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 Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 7:15 pm
Qualifications: This Flight is open to all mature male dragons (at least three turns, preferably five or more) and their riders at Benden and Fort Weyr, and selected NPCs from the other Weyrs. This is a "Potential Weyrleadership Flight," so I must request that if you feel incapable of being an active and responsible Weyrleader in this guild, please do try, but uh... not too hard.
NPC Notes: If you wish to borrow or create an NPC to join in on the oh-so-much fun... gonk ... please make sure it isn't one you'd object to Ray stealing/borrowing in the event he wins, as will use him to play Puppet Weyrleader. If you're an actual character and not an NPC and actually win the flight, I guess Ray might permit you to be actual Weyrleader and not Puppet Weyrleader. 3nodding
Flight Status: Wrath has been caught by Pericolath.
When: The day after "The Day of Returning." Current discussions will be wrapped-up in the main BW thread before the Flight actually starts.
Where: Benden Weyr. The riders stand on the hill that overlooks the Feeding Grounds--there is a specially-reserved room within a short walk for "afterwards." sweatdrop
Warning: This is a Queen flight. They can sometimes be loud with their emotions. If you feel that the flight is effecting you too strongly as a nonparticipant, please ask Headwoman Shadill to escort you to the Loom Room, which is sufficiently sheltered from the overwash of emotions.
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 9:05 pm
Nakoreth wipes at his muzzle after draining his second herdbeast. Kya knows that Queens tend to get a bit crazed during this part of a pre-flight preparation, but for some reasons the bronzes (and apparently browns)know how to handle themselves without prompting from their riders.
He finishes his meatroll and sips at his klah, still seated on the hill. Nakoreth leaves the feeding grounds to wait just outside, his eyes fixed on a distant weyr. Kya doesn't have to guess to know which it is.
You know, we didn't have to get out here so early.
I wanted to be sure I had time to get ready. I'm taking my time.
Kya shrugs. Nakoreth had never been so serious about a flight before. Of course, he didn't usually compete against bronzes, he probably didn't want to look like a complete failure compared to them.
Well, while we're both still in our own heads, good luck.
Thank you.
They wait. *twiddles thumbs*
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 9:18 pm
Pericolath had headed for the Feeding Grounds after depositing his rider near the kitchens. Now lifting his muzzle from the drained carcass of the wherry, the third of its kind to meet such a fate, he turned his wedge shaped head towards Wrath's weyr. He was positioned upon the edge of the Feeding Grounds, his eyes whirling anxiously as he waited.
P'las trudged into the Lower Caverns, grabbing a mug of klah. The man was still trying to figure his dragon out as he blew on the liquid to cool it before sipping it. It was rather early, but yet the bronzes were beginning to blood their kills, a sure sign of the upcoming Flight. The other bronzeriders would need to know.
Peri, tell him that it is soon.
He felt acceptance from his dragon, though the bronze didn't twitch a muscle as he waited, watching the opening of the gold's weyr for the first sign of her glowing hide appearing. He was ready.
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 7:15 am
Nadrath burst from between, announcing himself and A'vare with a loud bugle. He spiralled gracefully down to the floor of the bowl near the feeding grounds, his rider whooping with glee. The bulky bronze almost didn't wait for A'vare to dismount before heading into the feeding grounds to blood his first.
A'vare jogged quickly up the little slope, seeing two other riders there already. "Good luck!" He called as he broached the crest. "May the best dragon win!" A lighthearted, cheerful grin on his face, he watched as Nadrath attacked a fourth wherry, drained it, and tossed the carcass on a pile already created by the other two.
Suddenly the dragon jerked his head in the direction of the weyrs - or one specifically. He joined the other two in staring at it, waiting for the queen - his queen - to emerge.
You seem sure of yourself, Drath.
I am...
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:52 am
Ray yawns groggily, wondering why she woke up so early. It was a good two hours before her usual time.
She rolls over, tugging her sleeping furs close, expecting to drop off back into sleep... but her eyes keep finding themselves open, and her mind stays active. There's a huge feeling of tension in the Weyr this morning, thick enough to break off a piece to eat. Not that Ray needed any more tension in her stomach, it was roiling in a disturbing fashion.
A sound from Wrath's area cause her head to turn toward it, her eyes bleary and unfocusing. Had she been drinking last night? She tries to remember... No. That nice Bronzerider from High Reaches... bronzerider... bronze ... dragons...
She sits upright, quickly tossing aside her sleeping furs... tangled again! An extra yank gets them away from her legs, good, she's mostly dressed already! Wrath is still asleep, restlessly, but seems to calm as Ray enters the chamber.
Ray approaches her sleeping friend cautiously, able to see every detail clearly as Wrath's golden hide catches and refracts every shred of light available. She reaches out to rest a hand on the dragon's nose, and as her fingers make contact, Wrath's eyes shoot open.
A wordless exchange passes between them, and Ray hurries to leave the weyr, running down the stairs toward the feeding grounds, unaware that she's forgotten her boots. In her mind, she senses Wrath come fully awake, stretching carefully within the confines of her weyr...
Before Ray can run the distance, Wrath emerges onto her ledge, moving sensuously as she knows nearly all eyes are upon her... she stretches her wings slowly, delicately, curving her neck and tail just to make her audience drool.
Finally satisfied that she is warmed up properly, Wrath casually launches from her ledge, her wings beating lazily, flying directly over the heads of the riders gathered on the overlook just as Ray joins them.
Ray sees her going after a wherry buck, and wrinkles her forehead in concentration... this was probably the hardest part, keeping her from gorging herself. Fiercely, Ray coerces Wrath to drain it of blood, to not rend its flesh or do anything silly like that.
A second victim is left bloodless on the ground... and Wrath decides she's had enough of feeding. Lifting her head, she bugles, a deep roar that seems to shake the entire Weyr. Ray nearly loses her balance, stumbling to keep from falling over.
Thinking it was only fitting that the Weyr trembles at her might, Wrath roars again, then leaps into the sky, flying straight up, wings beating strongly to gain altitude as quickly as possible to give her a nice amount of distance between her and the puny, slow males below.
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:05 pm
Pericolath crooned eagerly as the marvous, glowing golden form of Benden's golden queen Wrath appeared in the morning light. Rukbat's rays reflecting off the gold's metallic hide nearly blinded the bronze, who blinked rapidly, his whirling eyes following Wrath as she teased the males gathered.
Finally, she made her way to the Feeding Grounds and neatly landed upon a wherry. After draining it and a second of its kind, she challenged the males gathered about, her bugle echoing off the stone walls of the Weyr. Repeating her challenge, she took to the air.
Before the echoes of her second call disappated, Pericolath had proclaimed that he accepted her challenge, his male brassy voice loudly stating that he, Pericolath of High Reaches, was bound and determined to catch this dragon.
Powerful hindlegs thrust the large bronze hued body into the air and fragile looking wings snapped open, beating against the cool morning air to gain altitude. Whirling eyes that were now tinged with violet were focused upon this golden beauty of Benden. There were none near as beautiful at High Reaches. She was a jewel, a sparkling, dazzling jewel.
P'las held a hand lightly against Ray's back to steady her as the dragons took to the air. He smiled at the loud challenge of the gold, managing to think one last thought before his dragon started to take over. What a way to wake up a Weyr...
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 3:21 pm
Nadrath stretched his neck out full as the glistening queen emerged. He seemed to be straining to reach her, but refused to leave the ground prematurely. The great bronze's eyes remained fixated on her as she blooded two wherries. Magnificent beast!
He spread his wings as she cried her challenge, ready to soar beyond the reaches of that other bronze. She bugled again. He pushed off from the ground as the queen took to flight, strong wings carrying him up to her level, gaining altitude nearly as quickly as she - but he kept back. He didn't want to end it too soon.
A'vare smiled as the rather distressed looking rider of the queen Nadrath so desired came running up to the hill. He stepped to the other side of her, opposite P'las, to support her as she lost herself in the trance. He gave her a reassuring word... his last independent thought before he too was caught up in the glory of Dragon Flight.
((I heart dramatic endings ^^))
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:16 pm
Wrath is still going for altitude, though instead of flying straight up, she flies up in a tight spiral, keeping her eyes busy to avoid being surprised from above; it's much too early in the flight for such a trick!
The sky is absolutely stunningly clear this morning, without a hint of cloud. It's going to be all about manuevering and endurance.
She spares a glance for the ground. The bronzes and browns are quite the slow fliers, being only shiny bits against the distant peaks. She broadens her spiral, gliding on the high winds, plotting. They have never gone this high; the thin air could very easily kill Ray, but Wrath only feels a momentary discomfort. The bronzes may not even be able to reach her at this height without harming themselves, which amuses her to no end. She goes higher still, delighting in the thiness of the air, the heat of the sun's early light, and the amazing sensastions she only feels during a Flight.
All of Pern lies below her, all she sees is her domain, and to protect it, she must permit one of those pathetic males to catch her, so that her children may shelter the skies and guard the lands below them.
She roars a tease at the bronzes. So slow! So weak! They could never reach her up here, not without hurting themselves. The roar is much less than she desired, it probably doesn't even carry to them in the weak air.
Finally conceding to the inevitable, she dives down to a more accessable altitude, flying at speeds she never thought possible, flying quickly in a broad circle around the pack of her pursuers.
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:22 pm
Kya watches Ray approach, still uncomfortable after their unsual argument yesterday. She doesn't seem to notice him, so he stays back a bit as some bronzeriders gather closer.
He jumps in surprise when Wrath roars, but is prepared for her second. Nakoreth, watching her intently, springs into the air seconds after her, in the midst of the other males as they give chase.
The bronzes quickly outdistance him, but he stays in it, pacing himself, knowing that if he strained too hard, he would fail too soon. He cannot afford to exhaust himself so early.
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:27 pm
Pericolath had almost lazily rose upwards. Let her wear herself out flying as high as she could. She'd have to come back down eventually. And, sure enough, the gold dove downwards, having reached the maximum height she could achieve.
Now the bronze quickened his pace, keeping close to the gold as she flew back to the normal levels of flight. He was determined to catch her, but knew it was much too soon for her to be caught. She wouldn't let herself be caught yet. So he'd just wait. Wait for the perfect moment...
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:28 pm
Nadrath eyed the shining golden beam of light, soaring high above their heads. He stayed low - though higher than the brown - keeping himself centered below her. His long neck stretched high as he lifted himself, gaining another length or so in altitude.
As she dove, he let out a loud bugle, holding his position... she went into a great circle around them. Anticipating the time, he beat his wings hard and sent himself forwards, on an intercept course with the queen... his queen.
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:34 pm
Watching the bronzes warily, Wrath scoffs as one breaks from the pack, headed for her. She backwings quickly, slowing her forward momentum and climbing higher, angling almost back the way she'd come to avoid him, knowing he couldn't possibly correct his course in time to catch her.
After making a tight turn, her wings almost perpendicular to the ground, Wrath resumes circling the others in the opposite direction. Now her flying is a bit more erratic, to prevent them from being able to predict her movements. She dips and soars, speeds up and slows down, all irregularly.
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:38 pm
A good one... she didn't fall for his trick. Not one of the best, but it had proved effective... Nadrath had the feeling, however, that they were all lessers to this magnificence... as if all Flights before had been preparing him for this. He flicked his tail, making a sharp turn - though not nearly so sharp as Wrath's. His eyes followed her as she ascended, looping in slow circles beneath her, inching higher slowly... slowly...
As she came down again, he launched himself after her, following her path a length behind, a little slower, turns not quite so sharp, but keeping as close as he dared this early in the flight.
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:38 pm
Pericolath chuckled mentally as he slowly moved in his own, very tight circle. It was more like he was hovering, but turning to follow Wrath. He would be ready for any sudden movements that she would make.
The morning air feel delightedly fresh and cool at their altitude, yet the bronze barely registered that. To him, the beauty of that morning was circling about him and the other males, her hide glowing brightly as she continued to tease them.
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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:47 pm
Nakoreth is nearly caught up now... finally! He sees Wrath, circling the other bronzes, one attempting to intercept her... They seem to be hovering as she circles them, which seems just plain silly. The best advantage to be had in a Flight was height, so as he draws level with the others, Nakoreth begins going higher, watching Wrath.
Before he's gone too far up, the altitude gets to him and he has to drop lower. He tries to stay above the other bronzes, but his height advantage is not as much as he'd like.
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