Can you take the insanity? {Faii's Maiden Run}

[Rowana]

Ever since she'd first comprehended the sort of creature she'd really Impressed, Farryl had been dreading this day. In fact, it had taken so long for it to come she had even dared to hope it wouldn't come. Maybe her crazy salamandyr pair would never chase or run. It was one things she thought they could all do without. Then the green head started glowing, and Farryl knew it was just too good to be true.

Sitting outside near the Weyrbowl and a breezy autumn morning, Farryl eyed Kurro and Faii was silent reservation. Faii was still sleeping, apparently saving all her energy for the torment she was about to put them all though. Kurro was awake though, and in a very, very bad mood. Small consolation, Farryl though, that he was probably going to enjoy this even less than she would. Peppeth curled around the tree, with Hobbs safely perched on her head.

Do no worry, Farryl-love, the dragon crooned. It will be fun! Fun? Farryl smirked, trying not to laugh. You forgot I've had a salamandyr before, not to mention your Flights. And even I'm not sure how this one's supposed to work. Peppeth let out a sigh and nuzzled her gently. You will be safe. Hobbs and I will watch you. Farryl smiled and patted her nose. While she doubted Peppeth would be able to do all that much, it was nice to know that at least someone would remain sane after today.

With a tiny, cute yawn, Faii woke and stretched. She flexed her wings happily, eyes already turning from pleasant blue, to lusty purple. Kurro inched away from her as far as he could with red and orange loathing in his eyes. At least he's not going to chase, Farryl thought gratefully. That would be just...wrong. Ignoring her twin, Faii bounced up happily. Come! Fun time! Chase time! Play with Faii! Yes! she called loudly. Kurro hissed fiercely. NO! No come! he bellowed in echo. No Chase! Stay away!

Faii giggled at Kurro and started to run off without him, which proved difficult. Kurro sat stubborn and on moving on the grass, his wings tightly folded at his side. Mean Kurro. Must run! Faii whined playfully. She nibbled his frill encouragingly, but he just turned to snap at her. No run! Kurro stay! he returned sourly. Faii sighed, then brightened almost at once. Powering her wings like a tiny bee, she yanked herself and her unfortunately joined brother across the meadow. Kurro wailed, clawing up dirt and grass as they went while Faii giggled with delight. Yes, all the males should come and chase her! Never mind her silly, sulky brother, it would be fun!

[Ruby]

You so PREEETTTYYYY
Mine so PREEETTTTYYYYY
She so PREETTTYYY and WIIITTTTYYYY and GREEEEYYYYY!!!

"I'm pretty sure it's gay, not grey, and that is something I certainly am not," Elisabeta snapped, trying to catch the salamandyr that was doing laps around her neck. He had recently discovered that dancing went along with singing, but hadn't quite gotten a handle on what, exactly, dancing was yet. He seemed to think it involved running in circles at top speed. The Greenrider had made the mistake of grumbling about Search, something that had set the brown off again. If he was just trying to cuddle, Elisabeta had discovered that a little bit of attention was all Sunshine needed, no matter the quality - but if he started singing, all was lost. There was nothing for it but to let him finish his song, then praise its quality (and even if she sounded distinctly less than pleased, Sunshine was over the moon that she had said anything to him at all. Strange little beast).

She so PREEEETTTYYYY
She so - Faii pretty?

"What?"

Faii pretty! Beta-love, Sunshine be back later. Finish song!

"What? No, that's enough, that's-" But her brown was gone, gliding from her shoulder to the windowsill and disappearing into the Weyr. Elisabeta narrowed her eyes, shooting a question at Rakmaninoth. Do we know a Faii?

I do not believe so, the Green hissed, then curled back up to forestall any further conversation. Just in case - it looked like Sunshine's eyes had been purple after all, just before he went out the window - Elisabeta unsheathed her knife, and locked her door. It wouldn't do much to keep her in if salamandyr mating truly was as strong as people said, but it was worth the delay if it was true. No need to accost someone if she could help it, she might end up with another X'vier.

Sunshine had skittered down the cliff face as fast as his stubby little legs would carry him, long, strong tail streaming behind him like a raccoon-marked banner. Purple eyes whirled frantically; this was his first chase, after all, and he was quite excited. His, of course, would always be more than enough for him to love, but he could love Faii too, at least for a little while. Maybe she would prove more reciprocating than Beta-love? That might be a nice change.

Totally ignoring the blue attached to Faii, Sunshine powered off across the meadow after his Green, crooning aloud a song of his own composition. Faii like songs? Sunshine sing for Faii, if she likes!

[Kisha-Ra]

Lao flitted from breeze to breeze, tumbling in mid air as he hit new crosswinds and looking far more like the colour he thought he was rather than the colour his hide displayed. The bronzegreen firelizard loved breezy days like this, and breezy nights too, they were so good for showing off his flying skills, and he obviously needed all the help he could get because he was, for some reason, much bigger than other greens. Certainly much bigger than that green.

The flash of bright, gleaming, green that had caught Lao’s attention seemed rather odd, a bright emerald at one end and a lovely teal shade at the other but there was a slight problem, there seemed to be a blue salamandyr attached to that body as well. Curiously Lao dropped down to see what was going on down there, surely his eyes deceived him. Apparently they did not, and the green appeared to be glowing. How lucky for Lao!

Yes lucky indeed, there was the salamandyr green to pursue, and a lovely blue salamandyr too, quite why they were connected, and why the blue was claiming he didn’t want to Run was quite beyond Lao. The overjoyed bronzegreen gave a happy trill to the conjoined pair of salamandyrs and dropped onto the ground for the moment, bounding after them and flapping his wings just once at the apex of each bounce for an odd, half flying, half running movement that carried him surprisingly swiftly.

[Rowana]

Faii glanced back, still giggling at Kurro's attempts to slow her down. Oh, they were coming! Bouncing in place with delight, the odd green half of the creature surveyed her noble chasers. The brown salamandyr was such a handsome fellow and such a lovely voice too! Faii love songs she chimed with a loving croon. Her blue frill waved as she preened from the attention. Sing for Faii? she agreed warmly. What a polite and charming creature Sunshine was.

Yet he was not the only one, here was another handsome fellow! This one didn't have such a pretty voice, but he was so shiny! Faii's eyes sparkled with awe at the sight of the bronze fire lizard. He was so very, very shiny and so very, very big! The way he hopped over the ground was both comical and adorable all at once. Pretty shiny! Faii crooned again. Chase Faii! A third,familiar male appeared then, spinning overhead. Faii giggled up at Hobbs as he joined in the fun. Well, he could hardly let Faii and Kurro have a game without him!

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Kurro had stopped clinging to the ground long enough to notice that he was no long alone with his crazed sister. Shards and shells, he couldn't escape now! They were surrounded by purple eyed males, some of which could fly. Snarling and hissing, Kurro gave up trying to keep Faii from moving. If she stopped, the other males would catch up! That bronze one was even making eyes at him! Go home! Kurro insisted loudly. No chase Kurro! No chase Faii! Leave alone!

Kurro tugged Faii urgently and she was only too happy to be able to run faster with his support. The pair zipped along the ground back past the chasers and towards where Farryl still sat with Peppeth against a large tree. Kurro was determined to seek the safety of his bonded. She would save him! Yet Farryl was far too dealing with Faii's boundless energy, so Kurro turned for help elsewhere. Darting up Peppeth's tail, he pulled Faii up her back and behind her wings. Hide Kurro! he ordered fiercely. Peppeth curled her head up and back to blink at them. Why? Isn't this fun? Faii giggled, curling into the dragon's wings and poking her head out to see if the males would find her. Yes, fun! Faii hide. Come seek!

Farryl, meanwhile was feeling quite left out. Where were all her males? At least two should be here, but not one had shown themselves. Crossing her arms, Farryl plopped next to the tree and pouted. This was so unfair. Wasn't she pretty enough for them? Even if Kurro was being cranky, they aught to have some fun. Stupid males being lazy and boring.

[Ruby]

Sunshine actually paused when Faii addressed him. Faii... loves songs? he asked, blinking purple eyes before dashing off after her again. He was so used to His griping and grumbling when he sang (although he knew she secretly loved it!) that it was somewhat shocking to hear someone appreciate it. Well, all the more reason to sing for her, wasn't it? In honor of the occasion, Sunshine selected a song he'd heard for the first time just a few days ago: the traditional mating song, brought to the Weyr by a traveling Harper in hopes of witnessing a Gold flight (unfortunately the Queen he was hoping for, Jingth, was still missing). Of course, Sunshine doctored it a little (especially where he couldn't remember the words).

Rise in glory,
Faii no gold.
Dive 'twined,
'hance the Hold.
Count three months and moe
And five heated sneaks,
A day of glory and
In a month who seeks?
Bronze, brown, double blue
In the sky...
With heat, all quickens
And baby things fly!

He wasn't sure what most of it meant, but the joyful tune seemed appropriate for the occasion. Bounding off after the double-salamandyr, he crooned a greeting to Lao and Hobbs, then started the song over again, humming instead of singing real words this time. He paused for a second before running on to Peppeth's tail - he had tried that with Rakmaninoth once, and she'd nearly eaten him. But Peppeth did not seem to be eating Faii or the grumpy Kurro, so he figured it was safe. Darting up the tail, he hunted around Peppeth's back, unable to find the tiny Faii/Kurro - oh, there she was! Cheeping, the brown leaped over towards her playfully, flaring his wings to catch what air he could.

Elisabeta was seated on the edge of her bed, head in her hands, attempting to smother Sunshine. She'd never been able to keep Rakmaninoth out, and while Sunshine was much less pushy and more silly, he was managing to worm his way in. Soon, she found that she'd gotten up and undone the latch - she dropped it back in place, but next thing she knew, she was hunting down her hallway, looking for the pretty Faii! Giving up partially, Elisabeta let the brown have most of the control, although she kept her pace to a brisk walk, and managed to hold on to a corner of her sanity. No leaping and twirling for her, as much as she might want to.

As such, she had enough of her wits about her to realize that Faii belonged to Farryl, her sometime Search partner. Fabulous. Opening her mouth to tell the girl off for letting her odd pet run rampant, Elisabeta instead discovered that she had said "Found you! Found pretty Faii/Farryl! Where Kurro?"

[Kisha-Ra]

Oh, how lovely! Lao was, for one moment, totally entranced by Faii’s waving blue frill. What a wonderful adornment! The firelizard glanced at the blue side of the joined salamandyrs to see if he was going to display anything so pretty, but no, Kurro didn’t even want to acknowledge those who’d come to chase the pair of them. Not discouraged in the least Lao chirped brightly to Faii when she spoke to him. Of course he was a pretty green! She was lovely too, and he would be delighted to chase her, naturally!

Lao snorted softly in amusement at Kurro. Why was he talking like that, strange little blue? He was Running wasn’t he? Therefore he must want to be chased! Lao was happy to oblige the green and blue twins, although he did give a short trill of approval for Sunshine’s song.

The bronzegreen firelizard took to the air again as Faii and Kurro approached one of their huge kin, climbing up a dragon was a feat to be proud of he was sure, but for him it would be very silly in view of the fact that he had wings. Lao twisted and turned his way upward, crossing and recrossing Peppeth’s back in an effort to make his flight impressive, he didn’t want his lovelies thinking that he was lazy or under appreciative of their climbing skills. A joyous trill emerged from the firelizard’s throat when he spotted the green and blue hiding underneath the dragon’s wing. Found them! Fun! What now?

Now? There was something Lao had forgotten, he now realised as he saw another human approach the one bonded to the salamandyrs. His bonded was supposed to be here too was she not? The firelizard didn’t really comprehend why the humans bonded to salamandyrs automatically arrived during a chase and his didn’t, it really was most odd. Lao gave Yoalla’s mind a few sharp prods before turning his attention back to Kurro and Faii.

Back in the everlasting dimness of the wher quarters Yoalla yawned and blinked a few times. That was… kind of odd. Although she recognised the salamandyr (or salamandyrs, Yoalla was never quite sure how to think of the conjoined twins) as one of Dementia’s babies, or maybe two, and it was just like Lao to inform her that he was chasing them (Lao thought of the blue and green heads as two separate salamandyrs so Yoalla deferred to his judgement in this matter) right when Yoalla was trying to sleep.

Thankfully Lao’s images were sharp and since they included a green dragon and two humans Yoalla was fairly sure she’d be able to find Lao, although which of those salamandyrs he thought he was chasing was a mystery to her. Possibly both. Yoalla dressed swiftly, and walked outside, where she squinted in the sunlight and made low sounds of annoyance. Urgh, full daylight, she just wasn’t used to it anymore, she probably looked like a mushroom creature too thanks to her nocturnal lifestyle.

[Rowana]

Faii nearly fell off Peppeth's back for joy. What a beautiful song and just for her! True she didn't understand half of it, but it was for her! Sunshine must truly love her to sing so handsomely for her. Crooning and cooing in the brown's direction, she poked her head out of hiding to frill happily at him. He wasn't the only male in the sky, however, not by far. Now that she was out, she could see her shiny male dancing over Peppeth's hide. He was impressive! And how lovely it would be to fly in the sky with such a powerful male at her side. Always not forgetting Hobbs, of course, who was attempting to sing along with Sunshine and fly at the same time. He succeeded, but only just, and nearly ran into Peppeth's head a few times trying.

Kurro stayed decidedly hidden as far behind his sister as he could get. He was in a dark and sulky mood and thoroughly wished everyone, Peppeth and Farryl included, would go away and leave him to brood in peace. Even silly Peppeth refused the aid him, and she was supposed to be in her right mind! Furious at the world and his love sick sister, Kurro snapped at her frill. Run! he demanded fiercely. They catch! Faii seemed to return from her adoration of the males in a rush of movement. Oh no, they couldn't catch her yet! She couldn't make up her mind! Yes, run! she agreed happily. Chase Faii!

In a blur of green and blue, the odd pair leaped off Peppeth and into the nearby tree. Time to really move now! As one, they scurried along the branches and deep into the foliage. Every now and then, they leaped to a new branch and ran in another direction. The flyers might have a hard time following in the tight maze the pair was running, but they would get their chance. Finally reaching the edge of one branch, Kurro and Faii jumped into midair, catching themselves in a buzzing hover with two pairs of wings. Turning, Faii watched to see how her males were doing. The fun was only starting!

Farryl looked up and beamed with delight. Here were her males! She knew they would come! Shame on them for keeping her waiting, she was lonely! Bouncing up, Farryl snatched Elisabeta's hands and twirled her around in a merry dance. "Pretty Sunshine!" she giggled, letting go to twirl on her own. "Kurro no fun. Play with us?" Skipping away, Farryl found the squinting Yoalla and spun her around too. "And shiny Lao! Play!" she encouraged brightly.

[Kisha-Ra]

Lao was not entirely certain whether he should admire Sunshine or be jealous of the attention Faii was showing the brown, it was hardly Lao’s fault that he couldn’t sing, but on the other hand it was a lovely song, maybe one day Sunshine could sing a lovely song like that for Lao. But then Faii’s attention turned to him and she became the only sun in Lao’s sky. Mostly because Kurro had been dismissed as too grumpy to appreciate fine flying, Lao would deal with the blue when he came to his senses (as he inevitably would) and realised what a lovely green Lao was.

With Faii’s attention on him Lao twirled around and darted neatly between the dragon’s headknobs before arching up to catch a crosswind that tumbled him end over end before he regained control and pulled out. Impressive, no? Possibly, but now the chase was back on in earnest as the pair of salamandyrs took to the trees. Lao let out another of his cheerful trills to let the pair know he was following and turned on a wingtip to pursue.

It was hard to keep track of Faii through the foliage but luckily Kurro was with her and the bright blue didn’t blend in with leaves and bark nearly as well as his twin. Lao tracked the running pair, though he was unable to really get in close to impress them with more of fancy flying. The bronzegreen firelizard settled for weaving in close amongst the branches in those places where he could and following as well as he could otherwise. A time or two he nearly lost Faii when she made a sudden change of direction but Kurro always managed to pull his attention back. When the joined green and blue came to hover in midair Lao trilled his own version of a song, since Faii, at least, seemed to like singing, and swooped in a broad loop under, over and around them.


Yoalla was too startled to do anything more than squeak in objection and cling to the shoulders of the greenrider who swept her up and spun her around in wild sort of dance. The things she did for that little bronze meance… Well at least the greenrider’s word told Yoalla exactly which of the two conjoined salamandyrs Lao was chasing, the green, even if he had entered the chase with the idea of luring the blue. ‘Sure Faii, I’ll play with you.’ The wherhandler agreed, wondering just what that agreement was about to get her into.

[Ruby]

Sunshine cooed right back at Faii - she'd liked that song, hmm? He kept the tune, but this time he changed the words: instead of the silly human words that didn't make sense (he loved his very much, but you had to admit, humans were downright odd), he used his own words. Or word was a more accurate descriptor.

Faii faii faaaaiii,
Faii faii faii.
Faii faaaaiiiii,
Faii faii faii.

Where words before were more than one syllable, he simply stretched out the green's name, making it longer where necessary. Much prettier that way; he'd have to try it on His sometime. Perhaps the Sunshine song, with her name instead? Elisabeta would be harder to fit, however. Suddenly, Sunshine realized that Faii had run away again, this time with Kurro's encouragement. He was being left behind!

Little wings flared out as wide as he could make them go, Sunshine leaped towards the tree... and immediately lost altitude. This was not his strong point; he could glide, but not fly like Lao and Hobbs or hover like Kurro and Faii. He didn't let it bother him for long, however, dropping to the ground before scuttling over to the base of the trunk, short legs working double time to keep up. A short leap got his claws hooked into the bark of the tree, but by the time he got into the foliage, he'd lost track of the pair he was chasing. Oh no!

Luckily, Kurro and Faii took that moment to dash by, but when Sunshine thought they might turn - had to turn! - they leaped off the end of the branch, buzzing away from him. Noo! Well, he couldn't let the beautiful Faii get away. Taking a deep breath, Sunshine threw himself off the branch as well, orange-striped tail trailing out behind him. It worked about as well as he expected; he lost altitude quickly, moving into a spiral to try and lessen his speed towards the ground. He looked longingly up at Faii as he fell, flapping his wings in an attempt to stay at her level, but it didn't help much. In a moment or two he would be on the ground, nothing else to do about it.

Elisabeta, meanwhile, had managed to wrestle her expression back to her typical glower, although the twirl made her composure crack again. Before she could clamp her lips shut, she blurted, "Play! What do we play?" dancing towards the Green (greenRIDER, she mentally corrected herself) with a lightness usually reserved for battle. Argh, she hated Sunshine even more than usual today. She'd just have to train him not to chase.

[Rowana]

It was easy to looked back and watch her beautiful males when she had Kurro to lead the way. Faii giggled at their antics. The tree trick had proved harder than she'd thought. Hobbs ran into several smaller branches trying to keep up with them. His wobbly gate that was usually so fun, was now working towards his disadvantage. Shiny Lao was doing better, for all his size. He weaved in and out of the branches so beautifully and always seemed to be able to find her again. Poor Sunshine hadn't been able to jump between Peppeth and the tree, but once he was up, he was right behind her. Such a clever brownling he was!

Kurro was in a foul mood. All this dragging Faii, hovering, and trying to get away was making him tired. He couldn't stop now, though, or those dratted males would catch up! Tugging Faii, the pair zipped through the air like a little bee. Faii, however, was loosing steam. She was tired of running and flying and she wanted to be held and cuddled. Watching her three handsome males, she made a quick decisions. Catch Faii! Pretty singer! she declared. Immediately she stopped flapping, aiming for Sunshine below them.

NO! Kurro roared with horror. No catch! He tried in vain to keep them aloft, but without Faii to help they were rapidly loosing ground. In a last effort, Kurro tried to pull them away from Sunshine, but his success was short lived when they slammed into Lao instead. Pretty shiny, Faii crooned to the bronze in a loving voice. Lao was good too, she decided. Maybe it would be Sunshine next time. Kurro moaned and gave up. He knew he couldn't win now. One of these days, though, he would get back at Faii for this indignity.

Farryl thought for a moment. What did she want to play? She really didn't care as long as they all had fun! Suddenly Farryl decided she didn't really want to play, she just wanted attention. She tackled Elisabeta in a great hug, humming her pleasure at having her here. She was such a sweet male after all. But then, Yoalla was sweet too, did she want her instead? Shrugging, Farryl took Elisabeta by the hand and dragged her over so she could pull Yoalla and her into a big group hug. Yes! This was best! Now they could all have fun!