It's Just You & Your Hand Tonight

[Onyxaeon]

If I was drowning in the sea,
Would you dive right in and save me?
If I was falling like a star,
Would you be right there to catch me?
If I was dreaming of your kiss,
Would you look right through me?
On the street, I'm waiting.
In my heart it's raining.

I've been here all along, Xanntorith. Always. I know you better than that to hide away, and I was waiting for you. You belong with me. The queen's words were soft, gentle at first, and only for the Tempest, Otelth not yet included in the conversation. The queen kept certain to keep him distracted, though, one wing tip having brushed against the Bronze's own wing as he was gliding. It was not an I'm-ready-take-me touch, but more of a patient one. A stroke that meant he hold his tongue and wait like a good little mate. Well,perhaps he would be. Who knew? After all, this was an open flight, and that meant dragons she knew nothing of were chasing her, this Bronze a prime example. Was it really so bad that she did not know them, though, if they could keep up with her so as he had done? Perhaps not. Maybe more of her flights should be open...

Xann... The Brimstone's gaze had turned to the Tempest's, yielding, but accepting at the very same time. It had to be something important that the queen would use the shorter version of his name instead of the full as was her usual tendency. Mayhaps she was ready to admit? No. Wait, yes. Now! Oh, but she couldn't! He wouldn't feel the same, would reject her, even refuse to fly again in her skies. No, it was better n ot to tell and still entertain the thought of maybe, wasn't it? Oh, shells and shards! She wasn't a coward, she was a queen. Best to tell him: be bold. Your eyes are holding up the sky. Your eyes make me weak; I don't know why. Baby, your eyes make me scared to tell the truth; I thought my heart was thread-proof. Now I'm dancing on the roof, and everybody knows I'm into you. Isionyth allowed her tongue to rake across his maw for a mere instant before her neck craned, reaching out to stretch to the foreign Bronze and provide him the same treatment. Come and chase me, you two. Show me what you're willing to do to win my affections. Dear Otelth, prove it. Isionyth dropped in altitude to break away from the two males, her wings stroking hard to get back up to a higher altutde to watch the oncoming spat between her two chosen contenders. The other males seemed to have gotten the point, most diving off to land, others taking to their weyrs to rest, and others still retreating to the lake to cool their boiling blood. Well, it was /her/ choice, after all. Who wants me more, is the case at hand now.

[Desert]

Xann was struck nearly dumb by the sudden open, impassioned words coming from Isionyth. Where had this come from? A whole new facet of the brimstone's personality had just come to light, and one that left the tempest floored. It was hard to believe that this sweet, gentle creature had been hiding behind all of Isionyth's snap and snarl -- but in a way, it wasn't a surprise. Some gut instinct in Xanntorith had known all along that Isionyth was more than the cruel harpy she acted, and it was that little part of him that had formed the bond that he now recognized.

He could see in her eyes and hear in the inarticulate trickles of thought the indecision that Isionyth felt just before the admission. Down on the ground, mirroring Xann's mental reaction, N'yx swallowed hard as a lump formed in his throat, and bit the inside of his lower lip as his eyes squinted against the sting of threatening tears. The brimstone's tongue rasped over his muzzle for a brief moment, and that was was sealed it. There was no question in Xann's mind: if it was in his power, he would win. He would do anything, anything! to make it happen. If he was the one Isionyth wanted, then he would fly himself to the ground and then some to earn victory. He wouldn't take the choice from her, though -- not only was that inadvisable, given the two casualties so far and the others he had seen in past Flights, but Xann cared far too much for her to steal that choice. No, if he was beaten fair and square and isionyth chose another over him, that would be that, he would honor her choice like a gentleman. But, Xann swore to himself, as long as there was life in his body, he would do everything in his power to win.

But of course it wouldn't be that easy. Xann had become increasingly annoyed with that foreign bronze; who did he think he was? Sure, it was an open Flight, but what did he really think he could do? Even the smallest of the tempests outstripped Otelth in size and strength, and Xanntorith was a big example of his color. He should be, he was the first tempest to break shell on Pern! So what did this bronze -- Xann judged him to be even a little on the small side for his color -- think he could accomplish? These were strange skies and strange dragons; his competitors all knew the sky and the queen far better than he. Xann was younger and stronger, but unlike some of the puppies that had been weeded out earlier, Xann was experienced and wily enough that his comparative youth was a boon rather than a bane.

Xanntorith turned and gnashed his teeth at Otelth, lashing the bronze across the flank with his tail; if this arrogant Northerner thought he could win, he was in for a sore disappointment. But then, a voice of reason cut through the tempest's rising ire. The far more level-headed of the duo, N'yx, willed his dragon to forget the posturing and the pride. Isionyth was pulling away! Xann hadn't joined this Flight just to get in a scrap with some bronze, he entered it to win! But the big dragon was fed up with Otelth and was itching to inflict some damage.

N'yx's calming influence kept Xann from striking out physically, but the tempest was well used to dealing out tongue-lashings when his touchy temper was set off. An undersized, long-in-the-tooth bronze, eh? Are you the best Crystal Caverns has to offer us? I remember one of my brother tempests catching a magma, not long ago. From what I heard, a lot of the native dragons in that Flight were too meek to make a good enough impression on the queen. Perhaps you have come to make up for that lack? Well, if you are truly the cream of Crystal Caverns' crop, I am very underwhelmed. It was a good think Lanorith caught Medeath, methinks your stock in the North could use some livening![/b][/color] Xanntorith hissed mockingly at Otelth and lurched ahead, putting more effort behind his wingstrokes in order to catch up to Isionyth.

Do you know how long I have been Weyrking, Otelth? Ten Turns. For ten Turns I have served my Weyr and my mate well. I was partnered to Isionyth's dam, Naesth, before Isionyth became Senior -- both of them brimstones. How many queens have you Flown? They were mere golds, I'm certain -- I can't see you daring to tackle a magma. But we of Solainoti have better dragons, better stock; so what chance could you possibly have, against not only me, a tempest, but yon brimstone? I doubt you have the capability to rule in my stead. Isionyth needs someone strong by her side, someone who can take whatever she throws at him and not flinch. To be blunt, Otelth, you are not fit. If you only knew what being Solainoti's Weyrking was like, you would not be so quick to fly.[/b][/color] For an instant, a weariness crept into the big tempest's voice. What did a stranger from Crystal Cavern know of being mated to a brimstone? Nothing. He had no hope. Only one who had been born and raised alongside these glorious, vicious, beautiful queens could possibly handle it.

Finally, it seemed that Xann's speech had succeeded in calming the tempest down -- N'yx almost smiled, it was so Xann to dampen his own temper unwittingly where all of N'yx's efforts only exacerbated the problem -- and he turned completely away from Otelth. Xann seemed to forget entirely about the bronze, and concentrated solely on the scaled figure flitting about before him, just out of reach.
[/size]

[Dragonmage]

Otelth took Xanntorith's snarl in stride, but the slap of the tempest's tail grazed the deep slash in his flank. As swiftly as a striking tunnelsnake, the bronze bit one of the neckridges of his competitor. A glance around showed that they were the only two left in the chase. The rest had dropped out. All he had to do now was beat one cocky, arrogant, young pup of a tempest. Size wasn't everything in any flight and if he could keep up, he had as much chance as any other dragon.

Xann's speech, however, had raised Oteth's ire. No dragon got away with calling him long in the tooth and undersized. Now the tempest had done it. Otelth would hold a grudge against him for as long as he remembered the insult, probably only a few days, but in those days, if it was possible to make the tempest's life a torture, the bronze would do his best to do so.

Have you watched your wing die around you from the plague? I think not and furthermore, I think you would cower in your weyr to even see a dragon with Rouge. I have fought them, I have won and without getting the disease myself. Have you kept an entire Weyr from falling apart as a queen and her rider mourn one dead of Rouge? I think that you assume far too much of yourself and your strength.

Otelth twisted in the air and swooped over Xanntorith's wingsails, hoping to catch them with his talons and tear some holes in the tempest's hide. Whether his claws hit or not was not of enough concern to slow the bronze's flight. There was still a Queen to impress. He had been stubborn enough to last this long and he would fly until the end. The bronze followed the brimstone upward. More height could be an advantage against the tempest and not just in being close to the queen his heart yearned for. The words "Dear Otelth" had combined with the stroke of Isionyth's tongue to wrap him around her littlest claw utterly. Never had the bronze fallen so hard and so fast for any dragon, even the queens of Crystal Caverns had not entrapped his heart and mind so. If she were to fly to the sun itself, Otelth would willingly and without any hesitation be right behind her.

[Onyxaeon]

ooc// I HAD to put the Kiss The Girl lyrics into Isi's words. Lulz. Just freakin funny and you'll laugh reading them. Promise.

Don't stop now. You wanna play rough? Fine. I'll start it and finish it. Isionyth snapped, returning to her usual demanding, waspish tone. Inside, though, the queen was truly pleased and preening with a surplus of self pride. Males fighting over her...It sent a delightful shiver down the queen's spine as her wings pumped, a rolling hiss being bitten back as her jammed wing failed to complete the motion and wobbled awkwardly, supporting her faintly if even at all. Crashing into Otelth had harmed the joint where her wing met her shoulder, and she wouldn't be flying much longer with the injury and the strain she was beginning to acknowledge. My oh my, looks like the boy's too shy, ain't gonna kiss the girl. Ain't that sad? It's such a shame, too bad. You're gonna miss the girl. The queen seemed to be talking to herself-there was no one else in the sky besides herself and the males, neither of which she was speaking with at the moment-, a taunting rumble finding its way into her throat as she turned using her good wing, riding a thermal back toward Rias and the eye of the storm. The rain had begun to pick up the closer she got, odd for a storm, the hail returning and several large chunks pelting her scaled body. No matter, she had armor for a hide instead of soft flesh like her chases, and the ice was mostly striking her black ridges anyway. She'd survive. Now, the growling lightning and thunder, she could not, and more than once, the queen had nearly been clipped by a passing bolt. It didn't matter, the calm was right before her, and victory before one of the males. As Isionyth broke into the open expanse of peace, the eye of the storm, the hail ceased, the rain nonexistent, and the skies almost clear aside from the purple ish clouds that seemed resentful of the fact they could not produce anything to hurl at the dragons soaring during the storm. This is the end. Xann, Otelth. The Senior let her tongue brush over the names, climbing in altitude to the greatest apex possible. I'm right here. I'm waiting. I'm done. My wings ache and one cannot function well. Catch me as I fall, will you? Get to me first, and woo me with something sweet before I drop.

[Desert]

Xanntorith was lucky that Otelth's raking claws had caught him on the downsweep of his wings, or there would be severe lacerations in his wingsail. As it was, the bronze's sloppy blow only scratched the membrane superficially. Xann hissed irritably and surged upward, ramming his shoulders harshly into Otelth's chest before rolling up and around to get away from the smaller dragon. What a fool. Xann barely bothered to pay any attention to his competitor, all attention now focused on Isionyth. One mere bronze -- a foreigner at that -- wasn't worth worrying about. He had more important things to concentrate on. The big tempest utterly ignored Otelth beyond the one retaliatory shove; he didn't even give any indication that he'd heard the bronze's speech.

Xann flew into an updraft and let the air buoy him gratefully; soaring was much kinder on his muscles than flapping. He was reaching the last dregs of endurance, moth physically and mentally, though his will to win was barely daunted by the exhaustion. The thermal didn't last him long, though, and wearily Xann cupped another wingful of air under him and threw it down to propel himself forward. He felt the weather picking back up as he followed Isionyth; the tightening of his jaw muscles as hail began to pelt him once more was the only indication he gave that he acknowledged the storm.

Perhaps that was a bad idea, as a bolt of lightning descended from out of nowhere and struck him right between his shoulder blades. On the ground, N'yx's legs very nearly buckled; his mouth gaped open in a silent scream of shared pain as the electricity tickled every nerve in Xann's body. It was a fairly weak bolt, and in any case most lightning wasn't enough to kill something the size of a dragon, but the strike was enough to stun him momentarily. As Xanntorith went limp, his momentum carried him a short distance before his trajectory curved down; now N'yx's legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees.

N'yx recovered from the blow first, but Xann still plummeted. Eyes wide in fear that his dragon would be dashed to his death on the ground below, N'yx cried out; the audible plea was barely above a whisper, for the tempestrider was still rather breathless from the strike, but it was a telepathic scream that stirred the dragon awake. XANN!

The big tempest's returned abruptly to awareness, and immediately flailed at the air with his wings to slow his fall. It made his flight muscles protest, as the rushing wind slammed into his wings, but in a rush of adrenaline, his herculean efforts leveled out his fall into a glide, from which Xann could swoop back up into proper flight. When he noticed how far away he was, Xann despaired; how could he hope to catch Isionyth now? But the ever-stubborn N'yx wasn't about to give up yet. Hadn't Xann just been going on about how superior tempests were to bronzes? If he couldn't make up for that fall and catch Isionyth, he wasn't worthy of being Weyrking.

So Xann ignored the lancing pains in his strained wings and flapped for all he was worth; again, he completely ignored Otelth in favor of going after Isionyth. Battling through the storm in his state was an ordeal in and of itself, but the big tempest blocked out the pain of stinging hail and rain and overworked muscles, knowing the eye of the storm was ahead, and with it Isionyth. As the brimstone's words filtered into his mind, Xann sighed as his eyes slid closed. Why hadn't he noticed before how lovely a voice Isionyth had? Why hadn't he ever noticed her beauty, her grace? He'd been such a fool to overlook her charms just because so often they were used as weapons.

Xann labored through the storm, and suddenly erupted through a thick cloud into a broad thermal that rose through the storm's eye. He rode the updraft toward Isionyth, peering up at the queen with an uncharacteristically tender gleam in his eyes. What need I say, Isionyth? Right now, all I can think is that I've been an idiot not to see the real you, and not to see that I have loved you. I don't know when it started, but now it's too late to stop. I love you, Isionyth; I would do anything to win the right to be at your side. I remember you telling me, not long ago, that you would Fly for YourVsasi -- I hope you feel that MyN'yx is worthy of keeping his title, for I don't know what I would do if I couldn't call myself yours. You have me at your beck and call, my love; just give me the word.[/b][/color]

N'yx had picked himself up once Xann had pulled out of his fall, and now stepped up until he was close to Vsasi's side. He didn't touch her, but merely kept his presence there at hand, like Xann was to Isionyth. Neither of the tempestpair would presume to take the choice from the brimstonepair, even with victory so close at hand and emotions running so strongly.
[/size]

[Dragonmage]

Weary wings pushed a brownish bronze body through the air. Oteth could see that the brimstone was slowing, she too was tiring. The deep slash from Isionyth's tail burned with every wingbeat, but he would not give up. Giving up would let that arrogant young pup of a tempest win the queen who had taken over his mind and heart. There was no other dragon for him now. Any other female would be only for the physical urge to mate, but she was now the love of his life, equal to his rider in a way. While T'mo was his mindmate, Isionyth held his heart in her claws. Otelth was in every way that really mattered, hers. The bronze flinched slightly as heavily overworked chest muscles screeched at the impact of Xanntorith's shove. White hot pain burned up to the shoulders of his wings. The hail that pelted his hide, leaving bruises and in a few places, cuts, was not important.

Isionyth was slowing now and flying with a limp. Perhaps the collision with him had hurt her more than he'd guessed. The winds were easing as the three dragons broke into the eye of the storm. This was much easier flying, but the brimstone, his love, had to be very exhausted to be giving up her battle against the wind and the storm. She had liked making them work for her.

Otelth's dazed mind did not notice the lightning that struck Xanntorith. He had to reach Isionyth. Slowly, painfully, the bronze moved up to be side by side with the dark queen and tried to brush a wingtip against her lovingly.

Glorious Skyjewel, I love you more than words can say. You hold my heart in your talons. You have taken my heart right away. I will never love another dragon as I love you. I can only do my best to be worthy of you and love you as you deserve. Choose whom you will.

[Onyxaeon]

Isionyth bit back a startled keen as she caught sight from the corner of one eye Xanntorith falling to a bolt of spiteful lightning. True, they had been so very lucky and had avoided it thus far; they had been Faranth blessed, but that could only get you so far. Someone had to be struck, and it seemed mother nature wanted the Tempest. She could do nothing, sadly. The Tempest's girth and her own injuries and exhaustion would prevent her from going to anyone's aide at this point. Shells, she was lucky to still be in the air! Her maw drawn back in a bitter, concerned wince, the queen pulled up, her muscles screaming in protest, but she didn't care. Some part of her needed to watch him, to will him awake and back into the skies with her. He couldn't give up after having come so far! Xanntorith! Get your arse up here! NOW?!?! Okay, so tact she had not. But, perhaps her snarky, cruel words would rouse the plummeting beast. After her sweet and gentle voice, hearing her fumming and back in her usual nasty, shrew of a self mode might be enough of a shock.

As Otelth closed in, Isionyth could not contain the twisted, high pitched shriek of delight as she watched teh Tempest begin to regain altitude but, would it be enough? The Bronze now beside her stroked her side with tender motions, the senior queen's sinews lulling under the attention, for they were dearly streesed and the touch was so very soothing. His words teased her already fragile mental state, her body scorched to a point seemingly beyond repair. Would it be wrong to pounce on this male and drag him close to ease the suffering she was enduring? Skyjewel? You have such the way with words, Otelth... Isionyth trailed off, her wings forcing air below her to support her weight, as she had begun to hover, no longer daring the males to wander after her. This didn't last long, however, when Xanntorith climbed higher, his words brushing against her ears gingerly just as Isionyth cranned her neck, running the expanse of her throat in a rather feline fashion against the Bronze's own. You both can walk the walk and talk the talk.Now, where does that leave me? The queen posed this rhetorical question, dragging her perpetually numb appendages through the air, her tail tip stroking first Otelth as she passed, and then Xann, a final teasing note from the Brimstone, who seemed to have finally taken a fond liking to the both of her chasers. Such a shame the rest of those males had thought her flight had been over such a long while back...

Mine, are you ready? The Weyrwoman far down below and several miles away, could only half smile. So very Isionyth like. The others didn't know it, no they were always playing at her fragile nerves and making her a snarling harpy, but she was so very sweet and attentive when she wanted to be. Now was one of those times. Coming from behind her, Vsiasi was vaguely aware of N'yx and T'mo, one flanking either side of her. Patient. Waiting. Lusting. It was all apart of a senior flight, she knew well, but that never quite settled her nerves.-She hated being so vulnerable and losing her autonomy because of dragon lust. The best her bonded was do would be to pick well for her, and that was exactly what the female was going to do. With that in mind, Vsiasi nodded faintly, sending the mental okay to her lifemate. Go ahead, love. You want this. I'll be fine. All you have to do is turn around and close your eyes. There's no need to worry. I'll be right here.

Isionyth's pace slowed for the last time, stopping entirely and allowing her wings to hold her up without the grace of a thermal of any real wind, for that matter. Her whole weight was almost entirely on her good wing, and she could no longer wait. She had to choose now. Before the males could catch up to her, Isionyth rounded, charging straight for the two.

I'm only up when you're not down,
Don't wanna fly if you're still on the ground.
It's like no matter what I do.
Well, you drive me crazy half the time.
The other half, I'm only trying to
Let you know that what I feel is true.
And, I'm only me,
Who I wanna be,
Well, I'm only me when I'm with you.

Catch me as I fall, dear Xann.

[Desert]

Both N'yx and Xann had to crack faint grins. Back to her old snapping, snarling self, but the fact that she'd cried out to stridently as Xann was struck reassured the tempestpair that that caring side still existed. Xann rolled his shoulders into the caressing wingtip, eyes half-lidded in enjoyment. It was the end, and he knew it: that lightning strike had sapped the last of his reserves away, and right now all he was running on was dogged determination. Even if the other fliers were still game, he would have to end his own participation in the chase soon, if he didn't want to pass out again from exhaustion. But he heard the weariness overlaying Isionyth's words, and the aches, so he knew that the brimstone would choose her mate before Xann completely dropped.

By now, Xann was too tired to resent Otelth's presence. If it turned out that the bronze had won Isionyth's favor, certainly Xann would take every opportunity to antagonize him until the grudge faded, but right then it was as if Otelth didn't exist. It was only him and Isionyth, with their riders lurking far in the distance. How could he ever forget HisN'yx? If it weren't for his rider, Xann knew he wouldn't have gotten as far as he had. They were the ultimate team. Xann reached out to touch N'yx's thoughts, and the tempestrider sent back feelings of support and love. No matter what happened here, N'yx would still see his dragon as the best tempest ever to grace Pern's skies. The first, and the best.

Then, Xann saw Isionyth pause in midair, wheel on one wingtip to face them, and fell like a stone toward them. Her voice echoed in Xann's mind, and the big tempest gaped a grin of weary triumph. As Xann tilted himself to catch his mate, N'yx stepped up and curled his arms around Vsasi. The tempestpair's movements were tender and warm, despite the raging hormones that threatened to swamp their minds; a soft smile hovered on N'yx's lips before they descended gently to Vsasi's. Xann's mind radiated smug satisfaction, underlaid by a thrill of euphoria that he had indeed won. Until the last moment, Xann had never been completely sure whether he was going to defeat that foreign bronze or not.

Isionyth slammed into him, hard enough to knock what little breath he still had out of him, but it only made Xann smile wider. He kept his wings spread, despite the exhausted ache in the muscles all across his chest and shoulders, and lovingly meshed his claws with Isionyth's. Twining his neck with the brimstone's, he nuzzled under her jaw fondly, trailing his tongue over her scales. The tempest pulled his mate closer as they went into a steep glide, his wings not strong enough any more to hold himself and the bigger brimstone in a level trajectory.

Of course, my heart. For you, I would do anything.[/b][/color] The words were a telepathic whisper, murmured tenderly; no one else but Theirs would hear the endearing purr, as it should, for no one else belonged to Isionyth as did Xann.

ooc; i didn't think i could get this much fluff, or words, from Melpomene considering her current fixation on RE. >_>
[/size]

[Dragonmage]

Otelth almost purred in pleasure as Isionyth's tail stroked his side. How he hoped that she would choose him! The bronze had flown so far and so strongly to get a chance to be her mate. But no, she was turning to Xanntorith and giving him the same stroke of her tail. A small moan left the bronze's jaws. The brimstone still flirted with them both.

She turned to face himself and the tempest. He knew that the flight would be over in moments and the time of her choosing was at hand. Even as Otelth puffed his chest out to show Isionyth that he was still strong and ready to catch her if she chose him, the brimstone was moving towards Xanntorith. It was over. Despite all his courage and even his defiance of the lightning, the Crystal Caverns bronze had lost.

But, Skyjewel who shines more brilliant than the sun...

Otelth trailed off. Isionyth was occupied with her mate and would pay no attention to him anyway. His wing muscles screamed with every wingbeat as he flew back to the weyr, eyes whirling mainly a mixture of red and grey, but now and then rippling rainbow with frustation. Stupid tempest. May his offspring be cursed never to fly. That would show him that he was no fit mate for Otelth's Skyjewel. Slowly, the bronze's eyes lost the red hues and a while later, the rainbows faded to gray. What would his be doing now? Probably sulking just like he was. Otelth had never been so upset to lose a flight before.