Not Too Bad With Seasoning (Hisalyth's Flight)

[Ember]

R'ril sighed deeply. Can you hurry up, Hisa dear? You always spend way too much time sunning on your ledge before going. You'll keep your darling males waiting. Shut up, useless. I'll do things my way. The stupid males can wait until I'm good and ready. Despite her words, the muscular green leapt off her ledge with all the grace of a rock and drifted leisurely towards the feeding grounds. With a dragon as dark as she was any glow she had was barely noticeable. Unless the males had been paying attention to her of late she doubted she gave off any signs of being ready to rise. She liked to keep it a surprise.

She was a deliberate pain in the butt. She cared little if the males only wanted her for some tail, but if that was the case she'd make sure she was the most memorable piece of tail. First impressions were oh so important. Hisalyth swooped down on a herdbeast and heard the sickening crunch of several bones. Yum. Rather than blooding or eating it, though, she used its blood to coat herself. She wasn't too fond of fighting but the green did so like to be covered in blood. You are one strange dragon. You know that right? No doubt because of your influence. Now leave me alone.

One more herdbeast for good luck and then Hisalyth was up in the air. She roared loudly, calling to the males. Come on, come on. Don't tell me the males of this weyr are too scared to chase Hisalyth? I promise I taste good, she purred tauntingly to them all. Let that scare away the young and foolish. While not fast or agile, Hisalyth knew enough tricks that would make it extremely difficult for them to catch her. Ah, to be caught. It was much more thrilling than to fall against a male of her choosing. Because, really, the males were generally unworthy to be actually chosen by her.

R'ril grinned when Hisalyth set up the challenge. He'd have some playmates soon enough. Though firmly grounded on the masochist side of the scale, the green quite easily took over and changed that aspect. Such that he could enjoy toying with the human partners. Still, he'd left his weapons in his weyr because he knew Hisalyth could get quite violent and he didn't want to maim anyone. That was just too extreme. Bites, scratches, hair pulls were what he'd stick to. He approached the door impatiently and flung it open. Come one, come all!

[rii]

Up high, perched on the old king's stone throne, Ekarth gazed down and across the river at the green rolling in the blood dampened grass. His wings were partially arched, giving his sudden intent stillness the resemblance of a gargoyle. The only visible movement came from his forked tail - sweeping back and forth as he pondered the conundrum before him. He knew this green - he was sure of it. His wings twitched as she took the air, tempted to instantly rise up after her. Instead he prodding at his rider's mind.

"Hisalyth and R'ril," Ba'sun responded easily as the images of the bloodied green came his way. "She's rising?"

Yess O'ssun. Why do I feel like I know thiss one?

"Because you do," The bluerider already taken Shoal's hand, leading the child to be watched by the creche woman. Ekarth never affected Ba'sun much in flights - not until it got near the end and his blue sought to steal greens from under the claws of other dragons. The blue didn't chase, he caught; whether the green liked it or not. Usually it was the latter of the two. A reason why Ba'sun had to plead with his dragon not to chase after greens when they did their maiden flights. The man didn't care much for the horrified looks he earned after the flight. Ekarth was not a gentle lover. His manner of catching a green was not something the young girls should have to endure for their first flight..

He knew, any moment now, his blue would join the flight. Always had in the past, and as far as Ba'sun's memory went, R'ril welcomed their participation. The bluerider wandered the halls in the direction of the flight room at a leisurely pace - just in case the pull came and directed him to wherever the greenrider might be waiting. Sshe iss not mine? "I believe Lucith usually caught her." Lucith iss gone.

Ekarth snapped his wings, throwing himself into the sky. His snake-like body twisting as he quickly came up to the green's challenge. He slipped under her, dotting his light hide with the blood dripping from her claws and wing tips. Do you darkling? Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bit, the claws that catch! – Ekarth's talons slid through the air just short of Hisalyth's vulnerable wing sails. Wouldn't it just be so terrible if he slashed them up and she was unable to fly away from him. Keep your promissess, I want a tasste.

Ba'sun shouldered against the doorway - first to arrive, that was new. Cautiously he eyed the greenrider from afar, wondering if the lad had any weapons on him. It'd be smart to divest them from him early on; and to make sure no one else walked into the room with a damn belt knife on their waist. Tilting his head at the younger rider, Ba'sun gave R'ril a slow smile. "Hello Darkling."

[Ruby]

Hisssssalyth, Quarth pondered with a momentary flip of his tail, stretching the S out so the first half of her name sounded more like the onomatopoeia it was and turning his head to track the Green's descent from her ledge. H'nes paused, stylus in the air, as memories surfaced in involuntary flashes: A big green, battle-scarred; young compared to Quarth, but that didn't mean much these days; R'ril, her rider, one of them; some vague association to Z'ves and Lucith. Those were the memories Quarth chose to pick through, anyway, H'nes himself had added the kind of data he cared about: the pair was on Mi'rah's wing, had been at Wasteland before he arrived, were competent as that sort could be, but certainly not trustworthy. Quarth stopped H'nes there; he really couldn't care less. Not one I've collected, then. You would have... stronger memories if I had.

They'd been partners 26 turns, more than half of H'nes' life. He didn't need what Quarth meant spelled out for him. No, not yet. Is Heahth around? You really mean Heahth's. No, they are out hunting, too far to contact. Elisabeta, then? Rakmaninoth's? I've never liked her much, but she'll do, and she won't say no given my recent appointment. Search. Shards. There was no point in asking Quarth not to chase, not when he hadn't collected Hisalyth yet, and even if he did they would have the same discussion next time the Green went up. Might as well get it over with. Bad timing, this Green, H'nes muttered mentally, setting down his stylus without finishing the sentence he was working on. Time was of the essence, here, and unfortunately he lived about as far from the weyrfolk apartments as it was possible to get. Flightmoths would be hanging around the flightrooms, sure, but he didn't want to risk being anywhere near there if he could avoid it. Go if you're going, and catch her this time, would you? I'd rather not deal with her other half again.

Quarth didn't need to be told twice. Slithering down off his ledge, the deceptively small Bronze flared his wings, touching down just for a moment before Hisalyth exploded into the air. He followed, not surprised that the much smaller Ekarth beat him to the Green's belly; not that Quarth would get that close to a Green this early in Flight anyway, he didn't mind taking a catch or two when he could but if you threatened, they expected it. Now she would be watching Ekarth, if she was smart, watching those claws that came so close to her wingsails. Not because she was afraid, no, Quarth knew better than that. Because Ekarth was who he was.

Well, Quarth was who he was, too. He'd chased Hisalyth before, every time he was in the vicinity when she Rose. Which, honestly, wasn't all that often if H'nes' memories were to be trusted; she was on fighting wings, usually, and Quarth was on threadfall wings. The two usually complemented each other (only fools battled while Thread was falling), keeping him away when she was idle and able to mate. He'd never caught her. Lost her to Lucith, but Lucith was missing, Dead, H'nes explained. Ah. That's right, Quarth remembered now. Ekarth had reached her first, he was allowed to speak first, but Quarth would not stay wholly silent. The males of this weyr might fear, Quarth said, But I do not. Perhaps I am unwise, but that remains to be seen. The wicked grin in his voice was echoed on his face, lower jaw dropped open to display his teeth. As the Blue passed beneath the Green, Quarth caught a thermal and rose, letting his tail curl into a spiral that echoed his own. Not too far to leave Hisalyth behind, but he had the upper ground, now. Good.

[Rowana]

The blue tail twitched in a playful pattern, but the dragon it was attached to was otherwise very still. She'd done a good job hiding it, but Garaeth had spotted the faint glow the day before. Hisalyth wasn't a dragon he knew well. In fact, he'd never actually spoken with her before now. Garaeth didn't care. He was itching for a Chase and she was a lovely green. Besides, she seemed to like playing, it would a shame not to oblige her.

"Garaeth," T'ke sighed deeply from his position across their room. "What are you doing? You look like a feline waiting to pounce." I am, the blue replied happily. Her name is Hisalyth. T'ke blinked, feeling cold dread entered his stomach. "Hisa...Shells no, Garaeth! You are not going to Chase her!" Why not? Garaeth was genuinely confused. She is lovely. "I don't care if she's the most beautiful dragon on Pern," T'ke retorted, more fearful than angry. "She's a Wastelander! You know what their like!" Garaeth was unperturbed. So? Even Wastelanders can have fun. "Garaeth!" Too late, Hisalyth had taken flight and Garaeth dove after her.

He was intrigued at first. He'd never seen a green paint herself before. He wasn't sure he liked the idea of being covered in his meal, but if she did than it must be alright. Two other males he didn't know well were coming too. This was going to be fun! Chases were always better with more people. Garaeth crooned with delight and circled around them in a little dance. May I play too? he asked politely, his eyes a beaming purple. Is it true you taste good? It seemed an odd thing to say, but it was all good in his mind.

"Sharding, stinking dragon," T'ke paced his room, waiting for the inevitable. Why Hisalyth? Why not Minth or Feyrianth? Why a sharding, bloody Wastelander? With his luck, R'ril would probably stab him mid flight just because it would make it more fun. Maybe T'ke had a stereotypical view of these people, but his pessimistic nature wasn't helping much either. All too quickly, Garaeth's playful mind urged him to find Hisalyth and play with her. He wandered down the halls to find her ready and waiting with the door open to welcome him. What a lovely green she was! He smiled and waved sheepishly at her, already pink with nerves at being in her presence.

[Ember]

Hisalyth's first chaser was met with a haughtily amused rumble. Ekarth the snake, huh? Sso the ssnake fliess, the sassy green mimicked Ekarth's hissing speech. You'll have to earn that taste. I wonder if you can? She reached out with her back talons to scratch the blue. She'd be caught eventually but it was still far too early for that. She liked playing with her males and the blue was apparently not the only one who was brave enough to chase her.

She listened to the bronze speak and her mouth opened to bare her teeth. No smiling or anything of the sort. A promise or a threat, however it was seen. The largest males were the funnest to play around with though they rarely actually twined with her. That he was unafraid was oh so amusing and she would be tempted the rest of the flight to show him why he should be afraid of her. I shall prove how foolish you are, bronze one. In due time. Two? She was about to be disappointed by the fact that only Ekarth the snake and Quarth the fool had decided to test her claws when she noticed the third.

That was...? How amusing, little baby. You think you can keep up with our games? Very well, she responded sweetly, moving away from Ekarth to play with the younger blue. She passed underneath Garaeth and whipped none too lightly at his underbelly with her tail. her voice took on her usual harsh tone as she growled, You will have to earn a taste to find out if I really do taste good. The green shot awaya distance before abruptly changing to a grueling near-vertical flight. She was not a green to waste time performing fancy tricks.

R'ril eyed the first to arrive with amusement. He wasn't entirely gone just yet. Especially not since Hisalyth was only surveying the males. He raised his arms disarmingly. Look, mommy, no blades! His borderline skin tight shirt revealed no hiding places. "Welcome, snake. You're welcome to try and search my pants if you like." No guarantee he'd let the man get away unscathed if he tried though. T'ke was given a beckoning wave. "Come on in, baby."

[rii]

Ekarth's tongue slid out and he waved the forked end at Hisalyth to better fit the dubbing of serpent. His shape already suggested as much, and the speech only further cemented the idea into the minds of others. What was this talking of earning a taste - did she expect him to turn pretty flips for her like a canine performing for a treat. The blue rumbled to himself as he rolled away to make the green's slash a mere scratch of claws over his hide. She would have to try harder, too, if she wanted to blood him.

The blue flipped around, shifting away from the green to inspect the competition. Ekarth moved through the air above Garaeth as Hisalyth went below. He playfully batted the other blue with wings - and if it sort of trapped Garaeth there to get a taste of Hisalyth's affection, all the better. You are most welcome to play - if you know the game. Devious blue and purple colors whirled through Ekarth's eyes as he turned aside.

Quarth, Ekarth trilled pleasantly as he skimmed the air below the new King of the Hill. The blue flipped onto his back, his claws making a vague motion at Quarth's tender underbelly. A not so unfamiliar action to Ekarth. It had been the blue that started the invasion on Selenitas by raining down the entrails of a bronze. Such fond memories. Not too busy these days to play with the peasants, how humble of you.

Ekarth was not blind to the way Hisalyth had taken to rising straight up. He watched her with a distant sort of interest, choosing to circle into a thermal instead of foolishly following in her wake. Ekarth was a small blue, smaller than the green he chased even, and turns of experience let him know his limitations. Pure strength and stamina was not his strong point. Besides.. what goes up, must come down. So come down darkling, Ekarth purred to himself while flashing his pale, vulnerable underside to the dark green in offering. Come back down into the snake's pit.

Ba'sun smirked as his dark eyes trailed over R'ril. He didn't leave his position in the door yet; purposely he had parked himself there so he could stall the other chasers from entering. It gave him a moment, while he still had his head (this was one flight where Ba'sun didn't mind letting Ekarth have full control) to glance over the newcomers to make sure they weren't armed. Could never be too careful. One person was missing - H'nes. Mm, probably locked himself away. Such a prude bronze, so afraid of the male greenriders.

"Has anyone warned the healers about you?" Ba'sun playfully mused as he pushed off from the door frame and began to stalk toward R'ril. Let the games begin.

[Ruby]

Serious green, was she? Well, Quarth was in a playful mood, so he didn't let Hisalyth's apparent lack of a good nature affect his own enjoyment in any way. She could bare her teeth as much as she wanted; he hadn't seen her bite anyone yet, and until she did he wouldn't expect it. In due time? he asked, giving one more beat of his wings to reach the top of his climb. Then he swept one forearm out, down, and across his chest, echoing the sweep of forearm with his wing and bending at the waist in imitation of a human bow. Of course, in the sky, this tossed him into a tumbling diagonal roll, slow and controlled. He preformed a full rotation before adding a drawn-out call of As... you... wish....

Only when Hisalyth herself turned vertical did Quarth break his fall, unfurling wings with a snap of air and sinking another length or so before managing to turn himself up again. He might be agile for a Bronze, but he was still drastically bigger than every other dragon in the flight, and that sort of momentum wasn't all that easy to redirect. Garaeth was ignored - Selenitas, more likely foolish than brave to take on a Green like Hisalyth. Besotted, maybe. Quarth figured he had more to worry about from Ekarth and Hisalyth than Garaeth. And indeed, there was Ekarth, proving him right. Quarth didn't flinch away from the Blue's claws, just skimmed right on by, trusting. Yes, he remembered Ekarth's penchant for disembowelment; no, he did not think Ekarth had the balls, to put it blutnly, and if he did decide now was a good time to take the new Weyrleader out, Quarth trusted that Ekarth would only last moments. Wasteland could not afford waste.

These thoughts, of course, were private. No need to bait him. Instead, Quarth's mindvoice became light, just barely teasing. I rarely am, he replied, peeling away from the blue in time to keep their wings from tangling, and powering up after the green. It is my rider who cares for things like tithes and who's doing what with whom, I prefer chasing tail. Greens are just as satisfying as Queens, often more satisfying, and there are so many more of them. Quarth didn't bother to keep his conversation private; Hisalyth could make of it what she would. Best case scenario, she'd be intrigued, worst case she'd be angry. Either way it would be interesting. Up and up; strength and stamina were Quarth's strong points. If he could drive the flight on long enough, she'd be his no matter what. The other two wouldn't be able to hold her.

H'nes was having no luck. No one was home, and he could feel the pull to the flightrooms growing with every step. If he didn't find someone soon, he'd be forced to hope he could grab a flightmoth before the flight came to an end. Ah, how he longed for the days when he was Joined - with a Weyrmate, no one questioned when you locked yourself away. That's what flightmoths were for, after all. It had been harder for Lyanna, of course; as the center of the flight, it was more dangerous to keep suitors out, and usually involved physical restraint on H'nes' part. Now, though... he found his path looping around, taking him to the flightrooms instead of the further away. With a sigh, he gave up, headed for R'ril. There would be girls there. There had to be.

[Rowana]

Garaeth purred with delight. They were all so nice and welcoming! It was a bit hard to fly with Ekarth so close above him. Hisalyth's tail stung too, when she whipped him. Still, he was sure it hadn't been on purpose. They were obviously all happy to see him. Hisalyth had even come so temptingly close! She was beautiful, he decided, even underneath all the blood. Hers was a challenge he was glad to meet. He wondered why none of the other males had come. I love games! he agreed willingly. With a push of his wings, he ducked out from under Ekarth.

Garaeth was young, and a fairly good flyer, but he didn't have much that really made him stand out in a Flight. He was average all around, and was even an average shade of blue. While he was sure he could be faster than Quarth, he was equally sure that he couldn't last as long. Ekarth would be another challenge, since he was more agile and skilled. What Garaeth had was a youthful enthusiasm and eternal optimism. He wanted everyone to have fun and no one more than the lovely Hisalyth. Calling on his reserves of strength, he pressed onward and upward after the green. He didn't want to loose her for a second!

T'ke stuck out his tongue at R'ril and shrugged with a wry grin. He wasn't a baby! He'd already won several Flights in his lifetime and four turns was hardly immature. Still, he supposed it wasn't a bad nickname. At least he wasn't a snake, he thought, smirking at Ba'sun. If T'ke had had more experience, he might have kept enough hold on his mind to realize that being in a room with these two was not the most ideal of situations. But Garaeth was in charge and all he wanted to do was have fun.

[Ember]

Oh she certainly had an amusing bunch this time around, Hisalyth reflected. A silly baby who still couldn't tell he was being mocked, a dangerous snake, and the foolish king. Who to play with first. When she gained sufficient height she spread her wings and fell into an easy glide, surveying those below her. She eyed Ekarth before folding her wings and diving for him, talons out stretched. She had no plans on stopping so if he wanted to avoid the green's considerable weight crashing into him he'd best move out of her way.

She broke out of her fall with a jarring effort and decided to play with the baby once again. Hisalyth zigzagged her way to him, acting the sweet part as she got daringly close to him. Babies were always so trusting. She put on a burst of speed when she was already close and swiped at him with her claws with full intention of hitting him. I don't think our games are for you baby blue, she growled at him. He could take it as a challenge or dismissal. Hisalyth couldn't care less which way he took her words.

She hadn't forgotten her bronze too either. His words were oh so amusing and flattering to the green. She doubted he knew it though and flattery had never gotten anyone anywhere with her. Are you calling me just some piece of tail, Quarth? She called, hissing at him in fairly convincing mock anger. Hisalyth skillfully rose with a thermal. She was not fast by her colour's standards but compared to a bronze, even a small one, she could still be a little quick. She moved in behind him, quite aware that he could choose to spin around to make a grab at her. That was part of what was so thrilling about it, no? Though even if he did grab her she'd still do damage. What would it be bronzie?

His invitation had been denied but he kept grinning. Hisalyth was having her fun so R'ril went to have his. By nature, Hisalyth's flights were short things. The green had far too many openings for males to snag her while she got in close enough to do damage. He was missing one playmate but oh well. Ba'sun's question first, then. "I wonder 'bout that. Probably not?" He drifted over to the baby and got in real close only to yank on the kid's hair roughly in order to expose his throat. "Outta your league here, baby," he purred before biting T'ke's neck none too gently before pushing him away.

R'ril went over to Ba'sun and flicked at the bluerider's nose. Placing both arms around the other man's neck the greenrider hung off him lazily. "Was gonna kick ya if ya tried a search. Didja know?" A pinch to the back of the neck. "Oh well." The greenrider went to move away only to drop and swipe out a leg for the bluerider's feet. Did the man have quick enough reflexes?

((Yes, that is an open invitation for a force catch. Ekarth's welcome to try and interfere, too. XD))

[rii]

Catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Amusingly enough it just so happened that the green's choice in honey was blood and violence. Ekarth would have snickered if he could. Instead he flashed his teeth in semblance of a Cheshire smile as Hisalyth dove for him. He let her get close before finally reaching, his own claws flashing out to clash with hers. His back arched to twisted downward with her, using her momentum – could have caught her that way. However, the blue had other plans, such as the one to run his tongue along Hisalyth's neck to taste the blood coating her dark hide. Mm..

He let go, pulling away from her to idly watch as she went to harass Garaeth. Poor thing - Ekarth almost felt sorry for the nice blue. Almost. Right now Ekarth had more important things on his mind, and his tasty treat was winging further and further away from him - right into the bronze's reach at that. Ekarth's let out a soft hiss before his body was cutting through the air. Truthfully the blue was content to have taken his taste of Hisalyth, but on another level he hadn't wanted the game to end so soon.

There wasn't much the blue could do - at least without maiming or killing one or the other. It was well within Ekarth's nature to kill the green during her mating flight; or her chasers. He'd done it before at Benden. Just a mistake. Claws went a little too fast and deep. Oops. The blue burst between the bronze and green, the claws that swiped here were not for the bigger chaser, but for Hisalyth's face. Stupid green, going to get herself caught so easily; not even a challenge.

Ba'sun smirk remained as his eyelids slowly lowered, growing more and more amused as the peculiar green neared. The pinch was taken in stride, eliciting a small growl as Ba'sun hands slid down along R'ril's sides; fingers curling to roughly pull younger male's body flush against his own. "Lucky guesss." Ba'sun went for R'ril's neck only to have the younger rider drop away. She wouldn't get away that easily..

He stepped over the sweeping leg, doubling to fist a handful of R'ril's shirt and forcefully haul the younger rider upright. His arm snaked under R'ril's, crossing over the greenrider's chest and clamping on the opposite shoulder. R'ril's back snugly to his chest, Ba'sun's other arm crossed to turn the younger man's face one way to expose the line of neck. His teeth nipped at the vulnerable flesh, tasting her, but something else caught Ba'sun's eye. H'nes. Bronzie was late to the game. Ba'sun fingers dug into the side of R'ril's throat, "Sso rude. You forgot a toy." and bodily shoved the greenrider toward H'nes.

Ba'sun's dark eyes turned instead onto T'ke, a slow smile curling on his lips. "Ssuch a nice blue." Still want to play a game blue?

[ooc: Let me know if I need to change anything -- And Row, yes Ba'sun/Ekarth is propositioning T'ke :x ]

[Rowana]

Goodness, Hisalyth was fast! Garaeth marveled at her ability to go from rising to falling so quickly. Leveling out, the young blue started to dive himself, when he saw that Hisalyth was already coming back to meet him. Such speed and grace! Graraeth's eyes lit up as she approached. He let her come quick close, but playfully pushed away in time to avoid much more than a small scratches. These Northern dragons did like to play rough, he decided, but that wasn't all bad. Really? he asked curiously. He thought he was doing rather well for his first time. Perhaps we should play something else!

She was above him again now, tempting the big bronze to catch her. Was she finished already? Garaeth felt a bit disappointed that it was ending just when the games were getting exciting. Ekarth certainly still wanted to play, look how bold and daring he was. Garaeth rose more slowly, contemplating. Then with a laugh, he ducked underneath Quarth to appear in front of him with a flare of blue wings. Your game? he asked, almost daring. Maybe the bronze would turn an make a catch, maybe he wouldn't. Either way, Garaeth intended for everyone to have fun before the end!

Pain was enough to help T'ke get a bit of hold on his mind. "Yeow!" he glared at R'ril with a mix of loathing and longing in his eyes. What was he, a wild feline in disguise? Bad enough Garaeth was chasing his dragon without the rider giving him giant hickeys. Wincing, T'ke touched his neck, sure he'd drawn blood, but it was just swollen. Garaeth's playful antics were taking hold again, but not before T'ke saw Ba'sun looking at him rather oddly. I swear, Garaeth, he muttered as his mind faded again. If I wake up with a man again, I'll make you regret it!

[Ruby]

Of course. Of course R'ril had the very first flightroom on the hall, the one you had to pass before going deeper in, looking for the flightmoths that haunted the farther, more dusky rooms. Had H'nes been a different man, he might have tried to skulk by, but Bronzeriders did not skulk. Not worthwhile Bronzeriders anyway. No, H'nes squared his shoulders and turned to meet his fate head on, beckoning to one of the girls down the hall even as he did. As she flitted along the walls, unsure, H'nes paused in the doorway, stoically surveying the men in front of him - until a roughly shoved R'ril found his midriff. H'nes growled and stepped back, catching one of the Greenrider's wrists as he did. R'ril was so small that twisting one arm up behind his back was simple for the larger Bronzerider, who leaned in to hiss between his teeth, "Don't touch me." But, while he relaxed his grip on R'ril's wrist, he didn't let it go. Physical contact felt good, and H'nes couldn't quite bear to push the Green away.

In the sky, Quarth performed a ponderous roll, considering. Are we not all just some piece of tail, when it comes down to it? the Bronze asked, clearly feeling philosophical today. And then she was behind him, within reach if he could just tuck a wing, turn, catch her neck... he wouldn't have normally - he preferred to win honorably when he could - but H'nes wanted him to catch, if he could. It was worth a few scratches to take her.

Unfortunately for Quarth, he was slow, compared to the rest of them. As he flapped his left wing and tucked it, attempting a roll as Hisalyth's claws found his shoulders, something ripped her away. Completing the turn, the intruder resolved into Ekarth, of course. Ekarth, trying to maul Hisalyth's face. Interesting tactics, Quarth thought with a wry twist of his lip and his body - easy to sneak around Ekarth's side, and take her anyway. He stretched his neck, reaching, angling his big bronze frame so it would slide between Ekarth and Hisalyth when he took her, protecting her face from further disfigurement.

Except for Garaeth.

Quarth should have known better, he knew immediately. The young Blue was unknown and therefore unpredictable, even if he seemed harmless. The flare of blue wings made Quarth pull his head back with a sudden roar of surprise, canting sideways and plowing into Ekarth's side. Slashing out at Garaeth's unprotected chest, the Bronze slid between the two blues, almost certainly buffeting at least one of them over the head with a wing as he went. There she was, just in front of him, just a quick reach away. With green ichor dripping down his back, Quarth reached, stretching neck, arms, legs, curling wings....

((same as Rii - if anything needs changing let me know! Also I left it open for a reason, Ember ^^ feel free to avoid!))

[Ember]

Ah, how Hisalyth hated all the little bugs that the males were. Didn't ever like others. Still, they'd made her wanderings amongst social creatures worthwhile. Ekarth had indeed gotten his taste of her and let her go. The green was a little bit pissed off about that but also somewhat grateful. More playtime. Reckless playtime, at that. Garaeth didn't really think he could still play any of the games the older dragons knew, did he? She watched him briefly but dismissed him all the same. Too soft to make an attempt on her.

The green tried to abruptly backwing as Ekarth slithered between her and Quarth and slashed at her but was too comitted to the movement and not agile enough to pull it off. Hisalyth screeched in fury and pain, ichor streaming from her face. Unable to see anything, Hisalyth was forced to read what she could of the situation by the movement of the air around her. Unaccustomed to flying without sight, all she could tell was that there were too many dragons in her air space. Hissing, she dropped spitefully. Away from the tangle of dragons she knew was there but couldn't see.

The problem with falling when you couldn't even open your eyes was that you didn't know where the ground was. Reluctantly, Hisalyth spread her wings to slow her fall, incredibly annoyed that she was dependant on one of the males to save her. The green felt a body slide against her own and snapped blindly at it as a show of her frustration. So, was he here to take responsibility for her eyes or was he here to gloat? The green didn't care as she surrendered to Ekarth. The biological urge overrode all.

R'ril smirked as Ba'sun avoided the leg. At least someone knew how to play. Bad blue should let him have his own fun though. The bite was taken in stride since that appealed to the greenrider even if Hisalyth was more dominant. Besides, he always pestered others for the sake of getting them to hurt him. So what if during Hisalyth's flights he found joy in causing the pain too. The blue released him to the newly arrived H'nes and the greenrider pouted.

Oh but the bronzie knew how to play too. The greenrider purred as his arm was twisted painfully. "Ah, but it is you who are touching me, H'nes." To be extra annoying, R'ril deftly broke out of the bronzerider's loosened hold and turned to wink at the man. He was fully intending to plaster himself to the bronzer too but pain transmitted through the bond had R'ril clutching at his eyes. Though it felt wondrous to a masochist like R'ril it was also concerning. Concerning because it was phantom pain because Hisalyth was injured. The greenrider slipped back over to Ba'sun with something akin to desperation in his eyes. Ekarth's fault, Ekarth's responsibility, no? Besides, if the bluerider knew how to play best.

((Random.org decided it. If it's not IC for Ekarth though I can change it. Also, if anyone wants it for reference; Hisalyth has been permanently blinded 'cause I'm evil like that.))

[rii]

Something akin to surprise and worry flickered through Ekarth's eyes when he felt his claws slice through Hisalyth's flesh. She hadn't moved - at least enough to lessen the damage like a battle hardened green should. The blue had made a right tangle out of all the dragons, and claws were flashing that were not just his own. The blue neatly steered himself out of the mess. Amused - yes - but at the same time his head turned back to try and gauge the damage to Hisalyth's face—

–only to see her falling with ill grace from the bronze reaching for her. Ekarth tucked one wing to his side to make a sharp U-turn and slip down after the wounded green. His tail twined with hers as he came upon her, easily avoiding the poorly aimed snap of teeth. His tongue swept over the ichor streaming down her neck, a mix of herdbeast blood, Quarth's and her own. He wasn't apologetic - and the worry more for his rider than anything else. Mauling other dragons wouldn't make the weyrleader happy with his, there were so few able dragons to fight these days.

You do tasste good.

Ba'sun continued to eyes T'ke in silent consideration. The older bluerider had gotten his taste from the green, and at the moment was content to leave her to the bronze. Something in his mind about served the prude right for being afraid of male greenriders. Ah, but look, Ba'sun's gaze had noticed the flightmoth H'nes had drawn to the room. Nice of the bronzie to bring the woman – another day Ba'sun would find to play with the nice blue.

Reaching forward, Ba'sun curled a hand around T'ke's neck and pulled the younger man near to steal a kiss. "Too nicce." He lightly trailed his fingers - curled like claws - across T'ke's chest as he pulled away and made to sweep past H'nes to get at the flightmoth. He wanted to make a jab at the weyrleader too but didn't get the chance, R'ril had turned to him. Ba'sun's gaze swept over the injured green - not seeing the wounds but knowing they were there all the same. A moment of hesitation passed before Ba'sun pulled R'ril's face closer and claim his lips. His teeth punctuated the kiss, catching R'ril's bottom lip a sharp nip.

The next moment Ba'sun had lifted R'ril, a hand around each of the younger man's thighs, and was carrying him away from the congestion of dragons near the door. His.

[ooc: If you want an after thread, i'm good for it if you'd like <3]