Turn around, look at what you see/ In her face, the mirror of your dreams. -- Hatching Sands

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Date Posted: 21:59:29 06/01/05 Wed
Author: Kamariath
Subject: Turn around, look at what you see/ In her face, the mirror of your dreams.

In another moment, barely a heartbeat after the last Impressions, the egg containing everyone�s hopes and expectations begins now to reveal its true mettle. It seems as though time on Pern has stopped, for the silence permeating the vast grounds. Those who had been talking or laughing, sitting or standing, or anything in between, stop. Wessae, who had been doctoring a fallen candidate, looks around with Shrineth�s pleased rumbling which has definitely changed pitch. The only other sound besides the golden queen's humming is the eternal one of sand rustling against shoes, robes, and walls.

She hatches? Wessae asks her dragon privately, daring not to break the silent ground with spoken words. In mute answer, Shrineth rises gracefully to leave the queen egg unprotected and fully visible to all. However, the protective matron is not even a claw�s breadth from her young one, in case anyone had an idea to do something foolish. Soon, to the straining ears of those present, a sublte sound is added to the layer. It is the sound of timidity, of hesitation, of new beginnings.

It is the sound of a dragon freeing itself from an eggshell.

And in a blink without further ceremony, she is free. Sprawled on the sand amidst the sticky trappings of her old life, the infant queen staggers to her feet with a splutter and a small sneeze that causes Wessae to smile endearingly. Remaining for a moment as though she knows exactly how special she is, she allows all present a good long look at her. Somewhat small, like her dam before her, she is a lighter shade of gold than most of her color, though her rank is unmistakable by her proud stance. Well formed and vital, her presence makes the very air around her sing, and her luminescent eyes take in everything with an air of rapture. So this was the world! Almost as though she had forgotten her purpose for hatching, she begins to meander off to the side as her gaze follows a cloud. It takes an infintely gentle and somehow indulgent nip from Shrineth for the youngster to come to her senses, which she does with a small blurt of sound. She had a job to do!

Eyes whirling with her choices, she wavers a moment, foot curled from the sand and body faintly trembling like a hunting hound on point. Not scared but thrilled, expectant, excited. She is searching for a companion to share her heart, her mind, the daring feel of wind and sun against skin. She's searching for a reassuring hand to scratch her eyeridges and a partner to clean her so she looks her best for any occaison. In short, a lifemate. But not just any will do, oh no. She takes a few steps one way, and then a few another. There were so many girls! Her head twists from side to side as she feels a pull one way, and then another. There were two pulls now, both equally strong, but only one would prevail.And suddenly she feels a release, the path shines clear and she flares her wings in delight, a gesture that causes a halo to descend on her head and neck. A mind and heart as free and imaginative as her own, racing with quick, thrilling dreams and a promising future. She had found her soul, and the joining was sweet. With a steady, measured step she makes her way confidently amidsts the quiet glances of candidates.

Laying her large head heavily on the shoulder of her girl with perfect love and trust, she inhales deeply, satisfied. Her heart bursts with joy in her discovery and a voice that can be heard by every single human and dragon present rings out. Letimira! I am Kamariath!

The grounds, which until now had been silent, erupt in a furious cheer of human and dragon alike.

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