Evening Star Rising - Gold Nayarath's Flight!

[Sparrow]

It had been a little more than half a Turn since Nayarath's maiden Flight at the end of winter. Autumn had started, crops were ripening, the weather growing slightly moodier. Nayarath's mood darkened with the gathering clouds, a big storm would be here soon. Irritible as Nayarath was becoming, something from her may just be joining it.

Kora watched all the signs with nervous anticipation, unsure how the Gold's second Flight would go and made nervous because of it. Rising now... they would probably be watching eggs through Fall and into Winter. Those seasons weren't too harsh, but Winter never seemed a time to welcome new births. She didn't know who would end up winning the chase either, and Kora didn't like the idea of having to get used to a new Weyrleader and weyrmate.

Nayarath slept in that day, her hide shining bright, her tail twitching impatiently. Thunder rumbled late that afternoon, although Kora didn't see the lightning and it wasn't raining yet. Nayarath woke as the roar faded, but only to echo it with her own angry bugle.

Her head jerked upwards and swung around as she stood, her red and orange gaze focusing briefly on Kora before the Gold faced the feeding pens and took off with a mighty downstroke. Nayarath was ravenous. Her wings caught the storm-heavy air and she made the quick trip to the feeding grounds even more impatiently than usual. A trumpet left her maw as she reached the pens and dove.

It was not the first creature she came upon that fell to Nayarath's claws, she inspected the bovines and chose a large male, a perfect specimen worthy of her. The Gold landed in the center of the pen, paying no heed to the frightened cries of the prey animals around her. Lowering her head, she prepared to tear into the beast.

Blood it! In her weyr, Kora's fists clenched as she fought to break into her dragon's mind and get the order through. Outside, Nayarath's jaw snapped and she bugled defiantely before preparing to bite into the bull again.
Blood it! Nayarath!

Nayarath's teeth sunk into the neck of her kill and she ripped her head back, tearing a chunk of flesh from the bovine. Hot blood flooded from the severed veins of her prey. Kora repeated her command more firmly, anger touching her voice. Nayarath cocked her head, surprised, and the bite fell from her mouth as she growled angrily. Foiled. But the Gold began to take the blood of her kill rather than the flesh.

As she emptied her first bovine of blood, Nayarath took off again and grabbed a second. The same battle ensued, with Kora eventually winning a second time. Nayarath blooded the bovine and then trumpeted a challenge. Her hunger had abated a little, and now she wanted to see the Bronzes gather to hunt too. They would need blood if they wanted to have any chance at catching her.

[Nick]

Alduth was up and out of the weyr before Y'xem knew what exactly what was happening. It didn't take long though because Alduth was already enjoying just a tinge of Flight-lust. Y'xem dropped what he was eating, a light snack, and made for Kora's weyr.

Alduth landed in the herdbeast pens, near Nayarath but have her her space right now. He quickly caught a very large wherry and blooded it. No time to waste with the beautiful Gold two beasts ahead of you.

He launched himself in the middle of a small group to bring down a medium-sized herdbeast. No good to get smaller ones! He needed energy and blood! He quickly sucked his second dry, hoping to catch up to the lustful, shining gem of a dragon that was Nayarath now. Alduth's eyes whirled red-violet as he pounced on a foolish herdbeast that was nice and fat with blood.

Such wonders that blood did for Flights. He could only hope to be lucky enough to be Nayarath's mate again, giving His another chance with Kora as well. Alduth was still sucking his third beast dry as he crooned at her, testing her mood.

[friar]

"Do you really wanna do that?"

Of course. Venuth will not be growing up anytime soon. And Nayarath needs a mate.

"Alduth has been doing a fantastic job so far."

Silence met that statement. Well, silence flavored with arising lust.

Labyrinth landed near the herdbeasts, on the other side of Nayarath as Alduth. He pounced on a young buck, and sucked it dry of blood. The second buck went much the same way, and Labyrinth lifted his head, nearly snarling. He was ready to fly, ready to stretch his wings in pursuit of his glorious queen!

[Jenth]

Wuith had been perticularly smug about something all day, alert but lying patiently.... why? This behaviour in the Tan was almost unknown, for once he had been content to sit on his ledge with no intent to leave. This was nothing like their weyrling watching, L'han still refused to admit he fancied a certain harper girl and her dragon. With the storm clouds drawing nearer it seemed a bad day for sunning or being outside at all.

Busying himself with riding straps, it was almost like he felt the same tension. Only waiting for just the right time...soon...drawing closer...

you better get going, don't want to be late

Late? For what? but L'han's question fell on dead air, Wuith had already taken to the air. Bloodlust so intence seeped into his stomach; a mating flight, but who's?

The first glance outside his weyr was of gathering bronzes, oh no! It couldn't be Nayarath?! Wuith stuck out in the crowd like a tunnlesnake amonst avians, the first Tan on Pern was going to attempt to fly his first queen...

Young as he may be, L'han was Weyrsecond and a dam good rider but he had no desire to take leadership from Y'xem

Clearing the hatching grounds boarders, in the same swoop he had plucked a herdbeast and lnded on a ledge neatly with only one wingbeat. The poor dead heastbeast hadn't seen what hit it, already stampeading away from the bronzes that clung to his queens heels.

Let them waist their energy trying to outfly her, she was oh so much smarter and stronger then that. He had let the beauty try her wings last time unchallenged by him, but this time he sought to make up for lost time. Sucking his beast dry he was tempted to take another, but he dare no waste time. To be over confident in his quest to draw on more strenght could loose him valuable seconds should she take flight. At his size he challenged the power of his bronze brothers, but he would not allow himself to give any leave way. Pateintly he waited, ready to chase at a seconds moment...

[Sparrow]

Alduth again, Labyrinth, and the Tan? Did Wuith really think he had a chance with her? Nayarath was a Gold, not some silly Violet or Green. Of course, he hadn't chased Kelth... that had been a mistake. Wuith didn't have a chance with her, Nayarath was already sure. She blooded a third beast and then took off with a little of the bright red liquid still clinging to her lower jaw. It ran down her chin and was brushed away by the cold, rushing air as she shot higher, leaving only a slight trail of darkness against her bright hide.

Already Nayarath took the Flight high, shooting upwards with little attention to the heavy clouds above, looking more and more ready to drop their load. Somewhere far off lightning flashed and again thunder rumbled. Nayarath paid little attention. The sun was setting, the lightning was only doing its duty lighting her Flight. The flashes of bright would surely make her hide look stunning! And the thunder was a dramatic background noise, so much stronger than the high pop after coming from between or the booming rush of wind under her wings.

Where to take the Flight? Up was good, but they had to go somewhere too. Nayarath had little plan, and spiraled in the shadow of a cloud out towards the ocean. Water below, soon there would be water above. She liked the idea. Nayarath trumpeted again, although this time more of happiness at her strength and freedom than as challenge. No rider would hold her back tonight, she had the sky to herself. She was the guiding star, the one the males could only follow and try to impress.

Kora watched Nayarath take off from the entrance of her weyr. No riders had showed up here yet, although she had seen Bronzes and the Tan disappear into the feeding pens. With the bloodlust fading, Kora could only feel it replaced by dragonlust, which wasn't much better. She hated the feelings, the desperation to have someone, and fought them down. If she was good at anything, it was hiding her emotions. But Nayarath's last Flight had overwhelmed her... she probably didn't have much chance against it this time either.

Where was Y'xem? She had seen Alduth... for once the Bronze wasn't late, but she didn't want to be the rider to be last to arrive here. Nayarath was annoyed by the Tan joining her Flight; Kora leaned against the wall and fought the building connection with Nayarath away again. It was easier now that she knew what to expect, but not much.

[Jenth]

L’han made his way up the steps, almost wishing he didn’t have to do this. For those riders belonging to the rejected males would have to walk through the stormy weather, but the drenching should certainly cool off his failed-flight lust. The others hadn’t arrived yet, finding Kora alone. “Sorry, Kora, couldn’t hold him back…”

Moving to lean against the wall he gave kora her space as he prepared himself to be swept along with his dragon. He always thought Kora and Y’xem made a fitting pair, fit to lead the Weyr. Kora was quite a woman, L’han envied Y’xem for that. But as Wingsecond to the leading Wing none could say he didn’t have the qualities to take the man’s place. L’han just didn’t want to break the chain of order.

Wuith sprung after the gold, knowing he wouldn’t be disappointed by the flight ahead. His own hide didn’t shine as bright as the bronzes, more an off white or pale brown but in the faiding light of the storm that could work to his advantage. He rivalled Labyrinth length for length, so Adulth was his only competition. Flying only a wing beat behind him in Fall made it so that he knew everything the Weyrleader’s bronze had to offer. Male couldn’t concentrate enough to duck when he needed to, maybe his not too recent scoring would slow him down. Oh this would be fun!

Wings sought to catch the gale winds, flowing like unseen tides of the sea. Ironic, since that’s where they seemed to be at a quick glance around to place his competition. The settling sun began to cast him as an almost ghostly figure, as if made form the storm clouds in which they were to play. At her challenging bugle he answered with a deafening roar. He was serious and he played this game to win, not afraid who knew it. Oh his queen knew how to pick the grounds of her flight, what a beautiful and cunning gold she was! Powerful wings beat on after his chosen prize...

[Nick]

Deep into his fourth beast, Alduth saw Nayarath take to the skies. He dropped the bleeding animal to the ground and took to the sky after her. Giving a roar as he launched after her, it was replaced by a loving croon.

This was his mate at the moment. He wanted it to continue to be so. Alduth gurgled as he saw the Tan, what a silly dragon. Nayarath was only worthy of a Bronze! No matter the size of the Tan, there was no way Nayarath would pick him.

As Alduth followed the shining Gold up into the sky, he was thinking only of two things. The Gold star before him, and the dangerous weather that seemed to be coming in. At least it would make for an exciting Flight! That and this Tan trying to prove himself. Nayarath, bright star, let us enjoy the dangerous atmosphere. Fly well like only you can.

Couldn't hurt to flirt with Nayarath a little.

Y'xem finally reached Kora's weyr to find someone else already there. A low growl escaped Y'xem's throat at seeing his Wing-second here. He walked over and smiled at Kora, ignoring the other male now. "Hello Kora, looks like a storm coming in. Should be a little exciting."

He looked out of Kora's weyr to see Alduth shoot up after the shining Gold. He guessed that Wuith had took to the skies right before his Bronze.

[friar]

Like Alduth, when Labyrinth leapt to follow Nayarath's teasing lead, he left a beast spilling its lifeblood to soak into the unforgiving dirt. He paid little mind to it, concentrating instead on Nayarath's enticing form, glowing golden against a backdrop of angry clouds. Uh-oh. Those didn't look good. A calmer Labyrinth would have turned away, preferring not to get tangled in a storm. A calmer Labyrinth, however, was not the Labyrinth racing his way after his queen, eyes a churning purple.

J'reth was the last to enter the Weyrwoman's quarters, which was only fitting, because he was the most conflicted of the three riders. Labyrinth was going to enjoy himself, but that didn't stop J'reth from letting his mind race.

Take us for a ride, beautiful one! he called to the queen, his blood boiling in excitement. The air was thicker now, heavy with the pomise of rain. It made moving his wings a little difficult, but each stroke sent him farther, closer to his goal.

J'reth closed the door behind him- he was pretty sure he would be the last one in, considering that only three males streaked after Nayarth. He stayed by the door a few seconds, making up his mind quickly. He would go along with this. Who knew, maybe Labby wouldn't catch the queen. Then, he'd be free to send the bronze after Cerri's barred whenever she Flew.

[Missa]

Hm. Nayarath flies... Truth's voice was as thoughtful before every other flight, but there was a determination beneath that, a desire to prove himself above his colour and small stature. Nothing could stop him if he wanted this queen... He was better than all bronzes...
Are you stupid? Or just really stupid? F'ynch's voice cut through his thoughts, dark with anger and disbelief. He couldn't be thinking this, Nayarath would kill him for thinking he had a chance, and Kora was a female!

Truth ignored him, watching the gold with a hunger that had nothing to do with his stomach before suddenly bellowing. His call was higher than that of the bronze's but it least it sounded male. Not female. Always a good sign. Preading large wings, the powdery blue pushed himself from his ledge quickly, he had speed on his side! Agility if not strength! There was nothing that could stop Truth from taking his rightful place as mate to the queen. He would sire a better clutch than any other!

Spiralling after her, Truth twisted around the other males, eyes settling on the golden prize. Yes, this was where he was supposed to be, chasing the gold and winning her over. A true king.
Beautiful, glorious Nayarath. The words were a mere whisper, but Truth was already throwing his all into the flight, keeping his energy useage in check. he wouldn't be left behind.

F'ynch swore as Truth took off, cursing the blue loudly as the lust tuigged at his mind, making his way to the weyrwoman's weyr. Sharding stupid blue! He was going to get himself hurt! Stupid, stupid wherry brained tunnelsnake. Sharding-- Ugh!

(I couldn't resist =D Feel free to attack xD Comedy Relief has arrived XD)

[Sparrow]

((Friar it's Nayarath, not Nayarth.... that's been bugging me. xP))

A Blue now? Nayarath growled angrily and the distant thunder almost seemed to enhance the unhappy noise. Were the males trying to make fun of her? Did they think she was only some silly, infertile Green? That was what the Blues chased. They did not chase Golds. Truth would pay. The Tan was already more than enough; Nayarath wanted Bronzes chasing her, not these smaller males. And a Blue was too small. They were weak. She had heard they had nearly been forced to drop out of the last Green Flight.

Her Flight was not a game for anyone to participate in. Nayarath didn't even spare the Blue the attention to glare at him and flatly ignored his words. Her wings pumped and she forced the group to follow her higher. Blues could not stand the thin air of high altitudes, she would just get rid of him. If he didn't leave... he was obviously mad.

Alduth and Labyrinth's calls she did like and although she was feeling much too angry now to rumble or reply, hopefully they could tell she wasn't mad at them. The Bronzes had done nothing wrong, they were right to chase. That was what they were for. The others... not so much.

Another lightning flash cut through the clouds and finally rain began to fall, pelting hard at the high altitude Nayarath had taken up. The wetness only increased the shine of her hide, the falling water was no deterrent to her. Every element about was only trying to make her Flight more wonderful. Some of the males seemed to be trying to ruin it.

Let's see how you can use the clouds, Nayarath suggested teasingly to Alduth, Labyrinth, and Wuith. The Tan couldn't be left out even though she wasn't sure he had much right chasing her. He was only a little smaller than a Bronze anyways. But Truth? He did not deserve to hear her voice. Nayarath didn't want the Blue here, and she was sure he couldn't linger long.

The three riders arrived, L'han, Y'xem, J'reth... but now she saw another dragon shooting away? Kora caught her breath at the flash of powder blue. What was Truth doing? As soon as her dragon noticed, she felt only more rage at the current suitors. Bronzes she had expected, not a Tan and a Blue...

Kora chewed her lip and nodded to Y'xem. She wanted Alduth to win, she wasn't so sure about Nayarath. The Gold liked both Bronzes, and had spared her voice to Wuith. That had to be good, didn't it? Or bad, depending on how she looked at it. Good for the Tan. J'reth's lingering by the door made Kora unsure what the Bronzerider thought of his dragon chasing... she had heard rumors from the Headwoman recently....

[Jenth]

Wuith did not even notice Truth, the much smaller dragon had been the last to rise, had not even blood a single kill and he would be left so far behind in moments that in a minute he would drop out no doubt. He might be a Tan, completely unheard of as a suitor for a gold but up untill 3 Turns ago Tans hadn't existed. He! Wuith! Had been the first! That was something he was very proud of now it was certain he would never be the only one. Possessing the power and endurence of a bronze with the agility and ever lasting determination of a brown, he had taken some of the best qualities a dragon of his size could ever want.

Knowing he would never bring out the golden queen's potential by following her mindlessly like the others. No, she had given away her intent to accend into the clouds. Breaking away he headed straight up, his body engulfed in grey and black as he only just skimmed the bottom. He could not let her out of his sight! Those bronzes could not be trusted to keep their talons off what he would make his.

Come and play my beautiful queen, show us that your beauty can only be transended by your skill. No matter where you go, Wuith will never be far

[Nick]

A Sharding Blue! That Blue was too cocky for his own good! This was Nayarath! She was Queen of the Skies! It was Insulting to have such a puny dragon try to Fly her. Alduth roared viciously at the Blue before turning back to Nayarath with swirling purple eyes, still laced lightly with red from the appearance of Blue Truth.

He flew after her, taking up a right side position just behind her. They were flying quite high. He caught on quick, she was flying as high as possible to hopefully lose that silly Blue. Alduth crooned at she spoke to him. Gold, shining, star of a dragon. Anything you ask of me, I will attempt with all my strength.

As well as speaking to Nayarath, the Bronze dove right into the nearest cloud. Lightning illuminated the cloud, showing the large Bronze inside the cloud as he shot for the side and came out in a spiral. Pieces of the cloud flowed out behind the spiraling dragon. Alduth came behind Nayarath and, with a rumble, circled around her in a large loop. Not much, but something for such a glorious Gold.

Y'xem leaned against the side of the opening in slight familiarity with his surroundings. He had that much of an advantage on the others...and so did Alduth if you thought about it. He was slowly melding with his Bronze, feeling the need to have Kora/Nayarath once more. Not that that need ever had went away.

He looked back over at Kora, his cheeks slightly flushed by Flight-lust. She was even more beautiful in this Flight. He hoped only that Alduth could win Nayarath over once more. He wasn't sure how Kora was feeling, and if she did want Alduth to win...would it only be because she didn't want a stranger in her bed?

[friar]

What the shard? Labyrinth glimpsed a new competitor streaking through the heavy air below them. A...blue? Preposterous! He doubled his efforts, determined to show Nayarath that he, at least, was serious competition!

J'reth was slowly being consumed by Labyrinth's Flight-lust, albeit somewhat quicker than Y'xem seemed to be. He suddenly felt the need to beat the other bronzerider, beat him in this competition for Nayarath...for Kora. The Weyrwoman...well, she glowed to him, not realizing that he was seeing a combination of Labbyrinth's field of vision and his own. The view suddenly changed to the glowing queen, and J'reth blinked his mismatched eyes.

Labyrinth felt when Wuith headed up into the clouds, felt his determination to keep Nayarath away from...what was that? Thieving bronzes? Oh, he'd show that stupid tan! The bronze angled his wings to perform a smooth spin that brought him to the side. The sudden onslaught of hard rain slowed his progress a little, but that didn't stop the vailant bronze.

Queen of the skies, see how well I, Labyrinth, seek to impress. You will not be disappointed, he vowed, disappearing behind a particularly dense cloud.

[Missa]

Despite Nayarath's displeasure, Truth was determined. She was just putting on a show for those hulking bronzes. Really, what gold wouldn't want him? He was fast, and agile. And well... He was just far more handsome than any of the others. They were dull, brown he however, was a splendid colour. It would look wonderful mingling with hers in the skies.

Nothing was going to stop him, not even the fact she hadn't graced him with her voice. Let the others think they had a chance, Truth might be small, but size wasn't the only factor that came into it. Shooting after her, Truth delibrately made sure he got in the way of the bronze's, after all, he'd show Nayarath just what his little size could do. A tap on the rump with his tail there, a growl at Alduth.

As they headed into the clouds, Truth barely bit down on the growl that threatened in his throat. The high alt would bother her for a while, but it would get harder. Much harder. Oh well, he'd just have to prove himself before that. As the bronzes dissapeared behind large clouds, Truth's eyes remained on the golden queen for longer, not wanting to let her out of his sight.
Your bronzes have fancy tricks, but none could beat me in agility... As he said this, he spiralled upwards rather than following mindlessly, then wove in and out of the cloud, dissapearing, reappearing but never did his eyes stray from her for a few moments.

F'ynch didn't want this, he had the worst feeling that Nayarath was going to get violent with his beloved blue. What had Truth been thinking? Was he stupid? Or just really, really stupid? It was frustrating as well, after all what could bother a person more than being attracted to the gender he liked only as friends, and even then, not all the time. Sharding. Stupid. Blue.

Leaning against the wall, F'ynch tried to keep his distance from Kora, if Nayarath was going to hurt Truth, the only reassurance he was going to get was that Kora wouldn't attack him as well. No, he was staying out of reach.

[Sparrow]

The Bronzes had sweet words for her, but their tricks weren't as impressive as Nayarath may have hoped. Alduth could have gotten himself killed if the static rushing through the clouds were to tag him. The Gold may have felt a twinge of worry for her old mate at any other time, for now she just thought he was being stupid as the Blue with that risk. Labyrinth was hiding.

The Tan surprised her by showing a spark of intelligence, keeping himself easily in sight but also letting the clouds fluff over his pale appearance. The only attention she paid Truth was anger at how he got in the way of the dragons that could really be her suitors. Why was the creature still following her? Nayarath ducked abruptly, shooting downwards, spreading her wings again and gliding upwards, higher than before. Getting the momentum before the incline saved her energy, Nayarath wanted a long Flight. She wasn't going to waste anything trying to get rid of the Blue.

Skimming along the bottom of the clouds as Wuith did, Nayarath let the wet gather on her rather than pelting her back. She didn't like the cutting feel of the rain against her hide. The water below was beginning to thrash as winds gained to push the rain at another angle. Down was not the way Nayarath was going, it was not the way things would go around her either. Ocean waves struggled to climb higher, rain tried to hover by blowing sideways. A slight draconic grin stretched her lips at how everything was hailing her.

Dipping a wing, Nayarath let herself spiral and took up, briefly, the angle the rain did, shooting further out to see with it. When she felt she was going too low, she spun upwards. Nayarath didn't feel she was the one who should be performing, it was the males who should be showing off, trying to catch her attention. But they weren't doing it as much as she would have liked, or at least the ones she wanted to pay attention to, and so the Gold figured she had to set a slight example. Hopefully they would catch on without too much more prodding.

Kora sighed and felt herself melding more with Nayarath despite her struggles. Sight flickered between the storm-tossed outdoors to the cool stone of her Weyr and men around her. Lust battled with fear and she stood stiffly, trying not to think about anything because it distracted her from her want to keep herself. Holding back was what she had been warned not to do by Tanas, but it was habit.

[Jenth]

Ha! She had followed him! Of course the rain might have bothered them, crashing down at those below the clouds trying to force them to the ground. With in the clouds there was only the mist of clouds, making the thin air heavier and easier for flying. Oh if only his queen would just rise a little higher.... maybe he could chase her above the clouds and give her the flight she deserved.

A flash of lightning streaked above him, so close he could feel the static. This was dangerous, but an idea came to mind. He would show those stupid bronzes! He waited, watched.... Now! The next blinding flash his wings snapped back to his side, falling in a pale streak like the lightning across the sky. But unlike the light that jagged off in random directions, Wuith fell right down into the path of his accending queen....

L'han smiled and his stance relaxed against the wall, eyes closed as he concentrated on the flight. All his reckless youth had left quite the impression on his dragon, but he would never admit to the weyrleaders how he and Wuith flew when no one was around...

[Nick]

Alduth had done something wrong. She didn't like his small trick, and seemed frankly angry with him. He would make it up to her! As she dove, he quickly followed. Alduth dove so fast, his wings so tight against his back and sides that he was catching up with the Golden Star he was trying to win.

As he saw her unfurl her wings and start to shoot up into the air again, he did also...earlier. He caught the air and did tight corkscrews before following her into the high altitudes again. He wouldn't try any more dangerous stunts like the clouds had to offer, instead he would opt for lower level antics.

As he saw Nayarath perch close to the clouds so the rain wasn't as heavy, Alduth flew under and behind her. He was being pelted slightly harder...but could endure. Suddenly Alduth dove toward the trothing Ocean, turning back up at just the right moment to let his tail splash the top in a spray that was illuminated by a lightning flash.

He spiraled lazily back up to fly behind the Bright Golden Nayarath again. A moment later, the beautiful Gold took off at the slant of the rain...not too long afterward though, she spun back up. Alduth got the idea. But what to do? He had already done one trick...another?

Spiraling through the rain towards her, he slowly dipped down to the Ocean. Nothing more he could think of than a simple shot straight up to the cloud-line. Lightning flashed and he saw Wuith being reckless, but that lightning also illuminated the sheen that Alduth's hide had taken up from the rain. Almost a rainbow color that flowed over his bronze tones.

Y'xem reeled. He wasn't too much for tricks like this and they made him a bit dizzy. It passed quickly and was replaced with dragon-lust in more intense waves. Alduth wouldn't settle for losing now! He wanted Nayarath more than these others! Y'xem wanted Kora more than the others as well...but that wasn't something to be voiced.

He looked over at the Weyrwoman and gasped at the beauty she had obtained from the overpowering lust. She was glowing like her dragon, Alduth's vision no doubt. But she was also transformed into a beautiful Star.

[friar]

Before Labyrinth could emerge from the cloud to do the super-cool slips he had planned that would most definitely earn him some points, lightning cracked not three feet beyond his left wingtip. He canted to the left, sucked into the void of enpty air left by the electrical charge. Frantically, he straightened, flailing his wings to regain his balance.

Too late, he was spiralling down, losing control by the second. The urge to fly, to be better than all the rest in order to win lovely Nayarath, was completely gone. Panic mounted as he recognized the angry sea below. He let out an undignified shriek, just a few decibels short of a full keen, as he drew closer to crashing.

Abruptly jerked out of Labyrinth's mind-meld by the loss of lust, J'reth freaked out. The utter stillness the the room didn't match the fear radiated by his lifemate, the fear that made him want to take the rbonze in his lap as he did as a weyrling, and hug the demons away.

"Labyrinth."

The word fell from his lips softly, in absolute disbelief. Without explaining to anyone in the room, who were still caught up with flight lust, J'reth fled, nearly skipping the steps altogether in his haste.

Stay with me! he pleaded the big bronze as he floundered in the raging seas.

Labyrinth fought his way out of the waves yet again, prevented from going between by J'reth. Despair held the bronze fast, making it hard for him to move.

J'reth! Get me outta here!

Long, slender shapes arced their way towards the stranded bronze, clicking and- was that...giggling he could make out? Sounds carried over the waves, but he couldn't make them out. Four of the shapes presented themselves under his claws, and carried him closer to what he thought might be the shore. Every couple of minutes, the shapes changed out, replaced immediately by others. It took a few minutes, but they brought a very much battered Labyrinth to shore.

Thank you, little ones! he called after their retreating arcs. None of them even turned back.


((And J'reth finds Labby, they go to the Healers, the Flight continues one less. Because Labby won't behave for another paragraph. On to the Infirmary!))

[Sparrow]

Nayarath liked Alduth's next trick more than his first. Wuith she watched, but then gave an offended bellow when she realized where his path was taking him. She ducked to the right, growling, and easily skirted around the Tan. That hadn't been a very good trick. His pale hide was appealing, especially illuminated by the lightning, but intelligence needed to go with looks and he hadn't just shown that.

By Labyrinth, Nayarath was not impressed at all. She didn't like the trill of fear that shot through her when the dragon was dragged into the path of the lightning and fell towards the roiling ocean below. She didn't like his frantic cries or the idea that it was her Flight that had nearly led to very large trouble for the Bronze. At least he was out of the Flight now, one less dragon to worry about.

The Blue she utterly ignored. He couldn't hang in much longer, and didn't seem to be doing much now. Trying anything would be utterly pointless for him anyways, he couldn't win her Flight. A twisted gust of wind took Nayarath by surprise and she was blown slightly backwards, frantically adjusting her wings to take dominance over the elements. That she didn't like either. Regaining control a bit closer to the males than she would have liked to be, Nayarath dove slightly and shot forward again. They couldn't have gotten time to do more than tap her during the moment of her mistake. There would be no catching now, her Flight needed to continue.

Now angry over a lot of things, Nayarath abruptly twisted upwards, shooting into the clouds. She knew from experience that they were only a layer, past them, higher, would be a starry night. The sun had fallen by now. The only problem was that she didn't know how thick the clouds would be, or how dangerous. The dark vapor clung to her shining hide and blocked her view, every stroke of her wings spread it a little, but there was a lot of cloud about.

What males could follow to a higher altitude? Not the Blue, she was sure. Maybe he would get lost trying to cross through the clouds. Nayarath snarled at the wet and finally felt clearer air in her nostrils. She glanced around, relieved at the explosion of cloud around her as another wingstroke brought the rest of her through. The thunder and lightning and rain were below her now. The air was very thin though. She could fly quickly, unhindered by anything, but probably couldn't linger too long.

Kora felt her heart skip a beat when Labyrinth fell into trouble, much more worried by the possibility of losing a dragon than her Gold had been. Nayarath was only climbing higher, trying to lose the Blue. But Kora watched nervously as J'reth fled her weyr. It was down to Alduth and Wuith then, for Truth would be no competition.

She lurched at the breath of fresh air as Nayarath broke through the clouds, melding more and more with the Gold as the Flight went on. Kora closed her eyes, but could almost see more clearly as Nayarath's sight took over hers. The Gold didn't have much choice in who won the Flight, how much longer would it go?

[Nick]

The other Bronze was gone! He had fallen out of the Flight because of lightning? Careless! This was Nayarath, and nothing would keep Alduth from her!

That was true as she dipped suddenly after being caught in a gust. He weaved out of her way, he wouldn't catch her like that! He crooned as she shot up into the clouds, hoping only that she wouldn't get hit by any lightning. Then he followed.

He slid through the clouds like a knife through butter. He could still see the Golden glow that was Nayarath, and chased after that. Alduth broke the surface only moments after the Gold.

Now that there were just the stars above them, Nayarath glowed twice as bright and Alduth crooned. Nayarath, Queen of the Night, you glow brighter than any star. Let us fly together faster than any other dragons. Alduth sped up to take his position on the right of Nayarath and slightly behind her. He wanted her to choose him badly, and now that there weren't many left to choose from...maybe he had a better chance.

Y'xem slumped against the wall, trying to control the lust that swirled in his dragon's purple eyes and his clouded ones. He could see Nayarath flying and the room around him was fading to just a dim background.

Kora was the most prominent thing in the room. He could tell she was falling to lust as well, and could only wish that she wanted Nayarath to choose Alduth.