Concentration Competition I

[M'kel]

Eligibility: Bronzes and browns

Materials Available: Thick blind fold. Fire lizards may not be used.
Activities: A maze has been erected using a variety of materials, including hides stretched between poles, boulders, potted shrubs, and water traps. The dragon must guide his blindfolded rider through this obstacle course from a pole he/she is placed at in the centre of the course to a thin bridge that overstretches the Lake and leads to freedom. Of course, while all of this is occurring, the Allure contest is taking place in full view of the bronzes and browns. Perfection is impossible! No dragon can retain that much focus for that long.

Procedure: Everyone wishing to compete will have 3 days to post in this thread starting June 3rd. At this point, the winners will be determined from those who have posted by dice rolling.

[Shikai]

H’run drummed his fingers against his thigh, the only physical sign he showed of the apprehension he felt. So, then. I’m going to be blindfolded, and you’re going to guide me through the course. And you’ll make sure I don’t run into anything? He said to Gawyth, who would have rolled his eyes were he capable. After all, his rider must have asked for the same confirmation nearly five times by now. /Yes/, H’run, I will ensure that you don’t run into anything. It’s quite simple. All you have to do is go where I tell you, and you’ll be fine. Really, I don’t see how this will be challenging at all.[/color] Of course you don’t… H’run replied, his worry not at all assuaged. As much as he loved and trusted his beloved dragon, Gawyth was a dragon, and the creatures were not known for their attention spans. Why had he chosen this category to compete in? He had thought it would be more interesting than a contest of pure strength. Oh yes, this promised to be interesting all right…

A rider motioned that they were about to begin. Well, I’m off to my position. This shouldn’t take long.[/color] Gawyth said, and H’run heart the heavy wingbeats as Gawyth moved to a better vantage point as H’run was blindfolded and taken to the maze’s center. “Begin!” A voice announced, and H’run waited for his dragon’s instructions.

Alright, I think I have this figured out. Turn to the right just a bit and walk forward about ten paces.[/color] H’run sighed, relieved, for Gawyth did seem to know what he was doing. He followed the directions, somewhat cautiously, and came to no harm. Good. Now, turn to the left. Perfect. Six paces forward.[/color]

The contest proceeded in this fashion for about ten minutes, at which point Gawyth couldn’t help but be bored with waiting for H’run to reach the end of each segment so he could be given the next directions. He could see the way out of the maze, it wasn’t hard. It was in a particularly long stretch (an estimated fifteen paces) that Gawyth turned to look around him, quite bored with the contest. This wasn’t fun at all.

His eyes were immediately drawn in my Elainuth’s graceful form, walking down some sort of ramp in front of judges. Another contest, he supposed. Ah, now she was a lovely green! Gawyth? H’run interrupted, and Gawyth turned irritably back to his rider. He wanted to watch the greens, they were far more interesting than this! Yes, yes, turn left, and go forward a bit.[/color] How far? Came the forceful reply, the worry and irritation poorly masked by H’run’s mental voice. The weyrling could tell that his dragon was getting distracted, and that spelled bad news for him, indeed!

Oh, seven paces.[/color] The dragon replied offhandedly, turning eagerly back to Elainuth’s display. Fascinating! White sand seemed to hover in the air, and then descended, clinging to her form to give her a silvery hue!

Gawyth? Keep going.[/color] The bronze said impatiently, not bothering to look. The glittering sand was mesmerizing!

“Ow!” H’run said as he suddenly ran straight into a potted shrub. He backed quickly away, brushing plant fragments off of his arms. Gawyth! He exclaimed, whispering his dragon’s name aloud through clenched teeth. What?! The dragon said, forcing his attention from Elainuth to turn back to his rider, and a twinge of guilt swept through him as he was his rider and the dent that had been made in the shrub. You said you would ensure that I didn’t have any experiences like that. H’run grumbled. It won’t happen again.[/color] Gawyth replied, and, with a mental sigh, turned back to the maze.

Ahead…left….keep going…right…four paces…

True to his word, Gawyth forced his attention to remain on his rider. H’run was nearly at the end now, much to the relief of both. However, Gawyth couldn’t help it, and he gave a sidelong, sneaky glance back toward the allure competition. Ah, Igrainth was now up! She was another beauty. But no, he must stay focused! For H’run’s sake. Yes, now continue and you’ll come to a bridge. A little to the left…that’s it. Just go straight now.[/color] Finally, H’run was headed for the bridge! Gawyth wouldn’t be needed anymore. He turned back to Igrainth, watching the competition. However, unbeknownst to him, H’run had drifted to the right a bit in his walking, and in but a moment, the boy was up to his boots in water. GAWYTH!

Gawyth whirled around. How’d you do that?! I had you all set![/color] The dragon exclaimed, annoyed. Apparently not! Why weren’t you watching me? Don’t tell me you were looking at the greens again! Well, why can’t YOU walk in a straight line? That seems to be the REAL issue here![/color] Whatever, Gawyth. Just. Get. Me. To. The. End. NOW. H’run replied, his patience quickly evaporating.

Gawyth guided H’run out of the lake and back to the bridge, and finally, they were finished with the maze. “Why did I want to compete in this?” H’run said to himself as he removed his blindfold. “We are NEVER doing that again!”

That’s fine with me.[/color] Gawyth replied emphatically. ...Can we go watch the allure contest now?[/color]

[Flamewolf]

The blindfold was pulled one last time, shifted to a comfortable position and to make sure that it was firmly on. Now, she was totally blind. This would be a good, good time to appreciate one’s sight. Even with her eyes open, she couldn’t see light pressing against the cloth, or dark shadows crossing her path. This was certainly a new experience. She tested herself, and found that if she closed her eyes it was easy to move without feeling like she was going to tip to the side or stumble on nothing. She practiced sliding her feet across the ground so she could lift her foot and step on something dangerous, not putting her weight on her foot until she was sure it was safe.

Having fun? the brown asked in amusement. Keldara stopped, tilted her head to the side. It was unnerving to hear his voice and not be able to see where he was. She heard the rumble of his laughter as the thought passed over to him. You’re not really blind, mine. Though they did do an impressive job, Galahanth assured.

She sighed. “I know. I just want to make sure that I can get this right. I’m one of the few female brownriders here,” she said. She knew that Shikai, the other female brownrider, wasn’t competing. Gah. Talk about pressure. The announcer’s voice rang out and interrupted her thoughts. “Us?”

Yes.

“How’d H’run and Gawyth do?” she asked.

Pretty well, Galahanth responded as he nudged her to the starting line before gliding to the area where he was to be giving directions. With a few calculations he found the way out of the maze. Not very hard, he surmised. However, before he started, he looked over to where there seemed to be another contest being held. Allure. Oh joy. He turned his head back to his rider. Take one pace forward so I can see how far you step, he said. She did. He measured the distance with his eyes before continuing. Good thing Keldara was really close to him and trusted him. Alright. Three paces forward, then turn to your left.

The measurements worked, and for the first few strings of instructions, things went smoothly. Feel for the wall and follow it- his gaze slid over to the allure contest as he heard the ruffling of leaves. -four paces forward, he finished while looking at it curiously. Leaves? That was certainly original.

”Uh, Galahanth, what’s in front of me?” Kel’s voice drifted over to him. Ashamed for having been “allured” away from his competition (Lol, horrible pun) he swiveled his head around to see that she had stopped right in front of a pole. He’d meant three paces, not four!

I’m sorry, I miscalculated that, he apologized. One more step to your left.

She did so and he looked back. Now he understood why. The leaves really helped pull out the shades of green on the green dragon’s hide, and the- ”Galahanth?” He quickly snapped back to the maze.

Right. Take two steps forward, then take five steps right. He opened his wings and stretched them, finding that his right wing blocked the competition from view. He shifted it around until it fully blocked the greens from his view when he heard something splash. Terrified, his head whipped back around. Keldara! he exclaimed.

”Calm down, I just stepped into the water,” came the slightly amused voice. ”Now what?”

Guilt surged up into him. She was very, very trusting of him. Now he was getting a twinge nervous of embarrassing her. Eight steps forward. He watched tersely as she cautiously made her way forward. He lost count at five at how many steps she made, too concentrated he was on making sure she didn’t stumble or fall, so he didn’t realize he’d miscalculated until it was too late. She walked straight into a rope, and jumped backward, startled, right into a plant.

”Oops,” she thought with a laugh. ”Dear, I think you were off by a step,” she said with a smile.

I’m sorry, he apologized.

”It’s fine,” she assured as she cautiously moved away from the plant. ”I hope the plant- I hit a plant, right?- I hope I didn’t harm it,” she thought with a frown as she glanced behind her.

It’s fine, he responded with an amused rumble at her worry for the plant. You’re at the bridge now.

"Thank Faranth, this is nerveracking. How many steps?" she inquired. He instructed her and she made it through without anymore incidents. When she was allowed to take her blindfold off he flew down to her and gently nuzzled her shoulder with his snout. “That was fun,” she said with a giggle. He rumbled in amusement but didn’t respond.

[Skye]

A'idin put the blindfold into place and made sure it was secure. He was used to seeing out of only one eye, being completely blind in the left eye as the result of a fight. He was impressed with how well the two weyrlings before him had made it through the maze, their trust in their dragons very good for ones so young.

He was placed at the starting point and could hear his brown settling into place. Think you can get me through this Gael? he asked the brown teasingly and grinned at the snort he heard. He had been bonded to his Gaelrith for nineteen turns and had complete faith in his brown's ability. They had survived Thread Fall.

"Begin" the command was given and Gaelrith surveyed the maze closely for a long moment You will need to take six paces forward and then turn to your left[/color] he informed his rider who made the steps slowly, after all they hadn't been told a time limit.

Gaelrith heard the cheering over at the Allure competition and struggled to keep his attention on the maze, but he just had to glance toward that area and was dazzled by the lovely green with her rider standing between her wings.

A'idin could sense Gaelrith's attention wandering Gaelrith which way now? he asked with a low growl. Gaelrith snapped his attention back to his rider.

Oh...two paces forward then to your right for another seven paces[/color] He said distractedly.

A'idin sighed and followed the instructions only to run into a boulder. He cursed out loud as well as mentally to his dragon "You over grown firelizard quit thinking about those greens and get me out of this sharding maze!"

Gaelrith snorted and looked back to his rider I meant left A'idin mine and then your to the bridge. If you can walk in a straight line for about nine paces you should be clear.[/color] he directed his rider, not the least bit remorseful about watching the Allure competition, the competitors over there were quite striking.

A'idin set one foot in front of the other carefully, feeling with his foot first before taking a step, but he still ran into two potted plants before he felt the bridge under foot Just wait till I get out of here Gael, you better be looking at a green with a pretty -female- rider he told his brown as he reached the end of the maze and pulled the blind fold off. He glared up at Gaelrith who gave him a mental shrug and turned his attention fully to the allure contest. A'idin rolled his good eye and sighed, that was his Gaelrith.

[D'gellin]

"You ready for this?" D'gellin queried anxiously, glancing up at his Lancetoth with excited blue eyes. His hands flexed and unflexed at his side; a nervous habit. Absolutely! The bronze replied with confidence. We will do magnificently! I can only imagine how fun a challenge this will be! He turned a whirling eye on His, his wings twitchily furling and unfurling by a few inches on his back; a habit reminiscent of his young rider's. D'gellin smiled, placing a hand on the soft hide as they waited for their turn. Did you know the Allure competition is going on right now as well? Lancetoth asked abruptly, craning his neck to see the dragonwalk clearly. I wonder if any of the greens will notice me...Though the mental remark was wistful, D'gellin could feel a sense of foreboding in his stomach. We can check it out afterwords, if you'd like. He offered, watching the bronze carefully. Oh I think I'd enjoy that!

Both dragon and rider turned obediently when called, eyes alight and excited. Shall we? After you, my friend! D'gellin laughed and pulled the bronzen head into a hug, trying to throw off the last of his anxiety. No need to be nervous, mine! Or don't you trust your Lancetoth? With my very life! D'gellin kissed the bronze's nose and patted him affectionately before running off to get his blindfold on.

Ready? One moment, please... Lacncetoth's eyes traced their way through the maze, draconic head swiveling it's way to the finish line. Having mapped out the maze, he returned his attention to D'gellin. I have it now! Alright, start walking forward. Yes, like that...and do put your hands down, mine, you look absolutely ridiculous flailing around like that. There you are, much better! Turn left now. Did you know you've gotten taller? I'm quite certain you have. Right. No, I apologize, Left! Left? Right. Alright. Where are you going? I told you left! "Shaffit" D'gellin detangled himself from a bush. You said right! I said right as in correct. Okay, then say 'correct' next time! Fine, fine. Please continue /left/...And you have a twig in your hair...Left again...turn right now...Left...A quick right...Oh, Igraith looks positively radiant today! You should see her hide shine! Well don't stop walking. The seaweed's a charming touch - D'gellinmine, what are you doing now?[/color]

D'gellin sucked in a breath and a few choice words as he backed away from a boulder. Oh don't mind me, Lanny, just getting acquainted with the rocks. Well now's no time for that! We have a competition to win! You have my deepest, most painful apologies. Well we're nearly there. Try not to get distracted again, mine. Ditto... Excuse me? Which way? If you could go right... Lancetoth dictated the rest of the way, commenting occasionally on random aspects of the maze but otherwise managing to get D'gellin through the rest without any more mishaps.

"Well how'd we do?"

Oh we'd have done fine, Lancetoth replied emphatically with a rumble of laughter. if you hadn't been so interested in communing with nature!

[B'kay]

I can't believe we volunteered for this nonsense.

B'kay's deep mental growl met with an obviously amused response from his dragon. We will do well, I am far more capable of concentration than the weyrlings, Syth replied proudly, and nudged his blindfolded rider toward the exact center of the maze.

You had BETTER not embarrass me in front of them all, Syth!

I would never! And he sounded truly insulted and abashed as he rose to his vantage point above the event.

The lovely greens who swayed and moved so gracefully off to one side were greatly tempting. But Syth focused intently on his rider. He was a mature bronze, older in fact than most in the Weyr after all. He had turns of experience dealing with ....

A sparkle of loveliness pulled him toward it for a moment, but he snapped his attention back to his rider just before B'kay stumbled into the wall.

Stop!

The dragon's urgent call halted B'kay, and he followed Syth's directions carefully, hoping no one had noticed the near blunder.

Just a quarter turn to the left, then straight, the dragon said.

Where was your attention? I thought you said--

Stop scolding me and concentrate! The dragon led B'kay carefully around obstacles and through the myriad tangles of the maze. They went slowly, with intense communication between them.

B'kay was growing more and more confident, more and more proud of his dragon, as Syth's shift slightly right and then left took him around what felt to be a very painful thorn-covered plant.

We are nearly done! Syth said confidently. Only half a dragonlength straight ahead, and we will be out of the maze! Walk straight forward and.... FLOWER PETALS?

"Flower petal's?" B'kay whispered, scowling inside the dark hood. There were flower petals ahead?

The sight of the multicolored petals on Luneth's lovely hide were such a perfect touch. She was a rainbow, sparkling in the sun.

Had they strewn flower petals at the end of the maze for them? What a silly thing to do!

A myriad prism of color, shimmering brightly....

But still, the first perfect run, and "AARGHHH!"

Pain! B'kay's knees and shins were on fire, and suddenly he was flying forward, pitched to the ground by whatever it was that he'd struck himself against.

SYTH!

.... watch out for that boulder, the dragon whimpered.

The end of the maze was, indeed, just ahead ... but B'kay reached it slowly, limping the last few steps to the end of his run.

Syth, he spoke quietly as he removed the blindfold and handed it to an attendant in the blinding glare of the sun. I'd like a word with you.

[M'kel]

And the results are in!

First Place: Keldara and Galahanth (ability: 16, die: 6)

Second Place: D'gellin and Lancetoth (ability: 15, die: 6)

Third Place: B'kay and Syth (ability: 16, die: 4)

Fourth Place: H'run and Gawyth (ability: 13, die: 6)

Fifth Place: A'idin and Gaelrith (ability: 16, die: 1)

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all the competitors! Hope you had fun!