Could it Be?

Writers: Devin, Chelle, Miriah, Paula
Date Posted: 17th December 2014

Characters: Rhosyn, D'lorn, A'dryn, Lanniya, U'das, Thejia
Description: The candidates come to touch the eggs.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 9 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Briata

Lanniya

D'lorn was at the head of the line. The greenrider stopped outside of
the Sands, motioning for his line of candidates to be quiet. Walking
inside, he waited for the Weyrwoman to emerge, wanting to make sure
everything was all right before they entered Orlaith's domain. Rhosyn
appeared since she'd been expecting them and assured him it would be
fine as long as the candidates behaved themselves. The senior queen
was in the Cavern, perched near the gold egg that was hardening along
with the others.

Turning back to the group, he spoke quietly but loud enough for them
to hear. "Everyone be on your best behavior. We do not want to upset
Orlaith. You may touch the eggs and talk, but do so quietly please.
Things in the Cavern tend to echo. No horseplay. No hard touches." He
gave them all a glare that said no one had better do anything stupid.
"We'll all meet right here when I give the signal time's up." That
said, he waited a moment then led them onto the Sands. Rhosyn walked
over to Orlaith, scratching her eye ridges, even as she watched them.

U'das helped D'lorn to herd in the group of candidates. He gave
Orlaith a bow after stepping inside the Hatching cavern. "My duty to
you, Orlaith," he said.

Thejia followed his example, although she curtsied instead of bowing.
"Thank you for this opportunity to meet your eggs," she said with
sweet voice. She was well-bred young woman and her eyes were looking
for the gold egg, and gold only.

Lanniya was having trouble keeping still. Excitement swelled in her.
She was going to get a chance to touch the eggs and maybe even try to
talk to them. She waited, trying not to bounce on her toes too much as
Thejia approached Orlaith and then moved on. Her turn was next, so she
hurried forward and gave a curtsey, then peered up at the gold.
**Thank you, Orlaith, for letting us in to see your eggs. May I try to
speak to them?**

That didn't exactly receive the best reaction. Besides her rider, the senior
queen had only spoken to one other person and that was when she had
addressed that person herself. Her eyes flashed once, whirling with a tinge
of yellow.

Rhosyn stepped in before too much trouble was caused. "Candidate, please
address my dragon through me or out loud unless she decides to speak to you.
That is the proper etiquette." The Weyrwoman frowned, knowing the girl was
young and new to using her ability. Fortunately, River Bluff already had two
HADs living there so Rhosyn knew more than most about how to handle such
things.

"She says you can see them but we've already tried listening with others and
it didn't work. Not until much later." She thought back to having Briata on
the Sands and was glad to have tried that.

Lanniya's bright smile faltered. No other dragon had minded her
speaking to them; they all had seemed open to it. The public
chastening made her bow her head and step back with a soft apology to
both dragon and rider. The frown of the Weyrwoman had succeeded in
intimidating her and the chastisement had embarrassed her. "Yes ma'am.
I apologize." She stepped back to the group, hugging herself.

Aldryn swallowed and tried to put on a brave face. "Queen Orlaith," he
said with a deep bow. "May I be permitted to touch your eggs?"

"She finds no fault with you. Go ahead, candidate." Rhosyn watched as they
all moved forward and began to touch the eggs. She stood next to Orlaith who was
also watching carefully. The Weyrwoman didn't think her dragon would commit
violence, but it was always safe to be there to explain things to her
if something did happen.

Aldryn moved cautiously toward the eggs. He nearly forgot the looming
queen as he began to touch them gently, wondering if his lifemate was
inside. **Please choose me,** he thought at each one. **I'll devote my
life to you. You'll be everything to me.*

U'das took a seat in the stands, observing the candidates. He didn't
miss how Thejia petted only the gold egg, ignoring all the rest.

Flicking a gaze over at the Weyrwoman, Lanniya began to walk around
the clutch, hands lightly sliding over the eggs. She murmured to them
softly. "Any one of you might be mine." Her touch was gentle as she
made her way to the queen egg and then paused, looking at it. "So
pretty." She lightly touched it with a sigh. "Maybe."

Thejia gave Lanniya an appraising look over and found her wanting. "
You? Never!" she snorted dismissively, but kept her voice quiet.

Lanniya blinked and turned to Thejia, her lips parting in surprise. As
of yet, before today, no one had been outright mean to her. Her gaze
flicked to U'das and then to Rhosyn before going back to Theija in
discomfort. She refused to let anyone ruin today for her. Turning her
back on the other girl, she stroked the gold egg one more time, patted
it and then walked to another egg, trailing her fingers along the
hardened shell.

U'das saw the incident and shook his head sadly. Some people were so petty.

D'lorn watched as they all took their time and the greenrider waited on the
edge of the Sands, aware that the gold was still watching carefully herself.
When their time was almost up, he nodded to U'das. "Five minute warning."

Aldryn tried to touch as many of the eggs as he could. He didn't know
if it would make any difference, but anything that _might_ help his
odds was worth trying.

When the candidates were done, Rhosyn watched D'lorn lead them out and she
couldn't help but wonder how things would end up. Of course, there was no
use in worrying over it. She'd deal with it when the time came.

Last updated on the December 26th 2014

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Could it Be?