Moonflower [nautsk's maiden run]

[Tashe]

It was unusual for Nautsk to be sleeping this far into the night, the moons had already risen and were gracing the sky with their beauty. With all honesty, Nautic and Nautsk had trekked out to the glade by the river in the early twilight and the Green had fallen asleep when they got there. She had been shining as of late, and it wasn't her normal nocturnal glitter. No, this was a shine so bright he could have seen her the darkest depths of night. Nautsk was beautiful. But Nautic was bias, especially now that she was so close to her first run. Once the Handler had accepted that he couldn't keep her from Running, the pair had set out looking for a place that was pretty even at night.

It took a while to find it, not because it was out of the way or hard to find, but because they had a lot of area to cover. They didn't want to venture too far into the trees, but since the jungle ran around Selenitas they had to search high and low. Eventually in their travels, the Greenpair had wondered up onto the drumheights and began their search up there, following the river's edge. They quite literally stumbled upon a glade hidden by a vale of shrubbery, it was surprisingly close to the drumheights themselves, and therefore by proximity the Wherhandler apartments. In the light, the area was the usual bland mesh of grass, vines and trees. But at night, it blossomed. Quite literally. Moonflowers climbed the trees and evening primroses blanketed the edges of the glade. Nautsk had loved the scent of the area so much she had immediately started to roll around in the grasses. She had also gone around and made sure that every Wher could experience it through her memories, ultimately giving the location of the glade in the process. She was not a greedy Wher, she thought everyone of the Whers and their handlers should be able to enjoy the pretty flowers. And it was there they now resided, resting side by side.

It was a warm night, so Nautic had chosen to wear the basic essentials. Sandals, cotton pants and a sleeveless shirt made of the same material as his pants. The clips down the front of his shirt had been undone halfway, his chest exposed to the warm breezes that passed through the surrounding trees. Crossing his ankles the Greenhandler twirled the Moonflower slowly above his face, watching the petals as they rotated in a circle. He had chosen his outfit not only for comfort, but because it was incredibly easy to get out of. Nautic wasn't entirely modest when it came to sex, he had almost always been comfortable talking about it. Even the action never had truly been a big deal for him, one night stands weren't a rare occurrence. But he did have standards. He didn't throw himself at everything that breathed, only people who he had connected with in some way. Right now, none of that mattered. Right now, the smell of this flower was incredibly fragrant. Nautic felt Nautsk move, and the wave of lust hit him like a brick, sweeping him under quickly and quietly. He remained on the ground for a moment before sitting up, the flower clutched to his chest. Standing, he stretched out his arms before he returned to smelling his flower. He would happily wait for his handsome males.

The Past Green stirred, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal the purple swirls that now dominated her eyes. Nautsk cooed as she rose to her feet, careful not to hit her humanself as she moved. Tossing her head toward the largest moon the Wher let loose a rumbling howl. She hoped that her Run was not inconveniencing anyone, but oh how she wanted all of the males just for herself. She wanted their eyes all settled upon her, watching her beauty and ignoring her stumbling gait when she ran. Nautsk wanted her Bronzes and her Brown and her Blue. She wanted them, and she wanted them now. The Green riled up another roar, before flicking her tail from side to side. Come to the place she had shown them. It was big enough for them all, though they weren't staying there for long. Nono. She might not be the fastest Wher in the world, but she certainly wasn't going to let them catch her without a fight. Standing next to her humanhalf, Nautsk crouched slightly, eying the large entrance to the glade. The one they had made especially for her Run. She had been so delighted with her other half when he had shown her how much of the shrubs he had cleared away. Licking her chops as she waited, the Green inhaled the fragrances around her. The males had better get there soon or she would simply die of excitement. Patient as she was, she could only wait for so long.

[Requiem]

The strains were quiet and a bit foreign, but they lacked the bumbling that characterized other instruments when they landed in his hands. Dmitri was in a quiet mood, reflected by the soft music of the oddly-strung instrument he'd had Eliah help him make. This was his. He still referred to it as his musical abacus. Dementia had coiled her tail about his ear and was hanging upside down, swaying slightly with his movement and crooning to the sounds. It fit...strangely enough. Dmisk, however...was restless. Silently padding along the drumheights, investigating sounds, noises. Unlike him, but Dmitri didn't have to ask. Nautsk was hard to ignore. Even his blue, who didn't seem to ever feel that much, had taken notice. Cool, cool blue, like a mountain stream in summer. Not quite icy, but very very cool. It was a welcome contrast to the warm fire of the gold. He felt them more distinctly now, the two presences, twining, clashing, breaking apart and coming together again. It reflected in the quivering eeriness of the plucked zither. Did the music almost sound impatient, waiting and probing, then fading into another holding pattern? He thought to analyze it, but...he really didn't want to know. Dmisk never overwhelmed him like his lovely, diabolical queen. He wouldn't now. Right? Of course not.

The howl, and the music rippled around it, embracing it as Dmitri's eyes cracked open. A shiver in the strings, a swirl. Faded to silence. He turned to look, but Dmisk had left with the sound, his ghostly pale color already too distant to make out. Not moving quickly but not - never - wasting time. Slave ours hunting goes, Dementia murmured in a silken whisper. He shivered, rubbing his hand over his bicep, feeling the eddies and currents of the two minds connected to his more keenly than normal. His golden beauty was never one to be outshone, after all. "Nautsk." He turned back to the zither, the clawed picks he'd attached to the tips of his fingers (all but his pinkies) plucking softly, a slow patience, circling, slipping over the strings. Harperlove... the salamandyr crooned. Happy slave ours, serve us well. He shook his head.

Dmisk padded lightly through the trees, his movements almost feline in manner, ghosting over the leaves without so much as a rustle. As he drew closer he slowed, feeling her, no need for scent or sight. He knew where she was. Did she know him? Maybe. He lowered himself, slinking over the ground with undeniable predatory grace, edging toward the meadow. There he crouched for a moment to drink in the sight of her, clutchsister whom he'd been waiting for as she glowed brighter night after night. Waiting. If the glade was beautiful, he saw it only as a compliment to the brilliant star at its center. He straightened, breaking the leaves that barred his path with the barest of rustles as he came, not by way of the cleared entrance, but from the trees to her side. Circling around in front of her, head high, a faint purple sheen to eyes their typical placid blue. His tail flicked, a ripple of muscle as he came to a standstill. Not quite in front of her. Not quite close.

The strings stilled, and Dementia dropped to his shoulder, tail stroking his neck ever so slightly. She slipped down to the instrument itself, the strings quivering beneath the light weight. Go. A flood of warmth flickered around him, forcing him a step back with the sheer power of it, then dissipated. Dementia's presence in his mind now but a shadow. The other, shadowy presence crept up, engulfing him in a gentle but implacable grip. His breathing slowed almost to the rate of one sleeping, glancing through half-lidded eyes toward the unseen glade. The shirt he'd unbuttoned in the soft heat of the evening fluttered in his wake, the boy's unhurried glide eating ground. Long legs. He knew where he was going. Why. Could easily have turned, disappeared into the night in the other direction. But the cool spring lapped at him and drew him forward like the tides, soothing any reservations, quieting his mind. The 'clawed' fingers curled slightly. Where? Ah, Nautic...he drew up just at the entrance, watching the wind pool around the greenhandler. Beautiful man...why had he never noticed? He leaned against the tree, watching him placidly and wondering what it might feel like to have him in his arms, the soft gasps, the shivers. He licked his lips, head dipping slightly as he continued to watch him through lowered lashes.

[Ruby]

Piden wasn't sure how long ago dark had fallen. It was hard to know in the apartments, impossible if you didn't burn a time candle. Even those hurt Pidesk's eyes; unlike some of his wilder siblings, the Bronze was a domestic Wher through and through. Usually, Piden's internal clock was quite good, and he would wake shortly after dusk like clockwork, along with Pidesk and Red. But in the days and weeks since the attack, Piden had barely left his rooms for more than an hour at a time. Although Red was recovering from her shock, she was doing it slowly, and Piden was trying to spend as much time as he could with her. This meant that he'd spent a lot of time catnapping instead of really sleeping, throwing off his schedule very effectively.

So it was that he awoke, curled up in the fetal position with Red cradled in his arms, Pidesk draped around them both. Red was asleep, but Pidesk's tail tip was flicking, a sure sign that he was faking. Piden's left arm was fully asleep, pins and needles shooting from his elbow to his fingertips every time he tried to move it. Normally that would have occupied his entire brain until the discomfort was gone, but tonight he was distracted. No, that wasn't quite the word. He wasn't hungry, not for food, but the feeling was similar. Need was the best word he could put to the feeling, but that wasn't exactly it. He tried, absentmindedly, to work his arm out from under Red without disturbing her. He mostly managed it, only causing her to yawn and turn over, but he elbowed Pidesk in the side, meeting the Bronze's gently whirling eye when he lifted an eyelid.

Aha. Piden met the Bronze's eye, watching as it faded from blue to purple. Yes, that made sense, Pidesk had noticed that Nautsk was looking particularly shiny these days. Shaking out his arm, Piden held Pidesk's eye, deeply serious. Are you going after her? Yes, of course. She was pretty, she was green, Pidesk liked her. "Alright," he whispered aloud, closing his eyes. It seemed strange for a Wher his age, but Pidesk hadn't ever chased seriously before. There was a brief incident where he went after Kalina's Green, Uminth, but of course there was no way he could have caught her, and he hadn't gone after one since. That had been confusing, overwhelming; Piden had been torn between knowing he couldn't have Kalina and wanting her anyway, working against Pidesk. Now... well, it was different, to say the least.

Piden finally had feeling back in his fingers, and he straightened up. His sandy brown Wher got up on his feet and met his rider's eye one more time before bolting, throwing the door wide open on his way to the clearing. Piden snuggled Red into a blanket, then followed at an (apparently) relaxed pace. He tugged at his shirt as he went, vaguely self-concious when he realized that it was ancient, washed into near-transparent thinness. Not his best look, but he also wouldn't mind if it got dirty, or torn. He vaguely realized that he didn't have any shoes on, but his feet were tough enough. Arms crossed, short sleeves rolled up above his biceps, he entered the clearing in time to see Pidesk bend one knee and drop his head, bowing to Nautsk. He awaited her invitation to chase.

[Rei]

The wild brown had been hunting not far from the hidden glade when Nautsk’s call rang out. Lifting his massive head she sniffed the air before giving a deep rolling howl of his own. An answer for her. Shifting the dark wildling made for the clearing. His hide was the color of freshly turned soil. So dark it was nearly black. The color was only broken up by light tanish stripes running down his back. The image was near perfect to that of a terran tiger. Packed full of muscle the wher also sported many raking scars from encounters with wild felines. Tough he was. A survivor. He didn’t ask for things as much as take them. He planned on taking this green as his own. Even if only for a night. Other chasers be dammed.

Stalking into the clearing like the wild creature he was he tasted the air. Violet eyes turned to the female and he barked once. The sound deep and rumbling. Beautiful she was. Unlike the two males before him there was no quiet polite approach. No she would be his. It was a run and he planned on claiming her. Grunting he stalked directly towards Nautsk. The blue and the bronze where just obstacles in his way. The frail humanlings not even worth a mere glance. Let these ‘pets’ watch how a real male claimed a female. Grunting again she stopped a mere few paces from the green.

Tossing his head he growled the sound low and lusty. His body tensed for the beginning of her run. If she didn’t move soon he would make a move to force her hand. He wasn’t the patient sort either. He intended to win her and she couldn’t do that if she didn’t move. With another bark his foot pawed the ground tearing up the grass beneath. Violet eyes caressed her form a final time before he feigned a lunge towards her in an attempt to start the game.

[Tashe]

When the first of her chasers entered the glade, Nautsk swung her head toward the rustling. Oh, oh! It was her Blue, her Dmisk was the first. Flicking her tail back and forth happily, the Green barked affectionately. She was so happy that he had come! Nautsk liked him the most of all her males, because she had been with him since she was just a little hatchlingbaby. Lifting a paw, she batted the air in the direction of his nose but kept the distance between them. Dmisk might be one of her favorites, but she was determined to give everyone of her chasers an equal chance. Dropping her two toed foot, she pawed the ground gently as the second arrived. This one she did not know as well as the Blue, but there were very few Whers for her to remember. He was the funny Bronze, the one who looked like a Brown. What was his name again? Pidesk. Yes, that was him. She chirped at him when he bowed. Silly Bronzey. He didn't need to do that to her, she wasn't a Queen. Of course he could chase! Nautsk bobbed her head happily, but her attention was snatched away by an unfamiliar smell.

The scent of the male was not one she knew, and his bark made her swing around to face him. Backing up a step as he drew uncomfortably close she grunted at her humanhalf to get back, Nautsk wasn't sure she approved of how he came up to her so. The wild blood in her liked the fact he was the dominant sort, but the bonded side of her recoiled in dislike. But as soon as he lunged forward her heritage broke through her kindly exterior. Rearing to avoid the Brown, Nautsk roared savagely before bringing her claws down in the direction of the male's face. No one told her when to start. She would go when she was good and ready to. Dropping down onto all four legs she hopped backward with a warning snarl, putting distance between herself and the Brown. Lashing her tail from side to side, the shining Green narrowed her lids at the wild male before brushing the minds of the other two. Turning she disappeared into the underbrush, through the pale yellow flowers and leaving them bent in her wake.

Normally because of the color of her hide, Nautsk would have immediately been able to camouflage herself from her chasers. She would have been able to disappear from sight, which would have forced the males to rely on their other senses. But tonight was different, her normal shifting glow was intensified. No longer was she just a moonshadow, but a moonbeam. There would be no mistaking her tonight. Hopping over a fallen tree, Nautsk dug her feet into the soft soil so she would not slip and fall as she darted down an unexpected slope. Running had always been a tricky business for her, but that was when she had to make sure not to throw off her humanhalf. Now? Oh now she could put caution to the wind. Swinging her body around a tree, she changed direction and bounded off toward the smell of the river. Weaving between the trees, she felt her anger melt away as a warm breeze hit her body and the smells of the jungle infiltrated her senses. In this moment in time, she was not of the Weyr. She was of the wild, she was part of the life force that made up the dangerous unknowns. Could her chasers keep pace with her, if she was the wind itself? It seemed as though the Wild blood in her was there to stay, at least for a little while.

Looking up from his flower, Nausi smiled at the Blue when he arrived. He was handsome but there were not many Whermales who shifted out of that category. Especially now. It would be a lie if said he was not extraordinarily tantalizing. His gaze was momentarily stolen by the arrival of the Bronze. Oh wasn't he tasty? The Green could swear he could almost see through the male's shirt. His thoughts strayed to those of how the Bronze would look without that flimsy layer of cloth on. All Nautic knew was that if the Bronze won, he wouldn't be in that cloth for long. Back to the Blue, his current favorite. Now why had he never wanted the male before? He had such a charm about him, even if he was a bit chilly. Nautic grinned in approval. Two males were nice, but would there be more for him to look upon? A flurry of emotion from his Wherhalf started him.

Stepping back as his Wherhalf did, the Green retreated toward the entrance to the glade. It was a good thing that he had too, for an almost violent commotion broke out where he had been standing. Nautic hissed at the Brown in mirror time of the snarl, how dare he! But soon the Wild male was forgotten in favor of the others behind him. As the Whers left the Glade he beckoned for the two to follow him back to the middle, where the light from the moons was better. He wanted to see them just as much as they should be wanting to see him.

[Requiem]

Dmisk shied back playfully at the air swipe, a half-movement that made it clear he was - yes, playing a game with her. His head dipped low, twisting slightly to the side, and he pawed the air in her direction, almost as if to say hello. Gleaming like a new harvest moon she was, but she was still the Nautsk he'd grown up with, just that one gesture was enough to make that clear if it had ever been in doubt. No, she wasn't untouchable.

The bronze approached, and Dmisk watched him with the barest touch of interest. Bare, in the sense that he wanted to see how he approached the moonflower, and her reaction to him. Faint amusement shimmered from him, the blue more open than normal, allowing that sense to touch both of the whers. He barked a soft welcome to the odd bronze. Not because he necessarily welcomed the competition, but because Nautsk had accepted his suit, and Dmisk accepted him as a rival.

At sight of the wildling, however, Dmisk's nares flared, body going into a loose slackness that belied his sudden scrutiny of the male. Unknown wher. Scarred wher. A silent snarl at the approach of the brown, walking up to Nautsk as if he already possessed her, as if the Run was over. But Dmisk made no move...that was for Nautsk to decide. He didn't fear for her; they both had the wild blood. He remembered his wild mother with perfect clarity, his annoyance at her for pinning His - the only one he would accept. Even golds had to be reprimanded and commanded, at times. No, that wildness filled Nautsk as it did him, and what creature was more dangerous than the maiden green, deadliest of all the hunters? It was almost pathetically humorous, watching the brown's attempt to startle her.

That swipe was enough. Dmisk slipped forward, picking up speed in the span of two spaces and darting in front of the brown...cutting him off just as Nautsk turned and dove into the wilds. A pale shadow of the night, like the tail of a shooting star glowing faintly behind the heat of the meteor itself, he slashed through the forest, sliding to one side, weaving in and out of the trees and crossing her path in her wake almost like a loving caress. His cool mind touched hers, brushed it lightly. Come, let us show the wildling the blood in us; let us show him how to run, moonflower, he urged her happily, springing up onto a log that crackled beneath his weight and loping down the length of it at an angle to her path.

His eyes slid down Dmitri, igniting within his blood a million small fires wherever they touched. His back arched, head flung back, before it lowered slowly, hair falling across his brow as his head tilted to one side, a smirk touching his lips. It faded for a moment at the appearance of the wild one, but he didn't pay that one much heed; Nautsk hadn't. Stepping lightly after Nautic, he circled the greenhandler slowly, then, content that he'd seen him at every delicious angle, Dmitri crouched, elbows draped bonelessly across his knees and hands dangling between his legs, the picks dragging lightly over the ground, looking like nothing so much as claws in the moonlight. The cool grays gleamed faintly - almost ghostily.

[Rei]

The wildling watched Nautsk carefully for cues to her temperament. At her rear he backpedaled quickly. Her claws slashed the air where his head had been moments before and he rumbled in appreciation. Yes that’s it. Lash back. Good girl. Squaring his stance he returned her half lidded glance with one of his own. The browns tail lashed in a mirror of her own. His purple tinted eyes whirling rapidly. He recognized and accepted the distance she put between them but he didn’t intend on letting it stand for long unless she moved. Finally she did move to leave the glad and he barked happily. It had worked. He knew it would. It never really failed.

He stalked forward to follow when Dmisk cut in front of him. Immediately his front paw shot out in an attempt to slash at the upstart, but the blue was fast and the attempted blow fell short. Snarling the brown crashed after them. His target was not the blue really, but he was determined to show them all. He knew this jungle after all. Better than theses ‘pets’. He would show them.

As they approached the slope the striped brown launched himself to the other side and upon landing shot after her. He grunted in appreciation as she made a sudden turn. Digging in his claws he changed his direction to move after her. He couldn’t fit between the trees that she could and so had to settle with running parallel to her. He snorted and barked encouragement to the lovely as they made their way towards the river. Raising his head he howled the sound ringing and feral, a celebration of the green's final embrace of her wild heritage.

Yes that was it. Forget the puny humanlings. Leaping a fallen tree he remained beside Nautsk, her glowing form only trees away. He didn’t move to close the distance. For the moment he was content to run with her and follow her lead. His new glowing moon.

[Ruby]

Pidesk dipped his head even lower, lifting his eyes to Nautsk's before sending a friendly yap in Dmisk's direction. He was glad Nautsk was so relaxed; he'd been worried she might object to his color. You never knew, with Greens, and for the most part a Bronze wher would have no chance to match her agility. Luckily for Pidesk, he was small and fast. In fact, the Brown that showed up was nearly as big as he was, and much more muscle-bound. Flaring his wings, he resettled them without comment, allowing Nautsk to handle the Brown. Obviously she had it under control, and Pidesk didn't like to stick his nose into things that weren't his business. Still, he didn't fail to note Dmisk's readiness, and he knew that Nautsk would feel his own. The Brown would be tolerated, now that Nautsk had made her feelings clear, as long as he didn't pull any other tricks.

And Nautsk certainly HAD made herself clear. Pidesk tensed, watching her tail flick. He felt her touch his mind, and pushed back with only the slightest pressure; he was ready. It was a good thing, too, because she was immediately off, disappearing into the jungle without a backwards glance. Pidesk sprang into action, avoiding Dmisk and the wilder as the Brown lashed out. No, they were not Pidesk's concern, and so he skirted wide, far out of either of their reach. The slim, gangly bronze followed the shining green, so easy to see in the moonlight, blazing when Pidesk closed his eyes, following her heat signature. Truly beautiful. Stretching his full length, the bronze reveled in the speed, his awkward walking gait smoothing out into a fluid roll. This was the life.

Pidesk snaked between trees, easily keeping pace with the brown and the blue. A small cliff loomed to the right, and Pidesk launched himself off the edge, flaring his long wings to glide, turning tightly through the trees. Few whers could turn in the air so tightly, nor stay up so long. He was very proud of his ability to glide, and he was happy to show off for Nautsk. Toes touching down, Pidesk shot off again, still in hot pursuit.

While Pidesk was busy being gallant, Piden was looking over the Green. He was beautiful, pale hair reflecting the moonlight in a pale imitation of his other half's brilliance. When Nautic's eyes fell on him, Piden met the Green's gaze, eyes smoldering. Piden generally looked liked he was trying to seduce, but when his heart was actually in it, things could get intense. He and Pidesk were very closely bonded, easy to tell from the similarity of their names, and Piden was long lost to the Bronze's desires. Pidesk had always liked greens better than golds, and Nautsk was a lovely specimen. Piden agreed, and followed Nautic to the middle of the glade. The run was only beginning.

[Tashe]

Once more she turned sharply heading away from the river. Not yet. They would not go that way yet. Rhythmically her two toed feet hit the ground scattering fallen leaves and branches a she hustled by. Glancing to the side as the Brown slipped into her peripherals, Nautsk snorted slightly. She was rapidly forgetting why she was miffed at the male, her memory clouding faster than usual because of her singular focus. He was a pretty male, large and obviously experienced. The scars on his hide were a nearly blazing sign that he was a fierce adversary and a winner. Although she did not know this male, she ultimately decided that she would give him the same chance she was giving her other two. She wasn't that picky and the Brown probably just wanted somebody to love him. The Green was filled with love and dolled it out by the cartload. So maybe if she liked him enough, he could actually win. She barked in response to his howl.

Dmisk was behind her, she could discern his footfalls from the other noises around them, especially the running beats of the other males. Flicking her tail, the shining Green headed toward an incredibly old tree whose girth at its base was wider than Pidesk was long. Nautsk slowed then broke to her left, letting the males come much closer before rounding the tree in a full circuit, bounding away in the direction they had just came from. Try and catch me now silly Blue! He always caught her in their games of tag, but now there were two other chasers in the game. No matter what, she was going to win! But who of the three were going to share in the prize? Through the trees she wove, her sides beginning to heave in the attempt to take breaths. She had horrible endurance, even for a Green. But Nautsk was determined to draw her Run out to the last moment.

As she avoided a small furry creature the female offered Pidesk a happy yap. She had seen his glide, so it hadn't been in vain. She was very impressed! Nautsk had little plump wings that didn't carry her very far on the best of days and more than usual, not even at all. The Green had only met the Brown looking Bronze a short while ago, but he had seemed nice and gentle whenever she greeted him. Her thoughts were momentarily broken when she tripped over a small hole in the ground, probably a burrow of some kind. Fortunately she regained her balance and continued on, trying to pick up her stride to the pace she had been setting before. Oh she hoped they didn't think she was unpretty now. Nautsk would have been very upset if one of the males just up and left because she had been ungraceful. She loved them all so! Changing her course again, the Green headed back toward the river. Now it was time to go there!

Soft blue eyes tracked the male as he circled, watching him intently whenever he came into sight. And when Dmitri crouched, Nautic flicked his flower at him before stepping quietly over to Piden, his sandals making little noise in the grass. Tucking his hands behind his back, the Green moved up to the Bronze hovering just inches away from him. Oh this was so unbearably close! He just wanted to run his hands all over him. No! No he hadn't won. Wiggling slightly, Nautic built up restraint before trailing his finger up Piden's chest in a random pattern. He pulled away before he could get too into feeling the musculature under the chaser's shirt. Snorting, he bounded away in the direction of Dmitri. Dropping down into a crouch in front of the Blue, Nautic reached out and tapped the other on the nose, then let his fingers trail down his cheek. Too soon he let his hand flick away. Jumping up he paced away with a twirl. Oh! Oh he had a wonderful idea! Barring his teeth at the other two in challenge, Nautic hustled over to Piden and then Dmitri, tapping them both on the shoulder. Tag! They were both it, and now they had to catch him! Darting away with a giggle, the Green looked back only once to make sure they were following. Although they weren't going to leave the glade, it was big enough for a game!

[Requiem]

The gait elongated, eating up the ground with ease, leaping over fallen logs and trenches with the aid of his wings. Wings built to bear the large, muscled weight of the brown-sized blue. No fat, on this wher, though some might have expected it given how much time he spent curled, feigning sleep in the presence of His. Not the sort to expend energy frivolously. Every moment, every action had a purpose, and tonight that purpose was to claim the female that had been his to protect since the moment of his hatching. Was it her choice? Yes. Could she choose wrong...? Perhaps. He didn't know the wild brown, not enough to judge. His protective streak did not like the male's presence. Pidesk was fine. He wouldn't hurt Nautsk.

But there was a small, small part of him that felt the prick of pain at the attention she gave the other males, who did not love her. To a strange male who only knew that she ran and nothing more, come to claim a female for himself for the sake of claiming her. To an admittedly nice and playful bronze - quite probably lacking a few screws in the head, but that was another matter - whom she crossed paths with on rare occasion. Dmisk didn't mind fighting for her. She was worth that, to him. But yes, it did hurt, as a sting might. No wher but Nautsk received his playfulness. (He was not, by nature, a playful creature. Nautsk alone succeeded in bringing it out in him.) None but her did he touch on a regular basis. He was not a demonstrative creature. Cold, even, many would claim. But for her he warmed. Didn't that mean something?

Dmisk shook it off, just as he shook off the brief flare of concern at her stumble, wanting to pounce her, pin her down and investigate the limb to make sure she hadn't hurt it. She still ran, and he wound in and out of the trees, in the direction they'd started. The lust beat in her veins, and he recognized that, soothed his own pain with it. Just because he was not proof to the lust - it was there, but so removed he might study it as one does the movements of prey from cover - didn't mean it didn't consume the others. Didn't consume Nautsk. Not her fault. No, nothing was her fault, ever. Sweet and innocent creature that she was. He traversed another log, his claws slipping, not catching on the bark that had been worn smooth, and he leapt, employing his wings and bounding off a tree, another, springing forward through the air and tucking his wings when the trees cleared to land gracefully in a bed of leaves. A pause, then his body whipped as he sprung after her again, sending them into a flurry of color as they swirled in his wake.

Hand shot forward (his left, of course) and snagged the flower out of the air with serpentine swiftness. He brought it to his nose, eyes watching Nautic's movements near Piden with smoldering intensity. He casually tucked the flower behind his ear, making certain it was secure, but otherwise didn't move. A silent snarl passed briefly over his lips. What was so intriguing about the bronze's chest, hm? It had vanished long before Nautic turned back to him. A playful growl met the touch on his nose, a snap of teeth just shy of the fingertip, before he turned his head slightly into the touch on his cheek. Dmitri sprung forward. The bluehandler was not built for endurance, was not built at all, really, a slender man who could only be called healthy because he was still too young to see the worst effects of idleness. A quick man, though, light on his feet and built for sprinting, and he didn't care if that put Piden at a disadvantage. He sprung after Nautic, intent on catching the greenhandler.

[Ruby]

Although most of Pidesk's attention was admittedly focused on Nautsk, the rest of him was simply enjoying himself. It was rare that he got to run this fast, this long, or with this many obstacles. If His was riding, Pidesk had to stick to clear paths or open forest; he'd lost Piden one too many times, and his Handler now refused to ride unless Pidesk behaved. If he ran alone, he quickly started to miss Piden and Red, and would invariably turn around before getting anywhere near this far into the forest. But tonight, he could run with His, even if His was back in the glade. They were together, more than they had ever been, and Pidesk loved it. He stretched his stride even more, throwing endurance to the wind. He might have staying power, but tonight, it was only speed that mattered.

He crooned back at Nautsk's yap; a happy, trilling croon that showed all of his ecstacy and none of his need. He did need her, certainly, but he wasn't worried about that. He would have her if and when she wanted him, and until then, he would simply enjoy moving, the sheer expense of energy for no reason other than joy. Bark and loam cracked under his claws, foliage shredded to ribbons by his passage. Whenever they reached a clearing, Pidesk tried to glide if he could. He knew that had impressed Nautsk, and that's all he aimed to do, really. Impress her, and prove to her that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. If she liked it, he would do it whenever he could. Too bad the trees were so tight in most of the jungle- where a wher with smaller wings might be able to avoid clipping the trees, Pidesk knew it would be scratched and bloody wingtips for him. Since he didn't like that idea, he kept them tucked most of the time, using them only when he knew there was enough room.

Pidesk's happiness had rolled over Piden, leaving him smiling in a way that didn't make it look like he was about to eat Nautic. It would be strange for anyone who knew Piden to see him this way, and if he had been aware of what he was doing, he'd be mortified for days. But he wasn't aware, so he smiled, closing his eyes and trying to keep himself from leaning in to Nautic's touch when the green got oh, so close. His brows drew together when Nautic did touch, one hand coming up to hover just above Nautic's elbow. He would not touch, not until he knew he'd won, but unbearable was not a strong enough term. It was almost a relief when Nautic moved away, in the way that slapping a bug bite to make it stop itching is a relief. Pain to distract from pain.

When Nautic came back his direction, Piden steeled himself; he wasn't sure he'd be able to control himself, this time. There was the hand, moving towards his- shoulder? Well, that he could handle. With a playful growl, he leaped after Nautic, trying to catch him as he ran for Dmitri. No luck this time, but with tag, Piden would have an excuse to touch. Dmitri was probably faster, but Piden was bigger, so as he went for Nautic he also drifted closer to Dmitri, attempting to slide in front of the Blue. Nothing against him, but Piden was determined to have the best chance at Nautic that he could.

[Rei]

The brown leapt across another log and tossed his head much like a wild runner. It was taking a lot to keep abreast her and he didn’t want to wear himself out too soon. So he slowed slightly and tucked in behind her. Then she turned again and he dug his talons into the ground to pivot himself around. That move lost him some ground but he wasn’t worried in the least. Her bark only served to encourage him. He barked in response the sound happy. For this moment the restless warrior was content to just bask in her glow. The other chasers where nothing. Not even a glimmer. Nautsk’s glow burned them away.

As they approached the old tree the brown refused to break stride. When she rounded the tree in her circuit he kept going straight at it. Leaping towards it the striped brown dug his talons deep into the bark before using it as a spring board. Leaping off the tree he spread his wings into a glide. Upon landing he immediately sprung after the green with a rumbling happy growl. He liked this one. She was much more than a pet. As she moved through her maze of trees the wildling broke off to use a different route. One that was wider and ran parallel to the green. In this way he caught up a bit of lost ground. It was to his advantage that he knew this jungle like the back of his paw. He had been born here after all.

Lengthening his stride the wher sped up in an attempt to draw up beside her again. There would be trees in the way, but he liked running with her. It felt good. Catching her stumble he gave a concerned croon. However Nautsk didn’t look to be hurt so he powered on giving her an encouraging bark as she turned again to head towards the river. His muscles where starting to feel the burn. The brown had been moving his weight faster than he usually did and it was starting to take a toll. It was a good thing that she was a green. They had less endurance. He had plenty left for her.

[Tashe]

Putting as much distance between her and the chasers, she broke through the tree-line. Nautsk felt her paws gradually begin to sink into the sandy soil, but instead of running down toward the water's edge she darted down the bank before hiding behind a particularly large outcropping of rock. The rock would momentarily shield her from the other male's thermal visions. She needed two seconds to think. Not only would this give her time, it would also test their locating skills. Slowly wiping her tail back and forth the Green tilted her head to the side before taking off again, the males had arrived at her rock. Puffing as she struggled to keep a steady pace. Oh she was getting so tired. Her bounding stride faltered and slipped back into a swift hustle, her energy getting low from all the exertion. How she wished she was stronger, then she could have played with them much longer! But their romping about was going to end soon, too soon in her opinion!

She shuffled up the bank as far as she could before having to stop. Lashing her tail from side to side, Nautsk let her eyes slide over each of her chasers. One of each color. The Wild Brown, despite the rocky start, had encouraged her throughout the chase. Crouching slightly in case one of the males strayed to close to her, Nautsk looked to Pidesk. He was a nice Bronze, he had been very kind to her outside of her chase as well as during. Hansom, albeit a little small for his color, the older Wher was definitely in the running! But then there was Dmisk. The Blue had always taken time for her, had always been nice. She could feel what the three males were feeling, her mind briefly brushing theirs. She didn't want to have to choose, wishing they could run around forever, but she knew she had too. She could feel that need deep in herself, to stop the game and choose. All motion stilled for a moment it was as if she had frozen in place. Banking to the right, Nautsk bounced toward the male of her choice. Nudging him on the shoulder, the Green crooned happily.

Her Dmisk. He was Her's.

Nautic was a fast runner and much like a Green, his speed was greater than his endurance. But since they had started their game so late, he would have a lot of energy stored up for the winner. Zig zagging to and fro, the young man continued to dance directly out of the other's reach. Changing direction he cut across the glade and stuck close to the edge before slowing down for a moment so that Dmitri and Piden could get dangerously close. And when they were, he put on another burst of speed, narrowly missing getting caught by one or the other, he couldn't tell who. Almost, almost! But not quite yet. Out now, back to the middle of the clearing. He could feel his Wherhalf beginning to choose, the decision rapidly becoming clear in their minds. And when she did, Nautic slowed so he could turn mid-run. Taking a few running bounds toward the males, the Green lept on Dmitri with a growl of pleasure. "Mine."


(The randomizer pwned Dmisk with picks, it was amusing.)

[Requiem]

Quiet as ever, Dmisk slowed as Nautsk did, slinking through the trees at a lope. His eyes didn't follow her so much as his nose, the scent of her familiar, more than familiar. It was, in many ways, home. The rock couldn't hide her, but as long as the other males indulged her and didn't flush her out, he was willing to as well. The blue slunk almost playfully for that huge rock, probing closer to see what she'd do, and then Nautsk was off again, running down the edge of the bank. He leapt up onto the rock itself, gliding off it to land in the sands, not hesitating. Dmisk kept the spot closest to the river, just in case, though he thought she seemed to be flagging. A little stumble, slower...was it possible that she was toying with them? Probably not, but he didn't plan to be caught off-guard if she was.

Stopping as she did, he lowered his head, turning it to one side. Now she'd choose. Dmisk didn't offer her so much as a croon to help influence her decision. Let the other males resort to that. He carefully shored up his mind against any who might probe it as well. Dmisk...wanted to win fair if he won at all. His clutchsister. Eyes never left her. But as she brushed against him he nosed her, herding her in silence towards the water and letting her feel the relief and the joy. Herding her toward the shallows and blocking off the view of her from the other males, waiting for them to disperse. Nautsk he would share with no one.

Cut off, just as Piden had hoped. Dmitri almost tripped over him, turning on a heel and circling around him with a quiet hiss. He cut left, coming painfully close to Nautic a number of times, but the greenhandler always managed to elude him with a quick turn or a sudden direction change. He wasn't at all prepared for the spin, for the flying body directed at him, and even if he had been it wouldn't have made much difference. Tall he might have been, capable of carrying someone Nautic's size for a short time, sure, but catching a flying Nautic was another matter entirely. He did manage to get his arms around the greenhandler, to roll his shoulders in and forward to protect the other man from the ground (and his own head) when they fell in a tangle of limbs. Dmitri gasped, winded from the fall, but his arms tightened around the greenhandler.