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Kimbrith's Third Flight


Date:  August 8, 1997
Places: Benden Weyr's North Bowl, Living Cavern, South Bowl, Feeding
Grounds, Skyspace, and Kimbrith's Weyr
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  This was, if I may say so, a fantastic flight--both to
watch and to RP during; the 'spectator' roleplay was exceptionally good.
I would rate this to be a flight log very much worth reading. :)  While
various +watches were left in place, the dragon chat from the Flight 
channel has been nixed.  The poses from inside Kimbrith's weyr have been 
donated by E'ryn, brown Parth's rider.  As I have no way of knowing their 
sequence relative to the RP occuring outside, they may seem somewhat 
clustered together.

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The Log:

You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles, 
cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully.

Jehrina grins at M'kla.

T'lar walks here from the south.

Merla almost runs into Jehrina as she comes down from her ledge, and they 
both head toward the living cavern. She veritably glares at the other 
Weyrwoman.

M'kla grumbles a bit, then adds to the arriving riders, "Benden's duty te 
ye and yer weyrs and their queens too."

Prefeth backwings for a landing.

Laerth gives a rather annoyed snort at the other dragons as he backwings 
and snaps his wings to his sides in impatient alacrity.

Torinth snorts amiably, ignoring her rider's grumpings.

T'lar pauses and watches the two weyrwomen.

Benden LC> E'ryn stands as people start to enter, his hand moving to set 
down the mug of water on the nearest table.

Aphrael climbs down from Prefeth's neckridges with practised ease.

P'tran comes down from Laerth's neck in one smooth motion.

Jehrina eyes Merla, "You alright?"

Benden LC> Meli moves directly to the pitchers of cold juice, pouring out 
a large mug of the citron before taking a seat.

T'lar says "Evening, P'tran." He snaps off a bit of a salute to the 
wingleader. "How was your day?"

R'val spots Aph and flicks a smile at her, from nearby. He murmurs, 
"Someone's gold looks ready to rise, wouldn't you say, Aph?"

Aphrael glances around at all the dragons, pausing to murmer something to 
Prefeth before she nods, offering salutes here and there, before heading 
into the living caverns.

Aphrael walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Kassima slips rom Lysseth's neck, casting a vaguely wary glance towards 
Merla before saluting those whom it is appropriate to salute. "Evening, 
ma'am, sir, all. Benden's duties to everyone and everywhere," she adds 
upon noticing a person or two who don't seem familiar.

Above, Ularrith arches his wings high, skimming over the dragons gathered 
outside the living cavern to land just beyond them. His tail barely 
missing a blue dragon that decides to roll over at that instant.

M'kla eyes both goldriders, "Jehrina have tae ask a question like that?" 
She asks no one in particular.

Ularrith backwings for a landing.

As P'tran dismounts, his dragon snorts again and looks to his rider with 
quickly whirling eyes deepening from their usual cooler blue. "Oh, shut 
up, Laerth," he snaps, then sighs at R'val. "Yes, I'd say that's true."

Above, Nyth's wings slow and spill air as he glides the final meters down 
to the floor of the bowl, touching down lightly.

Jehrina then takes one good look around, swings a kick at R'val, "You've 
got an amazing grasp of the obvious. Oh shards, I hate taking off on short 
notice. Leilanth!"

Nyth backwings for a landing.

Merla throws up her arms in disgust, muttering something about getting no 
respect. She turns away from Jehrina, pulling off her spectacles, and 
shoving them haphazardly into her new spectacle case. If it weren't for 
the excellent padding of that case, they'd probably be damaged.

Ceria walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Benden LC> Meli glances up from her mug of citron, nodding idly as people 
arrive.

Jehrina sprints back up to her ledge. "I really hate this part."

Jehrina starts up the long flight of stairs to the Weyrwoman's Ledge.

R'val hops back and blinks at Jehrina in surprise, "Ack. Sorry ma'am!"

P'tran glances over to Jehrina. "What are you still doing here?" he says 
in perhaps a sharper tone than he intended.

Flutterby sails here from the south.

Benden LC> Aphrael glances briefly back towards the bowl as she walks in, 
waving in greetings. "Evening, all. It's going to be an interesting 
night." She observes faintly as she makes for the hearth.

Benden LC> Alexi greets all the new arrivals. "Is there anything anyone 
needs??"

M'kla chuckles a bit, watching Jehrina in amusement, "Told em that one 
were hot tempered...but oh-no they say..she's /gold/ material." She 
prattles on mostly to herself, amused with the display.

Benden LC> E'ryn watches people slowly filter into the caverns. Cordially, 
he greats them with a welcoming nod of his head.

Benden LC> T'ren looks up from his piles of records, "I could use a beer."

T'saren blinks at all the people, then does a doubletake as he realizes 
Solarith's eyes are whirling far more rapidly than they should be. "Oh 
shards. And Thera was just talking about this today." He hurries to 
unbuckle his lifemate's straps, jerking them off quickly.

T'lar chuckles and watches Merla from a safe distance. He looks around for 
Kimbrith as Leilanth takes to the air.

Torinth watches all of this with an amused whirl of her eye, moving out of 
the way of the larger, less attentive dragons.

P'tran sees that Jehrina has left already and sighs again. His bronze 
settles on his haunches and swings his head towards the far end of the 
bowl where the feeding grounds are.

Benden LC> Alexi brings a fresh mug to T'ren...

Parth perks his head up interestedly. He appears to be focusing on all the 
hub-bub. A soft, querious rumble emits from his muzzle.

Benden LC> Aphrael pours herself a glass of wine, pausing for a moment, 
then grabs the whole skin as she makes her way over towards the Skyfire 
table, plopping down on the edge of her seat.

Benden LC> Meli mutters to herself, "...could use... night... weyrmate... 
gone... often..."

Atop sturdy Ularrith, M'rgan absently waves to the people he knows as he 
starts to free his one turn old son from the straps that secure him to his 
father. Kegan is decked out in a miniature flight suit. It's a waste of 
marks but his father insisted, having big plans for the boy. In his 
distraction he doesn't notice how Ularrith's tail tip starts to twitch in 
agitation.

Kassima simply shakes her head at the spectacle. She turns to pull 
something out of Lysseth's strap-pouch; it looks to be a satchel. Judging 
by the sounds coming from it, it contains liquid and perhaps some bottles. 
"'Twill nay be long ere this stuff comes in handy, looks like. Hey, 
brownie!" She waves up towards the arriving Mart, and to Keriann too for 
that matter. "Benden's duties and all that stuff. Where's your kilt?"

Merla shakes her head again, and slips under the arch into the living 
cavern.

Merla walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

M'kla laughs, "Hoy! M'rgan!"

On Nyth, Keriann unbuckles herself, taking off her goggles and gloves 
before she slides down Nyth's shoulder. The rapid departure of Leilanth 
draws her attention about halfway down.

Keriann vaults down Nyth's side to the ground, as the dragon rumbles 
softly.

T'lar walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

R'val walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Laerth turns his gaze back to the otherweyr dragons and snorts again, 
rather indignantly.

M'kla waves to the brownrider, "Ye jest dan't learn, do you lad? Ye keep 
showing up for the flights!"

Benden LC> T'ren nods to Alexi, "Thankee, lad," and returns to pouring 
over flight information.

Benden LC> T'lar strides over to Meli. He puts his arms around her and 
gives her a big hug. "I love you, you know that?"

Benden LC> Merla walks up to her usual table, then stops in her tracks. 
She turns to glare at Meli, the nearest person, "Where is my juice 
pitcher?" she asks determinedly.

Benden LC> Meli glances up as T'lar, a smile breaking across her face. 
"E'd! I've missed you, are you back for awhile?"

Kassima side-comments to M'kla, "In my opinion, 'tis his appearance that 
*causes* the flights. Every time he shows up, some green or gold rises as 
though 'twas their cue."

P'tran turns to his dragon and removes the riding straps from his neck. 
"That's the last time I listen to you when you try to convince me its okay 
to head back from patrol a little earlier," he mutters at his dragon, but 
even then there is still an undercurrent of affection in his voice for the 
bronze.

Benden LC> T'lar starts to smile at his weyrmate, but startles at Merla's 
demand.

Benden LC> E'ryn glances as even more people come through to the caverns, 
quickly filling its interior. His eyes are drawn to each and every one of 
them briefly and it lingers on R'val, whom he somewhat recognizes, before 
focusing on Merla a moment. His expression twists slightly, as he takes in 
what might be a potentially dangerous situation; That weyrwoman doesn't 
look particularly happy at the moment.

M'kla laughs a bit at Kassima, and lays her arm across the younger 
greenrider's shoulder, "Lass...I'd lay marks on that."

Atop sturdy Ularrith, M'rgan laughs as he hears Kassima's call. "It's no 
good for being adragonback of course." He slings his squirming son over 
his shoulder like a sack of tubers before starting to scramble down 
Ularrith's side. As he hears M'kla's comment he twists around, one hand 
clenched around the straps while his feet rest on the brown's foreleg. 
"What do you mean?" he asks in growing trepidition, looking all around.

Benden LC> Meli revels in her weyrmate's embrace a moment longer, until 
Merla's words finally filter through. "Ah, /your/ juice pitcher, 
weyrwoman?"

T'saren finishes tugging off Solarith's straps and carries them to an out 
of the way spot. On his way back, he notices a familiar face that doesn't 
belong at Benden. "Bronia! Long time, no see, and on an occasion like 
this!"

M'rgan hops down Ularrith's side to the ground, as the dragon warbles a 
greeting.

Faerth backwings for a landing.

M'kla points up to Kimbrith's ledge. "That's wa' I mean, laddie!"

P'tran raises an eyebrow. "Interesting time to pick to come for a visit," 
he says in general to the otherweyr riders.

Rykel climbs down from Faerth, who kindly obliges with a foreleg for her.

Benden LC> R'val spots E'ryn and returns his regard with a grave nod, and 
a faint smile.

Benden LC> Alexi pipes up, attempting to be helpful, "There is more citron 
in the Kitchen, I can bring out another pitcher if necessary."

Benden LC> Aphrael takes a gulp from her wineglass, leaning back into her 
chair. Her eyes flicker over towards Merla, then out towards the bowl, 
chewing on her lower lip.

Kassima flashes M'kla a slightly rueful grin. "Too bad nay anyone's 
gullible enough to take the bet, eh? Ach, brownie, you're just nay tough 
enough or kilt-riding!" Upon spying the baby, she smiles broadly. "Is this 
young Kegan then, Mart? 'Twas beginning to think I'd never catch a glimpse 
of the child."

Bronia frees off couranth's straps and loops them over her arm, grinnin in 
T'saren's direction. "Well met, Tas. might have known there was something 
else in that brown lump's mind besides that littlew whimper of "we haven't 
been to see Solarith or his rider in a long time..." She walks over to 
give the bronzerider a hug.

Rykel squints her eyes at the thronging mass of people and scoots 
unobtrusively past a few, eyes drawing up and over some heads to longingly 
look towards the living cavern.

Benden LC> Caitria walks here from the Inner Cavern.

"High Reaches' duties to Benden and her fine queens," Keriann replies, 
waving back to Kassima before she looks up at the ledge the Benden 
Weyrsecond is pointing to, her brow furrowing, although she doesn't reply 
to P'tran. She's been visiting Benden very regularly for the few 
sevendays.

Public announcement: Merla announces "What do you mean, Leilanth just left 
the Weyr? Why should I care? She's an annoying lump anyway. Good riddance. 
Does nothing but sun herself all day. What? I should go to the south bowl 
to see? What's happening? (OOC: Kimbrith is going to rise soon, +bo 
benden-bowl to watch)."

M'kla grins at Kassima, inspecting M'rgan's son from a distance.

Benden LC> Ceria hovers timidly in the shadows at the edge of the cavern.

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "+bo ? Is that a new hygiene command?"

Benden Weyr> Sionelle says, "Bo knows goldflights? Oh! +go benden-bowl."

Benden LC> T'lar mutters quietly to Meli. "Sorry, sweeting. I think this 
is going to be an interesting night." Looking up he says, "I'll be glad to 
get that for you, weyrwoman." He begins to remove flight gear before 
heading toward the kitchen which is away from the goldrider.

Benden Weyr> M'kla giggles!

Benden Weyr> Jehrina says, "hee"

Benden LC> E'ryn catches R'val's smile, and returns it to him. He walks 
over to R'val. "Hello."

M'kla chuckles, "An I tell ye....ye'd think Merla'd never felt the gold 
proddy before...why It still surprise her...I dant' know."

M'rgan glances up at the ledge with eyes gone big. Shards. For a brief 
instant it appears that he's going to scramble back up onto his lifemate's 
neck but when Ularrith shakes his head, causing his neck to ripple, he 
knows that all hope is lost. He finishes getting down and nods to Kassima, 
stepping away from his lifemate. "Yes, it is." He twists Kegan around to 
face Kassima, holding him out to her. "Want to hold him? Pleeeeeease." He 
cocks his head back towards his lifemate, smile overly broad in 
desperation.

P'tran gives a general, halfhearted wave to the others. "Benden's duty and 
all that."

P'tran smirks at M'rgan. "Planning on having your dragon sire another 
clutch at Benden?" he comments dryly, chuckling a bit.

T'saren returns Bronia's hug affectionately, then notes her patch. "Made 
Assistant Weyrlingmaster, did you? Good. Can't think of a better person 
for it." He glances over his shoulder and sighs as a weird warblecroon 
sounds from his lifemate's throat. "Guess it's about that time."

Benden LC> Meli frowns, as T'lar steps away.

M'kla chuckles, "Shush, P'te...I kin give the greetins...an hand that lad 
t'me, M'rgan...Kassi'll drop him as she laugh."

Benden LC> Merla's eyes narrow at Meli. "Yes, /my/ juice pitcher. Carmella 
made it especially for me. What did you do with it? You broke it didn't 
you? I always knew you were like that. Irresponsible to the core. You 
should never have impressed a dragon. It was Juliath who made the mistake, 
not Laerth, all this time."

Kassima laughs, slinging the satchel of liquor over her shoulder and 
extending her hands to take the youngling. "Faranth forfend I should show 
nay pity on you, brownie. I'll watch after the lad." And corrupt him 
horridly in his father's absence, no doubt.

Benden LC> Alexi packs up a few trays of meatrolls and heads towards the 
bowl, glancing back at the agitated weyrwoman...

Alexi comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

M'kla chuckles again, and comments to Kassima as she takes hold of the boy 
nonetheless. "An look tae all the blues arrivin!"

Benden LC> R'val smiles at E'ryn amiably, "Hullo again, E'ryn. Long time 
no see. How're you doing?"

Benden LC> T'lar stops and looks back at Merla. "Merla! Take it easy. I'm 
sure we can find the pitcher."

Public announcement: Merla announces "Wow :). That's +go benden-bowl. 
Sorry for that extra spam. It seems some people had trouble with my 
typo :)."

Bronia chuckles at Tasaren. "Some irony to that - me being the one keeping 
the weyrlings in order these days. I'm even starting to have a grudging 
sympathy for what we put Master Leara and the rest through." Her eyes 
flick towards the restless brown for a second.

P'tran raises an eyebrow to M'kla and mumbles something to himself. He 
shrugs and heads towards the living caverns

Parth suddenly lifts his head, a dark growl emerging savagely from his 
throat. He snarls a challange at the other males nearby, nostrils flaring 
as if he scents something on the wind. His brown wings vane, spreading to 
their fullest, and he marches into the sky with a jerk of his body into 
the air. His direction seems to be taking him right for the feeding 
grounds!

Benden LC> Meli turns from one disappointment to another, fairly glaring 
at the weyrwoman. "/Juliath/ made a mistake?"

Parth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

M'rgan gratefully starts to hand the boy over to M'kla as he feels the 
first flush of his lifemate's arousal. But Kassima's gesture stills that 
movement and poor Kegan dangles in mid-air, squirming and whining. "Who? 
What? Where?" Yes, Ularrith has scrambled his brains already.

Above, Parth flies towards the south end of the bowl.

Pryth backwings for a landing.

South Bowl> Nicoth bugles at the arriving bronze in a challenging fashion.

South Bowl> Above, Parth flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

M'kla laughs, and grabs Kegan, depositing him in Kassima's arms.

Sonya climbs down Pryth slowly.

South Bowl> Anndora slides down from Lyndrath's shoulder. "Shards, is one 
the Benden golds going to Rise or something?"

Sonya slides off, glanceing around at all the people gathered in the bowl. 
She blinks.

T'saren laughs at Bronia's comment and nods. "I know I put Sionelle here 
through enough trouble. Actually got her to laugh once too, though it may 
have been more of an insult than anything."

M'kla comments, "All the blues comin...ye'd think it were a green risin...
Kimbrith might jes get her dander up, thinkin she's been slighted."

M'rgan carefully sets Kegan down.

Benden LC> Merla looks Meli up and down. "Isn't it obvious?" she says 
flatly.

"It can nay be so, sir," Kassi quips to P'tran. "He's nay wearing the kilt 
as 'twas last time. Ach, brownie, make up your mind!" She grins as M'kla 
does so for him, taking hold of the child with the ease of new mothers 
everywhere. "Handsome bairn you've got, Mart. I daresay Kena's proud."

South Bowl> Lyndrath swings his head around to get a good look at the 
older Benden bronze, his own deep rumble coming on quickly in response to 
the challenge.

Laerth raises his head as the other dragon departs and rumbles ominously.

South Bowl> J'riel slides down Lyndrath's side to his foreleg, and then 
the rest of the way to the ground.

You carefully pick up Kegan.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Parth swerves in from above, a deep 
dive taking him toward the pens with a violence spurred by the surrender 
to lust. His wings flow upward, breaking his savage plunge as he swoops 
low over a herdbeast, his talons gutting it swiftly as he makes his first 
kill. He carries it over to the sidelines, sitting upon it as a king would 
upon a throne, his movements majestic as he begins to blood from its 
throat.

Benden LC> T'lar moves to stand behind his weyrmate, offering her moral 
support in lieu of the words that he cannot say without losing his temper.

P'tran stops as he's about to enter the caverns and instead turns back 
towards his dragon.

Rykel turns from her slow deliberate walk to the living cavern to raise a 
brow at the feral snarls and guttural emits from nearby browns and 
bronzes. She leans in to whispers something to a nearby resident and gets 
her answer, understanding dawning on her face. She spins on her heel and 
makes her way back to her blue.

Alexi catches Kassima's gaze and waves from across the crowd of Dragons 
and Weyrfolk

South Bowl> J'riel is very quick in unbuckling the riding straps from 
around his dragon's neck, muttering things like, "I'm going as fast as I 
can, Lyndrath. Relax, will you?"

Benden LC> E'ryn becomes distracted. If R'val's said anything, he's heard 
nothing of it. For a few moments, he comes to and remarks, almost calmly. 
"Parth's begun to blood."

South Bowl> Anndora steps hastily away from the bronzes and glances 
towards the feeding grounds. "Shards. So much for getting Merla's opinion 
and leaving..."

Benden LC> R'val makes a face, "Good luck, E'ryn. There'll be wine in here 
for afterwards."

Pryth crouches low, watching the browns and bronzes with interest. His 
rider though, pays no heed and heads for indoors.

Benden LC> Merla looks up at T'lar, "You. You're always on /her/ side. I 
thought we were friends? I guess not."

Sonya walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Benden LC> Meli's eyes narrow, as she steps forward. "Juliath would never 
make a mistake. She's much more useful and wonderful and patient than 
that.. that.. large gold lump!"

T'saren snaps his head around as Solarith none-too-gently shoves him in 
the shoulder, then mantles his wings, crouching. "Well, guess you better 
be getting to the feeding grounds, big guy. Kimbrith will be coming soon, 
and I know you want to make a try for her." Solarith grumbles a bit and 
leaps into the air, headed for the feeding grounds.

Benden LC> Sonya walks in, shakeing her head. "Wow, I sure do pick the 
days to visit, don't I.

Solarith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry 
him aloft.

Above, Solarith flies towards the south end of the bowl.

Just as the child is handed taken from M'rgan's hands, Ularrith springs 
into the air with a bellow of excitement. M'rgan stumbles forward as 
Ularrith's backdraft pummels him. "Yeah. Proud. Uhhh, yeah. We're both 
proud."

Ularrith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry 
him aloft.

South Bowl> Above, Solarith flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

Benden LC> T'lar says "I will always be your friend, Merla, but Meli is my 
weyrmate." His eyes widen at Meli's description of Kimbrith.

South Bowl> Lyndrath shakes his wings out with an impatient snort, rearing 
his head back once he's free of encumberance. He swiftly turns to join the 
other males in the feeding grounds, leaving his rider to roll the straps 
and rub his hair in bemusement.

Benden LC> R'val spots Sonya and grins widely, "Sonya! Hullo there!"

South Bowl> Lyndrath springs into the air for a quick flight over the 
fence and into the feeding grounds, where he settles again.

Above, Ularrith flies towards the south end of the bowl.

Kassima frees one hand briefly to wave to Alexi, before returning it to 
its occupation of helping the other hold onto a squirming, leather-clad 
child. "Methinks 'twill nay be long 'tall," she observes as the males take 
off. "Good luck to all of you, for what 'tis worth."

South Bowl> Nicoth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl 
to carry him aloft.

Couranth rumbles once at his lifemate, then crouches and takes off.

Couranth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry 
him aloft.

Laerth gives another rumble, louder this time, and leaps into the air with 
a single flexing of his hind legs.

Laerth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

Above, Laerth flies towards the south end of the bowl.

Above, Couranth flies towards the south end of the bowl.

Benden LC> Sonya spies R'val at the same time, heading for him. "Heya 
R'val."

Benden LC> E'ryn glances at R'val and then says "Wine? Oh, I rarely drink 
when Parth looses. I just sequester myself away for a while and dunk 
myself in cold water or something." He smiles wryly.

South Bowl> Above, Ularrith flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

Benden LC> Caitria finishes up her conversation with an LCG, then greets 
the others in the cavern.

South Bowl> Above, Nicoth circles the feeding ground once, twice as other 
males swarm in to begin the bloody precursor to the mating flight.

South Bowl> Above, Laerth flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> Above, Couranth flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

M'kla chuckles some, looking far down the bowl, "How many you wager, 
Kassi? Five browns and three bronzes?"

Benden LC> Meli plants her fists on her hips, glaring at Merla still.

South Bowl> Anndora gestures impatiently to Bradamante. "C'mon. We might 
as well get it into the living cavern before the place goes completely 
nuts."

Keriann's brow furrowed, she quickly steps back as Nyth lifts his head, 
his forked tongue flicking out as if to taste the air. Nyth springs into 
the air and wings to the other end of the bowl, while Keriann looks around 
and quickly heads into the living cavern, unzipping her jacket with some 
worry.

Nyth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

Above, Nyth flies towards the south end of the bowl.

Faerth croons deep in his throat to Rykel, who quirks a brow and shrugs a 
shoulder, saying something inaudible to herself as she makes her way 
/back/ into the living cavern.

Rykel walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Benden LC> Aphrael lets out her breah in a soft hiss as she catches some 
of Merla and Meli's words, muttering faintly to herself about proddy 
dragons even as she sinks a little more into her chair.

P'tran sighs and simply folds his arms, standing off to the side, looking 
quite antisocial

Benden LC> Sonya says "Heya R'val. I wanted to come visit Benden. Looks 
like I picked a rather interesting night." she grins. "Ista's duty to 
Benden." she remembers to say, catching sight of Merla."

South Bowl> Above, Nyth flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> Above, Nicoth flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

Benden LC> Merla's eyes widen at the insult. "How dare you, you...I've 
been a rider since you were just a hold girl staring up at the sky and 
wishing you could get within fifty dragonlengths of Kimbrith."

South Bowl> J'riel nods distractedly at both Anndora and Bradamante. "I.. 
I think I'll just stay here and watch over Lyndrath or something."

Keriann walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

South Bowl> Bradamante quickly follows "yes ma'am"

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Solarith snakes his neck and head 
around, hissing at his rivals as he settles himself in the pens. Panicked 
beasts swirl past, and he whips out a forelimb, snapping the back of one 
quickly and immediately burying his teeth in its throat to suck at the hot 
blood within, fueling his lust.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, The great herds kept to feed the great 
dragons scatter before the lusty males. Nicoth glides in low over the 
field, driving the frenzied beasts back toward the center of the bowl. One 
large foreclaw plucks a buck off his feet. The wind generated by his 
backwinging to land sends a cloud of dust toward the crowd of onlookers. 
After the dust clears, Nicoth's muzzle is bloody and the drained carcass 
hangs limply in his grasp.

Benden LC> Caitria peers at Merla and Meli, then quips quietly, "Never a 
dull moment." She takes a seat.

South Bowl> Anndora chuckles at J'riel. "Careful, love." Beckoning to 
Bradamante, she grabs one end of an awkward bundle.

M'kla ehs a bit, "No...that's Nicoth...he's bronze tae...so four an 
four...good number there."

South Bowl> Bradamante grunts and heaves up the other end, panting.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Laerth flies low over the feeding 
grounds,and there is a tone of challenge to his rumbles to the other 
dragons. He comes down very hard on a running herdbeast and takes it down 
in seconds, rending it quickly in his apparant bloodlust.

Benden LC> In a tight, barely controlled hiss, Meli says "I would never 
wish such a thing, WEYRwoman. And I certainly do believe you've been a 
rider that long! Old and saggy," she says to the older woman.

Anndora walks here from the south.

M'rgan rubs his temples as he watches Ularrith fly towards the feeding 
grounds. "Kena's going to kill me," he murmurs before giving the two 
greenriders a tight smile. A smile that starts to verge on the leering.

Kassima hrms, considering. "Aye, sounds t'be a good total. Methinks nigh 
anyone's better at guessing such numbers than I. Eight's nay a bad 
turnout, wouldn't you say?"

South Bowl> Bradamante winces at the graphic feeding.

Bradamante walks here from the south.

T'saren sighs as he watches his lifemate head for the feeding grounds. 
"Well, that's that. Now for the real fun."

Benden LC> Keriann comes in, unbuckling her flight jacket to reveal a 
small fur lined carrier strapped to her. Looking around the living cavern 
in some bit of a hurry, Keriann spies Caitria across the way and makes her 
way to the Weyrherder, speaking lowly. She mutters to Caitria, "... 
like... queens is... to... and... Kaveri... Do..... think you could..." 

Benden LC> Rykel whistles a nameless tune as she wanders in, then it 
dissipates as she takes in the sight. Her voice is low, nearly a whisper. 
"Turns and turns," is all she says. She ignores the goings on, her eyes 
drinking in the sights and sounds of the cavern in general.

Benden LC> T'lar gulps uncomfortably from his position behind Meli. He 
drops his riding gear on the bench without a thought. His eyes flick from 
woman to woman, mezmerized by his needs and the needs of his dragon.

Benden Weyr> Caitria grins at Merla.

Anndora lugs one end of an awkward bundle up from the south bowl, as 
Bradamante carries the other end.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Lyndrath alights onto his haunches 
with grace and precision, his wings extended for balance as he oversees 
the feeding grounds from one corner. Both outer eyelids narrow as he scans 
the grounds for beasts of merit, and once his choice is made he moves 
swiftly - strong talons rake over the beast's shoulders as it tries to 
flee, gouging deep into the back. The animal subdued, Lyndrath sinks his 
teeth into the neck with a snarl, allowing blood to run down his throat.

Benden LC> R'val smiles at Sonya lopsidedly, "You sure did, Sonya. It 
seems one of our golds has chosen to rise." He chortles at E'ryn, nodding 
dry agreement, "That's wise. I wish I chose that particular method more 
often."

M'kla chuckles, "I've seen less an more...where they be from? I see only 
two Benden males? Ooh..mebbe we'll be gettin some new blood again."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Parth lifts up on his hind legs as 
other dragons near, foreclaws still gripping the carcass of his first 
kill. His snout is burried at its throat as messily, he drinks of its 
life-giving fluid. Tearing his jaws away, he drops the carcass, only to 
puff himself up as large as he can, and to snarl at the arriving other 
males in a brief trial of dominance.

J'riel walks here from the south.

Benden LC> Suzot enters from the Bowl.

Benden LC> Merla's hand reaches for the table. The first thing she grabs 
is the klah pot. She simply attempts to upright it over Meli. Fortunately 
it's not to hot, but if Meli doesn't move, she'll be covered in luke-warm 
klah.

Bradamante waddles along behind Anndora, the bundle dragging in her arms 
down to her knees and tripping her.

Benden LC> Caitria blinks a few times at Keri. "That'd explain the 
catfight over there," she comments. "Uhm....yeah. I guess I could do that. 
Wouldn't do to have a baby in the guest weyr, that's for sure."

Lilith backwings for a landing.

Thera swings a leg over Lilith's neckridges, and hops off the green to the 
ground. Lilith wheels her head over, assessing her rider and those about, 
before relaxing after a gentle scritch from her rider.

P'tran looks over to M'rgan, his face reflecting the challenge that his 
dragon gave the others in the feeding grounds. "Thinking of having him 
sire another clutch at Benden?" he asks flatly

Kassima smiles back at Mart over his son's head--more a sympathetic smile 
than a leer by far. "Mayhaps, M'kla, but methinks some of those browns are 
Benden-blooded, too. Don't forget that Nyth and Ularrith are of Tidranth's 
siring!"

M'kla chuckles, "Aye. Half a half again."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Couranth hisses a soft warning as he 
lands a little away from the others, striking down the nearest herdbeast 
and dragging it to one side to feed, his eyes whirling violet as his teeth 
close in the beast's throat. There's none of his usual fussiness about a 
kill - this isn't a game this time.

Thera trots over to the group of riders, wary about the tempers she will 
meet.

Benden LC> E'ryn arches an eyebrow at R'val and remarks, "Do you have many 
children, R'val?" He fights to maintain his control and his calm, some 
sweat breaking out on his brow as he concentrates on the here and now, 
instead of there and now.

Anndora grins at M'kla as she puts the bundle down for a moment to rest. 
Gesturing towards J'riel, she says, "He's from Fort, and we'd like to keep 
him." She grins as she says this.

Benden LC> Suzot comes up from the lower caverns, carrying a stack of 
hides which she brings to an out-of-the-way spot at one of the tables. The 
place already holds a quill and an inkpot.

Benden LC> Meli instinctively starts to step back, but unfortunately 
thumps into T'lar's chest before too long. As a result, her chest and 
upper thighs are drenched, and she lets out a loud "Rrrrraaaah!!!"

M'kla points towards Lyndrath, "That be a Fort bronze there! Look at his 
wings...tha'd be new blood...if ye dan't mind the fact that Arlianth were 
of Fort blood."

Benden LC> R'val regards E'ryn thoughtfully, "As a matter of fact, I have 
three."

Bradamante collapses on the bundle and pants, keeping an eye on Anndora.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Twin whorls of dust erupt from 
Ularrith's wingtips as he settles to the ground, smack dab in the middle 
of the feeding grounds as if he owned the place. Ruby-swirling eyes watch 
the scattering of the herdbeasts as he makes his selection like he was at 
a buffet.

Benden LC> Suzot pauses at the loud sound and looks up from her 
concentration.

Benden LC> Sonya stands near R'val and blinks. "You do?"

Kimbrith comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north 
east.

Benden LC> Keriann's eyes close and she sighs with no little relief. 
"Thank you," she says to Caitria, her gratitude heartfelt. Slipping the 
fur-lined carrier off her shoulders, she looks down at her infant daughter 
before she holds it out to Caitria.

Kassima shakes her head at M'kla. "Unless I'm mistaken, he's Belaryth's 
son--Tidranth's grandson, Kimbrith's great-grandson. He's got the Benden 
blood, too."

Benden LC> Ceria watches the goings-on with confusion.

Benden LC> Keriann is careful with Kaveri, but Kavi still stirs, a tiny 
fist waving gently as she's jostled, however gently.

Benden LC> Caitria gently gathers up Kaveri, who gurgles softly, her eyes 
opening briefly before she nestles her head down.

Benden LC> T'lar stumbles back, tripping over the bench behind him. He 
sits down hard and nearly overbalances. He tries to catch Meli to keep her 
from also falling.

J'riel wanders over a fair distance behind Anndora, glancing every now and 
then over his shoulder towards his feeding dragon. "Oh, And..." he breaks 
off as he first catches sight of Kimbrith, and just goggles at her.

M'kla nods, "Aye, but Kimbrith come from Arlianth's blood...and she were 
Fortian."

M'rgan, normally a relaxed, easygoing young man, hears the challenge in 
P'tran's voice and he matches it with one of his own. "The Weyr would be 
hard-pressed to do better than Ularrith," he snaps back.

Benden LC> R'val blinks startledly, at Sonya, "Why, yes. Didn't I tell 
you? By my former weyrmate Kieri. I don't see them much anymore, they've 
been fostered."

Anndora grins. "Jeniath was Fortian, too, don't forget."

M'kla says "Only true Benden blood left were in the bronzes at the 
beginning of this Turn...course, they'd all seeded the other Weyrs' 
golds."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Nyth wings over the milling herdbeast 
in a slow, almost lazy circle. When he swoops down to grasp a bovine, 
though, there's nothing lazy in the way he grasps it, gliding to an empty 
spot and raking a talon across the beast's neck, then lowering his head to 
drink the red blood flowing forth.

Benden LC> Caitria starts at the very odd noise coming from Meli's lips, 
but takes Kaveri, cradling the infant with the ease of an experienced 
mama. "Hiya, sweeting," she murmurs. "Don't worry about all these odd 
people. They'll be better tomorrow. Or we can hope, at least." She gives 
Keri a quick grin.

Taiga walks here from the south.

Benden LC> With a flailing of her arms that is partly an attempt for 
balance, partly a waving to flick lukewarm klah from her arms, and partly 
rage, Meli snarls at Merla, eyes tight.

M'kla grins, tossing the bloodlines back and forth like so many sacks of 
firestone.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Laerth has finished his rather brutal 
worksmanship on his first herdbeast and takes a tremndous leap into the 
air, as if intent on starting the flight early. Instead, he wings sharply 
over the feeding grounds, coming close to some of the other dragons, as if 
claiming territory for himself, and lands atop a second herdbeast.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Nicoth skip-hops one dragonlength to 
his right while whipping another herdbeast within reach with his sinuous 
tail. The screech of the terrified beast ends abruptly as its throat is 
torn out. The gushing stream of life's blood is sucked up eagerly by the 
excited bronze.

Alexi is totally overwhelmed...

Kimbrith soars off her ledge, her golden wings glinting in the setting 
sun. Her eyes whirl violet-red, matching the sunset. She glides easily 
south across the bowl.

M'kla grins a bit, "An Nyth be of Elisanth, Kassi."

Benden LC> Merla snorts at Meli, "Get out. Get out of my Weyr." she says 
simply.

Bara walks here from the south.

Anndora rubs her hands. "And Pyreth, as well, of course."

M'kla grins, and points, "An there go Kimbrith!"

Kimbrith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry 
her aloft.

Benden LC> Sonya ohs at R'val, her attention distracted by the two 
females.

Above, Kimbrith flies towards the south end of the bowl.

T'saren watches Kimbrith sail overhead, mind mostly on his own lifemate.

Benden LC> Keriann murmurs her thanks again to Caitria, looking a bit 
nervous at leaving Kaveri, but she has to leave. Turning quickly, she 
heads back outside.

Keriann comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Benden LC> E'ryn turns his attention toward Merla (And Meli) as if he 
can't help himself. His brow furrows slightly, attention drawn from R'val 
and fixated there for the moment.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Solarith drains his first carcass of 
all its life juices, then whips it aside, flinging droplets of blood in 
all directions as he hisses at a brown which comes too close. His whirling 
violet eyes pick his next victim and with a sweep of one foreclaw, rips it 
open and pulls it towards him.

P'tran frowns at M'rgan and nearly takes a step in his direction, then 
remembers himself and takes a calming breath, or at least as calming as it 
can be under the circumstance. He subsides, biting back the return barb he 
had intended to give.

South Bowl> Above, Kimbrith flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

Anndora perches on the bundle and watches the gold head for the 
stratosphere...

Benden LC> R'val nudges Sonya gently, "Can I get you something? A drink 
perhaps?" His own eyes are drawn to Merla and Meli, as he frowns.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Lyndrath suddenly abandons the one 
animal, sleekly moving over its remains in order to intercept another 
young buck the dragon judges worthy of him. A blow stuns the animal 
allowing Lyndrath to roll it over and tear at the vulnerable belly, 
exposing soft meat and pulsating heart. Again, Lyndrath finds the most 
important blood-rich regions of the animal to supply him, throat muscles 
taut with their busy work.

Benden LC> T'lar staggers back to his feet, watching the two fighting 
riders. He is clearly torn as to what to do. He keeps glancing at the bowl 
entrance.

P'tran hears M'kla and mutters. "About time .."

Kassima clicks her tongue, looking abashed. "Ach, so 'tis! Methinks 
there's blood *far* back in the line, though. I can't claim to perfectly 
recall. 'Tany rate, having a dragon with nay Benden blood winning a Benden 
flight seems like a breakage of Tradition." Welcome to Redneck Weyr, where 
mating *outside* of the family is shameful.

Benden LC> "You... you... how dare you!" Meli exclaims, ineffectually 
plucking at her damp shirt. So busy is she dealing with it, that she 
missed the weyrwoman's expression, and most of her words.

Alexi chuckles.

Anndora grins at Kassima. "It didn't used to be that way..."

Bradamante scoots over on the lumpy bundle so Anndora can watch 
comfortably.

M'kla pfts, "They all be of Benden blood, ye go back far enough. The other 
weyrs are riddled with it. It be a moot point."

Benden LC> Caitria, watching the M-team, prudently moves a little farther 
away. Wouldn't want to wake the baby, after all.

Benden LC> Suzot skirts far around the problem area, setting her hides on 
the table and barely raising a brow at the commotion.

Benden LC> T'lar says "Merla...Meli. Uh, perhaps if we could calm down 
and, uh, talk about this" He looks completely out of his league.

Benden LC> Merla looks about to say something else to Meli, but her eyes 
widen, and she turns, "Kimbrith!" she says emphatically. Meli forgotten, 
she strides for the bowl.

Benden LC> Sonya nods to R'val. "A drink would be nice, how about Benden 
Red."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Parth lets his gaze saunter over the 
herds before abruptly springing upwards and toward a particularly fat one. 
His pounce lands him smack in the middle of its back, his lean bulk 
crashing to the ground and driving it downward. It bleats for one moment 
before his claws tear into its skull and his head dips as his body reveals 
it, to feed on yet another kill. Crimson blood stains his snout as he 
feeds only on blood.

Anndora grins at M'kla. "Well, if you go back to Ramoth and Mnedranth."

Benden LC> Meli mutters to herself, "... stupid... shardin'... 
fardlin'..."

Merla comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

"True," Kassi admits. "But Kimbrith's got a habit of mating with close 
relatives, if'n memory serves. Adroth, Cioth... can't get much closer than 
that."

Anndora says "Then again, if you go back farther, they're all Fortian..."

M'kla eyes Anndora, "Mnemoth! Mnedranth.....feh."

M'kla grins.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Kimbrith's arrival in the feeding 
grounds is announced with a bugle of challenge to the bronzes and browns 
awaiting her. Disinterested at best in their savagely roused state, she 
plucks the plumpest herdbeast she may find from the scattering herd and 
bears her prize to the far end of the blood-spattered grounds. A claw's 
downward slash tears open the beast's broken neck, spilling its ruby 
essence onto the grass until the gold dragon's forked tongue commences its 
ravenous, rapid lapping. Her eyes, red as the deadly Star whose passing 
issues Thread, wheel with anxiety as they fix on a distant point, averted 
from the males.

Benden LC> T'lar sighs as his eyes follow Merla's retreating figure. 
"Sorry, love," he says not looking at Meli. "Kimbrith rose."

Benden LC> R'val smiles and plucks a flask from a passing drudge, filling 
two glasses and offering one to Sonya with a smile.

Anndora chuckles.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Couranth has struck for a second time, 
bringing the beast down with a single deadly sweep of a foreclaw. Raising 
his head for a second to bugle a greeting to Kimbrith, he returns to his 
feeding, eyes whirling intently, never leaving the shape of the gold, his 
wings half spread.

P'tran looks off towards the feeding grounds again, then back to the group 
of people in the bowl, eyes going from one person to the other. He takes 
another breath, but lets it go immediately as soon as he sees Merla emerge 
from the caverns

Taiga finally sees someone she recognizes, and skips towards Bradamante 
and plunks herself down on the ground to lean against her legs, grinning 
up at her.

T'saren glances over his shoulder and stands positively stunned as his 
eyes hit Merla. His gaze travels up and down her form almost possesively.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Ularrith unwinds his tail from around 
his haunches as he spies a plump bovine. It'll do just fine. With a snap 
of his tail he sends the bovine's legs out from under her, before 
methodically breaking each one so that the hapless creature can't flee. He 
closes his teeth around the living throat, sinking them in until rivulets 
of crimson flow down his throat. Every beat of the animal's heart brings 
more and more blood coursing into him and he will need every drop if he is 
to catch Kimbrith.

Benden LC> Ceria shifts uncomfortably where she stands, growing edgy.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Nicoth tosses aside the evicerated 
corpse which knocks a startled wherry out of the air. A quick bugle 
proclaims his right to the meal. Razor sharp talons rip out the creature's 
throat allowing the male access to the energy rich fluid. Quickly 
finished, he tosses this aside as well. It smacks into the side of a young 
bronze. Bugling again impatiently, Nicoth moves over to an open space 
where he crouches, waiting for the glowing queen to make the next move.

Bradamante smiles down at Taiga and very lightly ruffles the girl's hair.

Kassima grins at M'kla. "Mnementh, you mean?" she inquires lightly. As 
Merla arrives, she diplomatically--and probably wisely--takes a few steps 
back from her vicinity. She also holds up Kegan a bit, possibly in hopes 
that even proddy riders wouldn't kill someone holding a baby.

M'kla mmmm-fehs, "Mnementh e'en...my hearin's goin...or my mind."

Benden LC> Meli's mood certainly doesn't lighten at this news, and perhaps 
later she'll actually make the connection between Merla's actions and 
those of her gold. But for the nonce, she just continues to mutter to 
herself, patting at her damp clothing with a cloth and glaring. "And I 
s'pose you're off, then?" she asks T'lar flatly.

Bradamante leans down and whispers in Taiga's ear, pulling on her braid 
playfully.

Benden LC> E'ryn hesitates a moment, before following the weyrwoman out to 
the bowl. He doesn't even remember to take his leave of Sonya and R'val.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Lyndrath raises his head from the 
belly of a particularly juicy wherry, his eyes now wide and whirling a 
speed that shows his special alertness as the queen draws near. Both 
violet-hued jewels steady on her brilliant form from the moment she 
arrives and stays there - the beginning of his single-minded devotion to 
her capture.

Anndora glances at Merla and then looks down at the bundle. "Shards, I 
won't get back to Fort until midnight...."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Solarith lifts his bloodied muzzle 
and croonwarbles at the glowingly captivating queen, posing with wings 
fully outstretched before lowering his head back to the corpse at his feet 
and continuing to drain it of blood.

E'ryn comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Anndora grins at M'kla.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, With a swift leap into the air, a 
short glide, and a quick drop, Nyth snags another bovine. Staying where he 
took down this beast to devour its blood, Nyth doesn't waste any time in 
ending the creature's life and lowering his head to quaff the blood 
flowing from its open throat.

M'kla grins at Anndora, "What you be doing here anyway, lassie? I han't 
seen you since ye were...this tall." She gestures to her knees.

Merla looks around as she comes out of the living cavern. Her eyes seem to 
pass through the people assembled. Her gaze turns toward the feeding 
grounds, and she makes her way directly that way.

Benden LC> T'lar says "Sorry, but yes." He leans over to give her a kiss. 
"See you later.."

Merla walks south.

P'tran looks over towards Merla as well, his gaze lingering a bit, her 
appearance not lost on him

Thera overhears this. "If you need a ride back to Fort, I'm willing to 
give it. I think Lith and I ought to be elsewhere."

Benden LC> T'lar doesn't wait for Meli's answer as he strides purposefully 
out into the bowl.

T'lar comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Benden LC> Meli mutters to herself, " "... better not... win... worth... 
while.. later...."

Taiga giggles and squirms, still obsessed with keeping that braid shoved 
far down the back of her dress, and out of peoples hands.

E'ryn walks out into the bowl, just in time to see Merla walk toward the 
southern part of it. He glances around at the other riders for a moment, 
before taking a step in that direction himself.

Anndora grins at M'kla and gestures to the bundle. "We found this in the 
storage caverns. It might belong to Benden, so we had Jir give us a lift 
to ask Merla what she thought..."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Laerth swings his bloody muzzle into 
the air and regards Kimbrith with a steady, possessive stare, the same 
look of claim that he had while travelling across the feeding grounds. 
There is a low growl from his throat, but it is hard to tell if it is 
directed at the gold or the competing dragons.

M'kla ehs a bit, "I kin look at it too, if ye like, lass. I been here 
longer than Merla, I swear."

Kassima stays near her dragon, Mart's child in hand and eyes on the 
spectacle. "With this many people," she remarks, "methinks 'twill be a 
good thing that we've plenty of wine." She pats her satchel absently, 
listening to the bottles clink.

P'tran watches Merla head towards the south end of the bowl, but remains 
where he is, having gone through enough of these to know what is best to 
do.

Aphrael comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

South Bowl> Merla clenches her fists at her sides. "No, Kimbrith...blood 
only..." she murmurs just above her breath.

M'kla glances up, and calls, "Aph! Come join the cheering section...we 
were jes debating bloodlines and lost things."

Alexi smiles at Kassima, "Aye ma'am, and the Kitchen is fully stocked with 
food."

Anndora grins.

Keriann's fingers pluck fretfully at the sides of her tunic, her eyes 
flicking quickly around the bowl. Making her way past some people without 
speaking to them, she heads toward a spot where she can pick out her 
lifemate.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Lyndrath cradles the remains of the 
wherry in his arms and allows his tongue to dip lazily into it's blood as 
he breathes slowly and deeply, still focused entirely on Kimbrith. Both 
wings begin to twitch, the only outward indication to show he's not 
entirely as calm as he'd like to appear.

T'lar moves to stand with a knot of other male brown and bronze riders 
without really seeing them. His eyes remain turned toward the south bowl 
and the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Parth lifts his blood-bespeckled snout 
for the briefest of moments, allowing his lurid red gaze to settle upon 
Kimbrith. A low rumble developes from the depthes of his chest, 
vibratingly loud. He leaves the carcass, and struts for a measure or two 
across the pen before abruptly swipping out and turning about in a show of 
dexterity as he snares another herdbeast before it realizes what's coming 
to it. It goes down in a wave of claws, teeth and tail.

Thera walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Aphrael walks out of the living cavern, carting both wineskin and a glass 
with her. Hearing M'kla's call, she grins and heads over towards the 
greenrider. "Oh? Sounds interesting," She murmers faintly as she moves 
closer, shooting a look towards the south bowl.

E'ryn pauses before going any other steps, as if focused there a moment by 
other things that take all of his concentration.

J'riel spies T'saren and begins to make his way over to the man's side, 
but stops suddenly with a scowl, as though he's only just remembered that 
now they are competitors. Nevertheless, he stays where the other riders 
have gathered.

Kassima exhales a long sigh. "Alexi," she corrects, with a faint and 
rueful grin, "M'name's Kassima. 'Tis nay ma'am. If'n you start calling me 
that, people might get this illusion that I'm respectable... care for some 
wine? How about you, M'kla?"

T'saren remains where he is also, mind mostly with his lifemate, and not 
really aware of what's going on around him. He stands quietly, only his 
rapid breathing betraying his state of emotion.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, A second beast is required as 
sacrifice to Kimbrith's apparently boundless appetite, and this hapless 
creature, an oversized buck, is slaughtered with unintentionally merciful 
swiftness before its torso is neatly split from stem to stern. Steam rises 
in the cool summer air, tendrils of scent-laden mist rising from the 
gaping wound. The gold does not appreciate the delicate nuances of the 
wispy whiteness, concentrating as she is on the blooding. Head lifts, maw 
opens, and bugling challenge is emitted, perhaps to her rider's 
admonishment, perhaps to those rutting males. From the clench of her 
muscles she is contemplating a launch, yet groundward she remains, talons 
scrabbling anxiously in the turf...then she resumes blooding.

Alexi says "No, ma'am-- er Kassima, I'm allergic to wine... but thank 
you."

Anndora glances in J'riel's direction for a moment before turning back to 
M'kla. "How long've you been at Benden? From where it was in the caverns, 
I think this's been at Fort since before I was born..."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Solarith negligently kicks aside his 
second drained carcass and half-lifts off the ground in pursuit of another 
animal whose blood will slack his lust-born thirst. As his weight drives 
the beast to the dirt and breaks its neck, he trumpets his prowess to the 
skies and the beautiful Kimbrith.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, The last bit of hot blood trickles 
down Ularrith's throat as the bovine gives out a little sigh, collapsing 
completely. He abandons the heap of raw leather and meat as intensely 
whirling eyes fasten on Kimbrith's glowing form. With a 'look at me' 
bellow, he rises back on his haunches, wings thrown far back, displaying 
his muscular chest and youthful yet strong countenance.

M'kla nods to Kassi, "Aye...and stronger if ye've got it."

P'tran folds his arms tightly across his chest again and sets his face in 
a slight frown, giving others just enough of a glare to make people think 
twice about coming close to him for the moment. He closes his eyes briefly 
to concentrate.

M'kla chuckles at Anndora, "How bout 27 Turns, lassie?"

Taiga leans back on Bradamante's legs, craning around to get her 
attention, "'Mante? Why's J'riel lookin' mad?" She asks in the way that 
children have of asking the really tough questions.

Kassima nods absently; that would seem to be something that she had 
forgotten. She slides down to a seat on Lysseth's foreleg. "Aye, I'd nay 
recalled that. I've Harper's Folly, the green stuff, Dragon Fire, and 
What's In the Bottle, M'kla--take your pick, but be warned that I mixed 
the last two m'self."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Nicoth raises his green-flecked head 
and answers the gold's bugle. His wings are half-extended in readiness. 
His eyes whirl rapidly, shading from angry, hungry red to lustful violet.

Anndora grins. "Could be. Bradamante, help me get the 'hides off this 
thing."

Sionelle steps out of the records room, inkstains on her fingertips. As 
soon as she steps out of the pool of glow-light from the door, her eyes 
squint toward the south and the corner of her lip turns downward. Watching 
that direction as she walks, she occasionally bumps against a few riders 
and weyrfolk.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Laerth tosses aside the remains of the 
herdbeast with something akin to showing off, as if intending to impress 
Kimbrith with his strength. He tenses his haunches and levels his gaze at 
the brightly glowing gold, not taking his eyes from her.

M'kla chuckles, "Feh? Nothin stronger then that?"

Aphrael refills her glass, as Prefeth lumbers over to join the other blues 
and greens, eyes swirling more with curiousity than anything else as he 
watches the other male dragons.

M'kla nods to Anndora, turning her attention back to the assistant 
headwoman and assistant.

Meli comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Anndora hops off the bundle and begins unwrapping it. "Which green stuff, 
Kassima?"

T'lar shifts from foot to foot, hands clenched at his sides.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Nyth rumbles as the feeding frenzy 
sends a small herdbeast scampering almost directly at the High Reaches 
brown. He extends a foreleg, the black talons sharp as they rake the beast 
to him. Standing proudly, Nyth croons to Kimbrith before he lays open the 
herdbeast, lowering his ensanguined maw to feed his thirst for blood. The 
thirst quenched, Nyth tosses the beast aside as he watches and waits.

Rykel comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Taiga leans forward to allow Bradamante to get up, and turns to help get 
the hides off the bundle.

Rykel climbs up onto Faerth, settling into his neckridges comfortably.

Faerth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

Kassima peers into her satchel, bewildered that anyone would want a drink 
stronger than one rumored to corrode its own containers and burn holes in 
wood or stone on contact. "Um... Hugh's brandy, White Lightning, and a bit 
of Black Gold... oh, 'tis Renegade's Revenge," she explains. "From down 
South. I believe 'tis made from seaweed there."

Meli stomps out, balancing fork, plate, and mug and stops at the back of 
the crowd. Spotting T'lar, her expression hardens a bit further before she 
takes a seat near Kassi and M'kla.

T'saren grumbles something to himself, finally noticing the other riders 
nearby. He moves off a few steps with a grimace, shooting dark glances at 
any who get in his path.

South Bowl> Merla focuses intently on the activity in the feeding grounds. 
In her eyes is a sternness only seen in her in the most pressing of 
moments. Engaged in a battle of wills with a 38-metre long beast, she 
knows she has to win.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Couranth backs away from his kill 
slightly, tongue flickering over his bloodied muzzle, a rumbles croon of 
mixed desire for the glowing gold, and challenge to the males around him. 
He makes not display of strength and his glance at the other males is 
almost contempt - let's see if you fly as well as you posture, friend.

M'kla ehs a bit, "Gimme the black gold, lass."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Parth delicately plunders the velvety 
depths of the herdbeasts's pulsing throat as it lays a-quivering in the 
throes of its death. His tail whips about, indicating his delicious 
pleasure in the warmth of the blood and the excitement of the kill. Wings 
flex, shoulders tensing as he hovers uneasily near his herdbeast prey.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Lyndrath rises back to his haunches, 
abandoning the empty husk of the beast that donated it's blood for his 
chase. Now he's elegantly balanced once more in a pose of readiness - hind 
legs bent and muscles clenched, wings paritally unfurled and reflecting 
the light available. His head is inclined towards the glowing Kimbrith, 
eyes now reflecting his inner excitement.

Anndora hmmms as she finishes unwrapping a large, beautifully carved 
wooden chest, and stands back so that M'kla can see it. "Not the one made 
from those yellow Southern fruits?"

"Hugh's Brandy?" Sionelle asks, the name of that drink cutting through her 
focus. She folds her arms and stares at Kassima indignantly. Hugh never 
lets -her- leave the Hulk with that stuff.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Kimbrith drinks her sanguine feast 
with sloppy alacrity, not minding if the gobbets of blood dribble onto her 
brightly gleaming hide. Her hunger gnaws at the very core of her being, 
demanding her attention, insisting it be assuaged, so to appease her 
appetite she gorges on gore, not yet willing to investigate or consider 
that -other-appetite, the one for which the browns and bronzes have 
gathered. She is cognizant of their presence and their purpose, yet she 
disdainfully disregards them to concentrate on her blooding.

Kassima nods and pulls out a medium-sized glass bottle of something that 
doesn't look horribly attractive: it's sort of a brownish-purple, until 
she shakes it. It then swirls around with hues of blackish-purple and 
gold. "There you go--aye, Weyrlingmaster. I bought it off of K'rick. He 
wouldn't tell me how *he* acquired it, and charged a pretty mark for it--
but 'tis genuine enough by the taste."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Solarith sucks his third kill dry and 
crouches, gleaming bronze wings half-spread as he waits for Kimbrith to 
take to the air. He swipes his tongue across his blood-flecked muzzle, 
then along one set of foreclaws, eyes riveted on the golden glowing queen 
as he preens for her.

M'kla hrms some, settling her chin in her hand as she examines what 
Anndora uncovers.

M'kla snaps her fingers, as if thinking, "Lass, have ye opened it?"

Alexi stands obtrusively off to one side, watching with interest.

Anndora shakes her head. "Nope. The latch is really rusty. We couldn't get 
it open."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Laerth flexes his powerful rear legs 
again to lift him into the air. He snaps out his wings a single time in 
order to direct his glide towards a small flock of wherries that had been 
set to panic by the dragons, He manages to grab two, one plump one in each 
of his foreclaws, and he comes to a landing without flexing his wings a 
single time, then drains each wherry in turn with expert dispatch.

M'kla takes the bottle from Kassima absently, and contemplates the chest. 
"I do wonder..."

Meli stabs her fork into another fishroll, chewing on the bite 
methodically. She sniffs occasionally, her nose wrinkling as she watches.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Ularrith ignores the frightened 
screams of the herdbeasts and the beastial actions of his fellow males as 
his gaze wanders over his grandmother's golden form with something akin to 
awe underneath his sensuous staring. Grandma is looking quite good for her 
age. He crouches, wings tight to his flanks as he awaits the moment of 
flight, his muscles on a hair-trigger.

Palinth backwings for a landing.

L'nay swings gracefully from Palinth's neck, stepping down onto Palinth's 
thoughtfully extended foreleg and dropping from there to the ground. His 
eyes fade slightly as he speaks silently to the brown, sending him a 
loving smile.

Kassima selects a bottle of green liquid for herself, pulling out the 
stopper and settling Kegan in her lap so that she can more easily hold 
onto him with one hand. "Meli, would you like aught? There's more here 
than I can drink m'self."

Sionelle just frowns a little deeper, and returns her attention to the 
distant feeding grounds, the fingers of one hand tapping at her bicep. She 
occasionally shuffles her feet, and at one time reaches out to smack the 
back of the head of a weyrling whose common sense has been somewhat 
overcome by the emotions of the day. "Mind your skirts," she snaps to the 
girl. "It's not your dragon rising, and you'll regret -him- in the 
morning." This with a disdainful look at the pimple-faced, pockmarked 
loser that's got his hand in her petticoats.

M'kla digs in a pocket, and produces a ring of keys dwarfed only by those 
of the Weyrwomen and the Steward. "I dae wonder...that /look/ like 
something mentioned, back a good thirty turns afore Thread fell."

Palinth growls gutturally and leaps into the air moments after his rider 
has touched the bowl floor.

Meli flicks a glance over at Kassi. "What d'you have, exactly? Anythin' 
that'll mix well w'my citron?"

Aphrael neatly perches on Prefeth's foreleg, pouring herself out some more 
wine as she glances southwards, absently listening to the conversation 
going on around her.

Palinth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

Above, Palinth flies towards the south end of the bowl.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Nyth's forked tongue snakes out of his 
muzzle, cleaning rivulets of blood from his maw as his rapidly whirling 
eyes remain fixed on Kimbrith's glowing form. His wings unfurl and stretch 
outward in anticipation.

South Bowl> Above, Palinth flies downward towards the feeding grounds.

Anndora grins at M'kla's key ring. "Go ahead and try. It wouldn't open for 
any of mine, Meira's, or Vivian's..."

Bradamante peers around Andorra's shoulder, evidently eager to see whats 
inside the chest she has been lugging around.

M'kla chuckles, "Aye...but yer keys dan't come from Benden." She winks, 
and holds up one key that has an oddly shaped end. Like something a smith 
would use. "If all else fails...unscrew the hinges!"

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Parth elevates his head, serpentine 
neck drifting from the now-drained 'beast below. Tongue licks out along 
the tip of his snout, head dipping to clean part of his chest that he can 
reach with a half-mind toward fastidiousness. Then, with a deliberate 
strike, the sharpened spikes of his long claws delve forward, up, and into 
the belly of yet another herdbeast. He jerks it toward him, tugging it 
along the dusty ground and into the circle of his forearms. His head dips 
low, tongue circling out to snare a taste of fresh blood.

M'kla winks, and kneels down, keeping about a quarter eye on the dragons 
in the feeding grounds.

"White Lightning would go well enough, methinks," Kassi suggests to Meli. 
"I'm nay certain about the rest of this stuff." She sips from her 
container, eyes squinting towards the distant Grounds.

Anndora chuckles. "Just be careful. We thought of it, but didn't want to 
damage anything..."

P'tran scowls at the others as he sees even more riders - competitors - 
arribing in the bowl. He finds himself looking over at some of the women, 
both riders and non-rirders, with something a little more than simple 
friendliness, but forces himself to turn away.

Taiga shuffles forward, closer to the chest, eager to see.

"Then give m'some o'that," Meli replies in a tight, flat voice. "Could 
definitely use some."

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Palinth lets out a roar and plummets, 
stone-like, at a knot of herdbeasts. One talon reaches out as he skims 
above them, catching and dragging one of the 'beasts for several 
dragonlengths before he grounds himself, landing upon and crushing the 
poor animal. Bugling in frustration, he leaps again and catches another 
panicked beast, rending its body into shreds, maw snapping blindly, 
wildly.

Anndora turns to Kassi. "Could I have a sip of the Southern green stuff? 
I'm wondering if it's the same as what I had last Turn..."

Alexi asks "Green?"

M'kla tries a few keys that look positively older than time itself...and 
shakes her head. She goes for the tool instead, and sits down, keeping an 
eye on the dragons as she begins to very delicately unscrew the hinges. 
Thankfully, the golden wood is still sound.

E'ryn crosses his arms over his chest, more an effort to keep them from 
grabbing anyone's throat and strangling them than comfort. He effects an 
air of one anyhow, his face a stone mask of emotion free expression.

L'nay looks worried, gnawing at his lip hurriedly, as he scans the crowd, 
trying to spot one person in particular. Finally he spies her... some 
distance away down the bowl. He frowns, forehead creasing.

Kassima digs in her satchel, tossing over a small skin. "Be careful," she 
cautions. "'Tis as near to pure alcohol as I've ever been able t'find. The 
sort of stuff you don't want to set near a fire." Corking her own bottle 
for a moment, she sets it down to pick up a second small skin and toss it 
to Anndora. "Nay certain whether 'twould be, but you're welcome to taste. 
Aye, Alexi. 'Tis that color because 'tis made from seaweed."

Keriann watches, her body held tensely still as the dragons blood across 
the way in the feeding ground. Dark though it is, she knows exactly where 
her lifemate is, and her eyes are fixed unerringly on him.

Bara walks over to Bradamante and smiles brightly at her, "Hi!"

T'lar gnaws on this lower lip absently.

Meli takes the skin, refilling her half empty mug with it.

Alexi screws up his face. "Seaweed? I'd rather drink wine and get hives!!"

South Bowl> Merla doesn't even seem to notice the bronzes in the feeding 
grounds with Kimbrith. Her attention is focused soley on her lifemate. Her 
fists are clenched so tightly that her knuckles are white and her arms are 
almost shaking with the strain.

Bronia shivers very slightly, her unfocussed eyes fixing on a distant 
brown shape, the riders around her forgotten.

Taiga sticks out her tongue at the thought of a /drink/ made out of 
seaweed!

Anndora cautiously uncorks the small wine skin and takes a tiny sip. 
Wrinkling her nose, she says, "Nah, different stuff..." She hands the skin 
back to Kassima.

Bradamante smiles up at Bara from where she is kneeling by a strange old 
mysterious chest that someone she doesn't know is taking apart at the 
hinges.

Kassima catches the skin nimbly, setting it back in the satchel before 
taking up her own again. "'Tis rather sweet, actually. I'd thought 'twas 
from melons until Melora told me its true origins."

M'kla very delicately lays the first screw in her lap, then goes to the 
next one, one calloused hand resting gently atop the chest's lid.

Sionelle has squinted at the field long enough. She turns to Kassima, and 
steps over the legs and blanket of some riders come out to watch the 
flight. "You're keeping odds, I assume?" she asks, tugging her pouch from 
its place at her belt.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Nicoth growls and grumbles as the gold 
continues to feed and the other males draw nearer and nearer.

Anndora turns back to the chest and peers at the latch. She carefully rubs 
at it with her thumb. "M'kla, I think the latch'll unscrew, too, so we can 
just lift the lid off..."

Bara peers with interest at all the bustle about the chest. "What is all 
this about, do you know?"

M'kla nods quietly, "I were thinkin that lass."

M'kla grins at Bara. "I dan't know...but mebbe we'll have a surprise for 
Merla when she recover from this flight."

T'saren waits impatiently for the flight, shifting from foot to foot now, 
eyes scanning the other competitors with a feral grin before returning to 
his far-off lifemate.

Bara looks back at Bradamante with an inquisitive twinkle in her eye.

Bradamante pointing at the chest "We, well Anndora, found this in the 
storage. But it looks Benden."

Anndora grins at Bara. "We," she gestures to Bradamante, "found it in the 
storage caverns, and thought it might belong to Benden..."

Bradamante grins up at Bara with a distict twinkle "And Ebisu let me make 
the bread today."

Kassima quirks an eyebrow, inclining her head. "Odds? Nay precisely; 
methinks 'tis M'kla who's keeping the odds?" She glances towards the 
Weyrsecond in query. "Though I know where I plan to lay my marks."

Bara gazes solemnly at the chest and then claps with delight at 
Bradamante's revelation. "That's wonderful! And how did it turn out? Did 
you like it?"

Alexi shakes his head-- "You /BET/ on this??"

Anndora glances across the dark bowl towards J'riel, then looks back down 
at the chest.

"Certes! Why nay?" Kassi replies, unperturbed. "I won five marks when 
Herath rose. And they thought me crazy for believing a kilt would bring 
luck. Hah!"

M'kla laughs, "Aye lad. We bet on firelizard flights too." Her hazel eyes 
spark up, and catch the young man for a sharp second. "I lay wagers that 
Kimbrith'll be caught despite herself." She goes back to what she was 
doing.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Kimbrith coils low to the ground, 
pauses, poised, and stares with marked hate at each brown and bronze, as 
if a glance from her is too precious a gift for these red-eyed rutting 
beasts. Then, with a whuff of air and a swirl of dust, a mighty push bears 
her mammoth body aloft. No ponderous flight this...her ichor-filled veins 
pulse with the power of mating agitation, lending her the swiftness not 
normally hers in flight. With this burst of speed she escapes the ring of 
bronzes and browns, rapidly gaining altitude and distance. Her goal is 
singular -- to put as much space between the males and herself.

South Bowl> Above, Kimbrith rises up from the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> Above, Nicoth rises up from the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Laerth gives an immense ROAR as 
Kimbrith rises and leaps into the air with a single flexing of his 
haunches!

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Nyth springs into the air with a 
bugle, his chestnut wings beating strongly as he takes to the Benden sky 
in pursuit of Kimbrith, her gleaming golden radiance heating him more than 
Rukbat's rays ever could have.

South Bowl> Above, Solarith rises up from the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> Above, Laerth rises up from the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> Above, Nyth rises up from the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> Above, Lyndrath rises up from the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Palinth roars again, head uplifted to 
the skies, and glares at the nearest males, teeth prominently displayed. 
Roaring again at the nearest males, he takes a few loping strides and 
hurls himself into another herdbeast, bludgeoning the animal with his head 
as he tackles it. The stunned animal tries to free itself, but is too 
dazed to evade the hammering and rending of Palinth's talons as he again 
peels akin from flesh and flesh from bone. By the time he is finished his 
near-black hide is no brighter, yet slick and shiny with blood and gore. 
Mewling with pent rage, he spies Kimbrith's spring and with amazing speed 
hurls himself skywards.

South Bowl> Above, Palinth rises up from the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> Above, Parth rises up from the feeding grounds.

Meli finishes her meal, working diligently on her well-liquored juice, and 
scowls further as the dragons finally rise.

South Bowl> Above, Ularrith rises up from the feeding grounds.

South Bowl> Above, Couranth rises up from the feeding grounds.

T'lar turns, looking for Merla. His eyes are bright.

South Bowl> Merla watches Kimbrith take off, noticing the males for the 
first time. She turns, and heads north.

R'val comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

M'kla snorts a bit to herself, and begins to mutter as she works, 
unscrewing the second hinge as carefully as the first.

Merla walks here from the south.

Anndora whistles as Lyndrath takes off after Kimbrith.

Merla heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

T'lar heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

"All the same," Sionelle shrugs, though her indifference falters for a 
moment as the dragons take flight, and her eyes swing back to watch them 
spring. "All the same," she repeats, gazing up at their receding forms. 
"I'll put a mark on the Istan brown, Couranth. He looks feisty, and 
Kimbrith is slowing down. And put, um... put three-eights on Laerth." Who 
ever knew the weyrlingmaster was sentimental.

Caitria comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

L'nay lets out a low moan, eyes still fixed on the figure of Merla, 
approaching closer now.

T'saren sighs in relief and practically runs after Merla as she heads for 
her weyr.

M'rgan stares at his son in Kassima's arms momentarily as if reluctant to 
leave him. But a surge of desire from his lifemate turns him around and 
marches him into the weyr like a zombie.

T'saren heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

R'val walks south.

Thera comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Alexi's eyes are instantly locked on the rising dragons at the other end 
of the bowl...

Suzot comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

L'nay heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

Meli rises to her feet, keeping her mug with her. One look after T'lar's 
retreating back, and she sniffs. Spotting R'val and the others emerging 
from the cavern, she turns to follow them.

P'tran's eyes widen as the dragons rise suddenly from above the feeding 
grounds. He sees Merla hurry inside and follows her quickly inside.

Taiga squirms with excitement, hardly able to contain herself as she waits 
to see what's inside the chest...

Thera hollers over to her cousin. "We're hitting the springs, if you'd 
like to come."

Meli walks south.

Thera walks south.

P'tran heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

Suzot is carrying three skins of wine...and not offering them to Riders.

M'kla chuckles a bit, and nods, "Aye...I'll put a half-mark on Parth, an 
another on that Fortian. And I'll match Elle's mark on Laerth tae."

Ceria comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

M'rgan heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

Sonya comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

E'ryn turns slowly, and then heads after the others, his steps heavy.

Suzot walks south.

Bronia heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

Ceria walks south.

Anndora makes a face at M'kla as she hears her bet. "I wish I dared bet 
against Lyndrath..."

Keriann heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

E'ryn heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'saren finds himself an unoccupied section of wall and 
rests his back against it, eyes riveted on Merla's form and mind with his 
lifemate and the chase. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> E'ryn walks up onto the ledge, his eyes gazing around the 
weyr thoughtfully before plunging through the others. 

Kassima takes a gulp of her liquor, her eyes following the Kimbrith and 
her pursuers into the skies. "And they're off," she mutters under her 
breath, stating the obvious. To Sionelle, she nods. "I'll take your bet 
on Couranth, though I'm putting a mark on Laerth m'self, and place a 
quarter on Ularrith." Just in case it *wasn't* the kilt.

Sonya follows a small group of riders out of the liveing cavern.

Caitria blinks as she hears Kassi and M'kla, and pauses, still cradling 
Kaveri. "Betting, is it?"

South Bowl> Above, Kimbrith streaks like gilded quicksilver across the 
night sky, wings outstretched to catch every nuance of breeze, every 
degree of thermal, in the familiar arena of her home weyr. In the air she 
is every fingerlength a queen, regal and reigning, golden and gloriously 
glowing as she flies onward and onward. The males, smallish by comparison, 
lag behind her as she carelessly exerts energy to move as fleetly as 
possible. For now they are presented a fine and distant view of her hind 
end.

M'kla grins a bit at Anndora, "Fort blood would do Benden some good. An 
Lyndrath's get a nice wing-girdle."

Anndora grins at Caitria. "What else?"

Sonya hears bets and perks up, Looking up at the sky she says, offhandely. 
"I would put my marks on Parth."

M'kla chuckles at Caitria, still disassembling the mystery chest. "Aye. 
Indeed. Turnin Benden intae a den of vice."

Anndora grins at M'kla, blushing faintly. "Yeah, and his rider's not half-
bad either..."

Kimbrith's Weyr> L'nay stalks around the periphery of the room, eyes 
downcast, only looking up every few moments to glare at someone in the 
room. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> P'tran looks over to Merla and steels himself, managing 
not to try to take a step in her direction, knowing that would not be 
conducive to the uneasy "calm" in the weyr at the moment. He instead tries 
to direct his gaze at nothing in particular 

South Bowl> Above, Solarith beats his wings steadily, lifting after 
Kimbrith and her almost magnetic allure. He remains in the middle of the 
pack for the moment, letting the leaders tire themselves and cut the air 
for him while he saves his strength for the end of the flight.

Caitria chuckles at M'kla. "Moreso, you mean."

Kassima nods to Tria, keeping one arm looped around Kegan to ensure that 
he won't be able to wriggle away. "Aye, betting. Care to place any marks 
in the pool? And M'kla, I think we're a bit too late to do that. Someone 
beat us to it long ago."

J'riel digs his hands into his tunic pockets as he suddenly picks up his 
feet and hurries after the Benden weyrwoman in slouched form.

Bradamante says "Why, who is Parth's rider?"

South Bowl> Above, With powerful strokes from great bronze wings, Nicoth 
leaps into the air after the alluring queen. This male is in the prime of 
his strength and vigor. The experience of many mating flights has left its 
impression on his normally forgetful draconic mind. The browns and younger 
bronzes surge ahead in a show of speed that is certain to drain their 
endurance long before the gold tires. He seeks instead the strongly rising 
currents out over the great lake and hot springs, allowing the air to push 
him into the night sky above Benden's bowl.

M'kla chuckles some. "Sounds li' a guld match tae me. Course..it be /up/ 
to Kimbrith."

J'riel heads up the steps along the wall of the bowl, finally entering 
Kimbrith's weyr.

Sionelle eyes Sonya askance. "WOULD, Weyrsecond? Or WILL?"

Anndora grins at M'kla. "And I hope she leaves Lyndrath at Fort, 
myself..."

South Bowl> Above, Couranth has learnt a hard lesson about goldflights and 
his own capabilities. Carefully guarding his strength, none of the flashy 
antics he tends to show in the pursuit of a green, he takes a place in the 
middle of the pack, rising slightly above and to the right of the rest, 
his wings settling to their steady, powerful rhythm, eyes never leaving 
the glowing gold shape ahead.

South Bowl> Above, Laerth gives a loud rumble of annoyance as two other 
dragons manage to get ahead of him in the first leap into the air despite 
his alertness and speed. However, he his quite well with the pack, beating 
his wings only for a few moments, then easing as he discovers a thermal to 
assist his rise. He carefully conserves his strength; all the time for 
showing off is over now.

South Bowl> Above, Palinth quickly scans the other males as he heaves 
himself after Kimbrith with his massive wingbeats, rising higher than the 
others with little effort. From his position above all of the other 
dragons he watches every movement, using the thermals and air currents to 
propel himself forward, restraining himself from overexertion, one eye 
always on Kimbrith. With great and terrible determination he inches 
forward, slowly.

Aphrael peers upwards, smiling faintly. "I think I'll put my marks on 
Lyndrath. Mainly because Prefeth once Searched his rider," She adds, a 
touch ruefully as she pats the blue hide beneath her.

South Bowl> Above, Parth arrives in the currents of air with a flurry of 
wing-beats that pulse with the rhythm of a heart-beat. Light from above 
pierces the sky and shatters on the shine of his oiled brown hide, 
scattering a mottled hue of color in all directions over his skin. He 
climbs in stately procession, each thrust of the wingtip driving hard into 
the air, gouging out a place for him within the flight.

Bradamante moves her head back and forth looking from Anndora and M'kla, 
mouthing names under her breath to remember this gossip.

Sonya stops, waiting for R'val to show the way. Her amused eyes land on 
Sionelle and she chuckles. "One mark says I will." Her hand goes to the 
fastener of her waist pouch.

South Bowl> Above, Ularrith cannily takes his time ascending, knowing that 
to catch Kimbrith it will take stamina, not speed, and brains, not brawn. 
Let the others waste themselves in the fast pursuit. He will gain her 
through intelligence and cunning. The moons beckon to him as he flies a 
fairly straight course, slowly building speed and gaining position. Only a 
few burly bronzes are as far back in the pack as he is.

"I recall that," Kassi chuckles, nodding to Aph. "Mainly because Lyss 
picked up Sancot and I beat Kiat in that complimenting fest at the same 
time... how many marks are you laying down?"

Sionelle nods approvingly, her lips turning up at one corner, just 
faintly, and she turns back tot he spectacle in the air.

South Bowl> Above, And enjoy that fine view of Kimbrith's flank, haunches, 
and tail, Nyth will indeed. Winging strongly upward to gain height, Nyth 
takes the chance to admire the golden enchantress as she leads the dragons 
into their dance, knowing well that the dance will be the same perfection 
Kimbrith is, with her perfect partner.

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'lar glowers at the other riders of male dragons from 
his post against the wall. He keeps his arms tightly clasped about his 
chest as if holding himself together. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> Merla stands next to a wall, her fists still clenched. 
She is looking straight ahead of her, but she's not really looking at all. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> E'ryn finally takes a few steps further inwards, almost 
as if reluctant at first, though driving need brings him closer, His hand 
smacks against the back of some rider, whom he doesn't mutter an apology 
to, but glares at instead as he steps past. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> L'nay wedges himself in a far corner, eyes slits as he 
snarls, baring teeth at a bronzerider who has strayed too close. 

Anndora makes a face at all the bets on Lyndrath. "Faranth, I guess I'll 
just have to bet against him, and hope I'm right... A Mark against 
Lyndrath..."

Caitria peers up at the sky. "Ularrith," she proclaims. "Maybe Nicoth."

Bara sinks down beside Bradamante, completely bewildered by all the 
activity and banter. "How do they keep track of it all?!"

M'kla moves around, and begins to work on the rusted lock of the chest, 
half an eye on the sky above.

M'kla chuckles, "Practice lass...this be nothin compared to Threadfall."

Anndora reverses M'kla's priorities, watching the dragons, one bronze in 
particular, with half an eye on the progress with the chest.

M'kla stops her work, long enough to really watch the dragons for a 
moment.

Aphrael giggles at Kassi, shaking her head amusedly at the greenrider's 
recall. "Half a mark," She responds.

Alexi's eyes stay fastened on the golden Queen for as long as possible. 
Something in the way she looks makes it impossible to look away...

Kassima nods approvingly to Tria. "My own marks are on Laerth and 
Ularrith, though neither rider's wearing a kilt. At least they *own* 'em. 
A mark against Lyndrath, a half-mark for...." She nods, no doubt 
committing all of this to that annoyingly good memory of hers.

South Bowl> Above, Lyndrath projects himself headlong into the chase with 
one mighty thrust of his well-muscled hind legs, trusting his wings to 
take over once fully airborne. At the right moment, the Fortian dragon 
unfurls his wings to their full wingspan, both to catch a fortuitous 
thermal under his wingsails and to jostle himself a space amonst the 
competitors that crowd around him.

Kimbrith's Weyr> Bronia presses against the wall, shivering, her fingers 
clenching and unclenching rhythmically like the claws of an angry cat, 
matching the rhythm of the wingbeats of her faraway brown. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> Keriann's back presses against the cool smooth stone of 
the huge weyr as her eyes flicker around briefly, assessing each malerider 
almost predatorily. Directly in front of her is a long narrow scrape in 
the floor, perhaps from a talon, and Keri absently scuffs at it with the 
toe of her boot. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> J'riel's eyes dart over the cavern, impatiently passing 
over the other males until they alight on Merla and become much more 
interested! Once he has her in his sights, he closes his eyes and rests 
against the wall. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> P'tran finds some point on a far wall to stare at, though 
he sometimes makes surreptitious glances at Merla when he thinks no one 
else would notice. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'saren runs his hand through his hair, pushing it out of 
his eyes with the same slight nervousness he always feels this early into 
a flight. Another rider gets between him and Merla and he hisses almost as 
his lifemate would. A deep exhale slides from his throat as the erring 
rider shifts to a new position out of his line of sight. 

Anndora chuckles at the thought. "I'll vouch for Lyndrath's rider not 
owning a kilt..."

Bara's eyes widen at the idea of threadfall and she watches the dragons in 
awe.

M'kla mutters, "We'll have to fix that, lass," as she goes back to work on 
the chest.

Caitria gently shifts Kaveri, murmuring, "Look, there's your mum." Of 
course, since the baby is sleeping...

Bradamante finally registers Bara's questin "Oh hum?? I don't know how 
they keep track of it all" in total distraction.

Anndora chuckles. "I hope not. I'll grant that he has nice legs, but 
still..."

M'kla ah-hahs as the latch falls into her hand, "There we go!"

Caitria peers over to M'kla. "Whatcha got there?"

Bara eagerly tries to catch a glimpse of the chest's contents.

Anndora turns to M'kla. "Got it? Lets see if we can lift the lid..."

Bradamante tears her gaze away from the dragons to peer at M'kla "What is 
it?"

Kassima swigs again from her bottle, eyes leaving the heavens for a moment 
to fasten on Tria. "How many marks on each?" she wonders. She glances down 
at Kegan, grins, and whispers to the lad, "Wish you could bet, youngling. 
If'n you took after your sire, it might mean some easy marks for the rest 
of us."

M'kla grins at Caitria from where she sits on the ground, unscrewing the 
lid of a chest. "Aye...careful...dan't drop it."

Bradamante bounces off the ground to assist Anndora

Sonya watches the dragons in the sky for a moment, befor looking back down 
to R'val. "Lead the way to the hot Springs."

South Bowl> Above, The clouds part and the twin moons' light fills the 
bowl with silvery rays that illuminate the dragons giving chase to 
Kimbrith, she whose amorous intents tonight are spurring on this nighttime 
sortie into the Benden sky. Impossibly high goes the queen, soaring upward 
and onward with joy shimmering in each downward stroke of her wings, each 
lift of her metallic wingtips. Freedom is her wingmate, the wind her 
adoring lover as it enfolds her in its embrace, empowering her to achieve 
speeds and altitudes to dizzy those frenetic males clamboring in her wake. 
Presently what she wants is height, so toward Belior and Timor she flies, 
confident she could reach them if that was her wish.

Sonya walks south.

Caitria hmms? at Kassi. "Oh, half a mark. I don't have much to throw 
away."

Taiga leans forward, eager to see the contents of the chest, imagining 
secret scrolls, piles of jewels...

Alexi's eyes flick momentarily to the chest on the ground, then back to 
the golden Queen in the sky...

M'kla gets up herself, eager to get a glimpse of the contents.

Anndora waits until Bradamante has a good grip on the other end of the lid 
and then begins carefully lifting it from the chest. The feet of the chest 
lift a fingertip from the ground, then the lid separates from the chest 
and the chest drops back to the ground.

South Bowl> Above, Laerth finds himself blocked by one of the other 
bronzes, one of the two that got ahead of him when they first rose. He 
tries to bank to one side to get past im, but does not want to veer to far 
for risk of falling behing. At first he manages to get level with him, but 
the thermal shifts, and he has to beat his wings to keep on course. 
Instead he tries a new tactic, and swoops under the blocking bronze, 
meaning to get past him that way and come up from under Kimbrith

South Bowl> Above, Nicoth dodges a reckless brown that careens past in a 
suicidal effort to catch the gold quickly. An easy sideslip, a few pumps 
of the wings and he clears the top of the bowl. The blackness of the night 
sky stetches from horizon to horizon and is broken only by the glittering 
light from a million stars and the occasional fleeting wisp of a cloud. 
Upward he spirals as Kimbrith attempts to reach the luminescent spheres 
that are the moons of Pern. Perhaps, this is where she feels her mate 
resides.

Bradamante carefully takes the weight on her side in consideration to 
Anndora, waiting until she moves to parrot her.

Taiga coughs a little at the dust raised by the chest falling.

South Bowl> Above, Palinth lets out a mewl of agony and glee, as he sees 
Kimbrith rise up to his altitude, and higher. Not even the light of both 
moons can illuminate his hide, however, the darkest brown black now in the 
night. With a few great wingbeats now he begins to move forward more 
quickly, but still with care, tracking Kimbrith carefully, a black shadow 
yearning to be joined with the sun-like brilliance of Kimbrith before him.

"One half on Ularrith, one half on Nicoth," Kassi repeats. Her attention 
is now torn between the dragons and this chest thing. "Old records?" she 
asks, with visible and audible interest between sips.

Bradamante gazes up, the chest evidently forgotten in the beauty of 
dragons siloetted against the moons.

South Bowl> Above, Parth twists his body to the right, tail coiling as 
wings dip in out to control the tightness of the half-roll as he swerves 
to avoid a bronze, and then fights with tooth and claw, to skim lightly 
past on wings of turbulent air. He flies relentlessly, strength and power 
surging through his sleek chameleon form as he caresses the wind with 
delicate, careful sweeps of sail. His need rises, demanding his 
cooperation. He blends in amongst the other dragons, his coloring seeming 
to shift all on its own to adapt to the subtle variants of color, night, 
and moonlit beams.

South Bowl> Above, Solarith remains below as Kimbrith flings herself 
higher towards the moons, knowing that it is still early in the flight and 
she won't fly that high for the remainder of it. Instead, he shadows her 
movements beneath her, knowing she is the leader of this nighttime dance, 
and he is but a participant following her lead. What goes up, must come 
down, and when she again descends to a more comfortable level, he will be 
waiting for her.

South Bowl> Above, Couranth follows still, seeminly tireless deep brown 
shadow in the Benden night, the twin moons flashing strange silver 
highlights on the peat browns of his hide and lending him a momentary 
spendour, then the moons pass into cloud again and the moment is lost, 
only the shadow remains. But the shadow is there still, his wingbeats have 
not faltered, and from the darkness comes his bugle of defiance at a 
bronze that crowds him - shiny hide or not, my friend, these are my skies 
as well as yours...then the gaze locks again on Kimbrith and he quets, 
only one thing filling his mind and heart and sight.

South Bowl> Above, Lyndrath casually lets his left wing drop, allowing the 
rest of his body to fall into a smooth arc around a smaller brown dragon, 
a move designed to effectively cut off the brown's view of Kimbrith, and 
to take arrogant command of an empty pocket among the pack of male dragons 
around him. His light bronze hide is illuminated almost to silver as he 
doggedly continues his arduous climb of the night sky, and for now he just 
ploughs upwards through the hindering air, ignoring all competitors that 
get in his way with an arrogant disdain for any damage he may inflict.

Bradamante breathes "Oh if I had a mark I would bet Lyndrath."

South Bowl> Above, The parting of the clouds sets Ularrith's thin 
membranes to shimmering as if they wet. As if it wasn't moonlight that 
caressed them but the light rain from a summer shower that lingers long 
enough to moisten and cool before gently fading. His wingsails are as taut 
as they've ever been as his wings grab at the sky, pushing him forward 
with a mighty thrust, resting now and then to soar upon a thermal. It is 
still early.

Bara's eyes follow Bradamante's, as she stands slowly.

South Bowl> Above, As Kimbrith is embraced by Rukbat's rays reflected onto 
her by Belior and Timor, Nyth follows. His own chestnut and tan wings are 
illuminated only brief moments later, as he passes through the light of 
the double moons in his impertinent quest for the glorious queen. Such 
impertinence is unexpectedly rewarded with a warm updraft that he didn't 
expect, moving him onward in his quest.

Kimbrith's Weyr> E'ryn lets his indigo eyes rake slowly over Merla's face, 
throat and body. It jerks up quickly, focusing once more on her face, but 
he looks past, or through her now, other things having snared away his 
attention. 

Alexi's neck starts to ache from staring up for so long...

Bara tears her eyes away from the sky for a moment and sidles shyly over 
to where she might have a better chance at seeing inside the chest. She 
rocks back and forth trying to peek between those gathered closer around 
it.

M'kla reaches into her belt-pouch, and hands Bradamante a mark without 
comment, peering into the old records.

Bradamante blinks down at the mark with apparent shock "I've never had a 
whole one before, who do I hand it over to again?"

M'kla chuckles a bit, and points at Kassima, as her attention is finally 
diverted by the dragons in the air above.

South Bowl> Above, Kimbrith sails ever further upward, away from the 
males, the moonlight rays playing a tantalising dazzle on her hide 
dancing. She is getting father away from the bowl now, a veritable dot on 
the horizon to those watching. She twists slightly to the right, sailing 
easily across the moons, as though to make a circle around the bowl.

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'saren nods to himself, mentally encouraging his 
lifemate as his own eyes slide along Merla's body from head to toe and 
back again continuously. Fingers dig into the cool stone behind him, 
splintering his nails slightly, but so involved is he that he doesn't even 
notice the pain. 

Kassima relaxes back against her dragon, setting down the now-empty 
bottle--it was a small one--of green stuff and picking up another of red-
gold liquor. She holds both it and the child close. "Aught interesting in 
yon Records, M'kla?" she inquires without taking her eyes from the sky, 
though the passing of the mark does catch her attention. "Aye, I'm taking 
bets. Lyndrath, was it?"

Bradamante tentativly holds the mark out to Kassima "too late to wager on 
Lyndrath?" in a hopeful voice.

Caitria comments, "Kimbrith will win, of course." She grins.

Bara covers her enormous grin with both hands as she watches Bradamante 
place her wager. Her eyes shine.

Kassima shakes her head, smiling as she accepts the mark. "'Twill nay be 
too late to lay bets until she's caught, nay. Lyndrath, then."

M'kla laughs a bit, nodding to Caitria, "Aie....an i dan't know, Lassie...
I'll have tae look more close at those records afore we know if they're of 
use or nay..."

South Bowl> Above, Laerth manages to get past the dragon blocking him, as 
a thermal comes up and Laerth is able to make use of it first, gliding 
upward and slightly forward, edging out past the other. However, he is 
forced to bank sharply to avoid a less experienced dragon that does not 
know how to handle the air currents quite right yet, and narrowly avoids a 
collision. He does not lose his place in the pack, but he is lower than he 
wants to be, and needs to use his wings more to make up the difference.

Bara bounces a lightly on her toes in her excitement and delight.

Bradamante says "Thank you M'kla"then quieter to herself "I had a whole 
mark and I gave it away again? I am addlebrained."

M'kla chuckles some, "If Lyndrath win lass, I'll give ye anaer fer the 
guld luck."

South Bowl> Above, Palinth scans the skies briefly, measuring the air 
current, and begins his own starboard spiral, fighting through a sudden 
updraft and using it to his advantage, echoing Kimbrith's movements, 
working himself around to her side. He begins to pull away from the other 
males, tracking Kimbrith carefully, his heavy, measured wingbeats bringing 
him closer, ever closer, wasting no energy unnecessarily, utilising every 
movement of the winds to his best advantage.

Bradamante sits and gazes upward, her whole mind so on the chase its 
palatable.

Aphrael grins over towards Bradamante. "Ah, but you might win it back, 
several times over. I hope Lyndrath wins too." And not just because of her 
own bet? Maybe.

Kassima grins up at Bradamante, seemingly amused. "Think of it this way; 
if'n you win, you'll have more than just the one. If'n you lose, you're 
still less addlebrained than the rest of us--you'll be nay thinner in the 
pocket than when you came here."

South Bowl> Above, Solarith saves his breath for flying as he chases after 
the gleaming topaz gem that is the bright form of Kimbrith. Her twisting 
grace sends slight shudders rippling through his body, urging his passions 
higher but not hindering his flight. He maintains his pace and a bit of 
clear airspace for the moment, knowing he can show her he is the best one 
for her.

Bradamante chuckles at Kassima "I know, in my head, but is my palm ever 
confused."

M'kla grins at Kassi's statement, eyes now fixed on the minute specks of 
dragons above.

South Bowl> Above, The light from the ledges and the orbs above glitter 
off Nicoth's well-oiled hide making him more gold than usual. For a brief 
moment, it is almost as if there are two glowing golds in the air. The 
image is shattered almost immediately as the great bronze roars his 
challenge to the mob of males, slashing at another bronze that has gotten 
too close. Powerful muscles make easy work of a slight course change, 
bringing him back in line with the distant female.

Looking into the chest, eager eyes see... a pile of very old furs.

South Bowl> Above, Couranth wayches Kimbrith's dance with the Benden winds 
and moonlight with eyes that whirl their love and longing in every shade 
of violet. He still makes no move to push forward in the pack, content to 
be where he is, see what he sees, there will be time yet. Far above him 
the object of his desire is dancing in moonlight, for now, all that he 
needs is still to see her, and that is the life to his heart and renewed 
strength to his wings. Still to the right of the pack he makes no move to 
go further that way as the queen twists right, but the eyes never leave 
her, when she changes course again he will be ready.

Anndora glares at Bradamante briefly as she bets on Lyndrath.

Bradamante cringes under Anndora's wrath "What did I do?"

South Bowl> Above, Lyndrath tilts his head to the side, permitting himself 
one precious second to consider Kimbrith's maneuver and judge its purpose 
for himself. His jeweled eyes whirl with an almost savage speed as the 
pack of puruers stream ahead but for a moment, urging Lyndrath into quick 
movement. Hesitating not a moment more, he lifts a wingsail to avoid the 
bronze careening past him and thrusts his wings down to lift him over his 
rival and into an empty space so that he can continue his current course - 
straight towards the dazzling queen.

South Bowl> Above, Parth's rightwards turn of before stands him in good 
stead as Kimbrith's aurulent form twists in that direction also. He 
stealthily continues his climb, body coalescing in and out of the star-
strewn, moon-lit night sky. His eyes gleam with luminous, lambent flame 
the color of violet amethyst as he gazes upwards toward she who is like so 
much gossamer, and just as tangible.

Kimbrith's Weyr> P'tran allows himself to get a better look at Merla for a 
few moments, and lets his gaze linger for a few moments longer than he 
intended. He then glances at some of the other riders and glares at them 
when he catches some of them looking as well. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> L'nay catches P'tran's glance and bares his teeth fully, 
growling as would a cornered feline, eyes bright with animosity. Lip 
curling with disdain, he finally breaks the contact, staring fixedly 
instead at Merla. He begins to chew upon the corner of his lip. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'lar begins to uncoil. His arms lower to his sides. His 
fingers curl, gripping at the wall like talons. A growl vibrates from his 
chest, low and menacing. His grey eyes are dark with lust. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> E'ryn frowns as well, lips twisting slightly, pulling his 
scar into sharp define, making his appearance into what would be called by 
some, dangerous, though it disfigures his entire face. He growls low in 
his throat, irritation a clear tone within that ominous rumble. 

M'kla doesn't seem to notice that her hoped old records are actually a 
bunch of old furs, too caught now, by the dance of the distant dragons 
above.

Anndora catches herself and chuckles, shrugging. "Nevermind. You'll 
understand someday."

Bradamante sighs "I hate being 13"

Alexi turns to Bradamante, "16 isn't that much better," he whispers.

Anndora chuckles again. "We've all been 13. It passes..."

M'kla says "Aye, sokay lassie...I fear the lad or lass who's dragon 
catches Merla...might get as much sock in the mouth as kiss from her. 
She's a bit riley when Kimbrith gaes up."

Bara squints at the sky, trying to make out what is happening so far above 
her.

Anndora snickers. "All the more reason to hope Lyndrath doesn't catch 
her..."

Aphrael mutters, "I hate being.. however old I am." As she peers back up 
towards the flight, trying to discern who is closest to the the gold.

Larinyl, one of the residents who was present when Merla and Meli had 
their spat, mutters incredulously under his breath, "A little?"

Bara shrugs philosophically, "Well, I just turned thirteen. It sure beats 
twelve!" A dazzling smile lights her face and she glances down at the new 
baker apprentice knot on her shoulder with pride.

Kassima squints up towards the sky, lowering her bottle for a moment. "Can 
y'tell which one of 'em's closest?" she asks of M'kla, Aph, and anyone 
else near enough to hear.

Caitria uhs at Kassi. "One of the males," she offers helpfully.

Anndora squints up at the dragons. "Not Lyndrath, I don't think..."

Alexi follows Bara's gaze to the knot on her shoulder. He smiles in 
congratulations to her, not letting the pang in his stomach caused be his 
LACK thereof to get to him.

Aphrael shakes her head to Kassima's question. "I can't, not from here. 
Too many dragons in the way." She comments, frowning as she continues to 
stare upwards.

Bradamante eyes Bara's knot with apparent envy for a split second before 
the flashes of murcurial gold and bronze overhead capture her site again.

Kassima gives Tria a drolly amused look. "Thankee, Tria. I thought 'twas 
one of the greens chasing her who'd gained the lead."

Caitria asks, deadpan, "Weren't you and Lysseth going to chase? She'd sire 
a marvelous clutch."

M'kla laughs, loud and amused, at Kassima.

South Bowl> Above, Kimbrith, being a small gold, is able to fly out away 
from the males early on. Speed is her advantage, and she toys with it, the 
swirl of her eyes, and the twitch of her tail almost mocking the insolent 
males behind her. Her sleek form cuts through the air. Her massive bulk 
seems almost aerodynamic, just for a moment, as she reaches the height of 
glory, carefree, and totally blissful!

Anndora snickers.

M'kla chortles at Tria's comeback, "Yer mad. Both of ye."

South Bowl> Above, Nyth's chestnut wingsails caress the night's air, the 
cooler air at this higher altitude heating as it flows over his body, even 
as his being has been set afire by Kimbrith. Following the queen's path, 
Nyth wings past another brown, the two appearing to come very close to 
each other, to any spectators who have far sight.

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'saren runs his tongue along his lips to moisten them as 
he eyes Merla hungrily. His fingers still clench the stone behind him, as 
though he could pull up the wall itself and hurl it at the other suitors. 
A snarl directed at those others mars his features, giving warning that 
she will be his, whether they admit it or not. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> M'rgan ignores the posturings of the other maleriders as 
he merely stares at Merla. If you can cause the way his steamy blue eyes 
wander up and down her body merely staring. The corner of his mouth curls 
up in a leer as his eyes linger along the curve of her neck as he imagines 
his teeth locked there, nibbling. 

South Bowl> Above, Ularrith curls his wingtip, slipstreaming around a 
laggard bronze whose breathing is already labored. His crystal-clear call 
of desire rings out in the cool night air as he continues to pound the air 
with his pinions. His smaller body rises after hers, seeking the solace of 
her soft, glowing flesh to soothe the the trembling of his body. To slow 
the racing of his hearts.

Kimbrith's Weyr> J'riel scuffs the stone floor with his booted foot, his 
eyes not shut tight now, but still narrow and vague. He seems to be 
staring at nothing, perhaps the cavern roof, and he ignores the earth-
bound beside him. 

Kassima sighs with mock-desolation, shaking her head. "I'm afraid nay, 
Tria. Y'see, 'twas afeared that without m'kilt, we'd lose--and that'd 
break m'perfect record. Shells, but it took some convincing t'get her to 
stay behind. I'll be lucky if'n she ever forgives me."

South Bowl> Above, Solarith follows the regal gold in her flight, pumping 
his wings up and down in his efforts to claim her, to make her his and mix 
his proud Benden blood with her own in the resulting clutch. As she 
twitches her tail at him and her other suitors, the gesture inflames his 
passion and he redoubles his movement rate, trying with everything he has 
to show her he is worthy of her.

Lysseth simply snorts, as she usually does when her rider is being 
ridiculous.

Anndora squints up at the dragons and shakes her head.

Bara blushes and smiles apologetically at Alexi.

South Bowl> Above, Laerth finds that he is simply far too low, having 
underestimated the older gold's ability to stay in the air this long and 
continue to climb as high. He risks using up some of his stamina by 
beating his wings powerfully, rising quickly on the whirlwind he creates 
beneathe himself. He gains some altitude slowly at first, then catches a 
thermal and rises quickly, forcing a competitor from his path by making 
*him* bank out of the way this time. He uses another burst of energy to 
surge forward and higher into the sky.

South Bowl> Above, Nicoth glides beneath another bronze, his immense 
wingspan shadowing the other from below. His wingsails bulge with the 
force of the rising thermal, but the air cannot get past him to the wings 
of the dragon above. The other falters and Nicoth moves ahead. His tail 
flicks within inches of the defeated male's muzzle. Kimbrith's flight of 
freedom contrasts sharply to the mangled mob of males beneath her. The 
fluid glory of her flight is made even more beautiful by the scrabbling, 
fighting flying of her pursuers.

Kimbrith's Weyr> Keriann's forehead is damp with perspiration as she 
watches every movement Merla makes, even those from the goldrider's 
breathing. Especially those, perhaps. Tension apparent in the tautness of 
her muscles, Keri's body is held still by willpower alone. 

South Bowl> Above, Lyndrath calls to Kimbrith in a clear voiced bugle that 
reverberates around the bowl, above the noises of wings whipping up the 
turbulent air. With a savage satisfaction he lets his wings foul the 
vision of his nearest competitor and pushes off in a new direction, away 
from those whose very closeness hinder his progres towards the queen. With 
the supreme confidence of youth he soars through the air towards her, 
unconquerable.

South Bowl> Above, Couranth at last makes a move - but even this is 
cautious, just a manouvering for position, the use of a handy thermal to 
gain a little height, two or three stronger wingbeats to pass a smaller 
brown who is tiring...but it brings him forward in the pack by two or 
three places, and the wings resume their relentless downbeat rhythm - he 
may only be a brown, but his heart and his courage are not lacking because 
his hide is dark, and while she flies, he follows. Softly the bugle from 
his throat turns to a croon, which will not be heard, carried away by the 
wind, but which cries all his longing and hope and love out into the 
night.

South Bowl> Above, Palinth is silent now, a streak of darkness moving 
before the stars. He continues to track Kimbrith, as he draws closer, 
muscles tensing now for sudden speed. One talon twitches in anticipation 
as he drifts to the right of the other males, bringing himself in line 
with Kimbrith. He finally rises above her, the only male in his way now 
Couranth. He keeps one eye on that brown as he readies himself, the other 
fixed on the object of his deepest yearning.

Bradamante shivers in reaction to the echos of a distant bronze's bugle 
and reaches for a fur to wrap herself in, evidently forgetting the soft 
thing she is grabbing has beensitting in a chest who knows how many turns.

South Bowl> Above, Parth is incensed by the coy, evasive manuverings of 
the elusive queen. It brings him alive, encourages him to be enthusiastic 
and spurs him to heights of activity and stamina. Murky wings of russet 
ochre flare with brilliance as winking lights catch the spars on an 
upthrust and illuminate them. His sinuous body weaves in through the males 
once more as he seeks to out-navigate them.

Kimbrith's Weyr> L'nay's finger taps absently as he watches Merla, 
breathing with forced steadiness. All else is forgotten... all save the 
object of his uttermost desire. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> E'ryn's breathing becomes a little more erratic, as 
excitement increases from deep within. His feet unbeknowest of him seem to 
carry him a few inches closer, shuffling along the fine stone floor of the 
weyr. Eyes rove once more over Merla, hungry gaze drinking in and 
savouring. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> J'riel breaths out a short sigh of frustration, his brow 
wrinkling as he shakes his head, trying to stay with the flight above. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> P'tran happens to catch E'ryn's slight movement from the 
corner of his eye and *glares* at him briefly, before turning his own 
attention back to Merla for a lingering moment, then refocusing on that 
point on the wall again. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> Bronia stands with her eyes half closed, eyes watching 
Merla from under the hoods of their lids, her whol body seemingly relaxed 
but the muscles of her shoulders betraying her tension. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> E'ryn's eyes stray from Merla for mere moments as he 
looks at all of his other competition. Catching P'tran's glare, he snarls 
back, lips curling feriociously over teeth. A threat, and a warning. It 
takes only seconds to issue it, before his gaze repairs back to Merla. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'saren gasps softly as the dragon-sent image of a 
twisting, turning gold is intermingled with his own Merla-filled vision. 
He reaches a hand foward as if to grasp the junior weyrwoman and pull her 
to him, but it stops many feet short of its goal, hanging in mid-air like 
his lifemate flies so far above. 

Bara sneezes as a small cloud of dust rises from the chest.

Anndora turns away from the chase she can't really see and pokes about 
among the furs in the chest.

Bradamante sniffs "Whats that smell" and sniffs again "Oh its this fur." 
pause "This fur?" and throws it back in the chest with horror.

Bradamante dances around brushing bits of hair off her arms "Shards, how 
did I get wrapped up in that?"

M'kla blinks and looks down again, "Furs? Ah shells."

Anndora grins at Bradamante. "There's something under them, I think." She 
tosses the fur Bradamante threw back in, back out of the chest, and 
carefully lifts another one off the bottom of the chest.

M'kla chuckles quietly, "I'll have tae see what they be...mebbe there'll 
be some old marks inside tae show who they belonged tae."

Kassima's attention is drawn from the sky with that. "Marks? Eh? There 
were marks in there?"

Bradamante runs a nose along her arms "Its not that bad really, more like 
old spices."

Anndora snickers. "I think M'kla meant Tanner's marks, Kassima, not Marks 
marks..."

Bradamante bends down to sniff at the golden wood.

Alexi leans over to unobtrusively sniff at Bradamante...

Kassima clicks her tongue, disappointment registering plainly along with a 
hint of confusion. Given how long she's been mostly off of wine, it 
doesn't seem impossible that the stuff's already going to her head. "Ach, 
shells. Thought for a minute we'd all be rich."

M'kla laughs a bit, "Old marks...nae...they'd be as fragile as glass, bein 
that old.

South Bowl> Above, It was inevitable, but not, perhaps, desirable...
Kimbrith is tiring. She does not wish to be, she does not want this 
lustrous, luscious feeling of freedom to end, but her muscles now cry for 
payment for the earlier sprints. A backward glance indicates to her that 
the males are closer than she realized, sending a trill of panic through 
her. Her wingtip dips downward, causing her to sideslip at an alarming 
rate, so that the rapid and unplanned diagonal dive will afford her a 
brief respite from the chase.

Anndora pulls out a third fur and sets it aside. Under the only remaining 
fur, a corner of wherhide pokes out. Very gently, Anndora picks up the 
last fur and hands it to M'kla.

Bara pushes a stray strand of hair out of her eyes and fixes her eyes on 
M'kla. "How long do you think the furs have been in there?"

Caitria blinks as Kimbrith dives, automatically taking a step back. Then 
she rolls her eyes. "She's not going to mate on the -ground-," she 
mutters.

South Bowl> Above, Nicoth exposes his dark belly as he rolls completely 
onto his side to avoid a knot of in-flight disagreement. The Threadscore 
scar stands out starkly against the deep bronze hide. He completes the 
roll with about four dragonlengths of lost altitude. Now in clear skies, 
he summons up his mighty strength, pumping his wings to take advantage of 
Kimbrith's sudden dive. His position at the bottom of the pack gives him a 
clear path to the tiring queen and he wastes neither time or thought 
taking advantage of this turn of events.

Aphrael glances down towards the chest, curiously, but glances back 
upwards. "Look! She's starting to tire.."

Alexi says "Is that good?"

Kassima remarks brightly, "Even better! You could pay off bets with 'em 
without feeling as though 'twere losing aught, since they'd be on their 
way to dust anyway. And speaking of marks...." Her eyes drift up towards 
the sky again, peering intently at the gold and her court of chasers.

Meli walks here from the south.

Meli walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

South Bowl> Above, Palinth lets out a roar of release, and thrusts himself 
forward, pulling in moments up to Couranth's position, but above him and 
to his right. He continues to increase the distance to that brown along 
the same vector, positioning himself carefully, waiting for just the right 
moment... He lets himself drift with the wind, arcing a bit farther to the 
right. Kimbrith. Kimbrith. His only thought now, over and over again. 
Kimbrith.

Aphrael quirks a grin towards Alexi, "It means the flight will soon be 
over. It's been a long flight though, so that bodes well for the clutch."

South Bowl> Above, Laerth sees the faltering gold starting to drop from 
the skies, and he attempts to take immediate advantage of it. 
Unfortunately, the thermal that was his only moments ago takes that moment 
to play out, leaving him faltering himself in midair. It last for only a 
second, however, and he again uses his large wings to overcome the 
difficulty, providing him with more lift. Now he comes first level with 
Kimbrith, then rises slightly abover her, off to the right. However, now 
the thermals work against him. There is one just beside him to his left, 
but gliding into it would mean rising too far above the gold. He instead 
tries to sideslip his way over closer.

Anndora says absently, "A little hard on the winners, Kassima..."

South Bowl> Above, Solarith wings after the brilliant idol of his lust, 
straining to reach her as he sends a ringing bugle of his lust to let her 
know he is there for her when she decides to choose. His choice of flight 
level is a good one, now that she is descending, and the cool air slides 
over his body, fueling his lust instead of diminishing it. He stretches 
after Kimbrith, beating his wings strongly to get closer to her form from 
the left and beneath.

Bradamante stands up suddenly to view the chase, bashing her head into the 
sniffing Alexi.

South Bowl> Above, Couranth cries out once to the darkness as the gold 
loses height - one cry and then he is silent, all his remaining energies 
bent on matching her flightpath - there is little reason now to bugle. She 
knows he is still there. The other males know he is still there. The last 
of his energy s saved for the final moments. Still to her right, now 
slightly above her as the gold sideslips, he spares one glance for 
Palinth, further right still, then his gaze fixes on Kimbrith again, 
waiting, waiting....

M'kla looks back up, watching the gold as she falters, taking whatever it 
was Anndora offered her without looking.

Bara's brows knit with confusion as she directs her gaze skyward again.

South Bowl> Above, Lyndrath has now achieved his first goal, to put a 
servicable distance between himself and his hated rivals. Now that he's 
master of his own space, he has more room to watch the tricky gold, and 
therefore he whips his head around to watch Kimbrith's fall, his eyes 
narrowing with sudden intensity. Lyndrath promptly folds his wings back 
and falls after her, his talons raking the air infront of him to warn off 
any who are foolish enough to get in the way, only letting his wings find 
purchase in the air and levelling off his descent when he sees that the 
queen has righted herself. Now that he's a few dragonlengths above 
Kimbrith, he hovers where he is to wait.

South Bowl> Above, Ularrith continues to harry her from below, his 
decision to remain back now bearing fruit. Luscious, juicy, tantalizing, 
perfectly-ripe fruit. It will be cunning that captures her and the Reaches 
brown is well aware of that adage 'What goes up, must come down.' He 
flattens his wings, no longer rising. Instead he streaks forward in an 
attempt to block her in. To press her against the unyielding wall of the 
bowl and force her to choose him.

Kimbrith's Weyr> P'tran runs a hand through his hair as he senses his 
dragon close to the prize. He steadfastly, and with great difficulty, 
avoids looking directly at Merla, lest he break his concentration. 

Once again, that little glow over Alexi's head lights up. //OF COURSE// 
flight naturally leads to clutch... he shakes his head due to his 
stupidity, and doesn't notice Bradamante, who catches him in the nose.

Alexi says "OW! Oh, sorry..."

Bradamante spares on a 'Are you crazy' glance at Alexi, her attention 
rivetted to the sky.

"Oh," Kassi answers absently without looking away from the dragons. "Aye, 
I suppose you're right--though if'n they took *very* good care of 'em... 
ach, well."

South Bowl> Above, Nyth's croon in response to the obvious tiring of the 
queen is scarcely perceptible over the noises of the flight, rushing wind 
and the occasional cry of frustration as a dragon makes a mistake and 
pulls out. Nyth sweeps his wings to his back, his limbs tucked tightly 
against him as he drops a shoulder into a turn to follow the queen's path, 
his wings arcing outward to cup the wind again as he ends up behind her 
almost at her altitude.

Anndora squints, but at the 'hide in the chest, not at the chase up above. 
"T'gorey? T'garey? That ring a bell, M'kla?"

South Bowl> Above, Wings seem to pause within the air for the briefest of 
moments as the variegated brown Parth twists his head on curveted neck as 
he watches the downward slide that Kimbrith presents. His wings fold in an 
exact manner, almost mimicing the same manuver. He drops down, pinions 
billowed as he soars instead of sinks, gaining more height and some 
leverage, to his mind, that way. Energy is drawn upon, it can't be too 
much longer now as he comes in from slightly above, and to the gold's 
right, drifting like curls of shadowy mist over a sun-lit dune of sand.

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'lar stands away from the wall, the tension gone from 
his body. He simply stands and waits. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'saren moans deep in his chest, feeling all the effort 
his dragon is putting into the final moments of the chase. The hand left 
hanging out in mid-air now grasps at the image of Merla's body, though it 
is still far from its goal of actually connecting with her form. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> E'ryn breathing seems to decrease, as each breath is 
bated and held within his throat as some anxiety starts to set in. Hes 
eyes flicker rapidly over Merla, need and desire blatant within his gaze. 

Caitria takes a seat, cuddling Kaveri a little closer as she watches.

M'kla ehs? "T'garey? Aye...he were oh...oh shards. A bronzerider her, back 
when I were a girl."

"Wasn't T'gerey bronze Kath's rider, Weyrleader of Benden with Amberyl?" 
is the next inquiry from Kassi's direction. She still doesn't look down. 
"Don't remember a T'gorey or T'garey, though."

M'kla says "T'gerey...aye, that's it. Sharditall, my mind's gone."

M'kla nods to Kassima. "Aye, Kath."

Anndora nods. "It could be T'gerey. Must be," she points, "That has to be 
'Kath'..."

M'kla laughs a bit, only half-interested, "Aye...coul be...what the shards 
were thy doin at Fort?"

South Bowl> Above, Kimbrith falters. Again, it was an inevitability, but 
one the gold would have paid dearly to avoid. Not only does the midair 
blunder permit her pursuers, those disgusting males, to draw nearer, but 
she also has the horrid misfortune to look ungainly in flight. It cannot 
be! Wings stretch out to catch a bit more breeze, an ounce more thermal, 
but it matters not. They are upon her, angling for her, legs and tails and 
necks reaching, and the futility, the sheer helplessness of her 
predicament wins a bellow of distress-laced anger from her throat.

Kimbrith's Weyr> J'riel seems to be feeling the effects of his dragon's 
urgency, because his eyes fly open and he now watches Merla through his 
serious green eyes, his fingers wringing anxiously. 

Anndora shrugs. "Shells, how should I know?" She looks back up, squinting 
at the dragons as Kimbrith bellows.

Alexi says "Is she all right?"

Kassima blinks down at M'kla, brow furrowed. "Was he of Fort originally, 
transferred over as Amberyl was? For the life of me, I can't recall... 
ach, look! Methinks she's nay far 'tall from being caught!"

Anndora nods absently. "She's just angry..."

South Bowl> Above, Solarith knows that Kimbrith is the one he must have, 
and he snakes out his neck and tail, wanting to entwine his form with 
hers. He trumpets his lustful need to her, telling her that he is here and 
he is not going to give up his relentless pursuit until she is his. He is 
young, he is strong, and he must prove he is the perfect match for her 
enchanting beauty, the bronze counterpoint to her beautiful shimmer.

South Bowl> Above, Couranth sees the gold falter and in that instant he 
backwings sharply and plummets, falling through the Benden darkness 
towards the light of his glowing love - moth drawn to a candleflame and if 
the end result is immolation he would consider it a fair price. The croon 
in his throat is not challenge now. He may only be a brown, but his tiring 
wings have not lost their strength, there is no challenge or triumph in 
his bugle, only love. Neck, wings, tail and talons all extend to meet hers 
in the hope that he may yet snare her, that she will accept him as mate as 
well as friend, that light and shadow may yet join in Benden's night and 
be one.

South Bowl> Above, Laerth finds that Kimbrith is slowing down a little 
faster than anticipated, and he is close to actually overshooting the 
mark. He backwings furiously for just a moment, causing him to fall back 
and down. He is level with Kimbrith, then just a little below. He surges 
up again, as being above has better tactical advantage, but the unexpected 
hard manuvering has drained much of his strength. Now slightly above 
Kimbrith and close off her right side, he slidslips left, and tries to 
make a grab with tail and claws as he passes.

South Bowl> Above, Palinth croons almost inaudibly, flares his wings... 
and _plummets_. Wings furl in with a snap, then extend slightly, 
correcting his dive slightly, slowing it into a rapid, downward glide. He 
streaks past several other males, barely managing to twist himself around 
a lunging bronze. The course correxion costs him dearly, and he must pump 
his wings to restore his speed. But he is so much closer now... she there, 
faltering, mere dragonlengths before and below. He weaves through larger, 
bulkier, arrogant bronzes, positioning himself for his final plunge. So 
much closer... so near...

South Bowl> Above, Kimbrith falls from the sky like a golden meteor. 
Nicoth arrows forward on an intercept course. He angles slightly downward 
to compensate for the gold's second falter and the convergence of the 
other males. Pulling in one wing, he adjusts again so he is no longer 
coming directly at her side, but at a slight angle. The radiance of her 
hide has dimmed with fatigue, yet she stands out in the darkness of the 
night like the fire that burns deep in her eyes and the eyes of those who 
would catch her.

South Bowl> Above, Parth lengthens the strokes of his wide-stretched 
wings, allowing the sails to pull to tautness, their hue shining like the 
finest mahogany now as light from above is stolen away by fellow pursuers. 
He takes the oppertunity of Kimbrith's failure in flight to host his sorie 
and to trumpet his battle cry. Tail coils in loops, drifting poised behind 
his body, forepaws span out, curled ready for capture and head snakes in a 
tense curl as he observes his desired prey from on high. He drops, 
steadily toward her, alert for this advantage as he seeks to entwine and 
bind her as his mate. Need consumes him in this all-important and delicate 
action.

M'kla's attention falters on all else but the tiny specks backlit by the 
twin moons of Pern. "She caught...but who?"

South Bowl> Above, Ularrith's wings quiver with anticipation as he sees 
Kimbrith falter. In an instant he exchanges endurance for speed, his 
pinions flapping with the pace of a frantic firelizard. As he nears her, 
still below, he fans his sails to their furthest extent, trying to stop 
the rising thermals from continuing her flight. With a murmuring rumble, 
the whisper of a heartfelt cry, he arches his neck back, seeking her 
flesh.

South Bowl> Above, Lyndrath cannot help another call to Kimbrith, but this 
time it is more of a gentle, enticing croon rather than a lustful shout. 
He lets his wings partially fold, risking a drop straight down, heedless 
of the other impertinent males who dare to try for the queen he wants! He 
is young and brash, and cannot believe that Kimbrith could be caught by 
any other, so once he is above her, he lowers his wings to try enfoul 
them with her own spread out.

Anndora shakes her head. "Is she?"

M'kla chuckles. "E'en Torinth couldn't get outta THAT tangle oh male-
flesh."

Bara cranes her neck trying to see what's happening, straining on tiptoes 
and wobbling a little.

South Bowl> Above, Chestnut wings drive Nyth forward as he endeavors to 
skim just above Kimbrith, the remnants of the blood-born energy being 
spent heedlessly as he stretches his neck, tail, and limbs toward the 
golden queen, the queen lighting the sky with her gleaming hide.

Kimbrith's Weyr> Keriann twists the toe of her boot on the end of the 
narrow gouge that mars the stone floor of the weyr just before her, the 
first major movement she's made since the flight began. "Now," escapes her 
throat, in a voice both hushed and hoarse, just as her lifemate makes his 
move high above the weyr. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> E'ryn sucks in a deep, hesitant breath, eyes widening as 
the moment slowly comes, as if time had stilled from mere moments into 
spans of hours. As if to accentuate that, his hand comes up to his hair to 
rake it backward. 

South Bowl> Above, Laerth lashes out with his tail, but there is only 
empty sky where the gold was only a moment ago, having been caught by 
another. Giving a snort of disdain over Kimbrith's choice of suitor, he 
makes a scrambling dive for the north bowl.

Kimbrith's Weyr> J'riel sucks in a quick breath and holds it, his face 
frozen in an expression of taut expectancy, his hands clutching nervously 
at his tunic. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> L'nay lets out a harsh breath, jaw held open, pouring 
forth hot impassioned breath. He blinks once, eyes wide and locked to the 
vision of Merla. Nothing else dwells within his world same the beauty if 
her face, and of Kimbrith so beautiful before his lifemate, so close. So 
close. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'lar lets out a huge sigh and steps forward. Both Merla 
and the door are in that direction. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> T'saren holds his breath, mentally giving all his support 
to his lifemate, absolutely oblivious to everyting except the conclusion 
of the chase. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> P'tran takes a tense breath as his dragon makes the 
attempt, then it is like a balloon deflating when it is a miss. He heaves 
a sigh and runs a hand through his sweaty hair, his expression a mixture 
of disappointment and relief as he turns towards the entrance. 

Kimbrith's Weyr> Merla stands completely still, still rigid, her eyes 
staring straight ahead. 

Bradamante says "What? Who is Torith and why would escape normally?"

M'kla pfts, "Torinth be my green, lassie!" She grins, "An she's a slippery 
shipfish when she wanna be."

Bara absent mindedly reaches out to rest her hand on Alexi's shoulder for 
stability.

Alexi momentarily glances at the hand, but then his eyes are drawn back to 
the drama in the air...

Above, Laerth flies over from the south end of the bowl.

South Bowl> Above, Kimbrith darts upward and away from a pair of bronzes, 
just slipping past the outstretched limbs of Solarith and literally 
ducking away from Laerth. Couranth, near as he is, is avoided just barely, 
and the whisper of Nicoth's wings startle her immensely by their nearness. 
She twists and turns, expecting to evade her last pursuer when he is on 
her. A trumpet of fury dwindles down to a low sound of acceptance and of 
faultless union as she melds herself with brown Parth.

Above, Nicoth flies over from the south end of the bowl.
Anndora squints at the dragons, then sighs with relief. "Whoever it is, 
it's no bronze..."
T'lar comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north east.
Laerth backwings for a landing.

Kimbrith's Weyr> L'nay lets out a growl of rage and nearly runs out of 
Merla's weyr. 

P'tran comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north 
east.

T'lar stumbles out of Kimbrith's weyr.

L'nay comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north east.

J'riel comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north 
east.

Nicoth backwings for a landing.

South Bowl> Above, Solarith bugles his defeat, a choking, sobbing sound 
that would never be believed to have come from a dragon throat. He spirals 
his way down to the floor of the bowl, totally exhausted, mentally and 
physically.

South Bowl> Lyndrath backwings for a landing.

South Bowl> Solarith backwings for a landing.

Anndora bounces away from the chest and heads directly for J'riel.

T'saren comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north 
east.

Bradamante shivers "That was feral" in a breathless whisper.

J'riel ignores everyone in his hurry to get to Lyndrath, his pace 
quickening.

Alexi says "It's over?"

J'riel walks south.

South Bowl> Above, Ularrith's wings droop as Kimbrith is torn from him by 
the Istan brown. He finally lets the exhaustion he is feeling seep in and 
on trembling wings he glides down into the bowl.

Anndora walks south.

South Bowl> Above, Palinth ROARS his rage, voice fading into a keen of 
agony as he peels himself away from the captured Kimbrith. Wings drooping 
in defeat, he turns northwards.

South Bowl> Above, Couranth cries out just once, then spirals away, 
circling down towards the ground.

Above, Palinth flies over from the south end of the bowl.

South Bowl> Above, Nyth's frustration carries him away from the mating 
pair before he wings downward slowly.

South Bowl> Nyth backwings for a landing.

T'lar staggers up to Kassima. "Where's Meli?" He blinks and gives Kassi a 
great big hug and kiss.

South Bowl> Ularrith backwings for a landing.

Palinth backwings for a landing.

P'tran looks a bit disheveled as he heads over to Laerth, who gives a low, 
rumbling croon. P'tran gives the bronze an affectionate pat on the neck. 
"Never mind. Jehrina and Leilanth will be returning shortly," he whispers 
to his dragon before mounting up.

Keriann comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north 
east.

South Bowl> Anndora hurries after J'riel, putting a hand on his shoulder 
as she catches up to him.

South Bowl> Couranth backwings for a landing.

Kimbrith's Weyr> M'rgan shudders just once before he runs out of the weyr. 

South Bowl> Above, Parth does not let the startle of Kimbrith's body 
suddenly fusing with his to overcome him. His tail twines with hers, neck 
thrusting out to lie beside hers. Wings spread in a full extend as his 
leaner, smaller body combines with hers. His roar of triumph echos from 
his muzzle as he soars with his queen.

T'saren gasps as he rushes out of Merla's weyr, heading at a dead run for 
his lifemate, and probably the lake beyond.

M'rgan comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north 
east.

T'saren walks south.

Bronia comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north 
east.

P'tran climbs up onto Laerth in one smooth motion.

Bradamante calls after Andorra "Have Perlandria pick me up?"

Laerth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

L'nay wipes tears away fiercely as he stalks towards Palinth, a low growl 
rolling from his throat.

Ularrith lumbers here from the south.

Bronia walks south.

"A pot of five and one-eighth marks," Kassi comments, "split betw--" She 
doesn't get a chance to finish as she's besmooched by the bronzerider, and 
only just manages to wriggle enough to keep Kegan from getting squished. 
"In the Living Cavern, I think," she reports breathlessly as soon as the 
kiss breaks off.

Nyth lumbers here from the south.

L'nay steps quickly up onto Palinth's thoughtfully extended foreleg, 
climbing quickly and gracefully up to his neck, where he seats hiself 
securely between his dragon's neckridges.

T'lar nods and heads away.

T'lar walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

M'kla laughs a bit, "Weel...I'll get some o my marks back."

Suzot walks here from the south.

Alexi waves at Suzot in greeting.

Caitria, sitting quite out of the way, notes, "I'll get my marks to you 
later, Kassi. They're in my quarters."

Suzot walks back from the direction of the lakeshore, runnertail darkening 
the back of her brown tunic with wetness.

Bara realizes she is leaning on Alexi, blushes several shades of crimson 
and pulls her hand away as if from a fire, "Oh, sorry, I was concentrating 
so hard on the flight..." her voice trails off in confusion.

Keriann heads directly over to Nyth, her shoulders shaking as she grasps 
his muzzle in her arms, not paying attention to anyone or anything else at 
the moment.

Couranth lumbers here from the south.

M'rgan stumbles out of the weyr just as Ularrith lands. He hurries over to 
the drooping brown, throwing his arms around his lifemate's muzzle as 
together they seek solace.

Bronia walks here from the south.

Palinth ROARS at those dragons and humans near him in weak fury, and hurls 
himself into the sky.

Palinth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

M'kla hms a bit, and turns back to staring at the dismantled chest, 
"Well...it be pretty enow...anyhoo."

Alexi turns to Bara. "Oh, that's okay. It didn't bother me any..." A smile 
flicks across his face just before he joins her in a good blush...

Bradamante flicks a spot of oddly scented fur off her arm "I think I need 
to rinse off."

Kassima nods absently to Tria, while gathering up her emptied wine bottles 
and replacing them in the satchel. She glances down at Kegan, then at 
Mart, as though considering whether now's a good time to return the child.

Caitria shakes her head as she sees Kassi's glance. She's got Keri's 
daughter, and isn't about to return Kaveri.

Alexi makes a big show of sniffing Bradamante... "Yea, you best...." he 
chuckles.

Bronia climbs lightly up Couranth's side with the help of an offered
foreleg and the riding straps and settles between two of Couranth's 
neckridges.

Couranth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry 
him aloft.

Bradamante punches Alexi's shoulder playfully

Alexi chuckles. "Och, it's late... Ofira will have my skin if I'm not up 
bright and early for breakfast duty..."

Bara smiles at Bradamante and Alexi for just a moment before she turns 
toward the living cavern, "It's pretty late."

Bara walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Bradamante smiling at Bara "Just point me towards the lake so I can take 
a dip, then klah sounds great."

Suzot walks in a kind of daze. She's never, ever, been graceful at all, 
but at the moment one might find that she's...not clumsy. Perhaps even 
that she's learned how to move fairly easily. She makes her way, after a 
slightly vague-eyed perusal of the crowd, to a Greenrider whose blonde 
hair is shot with silvery grey.

Alexi points towards the south end of the bowl, "That way."

M'rgan weakly rises from where he's slumped across Ularrith's muzzle as he 
hears Kassima's voice. He continues to stroke Ularrith's great head as he 
turns around, tired eyes scanning for the greenrider.

Bradamante says "Thanks Alexi""

Bradamante walks south.

Alexi says "See ya around!"

Alexi walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

South Bowl> Solarith finally recovers from the flight a bit and belatedly 
follows his lifemate towards the lake, wingtips practically dragging along 
the floor of the bowl.

South Bowl> Bradamante skirts carefully past the tired dragons.

South Bowl> Bradamante heads in the direction of the shimmering lake, 
leaving the South Bowl area of the Weyr.

T'lar comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

After some time spent murmuring reassurances to Nyth, Keriann manages to 
stop her body from shuddering. There's something she needs to do, and she 
looks around the bowl searchingly.

Kassima flicks a smile towards Tria, but gets up regardless to walk over 
to Mart. "I guess you'd be wanting the youngling back, eh?" she quips with 
a half-grin.

T'lar strides out, Meli thrown over his shoulder.

M'kla finally looks up from the antiquated furs, and smiles a bit, 
offering her arm to Suzot.

T'lar heads directly to his dragon where he manages to get them both up on 
Nicoth.

Caitria gets to her feet, picking her way deftly through riders to make 
her way to Keriann's side. "How ya doing?"

T'lar is catapulted up by a quick movement of Nicoth's snout. He gets the 
bronze an affectionate slap.

Suzot sits down beside M'kla, a little closer than she usually sits in 
public. "T'was a good flight," she remarks, voice low.

M'rgan's voice is harsh and barely above a whisper as if he hadn't had a 
drink in days. "We need to go back. /Now/." His attempt to return her 
smile comes out looking more the rigoured grimace of someone long dead.

Nicoth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

M'kla turns, and peers at Suzot curiously, as if she can't fathom the 
distance.

Kassima nods, at once understanding--and for once, choosing not to make 
any wisecracks. Miracle of miracles. Instead, she simply holds the 
brownrider's son out to him. "Aye, methinks 'tis truth you speak. Thankee 
for letting me look after him. He was well-behaved and all that." Not that 
the brownrider's likely to care at this point, and her expression suggests 
that she knows this, but says it anyway.

You carefully set Kegan down.

M'rgan carefully picks up Kegan

Keriann's eyes squeeze shut as Caitria approaches, her body held stiffly 
straight. "How.." She stops and tries again, asking only, "Kaveri?"

Caitria nods slightly. "She's just fine," she says reassuringly. "I've got 
her right here. Slept through the flight...well, like a baby. Do you want 
her back now?"

M'rgan envelops his son in his arms, holding Kegan close. The child, 
despite his young age, remains quiet and still, having seen his father 
like this many times. M'rgan strokes his son's hair as he whispers to 
Kassima, "Thank you."

Keriann nods to Caitria, still keeping her eyes squeezed shut. She finally 
realizes she won't get Kaveri back safely that, and she opens them, 
holding her arms out while looking determinedly at the infant, nothing, 
and no one, else.

Caitria is careful with Kaveri, but Kavi still stirs, a tiny fist waving 
gently as she's jostled, however gently.

Keriann gently gathers up Kaveri, who gurgles softly, her eyes opening 
briefly before she nestles her head down.

Kassima simply nods, folding her arms over her waste. "Nay need for 
thanks, m'friend. He's a good lad. 'Twas m'pleasure to look after him." 
Remarkably enough, she sounds sincere despite the many times she's 
commented that her one goal for Kaylira in life is to kick said lad's 
rump at any and every game you could name.

Caitria regards Keriann with sympathy as she hands over the baby.

Keriann's arms close around Kaveri carefully as she slips the straps of 
the carrier around herself. A barely audible, "Thank you," is said to 
Caitria, as Keri keeps her head down, keeping herself from looking at 
anyone.

M'rgan's lips fold back from his teeth in another attempt at a pleasant 
smile before he turns back around and stumbles down Ularrith's neck to his 
harness. His fingers trail down the brown's neck, one hand always 
remaining in contact with his lifemate. With surprisingly smooth movements 
he scrambles up and straps himself and his son in.

Caitria nods slightly. "You're welcome, Keri. Have a good trip back to the 
Reaches." She steps back, further out of the brownrider's line of sight.

M'rgan climbs up onto Ularrith's back, as the dragon rumbles softly.

Keriann does look up at Caitria's words, but she doesn't reply, instead 
turning away and resting her forehead on Nyth's shoulder for a moment 
before she climbs up.

Keriann hops up onto Nyth's back, the dragon's sparkling eyes watching 
closely.

Kassima returns to sitting on her lifemate's foreleg, picking up her 
abandoned bottle of wine. "What the shells does thirteen and two-thirds 
eighths work out t'be, anyway?" she can be heard to mutter.

M'kla laughs a bit. "One mark, an three fourths, roughly."

Ularrith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry 
him aloft.

Caitria blinks at Kassi. "Two-thirds eighths? Feh."

Nyth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him 
aloft.

Above, Doing something he'd have endlessly berated the weyrlings for 
doing, Ularrith only rises one dragonlength above the bowl floor before 
going *between*.

Above, Ularrith disappears into Between.

Kassima nods to Tria, wrinkling her nose. "A third of the mark pot. I'm 
trying to figure out how much M'kla gets, and how much Sonya, but I'm nay 
so good at math that I can figure out thirteen and two-thirds eights or 
twenty-seven and one-third eighths in m'head. Bless you, M'kla. A mark and 
three fourths? That's how much you've won, then."

Bradamante wanders back from the lake, braiding her wet hair and 
whistling.

Caitria fends off an overenthusiastic brownrider, and heads for the living 
cavern. "G'night, all."

Caitria walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Kassima ceases her muttering, drinking, and calculating enough to wave 
after Tria. "G'night!" she yells after the Herder.

Suzot has turned to watch the commotion of the enthusiastic brownrider, so 
she doesn't see M'kla get up and leave, or where the Greenrider went.

Kassima sighs with relief as she finally seems to come up with a total. 
"One and four-fifths for M'kla, three and a half for Sonya. Nay quite 
precise, but 'twill do. I'd best be getting ho--" She breaks off, peering 
in the direction of Meli and T'lar's weyr. "Hrm, perhaps nay. Wouldn't 
want to walk in on them. M'old weyr will have to do. Clear skies, all!" 
she calls to those in the Bowl, never mind that there aren't many of them.