Swimming with Dolphins (Cavelieran)

[Rowana]

G'tor was feeling, well, lost. It was silly, really. He'd been to Dolphin Hall dozens of times to visit his sister, but for some reason he couldn't seem to find her. Now he couldn't even seem to find himself. Either they'd decided to move all the rooms around, or it had been far too long since he'd been here. He sighed and scratched at the stubble his was growing. He'd recently decided growing a beard might be nice, but he was still debating about it.

At least Ruskeath was having furn. G'tor leaned out one of the hallway windows to see his dragon splashing in the lake with a few of the dolphins. Tervain was even playing too. She rather liked swimming and especially here, which was far away from most of her kin. Star, being lazy as usually, was taking a nap in G'tor's pocket. G'tor had always liked dolphins. It was why he couldn't really begrudge his sister for choosing this over the Weyr. It was just as important in his opinion.

Still lost, Tor-mine? Ruskeath chuckled from below. Perhaps you need a better sense of direction. G'tor rolled his eyes at his dragon. Laugh while you can, he retorted with a sparkle in his eyes. I may make you fly home instead of betweening. Then we'll see who get's lost! Ruskeath laughed heartily and splashed a particularly high wave that splattered across G'tor's shirt. "Hey!" Ruskeath just hummed and played on.

[Tashe]

Muffled voices, obviously coming from a shouting match, emanated from behind a door not too far away from G'tor. The said door then swung open with a jerk and the conversation was available for all in earshot to hear. A Journeyman in full regulation garb dragged a young apprentice, around the age of thirteen, out of the room. "If I ever hear about you getting drunk again and going out on the lake at night Apprentice Miloe, I promise you I will personally speak with Master Melista about holding you back until you learn some common sense!" The older man sighed as the younger looked at him guiltily and placed his hands on either of the Apprentice's shoulders. "Miloe. Listen, to me. Don't listen to those older apprentices, or you'll end up exactly like them. They haven't walked the tables because they aren't mature enough to do so. I believe in you Miloe, I believe that you have the potential to be a Master one day. But not if you give in to the older boys." Ruffling the boy's hair, the Senior Journeyman offered him a smile. "Now, go practice whistle commands with your Dolphin. But you I still have to punish you..." Miloe's shoulders slumped. "... I want an essay on lake front storms and how they effect the currents natural flow." The apprentice perked up a bit at the laxity of the assignment, taking his leave a few seconds later.

Sighing as he watched Miloe go, Cavey planted a hand on his hip before turning to retreat back into his office/room. It was a flash of clothing that made him stop. Oh dear, that person had probably heard everything he had said. Pulling the door shut, the Journeyman strode over to the man by the window. "I'm sorry you had to stand witness to that. You know, apprentices and their troubles." He chuckled, although Cavey couldn't help but notice the other man wasn't a Dolphineer. "Oh! Are you here to visit someone?" He had to be, since they were in the living-quarter's. "I am Senior Journeyman Cavelieran, pleased to make your acquaintance. Is there anything I can help you with at this time?" Extending his hand, he offered it to G'tor with a broad smile. Fianne, not to be out done by Her's appeared from Between to land on his shoulder, chirping happily at the human that was not Her's.

Pumping her tail, Raidy breached the water before sinking back down into it. She was excited! It wasn't often a Dragon came to visit them and it was always fun when they did. Drifting close to one of her Dolphin friends she whistled to him before speeding over to the huge Brown. Huge in her mind of course, having only encountered a few Dragons in her lifetime. Coming to a stop, Raidy poked her head out of the water and clicked happily at the Dragon. Oh she was happy! He had come to play, right? He could play with her too, right? She wanted to have fun like the other Dolphins that had come over to investigate. Whistling she bobbed her nose above and under the surface, flicking water into the air.

[Rowana]

G'tor looked away from the window at the sound of raised voices. His instincts were the jump in and see what the fuss was about, but he had to remind himself that this was Dolphin Hall, not the Weyr. Here he was just a visitor, and not in charge of anyone. It was almost a relief. He watched the pair for a minute with a knowing smile. It seemed that apprentices got into as much trouble as weyrlings.

He chuckled in sympathy. "I do indeed," he agreed. At least he didn't have to teach weyrlings. He was pretty sure he'd be bad at it. They were general at least a bit more mature when they got to him. He shook the man's hand warmly. "Brownrider G'tor," he offered. He didn't usually bother with the full rank. Being a rider was more then enough. "That's Ruskeath outside," he jerked a thumb out the window at his dragon. He smiled at the welcome and the little green on his shoulder. It seemed fire lizards were everywhere these days. "Actually," he admitted sheepishly. "I'm looking for my little sister, Torsi," he explained. Well, not so little anymore. She was a young woman now, nearly twenty turns. "I think they must have moved her room, because I can't seem to find it."

Ruskeath rumbled with delight at his newest dolphin playmate. He greeted Raidy with a flick of his tail and croon. Of course he was here to play. He loved playing with his water cousins. Perhaps she could suggest a good game to play? It had been some time since his last visit and he was eager to see what they liked to play. The large dragon rolled gently in the water, sending small waves around him. It was so good to relax with good friends. Dolphins always knew the best ways to have fun.

[Tashe]

"Its been a while since a Rider has come to visit the Dolphin hall outside of a gather." Leaning sideways to look out the window, Cavey watched as the man's Dragon played with the lake Dolphins. Most likely his own Raidy was out there, she wasn't a solitary sort of being like most of the other dolphins were. "Looks like Ruskeath is fond of them. I must say its nice to see." When G'tor mentioned his sister, the Journeyman turned back to him in surprise. "Torsi is your sister?" He perched his hands on his hips, placing them above the items of his belts with a smile. "Well of course her rooms are moved! Have you not heard the good news? Torsi has recently walked the tables and become a Junior Journeywoman. I was part of the "assembly of peers" involved with deciding on her advancement in rank." Itching Fianne under her chin, Cavelieran let her crawl onto his hand and perch there like a bird. "I can say that there weren't any reservations that I heard. She's a fine Dolphineer, I was happy to see her progress."

It was always a joyous occasion when one of their Craft walked the tables, the Lake Dolphin hall was probably the most social of all the Craft halls. Since it was the only one if its kind, the men and women who occupied it were probably the closest knit Crafters of them all. "Here, let me take you to her new rooms. She's now put up in the Journeyman Wing. I was on my way there anyways, so it won't be any trouble." Fianne chirped and flapped her wings, climbing into the air in anticipation of the walk.

Bobbing on the waves that the Dragon made, Raidy whistled to the other Dolphins who gathered around her. Tag! They could play tag with their new friend! What did they think? Was Raidy's idea a good idea? Chittering and whistles greeted her proposal, but one Dolphin asked how would they let the big one know? She paused before swimming over to the Dragon. Big Brown skyflyer! I Raidy! Sorry for muchly intrusion. Play tag, would you like to? Not all Lake Dolphins were able to communicate with dragons by mindspeech, but there were some who could. Raidy like those Dolphins who shared the capacity, tended to not talk to the Dragons because it felt awkward. In very much the same way as a human felt when a Dragon (who was not their partner) spoke to them. Plus, Dolphins felt that it was impolite to barge into the minds of creatures outside of their species.

[Rowana]

G'tor nodded with a smile. "Give Rusk some water and friends and he's happy all day." Ruskeath was always happiest relaxing near or in the water. He wasn't always the most social of dragons, but dolphins and young people were some of his favorite companions. They made life feel so much simpler for a while. G'tor's eyes lite up at the Journeyman's announcement. "Really? That's fantastic! No wonder she said she had a surprise for me."

G'tor beamed. He was so proud of both his younger siblings. Once he'd tried convincing them to be candidates, but they enjoyed life far better as they were. Now he was almost grateful. Weyrlings hadn't had a good survival rate of late. And now his little Torsi was a Journeywoman. It seemed only yesterday he was delighting her with dragon rides. How fast time went. "I've always thought so," he agreed readily. "But then, I'm bias." He winked and followed Cavelieran down the hall. "If you're sure it's not trouble, I would appreciate it."

Ruskeath lowered his head so he could talk to Raidy face to face. He crooned softly. He understood that talking to a dragon wasn't comfortable and he appreciated the gesture. Do not be sorry, he told her soothingly. His eyes swirled as blue as the sky above. I would love to play tag with you. He nudged her gently on the nose. You are it! he declared to everyone. Then he dove playfully under the water out of sight.