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(Predetermined winner. Decided to try my hand at this).

Hyweth had been irritable all that morning. She did not feel like swimming. She did not feel at all like spending time with Hatteth, whom she had met early that sevenday. Hers was acting strangely, and that upset her further. And she was starving. She felt as if she had not eaten in days, though the glow of her hide suggested otherwise. Mine! The crimson's tone was sharp and commanding as she looked down at her rider. Mine, you will stop that now. J'len had been pacing in front of her dragon since early morning, wringing her hands. It was a nervous habit. A terrible habit. Hyweth had patiently watched for well over a candlemark; only now had it begun to upset her.

J'len, with all her worry and pacing, was not new to this. Hyweth had almost consistantly risen four to five times a turn. She'd been taught to see the signs as a weyrling; the glowing hide, Hyweth's strange behavior, the increasing, strange mixture of lust and agitation she felt because of her crimsons' mixed emotions... It was the same thing everytime. Hyweth would start by choosing a favorite--she always did. Whether or not that favorite was the one who caught her, that was a different story. Hyweth never did seem to mind who caught her, as long as they had proven themselves worthy of her.

This time, J'len was pretty sure it was Hatteth. The two dragons had become fast friends during a chance meeting. There was little time to consider this, though, for soon Hyweth would--

I hunger.

The crimson bellowed out a challenge. She would be blooding her kills. All those dragons worthy of chasing her, perhaps to catch her, would come. With a fierce snarl, she challenged her rider's authority; J'len was telling her to blood only. She was starved! Only blood, my love. How else will you fly? If you are too heavy, you won't be able to fly well. The crimson obeyed, but voiced her displeasure. She blooded a third, and took to the air.

There was a feeling in the air. Every fertile male dragon could feel it. A sort of growing, purposeful excitement that tinted draconic eyes purple and made some dragons stay close to the feeding pens. Someone was going to Rise soon.

Hatteth could feel it, of course. Occasionally he raised his head and listened to see if there was any sign of the female rising, but he wasn't really waiting for it. He joined Flights occasionally, but he never caught anyone. And why should they? He was hardly the most impressive dragon in the weyr, and even the Greens had plenty of chasers to choose from. He hadn't decided if he would join this chase.

Then the first bellow was heard. Hatteth raised his head curiously. He thought he knew that voice. Was that Hyweth? He flew towards the herdbeast pens to find out.

J'nes had noticed Hatteth's general agitation, and also guessed what was coming. But unlike his dragons, the rider had an idea of who it might be. J'len had said Hyweth was getting proddy, after all. When his dragon took off to check who was rising, he asked, Is it Hyweth?

Hatteth neared the pens to find a familiar Crimson feeding. Yes it is, he answered, hovering nearby. He still wasn't sure whether to join the chase, though the sheer lust in the air was starting to make his eyes swirl purple.

J'nes sensed his brown's hesitation. Go for her, he urged. And before his dragon could protest, he added, And don't give me that bit about you not being good enough to catch her attention. She already likes you, remember?

Hatteth couldn't remember the specifics, since his memory was no better than most dragons.' But she had liked him and they did have fun together. A couple more mental pokes from his rider decided him, and as Hyweth took down her third kill, he took down one of his own and started blooding it. By the time she rose, he was ready to leap up after here, eyes a vivid purple.

J'nes could feel the rising emotion in his dragon, and he knew J'len would be feeling the exact same. He also knew that she liked him at least as much as Hyweth seemed to like Hatteth. That was all the reason he needed to head for her weyr as the dragons began feeding.

[numbers tor match: 18, 15, 6, 9]
[matched numbers: 15]

Tereth let out a pleased rumble at Hyweth challenge. It had been a while since he had pursued a crimson after all, and that glowing hide of hers was beckoning him on.

So long as it's a female rider, do as you'd please, S'ren remarked, not caring enough at the moment to discourage his brown. They could probably both do with a good flight at this point, really.

I will fly my best, Tereth assured, taking off into the air once the other had finished blooding her kill. He was not about to let her out of his sight.

(Numbers to match: 18, 15, 6, 9)

Hatteth was caught up in the thrill of the Flight now. The Crimson was silhouetted against the blue of the sky ahead, which showed off her gleaming hide and seemed to make her glow even more brightly. He had to catch her! He would! He pumped his wings hard to keep up with her, and try to gain some ground on her.

He hissed possessively when she drew close to the bronze. Surely Hatteth was better! But he switched to a croon when Hyweth drew closer to him. Surely she would see that he was the fastest, the strongest, the one who wanted to catch her most. Not the most handsome, but hadn't His said some females didn't think about that?

Then she dove down, and Hatteth tucked in his wings to follow sharply after her. He was certain he could match any trick she tried. He would catch her yet!

[numbers to match: 18, 15, 6, 9]
[matched numbers: 15, 9]

Scarath followed the crimson with a croon. He hoped she put on a good Flight and choose well. Even if her final choice wasn't him. It was still fun. When she dared approach him, the bronze fluttered around. Showing off how agile he was despite his size. He warbled to her challenge.

His eyes whirled purple, and he followed her dive down. When Hatteth hissed he gave a baffled trill. Did Hattath want her more than he did?


Numbers: 15, 6,
18, 9

Hatteth nearly squawked in dismay when Hyweth crooned at the other males chasing her, but completely ignored Hatteth. He though she liked him? He would simply have to show her he was best! He tried to dive after her as she lingered near Tereth, but just then the Crimson darted off.

Bellowing his determination, he turned sharply to fly after her. When she flew up, he focused everything he had up putting on a burst of speed to surpass everyone else. He couldn't maintain that speed for long, but he didn't need to. She'd stopped to hover for just one moment, and that was all the time he needed! With a trilling croon he was upon her, twining his neck and tail with hers and joining together in glorious union. And far below, their riders did much the same.

[numbers to match: 18, 15, 6, 9]
[matched numbers: 18, 15, 6, 9]

(XD Not as long of a Flight as I thought it would be, but the dice said 'finish it!' Obviously, Hatteth was the pre-determined winner anyway. Thanks for participating everyone! If you want to make a final post, go right ahead.)

(We had fun! It was surprisingly short! Hyweth's next flight will be an open one, so keep your eyes open!)

Hyweth's pause to hover seemed to be a mistake. She was caught. Caught! By Hatteth! She protested, seeming to try to break free of his hold. She at last relaxed. It had been a good flight. There was no time to talk, really; Hatteth had caught her, as intended. Hers had wanted the flight to end that way.

And Hatteth had clearly been the fastest, strongest, and most skilled when it came to flying. That made him the best. And he was hers.