A Game of Tag {Open}

[Sparrow]

The weather was just perfect for a swim, and Amirinth knew just the perfect place to do so. She spiraled lazily down into the cove, landing in the shallows of the beach. The water just lapping at her ankles felt good already, and she turned her head to give K’laon an anxious look.

The Greenrider had gotten his shirt off before they even landed, and now dismounted Amirinth to strip down to a pair of light shorts and rush into the water. Amirinth, anticipating her rider’s every move, beat him there and playfully sent a wave of salty water towards her rider with a swing of her tail.

Spitting, K’laon stood up- he hadn’t gone far enough in for the water to even reach his thighs, despite his short stature- and put his hands on his sides. “That wasn’t very nice.”

Well I enjoyed it, Amirinth replied, cheerfully splashing him again.

K’laon brought up his hands to defend himself and when the water receded back to the main part of the ocean, cocked an eyebrow. “Was that a challenge?”

Of course not. Amirinth rolled over in the water, lying on her back and giving her tail an occasional swish to keep herself in the position. Her back brushed the sand below, the water wasn’t at all deep yet.

“Shards.” K’laon looked down at the water in disappointment. Amirinth reached out with a forepaw and gave her rider a hard tap in the chest.

You’re it! She rumbled as K’laon took a step back to rebalance himself, then swung back onto her stomach and quickly kicked towards deeper waters. Her tail dragged behind her, and K’laon managed to grab it before Amirinth had gotten away.

You’re it. He laughed and ducked under the water as Amirinth quickly turned, causing another wave to surge upwards at the swift movement. K’laon’s heavy build wasn’t much help when it came to swimming, but at least he could use sheer strength to move quickly, that was something he did have. Amirinth nudged her head gracefully under the water, located K’laon, and took chase. The odds in tag were always in her favor, but she liked to make it look like he had a chance. Pity no one was around to watch.

[Illia]

The day was perfect in Kethari's eyes. The breeze was cool against her pale skin, and swept her long, black hair back in rivers as she flew perched upon the back of her beautiful Ansraeth. She had chosen to not bother with a riding helmet for such a short flight, though her goggles were down before her eyes, giving her a clear sight of everything below her. The sun was dancing upon the ocean waves, casting numerous reflections into the air and causing shimmering shapes on the blue surface, though Kethari's eyes drifted to the other Greenrider that seemed to be down below.

Ansraeth seemed to notice them as well, her head tilting slightly to the side as her eyes swirled with curiousity. It seemed the Rider and dragon were playing a game of some sort. Would you like to see what they're doing, KethariMine? Ansraeth's familiar, light voice filled Kethari's mind. She always had enjoyed the fact dragons spoke mentally, even if it did mean her thoughts were fully exposed to them. Even so... there really wasn't anyone else she would be more open to share anything at all with than the Green female.

We might as well. It'll be a nice break from training, and I know how much you enjoy the water, love The response seemed to please Ansraeth, for she began to purr softly as she folded her wings closer to her body, turning into a shallow dive. The thrill of the air rushing up at her was thrilling, and judging by the thoughts her Rider was sending at her, it was the same for the dark haired woman. Even as she spread her wings at the last moment to flutter into a landing amongst the shallows, the adrenaline continued to surge through her body.

Ansraeth tilted her head slightly to the side as she watched the game of tag between the other Green and her rider, flicking her tail slightly as her own Rider slid from her back. Kethari chose to remain silent, standing next to her dragon's side as she simply watched the other pair, rather amused by their actions, though Ansraeth found to more suitable to make their presence known.

Greetings, my kin! she called, adding a somewhat singsong tone to her mental voice as she folded her wings to her sides. Well, there was a reason her name had been based on the term for 'Rune Singer' after all.

[Sparrow]

Uh-oh K’laonMine, put on your Wingleader face. Amirinth paused suddenly and turned her swirling gaze skyward.

What? The Greenrider glanced up too, and had to scrabble a moment for footing on the sand that was further below him than he thought. After a moment he noticed the pair approaching though, and turned his wide mouth turned to a slightly disappointed frown. That good enough?

Amirinth looked at him contemplatively. No, you need to lower your eyebrows some. Look menacing!

Right. K’laon made his best attempt at doing so as the Green landed. And they just watched. Humph. Kethari and Ansraeth, right? Yes, as the woman dismounted he decided for sure. But holding a menacing face wasn’t easy, especially with the younger Green cocking her head like that and staring at them. He struggled a bit with the face.

You want to play tag with Amirinth and K’laonMine? Greetings, bah. Amirinth had been distracted from her game. She nudged K’laon. Come on, invite the human.

I thought you wanted gruff! K’laon shook his head slightly, and nearly lost his balance when Amirinth bumped him a second time. Wingleaders… what a commanding pair they looked to be. The short, wide man struggling to keep a frown and the Green who had lost interest in his doing so…

Well, so much for that. “What’re you just staring at us for?” Although joking, K’laon’s voice also always carried a gruff tone and he wasn’t sure right then whether he sounded angry or just plain stupid. “The water’s perfect!” He brandished his arms wildly before ducking under again and grabbing Amirinth’s foot. Gotcha!

That’s cheating! No one said go! But she didn’t seem to mind much, and promptly made the water swirl by turning briskly around and going after her rider again. A couple of visitors weren’t going to foil their fun.

[Illia]

Sounds like fun to me! Ansraeth replied back, an almost hatchling-like playfulness having come to her voice as she unfurled her wings slightly. KethariMine, take your goggles off; they won't be much use out of the air.

Kethari smiled slightly, pulling the flight goggles off her head and tossing her hair to straighten it out. "Merely didn't want to intrude if I wasn't wanted, Wingleader," she called back to K'laon. Judging by the way she was smiling she didn't seem to have taken the gruffness of his voice to heart, but instead glanced at the shore and tossed her goggles onto the sand. She unbuttoned her tunic and pulled it off as well, revealing a simple, darkly coloured, sleeveless shirt. The tunic that had covered it soon joined her goggles on the beach, along with her boots [though they were soaked enough from standing in the water it probably wouldn't have mattered].

Heh, tag? Haven't played that since Aeyr and I were kids Kethari mused, directing her thoughts towards Ansraeth. The dragon merely hummed in response, her eyes shimmering cheerfully as she began to walk towards the other dragon and rider. The waves lapped against her legs and swirled around her claws, though compared to a what a human would feel, the motions were hardly noticeable to a dragon.

Unfurling her wings slightly, Ansraeth seemed to grin, bounding towards deeper water as she skirted around Amirinth and K'laon, a playful expression firmly fixed on her face as she joined in the game. Her muscles rippled beneath her velvety skin, and truthfully with how she was 'hopping' forward to avoid water resistance was a rather amusing sight.

Kethari laughed, a broad smile on her face as she ran after her dragon. It had been much too long since they had chosen to do something other than train; much too long indeed. The Greenrider had even found her time with her brother limited, for even on a good day the Wherhandlers and Dragonriders typically had difficulty getting together with how different their schedules and trainings were.

[/blockquote]

[Sparrow]

Of course it’s fun! Amirinth snorted softly, sending bubbles streaming through the water. What a silly Green this was. Gotcha, K’laonMine! She bumped her rider softly in the rear, then shoved past him to swim further out and escape the next possible tag.

Ah! There’s a woman here, bug! He kicked his legs and struggled out of her path.

Amirinth paused, raising her head above the water and looking from Kethari to Ansraeth to K’laon to herself. Amirinthlove is a woman, she said with a hurt tone.

K’laon surfaced to give his dragon the most skeptical look he could manage. “No, you’re a bug. And you’re it!” He grabbed the tail that Amirinth had carelessly let drag behind her and then ducked under the water again. Get someone else next time.

Amirinth gave her head a toss. Well, I never. She turned her head to watch Ansraeth bouncing across the water, her eyes whirling slightly at the comical look of the dragon. Sister! We are being women. Look… how they do. Bah, tag was for children. She was sophisticated now.

[Illia]

Ansraeth came to a stop, the ocean water lapping against her shoulder from the depth she had chosen to stand at, though her eyes whirled and she seemed to almost smile in amusement as she heard the other Green's comment. Women indeed she purred in response, giving her tail a slight flick which sent a sprinkling of water flying into the air. Though beautiful females such as ourselves would surely be able to catch such small humans, wouldn't we? To accompany the playful tone in her voice, she unfurled her wings slightly, giving them an experimental flap that sent ripples dancing across the waves.

Kethari laughed lightly as she picked up her dragon's comment. Her long, black hair was already soaked from the splashing of the waves on her body and stuck to her neck and shoulders in thick locks. Her clothing too showed signs of being absolutely drenched, for it was sticking closely to her body, showing off her build. "It seems we are now alone in our little game, eh Wingleader?" she called, raising her voice slightly so she may have been audible from underwater should he have remained there.

The woman crouched down in the water, using her hands for support as she leaned against them and let the oncoming waves come over her. It was such a nice feeling to have the water against your skin, and the Greenrider began to wonder why exactly she and Ansraeth focused so much on their duties as a pair. Really, anymore it seemed that they didn't allow themselves any time between training and other responsibilities to just enjoy the day like this. The woman couldn't even remember the last time she had chosen to just drop everything and dance. Actually... now that she thought of it, the smooth rhythm of the waves sounded almost like music...

"The ocean has it's own song, doesn't it?" she asked absently, smiling slightly as she allowed her eyes to close partially. "It's own melody."

[Sparrow]

Amirinth considered, then wing-shrugged. Of course we're able to, but what would we do with them? Women didn't eat people, as far as Amirinth knew, and she doubted K'laon would be very tasty. And other than devour it, the Green wasn't quite sure what to do with anything she caught.

Rather intrigued by Ansraeth's splashing, Amirinth set to trying to make the water do pretty things herself, but didn't do very well. She didn't want to copy the slightly larger Green and couldn't think of anything creative herself, something she found rather shocking.

Surfacing to look at her, K'laon decided it was a pity Kethari was another Greenrider, she was very pretty, especially when she was all wet. Not that he thought Greenrider's were off limits, it just seemed weird. "You can call me K'laon." Wingleader... he and Amirinth still weren't totally sure how they had gotten that post, and he didn't like being called by the title (well, except during Thread where it made them both feel very special about their rank). "And I guess."

What was she crouching for? He would take advantage of Kethari's distraction with the ocean though.... After a short trek full of swimming low, K'laon grabbed her ankles and tried to drag her off her feet. "You're it!" He laughed, popping out of the water again. And had she said something while he was under the water? He had been distracted with his plotting and had heard her voice, but not caught the words.

Well, no matter. If it was important, she could always repeat it. K'laon backed away somewhat in case Kethari decided to try and get him. Amirinth, now busy trying to think of her own pretty-making-trick-ideas, only snorted softly. If she was to be a lady, Hers could at least try to act like a gentleman.

[Illia]

Ansraeth had to pause to think at that, flicking her tail thoughtfully as she tried to concoct some sort of idea that didn't involve eating or something of that sort. Turthfully, she rather liked Kethari and she wasn't sure if she would be pleased with the Greenrider at the bottom of her belly. Well, I'll admit I enjoy a good rubbing between my wings every once in a while she suggested. Or perhaps an oiling once we're back with the weyrs. The younger Green was relatively stuck on that idea herself, though she allowed her sights to wander towards the fish that were occasionally whisked in by the shadows of a wave only to be swept outward again.

Though, women such as ourselves are capable of taking care of ourselves just as well She continued to watch the fish for a few more cycles, getting the patterning down before she suddenly shoved her triangular head into the water, pulling back again with a slight smile and a wriggling fish clenched between her fangs.

"If you say so then, K'laon," Kethari replied cheerfully, letting another wave wash over her. However, she was definitely not expecting the man's sudden decision to reinstate the little game that had been played a few moments ago. Releasing a suddenly cry of surprise, she vanished beneath the next wave as her feet -- which had been supporting her position as much as her hands -- were pulled from where they had been braced.

She rose again, her black hair hanging thickly over her eyes for a moment before she tossed her head, clearing her sights as she sent a playful smirk in K'laon's direction. "Well I'll say, that was certainly uncalled for," she said slyly. "Though I suppose this means I can use my own tricks in this little game?" She did the best she could to scramble to her feet and attempt to run after the other Greenrider, a slight laugh on her lips as she stumbled through the water that was washing around her legs, inhibiting her movements slightly so she was considerably slower than she generally was one dry land.

[/blockquote]

[Sparrow]

Yes, oiling was good, and fun because she got to splash K’laon a lot. Every duty a rider had that included him going with his dragon into water was a favorite of Amirinth’s. Scratching was good too, and talking to Hers or watching him with other people. Eating K’laon was definitely out of the question.

Amirinth’s head bobbed. It is nice to have others do it for us. As long as they fought Thread, the humans waited on them hand and foot the rest of the time. It was a good trade. What are you looking at? The fish? The fish in these shallows were no good, they would have to swim deeper if they wanted a good meal. So why was Ansraeth catching them?

“Uncalled for?” K’laon stared at Kethari. “This is tag, Greenrider. Anything goes.” He raised his eyebrows as she asked a question, wondering why she even needed to discuss it. Some people just couldn’t do a thing without permission. “Of course you can.” He doubted she would have many particularly amazing tricks up her sleeves though. Watching her run was vague proof.

After watching her struggle through the water for a moment, K’laon grinned and motioned out towards the ocean. “This is water, you swim in it.” And with that, he disappeared under the waves. Women sometimes…

[Illia]

I used to catch these all the time as a hatchling Ansraeth purred, not seeming to notice the fish's weak attempts at freeing itself from her jaws as it beat its tail against her upper lip. Though I'll admit they were a bit more of a challenge back then than they are now. Even with the creature's tiny size, she tilted her head back and allowed the fish to slide down her throat all the same, flicking her tail absently as she swallowed it whole. After all, there was no sense in releasing food one had already captured, and a larger fish would have just gotten it anyway.

"Mmhm, and someone didn't notice the joke in there I suppose," Kethari laughed cheerfully in response, not really taking K'laon's responses and his tone much to heart. After all, she knew full well she wasn't exactly the person to turn to when it came to wanting amusement; unless of course her lack of distinction between her joking remarks and her normal speech was found somewhat amusing. Even so, she blushed slightly as the wing leader mentioned the fact they were in water. That particular overlook hadn't exactly been intentional.

"Oh, right," she said, despite the fact K'laon had already vanished beneath the waves, and she quickly ducked under them herself. She had truthfully never exactly fully swam much in her life, though it definitely didn't seem hard, even with the disturbance the waves rolling overhead caused. Her long ebony hair swirled amongst her face as she allowed her eyes to slide open slightly. At first the presence of salt burned and caused her to wince away, but she gradually became used to it and she kicked forward, looking for K'laon as she did her best to hold her breath.

She could see the faint green shapes of Ansraeth and Amirinth in the distance, though the sand that was stirred up by the waves at this depth made it hard to identify much clearly. Thus, she focused her attention of the first human-like shape she saw and pressed off towards it, pressing her hands against the sandy floor in an attempt to give her unpracticed body a bit more speed. She had served as a DragonRider, not a Dolphineer, and that was definitely obvious in the way she swam, but at least she was making a fairly decent effort at doing so.

[/blockquote]

[Sparrow]

Amirinth gazed at Ansraeth in surprise. Only as a hatchling? Amirinth has to catch a lot more now, but she still eats them often.[/i][/color] Herdbeasts got dull after a while, although she could stand the taste of fish for an even shorter amount of time. Amirinth had never tried plants, but had long ago decided she didn’t need that much variety in her diet. But yet, they were harder then. Now Amirinth could swim plenty faster than most fish… and fly even better.

K’laon raised his eyebrows, half because of Kethari and half because of his dragon. He would definitely hope she flew better than a fish. “I’ve yet to see any jokes from you.” Ones you could see were always better, anyways. Her blush left him satisfied and the Greenrider ducked under the water again. Yup, water. How someone could overlook that raised a very curious question, but he would leave it be for now… Amirinth could go tell other Greens or something later.

Really?

No. Go away. That dragon never took her attention totally off him. K’laon glanced back in Kethari’s direction, curious to see if she had tried out swimming yet. She didn’t look too proficient at it. I think our new friend needs some training, bug.

Amirinth perked up, her eyes suddenly whirling an excited bright green. Amirinthlove is a master swimmer! She eagerly bumped Ansraeth’s shoulder with her nose. K’laonMine says Yours needs to learn to swim. She rumbled and paddled absently towards the woman. Do you know how to make big waves instead of fancy ones? The best way to learn to swim was for it to suddenly become a need, anyways. Oh, and don't tell yours.

K'laon surfaced and rolled onto his back, deciding he could just float for a bit. This was how one pulled off a joke.