Reactions (Open)

[Ember]

Dragon and rider stared at each other, a slim blade between them, clearly waiting for something. The rider had completely closed off his mind to his dragon, not an easy feat considering they were tightly bonded. The blade hovered in the rider's hand and was relatively motionless save for the occasional twitch to which the brown dragon would blink or twitch back in response. The rider twitched the blade again and received a dismissive snort. Now! The man sprung into action, tightening his grip on the blade and springing forward. The dragon bugled in surprise but didn't back up. He'd lost. The point of the blade was aimed towards one of his whirling eyes and he grumbled slightly at his defeat. He was supposed to pull his head back and up before His got so close.

T'san sat down and chuckled. "Your expression, Dsoleth! Absolutely priceless! You really do suck at this game, you know." Only when I play it with you, the large brown grouched. T'san nudged the brown with a bare foot in good humour. "I know, I know. Its hard for you to react when its your own rider. Still doesn't change the fact you lost." The brown growled slightly and laid his bulk down, forearms on either side of his rider. He didn't really like losing these competitions but he still couldn't get around the fact that His would not hurt him. It was hard to react to a non-existant threat. Having fully opened the channel again the brownrider grinned at Dsoleth's thoughts but didn't comment.

T'san laid back and rested his blade on his stomach. Pillowing his arms below his head he sighed and looked at the clouds. "This place is pleasant, eh brute? A bit dull though. Going to stir up trouble for me again Dsoleth? Another green flight where I have no idea who it is?" The brown rumbled amusement. Well if you're that enthusiastic maybe I should have flown in one of those ones I chose not to. I'll be sure to catch the next one for you. T'san gave the brown a light kick to the chest that would feel like nothing more than a pat. "Silly beast. You should go make a new friend or something so I can go bug their rider." Dsoleth snorted and suddenly lowered his head. Having felt the brown's intention T'san rolled up and dodged into the safety of Dsoelth's chest. "Can't blow on me if I'm here, can you?"

Dsoleth grumbled again but suddenly his thoughts shifted to amusement. He was better this time, hiding most of his thoughts. "Dsoleth...?" The brown shifted backwards and grabbed T'san's shirt in his mouth. Bath time! The brown said cheerily, carrying His closer to the river. "Ack! Dsoleth, no! Someone! Save me from this big lug!"

[rii]

What an odd game they were playing.

Saboth watched from the water, his head appearing nothing more than an odd bump, maybe a rock, in the flows of the wide river. Even his eyes swirled with dancing shades of blue, amused by the sights he observed. The light that dappled down through the moving water splashed colors over his hide, further masking his blue-gray hide against the rocks below. The blue dragon enjoyed the water, very much so. Selenitas was a nice place, if only his bonded would open up to it..

Speaking of who, his mindmate was being odd. His was always strange, but he was being stranger than usual. Just down the river, by the small eddy they often idled around, His was.. cutting his hair? Such an odd mix of feeling came from his bonded, and Saboth had left to find a distraction. Which turned out to be swimming through the currents, herding fish to and fro along the banks. But, in one of his underwater sweeps, the brownpair on the shore drew the blue's attention. His use to play like that, not that game, but goof around, and sometimes he still did. Very rarely. Saboth missed it.

Eyes whirled with tinges of green, laughter, as Dsoleth picked up T'san. Though, as they neared the river, Saboth's cover became less effective. Not waiting to be discovered, Saboth moved forward, long slender next emerging noisily from the waters. Water continued to drip off edges as he brought his head close, hovering near T'san, cocking to one side, a green-blue eye peering curiously at the man from under a gray ridge. Save him, huh? Saboth rumbled deeply, his form of vocal laughter. He brought his wet muzzle close to T'san's dangling foot, but didn't touch the brown rider.

A soft croon was directed at Dsoleth, a very low bass-tone noise that didn't much match those of other dragons. Sorry, I did not mean to spy on you and Yours. Is yours normally flaily? Saboth casually turned his head to look downstream, eyes swirling with amusement before he addressed Dsoleth again. Would you help me with something?

—

The glassy surface of the calm eddy provided a decent reflection. The young bluerider, crouched low over heels, balanced on a small rock near the shoreline. His gaze was half-lidded, distant as he observed his doppelganger. Gray and blue in the hues of water, all behind a mask of long raven strands. Eyes of molten gold simmered amidst the darkness, bright and reflective even in the ghostly mirror. F'lix lifted a hand and slowly pushed away the bangs to expose his face.

He never thought he was hiding anything, but maybe he was still avoiding something. What, change? He had left Benden several months ago, with a desire for change. The scenery was different, but F'lix had yet to let go of old habits, old views. Any sort of real change would imply the break-up of the world as he has always known it, the loss of all that gave him an identity, the end of safety. Could people really change? No, he didn't think so. Hopeless. Why bother..

A flash of steel as a dagger came up and sliced easily through the long bangs. F'lix didn't stop with just a handful, he went on, letting black strands fall into the water as he severed all the lengths. Fully exposed. No longer hiding anything. F'lix examined his reflection. When turned to show the right, one could really see the feline beauty–like a small wildcat, all sharp angles, defined and elegant. But when turned to show the left, the three scars took all the attention, marring his features into something twisted, dark and, in his opinion, something ugly. But now he could hide them no longer; nor could he mask the dark purple bruising visible between the red slashing.

A prodding from Saboth made F'lix raise his gaze from the water to gaze upstream. He couldn't see anything, but Saboth was urging him to come. Why? Saboth didn't answer. Hn. F'lix looked back down at the make-shift mirror, ran his fingers through his hair–all short now. Another mental prodding. "Ugh, fine. I'm coming." With a growl the young bluerider rose to his feet and began to stalk up along the shoreline.

[Ember]

Dsoleth, all self-satisfaction, had been about to drop his into the water when what he at first assumed to be a rock took a different shape. His first thought was of the strange disappearances and of his conversation with Jingth. No! He wouldn't let the Nothing get - oh. Dragon. The noisy entrance also spoke volumes. This blue was no threat to him or T'san. His tense form turned to something decidedly friendly and he swung his playfully in front of the blue's nose. His was funny, wasn't he? Also Dsoleth's, and only he could do this to him, but that was beside the point. The croon elicited a pleasant though muffled one in return. Thankfully mind speech had no physical barriers!

No harm done, no harm done, he assured the blue cheerily. He is surprisingly good at flailing. He is funny. The human in question crossed his arms as he hung there, grumbling darkly about easily distracted dragons. At least a dunk was better than hanging there. "Y'know Blue...when I asked someone to save me I was hoping to be let down outside the water, not stuck dangling," he commented dryly, though there was no mistaking the tinge of amusement in his voice at being found in such a predicament. He was tempted to lightly kick the dragon's snout in jest but he'd rather not get a leg bitten off if the blue took it badly. Except that he knew the blue couldn't, T'san almsot though he'd read his mind. Why else would he have turned his head?

Dsoleth blinked in surprise at the query. Ooh, sure. We weren't doing much but...well, you probably saw already. What do you need help with? The brown was curious indeed. It was not often a random blue dragon popped out of the water while he was playing with His and asked for help. In fact, that occurance had only ever happened once and that was just now! He nearly forgot His in his mouth until he felt an impact on his jaw and blinked. He attempted to look down at what hit him until he remembered. Dsoleth rumbled in amusement. "Remebered me have you? Then let me down." The brown complied but he didn't have to do it perfectly. At a non-dangerous height the brown dropped his and watched him stagger for balance as the ground rushed to meet his feet. "You big wherry. My reflexes are better than yours!"

Dsoleth eyed T'san for a moment than cast an amsued glance Saboth's way before easily pushing His until he fell soundly on his butt. I'm still stronger, he said for the benefit of both His and Saboth. T'san gave his beast a quick glare before searching the ground for something. Where...? There! He snatched up his blade that had been dropped when Dsoleth picked it up and waved it mock menacingly at the dragon. "You are a gigantic pain." The brownrider looked over the blue dragon but didn't recognize him. No real surprise there though. "And greetings Blue. Your turn to keep him amused but I doubt he'll try and keep you up and dump you in the water." Dsoleth rumbled again.

[rii]

Like a metronome, Saboth's head canted to and fro while following the path of the dangling T'san. The look on the man's face was priceless, and Saboth's eyes whirled more rapidly, green and blues crashing over each other in a dance much like the ocean. Oh dear, the man was upset about not being dropped into the water? Saboth could help with that. The blue pulled himself up into the shallows, sat down, and whipped his long tail around to wrap tightly about his feet–sloshing water up onto the brownrider in the process. Head cocked to one side, oh-so innocent of any wrong doings.

He's very funny, He complimented Dsoleth, much like one parent commenting another on their wonderful child. And talkative too. A good thing, for certain, since Saboth knew His didn't speak.. at least not out loud. Saboth lazily fanned his wings, not paying much mind to any droplets that flung off the tips. A playful croon-rumble sounded at Dsoleth, happy that the brown was willing to help–although Saboth wasn't so sure it would be the same on the rider's behalf. Mine is behaving oddly. Not sick, but still strange. I was hoping you and Yours might be able to cheer him up?

Besides, Saboth wanted His to stop thinking about that man. He didn't like that bluepair, and since His was not willing to socialize.. Saboth would force it on him. The brownpair would do. Mine can come off as being mean, but he won't do anything to hurt yours. I promise. A truth as far as the blue knew. His bonded normally tried to scare people off, not set out to actually hurt them. Do you think you can help? I just want mine to be normal again. My name is Saboth, by the way. The blue dipped his head low toward Dsoleth, a polite bow if anything. The same gesture was done to the brownrider. Saboth, ever the polite one. He offered a grayed ridge to the rider, a sign of trust.

F'lix came up to the scene, his pace slowing the coming to a complete stop–still a healthy distance away. His eyes were narrowed in their usual glaring fashion, this one suspicious. Why Saboth felt the need to call him here.. around other people.. confused him. His arms crossed high on his chest, chin tilted down in an action that would have sent his bangs down to cover the left side of his face. Except, oddly, now they were gone and the gesture lost it's original purpose.

"Is that blue lump bothering you two?" F'lix spoke softly, growling each word while casting his golden eyes out toward the river. He shifted his weight onto one foot, idly flicking a brush of hair off his short sleeve. The look shifted to the corner of his eyes to examine the brownrider. Not missing the fact the man currently held a blade. "Don't worry, as soon as I figure out what he wants, we'll leave."

[Ember]

T'san was about to tell Dsoleth he didn't need to be dragged into any strange schemes when he found himself suddenly dripping with water. He glanced at the blue who was acting all innocent and chuckled. "Okay you got me there Blue. Don't suppose you have a drying service too?" The brownrider was not easily fased by being splashed. If he was he never would have survived Dsoleth. The brown however wasn't entirely pleased that another dragon had dared to do that to His. If His hadn't been pretty much asking for the splash then Dsoleth might be more annoyed. As it was, he didn't hold anger particularily long and it was easily allowed to pass.

The striped brown took the compliment for what it was and nudged the wet human. He wasn't gentle - being partially mean to His was his thing - but it definitely showed his possessiveness and affection. Then he exhaled lightly on his and the man nearly gagged. Nasty dragon breath. Sometime he talks too much though. And about silly stuff, the brown commented with amusement as he watched his more or less pretend to be dying. The man went unnoticed as the blue explained his problem and Dsoleth crooned sympathetically. Strange riders were hard to deal with on your own, or so the brown thought. I'll certainly try. Mine will too. T'san glared.

T'san watched the silent exchange with interest, only catching what Dsoleth was thinking or saying. You will help, won't you? The question was just shy of being a demand and the rider frowned. Help with what? The blue...ah, Saboth is his name. Saboth's is not right. Umm, strange. He has asked that we try and cheer up His. The bow from Blue - Saboth - had the rider getting to his feet and performing a jaunty little wave. Not so polite, but his greeting all the same. It also signified his willingness to help. Dsoleth flicked his tail in a pleased gesture. Mine has a thick head. Yours may be as mean as he wants, it really will only make Mine more determined. He paused for a moment before answering the actual question that had been posed earlier. We will certainly try, he replied hopefully.

T'san turned as he heard footsteps, a spark of amusement in his eyes as he noted the crossed arms and expression. Oh ho! This could be fun. Dsoleth rumbled, Ah yes. Mine thinks this will be fun. Oh, I am Dsoleth. He'd forgotten to introduce himself in return. Oops. T'san managed not to show too much of his amusement as he spoke to the newcommer. "He's no bother. Saved me from getting...too wet. Now he can keep that savage beast of a brown from taking out his boredom on me." Just like this person was his distraction. F'lix didn't need to know that though. Dsoleth made a show of growling and making agitated motions even as his eyes whirled calm colours. T'san merely shook his head and grinned.

T'san handled the blade idly as he very obviously looked over the bluerider. Test one: Did being examined, looked over, visually disected bother him? There was another purpose though. Appearances said a lot about people. Hints about their past, skill, etc.. Saboth's rider was shorter and smaller than the brownrider. Feminine and yet not. Scarred. Hmm. Then T'san grinned as if he found nothing wrong, and yet the blade was kept out. Playing around with guys took a bit of a different form than playing with women did.

[rii]

If he noticed Dsoleth's displeasure, Saboth made no show of it. He gazed down at his own tail tip, swirling it lazily through the shallows, turning over small rocks. He too shared a possessiveness over his own bonded, but never fussed overly much about it. His mindmate always kept away from other people, all on his own, thus no reason to worry. Only when His started to become attached to another person did Saboth start to get annoyed. Others could be trusted, to a short extent, but not much further.

Saboth head again tilted, examining the 'dying' brownrider with curiosity. Yes, this odd one should do to get his own rider out of the strange mood. I've found that to be true with most people. The more Mine is mean to try and make people leave him alone, the more they want to bug him. Very strange. Why is that?

Ciceroth had pointed that oddity out, and it made Saboth wonder if His acted nice.. would people go away? At Benden, those that openly acted mean were left alone, because that was their true nature; brutal savagery. And those that were nice were tormented and trampled over. But, Saboth didn't mull over that long, instead crawling the rest of the way out of the river to dry on the shore next to Dsoleth. Yours likes mean people? Isn't that dangerous?

Hn. F'lix's eyes narrowed a fraction more, disapproving the boldness in which the brownrider eyed him. Then that grin. A smiling man was always hiding something. F'lix purposely turned the scarred section of his face toward the stranger, eyebrow raising–almost mocking the brownrider with a silent challenge. Hip thrust to one side, swaying his slender frame into a lax stance, but arms remained crossed, unperturbed. Whatever game the man had in mind, F'lix would play–and win. He didn't like games, but wherever he went, people (namely men) felt the need to toy with him. A bit tiring, but in the long run, F'lix would miss it–even if it annoyed him. Strange how those things could be missed.

Golden eyes remained steadily on T'san face, meeting the man's gaze with a touch of feral hostility, a non-spoken warning for the brownrider to keep his distance. "Unless you're planning to use that," A nonchalant glance was spared to the blade. "I suggest you put it away." F'lix didn't seem the least bit intimidated. A man that visibly brandished a weapon before a fight was a fool. For his part, F'lix blades were small in number that day. The only visible one being a thin blade sheathed and belted around his left thigh. The bluerider was not in his usual leathers that day. Selenitas was getting hotter as the months stretched on. He thought it was bad when he first arrived, but no, it got worse.

Why am I here, Saboth? To cheer up. Very funny. He seems nice. You're plotting something, what? Always paranoid is Mine. You're not giving me any reason to change that.

Saboth's eyes whirled before he directed an amused thought to Dsoleth. Think they'll play nice together?

[Ember]

Dsoleth considered Saboth's question, tail flicking slightly in thought. I can't say for sure why others would do that but...For Mine I think its simple curiosity. The more resistance there is has generally meant there was something of interest underneath. A bit like a puzzle, really. That was something His always loved to do, muddle through puzzles and riddles. There were times when even His couldn't figure it out or had overthought something but he always enjoyed it. Beyond the mind of His, Dsoleth had no idea why others would try and get under the skin of a mean person.

The brown stilled his tail as Saboth came out of the water fully. Dsoleth shifted into a position that would be comfortable for a while so he wouldn't need to fidget about. Though he didn't rumble, his tone betrayed his amusement as he answered, Oh, no no. He doesn't like mean people but neither does he dislike them. They're sort of just...there. He finds them funny and kind of pitiful. He thinks there are better things to do then hate others. Dsoleth paused before continuing in a more serious tone. I suppose it is equally dangerous when he pesters them though.

T'san found F'lix's reaction entertaining. Was this man feeling playful too? His grin deepened into something almost feral for a moment before it faded into a mostly blank expression. His eyes were his betrayer, if F'lix cared to notice. The brownrider approved of a man who'd play his games even as he thought them a bit silly for it. The comment about his blade made him smile again. "What if I was planning to use it?" There was no real threat in his voice or posture. If anything it sounded like a perfectly honest question. The blade was one of two on his person and mostly used for practice (when he bothered). The other one was what he would actually fight with if he had to.

The brownrider made a point of keeping the blade out, if only to see if it would annoy...Hmm. Right, he didn't know the bluerider's name. "Blue has already introduced himself as Saboth but I don't know your name. The brown there," he said as he indicated his dragon, "is Dsoleth. I'm T'san." Dsoleth lifted one front leg and moved it up and down in a waving motion to be funny. He wasn't sure why humans greeted one another by waving at each other but it was funny to mimic. T'san just snorted and added, "If you don't give me your name I'll be forced to give you a nickname. For some reason most people don't like my nicknames for them. I wonder why?"

Mm, nope! I think they'll put on a nice show for us though, the brown offered in reply. He was mostly kidding about his negative. His would play nice if he needed to. For now that wasn't the case.

[rii]

Saboth laid out on the grass, long and slender this blue, and not bothering to shorten his length. His wings lightly fanned about his body to help dry away the remains of water. His neck curved inward so that one eye could view Dsoleth, and the other remained on the two riders. Saboth was a quiet dragon, and since no questions were directed at him, he didn't feel the need to press the conversation.

Through the lashes of his narrowed gaze, F'lix examined the brownrider, trying to figure out the man's angle. More words, useless words. Saboth, amused by the entire thing for only Faranth knows, supplied images of the brownpair playing the odd sike-out game with the dagger. Hm, F'lix eyes faded past T'san to view the calm blue. He'd think his dragon would want him to avoid people with sharp objects.

I know that you'd enjoy it. F'lix snorted softly, chin tilting down again in a once-purposeful gesture. I doubt he can play such a game.

The bluerider let his arms fall loosely too his side and stalked forward, smooth graceful motions with golden, feline eyes locked on the brownrider. Unafraid, and a look too much akin to the predator he resembled; ready to pounce if he so felt the whim. "I don't think you know how to use it." He spoke in a soft tone, but it didn't detract from the firm statement. He came right up to T'san, nearly bumping against him as his motions came just short of collision. Fingers touched lightly against the wrist that held the blade, gently pushing it aside. A taunting gesture, daring T'san to do something about it.

A sly smile directed itself up at the slightly taller male. No name was given, and F'lix didn't plan to give it either–not to men who wanted to play games. He didn't want to know the brownriders name either, but he noted it none the less. Nicknames would do just fine. "Probably because they lack creativity." Head canted to one side, an amused gaze taking in T'san's expression. The bluerider's turn to see what made the other squirm, what annoyed him, would he do anything to retaliate?

[Ember]

Dsoleth was more bulk then length. Great for strength and endurance but he would never come close to the speed or agility of the blues or greens. While normally more talkative the brown was content to watch the antics of His with Saboth's, the occasional observation passed on to the blue. He was entertained by the fact the other rider seemed to join the game. A mistake in the long run but maybe it would work to cheer up Saboth's and accompplish the goal they had.

He snorted as F'lix approached T'san and almost felt sorry for him. Was he trying to annoy or make His uncomfortable? He'd be incredibly hard pressed to find T'san's buttons. It was an interesting turn of events though. T'san had obviously thought the bluerider wouldn't react like that. Dsoleth crooned something that could only be encouragment to F'lix even as he turned an amused glance on Saboth.

T'san watched the still nameless bluerider approach with an air of curiosity. He had the distinct feeling of being stalked like some small prey and it nearly made him laugh. He could easily make a joke about how bad the bluerider wanted him but it was still too early to start with those. His hand was pushed away lightly and he made a moue. Aww, did he want him to attack him? That was no real fun. Considering he was rarely, if ever, a part of a dragon fighting wing he wasn't the best fighter. Enough to survive against most common enemies but the more skilled ones he'd need quite a bit of luck to beat.

The man's smile made the corner of his mouth twitch upwards. So be it. He flipped his blade around deftly so that the hilt faced the bluerider and waved at him mock-menacingly. "They most definitely lack creativity. Fear my poor nicknaming skills!" His grin returned as he lightly tapped the hilt of his blade on F'lix's shoulder. With the other man closer now T'san had been giving him a more thorough look. "I nickname you..." Drumroll please? "Pretty. Mmph. That's bad even for me. Don't be surprised if I keep changing it until I find one that I like." With that out of the way he put away his blade.

Now then, there was still the fact that F'lix/Pretty was so close. He supposed now that he'd given such a nickname jokes were wide open. "Your resistance must be good. So few approach so close and manage not to jump me," the brownrider said in jest. "If you want me so bad you have only to ask." He threw in a wink and waited to see how fast the bluerider would retreat.

[rii]

Saboth had more fun watching Dsoleth's reactions than observing the two riders. The brownpair must have a strong link, he thought without a hint of emotion. His own bond with his rider had suffered too much over the years. Saboth couldn't remember what it use to be like. Stronger, surely. That or he had merely grown jaded to his rider's antics, hardly reacting to situations unless absolutely necessary. But, watching the large brown, Saboth couldn't help but let a few green spirals whirl through his eyes. Could practically read the man's reactions through his dragon. These Saboth subtly watched, under half lowered lids, for any warning signs..

The smile remained in place, golden eyes all but glowing with an inner, dark pleasure. Being close, personal, was exactly where F'lix liked to be when he killed a man. Get in past his defenses, intimate, then the warm spill of blood. Lucky for the brownrider such exchanges were discouraged. No marring those youthful features. Nice eyes too. F'lix once knew a man that liked to cut such pretty things out.

Hn, but this one didn't seem uncomfortable with the close proximity and the borderline flirtations. Most quickly distanced themselves. At least the smart ones did. Then the nickname, to this F'lix raised an eyebrow. Pretty? Although it brought out suspicions, F'lix would have thought the brownrider to think down a different line. To call him pretty, with the scars so painfully in view–must be meant to insult. Such a pretty little thing. Ah, but the blade was sheathed. Good brownrider, F'lix mentally praised him.

With fingers still pressing against T'san's wrist, F'lix lean toward the taller rider–bringing his face close to hover in the warmth by the other's neck. Not touching, but it was hard to believe he wasn't making any contact, the action very close to being a nuzzle. "It's not easy," the words were quiet, purring, and even though his lips were close to T'san's ear, the other would have to listen closely to hear each one. "So.." fingers roamed up from wrist, moving just past the elbow. "..very.." the other hand skimmed over the shirt covering T'san's abdomen–moving to the same side as the first hand. ".. tempting."

Both hands seized the arm and F'lix turned quickly on the spot, stepping back into T'san's stance–kicking out one of his feet in the process. Making the man unbalanced enough to pull, using hip as a fulcrum point, to throw the taller rider clean over his shoulder. F'lix crossed his arms, remaining doubled at the waist to look down at the brownrider–expression empty of the previous playfulness and replaced with something akin to apathy. "You shouldn't let strangers get so close."

[Ember]

Dsoleth might not have given into a slightly worried hiss had he known he had an audience. The worry faded quickly to amusement as he became certain His was not hurt by the toss. Hah! Served him right for teasing like that, it did. Not that T'san felt humiliated or...whatever he should have been feeling having been slammed down on his back. The brown merely shook his head slightly and waited to see F'lix's reaction His' reaction. As soon as His caught his breath again anyways.

T'san had strained to hear the barely whispered words and hadn't really been paying attention to much else. A serious error in a real battle, a funny mistake in this setting. He'd been about to reply to the words with something along the lines of "too bad, you can't have me" when he felt himself being lifted up...and then thrown down. Having the breath knocked clean out of him stalled his reaction. Probably a good thing on his part, since the first was the natural reaction to having someone so physically close.

As F'lix hovered over him until he could properly breathe the brownrider managed a weak but no doubt genuine grin. "No, probably not. Entertaining anyways." He chuckled as he flipped over and pushed himself up. The last stranger that had gotten that close (and farther, really) was Kalina of Uminth. Circumstances were quite different in that case though. He sent a slight glare over Dsoleth's way at the memory. Inconsiderate beast he'd been that day!

T'san dusted himself off as best he could before looking at F'lix. "You could at least help y'know." Since he didn't continue trying to clean off though he meant it only as a joke. F'lix probably figured the brownrider wouldn't want any more close contact anyways. T'san really was a glutton for punishment and wouldn't have minded beign thrown again. Actually, it was kind of fun. "Well then, that was entertaining. I think it earned you a new nickname. Congratulations, Beast." Clearly creativity was T'san's middle name. Or second name...

"So little Beastie, what brings you to the river? Bit of an odd place to hang out what with the quieter beach way over there." The brownrider waved in the general direction of the coast. Also where the ex-weyrleader was rumoured to have disappeared from. T'san didn't think of it for that reason though. He thought of the coastline because it was a quiet area compared to the river and his company didn't seem the socializing sort.

[rii]

F'lix scowled lightly, thoughtful, as he straightened his posture. The grin and cheerful demeanor of the brownrider seemed genuine. T'san hardly even reacted, except to chuckled. It made the bluerider want to prod and poke at the man just to prove that nice people were a myth–all just an elaborate act. Humans were born as selfish, needy creatures. Politeness, compassion, all that had to be learned. Yet, despite giving in to the usual whim of curiosity often enough, F'lix felt no desire to pry into T'san to find any inner demons. The brownrider wasn't really doing anything. Passive in a way, cracking off jokes..

I told you, he seems nice. How sad.

Arching an eyebrow, F'lix quietly observed the man's antics. Help? Hn. The Bendenite reached over and.. lightly dusted at T'san's shoulder–just to see if the other would flinch away. F'lix had to hold back a grimace at the new nickname. He was starting to get the feeling that T'san was making them purposely horrible. Almost worked to make F'lix give his real name just to avoid hearing any more.

Responding to the question, F'lix absently turned the bruised side, also being the scarred half, of his face towards T'san. The ocean was certainly not a much quieter place. Even there F'lix managed to find himself trouble–although he let himself get hurt. Not the smartest move on his part, but when it came to that Fortian.. F'lix lightly shook the thoughts from his head. Saboth tail twitched with agitation that His was thinking of that one again. But, simply, they were at the river because it was closer–and his dragon usually didn't urge him to join with cheery strangers.

"But then I would miss out on the opportunity to meet with such humorous brownriders such as yourself, T'san." Spoken in a normal tone, nearly without a hint of mockery. Although that name, after speaking it, sounded familiar. F'lix fixed his eyes back on the taller man, searching his face for a clue. Only a moment, before the golden orbs slitted playfully at the other. "Unless, you want me to leave? And here I thought were were starting to get along."

Saboth lifted his head from the grass and playfully fanned his wings as he looked at Dsoleth. Do you like to fish?

[Ember]

T'san caught that scowl briefly and wondered at it. Something he'd said or done? It was a curious thing but for once he didn't pursue it. Instead he settled for an amused grin as F'lix actually did listen to his suggestion. Funny bluerider. He stretched upwards for a moment and was tempted to just let himself fall onto his back and drift off. If he did he couldn't continue to play with his present company so he didn't. As the bluerider seemingly purposely brought attention to the black and blue side of his face the brownrider tilted his head slightly.

He wasn't given time to comment on it but did keep a slight frown on his face for a bit until F'lix's words registered. T'san chuckled quietly and responded, "Well then today was your lucky day, huh? Or unlucky. Plenty of people on both sides of the argument I'd guess." That confirmed that T'san did in fact know he got on peoples' nerves. Did he care? Not at all. Couldn't like everyone after all. A genuine look of dismay crossed the brownrider's features at F'lix's...threat? suggestion? something. "Aww, if you left what fun would that be?"

He blinked in surprise as he felt Dsoleth's sudden spike in happiness. Oh? "It looks like Dsoleth and Saboth are getting along better than us," he commented dryly. The brown in question's whirling eyes were a perfectly contented blue-green at the question. Can't say as I have ever tried it but I imagine its much like hunting? The question implied he thought Saboth was experienced at the task.

At Fort fishing hadn't really been possible for the brown and he hadn't thought to try since coming South. Would Saboth show him? That would be neat! If he caught one maybe he could at it to his collection...oh but that would rot and stink up the weyr...Or maybe Spice would like it? Hmm. He'd have to tell His to let him try it if Saboth didn't show him.

[rii]

No flinching, what an odd one–said pot to kettle.

"So it seems," F'lix drawled, eyebrow arching as he eyed the brownrider, of who showed no concern about stretching long in front of him. Either in some odd arrogant display, or foolishness, the bluerider felt the urge to land a quick strike on the solar plexus. A gentle reminder, if anything. Instead, F'lix continue to try and read any sort of hidden clue to bring clarity to the situation. He had not given T'san any reason to behave anything but.. hateful toward him. Oh, the bluerider did occasionally do his random acts of kindness (under a glare, and mean guise) but he had not done such a thing to this one. It all had to be a ruse. F'lix would simply have to test his own patience and wait it out. "Let's say I'm.. undecided.. about my luck today."

Arms still crossed, left fingers lightly tapped against right arm. The different emotions that changed so quickly on T'san face were just.. ridiculous. F'lix had heard the phrase of wearing one's heart on their sleeve, but this was just a tad over-excessive, right?

"Oh, are you having fun with me then?" Only Faranth knew how. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not a very entertaining individual." F'lix eyed his own sleeve, then idly flicked away an invisible spec of dust. Mhm. Very boring. "But since I'm here, might as well make the most of it. What do you do for fun?"

Saboth tilted his head, his whole neck curving with the action. I don't think so.. but I like to fish in the water, not flying above it. The gray-blue rose and slipped back into the waters, pausing in the shallows to gaze back at Dsoleth–silently communicating for the brown to follow.

I like to herd them.. they respond well to reflections. Saboth arched his back up, just enough for Dsoleth to watch his motions.. of flicking his wings forward so that the pale undersides seemed to 'flash' with the sunlight. It took some practice, but I can get a fairly decent group gathered.. then you move them into a small section of the river, trap them in and catch as many as you can.

Saboth lightly sent a splash at Dsoleth before slipping into deeper waters.

[Ember]

T'san wouldn't have understood why he should have flinched. If someone beat you in a duel you didn't mistrust them for the rest of your life, after all. What they'd done was something similar to a duel...sort of. At the very least they'd been egging each other on, right? Neither was the apparent lack of wariness strange to the brownrider. Hate was a pretty foreign emotion for T'san. He understood it, pitied those who lived by it, but rarely felt it. He did resist the urge to give the bluerider an almost affectionate hair ruffle at the reply about his luck but just barely. "Hmm. That's a new one, I'll admit. Not black or white, but gray?"

T'san outright laughed at F'lix's comment about not being fun. "Are you serious? Not very enteraining indeed! At the very least you're more entertaining than being dunked in the river." He paused and made a thoughtful sound to think of a suitable answer to the question. When nothing better popped up he said, "Ehhh, I bug people for fun. That or act like a dimglow. Sometimes I think the latter comes a bit too easily." He tried to sound genuinely worried about coming off as an idiot but in truth he acted in such a way on purpose so it didn't really bother him. The spark in his eyes might have given that opinion away.

"Unfortunately, Beast, you happen to be the only person nearby so...you have the honour of being my plaything for now. What do you do for fun? Oh, wait. Let me guess! Put annoying brownriders in their place?" Because of course their idea of fun things should match, right? Ack! Sudden overload of happy! He thinned the connection between him and Dsoleth and concentrated again on whatever response F'lix might have.

The large brown watched Saboth rise than felt an excitement at the silent invitation. Ooh fun! It does make more sense to hunt them in the water rather than outside. Common sense there. He imagined it being much harder to catch as many outside the water. He still thought it had many similarities to hunting though. Just the methods were a bit different. Fishing was more..subtle than chasing screaming herdbeasts or wherries around.

His entrance was considerably more splashy than Saboth's as he followed the blue. He watched with fascination as the light reflected the southern sun, startling the countless fish in the river's current. He wasn't as pale or reflective as the blue though. He tried himself for a moment before water splashed him and he snorted amusement. Dsoleth rumbled as he watched Saboth. You certainly do seem to have it down, he complimented the blue. Yes, much like hunting.