Ista Weyr Log: Aerianth and Volath's Clutching - January 2007

Aerianth and Volath's Clutching - January 3, 2007

Hatching Galleries -- Ista Weyr(#1300RJQqs) The galleries provide more than adequate seating for guests who have been invited to watch a hatching. There are ten tiers, that arch in a semi-circle from the southwest to west side of the black stone cavern. Stairs lead down to the entrances, which are visible beyond the large gaping opening leading to the Senior Queen's Weyr. You have a view of the Hatching Sands as well as a clear view of the ledges up above you. The people here are Niklo, Tzivya, and R'tran. Stairs to the southwest lead out of the hatching grounds. Please type '+viewhelp' to see information on checking out the clutch.

Nolee, Tzivya, R'tran, Kaelana, V'lano, Griere, Aerianth, Volath, M'yr, Jenna, Tannim, G'tive, Potikanda, Caitlyn, Jozell, N'sales, Jascela, Toril

R'tran gives a little wave and grin before turning his attention to the sands.

Amongst the excited members of the Weyr's population filing into the galleries for the forthcoming show is two young women - Tzivya and Niklo. Excitable at the best of times, the older of the two girls is bouncing along next to her young friend, her expression a wide smile and her posture tense with excitement. "See? SSaid it would be soon! And now they are coming, and there'll be candidates and weyrlings and it will all be very exciting, a good distraction! And this is your first one here, isn't it, Nik? So it's extra special! Where do you wanna sit? I say up front if we can find places, so we can see as best we can!"

From the sands, Aerianth, gravid queen that she is, chooses to make her entrance in a leisurely fashion, though already the tremors of delivery shudder along her pale sides. As the weyr is quick to gather for such momentous events as a new clutch, the galleries are already dotted with people and the gold turns to whirl an irritated eye at them.

Meandering steps mark Nolee's ascent of the cavern's steps, as though she might be lost and just happening in at this particular moment. A bowl is in her arms, soon revealed to be filled with rather hot and fresh cookies, judging by the audible 'ow!' as her too-eager fingers are singed. "Stupid cookies. Ooo." It occurs to her to look around, and does a great job of blocking the stairs as she blinks, wide-eyed, at the goings-on.

R'tran waves to Jenna and M'yr as they arrive.

Another mating flight, another clutching -- and before long another hatching. Same ol', same ol'. Niklo just grins as her best friend pretty much bounces up the stairs of the gallery, shaking her head a little. "I know, I know, Tziv!" she laughs, "An' yeah, first one here, but... can't be all that different from High Reaches, right?" A small shrug.

Caitlyn scrambles in and up the steps, knuckle-rubbing at tired eyes still shadowed by sleep as she peers about to find a place to seat herself. Overhearing Nolee, the bluerider gives her a short wave, diverting steps to head in the junior goldrider's direction.

V'lano climbs to the seating tiers from the sands.

Griere climbs to the seating tiers from the sands.

From the sands, Volath emerges from the tunnel leading to the Weyrwoman's Weyr.

M'yr literally trots up the steps, thoroughly familiar with the steps under his feet and it shows. Beaming, he tugs Jenna along with him, waving widely to those he knows. "Greetings from Fort Weyr, Istans!" he calls out with that bright smile. "Heya!" A wave to R'tran is added also.

Jozell comes walking in slowly, his hands behind his back. He sighs slightly as he moves twords a place to sit.

Tzivya rolls her eye and gives Niklo a poke in the side, then grabs her hand to drag her towards the front of the galleries. "This the same girl who spent how much time and energy looking for firelizard eggs? These are much grander! Besides, I love all the new people we get cause of them, new friends to be made!" She finds a place for them and settles into a seat, though she is not remotely sitting still.

"I don't know why she waited so long," Griere grumbles, half to herself and half to V'lano as the pair make their way along the galleries. "We're probably lucky that she didn't start dropping eggs on the ledge." Despite her tone, there is a tease of a smile in the corner of her mouth, proof that she's excited about the clutch no matter how Aerianth might be going about it.

Jenna tags along after M'yr, absently adjusting her hair as she's tugged along, and letting M'yr do the formal greeting for the two of them. She's not really watching where she'd going, and M'yr's enthusiastic greetings insure he's not watching her steps either. As a result, she all but plows into Nolee, where the junior weyrwoman's stopped on the stairs with her bowl of cookies. "Shells and shards! I'm /so/ sorry..."

Niklo laughs all the more at her friend, "Leave it to you to think of it that way," she comments dryly, but her grin keeps it from being serious. Letting herself be dragged onward, she wrinkles her nose and adds, "Besides! Firelizards are a lot easier to take care of, an' they don't make you go crazy like dragons do. They're worth the time and energy..."

"She beat me." That's V'lano, speaking to the weyrwoman who accompanies him by one arm; the other arm carries a basket with yarn in it, or with something in it at any rate, little colorful lumps. And he nods to something on the other side of the crowd, something it's possible only he can see, something no doubt insignificant. And then, only then, does he start to get a sense for the number of -people- here, and really turn his attention to the matter at hand, and to Griere's remark. "Maybe she's... shy." Around that he twists a merry grin.

Kaelana ambles up the steps, quick on her feet, making sure to keep out of the way from swarming residents of the weyr. The glance given the stands by the queen elicit a faint squeak from the girl, a stumble imminant causing a small furrow in the flow of ascendants and a silent cursing from the man behind. A brusque apology is ofered before she scampers of towards a few familiar faces, twisting amoungst the earlier guests towards the front.

Nolee hails Caitlyn's sleepy wave with a wave of her own, tipping the full bowl in an offering to share. "Careful, they're very fresh. I swiped them," she proudly announces, then oofs as the Fortian Weyrwoman near-collides with her, managing for once to retain her balance and to smile cordially to their Fortian visitors. "Jays, you almost sat right on my lap!" She squints, then ooos, recognizing her. "Did you bring the little one? I've got cookies!"

Tannim settles himself into a seat off to the side of everyone else. He is watching the Queen with wide eyes evidently unaware of the gathering crowd about the stands.

Tzivya's head is darting hither and fro, bouncing lightly in her seat as she watches all the people streaming in to watch the clutching, and for the all-too-imminent eggs. When she spots Kaelana, she offers an energetic wave, "Kae! Over here! Room for you with Nik and I!" She looks back to Niklo, "Do you mind if she sits with us? And they don't make you go insane! People just get insane as they grow up!"

Caitlyn manages to notice a few others, though her height puts her at a certain disadvantage in the growing throng, hopping up and down a couple of times to wave at Jenna and M'yr. Luckily, the woman manages to avoid the pileup of weyrwomen as Nolee and Jenna crash together, giving a rueful little smirk of wry humor to both of them as she pulls near. The duet of V'lano and Griere are given a jaunty, tossed mockery of a salute.

Potikanda watches the throng of people around her with wide eyes as she takes a seat close to the edge of the ledge. She wonders if anyone she knows will appear for the clutching.

From the sands, Aerianth wastes little time. She rumbles to Volath, a vocalization that starts out tender but turns strained as her body reminds her of the task at hand. She goes about looking for the area of the sands that seems right, pawing here and smoothing there, but the trembling grows stronger and it soon seems like just right where she is will just have to suffice.

Niklo plops down heavily beside Tzivya, amused at the older girl's excitement and energy. At the question she just shakes her head that she doesn't mind, though it's doubtful it would matter even if she objected. "'Sides," the girl points out, "Dragons make people *more* crazy than jus' old crazy!" Sage nod.

Caitlyn peers down into the bowl Nolee offers, blinking thickly as she examines the contents. "Huh? Wha?" is her none-too-lucid reply - fingertip rubbing the sleep away from one eye's coner.

M'yr's hand is jerked from Jenna's, surprise registering as the grin fades to a distant smile. Trying a clearing of his throat, he is just about to reach out to steady Jenna, realizes she's still on her feet, then quickly avoids eye contact with either one. "Cait! Where's Gus?? How have you been? It's been... Hey. Griere! V'lano! How good to see you both! And... eggs!"

From the sands,

Jenna recovers from the pileup relatively well, muttering apologies as she does. "No, it's past his bedtime, I'm afraid, Nolee." She gives a belated wave and nod to R'tran, now that she's not in danger of falling on anyone. "And Fort's duties," she offers around generally, with a rueful smile. She moves to a seat, glancing out at the sands. "Looks like we made it in time," and with an amused smile at M'yr as she settles next to R'tran. "He'll be like that until he settles down. He really should visit more. Then he'd babble less," she confides to her clutchmate.

Tannim finally tears his eyes from the sands for a moment to look around the stands and is somewhat surprised to see all the people assembled. He looks about for any familiar faces. He spots Niklo and Tzivya further up front and thinks twice about going to join them as the older one seems way to energetic for him at the moment. He looks about some more and not seeing anyone else he immediately recognizes goes back to raptly watching the now emerging eggs.

Nolee is all cheer and smiles, perhaps because it won't be her turn to sit out the next sevendays and beyond sitting the eggs on the hot hot sands. Unphased by Jenna's proximity or her presence, she shrugs sadly at the absent little she could've gotten sugared up, then smiles beyond to M'yr the shifty-eyed, then shrugs haplessly. "It's cookies, Kintryth's. Hot ones. I swiiiped 'em. Oh! And Ista's duties, all around."

From the sands, Volath's barely down onto the sands by the time that telling rumble speaks to him, by the time he realizes what his task here is meant to be. He pauses, one paw lifted like a hunting hound, muzzle pointed toward his queen. The telling ripples of her sides delay him further, but in a few moments he slinks out onto the sands, wings sleeked back, and begins -his- work: moving around with tail slowly swinging across the sand beneath him, laying fresh sand up for Aerianth's consideration.

Tzivya squeals as an egg makes an appearance, and her friends are utterly forgotten as her focus locks onto the ovoid object. "Ohh! interesting colorings on that one! Nice and birght and cheerful, though those dark marks are worrisome, I guess?" A shrug and a grin, and she squirms in her seat. "See? Better'n any lizard egg!"

Kaelana seems all too pleased when one of her 'familiar faces' turns about and hails her over. Jumping over a few people, it seems she's more jumping over people then around, whether this happens to be the case or not. Arriving at the destination, she gives an effusie grin and sits down beside Tzivya with a small wave, seeing uncaring about the possible consternation her entrance may have caused for those behind. She,for once at least, makes no remark and gazes raptly over the sands at the newest arrival, eyes glimmering.

Caitlyn takes peripheral note of M'yr's vocalized welcome, giving the tall Fortian a wide, though still slightly bleary grin, calling back to him in a voice more fit for a larger person, "Gus is in hiding, probably! And i've been swamped with my duties!"

"I can't imagine that anyone really wants an audience when something is being expelled from their body," Griere sniffs to V'lano. Thankfully that discussion is cut short by M'yr's greetings. The Istan Weyrwoman puts on a smile. "M'yr, Jenna," she offers dutifully. "Speaking of eggs, there's one now..." The short woman presses to her toes, reaching out to use V'lano for balance as she tries to get a better view of the egg.

Jascela climbs into the stands well after the majority of the audience arrives. She carries a small blanket-wrapped bundle in her arms. She finds a seat well back from the sands and settles down to watch quietly.

Niklo grins, waving a bit at Kaelana heads over, but is quickly drawn back to the sands at Tzivya's squeal. "Wha-- oh!" She turns around fully and squints at the egg, trying to make out details. Then she shrugs. "Colors are jus' colors. Don't mean nothin'." A half smile. "Pretty, but I still say no better than a firelizard's eggs!"

From the sands,

M'yr takes note of where Jenna is, sends her a handsome smile, then turns to walk closer to Caitlyn. And Nolee. As he approaches them, handsome turns beaming, back to his initial expression when he arrived. "Heya, Nolee. Good to see you." is genuinely offered. "You've been well? Oh, look! Another egg!"

Tzivya gapes at her friend. "See? You're perfect for being a rider, you're already crazy! And you'll get scolded if the riders hear you saying that!" But then the darker orb is there, and she is ohhhing again and looking with wide eyes. "Lookit that one, Kae! Almost can't see it!"

R'tran sees Jascela arrive and quietly makes his way toward her, seating himself at her side with a rakish grin and a moment's coo at his new son.

"Weyrwoman." That's V'lano, to Jenna, with a deep nod and deeper grin, dark eyes twinkling; let M'yr go on by and greet Nolee, and the Istan Weyrleader will somehow manage to overlook any better greeting for -him- than a glance and a grin before going back to fixing Jenna with that merry, too-pleased smirk. "Such a pleasure." Aside to Griere, just a waggle of brows: "She's had a little practice at it by now. But this is more crowd than we've usually got, isn't it? And more - " Back to Jenna, that smile. "Varied."

Nolee steps aside at last so the flow of visitors can progress more smoothly up the stairs to the tiers beyond, and she leans against the rail, relaxed for the moment. "I have been! No stuffing in my nose or anything." She looks him up and down appraisingly, then nods approvingly. "Nice leathers! That's a very becoming color. Would you, ah, like a cookie?" Caitlyn's given a re of the bowl as well, then she squints sandsward. "Oh, really? I missed it -- where's it at? Jays, it's so ...white. Is it healthy?"

Niklo laughs at her friend, grinning wildly. "Naw, s'exactly why I shouldn't be a rider! Jus' think how I'd be if I was crazier! Not good." A wink at Tzivya, and then she blinks as another egg is suddenly on the sands. "Shards, is that really an egg? You can barely see half of it!"

Jenna inclines her head to Griere and V'lano. "I'd heard it was a good flight. And a clutching's always a welcome diversion." She gives V'lano's feline-that-ate-the-wherry-chick look a warm grin of her own. "I only wish I had more time to indulge in a longer visit. Niyath loves the heat."

From the sands,

Jascela smiles over at R'tran as he joins her then carefully passes the bundle over to him. "Want to hold him while he naps?"

Kaelana can't help but look across Tzivya at Niklo with a raised brow, the girls comment enough to assume what warrented it. She gives a small cough of disbelief before turning back to the sands, the sights and sounds of the cavern seeming a bit overwhelming. "They're so pretty." Is all she whispers back to Tzivya.

Late as usual, Zyllia hurries up to the gallery and takes a seat quickly, not wanting to interrupt anybody, and not wanting to miss more of the clutching than she has to. She finds a seat near the railing and smiles to those she knows, bobbing her head to those she doesn't.

M'yr accepts the offered cookie, tasting it approvingly after a glance down at his clothing. "Thanks! Nice of you to say so. You're looking great! I miss the warm weather. It's too bad you were sick and couldn't join us when we came to visit." Dark eyes flicker about the area, noticing R'tran and Jascela. "Is that his child? I didn't realize.."

R'tran returns Jascela's smile, his eye meeting hers for a moment as he takes Celaran into his arms. He fumbles with the infant's receiving blanket, settling the child in his embrace.

Caitlyn gives a sudden, hard yawn as she regards Nolee and the arriving M'yr, shaking her head once to try and wake up more, her grin still plastered to her face. "You speak the obvious, good Weyrleader," is her good-natured jibe just as he turn to speak to Jascela, her dark head then turning to Nolee to nod enthusiastically, fingers plucking out a couple of those cookies. "Ah, thanks Nolee! I could use some sugar to wake me up..." *munchmunchmunch* Cait, too, moves aside to allow more people by, taking a seat just next to the small, gathered group on the nearest stone seat.

Griere's slim brow is quick to cock at V'lano and Jenna and all those curious grins, a sidelong view catching the pair of them. Her fingers, still resting on Vel's arm, give him a quick squeeze and the she steps away to move a bit further down the aisle where she might be able to see Aerianth's newest accomplishments better.

Tzivya grins to Kaelana, "Yes, they are! Always love seeing them, every one unique and beautiful. Never seen two that looked the same!" She turns her gaze on Niklo with a laugh, "You'd make a good greenrider, they're the craziest anyway!"

Jascela looks down toward M'yr and laughs quietly, nodding. "I'm afraid he's the only one I can think of who could be the father." She glances over at R'tran and grins as he takes the nearly newborn infant from her.

"Aerianth's flights have all been good." And V'lano would be the expert, then, or lifemate to the expert, and feel no apparent need to be any kind of humble about it. He turns a nod toward Griere, focusing -her- in his too-pleased regard for a moment to add, "It's my theory the weather here does something for our queens. Makes them spirited, among other things." But the Istan Weyrwoman's off toward the rail, and he just nods after her to let her know he's marked her destination and might join her there soon, then looks back at Jenna. "Small wonder, if I might be right, that Niyath would like the heat, then."

G'tive makes his way up the steps, two full skins of wine hang over his shoulder while a large basket rests in the crook of one elbow. Nods and smiles are given as he makes his way through the crowd, acknowledging people but not stopping to chat. When he's finally in front of his Weyrleaders he stops, grins slightly, and slips open the lid to the basket to reveal quite the assortment of wine glasses. "Either of you care for a glass? I've got a fruity red and a semi-sweet white."

From the sands, Aerianth shifts about, turning to inspect the last egg and to nudge it a bit closer to the previous one. She mounds the dark, sparkling sand up around them, protective and cozy. With her wings low like shields, she finds the right spot to deposit the next one.

From the sands,

R'tran casts a grin M'yr-ward, cupping the baby's head gently and raising it so that the Fort weyrleader can see his boy's face. "M'yr, meet Celaran. Celaran, M'yr," he whispers, his voice heavily tinged with paternal pride.

Niklo just grins at Kaelana's look, giving a small shrug. But to Tzivya she replies, "Yeah, right. An' maybe I'll Impress the dragon in that egg," a nod at the recent arrival on the sands, "An' it'll be green, an' when she rises I'll drive everbody in the weyr crazy with my own craziness!" Gesturing wildly, she suddenly remembers how many people are here and bites her lip, shutting up and putting her hands on her lap. "Ahem."

Nolee smiles warmly and nods, her large brown eyes earnest. "I was mad at you then, too, but I'm more happy for you now," she states in her simple, oblivious manner. Her gaze follows his and she oohs. "Good idea, sweetening's just the thing to clear the sleep. Oh, that's right. She had a little one, Caity, did you know? Is that one of your riders, M'yr?" Yay, gossip! She looks over R'tran, then at the baby, then at other unfamiliar-ish faces, fascinated more by the crowd than by the eggs.

Another egg, another squeal - Tzivya is slowly creating a cleared space around her and her friends as people try not to be at ground zero of her excitement. "Ohh, I like that one! Very colorful! I like the ones with lots of different colors on them more than the ones that are all one or two colors. Which do you like best so far, Nik?"

Jenna smirks faintly at V'lano. "Well, you'd have to go all the way back to Kyriath to find Istan blood in Niyath, she's more Igen and Fort stock. Spirited... well, that's more her rider, I'm afraid. She's my calming influence," she trails off and nods towards the sands and the next egg.

Moving past, Griere overhears Niklo's proposals and turns to eye the young girl. The weyrwoman's cool eyes flick over her with a displeased expression, but as the eggs keep coming Griere doesn't linger for long.

From the sands,

M'yr reaches in to grasp a glass from Gus, klinking it against another on the way out of the basket. "Drink with you, Gus? Absolutely!" To celebrate that, he lifts the empty glass high and nods emphatically. "So how's V'lano treating you as his Second?" In a lower voice, he leans toward G'tive and whispers with a grin, "He was my best teacher, you know. Or at least the only one who'd put up with me!" Straightening, he catches Nolee's smile, returning it. "I'm glad, Noles. And yes, that's R'tran. Heya, Celaran! Well met! R'tran, he's a fine lad. Congratulations!"

Kaelana gives a little shake, her eyes losing the glazed expression she had so recently adopted, her lips curving up at the corners to form a excited little grin. Turning to Tzivya, an eye still trained on the sands, "I wouldn't know, don't get to see many clutchings. But I'll believe you this time." She lets out a little laugh and says across to Niklo teasingly, "But who'd notice the difference?"

Caitlyn overhears Tzivya's comment about greenies as she chomps those cookies, abruptly spitting a small spray of crumbs as she chokes and sniggers at it. A slightly askew look is momentarily given to Niklo, golden-brown eyes once more settling on her companions. A small, rather surprised shake of head to Nolee, then to Jascela - followed by a smaller grin. "No, i've been so busy, i've not kept up with much of anything! Congratulations, Jas."

Niklo doesn't notice the negative looks she gets from her little outburst of sarcasm, just wrinkling her nose at Tzivya and shrugging. "I dunno, I like the ones with jus' a few colors. Seem more organized. But none really caught my attention so far..." The very pink egg that appears next gets a mock-gag from her, "'Specially not that one."

Jascela smiles down at Caitlyn and nods to her, swinging her always-present huge earrings against her neck. "Thank you, Caitlyn." She glances over at R'tran, watching protectively.

"Then bring her for a nice long visit some time," murmurs V'lano, voice deep and rich just now, just for this. He turns, following Jenna's nod, to (supposedly) look out over the sands. But still he speaks to the Fortian Weyrwoman in that rumbly tone: "I'm sure the distance from your duties could provide calm if she chose to take a break from it. - Oh - " As if he's just realized something. The Weyrleader lifts his head, sending a gaze out across the crowd. "I need to go round up a runaway." Timing is everything. "You'll excuse me?"

From the sands,

Tzivya, in contrast to Niklo's gag at the bright pink egg, gives a much louder - and more piercing - squeal. "Ohh! Pink! I love pink! Not as nice as purple, mind you, but definately mmy second favourite color!" And another egg hot on it's heals. "Ohh, and that one just looks menacing! That's /gotta/ be your green, Nik!"

Jenna nods politely to V'lano, lips curving in an understanding smile. "Of course, Weyrleader. In case we don't speak later - it looks like it's shaping up to be a lovely clutch."

Nolee nods to M'yr's introduction and she scoots into a row, leaning back to admire the baby from a pretty good distance, smiling politely, supressing an 'ugh' face then getting hollered at for blocking the view, Nolee finally squishes her ample backend between a few other people to make a spot for herself in the rows of people. "I wrote about the baby being born in my records. Hope I spelt his name right." Her gaze follows the squeal as she winces, then she supresses a retort by stuffing a warm melty cookie in her own mouth.

Niklo just laughs, shaking her head at Tzivya's new squeal. "I should've guessed..." she sighs, still grinning. But her expression visibly brightens as she spots the newst egg, a look of consideration crossing her face. "Well," the girl admits after a moment or two, "That one ain't bad at all. I like the dark ones."

Griere seems to have found herself a good spot to view the new eggs, though she does look towards V'lano in regular, idle glances. But she's still within earshot of Niklo and Tzivya and whoever may be sitting near them. It makes her let out a big sigh.

G'tive laughs as M'yr grabs one of the glasses out, mock threatening to snap the lid closed on his fingers. "Hey, no breaking those, I had to wrestle them out of the kitchen." Another glass is removed and set on a seat nearby so that Gus can fill it p easily, then offering to fill the glass in the Fortian 'Leader's hand. "White or red? And Vel, he treats me well, if you don't count him constantly trying to give me a heartattack. How's Fort treating you? Finding any extra grey hairs yet?"

"They always do," purrs V'lano. "I'm so glad you've come to see." And then he's off, around and up the aisle, behind most of the crowd, across toward the very end rail, where there's a small golden firelizard playing balance-on-toes on the wood. Currently she's got her tail up and wings windmilling, like she might fall. She squeaks a peep when the Weyrleader scoops her so unceremoniously up and deposits her in the basket he's carrying, but that ends his 'round-up' and afterward he wanders down to a spot with a better view, nodding at newly entered spectators along the way.

From the sands,

M'yr's other hand reaches into the basket to pull out another glass, laughing at the Istan Second's attempt to catch his hand. "Red for me!" he replies quickly then glances over his shoulder toward Jenna. "How about you, Jen? Red? White?" A rakish smile comes. "Both? If you get white, you can have some of mine to taste both." Temporarily snared by the newest egg, he grins broadly. "I do like the darkness of /that/ egg!"

Tzivya laughs and nods, "Well, good you like it then!" Still, as the eggs pile up, some of her enthusiasm does wane; the approaching finish is already weighing on her. "But still, they are /all/ nice. Just some are nicer than others!" She glances at Nik sidelong, "You know I like pink! How could I not? Babies are pink! Well, some of them, but still!"

From the sands, Aerianth swings around to greet her new children with a wuffle of breath that blows grains of sand onto the wet eggs, glittering the shells and pools of goo with little black fleck. She looks to Volath, lifting her head proudly, but she barely has time for more before another wave of muscle ripples along her flanks.

Jenna considers M'yr for a long moment, and then rises to prowl to him. "White. I always prefer the white. But yes, I'll claim a bit of your red." Distractedly, she glances out at the sands. "How many eggs so far?" The question is put to all available ears.

G'tive obediently pours a glass of red and one of white for M'yr. He switches the wine on the chair for the basket and repositions the skins to the other shoulder, seemingly for comforts sake. A sip, a grin, and a sigh; must be good stuff. Looking over the rafter gets pursed lips. "I dunno, maybe a little blotchy or something..."

Kaelana probably isn't the only one wincing at the girl beside hers squeal. No comment is forthcoming however a pained smile in Tzivya's direction is her tactful way of sending on a hint. While the even -does- stretch on, she props up her elbows on her kness and leans on her knuckles, eyes glazing over yet again.

From the sands, With so much of the sands lain bare and fresh-turned for his queen to peruse, Volath has a moment to return his queen's look with one considerably less arch. It might be considered affectionate, even, and that impression's doubled by his approach and gentle whuffle at her foreshoulder, careful to keep clear of the eggs freshly placed before her.

As her lifemate keeps moving around the sands, Griere is forced to move, too. She turns to offer a smile to the girls she's been eavesdropping on, perhaps a slightly warmer smile for the compliments she's overhead. But then she's slipping back towards Jenna. "It seems to be progressing quickly," she says offhand, eyes mostly on the sands.

From the sands,

Caitlyn hasn't given the arrival of Aerianth's eggs much thought, as of now - distracted by the company about her - people she hasn't seen much (or any) of in months. The lurid pink of the newly arrived ovoid, however, captures the short woman's attention...and Cait gives the thing a frank appraisal and a small sound. "Ugh!"

Amira hurries to the galleries, looking all the time at the sands. She spies Tzivyaand hurries toward her. "What have I missed?" she asks, still looking at the sands.

Nolee realizes belatedly that she's stolen someone else's spot, as the round-bellied woman returns, holding her back in pain, and Nolee makes a little oops face and makes room by moving down the way, ending up someplace just behind the squealers and the suffering Kaelana. "Want a cookie?" she whispers to the latter, foisting out the bowl. "Good for earache." She made that up.

"Well, I know you." That's V'lano, at Tzivya; his lazy saunter along the rail takes him to a spot from which she's visible. "And you." That's for Niklo. And then he glances down at the basket (queen-covered) in his hand; then back up, perhaps significant, at the girl. Then he puts an elbow on the rail and leans, one foot crossing the other at the ankle, half-listening to or watching the young women, half attentive to the sands.

From the sands,

Tzivya returns Griere's smile with one of her own, excitement for the woman's dragon clear in her expression. Her gaze is drawn to V'lano then as he speaks to them, and she lets that smile grow to include him. "Weyrleader." She says, excited voice still managing something approachcing politeness. THen Amira is speaking and she is distracted, grinning to her, "Eggs! Bunches of them, all lovely! Well, not sure about that second pink one, seems a bit... Squishy... But the rest are nice!"

Jenna nods to Griere. "Niyath's last one was like that. Not like the pass," she flashes a quicksilver smile at the other Weyrwoman, "with twenty, thirty eggs."

The whispered comment breaks Kaelana's self-induced intermission, only able to respond with the ever graceful, "Huh?" Her brain quickly sorts through the question and the mask of confusion flows off for one of ,perhaps forced, gratitude, "Yes, Thank you." And a hand is extended to take a small one, the girl nibbling on it apathetically.

Amira nods, still standing and looking out at the sands. "How many do you think there are?" She calms down and looks around for a seat. "I would have gotten here sooner, but I didn't find out for a while. I was working in the Resident Dorm."

Niklo grins back at Griere, a bit sheepishly, and then tries to disappear into her seat in embarrassment as she realizes exactly who had been watching her rather exhuberant antics. However, she can't help but giggle a little at Tzivya, wrinkling her nose. "What, you don't like that one?" a gesture to the odd pinkish egg, "It's pink! And actually... it looks the same shade of pink a baby is." Her grin brightens, then fades abruptly as she catches sight of V'lano, becoming a friendly smile instead. "'Ello, Weyrleader." A polite nod accompanies this.

"Nine or ten?" Griere answers Jenna, her brow creasing as she tries to get a count. "She doesn't seem done yet. Should be a decently sized clutch, I think." That last part is mused mostly to herself. "It seems like most queens have been producing little more than a dozen lately. How many were in Niyath's last?"

"Uh." Tzivya replies to Amira, "I didn't een think to count! Maybe ten or twelve so far? A good sized clutch, at any rate!" She looks over to Niklo, "And it's the right color, but I dunno. It looks like it's melting, and eggs shouldn't melt, cause they're eggs and supposed to get /harder/."

M'yr leaves Jenna to her discussion with Griere, though he does wiggle his fingertips free of the glass he holds to wave them toward her before taking a few steps toward V'lano. "Dashing collection of eggs Volath has sired, my friend! Soldreth feels he's a kind of uncle, in a way."

Nolee stuffs another cookie in her own mouth, munching contentedly in a vague companionship with her fellow cookie-consumer. Then there's Amira, talking about work, of all things. She makes a face, swallows the cookie down hard. "Ugh, work," she manages, licking her lips and trying in vain to swallow all the cookie bits with her throat dry. "If you weren't so good at it, you wouldn't have to do so much," is her cheery advice to Amira, then she frowns at the squishy pink egg. "Is that one healthy? It looks smushed."

From the sands,

R'tran ooohs in appreciation of the latest egg.

Caitlyn manages to sneak fingers over into Nolee's cookie basket, and snags a couple more of them, grinning at the other woman as she then lets her gaze rove over the growing arrangement of eggs. "Hmm, there's lots of black and white...and PINK in this clutch," she observes, rolling her eyes a little. "Only brighter colors in variety I've seen so far are on *that* one..." the bluerider gestures to 'Night Jitters' egg.

Toril sneaks in amid the oohs and ahs and chatter, looking for a good vantage point. With a few muffled "'Scuse me...sorry...beg pardon..."-type comments, she wedges herself into a spot and shrugs out of her jacket, surreptitiously absorbing the warmth of the gallery. "They beat poultry eggs all hollow," she comments.

"Couldn't say," V'lano says to Amira, then a nod to Tzivya's effort at a count. Niklo gets a warmer smile, and a less merry-mischief one - though that one comes back right quick, mind you, when M'yr's address breaks through the flirting to find its target. "Oh, does he? I think this will be our best clutch yet, though don't let Gus hear me say so. For that matter, don't let Soldreth hear me say so!" A wink for that gest, even, and a good chance to miss out on Nolee's use of the word, 'smushed.'

Jenna takes her glass from M'yr, her expression faintly distracted as she responds to Griere, "Twelve. I was surprised it was that many, but Soldreth did very well. I think the most she ever laid was thirty three." She rolls her eyes faintly. "/That/ was chaotic on hatching day,."

Niklo giggles at her friend's description of the strange pink egg, "Well, I don't think it's actually meltin'. I mean, they look like all sortsa things, but they just look that way. Doesn't mean they are that way!" She considers for a moment, shen shrugs. "'Sides, I think their momma'd react if there was somethin' wrong with it... don't you?"

Amira looks quickly at Nolee and smiles. "Sorry, Ma'am. I can't help it. I'll try though." She looks down at the latest egg. "That's an interesting one."

Kaelana refrains from commenting on the healthiness of the clutch, really having no clue herself. Instead, the cookie is given rapt attention and seemingly enjoyed immensely. She looks out over the sands, eye's looking over each egg with interest, the expected end enough to bring back the spark of excitment.

M'yr laughs, nodding as he lifts his glass in a non-verbal toast to V'lano, "I won't tell him you said that." His elbow juts out, slowly heading toward the Istan Weyrleader's ribcage for a light impact. "You and Griere are doing well? It does seem like it.."

From the sands,

Nolee tips her head, considering Amira's words, and the overheard ones from Niklo thoughtfully. "Nalaieth keeps secrets, though," she murmurs. "I bet Aerianth does too, when she wants to. But maybe a sick egg would be enough reason to tell." This musing softly voiced, Nolee goes back to people watching -- after all, the eggs will be there for ages and ages. "Learning to rest is just as important as learning to work," she tells Amira sagely, with only a slight giggle on the end. Then a disheartened sigh. "Another white one."

"Well, yeah, I guess so, but still. I guess it /is/ pink..." But her attention is drawn in by the new egg, with wide eyes, "Ohh, see, now there's a pretty egg! That will draw attetnion, you can be sure!" She giggles and gives a loud clap of her hands in excitement. "It's a lovely clutch, no matter how many colors it does or doesn't have!" [Tzivya]

Toril squints down at the unexpected brightness of the newest egg, lips pursing in a silent whistle. "Are they s'posed t'*glow* like that? Or has th'queen been eatin' odd herdbeasts?"

"Thirty three," Griere says with an appreciative breath. "I cannot even fathom how uncomfortable that must have been for her. Aerianth's belly only starts to get really cumbersome just before she clutches. I'd imagine with thirty three would be quick a nightmare."

Niklo looks toward Nolee as she comments about golds -- she would, after all, know these things. Looking a bit concerned at the prospect of something truly being wrong with the egg, she bites her lip for a moment. "But surely she'd tell someone if there was somethin' wrong... I mean, that's important, ain't it?" Sighing, she just shakes her head and turns back to the sands, spotting the new egg that Tzivya thinks is so nice. And this time she can't help but agree. "That one *is* lovely. It's so... bright? Stands out real nice on the dark sand, don't it?" A bit of a smile.

The ribbing is taken as lightly as M'yr meant it - but V'lano transfers the basket containing the now-drowsing firelizard and the balls of yarn into his other hand in preparation to clear an elbow to come back at the Fortian weyrleader. "We are doing marvelously, my friend, I assure you. I've invited your weyrwoman for a rester here, though, should she like to take the time. Perhaps you could convince her, if you were to come along with - ?" Now there's an invitation M'yr might never have expected.

Jenna confides softly to Griere, "Niyath was an absolute terror to live with. I'm /so/ glad that's behind us. The smaller clutches are easier to manage. Easier on the staff too."

Toril smiles sidelong at Niklo. "Won't be too hard t'find come Hatching Day, will it? That dark one might get lost, but everyone'll be circlin' around that one, hpoin' for a sparkly glowin' dragon."

Nolee nods Niklo's way; no need to alarm the girl, after all. "Sure, yeh, sure!" she enthuses. "After all, M'yr's Soldreth's egg looked terrible sick. Like a rotted out wherry egg. And he turned out fine! Well," she takes on a momentary look of consternation, "Mostly fine."

Kamia slips in quietly, rubbing her hands on her apron, having rushed to finish some work and get to see the hatching, but still late and frazzled looking.

"And easier in the barracks once they hatch," Griere adds. "Weyrlinghood is difficult enough without sixty beings all breathing and snoring away all night. Perhaps if there had been twelve eggs when I impressed, I'd have had a better chance of sleeping as a weyrling." That doesn't really convince her though. She cranes her neck to watch the latest egg for a moment and then turns back to Jenna. "It is good of you to come. You should visit more often."

Tzivya grins and bounces more, the prettier egg restoring some of her spirits from the more drab balck and white eggs. She grins over at Toril, "Yeah, it'll be fun to watch when the hatching comes! Looks lke it will be a good one this time, too! Lots of nice eggs, and lots of bets to place!"

M'yr's brow arches, curious smile playing at his lips. "Well, I just might take you up on that!" Another tilt of his glass in silent toast given to his friend, then his attention turns to Nolee. Seems the word 'Soldreth' caught his attention. "It was a rotted green color, with these horrid bumps all over it!"

Niklo grins at Toril's comment nearby, nodding vigorously. "I'd bet my money on a metallic there, for sure!" the girl replies, then pauses. "If... I had any." A shrug. "Oh well..."

From the sands,

Kaelana tries to ignore the conversation about her involving a possible sickish dragon, though a faint look of worry tinges her features. She instead looks down at the last two eggs, both seeming to garner her interest more then the rest combined. She breathes out slowly, trying to nudge Tzivya, murmuring, "Look at -that- one." Of course she doesn't specify, but it probably doesn't make too much difference either way.

Caitlyn chortles at Nolee's remembrance of Soldreth's egg - the circumstance much prior to Cait coming to Ista. "I remember Kint's egg looked angry...but with that perfect, serene jewel floating inside it... Just like me." Seems like she too is reminiscing.

Jenna chuckles to Griere. "It's a conspiracy. V'lano was just saying the same thing. I admit, it /is/ tempting. Ista's a wonderful place to visit."

"Bet when y'got marks," Toril advises Niklo cheerfully. "'Till then, just make a lot of guesses, then tell everyone when they hatch that y'knew it all along. That's worked for m'brother a time or three." She resists the urge to watch the Wig egg and see if it tips over. "Hope I'll be here t'see if you're right when th'Hatchin' comes."

"You're always welcome," Griere adds. "Of course, V'lano and I have not been to Fort nearly as often as she should, either," she admits. She spots the latest egg from the corner of her eye and double takes. "And there's the gray one," she says with a sigh.

Nolee tries to join the reverie, looking thoughtful and distant for a moment, all wispy-eyed. "Nalaieth's looked...like an egg. I don't remember its outside. But I remember the inside!" Thoughtful a moment, she regards the white egg, then shakes her head. "Three white ones! At least Nalaieth's had some color." Let's just not mention the short, low flight and the small clutch there either, eh? "It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How much they match what's on the outside, and how much they don't?"

"Soldreth's egg - " V'lano turns alongside M'yr now, to face Nolee, a grin crooked on his mouth. "I couldn't say. It was interesting." Now his chance to elbow his former 'second in the ribs, a little more soundly than he was elbowed at first.

Tzivya laughs, "Yeah, always a few people who say they knew what everything would be! But they never do, it's all just guessing in the end. Still and all, they are lovely, if monochromatic!" Ohh, big word. "Can't be many more coming, though, after all clutches should be pretty small, right?"

From the sands,

Caitlyn smiles up at her friend, nodding, and chortling softly at Nolee. "Yeah, i've wondered about that, too. And yes, Nala's were very colorful! A painter's pallate-worth." As she again peruses he eggs visually, Cait's head quirks to the side, level brown gaze giving Aerianth's offspring the once-over.

M'yr's hand instinctively grabs at the offending elbow still connected to his friend - perhaps not for long? Quick laughter overtakes him, the wine sloshing in the glass so much he downs it quickly. "All right, wine is finished, time to go home!"

Niklo grins wildly at Toril's advice, head bobbing. "Good plan!" she agrees, glancing at Tzivya, "Hear that? I bet a metallic in that egg." A nod. "And... a blue in that one." A finger points to the prominantly white egg that was brought forth. But then she sighs and nods, starting to add to what the other girl said when she spots the newest egg on the sands. "Oh!" the girl exclaims instead, "Look at that! How beautiful! What a gorgeous shade." A pause and she sighs heavily, "That one's my favorite, Tziv. For sure. Shards, what a beauty."

Jenna arches an eyebrow at Griere, as she takes a sip of her wine. After she swallows, "Gray one? I take it there's one in each clutch?"

Kamia watches quietly, edging her way up into a corner to watch the clutch, tilting her head abit.

From the sands, Aerianth lets out a relieved heave of a sigh and stretches from neck to tail before she is ready to give her happy new family their first survey in full. She nudges the last of the eggs, gently grouping them all together, along with some extra slopes of sand, and then settles down beside them and warbles happily at her mate.

Nolee sighs a moment, recalling that the last one on Ista's sands was just so, rather small. Then she's remembered the cookies, and has polished off another one of them, her expression turning toward that of one who has overdone it with the sweets as she swallows hard and tries to pass the bowl off to anyone who will take it.

Zyllia slips out, having had her fill of egg watching for the time being.

"Troublemaker," V'lano sidelongs to M'yr, but the word - low and chastising as it might be - is fond. Distance, you know, makes the heart grow fonder, or at least makes the fingers less inclined to try to wring a rival's neck. Then he's shifting around M'yr (trying to steer clear of retaliatory elbows) to reapproach his Weyrwoman, and the Fortian one as well. Because he's overheard... "If there's only one in -this- clutch that's right unfortunate. Volath might be losing his touch."

Tzivya ohhhhs in awe and nods with Niklo, "I might have to agree with you there, Nik. That's got a lovely hue to it, reminds me of some of the drinks down at the Sandbar. And compared to the others, it really stands out, doesn't it? It's like the others are there just to make it look good!"

The rich, resplendant red egg *does* finally give Caitlyn her first cause to emit a deep sigh of wonder, "Ooh, that one's lovely..."

Amira has found a seat, but simply sits quietly and unabtrusably in it, looking over the eggs and listening to the other girls' chatter. "There's some color for you," she says to Tzivya and Niklo, nodding toward the latest egg. "I think that's all." She falls silent, still looking at the eggs she missed earlier.

"In Volath's at least. I guess Josilina blamed him for the gray one that Lliannoth had when Volath sired," Griere explains. "Or I think that's how the story goes. And there has been at least one in each of ours. Soldreth came from one. that was an odd egg. We were all relieved when Soldreth came out with all his limbs intact. I'd rather hoped maybe it was a fluke, but... it's seeming to be a trend just as Josilina predicted." Griere gives a shrug and then catches sight of her lifemate settling in. "Oh, she appears done."

Kaelana, oddly, notices the weyrwomans predicament and offers a hand to take the offending bowl away. She offers a sweet little smile, gaze half on the matter at hand and half roving the crowd to gather information for what ever reason she has. Her surveying happens upon Amira and a friendly wave is given with her other hand, a cordial smile given.

M'yr attempts a whooshing palm, aimed at V'lano's side, his own being the playfulness of one who is fond of the other. Smacking both hands together, he places his glass down on one of the benches, casually making his way toward Jenna and the Istan leaders. "I wasn't kidding. At least not then. Unfortunately I do need to return back to Fort. It's been a pleasure. So good to be back. Thank you."

Niklo just grins like a fool, obviously pleased with what appears to be the last egg of the clutch. "Perfect!" she tells the other girls nearby, "What a perfect ending, eh? All those plain-ish eggs, and then... then *that* one!" A shiver of excitement, and she giggles at Tzivya. "Fine. I've never seen a firelizard egg I liked as much as that one. You win."

Jenna's head jerks back to look at the sands, making a tally. "Fourteen. Very goodly sized clutch. and Niyath's last was so colorful, I'd have liked to see some gray ones in there. Though," she casts a speculative glance at M'yr, "I'd like to hear more about Soldreth's egg being.. unusual. Like M'yr though," she says louder, "I also should be getting back."

Toril counts rapidly, managing not to count the sparkly egg or the rich red egg twice. "Fourteen. M'mum says that's not bad, for an Interval. An' if we make any bets on them, we maybe won't lose *all* our marks."

Caitlyn pipes up as she overhears the Fortian leaders, "Hey, good to see you, M'yr, Jenna! Fair Skies! And don't be strangers, hear?!" A broad wave and a flashing, even grin are given to the pair.

Tzivya grins and hops to her feet as the event comes to a clear end. "A great size! And /I/ don't plan to lose any marks! I'll get them all right!" She grins to her friends, "And Nik, don't think I won't remind you of that! Now, we should hurry out cause there's always really good food after these, and if you wait too long the really yummy stuff is gone before you get to it!"

Nolee smiles gratefully Kaelana's way. "Thanks! Should've grabbed an older bowl of them; the fresh ones are too hard to resist." Passing off the bowl leaves her free to wave in an unladylike but exuberant manner to Jenna and M'yr as they prepare for departure. She echoes Caitlyn's words with, "Yep, don't be strangers! And bring the little one so he can have cookies!"

Griere puts on her gracious hostess smile. "And I should be getting down to the sands. "Thank you again for coming," she says to Jenna, turning to include M'yr in that. Her eyes then seek out V'lano and the tip of her curly head hints that it's time for them to check on their lifemates and get a good look at the new eggs from up close.

V'lano is almost, not quite, unaffected by that whooshing palm. He manages not quite to cough, and recovers with a merry grin, bending just enough to put down the basket with the lizard in it by his foot. "Jenna, it's been a pleasure," he rolls out, rich and low, straightening and putting out a hand to offer for hers. "Bring him back some time. Like I offered, if you have time, maybe." Brows up, eyes bright and dark. Sparkle. And then, icing on the cake, a glance snuck at Griere, as if he's crafty.

Amira catches Kaelana's wave out of the corner of her eye and smiles to her. "You go on, Tzivya. I'm going to make sure I look at the ones I missed." She waves at the cheerful girl

Niklo laughs and nods vigorously. "Agreed! I've seen enough clutchings and hatchings -- I should do pretty good this time!" The girl grins assuredly and gets to her feet as well, to follow her freind. "Alright, food sounds great about now. Real good!"

Toril looks really, truly wistful at the mention of food. "I've got t'find th'Headwoman and make m'self known," she says regretfully. "Once I find a bunk t'tuck my bag under, maybe I can come back an' try some of that stuff." Perhaps she might make herself known here. "M'name's Toril--da's a guardsman up at 'Reaches Hold, mum's a bluerider at 'Reaches Weyr. Happy t'be here, and t'meet you all." She bobs something like a curtsey in the Weyrleaders' direction, then hurries out.

Tzivya grins to Amira with a nod. "Aye! Imagine we'll all spend some times getting better looks at them, once things quiet down. We'll save you a seat though, so look for us when you come in, ok?" She grins and turns, "C"mon Nik! Best bubblies are out now!"

M'yr catches Griere's smile, that gesture not unusual to him, chuckling to himself before clearing his throat. "V'lano, we should toss down a few at the bar sometime soon and remember old times, hmm? Fare well both of you, and congratulations on the new eggs!" An arm is held out to Jenna, smile sent to Nolee and Caitlyn. "Good to see you again, Noles and Cait."

Jenna crosses palms with V'lano, smiling, "I'll do my best." She takes M'yr's arm and offers, "Good night everyone. Thank you all for your hospitality."

R'tran waves to Jenna and M'yr as they depart.

Saluting, Niklo grins and moves to follow her friend out off to the living cavern for food. "Yes ma'am!" she replies, "Bubblies, ahoy!" And the two girls wind their way through the crowd quick as they can, trying to beat the rush. Hopefully.

Tzivya walks down the stairs towards the entrance.

Nolee stands up amid the throng and stretches, heedless of the wiles of her pointy elbows and the havoc in ducking that they present for a few of the folks she's near. "Ohh, maybe a nice juice would be just the thing for calming the cookie-ache." She curtsies awkwardly to those nearby with whom she's been visiting, gives another hearty wave to those whose names she mostly can remember, and starts to scoot toward the steps and a slow descent.

Kaelana watches her friends leave the galleries, looking around at the remaining with a sheepish grin on her face. She looks momentarily confused before standing to her feet and scurrying out towards the bowl, cookie bowl still clutched in her right hand, seemingly forgotten.

Caitlyn gives all assembled either grins and waves or soft hint of them, given how much she knows them - and remains seated - serruptitiously snagging a nearby cushion to prop behind her back as she leans into the row at her back... Just lazing quietly as others take their leave...and leave her in peaceful thought.

Kaelana walks down the stairs towards the entrance.

The weyrleader lets out something of a sigh, as if M'yr and Jenna's departure does bring some level of relief. He slips up to Griere's side, angling to slide an arm around the small of her back. "I think I'm going to leave her here for a while." A glance down at the basket of yarn-and-firelizard he's put down beside his foot, to signify his statement. "So we can have some peace -" Ducking his head closer to Griere's ear. "If you want."

Jascela remains seated beside R'tran. As the infant awakens and begins to fuss, she leans over to take the child back from his father. "Sounds like someone is hungry again..."

Griere nods with a sigh of her own. "Please," she replies, regarding that pesky little firelizard and her basket. She slips neatly under V'lano's arm and they head down to the sands and their proud lifemates.

Nolee finally manages to make her way down the steps and out, with a bit of oopsing and sorry-ing as she treads on toes and bumps against various folks.