Trial By Fire [Threadfall]

[Alyx]

G’rett and Bronze Mastromideth

Foresight was a failing of G’rett’s. He always expected the worst, and yet was often still surprised when it happened. He’d been so focused on their newest wingriders to his sides that he wasn’t as focused on what was coming at HIM as much as what was falling toward THEM. It all happened quicker than he was ready for – Fath’s voice rolled over them, signaling a wing position change, Mastro rumbled, dropping his head around, G’rett had leaned to the side, pulling the firestone free to toss it to the Bronze’s waiting jaws –

Then the massive dragon bellowed in pain, jerking and rolling away from the burn as the Thread coated his flank. The sack slipped out of G’rett’s fingers; the image flashing threw his thoughts to the Bronze to send them both vanishing into the bitter color of the black Between. ‘Mastromideth?’ His dragon’s pain danced along the connection of their thoughts; he could almost feel the Bronze panting under him. Stupid. I should have seen it. ‘You can’t see everything, big guy. You don’t have eyes in your tail.’

The pair stayed Between a breath or two longer than normal, pushing it to make sure the Thread that had blanketed the Dragon’s flank was frozen and well dead before they burst back out into the sky. ‘We landing?’ He could have forced it, but he hoped the pain he felt coming in waves off the dragon was enough to do that for him. Yes. Came the unusually shaken response. Landing would be good, I think. ‘Alright, down then. On the outside, so we have room to look you over.’

Within a few breaths, the ground rose to meet them, and the massive Bronze landed roughly, trying his best to put the weight on his front, balancing to favor the wounded left flank as he did.

Melana and Gold Sularenth

Melana was starting to worry just a bit. They couldn’t see the fighters above them, but they could hear it. The roar of flames, the cries of wounded Dragons. She tried to focus on the strands around them, but it was starting to look like this could be much, much worse than they have thought it would be. Pulling the trigger, she burned a clump near her on the right, then held on as Sularenth wheeled around to chase down another cluster of falling, silver death.

More cries. Bronze Mastromideth and Brown Asriath. Sularenth’s voice was a mix of mild concern and rising anger as she relayed the voices she could identify, or the reports she got, Melana was never sure. That would mean... G'rett and Zi'lor? ‘Bad?’ Melana tilted the flamethrower as the Gold leveled out, pulling the trigger to scorch the cluster. Bad enough they are landing. ‘But they are alive.’ Yes. ‘I guess we count that as a good thing.’ The Gold rumbled, clearly unhappy at the growing list of wounded and circling in search of more targets.

G’rett/Bronze Mastromideth: No Color
Melana/Gold Sularenth: Cyan

[Zen]

Round 3 Results
A'zael/Fath – Minor
No’va/Alduntulath – None
V’than/Saruth – None
Muze/Rylath – Minor
Melana/Sularenth – None
L’rey/Codrath – Minor
Ny’x/Nimocith – None
Siorreya/Amagetith – Minor
NPC – None

Round 4 has begun, remember to choose a new color!

---

A’zael :: Bronze Fath

Mastromideth had gone, something A’zael had expected at the bronze’s pained cry, but Fath assured him again, hurtsafe. He glanced over Mastromideth’s former position to ensure the nearest riders in the formation and closed up the gap the bronze left behind. Fath informed him of Asriath’s departure from the high wing, and shortly after of Ralecheth heading to be seen from the middle. He tried to remind himself it could be worse… they’d not seen many sheets at all, perhaps the rain had thinned the fall a bit or perhaps they were just lucky so far. Lucky… shells, but it didn’t feel lucky at all.

It could be worse. Hadryth was the only injury so far that had Fath had reported as a hurtbad. But in A’zael’s estimation there had been far too many hurtsafes as well. But it was also time to call in their reserve riders, fresh fighters who hadn’t had to battle the wind yet, the wings would be bolstered for a bit, at least. So it could be worse. Suddenly there was pain and A’zael simply reacted, sending them between with a firm image in his mind, bringing them back out a heartbeat later. Fath? He reached into their bond briefly as he became aware the pain had not been his own. He felt it in Fath’s wing. Littlehurt, Fath assured him, already recovered from it well enough as he turned and flamed a stray strand.

It must have been some small piece of Thread that had gotten missed somehow, he hadn’t noticed it at all. Well it was dead now, but it had left Fath with a small hole in his wing as well. Fortunately dragons could fly well enough even with an impressive amount of damage to their wings and it shouldn’t affect him terribly until he could be seen after the Fall.

No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

There was a roar and No’va’s head whipped around to look for the source on instinct, but then he forced his attention back above them as Aldy’s flame reminded him to stay alert. He didn’t have to ask. Asriath, Alduntulath informed him, I don’t know if he or his rider was struck… but they are going to see the healers. The man was still somewhat new to Mavros, but he had become an assistant weyrlingmaster so No’va actually knew him from before their Wing placement. Shells… why did this seem to be going far worse than the other Falls they’d flown in so far? Was it just the weather? Focus, Aldy chided him, and he shook his head as the brown let loose a long, arching flame, searing several strands and clumps as they dropped their way.

Sorry… do you think this is- no, nevermind. You probably can’t remember anyway. No’va sighed as he figured he probably shouldn’t distract his dragon with wondering either. A shiver went through him suddenly and he realized just how soaked through his clothes were at this point, and there was still plenty of fight left too. At least Aldy’s sporadic flaming returned some warmth to him, even if only in brief spurts. The brown turned his head, jaws open, and No’va scrambled to toss him more firestone. This stuff really makes your breath stink, you know. Aldy rumbled, Would you prefer I did not chew and we can join the queens with a flamethrower strapped to you in order to spare you my terrible breath? No’va snorted, At this rate, maybe.

A’zael/Fath: Gold
No’va/Alduntulath: Green
NPC: Gray

[tovaana]

V’than :: Brown Saruth

There were more roars of pain, more dragons getting hit by Thread. Saruth’s hate toward Thread was starting to be infectious, and V’than’s jaw tightened in a grimace at the most recent roar of pain. He glanced around and watched as G’rett’s large bronze circled down to be treated. His eyes trailed upward at the two Wings above them, somewhere up in the highest Wing was his sister facing the brunt of it… and there was nothing he could do to help her. He understood the reasoning to not put sister and brother in the same Wing, but he wondered if he would worry more or less if he could be near her. Or would he do more stupid things if she were nearer?

He sighed, fearing his last thought's answer. V’than sent them both between to reach a clump before it passed down toward the Queen’s wing and drifted on the breeze back to their position. It was sharding cold, his jacket was soaked – he realized that he and Saruth were already betweening more than other blues and greens – even more than some browns. With the way the drizzle had soaked his jacket, he needed to try and not between unless absolutely necessary. With this thought in mind, he kept more wary of Thread around them, trying to guide his large brown to take out Thread- and protect the dragons nearest him… if he couldn’t look directly out for his sister, he could at least have his Wingmates’ backs.

Muze :: Green Rylath

Shards! The girl gasped at the pain – sending them between as they had trained and practiced. It was easier when the dragon knew as well as the rider did that going between would relieve the pain. The only good thing was that her leather jacket had been replaced, so it was so sharding cold when they had to go the freezing nothingness that killed their enemy.

When they blinked back, Muze was breathing quickly – her arm throbbing from going between with the injury. ‘What happened?’ She asked, glancing back at the spot where she could sense Thread had snuck up on them. There was a mark on the thicker part of Rylath’s tail, angled downward- it looked like two or three stray Thread… a clump maybe? had snagged her. I don’t know, it was like… like it was playing one of those games that Amagetith plays, but she doesn’t bite, Thread bites. Ryalath said, and Muze sighed – if Rylath could remember games that Ama played, it meant that she had done something recently. Unfortunately during Threadfall wasn’t the place to question her dragon further.

‘It was probably the wind,’ she said, imagining that the strong bursts of breeze that pushed down on Rylath’s wings could easily send a few Thread flying quickly behind them without notice. It had Muze glancing back more, feeling like she had yet again failed her dragon. Could I have more firestone, Muzemine? The green turned her head, and Muze tossed her more firestone, trying to keep an eye on the approaching Thread as she did so.

V’than: Indigo
Muze: Pink

[Taxx]

L'rey : Bronze Codrath

I'm not even a little tired yet, Codrath boasted, sounding rather smug as he watched the smaller dragons rotate out and in, gaps left briefly empty filled by the reserves; L'rey jabbed two fingers into his hide and watched it shiver at the sensation of touch.

It's not their fault, and you're far from the only dragon who isn't tired enough to have to land. Case in point, the golds who were part of their Wing, as well as the other bronzes and the bigger browns. You're not special.

Codrath's flash of outrage was answer enough to what he thought about that, and he fell into a sullen silence. Sulking, L'rey thought to himself, keeping that buried enough so that the bronze wouldn't hear it. A burst of flame, another, and then Codrath's whole body jerked as a startled yelp broke from him, pain flashing through the pair; point of re-entry quickly fixed in his mind, L'rey sent the command to go between and they did so, blinking out of sight for a few seconds before emerging once more.

Bad? L'rey asked, trying to crane his head around to see the score, but already the pain was lessening and he didn't think Healers were necessary right now.

My tail, sniffed the bronze. Ow.

A gentle rub of his neck- the disagreement apparently forgotten- and the bronze swooped to char a tangled pair of Thread tumbling downward past him.

Color: Blue



Zi'lor : Brown Asriath

Zi'lor was already well on his way to sitting down when N'yx arrived, leaning most of his weight against Asriath and slowly sliding downward, too caught up in pain and the single-minded goal to unbutton the jacket with one hand; he blinked, fingers going still as another set of hands and a voice interrupted his efforts. "Ah- yeah. Okay." Easy enough to let someone else take charge, and he lowered himself the rest of the way onto his brown's leg, sliding his good arm out of the sleeve and trying not to wince too hard as it was eased off the injured one.

He could feel Asriath's worried rumbles, but the sound was soothing; if he'd been hurt, Asriath wouldn't be this calm, which meant this time the pain was all Zi'lor's. Fun. "Right," he muttered, bracing himself against the pain he'd been warned about, the broad muzzle of his brown crowding close on the other side, keeping clear enough to allow N'yx to do her work while offering comfort however he could.

There was some relief in her assessment, though- he'd probably have to have it checked out more thoroughly when this Fall was over, but it didn't sound like he'd have to stay out of the rest of it. "That's good news," he managed through gritted teeth, free hand clenched tight at the agony- it sure felt bad- but a moment later it began to recede, the wholly welcome cool numbweed salve deadening the pain and allowing him to draw a full breath, ragged but remarkably easier now than just a moment before. Muscles relaxed and he dropped his head back against his brown, flashing a glance at the bluerider with a grin.

"Better. Much. You have my deepest thanks. And you might just, but don't think this," and he waved his free hand at the shoulder she had finished bandaging, "means I'm going to go any easier on you." A nod, realizing she must be getting called in, and he waved back. "Be careful, both of you!"

It took him another minute to be ready to follow; he'd had to find a jacket to replace the one shredded and then he'd had to manage mounting Asriath while trying not to move his definitely very stiff shoulder too much and worsen the injury; once astride and strapped in- putting on his helmet and goggles was fun with one good arm and one he was trying to favor as much as possible- he and Asriath were up and between once more, emerging back into the formation in the place he'd been in before and holding on tight as the brown, almost immediately, swerved to flame a sizable tangle of Thread.

Color: Silver

[kevna]

Ny'x - Blue Nimocith

Of course, he wouldn’t go easier on her. Zi’lors words had only earned him a cheeky smile and a roll of her eyes. She was surprised that he hadn’t given up on her, and mildly impressed. She’d beat him up into the air, not that she was surprised, and she kept her eye out for him, still concerned. The weather was far worse all the way up here. In fact, she was pretty sure she looked a mess. She tried not to think about it, or how uncomfortable she was, and instead focused on the hate seething in her belly. Nimocith’s hate. Directed at thread. It was better then fear. Scooping firestone and then the flame scoring their enemy was almost a pattern, and the repetitive motions kept her going through the wind and the sprinkle of rain.

A gust of wind sprayed ash into her face and she spluttered, grateful for her goggles. She would not have been able to do this without them. Or Nimo. He avoided a net of thread she should have seen but had been distracted.

Close call. Thanks buddy.

You’re welcome, mine. He seemed to preen a little at the praise. And she patted him with her free hand and scooped more firestone into his awaiting mouth. Fire spouted, and this time they chased the tangle of thread that almost scored them.

Siorreya – Green Amagetith

More, mine. Her intense voice was becoming familiar when they were up in the sky, with ash mixing into her hair, and the smell of burnt thread burning her lungs. She offered more firestone to the green. There were mainly tangles and ropes of thread at this level, and they were fewer and farther between. She adjusted the scarf so it was better covering her nose, but the gusts of wind were constantly pushing it back down her neck, sending chills through her body. Ever since she had returned from her prank on the Captain’s boat her body had had trouble staying warm. She longed for the summer heat. Maybe she needed to make a trip to southern or something. Anything to warm herself. 

It was good they were on the bottom wing, she wasn’t at her best performance, even if Amagetith was. More, mine. The hate that seethed in her voice echoed through her own body, and more firestone was what she gave. She let her eyes be Amagetith’s, and she swerved toward her flank see the thread coming down at the awkward angle. They wouldn’t make it in time. Between! Quick. They blinked between just as the thread kissed her green’s hind leg. They came back out, and the dull pain only made Amagetith more disgruntled.

I’m fine. More, mine. Now. There was no room for question, and Siorreya did as demanded, giving more firestone.

Ny'x - Lime
Siorreya - Bronze

[Alyx]

G’rett and Bronze Mastromideth

The damage looked worse once they were on the ground. Mastromideth groaned, stretching his neck out along the ground to rest his head on the grass, his eyes spinning dark, pained colors. G’rett almost wanted to keep him on the ground as he inspected the wound, slathering it with numbweed and redwort. It was bad, not deep enough to ground the Bronze permanently, but G’rett suspected he’d been doing some serious care on the wound over the next seven days or so to keep it from a hindrance. Marilsa helped; he expected to be scolded, but the woman seemed to sense that G’rett was already beating on himself plenty for the hit.

“We can stay on the ground if you want. No one is gonna fault you for that after a hit like this.” The Bronze rumbled, turning his head to look at his rider. No, it is fine. The salve is helping; we can’t not go back. ‘Yes… yes we can.’ G’rett thought it before he could stop it, and the big Bronze’s laughter rolled over the pair of humans and the Green resting silently near him. I am ready to return when you are, G’rett.

G’rett gave a heavy sigh, washing his hands in the basin of lukewarm water that had arrived with the salves and the healers. He didn’t know if he was proud of the dragon or angry at him. Mastromideth chuckled again, sending a way of love over the link to his rider as the Bronze nuzzled little Sonath next to him. “Alright.” G’rett turned to Mari, then shook his head and tossed his hands in a comical defeat. “I’ll try to keep him out of trouble for the rest of the fall. Wish us luck?”

Moments later, with Sonath moving to be near her rider, G’rett was back in the seat, strapped in. Mastro tested the leg, shifting weight back and forth in his rear before rumbling approval. Ready? ‘No, but if I said that, you’d still go.’ The Bronze’s answer was to launch them into the air, massive sails pushing them high enough to safely clear the ground crowded with wounded and healers. A slap of cold, a dart Between, and they were back with their Wing. Mastro bugled his return, slipping into his position in the formation as those that had covered for him fell back to allow it. G’rett leaned forward, holding on as the Bronze belched a burst of flame at a nearby clump, and feverishly hoped they would be able to finish this Fall without another hit like that… or worse.

Melana and Gold Sularenth

All and all, it wasn’t going so bad? There was a lot of fall-though, but if the winds they were fighting with, Melana couldn’t imagine what the higher Wings were battling. She felt Sula drop out from under her, diving to get her into position to burn a particularly large cluster of writhing, silvery strands. We are getting quite a bit to burn down here. They need to do better. ‘At least we aren’t bored?’ Sularenth snorted. I would rather be bored.

Off to their side, Bronze Codrath squealed in pain and vanished. Melana held her breath a moment, but the Bronze and his young rider flashed back into existence a breath later. It was a minor hit. Sularenth’s voice was dark, clearly not approving of her Bronze son’s reaction. ‘Well, it was his first hit.’ Still, he could have been a little less dramatic about it. Melana shook her head. ‘He must get that from you.’ I am NOT overdramatic. ‘Right, sure you aren’t.’ The Gold gave her a deep, warning rumble. Focus on the Thread. Melana did her best not too laugh too loud. ‘Yes, Your Ladyship. Your wish is my command.’

G’rett/Bronze Mastromideth: Cyan
Melana/Gold Sularenth: Orange

deebear tag for Mari/Sonath camo!

[Zen]

Round 4 Results
A'zael/Fath – None
No’va/Alduntulath – None
V’than/Saruth – Minor
Muze/Rylath – Serious SAVED by No’va/Alduntulath
Melana/Sularenth – Minor
G’rett/Mastromideth – None
L’rey/Codrath – None
Zi’lor/Asriath – None
Ny’x/Nimocith – Serious SAVED by Zi’lor/Asriath
Siorreya/Amagetith – None
NPC – None

Wing Rotation
High Wing: Breeze, Falling Backward Vee Formation.
Middle Wing: Gale, Falling Backward Vee Formation.
Low Wing: Tempest, Falling Triple Trail Formation.
Queen's Wing: Zephyr, Falling Trail Formation.

Round 5 has begun, remember to choose a new color!

---

A’zael :: Bronze Fath

Things seemed to be going alright for a while. Fath reported no bad scores to him from any of the Wings for a time and A’zael wondered briefly if they had gotten the hang of fighting the wind now they’d been in it for a couple hours. He just hoped the smaller dragons would be able to hold out until the end of the fight. He could feel a soreness beginning in Fath’s wings already that wasn’t normal. And it was while he was thinking of it that Fath’s attention was drawn by something, someone, more likely. Nyanth istired, the bronze informed him, and he sighed, Tell them to go, then. He was sure she was more than tired, but Fath was a terrible relay. He would check on the pair after the Fall.

As the green winked away, A’zael figured now was as good a time as any to shift the Wings. They’d been doing well for a while, hopefully it would give everyone’s morale a bit of a boost and, perhaps, translate into a smoother rotation. Fath again gave the order to prepare for rotation, and Gale was the first Wing to move, betweening to just below Breeze and settling into their new formation before Breeze disappeared to higher altitude, and shortly after Tempest left for the low position. There were a few pained cries, a few quick betweens, but no one disappeared to the healers, nor did Fath deem any of the injuries necessary to report, so A’zael considered it a good rotation.

No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

Being in the high position was terrifying. There was no denying it. Thread was just… there and there was nothing stopping it… nothing but them. There were more roars and cries from the dragons around them here, but Alduntulath was reassuring that the scoring wasn’t bad. It was just harder to avoid Thread up here. So far they’d done a decent enough job. No’va held a return image in his mind obsessively and kept them in and out of between at even the slightest hint that they might not be able to avoid something. Alduntulath even told him he thought he was being a bit overzealous about it, but he didn’t care. Better safe than scored. Even if it was freezing his soaking clothes every time they hopped into that dark, cold, nothingness. Better than scored, or worse.

Alduntulath flamed a clump as No’va cast a look around, reveling in the heat of his dragon’s flame while it was there. His gaze caught on Rylath’s speckled hide and the clump of Thread driving at her from behind at an odd angle, Aldy there! In a panic he all but forced his own view on the brown and his dragon reacted instantly, pulling his wings in tight as he dove for the clump with a renewed hatred, managing to flame it while it was still a safe distance from the green pair. Flaring his wings, he pulled back up sharply and No’va winced at the twinge in one wing from the maneuver. You alright? Fine, Alduntulath returned shortly, though No’va could tell it was still bothering him. You’re not made for acrobatics, you know, he teased the brown fondly, trying not to worry about it too much. It wasn’t bad enough to take them out of the fight. He’d just make sure Aldy rested later.

Thinking about it now, he probably should have just had Aldy warn Rylath and the green could have betweened to avoid it herself or something… in the moment he hadn’t really had time for logic, though. He sighed. Oh well. The order came to rotate and he felt a moment of intense relief. Aldy ought to be able to handle the low position just fine, even with a sore wing. Gratefully, they settled into their place in formation, and No’va kept his gaze turned upward.

A’zael/Fath: Orange
No’va/Alduntulath: Indigo
NPC: Yellow

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

It was a daunting sight, Thread falling at them from the High Wing position from the looming clouds as if they were rain. At least with the drizzle, it wasn’t confusing which was rain and Thread. At least the clouds didn’t regularly drop Thread, and that horrifying thought left goosebumps that trailed up her damp arms. Her second jacket was finally starting to soak through again. ‘How are you doing?’ She asked her green, showing her green dragon the strands that were falling to the other side of where she had been flaming moments before. Good, good, I’m very good. From the moment they had started endurance training, Muze had realized that her happy go lucky dragon had a talent of hiding how she was actually feeling. Muze had recently realized that she could ‘slide’ quieter into Rylath’s mind, the part where she could feel her body – but she had to close her eyes to do it, to see through her green’s eyes.

Muze could feel the ache from the Threadscoring from earlier, and her draconic muscles were also getting sore, but not as sore as they usually were at this point. Perhaps the moment of rest where they were forced to land had proved a little helpful. See, I’m feeling good! The green said almost in her cheerful manner, but her eyes were whirling red with hatred for the Thread.

As Muze retreated from her greens mind and opened her eyes, there was a movement from the corner of her eyes and she glanced back as flame lit up the sky above and behind her. Her heart picked up pace, it didn't take her long to realize what the ash falling toward them indicated.

Thank you, Alduntulath! The green called out, growling uncharacteristically as she charged at a last clump of Thread before it was time to change positions in the sky once more. They’d done it, they’d survived the High position… just barely… her chest shivering as she wiped the ash and water drizzle from her goggles, thinking that she'd need to thank No'va too once this Threadfall was over. Once the replacement Wing was situated under them, they blinked away and Muze felt herself shiver from the moment of cold, but also breathed with relief… the worst was over, wasn’t it?

        Zen

V’than :: Brown Saruth

The man gasped and gripped at his wrist – even though nothing was there. It was Saruth. With a returning image in mind he sent them between – feeling the two stray strands of Thread die and relieve his dragon’s back leg. Then they came back in the following breath and he glanced back at the raw green mark on his dragon’s brown leg. From what he could feel from his dragon, it was another injury that could wait. ‘Sorry, buddy. Not sure where that came from…’ Above. The brown responded in a straight forward voice, as if it were obvious. V’than grimaced, obviously it had come from above – but he wasn’t sure how they had missed it. Maybe they had been paying attention too much to protecting those around him, and not enough of behind him? He sighed. He started to twist and look behind them, having Saruth wing backward to catch Thread as it came directly over them.

As it was time to shift he felt a breath of relief, similar to one his sister had as if he’d known she’d done so. It meant she would be heading to the lowest Wing, and he’d be above her. Their Gale Wing flew up under the Breeze Wing, ready to relieve them so they could relieve the higher wing. As the other Wing moved away he couldn’t help but glance down as the Tempest Wing showed up moments later under them.

V'than: Silver
Muze: Gold

[Taxx]

L'rey : Bronze Codrath

There was a persistent sting from the score, but it was more of a nagging thing in the back of his mind than something that couldn't be ignored, and it affected his flying hardly at all. Winging along as before, he kept a sharp eye for Thread falling toward him and flamed now and then, a short burst each time to char the spores before they could get past him. And though he was in no way going to admit it, he was starting to feel the ache of tired muscles.

Bath first, he rumbled at L'rey, and then a nice long nap, yes?

Sounds good to me, the young rider agreed, momentarily cheered at the thought of getting out of this horrible rain and the wind that kept pummeling the bronze, making him fight every so often to regain his position in the Wing. Let's just get through this first. It felt like they'd been at this forever, though he knew it couldn't be more than a few hours so far, and a hot soak and sleep would be most welcome, once it was over.

Color: Bronze
---
Zi'lor : Brown Asriath

The numbweed went a long way toward easing the pain of the injury, but it was only really meant for that; the injury itself needed time to mend, and being tossed around on dragonback wasn't exactly helpful, but Zi'lor wouldn't back down now. He could do it, even if he was a bit limited; he could grasp just fine, and the wrapping kept the shoulder still enough to keep from making it worse. Faranth willing, he'd avoid any scores as bad as that one for what remained of the Fall.

Almost in the same instant, Asriath snorted and Zi'lor spotted the knot falling toward the blue; the brown needed no urging to surge forward, wings beating in an increased pace as he called, jaws already open and ready to flame. Duck, Nimocith!

He let loose once the blue and his rider were safely out of range, scorching the Thread to ash and then angling his wings to drop back to his place once more, a low croon rising from him as he added, Apologies! I hope I did not startle you, but there was Thread above. He couldn't spend time focusing on the younger pair, still turning his head toward Thread as it fell around him, but he flashed glances at the bluepair as he tried to gauge their reaction to his abrupt warning.

Color: Brown

[kevna]

Siorreya – Green Amagetith

Another draft of wind pulled at her small green’s wings, causing the ghost of an ache in her back. She shivered as the wind pulled at her winter garb and seemed to find every weakness she had, every opening and gap. She would have to buy better clothes for the next threadfall. More mine. The focused voice entered her mind, but Sio was already prepared and was offering the green the firestone.

To the left Ama! Siorreya caught the larger tangle slipping, and inwardly Siorreya cursed. The green was deft, and with grace and speed dove and re-positioned herself so that she could flame it. Ash was all the was left, and they quickly got back into position. She scooped more firestone and her green accepted it and chewed it quickly. Siorreya ignored the way the chill of the wing seemed to steal all warmth from her. She felt soaked.

We deserve a good fire and a warm bath after this. Her green didn’t respond, only continued flaming with a directness so unlike her, and yet so like her during threadfall.

Ny’x – Blue Nimocith

She was glad the Nimocith was so agile, moving this way and that to avoid the Thread that sought to harm them. It also meant they didn’t have to between as often, and with the cold outside, she desperately wanted to avoid it. Ash seemed to swirl around her, and her nose wrinkled in disgust, she would look a mess by the time this was through. Her eyes sought out Zi’lor and Asriath, as if to make sure they were still doing okay. She hoped her bandage held for the rest of the threadfall.

She had to admit she was a bit distracted, maybe that’s why she hadn’t seen it. Her dragon looked to where her eyes were, his movement sudden and quick, and then he dove, twisting, and she gasped as her stomach rose in her throat. She looked up in time to see Asriath score a large knot that was where her head would have been. She blinked in shock. Zi’lor and Asriath had just… saved them. A flutter started in her stomach, and she reached up a hand and waved her gratitude toward Zi'lor. He had saved her.

Thank you for the warning, Asriath. You did right in startling me. She heard Nimocith’s voice, directed outward, and she realized her blue was speaking to another-Asriath-of his own free will and choice. She blinked, surprised.

You just spoke to someone without me prompting you to.

They saved you. That knot could have killed you. His concern was apparent as he was getting back in place, and she gave him more firestone. Back to work he went, they went, and Ny’x tried to focus past the flurry in her stomach. She would have to thank Zi’lor, it was the least she could do. He had saved her. She tried to keep her eyes on the thread, but they wandered to Zi'lor a few times, and she felt warmth in her cheeks whenever they did.  
Taxx

Siorreya - Black
Ny'x - Cyan

[Alyx]

G’rett and Bronze Mastromideth

In spite of the bad hit, Mastromideth was eager to get back to the fighting. He took the firestone as soon as they had leveled out and redoubled his attack on the strings of silvery death that dropped around them. G’rett kept his eyes more above than around, not wanting the Bronze to take another hit like that again. They had been lucky; if it had been a wing or his neck –

Stop thinking like that, please. It is extremely distracting. ‘Sorry, big guy. Just don’t want to lose you.’ I am not going anywhere. Mastro twisted, dropping several wing lengths to chase down a clump of Thread. A rush of flame, and the ash blew back over them as the Bronze’s wingbeats lifted him back into his position. Around them, some of the greens and blues dropped down. Rotation. G’rett nodded. ‘Yea, figured.’ He looked over, watching as new dragons settled into the open positions.

Melana and Gold Sularenth

Melana didn’t think she’d done this much flamer work in a Fall in an exceptionally long time. She hadn’t had to change her tank out, but she was starting to wonder if she should land long enough to check it. Sularenth banked around in a lazy spiral, lining up on another casually falling clump so her rider could burn it. Melana pulled the trigger, flames reaching out to lick the silver lines. It was a nice, in a way, to have a few more ‘flaming’ dragons in the Wing; they always had a couple of Greens in their dragonhealers, but with the recently graduated weyrlings, it made clearing the fall-through a little easier.

Right. Up. ‘Got it.’ Melana swung the flamer around, pulling the trigger quickly to flash the strands. A second later, there was a sharp squeal from the Gold and the burning pain lashed up Melana’s arm. She tossed the image at the gold, launching Sularenth Between for a few breaths before they reappeared, returning to their spot in formation.

Idiots! The bitter tone was there, warm with the rage that seemed to be constantly the Gold’s recent mood. Melana shook her hand, even though it wasn’t her pain she felt and leaned a little to look at the dragon’s wing. ‘How bad?’ Not as bad as it could have been. The Gold growled in response. The wingtip, nothing more – you will check it when we land. ‘Still good to fly?’ Yes. It was barely a graze, though it shouldn’t have happened if the higher wings were doing their jobs properly. Mel shook her head, tilted her head to return her attention to the air above them.

G’rett/Bronze Mastromideth: White
Melana/Gold Sularenth: Purple

[Zen]

Round 5 Results
A'zael/Fath – None
No’va/Alduntulath – Serious SAVED by Muze/Rylath
V’than/Saruth – Serious SAVED by Siorreya/Amagetith
Muze/Rylath – Minor
Melana/Sularenth – None
G’rett/Mastromideth – None
L’rey/Codrath – None
Zi’lor/Asriath – None
Ny’x/Nimocith – None
Siorreya/Amagetith – None
NPC – None

Round 6 has begun, remember to choose a new color!

---

A’zael :: Bronze Fath

Fersoth istiredtoo, Fath informed him not long after they’d settled into the new position as the middle wing. A’zael gripped at his straps and silently cursed the wind for who knew how many times it had been now, but fewer riders had dropped out from Gale so far than he had thought, so he supposed that was a testament to the extra endurance training. Tell them to go, it’s fine. He watched the pair blink away a moment later, dragons nearby closing in the gap they left.

He returned his attention back above them soon enough, as Fath swung to the side to flame a clump before it could fall past them and just as soon returned to their position to burn a rather massive clump to ash. At least it was no sheet. They had thus far seen relatively few of the dangerous blankets of Thread that could very well devour a small dragon in seconds, and the few there had been were destroyed easily enough, considering. Fath, how are the other Wings? Finefine, the bronze assured distractedly as he dipped to follow a strand and sear it.

A’zael could feel a dull ache in his dragon’s wings, however, from the constant fighting with the wind, and it was only growing worse, slowly but steadily. He glanced down, trying to determine their position over the continent, and thought he might just see the dark shoreline in the distance. It couldn’t be much longer now.

No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

Shells but it was sure nice to be in the low wing. He’d never known just how much more difficult it was to be in the high wing in comparison to the other two positions. Tempest had only held low and middle in the two short Falls they’d been in. The high position was… intense. Things were a lot calmer down here. The difference was so great that No’va almost felt like he could relax to an extent. He had certainly felt rather tightly wound in their time in the high position. It felt like he could breathe down here. There’d just been so much going on, it was all hard to keep track of, and it had been incredibly stressful. He sighed, grateful their turn was over… at least for this Fall.

It will become second nature, eventually. It was our first time, Alduntulath assured him. I sure hope so. I think we got real lucky, Aldy. You did well, I think, the brown countered, managing your focus. You helped. The brown rumbled as he tilted his wings slightly and opened his jaws to flame a strand, I will always help you, if I can. No’va felt a great rush of affection for his dragon, briefly recalling his conversation with his father, about finding in his dragon his missing piece, the piece that could fix whatever was broken in his head. He couldn’t imagine finding anything closer than Aldy.

While I appreciate the sentiment, you should still focus, No’va. Thread is still falling, the brown reminded him gently. Ah, right… sorry. Alduntulath turned his black and brown head, jaws open, and No’va hastily tossed him more firestone.

A’zael/Fath: Violet
No’va/Alduntulath: Teal
NPC: Black

[kevna]

Siorreya – Green Amagetith

They had switched into their new formation per A’zael’s and Fath’s instruction a little while ago, finding their place in the falling backward V easily, and Amagetith seemed to be enjoying the increase in thread fight. Firestone was shoveled quickly and efficiently into the young green’s mouth, and Amagetith eagerly chased a large knot of thread that sought to escape them, then twirled back around to get into position. They needed to start betweening more, to reserve energy, but she could feel Ama’s resistance to the idea, and at the moment, Sio didn’t have the energy to argue. With the chill and the rain, she needed all of her energy to focus.

She pointed out falling thread that Ama couldn’t see, having to wipe her goggles clear every now and then of ash to better see. She had just wiped her goggles when she saw the large clump of tangled thread falling towards V’than and Saruth. “Shells, look Ama, quick!” The green was of one mind with her, reacting instantaneously as she moved with the Faranth given speed her body was capable of.

Veer to your left now Saruth, now! Her command was sharp and she barely waited for them to react as they scored the clump that had dangerously sought the brown and his rider. It had looked as if someone had tried to score the writhing mass from the upper wing and it had escaped them. Dangerous, foolish! The green growled, agreeing with Siorreya’s assessment of the fatal hit that had almost befallen them. They moved back into formation, Siorreya merely giving the brownrider and his quiet dragon a wave of acknowledgment as Ama refocused on her designated area with a ferocious anger.

I hope we didn’t startle them too bad.

They are fine. The green said dismissively, nothing distracting her from her duty. Siorreya shivered again, and shoveled more firestone into the green’s mouth.
tovaana

Ny’x – Blue Nimocith

It was a relief to be in the lower wing, it almost felt like being in the Queen’s wing, with a little more opportunity to score thread. Safer. She felt a bit more relaxed, even if the strong downdrafts pulled at Nimocith’s wings a little harsher, it gave them more time to react and reposition as needed. Fire spouted from her blue, scoring a small knot, and Ny’x smiled happily. This fall had gone well for them, though she reflected if it hadn’t been for Zi’lor, who knows how they would have faired? A small blush crept along her cheeks again as she allowed herself to peek at the brownrider.

We really should stay focused. Though I am grateful to. The blue had caught onto her thought process, and she felt her blush deepen. -I know.- She threw another scoop of firestone into her bonded’s awaiting mouth, and sighed. -Over there.- Nimocith reacted obediently, and so it continued. At least they were coming to an end, just a little while longer now, and they would be safe and cleaning themselves up. She loved to get herself clean, the refreshing scent of scrubbed skin and clean hair. Maybe after she was more presentable she could thank Zi’lor.

Siorreya - Green
Ny'x - Indigo

[Hiko]

T’lyron

A larger clump of silver tangles turned to cinders, then ash, as Doriath released a bout of angry flame. They were letting too much through, the dragon thought bitterly to his rider. T’lyron couldn’t help but agree as the bronze’s attention fleetingly fell onto gold Sularenth. T’lyron gave a gentle tug on the riding straps and directed the dragon’s focus back to a newly falling series of strands.

Rotations came and went, and even the bronze was fatigued; T’lyron himself ached along the entire stretch of his spine. He took an assessment of the damage to the wing as Doriath craned his neck to flame the strands falling above them; ash muttered against T’lyron’s goggles, and he wiped at them absently.

Injuries, but nothing immediately serious, was the bronze’s reply.
Just a little longer, T’lyron thought; they would be out of the storm soon enough.

Color: Gold
--

Talera

Sularenth. Aerroth spoke the name in a single thought to Talera as the woman flamed a passing clump of Thread. The queen had said her peer’s name in a clipped tone; an injury? It appeared so. Irritation swelled within Talera’s mind. For queens to even be scored, it was - but no, she couldn’t blame the other wings, not in full. The weather did them no favors, and even in the best formations, Thread could get through.
How bad is it? She asked.
A wingtip, Aerroth replied. It is not a grave wound.

Talera sighed in some relief before letting loose another stream of fire.

Color: Yellow

((I'm so sorry for missing so much of the Fall. Feel free to injure one or both of them; it's only fair, with how many rounds they missed.))

[tovaana]

V’than :: Brown Saruth

Saruth heard the words from the green – but did not feel the sudden urge to respond to it, not like he would have to the command of a bronze. Still, he heard the urgency in the tone and had only to glance a whirling eye backward to see the eminent danger. V’than heard it as well, but he wasn’t quick enough to send them between, especially with his large brown suddenly twisting his body and wings against the strong downdrafts. Saruth took advantage of the downdraft and let his body slide sideways and down as Amagetith flamed the spot where they had been moments before.

V’than’s stomach had rolled with the dragon, his extremities feeling a tingly sensation that one does before they slip or fall. He felt himself tugged violently to the side and it took all will power to not shout in fear of what could have happened if he hadn’t been clipped into his riding gear properly. He was breathing heavily, looking up as ash sprinkled with the drizzle splattered on them. The brownrider supposed he should thank the green pair for sparing them a bad scoring, but shards he felt like he had jumped right out of his skins when his brown made the maneuver moments ago.

With an image from V’than the pair blinked back to their spot, to spare Saruth the grueling climb back up through the strong winds. Saruth was getting tired, he could feel his brown’s muscle ache every time he pushed against the winds to keep level. He provided Saruth with the last bit of firestone, hopefully all they would need for the rest of the fall. He found himself glancing behind him more frequently, hoping to avoid what had just had happened.

kevna

Muze :: Green Rylath

While there was less Thread in the lower Wing, there was still wind – and she could feel Rylath start to lose steam. ‘You can do it Rylath, just a little longer.’ I can, I can! She puffed as she thought it, her wings moving with more vigor at the encouraging words of her rider. They burned a trail of Thread that had escaped from above and something from the corner of Muze's eye was drawn something above them. She felt Rylath move slight in the same direction of the breeze and glanced more fully up to see what it was. The wind shifted momentarily, a sideways gust that was taking a handful of clumps with it towards a large brown…

Alduntulath! Rylath was following her rider's mind’s eye and had gasped it out loud, blinking between with the image her rider had provided to the other side of the flying Thread and burning it before it continued its sideways toss into the brown. They had ended up close to the pair, but not too close to burn them along with the Thread. Sorry, that was close! Rylath was bashfully embarrassed at the close encounter and dove downward away quickly back to their spot in the formation.

Muze’s heart was still pounding, glad that Rylath had been able to follow her thoughts better than she thought she could command… it had happened all so fast that she was still in a daze, tossing her green more firestone and missed. “Oh, sorry.” She mumbled, shaking her head and focusing as she tossed it again, her green chewed it quickly – both pairs of eyes looking for the next bits of Thread that would slide through the cracks above.

Zen

V'than :: White
Muze :: Lime