RED RUM [red's maiden run]

[raii]

Dusk crooned at the green's encouragement. Suddenly, she ran down a tree onto the ground. He attempted to fly through the folliage, but it slowed him down considerably. Finally his strong salamandyr-like legs came in handy for something! He dropped to the ground, running after her. His gait was somewhat awkward, with almost a waddle to it. His wings were outspread for balance, and his outstretched legs hitting the ground in an ungainly manner.

Although his gait was awkward, it was much more efficiant than trying to fly through the trees (especially for a large, clumsy brown). He wasn't, of course, as fast a runner as a salamandyr, but he was able to get himself closer to the little green. See? He was a salamandyr AND a fire lizard! He didn't quite realize that he was a fire lizard with salamandyr-shaped legs, but rather beleived himself to be both. Naturally, he was that deserving, yes?

--

Just as the two blue fire lizards managed to almost reach the green, she dropped out of the air. Without reacting, Renn plumetted and manuevered around. Of course the pretty creature would want to do what was comfortable for her! Much more agile than his brother, Indo was soon left behind. Renn chirped to Red, longing for her approval. Did she think he was a pretty little blue? His coloring was almost white, but that didn't matter! He was a perfect size for her, being a rather tiny fire lizard. They would be perfect! Indo huffed indignantly. Renn was so not going to beat him.

[Ruby]

Red could tell that her little legs were getting tired, more and more close to giving out with each step. But it was as if Shells still pursued her, although she knew he didn't - she just couldn't stop! The males after her were being so good, she liked them all. The Devil and Clingy were salamandyrs, not the despised Firelizards, and they could shout nasty things at Shells if he were to bother her again, plus they were very impressive in their ability to dart among roots. Points in their favor. Then again, Renn, Indo, and Auran were fast, tracking her every move; clearly, if she DID have to run away from something, they would be able to run away with her. Very important in the world of Red, which was plagued daily by things that were terrifying. And last but equally important, Dusk was big and solid, and he could protect her. He wasn't so big as to be scary to her, but he might be big enough to scare away... bigger things.

All of them were so equally worthy, Red couldn't decide. So, instead, the Green made a sudden dart sideways, following the breeze now. She sped up, matching her speed to that of the wind, then hopped up to catch it under her sails, hovering briefly before it swept her away. It blew her direcly into a tree trunk, and instead of going around it, Red snagged bark with her claws and shot up the trunk. It would be hard for anyone with more bulk than her (i.e. everyone) to pull off without flattening themselves against the trunk, but Red wasn't worried about that. They'd figure something out. Near the top of the tree she selected a fairly solid branch and headed off to the left, waiting until the tip bent under her weight before spreading her wings and soaring out into the breeze again, touching down every few feet but staying mostly in the canopy now. She might not want to choose, but the run was ending soon no matter her decision.

It did not, of course, occur to Piden that Tira's enthusiasm was anything but normal. They'd only met a few days ago - so what? (of course, that wouldn't have stopped Piden in normal circumstances had the timing been right, but oddly he actually liked Tira, and hadn't planned on moving so fast). Now, though, she was a beautiful, flying thing, here for his pleasure. Right? Of course. He pulled her tighter, transferring his kiss from her neck to her lips. She was the only one that had come for him, she would win, he would -

wait.

That echoing call was one he recognized, asking for him. Yes, The Devil had appeared after all, and with startling suddenness Piden pulled away from Tira, turning to the door. "Here", he purred, opening it and gesturing down the hall. Pidesk had apparently moved up the hallway, wanting to be out of this madness as much as he could, so Piden took a step or two in Yoalla's direction. If she didn't get inside fast enough, she would find herself swept up in the hall, carried inside, and deposited on the bed. No matter where he managed to catch her, Piden would get Yoalla to the bed somehow, and Tiramnet would be next. At least Piden knew for sure that the waiting would be over soon. Might as well get a jump on the preparations.

[Rowana]

Auran caught the sudden movement as Red turned another direction. His eyes flashed in delight. A stiff tailwind would give him a great advantage. He turned and open his large wings to catch the breeze. With the wind on his side, he sped after Red even faster. He would not lose her now. He would never admit defeat. He was the salamandyrs protector, not these silly others. And he would show how well he could keep pace.

The tree loomed closer. The wind that had, at first, been a boon, now made it difficult to stop or slow down. He couldn't avoid hitting the obstacle, but he could make use of it. Braking as hard as he could, he broke all for claws up to hit the bark. The impact was jarring, but he refused to let it slow him down. He pushed away and upwards, catching the wind and rising up the trunk in a steep climb. He winged after her hopping flight, taking care to avoid the branches. He couldn't let her down now! Auran was coming Red! Never fear!

[midnight]

Clingy was doing well for his first time - so he thought at least! He pushed himself harder - little legs peddling faster then he ever remembered. He just barely slowed down in time to make it for the turn. He skidded a little but pushed himself faster. He couldn't lose! It was his first Run! He couldn't lose! He had to prove that he was just as good. And he would! He would find a way. He found that, as she took up off a tree. Instead of hitting the trunk like he might have, he veered slightly to the side, taking an momentarily wider route.

He made a circle up the entire tree, building up speed and momentum as he went. Treetop flinging now! Oh boy! clingy enjoyed a good jump - when it didn't involve a splat at the end. The little Mandyr poured his heart into his running - because she was worth it! Oh how Red was worth it! She was such a pretty little green - how he loved greens!

[neeuqtar]

Tira kissed back as Piden brought his lips to hers. She had no compunctions about meaningless sex, particularly not during Flights or Runs. She'd been through enough Turns of Flights and Flightmothing that (along with her rather unusual upbringing) sex was hardly related to affection at all. Then she heard something in the hallway. Oh poo, she laughed to Nikeath, who snorted, sprawling her wings wider on the ledge.

The woman bent down, picking up the tossed-aside note as Piden stepped into the hallway. She set it on the nearest flat surface she could find (not the bed) before stepping towards the doorway, slipping out with her hands against the wall, back almost brushing the wood and stone so that she would keep out of the way of the two wherhandlers.

"Have fun," Tiramnet murmured with a slight smile, scooting along the wall and down the hall. With his actual Chasers (or at least one) here, Piden wouldn't need a stand-in. She looked forward to dinner, though.

[Kisha-Ra]

With the trauma of nearly being eaten behind her The Devil was happy to focus all her attention on the dimly glowing form of Red, pausing whenever there was a chance to pose and show off her powerful little form, she was the obvious choice, she’d be able to protect Red from these uglies so much better than Clingy, he was only a baby blue after all. She’d get Denial to eat that troublesome red thing too, the green plotted cheerfully as she ran along.

What was this? The Devil nearly tripped over her own feet in he haste to follow Red into the breeze, tucking her unfortunately large wings in to keep from being blown into the air, however that seemed to be exactly what happened to Red. Well if that was what her green wanted… The Devil unfurled her wings and jumped lightly into the air, only to be caught up in the wind rather more than she wanted. With a combination of wriggling and some wild flapping The Devil managed to avoid colliding with the tree trunk, instead shooting right past and winding her tail around a low hanging branch to stop her flight.

Seemingly without so much as a pause The Devil was climbing in a straight line up the main trunk of the tree, then turned her climb into a bound out along a slightly higher branch than Red had used for her take off. No escaping The Devil, here she came!

Another few uncertain paces toward the outside and back before a voice called to her. Red! Yoalla bounded along the corridor towards Piden, looking very pleased with herself. ‘Found you.’ She mumbled, tagging Piden by trailing her fingers across his chest playfully as she slid past him into the room. Her expression turned wary on seeing someone else in there but then it all became clear to her, another chaser, of course. Red had many chasing her. Why was she leaving though? Red hadn’t dismissed anyone. ‘Where you going, other? Not time yet.’ The Devil’s lack of vocabulary reduced Yoalla’s ability to form a long sentence but she got her point across, she thought. And speaking of time, it was time to woo her lovely green…

[Ruby]

With a small stumble, Red leaped again, panting now. This was hard work, all this running. Obviously Shells was occupied elsewhere (in fact, he was currently becoming suspicious about the noises in the bushes behind him), and she didn't need to flee quite so quickly anymore. But if she slowed down, one of them would catch her, and it would all be over! Decisions, decisions...

Well, Red figured, still gliding from branch to branch with the greatest of ease, if she had to choose she could dismiss the firelizards right off. They were lovely, all of them, but also ugly flying things fully lacking in the grace and beauty of the Salamandyr. And they couldn't talk, further proof of their inferiority. That left Clingy and The Devil. The blue was sweet, but he was very, very young, and he would certainly have other chances. Also, out of all the chasers, only The Devil had appeared in both of her forms. The strong reinforcement from Piden helped her make her choice, and Red swerved in the other Green's direction, aiming to get directly ahead of The Devil before announcing her choice.

As soon as she was placed correctly, Red took her biggest jump yet, reaching out for The Devil's mind exclusively, calling Yes yes, good - ACK! Suddenly, Red felt her body lifted on strong wings, her neck twined with another. She struggled briefly, then gave up, not sure what to do about The Devil. She glanced back to see who had caught her after all and saw a blue muzzle, speckled with lighter blue. It was Auran who had scooped her out of the air, and she made a little trilling noise, pleased after all. The Devil could stay if she chose.

Deep underground, Piden had all but forgotten Tira, eyes only for Yoalla. He had swept her into a kiss as soon as she was done speaking (not paying any attention to the contents of the words), something in the back of his mind dancing in triumph. Something to do with marks... but he wasn't worried about that now. He was worried about The Devil. Right? Wait. That wasn't The Devil's neck around his, so it was wrong to have his arms around her waist, right? Piden cocked his head and drew back, uncertain, then instructed, "Stay, if you want," before bolting down the hall. Auran was getting away!

Catching up to Tira was easy with his senses flight-sharpened, just as easy as it was to take her by one shoulder and turn her back against the wall (Dmitri's door, actually, but Piden wasn't fussed) and kiss her, whispering "You won," into her hair. And so had he, whether Yoalla stayed or not.

[Rowana]

Auran's body glided easily over the branches. His lovely green was tiring. He pressed himself harder, willing himself to stay with her. Nothing would get in his way now! Now she was turning. Auran puffed himself out, brimming with confidence. Of course she would choose him. He was the best, wasn't he? No, what was she doing? Auran growled angrily. He might have knowing the green worm would claim her. He hissed at the Devil. What a ridiculous pair they would make.

The sudden wind took Auran by surprise, blowing him off course. Another body entwined with his and he chirped in surprise. His resentment melted away as he saw who it was. He crooned gently and lovingly. Red need not worry now, he was her for her. He spread his wings wide to carry both their weight. All the rest were forgotten in his happiness. Red was his lovely, and he would keep her safe from everything.

Far away in the Main Hall, Merridan was busy fishing Vikky out of a cup of tea. Silly creature liked it so much that half the time she nearly drowned in the stuff. She glanced up suddenly, still holding a squirming fire lizard. Auran's smug happiness had reached her and she smiled to herself. "Maybe this'll brighten him up," she commented with a chuckle. Vikky chirped joyfully in her hand. Happy Auran was good. She splashed back into the cup. Tea was better!

[neeuqtar]

Tiramnet half-smiled at Yoalla as she scooted past -- not that the wherhandler would be able to see her expression in the darkness of the hallway. Once past the woman, she turned and shook her shoulders like a canine, ready to head back outside and shoot some arrows. Moving targets, maybe. She wanted to get rid of the charged up feeling from almost Flight-mothing. Nikeath probably wasn't going to comply, given that they had sweeps that evening, and had been doing aerial maneuver practice that morning.

A hand on her shoulder. It took all of Tira's control to keep from automatically responding to getting flung into a door with violence of her own. Piden's lips moved across hers, before he leaned forward to whisper in her ear. She'd won? Well.. clearly the other wherhandler had lost, and she hadn't scooted out of the dark hallways fast enough to be forgotten. Not that she was precisely complaining....

"Okay," she whispered back, rubbing her nose against his neck and molding her body to his. Sex wasn't a big deal for her -- and certainly not Flight sex, she thought to herself, untying the laces of her breeches so that they wouldn't get ripped off. Flights tended to get rough... and having never participated in a salamandyr Run before, she didn't want to find out if it was exactly the same.