-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lysseth's Third Flight Date: January 10, 1997 Places: Benden Weyr's Living Cavern, North Bowl, Feeding Grounds, Upper Sky, and Guest 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kassi's Note: Thanks go to all the dragons, riders, and other folk who participated in the flight itself or the pre-flight RP. :) For the sake of comic relief, dragonchat and some knotchat has been left in. Things prefixed by Lysseth> take place first in the North Bowl, then in the Feeding Grounds, and finally in the Upper Benden Sky. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Log: You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern. Deri smiles, "Guess I can wear my gather dress then." Jaolem walks in from the kitchen. Kassima tromps into the room, boot-heels clacking quite audibly on the floor as she walks over for a mug. Rather than pouring it full of cider or klah, she fills it with the contents of a bottle pulled from her pouch--a bottle that, indeed, some may recognize as *The* Bottle. White vapor floats up from her drink of choice as she thumps it down on her table, spilling a couple of drops, then plunks herself down with similar inelegance. Jaolem pauses as he comes in from the kitchen, then smiles "Good Eve." Davidon waves to kassima before nodding to Deri, "Aye, and have everyone admiring you too. I think you looked lovely last evening." A snapping and sizzling sound emits from the drops on the table. Kassima warily eyes the stranger, and offers, in greeting, "Enh. Wouldn't call it a *good* one, but I suppose 'tis an eve. Duties to wherever." She gulps some of the blue-green devil's brew in her stein, and the pain- furrow on her brow does seem to fade a bit. Benden Weyr> Kassima thwaps K'nan. :) Asrai blinks as she raise her head from her nap. Benden Weyr> Davidon heeh heehs! Benden Weyr> K'nan blinks. What? I'm idle? Davidon waves his hello to the newcomer, still standing at the hearth for warmth. Benden Weyr> Kassima ohs. Sorry, EM. I naturally assumed it was you. ;) Asrai mumbles, "Huh, what did I miss?" Deri blinks and smiles at Davi before nodding to the stranger. Jaolem offers shyly "I'm Joalem...from Far Cry..." pauses uncertainly Kassima arches her eyebrows at Asrai over her upraised mug. "Don't know what you missed, but you mistook the 'Cavern for a sleeping place, apparently...." After another sip of What's In the Bottle, she adds, "Shouldn't do that; it makes for neck cricks." Davidon says "I don't know Asrai...when did you drift off?" Asrai tries to look outside to guage the time, not really being able to she shrugs, pushing her hair back over her shoulder..."Sorry, was up late last night doing chores...didn't mean to drift off like that." she blinks sleepily at all the new people. Kassima sighs. "Wish I could sleep," she says sourly, with some envy to the tone. "I suppose I'll be able to, though, soon enough... even the 'Cavern'd make a fine resting place at the moment. Feh." She runs a finger over the deep cut in the table's wood in front of her seat. Asrailooks over with concern at her friend, "Kassi, you feeling alright?" Jaolem looks taken aback at Kassima's comment, then shurgs slightly Kassima sets down her mug to rub her temples, and shrugs. "Considering, I suppose," is her dry response. "In all truth, looking right forward to the end of the headaches, if naught else. Even that sharding asparagus stuff can't help too much, with Lyss starting up another one minutes after the last is gone...." Asrai tilts her head to one side, "Ohhhh." she abscently takes up her mug of cider, making a face as she belatedly realises its now very cold. With a shrug she drinks it anyway. Jaolem pours himself some klah, and finds a quiet table to sit, listening curiusly. Kassima snorts at the vapor coming from her mug, dispersing it for a moment as she grips the cup in her hands. "Did enjoy the knife-throwing last night, though," she comments, more to empty air than to anyone in particular. "Aye, that... that was fun. Y'know, Asrai, Lys is a marvel with knives for a beginner. Hit that one snowman just where you did, on her first try. He's just nay having a good sevenday." Asrai giggles, "Poor thing." Asrai frowns a bit, "she wasn't...aiming for there...was she?" Kassima lifts her shoulder in a shrug. "How should I know? Doubt it, though, since 'twas her first try and all. Sharding good hand with the knives, though. Sharding good. Took me a few months at least before I could aim for and hit that spot." Asrai whews, "Well long as she wasn't trying for there..." Davidon asks, "What happened at the lake last evening?" he's been missing out on everything. Kassima turns to Davi and explains, "'Twere teaching a few folks t'be throwing th'knives, y'know. Lys was a fardling good hand at it, and Meli's going t'be good too if'n I don't miss m'guess... then Mart came, and we got him to throw knives 'long with us. I think. Got into a large argument with Lyss 'bout then, so mayhaps the others let him escape...." Davidon chuckles softly, "Sounds like I missed out on a good time there." or maybe not by the way his eyes look. "What were you throwing 'um at?" Asrai frowns, "Let him escape?" she turns to Davi, "Oh...some very interesting looking snowmen." Kassima is perfectly deadpan as she replies, "Dragonhealer trainees who ask too many questions, of course. What else?" She sighs as Asrai gives away the truth. Asrai winces, "Sorry, Kassi." Davidon hmmphs at Kassi, "I'll remember that when Lysseth needs someone to look her over." he says, lifting his chin. Kassima snorts. "Lysseth is in the best of health. Has been for Turns. Rarely indeed does she need looking over." This last is said with a trace of pride, though a bit spoiled by the rider's obvious irritation with her green. Davidon hhmmms thoughtfully and just nods, his expression making him look to be in no great mood either, but he turns and looks back at the fire. Asrai stands up to get herself some hot cider. dumping out the old into the pan provided...as she makes her way back she sees what Kassi is drinking, "Kassi...that isn't one of those 'Bottle' things, is it?" Kassima hrms right back at Davi, and gulps back some more of The Bottle (well, technically, The Mug). "Huh? Oh. Nay. It's a mug." Asrai frowns as she takes a peek inside, "But what is that stuff in it?" "What does it look like? 'Tis what's in The Bottle, a'course." Kassi peers into the faintly bubbling contents of her mug as though she could see all the secrets of the universe therein. Jaolem walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Asrai makes a wierd face, "But I thought you said that stuff was dangerous...you sure its safe to drink?" Deri shakes her head, "I wouldn't drink it." Kassima lifts an eyebrow and snorts. "Think I recall you asking me that last time... I'll give you the same answer that I think I gave last time. Sure, 'tis a bit of an oddity as drinks go, but 'tis about the only thing strong enough to dull the pounding in m'head a wee bit...." She sighs. "'Sides, naught really affects me right now drink-wise. Save to add to the headache with a hangover come morn." Asrai arches an eyebrow, then sems to remeber what is close to happening, "Of course, silly of me to ask.." Asrai looks to Davi for help. Tresselin walks in from the bowl. Jalimax waves and smiles at Tress. Asrai looks up and waves to Tress, "Heya!" Tresselin waves at Jalimax and Asrai on her way over to a table of pitchers. "Evening, all," she says cheerfully. Kassima shrugs. "Can't help nay remembering, I suppose," she admits philosophically and a touch grudgingly. Asrai hides a smile in her mug of cider, almost fogetting to blow on it first...she soon realises her mistake when she burns her tongue. "Ow!' Tresselin peers at the pitchers and is about to choose a drink when she hears Asrai. Turning her head to look at Asrai, she asks, "Are you all right?" Asrai holds her tongue between two fingers, "All be awwite." Tresselin looks puzzled for a moment, and smiles faintly when she finally figures out just what it was that Asrai said. She nods slowly, and goes back to the pitchers, choosing and pouring herself some of the steaming cider. Kassima peers at Asrai. "Might want to try letting it cool some first, next time," she suggests drolly. Tresselin looks about the cavern. "Does anyone else need something to drink, while I happen to be here?" Asrai nods to Kassi looking awfully silly as she trys to suck cool air past her tongue. Kassima shakes her head. "They don't have pitchers of The Bottle over there," she replies, refilling her own mug from the vial from her pocket. Tresselin in on her way over to sit down when she stops and blinks at Kassima. "Er...what's The Bottle?" Asrai gives a tiny shiver. Kassima sighs and explains, "'Tis this thing I've brewed, from... um... White Lightning, blue stuff, green stuff, and gold stuff. Most people don't think 'tis safe to drink, y'see." Tresselin raises an eyebrow, and nods. "I...I see." Asrai gives a nother shiver, blowing on the cider this time before sipping experimentally. Kassima adds, "'Tis nay so bad, really. But K'nan's the only one who agrees with me on that. Well, and maybe Aladis... Alisa and Tamma seemed to like it, too." Asrai mutters to herself, evil evil stuff... Tresselin glances down at her cider, and then at The Bottle. "Oh...well... perhaps you have to be in the, um, right...state of mind?" She looks at the grimacing Asrai, "You've tried it?" Asrai holds up her hand, a small space seen between her thumb and forefinger, "A little...the time when two Greens rose at the same time..." She shivers, "that was the time Kassi was making fireballs with the stuff.." She lowers her voice at this so Salless doesn't overhear. Kassima hrms, and shrugs. "That notion has merit," she admits. "Hadn't thought of it that way... Asrai, 'twas making fireballs from brandy, nay this. I think." Asrai blushes, "I don't remeber very much from that night..." Kassima chuckles dryly. "Likely wouldn't m'self, but given how flammable this stuff is, I doubt I'd thrown it in the fire. I'd recall a fireball *that* spectacular." She glances at her mug, then the hearth, consideringly, but appears to reject a notion with a faintly irritated wave of her hand. Perhaps Salless over heard...perhaps its just coincedence, but the woman moves to stand in what seems like a protective manor in front of the hearth. Tresselin blinks. "Oh. Fireballs. That must have been...interesting." Asrai giggles softly nodding, "twas a sight indeed." Kindre walks in from the bowl. Salless smiles sweetly at the junior queenrider. Kassima grins another one of those shows-too-many-teeth-for-comfort grins. "Oh, aye! 'Twas interesting, all right... downright spectacular. Imagine, a roar of sudden red-gold flames as the glass breaks...." She sighs, sitting back in her chair and looking rather starry-eyed by the thought. Kindre waves merrily as she whispers for some klah and finds a seat. "Evening," she calls before plopping down and smiling as she waits for the mug. "Huh," is her confused question when she overhears Kassima. Asrai looks up and waves with a right smile at Kindre, "Heya Kindre! Come join us!" Jalimax waves at Kindre. Tresselin nods at both Asrai and Kassi, still contemplating the fireballs. Asrai gives a warning look to Kindre the type that says..'You don't want to know'. Kassima smiles widely at Kindre. "Fireballs," she explains. "From throwing wine in the hearth. 'Twas just contemplating their magnificence." Benden Weyr> Kassima oohs, Kassi's become a pyro! Benden Weyr> Karise says, "We knew you had it in ya, Kassi!" Kindre chuckles, "But it sounds like some sort of fun, to be true," she says softly back to Asrai. Blinking as a steaming cup of brew is deposited in front of her, she smiles her thanks and turns to regard Kassima. "Fireballs? I'd no idea you could do that..." Kassima peers into her mug and notes, "If you strike flint and drop a spark in this glass, 'twill ignite in a blaze that's downright amazing. I've tried it. It really is something, you know...." "Sounds a bit dangerous," Kindre comments before shrugging. She takes a teentitive sip of klah to test the temperature before speaking again. "So," she tries to change the subject with her chipper voice, "what else have we been comtemplating this eve?" Asrai chews on her lower lip, "Well I kinda fell asleep there for a bit... but before that people were talking about tunnelsnakes and spinners..." Kassima tilts her head. "Oh, just the usual. Pain. Death. Chaos. Those poor snowmen. That sort of thing." Kindre chuckles and shakes her head. "I always miss the best conversations," she remarks dryly. "Spinners are nearly as bad as those dreaded spiderclaws...Jays, I hate them." Shuddering briefly, she regains her smile, "And I saw those snowmen...shells, Kassima, the poor things never had a chance!" Asrai giggles, "specially that one...." Kassima laughs dryly. "Aye. What would the fun be if they did? 'Sides, more meaningful the way they were... nay stereotypical." Tresselin shivers. "I can't stand spinners...and I haven't seen the snowmen, though I've heard quite a bit. I don't know if I /want/ to see." Asrai adds helpfully, "twasn't so bad...long as you kept repeating to yourself that they where just made out of snow..." Kassima adds, "Wish I hadn't believed K'nan when he said the alcohol would freeze. Some good skins of Tillek Red Swill, placed right, would've spurted wonderfully." Asrai shivers. Kindre chuckles and nods her head at all said. "True enough, on all counts. How fares all tonight? I've finally finished my duties, thankfully." Blinking at the greenrider's last comments, she has to put down her klah mug to keep from spilling it. "Well, would be better to waste than the red we used at the Reaches..." Kassima nods, snorting. "Who'd use Tillek Red for aught *else*, I ask you?" Tresselin grins at Kassima. "You've a point there..." Kindre smirks a bit, "Mayhap to fend off tunnelsnakes and creatures of the sort...but, true, not many other uses for the stuff. I'd caution to even refer to is as wine!" Kassima shakes her head in disgust. "'Tisn't. 'Tis naught but Swill." Asrai giggles into her mug. Kindre laughs, "Again, true on that!" Seemingly even the thought of the stuff leaves a big enoughs distaste in her mouth that she pushes the simple klah away to cool untouched. "Well, anyhow, how fares Lyss, Kassi?" Asrai looks over the rim of her mug, a bit wearily at this question. Kassima sighs. "Grumbling, disagreeable... sleeping now, though, so nay so very terribly. Sharding green. Can't wait until she goes up and gets this nonsense over with." Asrai says softly, "Well by the look of her earlier...I don't think you'll be waiting too much longer." Lysseth> Dulath lumbers here from the south. Lysseth> Dulath warbles cautiously to Lysseth. C'vadan walks in from the bowl. Kindre bobs her head slowly, "Jays...well, 'least she's sleeping. You hungry," she asks suddenly. "For that matter, is anyone? I need a snack." Wrinkling her lips, she bobs her head almost solemnly at Asrai. C'vadan wanders in looking like the proverbial feline. Kassima chuckles wryly. "Seems dubious, doesn't it? I'd say nay m'self. Can't be sure. Lyss is... Lyss. Anyone got a block of wood?" Asrai nods to Kindre...I could do with something to eat...heya C'vadan!" Tresselin waves at C'vadan, and blinks at Kassima. "Why do you need a block of wood?" Lysseth> Lysseth cracks open one eyelid, and snorts faintly in response. Deri shakes her head, "Nope. I still think she'll rise tonight or tomorrow." C'vadan waves. "Evening, folks," he says as he pours himself some juice. "What a wonderful evening, no?" Kindre's brows quirk and return from searching out a drudge. "Wood, Kassi," is her somewhat puzzled question. "Hello, C'vadan," she adds and smiles. Kassima frowns at Deri. "Don't try to second-guess me when it comes to my dragon. I know what she's like better'n you do." She adds, in answer to the queries, "To carve, of course. It's nice to have something to cut up to while time away." Lysseth> Herath comes down from Herath's ledge. Dragon> Dulath bespoke Lysseth with << You are looking positively radiant tonight, Lovely One. >> Tresselin's eyes widen slightly at the words 'cut up'. "Um.../I/ don't have one, and I don't know where one would get a block of wood..." C'vadan hmmms? "I have a block I haven't started whittling yet, Kassi. How big do you need?" He is oblivious alright. Lysseth> Dulath senses that Lysseth stirs from her restless dozing long enough to reply, shortly, << Do I not always? >> Asrai winces a bit as Kassi's tone, busying herself with her cider. Dragon> Lysseth senses that Dulath croons softly. << Yes, without fail. But tonight, there is just that something *extra* >> Benden Weyr> C'vadan snugs Meli and watches the greenriders descend *aiee!* Benden Weyr> Meli fought fog, fire, and fall to arrive in time :) Benden Weyr> K'ti yeeks and realizes that Kassi's flying tonight! Kindre sits, perhaps a bit stunned, but not enough to keep quiet. "Mayhap that's not a bad idea, Kassi," she smiles, "gives you something to focus on and lose time with." Kassima shrugs irritably. "Shells, I don't know. Big. Small. Fat. Slender. Doesn't matter, so long as I can chop at it for awhile." Asrai giggles softly at this, looking over to kindre with a smile at her suggestion. C'vadan digs into his pouch and pulls forth a fist-sized block of light wood. "This work?" he asks, lobbing it to the greenrider. Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Prolly, K'ti. Fear. :)" Benden Weyr> C'vadan will *not* give her a knife, though :) Benden Weyr> Kassima has plenty of her own, Cav, no worries on that score. ;) C'vadan sips at his juice and is generally in a good mood. Smiling and cheerful. Lysseth> Dulath senses that Lysseth yawns and stretches, folding her wings. << Extra. Hrmph. I do not think I ever look less dazzling than I do right now, thank you. >> Benden Weyr> Kassima giggles as Lyss has apparently been taking vanity lessons from Adonith. :) Kindre, based on past experience, decides to pass on the food idea. The thought of Tillek swill still tainting her mouth, she decides the only cure is good wine. Asking quietly for some, she then smiles seeing the piece of wood. "Cutting anything particular out of it, Kassi? Or are you just going to see how it goes?" Benden Weyr> K'ti hrmfs, wishing she could join in :P Dragon> Dulath bespoke Lysseth with << My pardons, Lovely One. It is a fault of my eyes only. >> Benden Weyr> C'vadan says, "No doubts, Kassi :)" Jalimax smiles. Kassima catches it neatly, and eyes it. "Aye, 'tis wood." She pulls one of her many knives from beside her belt, and thunks it into the wood. "Nay, nay... just think I'll stab it for awhile. If aught comes out of it, then that's what I'm cutting it." Deri sits quietly and drinks some juice, "So what are you going to do for the Boll Gather gather Davi?" Benden Weyr> Kassima laughs and snugs a Miss K'ti. :) Davidon looks up from his moody-looking thoughts and turns to Deri, "Me?" he asks, and then answers, "I don't know. Eat lots of bubblies?" he quirks a small smile. Benden Weyr> K'ti begins stringing out her banners that root for Lysseth ;) Asrai shrinks back in her seat, motioning for some wine too....on second thought she has the drudge bring over a skin for her and Kindre to share. C'vadan blinks at each thunk of knife into wood and realization sets in. Instantly, his great mood evaporates as he mouths wordlessly that dreaded word: Proddy. Asrai glances over at Cav and nods solumnly. "Gather," Kindre asks quickly, "When is that one? I've only vaguely heard of it recently..." She chuckles hearing Davidon's response and then turns to Asrai, "Mayhap we can get tangled up again in a race? Oh, good idea," is said in a relieved tone as the skin appears. Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "But, K'ti, the green *always* wins. ;)" Davidon says "Ofira says it's very soon. In a few sevendays by the sound of it." Benden Weyr> K'ti grins, "yah, but Jaralth woudl be heartbroken if I rooted for another male ;)" C'vadan takes a seat, glancing at the bowl and sighs. Asrai takes the skin from the drudge with a smile, pouring two glasses for the goldrider and herself...she looks at Cav questioningly, motioning with the skin. Kassima doesn't even notice, so busy is she trying to maul, massacre, maim, murder, and other painful-sounding verbs starting with m this block of wood. *Thunk.* *Thunk.* Suddenly, Kassi starts singing as she wields her implement of destruction against the hapless block. Hard to make out what, though, over the thunks. C'vadan listens to Kassima sing and hears every word as a death knoll (sp?). Slowly, he places his head into his hands. Tresselin stares nervously at Kassi and her knife, but finally manages to tear her gaze away, trying to fins something else to look at. Kindre nods to Davidon, "Great...we'll all have to collaborate and go." Taking the glass with an appreciating smiles, she drinks long from it before sighing, "Thank you, I believe I needed that." She winces with each of the first stabs into the wood. Jalimax chuckles and watches Kassi. Benden Weyr> C'vadan puts the executioners hood on Kassi :) Benden Weyr> Kindre giggles! Benden Weyr> Tresselin laughs. Asrai pours a third glass for Cav, sliding it over to Cav, patting him on the shoulder comfortingly. Benden Weyr> Kassima wields the great, shining, razor-sharp axe, and grins wickedly. ;) Davidon nods very slowly, "Um...yeah, sure...." C'vadan looks through his finger at who is patting him and sigh in relief it is not Kassima with one of her knives. "Thank you, Asrai," he says softly. Deri smiles, "You okay Cav?" Kindre's occasional wincing stops as the sound slowly becomes an expected one. "Remind me to drag her over to Tillek to execute their supplies of Swill next time she's like this," she mumbles quietly. Asrai nods, "No problem." she then sits back and sips at her own glass, watching Kassi carefully. she jumps a little at each *THUNK* Davidon leans over and whispers to Deri. Kassima hums, "When the day wears away, sad I wander by the water, where a man, born of sun, wooed the night's dark daughter... la la la, la la... ow!" She pauses as she cuts her thumb, just a little, and gives the block a truly murderous look before setting into her task twice as enthusiastically as before. [Editor's Note: The preceeding song verse was moderated from a verse of 'Tha Mi Sgith,' a Darkover filksong performed by Margaret Davis.] Asrai shrinks back from the flying chips of wood, covering her wineglass so that none fly in. Kindre shivers and takes another long swallow from her glass of wine. Patting her lips with her palm, she gives the wood a brief look of apathy. Steadying her voice, she dares to ask, "Are you alright, Kassi? I mean...the cut..." She's not about to question the behavior. C'vadan stares at the wine, trying to decide if it is worth trying to drink it. Tresselin waits, wide-eyed, for Kassi's answer to Kindre, as she is wondering the same thing. She unconciously leans back, away from Kassi and the knife. Deri sits next to C'vadan, "Hey, you okay?" Kassima hrms? "Oh, fine," she replies briskly, not even seeming to notice it anymore as she sings on, switching songs on a whim, "Cheat bone's connected to deceit bones, and thereby connected to... aww, sharditall! I'm out of wood!" Indeed, she has decimated the hunk into many small chips. [Editor's Note: And that verse was from the song 'Skeletons In My Closet,' from the 7th Guest computer game soundtrack.] Davidon looks around once more and heads out to the bowl quietly. Davidon walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Asrai blinks, "that didn't last long enough at all.." She says softly, sipping her wine. C'vadan thinks. Wood. Where is his sharding wood. Stress. I can't think straight. Oh, no. Is she looking at me. You can just read the emotions on his face. "Uh, you want me to get you some more, Kassi?" he asks softly. Kassima shakes some chips and splinters out of her hand, pausing to stick her thumb in her mouth to lick the blood off the cut. "Ifood betho kind," she mumbles at the same time. Asrai giggles at C'vadan's expense, pointing helpfully to the log pile by the hearth. "I think that'd be a good idea," Kindre says quietly over to C'vadan. Keep her occupied until...well, the thought is easily readable in her eyes. "Asrai, is there wine left," she asks while she finishes the glass, "I'm just terribly thirsty." C'vadan nearly bolts out of his seat, shouldering past people as if they were not there. Trays are knocked from hands, food flies everywhere. Asrai nods to Kindre, refilling both of their glasses, taking a large swallow from her own. C'vadan returns from the woodpile with enough logs to build a small cabin. "Here you go, Kassi," he grunts under the strain of the wood's weight. Asrai sputters as Cav comes back, momentarily choking on her wine. Kindre blinks as edibles suddenly litter the floor nearby. That's when her stomach reminds her of its empty status. "Crackdust, I'm hungry... this wine'll go straight to my head if I don't eat first." Suddenly an image of a wherry house propped with forks enters her head. "Hrm, nevermind." Deri frowns and helps get out more wine, "I think we're going to need it." Kassima blinks at Cav, a gob of food splatted on her cheek from his hasty departure before. "Um...." She eyes the wood, then abruptly beams. "Just think of all the hacking fun I can have with this! Thankee, Cav!" She grabs up her knife and stabs at the nearest wood, even as Cav's still holding it. A chip flies out and sticks to the food stuck to Kassi. Asrai continues to coughsputter for a long moment, trying to stop laughing...but also having not eaten the wine prevents her from doing so right away. Lysseth> Spineth backwings for a landing. Lysseth> Dulath warbles low to Spineth. Not exactly his usual greeting. Kindre stifles a giggle upon spying Kassima's cheek. Nodding her thanks for the refilled glass, she attempts to sip at it, though most is snicker-shook onto her lap. Tresselin looks at Kassi and then bites her lip, attempting not to burst out laughing. "Uh, Kassi," he says, flinching at each stab. "These... these are heavy." Already his legs are starting to waver. Lysseth> Spineth lands on the sands, but rather than settling down calmly, he rears up, fluttering his wings, bugling a challenge. Ursa holds on for dear life. Lysseth> Ursa climbs carefully down with the assistance of Spineth's extended forelimb. Asrai giggles and adds helpfully, "you could put them down Cav." Lysseth> Lysseth raises her head a bit, and, with red-whirling eyes still mostly lidded, yawns widely. Asrai mutters to Kindre, "... worse... she..." C'vadan blinks. "Oh, yeah," he says, then drops them. One right on his foot. "OW! Ow! Ow!" he says hopping around, holding one foot. "Ow!" Lysseth> Ursa scrambles down at top speed. "SHARDS!" she curses irritably, making short work of removing Spineth's straps, muttering as she does. Words like "sharding..." glowing..." and several more, "Sharding..."s. Ursa walks in from the bowl. Lysseth> Dulath matches Spineth's bugle with one of his own. Kindre chuckles harder and bobs her head, "True 'nough there," she manages to say. Kassima hmms? as she continues stabbing. Missing, sometimes... but fortunately, a log has always been there to deflect the knife. So far. As the logs fall, yanking her knife with them, she frowns. "Hey!" She glares at Cav, never mind that the poor brownrider is on his last leg, so to speak. Okay, bad pun, but we all are allowed one once in awhile. Asrai busts out laughing at this, trying her best not to spill her wine in the process, "C'vadan...*giggle*...you alright?" Ursa storms in, looking to be one of her finer irritable moods. "That is one glowing green out there," she announces, pointing bowlwards. She marches straight for the klah, drawling, "Nice dance, there, Cav." Fortunately, his bouncing takes C'vadan out of Kassima's immediate reach. "I'll live," he says, grimacing. Lysseth> Herath is lying far off from all of this. For one rare piece of time she decides adding her tart opinion to the mix is unwise. Lysseth> Spineth rears up again, bugling even louder. As if he's trying to prove something. Asrai takes another large swallow of wine, trying to get it down before something else makes her laugh. Deri shakes her head and starts bringing out more wine and anything alcoholic, "I think we are going to need this." Lysseth> Dulath bugles back, eyes whirling red. Ursa stands by the klah pot, downing the whole mug full in as few gulps as is necessary. She eyes Kassi suspiciously and refills her klah. Kindre takes another extended draw from her glass. Head lowering after this latest knock-back of alcohol, she waves and nonods to Ursa. "Ah, so we've become aware of," she comments before nodding towards Kassima, the dancing C'vadan, and the mutanous log. Dragon> All dragons sense that Lysseth does the usual hiss, growl, etc thing, then grabs the microphone from the OOC corner. << Hear ye, hear ye! To whom it may concern, according to the synchronized digital watches my rider and I wear, it's about time for me to go up and put an end to my rider's misery... for now, anyway. So! Anyone who's interested is welcome to come to Benden and slurp down a herdbeast or three in our Feeding Grounds right about now. Oh, and listen to the +flights channel, too. We now return you to your regularly scheduled mayhem. >> Benden Weyr> C'vadan does a John Travolta Disco pose *tada!* Benden Weyr> Karise ughs and hides. Benden Weyr> Kindre lol! Dragon> Dulath bespoke Flight with << Woowoo! >> Ursa snatches up two rolls. She buries the first roll in her mug of klah, then eats the klah-soaked thing, getting the double bonus of getting a good dose of klahness while filling her stomach. Benden Weyr> C'vadan sings, "Stayin' alive, Stayin' alive. Ow! Ow! Ow! Let me stay aliiiiiiiiveeeee!" Benden Weyr> Karise now has "Staying Alive" in her head. Thanks Cav. :P :) Asrai mutters to Kindre, "I... soon...this... going... head." Dragon> Flight sense that Aberuth OOCly tsks, << And me fighting thread ;) >> Benden Weyr> Ursa cheers! Go Cav! Deri looks at Cav and starts laughing, then she pushes him into a seat out of Kassi's reach, "Sit befoe you fall." Kassima clicks her tongue, sounding distinctly... disappointed? when Cav announces he'll survive. "You made me drop my wood," she grumbles, picking up one of the logs to start hacking into it again. "You know how bad that is for a knife? Do you?" Muttering epithets under her breath, Kassi wrenches the knife free and examines it for damage. Tresselin looks around. "Um...is there enough left in anyone's skin for a glass for me?" Benden Weyr> Tresselin laughs! Benden Weyr> Kassima tosses Cav a white leisure suit and some gold chains, and starts singing, "Disco inferno! Disco inferno! Disco, disco! Disco inferno!" Someone, please put her out of her misery. Benden Weyr> Karise gets the custard pie for Kassi. Asrai winces hoping for all their sakes that the knife is undamaged. C'vadan finally stops hopping and hobbles about. "Shards, I hope Ely doesn't find out." Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth taps the lecturn. << Test, test... does everyone have their #2 pencils? :) >> Benden Weyr> Meli gets the bright idea to NPC a dragon and give chase :b Ursa pauses in shovelling down her roll. She seems to be in a hurry to get food into her stomach. "Find out what, Cav?" she asks, klah dribbling down her chin. Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth sits in the background, and is ready to swoop in when the flight is announced. Benden Weyr> C'vadan says, "Uh, Ely, I can't do drills today. I dropped a cord of wood on my foot trying not to get stabbed by Kassi..." Benden Weyr> Kassima woos! Getting chased by a greenrider, O Happy Day. Kindre bobs her head to Asrai in agreement to the whisper. She, too, then eyes the knife, silently hoping its return to Kassima is an undamaged one. C'vadan finds a seat. "Nothing." Ursa starts on her second roll. An attempt at normal conversation: "Hey, those charts turned out really well, Cav." Kassima shakes her knife to make sure it's steady, and it's just coincidence that she waves it in Cav's direction. Of course. "Well..." she finally announces, "it *seems* all right. But if this thing falls apart later, it'll be in--I mean, on your head!" C'vadan says "Thanks, Ursa, I..." He blinks when Kassima 'threatens' him. "Uh... I mean... really, I... uh..." Asrai's violet eyes widen a bit at the threat...really its just a coinsidence that she moves farther down the bench away from Cav and closer to the protection of Kindre. Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth lets her rider threaten Dulath's rider's life a bit longer, then clears her thoat. << Okay, you dragonfolk out there, the Feeding Grounds are now open for business, selling McBovines and McWherries for your dining enjoyment. No chocolate shakes, though, I'm afraid. >> Kindre pats Asrai's shoulder, herself fazed, frightened a bit, too, but still of half a wit not to flee. "It's Lyss's mood making her talk like that..." she mumbles quietly to her. Benden Weyr> Kassima is in *such* a weird mood tonight. :) Lysseth> Dulath lumbers south. Benden Weyr> Lily says, "Weird is good." Benden Weyr> C'vadan says, "You think this is normal for me, Kassi???" Deri stays away from Kassi, her own eyes a little round." Benden Bowl> Dulath springs into the air for a quick flight over the fence and into the feeding grounds, where he settles again. Benden Weyr> K'nan relogs, and stays firmly in his weyr. Getting drunk. ;) Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Dulath flies down the first buck he sees, killing it instantly. J'cob walks in from the bowl. Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Hey, K'nan! Come, watch the festivities. ;)" Benden Weyr> J'cob heads for harm's way. Lysseth> Spineth trumpets angrily as his rival brown makes his escape. With a shout that echoes off of the bowl wall, he takes off into the air. Benden Weyr> K'nan hides. No! ;) Lysseth> Spineth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. J'cob wanders in, the twinkle of particular evil in his eyes. Benden Bowl> Above, Spineth flies downward towards the feeding grounds. C'vadan's dark eyes bob with each motion of Kassima's knife. Kassima smirks at Cav. "You, uh? I think you said that before." She suddenly stabs the knife firmly downward, not in the block, but in the table. It is yet another meaningless coincidence that this new mark is perpendicular to the old, making sort of an X-shape. Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Dulath bugles a challenge to the newcomers. He tears the belly from the buck savagely. Benden Weyr> K'nan says, "Besides, Veyath refuses to take me down anyway. She's scared. ;)" Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Spineth soars straight down into the feeding grounds, the strength of his dive snuffing out the life of a large herdbeast immediately. Asrai jumps, her wine sloshing around in her glass and out...not willing to risk good wine she licks the side of the glass, still keeping an eye on Kassi. C'vadan jumps, his imagination making that X a spot on his chest. He looks a little green at the moment. Deri looks at the knife and the table, "Kindre what else should I get besides alcohol?" Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Drienth sits a moment, watching the others. Ursa taptaptaps her roll on the table. She shudders, commenting, "Spineth's unusually aggressive tonight." Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth UGHS, and is coming now. Computer just decided to crash on me. C'vadan coughs and nods his head towards Kassima. "Psst, Ursa. Kassima." Lysseth> Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to blue Verenth and his rider, Melata of HighReaches Weyr. Kindre, somewhat slowed by the two and a half glasses of inhaled wine, simply blinks at the sounds. Her response to Deri is even slower, "Hmm? Oh, jays, I'm not certain...wine, lots of it. Mayhap food, though that serves little concelation to the losing riders..." Dragon> Lysseth bespoke Flight with << Eeek, computers. Evil things, they are. 'Sallright, though; the gorefest is just starting. :) >> Kassima hmmms? and glances over, picking up the wood to do Faranth-knows- what with it. "What?" J'cob pays no attention, pouring wine first. then, having filled his glass, he turns to see what exactly is going on. And doesn't even do a doubletake. Dragon> Flight sense that Dulath munchmunchmunched. Ursa eyes Kassi just as directed, through narrowed slits. She nods amiably when Kassi turns her direction, though her eyes are still slitted. Asrai takes another large swig of wine giggling at nothing in particular. Lysseth> Verenth backwings for a landing. Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Dulath takes down another large beast even more savagely than the first. His muzzle foams red with blood as he drinks his fill. Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Drienth reaches out to swipe at a passing wherry, which unfortunately sticks on his claw. This makes the job of chomping it to release a gout of bright red blood all the easier, however, as the blue attempts to slake an unquenchable thirst. Deri nods and gets out food, "Cav I need some help." Lysseth> Melata climbs down Verenth's side to the ground, using his foreleg as a step. Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Spineth alights on the ground, his herdbeast clutched angrily in his talons. With a furious roar, he ducks his head, teeth finding the exact spot he needs to drain the beast of its blood. C'vadan blinks at Deri. "Huh?" Yep, he's at full senses alright. Ursa nudges Cav next to her. "Cav," she drawls. "The lady needs help." Lysseth> Lysseth slowly opens her eyes, which, shining a bloody crimson, match the rest of her glow for glow. Spreading her wings, she lifts her head high and lets loose with a full-throated *TRUMPET*! Lysseth> Verenth rumbles as he comes in for a landing, and gives a large wink in the direction of the green. He's the one that dragged his rider out here tonight, something about Benden greens just being the best. Lysseth> Verenth lumbers south. Benden Bowl> Verenth springs into the air for a quick flight over the fence and into the feeding grounds, where he settles again. J'cob waves to Ursa, then takes a seat to watch.. the show. Kassima starts as Lyss's trumpet resounds through the Cavern, and sighs. "Oh, nay, nay again," she mutters. "Shells, can't that wherryspawned vtol ever have good timing?" Asrai's eyes widen, muttering softly, "Thank goodness!" Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Spineth looks up, snarling angrily as the blue arrives, splattering blood everywhere. He returns his muzzle to the throat of the beast, finishing the task of draining the carcass. Benden Bowl> In the Feeding Grounds, Verenth slides in, leaping over the top of a corral and right onto the top of a herdbeast. Crunch, Crack, Munch, sluuuuuuurp. Lysseth> You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor to carry you aloft. Lysseth> You fly towards the south end of the bowl. Lysseth> You fly downwards towards the feeding grounds. Kindre nearly sputters her wine, it's effects obvious in her goofy smile and tilted head. Everything suddenly seems ever more humorous. "Crackdust..." Lysseth> Dulath bugles at Lysseth's arrival. He spreads his wings in an impressive display of his wingspan, standing ready to leap into the air when the green does so. Lysseth> Lysseth lands in the Feeding Grounds right on the back of one unfortunate bovine, who, needless to say, goes crunch under the green's impact. Spreading her wings wide, Lysseth steps back off of her snack-to- be and *hisses* at all the males in the Grounds, eyeing them momentarily before lowering her head to partake of the beast's life and make it her own. Asrai joins kindre, taking up a cloth to wipe her face...she means well, but its prolly a bit more forefull then she ment the action to be. Asrai says "Here, let me help you've made a mess!" Lysseth> Drienth rumbles enticingly between slurps, the delightful aqua of his muzzle beautifully covered in sticky red. A short hop-flight, and he lands on a smallish herdbeast with a *ker-aaaack* of a broken back. Using his talons to rend open the abdomen, he seems almost to try to fit his head inside the poor, twitching animal. Lysseth> Spineth bugles to show that he can bugle louder. Then launches himself into the air, quickly pouncing on a second herdbeast. Lysseth> Verenth looks up and rolls his eyes as the other dragon spreads his wings. As if that will impress a green. Blah. Fast is where it counts...fast, fast, fast. Down goes another herdbeast under a blue claw. J'cob downs his glass. Kassima frowns and looks outside. "Well," she says dryly, "let the fun and games begin." She flings her wood down to the floor, heedless of where it falls, and stalks outside looking a mixture of annoyed and resigned. You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Benden Weyr> Kassima fires a pistol into the air and announces, "Let the games commence!" Benden LC> C'vadan blinks and darts after Kassima. Benden LC> Kindre nearly falls back in her seat, a towel-muffled, 'heeeey' about the only discernable word. Pushing at Asrai, she jumps then giggles as the wood thunks to the floor. C'vadan comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Benden LC> Tresselin sighs, staring at the mess of wood chips Kassi left on the floor. Benden LC> Jalimax chuckles at Kindre and Asrai Benden Weyr> J'cob watches the bullet fall and crunch through his weyr's new decorative statue. "Kassima! Next time, BLANKS!" Benden Weyr> K'nan immediately raises the forcefield around his weyr. Benden LC> Asrai giggles loudly pulling the cloth back, "There, all clean now." Benden LC> Deri sighs, "Okay People, We need to get ready, we need more food set out, now." C'vadan stumbles upon Kassima in his hurry. "Oh, sorry." Benden LC> Tresselin grins at Kindre and Asrai. Kassima shades her eyes with her hand, squinting to see the mayhem proceeding in the distance. "Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood," she chants, as if it were a mantra; her hands are already clenched so tightly that it's a wonder the fingernails don't break through the skin, as her concentration is broken when she's stumbled into. "Watch where you're sharding well going!" she snaps. Melata looks up as people start to come out of the living cavern, squinting to determine who the green looks to, not that its hard to figure out. Benden LC> J'cob crosses his arms, "Can I help?" Benden LC> Asrai comments over her shoulder, "They aren't interested in food after a flight.." The words are out of her mouth before she realises what she's said, you can tell by the full blown blush that colors her cheeks afterwards. Lysseth> Verenth wrinkles back the skin on his nose, snorts, opens his mouth in a soundless bugle, then goes back to his herdbeast. Sluuuuuuuurp, and blood runs out of his half-open mouth, down the chin and neck, to drip onto the well-trampled dirt ground. Lysseth> Dulath needs no more blood. He only needs Lysseth. He stands ready, muscles tense, to take to the air. His soft croon is directed to the enchanting green. Benden LC> Tresselin nods at Deri. "I'll help if you need me to..." Lysseth> Drienth emerges from the spent husk of herdbeast, or at least the front portion of his head does. Red right up to his rapidly whirling eyes, and beyond, he crouches and watches. Smaller than some of the others and anxious, he flips his wings back and forth a few times. Benden LC> Ursa sits there, eating her roll furiously. When the roll is finished, she scowls immensely. But eventually she does, indeed, decide to follow. Ursa comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Benden LC> Deri snorts at the girl, "Maybe not, but they'll need to eat, so start helping and stop drinking." Benden LC> Kindre blinks up at Deri, her smile almost riduculous in the lack of understanding it betrays. "I'm sor-" *hic* "-ry? Oh, I've got the hiccups!" This thought so self-amazing she chuckles harder. Bobbing her head, though, she concurs, "They'll need wine...well" *hic* "...um, oh! Alcohol of any sort to sooth the aftereffects of the flight." Lysseth> Lysseth spreads her wings and launches into the air again, leaving behind the desiccated carcass to dive towards a plump wherry that runs from the shadow of the green's widespread wings in vain. Death is swift to plunge her talons into the unfortunate avian's neck, and swifter to tear rents in the hide through which she might feed. Her concentration is on nothing, now, except these animals who fuel her with their small, petty lives. Benden Weyr> <Kassima> Lysseth .o0(Where's a straw when you could really use one?) Benden LC> J'cob stands up, suddenly, and asks again, "Can *I* help? I have done this before!" Benden LC> Asrai giggles more patting Kindre on the back through her blushes. she stumles from her chair to 'help'. Ursa storms out of the living cavern but stops short, nearly slamming into C'vadan. Clearly she didn't expect to see people where people are. Benden Weyr> K'nan hmphs. They're breaking tradition, getting drunk /before/ the flight. ;) Lysseth> Verenth watches the green go up and come down again, although he's not unduly concerned. She /obviously/ wasn't going to rise just yet, and so he wasn't to spend bloodenergy in useless guestures. He calmly dips his head to the nearly drained herbeast at his feet. C'vadan turns around to snap at whomever slammed into him, then stops. "Hello, Ursa," he says softly. Benden Weyr> Asrai says, "We've been breaking tradition then since I got here ;)" Benden Weyr> Kindre giggles, well, we're bored? ;) Benden LC> Deri snort, "On second thought sit down. You're too drunk to help." Her tone is cool as she speaks to Asrai Kassima frowns as she folds her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. "Get *on* with it, beast," she mutters under her breath, glaring in the direction of the 'Grounds. C'vadan turns back to look at Kassima and sighs. Lysseth> Spineth casts aside his herdbeast. His fury takes him now to a wherry that didn't move away fast enough. One quick motion and he has severed the essential vein, and drinks deeply, eagerly, blood dripping down his muzzle. Benden LC> Asrai grabs a tray of meatrolls making her way carefully back to the table to set them out. The tray sets down with a clatter, "I'm just fine..see? Didn't even spill one!" Of course fate decides to prove her wrong as one rolls off the top and accross the table to land in Kindre's lap."Well, perhaps one..." Ursa leaves her hand on Cav's shoulder, leaning forward to talk to him over his shoulder, still scowling. "Tell me again Tria's policy for you and flights?" C'vadan blinks at the question. "What do you mean?" he asks. Benden LC> Deri pushes Asrai into a seat. "Stay." Benden LC> Tresselin grins at Asrai. "Would you hand me a meatroll?" Melata stares accross the bowl towards the feeding grounds, then back at the one that rides the green. Lysseth> Lysseth snaps her head in the direction of her rider and hisses again, then throws her head up to *scream* defiance into the heavens! As the sound echoes eerily from the stony Bowl walls, Lyss is already off and away again; her tail is quick to lash and capture a herdbeast, though she toys with the creature for a few moments before killing it. Though she knows well this is no game, she still seeks to prolong things-- eventually, however, the creature is luckily dead. Soon it is just as drained, as the vampiric green backs away from the corpse to stare, defiantly, at the others occupying the 'Grounds with her. Ursa grumbles, her voice low, getting straight to the point. "I'm sick of getting drunker than a shipfish when Spineth loses." Benden LC> J'cob hmpfs, crossing to Asrai and Kindre, "Y'don't know the first thing 'bout flights. They'll want wine, and they'll want women.. 'r men. Or both. Where're the LCG's and LCB's? Help me round 'em up!" Benden Weyr> Kassima ohgreats as she gives herself a mental picture of Lyss wearing a black cape and fangs. Benden LC> Kindre blinks, looking down at the meatroll on her lap like it is the most interesting thing she's seen this evening. And, considering earlier events, that's quite a feat. Plucking it from her lap, she returns it to the tray. "Almost...Deri," she asks then, "do you want my help?" *hic hic* "Sharding wine and no food...that's how I got these..." C'vadan swallows. He mutters to Ursa, "... win,..." Benden Weyr> K'nan giggles. Blah! Blah! I Vant To Suck Your Wherry Blood! Benden Weyr> C'vadan LOL Lysseth> Verenth now looks up as the green backs off, cocking his head to watch closely, eyeing play of wing muscles, ready for that twitch that will send the other up into the sky. He gives a impetuous wink.... Lysseth> Drienth still sits patiently, or as patiently as he is able. His tongue flicks out to taste the wind, as his eyes and teeth glow brightly in the night sky despite the surrounding sleet. Ursa shrugs callously. "Yeah, once every five turns or so it happens," she agrees. Lysseth> Lysseth reaches out and places one foreleg casually on the back of another running wherry... but she does not kill it. Instead, she watches, taking the measure of each male there... before letting the beast go unexpectedly to launch with a flurry of luminescent wings up into the misty grey skies. Lysseth> You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor to carry you aloft -- much to the relief of the wherries. Benden LC> Asrai giggles saying a bit petualantly to J'cob, "that's what Kindre and i have been saying from the start.." She points to Deri,"She's the one that wanted food put out, talk to her." Lysseth> You soar upwards and into the open sky above the Weyr. Dragon> Lysseth bespoke Flight with << Up two airspaces, all, to save on spam and foo. :) >> Lysseth> Drienth flies up from the southern half of the bowl. Lysseth> Dulath flies up from the southern half of the bowl. Lysseth> Verenth flies up from the southern half of the bowl. Lysseth> Spineth flies up from the southern half of the bowl. Kassima sighs. "Finally!" she growls as she watches the take off, casting a last irritated glance over her shoulder at the others before stalking in the direction of the Guest Weyr. You push aside the curtain and enter the weyr. Melata comes into the weyr from the bowl. C'vadan comes into the weyr from the bowl. Ursa comes into the weyr from the bowl. C'vadan follows Kassima in and takes a spot on the far wall from her where he can get a clear look at her. He falls back into the shadows. Ursa just leans against the wall, sliding down till she's squatting there on the stone floor, her back against the stone wall. She glowers heavily at anything that moves in the room. Benden LC> J'cob peers at Deri, "Food's all well 'n nice, but someone might get confused, and where'd we be? No. Y'find men, and I'll look for women." Benden LC> Deri looks at J'cob, "If the boys and girls want to do that, then they'll offer on thier own Rider, not forcibly." Benden LC> Asrai giggles and leans close to mutter to Kindre Lysseth> Drienth lets loose with a mighty *bugle* as he finally is underway, following closely after the grimly glorious green. Intent and determined now, he no longer seems the fidgety one. In fact, he seems quite ready to plow his way through anyone or anything that might come between himself and his goal. Melata just follows everyone into the Weyr, as that's where everyone goes. Benden LC> Asrai mutters to Kindre, "... what..." Benden Weyr> K'nan sends Dusk up to chase Lysseth. ;) Benden LC> J'cob mmms, "But they might not know. Besides, its all for the good of the weyr. Keeps the population up 'n all. Its Tradition, mostly." Benden LC> Kindre smirks, "Close to scarce?" Lysseth> Lysseth wastes no time in rocketing aloft; with the swiftness inborn in her, she streaks across the sky like a bolt of emerald lightning, her trumpeting holding a definite mocking edge as she spares no backward glance for her pursuers. Other things are more important than *them*--after all, they'll never catch up. For now, ah, for now... the wind calls her onward, teasing at the edges of her senses with updrafts and thermals to follow where they may lead. Wings cracking, she lifts higher upward, as though seeking to reach the very moons themselves. Benden LC> Asrai giggles at her friends answer. Lysseth> Spineth beats his mighty wings in ascent, intent on nothing but a beautiful glowing green. Nothing else exists, not the other competitors, not the air currents, not the bowl walls. Nothing but Lysseth, and he keeps her faithfully within his sight. Kassima folds her arms and leans back against one wall, muttering epithets under her breath for only a moment before her eyes glaze over as her lifemate's flight takes over her mind. Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Oh, that'd be amusing, K'nan! But it brings the bug-on-a-windshield image to mind.... ;)" Lysseth> Verenth sucks in air with a big yawn, then sets up a steady pace. He swings out slightly, but doesn't make any big move to get ahead...not yet. Got to take these things one beat at a time. He doesn't fall back either. His forte is speed, and he knows it...he also knows that one has to wait for the green to slow first...and so the waiting game starts. Lysseth> Dulath takes the high flight, above and just behind the glowing green grand being known as Lysseth. With practiced grace, he uses his steady and strong wingbeats to keep ahead of the more agile blues and equal browns. But always in sight is his treasure, his goal, his reason for flying: Lysseth. Benden Weyr> K'nan proclaims Dulath alliterative. :) Benden Weyr> C'vadan chuckles. Benden LC> J'cob starts nabbing.. Benden LC> Deri smacks J'cob's hands with a spoon, "Leave them be. Everyone in the Weyr knows what a bugle like Lyss's meant." C'vadan closes his eyes, hoping vainly that will keep the pounding he hears in his head from overwhelming him. They don't remain closed for long as he *has* to see where Kassima is. Benden LC> Asrai arches one eyebrow at Deri giggling to herself. Benden LC> Kindre chuckles watching J'cob and Deri. Staring at her glass, she proclaims, "Welp, I believe that was the last one of those for me! S'gone straight to my head...mm-hmm." Lysseth> Lysseth abruptly spins on a wingtip, wheeling, whirling westward. Not because she is worried, oh no--never that, with Lysseth. It is the sheer joy and delight of the flight that calls to her now; though she is certainly *aware* of those behind her, she chooses to ignore them for the nonce. Ducking past a swarm of night-bugs, she hurriedly hurtles, hearing the crimson cry of carnelian carnage beating through her veins to lift her onwards and upwards. Benden Weyr> K'nan passes the alliterative award to Lysseth. A faint smile quirks at Kassi's mouth, though no sense has yet returned to her eyes; even as other emotions are shared, so, too, is the wonder and joy that are her lifemate's at the beginning of this chase. Benden LC> J'cob eeps, clutching his hand, "Yes 'n no. I mean, some might be.. er.. confused. Anyhow, its never too early for me to interview for my own flight is it? Be a dear!" Lysseth> Verenth downbeats in the same swarm of nightbugs, sending the little critters on a wild journey of eddies and whirls. The bugs are quickly left behind as the blue climbs a bit, now rising out of the main pack. Still his dark blue form neither gains nor loses ground, content for now just to be. To watch. To plan. To wait. Benden LC> Asrai smirks, finishing off her own glass, seeming to contemplete whether to pour herself another. For the time being she too agrees that she's had enough and waits. Benden Weyr> <Kassima> Lysseth would like to thank the academy, and all the little people who made this award possible... oh, never mind, she'll just get back to the flight business. ;) Melata wrinkles her nose, as if something just flew up it, although nothing obviously did. Odd. Lysseth> Dulath takes a more hyperbolic approach to following Lysseth. He lets the other waste their strenght by keeping up with her and stays high, crooning ever so to the enchanting and graceful green gliding below him. Ever he persues, each wingbeat a testament to his will to catch the sweet prize. Benden LC> Deri looks at the Rider, "Sit down and leave the kiddies alone." Lysseth> Drienth is almost but not quite caught off guard. Instead, he zips about on his smaller wings, angling after Lysseth as an arrow aimed at a target. Or a knife blade aimed at a snowman. Alternating short navigational flaps with deep strokes for speed, he does his best to conserve his strength. Single-mindedly moving ahead, he nearly collides with another blue not paying quite as much attention as the delightful green deserves. Lysseth> Spineth whirls, not turning so sharply as the nimble beauty. He doesn't need to. He's not trying yet to be on her tail, he seeks only to keep her within his sight. Somehow, over the turns, he has learned not to pursue so carefully yet. Great wings beat the air currents, and he follows her as directly as he can. No doubts, no wavering. Just the certainty that he will, in time, catch and entwine with her. Benden LC> J'cob smiles with a smirk, "Oh? Jealous?" Benden LC> Deri snorts "Hardly, I prefer real men, not children." Benden LC> Asrai hides a giggle behind one hand, nudging Kindre with her elbow. C'vadan begins to lean forward as his lifemate soars. Further and further from the wall he leans. Closer and closer to Kassima, though she is across the room from him. But to him, the distance is insignificant as it is to his lifemate and his prize. Benden LC> Tresselin silently watches J'cob and Deri, grinning. Lysseth> Lysseth's wings extend to their full lengths--large wings, for a green, but they hinder not her swiftness. What need has she for a smaller lady's agility when she has the fleetness of the winds to steer her course? Let the Benden skies that have seen so many other flights to their conclusion direct her sail! Wingsails ripple in the turbulent, frostbitten air as she becomes one with the clouds, the skies, and all the creatures therein--heck, why not? Even with the wherries. Changing course suddenly, she snaps northwards, doing a quick spin in the air for the sheer pleasure of doing so before continuing on her path of draconic destiny. Lysseth> Drienth continues westward a few shorts strokes, waiting to be certain his guiding light is truly beaming towards the north before he changes his own course to follow. Rising a bit so that he can see her all the more clearly through the pursuing crowds, he continues his erratic but effective wing beats in the turbulent, sleet and ice filled winds within the bowl. Benden LC> J'cob winks at Kindre, then looks back at Deri, "Riiight. Well, you sit down, I'll be right back." Lysseth> Dulath turns on not quite a wingtip, but with more finesse than would be expected for a large brown as himself. His hide is nearly invisible against the dark starless sky as he persues his goal, whose glowing beauty blazes a trail beneath him, drawing him everr closer and closer. Lysseth> Verenth follows the snap turn with his head, and seeemingly lazily swings about in a larger arc until he is also facing the same direction. Wings pick up a slight bit of speed to catch up distance lost on the turn, then he is back at the 'optimal' distance...well the optimal distance as he sees things. Maybe a bit closer? A bit higher? There, just right. He sends out a tail to quietly tangle the downstroke of a brown, stalling the beast, while he himself just gets another competitor out of the way. Benden LC> Deri gets out the rest of the food, muttering about silly riders under her breath. Kassima's brow furrows as she seems to regain her own mind for an instant, then she shakes her head and the blankness promptly returns. What can be seen of her green eyes through her bangs might as well be glass, for all the expression they show. Lysseth> Spineth banks sharply, soaring in a wide arc as he turns, yet again, to follow her with the utmost of confidence. He spares no energy for thoughts nor strategies, no energy for cries to proclaim his devotion or to warn off the competitors. All his energy is funneled into pursuit, and the not-so-onerous task of keeping the glamourously glowing green within his sight. C'vadan stumbles as he comes too far from the wall. He looks up, verifying that Kassima is still there, still within reach. "Faster," he mutters to himself. "Don't hold back now," he pleads. Ursa buries her face in her hands. She is as compact as she could be, squatting there against the wall, hunched over, face hidden. Melata gives a slightly evil grin, looking at a brownrider that suddenly stumbles for no apparent reason, urging her blue to go faster under her breath. Benden LC> Seeing his chance at all that lovely food just sitting there in front of him, the overly fed Dapple flits off Asrai's shoulder onto the top of the pile and begins to shred one of the meatrolls, feasting on its inards. Benden LC> Asrai ughs and takes Dapple off the pile, setting him to one side to finish his 'feast'. Lysseth> The radiant form of silver-washed jade that is Lysseth suddenly pauses, then recklessly folds her wings to veer downwards and east in a curve that cuts the wind behind her and leaves it singing. Her talons come *this close* to raking along the backs of some low-flying fire lizards who aren't quick enough to escape, even as she catches her uncontrolled plunge with a crack of verdant wings that shows it was never uncontrolled at all. She knows what she is doing, does Lysseth, as she soars swiftly much closer to the ground than many greens would dare to fly. Only when a stone wall threatens does she once more cup her wings to a thermal and allow it to raise her up and bear her back to the glorious, dizzying heights. Dragon> Dulath bespoke Lysseth with << I come for you, Lysseth. I want the honor of gliding with you into the night sky. >> Lysseth> Dulath senses that Lysseth's mindvoice is laughing, mocking. << You presume--such an honor must be earned! >> Lysseth> Verenth watches the green plunge, and the most the rest of the pack that does the same...then, he, as well as many of the older dragons, instead climbs! Foolish thing! The green is down below. But no, not as foolish as it seems, for he is now nearly on the tail of the green, the snapping banner only a dragon length in front. He waggles his wings slightly in pleasure, knowing that he is close now, very close. Violet eyes whirl faster as moonlight-streaked silver wings start to pick up the pace, trying to close in on that distance. Lysseth> Dulath is not fooled by this clever trick of the agile Lysseth. Oh, no. He stays high and away from the others as he continues his pursuit. Then, in that brief instant she rises on the thermal to the altitude he has maintained, he makes his move, heedless of the others also giving chase. His will be the honor. His will be the prize of this exquisite green creature unlike anything seen in Pern's skies. Closer he wings to her. Lysseth> Spineth maintains his height steadfastly. Some primitive instinct tells him that this glorious creature of freedom could never be caught at low altitudes, and so this instinct manages to overpower his surging need to follow her whereever she goes. Instead he works at climbing higher, ever higher, to the dizzying skies he knows she belongs in and craves. Benden LC> J'cob sighs and gives up chase, instead sitting by Asrai. Benden LC> Asrai grins over at J'cob, "what? No luck?" Benden LC> Tresselin reaches behind Asrai to take a meatroll from the plate, one untouched by the firelizard. Bringing it forward, she nibbles on it absently. Benden LC> Done with his meal, Dapple finds some other place to concentrate on his digestion. Benden LC> J'cob snorts, "None. But maybe later... always later." Lysseth> Drienth shrieks as several larger males interrupt his view as Lysseth drops downwards and they move to follow. Descending at a slower pace, he swerves suddenly as they begin to climb again beneath him, following the green's dizzying tactics, his instinctively extended talons raking out against anything in his way, including brown Dulath. Benden LC> Asrai gives a soft giggle, patting J'cob on the arm in a comforting mannor..."Perhaps one of the dissapointed ones..." Lysseth> Lysseth's eyes burn as two steadfast amethyst stars, but dart back as she suddenly realizes how close the others have come--how? How, now, when she thought they were so far behind her? With a desperate hiss, she beats her dimming wings to launch her just enough upwards to clear her of the wall without taking her *too* far up, where she may be captured. Not easily, no--after all, isn't she Lysseth? But the chance is more than she is willing to take. Lysseth> Dulath bellows out in pain as he is raked. Unables to keep his pace, he begins the frustrating glide down to the bowl, concentrating on landing safely. Lysseth> Dulath flies downward towards the north end of the bowl. C'vadan blinks and cries out, "Dulath!" He clutches at his arm in pain. C'vadan leaves the weyr and heads out into the bowl. Kassima watches impassively as Cav races out, then backs a couple of steps closer to the wall. Or would, if she didn't run into said wall pretty much before she can even take much of a step. Dragon> Dulath bespoke Flight with << Well, it was fun. Sorry I had to drop out :P :) >> Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth laughs. << Hey, life happens. :) >> Lysseth> Drienth is slowed somewhat by his near-collision, but somehow in his swerving and dodging he finds himself still in the thick of the crowd, close to the green. Full yet of lust and blood and racing with fire, he finds added strength in Lysseth's proximity and strives ever onward. Lysseth> Verenth picks up speed, throwing caution to the winds. Now is the time to move, now is the time. Waiting is over, and now the flight begins in earnest. Dark blue wings pick up the tempo. Swoosh, goes the air as it is forced out under taunt membranes...*CRACK* goes those same membranes as the tendons pull in wings for another gulp of air. The blue starts to pick up speed quickly, and it can easily be seen why he is one of the fastest of the dragons of High Reaches Weyr. Benden LC> J'cob looses the noose around Kindre (NOT!) Benden LC> Tresselin nods. "Siraeth...that's a pretty name." She smiles. Benden LC> Asrai grins over at kindre, "You ok? Thought we had lost you there." Lysseth> Spineth pushes furiously forward. No wall, no competitors, no air currents, nothing will prevent him from his eventual truimph. His broad brown wings beat strongly, ever steadily in their pace. Benden Weyr> Kindre says, "bye Cav...hi Lal...is it over? I didn't miss it, did I??" Benden LC> Deri smiles and shakes her head, "Well as he didn't offer himself, of course he'd lose." Melata watches rider after rider start to leave, but she steadfastly stays. She's/Verenth's not out of this one yet. Benden LC> Kindre blinks, "Hmm? Oh," she waves a hand, "My mind just went 'tween there for a bit 'til all..." Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth hrms. << Okay, how does making the poses after my next one the capture poses sound? >> Benden Weyr> Asrai says, "Nope, still going on." Benden Weyr> K'nan . o 0 (Go Dusk!) Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth so one more flight pose, then capture pose? Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Still going! Nothing outlasts the Proddigizer--she keeps going, and going, and going.... Sorry, couldn't resist. ;)" Benden Weyr> Meli roots for Drienth :) Benden LC> J'cob mutters, "Always such with goldriders... in 'n out of sanity." Benden LC> J'cob starts getting float-y. Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth was thinking more along the lines of capture poses right after her pose, so if that's what you meant, yeah. Another round of poses from everyone's fine with me if that's what y'all want to do, though. Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth just wanted clarification...whatever you decide is okay. Dragon> Juliath bespoke Flight with << Better let 'em catch you, or they'll end up passing you and crashing into each other. >> Dragon> Kheveth bespoke Flight with << That might be kind of amusing to watch, though. >> Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth nods and just thought she'd get you all's opinion. What can I say? I like democracy. :) Shut up, sis. :P ;) All right, in that case, we'll go with the my-pose-then-catch-poses thing. Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth snorts at the peanut gallery. Benden LC> Asrai giggles, handing Kindre a meatroll...one from the bottem of the pile where her Firelizard didn't settle himself down for a meal, "Here, want one?"{ Ursa peels her hands off her face to watch Cav leave, and actually manages a look of concern through her angry scowl. Soon, however, faithless friend that she is, she has forgotten him. Lysseth> Lysseth finds her strength flagging so abruptly that it is hard to be believed; recklessly spent, there is little left to give her hope, chance, or indeed prayer of escape now... not to say she's giving up, mind! She is a green, and too proud to admit defeat even when she recognizes the inevitable. Without a single backward glance, she hurtles herself forward with all the speed and fleetness that she can now manage to muster. Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth throws peanuts at the peanut gallery, those big puffy orange circus kind. Dragon> Juliath bespoke Flight with << Mmm, food coloring! >> Benden LC> Deri eats some food and has a little Juice, "Shards it's going to be a long night." Benden LC> Kindre makes a face at J'cob, "Yea, well, 'least I keep my wits better than ya," she jokes over at the greenrider, the silly, wine- induced grin plastered on her face. Lysseth> Drienth almost seems to wriggle and slither forward as he jockeys for position between the remaining males that still have the strength and the wits to be close to the flagging green. Aqua wings reflecting back the odd snatch of color from the others' hides as the sleet and ice continue to fall, he extends his slightly bloodened talons towards Lysseth, reaching up from slightly below and to the left. Lysseth> Spineth 's pursuit is still relentless. Sheer stamina allows him to maintain his same pace, though he labours for breath just as he labours for every wing-beat. Eyes intently on Lysseth, he notes her slowing, and it fuels his hope, his confidence, his utter Lysseth> Verenth surges forwards, trying to crowd out the other dragons, rising up until his body is over the green's right wing, just above the upbeat. He then allows himself to drop, trying to cause Lysseth to falter by shortening her wingstrokes. A tail sneaks out to add to the confusion. Benden LC> J'cob peers at Kindre, then grins broadly, "I think YOU need a kiss!" Dragon> Lysseth bespoke Flight with << Hush, lardlegs. Before the capture poses are posed, just thought I'd say it's been a fabulous flight all around. Thanks, y'all. :) Oh, yeah, and if any of you don't want to win, I imagine you know the drill: page Kassi and tell her so, nowish. :) >> Benden LC> Asrai meeps being seated between the two... Benden LC> J'cob leaps over the table and plants on her forehead. Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth baps her lag, too. Okay, give our judges a moment to come to their decision... drumroll, please.... Benden LC> Asrai giggles. Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth listens to the sound of rolling dice? Benden LC> Kindre bobs her head, "Oh, crackdust yes...I ne-" *hic* "-ed...shard it!" Blinking at the loud echo even her quiet voice seemed to produce, she frowns, "Forgive that. Yea, though...I believe I need something to soak up the wine swimming lonely in my stomach." Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth doesn't roll dice, nopenope. Benden LC> Tresselin finishes her meatroll and takes another, grinning at J'cob. She picks up the plate of food to ensure he doesn't accidentally spill it when he leaps over the table. Dragon> Kheveth bespoke Flight with << Flipping a coin instead, Lysseth? >> Benden LC> Asrai giggles some more, pickin out her own meatrol when J'cob gets out of the way. Benden LC> "I think -you'll- get your nose broken if you attempt it," Kindre returns to J'cob. Benden LC> J'cob waddles across the table and hands Kindre a bread, "Take THAT, goldrider!" He drops it it to her chest, as if it were a knife, then bits into it (the bread, silly!) Dragon> Lysseth bespoke Flight with << Nuh-uh. Believe it or not, I actually--gasp!--don't resort to chance to choose for me. :) >> Benden LC> Asrai's eyes open wide, "Oh my my." Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth bribery? I have a crisp $100 dollar bill here...really, yes...uhuh....you can trust me.... Lysseth> Lysseth hears the beating of wings, near to hers, and realizes all at once that she is nigh surrounded by those who have been pursuing her all along. Desperately, she tries to rise away from the pack--only to smack right into Verenth's waiting form above her. Dragon> Flight sense that Juliath as a member of the Offical Green Dragons Judges Association <tm>, scoffs heartily at Benjamin Franklin. Dragon> Lysseth bespoke Flight with << Now, bribery, that I'll resort to... just kidding. ;) *Dragonsnugs.* Again, thanks for the fun flight, you two! :) >> Benden LC> Tresselin giggles, eating meatrolls one after the other. After all, the plate is so conveniently sitting in her lap. Benden LC> Kindre then simply stares at the greenrider and frowns. "Great Faranth, J'cob, what has possessed you?" Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth did I mention it was Monopoly money? Benden Weyr> K'nan peers down at the LC. "Hey Kindre, you want I should go defend you from that guy down there?" ;) Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth would add three, but somehow doesn't see Drienth on the DTU. Awww, no fair telling me that *now*! :P :) Benden LC> Asrai covers her mouth as she begins to giggle anew at the look on her friends face. Benden LC> J'cob sniffs at Kindre, "I donno, but I think you've 'possessed' 'bout two skins of red." Lysseth> Verenth twists about as he feels the thud of wings on his belly, grasping at the green and entwining himself about her. Dragon> Lysseth bespoke Flight with << And yeah, I know it's 'cause he's an NPC. I'm just posing at random tonight. Anyway. :) >> Lysseth> Drienth can't quite believe his eyes as the lunky Reaches dragon gets in the way of his prize. When it seems evident that she will not escape, he circles away and around, slowly and silently gliding downwards towards the bowl, dejected and rejected. Lysseth> Drienth flies downward towards the north end of the bowl. Benden LC> J'cob wiggles the bread around, swallowing the bite finally, then pokes her again, "Why?" Lysseth> Spineth finally notices a blue close to Lysseth. This being entirely unacceptable, he gives it everything he has. The time is now, and he approaches Lysseth from the left, and just slightly below her. His own confidence forbids him from believing that the blue will catch this green he pursues so relentlessly, instead it convinces him that it will give him the advantage he needs. But no! She is entwined. Bugling with amazement and despair, he folds his wings and dives downwards. Ursa gives a strangled sort of cry and rushes out. Ursa leaves the weyr and heads out into the bowl. Benden LC> Asrai arches one eybrow, giving Kindre some room should she swing. Dragon> Flight sense that Verenth waves as all the competitors fly away. Good flight, good fun.