Half of My Heart (Feyrianth’s maiden flight)

[Rei]

Feyrianth was sprawled out on her ledge, tail tip hanging over the rocky outcropping and flicking back and forth in anxiety. The four winged dragon was not truly asleep but instead dozing. It was hard to truly sleep when your bonded was pacing the hallways in fits of fear and anxiety. Hers did not want her to rise. Not at all. The green knew this. But what could she do about it? At first she had tried to hide the glow with mud. Rolling over and over until she was coated from head to tail tip and then utterly refusing to let hers wash it off. Unfortunately that had not lasted long and, just as she had thought, hers had been rather upset to see the glow. Erilena had been sadder still that the green had tried to hide it from her.

Feyrianth hadn’t done it out of spite though. The green simply did not want to upset hers. Above all this was the one thing that bothered her the most about the situation. That it was, in a roundabout way, /she/ that was upsetting hers. Sadly it seemed as if there was nothing the dragon could do about it. Upset her love would have to be. The glow would not go away, nor would the change that was slowly coming over the green. The anticipation had been building over the past seven days until it now was to the point that Feyrianth could really no longer fight it. It was getting painful to fight it. She /had/ tried to fight it. Truly she had. Hers understood this much at least.

Shifting suddenly she felt the spike of fear in Erilena and gave a sad soft whine. I’m sorry Lenalove. The green said in tones of sorrow, simultaneously opening eyes that now whirled with deep purples and tints of yellow. There was no more fighting it. Today was the day. Now was the time. Feyrianth had waited for as long as she could. Rising slowly to her feet the green unfurled all four wings and tilted her head up towards the cold grey blue sky. Hurry minelove. Please. The need for hers to move and move fast was pressed gently onto Erilena and the woman gave a half sob before racing down the hallways. Not there. Where was she? Where was R’ven? No way she could make it all the way back to the weyr they basically now shared. Now what? She would have to settle for the flight rooms. There was no way around it. Feyrianth ducked her head as hers ran towards the flight rooms in a state of near panic.

The green could and would wait until hers was safely in the flight rooms before she removed the wavering temporary barrier she had put into place between them. Stepping forward to perch at the end of her ledge the female gave a soft half hearted croon. The almost metallic green spots on her hide truly did look to glimmer and, had Feyrianth been in a better frame of mind, she might have been extremely pleased to note that she truly looked shiny. As it was she was sad, sad and sorry that she had to upset hers. Was it in her power to stop it Feyrianth wouldn’t rise simply to spare hers the upset.

Erilena rushed through the hallways, heedless of anything or anyone in her way. The same thoughts replaying through her mind over and over. Flight rooms. Had to get to the flight rooms. Didn’t want this. Not at all. Didn’t want them to touch her. Couldn’t stop it... Without breaking stride she reached the door leading to the room and stumbled into it. Unfortunately it hadn’t been closed properly and the door swung as she fell against it, sending the greenrider sprawling onto the stone floor. Wincing in pain she was only half aware that she had skinned her palm. Only half aware because as soon as Erilena entered the flight rooms, the barrier between Feyrianth and her fell. Giving a croon the dragon flung herself skyward and took hers with her. She kept a tight hold on her rider’s mind as she caught an updraft and allowed it to shoot her upwards. Perhaps keeping hers this close would minimize her upset? It made sense to Feyrianth.

Leveling off the green hovered briefly and gave one soft sweet croon. One that was laced with trace amounts of sadness. That was the only sound the four winged dragon offered the males lounging below. Who would see fit to chase her? She was different yes. Unable to dance as well as her alike colored sisters. But surely that didn’t make her undesirable? At least she hoped it didn’t. The green wanted so bad for them to like her. To think her beautiful, worth their time. Part of Feyrianth actually felt bad for the need to be wanted. Solely because it made others want hers. Which hers did not want. It was…confusing to say the least but there was no fighting it.

Erilena gingerly picked herself up off the stone floor as Feyrianth rose into the sky. No longer was there any fear or concern on her face but still a few remaining tears trickled down her cheeks. The sadness was still very present. Along with an aching desire to be wanted and yet…maybe not? The greenrider shook her head in an attempt to clear the spiraling emotions. With a soft throaty croon she examined her scraped palm. It hurt. A little blood, but nothing serious. Wiping her hand on her skirt Erilena turned as the first chaser entered. The sound that left the woman’s throat was breathless and airy as she backed up to the middle of the room. She needed to give her males the proper space. The greenrider’s hand flew up to her face and she started with a flinch as she felt the tears. Why was she crying? That didn’t seem right. Erilena/Feyrianth gazed at her first chaser as if maybe they held a clue.

[Rowana]

"One quarter spoon of numbweed," T'ke mumbled under his breath. He scratched his head as he poured over his study notes. Learning healer's craft was harder than he'd thought. Not that he was an apprentice mind. He didn't have any ambitions to make a career of it. But so long as he had been talked into helping, he might as well know something about what he was doing. Funny, he'd thought getting past his fear of blood would be the hard part.

"Garaeth could you keep it down?" T'ke snapped irritably. "I'm trying to concentrate!" Garaeth sat on his ledge and stared up at the sky longingly. Is she not beautiful? he sighed dreamily. T'ke blinked and turned to stare at his dragon. "Who?" Feyrianth. She is like a jeweled flutterby. T'ke shrugged. "I guess so." He'd never really payed much attention to her one way or the other. Erilena, on the other hand, he knew from working in the infirmary.

Garaeth rose, bunching up his muscles. Such a gem deserves all the males in Pern! he declared joyously. Without a moments thought, he launched himself into the air. "Wait, what?!" T'ke's chair clattered to the floor as he jumped to his feet. He could already feel the rush of emotion. What in Faranth's name are you doing?! Do you remember what happened last time?! T'ke leg was still sore on occasion from that incident. He didn't feel like repeating it, or the broken limb. Sweet Feyrianth would never harm us, Garaeth assured him, before he was lost in the chase. Says you, T'ke muttered darkly. He fought back the emotions long enough to stumble down the the flight rooms.

Garaeth spiraled up after Feyrianth, crooning softly. His lovely queen should not be sad! Garaeth thought she was truly beautiful and worthy of all the love he could give. Surely others would feel the same. Was she frightened? He only wanted to make her happy. She should not be afraid of him. All would be well, he wanted to assure her. Hers would be safe too. His often did not enjoy the chase. He understood her discomfort.

T'ke was almost to the flight room when he lost himself to Garaeth's emotions. Oh no! Why was Erilena crying! That wasn't right at all. Wasn't she happy to see him? T'ke slumped to the floor just inside the door. It was alright, he understood. No one liked him very much either. Human and dragon thoughts muddled together in confusion in the young rider's mind. What should he do? She would never love him this way. Maybe he was better off leaving.

[rii]

Mine

R'ven lifted his head to the skies at Trilaranth's urgings. The large brown was basking on his ledge while his rider was down repairing a broken section of fence. Feyrianth's four winged shape against the backdrop of pale clouds was instantly recognize. R'ven felt the lust gently rolling over the bond connecting him to his dragon. "Finally time, I see.." R'ven laid down his tools, picking up his discarded shirt and flipping it over his shoulder. No use putting in on when in the progress he might just lose it again. At least, that had been his experience in Eveyth's flight. "Where is she?"

Erilena being the one in reference, and with a sigh R'ven heard it from his dragon that the green weyrling in question had ran off crying. How many times had they talked about Feyrianth's upcoming flight – a matter more important to Erilena than to R'ven, sadly. He understood her distress about the matter.. but there really wasn't anything she could do to prevent it. Why feud against something that couldn't be stopped? He had tried to make suggestion to ease her mind but it just..didn't help.. or so he assumed if Erilena had ran off in such a fashion.

R'ven directed himself back toward the weyr, a haze coming over his mind as Trilaranth slipped off the ledge and rose into the sky. He shamelessly touched Feyrianth's mind, coating her with a comforting warmth to show that he was here and eager for her flight to begin – and also to soothe any negativity lingering from her rider. Erilena would come to terms with it soon enough. They just had to make things overly complicated, didn't they.

The large brown floated lazily beneath Feyrianth, tilting to glide vertical so he could brush his wingtip along her abdomen. Beautiful as always, my flutterby.

[Ember]

"You're very easy to read, you know. Who do you think you're fooling?" The one being spoken to visibly flinched, which was odd. What did a blue dragon have to worry about from a human woman? Well it could be the fact that said blue needed permission from the woman to be able to do what he wanted. It was a bit unfair, the blue thought, that he had to ask but Rhino could always do as he pleased. The woman sighed and shook her head. "Yeah, yeah. Heard it already. Who is it this time? It's too soon to be Onyth again and the only other greens you know or your precious students."

The blue tentatively stood up and began stretching his wings. Ah, to move! He hated being idle but it was the only way to have energy for the flight he'd known was coming. Feyrianth had begun glowing and Ioth had been waiting. It is Feyrianth. "Ah. Your current favourite. Do you plan to mope around like the last time you lost a favourite's flight? Even though I told you not to..." Ioth ducked low to the floor of his weyr and stretched his neck towards His. May I please go? She deserves it...and Hers is probably worried. You know how she - "I get it, I get it."

The blue was left waiting while Iskierka tidied up the weyrling reports. She could have and probably should have been doing them in the weyrling barracks. The problem with that was then she was too easily found. If their business couldn't wait they were more than welcome to get their dragon to ask Ioth where she was. If they didn't have a dragon? Well then she saw no need for them to find her at all. She turned to look at Ioth and scowled. "Get going. Don't you dare blame me for anything that goes wrong this time." As the blue happily took off Iskierka started heading for the flight rooms. She hoped Erilena at least had the good sense to go there.

As she walked Iskierka considered her actions and the lust radiating from the bond. She could ignore it as she usually did or she could give in to it a little to give Ioth a better chance. He always felt a bit more confident if she was also involved. She wasn't sure of the other dragons' riders so she decided to wait until she was at the flightrooms to see what she would do. When she got there she saw Erilena (non-threat), R'ven (non-threat, and not exactly seen either. Ioth knew he was there, and so he would be), and.... Well that was interesting. She hadn't expected to see that guy again. T'ke, was it? Her wonderful salamandyr had caught his green one in a Run. He was also classified as a non-threat. The bluerider tentatively let go of a little of her self control.

Iskierka felt Ioth's compassion slide over her and his desire to protect and teach his weyrlings. With that Iskierka's inner emotions were able to rise to the surface a bit and she felt a small amount sympathy for a girl who was very out of her element. Maybe she'd let go a bit too much if she was feeling that. Or maybe Rhino's chasing had had a negative effect on her control. She stepped further into the room, closer to Erilena and said in a quiet voice, "No one will touch you if you don't want them to." Not unless they got the brilliant idea to try and catch her rather than let her choose them. Iskierka was surprised to realize she would jump in and help the greenweyrling if it came to that. No doubt Ioth's influence on her.

Ioth made his way over to Feyrianth and crooned. Greetings, lovely Feyrianth. May I chase you? Such beauty deserves lots of attention. The blue didn't go so close as to touch the glowing green but he did approach fairly close. Why was Feyrianth a favourite? Well, she was a beautiful and friendly green. More important than that, though, was the fact that she liked to play tag just like him. Yes, that was a major part of why he wanted to chase Fey. Although, if she had a bad personality it was doubtful he'd still like her.

[Lotty]

It was like walking home to see that your roommate had thrown a party in your basement and you weren't even invited. Only in this case Erilena was the house and the flight was the party....or was it the party that represented Eri? Metaphors never adequately covered the real scope of a flight, all that really could be said was that in those lucid moments before dragonlust could take over, a certain brownrider would be forced to stand at a very awkward crossroads and wrestle with the moral question of the century. Who knew that seemingly meaningless terms like brother and sister could suddenly turn everyday Pernese culture into some short of inner turmoil and a churning feeling deep in the stomach.

This. Is. So. Messed Up.

Of course he hadn't stumbled upon the scene on complete accident, and no halo adorned this young man's head, that was for sure. There was always that subtle pull from Pettahth leading him down all of the right corridors, and he was more than willing to feel the force and go with the flow so to speak and while he half suspected he knew the identity of this lovely green lady in the sky, it wasn't until the thoughts were confirmed that the conflicted feelings flared up in his heart. He was not really the girl's brother. He wasn't, but that she viewed him as such was threatened by that age old male gaze, and he didn't want to sacrifice friends as much as he didn't want to discourage his bonded from chasing.

Really he shouldn't have been bothered. After all, he laughed and stared and teased the girl over the whole graduation party make out session...but in watching he was still innocent...there was no real desire, it was completely safe. This wasn't, but with the threat of danger looming over his head he still marched forward towards the flight room that he knew he was going to find the girl at and stepped into the fray amongst the other riders who had arrived before he had. It was not surprising to see such a crowd already, Fey...erm Erilena..uhm. They were both popular girls.

Pettahth for once, found himself precisely on time for a flight. Silly brown had always stepped forward with some kind of shortcoming, and usually it was his tardiness. Not this time! If he had been learning anything since he began chasing - that first attempt seemed like so long ago now - it was to tell exactly when a green was priming to rise and that being prompt was a big step in impressing said lady. It wasn't hard with Feyrianth either! They were such good friends, and it seemed like just the other day that they had played and flied together. Plenty of time to study her he had!

He still wasn't the fastest off of the ledge of course. He needed to brush minds with his rider and assure him that this truly the best ideas. I am positive. Sure of it mine that this will not be regretted. And with that he slipped off of his perch and angled through the canyon following the steady stream of chasers. Steady and slow for the moment...a tiny little brown he was and it was speed and stubbornness he had on his side more so than actual endurance. It is good to play again Fey-one. He mentioned quickly with a rush of warm thoughts to the green.

[Sheari]

The dozing brown's attention flickered as something shining was in the sky. A...green? The glow was the obvious sign that she was rising was the glow that made her shine. She had...four...wings, instead of two. How unusual. How enticing. Would she be faster and more graceful than her more "normal" sisters? Or would she be slow and clumsy with her extra wings, sprouting from her hips? The brown was now thoroughly roused from his nap with the burning questions and the desire to chase her and find answers. Without any words to either His or the green, Pagoth launched into the sky. There were few other chasers, he might have a chance?

The croon solidified Pagoth's decision. He was going to chase her, to test himself against those others who found this odd beauty worth their time. Not many greens caught the brown's eye, but this one sure did. She was Stunning, beautiful, rare.[/i] He hadn't mean the words to be projected, but he touched her mind briefly with them before realizing what he was doing and pulled away. Fly, be free, and let none but your choice take you.

"Damn it, Pagoth!" C'ryl dropped what he was doing and grabbed his jacket, he was a good way from the flight rooms and would probably be the last one there, barging in last minute, breathing hard and startling anyone who caught him, more than likely the poor rising dragon's rider. He forced an arm through a sleeve, battling with the other as he ran along. Into the actual weyr, and through doors, scaring anyone in his way. He'd rather just run to his weyr, the scariest though on his mind was the possibility of a pregnancy if Pagoth was the victor. He didn't want any kids! He didn't really like them so why have brats of his own?

A bootlace caught under his sole as he tripped up a set of stairs. He caught himself barely in time, jarring his wrist. It happened twice more before, in frustration, he simply tore his boots from his feet and left them there on the staircase. He'd get them later, if someone else didn't take them while the chance was presented. By the Golden shell of Farnath! Why did he have to chase?! C'ryl cursed himself, he was undressing himself already, taking off his jacket as he overheated from running, he'd already lost his shoes!

[Requiem]

M'ta glanced up, eyes following the glowing green for a moment before splashing water over his face. The cold was refreshing to him, and he'd stripped to the waist despite the chill. Building was quite physical, after all, and nothing heated up your muscles quicker than laboring over things. Well, maybe a couple things. "She's flying a lot better now. You're not a bad teacher, 'Ruth." She was just afraid. I didn't do much but encourage her. "Sometimes that's all that's needed. Hold on, okay?" I am. You're taking a long time, though. "My apologies. You know how little I like it." You'll like it less if you lose yourself here with half your tools lying out. "Point taken." The short brownrider finished getting everything in its proper order, then flicked a glance sidelong at his mindmate. "Well?" If you're ready, then.

Behruth unfurled his wings, half-turning to move up the river a piece where he didn't risk getting wingsails caught in errant branches. Without a thought, the male launched himself into the air, twisting and turning in a hybrid of a large dragon's defensive rise and that of his blue and green brothers and sisters. It was more habit than intention. His returning croon was meant to be a soothing one. You fly beautifully, Feyrianth. Any male would be honored to fly with you, he assured her quietly, mistaking her sadness for worry over her wings. Seeing the other brown's touch, he held himself removed from Trilaranth. Behruth didn't intend to encroach on anyone's territory, merely to give Feyrianth her due. He greeted Ioth, his wingmate, with a friendly croon. Garaeth and Pettahth were not known well enough, though, as was his custom, he silently brushed their minds with a warm wish of luck.

The brown's counterpart was as gone as he always was, though the lack of hurry from Behruth kept his pace to a stroll as he moved within the gorge, disappearing into the cliffs. His shirt had been left on the stump, and his eyes registered little as he found the Flightroom, stepping over T'ke with what might have been a curious glance. Hm. What was the blue doing there right in the doorway like that? So many already here. Two blues, two browns. His eyes fell on Erilena, even as he drifted to one side, leaning against the wall restively while waiting for the Flight to truly begin.

---

And yet another took notice of the glowing green, the coiled dark blue not moving a muscle. How many greens had Risen since Rinagth, all receiving nothing more than a cursory glance? Many. It seemed that the same would happen again. In fact, he had no intention of it originally. Deformed, ugly thing, glow or no. She wasn't even interesting enough to be ignorant of how very undesirable she was. That mind brush was like an apology. Tch. Hardly worth the glance, even. But then dragon after dragon went up, out of pity or blindness he wasn't sure. It was...annoying, for some inexplicable reason. The green was quickly reaching a number of chasers higher than almost any other Selenitas dragon. Impossible. Couldn't they see she was worthless? Apparently not. His eyes slitted. Maybe they knew something of her he didn't. Either way, they were annoying enough that he considered...dragging a claw along the rock of his ledge.

Hm, yes. Stealing their prize for being idiots would be quite...satisfying. He did so love a good competition, and that array might just be enough to produce some fun. Doubtful but maybe.

He kicked the blue's tail. "Hey. Nasty. Why don't you save the vicious for a green that's a challenge, hm?" The males here should know better than congregating around an easy target. Never could resist a challenge. F'ur shrugged. There was never any arguing with Inocenth. "Whatever. Don't kill yourself." As if. Don't insult me, Mine; I can take over your mind if you become too much of a pest. F'ur eyed his dragon unflinchingly. "You're welcome to try." The laughter in his mind wasn't at all friendly, the male uncoiling in a vicious whiplike motion, tail whipping past F'ur's head as he slashed upwards with a snarling hiss. The small, dark dragon feinted at Trilaranth as he passed. Claws off, sunshine. This one's mine.

He spun downward, flicking his tail lazily as he steadied into a glid not far below Feyrianth. You're the impudent one, aren't you, ugly? They all feel sorry for you, you know. Don't worry. Just say the word, and I'll tear those extra monstrosities right off. Then you can be a real dragon.

F'ur strode for the Flightrooms at a sedate pace, wondering if it might not be better to simply take a walk through the jungles instead. Inocenth had a lot of pent up energy and bile after no real fights since Fort, and he hated women. Especially women in maiden Flights. Dramatic little...and sure enough, she was already crying. Maybe now would be a good time to just turn back. Blech.

[Rei]

Feyrianth watched her chasers come from this ledge or that beneath her. Arching her neck the four winged dragon greeted them all with soft croons. Watching with interest as Garaeth spiraled beneath her the green’s whirling eyes locked on Trilaranth next. His mental brush was more a comfort than the brown probably knew. It soothed a little of her apprehension at least. Her tail flicked in response to lightly brush along the brown as he brushed along her. Entirely comfortable Feyrianth was with the contact from her brother. A favorite he was and she was not ashamed to admit or show it. The brown already knew such after all. That much was made clear in his comment and his wording. No words where offered in return to Trilaranth simply because the green knew she didn’t have to offer him words. Her brother understood the affection she felt for him well enough. Instead Feyrianth turned her attention to Ioth both surprised and flattered that her teacher sought to pursue her as well. Of course you may chase me Iothteacher. She replied simply, watching with wonder as the older blue also circled past her. Three was more than she had thought she would get and the green was immensely pleased by the turnout thus far. Happily Feyrianth examined her males once more before another approaching dragon caught her eye.

The addition of Pettahth was another surprise for she had not expected her smaller friend to chase. A short head bob was given the brown in greeting and a soft feather light brush of happiness to his mind as well. Pettahth was another of her favored ones. Feyrianth saw no reason why he could not be considered even if his was like a clutchbrother to hers. The entrance of another brown had her crooning playfully. This one was unknown but entirely welcome. The compliments Pagoth favored her with had the four winged dragon crooning with delight, her tail twitching with just the slightest bit of impatience. Thoughts of Erilena and her unease with the whole situation where pretty much forgotten by this point. It was hard not to be excited, and a tad distracted, by the wonderful males surrounding her and the heat flaring through her veins. By this time Feyrianth was growing tired of hovering in one place and was more than ready to start her flight. Five was a very nice number and she was extraordinarily pleased with the turn out. Three browns, and two blues and such lovely handsome males they all where!

Wings twitching slightly Feyrianth swung her head around catching sight of Behruth and offering him an happy croon in return. Her playmate and flight teacher. Another brown that was highly favored by her. She was honored that he had chosen to pursue her as well. Tilting her head she brushed the minds of her males with encouragement, now more than ready to begin. Inocenth was not seen approaching at first. Whether it was the color of his hide or his approach that masked him the green wasn’t sure, but the words he offered her had her half hissing in protest. Her head tilted to view the dark blue beneath her. The whirling violet of Feyrianth’s eyes swirled with yellow and orange momentarily as she considered before offering politely back. I would rather keep my wings. Thank you all the same. Even pressured and insulted as she had been the young green found it impossible to insult the male back. It was Inocenth’s right to view her as he wished after all. However that being said she had no more time to spare for the nasty blue. Brushing his mind in clear dismissal she turned from him. Instead of paying Inocenth any further attention she brushed the minds of those males who where supportive and promptly closed her four wings.

Feyrianth allowed herself to drop unchecked past her chasers. If anything her wings where excellent for stalling and she was going to use this to her advantage. Whether Inocenth pursued her or not was not a issue for her currently. Six if all the rest stayed was more than she had ever expected and she would do her best to make it worth their time. Even two males the green would have been pleased with. Falling well past the danger zone for most dragons, Feyrianth suddenly flared all four wings. The sails all but stopping her descent before the green flicked her tail, whipping around to skim low over the river. Her wing tips barely brushing the surface of the water the green used what speed she possessed to her advantage. Feyrianth was not built to fly as fast as most of her sisters however she still could outrun most blues. Her target was clear, the drum towers. Gaining a bit of altitude she risked a backwards glace to see where her chasers stood…

Erilena titled her head at T’ke as he slumped to the floor. Confused she took a step forward only to back up as Iskierka entered. To Ioth she offered a soft croon, the words the blue offered registering slowly. They would not touch her if she did not wish them to? The words where more comforting that anything else and the woman gave a slow nod to show she had understood. It was oh so nice of her blue to say that. Erilena’s attention drifted from male to male as they entered, each one receiving a smile or nod in greeting. Such lovely males she had amassed. Well in the grip of flight the woman saw each person for their dragon and so F’ur earned a backwards step from her and a nervous glance.

Rude Inocenth was. Insulting. Not welcome in her flight. As such the greenrider shifted to face him and said softly and politely. “You may leave. If you see me as ugly you need not waste both my time and yours.” That done she turned her back to him to face her other males. All thoughts of lingering fear and sadness had been quite effectively banished by the support of so many and the confidence Feyrianth now felt had transferred quite effectively.

Stepping forward Erilena beckoned to Behruth. He need not stay to far away. Gliding over to T’ke the greenrider knelt to touch him on the shoulder softy. Silly blue. He need not be upset. Gesturing for him to rise she stepped backwards more to the middle of the room and twirled once in place as she debated what to do. With sudden decisiveness Erilena pivoted around Iskierka and towards the door. To crowded with so many males. She needed space. Needed to breathe.

[rii]

Trilaranth quickly righted himself, sticking close to Feyrianth in a clear show of fondness – of possession – as the other males continued to show up one by one. It didn't matter to him who chased. Nor did he glide by and mentally weigh his own skills and worth against their own. His mind was solely on the green, rumbling at her lovely glow that drew his lust and wanting nothing more than to see her fly the skies. Catching was not as important to the large brown. Although he did acknowledge the woes that Fey's human half had with being flown by another.

Silly girl.

Inocenth's arrival broken Trilaranth out of his serene haze. His wings shifted, stalling his flight a foot or two at the feint directed at him. A light trail of red twirled through his eyes, the brown growly deeply in his chest at the insignificantly small blue. Part of him wanted to shake off the primal pull to chase Feyrianth and remove Inocenth from the chase. The dark blue dragon was an unworthy chaser. Black talons flexed but – his efforts were unneeded. Feyrianth dismissed Inocenth from the start. Good.

To further implement that the blue was not wanted in the skies, Trilaranth angled himself – still keeping close to Feyrianth – to block the green from Inocenth's view. It worked until Feyrianth finally went on the move, diving down toward the river. Trilaranth followed at leisure, letting his weight pull him toward the earth in a similar dive instead of spurring for more speed. Many wings were in the sky and the risk of collision high. Still.. if his massive frame blocked a few of the others from following closely.. all the better.

The brown pulled up short of the river, meeting the water at a more friendly angle and swaying back and forth over the water (strangely enough like a rude driver refusing to let any of the other cars pass). You fly so well Feymine, to think you use to be afraid. What a stunning sight you are now.

When R'ven finally made it to the room, he first briefed Erilena with a pleasant smile.. and as she turned her attentions to the other chasers a sneering hate was shot at F'ur. Only acknowledge with that disapproving look before R'ven moved in further, putting his back to the unwanted chaser in the sky. All the others were welcomed to join in on Feyrianth's flight – they all had been nothing less than encouraging. Worthy wings, these.

[Rowana]

It was starting! Garaeth gave a cry of joy as Feyrianth fell past him. His heart leaped even as she dropped. Already she was like the wind. Garaeth would see to it that no one insulted her wings again. Only a dragon as uniquely skilled and beautiful as he could have managed such a dive. He couldn't hope to pull up so suddenly, but he was going to give it all he had. His lovely deserved no less. Tucking his wings, the young blue dove after her. His nose was nearly pointed straight down as he fell.

With so many chasers, it would be hard to avoid collisions. Trilaranth in particular seemed to be making it a point to bloke their path, but Garaeth wasn't going to let the big brown get in his way. He was smaller and faster. Twitching his wings slighting, he docked under Trilaranth's bulk and pulled up. He almost missed. His front claws dragged the water, sending up a shower that drenched the air around him. He was still in one piece and Feyrianth was all the closer. Rising a little to keep pace, he kept his eyes on his darling green. He would brave any challenge for her. What would she want to play next?

T'ke watched Erilena longingly. She really was lovely and so sweet. He twitched a little as she brushed him and couldn't help a loving smile in return. She was such a kind soul. He was so glad she understood and so happy that she wasn't crying anymore. She was much more beautiful when she smiled. Getting to his feet, T'ke moved further into the room, but not too close to his green. He didn't want to pressure her. Besides, Iskierka was here too and that was confusion. The smaller, Shard part of his mind twinged with longing for her brown-love Rhino when he saw her. Garaeth's mind was the stronger though, for the moment and all attention was soon returned to Erilena alone.

[Sheari]

A slight bit of rage built up within the brown at the blue joining the flight and then insulting the Riser. Really? If he didn't like her, then why chase? His jaws wanted so badly to close upon Inocenth's throat and shake him, but nay, that wouldn't help anyone and might upset Feyrianth. Her dismissal of him however, allowed Pagoth to return his attention to the double-winged green. Yes, begin the flight, or the males would go mad with the urge to chase and might catch her before she began! Her plummet, however, frustrated the brown. As a larger dragon, he couldn't fall as far or catch himself as fast as the smaller ones.

Oh well, he closed his wings anyway, leaving them half-furled, so as to catch himself quicker. As Feyrianth pulled up, so did Pagoth, though higher in altitude than the green. The brown ignored the other chasers--what were they to him?-- in his pursuit. He still didn't know how fast this one could fly, he reserved his strength, hoping to get ahead, and stay in front of, the other chasers. Yes, he would be the best and catch the double-winged green?

C'ryl stumbled again up the stairs and nearly ran into the door frame to the flight rooms. Barging in he stood there, dazed a bit in his confusion. What? The man's mind had been taken over by his dragon's, he saw the others only as their beasts. His lip curled a bit at the sight of F'ur, but he remembered that he had been dismissed. Would he actually leave? C'ryl moved into the throng, trying to get close to the green that was there. Was she a green, or was she human? He watched as she backed away from the others--did she, not, want to be caught? It didn't makes sense to him and he crooned at her. What was wrong?

[Ember]

Ioth took another close pass at Feyrianth as she agreed to let him fly wiith her. You flatter me by calling me teacher, but in this situation I am nothing more than a blue who seeks your favours, he responded humbly. Ioth returned Behruth's croon pleasantly but his attention quickly shifted to the threatenening presence of Innocenth. That would not do for his favourite student. Rather than 'cause a fight immediately, Ioth let Trilaranth play guard. Ioth knew an experienced dragon when he saw one. The brown likely wouldn't be able to hold his own in a match against Innocenth but hopefully he'd prove enough deterrent.

Besides, if Ioth hoped to win the lovely green's flight than he had best pay attention to Feyrianth. Said green was even so polite as to brush their minds before beginning her flight. She was truly worth chasing. Ioth folded his wings and twisted around Trilaranth's bulk easily. He wasn't one to be blocked so easily by other dragons, not with all the practice he'd had. He fell past the brown, using his wings once to make his descent a little quicker. He was forced to pull out of his dive quite a bit sooner than Feyrianth but that was too be expected. Her wings gave her different strengths than other dragons. Very impressive, Feyrianth. You've learned to use your wings very well.

Ioth put on a burst of speed to get a little bit closer before letting himself settle back to a more sedate pace. No need to tire himself out early. The blue noticed the look back and, deciding to scarifice a bit of time, rolled so that both wing tips ended up throwing up water before leaving the river below him. It didn't hurt to show off a little. He started to rise after the green towards the drumheights, again throwing in a bit more speed to make up for his showiness.

Bah! If she was going to be so easy to reassure then why did she bother being scared in the first place? Maiden flights were such a bother to be a part of. Terrified little children, the lot of them. The Ioth-controlled part of Iskierka was pleased at her endeavor though. She'd made the green feel a little more comfortable and that was good. Someone entered the room a moment later and Iskierka regretted relinquishing so much control to Ioth. This one was most definitely not a non-threat. Even without Ioth's assurance that his dragon was bad and rude to Feyrianth, Iskierka knew F'ur to be dangerous.

Erilena quickly dismissed him and the woman genuinely hoped that he did leave. She was too vulnerable for her comfort to have him around. Then Erilena did something that nearly managed to pry a sigh out of Iskierka. The girl was leaving the flightrooms. On one level, Iskierka knew that Erilena didn't make the choice while being herself but at another level it really annoyed the woman to hae flight-lusted people wandering around the weyr. Seriously. She'd had a group in a mandyr run go through her weyr already. Her thinking was a bit hypocritical since she'd done the same when Rhino chased. Ultimately the bluerider followed Erilena.

[Lotty]

Lots more dragons came even after he had shown. A packed house for those still following along with the party analogy. It didn't bother Pettahth too much though, he wasn't there for any of them, and he turned his head back to the glowing green and crooned. Oh well it certainly was all well and good to be given such a nice little compliment. The notion was unspoken of course, but the brown considered the warm touch and chance to chase to the a badge of honor and he would go with it, even going so far as to give a tiny little show of acrobatics in return and thanks. For a moment the dragon looked like nothing more than a sandy colored ball of motion as he flipped head over tail in a mid air somersault for the green. It required a little bit of room yes, but not too much, there was advantages to being small.

With that little show done with, he had the time now to get back to the races. Warm ups were over! It was time to put his nose to the grind and get to work, after all Feyrianth and all of the other dragons were a go...there was no more time for him to dilly dally. All but ignoring the supposedly dismissed Innocenth - Pettahth remembered him from Rinagth's flight...kind of - he shot forward but allowed himself to stay a little bit closer to the back of the pack. Only as to watch Fey's movements and put together a strategy. She had never risen before and what to expect was anyones guess, so it would have made sense to have been thrown off just a bit by the green's sudden stop in her drop.

As he fell he aimed not for Fey but a spot on the river's surface where wings and talons shouldn't collide. He had absolutely no intent of slowing down, and instead of throwing out his wings like a grand parachute - his little wings weren't as accommodating for such falls like the green's four wings were - he jutted out only one and angled the tip as to spin him around before he could end up in the water. And extra swing of his tail gave him enough of a push to cover all three hundred and sixty degrees to put him right on track again. He didn't gain a whole lot of distance with this method, but he didn't lose any, that was for sure.

K'sel looked on at Eri with perhaps more sympathy than he would have granted any other person in the same position. While in past flights he had made it habit to approach with nothing but the most stoic of veneers and a certain bit of that wildman charm, he had hardly ever shown anything that could relate back to humanity. In flights he was an animal, he was with Pettahth, but perhaps as the brown aged he picked up some traits from the human. They were fusing together much more harmoniously one could say, and the rider's mouth went from the usual frown to something a little softer. The poor girl was all messed up and then insulted at that...no wonder she was running out the door. Though it was more in character for K'sel to have just scoffed and thrown his hands in the air at such behavior, Flights were a whole different game. He was begrudgingly going to follow her along.

[Requiem]

Behruth was at something of an emotional quietude. Feyrianth was beautiful, yes, and adored. His ichor sang to him with the all-too-familiar need, and it had been long enough that the need was strong. Nevertheless, perhaps because that unrealized sexual awareness that had been forcefully awakened in His and then just as forcefully buried and locked away by ShortyHis himself - that hunger was being satisfied exceedingly well - perhaps because Behruth shared with His so intimately, the need and desire for what the greens had to offer was diminished. He Chased for the most part to not insult the greens. He kept the insinctual fire within him high, and wrapped around the mind of His to diminish the discomfort, but beneath it was the lingering darkness a turn old. The brown was weary. He watched the last of the Chasers, and the reactions of the other dragons to him. And mentally sighed. This was probably going to be a bothersome Flight - had it not been one of his favored greens, he likely would have left it and trusted the other males to take care of the malicious one.

Ignoring the blue that Feyrianth had dismissed and the other males entirely, he brushed the green's mind encouragingly once more. That one wasn't worth listening to. She was beyond beautiful. Behruth allowed the other males to spill after her as if she was pulling them down a chute. If nothing else could be said of the mahogany male, he was never one to follow a crowd mindlessly. Playing with Trilaranth's obvious attempts to keep the other males at bay was a waste of energy. Instead, he took note of where she was headed, knowing better than at least a few of these others what Feyrianth was capable of. He arced neatly, wings snapping tight against his sides and directing his dive at an angle for her destination rather than the green herself. Throwing his body into a tight corkscrew that slashed through the air at a speed that a straight dive couldn't manage, he controlled it with brief flares of his wings, adjusting his angle to her speed.

---

Inocenth coiled neatly in a figure eight, whether to create the illusion of compliance or out of simple nervous energy it was impossible to say. Give her a few moments of...false hope. Of all the dragons here, only the tiny blue had a true green's speed and flexibility. He didn't need to feel their contempt to know - or to imagine - it was there; they always made the mistake of underestimating him. For two decades. It was...amusing. Nearly as amusing as Feyrianth thinking she had any control. He would gladly...educate...her. Unlike Behruth, Inocenth preferred navigating the press of males. He tucked himself into a belated dive, looping neatly and smacking his tail against the water in an eruption just behind the trailing males on her tail. Juveniles. The air left so many more options than simply following like pups. He had his own reasons for chasing her this way - not the least of which being it allowed him to toy with the other males - but that didn't make them any less obviously inexperienced. Ioth should be ashamed.

Inocenth transferred vertical speed to horizontal, slipping between and around the slow bumbling fools, trailing the curve of a claw so as not to scent the air with ichor just yet along a hide here, or lashing out with a tail toward a snout there as he guided up, down, in and around the mindless drones. Death to this, tag to that, slow and mindless, can't keep up. It took very little effort for the darting blue to catch up to Feyrianth's speed, jaws snapping shut just behind her tail. He pushed forward, claws slashing for her left side in a feint. Dance little puppet dance. Up and right. You think you can control me, little insect? The gauntlet of your precious males couldn't stop me. We choose to listen to you, if we listen at all. Silly baby.

Erilena. C'ryl. R'ven. M'ta. T'ke. Gone. K'sel. Unreadable. Iskierka...wavering. Was he really the only one thinking semi-clearly, with the possible exception of K'sel? "Cute enough, girlie. Just not my type." A shrug. His hands met his pockets, even as he shoved C'ryl further into the room - directly into Erilena's path. "But way out of it if you think leading a half-dozen Flight-crazed riders into the Weyr is a good idea. Keep it to the playroom, kay, baby?" Headcount. All accounted for. He yanked the door closed and leaned against it. Sad, really. He'd been offered a chance of escape, but with Ino still in play, F'ur would rather not risk an episode of F'ur/Ino jumping the first thing with limbs to wander into his path. Especially with Inocenth in this mood.

---

M'ta's eyes followed Erilena, not at all surprised to see the sweet Feyrianth aiding Garaeth, even if it did leave him with a small pang of jealousy. He pushed up off the wall, moving closer to the center of the room, but still giving her and the other males a wide enough berth to definitely not be accidentally brushing shoulders. Eyes half-hooded as they focused briefly on the talking Inocenth, the flippant arrogance behind them matching all too well the vicious whipcord currently terrorizing the skies. (Nevermind that their meaning wasn't anywhere near as nasty.) Teeth bared in a grin that was more feral than anything else, but he didn't make a move.

[Rei]

They where all following well enough. Feyrianth was pleased to note this as she caught snatches of colored hide. The complimentary mental brushes where returned with a feeling of obviously happy enthusiasm. Yes the green was proud of how well she had mastered her particular version of flight. She may not be as fast as some but she could stop and change direction better than probably any dragon on Pern. She was also a pro at hovering, being able to do it near effortlessly. Unfortunately her happiness was short lived. A burst of dark blue hide to her left had her shying away violently. The snap of jaws just behind her tail had her whipping it back and to the right out of instinct. The four winged green was startled by Inocenth’s sudden appearance and his strike towards her caused a short terrified keen to emerge from her throat as she whipped right and upwards to avoid the strike. Hearts beating suddenly in a quickness that had little to do with flight lust she spun around to avoid the male.

Yellow worried eyes fixed themselves on Inocenth. The purple had dimmed but was still present. Uncertainly and fear clouded her vision mostly now. I told you to go. The words where forcefully pressed into the blue's mind as she flexed her ebon talons in a false threat display. Feyrianth would no more strike out at him then she would strike out at hers. But Inocenth didn’t know that. Whipping the air with her four wings she suddenly pivoted again to dip beneath the violent blue and back through her other chasers. Cutting through them she whipped around Pettahth, around Trilaranth and suddenly shot upwards completely vertical. Lets see him do this. Pouring on the speed she headed for the clouds shooting a hiss behind her as she caught the barest trace of air brushing along her hide. Talons flexed again but the soft whimper in her throat left the threat hollow. Frightened she was now. Violence was something Feyrianth had not dealt with before.

Erilena hastily stepped backwards as Inocenth shoved one of the browns into her path. Wide eyes turned to the dark blue and she shifted to the right and continued to back up in a mirror of Feyrianth’s own movements. Her heartbeat sped up in response to her green’s fear as she backed away from F’ur and by proxy the door. “I told you to go.” The words where offered softly to the man as the woman curled her hands in a mockery of talons. Eyes examined the room trying to hinge on an exit. Feyrianth was running from Inocenth and in return Erilena felt the need to flee F’ur. But where. Backing up she half circled around K’sel before hiding slightly behind the small brown and backing up step by step towards the opening that led to the dragon ledge. Away. Had to get away.