One, Two... [Three's Maiden Run]

[Ruby]

Her love was upset. Three did not approve.

She had just awoken, eyes already whirling purple, to find her love not awake and doting on her as he should have been, but rather tossing and turning from the heat. Probably a nightmare too, if the flashes of fire and blood she kept getting from him were anything to go by. Didn't Humans know they dreamed loud?

Twitching her tail once, then twice, the oddly serpentine green snapped her eye-spotted wings open, the red and yellow marking standing out sharply against her own forest green. A single flap took her from the crook of Piden's arm to his face, where she nuzzled his cheek, trying to comfort while being very careful to keep her barbed spines flat where her frill would lie, if she had one. Awake, lovemine, she purred, curling around his neck... then sticking him by accident. That woke Piden up quick, despite the fact that it was precisely the middle of his night (noon for the rest of the world). The handler sat up fast, grunting and ripping skin where the two barbs had stuck. It took a little wiggling to get Three free, while she moaned and flailed, apologizing and trying to nuzzle him again. Love love, sorry my love, sorry no hurt!

Once Piden had worked her free and clapped a hand over the bleeding side of his neck, he caught sight of her eyes. A deep indigo, almost more black than purple, but of course Three had always been a dark one. "Gonna try, huh? Well, if no one shows up, I'll always be here for you," he murmured, petting the top of her head as she leaned in. That might have disheartened other 'mandyrs (certainly if he said it to Red, she never would have run at all), but Three was fully aware that she never liked anyone but Hers. That meant whoever came would be strangers, or no one at all. No surprises, then; it was good to hear that hers would wait.

That was all the strange little green needed. Hopping off the bed, she soared to the door, wriggling under a crack and taking off up the hallways. Piden, aware of what was coming next, opted for a loose shirt over the short pants he slept in on hot days, and nothing more than sandals for his feet. He emerged from the darkness, squinting in the noonday sun, following Three more by feel than by sight. He'd forgotten how bright the sun was... ah, or how good it felt.

Three was headed directly for the Dining Hall - she'd never been one to waste time, and that's where all the people and pets would be, this time of day. Might as well let them all know what was going on, so she could have as many choices as possible. She had to choose, apparently, as much as she disliked that idea. With a mental caress for Hers, she posed in the doorway between the Main Hall and the Dining Hall and called to those eating, Who love Three? Love mine, could love you, too. There was little warmth in her tone, and even less in her eyes. These males had quite a bit of convincing to do.

[Kisha-Ra]

Lao fanned his wings and stretched out in the sun. Just because Yoalla slept through the days was no reason for Lao to do the same and the confused bronze could often be found following his daily ritual of bathing, preening, and basking at this time of day. A pretty green like him had to look his best after all. And speaking of pretty greens… Lao’s head lifted to follow the course of a certain dark green shape leaving the wher quarters. The bronze might be confused as to what colour and gender he actually was but his desire to chase remained largely unchanged, except perhaps that he didn’t actively seek females to chase, those he encountered however were chased on whatever justification Lao could manufacture for a green chasing another female (because clearly he was a green)

She was a pretty one that salamandyr, a dark and dangerous prettiness to be sure but didn’t she deserve to be chased? Yes she did, Lao decided and unfolded himself from his sunning position. How convenient that he’d just had a bath and looked his best, it would be terrible to look less than his best when Three was so clearly expecting many beautiful greens and handsome males to come and chase her. The fact that the salamandyr didn’t seem all that welcoming, or even that bothered, didn’t really deter Lao from following her to the dining hall, listening intently and attentively to her challenge, and replying with a liquid trill.

Ah yes, something he’d forgotten. The bronze brushed insistently against his bonded’s mind with the idea of chasing Three, an idea that didn’t upset him in the least, because it okay for green salamandyrs to be chased by other greens, he’d seen it.

Hrmmm? Yoalla blinked sleepily in and sat up in bed. So, Lao had found something to chase had he? The greenhandler smiled crookedly, whether the bronze won or lost he’d probably need comforting. Why was she still so tired? What time was it anyway? Had to be early evening maybe even as early as late afternoon, much later than that and Yosk would be awake. Yoalla moved about in the darkness of the windowless room with the confidence that came from spending years in the dark, identifying clothing by feel and pulling it on, at least with Lao chasing she had the option not to turn up stark naked if she was summoned from her bed.

Ow. Daylight. Lots of it. Yoalla squinted her eyes nearly shut on leaving the darkened wher quarters. Evidently it was earlier than she thought she decided muzzily. Leaning down to the river to splash some rather tepid water on her face in hopes of waking herself up a bit. It was the middle of the damn day! Ah well, soon be able to go back to sleep. With that thought Yoalla took herself off in the direction of the main hall.

[Rowana]

Puddleglum liked this spot, sunning on a high windowsill. Maybe it wasn't quite as interesting as watching the bathing pools, but at least people didn't seem to mind him being here. For some reason, certain humans seem to take offense to him watching them while they bathed, especially females ones. It was odd really. If it bothered them so much, why do it at all? All those extra skin layers certainly looked troublesome too. Humans were truly odd creatures. The Main Hall was another good place to observe humans. They were always scurrying about, talking, eating and more. The strangest things they ate too. Didn't they know too much tea and klah made them do silly things? Well no one listened to him, served them right if they got hyper and stupid.

Normally the gloomy brown didn't pay much attention to salamandyrs, but Three was an odd one. He'd seen a few others like her about, they must be related. Poor thing, lost and unloved she was. He could relate. No one loved him. Oh, Roivao said he did, but Puddleglum was sure he was just trying to make him feel better. It was a sad and lonely Pern, no matter what anyone said. Puddlglum rolled over, moaning sorrowfully. He could chase, he supposed, but why bother? He would never win and she wasn't even one of his own kind. Look, that silly bronze was chasing. She'd like him. He was bigger and flashier that pale, frail Puddleglum.

Still, he still felt sorry for her. Giving up, Puddleglum ducked outside and selected a late, fall flower. With a few graceful wing beats he was back, orange mum held in his mouth. Soaring over heads, he dropped the gift at Three's feet, before taking a perch on the door. He whispered mournful greetings to her, his eyes taking on a dull blue, purple. She wouldn't like the gift, he was certain and she probably hated him for showing up. He wouldn't blame her if she yelled at him to go away either and picked the silly bronze.

Some distance away, Roivao rolled over in his sleep and groaned. He was starting to have really odd dreams.

[Ruby]

((Feel free to join late, anyone else who might want to (req?), I just want to keep this moving quick <3))

Three blinked. Twice. She really hadn't expected anyone, but two creatures seemed to be paying attention to her, and one had even brought her a flower. Three's cheeks darkened slightly as she reached out to pull the mum in to her chest, humming a little under her breath. Then again, both of them were the uglies Shells went on about constantly. Did she really want one of them? Well, actually...they never tried to talk to her (well, sometimes chirps and calls, but nothing compared to Shells and and the other Handlers' salamandyrs), and the only male mandyr she knew well was Shells, which would put anyone off as far as male mandyrs went. So maybe she'd give these boys a chance. It was a good thing her wings were big enough for actual flight!

Well and good, she planned to prove to them that this was her choice, and while she liked the flower very much, neither of them had impressed her that much, yet. She'd just have to impress them, so they knew what they were up against! In a surprisingly verbose mood, Three nodded at the two chasers, stating, Good boys. Catch! With a flare of her eye-marked wings, she took off, looping over herself before clinging to the ceiling. Then she headed for the sun outside with shocking speed and precision, using half extended wings to guide herself towards the outer door.

As she reached the frame, she dropped, free-falling a few feet before snapping her wings out again, looping around to get a look at her chasers before heading for open air. One a bronze, long and thin, and with one of the most beautiful colorings she'd seen. He was the one that had trilled so nicely on the way in, and he looked practically edible. Eating was something that Three did, in fact, like to do. And the other, a smallish brown, a much more reasonable size for a green mandyr. He also looked like food, kind of. Something she'd seen in the kitchens, or out back. Either way, he'd brought her the flower (which she still clutched to her chest despite the wind stripping petals left and right), so points for him. A strange feeling was welling up in the Green, something she usually only felt in the presence of hers. Was it... excitement?

It was, although Three didn't know it. Her voice was much warmer when she said Come! spinning around the back of a tree before grabbing a branch and wriggling further in. Maybe they wouldn't see her here, and would keep flying! That would be silly. Scampering towards the ground, she made sure to flash her wings again, bright spots against the dark tree trunk in case they had, in fact, lost her. From there, she headed for a lone figure, halfway between the apartments and the dining hall - Hers, and behind him, Lao's. Speeding in front of Piden, she cut him off, then took to the air again, swirling around him to get him to face Yoalla. Dropping the flower, she sped away, not looking back to see if Piden caught it.

He did, of course, then glanced up to see Lao's before him, but alone. Lao was good, but where was Puddleglum? Piden quickly closed the distance between him and Yoalla, but for once didn't touch her, or invade her space. Three wasn't that kind of mandyr. Instead, he gestured back towards the apartments, asking, "Come?"

[Rowana]

To say Puddleglum was surprised at his gift's reception would have been an understatement. He was shocked! The very thought that anyone, much less a female, might appreciate a gift from him hadn't even crossed his mind. It was only a flower too. Not even a very pretty one. It would die by the end of the day, poor thing. Yet, Three clearly liked it. Puddleglum just didn't know how to respond.

His attention was definitely hooked now, though. Surly if she liked the flower, she wouldn't mind if he chased. He wasn't much good, by any means, but it seemed the thing to do. Taking wing, the brown soared after Three, taking the second door with a slow rolling dive. He was, perhaps, in just a slightly better mood than usual. That didn't mean he was up to flashy tricks though. He'd probably break a wing, or a leg, or both, if he tried. He gave a whispering whistle in a melancholy tone. She was such a pretty thing, it was a pity he wasn't a better chaser.

Almost lazy in his wingstrokes, Puddleglum rounded the tree and face empty branches again. Well now he'd lost her, so much for that. Saddened, he stopped entirely, perching on the branch that, unknown to him, Three had used seconds before. Dull, purple eyes scanned the trees before finding the distinctive spots on the tree. There she was! A little more determined, he took off again putting on more height. Ah, here were two of those handler friends of Roivao's. Why were they up during the day? Curious, despite his focus on Three, he bounced lightly off first Piden's, than Yoalla's heads. Then he was soaring off again after his green beauty. The kind one who had liked his flower.

Roivao was tossing in his sleep and finally rolled over so much as to fall off his bed. Roisk growled, coming awake himself. He knew what was happening and that little brown runt would have a talking to when he got back. Disturbing Roi's sleep like that. It was so rude. Tiida, remarkably, dozed on. Roi, on the other hand was very confused. "Wha?" He'd thought Tiida was finally running again at first, but the feelings were all wrong and not strong enough to be Roisk's. The wher nuzzled him sympathetically, explaining in his way about Puddleglum's interest. If possible, this confused Roi even more. Puddleglum had never shown an interest in chasing before. "Puddle...glum?" he repeated drowsily.

[Kisha-Ra]

Oh flowers! What a lovely brown that was, maybe if he didn’t win this one he’d come and chase Lao when it was his turn to Rise (it was bound to happen eventually, because he was a green and green Rose). A shame Lao didn’t think to bring a gift too, but maybe that could be forgiven since he was only a green.

With an excited little chirp Lao threw himself into the air, so pleased he’d been accepted even though he hadn’t brought a gift for Three that he didn’t even notice the salamandyr had referred to him as male. The bronze twisted his body into a wild corkscrewing motion that sent him wing over wing, trilling as he went, wasn’t that just a pretty thing? Not as pretty as Three of course, those wing spots were just sooo lovely. Shaking his head to dispel the dizziness his little trick had induced Lao realised he was in danger of getting left behind and shot for the outside world, neatly avoiding a particularly tall human in the process.

Lao soared, his long frame making his flight look deceptively effortless. Oh yes, he would come along with Three, if he could just find her. Ah there! Beautiful wing spots in the branches. She was a clever little mandyr was she not? Lao crooned his appreciation as he took his flight lower, shadowing the dark shape on the ground. Where now pretty one? Oh look there was his! Wasn’t she just the nicest human to come out and chase with him, even though she usually slept through these hours? With a croon for his bonded Lao circled back, speeding after Three.

Well, Yoalla raised an eyebrow as far as it would go without causing her eye to open any wider, the Three controlled Piden certainly had some things to recommend him. A great deal of things, the greenhandler changed her opinion as Piden gestured back toward the wher quarters, where the rock would shut out all this light. ‘Yes.’ Yoalla kept her reply simple in deference to Piden being heavily influenced by a simple creature. Of course, since that was Roivao’s brown that bounced off her head when Three had passed by Piden would want to collect his second chaser, and if Roi had any sense he’d still be inside.

[Ruby]

Three was enjoying herself, but she really didn't have the endurance or the desire to keep this up much longer. She sprinted straight for the jungle, wishing for a little more cover, a little more privacy. It was time to make a decision, choose a mate, and return to her normal routine. Now she was just waiting for Hers to get all his chasers in order...

And he had. Yoalla's simple response had gotten a smile and a hand on her elbow, guiding her back into the shade and dark of the Wherhandler Apartments. Luckily, Piden knew where Roi lived, so finding Puddleglum's wasn't hard at all. But instead of going in and pulling Roi out of bed, like he might have done under another creature's influence (see: Shells), he stopped at the door, turning to face Yoalla. No need to disturb the other Handler, unless Three picked Puddleglum in the end.

As they reached the first cover of jungle, Three skidded to a stop, turning to face the two males. So good, both of them, and she appreciated their attendance. It was a difficult choice, but Three wasn't the kind of creature to dither for ages. Lao was a beautiful creature, happy and friendly, with a lovely voice. Hers was more attracted to Lao's, too, which was points in his favor, but the Green sent him a gentle dismissal, murmuring a quiet Thanks as Piden pulled Yoalla in for a chaste kiss. That was that - once their lips parted, Piden tucked the flower behind her ear and slid away, opening Roi's door silently and heading for his bed without so much as a by your leave. If the other Bronzehandler had a problem with that, he'd have to act fast.

Lao was sweet and all, but Three distinctly wasn't. As much as she liked him, it was Puddleglum that was far more kin to her in mind, and she knew he would understand when she complained about the world. With a leap, she tackled the wheat-patterned brown, nuzzling him gently and sending overwhelming feelings of love his direction. As she led him into the darkness beneath the canopy, she punctuated her licks and nips with Love you, love you, love you! Clearly, she'd made her choice. Puddleglum had better be prepared - he was stuck with her forever, now.

[Rowana]

Gliding smoothly overhead, Puddleglum followed as Three headed for the jungle. It was a bit harder to fly in such close quarters. He was sure he'd break a wing or something if he did. Yet, he'd come this far, might as well see it to the end. He was still sure Lao would win, but that didn't mean he had to win by default. Besides, this female was different, the first one he'd ever felt so interested in before. She was truly an emerald among greens.

Keening a soft, half hearted tune, the pale brown ducked under some branches. He came to rest on a fallen stick as Three stopped. Why was she stopping? Was she done already? Puddleglum wasn't sure how long chases usually lasted. Ah well, she would pick the shiny bronze and it would be done. After all, what female would every pick him? She had liked his flower and that was good enough. He wasn't going to be a fool to expect more.

He'd almost turned to start what he consider a long, and tedious journey back, when Three tackled him. The surprise about the flower's acceptance paled in comparison to what Puddleglum felt now. He was frozen with shock, too amazed to do anything against the salamandyr's storm of affection. She chose him?! No female had ever chosen him. No one so much as even so much as looked at him, he was sure. Tiida didn't count. The possibility was so far from what Puddleglum usually expected that he was at a loss for what to do. Never had he felt so loved and so needed before.

Finally, instinct came to Puddleglum's rescue. His dull eyes brighten to a more steady purple. He curved his large wings around Three, entwining his body with hers. Nervously, he licked and nuzzled her in return. A deep croon of love and happiness rose gradually from his throat. Dear, Three, of course he would love her, though he was sure she deserved better than him. Together, maybe, the world was a less melancholy place to live.

Thankfully, Roisk was aware of salamandyr's and their hold on people from Tiida, or he might have been inclined to pounce Piden when he opened the door. As it was, Roisk just sighed with a sympathetic to Pidesk. How awful it must be for him, with His being bonded to three of the creatures. Roivao was still half asleep and glanced up with foggy eyes as the door opened. "Piden? Why...?" He could sense something from Puddleglum that he'd never felt from that source before. Then it hit him who his fire lizard was chasing and, apparently, caught.

"Oh..." Roi suddenly knew what was coming, but he was too slow to try to stop Piden from crawling into his bed. The other bronzehandler sighed. When Iloth chased years before, he'd long gotten used to such happenings, but usually he wasn't in his own mind for them. He didn't see much point in fighting it, though, not without hurting someone. Tiida did not agree. Now that she was awake, she was furious at Piden's presence with her Precious. Shiny man, play nice, she hissed coldly from her perch on the pillow. Her eyes burned as she frilled and spread her wings wide. Oh that Puddleglum would get it!