The Riddle of the Sphinx ;; Green Sphinx's Flight

[Zen]

Chloee was doing something for once. And that something was mending a pregnant woman’s clothes. The woman had been ordered to rest in bed because her pregnancy had taken a turn for the worse. Chloee had no trouble remembering why she was mending the clothes, but she had trouble remembering the woman’s name. It was dark outside her room, and the girl knew instinctively that this was not dusk but dawn. She had worked throughout the night. Her brown Sigma lay across her shoulders, and she decided instantly that the crick in her neck was not from mending, but from him. Blubber lay sprawled on her bed, his tail entangled in the skins. Jump was, as usual, not sitting still; the Barred flitted back and forth, never staying in one place for more than three seconds. Sphinx just lay on her stomach, regally looking at Jump with detached interest.

Chloee didn’t know when she fell asleep, but she didn’t fret about not knowing; Chloee often forgot her own name. She did know why she woke up, though. And why she suddenly wanted to scream. But the tunnel snake that lay in front of her didn’t move, and couldn’t move, seeing as all the blood had been drained from its body. Chloee knew what this meant, if nothing else. It meant that one of her female fire-lizards was going to fly, or was already in Flight. There was a sudden screech and a green form shot out the door. It seemed that Sphinx had wanted to wait for Hers to wake up before setting out. Jump was still for once, wondering what the usually calm Sphinx was up to.

It was the middle of the day. Sphinx had felt the first pangs of lust as soon as Chloee had fallen asleep, so she had dutifully waited for Hers to wake up. She wanted Hers awake for multiple reasons. One was that she was nervous about this Flight, and another was that she wanted Hers to know when she caught. Now, though, she left in a flurry of wings and green. She let out a triumphant little squeak, which, to fire-lizard ears, sounded very much like a bugle. She had been cooped up inside the room with growing distress, and had sucked the blood out of an unsuspecting tunnel snake to keep her calm. But now she was free!

Offering another squeak, the female waited, alighting on the top of a rock. If she had waited this long for Hers to wake up, she could wait for some decent males to show up. Besides, she knew that this would catch her suitors unaware, so she could strike, snake-quick, and make her getaway. Then, for those chasers who were still going to try to chase her, she had something else hidden above her sleeve.

Blubber and Sigma lifted their heads idly, then turned to look at Jump. Chloee knew they weren’t going to chase their sibling, even if they were from different clutches. Chloee felt happy that Sphinx was finally going to Fly. She just hoped that the fire-lizard chasers were exceptional, or else no one would catch the riddle-telling green.

[friar]

Dun could tell that one of the greens was going to Rise- had known since dawn- but as she was cooped up with her owner, he couldn't identify her.

It was Sphinx.

Dun knew of Sphinx, of course- what male didn't?- but he'd never really flown with her before. She tended to stay close with her own fair, which was a shame, he thought as his eyes took on a purple whirl.

Such a lithe, lovely green shouldn't have to stay limited to just a few lizards. He chirped alluringly to the green, noting in a delighted part of his mind that he was the first.

[Sparrow]

N'ren shook his head as Torch took off, the little Blue had to chase every flitt that flew, even though he had lost the last few he had been in. Tak settled more firmly on N'ren's shoulder, concentrating on not being caught up in the idea of chasing a Green. Tak didn't chase them anymore. But his little brother obviously didn't care.

Well, of course Torch would chase! He had failed to catch the last Green to Rise, but hopefully he would have better luck this time. If nothing else, he could at least enjoy the fun of a Flight. Sphinx was a lovely little Green too. Torch chattered to her as he began to circle the rock she had perched on; he would be ready to follow as soon as she went, landing and going again would be a waste of energy.

A Tan had come too... that didn't worry Torch too much though, a Tan was sure to not have too much luck with a Green! They were big and lacked agility, as far as he could tell. Torch's eyes whirled with violet, something he thought would make a very nice contrast to the light blue of his head. Maybe the Green would too, although his interesting colors hadn't seemed to prove a difference in past Flights. Torch began chattering to himself now, pondering this.

[kandykat]

R'lyr perked up as a twinge of lust distracted him from his lunch. Kestrel trilled and lifted off from his shoulder, and R'lyr knew he was off to chase some green or gold. He shrugged and went back to his meal. Junior cocked his head, a bit confused, but he knew better than to follow his older brother.

Kestrel bugled his answer to the green's challenge, a faint hiss escaping him as he looked over the other males. He didn't have much to worry about from the blue, he thought, but the tan might prove a challenge. No matter. Kes was sure he would overtake any other male in the end. What green wouldn't want such a strong, handsome bronze?

He hovered near Sphinx, crooning at her. His eyes whirled violet as he took in her beautiful green form, just as impressive as a gold.

[Zen]

The small green fire-lizard loved the attention she got. Very quickly she noticed two fire-lizards flying for her. One was a Blue, and she was suited more for Blue than any other colors, and the other was a Tan, still a good color, but somehow not what she wanted. She took some time to survey the males, and hoped that another would arrive. He did, and she immediately noticed Kestrel, fire-lizard of R'lyr, arrive. Kestrel was a Bronze, and she disliked higher colors, but it didn't matter... whoever caught her would be hers. It didn't depend on the color, but the wits when it came to catching the green Sphinx.

Torch, the Blue, hadn't won. She knew he hadn't won a Flight, at least not that she knew of. But that was fine. She didn't judge by Flights won or lost. She judged by knowledge gained. With a dazzling burst of speed, she blew past both Torch and Dun, who had strayed too close to each other. She decided to start out slow. She would work up the momentum later. Still keeping her head, though letting her lust take control of her, she thought of her first riddle.

Since flitters can't speak in any form known to humans, we'll say Sphinx could not tell riddles to the three chasers. This made the game more fun. First, Sphinx dove toward a woman wearing an unusual purple shirt. She liked this color purple. Tearing out of the dive, she circled around the woman a couple times (the woman was puzzled, but she knew Sphinx's antics--everyone did--and let it slide), then she raced back to the sky, looked for what she wanted, and found it. A flower, not one that she wanted, but a flower nonetheless. She dove for it and just barely skimmed it with her claws. The flower was surrounded by others, but not of the color she wanted. She wanted a purple flower. The male chasers had to go and find a purple flower. Whoever could not figure out what she meant by her riddle would be disqualified from her Flight. She hoped no one would drop out this early.

[Sparrow]

Torch rolled to the side when Sphinx suddenly shot past, chattering in surprise at her abrupt takeoff. But despite her speed then, the Green didn't seem to be starting out too fast. Maybe she would take it easy at the start since males weren't likely to try and catch a female without some time to make the Flight worth it? Of course. Sphinx was smart, saving her energy. Torch chattered his praise to the Green and followed her, although he moved quickly, throwing in rolls and little darts here and there to Impress her.

And where was Sphinx headed now? Torch cocked his head, confused, when she flew over to a human and started circling her. The Green circled her a few times, and Torch followed her, chattering softly about this confusing diversion. Now she was headed for flowers? What could the flowers do? Did she want one? This made little sense to the Blue. But of course... this was Sphinx. Didn't she like to confuse? Torch wasn't totally sure. He hovered uncertainly over the flowers, then glanced back at the woman, wondering if they were connected. What could a human have to do with flowers?

Maybe the human had nothing to do with it, but the odd color she was wearing. Torch saw purple fire-lizards and dragons, but the color was not so common in clothing. Maybe that had something to do with it? Torch looked back at the flowers. They weren't purple. He was confused again. Flowers, people, colors... Well, maybe he would just find a purple flower. It was possible that was what Sphinx meant with all that. Torch knew there were purple flowers. Detouring, he headed to another part of the Bowl.

There they were! Not quite purple, perhaps more of a dark lavender, but they would do. Torch skimmed over them, gathering a couple in his jaws, and again thought of how nicely purple probably contrasted his hide. It was a good thing he carried the blossoms in his jaw, claws would keep them too far away from the light part of his hide that would make them stand out.

For once silenced because of the obstruction in his mouth, Torch flew back to Sphinx. He made a bad attempt at a croon around the stems and profferred the blossoms, unsure if the Green would come close enough to take them but ready to make it possible anyways. Hopefully this was right.