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Everyone knew 'Kida had something up her sleeve. No one knew just what it was, but it was something. It made the Valley nervous. Eikida was their star player, so to speak; she was what kept their little world safe and hidden from the outside world (which they all -knew- was frightening!). If she tried to pull something, and was injured, or worse, they would be left with only their handful of backups. It made them all fidgety. Needless to say, Eikida herself was having a ball. She loved attention, and with everyone focused on her and her chasers, the little Shield felt like the belle of the ball. The only thing she didn't like about this kind of attention was that the atmosphere sort of rubbed off on her boys. That just wouldn't do. So she mingled. She was glad they were all naturally small - the invitation to chase her had been specific on that point because she'd noticed that downsized dragons both didn't quite fly as well as they would have because they weren't used to their new size, and they passed on their 'large' genes. She shuddered every time she thought about those poor mothers with eggs from large fathers. (Even though they weren't actually any larger than any other egg, she thought they felt bigger.) But mainly, she wanted her boys to be at their peak. She meant to give them a challenge today. Though really, no matter who was the better flier, it was still entirely up to her who actually caught her. She had to smirk at that. And while speaking with a nervous male, that sort of smirk might not have had quite the calming influence she was going for. Oh well! 'Kida made the rounds, spreading friendly smiles through the ranks, and really, the fact that it was a gesture of amiability, it served a purpose that the little Saa would make use of later, during the flight. In getting to know the males, she could more easily choose who she would like to catch her. What made it even more interesting was the fact that one or two of them couldn't fly at all. What an interesting game this would be! When she had finally met all seven of the competing males, Eikida hovered overhead, basking a moment in the entire Valley's attention, and then she was off like a shot. The males leapt into the air a split second afterward, and followed as she led a merry chase weaving in and out of trees and around boulders. The first to fight his way to the front of the pack of chasers was Niads, his many fur-lined wings buzzing. 'Kida giggled softly and waited until she could practically feel him snatch at her tail... and jumped straight up. Not relying on wings or actual physics to remain aloft had it's advantages. The half-Saa's eyes widened and he had to swerve and go around a large tree trunk the long way, putting him again at the very back of the group. He wrinkled his snout, frustrated with himself, but continued on. There was probably no way for him to win now, but he might get a lucky chance. Now with some distance between her and her nearest pursuer, Eikida did a little loop in the air, and dove back down below the canopy. A pair of sharp eyes some distance off nodded to herself and took careful note of the place that the little Saa disappeared. When 'Kida's chasers dove below the thick canopy after her, the first few, Vispeto Janger, D'elfaza, and Joss, caught the trailing edge of her wake and followed. However, just before the next bunch came crashing through the dense foliage, a giggling 'Kida appeared from thin air and streaked past, going in a completely different direction. Well. Needless to say, the remainder of the chasing males followed. Also hot on her trail. And the chase continued. Confusing enough yet? The males certainly thought so. For one, the now leading chaser, Embroth, distinctly remembered there being three more males ahead of him. Not that he minded being in the lead now, but really, had they dropped out? Or had the crafty little Eikida played another trick on them? 'Kida, for her part, didn't give anyone much time to think, as she once again pulled a fast one. This time, coming to a complete stop, dropped like a stone until she was practically inches above the forest floor, and reversed direction, gaining what speed she had lost almost as soon as she started. Again, this gained her some time and distance, and she rocketed back up through the canopy yet again, and did another backflip before diving down. And again, a pair of eyes took mental note. This time, those at the rear had had more time to react, so they were closer behind when she took off just above the canopy, skimming and ducking protruding branches and leaves. Niads and Nova burst into the sunlight first and took a quick look around, before catching sight of the brightly colored Eikida and taking off after her. Once she had led them quickly back down through the canopy, yet another Eikida appeared. This time, however, she waited patiently for the last of her chasers to find her, and then took off in a third direction. Elsewhere, her job done, an amused dragon returned to whatever she had been doing. She liked 'Kida. It was a pleasure to help the mischievous little Shiled play with her pursuers. This third, and last group were led back down through the canopy. Ferdinand and Embroth both realized that they were the only two chasing now, and glanced worriedly at each other. What on earth had happened to the others?! Meanwhile, a disappointed Cieyuni was almost hopelessly lost. He'd tried to keep up with the main group, but the first time they'd broken through the canopy above, he'd all but lost track of them. He'd been hearing noises all around him ever since, and following what seemed like the most likely. The thing was, they kept changing direction! Either Eikida was a much faster flier than she appeared to be, or something fishy was going on. He only wished he could be a part of it. Wish granted! Eikida dove into view again, and grinned at the Merideti, before darting past him. Oh, that's more like it! He took off with all the strength he'd saved by not actually being in the chase, and gained the lead. Eikida was skimming just above the floor, as though she'd doubled back just to give him a chance. She looked happy too. Cieyuni grinned and sprinted as fast as his slender legs would allow, and they soon left the two more tired, less maneuverable males behind. He certainly wouldn't let her down if she came back to play with him. The whole Valley waited for the flight to end. They didn't care who won, as long as they treated their precious Shield well, they just wanted to make sure she came back. Just when a few of the more jumpy individuals had it in mind to start a search party, the first of the males started drifting back. Soon, all were assembled, and Eikida returned to them, unharmed and looking extremely pleased with herself. A few of the males muttered under their breath about invisible walls, but the majority were amiable and energized by the competition, and left in good spirits. When Vispeto returned, he slid into a nearby lake to relax after the long chase (all males were invited to stay for as long as they wished, both before and after a flight). A few onlookers nodded to themselves and smiled knowingly. That is until Nova returned. He shook out his vaguely mussed fur and both heads couldn't seem to stop grinning at the looks he got. That was strange enough to make people talk, but there had been double flights before, so it wasn't quite so odd. And then Cieyuni returned, looking positively pleased. He and Eikida chatted for a moment, and broke into a friendly game of tag, both thoroughly enjoying themselves. Now everyone was confused. There had been only barely enough time for a double flight, and that only if 'Kida had chosen right away and kept both liaisons short. It wouldn't have been nearly enough time to allow for a triple flight. And besides, there was no way tiny 'Kida could bear more than four or five eggs anyway. There couldn't possibly be three fathers to one of her clutches! It wasn't until Exodus and Reian'ni appeared and curled up watching the post-flight play, completely unsurprised at the result, that a few onlookers started getting suspicious. Rei could create illusions that would fool anyone, even those with strong telepathic senses. She and 'Kida were notorious pranksters when they were allowed any time together. And that out-realm dragon could transport anyone or anything to anywhere, no matter the physical or temporal distance. She used it alongside her brother's skills with genetic manipulation sometimes to help couples that couldn't technically have their own children. Was either one mixed up in this confusion? What would it mean if they were? Could the one have fooled chasing males to such an extent that they thought they'd won? Could the other have wrinkled time and space? Eikida revealed nothing. All three chasers revealed nothing. Reian'ni only giggled. And Exodus didn't even acknowledge that anything was amiss. Well. At the end of the day, 'Kida was happy. And that meant the rest of the Valley could relax. Hey, it would certainly be an interesting hatching, if nothing else! |
| Eikida - SaaShiyovi | Vispeto Janger - Fantasan Quatari
Cieyuni neYeuki-naTier, buIsotu - Merideti Nova - Zalor-Bipedra hybrid Joss - Unknown Naiads - 1/2 Saa Mutt Embroth - Pernese Mutt Ferdinand - Catdragon D'elfaza - Lirianz |