... it's a dangerous game. [Ellie's Maiden Flight]

[glamourie]

It was nice just to lounge. He was off early from his shift in the infirmary, primarily due to injuries, and R’wign was taking advantage of the pleasant fall weather by laying out on his back on the grass. His arms were folded behind his head and he looked, for all the world, to be perfectly relaxed. R’wign’s gaze was on the sky above. It was a cool afternoon, for once, and the sky was clear - perhaps a rainless day, for once. It was certainly something to look forward to. Rain seemed so… depressing. And of late, everything around Selenitas was depressing. Destruction, broken objects, burnt buildings, ashes everywhere - it was a true testament to how much everyone had suffered of late. A bright, sunny day would liven things up more than dreary rain and thunder. It was only early afternoon, though. There was a strong chance of storms later in the evening. Still… it was nice. Relaxing. And the smell of autumn in the air was invigorating, particularly coupled with the sound of the falls nearby.

He wasn’t alone in being sprawled out, though his amount of companions was drastically reduced. Neither of his blues nor his green could be found near him. Hazard was perched on Checkoth’s back, and the brown dragon was sprawled possessively next to R’wign, his two tails flicking of their own accord. The dragon rarely let R’wign out of his sight. Ever since he got hurt, the amount of protectiveness he displayed had tripled, and nothing short of begging made Check relax. But there was no reason to send the brown away, not that afternoon. It was nice outside, and the perfect time for bonding between the two of them… and Check had fallen asleep, anyway. His tails simply flicked while he was sleeping. The two browns looked downright comical, sprawled as they were. One dark, one light, both plowed out asleep.

The reason for Roxie and her blues’ absence was apparent on R’wign’s chest, too. Curled up into a ball though she was, it was impossible to miss Ellie. Her hide was glowing bright enough to be like a miniature sun. When she woke, she would doubtlessly Rise, and it was likely that the green had fled to avoid the little gold’s temper. Usually, Ellie was a very sweet fire lizard, but one never knew how she’d behave when she woke. She was the secondary reason for R’wign being outside. Ellie rarely wanted to venture far from him, but he didn’t want her to Rise inside the weyr and cause chaos. There was enough drama without her adding to it -- so he’d decided to find shapes in the clouds, while she slept. It made more sense that way, at least to him.

What, exactly, did one do for a gold flitter flight, anyway? Was it like with greens? He was told gold dragons were different. The thought bothered him; he’d never actually asked anyone what he was supposed to do. Meira would know, but asking her seemed silly. “Hi, what do I do, I don’t know despite having five fire lizards look to me.” Yeah. Embarrassing. He swallowed thickly and sighed. R’wign jutted his chin up to look with his good eye at the sleeping queen and crinkled his nose. He loved her, he did… but in some ways, she’d complicated his life. One of the most obvious reasons was the idea of clutches. He hated being around hatching fire lizards. He never walked away without a new one.

Ellie’s tail twitched. R’wign glanced down at her. Her tail gave another defiant twitch and then she stretched out languidly, her little claws digging into R’wign’s shirt. Her eyes never opened but she arched her back and flared her wings to their fullest extent. Not muscular, no - but what Ellie was, was on the large side, and it was impossible to miss the brilliant glowing form, especially in the middle of the day, sprawled out on the cliffs overlooking the waterfall. Her wings flapped twice before folding back against her body and she pulled herself into a proper sitting position before her eyes finally slipped open. Brilliant purples whirled all throughout, varying in hue but nonetheless remarkable. Her tail swiveled around and she stretched further, obviously going through the usual wake up routine that was typical of her. Only once she was through did she release her claws from her bonded’s shirt and turn her eyes to the skies. The colors in her gaze swirled more vividly.

She was oblivious to Hers in that moment, as a hunger she couldn’t quite describe washed over her, filling her to her fullest. She wanted to be higher, brighter than that vivid orb in the sky so high above; she wanted to be the brightest source of light, and she would, soon -- soon.

But where were her admirers…?

[Rei]

Hero sat half concealed in the leafy canopy of the nearest tree, eyes whirling in intense purple hues. He had been shadowing the gold ever since he caught sight of slight glow of her hide in the infirmary. So bright she was! She glowed like she was his own golden sun. It was she that had kindled the fire laying dormant within him. He intended to prove his worth to her. As the little gold stirred the bronze watched her movements with whirling violet eyes. Did she just twitch? Hero leaned forward, keeping a good grip on his branch lest he fall. Yes! The sun did move! She was waking!

As Ellie opened her eyes and looked to the sky, Hero gave a brassy bugle and launched from the tree. Opening his wide wings he did a barrel roll before steadying to hover a few respectable feet from her. The bronze gave an adoring croon. Oh little bright sun, wouldn’t she take to the skies where she belonged? He wanted to admire her. Every muscle was tensed for instant reaction and Hero practically quivered in anticipation.

A small rustle in the grass was ignored by the bronze. A dark nearly black head popped up and tasted the air before scrambling closer to the glowing queen. Onyx scrambled up onto a rock and spread his frill to it’s fullest. Shiny gold fly? Onyx love, love like red leak yum. He hissed as he caught sight of the bronze hovering nearby. Bad. Ugly. Shinywing. NO HAVE! ONYX HAVE! ONYX LOVE!Gold Wing Mine!

Hero snorted at the mandyr’s words but kept his gaze on Ellie not daring to look away lest she disappear. As if the sun would let such a dark wingless one stand beside her. The bronze circled once more as he awaited the gold to rise. May the best male win.

[Kisha-Ra]

Darya scrubbed away at Azrath’s hide, marvelling at how the dark blue hide had healed up so quickly, albeit into lighter coloured scars. Only the worst of the cuts he’d gotten from the exploding infirmary building, as well as a burn on his left shoulder he’d gotten then, and the last fourteen inches of his tail where a benden green had flamed him, were still really open wounds. As far as she could tell Azrath had suffered no actual damage from being whacked over the head with something from the exploding infirmary, dragon must just have a very thick skull.

Azrath dropped to his belly, trying to make things easier for Darya, who insisted on bathing him herself despite her injured hand, which was prone to reopening when she pushed things too far. However every time Azrath tried to warn her she told him to shut up, and that there were plenty who’d gotten much worse. Out of the corner of his eye Azrath caught sight of a bronze glimmer. Imp. Sneaking away no less. That was odd, Imp no longer liked to let Darya and Azrath out of his sight, thinking that he should always watch at least one of them (or at least that’s what Azrath thought the salamandyr meant). Where are you going Imp?[/color] The dragon asked, keeping his thoughts carefully away from Darya.

Imp started guiltily, he was caught, but only by Azrath. Go catch prettylove. Not tell A’ath. Good A’ath[/color] The bronze explained carefully and only to Azrath. Azrath wouldn’t tell, right?

I will not tell her but she will know.[/color]

Later. Away to prettylove.[/color] Imp replied, dashing off as soon as the blue agreed. He couldn’t risk missing his prettylove’s Flight so he ran more than he sneaked. A good thing he did too, by the time Imp had escaped and travelled along the river a ways his golden love was already waking. Fly prettylove. he urged her.

[dragon]

Not terribly far away, perched in a frilly fern, Storm was sitting, waiting, trying to be patient. He was twitchy, though, little eyes whirling quickly. It was hard to be patient ... he just wanted to go pounce on her! But but but ... he wasn't oblivious to all those other males turning up, too. No! They couldn't have her. She was his, yes, his... he could do it. He'd done it before. Out do everyone else. Yes! He could. Oh yes.

His little gold! Well ... big gold. Young gold. Yes.

But even with all the other males around, there were still more. Young, and hiding, and watching, Voyager was also on hand. Watching, fascinated. And hiding from the other males. Somehow, he thought that if the other, older, sometimes bigger males spotted his young bronze hide, they'd bite him. And he didn't want to get bit. But, oh, he wanted to go pounce on that gold tail! Oh, he did! His rump wiggled a little bit, wings twitching. And then he stilled again. No, must not get seen...

A little farther off, creeping slowly through the grass, was a little brown 'mandyr with a golden crown. A little brown 'mandyr who thought he was a bronze. Who thought he could catch and win a gold anything. Having snuck away from his and that horrible green thing that his was so obsessed over lately, Aslan had made his way quickly toward what he could feel. There she was! Stretching and posing so deliciously. So big, so ... Ellegant...

Bounding forward suddenly, trying to hop high enough to crest the grass he'd been creeping through, Aslan chirped. Run, scamper, fly run! Catch, happy day! Happy day. Yes yes. No waste ... Aslan Chase! He assured her.

[Tashe]

He had left his Humanlove in the careful watch of the Big Gold and the less than careful watch of the Brown annoyance. He trusted Millieth far more than he trusted Dash, but he resigned himself to the fact that at least both of them could speak out loud like Hislove. His wings angled to catch an updraft, Azaran was on his way to feed. He had scouted out a particularly tasty looking Tunnelsnake earlier on that morning, the little animal's home was in the prime position for an aerial ambush too. He didn't really need the food, but he had learned having extras for later on never hurt anyone. Another change in course as the winds shifted, he felt like acting rather lazy, putting as little energy into flying as possible and using his sails to glide rather than flap.

But that all changed when he saw the all too familiar glint of golden shimmer in his peripherals. Wheeling around to get a better glance, Azaran chattered quietly to himself as he felt the lust began to seep through his veins. So the young Ellie was rising finally! Flapping, the Bronze propelled himself forward, toward the glowing form of the Female. She was rising, and he would chase, like he had done with all of her predecessors. But as of the moment, she was the only one he had eyes for. Swooping down, Azzie alighted on a near by rock, chirping a praise or two for her to hear. Oh, she was beautiful indeed! All shiny like the daystar, and young and youthful! He would chase, and prove that he was the best! Better than these little annoyances. R'wign went practically unnoticed, the human only registering in a small portion of the Flitter's mind.

[hseru]

It was the first time he'd ever felt this need, this urge to follow a female around. Of course, she wasn't a green.. a lovely, lovely wonderful green, but she was oh so pretty in her own right, and he would be just as glad to curl up with her. Zeek did have two females of his own, one who was even as shiny a gold as any he'd ever seen! But this much smaller glowing gold form had caught his gaze, and instinct told him that he should keep an eye on her, two if he could get away with it.

And get away with it he had. Being awake during the day had taxed him a bit, as he'd long since adjusted to the hours Hispet and Hisgold kept, but after a few days of sneaking peeks, he was awake enough to feel energetic about what was to come. Of course, he wasn't really sure exactly what was going to happen. He was just certain something would... eventually. The brown flitter glided on a slight breeze from branch to branch, using his very agile tail to balance and grip as he skipped forward through the trees. Hispet was asleep, as was usual at this time of day, and he was loath to leave his females, but this was just far too tempting... though he didn't know why.

What Zeek did know is that a golden glint shimmered brilliantly on a human rock, and he perched lightly in the nearest tree, chirruping in a bright, clear tone, wings at half mast in readiness for.... whatever. Oh, what a pretty shiny she was! He had come to watch her again, he had, to -was that a meal? He skipped to the side, eagerly snagging a very small darter from midair. His average brown hide had allowed him the perfect camouflage against the trunk of the tree. Suddenly remembering why he was here, he abjectly carried the darter body with him as he glided closer to the object of his admiration, perching on a nearby rock. He dropped the darter on the rock, and trilled an offering. The golden beauty was very welcome to his treats, he'd be glad to give it to her.

[glamourie]

[ Late comers welcome~ Feel free to play a wildling if you’re wanting to participate but don’t have any males. :3 ]

Oh, oh, they were arriving. Ellie stretched and perched in her spot on R’wign’s stomach, looking around with rapidly whirling eyes. The purple hues intensified as she settled herself into a sitting position, looking for all appearances to be regal; at the very least the glow of her hide could be termed as irritatingly bright. Her wings itched for the air, for the freedom of the sky, but she waited - waited. She wanted it to be right, and this was her moment. She would not be rushed. Time was on her side. She wanted to blot out the brightness in the sky with her own, and as the time passed by, the more of a challenge that would be. She was determined. She alone deserved to be the brightest of them all, and she wanted to be the source of light for all of Pern. She could be, too, she knew - for she was Elegance, Hers had said so. He’d named her fondly, and she would do it justice in the air. They would all find out just how elegant she could be soon enough.

But for the moment they were still showing up. So many, too! Her wings ruffled prettily and she turned her head to look at the first arrival, an adoring glint in her gaze. He was such a lovely bronze, with such a pretty voice. Her tail flicked flirtatiously in his direction and she watched Hero intensely. He landed close - but not too close. Not in her space. Smart he was, and so handsome. She gave another flick of her tail, obviously pleased by the attention, and ignored the embarrassed flop that was her minepet. Beneath her, R’wign hid his face by his hands, trying to deny how ridiculous it was to be used as a fire lizard perch right before a mating flight. Of all the places she could chose to sleep, why did it have to be on top of him? Ellie tuned out everything that her bonded was feeling - or rather, she simply couldn’t acknowledge it on top of the surge of sensations and heightened awareness she was experiencing. Everything seemed so alive. Smells. Scents. Sights. He had such pretty hide.

He wasn’t alone, either. There was one of the talkers with him! Ellie gave a quiet chirp to herself and eyed Onyx as he came closer. Her head cocked to the side and she watched him curiously. Was he insulting her pretty bronze? Oh, silly brown, he had as much chance -- even if he was… one of the strange, non-flyers. He was a brown and a pretty one at that. She chirruped to him encouragingly, and also in hopes of taking his attention off of Hero; no need for her beauties to start fighting. There was no need for them to fight over her. They were both lovely, didn’t they see? Very, very lovely~ She gave another low, encouraging chirp, and bounced in place on Hers’ belly.

“Ellie,” R’wign said, but his words were ignored. R’wign squinted with his good eye. “Get oooon with it. I don’t want you to be using me as a perch for this…”

Tuning out her bonded (he wasn’t saying anything of importance), Ellie actually jumped in surprise as another one of the talking not-flyers arrived. She cocked her head at Imp and then fluted sweetly to him, pleased by his compliments. Her wings ruffled a few times, showing off her glittering gold hide; wasn’t she the most beautiful thing ever? Oh yes she was, she was - she was ‘pretty love’ as he called her, and she was highly flattered by the attention. After ruffling her wings a few times (more to show off and to acknowledge Imp’s presence with flattery of her own), she fluted, high and musical; her ‘voice’ was like a bell, sweet and melodious at all times.

The turn-out was so well. Two of the ones that didn’t fly were there - and one pretty bronze. Oh, but he was soon joined by another! Quickly turning around in her spot, her wings spreading wide, she turned to a particularly fussy fern and gave a low, pleasant chirp that bordered on the fire lizard version of playful laughter. Why was he hiding in the plant? She could barely see him there, silly pretty, silly~ If he stayed there, she wouldn’t be able to admire him as much as he was her. Didn’t he want to be admired…? Didn’t he want to let her see him? Maybe he was playing hide-and-seek with her? She’d played that once upon a time and she liked that game. If he wanted to play, she’d show him how to play the best - because she was the best at playing of all. Ellie chirruped in her throat and flared her wings again. So be it! A game between them.

Speaking again! Actually jumping in surprise, the young gold turned her focus to the new arrival - another of the non-flyers! Why, so many of them had come. Pretty brown too! She twittered happily to Aslan. It was very flattering to have the attention of so many of the ones that didn’t fly. She sweetly added another flute to her chorus, trying to sound encouraging. She wasn’t entirely sure how they intended to chase her with those little wings -- but Ellie was certainly willing to let them try. She didn’t intend to Run though as he’d suggested… no no, she was going to fly, she was going to blot out the sun; did he want to blot out the sun with her…? To shine brighter in the sky than anything else…? Maybe he would; he was very pretty, that brown.

Oh oh, but she recognized Azaran. He looked to that one that Hers liked so much. Chirping (to R’wign, not Azaran), Ellie bounced forward on her bonded’s chest. R’wign gave an exasperated sigh and took to staring at the sky. The gold tuned his irritation out and took to chattering at Azaran in recognition. She remembered him, she did, and that made him special. Hers liked His very much, and he was so lovely~ Why was he late though…? Shouldn’t he have been there first? Inquisitively, she cocked her head to the side and twitched her wings, her need to lift off the ground becoming more pronounced… She fluted encouragingly to Azaran, the same as she had the others, and then glided over to her bonded’s knees, giving herself more altitude over the other males. She wanted to be higher up than them. So that they could admire her, of course… and also because she was aching, aching to get higher up.

Smell. Smell. What was that delicious -- a treat?

He’d brought her a snack. Ellie’s eyes whirled more rapidly and she leapt off of R’wign’s knee, flinging herself next to the darter that the brown had brought. She didn’t know him - but he’d brought her food, and she was so hungry - hungry enough that she couldn’t quite get full. Her wings flared and she gave a low chirrup of gratitude to the strange, handsome brown; he’d instantly won her favor with that offering, and despite herself, she leaned down to nip at the darter. A chunk of flesh was pulled off before she backed away - leaving the majority of the meal for the one that had offered it. To refuse such a gift would be rude, wouldn’t it…? And she was absolutely starved. Despite herself, she gulped down the meat bit, which was enough to temporarily satisfy herself. Then she stretched and swung her tail in Zeek’s general direction, showing off her sleek, glowing hide; he was special, he was, because he brought her a snack and she liked snacks. Her new favorite brown, he was.

So many pretties. Flattered as she was, Ellie was also determined that each of her beauties would prove themselves to her in a dance in the air. She wasn’t entirely clear on how the ones with such little wings would do that but -- they had a chance, nonetheless. Her challenge started low in her throat before she let loose with a loud bugle that was quite possibly the most noise that the little gold had ever made. And then she launched herself into the air. That rival sun was going to be made to pay for trying to blot her out, it would. She was Elegance - and she intended to prove worthy of her name for all to see.

Rather than wait to see if any of her chasers had started after her, Ellie turned and zoomed close to the ground, rapidly leaving her bonded behind. If they wanted to catch her, they’d have to keep up - and she was picking up speed fast for a gold fire lizard.

[Kisha-Ra]

Oh his prettylove had such a beautiful voice. Imp dropped his head to one side apologetically, he hadn’t meant to startle her. He only wanted her to fly for him, show him how wonderful she was in the air. But though she ruffled those golden wings she didn’t take off. Tease.

Pretty song prettylove. Imp commented on her series of fluting chirping sounds with all the eloquence at his command. He was not to be outdone by the firelizard males, they were better at making the singing noises but they didn’t talk for some reason, so Imp would talk while his love was listening.

Another few males arrived. Unworthy they were, Imp would have beat them soundly. Oh but one of those browns was clever, he brought a gift. Imp would have brought a darter if he’d seen one, and been able to catch it. Too late now, remember about the darters later. Prettylove liked nice things to eat. Imp’s tail flicked impatiently, when would she fly, the pretty little tease? Oh now! CHASE prettylove! Imp answered the challenge, bounding along the ground at speed, following the lovely, lovely gold.

CHASE prettylove! Darya’s head snapped around, looking for her pet to grab and stuff somewhere out of the way while whatever green firelizard it was now Rose. But the bronze was nowhere to be seen and it was always so embarrassing to have him chase firelizards. Darya turned back to her dragon resolutely, only to notice the blue was rumbling softly. Did you help him get away? she demanded, fighting Imp’s connection off for the moment to speak to Azrath.

Arath blinked slowly. I?[/color] He asked innocently. He knew his rider would not be fooled for long but she wouldn’t be able to yell at him for long either. Imp’s mating would take precedence. Indeed her mind slipped away, becoming increasingly distant as she accused him of helping Imp. The dragon watched with interest as his rider’s stance changed from angry to intent on something else.

[Rei]

Hero almost wiggled in pleasure at Ellie’s attention. How sweet she was! She was also a tease but he preferred that. Fluting again he snaked his head to watch her every movement. The other chasers where completely ignored. She was the ONLY one worthy of his full and undivided attention. As the gold glided up on R’wign’s knee Hero’s own wings flared to their fullest in anticipation of her flight.

The treat the brown flitter gave her, was noted but merely filed away for further reference. He could do that too, and if she mated to him, he would supply her with anything it was in his power to give. That was not a offer but a silent promise. As she flared her wings in preparation for flight Hero mirrored her movements instinctively.

As she sprang into the sky, he followed, his leg muscles bunching to launch him into the air with an answering bugle. Hero leveled out behind her, working hard to keep up with her fast skimming flight. How fast the sun was! How bright! How wonderful it was to finally be able to bask in her glow. The bronze would follow, content to revel in her glow with the promise of greater things to come.

---

As Ellie chirped Onyx practically writhed in happiness. Oh Pretty Goldy. Onyx love. He assured her in a coy voice. Oh she would be his. He scrambled daringly close but at that very moment she sprang aloft! Clever pretty. The dark brown exclaimed after her before closing his frill tight against his neck.

The frill would slow him down and he very much needed to be the fastest. Keeping low to the ground he sprinted after her, his little legs working overtime. Ahead of him was Imp but the bronze mandyr warranted no more than a nasty hiss. His pretty! The Goldy was his to love his to mate and his to claim!

[hseru]

Zeek fluted brightly, flashing his wings a bit as she leapt upon the human rock’s highest parts. She was so very very shiny and lovely. He could forgive such a beauty of not being a green. Surely she was just as sweet and would cuddle just as well, perhaps even better! She suddenly flung herself in his direction, startling him a bit. Had it started? No, she was enjoying a bite from his treats. He fluted that she was welcome to it! He could catch many, many more if she wished it of him. Her sleek hide was a flash of glittering wonder to him as she turned tail, and he watched in eagerness, the remains of the darter forgotten entirely when she bugled her desire.

Zeek let his light, clarion tones join hers in an upwards crescendo that ended with a instinctual launch after her, his wings pumping hard in the urge to chase chase chase. She darted ahead so quickly that he almost got left behind, but he put on some speed and just barely kept up to the gold figure flowing before him. His young muscles were eager for the exertion, and he pulled ahead to a closer position with a few more beats as they eased into the action.

The presence of the other males wasn’t something he could easily ignore. The shiny ahead of him was very attention keeping, but he flinched to the side when a bronze swept pass, keeping mainly to course. The several small Nowings on the ground were chasing in their own fashion, and he felt compelled to watch for a moment before the flash ahead once more had his full attention. He chirruped high and loud a promise to not be distracted. He could keep a promise like that, right? Well, if he didn’t forget. Maybe.

[Tashe]

Such a pretty song voice, why had he not recognized it's beauty before? Trilling back to her as she chattered at him, Azaran puffed up slightly. It felt good to be remembered by the young gold, he flared his wings with another trill as she fluted at him. Tracking Elegance with his eyes as she jumped to Brownboy's knees, the Bronze Flitter shifted eagerly from one foot to another as he stood like a prairie dog on the rock. There she g-- He had to backwing to prevent himself from falling, her false start had tricked him momentarily, causing him to hop forward in preparation for take off.

Settling back on his perch, Azaran made sure to watch Elegance extra carefully. Cheat! Cheap! Illegal! That Brown was obviously trying to bribe the Gold with food, but maybe she'd just eat it without giving the male a second thought. Twitching his wings slightly in annoyance, Azzie shook his head. He was getting distracted, he needed to watch... He launched himself into the air mentally hitting himself. Now he was trailing behind Elegance! What had he just been saying to himself?!Pumping his wings the Bronze flitter skimmed the ground, following in the glowing Gold's wingbeats.

Trilling, Azzie continued to pick up speed, for he couldn't let any of the talkingones over take him- a Bronze of the same species as Elegance! At least he was able to fly, he consoled himself in that matter. Turning his attentions back onto the Gold in question, Azaran fluted again. She was prettier than the daystar, and faster than the water that fell off of the fallingwaterstream! Every now and again, the Bronze would shift his position in the sky, each time trying to get a better view of Ellie.

[dragon]

Storm warbled a little bit, especially once he knew that she knew that he was there ... and she wasn't against it. Indeed, she liked it! That meant it was time, it meant he could get closer. Good! Slipping down the branches, he hopped lightly to the ground and strolled confidently forward, head held high as he admired her golden, glowing hide. She was the best, and the only one to hold his attention!!

Voyager watched this, and gained some of his own boldness from that. Oh, it was okay! So he hopped out of hiding, too, off to the side of Storm. Young, though he was, and inexperienced, though he was, he still did his best to copy Storm. That one knew what he was doing, so Voyager was going to copy. That one acted like he'd won before, so surely he knew how to do it right! So, Voy threw up his head, as well, and tried for a stride just as confident, attention turning to Elle again. Fluttering his wings a little bit, he chirped to her, lightly.

Aslan paused, as the two bronzes suddenly appeared. Where in the world had they come from?? They had no right to be there!! They weren't going to steal his queen!! Hissing, he bounded forward with no little anger. They weren't to be there! My shiny! My shiny! You no take, go 'way! Go 'way! Aslan bite! Bite! Go 'way! the overconfident brown stated.

But too late ... she was off and away!! And gone. Aslan paused in his bouncing to watch that, even as the veritable cloud of other males took off after her ... some of them racing along the ground, some flying. Aslan thought quickly. Elle was flying. It would take flying to catch her. Flying, sadly, was something that he could not do.

Unless....

Before him, both bronze flitters took wing, the one tearing ahead of the other. Clearly more experienced. Aslan raced forward, hissing again. But with different intent. Mine! He announced, leaping forward and beating his tiny wings just as hard as he could for as much lift as he could. He paddled after that bronze tail that was zipping past him. Ah hah! Got it! Clutching hard with both front paws, Aslan hung on tight, frill closed tight. Chase! Go! Catch! Take me! I win! I win! Fly! He urged his new mount.

Voyager squawked first in terror and surprise, and then in indignation at being turned into some perverted little worm's mount. But what was he to do? He couldn't stop, or he'd surely lose! Flicking his tail energetically, trying to dislodge the mandyr, Voyager continued to beat his wings hard and fast, trying to follow Elle. He fell into Storm's wake, trying to make speed up - especially since he now had a weight.

Aslan squawked, himself, in indignation, at being whipped all over the place. Clearly, this wasn't going to work. So he started flapping his own little wings, crawling paw over paw up that tail. Until he managed to clamber up on Voyager's back, and attach himself there. Fly! Fast! Fastest fast! My catch pretty love! Aslan demanded, pointing ahead at Elle with one forepaw.

Voyager squawked, again, and threw himself into a barrel roll, trying to get rid of his passenger, all while trying to keep Storm's draft. So far, that was the only thing keeping him in the running. Rather irritated, Voyager promised to eat Aslan, if the two ever met again!

Aslan yelped, and returned all gripping power back to hanging on as his mount started going through all sorts of gyrations to try and lose him. Hah! He was better than that! He was going to catch Elle, see him roar!

[nightingale]

Da little queen a golding flew hissin at da sea…

Saeo glanced up from lacing her boots. It wasn’t a particularly nice afternoon to be going out for a hike, but her mother had insisted that while they were visiting she take her family on a tour of the grounds. She had accepted willingly enough…but now a vaguely familiar sensation was beginning unravel in the pit of her stomach. Cherilith crossed the weyr toward her, recognizing the feeling before even his rider did. Someone is running. He explained, carefully looping his tail around the girl and pulling her against his chest. Saeo whined plaintively, pressing herself tightly against the blue as she felt mandyrlust catching hold of her. “Don’t let me go darling.” She murmured, squeezing her eyes shut and fighting for control of her muscles. I am here for you my beautiful. He responded, pinning her against his chest as she began shuddering and murmuring to herself. “You are my sunshine…my only sunshine…you make me happy…when skies are grey…”

Baby was off and running, chasing after his shining star with lust rippling across his violet eyes. The blue didn't hesitate for even an instant before charging straight off of the weyrledge and flaring his wings wide to catch the breeze. He crooned tunelessly as he glided down toward Ellie and her suitors –slowly, because while his wings were keeping him from plummeting to his death they were doing nothing to speed him along. She was so beautiful, he marveled as he slowly drifted toward her. Just like the queen in the song! Strong and glowing and simply gorgeous!...and flying away?

Baby come back! He keened, watching as is beautiful queen and her suitors took off across the damp grass. Snapping his wings tightly against his body, the large blue sped the last seven feet of his descent and plopped onto R’wign’s stomach. ~If you leeeeeeave Baby nooooow you take away da very heeeeeart of hiiiiim~ he called after her, then turned all of his energy toward charging after the group.

Baby was large when one considered that he was a blue salamandyr, but that did not keep him from being the smallest of Ellie’s chasers. That said if there was one thing a blue could handle, it was speed. Within the span of a few moments he had outpaced all three of his larger brothers, and was rapidly gaining on both Ellie and her flying chasers. ~YOU ARE MY SUNSHIIIINE! MY ONLY SUNSHIIIINE!~ He sang gallantly, his words almost painfully off key as he struggled to close the distance between them. ~YOU MAKE BABY HAAAPPYYYY WHEN HIS SKIES ARE GREEEEEY! YOU NEVER KNOW LIL QUEEEEEN HOW MUCH BABY LOVES YOU! OH PLEASE NO TAAAAAKE MY SUNSHINE AWAAAAAY~ He trilled breathlessly, flashing his enormous frill at the object of his affection. Wasn't he handsome? Didn't she love his singing? It was all for her! He needed to catch her attention now, because there was no way that he would be able to keep up his frantic pace for long.

[glamourie]

She beat her wings and propelled herself forward. Instinct told her to go higher but - not yet. Not yet. The higher she went, the harder it would be for her small-winged ones to follow her, and she had no desire to lose them so quickly. No, she wanted all of her chasers to admire her, to watch her as she whipped through the air like a shooting star. And she intended to put on a show for them to enjoy, too! She would be worthy of the attention of so many pretty, pretty males! Imp’s compliments spurred her on and as she glided on large wings, she took to turning, quick barrel rolls that showed off the dark-to-light pattern of her glowing hide magnificently. Pretty, she was, yes, she’d show them all just how pretty she could be - prettiest gold on Pern! The other non-flyer called her Clever, too; yes, she was clever, very clever… she would be worthy of their affection, she’d give them the chase of their lives, and they’d show her they deserved her attention, too. Soon, soon. But not too soon.

Powering herself forward with a few quick wing pumps, Ellie glanced over her shoulder and trilled musically to her chasers, beckoning them forward. She was no green; she couldn’t pull off the quick loops that a green fire lizard could, but she was bigger, she was stronger, and she was very clever. She’d make up for the lack of agility in a show. Her bronzes. Her brown. Her tiny non-flyers. They would all see, she’d show them. That thought in mind, while she was flying Ellie made a wide turn, spinning upward at an angle before she darted toward the jungle’s edge. That would be the best place to go, for she would glow brightest in the darkness, unmistakable. She’d be their guiding light through the leaves and the jungle, the most beautiful flower, and any who could follow her through it would show themselves as deserving. Right?

Wait, what was going on behind her ---? As she flew forward, Ellie turned her head to see another bronze, one she hadn’t greeted before. Where had he come from? But -- what -- her pretty brown was riding on his back? Like her big brown and Hers? That didn’t make very much sense! Her eyes whirled confused shades and she chattered back to Aslan, inquisitive; what was he doing? She hoped her didn’t hurt her young bronze. Encouragingly, she fluted back to Voyager, hoping to calm him, or at least reassure. For him alone she lifted herself into a quick, wide loop in the air, curving backwards to fly right over the top of the chaser closest behind her. She would show off for him, see, see? He didn’t need to be upset, no need for them to hurt one another~

Oh! But -- what --

“Ow!” R’wign proclaimed as a weight hit him square in the stomach. It was a little weight, but his ribs were so sensitive that he noticed it. Squinting, he lifted his head to look at the creature just in time to see it dart off, and he raised an eyebrow curiously. “What the -- blue -- salamandyr -- what -- is it singing?” he inquired to himself, sitting up completely. His head turned so that his gaze could follow the quick little blue blur and his eyebrow raised. “By the egg, it is singing. What in the world -- a singing salamandyr?” That was a first. He’d never known any of them to do anything… well, cute. It was R’wign’s experience that salamandyrs were just completely evil. But that song was actually rather catchy, and R’wign had to admit, it was cute that a blue anything was chasing after Ellie. He’d never expected that. Most blues didn’t bother because golds had stamina to outlast them, but -- more power to the brave little guy.

Completely ignoring that the salamandyrs all probably had mindmates wandering around nearby, R’wign pulled himself into a sitting position and rubbed his nose. Though Baby was quickly escaping, he could still hear the song (because the pitch was absolutely hideous) and despite himself, R’wign sang under his breath, “-- Please don’t take my sunshiiiine away~” It was probably fortunate that he was the only human being nearby, primarily because he sang about as well as Baby did, even if he was much quieter. Holding a tune wasn’t one of his specialties.

What is that abominable noise? Waking up (primarily because Baby was loud), Checkoth squirmed and nudged his bonded in the back. His question was followed with a snort of amusement as the brown lifted his head and looked in the direction of the disappearing salamandyr. He wasn’t connected to Ellie, but he could feel some of the run-off from her flight through R’wign, and was aware enough of what was going on. His eyes whirled and he leaned down to rub R’wign’s back against his nose affectionately, Is it you singing so terribly? R’wignmine, you probably shouldn’t -- I mean, I’ve heard your singing before, and while you’re Mine -- please don’t do again. It’s really not pleasant --

“Actually that was a salamandyr, chasing after Ellie,” R’wign added, then turned his chin up to look at Checkoth. Then -- louder -- “You are my sunshine! My only sunshine! You make me haaaappy! When skies are graaaaay~” Because telling him not to sing, even from Checkoth, was quite likely to make him do exactly that. Spiteful, who, R’wign?

A blue salamandyr it was indeed. The song burst through her mind and actually made Ellie veer to the side, nearly colliding with one of the trees as she reached the jungle’s edge. What was that loud racket? Startled, she looked over her shoulder to see Baby approaching very quickly and her eyes whirled her confusion. Curiously fluting, Ellie ducked into the trees, her glowing hide guiding her path for all of her Chasers. She had a blue trying to serenade her …? Aww! Flattered, she was! Though, not enough to slow her pace. If he wanted to be worthy of her, the little blue would have to prove himself - though, secretly, she hoped he didn’t try hopping one of her beautiful bronzes. They were only Hers, not the wingless ones’! It wasn’t right for one of them to ride around and use her bronzes for their own means. Not right at all! Oh, but he had such a pretty frill…

[weaving]

She was hungry. Normally, this wasn’t a problem. All she usually needed to do was bother Hers until she gave in and fed her. But today Hers wasn’t cooperating. She’d mumbled something about diets and needing to wait until after she’d finished bathing the stupid greenflyer thing (which would take forever since Hers had only one good arm). But Brat didn’t believe in waiting and she certainly didn’t believe in diets. So she’d left Hers and the stupid fatgreenugly in the river and had gone off in search of food on her own. Surely there was someone out and about, hopefully with a picnic, which would give her plenty of options, though really, she’d eat anything. She had a particular fondness for sweets but at the moment anything would do if it would stop the rumbling of her belly.

She scrambled across the grass, attempting to be as sneaky as possible. After all, it wouldn’t do to get caught before she’d had a chance to get her meal. Of course, it was difficult to crawl too close to the ground. Her stomach was a great deal larger than the rest of her, and it dragged along rather comically, getting caught on various sticks and stones as she went. If anyone were to look behind the gold salamandyr, they’d notice a rather clear-cut trail of bent grass where her stomach had broken the stems.

Spying R’wign, she moved closer, though paused when she noticed that he wasn’t alone. Several of the miniuglyflyers were with him as well as one of the large ones. Well, surely he had food with him. After all, that was an awful lot of pets to feed. As she crept closer, the golden one woke up. Stupiduglyminiflyer, she thought, watching as several other firelizards seemingly appeared out of nowhere to surround the golden one. A few salamandyrs joined her as well, but they were browns..no, wait, a bronze. That was her bronze! She was just about to run out screaming at the uglyminiflyer for stealing what was clearly hers when the smell of food caught her attention. One of the brown uglyminiflyers had food! And he was offering it to the gold uglything instead of her, when she clearly deserved it more!

Is mine! Is mine! Give to me! Mine! Uglies, stupid uglies! With a burst of speed, she leapt out at them all, and was satisfied to see the golden ugly take off. But..wait..why were they chasing her? Her bronze was chasing her too! That was absolutely not okay. Hissing and spitting, she took off after Ellie and the others, screaming obscenities as she went. Poop eaters! No good mangy butt lickers! Uglies! Is mine! Is mine! Hope you fall ‘n die! Go boom! S’plode! Guts go flying! No more you!

Upon realizing that Brat had gone missing, Lennae had decided to try and find the stupid creature. It wasn’t difficult. After all, the ‘mandyr had left a trail that even an idiot could follow. Brat was being oddly quiet which was somewhat worrisome, when suddenly, she heard the gold’s familiar screaming insults. That was never good. She tore her eyes from Brat’s trail, figuring that it would be easy to spot where all of that noise was coming from. She could make out a rather large brown shape and a man sitting on the grass, who, as she grew closer, she was able to see was R’wign. And he was singing. Badly. As she took in the rest of the scene, it quickly became evident that R’wign’s gold was Rising…and Brat was chasing after her. Frowning in confusion at that strange sight, she continued toward R’wign. Perhaps he’d have some answers.

“It’s a good thing you never became a harper” She commented as she flopped down on the ground next to him, resting on her good elbow. Truly, his singing was absolutely horrendous. “Is there any particular reason why my salamandyr is chasing after your firelizard?” It simply didn’t make any sense.