Up, Up! Let's Climb! [open!]

[‡§åkørü‡]

The cool spring air wasn't quite cold enough to faze the people of the Eyrie. Indeed, though the plants of the garden were hardly sprouted from the ground, people were out diligently tending them.

Or at least, people had been diligently tending them. For the moment, though, the gardens were deserted. No one at all was around, and this of course attracted the attention of one of the Weyr's rainbowriders. Ts'kal wasn't really one for adventure today, though he was happy as ever, and a few hours of relaxation in the gardens seemed perfect to him. Aburoqaph liked the gardens too; he loved the smell of the young plants. And, of course, he liked scrambling about like a lunatic. Nearly destroying the gardeners' hard work was high on his list of priorities too - but only nearly. He'd never deliberately undo that work, although he might accidentally hamper it.

You, my dear Aburo, are way too happy even for me, Ts'kal informed his simourv. The rainbow thwacked his tail on the ground in response, wriggling in the manner of a demented fish. But I like being happy, Ts'kal! It's fun! Squealing (oh yes, Aburoqaph could squeal), the rainbow thrashed about on the floor in pure ecstasy at the very idea of being alive on this day. His rider shook his head, laughing, and caught the big muzzle in his hands. Instantly the rainbow stilled, though his tail still swiped about their cavern. Hush, hush! Let's go to the gardens, Aburo! That's a good place for us, the candidatemaster urged.

This idea was met with extreme enthusiasm by the simourv. Leaping to his clawed feet, Aburoqaph wiggled and then laid back down. This was done only to allow Ts'kal to climb up his feathery shoulder to his back, and as soon as his rider was safely perched, the rainbow spun around and zipped out of the cave. Squawking in excitement, he rose into the air and raced in the direction of the gardens. There're plants there, Ts'kal! Plants!

Yes, I know. Lots of plants for you to admire, right, Aburo? The young man grinned, clinging to the crimson neck feathers. His simourv was warm under him, and he leaned contently on the soft neck, letting Aburoqaph guide himself. He did wonder sometimes about his bonded's personality - was he supposed to be so...excitable? Of course, he was only three, but still - many of the other simourvs were calmer, and most had flown or chased each other by now. Aburo, chipper as always, had shown zero interest in pursuing rising females. It's probably just because he hasn't quite grown up yet. Besides, he's wonderful as is, Ts'kal reassured himself. Just finishing this train of thought, he realized that the rainbowpair was touching down in the gardens. Beneath him, he could feel his best friend's neck muscles tense, and then the distractible creature was bounding forward, making great exaggerated leaps that nearly threw off the rider. Gasping, the man clung to the bright feathers in front of him as his simourv made the huge, clumsy bounds. What are you DOING, Aburo?

I'm bouncing, Mine! See? I can bounce! Oops, I think I squished a plant. Oh well. There's a wall! Let's climb it, Ts'kal! Aburoqaph's thoughts were loud and almost horrifyingly excited as they raced through the human's mind. The silly rainbow had a weird thing for climbing - and as it happened, there was an almost-vertical cliff right in front of them, bordering the gardens. It was this that the simourv was headed for, and Ts'kal instinctively gripped the iridescent feathers. Aburoqaph, NO! No climbing!

The rainbow paused, twisting his neck to look at his rider sadly. He didn't even need to speak to convey his disappointment, and with a sigh, the human male patted the sleek neck. Well...okay. You can climb, but let me off first, he compromised. This was done, and within moments Ts'kal was sitting on the dirt, watching as his simourv tried to haul himself up the rock face. Shaking his head, he flopped back among the shoots of grass, shading his eyes with his forearm. "You are SO weird, Aburo..."

[Kilnarak]

The air above the Eyrie was crisp and cool, but not unpleasantly so - a warm updraft rising as air heated on the stone of the canyon. Muraaph flew lazy circles about the Eyrie, only beating her wings now and again, mostly only gliding on the heated air. Upon her back, A're adjusted his riding jacket a bit and then yawned hugely, slumping forward upon his Green's neck. Don't do that, Muraaph grumbled, pausing to hover a moment and issue her own massive yawn, You'll make me sleepy too!

A're patted Muraaph's neck affectionately, offering up a quiet laugh. "Oh, you could use it. We've been up near all night, how long do you plan to stay up Mura?" he spoke aloud, leaning forward toward Muraaph's ears so that his voice wouldn't be lost to the wind. The Simourv snorted, resuming her idle circling, But there's too much to see to be sleepy! Look there! Isn't he bright? Muraaph tucked her wings in, dropping a bit and craning her head around to peer downward into the gardens as Aburoqaph darted by some distance below her to make his landing.

A're leaned a bit to the side to peer down as well, blinking a few times then rubbing his eyes and squinting a bit. "You're very bright as well, Mura," he murmured, blinking yet again as he watched the antics below - in truth, this high up the Rainbow was little more than a brightly colored blur to his own eyes. But I am not so colorful! Look! What is he doing? Is there something interesting there, on the cliff?

A're shook his head, offering up another laugh. "Ah, why don't we go see? Maybe it'll wake me up some," he answered - but even as he did Muraaph was stooping into a dive, reading his intent before he even finished speaking the words. A're ducked to cling against the Green's neck, grinning broadly as the air whipped past. Muraaph flared her wings out not too far above ground, kicking up a small gale as she made her own landing in a small clearing in the garden.

"Hello!" A're smiled as he spotted Ts'kal, giving a small wave before sliding down from Muraaph's back. The Green ducked her head in a bobbing greeting to Ts'kal, but rather immediately made for Aburoqaph after A're had dismounted. Is there something there, Aburoqaph? Is it something tasty, or maybe something shiny? The Green tilted her head back, peering up at the Rainbow with wide eyes and twitching her tail back and forth in interest.

[zeis]

Today found M'ari carefully administering a bit of healing salve to a rather purple black eye he had received the night before. The memory replayed itself painfully in his head as he gingerly attended to the bruise, wincing at his own touch. As it turned out, a serving girl whom he had successfully bedded some nights previous had played him false, and was quite involved with a rather large and vengeful herdsman. The man had heard about their affair and exacted his vengeance with a mean left hook. As always, the results of his misadventures afforded the greenrider plenty of time to contemplate his misdeeds, and he found he couldn't really be mad at the girl. She was a fine lass, and he probably wouldn't have hesitated even if she had told him about her lover. All was fair in love and war, wasn't that what they said?

Valenph looked sympathetically towards her rider's chamber as she felt his discomfort. She had been angry when the blow had first been struck, but her rider was so often involved in brawls and scuffles over the past three years that she had honestly gotten used to it. Part of her recognized that most of the time it was his own fault, and that perhaps such consequences would help him learn to stay out of trouble. Perhaps. Either way, they were only bruises. Her gaze remained locked on the doorway between them for some moments longer, before she lowered her head back to her forelegs with a heaving sigh. The cold didn't bother her out here on the ledge, and the sun was pleasant on her feathers and wings. She blinked slowly, and stretched her back legs luxuriously out behind her on the warm stone. A nap might ease her troubles.

One of Valenph's great green ears twitched at a distant squeal, and she lifted her head from her fore-claws to observe the colorful Aburo take flight from his eyling. Her cave wasn't too far from the jovial rainbow's, and she was more often than not witness to his noisiness and fidgeting. Not that it bothered her; she quite liked Aburoqaph for all his optimism, and liveliness. He had not changed much from when they were winglets, and he still seemed to possess the bounce in his step that had greatly calmed in her with maturity. He was fun to be around that was for sure, and his mood could be contagious. She watched him descend with welcome amusement to the empty gardens, and her sharp black eyes caught the havoc he soon wrought there. The green settled into a more alert position to watch, and chattered quietly in amusement and interest. Her large form twitched as if wanting to jump, and her tail swayed restlessly.

M'ari did not hear the squeal, but he felt the uplifting quality of Valenph's mood and looked over his shoulder curiously. All he could see from this angle was the steady swish of her black tipped tail. Eager to be through with the torturous act of treating his 'battle scar', he hastily finished his treatment and was pleased that the cream once rubbed onto the skin fully at least made the bruise a little less noticeable. At the very least he could present himself in public! Not that he would have hesitated if it hadn't. He could always still play the wounded hero angle. Thinking up future machinations, he rose from his seat and strode curiously into Valenph's chamber, moving to stand by her side at the ledge. "Oh, Aburoqaph's in the garden again, eh? How much damage so far?"

I think he's crushed some young melons. Valenph replied with a laugh in her voice, and continued to watch as M'ari turned his gaze on her. She'd been worried about him, that he had felt before. His smile vanished as he gave the matter some thought. Here she was cooped up because she was worried about him... It wasn't fair for her to be unhappy just because he liked to have fun, and that fun often went south. She could use some cheering up. Shells! He could use some cheering up! He smiled at the wordlessly eager way she watched the other Simourv play. "I say we go down there. Do some damage control."

Valenph turned her black eyes on her rider with silent happiness, and rose to a low crouch as he moved to clamber up her feathers onto his customary place at her back. She patiently waited until he was settled and at his mental command leapt eagerly from her eyling ledge into the air. As she fluttered speedily down to the garden she called out to the rainbow, who appeared to be scaling a cliff. Hello, Aburoqaph! Her head swiveled to catch the appearance of Muraaph and she called out a greeting, cheered more by the presence of her green sister. Muraaph! That looks like fun, doesn't it? She sailed over the prone Ts'kal casting her great shadow over him as she came into land a safe distance away from those already present. M'ari for his part paused before dismounting, watching the energetic rainbow with slight incredulity. He doubted gravity could stop the little simourv, if he really wanted up that cliff.

[Kilnarak]

Muraaph's ears twitched at the sound of wings, swivelling back, and after a moment she looked down from Aburoqaph toward Valenph. The Green chattered pleasantly, rearing up on her hindlegs a moment and fanning her wings before falling back in a sit. Valenph! Can you see, does he have something? I cannot see from here! Muraaph drew herself up onto her haunches again, her wings fanning out a bit for balance, and she craned her neck to peer back up at Aburoqaph again, her ears pricked forward intently.

A bit away, A're watched a moment, shaking his head slightly at the sight of Aburoqaph scaling the cliff face. "He's always so energetic, it makes me tired just watching him," A're laughed, grinning down at Ts'kal, before moving to sit companionably in the shade nearby. He offered M'ari an easy grin and a curt wave, "And you look like you've had an interesting night. Mnn, Mura will be unhappy with me if I end up napping here, I'm sure. Would the two of you care for a hand of cards? I think I have a deck somewhere..." He proceeded to pat at his pockets, furrowing his brows slightly as he searched for the deck.

[‡§åkørü‡]

Aburoqaph was delighted to be able to climb the cliff. Twitching his ears madly, tail wagging like a dog's, he dragged himself up the rocks and squealed in excitement. Ts'kal endured his constant narration with a tolerant smile, laughing softly as he watched the rainbow scuttle up. You're certainly not vertically challenged, are you? he inquired wryly, stretching out on his back among the grasses. The mental reply was as cheery as ever: What does that mean, Mine? Those are big words!

It means you're a silly creature who likes to climb straight up walls. Look, Aburo, we have company! Turning over, Ts'kal grinned as he noted Muraaph and A're spiraling down. The green Mura acknowledged him, and he waved to her, but she was more interested in Aburo's weirdness. Laughing, he lifted a hand in a lazy wave to A're as well, gesturing in a come-hither way. "Hi, A're. The lunatic's loose again, as you can see."

I'm not a lunatic, Mine! Muraaph! I have a cliff! It's fun to climb! Aburoqaph announced this with pride, and his good mood only grew brighter when Valenph arrived too. Squawking, he swished his tail to and fro in happy greeting, and continued on his quest. The cliff was tall, and he was small, and he really wanted to climb it!

"I know exactly what you mean," Ts'kal commented ruefully. He feigned exhaustion, drawing himself up into a sitting position and looping his arms around his legs. "And I'm with him twenty-four hours a day!" Shaking his head, the rainbowrider looked up as Valenph's shadow passed over him, and when the rider dismounted, motioned to M'ari as well. "You come over here too, M'ari! The simourvs can all be crazy together."

Running a hand through his thick chestnut hair, the candidatemaster returned his attention to A're. Hearing about the deck of cards, he lifted a brow, and rolled his eyes with a grin. "I could try. I'm currently on a string of sixteen straight losses, though," he admitted. The grin faded and was replaced with an utterly blank look, however, as Aburoqaph's latest announcement came through, broadcast to everyone present. Valenph! Climb with me! I have a rock now! See?

And he did have a rock. Hanging off the cliff by three legs, and clinging like a demented burr, Aburo used his free claws to wave around a rock. Of course, he couldn't climb with his trophy, so he dropped it, inadvertently squashing another melon yet displaying spectacular aim as he did so. Ignoring the casualty, he scrambled higher, and soon discovered a ledge. It wasn't quite big enough to fit him, but since when did that matter? Aburoqaph climbed up on it anyway, sandwiching himself against the wall, and leaned out over the edge to peer down on the two greens. Squealing down to them, he bounced his forequarters, and nearly sent himself tumbling down the rock face as he did so.

I found a ledge! Come on, guys! We can share it! Logic dictated otherwise, of course - the greens were bigger than Aburo, and he just barely fit on the ledge. But happily oblivious to this fact, the rainbow chirped invitingly, somehow managing to wriggle around so that he fit slightly better.

Ts'kal raised a brow cynically. Aburo, you can't FIT them on that ledge, he protested. The little rainbow shot him down with great enthusiasm, arguing that if he could fit, so could they. After all, they were his friends! His friends could fit anywhere he could!

Releasing a not-so-mental groan, the rainbowrider shook his head once more, returning his attention to his human companions. "Here he goes. He'll try to fit the entire Eyrie up there if he can," he remarked. And then a grin split his face, and he plucked a bit of grass from the dirt next to him, chewing on it idly. "How about those cards? Found 'em yet, A're? And M'ari, are you going to join us while my silly simourv tries to convert Valenph and Muraaph to his mad ways?"

[/center]

[zeis]

I think he does! Valenph responded somewhat scandalously to her green sister, and perked her large ears forward to stare with unwavering curiosity at the shimmying form of Aburoqaph on the cliff face. She cast a grateful thought toward M'ari as he approached the other riders, and was happy that both their attentions were now on less painful matters. Once he was safely away, she slunk nearer to Muraaph to observe the smaller male. I think it's... Hm... Oh, yes, its definitely a... The large greens slow and ponderous mental voice hedged until the rainbow spoke, providing the answer and inviting her to climb. A rock. She nodded her great head decisively, and watched the trajectory of the then dropped rock with a complete lack of worry for where it would land.

M'ari strode away from the congregating simourv to join his fellows, stretching both arms behind his head as he walked and leaving them there. He grinned as he approached A're, and spoke with mock pride, "You should know by now that all I have are interesting nights-" Whatever he was about to say next was lost in a yell of surprise and fear as a melon some yards away from him exploded with force, lightly sprinkling his midsection with bits of its red flesh and sticky black seeds. He froze in place a moment longer, and stole a hasty glance back toward the simourv before cautiously resuming his normal casual charm. He flicked off a few seeds as he neared them, coughing and grinning sheepishly. "Never turned down a game of cards before, and I don't think I ever will. Name your game, gentlemen!"

"And Valenph would probably cause a rock slide if she tried." He said with a slight laugh as the thumped down cross legged onto the grass, but his eyes told a bit of a different story as he glanced back to his green and felt a rare spasm of worry. Don't do anything too dangerous, okay? Go have your fun, but the last thing I want is to have you on the mend too. He cautioned her, all the while maintaining a slightly distracted smirk. The man added as an afterthought, easing up on the serious tone of his voice. My eye hurts.

The response was immediate, understanding and sympathy gently washed over him, and perhaps a little regret. She would have very much liked to join Aburoqaph but there was sense in her riders words. She was much larger than the rainbow, and while the stone might support his weight... Mine too. Learn to duck. She offered with amusement, and then ventured a distance away from Muraaph to speak to the two other simourv present. The rock may not hold. But I will meet you at the top! A race, Muraaph? She called out enthusiastically, and waited a few moments before leaping into the air. Her ascent was slow, more of an in place hovering maneuver than true flight, and wings carried her higher with each down-stroke.

[Kilnarak]

A're chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Ah, if only my night had been so interesting!" he coached his voice in a mock-wistful tone, ending the statment with a quick, lopsided grin. "And I'm sure that lovely bruise was well earned, M'ari? Mm, my night was rather boring, although I suppose I learned something. Did you know, the mosquitoes here grow as large as my fist?" he held up said fist in emphasis. "Perhaps larger, even. But the one I swatted was definately a monster." Muraaph murmurred a distracted response, her voice coached only so that he might here it, It was not so big!

Muraaph shook her head, peering up intently at Aburoqaph - only to flatten her ears in disappointment as his prize turned out to be a rock. That is neither tasty or shiny! Muraaph's mental voice carried a slight whining tone. She watched the rock as Aburo dropped it, leaning a bit away as it splattered yet another melon. She paused a moment, lowering her muzzle-like beak to nose at the squishy remains and experimentally licking up a taste of it. It still is not very tasty, she added in sulky disappointment, But perhaps it would be more tasty with less rock in it.

Muraaph looked up again, a few chunks of watermelon still clinging persistently to her muzzle, as Aburoqaph extended his invitation down to the two greens. She cocked her head to one side, eyeing the rainbow and his perch consideringly. It would be a very difficult fit, I might squish you, Aburoqaph. Perhaps there is a larger ledge somewhere? Her ears pricked forward, Muraaph turned her gaze about the high walls of the garden, rising up onto her haunches yet again.

She was distracted from her search at Valenph's voice, and she warbled pleasantly, rather immediately taking to the idea. Oh, yes! A race! And then perhaps around the garden? Once Aburoqaph has joined us, as well? Muraaph fell to all fours again, and fanned out her wings, fluttering them a bit before leaping aloft. She beat her wings enthusiastically, gaining height quickly - and kicking up a small storm in the garden in the process.

The three of us shall race! And the winner... The winner shall get to eat whatever they would like, for supper! Muraaph sounded very pleased with this statement, and paid absolutely no attention to A're as he shouted up at her, clinging to the deck of cards he had withdrawn from one of his coat-pockets to keep them from being blown off in the wind, "But you would have gotten that anyway, I'm sure!"

A're resettled himself, clearing his throat and taking the cards out of their box as the wind died down. "Perhaps we should play 'Chase the Lady,' I imagine it would be fitting, no?" He smirked at M'ari briefly, the corner of his lips quirking up wryly, and began absently shuffling the cards. "Or perhaps one of you has a game you would like to play?"

[‡§åkørü‡]

It's a wonderful rock! Well, was, Aburoqaph informed his green sisters. Perched happily on his ledge, he watched in great interest as the melon exploded, and chirped down to M'ari. He was sorry he had hit him with the melon-bits! Well, he wasn't really, but he thought it wouldn't hurt to apologize. After all, perhaps people didn't like being hit with exploding melons!

No, they definitely don't like to be hit with exploding melons, Ts'kal confirmed mentally. His simourv sighed, gazing in temporary sorrow down at his friends. But it's art now, Muraaph! It's beautiful! Aburoqaph warbled brightly, imitating Muraaph's call, and, as was his wont, immediately forgot that his siblings couldn't fit on the ledge with him. The prospect of a race, however, struck him as intensely fun, and immediately the rainbow twisted and latched onto the cliff once more. Up he went, not wanting to hold up Valenph and Muraaph when they reached the top.

"Personally, my night was--" Ts'kal choked as the melon exploded, splattering on M'ari, and his face turned red before he finally managed to breathe again. Breathing turned out to be more of a laughing fit, however, at least until the candidatemaster regained control. "My night was spent listening to my simourv telling me all about the stars and how they got there because fireflies got spit out by birds." Fighting down his mirth, he assumed a perfectly straight face - a giveaway to anyone who knew him that he was fighting desperately not to laugh. "Chase the Lady! Excellent - one of my favourite games. And yes, very fitting," the rainbowrider agreed, shooting a matching smirk at Muraaph's rider. The grin only grew wider as M'ari made his comment about rock slides, and he too crossed his legs, ignoring the wind even as it died down. "Don't worry. Aburo will do it for her. Who deals?" Ready to play, he grinned at his companions.

Aburoqaph, on the other hand, was in no way trying to hide his excitement. Supper! I want a great big nut for supper, and a...a...a giant apple! The brightly coloured simourv was drawing close to the top of the cliff now, hauling himself up with unusual speed. Whipping his bright tail around beneath him, the great creature scurried up the side of the cliff, digging his claws into every little nook and cranny he could find. Only once did he slip, and dropped several feet down the cliff with an earsplitting screech as his claws tore into the stone. Startled, Aburoqaph squeaked and clung to the cliff, peeking down at the humans far below.

Aburoqaph...! Don't hurt yourself! Ts'kal's cheerful mockery of the rainbow turned immediately to concern as he noted the little male hanging on for dear life. What happened? was his only question as he stared distractedly up at his simourv. Aburoqaph warbled happily, already over his fright, and started back up the cliff.

I slipped, Mine! I made scratch marks on the wall! Aburoqaph related his tale with great enthusiasm, and upon reaching the top of the cliff (it was so high!) he chirped to his companions and ruffled his wings, excitedly prancing on the spot. Let's race! He was ready! Oh, yes, he was very ready! Maybe they'd really be able to find a giant apple if he won (though he'd never seen one before and, in fact, they didn't exist) and have it for supper! It would be wonderful! Amazing! He broadcast his anticipation to everyone present, sending out wave after wave of enthusiasm. Below him, Ts'kal shook his head and smiled. "All right, I'm ready to lose. Let's begin!"

[/center]

[zeis]

M'ari smirked back at A're at the ribbing, and held up his hands with palms open in a gesture of innocence. He spoke in an appropriate tone, all at once losing his casual tone and becoming a charming young gentlemen. "I don't earn any of my bruises, A're. I'm simply always in the right place at the wrong time." His attention turned to Ts'kal, and he smiled at his tale of Aburoqaph. "I know how ya feel. We were at Itnala the other day, and Valenph asked me why ships disappear behind the horizon. Makes me wish I paid more attention to my lessons."

He laughed a tad ruefully at A're's suggesting, and put his hand to his chest with feigned hurt. "Rub it in! But I'll play your game, rider. How about you deal? You're the best with cards out of the three of us." M'ari chuckled a bit, and pushed back the sleeves of his coat meaningfully as he said this. He turned swiftly to shoot a worried look at the screeching of a simourv behind him, but turned back to the game once Aburoqaph had recovered with an amused shake of his head.

Valenph squeaked with playful dismay as Muraaph passed her up as they raced to the top. Her difference in size did have its disadvantages, and she had found that some of the other greens were a bit faster than she. It did not distress her, and her M'ari had told her it was because she was so easy going. She took her time, but this was a race. She was supposed to hustle! Her wings beat harder but she faltered and hovered uneasily at Aburoqaph's brief squall of fear. The simourv's black eyes looked him over carefully, and she hesitated a moment until he recovered. With no need to intervene, she threw herself back into the challenge, but still the smaller Muraaph outpaced her to the top.

Cheers, Muraaph. Supper? Hmmm... I'd like... two nuts for supper, and maybe I'll eat all of those melons. She pondered as she propelled herself slightly forward and down to land on the canyon's edge. I like the way they explode. Her head cocked and her ears pricked forward as she surveyed the rocky landscape around them, always on the lookout for danger even though she was relieved of sweep duties today. Her mind turned back on more pleasing matters, and she swiveled her beak to chirp at her two siblings. With a short hopping backward walk she dragged her claws across the stone to draw out a wavery finish line wide enough for them all to stand and safely take off behind. Around the canyon and back to this spot.

Valenph positioned herself with a flip of her tail, and fluttered her wings lightly. The great green crouched in anticipation, allowing the others enough time to settle themselves. Her voice called out to the riders below. Can one of you please count down from 10? Slowly. She was quiet for a second, then added. Dramatically.

[Kilnarak]

A're nodded as the game was decided upon, absently combing through the deck and withdrawing the two of clubs and the two of diamonds and setting them aside along with the box; he then proceded to reshuffle the deck a few times for good measure. He was about to deal the cards, smiling amicably, when Valenph asked for a countdown. A're glanced briefly between the other two, then setting the deck down carefully, he drew himself up to a stand, offering a mock-salute up to the Simourv - grinning ear-to-ear. "Of course, m'lady Valenph!" he called up, overly serious and with a faint crooning lilt. "Racers, on your marks! Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! ... Two and a half! ... Two and a fourth!" Muraaph sent through a burst of annoyance, aimed at A're but definately palpable to the others in the vicinity. "Ahem. And one! Go! Fly!" He waved his arms with the last words, peering up as the Simourv took off.

Muraaph, resettling into her launching crouch after her annoyed outburst, was caught off guard a moment as the call to start was given. The slighter green squawked indignantly as the others leapt off without her, and scrambling a beat leapt off herself, right on their tails. Her banded wings beating furiously, Muraaph meant to make up for her error in timing even if it left her exhausted afterward, throwing herself into the race. I would like to win too! I want a nut! A big one, the biggest! And perhaps mutton, too! And those sweet fruits, the little red ones! She crowed exhuberantly as she broadcast this, her words coming in quick succession and all but blurring together.

A're watched the race a moment before, with little ado, he dropped back into a sprawl in the grass; stretching out lazily and taking up the deck again to deal. "Who do you think should win then?" he grinned at the other two, swiftly dealing a total of 18 cards to each. This done, he took up his own hand, looking over the cards with that same grin on his face, not wavering in the slightest. "First pass will be to the left, then right, alternating each set. Is that satisfactory?" He idly withdrew three cards from his hand as he said this, and after looked up at the other two for an answer, turning his amusement back up to them.

[‡§åkørü‡]

Ts'kal snorted with laughter at M'ari's story. He shook his head, imagining the picture. Valenph was more sensible than his own naive rainbow, so the mental image was made funnier by the irony. "Simourvs," he muttered, "always asking the silliest questions. Mind you, some of them are pretty good. And some aren't." The rainbowrider stretched his arms as though preparing for a fight, twisting from side to side with a laugh. A grin found its way to M'ari as he mock-complained about the choice, and Ts'kal chuckled.

"It's what we do. Right, A're?" Turning his attention to the dealer, the candidatemaster paused only to listen to the countdown, snickering at the fractions A're added onto his numbers. At the word 'go' he heard the rush of six wings as the simourvs lifted off, bent on racing. He looked up fondly at his own, watching as the three shadows passed over him, and then returned his attention to the other riders. Scooping up his cards, he looked over his hand, modeling his features into an imperfect poker face. "Sounds good to me." He too pulled three cards from his hand, careful to hide them against his chest, and let a smirk pull up one corner of his mouth. Whether it was because of the situation or his hand, it was impossible to tell.

Aburoqaph chirped in agreement at Valenph, fluttering his broad wings with an excited prance. I like the way they explode too! Squeaking, he sent out his agreement with his other sister as well, and swished his tail eagerly at the crude line. To him, it was perfect! It was beautiful! It marked the point where the winner gained the privilege to choose the most scrumptious dinner on Pohono! It was life! The rainbow nearly leaped away early just from sheer excitement!

But then he lined up alongside Muraaph and Valenph, crouching as well. He cocked his ears to listen to A're's voice counting down, and gave a scream of delight as they were allowed to take off. Surging forward, he launched himself off the wall, shooting out just ahead of his green sisters. Being smaller, they'd have a chance to catch up - especially Muraaph, who had lagged.

Aburoqaph wasn't waiting! He wanted a Chydyn nut - a huge one! And the biggest apple in the world for dessert! It'd be delicious - the fate of his dinner rested on this race! Warbling to the greens, the rainbow shot through the air, streaking towards the far corner of the garden. He completely failed to notice whether the others were even catching up or not, so happy was he to be flying so fast. Ts'kal never let him go at this speed, not when he wasn't wearing that heavy harness! It was freedom! Delicious, delightful, savoury freedom!

Look how fast we can fly! See? SEE!? Look at us! Look at ME! Broadcasting his thoughts for all to hear, Aburo squealed and raced around the first corner, heading for the second. Whether or not his siblings were alongside him wasn't a concern at all. He didn't mind if they pulled ahead a little - he just wanted to win! He was fast, so very fast! Ts'kal's laughing admiration washed up to him, wordless but encouraging. Calling to his sisters, the little simourv raced over the garden, wondering vaguely who would win. Catch me if you can!

Ts'kal shook his head, grinning at his bonded's antics. He tried to focus on the other humans, ready to pass his cards left to M'ari. The rainbowrider just knew he was going to lose, but he didn't care. His dinner didn't depend on this game! Besides, he was terrible at cards. But the company was absolutely worthwhile. So was watching the simourvs inadvertently smash melons, come to think of it.

[/center]

[zeis]

M'ari watched A're shuffle the deck closely, quietly making sure his efforts were fair. As much as he enjoyed gambling, he had lost to the other greenrider plenty of times. Not much more than half, but a certain percentage of his own victories had been through sleight of hand. A're was either incredibly lucky, or quite nimble fingered himself, which he felt far more likely. "I guess they have as much of an appetite for learning as any person." He said thoughtfully, glancing briefly up to Ts'kal. "I'll just count myself lucky she doesn't seem interested in mathematics."

He listened to A're's countdown with a smirk on his face, and craned his head back to get a view of the destined launching point. Anticipation and eagerness bubbled through his connection with Valenph, and then like a shot of rainbow hued lightning coupled with a scream that made him wince he saw Aburoqaph take the lead. Valenph followed soon after, and then after only a second or two of hesitation he caught sight of Muraaph. Smiling, he looked back down to watch A're deal. Picking up and considering his cards, he did his best to ignore the rainbows concentration shattering cries of delight. "What did you say? My ears are ringing."

Valenph leaped powerfully from her crouching position, and pumped her wings to bring her muscled frame into true flight. She wasn't surprised to see the much lighter Aburoqaph sail past her, and neither was she too discouraged. Racing was fun, but the fun wasn't in the winning or losing. It was the act itself she enjoyed, and with that she was never disappointed. The large noticed Muraaph's late start, and strove to keep the lead she had on the quicker green for as long as she could. She quickly reached her accustomed speed, and did her best to surpass it. Her great heartbeat quickened as he wings propelled her on a course a safe distance above the rocks zipping past.

The rainbow's challenge sent a wave of unaccustomed playfulness over her. For so long they had been training, fighting, and doing their duty. Even as entertaining as her rider was, she had forgotten such long lost pleasures as simply playing a game with her clutch-mates. Feeling up to the lightning fast rainbows challenge, she worked her wings furiously and with a playfully ominous bugle began to steadily close the gap between them. I'm catching up! I've almost got you! She announced teasingly to let the tension build, and truly once she found herself near enough to the rainbow she batted gently at the feathers on his trailing tail. After this she fell back a bit to ease the burning pace her wings were beginning to feel at trying to pace him.

Her rider chuckled as he went along with the game, and kept his face as unreadable as possible if not for the occasional twitches of reaction to some feeling sent from Valenph. Lady luck had been good to him, and he fully intended to win.

[Kilnarak]

Muraaph crowed again as she caught up with Valenph, the sligher green having an easier time of gaining ground due to her lighter frame. She soared a moment, allowing her wingbeats to slow in time with Valenph's - taking a brief rest of sorts. When her sister began to speed up again in response to Aburoqaph's challenge, while she quickened slightly, the smaller green allowed herself to lag behind a bit - let the others spend themselves on these prolonged bursts, she would catch up again after they had tired. Or she would catch up with Valenph, at the least - Aburoqaph she was not so sure of, as the little rainbow seemed to have no end of energy.

Muraaph held back a few moments longer, then put on a sudden burst of speed, beating her wings in powerful broad sweeps to pull her forward. She loosed a piercing shriek, even as she broadcast to her clutchmates,I will catch you both! The smaller green's burst of speed was timed near as Valenph began to fall back, and she shot ahead of her sister to take her place right on Aburoqaph's tail. She could keep this pace a while, longer than her sister at least, 'though she was yet unsure if she could hold it as long as Aburo. She would need to find some other means of outmaneuvering the smaller rainbow. Or perhaps a distraction? Muraaph chuffed quietly to herself as she sped on, her eyes scanning the rock face as they zoomed past.

It was still a ways before she caught sight of something suitable, and her wings were beginning to tire with the hard pace. She slowed slightly, cocking her head back in the appearance of interest. Oh. What is that? she chirped as she broadcast loudly, folding her wings into an abrupt dive to go nearer the splash of color protruding out of the rock - a wildflower of some sort. Is it a treasure? I believe it is! The smaller green trilled excitedly, and secretly hoped her ruse would work to distract the little rainbow - at least long enough that she would gain a bit of ground on him.

Below, A're gave a small shake of his head, casting a quick smirk up at the racing simourv as he read Muraaph's subterfuge. He kept a mental tab on his green, absently expressing his amusement to her - not enough to distract again, especially as he was distracted himself with the game. He hadn't specifically done anything to the deck as he had shuffled and dealt, and if he had done anything to it before this game, it was so subtle the other two wouldn't notice. Or so he hoped, at least.

A're considered his hand a long moment, making something of a show of weighing his options, before he selected a trio of cards and passed them over to Ts'kal - face cards, all of them, and among them the 'Lady': the Queen of Spades. It was a bad start for Ts'kal, but there would still be a number of other hands besides for him to make up for it - the point of the game was to take as few cards as possible, with hearts and the Lady increasing the score. The winner would be the player with the lowest score, after all of the hands had been played. A're held his cards close, a faint smile curling his lips as he waited for M'ari to pass his own three cards; then he began the game in earnest. Pausing now and again to remark on his own and the other players' turns of luck.

After the first hand was played, Ts'kal had the highest score, A're behind, with M'ari just slightly lower. He smiled at the other two as he reshuffled the deck for the next hand, laughing quietly. "Ah, I guess it's a good thing I didn't propose we bet, mm?" He shook his head, dealing the next hand. "Perhaps next time, when I do, luck will favor me over you, ah M'ari? ... though I still have a chance to win her favor back." He grinned broadly as he lead off the second hand.

[‡§åkørü‡]

Ts'kal paused for a moment, considering that. M'ari had a point, he figured, and that agreement made itself known in the form of a smile. "Yeah...they do, come to think of it. Probably more than most humans I've known," he remarked wryly. Following up with a laugh, the rainbowrider shook his head, hoarding his cards close to him. "Hear, hear, M'ari! I'm not sure about Valenph, but trying to teach Aburoqaph math would be the end of me."

So would the cards he was dealt, come to think of it. Passing off those cards of his with the highest value, Ts'kal received the worst trio he possibly could from A're. Shooting a stealthy glare at the greenrider, the candidatemaster tucked the cards into his hand with a roll of the eyes. Naturally he would get the Lady. Had it been a real lady, he might not have minded so much, but that accursed queen destroyed what hope he might have had of not losing. "It is indeed," he returned in mild annoyance. Still, it was only the beginning of the second hand, and he hoped for better results on this go.

Surveying his cards, Ts'kal mostly ignored his screeching simourv, knowing that the excitable rainbow was only happy. He could hear the little male's thoughts quite clearly, and shook his head with a smile. Yes, Aburo, you're the fastest simourv on Pohono. You're the fastest simourv in the galaxy! he sent encouragingly.

Aburoqaph was absolutely convinced he was uncatchable. Racing along the top wall of the garden, he shot through the air just ahead of his sisters, screaming in delight. It would seem to anyone watching that he was totally oblivious to anything but the race; indeed, they would have been right. Only the wind flattening his bright feathers, and the thoughts of his siblings, caught the little rainbow's attention. Valenph in particular alarmed him: she almost had him? No!

No you don't! he protested, putting on an extra burst of speed. Of course, even the little rainbow's wings were beginning to burn a bit, but he happily ignored that in the temporary thrill of winning. Twitching his tail as the larger green dropped back a bit, Aburoqaph chirped happily and sped on, though he slackened his pace ever so slightly.

Figuring he was safe for the moment, the male coasted on, albeit still at rapid speed. He was still ahead of the others, though Muraaph was right on his tail. This realization made him squeak with alarm, and he beat his iridescent wings furiously, emanating bursts of startled excitement. No, you won't, Muraaph! I wanna win!

Zipping along and coming to the midpoint between the first and second corners of the garden, Aburoqaph chirped to himself and his sisters, only to hear Muraaph chirp too. Interested, he turned his head to look, and saw the smaller of the two greens diving, announcing that she had found something. Naive as always, the rainbow turned and darted after her, wondering what it was she had discovered. He dove down to the cliffside as well, warbling, and discovered the wildflower. It was bright red, with gold and orange in it, and he squealed in delight, forgetting altogether about the race.

Flower! It's pretty, Muraaph! Enthusiastically peering at the blooming plant, Aburoqaph was rocked back to reality by two things: first of all, Valenph shot over his head and took the lead. Secondly, he heard Ts'kal's voice scream in his mind, ABUROQAPH! Get going if you want to win!

This, of course, caused the rainbow to realize his mistake, and he squealed indignantly, whirling up to chase after Muraaph and Valenph. They were both ahead of him now, and he strained his wings to catch up again, sending out blazes of colour and thought. Muraaph! That's cheating! he cried mentally, and screeched physically. But he was gaining again, slowly: pounding his wings against the air to make up for lost time, the slender simourv raced after his sisters. His shoulder was level with the end of Valenph's tail now, and he attempted furiously to regain the ground he had lost.

Ts'kal lifted a brow, staring at A're in mild interest. "Did Muraaph learn that trick from you?" he inquired politely. He knew the other man's reputation for cards: he won a fair amount, and it was suspected that he sometimes did it through trickery. Unfortunately, he was also tricky enough not to be caught at it. Go, Aburoqaph! You can catch them! he called mentally, and his simourv responded with a hearty burst of speed, pulling level with Valenph's flank. But could he get his lead back before the end of the race?

[/center]

[zeis]

M'ari allowed his poker face to evaporate at the end of the first round, and was obviously as pleased as punch with his bout of luck. Not only that, but from what he saw of A're's deck there wasn't anything visibly crooked about it. Even if there was, as long as it was Ts'kal catching the bad end of it, he wouldn't complain too much. He accepted his cards with a playful bow of gratitude, and sifted through them with a slight smile. Not a perfect hand, but not bad. His attention was distracted from the game by Aburoqaphs cry of indignation, and the rainbowrider's strictly polite inquiry. Struggling not to grin, he chuckled behind his cards. "Now, Ts'kal, for all we know, Muraaph might have taught A're all he knows." Despite his playful jab, he looked up to observe the race with a smile of admiration. "She's a resourceful simourv, you know."

His own resourceful simourv had fought on against Muraaph matching her pace, and had observed both her sister and the fast Aburoqaph seemingly wheel in the opposite direction with a confused blink of her black eyes. A treasure? A flower? She had never been much for physical possessions, so instead of joining them in her investigation she flew on doggedly. By the time that the two smaller simourv had returned to the race, the larger green had caught somewhat of second wind, and was throwing her all into attaining speed. She was still in the lead though not through a great deal of effort. Muraaph was gaining, and Aburoqaph was gaining even faster still. The finish line was in sight of her keen hawk-like eyes, and her lungs burned with exertion and adrenaline. Her deep reverberating laughter bubbled happily in the minds of those around her. She might win, she might not. Either way it was good fun. You could learn a lesson or two from me, you know. Valenph chuckled privately to her rider, and M'ari turned his attention back to his cards with a broadening grin.