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C'lyx leaned on Tartuth's shoulder with visible impatience. His hand was already snaking up the dragon's lowered neck, waiting for the order to climb on. His middle finger drummed on Tartuth's neck unconsciously and Tartuth kept grumbling that it tickled. Kila was going over the lesson, the same old stuff. He liked the bit about not keeping in formation. When she gave the order, C'lyx was on Tartuth before she could finish her sentence. This time, he did take Tartuth's leg to get up.

Are you ready? Tartuth asked impatiently. But C'lyx was not going to have their flight together ended early thanks to a fall.
He checked and double-checked all of the riding straps. Hold on! Everything feel alright on your end?
The straps are quite tight enough, thank you
Then we're ready. Let's go. C'lyx held on tight as Taruth leaned back, pulling his muscles together like a spring. When he released, they shot forward. C'lyx kept his head low to Tartuth's back and the wind rippled off of him. Before he knew it they were in the air, gliding easily behind Camrith. C'lyx was expecting worse, but this time Tarturh was taking extra care to make his movements smooth for his rider. Even with all his determination and promises, he still felt like Tartuth had learned more from their last lesson than he had.

A'tan had an excuse for being late if he wished it, he was still considered to be in solitary confinement after all, however in this case it wouldn't be a true excuse. He was late deliberately. His inclination to follow the rules had dropped drastically due to recent events, and he showed up for class when he wanted. If Kila didn't like it or complained, he would shrug and ignore her. She could deal with it. And if she couldn't, it wasn't his problem. Today he was deliberately late because he wanted time alone with Scyllakarth. Recalling the painful week he had endured, relieved only by the mental link that they couldn't sever - no matter how hard they tried, A'tan thought savagely - moments with Scyllakarth were doubly precious to him. By no means had his anger cooled. Thoughts of the weyrwoman were enough to send him into an icy rage these days. In the back of his mind, A'tan was quietly cultivating plans. It was a comfort to him, and he relished the challenges provided. Every way to step around the restrictions, every small step forward towards his goal was like a slap in the weyrwoman's face. He reveled in it. Gloried in it, and dreamed fondly of the day when she would finally realize what had been going on behind her back.

But for now, A'tan had achieved a moment of relative peace. The others had taken off before he'd come out, and he watched them now, pulling his riding gloves on and tugging the riding straps to test for security. Even from here they could see green Aepeth zipping to the front and pulling aerial tricks. A'tan gave her an appraising, half-distracted look, but Scyllakarth was more interested.

She has grown lovely, He said in a contemplative tone to A'tan. She always flies well in practice.

She has no patience, A'tan countered, and a pathological need for attention. Women like that aren't worth the effort: they act like leeches. You'd be better living a life of celibacy.

I like her, Scyllakarth said, unswayed, as if A'tan hadn't answered at all. Aepeth's attitudes had never bothered him, even the day of their hatching he'd been more amused than annoyed by her. A'tan stayed ut of it beyond a comment now and then. If Scyllakarth wanted to attach himself to a clingy, vapid green he was free to do so.

Whatever, A'tan said, climbing up and hitching himself in. He donned his goggles and helmet, feeling the extra warmth gladly, and settled into position with ease. Ready?

Past ready, Scyllakarth said, It has been too long coming! And he launched himself into the air with a surge of powerful muscles. The pair simply flew straight up at first, trying to attain as much height as they could. Kila obviously wasn't keeping the others in formation, so A'tan felt no need to hurry. The executed a few spirals, nothing fancy - Scyllakarth was too bulky to be a flashy flier - but the limited maneuvers were pleasing to the pair. A'tan clung with his knees and swung along naturally with Scyllakarth's motions. He had cultivated their mental bond carefully: doubly so while they'd been separated, so he was quite skilled at reading his brown's intentions. They had no trouble at all. After the first skyward leap, A'tan wasn't even jostled.

They didn't bother trying to catch up. Scyllakarth was usually a very social dragon, but today he was content to spend a few extra minutes on his own with his rider. They buzzed the watchdragon and executed a lazy sweep around the weyr rim: going in the opposite direction as the others. They'd meet up soon enough going towards each other like this, and then A'tan planned to have Scyllakarth simply fall into line.

Ayna had managed to adjust to Aepeth's movements and focused to pay attention to feeling the way she moved and predicting the direction and movements she would take. With her rider becoming more confident, Aepeth was becoming more daring. As she pulled up from a dive she noticed Tartuth overtake her.

Expecting her to hiss and get angry at the blue Ayna got ready to sooth her dragon, only to be stopped short when Aepeth did not get angry at all. Instead the green continued her movements, behind Tartuth this time.

Tartuth. The croon that Aepeth let out caused Ayna to look at her with in disbelief. She had got on the right dragon, hadn't she? Aepeth never, ever spoke to anyone like that. He usual hiss cmopletely lacked it's malice and lurking feel and Ayna found that concerning.

Silly blue. Aepeth darted higher and glided above Tartuth for a moment, before abruptly closing her wings. She rolled in the air and shot down in front of him, for a moment Ayna feared they would collide, but Aepeth simply twisted out of the way. Opening her wings again she took her place in front again.

I lead, you follow.

At a point where Aepeth and Tartuth were flying side by side Scyllakarth met the group. Flying straight towards them in his chosen flight path, an idea came to him for some mischief making. He knew exactly how bitter A'tan had become towards any and all restrictions, and was willing enough to please his rider. A harmless bit of troublemaking wouldn't get them in too deep today. Playfully trilling, Scyllakarth made as if to climb higher in altitude and sail over the group then, as Aepeth, Ayna, C'lyx and Tartuth passed below him he dove: aiming straight as an arrow for the space between them. There was only just enough for him to get safely by, and aside from potentially startling them Scyllakarth knew he'd do no more harm than stirring their clothing in a strong rush of air.

A'tan laughed to himself, the wind catching the sound and blowing it away. Ah, Scyllakarth. He leaned forward as they leveled out, now far below the group and making a sweeping turn to catch up with them. Stroking his brown's neck, A'tan shook his head. Every now and then they would surprise one another. Usually pleasantly. this was one such occasion. Bulky Scyllakarth might be, but he wasn't exactly deadweight in the air: even if finer acrobatics were beyond him.

C'lyx was surprised. Even Aepeth's haughtiness didn't seem to bother Tartuth today. Only at the sound of the trill did a quite flash of red swirl in his eyes as he turned to see who would be so rude as to interrupt their fun.

As they both looked up, Scyllakarth and A'tan dove past them so close that C'lyx had to grab onto the riding straps tight to keep the wind from off-setting his balance. The trick succeeded in ruffling Tartuth's feather, but only managed to ruffle C'lyx's clothing. In fact, he was laughing.

Stupid brown.. Tartuth grumbled, one of his favorite phrases these days, it seemed.
Don't be sour. That was funny. Cal chided, and he waved down to them, to show his lack of animosity for the pair. C'lyx had indulged Tartuth's dislike of Scyllakarth for long enough. They'd be flying together a lot from now on, they may even end up on the same fighting wing, it was about time they started working together instead of against each other.

Unfortunately, Tartuth didn't see it the same way. His mind was growing hot in anger from the perceived insult and now he felt like punishing C'lyx too for taking their side.
Yeah? We'll see how funny it is. he sanpped, making a sudden dive. C'lyx, who was quite unprepared (and Tartuth knew this!) scrambled to hold on as the blue roared downwards.

Pulling an 'Aepeth', he dove straight for the brown, but peeled away at the last minute. He flew a wide loop around Scyllakarth, rising half-way to his original height before stopping.
Tartuth! I nearly fell off you- you wherry headed.. C'lyx floundered, looking for an appropriate insult.
Tartuth was unconcerned. Hmph, not so funny now, is it?

C'lyx fumed, but Tartuth was ignoring him to glance up at Aepeth from below. He wasn't just upset at C'lyx, but at her too for not paying attention to him. His chest rose and fell heavily, but he looked up at her with a smugly determined look, like he was saying 'see if he can do that!'

Properly consoled, Tarturth relaxed. He continued to breeze through the air, swinging left and right lazily, but ceased his ambitious acrobatics.
I'm getting a little tired. he admitted.
It's what you get for showing off. C'lyx said sternly. He was determind to stay mad at Tartuth, but finally his concern took over, and he asked, Will you be alright for the rest of the flight?
Yes. I'll just take it easy for a while. He looked at Aepeth and Scyllakarth and an unreadable expression crossed his face. I think I'll leave them to their play. he decided. C'lyx wondered why, when he was so adamant for her attention a moment ago, he suddenly seemed to have lost interest. Perhaps he thought his point had been made (whatever it was in the first place) or maybe he prefered to be the one to leave, rather than be left behind.
This was fun. Let's play again soon. he said with more meaning than Cal could interpret.

As he drifted back into the middle of the pack, he briefly watched Aepeth and Scyllakarth from behind, but soon got bored and lost focus. Now that they were alone, he began to once again pay attention to his neglected rider.
Are you mad, Mine? I was only playing. His voice was truly apologetic. Forgive me?
No more stunts like the last one? Cal made him promise.
For the whole rest of the flight.
Well, that was good enough, Cal thought. Anyway, it was nearly impoossible to stay mad at Tartuth for long. Even as C'lyx said he forgave him, Tartuth's eyes swirled blue with an overly happy grin on his face.
I'm glad.