A Day At The Lake (Ez'ki and anyone)

[dragon]

More free time? T'rad couldn't believe it. He just had to get some of his fellow weyrlings together and do something. Each step he took, he practically bounced. Paleoth was, of course, trailing behind him and prancing along happily. He knew there was fun to be had today, his bonded was looking for it.

However, Ez'ki seemed to be the one he bumped into first. Just what could the two blueriders come up with? The two agreed it was a rather hot day and not very windy. A light seemed to turn on in T'rad's mind. Swimming! That was the answer to what they would do. T'rad could only grin at the idea. It wasn't often that he got to swim, especially now that he was a weyrling.

T'rad was quick to change into an old pair of shorts and scurry off to the lake, with or without Ez'ki following. Poor Paleoth was keeping up as best he could but was too excited himself to complain. If T'rad had bumped into any of the other weyrlings, he would have told them of the idea of swimming at the lake. Why hadn't he left some note at the barracks? Well, he was far too excited to think of that.

The lake in sight and only feet from him, T'rad quickened the pace, ran through the shallow waters and dove into the depths of the lake. His head was quick to pop up as he slung water from his now wet hair and wore a smile on his face as he waded around.

Paleoth, meanwhile, decided it best to stay in the shallow waters that didn't go too far up his legs. The blue splashed around the water a bit with his tail swishing back and forth. If anyone were near the beast, they'd want to move quick.

[neopanther]

The floor was something Xyr was managing to stay away from rather well, a loped stride and his effortless grace made him feel like he was flying already, shards but what Xyr wouldn’t give for flight right now! He wanted the sky so much. He flexed his wings as he ran, felt the miniscule breeze pas over the membrane, the thrill gushed into Ez’ki’s mind, which in turn retaliated with fear.

Confusion –in return hit the blue, who slowed his stride to match that of his bond, who had been jogging a few lengths behind, hair streaming back as he did. What is it Ez’ki?
Nothing
It is nothing? Then why when I dream of the sky do you fear?
It’s Nothing. Xyruth.[/i] His tone was clipped.
Xyr huffed, and the pair slowed to a walk. He looked over at Paleoth.
Paleoth and his do not fear it, why should we?
I Don’t fear it Xyr. I just don’t like the lack of ground.
And yet you choose to swim in your free moments?[/i] inquisitive come cocky tone spewed from the blue, knowing he had his boned within a web with that question, the blue was smart just easily distracted. Ez’ki grumbled, “Yes, yes, okay.” He said aloud.
I’ve only flown twice, beween is scary Xyr. And I rather like having solid floor underneath me, for even there is a solid floor beneath the waves of the lake.
But there will be solid floor below us too mine
But I won’t be suspended in a medium that prevents my falling! Ez’s tone was a little close to frantic. He hadn’t realised how he had feared it that much – or rather, re-realised that fact. Since his flight on Daisulyth. The Weyrling master’s brown bonded. Yet, as a weyrling this proved a problem.

The thought mulled upon his mind as his dragon displayed his amusement at the shenanigans within the mind of his bond. He pranced over to the lake, head and tail high as he joined Paleoth, and promptly got drenched as the other blue’s tail whipped a wave of water over Xyr. Xyr shook, then dove low into the water, swimming down and holding his breath a while as he did, before surfacing, water parting smoothly on his blue hide, making him glisten in the sun.

“Shards, is it just mine, T’rad – or does you’re blue seem to mock you too?” He said dwith a laugh as he began to remove the top layers of his clothes. Red hair left loose, a sharp contrast to the colour of his skin.

[dragon]

Paleoth was quick to mimic Xyruth's actions and dove into deeper waters, staying under as long as he could. The dark blue dragonet was but a faint shadow under the water's surface. He finally came up for air, though not as gracefully as Xyruth, as water went everywhere. I am glad you and yours accompany me and mine on this day. We'll have much fun together. Paleoth was excited to have the other blue join him. and splashed another wave of water at Xyr before taking off under the water.

"Hah!", T'rad exclaimed loudly at Ez. "Are you kidding me?", was the posed question, that didn't need an answer. "Paleoth harasses me all the time", was the young man's answer to his fellow bluerider. "And he has the bad habit of telling people things that I'd rather them not know", he added, remembering several occassions that the blue mentioned things he shouldn't have.

T'rad looked over as the blue went under water. "Thankfully he's too distracted with your blue to do much in the way of embarassing", T'rad laughed and sighed in relief. He quickly allowed himself to float on his back in the lake. "Ah. Such a nice day for a swim", he said in a relaxed tone as he floated idley.

[neopanther]

Ez’ki smiled, taking off the outer trouser leaving just his breeches beneath them he stretched out a little, working a few quirks from his muscles before he too started wading into the water. “Ah, see, Xyruth knows I really don’t hide anything, so there’s no gain in him doing that to me.” Ez’ki smiled broadly; he was a very open person, and he really didn’t care who knew his business. “Perhaps he just wants you to be more open around others, or he’s just trying to make you more relaxed about how you feel?” Ez suggested – finally deep enough his body tilted forward taking to the water and to a very lazy stroke. Ez’ki made a vague “hmm” of agreement at T’rad’s comment. He was comfortable in the water, the sun was warm, but the water was cool, the breeze non-existent at that moment, even the clouds found themselves dawdling to take in the supremacy of the glorious day. He sighed heavily, “Xyr likes to make a mountain out of a molehill, he likes drama, and stuff, it makes it pretty difficult for me sometimes.” Ez’ki turned in the water; it was easier to talk when you were lying on your back in the water. “His lack of attention is probably the worst thing though.”

Xyruth chuckled at his companion, the darker of the pair was certainly less graceful than himself. Yes, I believe I’ll enjoy this. The blue went under the water again swimming deep before he swam quickly to the surface, propelling himself free of the water and into the air, in the way he had seen those odd creatures do in the mind of his bond, Xyruth had thought Ez’ki had told him they were ‘dolphins’ or some such. Turning in the air Xyr tucked his limbs against his body, and dove swiftly back into the water. He was enjoying this. The sun kept his hide perfectly warm, despite the chill as the lake deepened.
Mine, is there anything that lives in this lake?
What do you mean Xyruth?
Like those dolphins you said about.
[/i]Chuckling Ez’ki replied, No, Dolphins live in the sea Xyr, not in a Weyr lake, though there might be fish in there, I’ve never seen any though.
do you think there are! It would have been a question except for the incredibly excited tone.Paleoth! Mine says there could be fish in here!
Ez’ki groaned, “T’rad, could there be fish in here?” Knowing that his bonded was now on a single track to catch a fish now. Which could be a problem if there were no fish in the lake.
I’ve never tasted fish. At two months there was still a great deal the blue was yet to do.

[dragon]

T'rad shook his head slightly. "Honestly he doesn't do it to embarass me half the time. He just blurts things out. Like he has no control over his mouth", T'rad explained as he floated lazily. "Though. That would mean he is the more open one of us. He's definently got nothing to hide", He added casually.

Meanwhile the bulky blue had come up for air after diving under the lake's depths. Fish? I've never seen one of those. Let's catch one! Paleoth had responded to his blue counterpart and dived to the lake depths yet again. Paleoth found a new game to play and he was all too eager to find one quickly.

Meanwhile, T'rad tilted his head back ever so slightly to see Paleoth dive yet again. "Can't say for sure. But it is a lake", T'rad spoke, his tone implying he thought there were. "If there are any, those two will find them for sure", T'rad added as he tilted his head forward again to relax, chuckling at his words. "Funny how those two are. So alike, yet so different at the same time", T'rad commented on the pair of blue dragonets. "I just hope yours is better with bathing and oiling", T'rad added with a smirk. Oh how Paleoth could be a pain when it came to those things. Never wanting to sit still long enough and getting upset in the process. He could be a moody thing.

[neopanther]

Carefree, that seemed to be a trait in blues, pronounced in different manners though it seemed. Xyr was carefree in his attitude to almost everything, he didn’t care about things that didn’t have a result. Usually an immediate result, his attention span didn’t allow for that, in Paleoth’s case it was that he carefree about what of his riders stories he told. “Aww don’t worry about it, it might help you in the long run, though obviously you might want to get him to hold his tongue on opinions of others. That could get you into trouble.” Ez’ki told him, smirking. He kicked his feet lazily and circled slowly around T’rad.

“Similar? Yeah, they have the same sorts of basic qualities, but express them in a different way. Like they paint the same model but from different angles.” Ez’ki yawned, the temperature here was lovely. “So long as Xyr doesn’t accidentally drown himself because a fish has distracted him to the point of ignoring his need for air.” He laughed lightly, if any dragon would do that, it would be his blue. “mmm, Xyruth’s not bad like that. He likes it, he enjoys being oiled, because he’s rather vain, though it is a pain if something more interesting starts to happen in the midst of it, he really cannot concentrate on any one thing.” Ez’ki shook his head, “No matter what I try to keep him focused he still managed to get himself in a muddle over this or that. Quite a profound talent really...” He added the last part in jest. It was nice to know that it wasn’t just Xyruth who was proving a pain to handle.

Xyruth’s mind swam with curiosity and excitement, and a twirl of hunger - much more intrigued as to the taste than to actual hunger. I’ve only seen then in mine’s mind. They look weird. But yes! Let us find them! The blue bugled as he dove down again the noise dispersed by the water almost immediately. Here fishy fishy... Xyruth chimed with that electrically excited voice as though it would call the fish to him. The water got dark shockingly quick, Xyr kept his legs flush to his sides, propelling himself forward in a serpentine motion similar to that of a terran Crocodile.

[dragon]

"I know. That loose tongue worries me. If not for myself, for what he might say of others", T'rad groaned. T'rad continued to float around lazily. For now he wasn't going to swim, he wanted to relax and conserve his energy. There was plenty of time to swim.

"Yeah. That pretty much pegs it. I'd say Paleoth usually lacks focus, but lately he's been paying more attention. Well, when there's nothing too exciting to do. Strange", T'rad spoke up, but let out a lazy yawn after. "You'd almost think he was up to something", he added after he finished yawning.

Meanwhile, the blue was diving ever deeper into the lake waters. Oh! What's that over there? I saw something move. It must be a fish! Paleoth darted off in the direction he saw movement. Meanwhile, bubbles floated to the surface of the lake, practically indicating where the dragonet was.

"Hah. Looks like he's up to something now", T'rad said, meaning Paleoth. He nodded his head towards the bubbles and ripples in the lake. "Put those two together and there's no boredom to be had with either of them", T'rad chuckled.

[neopanther]

Ez kicked lazily, he was pretty much just drifting, but it kept him going in a vague sort of forward motion. “Yeah, Xyr’s the exact same. He’s only interested when it affects him, but he’s oddly ambitious, and I don’t get that, I thought dragon and man were supposed to be a perfect match, and I’m pretty content just doing this, where as Xyruth, he has to go hunt this fish that he might not know is even in the lake.” Ez shook his head switched over onto his stomach and dove into the water headfirst, making him completely wet, red hair darkening to a glistening brown in the water. He shook himself out. It felt better to be completely drenched as opposed to feeling the water lap against and encroach upon dry skin. “Shards!” He exclaimed pulling his hair from his face, “That was colder than I thought, I hope they don’t get any backlash from swimming down in those depths must be freezing down there” He commented idly.

oooh where, I wish it were brighter down here, it’s shamefully dark. the blue commented as he swam a lot more swiftly towards the place Paleoth had seen, and a flash of silver was just about seen. Elation filled the young dragon, he came towards the surface, pressed his nose through and captured a breath before holding it as he dove down again, eyes whirring with curiosity. Wow... there ARE fish Paleoth!!! I wonder what it tastes like, I wonder how it swims... and stays down here without going up... The blue became distracted as he swam through a patch of bed-weed. Cringing slightly at the feel on his hide, as the lengths tangled about his limbs and tail. A quick flailing sorted that out though, the long tendril-like plant ripped and fell from his limbs, he was contented once more. Careful the lake lays traps...

[dragon]

"Mmm. I think a number of us are finding that out. Our dragons may be bonded to us, but they're still their own", T'rad answered Ez. T'rad let out another yawn then dove into the water and twirled around a bit before coming back up, gasping for air as one usually does. "Oh come on. It's not that cold", T'rad chuckled. "Sensitive much?", he asked mockingly.

Paleoth found that he could not stay under for very long as he had to come back up for air quickly, creating a disturbance in the once calm waters where he rose to get air. Maybe they breath water instead. Paleoth suggested as he dove back under again. Seeing another flash in the dark waters, he took off yet again. They must be fast and sneaky. Paleoth thought aloud to the other blue.

[neopanther]

[coplor=6688ff]Breath water!![/color] The blue snorted at the idea, a bad move when underwater, but logic of an adult was still on an I owe you basis. But, he managed to choke quietly for a second before continuing that though, How preposterous. Nothing can breathe water, they would drown! But maybe it something in the water, He spotted a flash of silver and increased his speed towards it. Shards why are the evading us! I just want to play, and maybe had a taste. By Faranth! You don’t suppose they can hear us do you Paleoth? The blue became slightly paranoid, and silence started to fill his mind as best as possible, now that would be a scary thought, the fish avoiding them because they knew where they were coming from. After all, his bonded had known something about the dolphins attaching themselves t humans – Xyruth stopped thinking about it, he didn’t like the idea of anyone being able to hear him but for His, and those he selected. The idea was not well liked.

Ez’ki scoffed, “Maybe my body’s just hotter than yours.” He quipped. Wit sharp as ever, as he gave over the ambiguity perfectly. He lay back again, thoroughly wet now. He mulled over the idea of the dragons being different to their bondeds, “I mean, it’s a totally logical conclusion even for those who aren’t bonded to presume that a dragon doesn’t adopt his bonded’s persona, for that would be strange, two things that are ultimately the same, will likely quarrel worse than canine and feline.” A sudden idea off how he and J’fel just somehow clashed, even when they were trying to be civil entered his mind, but he forced it to leave just as swiftly as it had entered. “I do like it, but some of his attributes get right on my nerves sometimes. Because we’re so intimately linked, he knows all of the best ways to rile me. And I don’t like that.” He remarked, slowly shaking his head from side to side. “He and Paleoth seem to be getting on well though.”

[dragon]

If it was something in the water, then wouldn't we be able to breath? We still have to come up for air. So it's something only these fish can do. Paleoth was quick to explain as he chased a small shadowy figure in the water, assuming it was a fish. I know! I will inquire with mine. He has some knowledge about things. The blue decided T'rad could settle this for them. Did the fish breath water or was it something in the water? Surely his T'rad would know.

Mine? Can fish breath water or is it something in the water allowing them to not come up for air? The blue asked curiously as he continued his chase. T'rad had a look of confusion for a moment. That question seemed to come from out of nowhere. But it was soon followed by a look of contemplation as he stroked his chin. Oh, what was the best way to explain this to his blue? Hm. Ah, this would do it. Something like that, Paleoth. They have gills, it allows them to...siphon...water for air. And before you ask. No, you don't have gills. Nor can you get them. T'rad figured that was the best way for Paleoth to understand it, and knowing his blue he was sure to answer further questions he just knew Paleoth would have.

Having answered his blue, he took another diver into the cool lake waters and arose quicklly. He only shook his head at Ez'ki's first words, and passed over them. He was back to the conversation about their dragons. "I think people who have yet to be bonded to a dragon think many different things. Some may think they'll be their own entity. Others will think they will be the same. Others even think they'll be complete opposites", T'rad spoke as he began swimming backwards lazily. "All could make sense really but you just don't know until you're bonded to one. I think their personalities are just random. Sometimes their the same, sometimes their opposite. But they're simply their own", T'rad added.

T'rad looked over at where the two were playing. "Yeah. It's like they were made to be best friends or something. Wonder how long that will last? Hope it's a lifetime", T'rad remarked casually. "They get along so swimmingly", T'rad looked back with a chuckle.

[neopanther]

Xyruth huffed slightly and asked his bonded too, Well?
Well what Xyr?
Do fish breath water?
Of course they don’t, they filer out the air from the water, into their blood, similar to how your lungs do, like mine to, but, instead of their oxygen being surrounded by other air parts like it is for us, its surrounded by water. You’ve seen a fish open its mouth right? Well it takes the water in there, and then it passes out through its gills, though sharks and porpoises are different again.
Oh.
You didn’t understand that did you?[/i] Ez’ki sighed aloud, strike that, you zoned out half way through, didn’t you?
What was that mine?
Nothing xyr. Just one thing though, remind me you are impossible to teach.
Impossible to teach, sure yep. The blue was already distracted by changing his motions a little to try and lessen the effect of his swimming on the surroundings, he could feel the water tracing over his hide in a slightly chaotic way. So, he slowed is pace, made his motions more fluid-like, and then slowly approached the object he was presuming was a fish. Darting forward he snapped it from the banks of the lake,

This is no fish!!! Yuck, it tastes like metal. The blue sounded outraged as heh shot to the surface with his not so fish-like prize.

“What is that Xyr?” Ez asked as he swam over to his dragon, picking the silver free of his dragons teeth. He examined it, and despite it being a little concealed by various plant life. “I think it was some necklace or something.” He examined it closely, it was a flat, rather intricately designed pendant, crossing leaves, birds, branches, a dragon there even, all in a perfectly formed circle, each piece had been given a wealth of attention. There was something on the back, an inscription, ‘to my darling, ’ then he couldn’t read the next word, the writing was very ornate, so much so that with the letters of the name, and mild fading it was illegible. Then it continued, ‘always be safe’ Ez frowned, obviously who ever had received this had got in an argument with the gifter of this item.
Paleoth, I found something, but it’s no fish... what is that mine? He changed the direction of his thoughts between the other blue, and his own bonded.

“It’s a pendant, or a charm, or maybe a broach, I’m not sure, whatever it is, It’s pretty.” Ez ran his fingers over it as he lay back in the water, silently admiring the texture. Ez’s hair was being swept wildly beneath him as the water shifted. Xyr shifted not as impressed as Ez was with his own find, Fish. he said sourly. Purposefully, the blue swam under his bonded, making him flinch away from the strange touch of Xyr’s tail.
“git.” Ez said aloud as he watched the shape of his dragon disappear again.
“Faranth knows why this is here, but it’s mine now.” Ez grinned over to T’rad.

[dragon]

T'rad was naturally a curious person. So it was no surprise that when the other blue pair found this item, his attention was caught immediately. He swam over closer to Ez and looked the pendant over. His eyes examined and took in every detail he was allowed. After some time of quiet analysis his hand found it's way to his chin and began stroking. "Hmm", was the only audible thing out of T'rad. It wasn't any joke, he wasn't imitating or mocking anyone. This was T'rad, naturally curious. "Great attention to detail. Whoever crafted this was an expert. He knew what he was doing", T'rad commented, noting the detail of the item. "Don't know exactly how old it is. But just an assumption, I'd say it's not too old and that it hasn't been at the lake bottom for too long. Then again, that's only assumption", T'rad continued to note, this time only assuming.

Ah, what a mysterious little item it was. T'rad was already plotting what may lay behind it, it's history. One didn't often come across a pendant at the bottom of a lake very often. Something, someone, had to put it there. Whether by accident or not. "I wonder who it belonged to", T'rad didn't really ask, he was wondering. He was curious. He was T'rad.

[neopanther]

Ez’ki sighed, puzzling over it for a while. “I honestly couldn’t say, there’s an inscription on the back. ’To my darling’ then I can’t make out what I’d presume is their name, ’always be safe’. Well, whoever it was doesn’t want it anymore, and I’m not about to go letting this darling piece fester on the mud drifts of the Weyr lake.” Ez’ki pointed out with a smile, “Nah, it doesn’t look to old, but then if it is a pure precious metal, then it wouldn’t rust or corrode when sitting in the lake...” He thought again. Who would be able to tell him what this was, and how old it was?
Then realisation hit;
“The Caminar! If anyone will know it’ll be them, I mean they’re interested in this stuff anyway so they’d do it for free! What do you think T’rad?” Ez’ki was already beginning towards the shore slowly. He seemed kind of excited as to where this piece originated from. Ez’ki loved to know the history of items, even if they weren’t that old, but if they belonged to someone other than him, then they generally had a story to tell, and he’d love to know the specifics of this. He did like a nice piece of jewellery, likely a side effect of his trader father, Ez was used to the best, and this was seriously one of the best items he’d seen in a long and many a day, it was just such a sin to throw it away! He didn’t understand it, but they must have had a reason. And whatever it was, it was resulting in his gain so he’d not complain.

[dragon]

"Hm", was T'rad's only vocal recognition in response to the engraving. Of all the things to be unreadable, it just had to be the name. Too bad really, because T'rad was very curious as to the previous owner. It was pretty obvious Ez wasn't going to give it back and T'rad wasn't about to convince him otherwise. He had just opened his mouth to speak when Ez blurted out the caminar.

"Well. I'd suppose they would. I noticed a cart or two were selling jewelry and what not when I was at their Gather", T'rad spoke up, remembering the Gather that the caminar had and that woman that had spent some time with him. T'rad couldn't help but smile at the thought before coming back down to reality. The reality being Ez had already made up his mind to go look into it. T'rad decided not to argue. Who knew? Maybe he'd bump into her again. Just what was her name again? He was sure it was Aleda. He remembered mention of her being a healer, he thought. Well, with that bit of information, he may just find her. So he made way towards the shore, to Ez.

Mine? What's going on? Paleoth was now sounding a bit worried. Surely his mine wouldn't interrupt him and Xyruth finding a fish. Come on Paleoth. We're apparently headed over to the caminar to check out that little item that your other blue friend found. Paleoth was decidedly disappointed but at the same time he was curious about the item as well. Something else he was curious about as well. Are you going to find that woman you talked about? That caminar one? Paleoth always found interest in T'rad and girls. The fact T'rad would get so flustered and embarassed amused the dragon to no end. A favorite game of his. T'rad's face reddened a bit as he froze in his place, seemingly from outside appearances waiting on his dragonet to follow behind him. Maybe... That was T'rad's only response and once again he continued, Paleoth trailing right behind him now.