Love me Dead [Mandyr Run | Vanity and Freckle]

[nightingale]

Saeo had just returned from her morning shift at the infirmary, and was preparing for class when her salamandyr woke. Freckle’s eyelids pealed back slowly, each translucent layer revealing a progressively more vivid shade of red-violet. She rose from her place on the girl’s pillow with more grace than her body usually allotted her, arcing her neck to regard the open door purposefully. Yes, now was a good time. The vile greenpest wasn’t awake yet.

Saeo gave a little gasp of alarm as she felt her muscles tense involuntarily, and dropped the bowl of table scraps she had been setting out for Beau and Elle. She didn’t recognize the prickling heat of mandyrlust for what it was as it brushed against her mind, but then all at once it was upon her, blurring her vision and sending hot blood surging through her veins like an ocean current. Mine? Cherilith’s mindvoice was strongly uneasy as he turned to his bonded with yellow in his eyes. Mine what is wrong? She didn’t know, and truth be told as Freckle’s mind meshed itself into her own she decided that she didn’t really care anyway. Mine? Mine you are getting fuzzy! Saeo!? Saeo, my beautiful, please say something to your Cherilith!

“Bluepest!” The ‘mandyr possessed girl’s features twisted into a sneer as she whirled about to face her dragon. Her voice trembled with excitement, contempt and a barely contained passion that was almost frightening in it's intensity. “Bad! Bad bluepest! Freckle mine! MINE!” With a shriek of defiance, the blinding bright green launched herself from the bed. She landed hard, but was quick to gather her muscles beneath her and make for the open door with all the vicious determination a running salamandyr had ever possessed. Saeo mirrored her pet in voice and action, tearing across the room and out into the weyrling barracks corridor.

This was HER day to run! She was BEAUTIFUL! She was fast and strong! Every male in Selenitas Weyr would adore and chase and pine for HER! This she knew for certain, and nobody was going to take it away from her!!!

[Rei]

Vanity uncurled from her nap in Sel’n’s sling and opened intense violet eyes. She skittered out of the sling and displayed her glorious frill. Today was the day, the day the males of the weyr would chase her and her alone. The day when all eyes would be on her! Sel’n felt the lust rise and gave a loud groan. "Vanity you sharding pain in the ass." The older brown rider got to his feet and began to stumble out of the weyrling barracks. “You could have at least waited until I was not in the weyrling barracks.” If he jumped a weyrling he would no doubt lose his job.

Vanity however was not waiting. She shot out the door and into the glorious sunshine there she sat upon the biggest rock she could find and let her glowing body draw any mandyr who wanted her close. Frilling she reared up on her hind legs. You come! I run. I run! You want? You must catch. You best if you catch. Her words were taunting with a seductive tone slapped onto the end for emphasis. Surely there was no mandyr in the weyr that could resist her beauty?

---
Ebolath shot up as Cherilith’s confused and upset emotions filled the small room, along with Saeo’s shrill screams. Clutchbrother mine? The greens words were hesitant as she approached her brother. Raylin had sat up at Saeo‘s scream. She stared wide eyed at the little blue as Saeo dashed from the room. Not even bothering to get properly dressed, she sprung out of bed with only her nightgown on.

Hastening to the blue the girl stroked his head. “Shard it all her mandyr is running. It’s ok Cherilith. Saeo will be back I promise.” Right now she had better try to keep Cherilith calm. Saeo would be inconsolable if she scared her own dragon. The green weyrling bit her lip hard and only released it when she became aware of the metallic taste in her mouth. Shard it all. wHy did she have to impress a mandyr? Ebolath pressed her body against Cherilith’s trembling one and a low whine escaped her throat.

[weaving]

The healer had been planning to get breakfast after his shift that morning. The key word there was planning. How could he know that one of the green salamandyrs was planning on having a Run that morning? Or that Manners would have the brilliant idea of chasing her. So now, instead of stuffing his face full of food, Jermayan was stuck chasing the small bronze toward the weyrling barracks. If he’d been in a proper state of mind, he’d have noted that he wasn’t in the best physical shape for this. As it was, he was too busy trying to see clearly through the haze of ‘mandyrlust to notice anything else around him.

Shiny! Prettymine! Shine like sun! As Manners scurried into the weyrling barracks and down the halls, he caught sight of the creature he was after. Glaringly bright, to many she would be considered horrifying, but for the moment Manners found her to be the loveliest creature in all of Pern. Beautiful! She was far ahead of him, but he’d catch up to her sooner or later. While still small, he was still larger than her and more powerful. And for now, he was the only one chasing her.

Jermayan followed him into the barracks, looking around until he spied Saeo. The apprentice from the Infirmary? The thought barely registered, for when he looked at her, he knew that she was what he wanted. The lust of the run had fully overtaken him, surprising in it’s intensity. Echoing Manners’ words aloud, he chased after Saeo, her form running ahead urging him faster. Filled with his bronze’s confidence, Jermayan had little doubt that he would be chosen by the glowing green.

Vanity’s call made Manners pause. There were two of them? His head tilted in confusion, torn between continuing his chase of Freckle or going off to investigate the new call. For the moment he chose the easier route, resuming his chase after Freckle. Things could, and probably would, change though. He doubted that his shinygreen would appreciate any competition.

[glamourie]

He didn't normally like salamandyrs. Then again, he also didn't dislike them; Hazard was neutral in his opinion on the little creatures most of the time. Mainly because he held himself above most everything around him. The brown firelizard greatly preferred the company of His and His's little gold over anything else; other firelizards and other salamandyrs were treated with an air of indifference some might have attributed to arrogance but was, in fact, apathy. Therefore, it was very unusual behavior for Hazard (who usually only chased Roxie, despite the fact that Stumpy caught her without fail every time) to be away from R'wign and in the presence of a salamandyr. Ever since Elegance hatched, he spent all of his time with the little gold. Another had his eye, though. Pretty though the gold was, she couldn't compare to the glow of a green close to mating -- whether that green was a salamandyr or a firelizard was entirely irrelevant. And there were two of them.

Lighting down, the brown landed on a shelf - a perch that was surely special for him; could any of the salamandyrs get up that high? His attention was focused entirely on Freckle and he flicked his tail animatedly. Rapidly whirling eyes watched her with intensity indescribable by words. As she moved through the halls, he took to wing and lighted after her, giving her some distance; she hadn't started her Run yet, he knew, and any green worth her salt would be offended if he closed the distance. To save energy, he glided from perch to perch in the halls, until he came to spy something else interesting: another green's call. His head cocked to the side intelligently, but he didn't make a sound. The one he wanted was in front of him. Not the one outside.

Vanity had another firelizard's attention. Collision had landed on one of the crevices of the rocky surface that made up the Weyrling Barracks. While it was rare for the blue to actually wake up (he much preferred to sleep as often as he could), when he did, there could be no denying he was a force to be reckoned with... at least in term of temper: Collision was very, very temperamental. His tail lashed as he watched the green salamandyr below, his wings spreading out to their largest extent. A low growl in the back of his throat was his response to her challenge. He would not compete with Hazard, not for a salamandyr, but that green was beautiful enough to have his attention... and she should have been honored: he did not grace many. For Collision to actually get up and move around was a great compliment (and usually a source of great ire for the blue). She was shiny! Pretty!

-- Rock!

Quickly jerking his head to look at a nearby rock, Collision twittered. Oh, it would make an excellent place to sleep, with those crevices. His tail twitched slightly and he contemplated dropping down to land there -- but then a flash of green hide caught his attention again and he abruptly turned back to the salamandyr. Oh, right. He was going to catch her. He was. He'd woken up just for her. Didn't she appreciate that? She better have. He made a low growling noise and flipped his wings, the intensity with which he watched her evident in each movement. Even if he did have trouble focusing. He was risking Roxie's wrath (a terrible cost!) by being there. She better acknowledge it.

They are chasing her? Checkoth inquired, surprised by Hazard being missing and Collision being awake. The brown weyrling was sprawled out on the bank of the river to his absolute fullest, and R'wign was leaning against him, arms wrapped around his stomach. The pair certainly looked tired as they lounged, and from the way that R'wign's hair fell over his face, it was obvious he was mostly-asleep himself; he'd dealt with enough firelizard flights that he could tune them out completely. His arms were wound around a large pillow, on top of which Ellie was sitting. Unlike her bonded, she was awake, and bouncing around in disappointment; her little brown left her. She'd settle for the big one. Like when Roxie flies?

"Yes. Like when dragons fly, but to a lesser extent. Mating flights." R'wign did not open his eyes when he spoke. "I think salamandyrs are more like whers when they run, though -- but with near dragon level intensity for their bonded."

Is it like that for you? Will I feel it?

"Doubtful. Firelizard flights don't have that much of an effect on me. You'll be fine," he explained, then opened one eye to look at Checkoth. "Are you understanding my explanations on this? You've felt Roxie's flights. It won't even be that intense for us, I don't think, and since it's a salamandyr, I doubt that Hazard or Collision will catch her." He had no idea there were two different salamandyrs running, but it was unlikely R'wign would have cared even if he did know. Salamandyr Runs didn't worry him because he knew enough about the little monsters to know they detested firelizards most of the time. Showoff was a prime example, and Daeluunya liked to eat flit eggs. Still... "Are you okay with this? I could force them back, if you're not. Just tell me."

Checkoth crooned and nudged R'wign lightly. I worry about Ellie. She seems very upset that the brownling is gone, he admitted, and indeed, little Elegance lighted up to land on Checkoth's nose as if she owned him. Her brown... because her other brown had left her. R'wign frowned, and Checkoth crooned again. I hope they do not win. It will upset her so much...

[Tashe]

How stupid could Weyrling dragons be? He had been called to do a Barracks visit because some idiotic Weyrling named Rioth ran head first into a wall, and, he had indigestion. Not that the second part really mattered, it just fueled the Brownrider's annoyance. While he was there, Kalierre had ordered him to take out Jaymith's stitches, which wasn't a pleasing experience either. The young, inexperienced Riders always worried over the little things, even after being blatantly assured that there was nothing wrong or that the dragon wouldn't be in any pain. I don't like Children. Especially young Dragons. /Ermine, you act as though you aren't young yourself./ In years yes I am. In life experiences I'm like thirty. REDWORT! And I especially don't like Nuisance!

As if Faranath was spiting him for saying that, the extraordinarily dark Blue Mandyr flung himself off of his shoulder and glided down the hallway... his eyes turning bright Purple. "NO NUISANCE!" Doubling over almost immediately as the Mandyrlust hit him.

Mineshinyredwort!Shineyminemine! Hitting the floor and skittering forward, Nuisance was hit with confusion. There was two prettyshineys running? Chirping uncertainly as he swung his head in either direction, the Blue hissed before picking up Freckle's scent. PrettyShiney. Want! Prettypretty Shiney. He would chase this Pretty, he wouldn't loose to the stupidglinter that was already chasing her! He would win the Prettyshiney because she was Beautiful! He had yet to notice the Firelizard that had entered the chase.

"Prettyshiney..." /Ermine?/ "BadBrownwort... my prettyshiney." Moving forward as if under a trance, E'rro began to search for Freckle. He would find the prettyshiny... There she was! There was the Prettyshiny! Picking up his pace as he saw another chaser, he hissed to himself and tried to draw closer to the other male. He wasn't going to loose the Best Prettyshiny to the stupidglinty head.

[hseru]

The day found Lanthos visiting the stables, as he was wont to do on occasion. It was a rare moment of relaxation that he was loath to leave, but chores called, and he had kitchen duty again. The candidate finished dispersing his treats to the runners, which consisted mainly of various fruits, vegetables and sugar lumps, then dusted his hands off on his breeches, and turned to leave.

The route back to the Weyr was by now a well known one, and the candidate easily tucked his hands into his pockets, enjoying the time alone. Pep, never far from him these days, had early on found that he really didn't like runners. If asleep, he'd wake just to toss them meager insults. Badbad. Nobad. Nohandsome. Pephandsome Mask, on the other hand, was curious about these large creatures. The blue flitt had taken to riding on hispet's head, as his neck and shoulders were usually mandyr territory. From his vantage point there, he was just above runner eye-level, and able to watch without feeling imperiled.

Now, he neared the weyrling barracks, a building he hoped to become intimately more familiar with as soon as he could. Enjoying the idea of having a hatchling to care for, his pleasant thoughts were interrupted rather abruptly by a man stumbling out of the barracks. A rider? Looked like, if Lanthos' studies had him reading the knots correctly.

He looked odd.. that was about all the time the candidate had to ponder before a wall of lust hit him, completely washing away his curiosity in a want so bad it ached in his bones. Pep sat alert on his shoulder, his frill out and shaking to make the bright sapphire hues glimmer in the sunshine. Lanthos stumbled a few feet forward, and Pep launched from his shoulder towards the bright point of green beauty sitting atop a rock. Prettypretty! Pepgood, handsome yes pretty! Mine pretty! Spreading his inadequate wings took the sharpness from his fall, allowing only the meagerest of glides before he touched down and started for her. He wanted her, oh how he wanted her!

Mask, tossed from his perch on hispet's first stumble, glided back to worry over hispet. What was happening? The flitter was so confused, but he hung in the air over Lanthos as the boy moved forward with slow steps, his eyes focused on the rider with single-minded intensity.

[dragon]

Dorava was startled from her concentration on her study texts when Valiant suddenly dived out of her pocket and took off running across the floor, toward the door and out. "Val??" She asked, curiously, watching as his white flanks zipped out the door.

Pretty pretty Keep pretty. Pretty Keep Val, Val keep pretty! He replied, before the impact of his lust smashed down in on Dorava's study-oriented mind. She staggered from her stool, barely making it to her feet. "Pretty?" She echoed, almost sounding uncertain. But she didnt' stay that way for long. Soon she was pelting out the door after her pet.

Val ran like he'd never run before. He had a lot of ground to cover. But he'd get there! Little leggs whirring like they'd never get tired, the blue and white mandyr used his wings on occassion to glide past and over obstacles that posed no problem what so ever to his pet. Soon enough, the blue mandyr made it to the scene of the action. He started scampering happily around the rock that Vanity was standing atop of, shining in all her glory. He squeaked at her, and then spoke: Pretty shiny, Keep Val, Val keep shiny pretty! He insisted. Ohyes, she was pretty!

Wait ... another? Val paused in his prancing dance, and looked over toward the barracks at where he heard Freckle rattling around. He hesitated a moment, and then glanced up at Vanity for a moment, wavering on his two front feet in indesision. Finally, what decided him was that he was 1) closer to Vanity, and 2) Vanity was the prettier of the two. Happily decided, the blue started warbling and prancing for Vanity again.

Dorava finally arrived, after her pet, having had to take the longer route where there were actual human paths to get from point A to point B. Pausing and huffing, she looked around, trying to find her Vanity. Where was she??

~~~

C'oar looked up from doodling plans on a scrap of hide at the same time that Frosstyth jerked to attention. "What is it?" He asked, worried that it might be a feline attack again. The brown jerking to an upright laying position dislodged Storm's sleeping position atop him, and the bronze fluttered all the way to the ground. Landing with a groggy splat, the bronze chewed the brown dragonet out, before launching into between to go sleep with his Zesa.

I think there are mandyrs running, at the barracks. Frosstyth remarked.

"Okay. So? Why is this important?" C'oar asked, going back to scritching his coal stubb on the hide.

Frosstyth looked over at his, and grunted audibly. There are two mandyrs running, in the same area, and one of them belongs to Cherilith's? Frosstyth remarked. He did think this was important, even though he had no idea what exactly that implied.

C'oar stopped scritching, and looked up at his dragon. And then he realized Frosstyth was serious. "Oh, shells." He dropped the hide, and lurched to his feet before taking off running. "Go find Cherilith! Keep him calm! I'll find Saeo!" And hopefully, he could summon the strength to keep her safe and unmolested through this incident.

Frosstyth rose to his feet with far more grace than his had displayed, and took off at a trot to where Cherilith was, even as his pelted out at top speed to find Saeo.

[Requiem]

Kalierre was...well, just a bit late. And frazzled. It seemed that being kept deliriously happy could have a few ill side-effects. Like bruises and soreness and waking up late. Phremath found this very, very amusing after Kalierre assured her that she was, indeed, not truly hurt. Dohulth's is making you late, KaliMine. Bad, bad Mine. In her dash out the door, the woman shot her dragon a scathing look, which just stirred up more amusement in Phremath. Amusement that built into clear dragon laughter when Lust vaulted off the table and landed on Kali's shoulder, startling the greenrider into a yelp as she staggered to the left and clipped her side on the doorframe.

"Why don't you give me a little warning next time, eh? You spend all day shouting and terrorizing at the infirmary, yet you sneak up on me now!" It kind of hurt, too, running into the doorframe, though she didn't have time to nurse yet another set of bruises. She was late! L'rineeater fuss many. Many, too many, fuss too too many, he chided her, latching onto her ear to drive his point home. Lust king. 'Firmary b'long Lust. Bad L'rineeater, go not Lust king. Bad!

"Fine, fine," she muttered, giving her head a little rebellious shake. The dragonhealer didn't have the time to argue with her salamandyr and prove to him yet again that he was not her king. She was moving across the ground at a fast clip, just short of a run, when Lust's mind seemed to expand and Kalierre came to a trembling halt. She blinked, shaking her head, and cast a glance at the 'mandyr quivering on her shoulder, all alert. Pretty, pretty green, the male was whispering, his frill flaring out into a full display. Green mine. Must make green Lust. And suddenly he was leaping, gliding to the ground and skittering off in the direction of the weyrling barracks. Kalierre cursed under her breath and tried to throw off Lust's lust. She was late, and now he had to decide that it was a good time to chase?!

So many males. And then another flash of green! Lust stumbled slightly in his pursuit of the first 'mandyr, then resumed running after Freckles. She was the one moving, and besides, there was another bronze trying to win her! Lust would not be beaten! But then Vanity issued her challenge and this time he did actually halt, one leg still poised in the air. Best? Lust was best! No male was better than Lust! He decided in an instant, reversing direction and high-tailing it her direction. Lust show pretty green Lust best. Pretty, pretty shiny green, much better best than ugly green. Lust chase. Lust catch pretty, he told her confidently, throwing on the charm as he approached her rock more slowly, the diamond pattern of his frill displayed to full advantage.

Kalierre only made it a few steps before she simply couldn't go any further. Not without finding the lovely green Vanity. Her fingers convulsed into fists, drawing lightly down her palms, as she stalked forward like a feline on the prowl, shoulders slightly hunched. Where was she?! Ah, there, there! The woman approached Sel'n, throwing back her shoulders and flinging her head. Didn't the lovely green see? She was clearly the best. Clearly.

[nightingale]

Cherilith was only half listening to the soft words offered to him. He was quickly working himself into a proper state of panic, and the only thing that kept him from tearing down the hallway after his rider was the knowledge that he would trample Raylin in the process. There is something wrong with Mine! He keened in terror, eyes flashing vivid shades of yellow. She is sick! It must be the poison that made Ruskeath’s and Frosstyth’s fuzzy! We must help her or she will jump Between!

But Freckle and her unwilling partner in lust had never felt more alive. The salamandyr tore down the corridors of the weyrling barracks as fast as her tiny paws would carry her, the glaring chartreuse of her hide reflecting off the polished hardwood like a galaxy of hideous green stars. She was very pleased to discover that whenever she glanced backward, another male seemed to have joined the chase. First a bronze salamandyr, then a brown flitter, then a blue salamandyr and now another bronze salamandyr had recognized her for the beauty she was. That recognition had put her into the best mood the world had ever seen her in.

As a staircase loomed out in front of her, she leapt and grappled onto the banister. The movement was far from graceful, but she managed to claw her way to the very top, which was for such a small and typically clumsy green, a great achievement. There she perched, dainty as a gargoyle, flicking her tail in a poor imitation of Vanity’s flirtatious trademark. Freckle miiiiine. Nice mine. Minelove. She trilled happily to her suitors.

Wait...was one of them leaving?

Her violet eyes darkened to the colour of drying blood as Lust's attention fell from her and he darted away. Her frill trembled as she flared it, shrieking her rage at the fact that such hideous injustice should be paid to her on HER run day. Who did he dare to chase instead of her!? She reached out for Vanity's mind, finding that the green was not only awake, but hovering very nearby.

“Greenpest!”

Saeo screamed, catching sight of Sel’n and the dragonhealer she recognized as her bronze through one of the lower windows of the barracks. She hesitated only long enough to scramble onto the windowsill before leaping outside in pursuit of them. It was a good thing that the window was so very close to the ground, because under Freckle’s control Saeo had no concept of balance or the proper way to land. She ended up rolling twice on impact with the grass, but the ringing in her ears went unheaded as she picked herself up and returned her attention to her rival. "Vile greenpest bad ShineyMINE! MINE!!" Freckle had taken the stairs, but advanced with no less menace upon Vanity than bonded did upon Sel'n. She could keep her silly blues, but that bronze was HERS! He had been chasing HER first! The little green growled deep in her throat, trembling with seething hatred as she frilled at the other green.

This was HER run!

[Rei]

Vanity pranced upon her rock and thrust her frill out to it’s fullest length. Pep caught her attention first and she chattered sweetly to him. I beautiful! Pep handsome, handsome Pep run. He catch? The green mandyr practically strutted when she noticed another pair of eyes on her. I shiny pretty! She cooed to Val. Val catch he keep. He keep. She promised her intense purple eyes darkening until they almost seemed black. Oh yes two pretty blues she held now. Lust was practically overpowering her and she had the need to move.

Before Vanity could take so much as a step however, a bronze blur captured her attention. She trilled high at his complement. Yes Pretty shiny me! You best if you can catch. She teased whipping her tail to and fro. The diamond markings on his frill were simply captivating. Wait something he said didn’t add up. Ugly green? She cocked her head at him intending to ask when she caught a flash of green out of the corner of her eye.

As Vanity locked eyes with Freckle her eyes went from violet to crimson in the span of half a second. That hideous creature was trying to take HER males! This was HER run! ALL the attention should be hers. NO BAD BAD GREEN PEST YOU! She spat diving off her rock and skittering towards the other green. Males MINE! ShinyMINE! You Ugly green pest. No one want!

Vanity launched herself at her larger sister with the ferocity of a blooding queen. The smaller green mandyr aimed for Freckles long neck seeking to bite the hide unprotected by her inadequate frill. The furious mandyr spread her own large frill to it’s fullest in an attempt to make herself look bigger as well as to protect her own neck. You DIE! I MAUL! DIE!

Sel’n/Vanity stumbled out into the sunlight and blinked as he was temporarily blinded. Shaking his head as his eyes adjusted to the light he whistled in a call to his males. The brown rider struck a pose as Vanity did. Any onlookers not claimed by mandyr lust would no doubt find the scene amusing but Sel’n was Vanity and as such her more vain tendencies blended in seamlessly with the rider.

As Kalierre approached he batted his eyelashes flirtatiously at her and circled her looking her up and down to appraise her. A fine, fine bronze would he be strong enough, clever enough to win her attention? Lanthos was rewarded with a lusty look. What a handsome blue especially that frill. Sel’n/Vanity purred to the blue mandyr and scanned the field for Val? Where was he?

Suddenly his longing look turned to one of rage as he beheld Saeo. UGLY GREENPEST! MY RUN! He roared and charged toward her intending to throttle her for her trespass upon his run! How dare she steal the males that rightfully belonged to him!

[dragon]

Val leapt after Vanity as she went streaking toward Freckle, who, also, apparently, was coming this direction. Val Keep! Val chase, Val win, Val Keep pretty! Pretty keep Val! he assured her. Excellent! Two greens! Close together ... makes for easy catching! Or chasing, at least. Val bounded along happily, continuing to croon to his Vanity, until he realized what was going down.

Oops.

He scrambled to a halt, and fluted a warning. Surely they didn't intend to ... surely not? But ... but ... but!!! Flustered, the purple in his eyes swirled with a touch of yellow as he worried and concerned over them both. What could he do?? He hovered around the periphiary, worried and concerned, and at a loss for what to do. Why where the two most beautiful greens in the whole Weyr out to kill each other?? He circled the area, warbling in worry, trying to convince them to stop. Surely not!

Dorava, likewise, started out headed for Sel'n. And then paused when she noticed that Sel'n and Saeo were headed for a clash. This wasn't good! And, blended in with Val's thinking as she was, she too started a loose circling, worried. She couldn't leap in there and stop this from happening, as much as she wanted to. It was wrong to grab them. It was wrong ... Val wasn't allowed to grab either of them. Not until they decided it was okay to be caught. What could she do?? So, for the moment, worried pacing was all she did.

Coar, on the other hand, was running as fast as his feet could carry him ... faster now that he saw what was going down between the weyrling master and his friend. The man would rip her to shreds! Whether or not Vanity won the mandyr wrestle or not, Sel'n was more than likely going to kill Saeo.

Not to mention all the lust-blinded people around her who apparently had forgotten how young her dragon was. How crazy could things get??! C'oar pelted onto the scene and tackled Saeo aside, wrapping his arms around her to contain her.

If she'd been bigger, the two of them would have spilled, after an impact like that. But as it was, as little as she was and as big as he was, C'oar merely stumbled for a few strides and kept going ... with his burden.

Knowing she was likely going to fight ... she always fought ... he closed one arm around her torso, pinning her arms down as well as he could given the situation, and then wrapped his other arm around her legs to keep her from kicking him. That could ... hurt.

Thus, with his friend safely rescued from the weyrling master, C'oar headed away at a trot. Away from anyone who might have ulterior motives, or who might just not have a clue what it was they were doing because they weren't in possession of thier faculties. So away he went, at best possible speed.

Hopefully someone else would take care of the mandyrs, because he was just too busy to do that and safe guard Saeo too. Not to mention that as long as Freckle was in a pickle of a mood, so too would be Saeo. And he hoped that wouldn't last long, what with her being a firecracker of a girl.

Frosstyth, for his part, barreled into the weyrling chambers, and made his way into the room where Cherilith was. He pushed his way into the room, right up to where Cherilith was, and plopped down next to the blue, wrapping his neck over his smaller brother's. Mine is keeping yours safe. Yours is safe. She will be okay. Mine has her, and is taking her away from all threats. Okay? Yours is safe. Stay calm, yours will be okay. The brown murmured, to his smaller clutchbrother.

Other than that, Frosstyth had no idea what he could possibly do. He could sit on Cherilith if it came down to that. But that wouldn't be good for either of them, or thier friendship. Not to mention doing nothing for keeping Cherilith calm.

[Tashe]

Pretty shiny! Prettyshinymine? Freckleprettyshiny! Bunching the muscles in his back legs, Nuisance leapt onto the banister in pursuit. Using his wings to help move him up the railing, the Blue Mandyr put his all into not falling behind especially against such bigger and ugly colors, his eyes glued onto the pretty shiny the whole time. Frecklefrecklefrecklefreckle preeeetty!

He stopped in confusion as the green prettyshiny frilled and grew angry. Taking a moment to glance in the direction of her ire, Nuisance saw what had got his prettyshiny angry. There was the OTHER prettyshiny. But that prettyshiny was definitely not as pretty as his prettyshiny Freckle. His prettyshiny deserved all of the attention! No stupidheaded other prettyshiny should be here! Although, the Blue didn't mind the fact the other prettyshiny took away one of his competition... leaping onto the stair well, Nuisance glided from the stairwell to the area behind his advancing prettyshiny. Nuisance frecklelove, keep. Bad notlovely. Stealrun! BAD.

Nuisance slowly moved back and forth behind his advancing frecklekeep, hissing unhappily at the other shinypretty's chaser as he came closer.

--

Within a second, his prettyshiny had been snapped up by a stupid headhumanpet thing! She did not chose stupidheadhumanpet, he shouldn't touch her! Snarling, the humanized Blue picked up his speed to chase after the prettyshiny stealer. The stupidhead would /not/ out run him, he was strong and fast, he would get the prettyshiny and rescue her before something bad happened. Like eaten for a snack... OR WORSE, chose the stupidhead as her mate.

That wouldn't do! The prettyshiny deserved a Salamandyr as a mate! Keeping the Prettyshiny and her mandyrnapper in sight, he left his other half to deal with his own problems. Wiggling out a window so he could give chase, the Blue growled loudly again as he picked up his speed once more. Oh. That stupidhead was going dooown.

[hseru]

As Vanity cooed to him, Pep puffed up to his fullest size, his frill up and bright. He shook it, prancing around her rock and ignoring any other male who happened to be close. Pep handsome, Pep catch. Pretty pretty! Pep catch, Pep keep mine. Picking out words she'd said, the blue chattered back to her his words of love and adoration, churning his little legs in a show of action that had little other rivals in his short, inactive life.

And then the second green showed up! Pep paused as another contender of a completely different sort ran at full speed for Vanity, and he flashed his frill, though didn't step any further forward, skittering around the edges of what was about to happen. Two beautiful greens were running? He'd started with Vanity, but Freckle was here, and he became uncertain. He didn't know what to do! His instincts told him that they would not appreciate his interference, but they weren't supposed to fight! Nonono! Pretty pretty no! He bounced around like a moth, drawn along with Vanity as she advanced on Freckle like the wake of a boat.

Lanthos/Pep sauntered over to Sel'n, the move more puppy-like in its youthful bounce than sultry as the green shot him a lustful look. "Pretty pretty. Pep catch." He tried to flare for her/him, his movements copying that of his blue, and his movements became sinuous in an attempt to display his agility. The arrival of Freckle tossed his paltry attempts to display out the window, and Lanthos/Pep trailed after Sel'n in confusion, unable to decide what he should do.

[weaving]

She was running fast, faster than he would have thought was possible. Then again, she was the best green salamandyr on all of Pern, no the best female, green or gold, ever shelled, which explained everything. Though he had competition, Manners ignored the others, his only interest being shining creature ahead of him. He tackled the stairs, scrambling up them quickly in order to keep Freckle in sight. The entire time his eyes remained glued to her, the object of his desire.

Only a few stairs to go, and there she was at the top! She sat there, her tail flicking in such a flirtatious manner that Manners moved all the more quickly. Though her praise was meant for all her suitors, Manners let the words go directly to his head. No one else deserved such complements from his beautygreen. He was far, far better than the blue and the brown firelizard and would even go so far as to claim being better than the other bronze. He’d answered her call first after all. He cared that much more than the others.

Beautygreen run fast! Love, love Frecklepretty. Manners best catch Frecklemine, make love. It was only moments after his declaration that everything went horribly wrong. The other bronze had left the chase and not because he was tired. He had left to chase another green. How dare he insult Freckle? Manners hissed at Lust’s retreating form before turning back toward Freckle to see her darting up the stairs and out the barracks. He chased after, determined to let her know that he still cared. No other was worthy of his attention.

He exited the barracks to find his beautygreen being attacked by the vile creature who had dared to steal the spotlight. You stop! Go ‘way! Vile poison evil greenwherry. Do not want! Verbally attacking Vanity, Manners had yet to go so far as to physically attack the other green, instead circling about the pair and hissing angrily at the ugly green notFreckle.

In a fit of lust, Jermayan followed his prettyshiny out the window, though was slightly more fortunate in his landing than she was. He managed to land on his feet, continuing after her immediately. Suddenly Saeo was being grabbed by someone he didn’t recognize. He wasn’t chasing her, how dare he try to catch her! Hissing at C’oar, the healer followed after the pair, enraged that someone would try to steal his beautygreen. The other man was larger than he was, and even with Saeo, was moving at a decent speed, but Jermayan had ‘mandyrlust urging him onward and it wouldn’t be long until he caught up with the pair.

[glamourie]

Keening caught Checkoth and R'wign's ears. Even from their distance they could hear it and the brown weyrlingrider looked up at his dragon counterpart curiously. Checkoth squirmed slightly, his eyes whirling rapid shades of distress, not wrought by his firelizard companions, but by the so-eerie sound. He recognized it as Cherilith but beyond that, he couldn't say anything. Checkoth did not explain his distress to R'wign; he did not need to. The healer frowned and reached one hand up to rub his nose... but made no effort to go any closer to the chasing. With two of his firelizards both in the chase, it was hard enough to stay distracted, and he was fairly sure he'd do more harm than good trying to help. The keening blue and his rider were not friends of R'wign's and as selfish as it was, he had no desire to try and spring to their aid -- odds were it'd be unwanted at best, anyway.

Ellie, on the other hand, had no such reservations. The keening made her look down at R'wign and flute curiously. He blinked at her, before shrugging, "Stay away from the salamandyr, but you can go see what's going on if you want. Do not let the salamandyr see you." She chirruped approvingly and R'wign sighed as the little gold disappeared between. "I hope she's okay.."

I hope Cherilith is okay. R'wignmine, we should go to the smelly place. He sounds very upset, and we will be needed there. Phremath's would want us there to help, the brown suggested tentatively, and was rewarded with a slight nod from R'wign; consent. Pleased by his deduction of the best way to be useful (and further away from the keening he couldn't help), Checkoth stood up, and pulled R'wign forcibly to his feet by grabbing the waistband of his pants. We'll go now, R'wignmine? We should go now, yes.

The fluttering of wings announced Elegance's arrival as she landed almost daintily on Cherilith's neck. Twittering in concern, the little queen flashed images of the infirmary to the blue before flying down so that he could see her. She landed directly in front of him and chittered, clearly in an attempt to comfort and still the so-distressed noises. Though he was by far larger than her, she recognized him to be a baby as much as she was, and she wanted to help, she did. If he listened, she would lead him to that place, to Hers, and Hers would fix him because that was what Hers did - he fixed things. That was the little gold's logic as she fluttered her wings soundlessly. Occasionally she glanced at the doorways to make sure the salamandyr wasn't near enough to see her, but otherwise, her focus was entirely on Cherilith -- Cherilith and his brown friend. The pretty blue and the pretty brown. Wouldn't they come with her?

Bouncing in her spot, she turned to Frosstyth and fluted to him, hoping to make her point more clear. She projected an image of the infirmary to him, then curled her tail behind her. The fast swirling of her eyes made her worry evident -- the two babies were scared, and that was never good! She'd fix it, she would.

Phremath -- Phremath, Checkoth called as he and R'wign made their way toward the infirmary. The short glide over the river was easy on him and he actually landed without a crash - miracles never ceased! R'wign stepped into the infirmary, and Checkoth peeked around the side of the wall, where he usually found the green; she was one of his favorites because she was special, like him, and because R'wignSmelly-His liked Hers a lot. We thought you maybe could use us here. Phremath...? Were she and Hers there at all..?

From perch to perch, Hazard flew, landing only a split second each time. Firelizards were not designed to chase salamandyrs, typically. They stayed on the ground all the time, and firelizards were most definitely creatures of the air. On the ground he had a distinct disadvantage, he knew, and he would never catch the -- unique! -- little green down there. He was going to be tricksy and fly above, then swoop down over the heads of the rest; that struck him as the best course of action and it would give him an advantage over the strange, loud, obnoxious things that were chasing his pretty green. For in his mind she was his. Yes, there was one of the things in bronze and several others of her kind... but they were loud. Why would she want a loud thing?

Lust caught his eye and Hazard cocked his head to the side as the bronze salamandyr suddenly darted out of sight. A hint of scarlet flared through his gaze, angry that he'd insult any female that way; the brown, however, was not to be distracted for long. He had his eye on the prize and none were going to keep him from chasing her.

But then they were fighting.

Logic took over, and Hazard darted over behind Freckle. His wings flared animatedly and he eyed Vanity for a moment, as he contemplated the virtues of some of Roxie's more irritating tricks. She liked carrying around one of the bronze thingies and dropping it. Maybe he could carry that green and drop her away - away from his pretty. But that meant not focusing entirely on her. Decisions, decisions. His wings flared in a panicked frenzy and then - for the first time in his short life - he made a sound loud enough to be deafening. Hazard shrieked. It was meant to startle more than anything else, as Hazard was not normally a loud creature (and he rarely could get up interest enough to care about anything, period). That one sound was directed at both of the salamandyr greens, clearly an attempt to distract them from their fight; were they really going to fight and allow themselves to be caught so easily?

Unfortunately for him, that one shriek had a side effect: Collision, who had been happily chasing the very-pretty green, suddenly squawked and went between in surprise. No green was worth his brown clutchbrother's anger! Nap time!