Cailyn squatted back on her heels in front of the hearth in the Barracks, eyes brighter than they had been in sevendays. The heat from the fire was scorching her face slightly, but in a way it reminded her of the sand in the Hatching Grounds, which was appropriate considering her present circumstances. A firelizard egg rocked furiously back and forth in the small nest of blankets she had fashioned for it. Few Candidates were lucky enough to acquire an egg, and if it hadn't been for the Weyrwoman's kindness, Cailyn knew she would have gone without. But as it was, Alesia still pitied the injured Candidate and, Cailyn suspected, wanted to bribe her to stay. And what a bribe it was! Cailyn had no idea how the Weyrwoman knew she was pondering returning to Hurricane Hold, but after the kindness showered on her, she knew it was her duty to remain in the Weyr for the next clutch.

Her thoughts scattered as the egg gave a particularly powerful shudder, cracking slightly down the side. She peered closer attempting to see inside the crack, ignoring the singeing of her eyebrows in her fascination. The crack grew wider and wider until finally the egg fell to pieces, dumping the firelizard inside unceremoniously out. There was a half second of awed silence as the pair stared at each other before the hatchling creeled loudly, demanding food. A bronze! I expected a brown at best, judging by the size of the egg! Cailyn was jarred from her frozen amazement as another high pitched shriek pierced her eardrums. She hurriedly fed the little bronze a scrap of wherry meat, wincing as he powerfully bit her in his eagerness. She sucked her finger, ruefully staring at the firelizard. "Am I to be injured at every hatching I attend?" She demanded in mock anger. The bronze stared back defiantly for a moment before demanding more food. Cailyn hurriedly obliged, not wanting him to go wild before she could Impress. After she lured him closer and fairly stuffed him with food, the bronze clambered clumsily into her waiting arms and promptly fell asleep.

Cailyn grinned and could barely repress a whoop of excitement. She had Impressed! He was no dragon, to be sure, but it was a start. At least she knew there was nothing inherently abhorrent in her to dragonkind. She carefully walked back to her cot, settling down awkwardly. She had sat for too long in front of the fire, and her leg protested mightily as she stretched it slowly. Leaning back against her pillow, she examined the bronze sleeping peacefully in her lap. He was somewhat small and spindly, and as he dried, she discovered he was a hair lighter than was average for bronzes. She rubbed his eyeridges softly, smiling with delight as he rubbed back against her hand in his sleep. Names came easily to her, and one stood out immediately. "Rin." She said decisively. "It means companion. And that's what you are, little one." She realized she was grinning foolishly, but found herself unable to wipe the expression from her face. This was more exciting than being Searched even! She shifted slightly into a more comfortable position, laughing softly as Rin snorted with irritation.