second star to the right [Brat's Maiden Run]

[weaving]

Selenitas never really got cold, not even in the winter months, and while Lennae occasionally missed the snow and cold of High Reaches, on evenings like this, she was definitely glad to be in the south. Even at dusk, it was warm enough for her to go about in cut-off trousers and short-sleeved shirts and still remain perfectly comfortable, as she was doing now. Having spent most of the day tidying up her weyr, which had been a long process with only one good arm, she was currently taking a break on Amith’s weyrledge, her good shoulder resting against the green’s warm hide as she stared out at Selenitas. Less than two sevendays left until she was able to use her arm again, or so she hoped. The healers had warned her that it might take longer than that, but she’d done nothing to aggravate it, and so she was confident that she didn’t have much longer to be a cripple.

Brat has been awfully quiet today, Amith commented, breaking the silence of the evening. With a slight shrug, the greenrider glanced back into her weyr where Brat lay on her bed, sleeping deeply. She’d been like that for much of the day it seemed, though that wasn’t odd in and of itself. However, she didn’t like Amith’s tone. It was almost as though the green knew something she didn’t. She also seems quite bright.

“She probably stuffed herself into oblivion and I oiled her this morning,” Lennae replied, brushing away the feeling that something didn’t seem right. Brat acted like the often enough that she hardly noticed it. So why was Amith pointing it out now? Sure, it had been a while since the salamandyr had finished growing, leading her to believe that the gold was probably reaching maturity, but she’d pushed all thoughts of Runs into the back of her mind, hoping that by not acknowledging it, she could delay the inevitable for just a bit longer. Even now, with all the signs pointing in that direction, she absolutely refused to see it, coming up with excuses for the ‘mandyr’s behavior.

“No. No, no, no, no, no…” Standing quickly, she began pacing the ledge, glancing from the ground toward Brat and then back again. She wasn’t ready for this, didn’t want this to be happening. Despite that though, it seemed as though there was nothing she could do to stop it. She had a limited amount of time before Brat awoke, before she stopped being herself and turned into some lust-filled stranger. She hated that loss of control, that inability to be herself. It was too much like High Reaches. Amith’s flights were only bearable because they were familiar, but Brat was different. Who knew what the ‘mandyr would do.

Do not worry mineLove. I won’t let anything bad happen. You should go to the flight rooms now, before the little one wakes up. The green’s words stopped Lennae’s pacing, and with a sigh, she relented. Amith was right after all. Besides, this was Selenitas, not High Reaches. Everything would be fine here. Quickly, she hurried out of her weyr and toward the flighty rooms, hoping to get there before Brat awoke. It wouldn’t do good to be stumbling about through the weyr, caught in Run Lust, though she wouldn’t be the first to do it.

Curled up on a pile of furs, Brat twitched. Her tail flicked back and forth, swishing gently against the furs. Tiny wings unfurled, stretching to their full length, which was impressive for a salamandyr. Despite her size, the gold moved almost gracefully as she woke, letting her entire body stretch out and her frill extend fully. Tonight was her night to shine and even with no one yet watching her, she put on quite the show, her hide gleaming brightly in the twilight. Purple tinged eyes made it clear that she wasn’t waking from any ordinary nap.

Sufficiently awake, the gold leapt down to the floor of the weyr, rearing up to stand on her hind legs as she issued her challenge. Who can catch? All try all try! Only best for me! Come quick, try and catch! Want best! Call made, she returned to all fours, scurrying along the floor out of the weyr and into the corridors. They’d have to find her first if they even wanted a chance at catching her!

[ravenmane]

Skye was stalking Brat. It was that simple. He had seen the prettyshinygold many days before, and while she hadn't been so... shiiiiny and sparkly then, Skye couldn't help fall in love with the Queen salamandyr. When Hispet didn't need him, the Blue had scoured the Weyr in search of the prettyshinygold until he found her and where she lived. After that, unless Sk'ler really needed him, the fire-lizard was stalking Selenitas's only available Queen salamandyr. Now, he was hiding on Lennae's desk, pressed into the corner, but the salamandyr-loving flit also had a view of the glistening golden hide of Brat.

She was the most beautiful, elegant, and amazing creature that had ever graced Pern's surface. Of course, Skye tended to think the same thing about every female salamandyr he saw except that Brat was different. She was a Queen, an egg-layer, and Skye was programmed to obey Queens. Why not this one? He nearly fluted with joy as she woke and became entranced by her stretching and sparkle shiny hide. Preeeeeetty. As the Gold challenged the males that would Chase her during her maiden Run, Skye silently slithered off of Lennae's desk and onto the ground. He crooned lovingly to her after taking a quick trip between to catch up to the surprisingly fast 'mandyr. Without wings, the flitter couldn't glide to the ground. Instead, he plummeted down, but having done this forever, the Blue landed expertly on his feet and took off after Brat.

All the way in his own weyr, Sk'ler was clutching his bed sheets while he tried to fight the lust ripping through his body. "TRINIATH! WHAT THE SHARDS IS HAPPENING!?" He bellowed angrily while his fire-lizards and two canines watched him silently. Skye is Chasing the little salamandyr Queen. It is her maiden Run. "HE'S A SHARDING FIRE-LIZARD. NOT A DRAGON OR A SALAMANDYR." Needless to say, the Brownrider had not been happy to wake up with the urge to find Lennae and jump her. Triniath crooned apologetically, but he was having trouble assisting Sk'ler block the fire-lizard lust. Your bond with him has always been stronger then the ones with the other four. I don't care! He finally lost the battle and became a large lust-controlled man. The Brownrider stumbled to the Flight rooms, unaware of his surroundings or the questioning faces.

---

Pretty Pretty Brat sososo Shiny. Mushu love. Mushu lovelove much. The salamandyr crooned loudly while he opened and closed his massive frill from his perch on K'iel's dresser. The Bluerider eyed his pet with caution and set aside the book he was reading. "Mushu, watcha doing?" Brat pretty. Pretty lovely Brat Run. Mushu Chase! The Bronze 'mandyr tried to stand on his back feet as he said this, but only managed to perform a terrific face-plant. K'iel tried to pick him up, but Mu hissed with scuttled down to the ground and was out the door before K'iel could even move.

"Qua!" He cried loudly and clutched his stomach as though to ward off the mandyr-induced lust that was flooding his system. There is nothing I can do, K'iel-Mine. These creatures have tight Bonds like dragons when it comes to this. The Blue whispered sadly as though he had failed his rider. He knew K'iel experienced difficulty with females, and the boy knew that Brat belonged to a female. "No..." The one word faded as the boy straightened, a lusty look in his dark brown eyes. Confidence was in his every step as he ran for the Flightrooms, but every so often, the salamandyr/weyrling would stumble, courtesy of Mushu's very uncoordinated and inability to move without falling or tripping.

[Kisha-Ra]

Troublemaker darted along the corridor, an earring liberated from a nearby weyr in his jaws. He looked around and flared his frill a few times while he thought. What to do next what to do next? Oh waitwaitwait! Didn’t Bratling baby queen live along here somewhere? He could go and get something of hers, yes indeed, that would teach her a lesson! Nevermind that Trouble didn’t have a reason to teach Brat a lesson, except that she was mean and bossy and she bit his friends but that was negligible to Troublemaker. He’d soon find a reason, she was MEAN!

Troublemaker found a hiding spot for his new shinything by the corridor wall and kicked dust over it to hide the shine. There! Now no one would ever see his shinything. The brown stalked off down the corridor, slicked flat to the floor, hiding away from all the mean people who wanted to stop him. Nearly there, quiet now. Sneak sneak.

Who can catch? All try all try! Only best for me! Come quick, try and catch! Want best!

Trouble froze in place. How did Bratling know he was there? She was very clever. Clever and meeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaan! Trouble flinched back as the gold salamandyr came darting out into the corridor but she ignored him and ran on. Trouble frilled and puffed up. He was bug, he scared Bratling away. Fearsome, he was fearsome! Come to think of it Bratling looked kind of nice. She was very shiny today.

HEY ASSHAT BRATLING! CHASE YOU DOWN! FATTY SKANK ASSHAT SHINY! Trouble bawled mixed insults as he shot off after the queen, not quite understanding the urge to do so. Wouldn’t now be a good time to take things from her? But she was just so shiny. So very shiny!

O’dan looked up from the embroidery he was adding to one of his shirts and looked at his dragon. She still lacked a distinctive glow and her eyes were blue. Why, then, was he feeling this sudden alien urge to chase someone down and jump their bones? The burst of insults that flared through his brain gave him the vital clue. Troublemaker had found a female to chase?

Emerith’s eyes flickered uncertainly between shades. O’dan? You feel all strange. What’s happening?[/color] Her wings rustled as she shifted them nervously. Her rider was slipping away somewhere.

It’s okay love. It’s Troublemaker chasing. I think I’ll be away a while. Try not to worry too much. There was more O’dan would have liked to say but the words just wouldn’t form around the ever increasing burning lust for the shiny little gold before him. O’dan turned and bolted out of his weyr. Emerith put her head down on her forepaws, sighed, and tried not to worry too much.



Imp was in a huff, he’d totally lost track of the green firelizard he’d wanted so very badly to flirt with, to charm, to chase, and hopefully to win. It was so sad, his prettylove had vanished off she had, like Bit did. But she hadn’t taken Imp with her. Sad sad day, no prettylove to chase. Sad, sad, Imp lovelorn and heartbroken.

But wait what was this lovely thing that came pelting down the corridor toward him? No prettylove she! No wings, no pretty voice, but so, so, so, pretty. How could such a thing be? Imp displayed hopefully but the strange pretty not prettylove passed right on by, and others were following her! How dare they! Imp pelted after the lovely vision in gold, no more able to resist a queen of his own species Running by than he could go between.

Darya groaned as a familiar feeling swept over her and turned to give her dragon a glare. ‘Azrath? Tell me, are you and Imp conspiring to find him a mate? And if so, just when do you intend to stop? Because I’m getting very frustrated now.’ Somehow Darya managed to fight of Imp’s connection, she was actually getting quite good with all the practice she’d had.

I believe he is actually chasing a salamandyr queen this time. He didn’t want to though.[/color] Azrath informed Darya of what she could already deduce in a totally neutral tone. He always got the better of his rider in these conversations, simply because eventually Imp would prevail against her.

Darya bit her lip, using the pain as a connection to her own body and fixed her dragon with another glare, one that faded away to a kind of embarrassed horror. The only available queen salamandyr was that one of Lennae’s. The very woman that Darya had tried to jump when Imp went after a firelizard queen ‘We’ll be discussing this secret keeping later Azrath.’ Darya threatened.

Hadn’t you better go and find the queen’s bonded?[/color] Azrath asked. You don’t want to miss your golden opportunity.[/color] Darya responded with a highly improbable suggestion about Azrath’s personal habits.

[glamourie]

The little Hazardcousin intends to chase the … chubby gold thing, just so that you know.

“Well, that’s inconvenient.”

Extremely, actually. R’wign blinked and lifted one hand to run his fingers through the long, dark strands of his hair. He was trying to trim the black curls, and not doing so well at that. With only one good eye, it wasn’t expressly easy. The last thing he needed was to put up with Hazard chasing a salamandyr… even though he was positive the brown wouldn’t win; salamandyrs simply didn’t pick fire lizards over their own kind if it could be avoided, unless their name was Worm (ha ha, Ka’rys, sucks to be you). Still was unusual. Last time that Hazard chased it was… very bad. His preference for salamandyrs actually baffled R’wign, but he supposed it had a lot to do with how small Hazard was for a brown. More likely to be impressive to a creature so much smaller than him… hm, maybe… R’wign scoffed, leaned forward, and sliced the bottom of one of his curls off. It fell to the floor at his feet and he leaned forward more to look in the mirror as a wave of disgust washed through him. Eye patch or no, he looked hideous. Hideous. Maybe he could find a mask?

Rrreeow.

Turning his head down, R’wign raised an eyebrow. Perching on the trunk that sat underneath his mirror was his cream-colored feline cub, and she looked for all the world to be upset. From the slight wave of her tail to the low, melodious meowing that escaped her throat, she was obviously unhappy. One paw reached out to bat at the curl that landed next to her and she purred at it before mrrrowing back at R’wign. Why was he chopping off his fur? It looked nice, it did. She thought her humanslave was the most beautiful and wonderful of all people. It didn’t make sense for him to be changing his appearance any, and she knew he was upset. Why wasn’t he just petting her? She could take care of him, she could, she’d make all that hurt go away if he’d just trust her. He was proving difficult to convince of that, though. He wouldn’t even hold her. She had to jump into his lap when he wasn’t paying attention. Such a stubborn two-legged, mrow…

The feline’s sentiments were shared by the gold fire lizard perching right next to her. Ellie gave a nervous flute and reached out to grab the black lock of curls. Her whirling eyes turned onto the feline, who looked at her briefly before turning her gaze back to R’wign. Ellie peeped to herself, then flew up and landed on R’wign’s shoulder… and then proceeded to try and attach the curl back in place, as if holding it up would make it go back where it belonged. Quietly, she chirped again… no doubt very worried. Hers was acting so strangely--! And that traitor of a brown (she was jealous, yes, she admitted to herself) was busy trying to Catch that horrible, horrible gold blob. How dare he.

But he wasn’t just chasing her. Hazard was smart, he was. The second that the little gold worm had begun to glow, he remembered her tantrum during his Elliegold’s flight, and he was most effectively plotting. Being intelligent (particularly for a brown fire lizard), he’d reasoned out when the gold salamandyr would Run and flew to the kitchens to attain a particularly good gift for the pretty, shiny gold. With Ellie, she was mad that someone else brought food… and not for her. Which meant that if he wanted to win her over, he should bring her food, right? What did salamandyrs eat? That took some spying, but after following around the other gold thing, he deduced that salamandyrs ate fire lizard eggs… which was entirely unhelpful. Since he couldn’t accomplish that, Hazard went to the kitchens and performed aerial tricks until a particularly friendly drudge gave him a chunk of meat wrapped around a sliver of fish. It was the perfect gift, and Hazard fully intended to share~

So it was that when he flew, carrying the piece of red meat in his talons, he felt quite pleased with himself. Who could resist one so clever as him? But his cleverness was effectively triumphed against when her call came through his mind -- he wasn’t ready! The gift was supposed to be ready for her when she woke! No no no! Too soon!

Creeling piteously, Hazard vanished between, only to reappear right next to Lennae. His little golden beauty was gone! Upset, he flapped his wings, chirruped, and then darted out the hall door. A blue tail caught his eye as he went and he was surprised to find a.. wingless… weird thing already in front of him. But the blue was not the only one. Something else was there too, a brown shouting insults… insults at the beauty? Why insults? Puzzled, but not offended (Hazard hardly ever took offense), he offered a sweet flute to Brat and glided up, still holding onto his prize. He remained higher in the air than most of the salamandyrs could jump, and for good reason: they were devious, they were. He did not intend to have his pretty’s gift stolen by a jealous bronze or brown, no no. It was meant only for her.

[Rei]

Onyx hit the ground at a dead run. He had been in the lower weyrs hunting tunnel snakes when Brat had made her call. Pretty. Onyx. Chase. Pretty. The near black brown darted down the hallway scrambling as fast as his legs could carry him. Where was his pretty love? Where? Darting to and fro he made his way up to where he knew the gold resided. Such a perfect female of course she would be above him and with a little luck perhaps he could end up beside her always.

Malara flinched from her curled position in her temporary quarters, awakened by the need to find Brat. Mask raised his head and creeled at her. His perfect was feeling strange? It was all that worms fault wasn’t it? He would eat it he would. Before the blue could get to his however she had sprinted out of the weyr. Although Mask tried to follow the light blinded him. Pushing through the pain he tried to follow his. He would not allow her to be harmed whether or not Onyx had her now she was his! Finally the wher could go not go further the light was to strong. He settled for gripping his bonded’s mind tightly. He would not let her come to harm.

Onyx scrambled up onto the wall and frilled as Brat ran past him. Pretty Love mine! He jumped off the wall and glided to fall behind her golden form. So many chasers! No matter he was the best and his Goldlyfat would see that. Of course she would. Onyx here! he chase. Bratfat best. Malara breezed into the flight rooms just as Onyx found Brat, and she crooned lovingly to Leanne. “Pretty love. Onyx here. Chase he. Love Goldyfat. Love Loooong.”

[weaving]

Six chasers. Why so few? Perhaps the others were still looking for her. In that case, she didn’t want them anyway. They were too stupid to find her which meant that they would be too stupid to properly dote on her and that simply wouldn’t do. She needed to be properly taken care, with food brought every hour and constant praises. Speaking of praises, one of her chasers was doing just the opposite. She, an asshat skank? The very thought caused her frill to flare out in agitation before she quickly shut it again. Doing that would only slow her down and she needed to run fast, faster than all those males behind her, especially the one who was screaming bad things at her.

Not have nice to say, no speak, she commanded. He was distracting her! How could she possibly concentrate without proper compliments? One of her pretty bronze chasers was doing much better in that category. Perhaps Troublemaker could learn a thing or two from him. Nice shiny. Is good. Her words were directed toward Mushu this time, though she continued on ahead of the others. Just because she approved didn’t mean she was ready to pick yet. No, they still had quite a bit of running to do but, oh, she was hungry already. All of this exercise was bad for her. It just made her want to eat more and she didn’t have time to get food right now because she had to Run! It was all very complicated, you see.

As if her mind had been read, Hazard appeared seemingly out of nowhere, holding a delectable snack in his talons. Was that for her? She slowed her pace as she eyed the meat hungrily, wondering how she would eat it. Well, this was her Run, she could do whatever she wanted. STOP! On pause. Need eat tasty treat. Lovelove brown flier pretty. While she normally detested firelizards, this one had brought her food, which earned him bonus points. She reached for the snack, holding it between her foreclaws for a moment before scarfing it down in no more than three bites. Why that was delicious! Now she could Run for as long as she wanted, or at least until she grew hungry again. Perhaps the winged brown love would bring her more food if she asked.

Ready…GO! With that she took off once more, heading straight for a flight of stairs. Her first obstacle. For the winged fliers, this would be no challenge, but it was different for those who couldn’t fly it was different. Picking up speed, she leapt toward the first stair, scrambling up it awkwardly. Her large belly only got in the way, but she made it up, immediately leaping for the next stair. Her wings beat frantically in an attempt to help her climb, though their effect was minimal. Well, if she was having such a hard time, surely the others would too!

Not having made it to the flight rooms in time, Lennae found herself wandering through the halls, lost and confused. Where was she supposed to be? Something told her that she should be climbing stairs, but that couldn’t be right, could it? She was supposed to be somewhere, in a room of some sort, but where was it? Aha! An open door! Surely that was right! Stumbling into the room, she spied Hazard/R’wign. If one of her chasers was here then this must definitely be where she was supposed to be. And he was the one who’d brought her food! How nice of him! Completely uncharacteristic of herself, she gave R’wign a large smile, though the gleam in her eyes was anything but sane.

[Rowana]

Star was curious. Why were so many salamandyrs running around? It had to be good to attract so many. Maybe it was some new wondrous food! Star jumped into to the air and flapped awkwardly after them. She poked at some of their minds. What was it? Was it good to eat? The shiny gold one was in front. Did she have the food? Maybe she was tasty? Were they going to eat her?

Star spotted Hazard and her eyes flared greedily. He had food! Star winged after him as best she could. Flying was hard! Couldn't he drop the food for her? She sent a image to him. Hazard giving her the sweet meat. Bringing her more. NO! The evil shiny one had stolen her food. HER FOOD! Star's eyes flashed red with fury as she turned on Brat. Stupid shiny pig! Star declared her anger to all with an image of Brat, bloated with food, being devoured by a large, slim Star. Brat was fat and slow! Star would eat her!

Satisfied with her slanderous images, Star blinked between and back to G'tor's weyr. She curled up on her soft, blue pillow and sulked. Next time the males would chase her! Next time they would bring her food! Then the stupid, fat shiny would see she was the better salamandyr.

[glamourie]

She took his present for her! Hazard fluted happily and glided back away from Brat, giving her enough space as to be respectable. He was smart, he was; he knew better than to stay close to a Queen of any species when they were Running/Flying. She would pick in her own time and he was not going to crowd and rush his beauty, no no, he wouldn’t ruin his chances by offending her. Hazard flapped his wings, landed on one of the ridges of the stone wall behind Brat, and watched her with whirling violet eyes intensely. His tail swished back and forth and he crooned approvingly to her as she snapped up the treat so quickly; obviously, he’d done a good job in picking it out, if she could eat it that fast. He felt very happy with himself, and Brat’s comments made his wings flare and the brown puffed his chest out in pride. He was smart, he was, he’d make sure she saw just how smart he was, because she was worth all the cleverness he could muster up.

All at once, an image flared through his mind that confused Hazard and he cocked his head to the side to see a little white spec flying closer. Irritated and insulted on behalf of his beautiful gold, Hazard spat at the salamandyr. He flared his wings twice as the second image bombarded his mind and he squawked in rage, tempted to chase the white menace down. The low growl in his throat was guttural and dangerous. He was not normally a creature prone to fighting (he typically would leave rather than actually engage in conflict) but during a Flight/Run he was not about to flee to avoid being irritated. Fortunately, the white monster did flee and Hazard hissed loudly (a sound that was distinctly strange coming from the normally even-tempered brown). His wings flapped twice and he made a mental note to deal with the white thing at a later date. Or get Roxie to.

Trilling encouragingly to Brat, Hazard dove off of his ledge and zoomed directly after Brat. Without the tasty morsel in his claws to weigh him down, he was more than a little agile, and easily twisted in a show of loop-de-loops up the staircase after the shimmering gold. Just because flying up after her wasn’t hard didn’t mean he was going to insult her by not trying. If he was willing to show off for another fire lizard, he certainly was for a salamandyr - especially one so pretty as Brat. He also didn’t want to make her feel bad because of how easy it was for him to go up the stairs. After all… she was a queen and he a mere brown; he was lucky that she acknowledged him at all.

R’wign frowned and sliced a second curl from the bottom of his hair. He repeated the motion several times, until the perch where Ellie and his feline (as of yet unnamed) sat was covered in black locks. The end result was for all the bottom-curls of his hair to be gone, leaving nothing more than shoulder length waves. It was almost even all around, too. He tossed the knife aside and ran his fingers through his hair, catching any stray locks that remained. The movement was an echo of his vanity which had taken quite a severe dent with the loss of his eye. The slight shake of his fingers as they lingered over the eye patch was clear indication of that -- something he hadn’t given voice to for anyone to hear out of shame. He was proud, he was, and the last thing he wanted was someone else’s pity because he thought he looked terrible (or rather, he knew he did… but that was another story).

He was just about to wander off to his private bathing rooms when a low hiss from the feline made him look up and over his shoulder. And then he froze, backing up until his back was against the wall next to the trunk. “Lennae,” he said weakly, wondering if the greenrider could even hear him; the look on her face was decidedly not her. Of all the sharding rooms she could wander into, why did she have to pick his? Obviously, fate had something against him, though what he had done to offend it was anyone’s guess; he certainly didn’t think he’d done anything wrong. But -- Lennae’s presence was clear indication to the contrary. Shards, shards, shards… why him, and why salamandyr-driven females? He was distinctly reminded of the last time that Hazard decided to chase. Accursed brown! “Lennae, you’re supposed to be in the flight rooms, not my weyr. The flight rooms are out, through the hall and up a level…”

[Kisha-Ra]

Troublemaker was confused. He’d thought he was speaking clearly. Bratling wanted to be chased, Trouble was chasing her, and hadn’t she taught Troublemaker to say asshat her very own self? It was a good word, he liked it. Hrrm maybe she didn’t like fatty then. He’d learned that one off Showoff. Showoff knew many good words but if she didn’t like it… he chirped agreeably. Okay asshatshinypretty. Won’t say more. Love pretty hobag asshat. Chase good. Troublemaker stretched out his long body in an easy run. Yes it was good to chase Bratling around. Maybe if it was this fun he should chase her around more often.

Hey what was the big idea? Troublemaker skidded to a halt and lifted his frill uncertainly. Why were they stopping? Oh the flyinguglywing brown had brought food for Bratling? Well Bratling did like food, it stood to reason that she would want to eat rather than run. Well he’d have to outdo flyinguglywing now, shame he had no time to run off to any of his stashes.

An image that Troublemaker would normally have totally agreed with flashed by. Usually he would argee that Bratling was a bloated fat blob and should be eaten, however he’d lost enough ground what with flyinguglywing bringing food so he hissed after the vanishing white salamandyr. Tiny nuisance speck! Badbadbad! Foul! Vile! SQUISH! How dare she interrupt!

Run asshatprettyshiny! Run! He encouraged as Brat headed off again. Oh no! Stairs! Troublemaker hated stairs, they were so hard to sneak up and now flyinguglywing would surely steal a march on him! Trouble threw himself at the obstacle with only a little more grace than Bratling. He hopped and scrabbled madly and amazingly his large size and long body made him one of the front runners. Eat that flyinguglywing!

O’dan bounded up the stairs with all the energy he could muster. He’d show that stupid showoff flyinguglywing who was the better brown! He’d show Bratling who was the best ‘mandyr too!


Imp practiced a strict ignorance is bliss policy with the other salamandyr’s who joined the chase, and Hazard he didn’t even notice, Imp wasn’t looking up for this queen! He was however forced to notice that everyone, even his pretty-not-prettylove had something to say. Never had Imp been in such a noisy chase. Nor one that took place exclusively on the ground. It was strange but good.

Imp slowed to a halt as he was commanded but he was not pleased. Cheating firelizard males! They couldn’t win fairly so they brought shinys and treats. BRIBERS! CHEATS! Imp’s tail lashed from side to side in rage while the pretty-not-prettylove bolted down the bribe food. Well he would do far better than that! He could win fairly!

The gold finished her bribe snack and ran off again. Imp was quick to follow, instantly forgetting his previous rage now that he had something better to focus on. Stairs? On problem! Imp went up the stairs in an ungainly series of hops, flaps and landingts but all his practice in chasing prettyloves meant that this was no insurmountable challenge to him. Prettyloves threw worse at him all the time.

Darya ran for the flightrooms, hoping that she’d find Lennae there, or at least someone to sport with, she wasn’t fussy, but then she spotted the objecxt of her desire out of the corner of her eye. Darya totally lost her struggle with Imp’s urges then. Uncaring that Lennae was headed totally the wrong way for the flightrooms Darya pursued. She had her pretty-not-prettylove in her sight and that was all that mattered. Darya slipped through a doorway after her pretty and snarled at R’wign, enraged. CHEATER! How did he get here before her?

[ravenmane]

Ugly quiet. No nice to Bratlove. Mushu hissed at Troublemaker and then crooned happily at the praise he received from his pretty pretty Brat. He paused for a moment to display at the others before dashing off after the goldyshinyprettyone only to be startled by her sudden cry for a halt. Stop! Bratlove want stop! He twirled around and displayed again at the other Chasers as thought "protecting" Brat from the evil males that tried to steal her away from her Mushu.

Her order to continue on pushed him into action and the Bronze bound after her, tripping and falling as he went. When the group reached the stairs, Mushu began climbing them with relative ease. He loved going higher. Hispet had many things that went higher and he loved to climb them over and over again. The salamandyr crooned up at Brat encouragingly as she climbed ahead of him. Pretty Bratlove can do it! Pretty Bratlove bestest Gold. He scrambled onto the next the step and glanced at the other males. Unworthy little asshat skanks. None deserved his prettygoldshiny. None!

UGLY ASSHAT! BAD TO BRATLOVE!! MUSHU EAT! The Bronze shrieked as a picture flashed through his mind, but before the salamandyr could attack the white shrimp that had dared insult his pretty Bratlove, the defective creature disappeared just like an Ugly Flier. Ugly Flier lover. Mushu hate. Mushu save Bratlove. He growled and then puffed up with pride as though [i[he

[/i] had banished the uglyflierlover that had dared insult his pretty Bratlove. It was gone now, and Bratlove was safe. He had saved his prettyshiny!

:::::::::::::::::::::::

K'iel stumbled again and muttered darkly at his uncoordinated movements. He had to find his prettygoldshiny. His Bratlove needed him! Guided by an invisible compass, the weyrling managed to make it to R'wign's weyr which had now become the Flightroom for th the Gold salamandyr's Run. When he spotted the Healer/fire-lizard, K'iel hissed. There was the stupid ugly flier that thought he could steal His Bratlove. He would show the uglyflier asshat skank how much better he was!

---

Skye was not bothered by Brat's pause so she could eat. He had plenty of stamina already, enough to outlast the little pretties that Chased his sparklesparkleshinygold. Never had he seen so many little pretties at once! Even with the sparklesparkle dominating his thoughts, the fire-lizard couldn't help but glance around at the other 'mandyrs that Chased the sparklesparkle goldie love. As she ate, the Blue sat perfectly still, his eyes trained on Brat. What a perfect little sparkle. Better then his humanpet's pet's greenie meanie pretty.

Suddenly, all the pretties around him lurched into action and the Blue lunged forward and up the stairs. While the salamandyrs with their small bodies and tiny had difficulty climbing the stairs, the wingless fire-lizard had no such problems. He climbed them with ease, but never straying above the sparklesparkleshinygold. It wouldn't do if he insulted her. Wouldn't do at all!

:::::::::::::::::::::::

While he had been aiming for the Flightrooms, something directed Sk'ler to a weyr. He didn't even notice that R'wign was present. The Brownrider wasn't important. Only the sparkleshiny that was there. Nothing except her (and seeing the other shinies) mattered. He neared the pretty gold shiny, crooning lovingly to Lennae/Brat while remaining politely out of her way. Only a flickering glance was all he really spared for the pretties that appeared, and were it not for the glorious sparkleshiny, he may have crooned happily at them. As it was, there was no time to play with the others. He had to Chase his prettysparklesparkle![/size][/blockquote]

[weaving]

Star’s interruption startled Brat so much that she slipped from the stair she’d currently been scrambling up, falling flat onto her back. It took a few moments of rolling about to get herself situated correctly, but as soon as she did she’d turned around to face where Star had been. Though the white had long since disappeared, she felt the need to shout insults at her anyway and let loose a flurry of slanders that was convinced had chased the ugly white worm away. Silly blob, thinking that she could eat Brat. She was the best queen ever shelled and the white worm thing was simply jealous! Well, she’d show it!

Turning back toward the stairs, she finally climbed up over the top one and took off down the hallway. Oh, maybe that food hadn’t been such a good idea. Now she was getting tired and her stomach was heavier than usual but she wasn’t ready to stop running yet! She needed to keep going! Ignoring any words sent her way, she concentrated solely on running. She needed to get further than this before she chose anyone. She simply wasn’t ready yet! It wouldn’t be long though, though she refused to admit it. This would be the best Run ever.

Lennae meanwhile simply stared at R’wign while he attempted to explain where she should be. He wanted her to leave? But he had brought her food! He liked her, didn’t he? Why would he want her to go away? As her other chasers appeared, she simply became more convinced that this was where she should be. R’wign was simply teasing her! That silly silly boy! He had to want her here, after having brought her such a tasty treat. One didn’t do such nice things and then try to shoo her away.

((mojitos make writing posts rather difficult))

[glamourie]

Why were so many of them showing up in his weyr? Lennae made some sense, in a twisted, warped way; she was vindictive enough to hunt him down during a flight (or run rather) to prove a point but the rest -- the rest must have been following her, it was the only explanation R’wign had. Cursed greenrider. Curse her! And the way they were all looking at him was decidedly not pleasant. In fact, it was about as far from pleasant as he could get. His face paled and he looked around the wall for any place he could hide. Why did Checkoth have to be sunning by the river? By the time he got back, the Run would be over. Why did he have to be so far away? Brushing his brown’s mind for comfort (which earned him a decided level of alarm; Check did not like his mindmate being so upset at all), R’wign pressed his fingers against the back wall, and looked from one chaser to the next awkwardly, then his gaze fell back on Lennae. No words…? No comments? Was she that lost? Was he the only person on Pern who did not completely succumb to flight/runlust? Even when Checkoth Caught Oquith, he was still aware of what he was doing on some level and who he was doing it with. Was he the only person capable of that awareness? -- No, S’rei -- but S’rei with Ka’rys -- so awkward…

So many of them were loud. Hazard was tempted to scold the ones doing the speaking. Didn’t they know how rude it was to jabber on? Only their beauty-queen was entitled to talk. Their words were unpleasant, rude. It made him spit sharply in Troublemaker’s direction, obviously displeased by the conceit the brown was addressing his lovely with. How dare he. Did he not know that she was lovely and deserved only the best he could offer? Maybe that was all he did know. Hazard flicked his tail agitatedly, a hint of scarlet trailing into the vivid violet of his eyes. Maybe he’d have to teach the ugly flying thing a lesson, yes maybe --

But no! No! His pretty was falling! Flapping his wings in alarm, Hazard glided smoothly back down the stairs after Brat as fast as he could - which was impressive, given that he was much larger than she was. He almost landed and fluted to her, desperate to be sure that the wicked stairs and the evil white thing hadn’t harmed the beauty, but then an onslaught of things that reminded him of Roxie flashed through his mind and he was reassured. If she still had strength enough to be fussing, she hadn’t hurt herself badly, he decided, and he fluted encouragingly. She was perfect, she was, and when she went back up the stairs, he was further assured that she was fine. So wonderful was his pretty. The other running things were just jealous that he’d thought of a present and they hadn’t. Well, that was their problem. Queens deserved presents, and the gold before him was definitely a queen. A tribute, that’s what it was called, wasn’t it? Tribute, to her beauty. Hazard puffed up his chest and barrel-rolled through the air after Brat, like a miniature dragon showing off. He would show them all how perfect he was. He could do things they could only dream of… and he could wink between to get her food, didn’t she know that? That made him the best.

Very pale (and uncomfortable), R’wign finally came to a resolution. Hiding against the wall was not the best way to avoid… whatever it was that the old, crazy lady had planned for him, and K’iel - poor K’iel. He probably had no idea what his salamandyr was doing, but that look on his face was very familiar. Not unlike when Checkoth had Caught Oquith, but worse this time, somehow. He did not want to face off with the bluerider if it could be helped. The others -- well, they were barely noticed, primarily because they weren’t giving him murderous looks. One problem at a time. If he got away from Lennae, maybe they would stop following him, right? Oh, he was going to have to burn his entire weyr after this whole affair. He blamed Lennae entirely. She’d done it on purpose, she had. Wench.

R’wign bolted across the line of his weyr, keeping himself close to the wall to avoid drawing the attention of the other chasers. Hazard’s interest in Brat was a dim flash in his mind, and actually more intense than he was used to -- which he deduced was more because Brat was a queen than anything else. It was tempting, as he passed Lennae (far enough away to be out of reach), to walk over and brush his fingers over her skin, just to see if they came away gold but -- no. That wasn’t him. R’wign shook that thought from his mind and made for the doorway before darting out of it into the hall. Surely they wouldn’t follow him. After all, he wasn’t the one they were Chasing -- Brat was. And Brat was Lennae. Maybe they’d think he dropped out. Maybe he’d offend Lennae/Brat and she would definitely not pick Hazard. Either way, he was not sticking around to find out. There had to be a closet with a lock that he could hide in somewhere nearby!

[Kisha-Ra]

Troublemaker flared out his frill and gave a second hiss after Star. He was fearsome! Frightening the littlesilentliar and chasing Bratling around. Yes he was, he was the best. Flyinguglywing was nowhere near as fearsome as him, nor were the stupidbronzes. Fearsome! You come back littesilentliar and SQUISH! Troublemaker was so very impressed with effect of his threat that he had to stand at bay on a stair, hold his frill at full display and puff his body up just to show everyone how great he was.

Suddenly there was a scuffle further up the stairs, Troublemaker turned and looked up, his frill drooping in confusion. For some reason Asshatshinypretty had decided to roll around on the stairs. Why had she decided to do that? He thought she wanted to make them chase her?

Bewildered the brown scrabbled a step or to higher to look at his queen. Why? he inquired blankly but no answer was forthcoming as the gold regained her footing and ran off again. Troublemaker flared his frill briefly, now this was what he understood.

Where was Asshatprettyshiny? She was in front of him, and then gone why? O’dan shook his head against the alien thoughts that insinuated themselves over his perception of the world. He’d made it up to the flightrooms but apparently the queen’s bonded hadn’t. Now he was screwed.


Imp gave only a snort of dismissal for the image Star sent. He had greater things to concentrate on, like these stairs. So annoying they were on and on and oooon! Imp gave a startled chirp and darted to the side as Brat came crashing back down the stairs. Imp’s frill flirted up and down as he chattered to her. Was this part of the test. Was she hurt, his pretty-not-prettylove? Apparently not if she could make that kind of performance.

Imp snarled silently at the cheating briber brown who landed on the step. He was going to pay for being such a cheater. Imp tensed, fully ready to pounce on Hazard’s back a savage him but the cheat took wing again. Well SOMEONE was going to pay! Another brown scrambled up the stairs. No matter that he wasn’t the right one. Imp’s jaws snapped shut on the middle of Troublemaker’s tail as the bronze sprang forward, claws at the ready. But Troublemaker only bellowed YOU FATTY BUTTLICKER BIGNOSE RUNNERMATER! and ran on after Brat. Imp shook the tail that remained in his mouth and bit it a few more times for good measure. Then he too returned to the chase. All those cheating browns needed a lesson before he, Imp the greatest, could claim his pretty-not-prettylove.

Darya growled, a low rumble that betrayed her displeasure. Her eyes snapped between Lennae and R’wign. The brownrider had the misfortune to bear her dislike as the bonded of Hazard. What was he doing? CHEATER!

Forgetting Lennae for the moment Darya stalked after R’wign, filled with Imp’s desire to Teach Him A Lesson. What was he doing out here, getting more bribefood? Well she’d show him! Darya slammed into R’wign’s back with an incoherent cry of rage. Her teeth snapped shut just beside his ear, fortunately missing giving out some of what her little bronze pet had just given Troublemaker.

[Rei]

Onyx scrambled after his gold and when she called a stop to her run he skidded to a stop and shifted uncomfortably. Brat was stopping for some ugly flier? The dark brown frilled and hissed his tongue caressing his small protruding fangs. As the gold called go again Onyx was off in a flash expertly clambering up the stairs. Brat was slow at this obstacle but the mandyr did not push his precious. Oh no that would be wrong. Instead he unconsciously slowed to an almost crawl a few lengths behind her. No more than a few agitated hisses where spared his opponents. They didn’t warrant a full out assault yet.

Malara looked around the flight rooms and whimpered in confusion. Where was her pretty gold? She was not here? Finally she caught sight of the ugly bronze Mushu and she was able to follow him to Leanne/Brat. “Fattyprettygold. Onyx. Find. Onyx Love.” She purred as she joined the chasers watching the gold. Why was such a fattyprettygold paying attention to an ugly flier?

As Star’s blasphemous image filled his mind Onyx shrieked. Stupid! Ugly! Worm! Fatprettylovegold bestest! The dark mandyr hissed low but the ugly thing blinked between like an ugly flier before anyone could do much of anything. Turning he caught sight of the wiggling Brat, and he hopped about and filled her head with encouragement. PrettyFat. Up upupupup! Loveprettyfat. He sang standing on his back legs and extending his frill. As Brat managed to regain her footing he spun around once like an excited canine and resumed the chase. As the gold sprinted down the hallway Onyx followed oblivious to the trying time the fat gold mandyr was obviously having. Brat was the pretty fat obviously and so shiny!

The near black Onyx frilled uncertainly at Imp as he attacked Troublemaker, but didn’t push his luck. Instead he merely allowed a bit of red to creep into his gaze before tagging his gaze back onto the fatlove. Malara/Onyx hissed at Darya/Imp as he attacked another chaser. R’wign/Hazard. “Stupid bronze! No! Fatlove attention! No bronzestupidugly!” She hissed menacingly.

[weaving]

She was tired, very tired, and all her pretty chasers were fighting! Well that wasn’t good! It meant that they weren’t paying attention to her, which wasn’t what she wanted at all! She looked behind her just in time to catch Imp biting off of Troublemaker’s tail. Hissing angrily, she ignored the two of them. How immature! They were too busy focusing on each other to notice how brilliant she was. Look, look, see how fast she could run! But no, instead they could pay attention only too each other! Well then, maybe they should just go and be mates together, those ugly stupid gaymaters! They weren’t worthy of her at all! Besides, all they had done was insult her, and she deserved much, much better. She deserved only the best and neither Imp or Troublemaker were worth her time. The other brown ‘mandyr had done nothing but call her fat either, which irritated her to no end. She wasn’t fat at all! She was pleasantly plump, curvaceous or big boned, but not fat! He too was mentally written off her list, though she didn’t let any of them know that yet.

She continued running, though her steps were slowing. Her belly was just too heavy for her to continue with the quick pace that she’d set earlier. She needed to choose someone soon before she got too tired to move anymore, but who? Three she’d already written off, leaving three to choose from. There was her other bronze, but he’d done nothing more than give her a few compliments and even that had been sporadic. The brown flier and brought her food, which had been delectable and he’d encouraged her the entire way! That had been very nice of him indeed but he wasn’t a ‘mandyr, making him lesser. Finally, the blue monster who couldn’t fly which was very salamandyr-like of him, but he didn’t have a frill, which wasn’t in the slightest like a proper salamandyr. Immediately, she crossed him off her list. He wasn’t worthy of her at all!

That left only two. The bronze love thought he was the best. Even better than her? If he thought he was the best then he had to think that he was better than her, which wasn’t true at all! She was the best and whoever she picked could only hope to someday be as amazing as her. The brown flier seemed much more humble and he had brought her food…speaking of food, she was getting hungry again! Maybe if she picked the brown flier he would bring her more food! Well, that decided it!

Mine! Is mine! she called to Hazard, leaping for him, though it was rather difficult to do with such a large stomach pulling her back toward gravity. Surely he would take the hint and come down to help her. He was a good flyer love, wasn’t he?

As Darya leapt toward R’wign, Lennae stared at them in confusion. Were they fighting over her? Well, that was very flattering, but she’d much rather that they simply pay attention to what she was doing! They could fight later, after she’d picked, but right now she was who everyone should be watching! Irritated, she ran after the two of them, hoping to catch their attention.

“Hey! Hey! No fighting! Look at me, look at me! I best, pay attention me only!” As she jumped around them, desperately seeking their attention, Brat chose, causing Darya’s actions to suddenly seem ten times worse. Why was she attacking her R’wign! He was hers, she’d claimed him, which meant that Darya needed to get away from him NOW! Grabbing at the woman, she attempted to pull her off with her good arm, determined to get to R’wign. He was hers!

((The randomizer hated R'wign lawl.))