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Post by Pocket on Feb 28, 2013 11:01:21 GMT -5
((OoC; So, here's how this is going to work. To keep things fair, once all chasers are in, they'll be numbered. Free rolls will be entered into the roster as I see fit. Each posting cycle, after the dragons are in the air, I'll roll a die. Whosever number is rolled will be required to take a polite bow out of the chase, in any manner they see fit. Last dragon chasing is the winner.
This isn't a mandatory option for all future flights. However, I like it.
Best of luck to all chasers!))
Dawn was approaching soon, and the shorter woman knew it. She hadn't rested the entire night, just sitting quietly by herself in her personal weyr -- of which had been rendered near spotless in what had become routine pre-flight cleaning since Riklith had first rose. That mattered little now as she sat in the near dark, alone beside a sleeping dragon -- her hand still idly scritching over her eyeridge, even as Riklith had fallen asleep candlemarks ago. A single candle burned on her desk, marking the passage of time sweeping by her as she enjoyed the peace.
Haelyn knew Riklith would be rising before the setting of the next sun. In actuality, it wasn't good of her to starve herself of sleep this way -- should Riklith not rise until the evening, she would be drained of her energy and the possibility of the dragon slipping and gorging herself on meat instead of blood had an increased chance of happening. But as she watched the dragon on her down time the day before, Haelyn finally chalked it down to time running out. Riklith had been utterly restless the day before, where she had usually been sleeping soundly; fidgity, instead of comfort in herself; quiet, instead of her boisterous self. So Haelyn had politely excused herself from her evening plans, and had comforted her dragon until she had fallen into slumber and had stayed there.
She'd have liked a bit more time, but it is what it will be.
With an affectionate sigh and one last caress against Riklith's cheek, Haelyn stood and shuffled the stool back against the wall. She uncovered and stirred the glow basket around, humming gently at the brighter lighting. The sounds of claws scratching against stone behind her made her turn, smiling at the sight of Riklith stretching out languidly. But something caught her eye -- the rigidity in her movements, the silence even between their bond. It wasn't until Riklith moved towards the mouth of the cavern that she truly noticed the vibrancy of the clash between deep violet and orange in her eyes, just as she perched on the outward ledge to peer at a quiet weyr. It only seemed to feed the rolling irritation Haelyn felt, and before she could breathe the dragon had leapt from her perch and drifted her way to the feeding pens below.
The rider just made it to the ledge as Riklith landed on one of the beasts, tussling with the screaming beast until she'd had it pinned to the ground, teeth snapping at it's undulating middle. The mental command was sharp and demanding, a fierce cry of Blood! that had the dragon shrinking back, hissing at the open air before eyeing the meat of it's midsection. Haelyn prepared herself for a battle of wills, for some flights Riklith could be as stubborn as the rest of them, before relaxing as, instead, she went for the throat and worked to drain the dead beast of it's life blood.
With a huff, the golden dragon released the drained carcass and let it fall away. The hunger and irritation in her eyes recceeded back into the lust overtaking the whirl of her eyes. Except, how could there be any sort of game if no one were to play? She raised her head, bugling as loud as she could muster. What were they doing
sleeping? Didn't she know she needed their presence? That the game was on?But if no one were to participate... Riklith huffed, bugling once more before lowering herself against the grass, eyeing the skittish beasts before pouncing into the herd and set about to draining it as soon as she had one within her claws. It gave her something to do, while waiting for someone to show up to play her game.
From her weyr, Haelyn relaxed against the wall, eyes watching Riklith's form as she scared the beasts witless. Her matte hide was starting to take on a gleam that had nothing to do with the lightening sky. The gold would take to the skies soon; and it would begin.
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Post by Zaxal on Mar 1, 2013 15:49:01 GMT -5
Riklith's imminent Rising was the only thing Lyjas could think of that would have Garronth in the mood he was in. It wasn't Garronth's first Chase -- and he would chase, that was just something they both understood -- but Riklith would be the first gold to Rise since Garronth had matured to this point.
Garronth hadn't ceased grumbling ever since he had first sensed it, the subtle change that came with this sort of thing, and he hadn't exactly stopped yet either. At this point, Lyjas had given up on sleep, floating just beneath the surface of wakefulness, drifting in and out as Garronth needed him to.
Shouldn't be feeling this way.
"She's a gold. Yes, you are."
It's soon. Lyjas could hear him shifting in the next room, and he reluctantly got out of bed to walk to the entryway. Garronth's hide flashed in the dim light of early dawn as he moved, trying to get comfortable, his wings and shoulder shifting. Want to sleep, he grumbled. Wing drills tomorrow, and we won't be able to focus because of-
His head lifted, eyes whirring. Now.
Lyjas stood back as Garronth got quickly to his feet, bounding to the edge of his weyrledge before leaping into the air, wings flapping hard to carry him to the feeding pens.
Lyjas felt the first waves of Flightlust hit him strong. Weyr living had desensitized him to it for the most part with the occasional exception. Garronth's involvement in a Flight wasn't something he could resist in the slightest.
He followed the known route through the back passages towards Haelyn's weyr as Garronth circled near the feeding pen, answering Riklith's trumpet with one of his own as he circled low, waiting for her to take off, waiting and ready for her challenge.
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Post by kthehuman on Mar 1, 2013 20:09:47 GMT -5
J'shom was sleeping soundly when he heard it. The brassy bugle resonated through his personal weyr, rousing both Volinth and J'shom simultaneously. J'shom stirred sleepily rubbing at his eyes. Riklith rises, Volinth said to him, eyes whirling rapidly. He could tell that Volinth was ready. The past few days had been interesting. There was a nervous energy about Volinth that not even a long flight could dispel. He had chased before, but he had never caught a Gold before. Even though he was large for a Brown, some of the Bronzes could still outfly him. J'shom could feel it though; Volinth could do it this time, he was sure. Volinth was in better shape than ever, hardly tiring at all on their extended flights. He had slept well last night - with J'shom curled up into his side - and the chase and prospect of mating made him vibrate with energy. He was ready.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" J'shom called out happily. "Go get her!" And with that, Volinth made a quick start to the exit, launching himself through the opening. He flapped hard a few times to maintain the altitude, then started gliding to the feeding pens below to save his strength. J'shom knew he wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon, so he decided to go to the kitchens; he was sure he'd be hungry by the time he got there.
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Avon
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by Avon on Mar 1, 2013 21:50:30 GMT -5
R'sam was not asleep. He was hunched over an old record, trying to decipher it. He believed that it was an early copy of a teaching ballad, but the handwriting was terrible. Painstakingly, he was trying to transcribe it. Typically, R'sam went to bed and rose on a regular schedule, but when he got in a studying mood he could stay up all night.
Also typically, Tourrauth would have eventually interrupted and ushered his rider off to bed. But tonight the Green had other things on his mind. R'sam might have noticed that if he wasn't so engrossed in the record. As it was, he didn't notice anything was amiss until he heard bugling out in the Weyrbowl. He looked up, blinking as his eyes adjusted to looking at something besides small scribbled words, and then Tourrauth added his own trumpet to the chorus.
Oh dear. R'sam was not fond of Flights. It was the loss of control he hated. But there was no way to stop a dragon once he had decided to chase. He stood, watching Tourrauth wing his way out into the night, circling towards the feeding grounds. He wasn't sure if the Green even had a chance here--he was tiny compared to the bronzes, but he was fast and agile.
Tourrauth hovered above the corral, whirling eyes intent on Riklith. He crooned a few notes of a draconic love song, sounding sincere but off tune. R'sam rolled his eyes and stood up, stretching before walking out the door. He would try to make his way to Haelyn's weyr, reluctant as he was to take part in this.
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Post by Pocket on Mar 1, 2013 23:18:27 GMT -5
((OoC: Elimination starts next posting cycle. But for record’s sake, here’s the rolling order;
1. Garronth
2. Free Roll
3. Volinth
4. Free Roll
5. Tourrauth ))
With a rather ungraceful, flagrant toss, Riklith discarded the beast off to the side. Her tongue swept out, lapping away any remnants of her meal from her gradually gleaming hide. She physically shifted, wings twitching as her calls were answered. Three of them, awake and willing to play her game. Facets whirled as she watched them, the hunger receding into the violent storm of violet. Three was a good number, three was plenty. She lifted her head high, crooning to the trio of suitors circling above her. Hopefully they were ready for a chase.
With a deft shake of her wings, Riklith sprang forward a few quick paces before her wings pushed down hard, using the momentum to rise up into the air. Gleaming tan hide shimmered like gold in the morning’s first light. She glanced back only once, crooning once more to the trio, beckoning them on, to catch her if they could. Limbs tucked in snugly, her wings beat until they caught a current and soared into the air.
Haelyn forced an exhale, watching the three suitors answer Riklith’s call. She was sure she knew them, surely – but her vision was starting to blur, her footing a mite unsure as the first waves of dragonlust started taking over. The woman hastily backed away into the depths of her weyr, away from the ledge, should something unwise transpire. But her thoughts were coming in a less organized, more of a haze settling over her mind. She tugged the door open, knowing it wouldn’t be long until she wasn't alone anymore.
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Post by Zaxal on Mar 2, 2013 21:19:28 GMT -5
She Rose. Garronth's eyes whirled brightly purple, watching her graceful leap into the air with all the intensity he was usually asked to tone down. Not this. This, he would give his all, and he would do his best. Riklith deserved nothing less.
He broke formation with a strong flap of his wings, soaring as quickly after her as he could. As she soared high, he crooned. She was magnificent, beautiful, and how could he possibly tell her so? Besides giving chase, following her dutifully wherever she would lead him.
He rode the air current up after her, soaring high into the sky. He gave no thought to the other suitors. This was Riklith's time. No one else mattered.
Lyjas stumbled in not long after Haelyn opened her door, his vision swimming. Every blink, it was getting harder to pull himself across the psychic connection back into his own body. He'd walked into at least one wall. If he had anything else besides the pure lust driving his every step, he would have been embarrassed by it, but Garronth was pulling him so roughly along for the ride.
The moment he saw Haelyn, the moment it was safe, he sighed, and she became Riklith in their sight, propelled by her wings before him, climbing, soaring. It took his breath away, but Garronth took a deep enough lungful for both of them and pushed himself harder.
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Post by kthehuman on Mar 3, 2013 1:53:12 GMT -5
Volinth was just finishing blooding his final beast as Riklith rose into the air. He dropped the beast, eyes a whirling mix of red and orange, and threw his head back to bellow his challenge to the other suitors. Riklith was wonderful, and would make for a wonderful chase. She deserved a mate that could keep up, and he was that mate. Not only that, but their clutch would be the finest of them all - something he would be proud to watch over with her.
He started running, flapping his wings and propelling himself into the air just behind Garronth. Garronth would be a good suitor, a challenge for Volinth. This chase would be tough, but invigorating. He bellowed again, letting Riklith know how desirable she was, and how hard he would fly to gain her favor.
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Avon
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by Avon on Mar 3, 2013 14:25:29 GMT -5
Tourrauth's gaze was intent on Riklith's shining hide, taking in every one of her movements. As R'sam hurried up the step sto Haelyn's weyr, his own vision wavered, and it was difficult to see anything but the Queen. He shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts for another few moments. He drew in a calming breath, even as his heart was pounding and his hands shaking from the anticipation of watching Riklith about to take off. Finally, he walked through Haelyn's open door on Lyjas' heels.
He managed a smile that was shaky too, but it wasn't long before he forgot that they were humans. He still hated this, but it was pointless to resist, especially once Riklith launched herself into the air. Tourrauth felt the rush of air as Riklith sped by him, and he turned on a wingtip to fly after her.
The Green was last in pursuit, but that didn't bother him. He would be able to slip between the bigger bronze and brown eventually. For now, he concentrated on flying, what he did best.
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Post by Pocket on Mar 3, 2013 19:59:48 GMT -5
[dice=5]
((1. Garronth
2. Free Roll
3. Volinth
4. Free Roll
5. Tourrauth))
Haelyn's hand hovered midair, almost to stabilize the suitors. But it soon fell, offering a shaky smile in return. Her vision kept blurring, the depths of her weyr turning for the dawn, of radiant clouds, and of an awakening ground below. Her self-awareness faded for brisk thermals and rays of warmth birthed by the rising of Rukbat.
It was becoming difficult to keep her focus on the game, of the suitors following behind. What with her wings outstretched, open sky around her and the pure freedom that rose within her, Riklith wanted nothing more than to soar on forever, never tethered down to the land below.
The sounds of her pursuitors brought her back to herself, glancing at them over her shoulder. She gave a lilting croon, a flirty encouragement to urge them on. Who should catch her, but the strongest, the fastest, the most cunning? They would win her game, surely.
[rand=071544650243595242673609433695674872925114119425411390791391022503]
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Post by Zaxal on Mar 3, 2013 20:56:05 GMT -5
Garronth flew after her, singlemindedly focused on her, fighting with every wingbeat to drive himself closer, to show his dedication, but with a sudden cry, he plummeted several feet, his left wing straining against a sharp pain at the base.
Lyjas realized what happened, that Garronth had pulled a muscle in his wing, at the same time that Garronth realized he could not continue with his chase without further injuring himself. Apologetic, he fell back, his wings flaring out as he began a gentle glide back to the Weyr proper.
Lyjas bowed out of the room, forcing himself to walk away, each step making it less and less painful, though he still longed to fulfill the need Garronth had awakened. Land in the Bowl. I'll find a Healer just to make sure nothing's wrong.
Garronth grumbled but obeyed, looking forlornly up to the sky where Riklith and her two remaining suitors soared high above.
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Post by kthehuman on Mar 3, 2013 22:05:33 GMT -5
Volinth turned his head to look back over his shoulder, wondering if any others were involved in the chase. After a few moments, he spotted a young Green following behind! Ha! Well, if he could outfly Volinth, he deserved to mate with Riklith! He turned to face ahead again, only to see Garronth dip drastically below his previous altitude.
It seemed that something was wrong, as he turned to glide away from the Queen! Volinth bellowed his near-imminent success, vision blurring until only Riklith existed. He pumped his wings as hard as he dared, willing himself to catch up.
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Avon
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by Avon on Mar 3, 2013 22:20:24 GMT -5
Suddenly, one of the bronzes ahead let out a pained cry and dropped down. Tourrauth shot forward, taking advantage of the moment to pull ahead. He glanced back as the bronze fell back to the ground, but didn't linger on that. Now he only had Volinth to compete with.
He answered Riklith's croon with one of his own, eyes whirling with a multitude of colors as emotions rushed through him--a thrill at Riklith's teasing; pure desire; determination to fly to victory. Testing the air with his wings, he caught a thermal and glided for a bit. He was in his element now, putting on a pretty performance for Riklith with subtle twists and turns in the air. On the ground, R'sam smiled again, more confident now.
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Post by Pocket on Mar 3, 2013 23:12:20 GMT -5
[dice=4]
((1. Free Roll
2. Volinth
3. Free Roll
4. Tourrauth))
She fell into an easy rhythm, allowing the wind beneath her wings to do the work for her. The sudden cry from one of her suitors had her looking back sharply, making her waver slightly on the thermal. Garronth, though something was not right. Her eyes shadowed briefly, for even swamped with flightlust did the gold not like to see anyone hurt.
Riklith's gaze focused back on her remaining company; Volinth and Tourrauth. She answered Volinth's bellow with a whistle of her own, for with all his enthusiasm he had won quite yet. Her whirling gaze landed on Tourrauth, whose intricate aerial display intrigued her. However, after she wavered once more, Riklith had to break her audience away.
The golden dragon twirled midair, flipping herself over to look at the competitors. She was beginning to feel the tire on her muscles, and knew her game would soon come to it's end. With another, affectionate note, she coasted on a gust of wind, flipping back over to catch the proper glide, and conserve the energy she had left. [rand=11938175326213247174089320469648431911308784037837281164648011327]
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Post by kthehuman on Mar 3, 2013 23:36:28 GMT -5
Volinth eyed the Green warily. He was quick, and tricky, but such tricks would tire him more quickly. Volinth his best chance was to fly straight and strong for the beautiful Queen. The wind beneath him faltered slightly, and he had to beat quickly for a moment, altering his position until he got back onto a steady wind, pushing him ever-forward. He kept his eyes on Riklith, approaching closer with every beat of his wings.
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Avon
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by Avon on Mar 4, 2013 15:45:48 GMT -5
Tourrauth crooned again as Riklith looked back at them. He was impressed by her twirl and flip, and he almost wanted to replicate it himself, but after the last round of antics he was beginning to grow tired. Plucky as he was, he probably wasn't going to last much longer. He grabbed the same breeze she had, gliding to rest his wings. He could ignore the ache for now, for her! He could see Volinth drawing ahead, but he wasn't giving up yet. Tourrauth kept his eyes open for any opportunity to get closet to Riklith.
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