You suddenly emerge...
Air Above Telgar Weyr
You are flying in the skies directly above Telgar Weyr. The Weyr itself is a huge caldera directly below you, formed in an irregular hourglass shape. Its size is impressive; a small Hold could easily fit within its bowl with room left over. Stretching roughly to the north and south is the mountain range of which the Weyr is part, rugged peaks of bare rock and stone. You can see the expanse of Telgar territory to the east and west.
From here you can fly downwards to the 'Southern Bowl' or 'Central Bowl', or you can land 'Outside Telgar Weyr' near the Entrance Tunnel.
The afternoon is quite cloudy, with only a few open patches through which the sun pokes. It is completely still, no winds blow and the summer air feels a bit nippy.
Obvious exits:
Sky Above Telgar Outside Telgar Weyr
From the area around, From the South, From the Telgar Star Stones, L'klal's burnished bronze Pteynth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to blue Alirath and his rider, L'nan of Fort Weyr.
You fly downwards towards the southern end of the bowl.
Southern Bowl Airspace(#1362RLQe)
Hovering above the southern part of Telgar Weyr's hourglass-shaped bowl, you are surrounded by a three-quarter circle of spiky rock walls. Flat across its east face and open at its northern-most end, the shape is perfect to bring up the chill winds which swirl around you. Below, you can almost make out the bustling of activity outside of the Living Caverns and Infirmary as well as the lower ledges of the queenriders and Weyrleaders. Far off to the northwest is the gaping cavern of the Hatching Grounds and the Weyrling Barracks. Beast sounds filter across from the northeast as the feeding pens are located there. The other half of the hourglass and lake reach perfectly north, the snow-capped peaks of mountains not far beyond them.
To see a list of landing areas, '+view landing sites'. You can see the dragonweyrs of Skyfire and Thunderbolt Wings, and also certain dragonweyrs of Aerie and the Queen's Wing. Use '+view skyfire', '+view thunderbolt', '+view aerie', or '+view golds' to see them.
Obvious exits:
Star Stones
You fly downwards towards the bowl.
Southern Bowl(#396RDJL$)
Towering above, the bowl wall rises in a curving three-pointed arc as it shelters this southernmost point of Telgar Weyr's great caldera. Sloping down to the north to a slight degree, the floor of the bowl has been channeled so that runoff might drain down to the lake beyond. There are several strategically placed evergreens that serve to baffle the biting mountain winds away from the southern entrance into the living Caverns. The odor of pickling and preserves emerging from the Living Cavern is strong, a sure sign that the summer fruits and vegetables are being stored for the winter. Northward, the center of the bowl spreads hugely, leading to the feeding pens, hatching grounds, weyrling barracks and the Telgar Weyr lake. The ground-level weyrs of the queenriders dot the mountain to the northwest. Use '+view queenriders' to view them. The murmur of voices and the clatter of pots and chairs drifts from the Living Cavern, where the evening meal is being served.
The afternoon is quite cloudy, with only a few open patches through which the sun pokes. It is completely still, no winds blow and the summer air feels a bit nippy.
You backwing for a landing.
Contents:
DRAGONS: Saulith (Ularrith) Alirath
PLAYERS:
Obvious Exits:
Living Cavern Central Bowl Outer Infirmary Work Room Records Room
Alirath lands with a *whump*, which L'nan grimaces at. A pat to the blue hide, and he slides down slowly.
You unstrap yourself from Alirath's neck and slide down to the ground.
Alirath whuffles at the other dragons in the area, eyes whirling restlessly. L'nan calls over to him to be respectful, then teh boy ambles inside.
You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern.
Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern(#750RDJM$)
This huge cavern is sufficiently roomy to hold a large portion of the Weyr's population without feeling cramped. There's always a bustle of activity here. Fragrant dishes are constantly in prepartion for mealtimes: currently for the evening meal. Drudges are always present, either cleaning under Pierron's watchful eye, or helping fetch and carry. A myriad of glowbaskets and many ever-lit hearths make the cavern warm and inviting despite its size. The scents of cooking meats, baking breads and pastries, and the pungent aroma of spices hang mouthwateringly in the air. It is little wonder that those seeking to relax nearly always find their way here to do it. Dark summer blooms of vivid hue decorate the tables.
A short tunnel jaunts northward out to the bowl and the merry sounds of cooking, chores, and laughter echo from the kitchen at the southeast end of the cavern near the easterly passage to the rest of the lower caverns. Within the lower caverns is an entrance to the infirmary weyr to care for injured dragons and riders.
Contents:
PLAYERS: Shylana L'nan Pierron Kichevio
OTHER: Telgar Serving Tables
Obvious Exits:
Inner Caverns Kitchen Bowl
L'nan ambles in, carefully removing too-big gloves and a too-big riding jacket. "Fort's duties t'Telgar an'r queens," he calls out cheerfully.
Kichevio explains succintly, "She's proddy--and look, the invasion's begun." She smiles at L'nan, a little tiredly. "And Telgar's to you, L'nan," she answers. "I'm taking Shylana out to meet Saulith; we should be back shortly."
Kichevio walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Kichevio has left.
Alirath> Kichevio comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
Alirath> Kichevio has arrived.
Shylana walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Shylana has left.
Alirath> Shylana comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
Alirath> Shylana has arrived.
L'nan nods, heading for the meal table. "All right, I'm thirstier'n a hot wherry on an Igen afternoon," he murmurs, looking for the coolest juice.
Alirath> K'ran comes out of Tarlo and Cariath's weyr.
Alirath> K'ran has arrived.
Alirath> Indrath comes out of Tarlo and Cariath's weyr.
Alirath> Indrath has arrived.
Alirath> Saulith tilts her head to regard Alirath, otherwise not moving from her huddle on the Bowl floor. Seeing (apparently) nothing to interest her, she whuffles instead at her rider and the other person. Kich chuckles. "Don't be silly. This is Shylana
Alirath> Tarlo comes out of Tarlo and Cariath's weyr.
Alirath> Tarlo has arrived.
Alirath> Tarlo crosses paths with the others and heads for the living cavern.
Alirath> Tarlo walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.
Tarlo walks in from the bowl.
Tarlo has arrived.
Dragon> All dragons sense that Saulith taps the mike. <
L'nan is pouring a mug of juice for himself, apparently as full as he possibly can. Then, lowering lips to cup, he gulps it down greedily. With a sigh of relief, he turns, spots Tarlo, and waves. "'lo, Tarlo! Fort's duties!"
Alirath> Shylana smiles and nods at the green. "Hello Saulith." she says politely.
Alirath> It is with anticipation, anticipation edged with wariness, that Indrath emerges from the ledge he shares with Cariath -- and K'ran, hastily pulling on a riding jacket against the weather, in tow. While his rider's possessed of his usual roguish humor, the young bronze coils his body around boulders, the better to appreciate the spring green whose hide is alight, 'cross the bowl.
Alirath> Above, Kheprith flies over from the north end of the bowl.
Alirath> Kheprith backwings for a landing.
Alirath> Kheprith has arrived.
Alirath> Greylin slithers down Kheprith's side to the ground.
Alirath> Greylin has arrived.
Alirath> Greylin walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.
Greylin walks in from the bowl.
Greylin has arrived.
Alirath> Kichevio murmurs to Saulith for a minute, then looks resignedly at K'ran. "Evening. Indrath's looking rather happy tonight."
Alirath> Saulith utterly ignores the males--who needs 'em?--and ingratiates herself with Shylana, gently nuzzling the weaver's long hair.
Tarlo smiles. "And Telgar's duties to Fort's Queens." she gives the young man a hug if permitted.
Alirath> Kheprith rumbles a greeting, polite.
Greylin waves to L'nan cheerfully. "Hey, you. Moving in or something?"
Alirath> Alirath snorts, whether in indifference or otherwise, who could know? He whuffles at the other riders somewhat curiously, but attention seems rather focused on Saulith.
L'nan returns Tarlo's hug happily, and grins over to Greylin. "Nah, you're not that lucky," he chuckles. "Guess what, guess what?"
Alirath> "Him?" K'ran wonders, with a light laugh, "or me?" He puts some space between himself and his lifemate, ambling easily over towards Kichevio and Shylana. "No, he's alright. G'd'eve, to you both."
Greylin lifts her brows. "Hmm. Can't guess... what?"
Alirath> Shylana smiles and giggles at the nuzzling the green is giving, and reaches out to pat her softly. "Good evening." she replies to the other rider.
Alirath> Kichevio looks from Alirath to Indrath to Kheprith, then at the studiously ignorant Saulith, and sighs loudly. "I need more klah," she says to no one in particular, and heads back to the LC.
Tarlo grins. "What?" she echoes Tarlo, who goes to help herself to a cup of klah.
Alirath> Kichevio walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.
Kichevio walks in from the bowl.
Kichevio has arrived.
L'nan holds up his jacket, which is now sporting a roughly sewn Firefall patch. "I flew my first fall, an' Miritha took me into her wing," he says proudly. "I'm a rider!"
Tarlo beams, and L'nan earns another hug. "Congratulations!"
Kichevio doesn't even look at the others--she just pours herself another mug of very black klah, and starts drinking. L'nan's announcement gets a grunt which could possibly be a 'well-done'.
Alirath> K'ran favors Kichevio with a knowing, perhaps even mildly sympathetic smile as she retreats back towards the shelter of the living cavern, but lets his attention stray back towards Shylana. "How've you settled in, Shylana?" he prompts, and steps to join her before Saulith.
For his part, Indrath observes his rider's progress with a hint of agitation.
Alirath> Shylana smiles and nods, glancing over in the direction of Kichevio's retreat. "Yes, I have. I finally have my workshop set up in a way I'm satisfied with."
Alirath> Above, The summer air is warm enough, with only a slight chill. The cloud cover lessens until the sky is clear.
Greylin glances at Kich for a moment, but can't help smiling and offering L'nan a hug of her own. "That's great, kid... we've both come a long way from Benden, huh?"
L'nan nods, a quick flash of sadness hitting his features before gazing at the patch again. "Thanks," he murmurs, after giving Tarlo a return squeeze. He grins at Greylin and nods. "Sure have..." He for once doesn't seem embarrassed at all the hugs.
Alirath> Saulith looks up at the shifting clouds, and ruffles her wings a little. Not that she's agitated or anything. No. Of course not.
Tarlo considers, eyeing Kichevio's outfit. And then promptly begins doing legwork back and forth to the kitchens, her arms full of wine skins.
Dragon> Flight sense that Saulith checks. All chasers after Saulith, respond now. T-minus five minutes to blooding. :)
Dragon> Flight sense that Kheprith goes mimimimi. << Ahem, hi. I'm here. >>
Dragon> Flight sense that Indrath I-N-D-R-A-T-H's. :)
Dragon> Temornath bespoke Flight with << Me too! Owait... >>
Alirath> K'ran, to a sullen, vaguely jealous glare from Indrath, stretches out a hand towards Saulith, to rub that nose -- if permitted -- in spite of the green's mood. "Glad to hear that," he continues, conversationally. "I'm thinking I may want to commission something, down the line. I've got plenty of work clothes and some Gather-best, but nothing, you know, in between."
Dragon> Flight sense that Alirath is here... *eyes Temornath* :)
Dragon> Sidonth bespoke Flight with << Down, Temornath, down. Wait for the clutch you have to hatch first. :) >>
Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth sticks to waving her green pom-poms and rahrahing, << Saulith, Saulith, she's our green! Glowing with that special sheen! Claw those males right in the spleen! Yaaaaaaay, Saulith! >>
Dragon> All dragons sense that Cariath tests.
Dragon> Indrath bespoke Flight with << Don't make me sit on you, Lysseth. >>
Dragon> Flight sense that Saulith grins at Lysseth. Everything I need to know, I learned from you. :)
Dragon> Flight sense that Gelth oofs. My poor spleen.
Dragon> Flight sense that Lysseth raspberries Indrath. << You wouldn't dare. Thanks, Saulith, I feel all warm and fuzzy now. :) >>
Alirath> Shylanas face breaks out into a grin. "In between?" she asks, "Like something you can lounge around in when off duty?" her eyes have lighten up and she looks as if her day has just been named. "When you're free, you can just drop by my workroom and I can show you some of my designs if you like."
Alirath> Saulith allows K'ran one touch--_one_ mind you--then returns to ruffling her wings. The surrounding males get glares. What are _you_ looking at?
Kichevio is pacing again. The klah obviously didn't help. "Hurry up," she mutters under her breath. "Just go..."
Alirath> Alirath snorts again, shifting so that he can let his tail slash slowly from side to side without hitting any annoying boulders. Stupid rocks. He seems amused at Saulith's 'ruffling'.
L'nan drinks down the rest of his juice, watching Tarlo busy herself and Kichevio mutter. It all seems too busy, so he plops down and- amidst all the shuffling -is for once, still.
Alirath> Indrath's mollified by Saulith's pulling-away from K'ran, and begins uncoiling his body from those rocks, drawing himself up into a light, tense crouch; and spreads his wings slightly, to taste and perhaps map the winds that gather in the bowl this evening. K'ran spares a laughing glance for the bronze, but carries his conversation with Shylana, uninterrupted. "Good, good," he says. "I'll look forward to it. Maybe you and I can start a fashion trend, or somesuch -- like I'm certain you have before, at other postings."
Alirath> Saulith looks at Indrath and hisses softly. Aren't _we_ cocky tonight.
Greylin sighs. "Not again," she mutters, looking up at the ceiling.
Alirath> Kheprith merely watchers Saulith, almost oblivious to anything else going on.
Alirath> Alirath takes the briefest of moments to warble a greeting to his clutchsib, but attention returns - of course - to Saulith, tail still lashing.
Kichevio smiles mirthlessly at Greylin. "Afraid so," she says coolly, then looks outside. "Another one?--Faranth, Just go, just _go_--" And she's outside again. Now or never.
Kichevio walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Kichevio has left.
Alirath> Kichevio comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
Alirath> Not so much cockiness as nature, it would seem; Indrath answers accusatory look and quiet hiss with attempted nonchalance, though for all this his greeting towards the arriving Fort blue carries just a hint of challenge. His tail lifts degrees off the bowl floor, another element of tension borne into his light crouch.
Greylin gives Tarlo a shrug and heads out.
Greylin walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Alirath> Greylin comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
L'nan blinks after Kichevio, sends a somewhat helpless glance Tarlo's way, then stands setting his glass aside and wringing his hands before following the others out.
Alirath> Shylana smiles, flicking some previously nuzzled hair back over her shoulder. "To tell the truth... my last posting didn't really take to my fashions... but I do hope to start some new trends here!"
Alirath> Saulith hisses again, louder, at the new blue, then seems to reach her breaking point. With a contemptuous lash of her tail, she jumps into the air, and glides on a low, smooth curve toward the feeding grounds. Follow if you dare.
Saulith lumbers north.
Alirath issues a final snort, then springs to follow Saulith, an angry, eager shade to his quickly whirling eyes now.
Alirath lumbers north.
Alirath> You spring into the air for a quick flight over the fence and into the feeding grounds, where you settle again.
A slight tilt of his head, insouciant, and K'ran prompts, "Where -was- your last posting, that they didn't appre--" And further words are stolen as his Indrath, with a rumbling, exultant exhalation, uncoils from that crouch in a skywards vault, into a low, lazy glide across the bowl towards the feeding pens.
Indrath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft.
Above, Indrath flies towards the north end of the bowl.
Alirath> Indrath flies over the feeding grounds from above the bowl.
Alirath> Indrath has arrived.
L'nan hangs back slightly, watching the other riders. A hand goes up in greeting to K'ran, but it's a hesitant wave and somewhat half hearted, as he turns to watch Kichevio.
Kichevio watches the green fly, and smiles that same, mirthless smile. "Good. Very good, love," she murmurs. Turning on her heel, she heads for the guest weyr.
Kichevio moves down a short passage and past a curtain, moving out of sight as she enters the workroom.
You push aside the curtain and enter the guest weyr.
Telgar's Guest Weyr
This is a large, ground level weyr not far from the junior queen's weyrs. The stone couch is covered by several thick furs and is very comfortable while providing a soft place to rest. Several glowbaskets give off light and the floor has been worn very smooth.
Contents:
Kichevio
Obvious exits:
Bowl
Dragon> Flight sense that Saulith wingsnugs her loyal supporters. Rules are as usual. Channel OOC, guest weyr IC, one pose per Saulith/Kich pose, and feel free to pro cute/romantic things to Saulith. Okieday? :)
Dragon> Flight sense that Alirath nods and cracks knuckles. Niner!
Alirath> Kheprith flies over the feeding grounds from above the bowl.
K'ran comes into the guest weyr from the bowl.
Alirath> Fasolth springs into the air for a quick flight over the fence from the central bowl. He settles, terrifying the animals within.
Greylin comes into the guest weyr from the bowl.
T'kar comes into the guest weyr from the bowl.
Alirath> No winds in the bowl this night. No winds to steal the sharp copper tang of blood, to tear away the panicked screams of the pens' occupants, as Indrath abandons lazy glide for vicious swoop; bright cry punctuates glinting black talons' work as he claims a bovine while still on the wing, and drags the mortally wounded beast to a corner where broad wings, dusk-dappled, hide its last moments.
Alirath> Saulith ignores all other distractiobns, aiming for that one herdbeast right _there_. Slash. Crunch. And she's drinking, and brightening, glowing witchfire green in the cloudy evening.
Kichevio paces the weyr--the space allowed her, anyway--eyes far away. "Catch it. Catch it and _go_," she murmurs. "They're too close..."
Alirath> Kheprith finds himself a first snack, clamping his jaws over its broken neck and sucking like there's no tomorrow.
Alirath> Alirath seems to take his time, launching with ease and gliding along. A dip, a rise, and a small but much-distressed herdbeast makes sounds for a quick second. All stops as Alirath snaps his jaws shut, drinks, and drops the beast, looking for his next and hopefully larger victim.
Alirath> Fasolth lets out a cheerful bugle as he sweeps in over the fence, heading for the ovines. They are something of his gout du jour these days. A young one provides a quick hors d'ouevres, then a mature male makes a nice entree, in due time, fresh blood staining his muzzle and large parts of his forelegs, chest and neck as he partakes in the feast.
Alirath> No winds in the bowl this night. No winds to steal the sharp copper tang of blood, to tear away the panicked screams of the pens' occupants, as Indrath abandons lazy glide for vicious swoop; bright cry punctuates glinting black talons' work as he claims a bovine while still on the wing, and drags the mortally wounded beast to a corner where broad wings, dusk-dappled, hide its last moments.
K'ran's pace into the weyr carries a hint of urgency, for his blithe smile and his glassy-eyed distraction; and rather than tempt Kichevio with knives tonight, he ensconces himself more towards the back of the weyr, an unassuming point close by the entryway. Nonetheless, his arms soon fold across his chest, and his jaw sets in concentration.
Alirath> Saulith lifts her head, snarling disdainfully at these show-off males. Note her own graceful economy of movement, how she swipes one malachite-veined talon at the ovine, and doesn't lose a drop of blood as it falls. Manners are everything. Except when a blue gets too close, and that talon lashes at _him_.
L'nan tries to hang back as usual, a bit shy of all the other, older riders. He finds himself off to the side, however, and closer up to Kichevio. He leans against a patch of wall not more than five feet away from the greenrider, hands fidgeting.
T'kar scratches his head and stands around aimlessly. He still doesn't know how he gets into these things.
Greylin stands hear the door, glancing for a moment at T'kar, giving him a pitying grimace, then stuffs her hands in her pockets.
It's probably a good thing K'ran isn't offering knives tonight, since Kich brought her own. She's not waving it around, but her cold glares at the varying riders indicate that she's just waiting for an opportunity.
Alirath> Let her easy grace answer Indrath's savagery; still those wings, touched with gilt lightning, gather cool evening air beneath them as his talons set bovine corpse aside, and aloft again, slow revelry beneath crimson-bloodied skies, as he stalks more prey.
Alirath> Alirath 's flying becomes more urgent, and he attacks with ferocity a modestly sized beast, catching it precisely with one set of talons along the neck, the other set on the back. The 'beast screams, then silences at Alirath ducks his head to tear flesh and splatter blood on those below.
L'nan eyes Kich's knife for a moment, and hands stop their fidgeting to rest folded across his chest. He doesn't move from his patch of wall though, merely studying Kichevio intensely.
Alirath> Fasolth blinks slowly over at Saulith, absently stomping on the ruined carcass in front of him. He's done feeding, but perhaps not quite ready to go yet. The brown is just not quite stoked, after all, he's only just woken up. Nevertheless, something is certainly developing, as those slow-blinking eyes begin to spin faster, neck stretching out, wings stirring. It's coming.
Alirath> Kheprith goes for a second beast, not altering his pattern any, glancing up at Saulith every once and again as he knocks the second one over and swipes a claw along its back before chomping on its neck.
One corner of K'ran's mouth quirks upwards in that characteristic roguish smile of his, blithe amusement all the attention he can muster for the here, the now; and yet his arms unlace again, and one of his hands begins fishing through a pocket of his insolently unfastened riding jacket.
Alirath> Saulith drags down a third herdbeast, draining blood out with single-minded purpose. Her hide glows brighter and brighter, a beacon in increasing shadows. She licks crimson from her muzzle, and slowly lifts her head to stare around with insolent eyes. Who are _you_, that seek after _me_?
T'kar grins brightly at Greylin. "Don't worry. Fasolth doesn't win." He bites his lip then, confused look returning. Are you allowed to talk in the guest weyr?
Greylin sends a bit of a smirk toward T'kar.
Kichevio unconsciously mimicks Saulith, looking steadily at each rider, mouth curved in a disdainful smile.
Alirath> Stalking left for blooding as once more Indrath sketches a sharp turn down towards the pens, as once more a savage cry escapes his throat -- and a caprine is caught by bloodied talons, thrown against the fencing, and seized back up and raised to jealous fangs.
Alirath> Alirath skims along just above a frightened beast, waiting for it to hesitate. When it does, he attacks, no holding back this time as he rips into flesh and presses the body against the ground. He settles for the moment, wings flared guardedly as he slashes and drinks, slashes again, then returns to the air.
Alirath> Kheprith stays on his second beast long enough to ensure it's well and truly dead and sucked dry. His wings remain half-furled, ready at any moment to spring into the air.
Alirath> Fasolth snorts, then ducks his darkened muzzle under one foreleg, avoiding Saulith's gaze. After a heartbeat he comes to, lifts his head out, and looks right back at her again. The brown snorts louder, then bugles! Sufficiently psyched up now, his wings flap eagerly, and he hops forward a step. Ready to seek, now.
Alirath> Saulith strrrreeeetches insouciantly, shameless as any feline as her ice-green wings unfurl slowly. Then, with one mighty sweep, she's airborne, shrilling her challenge downward to the hopeful males. Into the danger zone, gentlemen!
Alirath> Saulith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft -- much to the relief of the wherries.
L'nan, in his usual ignorance, smiles back at Kichevio. He seems to realize that it's not a real _friendly_ smile, but the goofy grin remains on his face anyhow.
Alirath> Indrath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft -- much to the relief of the wherries.
Alirath> Kheprith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft -- much to the relief of the wherries.
Alirath> You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor to carry you aloft -- much to the relief of the wherries.
Alirath> Air Above Telgar Weyr
Alirath> You are flying in the skies directly above Telgar Weyr. The Weyr itself is a huge caldera directly below you, formed in an irregular hourglass shape. Its size is impressive; a small Hold could easily fit within its bowl with room left over. Stretching roughly to the north and south is the mountain range of which the Weyr is part, rugged peaks of bare rock and stone. You can see the expanse of Telgar territory to the east and west.
Alirath> Saulith is already practically out of range, dipping in and out and around the evening sky like a little playing tag. Green glimmers among cloudmist and shines in bright trails against darkening blue. Follow this act, if you can.
Kichevio's pacing slows just a little, and her smile widens. Her path takes her within hands' reach of the riders in the weyr, not _quite_ close enough to touch, and she murmurs mockingly, singsong, "Can't catch me-eee..."
Alirath> Kheprith wings up powerfully, his large frame giving him some advantage over the smaller males, and he paces himself even this early on. She'll tire soon enough. For now, he just keeps her in sight, keeping abreast of the others without yet dancing into the fine-tune motions which will give him a better position.
Alirath> Challenge offered, challenge answered -- another fierce cry from Indrath as he abandons the hoof-wracked mud of the pens, leaves the cloying blood-scent below, surges up after those bright-burning green wings lost so easily in the depth of the evening sky. Lost, perhaps, but dusk is for finding, and this one a ruddy streak against the air as he dares after glittering emerald.
Alirath> Alirath hammers at the air with calculated wingbeats, soaring up and after Saulith. He follows her dips and rises carefully, trying to stay focused on that glinting green tail as he does so. He's all about racing, catching up, and doing whatever acrobatics he can... if he can do them long enough.
Alirath> Saulith senses that Alirath half mocks, half pleads, silvery blue streaks entwining with the dark velvet of his mindvoice. << At last - we race! >>
Dragon> Alirath senses that Saulith flickers fire along that silver, too hot to touch. <
Alirath> Fasolth is certainly having a hard time of following this act, at least at first. He rises quickly enough for a brown, streaming forward with eager abandon. That soon proves to be not so wise, though. Caught in one of the most elementary mistakes of chasing, the sturdy brown attempts to follow the nimble green's path too closely, and gets blown a little off course by a crossdraft which she had no trouble avoiding. Nevermind, though. Sturdiness and endurance are his forte, and he strikes out again, undaunted by his new position in dead last.
Alirath> Saulith is openly contemptuous of those over-cautious souls who are holding back. Her wings tighten against her body as she streamlines faster, further into the clouds, forcing the slower chasers to speed up to keep her in view. A cajoling call echoes in her wake. I'm here, still here. Are you?
T'kar raises an eyebrow at Kichevio, but stands still. His thick brown hair is given a light run-through again and he adopts a rather blank expression, deciding to follow events outside.
Kichevio looks over her shoulder as she circles, eyes dancing. "Still there?" she asks softly, to no one or everyone. "I can't see you...lost already?"
Alirath> Saulith senses that Alirath overfills with the coolest, most inviting wet blue tones to soften the flames. << You fly, but you will race soon. _We_ will race. And I win races. >>
Alirath> Kheprith is too canny, even at this young stage of his life, to be goaded into overexerting himself. He keeps up his sturdy pace. All paths lead to Saulith. His wings barely creak under the load he is putting them under.
Dragon> Alirath senses that Saulith evaporates water and blue with a sizzling hiss. <
Alirath> Alirath doesn't yet allow himself to think strategy, apparently, as he pushes to keep up with the green darting ahead. And yet he hasn't mastered that streamline effect, and bugles impatiently as he loses her in the clouds. He rises higher, above the first cloud layer, to watch for her below.
L'nan frowns, eyes narrowing as he tilts his head to the side. "Find her, find her," he chides to himself impatiently.
Alirath> Fasolth pushes on ahead, determination the key to success for him now. As long as he's got nothing to lose, he'll rely on subtler senses to keep track of Saulith, skimming over the tops of the feathery embankments. His speed is picking up, too, but slowly still.
Alirath> Beckoned to dance by cloud-kissed green, Indrath follows ever after -- and though he man't match Saulith manuever for maneuver, he eschews the encumbering pack, angling instead for the open air into which she flees, sky where he may make his own invitation, overture against her contempt. And he joins her in that cloak of mists; still here, still here, and not so far behind.
Alirath> Saulith skims along gleefully, somewhere in a wreath of grey cloud between Alirath and Indrath, barely shimmering through that cloak. A mocking shriek comes within--and then she dives, shockingly abrupt, angling toward the ground at full speed before pulling up with equal suddenness and resuming her high-flying. One or two of the chasers are confused enough to drop out, lest they hit the ground.
Kichevio giggles softly as she circles, hand off her knife hilt just long enough to clap her hands. "Fooled you!" she says gleefully.
Alirath> Kheprith stays pretty high, eyes scanning the clouds for any sight of the missing green. He tilts on a wing to change course to parallel hers, his tail only flicking once with his ardor, the rest of him down to business.
Greylin silently eyes Kich and her pet knife, a quiet frown on her face.
Alirath> Alirath dives at the sound of the shriek, as if that were his signal. He breaks through clouds and weaves by other dragons as he finally gets the view of sparkling green below him. He pulls up to stay abover her, steadying, watching as she pulls back up and races past him. A pause and he starts pounding at the air, trying to find an easy thermal to climb as he falls back - but not out of view - from the glorious green streak that is Saulith.
K'ran, still at the back of the weyr, shakes his head slowly, mildly, though his smile quirks yet broader. The hand in his jacket pocket appears to have found something worth fidgeting with, the quiet jangling of marks against one another spoiling the silence of the place.
L'nan shakes his head slightly, then eyes widen and he grins again. He lifts his chin, eyes blinking with Kich's claps but remaining fixed on her as she paces.
Alirath> Fasolth begins to drop through the clouds as he senses that everyone else is leaving beneath him, just a little delayed. It doesn't turn out too bad, though, as the hunting pack rises again, volcanic explosion of dragonflesh topped with the molten green Saulith, riding far above that wave. Fasolth wheels and slips into the midst of things, making up precious time. Competition now flares in his eyes and his veins as the striving of others is so close around him. Wingbeats grow more confident, pulling him ahead handspan by handspan.
Alirath> Indrath may not -match- this jewel's athletics, her abrupt dive and scalding ascent back for the clouds, but he might -meet- them; and shallows his course as he follows her free of the mists, wheels nearer where she spends precious strength at these maneuvers, closes the distance between them. And still he angles for the open air that lies before Saulith, the elusive space into which she flees.
Alirath> Saulith snakes her neck around, slowing for the first time as she takes stock of her remaining chasers. Slowly, she spirals higher, catching any errant breeze that might help. But her ascension is slower than before, though her wings do not falter, as moonlight gilds willow-green wings, lighting her pursuers' way.
Kichevio tilts her head briefly toward K'ran and his jingling pockets, although her pacing never stops. Her shoulders shift and shudder, as though the wings were invisibly there instead of on Saulith.
Alirath> Alirath 's beating of the air to climb takes it's toll, but just as he seems about to take a break a thermal lifts him up. He takes heart and takes the opposite side as Indrath, stretching neck and forelegs forward as if to assist in getting ahead. He still aims for her tail, however, instead of the space ahead of her.
Alirath> Kheprith has kept pace, and his choice of a higher-altitude path has given him a decent position, if a little bit high. He powerglides closer to Saulith, settling down to brass tacks as she doesn't rise up as quickly as she had done before. All previous indolence is gone as he arrows toward his target finally.
Alirath> Fasolth's pace swells, the heavy flap of his reddish-brown wings beating time against the night breezes with greater and greater frequency. The tempo steadies after a bit, though, as soon as Fasolth has pushed by a tiring blue. The beacon light of Saulith's wings is clear in his view, now, and he maintains a straight course through the rocky buffeting of the sky.
Alirath> Gilded, girded by that same moonlight -- moonlight that sets a ghostly fire to the vivid lighting that streaks into the copper-dusk of his wings -- Indrath surges through Saulith's lusterless spiralling climb, riding a thermal straight and upwards rather than dare his way through the arcing course she sketches. He's tasted the bowl's doldrums already, and mayn't rely upon phantom breaths of wind as she does; and angles closer, ever closer, pulling away from the pack, away from Alirath, and straining for the sky in which that smouldering green jewel seeks succor.
Alirath> Saulith begins to slip down, despite hers and the wind's best efforts otherwise. The air is just too thin, and her wings just too tired to chase the clouds any further. Even as she descends, degree by degree, she still fights for a little further, an extra wingbeat or two. Any catcher will have to _earn_ this prize...
Alirath> Kheprith spies, yes! A falter! With a roar as if from the heavens themselves, he drops out of his higher position, wings straining under his sudden demands of them, powering toward Saulith, forelegs reaching out, neck straining.
Kichevio stops, dead still in mid-pace, and looks up at the ceiling blindly. "Not _yet_," she says painfully, "I'm not done yet--"
Greylin eyes Kich critically, forcibly holding herself in position by the door.
Alirath> Alirath sees the green tail falling back and that gives him a push. He reaches forward once more with neck and forelegs stretching for the prize just ahead of him. He calls out in a trumpet, the surge of energy giving him just enough umph to lift him slightly above the sparkling green. But is it closer than the others? He doesn't see, doesn't notice, just stretches for the jewel.
L'nan pushes himself off his patch of wall, but doesn't take any steps, grip tightening on his arms as he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
Alirath> Just as the rapid rivers that slide across this brown hide and touch his mindvoice, Fasolth -flows- towards the end. Now, in the final stretch, there is nothing he can do but stream on towards the goal, Saulith's wings to him like the welcoming sea to a weary brook. One last surge of fluid strength carries him forward. Perhaps it will be foiled by the dam of failure, or perhaps it will carry him through to her.
Alirath> And it's in that elusive space that Indrath would show his worth, feinting in with the pack but, whisper-quick, carrying this dance back across the sky, into those few pockets of open air that remain for faltering green to claim. That feint is a stretch of wings, a quick reach in an attempt to foul her flight; even as he coils tail and braces body, and would set mist-green jewel within the embrace of dusk-dappled bronze band.
Alirath> Saulith flares out her wings in one last attempt to catch a breeze and push away from the bodies that surround her. Wings go out, and her body curves--straight into another coil. Emerald is set, caught, and tangled with gleaming bronze, and Saulith's cry melts into a croon as her fire gleams with Indrath's.
T'kar leaves the guest weyr and heads out into the bowl.
Alirath> Alirath warbles disappointment and drops slowly, wings tired as he spirals downwards.
Kichevio turns, and just looks at K'ran, eyes gleaming. "Fair and square," she says quietly, sitting down with a thump on the bed.
L'nan pauses, a blank look crossing features, and then turns to -run- out.
Above, Fire is held, nurtured, in that embrace, the twining of emerald and metal; and Indrath's rumbling answer to her croon is swept away on the stirring of air beneath his own wings.
L'nan races to meet Alirath, the blue hardly landed before his neck is wrapped in L'nan's arms. A soft, sorrowful croon is shushed, and they stand there for a long moment.
