False Flight or How Larri Trolled The Weyr [Open] [NYE]

Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away
If you can use some exotic booze
There's a bar in far Bombay
Come on and fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away

The small green dragon was enjoying herself immensely. The general feel of the gathering was light hearted and good natured, and with the alcohol flowing freely there seemed to be quite a few who were forgetting the generally accepted bounds of whom it was or wasn't quite acceptable to socialise with. Sitting off to the side with her own group of friends, Larrikith watched as B'jin continued to drink much like a fish, and embarrass himself. She was glad he was having a good time, and the only reason she didn't rain on his parade was the simple and realistic belief that damned few of the community would remember anything he did come the time they were all sober again.

The fuzzy mind of a drunk was bizarre. She supposed it was why they prevented the Weyrling humans from drinking more than a glass or so. She wasn't sure how the youngsters would cope with the odd feeling. Tilting her head slightly, Larrikith peered at Veeth before turning her attention away from the young dragon and her own human, to poke good naturedly in that of his mate (just because they were too obtuse to see or admit the truth didn't mean she was, and her memory was lucky to last three days!). Amused, Larrikith commented dryly on one of R'nd's drunken thoughts, laughed at his response, and then snatched at a stray thought like a child in a candy store, suddenly stiffening where she sat as her eyes took on a hue of devious intent.

Now, that was probably one of her most amazing ideas ever (if she did say so herself) and intrigued, Larrikith returned her attention to her own human, diving with mischievous intent into his memories and pulling up all kinds of wicked ideas and terrible promises she'd made him at various points in their life - ones that were designed specifically to torture the poor man. After all, what was the point in being bonded for life to someone if you couldn't have a good laugh at their expense at least once a month? Or once every two or three days, Larrikith thought with a wicked trill. Withdrawing from B'jin and ricocheting his confused and curious pokes to find out what her sudden interest in his memories had been, Larrikith turned her attention upon Ayyonth with a visibly devious smirk, even if she didn't possess the facial structure to smirk.

I come up with the most brilliant ideas, she told the blue, completely immodest as she preened smugly. We shall have to thank yours later for reminding me of it. That was said with a wicked titter that clearly indicated R'nd would be unlikely to be pleased at reminding Larrikith of anything beyond a reminder that Flying with Ayyonth was good. No one else would likely be happy with R'nd if they found out, either. Larrikith giggled wickedly. Though to be fair, it had been B'jin that created the idea originally...

Larrikith was having way too much fun and she hadn't even shared her idea yet!

Nuzzling Veeth's cheek cheerfully, Larrikith apologised without the specific use of words for leaving the younger dragon out. A mastery of flight was going to be rather vital, and as adorable as Veeth was, and as much as he was rapidly catching up to her small size, he simply wasn't quite there yet, and she would so hate for him to hurt himself! Enjoy the show, my dear, she purred instead, the quiet words for the young blue only. Then her attention turned to Ayyonth and her deviously wicked expression returned, eyes lighting up dangerously.

This will be amazing, Ayyonth! She still hadn't shared her idea, but Larrikith had no doubt her beautiful blue cohort would fully support and embrace it. So, how to word it? With a mockingly innocent air, Larrikith broached her idea to Ayyonth, watching the younger dragon closely as she waited for his response. When she got one, she gave an excited chitter and stood up, practically purring her delight as she nuzzled against Ayyonth's side in a particularly feline manner. Snuggled against him, she reached out fussily, touching on some minds - blue, brown or bronze - while completely brushing over and ignoring others.

When she had their attention, Larrikith shared her devious idea, thrilling in the response and agreement she got from her friends and the additional minds she had picked out, some of whom would even have raised eyebrows at her choices. But that was okay, as everyone settled into the game, Larrikith made another decision, including Ayyonth in on it with a gentle laugh as she found the scatter brained mind of Grith.

Then, in a weyrwide vocalisation, Fly with me~! She purred, voice as sultry and inviting as she could make it, she withdrew just in time to keep her rather girlish giggle to an audience of just Ayyonth and Veeth. Licking Ayyonth's cheek, Larrikith threw herself into the air, making a greatly over exaggerated display of being a randy gold, with a combination of sultry invitations and mightier-than-thou disdain. Unfortunately, it was interrupted by regular bouts of soft whistling as she swallowed the urge to trill her laughter.

Clearing her throat, Larrikith gave a mocking roar of challenge, swallowed more giddy laughter, and twirled through the air above the Weyr gathering as the boys she had invited into her game shot into the air to join her. Some of them played along brilliantly; others were as hyped up and terrible at acting as she was (a fact she blamed B'jin for).

Down on the ground, B'jin froze in confused horror, staring up at his dragon as she winged almost lazily over head, and the sudden tail of pretty boys chasing her. "... Larri?" He asked no one, looking utterly bewildered. The shooting beam of green that flashed through caused the greenrider to sway visibly as he reached out absently and grabbed the person beside him. "Grith?!" Oh dear sweet Faranth. Those two? In the skies together?

B'jin, completely and utterly shell shocked by the two greens Flying during the Turnover celebrations, was completely and totally unaware of his total lack of flightlust.

---

---

[sup]Larrikith has only contacted the minds of dragons she feels will enjoy this form of human-abusing amusement. If the dragon is likely to tattle or fill their human in on what she's up to and ruin the fun, they won't know the details of what's going on. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll be oblivious to her faking a flight, simply that they will have nfi what is going on or why xD[/sup]

Ayyonth was enjoying the festivities from the sideline with Larrikith beside him and the little blue weyrling that seemed to admire Larrikith just as much as he did. Veeth always seemed to be near at gatherings, though he didn’t mind. He was amusing and rather adorable, and of course, he made their mutual favourite green happy and sent her ego soaring. How many other greens could claim to have two young blues vying for her attention?

He watched R’nd for a while as he flirted with everyone he came across and doled out kisses to everyone he called friend or had once known intimately. His bonded loved social gatherings of any size and sort but seemed particularly fond of Turnover. Ayyonth suspected it had something to do with the excessive amount of alcohol and the chance to kiss so many people without being punched; or so R’nd hoped. He was also amused at Larrikith poking about R’nd’s mind. They both seemed much more comfortable with it since the first connection and laughed as he saw his human, also laughing, stick his tongue out in the general direction of where they sat. It was good seeing everyone in such high spirits.

At Larrikith’s hinting of something amazing about to happen, she once again had his full attention. He nuzzled her sweetly as she explained the idea and purred his approval. You are such a devious minx. Of course I’m in! R’nd and B’jin were going to have such fascinating reactions! Hopefully, when sober, it didn’t involve killing their troublesome dragons. Any fears he had, which were none truth be told, were completely ignored when Larrikith reported a good number of males willing to play along to make it a legitimate looking flight.

He waited long enough for Larrikith to put on her show of rising and then turned toward Veeth, feeling a bit bad for the little guy that couldn’t join in on the mischief. Sorry, little one. I think watching everyone’s reactions will be just as fun as causing them. With that said, Ayyonth turned his attention to R’nd so he could point out the obvious, since everyone had to have heard and seen Larrikith by then. Larrikith flies.

R’nd turned toward Ayyonth and despite being so far apart, gave him a droll look. I can see that. Why does she fly? Ayyonth mentally shrugged before spreading his wings and taking off to begin the staged chase, why do any greens fly? R’nd only stared in disbelief as he watched the males start to join the spirited green in the sky, following her playful pattern. This likely wasn’t going to lead to anything good.

Grey eyes quickly scanned the crowd until he found B’jin. R’nd made his way through the gawking men and women, stumbling as he went though he didn’t realise it was due to alcohol and not flightlust, until he reached the stunned rider. “Why…?” Words escaped him as he tried to ask why Larrikith was flying right then and there.

Actually, the better question was, why was he still coherent and not falling into the blissful spiral of flightlust? R’nd’s eyes went wide as he thought about how much alcohol he had had that night. Had he discovered the secret to keeping his own mind while Ayyonth chased a green? “Being drunk makes you sober in flights,” he mumbled aloud, meaning to keep it to himself and maybe B’jin but anyone close by could have overheard. Was that actually possible? When he looked at B’jin he felt the stirring of lust so perhaps being drunk had only slowed the inevitable.

D’hys currently wasn’t paying a lick of attention to dragons or anyone else for that matter. True, he had had several drinks that night and was pleasantly buzzed and could possibly even be classified as drunk but that wasn’t the reason for his uncaring attitude toward external noises. Dragons were loud when they wanted to be and were likely celebrating like their riders so why rouse himself from his pleasant distractions? He was currently preoccupied with his friend Z’ia, hands wandering where they pleased over the shorter man’s body while tongues duelled for control of the kiss. He had seated Z’ia on the edge of one of the long tables brought out for folk to sit at to eat, drink, or talk the night away but D’hys often played by his own rules. Forgotten drinks and dishes were shoved aside once the friends crossed paths again during the celebrating and D’hys stole him for a kiss. Sometime later there they were with D’hys about ready to climb on the table with Z’ia and give everyone a new sort of entertainment. Even Harpers deserved a break!

D’hys, Zeianth’s voice intruded on his mind and D’hys grumbled some nonsensical form of acknowledgement to his blue that had been, as always, quietly off doing his own thing and likely making sure Z’ia and him stayed out of trouble. Aveleth was a bit of a bad influence. While I can tell you don’t care about anything else at the moment, I figured you might be a bit upset if you missed out entirely on what’s happening. Larrikith has taken to the sky. Oh? That was interesting. Somewhat. He was a born and raised weyrbrat and while he could recall a few times where a green flew during Turnover, it seemed a fairly rare event. It was like the dragons knew to let the humans have one night of peace to party and act stupid on their own.

Do you want to chase her? D’hys sincerely hoped not as fingers toyed with Z’ia’s belt clasp. No. She doesn’t call to me and I’m content lying here. While Zeianth’s phrasing was odd, D’hys couldn’t bring himself to care too much and instead sent a wave of gratitude to his dear dragon for not wanting to disturb either of them that night. He did, however, pull away from Z’ia’s mouth long enough to share what Zeianth had told him.

“Apparently Larrikith is flying right now. Zeianth isn’t showing an ounce of interest and I can’t say I’m too concerned over trying B’jin out right now either.” That greenrider was elusive and intrigued many riders of male dragons and D’hys was no different, yet he couldn’t be bothered that night to enter a chase, not when he had a tasty treat he knew he enjoyed already laid out on a table for him to enjoy. As if to prove how delicious he found Z’ia to be, he slowly ran his tongue from collarbone along a bared neck to trace the whorl of an ear before pulling back to allow his friend to see that while he was indeed drunk on lust, it wasn’t some green he was currently focused on, “are you gonna leave me to try your luck?”

I'shan. You will like this.

What?

I'shan was in something of an unstable mood. He wanted to drink and enjoy the party, but every time he lkifted a glass to his lips, he was reminded of the incident after the hatching. What a mess that had been.

Of course, this didn't stop the drinking. It just meant he cursed himself and stressed over every ounce that entered his small body. By this point in the evening, I'shan was quite fuzzy. Oh, where was N'gelt? Why did he always skip out on all the fun?

Why was Ilveriath still talking?

Look to the sky Ilveriath said impishly. I'shan blinked and shifted his gaze upwards, watching as...was that Larrikith?

Is she due?

She's toying with B'jin

The implications rolled right past I'shan, who was lonely and drunk enough to find the idea of a flight very, very appealing. He smiled and set his nearly-empty glass down before toddling though the gather square, scanning the crowds for poor, poor B'jin.

Well, what are you waiting for? Chase her.

Ilveriath wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh, or if he just pitied his rider all the more now. I'shan wasn't exactly in a bad mood, but he was awfully lonely for his mate, and perhaps more drunk than either of them had quite realized.

Very well. I shall do as you ask Ilveriath said, unable to hide a hint of amusement as he took wing. Larrikith...you sly beast he said with the intonations of a smile.

I'shan, meanwhile, milled through the crowd until he found B'jin. Ah! The object of his...affections? Strange, the flight didn't seem to be having it's usually effect. Guess I'm just drunk he thought. He gave the greenrider a silly smile before raising his eyebrows provocatively and sliding in close.

"Hiiiii B'jin..." the intoxicated bluerider said, his voice sultry to match Larrikith's. He only half-meant it. I'shan rather liked B'jin and often wished for a flight repeat, but his fixation on N'gelt had been rather all-consuming since the hatching. Was this an excuse to be a little wit wild? Or was he more aware of the ploy than he was letting on? Ilveriath wasn't sure, either.

Aveleth was curled up against Zeianth's side, his eyes shut more than they were open, tail flicked over his nose. The young dragon was deeply enjoying a moment of rare relaxation, knowing full well that his human was completely caught up in his current activity and was unlikely to cause Aveleth any trouble any time soon. That wasn't to say, of course, that the man he had chosen was currently incapable of causing a hassle; Aveleth was quite convinced it would probably end up dramatic, but at least he wouldn't be harassing him before, during or after. Aveleth had no intention of moving from his comfortable lounge and the comfort of Zeianth's solid presence.

So, naturally, there was a green shrieking and the sky was suddenly aflutter with wings as brown and blue took off after her. Aveleth's head lifted slowly, looking up curiously but with no apparent interest. The young blue had never taken a particular shine to chasing, and his wins could be counted on one hand, much to Z'ia's usual frustrations - he enjoyed it on multiple levels. Aveleth snorted lazily as he watched the equally luck lustre flight of the silly green and her potential mates. Then he lowered his head back to rest across his paws and his tail flicked up to cover his nose once more. Silly greens.

Z'ia growled under his breath as D'hys pulled away, eyes fluttering open with a frown dragging his eyebrows together. His unvoiced question was answered as D'hys began speaking, and Z'ia's frown deepened, eyes narrowing slightly. The expression lifted to one vastly different as D'hys returned to his administrations and the younger man gave a soft hum of approval before laughing out right at the man's question, eyebrows arching high up Z'ia's forehead he gave D'hys a mocking glance. Getting Aveleth off the ground to chase took more effort than Z'ia was likely to admit to; getting the lazy beast to actually win was nigh on damned impossible. Instead, Z'ia allowed his lips to twist into a playful smirk as fingers danced across the top of his friend's pants, pausing dramatically at his belt buckle.

"Hrm," he hummed teasingly, eyes lifting to watch Larrikith twirl over head with her trail of blue and brown. A hand left D'hys' belt buckle to pick up his glass, tossing back the remainder of the liquor the bluerider leaned forward and into his friend, pressing a hard kiss against his lips, tasting alcohol as he bit. "Maybe tomorrow," he murmured, amused, as he leaned back, using the action to tug D'hys' belt clear from the man's pants. Smirking, he tossed it at a pair to their left, watching as it snaked around the woman's ankles and made her shriek. Laughter was on his lips as he returned to the very serious business of kissing D'hys, nimble fingers jerking the other man's shirt up so they could traverse the skin underneath.

Tyrrisath yawned and rolled onto his back.  He was enjoying himself, reveling in the warn summer evening and sharing the pleasantly fuzzy feeling of his rider's drunkenness.

To be fair, S'kef wasn't drunk yet. He was sure working on it, though. With no job to keep him occupied and no better way to hammer out his aggression, he'd been hitting the bottle an awful lot lately. Tyrrisath didn't mind. He was always privy to the dark side of his bonded, a dark side that he chose to embrace when he first formed their bond. He knew S'kef's dark places so well that on an evening like this, they didn't even phase the dragon as he sprawled out in the gather square.

He rolled again, not unlike a horse in the dust. He'd often witnessed the Weyrleader's bronze doing the same thing, and while Tyrrisath was normally far too quiet and dignified to do such a thing, currently he itched.

I should have oiled you today S'kef said blearily, not quite apologizing.

It's not your fault. It's the weather Tyrrisath explained lazily. They both knew it was true, but S'kef was in one of those moods...one of those guilty moods where he liked to blame everything on himself.

S'kef took another long drink and rose to his feet. I'm coming, Tyrrisath he said. Whoa! Everything moved. Maybe he was drunk.

Tyrrisath sighed. He didn't want his rider making a fool of both of them. No he said simply, lifting his own bulk from the grass and taking wing.

S'kef scowled and watched as the dragon lifted off. He wasn't quite sure what he'd intended to do, but he sure couldn't do it now.

And then, Larrikith: Fly with me

He knew that voice. S'kef's eyes widened and he looked skyward, watching as Tyrrisath made an interested turn towards the little green.
I like this game  he said to her. Tyrrisath was well aware that it was a game, and on some level S'kef did as well. He blinked a few times and looked around for B'jin.

This is stupid. Why is she pretending to fly? he asked.

To play games with her rider Tyrrisath explained.

S'kef grinned. Oh! What fun! And what a perfect excuse to...hah!

He walked in a partially-straight line towards B'jin. Then, without even bothering to announce himself, reached out to grab a handful of B'jin's ass.

He liked games!

He was tracking the green's progress through the sky, hardly aware of those that began to angle toward him. It was only when one person brushed fingers against his arm that B'jin realised there were people surrounding him. Eyes widened dramatically as he twisted around, B'jin quickly spotted R'nd looking confused. Throwing himself at the bluerider in desperation, B'jin came to a screeching halt at his friend's words, already wide eyes widening more. "What?" He hissed, as if R'nd might have the answer to something B'jin had never heard. Hadn't he been a dragonrider for as long as R'nd had been alive?! B'jin's jaw worked uselessly. Then his gaze snapped to I'shan and he shrank back.

He wasn't cut out for this! B'jin trembled as his gaze shifted over the riders milling around. Most of them looked confused, but there was enough lust hovering over the group to convince B'jin that one way or another, this flight would end up like every other; a result he did not want to endure while apparently Flight-sober, even if he were drunk!

B'jin squealed when a hand grabbed his rear, the vocal accompanied by a rapid spin around and the greenrider's hand extending out in an open palmed slap right across S'kef's cheek. Only as his stinging fingers dropped away did brown eyes open wide and stare with horror at the face looking down at him. Blood draining from his features, the terrified greenrider backed up rapidly, crashing bodily into one of the riders behind him. A glance proved I'shan, and what swift relief the confused green felt at seeing a friend was swiftly snatched away when I'shan reacted to his nearness. B'jin gave a gasping sob and shoved himself away from the younger rider and his insistent groping, propelling himself directly back at S'kef.

He collapsed against the brownrider's chest, trembling from head to foot.

Larrikith was positively glowing with the response she'd garnered from her 'flight' attendants, the little green leading them in lazy spirals and saucy twists. Her green wing-tips brushing against bellies as she went. She could feel B'jin's confusion and slight fear, but paid it no real concern. Her rider would see the fun of it when he got over himself, and no one was forcing him to play. Of course, it would have been more fun if he'd started kissing people, but she'd go with what she had.

Fly with me, she teased her rider, digging into his memories to rekindle old memories of lust and love, amused by the way he clung to the emotions. Silly human. Oh, there he goes! Larrikith gave a croon of amused delight as B'jin rose up on his toes to kiss S'kef, then snorted when her rider opened his eyes to realise very quickly that it was most certainly not R'nd. Terror painted B'jin's face as he suddenly struggled viciously against the strong bind of the brownrider's arms.

---

[sup]I PP'd all over the place. Let me know if I miss-represented anyone.[/sup]

Being drunk makes you flight-sober.

Being drunk makes you flight sober!

Shards, R'nd was a genius! I'shan's eyes widened and he burst into a radiant smile as the words sank in. "No wonder I don't have a boner!" he squealed with infantile delight as he took a wobbly step towards B'jin. "Because guys: I am so drunk. I am sooooo-"

Oh! B'jin!

I'shan's arms collapsed around the greenrider who'd so kindly nestled into him. Granted, it was a very abrupt and rough nestle, and it came right after B'jin slapped the wherry out of the nice man opposite them, but snuggles were snuggles. I'shan instinctively squeezed and pressed a kiss against the man's cheek. "Awww, B'jin! I love you too best buddy, you sexy, handsome, green-riding-"

Ah, there it was. The one thing that was missing, late to the party. I'shan smirked and ran his tongue down B'jin's cheek in a slow, lusty manner while softly pushing his hips forward to share. "Hmmm, I didn't know you felt that way..."

Well, apparently he didn't. Before I'shan's hands could finish their initial sweep of the greenrider's body, B'jin had wiggled away. I'shan pouted furiously. No fun!

In his drunken state, he didn't stop to think that N'gelt wouldn't have approved of his behavior. Well, at least not if he knew the flight wasn't real. Flights were flights, though! I'shan took an even wobblier step towards B'jin and the new man that had him in his arms.

"Hey brownie! Get your hands off my greenrider!" he spat, shoulders arching and eyes narrowing like a ticked off feline.

S'kef, as luck would have it, cared remarkably little. Coincidentally, I'shan was small enough to bounce really far when punched.

Oh, that squeal! S'kef smirked, but in his drunken state, it wasn't his usual devious smirk. Instead, it was a warm, giddy, completely delighted smile. It was actually quite nice and suited him well, and was even accompanied by the happiest of giggles.

Surely this was something Katila had never seen. Too bad it came at poor B'jin's expense! As S'kef felt B'jin's hand snap across his face, he recoiled a little bit out of sheer surprise and produced his happy giggle a second time. He was almost out of breath!

J'ver was just...just so cute.

Look how precious he was, running away like he didn't want it! That sly little slut, always putting on a big front and pretending to be sharp and defiant! Everyone knew he was just a sweet thing on the inside...a sweet, delicate, beautiful, wonderful thing that needed to be held and loved and petted and squeezed and...

That's not J'ver. That's B'jin.

Idiot


S'kef blinked a few times. He watched as multiple copies of B'jin wrestled to escape multiple copies of I'shan. Why were there so many B'jins? Why weren't the I'shans sharing them? What had the world come to?

This had to be put to a stop!

"Oh! Hello, 'Jinny," S'kef said suddenly. He'd taken a step to intervene, but look at that! It seemed like B'jin had escaped his cruel tormentor and thrown himself into his savior's arms.

Before he could say anything else, B'jin was kissing him. Shocked, S'kef's eyes flew open and he sank into a reciprocating kiss, arms locked tightly around the handsome greenrider. His touch was firm but gentle, almost caring, for he couldn't quite get the images of J'ver out of his mind. As his hands slid down the man's back and the moment sank in, however, S'kef realized just what he had.

Drunk on both ale and nostalgia, S'kef found himself back at Telgar.

He would never forget that day. B'jin...in a way, his first. The young harper had been so annoying and so obnoxious! Arrogant and frivolous, he'd acted like he owned the Weyr. His youthful reslessness made him a perfect target for a young brownrider's youthful restlessness, It was like he wanted it to happen.

Sometimes, when he really thought about it, S'kef felt bad. He knew that day marked the beginning. When Benjinamor, his first prize, went on to Impress a green...Well, clearly that was the sort of person who Impressed a green. And then there was the feeling of power.

He'd been drunk on it ever since.

He pulled back and looked down at B'jin, a warm yet deviously accomplished smile crossing his lips. "Oh, Benjinamor...Just when I was finally over you...." he slurred. Ale was heavy on his breath.

Oh, wait. He had a problem. B'jin was wiggling to get away, and some catty bluerider was trying to make something of it. It was one of the I'shans, it looked like. S'kef glowered and pinned B'jin to his chest with one arm before throwing a punch at the I'shan, hoping he would hit his mark. It was a shabby punch, but screw it. I'shan was small. All four of him were. 

A moment later, S'kef's fist started to hurt and the I'shan seemed to disappear from his swirled vision, which was only just catching up. Good enough.

"B'jin," S'kef said, shaking his head and looking down at the greenrider again. He continued to hold tight, smiling that same delightful smile as he leaned in close and put his mouth next to B'jin's ear. "I should tell you something!" he said. He lifted one hand to pet B'jin's hair.

"Something very special. I'm in love with someone!"

Then, for reasons that not even Tyrrisath could discern, he pulled B'jin into another kiss, his strong grip threatening to hurt the poor greenrider if he didn't cooperate.

Aww, J'ver was so cute! Look at him wiggling like he actually wanted to get away!

R’nd had no idea what was going on.

Nothing seemed right. His bond with Ayyonth felt no different than usual, his vision was marred only by having too much drink, and he simply felt normal. Was his observation that being drunk during a flight helped you keep your head true? I’shan seemed to think so until he began molesting B’jin. Perhaps his other thought that alcohol simply slowed reactions was the true theory since lust for B’jin grew the more he stared at the greenrider and odd feelings about wanting to pull him away from the other riders vying for his attention were stirring to life. Still, they seemed wrong for a flight, or perhaps they were right but with a fuzzy mind filled with a dragon chasing after a green siren interpreted things differently.

Either way, R’nd didn’t like how I’shan handled B’jin and he hated it even more when B’jin found himself in the arms of another, looking far too intimate. He started to reach out, making his play for the greenrider when he focused on the competitor B’jin was suddenly kissing, and rather passionately at that.

S’kef.

His blood ran cold at the kiss but it started to boil as his vision went red when the brownrider punched I’shan and continued to lay claim to B’jin.

Ayyonth rumbled with laughter deep in his throat as R’nd’s adorable confusion turned to an emotion his silly human would never be able to recognise, but the dragon did. R’nd had felt it once before at the gathering for the Hatching but he hadn’t known what it was then either. His human was starting to get jealous when B’jin was in the arms of other men! Even the most carefree of men had their breaking point it seemed. He was about to share the revelation with Larrikith when R’nd’s mood spiked suddenly and he radiated anger. It startled the blue that had always known the man to be calm and laidback, with minor exceptions of when he fought with Kerrin but that never became anything serious, and of course when B’jin was lashed. But this was different. This was pure hatred.

The clever blue couldn’t fault R’nd for having such strong feelings for the brownrider as he dug through memories and saw the joy S’kef took in lashing B’jin and the threats he made soon after toward I’shan and Kerrin. R’nd’s three most cherished people had all been targeted by this man and his bonded wasn’t one to ever sit by and let a friend in need deal with anything alone.

It was that dedication and seeing I’shan get punched by the brownrider that had Ayyonth ruining Larrikith’s fun, at least with his human. R’nd, the flight isn’t real. Larrikith saw your memories of a conversation with B’jin about such a thing happening. She wanted to tease everyone but I think you... I’m talking to myself, aren’t I? Frustrated, Ayyonth turned to Larrikith, imploring her to end the game since their humans were getting themselves into interesting, but dangerous, predicaments.

Indeed Ayyonth was as R’nd barely heard his dragon’s mellow voice call his name before he was springing into action. He had been close to going to help I’shan but B’jin clearly didn’t like where he was and while I’shan was hurt, B’jin was still in danger. He started to reach for his lover’s hand but went instead for his upper arm, knowing he would have a better grip and get more force behind the pull he was about to give. “You,” R’nd growled at S’kef, grey eyes narrowed and darkened with his anger, “do not touch my friends. Ever.”

Fuelled by hatred and alcohol, R’nd yanked B’jin towards him as his free hand shot out to send a fist flying against S’kef’s face. R’nd wasn’t a fighter. He did his best to sweet-talk and flirt his way out of any minor scuffles he ended up in, hadn’t even said a word negatively against N’gelt when the brownrider punched him, but R’nd had no regrets right then. He might not defend himself with violent acts tossed at him but to protect his friends, he’d throw himself right in the middle of the fray and not care about messing up his pretty face.

Well, not care as much anyway.

“You okay, love?” R’nd’s concern was obvious in his tone and expression, both softening as he glanced at B’jin, S’kef momentarily forgotten.

Valerian was probably one of the few people that had managed to stay sober that night, having opted not to try even a sip of alcohol while Veeth was still so young. He wanted nothing to upset or harm his dragonet. Yet something had still made the little blue sad which left the Harper who had finally escaped the stage he had been thrust up on some hours earlier to reclaim a chair and watch everyone’s stupidity come out rather curious and concerned.

He glanced to the area he knew Veeth had set himself up at because Larrikith and Ayyonth were there, and saw the adorable creature flapping his wings as if trying to fly well before he could support his weight. What are you doing? Veeth’s disappointment hit hard and Valerian was glad he was sitting or it may have knocked him off balance. Larrikith took off flying with a bunch of dragons following her. She said I couldn’t join the fun this time but I wanted to. I don’t want to wait, I can play as well, can’t I?

Valerian was certain the colour drained from his face as that lilting voice tinged with sadness spoke with such innocence about something that was quite possibly pure evil. Larrikith was flying and his dragon wanted to chase her. No. No, no, no. He knew they would have a talk in the future about never chasing Larrikith but Valerian hadn’t expected it to be so soon. His little over-achieving dragon couldn’t even fly yet but wanted to chase!

Bolting from his chair, Valerian headed for Veeth to console him, only to find he had taken himself rather close to B’jin and the riders starting to flock around him. That was an area he wanted to avoid but it was also the most direct route to his blue and Valerian didn’t feel like inconveniencing himself just for B’jin. So he shuffled closer and was almost glad he did when he saw the drama starting to unfold. There was kissing, which wasn’t too out of place, and R’nd was doing a marvellous job of gawking at everything before something seemed to fall into place for him. But it was only when a woman screamed after S’kef moved to hit I’shan that Valerian had a split second to regret his loitering as he suddenly had the man that brought him to Katila stumbling back into him, sending them both sprawling to the ground despite best efforts to steady them both.

Since he was a part of the drama now, Valerian sighed and twisted around I’shan to see his face and the damage the violent brownrider had done. It probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do since he wasn’t fond of blood, especially his so at least he was ahead of the game so far, and then felt obligated to get I’shan some help. “If you bleed on me, I’m leaving you right here instead of helping you even get to your feet.” He never claimed to have amazing bedside manners.

Larrikith decided, with more than a little amusement, that her current game might possibly be the cause of real trauma for B'jin. Of course, she made her rider's life as fun and interesting (her personal terms, his were annoying and distressing)  as possible on a daily basis. It wasn't very often that she got so much help from just about everyone, however. Giggling giddily, Larrikith swirled around Ilveriath as his rider invited B'jin to play games that B'jin rapidly decided he didn't want to take part in. Well, Larrikith supposed, I'shan wasn't really B'jin's type, and considering how not in love her rider was with Ayyonth's young human, she supposed it was perfectly natural for her silly bonded to squeal like a stuck wherry as he tossed himself at S'kef.

That said, his reactions to S'kef made perfect sense when you could see into his drunken mind, which quite clearly showed that B'jin was not seeing S'kef (for the most part) but super imposing R'nd on him. Considering the words and actions taken by the brownrider (she was, naturally, spying on the pair) Larrikith laughed out loud when she realised the brownrider was doing the exact same thing. Humans!

Larrikith reacted with a shriek of surprise when S'kef sent I'shan to the floor with a drunken punch, her flight faltering as she spun around to hover delicately in spot, frowning down at the gathering as the dragons around her began reacting to their rider's emotions. Ah, shit. Larrikith said, mostly to Ayyonth, as I'shan toppled to the ground on top of Valerian (Good catch! Larrikith laughed into his mind, highly amused and momentarily forgetting her usual boundaries against bespeaking the young man. It didn't take much to recall and she withdrew rapidly with a swift apology sent to Veeth for imposing.)

R'nd! Larrikith's mind voice went up several octaves as the bluerider threw a punch at S'kef, the green dragon's eyes spinning rapidly with shock at the turn of events. Oh no! Things had gotten out of hand! Larrikith dropped lower, winging over the crowd and making a lot of those not involved in the scuffle duck. It was the effect she was hoping for as she screeched vocally, hoping to break it up a little. Stupid humans! That was audible to everyone and contained all the scorn Larrikith could pump into her voice.

B'jin had yelped when he'd been torn away from S'kef's grip by a strong hand on his arm, his drunken mind focusing on the fact that he was going to be bruised in the morning, and he was still dressed! Then his gaze was full of R'nd's concerned face and B'jin blinked up at him, feeling fuzzy and hazy as he lifted a hand to lightly cup the bluerider's cheek. "R'nd?" He shivered and stepped closer, pressing himself against his lover and burying his face in the taller man's chest. "Yes," he murmured, the word muffled, "Larri is freaking out." It was a drunken, slightly bewildered statement of a fact. "Why is she freaking out?" Confused brown eyes lifted to meet R'nd's grey.

---

[sup]Um... Lol? XD
Bjin did hear all te things that were said by various people that he should have heard. He's ... Prioritizing xD [/sup]

I'shan let out an undignified shout nas he toppled backwards, his thin body colliding with a second before both fell to the ground in a heap. I'shan grunted and rolled onto his side, his head swimming and his mouth filled with rapidly-pooling blood.

Ilveriath! Ilveriath! he cried. The blue let out a horrified shriek, completely uncharacteristic in comparison to his usual calm, and angled himself downwards. I'shan! I am here! the blue said in his usual doting voice, tinted with only the scraps of concern that he wasn't able to hold back.  He swooped downward, brushing just a bit too close to Tyrrisath.

The brown let out a throaty hiss. Ilveriath creeled and fled before the larger dragon's red eyes, blinking into the darkness of between and emerging on the sidelines, a dragonlength or so above the grass. Don't go near them, Tyrrisath had said. Ilveriath landed and hissed, his body tense and his back arching like an angry feline as he reached out to his bonded. Little one! Please, please get him and bring him to me! the blue appealed to the youth tangled beneath his rider.

I'shan could sense the spike in Ilveriath's mood. The bluerider let out a scream and twisted to one side; Ilveriath was always so calm and free of fear! But for a split second, all I'shan could see were those hate-filled red eyes glowing in the darkness as Tyrrisath passed judgment on them both. "Ilv!" he screamed, shaking his head wildly as his dragon tried to keep him calm. Ilveriath was shaken himself, but he squeezed his fear into the back of his mind and brushed his soothing presence against I'shan's, trying to make him rest.

I'shan shuddered a moments before he realized someone was talking to him. His eyes widened. "Valerian!" I'shan barked in recognition, bubbling blood all over the place.

Sweet Faranth! I think I still have all my teeth...

Yes... came Ilveriath's forced-calm tone. They are all there...

The bluerider's throat tightened and he realized suddenly that he was sobbing. Pathetically. He nodded weakly and accepted Valerian's help, careful not to bleed on the boy as the pair started off to escape the crowd. I'shan wanted to turn around and see just who S'kef's rage had turned on, but he was frightened.

Wretch!

S'kef's muscles tightened as he felt his partner's malice flow through him. Somewhere nearby, Tyrrisath hissed and snapped at a passing blue, preventing the worthless thing's interference on the ground. Good S'kef said, clutching B'jin tightly before diving in for another kiss. Keep that worthless thing in it's place...

Distracted by his drunken endeavors, S'kef was unprepared when R'nd wrenched the helpless greenrider away from him. S'kef narrowed his eyes, but before he could react, he felt an impact right on the left side of his jaw. The brownrider reeled backwards, staggering from the force as he tried to decipher what had just happened. The pain was a blur, and at first so was the rage. When it kicked in, there was nothing he could do to stop it.

No job to do. No reputation to safeguard. No J'ver to protect. He didn't even have his sobriety or his conscience. Tyrrisath was the only remaining influence, but even the most patient and clever of dragons could not wait idly by while his rider was hurt. Tyrrisath let out a raging scream, his rarely-heard trumpet rolling like thunder as he lent his own anger to S'kef.

Tyr didn't try to stop it. He directed it. The brown told his rider where to go, knowing well that an explosion would do S'kef some good. It was just too bad for R'nd.

The brownrider flung himself into R'nd, slamming into the man at chest level and plowing him to the ground. S'kef didn't say a word as he raised one fist and slammed it down towards the other man's face and chest again and again, using him as an outlet for all his hate and stress and anger and pain. Tyrrisath's eyes roiled red and wings flared as he brushed against his bonded's mind, reassuring and encouraging. All those turns ago, a hatchling Tyrrisath had sensed this rage and hoped he would curb it; now, unable to remember his original intentions and unable to imagine any other role, he was nothing more than an enabler.

The crowd was beside itself. Riders ran in every direction, while some soon erupted into scuffles of their own. S'kef felt someone grasping his arm in an effort to pull him away, but he rudely shoved whoever it was aside before continuing his attack. His knuckles were soon bloody, though he felt he'd gotten in far too few blows when the familiar voice of Ronarth pierced his mind.

NO MORE FIGHTING

It was just like in the gather square that day. S'kef could remember lashing B'jin, and taking such delight in continuing. He'd pretended not to hear the Weyrleader when he was ordered to stop. Ronarth, though....Ronarth made him cringe and freeze now just as he had then.

Unable to ignore the orders of a bronze, Tyrrisath quickly tried to think of a plan. His bonded was too drunk to do anything but flop onto his back in shock in the bronze's wake. It was up to Tyrrisath. The brown glided silently towards the ground, landing as lightly as he could as close as he could while his delirious rider crawled to him. S'kef's hand touched Tyrrisath's snout and the pair disappeared. A few other riders took the opportunity to escape with their beasts before D'ren showed up, but not many.

S'kef and Tyrrisath were gone. Surely several witnesses would be able to identify that they were present, but really, hadn't an awful lot of riders been involved to pick out just a couple faces? Whose word against whose? S'kef would have plenty of time to think up an excuse tomorrow.

---

Powerplay with permission

My next post will be with D'ren

If anyone wants to be the person who tried to pull Keffy off of R'nd, feel free

Aaaand Tams gets to decide how good he got R'nd XD

Valerian was still stunned by everything happening around him and how he let himself get dragged in. When Ilveriath bespoke him, it only further added confusion to his rattled mind. Had he just been called ‘Little One’? Where was the beautiful blue? How was he supposed to get the sobbing mess of a man to his feet and all the way over to wherever Ilveriath was? He wasn’t cut out for this minor hero role but did the best he could, after doing his best to avoid the spray of blood as I’shan recognised him anyway. He was tempted to count that as bleeding on him despite not looking to confirm if it was true but Valerian was getting soft in his ripe old age of twenty-four, which he blamed on B’jin just because he could, and scrambled to his feet, to help I’shan to do the same.

As he did so, Valerian caught sight of R’nd finally losing his cool. Green eyes widened as he saw the bluerider strike S’kef before Valerian moved with more speed to get I’shan away. He didn’t know much about the man that Stole him away but he did know I’shan was friends with both B’jin and R’nd and wouldn’t want to see S’kef getting back to his feet, likely for retribution. “It’s okay, I’shan,” it was a testament to how rattled even he was to show he actually did remember the man’s name, choosing to use it instead of the usual ‘Ilveriath’s rider’. “Ilveriath is waiting for you and I’ll stay with you if you want.”

He reached out to Veeth when he felt his dragonet starting to panic, trying to soothe him as well. Valerian still didn’t have a clue how he ended up being the go-to guy for the feel-good fuzzy feelings, though he’d never complain about doing that with Veeth. I’m fine, Veeth. Don’t come over here, the crowd’s too thick. Find Ilveriath, that’s where we’re headed.

“I’m not sure, love, why don’t we find,” movement out of the corner of his eye caught R’nd’s attention, drawing his gaze away from the face his fingers gently brushed against. The sight of S’kef getting to his feet drained the colour from his face. As the man seemed ready to kill, R’nd managed to mumble a, “run,” to B’jin as he shoved his friend out of the way, taking the full force of S’kef’s attack almost at the same time. He was on his back in an instant with a very angry brownrider atop him. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he connected this to the night at I’shan’s with N’gelt and how he had to stop meeting brownriders in such a manner. He would have laughed if given the chance, but too soon was he receiving the same greeting as N’gelt gave with a fist connecting to his face.

After that, R’nd was in self-preservation mode, doing his best to wriggle free and block further hits, especially to his face. He wasn’t a fighter! It was probably why he didn’t do much more than try to shove S’kef away during his attempt at flailing for freedom. Perhaps he should have remembered he didn’t like fighting before he swung at S’kef, but B’jin didn’t want to be near the man and seemed frightened, how could he stand by and leave him? So he had landed himself in the situation of punching bag and he would get himself out. At least, that was the plan but it wasn’t working as he received another blow to the face and far too many to his chest. It was hard to say if he called out in pain or insulted S’kef, as R’nd’s mind had been blurry from alcohol to begin with but was now swimming in pain and panic as well.

Ayyonth, normally quiet and calm, snapped at the sight of R’nd being attacked and gave voice to his displeasure, startling the group of people milling nearby. He didn’t care that they quickly moved away and one woman yelped at his eyes flashing red; his bonded was in pain and no one was doing anything to get the man off of him! He wanted to get closer, to help as best as he could, but Tyrrisath lurked close by and had the size advantage on him. He also wasn’t crazy enough to start a fight when their humans were already drawing enough attention. R’nd had only been defending his friends and was now the victim! His kind human didn’t need further trouble because of an uncontrolled dragon. That didn’t mean he’d have to sit by quietly watching though, and Ayyonth continued to let the weyr know his stance on things as he tried to inch closer.

Ronarth’s booming voice was the sweetest sound R’nd had ever heard as it brought relief due to S’kef finally letting up on him. He was soon left to moan in pain as he rolled to his side, spitting out some blood as he did so. He clutched lightly at his chest and his tongue ran over his teeth, as unknowingly pleased as I’shan had been to find he still had them all. Moving to simply sit up wasn’t high on his list of priorities but seeing if B’jin was still around was. When he saw his friend and lover still lingering close by with people scattering around him, R’nd tried to flash a quick smile but soon gave up on it due to pain. “You have to go. D’ren,” he coughed and groaned at the horrible pain it caused, “will be here soon. Don’t get caught.” He didn’t want to think about the punishment for fighting with a brownrider but knew if B’jin was seen, he’d be blamed somehow and R’nd couldn’t stand to witness another lashing.

Ayyonth, I’m fine, you noisy lout. I’ll be a moment but I’ll come to you soon. Just… I need you calm, please. Ayyonth was his rock and with his dragon so upset, R’nd wasn’t fairing much better. He hadn’t noticed before, but suddenly realised his vision was blurry and he was crying. Pain and the fear for both B’jin and I’shan were starting to overwhelm him. He even worried about ruining everyone’s night by starting the fight, which he knew was silly to even think but his need to have everyone like him was hammering against his skull – though that was likely a genuine headache courtesy of S’kef – and he knew that come tomorrow everyone would hate him. B’jin no doubt did. He had messed up a wonderful night and out B’jin in danger. How could anyone like him after that?

R’nd… you need to calm down as well. Everything will be fine. No one will hate you and we’ll get you patched up. Just breathe. R’nd tried to obey, but breathing too deeply wasn’t all that enjoyable at the moment but closing his eyes seemed so much easier, so he let them.

The loss of colour on R'nd's face went unnoticed by B'jin, ever one to miss even the most blatant of hints, his drunken mind was simply incapable of picking up on something so small as a loss of colouring in his lover's features. It didn't help that there were dragons squawking and people yelling and B'jin gave an indignant yelp as R'nd shoved him away, not hearing the man's mumbled instructions - regardless, he would never have followed them.

Larrikith's high pitched shriek of fury resonated from the tiny dragon as she swirled around the outskirts, eyes flashing crimson. GET OFF HIM YOU FILTHY SON OF A WHER Larrikith's voice bashed fruitlessly against S'kef's mind, but was audible for anyone within the Weyr to hear, her eyes bright red and her vocal voice still screeching alongside the bellows her mate was releasing.

Tyrrisath was mostly threatened, with Larrikith screeching and hissing as the tiny green swirled through the air, threatening to attack Tyrrisath but holding off, unwilling to for reasons she couldn't figure out herself; the simple knowledge that it would make bad worse, possibly. Her human was inconsolable, and it wasn't helping. Larrikith gave another screech of fury as Tyrrisath landed and collected S'kef up, outraged that they would run away.

B'jin had stumbled at R'nd's shove, his indignant cry quickly followed up by a terrified, wordless cry as S'kef went careening past him, and ploughing into R'nd. The greenrider's eyes widened dramatically and he paused for a moment, before flinging himself at S'kef with every intent of ripping the larger man from his lover - he could see R'nd struggling. "Get! Off! -- Me!" The rider's priority changed mid sentence when another rider latched onto him, jerking him back and away from the fight and holding the struggling wildcat of a greenrider as he fought viciously to help his friend.

He started demanding, yelling and cursing the other rider holding him back as he struggled; by the time S'kef finally stumbled off R'nd, B'jin was begging between broken sobs as he wriggled and jerked. Then he was stumbling to collapse by R'nd when the rider finally did let him go, just after Tyrrisath and S'kef had vanished between, fleeing the scene.

B'jin gave a low moan of distress as R'nd's gaze met his, taking in the damage done to his friends, his lovers... his, Faranth damnit! he was going to kill that son of a whored out wher! Tentative fingers reached out to gently brush R'nd's hair back, without touching his face. "Larri," B'jin murmured, carefully slipping closer to the bluerider, wary of hurting him but anxious to get him on his feet and out of the area. So many people were gawking. "We need Talian."

MOVE Larrikith snarled, openly and to any human in her way as her small body dropped out of the sky to fill the spot left by Tyrrisath. Her eyes were swirling crimson and she crowded over the two humans, being careful not to nudge R'nd though she bumped B'jin with her nose to his chest. Ayyonth? Love? I'm going to take them to Talian. Talian will fix it. Follow me!

Giving the blue a moment to snuffle his own rider and reassure himself or R'nd or both, Larrikith wrapped both hands around R'nd as carefully as she could, ignoring his pained cries and trying to ignore B'jin as he threw himself on her neck. Then she shared her image with Ayyonth, and flicked between - appearing three feet above the ground outside the Healer Hall and stumbling as she tried to find her feet without dropping the bluerider.

B'jin slid to the ground and helped balance R'nd as much as he could, holding the younger man's upper arms firmly while Larrikith shrieked, with no manners, for Talian. NOW. An image of the two riders was used for back up. The young healer might not like her and he might not like R'nd, but (if nothing else!) he wouldn't put up with B'jin looking so pathetic!

Chaos!

I'shan whimpered and continued to drool his own blood as Valerian carefully guided him through the crowd. "Th-thank you, kiddo..." I'shan stammered, trying to keep himself from gagging at the metallic taste. His heart pounded wildly and his entire body was electrified with panic and adrenaline. Hot tears streaked his face. His hands wouldn't stop shaking.

"Oh, Faranth!" the bluerider choked. "Are B'jin and R'nd okay? Oh, Faranth!" Somehow, he'd come to the conclusion that it was all his fault. He knew he hadn't helped with his asinine behavior, but his drunken and guilt-wracked state didn't exactly accounted clear thought. He wept and whimpered pitifully as he stumbled along after his searchee, the quiet little candidate (rider now!) who hardly seemed to even remember him...

Had I'shan not changed his life? How did Valerian just ignore him like that? That was cold! Sometimes the bluerider found it a little bit offensive, but at that moment, Valerian was his absolute favorite person on Pern.

Ilveriath landed nearby, settling down as close as he could in spite of the crowd. He crooned a gentle greeting to his rider and pushed his snout forward for I'shan to grab on to. Thank you, Valerian the dragon whispered before winking between.

His voice lingered: You have our gratitude

---

Since the other PCs bailed, I'm going to just assume that D'ren came in here screaming after everyone made their escapes XD

Anything else here?