Playtime! [Ellanisk's Maiden Run]

[randi]

Ellanisk was never moody. The green, when she had the energy, was always a ball of fun. Never in her life had Ellanisk ever given Hers the feeling of being in a foul mood at any point, but they were becoming... well, present. A few days ago, she had even attempted to nip at Chivalry when the blue had tried to steal her playrag for a quick game.

It made sense. Ellanie knew that her green was mature, chemically speaking. Neisk's Run had been the second tip off to know what was going on. The nights had gotten tense, her lovely green either not wanting to play at all or allowing herself to play rough enough to have Hers ache in the morning.

The night was young, Ellanisk curled up, the mood Ellanie was hoping would not become familiar settling over their bond. The young woman cradled Chivalry for comfort, blinking across the darkness of the room at the apparently asleep wher. Where was her ball of sunshine in the night? Ellanisk's head perked up, turning to look at Ellanie, tilted slightly to the side.

She smiled half-heartedly as the wher stood, stretching out slowly. Calmness wasn't Ellanisk. This wasn't right, and she wanted it to be happy again. Chivalry nuzzled at her, clambering on Ellanie's nightgown to sit on her shoulder, his claw's occasionally pricking the skin beneath. He agreed. He missed the fun. He especially hated being hissed at by his friend.

Ellanisk's stretch let loose, her calm mood remaining about her until it seemed like something in her lifted, the wall falling inside as she stepped beyond the door into the night. Her night. The green trotted a few paces before turning to look and see Ellanie standing in the door. A flash of purple struck through her eyes. She didn't want to play with her right now. No, her playmates were elsewhere.

Where were they? The green's pace picked up as she ran closer to the river, turning behind her. Ellanisk's body fairly hummed, a screeching challenge rising from her. Where where her playmates? Where were her males? She was going to Run, she needed them to Chase!

Ellanie knew what was happening. She had been ready for it to. She could feel Ellanisk's tug, could feel the need for her heart to pound and her legs to run. Her arms fell to her side, clenching into fists as she resisted that urge. "Chiv, go." The blue peeped unhappily, nuzzling at her face as the girl backed into her apartment. "Go." She couldn't have him getting protective of her, couldn't have him hurt anyone. The firelizard seemed unhappy, but he went between elsewhere. He would return when things quieted down.

Ellanie's eyes narrowed as she watched her door, waiting for her males as Ellanisk waited by the riverside, crying out another challenge. They had better come and play, and they had better come now!

[kysseh]

Swithin had known for a day or two that something was awry with the world. For the past several nights, he had awakened to Swisk's melodic crooning, the blue wher anxiously looking toward the door as if expecting something. Swithin had no idea what, really, the blue could be hoping for. Neisk had Run, and Swisk had shown no interest. Then again, Swisk was rather small and frail, so it was logical that the blue would not be interested in such a large and swift creature. What was holding the blue's attention, then? Did Swisk know something that his Swithin did not?

Oh, Swisk did know something. He had sniffed a change on the breeze and knew that his much-loved playmate was near her entrance to maturity. He was well aware that he was not as strong or as fast as the shiny bronzes or those sturdy browns or even the other bright, bright blues. But he had a stout heart to make up for what he physically lacked, and he did so care for his considerate friend. He would be ready, and he was ready now, having stirred just after dusk to keep an eye and ear out. The little blue heaved himself off his couch and padded over to the door, staring morosely at it until His relented and opened it to let in the night breeze. That satisfied Swisk, for he laid down just inside the doorway and stared out, nostrils twitching delightedly in the fresh air.

Leaving Dessa snoozing on his bed, Swithin was just finally starting to stir himself from bed again, having been worn out by the blue's constant attentiveness the past few days. He had retreated back to his cot after opening the door and just rested for awhile. Perhaps he had dozed; he was unsure. Whatever it was had not been relaxing or soothing, and he was still a bit on the tired and anxious side, some of Swisk's alertness pouring over into him. What was with the blue, just lying there and staring out into-

Suddenly, the frail little wher--barely larger than a green, if that--was on his feet and warbling lowly, his eyes whirling a shade of purple that Swithin had never before been witness to. Swithin edged a little closer to the doorway as his wher stalked outside, shivering lightly as Swisk's eagerness began to excite him as well as both males caught sight of the little green trotting faster along the river. Swithin was privately horrified at the thought of losing control again, though it was eased somewhat by the thought that this time, it was not a chance encounter. He was quickly getting caught up in Swisk's eagerness to give chase, and before he could make a sound, Ellanisk's screech echoed throughout.

Swisk was not fast, but he moved as speedily as he could, straight out of their apartment with every ounce of energy he had. He trilled in response to her challenge, eyes gleaming excitedly as he fluttered his little wings and hurried to close the gap between them. He was here! She knew him, didn't she?! He would not dishonor his favorite playmate by not Chasing, oh no! Not when she was so lovely and attractive and playful. He arched his pale neck and crooned loudly, mindful to not run into any large rocks along the way. Rocks did make for a bad sort of setback in this kind of endeavor.

While his blue made quick tracks toward the lovely green wher, Swithin was making a path toward Ellanie's apartment, guided by some force that he could neither control nor understand. He just knew that he needed to get near, and he hesitantly stepped into the open door, making a soft noise of pleasure at the realization that he was in the same room as her. The big adolescent boy was physically awkward, at best, but his face fairly shone with his eagerness and excitement. He agreed with Swisk's assessment, that this was a lovely creature, and he wished he could prove to her that he was the one she wanted. There would be no room for anything less than their best, and both males were firm in their resolve to not fail their friends.

[ravenmane]

Taelir watched the starry sky quietly as he pondered over the changes in his life. Selenitas was… a peaceful place. There was no constant stream of injured to the infirmary, no women scuttling around in the shadows like frightened curs, and especially no constant danger to one’s life. The Wherhandler was able to sit back and relax with his Brown without worrying about someone higher up ordering him to perform the most ridiculous chores. Taelisk could run and play without being rebuked for acting like a Hatchling, and the people were more welcoming when it came to the Brown’s friendly nature, but lately, Taelisk hadn’t been acting like himself. He was constantly watching, alert for something that his Handler could not detect. It had begun a few days ago, soon after the pair’s arrival. Taelir had decided to take a walk around their new home, but instead of joining his Bonded, Taelisk had perched atop a large flat rock and begun surveying the place like he was the Master of it all. He refused to leave his “post” unless it was time for bed, time to eat, or the Brown simply got bored of waiting for whatever was going to happen and wanted to play. His behavior was vaguely familiar to the man, but it did not bring up any specific memory.

Ironically, Taelir did not think about the possibility that his Wher was female deprived. To anyone else, it was probably as clear as day, but to the Brown’s own handler, it was an unseen problem. The Wherhandler still suffered from the death of his weyrmate seven turns ago, but it was time to move on even if that fact had escaped Taelir’s attention, but it had not escaped Taelisk’s. He knew it was time, and while his Handler watched the sky from beside the Wher, the Brown’s body began to tense from excitement and need, but his eyes remained a serene blue despite the lust that was beginning to pound through his large body. It had been seven turns since he had had the chance to Chase a beautiful female, and this Wher was not about to pass up the opportunity. His head turned sharply as his ears caught the sound of footsteps. Just by the sound of them, he could tell it was the lovely Green. He could sense the expectancy in the air, could feel it swirl around him as the Wher left his perch with a smooth leap. His eyes sought the beautiful form of the Green, Ellanisk. Her very being glowed bright like a beacon to him, beckoning the Brown to Chase like a moth to a candle. Taelisk crooned lovingly to the female, deaf to the pleading voice of his Handler.

Only Ellanisk mattered; no one and no thing could persuade this lusty male to back down and give into to the males that would come. He bugled in response to the Green’s screeching cry, his deep voice echoing her and the frail Blue that had joined them. His eyes, now a dark purple instead of a pale blue, glanced at Swisk for a moment before returning on the one thing that had brought the males here, Ellanisk. He trailed after her, his voice a light croon that could only be classified as eager and playful. Taelisk had watched the lovely Green during the previous nights when his Handler was otherwise occupied. The Brown had known that if Taelir had caught onto the Brown’s mood, that the man would have made sure to be absent along with Taelisk for a few sevendays just to avoid the possibility of Taelisk Chasing, but Taelisk would not be stopped. He would Chase Ellanisk if it meant following her to the ends of Pern and back. When he reached the river, Taelisk plopped down near by, his eyes still watching Ellanisk. Soon, it would begin.

Taelir had been startled when Taelisk had bounded off, and the man’s eyes had widened with shock he spotted the Green Wher. “Oh no…” His voice cracked with grief as he thought of Kyndri. Would she have hated him for allowing Taelisk to Chase another Green? What would his dark-haired beauty have said? “Taelisk! Come back! Come back right now, you sharding beast! Please!!” Taelir pleaded with his Brown, but his Brown refused to listen, and Taelir resisted the urge to run over and clout him on the nose. His gray eyes darkened as the lust that Taelisk was experiencing traveled over their Bond. It surged through his body like fire, igniting his soul with a passionate need that one could only describe as irresistible. His entire body felt like it would explode, and Taelir stumbled under the pound of emotion. He massaged his forehead for a moment as he fought to understand why it was so powerful this time. It had never been this strong when Taelisk had Chased Kynsk, so why was it so powerful this time? Taelir’s eyes snapped open as he realized he was walking towards a nearby apartment, trailing after an adolescent boy he did not know. It must be the Handler of the Blue Taelir had seen joining Taelisk.

As he approached the Green Wherhandler’s quarters, Taelir paused, hesitating slightly before entering. What he saw almost made the man turn the other way. The Green’s Handler was a young woman, and Taelir began wondering if there were any older Wherhandlers that weren’t teenagers. She was a pretty girl with dirty blond hair from what the man could tell in the dim light, but he could not see what color her eyes were. His eyes watched her, feeling gigantic around the girl, but it seemed that the Blue’s Handler was going to be a tall lad, maybe taller then Taelir himself. It was hard to stand there, waiting, waiting for the Whers to decide who would win. The one thought that kept traveling across Taelir’s mind was: Would there be others Chasing as well? He dearly hoped so. He stepped away, feeling the need to have some space himself. Taelir leaned against the doorway although his gaze never left the Wherhandler whose Green had put Taelir into this position by encouraging Taelisk to Chase her, but all he could do was wait for the Green’s decision.

[irbre]

While some whers were affectionate and altogether pleasant, others were not quite so blessed. While Elzyn felt himself to be grateful for his wher's presence, there was much that Elzysk left to be desired. For one, the brown was hardly a great thinker, even among whers. He made even the densest of heardbeasts look clever and was quite single-minded, a trait that often led to getting him, or more accurately Elzyn, in trouble, as opposed to keeping him out of it. The fact that Elzysk was protective, and ovelry so, did little to aid in many people's opinions of him. While he was large and powerful, he wasn't exactly the shining example of wherkind that his handler wished for him to be.

The night found the pair no different, with Elzyn standing tall and calm, eyes wide to see better in the stretching darkness, while Elzysk prowled back and forth, snarling and sniffing at anything that moved. The brown was acting strangely, though, Elzyn noted, and the more he watched, the more he began to fear. Elzysk moved stiffly, his whole body tense, eyes flashing with a deeper blue than normal, stubby wings flaring and folding almost constantly. Elzyn knew the actions, knew the posture, knew the symptoms of what he considered to be the worst possible illness - lust.

Sure enough, Elzysk suddenly stilled all movement, going completely rigid, the deep blue of his mutli-faceted eyes giving way to the purple that denoted Run lust. Suddenly, muscles rippling and loosening, the brown wher leapt forward, disappearing almost immediately into the night, leaving a stricken handler behind. He knew where the green was, the beautiful green wher that called to him so. This was her night, but it would also be his. She was his to cherish, to protect. He would answer her call and become one of her playmates, one of her fine suitors, and he would be the best. He keened his intent in the darkness, swift steps bringing him ever towards the green Ellanisk. He could see her now, as well as the other males, but they mattered little. This was to be his Chase, his prize, and his alone!

Elzyn, on the other hand, was fighting the lust as much as possible, attempting to defy the alien feeling pulsing through his veins. Already his faltering footsteps were guiding him towards the apartment that he assumed the green's handler was in. Of all the things he disliked and feared, this was the one that took the top place in his list. Runs. The word in itself was blasphemous, though the brownhandler was inwardly thankful that he had failed to Impress a dragon, especially a green, who would Rise often. With a male wher, Runs weren't as common and Elzysk only Chased greens, not golds.

[randi]

Here they came, following after her, her lovely playmates. Ellanisk crooned at them as they came, her eyes whirling faster as the first came into view. She was ready, readyready, but a moment to look them over couldn't hurt, could it? She wanted to see who she would be playing with tonight.

The first to come was a blue, who appeared like a wraith in the night. It took Ellanisk only the slightest moment to recognize Swisk, and it shook her slightly. In their playtimes previous, she had been of the necessity to be gentle, aware of his fragile form, afraid that she might break him if she played too hard. The green's tail lashed as she growled lightly at him. She couldn't go easy on him tonight. She would not. He would have to keep up and be willing to play as hard as anyone else. His croon put her fears to rest. He was willing to give Chase, then she would not deny him the chance.

The second was a brown who was unfamiliar to the small green. He was rather large and handsome, she noted. She caught his croon as a whisper on the wind before the answer to her challenge. Yes, he was perfectly acceptable. The green, upon hearing another male not far away, delayed her start, leaping lightly before Taelisk and then Swisk, waggling her tail teasingly.

The sound of steps grew louder, Ellanisk's head turning to identify her third playmate. Elzysk was a lovely brown, with deep coloring much like her other brown. Yes, these three were hers, and weren't they so handsome? She offered a tail twitch at Elzysk, prancing lightly in place.

As soon as all four legs hit the ground again, Ellanisk wheeled to face parallel to the river, her legs pounding the sand beneath her as she ran southwards. Her voice lifted in a high warble, urging her males to catch up with her. The green's intent was clear to her: the jungle that neared with each step. She would play beneath the trees, in the deep shadows of night, and only the best suitor, the best playmate would be hers!

Ellanie's eyes remained focused on the open door, waiting for the first of her suitors to step through the door. She held no exceptional fear about the Run, and the realization of this helped her to relax her sharp posture to smile warmly at whoever would walk through the doors. The first through the door was an all too familiar face, and Ellanie felt the same tear that Ellanisk had. Swisk shouldn't hurt himself, shouldn't be doing something this reckless, but on the other hand, he was such a lovely blue. Once she felt Ellanisk's concern disappear like vapor, her own left as well. If he would Chase, then let him, and let Swithin and any else who came be near to her when she Chose.

The second to arrive took Ellanie slightly by surprise. She knew most of the regular faces around here and certainly the wherhandlers, so the sight of someone new was unexpected. However, she welcomed him in with the same warm smile she had given Swithin. His stepping away to lean against the door frame made the smile flicker. What, didn't he want her, want to be near her? Silly brown, it wasn't up to him. She had become aware of colors working their way into her vision, her mind becoming clouded with Ellanisk's own want to Run. The pair were too strongly bonded for Ellanie to try and push down the green's emotions, but she felt a certain agitation that the jungle-bound wher was free of: where was the third?

[kysseh]

Swisk looked to his beloved playmate as she looked him over. She growled and flipped her tail at him, but he stood unfazed, crooning deeply in his affection for her, for his friend. His friend. She seemed appeased by his reassurances, and that delighted him. He made sure to give her space, but he kept close, watchful and hopeful that she would turn to him. He had always been nice and playful with her, had he not? And never had he become angry! He was not as big as most males, and he was on the frail side, but he was unswerving in his dedication to her. Couldn't she see that?

But, his hopes of having this favorite playmate all to himself were quickly dashed by the appearance of not one but two big browns. Those two seemed to be very sure of themselves, but Swisk was merely very sure of his caring for his friend. He knew her, at least, and they were just random suitors who came from who knows where to chase any pretty green tail before them. But... Swisk wanted just this lovely green in all her splendor, and though he glanced at his rivals, his attention remained largely locked on Ellanisk, arching his pale neck to warble playfully at her. Her waggling tail was tempting, and he half-crouched on instinct, ready to play.

Then she wheeled around and warbled to them, and Swisk raised his voice in a clear, slightly deeper trill of response. Yes, she was lovely and brilliant and gorgeous, and he was going to Chase her! As she moved off, he was in close pursuit, moving surely along behind her with as much enthusiasm and energy as he had. He could not keep up with that shiny, snobby gold, but he had played long and hard and worked to be able to keep up with his very favorite of greens. He trilled again with wholehearted enthusiasm as the foursome approached the jungle, Ellanisk in the lead. She wished to play amongst the trees? He so enjoyed the woods, and now he would have even more reason to do so.

Swithin noted Ellanie's expression as he entered, and it dawned on him that she was still dressed for sleeping. It made him flush a bit, but he was undaunted, spurred on as he was by Swisk's lust- and devotion-filled thoughts. Swisk had never had such a passion for anything as this before, and it surprised the young man how enthusiastic his wher was in Chasing the green before him. Then again, it was obvious how Swisk adored his playmate, so perhaps Swithin should not have been too shocked by the blue's evident excitement. Still, it did leave Swithin with an uncomfortably pleasant feeling where Ellanie was concerned, though it made him relax a bit to note that she seemed more at ease than he. Seemed, anyway. Perhaps she was just as nervous, her stomach all aflutter.

He noted the other man arriving, and he wondered if the man actually knew Ellanie. He still was unused to weyrlife, with the promiscuity. The teen was still ashamed and embarrassed by how he had slept with a random woman during Flightlust, but this was no random woman that he turned a shy, but very interested, gaze toward. This was Ellanie, a friend, a woman he knew, and he liked her. Oh, he had liked the other girl too, but this was something a little more, a liking borne from knowing her. Could this other man claim that? He doubted it.

[irbre]

Elzysk crooned in reply, watching her dancing form, ignoring the other males. They were unworthy of her attention, after all. All that mattered was the beautiful, beautiful creature before him. Her hide was unlike any other green he had seen, her pastel hide ethereal in the night. Some other foolish males would no doubt consider her to appear sickly, but he found her delicate form and thin body entrancing. She was not one of those ugly, big-boned, thick-skulled whers, but a swift creature to be protected and cherished. So lithe and graceful, even as she pranced in place, the encouraging flick of her tail drawing Elzysk closer, his eyes bright with violet lust.

And suddenly she was off, quick, fleeting steps leading them away, away from the damnable Weyr. The River, the Jungle, anywhere! After a short while, her intentions became clear, even to those who were not so clever. The trees, a thick labyrinth of trunks, a challenge to be had! Elzysk exulted in the thought of a challenge. It had been so long since he had Chased, mainly because of the sad lack of female whers at the Weyr, but this was something he could get used to. She was so beautiful, so entrancing, their pastel playmate, a wher that only the best deserved.

He called, the sound loud and brazen, in defiance to the other whers. They were weaker than him, after all. The blue he dismissed almost immediately, shunning the frail, weak thing from his thoughts. That little creature had no place Chasing a shining example of a female wher like Ellanisk! He should go curl up in some hole and wait for something worthy of his small size and leave the true chase to the larger whers. The other wher, though, we quite definitely a threat, a large brown that rivaled some bronzes in size. Elzyk's lips twitched back in a slight growl at the brown that he considered to be an interloper. This green would be his and his alone! He powered forward, strong limbs carrying him towards Ellanisk, though he was careful not to run too fast. He did not want to wear himself out. He had enough sense to know better than that, at least.

Elzyn, on the other hand, was not quite so willing to obey the powerful pull of the Run-induced lust. Still, he knew better than to fight it, for that rarely got him anywhere, especially on a night such as this. His faltering steps brought him towards one room in particular and he practically stumbled through the doorway, very nearly bumping into another wherhandler. Attempting to murmur an apology that came out as little more than a confused mumble, Elzyn turned his attention towards Ellanie. He couldn't help but smile slightly, even despite his shy nature. She was pretty, after all, and while there were the effects of the Run lust to handle, she was quite definitely attractive. He moved slowly and cautiously past Swithin, standing a bit farther back than the blue wherhandler, holding his breath and biding his time, perfectly willing to wait.

[randi]

Listening to the answers to her call, the merry trill and the deep challenge to the other males, and it was not hard for her to fit the voices to their appropriate bodies. Ellanisk turned her head to spot Elzysk growling at another of her suitors, and gave a gentle croon. The others did not matter so much, did they? There should be only her, her Run, his Chase, not whatever his competition was. This was her night and he would pay attention for her and her alone.

Turning her attention back to the impending jungle, the violet-eyed wher's tail wagged behind her, excited at her chance to really challenge them. As she passed into the jungle, her feet left sand to find the loam, less giving and allowing her to run stronger. The pale green wove between brushes, hissing slightly as thorns dragged across her shoulder, a faint trickle of ichor darkening her hide. It didn't matter, and certainly didn't harm her for anything worth thinking about. She gave them a soft croon, encouraging them through the brush to a clearer path through the jungle, one not of tangled, hard to move underbrush, but of trees and logs and other simply fun things.

The Running wher's wings tucked in tight to her and she burst from the entangling hindrances, running around the base of a small tree in a circle before continuing on her previous path, casting a glance over her shoulder to see who was playing with her still, giving them a happy warble. How pleased was she that they still followed her!

When Ellanisk glanced forward again, she found herself facing a looming tree, undoubtedly one of the largest this close to the river, bent backwards slightly in it's growth. However, she did not turn from it, instead using a knobby root to leap up onto the slightly slanted bark. Her claws dug into the dark bark, her body twisting in a small dance as she leapt to the left of the tree, her usually useless wings flaring to carry her in a small flight over a large moss covered log, landing firmly, bounding a few more steps until she slowed to an easy gait, her heart thumping loudly. Who would follow?

There was her third! Ellanie grinned, spotting her second brown, though he almost ran into the first. Her smile grew seeing his, the girl picking up on the playfulness she had missed emanating along with lust over hers and Ellanisk's bond. While the wher was busy running, she could be playing for the both of them, right? It wasn't like any of these males were going to Run her before they both gave them the go ahead. Dark blue eyes flashed in the dark chamber, Ellanie walking towards the two closest together: Swithin and Elzyn. Her smile grew mischievous as she walked past her blue, a hand lightly trailing from his chest past his neck and down his arm before she turned her attention to the latecomer, her other hand gently dancing over him next before she twirled from both of them, crooning gently in a lilting voice before looking over at the new 'handler. Didn't he want to play with her too?

[kysseh]

Swisk was mildly disheartened by the fact that Ellanisk gave a gentle croon to the growly male. He warbled softly to her, puffing up his little blue body as he chased along behind her. Her wagging tail was temptation epitomized, and he crooned lowly to her as he trailed her deeper into the jungle. The path she chose had stronger footing, but the space was so... well.... limited. The little wher easily slipped through some of the spots, but a little branch thwacked him fairly solidly across his pale face, nearly tumbling him onto his backside. Swisk was determined to keep going, though, and he shook his head and kept on running, ignoring the fact that the branch had lightly scraped his snout. It hurt, but he was unbothered by the bit of pain. That lovely, adorable, playful, wonderful green was far, far more important than a few drops of ichor.

Ellanisk tucked in her wings, so Swisk did the same, realizing that to spread out his little appendages to show off would only result in pain. And injuries of all kinds. He crooned lowly to her, waiting as she ran around the tree before energetically continuing to scurry along behind her. He was not quick or powerful like the browns, but he had been running quite a bit, determined to keep up with her in play. Now, though, it served a far more immediate purpose, and the blue was quite happy that he could very nearly keep up with his pretty green. Yes... his. The other browns didn't know the playful creature like he did. He would always like her. Could they say the same?

When she hopped up onto the tree, he knew that something tricky was coming. Oh, how smart she was! Well, he was smart too, and he scooted in front of the other males--haha! Served them right for being too big to fit between the bushes!--and leapt energetically at the tree. He had to scrabble a bit to gain purchase, and then he twisted his body and leapt after her. He was light enough that spreading his wings let him glide for a bit, though his landing was rather rough, and he had to re-coordinate all his limbs before he could continue to chase. Oh, she was moving slower now. Was she going to choose?! No, she would play with them, wouldn't she? He was unsure, but his attention was focused on her, watching and waiting to see what move she would make as he followed her beneath the shelter of the trees.

Swithin smiled as Ellanisk made her way closer, his breath quickening. She was coming closer to him?! Well... him and the other one, but she touched him first. He made a low noise of delight as her hand trailed along his chest and down his arm, and he puffed up a bit beneath her caress. He lacked the mature, filled-out form of the other two, but he was a big, big.... well, young man. He was still all male, though, and despite his normal shyness and gentle awkwardness with the other sex, he had no qualms about being noticed now. He could not resist the light chuckling sound and wished he could return the affection to her. If nothing else, his shining, youthfully eager eyes gave him away, at one with the lust Swisk was feeling. What a lovely... lovely pair...

[irbre]

Elzysk eyed the other males uneasily, lips still twitching up at them. They were unworthy to follow this green beauty, unworthy! Only he, Elzysk, would prove himself in this Chase! His gaze flicked back to her, though, at her prompting, forcing his desire to maul the small blue for having the gall to even join in the Run, his lips sliding back over fangs. His eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly, deep violet gaze fixed unblinkingly on Ellanisk, fixing his attention solely on her at the soft croon she gave him. His body sunk closer to the ground, tail twitching, returning the croon with a soft call of his own, whole body slowly tensing in preparation.

She was off suddenly, tail wagging in their direction, tantalizing them into further action. Without a moment's hesitation Elzysk sprang forward, muscles coiling and bunching beneath his dark hide, his own tail twitching in response, though stilling moments later for balance. He was hardly the fastest or most graceful of the Chasers, but he was resilient and capable, hopefully just what the competition needed. He bulled forward, through the thorny brush, a rough, cackling growl echoing from his jaws as he watched the pale blue get whacked in the face by an errant branch, barreling past him, completely oblivious to the whipping thorns around him. One snagged his wings, which he had unwisely not kept as tight to his sides as possible, and the brown yowled in momentary pain, more enraged than anything. He could ignore the myriad of scratches that now marred his uneven hide, oozing thin lines of ichor, but he hoped that slightly injury to his wing would not hinder him much.

And now the challenge. Elzysk's eyes narrowed, lips twitching back yet again, though his teeth with this time bared in concentration. Muscles coiling and bunching, he leapt upwards, claws scrabbling against the bark, momentarily slipping as some of the bark that had been loosened by the two whers prior peeled away. With a muted shriek of defiance, Elzysk beat his wings as hard as possible, the movement carrying him up just a bit farther, surging up the tree in triumph. He launched off the tree with the others, his bulk not quite carrying him as far as it had his glorious green and the annoying blue, falling to the ground slightly behind them. His feet once again under him, Elzysk sprang forward, a crow of undulation echoing from his throat. He had made it past her challenge, and a congratulations to her for being so capable as to make it over it herself!

Elzyn watched Ellanie closely, breath catching in his chest, whole body tight. He could feel Elzysk's lust so clearly now, so defined. It was becoming hard to make out the difference between them, the line of their existence blurred by the passion that a Run entailed. His breathing quickened, heartbeat mimicking the exertion that Elzysk was going through. Just like Elzysk, he wanted her, needed her. His body stiffened as her dancing finger tips trailed so close to him, skin prickling at the slightly touch, eyes widening slightly. She was so beautiful, so delicate, standing just so far away, taunting them in such a soft, playful manner. His fingers twitched, longing to stroke her, to gently touch her, to play with her swirling hair even as she crooned to them, a human version of her beautiful wher.

[randi]

She heard the impact behind her, causing her to turn her head. Swisk had been hit, but he was still following. For a moment, Ellanisk worried for him, but he seemed to be as ready and willing as before, which pleased her greatly. Maybe he was ready to play the same as everyone else. With that in mind, she turned her violet gaze to Elzysk, feeling unhappy with his growling at the others. She was the one who mattered, here! He was here to play with, to Chase, her! Ellanisk flicked her tail at him, continuing her pace.

One brown seemed to have given in, but two of her males were still Chasing, her blue and brown having met the challenge given. Swisk had flown after her, landing farther, if a bit more chaotic, than Elzysk. Warbling softly, gently, she pranced lightly in place, her speed picking up again with each footfall, though she seemed almost lazy in her movements now.

Anyone who knew Ellanisk could tell you two things: the green was extremely loving and playful and she tired out quickly. The Run had given her more energy than would have likely possessed otherwise, and she slowed down even now. Though she wanted to keep Running for Elzysk and Swisk, she knew better than to push herself more and make the choice fade, forcing the males to decide among themselves, which would render Swisk hurt, likely, and Elzysk victorious.

Swisk, her lovely blue companion, who had kept up with her despite her misgivings. He felt so familiar, but when it came down to power, the blue almost had none, despite his loving attitude. He wasn't the strongest, nor, if she had the stamina to continue, the fastest. Ellanisk shook her head slightly.

That left Elzysk, a strong, handsome, experienced brown, by far the stronger of the two. Sure, he had, often, taken his eyes from her to examine her other Chasers, but he would be able to play better than either of the other two, Ellanisk thought, and for longer too, even though she might not always be able to play for as long as him. A wayward step brought her closer to the front of him, her choice wavering on the edge.

Another small shake of her head and a quiet, apologetic croon. No. He may be the stronger, faster, better of the two to outside eyes, but her blue was just... perfect. She moved in front of him, dismissing the older brown as she slowed for her blue, letting him complete her.

Ellanie looked away from her second brown, returning her eyes to Swithen and Elzyn as she took a step back. As Ellanisk considered her choice, Ellanie's mind wandered between them. Feeling a somewhat hesitant idea, the wherhandler took a step towards Elzyn, her hand moving silently towards him, but a sense of wrongness made it jerk back, as though she had touched fire. She couldn't choose him, not when her perfect match stood so near. Blue eyes turned to Swithin, the woman rising to her toes to press her lips against his. Her blue.