This coming from a dragon who'd spent most of his mature life hopping from Nexus-world to nexus-world, taking in the sights, dancing it up at the local parties, chasing in or even simply watching the local flights. Everything was in good fun, of course. He adored the free-loving customs of the places he'd visited: if he caught himself a nice looking dragoness, he was never bothered to hang around, never nagged to be held down. Just the way he liked it.

Now, the Vella Crean... he'd found this place by word of mouth, much like all of the other worlds he'd visited. 'Exotic' had been the word he'd heard, but aside from the tropic-worthy beaches, it wasn't giving him that vibe... until he came to a landing near the clustered group of low buildings, and spotted a few of the local dragons.

It hat come to his attention that the vast majority of nexus worlds housed a single breed of dragons, and that dragons like him--mutts? Whatever he was, he'd never been into tracing back his roots--were the minority. Here... where ever he swung his big green head, there was variety. There was different...ness. Well, wasn't that special? A slow smile spread across the off-worlder's muzzle as he settled his red-tinged wings against his back. Now, to find someone who knew the layout of this place!

He didn't have far to look... he caught a hint of motion from the corner of his eye, and swivelled around just in time to catch a tiny green (smaller then him, even!) about to pick through the harness that rested at his side.

~Hey!~

(( Uh oh. )) The grin froze in her tracks, staring at him, and then throwing on a fake smile. (( Hi, you must be new here, eh? Um, just checkin' yer bags. Policy 'round here. )) She slipped from strained acting into something natural, the movement so quick that Chloryth could tell that she was well versed in what to do in case of being caught.

~'Policy', huh?~ He gave a snort. ~Yeah, well, I never heard anything about any 'policy'. All I'm looking for is a word or two. Yeah, I'm new here,~ he added, absently. ~What's your name?~

The green laughed, then gave a mocking bow. So long as she hadn't been caught, she didn't seem to mind being chatted with. (( Theia'Urdi, if you gotta know, )) She eyed him speculatively, then a positively evil grin spread over her glossy muzzle. (( But you want the word, it's gonna cost ya! )) She winked, one gleaming blue eye sparkling up at him.

Chloryth gave another snort and tossed his head. ~Yeah yeah, sure. So if I go ask that purple over there, she'll say the exact same thing, hmm?~

(( Oh, of course! But why go to anyone else, if you know what I mean. )) Another wink, a suggestive flick of the tail. Oh, this green was certainly getting into the act, now! Chloryth wasn't falling for a bit of it, however. She continued, (( I'm the one with everything you need to know. ))

~Well, if that's the case,~ he said giving a suggestive flick of his own smooth, brownish tail, ~You can tell me who's flying, 'if you know what I mean'.~ He winked right back at her.

(( For you, boy, I'd make an exception right now, )) Theia'Urdi drawled, the hopeless flirt. (( But, )) and a heavy sigh, (( things don't work that way. )) She smirked, giving him an obvious looking over. Chloryth couldn't help but shift a little under the scrutiny--not that he was embarrassed or nervous, he just wasn't used to being the one getting checked out! (( There're a couple 'a girls glowing t'go, yeah. C'mon, I'll point 'em out to you. But you know, )) now she was heading off, deeper into the city, and giving him a sly look over her wing-shoulder, (( you're going t'have to come back some time. Consider it a different sort a payment. )) Another wink.

Chloryth laughed aloud. The rumbling, chuffing noise was far from anything that resembled human laughter, but it worked the same way. ~I might just be in debt to you,~ he shot back.

----------------------------------

And then there she was, preening in the entrance of her guest-room, a petite, thin-boned dragoness the colour of summer leaves and dandelions. Chloryth paused across the way from her, standing next to a smug Geperna-green. ~You really do know the word around here, don't you?~

(( But of course! )) the glossy green replied, her voice a mockery of sophistication. (( 'Nother offworlder, like you, like me. Word's she's quick as an arrow. Think you could handle her? )) The challenge rode just under her words, unspoken, but definitely there.

~Honey,~ Chloryth addressed the little Geperna, ~I could outmatch a barn-swallow, if I had to. And this girl is a heck of a lot more attractive then any barn swallow. How do I sign up, or whatever it is they do around here?~

Theia'Urdi snickered. (( You had me worried for a second, there. It'd be about time for me to back away slowly if you went of chasing birds. Naw, though, you just go and talk to 'er. That's what everyone else seems to do. Works good, usually. And, excuse me. I think I hear my rider calling. )) She gave him one last, dirty grin, and then slunk off and disapppeared, almost as if she'd never been there at all.

Chloryth blinked, but she was gone completely. He turned his attention on the green and yellow who sparkled before him, but her attention was caught up with a larger dragon, this one a blue-green male. Gyped! The unbonded Red-green snorted a third time, lowering his head and glaring at the male he now saw as a competitor. Not that this particular dragon looked like much of a challenge...

He shook his head, then resettled his wings. Time to fall into the grande olde act, the art of wooing the ladies. Striking a pose, he sauntered over to the pair of dragons, and gave both of them a suave grin. ~Afternoon,~ Chloryth addressed the yellow-green, and then with a secondary glance, the blue-green. ~My, you look lovely today,~ he added to the female. Giving her a deep bow, he smiled, just for her. ~I'm Chloryth, and you...?~

The summery dragoness gave a very distinct giggle. Lacinath, she replied, her opaline eyes swirling with amusement and flattery.

The second dragon, the male, added, And I'm Ranver, now excuse us, please.

Oh please. Chloryth knew an insecure dragon when he saw one, knew how to work around them. ~Many apologies,~ he replied, giving Ranver just a hint of evil in his grin. Subtle, that was a good way to play it. Turning his attention back to Lacinath, he continued, ~I heard that you're an offworlder here on... business?~ he gave her a wink not unlike the one that Theia' had given him only minutes before.

Oh! Lacinath said, and broke into another giggle. I'm actually planning on rising, here, she said, a little nervously. Below the delicate green of her cheeks, Chloryth saw a flush. She must be a first timer, then.

~Very brave of you,~ he replied, ~to come all the way out here for it, then!~ Ranver was positively glaring at him, now. Chloryth hid a snicker for the blue-green's frustration, and continued, ~but certainly, it's good fortune for me, then! You really are very beautiful, you know. I hope that I might ask the great favor of you allowing me a quick chase, when the time... arises?~ Oh, how very subtle.

One more giggle, and Lacinath covered her snout with her wing, just glowing with the embarrassement that accompanies such blatant flattery. So long as you can keep up, she finally managed, giving him a less blatant look then the Geperna before her had.

~I assure you,~ Chloryth returned, ~I'm no blundering bronze! But now, apologies again, Lacinath, Ranver, I'll allow you to return to your conversation. I'm still checking in, here.~ It was a good time to make his exuent, at any rate. ~I'll see you around, ladies,~ He allowed himself a chuckle as he turned and trotted off, having heard the chuff of anger that followed from a certain blue-green. This'd be an interesting flight.