Green Gaiath's Second Flight

This log was taken on PernMUSH. The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. Thanks go to Leya of Telgar Weyr for providing this log.

You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern.

I'sai's shoulders hunch in at that wail, such that even the Kassima's
entrance goes momentarily unremarked. "...Can't you fix them?" he asks
before whirling to look at the sound of bouncing feet, as if it might have
been a third twin - triplet? - sneaking up on him.
Leya gives a general wave to everyone in the LC when she walks in and, as
usual, walks over to the serving table. She eyes the selection and decides
to try the cider for once. She fills herself a mug and walks over to join
her friends.
Kassima breezes in with something disturbingly plaid slung over one arm and
the now-predictable mint-stick tucked in her cheek, humming a tune whose
cheerfulness would likely disconcert those who know her. "G'deve, all!" she
hails, lifting her kilt-free hand. And, yes, ignoring the baby cry. She's a
mother. She's become immune to being startled by baby cries. "I'sai, you'll
be glad t'know that I've the most wonderful plan for you. But 'twill nay
tell you what 'tis, yet. You'll have t'*guess*." Dropping both prize and
satchel onto her table, she asks, "Any cheese-noodles left?"

Tovith> Taralyth prowls back a little closer to the bowl wall, at his
second clutchmate's landing, though stays well out in open wingspace. Well
out.

Whinde quirks an eyebrow at the plaid thing that is over Kassima's shoulder
and wrinkles her nose at I'sai "He's not /broken/ just.. Hiccupy." she nods
affirmatively and winces as another loud wail sets off his brother, who
spits a glop of bananna onto her cheek and demonstrates how good his lungs
are. "Ohdear."
I'sai studies the little black-haired girl a moment, then asks, "Who're
you? Are you one of hers?" with a nod to Whinde; he breaks off, though, as
Kassima addresses him: "...I see. No idea about the cheese-noodles," in
short, neither agreement nor a guess. "But there's soup. Plenty of soup;
what are you drinking tonight, Leya?"
Whinde rolls her eyes at I'sai "As if I'm the mother to all the 
weyrchildren."
Leya shrugs as she pulls a chair near I'sai and Whinde, and the baby,
babies? as they seem to be with Whinde. "I didn't notice any when I was
over there, Kassi. But I wasn't looking for them either." She sits down,
setting her mug on the table. She eyes the plaid thing warily, then looks
at I'sai. "I think I might have an idea what that is..." She then looks
down at her mug, "Cider, warm cider."
Akiko looks up, and around at the 'Who're you?' question in curiousity if
it was directed at her, but since the direction was cut away before she
could make eye contact she just places her hands together and continues to
lightly kick her feet together. Saying nothing.Tovith> Tovith just eyes
Taralyth, then turns his gaze on Gaiath. Much nicer view.

Tovith> Gaiath, her hide shimmering brightly in the moonlight, looks up as
Tovith lands and huffs again. Her tail wraps protectively around her, as
far as she can get it to go, and all of her eyelids fall shut.

I'sai suggests, "Well, why don't you take care of that one, Whinde? She's
quiet - enough not to answer me. You all right, kid?" he asks the girl, for
all that he remains focused for no greater degree this time; "...But is it
hard or soft cider, and is it good, and do -I- want to know what that is?"
Leya smiles at the little girl, then chuckles softly at I'sai. "Soft. Good.
And I don't think so." She answers each of his questions in turn.
Akiko finally makes eye contact with I'sai and nods her head. Once. Thats
it, no other sort of change or reaction, not a quirk of a smile or a light
in her eye. Passive. She just nods. She slides down off of the table
however, and lands on the ground lightly, brushing her clothing free of
dust and splinters.
"Oh, 'tis a kilt," Kassi assures, taking a moment to hold it up and shake
it out for all to see. Glorious black-and-red plaid rifles faintly in what
air currents may exist in here. "But nay worries; 'tis for me. I'd been
wanting one in Benden colors, and there 'twas. Going t'commission one from
the Weavers, too, in Thunderbolt colors--you can never have too many kilts.
Oh, and I'sai--if'n you decide t'wear one, don't go for the
brown-and-black. There's an R burned in its butt." Bouncily, she nigh-skips
over to the food table to investigate. "Ooh. Pepper salad! This'll do. Are
you wanting cider, I'sai?" Spinning to survey the room, she points to Akiko
at random. "How about you? Want aught t'drink? Food and drink are free
t'visitors, y'know, and welcome to the Icy Wastes."

Tovith> Taralyth can't help but turn blue eyes on Tovith, sparkling bright
enough to match the cool drift of wingtips: what a reaction he gets.

I'sai squints at the girl - but she's in Kassima's oh-so-tender care now,
and so he says to all three, make that four of the females, "I'm happy for
you. Really I am." A little more quietly, to Leya, "You're probably right.
The question is whether I'd never ever get to find out, which is maybe
good, or whether I'd be surprised later, which ... isn't."
Rewarding Kassima a nod, Akiko holds her hands limply at her side. "Yes
please." The neutral tone of a voice speaks out, and for a moment the side
of her lip actually upturns in a faint smile, but it fades as quickly as it
came.

Dragon> Gaiath bespoke Flight with << Okay, my bad, I know this is short
notice, but Gaiath is about to start blooding over the skies of Telgar. All
interested males are invited to chase! >>

Leya eyes the kilt, then grins at the 'brown and black kilt' part. "Yes,
that wouldn't do at all. It'd have to have an I burned in its butt for it
to work." She giggles, then regains her composure enough to take a drink of
her cider without spitting it out or having it go up her nose.
Whinde grins again and spares a glance for Akiko, but chooses to fall
quiet. Her hands are busy with the wailing twins and their powerful lungs.
Resorting to the ever-so-popular and ever-so-calming, she scoops them up,
one on each hip, and walks in circles around the caverns, jiggling each in
turn and wincing again as one of the not-so-delicate twin boys discovers
her long silver hair, and tugs on it.
Kassima rewards I'sai with a sunny smile. "Wait'll you get a load of
yours," she suggests. Yeah, that's likely reassuring. Scampering along the
table, she whirls together a plate of pepper salad and cup of mint tea for
herself; these are set down as she inquires, smiling back to Akiko in full,
"What, then? Cider, tea, citron, redfruit juice, klah, water? Don't drink
the Water. 'Twill make you spawn, and you're too young. I'm Kassima, by the
by--green Lysseth's rider; well met, and Leya, I still think 'tis from some
incident with R'val trying t'brand a bedmate or the like. Scary."

Tovith> Tovith gives a draconic shrug at Gaiath. Females... His whirling
blueish green eyes sweep the area, then catch Taralyth blue gaze. He
finally gives him a perfunctory warble of greeting. Better late than never.
"...Hey," I'sai protests. "That isn't -nice-, Leya. How come you're not..."
his pale glance sharpens on Kassima. "...That's not helping. Just in case
you were, you know, curious."

Tovith> Kazeth backwings for a landing.
Tovith> Schmitt slides jauntily off Kazeth, and gives him a loving scritch.

Schmitt walks in from the bowl.
Akiko seems to step back, as Kassima whirls off those words in such rapid
succession that the most skilled harper would have trouble deciding just
what was said. Well, at least in her mind at any rate. She looks across the
table slowly, taking her time in the choosing. "Cider." She adds after a
moment of silence and afterthought, "Please." She doesn't seem to
understand the spawning part and actually shows the emotion of confusion.
"To young? For what?" She demands. No child likes to be to young for 
anything!

Tovith> Taralyth tosses his head in the echoes of Tovith's warble; his
muzzle may reach toward the Igen visitor, sniffing, but he's some
greenlengths away and silent to boot.
I'sai jerks a look up, dragon-alerted, "...No duck."

Tovith> Kazeth, it would seem, is in a /mood/. After a sullen yet somewhat
polite warble, he's settling down and into himself, grumping.

Kassima flutters her lashes at I'sai. She's in *far* too good a mood. Evil
must be in the making. "Isn't it? Helping what, is the question. Helping
you be nervous? Certes 'tis. At least by the look. Cider, got it--cold or
hot?" Two pitchers are hefted to demonstrate the availability of both.
"T'be having children, a'course. You're, what, a bit younger than m'own
daughter? She's eleven Turns. And trust me, she is *definitely* nay old
enough t'be making me a grandmother."
M'dei's expression suddenly goes rather remarkably blank. He stares off at
the bowl, wineglas s forgotten, and gets to his feet.

Tovith> Tovith turns his cool, calculating gaze on the new arrival, looking
him over.
Tovith> Ordoneth backwings for a landing.
Tovith> Ordoneth rumbles, affably.
Tovith> Laila slides down Ordoneth's side easily, feet hitting the ground.

Laila walks in from the bowl.
Schmitt's shivering as she enters, "Sharding cold! Igen's duties to you
all; I'sai! Just who I was wanting to see. Tis time for Anra to pick up her
duckling, but I've had no luck in contacting her. Forgot where she was
from, in fact."

Tovith> Gaiath looks rather unhappy with all these visitors. There's just
not enough room in the bowl now, as far as she's concerned. At least,
that's what her body language would suggest. Rather abruptly, her talons
dig into the damp ground beneath, and she launches herself up into the air
with a shriek.
Tovith> Gaiath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to
carry her aloft.

Leya smiles sweetly at I'sai, "But it's so much more fun to..." She trails
off as her attention is caught by something else, something in the bowl.
"Oh no..." she moans, running her hand over her face.
Akiko approaches the woman holding the two picters, and holds a finger just
below her lips in thought. She looks at one, and then the other seeming to
remain on the air of indescision. Finally, her eyes close, and she stabs at
the Hot Cider. "That one." She says quietly, and smiles a bit more. "Can I
meet her? Mother said I should try and make friends."

Tovith> Taralyth's own warble is quieter, yet carries - and even on its
echoes, he leaps skyward in an abrupt rush of wind.

Laila walks in, looking about, then blinking at Schmitt. "Oh - Hello,
Schmitt." She pauses, looking over to Leya. "Evening - I thought I'd..."
She trails off, brow furrowed.

Tovith> Taralyth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to
carry him aloft.
Tovith> Kazeth watches after the green, then unfolds himself with a barely
audible snarl. Snapping his wings out he's launched, up, aloft - still 
grumpy.
Tovith> Kazeth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to
carry him aloft.

Dragon> Gaiath bespoke Flight with << Okay, just a very quick rundown of
stuff I'm sure everyone's already familiar with. :) One pose per mine,
please. Try to keep them under 8 lines if possible. I'll ask for catch
attempts later. And forgive me if I ignore dtu stuff directed solely at me,
I'm liable to miss something. :) >>

Tovith> Tovith jerks his gaze back to Gaiath at her shriek, then leaps into
the air after her.

Tovith> You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl
floor to carry you aloft.

Tovith> Taralyth flies towards the north end of the bowl.
Tovith> From the north, Taralyth flies downward towards the feeding 
grounds.

Kassima then spins again to call a return salutation: "Duties to Igen and
her queens! And blues, and browns. G'deve and welcome, both of you...."
Leya is peered at. "I don't want t'be asking, do I. Hot 'tis, then--" A mug
is snagged; steaming amber liquid is poured in, and the whole is offered to
Akiko along with a grin. "Aye, certes you may, when she's about. Simaeva's
likely telling her and her sibs bedtime stories about now."

Tovith> Ordoneth rises up from the bowl.

"Harper," I'sai says on a swallow. "She's from - but Benden originally -
but you mean - " he stands from his soup, bowl half-empty, half-full. 
Laila walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Tovith> You fly downwards towards the feeding grounds.

"Tonight only wanted this," M'dei mutters darkly, as he stalks out to the
bowl. No explanations are offered; most everyone probably already knows why
he's leaving in the first place.
M'dei walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Schmitt glares bowl-wards for a short moment, then determinedly continues
after a smile to Leya. "Harper. Alright. I'll catch her there, then, I
suppose. Though obviously," she grits her teeth, "not tonight."

You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Tovith> Ordoneth swoops over the grounds, lazily plucking a buck from the
herd. A swift, deft movement, and an audible snap.

I'sai comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
Schmitt comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
Laila comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Tovith> Gaiath beats all the males to the feeding grounds for once, but
she's quick like that. She lands almost mincingly in an empty spot, tailtip
flickering as she sits there, waiting. Watching. With a quickness that
seems almost unnatural, even for a green, she rises for a moment, then
lands heavily atop one of the beast's backs. Talons slash at her kill, but
before she can dip her head, she tosses a baleful glare at the bowl.
Relenting, she lowers her head to drink.
Tovith> Kazeth goes for the blood and the gore, in no mood for clean,
merciful killings. Slash - the herdbeast lets out a terrified death cry,
cut short as blue's teeth slice into the throat. He bloods.

Laila steps out, folding her hands tightly before her.
Leya smiles weakly at Laila as she also enters the bowl, "Nice to see you.
I'm afraid I won't be able to visit much though..." she says in attempt to
make light of the situation, something she's not very good at.
Schmitt stalks out, crossing her arms and mutteringly darkly.
M'dei wraps his arms tightly about himself, the look on his face matching
that of his lifemate's in an expression that might be comical in other
circumstances.
Laila shudders a little, nodding to the woman. "I have the worst timing,
I'm afraid." She glances to Schmitt, nodding.

Tovith> Taralyth takes a wherry down in the thunder of his landing, talons
sending plumes flying to catch in the sticky mud. Blue eyes watch Gaiath
even as she watches, even as his own dark muzzle dips to drink; they glint
and gleam now with deeper hues, nearer to twilight's violet.

"You know each other," I'sai guesses, quiet, remote but for the as-yet
faint stagger in his breath.

Tovith> Tovith watches Gaiath for a few long moments, his neck twisting
sinuously as he admires her, completely undaunted by her glare. A paniced
heardbeast makes a fatal mistake backing into him. He pins it to the ground
with one of his powerful legs, then mercilessly bites off it head and sucks
out it's life blood.

Laila swallows with an audible click, nodding. "Stood at Igen together."

Tovith> Gaiath tosses aside the spent carcass she's just finished feasting
on, and quickly finds another-- this time, a wherry is caught in her
all-too-swift talons. And this time, no reminder is needed to take only
blood. The emerald hues of her hide brighten still further, until she
glimmers gem-like in the moonlit evening.

"Then M'kon - " I'sai doesn't need to be reminded, for all that pale eyes
glance aside, cut back. His arms fold, too, more than a shield with those
jutting elbows.

Tovith> Ordoneth makes another pass, deceptively slow, eyes wide on Gaiath.
Another buck, another crack - the blood sprays into his waiting maw.
Leya gives I'sai a single nods, then gives Laila another one of her
struggling smiles before her attention is comandeered by her blooding
dragon. She winces and pales though she doesn't look like she'll faint, at
least any time soon.

Tovith> Blood. He takes liberties with it, shaking his muzzle from side to
side so it splatters in a wide arc, crimson against his navy-cobalt hide.
Another snarl - low, long, loud, and Kazeth flings the drained carcass to
the side and springs from his tight coil, unleashing his fury upon a 
wherry.

Schmitt wraps her jacket more tightly about herself, foot tapping at the
ground. She spares a glance or two for M'dei, but mainly the sky has her
grey gaze all to itself.
M'dei looks distinctly oblivious to whatever looks he might get; now that
his lifemate's attention is where it ought to be, on blooding, his eyes are
clenched tightly shut. It almost looks as though he's muttering quietly to
himself, but no sound emerges from his mouth.

Tovith> Taralyth's slower to discard his wherry's corpse; he drinks it to
the dregs, capillaries shredding under the suction till it's deflated to
its bones. When he finally does leap away, it's a showy gesture, skimming
past the luminous dragon in their center - but his second blooding, fast
and hard, is all efficiency.

Laila, for her part, merely stands, stock-still, wide green eyes following
Schmitt's gaze. Sky. Sky is good.

Tovith> Tovith really does try his best to do nothing but watch Gaiath's
every movement, but these pesky creatures keep annoying him. A wherry flies
a little to close to his head, making a little too much noise. He just
can't concentrate with distractions like that. The wherry disappears as
Tovith nabs him in his jaws and it disappears with a single crunch.
Tovith> Gaiath pauses, tongue flickering out to clear away most of the
crimson stains from her muzzle. She watches the males for a moment, every
muscle in her body tensed for flight. With that not-so-subtle warning, she
takes to the skies, one powerful push of her legs and downsweep of her
wings catapults her into the air.
Tovith> Tovith peers around himself after he spits out the bloodless
remains of the annoying wherry. A flash of green does catch his attention
though and he launches up after her.

Tovith> You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl
floor to carry you aloft -- much to the relief of the wherries.

Tovith> Ordoneth rises up from the feeding grounds.

Leya begins to nervously rubs the palms of her hands along the thighs of
her pants. She swallows hard, glancing over at M'dei, then up at flying
dragons.
Laila begins muttering something quietly - about not being a jerk? - Who
knows.
"Guest weyr," M'dei has the presence of mind to mutter, with a jerk of his
head in that direction.
M'dei moves down a short passage and past a curtain, moving out of sight as
he enters the Guest Weyr.
I'sai, for his part, also studies M'dei's slender silhouette against the
stars: in this one-moon night, and even Belior is but a thin crook. And
then he goes.
Leya swallows yet again, then follows silently.

You push aside the curtain and enter the weyr.

I'sai comes into the weyr from the bowl.

Tovith> Kazeth follows Gaiath up, all hard angles and sharp motions.
Pursuit his only thought, he stretches out into full, long, lean shape and
concentrates his whole being in the flight.

Schmitt comes into the weyr from the bowl.
Laila comes into the weyr from the bowl.
Once in, Schmitt follows her usual procedure. Corner - there. Into it.
Greenrider, there - stare at him. Arms, legs, wrap them tightly around self
and huddle.

Tovith> Taralyth's momentarily, peculiarly decorative as he's first to
fling himself starward after that new and luminous moon, what with that
wherry down clinging to the dampness about his muzzle, his talons; but
every surging wingbeat sends more askitter, abandoned to the cool winds
themselves.
Tovith> Gaiath promptly forgets the fact that she's being chased into the
air by several males with their minds only on one thing. She makes a
beeline almost straight up, wingsails taking in as much as they can to
propel herself higher.
Laila mirrors Schmitt, almost exactly - but for the stare. That's reserved
for the floor.
M'dei himself undergoes something of a change once he enters the weyr.
Riding jacket is shrugged off and left...well, somewhere. Same go for the
boots. Next, the shirt is tugged at, but left on-- though a bit looser at
the neck. In spite of his actions, he still seems largely oblivious to the
other riders. For now.
Leya finds herself a nice sturdy wall to lean against, then sinks down to
sit with her back firmly against it. She raises her knees so that they are
against her chest, her hands and her head resting on her right knee as she
concentrates.

Tovith> Ordoneth is up, with a few wingbeats, watching the green's
progression up high. He attempts to match the speed, but not the altitude,
dodging competitors in the bottom fringes of the pack. His brassy growl
affords him a bit more room as he sors - and waits.
Tovith> Kazeth snarls to the unfeeling, chilly air and to the other
chasers. Stubborn and jealous, blue wings hog as much airspace as he can
manage to take, tail flicking from side to side sharply, the tip glinting
and appearing razor-sharp in the lighting.
Tovith> Tovith raising and lowers his wingsails in a steady pumping rhythm.
He soars upward, after her. He doesn't try to get to the head of the pack,
that can wait until later. Now all her needs is to keep up with the
brilliant green jewel that stands out so vividly against the velvet black 
sky.
Tovith> Taralyth's lean bulk may cut an arc that's steep indeed, but it's
forced to a spiral nonetheless about the slighter dragon's straighter,
unmatchable path; a few other, smaller dragons slip past him, and still
upward he flies, guarding his own wingroom on prism-shot pinions.

I'sai, meanwhile, paces the length and breadth of the room; he claims no
station, only marking out its dimensions and those who stand - or lean - or
sit within.
Leya raises her head enough that she can peek over her knee. Her intense
gaze is mainly focused on M'dei, though they occassionally flick over as
I'sai's constant motion catches her eye.
Laila shifts, tucking herself into a tighter ball, arms wrapped about legs.
She rests her chin on her knees, and surveys the room, finally, an oddly
detached look about her.

Tovith> Gaiath saves her breath and her energy, remaining silent as she
takes still higher to the skies. Apparently tired of the straight path
upward, she now tries a few acrobatics-- not quite barrel rolls, but close.
A turn that takes her almost 180 degrees in the opposite direction, taken
too tightly to be truly safe. A glance is afforded downward at the males,
and her manner turns almost sly. For the moment, however, she stays where

she is, still gaining altitude, but a bit more slowly.

M'dei's expression mirrors that of his lifemate, in a manner of speaking.
Though he sees brown, blue, and bronze-tinged bodies, he still makes a
rather blatant study of all the riders in the weyr, and though his
brown-eyed gaze lingers, it never rests for any substantial amount of time
on anyone.

Tovith> Ordoneth struggles with the unfamiliar thermals, his wings
straining to compensate. A bit of luck - he catches one, and shoots
upwards, though still remaining below the majority of the pack. His sudden
move earns a hiss from an Istan blue, but the obviously inferior being is
ignored - only Gaiath is observed - she is worthy of attention.
Tovith> A turn. Now that Kazeth can do and with flair. His body position
equivalent to a sneer, he slices into and through and out of the turn, air
crying as wings bite into it. Gaiath still up there, he settles down do
business, sleek wings dripping moonlight as they pump steadily.
Tovith> Tovith echos Gaiath acrobatics as best as a significantly larger
brown can. He falls a little bit farther back at her sharp turn as he ops
for a safer, but still quite sharp about-face of his own. His auburn and
brown wings glistens in the moonlight as they beat at a little faster tempo
as he attempts to regain his place toward the middle of the pack.

Leya returns M'dei study with an intense one of her own, and her eyes
continue to follow him even when his have wandered on to womeone else.

Tovith> Midway within the pack, Taralyth's diamondine eyes catch on what
the starlight and her own glow do to that lean and sinuous frame, her snake
of tail and the moment's glimmer of underbelly that her altitude permits
him - and, best, what they do in _motion_. He too veers course, original
wide-winged spiral more permissive with the change in direction than with
even the slowed ascent, cool diamond-logic cast both to where the tricky
dragon is... and where she might yet be.

Not too much to be said about a still Schmitt-lump in the corner, eyes
shades darker than normal and ever so intense. Closer, one might note the
nervous twitching of her fingers where they clamp on her arms, the beads of
persperation on her upper lip and forehead.

Tovith> Gaiath hovers for a moment, impossible as it might seem, giving
rise to speculation that she might actually dive. In fact, she nearly does,
and though the drop is only a few dragonlengths, it's enough to confuse and
distract some of the less persistent of the males chasing. Her tail
flickers again as her lime-tinged wings spread wide to catch the friendly
lift of a thermal, and she's soaring again -- yet not as high above the
pack as previous.

I'sai walks still; it's a slow motion, a considered motion, relying on
momentum rather than a wall than to prop him up - and increasingly oriented
on Gaiath's rider, for all that he comes not yet near, and pale eyes in a
paler face see ghosts of dragons within all who are here. And then abruptly
-she- drops; he looks again, sharper now.
Schmitt snarls, then cuts off in the middle, looking briefly startled. She
huddles even further into herself.
M'dei looks remarkably calm, in spite of the antics his dragon is playing,
in spite of all the circumstance. Again, he plucks at his shirt, sweat
starting to bead across his forehead, and again, those dark brown eyes take
survey of those surrounding him.

Tovith> Tovith soars toward Gaiath, his eyes whirling a feverish orangy-red
as for a brief moment Gaiath almost drops down to his level. But it is only
a trick. Tovith rumbles deep in his throat as she rises yet higher. His
pursuit of the perfect gem continues as he catches another warm thermal and
allows it to bear him upward toward his, always /his/ earthy gem.
Tovith> Taralyth's route falters with the feint, but beneath Gaiath's
barely-perceptible shadow before she soars onward, his sudden warble's
not-so-reluctant applause; he applies himself more closely now, if not
above a momentary flourish of bright wings as he courses up along her path,
following the hint of musk she's left in the cold mountain wind.
Tovith> It's Kazeth who snarls as well, flying far above and yet inside his
rider. As she drops so does he, though he recovers quickly and with a
glance about himself that dares anyone else to comment on his
self-perceived mistake. Oriented on her north, his compass needle line from
tail to tip of sharpened, blood darkened muzzle.

Dragon> Kazeth bespoke Flight with << She in the second sentence being
Gaiath, naturally. :) >>

Tovith> Ordoneth lets out a taunting roar, and makes his move - his wings
beat swiftly, moving the brown with an alacrity that most do not possess -
his size sometimes has advantages - and her moves upwards, weaving through
the field towards -her-. His muscles visibly strain, as he puts all his
strength toward establishing speed. But yet, he's still low. Waiting.
Watching, crystalline eyes glowing red with pure -want-.

I'sai abruptly rubs his palms up his cheekbones to blur the gloss of
perspiration, fingers lacing into his fair hair as if to tug it from his
scalp; his nod M'dei's way is wry acknowledgement.
Laila's green eyes go wide, murmuring to herself almost silently. She
glances about the room, quick looks taking in each person, whether
standing, sitting or pacing. She shakes her head, murmuring again, and
smooths hairs come loose back from her face.

Tovith> Gaiath suddenly looks distressed, though she doesn't look as though
she's losing any ground -- yet. Still, those wingbeats don't take her up as
swiftly as they were, and it seems as though it takes more effort for the
green to stay aloft and level than she might like.
Leya finally lowers her head as she moves her hands to that grasp the top
of the arm which she rests on a knee. Her head resting on the cradle of her
arms. Her fingers dig into the fabric of her sweater. It's a good thing the
sweater is thick, even if she is sweating rather profusely, she'd probably
be drawing blood with her fingernails without it.
M'dei reflects his lifemate's panic, and he doesn't remain as calm as she.
Brown eyes now wide, he gives the weyr's occupants a wary glance before he
backs toward one of the walls. What he doesn't notice, until it's a bit too
late, is the Istan bluerider behind him, whom he swiftly dances away from,
with far less grace than most. Finally, he finds himself up against one of
the walls, and his hands press flat against the cold stone, drawing comfort
from it.
Schmitt's gaze finally travels around the weyr, pausing dispassionately at
each rider, before with a low, breath-intaking hiss her gaze lands again on
M'dei.

Tovith> Ordoneth lets out another one of those mocking calls. Look who's
here to catch you should you fall. His efforts are now put towards closing
the gap - not of height, but of breadth. His wings strain to catch the
night air, pushing him ever forward, ever faster.
Tovith> Tovith croons a song of comfort and love to the distressed green.
His large wings reach toward her with each beat, catching the light her
radiant hide reflects. He keeps his steadfast gaze on her brilliance,
letting her guide him through the dark night, the only star that truly
matters.
Tovith> Taralyth spins higher with her, with the rest of the pack, for
endurance he has; but in response the tilt of his own wings, the arch of
neck and tail, they alter into sheer efficiency of motion: mastering
thermals where he can, surviving apprentice wobbles - especially where the
other males near - where he can't, seeking with an odd curiosity, now,
within the urgency of her test.
Tovith> Kazeth's head tilts back to issue a long, keening, plaintive call -
here I am. Darting between two dragons, he gains slightly, only to lose the
distance back to the sky as an unforgiving wind swipes him sideways. His
second call is harsher, angrier, yet still there's that note of plaintive
passion hidden deep beneath as he strives onward.
Tovith> Gaiath does falter this time, though she strives to hide it, as if
aware what consequences of showing weakness will bring. No matter what they
tell her, she is certain she's not going to like being captured.
Nevertheless, whether she likes it or not, the result is inevitable, and
now she lets out a frustrated warble as her wings take her no higher -- and
straight toward the waiting males.

Dragon> Gaiath bespoke Flight with << Catch attempts, please. :) >>

I'sai steadies where he can: one booted foot directly beneath him, the
other slightly out, a step not taken. Not yet, for all those dragonlit,
obscurely worried eyes.
Leya's eyes are tightly closed, not looking up she doesn't even notice
M'dei, her attention is with her dragon and his, both together in the sky.
Her grip getting even tighter on her arms, threatening to cut of the blood
circulation if nothing else.
M'dei decides that ignorance is the best course of action--at least, this
is how it seems. After one last glance at all of the dragon-and-riders in
the weyr, his eyes squeeze shut again, and his fingers grip the stone wall
of the cavern behind him tightly.

Tovith> In reach. There she is. Can he? Is he good enough? Vocalizing with
a low croon, Kazeth sweeps forward, wings curving to match the moon and
talons outstretched - am I worthy? Only she can answer.
Tovith> Ordoneth manages to catch a thermal, -now- getting used to the
airspace. But the timing is fortunate - the extra bit of height and speed
carries him swiftly to the object of his desire, glowing bright in the
night sky. He reaches out with long snaking neck, spread wings, and talons
- with his entire body and, perhaps, being, to claim her for his own.

Dragon> Flight sense that Vtanth sweeps Gaiath off her wings in a surprise
appearance from *between* right into her air pocket....oh wait...*blush*
Jays! Wish I was there.

Laila shuts her eyes tightly, holding her breath as her enitre body tenses.

Dragon> Flight sense that Parth chortles at T'quinn
Dragon> Parth bespoke Flight with << ER Vtanth even >>
Dragon> Ordoneth bespoke Flight with << Well, shoot. I shoulda done 
that. >>
Dragon> Flight sense that Gaiath prods Vtanth with a wingtip. << Don't make
it harder than it already is! >> :)

[Editor's Note:  The following span is courtesy of I'sai, after Leya's
'Net disconned her:]

********

Schmitt blinks slowly, deliberately. And rises, fluidity her body as she
takes a slinking step nearer to M'dei. Then pauses, body a-tremble, to 
wait.

Taralyth> Taralyth senses - and though he doesn't vocalize reply, his
sudden wingsweep speaks for him, now over never: attempting to rise past
the others, match her wingbeats to slide in just closely enough, dark to
light about fern and sage - seeking to snare, but also to be snared in
turn, in her own and ever-verdant web. And soar.

The - their - pulse jumps in I'sai's throat; he poises on his very toes,
eyes wide and gray on Gaiath's rider, all movement but that fraction lent
to his dragon instead.

********

Tovith> Tovith uses what little air is available to him. He sweeps through
the sky, swerving around the other dragons in front of him with as much
speed as he can muster. He gives every last drop of energy to his flight
upward toward his glowing gem. His neck is outstretched, his tail wipping
eagerly behind him as reaches toward one bright spot he sees in the dark 
sky.

Tovith> Gaiath lets out another one of those frustrated, panicked noises,
even if she's now resigned to the fact that she'll be caught by one of
these...males. One last futile wingbeat in an attempt to win that freedom
she so desperately wants, then she falters, even the last reserves of her
energy gone. Luckily for her, Tovith is there to catch her and, after a
half-hearted (and brief) struggle, she croons and twines her tail with his.
Tovith> Tovith croons lovingly to Gaiath as his wings enfold her, brown and
green together like the warm earth. His tails twines tightly with hers as
they go *between*.