What's Normal Anyway? (Phremath's Maiden Flight!)

[reqqy]

Kalierre shifted uneasily. Lust had taken to working his limbs into her braid of late and jumping out at random passersby for various reasons that were only apparent to the salamandyr. He was an absolute pain in the infirmary. But if she left him in her weyr where she couldn't keep an eye on him? No, this was definitely better.

Snotbutt! She reacted just a tad too late to keep the bronze from jumping at one of her young apprentices. The creature seemed wholly unperturbed when the boy shied away and the salamandyr couldn't latch onto him directly. Lust merely scurried up the poor child's pantleg and, perching precariously upon the lad's shoulder, he arched his head around in front and displayed his frill with a hiss. 'Firmary mine, snotbutt! Mine. Say mine. 'Firmary mine! That was when Kali caught up to him, snatching the writhing bronze up by the trunk of his body. Lust scrabbled against empty air. L'rineeater! he shrieked, his flailing claws and snapping head barely missing their target. Down! Lust want down! Down now! Me bite. Lots, lots red. Her little terror could be woefully articulate at times. Before she could apologize to the boy, he merely nodded, straightening himself and hurrying back to his duties.

Everyone in the infirmary was more or less used to the Dragonhealer's pet.

"Stop it. If you don't stop flailing all over the place, I'll just hold you like this for hours. Do you want that?" Lust gave an extra kick for good measure, but then went obediently limp in her grip. Kalierre suppressed a sigh. That could only mean that he was planning something, if he didn't argue. Sure enough, as soon as she relaxed her grip, the bronze darted up her arm and latched onto her earlobe. Bonebag mean. No grab Lust! Mean bonebag. Lust bite hard. The commentary continued. It seemed, though, that the salamandyr did have some minor affection for his bonded, as the bite wasn't drawing blood as he'd originally promised.

Kali stroked his back lightly. "Yes. I know. I'm sorry," she responded placatingly. "But you shouldn't jump out at people like that. You're so big and strong. It's scary. Yes?"

While Kalierre was stroking her Lust, Phremath was having a few problems of her own.

The main one was simply that it was hot. Not just icky hot, but mind-boggling, eat-you-alive sort of hot. She was quite literally wriggling on her weyrledge from extreme discomfort. Besides being hot, she was hungry, but not in the way she was normally hungry. It was something deeper. Eating her up from the inside. Phremath had been trying to ignore all these things. She wasn't sure why. Now, though, they had built to a crescendo, drawing her out of a midafternoon nap and to the edge of her ledge. The small green with her stunted wings noticed some of the attention her writhings were getting, and suddenly she straightened, elongating her spine and preening before the prying eyes. Well, of course they should be looking at her! She was the most beautiful of all the greens. Why wouldn't they want - to fly - with her...

Kalierre's head came up. Even Lust had stilled, his nearly perpetual growl taking on a subtler tone. Phremath. Don't -

But it was too late. The small green had flung herself from the weyrledge, letting loose a primal howl that was at once draconic and something different. She plummeted toward the ground of the gorge. Her small wings worked, straining to catch the lift she needed, and suddenly she hit a thermal, spiraling upward in an explosion of motion. Phremath rode the warm air, circling almost lazily as she shone above the Weyr. Where were her males? Another raucous cry split the air, demanding. Didn't they know they needed to fly with her? Didn't they know she needed them to take away this heat? Just for making her wait, she was going to make them work! Maybe none would catch her! Unworthy males.

The green slipped from the thermal, angling into a steep dive. Her small wings made normal flight impossible. Only thermals would even allow her to gain altitude. But, oh, they certainly allowed her a much wider range of manuevers as she plummeted toward the earth - the candidate barracks, though she hardly cared to note such details - her lithe, radiant form twisting against the backdrop of the sky. She backwinged, her muscles straining and the membranes singing a high whine at the sheer speed in which they moved, slowing her enough that she managed to land at a dead run. Leaping over the heads of a few unfortunate candidates in her way, Phremath then streamed over the narrowest part of the river. Her small wings allowed for a hovering effect that almost made it look as if she were walking on water. And then she was darting through the trees, a brilliant flash of light that only the smaller males would have any hope of following - unless they were willing to wait and hope that no other would catch her while she was still in the forest, looking for an opening as soon as she emerged.

In that time, Kalierre had managed to leave the infirmary, Lust clinging tightly to her, frightened, but too stubborn to leave just yet. The woman could barely think straight. Unfocused, her eyes followed the trail of Phremath's unorthodox Flight, and she shuddered, hands rubbing at her biceps. Hot. It was really quite hot. Had she thought she knew what to expect from a Flight? Clearly, only the experience could possibly come close to the truth.

[kysseh]

In the heat of the day, K'von had taken refuge in the cool sanctuary of the river, submerged up to his neck in the water, still fully-clothed. Of course, the water made him remember, which did not help the heat problem, but the immediate problem of hyperthermia was relieved. The brownrider did not necessarily dislike the heat, but even after over a Turn in the southern continent, the northern-born man still was not accustomed to the heat and sharding humidity. He almost found himself wishing for the cool of Benden winters, though he knew that wish would soon pass. Southern was too beautiful and peaceful to miss that rocky fortress. Here, there was water and green things.

Shardit... he thought glumly, as the word 'green' promptly brought to mind all of his most recent issues. Alaid and Aorath... that green weyrling that had Risen that Dohulth had unsuccessfully Chased... and the dragonhealer and her lovely, if slightly handicapped, green. Green... why was it always green? The second issue had been resolved when a bronze caught the young weyrling, for which K'von was intensely relieved, despite Dohulth's disappointment and his own lack of physical relief. Alaid was a whole problem in and of herself. He felt terrible for the little weyrling, but the mere thought of her brought back painful memories of Benden that he could not even begin to touch on comfortably. He would not abandon her. No, he would keep a close eye on her, regardless. She needed that, and he thought he did too. She would always have a friend--at the very least--in him.

His immediate problem was the lovely Kalierre, whom he was still trying to figure out. He had agreed to wait patiently to see what happened with Phremath, and he was eagerly looking forward to a second meeting. Granted, he was not sure if be so welcoming to him after her first Flight, if she was close to whomever's dragon flew Phremath, but he was not one to give up easily. She was easy to talk to, which someone with as unused of social skills as him could appreciate. But, he would have to wait, or he would have to cheat somehow. Since he could think of devious plan with his head made so muggy by the heat, he would have to stick with waiting. Waiting, waiting, always waiting. Just like Dohulth was-

//She Rises!//

K'von had caught the thread of Dohulth's thought just a brief moment before the dragon articulated it, and he quickly hauled his carcass from the water, shoving his feet into his boots and making for the boats at a dead run. There was no way that Dohulth would come get him now. No, Dohulth's attention was focused solely on some glowing spot of green, which made the rider both elated and furious. Shardit! Couldn't Dohulth for once Chase a dragon that had a rider K'von liked?!

//Phremath Rises.// Dohulth clarified, which only made K'von move faster. The brown had been sunning and resting on his weyrledge after an early morning exercise flight, but instinct had roused him when Phremath began her restless writhings. He had gotten instantly to his feet, ready to protect until he had seen her and realized that she was basking in the attention. Oh, she was about to do something foolishly lovely, and the brown was torn between gently scolding her for even thinking of trying to fly and wholeheartedly encouraging her to take to the air somehow.

When she howled, he answered with a throaty bugle of his own, flaring out his own wings and falling off his ledge to get a bit of lift. He lacked the maneuverability of the blues and the size of his fellow browns and the bronzes, but he was too stubborn to let this lovely and radiant, brave little creature escape him. No, he was going to Chase and make sure she did not falter in the air. It did not matter that her wings were small; he would have plenty of wing for the both of them.

When she soared upward, he followed with a few wingbeats, letting out a small snort of surprise when the lazy circles turned into a dive. No! She could not fall like this, and with a bugle of warning, he folded his wings to drop after her. He was barely able to open them again as the river got much closer, though he managed to avoid any singularly awkward and potentially-fatal collisions. The brown caught a brief glimpse of a flash of beautiful, brilliant green moving in amongst the trees, and he moved without hesitation to land in an open spot, snaking his lean body through the trees as he stomped along after her. He was not as fast on land, but with his wings tucked in tightly, his lack of bulk let him slip through the trees without having to actively seek out a clear path. Of course, he did have to trample a few bushes in the meantime, and a gold flitter did screech at him for straying too near her nest--he registered gratefully that he had missed stepping on it. But he would not stop! He crooned to the green ahead of him, only catching brief glimpse of her as he moved through the trees, his eyes whirling brilliant purple. Such a brave thing, to try to take to the air as such! He admired her, and not just for her shining beauty that he kept getting tantalizing glimpse of. Oh, if only he could get her airborne again!

K'von, meanwhile, was torn between throttling his dragon, loving the brown wherry, and trying to find where the shards Kalierre had gotten herself off too. Luckily, instinct and a bit of luck made him spot her as she left the Infirmary, and he tracked her movements until he could intercept her. The lust that Dohulth was emanating was nearly overpowering, and he did not trust himself to remain conscious of himself for much longer, even as he came to a halt about an armslength from her. When she rubbed her hands along her upper arms, he could not resist reaching out to put a hand on her shoulder, reminded halfway there that that was probably not wise. The hand was retracted reluctantly, and he watched her with eyes hungry from both his and Dohulth's yearning. There was going to be no polite send-off this time. It would either be acceptance or rejection, and he was fully prepared to handle both, though preferably the more pleasurable of the two.

[Avu]

T’rid and Corinth were doing…nothing. To be precise, they were lounging in the shadows of a large tree, Corinth sprawled lazily on the ground as T’rid sat propped against the bronze’s haunch. Idly, they conversed every few minutes or so, but nothing of interest really popped up. Hey, Corinth, look, T’rid said suddenly, lazily, I think a green is flying… He squinted, trying to see what appeared to him as a green blob better.

Corinth raised his head, interested. It is Phremath, he said, and new eagerness layered his tones. May I chase, T’ridMine? I would like to. He was visibly restraining himself; his eyes whirled purple in eagerness and lust. I can catch her! His young Rider stared at him briefly, and then shrugged. “Sure, go ahead.” Why not, really? The bronze rocketed from the ground so quickly that T’rid nearly fell over backwards in surprise. Corinth bugled in a way that was most unlike him, announcing his presence to Phremath. He was a bronze! And what green did not love a bronze, after all? As she caught the thermal, Corinth followed steadily, glaring rivalry at the brown that also followed her.

He was the only one who was worthy of Phremath! Except…she dove. Unexpectedly. Corinth snorted in surprise, his wings fanning out as he judged the angle briefly, before following in his own downward dive. Ah, but she was headed for the trees! Tricky. Yes, Corinth was small for a bronze, but not that small. At least he could see flashes of her green form every so often. He tried to follow her path above the trees, bugling in distress. This wasn’t right. A flight should be in open air, not on the ground. Come out, beauty, so every dragon can admire you, he called enticingly, his gaze trying to pick out her green form among the trees.

T’rid, meanwhile, had found the flightroom empty. Hissing in slight annoyance, he retreated, thinking as quickly as he could while in Corinth’s flightlust. Phremath. The dragonhealer’s Impressed. The infirmary? He made his way towards the infirmary, and spotted her leaving it. He sighed irritably. Why couldn’t she have just been in the flightroom where she was supposed to be? It would make things so much easier for him. He chanced a glance outside as he moved towards her.

Corinth bugled again. The trees! Of all places to hold a flight, the trees? He winged in low circles, lust clear in his eyes. He wanted to go after her, but couldn’t without knocking over a few trees in the process.

[ryanne]

R'lor sat in his room, holding the riding straps out in front of them. It seemed no matter how many times he rubbed that stupid liquid on them, they seemed to want to crack. The leather was still brittle and he was scared that if he put them on his Yiminth, they would just snap and then both of them would be in a lot of trouble. Or mainly just him, because he would be the one falling off and quite possibly plummeting to his death. Now wasn't that a cheerful thought? He sulked a bit, rubbing the leather care tonic on the strap over and over again, hoping it would just make that crack disappear so that he wouldn't have to go ask for the repair adhesive to meld it back together.

Mine? Yiminth inquired from his rock outside. The brown had decided to go sunning today, an odd thing for the dragon. Usually he liked to stay as close to His as possible. He was just a sweetheart of a dragon and he liked the nearness. Yes? R'lor asked, confused at the tone in his bonded's voice. Usually Yiminth was quieter and he didn't ask questions much. It wasn't in his nature.

Phremath is going to Fly, the brown continued, an edge of something in his voice that R'lor couldn't place. What did it matter if a green Flew? A couple from their class had already Flown earlier. Shard it, Yiminth had Chased one not too long ago. He didn't win, but he Chased. What did another one Rising have to do with anything? Shard it, shard it, shard it. His dragon wanted to Chase, didn't he? Do you want to---

His question was never finished. The wash of lust that covered him spoke for it all. The brown leapt off the rock he was curled up on and flew to the gorge, his eyes whirling an uncharacteristic red-orange. R'lor just laughed. Of course, he just had to Chase. Rolling his eyes at his lusty dragon, he made his way to the Flight rooms. He had to find the rider of this green or it would not turn out well on the off chance that Yiminth won. I will Catch her, I will Catch my Phremath![/i] the brown asserted, following her through the thermals simply by coasting higher in the air. She was an odd green to follow, but he would, oh, he would follow.

Arriving at the Flight room, it was empty. All that he saw was another male leaving, a similar look in his eyes. Figuring there could be only one Flight going on, he knew that this man must be one of those fighting for his Phremath. R'lor shook his head, his dragon must be Chasing Phremath as well. He followed K'rid, hoping that the rider would know where Kalierre was. When he headed towards the infirmary, he realized that the older male was right. Catching sight of Kalierre, he almost ran to her, lust glazing over his eyes as he caught sight of his green on the ground.

Yiminth continued to follow Phremath, bugling to left her know that he was here, above her. His bulk didn't allow him to run on the ground as she was, but he was not a very large brown so he managed to stay fairly close to the ground while still using his wings to clumsily guide himself behind and above her. When she headed for the trees, he gained a bit of altitude, calling to her again, letting her know that he was still following.[/size]

[ravenmane]

There was nothing special about the day, and no reason for Sk’ler’s companions to be acting the way they were. Triniath was staring off into space, Soltun and Joolree were zooming around the weyr nervously, and Bolli, well, he just wasn’t Bolli anymore. The little Blue was a terror, and both of his older companions knew to stay away from him. The BrownWeyrling glared at the creature, wishing again that he had never ever come across that Gold flit’s Hatching. Trin, can you please send Bolli somewhere else? He won’t listen to me. He directed another glare at the fire-lizard, but the Weyrling glanced back at Triniath uneasily when the Brown didn’t respond. Trin? Suddenly, everyone was quiet as all of Sk’ler’s fire-lizards hopped onto the bed and stared silently at the Brown. “Trin… What’s wrong?” Triniath blinked slowly and turned to stare at his rider for a moment. Phremath Rises. Triniath heaved himself to his feet without another word and launched himself into the air.

Sk’ler raced out onto the weyrledge, his hazel eyes wide with shock. “TRINIATH!!!!” His voice was a scream, almost hysterical as the Brown flew away. The Weyrling’s mind was frantic as he scrambled down the stairs leading to his weyr and hurtled after his dragon. Lust surged through his veins, confusing the boy’s mind and slowing his body. Don’t fight. [i[You were angry with me when I was with Fiona and R’lor! Now I’m mad at

[/i] you, Triniath! Sk’ler screeched mentally at his Brown. He was hopeless when it came to this kind of situation, and now his anti-social, super shy Brown was Chasing Phremath which meant Sk’ler might have to sleep with the Lead Healer of Selenitas. He paled slightly at the thought but kept on running. With all of his thoughts cluttered up like pieces to a jigsaw puzzle, Sk’ler forgot to head for the Flightrooms. Instead, he hurried towards the once place he knew Kalierre would be. The Infirmary. As it was, the Dragonhealer was there, along with all of her suitors. Sk’ler simply remained where he was, but he was surprised to also see R’lor among the Chasers. Such a small world…

Meanwhile, Triniath soared after the delightful jade green beauty, his eyes a violent whirl of purple. It was hard not to acknowledge his rivals, but Triniath seemed to manage although he was privately seething at the thought that any of those males believed they deserved the lovely Phremath. He deserved her more then those other males ever will. All of them had Chased tails before. Not Triniath! He had waited for the right Green, the most beautiful one to Rise, and that beauty was the jade green Phremath. The Brown was so caught up in his thoughts that he was one of the last to react to Phremath’s deep dive. A small croon of worry escaped his maw before he could push it back. Would Phremath judge him because he had arrived last or because the only vocal noise he had made was a small croon? Triniath pondered these thoughts as he shot after the object of his affection. When Phremath entered the forest, Triniath forced himself to tuck his wings in tightly and weave among the great branches. It was not easy work, but the Brown was willing to do anything to win the beautiful Green. His only concern was, would she reject him because of his silence?[/size][/blockquote]

[Kisha-Ra]

R’fuin scraped his hair off his neck and into and orderly tail, if it was always this hot in the South he was going to give in and cut it all off. The bluerider snorted and shook his head, no matter how much he thought that he’d probably never go through with it, he’d kept that hair for too long to cut it off now, and to think he’d only left it long as a tiny spark of defiance…

Phremath is going to fly.[/color] Ylonth’s sudden pronouncement made R’fuin raise an eyebrow, this was the first Flight his normally excessively lusty blue had taken an interest in for quite some time. I take it you’re Chasing her? R’fuin inquired blandly already rising and heading out of his weyr.

On his weyrledge Ylonth shifted his weight impatiently and fought the warm sun that beseeched him to lay his head down and snooze a while. The heavy set blue knew that if he did drift off that would be when Phremath Rose and he would miss it. Determined he rose and stood on the edge of his ledge. That turned out to be Ylonth’s best decision of the day as a primal howl rang out. Instantly Ylonth bellowed his reply and leapt off his ledge, intent on the chase.

Ylonth admired the unique flight pattern and the sly wit that put Phremath as such an advantage over her pursuers, how many others would dart among the trees like that? Ylonth was forced to slow and eventually land as he chose to wend his way through the forest rather than take a risk of one of the others catching up while he was above and out of reach. His size was his advantage here, as he was not as large as his rivals, but his bulk let him down, as he simply couldn’t get his muscled body to react as fast as his mind.

[reqqy]

One bugle. Familiar voice. The green counted in silence, determined to make her suitors pay dearly if not enough came to give her a good choice. Of course, she should be rewarding them if they came, as it was the ones who hadn’t come who were at fault, but Flightlust rendered Phremath irrational. A second followed, then two more in quick succession. She was peripherally aware that a fifth, also, had joined, the green putting on a burst of extra speed as she darted between trunks and ducked branches, barely noticing the light scratches along her hide that were the rewards for her efforts. Five suitors. Enough to rival a gold, and a flash of pride swept through her, before it was replaced by the need that propelled her forward in a primal dance. She knew where she wanted to go.

What was this? Did two of them think themselves too good to follow? She growled low in her throat, her tail lashing out to take off a branch in her angst. They had best not play the waiting game much longer, or she’d be certain to make them regret it. The two browns and the single blue who had taken to the trees in pursuit were greeted with a prodding of encouragement. They could do it! Just a little longer, and then she’d let them all see her and marvel at her beauty. At the bronze’s words, Phremath felt some of the ire melt, though she hardened her heart. No male would win her simply through words! He must show her he was the best, and he wasn’t even trying very hard.

Then the green was bursting into an open glade. The elevation was higher here – it was the same hill where weyrlings first learned to glide. It had been chosen for a nice thermal generated by the sun baking the stones at its base. Phremath never slowed her headlong dash. She streamed forward, stunted wings springing out to capture the warm air. It buoyed her with surprising speed, the green’s light weight to her advantage. Wheeling tightly within the column of warm air, she shot up, up past the brown and bronze who had held back. If they were to have any hope, they needed to prove themselves now. Phremath flipped over, underbelly up, and relinquished the thermal. She went into a tight barrel roll, her descent not nearly as steep as that first one. When one of the dragons drew too near, a single wing darted out, propelling her into a tight turn.

The young dragon went into a series of tight maneuvers, playing amongst the thermals that her weyrlinghood had taught her, but she knew that was soon to come to an end. She couldn’t rise on the power of her own wings. Crying out her challenge, encouraging her males, the radiant beauty was back over the weyr, with no thermal at her disposal. That was hardly enough to stop her. Carefully, she spilled air from her wings, slicing downward, wheeling, drawing up and then coming to a fairly soft landing along the bank. Her hearts thundered with her need. Who would prove worthy?

Phremath immediately set off, legs thundering as she darted along the river, teasing her suitors by disappearing within the edges of the trees for a few moments at a time, sometimes doubling back, sometimes not.

The dragonhealer was immediately aware that her dragon’s method of flight wasn’t the only thing against the norm. In an instant, the lust had settled over her like a blanket. It smothered. She could hardly breathe, could barely string two coherent thoughts together. Her muscles twitched with every movement from Phremath. Had she wanted to, she could not have made her way to the Flightroom. Was, in fact, quickly losing sight of what such a thing even was. Even Lust’s desperate nips at her neck were negligible. The poor salamandyr creeled woefully.

Kali pulled back from the brown’s touch with a hiss. She did not recognize him, but she knew she hadn’t chosen this one. Hadn’t chosen any of them, yet. He had no right to touch her! Her bonded bronze responded to her outrage with a shriek of his own, finally finding an outlet for his anxiety. He launched himself at K’von’s face, claws scrambling for purchase as his tiny, needle-like teeth sought for the man’s nose.

The heat was overwhelming. Her males were converging upon her, and she knew she couldn’t be caught, not here. Kali/Phremath growled, a note of desperation in the sound. Oh, but the heat! She backed away from the four young males who had already arrived, fingers curled into claws as she tore at her tunic, ripping at it. They would have to chase her, to prove their worth. But not while her legs were so hampered. Trousers, too, fell, the primal creature standing in her naked glory. Then she whirled, dashing for the water and its soothing coolness to escape the heat. Her cry rose to mingle with Phremath’s, a strange, compelling harmony. The men would have to give chase, or lose her to the river and the trees.

No, there would be nothing at all normal about this Flight.

[Avu]

((OoC: Okay, guys, I’m sorry I’m probably stabbing the posting order, but after a while today, I won’t be able to post until two days’ time, so I want to at least get one more post in. <3 Just pretend…Corinth’s still chasing?))

Ha! She was in the open again! Corinth freed himself from the slight panic that had momentarily clutched at him, and dove after her, skimming along the ground as she ran. And then she took flight. Corinth blinked in surprise, his wings fanning to keep himself from overshooting. He flipped mid-air; it was not a necessary maneuver to begin his vertical ascent after her; it was more of a show-offish move. Then he followed in her dance, following the same thermal on which the green rose. She descended again; Corinth followed this time. Perhaps he’d just have to demolish a few trees. Trees—what were they to him, anyway?

In his right mind, the bronze wouldn’t have even let the thought cross his mind. But now, with Flightlust controlling his actions, it seemed the only reasonable thing to do. Each tight turn or motion that the green in front of him took, Corinth followed. His eyes followed the bright body. Shards, but she could fly better than some queens could! Perhaps he could use that. Corinth hadn’t gotten an answer for his last call, but hey. Your beauty surpasses those of the queens, Phremath; only the strongest are worthy of you… Did that not imply that only he was worthy of her? He, a bronze, while the rest were mere browns and a blue?

Phremath landed; this time, Corinth did, too, tucked his wings, and followed her. This had to be the oddest flight of all of them. He bugled in distress as she disappeared briefly among the trees several times. She always came out, though. Good; that was good! He launched himself into flight again, wheeling above and behind her in the sky, trying to impress her with his motions. He couldn’t do many—she was fast—but they were better than the ones he could execute on the ground.

T’rid/Corinth blinked anxiously, his eyes fixed on Kali and yet he was with Corinth. He saw the darting green in front of him; wanted her—Corinth’s flightlust was washing in waves over the young man. He would have moved closer towards Kali had the bronze not…attacked one of the flight members that had gotten too close to His. A bit of primal triumph rose in him. While she had not chosen him yet, at least she hadn’t made any friendly overtures to anyone else. As Kali took leave of her clothing, T’rid found himself tugging impatiently at his tunic, pulling it off, exposing his chest to the cooler (but not by much) air.

Then she took off. Running. And not towards the flight rooms. A hiss of annoyance slipped from T’rid’s teeth. Why was she running from them? From him? Well, if Corinth was willing to chase Phremath, he was willing to chase Kali. There was the briefest of pauses as he gathered his thoughts, and then—he ran, his tunic, knife and belt discarded with it, forgotten on the ground. He could reclaim it after the flight…

((Feel free to steal T’rid’s stuff. o3o))

[ryanne]

((*is killing posting order as well...* Oh well. ))

Frustration quickly took over Yiminth as he began to lose sight of her through the trees. He didn't even notice the others that were already following on the ground behind her. No, his eyes were only for the green and it was hard when he could barely sharding see her. Growling his anger, he plunged through the trees, scraping a rather deep gash into his side that was sure to leave a scar. He ignored the pain, though, hopping awkwardly after Phremath who was now right in his line of sight. He was a little too far to the left, but he was still running after her, crooning at the beautiful green to let her know that he found her and was behind her.

He dashed through the trees, gaining various bumps and bruises along the way. This was an uncomfortable way to Chase, but he was determined to keep up. He was going to Catch the beautiful, unusual green if it was at all possible. The trees, those sharding trees, though, were getting in the way. He almost ran straight into a pine tree, but he managed to turn at the last minute. This was difficult. He was way too big for this.

Finally, they found an opening in the trees. Yiminth recognized this place, but he was too busy trying to follow the unusual green to bother to place it in his mind. Thankful for the room, he found the air, jetting up and then catching the thermal only after he saw Phremath gliding on it. He followed her straight up, pushing his wings to get the bulk of his body up as high as the petite little green's. He didn't flip like she did, but he turned quickly, rolling easily. He liked that move, it didn't involve folding his body like a pretzel, just tucking in his wings and turning. Then she was out of sight.

He stalled for a moment before turning, finding her fairly quickly. He really needed to keep a closer eye on this green. She was so agile, so quick. He crooned to her again, pushing himself further and faster. He was a big bulky brown, but he would keep up with her. Yiminth was determined not to lose to the little blue or the other smaller browns. No, he would show her that only he was worthy of her.

With her little show of acrobatics, Yiminth followed. Carefully, he flipped his large body over, before tightening it into a barrel roll, streaming straight after her. His eyes were whirling with lust and a touch of dizziness, but then she landed and he followed. Shard it all, he had to Chase on the ground again. Awkwardly, he bounded off after her, growling everytime she disappeared in the trees.

The second that R'lor caught sight of the green's rider, his mind went completely in with his dragon. In his eyes, she was the beautiful Phremath, leading them in the air in on the ground. He couldn't differentiate his own thoughts, his only views, his own images from his dragon's. There were windows of lucidity where he saw the woman in front of him, but they were fleeting and usually gone before he could even think about interpreting them.

However, when the salamandyr leapt at the Chaser, R'lor gnashed his teeth. There was one competitor that he didn't have to worry about. Perhaps it wasn't very fair that it was the salamandyr that was clawing him, but he didn't even comprehend that moral thought. All he could see was that one of the pairs was having more difficulty than him and that was what mattered in the Flight.

R'lor didn't notice as the greenrider began to strip. He was in the air with his dragon. However, when she took off, he followed blindly. His feet were oddly sure, pounding against the ground as he followed her. Instinctively, he discarded his own shirt as he made his way into the water. A few moments later, his trousers followed and he was racing after her, stark naked as well. What a Flight.

[ravenmane]

Trees and bushes continued to pummel Triniath as the Brown Chased after Phremath diligently. His body was continually connecting with the thick tree trunks, and Triniath was positive that he would have many bruises after this, but even the greatest hurt would not keep him from proving his worth to the beautiful Green. Although he felt beaten and abused, Triniath continued to push on, encouraged by Phremath’s gentle prodding. Pulling his wings even closer to his body, Triniath quickened his pace, but the added speed was almost unnecessary as the Brown suddenly emerged into an open glade. He shook his head for a moment, clearly surprised to the sudden openness until he realized what Phremath was doing. She had located a powerful thermal, and now the Green was soaring away. Using Phremath’s thermal to his advantage, Triniath hurtled after her and allowed himself to be assisted by the air, but that didn’t mean he stopped flapping his wings. No, he just used the extra help to get closer to the lovely Green.

His wings were swiftly brought against his sides to fly faster as Phremath shot ahead of her Chasers. Although he wished to imitate the Green’s amazing acrobatics, the Brown knew they would look clumsy and horrible coming from him. Oh, how he wished he knew what to do! Triniath had no way with words or movements, but his heart was truly in this, and the thought of losing made his soul tremble. His eyes watched her lovingly as she rolled across the sky and played as a young dragon would. To think that the beautiful Phremath was older then he! Triniath darted after the Green as she landed again to Run. Oh how it made him want her even more because of her differences. Phremath was unique, a beauty to behold, and yet, there was a chance that the Brown would never really get to know the tricky creature he Chased. No! He would win, and his doubts only made matters worse. The Brown’s feet carried him sure-footedly as he followed Phremath. When she disappeared again into the trees, Triniath followed with a hint of laughing blue in his eyes. Oh how tricky she was! It was seemed that her Chosen must be able to follow her anywhere, and so far, a Brown and a Bronze must have placed themselves in a bad situation. As Triniath Chased after the Green, he weaved in and out of the trees as Phremath did.

She seemed like a mirage to him, to beautiful to behold, yet Sk’ler could not take his eyes off of the love Kalierre. Her entire being glowed with a golden light exactly like the glow of a Queen, and her brown eyes seemed to pierce his very soul. Sk’ler had never felt this way, and he could have been in emotional agony if Triniath’s lust was not completely suppressing the boy’s sanity. A grin of satisfaction crossed his face as the bronze ‘mandyr leaped at K’von. Served the idiot right for almost touching Kalierre/Phremath. His hazel eyes flickered for a moment of hesitation as Kalierre took off towards the river before he too was headed for the refreshing liquid. It was almost like Kalierre/Phremath was writing her own Mating Dance instead of performing the one all dragons, male and female, had known. As he followed Kalierre, Sk’ler glanced at his competitors with something kin to amusement. Why did they removed their clothing? When he looked back at Kalierre, he knew why. Quickly removing his own clothes while trying to keep an eye on the beautiful Green, Sk’ler leaped into the water and allowed the cool water to cover his head. For a moment, his mid surfaced, and Sk’ler stared at everyone in terror until the lust from Triniath overcame him again. Then his expression was one of expectancy and eagerness.

[kysseh]

Dohulth let out a snort of surprise as a branch thwacked him solidly upside the head, and he tucked his wings in tighter to slide beneath the offending object, only briefly losing sight of the lovely flashes of green before him. He heard a low growl ahead of him and let out an answering croon of gentleness, reassurance. He was here! He was not about to abandon the chase, not while he still had energy left, and Dohulth had much, much energy to burn.

The sudden brightening of the light ahead spurred him on, and he burst into the glade as he saw Phremath take to the air again. The brown let out a delighted bugle. He was not the nearest to her, but he would be soon. He opened his wings to their full extension and let his sheer momentum take him upward with the thermal, pumping his wings as soon as he got into the air. She was airborne, and she was lovely. He knew he had not nearly her range of aerial acrobatics at this altitude, but he soared upward to match her, crooning as she turned over. Dohulth was not a beast prone to showing off, but when such an opportunity came, he could not resist letting her know that he was a very fine flier. He executed a movement similar to hers, soaring a bit past her and folding his wings to roll lazily over onto his back, watching her closely as she descended, his own headfirst path mirroring hers. He stayed close enough to secure a good view... and close access, though not close enough to crowd. The other males made that difficult, and he did not wish to anger this beauty. No, he wanted every chance she would give him!

When she issued her challenge, he bugled long and deep, and while it lacked the power and volume of one from a very large dragon, its intensity left no doubts as to his intentions. The brown was not going to give up, and as she dove, so did he, folding his wings to fall toward the ground after her. Her landing was soft, but his was powerful, the force of his wingbeats stirring up the sand. He was off almost as soon as he hit the ground, unwilling to let any dragon outpace him now. She was a tricky one, weaving in and out of the trees and teasing them, but Dohulth was not for an instant going to let that stall him. He let out a low rumble, his wings tucked in tightly as he moved along the river with far heavier footfalls than the slighter, slimmer green. She did fool him once, and he snaked his head back and forth before he spotted her again, barely hesitating in his motions to persist. He was unused to running so quickly and for such long distances on the ground, but who was he to argue with such an unorthodox manner of Flight? This was what she wanted, and he would admire her with any opportunity he got, though if that sharding bronze's shadow got in the way of his view again....

K'von was locked deep in Dohulth's mind, though he retained enough human consciousness to recognize Kali/Phremath's hiss as she moved away. It was not rejection, but it still spurred him to greater heights to keep her attention. He was known to her, wasn't he? He was a good man, a good rider, and he had respected her wishes. His survival instincts were also well and truly intact, for he flung up a hand to ward off the onslaught as something shiny leapt towards his face. Whatever it was, it latched on to his left hand, and he registered that that hurt. Dohulth even twitched his left forefoot in midair in a futile gesture of get-off, whilst K'von's hand barely moved in recognition, despite the fact that the man's hand was the recipient of the vicious treatment.

However, the need to deal with the source of pain was secondary to the fact that the desirable object of his intended affections was moving away, and K'von took a single step to follow before promptly stripping down to his skin. Wet clothes hampered movement, and he--whether it was Dohulth or K'von or both, neither could be sure--wanted nothing to hurt his odds of catching the fleeing womandragon. He was moving almost as soon as he was free of the restrictive clothing, and he was off running, heedless as to whether or not the creature had hitched a ride on his hand. Hopefully, he had not banged the creature up too badly in his quick efforts to disrobe, but that thought was given only a brief second of consideration before want and need overrode concern. Bah, it would be fine. If it had enough pluck to attack him, it could certainly survive most anything thrown at it, and thus, K'von chased after Kalierre with no abandon whatsoever, not caring what the other suitors were doing. He was not the quickest, but shardit if he would be last...

[Kisha-Ra]

Ylonth collected no few scratches on his pale hide as he forced his way through gaps he would normally never attempt to slip through in his pursuit of Phermath, however the blue barely noticed them as he detected a slight feeling of encouragement from Phremath.

Ylonth’s admired the green’s wiles as well as her beauty when she burst out of the treeline and threw herself into the thermals. She was so fine! Surely if her wings weren’t so small she would have been the finest flier on all Pern, as it was her intelligence and her determination made Phremath a very challenging green to chase.

Ylonth, too, took to the thermal rising from the sun baked rocks, though he took care not to soar too high, he wouldn’t lose Phremath’s Flight through carelessness. The bulky blue trilled his appreciation for the green’s manoeuvres among the thermals though he took care with his own flight; he needed to preserve his strength to compete with the browns and the bronze when the moment of her choice came.

As Phremath landed again Ylonth decided his best chance of success was to follow her on the ground, perhaps he could follow her somewhere the bigger dragons couldn’t or do some other thing that would get her to chose him.

R’fuin bared his teeth is frustrated snarl on finding the flightrooms devoid of anyone and a low growl of annoyance worked it’s way from his throat as he stalked away, seeking the object of his/Ylonth’s desire, a search made all the harder by not being completely in control of himself. Where was she? Oh he needed her!

R’fuin’s steps took him outside, he caught some strange looks but no one stopped him, presumably the weyrstaff realised his dragon was chasing the green in Flight. As he stepped outside he raised his head like a gazehound seeking the movments of prey, though his prey was of a different kind. Suddenly gaining a direction R’fuin sprinted off after his green, stripping of his shirt and trousers as he went.

There! The bluerider flung his body into the chilly water with a wordless cry of relief/lust/challenge, surrendering utterly to his dragon’s instincts, which of course made it the most natural thing in the world to chase after Kalierre.

[reqqy]

How she loved the chase! Playing in and out of the males, watching them turn tricks, watching them strain, just to catch her attention. Only the bronze hadn't come into the forest, but he'd descended to meet her as soon as she emerged, and if he wasn't strictly in good favor with her, at least he wasn't on her bad side anymore either. Five glorious males. All competing for her. Even now, consumed by her need, Phremath showed her gentle nature; she sent each and every one of her suitors a touch of encouragement. They were doing so well! She knew how hard it was for them, to chase her through the trees, to participate in a Flight that they simply weren't built for - and she admired each and every one of them for their determination. Such a shame that she could only choose one. At this point, she would have gladly let them all catch her.

Too bad. Her mind played over each option as she continued her mad dash, surrepitously slowing up whenever she noted that the males were beginning to flag. This was her realm, and here she had the benefit of endurance. The bronze's words came again, making her pride swell. Let the strongest catch me, then, she whispered, the female's lusty thoughts airy, the words directed to all and not just the one who'd first spoken. Was a dragon judged strongest by his size? Surely not. At least, not in Phremath's mind, and her mind was the only one that mattered right now, wasn't it?

Just a little longer. She crooned to her boys. A little longer. Though she ran on the ground, she couldn't be caught on the ground - she knew that instinctively - but she had to find a way to get airborne again first. Who would she pick? The sweet-talking bronze performing aerobatics at her back? The brown who was familiar, who had reassured her at her brief flash of anger? The brown who'd crashed through the branches to chase, at risk to himself? The silent brown that followed with such suppleness and grace? The lithe blue, alone of her pursuers who had nearly been able to match her movements?

Even Phremath did not yet know.

There he was! The fifth of them, finally come, hitting the water in a sure stroke. The others followed at her heels. Even the one who ran, still bleeding, the bronze 'mandyr dangling from his hand and growling loudly enough to be heard even from this distance. Kali/Phremath never slowed. She launched herself into a swimmer's dive the moment she closed in on the edge, clearing the shallows and spearing through the water. A supple strength, in her limbs, and one that propelled her quickly through the liquid while utilizing the aid of the current. Better. But still unbearably hot. Shaking her head, she growled at nothing in particular.

The womandragon did not stay in the water long. She wanted the bank, the trees, playing in and out of them in subconscious mimicry of her Phremath. Blonde, dark with wet against her gleaming skin, fell in a mantle across her back, having come free of the braid sometime during the swim. They were all young, strong men, and should have been able to outpace her with ease. But for two truths. The first, that Kalierre's legs were roughly the length of even the tallest of her pursuers, her strides long. And the second? Phremath's determination overflowed into her, the green's boundless, easy energy, and though her lungs screamed at the cruel treatment, though her muscles quivered from fatigue, she could not slow. The riders could pace her, but overtake her? Not so easy.

Not unlike an old world nymph pursued by her satyrs, the race of nude - and nearly nude - riders drew shocked amazement from even the weyrfolk, who were more used to such things. Never had they seen anything quite like this in broad daylight under the open sky. Kali/Phremath suddenly stopped, reversing direction and passing so close between R'fuin and Sk'ler that she actually brushed against them as she streamed by. She darted in quick little steps, cutting out of K'von's path. That immediately put her in R'lor's, the woman pivoting neatly, moving around the man as he sped by and narrowly avoiding clashing with T'rid. She plunged into the trees and sprinted.

Both Phremath and Kalierre emerged from the edge of the trees at the same time. One hundred yards to the cliff's edge. Phremath's intent was clear...she planned to use the cliff that supported Selenitas Falls to take to the air one last time. As the seconds passed and it became an all-out race, devoid of finesse, the woman fell behind her dragon. Naturally. Still, she did not slow her breakneck pace.

The green reached the edge of the falls, plunging directly downward, her underbelly nearly scraping the canyon wall. Another challenge. They must come, they must follow. Her choice was drawing close. Her legs, her lungs, were not tired, but her wings could only handle so much, and she did not intend to flag before she chose her mate. A twist of her torso and quick snap of her wings had Phremath horizontal. Gliding on the lack of buoying air. It was close, close, there! Another thermal, and she was soaring, giving out a deep-throated scream.

Her bonded, unaware of anything but her dragon, consumed, screamed as well. Even as it became clear that she would not stop, the drop of the sheer cliff just yards away.

[Avu]

Corinth nearly purred as he received the feeling of encouragement sent by the green. Ah, but she was tricky! The bronze looped once more, crooning softly to her, hoping to Faranth that she was close enough to hear. He turned his head at her words. The strongest? But surely that was him. Young, in the prime of life, without anything to hinder him in flight or motion, and to top it all off, he was a bronze. Phremath, Queen of Pern, he called, enticingly performing another acrobatic maneuver that nearly had him on the ground. It was just a title, but it was a good title. One worthy of this green beauty who darted and flitted through the trees and occasionally took flight.

His purple-whirling eyes were filled with the wanting of Phremath. She was so beautiful, and yet how could he catch her if she was on the ground? It seemed an impossible feat for a sky-born dragon like Corinth. Ah, his beauty was headed towards a cliff, though! What a way to take flight. Clever queen, Corinth thought, almost to himself, as he winged after her. Surely, borne on air, he was quicker than those silly enough to remain ground-tied? His wings were steady, although a slight ache was beginning to grow in them. This green could outfly a queen, he thought, making sure his thoughts were to himself this time.

And she dove! Corinth had enough experiences with cliffs to know what he could and couldn’t do. He couldn’t fly down them without scraping his wings. It was invariable; he was just too large to follow, especially as close to the cliff face as Phremath went. Well, he could simply—drop. And drop he did. Closing his wings, the bronze crooned with delight and lust as he let himself fall after the green. He was so, so close, it seemed to him…and then she was gone again. Corinth unfurled his wings, catching his fall, and spun after her again. A thermal! Clever, clever, she was so clever…Corinth bugled in reply to her scream, and followed determinedly.

T’rid pulled himself from the water. His trousers had been discarded somewhere along the way; it was hard to swim with clothes weighed down like they had been. He hissed, slightly aggravated by her quickness as he threw himself into the run. Why couldn’t he outrun her? He ought to be able to, but he couldn’t, even with Corinth’s lust and strength coursing through him. And then she turned, nearly colliding with him, and T’rid wanted her, but she was gone before he could put thoughts into actions. Shards.

But—

Scorch it all, where was she going? A cliff! A sheer drop. Well, if she went over, so would he, T’rid, and he’d pray to Faranth they both survived the fall. The young man gritted his teeth and gave chase again, his breath coming in sharp spurts, both from lust and from running and swimming.

[ravenmane]

Phremath’s encouragement was well received by Triniath, who had begun to doubt his chances at being Chosen. He darted after her, making sure to keep himself from being hurt too much. His eyes darted among the trees, watching the bright glowing dragoness before him. A silent growl began in the Brown’s throat as he listened to Corinth, but he quickly cut it off. It would be horrible if Phremath heard that growl and thought it was for her. Instead, Triniath began to hum quietly as he weaved between the tree trunks after the Green he desired so. It was a simple love tune, one that Sk’ler would often whistle or hum when he was working or couldn’t stand the silence he kept himself hidden in. There was no real reason for it, but it had suddenly popped into the Brown’s head, and he began to hum it for no reason. Although the noises of the dragons crashing through the forests seemed to cover up the small song he sang, Triniath continued his merry tune, inspired to keeping running after this beauty that had enticed him so and drawn him from his place beside his precious rider.

When the Green emerged from the forest, Triniath erupted with a shower of leaves. His tail had accidentally whacked against a tree, dislodging quite a few golden leaves from their places. His eyes watched the Green knowingly as he followed her; aware of what she was planning. The Brown thundered after her, leaving his mark on the small expanse of land. His pace was steady, but fast as the dragon Chased after Green. Triniath’s wings did not open as he approached the edge of the land. Tossing himself over the cliff, Triniath shot after Phremath like a bullet. Wind whistled past him, screaming its own challenge as Phremath screamed her own. His wings opened seconds after Phremath’s, pulling him for a moment before the Brown was Chasing after the Green he desired so. Her screaming challenge muted the little tune he stilled hummed, but he continued to sing it, the lilting love song giving him the strength he needed to push on, to Chase for his chance to be Chosen by the beautiful Phremath.

Meanwhile, sadly earth-bound, Sk’ler was darting after Kalierre, sliding through the water like a knife. His eyes never left the womandragon before him, watching her every move as though his life depended on it. When the Greenrider exited out of the river, Sk’ler hurried after her, picking up speed as he freed from the moving water. His pace was strong, and in the conscious part of his mind, Sk’ler was thankful for his past. Having been raised to deal with herdbeasts, Sk’ler had had to learn to run very fast to catch up with the creatures when his father needed them. It would have been quite easy to catch up with the woman running before him, but her dragon’s determination gave her extra strength. As he raced after Kalierre, Sk’ler did not even acknowledge the astonished weyrfolk that watched the very unusual Flight, but the man was unprepared for when the Greenrider decided to reverse her direction. It was only when she brushed past him and his skin felt like was on fire that Sk’ler noticed that the woman changed direction. He did a sharp about-face and was off like a rocket.

Sk’ler’s breath was coming in short gasps, and his legs were beginning to burn from the strain he put them under. Oh how he wished it could stop, but there was no way the young man would allow anyone to touch the beautiful woman that was Kalierre. As the nude procession plunged into the trees, Sk’ler weaved in and out of the trees just as his Brown life-mate did as he followed Phremath. His hands brushed limbs out of his way, but he continued to be pummeled by branches and other things he missed in the frantic chasing of the womandragon. Sk’ler had forced himself to pick up speed until it was possible that he could kill himself by simply tripping, but he pushed on, unable to think of another man wrapping his arms around the lovely form of Kalierre.

It was as the group of naked men and the one woman erupted from the forest that Sk’ler’s conscious mind began struggling to take control. As his feet pounded into the ground, echoed by that of the dragons, Sk’ler’s conscious mind surfaced for a moment. What he saw was horrifying. Phremath had tossed herself over the cliff’s edge, and her rider, Kalierre was still heading straight towards the edge without a single hesitation. The woman was so caught up in what her dragon was doing that she did not realize that her death lay before, and in a few yards, if she didn’t stop, both Kalierre and Phremath would die. Sk’ler hurtled after her, his legs pumping as fast as they could go. With several deep breaths, Sk’ler’s frantic voice screamed out at the running Greenrider. “KALIERRE!!! STOP!! PLEASE STOP, KALIERRE!!! PLEASE!!” The screaming cry was loud, almost as loud as the screaming challenge the Kalierre gave in imitation of her dragons. He found himself slowly closing the distance, but as he ran, Sk’ler could feel the strength slowly draining away, and he feared that he would not catch up to the Greenrider in time. How Faranth! Please let him catch up in time!