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Capture the Flag


Date:  January 24, 1998
Place:  High Reaches Weyr's Western Bowl
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:  What a great event this was!  K'dar was the one who
came up with it and ran it; he's also the one who was kind enough to
provide the first part of this log, since my copy was missing a 
bit. :)  It's a shame that nothing like this has been done again since,
to my knowledge.  Anyway, the premise is that Kassi's still at the 
Berry Festival, and she and Lysseth have turned out for the game of 
dragon-tag; little do they realize that they'll pick up quite a lot of
dust and meet several worthy teammates--and adversaries--along the way.

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The Log:

K'dar clears his throat again, and stands up. "Would the riders please come 
around so I can show the application of the streamers for their dragons?"

Maylia returns the wave, leaning against Tierth's grassy green forlimb. As
the objects K'dar's fussing with are identified, she pushes off from the
support of her lifemate, and heads his way.

Deannus slides from her perch and steps over, absently flipping a pair of
gloves this way and that in her hands.

M'rgan wanders out of the lower caverns.

Kena strolls out of the lower caverns.

M'rgan strolls outside, hand-in-hand with his weyrmate, Kena. His brown 
lifemate, Ularrith, turns his way as M'rgan approaches, rumbling
impatiently as if the brownrider would miss the game.

Denys watches the people, "Nys pway game?"

Kena hurries to keep up with her weyrmate.

K'dar affectionately whacks a brown leg, and Leventh lowers himself so that 
K'dar can demonstrate attaching them. "We attach one of the extenders from
that pile, here" a clip slides on over the strap, with a small rod extending.
"That's to keep us from having to trip over each other"

K'dar grins. "I promise we'll get to the interesting bits soon.."

M'rgan lifts a hand to stroke his lifemate's oak-brown chin as the dragon
turns whirling eyes towards the demonstration. "I told you we wouldn't be 
late." Ularrith's only answer is a rumbled harrumph as he lifts his chin 
pointedly to where Leventh and K'dar are. The brownrider leans towards Kena, 
muttering in a quieter voice, "Are you sure you still want to do this?"

Maylia watches with interest, nodding slowly.

Deannus watches the process, reaching up to rest a hand along the brown
muzzle 
that's suddenly hovering over her shoulder.

K'dar points to the relevant location, stretching even his height to the
most. "One of those goes on each shoulder, just above where the girth strap
crosses, here."

In the sky directly above, Faemirth flies down to land gently on the ground.

Kena nods, emerald eyes flashing in challenge to M'rgan's question. "Unless
you think I would hurt your chances to win, Mart dear."

Faemirth croons and bugles a few greetings as she settles beside Kiryath,
giving him an affectionate whuffle.

Rashmael slips down to Faemirth's foreleg, taking a moment to gain composure 
before hopping to the ground.

Shannen slides neatly down to Faemirth's foreleg, then hops to the ground, 
pausing to give her dragon an affectionate smile and scritch an eyeridge.

Leventh warbles greeting to the new arrival, not quite managing a bugle from 
where he is being demonstrated

Rashmael slides to the ground and holds out a hand to assist the two ladies.

Deannus turns to locate the appropriate locations on Kiryath's straps only to 
find the brown has deserted her in favor of whuffling a greeting to Faemirth.

Shannen offers a hand up to Nishiana, entirely capable of getting to the
ground without assistance. She wrinkles her nose up at Rashmael's offer 
before stepping back to allow him to assist the Headwoman.

Nishiana slips down to Faemirth's foreleg, taking a moment to gain composure 
before hopping to the ground.

M'rgan playfully reaches out to squeeze his weyrmate's upper arm. His blue
eyes twinkle and his mouth seems stuck in a perpetual amused smirk. "I don't 
know. How's that throwing arm of yours?"

Nishiana took Rashmael's offered hand, dismounting gracefully. "That was 
wonderful, Shannen!" She seems already quite impressed.

Rashmael is sorely tempted to give the greenrider a good rasberry, but he's
far too gentlemanly...and wise to do that.

K'dar chuckles softly. "One pretty green arrives, and they all go to pieces.. 
anyway, that's the first step. If you all do that, I'll just put up the major 
flags"

Maylia swings up to her place astride Tierth, her lifemate welcoming her
with a rumble.

Ularrith rumbles sternly, shifting his large head over until he casts a
shadow across his rider. This is neither the time, nor the place apparently.

Denys toddles from person to person, "Nys pway?" he asks each.

Rashmael, helping Nishiana down, nods in agreement. "And it's safer than 
Asperth, by far!"

In the sky directly above, Tierth springs powerfully into the sky from the 
ground below.

Shannen summons a bright smile for Nishiana as she finds her dragon quite 
complimented. Any compliment to Faemirth is a compliment to her--and the only 
kind she really enjoys getting. "Faemirth enjoys having good passengers,"
as the green receives an affectionate thump. "She's always safe...with 
passengers." What happens with Shannen alone is an entirely different matter.

Kena smiles and kneels down to pick up a rock. Rising, she then tosses it
toward the far end of the bowl, missing a boulder. But not by much. "We'll 
see."

In the sky directly above, Lysseth banks and lands neatly on the ground.

Nishiana smiles warmly down at the little boy, as Denys tugs on her skirt.
"Not right now, dear.." she looks around, wondering where his parents are. 
She smiels to Shannen, "Well that's good to hear!" She doesn't seem to notice 
the hidden message in her comment.

[Editor's Note:  At this point, the log changes to Kassi's perspective.]

<*> Deannus nods to K'dar as she scoops up two extenders from the pile and
trots over to her traitorous lifemate. "Flirtin' is not as important as
winnin', sillylove, so get on down here so I can get these on," she
lectures, rising up on her toes to add a few inched of height to her small
frame.

<*> Rashmael reminds himself to bring Faemirth a gift for her ride later
on...possibly Siara's pet wherry. Turning his attentions, he asks, "Where
is the poor person I'm to ride with in this game?"

<*> Suitably reminded by his lifemate and after a brief moment of
open-mouthed gaping at Kena's toss -- he unconciously flexes his arm as if
doubting he could equal that --, M'rgan turns his attention back to K'dar.
"Where are you going to put the main flags?"

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.

Kiryath settles down with an amused rumble, giving Faemirth one final
whuffle before he behaves and allows the extensions to be attached to his
straps in the proper places.

K'dar shows by example, placing large flags in red, white, and black on top
of boulders at the north, west, and south of the bowl segment. "There." he
grins. "Each team is, of course, defending the one in their own color"

Kena spots Kassima and hurries over to the Telgar greenrider. "Did you
bring your child, dearie?" she asks. Of course, this is the child that was
once rumored to be M'rgan's.

Kassima vaults down from her dragon's neck, landing neatly on the ground
and ignoring Lysseth's usual snort at her less-than-decorous landing.
"Duties," she offers with a bright grin, with a wave to all and sundry, "to
the 'Reaches and her queens. And Fort, too. Has the game yet started?"

Shannen, who has obviously missed some important note or another, wathes
Deannus carefully before turning back to Nishiana and Rashmael. "Sorry I
never caught your name, sir, but this is Deannus--an'she's th'one that
needs a partner." Decent introduction.

Rashmael ohs, realises what a sharding impolite monster he's been. "I'm
terribly sorry. My name is Rashmael, lady. Ladies."

Kassima flashes Kena a smile. "Kena! Shells and shards, but it's been a
dragon's age... aye, Kharisma and Kaylira are both with me. Nay *literally*
with me, a'course--Simaeva's watching after 'em, up in Channie's weyr,
where we're staying for the nonce."

Deannus turns her head to smile to Rashmael and Shannen. "Heyla. Saw you at
Igen, didn't I?" she asks as she steps away from Kiryath to inspect her
work. "I know they look silly, but it is a game after all." she adds, in a
mumble.

Denys pouts, and sits on the ground, in the middle of everything, "Nys
wanna pway."

Nishiana watches all the activity. She smiles a greeting to Deannus, as
well, she introduces herself, "I'm Nishi.. and this, "she is about to
introduce Rashmael, then chuckles as he beats her to it. "Well, yes, that's
him."

K'dar smiles., "No, the game's not started yet.. there are still a few
partners to pick, and" his eyes go distant, "Apparently one or two more on
their way"

Kena takes Kassima's arm. She mutters to Kassima, "... dearie.... want...
Kharisma's father? And... love..."  She glances back at M'rgan.

You sense Kena takes Kassima's arm. "We'll have to find time to chat later,
dearie. There is so much I want to know. Who is Kharisma's father? And I
just love that name." She glances back at M'rgan.

Rashmael nods, smiling a bit. "Yes, I'm a captive painter form Igen. I
suckered a ride from Shayne's Asperth for the day."

"Shannen," the blue eyed Rider offers, head still tilted to one side as she
studies Kiryath with quiet curiosity. "An'this is Faemirth," as she places
one hand on her green's muzzle.

Deannus chuckles, lifting a hand in greeting. "Well met, both of you. This
lump of mangy hide right here is Kiryath." She lands an affectionate thump
on the brown's side, ignoring the annoyed snort she gains for that comment.

Nishiana adds, "I know Shannen from her days at Keroon Hold.." she grins
over at the greenrider. She looks around again. "So, does anyone as yet
know the rules to this game?"

Rashmael looks up at both of the dragons, that half-smile not budging a
bit. Why should it? He's about to die in the air with a score of energetic
female dragon riders. "I'm guessing my part is 'hang on'."

M'rgan watches the placement of the flags closely, his brow creasing as he
considers the options he'll have once the game commences. "Okay, lump," he
comments as he moves closer to his lifemate, thumping the dragon's shoulder
to get him to shift lower. "You're going to have be careful. No running
into the walls, all right...Kena? Do you think you can help me with the..."
He glances over his shoulder only to see his weyrmate is chatting with
Kassima. "Women," is muttered quietly as he sets to putting on the
equipment himself.

Kassima follows the direction of Kena's glance, and chuckles under her
breath. She mutters to Kena, "Nay whom... t'be, I assure you.... met
Jh'rin... he's Khari's... as... doubt with... the very... and... of...
talk,... nay... since Kimbrith's..."  Raising her voice, she calls up to
the scrawny lad who's still perched atop Lysseth, "Larinyl, want t'quit
gawking and get your skinny rump down here?"

Kena senses Kassima follows the direction of Kena's glance, and chuckles
under her breath. "Nay whom 'twas rumored t'be, I assure you. I don't know
if'n you've ever met Jh'rin of Ista; he's Khari's father, as there can be
nay doubt with her the very spit and image of him. I hope we can find time
to talk, for certain! I've nay seen Kegan in... shells, since Kimbrith's
flight, I think." Raising her voice, she calls up to the scrawny lad who's
still perched atop Lysseth, "Larinyl, want t'quit gawking and get your
skinny rump down here?"

Nishiana chuckles lightly, shaking her head. "You're as safe with them as
with any other rider, Rashmael.. don't worry."

Shannen's /days/ at Keroon are seldom a topic of conversation--it's
generally just one day in particular that people enjoy discussing. "Yes,
th'rules," she agrees quickly, only too certain she catches the meaning
behind Nishiana's grin.

Ularrith snorts at his rider's words, raising his head proudly and
gracefully. No blundering for him.

K'dar pauses in his bustle. "Had I not told those yet? Oh. Well: for one,
we'll stay on the ground for the moment. You're trying to defend the flag
of your team - which will be assigned in a moment - against the other two
teams. At the same time, you're trying to capture the other flags. Clear
enough so far?"

Deannus laughs,saying to Rashmael, "I'm thinkin' tha's it. Be thankful yer
not on Faemirth, she's a bit more darin' than Kiryath could hope t'be." She
winks at Shannen, then turns to tug on the straps just a few times. "That
an' hold onto th'flags we capture. I think."

Kena hugs Kassima quickly. "We'll talk later, dearie." She then hurries
back to her weyrmate's side. "You bellowed, Mart dear?" She looks all
innocent and contrite.

In the sky directly above, Maraseth banks and lands neatly on the ground.

Lysseth snorts her amusement, listening to certain riders' cautions to
their dragons. This might be easier than she thought, if the competition is
going to wind up as Bowl roadkill... err, wallkill? "Smugness doesn't
become you, Lyss," Kassi mutters under her breath.

On Maraseth, Gabrion peers over Maraseth's side as the ground rushes up
from below.

Rashmael's light green eyes widen as he catches the idea. "I see! Shards, I
can do this! How many partners are there?"

Maraseth settles herself in a hurry, crooning anxious greetings at all.

Leventh turns an innocent gaze on Maraseth, as if to say 'I told you so'
draconically

Nishiana notices Shannen's deliberate change in conversation topic, and
gives her a slight shake of the head, no, I won't bring that up. She turns
to listen to Deannus. "Ahh, I get it.."

On Maraseth, Gabrion grins and releases his strangle-hold on the nearby
strap, "Already there? That wasn't so bad..."

Rashmael turns his smile on Nishiana. "So you and I, lady, hand from our
ankles from the dragon's back and snag handfuls of flags! This will be fun!"

M'rgan is never fooled by his weyrmate's innocent and contrite looks but he
is endlessly forgiving. He grumbles a curse as he gets his gloved finger
caught in one of the buckles and is forced to tug it free. Nursing his
finger in his mouth, he jerks his head towards Ularrith's other side. "Do
you think you can take care of it over there, Gem?"

From Nishiana's shoulder, Tharrn warbles lightly, curious eyes whirling
softly at all the activity.

Shannen returns Deannus's winks with a quiet chuckle, turning to offer a
reassuring smile at Nishiana. "But she's carefully darin'," is added as she
starts re-checking Faemirth's straps carefully. Wouldn't do to lose
Keroon's Headwoman, after all.

On Maraseth, Romilly smiles at the and looks down. "Never thougth I'd be
hitching a ride on a Dragon."

K'dar says "Partners - we'll start by making sure that everyone has one,
and then we can start doubling up if needed"

Nishiana chuckles, and nods, apparently not worried. "I guess you could say
it that way, Rashmael.. although I'd prefer not to hang from my ankles."
Her eyes twinkle with laughter.

Kena give M'rgan's cheek a quick peck. "Take care of what, Mart dear?" she
asks.

Seaylin vaults down Maraseth's side to the ground, as the dragon rumbles
softly.

On Maraseth, Gabrion reaches cautiously toward your belt as he makes the
effort tolean forward and ask, "Should I free myself from the straps yet?"
The vintner's toes wiggle as he checks the circulation in his feet.

K'dar says "You capture a flag by, of course, carrying it - to even things
up, let the passenger carry it. You stop someone carrying a flag by
grabbing the streamers that will soon be attached to these extenders"

On Maraseth, Romilly hrrms. "I don't know. But I think I'm gonna wait to
see if the Rider says it's ok."

Seaylin blinks up at her passengers, looking briefly ashamed, clambering
back up to unfasten the straps so they can get off Maraseth if they choose.

Nishiana smiles, the excitement starting to get to her. "This /is/ going to
be fun!"

In the sky directly above, Skyreth backwings to a neat landing on the ground.

V'beda vaults down Skyreth's side to the ground, using his foreleg as a step.

On Maraseth, Pulling at a final strap as Seaylin helps with the fastening,
Gabrion gives Maraseth a friendly grin while sliding down.

Gabrion hops down Maraseth's side to the ground, as the dragon warbles a
greeting.

Rashmael shades his eyes, looking upward. "How many flags are there?"

M'rgan arches an eyebrow upwards at the quick peck and he slowly pulls his
injured finger out of his mouth. Just what is she up to? "Umm...Ummm...Oh!
The extenders. Could you put one on Ularrith's other side? On the straps?"

K'dar points as he speaks to the boulders they're on. "There are three
flags, the red, the white, and the black. One per team"

Seaylin clambers back down, staying quiet so she can figure out what's
going on.

On Maraseth, Romilly tosses one leg over and gently climbs down the
Draong's side, then leaps for the ground.

Nishiana looks to the four different areas of the bowl. "I think there's
five, isn't there?.. oh, I see.. three." She nods.

Romilly vaults down Maraseth's side to the ground, using her straps as
handholds.

Romilly gently lays aside her quiver and bow.. setting them in a corner.

Kena does as M'rgan requests of her. Without comment. That is a bad sign.

Rashmael looks where he's bid. "Capture your own flag, eh?"

Shannen takes a moment to map the bowl, ice blue eyes sweeping over the
'playing field' before she nods satisfaction with her own mental tally.
That accomplished, she turns to Faemirth and begins busying herself with
straps and extenders and streamers, mumbling chuckled comments to her green.

Deannus plants a hand on her hip, the other coming up to shade her eyes as
she surveys where the flag areas. "This doesn't seem so hard," she murmers.
Famous last words, no doubt.

Nishiana smiles. "So.. what are the teams?" She chuckles at Rashmael's
comment.

K'dar shakes his head. "You defend your own flag. You capture the other
/two/ teams flags. The teams we'll assign in just a moment"

Romilly feeds her young firelizard a scrap of meat and murmers to him.

Romilly looks at K'dar. "If you don't mind, Sir. Could I just sit and watch?"

Kassima folds her arms, leaning back against Lysseth's shoulder once she's
finished checking the straps. Casual though the pose is, the greenrider's
listening rather intently if the way her eyes are trained on K'dar is any
sign. "Nice colors," she remarks, with a glance at the flags as she ambles
over to procure the appropriate gear for her green. Lysseth still looks as
perfectly confident as only an obsessively goal-fixated dragon can.

Rashmael huhs, looking around. "This might very well get DANGEROUS!"

K'dar blinks at Romilly. "Ah, ok"

Romilly scratches the scars on her neck and face and looks at Rashmael. "No
more dangerous than anything else I've tangled with." she grins.

Romilly backs up to the wall behind her and finds a place to sit out of the
way.

Deannus nods agreeably as the rules continue to be layed out before fixing
a rather odd look on Rashmael. "Kiryath wouldn't crash," she huffs, taking
his statement as a slur on her dragon's capabilities.

M'rgan at first doesn't realize that something is up with his weyrmate,
consumed as he is with putting the extender on his side of Ularrith's
straps. But when he finishes and realizes that Kena didn't ask him any
questions nor say anything when she left nor bother to give him a tweak,
pride in being finished with his task is instead consumed by curiousity and
a bit of worry. He moves down Ularrith's length, poking his head around his
lifemate's head to peer at Kena. "Any problems, *love*?"

V'beda sits on Skyreth's foot crosslegged, tapping the underside of his
neck so he'll keep his head out of the way so she can watch. "How many
teams again, K'dar?"

"Dangerous?" Shannen repeats quietly, one brow arching as she puts the
single-word question. "No more dangerous than drills," is added with a soft
shrug.

Nishiana shakes her head, "Oh, I'm sure it's very sagfe. How could it be
dangerous?"

Rashmael is carefully unbuttoning his sleeve cuffs, that darn imp's smile
growing. "Well it wouldn't be any fun at all if it was *all* safe, would it?"

Seaylin doesn't say anything, uncharacteristically quiet as she goes about
securing Maraseth's gear, keeping a listening ear on the rules and
explanations.

Kena returns to M'rgan's side after checking on the extender. "Nothing at
all," she says, all smiles and perkiness. She kisses his cheek again.

Nishiana hmms, raising an eyebrow at Rashmael. Right.

Deannus sends a brisk nod towards Shannen. "Right." She eyes Rashmael
suspiciously for a moment, then flashes another smile. "Right on that too,"
she chuckles, properly placated.

From Romilly's shoulder, Ebony sits up and chirrups smartly, looking about
as if surveying HIS army for a battle plan.

Rashmael chuckles a little bit. "I trust the riders, sure enough. As long
as Lady rider Deannus doesn't try to be too gentle for my sake."

K'dar explains. "Three teams. We're going to try to minimize the danger by
staying on the ground: that's also the point of the extenders." Now then.
"As to teams:" He starts selecting riders, counting off red, white, black.
The relevant section goes "M'rgan, red, Kassima, white, Seaylin, black,
Shannen, red, Dannus, white" and then continues

Gabrion reaches up to his mop of hair and runs both hands through the
unkempt locks with a growing frown. "Sounds like there's going to be a fair
share of ground-shaking and body bouncing going on..." Turning his face to
read Seaylin's expression the vintner falls silent once again.

Romilly rolls her eyes at Ebony's antics. "You are incorrigable, Ebony."
and laughs as the triangular head angles itself around to face her and
Ebony CHIRRUPS sweetly at her face and then Creels for more food.

Deannus rubs the back of her neck, one brow rising curiously. Not the type
of request she normally recives from her passengers, but she's not about to
argue. "White, 'kay. Hey Shannen! Prepare t'be whupped!"

Nishiana hmms. She looks around, as though a thought just caught her mind.
Spotting Eleni, she waves to her, then murmurs something to Shannen,
about.."on.. team.. Eleni." She points the girl out to the rider.

Eleni returns Nishiana's wave, looking a bit bewildered by all the activity
around her.

"Red," is repeated several times under Shannen's breath, ice blue eyes
drifting off toward the red flag as she submits its location to memory.
"We'll see, Dea," she returns with a tilted grin. She seems to remember a
certain brown wearing himself out trying to keep up with a certain green...

Though his blue eyes are narrowed with suspicion, M'rgan leans towards the
kiss. And when it turns out to be just a kiss and not an opportunity for
one of those rib pokes, playfulness returns to his eyes, all the lines and
tension leaving them. "Did you hear that? We're red. Race you to the top."
He darts a glance up to the top of the straps, between two of the brown's
neckridges.

Nishiana grins, "Oh, I dunno, Deannus.. I think we'll do alright." She
grins, murmuring to herself, "Red."

Rashmael gives Kiryath a little bow, wondering after the dragon's temperment.

Deannus's smile is just a wee bit smug as she turns to go over Kiryath's
straps one last time. Probably remembering how a certain brown caught an
unnamed green.

Romilly looks and watches with awe at all the dragons.

K'dar grins. "And, to even out the numbers, I'll be playing for black. If
there's a passenger still waiting?" He adds, quickly - "Could you each
please get streamers in your color?"

Nishiana motions Eleni to come and join them, if she likes.

Kena isn't about to try to mount Ularrith before M'rgan, so she allows her
weyrmate to have this minor victory. She then waits for his assistance up.

Eleni walks over to Nishiana, still looking a bit confused. She wants to
join in on the fun, but isn't sure what she's supposed to do.

Nishiana explains the game to Eleni, pointing out the different colored
flags, and the streamers on the dragons.

Kiryath shifts eagerly as his rider traipses off to collect the streamers,
eyes whirling joyfully as he whuffles his soon-to-be passenger. Games have
been his one true love since the moment he pushed a wet nose past the shell
too weak to hold him. Faemirth's going down.

Shannen rolls her eyes at Deannus's smugness, trotting off to claim the red
streamers for Faemirth's straps. Small hands make quick work of affixing
them to the green's extenders before she turns to offer a quick wave
Eleni-wards. "Dragontag...You'll need a partner," and a quick glance goes
toward K'dar.

Rashmael looks about for the aforementioned streamers, and than looks to
Deannus. "What color, lady rider?"

V'beda holds a scrap of hide in front of her with a writing stick. She
scribbles furiously and mutters names and colors, looking up to see who is
where.

M'rgan sighs as his race is spoiled by K'dar's last words. "I'll be right
back, love." He hurries off to claim his team's streamers, his stride only
slightly less than a running pace. "Red. I'm red. Where's the red streamers?"

Seaylin gets black streamers and begins securing them to the appropriate
straps. "Black. I can remember that." Maraseth's tailtip twitches
impatiently, her excitedly whirling eyes regarding the other dragons.

Eleni nods slowly in understanding, then says that if she might, she'd
rather watch this time.

Deannus takes up the white streamers and shakes them out. "These I think.
An' y'can just call me Dea," she chuckles as she hands one to him. "Fix
that on the extendor attached t'his strap on that side, would you?"

Jayna walks out of the living cavern.

Gabrion leans closer to Seaylin as he glances curiously around the 'field',
"Now ewhere are the flags we're looking to capture once again?"

Jayna whews and looks around excitedly. There are *so* many people here!
She grins, flushed.

Jerred walks out of the lower caverns.

"White. Huh. Well," Kassima remarks, picking up a pair of white streamers,
"I suppose 'tis appropriate enough, all told. You're going to get your rump
kicked, brownie!" she yells over to Mart, mostly by automatic reflex. "Hey,
Jayna--want t'ride with Lyss and me?" she asks of the girl without either
preamble or explanation. Typical Kassima.

Romilly finds a rock to sit on and leans back against the Bowl wall..
gently feeding the little brown general on her shoulder.

Rashmael takes the appropriate streamer and does as he's told, not having
to stand quite as far on his toes as the rider does. "White it is, lady
Dea," wicked smile.

Nishiana nods to Eleni, smiling warmly to the girl, "Sure, if you'd
rather." She turns to Shannen, seeing if she needs any help. "Can I help
with anything, Shann?"

From Romilly's shoulder, Ebony chirrups as that dragonpet or this humanpet
hurries around and CHIRPS smartly as they begin to prepar.

Jayna waves to Kassima and Lysseth and glances around to see if there are
any other Telgari around. Upon hearing Kassi's question, she nods
enthusiastically. "Sure!" she agrees precipitously, only then stopping to
wonder what she's just agreed to.

K'dar asks Jerred, "If you care to join the game, you could ride with
Leventh and I?"

Gabrion tugs at one of the black streamers, then holds it out to its full
length to see how much space they'll have afforded before worrying about
approaching competitors, "That's a lot of ground to protect..."

Kiryath obediantly hunkers down to allow the streamers to be attached, his
soft, eager croon a constant counterpoint to his lifemate's stream of
reassurance and braggadacio. "Not /lady/ Dea. Just Dea," the girl chuckles.

From Nishiana's shoulder, Tharrn chirples loudly, reminding Nishiana of his
presence.

Shannen arches a delicate brow at Eleni as she finally stops bothering with
Faemirth's straps. At the rate she was going, she was likely to worry them
right off the green. "You could ride with Nishi an'me. Or Rashmael an'Lady
Dea," as she nods off toward the other duo. "I think it's all a matter
o'waitin'at this point, Nishi. But you could makes sure those streamers are
on right."

Jerred looks at K'dar. "Huh? Which game?"

Jayna darts over to Lysseth and Kassi. "What has I just agreed to do?" she
whispers, idly rubbing Lysseth's side.

Rashmael aws at that. "Now how will I sound if I went about addressing
women like that? It wouldn't be me!" Snapping a too-long bit end of the
white streamer off in his hands, he ties it around his head, making his red
hair stand up like a candle flame.

Seaylin finishes the operation and turns to lean against Maraseth. "The red
and white flags. Over yonder." Her sharp chin indicates the proper
directions. With a sly grin, Seay reassures Gabrion. "Mara's smaller than
some of these. That'll make it tougher. And she's fast." Maraseth turns her
head to look at Gabrion, whuffling warm wherry breath over him.

From Nishiana's shoulder, Kinsa croons softly, too.

Ignoring the red streamers that are being held out to him, M'rgan turns and
hollers back at Kassima as he always does whenever she challenges him.
Though this time he manages to affect some semblance of a her accent,
"We'll see! It's skill this time, nay luck." Grabbing the streamers, he
brandishes them at Kassima before racing back to join Ularrith and Kena.
"We're going to show them," he tells lifemate and weyrmate.

"Dragontag," K'dar explains. Straps attached, he turns to mount

Jerred says "Ummm... sure. Though I've never played before."

Eleni thinks for a moment, looking up at Shannen. "Well then," she says
shyly, "I would like to join you and Nishiana." She looks at the green
dragon a bit longingly. "Should I do anything before we start?"

Deannus can't help but laugh at her erstwhile companion, shaking her head
and saying, "I s'ppose I can make an exception just this once, considerin'
yer gonna be helpin' me win. But yer not allowed t'call me that, Shannen!"
she yells towards the greenrider. "Better hope yer not a sore loser!"

V'beda decides she needs a better perch, so she jumps off Skyreth's foot.
"Sky, now you can rest your head and take a nap. Just help me up top there,
" and she uses his foot for a step and sits atop the brown's head, right
near the head knobs. Much better view!

A race? Jayna wonders. Unable to help herself, she pipes up. "With all due
respect to you, riders, Lysseth is *fast*! She'll smoke you!" she adds,
with a confident grin.

Romilly :looks at Nishiana's little Firelizard as it croons.

Nishiana nods, tossing quick glances to either shoulder. She steps around
to check on the streamers. "I guess I can't ride with my firelizards, can
I.." she looks around, then grins as Eleni changes her mind. "Great, 'Leni!
Can you come over here, and hold the streamer while I fix it.

Kassima grins at Jayna, offering an explanation now that she's already
agreed. "'Tis dragon-tag, y'see. We're of the white team." She finishes
attaching one of the white streaers to Lysseth's straps with a flourish.
"You've just agreed t'fly with us, in our valiant and noble quest to gain
the victory and ultimate triumph over the evil teams of red and black. Even
if'n I *do* like the colors," she can't help but add, "they're still evil.
That's why you're going t'lose so badly, Mart!" she shouts across to the
brownrider, grinning mischievously at the challenge. "We're going to kick
his rump," she confides to Jayna.

Gabrion reels back and closes his eyes as the heated breath washes over
him. With the back of his hand he wipes at the corner of his eye and looks
again toward the opposing team's flags. "I see..."

Rashmael nods regretfully to Shannen. "If you feel the need to cry
afterwards, lady, you may borrow my sleeve."

M'rgan climbs up onto Ularrith's back, the dragon's sparkling eyes watching
closely.

Seaylin snorts at Jayna's challenge and just hops onto Maraseth. "We'll see."

Seaylin clambers up onto Maraseth's back, using her straps as handholds.

From Romilly's shoulder, Ebony chirples as he hears another croon.

You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly.
You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower
neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered
foreleg.

<*> Kena has complete faith in her weyrmate and his lifemate. "Yes we will,
Mart dear." She then accepts his help up.

<*> On Maraseth, Seaylin blinks down at Gabrion. "Ready? You have the hard
part you know Gabrion."

<*> Eleni moves closer to Nishiana, taking the streamer from her hand and
holding it, her eyes wide as she takes in the actions of the people and
dragons around her.

<*> Kena vaults up onto Ularrith's back, using his foreleg as a step.

Jayna accepts Kassima's proffered hand and swings up onto Lysseth's lower
neckridges, settling herself behind Kassima carefully. Kassi grins and
reassures the dubious Lysseth that Jayna is safe, and the green faces
forward as her rider gets ready to fly.

<*> Shannen hops up to Faemirth's foreleg before swinging herself up to
settle comfortably between the green's neckridges.

<*> Gabrion nods as he prepares himself and climbs up.

<*> K'dar climbs up onto Leventh's back, using his straps as handholds.

<*> Eleni steps up to Faemirth's foreleg, using Shannen's help to settle
neatly between the green's neckridges.

<*> Jerred vaults up onto Leventh's back, the dragon's sparkling eyes
watching closely.

<*> Nishiana fastens the streamer, then motions for Eleni to mount the
green. She follows.

<*> Deannus laughs as she hears Kassima, her appriasal of her chances for
stomping Shannen into to the ground going up a few notches. "Think we got
stuck with th'best color, sillylove," she says as she vaults up to his neck
and offers a hand down for Rashmael.

<*> Nishiana steps up to Faemirth's foreleg, using Shannen's help to settle
neatly between the green's neckridges.

<*> Deannus steps up on Kiryath's extended foreleg and grabs for the
straps, barely managing to get them in her hands before she is 'boosted'
the last few feet. With tolerance and agility born of long practice, she
manages to land herself between the brown's neckridges, rather than go
flying over his neck.

Jayna settles down on Lysseth's back and leans down to whisper sotto voce
to the dragon, "Kick their. . . uh. . . tail, Lysseth!"

<*> On Leventh, Jerred climbs up. "I've... " seems to be completly struck
by sitting on the dragon. "Wow... I've never done this before..."

<*> Rashmael steps onto Kiryath's extended foreleg and settles between the
brown's neckridges and into the riding straps. Any 'boosting' mischief is
prevented by an amused murmer from Deannus.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana chuckles, "Well now, where are the
other red team members? She glances around at the other teams of
dragonriders, passengers and dragons.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael chuckles a little, strapping himself in. "I
have a feeling this may get wild.

<*> Astride Faemirth, Shannen spins about at the waist, summoning a quick
smile for her passengers. "I think M'rgan..." she answers, making certain
both have fastened their straps properly.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus chuckles, pulling on her gloves and saying,
"Tha's th'whole point I think."

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni asks, "We're the red team, right?"
She shivers in spite of herself, feeling the dragon beneath her and the
straps that hold her to Faemirth's back.

Kassima buckles her straps in place quickly, gesturing for Jayna to do the
same. "Nay only that, but she's months' worth of pent-up energy just
screaming t'be set free." The green, too focused on the game ahead to
really be amused, rumbles absently to Jayna and her rider both. Glancing at
the other members of the white team, Kassi flashes a grin that turns her
expression to one of pure gamin. "This is going t'be good."

<*> On Leventh, Jerred straps hismelf on, having ridden passenger on a
dragon once or twice, but never a brown.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana hmms, trying to pick out M'rgan
among the other riders without much success. "

<*> On Leventh, K'dar says to the man seated behind him, "Ok, we're going
for the red and white flags..." He grins. "Oh, by the way - I'm K'dar"

Jayna flushes with excitement. She loves being a-dragonback! Belatedly, she
leans into Kassi and notes, "I know what you mean about the red and black.
. . .but that was then. Go white!"

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael tsks at Deannus and breaks a second bit of
streamer off and tyes it about her head as well. "Got to be dressed, my dera."

<*> On Maraseth, Seaylin looks for her own teammates, making note of their
positions.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred smiles. "Jerred. NIce to meet you. How exactly are
we supposed to get the flags from up here?"

<*> Kiryath gives one small experimental bounce before lumbering over to
Lysseth. "This is gonna be a slaughter," Deannus calls in return, grin
coming close to splitting her face.

<*> On Leventh, K'dar says "That's why they're on boulders"

<*> On Leventh, Jerred ahs.

<*> Astride Faemirth, "He rides brown Ularrith," as Shannen leans over to
place where her teammate is, a winkled nose sent off to Deannus as she
catches that cocky remark. "You just keep sayin' that, Dea!"

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael nods, feeling a bit sorry for those others.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred says "So, um.... what's my job?"

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana turns to Eleni, her face flushed
from the excitement, "Are you ready?" She grins. "We want to get the white
and black flags."

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus laughs, craning her head around to look at
Rashmael. "Y'have my thanks, I think," she says, reaching up to straighten
her impromptu headband.

<*> Lysseth greets her brown teammate with a confident rumble, which Kassi
returns in human fashion--which is to say, with a grin, not a rumble. "I
love a good massacre!" she shouts back. "We'll leave 'em eating our sky-dust!"

<*> On Leventh, K'dar raises his voice to address everyone. "If we're all
ready?" He adds to Jerred, "You're trying to grab the white and red flags
and streamers"

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael ruffles Deannus' hair so that it properly
matches his as well, and finishes it with a tight knot, so it won't slip.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni smiles back at Nishiana. "I think so.
I'll try to remember!" She looks around her, trying to see the colors of
the other teams.

<*> Shayhou strolls out of the lower caverns.

<*> Gabrion takes a few extra moments to tighten the straps near his legs,
vowing to remain seated and avoid a bruising encounter with the ground
below. Looking up for his teammates Gabrion gives a wave to Jerrod and
K'dar before looking toward the red and white flags beyond.

Jayna glances around at the assembled dragons. She grins. Those other teams
don't have a chance. She wishes she'd placed a bet with somebody.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred nods. "Ready when you are. White and Red... right."
Looks around to see where they are.

<*> Dirlanthir strides out of the lower caverns.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael waves down to Shayhou, shouting, "Going to
watch me win, my dear?"

<*> Shayhou jumps up and down and waves to the artist, asking, "What team,
what team are you?!"

<*> K'dar's voice carries from his dragon, "Begin!"

<*> Gabrion slowly leans over Maraseth's side to determine just how far his
reach extends.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus calls out, "White! Watch us stomp th'red an'
black."

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael gives Deannus a little look that wonders
after the minds of some people.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana ohs, "It's started.."

<*> Gabrion jumps up onto Maraseth's back, using her straps as handholds.

Jayna pumps her arm at Deannus's 'call-to-arms'.

<*> Faemirth bugles her challenge at the others, making her way off toward
her brown teamdragon without even giving her lifemate time to warn the
passengers.

<*> Shayhou grabs Dirlanthir's arm and points to Rashmael and Deannus.
"Those two are the winners. Right there. This is gonna be a one-sided game."

<*> Kiryath surges forward. Alright, it's more of a whomping hop-waddle
that sends him towards the red flag, and Faemirth's challenge.

<*> Dirlanthir Nods slowly

<*> Leventh moves at his rider's command, his large brown presence quickly
establishing itself in defense of the black flag

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Feeling the dragon moving, Eleni gives a
little gasp and grabs onto the straps that secure her. Looking back at
Nishiana, she gives a slightly strained smile, her face a bit pale.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael laughs, grabbing ahold of the riding straps
quickly to keep his balance.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus squeaks and grabs for the straps, caught off
guard by her brown's eager forward process.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion grins as he notices that the black flag is
momentarily safe as the red one is being attacked.

<*> Maraseth wastes no breath on challenge, merely runs out at a fast
waddle heading straight for the white flag.

<*> Shayhou explains to her firend carefully. "there are three teams, and
they have to get the flags of the other teams and defend thier own. Get it?"

<*> On Leventh, Jerred watches all the moving dragons with slightly wide eyes.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana chuckles, and encourages Eleni,
"You're quite safe, dear, son't worry." She looks behind her, wary of where
the others are, as Faemirth heads towards the Black flag.

<*> Dirlanthir Nods, watching quietly and says, "Yes, I do.

<*> Astride Faemirth, Shannen * has to be a bit idlish. Nishi and Eleni
will be including Faemirth in their poses. Sorry.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion quickly grabs at a riding strap, the unexpected
burst of speed surprising him. As the vintner leans himself into the
momentum he scans the vicinity for their target, the 'white flag'.

<*> Kiryath continues hop-waddling forward, wings partly unfurled as a
warning for the other competitors to not get too close and as balance.
Wouldn't do to stumble and miss his chance for the red flag that grows
steadily closer.

<*> Lysseth moves swiftly enough, eager to get started and quite nearly
dislodging Kassi with the rapidity of her movement. "Hear goes nada!" Kassi
yells back to Jayna, as Lyss breaks into a draconic lope--or as close to a
lope as the dragon can come--towards the black flag as her teammate heads
for the red. "On guard, treacherous villain-types!" Yep. Kassi's lost it.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael ahems quickly, pointing over Deannus'
shoulder at Maraseth.

<*> From Romilly's shoulder, Ebony chirples in excitement for
biggiebrothers flying in the air. Although which ones, it's not sure.

<*> On Leventh, K'dar says "Ok.. looks like our first challenge comes from
the red team and the white team.."

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Faemirth heads quickly towards the black
flag, trying to keep ahead of the other dragons.

Jayna laughs, almost breathless with excitement. She clings to her riding
straps. "Go, Lysseth!" she shouts.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus yells, "Ignore th'flag Kiryath, they're movin'
in on ours!" The brown screeches to halt, his sudden braking manuvuer
sending up a spraay of dirt, and wheels around to pursure the attackers.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana uhohs. "Look!" She points to
Lysseth, Kassima, and Jayna. "Tey're heading for it too! Hurry!"

<*> Romilly covers her eyes at the dirt flying, and protects Ebony as well.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred readies himself.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael grabs ahold of Deannus before he breaks his
back and flings over the side of the dragon, laughing, "Stop on a mark,
does he?"

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Faemirth heads straight for Kiryath, her
eyes whirling as she closes in on the brown.

<*> Maraseth warbles merily as the Lysseth and Kiryath both run away from
the white flag, giving her plenty of maneuvering room. She barrels straight
on through, right past the slower brown.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion stares wide-eyed as the white-flag appears
momentarily unguarded. With a tentative 'bouncing' lean over Maraseth's
side Gabrion prepares to attempt a grab at the spoils...

<*> Leventh bugles defiance against the pair of dragons approaching him

Jayna waves one hand. "Wait, wait! Watch Maraseth!" she bellows.

<*> Kiryath bugles in sudden anger. Tha's /his/ flag. He ups the speed on
his bumpy lope, hopping into the air every few steps to get thpse few extra
meters needed to perhaps close the distance.

<*> V'beda giggles like mad from her perch. "Woo hoo! Look at them run!"

<*> Romilly laughs up at V'beda. "Is the view better up there?"

Kassima turns her head at Deannus's yelp. "Hey!" Her shout is one of
indignance. "They're trying t'steal the blasted thing! Lyss!" With a snort,
the green wheels about and dives for the unprotected piece of cloth.
'Mine!' her indignant bugle seems to say. Mine, mine, mine! Err, make that
ours! Ours, ours, ours!

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael leans sideways to get a squinting look at the
riders on Maraseth, the streamers from the side of the dragon making a
glourious snapping nopise in the wind.

<*> At this bone-jarring pace, Seaylin herself starts looking green. She
clenches her teeth and sort of keeps an eye on everyone else as Maraseth
swerves sideways, trying to help Gabrion's grab out.

<*> With a lunge forward Gabrion misses the white flag, almost! As Maraseth
swerves he can just make it, and grabs it!

Jayna bites her bottom lip as her head snaps back. She grabs her strap
again and peers at the encroaching Maraseth and the crafter on her back.
"No!" she shouts.

<*> On Leventh, K'dar laughs, looking at Lysseth break off her run at the
black flag. "One down!" He points to Faemirth. "One more!"

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Faemirth bugles as Lysseth dives for the
black flag. No, no, no..

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus is hit with a fit of laughter, unable to help
herself as dusty chaos reins in the bowl. She manages to choke out, "Leave
that flag alone!" before she has to concentrate on breathing past the
giggles. Kiryath, being the wise brown he is, ignores her, and trumpets
loudly. Not /his/ flag! It can't be lost!

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael shouts brokenly, somewhere between a laugh
ans threat. "They stole our flag!" he cries.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion looks rapidly between the approaching flag and the
closing dragon. With little time to worry about his position as he flails
his arms through the air and... encounters cloth! Grabbing at the bit of
fabric the vintner attempts to hold the scrap up in triumph, then realizes
his mistake.

<*> Skyreth rumbles to Romilly, shifting his foot to one side.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni closes her eyes, trying to steady her
stomach and her rapidly beating heart as the green dragon bounds about the
field. Slowly, she opens one eye, realizes she hasn't fallen off Faemirth
yet, smiles more surely, and leans forward to see what is happening in the
game.

<*> Dirlanthir:taps Shayhou's shoulder and asks, "What team are you for,
Shay?"

<*> V'beda says "He says climb up, if you'd like to see better. There's
plenty of room on his head and neck right here behind me."

<*> Maraseth charges around the boulder, if one can consider a bouncing
wobble gallop a charge and angles herself straight towards the red. She's
quite direct in her approach, at least one would think so.

Completely overcome, Jayna mutters something to Kassima and Lysseth about
jumping from her perch over to Maraseth's back to toss that crafter off and
retake the flag. Who cares if he's a Master Vintner! He's got the white flag!

<*> Shayhou looks at Dir likes shes mad and cries, "the white, *of course*!"

<*> Lysseth might be one of the fastest greens at Telgar, but that's in the
air, not on the ground. On the terra firma, she rather resembles a running
wherry. The streamers dangling from her sides don't do much to help the
effect, either. In an impressive shower of pebbles, the green skids right
past the interloper, with Kassi reaching out a hand to try and snag the
flag back. "Ours!" she yells. "Our flag! Ours!" She's been taking lessons
from her two-Turn-old in possessiveness, apparently.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana holds on tightly as Faemirth
speeds up, "Let's get the black, now, c'mon team! We can get it.." She
reaches down, ready to grab for it.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus wipes at her eyes, pulling herself together
and growling, "If we can get one of their streamers, we're good."

<*> On Leventh, Jerred steadies himself, tightening his straps in
preperation of defending his teams flag.

<*> Dirlanthir Laughs quietly and responds with a simple "Okay."

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni leans over the side with Nishiana,
urging Faemirth on silently as the green closes the distance between
herself and the black flag.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael nudges Deannus in the side, saying, "than
let's go get it, lady Dea! Our admirers are counting on us!"

<*> On Maraseth, Seaylin giggles wildly her voice shaking as Maraseth
continues huffing her way along. "Niiice catch Rio."

Jayna reaches out in parallel with Kassi. "Ours!" she yells. She makes a grab.

<*> On Leventh, K'dar says "Ready, Jerred - good!" He focuses on Leventh,
trying to make the minute shifts of position that may mean victory. "We can
do it""

<*> Kiryath charges for the evil green who enabled the humans to steal his
flag, determined to give his rider and passenger a chance to redeem
themselves.

Kassima shouts back over her shoulder to Jayna as Lyss yet again tries to
turn herself around and speed after the interlopers, "Focus on the
streamers! We shall avenge ourselves and regain the trophy of our
peop--hack!" Yeah, she just sucked in a lung full of her own dragon's dust,
but at least this doesn't stop Lyss from making a run for the borde--err,
flag.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion's eyes grow wide as he spots Maraseth's apparent
goal, "You're aiming for 'Another' flag?" The vintner's form whips and
bounces wildly atop Maraseth as he does his best to retain posession of the
white flag...

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael pats Kiryath's side, loosening his straps a
bit and leaning far off to the side, wrapping his foot around the straps
that allow, readying himself. Oh, a painter's lazy life...

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus somehow manages to direct her brown to angle
himself to one side of the green, opposite from Lysseth. "Get ready t'lean
over an' snatch it," she yells to Rashmael, without need.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Faemirth's speed has her almost to the
boulder holding the black flag, and she suddenly realizes, uhoh.. gotta
stop soon..

Jayna gestures wildly toward the vintner. "He's gonna drop it, Kassi! Go,
Lyss!" she yells

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana reaches down just as Faemirth runs
by the black flag, and makes a grab at it.

<*> Screeching gleefully, Kassi's eighteen fire-lizards swarm about the
combatants in a whirlwind of blue and green. Several of their small claws
make grabs at this flag thing their mistress wants so badly. Kassi, though,
is more interested in trying to snag one of those streamers. "Stay on
target! Stay on target!" she yells, making a grab for one of the fluttering
lengths of cloth.

<*> And Jayna has a flag in her hand now!

<*> Romilly clambers up to join V'beda, then fishes otu a piece of wherry
for the little brown general on her shoulder as he chirrups battle
instructions <supposedly> to the people.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael sticks his tongue out a bit, biting on it ans
squinting one eye as Lysseth looms ever nearer.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion grabs at the tight leather strap in fron of him as
the white flag frees itself from his grasp. Fortunately Maraseth's speed
causes the bit of fabric to plaster itself against the vintner's chest
until he recovers his grasp.

Jayna waves the flag triumphantly! "Yeah, I got it!" she pumps her arm and
grins broadly, nearly unseating herself in her enthusiasm.

<*> A hand brushes by the black flag, but Nishiana just misses the grab.

<*> Kiryath tries to stay steady as his rider whoops wildly on seeing one
streamer captured, putting on one lumbering burst of speed in an attempt to
come up beside Maraseth. Dea leans waaaaay over, fingers straining for the
streamer that she so desperately wants to snag. "You've got longer reach,
stretch fer it, Rashmael!"

<*> On Leventh, K'dar winces, eyes going distant to consult - through his
lifemate - with Maraseth

Jayna wraps the white flag around her hand. "Now let's get another one!"
she calls.

<*> Maraseth swerves around, her tail whipping up a big bunch of dust as
she reconsiders the rash action of charging Ularrith. Instead, she makes
straight for Kiryath. Never question a green why she's doing what she's
doing. She stops right in front of him and flicks her tail flirtatiously.
Atop her, Seaylin graons and thumps Maraseth on the hide. "Move."

<*> On Leventh, Jerred leans and reaches for the one of the streamers on
Lysseth's body as the dragon goes by the blag.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana arghs, "Shards!" as her hand just
misses the flag. "I missed it!" She looks around hurriedly, to see where
the others are, and finds most of them over by the White flag. "Let's try
again, Shannen!" she calls to the dragonrider.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion bounces atop Maraseth's back, shouting out a
warning to Seaylin as other Riders draw dangerously close, "It's the
streamers they're after now...

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni yells in frustration as Faemirth
barrels past the black flag without a catch. "Okay, Nishiana, next time!"
She regains her balance on the green's back and positions herslef for
another try.

<*> Lysseth spins off as the flag comes into Jayna's hands, Kassi giving an
impressive yodel of triumph. "Ours, ours, ours, ours, ours!" she sings.
"Hold onto it with your life, Jayna! We're going after the red!" Lysseth's
eyes gleam like those of a speeding runner--which is to say, with
dementia--as she goes all-out in her wherry-run. It will be hers. Oh,
yes... it *will* be hers.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael throws it all to the wind and snatches,
twining hsis fingers around the nearest flapping bit of streamer and pulling.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred's fingers brush the streamer on Lysseth, but his
hand is unable to grasp it fully as the the dragon whirls about. "Shards..."

<*> Shayhou puts her fingers to her lips and whistles louder. "Goooooooo
Rash!"

<*> Romilly looks at V'beda. "Let me guess, It's ok to use Firelizards on
this, right?

<*> Kiryath is the picture of complete surprise as he's confronted by the
green. "Kiryath, stop FLIRTIN' an' MOVE!" Dea yells as he screeches to a
halt, unsure of how to handle this.

Jayna thinks about it for a scant second. "For Kharisma!" she yells,
holding her fist with the tightly wrapped flag around it in the air for a
heartbeat.

<*> On Leventh, K'dar winces. "It's not over yet, Jerred -they're coming
back again."

<*> On Maraseth, A puzzled look of bewilderment washes across Gabrion's
face as Maraseth suddenly halts, then begins to leap forward at a run once
again.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Faemirth quickly turns around, readying for
another try at the black flag, when Shannen's voice gets through to her.
What? Red flag in *danger*? She wheels around, and barrels towards Lysseth.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred says "Why don't we go after /them/ since they've
already got our flag? Not like we've got to defend ours now."

<*> Maraseth warbles enticingly and turns again, almost throwing her rider
off her back as she waddletrots off after Lysseth now and that nice bright
red flag.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael urks, nearly thrown as Kiryath's snaps to a
halt, the streamer snapping out of reach again.

<*> Kiryath recovers himself after recieving a stern thump from Deannus and
charges forwrad again. Sneaky sneaky green thought she could distract him
huh? Well, we'll just see about that.

Kassima yelps and beats off the hands reaching for Lysseth's streamers,
which are turning a light shade of tan from all the dust. "You shall never
take us alive!" she howls, before turning to face forward with her
galloping dragon. "For the honor of Kharisma, Kaylira, Slithereth,
Emasculators, and greenriders everywhere! Chaaaaaaaaarge! Ulp!" She's
nearly yanked from place as Lyss swivels about to avoid the other two
greens. Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah, catch me if you can!

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus winces, mumbling, "I'm gonna have bruises from
th'straps after this..."

<*> Romilly makes her self comfy and watches the competition.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael laughs from his place barely astride Kiryath
and shouts, "Oh, you're worried about *your* bruises?!"

<*> Leventh is a picture of vigilance. All looks quiet around his flag for
the moment, but seldom is

Jayna quickly pulls her hands in and leans back a bit. Never take us alive?
That certainly wasn't in the contract!

<*> On Leventh, Jerred makes sure his straps are tight again, as he doesn't
want to be falling off, and readies himself for the next assult.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana leans forward, whispering
something to Eleni before tightening her grip on the straps. "Let's go,
Red!" Faemirth heads towards Lysseth, and Nishiana reaches out to grab a
streamer.

<*> Kiryath suddenly does a sharp, rough turn and surges for the black flag
boulder at some silent command from his rider. Time enough to play with the
greens later. Dea loosens the straps, readying herself to lean over and
make a snatch as soon as that scrap of cloth is within range...

<*> V'beda tries to see the colors of the flags between the, uh,
stampeeding dragons. "Are both red flags still out there?"

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion does his best to balance himself atop Maraseth and
still prepare to grab at any fluttering streamers as Seaylin closes on
Lysseth.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni grabs onto the straps again as
Faemirth bounds over to Lysseth, reaching her arm out as far as she can as
they near the other dragon.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred readies himself as well as Kiryath makes a lunge,
his hands going out for the streamers along the dragon's body.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus oofs as she's tossed around. "Sorry, shoulda
warned ya," she calls over her shoulder with a wry grin to Rasmael.

<*> Romilly hrrms and PEERS through the dust. "I can't really see.

Jayna decides Kassi probably wasn't serious about the death part and shifts
her weight, hopefully giving Lyss a little extra momentum in the right
direction. "Make way for Lysseth!" she shouts vigorously.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael waves his arms frantically for balance as he
is swung around, pulling himself hand over hand back intoa safer seat.
"shard it, lady Dea, which flag are we going for?" Sighting someone as they
race by, he waves, "Oh, hello girls!" He greets Shayhou in a passing cloud
of dust.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni lunges as Faemirth passes Lysseth,
one arm flailing as the other reaches for the fluttering streamer.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Nishiana has disconnected.

<*> Romilly says "Too many dragons milling about. I don't think we would
actually be able to tell.. can you?""

<*> Maraseth decides chasing greens isn't all that interesting but Ularrith
certainly is. With the vagaries of her kind, she veers away, trying to
sneak up on the brown from behind. Nevermind all that claw scrabbling going
on and the noise and dust she's kicking up in her approach. She knows he's
pretty slow. He hasn't caught her yet.

<*> Instead of grabbing the streamer, Jerred misses and Leventh bumps into
Kiryath instead.

<*> Shayhou shouts and waves back, "Bye Rash!"

"Ly-y-y-y-y-sseth!" Kassi groans as she's jostled about by her lifemate's
less than even gait. "Dive! Dive!" Lysseth gives her rider a backwards
*look* that says, 'You've got to be kidding me'... a look that, in fact,
proves her undoing. Her veer to avoid the boulder goes out of control as
Kassi leans over to try and snag the flag, even as Eleni's fingers hook
onto one of her streamers. "Aiyee! Jayna! The streamer!"

<*> On Leventh, Jerred says "OOF!"

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus shoots a fierce Look at Jerred as she spots
his attempt, unable to keep it up for long though as Kiryath throws himself
to one side, wings snapping out to keep himself balanced as he's bumped.
"Hey! Watch yer clumsy self," Deannus yells, furious.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni cheers in victory and winds the
streamer around her hand. "Got it!" she yells as Faemirth bugles to the
other dragons.

<*> Hadrina strides quickly through the area, looking for a particular
woodcrafter.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred steadies himself, making another attempt at the
streamer while Kiryath is still in range.

Jayna tries to slap Eleni's finger's aside, but she can't. . .quite. . .
manage! "Oh, shards!" she yells.

<*> Romilly stands up on V'beda's dragon's shoulder and Squints into the
milling dragons.

<*> On Leventh, K'dar winces, getting Leventh back into position. "This is
/not/ beat the enemy into submission, Lev"

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael kicks at Jerrod's hands, "Shoo! Shoo! Flee!
That's ours!"

<*> On Maraseth, Flailing his arms to remain atop the rapidly moving perch,
Gabrion clutches the white flag to his chest as Maraseth opts to change
course and take on Ularrith.

<*> Kiryath bugles, bouncing forward in an attempt to avoid both
streamer-snatching and to get closer to that black flag.

<*> On Maraseth, Seaylin about decides the best she can do is hang on. She
peers around from a dirt streaked face, trying to find out just exactlyy
where everyone is. Over her shoulder, Seay calls out. "Are we intact Gabrion?"

<*> On Leventh, Jerred whips his hand back out of range, again just missing
the streamer because of not being able to get a full grip.

<*> Lysseth gives a roar of dismay as her streamer is snagged, still
running to try and keep the other one safe. Kassi makes another grab for
the red flag as they pass by. "Reach for it!" she shouts back to Jayna as
the window of opportunity starts to close. They have to pass the flag, the
rules say--but they don't say anything about snagging another along the way!

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion's arm dances about wildly as he simply holds a
fluttering scrap of dirty white fabric out for Seaylin to see. "I can't
even tell whether both streamers are still attached at this speed...

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus does her best to ignore Kiryath's rough and
ready manuvuers as she leans over, fingers darting out for the flag.
"Gimme! No dirty playing bumpin' fools're gonna make /me/ lose this game,"
she cries.

Jayna points. "Just a little closer. . . closer. . . ." Her voice rises as
she makes a lunge for the red flag.

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni looks around the Bowl to see which
dragons and colors remain, and to make sure the red flag is still
protected. "Shards!" she yells as she sees Kassi reaching for the red
streamer.

<*> Dirlanthir Gasps ap Shayhou= Oh, I see.

<*> On Leventh, K'dar keeps Leventh tightly under control, determined to
defend /and/ keep balance this time

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael grabs ahold of Deannus' hand so she can lean
out and catch the black while he gaurds thier streamer rom some rough and
tumble sneakers behind.

<*> V'beda scribbes on the scrap of hide. "Ok, I see Kassi grabbing one red
flag, looks like the other one is still there, " and she points to the
other boulder.

<*> The red flag slides into Kassima's hand!

<*> On Leventh, Jerred Makes yet a third attempt for the streamer at the
side of Kiryath, his face a mask of concentration. This time getting a hold
of it and yanking, hoping he can keep a hold of it.

<*> Dirlanthir Wipes the spit from her hair. saying, "That was really gross."

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus probably needs to be grabbed as she's
practically hanging on the side on the side of the brown's neck and he's
decided the best way to keep from losing the streamer is to move /towards/
Leventh. Bump.

<*> Romilly nods. and looks around. "How're the other's doing?"

<*> Leventh warbles persecutedly as K'dar doesn't let him bump back. "Just
keep us between them and the flag, Lev!"

<*> Maraseth about runs into Lysseth, and her rider's face goes totally
white as she sees an imminent collision. Somehow, Maraseth manages to just
trundle on past close enough for Seay to wave shakily at the other
greenrider and passenger.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael shouts, "Hey hey hey! Is that yours? No!" He
reaches over to try to catch ahold of Lysseth's streamers.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred rocks as the dragons collide again, still holding
onto the streamer, but now more loosely. The only reason he's still on the
brown is because of his straps.

<*> V'beda squints. "Jays, the dust they're kicking up is amazing. I think
they got those flags but only one streamer was grabbed...which dragon
doesn't have two?"

Kassima howls with glee and waves the red flag above her head for a moment,
before wisening up and holding it protectively close to her person.
Signalling Lyss to turn, she starts to zoom off in the direction of Kiryath
and Deannus. "They got us!" she yells to her teammate. "We've got to pass
the white over t'you!" She just *peers* as one of her own teammates tries
to take her streamer. What the...?

Jayna ohs at the near collision. "That was close!" she says loudly, over
the rumble and stomping of the dragons and the shouts of the riders and the
crowd.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion spots a scrap of red fabric standing alone atop a
boulder and attempts to point in the desired direction. As his arm jumps
through the air the gesture is certainly lost and he grabs once again at a
strap.

<*> From Romilly's shoulder, Ebony gives a satisfied BUURP and snuggles
close for a nap.

<*> V'beda smacks her forehead. "Oh my, now the teams are going after each
other."

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus eeeks, swatting at Rashmael's hands. "No no no
no! Not her! Get him!" She points wildly at Leventh and Jerred, scrambling
to keep a hold to Kiryath's straps as the brown seems intent on bowling the
other brown over.

<*> Shayhou shouts at Rashmael, realising what he's doing, "what's WRONG
with you Red?! Colorblind?!"

<*> On Leventh, Jerred reestablishes his grip on the streamer and yanks for
all he's worth.

<*> Romilly smiles and takes her bown and sticks him in her tunic. "Best
call a halt before things get Ugly, don't ya think?

Jayna's head turns this way and that. She's clutching the white flag. "Do
we need to hand it off, Kassi?" she hollers.

Kassima nods to Jayna, rather harriedly. "Wait until our path's clear," she
calls back, as Lyss runs after Kiryath for all she's worth. And hey, what
luck... the black flag's in that direction too, isn't it? What a nice
coincidence!

<*> Maraseth gives up on that bright red flag, although she really was
going to try to get close enough so her rider could get a snatch at it. How
can it be her fault that Ularrith's distracting? Seeing clear space, she
runs into the bowl straight towards Leventh.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael realises what he's doing and *looks* at the
flag. Eeeking in the exact same pitch as Deannus had, he drops what he's
pulling at cries, "I can't help it! My brains were rattled out turns ago!"

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni looks and sees that the one of the
red flags is still left on the boulder. She leans forward to Shannen and
murmurs something, pointing with one hand while the other holds fast to the
straps.

Jayna laughs. "Look at that flag, Lysseth! Go, go, go!!"

<*> Romilly grins.

<*> Astride Kiryath, The streamer comes off at Jarred's insistant tugging.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred cries "YES!!!" as the streamer comes loose, again
the straps keeping him from falling off the dragon. Now looks intent on
defending his own dragon's streamers.

<*> On Maraseth, As Gabrion glances at the proceedings from atop Maraseth
it's impossible to mistake the fact that Lysseth is barreling directly
toward a black flag. Waving the white flag he holds as a distraction
Gabrion nudges Seaylin as Lysseth draws closer to the prize.

<*> On Maraseth, Seaylin tries clutching at her head to keep it from
bouncing off. Still trouncing along, Seaylin calls over to Gabrion
plaintively, "Make it stop moving. I wanna get off."

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael laughs in Deannus' ear, saying, "Shard it, I
can't even see in this dust! How do you do it?"

<*> Leventh can't keep two away, and the black flag is lost to the
persistent foe. Kiryath now has the black flag

<*> V'beda covers her mouth to stop the giggles as she leans foward. "But
it so funny seeing them go crazy just to get a little colored scrap of
fabric!"

<*> Kiryath trumpets, anger quickly turning to triumph as his rider has the
chance to lean from her already precarious position and snatch at the black
flag. You win some, you lose some.

Jayna's head snaps back and forth, looking this way and that. She lifts a
hand to wiper her eyes. Is the white flag coming loose?

<*> Lysseth no longer cares that she looks like a caffeinated wherry with a
thorn in its foot when she runs. Her objective--that pretty black flag, not
to mention that brown dragon her rider is trying to pass the white flag off
to. Hi-ho, Lysseth! Away! "I'll give you all the wherry heads you can eat
if you can get that flag, Lyss!" the greenrider yells encouragingly. But
when Kiryath grabs it instead, she doesn't seem at all disappointed. The
same can't be said for Lysseth, who had gotten her hopes up about the
wherry heads. "All *right*!" she hollers. "Go, white!"

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion blinks in amazement, "Aren't you steering?" With a
renewed groan the vintner renews his grasp upon the white flag and begins
to lean out toward Lysseth anf the approaching Riders

<*> Maraseth trundlebounces along, fetching up besides Lysseth again. She
warbles politely in an excuse me, mind if my rider makes a snatch at that
lovely streamer dangling from your strap kind of way?

<*> On Leventh, Jerred now looks over at the other dragon approaching,
getting ready to go for the streamers on that great beast as well.

As Jayna lifts her hands, her grip on the white flag slips. . .

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus passes the black flag back to Rashmael and
whoops in delight as Kiryath darts, as quickly as a large brown can, for
Lysseth, hands stretching out for that white flag.

<*> Astride Faemirth, With the quiet determination that's kept her silent
and clinging so far, Shannen sweeps her eyes around the bowl, looking for
anything but red flags and streamers. Then again, maybe she was better off
letting Faemirth pick her directions after all. The green is, undoubtedly,
much better at games than her Rider.

<*> Lysseth *does* mind, thankyouverymuch, but there's really not much she
can do about it. She's fast, but she's not exactly one of the true acrobats
of dragondom. "Jayna!" Kassi yelps, seeing their flag flutter. "The flag!
Watch the flag!"

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael catches the flag he's tossed and wraps the
black around his head as well, tying it over the white.

Jayna suddenly feels the flag slip silkily from her grasp. "Oh, no! No!"
She fumbles to try go reestablish her grip.

<*> On Maraseth, As Lysseth approaches, Gabrion spots a stray flag whipping
through the wind and makes a windmill grab for it.

<*> Shayhou sticks her tongue out at Rashmael and Deannus, saying, "You
guys are on your own! Track us down when you win!"

<*> Shayhou strides through the archway, into the lower caverns.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus yells at Gabrion in hopes that she might
distract him, making a grab for the selfsame flag as Kiryath keeps up his
lumbering progress.

<*> Faemirth is much better at games indeed! With a delighted little croon,
she veers off toward the black flag, doing her best to side-step and dance
around the dragons between herself and it. Bounce, hop, croon, bounce...

Kassima tries desperately to lunge for the flying flag, but in her need to
protect her own precious red trophy, fails pretty much miserably. "Our
flag! Ours!" she wails again. "Give me that flag back!" Yep. She's
definitely been studying the littles, to be able to imitate them so
effectively.

<*> Romilly hrrrms and looks at the stampede of flying dragons, then
taptaps V'beda on the shoulder. "Perhaps it would be best to call a halt
and take a count?

<*> On Leventh, K'dar laughs softly as he sees how this situation has
turned out. Calling out his best guard-captain-in-command kind of voice, he
calls. "Hold it! We've spend an hour at this and we're even - time for some
well deserved celebration!"

<*> Dirlanthir wanders through the archway, into the lower caverns.

<*> Maraseth just keeps on her straight track as her rider watches the two
passengers struggle over the flag. "Wonder if it'll split?" At K'dar's
yell, Seaylin blinks in relief and signals Maraseth to stop stop stop.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael is humming his very own 'danger music' tune,
borrowed from some harper, leaning sideways and trying to catcha view
through the dust.

<*> On Leventh, Jerred smiles at the word 'celebration', looking forward to
some good wine. Wraps the streamer he got off Kiryath around his arm and
wrist as a trophy.

Jayna nearly punches Lysseth, but quickly redirects her fist and punches
her own thigh. "Shards, Kassi, Lyss. . . I'm sorry!"

<*> V'beda hears K'dar's suggestion as she stands, so she sticks two
fingers in her mouth and *whistles* to get everyone's attention. "K'dar's
right, I think y'all are gonna call it a draw!"

<*> From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni keeps her hold on the streamer she
snagged before, not wanting to lose it before dismounting.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Deannus thumps a fist against one thigh as she hears
the call for halt, quickly grabbing for support as the brown starts the
braking process. Big brown, much speed, equals long furrows cut into the
bowl floor.

<*> Maraseth slows down to a heavy-breathing walk, settling near Leventh
and warbling softly to him. Her tail curls around her legs and she looks
very satisfied with herself.

<*> On Maraseth, Gabrion's arms flail forward in a final, vain attempt to
capture the passing flag as they only succedd in kicking it through the air
and into Seaylin's face. With a rapid turn the vintner blinks and looks
toward the direction of the voice which carries over the combined noise of
dragon and rider.

<*> Astride Faemirth, Shannen draws a deep breath as she sends the silent
command to Faemirth to draw to a stop. "Good thing you had hold o'that,"
she notes over her shoulder to Eleni as her green's path comes to an abrupt
halt, sending Rider and passenger leaning forward a bit. Good brakes, this
green has.

<*> On Leventh, K'dar stretches, unfastening the straps and dismounting
after unfastening Jerred's

<*> K'dar jumps down Leventh's side to the ground, as the dragon rumbles
softly.

<*> Jerred vaults down Leventh's side to the ground, using his straps as
handholds.

<*> Astride Kiryath, Rashmael laughs as they spin to a skidding halt across
the stone bowl floor. "Well that was sudden!"

<*> Lysseth hasn't even noticed her rider's shout. In all the fuss, she's
managed to run nearly right into the Bowl wall, and only one of her
bone-jarring turns keeps her from becoming a chartreuse dragon pancake.
That does, however, send up a heck of a lot of dust; were she a car, her
tires would be screeching horribly. "Auuuuuugh!" Kassi yells as Lyss does a
one-eighty, then descends into a coughing fit. "Draw sounds good," she
manages through her hacks. Anything to not have to repeat *that* again. See
what happens when greens chase greens? Unnatural occurances, ayep.

<*> Jerred dismounts from the dragon, the white streamer still wrapped
around his arm. Grins at K'dar. "Well... THAT was a lot of fun..."

<*> On Maraseth, Seaylin blinks at the cessation of movement and her sudden
blindness. She gets the flag off her face and hands the ratty trophy to
Gabrion. "Your prize." Seay winks and with a will, sets to getting the
straps off her passenger and herself. Don't know about you sir but I think
I need a drink."

<*> Seaylin climbs down Maraseth's side to the ground, the dragon's
sparkling eyes watching closely.

<*> Romilly looks at V'beda. "Ummm, I'm Romilly."

<*> Gabrion vaults down Maraseth's side to the ground, using her foreleg as
a step.

Jayna's bones are appropriately jarred as Lysseth makes her turn. She
coughs and rubs the back of her neck. Ouch.

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.

K'dar stretches. "Well, the prize was to be a few skins of Benden white.. I
think, given our recent draw, we can manage to share those out equitably?"

Astride Kiryath, Deannus clears her throat in an attempt to get rid of some
of the dust she's managed to breathe in. "Really gotta work on that stop,
sillylove," she chuckles, voice roughened. "Don't think they'll appreciate
th'grooves y'left."

Jayna climbs down from Lysseth's neckridges with the help of her riding
straps, looking grateful to be back on the ground. Lysseth eyes Jayna for a
moment, rumbling quietly, before turning her attention elsewhere.

Astride Faemirth, Shannen spins about at the waist to summon quite a pretty
smile for Eleni--seldom employed and entirely unpracticed--as she catches
up the young woman's straps. "If y'need a ride back t'Keroon, lemme know,"
is offered as the straps come loose with a quiet click.

Jerred smiles again. "Sound good to me..."

Gabrion lands with a 'thud' as he experiences an odd hitch in his gait
while taking the first few steps toward the Caverns, "Perhaps a soak before
that drink..."

Astride Kiryath, Rashmael nods to Deannus, brows raised. "Well, I have to
say, it's very lucky that they called a draw. They might have taken a quite
a hard bating otherwise..."

Jayna grins at Lysseth and rubs her side. "Thank you, Lysseth. That was
wonderful." Her eyes are shining. Then she remembers that she lost the
white flag. "Sorry we didn't win, though," she apologizes.

Kassima slides down from her perch atop her dragon, coughing and waving
dust out of the air with the red flag she still carries. "Aiyaiyai. A
draw... but," she brightens, holding up the flag, "we still beat Mart!
Kind-of sort-of, anyway." It always pays to keep sight of what's important
in life.

Astride Kiryath, Deannus doesn't need to even unbuckle the straps hoding
her in place as...she'd pretty much already done that when attempting the
grab for the black flag. "I know. Good thing, huh?" she chuckles, starting
to slide down the brown's neck.

From Faemirth's neckridges, Eleni smiles at Shannen, pleased to receive
this attention from the greenrider. She murmurs a quiet thank you as she
slides down Faemirth's side onto the Bowl floor, then waves the streamer
over her head in a show of victory.

Deannus grabs a strap and swings down from Kiryath's neckridges. Using the
extended foreleg as a prop to bounce off of, she lands in a neat crouch a
few feet away, and turns to flash a grin at the brown. He, of course, is
used to this and only heaves a resigned sigh.

Deannus turns to offer Rashmael a hand dismounting.

Seaylin blinks and nods as she removes the harness from Maraseth. "That's
about what Maraseth said. You know where the Water Caverns are sir I'm
sure." After she finishes releasing the green from the plethora of material
on her, Seaylin gives a grinning salute to all the other players. "Was fun.
We'll have to try it again sometime."

Eleni slips down to Faemirth's foreleg, taking a moment to gain composure
before hopping to the ground.

Rashmael clings to Kiryath's riding straps and slides down a thoughtfully
extended leg, landing on the ground beside the brown.

Shannen slides neatly down to Faemirth's foreleg, then hops to the ground,
pausing to give her dragon an affectionate smile and scritch an eyeridge.

Gabrion laughs and waves to Maraseth and Seaylin before grinning at the
other participants and waeving toward the Caverns

Gabrion wanders into the tunnel to the living cavern.

Rashmael catches Deannus' hand as he hops down. that done, his face changes
into a grimace. "Ow. I believe you just took five years from my life, lady
dea!"

Telgar Weyr> Mehlani peers. Everybody at the Reaches? :)

High in the bowl, Kyoteth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

On the Star Stones, Teranth warbles a greeting to Bronze Kyoteth of Telgar
Weyr.

Telgar Weyr> A'lex pokes 'Lani in the eye... yup!

Deannus regards Kiryath thoughtfully, the normally richly shaded brown now
a pleasant grey-yellow color. "Y'need a bath," she says absently before
grinning at Rashmael. "No better way of takin' em though, huh?"

Telgar Weyr> Mehlani ouches.

Jerred walks over to Deannus, unwrapping the streamer from his arm. Smiles
as he holds it out. "I think this belongs to you."

Lysseth just shakes herself, dust flying up from her hide as she flips her
wings and lashes her tail. "She says 'tis all right, Jayna, but that she's
glad we're nay going home tonight. She's as tired as if'n she'd just flown
a full drill!" The greenrider grins and hugs her dragon's neck tightly.
"Y'did good, lady-love. Sharding good. We'll flay 'em soles t'sternum next
time."

"How nice o'you, Lady Dea," Shannen chimes as she starts removing extenders
from Faemirth's straps, shooting a glance over her shoulder at the others
before sends another smile Eleni's way. "Thanks for bein'a good teammate."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima grins at 'Lani. Dragon-tag is just wrapping up. :)

Telgar Weyr> Mehlani nods wisely, and will just have Mehlani hang out
quietly in the runner pasture, boggling. ;) Have fun, y'all. :)

K'dar removes Leventh's straps carefully. He laughs softly. "I suspect he'd
have been in the lake with them on in a moment"

Rashmael looks down at himself and claps a hand on his chest, raising a
cloud of dust. With a cough, he says, "I think we all need a bath. Does
High Reaches have a lake I could fall into?"

Deannus laughs, turning and half-bowing to Jerred. "Many thanks, sir," she
says, smiling slightly. She gestures to the black flag tied around her
teammate's head. "I believe tha's yers as well..."

Eleni's face is flushed and red from the activity, her eyes bright with the
thrill of riding Faemirth. She smiles at Shannen again, "Thanks for having
me," she replies.

Jerred chuckles. "Probably..." hands the streamer to Deannus. "It was a lot
of fun."

Seaylin thumps Maraseth and smiles a little. "Go soak will ya?"

Kassima ties the red flag around her forehead like a giant headband, with a
flourish. "Did someone mention Benden white?" she asks hopefully. "I'm
still trying t'keep off of the drinks, but mayhaps just one glass wouldn't
hurt...."

Romilly slides down the side of V'beda's dragon and stands next Skylarths
side. "Thank you for allowing me the honor of sitting up there with you."

K'dar nods. "In the Cavern, aye"

Jayna laughs at Kassi's comment. She sighs and looks up at the sky, shading
her eyes, to take stock of the time. She sighs. "I promised B'nun I'd meet
him for a ride back to the weyr. I wish I could stay, but maybe I can bribe
him to bring me back later on."

Rashmael hhmmms as he unknots the black from himself. He offers it to
Jerred, grinning. "It was fun."

V'beda jumps off Skyreth's head back down to the ground.

Jerred takes the flag from Rashmael, still grinning as well. Extends a hand
in greating to his opponent. "Jerred."

Jayna glances around at all the dragon-tag participants. "Thank you all. .
.that was incredible!"

Maraseth wanders towards the eastern side of the bowl.

Leventh lumbers towards the eastern side of the bowl.

Romilly looks at Jayna. "It was impressive from the ground too.

Deannus nods, draping the streamer over one shoulder and offering her hand
to Jerred as well. "It was, an' I apologize fer callin' you an' yer
lifemate dirty playin', bumpin' fools," she says, smile fading into a grin.
"Heat of th'moment, y'know."

High in the bowl, Avroth dives in the bowl, towards the western wall.

Rashmael shakes the offered hand, raising a little swirl of dust.
"Rashmael. Well met."

Blue hued gaze sweeps one last time over the bowl and the dragons therein,
committing this amusing little scene to memory before Shannen summons a
half-grin for Eleni. "Faemirth tells me she's glad you were around t'catch
flags for her. She tells me that you're good at games an'she'd like t'play
'em with you more often."

In the sky directly above, Avroth glides to a swift landing on the ground.

Kassima nods thoughtfully, though her eyes are now on her dust-covered
dragon. "Mayhaps after Lyss gets a soaking and I pick Khari and Kay up from
'Maeva, then... oh, clear skies then, Jayna! Thankee for riding with us.
You served the team well." She snaps the younger girl a salute.

K'dar laughs, and bows to Deannus. "Quite forgotten, don't worry. That lout
forgot as soon as Maraseth looked at him"

Dragon> Kyoteth bespoke Lysseth with << Did you enjoy the games? We have
just come from Fort, with some one. >>

T'dry swings gracefully from Avroth's neck, using a thoughtfully extended
forleg, he slides to the ground. His eyes are distant as he speaks silently
to his dragon before giving him an affectionate rub on the nose.

High in the bowl, Kyoteth flies lower in the bowl, towards the western wall.

In the sky directly above, Kyoteth wings down and lands lightly on the ground.

Jayna awkwardly returns the salute. Her first, obviously. She tries to do
it credit. She breaks into a grin. "Thanks again, Kassi. And you, too,
Lysseth," she calls.

From atop Kyoteth, D'ton gives Ariy a hand down.

Lysseth> Kyoteth senses that Lysseth rumbles wearily, << Oh, they were...
interesting. Rather tiring, though. And dusty. I feel like I have been
kicked across a river. >>

Eleni looks up at Faemirth amazed and a bit awed. "I," she stammers. She
looks down, then smiles up at Shannen. "Thank you, Faemirth. I never
thought a dragon would notice me." She smiles at Faemirth, patting her
lightly on the foreleg. "And I'd love to play with you too," she says softly.

T'dry tugs off his helmet and gloves, heading over to Deannus and Shannen.

Jerred turns and hands the black flag to K'dar. "Here you are."

Deannus laughs. "Yeah. She managed t'distract Kiryath too," she grumbles
goodnaturedly before looking over at the arriving bronzes, recognziing one.
"T'dry! Over here!" She bounces up on her toes and waves, causing dust to
poof up from her clothes, her hair...she's well coated. "Hey Rashmael, we
make a good team, huh?" she adds in a quieter tone, grinning.

Seaylin meanders over to K'dar and Deannus, smiling faintly. "Sorry about
Maraseth ma'am. She was too busy looking to pay any attention to the
trivial things like flags and such."

D'ton slides down off Kyoteth's back.

Dragon> Kyoteth bespoke Lysseth with << I have been sunbathing all day.
Except for the trip to Fort. >>

Faemirth croons prettily as she receives that pat, whuffling the girl
gently as she brings her eyeridge down to a conveniently scritchable level.
Come on...you know you want to...

Ariy slides down off Kyoteth's back.

Romilly looks over. "Ariy!!!" she yells.

Romilly waves.

Romilly looks at Seaylin. "Well done."

Ariy sees Rom and laughs, waving back!

Jayna walks through the archway, into the lower caverns.

K'dar accepts the flag back. "Thanks" He glances down at his dusty
clothing. "How to explain this to Tiya.."

Rashmael links dusty arms with Deannus, sensing the joke. "that we did,
lady Dea."

Shannen chuckles quietly at her dragon's plea whuffled plea for scritching,
shaking her head softly as she gives Faemirth an audible, affectionate
thump. "Don't blow th'girl away," is added before she looks off toward the
cluster of Fort Riders. A lot of people between herself and them...

Seaylin sees everyone's busy and makes her way out, with a grin at Romilly.
"Thanks. Next time, you should try it as a passenger."

D'ton waves to Kassima. "Kassi!" he calls, "So who won?"

Eleni laughs and smiles adoringly at Faemirth, reaching a hand up to
scratch the offered ridge.

Skylyn goes over from the eastern side of the bowl.

Romilly chuckles, then looks down at the brown tucked inside her tunic. "I
would have, but I've got a new friend that would have probably had
Hysterics had I done that.

V'beda vaults up onto Skyreth's back, the dragon's sparkling eyes watching
closely.

In the sky directly above, Skyreth rises effortlessly into the sky from the
ground below.

T'dry heads over to Deannus. "What's going on? Avroth couldn't make any
sense out of what Kiryath and Faemirth were telling him. SOmething about
pulling hide off of dragons?'

Kassima brushes an end of the red flag back out of her eyes, waving a
greeting to D'ton and the Fortian before she heads over to where Deannus
and Rashmael are. "Just thought I'd thank you," she grins, "for being such
sharding fine teammates. Next Turn, I daresay we'll have all the flags
a'fore they even know we're there." Turning to the side, she yells over to
the bronzerider, "Heya, D'ton! 'Twas a draw!"

Seaylin ahhs and looks down to peer at the firelizard. "When did you
impress him Romy?"

Ariy puts her hand to her mouth, amazed. She rushes over to romilly,
looking at the FL. "You didn't!"

Deannus laughs merrily. "Too bad they called stop so soon. We were this
close t'whuppin' th'other teams," she mourns, grinning up at her
dustcovered teammate. "Hey Tan, meet Rashmael, he helped us almost win
th'game. Rashmael, this is T'dry, rider of bronze Avroth." There. Formal
intros done.

Skylyn strolls towards the eastern side of the bowl.

Romilly smiles. "Hrmmm, 4 days ago."

Faemirth is loving every minute of this. Perhaps she should move to Keroon
where all the people would be so adoring and willing to scritch her on a
regular basis...A gently musical croon continues in her throat, part
greeting to Avroth, but mostly just delight at Eleni's attention.

Ariy says "Wow!"

T'dry extends a palm to Rashmael. "Well met, sir."

Ariy admires Rom's Fire lizard. "May I touch him?"

Romilly looks at Ariy. "The Pots, Ariy.. the owner brought me a gift from a
friend from the ship that brought me North."

Deannus turns to Kassima and grins widely, offering her hand. "I guess they
just wanted t'make sure we didn't beat th'others too badly, callin' halt
when they did. Total humiliation's hard t'deal with."

Rashmael gives T'dry his half-grin, and takes the offered hand firmly. "And
you. It's a shame you missed the game."

D'ton grins to Kassima, then looks over to see who Ariy is talking to.

Ariy stares at Rom, mouth open. "I don't believe..."

Shannen draws a deep breath and ducks her head, cutting a quick path toward
the looming forms of Avroth and Kiryath and their much less obvious
lifemates, sending a glance over her shoulder to reassure that Eleni isn't
going to be completely lost.

Romilly smiles at Ariy.

Seaylin nods in understanding. "It looks as if he's well-cared for." She
leaves the two to their conversation, meandering off through the crowd.

Ariy waves for D'ton to come over.

Seaylin meanders into the tunnel to the living cavern.

T'dry nods to Rashmael, then returns his gaze to Deannus. "First a
greenflight then some kind of dragon game?"

Eleni continues to scritch Faemirth, looking around the Bowl to see the
others there. She watches Shannen walk away and smiles at her, reassuring
her that she will be fine.

K'dar smiles, saying, "You were all great - thanks for playing. I've got to
change - see you all later"

K'dar meanders through the archway, into the lower caverns.

D'ton makes his way over to Ariy and nods to Romilly politely.

Lysseth> Kyoteth senses that Lysseth simply yawns at the mention of
sunbathing. << I had nothing to do but lounge about in the sun--when there
*was* sun--for many months. To me, this is much preferrable. >>

Romilly nods to D'ton.

Kiryath shakes his head quickly, snorting to clear his muzzle of the
clinging dust and only managing to send himself into a sneezing fit. Watch
the dust fly...

Ariy says "Rom, this is D'ton. It's due to his good graces that I'm here!"

Jerred looks around and sighs lightly, moving to mingle with people.

Shannen comes up alongside Deannus with a lingering grin, hands folded
neatly behind her back as she nods a greeting to T'dry and Rashmael.
"Faemirth's flight was nothin' like this game," she notes quietly, looking
between the dusty Kiryath and the crooning Faemirth a moment. Nothing at all.

Ariy smiles greatfully at D'ton. "D'ton, this is Romilly of... well, strike
me blind!"she stares, open mouthed again at rom's resident knot. "you've
done a lot in a sevenday!"

Deannus smiles sweetly at the Fortian bronzerider. "Guess I'm just a
winnin' kind of girl, huh?"

Kassima laughs and covers the brownrider's hand with hers. "Indubitably!"
she agrees, green eyes sparkling with mischief under black bangs and the
border of her red flag-turned-headband. "'Twould nay do t'demoralize the
dragons, y'know. Can't fight Thread adequately if'n you're moping. I'm
Kassima, by the by--green Lysseth's rider. Well met."

Dragon> Kyoteth bespoke Lysseth with << Then I will try it, next time. >>

Romilly smiles at D'Ton. "My duty to your Dragon, D'ton. I'm Romilly, or
Romy, or Rom.. wh ichever. I've recently become Stablehand at BeastHold.

Romilly turns and grins at Ariy. "I can be a pest at times, hehehe. All I
needed to do was become a HELPFUL pest."

Rashmael closes his eyes agianst the dust storm, the white streamers around
his head flapping. How fun. More dust. Opening his eyes again he smiles at
Shannen. "It really is a good thing that it was called short, lady. A
horrible thing to watcha woman cry. I would have felt so bad for you."

T'dry looks over at the dragons, then back to the assembled people. "I'm
sorry I missed it."

Ariy grins ruefully at Rom's comment. "I'm beginning to learn what you
mean..."

Deannus turns her attention back to the Telgari greenrider, smile changing
back into that sassy grin. "Deannus, rider of brown Kiryath. Well met
Kassima, an' I couldnt've asked fer a better teammate. Many thanks."

Lysseth pauses in her dust-shaking to fire a snort off towards her rider.
And Kassi accused *her* of being smug?

"Cry?" Shannen asks, turning on Rashmael with a delicate arch of one brow,
voice laced with utter disbelief as she looks this man over slowly, coolly.
Shannen does /not/ cry.

Rashmael gives her a wink. "Loosing can be very hard on some people."

Kiryath lowers his head to whuffle T'dry. Share the wealth...er...dust,
rather.

Kassima snaps her fingers. "Deannus? Thought that name sounded familiar!
Didn't you try and dunk F'hlan at the Benden Spring Games a few Turns
back?" She may forget names and faces, but she never forgets a
bronzerider-dunker. "Oh, quite welcome. Any time! Our pleasure, and all of
those various pleasantries and politenesses."

Shannen continues to regard Rashmael with that steady gaze, ice blue eyes
studying this man with intense scrutiny before she inclines her head in a
soft nod at him. "It can be. But Faemirth an'I didn't lose." 'Never lose'
just goes without saying.

T'dry turns and regards the brown with a smile. "Congratulations there, you."

D'ton says to Romilly, "Beasthold's a good place. Where were you from before?"

Deannus's eyes widen in surprise at being remembered for that little
incident. "Yes, that was me," she chuckles. "Haven't had that kind of
opportunity since."

Eleni looks up at Romilly at the mention of the Beasthold, trying to
determine whether she can place her face.

Ariy sighs. "So. How's life back on the old isle?"

Romilly smiles at D'ton. "Southern Continent."

Kiryath warbles, tone just dripping with smugness as he tips his head at
the bronzerider.

Jerred wanders through the croud, going nowhere in particular.

From Romilly's shoulder, Ebony puffs his chest proudly and chirrups.

Rashmael unties the white streamer from his head and offers it over to
Shannen. "ere, lady. A trophy for almost beating us."

Ariy tentatively stretches out a hand towards Ebony.

Kassima winks at the brownrider, teeth flashing white against her dusty
skin as she grins. "Next time we have an event, we'll have t'try and haul
P'tran or S'riv up there. I'd say Kiat, but he'd enjoy it too much by far!"

From Romilly's shoulder, Ebony chirrups and graciously lowers his head to
be scritched by humanperson

Eleni spies Jerred from afar and gestures to him, still keeping her hand on
Faemirth's eye ridge.

Ariy scratches Ebony's eye ridges gently. "Sa! His skin is so soft!"

Shannen blinks several times at the offered streamer, staring it rather
dumbly, obvious confusion playing across her generally placid features for
a long moment. "I...My thanks," as realization dawns and she accepts the
funny little trophy in one small hand. "You were good competition." A
compliment, even. She's obviously trying.

D'ton returns Romilly's smile, and asks, "So, were you on a team earlier?"

Romilly nods to D'ton. "It is a good place to be. They needed a change of
pace with the food."

Jerred smiles at Eleni, walking over to her. "Oh, hello miss. How are you."
Pats Faemirth's head. "And hello to you>"

Romilly chuckles. "No, I was a spectator. I diddn't know what was going on."

From Romilly's shoulder, Ebony churrrrrrs at the complments, and leans into
the scritc, almost falling off her humanpets shoulder.

Rashmael laughs a little bit. "Don't be so sour about it, I only tease.
Who's going back for a little celebratory wine?" He raises his voice so
that the question includes more than just Shannen.

Eleni smiles shyly at Jerred and says, "Sir, thank you for taking charge of
Pilara the other night. I was so rude to you, but the situation was
rather," she pauses. "Delicate." She bows slightly, keeping her eyes low.

D'ton regards Romilly curiously, "Change of pace? So, what's Southern food
like?"

Ariy chuckles. "I'm afraid I slowed D'ton from getting here in time. I
really wanted to see the game!"

Deannus runs a hand through her matted curls, wrinkling her nose in
distaste. "Before I even think about future events, I'm gonna have t'think
about gettin' clean or someone won't let me in th'weyr," she chuckles,
glancing at T'dry. AT the mention of wine, she gives a delicate little
shudder.

Faemirth gives Jerred a whuffled greeting, inner lids closing slowly as she
allows this scritch-fest to continue.

Lysseth lumbers up to where her lifemate stands, nudging Kassi's shoulder
lightly with her muzzle. "Hrm? Oh... right, Lyss." Scritching the dusty
muzzle for a second, Kassi turns to reach for her lifemate's straps.
"Forgive the abrupt departure," she says apologetically, "but Lyss tells me
Alymbrith says Kharisma is requesting a feeding, *now*. And I need t'get
changed, anyway. 'Twill like as nay be back in half a moment!" With that,
she scrambles up aboard her dusty dragon.

You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly.
You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower
neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered
foreleg.

<*> D'ton grins at Ariy, "You didn't slow me that much." He looks up at
Kassima and waves briefly.

<*> Jerred scritches Faemirth absently. "That's ok. Not a really big deal.
Though, I didn't even get a chance to introduce myself to a lovely lady."
smiles.

<*> T'dry grins at the mention of wine. "Did'ya find the food around here
yet? I'm starved."

<*> Deannus nods, grinning as she steps back and waves farewell to Kassime,
turning to regard her *clean* weyrmate. "Y'missed all th'fun. Cmere an'
gimme a hug..."

<*> Romilly grins at D'ton. "Actually what it is is that they needed some
wild food, heh. I'm a hunter, so I supplied a few wild beastie roasts.

<*> Lysseth springs from the ground, the air from her wings churning up
dust as she takes to the skies.

You leap into the sky.