P'quil (I guess that's his name, I forget) is leading a small band of very brave candidates out onto the sands. They're very brave because this go around, Nemekhath is still out here guarding over her eggs. Naturally this means Clementine is here to keep an eye on her, one hand resting against the gold's leg as she postures. Mostly however, she's out of their way and they'll have free and clear access to the eggs for as long as she can stand it. "If you want bonus points one of you will have brought me a sandwich. With smoked gouda." It's totally a cheese on Pern.

Halkarie isn't afraid of the eggs. Except for the fact that they are super small and they look so super duper fragile. So when he's ushered onto the sands he's tip-toeing as well as a large man can upon the sands. There's a crease on his face of concentration to keep up said tip-toes, and he'll make the usual greetings to the gold dragon, and salute to the rider. And then he'll stand and let someone else do it first. Because Halkarie don't lead no charges man.

Halkarie isn't afraid of the eggs. Except for the fact that they are super small and they look so super duper fragile. So when he's ushered onto the sands he's tip-toeing as well as a large man can upon the sands. There's a crease on his face of concentration to keep up said tip-toes, and he'll make the usual greetings to the gold dragon, and salute to the rider. And then he'll stand and let someone else do it first. Because Halkarie don't lead no charges man.

Jorlen gets ready to step onto the sands and hesitates spotted his um, yeah, that goldrider in Clementine by Nemekhath. He does the polite bow/salute they were told about last time. "Sorry, I didn't bring a sandwhich with me" He doesn't really wait for a response before he goes wandering around the eggs stopping at the 'Let there be internet egg' and with a quick psych himself up breath reaches out and puts one finger on it

pst jorlen with That one fingertip doesn't seem to do much, does it? That is until something twinges through it drawing the rest of your hand down to rest against the shell of this egg as if it fits perfectly into a slot made for it. Deep inside your head is a buzz that changes in tones as if searching for something. You can't see anything but black for the longest time. When did you close your eyes? Whenever it was it's all black now, except for that little grey circle with a white dot moving around it steadily. It just goes around and around … and around … and aaarrrroooouuuunnnd. FOREVER. Until you get a flash of eye-searing blue, too fast to really see anything, before everything is black again. Just as it goes black, a jolt runs through your hand and your fingertip — yeah, the one that touched the egg — actually burns for a moment as you jerk it free from the shell once more.

K'lir has chosen this evening — of all evenings — to watch how the new crop of Candidates act around the eggs currently laying on the sands. The tall bronzerider leans against the entry to the Sands in the shadows where he's less likely to be noticed though the soot-darkened bronze lounging on a ledge overhead — yeah, that's Bryntaeroth keeping watch as well.

"Your weyrlings don't bring sandwiches." Clementine pouts to P'quil, who seems like he isn't all that concerned. "Just be glad if they don't trip and break one. Hey you! Go touch an egg. This isn't an art gallery." He makes a face at Halkarie over his dithering.

It's true. No sandwiches. This group is a complete failure to launch. P'quil (does he make you sleepy if you drink him?)'s chastisement has the large man ducking his head downward and shuffling towards the eggs. He stays by the edge, reaching out to lay a single finger on Love You on a Back Road Egg. From the stories the others have told he's ready enough, and he closes his eyes and hunches his shoulders. Come at him mind-poking egg.

Keelie's bright red hair can be spotted in the galleries - she's watching the candidates, chin lifted with a curious air. Her eyes drift especially to the ones that are of wildling descent, and that tall lumberjack guy holding back. The brown bulk that is Gruffith is higher up on one of the ledges, a silent protector, his chin on his paws - not sleeping for once, but watching like his lifemate.

Despite having said he wouldn't go near those eggs again, Tal is here with the others. So something Kas or Halkarie said may have sunk in? That or he's come for some other… obscure reason. Fear isn't what gives him pause here, but he's not setting any of the other candidates straight on that, enduring any titters as he drags his feet getting there and as a result, as last time, he's amongst the stragglers, looking none too eager to get out there. Alas, he has no sandwich for A'idan, though he's got the salute (nowhere near as crisp and smooth as the practised riders, but better) for P'quil and the bow for the dam. And yeah, she's getting a quiet study while he follows the others onto the sands, hands safely shoved in his pockets. He treads softly between those eggs for a bit until finally, reluctantly, he stops beside 'This Egg Isn't Mine', pulls one hand out of his pocket and brushes it with the tips of his fingers.

Arianne is not really on the sands. She's in the galleries today. Because the galleries have seats, and screw the idea of standing. Eggs are not chairs either, so THAT idea was out of the question. What did she bring with her though? A drudge hauling sandwiches! She gesticulates wildly at Clementine to show her. "I bear presents!" Like a sacrifical offering to appease the queen. Or in this case, her rider.

pst Halkarie with This egg doesn't know if P'quil makes you sleepy if you drink him, you should probably ask your mom.
Wait. No. That's not right! How does this egg know anything about //your mom? And what exactly is it insinuating?! The dragon that's in this egg is really sick, sick I tell you! Whatever it was getting at back there? It's making you super uncomfortable already. But still, you're drawn to keep your hand in place. A warmth radiates from um, down below your belt. Your mind starts to wander to other more adult subjects, that laundress you met this morning, the girl at the bathes the stablehand at lunch- hey wait…? Where's your hand? OH MY GOD STOP DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.//

Jorlen frowns a bit looking at his hand and he casts a sideways glance at Clementine and her queen before going back to picking another egg still with the frown. He looks around at the other candidates briefly as he stops in front of the 'Good idea the the time Egg' and places a whole two…count em…two fingers on this egg.

HALKARIE'S MOM IS DEAD OKAY?! Halkarie's downturned face is a flush of read from his closed cut scalp down to where his slightly baggy shirt begins. It probably goes down further, but no one needs to see a shirtless Halkarie. He backs away from the egg quickly, glad he stuck to the side where no unlucky and sad little egg can get his foot inside of it. Glancing downwards he checks something really quick, before flushing even more scarlet. Trying to play it smooth he'll just drop his hands down and try to tug his shirt lower. No one sees anything here right? Nada. He's just going to… touch that one, the 'Gap Back Egg'.

HE IS ONLY TOUCHING EGGS. No matter how ball like they sound.

SOMEBODY EMITED BALLS.

pst Talobi with The smell of fresh parchment fills your nose and… is that hand in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? A flash of luxurious blonde hair out of the corner of your eye belongs to a buxom minx candidate, all svelte curves and pleasant smiles, who is veeeery interested in you. She flips back said hair from her face and makes come-hither to you with her finger. You can feel the flush begin at your toes, warming it way up to your face. Are you bright red? ARE YOU BLUSHING TALOBI? But then a dashing young man appears and wisks her away, and you realize you're imaging… are you reading?? WHAT ARE YOU READING TALOBI? For serious, that's not your book! But, dog ear the page just in case. NO ONE
NEEDS TO KNOW. OR DO THEY KNOW ALREADY?

The egs sound like BALLS?

Your face sounds like balls. :(

Combined age on the sands: 5

Well. Arianne is here.

Does that lower the age, or raise it though?

Always down, always.

-2?

Something like that.

She can feel the love, people. She can totally feel it.

You torment another lucky individual…

pst Halkarie with Well the egg didn't know that! Did it? Anyway. You move onto your next egg and this one is significantly more mature. But not in the x-rated way. Instead it reaches out to somewhere deep in your soul, to the part of you that's traveled many roads to get to where you are today. Resilient and tough, you're given the impression that this little guy could have handled it if you bumped into him. He'd have survived. He's nothing super special to look at, there's no shiny baubles or flashing lights to get attention. That's not what this one is about. Trust, loyalty and an ability and desire to travel miles and miles without getting tired. Warmth and trust flood through this one.

pst jorlen with This egg doesn't do a whole lot, does it? It just sits there, soaking up the heat and growing harder and harder toward Hatching Day. Up until the moment you touch it, did it really have a purpose? The scent of maple syrup wreathes around you and cinnamon tickles your nostrils. The smell is so strong, you can almost taste it! Unconsciously your jaw moves as if you are chewing something crunchy and tasty but then you feel something stuck between your teeth. What is that? It's not sand, is it? It's … UGH! It's a //hair! Your hand comes away from the shell of this egg and you're nagged by the feeling of something sticky, crumbly and … gross against your skin despite what your eyes tell you.//

Yeah little erotic egg, that's Tal's HAND in his pocket 'cos he's not that happy to see any of you. Furthermore, eyes half-lidded with whatever vision of beauty this egg plants into his subconscious - WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS - draws a headshake and a dryly muttered, "Thanks, but I'll pass. I know danger when I see-" And then something must change, for he says (and quite clearly too), "Rhuysarr, Dude. Thanks for saving my bacon!" A breath of obvious relief is exhaled before he tenses, frowns and reluctantly admits to something else, "I… can't." He's blinking back to the here and now, drawing his hand back while admitting to that egg, "You're… not so bad." And then he'll stride with measured steps to 'A3 or A13 or A31?! Egg', lays a cautious hand upon the surface and waits.

The flush on Halkarie's fades as the mind within this one reaches into him. Something about what the egg gives him as the perpetually hunched over and trying to hide man straightening his shoulders. Eyes open and he looks down at the egg with a curious expression. The stroke of one finger finally turns into a full and press as Halkarie gets the feeling that somehow this…. this one can take it. He pulls back reluctantly, but takes some of the feeling the egg gives out with him, his shoulders straight though he still avoids eye contact with others as he reaches out to touch the 'We'll Leave The Light On Egg'.
Jorlen looks a few times between his hand and the egg muttering under his breath. Okay, not his favorite and something rather wrong is in some of these eggs. He makes sure his hands are clean and uses his other one to put a finger on the 'Gotta Have it egg' as Halk goes motel6 on the other side.

pst Halkarie with Gap is Back doesn't quite want to let you go, but if you must leave, you must. Plus the egg is stationary and can't exactly track you down on the sands. This next egg pulls you in rapidly and you find your vision dimming, dimming down until everything is dark and black. Just shadows rushing past your eyes and blocking everything out. It's a disorienting sensation and not altogether pleasent. You begin to feel very drowsy, you just want to let your head down on the top of this egg and take a quick nap. BUT YOU CAN'T HALKARIE. This isn't the place for naps, you snap back and in the far distance there's a light. It's rushing towards you. Just keep your hand on the wheels and BAM. You're back on the sands.

pst talobi with You don't have to wait long. The moment your hand touches this egg, your chest tightens. The world goes blurry. YOU CAN'T BREATHE. WHERE DID YOU PARK THE DRAGON? DID YOU LEAVE IT OVER THERE? OR WAS IT OVER THERE? YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE FOR THE HATCHING AND THEN WHAT WILL BECOME OF YOU, TALOBI? Oh no! You should have written it down. Should have done something! The earth opens up beneath you and you slip down down down a long side into darkness. You reach the bottom and claw at the walls for air, but you can't breathe! What will you do? Are you going to die down here? Will anyone ever find you? And then suddenly you remember. You roll your eyes. IT'S RIGHT THERE. Duh.

pst jorlen with As soon as your hand rests against this flat black shell that soft whirring sounds and a green light flashes gently and comfortingly as it seems to come alive beneath your touch. A scene flickers to life before your eyes, the Sands fading as a campfire crackles before you and keeps the chill you can feel on your back at bay. Your stomach is full of good, hot food and your muscles are tired but now that you're back at your 'safe zone' you can relax until morning. The campfire flickers in and out as if your eyes are blinking sleepily until everything goes black. That's when you come back to the here and now feeling oddly refreshed and ready to meet the next battle that comes your way.

TBH, Halkarie didn't want to leave Gap is Black either. But he did, only to be sent on a yo-yo of sensation that shatters the confidence he'd gotten from that black little egg. Shoulders hunch back together and he stifles a yawn before he twitches backwards like he just smashed into something hard. Shaking it off he eyes the other eggs. The next one on the edge is also close to Nemekhath. Just to be sure the large man bows again and reaches out to brush his fingers along 'Dreams Come True'.

pst Halkarie with Nemekhath is an imposing, threatening figure in the corner of your vision. In fact she's taking up more like half of your vision here. Could she just move over a little- what, no? Your hand makes contact with the shell of this egg and you're swept away. No longer do you wear the normal clothes of a man on Pern, but the shining armor of a knight. You're on a trusty ebony black steed with a ridiculous flowing mane. You're charging towards a mythical, fanciful castle. You're going to be the //hero. You're going to save the girl, save the day and become the king of this kingdom. But first you have to defeat the giant evil dragon that rains fire down on you from up high! She roars she- Oh fuck that's Nemekhath making throat grumbles at you. Move away buddy, MOVE AWAY!//

Jorlen nods a bit as he pulls away from his last egg, "At least one of them isn't too bad." He looks around again though apparently deciding to end on what seems like a good note, he makes for entrance and gives a quick bow on his way out before heading back towards the barracks

Still leaning against the side of the entry to the Sands, K'lir nods as Jorlen and a few others make their way out to return to the barracks. There is a faint smile curling his lips as the eggs seem to be continuing their regular antics with this group as some of the ones leaving look green or are crying though the thoughtful ones get a lingering glance from the bronzerider. Despite being in the shadows, he quirks an eyebrow at Talobi as the young man seems to meet his gaze as he turns back to watch the remaining Candidates reactions curiously.

Uh. No. This egg is full of shit, and Halkarie totally supports the whole ooc part of this scene mentioning omelets for this particular egg. As Nemekhath roars he's going to do EXACTLY what she says and gtf away from her eggs. There's a glance towards the Gap Black Egg that had caught his attention before, but the large candidate makes no move to touch it. Instead he'll wait till others begin their shuffle and somehow try to hide himself in their midst.

pst talobi with Something clinches around your waist and you feel a sudden wave of calm, of ease. You've got this. You've got everything you need, right here. K'lir over there? Don't worry about him. That thing you lost, that he needs? It's probably with you, right now! You just need to rummage through that belty thing about your waist, with the pouch attached. Everything you've ever lost, everything you've ever wanted, is right here. You can //feel it. Why worry? Everything will be ok. This egg is sure of it.//

With that touch, any tension in Tal's body simply melts away and it's a visible transformation. The normal sharp alertness in his eyes softens to something akin to trust. There remains, however, a hint of doubt. "And how can you be so sure about that, eh?" he murmurs to the egg with a half-smile of indulgence tugging at his mouth. THIS egg gets a little stroke and a final pat before he draws his hand back "And aren't you a sweet little thing. I hope you find everything you believe in to be true…" WaitWHOA. He's talking nicethings to a dragon egg, it dawns on him and he clears his throat. No one heard that, right? A glance is slanted to the gold dragon and he bows with a jerk. DON'T MIND IF YOU HEARD, JUST DON'T TATTLE, M'KAY? And then he's heading off with the group, avoiding eye contact with the gathered riders, AWLMs, what-have-yous watching, slides through the melee to walk alongside of Halkarie. Silent support here as the big dude gets a side-glance or two of concern.