(13.12) Leadership Changes?(GOLD Flight!)

[sorra]

Shayna was growing quite tired of laying around in bed. Alright, so it had only been a couple days, but still, complete bedrest was not easy. She wanted to be up taking care of her duties. She had tried to con R'bao into bringing at least some hidework that she could work on in bed, but she couldn't budge him. Not to mention he had seemed tense every night when he came home, like he was afraid that if he touched her he would hurt her. She sighed in frustration and ran a hand through her long, black hair that she hadn't pulled back as she wasn't going anywhere and no one had come to see her. She was really going to have to talk to Eodira. She couldn't keep up like this for too long. there was too much that needed done.

The gold rider suddenly looked up as she felt strong emotions from her gold. Josiath had been sleeping peacefully on her ledge, but not now. The gold was on her feet and bellowing a challenge to any male who would listen. Shayna jumped out of bed, not caring that all she had on was one of R'bao's shirts that just touched mid thigh. She raced to the ledge, a hand gently cradling her baby. "Josiath!" she cried as the gold launched herself off the ledge and onto a herd beast. Blood it! Don't you dare eat it!" she cried both mentally and outloud.

Josiath glared at her rider, but obeyed as the two had been bonded too long to resist. She blooded 4 more beasts before she was sated and glowing brightly like the sun. She threw her head up and bellowed again. Catch me if you can boys! she taunted. I will fly all day! The gold launched herself into the air, angling up into the sky. She was feeling full of herself and she knew how important this flight was. She would choose well. She always chose well. Her rider had been feeling better the past day and Josiath had known she needed to rise soon to put the Leadership back in order.

[kendrall]

M'riel was working down in one of the Lower Caverns on his boat when he heard a Gold bugle her challenge. He had been sanding down the "ribs" of the boat and paused for a moment, idly wondering which Gold was about to Rise. Oreath, of course, wasn't going to back down from this one. He had failed to win the past several Flights, but all those were Greens and he never was quick enough. This was a Goldflight, which meant only the Bronzes and the larger Browns could participate. This was a test of stamina and wit, not one of speed and dexterity.

It's Josiath! She Rises! I must give Chase, Mine! Oreath's voice sounded clearly in his Rider's mind.

You've been trying to court her ever since we got here, old friend. I wouldn't deny you the chance to catch her. Just don't devour any beasts, M'riel cautioned the Bronze. If she chooses you...

Then consider her Rider as yours. She isn't Shandrith's, but I at least you owe that much. M'riel could start to feel the powerful pull of his Dragon's desire to give Chase, and the Bronzerider set down the sandpaper. He dusted the grit and sawdust from his bared forearms and started towards Shayna's quarters. Oreath knew his Rider was still grieving over the loss of his weyrmate, and the Bronze often consoled, if not counseled, his Rider. He had tried to reassure him that there would be another in his life eventually. Yet M'riel knew Shayna's heart belonged to R'bao. He wondered if, should Oreath win this Flight, Shayna could make room in her heart for him as well, to love him just as much as she did the Bluerider. At least his Blue can't participate in this one, M'riel thought wryly as he continued to make his way.

Even if Serguth was Brown or Bronze, I'd still take him, Oreath boasted as he bloodied his first kill. He may be fast, but I'm better.

Just get going already, will you? M'riel was now approaching the doorway to where Shayna would be waiting. He knew that she had barely avoided going into early labor, thanks to Eodira and R'en. But whatever shred of worry he had for her unborn child being affected was erased thanks to the raw Flightlust now coursing in his veins. Go get her, old friend. If she chooses you, make sure she does so again and again. We need to establish some sense of normalcy around here, and it needs to stay that way for a long time. About thirty Turns or longer should do.

Agreed, Mine. Oreath bloodied his final kill, bringing his tally to four. He would need every ounce of additional strength to keep up with the now-Rising Gold heading toward the sky, every ounce of stamina to match her every move, every bit of wisdom to take advantage of the thermals and wind currents. The Bronze wasn't going to be denied this time, and he would make it known to his would-be prized Queen that he and he alone was worthy of her, that every time she would Rise in the future Josiath would need to look no further than him for her mate. He roared his own challenge as he took off after the Gold. Lady Josiath, my fair Queen and jewel of the skies, I will gladly pursue you, and prove to you that I alone am worthy to be your lifelong mate![/b]

M'riel grinned as he heard Oreath's response to Josiath's dare. Now it was his turn; to make Shayna his, to win a place in her heart, to win her love and keep it that way until his very last breath. She may be in love with R'bao, M'riel thought as he opened the door, but she'll soon learn she can love two men at the same time. Of course, even though the thought was partially brought on by Flightlust, M'riel wanted his own heart to beat again, to be loved in return by a woman who reminded him of Noemi. It had to be Shayna. None other would do.

He noted that she was only clad in a shirt - presumably R'bao's - that came to her mid-thigh. Her hair was loose, not usually tied back. Her hand was protectively cradling her belly, but the mere fact she was with child seemed to enhance her beauty. M'riel came within three feet of Shayna and stopped, his hands clasped behind his back. "My dear, lovely Shayna," he said, his eyes drinking her in. "You look absolutely radiant and beautiful, and you've no doubt Oreath has been courting Josiath ever since I came here. He'll prove to her that he's worthy of being her lifelong mate every time she Rises, just as I will prove to you that you can love me just the same as R'bao. I have little doubt that you in return will prove to me that I can learn to love again, to be in love, that your love for me will ultimately help heal my broken heart and wounded spirit."

[kitllwynog]

N'reus was polishing his riding straps, whistiing at the task, while Realtath snoozed on their ledge. His tail twitched in some draconic dream. Roheryn snoozed in the sunlight on his bronze back. N'reus smiled at them before returning to his task. It was a beautiful day, and soon they'd be full members of a fighting wing. It was about sharding time.

Suddenly, several things happened at once that disturbed this idyllic peace. First, a dragon's bellow from somewhere below seemed to shake the whole weyr. Then Realtath surged to his feet, dislodging an angry brown firelizard in the process. N'reus jumped up in surprise, his mouth forming the words "Wha--?"

But he never finished because Realtath started shouting into his mind in excitement. He put his hands over his ears instinctively though it, of course, didn't help.

Josiath is Rising! I will give Chase! I will show her how strong I am! he said, flaring his wings impressively.

N'reus felt his jaw drop nearly to the floor. "You WHAT? Are you CRAZY? That's the Weyrwoman's dragon, Realtath. The Weyrwoman!"

Do you not think we are worthy of her? Realtath countered, wings drooping slightly.

N'reus gaped a moment more and then gathered his thoughts. How could he explain that they would never let a weyrling become Weyrleader? That Realtath was not a large bronze, and it was rumored the Oreath had been courting Josiath, easily the largest bronze on Pern?. That they were not experienced enough? He looked once more at his bronze and sighed.

Go on then. But you'll have to fly pretty hard to beat that Oreath. With a joyful bugle, Realtath sped down to the feeding grounds and began to blood with the other bronzes. N'reus, feeling somewhat nervous and deflated, the Flightlust not having quite touched him, made his way to Shayna's weyr and entered with a diffident glance at the pregnant gold rider. She was beautiful, he had to admit, and they weren't so far apart in age, but this was the Weyrwoman. And besides all that, her heart was given to another.. Or maybe more than that even. He kept his distance for the moment.

[Katlyn]

Salmalinth had been dosing softly when Josiath's bellow echoed through the Weyr. His bronze head flew upwards, eyes scanning the area until they landed on the gold blooding her kill. ((Josiath rises,)) he said to his rider simply, who nodded from where he was at. He wasn't about to hold his bronze back, even if he had seen Oreath going for the gold since they had arrived. M'riel might have his loyalty, but his bronze had it more and if Salmalinth wanted a crack at leadership and chasing the gold, then he would have his chance. Besides, flights were fun, part of the bronzerider reasoned.

((I will chase you, lovely one,)) the bronze called as the gold launched herself into the air, only a few wing beats behind as other males joined them in the skies. He kept his eyes solely on her though, knowing that focusing on the other contenders would only distract him from the main prize.

[Katlyn]

Fraith's head also popped up when the gold took to flight. ((Momma-Jo rises mine,)) the egg heavy gold passed onto her rider, who dropped what she was working on at the time. The gold was rising early. Arda remembered clearly the promise she had made to be there for Shayna, and she knew that the baby hadn't come yet. While they hadn't had a chance to work out all the details, because of everything else that had happened the last few days, the younger gold-rider wasn't about to go back on the promise she had made. She would, at the very least, go and be present as an alternate, though there was no guarentee that it would work out that way.

So the goldrider headed to her friend's weyr. Once there, she announced herself with a simple "Gentlemen" before moving to Shayna's side quickly.

[Mik]

Tsunath had begun to get eggheavy, but this time, Kolteya had been watching Josiath closely, knowing that she was next to Rise and at the slightest change in her hide, she was ready to move Tsunath. So it was that the gold pair were currently relaxing on one of the southern islands since the wide gold was able to still fly, Kolteya having noticed and even inquired of Josiath's hide on more than one occasion. Tsunath twitched irritably, but she did not bother to take wing in anger. Instead, she proceeded to argue with her Rider about the lack of a Senior Gold about the Weyr and anything else that bothered her that day.
~~~

Rislockith’s head snapped up from a nap after drills at his mate’s call. The muscled bronze was moving quickly to answer the challenge that Josiath had thrown up. Would he be lucky enough to win her heart again? Only flight and time would tell as he gave his young Rider the shortest of warnings before diving for the beast pens to give himself an energy boost for the flight ahead. With the demands of his Rider in his head, he annoyingly obeyed by only blooding three beasts, hissing at a nearby bronze while he attacked the throat of his third beast, discarding the carcass with a fling of his head before turning lust whirling eyes to the gold that just took wing. [] he called to Josiath as he took wing himself, powerful hind legs launching him skyward and toned wings carrying him quickly in her wake. Yes, he would fight for her this time.

L’ret jumped from his playing with Pip, having had a few moments of free time for once at his bronze’s quick waking. Rislockith only ever moved that quickly when chasing the ladies and so he knew before his dragon told him of Josiath’s much needed Flight finally kicking off. He found his way toward the weyr that was Shayna’s, his mind slowly losing the fact that she was with child as his bronze’s lust started shoving any other thought out of the way. Stepping into the weyr, he saw M’riel of the Future Riders and the oldest Weyrling bronze rider which he could not recall a name just yet, then his bright blue eyes fell on Shayna with her hair down and clad in only a long shirt. He knew what lie beneath her attire, having been in that situation with her once before in recent events.
~~~

Swift was in the middle of a sparring session with another wingmate when Josiath’s call went up. The former Raider paused as his bronze rumbled to life in his mind and was knocked to the ground from the distraction. Shaking his head, he accepted his opponent’s hand up, then gave them a smile. “Shards, gotta run. Semi’s shellin’ Chasin’,” he said, not waiting for a reply as he took off at a jog toward whatever Rider it was that belonged to the female. A few moments of conversation with his bronze on blooding beasts told him of a gold in the air, then he paused. Josiath. Not only was she Seminth’s dam, but she was also cementing the Senior Queen and Weyrwoman position since Authanth’s untimely death. He kept in tune with his dragon while he headed for Shayna’s weyr, knowing that she had been on bedrest orders by the MasterHealer. It was there, under the first straws of airborn flightlust, that the bronzerider no longer saw a woman that he respected for her rank, but a possible roll in the furs with a beautiful woman, and somewhere in the back of his mind: a shot at Weyrleader.

Seminth blooded only two larger beasts before taking wing with the other contenders after Josiath, not saying anything for the moment. Josiath was his senior in many ways and so he just desired the chase until she started showing signs of choosing. Then, the young bronze would make a move to attempt to woo her affections and ultimately end the Flight as the victor.
~~~

Squalith, Nadoth, and Haydeth all rose to the call of a female in heat, knowing that they could run with the bronzes of the Weyr, all three browns blooding only one buck, Nadoth taking two. The trio took wing amongst other browns and bronzes answering the calls of the golden Josiath, their Riders finding their ways, in the bond between Rider and dragon, to Shayna’s weyr for their dragons’ durations of the flight.
~~~

Outlath, as usual in a gold flight, was held back by his Rider who desired only one human and she rode a blue, hence the brown did not get much Chase time in his life at the Weyrs. Instead, the pair remained fidgety with the Weyrlings, keeping track of the oldest groups with Chasing males to help them after the flight. D’verado would be hunting for his weyrmate once all was settled to sate his desires.
~~~

M’cleod warred with his dragon’s instincts to give Chase of Josiath, having let his brown Chase in the past even though they were paired with Authanth and Taenia. The brown only ever tried the hardest for Taenia, but he still gave Chase. Finally, the troubled Rider won the battle of his friendly brown and the pair sat on the cold ledge of their weyr to watch the events. Yes, M’cleod was stepping down as Weyrleader, but he wanted to know the victor. Numb to the lust that echoed throughout the Weyr, man and dragon sat at the edge of the ledge, Mac’s feet dangling off the ledge while Duncanth half curled around his lifemate, tail twitching with his desire to Chase, but obeying his Rider’s wishes. It was just too soon after Authanth’s death to be taking on another mate. Besides, maybe a break from the huge responsibilities of Weyrleader was greatly needed so that they could focus on Taenia, the twins, and Nileod.
~~~

R’bao had been bathing Serguth in the chilly waters when he heard Josiath’s call go up. Normally, he would let his blue give Chase, knowing that the blue was not going to even come close to winning in his entire lifetime. Yet what held back Serguth the most, was his Rider’s worried mind over the well being of Shayna and their Little and so the blue rinsed off quickly and took his Rider to the ledge he shared with Josiath when she permitted. R’bao left his trusty dragon on the ledge and went into the Rider’s quarters to be there for Shayna in any way possible, worried about her well being and that of their child. He watched with nervous deep brown eyes, sending Mik to Eodira with a message to be on call for the results of this flight, he waited as patiently as he could to be there for Shayna when whatever happened took place, noting Ardalae across the room as well.
~~~

[sorra]

Zarepheth's head shot up when he heard Josiath's challenge. The bronze was instantly on his feet and ready to participate. A flight! Josiath rises! I will catch her! the bronze said excitedly.

K'ryn looked up from the hides he had been working on. He had been trying to help Ardalae with the traders and the other things she was working on. "No!" he shouted. Zar, you are not chasing. You are to go stay with Fraith. Fraith needs you.

The bronze looked back at his rider, his eyes whirling in indecision. But i must chase. She is a gold. All bronzes must chase. He really really wanted to chase despite his rider's arguments. K'ryn wasn't going to put out though and he continued to argue with his bronze.

~~~

Shayna gave M'riel a small smile as he slipped into the room, still not too consumed with her dragon to not hear him. "If Oreath is able to catch her then I will help you forget," she promised. She could do that much. She liked the bronze rider well enough and wouldn't mind him winning. She closed her eyes after that and let herself be caught up completely with her dragon. She didn't notice the others enter or the fact that Serguth hadn't joined the chase. She hadn't even noticed Ardalae slip in like they had talked about as this flight had caught Shayna totally by surprise.

Josiath looked back at her pursuers, blood dripping from her golden muzzle. The gold was well satisfied with what she saw so far. But she wasn't about to go easy on any of them. She spread her wings and launched her into the air. She planned on making this a long and very hard flight to win.

Any who dare to chase must be ready! she called. I will not go easy on any of you. We need a strong Weyr and a strong Leader!

She knew how important this flight was. Not that she hadn't chose well before, but this time was even more important. It would mean the Leadership and she had to be very choosey there. Josiath looked over her shoulder once as she spread her elegant wings and angled to the right, out over the ocean. Mist and clouds rolled over the ocean, hiding her sleek body from sight from time to time.

[kendrall]

M'riel watched and waited for Oreath to make his move, the Bronze well aware of the intense competition he'd have to endure. Out of every Bronze and the few Browns that participated, the mighty Bronze from the future easily dwarfed the others in size and stature. His size even rivaled that of Josiath herself, but this wasn't just about whom was the largest nor strongest. A keen sense of intelligence and strategy would be needed, both traits shared equally with his Rider whom was by now no doubt waiting to make a move of his own on the soon-to-be-crowned Weyrwoman.

The Bronzerider heard a number of people shuffle in behind him, no doubt many suitors for Shayna to choose from. He spared a glance over his shoulder to see whom he would have to compete against; N'reus, Il'ran, WeyrSecond L’ret...Swift...a few Brownriders (all of whom were male)...Ardalae...

Wait. What was Ardalae doing here? M'riel had met her once, back at the Welcoming Island when they first arrived. She had been the only one to vocalize her support of the newest Riders; the former Wingleader regarded her in high esteem and a valuable ally to help navigate the politics of this Weyr. His mind fought for supremacy over the powerful emotions threatening to utterly consume him. Ardalae had to be here as a stand-in...but why? M'riel closed his eyes for a moment, a few beads of sweat forming on his brow. That was it, then. Apparently due to the scare of a premature birth of her child, someone - Eodira, most likely - decided another Goldrider needed to be a stand-in for Shayna, to avoid any potential complications. Arda either was chosen, or she volunteered willingly. M'riel knew that the Junior Goldrider couldn't see very well, and relied heavily on her firelizard to augment her vision.

M'riel also knew that whomever wound up winning this Flight, Arda and Shayna both were fair game. M'riel had never managed to bed more than one woman at a time, but one never knew what could happen in a short while from now...

He watched as more Riders poured in, until one face stood out in the crowd. R'bao. Wasn't Serguth a Blue, and therefore unable to participate? Unless...M'riel turned to look back at Shayna. It made perfect sense. R'bao, too, was worried about whatever implications could arise from Shayna's condition; hence Arda was here to attract the winner's attention away from the acting Weyrwoman. His eyes narrowed playfully at the two Goldriders, as a gleam came into them. He knew R'bao would have to leave along with everyone else when Josiath made her decision. Everyone else, that is, except for the winning dragon's Rider, Arda, and Shayna.

Oreath. Stay right on Josiath's tail. Don't let her out of your sight, use whatever means necessary to keep within reach. M'riel encouraged his Bronze. The Bronze was too busy to formulate a reply, only crooning at his would-be prize when she gave her challenge: Be ready. She certainly wasn't going to make this easy for any of her pursuers; she knew that there needed to be a strong Leader to take the Weyr forward.

You won't escape me that easily, my Queen. Do make this as difficult as you can. [/color] Oreath banked to the right, keeping pace with Josiath, his keen senses aiding him in tracking the Gold. Below him was an endless expanse of ocean, behind him he knew was the rest of the pack. It didn't matter to him how many were competing for the honor to mate with Josiath, to produce the next Clutch. He would eventually prove to be Josiath's superior in this Chase.

M'riel heard his dragon's call to the Gold, and he looked directly into Shayna's silver-blue eyes when the woman spoke her promise, his gaze looking deep into the woman's soul. A mental thought came to his mind. Josiath is welcome to play her little game, Shayna, but you already have the answer in your heart as to whom you want by your side to help lead this Weyr. All you have to do is openly embrace that answer, to listen to your heart.

[kitllwynog]

Though young, N'reus had Realtath firmly under control, it gave him something to think about besides his misgivings about the Flight. The bronze blooded three and sucked them dry, dancing with impatience as he waited for Josisth to be ready. Finally, the Queen issued her challenge and spared into the sky, and Realtath followed, bugling. I will show you my strength. he called.

N'reus couldn't help but share in his lifemate's exultation, and his face broke into its familiar wide grin. He let himself be taken in by the emotions of the Flight and soon he was flying with Realtath, wings spread wide into the wind, following Josiath's glowing hide out to sea. N'reus loved the sea. It seemed like a good omen to him, and with his surrender to the emotions of his dragon, he could feel a slow fire igniting in his veins.

[goldenauthanth]

Ritith had been more slightly more agitated of late, something V'yel had put down to the upcoming gold flight. Like most graduated riders he had noticed the subtle signs in the gold prior to her flight that had warned him of the situation. He'd given the weyrlings a lecture on gold flights in the hope of preparing them for what was an invitiable part of weyrlife.. despite knowing what was due to happen it still upset Ritith when the gold called her challenge and the bronze could not answer it. His injury from turns ago still rendering him flightless.

V'yel had been showing Tish to her room at the time the call went up and the bronze rider turned to her in tripdation.. He couldnt stay with her, but he know she wouldnt know what was happening.. "Josiath is flying" he told the hear all dragons (...continued elsewhere)

The colour drained from Taenias face as she heard the dragon call her challenge.. The last flight suddenly replaying in her mind in clear images. The girl froze where she sat.. (..to be continued elsewhere)

Bronze Allodath had joined the flight quietly, no hearty comments or returned challenges. The young bronze watched from his vantage point, taking to the skies not a second later than Josiath herself. He was yoing and inexperianced but he still planned to try.. Not wasting his energy or time to croon sweet nothings to the shimmering golden beauty..

Sent from my GT-I9100 using ProBoards

[kendrall]

{R'en to Aquila, Ekaterina}

No sooner than he heard Josiath's clarion call for the Bronzes and the larger Browns to give chase, Arieth simply raised her head and snorted. The Green thought highly of the Gold, but for her to Rise when it should have been her time was simply too much to bear. The males should be chasing after me, not Josiath,[/color] Arieth complained to her bonded. I'd love a good Chase right about now, Mine.[/color] In spite of her annoyed state, the tiny Green stayed close to her two companions Duhath and Tigrith.

R'en knew full well the emotions stirred by a Goldflight, regardless if you participated or not. He had just finished his rounds in the Infirmary when he heard Josiath bellow her challenge, the responses from the various Bronzes and Browns that followed. While he understood Arieth's givings, he also knew that Tigrith likewise wouldn't be too happy. Nor would Duhath, as he was only a Blue and Blues weren't permitted to chase Golds. That didn't keep the field medic from heading to the weyr he shared with Aquila and Ekaterina, hoping the two ladies would be there. Both women had been a little more moody than usual, and R'en wondered if both of them were with child. M'riel had warned him to stay away from the room he shared with Ekaterina back on the Welcoming Island, but R'en's curiosity (and lust) had proved too strong for the male Greenrider to handle. That particular Flight between Duhath and Tigrith had only served to permanently bind the field medic and the two female Searchriders together; this Goldflight would only make the bond stronger.

Your time will come soon enough, love, R'en reassured his bonded. I know you have an affinity for Duhath and Tigrith both, even though Duhath will be the one giving Chase when it's your turn. R'en knew Arieth didn't mind sharing the Blue with her fellow Green from their own time, in spite of the fact neither Green could ever produce a single Clutch. He also knew that affection for Duhath would most likely sway Arieth's decision when she Rose and decided to choose a mate. Likewise, with the mutual closeness between her and Tigrith, it was a high likelihood Ekaterina would be hanging around the Flight room, knowing that she wouldn't be too far from her two weyrmates and eventually join in the fun once Duhath started to Fly Arieth.

Still, it's not fair for the males to go after Josiath.[/color] Arieth snorted in disgust again, her head now lowered back onto the stone perch. If she couldn't get the boys to chase her, at least she had Duhath to snuggle next to while Tigrith would probably be doing the same thing. R'en had to laugh out loud at her displeasure. It was that promiscuity, that flirtiness that the field medic loved so much about the Green; it played well to his own personality. Patience, love. It'll be your turn soon. He opened the door to the weyr he was sharing with Aquila and Ekaterina, wondering if the two of them were present. He fondly recalled their "relaxation" session just over a sevenday earlier in one of the bathing chambers, even though it turned out to be far more intimate to his satisfaction. He wondered if the ladies would be open to another such session...

He also wondered if Oreath would wind up winning this Flight. If so, R'en knew there would be a lot of changes on the way soon...

((Open to response from Aquila, Ekaterina; then continue off-screen/email if Sorra and Kit are open to it))

[sorra]

(Aquila/R'en)

Tigrith lay curled against Duhath. She lifted her grassy colored muzzle from her forelegs when she heard Josiath's bugled challenge. The green snorted softly and nuzzled Duhath's shoulder. She had already had her flight, so for the moment the green was her typical happy self. Wonder who will win, she crooned to Duhath, watching all the browns and bronzes that were chasing the Senior queen.

The green craned her neck around to see Arieth. The other green seemed a bit perturbed at the moment and she wondered why. They were both curled happily with Duhath and weren't about to lose him to the flight, so why be upset? Of course if she was as close to rising as Arieth was then she would have been the same way.

Ekaterina had a roll stuffed in her mouth as she juggled a tray in her hands. She had been planning on getting caught up on her straps and also figuring out if there was anywhere she could go on Search when she heard Josiath's bellow. She nearly dropped her tray of food in surprise. Uh-oh. Wasn't Shayna still pregnant? Oh, this wasn't going to be good. She shook her head and hurried back to her weyr. She wasn't sure if R'en or Aquila would be there, but she really didn't want caught out in the hall when the flight ended.

The green rider stepped into the weyr just behind R'en. "Hey handsome," she teased as she managed to free a hand to allow her take the roll from her mouth.

{{OOC:I'm cool with continuing it if you like}}

(ALL MALES)

Shayna watched her weyr fill up through half lidded eyes. She barely even noticed who all had come in. Right now she was one with her dragon. Allowing Josiath to have a good, unhindered flight was all that mattered to her. She unconsciously kept a protective hand over her unborn baby though as she watched everyone in the weyr with dark midnight blue eyes, a touch of silver flashing in them from time to time.

Josiath on the other hand seemed to be totally enjoying herself. She was going to enjoy putting these males through their paces. Only one could win her and she wasn't about to go down easy. Not with so much riding on this flight. She seemed to laugh as the bronzes seemed cocky,. Oh we shall see if you all still think you're worthy to catch me after this, she taunted them.

She did like how they all felt that they could catch her. That would make this all the more fun and enjoyable to her. The gold flicked her tail and banked to the left, cutting back through the pack of males that was chasing. She then dove straight down toward the ocean, skimming her wingtips and tail along the water, creating the illusion of her flying mist as the water sprayed up around her and settled on her already glistening hide. She gave a quick glance over her shoulder to see just the males would think of that trick before throwing in another twist.

[kendrall]

{M'riel / Oreath}

M'riel thought he could feel some of the other male Riders in the room push at him, but he continued to push them back slightly, giving him some space. It didn't matter if they were trying to make a move on the two Goldriders in the room, or if the fact they simply wanted to be in front of the former Wingleader when their dragons made a grab for Josiath. Whether it was out of an inherent nature to protect Shayna, or if M'riel was hungry enough to want both her and Ardalae at the same time, the Bronzerider would be willing to fight for his prize if necessary. But he never took his eyes off of either Goldrider in that room. He would prove to be the only one worthy of the attention from both women, to satisfy their every want and desire during this Goldflight.

Oreath watched as Josiath taunted her would-be suitors, flicking her tail and banking to the left to cut back through the pack. No sooner than she started her turn did the large Bronze tuck in tight behind the Gold, his own wingtips nearly clipping a few of his competition. The Bronze knew his Rider was starting to strain against the collective movement from the others, and the near-misses only served as a reminder of just how physical a Chase could become. Still, Oreath wasn't about to lose sight of what he wanted.

No sooner did the Gold start her dive towards the sea did Oreath stay right behind her, tucking in his giant wings. The Bronze was now practically like a diving projectile, letting the pull of gravity assist him in slowly creeping up to his prize. Right as Josiath pulled up and brushed the water's surface with her wingtips and tail, Oreath spread his wings to halt his rapid descent, pulling up just in time to avoid an embarrassing and potentially fatal collision with either the Gold or the ocean. He managed to pull up enough into a swooping maneuver, easily coming right through the mist Josiath had sprayed on herself and continued his pursuit, a little closer than he was from before.

Behind him he could hear at least two or three roars of surprise and fear, followed by two or three large splashes. Oreath didn't have to look back to see what had just happened. Instead, he crooned at the Gold directly in front of him, returning her taunt with one of his own:

While you're deciding which of us are worthy, my Queen, ask yourself this: Which of us can also stay with you?[/b]

[kitllwynog]

N'reus barely had the brainpower left to wonder, caught up as he was with Realtath, why Ardalae had just appeared in the room. In fact he was hardly aware that he had moved a few steps closer to Shayna as the Flightlust started a drumbeat in his veins, but he wasn't yet to where M'riel was holding everyone back. Really, rather presumptuous of him, he thought.

Realtath meanwhile had decided, rather craftily, to follow Oreath. Being a small bronze, he could use the larger as a windbreak, as well as rely somewhat on the elder's experience to judge Josiath's next move. Perhaps then he could use his slight speed advantage to win the Queen, if he picked the right moment. The Queen and thus Oreath, dove, and Realtath followed, wrapping his body with his wings to become nearly arrow shaped. He shot towards the water, but being less massive, fell a bit more slowly than Oreath, so that when he snapped his wings open, he was slightly above and behind the larger bronze. He watched Josiath cloak herself in mist but said nothing, not wanting, at the moment, to draw attention to himself.

Aquila had just arrived back from an unfruitful Search in Igen and was sliding off Duhath on their shared ledge when she heard Josiath's cry. Shard it all, she wasn't in the mood for this today. The Holders had been absolutely rude. Duhath snorted unhappily, shooting a wistful glance at the Gold and her bronze suitors blooding in the feeding pens below. She patted him as she removed the straps.

You've got two greens all to yourself greedy-guts, and that's more than most blues can say. Go snuggle Arieth, she looks out of sorts.With a flick of her wrists she slid the straps off and stomped into the weyr, leaving Duhath to nuzzle Tigrith and Arieth. He promptly forgot about the Flight after a few moments and had snuggled himself between the two greens with croons of contentment.

For herself, she hung the straps on the hook and threw her gloves onto her desk with obvious irritation before flopping onto her bed to remove her boots. Normally she enjoyed Goldflights, but she'd been feeling out of sorts lately. She wondered if time travel could make you ill? And the incident with the Holders bothered her. She'd been warned of course, but nothing quite prepared you for that kind of disdain when you were used to something more akin to hero worship. So for the moment, she ignored Ekaterina's and R'en flirting ad she removed her goggles and jacket, trying to will the tension out of her muscles and the frustration out of her mind.

(ooc- I don't think I've got the juice for that many sexy posts lol. Especially since sorra and I are planning one with Arkadian and Hya. So, let's pick either a flight post or the bath post. I'm up for either)

[Mik]

[] Rislockith answered the golden dragon’s last challenge, banking a moment’s chance after the larger dragon and finding himself close on Oreath’s tail. He had caught Josiath the time before, beating out the more experienced Hirazath and siring a good sized clutch. Yet, he was not thinking of siring a clutch, only of catching the golden beauty ahead of him and beating out the much larger Oreath of the Future Time. As Josiath dove, so did he, the thrill of the wind whistling about his missile of a descent enticing him to give this flight his every fiber of being. As the water approached quickly, the bronze waited until the last moment to make his braking swoop to follow Josiath’s dangerous maneuver skyward again, his hind talons and tail tip spraying up water in his wake and showering some of the males close behind him. He would give every male his best and challenge each and everyone should he so need as he powered himself within nipping distance of Oreath’s right flank.

L’ret did not notice his closeness to M’riel, practically shoulder to shoulder and slightly behind the older man. When M’riel shoved him back, he only stepped a small step back, his bi-focused eyes seeing a flashy image of Shayna and Josiath as he shared his dragon’s thoughts and feelings toward the beauty that they both chased. Pip fluttered above the men scattered throughout the room, unable to land anywhere without being bumped or able to sit still long enough to watch the goings on as his Pet participated in this Flight.
~~~

Seminth remained quiet as he seemed to be stuck in the middle of the pack of males in Josiath’s wake, yet he mirrored the golden dragon’s movements to the best of his ability, striving to gain on the next male ahead of him to place himself closer to Josiath. He followed her dive toward the sea, glittery wings tucked tightly to slip past two other males in his descent before pulling up in a barrel roll before several of them. He was not going to break the water’s rough surface with his own body. The lesser of his competitors would be the ones to do so, although his early pull from his dive also placed him back another male in the climb skyward again after the glowing Queen in the lead of the fast paced trek.

Swift pressed himself closer to Shayna, pressured by the desire of his bronze and also his own desire to Lead. When he was shoved one direction or another by someone else, he pushed right back, Raider instincts in full force as his mind was linked with his dragon’s high in the sky.
~~~

Squalith had pulled ahead of a few of the browns in the Chase during the first of Josiath’s banks, but he had miscalculated another bank and so was late coming into the dive after her, finding himself toward the back of the pack fluttering in her wake. He pulled from the dive as Josiath did, though to no avail in getting any closer to her as a thermal pulled him away from his skyward trek and so he had to work all that much harder to get back in the game.

K’lar did not gain any closer to Shayna, his mind set on her as his brown’s mind was set on her gold. He was not the fighting sort and so he remained neutral within the crowd of Riders that had filled up Shayna’s weyr and waited for his brown to attempt to make a move.
~~~

Nadoth nearly clipped another male’s right wing as he dove after Josiath, narrowly missing another male as he corrected his momentum only to see the sea water coming up far too quickly. The small brown practically ran along the choppy water’s surface in an attempt to save himself from any embarrassment, eventually ending in an ungraceful dunking roll, spraying water forward and above himself from the collision. He was going to be quite sore after he rested, but that would hardly damper his playful thoughts. The little dragon eventually found his way back to the surface only to be dunked again by another male that had misjudged the water’s distance, straining his left wing at an odd angle before finding his way to the surface again and floating to collect his thoughts on what exactly had just happened.

Tia’ar snapped from his lusty state to one of worry as his brown landed in the ocean waters and was sending a swirling image of water, cloud, and spray all distorted and in the wrong places that nature intended them to be. He was already mumbling aloud in his mindspeaking to his brown as he pushed his way out of the weyr and toward the Delta to get a sight of his downed dragon.
~~~

Haydeth whipped himself sharply into the first of Josiath’s banks, slingshotting himself passed three of the males at the back of the pack. His long form allowed his movements to gain on his competitors, but it was his unfortunate roll away from a floppy swooper that sent him rolling across the water’s surface, eventually stopping several dragon lengths from his impact in a dizzy daze, nearly submerged in the choppy seas as his vision swam of the events unfolding.

K’mik shouted in surprise as he stumbled into someone in his hurry to find sanity and to get out of the weyr to find his brown. He guessed that his brother was the next one with bad luck as his sister had already had her share of it, guilty of the incident that sent Taenia and Authanth back in Time for a turn then and only a few days in the present.
~~~

R’bao watched Shayna worriedly, taking in the several men that moved to advance on her and either backed off due to their dragons’ reactions in the Chase or by each other’s bumping and pushing to get closest to the prize Rider, M‘riel being the ultimate stop somehow. His eyes fell on his Lover’s hands, cradling her stomach where their baby rested and grew skeptically. The bluerider worried that he was losing Shayna to M’riel as he knew that she had been spending a good deal of time with him recently. Whatever the case, maybe R’bao would be stuck as the quiet admirer again, but his thoughts were not fully centered on those thoughts as the more important matter was the safety of his Lover and their child.
~~~

M’cleod watched as the dragons of metallic and brown chased the golden glow until they were mere flashes in sight as the chilly air carried the brownrider’s breath away from the ledge in quickly disappearing puffs of warm air. He saw a glimpse of what he could still grip, but honestly he did not want to Lead anymore. He wanted to take care of his Lover, the one woman who had healed his broken heart from the Plague’s misfortunes. Now she was Dragonless and his duties kept tearing him away from her. That and M’riel seemed to want to run things his own way and for some reason, the two of them just could not get on the same hide with each other.
~~~