< Ashelle, in Barry's shop...before hatching starts >

  Ashelle had gotten up earlier than usual this morning.  There were a few
orders to be finished at Barry's shop, and she wanted to suprise him when
he came in by having them all done.  She liked Barry, he was like a
grandfather to her, and she could talk to him about most anything.

  She'd finished a couple of the sewing tasks, and was just laying out the
arm of a tunic that had to be altered when she was startled by a cacophony
of noise from outside.  Thanking her luck that she hadn't pricked her
finger on the pin she was holding, she put it back in its container and
hurried outside to see people heading at a trot, some running, towards the
hatching grounds.

  "What's going on?"  She called out to one of the running people.  The
man turned and grinned hugely.  "The eggs!  They're cracking!"

  Letting out a yelp of shock, Ashelle quickly tugged the door to the shop
closed, and started to take off at a run herself, only to be caught short
by the fact that her tunic was stuck in the door!  Not bothering to unlock
the door again, she simply tugged, and left a bit behind as she ran to the
hatching grounds.

< At the hatching grounds >
  
  By the time she'd stopped to catch her breath, and run a hand through
her hair which was now slightly mussed, she heard more noise.  Quickly she
ran inside, and almost tripped on her feet as she skidded to a halt by the
side of the other Searchlings.  She gave a quick smile to her friends, and
then turned to watch that first egg...

  ...as it split to reveal a lovely black dragonette with red stripes.
She watched with awe on her face as it seemingly knew exactly where to
go, and went right up to Xanthia!  A beaming smile threatened to split her
face as she let out a cheer for her friend.

  "Congratulations, Xanthia!  You're a rider now!  And that dragonette is
beautiful!"

  Ashelle simply stared...it was that quick?  And Xanthia looked so
radiently happy.  Would she be as lucky this morning?  Her attention was
jerked back to the present by a loud cracking sound, and her head spun to
see another egg all but explode in pieces, and one of the girls she didn't
know too well Joined to a newly hatched dragonette.

[NRPG:  Whoever was called stupid for not knowing what to do after
Joining, or that she even had, sorry...I accidentally deleted your post,
but that part was about you.  :) ]  

  More and more eggs hatched, and Ashelle turned to glance around in the
stands for a moment.  She caught sight of Barry, and nodded in his
direction...then continued on, failing to see one face she'd hoped would
be there.  Didn't the Searchers attend to see if their Searchlings Joined?
Where was Saul?  Maybe he'd come later.

  She turned as she heard a shocked cry of joy, and saw her friend Wyn
embracing an adorable crimson hatchling.  "Wyn!  Good for you!  What a
lovely dragonette!"  Wyn beamed back a smile that lit her face, and nodded
thanks.  "Don't worry, Ashelle, you'll get one just as cute!"

  Two more eggs hatched almost at the same time, and Ashelle watched as
first a really cute green dragonette Joined with Salla, then a handsome
chocolate brown hatchling almost bowled Chadwyn over in the attempt to get
together with him.  She laughed, and applauded happily, all her friends
were Joining!  And she was truely thrilled for them all!

  She did a fast count, time had passed rather quickly, and there were
only two eggs left on the sands of the hatching grounds.  *Two?!*  Looking
to each side of her, she saw two other Searchlings...Nayte and another
boy.  Someone wasn't going to Join, and she felt her shoulders sag
slightly.  Well...she could still sing, and there was always another
hatching.

  One of the two remaining eggs quietly split to reveal a priceless
looking indigo blue dragonette...who blinked just once, and then headed
right for the young boy to one side of her, before turning and butting
against Nayte.  The expression on Nayte's face immediately went from
nervous dread at being left out to immense joy at Joining with such a
lovely creature.

  Ashelle applauded just as heartily for him as the others...then reached
for the hand of the only other person left waiting for a dragon.  She
chewed madly on her lip, and visibly shook with nerves...she just *knew*
who'd get that last hatchling.  Finally unable to hold back any longer,
she felt tears slipping down her cheeks...she'd never felt so totally
alone in her life as she did at this moment.

  Her friends were watching closely, glances darting from the two
Searchlings to the one remaining egg.  Barry leaned forward not realizing
his knuckles were white he was gripping his fists shut so strongly.  And
another man was watching as well...one who knew the feeling of being alone
when what you really wanted was right under your nose and yet so out of
reach.  T'jellan watched too, almost holding his breath.  

  Finally after what seemed an eternity, the last egg split down the
middle, to reveal a lovely cream dragonette, swirled with blue and green.
Ashelle felt her breath catch in her throat, if she was to try and
describe the beauty of that creature in a song, she'd fail totally.

  The hatchling looked around, and then slowly moved to stand in front of
the two remaining Searchlings...gazing first at the young boy next to
Ashelle.  The young singer, thinking that a Joining was about to take
place, slumped even further..and slowly knelt on the hatching grounds,
simply staring at the ground.  Maybe next time...

  << Well...are you going to hug me, or just sit and stare at the ground
forever? >>

  Ashelle's head jerked up at the same time as she felt a hand on her
shoulder.  She turned to see the face of the other boy.  And he was
smiling!  

  "Don't worry about me, I know there are other hatchings, and I've missed
out once before.  Third time's a charm they say.  I'll get one of my own
one day, you watch!"

  Then he stepped back to allow her time with the lovely dragonette
standing and staring at her.  

  << Hello...he's right you know...I'm for you.  I'm Oaklah, and I'm
hungry, so will you please stop getting yourself all soggy and feed me??
Getting out of that shell was hard work! >>

  Ashelle blinked...staring at the dragonette in front of her.  Hers?!
Really??  And her arms flew to hug the cream darling.  << Hi, of course
I'll feed you!  Are you sure about this?  Oh, by the way, I'm...>>

  << Ashelle, I know...and yes, I'm certain.  I want you! >>

  Forgetting about everyone in the area, even her friends for a moment or
two, Ashelle touched her head to that of Oaklah, and sobbed for joy.
She'd done it!  She'd Joined!

[Tag: All at the hatching! ]

----------------------------

Jeanette
Ashelle/Oaklah * Whiteriver