Just Chillin'

[Wolf]

He had in fact turned just in time to spot Akki's stuck out tongue in his exact direction. He had also heard her shouting complaints but paid no heed to them. He was more then sure that she'd do perfectly fine, and on her own at that. Worst case scenario Hasima could help her out, the Weyrling girl was more then capable enough. 'I'll just stay right here,' he thought, crossing his arms like a child. He then uncrossed them, feeling too silly looking that way. He looked down at the water, contemplating whether or not to just jump in. Its not as if he was needed back there and a nice swim always did him some good. He looked out over the Lake, remembering that when he had been here as a Candidate him and Akki had been introduced at a gathering of the sorts. A blush colored his face and he nearly began to laugh, slapping a hand over his mouth. He had been swimming about, enjoying the feel of the water when she came about and scared him half to death. Right then he had liked her, and funny thing was he had met her before and completely forgot about it. Thinking back on it now he still couldn't remember it all too well.

When Akki had been least expecting it he had kissed her. He looked back at her, smirking mischievously at the recollection that she had kissed him back. 'Forever ago,' he reminded himself. And with that last thought he took off his shirts and pants-boys will be boys. "Not like any one's focusing over here when there's a world of stuff going on over there," he told himself. He jumped in to the water, creating a small splash. When he come up he tread water, looking over to the group on shore. He loved swimming on his back, so he did just that, flipping back carefully.

Ersith smiled, glad that the trio had decided to come out. Well you three chose the perfect day to come out. Your all needed! Ersith said cheerily. When Akki looked skyward Ersith saw the Blue making his descent. 'Ebbeth, Ebbeth!' she thought excitedly, jumping up and down all spasmodic-like. When Ebbeth landed in the water near an adolescent boy her hopes faded. She thought it best to wait for him to come nearer-perhaps he had business with the boy that she'd be intterupting...

[kestrel]

Rhiyo's discomfort only grew as still yet more people suddenly made an appearance. He felt lost, and confused, and very, very out of place. But when the newest person to this little 'group' arrived, and added that he, too, was looking for the place called 'Dark Moon Weyr', his head turned so fast that he nearly gave himself whiplash, as he exclaimed,
"you too!

---

Admin's Note:[/hr]" And then, more mildly, "thank Faranth-at least I'm not the only one who doesn't know where he's supposed to be going..." he paused to mull momentarily over the words that had come out of his mouth-thank who? Who was Faranth? He shook his head, and tried to clear his thoughts, the frustration apparent as he lightly chewed his lower lip. Faranth...dragons...names ended in th...but that was as much as he could figure out on his own. He decided that Faranth was a dragon, but knew not why he should be thanking said dragon. However, his attention was immediately called away from this thought by the girl called Hasima, who brought him back to his predicament. He looked from one person to the other, and then gave a small, rather indecisive nod, and replied tentatively,
"yes-er-yes, I guess I could have it looked at there...if I knew how to get there, that is." He frowned, but then Akki spoke again, and he had to turn again to face her. He nodded when she said that he'd be called Rhiyo for now-for some reason, it was the only thing he was certain of at the moment-that this was him, he was Rhiyo. The part that bothered him was that he didn't know who Rhiyo-he-was, and he simply affirmed,
"yes-please call me Rhiyo," and then, "I have to agree with your logic on that, Lady Akki...I think it is certainly mine. I just wish it offered more clues," he muttered, with a jostling of his shouldres that settled the pack more comfortably across the shoulder he had draped it over. When she asked if he had any idea where he was, he grimaced and his brows furrowed tightly. Once again he tried to push away this unnerving frustration of his at his lack of knowledge about anything whatsoever. He was about to guess, but then reluctantly replied in a demure tone, "no...no I don't. I was hoping maybe you all might tell me..." He looked imploringly at the group, as if almost ready to beg for an answer. The only way he was going to remember anything, he was sure, was with information. Maybe if he knew where he was, he might remember where he'd been? It was a tad faulty in logic, but not overtly so that he would bypass it as a remote possibility. He had obviously been headed for this 'Dark Moon Weyr'. Did they have the answers for him?

What Rhiyo couldn't know is that no one in Dark Moon would have any idea where he came from whatsoever. He'd been searched and was a transfer-the letter was a formal one, but there was no signature save that of a scribbled, unreadable nature. He couldn't make it out, and he had a feeling that no one there would be able to, either. The letter itself was official enough to pose no questions, but nonetheless it wouldn't do him, or them, any more good than to let them know that he was indeed searched and qualified to become a candidate for Dark Moon Weyr. Whatever that was.

When Akki asked if he needed a hug, his face blanched momentarily. After he had seen the way she and R'xis interacted, he had automatically assumed they were an 'issue'...and to he who respected things like this, he wasn't even about to raise an eyebrow at a girl someone else was sincerely interested in-especially not with him being the 'newcomer' here. Besides, he had no interest in girls at a time like this. For all he knew, he was already in love with someone else. The thought made him wince-loving someone you couldn't even remember? He couldn't even fathom how bad that would turn out, should he meet said girl. In the meantime, he told himself that he'd best try not to have too much interaction with any girl where he was going until he knew more. He had enough honor to at least try and figure out if there was someone he was going to have to do some explaining to wherever he was from...the thought made his stomach flutter with unease. He couldn't possibly love someone he couldn't remember! Did memories come back, or...was he doomed to wondering about these things forever? His reply to Akki, however, was a simple smile at R'xis, and then a polite,
"Do I? I wouldn't know, but I shall have to decline for the time being-I think I'll be alive even if I don't get one!" It was only after this that R'xis began speaking again, and he could sense the discomfort in the other boy-he felt bad that he might have had anything to do with it, but tried not to let it show that he noticed at all. He turned all his attention to the boy who was talking to him, and when he asked if he really didn't know, he shook his head, a small frown tugging at the corner of his mouth. However, the explanation for what a Candidate was, had his mouth drop open, gaping like an overgrown fish. When R'xis finished explaining, it only barely registered that the boy had offered to help him in whatever way he could, he could only nod rather stupidly, before his head turned in slow motion to look at R'xis own dragon, then back to R'xis, as he finally managed to stammer, "m-me? A-a-a dragon?" He didn't know what to think, or what to say, or what do do, even. Everything he had been thinking before was blown away by this new revelation. His mind reeled, as he struggled to comprehend how on earth he could be this-this Candidate-person. Wasn't there someone more deserving than him? Surely there must've been a mistake? He, who didn't even know who he was, was to stand at some 'hatching thing-a-ma-jigger' and maybe get a dragon? This was just too much to handle, and he paled, feeling suddenly faint. He was far too overwhelmed. Everything that had happened up to this point had been almost too much for the boy to handle. It was as if this new information was just the last straw, that his mind refused to handle any more. He was speechless, no words would come, but then as he registered R'xis melancholy look, he mumbled a nervous 'thanks' to the suddenly remembered offer for help, though it was the only thing he managed to get out...until the boy walked away, and he was left staring after the direction he had gone. Somehow, he felt suddenly rather dependent on this boy. As if somehow he would have all the answers, and that maybe he would help him find them. It was irrational, perhaps, but in the face of everything else, not so irrational to the confused and shocked Rhiyo.

He watched in silence as another dragon came in for a landing, a blue one this time, and seemed to be somehow addressing R'xis. He continued to watch as Akki told him in a rather plaintive voice to 'come back'. He suddenly felt very, very alone. Except for the fleeting thought that still remained, that the boy with the brown dragon could help him somehow. [/font]

[abean16]

Shino smiled and nodded. "You have a very valid point, and thank you. I use them to protect my hands when handling rough objects." He replied as he stood there, closing the pack so nothing else was revealed. As Akki turned to look at her dragon, Shino looked as well. "I'm guessing that that would be your dragon?" He asked Akki calmly. As a breeze blew the same strand of hair he had pulled out of the way fell back into his hair again. "Dang it... I'm going to have to get my hair cut back again." He said pulling it back

[Akki]

Now, Ebbeth wasn't exactly expecting that kind of reaction. He was expecting some type of cheery, "I'm trying to surprise them! Shh, don't give me away!" or something along those same lines. But here he was, watching a boy pull away from him, like he was scary. The blue turned away from the boy, not wanting to make things any worse, and placed a whirling eye upon his eye. You were right. There are interesting things going on, and I was missing all of them. Akki cocked her head in the dragons direction, staring at him curiously. Just what was he talking about? He hadn't even come over here to see what was going and yet he was agreeing already? She frowned slightly, wondering what he was specifically talking about.

Ebbeth swam toward the small group of people, lowering his head so he could see everyone eye to eye. He politely nodded a greeting toward Rimith and Ersith, too curious about the scene in front of him to do any more. Akki grinned slightly, "No worries Rhiyo. We know exactly where it is and can take you there whenever you want. But you should just relax with us for a bit out here, it's a great way to meet people.". She ran a hand through her hair, "I don't think names are supposed to give you clues, just something to call you by.".

Akki laughed good naturedly as Rhiyo replied to her offering of a hug. "Ah, yes. I suppose you would live without one for now. Just give me a call if you ever do need one.". She chuckled at the boys reaction about the dragon, "It's an honor to stand for a hatching. You're pretty darned lucky if you ask me.". As Rhiyo's face seemingly fell as R'xis turned and walked away from the group, Akki couldn't help but feel slightly responsible. Any guilt soon disappeared though, as she turned her head to Rhiyo, nodded toward R'xis and said, "Come on then. We'll go pester him until he helps you, deal?"

Akki nodded, "Yup. That's Ebbeth, ugly brute isn't he?". The same could be said for you Ebbeth shot back without hesitating, allowing anyone to hear. She rolled her eyes and watched as Shino's hair went flying about. "You do realize that now I have this sudden urge to muss up your hair, right?". I'll go with Rhiyo to go after R'xis if you go talk with that kid, sitting over there. Ebbeth offered with a dragonic grin. Akki slightly wondered what he was doing but nodded in agreement anyways. "Well Rhiyo, go take Ebbeth and don't let R'xis get away. I have some of my own pestering to do apparently.".

And with that, she left the group with a waggle of her fingers as a goodbye and walked over to where Aneres was sitting, and plopped herself right next to him. This girl clearly knew nothing of modesty, or personal space. She stared at him for a moment, and thrust her hand out not knowing whether or not he could even see her doing it as his head was looking toward the ground at the moment. "I'm Akki."

Ooc|| Such a bad post, but I wanted to get something done before I had to run away to go babysit ;c

[desert]

Aneres jumped slightly as Akii spoke, craning his head around to see her.
His blank, dulled eyes seemed to look right through Akki, though he was briefly inspecting her face to see if he could pinpoint any familiarities. Not that Aneres really took the effort to associate closely enough with anyone to put anything like a name or vague impression to a face, but it was something to do while he figured out what in Faranth's name this person could possibly want with him.
Drawing a blank on the face, as expected, Aneres' rather vacant gaze returned to Akki's outstretched hand.
"'m Aneres." He replied softly, his monotonic voice cracked from disuse. He hadn't bothered to really speak to anyone for... a long time, and whenever he did use it, it was as monosyllabic and brief as humanly possible. This usually had the desired effect of making the other person quickly lose interest in him and politely excuse themselves, leaving Aneres once more as he preferred: alone.
He didn't bother to move much more than was necessary to look at a point near enough to her face that came off as just this side of rude, or to speak. He didn't know why, but for some reason physical contact or close proximity with anything besides nonliving objects or dumb beasts (excluding fire lizards, who due to their mind-speech counted as sentient enough to be avoided), was almost as bad as having a dragon talk to him, so he acted as if Akki hadn't extended her hand to him.
Once he had introduced himself with those two - more like one and one-half - words he quickly averted his eyes back down. Manners taught him were too deeply ingrained to not look in the general direction of the other person's eyes when he spoke to them, but not deeply enough to compel him to actually look them in the eye, or to remain staring into their face.

[kestrel]

Rhiyo's face turned from an almost uncertain sullenness to a bright grin that spread across his face at Akki's next words. He could barely contain the feeling of relief upon being told that any time he wished to go to Dark Moon Weyr, they would take him. He took her next words into consideration, and realized that she was undeniably right. He had only just met these people, and he didn't think that anyone at this Weyr place would know any more than they did. He wondered, then, if his lost memories would ever be returned to him-what if he never remembered anything about who he was, or where he was from? What if there were people looking for him-but no, that couldn't be right. They thought he would be coming here to be a Candidate. Wait-did that mean they might come to the hatching of the dragons, to see if he did or not? Did he have family, and friends, who might be there? This thought gave him new hope, and he decided that he would make do as best he could and maintain as much of a life for himself as he might while he was here. There were things he was unsure of, things he knew that perhaps he'd once known and now did not. Surely when he'd headed for Dark Moon Weyr, he'd known where he was going-the fact that he was so near to it when he'd awoken said as much in his mind. He must have, therefore, known he was to be a Candidate, and known what one was. He would not stop to ponder over how much he had forgotten-the thought of that would bother him too much right now. No-he would take one day at a time, learn what he could each day. At some point he was sure that someday, somehow, he'd remember at least something or meet someone who would do the remembering for him. If memories could be triggered back into a person's mind, maybe he would have his memories back in the end of all this. So, he decided there was to be a new way of life for him from hereon out. While it was his ultimate goal to regain his memories, his new motto was to 'live each day as it comes', as well as to just 'wing it'. Perhaps he should set for himself another goal-something more solid...he had it! He would make a list of things when he had a moment, from first to last most important. Goals that could be achieved more certainly than gaining lost memories-because he wasn't even sure if he could do that, in the least. So, goal number one: impress a dragon at that 'hatching'. That was why he'd ended up here in the first place. Goal number two: make friends with not only that brownrider, R'xis, but at least two other people here. Only time would tell who those two other people would be. And number three: prove his worth to those at his new home, Dark Moon Weyr. Those were enough goals for now, and he was sure more would come to him as time progressed and the other goals were at least partially met.

So, with these new goals and a newfound sense of purpose, Rhiyo was able to nod to Akki's thoughts about names not being clues, able to reply in a more light-hearted manner,
"I agree with you-so Rhiyo I'll be until I find out otherwise." He smiled at the surrounding group and conceded that he would stay.
"I think that's a great idea, Akki. It's not like I have anywhere else I'm sure I'm supposed to be, and as I'm guessing you guys are going to be people I'm going to be living with at the Weyr until or if I impress a dragon..." he shrugged and then chuckled. "I wish I could fully appreciate the honor of that...but I can't even remember anything about why impressing a dragon is important, honestly-though they are magnificent creatures, to be sure." He nodded respectfully to the three dragons that were already about, at least in their general directions, each in turn.

When Akki mentioned that if he ever needed a hug, to call her, his color reddened for a moment, before he regained his composure. He wasn't quite sure what to say to this-but from the nature of the good-humored dragonrider, he assumed she was just normally this outgoing and friendly, and meant nothing more by it than a friendly gesture. Still, her last preoffered hug seemed to have upset R'xis, and though he didn't wish to offend her, he didn't want the other boy thinking anything untoward about Akki's offer. He was, in fact, more than a little surprised that the boy with the brown dragon was even sullen over the offer. In the short time that he'd been standing here he'd already ascertained that Akki was 'just like this', and meant no more by it than she would if she'd offered a hug to an animal who was down. She was just being friendly, in a friendly manner...but perhaps R'xis was more sensitive than he'd first guessed? Perhaps he was ill used to dealing with situations like these? There had to be a reason why he'd looked so down, and he was certain it had to do with the hug that Akki had offered to him. He cringed a little inwardly, feeling guilty though he'd had nothing to do with it whatsoever. He didn't like seeing people down like that, and he knew liking someone could be hard...but why weren't the pair 'together'

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] It was apparent that Akki had been playfully teasing the boy-he could sense there was a mutual liking there. So what was going on? They hadn't broken up or anything...

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] He suddenly felt a little more uncomfortable, not knowing the whole situation of what was going on between the two. In reply to her he simply went with,
"I will remember that, and my thanks," with an appreciative smile. It didn't mean he'd ever make that call, but he had to admit it was nice of her to offer one, wasn't it?

An honor to stand at a hatching? He should feel lucky? He felt guilty, because he might be offending people with his next question-maybe he should hold it off until he talked to R'xis again? He shot a rather melancholy look at the boy who'd gone a short ways off, and thought demurely,
If he'll even feel like talking to me.' However, he dismissed this thought immediately. The boy had been nothing but nice and polite with him. He didn't see R'xis as the sort to shun a person without a very good reason, and he himself hadn't done anything-it wasn't as if he'd even hugged Akki when she'd offered...but R'xis had already had his back turned before he gave his reply! He made a mental note to find some way to tell R'xis that he had no intention of hugging Akki without R'xis' consent, and that he was by no means any competition for her attentions. How did one say that without it sounding weird, though? He chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment, wondering at this. It was a bit of a sensitive matter...

To Akki, he replied,
"I'm sure it is a big honor, and I'm honored I get the chance." He wasn't making this up-if it was said to be an honor to stand for a hatching and impress, then certainly it must have been, and he felt honored he'd been given the oppertunity-even if he didn't know the reason he should. He was more than a little intimidated with 'impressing' one of these dragons, but also wondered what their purpose was-why did people impress them? There was something intellegent in the way that R'xis dragon had looked at him, and the Blue dragon down the beach which Akki confirmed as hers, it was looking like it was almost addressing someone. To Rhiyo, his only understanding was that these dragons must be pets of sorts, for transportation, that only few were lucky enough to have. Perhaps it was a matter of status? Yes, that must have been it. But what an interesting way to gain status! These creatures were large, and must certainly eat a lot, and require a large living space and much care...almost sounded to him like they were more trouble than the status was worth! However, he remembered the feeling upon seeing R'xis dragon that dragoririders were good people...where had that notion come from? He was certain that this, too, would be an answer he would learn from those at Dark Moon Weyr.

Suddenly, he heard a voice, and whirled around to see where it had come from. The thing that bothered him immensely was that this voice he'd heard-it hadn't been a thing of sound. It had a sound, it had a 'voice', per say-but that voice? Was in his head! He glanced frantically at the others gathered there and with him on the beach-had they heard it too? Maybe someone had said it out loud, and for some crazy reason he'd misinterpreted it as being in his head? He took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes, and, trying to be as un-obvious about it as possible, he leaned over very quickly and said in hushed tones to Akki,
"Did you hear that too? That voice...the one inside your head?" Even as he said it, he reddened, feeling like not just a little bit of an insane person for asking that.
'Yeah, hi. My name is Rhiyo-and I heard a voice in my head saying something!' Now they would think he was merely crazy for sure! He glanced at the others once again, and then frantically back at Akki, hoping beyond all hope at this point that she'd admit to hearing it too. But just as he finished leaning over to whisper this to her, Akki had moved! He stumbled briefly then regained his footing, and realized with horror that he'd whispered this to the person who'd been standing near Akki! This person happened to have been the girl with the yellow dragon, and his face now was a deep crimson in color, almost enough so to match his hair.

It barely registered that Akki had told him to 'take Ebbeth with him' to speak to R'xis. Barely, but he'd heard. She wanted him to do what, with whom?! How could he possibly 'take' that huge dragon anywhere? Now his face went from crimson to a much paler white in almost the same moment, and he looked nervously at Ebbeth, her dragon...what was he supposed to do? The dragon didn't even have something to lead it by-why should it listen to him? He didn't want to seem like a coward, so he tried tentatively,
"Urm...here Ebbeth? There's a good dragon...I-uh-here boy!" He hadn't even a chunk of meat to offer the dragon as a reward for listening-if he did at all! He was sure that the riders must train their dragons somehow-but he was not this dragon's rider. He had no clues whatsoever as to how to make the dragon do anything he wanted! He would have been more than happy to do so otherwise-especially as it gave him a reason to go and try to get R'xis to rejoin their group. [/font]

[Akki]

Akki probably didn't even realize that her attempt at a handshake was just blown off, or if she did, she did a good job at making it look like that she didn't notice. She just removed the hand from it's 'Nice to meet you' stance and twisted hair around her finger as she scrutinized the boy called Aneres. "So," Akki began, looking closely at her nails on one hand before looking back up at Aneres, "Are you just sitting by yourself here, or waiting for someone.". Akki looked around and said, in a conspiratory whisper, "I'm not interrupting some sort of secret rendez-vouz am I?". It was obvious that the blue rider didn't know when someone wanted to be left alone or not.

Akki looked over to shoulder to where Rhiyo stood, she had caught most of his words before investigating this Aneres and said loudly, so the candidate could hear her, "Yup, we are the people you'll be seeing around the Weyr. If you ever need anything, just give us a holler.". Rimith crooned as Rhiyo nodded to her in acknowledgment. "Haha, you'll learn soon enough about the importance of dragons Rhiyo, no worries. Just hope you don't get a blue." She snickered, winking at her own dragon. Akki waved off his gratitude for her offer of hugs, "Don't thank me Rhiyo. My hugs are free, I just can't help myself.". She barely noticed that flush of color that tinged his face when she had made this offer, and she definitely did not even catch the awkward situation she had made. She just thought R'xis wanted to go swim or something, and that's why he left, she didn't even imagine that he was upset by what she had said earlier in the conversation.

The rider flopped onto her back, hair going everywhere around her face and she pumped her fist into the air, "When you're on the hatching sands Rhiyo, I'll be cheering for you. So promise me you'll look around for me!". She sat up and peered at all the candidates around her, "Course I'll be cheering for all of you, so I hope no one has any jealous rages.". She would be cheering too, and loudly. There was nothing more exciting than watching people you know have the chance of Impressing a dragon, except of course, being a candidate yourself. With that said, Akki returned to laying on the ground, letting the warm rays soak into her skin. Of course Akki didn't catch the very last thing Rhiyo said before walking away, it was far too quiet for her too catch, but she figured if it was important he would say it again, this time a bit more loudly.

Hasima's eyes snapped toward Rhiyo's face as soon as she realized that something was said, and it seemed like it was being aimed at her. What about voices in your head? Hasima didn't reply right away, not even realizing that the boy was talking about Ebbeth's voice. She was so used to it know, how could she not be? Every day she had Rimith in her mind, talking like that, so Hasima didn't even think of the obvious. "Um..pardon?" Hasima asked softly, rather confused. Did Akki just leave her with someone who could be considered crazy? Should she be wary of the fact that he could be a tad insane? She looked over at Akki, hoping that the girl would come back over, but the rider was too busy caught up in her own thoughts. Even Rimith was caught off guard originally, before realizing what the boy probably meant. Thankfully, Rimith mentioned it to Hasima, who finally understood. "Oh!" She breathed in realization. "Um, do you mean Ebbeth?" She asked, signaling toward the big blue. That's how we communicate The yellow said politely, not ever thinking that she would have to explain this in her lifetime.

Ebbeth watched as the boys face turned into a blush, and then turned abnormally white. Just what exactly, was going through his head to cause this array of emotions? Soon as Ebbeth heard himself being well...called for by the candidate, he stared at the boy with a quickly whirring eye. I'm sorry, but should I roll over? Do a trick for a pat on the head? Ebbeth snorted, rather amused by this outcome. I'm not a brainless pet you know. I'm just as smart as anyone else here, thank you very much. Ebbeth said politely, trying hard not to laugh at the moment. Ebbeth looked over at R'xis, You're not going to sulk because of a hug offer, are you? If you are, then you might want to stay like that for a while. I don't think she'd ever stop being this friendly. It seemed like Ebbeth was doing a lot of talking today for a mute dragon.

[desert]

Aneres snorted softly. "I'm sitting here. I was alone before you sat there." His shoulders twitched fitfully in what could be construed as a half-hearted shrug. His gaze returned to the sandy ground, hanks of dull brown hair falling into his face as it tilted downward.

At Akki's comment to Rhiyo drew another snort out of the lad, this one more derisive.
"Why bother cheering?" He muttered bitterly, clutching his knees tighter to his chest. "S'not like Standing is the best thing in the world." He paused, swallowing around the lump that was forming in his throat.

OOC: Gah... T_T My Muse is nonexistent today... Please forgive me. -curls up in a corner-

[Wolf]

R'xis felt ashamed by Ebbeth's referral to his being jealous. He knew that the dragon was very well right, and that Akki would never stop being the friendly and unintentional flirt that she was. It hadn't been the offer of a hug that had irked him; he knew very well that Akki was just always like that. The reason was because of what she had said earlier on, though he knew that sweet little Akki wouldn't even stop to consider the fact that he did likely daydream about her before she began her teasing. He hated feeling embarrassed in an entire crowd of people like that, especially when they didn't understand what was going on. It made him feel very small. He had just needed to leave that spot, he disliked being ridiculed due to the confusion of the others. He kept himself from looking back to see if Akki was still even there, there was no point. If he was lucky enough they'd just all leave and he could continue with what he had originally intended to come out here and do-take a walk just Ersith and him.
Akki and him had well managed to get over that little... bump in the road, due to the Weyrling rule and all, but he still couldn't help feeling disheartened when he was reminded of it. Everything just seemed to revolve around here these days, he wondered if things would always be this way. It was not that he minded it-his head always being filled with thoughts of her, but it was the whole barrier that he had sitting in his way that made him wish it wasn't the case.

Ersith looked over at Ebbeth when he came closer, becoming all excited when he nodded to her in greeting. He was clearly trying to understand what was taking place; otherwise she figured that her good friend would've spoken to her. Ersith looked over at R'xis, wondering if he still needed some time over there alone. She didn't mind, as long as they weren't completely separated but she was becoming eager to head back to him so she did. The little brown turned tail and ran to the lake, gracefully diving in after Hers. She popped up beside him and R'xis looked over at the brown head, recognizing whom it was immediately. After all, what other brown dragonets were there out here?
I felt bad by what Akki said, he finally admitted to her.
Don't be so sensitive; you should've just laughed it off. If it bugged you that much you could easily deny the claim she had made, despite the fact that she was joking...
When was it that this little dragonet had become so wise? R'xis now treaded water, face-to-face with Ersith.
"I didn't have the heart to lie," he told her aloud. He began to laugh at himself, because it felt a whole lot better then being miserable.
There, now doesn't that feel better? Ersith asked, bright-eyed. R'xis wiped a few water droplets off of his face senselessly, since his hands were dripping wet. He gave a slight nod of his head to indicate a yes.
"A whole lot better, thanks Ersith," he whispered. She splashed him with her tail, diving under the water before he could splash her back. R'xis laughed at her actions. She was always so tricky! She came back up behind him, squirting water at him out of her mouth.
"Are you trying to cover me in Ersith mouth fungus?" R'xis teased, pretending to gag. Ersith, not at all offended, bucked her head against his chest. She felt special in the sense that she could always lift R'xis' mood.

[abean16]

Shino just smiled and sat down at the edge of the lake, enjoying the warm sunlight. He smiled and watched people swim. He enjoyed the serenity of being able to stop traveling for once. Meanwhile, a young woman about a year older than him walked towards the group, dark brown hair flowing behind her. She walked over, looking around.

"It seems as if the lake is a popular place to be." Hirako noted as she came up alongside Akki. She had arrived a day or so ago, and had made it a point to introduce herself to all the other female candidates and weyrlings. She had also met some of the male candidates, but only a few. As she looked around, she saw Shino and blinked. "I haven't seen him before." She muttered to herself.

[kestrel]

Rhiyo couldn't help but laugh at Akki's exuberance-she really was quite a character, and it wasn't hard to see why R'xis liked her. Wasn't hard to see how anyone couldn't like her, no matter who they were, though in a more friend-like mannerism, of course. At her promise that she'd be cheering for him on the sands, he grinned and then shouted back,
"All right, I promise I'll be watching for you then-you and Ebbeth!" He didn't have much time to say more than this, no, no time at all, for it was just then that he had to turn back to face Hasima, face reddening again minutely as he remembered his whispered query that had not been meant for her to hear. It was not, he supposed, like it mattered whether it was she or Akki who he'd addressed the query to-either one surely would have heard it as he had, if they did. The voice certainly hadn't been quiet, that was for sure...

When Hasima looked first confused, and then almost wary of his presence-was she looking for Akki to come back?-he paled again. "Shards," he muttered so quietly that no one could even hear. She was looking at him just as he feared she might, like he was insane. He swallowed a nervous lump that had begun to build its way in his throat, having to clear it, about to tell her that it had been nothing, that perhaps he had heard nothing at all, to forget he'd ever said anything-when she suddenly exclaimed 'oh!'. But her next words didn't serve to lessen his worry or confusion at all-especially not when she asked if he meant Ebbeth! Now it was his turn to narrow eyes of confusion at her, and glance towards Ebbeth and then back to her once more, raising one eyebrow in a silent question, as he was about to ask what she could possibly mean by that. How could the blue dragon have anything whatsoever to do with hearing voices? He didn't have long to think about this, however-no, not long at all. For just as he was about to pose the question to her, yet another voice in his head interrupted what he was going to ask! His eyes grew wide, as he frantically looked around to see if anyone else was displaying behavior as if they'd heard the voice, too. But no one was even looking in their direction, no one was turning to address anyone. He was certain this voice had been feminine, and right away his pallor went to a lighter shade. What on Pern was going on!

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] He tried to ask Hasima if Ebbeth had done that too, tried to ask something, anything-but nothing would come out when he opened his mouth. He found himself almost wishing that this were, indeed, some terrible dream that he would awaken from. How could he hear these voices, unless there was something wrong with him? No one else was acting like he was-what exactly was it that could be wrong with a person to make them hear voices in their head.
'Simple-you're insane', his mind told him, before he realized that that was what he was thinking, and then 'no! No I'm not!'...okay, now he was arguing with himself in his head, muttering quietly, and looking at Hasima with a wary look in his eyes, "I'm not crazy-there must be an ex-" He didn't get to finish his 'mutterings'.
The first voice was back, and this time it was talking to HIM. He instinctively turned his head slowly towards Ebbeth, and then his mouth dropped so wide he looked like some human fish out of water, as he 'heard' the dragon referring to him-yes, even looking at him while speaking!-sounding polite but almost offended as he told Rhiyo that he was 'just as smart as anyone else'. It was then, and only then, that the female voice he'd heard in his head was connected with Hasima's Rimith, and only then that he realized that he'd just managed to treat a sentient, telepathic being like a...well...like a common canine! He didn't know, at this point, whether to be completely embarrassed or completely horrified. He'd just insulted a dragon-did dragons eat people, as in, ever eat people at all? Though he very much doubted it, he momentarily pictured himself in the large blue's mouth, and very quickly bowed and stammered,
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't realize, it won't happen again, ever!" He didn't stand up from the bow, almost afraid to look up at the giant creature. In all his wildest dreams, talking dragons was never something he could have thought of or fathomed. But, here they were-and they had spoken to him in his head. They were telepathic! He was in awe of this, of them, and then wondered what their true purpose was-companions...they could be that-friends, even! He suddenly had a bit of a better understanding why they were considered to be so special, at least...he quickly shot a glance in R'xis direction-he was in the water with his brown dragon now-and Rhiyo was sure his dragon talked too!-and he quickly decided to try and divert his embarrassment and somewhat-fearfulness towards pointing out that Akki had said to go fetch the brownrider, and so,
"did you want to go with me-or lead me, er, take me to R'xis now?" He didn't quite know how to fix the situation he'd so obviously bungled up, and hoped that the blue wouldn't be angry at him. He had no way of comprehending nor understanding the mind of a dragon. [/font]

[Akki]

"If you were alone before hand, then you should be thanking me for keeping you company right now then." The blue rider said to Aneres, kidding around with the boy. It didn't even register in her mind that he obviously did not want to talk anyone, especially with this boisterous blue rider. She lazily opened one eye, examining the boy closely before replying, "Because cheering is half the fun. There's nothing better than having someone call out for you while you're standing on those hot sands. I didn't really have anyone cheer for me when I stood, so I'm going to cheer for as many people as I can." She fell silent for a moment, grinning to herself as she pictured an array of dragons bursting from their shells and stumbling out of them. "Can I cheer for you, Aneres?"

She watched as Ersith slipped into the lake while R'xis kept an eye on his little brown. Part of her did wonder what exactly made the boy leave almost suddenly from the group, but never did it cross her mind that it might have been something she said or did. She teased everyone around her, fully expecting someone to fire something back at her in the same joking matter so she didn't even think that maybe her teasing of him was the thing that caused it all. She mentally shrugged, the boy would probably sooner or later join back up with the group. It was hard to stay away from the fun for long, it ended up always drawing you back in.

She lifted herself into a sitting position, bringing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them as she rocked gently back and forth. She grinned happily as she heard a female voice mention something to her, "Yeah it is, isn't? If you're ever feeling lonely or bored, just pop out to the lake. Chances are is that there is someone else there, looking for something to do. It works out well that way.". It was then that she realized that the only other girl here was in fact Hasima, and there was no way that Hasima suddenly sounded like a completely different person. She looked up, not recognizing the face that loomed over here. "I'm going to guess you're new, huh?" She said with a grin. She was pretty darn happy, there was so many new people here suddenly. She wouldn't have to hunt them down now if she wanted to meet them. "I'm Akki." She said with a three finger salute before jabbing her thumb toward the blue dragon, "And that's Ebbeth. You are?"

She peered around the new girl and laughed loudly at Rhiyo, "You better! I'll actually be thoroughly crushed if you don't find me and at least wave at me!". She watched as Hasima looked over at the blue rider, with a look of...was that confusion? Or despair? Suddenly she couldn't help but wonder what exactly the yellow rider and Rhiyo were talking about that caused that reaction. She snickered, winking at Rimith who shot back a sly grin. Hasima placed three fingers against her lips, and she couldn't hold it back any longer. An awkward giggle slipped out, and she blushed a light pink at the noise. She couldn't help it, this situation in all was confusing and interesting all at once. I think you have it figured out now. Rimith said, looking up at Rhiyo as the boy looked like it had finally clicked.

Come now, it's not like I'm going to snip off your head with my jaws or something. Ebbeth said pleasantly, rather bemused at the boys reaction when he realized that it was, in fact, Ebbeth's voice he had heard before. He flicked his tail, sending out ripples across the lake. Lead you? I'm sure you can drag you're two feet over there without my instruction. I'll go with you though, gladly. The blue said with a deep mental chortle as he turned around, and turned towards R'xis before looking back at Rhiyo.

[desert]

"Actually I'd thank you for leaving me alone again." Aneres muttered, hunching his shoulders more, as if he was trying to block her and everyone else out.
"There's nothing to cheer for. I had my chance, and look where I ended up." He added, his voice dripping with pain and bitterness as he spat out the words.

OOC: Meh. >_< Still no Muse.

[abean16]

Shino heard Aneres' statement and stood up, walking over to him. He looked at him and smiled. "Just because you ended up like this doesn't mean you have to stay that way... I mean... Seriously... You can't go around acting like the world has a vendetta against you or else something really bad will happen." He said as he sat down. "Try to see the good. Don't distance yourself from others too much, that will just lead to loneliness. Loneliness then leads to suicide...." Shino finished.

[kestrel]

Rhiyo managed a weak smile in Akki's direction, which had him standing up a bit straighter, at least, than before, but it was only a smile and a nod before his eyes returned to Ebbeth. However, it wasn't Ebbeth whose voice he heard next, it was actually neither of the two dragons who'd spoken to him. It was Hasima, who was giggling as if she had been holding it back and couldn't help it any longer. He felt silly, just then-all these people and then their dragons, and here he must've been making a complete fool out of himself! He didn't know, then, whether to feel embarrassed or merely 'miffed' that he didn't have the basic knowledge that all of them must have. At the exact same time, he was sure that he was going to learn-and fast, it appeared. He had to admit he probably looked pretty funny right now, and couldn't blame Hasima for her reaction.

When Rimith addressed him once more, he tried to smile at the yellow dragonet, and say something, but only a 'squeak' sort of noise came out. He cleared his throat, and settled for an adamant nod instead, to let her know that yes, he had got it-all too well, in fact. It was definitely a 'humbling' way that he'd gotten it, however, and he was still quite embarrassed. Even all the more so when Ebbeth conceded that he wasn't going to 'bite his head off'. He sincerely hoped, right then, that the dragons couldn't read his mind, for Ebbeth's words were a mirror of what he'd thought before, and he felt guilty, somehow, of suspecting the dragon of any type of ill intent-at least to that extreme. So, trying to regain whatever bit of composure he had left, he stood up and brushed a bit of dirt off of the front of his shirt, realizing that he was still looking in quite the disarray and that he must have looked quite the ruffian. His hair was mussed, his clothes had dirt on them still from lying on the ground. He hadn't had time to think about the lumps on his head-not since all the commotion, but they still hurt, and he winced as he went to rub the back of his head. To Ebbeth, he apologized,
"I didn't know if you would or wouldn't have-I would be pretty upset if someone treated me like a common canine..." He grinned, then and admitted, "yeah, you're right, and I'd be glad if you'd accompany, Ebbeth." He did look grateful, then, for having to talk to R'xis alone might have been a bit uncomfortable, but he was sure R'xis was quite companionable with Akki's blue-or so he assumed.

As he began walking towards where the boy and dragon were in the water, he quickly went over in his head exactly what he wanted to say to him. However, the words muddled themselves up in his mind, and he realized that this was yet another thing he'd have to let happen naturally-wing it, as it were. He could no more form R'xis responses to his words than he could read the boy's mind, and so therefore it was pointless to reenact some conversation in his head that he was clueless as to the outcome of. He briefly thought of asking Ebbeth how to begin, but no-that wasn't exactly fair, since if he didn't know Ebbeth might not, either-or might he? He glanced at the dragon briefly, and then gave a sigh of a resigned nature. He would just say whatever he felt, and hope that it all turned out all right in the end.

[desert]

One olive eye opened and stared at Shino, the glazed look gone, replaced by a pained glimmer as if he was on the edge of tears. His gaze was sharp and intense, such that most anyone would end up taking a step or two backwards if they were fixed with this basilisk-glare.
"Loneliness? You have no idea what loneliness is. Don't talk to be about loneliness. " Aneres said, his voice half-sob half-growl.
To say that Shino's comment was utterly the wrong thing to say to Aneres would be the understatement of the Pass.

[Wolf]

R'xis didn't know that any one was coming for him, as far as he was concerned he was still waiting for them all to leave. He blushed a bit, wishing he had reacted differently-too late now. He proceeded to play with Ersith, watching her spiral gracefully beneath the depths. He dove down to join her, though unable to stay under as long he came out. He tossed his head back, his short blond hair soaking wet. When he finally re-opened his blue eyes after having given them a good rubbing he saw that Ersith was swimming around him in circles.
Show-off, he sent to her, only joking of course. He knew that Ersith never flaunted anything... well that wasn't true. She did take up every opportunity she had to tease him. Those weren't the moments he particularly looked forward to.
What can I say, when your skilled your skilled, Ersith teased him. R'xis reached out to wrap his arms around her neck in a sort of human-to-dragon tackle but she easily evaded him and he had simply lunged at the air. He looked around for her, only to find she had gone back in to the water's depths. He shook his head back and forth, water droplets flying all around-forming tiny ripples on the waters surface.

He wondered if Akki was displeased with him, though her being displeased with any one was something he had yet to see. Oh wait... never mind, there had been that time at the Hatching feast. He had been just about ready to punch that guy... He looked back to the group, every one was still there that had first been there-all except for Rhiyo who was coming his way. 'I guess he wants to go now,' he decided. He swam closer to shore, grinning sheepishly at the fact that his clothes were tossed on the grass. His head hadn't really been clear or else when he had the thought of doing that he more then likely would've decided against it. Drat his thought-process! He looked back over to Akki, she seemed like she was busy in her conversation with another boy in whom he was not familiarized with. He then looked back over to the only other girl here, Hasima, and he knew there was likely no chance she'd look over here when there were so many others over there.

He heaved himself out of the water and pounced for his clothing, grabbing them quickly. Before he even turned to address Rhiyo he quickly pulled his shirt over his wet body, as well as his pants. He fixed his vest, smoothing out a few of the wrinkles.

[abean16]

Shino gave him a knowing gaze back. "You think you're the only one who has these problems." He asked harshly in return. "If so then you're so far off center it's not funny. Don't assume to know my past, it will be better for you. What I'm trying to tell you is this: Lighten up a little." He said this as he walked away, carrying his pack and sitting down on top of the rock, staring into the lake's water with a cold gaze as if he was intent on making the water freeze.

Hirako just sighed and shook her head, crossing her arms. "Great, just what we needed, another conflict..."She muttered under her breath. She looked at Akki... "Well, at least he tried..." She stated simply.

[Akki]

Akki turned her face towards Aneres and smiled slyly, "Now what kind of person would I be if I let you sit here all by your lonesome. Not a very nice one, that's for sure.". She put her arms above her head and stretched for a moment, pulling a face when her back made a cracking noise. She snapped her fingers, and pointed to Aneres, "You ended up with a second chance. That's where you ended up. I would call that a reason to cheer for." As Shino sat down beside them, Akki reached over and playfully shoved him, "Way to go Shino. Now you made me all depressed." She grinned and stuck her tongue out at the candidate.

Hasima felt pretty bad that she had just ended up giggling at Rhiyo's misfortune. She hadn't mean too, but it was one of those situations where it just accidentally slipped out. Fingers still on her mouth, she offered him a small smile, the only part you could see of it was the corners of her lips slowly turning upward. Ebbeth's eye whirled a content green as he chortled, It was unexpected, I have to admit. I didn't think a situation like this would ever pop up. He made eye contact with Rimith and nodded towards R'xis, signaling that her and her rider should come with them so they wouldn't be left standing alone there.

Swimming over to R'xis the blue said for all to hear that were taking place in the soon-conversation, Now now Ersith, haven't you taught your rider not to leave conversations so abruptly? I thought I taught you better. Leave it to Ebbeth to start a could-be awkward conversation, for better or for worse. Him and his rider had around the same conversational skills, mind you, Ebbeth probably had a little more tact than the rider herself. Akki waved her hands to both Shino and Aneres, "Now you two, don't start fighting.". She had a feeling what was going on with Aneres, but wasn't a hundred percent sure. She rested her chin on top of her knees, "Did you know, that a long time ago Ebbeth had fallen for a green dragon? It was pretty cute to see, I won't lie. The green ended up going Between, and just like that Ebbeth was crushed." She gazed out at her dragon, who seemed to be having a pretty good time, "You would never be able to tell now, could you?"

She looked up to the girl, eyes twinkling as she snickered, "Seems like you've come on a very drama-filled day today."

Ooc|| Ahhh, bad post :c Sorryyy~

[kestrel]

Rhiyo hadn't expected to find himself in a situation like this either. Lost memories? Talking dragons? He doubted that there was anything that could possibly surprise him anymore. He was sure that, at one point, he'd been as knowledgeable about everything as they were. He also was sure that he was going to do and say and think a lot of things that others would be surprised by, find funny or that might cause them to stare. He didn't blame Hasima for laughing-it must've been hilarious to see someone react that way to a dragon. He caught her trying to hide a smile, and shrugged and smiled back, before his attention was turned to Ebbeth, who was already in the water and headed for R'xis.

Rhiyo wasn't about to get into the water, too, so he picked his way long the shore, until he was directly in front of where R'xis, Ersith and Ebbeth were congregated in the water. As Ebbeth initiated the conversation, Rhiyo was a bit surprised at his approach. Instead of addressing the blond haired boy, he instead addressed his dragon-Ersith? He hadn't heard the brown's name yet, but for some reason, it didn't sound male. Somewhere in his mind, he strained to understand why he should have thought it would be. He just accepted that there were some things he might feel he knew that he couldn't explain, but would have really liked to know the real reason he'd assumed that she, Ersith, was a he. He called out in as brave a voice as he could muster-considering that it was the first time he'd be addressing this particular dragon,
"Hello, Ersith! It's nice to meet you!" Though they hadn't really 'met', now had they? Well, hopefully they would all come closer so he could talk to them properly-or else he could see himself getting wet, and he wasn't so sure a swim was what he needed right now. His head just wasn't up for it, and he wondered if he'd done any more than just lose parts of his memory. Were any of these people qualified to tell him whether he had or no? He didn't think so, but he wasn't sure of that, either. He would have at least liked some reassurance that nothing else was wrong with him...

He waved at R'xis, after calling out his greeting to Ersith, figuring the boy would probably have turned around in time to look. He was a little more nervous than he ought to have been, and blamed this fact on the reason that seemed best: he was amidst strangers, none of whom knew him, and none of them whom he knew. So, therefore, he was meeting all these people for the first time, without even being able to feel he had much to contribute by way of conversation. If he were to talk to R'xis, there would be plenty of things he could learn about him-his likes, his dislikes, things about his past and present, what his hopes and dreams were for the future. Yet he, Rhiyo...he had nothing to say about himself to anyone, because he honestly didn't know! With this new realization, his anxiety at meeting new people and having to deal with them grew as a new factor that disturbed him. What would he have to offer any relationship, of any kind? He didn't know. That, as much as anything else so far, bothered him a lot.