Take to the Skies (Papilionth's Flight)

[Kitsuneko]

M'cant didn't take well to his forced vacation. Even though the Healer wanted him to rest and take it slow the next few days, he wanted to get back to work. Sure, K'lin was doing a perfectly acceptable job with the new weyrlings, but still. He hated being cooped up in his weyr. Especially with Papilionth being so close to rising.

He cast a wary glance at the green. Though it was nearing midday, she was still curled up on her dragonbed, fast asleep, as she had been all morning. To tell the truth, she was a little overdue for her mating flight--M'cant had put it down to his own sickness affecting her, but he seemed to be much recovered now.

Considering how many times he'd gone through this before and the deep sleep the green was in now, he'd be surprised if her flight didn't start as soon as she woke. That was one reason he hadn't gotten back to work quite yet, and why he'd spent most of the day in his weyr, secluded from the other riders. With Papi's mood affecting him, he would probably have started snapping at riders who didn't deserve it.

As if on cue, Papilionth woke all at once, and she was monstrously hungry. The pale green hissed and flared her wings as she stirred, and M'cant cursed under his breath as he stood to his feet. "Blood it, Papi!" he yelled after her as she flew to the Feeding Grounds.

Her only reply was a disgruntled hiss, but as she quickly attacked and killed a wherry, she obediently sunk her fangs into the neck. She wasn't a clutching green--more's the pity, as far as she was concerned--but it was still important not to be weighed down too much. Her rebellious streak didn't last long.

Her skin glowed in the sunlight, more yellow than normal, and the deep green markings on her wingsails almost seemed to gleam as she spread her wings. Once she had finished her meal, she gave a roar full of fury and lust. Come on, all you males who think you are worthy of me. Try to catch me--if you can! Challenge issued, she leaped into the air, while it was all M'cant could do to ground himself enough to keep track of which riders showed up, and otherwise just hang on for the ride.

[Zara]

Zarria sat on the edge of her bed, stretching. It was about time for her to just rest a little. She still felt a little sick after the poisoning and whatnot... But... She had gone back to work earlier that day. She just needed a little rest. Just a little rest.

But it wouldn't last long. She looked up sharply, feeling her dragon, Voriacesiath, shoot up from where her was curled and quickly glide to the edge. Vori! She frowned. She knew what was going on. But not who was flying or anything of that sort...

The blue didn't answer her, but he wasted no time in getting straight to business. My sweet Papilionth! I will chase you! I will prove myself! The Blue answered her challenge with conviction. He would take part. HE would chase. HE would prove himself. That was all there was to it.

He took off and followed her, flying quickly after her, but not too quickly. He didn't wish to exert too much energy before the Flight had even really begun. He had to fly quickly. Had to fly the best he could. But he had to be able to answer her every challenge.

In the meantime, Zarria, who's mind was already being pulled up with her dragon's walked as quickly as she could towards M'cant's weyr. She had to get there. she staggered a little as she had soem times in which she had a hard time keeping her mind on the ground. But soon, she was there. And there he was. She moved towards him, but not too close, just moving so she stood directly in front of him. And then her mind, she feared, was lost, taken up by her Blue who was quickly beginning his song, his wings dipping, his movements starting to become more complex as he tried to Impress her, even from the beginning.

He sang of the beauty of her. The most incredible Queen, most beautiful dragoness of all. That was who he chased.

[Kitsuneko]

Papilionth barely noticed when Voriacesiath joined her. All her attention was focused on her wings, willing them to take her up as high and as far from the Weyr as they could. She dipped and soared and wheeled back and forth in order to stay ahead of her chasers. They might have been larger than her, but she was faster!

Only then did she look back to view her chasers. Most obvious was Voriacesiath, but a few other blues and browns had joined the flight as well. Was that it? Well, no matter. She would have to test their convictions.

The green pumped her wings, flying higher and higher into the sky. It seemed like she was almost close enough to touch the sun, but it was cold, this high up. The sky was mostly clear today, but there were a few scattered clouds, and not all of them were above Papilionth. She dove through the foggy mist, losing herself among the clouds before reappearing on the other side.

[Akira]

A'thur had been out of the Weyr with his bronze dragon Merlinth. They had been out relaxing, and actually enjoying a day away from all the activity of the Weyr. A'thur almost jumped out of his skin when Merlinth let out such a loud roar that actually had the man shaking. A green flies! With those three words, the large bronze sprung from the ground, pumping his large bronze wings. He betweened himself back to the Weyr, leaving A'thur stranded.

A'thur looked around him, hoping that there would be someone passing by with a runner beast, but no such luck. Instead, he had to run all the way back to the Weyr, and make his way to whatever room held the green's rider. You ungratful wher! He wasn't sure if his thought's had reached his dragon, or if his dragon was even paying attention. He was drenched in sweat, and panting loudly by the time he reached the stairs that would take him to the weyrs of the dragon riders.

Merlinth buggled loudly when he finally found the dragoness that he would chase. There were other's there, but he paid no mind to them, his full concentration on Papilionth. Fly my Queen! Fly hard and fast! Your Merlinth is here now! His words where suprisingly sweet, and sensually deep all at the same time. His large wings beat the air around him as he did his best to catch up to the green dragoness that he was attempting to catch.

A'thur was just about ready to pass out when he reached the top of the stairs. He leaned against the wall, and slowly made his way to the weyr of the green rider. He slid to the floor in a sweaty heap when he finally found M'cant's weyr. He was panting hard, and wished his dragon had given him a ride back to the Weyr at least, if not a ride to M'cant's room. He would defianlly have to have a talk with Merlinth when this was all over and done with.

[Kitsuneko]

Papilionth nearly purred in approval when the bronze joined the flight. She crooned encouragement to him, as well as to her other chasers, and she climbed even higher into the sky. Her wings were beginning to ache from the strain, though, and she steadied her flight and began gliding to conserve her energy. She didn't want the flight to end just yet.

[Akira]

Merlinth crooned to Papilionth when she acknowledged him. He quickly climbed higher after the green, his large bronze wings beating at the sky. Fly my green queen, higher and higher! He could tell that she was tiring, but she was still doing everything she could to make this flight last. He pumped his wings as hard as he could, and was soon flying close behind Papilionth. He would be there, ready and waiting for her when she decided it was time to quit.

[Zara]

The Blue beat his wings hard. He had to impress her. He trilled and sang and spun and flicked his wings. He had to keep going. He had to keep going to the end. He sang to her. The beautiful Queen was up ahead of him. He had to follow her! He had to fly until his wings fell from his body.

He followed her. He had to overtake the Bronze. He had to be the winner of this Flight. The beauty that was Papilionth may be tiring, but that didn't mean that the flight was over! Far from it. It just meant she had yet to make a choice and that meant it wasn't the end.

He was starting to tire too, but he sang louder, sang of her beauty. Sang in sounds of beauty and color, his eyes whirling red and purple. Papilionth, beauty of Pern, beauty of the skies! Beauty that outshines Rukbat! The Queen of my heart, my skies, my wings! I will give my all for you! All that I am for you!

He would keep flying until his wings fell off and hit the ground. He would keep going, even if he were to fall to earth, his heart stilled. He would fly until she chose. Whether she chose him or another chaser.

[Kitsuneko]

It was time to end this. Papilionth's wings were tiring, and she knew she had to end the flight soon. She had just enough strength left, she thought, to end it on her own terms, though. All of her chasers had done well, but in her mind there were only two real choices. Bronze Merlinth and Blue Voriacesiath had both proven themselves amply in the flight. Either of them was worthy of her.

She stopped her climbing and crooned to her chasers as she began to glide. Bronze Merlinth had proven to be dedicated, but no less than Voriacesiath had. Now that things were drawing to a close, Papi was able to think of her rider once again, and she knew M'cant would approve. In the end, it wasn't a hard choice.

She abruptly folded her wings and dived, down to where her suitors were waiting. Sorry, my bronze, she purred. There will always be a next time. Voriacesiath, come catch me, and let's end this! Despite her words, it was almost like she caught him, though. She swerved away from the bronze and other chasers, to the waiting blue, and crooned as they collided.

[Zara]

Voriacessiath felt a thrill run through him as she dove for him, he soon wrapped himself around her. He crooned to her. Most beautiful Queen... he crooned to her gently, gently nuzzling her, spreading his wings wide, ready to carry her home. My sweet love...

In M'cant's weyr Zarria gave a slightly wry smile and quickly crossed to him, wrapping herself around him, much as Voriacessiath had wrapped himself around Papilionth. A sweet outcome for hte both of them. Somehow, they had won this Flight... "M'cant..." she said softly, her tone very gentle and sweet as she looked at the man. She gently leaned forward to kiss him.