Time at sea [open]

[archenstone]

V'rael gave a feral grin as he pulled the ropes on the skiff. It responded readily to his hands, turning so that the sail could make good use of the cross wind blowing across the ocean. The lightweight vessel seemed to skip over the water. Manning the small ship was certainly the funnest thing he'd done in a while.

No fair...I'm lots of fun too. Taith said as he skimmed over the waves, claws dragging lightly through the water to wet his bonded. V'rael tugged the ropes again and the skiff turned away from Taith so that he was no longer spraying his rider. Taith banked and flapped his wings to gain speed, trying to get in position to soak V'rael. They made a game of it. V'rael dodging and weaving across the ocean while Taith tried to soak him.

Eventually Taith succeeded and V'rael laughed. It seems you've won this round. He said. He could feel Taith's satisfaction at winning. Why don't you go for a swim? The fish are good here this time of season. They come south to avoid the cold northern winters. He adjusted the sails to half way so as to slow his speed and tied off the ropes.

His hands followed a routine he had known since he was old enough to hold a fishing rod. Attach the hook, set the bait, cast out. He sat on a small seat and relaxed. You're not really expecting to catch fish by sitting are you? V'rael nodded reflexively. Of course, I'm a professional remember? He could feel a bubbly response and hear the verbal broken purr-growl Taith used for laughter. A professional sitter. Anyone can do that mine.

Taith then promptly folded his wings and belly flopped into the water, padding along side the boat. This is fun. I'm going to catch fish! Taith dove into the water, using his clear protective eyelid to see underwater. He used his tail to push himself deeper and saw a school of fish. He immediately went towards them and the tight grouping shattered as fish went all directions. Confused, Taith tried catching them, only to get water between his teeth. Feeling his lungs start to complain he rose to the surface.

They got away He complained.

Well that happens Taith. Thats why its called fishing. If it was easy they'd call it gathering.

[Requiem]

The kids were tiring.

Faolan couldn't say what it was, exactly. The eagerness, maybe. Or the large number of them who'd Impressed last clutch and yet... Either way, though, when an expression alone could send him through memories he'd rather not return to, the wher candidate started looking for any possible way to get out of the barracks. This was even better. He didn't have to be at the Weyr at all.

It wasn't terribly difficult to convince the kitchen staff that they'd like to have some seafood to serve. Fish was one thing, but crustaceans...and you couldn't get that anywhere but the ocean. So off he went, lightly packed and blessedly alone, to spend a few days in the caves along the shore. Fishing. Trapping, really. Fish was one thing Faolan knew and knew well.

His father hadn't been too happy to see him gone, but with eleven other children who weren't being Searched, he'd been okay. Faolan had found it harder to go. Fiona, though...the idea of being separated from his sister...Well, now he was permanently, now wasn't he? At any rate he probably should have stuck to fishing.

Hindsight and all that.

The man wandered out onto the beach. His pants were rolled up, his shirt left open in the front, as he began wading along the shoreline where he'd laid his traps. They weren't actually traps per se, the majority of them, because it was just as easy to get out again as it was to get in. But that didn't keep the little creatures from taking up residence in many cases. They all found their way into his bag.

[archenstone]

After awhile they began to make their way back. Afternoon had rolled on by and V'rael wondered if he had exposed his neck enough to burn. Certainly the warmness of his skin seemed to threaten a burn. He smiled, idly turning the skiff towards shore. In his fish well he had a nice catch for casual fishing. Taith swam near, eyes swirling slowly. If you weren't Mine I would tip that flimsy wooden think with all its stuff and fish. Why can't I catch one of these slimy, slippery meals? Thus complained Taith as he worked towards shore. V'rael glanced over at his bonded in amusement. I told you, fishing is a mix of patience, skill, and luck. He idly brought the sail up halfway to lessen the speed. He didn't want to ram the boat into shore after all.

Oh Mine, we have company...look over there! V'rael looked to shore, placing a hand over his eyes to see better. "I think you're right...wonder who's out here." He felt a ripple of emotion all too familiar with Taith. "Taith?" The organish-brown dragon was no longer beside him. Taith, what are you up to? But Taith had gone silent.

Under the water Taith reveled in the cool feel of the water against his hide. The tide, becoming stronger as he swam towards shore, pulled him in his desired direction. He had taken a deep, deep breath and hoped it would hold for what he wanted. Soon, the sandy bottom rose till it almost scraped his belly. He got as close to the beach as possible when he could feel it! The wave swooped around him and he pushed up, Unfurling his wings and arching his neck like a giant sea serpent. Tumpeting loud his eyes swirled fast in happy mischief as he attempted to surprise the human!

V'rael wasn't far behind but his eyes widened as Taith burst forth from a wave and tumpeted what had to be a battle call. Or Shells why is he scaring random people?! After a moment he reached across their bond. Now you've done it....why try to give people a heart attack? He hoped that who ever had been the victim of Taith's latest prank would forgive him. Oh Mine, it is only harmless fun. He replied.

V'rael got to shore about a minute later and jumped off the boat to haul her in, looking for the person Taith pranked.

[Requiem]

The dot rising and falling on the swell of each wave drew Faolan's attention for the span of a few brief moments. Hm. Not the right color to be a gull - of which there were plenty at the moment - but definitely not large enough at that distance to be a true ship. Not that this section of shoreline was fished much. It was why Faolan had chosen it to begin with. A small dinghy, then? Didn't look like it could fit more than three people comfortably, by his reckoning. Oh well. It was out there and not really his problem.

So back to clearing out his traps he went. Crabs, even a clam here and there, and...yes. A few lobsters. He fell to whistling a tuneless little song to himself. This was much better than the roar of a Weyr in full swing. It seemed that there was always some sort of noise echoing oddly down the tunnels. Tunnels were strange anyway. A whisper could sound like a shout, and a scream never reach anyone's ears, depending on where you were standing and what mood the unseen spirits were in.

Speaking of unseen spirits and moods...

The monster that came screaming out of the wave directly for Faolan was a creature out of nightmare, especially from the perspective of bursting from the waves with mouth gawping. And yes, the wher candidate screamed. He sprung backwards, tripping over his own feet and falling on his rump. The seated position didn't stop him, either. He immediately began scrambling backwards, his sack of crustaceans half-floating forgotten in the water.

Wide, pale blue eyes fixed on Taith as he finally realized that the ocean monster wasn't trying to eat him. Of course, once that realization set in, so did another one. Dragon. The startlement and resulting scramble had left half his hair in front of his face, freed from the rest gathered at the nape of his neck. Faolan trembled slightly, hardly noticing the cold of the water soaking through his pants. "Get away," he murmured.

Then, louder, "Get away!" The dragonless was suddenly up and grabbing the nearest of the rocks, launching it hard at Taith's shoulder. Faolan had no intention of hurting him, but the brown didn't need to know that. Why was it here and bothering him?! Just as suddenly as the anger had come on, it petered out. Tears gathered in his eyes next. Faolan turned abruptly from the creature, shaking out his sodden arms. He'd completely forgotten his bag. Or maybe he just didn't want to go near Taith to get it.

[archenstone]

Taith immediately ducked his head and felt a solid thump on his shoulder. That stung! His happy excited swirl of eyes turned to an uncertain color, still swirling fast. I think I scared him too bad.... Even so he chose to knock the other projectiles off course with his tail, careful not to ricochet any towards the human he so unrightfully scared. The barrage stopped abruptly and he lowered his tail. The human had turned away.

A bag was being tugged by the sea's current and caught his eye. He bent down, plunking it from the water with his teeth. A much calmer and repentant Taith walked out of the waves till his head was near the boy. He set the bag down. The swirl of his eyes had darkened and slowed. He truly didn't think the human would frighten that bad. I apologize little one. I only meant to surprise you. Here is your bag. Please don't be sad anymore? Taith crouched in what he hoped the human thought was a repentant posture. Now that he was closer he realized that he didn't recognize this human. Was he a candidate...or some poor villager?

V'rael was behind Taith and could only watch while a giant orange 'sea monster' scared the pants off whom ever was on shore. What are you doing Taith?! He could feel the sting of something and confusion through their bond. No response from Taith but he could sense what Taith was doing now that he wasn't blocking. As the skiff came close enough to pull up to shore, V'rael jumped into the cool waters and tugged the rope. It was not something he'd tell an unseasoned person to do but he'd lived on the water and knew how to use the waves to aid in beaching the skiff.

Once the boat was safely beached he ran over to where they where. "Are you okay?" The young man had obviously been frightened. He looked at Taith with e reproving face. I hope you don't plan on doing that again soon. Taith confirmed it but was still waiting to see if the young man would forgive him.

[Requiem]

Now, even with the waves crashing and the sand to muffle the footsteps of the large beast, it was ridiculous to think that anyone wouldn't be aware of the dragon following him. Indeed, Faolan's shoulders were hunched forward slightly as he determinedly kept his eyes focused straight ahead of him. The wher candidate deliberately angled his body away from the brown's head as he continued walking, though he saw the bag he'd dropped earlier out of the corner of his eye.

That bag didn't matter. Faolan left it behind him in his effort to ignore the dragon so it would go away. Then the voice pushed into his head, invading his mind with an inescapable power. The man who had been Wrenth's clamped his hands over his ears in a futile effort to keep him out. But it did nothing to stop the tears that washed down his cheeks unbidden. No. Please stop. Please. Yet the words didn't make it passed a throat closed by his anguish.

He crouched down, his hands still planted firmly over his ears, eyes shut tight. A voice that wasn't inside his head got his attention. Faolan cracked open one eye, then they both slowly opened as he squinted upward. "Are you his?" the slender man whispered, his voice breaking slightly on the words. A sudden ferocity came into his light blues and he stood, keeping V'rael between him and the beast that couldn't - wouldn't - leave him alone.

"Tell him to go away. Tell him to stop talking to me!" He swallowed down a half-sob and snatched up his bag, turning to stumble for the bluffs in the near distance. It would have been a dash, but his eyes were still swimming in tears and his limbs were weak, making him appear almost drunken as he fled. Faolan couldn't handle a dragon tormenting him so. It forced him to remember Wrenth. Especially the words in his head.

[archenstone]

Taith stood still, confusion written plainly across his draconic features. His head was cocked to the side as if trying to ponder the human's reaction. True, Taith had seen many reactions to his playfulness. Anger, surprise, laughter, and yelling were rather common. He stopped whenever he realized he'd scared someone, just like he stopped a few minutes ago. This out right rejection though...it was unsettling. Mine....I don't know what it is...but he's more than just mad or scared at me.. Its....its like I thumped him with my tail and took his food... Taith didn't have the experience needed to put his wing tip on it...but he could tell something more than his prank was bothering the man.

V'rael looked at the older man. The expression on the stranger's face stopped him dead in his tracks. His heart beat rose slightly in memory of himself, not very long ago. The hurricane had cast a spell of darkness over the fragile Hold as the legendary storm tore apart homes and families with wind speeds, if recorded, would have marked it as a category five hurricane on Earth. He saw himself, holding his Mother's crushed and soaked body close to his chest as he was knocked around unmercifully by the storm, searching for the healer's shelter. He remembered the pain. How he had shut down, avoiding anyone and everything that reminded him of her. She had been everything to him. She was the only family he had left until a force of nature literally tore her from his arms. Anyone that dared mention her was met with a violent reaction. Only the physical strain of clearing debris and rebuilding peoples home had kept his mind off his own loss. So many had been hurt. So many were still hurt to this day, he was sure. He rubbed one of the more prominent scars on his arm....one barely older than Taith.

"Tell him to go away. Tell him to stop talking to me!"

The sudden outburst snapped V'rael's wandering mind back to focus on the slightly older man in front of him. He glanced from the man to Taith, who was backing up in a effort to give the man space. The action was unneeded though as the man turned and fled. Don't bespeak him Taith....something is very wrong here. He watched as the man stumbled, torn between letting the man have his space and the thought that he'd have been glad for someone to be there when his Mother died. The latter won and V'rael went after the man. He wasn't hard to catch up to, seeing as he wasn't moving straight.

"Hey...hey wait." He said, attempting to stop the man long enough to listen. "I just wanted you to know that we both apologize. Taith would never had done that if he knew you'd be so upset." Could this person, barely older than was, be one of the dragonless? The idea sent a cold shiver down his spine, he didn't know what would happen if he lost Taith as well. He felt like there should have been something better to say....but he had never been good with dealing with the emotion pain of others.

[Requiem]

Faolan stopped. Against his will, against every impulse screaming through his blood at that moment, he stopped. Because the man told him to. Fingers tightened on the bag at his side as if he might use it to break out of this frozen state, but his arm never lifted. Nor did he turn his head even enough to see the large sailor out of the corner of his eye. Kept his gaze firmly planted on the dunes ahead.

Dragonrider. Speaking for his dragon. Faolan closed his eyes and breathed. He wasn't so bad off that he couldn't speak to one of them or look at a dragon. Just...it had come upon him so suddenly. Forcefully. With no warning and no reason to expect to see a dragon here. The candidate had thought he was safe, and in doing so...let down his guard. Though he still wouldn't have been able to handle a dragon interacting so directly with him well, the reaction was worse because of how Taith had been sprung on him.

The former bluerider turned his head to look at V'rael, a long strand half-concealing his eye. "He didn't know, as you said," Faolan told the man, keeping most of the tremble out of his voice. It was the most leeway that the dragonless could give him. His gaze drifted back to the bluffs. How he wanted to go there and put as much distance as he could between himself and the dragon. The candidate swallowed.

"C-can I go now?"

[archenstone]

He was surprised as to how easily the man stopped. It was obvious he was extremely uncomfortable. V'rael couldn't help but wonder when the man would explode from his steely control. He looked down, trying to catch the man's eye as he spoke but hair shielded those blue eyes from his own gray. He was used to people looking him in the eye when they spoke. But this man seemed determined to do the exact opposite. It made V'rael wonder just what had happened. He figured the man had already been through enough stress though, and refrained from asking questions.

Did the man's voice just tremble? V'rael couldn't tell as the man spoke more to the dunes than to him. Inwardly he sighed, it seemed that whomever he was, he was too rattled to do much more than go to where ever his home was.

C-can I go now?

The question startled him. He looked at the man who had turned his gaze away once more. He was used to tart remarks, sarcasm, respect and many other things....but the older man seemed to be asking permission. Something about the man's actions and body language deeply bothered the assertive sea captain in him. If some one had ever applied for work to him with an almost subservient tone....he'd have given him over to a Nursery! It made him truly curious to know what horrors cause this man to be the he was. The way he asked made him seem much younger than V'rael.

"Of course, I would not keep you against your will. My name is V'rael, if you are ever in Selenitas Weyr and need something, feel free to seek me out." He said. He stepped back, not wanting to bother the man. Perhaps he had been wrong in stopping him. Perhaps he should have simply the man go in peace....but he had never enjoyed the pain of others...and hated even more to be part of the cause.

Let's get ready to go Taith. I don't feel like fishing anymore. He turned, walking through the soft sands till his feet touch the moist firm sand, and continued towards the skiff.