Class B Race #2

[Zen]

A'zael :: Bronze Fath

Fath could not keep still for B'rax's explanation of the rules for the race, but A'zael already knew them, since he'd helped come up with them, so at least he didn't have to worry about missing anything important. At first Fath hadn't quite understood the point of a race, but when A'zael finally related it to chasing, the bronze seemed a deal more interested. It was really too bad they couldn't get one of the golds to fly out ahead of everyone, A'zael was certain having a gold to chase to the finish line would do wonders for his dragon's motivation to win. But, well, he'd have to settle for one waiting. Danovelith would be watching with Srunae, and he had told Fath the gold would be at the finish, and the faster he got there, the more time he would get to spend with her. It would have to do.

Canwegoyet, mine? Wegonow? A'zaelmine?

No, Fath, we have to wait until everyone's heard the rules.

Butshe'swaiting! Needtogo, mine, needtogo!

You need to wait, but he was grinning from his spot on Fath's back, eager for the race himself. B'rax had asked him if he was sure his participation was a good idea – which told A'zael that B'rax didn't think it was - but hadn't pressed when he told the man he didn't particularly give a shell if it was or not, he wanted to have a bit of fun in the race and nothing was going to stop him. A'zael could think of all sorts of reasons why maybe it wasn't the best idea, could imagine that his abilities might be called into question should he lose, or that some might try to suggest he was allowed to win because he was the Weyrleader. Someone would find something to complain about no matter the outcome, simply because he was who he was, but honestly he couldn't bring himself to care. It was all in good fun. If it was really that bad of an idea, B'rax wouldn't have let the matter drop so easily.

All right Fath, we can line up, but don't go yet, he told the bronze firmly as they took to the air with the others and maneuvered into a spot at the start.

Nowwego? Now?

No, wait for Gamath's bugle, A'zael kept his gaze fixed on B'rax's bronze and braced himself in preparation for Fath's eager take off. It was well and good that he did, because he might very well have gotten whiplash from it if not. Fath shot forward before Gamath's bugle had even come to an end. A'zael laughed, for it wasn't often he got to enjoy this sort of reckless speed, Just watch the turns, Fath, or you'll run yourself right into a cliff. He grinned again, And then you'll be late getting back to Danovelith.

OOC: Same as last time! There is no posting order (other than that I will start each round) and you can feel free to have your character take the lead or whatever, and of course feel free to maneuver the unclaimed NPC in the race however you like as well. After Round 3 is over, I will randomize the finishing order and post to end the race. Everyone will be free to make a final post if they wish. Only RACERS should be posting here! You are free to post spectators in the spectator thread HERE.

Racers
R'syn of Brown Aessoth (NPC)
Z'dir of Brown Lameth (claimed by Taxx )
G'drin of Brown Thundosomth (claimed by Alyx )
A’zael of Bronze Fath (Zen )
F’mol of Bronze Zenoth (Esko )

[Alyx]

G'drin of Brown Thundosomth

Freedom!! Faranth finally, he was done with being a weyrling. He wanted to prove it too; the races had been the first step – an easy step, G’drin had thought, and a way to make some quick marks. Thundosomth wasn’t the smallest Brown, but he was quick, and the young brownrider was sure he could sweep the field. And then he saw the racer he'd been matched with; and groaned. Wonderful… two bronzes, and one was the grump of a Weyrleader and his dimglow doof of a dragon. Why did fate hate him?

It wasn’t his fault the Weyrleader couldn’t take a blasted gab or two. Or three? Okay, maybe a few more than that, but the man practically set himself up for them!! What did he expect, when he was off banging boots with candidates, and weyrlings, and then getting slob faced drunk like some fisher captain?! G’drin gave the man a dark look from where his brown rested, only partly listening to B'rax’s voice relay the rules.

G’drin hadn’t even wanted to be in the stupid leadership classes, yet he had to go… and for what, just so A’zael could pitch him out on his rear for a few off-color jokes? Man must have forgotten to have his sense of humor forwarded to the Weyrleader’s quarters when his dense Bronze caught Karredy’s Zalmaranth. It would be awesome to win this and leave the man chasing his heels for once. Faranth, that would be great!

Rising into the air with the others, Thundosomth could feel the eager energy in his rider. When Gamath's bugle sounded, the newly graduated pair shot off the line, eager to take the lead.

[Zen]

A'zael :: Bronze Fath

Fath cut the first turn rather close, flying nearly vertical and managing to avoid the cliffs by a mere few feet. But it had also slowed him a bit, Thundosomth and Lameth both overtaking them. A'zael wondered at the wisdom of egging Fath on. He had only been joking about his running himself into a cliff but actually it was a real possibility if he didn't reign him in. So he quashed the thought, because a simple loss would be far preferable to an accident. Not that they couldn't Between to avoid such a thing, but that would disqualify them, and A'zael was determined to at least finish.

Still, his competitive streak made it hard not to say anything. Fath was babbling all sorts of nonsense, but he seemed to have already forgotten this was actually a competition and he wasn't just meant to be getting back to Danovelith on his own terms. He was not terribly concerned with the two browns in front of him. After all, there was no prettyshiny to chase, so as far as Fath was concerned there was nothing to win or lose. Focus, Fath, he urged instead, biting back the comment he would have preferred to make, which he was sure would lend speed to the bronze's wings. Another turn was coming up, however, and it would be a bad time to risk it. Perhaps he would use it over the open water, where there were no cliffs to run into.

As long as they could keep up a decent position until then... perhaps they could pull ahead at the end. As he surveyed Thundosomth ahead of them, he was determined at least that they would beat out G'drin. He could just imagine the smug look on the mouthy young man's face if he and his brown managed to pull out a win from this race. He could also imagine the comments the boy's father would make, K'rin just as determined to be a thorn in his side as his son. It occurred to him that such thoughts were childish, but he didn't care. It wasn't like anyone else would know them. His thoughts, at least, were free from judgment.

The next turn came far easier. Only one more major turn before the open water. He just had to hold out that long. Keep it up Fath, you're doing great. He refrained from mentioning Danovelith, for now. He needed the bronze at a more controlled pace until they left the cliffs behind. Wegowegowego!

OOC: Round 2 has begun! Alyx Taxx Esko

[Alyx]

G'drin of Brown Thundosomth

Almost right out of the start, G’drin was grinning. His boy slipped ahead of the bulky Bronzes with ease. Lameth was right with him, proving that when it came to speed, Browns were so much better than the metallic, ego-heavy Bronzes. He resisted the urge to be snarky, for once at least – it crossed his mind to flip a salute as the Weyrleader as he passed; but didn’t because, if he lost into the man and his wherry-brained dragon, he’d never live the showboating down. Maybe he’d showboat after… with a grin, he urged his Brown into the first of the curves, hoping that if they had enough left, they could hold it over the others. He didn't want to cross after anyone, much less their Weyrleader - he couldn't do much to get back at A'zael for making him look like a fool in those stupid leadership classes, or treating him like a child because the Bronzerider literally lacked even a shard sliver of humor but it would make him feel so much better to beat them right here in front of everyone. That would knock him down a few pegs, right?

[Zen]

A'zael :: Bronze Fath

Zenoth and Aessoth were gaining, but the last turn slowed them enough that when A'zael urged Fath just a bit faster, they put a bit more distance between them. Thundosomth was leading. He managed to resist the nearly overwhelming urge to to use Danovelith to speed Fath along. Not yet. The cliffs were nearly behind them. Get ready Fath... we're nearly done.

Ready, mine! Readyready! She'swaiting!

A'zael shook his head slightly at the bronze's obsession with getting back to the gold. He had all sharding day to spend with her, it wasn't as though either dragon had any other obligations. No drills, no more lessons for Srunae. And then cliffs flashed past and open water greeted them. Look, Fath, I can see Danovelith waiting for you. There was the glint of golden hide across the water. Fath quickly saw it as well, and it renewed his efforts to get back to her as quickly as he could.

He gave one big downstroke of his wings and angled them to carry him beneath the browns in front of him. They were in the way! MovemovemoveMOVE! A'zael grinned, glad it had worked. They managed to keep up with the browns then, but being beneath them was slightly concerning. He recalled Rusath's maneuvering, and glancing up, he wouldn't put it past G'drin to try something like that to force himself back into the lead. He hadn't been entirely happy with S'fin for it, it could have sent Gometh crashing into the water. He hadn't expected them to fly so aggressively, S'fin and Rusath were both generally laid back. His brother's explanation of proddiness made sense.

He kept an eye above them as Fath kept pace, the bronze's gaze locked on that glittering form growing ever closer as they neared the finish.

OOC: Round 3 has begun! Alyx Taxx Esko

[Taxx]

At Gamath’s bellow, Lameth had lurched forward fast enough that Z’dir nearly lost his grip on the straps to fall backward; thank Faranth he hadn’t. What a sight that would have been, laid out helplessly on his brown’s back while the dragon hurtled forward, probably never realizing his rider’s predicament. Slow down, wherbrain, he scolded, and yet fully expected the snort of refusal that came in response.

Can’t. Won’t. Gotta go fast and beat the others. We have to win!

It really wasn’t that big of a deal- Z’dir knew how fast Lameth could be, and those of his Wing knew, but clearly the brown felt the need to show everyone. We don’t get anything for winning, you know, he informed his dragon, only to huff a sigh as Lameth returned, We get admiration. Like that was adequate compensation.

The orange form of Fath slid into view then, his voice demanding that they move, and Lameth turned his head to eye the bronze. No! he refused, and sped up his wingsbeats to pull ahead of Thundosomth. We will win! he declared, doing his best to stay ahead of the others. He wanted the prestige, the pleasure of beating the other five, and even Z’dir’s displeasure at his antics hardly phased the brown as he sped for the finish.

[Alyx]

G'drin of Brown Thundosomth

Man it felt good to be in the lead! G’drin was thrilled to have the weyrleader and his idiot Bronze having to follow his lead for once. He knew he shouldn’t celebrate too early, but shards, it was proof enough to him that he was better. Thundosomth was keeping the edge with broad, long wing strokes – if they could keep this up, they could wing ahead a bit more over open water and really stick it to the Weyrlead pairing.

Fath picked then to move low, trying to sweep under them. G’drin reacted, commanding Thundosomth to drop and block the advancing dimwitted Bronze, but the Brown pulled short at Lameth’s bulk slipped into the space. G’drin cursed, feeling his Brown shutter and rise back up, trying to regain the speed they’d lost. The ‘shouting’ dragons wasn’t missed by anyone, and the young Brownrider grinned at Lameth throwing Fath’s command back at him. Move, for him? Get real!!

The grin faded quickly enough as Lameth’s brown form pulled ahead. He liked the other brownrider well enough, but not enough to give up the lead that easy. ‘Faster!!’ Now that they were over open water, no reason to hold back the speed. Thundosomth rumbled, dropping a little down try to make Fath drop back, then the Brown surged forward to try to take the lead back before the finish line.

[Zen]

A'zael :: Bronze Fath

Lameth pulled ahead, defiant to Fath telling him to move, which was hardly unexpected. It made Fath work just that much harder, and he, Lameth, and Thundosomth all kept good pace with each other, one of them pulling ahead briefly before one of the others would beat him out by a wingstroke. As they neared the finish, A'zael wasn't entirely sure which of them would manage to pull ahead for the win. He didn't think there was much of anything more he could say to motivate Fath to go faster with Danovelith already in sight. He was quite certain the bronze was already going at top speed. They managed to keep well enough ahead of Zenoth and Aessoth at least.

But they weren't the ones A'zael wanted to be sure they beat.

But Thundosomth managed to pull ahead at nearly the last moment and A'zael cursed silently as the young brownpair passed the finish heartbeats before them, with Lameth right on their tail. It was close, to be sure, but that would hardly matter to G'drin. Fath wanted to go to Danovelith immediately, and A'zael would have preferred to let him, but he knew he ought to do the mature thing and congratulate G'drin on his win. He forced Fath away from the gold, assuring him he could to her very soon, and they instead landed on the Little Island with the other racers. Stiffly, he glanced over at G'drin and his brown. Had it been anyone else, he would have been somewhat impressed. After all, they were the youngest pair in the race, but they'd managed to come out first. If only it wasn't G'drin.

Still, he found something nice to say, even if his tone didn't quite match the words, “If this performance indicates anything of your abilities, G'drin, then I'm sure your new wingmates will be glad to have you.”

OOC: The race is now over! The results are as follows, and you are free to post a finishing post if you wish, but you don't have to~
1. G'drin of Brown Thundosomth
2. A’zael of Bronze Fath
3. Z'dir of Brown Lameth
4. R'syn of Brown Aessoth
5. F’mol of Bronze Zenoth

[Alyx]

G'drin of Brown Thundosomth

Lameth and Fath were like right on his heels. When he glanced back, G’drin was sure he could see the scowl on the Bronzerider’s face. Too bad, so sad, you old stick in the mud! The thrill of winning would be awesome on its own, but the surge he felt when they blew over the finish ahead of A’zael was… intoxicating. Letting go of the straps but still buckled in, he pushed up a little in the saddle and pumping a fist in the air as they shot over the finish, crowing at the top of his lungs like a cock wherry. Thundosomth peeled up and off to the right to get out of the other racers coming in, bugling his own victory.

His Brown banked around, winging to land on the island with the others. He whooped again as they touched down, slapping his dragon’s shoulder. “You did great!” Thundosomth puffed his chest out, rumbling with pleasure. Here comes Fath. G’drin turned on a heel, watching the Weyrleader touch down. The look on A’zael’s face said it all, and it only served to make the young brownrider grin wider. The words were edged with bitter, but G’drin would take them. That’s it, Mr. ‘I am Weyrleader I get to tell you what to do’. Chew on that lost for a while.

He could hear it in the man’s voice… shards, he could almost taste how much A’zael hated he’d come in second to the brownrider. G’drin’s grin widened. “At least Fath has the speed when it counts, right, Weyrleader?” The Brownrider rocked in his seat, giving a saucy salute in the Weyleader’s direction. “And of course they are happy to have us. Don’t take it too hard, Weyrleader. All in good fun, right?”

He started to signal Thundosomth to move and then stopped. “Hey even though you lost this one, A’zael, You can still make some marks by betting on me in the finals. I’m as good as a sure thing can get.'' He didn’t let the man respond, sending the Brown back into the air and winging off.