Come On, Come On|Jade Rownith's Flight-Open

[elainsie]

Accalia slipped out of her grimy clothes, her skin breaking out in goosebumps where the frigid air kissed her bare skin, her teeth chattering with the cold, as she stood on the edge of the lake. She was sheltered by the reeds that surrounded the area, although the wind that was whistling through the area sent them into a frenzy of activity, swaying to and fro, Accalia’s hair blowing around her face. Acaalia took the few steps to the edge of the pool, easing herself gently into the warm water, small ripples forming where she broke the surface. The water was soothing to her sore muscles, washing away the outermost layer of firestone dust that clung to her as a result of wing drills. Her dark hair streamed out behind her as she lay back, the water supporting her long-limbed frame, her eyes closed to the grey sky above. Accalia felt at peace for the first time since the encounter with Cailleah and K’dran that early morning by the feeding pens.

As if spurred on by Dharth’s amorous ministrations, Rownith had been irrepressible in her flirtations over the last sevenday. Accalia recognized that Rownith’s rising was imminent, but she had surpassed all previous behaviour these last few days. The young woman had cringed as her dragon had sought the attention of any male dragon within her vicinity, it getting to the point where Accalia was so embarrassed that she wished that she could hole up with her dragon in their weyr until the Jade chose to rise. She hated the feel of the male riders eyes upon her while Rownith carried on, as if measuring her up, deeming whether she would make an acceptable bed partner or not. Accalia tensed up in these situations and for the last week the anxiety had built up until she was so high-strung that the slightest incident brought tears to her eyes, or a mumbling of apologies and words before the girl darted away. While Rownith reveled in the attention showered upon her, shirking the trend of being irritable before rising, Accalia was miserable. She had never enjoyed flights. Oh, she would tolerate them knowing their was nothing she could do to prevent her participation but until the moment where her mind melded with Rownith’s and the lust overcame her Accalia could ever truly feel at ease.
The Jade rider attempted to push all such thoughts to the back of her mind as she floated, not wishing to break the reverie she was currently enveloped in.

As her rider bathed, Jade Rownith sat perched on a ledge near the Feeding Grounds, with a wide view of the Weyr below her. Her hide was iridescent against the drab Winter landscape of Eden, the various greens of her body dazzling, causing a number of dragons to glance up at her where she sat balanced. The Jade knew she looked splendid, knew many a males’ eyes were drawn to her. There was no better feeling than to have the admiration of many upon her. It was just such a shame that once she rose, once she chose her partner from the vying dragons, that their attention would waver, seeking out the next rising female to sate their lust with. She deserved more than just a passing interest, she wanted their undying adoration, and yet she tired so easily of one male, having never let the same dragon catch her twice in a row.

Ruffling her wings about her, she arched her body as she set back onto her muscular hind legs, her neck moving sinuously as she remained poised for flight. Then with a powerful leap, Rownith sprung from the ledge allowing her membranous wings to billow as the air buffeted around her and assisted her with an ascent. It was now obvious to any who watched that she had risen to flight, her many faceted eyes whirling an angry red, such contrast to the peaceful blue-green of mere moments before. }:I rise now, and I think perhaps you should make yourself available to your would be suitors.:{ Rownith bespoke Accalia.

Rownith’s voice broke through Accalia’s restive mind, the young woman’s head snapping upright from the water. She had been so relaxed, so calm, why had Rownith had to choose this moment to fly? All the suppressed thoughts rushed back as Accalia quickly waded through the water towards the shore. Luckily she had thought to bring another change of clothes, and she pulled on the thick, golden brown tunic, after toweling herself perfunctory. Her hair was still dripping wet, rivulets of water darkening the fabric of the tunic and with just a quick rub down she piled her hair on top of her head, wrapping the towel around. It was too cold to leave her wet hair exposed, and although she no doubt made a comical sight it was the best she could do in the current situation.

Accalia sprinted towards the expanse of area around the Feeding Grounds, her eyes locked to the sky as she looked for her dragon. It was only when she stumbled on the uneasy surface that she tore her gaze away, and noticed the men that started to make their way over to her. She stood rooted to the spot, as they closed in on her, as she felt her heart hammer against her ribcage. Accalia paid another glance to the sky, there Rownith was, startling obvious in the murky sky, the light already dim despite it only being mid-afternoon.

}:I, Rownith, rise and call upon any who thinks he is worthy of me to make haste, for I shall not wait for those who delay.:{ The Jade projected herself to the minds of the dragons, and gave a cry that reverbrated around the Weyr. Finally, deeming her altitude great enough, the Jade hung momentarily in the sky, her wings steadying her, before she shot forward, accelerating quickly. And so it began, Accalia’s mind smoothly bonding with that of Rownith’s, her intelligence providing the Jade with that extra edge that would allow them to remain in the sky longer, and outwit the males that gave chase.

[Desert]

Fresh from a bath, Dharth and his rider were both reclining leisurely at the bank of the lake. They were at the opposite end to the thermal springs that bubbled up from the depths of the earth, so only the ever-observant Dharth had noticed Accalia's presence. The big black neglected to inform K'dran -- he wouldn't carre either way even if he had known the jaderider was there. The man was preoccupied by the rare treat he'd gotten -- the chance to relax and doze unmolested by his dragon. He was sprawled out in the sand on his back, still a bit damp from giving Dharth a bath, with his hands cupped behind his head. He only wore a pair of loose trews; his usual dragon-bathtime outfit to spare his normal clothes getting soaked. With pale eyes closed and damp inky hair ruffled in disarray on his head, the blackrider soaked up what sun there was to be had. He wasn't about to move unless given a very compelling reason.

Dharth had arranged himself nearby to let the watery light filtering down from the winter afternoon sky dry his hide. His midnight-black hide had no sheen or luster, still hanging on to the velvety appearance of damp hide though he was mostly water-free. His wings were spread out around him, splayed over the tawny sand like rips in the very fabric of reality, showing glimpses of a lightless void. Only the flecks of dried-blood burgundy splattered over the rim of his wingsail interrupted the span of utter black, reminding the eyes of an observer that it was not windows to between on which they gazed only the delicate expanse of a dragon's wings. Black, blacker, blackest...

His eyes were closed, the filmy nictitating membranes and the outer lids all obscuring the multitude of facets; from the stillness of his massive, sinewy body except for the gentle rise and fall of Dharth's mighty chest, one could be led to believe that the black behemoth was asleep. Far from it -- he was wide awake and alert, drinking in the information his other senses gathered. His mind was active too, lightly touching the thoughts of those close by. Dharth kept tabs on his "pet" jade through her nearby rider; the vigilant black had watched Rownith since their encounter a sevenday before. He knew that soon she would take to the skies in a mating Flight, and Dharth had every intention of participating in it. And winning it.

His patience was well rewarded. Rownith's ringing cry echoed tauntingly throughout the Weyr, rallying all willing males to her side for the incipient competition. Dharth flowed smoothly to his feet, shaking the sand that lightly crusted his wings on K'dran to rouse him. Wake. The jade Rownith Rises and I fly to win,[/b][/color] he told his disgruntled rider. K'dran grumbled irritably but followed Dharth's lead anyway, not in the mood to argue and get roughed up again. Dharth was set on his little plot, and that meant bad things for his rider if K'dran did anything to compromise it.

Dharth left K'dran stranded by the lake to make his way on foot to where the other riders gathered, launching his huge bulk into the sky after Rownith. In answer to her challenging call, a deep roar bubbled up from his cavernous chest. K'dran winced against the impressive volume of Dharth's bugle, though he could feel the vibrations from the roar rattling through his ribcage as well. The big black usually wasn't one for theatrics, but when he wanted to make an entrance, Dharth could certainly make an impression. The huge dragon rose up above the canopy while his rumbling roar made the leaves quiver and dance, flaring his wings in an intimidating display of size and power. A few beats of his massive wings, almost lazily, sent him shooting through the air toward Rownith. I am a dragon of my word, beautiful Rownith. Here I am with the rest of these pathetic worms, vying to earn your precious favor,[/b][/color] he rumbled, sliding deftly into the pack of males. A few other dragons had to duck out of the way of his huge pinions, or risk being caught up in the chaotic roiling of turbulent air kicked up by his passing and crash into one another.

Dharth had the advantage there -- he was so much larger than the others that he could easily match the speed they set, or exceed it. He could climb much faster with his huge wings, plummet toward the ground in a dive that left them far behind with his far-superior weight, fly twice as long as some of them thanks to his proportionally lean body; there was hardly a contest. Though he was alarmingly agile for a dragon of his monstrous size, it was still very possible for the smaller dragons to fly circles around him; however, he was quite fast and deadly accurate with snapping jaws, raking talons or searing flame, which deterred most of his sane competitors from trying to slip past him into the lead.

As he flew, Dharth's eyes were awhirl with a rainbow of hues. The backdrop was the usual color that represented amusement for the big black -- a light seafoam green. Smudges of a lusty orange streaked the wheeling facets, accompanied by a tinge of sadistic red that faded and resurfaced randomly within the dynamic swirl of colors set in his shadow-black skull. He parted his jaws in another roar that dissolved into a rumbling sound halfway between a growl and a croon. Such a delicate beauty, such a stunning example of her kind, should not stoop to twining with the likes of such sad trash among whom I fly. They are not worthy to lick the ground you trod. I shall strike them from the sky if it means that I emerge victorious. Dear jade, very dear Rownith, I swear I shall not disappoint you this day. I shall prove my worth here and now against the rest of these worthless fools; my poor heart cannot bear the thought of failure.[/b][/color]

Personally, K'dran thought Dharth was laying it on a bit thick, but he was more easily able to see through his dragon's skilfully woven lies since he was bonded to the big behemoth. The jade had fallen for the ploy earlier, almost pitifully gullible, overawed by the attention lavished on her by the usually surly black; perhaps she would continue to be so blind to the truth and play her part in Dharth's plans like the mindless flitterby he really thought her to be. Who was K'dran to say? He was too much of a coward to try and interfere. A heavy sigh slipped past his lips as he trudged through the sand and thin tree cover, soon emerging into the open at the pen where the other riders had converged around Accalia. Dharth's powerful mind sucked his rider in, keeping his own awareness separated enough to retain his sense of self while K'dran (grudgingly, though without undue fuss) allowed his mind to be absorbed.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Rownith stretched her unusally long wings to their upmost, holding them as far away from her body as she could achieve. She knew how important it was to start the Flight well, and she would need every one of her strong wing muscles to aid her in her inital burst of speed. With three strong beats, she propelled herself forwards, the thrill of being in the sky and the adrenaline coursing throught her arteries intoxicating. This was what she was made for, to fly, to have the males fan out behind her as they chased. And what a flight this was surely going to be.

She twisted her head around to have a look at the competition that had already amassed, taking each dragon in, sizing him up and comparing him to the other dragons surrounding him. Rownith was pleased, there was a good smattering of Roans giving chase, a lone Bronze probably from a nearby Weyr and an assortment of Browns, Blues and equal ranked mutations. However what nearly made her cry out in delight was that Dharth, true to his word, had deemed her worthy and was amongst the rutting males. Well that will shows the Ravens, she thought smugly, the Queens often giving jibes that despite acting like a Queen she would never be more than the silly green she really was. But surely if they were watching, Dharth's presence would still their tounges.

However that alone would not gurantee him the win. As far as she was concerned he would have to compete right among the rest of them. That was were she obtained most of her enjoyment in Flight, watching the males pull silly stunts and antics while she remained forever just that bit in front of them. She did acknowledge Dharth was off to a good start with his flattery though. }:I see that you are, for as promised when I rose you gave chase. It has defineitly not gone unnoticed dear Black. But I require more than just your mere presence to win me over, and it will not be over quickly or easily. I expect more from one such as yourself, although your words do much to ascertain your position. I want grand gestures to match your flowery words.:{

This was a different game she played, to the one on the ground. For this time it was Rownith who had the upper hand, or at least she believed, it was not just her and Dharth, there were any number of other male dragons to choose from and while not as large as the Black a few had his wit, and were using it to their advantage.

Determining her lead was far enough for the time being, she snapped her wings closed against her lithe body, and tilted to her left side, allowing the weight of her body to do most of the work in tipping her over as she moved into a barrel roll. Before she completley had rightened herself she spun upwards in tight circles gaining altitude with each turn, until finally she emerged from the low cloud cover to peer down at the males imitating her below. A few had fumbled the manevoure up and even now were dropping back to the ground, but the majority had seemed to have handled her first test reasonably well. She hardly had to look for Dharth his large, dark presence easily spotter amidst the other competitors. However she only allowed herself to hang imobile in the sky for a mere second, before flitting forward not ready to give in the ground she had made so early. Rownith enjoyed the chase as much as the resulting spiral back to the ground with her body entwined in a mates, and the longer she could prolong it, the more content she would be.

She let out a low throated warble, reminding those who gave chase of the suggestion of her as their prize, her crimson eyes whirling intensely within her triangular head, her body nearly trembling with the contained lust that propelled her onwards. }:Hurry up, for we have only just begun. You will have to do better than that to prove your worth.:{ Rownith shot into the minds of all who gathered behind her.

[Desert]

Dharth's lower jaw dropped, gaping a wolfish grin at the jade flitting about ahead of him. Have no fear, lovely Rownith. None of these others have a chance while I am in this race,[/b][/color] he replied, letting another rumbling croon bubble up from his throat. No, the others might as well drop out now, for all the chances they had of catching Rownith. She was all his, whether she or anyone else knew it or not.

He caught her thoughts straying toward the ribaldry she caught from the queens and tossed his huge head scathingly. Pah! What is a raven to you? Oversized, pompous queens, they mean nothing to me. Only one of your beauty could ever catch my interest; only for you would I pit my skills against the feeble abilities of these other idiots.[/b][/color] His tone dripped scorn when he spoke of his competitors and queens, and it took on an almost musical quality as he extolled her virtues; as melodic as his smoky baritone mindvoice could ever be.

As Rownith executed an agile barrel roll, spinning in mid-air before angling up into a corkscrewing climb, Dharth watched with a chuckle of scathing amusement as several of the frontrunners behind him attempted to mimic the jade's aerobatics. He was too clever to waste time trying to imitate her; Dharth just kept pumping his wings. As his flight path followed Rownith's and curved upward he increased the depth of his wingstrokes, powering his massive bulk faster and farther, at a steeper angle. Just as Rownith craned her head around to peek, he slipped into the low clouds behind her.

The big black burst through the misty haze like a breaching dolphin, spinning onto his back and bowing his body into a magestic arc as his momentum carried him over the jade's head. Dharth seemed to hang suspended for an instant, framed by the clouds, before he completed the roll and dropped. He fell head-first with his belly facing Rownith; as he passed, the tip of his tail caressed her muzzle flirtatiously. Dharth snapped his wings open, checking the dive with thunderous beats of his wings while he watched Rownith shoot on by. He corrected his course before the rest of the pack gained too much, and managed to stay in the lead despite the stunt.

Was that grand enough, my dear?[/b][/color] he asked slyly, rumbling a chuckle. I have more like it in my arsenal, and will use them all and then some to prove myself.[/b][/color][/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Rownith was delighted to hear Dharth speak of the Queens as such, and gave a crow of sheer adulation. He certainly had the right of it, his words enocuraging her petty vanity, and unbeknowst to the silly Jade, luring her into the web of deciet he had crafted around her. It was Accalia who was uneasy with the Black's words. Something was not entirely sincere about what he was saying, there was an undertone to his words that she could not quite grasp, but she was wary of the dragon nonetheless, and hoped Rownith had the sense to remain cautious.

}:You truly think that you are the only one who stands a chance? For surely if I favour say that Roan that is creeping up behind you, his chances of winning are far greater than yours. And you woo me with my beauty and how even a Raven pales in comparison, which I admit flatters me to a great extent, but it has not gone beyond my notice that you would gladly entwine with a Raven, and have done so on many occassion.:{ The Jade's perceptiveness was a more a sign of Accalia's interference in this Flight than any consideration on the Jade's behalf.

As Rownith remained content to increase distance between herself and the pack as they continued to rise up to her altitude it came as quite a shock to find Dharth hanging in the sky in front of her, her wings dropping to her side. How had she not noticed him rise above her? It was only then she realised she had hung too long in the sky, stationary, as his tail skitered over her head. Angry that he had got one over her, she snapped at his tail with her razor sharp teeth, but they met only air as he slithered past her. And yet a part of her was pleased he had taken her words to heart, for none of the other males had thought to pull such a feat. }:I expect you to use all of them an then some. But it will be on _my_ terms.:{ She allowed her irritation to tinge her words.

Rownith took this all into consideration as she regained her previous speed, before banking to the right so they now flew across the glittering expanse of the lake Accalia had bathed in earlier. Dropping into a shallow dive she allowed her claws to trail in the water, a slash of her tail sending a spray of water behind her, masking her from the males that had followed behind. Then head over tail she curled herself tightly into a ball, before twisiting back the way she came, tempted to dive into the water, and bring a new element to play but dismissed the idea. Dipping her left wing slightly into the water she shot back up again, shaking herself free of the rivulets of water coursing down her back, easily the brightest thing in the ever darkening skies of Eden.

She watched as one of the Brown's came up on her right flank, and she gave a meldious croon to him, coaxing him onwards. }:I have seen how well you have done so far, and I must say I am rather impressed, sweet brown. Hopefully you will continue to prove worthy. But be wary of the Black, he has designs upon me.:{ She had dropped back, allowing the brown to reach out for her tail, before darting forward giving a happy cry as his claws scraped against the very tip of it, curling it behind her, now well out of reach.

[Desert]

As she snapped irritably at his tail, Dharth's grin widened. So he'd gotten a rise out of the proddy jade -- good! He'd impressed her with his aerobatics, irritated her that she wasn't as good as she believed; the game was always much more fun when he could actually play with his victims a bit, rather than have them fall head-first for his ploys.

Dharth angled his wings to follow Rownith in her shallow dive, hovering just above the point where the spray of water she generated formed an airosol of droplets hanging in the air, a glittering rainbow of airborne gems that twinkled and glittered as they fell back toward the lake. The big black banked sharply as Rownith rolled and reversed direction; he spun on one wingtip, surging forwward with huge beats of his wings to regain his place in the pack. His turn has been wider than many of the others', due to his massive size. Still, he bulled through the pack and pulled into the front, right behind the male Rownith had addressed. As her tail slipped through the other's talons, Dharth's wing buffeted the unsuspecting male and sent him tumbling wildly to splash into the lake.

How else to keep their arrogance sated? The rest of the kings here are pathetic at best, and the air-headed queens think themselves so high-and-mighty as to deserve only the best. As I said before, queens have never held my interest. I only indulge them to keep them complacent. If not, they would drive me and the rest of the Weyr to distraction.[/b][/color] The big black tossed his head in exasperation. Really, he didn't join very many Flights; a magma every now and then for a challenge, or in cases like Rownith's when he could lure a particularly gullible one into a plot of his.

Her challenging words gave him a thrill of malicious satisfaction. So one of the pair at least had some sense, that was going to keep this little game interesting. Otherwise, the poor silly jade would be putty in his hands; that was no fun, too easy. Jades and their ilk had a tendency to do that, having not the wit to see through his glamories and too vain to care.

Out in front again, following the jade easily with even strokes of his massive wings, Dharth contemplated whether to use another trick or not. Perhaps he'd wait for her to try another stunt of her own to shake off her pursuers. [/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Rownith was starting to feel the first traces of weariness. It was nothing that would hamper her, not at this stage, but it was a warning that too many aerial acrobatics in rapid succesion would severly depleter her energy reservoirs. And that was something she could not afford to do if she wished to push the males to their limits, have them exert themselves, not merely cruise along behind her. Checking both her peripherals and finding no male lingering to either side of her, she turned her back at the crowd behind her. It was sparsing out, although the brown she have favoured earlier, a few good sized Roans, and of course Dharth, remained at the forefront of the pack.

She mulled over Dharth's words as she surged forward, swerving left and right every now and then just to throw the males off a little. }:I concede you do have a point there Dharth. A Weyr full of irritable Queens is less than ideal.:{ It was perhaps an odd conversation to be having while in the midst of the flight but this was only a fleeting thought within the Jade's mind. He was feeding her the words she wanted to hear, and that was enough to blind her to reason. However it only caused greater concern for Accalia. What he said was not right. A Black might choose to dally with a Jade if there was no Queen due to rise but invariably he would always return to a Queen to sire a Clutch and bring in the next generation. If only she could fathom what he was trying to do. It went beyond the here and now of the mating flight, and Rownith was caught in the thores of lust that she was even less observant than usual. No, it would be better for all concerned if Rownith decided to choose that Brown, and Accalia attempted to exert her own influence, making sure her dragon continued to view the Brown in a favourable light.

}:And how do I know you only indulge me to do the very same as you do the Queens?:{ Rownith replied tartly, dipping down once again, her belly brushing against a desiccated tree, the stark branch tickling her pale green stomach before curving up in the sky, her wings opening with a crack against the frigid air. As she climbed upwards and forwards she came closer and closer to a wall of rock on the edges of the Weyr that extended high up above her current position in the sky. Rownith knew she did not have the altitude or the speed to carry herself over it, but neither did that bother her. She was not attempting to scale it. Instead she was aiming for the small break in it, the gap that allowed the weak sunlight to filter through. It was only large enough for her and perhaps some of the smaller males. Dharth had no chance of squeezing through it and she doubted he had the alititude required to clip over the top. }:Up for a challenge dear Black? Keen to prove how truly worthy you are?:{

Finally she approached the chasm, and twisted to the left, her right wing scraping against the light grey rock as she squeezed between, her tail brushing the opening below her. It had been a silly stunt, she realised now, only just managing to break free, causing a number of small pebbles to skitter down the surface of the rock wall, and yet she would gladly do so again if it would put the Black in his place. He was too self-assured in his position, Rownith wanted to feel the doubt creep in his mind wanted to see that moment of recognition when he realised that he might just not win this flight after all. With a flick of the left wing, she performed a series of rolls to the right, pulling out before she became too dizzy, watching with interest as the males attempted her latest trial.

[Desert]

There were few left. Besides the fool Dharth had sent tumbling -- who was now limping along at the back of the pack, flying despite a nasty strain in one wing from his inglorious water landing -- and a few roans, there was only a lanky solar and a determined emerald left in the race. Dharth lashed his tail, cracking the tip like a bullwhip inches from the solar's face; he squealed in alarm and spilled air, inadvertantly crashing into the roan behind him. The big black rumbled a chuckle and put a bit of extra energy into his next few wingstrokes, widening the gap between him and the rest.

He saw when Rownith started to flag, and he heard the flapping from his competitor's wings start to become ragged with exertion. Pitiful, the lot of them. Dharth's reserves of energy had barely been tapped, his muscles tensing and flexing easily to propel him forward. Here was where the advantage of size really showed; one stroke of his wings was the same as two of theirs, or perhaps even three of Rownith's.

The others wove almost drunkenly in the air, trying to follow the jade as she banked to either side nimbly. Dharth merely forged ahead, not fooled by her tricks, biding his time. He was confident -- even if she could come to her senses around his deft glamories, Dharth knew he was still the likeliest to win. Several times he had seen openings, places where he could have surged forward to capture Rownith in his clutches whether she was ready to end it or not. If she managed to realize what he was up to with his skilful lies, that was likely what he would do. It would be as satisfying as dashing her hopes and expectations after the Flight -- to shove aside her chosen mate and twine inescapably with her instead.

Dear jade, I am hurt that you would think so lowly of me,[/b][/color] he said, adopting a tone of injured innocence. He crooned softly. I only fly queens out of a sense of duty toward wing and Weyr. You, dear Rownith, are far different from any of them. Far better.[/b][/color]

Dharth saw her heading for the towering rock outcrop and grinned again. Realizing what she was up to forestalled the rest of the speech he was going to make. Oh ay, a challenge sounds fine to me. Just watch as I succeed where these other fools fail.[/b][/color] That crevice was barely larger than the jade herself, so the males chasing her wouldn't be able to make it through in time. Dharth's competitors all held their course, wavering, unsure of what Rownith was up to. They would all likely end up swerving at the last minute, frustrated by her maneuver and out of luck.

The big black knew he had no hope of fitting through that crack. But he could -- and did -- get over the top of the towering ridge. As soon as he figured out her plot, Dharth went into a climb. His massive wings rowed at the air, pushing him higher and higher so he could crest the rocky spire. A deep, rumbling roar of triumph tore from his gaping jaws as he soared over the ridge, wings spread wide; a tongue of bluey flame licked at his teeth, showing off Dharth's prowess. None of the others had the power to climb so high fast enough, only he, Dharth! Biggest black on Pern! That jade was foolish to believe even for a moment that she could outdo him in the air.

The black behemoth folded his wings and dove, arrowing toward Rownith like a stooping eagle on an unsuspecting falcon. Here I am, Rownith! I see no others who had the skill or audacity to follow, they are all behind the rocks like the cowardly weaklings they are,[/b][/color] he crowed, allowing a bit of fierce satisfaction to leak into his tone and stain his eyes with more sadistic red.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

}:It's all part of the game Dharth, as I am sure you know well enough. If I offend you in the process I am sure it won't do a great deal to your pride.:{ She watched, hovering to see if any other male approached the outcrop or skirted over its top. She would not admit even to herself but that last stunt had wore her down, her wings drooping slightly at her side, her tail flciking feebly behind her.

And Dharth had been the only one to make it either through or over. Even know she could see through the gap she had squeezed through the other males were dithering. There was no way they could make it now. And in that regard her decision was all but made for her. Unless she chose to pass through again but that would be a sign of weakness. }:Well It looks like you win, for as you charmingly pointed out, the rest remain beyond the rocks. But you will have to catch me first, I am not going to fly obligingly into your wings.:{ And with the last reservoirs of her energy she sprung forward, her wings a blur of green as they pumped against her sides, putting distance between herself and the massive, black dragon that was Dharth. Rownith was sure the Black knew it was little more than a stalling tactic, but neither was she going to give in submissively.

She turned sharply, angling her body upwards, climbing higher and higher, attempting to reach the greatest altitude she could before Dharth caught up to her. Even now she could feel the hot air of his breath behind her, uncurling her tail she allowed it to caress his muzzle, sliding backwards and fowards across it. }:Come on splendid Dharth. For we both know this has come to an end. Claim your prize. :{ Her tone was commanding, belying the fatigue she felt, as she levelled out,her sinous neck craned to peer behind her at Dharth.

[Desert]

It was already won -- of course it was. The fate of this Flight had already been determined, as soon as Dharth took it into his head to execute his scheme. The satistion of this phase in his plot coming to and end according to plan elicited a deep, throaty rumble up from the black's cavernous chest. All the amused green faded from his eyes as the oranges and reds took over, wheeling like an eddy in flowing lava, glowing molten from his dark head.

What is the point of a Flight but for the male, having proven his courage and skill, to hammer that home as he reaches out to grasp victory with all claws?[/b][/color] Dharth retorted slyly. He tilted his wings to pull out of his dive, swooping up to follow her ascent with a deft flick of his tail. She could fly until her wings dropped off, but she was never any match for Dharth. He easily gained on her, squinting his eyes against the wind roiled up by her faltering wingstrokes. A lusty rumble bubbled up from his throat as the jade's slim tail caressed his muzzle.

One final surge of his wings brought Dharth level with his jade-green prize. Suddenly all pretenses were dropped, and more of his eyes took on a sadistic, bloodthirsty ruby red. Roughly, his claws clamped over her dainty paws, his long tail coiling like a black python around her. The big black dipped his head, letting his tongue slide across her cheek; his teeth grazed her temples and his hot, sulfrous breath washed over her as a small tongue of flame crept up from the depths of his chest and came close to singing the side of Rownith's face. Oh yes, and what a prize,[/b][/color] he replied, a scornfully taunting edge to his mind-voice. It had gone from a sultry purr to a harsh growl, with Dharth's trademark icy tone that sent shivers up any right-minded dragon's spine. Oh Rownith. Poor, silly Rownith. If it was not so amusing, I might just feel sorry for those like you.[/b][/color] A sadistic chuckle dripped from his maw.

Now perhaps Rownith would realize just how big a mistake she'd made in falling for Dharth's charade. With the dark behemoth twined around her, so tight it was very nearly painful, she had no hope of escape. Dharth's massive wings flared out to keep himself and his toy airborne, controlling their trajectory into a gentle glide that gave him plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Despite rarely participating, the big black did quite enjoy the few Flights he joined. Especially if the unwitting female felt a jolt of fear when his shadow enveloped them, blotting out the sun and exerting inescapable control. He never harmed his victims physically, and unless it was a queen Flight he usually had the female eating out of his claws like Rownith had; it wasn't technically rape, but about as close as dragons ever really got.

The almost-forgotten half of the winning pair, K'dran's mind was flooded with the visceral glee that his dragon experienced, overwhelmed by the lust for body and for blood. He wrapped his arms around Accalia and pulled her close, clamping his mouth demandingly over the jaderider's lips. Most of the losing riders had gone or were in the process of departing, so there was no one around to witness the two humans as they mimicked their dragons who coasted on weak thermals high over their heads.

Dharth had the added satisfaction of knowing that, thanks to his own mind being drowned out by his sadistic dragon's, K'dran was equally rough with his partner -- it was likely Accalia would sport livid bruises from this Flight. Even more delicious was the knowledge that Accalia would be receiving such abuse from the man with whom she was quite infatuated. He could barely wait for the aftermath of this to unfold.

ooc; of all the nasty, bitchy dragons i have, i think Dharth is the worst. Dea or Necro are the blood-and-guts rip-something-to-shreds, but Dharth loves the psychological manipulation that, in the end, is more damaging. -shakes head- i'm frankly a bit afraid of him. and Melpomene for spawning the big monster.[/size][/color][/font]