Tempest Weyr

After the noise of Tanith's hatching faded away, three small satellites remained in the dark quiet.  

Ysk's gold face, pale as moonlight, watched over the feral wher eggs. She paced. She considered. These eggs were not her own, she knew, and therefore her guard was more wary--of the eggs themselves, if not of the world around them.

The loss of Tanith's eggs were a boon. Wher matters were better left in twilight.

It was, perhaps, because these eggs were so foreign that the call went out late... An egg had already hatched by the time the first human was permitted access to the Sands.

Still here, the gold warned, her eyes shimmering will-o-wisps in the limited glow of the cavern lights. Careful...  Her mindvoice danced with playful intrigue.

Hatching Conditions & Rules

This hatching takes place at night. The Aurora Egg has already hatched before the first humans arrive. Its occupant isn't on the Sands, but Ysk claims they are still nearby...

IC Expectations

• Candidates must refrain from drinking or consuming fellis during the week the eggs are expected to hatch. Candidates must attend the hatching sober, or else be removed from the Sands.
  
• Candidates must wear their white candidate robes at the hatching. They can wear other clothing underneath their robes.
  
• Candidates must not interfere with unhatched eggs, unless given explicit permission and with the guidance of a Journeyman or Master Weyrhealer.
  
• Candidates will not attempt to strike, grab, or otherwise interfere with hatchling whers. If in danger, candidates have been taught to move out of the way.
  
• Candidates will respect their fellows, and will not physically or verbally harass each other.
  
• Candidates will follow direct orders and instructions given by the Wherlingmaster(s) or the Whermaster.
  

OOC Rules

• Please do not tag the hatchrunners! We will be watching this thread.
  
• Please bold the names of any whers, characters, or hatchlings you are interacting with in your post. As a courtesy to others, it can also be helpful if you include a quick 1-2 sentence TL;DR of where your character is and what they're doing at the bottom of your post.
  
• IC actions have IC consequences. If your candidate misbehaves, there may be consequences for them and any other candidates or wherets involved.
  • Ignoring the above IC expectations may result in your character being removed from Sands, or barred from Standing altogether, depending on the severity of the infraction.
    
  • If your character openly rejects a hatchling that attempts to Impress to them, the hatchling may go wild.
    
  • You may also attempt a force-Impression, but if the wheret is not matched with your character, it will fail.
    
• As a reminder, in order to be eligible for Impression, you must have submitted a candidate form for your character and have made 10 posts with your candidate prior to the start of the Hatching.
  

Results

Am I really up for this?

Kuva had to pause to steady herself when Ysk's alert went out. Little Sprout was late, but had started a very faint hum when she realized it would probably be appropriate to do so, to help her human realize what was happening for certain. Kuva debated on whether to go at all… but what else would she do? It would be so irresponsible to avoid them. Not to mention the scolding she would likely get before the night was over. Why was she here, wasting resources, if not to try to Impress?
She had liked these eggs, besides. In an odd, uncomfortable, soul-bearing kind of way. What was she afraid of?

Rushing, then, if only to catch up, Kuva shoved away her midnight whittling project and pulled on the white robes over her usual clothes. It made the simple garment sort of lumpy, to have all of that underneath, but Kuva was not bothered, if she even noticed. On she went, trying to straighten out her hunched posture as she moved to the Hatching Grounds in relative silence.

Upon arrival, Kuva took in a deep breath, and bowed toward Ysk. Even if the gold was not these eggs' natural mother, she had still guarded them the same, and deserved the honor and gratitude for that duty.

Then… Then what? Kuva heeded the warning and looked around, keeping her eyes on the darkest corners of the sands and her ears open to the sound of rustling wings or claws sliding through sand. A glance was spared for the other two eggs, and an encouraging hum, vaguely copying what the dragonkin did during hatchings. She mostly just stood in place, waiting for one to come her way if they so wished to.

---

( Kuva almost flakes out, but shows up anyway, doesn't talk, keeping alert for Aurora's potential presence. )

It was the dead of night, he'd brought Nelora back to the creche for bed hours ago, and this was a wher clutch-- something he wasn't particularly interested in(Maybe? Might change. Depends on how the next hatching went, maybe. The last one, of course, hadn't a dragon for him either). There was a big however in that one of his friends was likely to be there. Or friend-adjacent. Kuva. He did bump into her enough - and they had endured that whole Mayor Mess together - that she was somewhere between the atmosphere of 'friend' and 'acquaintance'.

Nelmayl did remember how nervous, or unsure of herself, the young woman had seemed when she arrived. That was all the motivation he really needed to wake up and haul ass to the hatching sands- this time as a spectator. He'd grabbed one of his jackets before he'd left to obscure the fact he was still in pajamas. All the firelizards helped, too, you know. They joined in huming and - uhg- right in his ears.

Less people here meant he could snag one of the front-row seats. He waved toward Kuva encouragingly. "'Ey Kuva! You've got this." It was hard to muster his normal amount of cheer when he was still half-asleep, but it would do.



(Spectating, mild cheering for Kuva. Featuring firelizards. It's the middle of the night. he's tired.)

Dawn's flight did not always traditionally attend Wher hatchings before her time, unless there'd been a queen. Maybe it was Ransha's interest, or her own changing opinion, that had stirred Atalanta to stand guard for this one and future ones as well. So she was up as soon as they were permitted to be present, and she donned what armor she'd had left. Still without a proper chestpiece, but a leather gambeson would do. Her hands itched for Faranth's fang, but all she was left with was one of her daggers. Maybe she ought to discuss with the others, finding a blacksmith reputable enough for a replacement...? It- felt like blasphemy. A subject for later discussion.

Such selfish thoughts could be pushed aside. These wher eggs deserved as much focus as she granted to dragon clutches. So she stood guard dutifully with Ransha. With Aurora already hatched- somewhere - its safety, and that of the candidates, was paramount. She did not glean its form yet, however.

"Ransha." Atalanta broke her resolute silence, though her eyes remained on the two eggs that had yet to hatch. "You've more insight into these wher's souls than I. A great privilege."

She had never dared attend either a wher or dragon touching. She hadn't done so for Ista's hatchings, either. It wasn't that she considered any of them unworthy - otherwise she wouldn't permit Ransha as much. Perhaps it was that she feared a dragon's wisdom, that window into her own being. Everything she was and would be, laid bare in front of her eyes. Such vulnerability was not a burden for her to bear. Nor any dragons'. Her duty had always been to watch over them as they found their partners, elevated them into something more than what they had once been.

Ransha was braver than she was for facing their minds as she had, once again.

"Was it everything you'd hoped for?"

(Standing watch with )

A bright, sparkling presence glitters in the back of ’s mind—and then it fades. It shimmers again with something almost like a giggle. Still, it stays out of sight…but it seems that whatever emerged from Aurora is most definitely hiding somewhere nearby.

Nearer to the centre of the Sands, the sound of cracking shell hushed the hiding wherlet. Either Starburst or Redshift was hatching, but it was difficult to tell which—was that a shadow, or a hole in the shell? Was the egg moving, or being moved? It’s hard to focus. The confusion doesn’t last too long, though, because once the Redshift egg is split into pieces, its fragments are easy enough to perceive. Far easier than when it was occupied.

Its occupant, finally revealed for the first time, blended well into the darkness of the cavern. It stretched its tiny, vestigial wings, and the contrast made its form clear at last.

As soon as the Redshift Brown felt eyes upon it, however, it furled its little wings to its sides and hunkered down in the remains of its shell. Golden eyes gleamed wary in the dark.

Did they really wait this long to tell us?

Cathy had been on the verge of sleep when the call went out. And now he's on high alert, crawling into the Weyrling segment of the Stands with his gangly teenage proportions and his pot belly. Antigone blinks the sleep from her eyes. She's less interested in the gossip about the wild whers. Whers? They're... Hm.

They're cool, Cathy finishes for her, staring out into the abyss. He can't see anything, and it's only slightly upsetting. But he wants to see these wherlets! He's never seen any before!

Ransha had been standing guard at the entrance, per normal, when the call came.  She was too late to see the first egg hatch, which she acknowledged with a scowl and a grunt.  That was sloppy of her.  She was getting slow.  As she took her place to guard the proceedings, she kept one eye open for the missing wheret.

"M'lady," Ransha dipped her head when Atalanta approached to stand vigil beside her.  She raised an eyebrow at her leader's statement, then seemed to reconsider and shrugged it off.  "Someone has to keep them company."  It was her duty, just part of her mission.  "They were alone for so long..."

Was it everything she hoped for?  Ransha didn't hope: she believed.  And everything that was further out in the future than her belief wasn't worth fretting over.  "They're just kids,"  she replied in explanation, although it explained very little.  "It is good for the soul to interact with the next generation."  It was as if she were speaking of human children.

---

Standing vigil with and keeping an eye out for Aurora.

Elanor and Norsk made their way to the stands.  It was the first wher hatching since Norsk's own.  It felt... odd... nostalgic?  Both human's and wher's eyes scanned the area as they made their way to their seats.

She chose to sit near , although not so near as to make her brown dragon feel crowded.  She still remembered he had a temper and wished to give him space, if he needed it.

"It seems they're keen on hiding," Elan commented with a smile to her seat companion.  Norsk exhaled in agreement, then stole a glance up at Cath and hummed.

---

Sitting with watching the Sands.

Time waits for no one... and the wild whers seemed to understand this concept more than most.

The Starburst Egg hatched shortly after Redshift.  It was a methodical procedure, starting with one piece and then chipping away until the whole thing fell away.  The gold inside was a warm color, reminiscent of a harvest moon, with brown markings on her face, wings, and speckled along her body that gave her a birdish complexion.  She stared owlish at the world around her, blinking once Redshift Brown's way before setting her eyes on the Candidates.

It took a moment to gather her strength.  Hatching was hard work.

Then she walked, a slip here or there where the sands shifted beneath her, over to stare at the candidates each in turn.  She said nothing, only observed in meticulous fashion.  Her eyes were a cool, gentle blue, and her movements betrayed no misgivings.  It was as if she had no fear.



The Starburst Gold stopped right before she got to 's group to stare into the relative darkness behind the candidates.  What was there that caught her attention?

She really hadn't expected many folks to be awake and present for this, let alone someone she actually knew. Nelmayl's encouraging call out got Kuva to jump slightly, her attention momentarily drawn away from the shadows and eggs and into the stands. She took a moment to squint and be sure of who she was seeing in the darkness— it sure had sounded like her friend-quaintance— then she grinned and waved back to him. "Th-thanks!" She resisted an urge to start chattering at him, her nerves wanting to do something besides stand here and wait, and instead took another breath to center herself once more.

Her eyes widened when she picked up on the flickering telepathic brushes of contact, and her instincts told her to once again watch the shadows closely. Despite her mostly wary response to Aurora's playful antics, Kuva couldn't help showing a charmed smile all the same.

She left her ears to the task of keeping tabs on the remaining two eggs, and only glanced their way when the sounds of cracking shell momentarily quieted. She couldn't tell quite what was going on with just a glance, let alone the true color of the dark one that had emerged first. In any case, they didn't seem to want to be observed, not directly at least. Kuva could respect that, and avoided looking right at Redshift Brown after that fleeting moment. Once again, she split her attention between the final egg and the vague sense of Aurora's presence.

Not that it stayed that way for long. Kuva really could only genuinely focus on one thing at a time, and Starburst's arrival certainly demanded it by her confident nature… and gradual approach. Kuva admired the fresh gold's pattern in awe for a few moments, then with a furrowed brow, turned to follow her gaze. What was she staring at?

---

(Happy greeting back to , amused by Aurora's teasing, respecting Redshift's boundaries, following Starburst's line of sight behind them to see what's got her attention.)

Really part of Cuku thought to sit this out, get the extra rest for the day ahead. 
But he rarely puts himself first, instead he turned to Cusk, who, after Ysk's call, was stirring. go watch? Cuku stretched for only a moment before getting up from his seated position. 
"what's the harm. I'd like to see how this goes..." he said, yawning "wish the others luck." he added. 

He took a bit to clean himself up, make it look less like he just got out of bed, and made his way into the stands. 
It was... a bit strange almost, how just a few months prior it was him standing on the sands.. 
How much hes changed in that short amount of time being bonded to Cusk. 
It was nice to see it from this angle. 

baby hiding. he had gathered, his tone was curious, and light. 
Cuku squinted, despite his best efforts it was a bit hard to see in the darkness of the cavern, all three had hatched now, which was nice.

Emerard had a sense of relief at seeing all three of the eggs hatched safely, although one of them seemed to be hiding. It reminded him of Emesk, who had dashed under a table to hide after hatching. Hatching can be scary, Emesk said, with a sigh of sympathy for the hatchlings.

Emerard gave the brown's muzzle a reassuring scratch. Hopefully, the hatchling was still here somewhere. He wondered if the wild whers would Impress, or follow their instincts. Better here in Weyr, Emesk said, watching the hatchlings with interest. 

The gold certainly seemed confident, and the Brown was a bit shy but seemed healthy. He didn't know any of the candidates, but surely they would be able to find a bond among them.

Just as Kuva turned around, a dark tail fork disappeared up the steps in the lowest level of the Stands. A few surprised grunts from spectators suggested that something was weaving its way among many sets of legs. and Cath would catch a flash of bright hide and blue eyes before the shape disappeared. Tiny claws tapped past on the row above where was seated.

With each dash, the sparkling presence began to pull on Kuva's mind. A memory of hide-and-seek was reflected back to her, distorted yet still apparent in its intent. Something dashed past and , kicking up a cloud of sand. Then it was gone, again--

And a small wher went tumbling into the Redshift Brown. The two whers briefly tumbled with alarmed growls. Redshift detangled itself first, back arched like a frightened feline. It sprinted off into the darkness, past candidate and spectator alike. Ysabel squinted to try and make out its figure, but it had already slipped out of sight.

It goes away, Ysk said simply, unconcerned. Too many humans here.

[ The Redshift Brown has gone feral, and will be adoptable after the conclusion of the Hatching. ]

---

On the Sands, the Aurora wherlet had fallen down. Briefly motionless, striking hues of light and dark greens, tinged with iridescence, were immediately visible. Her little ribcage rose up and down with her panting breaths.

She got to her feet without a sound, eyes tinged now with yellows. She held one paw up off the sand where a few small drops of ichor had fallen, though as she crept away, she still tried to hide her limp. It was dangerous for a wild creature to show injury, after all.

But she wasn't entirely wild. Among all the minds in the cavern, she recalled one in particular as safe. Kind. She hobbled towards , steps quickening as she approached. The first sound she uttered was a little chirp. Pressing her body against Kuva's legs, she looked up at her with bright rainbow eyes.

Kuva, was the first word she spoke. Kuvask.

---

[ Green Kuvask Impresses to Kuva! ]

Green Kuvask

Winter Star
Bonded to

Length: 17ft
Hex Code: #518A76
Aberration: Saber Teeth

Appearance

Kuvask is stronger than her size and colour might suggest. She is stocky and muscular beneath her insulating fat, and will be well suited to cold nights in the forest or wading through glacial streams. Although mainly resembling a marine wher in build, her forelimbs are more elongated with heavier claws; this may be reflective of some mining wher ancestry. Her upper canines are elongated and unusually sharp; along with her claws, they may be useful for carving out wood or thinning out dense undergrowth.

Her hide is as dark as a dense woodland, with the exception of a brilliant green streak extending from her eye along the curve of her neck. It resembles the elongated tail of a comet. Dapples of light and dark texture her flanks and shoulders like a forest floor. Tiny pale flecks glitter across her body, seeming almost as bright as stars on a cold winter night.

Personality

Alignment: Neutral Good
Key Traits: Energetic, hopeful, playful, stubborn, affectionate.

Despite the loss she experienced so early—or perhaps because of it—Kuvask is a bright, optimistic spark in what can seem like a sea of darkness. Full of life, she is playful and ever curious. She will struggle to stay still, especially as a hatchling, and even as a grown wher will likely be first to awaken. Her energy does not mean she cannot focus: in fact, she seems to be happiest when she has something interesting to occupy her mind with. Kuva may find herself needing to think of tasks to keep her out of trouble. But even if she does happen to chew up a chair leg, or rip a new rug, it's difficult to stay upset with her. She is sweet and affectionate, and will especially enjoy belly rubs from her handler.

All the same, loss has left its scars on her. She startles at loud noises and bright lights. She will be initially cautious of strangers and new places, often taking a moment to hide and watch while she gets her bearings. She is nothing if not persistent, however, and she will fight the impulse to flee, engaging with others in a wavering dance until she settles. Turning something into a game is the quickest way to put her at ease. Sometimes everything gets too overwhelming even for her, however, and in those moments she'll enjoy simply curling up in her weyr with Kuva--the one who makes her feel safest.

Mindvoice

Kuvask's mind is like a fresh, glittering blanket of snow seen from the comfort of a window, hopeful and soft without being cold. When excited, her voice becomes bright and fizzy with energy.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

Extras

Why Kuva? Kuvask found a friend in Kuva. She is someone who can match her energy and intensity, but with enough experience to be vigilant of danger. Alone, Kuvask would be all too likely to veer off-course; Kuva keeps her centered, focusing that energy into something positive. For Kuvask, her handler represents safety and stability—she is home to her, and that fuels her hope and bravery.

Inspiration: Comet dust

Comet dust is released in the tail of a comet as it passes close to the Sun. Comets are composed primarily of rock and ice, and can be likened to a "dirty snowball". Volatile materials within the comet sublimate when exposed to solar radiation, and a comet will often form two distinct tails: one composed of ionized gases, and a second composed of dust.

Aurora Egg

Show Content

Code

Code:

[align=center][img]https://f2.toyhou.se/file/f2-toyhou-se/images/120863199_47s1TuhHzH7CWCN.png[/img][/align]
[color=#518A76][h3]Green Kuvask[/h3][/color][i]Winter Star[/i]
Bonded to @Kuva

[b]Length:[/b] 17ft
[b]Hex Code:[/b] [color=#518A76]#518A76[/color]
[b]Aberration:[/b] Saber Teeth

[h5]Appearance[/h5]Kuvask is stronger than her size and colour might suggest. She is stocky and muscular beneath her insulating fat, and will be well suited to cold nights in the forest or wading through glacial streams. Although mainly resembling a marine wher in build, her forelimbs are more elongated with heavier claws; this may be reflective of some mining wher ancestry. Her upper canines are elongated and unusually sharp; along with her claws, they may be useful for carving out wood or thinning out dense undergrowth.

Her hide is as dark as a dense woodland, with the exception of a brilliant green streak extending from her eye along the curve of her neck. It resembles the elongated tail of a comet. Dapples of light and dark texture her flanks and shoulders like a forest floor. Tiny pale flecks glitter across her body, seeming almost as bright as stars on a cold winter night.


[h5]Personality[/h5][b]Alignment:[/b] Neutral Good
[b]Key Traits:[/b] Energetic, hopeful, playful, stubborn, affectionate.

Despite the loss she experienced so early—or perhaps because of it—Kuvask is a bright, optimistic spark in what can seem like a sea of darkness. Full of life, she is playful and ever curious. She will struggle to stay still, especially as a hatchling, and even as a grown wher will likely be first to awaken. Her energy does not mean she cannot focus: in fact, she seems to be happiest when she has something interesting to occupy her mind with. Kuva may find herself needing to think of tasks to keep her out of trouble. But even if she does happen to chew up a chair leg, or rip a new rug, it's difficult to stay upset with her. She is sweet and affectionate, and will especially enjoy belly rubs from her handler.

All the same, loss has left its scars on her. She startles at loud noises and bright lights. She will be initially cautious of strangers and new places, often taking a moment to hide and watch while she gets her bearings. She is nothing if not persistent, however, and she will fight the impulse to flee, engaging with others in a wavering dance until she settles. Turning something into a game is the quickest way to put her at ease. Sometimes everything gets too overwhelming even for her, however, and in those moments she'll enjoy simply curling up in her weyr with Kuva--the one who makes her feel safest.


[h5]Mindvoice[/h5]Kuvask's mind is like a fresh, glittering blanket of snow seen from the comfort of a window, hopeful and soft without being cold. When excited, her voice becomes bright and fizzy with energy.

[align=center][ds=kuvask]Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet[/ds][/align]


[h5]Extras[/h5][b]Why Kuva?[/b] Kuvask found a friend in Kuva. She is someone who can match her energy and intensity, but with enough experience to be vigilant of danger. Alone, Kuvask would be all too likely to veer off-course; Kuva keeps her centered, focusing that energy into something positive. For Kuvask, her handler represents safety and stability—she is home to her, and that fuels her hope and bravery.

[row][col=7]
[align=center][b]Inspiration:[/b] Comet dust[/align]

Comet dust is released in the tail of a comet as it passes close to the Sun. Comets are composed primarily of rock and ice, and can be likened to a "dirty snowball". Volatile materials within the comet sublimate when exposed to solar radiation, and a comet will often form two distinct tails: one composed of ionized gases, and a second composed of dust.

[/col][col=5]
[align=center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/WzCNCdK5/Aurora-eg-S.png[/img]
Aurora Egg[/align]
[/col][/row]

As the chaos unfolded around her, the Starburst Gold watched passively.  Only when the Aurora Green tumbled into the Redshift Brown did she give pause, turning herself around the face the tumult and taking one step forward.  She was too late, however... Her skittish sibling was gone.  She looked after it, away into the darkness, then turned just in time to see her sister Impress.  Kuvask, she was called now.  The Starburst Gold looked up into the Stands, around the Sands, at the remnants of shells, and finally at Ysk herself.

The older gold hummed in reply, something neither positive or negative, although her reflective eyes danced a playful green.  Up to her, she opened her mind so others near might hear and laced the words with the emotions only whers knew.  Ysk will not harm.

One last look was spared to the Sands and the Stands, a conflicted expression coming over the small gold's wild features.  There was a consciousness she emanated that those in the audience could feel.  It was an idea of belonging somewhere, but also knowing that the journey had not yet met the destination.  Like the tide she retreated into the darkness after her sibling, and like the tide she would return someday to claim who was hers.

---

The Starburst Gold has gone after the Redshift Brown.  She will be hanging around the Weyr lands and available for adoption by an existing or new character with a gold token.

---

It is done,  Ysk announced, and Ysabel looked at the gold a bit bemused.  It was true Ysk had never been a particularly aggressive wher, but she was still surprised the gold would allow another unbonded gold in her territory--especially one that was not her daughter.  Perhaps it was because she was just a child... But all children grew up someday.

Either way... Not her problem tonight.

"Thank you all for coming," she managed with a smile, before ducking off into the night herself.  The sooner she alerted the other wherhandlers to the presence of two new feral whers, the better.  It was bad enough having to deal with the shenanigans Ysk's children got into... And they had handlers.

In looking back, Kuva truly noticed just how many spectators there were. She should have expected the wherhandlers to show up, of course, but… well. It added to her anxiety in an odd way. It was touching to know people were here, hoping the best for these three wild babies, but she knew that too much attention, even if it was meant well, would be sure to overwhelm…

She squinted at the flicker of movement in the dark, the way the audience shifted and gasped, like the shift of branches and leaves pushed aside by something passing through, unseen, but not unnoticed. It became her whole focus, following, tracking, little breathless giggles escaping from behind an amused smile as the wherlet played about. Wholly charming and sweet, brave, but still something Kuva wanted so badly to protect. Just be careful…

Kuva's breath caught up sharply when Aurora collided with her brown sibling, abruptly going from patient amusement to genuine worry that they were going to hurt each other. She had heard of that, in distant stories. Wild whers and firelizards trying to eat each other at hatching because it was the closest option… But no- that was not the case. Her shoulders visibly relaxed when the two broke apart, even if it had caused Redshift to flee fully. The poor thing. Kuva wished it well under her breath, but was still more worried about Aurora, left behind, and evidently injured. It had happened so quickly. Kuva stood very still as the limping green came closer, and closer, and touched her, and looked…

Kuva… Kuvask.

"Oh, you're amazing." Kuva felt her eyes clouding up, stinging as tears welled up, but she did her best to stifle them. Not yet, not here. She crouched slowly and offered her arms to Kuvask, gently scooping her up so she no longer had to limp. It was therefore such an easy accident— those saber fangs were nothing to scoff at, even for a baby, and Kuva hadn't expected them to scrape sharply against her arm in the process of picking up her new partner. She winced slightly, then laughed it off with a quiet huff. They were supposed to bleed for this, right? Well, it was convenient this way, and saved her the worry of drawing a knife in the presence of wary half-wild whers. "There we go, then. Let's get your foot looked at… And something for you to eat! I'm sure you're starving after masterfully evading everyone for so long, huh?" The wherlet responded by bonking her head up against Kuva's chin, then squirming a little. Not quite enough to free herself, but she wouldn't be comfortable being carried for too long, limp or not.

Kuva sent one last look around the Sands and Stands, meeting the eyes of the other candidates with an encouraging grin, then finally looking toward Nelmayl with a rather stunned look. She'll have to catch him properly to meet Kuvask, soon. But first, of course, care for the hatchling was of utmost importance! Kuva booked it to the feeding area on sure feet, weight spread evenly in her toes and knees to avoid jostling the wintry green on the short trip over.

She couldn't miss the fate of the wise young gold, however. Even while occupied from a different vantage point, Kuva glanced up and watched the exchange curiously, and a little sadly, because as Starburst followed Redshift's lead, that meant… She had been the only one to Impress, this evening. She couldn't help but feel guilt over that, and it caused her to look down and quietly focus on tending to Kuvask. Doing the physical work would keep her tumbling emotions from bleeding over and upsetting her new friend. And hopefully the distraction of food would help.

---

(Impressed!! Kuva gives a little look of shock and excitement, feels bad being the only one to Impress. she's had her for five minutes but if anything happens to Kuvask Kuva will kill everyone in the room and then herself)
((thANK YOUUU she's so gorgeous and so perfect I genuinely didn't expect a bond aaa aaaAAA <3 baby))

Wher hatchings came and went so fast. The gold and brown had slipped into the shadows-- and just like that, they were gone, followed after each other. That was fate for whers, sometimes- return to the wilds, or find theirs later in life. The third wherlet, though, he finally got a glimpse of. A little green, dark and shimmering, and all on her own. There wasn't much Nelmayl could do from up in the stands except hope the baby was all right. Despite her small size, she got up just fine on her own, limped over to Kuva--

There was intention to her quick, tiny steps. A blind man could see the hope and love in her eyes, made manifest a moment later as the green's eyes swirled with rainbows for her new bond with Kuva.

She was so bewildered and amazed, looking back up at him. Watching people - a friend, no less - impress from the sands was somehow more...heartwarming. Didn't have to worry about his own concern or his own fate from up here. Nelmayl smiled, gave her a thumbs-up.

"She's perfect for ya, Kuva!" He didn't know if she could really hear him from up high, but it was the thought that counts.

For now, though. He should, ah, get back to sleep. Give Kuva and Kuvask time to acclimate before he congratulated them more formally in person. She deserved this, though. A wonderful end to a hatching.