Fun in the Sun [Cait]

[T'ren]

77.02.21 | Mid-Morning | Lakeside

The day was bright and new, and S'rico felt refreshed and really, really awake. He had a lot of drive today, and bekoned Aldith to the Weyrbowl for a bath and oil. It was a lovely morning, S'rico had been awake for a while now. He left his sleepy princess in her weyr, hoping she'd come out to join them. The kingrider glanced over his supplies, and then turned to watch Aldith wade into the waters of the lake. Can you call Sunvoiath? Perhaps she and Rekkora can join us. S'rico asked of him. The bronze-crimson looked back at him, nodding his mighty wedge shaped head in agreement.

Lovely Sunvoiath, would you and yours like to come join us for a bath and oil?
The bronze-crimson crooned to the abyss, turning his head to glance in the direction of her ledge. 

S'rico knew it'd been a long and pressing sevenday for Rekkora, he hoped to be able to get her out and lighten to mood. He owed it to her, of course. She always pulled him from the depths of the shadows and brought light to his life. He only hoped he could do the same for her. He honestly should've just took it upon himself to drag her out of bed this morning..but she looked so sound that he couldn't bring himself to disturb her.

[Cait]

When Aldith beckoned her, Sunvoiath lifted her head and cast her gaze in the direction of the lake. The Bronze-Crimson was a respectable king and the dragon attached to Rekkora's favored man. At the very least, Aldith's rider was the one that Rekkora, in her infinite love of a good chase, would let catch her. He was a serious sort of fellow and we'll suited to Aldith from what she could tell and his little firelizard wasn't nearly as annoying as Sunvoiath had imagined the entire species to be. Of course by no means was she sold on Rekkora's intent to acquire one but she did mind that the little white came to visit.

[smear:111111]Yes, that would be acceptable...no, lovely? In any case I will make sure my rider puts on clothing. She seems to have forgotten how recently.[/smear:d5a514]

Turning her attention to Rekkora, who was awake but lazing about in bed, the Abyss went from sweet and polite to hard and commanding. It was time for her rider to leave her little nest of grief. It helped that she had a legitimate reason to order the woman out of bed and back into the real world.

[smear:111111]Rekkora you will get out of bed and get dressed. You have neglected me for long enough.[/smear:d5a514]

Blinking, Rekkora lifted her head from the pillows and scolded. She hadn't been neglecting her dragon!

[smear:111111]You have now get dressed. Aldith has invited us to the lake so that you might bathe and oil me. I imagine his rider will be there as well, unless you are bored of him?[/smear:d5a514]

Fine! You don't have to be so pushy! Rekkora replied sulking as she hauled herself out of bed. Not having left the eye in a while, it took her a few tries to find something that looked together enough to fool anyone from a distance while still being remotely practical for the task at hand. Her hair was still braided from the night before and perhaps a little messy but for once she did not care. It was too much effort to expend on something that would only be ruined when she bathed the queen.

Climbing onto the neck of the Abyss, the pair took off from the ledge and glided down to land gracefully near Aldith. Dressed in short pants and a cream colored embroidered tunic, Rekkora slid down Sunvoiath's shoulder to the ground and curled her bare toes in the sand. Giving the Abyss a pat, the queen slipped into the water as Rekkora moved towards S'rico. "Hey." She said with a faint smile. She wasn't as down as she had been the day before but she certainly wasn't back to being her old self either.

[T'ren]

S'rico watched as Aldith played through the water like a young weyrling. Oh how he almost missed those days. Brushes and soap enough for both, and plenty of oil, S'rico made sure there was enough of all to do both large dragons. He might have outdone himself, but ah well.

He almost wished that he would've stayed in bed with Rekkora this morning..he missed her company already. As a man who usually wanted to do things all alone, Rekkora had certainly turned that around for him..and he was more into doing things together. But only if together was he and the abyss rider. It felt in so many ways that he could just love the woman, but he was truthfully terrified of admitting something so personal. Even to her. Mostly because of it being about her.

A smile crossed S'rico's face as he watched the beautiful queen dragon glide gracefully to where he and Aldith were. It was a sight he'd never get tired of. Aldith rumbled a greeting to Sunvoiath as he lazed in the cool water. "Hey." S'rico simply replied back, his smile a little more defined than hers. "I thought we could have a little outside time today..get some sun, tend to these two, then we can relax." Truthfully, he'd do Sunvoiath as well if he was asked to, but he felt like it'd be good for Rekkora to be out of her weyr. A change of scenery. He leaned forward placing on hand at her waist and kissed her forehead gently. "You look lovely."

[Cait]

Sunvoiath watched with some amusement as Aldith played and splashed about in the water though she made no move to join him. Instead she submerged herself and then once she was totally covered, she surfaced to simply float, enjoying the cool of the water in contrast to the warmth of the morning sun. Always, one eye was on Rekkora as she interacted with Aldith's rider.

[smear:111111]Your rider is very...assertive, no attentive(?) to my Rekkora, particularly of late.[/smear:d5a514] The Abyss mused casually as she drifted, her gold-streaked tail propelling her through the water as she flicked it.

As S'rico placed a hand at her waist, Rekkora shuffled closer to him, closing her eyes as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. She supposed he had a good idea, getting her out of the weyr for a bit and the sun did feel good. But when he declared her lovely, the Queenie pulled back, her brow puckered in a scowl. Lovely? She wasn't even close to being lovely! She wasn't even properly dressed and her hair was awful! "You don't have to patronize me, S'rico." There was a hint of a pout both in her tone and her expression. "I just didn't feel like bothering to do all that today."

[T'ren]

The bronze-crimson king watched the abyss float through the waters. She held such beauty and such grace, it amazed Aldith and he rumbled happily. The water felt nice moving over his wings, it was like a heavier form of flying.

He tilted his wedge-shaped head and listened as the abyss spoke to him. It was rare for her to do so, almost taking Aldith off guard. He's worried about her. S'rico cares very much for your Rekkora.

S'rico smiled as Rekkora shuffled closer to his touch. He was glad she'd come out of the weyr, whether she thought it was a good idea or not. He was certain it would help. The bronze-crimson riders brow furrowed when she pulled back, scowling. "I..but you..I just.." He sighed and brought a hand to his face, rubbing his temples and shaking his head. Stupid. He was so stupid. "You're lovely without doing all of that. I've seen you in ways you wouldn't let most people see you..and I still think you're lovely." He huffed again, looking up at her with sad eyes. "I apologize. I'll keep my trap shut from now on." He murmured.

[Cait]

[smear:111111]She is strong. She will surfeit...no, that isn't...survive. Yes, she will survive this, your man will help. He is wir[/smear:d5a514][smear:d5a514]--wise to care. Rekkora is more than she seems.[/smear:111111] Sunvoiath rolled in the water, flipping onto her back and spreading out her wings to keep her afloat, her feet tucked against her chest. She did rather like the water and sometimes she wished that she could splash and play like the others but it just wasn't her style.

Rekkora's scowl faltered and was replaced by a look of uncertainty at the truth in S'rico's words. He had seen her in ways that she'd never allowed most people to see. It was a sudden and alarming realization. When had she become so comfortable with the man that she was willing to be in his presence in a state far less than perfection? her heart fluttered in a brief fit of panic as she began to fuss with her tunic and then her hair. What had she been thinking?! It was going to take a bit for the rest of his words to sink past her little momentary panic.

In the meantime Rekkora was rather oblivious to S'rico's sulking as she cursed herself for not at least having done something with her hair. The clothes couldn't be helped given the task she was to perform but she could have done something with her hair. S'rico had seen her at her worst, her most hideous moments. She thought she'd been more careful, to bend and shape her disposition to something that he would admire, but had she botched it all? Wait...he still thought she was lovely? Something inside of her purred contentedly.

Blinking, her head snapped around to look at her hulking, sulky kingrider as his words finally sunk in past her self-absorption. Her countenance transformed from one of anxious irritation to something very close to one of her more charming smiles. In a flash of her pre-murder self, she tilted her head in a rather flirtatious manner and slipped her hand behind her back, clasping them there. "But if you keep your trap shut, how will you tell me I'm lovely?"

[T'ren]

Aldith nodded his great bronze head once more, S'rico often mused to him about Rekkora, and he gathered a good bit from his rider. The bronze-crimson rider truly did care about Rekkora, and Aldith thought it was quite evident, although S'rico seemed to want to keep it a secret. Maybe he was scared of the love word, Aldith didn't think so, but it was surely possible. She seems strong. He is more than willing to help her through this...and anything else.

S'rico watched her intently as she began her fit of panic over her appearance. He shook his head, it was all too unnecessary for him. If he was anyone else he could see her putting a lot of hard work into looking her best. But to S'rico, he looked her best at any time..she didn't need to try for him. He didn't see the superficial beauty, but the real beauty. Would he tell her that? Probably not. Maybe someday. He wasn't sure he could muster those words.

His face lit up with interest, looking at her demeanor changing as she seemed to realize something. A slight smirk appeared on his face as she spoke, he took a step closer to her, closing the gap she'd made a few moments ago. "I tried to tell you." S'rico reached up to place his hand on the side of her cheek. "But it's true, I would not lie to you." He brushed his calloused fingers across the soft skin of her face.

[Cait]

[smear:111111]She will need his...support whether or not she admits it. Apparently those who have never met the last abyssrider and were not alive to remember her find too many simulations...no, I think similarities? Yes, they find too many similarities between my Rekkora and this rider of old. Some would prosecute...no persecute her. Not so many as she might think, but they are out there. She will need your man's loyalty.[/smear:d4a415] Her voice was soft and flowing like silk in water. Rolling back onto her belly, she slipped beneath the surface of the water and swam beneath Aldith, her tail flicking through the water to graze his chest. It was, perhaps, the closest she came to actual playing. She was finished speaking for now. The water was nice and her rider was occupied by Aldith's rider. The attention was good for Rekkora. She needed to be coaxed out of her depression and there were others better equipped than she to do so.

Back on shore, Rekkora felt a moment's satisfaction as S'rico moved closer and his hand slid over her cheek. It was a warm, calloused hand and it did strange things to her. Her stomach fluttered even as she leaned slightly into the touch, all without intention. She tried her bes to muster a stern look as he declared the truth of his words. "You had best not lie to me, rider of Aldith." She was only teasing of course...at least she made it seem as though she was only teasing. For all that she was quite literally the Queen of the fakers, she couldn't tolerate when others lied to her. It might make her a big ol' hypocrite but there it was. Then there was some small voice inside her that said if S'rico ever proved to be a false ally, something in her might crack.

[T'ren]

The bronze-crimson king nodded his wedge shaped head in agreement with Sunvoiath as she spoke. Yes, S'rico would support Rekkora, that was something Aldith knew all too well. The man seemed as though he'd go to the ends of Pern for the Abyssrider. He knew well of the stories of the prior abyss rider, and Aldith hated that people were so quick to judge. I believe S'rico will be loyal til the end. He will stick by her side until she tells him to go. It's a shame people are so quick to judge a dragon pair by the color of their hide. Aldith spoke surely, rumbling happily as her tail grazed his chest. She was company that he enjoyed, and he wasn't one to enjoy anyone as much as he did S'rico.

Lie to her? No. S'rico couldn't dare. His light eyes darted about her face, smirking at the stern look she'd given him. "I would not dream of it." He said simply, his fingers gliding to her chin before he leaned down to place a soft kiss on her lips. She was far to dear to S'rico for him to cross her in such a way. Rekkora had pulled S'rico from the shadows of solitude and breathed new, exciting life into the Bronze-Crimson rider. He smiled at the thought, though others may think she was some sort of monster because she was bonded to the Abyss Sunvoiath, he knew better.

[Cait]

[smear:111111]Hmmmm.[/smear:d5a514]Sunvoiath made a sound of agreement physically and mentally, though the former manifested in a cloud of bubbles beneath the water's surface. She too thought it was rather silly that humans were so quick to judge. In most cases she avoided such actions.Every dragon had some merit and certainly almost every human did as well; it was just that some weren't particularly obvious. When she finally surfaced, the water sluiced off her sleek, black hide, the sun glinting off of the golden streaks. Giving her head a shake, she floated lazily.

On shore, Rekkora's lips curled in a content smile just before S'rico dipped his head to kiss her gently. Her hand reached out to slide from his chest up to cup the side of his neck, her thumb grazing the edge of his jaw. When the kiss broke, she brought her other hand to mirror her first and peered up at the kingrider, her expression momentarily somber before she mustered that playful glint again. "Tell me, my dragonman; do you sink or swim?" Her hands dropped to his chest where she gave him a shove before whirling, her pale hair flaring out as she darted on bare feet towards the water. She was deep as her knees before slowing, the water a bit cooler than she'd been expecting. Summer was fading; something she wasn't exactly sad to see happen.

[T'ren]

The waves rippled as Aldith manuvered through the waters gracefully. His mostly bronze hide glistening with droplets of water rolling off of him. He watched Sunvoiath, admiring her sleek hide, the gold streaks vibrant in the rays of light. Lovely, she was quite lovely indeed. Aldith wondered just how anyone could think that she was any sort of monster. It was just weird to him.

Ah, there was a smile, it made S'rico's heart melt. He was hoping desperately that she would pull out of her funk, and he was starting to think that maybe she was. After all, S'rico was trying his damnedest to help her out of it. Sink? Swim? He gave her a puzzled look, his eyebrows furrowing before she shoved him. "Hey now!" He yelped as he stumbled backwards, watching her dart away from him. A smirk crossed his face and he pulled his riding boots from his feet, throwing them haphazardly beside him before he sprinted off to the water. With a graceful leap he dove into the shallows, immediately knowing that it was a mistake. He landed with a less than graceful splash of water, surfacing with a sputter. His skin covered in tiny bumps, a shiver rippling through his body. "Great Faranath that's cold." He whined as he got his balance, sending a wave her way.

[Cait]

Rekkora let out a squeak as S'rico came charging after her and then leapt into the water with all the grace of a hatchling, a geyser of water shooting up around him even as he came up sputtering. She couldn't help it, she laughed and further out, the gold-streaked head of the Abyss turned towards the sound. Her laughter turned into a shriek, however as her king rider let out an oath and then sent a wave of water crashing against her legs. It wasn't that cold but it was enough of a difference to the warmth of the air that it was a bit shocking. Holding out a hand to stall any other attacks, she moved a bit closer, stepping slowly. Though once she was within range, she bent and with both hands, she sent a spray of water towards S'rico. "Ha!"

Distractions did wonders for those in mourning. This didn't lessen Rekkora's grief any but it would give her at least a reprieve from it. Sunvoiath rumbled softly and let herself drift as she floated. Yes, Aldith's rider was good for Rekkora. She seemed happier, more relaxed when she was around him. Less paranoid and less tense. He had never judged her, not even for the little games she played. Yes, Aldith's rider would have to stick around; both rider and dragon had qualities that suited that the Abyss admired.

[T'ren]

Once the initial chill had died off, S'rico was quite comfortable in the water and he waded through it without much grace. Water was not his forte, and was much more sure of himself on land. He sputtered as she sent a spray of water his way, shaking his head, droplets of water flying about out of his hair. A low growl rumbled in his throat and he crouched, looking like he was going to pounce on her, before sending a spray of water back her way.

This was a nice change of pace from their recent schedule. He was happy to be out, and more happy that Rekkora was out with him. Time spent with her was generally time S'rico enjoyed, and the smile on his face proved he was truly enjoying himself. The day was lovely, and the smile on Rekkora's face was warming to his heart.

"I thought we were here to bathe them, not ourselves." He said, nodding his head to the two dragons lazily floating in the water. He couldn't disturb Aldith now, he looked too at peace. And S'rico was having more than enough fun with Rekkora. "I'm not complaining, though. I'm quite enjoying myself." He flipped a handful of water her way again, cracking a wider smile.

[Cait]

Rekkora let out a squeal when the kingrider growled and looked as though he might come after her. She was ready to flee, but he never pounced. Instead he splashed her again and she made a face at him. Backing away from him, she sent another wave of water at him with a carefully angled smack of the lake's surface and then while he was distracted with that, she sucked in a deep breath and dove under the water, her arms pulling her into deeper water as her legs kicked.

By no means was she a hardened dragonrider but she was lithe and strong while still being soft in all the right places. Feminine and graceful and quite aware of it most of the time. This, however, was not one of those times. Typically anytime she lost herself in S'rico's company she worried less about how she appeared and more about getting him to stop being such a stick in the mud. When she surfaced a ways away from him, she slicked her pale hair back and frowned. "Do you not wish to bathe as well? If I recall correctly, you were not quite so fresh when I happened to sniff you moments ago."

[T'ren]

S'rico stuttered as the wave crashed towards him, losing sight of Rekkora in the process. A puzzled look came across his face as he looked for where she was. It was obvious she'd dove under the waters and he shook his head with a chuckle. He placed his hands on his hips and waited for her to resurface, eyes brightening as she did so a ways away from him.

Not so fresh? He made a disgusted face and lifted an arm, pretending to smell himself. Eh, perhaps. He hadn't planned to bathe as well, he shrugged and dove into the waters, swimming swiftly in her direction. S'rico came up with a less than graceful surge of water, shaking his head of excess water. "I shall bathe if you deem me to..smelly to be in your presence." He laughed, leaning back to float on his back in the water.