Mining For Gold {Gold Firelizard Iona's Flight}

[Akira]

It was a bright, sunny day in Trelis Weyr, and Iona was sleeping lazily on Hers' pillow. She opened her eyes, and rustled her wings. She flew out the window, and landed on some rocks in the Weyrbowl. She looked around her sleepily, and hungrily. That's when she spotted some fish that the chef had set out so that he could smoke them for supper. She crooned at the opportunity before her. She flew over to the fish, and grabbed one in her gold claws. She flew back over to her rock, and quickly started devouring it. A quiet hiss emanated from between her golden jaws as she ate.

Iona lifted her head from the bloody carcass when she finished. She roared as loudly as she could before taking off into the sky above the Weyr. It was her time to shine, her time to fly. She beat her creamy, butter colored wings as she climbed higher, and higher into the sky. She called out for all the males in, and around, Trelis Weyr. She was challenging them all to a race. Whomever was the strongest, the fastest, would be her king. She leveled out, and flew quickly above the Weyr. She was waiting for the males to show themselves before she would start the race. There was no use in wasting energy so soon after all.

[shinska]

Aela was cleaning Talath. The Obsidian's eyes whirled the colors of happiness and Aela grinned. She knew where Talath enjoyed the washings the most and spent several minutes on each place to make it more enjoyable for the Obsidian. Crest was snoozing a short distance away and Aela splashed some water at him. Crest just shifted farther and went back to sleep. Aela laughed at her Blue's silliness. She returned to washing Talath. A short time later Crest rammed into her. "Ow! Crest!" She looked down and saw the red in his eyes. He was acting like a two Turn old. "A Flight?" Crest nodded. "Go." Aela said. She was too busy washing Talath to watch him.

Crest disappeared Between to where Gold Iona was. He crooned to her and slowly flew around to warm up. He wanted to give others a chance to arrive. If any Bronzes or Browns showed up then he wouldn't stand a chance. Blues rarely won the Flights of Golds. All Crest could do was Fly his hardest and see where the Flight ended up. He crooned again to Iona and realized this was the first Flight he had ever participated in. He was nervous and was unsure of himself, but he vowed to get through this right now and try his hardest. Crest took a deep breath and calmed his nerves.

[Zara]

R'vin was oiling Umeith and Monerae was complaining... again. R'vin should be giving him attention and not that... blue. He was a blue after all! Hmph. He chittered again. "Quiet you!" he said to Monerae. Monerae hissed. Can I eat him now, Mine? Umeith asked his rider in exasperation, his wings rustling. "No Umeith..." he said rather quietly as he concentrated on a particularly itchy patch and the blue gave happy croon.

Which only became happier as Monerae sat up and chirped, tilting his head with interest. A Gold was rising. And she needed chasers. And not blues. She needed Bronzes like him. It was all about her. He would promise himself to her. He would follow her. He would show devotion. And his would not tell him know. He leaped from the rock where he sat by the weyrlake and was off. He crooned to her and sang, his large, long, angular wings gave him an advantage as he climbed quickly into the sky. It didn't mean he would win, but he woudl do his best to prove himself. He would be certain to try his best.

He roared at the top of his voice, letting her know that he was there to chase her. A blue was attempting to chase?! How dare a blue chase a gold such as she!? He hissed. He would show that blue why Bronzes were meant to catch golds!

He crooned and sang, hsi voice rising up and down as he attempted to weave a wordless and tender song for her as he stretched his wings and began his race...

[jillianna]

D'rian rolled his eyes at his bronze pair. He had just gone to get more oil after oiling down kelath and when he got back, it looked like the morning after. Kelath, bless him, was spread out in a completely undignified heap on his side like he had as a hatchling next to the fire. Shigure, sprawled out over his neck looking like a child's rice filled toy. his little wings stretched to absorb more of the heat.

"What on earth am I going to do with such a pair hmm?" He tossed the oilrag and bottle of oil onto his bedside table and crossed his arms.

you're going to join us for a mid morning nap arent... Kelath's words stopped and he opened one eye to gaze at shigure as his head snapped up and he scrambled to get his feet under him. He tilted his head for a second and his eyes swirled red. He flew onto D'rian's shoulder and nudged his chin impatiently.

"A flight?" The flit chirruped softly then nudged him again. "Go. Go and enjoy yourself." He knew almost exactly how long it had been since the flit well... Caught a female. Before they were searched he didnt have any problems catching most of the craftswomen's greens and golds. Since they were searched however... the females hadn't flown, and he himself knew how his flit might be, he not being allowed to find THAT kind of companionship. "Go on little buddy."

Kelath rumbled settled himself again, and Shigure took his leave, soaring out the window. To his delight he saw Monerae as he joined the chase. It wouldn't be as challenging if his competion was only a blue. Though that blue had to be a proud little thing. He was smaller than shigure, with a shorter wingspan as well. But for a blue to even attempt to catch a gold? Well he was a proud little thing. He roared his challenge to Monerae and Crest, turning his attention then, quite fully, to the object of their challenge.

He sang to her, sweet and coaxing at first, then gaining more strength as his voice settled in. A song of praise for her beauty and tender coaxing that She deserved nothing but the very best. That was He. Not monerae, and certainly no blue.
Stretching his wings to their full extent gave him more speed and stamina. He may be lazy most of the time, but when it came to a gold's rising, he was every bit of the bronze he was born to be.

[Zirin]

Aedion, popping quickly from between, landed on Panyth's head and began chattering and squeaking about all the exciting things he had come across so far in his day. What a journey[/i] Panyth commented, stretching his wings out lazily, I hope we too have a true adventure one day Mine. Preferably before our time runs out.[/i][/color] From the nearby bed, V'koi raised his head to look at his bonded.

"Of course Rainbow Pants," V'koi grinned, looking back down at the maps he had gotten from the records room. He was already planning their grand adventure! Panyth simply cocked his head,. V'koi smiled as feelings of confusion and a bit of disapproval emanated from the colourful dragon as he tried to digest the nickname. After all, dragons didn't wear pants. He didn't have much time to think about it, however, before Aedion suddenly shot into the air, circling and chattering loudly.

"Your next grand adventure Aedi!" V'koi threw his fist in the air in encouragement/ "Go face your foes and rescue the damsel in distress!" Really... the young rider had been listening to too many Harper's Tales recently. Chirping excitedly, Aedion popped between. First he passed through the kitchens, grabbing an uncooked, bite sized morsel from the kitchen from which to blood, then betweened again, this time appearing near Iona and her current band of merry followers.

He glided in a circle near her for now, waiting for her to truly take off. He was only a brown, but he had blooded and he was fast! He cheeped at the little gold, telling her in his firelizard way that he would chance his fair princess as far as she would go, for she was the most beautiful and lovely lady of them all!

[Akira]

Iona crooned to each and every one of her chasers as they appeared. There was four of them now, and she nodded her head approvingly. This was a very appropriate time to start her flight. She trilled with excitement, and quickly turned away from the males. She quickly flew away from them all, leading them into a quick paced race. She called back to the males, daring them to follow her, daring them to prove themselves worthy of all she had to give.

Iona quickly looked around, and wondered what she could do to really test all these males. She needed something that would not only test their speed, and endurance, but their agility, and determination as well. She grumbled quietly to herself as she thought, then she saw the herd beast corrals, and contemplated her chances at weaving her way through all the beasts without getting trampled. She looked back at the males, and crooned sweetly, she knew what she was going to do.

Iona quickly dropped from the sky, aiming straight for the gathered herd of runner beasts. This was truly going to be an interesting day. She roared as loud as she could, spooking every beast close enough to hear her into an upset stampede. She ducked and weaved between the beasts, keeping well away from the flying hooves, and staying closer to the beasts backs. She took a chance and looked back to see how many of her chasers were going to follow her.

[jillianna]

Shigure had glided easily until his queen had started the flight in earnest, all seriousness all of the sudden, he snapped alert, tucked his wings close against himself and sped after her. To catch a queen one had to be the best after all. He would show her that was him. Three others flew after him and the queen, a blue, that was hardly competition, another bronze, Monerae. Along with one of the faster browns. His speed in itsself was formidable though, and with a flick of his wings, he dismissed them all. All of his attention was on her, Iona.

He called to her, letting her know that He would chase her until his heart gave out and his wings burst into flames. He would even chase her into between if that ever happened . He devoted it all to her, and experienced a thrill when she turned her attention to the beasts. He roared his laughter and excitement, his approval at her adventurous spirit and the challenge.

He was agile for his size, and for all his general laziness, he was alert and more than willing to show what he was now. In the thrill of the chase, he wove between the stampeding runners snapping and hissing as he flew, with a call to his lady he demonstrated his agility and speed by weaving in amongst their thrashing legs, barely missing flying hooves once or twice, but he stayed close behind her. The challenge was exhilarating and he called to her again, praising her daring and her quick wits. She was truly magnificent!

[Zirin]

Aedion trilled back, assuring the lovely lady that he was following, and beat his wings to keep up with her already quick pace. When she dove down to play within the herd of the BigShaggies, Aedionw as all too pleased to follow. It was an adventure, a wild, crazy adventure and he loved it! Of course, the tiny roar the queen gave made it even more difficult by making the herd move and stamp about. Nonetheless, Aedion dove down to follow. However, unlike the queen, Aedion was a bit of a daredevil and quickly dropped to maneuver through the most dangerous section. A true test of his worth wasn‘t it! Weaving in and out of the fast moving legs as quickly as he could, he narrowly missed getting his wing trampled by more than one.

Oh lovely lady, he chirped, you are so exciting and clever! Finding a section of leg that would be impossible to move his bulk through, he quickly rose up, popping out of the herd to fly at the same height as Iona, during which he display a number of twists and twirls in an attempt to draw attention. He was faster and smaller than the bronzes, after all, and he would use it to his advantage.

[shinska]

Crest hissed as the Bronze passed him. He would not be passed up for a Bronze. Crest did some fancy flying and snorted at Shigure. The Blue may be small, but he had a big heart. This was his first Flight and he wanted to do well in it. Crest crooned to Iona and followed as close as he dared. He knew that if he followed too closely he would lose his energy too early and that was something Crest did not want. The Blue glided left to right with the air currents, but otherwise was still in the air. Crest desired the Gold. He, like all other males, couldn't resist the Gold's charm and beauty.

[Zara]

Monerae snorted at the other males and continued on. If they fought or squabbled, it was not his problem. Not unless he needed to defend himself from them! No! She was the only thing in this world that mattered. The only star in his sky. The only sun which could light the world. The wind was hers. The sky was hers. The very breath he breathed and that lifted his wings and filled his wingsails with the reassurance that he could keep going was her. She, Iona, was all. Her wing beats were the heart beat of the world.

They didn't know what they were doing. They should not let anything distract them from the gold beauty that was Iona. They were all fools! She was all that mattered! He sang and trilled to her, his voice never stopping even as he flew down around the bodies of the herdbeasts, moving as quickly and surely as he could, attempting to keep up with the lovely gold ahead of him. Attempting to gain ground even. He sent images of things and feelings that she was better than all these things. HE wanted to tell her and sing of her with all of his heart and voice. He wanted to sing praises for her until he was torn from the sky itself - his wings fallen from his body, making him incapable of flight. No... then he would run in hopes she would choose him. His heart would have to stop! Yes! It would have to stop all together in order for him to give up on her.

The bronze followed her no matter the danger, no matter the difficulty. He attempted to pace himself and be smart even as he devoted himself to her. Even as he gave his all to chase her. To try to gain. To try to show her that he was worthy of her most splendid self. That he would give her all of him. Life and limb. That he thought her the best, that she was everything. That he would give her all that she could ever ask for. Yes. She was Iona. The star. The sun.

[Akira]

Iona listed to each of the males chasing her. There wasn't as large a fair as she had expected, and that didn't sit well with the young queen. A dangerous growl echoed in her throat as she thought about all the other firelizards that should be chasing her through the frightened beasts. Oh well, that just meant that they weren't worth her time. Instead she had four wonderful males competing for her affection. That little tidbit of information greatly pleased the golden queen.

Iona grew quickly tired of weaving through these beasts, and shot into the sky like a golden bullet. Oh this was exhilarating! Unfortunately the young golden female could feel her energy start to leave her. She would have to end this flight soon, or risk the chance of one of the males getting over confidant and trying to end it themselves. She shook her head, there was no point in worrying about such things now. Instead she should be worrying about who to choose.

Iona looked back at her chasers as was very pleased to see that the blue was still in the chase. She crooned encouragingly to him as she leveled out and flew quickly above the Weyr. The brown was also still chasing her, yet another good sign in her mind. She crooned to him as well. It was nice to see the other ranks had a few brave souls in them after all. Especially that little blue. He had enough courage to chase her in the first place, then to deal with all the other higher ranking males.

Iona then turned her attention to the bronze males. One had been brave enough to send her images, yet both of them had sang to her. Both of them were unique in their own ways, but the fact that she had to choose from so many wonderful suitors, kept waying on her mind. She felt her wings starting to get tired, and know that this flight would be over soon. Even though that thoroughly displeased her, she knew she needed to make a decision.

Iona turned then, and faced the males. They had all done well, and had proven their bravery, but there was one among them that had been braver than all the rest. He had stood up against many challenges this day, and would be rewarded for that courage, that tenacity that the golden firelizard saw within him. He had shown her just how strong, and brave he was. After all, that had been what she had been testing the males on, and he passed with flying colors.

Iona crooned to Shigure as she dropped from the sky. She called to him to catch her, to be her saviour. If he wouldn't answer her call, then she was open for any of the other males to claim. If the one she had chosen didn't answer, then it would be his lose if he didn't catch her. She cared very little at that point, and closed her eyes as she plummeted to the ground below. She was scared about what would happen if none of them caught her, but she had faith in all the males that had chased her this day.

[jillianna]

Shigure's heart soared higher than the sun when she turned to them. It was time. Would she choose him? A slight millisecond of doubt before she called to him to catch her. It was HIM. The Golden beauty who put the sun to shame had chosen him!

He let out a little roar of triumph and happiness mixed with flitterlust. He felt her begin to fall and felt her inner anxiety over the possibility of him not saving her.

No way was that happening. Shigure tucked his large bronze wings close to his side, diving after his queen. After a moment that seemed to span forever, he caught her, using his remaining strength to snap his wings wide again, letting them catch the air and turn them up from the ground.

I have you Iona... I have you. He would keep her safe. He crooned softly to her. As long as he was alive, he would always be there to catch her. Always.

*(sorry it isnt much, but work, yaknow...)