It was cold.

Snow was wet.

All in all winter sucked for a wild wher.

There was no food around either.

Wherries apparently don't like the cold. They had learned to hide really well. A certain green wher was oddly restless. She normally didn't wake until later in the evening and well after dark. It was only early evening and she was up and it was already bitterly cold outside of her warm cave. her home protected her from the worst of the winter weather. Forest didn't want to go out hunting and was loathe to leave her warm place but she was hungry. So she slipped out of her warm protected cave to find something to fill her aching belly. She had the urge to find fuel quickly and run.

She needed to run.

The wher paused a moment as her body began to glow with a telling glow. She needed to Run and she wanted her males to be the best. The moonlight shone on the wher as she tracked down a couple of wherries. She blooded them quickly then lifted a dripping maw to release a roar to the heavens and any listening males.

Forest want males. Need Run. Run hard, Run long.

Can males keep up with Forest? Better hurry. Forest not wait. the wher called to any listening males who would come. She shifted a bit as she waited for the males to show up. The snow crunched under her paws. She wasn't going to wait for the males for long. They either came or they didn't.


(( Sorry for how short it is but my muse is puttering out x-x Okay here's how I'm running this. You have one week to post your chaser before I post again at which point it will be closed to new chasers. There will be two more rounds before the winner is decided. Have fun ^^ ))

The blue was stalking, hulky body moving like a lumbering bear of old Earth. His swinging gait growled as he saw the wherry nest ahead, mouth salivating at the idea of eating. Eggs weren’t exactly his favorite but food was food no matter where you were. The storm blue hunkered down, creeping ahead, glancing around for the parents. Not here. Good. He wasn’t in the mood to get his back pecked at. With quick work, he snatched up a few in a single bite, snapping down on them as the innards dripped down his throat. It felt good and it tasted delicious after having only old wherry meat. Hungry like as a lion, he ate ravenously, mind dull to anything. He just wanted to eat. The yellow goo ran down his chin, eyes flecking with hints of blue, finally seeming to calm after his anger. Tempest had always had a bad temper.

Once finished, he basically collapsed in the snow, smiling wherishly when he felt just a little bit fuller than he had been. Still, there was a sensation tickling at him that wasn’t going to be satisfied with eggs. It wanted something that wasn’t that. Blood… yes. It wanted blood. Head snapping up, the male seemed to smirk when he heard it. There was a female. Wait… Forest? That crazy, stupid green? Oh boy. This was going to be fun. Standing up, he started walking in that direction, not concerned on his pace. She’d wait for him. She was just like a nice little wherlet. He was more like a large nasty… well, not bronze. He hated relating himself to them. Still. On his way, he found a tunnelsnake that had just killed a lone tunnelcat. A nice bloody meal to satisfy the urges Forest drowned him under. Once satiated, the male turned and started at a jog in the direction of what he was very quick to claim as his female. He was overly confident.

Entering with a great growl, a barkish roar announcing he had arrived. Tempest was a showy one no doubt. His purple, lamp eyes glared at Forest, daring her to test him. Forest no need wait. Others not needed. Tempest here. Run, run, SillyGreen. Forest be caught by StormWher. The bulky blue lashed his tail with his growl lowered into a lustful purr almost. Forest had been annoying when they met. But now he forgot that completely. He just wanted to see himself win t his green female.

She would be his and there would be no other way about it.

---

Writing assignments. He despised them. He boy yawned as he scratched the words onto the paper, Keir smacking at his wrist as the bell jingled its lovely tune. Rosina, unconcerned with the odd noise, was curled up on the desk, head rested on her paws as she napped. The tiny pearl twitched her tail slowly, purring in her sleep (at least it seemed like purring.) The brown wher sat nearby, eyeing the paper for their wherlingmaster. Assignments weren’t fun but with Leonisk’s curious questioning and jokes, he managed to make the boy at least keep on task.

Leonisk’s write good, the wher praised, his deep voice resonating in the boy’s mind. Leo grinned, reaching out to pat the mottled nose. He adored Leonisk. The wher had changed his life completely and Leo couldn’t stop ogling at his precious bonded without grinning. He had done well, Impressing a brown and all. He turned, folded the paper, and stuck it aside. That was enough for tonight. ’You up for a beach run?’ he questioned mentally. Run? the wher parroted, stopping when his eyes gazed beyond Leo, beyond the weyr they were in and into a land far beyond. The teen blinked and waved his hand in front of the distant eyes. ”Hello? Leonisk?” he called.

Forest want males. Need Run. Run hard, Run long. Can males keep up with Forest? Better hurry. Forest not wait.

Leonisk sorry but run far. ForestGreen call. The brown stood, eyeing his bonded with sorrow before turning. Instincts were too strong. He couldn’t stop himself when this green had cried. Leonius leapt up, about to call and question when suddenly he felt the wave of lust. It was so new, so unfelt. Yelping, he fell to his knees, eyes clenching tight when his body pulsed just slightly with the need the wher was only starting to experience. He was so inexperienced and new at this stuff though that it was too much already and it was such a small brush.

’Leonisk! No, please, don’t! You can’t do this to me!’

The brown cried loud as he dashed for the woods. He felt awful though the lust was tingling all around him. He couldn’t stop himself and Leo was going to suffer. The mottled brown seemed to be twitchy with each step he took, regretful and unable to go forward with full power. Shaking his head, Leonisk’s purple-swirling eyes also mixed with hints of fearful yellow. He didn’t know what to do. Halting in his steps, the wher shook and cried, worried about His and of the green that had called. He wanted to go but...

No. No, he couldn’t just ignore it. Walking again, the wher picked up speed, slowly but surely rushing at a fast-paced jog. He was full of young energy and power. He could do this. Leo… he’d support him in the end. Right? Shaking the doubt mentally, The handler’s wher jogged into a clearing, already well aware he was in wild wher territory. Three blues were there and he seemed to be the only brown. Stepping up with no more nervousness, Leonisk bowed with no more fears or worries. His eyes stayed purple this time. No fear. No worries. That was how it had to be. Leonisk here, ForestGreen. Young but strong. Run long, sweet green. Leonisk follow true and strong.

Leo curled his hands in the furs of his bed, teeth gnashing as he laid in a huddled ball. This was what he had feared. He had feared for the day Leonisk could no longer hold back for him. Biting down on the furry object, he screamed though it was muffled. He didn’t want these feelings, he didn’t want this connection at a time like this. He just wanted to run away, hide and never return to this. ’Leonisk!’ the young teen mentally cried.

He was never going to be prepared for such drastic lust. Never.

NPC Wild Blue Fade

A creature moved through the forest silently, they seemed to move along on the very edge of existence and death. Pale almost white skin clung to the thin structure of a wher. Eyes were sunken in to a skull with skin pulled so tight it might seem as if this creature should be dead. Long skeleton limbs moved with amazing ease as the creature skimmed through the forest. Its movements were light, barely leaving a mark to show where it had come from. Not a creature noted its passing through the moonlit forest, all were asleep in their beds unaware of the ghost like creature moving through their homes.

When a voice called across the frozen land, the skeleton wher tilted his head to a side. A thin tail flicked back and forth before he slowly as if he had all the time to live, the wher turned and made his way towards the voice. Like a moth drawn to a flame, the blue heeded the call without a thought or a worry. Soon he appeared among the trees, something that had not been there before but now had materialized out of the wintery scene that surrounded the green.

Fade will answer.

Came the airy response. His voice sounded older than time and it touched lightly upon the mind. Perhaps he had never even said anything at all? Maybe the green just had imagined the beast, but he was real and the barely visible marks in the snow were enough to prove to the green that he an actual wher instead of a dream. Darker rings marked around his eyes, if he were to close his eyes it would look as if he had hollowed out sockets. His eyes did slip shut as he waited for the young green to start her run. Though his eyes were closed, his head was angled towards her as if those hollowed out sockets were staring into her.

Splash sniffled the slushy ground, large eyes mournful. The cheery, bouncy wher seemed a shadow of himself. Brindled hide stretched taught over his frame. He wasn't the worst wher off, not yet, he still had some muscle tone. He just didn't have the energy to be...Himself.

A forked tongue dipped into the snow, the moss color stark against the ivory whiteness that blanketed Pern. The Blue winced as the cold washed down his throat. It was necessary though, filling his stomach with snow help with the ache. Eagerly he gulped down the frigid fluff, throat burning, nostrils filled with the wet nothingness that was the scent of snow.

It was funny though. His body temperature should be cooling with the consumption of the snow, but instead, the Blue found himself warming. Splash warbled uncertainly, staring at his flank, which twitched and quivered. Soon, the little Blue's entire body was shaking and he couldn't stay still. Splash bolted, letting his paws carry him. Instinct did not let the wher question this sudden burst of energy. Nor were his heightened senses challenged, as he found a scrawny rodent, killing it quickly and gulping it down. It was so small, surely eating it would help more than blooding it?

So Splash ran, trembling paws making the way rough as he stumbled and skidded on patches of ice. Wordlessly he bugled, a high scratchy note that echoed in the silence of the snow. She wasn't far away, but her summoning roar sounded like it could travel further. The sound was full of the heady, hazy, fierce sound every male associated with mating. Splash crooned low in his throat, extending his stride. He did not waste energy running to her, no, he loped, an easy gait he could keep up for some time if he had to.

Two other Blues were already there and the normally easy going creature hissed, hed snaking down and out as he pranced over. He completed the semi circle of whers, nostrils flaring, eyes intent on the glowing female before him. Splash could feel his ichor roar and his skin felt too tight, but not from hunger, no. This was a different feeling that burned from the inside out and surely had release as his hunger did not!

Splash here for pretty Green. Run faster than angry snow. Promise!

He wriggled all over, paws slapping the ground. The Blue could hardly contain himself. He was ready to run.

Forest's head snapped around at Tempest's showy entrance. The roar made her shiver with delight which confused the poor green. She certainly hadn't expected for the Storm wher to show up not that she wasn't happy to see him. Oh she was delighted to see the blue. He was big and strong, just what she needed in a mate if no one else showed up to chase. She hadn't thought that Tempest liked her. He'd thought she was silly and crazy. Well Tempest was certainly one to talk about being crazy.

Tempest cocky. Shall see if Tempest catch Forest. Forest need others, needs to run. she said and might have said more. However she was distracted by the arrival of her next chaser, a sturdy looking brown. Leonisk was a fine example of his rank, just as Tempest was of his.

But Leonisk wasn't wild. Forest shifted staring at him. Young Leonisk might be but that he was here at all said something. Forest gave the brown a slight nod.

Forest run. Leonisk better run fast. she said a hint of teasing in her voice as she took a couple of steps forward and brushed her muzzle against his mottled one. She still wasn't sure about the tame brown but he had answered so she decided she would let him chase.

If he could keep up with her.

Her third chaser was another blue but this one was little more than skin and bones compared to Tempest. The pale blue blended into the surroundings so well when he stopped moving Forest had to use her sense of smell to know he was still there rather then having vanished into thin air. Fade would be an interesting chaser. Splash was greeted with a croon. He reminded her of Sweet, playful and bouncy. It was too bad Iolite males didn't chase.

Oh well.

She surveyed her males once more her tail lashing as the need to Run coursed through her. Yes these were her males, all hers to play with. She needed to be moving. She growled softly at the males with a wherish grin.

Catch Forest if you can. Run fast as you can. she purred in an almost singsong voice as she bolted brushing by Leonisk on her way out. Muscles churned as the young green ran. She wouldn't make it easy for the males. She knew the woods and had the fearlessness of youth. She would pick only the best of these four.

But which was the best for her?

The phantom like wher stood on the edge, his head barely moving to look at upon the last blue that arrived. His sunken eyes slowly blinked, the dull reds of his eyes disappearing into the blackness of his eye lids as he closed them. Everything seemed to fall silent, it was easy to forget that Fade stood there as his breath barely ghosted from partially opened lips. He watched the green move around to the different suitors. She didn't come near him though, perhaps she herself had forgotten that Fade existed in this world. Sometimes the blue himself forgot that he existed here too.

Time seemed to go by slowly. The woods creaked under the weight of their heavy burdens. A slow heartbeat kept Fade occupied, listening to his heart beat softly. Claws gently scratched at the snow, making small little indents in the white carpet that spread out below his almost just as pale paws. His eyes slipped shut as he waited, body slowly swaying back and forth almost as if in time with the groans and creaks of the forest around him. An animal cried out in the darkness and his nostrils slowly expanded to take in the scent of it.

When the green began her run, he sprang after her. His footfalls barely making much sound in the snow as he moved after her. His long skeletal limbs carried him easily as he sprang over fallen logs and continued to weave among the trees after the green. His eyes were trained on her and his body seemed to be a brief flash against the snowy trees, but he remained mostly almost unidentifiable among the white background. Even the darkness barely gave him any notice as he ran on.

He didn't fear any of the other males, Tempest was a rather fearsome looking beast but Fade would never allow himself to get close to the beast. Splash was rather...air headed in his mind, but most of Fade's thoughts and memories were like wisps of smoke so he barely remembered any of them. The brown smelled of humans, it brought something to mind but perhaps it was just a dream? He really didn't know or care as he moved on after the green gem that they had all come for.

Splash nearly burst with joy. She had crooned to him! The Blue wasn't even upset that Green-Green had looked at the other males. She had spoken to him! The brindled hide quivered all over, and not with cold. His ichor was hot, his hide itched.Paws kneaded the ground anxiously. It was time to make snow fly!

Forest-Green seemed to think so too, because her forked tail slashed against the sky and her scent was growing, swelling and made his nostrils drink the air eagerly. Yess, they needed to Run, leave this cold world behind them for one of warmth and comfort! Splash couldn't hold it in anymore. He bugled, high and clear, yes whirling blue-violet with devotion. The Blue hadn't known this Green long, but she had his entire focus and devotion tonight!

When she burst into motion, Splash was but a step behind, his body built for speed. Of course, he was in the company of other quicker and well fed beasts, so he wasn't among the first to trail after her. The Blue would have to put in an extra amount of strength and heart if he was to win this wheress's heart.

Splash fast! Legs no see! No see Forest-Green's! She flying!

He declared, voice giddy. As always, the female form in action was a wondrous thing of beauty. What male could deny such an emerald jem his attention? Her legs ran like the unthawed river, her hide was hot as the midday rays of Rukbat upon the stone. Her sweet voice like the fresh eggs of a wherry sliding down his throat. If Splash were a human he would right ballads to the Green's form and voice. Since he was a wher, he just burbled and crooned between breaths, leaping and holding his wings stiff to glide between strides. Behind him, a cloud of snow trailed.

Tempest growled head lowering when she called him cocky. Cocky! Him, Tempest? No, he was just sure that she needed nothing else. Was he not good enough? He bristled at the next chaser, a brown with the scent of human across his hide. Tempest’s eyes, though purple, had tiny swirls of red flashing through them. How dare this brown try to walk in on wild wher territory and woo a female of theirs! The young brown would have to watch out.

Tempest was on his tail.

The others he paid no mind to. Two blues, both wild. They really were no concern since one was a tiny thing, the other a pudgy one. Ha! He could stomp them without even trying. Fade and Splash were no bother when compared to the bulky Tempest. He was going to win if it was the last thing he could do.

Forest see, he promised the green. Forest see Tempest only one.

He lashed his striped tail as his lips pulled back in a terrifying snarl. He would not be held back. When she took off, Tempest wasn’t far behind though his brown-sized body was not as limber as Fade’s or able to use his wings as much as Splash. But he sure as hell as the determination of a bull. He crushed twigs behind his gallop, broke past tree limbs and tore through bushes with snow without care. His path was not one to be in the way of. The blue glanced behind him once only to see the brown catching up. That handled thing would have to go. Rearing back in mid leap, he fell back some, enough to come in stride with the crazy Leonisk.

Go HOME, bad wher! Not belong here!

---

Leonisk shivered, watching the other wild whers with uncertainty. He was a foreigner. It wasn’t safe. Still, he lifted his mottled head, unafraid. He knew he could impress Forest even with the fact that he had a handler. He gazed back at Forest, ultimately seeing her doubt in him. She knew he had a handler, he was not wild-born. He would never be one of them. Not ever. He looked down for a moment, already knowing he’d be at that disadvantage. Wild whers and handled whers- they were not to mix, were they? Not this way. Not a handled male to a wild female. Though he was optimistic in his strength, he did not expect to win. It was his first and he was on a different rank than these blues.

He jerked his eyes back to her, grinning wherishly when she spoke to him. He hesitated when she stepped forward, her muzzle aimed out to bump his. He followed suit, brushing with a small purr right back. Where she had touched burned delightfully for him. Leonisk run fast, legs tire but heart not. Trust Leonisk. His rumbling “king of cats” voice echoed power and knowledge as he watched her walk off to look among the others. His confidence had returned, now back to the regular Leonisk he was.

The mottled brown felt no animosity towards these other chasers though glancing at the largest blue made him wince and turn away. He wanted no wars, no fighting. He would have preferred to keep it all peaceful. But the look in Tempest’s eyes said otherwise. All eyes returned to the green as she taunted them, rushing off. However, not without a final brush against his hide. Young and inexperienced, the male groaned out, shaking for a second, giving the others a head start. Leonisk run. Run, run! He quickly took off, leaping over a log and landing with only a slight stumble.

He found his pace though, found the leaps to settle and soon he gained ground. The brown was making good work, trailing just a wher’s tail length away from this gray-blue male. Perhaps he could catch up to the green. No, he was positive on that. Grinning, Leonisk leaped over another log only for a sudden voice to slip into his mind.

Go HOME, bad wher! Not belong here!

The brown had not realized that Tempest had slipped into the spot next to him, eyes flecking with red. Leonisk looked around, trying to find a way away but it was either lose track of Forest or fight off this brute. Back off! Leonisk not bad, Leonisk run for Forest!

Fine! Tempest MAKE go home!

Leonisk stood not chance. He gasped when the blue managed to lash out with a pair of claws, his deafening roar ringing throughout the trees. Following it was a great screech of pain. Tempest ran ahead though Leonisk had fallen back. His shoulder now dripped heavy with ichor, some skin missing where two deep claw marks crossed his mottled hide. The green straps mixed with the green of ichor and the brown of mottled flesh made it a haunting sight. He slowed greatly, limping for a couple of paces.

Not give up. Never. Despite pain and ichor, the brown pushed on, again gaining ground as he started to catch up with the faster blues. Never stop! Leonisk fight hard like wild wher! Forest see! He was enraged by the attack but he knew he’d be far more angry with himself if he let himself drop out. The steady ache grew in his limb as he ran as fast as his paws would let him. He wanted so bad to stop, collapse and tend to the wound he had suffered. But no. He wouldn’t. Tempest may have shown strength in body with it but he was showing great strength in soul. Hopefully this suffering would pay off.

Forest’s breath fogged the crisp air as she ran giving her a halo of sorts. She heard the comments of her chasers and gave a wherish grin. Oh she was going to have fun with this. Muscles churned beneath her green hide. She could feel the strain of her muscles already but she ignored it. Now wasn’t the time to give in. She could hear the steady footfalls of her chasers. So far they were keeping up well.

Her thoughts went to the males chasing her. Fade was too quiet for her likes. Splash was more puppy than wher it seemed. So that left Tempest and Leonisk, one a temperamental wild blue, the other a seemingly gentle bonded brown. Oh she was sure he could hold his own in a fair fight but she wasn’t sure about the brown.

Decisions, decisions. she muttered to herself as she reveled in the feel of her muscles churning. She didn’t have to decide now, she could wait a bit longer. She wanted to play with her boys.

Her males.

All thoughts of playing with her males went out the window however at the sound of a roar and a screech of pain. She slowed looking over her shoulder and saw the ichor dripping from claw marks on Leonisk’s shoulder. She didn’t have to think about who’d done it. She knew which blue was the most likely to lash out at the other chasers.

Tempest strong yes. But not winner, not yet. she muttered.

The display had Forest shivering with an odd sense of delight at the violence but her softer side went out to the injured brown. She wanted to pause and make sure he could go on for the space of a moment but then she saw the determination in his eyes. He wasn’t out yet. Good for him. She would not take a weak mate.

Leonisk brave. Have good heart. she crooned to the brown. She wasn't going to coddle him. He would have to keep going if he wanted her. The green surged forward, legs churning and sending snow spraying behind her. She could feel the Run was nearing its end. She came to a creek that was frozen over and ran along the bank. She surged forward pushing herself as fast as she could go.

Catch if you can. her taunting sing-song voice drifted back to her chasers. She could feel that this was it. She would have to decide soon. Her ichor was burning and instinct demanded she choose one. Choose one of her lovely boys to be all hers. Turning abruptly she ran across the frozen creek. Lucky for her it was frozen solid. Which of the males would be hers? Silly Splash? Quiet Fade? The temperamental Tempest? Or brave Leonisk?

One of them would be hers...one of them.

[okay peeps. Next post decides the winner and it will be up in one week regardless of if everyone has posted. And if you don't post you don't have a chance of winning. So get to postin'~]

Leonisk felt little anger towards Tempest as the Run went on. Honestly, the blue was crazy enough as it was. He knew there was no way he could blame a crazy wher. Besides, the scent of humans, he had been told, was not a pleasant one in the mind of a wild wher. Not that they’d ever understand the greatness of having a human. Running on, the liquid ichor trailing down his leg and dripping between his two clawed toes and causing each step to leave a few drops of the life-giving liquid behind him. The little green road to victory, perhaps. His mottled hide rippled over pulsing muscles as each lunge of speed forced them into work. His limp was not obvious though when he would walk, it’d be very easily seen. His eyes were narrowed, broad muzzle leaning out towards Forest as he struggled to fight on.

Leonisk brave for Forest. GreenForest Leonisk’s heart. Ah, so sweet with words. Leaping away from Tempest when the blue swung close, the mottled brown growled and nearly stumbled over a rock. His energy was not fading, merely his sight because having to keep watch on the glowing green and dangerous blue would not do well for him. The faded blue and the happy blue would be perfect this time around. Rushing to catch up, Leonisk slid himself between the two, a sort of barrier that kept the unpleasant blue away from him. Yes, this would do just fine. With renewed spirit, the brown crooned and narrowed purple-swirled eyes against the snow and wind.

He was safe here. Now he just had to keep strong and show he was worthy.

---

That brown was going to so get it! Tail lashing, the cumbersome blue charged on, glaring at the fool that had managed to slide himself in a protected area. If he tried to attack now, Fade and Splash would then possibly attack him in return. It was an unsafe. He was enraged like a bull on stampede, ready to attack anything. But Forest would not choose him should he stray off to fight. His strength had been shown and it was a good indicator to why he should be chosen. But that brown- he was ruining his chances.

Forest not fool. Not listen. WeyrBrown bad. Not Forest’s. Forest see Tempest? Tempest wild, run free. Run forever. Forest not fool.

His muscles were aching, his body already finding that shifting his great body around was no longer so simple. She was fading though too, even if just the slightest. She’d be choosing soon and he was all too confident that it’d be him. That brown belonged to the weyr. Let him chase those stupid females. Forest was wild and free. Let her have a male of equal freedom.

Fade knew he wouldn't win. The green was a power obsessed dimglow. He had chased many before so why chase this one? He continued on nonetheless. The green hadn't even bothered to give him a look or anything the entire run. She was obsessed with power. Fade deserved better. Yet Fade continued on.

{Okay so the almighty randomizer says...the winner is....}

Forest slid to a stop whirling around to face her chasers. She studied each of them in turn, judging and evaluating them. She knew what she needed. Her ichor was burning and there was one who would satisfy. Her breath plumed around her as she made her mind up. She lifted her head swirling purple eyes flicking between her chasers. There were two she knew she didn't need. She turned to Splash.

Splash go. Forest not need. she spoke abruptly. With no further words she turned to Fade.

Forest not need Fade. Go. With those two gone she turned to her two remaining chasers, Tempest and Leonisk. Eying them she walked up to them twining around them like a cat.

Who Forest choose? Strong whers both. Not easy choice. her sing-song voice floated through the air. Suddenly she turned to Tempest.

Tempest forgive Forest? Forest still wild. she said rubbing against the blue. Then she turned to Leonisk.

Leonisk Forest's choice. she crooned as she approached him and brushed against him.


{Congrats to Spikey's Leonisk~ and sorry for the short post D8 my muse is being a pain in the butt lately ;.; }