Shh! Don't Scare the Fish! (Tobby/Open)

[Rowana]

((Time pre-plot to avoid confusion.))

G'tor leaned back against a tree with a content sigh. It was a cool, spring day with a few clouds rolling in and a light breeze. It looked like rain tomorrow, but for now it was pleasant and warm enough that the brown rider hadn't bothered with shoes. It was a perfect day to go fishing. He probably wouldn't catch much this late in the day, but he didn't really mind. It was just good to get outside and relax for a while.

A loud splash interrupted his thoughts. A large, brown dragon tail had dropped into the river. "Rusk! Don't do that! You'll scare the fish!" Ruskeath looked down at him with sparkling eyes, then twitched his tail and showered him with water. I do not believe the fish wish to be caught today, he declared with amusement. Star emerged angrily from G'tor's shirt and flapped over to a rock to dry off. She did not approve of getting wet.

Nor did Tervain, who was far more vocal about it. The green fire lizard flew up and chirped her disdain at Ruskeath. Then she perched on his head and shook the water free all over him. G'tor chuckled. "I think Lady Disdain got you before I could." He shook his hair, scattered more water. "Well, the fish are gone. Did you have something else in mind?"

[marge]

It was one of those days that just seemed to run together. From the moment Tobby had first opened his eyes, everything from dressing to eating to his chores seemed to be one giant blur. Finally though, things seemed to be slowing down and the young candidate found himself wandering near the river. The sun was high above, but he found the heat pleasant. In fact, the boy found that it was quite lovely weather today. He hadn't seen such a pleasant day in... Well, he wasn't sure how long it'd been. Or at least how long it'd been since he'd stopped to notice the weather.

His thoughts were disturbed suddenly by a great splash from upstream in the river. The candidate knew that dragons and their riders frequented the river, so, without hesitation, he started toward the splash. As he neared where the splash was, the candidate slowed down. Some of the dragonriders didn't care for candidates hanging around and gawking at them. He found a spot in the bushes that wasn't exactly hidden, but was definitely discreet. From there, he grinned as he watched the rider and his creatures. He had taken care to learn the names of almost every rider in the weyr, so the boy was fairly sure that this was G'tor of Brown... Brown... Rusketh? Ruskeath? That sounded closer to right but he still wasn't sure. The boy hadn't met this rider before, so he continued to keep his place in the bushes instead of moving forward.

[Rowana]

No, Ruskeath admitted thoughtfully. He was actually more than happy to sit and enjoy the day, but a rustle in the bushes had caught his attention. His long neck leaned over them, to peer at the boy in question. Perhaps he does, he suggested, though only G'tor could here. He studied the boy calmly, his eyes blue-green and welcoming. He liked people, especially young ones. Maybe the boy would join them for a while.

Tervain did not approve of spying. She dove from Ruskeath's head and crashed into the bushes, chattering loudly. What a rude little boy! Didn't he know it was very rude to spy on a lady? She would teach him manners, yes she would! "Tervain, stop that!" G'tor barked. The fire lizard glared from a spot high in the bush, but stopped. G'tor rolled his eyes around her and walked around the bushes to see what Ruskeath had found. "You don't have to hide," he was saying. "We don't bite. Well, most of use don't." He gave Tervain a meaningful look, which she ignored.

[marge]

The youngster barely had time to take notice of the fact that the large brown had obviously noticed him, before he was distracted by the small green flit that was circling around his head. The candidate instinctively ducked, his hands moving to cover his head. He hadn't spent his entire life in weyrs without learning just how sharp a firelizard's talons could be. "Sorry, sorry." Tobby muttered quickly to the lime colored critter in hopes of soothing her anger with him.

Then suddenly, she was quiet and no longer swooping around his head. The candidate straightened and dropped his arms back to his sides with a cautious look toward Tervain. "Oh, it's not that, I just know that some don't like when I interfere in their person time." He finally stated, his auburn gaze moving to the rider. His expression was one of embarrassment, but he soon smiled again. "My name's Tobby." It was pretty obvious that he wasn't nervous in the presence of this rider as some candidates might be. That's what he got for being Weyr-bred. "Your firelizard is quite lovely, sir." The boy asked, once more glancing toward Tervain.

[Requiem]

"You're getting awfully big, Ev," he stated, his smile slightly awkward as he attempted to stay upright while his active mindmate leaned against his side. The small (but not so small anymore that this was a good idea) green dragon reached up and batted at the feathers in his hair with her wickedly long claws. He shifted his feet nervously, causing her to slide off him. "Watch those, please." Won't hurt you, Mine. Silly, silly X'rxMine. I love you. "Not on purpose." Not ever, she insisted, before her head swiveled toward the bend in the river. Mine, she breathed. That sounds like a little!

He lunged for her, but his saber-toothed beauty was already pelting down the bank - not as awkward as you would expect, which pretty much just proves this was common practice for Eveyth - her overlong claws sending up sparks wherever they touched stone. X'rx managed not to completely faceplant, sighing softly. He followed at a more sedate pace, rounding the bend just in time to see that Eveyth's attention had apparently shifted to Ruskeath, as she was busily pouncing his tail. The slender young greenweyrling figured Ruskeath could handle a little green spazz (for the moment, anyway) and instead turned his attention on the rider and...ah, Tobby he thought it was. Not from Selenitas initially, and a bit young for X'rx to know personally, but he'd been at Selenitas long enough for a former drudge to know the face.

Waving to the two, he came over with a friendly smile on his face. "Planning on going swimming?" Was he interrupting something? Probably. Oh well. They'd let him know if it was important.

[Rowana]

G'tor waved off the boy's embarrassment. "Don't worry about it. The fish weren't biting anyway." He smiled warmly. He was sure he'd seen the boy around, but hadn't gotten the chance to talk with him before. "I'm G'tor. This is..." He didn't get to finish the introductions, because Tervain chose that moment to be insulted by Tobby's choice of words. How dare he! First spying and now treating her like some love sick hatchling! Oh he was in for it now. Tervain shrieked her fury and dived for Tobby's head.

Fortunately, G'tor was getting used to these reactions and managed to grab her tail before she could slash her quarry. He held tight to the squirming fire lizard, adding a few new bite and scratch marks to an increasing collection. "Stop," he scolded firmly. "He was trying to be nice." G'tor sighed. "I'm sorry about her, she never likes it when people call her nice things." He shrugged apologetically, as if to say he knew it was weird and couldn't help it.

G'tor smiled at X'rx as he arrived, though he couldn't wave back, since he was still holding Tervain. His eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Now there's an idea!" Swimming was a great idea in his book, only rivaling fishing in his list of favorite activities. Ruskeath was half listening, but mostly he was watching Eveyth with delight in his eyes. Such a sweet little one. Good day, little lady, he greeted her. His tail moved this way and that in a playful attempt to stay out of her reach. He didn't mind letting her play with it, so long as her long claws didn't scratch him.

[marge]

So he had been fishing. Well no wonder the fish weren't biting with a dragon sitting in the middle of- Tobby didn't have time to finish the thought as he was suddenly ducking again. He actually ended up on the ground this time, peering up at the tiny green that seemed to hate him. Luckily however, G'tor seemed to have grabbed his beast before she could do him any harm. Tobby sat back, looking up at the much taller men. "She doesn't like me much, does she?" He asked with a soft chuckle, not at all put out by the fire lizard's dislike. You couldn't please everyone it seemed. "I'll be sure to remember that." Anything to keep the little lizard from trying to scalp him all the time.

As X'rx approached, Tobby stood and gave the weyrling a little wave before he brushed his backside off. "Swimming does sound nice. I'm sure the water feels wonderful." He mused with a glance back toward the river. His eyes followed the two dragons' play with clear delight, and it was pretty obvious that he'd do nearly anything to get to stay. It didn't matter that he was weyrbred, dragons still filled him with awe.

[Requiem]

The little green crooned to her new play partner, splashing a small wave at him with her tail as she growled playfully. I am a sea monster and I'm going to eaaat you! she declared, opening her rather formidable jaws. Eveyth was a practical creature, yes, but why let that get in the way of playing? It was a beautiful day, the brown was quite nice and joining in with her, and she really had no reason to fear dragons. All dragons were nice, she thought, even the grumpy ones. Watch out, Ruskeath! Here comes the Eveyth! Another playful pounce, the green taking careful note of her claws. (They were very dangerous, she knew, because they made others leak colors.)

"Oh, it does," X'rx agreed, flashing a smile at Tobby. It didn't really occur to him until a moment later that this was Eveyth's assessment and not his. He didn't feel quite so comfortable with G'tor. He was older - though not that much older - and a wingsecond which was just...wow. But X'rx tried not to let that show. "Is she all right? It looks like you two have been torturing her," he commented teasingly, while tugging off his shirt and folding it with care. He glanced around for somewhere to put it that wouldn't get it too dirty.

[Rowana]

Ruskeath trailed his tail through the water, a little further out of Eveyth's reached. You will have to catch me first, little sea monster! he called playfully. It was such fun to play with her, almost like being a weyrling himself again. She was such a sweet one too. He twisted his long neck around and bopped her gently on the back. Got you! he cried in triumph, though it was likely short lived. She seemed like a quick little thing.

"Don't take it personal," G'tor assured Tobby. "Tervain doesn't like anybody." He let her fly back up to her bush perch where she glared down at them. "She'll get over it," he continued with a shrug. "If anything's being tortured it our ears." He grinned and Tervain scowled. Pesky humans always getting in the way of her fun. She liked it much better when Hers stayed away from them, but he liked to company so she couldn't stop them. G'tor shed his shirt as well and tossed it on top of Star's rock. The little salamandyr was already feeling skittish with so many people around, and was relieved to have something to hide under.

Whatever they're feelings about him, G'tor had no qualms about hanging out with weyrlings and candidates. If anything, he thought they were more fun than most of the riders he knew. "Last one is in is a wherry-brain!" he crowed, before splashing into the water. It was colder than he expected, but not uncomfortable. At least he wouldn't have to worry about Ruskeath getting him wet again, since now he was wet all over.

[marge]

"Ah, but she likes you." Tobby pointed out with a wide grin before he giggled. "Yeah, our ears were tortured." He repeated, rubbing at the rim of one said appendage. The candidate glanced up at the two taller men before he ran toward the river. He didn't bother to pull off his shirt before he plunged into the water, reemerging with a brief shiver. "It's c-cold." The boy stammered, glancing over at the riders. He ducked under the water again, before once again breaking the surface and shaking his head.

"The water is nice." He called to X'rx, grinning widely. He didn't mind that both of these men were higher ranking them him. He'd been invited to join them, so any awkwardness was gone. Now that he was actually in the water, Tobby took the time to admire both of the dragons up close. He could tell that the green was still young, but couldn't remember her name for the life of him. He'd always had an easier time remembering the rider's names rather than the dragons. Still grinning, the boy turned back toward the two riders, beaming at them.

[Requiem]

X'rx chuckled at the two, still looking for a suitable place...when they both suddenly rushed past him toward the water. The greenweyrling stood blinking for a couple moments, then laid out his shirt on a relatively dirt free tree root. Removing his boots as well, he took his time getting over to the water, slipping in with a contented sigh. Nice. "I guess I'm the wherry-brain, then. Sneaks," he commented good-naturedly, splashing at the candidate.

Eveyth apparently took her cue from that. She'd huffed, offering up to Ruskeath a playful growl when he 'got' her, even as she pounced his neck with a little dragon hug. Jaws went wide, snapping closed before they could touch him. Etted, she declared. But the sea monster's still hungry...

Directly after X'rx splashed Toddy, the little green weyrling leapt in G'tor's direction, sending a wave sloshing over him. X'rx snorted. "Ev! You got me, too." I am not the Ev. Who is this Ev? I am a sea monster! Her tail slid around Tobby's leg and yanked just enough to topple him but not too hard, never that. Didn't want to hurt the hideless one after all. In a dragon whisper, she added, Don't listen to X'rxMine. He is silly; my name is Eveyth.

[Rowana]

G'tor grinned at the boys' enthusiasm. He swam in an easy circle at first, but was surprised by the wave that washed over him. He came up spluttering and laughing. "Hey now," he complained, though clearly he didn't mind at all. "Be careful what you ask for." He splashed water back at the little green then back stroke away a little to rejoin Tobby. "Maybe if we team up we can take them, what do you say?" he asked with a playful wink.

Ruskeath faked death at Eveyth's play bite, falling slowly back into the water. Indeed, I am eaten, he agreed in mock sorrow. But I fear your stomach must be endless. There may be no hope for any of us. He chuckled. A true statement of weyrlings at any rate. He moved out into deeper water, watched with amusement as the green doused G'tor. That aught to get him in a good mood if anything would. Of course you are, Eveyth, he agreed kindly. And a lovely name it is.

[marge]

Tobby giggled as he watched X'rx join them in the water. He only grinned as he was splashed by the other, but did send a wave back in return. Playing like this was a welcome relief when he knew that there were horrors happening else where in the world. It was easy to forget the war when you were too busy trying to have a water fight with new friends. Suddenly the boy yelped and then found himself falling back-wards, his leg yanked from under him. There was a splash as he was once again dunked under the murky surface. As he sat back up, coughing water, the boy gave his head a great shake. The young dragon in front of him looked like she was having the time of her life. Tobby couldn't help but let out a boyish giggle. He was having great fun.

Tobby's eyes widened though as the young weyrling spoke to him. It was a rare thing for a dragon to speak to him, even though he spent as much time around them as he could. He remembered that his father's dragon, Poith, had talked to him when he was younger, but other than that there were few who had. "He does seem a little silly." The boy whispered back softly, smiling. "It's a pleasure, Eveyth."

Then he was looking to G'tor and nodding. "I'm sure we could." He agreed, his eyes sparking mischievously. "Let's do it." He giggled before he splashed at X'rx. The boy couldn't hide another laugh at Ruskeath's play. Dragons were really much sillier than Holdfolk thought.

[Requiem]

Eveyth, who apparently decided that using Ruskeath as a shield was the better part of valor, half-swam and half-bounded behind the much larger brown, peeking her head out around him. Her eyes whirled with amusement at the boy who'd talked to her. She loved it when they responded, and the little green encouraged further interaction. Very, very silly. But nice. Kind of like you...tell me your name? (It was unlikely she'd remember, but she wanted to, and that had to count for something, right?)

Feeling X'rx's mental nudge, she bounced slightly with glee. I etted you, Ruskeath. This means your mine, yes? Help me and Mine? she asked him privately.

X'rx stepped back with a little cry, shaking out his hair and spraying water droplets in a fine nimbus. He hunkered down in the water, then twisted and leapt into a shallow dive so he could bring his legs down hard against the water and maybe get both of them at once. That's when Eveyth snaked over beneath the water and surfaced just enough to get her snout about the surface so she could spray a stream directly at the back of G'tor's head. Eveyth submerged immediately, sinking to the bottom and slinking along. Sea monster. Sea monster.

[Rowana]

G'tor joined in readily and aimed a watery attack at Eveyth. Sadly, she'd already ducked behind Ruskeath, who was more than big enough to shield all of her. Ruskeath turned his head about to peer at her as she spoke. I believe it does, he agreed in a mournful tone that was full of hidden laughter. He snaked his tail around behind G'tor and Tobby and slapped a particularly large gush of water at them, though it may have been big enough to hit X'rx as well. Water wasn't easy to control.

G'tor had to struggle to stay upright under the onslaught. Between Ruskeath and Eveyth, it was a wonder if he'd ever be dry again. "Hey, Rusk!" G'tor shouted in annoyance. "You're supposed to be on our side." I am very sorry, Tor, Ruskeath replied regretfully. I must serve a new master now. G'tor rolled his eyes. "Oh, Eveyth is gonna get it now!" he decided. Now if only he could find her.