was a particularly small clutch it would be easier to sway Shaye that they needed a couple new Bronzers. If it was large or at all better than usual, it would make that harder. He also wondered if perhaps there might be some metallics. It had been an eventful flight so he hoped for at least two Bronzes to add to their ranks.
A'stin strode in, suprised to be the second person there. As reverent and quiet as he could he moved over to Jen. "Congratulations dear." He smiled though he tried to keep it on a platonic level. Shaye would be in sooner than later he expected.
"How's it coming?" He wanted a good count from Saharth just as much as the next person. It had been a good flight and it irked him that Telgar was boasting thirty eggs a clutch. The Gold obviously knew what she was doing and was taking great care in handling the eggs. Clutchings were a thing of wonder for most Weyrfolk so it would not suprise him at all if quite a few people started to gather here.
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Larissa was minding her own business doing dishes when her sister came in completely animated about how Saharth was clutching and that mother wanted them to go see. If she had ever seen her sister happy, it was probably now. Larissa however, was not excited. She was nervous. The knot in her stomach grew tighter as she followed her sister out of the kitchens and toward the Sands.
Throughout the cavernous hallways, she remained silent. A typical smile missing from her lovely face. Why had mother taken a sudden interest in her impressing. They all knew that it was Janirsa who was supposed to impress not her. With a heavy sigh she walked into the stands, following her sister's lead. J'var would be there soon, she guessed, because after all, it was Ionuth's clutch too. She should at least congratulate him. There, she had found the good in this situation and it made her stomach calm down and the color in her face came back. She was here to see her brother and look at the clutch like any other clutching.
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 17, 2008 17:12:48 GMT -5
J'var had been told about the cluth by Ionuth. Haha! the young man thought triumphantly. It would be the first clutch his fine bronze sired, and he would be sharded if he would miss this. He had more right than most to be there, but even so, J'var told Ionuth to warn the queen so that she might not get edgy. Saharth, Mine comes.
He almost skipped to the sands, but rather walked brisk and solomnly. He did not allow himself to be distracted, or even to smile. He was intent on seeing his dragon's work. J'var hoped that this would be a great clutch, because all he needed was a bad clutch to set his reputation. He'd never get the older riders to respect him, and would probably fall from power. There was nothing he could do now but hope that Saharth clutched better than expected.
Once there, he saw his sisters. He clapped them around the shoulders, "Well hello, ladies, ready to see the glory of my bronze?" Heh, even if he dared hope for a queen egg-that might set him for life in high reguard. "Excuse me, but I need to congratulate Jenafa."
J'var slipped past his sisters, and approached the dark beauty-the Queenrider Jenafa. He kissed her hand, "Well hello, lovely one. How is your Saharth?"
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 17, 2008 18:18:00 GMT -5
Larissa smiled at her brother. "Give Iounuth our warm wishes. I'm sure the clutch will be wonderful." The brown flit on her shoulder eyes him warily. "Of course dear brother. She's probably waiting for you...." Larissa was waiting for something else entirely, the end of this clutching so that she could be free of this tension. If there was no Gold egg she'd be free to get on with her life at least until Lyranth rose. What a nightmare this was becoming.
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A'stin moved away from Jenafa when J'var came over. He gave the youth a nod and walked away, clearly not wanting to disrupt anything between the Junior Weyrwoman and the Weyrsecond. He looked about for Shaye, knowing she would probably arrive when least expected.
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Laszreen had become confused a lost on her way to the sands. While it should have been easy to follow the people that were going there were still plenty of people just going about their normal routine and she had ended up following the wrong group of people. So then she had to backtrack and found herself lost yet again. After becoming rather frustrated she just stood where she was thinking of when the next person might come down this corridor. It seemed to be a less used one.
She was lucky it seemed for when she leaned on the cavern wall a tall blonde man, obviously a rider, came walking past. "Excuse me..." Laszreen said in her most innocent tone.
B'rek was late and annoyingly so. He had to take a shortcut to the sands which was fortunately less well known so he took advantage of being well ahead of many other people. He hadn't expected to run into the cute young lady. She was leaning against the wall looking a bit confused but he didn't have time to stop nor was he certain she needed any help. When she called to him he paused. Turning around, he said, "Yes?"
"I'm lost." It was horrible to admit that. Laszreen hated not being able to do things herself and looked equally upset by it. B'rek smiled. "Well where are you headed?" You couldn't very well help someone who was lost unless you knew where they wanted to go. "I myself am on the way to the clutching."
Laszreen quirked her brow, "Thats where I was trying to get to." B'rek laughed lightly. "I see. Well you best come with me then."
He was laughing at her. She fumed inwardly. These men would all pay for treating her like a child. For now though she needed to be civil in order to get where she wanted to go. "Alright.." She said and walked closer without any intention of being talkative but it seemed she had no choice.
"I'm Wingsecond B'rek of Borrego wing and who might you be?" The rider was charming enough, seeing as he was a Bronzerider. Of course she had already met her share of Bronzeriders. She answered drolly, "I'm Laszreen, Gold Candidate." Ugh, she missed having a title. These people didn't understand anything. She should still ahve her old title until she gained higher rank. That was the way the world worked but not here apparently.
"Ahh, so you'll be hoping to see a certain egg on the Sands when we get there. " B'rek did not offer his arm but he was going to be cordial. The girl was keeping up rather well for being so short. She was a very pretty little thing but there was an edge to her. Like a knife's point. He preferred women who were more game for a laugh and a good time, like Nali and Jenafa.
He would like to see Jen, it had been a while and he brought her a gift, since he usually brought her something when Saharth clutched. When they walked into the Sands together, it seemed they were still fairly early in comparison to other people. B'rek gave a quick bow, mostly to be courteous, "Candidate Laszreen, best of luck to you. And I wouldn't worry your pretty head about getting lost, happens to the best of us."
Laszreen nodded and was inwardly annoyed. Pretty little head, hmm. Her eyes moved away from the blonde man as she was immediately taken with Saharth. She'd never seen a Gold dragon. Not once. She was enormous, well of course she was, she was egg heavy. Not for long though. She watched the Gold take care of the eggs and knew that the Gold, while not a traditional mother still cared for her offsprings survival. She was standing stock still, and must seem a bit odd to the Weyrfolk.
B'rek took his leave quickly enough to miss the girl's amazement. He instead walked over to Jenafa and J'var. "Conngratulations J'var." He went to shake his hand and then winked at Jen. "Saharth looks wonderful today but not nearly as wonderful as you Jenafa." He took her hand and kissed it gently. Then he handed her a box and walked away. He always tried to be a good friend to her though he knew it was not platonic love nor that of a lover that made them such friends. They were somewhere inbetween.
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Post by thedreamerlady on Mar 17, 2008 20:50:45 GMT -5
"Two so far." Jenafa said distractedly to A'stin, entranced by her Golden Beauty who's pacing had slowed, and who'd begun to paw at the ground, making a space for the third of her eggs. "The first two nearly burst out." Jenafa's eyebrow rose a little. "It usually takes much longer for the first of them."
The smallest of the eggs to appear so far was deposited into it's cradle, much to Saharth and Jenafa's satisfaction. It was blue and green, with a few white dashes along the sides. Jenafa's eyes looked on at the egg, with sheer delight. In a way, she almost liked Clutching more than she liked the Hatching. Saharth, suddenly aware of the people coming for a look at her Clutch, cuddled her eggs protectively, covering her wings over them. Her long neck stretched out, taking interest in a girl who wasn't moving, just staring. Saharth didn't like it. However, she couldn't remain like that forever, for she needed to move about, and fix another wallow for her fourth egg.
"Hello, Wingsecond." Jenafa teased, smiling at her light skinned male counterpart. "Me and Mine are doing quite well. Three eggs so far, and the day is young." Jen shrugged. "Knowing Saharth, I'll be here for the rest of the day." The soft tone of her voice made it clear she could think of no better place to be.
She watched as A'stin carefully faded away from the two of them, and almost laughed. Did he fear of ruining a moment? As if she would allow him to ruin one, if it was to happen.
Then B'rek appeared, and Jen couldn't keep a smile off of her face. He was a wonderful friend of hers, and she couldn't wait to explore the box he'd given her. B'rek had the best taste of all the men she'd ever met, at least when it came to gifts.
She smiled, and said, to no one in particular, "I love clutching," while Saharth lay her fourth egg, and decent sized blue and brown mottled egg.
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 18, 2008 14:21:13 GMT -5
J'var smiled at Jenafa, not quite warmly, but cordial. A very political smile. He was learning more and more from A'stin, and getting the hang of politics. Perhaps it was J'var's greatest fault that he lacked a sort of compassion, a spot in the heart that had long been taken over by ambition. "Three eggs already? That is wonderful," he noted, and thought about replying to the comment of 'all day.' Certainly to suggest that it might take more than that, two or three days, would certainly make Jenafa think he was teasing her. And he didn't want her to take offense, so he said nothing more on the matter.
But then B'rek showed up accompanied by none other than Laszreen. Oh, that made him frown as he glared at the handsome couple. So he was the bronzerider she had liked so much. Grudgingly he admitted he was a good choice- but that didn't make things any better! What was so great about B'rek that wasn't about him? J'var couldn't let any one get on to him, after all he wasn't with her, and it was better if he just forgot about her. He grinned seductively at Jenafa then, "Saharth is absolutely beautiful, but I doubt any other woman here could compare to the gold's rider."
Of course soon as B'rek made his way to them, he handed Jenafa a gift. Oh! J'var had a gift for Jenafa too, though he had not given it to her right away. It was a bracelet of purple stones set in silver, another present curtesy of his mother's lock box. He had taken it not long after the flight, but since the pearl incident, he had wanted to something right, do it better. He must not rush things this time, but now it would seem anything he gave her now would be outshadowed by this box of B'rek's. He felt a little guilty as the little weight of it hung in his pocket. He didn't even have a pretty box for it. He would give her the bracelet later.
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Post by thedreamerlady on Mar 19, 2008 20:41:18 GMT -5
Jenafa wondered about the look that J'var had sent B'rek the the little woman who was his companion. The girl wasn't Nali, so Jen didn't have a clear idea of who the girl was, but she was more than puzzled about her Weyrsecond's reaction to the pair. It was before B'rek had given her his gift, and everyone knew how famously the pair got on together, so she doubted it was jealously on his part.
Jen's eyebrows narrowed, and she placed the face of the girl in the back of her mind, a puzzle to work out after Saharth was finished with her awesome task. Most of the Weyrfolk didn't know how hard a Clutching was on a Queen. She would feed greatly whenever she finished laying, and probably sun the entire next day, within reach of her eggs.
Saharth usually wasn't this agitated either, when she was Clutching. She might have to sent people out, at least for a while, soon. The sixth and seventh egg, both small, were laid quickly, and the seventh egg waited a while perched on the Sands while Saharth made the next wallow for it, rolling the purple mottled egg into the deep, warm Sands.
Jen smiled fondly at her dragon, before returning attention back to J'var. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask who the girl had been, before she decided against it. The way the shadows were changing suggested that a deal of time had passed, and Jenafa glanced down at herself in dismay.
"I always loose track of time during these events." She said, sounding slightly confidential. "But as it appears to be growing close to noontime, perhaps I could prevail upon you to go snatch us up some food?" Her dark head tilted to the side. "Saharth won't let me leave, not until she's done."
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 21, 2008 16:08:09 GMT -5
Laszreen didn't notice the look that J'var shot at B'rek she was too busy admiring Saharth and her growing clutch. In fact she was trying not to notice him. It wasn't a good idea to make a Gold rider suspicious. She did see Larissa and her sister standing off to the side but figured it would be better to leave them alone so she walked toward them but not all the way. On her way over, she heard Jen saying she wanted food. No doubt she was hungry and Saharth as well but Laszreen couldn't bring herself to be the drudge and ask to get the food for them.
No, she wasn't going to fit that role well at all. While she had been avoiding Larissa's blue eyed gaze, she knew that it wouldn't stop the sweet young woman from coming over. Lara smiled warmly. "Hello, Laszreen. First time to the Hatching Sands?"
"Yes. I got lost though I was found." Laszreen was going to regret this. Larissa was going to pry until she gave everything away and then tomorrow she'd hear gossip.It was the way of these Lower Caverns types.
Larissa for her part listened and nodded. "I'm glad you made it.My sister is hoping for a Gold as are you I'm guessing." Lara watched the Junior Weyrwoman with her brother. He looked like he'd gotten more than he bargained for. Thats why there was that saying, be careful what you wish for. Lara thought Laszreen could do worse than be escorted by B'rek. He was known to be a good man, well trusted, even by the Weyrleader. She glanced at the Weyrleader, now there was a man worth looking at. Just like many of the Lower Caverns she found the Weyrleader to be a very charming and handsome man.
Laszreen interrupted her people watching. "I think I'm going to go. No need to stand around and watch a Gold, who seems a bit agitated..." It might sound like a weak excuse but she didn't really want to stay there. The small brunette walked out of the Hatching Sands.
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Post by thedreamerlady on Apr 6, 2008 17:32:45 GMT -5
After sending Cesta to the Headwoman, a drudge appeared with food. While the green had grown more useful over the last few sevendays, Jen could still only reliably get the little 'flit to go to the Headwoman, and while Saharth could send the Flit anywhere. The idea of sending messages had occurred to the Queenrider, but she'd been busy as of late. She was glad that someone had read her mind, and dug into the food, watching as Saharth paced, rearranging eggs, placing them in different circles. She knew that Saharth wasn't done, not with a mere seven eggs, but was resting up for the next section of clutching. It was usually a two part act, but it had been a three part once.
Time passed, the heat of the sands rose, and fell(though only slightly), then Saharth, who'd been dozing, readying herself, stood once more.
The eighth egg, the largest so far, with dark green mottles, and near black speckles arrived. A short time later the ninth appeared, scant seconds after Saharth had finished digging the wallow. It grew darker, and some kind soul fetched glows. Jen watched her Queen silently, not touching the dinner that had been brought to her. Something was off about this Clutch. Saharth was usually a Clutcher of about ten eggs, but her stomach had not receded enough, and more eggs were to follow this tenth egg that was being carefully pushed into it's own hollow.
Saharth moved away, checking her eggs carefully, then digging again. It seemed as though the eggs were coming two by two. Eleven and twelve appeared. And then thirteen.
And when thirteen appeared, Jen gave a gasp and nearly fainted. She gave a loud cry, excited and elated. She didn't think anyone else was on the sands with her, but none of that mattered. In fact, she was proud to have witnessed such a site by herself.
Jenafa, Queenrider of Golden Saharth had witnessed the first Queen Egg of Igen being birthed since nine turns ago when Saharth had been shelled.
Both Queen and Rider gave minimal attention to the final two eggs clutched. The small eggs probably housed Green or Blues, and neither could keep their eyes off slightly shimmering Golden Egg.
"Oh Saharth!" Jenafa cried, dancing with joy. "Oh, you are amazing my love!"
No more eggs arrived, but it was of no matter. They had clutched a Queen egg, and no other thought crossed their minds.
I shall have a Gold Daughter. Saharth agreed grandly, sounding smug. She, after all, was the most amazing Queen on Pern.
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