"Are you sure this is a good idea, Shayniie?" Chale asked, watching as the female bronze-rider packed.
"It will improve the relations we have with Eriol," The younger woman explained again as she put a few more shirts in the bag in front of her, "not to mention it'll let you other council-members try to control the Deragonray for a bit."
"What about the hydras? You're the only one whom they'll listen to." The gryphon-bonded pointed out.
"You'll survive. They've sworn not to kill. I'm also rather certain that our Thar can handle any outbreaks requiring dragon assitance, though I doubt that." Shayniie smiled slightly. "It's summer, after all, and the yenren find it too hot. Not to mention the xaize have retreated into the mountains where it's cooler for their mating season."
"Still... I'd prefer it if you didn't go away for such a long time." The older woman muttered.
"Heh, what happened to the 'gryphons don't need dragons' help' attitude?" The Rurachi teased.
"It vanished when I stopped being such an idiot." The Jibakei retorted.
"It's just a couple of months, Chale." The young woman assured her. "We'll be back as soon as Akyoth'll let us. And if something bad happens, I'm sure I can return aback Mirriy or another of the males coming with us!"
A low chuckle made both women look up. Mai'nx had returned from briefing the Thar and his Aru, who would be replacing him for the few months they would be gone. "I'm surprised so many males were willing to be chased around the skies by females." He explained.
"Shay! Can you hurry up in there? Haeth is starting to give me a headache!" A man's voice called from the ledge outside the dragon-chamber of the Rurai suite.
"Nearly done, Ch'vi!" She called back, laughing slightly as she closed the last bag.
Together, the three council-members carried the six bags to the waiting dragons. Akyoth grinned at her rider. I thought I told you to pack light! She teased.
"I did pack light." She teased, grinning.
A navy blue gryphon watched them sourly from the other end of the chamber. "Why do I have to watch the three of them?" He asked, motioning to the Rurai's twin sons.
"We can't bring them with us, Jedaixen." Mai'nx reminded the young gryphon. "And they really like you."
"I love you, Jeddie!" One of the boys presently cried, pulling on the gryphon's ear tufts.
"I noticed." The dark creature muttered.
"R'naar and Demei will probably give you a hand with them." Shayniie added.
"Argh, Charren, stop that." The gryphon snapped, glaring at the two-year old.
"I'm Leral!" The little boy cried irritably.
"Oops, sorry Leral." The bird-like creature mumbled.
"S'okay, Jeddie." The other told him. "Even Mama mixes up our names."
Ch'vi shook his head. "Parents never get names straight." He agreed.
Shayniie laughed and hitched three of the bags to Akyoth's saddle, or fighting straps as they were called on the Old World. "Are W'han, Osochan, Aendra and Iende ready?" She asked.
"Rabth is coming when we leave, whether he's ready or not, says Haeth." The brown-rider informed her. "Keffeave and Osochan are flying around the spire, Skerath is being herself and Nacivth is sitting on his ledge, waiting for your signal."
"Then we had better go." Shayniie observed.
She hugged both her sons one after the other. Charashien refused to let go until she promised to bring him back a flitter egg. Leralythir was used to her leaving for a few days on end. Charashien, it seemed, would take longer to get used to it.
Chale touched her shoulder. "I'll make sure that Jedaixen does a good job babysitting them." She promised, smiling. "Have a good time."
The Rurachi nodded. "We will."
Can we go yet? That pompous, annoying silver brat refuses to admit that I can catch him just as easily as he can catch me. Akyoth whined.
The bronze-rider laughed and swung up on her dragon's neck.
Well, mine, it looks like you finally get to experience the girl's side of things. Nacivth teased his rider as she tied the last of her baggage onto the fighting straps.
"Not funny, Naci'." She told him, her green eyes sharp.
Relax. He told her. This is a much-needed vacation. We're going back to my birthplace, where all they fight is a bunch of white string falling from the sky.
She smiled slightly and sat astride his neck. "Not helping me relax much, Naci', but thanks." She told him.
Let me guess, you'll only fully relax when you see me flying across the sky with a bunch of females chasing me? He asked.
"Correct." She teased.
"I can't believe they expect males to sink to such a low level and be chased like a girl!" W'han grumbled irritably.
Cheer up, W'han, it's not all that bad. Rabth told his rider.
"Not all that bad? You might like being chased like a girl, but I don't like the idea that my dragon is being a girl one bit!" The blue-rider continued.
"W'han?" Trendaswen, W'han's weyrmate for the past few years, asked.
"What?" He snapped.
She slapped him. "Shut up. You're whining like a little girl whose dragon is about to rise for the first time."
W'han rubbed her cheek, glaring at her. All the while, Rabth was sniggering to himself. Who's the girl now, eh? He taunted.
Skerath flicked a bronze and black wing at Lasanyt, who had commented on how pretty she looked that morning. You look absolutely ravishing yourself. She crooned.
"Save it for the Frenzy, Skerah, please." Her rider warned, keeping her eyes on the spire above.
I have to go now. She told her crowd of admirers. I'll be back in a few months.
Months? Lasanyt asked, sounding surprised.
"We're going to the Backwards Frenzy at Eriol." Aendra informed him, tapping Skerath on the neck. "There're Shay and Akyoth, up we go."
I see the others, Oso', it's time to go! Keffeave said excitedly.
He laughed slightly and patted her shoulder. He was in his humanoid form, to make it easier to stay on her neck. Not to mention that it was the only way he could teleport as that was not one of the original gifts the Hyedhostar had. It was only the few that had been born at Enzan Shi that had that ability.
Is this it? Keffeave wondered as the seven of them gathered together.
"This's it." Her bond confirmed.
Funny, I expected Akyoth to actually try to beat Kalionth this time. The neon green mused.
"What?" The Hyedhostar asked, staring at her.
Didn't you hear? Akyoth and Kalionth challenged eachother to see how many representatives they could get to come! The small dragon said.
"Oh no..." Osochan observed, seeing the danger in such a bet.
What? Only seven? Tut tut. Not enough. Myself, Mirriytla, Skerath, Keffeave, Haeth, Rabth and Nacivth are going for sure. Who to join us? Akyoth mused.
"No, Aky, don't-" Shayniie began mournfully.
Oqijacutesimet, Monruminth, Adrianeth and Losseth, get your tails up here with all your rider's stuff. And your rider, if they want to come along. The bronze bugled.
"It's not a competition, Aky..." Shayniie pointed out.
Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. It is a competition! The bronze chortled slightly.
The bronze-rider groaned and leaned against her neck. "No... Aky... You're going to get us kicked out before we even get there!" She muttered.
Akyoth says we need to come with her to the Eriol Frenzy. Oqijacutesimet observed to her gargantuan black bondmate.
[:She said that you had to go.:] Cael'kinta-n'ume responded, not taking his eyes off the young dragons he was raising.
You'll come with me, won't you? The green asked him, sidling up to him.
[:I have to watch over these guys, Oqijacutesimet.:] He answered, not looking at her still.
She glared at him. Fine! They're more important to you than I am, it seems! She hit him over the head with her wing as she leaped into the air, then again with her tail.
So, Spike, what do you say? Shall we go off to this Frenzy? Night water Adrianeth asked.
"Pfft, sure, why not?" The pirate asked, standing from the chair in which he had been reclining lazily. "I don't need to pack much, be ready in two minutes."
Adrianeth grinned. I knew you'd agree. He teased.
Diaji? Akyoth requests - A far away bugle interupted the huge cream dragon - demands, sorry, our presence at the Eriol Frenzy.
"Is that the one where males are chased by females?" The fire Hyedhostar asked, her eyes alert as she uncurled from his side.
Yes. He affirmed.
"I don't see why we should risk our hides by going against her will." Diaji observed, grinning wolfishly at her bond. "Let's not keep her waiting."
The cream-white with snowflakes chuckled and followed his larger bond outside. I wonder what's so special about a Frenzy, anyways. He mused.
"You hatched from one." She reminded him, clutching his shoulders.
That doesn't mean I understand them. He pointed out.
"You certain that eleven is enough?" Shayniie asked sarcastically as the eleven dragons, two Hyedhostar and seven humans gathered near the spire.
I... don't know. Anyone is allowed to follow, though. The large bronze said proudly. To Eriol!
***
"Shut up, Akyoth! It's Kalionth's Weyrhold, so she has authority here!" Shayniie yelled at her bugling bronze dragon.
She says she won! She has twelve representatives! The bronze snarled.
"As does Enzan Shi." A quiet, male voice interupted.
"Wha?" Shayniie asked, turning around and seeing R'naar.
He grinned slightly at her. "Sakryth and I are participating." He said.
"You're what?" Shayniie demanded loudly, while Akyoth bugled her triumph.
"I'm-" The amber-rider began.
"You're supposed to help Jedaixen and Demeirsaatt babysit!" The young woman snarled, grabbing him by the shoulders.
"They said they could-" his voice grew strangled as she grabbed him by the collar "handle it."
"You left, a bird and a maniac, watching my children?" She demanded, trying to control her temper.
"Er... yes?" He responded, unable to breath now as she was strangling him. "Aky ordered us to come!"
Shayniie let go of him, letting him fall to the ground while rubbing his neck. "You pompous, idiotic, irritating bronze lump of hide!" She yelled at Akyoth.
Jedaixen and Demeirsaatt can take care of them well enough. The dragon informed her. Besides, we can't have Kalionth win.
Shayniie groaned, running a hand through her hair. She walked away from the bronze, shaking her head. Just like her dragon to order something behind her back.
"Next thing I know, she'll order Jedaixen to come and participate as well... And bring Demei with him." She muttered sourly.
Weyr Eriol
Backwards Frenzy
Participants
Shayniie and Bronze Akyoth
Shayniie
She won't pair up with anybody but Mai'nx. After being with him for over five years, she has no intentions to be disloyal.
Akyoth
She will only chase Mirriytla for the same reasons as her bond. And because she wants to show the 'pompous silver brat' that she can chase just as well as he.
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Mai'nx and Silver Mirriytla
Mai'nx
He won't go with anybody but Shayniie. Not only is he loyal to her, she'd kill him if he went with somebody else. Not that he'd want to, anyways!
Mirriytla
He's slightly amused that he gets to be chased this time around. However, he will not let anybody but Akyoth catch him. If she can keep up that is.
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Osochan and Neon Green Keffeave
Osochan
He doesn't really understand what he's doing at a Frenzy. Actually, he only came because it would make Keffeave happy. He'll most likely use his humanoid form, which makes him look like a furry human with a wolf-like snout.
Keffeave
One word describes her: over-excited. She looks forward to meeting so many strange dragons and chasing around the males. Just because she's a little green, doesn't mean she can't be just as good as any other female!
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W'han and Blue Rabth
W'han
A bit disagreeable these days, he's not very pleased to have his dragon be 'chased like a girl' in a Frenzy. Hopefully he'll cheer up before the flight. If he can't, well, Rabth will make him.
Rabth
Being 'chased like a girl' isn't what he had in mind when he signed up. However, he doesn't really mind. If a female catches him, he'll still get a clutch, right? That way Haeth won't be able to tease him.
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Ch'vi and Brown Haeth
Ch'vi
Slightly annoyed with Haeth for dragging him off to yet another flight or frenzy, Ch'vi's determined to have a good time. What 'Clya doesn't know can't hurt her, right? Besides, Frenzies are supposed to be fun for both the dragon and his bond, no?
Haeth
Oooh! Pretty females! Myyy females!
Haeth is in heaven. Not only are there many females around, but he gets to have them chase him and vie for his affections!
[Will probably rise/be caught more than once]
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Aendra and Gold-Bronze-Black Skerath
Aendra
Not only is it Skerath's first flight, but Aendra's as well. Well, her first with a dragon anyways. She is a little nervous, but excited as well.
Skerath
Like Haeth, she is floating in the clouds. She gets to taunt the males all she wants, but she gets to pick which is worthy of her attentions. Not to mention she gets to prove she's just as good as any of them!
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Iende and Night Bronze Nacivth
Iende
Tough and usually considered 'one of the guys', Iende finds it a little amusing that she will be taking on the traditional female role of the rising dragon's rider. She doesn't mind, however, as long as Nacivth seems to be enjoying himself.
Nacivth
Not the usual pompous male bronze, this itty bitty night bronze is actually kind of looking forward to being chased. It will give him some excercise and he'll get to show off for all the females chasing him and others. Besides, it will be amusing to see how Iende will act when her male dragon rises like a female.
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[Yes, I know Naci's pic doesn't show up. It will when he grows up and I upload it.]
Cael'kinta-n'ume and Partial Glitz Green Oqijacutesimet
Caelki
He refuses to participate in the Frenzy, as he has to keep an eye on the unbondeds at Enzan Shi.
Oqijacutesimet
Pompous, conceited and arrogant, she can't see why she wouldn't be able to catch a male or two or three. She is also determined to prove to Caelki that she doesn't need him, what with his abandoning her and all.
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Rainbow Blue Monruminth
Monruminth
Stubborn to no end, he refuses to admit that he will probably be one of the first caught. Tiny [eighteen feet] in length, he has a bit of stamina, but will probably run out of energy quickly. He's talkative and not very good at listening, so he'll probably tire himself out or hit something despite many warnings.
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Spike and Night Water Adrianeth
Spike
A typical, rowdy pirate, Spike is not one to refuse opportunity's call. Therefore, when Adrianeth mentioned a Frenzy, he was happy to come along.
Adrianeth
Not as bad as Haeth, but close, the average-sized night water is not one to be put down by being told he'll be chased by females. After all, it means he gets to have the attention of more than one at a time.
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Diaji and Cream-White Losseth
Diaji
Tagging along just to see what's so great about a Frenzy, Diaji faces the same situation that Iende does. Her male dragon has never risen, so she does not know how it will affect her. He has never chased, either, so that makes this experience all the newer. But she doesn't mind.
Losseth
He does not have much true interest in females. Like Diaji, he just wants to see what's so special about a Frenzy. Being chased once will be good enough for him. He's a calm fellow, and probably will last very long in the skies with or without a partner.
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R'naar and Amber Sakryth
R'naar
Shy and reluctant to disclose much personal information, he doesn't really know what he's doing there. Sakryth dragged him along, probably. He has chosen to see the brighter side of things, not the 'oh no, the Rurachi is going to kill me because I am supposed to be watching her kids' side.
Sakryth
Blunt and tactless, he might get into trouble during his short stay back on the Old World. However, he has opted to be quieter this time around. Best not to anger his fellow amber, Kalionth.
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