Hide and Seek {Uminth's flight}

[archenstone]

Kalina had known it was coming. For days Uminth was more restless than usual. She had been leaving their Weyr more, finding more time to sun herself, walk around, or swim the river. Now she was resting near the infirmary with her wings bandaged. She wasn't feeling particularly bad....but her wing membranes itched, leaving her restless. Her hide was luminous in the night. She blinked, her greenish blue eyes slowly taking on a purple hue till they gleamed bright, bright purple in the night. We are both awake Minelove. Tonight I shall roam the forests...

Kalina shifted in her bed. Truly at this hour? Who's going to Chase you Uminth? I suppose its lucky for me though. You're probably not getting many suitors at night. She could feel her dragon's desire and amusement and smiled in the dark. No Minelove, only the suitors worth my time will be with me this night. Kalina, who couldn't sleep anyways, slowly shifted so that she could slowly get up and open her Weyr door. If you must....be gentle Uminth. On me...on you....and try to pick someone who can keep their head. I'm not interested in rough tonight. She was decently medicated, but her back was still tender and weak. I'm flying from the bed tonight Love. Love and reassurance went back and forth between them. They both knew that tonight would have to be an easy ride for both of them.

Uminth broadcasted gently, so as not to wake any not bonded. Her voice gentle and singsong. Bronze, brown, even blue. To my love I will be true. Forests, rivers, hide and seek. For a midnight mating meet! She was in a playful mood. Already tired of being restricted to no flight, Uminth wanted something fun. And what better fun than a game of hide and seek with handsome males come to find her? Of course, her glowing hide would draw them to her, but ever since she was a young dragon she'd left her weyr on occasion to escape its stifling closeness. The Green was quite familiar with Selenitas at night.

She trilled playfully, standing up and leaving the infirmary area by going into the river. She was swimming towards the Wher quarters, interested in the wooded areas of that side.

[Ruby]

Uminth. "What?" Umith was running in the forest. Piden furrowed his brow, wondering why Pidesk was telling him this, and why he'd phrased it like she was a Wher. "Rising, not running, dorkface," Piden told his wher, rubbing the last of a drop of oil into Shells' hide. No, running. Her wings hurt, she was running. At night, like a Wher. Piden pulled his eyebrows down. "What? Why? Does this have to do with whatever those sweeps came back from the other day?"

It was Shells that had the answer, not Pidesk. Ugly fatfats fight, come back all bleedy. Shells say stupids, Shells no bleed! So many uglies, clogging smelly-place. Of course, 'uglies' could apply to just about anyone when it was Shells talking, but it sounded to Piden like there had been some battle, and lots of people - and dragons - were in the infirmary. Oh no. That could not be good. "Pidesk? I bet anything Kalina's stuck in the infirmary. If Uminth isn't flying, maybe there's something wrong with her wings. Can you go, keep an eye on her? Chase if you want, just be careful." But she was a Dragon, and he was a Wher, Pidesk said, confused. "That didn't stop you before. Don't you remember?" No, Pidesk didn't, but that was alright. He'd go and make sure Uminth was ok.

Setting his bronze salamandyr on the desk (which of course made Shells scream bloody murder), Piden grabbed a shirt to pull on and a towel for his hands. Tearing out of the Apartments, he took the steps two at a time, driven towards the infirmary by... something. It wasn't Runlust, as Pidesk hadn't actually found Uminth yet, and Piden didn't really know if the Wher would feel the need to chase a Dragon now that he'd chased and caught Whers. But he was worried for Kalina, and maybe that made him hurry. Bursting in to the infirmary, he grabbed Hinsero, a fellow Handler, by the sleeve, growling, "Kalina. She's a Greenrider. Is she here?"

A startled Hinsero shook his head. "No, sir, she was moved back to her Weyr last week or so. Is everything alright?" Piden just turned away, leaving a somewhat lost-looking Hinsero in his wake as he headed for Kalina's weyr. At least she wasn't in the infirmary. Ripping open the door to her rooms and coming face to face with the Rider herself, Piden, suddenly feeling somewhat silly - she was up and walking, after all - asked, "Are you alright? Is Uminth really flying? Running? Whatever?"

[Ember]

Dsoleth blinked in startled amazement at the midnight summons. Rare it was for a green to rise so late at night. Equally rare that he'd be up so late to chase. His was rather restless though. Something about the attack recently on the exiles. Truthfully the brown remembered little of those gone at this point. T'san had stopped giving Dsoleth access to that part of his memories for some time now. The brown understood that His' friends were there and that so had been His' mate. That he knew by T'san's grieving alone. He did not quite remember Meira though, nor did he remember being mated to Jingth.

So it was with a clear conscious that Dsoleth had returned to his (literally) flighty ways. The brown turned to T'san to say, Uminth rises. You had best stop your grumbling and go. "Oh hush you git. At least you have some taste this time, yeah? Kalina's not so bad." Despite his words, T'san's heart ached a little knowing Meira was gone, gone, gone and he couldn't even share the misery of losing the one he loved with Dsoleth anymore. It was time for the brown to start moving on at the very least. T'san considered what he was wearing and then shrugged and walked out the door. It was a flight. He doubted Kalina would mind terribly if he showed up in nothing but underwear.

Dsoleth considered the fact that poor Uminth was land bound. Should be an interesting chase in that case. Or game of hide and seek, rather. He slipped off his weyrledge, all but blind in the darkness with only the moon and stars to guide him. You are skilled with rhyme, Uminth. Hide and seek it shall be. Shall I count to then? The brown queried into the night in a playful tone. He liked Uminth well enough. He remembered her well enough since T'san wasn't blocking those memories and she was in the same weyr.

[Rowana]

G'tor's dreams took a rather odd turn and he mumbled as he rolled in his sleep. He didn't think he'd had dreams like this since he was a weyrling! Oh, Tor-mine, Ruskeath's voice was sing-song and bright, so unlike him the past few months. "Hmm? What is it, Rusk?" G'tor blinked sleepily. It was still dark out for Faranth's sake. Even he didn't wake up this early! No time for sleep, Ruskeath's purple eyes danced merrily. The night queen rises! "Night queen? Rising?" G'tor yawned, not really understanding what was happening. Before he could ask more, Ruskeath was gone, his dark brown hide nearly invisible in the black night.

Taking to the sky, Ruskeath greeted Uminth with a croon of appreciation. It was so clever of her to choose to Rise at night. This would be such fun! True it would be hard to see his way, but that just added to the challenge. Already Dsoleth was joining them and a welcome rival he was. Shall I join the game? Ruskeath asked politely. He dipped down into a gentle dive and slipped into the water. It was too shallow, even here, to truly swim, but he did love water and knew how to move in it. Besides, it was only fair to chase Uminth on her terms.

Still only half awake, G'tor rolled out of bed and shuffled down the hall. He yawned deeply, feeling Ruskeath's urge for him to find Kalina and move faster. Slipping into a jog, he started across one of the many bridges that crossed the canyon. Figures Ruskeath would pick someone who lived so far away for his midnight chase. He hoped Kalina wouldn't be too angry for him being late.

[archenstone]

Kalina's eyes widened in surprise at Piden's rather forceful entry. Without a glow the only light she had was moonlight streaming in from the weyr ledge. She recognized Piden from the sound of his voice and smiled ruefully. If I don't visit the night people, the night people visit me...
She made room so he could get past her and into the Weyr, walking over to her bed to sit on the edge. "I'm okay, just happy to be alive actually. And yes, Uminth is flying...sort of." She looked at Piden with an amused expression.

Her body tingled in response to Uminth's emotions. The last time everything had been so strange and frightening. She wasn't sure if it was the medication or her budding experiences with men that let her feel calm about what was happening. Even so, something about the feelings within her made her feel alive. The battle gave her a new appreciation of life. "Uminth isn't allowed to fly, but I imagine she'll find enough to do." She glanced at the open door, wondering how long till someone else came in. She had noticed though that Piden didn't speak like someone on flightlust....or runlust. Did he just come to check on me?The thought warmed her.

She stood back up gently so as not to strain the cuts on her back. She took a moment to make sure she was steady and walked over to Piden and hugged him. "Thank you for coming to check on us Piden." Her voice took on more of a throaty tone in reflection of both hers and Uminth's feelings. The feelings would only get stronger as Uminth's suitors began chasing.

~~~~~~~~~~

Uminth moved through the water, delighted in the feeling of the cool water against her heated skin. She made her way to a little sand island halfway there and looked around. Kalina's memories of Dsoleth and T'san where available to her, letting her remember his mind voice. Good Moon-time Dsoleth. Counting is not needed. Tonight, we shall play! She spoke with her feelings reaching out almost like fizzy bubbles across the link. Very happy was she, that dragons where coming with out further encouraging. She posed on the island for a moment, her eyes looking upwards for shadows cutting through stars. She swished her tail mischievously. Where to go to next? She trilled playfully into the night air before making her way into the water once more.

She continued towards the woods near the wher quarters as another made his presence known. This one was known to her as Kalina's memories and hers were still fresh. I welcome you to my game Ruskeath! She heard a dragon splash into the water. Crooning happily, she used a very shallow part to stop and look around. Her green glow reflected on the water, but her browns where both out of its light. She knew she ought to be visible in her current position so she moved on, until the bank drew up and she was on solid land once again. She looked around, seeing buildings on her left for the main hall and the cliff face on her right.

She cut across, using the natural cover the building gave to cut the amount of her visible from the river and sky down. She crossed the path crooning to herself mischievously. They would have to look for her. She vaguely sensed Kalina's surprise and realized that Piden's Wher, while not chasing, might join on the game. So she broadcasted one more softly.
In the night when sight is nil
Other senses must take lead
Sometimes one must be very still
Let night, its whispers your hearing feed

[Ruby]

Pidesk hadn't intended to chase, not even a little. Uminth was a dragon, after all, and the last time he'd tried to chase a dragon he'd ended with a sprained wing muscle and an embarrassed Handler. But His being in such close physical contact with Hers, and Uminth being a Green (and beautiful at that)... well, Pidesk found himself curious, at the very least. Of course, it didn't help that Uminth seemed content to stay on the ground, like a Wher, and that she was swimming right towards the Bronze. He would follow, he decided, and see. Chase perhaps, but mostly follow. For now, anyway.

Slipping in to the water, Pidesk only needed to swim for a second before he reached the beach where Uminth had left the river. He was ahead of the brown dragons, if only by virtue of the fact that the Green had been swimming directly towards him before leaving the river. Pidesk could see at night, of course, certainly better than the dragons, but instead he switched to heat vision. That way, he could see Uminth's heat signature despite things in the way; she glowed as bright as a star tonight, the brightness of her hide translating into a flush of heat that outlined her much the same way. While the dragons were fumbling in the dark, Pidesk could see exactly where Uminth was, and he didn't hesitate to lope her direction. He might not have wings like dragons, but in hide and seek, he had other advantages, and perhaps he could prove his worth in the chase. Sort of.

Piden, meanwhile, was surprised and pleased by the hug, chaste gesture that it was. He'd much rather have had a kiss (or more), but a hug was a start. Careful of Kalina's back, he looped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her tighter instead of letting her go. A glance at the door showed that her other suitors had somewhat farther to go (when Piden stopped thinking of himself as just a presence and started thinking of himself as a suitor was anyone's guess), and so far none of them had appeared. "I'm sure she will, she's a resourceful dragon," Piden murmured, voice low enough that Kalina would have to stay snugged up close to hear what he was saying.

Of course, Piden wasn't one to let an opportunity go to waste, and this seemed like a great opportunity to remind Kalina who was here for her even if he wasn't a Chaser (or was? Whatever, Piden stopped trying to figure it out). Pidesk wouldn't be able to catch anyway, as far as Piden knew; there were mechanics to think of, Whers worked differently than Dragons. Piden figured he'd better get what he could while he could, before he had to surrender Kalina to another male and content himself with the leftovers, or a flightmoth. Yeah, even if he wasn't really in the flight or whatever. Moving a hand up under Kalina's chin, Piden gently tilted her face upwards, moving his face towards hers, a hairs breadth from pressing his lips to hers....

[Rowana]

Ruskeath moved like a snake around the little island, pleased to show how easily he could move in air and water. The river was too shallow for many tricks though, a pity they were not in the ocean. A push of powerful legs and Ruskeath surged towards the land. It seemed unfair to take to the skies when the lovely Uminth was being so playful on the ground. Silent and sneaky, Ruskeath slipped around the building to search for his lovely green jewel. It was hard to see in the dark, but his claws and ears knew the way. Was that a rustling across the path? I shall seek you, playful one, the brown sang lovingly. Into the very depths, I shall seek!

G'tor was out of breath when he finally reached Kalina and aghast to find her already with another male. Had she chosen already? Curse his legs for not being fast enough! Looking quite a bit like a sad puppy, G'tor started to back away. "Excuse me," he mumbled half to himself. His mind was still confused. Why did Ruskeath still chase if Uminth had chosen? What on Pern was going on?

[archenstone]

Uminth paused and looked into the night. Was that a rustling of hide against dirt she heard? She crouched down and hugged up against a building till she reached the corner. She saw what was obviously a dragon, though which she wasn't sure. She trembled in humor as she waited till the right moment....and snuck across the gap, careful to keep her tail raised lest it scrap noisily across the ground. Just before he was out of reach she stroked her tail tip against what looked like his hind. Tag She murmured to him playfully before dashing past some buildings. She couldn't tell but thought she tagged Ruskeath

She went along as best she could around some buildings before making a sudden turn around a building. The way wasn't clear though and she came nose to nose with....Pidesk? Her eyes whirled in surprise. Hello, come to play too? This one was....bonded to the male snuggling up to hers? How interesting. Catch me if you can! She challenged playfully and spun. She took off in another direction into the night. As a friend he could too.

~~~~

Kalina's head rested against Piden's shoulder as he spoke to her. "Yeah she is," She agreed. Uminth's mind drew her in as Piden lifted her chin. They where about to be nose to nose....no...kiss. He was going to kiss her! She lifted her left hand in time to intercept the soft lips now pressing into her hand. That was close. But ohhh Faranth that man was bad! She peeked at him over her hand and grinned mischievously.

"Thats not fair Piden. You need to wait like the rest of them." She said slow, teasingly. She gently extricated herself from his embrace and went over to her Brown who seemed so sad. No! He must not leave, not now. She placed a hand on his bicep and let her fingertips trail down. "Come in G'tor. The fun is just getting started." She wouldn't be herself much longer, but she knew Uminth wouldn't want her Browns discouraged before things even got interesting. She hazarded a light sway in her hips, finding she could do so with out discomfort. She walked over to her dresser and turned off the last soft night glow.

"Lights out boys, let see who finds who." Now they where all like Uminth, Ruskeath, and Pidesk. Dsoleth would just have to join in when he got here.

[Ember]

Dsoleth brushed Uminth's mind with pleasantly surprised admiration. Why Uminth, you are quite the poet! He discovered quickly, though, that the air route did not work at all. He had hoped to catch a few glimpses of glowing hide in the night but his strategy wasn't working. It was apparently time to just let go and have fun. The brown drifted to the ground and landed as lightly as he could with it being so dark. Where, oh where, could my darling Uminth be? The brown crooned out playfully.

T'san took his own sweet time getting to Kalina's room. He wasn't really giving Dsoleth full control. Definitely needed a little time to prepare mentally, if nothing else. By the time he arrived at the greenrider's weyr, though, he'd given over control and the lights had gone. He entered the dark weyr with a low hum and a smile on his face. "Do I get to be a little fashionabley late?" He called out gently, one hand held in front of him as he walked further into the weyr and closed the door behind him. His hand brushed a distinctly masculine shoulder and he made a small sound of acknowledgement. Not his target.

[Ruby]

Hmm, there was a building in the way, between him and Uminth... sniffing around the base of it and moving as silent as a ghost, the sandy bronze Wher stalked forwards, more intent on the scents on the ground than on the corner ahead of him. This was a mistake - all of a sudden, he came up face to face with Uminth, who he had been trying to find! Blowing air at her in greeting, he would have barked, but that would tell the other males where she was. Instead, he cocked his head at her - he'd found her, what did he do now? Oh, catch her! That made sense. As Pidesk crouched back, about to playfully pounce, Uminth spun and disappeared into the dark.

That made Pidesk howl, an eerie sound like a hound on the scent, before he plunged off into the night. Somehow, Uminth had managed to get behind something, or move far enough away fast enough that Pidesk was unable to find her heat signature again, so with a huff the Wher looked for her scent instead, moving slowly away from the building now. There was a dragon-shaped signature, and Uminth's scent trail pointed right to it! It looked a bit big, but that didn't stop Pidesk. Loping quickly across the ground, he ghosted behind the figure, stalking... and pouncing!

He landed on the tail of one of the browns, claws sheathed of course but his sudden arrival would be surprising none the less. With a wide-eyed bark of apology, Pidesk backed off whoever it was, quietly sniffing for Uminth's scent once again. Whoops.

Piden, meanwhile, was kissing Kalina's hand instead of her lips, which annoyed him vaguely. Yeah, it was flight and he wasn't supposed to presume, but he couldn't possibly catch, so why not let him have a kiss or two? Oh, because he was one of her chasers, apparently. He just grunted in response, letting her go with only a touch of disappointment. When she turned the lights out, though, Piden smiled big - he could see in the dark, way better than any of these other sun-blinded day people. It wasn't great, but once his eyes adjusted he could make out vague shapes, and he covered a bit of a snicker when he saw T'san reach for G'tor. No, boys, you did it like this! Feeling his way across the weyr, he reached out and tapped Kalina lightly on the shoulder, then withdrew, carefully staying silently out of her reach.

[Rowana]

Ruskeath felt his hide tingle at Uminth's touch and let out a breath of longing that she's left so quickly. Of course it was too soon for her to be done. The game was only beginning! Slipping after her in the dark, he tried to stay as silent as possible. It wasn't easy, especially when he had to keep checking to be sure he wasn't going to run into a building. A shadowy shape joined in the game and Ruskeath snaked his head out to tap Dsoleth on the rump. Too big to be Uminth, he thought sadly, but the more the merrier! Tag, Ruskeath rumbled with amusement.

He started to move away when something pounced at his tail. Startled, he yanked quickly and turned to see a flash of bronze hopping away. Ah, it was the wher who had joined them. Truly this was a game full of surprises! Ruskeath had never consider how interesting it was to Chase in the dark. Ruskeath shrugged away Pidesk apology with playful croon. No harm done. It was all in the spirit of the game! Now, where had the beautiful Uminth disappeared too. Ruskeath sniffed the air and hurried after her.

G'tor beamed. So she hadn't chosen after all! Delighted, he let Kalina lead him into the room, but was surprised when she darkened the glows. This was very unlike most Chases he was used to. Eyes sparkling in the dark, he couldn't help a grin at the thrill of it. This would be fun! He started to look about the room, but was surprised when someone touched him from behind. Was it Kalina! Turning, he was sorry to feel that it was certainly not the lady. Probably T'san by the voice that had entered after him. Sighing, G'tor moved away, feeling in front of him with his hands. Oh sweet Kalina! Where are you? he thought playfully.