Violet Dawn

[kandykat]

The sun was just creeping over the horizon. It was the morning after the Hatching, and Shador was fast asleep, snoring lightly. She wasn't planning on getting up for at least another few hours. Kelth had different plans.

The Violet had been sleeping all of yesterday afternoon, as well as through the night. Shador had noticed her dragon's glowing hide, but had mistakenly assumed that Kelth would have the decency to at least wait until she had a chance to sleep in to begin her rising. Now, Kelth opened one vivid purple eye and lifted her head. She felt awake and restless now, not herself at all. Pulling herself up to her full height, she flared her wings and let out a brassy bugle that shook the Weyr, probably waking everyone up, including Shador.

"What the--" Shador groggily sat up just in time to see Kelth leap off her ledge and launch herself towards the feeding grounds. "Oh no, no, not now..." She whined, dragging herself out of bed and pulling on a ragged robe as she stumbled down to the feeding grounds. Kelth's hunger wiped away her tiredness, and she took a deep breath before yelling, both mentally and out loud.

"BLOOD IT!"

Kelth snarled, head swinging back and forth above the heardbeast she had killed. Her eyes whirled a swirl of red and violet, but with Shador's urging, she put her fangs to the beast's neck and sucked it dry. One more herdbeast fell under her claws, and then she bugled again, ready to fly.

Flight weyr, Shador told herself quickly, hurrying to the Flight room in her pink fuzzy slippers.

[Sparrow]

Ekirith could win this Flight, he was sure of it. Maybe he had lost the last two, but those had been silly Greens. They had no idea of the prowess of a Brown. Bronzes seemed to think too much of themselves, there weren't many Tans, Blues were the other hyper small dragons, Browns were the ones no-one thought about, and apparently didn't like because they were in the middle of everything and seemed too calm to be worth thinking about.

Well. Ekirith was not in his best mood. He would not be 'calm' in chasing this lovely Violet, he would win her. Perhaps Bronzes and the Weyr's single Tan would join the chase. Perhaps a silly Blue would think he could win, they had proved themselves well in the last few Green Flights anyways. But Ekirith would be the one that Kelth chose in the end. He had to be. He wouldn't let himself lose another Flight, especially to one as lovely as this Violet.

A Brown would be a fine father to the queen's first clutch. A worthy one, who would stay by her side and not continue to flirt with others as a Bronze might, or act as the shy misfit of all the dragons as a Tan might. Perhaps Browns did not often chase Golds, perhaps Violets were the colors born so that the poor middle dragons could have a female to themselves... although the Tans would be some competition. Once there were more of them.

Bugling his own challenge to other males who would come later, Ekirith waited impatiently for J'ran to mount so the dragon could hurry him to the Flight room. Once the rider was dropped off, the Brown darted to the feeding pens to fell his own prey before the Flight. She had taken two so far, would she take more? Ekirith quickly downed his own beast and set to blooding the creature.

Not much later, a second fell to his claws and he glanced with glistening violet eyes that shone with an even darker shade than the hide of the Violet he was about to chase. She would take off soon, he hoped. Perhaps when more arrived. But Ekirith had been the first one here, he was the one who truly cared. The Brown would not make such a lovely queen wait.

Don't get too sure of yourself, J'ran warned his dragon nervously as he approached Kelth with a position that defied his unsure thoughts. The rider wouldn't let on to being worried, but Ekirith's last losses had not left the usually friendly and down-to-earth Brown in an irritated mood. They had only been Greens then... this was a much bigger risk.

J'ran was a master at hiding his feelings. He smiled at Shador; they had shared a bed before, perhaps Kelth would bring it about again. For Ekirith's sake at least, he wanted the dragon to win. But he wasn't as sure as his Brown seemed.

[franny]

Heverth blooded his kill before the Violet even awoke, knowing that she would awake soon. Heverth was ready. HE was a bronze and he would win. He was the greatest dragon and he knew it. He watched intetly as she blooded her kill and waited, for the exact moment of when she took off. The second she took off, Heverth was there, ready to follow her wherever she went.
K'met had been very surprised when he felt Heverth blooding, but then he thought about it and he realized that it was probably either a green or the Violet. He walked over, toward the flight room, where she waited, she being the Violet rider Shador. He put himself away from the crowd, there would be enough croding once the flight was going. He slowly felt himself becoming part of his dragon, and soon he saw the Violet, the Violet in the sky.

[kandykat]

Shador hastily tried to run her fingers through her hair and smooth down her nightgown in an attempt to make herself look as if she hadn't just rolled out of bed. Footsteps caught her attention, and she looked up to see J'ran approaching. She didn't return his smile, feeling too on guard from Kelth's feelings to pay too much attention to one man. Looking around, she noticed K'met hanging back--no surprise there. "Come closer, Bronzerider," she said, waving him over. The sternness in her voice almost surprised her. Now she did smile, but to herself. Kelth was slowly taking over her own consciousness.

Kelth eyed each of the males that flew to her side: Browns, Tans, and Bronzes. There was Ekirith, the Brown who had lost two Greenflights recently. Why was he wasting his time on Greens when she was around? He'd learn his lesson today. And there was Heverth, who she had seen talking with another Green at the Hatching Feast. Yes, both of them would see today. They would be chasing a Violet today. Better than Green, better even than Gold.

She screeched her defiance as she beat her wings hard and launched herself airborne with a powerful push of her haunches. She circled once, surveying the males for a final time, and then she sped off. She beat her wings steadily, flying far ahead of the males. She would test their speed first. As she flew, she angled upwards ever so slightly, instinct driving her to pick up altitude.

On the ground, Shador's last thought was that Kelth seemed nothing like her usual self. She was normally so sweet, and now she was nothing but arrogant! She smiled and looked up to the sky, and then she felt like she was up there with Kelth, borne on Violet wings.

[Sparrow]

J’ran wasn’t too surprised that Shador didn’t return his smile, this was the first Flight she had experienced and maybe she was concentrating on that? The first time Ekirith had chased a Green had been an… interesting experience. At least the Brown hadn’t won that time. The man had been able to be a bit more prepared when the Brown won one his second try. Ekirith would never take losing fondly… the dragon always made up for it before long. Would he now?

Browns weren’t the dragons meant to give a rider a rank, and yet if Ekirith caught Kelth… would J’ran end up with one?

Ekirith didn’t spare the time to look over the Violet’s other pursuers, although he was aware of dragons ranking higher than him among them. Would she chose them for rank? Browns were the smallest of the dragons chasing, even if Ekirith was a large Brown. Hopefully the color of the dragon’s hide didn’t make much difference to this lovely female.

Kelth took off with a screech, the loud cry destroying any surprise at her takeoff she may have wanted. Greens always seemed to want to take the males by surprise… but this was a Violet. Ekirith shouldn’t be comparing her to the flighty females at all, even if they were all he had experience with. Kelth was something else completely. She was a Violet, the first of her kind, beautiful, larger, intelligent… fast!

She had taken a circle, perhaps to give the rest of the males a chance to take off. Ekirith had taken the chance at least, he was airborn only shortly after the queen. But now she was darting off. Ekirith shot after her with a powerful downstroke. He would not fly faster than Kelth, he would not even go too close to her. But he would prove he could keep up. Maybe he was a Brown against Bronzes, but he would show them and the lovely Violet that flew ahead.

[franny]

BEAUTIFUL Violet! I chase! Heverth cried this out to the Violet beauty before his eyes. He followed her ass fast as he could, right behind her. He would not let her get away, following as she went up. He could almost call this borrowing, folowing the ruby in a straight line, not letting up. It was mechanical. Would there be tricks soon? But he did not let his slight bordom show at all. HE seemed inthralled in the flight and he said to the Violet, Your beauty and your flight outshine all others! One reason he liked the violet and gold flights better, was that they weren't green flights. Green flights wern't as much fun as violet and gold flights, normally.

[kandykat]

Kelth was pleased with Heverth's flattery, but was determined to show no sign of it. He and the Brown, Ekirith, seemed to be keeping up with her well. Almost too well! Angling herself upwards, she ascended sharply into the air, beating her wings harder as the air became thin with altitude. The thin air burned her lungs, but she wanted height! And let the males see if they could take this elevation!

When her wings began to ache from the climb, she wondered what to do next. She didn't want to fly this high for the whole Flight, because then it would be too short. Suddenly, she turned on a wingtip and changed direction entirely. She flew right over the males, her wingtip accidentally brushing Ekirith's back as she passed. When she was past them, she tucked in her wings and dove a few dragonlengths, going back to a more bearable altitude.

Shador swayed slightly on her feet, her excitement mounting with each wingbeat. She was such a good flyer, and clever too! It seemed as if she would never be caught, but she had to be, sooner or later. Who would it be?

[Sparrow]

She flew so high! It was impressive. Ekirith pushed after her, but as they gained height he realized maybe this was why Browns didn't chase Golds. Their flights were so high... the thin air didn't push much against his wings, maybe making it easier to fly fast, but he could hardly breath! The air burned at his lungs, and he had to practically make each breath a long, inhaling gasp to get all the air he needed for another wingstroke.

But he wouldn't give up the Violet. Ekirith had just lost two Flights, and this was not one he planned to lose, especially not to a Bronze. They gave themselves too much credit... but it was only because they were so big that they could catch Golds. Now this Violet came along... so perfect in every way. The Tans had come to, and apparently Bronzes thought that they could also try for the smaller queens, but Ekirith would prove he was the best choice.

Kelth was still flying high, much to Ekirith's dismay. He was sure he couldn't stay up here for long and remain in the Flight... But then the queen's relief came, she turned suddenly on a wingtip and shot over the following males.

Had she touched him? Ekirith felt a great wave of excitement join the flood of lust. Did she really? It was probably only an accident, she had turned so quickly, so agilely, but maybe misjudged her distance a bit... but it could also be a sign that perhaps she favored him? Kelth was no Green, who would touch their followers to flirt or taunt the other males. If she meant to touch him... surely there was a point for it.

With renewed energy and excitement, Ekirith swiveled around and dove after the Violet queen. Perhaps she didn't lower the altitude a lot, but he could breathe here. If he wanted to keep following and catch the radiant female, Ekirith would be needing to do that. But she still kept the group high. Fast, long and high... Flight like that were what made for good clutches and this was growing to be all three.

J'ran had been breathing hard with his Brown, the short time spent at an extra high altitude had been costing to Ekirith, and perhaps rider too. But the Brown wasn't giving up, and J'ran had fallen in too far with his dragon to consider an escape either. They would win.

[franny]

Heverht went high in the air and found it a tad bit difficult, but definitly not too dificult. He had morse stamiona than the brown and was doing much bettter than the brown was in the thin air. What got him was the trun, it was always hard to turn tight and he found himself almost flipping trying to turn tight. He then said to the beautiful Kelth, You turn and play tricks that are superior to all dragons. You my lady are the best.

With that his focus became on catching up with the beauty, as the turn had slowed him down. He quickly caught up and was almost jelous that the brown had gotten touched by this beautiful violet. He quickly caught up with the gorgous violet, whose color shimmered in his eyes and filled him with lust. She was his focus, and he would win!

K'met felt everything and could hear the brown panting, and he felt his own dragons strength. It was amazing, the strangth that a bronze had, and that strength and endurance was why they were the best to fly the queens. That was why his Heverth would probably win this beauty's flight, for both rider and dragon were lovely.

[kandykat]

Although the high altitude would make for a bigger clutch, it had tired Kelth out earlier than she had expected. She kept flying, but her wings ached and she was beginning to feel short of breath. She tried very hard not to show these things. She would lead the chase for a little longer, and then it would be time to make a choice. Her males had done well, and it would be a difficult one, but she thought she was getting closer. She flipped her head around to address them directly.

Impress me. was her simple demand. They could interpret it however they wanted, with their own tricks.

[Sparrow]

Impress me.

A slight shiver ran down Ekirith’s spine. He was tired, but he wouldn’t give up the Violet queen. He couldn’t tell for sure, but maybe Kelth was tiring too? The Brown found himself vaguely hoping so, he couldn’t imagine the embarrassment being unable to finish the Flight would bring. Heverth would get the Violet, Bronzes would continue their pompous tirade…

Well, Ekirith was not about to let that happen. He would Impress the lovely Kelth, and not through simple flattery like the Bronze seemed to be trying to do. He would perform and prove that even though he maybe was on his last legs (or wings) he would keep going for the beautiful queen. For she was a queen. Perhaps not as big as a Gold, but just as great.

Ekirith’s trick started simple, he folded his wings to his side and turned his nose to the ground. His dive didn’t last long, only several dragonlengths, but it had been steep and quickly gathered speed. Snapping his wings open, Ekirith used the momentum to curve upwards. It was a somewhat wide curve, bringing him closer to Kelth than he had gone before and he pulled up beneath her.

Spreading his wings to their widest, the Brown curved beneath her without altering the curve of his flight so he ended up flying upside-down as he passed beneath her. Arcing back, he flew in a wide loop and came up, once again, behind her.

Hopefully it would be good… Ekirith was running out of the energy to do a more creative trick. Making something out of his own momentum was the best he could do if he wanted to remain in the chase.

[franny]

Oh beautiful Violet Kelth, I promise you that I will try to hold up to your great standards. And with that, Heverth took off, diving and flipping, coming back up, doing everything to show that he had the stamina of a bronze AND that he had great agility. He was trying his heart out for this lovely violet, the loveliest dragon he had ever seen. He wanted her so badly. He did't care that his wings felt a little strain from his tricks, he wanted Kelth. HE loved her already.

He flew high and low, fast and slow, diving and flipping. He used the thermals to hep him. His agility didn't equal that of a green, blue, or even a brown, but he had the endurance to pay for that. He could do more tricks without tiring and still have energy left to carry a good flight. He knew his strength, and that was endurance, but he tried so hard for agility, wanting the glorious Kelth.

He then said to her, Oh glorious Kelth, you fly better than a gold or any other dragon. You have the best flight I have ever flown. Compared to you, Golds are nothing, for who could ever want another when there is you, blinding me with your beauty and grace. With that, Heverth leveled out some behind the amazing violet. Heverth knew that she would choose, but he wanted her more than he had ever wanted another dragon, he wanted her, and he knew that he would give the best and longest mating flight.

K'met could feel the strain in his back and arms from Heverth trying to do agility that was tight for him, but he could also feel that Heverth wasn't tired yet and could keep going. He felt a want, a lust, for the violet rider like nothing he had felt before. He wanted her, for she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He felt the want and lust so much that it was hard for him not to just leap for the girl. They both wanted the other pair, more than they had ever wanted a gold. Heverth had never tried this hard for a dragon before, but he had never been going after a violet either.

[kandykat]

Kelth flew steadily but a little slowly as she watched the males perform for her. Ekirith dove, then flew very close to her. She let out a croon of surprise, looking down as he flew underneath her. She tilted her head to watch as he flew a circle around, ending up behind her once more. Her eyes whirled in satisfaction, but she still gave no indication about how certain that made her to pick him.

She turned her attention to the bronze now, flying this way and that so she could keep her eyes on him at all times. She was, in fact, impressed by his maneuvers. She flew now to buy time for herself as she thought. If anything, her request had made it harder to choose between bronze and brown. Should she pick Ekirith, who had put so much effort into one daring trick, or Heverth, who had performed so many smaller ones.

The decision was almost made for her as her wings reached their limit, sending shooting pains up her limbs. She fell back, reaching out for Ekirith for support. She gladly let the steady Brown twine with her, her eyes whirling the same deep violet as her hide.

On the ground, Shador practically pounced on J'ran, grabbing his head and dragging him down for a kiss. She pulled him forcefully towards the bed, making it very clear what she wanted!

((Congrats, Ekirith! You both did really well, it was hard to choose.))

[Sparrow]

Ekirith's hope was beginning to fail as the Bronze performed. The giant still had plenty of energy, he didn't have to dive to gain the momentum to perform a single trick, he was able to do anything on his own strength. And he could keep going. This was why it was the Bronzes that flew the Golds, not the Browns... they couldn't keep up. The Violet would want a dragon with the strength to carry her through a long Flight...

Not a Brown. Hard as he had tried, Ekirith could see the Flight was coming to an end, and it would be a welcome relief to his strained wings. He had done his best to prove himself against a Bronze, all the Bronzes really... Heverth was only an example of the whole color. But Ekirith himself doubted he could find the reserves to continue his own Flight. He had blooded his kills for energy, he had chased best he could...

But a Green was nothing compared to a Violet. He was used to having no trouble at all and now... it felt like too much. Kelth would choose the male with the strength to sustain her, the one with the strength to really impress her.

And yet... his wings kept working. Ekirith would at least see out the Flight. He felt like he was out of energy, just gliding on billows of air, struggling with it to remain at a height even with the Bronze and Violet. As long as he flew there was still a chance, if a very small one. A smart queen would-

Choose him? A chirp of surprise quickly turned into a croon of devotion as the Violet let herself drift to him. Ekirith. It couldn't be but... new energy flooded through his veins, a new flood of lust that spread through him, gave him the strength of a Bronze, or maybe even better. He would Fly his lovely female. Tails and necks twined around each other and leather-colored wings opened to their fullest as he took on the weight of both dragons.

He should never have doubted himself... or the choice of the Violet queen. She knew what she was doing... she chose the best.

It was always at the end of things that J'ran felt the most thorough doubt. When something hadn't quite ended, but he knew it was about to, and was so sure it would end badly. It was probably this habit that had affected his dragon so... for a long moment, both had felt completely drained, ready to give up.

But then Ekirith had caught Kelth, and J'ran was suddenly being attacked by Shador, not that he minded it in the least. He fervently returned her kiss, and forceful as she was in dragging him to the bed, by no means did the rider really need the guiding. Completely flooded with the dragons' lust, he surely didn't need to be shown how to use the torrent...

((xp Sorry for the not-so-good post... Sparrow's mom is kicking her off the comp. *poofs*))

[kandykat]

((Squee! I just noticed the picture. I love it! ))