[Statistics] [Candidate] [Adult]

Criden, a homely young man with medium-brown hair and twinkling blue eyes, was in a good mood. There was simply no other way of putting it. He was just plain happy. And why shouldn't he be?

He and the rest of the candidates had been gathered together by the Headwoman and were currently waiting outside the Hatching Caverns to be taken inside by three or fours. On this day were they to be introduced to the eggs.

His common sense told him that eggs couldn't possibly have thoughts or even the consciousness to be aware of 'meeting' someone, but they were told otherwise. This was a vital step in ensuring the greatest chance at Impression, the Headwoman explained patiently. They were not to expect anything momentous - it was just a pile of eggs, really. But there were little dragons in those! Criden could hardly believe where he stood. How had this happened!

His life had been filled with unimportant events that had formed a rather plain and unassuming sort of boy. Criden wasn't particularly tall or well-built, and he was neither attractive nor unattractive enough to deserve a second look from any of the girls.

He had an affinity for animals, thus his apprenticeship to the Beastcrafter at the Weyr, but was an average student in almost every aspect.

Sometimes it irritated him - his normalcy. But in all honesty, he wasn't really all that bright, and so he usually didn't worry at it for long.

Despite all this, however, someone had taken notice. Or rather, someone's dragon had. That green dragon had taken a good, long second look at him and proclaimed him suitable candidate-material. That had shocked both Criden and those close to him. Candidates were very special people. People who would fly on the backs of dragons and fight with bravery high in the air - fight Thread and save the very people of Pern from destruction.

And Criden had been chosen to be amongst them. It was virtually inconceivable.

But here he stood, at the mouth of the Cavern, the eggs just a few dragonlengths away from him. Waiting for him? The thought sent a little shiver of anticipation down his spine. Was there a little dragon - bronze, brown, blue, green - curled in its egg, waiting for him? Had he been chosen already? Perhaps the dragons had had enough of special people - maybe they liked his normalcy!

Criden felt a soft smile fall across his face as his good mood escalated. It was a good day to be ordinary.