Into the Night [Minth's Flight]

[Sheari]

Evening. The sunlight was fading over the horizon, and already the canyon that housed the dragon weyrs as well as most of the Weyr itself, had been cast into shadow while the rest of the world rested in the golden hour of the brilliant disc. It could almost be morning, if the sky was turned around. The crest of the waterfall that was fed the Weyr’s namesake (or was it the other way around?) caught the twilight sun and turned it to liquid crystal. By now, the evening meal would have been cleaned up and any late night merriment would be well progressed. Those with things to do in the morning or who were simply just tired would be headed to bed or already asleep. However, resting on her ledge in a relaxed position lay a green dragon. Her normally bright hide was now glowing. Small, yellow green dots on her flesh stood out more than usual.

Shifting herself into a sitting position, Minth spread her wings and leaned back on her haunches, one forepaw still resting on the ‘ledge. My turn, Anu.[/I] Anu. Minth hadn’t called Her’s that since she’d hatched, and right now she felt new and alive, just like she had when she’d broken shell, only minus the clumsy tangle that she’d been over a Turn ago. Opening her jaws she loosed a roar to rival the brassy call of the mightiest bronze. It echoed off the cliff walls and was sure to wake anyone sleeping, and equally irritate them. The royal purple whirling eyes were a testament to the fact that she didn’t care.

Anusha had been reading a book before going to bed herself. The events of the day had been the usual but she had felt quite drowsy shortly before Minth had awoken from her afternoon nap. It had been oddly longer than usual and her vibrant colour was not be denied. With a yawn that mimicked her dragon’s roar in timing (with an amusing effect), the drowsiness left the young woman and she closed the book. She hadn’t changed into her sleeping clothes, or rather the over sized shirt she wore, and so all she had to do was put the book back on her sparse shelf and leave.

Almost as if it were a reflex, Minth launched off of her weyrledge and into the air, any hint of her usual lack of coordination gone. No longer a victim of herself, Minth dipped low to the bottom of the canyon and allowed her forepaw to trail in the water before swooping up along the waterfall, mist spraying her body. Upon reaching the top, she brushed the minds of any awake males known or stranger. Let’s play a game.[/I]

She calmly walked out of her weyr and headed for the flight rooms. No point in running, though she hadn’t yet felt the full effects of the flight yet. In her steps she had the sensation that she was soaring, or possibly walking on air. Anusha’s arms were carried away from her body, as if she were a child skipping along. It felt good to be free and among the winds, or was that Minth’s mind taking over. The rider practically twirled into the flight rooms, she was now walking on her toes.

The rising green, a violet-eyed jewel, would wait only briefly for any players in her game.

[Rei]

The roar woke him up before her words did. The large bronze uncurling to rise even before the echoes of the noise faded. Rumbling in thought he watched as Minth launched herself to dip to the bottom of the canyon the fading light highlighting her for a moment as she played amongst the mist of the waterfall. Lovely she was. Lovely enough to grace with his presence. The lust that rolled suddenly through his veins would not be denied and without even a word of warning to his Mavenath launched himself off his ledge with a brassy bugle of answering challenge. Yes she was green and much quicker than he himself but in the end perhaps he could outsmart her. Or maybe she would choose him. One never knew. In the end he would be a fool to turn down the opportunity.

Cr’oph was half asleep when the lust hit him like a wall. Jiggles hissing at the emotion even as he leapt off his bonded’s chest to scamper under the bed. Fatty fat bronze ugly chase. No waaaaaaant. “You don’t want? You think I do?” The bronze rider grumbled even as he sent Mavenath disproving thoughts. Of all times to chase now? Would serve the bronze right if he crashed into a tree for his trouble. Dragons did not fly at night. Throwing off the furs the red head struggled into a pair of shorts and made his way through the hallways to the flight rooms all the while fighting back the encroaching wall of lust.

Mavenath dipped under the green who was hovering in wait his mind brushing hers briefly in both appreciation and slight challenge. I am more than willing to play any game you desire. I dare say the prize is well worth the effort. Indeed. The bronze loosely circled the female as he awaited her to begin.

Cr’oph entered the flight rooms mid yawn and stopped dead in his tracks. Female. Well hello there. This was better. Finally Mave decided on a green who’s rider didn’t have a penis. Figured he had to be half asleep when the bronze chose to do such. Without his trademark liner or his dark clothing choice it was quite easy to mistake the tall red head for his brother currently. If one ignored the large scar that was present on his abdomen. Thank you F’lix for ruining that perfection.

[rii]

"Ekarth."

The blue in question, currently sprawled over his ledge, lifted his head to look half heartedly in his rider's direction. One claw stretched lazily out over the stone as if waking from a pleasant nap. You look like a overbearing gold when you do that. "Yeah, well," Ba'sun lifted one of the hands positioned pointedly on his hips and gestured to the young weyrbrat peeking out from around his legs. Ekarth's tail rose, playfully ticking the forked end side to side before snaking forward to try and poke at the youngster. I did not know you gave birth to a hatchling. I musst ssay.. he'ss the ugliesst one yet.

Ba'sun snatched one of forked ends, earning a exaggerated flail of wings from his dragon. "Ekaaarth."

The blue would have continued on with the game (it was ever so dull being grounded) if not for the green's cry. Ekarth raised to his feet, bending his head low to the stone before opening his mouth – from which dropped a very unhappy, wet feline. What? It had been licking him so he had kindly returned the favor; then one thing led to another. The chorus of small claws scraping against stone sounded the feline's panicked escape. On it's tail went the kid, and shortly after that went Ba'sun. The latter paused at the door, leaning around the frame to shout down the hall. "Sorry!"

No longer interest in his previous antic, Ekarth coiled on the very edge of his ledge and looked out at the beckoning green and lumbering bronze. Ever so sweetly he openly broadcasted a single question. What kind of game?

[Requiem]

This was a bigger project than he'd expected. Terror trilled his agreement, perched atop a mound of 'doodads'. Doodads were roughly the size of one's fist, with few moving parts and generally practical uses. (Not that F'ur ever explained why his piles were arranged as they were or what made a doodad different from a whatsit.) His quest was a simple one. Or, rather, it had seemed that way at first. Eliminate duplicates, and organize his system into bins he'd made earlier - from woven reed grasses, no less - that could easily be stacked one atop the other so he could push them all against a wall and free up the walking space in the weyr. No more random spillages of items or curses in the dark when tripping over something. F'ur had no problem with things as they were, and F'lix was indulgent even if he did make a silent battle of it, but the older bluerider had finally decided that it was perhaps unfair to expect F'lix to live in what amounted to a disaster area.

Of course, at present it should probably be considered condemned. A pile of discards was taking over the dragon couches in a sea of disorganized mess, and the neatly arranged maze - neat considering F'ur never had trouble finding just what he was looking for and you could walk through it - now covered the floor in about an inch of items from one wall to the other, only furniture breaking it up. He'd cleared a small circle around him, four bins arranged in front, and was currently going through everything that had gotten mixed together. Bins meant he'd have to break things down even further, and his doodads were being categorized more specifically. F'lix liked to claim that he wouldn't notice if something was missing. Theoretically he wouldn't notice for awhile, but he probably would notice. At this moment he was missing something - a stone. It was curiously shaped, perfectly fit his hand and excellent for grinding things. And he couldn't find it. Thus everything strewn everywhere. Now where had that gone?

Terror wound in and out of the items at high speed, looking for this...stone...before finally brushing at F'ur's mind over near the corner. Under the bed by the wall. Blinking, the man rose to step gingerly toward the bed, bending to pick up the stone the salamandyr painstakingly rolled out from under the bed. "Thanks, little guy. Guess it got kicked under there." Terror chirred and darted up his pant leg to his shoulder. F'ur made a face at the mess. "This'll give him something to really glare about if he sees it. Probably should hurry it up a bit," he murmured, laughing then as Terror made a low moaning sound and burrowed down under his collar. "Oh, come on, now. You're not really afraid of the kitten are you? Hopeless." His eyes flicked toward Inocenth. "And stop that already."

The blue glanced at him from one eye, even as he rebelliously flicked another of the discards out over the edge, his tail wrapped around a pile of them. Five points for an apprentice. That made...72 points so far. You gave them to me, did you not? Now I'm using them as I please. Oh yes, he was just a trifle bored, was Ino. And irritated. How did you sleep on a couch that was usurped by various trinkets and gadgets? A rising green with a rather commanding attitude for one so insignificant, an awkward-looking baby bronze and a question that met his approval drew Inocenth's attention. Hm. He added his cold question to Ekarth's, a sibilant hiss that was half-playfulness, half-disdain behind the tone of the words. More to the point, what's the prize?

[Sheari]

Three; three had decided she was worth their attentions and it pleased Minth that they had decided. However, the last had yet to show himself to the air (never mind that Ekarth hadn't exactly flown out either), she would be content with two if he never left his 'ledge. The first was a bronze, Mavenath, a handsome creature who now circled her in anticipation. The compliments he imparted were responded to with a light brush to his mind of gratitude and affection. The next was a blue poised in his weyrledge. A game of tag.[/i] Tag indeed. Ekarth received the same touch to the mind that Mavenath had been afforded. To the last, to the hissing words to her, Play the game, and you just may find out.[/i] What was left to her mind, given to her males, was something akin to playful laughter before she began.

The green's first race was south to the beach from where she was, cresting the waterfall. She sped off without ceremony or forewarning, allowing any thermals or air currents to lift her. Her path was a beeline almost, rising in altitude as she went, twisting in the air. Oh, it felt so good not to be clumsy! The blues would be able to match her in speed, she knew, but the bronze did not, and would outmatch her in stamina. Thus, the straight path to allow them time to take positions. Upon reaching the shore, Minth double-backed; heading over the jungle and gemstone deposits. Yes, she was very familiar with the beach, going there often when she was a weyrling, but the air was too clear, it wouldn't put to test her males.

The jungle is where she would play her game, with the holes in its canopy and the berth the trees would give. Tall trees they were, and there would be no low branches as they were all in the top, seeking the fading sun. And the jungle was dark, the perfect obstacle course for any daring soul to follow her into it when she did. Minth checked to see where her males were. Were any of them missing?

Anusha stopped twirling to look at who had arrived. She didn't recognize Cr'oph, at least not right off the bat. She'd seen his face before around the weyr but had never actually talked to him. So far he was the only one there, the only one to arrive. With no one else to distract her, the man received her full attention. With light steps she approached him , and circled around him on dancing feet. Where were the others? Shouldn't they be here too? If they didn't get here soon they would be labeled cowards in her mind. She felt Minth more than she was really ready to, but she couldn't fight the tide ready to take her and her defenses were very, very weak. Perhaps that was why her steps so light.

[rii]

Foreclaws drummed thoughtfully against the stone ledge. Being grounded did not mean Ekarth was restricted entirely from the skies. The blue had, amusingly, just taken the word to the most literal meaning for his own entertainment. Walking and climbing to get where he wanted. Getting to his ledge consisted of dropping from the top of the cliff and ledge hopping down level by level with controlled falls. Still, chasing after this youngling would upset the nonsensical game. Although, getting an excuse to stretch his wings after being a prisoner for so long was tempting..

A half-hearted glance went toward the drum heights before drifted to a ledge below and diagonal from his. His appointed watcher lived there, though he noted Saboth had vacated the growing clutter to sit on Onyth's ledge instead. That left the dark blue, Inocenth, prize-inquirer and object flicker. Hm. Minth was racing off, but one glance spoke of her direction. Ekarth didn't pursue her.. yet.

Coiling back on haunches, Ekarth waited until the darker blue moved to swipe another object off the ledge before slipping over the edge of his own. Limbs and wings were tightly tucked as he dived after the item. His tail flicked out in passing, the forked end whipping just short of Inocenth's head. Missssed, Ekarth mused aloud about his attempt to 'tag' the other blue. His claws circled around the small item, wings flaring to sharply advert his downward momentum to horizontal and send him buzzing past the heads of a group of laundry toting drudges.

He streaked out over the river, performing a quick corkscrewing twist to flash his pale underside. A single glance was spared behind him before he sped forward, cutting through the air with ease to catch up with the bronze. Ekarth veered back and forth over the river before shooting nearly straight up – aiming to skim just by Maveneth's vulnerable wing sail before looping around over head. The item was then released to fall toward the bronze. Watch out belooow~

Now where had that green gone..

Ba'sun was more than use to his blue's peculiar nature. He ambled back into his weyr, picking up his evening tea before wandering to the hall to start a very round-about way to the flight room. It didn't feel like Ekarth was chasing, but it never hurt to be in the right vicinity in case the blue decided he wanted to catch the green. In the meantime, though, a stroll to pass the time.

[Rei]

Mavenath rumbled at the brush to his mind. Angling his wings the bronze continued to drift below the green as she answered the questions of the two blues. The large male was not swayed by the presence of the two other males. Blues where smaller and more agile then he himself true. However, in the end it came down to the female’s choice most of the time anyway and Mavenath had no doubt he could impress if he put his mind to it. Even if the blues tried to show him up. Which they undoubtedly would. The laughter from Minth only served to spur the bronze forward and he beat his wings in a steady rhythm to gain altitude even as the green spun to head for the beach.

With strong steady beats the bronze set himself to following his neck stretched out and violet eyes focused on the object of his desires. A brief glance was given to the speedy blue as he shot up past his wing sails. Mavenath made no move to avoid Ekarth trusting that the blue would not want to entangle himself and would correct on his own. Indeed he did and the large male spared a rumble of amusement to his competitor as he dropped something.

Oh really? Was this some sort of game? The bronze made a slow loop and glided upside down for a moment to catch the item before flipping himself upright again. The object led tightly in his fore talons the bronze brushed Ekarth’s mind with amusement. Thanks for the gift. Was his calm reply before powering his wings forward he sped up a bit to drop the item towards the river. Whoops. Seems I am to clumsy to keep hold. Shards and all that.

Violet eyes traveled back towards Minth although Mavenath also spared enough foresight to keep Ekarth’s location in mind. As the green backtracked away from the coast the bronze turned widely to pursue, gaining altitude so he was positioned above the behind the green. She was too speedy for him to catch up with and so the male settled for keeping the female in view and preventing the distance between them from increasing anymore. In a show off good mood he spiraled in a few barrel rolls before evening out and swaying over the trees.

Hmm what was it with greens and their love of foliage? To big to possibly pursue her into the trees Mavenath again pointed himself upwards, resolved that eventually she would have to climb to end the flight. To brave the trees after her would be foolhardy and dangerous for one of his size. Pity she couldn’t play in the sky with him instead.

Cr’oph watched Anusha pivot and circle around him with an appreciative gaze, allowing Mavenath a bit more control. Yes she was attractive and worth his admiration surely. With a charming smile he offered his hand to the female in a silent bid for a dance. It was her right to decline or accept as she wished but the bronzer was very hopeful that she would accept.

[Requiem]

Inocenth's tail flicked idly. Boring. The response was ever so boring, to him, and the blue was surprisingly picky about what greens he 'gifted' with his presence. A little spitfire, some challenge, now that might have kept his interest, but as it stood...then and again it would be quite inconvenient for His to choose this time to play, now wouldn't it? His gaze shifted stealthily toward the man who had returned to his organizing after taking note of Inocenth's disinterest. What to do... He flicked another trinket over the ledge, ignoring the green's inexperienced straight run toward the tower, confident he'd have no trouble catching her if he so chose. None whatsoever.

Inocenth recoiled with a viper's swiftness at the sudden displacement of air just above him, lashing out at the snapping tail and missing just as narrowly. Purposely, perhaps. Hard to say, with Inocenth. Indeed, he commented, with definite amusement. Hind claws curled around a heap of objects, the blue undulating forward and over the ledge on his belly to maintain his hold on them. His leg tucked protectively inward, he sped at a speed that only a small-to-average size green could achieve, keeping high and swift in a fashion better suited to greens than their larger brothers. Undulating upwards expertly, he used small dives to increase his speed, then suddenly spilled all the air from his wings in a steep dive just past Mavenath's nose, tail lashing threateningly - and harmlessly - within bare milimeters of the bronze's snout. He caught the gadget Mavenath had dropped in his mouth. And now it's mine, he commented to both males.

Was it bad that he was more interested in this game than the green? Although...the bronze seemed intent on her. Perhaps it would serve to amuse him to steal that from the baby lumberer.

Coiling upwards - and consequently skipping left and twisting so as not to run into an Amith who had suddenly doubled back, he released the gadget and dove just fast enough to bounce it on his snout off toward Ekarth's left wingtip. A tight barrel roll marked his bank back into Amith's path so the bronze could chase Inocenth's tail and know his futility, before the blue suddenly shifted course and shot straight upward into the lowest cloud cover. His wings barely stirred the bottom of the clouds enough to see, but see he did. Oh, how cute. Was that supposed to be a roll? So awkward, these huge bronzes. He looped up, backwards, arching his back and plunging downwards in a steep dive, his tail lashing and wings quartering and banking with professional ease into a tight pinwheel just in the other male's blind spot to direct his speed horizontal, wings tucked tight as he banked over the downsweep of the other dragon, flinging his ammunition back in Mavenath’s face as he blasted past.

F’ur wrinkled his nose, not terribly pleased by the whole thing. Are you chasing, or aren’t you? he questioned, with an irritated edge. Maybe. How…helpful. He reluctantly left the items to Terror to guard (ha!), ambling down the hall toward the Flightroom. Perfect. Absolutely perfect timing.

[Sheari]

It seemed the bronze had decided to follow, thought the stranger blue was no where to be seen, she had been sure he'd have followed. Oh well, if the only one to chase her was Mavenath, that didn't mean she'd be easy on him. Into the jungle she dove, well aware he wouldn't be able to follow. Minth weaved between trees, keeping her wings close, but not too close. She twisted and grabbed a vine, breaking it with deft force and velocity. Her toy trailed behind her as she broke up through the canopy again, twirling around the bronze before continuously shooting upward. She dropped the vine.

As sheer momentum wore away and could no longer carry her upward, Minth slid into a free fall, holding her wings close, only to catch herself just before the treetops. She shot off again, over the general weyr, looking over her shoulder once more to see that the darker, more dusty shaded blue had given chase. Eh? He'd answered to her but wasn't exactly following. Irritated that he was here just to toy with her bronze (because after all, he was hers right at the moment) Minth swooped back to twist around Innocenth. She gave him a berth to be just out of his reach, snapping near his face with an audible click.

Her wings were beginning to burn, and she dropped over the waterfall, holding the appendages so that the chaotic air currents above the water wouldn't disturb her glide. She'd have to rise soon and finish this, before she overtaxed herself and fell for anyone to catch. She wasn't ready! Furiously, Minth worked her wings to fly upward again, almost vertically, gaining speed and momentum to help carry her up. Thermals didn't go up like this.

The hand that was offered was taken but only lightly. She hadn't chosen yet and dancing with him didn't mean he would be the victor, however, he was still the only one there. The corners of her mouth were tugged down at the thought but was quickly dashed as she pulled Cr'oph into a circle. She wasn't sure if this was just Minth wanting to fly in circles or her own decision to attempt to get dizzy, either way it was fun and she didn't want to stop.

[rii]

Ekarth flipped onto his back, letting his forward momentum carry him as he looked back at the bronze – who had managed to catch the item only to then dropped it toward the river. The small blue was tempted to somersault into a steep dive to catch it and out pace the bronze – again. The green was not forgotten, far from in fact. Ekarth just did not fit into the realm of typical chasers; certainly didn't feel the need to hound after her tail and do tricks to earn her fancy.

Righting himself, Ekarth lazily fell down as Inocenth rose up, twirling slowly to let the light dance off his dark back and pale underbelly in imitation a falling leaf. If leaves were blue. He leveled out, just in time to stretch his wings and catch the bounced object against his left wing. He twirled with it, rolling the gadget across his back and opposite wing tip before knocking it up and corkscrew tightly to snatch it out of the air.

The falling vine was watched with a touch of amusement. Did the green want in on their game? It did look like more fun than her offer of tag, didn't it. Albeit they already had a ball – and a sudden addition of a dozen more. Ekarth was still lingering under Mavenath, contenting himself with coiling, serpentine loops. The sight of various items being dropped at the bronze prompted Ekarth to skim closer, timing it just right to twist around in a quick barrel roll to knock a couple of the objects back at Mavenath's tender underside.

Ekarth quickly doubled back, reversing his direction on the spot without a pause in speed. He darted away from the bronze like that of a weyrbrat caught double-teaming with another to throw rocks at a window. His new course went after Minth a short distance, leap frogging over Inocenth in flight when the female chose to snap at the darker blue. Sshe likess you, he mused in clear humor, zipping off to crest the water fall – not following Minth directly. Instead Ekarth flew away from the falls. Stalled in the air just long enough to let go of the gadget and smack it hard with his tail. In Minth's direction, or just making it more of a challenge of who sought to catch it?

He flew further out, knowing Minth would have to eventually straighten out with the river, or rise again. Stretching pale wings in a glide, Ekarth circled above her all to much like a bird of prey. Closer, closer darling. Right into his claws – snapping his wings close Ekarth pitched into a dive right at Minth's rising flight.

Ba'sun stood just outside the flight room, one foot finding the wall behind him as he leaned back. The tea was sipped quietly. One glance into the room had shown the very.. young.. woman bound to the green. Personally he found it a touch disquieting to be danced and played with by a person he viewed as a little more than a child while he wasn't under the influence of his dragon..

[Rei]

Mavenath swayed over the trees unruffled by the antics of the smaller and more agile blues playing their games around him. Seemed as if he was the target of their game. How quaint. He wasn’t much of a hard target. It was like trying to hit the broad side of a barn. Unless you where blind you had a good shot at making a connection. Being bronze the young male was less than agile by physical status. Wasn’t as if he could perform the spins and loops they could. If he tried them he would look like a failure in comparison, as his earlier barrel roll so clearly showed. Not his fault and any intelligent green could see this. This is why more than eighty percent of the time green’s where won by blues with the next fifteen percent of catches going to the browns and the final five percent going to the bronzes.

Did Mavenath expect to win Minth? Not really, but he couldn’t win if he didn’t try. Thus he continued in his pursuit, brushing Minth’s mind with praise and appreciation as she played in the trees. Lovely she was and most of his attention was still solely for her. If nothing else he could enjoy watching her fly. The attention he spared the blues continually hassling him was minimal at best. Just enough attention to make sure they didn’t hurt him. That was it. Unruffled Mavenath was. Not an easy dragon to upset at all. He was the anchor to his bonded’s recklessness and temper. He was the ice, the calm, the careful thought that his lovely human so lacked.

Inocenth’s attempts to do whatever it was he was aiming for where viewed with cold and calm amusement. Neither the tail lash towards his snout nor the object tossed at his head where noted with anything but calm whirling violet eyes. Wings still beating in a steady unfaltering beat the bronze hummed low in his throat carefully watching the dark blue for indication of any actual threat. There was appreciation for how easily the other male moved through the air. However that was it. After all Mavenath could do things that Inocenth was incapable of as well. The objects that bounced off his muzzle were briefly examined before one was snapped out of the air with an almost idle movement. Rolling it around in his mouth briefly the bronze then dropped it towards the trees below. Not worth his ire. Ignoring creatures such as this pair always worked better. They eventually got bored and left to amuse themselves elsewhere.

His eyes fixing themselves back on Minth as she exploded from the canopy, with a flurry of leaves and a trialing vine Mavenath crooned affectionately to her. Totally ignoring the objects Ekarth sent to bounce on his underside. He merely tucked his legs against his belly to protect it. As she whirled around him his maw snapped playfully at the falling vine, severing it and then leaving it to it’s fate in favor of powering upwards after her. His large wings making short work of the distance.

Ending up shooting past her Mavenath snapped his wings open in a glide instead of following her downwards. She would have to ascend again after all. This put him in a position to see her every move. Ascending again the large male caught a wind to help along his glide and, noting the green’s change of direction, caught an updraft to power him further upwards.

Only now did he give any attention to the other chasers noting Ekarth’s position. Oh really? Quite purposely the bronze injected his bulk directly in the path of the smaller blue who was falling from above. He brushed Minth’s mind with explanation and warning so that she could avoid him if she so chose. At the same time he flared his wings as wide as they could go as both an invitation to Minth and further obstacle for Ekarth to avoid. His objective was simple. Make Ekarth have to avoid him so the blue could not force a catch on Minth.

Cr’oph gave a warm smile as Anusha took his hand. Giving a short bow he allowed her to lead him in the circle, his feet automatically moving in a rhythm to hers. The bronzer’s movements had always been graceful, more the movements of a dancer than anything else, and it showed as he danced with the greenrider. With a smile he spun her in a slow circle and automatically adjusted to her subtle tugs to move in the direction she wanted. Quite happily he allowed Mavenath to flood more into his mind. This time it was safe to do so.

[Requiem]

Boring baby bronzie. Really, he didn't even have the temper of normal metallics to make him slightly less dull. Inocenth's attention shifted to the more interesting Ekarth and Minth as a result, catching sight of her clearing the forest with a vine in tow. Oh, how quaint. Did she want to play, too? Finally, something of mild interest to him...even if it was definitely late in coming and probably born of jealousy. Oh yessss, most definitely born of jealousy, the blue hitting a tight barrel roll as she swirled around him, her snap returned with a soft, almost mocking croon. Challenging him, was she? A faint hint of violet deepened his calm blues, and he banked, rolling to his back to brush underbellies with Ekarth, trailing the outward curve of a claw harmlessly along a hind leg as the male passed over him. A taunt, or mere playfulness? Both were similar enough to be hard to distinguish when Inocenth was involved. So it would seem. Of course, a fledgling bronze is no competition. he commented off-handedly, including Mavenath in the words.

Minth was going up, Ekarth was already high and Mavenath was following Minth. Inocenth, however, had a few things to do before he could join the little dance going on upstairs. Banking tightly left, he caught one severed vine, then the other, tossing them up and snapping them into his jaws. Then he rolled swiftly the other direction into an air current, riding it through a couple thermals before making a wild dash upwards on fading energy. Inocenth was as small, if not smaller, than the majority of greens, but still and again he'd rarely had opportunity to expend his energy in such a way as to be feeling the strain before a Flight ended. If you flew smart, you lasted longer, and females rarely flew to conserve during a mating Flight. Today, though, he was enjoying himself so that he didn't mind the ache settling into his muscles. Coiling around the 'ball' to temporarily stall it, he helped it up toward Minth with a second tail fwap. Surely you can outdo us, greenie, he commented to her, half-challenging and half-encouraging. (Was it really so surprising that Inocenth just loved the games, violent or otherwise?)

Of course, his idea of a 'game' wasn't necessarily any more normal than his idea of a 'flight.'

Now both other males were well above Minth, and it looked like baby was finally getting a bit ruffled there. Not keen on letting Ekarth make a dive for Minth, hm? Such an untrusting baby, too, seeing as how a dive was simply a dive. Of course, Mavenath had made a rather glaring mistake, playing dragon roadblock. He'd forgotten about the near-black male currently attempting to get the green to play a bit more. Whether in a play fight of snarls and snaps, or with their 'ball', Inocenth wasn't really picky. Nevertheless, the male had twitched for the first time, had done something stupid - a veteran would never try to block another dragon with their wings - and that was enough to make Inocenth want to see if he could make him twitch even more.

Hellloooo pretty unprotected greenie. He looped outward, putting all his power behind his wings to shoot up to a level even with Minth and slightly above before making a swift pass, buzzing so close that if he hadn't timed his wingstrokes right they would have gotten tangled and sent both dragons spiraling down to earth. His forelimbs raked forward, vines dropped to trail slitheringly down the arched line of her neck, and he made his grab for her, fully intending to twine with the green the bronze was so possessive of the moment he should make contact. Besides, she'd played, and that was more than most did. He might even enjoy her a little bit beyond the chase. Now wouldn't that be something?

So he'd decided, had he? F'ur glanced briefly at the slightly taller bluerider about his own age leaning up against the wall, that glance making it clear to him that Ba'sun was as much himself as the ex-Fortian himself was. He glanced inside the room and internally winced. Great. Female. Inocenth had best not catch. Females made him feel dirty, yuck. They were messier than men, and squishier. He wasn't fond of squishy. Plus then he'd definitely have a hissing kitten about the state of their weyr. Leaning against the door with a smile that was more wry than genuine, he watched the pretty boy bronze twirl with the girlie. Good luck, pretty boy. Neither he nor Ba'sun wanted that one for themselves.

[Sheari]

Her wings were now really beginning to burn. Minth continued her upward flight, keeping an eye on the males around her. She was pleased that Ekarth had flown above her, so far she liked him, but enough to let him catch her? His dive towards her frustrated the green, however; did he fully intend to force a catch on her? Her violet eyes whirled with a hint of red in them, she hoped she'd be able to dodge and snap soon enough to get away. She didn't want to be caught she wanted the choice of who she 'tagged' in her game.

Mavenath moved in between the rising green and falling blue, his wings flared. Minth couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to catch her before Ekarth did or if he was trying to block him. Innocenth loomed to her side and above her, vines, her vines, sliding down her neck and back. No! She didn't want this! She wasn't ready to give in! But...her wings burned and the muscles in her chest and shoulders wouldn't be able to keep up the pace anymore and she knew it.

With a last ditch effort she powered up just enough to out of the level with the dusty blue Innocenth and to latch on to Mavenath's forepaws and try to tug him out of Ekarth's way. She didn't trust the lighter blue to be able to move in time to miss the bronze. True, flaring wings would catch one, but there was still a short drop at the tail end. With her claws grabbing his, Minth instinctively began to twine with the bronze. Ha! She had chosen in the end, those silly blues! Try to force a catch on her! After all, Mavenath had really been the only one to chase her, in her mind, the only one who desired her enough not play with the silly 'ball'.

Tag, you're it...[/i]

In the flight rooms Anusha pulled Cr'oph closer. Had he been so far away this whole time? He danced well and she liked his smile. The other two had never come forward away from the wall (one hadn't even entered the room! where was he?) and she dismissed them by ignoring them. No need to waste breath telling them to go. She figured, they would soon enough be on their way this evening, as the fading sun took its light to another place. Her and Cr'oph's dance would continue without spectators now.

[Rei]

Mavenath’s move had been carefully thought out before he did it. This only real option to prevent Ekarth from having an easy time of forcing a catch. He had left mental room for Inocenth and had figured the other blue would try something. Annoying slightly but the bronze was sure the agile Minth could outmaneuver at least one of the blue pair. Both no. But one yes. It was with a surprised rumble that his claws where taken, his large wings beating and propelling him forward even as she felt her light tug. The male powered his wings hard having more than enough stamina and strength left to take the green along for the ride as well. It amused and slightly surprised him that she had tried to move him out of the way. Silly green he had pulled the maneuver for her.

Thoughts of the blues where immediately dropped however as Minth suddenly locked talons with him and pulled herself close, starting a twine. With a clearly affectionate croon the bronze responded in kind, neck and tail twining with the smaller green’s even as his wings flared to their fullest. Large the bronze was. By far large enough to slow their decent from a free fall to a more slow and gentle descent. The first time it was. For both of them and Mavenath wanted it to be memorable. Not only for himself but for his leading lady. Tag indeed lovely Minth. Let us enjoy the prize…

Cr’oph smiled wider as Anusha pulled him forward, resisting the urge to kiss her just yet. Not until it was certain. Certain that his bronze was the victor. The amusement rolling over his mind changed as he felt the woman’s body press to his. In it’s place was affection, and a near overwhelming lust. His arms went around the greenrider as he lost himself completely to his dragon, pulling her roughly against him as his head dipped so he could claim her lips. She had lead their last dance. This time he would be the leader.