From the platform, Eshanath glared down at her assembled "suitors". They'd certainly been pressing their "suit" often enough, these past several days as they all started signing up for her flight-- them and the rest of the bloody station. At least these flights were limited in numbers of who could sign up. She counted, to make sure: first was Fragment, a light-dark wraith and her "big brother's" pick for the win; a good enough dragon, but bound to expect more than just a flight. Eshanath was still young, and not at all ready for a doting mate-- if she ever would be.

Second was Oyceth, an obnoxious, proud, copper Danachian with "ghost-wings", whatever that meant; he seemed completely alive, to her, wings and all. Third was Tai'nix, an Azonese like her father, and undead like she and Fragment, but with two heads; Eshanath wasn't sure she liked the idea of flying with a hydra, much less a hydra with distinctly different personalities between its heads! Fourth, serpentine Walker, a blue Eastern dragon of Flurry origins; admittedly, the naming was ironic, the Walker chasing the Searcher, but he was disgustingly pleased with himself, expecting a win just because he was clever. Well, he was clever, but that didn't mean Eshanath would let him win, if just to be perverse.

Fifth, Emquenje, was blatantly purple and yellow and a native of Star City, where she'd chosen for this flight. He had an aura about him that Eshanath liked and wouldn't mind passing on to her children, but his heritage was so questionable, and his bond even more so, and... his colors! Eshanath couldn't even imagine sharing genes with something that... bright. His flight was impeccable, though, so she wasn't entirely sure. Perhaps the colors wouldn't breed true.

And, of course, there was Atrumisge, who somehow managed to slip in as an additional, and sixth, chaser. Eshanath growled, spotting him clinging to one of the airlocks with his gold eyes on her. ::He won't even touch you, and you know it,:: Aldyss assured her from where he stood beside her. Not signed up for the flight-- as if a "big brother" would chase his "little sister"!-- Aldyss had nevertheless come along largely to make sure Eshanath's "clutch-mate" Atrumisge, if he could be called that, didn't cause undue difficulty. And, of course, to look out for her, just in case.

So, really, she didn't much like any of her suitors, but somehow she had to choose one of them. I might have to just let the best aerialist win, if I can't make a choice, she snorted to herself. At least I don't have to worry about making Shoel happy with some random rider.

The part of the bay full of waiting chasers looked oddly full for only having six dragons in it. Eshanath stared hard, picking out blacks, grays, whites, and the flash of blue-- until she spotted an untoward splattering of red that signaled another dragon. ::Aldyss, did you check the lists before we came out here today?:: she asked suspiciously.

::Everyone's here,:: he replied calmly. ::All seven.::

::Seven?::

::Didn't you see that last who signed up? Ombet?:: Aldyss blinked at her, and she frowned.

::I thought they put limits on these things,:: she grumbled, eying the seventh and apparently final chaser, shadowy and furry. Aldyss chuckled, and she ignored him, spreading her wings. ::Let's get this over with,:: she projected at the assembled dragons, quite possibly confusing them-- what dragoness was reluctant, even annoyed, by needing to fly?-- but then again, what about that was cause for Eshanath to care?

With that, she took off, and they all took off after her.

With seven chasers and the dragoness herself-- and one non-chasing companion-- the flight deck felt unusually crowded for a mating flight. Also, as Eshanath quickly found out, it was going to take a lot of time to shake them all. Damn. And all I wanted was to keep it short and simple, and leave all the messing around to Shoel....

First to give up was Oyceth, largely because Eshanath was eking out what enjoyment she could from the flight by taunting him. Ghost-wing or not, he was no match for her in flight, and while the bulk of the other chasers hung back, saving their energy, Eshanath spent hers on confounding Oyceth and smashing his ego by letting him catch up, almost touch her, and then darting out of his grasp at the last minute. Four times. When, on the fifth attempt, he actually snatched a few tail feathers, she snapped back at him, ::Give it up already, I'm not letting you catch me, and I like my feathers just how they are! Get lost!::

Offended, Oyceth veered away and, thankfully, left the chase.

Next to fall behind was Tai'nix, confusing himself by his two heads arguing back and forth. ::No, wait, go that way--::

::But she's going that way, follow her!::

::We can cut her off, stupid!::

::Who are you calling stupid, stupid?!::

That was when he realized the rest of the flight had left him far behind. ::This is all your fault,:: one head growled.

::Is not,:: muttered the other, gliding them off towards a landing pad now that they were out of the running.

Five left-- the normal number of chasers! And I'm already getting sick of this, Eshanath huffed. Emquenje was closing in on her; though he was utterly silent on the wing, she could feel his approach like a thunderhead descending, laden with rain and lightning but not spilling either just yet.

Nor would he! Eshanath waited until he was almost upon her, then quite deliberately shifted her mass into the spirit realm-- leaving behind only her vague, translucent image, which the vibrant mutt-dragon reached right through! ::Clever girl,:: was all he said on the subject-- in fact, the first words she'd heard him say-- and he started to wing away.

Eshanath, though, wasn't the only dragon to take advantage of that aura Emquenje exuded: Walker sped up behind her while she was busy congratulating herself on her escape and shifting herself back into physical form. He didn't try to catch her, he merely darted winglessly in her path, sending her veering aside, startled. She nearly collided with Emquenje and, in her attempt to avoid him, very nearly ended up wrapped in coils of blue, white, and snowflakes.

Of course, once she realized what was happening, she just went intangible again and drifted off, leaving a disappointed once-wraith behind. ::You've got wits, I'll give you that,:: Eshanath grudgingly admitted, ::but I do not like being tricked!::

::Apologies, my lady,:: Walker told her, gliding out of her way again. ::Perhaps another time, then?::

::Yeah, we'll see,:: Eshanath grumbled, leaving him behind with a flick of feathers. When I'm not having a flight, maybe, she added silently. We'll see who's interested in who, then.

::You do realize,:: came a completely unwelcome mind-voice, full of amusement, ::that this is why you hardly have any friends.::

Snarling back at the light-dark wraith that was not Aldyss' pick to win, Eshanath picked up speed. ::Atrumisge, go away!::

He matched her, and her remaining two chasers hurried to catch up. Somehow, despite Aldyss harrying him ever since the flight began, he'd managed to stay in the air, and stay on Eshanath's tail. ::I have as much right to chase as any other dragon here,:: he replied smoothly.

::Even when you're not wanted?::

Fragment came up behind Atrumisge and snatched his tail. Going intangible instantly didn't help: clever Fragment simply slid through him, occupying the space he would have taken, had he sent his physical form back into te physical realm. He had effective trapped him in a state in which it would be impossible to catch anyone, much less Eshanath, who was winging away triumphantly. Of course, it also trapped Fragment into playing place-holder until it was too late.... Eshanath made a mental note to thank him.

Later. There was one chaser left: the one which she knew the least about and hadn't noticed stalking her around the station, if he even had done so. Ombet, the black and red, furry-looking dragon, glided along behind her. ::It's just you and me, now, Eshanath,:: he sent.

::And if I don't want you?::

::What, interested in your glowing friend? I'm all you have left.::

Eshanath twirled in the air, looking back at the mixed breed-- of which breeds, she wasn't even sure. ::All I want from you is the pups. Nothing more.::

He laughed. ::Well, all I want from you is this flight, so I think we'll be fine.::

::Then get on with it!::

::Of course, of course.::