Seaside Lunch [Wolf]

[Sparrow]

"Oh. You stood at more than one hatching?" Artemisth had Impressed Salise the first time she stood. It had been an unexpected surprise- Salise had hardly thought she would Impress, much less the first time she stood. She was glad Artemisth had found her though. The Barred was showy and moody, but underneath that tough hide she was sweet and just what Salise needed.

It was a pity she wouldn't show that sweet side just now though. After all her thinking, Artemisth had come up with next to nothing, so it was time to try something else. How fast can you swim, Hearth? He was sleeker than her, but she was bigger and could put more power into each stroke. Ducking under the water, Artemisth kicked off from the sand and dashed for deeper water. Maybe Hearth would even be too scared to come out; he had been looking pretty anxious about the water thus far.

Mouth once again full, Scout looked out at the ocean and gurgled. Fire-lizards were naturally ocean hunters, whereas dragons were not. It always seemed a bit funny to him when they swam.

[wolflover1458]

"Yeah. I'm not sure how many people do. I guess for some people the right dragon comes around the first time, and sometimes it takes a while." N'lel knew that some Candidates ended up never Impressing. He felt sorry for them. Life wasn't always fair, but sometimes it seemed like it could be fairer. Despite how grumpy he was, N'lel was glad to have Hearth. The Charcoal dragon was always happy to support his rider, and N'lel was sure that the Charcoal would do anything to defend his rider, even if it was reckless.

Reckless fit Hearth at that moment. The Charcoal hadn't been in water deeper than him since he was a tiny dragonet. Watching Artemisth swim out, he obviously had no choice but to follow her. Otherwise she would be better than him. He was sleeker than her, but she was more powerful. Who could swim faster? We will soon see how fast I can swim, won't we? the Charcoal rumbled to Artemisth.

Dare joined Scout in looking out at the ocean. Maybe the two firelizards could go for a swim too. The dragons were doing it, why couldn't they? Right now, he was happy eating, but maybe later they could go in the ocean. Dare hadn't gone for a swim in quite a while. It could prove fun.

[Sparrow]

"There are always at least a few people left over," Salise said. She had watched several hatchings by now, and there were always more Candidates than eggs. She had been told that it was to make sure there was plenty of variety for the hatchlings, which made sense, but it seemed like it would be too bad for the leftovers. Everyone would be so disappointed... the Candidate barracks would not be a fun place just after a hatching, while the weyrling barracks were all excitement.

Artemisth chuckled. She had never participated in a race, particularly not with a male. It... insinuated things. But this was in water. Not as fast as me, she taunted. She said it less to tease and more to push him. All that anxiety Hearth had been showing towards water made her suspect he wouldn't give his all underneath it.

Salise looked down at Dare and Scout. "Looks like those two might almost join the dragons." Scout chirrupped. He would, but not on a full belly, and he had been doing a lot of eating. He would wait until Artemisth came up again and catch a ride on her.

[wolflover1458]

N'lel nodded. "If there were as many Candidates as eggs, some of them would go between for sure." The Weyr couldn't bet on having the right Candidates and hope all the dragons Impressed. It didn't work like that. He glanced at the two firelizards. "If they join the dragons, we may end up wet after all." If they had wet dragons and wet firelizards, the chances of one of the two rubbing on them, affectionate or not, was pretty high.

You should not say such things until you know them for sure, Artemisth Hearth retorted. He didn't like being told by another dragon that he was slower. Ignoring the water quickly catching up to him, Hearth headed further out, keeping an eye on Artemisth while trying feverishly to catch up to her. She had gotten a head start, so it wasn't really fair anyway.

Dare had finished his meatroll, and was looking out at the ocean now. He cheeped happily and watched the two dragons out in the water. Getting wet was always fun, and playing with someone in the water was fun too, whether it was a person, a dragon, or a firelizard. Dare wasn't about to leave this place without getting at least a little wet.

[Sparrow]

Salise nodded. "It's definitely better to keep all the dragonets alive and have a few disappointed Candidates." Most people who stood eventually Impressed anyways, unless they were Searched just before they grew too old. But with two queens clutching, most everyone would get at least two tries, and lots of eggs within them.

Salise glanced again at Scout and laughed. "Most likely." Especially it being Scout, who loved to perch on her. Having some company seemed to be keeping him more on his own feet though; maybe it would keep him off long enough to dry again, were he to get wet.

Artemisth flipped so her belly was facing the surface and arched her neck, looking back at Hearth. What if I do already know? Rumbling, she rolled back over and gave her tail a kick. That had slowed her down, but she could make up the lost time easily enough. How long is this race to be, Hearth? I started it so it's hardly fair if I call the end. Until he caught her? That would be a laugh.

[wolflover1458]

N'lel smiled. He would probably end up wet out of this, but it didn't really matter to much. "At least it's nice out. The sun should try everything up quickly enough." If he kept everything wet away from him long enough, it wouldn't really be a problem.

Hearth glanced over at Artemisth, but didn't slow himself down. He didn't want to hear her say she knew she was faster, especially when she couldn't know. Are you tired already? You can stop if you like. It ends when it ends. He doubted that the Barred dragon was tired, but he didn't like to let her get at him without some kind of a retort to throw back at her.

[Sparrow]

"Yeah." It was warmer down here than at the Weyr. Salise had almost been considering a swim herself earlier, but with N'lel here she wasn't so sure. His coming had put Artemisth in the water instead, and Salise would probably get wet enough because of that for her to not need to get in herself.

But what if I ended it right now? I'd have won, no problem. Artemisth glanced back at Hearth, although this time with hardly more than a turn of her head. Still behind her, and that was what mattered. I'll ask a bystander. Salise, when does our race end?

Salise raised her eyebrows. First one back to shore.

Artemisth spluttered. What? Whose side are you on? That's the worst thing you could have come up with! But she wheeled around nonetheless, not about to disobey what she had asked for. Hearth, mine says that the first one back to shore is the winner.

[wolflover1458]

Fine. Hearth didn't care much when the race ended. He was closer to shore though. He turned around and started heading back the way they had come from. His strength was starting to ebb from him, and he didn't like that much at all. Could he reach the shore as fast as he had gone out? Well, he would certainly try.

N'lel watched the two dragons. They had turned around now, and were coming back to shore. This was the part where he would either end up wet or stay dry. It was a good thing it didn't matter that much either way. Getting wet would almost be quite nice, and it probably wouldn't last to long anyway.

Dare looked out excitedly as the dragons started to come back. Now they could all go for a swim out in the ocean together. It would be so much more fun that way.

[Sparrow]

Artemisth pushed to pass Hearth, but she was tired. Swimming was harder than flying, and she had already been working before getting in. This hadn't been her best idea- well, once Salise had sabotaged it, it wasn't. She was less agile than Hearth too, and turning around had wasted some time. Hmph.

Salise gathered her arms around her. She was going to end up wet for sure, what with Artemisth mad at her. It didn't matter that much, but getting splashed by an irritated dragon was low on her list of preference.

Scout flitted back to the boulder. If Salise was worried that Artemisth was going to come stomping over to her, he figured he was safer out of the way. With the dragons back again, and hopefully calmed down after the race, they could all go swimming too, and he would be ready for that.

((You can go ahead and decide who wins/loses/ties))

[wolflover1458]

Hearth couldn't help but feel a bit of pride that Artemisth had some trouble catching up to him. What with everything she had been saying at him, it was nice to think that, for once, she didn't have anything she could say to him. Certainly he was tired and ready to get out of the water, but at least he got to win for once.

N'lel watched the two dragons heading back. He hoped the swim had improved Hearth's mood, and maybe Artemisth's as well, although he wasn't sure if it was possible for both of their moods to be improved at the same time. They were like rivals in their own right, and they had barely even met each other yet.

Dare squeaked happily as the dragons came back. Soon they could all go for a swim together. He watched the dragons coming back, and decided to stay where he was for the time being. It wouldn't be right to get in the way. He'd learned that dragons didn't always appreciate firelizards, and he didn't want to get in trouble.

[Sparrow]

Artemisth scrambled onto shore- behind Hearth. Expression dark, she made her way across the sand to Salise and gave herself a good shake, sending water over her rider and probably over N’lel as well. That’s for making me lose, she grumbled.

Salise wiped saltwater from her face. “I figure you got a headstart at the beginning, and Hearth got one coming back, so it’s a fair tie.” Good thing she had gotten the whole of Artemisth’s swim back to think of that. Artemisth sat back and considered. Her breathing was hard from the unusual workout, but apart from that and a bit of wet, she was fine. She spread her wings so the sun would dry them faster, and in doing so shaded her rider.

Looks like we tied, Hearth, she informed the Charcoal. He wasn’t that bad. In fact, Artemisth could appreciate having a competitive companion. Her almost friendly thoughts were interrupted when Scout flew over and latched onto her nose though. He chattered to her and she gave her head a toss, dislodging the fire-lizard and sending him flying into the ocean. Scout landed with a splash in the water and chattered to Dare, calling him over to play.

[wolflover1458]

N'lel got two dousings: one from Hearth and one form Artemisth. It was hard to care to much though. Hearth didn't look quite as grumpy. Maybe he was just to exhausted to feel annoyed or maybe he actually enjoyed the swim. He'd come in front of Artemisth getting out, even if he'd been closer to shore. Maybe coming down here hadn't been such a bad idea after all. Hearth probably wouldn't end up any worse off.

I suppose we did Hearth replied back to Artemisth, more calmly than he had been before. The swim had tired him out, and he almost didn't really care anymore that Artemisth was bigger and stronger than him. Maybe meeting her, even getting swamped by her more than once, hadn't been to bad. She was an independent dragon, and not all of them were. Maybe he could appreciate that.

Dare watched Artemisth fling Scout into the water. It looked like fun, and he wondered if she would do the same thing to him if he climbed on to her. Just then, Scout called him over and, abandoning the idea, Dare flew swiftly over to the water and splashed in next to Scout, getting wet right away.

[Sparrow]

Although she would have preferred to win, a tie worked well enough for Artemisth. At least she hadn't necessarily lost. Content enough, and too tired to keep fighting anyways, she lay down on the sand to sun and watch the fire-lizards.

Salise watched Artemisth. "Well, I guess that works." Whether it was just that the pair of dragons were too worn out to care about whatever differences they had been contesting before, or if a tied race had managed to actually solve the problem, she didn't know. But Artemisth was obviously done messing with Hearth; maybe she would actually get along with him now. Salise sure wouldn't mind it if her irritable dragon made a friend.

Scout gurgled happily, obviously the one taking the most joy out of N'lel's party joining them. He had gotten to eat, now he got to play with someone. This was working out in his favor.

[wolflover1458]

Dare happily splashed around, jumping up and down and pouncing all over the place, just to watch the water splash everywhere. The day was being so much for fun for him. He was excited that he'd gotten to come down and see Scout and Artemisth and Salise. It was, indeed, a very good day.

N'lel watched the two little lizards playing around in the water. You going to go back in, he asked Hearth.

The Charcoal snorted. Perhaps. I would probably squish a firelizard though. The dragon was intently watching the two firelizards in the water.

I'm sure you could manage not to.

Maybe.

[Sparrow]

Salise watch Scout bounce along through the surf behind Dare. He would definitely be disappearing to play with the Brown in the future. Fire-lizards were lucky, they had no problem making friends. Salise wasn't quite sure what to do about N'lel. He was so quiet, and so was she, and it didn't exactly add up well.

Artemisth yawned but kept an eyelid open. Are all your water fears quelled now, Hearth? She asked jokingly. Salise sighed. Apparently the Barred was not done messing with Hearth.

Artemisth...

If you're not going to talk, I'm perfectly happy to, Artemisth replied with a rumble, never one particularly phased by her rider getting bothered.

Salise looked uneasily at N'lel. But what could she even say? "I hope Artemisth isn't ruining this all for you," she said quickly. "Since apparently she can't tolerate getting along with someone for more than a minute."

Thanks, Artemisth said sarcastically.

[wolflover1458]

I never had any fears to be quelled. Water isn't a bad thing. It's helpful Hearth retorted. He might be able to appreciate Artemisth, but that didn't mean he had to get along with her. Why should he try if she wasn't going to? It was a silly idea.

"No, it's fine. I get that anyway with Hearth," N'lel assured Salise. Having Artemisth and Hearth around was different than having just Hearth around, but he was used to the feeling of constantly having his day ruined by a negative attitude. Sometimes Hearth almost seemed to thrive on finding something bad abound others. It was as if it somehow made the tiny Charcoal dragon bigger.

[Sparrow]

Color rolled around Artemisth's eyes, but she didn't push Hearth. Salise hadn't been happy with Artemisth's initial question, and the dragon didn't need to get herself in trouble with Salise as well as having an already grumpy Charcoal worse with her. Very helpful, she agreed. At frightening little black dragons.

"I'd feel better if she were improving something," Salise replied. In her experience, Artemisth never worked for more than her own means though. Salise wasn't quite sure what to think of her behavior now, a half and half mixture of being rude and trying to make friends. Most likely it was just because she was no good at it, and far too used to being insulting.

Salise wasn't the best at befriending people either, but at least she could be more polite than her dragon. Not that it was much of a feat.

[wolflover1458]

Hearth wanted to snap something back at Artemisth, sure that she was messing with him again, but it wouldn't do any good. They were just end up in some sort of a fight, and he was tired to think of anything good to say back to her anyway. He didn't want to say anything non-snappish either, because she would just find some way to twist it around. She was so hard to get along with. N'lel told Hearth that he was too, but the Charcoal dragon never paid attention to it in the slightest.

"Not every dragon is great at improving things. I don't think either of ours are, really." Or maybe it was just that Hearth and Artemisth couldn't get along, although N'lel somehow doubted that. Most likely they just didn't get along with anyone very well, and that was the end of that. Why couldn't he have a cooperative dragon? Perhaps not everyone could, but it still felt sometimes like he had the least-cooperative dragon in the Weyr. Artemisth was proof that Hearth wasn't the only one though.

N'lel wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

[Sparrow]

Artemisth was clearly struggling with following her rider's wishes over her own. Salise needed friends, but Artemisth generally managed to scare them off, usually inadvertently. Getting caught alone on this island was simply too convenient though, and she felt like she needed to at least attempt to be helpful. So she reverted to her favorite subject. Do you enjoy flying, Hearth? Simple enough; any dragon enjoyed flying.

Salise laughed weakly. "No, they're not." Artemisth, and likely Hearth as well, were good at quite the opposite. Even when the Barred was trying, she eventually ended up unraveling all her efforts. Artemisth wasn't exactly a friendly dragon, and couldn't keep up the pretense long.

It was something Salise had come to live with, but every time she associated with someone else, she was reminded. And people thought Nayarath was bad.

[wolflover1458]

Hearth glanced at the Barred dragon. Of course I do. Any sensible dragon does. And really, what dragon didn't like flying? Why else would they have wings? He hoped that Artemisth wasn't trying to show him up again. Hearth knew he could fly perfectly, maybe even better than Artemisth. It depended on how well she flew, and Hearth didn't know how well she did. She would fly better than a large dragon for sure, but Hearth was smaller and more agile than her. He really wasn't sure what to think.

N'lel shook his head. Dragons were dragons, and they were all so unique it could get annoying. At least he wasn't stuck with a Bronze that thought he was king of the world. Instead, he was stuck with a Charcoal that knew he wasn't king of the world, but was bitter over not being so. It was almost preferable. Hearth might be grumpy and hard to get along with, but he wasn't vain. Usually.