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Ryslen never was quiet. Even in the dead of night there was something going on, even if it was the bakers starting the day's baking. (And they were known to be gossips of the highest degree! When your hands are busy, your mouth and ears are unoccupied.) It was no secret that Koiri Syaess and his half-brother Niteo Ramaya had arrived and would be meeting with Prima Jeyann and Primus Ke'l to make arrangements - for the Flurry.
The Flurry, Ryslen's biggest and most prestigious event. It wasn't Ryslen's only claim to fame, but it was enough to set the entire Nexus abuzz. This Flurry would mark a number of firsts, the foremost of which being that this was the first time the Flurry Whites would be chasing rather than chased. The whole dynamic would change. Instead of males vying to win the white dragoness, the females would be hoping and wishing and doing everything they could to get the boys to chase them across the snow-filled sky. It is a fact that Flurry Whites are only born of Flurry Whites. The day dawned bright and clear and cold. Mezireth and Kalavath lounged on the extra wide ledge outside the Prima's Nidulus and office, a visible reminder of just how important the Flurry and the dragons really are. Niteo's bond Finatrevaillent Sesscatiem and Koiri's bond Juinyiir Amuri were there with them, as was their brother Mico, who had stayed at Ryslen. Jeyann sat on the edge of her desk. "So, what would you boys like?" They looked at each other. "Well... The norm is white or partially white." Mico offered. Niteo nodded to his blue sib. "That's a start." Koiri looked to his bond. "And we get to add some 'requirements' to suit our taste?" "If you want." Ke'l confirmed. "You don't have to do anything." "This is our Flurry. We want to have fun with it." Niteo said. "A regular party." "The first Flurry happened in conjunction with the Winter Gather." Mico informed his brothers. He fancied himself something of a Flurry Expert. "It's not unheard of." Jeyann nodded, confirming. "Can we, I don't know, hold auditions or something? Get the biggest variety of dragons..." Koiri asked. Jeyann shrugged. "If you want." "How do we go about inviting them?" Niteo asked. "If I know Ryslen - you won't have to. The rumor of your arrival should have them flocking here within the next few days." Sure enough, the first of them came to introduce themselves the very same day. Enbanonth, a jewel-toned Siamese Flurry dragoness, and a pair of furry dragon Ambassadors from Mirus, all of them Ryslen residents. All in all, 143 would present themselves. Whites, silvers, and a bright red male with rainbow confetti wings. Shkora, clutch brother of white Noocith, who'd flown in the last Flurry. Among them were whorlings and Avengaean dragons and for the first time, dragons from Moire. Efellai had been known around Ryslen for a long, long time, and perhaps a quarter of the dragons auditioning were now residents of that Protectorate. Like blue-poined white Metchentoth, and the tiny silver-white Astrelliad. (Well, 18 hands is small for a dragon!) Niteo, Koiri, and Mico spent several days talking and debating and having a good time. They thought they had a 'cull' from the list - but notes were slid under the door asking that the good-intentioned red be allowed to fly, and riders came up to them to put in a word of support for the Star City born red. A knock at the door halted conversation, and Mico got up and opened it. There stood Gem, rider of female blue Eeppoth, and one of Ryslen's strongest telepathic receivers. "Hi Gem." "Hello gents." She said. "Mind if I come in?" "Not at all." Niteo got up and moved so that Gem, pregnant with her second child, could have the most comfortable seat. "What can we do for you?" Koiri asked. Gem settled into the chair. "Well, I'm here about Shkora." Mico nodded as they all got comfortable. "You're for letting him fly?" Niteo queried. Gem smiled."I don't care either way. But I have a message from one of the dragonesses." Mico cocked his head to one side. "Who?" Niteo asked. "Saressi, the albino Silshar. She says she wants her children to be colorful, and that his pigmentation practically guarantees it." The brothers laughed. "She's got her eye on him then?" "Most definitely. She knows her point is moot if she's not accepted into your Flurry Flight, but she wanted her preference known." Koiri and Niteo were nodding at each other, their minds made up. "We'll take it under consideration." Koiri said, and Niteo winked. Gem grinned. "Now, is there any other insight I can offer you three to help with the decision making process?" Days later, the two whites had narrowed it down to 35 dragons - of each gender. (Mico had quietly removed himself from the final decision, because it was his brothers' flight, not his, and he was grateful enough that they'd let him help in the early stages.) "There are going to be a lot of eggs, brother." "Yeah, well... we did say we wanted a variety." "That may have been a mistake!" Niteo laughed. Koiri laughed too. "Well, let the searchriders find the bonders. Our job is to procreate." "Right." "We'll tell them in the morning that we've finished, and we'll fly once..." "Once the stragglers clear out." His brother finished, though they both knew that there would be abundant spectators. The boys' announcement was trumped by the arrival of their aunt - the Flurry White Kerilleth. The only White who'd flown a Flurry and not conceived another white. I hope I'm not crashing your party. Kerilleth said to them most apologetically. "Oh no, you're not." Koiri said. "We'd be most honored to have you take the sky with us." Niteo said. "You won't mind?" her rider asked, still concerned that they'd come to late and would spoil everything. "We don't mind at all." Koiri reassured her. "If you want this Aunty Kerilleth, you'll hear no complaints from your adoring nephews." Adorable, you mean? Kerilleth teased. Please, count me in. "Absolutely." Niteo said. "We're scheduling the flight for the night of the full moon. Three days out. Can you be ready?" You mean, can I wait that long? There was a laugh in her mental tone. They all laughed. The moon was huge that night, and it was snowing furiously, so everything was bathed in whiteness - even the dragons, though most of them had a head start on that one. Niteo stood in the snow wearing only the minimal amount of clothing, enjoying the touch of every flake. "If you weren't my brother..." Mico laughed, even as he stood with the snow falling on his upturned face. Niteo laughed too, then looked at the dragons assembling in the courtyard. "That's a lot of dragons." He said. Mico and Koiri looked down as well. "I should get down there." Mico said. "I'll see you up there in a few minutes." He transformed into his dragon shape and spiraled down to join the throng. "Did we remember to count ourselves?" Koiri asked his half-brother. "I don't know. I don't think we did." Niteo responded. "Even with Kerilleth..." Koiri pondered, frowning. Stop fretting Kerilleth laughed gently. Nobody's ever left the Flurry hungry, if you catch my drift. The boys laughed, and shifted into their own draconic forms. Listen up, all you Flurriers! Koiri 'shouted' to them. There was a sort of cheer that followed,, but not such that he couldn't continue. We are most delighted to have our aunt Kerilleth, white daughter of Neva', among the lovely ladies of the Flurry. She will lead you ladies into the sky, and then Niteo and I will lead the males up to join the party. Any objections? There were none, of course. Ready Aunty? Niteo asked. Ready when you are! Kerilleth replied eagerly. With a bugle of triumph, the duowing white shot into the snow-filled sky and the other females were quick to follow suit. The white males watched, and so did a lot of Ryslen. Once the mini dragons were well clear of the ground - their participation being another first for the Flurry - the boys trumpeted challenge and launched themselves after the fine females. Wings beat against the snow-filled sky and within moments the first pairing of the Flurry flight was made. Bronze-white Meldioth caught the unique white dragoness Käänne, who, for all her enthusiasm, was still quite inexperienced in the whole Frenzy Flight phenomenon. Shkora, a medium sized dragon, was making excellent progress towards the pack of females. Out of the moonlit snow swept a lithe, almost serpentine dragon. Shkora tucked a wing to avoid collision, then saw the albino Silshar Saressi before him. Want to dance? She asked in a most flirty way. Her path took them away from the main pack, but that was just fine for Saressi - she got exactly what she wanted, and Shkora was far from disappointed himself. Mairo, the Myrsilk Summoner, was well in front of the pack since her large size gave her a considerable advantage when it came to speed and distance. A long serpentine dragon appeared ahead of her and she nearly crashed into him. Hello Beautiful! Jasdale said to her, his blue diamondback markings shining darkly against the moonlit white of his hide. You're not on the list! Mairo objected, but only briefly. Jasdale, mischievous Hybrid Hathian and party-crasher extraordinaire claimed the third female. Far below, the diamond-white Lian Dorile played court to flightless Edelweiss Irua, and she accepted him gladly. Ionúin, the silver Hathian, was straggling a little, since her wing-arms weren't exactly the best for high and long flights. But that was okay - a fancy fancy male swept up below her and grinned in his way. Icy blue Zhuuqshoth twined with her and spared her any further effort. Sorosi, a small butterfly-winged dragon whirling flew gracefully through the snow and was pleasantly surprised when the fire-marked paws of Sulaanerth caught her. Two of the more colorful dragons in the Flurry soon came together - Purple-White Glitz Emzril and the gold-feathered blue Ewogth. They were bright in the moonlight, and their offspring would be too. Back at Ryslen where the riders and everyone else were partying, Gem laughed aloud. Those near her quieted for the explanation. "Aegre, the Light from Avengaea just caught Light Blue Laradanri." She said Tiyanni chuckled. "It's about time!" "A Light Light." Someone explained elsewhere in the room. Back in the sky, Kerilleth found herself pursued by several males, and executing a nimble loop, she shook all but one of them free. Bryotev Landwerlen, a relatively young pastel male was the only one to keep up with the duowing, and thus won the priviledge of becoming her mate. Closer to the ground, Astrelliad veered to avoid the grasp of Yukrth and got tangled up with Aquamarine Lian Erile. He didn't mind, and after a moment, neither did she. Gold-White Jenitora, daughter of two Flurry dragons, led the red-white Sunstone dragon on a wild dance through the moonlit snow, and when Mrázmenìtse finally caught her it was beautiful. Nearby, Wild Night Bronze Naviantan was in hot pursuit of his girl Viaylyseth. A Night White, she was the best example of this night's sky. He caught her in short order and they tumbled down entwined together. A swarm of males followed after a white-gold female. Iadur was hot on her heels and the drak Fyakiis was not far behind. Some, like Metchentoth, knew just how rare Sirneo'Mybl was. Others, like the Mirusian L'rision, had no idea that this semi-metallic Geperna was something to be prized above all others. Unfortunately for all those excited males, one male had Sirneo in his sights the entire night. As he swooped down on her with white wings, Sirneo'Mybl looked up to see Niteo, and was quite honored herself. Mystic's silver Myrah'care would be very pleased when she learned of this one, oh yes. Five Lian Females flitted and darted around in a pack, teasing the small males who sought to pair with them. Yukrth, a colorful male, was on the small side for a dragon, but at 25 feet in length, he was more than twice the size of the Minis. He reached after glitzy white Soyokaze, but she darted away from him and directly into the path of Junya. The pearl was forced to drop out of the pack lest the collision with Soyokaze cancel both of their maternal dreams. She squealed in surprise and then in delight as Yukrth carefully and tenderly plucked her from the sky. Though Niteo and Koiri's careful selections had been very just and accepted by the majority, there was on female who was quite livid about being excluded. A child of the Wyld Whirl, Favas'Fiks had never been denied anything. Her temperament had more than a little to do with that. They let him fly in their little Flurry! I'm better than that sapphire studded pansy! Xayulo, who was like ice to her fire was in hot pursuit of a bright female with a tricolored mane and tuft on her tail. Her hide shown with a slight rainbow iridescence, and the bejeweled Moire-Geperna closed on her. Kareonalei submitted delightedly to his tender touch. Favas'Fiks stormed out of her nidulus and blasted up into the snowy sky like a rocket. Her anger fueled her upward flight and she practically shone in the moonlight. Out of nowhere came a large silvery male, one with sharp bladelikehorns and a decisively Azonese look about him. He was moving so quickly that he overtook Favas'Fiks before she had a chance to react. Don't you dare! She screamed at him. Let me go! I'm going to be part of this if you like it or not! Her rage became her passion. Don't you dare let me go! Kioli chuckled at the Flurry's uninvited participant as he complied fully with her last passionate demand. I've made us both part of this Flurry. He growled his pleasure. He hadn't bothered "auditioning" - the sky belonged to noone, not even Ryslen's precious Flurry Whites. Some of the Flurry participants were friends, but most of them were relative strangers. Some part of the whole dynamic of a Frenzy Flight relied on this - how better to diversify and widen the genetic pool? Gold-winged silver Desarath had been quite surprised by her inclusion in this event - someone had specifically invited her to "audition." She hadn't come with her long-time companion Ondaggris because the Flurry was primarily for wintry whites. As if her thought had summoned him, the white male with the multicolored neupeau mane swept up out of the snow and kept pace beside her. Shouldn't you be chasing someone? She asked him. He laughed gently. Who said I'm not? With that he wrapped himself around her, marking the seventeenth pairing of the Flurry. The moonlight on the snow was incredibly bright and beautiful, but one male mad the night seem pale and colorless - a whirling called Prism Chrome. That was another first: Whorlings participating in the Flurry. There was no valid reason to exclude them; they'd proven compatible with other dragons (and by some stroke of luck, nobody at Ryslen had heard of any dragon that wasn't compatible with another dragon, no matter how unlikely the match was.) and that was good enough! And they had such variety in their forms. Perhaps that was why Jikan Winter Kotwi'Suah snuck up on the wingless (but still flighted) male. That was good enough for him! Some of the pairs that had already retired from the sky had nestled down in the deep snow to enjoy each other's company, and some had parted ways. The pigmentless Aven Light Aegre had left a sleepy and sated Laradanri at Ryslen, and on impuls he lift the Nidus and flew up toward the big silvery moon. All around, he could see the silhouettes of other Flurry dragons amongst the snow. A familiar shape crossed his path, and Aegre sped up to catch her. He was quite dismayed to find that this wasn't the Light Blue that he'd hoped to find. However, the swirled gold-silver-white Ryslenese Amyniath was delighted with the Avengaean's appearance, and in no time at all Aegre was pleased with her too. Some frenzy-flight catches are easy, and some take all night. Cerasenany, a twelve-limbed bonder daemon (another Flurry first) had led the males on an incredibly long chase. Some had gone away after "easier" prizes, and some had joined the pursuit later, and some had been behind her since they'd left the ground. Her wings carried her though the snow-filled sky as easily as if she were dreaming. She looked back once again and saw a number of interesting males, but... something just wasn't right. Not yet. She kept flying. Somewhere, a pack of wolves started howling. Something about it made Koiri's blood heat up. The thrill of the hunt, perhaps. A silver female cut through the opening between him and the Avyndal he was chasing, and he veered off and sprinted after the silver like a wolf after a wild hare. Within moments it was over, and the feather-winged Syaess boy had his long body wrapped around the wolf-hybrid Artemis Moonpaw. He could have howled his own joy then. A matching pair of furry silver and white dragons had chased each other across the sky, to the exclusion of all others. An opally white male from Lantessama was nearly on top of a striped white female who looked like she should've broken shell at Ryslen, but hadn't. Her name was Sincasoth, and her brother Roinserto (a brown) and his bond had taken up residence at Ryslen a while back. Their sister Iscalier was participating in the Flurry also. They'd hatched at Star City Dragonry, but that wasn't particularly relevant to the flight... L'keltrin, the silver of the furry pair, suddenly shot forward and stole Sincasoth away from her chaser. Sincasoth was perfectly okay with that. Tebedanth was only thwarted for a moment, then set off after white T'malia. She didn't make him wait too long... A white dragoness from Darkling Dawn was being literally chased across the sky by a gold-white Ore drak. Fyakiis was quite determined to be her mate, but Opalth wasn't so sure about being caught until the duowinged Icarian male wrapped his wings around her and showed her how two is better than one. From the snowcovered ground rose a snowy form on two wings, and then a second on four. Kerilleth and Niteo shared a laugh as they danced back towards the moon and the rest of the Flurriers. The mini dragons were tiring, and in short succession Citrine Teniya surrendered to Topaz Lisle, and Amethyst Merceya twined with a sapphire male who had never identified himself. Juinyiir and Fin were resting by one of the large hearths as the Flurry Party continued around them. The sounds of an upset woman reached them, and Fin recognized her voice and rose to meet her. "Chisagalera Selamputo." He said her name as greeting and to call her to order, as she was clearly out of it." "Where," she fumed, "is Niteo?" The white's bond held up a hand, a further attempt to wordlessly calm the Aven Fire hybrid. "The Flurry is in progress, Chisa. It's a frenzied mating flight. He's flying after a..." Chisa turned on her heel and raced out. Juinyiir raised an eyebrow as the Miscelem Elemental returned to his seat. "Avengaean females..." He began, then quieted as he was suddenly at a loss for words. "It's a pheremone thing. A fire like Chisa needs to be around fire males whe she, uh, cycles or she won't be fertile." "And non-fires won't do it for her?" "Attraction doesn't always have to do with chemistry." Fin said. "Niteo clearly 'does it' for her." The part-fire dragoness fought her way into the sky and started looking for Niteo. Fortunately for him, he saw her first and abandoned his pursuit of the Avyndal Mystilia. Chisa! he said, startled to see her. What are you doing here? He flew to her, even as her angry wingstrokes brought her to him. What am I doing? She roared. What about US?! Niteo was taken aback. Us? Chisa, I... The Flurry... She launched herself at him, screaming her rage. Niteo tried to avoid her attacks, but all he succeeded in doing was tangling his wings with hers. As they fell from the sky, all quarrels were forgotten and Chisagalera had Niteo's full... attention. They wouldn't be seen again until well past noon the next day, but that was what they both needed and wanted. Early in the flight, a long serpentine Hathian-hybrid had slipped in amongst the authorized participants and caught the attention of a few males. As the hour grew quite late, Ririkaedi looked back at her suitors and saw but one sparkling in the moonlight. She doubled back and caught the glitzy Tovra as he'd hoped to catch her. The prize at the end of the long chase was well worth the wait. That was an undeniable truth. Cerasenany aws tiring as well, and was both pleased and dismayed to find she still had a number of chasers. I'm not that special. she said to herself. Oh, but you are. A very masculine voice purred and a paw touched her wingshoulder. Cerasenany executed a beautiful roll and found herself facing Iadur. Very special. he repeated as he claimed her. The last two Lian Mini females in the sky were leading Walker, the blue-white eastern, on a long chase. Finally the green-gold peridot Olivynya and Glitz White Soyokaze had tired of teasing him and went separate ways. Soyokaze went left and down, and Olivinya up and right. Walker did not hesitate and slipped up beside Olivynya for a dance of love and snow. After having "lost" the only non-flying mini female to one of the Lians, Glitzer tried to console himself by looking at the festive lights that decorated Ryslen, but just couldn't get into the spirit. I must be the first one ever to lose a Flurry. He half-cried to himself. Something landed in the snow behind the silver Lantessaman dragon and he turned to face it. No, her. A vision of loveliness, her hide bright with glittery goodness and moonlight. Surprise! You win. Soyokaze said as she nuzzled up against him. Glitzer was so overjoyed that he felt like he were glowing bright as the moon. A jewel-bright Flurry-born dragoness executed a nimble acrobatic flip mid-flight, causing her white-blue pursuer to overshoot his intended. Enbanonth chuckled and then was surprised herself as Mico turned a big vertical loop and swooped down upon her. Outmaneuvered, she accepted Mico and together they were beautiful in the snow. Maaari, the Moirean female, looked around her, harp eyes looking past the snow. She'd eluded 'capture' by several males, but hadn't even been chased by the one she wanted. Where was he? She tucked her wings and dove towards the ground to have a look for him. He was a bit difficult to find in the snow, though his albinism wasn't nearly as colorless as the Silshar Saressi's. Pheldion lounged casually atop a small hill, his gems shining in the moonlight. She landed nearby and walked up the hill to him. We take our wings for granted. She said by way of apology for herself and for the other females. You didn't object... Pheldion grinned at her in his way. A flight is meant to be flown, Maaari. If you've had enough airtime, I know a cozy little place... Maaari had no objections to that! The spotted Shattarneki dragoness had led her suitors on a merry chase until there was but one left: Metchentoth the blue-point white. Though she let him twine his tail with hers, the fun was far from over. The Mansiq brothers had been chasing the same females all night. They were tiring, and feared they wouldn't be able to win the hearts of those they sought. With one last burst of speed, Morian closed on the Silshar Sharael and their night came to a close. Iscalier was far from tired, but she was getting a little bored of being chased. Without warning, she turned on Aran and began to chase him. The Kilandaean faltered for a moment, trying to escape her, but then came to his senses and let her catch him. There was no boredom after that. Artemis Moonpaw gave Koiri a shove with one furry paw. Night's not over. He took the hint and left the wolf-hybrid to sleep and recover from the night's exertions. His feathered wings carried him higher and higher up into the sky - and back into the path of the Avyndal Mystylia, who had yet to be caught. He made a grab for her, but she was moving too fast. Excited again, Koiri renewed his hunting of that beautiful dragoness. Nearby, a rainbowy-white caught a star-winged female and together they tumbled through the sky. Synya and L'rision had clearly enjoyed every moment of the Flurry. Koiri put on a burst of speed and caught Mystylia unaware. She struggled against his embrace and broke free, soaring across the sky. Koiri followed her, determined. Vesanri, a Hathian-hybrid with uniqute doubled wingspars had surprised many by staying airborne so long, but as her body tied, her last chaser caught her and buoyed her with his double set of colorful wings. Yingith was a delight to her, and Vesanri savored every moment. Duowinged Kerilleth, having already partnered once, was well on her way to tiring out a second male. Himala knew his limits, and when Kerilleth turned sharply, he gave one last push and caught up to her. The long limbed Moire dragon gave the Flurry White something to thing about - and she thought she'd keep him a while. Thumoth flew after one of the darkest Flurry participants, the Vatkari mutt Hemassa Filidechiroptidae. While her name could be quite a mouthful, the striped male found her to be a delight to his senses. The silvery-black female allowed him to join her, and they flew companionably for a time before finalizing their flight. That left only two dragons in the snowy sky: The ever-pursued Mystylia, and Flurry White Koiri Syaess. When he caught up to her again, he flew as her moonlit shadow until she was ready. Mystylia closed the distance between them and they danced the last dance and brought the Flurry to a spectacular finale. |