Let the Stories Unfold {Touching}

[Zirin]

For Ooma

Ball of String Egg
Well well well, what do we have here? The egg seems to creep into your mind, a strange sort of curiosity seeping into every fibre of your being. How intriguing, it seems to think. What if you couldn't flirt anymore. Would you change for better or for worse? Ho hum, so many questions, so little time. The egg withdrew slowly, as if loathe to leave just yet, but it was time.

[Zero]

The two men had continued to talk amongst themselves. Which was just fine by Traylor, he had eggs to watch and see and memorize! Hanging off his Uncle's shoulder, he clung at the mans hair to keep from falling as he watched someone step up and touch the egg that the gold was guarding. Oh that just had to be a queen egg, it just had too! Dante barked excitedly and whined as he set his forepaws against the bannister and stuck his nose up in the air to try and see just what was so important that his boy had to be up there, away from him, to see it.

"Uncle...Uncle...Uncle!" Desperate to gain the mans attention he pulled on the ex-wherhandlers hair with each word and pointed frantically in the direction of a random egg on the sands.

"Shards boy! What is it?!" Grumbling, Theo reached up and massaged his scalp before turing his eyes to the clutches. "That one, that one right...uhm, right right there! That one moved! Uncle I saw it move!" Theault sighed softly to himself and shook his head, shooting Vl'kan a glare as the garnetrider snickered. "Brace yourself cousin, yours will grow up quick enough. Now Traylor, it couldn't have moved. Maybe it was just the sun you saw reflecting off of it?" The dark haired child sighed dramatically and hung his head. "But I saw it move..."

Neither one was expecting or prepared to hear Kayath's, slightly agitated voice, break into their thoughts and demand they come down and see her eggs. Well you didn't need to tell the kid twice. With a whoop and a holler, he practically threw himself off his uncle's shoulders and, after stumbling and scraping his knee, took off for the sands. He was going to touch an egg! He was going to touch an egg! He was go-wait... Where was his Uncle? Suddenly surrounded by strange people and two large, unknown, dragons, his prior energy seemed to die right there on the spot and he grew a little shy and nervous.

It was too late for him to turn back now and the eggs were right there! So scurrying away from the older candidates, Traylor plopped down in the sand in front of, what seemed like, a giant egg. "Hello baby dragon!" Tentatively at first, then with his prior confidence, he gently patted and stroked the egg as if he was petting his beloved canine. "Why are you laying on your side? Are you tired?"

The kid was too fast and Theault was just too slow on grabbing him as he jumped down and took off for the eggs. The sailor swore violently before moving to give chase, after making sure the large mutt was going to stay put. As his feet hit the sands, he slowed his run back down to a brisk walk. After all, he figured it wasn't polite to run around the two clutches. As he neared Kayath, he bit his tongue to keep from shouting at Traylor to leave the damned egg along, and instead forced himself to bow to the large dragonness. He wasn't completely up to speed on dragon candidate etiquette but he saw the others bow so he figured it couldn't hurt. "I ah... apologize for the intrusion Kayath, Weyrlord. He's just a little overeager, you know children. Your eggs are beautiful though."

Turning Theault cast his gaze over to where Traylor sat talking to his chosen egg and ran a hand over his face. "Get over here boy..."


Vl'kan looked on, almost amused as his cousin raced off to hunt down the runaway boy. That could be you one day, Mine. I doubt your hatchling will be the quiet type. Growling, Thormyth set his red streaked eyes on His for a moment before turning to look back at the commotion surrounding the eggs. Vl'kan frowned before shooting his dragon a glare. "Yeah well I hope one of your little dragon babies gives you a hard time too!"

Speaking of babies was that his weyrmate making her way onto the sands with child in tow? Squinting he leaned forward against the railing to try and see a little better before it clicked. Yes, yes it was Iiirla and their young daughter. Shards. Groaning, the Weyrleader took the stairs leading down from the stands two at a time and jogged across the sands. He paid little mind to the meandering candidates and even the two clutchmothers as he cut across the bowl.

"What are you doing out here woman? Are you mad?!" Running a hand through his hair as he neared the mother daughter duo, he moved to take Kiira into his arms. "Let me see her..." Mumbling lowly, Vl'kan carefully scooped the child out of her arms and gently cradled her to his chest. "And what have you been up too all morning? Being a lazy bones?" Speaking softly to the child, Vl'kan turned his gaze to his weyrmate and frowned. "You should be lying down and not out here on these boiling hot sands."

[/font]

[Zirin]

For Traylor

Golden Scales Egg
The egg reaches out to you, at first seemingly surprised by the levels of innocence it finds. There is too much innocence, of that it was sure but... it could sense the questions being asked, the thirst to replace innocence with knowledge. A soft approval seems to caress your mind before pulling away.

[phantomofthewolves]

Asaara awoke to a sunny spring morning. She knew this day was coming: the eggs were being touched. She commanded Mhedroh to stay back, as she did not want to lose him. She put on her most beautiful gown she had and walked to the Hatching Sands.

She entered the Hatching Grounds with a shocked look on her face. Twenty one eggs lay on the sands, hardening for when they were ready to hatch. She greeted both queens with a respectful bow, more for the golden queen. "Good morning, Izanycorth." she said, "Thank you for giving me the honor of touching your eggs."

The first egg she touched was between the golden queen's claws: the Lion Egg. As she touched it's shell, she felt feelings of hope flow through her. It was by far the biggest egg she had ever seen, maybe the biggest egg in all of Pern. She moved away after a few minutes and moved on to the next egg.

The next egg she touched was the Peaceful Egg. When she touched it, a feeling of peace entered her. Could this be the one for her? She examined the shell of the Peaceful Egg: it was white with some light blue on it. After some time, she decided to go touch four more eggs before she returned to her quarters.

[twitchie]

Ka'mond had slipped on a fresh tunic and combed his hair to the side. His feet were covered by tough hide boots that protected him from the sand's heat.

Abyrath had followed Hers here, and she came close to the clutches. She was so small she wasn't much of a threat.

IzyQueen and KayathPrincess! Your eggs are marvalous! You bless the weyr once again... [/color]

The amethyst crooned softly, sniffing an egg curiously and gingerly. Her nose nudged the purple one Bringer of Life egg and she seemed to smile.
How exciting to be a mother!

Ka'mond glanced at all the candidates and one certain albino caught his eye. Grinning with excitement he made his way toward her, careful motto distract her from the eggs.

"Heeey, Asaara."

He greeted, waving to her. He was so glad to see her again!

[Jilli]

Dal grabbed the unwilling candidate around the waist and tossed her onto his shoulder. For some reason hanako had been hiding in his weyr for the last few days. She wouldn't talk about anything and now she kicked and struggled trying to get back to her feet.

"Dalrian you snake put me down! I'm not a candidate! It was a mistake! I'm not going!"

"It wasn't a mistake and you know it and I'm not putting you down until we get to the sands so you can't run away !"

"ahghhaeghrhv". Dal grinned at that. Now she was mad. So mad that wordless growl was the only thing anyone got. He was determined she was going to touch an egg though.

After a few minutes they'd reached the sands and he deposited her on her rear end on the warm sands.she hit the ground with an "Oof." and glared up at him.

" Now calm down and touch some eggs. It doesn't have to be all of them but I'll just catch you and bring you back if you try to run again."

He left her and went to sit in the stands taking a seat before with wide eyes he watched abbywrath actually touch one of the eggs. He raised his voice.

"Abbyrwath! Ka'mond! Up here you two! The sands is no place for a weyrling pair. It's all for the candidates today.". He hoped they would get up here quickly. Either mother was completely capable of snapping up abbywrath in one to two bites.

-----

Hanako climbed to her feet rubbing the sore spot on her rear and glared up at dalrian in the stands. That jerk! She didn't want this. She didn't want the change. She sighed and tried to clear her mind of the trepidation and resistance as she walked toward the first egg. The looking glass caught her eye and reaching out she marveled at how smooth and warm it was. Like living glass. Despite herself, she found herself enjoying the opportunity.

[Kitsuneko]

Once again, Tesla found herself with nothing to do. Except she had heard that the Touching of the eggs had started, and she had to admit she was curious. Unwilling to see what the fallout of allowing Serkan onto the sands would be, she left the garnet flit asleep on her bed as she wandered toward the Hatching Sands.

She arrived after the majority of the candidates, and tried to unobtrusively take a seat in the stands to watch. Sometimes, like now, she regretted that she had never been searched; being nearly thirty turns now, she was definitely too old. Ah well, being a Harper was just as fulfilling of a career as dragonriding, and less dangerous, as well. Besides, at least she could watch the Hatching from the stands.

Tesla couldn't help but jump as the topaz mother noticed her and a few other people in the stands. At least she didn't seem upset; well, not with the fact that they were there, anyway. Tesla felt her face flush as the junior queen invited--practically ordered--her down to the Sands. She bowed first to the topaz dragoness, who was closer, then to the Senior queen, figuring it couldn't hurt to be respectful. "Thank you both for allowing me to get a closer look at your eggs," she said uncertainly.

At this distance, they were no longer vague oblong shapes as they had appeared from the stands; now Tesla could see that each egg had its own distinct shape and pattern on the shell. She was fascinated, and though she kept to the edge of the clutch at first, she reached out almost without realizing it to touch the Secret Stone egg, curious to see if it was really as rough to the touch as it seemed.

Almost immediately, though, she pulled back, face red, and bowed again to the clutchmother, Kayath. "I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have done that. I'm not a candidate, after all. They are all lovely eggs, though. I can't wait to see them hatch."

[Elessar]

Liam smiled as warmth filled his mind. The egg was obviously searching for something... the warmth retreated, and then returned in full force. Liam shook his head as the egg pulled away.

At the Looking Glass Egg, he was again searched, but there was dislike given off from the egg, so he moved on quickly.

---

Iromineelmris had been lurking in the Stands watching. He knew that this was for Candidates only, but he couldn't resist a chance to view the eggs of Izanycorth and Kayath. When Kayath's voice blasted into his mind, however, he suddenly became rather self concious. He wasn't a Candidate... he shouldn't be touching any eggs!

But Kayath had been very insistant, so he slowly made his way down onto the Sands, his feet protected from the heat from his thick boots. Brushing a lock of hair out from his blue eyes, he looked at Kayath and bowed respectfully. "Kayath, I am no Candidate, merely a humble Weyr Cook, but I thank you for the honor to view your eggs." He turned to Izanycorth. "I also thank you, Queen Izanycorth, for your eggs are surely beautiful."

Since Kayath had ordered him down, he approached her eggs first. He decided to kneel beside the rather small Puff of Smoke Egg. He liked the way it seemed to almost be vibrating and humming, as well as the wisps of colors that seemed almost painted onto the shell. Hesitating, Iromineelmris cast a glance around, looked sheepishly at Kayath and the Candidates, wished fervently that J'degar was there to advise him, and then gently laid his hands on the shell of the egg, closing his eyes as he did so.

---

Liam decided to move to Izanycorth's clutch. He had liked the feel of the Burning Branch Egg, but wasn't sure about the Looking Glass Egg. Either way, he felt it was unfair to stay the whole time at Kayath's clutch. After all, what if his destined dragon was in Izanycorth's clutch?! This thought made him hurry over, waving to Cayin as he passed his friend.

Looking over the eggs, he bowed to Izanycorth once more before his eye was caught by the Soaring King Egg. It was one of the larger eggs, but what he really liked were the markings that looked like a bird around the slate-gray of the shell. Gently reaching out, he delicately ran his hands over the egg, nodding.

[Zero]

Thormyth's head snapped upwards and a low growl built in his throat. He was watching the foolish amythyst of course, just waiting to see if she actually was going to dare land on the sands. Not even the Weyrking was foolish enough to walk the sands himself. Then it happened, her purple frame took not to one of the ledges but dared land amongst the candidates and, more importantly, the eggs. The garnet practically screamed his hearty roar and lashed his tail in anger.

Foolish youngling! Remember your place and remove yourself from the eggs or I shall remove you myself!!

Another roar as he broadcasted his voice for all to hear. With claws gripping and scraping the very edge of the ledge he stood on, his eyes two pools of bloody crimson, the only thing that kept the garnet from launching himself at the small female was the desperate hold that His was trying to keep over him.

"Thormyth!" Vl'kan shouted as he spun to see his bonded growling, hissing, and generally just pitching a nasty fit. He could feel the overwhelming desire to exact punishment and the thrill after tasting freshly spilled blood. He had to put an end to this before his dragon ended up killing someone.

"Ka'mond!" Vl'kan called to the young weyrling as he strode across the sands, still cradling the small bundle that was his child against his chest. "You should know better than to allow your dragon onto these sands. This is a time for our candidates, not current Riders. For the safety of the eggs, the clutchmothers, and yourself, I ask you to send your bonded away. She can take up space on a ledge above if she wishes to watch."

---

Theault ignored the commotion going on and instead was relieved when his young nephew came running back to his side, took his hand and tugged it excitedly. "Uncle Theo! It talked to me! I think that baby liked me. You should go touch it too!"

Theo tightened his grip ever so slightly on the boys hand. He wasn't getting away from him this time. But the kid did have a point. He was down here now, after Kayath had all but demanded it but he couldn't help wondering how the eggs would react to him. He had been a wherhandler after all. Would they know? Could they tell? Was there a permanent mark on his mind from it and could it potentially hurt them?

These questions and more swam through the Sailors head as he looked over the eggs and the other, true, candidates. "Alright boy, I'll touch an egg but you have to stay close and no more touching things, okay?" The excited youngster nodded enthusiastically and clung to the mans leg as he began to make his rounds through the two clutches.

The first egg to catch his eye was the swirl of blues that made up the Ocean Egg. It was one of the smaller eggs, that was for sure, but that didn't bother him. Tentatively reaching out, Theault pressed his palm to the sea blue egg for a moment before moving to lightly trace the different swirls of greens and blues that danced across the eggs surface. It was an interesting shell, that was obvious. Now what was inside and how would it react to him?

After spending a few moments with the Ocean Egg, Theault rose from his knee and looked over the clutch once again. Now that he had touched his very first dragon egg he wanted to see how all of them felt and reacted to him but he knew there would never be enough time to meet and understand them all. The next egg to grab his attention would be the Giver Egg

[/b]. True it wasn't as colorful as the last shell he touched, but the interesting sun-like marking had drawn his eye and his curiosity. Once again he took a knee in front of the egg and paused a moment, almost as if silently requesting permission to intrude on the young hatchling and touch its shell. Then touch he did. Like with the last, Theo let his palm rest gently on the eggs surface, just over the interesting marking it had. Silently he wondered how different this egg was going to be to the little blue one he just met.[/center][/font]

[twitchie]

Abyrath shrank back from the egg, glancing around in a wild fit of fear.
She didn't mean any harm! She'd never hurt such innocent and beautiful eggs!

Her face displayed her confusion, and she stared at Ka'mond.

The young boy reddened, realizing he'd been so distracted by seeing Asaara that he'd forgotten about Abyrath completely.

"Vl'kan.. sir.. I..."
Ka'mond's shoulders sagged in defeat and embaressment.
Abyrath, why don't you sit on that ledge near the stands? I'll meet you there...?

I wouldn't have hurt the egg Mine! Why do they all think I'm going to harm them? I'd be more worried about the Garnet! [/color]

I know. Its silly, but everyone's touchy right now. Come on, lets stop attracting attention and solve this problem... We're in enough trouble as is...

Abyrath ever so gingerly backed away from the clutch, and carefully flew to the ledge, which happened to be a good distance from Thormyth but nice and close to several seats on the stands.

Ka'mond sighed, shaking his head.
"Please forgive Abyrath, and me. Me esspecially. I should have been watching her, but I... I wanted to say hi to my friend and I guess I was distracted.. It won't happen again, Vl'kan, sir. I promise."

Ka'mond then turned toward the Garnet, bowing respectfully.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed you so. Abyrath didn't mean any harm to the eggs. She'd never, ever wish anything bad upon anyone, much less such a beautiful clutch."

His cheeks burned, and he didn't dare look at Asaara again.. What a fool he was! She'd never like him now...

Ka'mond wanted to run and hide his face from the crowd, and pretend he hadn't just screwed up royally...

I am truely sorry, GarnetKing. I just did not think very deeply of the outcome. Your clutch is so beautiful, I couldn't help but want a closer look. I understand your anger and protectiveness completely. You are a grand father, and should be most proud. I would like to ask your forgiveness. I would have never hurt any of your eggs. And I shouldn't have been so bold as to touch one. I am sorry... [/color]

Abyrath layed her head delicately on her paws, sighing heavily. She'd not only embaressed herself, but she'd gotten Ka'mond in trouble too! Oh! That was not fair of her! For him to get punished because of her own carelessness....

[Zirin]

For Hanako

Looking Glass Egg
A mind forces its way into yours, searching seeking and… well well well, another waste of space daring to touch it. Silly woman, it seemed to say, outright disgusted by your self-conscious tendencies. Annoyed and unhappy, the egg pulls away, dismissing you without a second thought.



For Tesla

Secret Stone Egg
The feeling that enters your mind is tentative at first, but as it spreads out exploring it grows on confidence. It seemed to tsk as it touches your interest in following orders, the feeling in your mind suddenly becoming rebellious before pulling away. It was interested, to be sure, but there was much to think about.



For Iromineelmris

Puff of Smoke Egg
The song that enters your mind is gentle, but playful, immediately finding comfort in your loving attitude. Indeed, this feeling seems quite fond of you, if a little tentative. Something is not quite right however. You have given up a dream because of your age? The egg seems disappointed, sad really, as it pulls away, its tune once again lonely.

[Zirin]

"Get her off the sands Weyrling."

Kayath's eyes took an immediate red the moment an amethyst dare even fly over the clutches, a menacing hiss in her throat. She wouldn't dare land. Oh but she would! Foolish idiot! Kayath bugled, immediately stepping over her egg protectively, but the Weyrking beat her to the punch. She turned her eyes on Thormyth as the amethyst removed herself, neither thankful nor angry for his interference. It was only reminding her that her own mate was horribly absent. Truth be told she was torn on how to feel. On the one hand, she worried for the safety of her clutch and Izanycorth's, yet on the other hand, this amethyst was complementing and praising, something Kayath loved above all else.

"Come on Kay, back away and stop scaring the candidates," He pushed at her mind, not giving her any leeway. "Your eggs are fine see? Back away or the candidates won’t be able to see how pretty they are." The topaz grumbled, but he was right. She was only stopping the compliments by doing this. J'dol was mildly worried by her utter lack of words, but she seemed to be too distracted with the eggs themselves to worry about anything else.

Soon enough she had backed away, not as far as before, but enough that the candidates could move somewhat freely amongst the eggs. You WILL make up for your carelessness Abyrath. The topaz finally snorted, looking up at the amethyst as J'dol fought to keep her calm. You will bring Izanycorth and I a meal tonight, once this Touching has ended. J'dol looked back at the candidates, only to see one of his favourite people forcing another towards the eggs. Tiptoeing over, he threw an arm over his friend.

"Harassing the candidates again Dal?" He grinned. Kayath was still upset, but the arrival of a new human praising her eggs worked wonders. She looked down at Tesla, and then at her eggs. I would be offended if you didn't touch them. They are so wonderful they deserve to be felt by all! In fact, go touch more. One of the men she had commanded down seemed hesitant about it. I couldn't care if you were an old man. Would you really pass up such an opportunity? Touch them. Go on. Touch them!

---

The touching has started Gar. Are you heading down? I shall inform Assaila as well.[/i] J'degar ran a hand through his hair. He had watched plenty of touchings before and he didn't find them particularly exciting anymore, but he supposed he should go. It would be Firo's first touching, and he may as well watch the men and women he might one day have to teach again. Grumbling, he stepped into the stands, offered the queens a quick bow and looked out over the sands, quirking an eyebrow at seeing Iro, of all people, down amongst the eggs. Kayath has demanded all unbonded viewers to coo over her clutch as well.

Well, there was no harm in him getting to experience this, Faranth knew the man wanted to. He waved at his friend before seeking out his son amongst the throng. The time was slowly drawing nearer. Soon he would see if his own son had what it took to be a rider.

[Kitsuneko]

Tesla had been doing her best to ignore the drama on the sands, with the weyrling that had appeared. The clutchmothers could be quite intimidating when they wanted to be, but Kayath seemed pleased, even insistent about Tesla touching the eggs, and for a fleeting moment she wondered if the dragon knew something she didn't. She put the thought out of her head, though, and instead nodded and moved on to touch another egg.

The reaction of the first egg had been...interesting, to say the least. Even the brief touch of Tesla's hand had been enough for her to pick up some of the inhabitant's emotions, and she was eager to see what the other eggs were like. The next egg she reached out to touch was the Puff of Smoke egg, and Tesla admired the dark shell as she stroked it.

After a while, she decided it was time to pay Izanycorth's clutch a visit as well, and she bowed to the golden queen. Her eyes were naturally drawn to the Lion egg, and she wistfully reached out to stroke the shell lightly. She hoped she'd be around to see the queen that hatched from it.

[Jilli]

Dalrian grinned tossing his arm around his friend's waist and giving him a quick congratulatory kiss on the cheek. It was a time to celebrate.

" of course I am. Little Hanako's been in hiding ever since she found out about her candidacy. I had to get her or she would have skipped it altogether!"

Tugging his friend with him he walked back to kayath blowing her a kiss in case -in her heightened state of agitation- the usual scratch or friendly pat was out of the question.

"Well kayath you've nearly outdone yourself this time sweetheart. Why they're almost as pretty as you!"
-------

Hanako winced at the cold dismissal she got from the looking glass. Wasn't that proof enough?! Maserati was mistaken! No dragon would want her! She trotted over to where dal was standing almost in tears. She didn't belong here. They hated her and she shouldn't be here. She gave kayath a deep curtsy and looked up at dalrian.

" Dalrian I shouldn't be here. Can we please just go?"

[Bellatora]

Iirla smiled at Vl'kan, watching as he took their daughter into his arms, her expression taking on a softness. Yes. She loved to see the two of them together... she liked being a family. A real family. The three of them. "I know... but... Izanycorth deserves to have me hear for her..." she said softly, smiling gently at their daughter as she gurgled happily and squirmed a hand free to reach up and touch her daddy's face, little nails scratching slightly at his chin. Kiira definitely loved her father.

Izanycorth rose suddenly, hissing, her eyes whirling red as she looked at the young, foolish amethyst. Though she did not have to taek care of it herself it seemed as her mate and Hers mate soon had them off the sands and she settled herself back down crooning softly and licking the shell of her Lion egg as well as reaching her nose out to nuzzle each egg comfortingly.

Yes. You shall provide the both of us with a meal tonight. You, Mine's Mate's relation. Come. There are more eggs yet for you to touch. The little one too. Come here little boy, I want to meet you. She had settled down quite well after her mate had taken care of the nuisance she felt little threat with him nearby... and the boy interested her. He was excitable. She missed the LittleOne. She hoped that LittleOne was safe. She gave a soft croon and lay her head down beside her egg so she could better look at him. He would make a good Candidate some day, she was sure. He was far too young now.

Izanycorth looked at Hers as she soon followed Vl'kan onto the stands. "Ka'mond... you do need to be more careful. Abyrath could have gotten seriously injured... and so could you. Please... Go watch from the stands." She gave him a soft smile and placed a hand gently on her mates arm, looking at him with a gentle expression and placing a hand on his back. He was right that she should be lying down. she was tired... but she needed to be here for Iz....

Dalrian! Come! I wish you to visit my eggs. It was an order.

---

Assaila tied her hair back in a short braid. It was getting longer now. She was very glad for it. She grinned and dropped her hands to her sides as she heard her Anna's footsteps behind her and turned to look at the little blonde girl, kneeling to hug her young daughter when Syph's voice came into her mind. "We'll be right there Syph," she said aloud and looked down at Anna. "Come on... Let's go see your papa and watch Firo touch some eggs, how does that sound?

Anna smiled. "Seeing the eggs will be fun. But Firo can do it on his own. I don't like him very much, Mama. He's so... so... mean!" Assaila smiled tiredly. "He's just... him, Anna... come on. I'm sure Papa will be happy to see you..." She had taken to calling Gar Anna's Papa as well... she didn't really remember when she had started doing that.

Anna smiled at her mom and as she stood, took her hand and started to walk down to the sands with her. Once they got there, Anna took off to run to Gar and wrap her arms around him in a hug. "Hi Papa!" she said with a grin before releasing him, her mother walking more calmly behind her up to her weyrmate and smiling at him, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before turning towards the sands and looking for Firo. "It's got to be an exciting day for him..."

---

Eliitra looked up at Nevinth who was sitting a few ledges away from the Weyrking, watching excitedly, her wings twitching every now and then. She spotted Dalrian and J'dol, waving to them from the stands. "Kayath, Izanycorth, I would love the chance to come visit with you and your little beauties. And Kayath, I brought a rag and some oil for the itches!"