Keep 'em Guessing || Alineshith's Flight

[Moo]

Mid-morning, 3076.03.21

Set the Mood: "The Courtship" by James Newton Howard

"Hmmm...This was a great idea. It's so nice out."

Alineshith and Orabel had decided to spend the morning lounging by the Weyr's lake, soaking up what sun they could before the seasons changed and it simply became too cold to venture out in barely-there clothing.

I certainly agree, my dear.

The Pink dragon gurgled with contentment and stretched her wings out as wide as they could go. She had eaten two herdbeasts not more than an hour ago, and was feeling very relaxed under the strong, midday sun. Combined with the bird song that rose up from the jungles behind them, it was an altogether perfect day.

And then it hit her. That sly, creeping feeling that had been under her hide and bothering her all week, itching and lingering and taunting, now burst into flames. A growl rumbling low in her throat, Alineshith leapt to her feet with a loud thud.

"Hey, do you mind?!"

But the Pink dragon wasn't paying attention to her Rider. She knew what it was now, the feeling, without a doubt in her mind. A shiver of recognition rippled through her hide. So this was it.

Orabel, dear, it's today. It's time.
Wait, is that...Are you...? She gasped. "No! Not now!"
The Pink dragon roared, as nervous and high-strung as her Rider.
I cannot help it, you know this! Now go, you still have some time! Go now. Right now!

Grass stained Orabel's arms and legs as she scrambled upright. "Ugh! Ali, I'm not even cute yet!" she wailed as she snatched up her towel and thin sandals and hopped, barefoot, across the wet ground.

"Don't you dare Rise until I'm back in our weyr!"
I make no promises...run fast!

Oh, but she was heavy, far too heavy to run or fly! But she knew how to take care of that. Alineshith ducked her head, her neck muscles rippling as she retched up her meal from earlier. She had been digesting her food, and it had made her slow, but now...Now she had a sporting chance. But was it enough? All the others had blooded herdbeasts in the past...was it enough?

It would have to be. She could wait no longer to begin.

Splashing her muzzle in the water to clear away the remnants of her meal, Alineshith shook her head and sent beads of water flying in every direction. Her lethargy had left her, and with the bolster of energy she gained from sunning, she could feel it all so much clearer. The Flightlust was incredible and overwhelming. Her entire body trembled from nerves, from excitement, and a fire unlike any other coursed through her veins.

It is time! Come, my fellows! I Rise! Come and get me! she trilled with a sort of breathless exhilaration, her jaw dropped open in a startling, all-too-human grin. She loped back and forth in front of the main jungle road, wings aloft, Pink hide shining and neck arched high. All of her instincts were telling her to flee, to fly with the wind, to surpass them all! She knew her Flight would never be as spectacular or grandiose as a Gold's (and she had been planning out her Flight for a while), but it could be fun. She was still young, after all, and had many Flights left. So why not try something a little different?

Screeching a colorful array of swear words, Orabel raced through the Bowl and moved toward the stairs, trailing mud and grass and a heightened sense of anxiety behind her. Ali was Rising! It was too soon! And of all days, why did it have to be today? Her bare feet slapped the hard ground as she navigated through the throngs of riders and dragons, her towel flapping behind her like a brilliant banner. Her room wasn't even clean!

You will catch me in time, that is certain..but first you must catch me! So come and try! Meet me before the Jungles! Prove that you're clever beasts, and not simple followers of instinct! Alineshith bellowed, loud and clear. She would take to the skies, yes, her body craved the sky as much as another dragon's heat...but not yet. Not yet. She would wait before the jungle road until they saw her, until they flew closer, and then she would act.

"Aaaaah!"

Orabel slid into her weyr with moments to spare, her eyes wild and her heart racing. "What to do...what to do..." she panted, indecisive, her mind already beginning to fog with what she realized was Flightlust. She had little time left to act.

"Clothes," she breathed, and raced behind her partition to swap her dirty clothes for clean ones. Presentability, that was the key...right? She hopped out a moment later on dirty, bare feet, pulling her pants up and tying them shut. It never occurred to her that it wouldn't matter what she was wearing once Alineshith chose her mate.

She raced over to her bedside and attempted to straighten her messy bed (in vain, and all due to Teel, that lazy, napping Cloud of hers) before she grabbed a brush and ran it through her dark, snarled hair. Tossing the brush away a moment later, Orabel ran her hands over her hair to smooth it down, and then began to run around and pick up the rest of her dirty clothes and riding equipment. She shoved it all behind her partition, hoping beyond hope that whoever Ali chose, their Rider would not be too curious about her quarters.

She moved back to the entrance to her weyr and looked around. She breathed out heavily, dizzy and lightheaded from nerves and Flightlust and her sudden workout.

"Shards, Ali....It had to be today..."

Her weyr wasn't completely clean, but it would have to do. She had no time for anything else.

The other Riders would be arriving soon.

Alineshith churred at the thought of her plan. She was not and would never be a great Queen, but she was a Queen in her own right, and had a gauntlet of her own for her suitors to pass through. It would be fun to watch them try to keep up, but they did need to hurry! She could hardly wait any longer! She snorted hotly through her nostrils and paced and waited, tense as a bow string, for the sight of the males on the horizon.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

It had been a long, really long, night. On a ledge, the eyes of a lightly resting Purple dragon snapped open. He sprang up, causing his exhausted rider, who’d been leaning against him, to fall backwards. The young man just barely managed to save his head from slamming into the stone.

“What the flaming Threadfall Viarth?!”

Alineshith Flies! Viarth answered, bugling acceptance of the challenge for all to hear.

“You have got to be kidding me,” K’tar muttered. Of all the times, now? Not even a full day after the latest Cliffside debacle? Dragging on his boots, the young man jogged down the hall towards Orabel’s weyr.

Do we run like whers, then? Viarth teased, deliberately overshooting so that he would pass over the Bowl before circling back to the Jungle, where Alineshith stood waiting.

K’tar knocked on Orabel’s door, then slipped in. The place looked rather empty, at least in contrast to his own exceptionally messy room.

“Change your day plan?” he asked, lightly.

[Nicole]

Chatorth did not tell his Rider which dragon was Flying. He did not have to. They both watched her Pink hide shoot up into the sky, twirling and dancing as joyously as when she sang.

A shiver ran down Evaine's spine as her and her Black sat outside one of the Weyr's lakes. Orabel.

I know how you feel for her. I can chase. I will win. But only if you want me to. Chatorth turned his gaze towards his Rider, eyes whirling with curiousity and worry and, yes, lust.

Evaine wrapped her arms around her ribs, lips pressing tightly together. She liked the Rider. She was sweet and kind and innocent and pretty, and her and Evaine got along fabulously - even if they were not on the level that Evaine wanted them to be.

Because she did not know if Orabel wanted such things. Most people did, but - with somebody of the same sex. Some people just were not interested. Evaine liked everybody equally, but - well, no, she liked Orabel more than most -

It was a hard line to walk.

I am strong. I am fast. Fast in more ways than one. If you would like to try to ask her - if she does not want you to - I can fly away as fast as I flew for her. We do not have to give her something she does not want.

It might be moot. Alineshith might not even choose you.

But I know you. And you would rather me fly and lose than never fly at all.

A Purple shot up into the sky after the Pink, and a weight lifted from Evaine's shoulders as she decided on what she needed to do.

Go, my love.

And as Chatorth left talons marks in the dirt, his body arcing towards Alineshith's, Evaine leapt up and ran to Orabel's Weyr. Her bare feet slapped against the ground as she whirled the corner, hair still damp from her swim, clothes slightly sticking to her body.

And when she burst into the room, K'tar was already there. But still. No stopping now.

"OrabelcanIspeaktoyouprivatelyforamoment?" The words came out all in one breath, knowing she didn't have much time before the young Rider was consumed by her dragon's lust. And she did not want the answer to be anything less than honest.

[Moo]

Alineshith purred with excitement as her summons were answered, and her eyes whirled as brilliant and purple as the hide of her first suitor.

Oh, brother dear, you do me a dishonor! she teased back with a playful snarl, her sharp claws digging into the loam that marked the beginning of the jungle path. You make the game so simple sounding! It is so much more than you realize.

The Pink dragon snorted, lightheaded and giddy. Her bones ached for the chase to begin, but some part of her was rational still, and it told her to wait. How would her other suitors find her if they didn't know where to look?

She called up to Viarth, tail swishing with excitement. Besides, do you think I'd make it that easy? Me? Never!

#

"Change your day plan?"

Orabel jumped at the unexpected voice. She spun around (and fought down a gasp) when she came toe-to-toe with K'tar. So, that meant Viarth was chasing after Ali.

She smiled nervously and backed away from her door to allow him in, as was customary.

"Hahaha...you could say that," she replied, a bit lamely. "And you? H-how have you been lately, K'tar?"

His easygoing attitude was something she liked a lot about him; in the time they had spent together in Weyrling training, she and Ali had gotten along well with him and Viarth. But the entire situation was still incredibly awkward. It was easier to ignore the fact that Ali was having her Flight while her room was empty -- at least it was, until K'tar arrived right on schedule. And now that he was here, now that she had to face the reality of the situation, it was all just a bit too much.

After all, it wasn't just Ali's first time. It was her own as well.

While she waited for his response, Orabel moved over to the edge of her bed and sat down, her trembling hands pressed underneath her legs. She tried her best to keep her nerves under control and remain polite, but she didn't know how much more of this she could take.

"OrabelcanIspeaktoyouprivatelyforamoment?"

Orabel breathed a sigh of relief at the familiar voice -- she knew it was Evaine even before she looked up. With a smile, she rose quickly to her feet (she noticed they were both barefoot) and walked over to her friend's side, pleased she had come to distract her from the enormity of what was happening.

"You've no idea how glad I am to see you," she whispered, perhaps a bit too loudly. "I'm freaking out!"

She pulled back with a hesitant grin and took hold of Evaine's shoulders with her hands. "But please, keep me from talking too much because there is just so much going on right now and I really need to be distracted right now, so please...tell me what's up."

#

Another approaching movement caught her eye, and Alineshith shifted her attention from Viarth to her second suitor. So arrived her dear friend, her grumpy hunter, and his hide was captivatingly absent of color. If she were the sort to judge a dragon on his color, she would have noted that her Pink hide would look marvelous against his Black. But she was judging them on an entirely different criteria, and her eyes flickered between blues and reds; with her dear friend, she was now uncertain.

Chatorth...it has been a long time.

Two. Two suitors so far. It was a good number, though not as many as she had hoped would arrive for her game. Then again, lots of perfectly lovely things happened in pairs of two. Like Impression. And duets. And Flights. Alineshith peered over at her suitors with narrowed eyes. They were both large dragons, certainly capable of providing her with a nice clutch, and both were well-respected in the Weyr.

She glanced toward Viarth and rumbled, pressing her wings tightly to her side. Well, almost well-respected.

It would do for now. Anyone else would just have to keep up!

(Or take the lazy route and wait in the skies. Pah!)

She bugled, high and clear, as her desire for speed and distance became nigh insatiable.

Chatorth! Viarth! It's been a pleasure. But now begins the fun! Pace yourselves well, my lovelies, and...do try to keep up!

With an excited snarl, Alineshith spun on her hind legs and crashed off, full-force, into the jungles.

[Nicole]

This is not how a Flight works! Chatorth basically yelled it into the mind of the Pink dragon he Chased, knowing full well she would not listen; but at the same time, the thrill of it all began to set into his mind. The need to hunt her, win her, no matter the territory.

If she wanted to trudge through the jungle, fine. They had been there before. Jaw dropping into a manic draconic grin, Chatorth leapt after her, suddenly determined not to let her go.

Not unless Evaine asked.

And as Evaine stared at her babbling friend, she was sorely tempted not to. To just pull Chatorth out now and just be there to comfort her, because they were friends first, would always be friends first.

But she had to ask. "Orabel, I'm not exactly here to distract you, and I am sorry." She reached up and scooped the Rider's hands off of her shoulders, folding them in hers for just a moment before placing them calmly - as calmly as she could manage, with shaky hands - between them. "Chatorth has taken off after Ali. I don't know-"

She bit back the rest of the sentence, doing her best to hide the worry in her face - doing her best to hide the lust from Chatorth - as she let go of Orabel's hands, pulling hers back and across her chest. She would know what it meant.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K’tar surprised himself with a quick snort of laughter at Orabel’s reply. Her inquiry, he answered with a shrug. “Well enough.” He certainly wasn’t going to comment on things like punishments for having stolen from — and embarrassed, which he suspected was worse — members of Cliffside’s ruling council.

What were they playing at, still having the search up anyway? It’s not like they actually lost anything really important, like the signet.

It was a thought that had become familiar over the past day. K’tar, naturally enough, was choosing to ignore the inconvenient fact (as pointed out by some part of him) that the men had lost both their money and the documents they were carrying, some of which had probably been important.

He was about to ask after how she’d been, at least prior to a draconic re-arrangement of her day, when Evaine turned up and asked to speak to Orabel. Slipping to one side, he tucked his thumbs into his belt, faking an assurance that he by no means felt.

Blue-green specks swirled into Viarth’s eyes at Alineshith’s tease, tempering the red that was already coming to dominate them. He even managed an imitation of a human bow with his head. Chatorth turned up then, which, Viarth decided, was a good thing. As he had learned back in weyrlinghood, increasing the number of participants increased the fun of the race. His one experience with Flights hadn’t been much different.

Not many heartbeats later, he was racing after Alineshith into the forest. It wasn’t easy, maneuvering through the trees. There’d been so much more room when he was a weyrling. However, it was still a very great deal of fun.

Good idea Alineshith! With that, Viarth abandoned himself to the chase.

[Moo]

Given speed by the proximity of her pursuers, Alineshith bugled, her eyes were red and wide and wild. Not how it worked? A Flight was a chase, after all! Did they truly expect an easy victory? Silly, daft fools. Perhaps it was better to keep them guessing! Her shining hide rippled with definition as she ran, illustrious and bright and incredibly pink, a beacon through the lush, dark jungle.

It was easy for her to maneuver through the enclosed pathway, as it was for all of her color, but she was curious as to how her suitors were faring. Ducking under a swath of dripping, green moss as she sprinted along, Alineshith controlled her breath and crooned a light note of concern.

Still back there, darlings? Not getting tired, I hope! After all, we have barely begun!

#

Her eyes followed Evaine's hands and she tried to listen, even half-listen, but it was incredibly difficult. And then Evaine mentioned Chatorth and held their hands together, and what did Chatorth have anything to--

"Chatorth has taken off after Ali. I don't know-"

Orabel sucked in a slight breath. Oh.

As the warmth of their hands together faded when Evaine pulled back, Orabel lifted her eyes to her friend's. She knew she had to act fast. She could feel Alineshith's driving desire to fly, to choose -- but she didn't even know how she felt on the matter! Evaine was her friend, they couldn't...could they? Was that how these things worked?

"I, umm...look, don't worry, okay?"

She wasn't sure if she spoke for Evaine or more for her sake. She wiped her sweaty hands on her pants and continued, sparing a glance over to K'tar who, to his credit, remained polite and quiet in his corner.

"It doesn't matter what happens...it's not like we can stop them, anyway."

But it didn't matter if Chatorth stopped, did it? The offer would still linger in the air, even if Alineshith wasn't rising. But she had never thought about Evaine that way before. Then again, she had never considered K'tar in any romantic way, either.

All of a sudden, Orabel laughed.

"Oh, shells, I-I don't know what to say! Just...just let's sit down and see what happens? That's all I can promise."

Glancing down and away, she backed up and took a seat on the edge of her bed. The Flightlust was more different than she had expected. There was desire, sure, but more than desire she wanted to run away, to never be caught, to always be just out of reach.

Orabel turned to K'tar. "Do you...do you wanna sit down as well?" She offered him a seat beside her, unable to keep from feeling like she had to keep her guests (that was what they were today) entertained while they waited.

But she knew it wouldn't be long now.

#

She ran, and ran, and ran, her sharp, ivory talons digging in and gripping the packed earth. Ignoring the growing ache in her leg muscles, Alineshith snorted and ran faster, hide splashed with mud, driven on by the promise of an open sky. It was a straight-shot from the lake to the southern fields through here, and the end of the path was fast approaching.

As soon as she was clear, Alineshith leapt from the dirt path onto the grassy fields, continuing to run as if her life depended on it. The switch from the heavy, humid air of the jungle to the cool breezes that blew in the fields was intoxicating, and she knew that it was time at last to Rise.

Nose to the wind, the Pink dragon beckoned to her suitors with a roar.

That was a good run, wouldn't you say? she panted, stretching her wings open. Oh, but I grow bored of the earth. Don't you, Viarth, Chatorth? So come! We fly!

And with a graceful arc of her body, Alineshith pushed off the ground and leapt into the sky, flying with only one thing in mind: height.

[Nicole]

Chartorth had never been more thankful for Evaine's excursions into the forest. He knew how to duck, how to dodge, how to avoid the trees; and though branches still slapped him in the face, and though he ripped up his fair share of brush, he emerged to spiral into the air after the Pink relatively unscathed and more determined than ever. The lust was beginning to grip him, and his last proper thought before he pumped his wings and increased his speed was that he could not go back now even if Evaine asked.

And she nearly did, with Orabel's response; the pause, the nervous laughter, all signs that she had never even considered it, that she did not know what to do with the information. Evaine did not respond to her friend's comments, as much as she wanted to - to say that she could make Chatorth pull back, that she would leave if that was what Orabel wanted, to let her know that she would not hate her in the morning no matter how Orabel part.

She stayed silent, because the dragon's lust was growing, and because they were friends first, and because nothing she said could make things easier.

And their dragons flew.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Viarth was wholly focused, chasing flashes of Pink through the forest. He narrowly missed several trees, and scraped himself on underbrush. This dodging around, under, and through the trees was way more difficult than he remembered from weyrlinghood. Finally, finally, Alineshith leapt into the sky, driving upward.

Two more great, bounding, strides, and Viarth burst out into the fields. His wings shot out, and, gathering himself, he sprang into the air, wings driving downward in massive, powerful beats. He still wished Blue-brother-Korith had been willing to help him with the dragonapult, it would have made taking off so much easier.

K’tar grinned. It was a bit less relaxed than was his wont, but still an expression of basic friendliness.

“Thanks,” he said, crossing the room to collapse on the offered place. His head hurt, pulled after Viarth like this. He tried closing his eyes. That didn’t help. He hadn’t really expected it to. His wings were beating now, the challenge had moved to the air, where it belonged.

[Moo]

Ahhh, this is much better.

Alineshith pumped her wings and rose ever higher in the sky, her chest rising and falling in tandem with each successful downward beat of her wings. Though she loved the jungles and its songs, she was a creature of the air, and far more suited to its ever-changing currents than the slow decay of the earth.

The wind whistled in her ears, but she still heard the steady sound of wings flapping behind her, chasing her, and it drove her wild. It was height she craved instinctually, without even a second thought, and the fields grew smaller and smaller as she Rose further up under the hot sun...but was it enough?

The answer screamed in her blood: No. It was not.

She growled at the realization, for it truly wasn't enough. But how could it not be? She had planned this! This was her design! And they had raced after her in the most unorthodox way possible, they had chased, and now they were up in the air! That was what happened with every Flight, did it not? Yet there was something still missing, some final thing they needed to do to prove themselves. But what?

Alineshith shifted her wings and banked to the right, fixing her eyes on her pursuers. In them, there must be some answer she could find.

Her gaze went first to her dark one, her broody dragon. Chatorth. He was the first proper friend she had made here. He had followed her through the jungle with ease, and she liked that. He might not be as willing to try new things as she was, but he was strong and stable, and his mind was impressive for such a sharp tongue -- even if he didn't sing. A small pity for one who could give her a nice clutch.

She then turned her gaze to Viarth, a royal color in all but status. He was a clever dragon, and always one to try new things. It was a good quality as well. But he was also known for basking in attention; he was a friend to impulsiveness and mischief, and always found himself in some sort of trouble. At that, Alineshith bristled slightly. Her own performances aside, it was in her very nature to be in the limelight. She could not have someone outshine her, even if she enjoyed the sight of them trying.

But Black, by its very nature, did not and could not shine against her. And that was very, very good.

It was a shame her Chrome friend had not shown up -- though she had hardly invited him in the first place. He would have figured out her game a long time ago, would have found out what she was after.

Well...her suitors were no Kings, and she no Queen. But they were of the same blood, all one in the same, and they still had some makings of greatness in them.

So what would her Queen-mother choose to do?

Alineshith twisted in the air and turned around to face Viarth and Chatorth. Maybe they did need some prompting after all, the silly beasts. She roared at them, eyes blazing red, before she sped off on swift, powerful wings.

Well, come on! Impress a girl. Do you expect me to win my own Flight as well?

[Nicole]

Chatorth's eyes whirled faster and faster the higher they Flew, lust churning in his belly as hot as any fire. Thoughts of his Rider in the Weyr long since forgotten, he chased after Alineshith with wide wings and a sharp gaze, waiting, waiting, waiting for the right moment to swoop in and allow her the chance to make him hers.

Would have to be before Flame. Would have to be because she wanted it. Because he deserved it.

And he soared after her, wings pumping ever harder, catching up to her. He did not reply to her comment, did not taunt the Flame, did nothing but -

- but bugle. It was not a song, because he was not a singer; but it was what made the base as surely as melodies made songs. And she could take him or she could leave him, but it would not be without him giving his best.

[Moo]

She hadn't expected to be impressed or surprised, but she was -- in a number of ways.

The first surprise was Viarth. His lack of response to her command was absolutely unthinkable. It wasn't as if she had asked for much! His refusal stung just a little. That sort of thing just didn't happen in Flights! It made no sense whatsoever! He had followed her so faithfully through the jungle and into the skies, why, she couldn't figure out his reason for not trying!

But as she was pondering the reason behind it all, she was just as quickly pulled out of her reverie by the deep bugle to her left. Eyes widening, Alineshith turned her head to Chatorth.

Now that was a bugle!

She paused in her flight to listen to that sonorous rumble of his. Oh, it was everything she had hoped it would be! To be fair, it was no song, but that mattered not. She could teach him, if he wanted, and he knew how much singing meant to her. And here he was, bugling out the base note to what could be a fabulous melody. It was almost more than she could stand. She could feel a responding trill begin to rise up in her throat, ready to harmonize with him, and yet...and yet...

He knew just what to say, what to do...and yet, not at all.

A snarl curled her lips and wrinkled her nose. He may have decided to sing, but that was at her bidding and was of no volition of his own. Would he have sung for her in the jungles? He hadn't expressed any interest before, not until this very moment in her Flight.  

She also remembered that it was he who had not answered her summons with a taste of his voice, and it was he who had roared after her that what she was doing was incorrect. A King would never disrespect a Queen's choices in such a manner! Though she was not Gold of hide, she loved tradition as much as she loved breaking it, and she would be showed the respect she deserved! Even if it was her first Flight!

Eyes whirling a moody, dark red, she considered it all. It was simply a matter of weighing the lesser of the two evils, and they both had made quite an impression.

Alineshith knew then what her choice would be. Loyalty. Honor. A willing heart.

A gentle croon rumbled in her throat as she turned her eyes to her victor.

You are modest today, Viarth, but you are the one I choose.

Viarth? Yes...it felt right. He had hesitated at her instruction to impress her -- but truthfully, who wouldn't at the mere sight of herself? She was quite a sight to behold. He was polite early on, kept up his pace in the jungle run, and was a willing participant in her unorthodox Flight. And despite his blunder, that was all she really could ask for.

Stretching out her wings to their fullest, Alineshith floated in the air, relieved at last that her decision was made. It was one thing to impress, but another thing to show off; and the lack of response from her chosen surprised her most of all. He was known for his antics, but perhaps he was more practical than she had assumed. It was a good balance for her future clutch. Allowing the Flightlust to consume her now, her red eyes slowed to a placid blue in a dizzying show of color and then, perhaps a little loftily, she spoke once more.

Surely you can manage helping me down?

#

Orabel took a slow, deep breath as Ali's choice flooded her mind and body. It might have been all right up in the sky, but down in the weyr it was a different story.

Worry creasing her forehead, she bit her lip and glanced over to Evaine. A pang of regret blossomed in her chest at the sight of her far-off, silent friend, and Orabel cursed in her head. She hadn't meant to sound rude, but these were confusing times! What did she expect? It wasn't as if they had spent a lot of time together, anyway. How was a girl supposed to figure it all out in the span of a Flight?

Shells, it just wasn't right. Orabel looked down and away, gripping at the blanket on the bed. They would have to talk, but later. She turned her attentions now to K'tar and waited for his move, hoping that Evaine would get the hint and leave before things got too awkward. It was one thing to consider having feelings for your friend, but it was another thing entirely to finish off a Flight with a spectator present.

As she looked at him, studied him, she had to admit -- he wasn't bad looking. She hadn't ever considered someone younger than herself, especially someone from her Weyrling class, but...here they were. She offered him another smile.

Since this is happening no matter what...he would be okay, she thought. At least it's not one of the older Riders...that would just be weird. And he does have nice hair...

Teel, on the other hand, broadcasting waves of crankiness, stirred from his spot on the bed and hissed, baring his little teeth. He launched himself from the pillow with a rumble in his throat and latched on to Evaine's shoulder, his sharp claws catching on her clothing. He had sensed the change in the room, had put up with the haphazard cleaning job, but now his space was being invaded?

It was just too much for a little firelizard to bear. He would find a roost elsewhere.

[Nicole]

The moment Chatorth knew, he dropped.

And the moment he dropped, Evaine knew, and she slipped from the room before any awkwardness could be had.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Viarth felt his wings falter for a second. What exactly…? It wasn’t like he could bring his dragonapult up here, and the thing hadn’t actually worked that well. Forcing his wings back to a steady rhythm, he decided to just keep flying. He wasn’t a bad flier, perhaps that would count impressive enough.

Onward they flew, then, abruptly, it was done. A mission accomplished. Bidden to catch, to assist, Viarth stroked forward once more, this time to spiral through the sky with another. As for getting down, doubtless they would, eventually, but there was no need or reason to worry about that. Instincts were, after all, useful things.

Some part of K’tar was aware of a smile, one he answered with another. It was an interesting feeling, moving on two legs while flying.