so let us melt, and make no noise [m'kai]

[Avu]

“‘Our two souls therefore, which are one, though I must go, endure not yet a breach, but an expansion.’” The quote was accompanied by one arm sweeping outwards in an arc, Darkling crooning a low counterpoint to the greenrider’s words. “‘Like gold to – ’”

I’m sure it was a lovely poem right up until it mentioned gold, Kyrahth interrupted dismissively, clearly unimpressed by Hers spouting random archaic poetry at her. The green twitched her tail, snorted at Darkling, who chirped sweetly at her, mockingly flicking her own tail at the dragon, and earned an evil, evil stare from Kyrahth. She looked away in time to catch A’emi’s petulant expression, and tilted her head to one side – A’emi was sure it was the draconic equivalent to a raised eyebrow. What, was there /more/? I’m /glad/ I interrupted. That didn’t make /any/ sense.

The petulance became more pronounced. “It’s nice, you forsaken, illiterate – ” Oh, yes, A’emi was in quite a strange mood. Restlessness, really, most of it. Nothing to do, which was why he’d dug up random records and started going through, of all things, poems. Which were actually a little more interesting than, say, lists of dragons that had been born. Yawn. Even if most of it didn’t make much sense. Some of his mood was also impatience – he, Kyrahth, and Darkling were at the spot he normally met M’kai at for chess-boxing.

This time, though, Kyrahth was wearing full straps, and A’emi hadn’t brought a chess-board or the pieces, and his hands hadn’t been wrapped. No, chess-boxing was nice but he had a different target in mind. Except his company hadn’t showed up yet, which made doing anything at the moment rather difficult. Hence the random quoting of poetry. Which, the greenrider thought sourly, Kyrahth really ought to appreciate more – “I doubt they’re even talking about dragons. Haven’t you ever thought that gold’s just a pretty color to some people?”

Spare me the technicalities, Kyrahth replied, still condescending. And go back to the useless pretty words. At least /them/ I can tune out. How the worm stands being right next to you while you babble nonsense I don’t know…

Sniff. A’emi crossed his arms, scrunching up his mouth disapprovingly at Kyrahth, and opened his mouth, fully intending to shout the next verses at the green just out of spite. He hesitated, and then scowled, biting his tongue. “I forgot my place,” he admitted, and the irritability in his tone could have matched that of a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. “Your fault.”

Of course.

[Ruby]

"What was that drivel?" M'kai asked, hopping down the last few feet of the mini-cliff that bordered their practice area. Futh, unable to land in the clearing since it already contained a Kyrahth, had dropped his Rider off not far away and returned to the sky, circling lazily a few lengths south. He wasn't really hungry, yet, but maybe a little snack...

M'kai grimaced as his stomach rumbled, eyes flashing up to the blue clearly visible against the clouds. Ignoring any response A'emi may have already made, M'kai moved on, taking in Kyrahth and the distinct lack of chess-board, etc. "What, no match today?" he asked, pausing with his right hand half wrapped in the protective strips of soft hide the pair used to keep from bruising each other too badly. "You could have told me before I got here, then I wouldn't have come. Remember, it's not you I like, it's the chance to beat the snot out of you that keeps me coming back. Futh?" he added, both aloud and mentally. Futh, focused on a much larger herdbeast than he actually needed, ignored his rider.

Weeks of chess-boxing had relieved a lot of the tension M'kai felt around the Greenrider. True, he still didn't like it when A'emi got too close or too flirty, and he'd revert to his normal, useless self, but as long as A'emi behaved M'kai could be almost fun. Of course, a few resounding defeats of the Blonde certainly helped M'kai be a little more magnanimous, but he'd had his share of embarrassing losses, too. Turned out they were pretty well-matched, both as fighters and as chess partners. Go figure.

So it was that M'kai's tone was more joking than nasty, leaving a fair amount of question regarding the truth of his words. A sulky Bomb, finally having convinced his "buwfien'" to bring him along to practice, turned baleful red eyes on A'emi and Darkling, muttering nonsense under his breath. The Brown had been introduced to the Green group before, and while they weren't his favorite people ever, at least he no longer raged at them for stealing M'kai's attention. At least there was no hint that they would ever make babies, they were all too skinny.

Plucking the Brown off his shoulder (where Bomb was attempting to munch on M'kai's hair), the Bluerider tucked the Salamandyr into a shirt pocket and faced A'emi, hands on hips and eyebrow cocked jauntily. "So, you gonna tell me what you have planned, or should I just head home?"

[Avu]

Drivel? Drivel?

A’emi sucked in a breath, fully intending to lecture M’kai within an inch of his life, and then thought better of it. He’d just quote something at the bluerider every chance he got, so hah. Probably much more satisfied with this solution than he’d any right to be, A’emi sniffed indignantly, crossing his arms as he spun on his heel to look at M’kai, and settled for a “It’s not drivel.” He left it at that – M’kai didn’t even seem like he was paying attention to him, pfft. Forsaken illiterate indeed.

The threat of not showing up had him rolling his eyes – it wasn’t like M’kai always beat him. It helped that A’emi’s pain resistance was ridiculously high, side effect of actually finding it more exciting if he was hurt than not. His style seemed to mesh well with M’kai’s…desire to ‘beat the snot’ out of him, too. Ah, good times. “Such wilt thou be to me,” he sighed, and wiggled his fingers playfully at M’kai. “As it happens,” this time in regular Pernese vernacular, “not chess-boxing. It’s great and all, and I’m not bored yet, but.”

He wandered a little closer to M’kai, tilted his head, and then his hand flickered down to his belt, flicked out the knife sheathed there. Not his stiletto – that was safely in his boot, thank you, where it would stay, at least for time being. A’emi twirled the knife around his fingers, a playful, simple trick. Didn’t expect it to be impressive, as it was only a little more interesting than twirling, say, a pencil, but accompanied by a smile that had a near-feral edge to it, it was certainly…different. Oh, and poetry. Couldn’t forget the poetry.

“‘Moving of the earth brings harms and fears, men reckon what it did and meant; but trepidation of the spheres, though greater far, is innocent.’ There was a greenrider that was nearly killed about half a sevenday ago.” The connection between poetry and words didn’t really make sense – A’emi thought he could probably come up with some convoluted logic that linked it, but mostly he was just saying it to tease M’kai. Drivel indeed, hmph. “Down by the Feeding Grounds. Felines.”

A pause, A’emi tossing the knife lightly and catching it between thumb and forefinger at the tip of the blade, swinging it into an ever-higher toss. “’S been awhile since I’ve had anything that’s actually life-threatening,” he added, spun the knife around, and offered the hilt to M’kai. “Let’s go feline-hunting? Can’t’ve gotten far since, heard the lead female was killed. And since they’re pretty nocturnal, it shouldn’t be bad, if we find ‘em.”

[Ruby]

"That's a pity," M'kai muttered when A'emi dashed his (admittedly partial) hopes that he was free of chess-boxing for life. The poetry was ignored, not to mention A'emi's flowery delivery, and M'kai even resisted stepping back as the Greenrider got just a tad too close. He knew when he was being teased, and tended to go all obstinate instead of taking it as a joke. He was pretty sure A'emi was teasing, so he was NOT backing down. Even the knife twirling was ignored.

"I have no idea what you're saying," M'kai went on as A'emi spouted more nonsense, something about spheres and earth. Wasn't 'Earth' an antiquated word for dirt? Dirt was moving now? "But I'm assuming you mean 'Go home, M'kai, I'll see you when I see you.' Futh, I called you forever ago," he added, directing his voice to the sky and reinforcing it mentally.

Unfortunately I am neither a flit nor a canine, and do not come when called, Futh replied, tucking his wings into a dive. I know you're bluffing, M'kai commented sourly, watching the blue streak head for the canopy. You'd be far more excited if there were food on the far end of that dive.

Listen to Kyrahth's, he's still talking, Futh commented, his tone arch. With a blustery mental sigh M'kai did as commanded, his ear caught by a very interesting word. Felines, eh? Maybe Futh was right, he should give A'emi the benefit of the doubt. For now.

The more he listened, though, the more interested he became. Killing stuff was more of Cr'oph's thing, but M'kai enjoyed it on occasion. Accepting the hilt with a raised eyebrow, he pretended to consider for a second before shoving it through his belt. "I never thought you were so interesting, A'emi," he commented, calling for Futh again. The Blue responded this time, settling where he'd dropped his Rider off. "It is possible that I've slightly underestimated you." Again, his tone was an impossible mixture of surprise and sarcasm, the truth glossed over with the protection of humor. In truth, M'kai was begrudginly impresed. "See you in the air?"

[Avu]

Oh, yawn. Didn’t M’kai ever get tired of pretending he didn’t like his company? A’emi decided now was not the optimal time to point that out (it would ruin his poetic streak), but it wasn’t as if M’kai couldn’t very well just turn around and walk away if he really wanted to go. He offered a cheerful smile instead as the bluerider took the hilt of the knife from him, hand settling on Darkling’s back and stroking down the firelizard’s wings.

His smile twisted into a near-smirk at M’kai’s words, A’emi tilting his head playfully to one side. “Only slightly?” he echoed, voice nearly a purr, before he stepped nimbly back outside of M’kai’s personal bubble, towards Kyrahth. “Sure, then.” Wasn’t really sure how well Futh would fare against felines, but if need be Kyrahth could cover him. He’d Caught her, she claimed him, however it worked with Kyrahth; she’d keep him from getting eaten alive, anyway.

Ready? The eager undercurrent in Kyrahth’s voice was one all too rarely heard these days; the green was definitely in her element when it came to battle, and sparring just never settled that itch. Darkling vanished between on A’emi’s mental command – back to his weyr; stay there. She wasn’t going to be risked, nope. Kyrahth could take care of herself with felines; a newly-Hatched firelizard couldn’t, period. No doubt Darkling could more than amuse herself with people back at the weyr, though. A’emi wasn’t worried about that.

Are you? A’emi replied cheekily, swinging onto Kyrahth’s back. He didn’t strap himself in, instead opting to twist the straps loosely around his leg in an arrangement that would allow quick escape if need be, and wound his fingers through the tight straps that ran across the green’s neck. Do me a favor and don’t leave Futh behind, please.

Of course. Green wings flared, Kyrahth sliding smoothly into flight and twisting upwards rapidly. She brushed against Futh’s mind, mindspeech as clipped and brief as always; A sweeprider reported the felines moving past the boundaries of Selenitas land at approximately midnight last night, southwest path. A’emi wishes to /between/ there and continue the search on wing. If Yours has no objection…? The words were accompanied by the coordinates for between, Kyrahth breaking off immediately afterwards and tilting one wing to start a slow glide, waiting for the blue.

Slow dragons would be slow (and no, it didn’t occur to Kyrahth that she was just fast – it was everyone else’s fault).

[Ruby]

"Only slightly," M'kai confirmed, voice harder than strictly necessary. He had never liked that purr - it was linked with very unpleasant things in his mind, things he did not like to think about if he could help it. Things like half-remembered flashes of the Flight. Bleh.

M'kai took off into the jungle, trying to outrun images of naked A'emi. By the time he'd reached Futh, though, he'd settled his brain, all his attention on the upcoming danger. He had never taken Futh hunting anything but herdbeasts, and the Blue had never been in a battle. On the flip side, the pair had spent more time than most working on aerial maneuvers - M'kai knew where Futh's weaknesses were, and they both tried to compensate. The Blue would never be called speedy, or agile, or long-lasting, but he was getting better. M'kai was actually excited to see how his Blue matched up to Kyrahth in the sky, these days.

The Bluerider swung on to his dragon's back, clipping in only for Futh's still ungainly takeoff. Once they were in the air, Futh settled in to a solid glide, allowing M'kai to unclip and twist his legs through the straps like A'emi had. If there was one thing Futh was good at, it was gliding - he was rock-solid, so motionless that it seemed like he was simply standing on the ground. What are we killing, and why? the Blue asked, a hint of concern in his mindvoice. Futh was not a violent dragon, nor would he ever be, so hunting for sport would not sit well with him. Felines, who attacked the Weyr and injured our people. That justification was enough, and Futh snorted, his eyes gaining a hint of red.

Once M'kai was settled, he transferred Bomb to the straps, giving the Brown a clip-loop to chew on. The salamandyr's teeth were so useless he'd do no damage, but he would keep gnawing on the hide loop until it was physically removed from his vicinity. He'd be fine.

Meanwhile, Futh had accepted Kyrahth's coordinates, tilting his wings to come in closer (without touching, of course. Futh was fully aware that Kyrahth did not approve of touching she did not initiate). Ready when you are, beautiful, he purred in imitation of A'emi, opening his mind to humans and dragon both, obviously to mess with M'kai. Without waiting for a response, he hopped between, orienting himself southwest and scanning the jungle for useful signs. Out here, the canopy was spotty, giving way to full on plains about ten miles to the south. There wasn't a lot of movement down below, but a shadow off to the left caught Futh's eye. Over there?

[Avu]

The purr in Futh’s tone went mostly ignored, simply because A’emi flirted with her regularly. Kyrahth was used to it. The green flared her wings, silently sliding into the familiar coldness of between, focusing on the image herself, since A’emi was far too amused by Futh to bother with the safety precautions that were usually taken upon transferring between. She reappeared a moment later and coiled tightly upwards on an updraft, curling past Futh and scraping her claws lightly against his back, little more than a tickle. The unspoken warning hovered, though – felines have claws and felines won’t hesitate to use them.

Perhaps. Kyrahth’s reply was brief; she touched A’emi’s mind lightly in warning before she dropped into a dive, twisted on one wing and swept low to the ground, towards the shadow – deliberately posing herself as a threat, a target. She was spoiling for a fight, after all; couldn’t do that if the felines didn’t see her. The green wasn’t interested in picking them off one at a time – she wanted to feel their teeth and wanted to make them hurt.

She banked right hard as she drew too near, and a surge of excitement slid through to A’emi, who leaned precariously over her shoulder, shielding his eyes with one hand. How many? he asked, and his hand slid into his boot, thumb sliding across the hilt of his stiletto, forefinger crooking along the length of smooth steel. His other hand lifted, gesturing for M’kai to bring Futh closer. Kyrahth held her position, silent for a moment, head tilted as her wings fanned out.

I don’t know how many, and the words were offered to include Futh, but there was no way she would ever bespeak M’kai, But there is a male with them. And I’m sure they’ll have seen our shadows by now. The shadow that had caught Futh’s attention was probably a scout of some sort, the main group a small distance away beneath a few trees for shade. Whenever you’re ready, /dear/, and her emphasis on the last word wasn’t nearly as affectionate as it could’ve been.

A’emi, meanwhile, palmed the stiletto, slid it out into his hand and twirled it around his fingers until it was grasped properly, and kicked his feet free of the straps. Definitely not letting Kyrahth have all of the fun…or even Kyrahth and Futh. It was his idea, after all.

[Ruby]

Futh startled slightly at Kyrahth's touch, making a pleased sound deep in his throat. She almost never touched him, and although it wasn't anywhere near the cuddles he'd like, any progress was good progress. Not to mention that he could tell she was warning him, that she was worried for his safety. Futh knew without a doubt that Kyrahth cared for him (she must, if he liked her as much as he did!), but it was nice to have some validation every once in a while. If he had had feathers, he would have fluffed them proudly.

As it was, he just stuck to his solid glide, maintaining altitude as his beautiful Green ducked down to investigate the shadow. M'kai held tight, adrenaline starting to catch up with him. As his heart started to pound faster, the bluerider tightened his knees, mentally directing Futh into a right-hand bank. He mimiced Kyrahth's turn higher and slower, watching the areas she couldn't see. He'd watch her back, if he could. It was doubtful that she'd need it, but... just in case she did.

M'kai released one strap, hunkering down as close to Futh's neck as he could to eliminate wind resistance. He eased A'emi's knife out one-handed, leaning forward to urge Futh into a wide-winged swoop, silent on his sky-blue wings. He was glad it was cloudless today: the same color as the clear blue heavens, he'd be hard to see until he attacked.

When did you become so brutal? M'kai questioned, not even a hint of reprimand in his tone. I'm not sure, but it feels good, M'kaiMineLove, Futh replied, then quieted down to hear Kyrahth. We don't know how many, there is at least one male. They've seen us, he translated, then tucked one wing in and turned tightly, probably faster than Kyrahth expected. M'kai whooped, grinning ferally (so much for stealth), then had to hold tight as Futh swooped low, trying to turn the lone scout back towards the larger group. It'd be harder if they scattered, after all.

Way ahead of you, sweetheart, he replied with a mental caress, his tone daringly sharp. He ruined whatever bad-assness he had accumulated, though, by tacking on a gentle But please, watch you and Yours. I... well, he trailed off, tucking his wings tight and diving low. He snapped at the galloping feline, missing by about a foot. M'kai, prepared, released his grip on Futh and dropped, landing on the feline's back with a knife in its shoulder. Futh pulled up, swinging himself around to come at the cats from behind, leaving M'kai to grapple with the thin scout. He trusted Futh, A'emi and Kyrahth to take care of the rest, for now at least.

[Avu]

She’d let Futh and His take on the scout. Kyrahth’s attention turned to the loose group of felines and at A’emi’s light mental touch, she tilted her wings, coiling tightly downwards, watching the group intently. A light, amused snort at Futh’s words, especially his concern that came shortly after. Cute blue, fretting over their safety. Always, she replied silkily, and then her wings snapped shut close to her sides, an abrupt change in speed as she dropped in a head-long dive towards the group of felines, each of them nearly as large as she was.

Four, and cubs, she reported to Futh. Two – two females, one smaller than the other – both lunged at her; the male remained with the cubs, and the remaining female’s gaze stayed on Futh. Kyrahth’s tail snapped sideways, catching one feline across the muzzle, and she snapped between before the other could get her claws into hide. The green reappeared behind her, teeth and talons burying into fur. She went between again to a higher altitude, taking the feline with her, and the snap of the squirming feline’s spine was audible.

Kyrahth dropped it, licking blood from her muzzle. Three, and cubs, she corrected herself.

A’emi kicked her.

Take me down, he ordered, with no small amount of petulance in his tone. I want to – this is booooring, come ooon, Kyr…

You are a child and I don’t know you, Kyrahth snapped, but she obediently dropped into a dive again, whipping sideways to avoid crashing straight into the ground; A’emi kicked off of her back at her lowest point, just as the feline leapt again. In a comical fail on both of their parts, the greenrider rolled on landing, the feline sailing straight over his head. The feline snarled its frustration, just as A’emi laughed upon gaining his feet, and the circled back around to put all three felines and the cubs in front of him.

The male showed no inclination to leave the cubs, even herding them back further, but the other female…she was snarling, looking between Kyrahth and Futh. The green coiled upwards, teeth bared, and snapped at the female. There was no concern for A’emi; he could take care of himself. She’d trained with him before, trying to ‘kill’ him, and a feline couldn’t even fly. And nor could it flame. He would be fine. M’kai she wasn’t so sure about, but he was Futh’s problem, not hers. And speaking of Futh…she curled above the blue, tail flicking in front of his nose almost playfully.

Because never let it be said that killing did not cheer Kyrahth up. Yours or mine?

[Ruby]

M'kai was doing a fairly good job, considering killing felines wasn't exactly something he did on a daily basis. He was on the scout's back, one arm locked around the beast's neck, knife now buried hilt-deep into the base of the throat. The feline's thrashing meant that M'kai had lost his grip on the weapon, but if he could just stretch a few inches further, twist his arm just a little more...

Mistake. M'kai hadn't credited the cat with intelligence, but something made him struggle to his feet, take two anguished bounds, then stop dead. He flipped the Bluerider over his head so fast that M'kai skidded a few feet, tearing open a patch of shirt and flesh all down his left bicep. It would sting later, but for now he rolled into a crouch, facing off against the feline over a small patch of grass. It was only moments before the cat launched himself at his prey, but M'kai tossed himself sideways, barely avoiding claws. Two more angry pounces, two more close calls (one closer than the other- M'kai would find the furrows of claws down his right calf if he bothered to look), and the Bluerider managed to pivot close enough to jump on the cat's back again. This time, M'kai was ready for the trick - when the forward lurch came, he dug his heels and knees in, managing to stay astride. He gave up on the knife, latching his forearm across the feline's windpipe and squeezing with all his strength.

Once he'd ditched his rider, Futh fell in behind Kyrahth, until the Green ducked down to engage the felines. Futh swooped in after her, taking a pawful of claws to the muzzle before Kyrahth snatched his attacker into the sky. Retreating, the Blue stuck to a wide loop, roaring quite convincingly when the remaining female attempted to escape his perimeter. In moments, Kyrahth had returned, taking the female's attention away from her downed rider. He snapped gently at her dangling tail, then tilted his head from side to side, cracking his neck. I'll...

Futh! Come get me, the scout's gone, but I'm all alone out here, with nothing to do. Come on!

Looks like I'll be playing the gentleman this time. She's all yours, I've got to go play taxi, he corrected, disappearing between in a rush of displaced air. M'kai was indeed too far away to walk before all the felines were finished, but Futh took his time settling in for landing. You're bleeding, I should just take you home, he chided as M'kai hopped aboard and started whacking Futh with his heels, like a child on a reluctant runner. "So're you, so shut up and go. Come on! Go! Did you see how I got that one??" Futh just snorted, but he could feel M'kai's adrenalin racing in his veins, too. It was time to kill.

[Avu]

Feline.

Make sure my toy doesn’t die, A’emi murmured mentally to Kyrahth, not taking his eyes off of the feline; he stayed back, waiting for the female to make the first move. First move would, for most, give the advantage, but A’emi was usually a defensive fighter. Easier to let the feline make the mistakes for him to take advantage of than make his own mistakes and pay the price. Stay loose, keep the center of balance low; it was all easy, second nature. He licked his lips, batted a playful wink at the feline, as if it were sentient and could understand the gesture.

It couldn’t, but it leapt anyway, striking hard and fast with dangerous claws. A’emi fell backwards, a flick of the stiletto leaving a thin red mark down the feline’s paw pad. Small irritation, nothing more. A snarl, and the feline leapt again, snapping for his throat this time, and it became the kind of dance he was so well-accustomed to, ducking and weaving and staying just out of reach until he could get a strike in. But felines were, after all, much stronger and faster than the average human that A’emi was used to sparring with, and a feint anticipated by the creature left a long gash down his right calf, followed by another down his left forearm.

Thought you never got hurt, Kyrahth commented smugly – clearly the green had chosen to dismiss his keep-M’kai-whole request. Of course she wouldn’t want to take responsibility for Futh’s Rider. A’emi hissed wordlessly up at her, baring his teeth and flicking out his hand, blade flashing across the feline’s face to keep her attack from landing as the creature attempted to stop mid-strike. Am I distracting you? Take it out already. Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to play with your food?

You do that, not me, A’emi replied indignantly, but obeyed; a careful minute of judging and he threw the knife as hard as he could. It took the feline through the throat, sending a spurt of blood across the ground and A’emi’s feet. He made a quiet disappointed sound, breathless and so high on adrenaline that he almost bounced as he stood, nerves singing for action. Update, he demanded of Kyrahth.

The green was distracted with Futh, though – even if temporarily; the green’s teeth bared in something akin to a grotesque smile. You may have the male, then, she crooned generously, and then snapped down at A’emi, You have very different styles of attack, you and your pet, but the end result is the same, even if the injuries vary. None are life-threatening. And without warning, she dove at the feline, who snarled and leapt to meet her; Kyrahth veered sideways, tail flashing out to knock the feline back to the ground, off her feet.

It was in that moment that the green doubled back to strike. She didn’t bother with the throat or the stomach, so well-defended by claws and teeth as the feline started to flip back onto her feet; her tail slashed out hard and the crack against the feline’s skull was audible even as reflexes urged a snap back and Kyrahth hissed at the sting of fangs against her tail. It was ignored in favor of the green almost gently landing next to the stunned feline, and delicately extending a talon to slit her throat.

Futh, she commented smugly, licking the blood off of the curved talon. Your prey and his miniatures are getting away.

Because in the distraction, the male had used the opportunity to begin herding the cubs away, away from the battle scene. Not unintelligent, then. Kyrahth watched them go, eyes whirling peacefully; they weren’t hers to kill, as far as she was concerned. And they were out of Selenitas territory, so nobody could truly criticize her for letting them go, could they.

[Ruby]

Futh had retrieved the scout's body and dropped it near A'emi's kill, allowing M'kai to slide off his shoulder before taking off again. A tight I'm on it was sent Kyrahth's way, but instead of swooping in for the kill, Futh powered upwards. He might not be fast, but he was effective, gaining quite a bit of altitude while still keeping the male in sight. Futh had very few strengths, but the ones he knew about, he wasn't afraid to use.

Sensing some sort of false safety, the feline slowed slightly, scanning the ground behind him for incoming danger. Futh, high in the air, tucked his wings and angled himself for a steep dive, using all his extra weight to his advantage. Below, the feline had caught the sense of something wrong, and swung his head around, extending his neck... just enough for Futh's full weight to plow into it from above, snapping it on impact without a drop of blood. Spreading his wings at the last moment, Futh managed to cushion his landing enough that nothing was broken or sprained, although he still landed heavily enough to make the ground shake.

The cubs cowered in his shadow (something Futh had never expected to experience, well, ever). Instead of snapping them up, though, Futh roared, stalking towards them in as intimidating of a waddle as he could manage. Both turned tail and ran, heading away from the Weyr. Settling back on his haunches for a moment of rest, the Blue extended his mental speech to everyone present. They're yours, if you want them, but they're old enough to make it to another group. Perhaps they will carry stories about Selenitas, and their prides will know not to kill Ours in the future. And he was tired, but he left that part out. Adrenaline filled, but tired. And he had blood on his nose, ewww!!

M'kai was hunched over his feline as Futh stalked the last male, frantically removing its pelt. It would make a nice rug, he figured, or a bedfur if he could find a tanner to cure it right. Futh's landing, though, startled him enough to make the knife slip, and he stabbed himself in the hand by accident. Nothing bad, and in his heightened state it didn't even hurt, but it did make him snicker and stand up, giving up on the skinning for now.

A fair of firelizards had been disturbed by Futh's landing, and were now chattering and fluttering around. M'kai watched their jeweled flashes for just a moment before heading A'emi's direction, his walk turning into a stalk halfway through. He'd been intending to return the knife and make some stupid manly half-joke about being too feral to use it correctly, but all of a sudden, it seemed like there was a much better use for A'emi, him being here and all. Jamming the knife through his belt instead, M'kai stopped one step closer than was really necessary, distinctly in the other man's personal space. One hand found it's way into the Greenrider's hair without any conscious effort on M'kai's part, and the Bluerider tilted A'emi's head back (none too gently) and kissed him full on the mouth.

It was a few seconds in to the kiss before M'kai wondered what on Pern had made him grab A'emi like that, especially since he hardly even liked the Greenrider. It was a good ten seconds more before he figured it out: those flits hadn't just been disturbed by Futh.

Reina. That bitch.

[Avu]

Kyrahth watched Futh with mild interest, coiling on the ground contentedly. The green’s bloodlust had been sated – although felines were really not entirely impressive, without wings nor flame. They did well, though, for the moment. The blue’s tactics were examined critically, the green blinking in approval as the cubs scattered. Old enough to care for themselves, probably. Hnn. They are not worth the chase, she decided finally, blinking and licking off another patch of blood on one forepaw. You did well, the green condescended to add, Most impressive…for one bred Southern.

Biased, Kyrahth? Never. (Not that she even really remembered the North, but she knew she’d come from there. And that she was better than the Selenitas dragons as a whole; clearly that showed something.)

A’emi squinted curiously in M’kai’s direction briefly before he wandered over to the dead feline, gingerly pushing at it with one foot until it tilted enough for him to pull his stiletto back out, wiping off the steel against the matted, dirty fur. It came away with a few stains left, but A’emi figured it was okay – he’d polish it later or something. The greenrider straightened from the carcass, mechanically pushing the stiletto back into its boot-sheath as he did so, and turned back towards M’kai, trying to assess the bluerider’s injuries as he approached. No lost limbs, which was good, but there was definitely blood and –

and.

What new development was this?

One hand snapped upwards on instinct to curl around M’kai’s wrist, intending to break his hold – A’emi didn’t appreciate people touching his hair, thanks – but he stilled with fingers wrapped loosely in the hem of the bluerider’s sleeve instead at the kiss. The roughness of the action didn’t bother him at all; if anything, the greenrider encouraged it, making a small noise of approval and stepping closer to M’kai, his free hand latching onto M’kai’s hip to pull him forward simultaneously. M’kai was definitely taller than him, which unfortunately made the angle a little awkward, but between general proximity and the perfect kiss, A’emi would go for the former any day.

Why is he eating your face. Kyrahth’s hissed question was uttered in an entirely different tone from her previous contentment. She did not approve when people got too close to Hers (Flights were different and sparring was different, and that was all), be it Elysia or M’kai. A pause, and the green snapped sulkily at one of the passing firelizards who danced too close to her. I thought he didn’t /want/ to let /you/ eat /his/ face, what changed?

I have absolutely no idea, A’emi replied on an approving hum, nipping lightly at the bluerider’s bottom lip and grinning cheekily as he rocked back briefly on his feet, breaking the kiss. It was only a momentary pause before he leaned forward again, though, the hand on M’kai’s sleeve pressing against his chest now, to press his lips back against M’kai’s. The questions could come later. Kissing was clearly much more important. Just like Kyrahth’s indignation wasn’t.

[Ruby]

M'kai let his mind go blank, not bothering to consider what had just happened. Because for some reason, A'emi felt downright good in his arms, and that was NOT a feeling M'kai was prepared to examine. So instead, eyes closed, he went with it, taking A'emi's encouragement to hold on to control. Being half furious helped - he didn't waste any time or energy being gentle.

Futh was ignoring His, except for the hint of purple-tinged blue that entered his eyes. He was much more focused on Kyrahth's praise, qualified or not. Thank you! It is the first time I have done something like that... we do not fight often down here, so I have had no practice, he added, practically purring. Never one to leave a compliment unanswered, he stood and shook himself, waddling closer to Kyrahth before adding, And you were absolutely incredible, as always. Poetry in the sky. Rather deadly poetry, if I do say so myself. Excessive flattery? Thy name is Futh.

His, however, was acting strangely, although Futh knew the reason long before M'kai put two and two together. Kyrahth wasn't speaking to him, but her body language made her opinion clear. Always with his Rider's best interests in mind, Futh heaved himself to his feet, crossing in front of Kyrahth so his bulk hid their grappling riders. Come on, Kyrahth, he said, his tone gentle and a touch cajoling. Let's leave them to whatever they're doing and keep the cubs running for a bit, then find a nice rock to nap on. Ours'll be safe. I have a feeling they'll be busy for a few hours, at least...

((fade out?))