It's big, it's green, it's glowing - it's Alymath! And she's about to rise in High Reaches' central bowl. Send a lizard, and page Keris with your NPC rider's name! :)
-- entered by Lis on 2000-06-23 14:52 MOO Time.
Living Caverns
The rough-hewn majesty of this cavern far outpaces any delight in the multitudes of curves that form its enclosure. The glabrous grey granite is shot through with translucent obsidian, lending subtly-veined sparkle to the walls and the foot-trodden smoothness of the floor that shows centuries-old placements of the scarred trestle tables; carven hollows give homes for the glow baskets and the coat-pegs that line the walls. No mosaics, no painting, no tiles: just a few well-done tapestries mark the pathway that lead to the kitchen to the north and the inner caverns to the west, and frame the nighthearth's stew and snacks, while a heavier strip of oiled canvas shields the unwary from the wind in the bowl.
Quara saunters calmly in from the Central Bowl.
Alymath> Above, Banoth drops in from Spires' height.
Loren arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Alymath> Above, Banoth drops down towards the Bowl.
Alymath> Banoth drops in from above, landing with a light *thud*.
Zarin arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Alymath> Nali slides from Banoth's neck and lands gently on the ground.
Quara saunters in, looking rather slimmer than she did the last time this was the occasion. "Lissie! Lyli, darling! Is Aly glowing again? I could have /sworn/ she was just up." Genuine surprise is on her face, and she smiles brightly, fetching herself a glass of wine. "Mmm, the Paradise they just had brought in is simply lovely," she comments, approvingly. "Excellent bouquet."
Nali meanders in from the Central Bowl.
Zarin smiles as he walks in and sees all of the people. "Hello. Whats going on?" he just skips all the small talk and gets right to the questions.
Uh-oh. This scene is starting to look suspiciously similar to Lis' /last/ flight - granted, two of the people aren't hugely pregnant. "Yes, she's glowing, Quara," sighs the greenrider resignedly, as comfortably as she's slumped in her chair. Entering riders are waved to idly. Surely they're not here for her? Or Aly?
Nali
Sometimes brown, sometimes green, sometimes just a meld of hazel, Nali's expressive eyes seem to change color depending on the light. Her slightly rounded eyes are set squarely in her heart-shaped face, neither wide set nor too narrowly placed. Strawberry blonde hair, a shade lighter than the dark lashes that frame her eyes, is cropped up to just past chin-length, as mandated by the rules of weyrlinghood. Despite all her Turns of living on Ista Isle, this young woman's complexion is still what many would call fair, with the only trace of Rukbat's touch being the freckles dusted across her moderately prominent nose. Though by no means tall, Nali does not give the appearance of being overly short, as her slender figure balances her relative lack of height.
Tight, black, and shiny - the phrase that best describes this rider's wherhide attire. Not so much skintight as superbly form-fitting, Nali's slick leathers leave just enough to the imagination to retain some sense of propriety. Chatoyant black smoothes over the brownrider's slim figure, from the semi-cropped jacket to the vespertine black that shows off the curve of the leg's toned muscle. Indeed, this set of sleek leathers are the epitome of shiny, jet-black, and proud (perhaps a bit too proud) Istan riding garb. Gwydion watches protectively over Nali, tail wrapped 'round her upper arm. Spur regards the scene with gentlemanly interest from Nali's shoulder.
A ribbon of golden brown twines through a double cord of orange and black, forming a single loop on Nali's shoulder that shows her to be a proud Junior Weyrling of Ista Weyr.
Nali is 20 Turns, 3 months, and 15 days old.
Quara would be in her weyr if she'd planned better, but as it is... Oh, lovely. Young men. At Zarin's question, her eyes light up a bit. "One of the greens is glowing again, dearie," she purrs. "Alymath."
It's even better without the pregnancy. Mrow. Lylia stretches her legs out slightly, giving a light wave to Quara and Nali alike, a slight grin still set on her face. "Seems that way..." Zarin just gets eyed for a moment. "Alymath. Yep." Mmm. Lylia would be anywhere else. But whatcha gonna do....
Ryune arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Lis merely blinks at the Istan-knotted brownrider in those interesting black leathers. Ahem. "'Lo!" is called over at Nali, fingers waggled cheerfully and unassumingly. Riders come here all the time, sure... Zarin is waved at too, but everyone's stolen the words out of her mouth.
Ryune saunters into the caverns, ruffled chestnut hair tousled with lazy fingers. "Eh.." So many people, and such a buzz from all that drinking last night. Whee. He stumbles into the closest seat he can find, but not before he gathers himself a glass of wine. To clear his head. Right.
Lihai steps into the shadows that lead back into the Weyr.
Loren pads in, various things clinging to her tunic, including customary cookie crumbs, and two blues. Runner frowns in the general direction of.. well, someone.. and then hrmphs, shuffling over to the cookies and snatching some up before flopping in a nearby chair. "Torowa-a-a. Stoppit. You're gonna put holes in my sleeve.. ooh, Lis. Lylia." People. More people. "Hi-i-i-i." And there we go. Can't say Loren's not polite, ignoring people. That would just be bad, you know? Of course.
Nali looks rather lost as she wanders into the caverns. Perhaps it's been longer than she thought since she's been up to 'Reaches... they must have changed things around. Yes, that's it. It's not her memory; they've changed the layout of the caverns. She clears her throat. "Erm, has anyone seen my cousin around? Her name is Geko and she..." The Istan trails off and turns to Lis. The finger-waggling is returned with an unsuspecting smile. "Hello there. Have you seen Geko lately?"
"Geko?" The word makes its way into Lylia's lazy consciousness, the fellow brownrider also offering a wave Nali-wards. "I know I haven't seen her today. She's probably around." Another glazed over grin and stare. Most people are. And Lylia abruptly turns, going back to pouncing on cream puffs.
Zarin nods to Quara. "Does that mean she's going to fly soon?" His tone sounds quite scared. He's never been near a proddy female before.
Quara eyes the gathering of young men that has formed, her emerald eyes glowing vividly. A hand absently rearranges her hair, and she picks up an expression that just might be a predatory leer. Naw, couldn't be... "Geko? That darling? Ah, um... She's around here somewhere," the bluerider comments, waving a hand airily. "I don't know where, of course. Not even in my wing." Her vague distaste enumerates her impression of all the non-Inferno'ers. And then, almost lazily, she takes a sip of her wine.
Ryune lifts a dusty-brown brow toward Loren, a swig of wine taken before a languid nod is given in response. He's fully competant. Sure he is. His expression contorts a moment, nearly sable eyes glinting at the mention of proddiness. How.. uh... lovely. Right. The youth isn't totally free of a few suggestive glances toward the 'riders either, Quara scanned over intently. Mmf. A redhead. That's nice. Wine.
Lis decides to turn her attention on Zavin, in spite of the flying hormones and rising dragons. "Erm, yeah, she is. If I were you'd, I'd just hide until it all blows over." Otherwise, one might wake up in the ground weyrs surrounded by people they don't remember being next to...
Zarin gets up and gets himself some klah then returning to his seat. "It sounds kind of scary." He takes a sip of his klah. then quickly puts it down. "Too warm."
"I'd seriously recommend hiding if I were you." Lylia raises a cream puff towards Zarin, grinning lightly as she begins to nibble away at it. It's the safest option, and the brownrider seems quite amused for some reason. Must be Lis.
Quara catches a bit of movement from the corner of her eye, and as she glances over, she sees Ryune's glass being lowered, and her gaze flits from container to owner. One eye is lifted, and the (relative) youth gets a nod of approval. And then her attention is back on Lis, Lylia, and her usual group, just in time to catch the greenrider mentioning things blowing over. "Indeed," she concurrs. "It can be... disturbing, to the uninitiated." Her tone, of course, implies mystery and intrigue. Of which there is much; waking up with strangers is always mysterious.
Nali's mouth twitches into a moue of disappointment. "Oh. Well, if nobody's seen her, then I guess I'll just be going..." She sweeps her gaze over the caverns once more, just to make sure her favorite little cousin hasn't made an entrance in the last thirty seconds or so, then turns to head out. Before she makes back to the Bowl, however, something dawns on her. She looks at Lis more closely, then at the other riders there. /Oh/. "Well, maybe I'll just wait for her for a little while," she amends quietly and returns casually to her former spot.
Zarin nods again, getting so much advice. "Maybe I will go and hide."
Dorothy blinks in from ::between::!
Alymath> Above, Trydanth heads in from above the lake.
Alymath> Above, Trydanth drops down towards the Bowl.
Alymath> Trydanth drops in from above, landing with a light *thud*.
Alymath> D'renn slithers down Trydanth's side with only minimal help from the blue.
Ryune settles to remain tacit, lank hips swiveling as he turns laterally in his seat. Waking up with people he doesn't even vaguely recall has been his only known talent. More wine, then. Yes. Dust-hued hair falls into his line of sight, only to be run through with agile fingers. Very slowly, he appears to be losing that dormant stupor of drowsiness.
Quara snickers with vague amusement at Nali's delayed notice of the discussion. "Not that you could get a ride out now if you wanted one, unless there's a green still here," she notes wryly to the Istan. That couldn't possibly be laughter hidden behind her wine glass, oh no! And then, with a wave to Ryune, she gestures the boy over. Better make a harem.
D'renn strides in from the Central Bowl.
Dum-dee-dum. It's D'renn.
Alymath> With her eyes fixed on the entrance to the living caverns, Alymath gives a long, dissatisfied rumble. Typical Lis to just /leave/ when she's needed! Oh well. Large head cranes, eyeing the males present with a long, thoughtful look, which quickly turns into an orange display of ignoring them.
Lis is eyed. By someone in skintight leathers. Doing her best to return a cheery smile to the Istan, the greenrider fidgets a bit... uncomfortably? This has to be a first. Ryune is given a 'Run, flee, /go/ while you still can!' sort of look, eyes bugging slightly as Quara gets herself another one. "Great," mutters the greenrider under her breath. She's /not/ going to enjoy it. And at D'renn's entrance - she squeaks.
Alymath> Trydanth slinks down into the summer dust of the bowl, wings fluttering restlessly and eyes wide-wide-wide as he watches Alymath. Pretty pretty.
Ryune lilts the arch of his brow toward Quara, crooked smile offered as he and his wine glass shift to a seat closer to the bulk of the group, edging nearer to the redhead. Lis is responded to with a perfectly passive shrug of broad shoulders, slender legs crossed at the ankles. "Morning," he murmurs, reclining back.
Alymath> Druseth is broodingly oblivious of Alymath's presence, the glinting cerulean eyes whirling as he remains crouched in a shadowed corner of the bowl. Eyes awhirl, he simply keeps his guarding stare darting about the bowl. Hmm. The brown flicks his crimson-dipped tail, keeping up his prowling watch, refusing to let even a drop of sunlight touch his form. Yep.
"Heya you lot." D'renn's more vocal once he's got a drink in hand, sliding into a seat near Lis and leering at her - mostly out of habit, though he does add, "Alymath is looking good."
Quara goes home.
Nali nods rather resignedly to Quara. "I don't think I could get Banoth back home now if I tried." She shrugs, then gives another quick glance to the greenrider in the spotlight, so to speak. She's never made anyone fidget just by looking at them before. A new experience.
"G'dday, D'renn." Lylia inclines her head slightly towards the weyrlingmaster, aka The Boss-type. Emerald gaze glinting slightly, she rummages for a moment, before triumphantly holding up a wineskin and another creampuff. Mmm. The amused gaze slides over to Nali for a moment, the young woman just offering a shrug. "And I wouldn't try, if I were you. Cranky critters at times like this." But Druseth won't be able to stop her from partaking in a bit of wine.
Lis sinks even lower into her chair at the leer, chin resting on her chest as she's all but under the table. "Thanks for reminding me, D'renn. I almost forgot she was about to go up," mutters the rider, voice dripping with sarcasm as scowls around. Humph.
Zarin smiles as he hears all the talk. It's intreasting. "Hello, D'renn." He quickly looks around the room then finishes up his drink, only to get a new one.
"I was just commenting that she was looking well," D'renn replies in an innocent, injured tone, giving Lis puppy-eyes before turning the pleading to Lylia and her wineskin.
Meggan walks in from the Central Bowl.
Awww. A pleading weyrlingmaster. Lylia fumbles for a glass for a moment, before giving a contented little grin as she fills it with the tempting drink. Meehee. One hand winding around the glass, she offers the 'skin to D'renn with the other. "Want some?" With Lis around, they'll all need it.
Alymath> Banoth retains his standard air of detached coolness as he runs his gaze over Alymath. Then he all but turns his back on her. If the green is going to ignore him, then he won't impart the favor of his attentions on her. Typical Ban-arrogance.
Alymath> Alymath is pretty, of course she's pretty! Everyone should know that. Ignoring Druseth's cowarding and Banoth's - hmpf - ignoring, the green suddenly is on her feet and sauntering towards the pens.
Alymath> You go to the Pens.
Alymath> Pens
Alymath> Freshened breezes from the lake to the south linger with the stronger scents of herdbeast and wherry, dust and dung, that fill this ovoid enclosure. The sturdy fence sways out into the bowl, captures an outlet of clear blue lake, and, as it meets the bowl wall, grows into a stout wind-shelter replete with hay and feeding troughs; not too far above, a claw-marked series of feeding ledges lie, decorated by a few discarded and bleached-out bones. A few clusters of green sprout, downtrodden, in the hard ground, tracked over by the stampeding of the herds.
Alymath> It is a summer midmorning.
Alymath> Lucrezia glides in from the Central Bowl.
Alymath> Trydanth shuffles in from the Central Bowl.
Alymath> Banoth slinks with polished stealthiness in from the Central Bowl.
Lis just winces, straightening up in her chair again. "Sorry, D'renn... I'm just /not/ in a good mood." With a lifemate like hers, it's lucky she ever is. Nali gets the first of what will probably be many 'speculative looks', offered a sympathetic smile as she fidgets in her seat again. Fidget. Squeak. Creak.
Meggan Walks in quitly. With the expression of someone who has never set foot in a weyr. She holds her son's hand and holds him closer. So he doesn't run off and cuase trouble. She looks around for Zack. Waving with her free hand to the others in the room.
Alymath> Druseth glances about watchfully, slowly slinking in from the Central Bowl.
Alymath> The beasts flee in terror as the large, green form of Alymath flies low above them, her orange-glowing eyes shining with a ravishing hunger. A fat fowl is chosen, and the green dives, attacks and lands with her prey, ripping open the stomach. A challenging bugle is sent skywards, but then the green obliges an unseen voice, draining the animal in her talons for blood.
D'renn's tongue isn't totally hanging out, but.... "Please, Lylia? Wine?" Beetle-brows screw together as he follows Trydanth with his thoughts.... giving a little shrug though, he smiles at Lis.
Zarin starts to twitch a little in his seat. He drinks some more of his klah then puts down the now empty mug.
Alymath> Trydanth streaks into the pens and then upwards... plummeting then to strike at a wherry, which is hauled off to a quiet corner for Trydanth to rip and tear and kill. Mmmm.
Alymath> Druseth's shifting gaze has picked up Alymath, the brown taking his slinking, graceful strides towards the pens. Whirling increases as the dragon gives a low growl, letting it escape his throat as he plunges upwards with a swift movement. Beating his wings fiercely, he swoops downwards, talons sinking into the neck of a herdbeast with his fangs quickly following. Blood trickles down his muzzle and neck, an almost contented croon escaping him.
Meggan drops ManaruTea.
Lylia nods slightly, letting out a slight giggle as she dangles the wineskin in front of him. "You'll definitely need it." The brownrider just gives a little smile, finishing off her creampuff in a swift 'chomp'. Heehee.
ManaruTea Looks up at Meggan with childlike awe he asks "Is this A real weyr?
Meggan says, "Yes this is a real weyr."
Meggan she smiles at him then going back to who she was looking for she adresses the crown. "Excuse me, but um have any of you seen Zack?
Gump! goes the Mayir. He talks back into the Living Caverns, clomping back next to Lylia and complaining: "Silly assistants. Always need hand-holding to get anything done."
Alymath> Banoth takes his own sweet time sliding into the pens. He graciously allows the other males to go ahead of him - they may need the extra time; he will not. A warble sounding suspiciously like indifferent amusement escapes his throat as his eyes take on a whirl of more interest. He takes to the sky casually and circles once, then descends with cold precision on a fat herdbeast. He bloods it neatly, almost with the air of a gormet who savors every drop.
"You're telling me!" D'renn quips back at Mayir. Couldn't resist.
If Lis had feathers, they'd be ruffled. But feathers or not, the greenrider spares a glare in her clutchmate'd direction. "Gee, thanks, Lylia... We'll see if I pounce /you/ when Alymath..." Grumble. Mayir is followed with an indignant glare - it's the hormones, really - before a snicker has to be smothered behind one hand.
Alymath> With blood spilling from her muzzle and onto the ground, creating a brownish-red spot under her forepaws, Alymath raises her head, giving another one of those hoarse, challenging bugles, her husky alto ringing out towards the sky. And then, with a snapping sound as large wings unfold, the green is airborne, gracefully leaping upwards, towards the freedom of flight.
ManaruTea says, "He loves my mommy!!!!"
Meggan huses Manarutea
"C'mon, Lylia.... wine....." D'renn grumbles, holding out his cup. Assistants, huh.
Alymath> Up up up! Wings beat to lift you up out of the dusty pens.
Alymath> Above the Feeding Pens
Alymath> Wayward breezes carry the mixed scent of herdbeast and wherry from below, occasionally fusing with the salty odor of the ocean from afar. Spires overlook and shadow the pens below, often blanketing the scythed, claw-cut ledges used for feeding. Thermals, unusually steady for this area, keep that scent aloft and ever-present, growing stronger as they descend to the feeding grounds below.
Alymath> It is a summer midmorning.
Alymath> Trydanth bursts up from the dust below.
Alymath> Banoth bursts up from the dust below.
"Hey!" Lylia gives D'renn a quick stare. More of a glower, really. "/You're/ the one that seems to hire so many assistants." Pout. And they can do better than him. "/Fine/, if you can't pour yourself." The rider sloshes some wine into his cup and goes back to sulking.
Alymath> Druseth bursts up from the dust below.
Alymath> So you go up, up, and up somemore, spiralling past ledges and Star Stones and up past the very Spindles themselves.
Alymath> Above High Reaches
Alymath> Quite, quite high, nothing braves these heights but stone and dragon and cloud; the Star Stones jut dutifully above the Weyr proper, flayed by the mountain winds that are consistant at this altitude whilst the rest spreads below, protected by its crown of jagged stone spires'-teeth.
Alymath> It is a summer midmorning.
Alymath> Banoth shoots up from the dusty pens.
Alymath> Druseth shoots up from the dusty pens.
Mayir looks around for a moment. "Wine? Wine? Huh?" Oh dear. He kinda got here late and is now all confuzzled. Poor MayBaby. "I guess I could have some of that, too," he says, grabbing a cup and then pouring some of the skin in.
Zarin looks at Lylia curiously, whars earing her? "Can I have some wine too?"
Meggan Sits in her Chair listening to the conversation. And thinks to her self Well at least the Assistants arn't treated like they'r invisable. She shifts in her seat checking the entrace for Zack. and sighs this is going to be a *long* day
Alymath> Banoth is no slouch when it comes to reaction time; the drained herdbeast is left behind with only one more taste of that savory blood before he slices through the air after Alymath. He strokes his slick wings with almost exaggerated lack of concern. He won't strain himself, instead prefering to slink, to stealth his way through shadow and sky.
Alymath> Trydanth shoots up from the dusty pens.
Alymath> Blood is so much /nicer/... Almost slow to get his start, Druseth lunges upwards into the air, leaving a bloody mess of herdbeast behind him. The wind smears the crimson fluid farther across his talons and muzzle, the young dragon already stretching, prowling in the crisp air. Every breeze is greeted with a slight growl, the dragon's dusty wings now soaking in that horrible, horrible sunlight. But he's got a new bit of prey now, /much/ more interesting than a herdbeast. He soars upwards, following the luminous Alymath, forgetting about his irritation with her flirtatious nature. Forgetting about his irritation with anything.
Lis continues to fidget a bit - all the wine and silence can't be good. "Maybe the ground weyrs would be a good place to go..." Note the lack of an 'us' in her suggestion, eyes peeking around at the imbibing riders - and other people.
Ryune toys with his nearly empty beaker, hiding a smirk behind the rim of the glass. Slim legs uncross and cross again, arms finally shifted to dangle over the edge of the chair. Intersting, these riderfolks. Nyx-violet eyes passes and weave curiously throughout, chestnut brow lifting.
Alymath> Trydanth chases. Fuelled only with a single wherry, his own potential energy sends the bright blue rocketing upwards, copper-marked wings pumping furiously. Ahead of him is Alymath, that, that green, so delicious and delightful.....
D'renn fidgets too, even after a swift drink of wine. "Aye, the ground weyrs," he encourages, jaw set rigid as he flies high with Trydanth. "C'mon Lis, Lylia, rest of you...." Any of them and all of them. "Bring the wine."
Mayir takes a long sip of his wine and looks over at Lis for a long moment. "All right," he finally agrees tenatitvely to D'renn's statement, grabbing the skin that's close to him. "Sure.."
Nali swallows rather uncomfortably, her hazel-green eyes flicking about the caverns. Her gaze stops to rest on a wineskin. "Erm, perhaps"--she clears her throat again--"perhaps someone could pour me some, too?" she asks, a faint flush coloring her cheeks. Imagine that--devout klah devotee asking for wine. She swallows again at the mention of the ground weyrs. "Uh--yes, that might be a good idea."
ManaruTea says, "Letsa go mommy!!!!!"
Meggan says, "Idon't know... I don't think its a good idea"
"That /would/ be good." Lylia clings to the wine, hugging the skin to her chest before glancing around. Reaching out, she snags a couple glasses, giving Nali a quick wink. She's got the wine, yep. Ground weyrs, wine, all of it's /gooood/.
Alymath> Alymath goes high, higher than usual, her wings pumping furiously with the challenge. Not even sparing a glance back to the males, she bugles, loud and challenging and hoarsely, the tip of her tail the only guide offered. Green neck coils coyly, green tailtip matching, wings stilling for a moment so aerial acrobatics can be done; the green leaping up, then down, then between blues and browns and bronzes, and then continuing in a straight line. Follow who follow can.
Lis manages a weak smile as she continues to stay put in her chair, explaining, "Why don't you all go, and I'll just... stay here. Or maybe somewhere else." Fingers grip the arms of her chair fiercly as she tries to forestall a pounce. It can be done. Maybe.
Alymath> Trydanth is the man than can! Or the dragon, at the very least... His spiky agility is perfect for following after Alymath's dipping and darting, wings tucked as he dives, or spreading wide as he soars in joyous, desirous pursuit.
Nah. The hormones have to win eventually, right? "Well," Mayir says with a shrug as he keeps his wine skin and glass in respective hands. "I'll just go where everyone else is. I just got here and all." Little does he know...
"Lis, come on..." D'renn urges, on his feet, and tapping the back of the greenrider's chair. "C'mon. Ground weyrs. Or wherever. Just out of the public eye."
Alymath> Acrobatics? Druseth ignores them without even a snort. The fanged creature simply continues on his way upwards, a spiralling ascent towards the soaring Alymath. Perhaps the tricks throw him for a moment, but with a sharp twist of his wings, he swoops towards the right, ducking a laboring blue as he slips through the air like a shadow. He can follow, he /will/ follow, a sharp stare focused only on her form as he darts foward. He is the hunter, after all. And he can chase his prey to the ends of Pern.
Alymath> Banoth keeps a steady eye on the glistening aerobat - she won't elude this brown's sights so easily - as he banks to the side. His return bugle reverberates in its draconic baritone, the slightest hint of an interested lilt tugging at the clear note. Even he has to admit that this green is not your ordinary lady. Perhaps this is a chase worth more attention.
"I'll carry you if I have to, Lis." Lylia strides closer to the greenrider, standing over her. Looming, really. And she'd be delighted for the chance, a grin already on her face.
Meggan Her eyes Narrow. She takes A hold of Manarutea. Lifts her chin and walks out in a mock pompos snobby way. AS if she had been here for ever and runs the place.
Meggan exchanges the protection of stone for the bowl outside.
ManaruTea exchanges the protection of stone for the bowl outside.
Lihai arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Lis sulks shamelessly, edging away from D'renn's hand on the back of her chair. "I hate this... And you wouldn't Lylia!" Eyes flash up to wingmate, looking from her to D'renn, Mayir and everyone seemingly hulking around her chair. It's always 'pick on the greenrider day' around here.
Alymath> Alymath is certainly not an ordinary lady. Right now she's the center of attention, at least in the sky, and she's enjoying every minute of it, her every movement coy, alluring and destined to provoke attention from her pursuers. Head is craned back slightly, and something sounding like a croon is carried by the wind towards a few of the blues and browns, tip of green tail flicking encouragingly. And then, she's away again, a whisper in the wind, using the thermals to spin higher into the air before dropping down in a headlong fashion.
"I will if you prefer, Lis dear?" D'renn offers, blue eyes glinting suggestively. "I mean, you're a little lighter now than the last time I carried you...."
Nali might be one who needs carrying. Or maybe not; at the very least, she's in no position to help anyone get anywhere except herself. She does keep her eye on Lis in spite of herself. If the greenrider goes anywhere, she'll follow.
Mayir edges near Nali for a moment and keeps his eye on Lis. Will she go? Will she stay? Will she win the million! Can she phone a friend? Stay tuned. While he waits for that decision, his wine glass is mysteriously becoming empty. Could his lips and throat be playing a part in this?
"Out we go, Lis." Lylia steps to Lis's side, grinning in that buff-brownrider way. With a swift motion, she leans over and grabs Lis around the waist, hoisting her up. "We are /going/." Sheesh. She's heavy. Lylia takes a slight step towards the door, grimacing. "How many cream puffs have you /had/?"
Lis squeals as she's suddenly in Lylia's arms. That is, until she's re-educated on how comfy they are. "Oh, shut /up/, Lylia. You wanted to carry me..." No way Lis could be enjoying this. Of course not. Arms are flung around the bronwrider's neck as she adds, "Don't you dare drop me..."
D'renn hurries alongside Lylia. "Don't drop her, don't drop her...."
Alymath> Up and down? Druseth can do that. Casting himself into the winds, he dances higher into the sky, remaining level for but a moment before letting the air rush around him, a sharp dive dowards before looping around towards the green. He's closer now, the vivacious creature drawing him in with a feral craving, along with the hunter's instinct driving him. Lovely, wild... He's one to follow, but not blindly. Another ducking below a fellow chaser, rolling his body as he remains level-headed through his blood-enduced haze. Another low growl remains in his throat, a warning to the sky itself as he slips along, a midair prowl.
Alymath> Up, down, up, down... Trydanth goes for sideways, cruising along beneath Alymath's wild dips and swoops. But nothing truly worthwhile is gained without a little effort, and Trydanth sets his sights on that flicking tail and all that's attached. Here we go....
"So what if I did?" Lylia gives an innocent grin, staggering to the door as she shoots another glance at D'renn. "I'm /not/, see?" Okay, so as she stumbles she /looks/ like she might, but quickly rights herself fully and marches towards the door. Carrying off the greenrider.... That's the life.
Ah. Gone with the greenrider. And Mayir follows along behind the dear who carries the Greenrider of the Hour. Wine. Skin. Girls. Who could ask for anything more?
Meggan walks in from the Central Bowl.
"Lylia!" Lis shrills as her ride stumbles, lifting a finger to point it at D'renn. "You'd better catch me if she does. Stone hurts," is added with a nose-wrinkling grimace. "Hurry up. Alymath's getting, well, you /know/," she informs the brownrider whose arms she's happily resting in.
D'renn seems to be of the same mind as Mayir, although with certain interesting twists, judging by the way he hurries after,
Lylia exchanges the protection of stone for the bowl outside.
D'renn exchanges the protection of stone for the bowl outside.
Bundle up 'gainst snow or sun! The bowl is open to seasons' wrath.
Central Bowl
Seven spindles brush the clouds -- quite literally -- overhead, a jagged, spired cotillion grey-stoned majesty. The bowl from here is expansively large, extending a full half mile in both directions, and although sometimes a bit of a stretch, most of the hubs of activity can be easily observed. Hard-packed ground shows the common pathways, all of them meandering about the craggy bunch of boulders that form a centerpiece: carven, hand-worn and foothold-full, it gives a bit of centerpoint to the otherwise vast emptiness of the area.
To the north lie the hatching grounds and leadership weyrs, while the lows of herdbeasts mark the feeding pens to the northeast. A flurry of ever-present activity marks the living caverns to the west, and another time-traveled path the ground weyrs just adjacent to the southwest. Southeast, a glint of blue shows the lake, glittering and cold.
It is a summer midmorning.
Lylia and D'renn are here.
Lylia abandons the bowl for ground weyr's shelter.
Open sky is exchanged for protecting stone.
Ground Weyrs
Once a mere overhang in the bowl wall, this arched stone enclave was deepened in aeons past by who-knows-what to provide shelter for injured dragons and their mates. Craggy walls loom high to dwarf rider and dragon alike, sloping back from the weather-open entrance to a low opening into the infirmary itself. Stacked under rock-shaded cover are low supply chests of sturdy timber, flanked with long tables. Other openings are shaded by wherhide curtains, leading to smaller, private caverns for the dragonhealers' patients.
It is a summer midmorning.
Lylia is here.
D'renn comes into shelter from bowl's wide open spaces.
Mayir comes into shelter from bowl's wide open spaces.
Nali comes into shelter from bowl's wide open spaces.
"See? You're here." Lylia gives another smirk, jerking her head slightly. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" Welcome to the pit of corruption.
Alymath> Banoth allows a warble to break through his detached facade as he tilts his head to one side. He is somewhat more than mildly interested in the coy lady, and the thrill of the chase might have something to do with it. That's what he does best, of course, the tracking down, the pursuit. His golden-flecked hide flashes as he twists and strokes his broad wings more purposefully.
"Put her down?" D'renn suggests rather nervously to Lylia, perching his behind on one of the wooden chests, and giving Nali a vague leer.
Mayir find comfort on one of the beds /near/ one of the wooden chests, placing down the capped wineskin next to him. But then. Hrm. How funny. His glass is empty. Uncorking the skin, he pours another, also giving Nali the once over leeringly.
Alymath> Alymath decides to do her (in)famous turn-around-and-meet-'em move, and so she does, turning 180 degrees and heads straight for the males. Wings stilling, body tensing, she plunges directly into the not so large flock of them, a loud, earpiercing bugle following her. Talons stretch towards.... whoever will be quick enough to catch her.
Lis wiggles impatentiently in Lylia's arms, adding with a vehement nod, "/Please/ put me down, Lylia. Over there?" A nice sheltered spot - away from all the leering, drinking people. Whatever Alymath is up to elicits a wine from the greenrider, browns furrowing.
Nali echoes D'renn's suggestion only half-consiously. She is even less concious of D'renn's and Mayir's leering glances--perhaps only one-third concious.
Poor Nali. Lylia just shakes her head at the pair of males, giving the brownrider a sympathetic gaze. "Okay, okay." She quickly darts over, well, as fast as she can, and gently sets Lis down as ordered. See?
Alymath> Trydanth turns, as nimble in flight in flight as his rider's proven to be in other... erm... areas of life. Flashing past the other males as a bolt of blue light, he streaks toward Alymath, lean body tensed and ready.....
Alymath> This is how the prey finishes the hunt? Not a normal manuver, and certainly making Druseth dodge slightly, the vampiric beast slipping lower for a moment, fire-flared wings letting him drift back upwards. Set determination burns within him, a sureness blazing with a hunter's craving. The emerald beauty is more an amazon than anything else, and with that glimmer of hunger and respect in his gaze, he simply waits. Whether to greet her or not, since it seems that with this new move, the night-born hunter has become the hunted.
Mayir manages to pull eyes away from Nali. Well. At least for a moment. That is, to take a long swig of wine before going back to leering that she who he has not leered at before. Lylia and Lis can do whatever. He has his interest elsewhere.
Alymath> Wait for it--timing is everything in this business--wait for it... now! Gunsmoke-gray talons extend as Banoth launches his slim, muscled physique through the air towards the lady in glowing green.
Nali never did get her hands on a glass of wine, poor dear. Nary a sip for the unsuspecting Istan who was just here to visit her cousin. What a shame.
"Humph. Carried out here, dropped like a hot tuber," Lis grumbles her list of greivances under her breath as she curls up into a lone ball of greenrider in the corner. A nice quiet corner - for the time being.
D'renn drank his wine, and didn't bother with more. He's busy looking from the Istan girl, to Lis and Lylia.... Lis might find her corner being disturbed, or else Lylia might find herself in the ranks of D'renn's assistants who've.....
"You needed it." Lylia leans back with a more relaxed grin, sipping her wine as her gaze slowly sweeps the room. Nali gets a raised eyebrow, the rider nudging the wineskin forward, before offering a leer to both her and D'renn. She's just surprised that it isn't a requirement to become a D'renn-henchman....
Mayir gets himself off of his behind and over to Nali and his almost gone skin of wine, offering it to the Poor, Unsuspecting, Innocent Istan. Right. Well. Unsuspecting, perhaps. "Want some?" he questions quietly, offering her the skin. Lylia won't be the only one offering wine to the Istan that he leers at.
Alymath> With a loud bugle, Alymath tries to halt her furiously fast plunge, creeling in terror as two set of talons suddenly close in on her. Green wings beat, head cranes, neck coils... but fortunately, Druseth is there, calm, and waiting for her. With little left of her previous reluctance, she leaves herself to the brown, bugling passionately as she resides herself to being the prey of the hunter...
Nali blinks at both of the proffered wineskins, then looks from Lylia to Mayir back to the wineskins again. "Thank you," she mumbles, taking one of them. Now, a glass. A glass? Bother the glass; she takes a pull straight from the wineskin. It's been an interesting day; she deserves it. Right?
Lis may still be hugging her knees to her chest, but she's inching forward along the ground - it's a pounce, albeit a slow one. "Lylia..." whines the greenrider, shuddering her balled-up pink form. She's not moving... she's not moving...
Alymath> Trydanth is gone, blipping between and winking back in far away. Huh.
Alymath> Trydanth drops lower into the Weyr's caldera.
Alymath> Banoth drops lower into the Weyr's caldera.
D'renn makes a quick head-count, and scowls at Lylia, one foot tapping in its sandal as he fidgets. A lot.
Alymath> Hmm? Brooding expression vanishing, Druseth quickly snakes his neck out, twining with hers. He succeeded, and he's claiming the lady for his own. A low croon escapes him, his tail flicking at her. Perhaps the dragon's found some peace in the sunlight now.
Oh. We're moving into PouncePhase
"Liiiiis." Lylia gives a prowling smile, offering only a fleeting leer at D'renn as she slips over by Lis. Giving a possesive stare to the others she just offers the greenrider a purring grin, before literally pouncing on the greenrider. If she's not moving, Lylia will.
Lis is overwhelmed by a whole lot of Lylia, peeking 'round to mutter concernedly, "But what about D'renn?" It's the thought that counts - and she's got a pouncing brownrider to deal with.
Poor Nali... The Innocent Istan's not all that familiar with PouncePhase
What about D'renn? Well..... he'll defend Lis, if that's what she wants? The tails of his floral shirt flying, he dashes towards the greenrider.
"What about D'renn?" Lylia just /purrs/, licking her lips as she peers at Her Greenrider. But with a slight pout on her face, she just turns to glance at D'renn, a wicked smile growing. "But we /can't/ let him be lonely, I suppose." Poor thing.
Mayir smiles and takes the skin, then wrapping arms gently around Nali's neck and trying to wiggle his way into her lap, a small smile growing on his face. "Hi there," he murmurs softly to the Istan Brownrider.
Lis is pounced twice - by a floral-shirted weyrlingmonster no less. "Can't let him be lonely," agrees the greenrider, dragging D'renn into the mess of corruption. At least it's not lonely?
Nali the Confuzzled eyes Mayir confuzzledly. "Hi there," she replies articulately, one eyebrow raised in mild curiosity. "How are you?" Politeness never hurts in an unfamiliar situation, and having a stranger trying to wiggle into one's lap certainly qualifies.
Mayir giggles softly at the Confuzzled one. Doesn't she understand the PouncePhase