Weaving practice -a day off [Tags:Halcyon Wing, Lance & Tasha]]

It was a day of rest for everyone, only even on this day of rest, much of the Flight had decided to spend the day together. The three wings, Halcyon (of the named) amoungst them, had gathered together with a large pile of sheets and other items of fabric that had gone beyond repair. It was left to the wings that day to shred them and make use of them in the best way possible -which was of course, for the use of their threadfall drills. They were making fake thread. It would have been a terribly long and mind numbing thing except for the fact that many of the wing leads or flights leads liked to make it a Wing or Flight-Wide ordeal so that the task could be finished quickly; that, and things never truly seemed to get boring when the wings were together as a group like that.

For the moment, some of them were split off into a group that was busily ripping the sheets and other material into narrow strips. The strips got tossed into laundry baskets that then were conveyed to conversational groups that formed multiple nuclei around wing leaders or Seconds or other charismatic characters who had their own following. Periodically the groups would swap out some duties and faces amoungst them would change. Each gathering of dragonriders conversed, finding ways to pass the time amoungst themselves, while creating their own home-made thread strands.

At the moment, S'dric sat with their Wingleader and a couple of the Blues, as well as a handful of Greens from each of the varying wings in their Flight. They were all laughing at a joke that had been made, one of the male Greenriders standing with his just-made thread strand so that he could tease and chase after one of the female Greenriders with it. Of course, the two of them were young, recently graduated, and still warming up to the rest of the Flight which they'd been called to be a part of. For S'dric, it was fun to watch the new Riders grow into their own Leathers so to speak, and become a part of the Wings. It also kept other riders from getting too comfortable and stuck in one set of habits, having new personalities and new sets of skills to integrate and get used to.

S'dric's eyes had followed the pair, chuckling, about to turn to speak again to Halcyon's Wingleader when a familiar form caught his eye. Though Empyrean Wing was not of the same Flight, when S'dric saw his cousin passing close by he waved to her.

"Lance. Come join us for a bit." Unless, of course, she was busy? But she was walking with one of her friends -one S'dric thought he'd met once before, but didn't remember the name offhand. [Sorry Tasha and Lance, I'm throwing you two in there together!]

Taking the long strips of cloth that he'd been braiding in his left hand, the Brownrider motioned to a seat across from him where the two Greenriders from his Flight recently abandoned. Between them, there was still a half-full laundry basket of torn strips that she and Tasha could take to braid thier own thread strands if either one desired.

---

Nearby, S'jiro was laying down on a stone that provided a long enough surface for him to find repose upon for the time being. One of his legs was up, knee lifted into the air, while the other had fallen so that his heel rested on the ground again. Tired from the evening shift, the Flight had yet had any sleep since their previous Drill. Maybe it was to get them back on the right sleep schedule, because the rotation was changing tonight and they'd be back to daylight drills again. Either way, it didn't make him less tired, and they could have waited until the following day, which they had off, in order to make them catch up on braiding thread.

So, for that reason, he was getting a little nap time in -at least for the first half hour they were here. Of course, these massive thread-braiding get togethers could end up lasting several hours depending on how distracted they all allowed themselves to get, or depending on the size of the pile of material given them. They could always pawn off any left overs to the next Wings who needed a supply of thread.

In any case, S'jiro was now resting one arm over his eyes to shield them from the light. Z'rim on the other hand, was sitting in a chair beside him, but had taken off his boots and leaned back so that he could prop his feet up on S'jiro's stomach. Well.. there wasn't room anywhere else, and he was set on finding a cozy enough spot to get a little shut-eye, too. Just for half a candle mark.

The rest of the riders around them, mostly from Halcyon, seemed oblivious to it as they carried on in conversation.

Wing Drills were over for the morning, thank goodness. That was about all she could handle for one morning. The ground drills were enough to make one pass out from fatigue but then all the firestone drills. She felt like a Weyrling all over again. This meant she needed to work out more. She didn't want to though, she worked out plenty.

Raidenth decided to go sun bathe on her ledge, so Lance walked down to the Dining Hall after cleaning up a bit and ate some lunch. Here she ran into Tasha. "Hey Tasha. Want to go down to the lake to talk?" And she wasn't normally someone who intervened in people's personal lives but she felt maybe because her cousin was so difficult to convince, maybe she could talk to Tasha about it.

"So I take it you've heard about the Masquerade?" She asked, assuming that she had. "Have you been asked to it yet or were you thinking of asking anyone?" Lance wondered not for herself but because she wondered if the other girl might not be brave enough to ask her cousin to go with her. Lance had no plans herself and in fact had no plans to make plans. If that made sense! Heh, well she might run into some interesting people at the masquerade.

As she walked, making sure Tasha could hear her, "I ask because, you remember my cousin, S'dric, well he won't ask anyone. I can't ask my own cousin to the masquerade and besides I really think it would be good for him to get out for once." She didn't know if she should tell Tasha about Surine or not and how the death of his lover caused S'dric to think he was incapable of having relationships. Tasha wasn't a flighty person though and neither Sionnath. He couldn't go his entire life blaming himself for the past. If she had to move on then he did too!

As she finished, she heard her cousin call her over. "Seriously, its like he knew we were talking about him." She grumbled. Moodier than usual to say the least. "Okay. We'll be over in a minute!"She shouted back but said quietly, "Unless you need to head somewhere?"

Tashamoretta nodded at the other greenrider in lieu of answering aloud when Lance asked if she'd want to go to the lake-- she'd just picked up her mug of tea to finish what was left in one fell swoop.  It wasn't the most ladylike of moves, but she didn't really care-- and she really doubted her former classmate minded.  "Let's escape before our wingseconds find us and decide we need to run that stupid drill again."

Well, it was really one wingsecond in particular she was interested in leaving behind, and she was sure Lance understood that without explanation.  How a bronzerider with so few people skills had managed to gain a ranking position in a wing was beyond Tasha-- surely there were others who would have been better at the job?  There were several older bronzeriders even who had to be more deserving and experienced…

Of course, it wasn't up to her to decide, and it never would be.  So she'd just have to go along with Lancelle to instead complain about it and poke fun at the elitist bronzerider they'd had to work under all morning.  At least that's what Tashamoretta figured her friend wanted to talk about.

But apparently Lance had other ideas.  "Who hasn't heard about the masquerade?"  It had been quite the subject of gossip since the event had been announced, after all.  "I haven't been asked, no."  The second part of the question the greenrider left unanswered, waiting to see what else her friend had to say-- she doubted Lancelle would have brought the party up if she didn't have a reason.  The other greenrider hadn't seemed too excited about it, herself, other than as an escape from their regular schedules, so for her to say something now meant she had a purpose for doing so.

And it was clear what that purpose was as Lance continued to speak.  Her lips starting to turn up in amusement, Tasha was about to say something when the brownrider that had just been mentioned spoke up from somewhere off ahead of them.  That, of course, brought out a full grin, especially in light of what Lance seemed to be suggesting.  

"You can't have her yet!" the greenrider called over to S'dric in response to her friend's question.  Whether she, herself, was invited as well wasn't an issue.  "Unless don't mind a two-for-one deal?"  Yes, she realized S'dric and Lance were cousins, but a little flirting and suggestiveness never hurt anyone.  Some of the others appreciated it, anyway, even if neither her friend, nor S'dric, did.

Still chuckling, Tasha shoved her hands in her pockets and cocked her head to the side as she considered Lancelle's original unspoken question.  "Are you suggesting I ask him?"

Insinuations weren't lost on him, but S'dric let the girls' words go as though without notice -or at least as though there were not much humour in such suggestiveness. Little did he know however, that his cousin, Lance, had just been attempting to set him up with her friend for the Masquerade.

He did smile though, when Tasha pretended to be possessive of Lance's time a moment longer. In that time, he went back to weaving the strips of cloth in hand into a single, long piece, knotting it at the end before tossing it into a basket for the braids.

The Wing Lead next to him went on in conversation, bringing S'dric's attention back up, to his Wingmate.


[leaving time for Tasha and Lance's conversation here]


A minute later, S'dric glanced back in Tasha and Lance's direction. He was waving them over again, encouraging them to join the group. Or just put them to work helping with the weaving of thread for the next day's drills.

Lancelle had no intention of beating around the bush on this one. "Yes." She said, looking the other girl, straight in the eyes, "Not that you should feel at all obligated to do so but I think he kind of likes you and you are rather up beat. Someone he might be able to have some fun with at the Masquerade. Honestly if he ends up standing around tasting the punch with me while I think about how much I loathe and despise most of the men here, then we're going to have no fun at all."

She didn't really loathe them all. Lance didn't really like to allow people to see she was actually quite sensitive. Her hot-hotheadedness came from that emotional sensitivity really.

"Anyway, think about it. Maybe after we hang out with him a bit today he'll ask you even. Though... when it comes to my family, you'd probably be waiting an eternity."

Lance was used to taking charge of things when it came to her brothers so naturally she thought S'dric might be just as stubborn as they were. He would still think he wasn't worthy of even starting to think about women other than his lost Weyrmate. It was completely untrue of course. He was going to need someone in his life. In the way that she didn't really feel the need for anyone but probably did.

S'dric wasn't her though and he had been alone a lot longer than she had been. Besides she would have to deal with some green flights and Raidenth's new sexual impulses before she could even think about a relationship with anyone. She might be a little hypocritical but since the accident, she felt she had to regain some trust from her dragon in a way that no one else she knew had to.

"Let's go and see what they are up to over there. Looks boring." She laughed, and began to walk toward her cousin. "Making thread?" She asked as she got closer. It was always a little amusing to see so many grown men working with fabric. Especially when most of them were not weavers.

"Nice to know you're just trying to pawn him off on me so you can drink alone and wallow in misery.  I see your plan." Tasha shook her head and chuckled at her friend.  "Lucky for you, I might be willing to give in, even knowing what's in it for you.

"But really, if I go with S'dric, we should find someone for you.  Parties are meant for enjoying.  Especially masquerades, where you can pretend to be anyone you want, and flirt with anyone you want.  Surely there's someone you wouldn't mind getting ahold of?"  Of course, the greenrider couldn't think of anyone, but that didn't mean Lance wasn't holding out on her.

Glancing over at S'dric when her friend indicated the older riders again, Tasha laughed as well.  "Looks that way.  Maybe we should ignore him and take a hike or something.  We'll just get roped into helping."  And yes, she'd meant the pun there.  But she didn't really intend to avoid joining the group.

As they approached, Tasha happened to spot S'jiro and Z'rim obviously not helping.  Leaning closer to Lancelle so she was far less likely to be overheard, she grinned and said, "It's too bad they don't have the buckets of paint used to dip the finished braids in over here.  I see a couple of perfect targets just asking to get covered."

[bahahahah. Jess, they should SOOO follow through with Tasha's plan with the paint but the others might think it was wasteful Including Sdric, but he's too serious >D]



The Wingsecond turned his eyes up periodically from where his hands were still busy braiding, in order to view the two girls on their way in his direction. Seeing as how they were finishing their conversation before making their way over, he figured they were gossiping about something. Or talking about something somewhat private. But, that didn't seem to concern him much; he showed no impatience, though the wing would be glad for the help to finish up the task at hand.

"Indeed. And there is yet more to be made, if you want to join us." He was smiling at that, teasing his cousin, though it would be nice if they wanted to hang out and talk for a little while. Lance should certainly know that around him, she'd never be pressured to do the extra work if she didn't want to, or simply didn't have time. She had her own wing duties assigned to her.

It was always nice though, to have a chance to spend time with his cousin. Since they were in different Wings -different Flights even- it was hard sometimes to find that time together.

"It won't be all bad. I'll be the first one to get my hands on the wine." Not that she was particularly fond of any wines. Better than the topic that Tasha was trying to breach with her.

She was holding out on Tasha but she had never been one to admit to feelings she wasn't prepared to deal with. Her secret would have to remain so for a while. It might cost her a relationship with the person in question but she was willing to admit that any relationship right now would end in ruin.

"No on in particular. I'm not looking for anything too serious, you know?" Being from a hold family, it sounded a bit odd coming from her own mouth. She didn't think she had it in her to have a relationship with a man until she was ready emotionally for one. Even if she brought someone who she didn't have any feelings for, she would feel bad for giving someone false hope. She might end up in bed with someone because of a flight but that wasn't the same as being seen in public with them.

She stifled a laugh, puns were funny. Whispering back, "Yeah but can you imagine the retaliation. I for one am glad they seem to be distracted by Candidates lately." Better Candidates than greenriders.

"Anything to help you cousin... but those others, well just remember we aren't doing this for them."

((OOC: Haha, they should, shouldn't they? ))

"So long as you share," Tasha grinned, speaking of the wine.  Though she wasn't anticipating needing it like her friend seemed to be.  Maybe she'd need it to get S'dric to loosen up, though, if she did end up asking him to the masquerade.  Idly curious, she wondered if he'd be willing to dance without it…  And guessed she'd just have to wait and find out, whether she officially went with him, or found him there.

Lancelle earned a sideways glance and a raised eyebrow.  As she thought, it did sound a little odd coming from someone who was holdbred.  But, then again, her friend was clearly not a typical holdbred girl-- she was a soldier at heart.  And soldiers focused on their tasks more than relationships, didn't they?

Still, Tasha had to wonder if anyone at the Weyr was Lance's type-- if she was so lonely, surely finding someone even for short term encounters would be better than nothing?

With a mental shrug, the greenrider focused back on the topic at hand.  Which happened to involve males neither of them would prefer to have any sort of dealings with.  "True enough," she agreed at the same volume level the other girl had used.  "Still, something to consider for later.  Maybe we can make it look like it was the candidates instead of us."  Because, clearly, the candidates wouldn't receive the same level of retaliation, and she and Lance could be elsewhere laughing their heads off, since they'd know who had really pulled the stunt.

"Hear that, you lot?  Lance doesn't think you're worth her trouble," Tasha grinned, teasing her friend and addressing the rest of S'dric's wing- and flightmates who were gathered around.  Looking over the loose circle, she eyed the available spaces and debated seating herself near Lance, or between a couple of the other males-- just to see what sort of reaction she could get from S'dric, if any at all.

"Anything to help you cousin... but those others, well just remember we aren't doing this for them."

Still grinning, S'dric laughed lightly at Lance's reminder that there were some who did not care to be quite as industrious on that day. The Wingsecond was quite aware of his wingmate's habits, and if it became an issue, they knew he would address things appropriately; but, as much as others might have distorted views of some of the Bronzeriders in his wing, he knew that regardless of the periodic trouble around them, they got their work done. He didn't really have any complaints about them. None too serious anyway. And of course, those same few, where they now napped, were either ignoring Tasha's holler or had not overheard it.


For now, Tasha wasn't going to be lucky enough to get any jealous reactions out of S'dric. Eyes having caughter her eyeing seats between other male riders in his Wing, he wondered off-handedly if Tasha was perhaps as flighty or flirty as some other Greenriders. Maybe more so than he'd thought, of her? He didn't see that being the kind of person that his cousin would hang out with regularly, so he dismissed any thoughts over it.

Attention returning to Lance, he asked, "Did you just finish lunch?"

Until the moment where Tasha practically invited the Bronzeriders to pick on them, she had not realized Tasha’s exuberance today. Maybe it was being outside and done with drills. The feeling of being free for a bit could make anyone act a little forward. Lance tried to hide the shock from her face though as she took a seat beside S’dric. “Yes. Can’t finish drills and not eat something right after. Have to have something to keep you going.”

The thought of food, made her think of running herbeasts and the way her maw felt as her teeth sunk into the warm flesh. Suddenly realizing she was thinking Raidenth’s thoughts and not her own, she flushed. “I thought Raidenth was going to kill someone today, she’s been a little brat all morning. Glad she finally decided to take a nap.” She sighed, though it appeared the green wasn’t interested in sleeping.

Lance began to strip fabric to make thread but found herself having trouble concentrating. Her hands were jittery and she watched the men looking at Tasha with a very odd sense of jealousy. Why did she care that men were looking at Tasha and not her? She never cared about those things. She’d had plenty of female friends throughout Weyrlinghood without feeling jealous…ever.

Maybe she should find someone to go to the masquerade with. Perhaps this was her subconscious telling her she needed to get out, meet some guys. Apparently she had fewer male friends at the Weyr than she had at the Hold. It was actually kind of odd when she thought about it. She really ought to know more men.  In the meantime, her hands had begun to wring the fabric in her hands rather than tear it. Some pieces she still tore but intermittently, she wrung out the fabric and twisted.

Worse, her green was refusing to sleep. She was pacing her ledge. Irritated one moment and calm the next. She was more on edge than Lance was. Lance was growing frustrated. Raidenth, calm down. I thought you wanted to rest? I did. I’m done resting. I want to have fun. This is boring. The sky is beautiful. We should fly as high as we can as far as we can and not look back once.
While I’m sure that would be fun, I thought you said you were too tired from drills to do anything but sun and rest.
I just told you, I’m NOT TIRED!

Lancelle’s eyes darkened in anger. Dragons! “I don’t understand my own dragon…” She said rolling her eyes and letting herself lean back onto her elbows. She had given up on being much help with the thread.

Tasha was rather oblivious to Lance's surprise at her actions, given that she'd jokingly been calling to the rest of the wing- and flight-mates currently tearing fabric.  Some of them laughed and shot back snarky comments, and a couple solved her problem of trying to figure out where to sit by sliding over and inviting her to join them.  Sending a glance Lance's way to make sure the other greenrider didn't seem to want her to stay close by, and to confirm that S'dric wasn't paying her any mind, Tashamoretta took the other riders up on the offer and snagged her own pile of material to shred.

It was true, though, that she was feeling extra flirtatious at the moment, and it probably showed.  She was also feeling a bit on the warm side for the chill of the day, but she put it down to laughing at the jokes the bluerider beside her began to make.  Which she, of course, had to quip back at, getting about the same amount of work done as Lance in the meantime.

On her own ledge, Sionnath was showing no outward signs of agitation.  She was well oiled, perched in a spot that maximized the sun on her hide, and was doing her best to show off how her green hide practically glowed in the light.  Who wouldn't want to watch her stretch and shift on her ledge, now that her rider had paid her all that attention?

Of course, had Tasha truly been paying attention, she'd have realized her green usually didn't care about such things-- she was as much a doer as her rider, and wasn't usually concerned with appearances.  Maybe that should have given the greenrider a clue, but of course, it didn't.

S'dric was nodding with Lance's comment that they'd just gotten done eating. 

Perhaps the natural thought at that time, as next to him, Lance began acting so testy, was that she was on that time of month. It wasn't unusual for girls to be irritable at those times, and since he wasn't accustomed to her having Flights yet, immediate thoughts of that being the impending case, flew right by him. Lance could be an irritable person at any time, he supposed. Though, perhaps it should have been obvious...?

The suspicion did begin creeping into his subconscious though, as her behaviour, and even that of Tasha started to mirror that of the Greens in his wing, just before they Rose.


The Wingleader, situated to S'dric's other side, however, was being the more perceptive of the two at this time, and though he didn't say anything right away, stopped what he was doing to glance between the two girls, eyes filled with his own suspicions.




(ooc: im not sure how close they are, but I'm throwing this in there, just to. If it's too much, let me know and i'll edit it out.)


And if S'dric wasn't paying the Greens that much attention, then Nicath, also out sunning himself after a recent oiling, was. 

Raidenth and Sionnath do look quite radiant today. Of course, his eyes were more upon Sionnath now, beginning to take notice of how she stretched herself and posed attractively on her ledge for all to take notice.

Of course, S'dric offered no more than a smug reply, assuming he was just reacting to some recent oilings or his own needs to Fly again. The Brownrider had continued to be insistent that they not participate in flights at all, so it was probably a tension building up inside of the dragon, just as he too, felt some days.

Just because I assured you the other day that we'd Fly with the next Rising, doesn't mean that you have permission to start flirting with every Green you see. Especially not Raidenth. You know she's my cousin's. Even as dragonriders, he thought that it would be a little odd for the two of them to sleep together; though it wasn't completely unheard of.

Whatever that bluerider was saying, it couldn’t be that funny. Lance glowered, green eyes staring with intense envy at the attention Tasha was receiving from the men around her. Lance didn’t flirt. She never had, she never really thought about it. When the Wingleader looked at her, she raised a brow. What was he looking at? She was just lying there, enjoying the sun. The nerve of some of those authoritative bastards!

The sun was hot. The men were irritating and Tasha’s laugh… gah!

Abruptly she found herself, standing up. She felt extremely agitated. Even by people being near her. “I need some space.” She said and was thinking about walking away but she was even more aware of the men and even some of the women looking at her like she was losing it. “Why is everyone STARING?!” Her green eyes flashed in annoyance as she looked around.

If S’dric tried to say or do anything she either ignored him or brushed it off as being silly.

“And you! MIND YOUR OWN FUCKING BUSINESS!” She said to the Wingleader who was looking between her and Tasha. “What are you trying to decide which one of us would be easier. Obviously it isn’t me, ass hat.” Yes she had just hinted that Tasha was probably easy. And it was likely jealousy talking, or Raidenth. Although Raidenth was a green shade of envy at the moment herself. The dragon wasn’t helping her rider calm down at all, and was rather encouraging her verbal rampage.

And then she rounded on Tasha, for no apparent reason, “Why are you laughing?? Nothing that idiot is saying could possibly be that funny!” She could feel the heat of the sun on her making her more and more agitated. Raidenth let out a roar from where she was perched on her ledge. To her this was all part of the game.

Tashamoretta noticed her friend standing up, but didn't really pay attention to what she said.  She was still giggling over the bluerider's joke and absently leaned closer to him, placing a hand on his thigh.  He didn't seem to mind, if she was any judge.  He certainly wasn't hard on the eyes, either.  He was probably one of the most appealing of the group she was currently sitting with.  Certainly, he'd be fun for a night.  Or a few, maybe.  Which she might actually be willing to consider…

Lance's second outburst brought the greenrider's attention back to her friend, and her grin began to fade.  The implications of herself being easy were mostly lost in her confusion as to why Lance was yelling, but when her friend's tirade turned to her, Tasha couldn't help but respond.

"Just what is your problem, Lance?  It was your idea to come over here, and now you're yelling at everyone?"  Shaking her head in admonition, she added, "If everyone's annoying you that much, why don't you go somewhere else?"

Sionnath flared her wings, stretching, and completely ignored Raidenth.

Soon, the Wingleader and Wingsecond S'dric were looking to one another a little astonished by Lance's outburst.

Set back a bit by Lance's behaviour, it seemed a little extreme to him that she would speak so harshly toward one of S'dric's close friends, let alone one who was Halcyon's Winglead. At first he was so shocked that he couldn't manage anything but to glance the Wingleader's way; if not partially just to gauge the man's expression. S'dric knew well that his cousin had been fighting an uphill battle for a long time to gain the trust of the authority figures around her, but how could she do something like this and think that they were going to look on her with any greater favour?

Too close to the source, the brownrider was unable to see yet just what the real issue at hand must be.

Halcyon's Wingleader however, expression showing his at least mild surprise, was looking then to the poor greenrider whom Lance had turned her anger on next. Of course, seeing how flirtatious Tasha was becoming, that got the man to wondering...


S'dric hadn't quite caught onto the Wingleader's thoughts by then, and started to say something to Lance because the man just sat there, continuing to observe the two, but the Wingleader caught him by the arm before anything much other than a stutter came out. The Brownrider just cast him another glance, curious and not quite understanding, but was back to watching the girls momentarily, trying to decipher just what had gotten into his cousin. If this was Flight behaviour, Lance certainly wasn't being flirty.

She didn't seem to care who she was talking to. Tasha's blase attitude towards Lance's anger only infuriated the greenrider more. She would have liked to smack the smile off the other woman'd face but she didn't. Tasha's words were making some kind of garbled sense. What was she doing here? She could be anywhere she fucking wanted to be!

Raidenth echoing her rider's thoughts, took off from her ledge and cast a shadow over Sionnath's sun.

"Unlike you I'm not going to sit here and flirt with half of a wing. I've got better things to do." She said, half slamming into someone else walking nearby. "Watch where you are going, dimglow!"

It wasn't typical Lancelle behavior but neither was Raidenth acting like herself. Lance could feel the adrenaline pumping through the green as she had launched herself into the air. She had paused above Sionnath and practically issued the other green a confrontational challenge. If she wanted to get some sun, she would have to move, the males couldn't see her hide as well without the sun to glint off of it..

When had she really cared if other women were flirting with men? She didn't even like any of them. Or did she? Maybe she liked all of them? She was confused. She was so confused and trying to figure out what Raidenth was doing she had stopped walking and was staring up into the sky.

Time for some fun. The green practically laughed in her head. If Sionnath thought the males were going to sit around with her when Raidenth was in the air taunting them well she would be sorely disappointed. Then the green issued a different challenge and this one was intended for the nearby male dragons. Think you can keep up with me? I dare you to try. All the color drained from Lance's face. There went her dragon.

Sionnath visibly paused when Raidenth stopped above her, though it took her a moment to register that it was another dragon, not just some clouds, that were blocking the light.  Are you practicing your hover?  It wasn't quite snarky, but it was close, seeing as green wasn't too irritated yet.

"Because it was clearly my idea to come over here in the first place," Tasha retorted as Lance was starting to walk away.  Shaking her head, the greenrider added, "Good!  We don't need you sucking all the fun out of the afternoon, anyway.  Seriously, some people."  The last was said for the benefit of those around her as she started to sit back down.

Meanwhile, Sionnath was finding the lack of heat from the sun to be less and less amusing.  It appears that you should be able to move.  Of course, from her vantage point on her ledge, it was possible there was something up there stopping the other dragon from going anywhere, but it was doubtful.

"So," Tashamoretta leaned closer to the bluerider she'd been flirting with, trying to ignore Lancelle, "tell me again about that beach you found the other day?"  Her hand was on his arm, the glint in her eye saying she'd love to see it in person, not just listen to a story about it.  It was basically an invitation, if he cared to take her up on it.  

Her green, though, had other ideas for the time being.  Raidenth's taunt may have been for the males, but that didn't stop Sionnath herself from responding to the challenge.  I am far faster.  They will catch you long before they get anywhere near me.

Seriously? What were these two thinking?

S'dric wanted to intervene, but he kept telling himself that somehow both of them were just joking around and the girls' little spat would dissipate momentarily of its own accord. Glancing back to the Winglead, the man's own eyes did not reflect the dubiousness that his own held.

In fact, the Winglead seemed quite aware that something else was going on here. Maybe S'dric was just too close to the problem; being too close to Lance, it was probably a little hard to suspect something awry. But the winglead was seeing things more clearly. Yet, both men continued to watch the scene unfold in silence. The winglead sitting in wait, while S'dric was half tempted to get up and press Lance for answers as to why she was being like this.

Nolinth and Sebienth had been watching the two greens avidly, and they were in the air immediately behind them. They were close enough together, for now, that neither had to pick one to pursue, so the race was between them. Nolinth was faster than the larger Sebienth and quickly gained the lead.

"What are you doing out here?" Jah'vi said, jogging up with an excited look on his face. Nolinth's eagerness was infectious. "We need to get to the flight weyrs."

L'rue was shortly behind the other bronzerider, quiet in comparison to the other. He was concentrating on Sebienth and what his dragon was seeing, which required deliberate movements of the actual body. He saw the angry Lance and pulled himself together. "Come along," he said, voice rough. "Your dragon is flying to mate. That is why you are upset."

Nemeth was also in the air already, behind his two green clutchmates and the larger dragons. He warbled a tune to either of the ladies, hoping to attract at least one of their attention. He would have to be very cunning to win here.

Olivier was pressed against the wall outside the flight weyrs, struggling to come to grips with her dragon chasing her friends' for mating. And she couldn't help but hope that Nemeth would be clever enough to out maneuver the bronzes.

She could not believe this was happening now. As in right this moment with all these people around. Comments she had already said were not going to be quickly or easily forgotten by the others present. And no one would forget the reason for the outbursts or the very public way she and her dragon started their first flight.

There were too many men around. This was not going to go well.
Raidenth answered her green competitor, Words might be powerful but actions speak louder little friend. Why don’t you come and prove it? The larger green paid little attention as two Bronzes joined the chase. This would be a fun game. It would be interesting to see how long the smaller green could keep up.

Half growling at the man who told her to go to a flight weyr, she said, “I know.” She knew her green was rising. She knew what she was supposed to do, she was just a little bit shocked at the moment. This wasn’t the way she imagined her first flight going. What had she expected? Raidenth never to rise. Now that she was fighting thread capable it was only natural she would be able to fly to mate as well. Maybe she was simply hoping her green would hold off a bit longer, till found someone who she wanted to chase her green.

It was a silly thought and she was not a silly person. Brushing it aside, as she did with anything she perceived as a weakness, she shrugged and walked in the direction of the flight weyrs. She walked as if in a rush, using long but powerful strides to get her where she needed to go. Much like her dragon she avoided the men and refrained from acknowledging their existence.



Sh’nar was sitting near S’jiro, working on the fake thread. He paid no attention to the two women who had joined S’dric. Obviously they were not worth his time. The only reason he acknowledged them outside of wing practices and other work related meetings, was because of Belisse. Since Belisse was not present he felt no need to pretend he cared what either woman thought of him. He ignored them, focusing on his conversation with those who were sitting around him.

He was absorbed in his conversation and his work so he didn’t quite realize what was going on as fast as L’rue and Jah’vi did. All he had heard was Lancelle growing agitated which given her reputation did not seem at all far-fetched. He knew when Cymrioth heard Raidenth’s challenge that things were about to go crazy. There were plenty of male riders in the Bowl at right this moment. Luckily for Raidenth it seemed she wasn’t the only one taking to the skies, the smaller and darker green, Sionnath was in the air too.

Cymrioth wasted no time in following the other two Bronzes into the air. Like them he wasn’t sure which to follow just yet, though he heard his riders complaint that he shouldn’t chase either. Sh’nar’s words fell upon deaf ears. Cymrioth was already committed. He must really be trying to get his rider on Bellise’s bad side. Sh’nar sighed and followed rather reluctantly the riders to the flight weyrs.


J’ace was laying on the ground next to his Bronze. Bathing and oiling the great beast took some energy and it would not hurt anyone if he took some time to relax and enjoy the sunshine on his tanned skin. He used one muscular forearm to rest on his eyes to protect them from the light that warmed him.

Greenfllight

“mmm?” He more groaned than said.

Orandoth did not care if his rider wanted to relax some more. He wanted to do something fun. Two greens at once! J’ace heard the sense of excitement in the dragon’s voice. Well since when had he ever turned down what promised to be a very good time.

Where is N’kyr? He should join in… It would be good for him.
Shall I see if Ramirath is up for a little  challenge?
Those two could really benefit from being thrown into a situation like this…
Ramirath, you up for some fun?

L'rue moved back quickly, sensing Lance's annoyance and not wanting to get hit. Jah'vi was practically skipping in excitement, and he smacked the other bronzerider against the chest. "Calm down," he hissed. "You're a bloody adult, act like one."

"You're a bloody bronzerider, act like one," Jah'vi retorted, his eyes misted over as he saw double: his own vision and Nolinth's, who was putting his all into the chase. He was aware of Sebienth to his right and stretched his neck further, just to extend his lead a little more.

Olivier's heart jumped into her throat when the group finally made it to the flight weyrs. She opened her mouth and closed it a few times, then finally gave up. She didn't have any words to say to her friends that would make this less awkward.

Tasha was attempting to shake off Sionnath's vision imposing itself over hers.  It rattled her enough that she temporarily forgot about what had just been going on and reached out to whoever was closest for support.  She missed, though, as the bluerider she'd been flirting with failed to pay enough attention, watching the greens go up as he was, and nearly fell off her seat.

Steadied by someone, she nodded as L'rue's warning to Lance made sense.  "Right, right.  Flight weyrs," she murmured, standing on wobbly legs.

What to do had been drilled into them, but experiencing it for the first time was an entirely different matter.  "Fight weyrs…"  No thought was spent on how this could end, or what would happen next.  She was too focused on putting one foot in front of the other and not tripping as her vision kept hazing.  

"Shard it… why couldn't you have given me some warning?"  Of course, the murmur itself was meant solely for her green, and she wasn't really expecting an answer.  Which was just as well, since she never got one.

In the air, Sionnath easily found a current that brought her up alongside Raidenth, too busy competing with her clutchmate for the moment to truly pay attention to who was chasing them.  That would all come in good time.  And maybe if one of them were good enough, she'd let him catch her.

>>>>>

Ramirath had perked up the moment Raidenth issued her challenge.  His rider had been going over some records from Igen that he'd managed to copy from the records room.  Charts focused on threadfall and territory, to familiarize himself with the area as much as possible before their move was made.  He wanted to be prepared.

But, that wasn't what the bronze had in mind for the rest of their afternoon.  Two greens was too much of a temptation, and even though N'kyr preferred him to chase golds for the end result of their rank afterwards (because he never focused on what really happened during and after the flight), Ramirath wasn't going to let this one pass.  He was feeling extra lucky, and confident in his ability to win one of these flights.  Actually, he could probably win both (only with draconic logic, there), but he'd be nice and let Orandoth have one of them.

"Now?" N'kyr grumbled, turning to glare at his bronze.  "Really, Rath?"

There are two!  TWO!

Shoving away from his desk, the young bronzerider hurriedly retied the leather thong in his hair and brushed dirt from his trousers.  Ever the son of a Lord Holder, even in a rush to get down to the flight weyrs.  "Fine, but you better take me down first."

It was a near thing-- Ramirath was on the verge of leaving him on their ledge.  N'kyr's stern warning did nothing to stem the bronze's excitement, and once his rider was on the ground, the dragon was off in a shower of dust.

I will catch one first, the bronze told his clutchmate as he took off after the greens.

N'kyr was left to find the flight weyrs and mostly hope his dragon didn't actually make good on that claim.

>>>>>

K'thane had barely finished oiling Remegath when the greens went up.  The bronze lazily took off after them, figuring he'd let the younger ones wear themselves out, and enjoy the sun on his freshly-glistening wings.

K'thane himself made no protest-- greenflights were always fun, no matter the outcome.  A good way to release tension and enjoy oneself at the same time.  If they didn't win, there were usually plenty of flight moths to go around, if one desired to take advantage of them.

>>>>>

R'quiv debated letting his brown chase his clutchmates.  It could be awkward, seeing as he had a far better chance at winning one of these flights than he had Jeneveth's.  But in the end, his brown's will won out, and the dragon was off after the two greens like a shot.

R'quiv joined the others near the flight weyrs, nodding to Olivier as he arrived.  If she even noticed him.

S'dric could pretend that he hadn't the control to ward off some good extent of Nicath's rise in emotions just then, but with or without the Brown's help, it upset the Wingsecond that other riders were starting to become so forward all of a sudden. So, the Brownrider stood up from his seat, inching toward where Tasha sat, though his eyes flickered between both Tasha and his cousin with at least a little worry. As well as some growing competitive nerve elicited by Nicath's desire to fly.

He'd promised the Brown they could fly with the next flight, but why did it have to be when Lance and Tasha rose? Privately, S'dric hoped his cousin wouldn't be too mad at him later, but he had to participate now. Nicath was already taking to the skies, fixing his eye upon Sionnath where she flew. And if they won? Tasha was Lance's best friend, and wouldn't that make things a little awkward between them? All of them? He could only imagine that would be so.

When Tasha seemed to become weak, S'dric wanted to reach for her to keep her from falling. The hesitance that kept him from doing so was the fact that he wasn't sure how she'd take it right then; how Lance would take it. In all honesty he wasn't 100% sure how he should act given their relationship. Then again, Nicath was about to try to win Sionnath's Maiden flight and this being her maiden flight, he should protect her from it becoming an undesirable experience.

"Step aside. I will assist her." S'dric ushered the other males surrounding them to make a path, speaking more aggressively than he would usually. It wasn't like him to show such aggression; or rather, any such fervidity, but Since Tasha was Lance's friend, he coudln't afford to let something happen to her. Lance would likely never forgive him.

Also, he couldn't protect Lance right now. He could only protect one of them, and Nicath wouldn't fly Raidenth, so there was only one option for him. Thus, S'dric reached for Tasha's arm, trying to inject enough sense into the two girls for the time being that they could at least make it to the flight weyrs before things got bad. If they were together like this while the flight was going on, it would likely only make things worse, and the two Riders themselves might cause more trouble between the Greens as they competed for males in the sky... which might end badly if a fight broke out between them.

Calling back to the Wingleader, he sought for the man to assist Lance if there were any need of it.

S'dric moved to help support Tasha after that, though tried not to make her feel as though he were trying to get to unnecessarily close; so the act was tentative until he knew what kind of reception he would receive from her.

Then he spoke softly to her, "Tasha. Just focus on Sionnath right now. I'll help you get to the flight weyr. Don't worry about anything else right now."

---

S'jiro & Z'rim

Since Z'rim was half asleep, and S'jrio was barely coherent enough at the moment to keep up any talk with Sh'nar, it was only natural that when both of their Bronzes took to the skies, snapping with growls at one another, it awoke both their riders with a start.

The unexpected depth of emotion with clear, challenging intent moved Z'rim the quickest.

Throwing S'jiro's feet off of him where his friend had propped them in repose, Z'rim's rise in fury was a reflection of how unguarded he'd been just then, with regards to the telepathic connection with Nemesenth; so he nearly shouted at his friend, "Hey! What was that for?! Don't think I'm going to let you off easy just because we're friends!"

But the challenge to S'jiro was just as unexpected to him. Zemarith though, had obviously started it as the Bronzes both took to the skies.

S'jiro's feet being thrown aside, the Bronzerider nearly slid right off his seat, fumbling to put his feet back under him so that that didn't happen. Zemarith hadn't infringed on his consciousness as much by that point as Nemesenth had on Z'rim, so a moment of silent consternation became him, before finally realizing what was going on. And at htat point, he didn't need to ask what was going on, because he could sense it. Reaching with his mind to strengthen that connection between rider and dragon, it was quite clear what aggression had taken over the Bronze.

Zem, you could have warned me!

It being clear to him that Zemarith and Nemesenth both felt the need to compete with one another, S'jiro understood there was nothing really that he could do to stop Zem from participating, even if he had Veyani in his life now. That was just something she'd have to learn to deal wtih. His Bronze had needs, too.

Zemarith, who's rising? Of course, he could have turned around, but he was too focused on Z'rim, who still glared balefully his way, with more than just friendly challenge. Something had happened between their dragons moments earlier that Nemesenth must have openly broadcast to him that S'jiro partially missed out on. But it couldn't be helped now.

Zemarith roared another challenge and darted toward the sun, catching an updraft to bring him closer to the greens now weaving through the air ahead of them.


Still, neither Bronzerider really was paying attention to what was going on behind them, with Lance and the others. And flooded with a newfound determination, fueled almost solely by his Bronze counterpart, the rider spat at Z'rim, then turned to Sh'nar barking the same warning, "Zemarith is right. You better be ready to prove you're not second-rate!"

Honestly, it was Zemarith speaking through him, and it had all come on more quickly and more strongly than S'jiro could have anticipated.. But the dragon's anticipation of the event made it difficult to suppress the want to join in the fun. He hadn't thought far enough ahead yet to worry about who it was they'd be flying.

---

The Bluerider had been looking through some of his old sketches when he felt a change in Kaisoth's mental awareness. Glancing up from the the now cluttered desk, he asked, Is there a flight? It seems something's caught your interest.

The Blue mused mentally, before uttering some more smug response that was hardly vocal; but at the same time he was taking off from his ledge. Two are rising. For their first time. It will be fun.

Finding himself feeling a big smug over that as well, the excitement began creeping into him and that expression turned into a grin as he put everything else aside to rush from the room, leaving Jezebelle and others in the room to wondering, where they stared after him.

Well then, looks like we're in for an exciting afternoon. Who is rising?

Raidenth and Sionnath.

Recognizing them as greens, N'kai knew he'd never bedded either of them before, and figured it was in all good interest to do so eventually, so as he made his way on the long trek to the flight weyrs, the Bluerider urged his Dragon, hoping for a successful flight. Of course, flights were all in good fun for the pair. They participated in them regularly, and had had their fair share of wins and losses; it was only natural. But to win a maiden flight was much more fun!

She stood outside the flight weyr for a moment and swallowed against her dry throat. If there was some redeeming quality about her, she felt it was her courage. Even in this, she could rely on herself to fight through whatever she had to, to maintain contact with her green.

They had been through enough together that it wasn’t too hard to see how that would be. Lance stepped through the doorway without a hint of fear or nervousness. She was practically out of her own body now anyway. She could see and feel the world through Raidenth’s multifaceted eyes and she was in awe.

The wind beneath her wings, lifted her as she soared through the air. As Sionnath caught up to her, she gave the other green a look of pure mischievous intent. She pumped her wings in an effortless attempt to soar higher. As warm pockets of air  lifted her further and higher from the male dragons who followed she was racing her green friend. A race to who knew where but the destination did not seem to matter.

Hurry. They are coming. She was giddy. Free and happy and there was nothing and no one on the entire planet who could take that feeling away. The feeling there was nothing wrong in the world and it was hers for the taking. The past was far from Lance and Raidenth’s minds.

As Raidenth mentioned the males, Lance realized she was not going to be alone in the flight room. While a good part of her conscious mind was with her green a small part of her was aware of where her own body was and who was around her.



Cymrioth was following the greens, though not as fast as the blues, he was on the smaller end of average for a Bronze and therefore a little faster than his bulkier counterparts.

Like the other men, Sh’nar walked toward the flight weyrs. He knew better than to go anywhere the rather spiteful, Lance. Tasha was at the very least amiable and while he had no intention of actually win, it couldn’t hurt Cymrioth to practice with this many male dragons around. Especially Bronzeriders.

“We’re never second rate.” Sh’nar retorted.

The Bronze was happily flying after the smaller of the two greens. Soon the other males would have to choose too. The greens were not likely to stay together for long.


You think so? The darker bronze almost laughed. He highly doubted Ramirath would catch a green before he would. He was too awesome to lose. As for the comments between the other men, J’ace ignored them. The Bronzerider was more interested in showing the greens a good time. The other male dragons and their riders gave him little reason to be concerned. After all, he was J’ace. Women and men alike loved him.

Besides it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to stir up some trouble and competition between the others. Especially N’kyr though he would make it a point to chase whomever N’kyr wasn’t interested in. It mattered very little to J’ace.

Orandoth was a little bit ahead of Cymrioth but not by much. Orandoth was even smaller for a Bronze than Cymrioth and more agile. Though he had had to admit the blues and browns would likely be hard to beat. They always were. For now, he would save his pretty words.