Hatchings

"I still can't believe you burned the record of our dragons' hatching." Rahel stated as she walked briskly down the hall of the Dragonry to the Hatching Cavern, A'ra matching her stride for stride beside her. "I mean, do you hate me that much?"
The Weyrleader grimaced and glared at her. "It was an accident! The candle fell over."
His response made Rahel roll her eyes. "Have you ever heard of a light switch, A'ra?" She asked sardonically, even though she knew what his answer would be before he said it.
"No, I don't trust that Terran technology." He didn't even notice she mouthed the words along with him.
If you two are quite done, Rahel's Micath interjected acidly, Carria's eggs are already starting to hatch.
"Oh, bugger." Rahel muttered under her breath.
Meanwhile, in the Hatching Cavern, two of the Darkling Dawn-born dragoness's eggs were, indeed, beginning to crack open. From one burst an inky black female, with silvery stripes on her neck and back. The second draogn was a male, a bright blue with much more extensive striping than his sister. He was also the first to move towards the candidates, while the black dragoness was still cleaning the egg-goo from her skin.
He trotted among the candidates, and while some of the females showed some interest, it was obvious he was looking for a male. He finally found Walker, and stood grinning up at the bigger-for now-dragon. Hiya, Walker! My name's Varkys, and you're my bond! Now let's eat!
After the exuberant hatchling had left with her bond, the black dragoness straightened, as if just noticing the line of candidates circled around the eggs. She strode calmly, methodically, towards them, and didn't stop until she came to Shadow. She crooned, rubbing her head against the girl's side. Shadow? I may not be Andoorne, but I'll be your dragon, if you want me. My name's Karaiment. Shadow didn't say anything, but the tears in her eyes were plain as she followed Karaiment off the sands.
Another egg hatched as Rahel and A'ra entered the cavern at last. No one was particularly surprised they were glaring daggers at each other; it was well-known how well-or not-the leaders got along. The dragon that hatched was a good-sized green, hide marked with stars and wingsails a glimmering dawn color. She grinned good-naturedly and made it plain she didn't want a bond. I won't be bothering you, Weyrleaders, I'm going to Mirus. And my name's Mariss.
More eggs were hatching now; three at once. The first shattered, revealing a snowy white male, solid except for blue markings on his wings and across his eyes, that looked strangely like icicles. The second hatched into a silver-winged female, and the last, a black-striped blue. The blue and red both leaped to their feet and ran towards the candidates excitedly. They bonded quickly; the red-silver assuring Heron that Aimeri wouldn't let anything happen to her, while black-striped blue Meridia chatted at length with Kitiana, though it was mostly about how hungry she was.
The blue-marked white regarded the candidates with disdain, if anything. Still, he walked over to inspect them, and it wasn't long before his eyes settled on Zephyr, and he seemed pleased. My name's Alaisien, Mine.
In the flurry of bondings, a sunset-winged brown had hatched unnoticed. He didn't remain so for long; however. Ganvun jerked when he felt something breathe warm air on his hand, and he looked down, into opalescent green-blue eyes. My name is Ghurlien, G'vun.
Only three eggs were left unhatched now, and they all rocked furiously, as if racing to see which one would hatch first. The largest cracked down its side as something within pushed at the hard shell, but it was the smallest egg that burst open, all at once, to reveal a tiny black male. He seemed less than happy, though, and snarled at the approaching candidates before shaking, like a dog, to throw the sand off his starry hide. He went at once to Cole, and grinned a toothy grin. Lairys wants you to feed him now, Cole...
The larger egg finally cracked open, and a blue-sized female sat on the sand. She was a solid, uniform red, except for fine, purple markings on her forelegs and wingspars. She soon stood up, wobbling over to the female candidates. One of the girls stepped forward and helped the dragon steady herself. The red crooned contentedly. I'm hungry, Steph. Can we go eat now?
The new rider grinned shakily. "Whatever you want, Mentia."
Finally, the last egg hatched, and an average-sized green dragon appeared. Like her sister Mentia before her, she was mostly green, except for fine lines of silver filigree-like markings around her eyes and neck. She crooned cheerfully, but didn't seem particularly interested in any of the candidates. Instead, she turned first to her parents, then to where the Weyrleaders were sitting, and announced her intentions. I will go to Mirus, and seek my bond from there. I am called Carysa.
The leftover candidates were disappointed-in one case, furious-but it was clear the hatching was over, and there would always be another one.