Let the Storm Rage on {Nialeeth's Flight}

[Serah]

76.03.07||Midmorning||Skies of Ice Stone Weyr (And a little bit inside ISW)

Mine, I must go. The Aurora’s voice woke her rider. Acele had barely gotten a glimpse of the dragoness as she launched herself into the snowy skies. Acele knew the feeling that was flooding over her, and knew that she should have known it was coming. The Aurora hadn’t had a Flight in a while, and was due to Rise at any time. Apparently, that time was now. The Aurorarider simply got her clothes on and awaited the arrival of the riders of whatever male dragons would enter the Flight.

It had been later than she realized, being about midmorning. Had she really slept that long? She couldn’t think of that now, Nialeeth needed her. The Aurora had thus far blooded a couple of herdbeasts. Feeling that was enough, she shot herself into the sky once more. I Rise. Any of you think that you can Catch me? I think you can't. Nialeeth called to the males in the Weyr. She was quite different than she normally was, more playful. Acele wondered if that was a good thing, or whether it was not for a moment before finally deciding that it didn’t matter.

Nialeeth knew what was happening, knew what must happen. As she flew higher into the skies that were dropping snowflakes onto her blue and pink hide, she wondered just who would join her in her Flight. It was her first since coming back to Ice Stone Weyr. That made this a special one, at least to the dragon. She let out a roar of challenge, feeling that the males of the Weyr needed one last reminder that they had been called. They would come, she knew, as they always did.

[Shoki]

It had been a little over a month and D’ziel was finally starting to get used to things at ISW. The cold, the shorter days, the weather in general, these were all things he had expected to deal with. He’d even found himself acquiring a taste for the stronger spiced drinks of the north. It was the little things he had more difficulty with. Or at least, the little things he hadn’t thought about.

For example, he had known that moving meant that he wouldn’t be in a wing with the same people, but he didn’t realize how much he relied on people already knowing how he processed things. He was adapting, making friends and all, but it was still something he hadn’t thought about before moving. He did find, it was more fun. Everything was more exciting, and even if the Northern Weyr had it’s own little problems and issues, he found himself more interested in what was going on because of that. So even though it was still dark out, he was exploring the lower caverns, Pounce bouncing along beside him. He didn’t know where everything was, not yet. Finding out was proving to be fun though.

Hocteth was resting, but found this place much to his liking. Moonlight dragons liked the night, and aggressively short days provided more reasons to be up in the dark. Everything else though, well, he often found things here grated against his sense of what was ‘proper’. He still had to take care that D’ziel didn’t hear him thinking along those lines. However, that sense of knowing exactly what should be done, it resonated as a call was made to all of those brave enough to chase. His gaze shot up to observe a glowing Aurora, and his eyes quickly changed color.

D’ziel skidded to a stop. Pounce, uncertain of this, took a brief step back and observed her human look around with growing uncertainty.

The Moonlight took off, knowing that of course he must rise to this challenge! Flightlust kicked in quickly as he called back a response, declaring his intention to chase. He could feel confusion as he took in his rider’s mind, but not over the flight. A stark comparison drew itself in their mind. The Moonlight knew where he was going, he was flying after the Aurora into the sky where snowflakes flew.

His rider wasn’t quite sure where he was or where he was going. Apparently he had been so startled that he had forgotten the way he had come. Well, hopefully he would find his way to where he needed to go. Eventually.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Midmorning. Time best spent in catching up on plans and thinking about supplies. In the middle of writing a note, T’vax looked up, staring at the wall. He felt unsettled about something, and his throat… he swallowed and raised his shields. For a second, his throat had felt like there was blood in it.

I Rise. Any of you think that you can Catch me? I think you can't.

T’vax felt a sudden burning heat in his veins. He had to chase, had to pursue. Wings unfurling…

Gasping, he staggered against the wall. He did not remember getting up. That is not me. I am human, standing on ground. The dragons chase.

Sure enough, Slinesteth’s bugled acceptance of the challenge still echoed in the air. Some part of T’vax was there, flying with his dragon as the Chrome followed the Aurora into the snow-streaked sky. He used that as an anchor, locking himself to Slinesteth so that he didn’t experience the responses and actions of every other dragon as well. Turning, he left his weyr, making for that of Acele and Nialeeth. He didn’t bother wondering about how he knew where to go. The dragons knew, therefore he did.

[shapeshifter]

I Rise. Any of you think that you can Catch me? I think you can't.

Bamath was already perched and before R'niaan could say a word, was in the air.

He felt the sudden lust emotion running through his body, instantly bothered by what was going on in his mind.

What is it with you and Auroras? He called to his beast. Unfortunately, the last thing on his mind was how Yuki would feel. She was with their child but when a dragon chases, there was no stopping what happened. That was weyrlife.

R'niaan was already dressed when he made his way up to Acele's weyr. It had become such a routine for him, when his dragon chased, R'niaan was able to control himself until he reached his destination. By what seemed like magic, well, the instant know of a dragon, R'niaan found his way to the weyr with a MoonlightRider and a ChromeRider. R'niaan smirked. Bamath's massive form could out last their smaller dragons, could out support the weight of the Aurora, and that tended to make him such a strong mate.

Bamath crooned out to the Aurora as he found himself behind her along with the other males. His wings were flared, beating hard and fast to position himself above and back towards the tail tip of the Aurora. He would bid his time, would follow her glorious form throughout the snowy weather.

[Serah]

It didn't take long for some male dragons to arrive. The first to arrive was a Moonlight. A commendable suitor, to say the least. She crooned a welcome to the Moonlight. Soon after, a Chrome joined the Chase. she was quite thrilled. such different males wanted her this time. And last, but definitely not least, a Crimson appeared to take up the Chase. It seemed that even a King wanted her! She crooned in delight. Oh how happy a day this was for her. She didn't take much longer to throw the Flight into full force. She threw herself even further into the skies. The snow hadn't gotten any harder, but there seemed to be more of it.

So much that Nialeeth's vision was white. But then she got above the clouds. She realized that it was only clouds making her vision different. Would her suitors be able to keep up? She let herself sink into the clouds again. She flapped her wings, and the tips could be seen above the clouds. She didn't care, let them see where she was. It would not be much fun if these boys got lost. She crooned one last time to give her suitors at least a direction to fly in. Then the Aurora went silent, with only the sound of her wings flapping giving an indication that she was still in the air.

Acele really just wanted this whole thing to be over. She wanted these people out of her Weyr, yet she knew that she needed them right now. The Flightlust that ran through her kept them there. She didn't even know these riders. Though, that was mainly her fault, for all she had been here a while, and even been here for her Impression. That aside, she waved hello to each of the riders as they entered her Weyr. She might as well get comfortable with them, as Nialeeth didn't seem to feel like ending this any time soon.

[shapeshifter]

Bamath roared as she disappeared. He would not let this beauty escape. He began to beat harder, rising above the clouds after her, only to watch her disappear except for the tips of her wings.

He would not be outsmarted by this Flightlusty female.

He dove after her, into the Cloud, careful to avoid the other males. One wrong move and a mid-air fight would ensue. Bamath was half a size bigger or so than the other males, he was a King afterall!

R'niaan felt his beast growing more irritated as the Flight began, knowing how bad his dragon wanted the female. R'niaan could only let his dragon's lust take over and resist the urge to reach out for Acele. He had never seen this rider before in his life.

Yuki was still the last thought on his mind, not that his mind was even his anymore. Bamath's lust had been sure to erase who he was for the time being. For this moment, R'niaan was a beast, an animal, a savage that was craving the taste of the female body in front of him...all thanks to his dragons emotions.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T’vax retained, somehow, the ability to assay a cautious wave in return, perhaps an advantage of having to learn to block dragons out in order to have any thoughts to yourself. The clarity didn’t last, he could feel the raging heat in the three chasers, and the only way to avoid being pulled apart was to throw himself more completely into Slinesteth’s mind, and thus into the Chrome’s emotions.

The Crimson was larger, that Slinesteth could plan for. Even the Moonlight was larger than he, though not by much, and Slinesteth suspected that, as far as raw power and strength were concerned, he had the Moonlight beat. He couldn’t be certain though, the Moonlight was a newcomer, one he had not flown with often.

Driving himself forward, Slinesteth chased the Aurora up, through the clouds and into the clear sky beyond. Only, she was gone! Slinesteth dipped a wing, starting to turn, to circle, when a flash of Aurora, the tips of wings showing above the clouds, revealed his quarry’s location. Turning, he pursued her on. This chase was his, the Crimson just didn’t know that yet.

[Shoki]

D’ziel finally got to a weyr. This seemed to be right, as he had a moment between wingbeats to gather his surroundings. He had flashes of recognition, but currently he couldn’t do more than match each to their dragon. It was strange, he supposed, but no more than usual for a flight. He didn’t let himself worry too much about it. Dragons did as they pleased, and at least he wasn’t lost any more. The woman there was even friendly enough to give a wave to him. D’ziel gave a mellow smile, content in the moment before being swept back up into Hocteth’s mind and the turbulent emotions there.

Hocteth on the other hand was hardly surprised to find competitors. Chrome and Crimson joined the chase, two dragons that were as large or larger then him. He would not be intimidated, after all, it was nothing if not proper (D’ziel flinched) to let competition bring out their best for the glowing dragoness. She welcomed each of them, but wasted no time in speding into the sky, sending all of them racing after her. Up to through the snow, to the clouds. Further still until finally Hocteth broke through, to see the clouds spreading every direction under his wings. He saw Crimson, Chrome, but where was the Aurora? A croon was heard, and Hocteth’s head whipped around toward the Aurora, whose wingtips he just caught before they disappeared into the clouds again. He sped toward the noise, not wasting a moment to show that he would indeed follow where she wished to lead.

[Serah]

As soon as Nialeeth was sure that all three had followed her, she folded her wings against her body. She aimed her body toward the ground, and went into her dive. Faster and faster she seemed to fall until she was just above the Weyr. That's when she pulled out of the dive. She wanted to see if the males had any neat tricks. What would they do? They would definitely need to impress her. Though, right now in her mind they were all great. They all were keeping up with her, and she was definitely not going easy on them.

The Aurora called to her suitors. It was somewhere between a croon and what seemed like a human giggle. She was already heading further into the sky again. The snow felt nice against her hide. The way it melted whenever it touched her, it melted. She looked back to make sure that all three had taken the dive with her. She wanted to see what they were going to do, so she began a spiral upward. Let them dive! Let them impress her!

Acele was grateful that none of these guys tried to get too close to her. They all kept their distance, which helped her keep somewhat calm. Though, complete calmness evaded her. She had begun to pace the room at some point. Her nerves were building, and she could not hold them in any more. Now, pacing seemed to curb her other habits of nervousness for the moment. She thought she heard herself mumble a soft 'sorry' or something to that effect.

[shapeshifter]

Bamath over flew the Aurora as she dove, causing him to back flip and spiral downwards. He tucked his wings closer, still giving them somewhat of a spread, and spiraled. Just as the Aurora changed her course, he leveled out and did a barrel roll before shooting upwards again. His massive wings pumping harder to catch up.

The snow was almost blinding the higher he climbed but he was so used to it at this point it nearly didn't effect him. His sights were on the Aurora.

He bugled out to the lovely female. He would not be out done!

R'niaan below was in and out of consciousness, watching the nervous habits the woman was displaying. She was pacing. Why so nervous? This was natural. This was Flight.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Slinesteth folded his wings to his body and dove after the Aurora, dove as he would to shake pursuit from his tail in an aerial fight. He was gaining speed, heading faster and faster towards the ground until anyone watching would have believed him about to crash for certain. He didn’t crash. He’d anticipated a level out or altitude increase, so he was able to close a couple dragonlengths, not going quite so close to the ground as she had. He might not be an acrobat, but he was more than good enough to snap his wings open, starting to trade speed for altitude with a corkscrew twist as he shot after the Aurora. It wasn’t easy, he was no better at seeing in the snow than the next dragon, but he kept tracking, following the path of the Aurora, upward into the sky once more. He didn’t bother with a bugle, such announcements were baroque, attention-seeking devices. Far better to blend in, to be seen by deed, if seen at all. Let his deeds speak for him, let the strength of his flight impress.

[Shoki]

Hocteth watched the dragoness plummet and he flapped once to cancel his forward momentum. He then dove after her, having to turn wide to keep out of the spiraling Crimson’s way. He noted exactly where her path had been, and kept to it exactly. Every wing beat he followed, opting not to try and impress with spins or twirls. That wasn’t really him. However, he would follow her to the end. Anything less was rude at the very least and disrespectful indeed. However, the snow did distract him a little. At least it cooled his heating wings.

Soon enough they were all going upward again, and the Moonlight pushed his wings harder. He didn’t know if the flight was drawing to a close or not, but he was chancing on that being the case. So he wouldn’t leave anything back now, pushing every bit of energy through his wings for speed. She would see that he was doing all to be the best, right? It was all for her.

Something twisted within D’ziel and he got a moment as himself, in the strange room with the other riders. He heard the Aurora’s rider mumble something, like ‘sorry’ but he couldn’t tell if that was right. Besides, it seemed strange, what would she be sorry for? Well, it could be a sorry to one of the other riders he supposed. He didn’t know, but it could be. He focused inward instead, pushing the uncomfortable, almost painful feeling down. He had decided he wasn’t going to let it affect him. IT would be alright if it hurt, but he couldn’t let it do more than that. He had decided that.

[Serah]

Oh how wonderful they all were. Hocteth would follow, no matter what. That is, if his show of following her path was anything to go by. Slinesteth had done that lovely corkscrew, and oh how lovely it was. Bamath was the most daring, doing a back-flip and other neat tricks. But Nialeeth still could not decide just who it was that was going to be the winner of this Flight. And she was starting to get quite tired, too. But tired or not, she was quite determined to figure out her little dilemma.

Hocteth had been the first to enter the Flight, and he had also been a great flyer. She weighed the thought of him being the winner, and eventually decided that, maybe next time would be his time. Next, she decided to make a decision about the Chrome. She knew if she accepted him, the Crimson was definitely out of the question for winning this time. He hadn't really 'said' much during the Flight, and she could respect that. His actions spoke loudly enough. But were they enough for her this time?

The Aurora thought and thought, but decided that they weren't enough this time. Though they were quite delightful. That left the Crimson. Though in the back of her mind, she had already made her decision, Nialeeth decided to give him the same look over she had the others. He had been the last to enter her Flight, but also was one of the most determined. He had been quite the flyer, and she made her decision. Yes, this time was his. Bamath, this time, I choose you. The Aurora said, flicking her tail to dismiss the other two dragons. She had enjoyed their company, but just didn't want them to tire themselves out.

Acele, in the mean time, had stopped pacing. She was at the far side of the weyr by now, leaning against the wall. She could feel the Aurora getting tired, but she also knew that her decision wasn't quite made just yet. As the Aurora went through and made her decision, Acele seemed to calm down. The Crimson was chosen, and the others sent to go wherever they wanted. She herself turned to the men that were gathered in her weyr, and guessing which men were bonded to the Chrome and the Moonlight, sent them on their way as politely as she could manage. To the rider of the Crimson, she just quietly held out her hand hoping he would accept.

[shapeshifter]

Bamath roared out proudly, grabbing a hold of Nialeeth and entangling himself into her. He began to support their weight as they began their descent, they had both flown long and hard.

R'niaan was watching Acele pace, a woman he barely knew whom he had just been Flight matched with. He took her out reached hand, taking her into his arms. Yuki was long gone in his mind now, his only thought of the beautiful woman before him. Flightlust raged through his body as he swept her off her feet, taking her into the weyr and gently laying her down on the bed.

[Shoki]

Hocteth looked a bit deflated before puffing out his chest and bowing his head. With that he moved away. It was not to be his victory today, but all competition had wins and losses both. So he went back to his Weyr to most certainly not sulk. That would just be poor manners. No, he would spend the rest of the day in, since he did like that. So long as Pounce wasn’t lurking, it would be a good time.

D’ziel didn’t so much as let the mellow smile drop from his face. He took his leave and looked around. Did he know where he was? Possibly. That was good enough for him. Unlike Hocteth, who was quite disappointed (though it was improper to show it, that prideful Moonlight of his) D’ziel was okay with it all. Perhaps a bit because he hadn’t had a good time of it all the last time Hocteth won a flight, but he knew that he wouldn’t mind winning either. Hocteth was proud when he had a few dragonets that were his. D’ziel didn’t really care about those sort of things, he was content to have friends and a place to call home.

A place that he would eventually learn to not get lost in. Today though he would get lost three more times before finding where on Pern his feline had run off to in this chaos.