Soaking Up the Rays [Open]

[Boo :3]

"Mmmm... This place is so relaxing..."

The words came from a brunette, the Storm Rider content to lie in the soft and clean sands, soaking up the sun rays. She had even changed into her undergarments: a breastband and some tight shorts, to cover up her underwear. Her trousers and blouse lied off to the side in a huddle, placed on top of a rock and forgotten for the time being. Tanning was one of the many things Saich enjoyed -- and she wasn't going to pass up this lovely day. It was just an hour or two after noon, perfect to soak up the sun -- without risking a sunburn so badly. She sighed, content, before her silvery eyes turned to look at the flitter besides her. The bright Mineral was stretched close to her hip, and seeming to enjoy the rays as much as she did. His bright hide, already capable of rivaling some Sunshines in beauty, glowed with even more grace thanks to Rukbath. To the untrained eye, Sun would look like a Sunshine that was close to rising! Of course, he was nothing of the sort. He was a nice, beautiful Mineral! But that didn't stop others from mistaking him for a Queen. Still, a good tell-tale to his real coloration was the shimmering metallic sheen his yellowish form held. Though, like mentioned before, to the untrained eye it would be hard to distinguish.

"Why, you're enjoying this as much as I am! Aren't you, my cute wittle boy?"
A loud chirp came from the hatchling, his affirmative to his Keeper's comment.
You speak to it as if he were a child or a newborn...
"But he is a newborn, HiaLove."
Yes, but not one of your kind. If you want to go about using such tones, have a hatchling of your own.
"Oh! Hia! Come now, don't say such nonsense. You are far more irritated today than usual, I see!"

The female chuckled, driving off the faint blush that had begun to take hold of her cheeks. The Storm Cloud simply snorted, continuing to soak up the warmth. She was currently on the dry sands, in a nest like bed she had made into the shifting grains. Comfortable there, she had decided to lounge in that spot along with Hers. After all, one of te few things Hialith did enjoy was warm places -- and this place was perfect. A bit too bright and cheery, yes, but still enjoyable to an extent -- for a Storm Cloud at least. Her tail twitched lightly, though other than that her rest of her form remained unmoving. Just a big lump of light and dark gray shades lying around.

[Sparrow]

Oh look, R'kehMine, a someone! Amirinth gave a happy trill and began to circle over the beach, preparing to land. R'keh tightened his grip on the Grass's sides with his thighs, his hands clutching Nip who didn't quite (and what flitt would?) have the stamina to keep up with Amirinth. The little Sand hatchling seemed a little less agressive while they flew, seeming to realize that if she bit R'keh she would risk making him accidentally drop her. The hatchling hadn't ever betweened before and this was not the time to try it.

That's Hialith and Saich isn't it? R'keh asked the Grass, trusting her better vision over his.

Yes. Amirinth folded her wings and dove, straightening out just above the surface of the ocean and skimming along its surface before landing daintily in the shallows. Hello, she greeted the much larger Storm Cloud cheerily.

R'keh slipped off Amirinth's back and released Nip, who fluttered onto his head for a better look around the beach. Her yellow-tinged eyes focused briefly on the brightly colored Mineral in the sand next to Saich and she chirped to him- Nip might seem angry to R'keh but she seemed to cheer up for other fire-lizards.

"Planning to go swimming or just trying to tan?" R'keh asked Saich in a conversational tone, noticing her sparse dress but not paying much attention to it.

We will swim soon, right R'kehMine? Amirinth asked quickly- that was the whole reason they had come to the beach. A break in the water- both dragon and rider enjoyed swimming, maybe Nip would eventually take to it too.

Yes dear heart, he smiled reassuringly at the Grass.

[Boo :3]

Greetings, Amirinth.

The Storm Cloud's greeting was certainly not as cheerful as the Grass' had been, Hialith's tone being more neutral -- though they did held a certain degree of respect. After all, Amirinth and Hers were the Wingleaders of the Terrain Wing. She watched the Grass land in the shallows of the ocean, edging back a bit more from the shore. Hialith liked swimming in the warm lake of the Weyr, but even though she did like water she despised the ocean. It was so salty, it made her hide feel weird. Hence why she was especially cautious not to get near splashing distance of Amirinth. Sure, the green hued dragon was calm now -- but one never knew when a cheerful beast would decided splashing everyone would be fun. Hialith had been through that before with other Grasses, and she did not felt like going at it again today.

"Planning to go swimming or just trying to tan?"
"Oh, me? Swim? No, I find the salty waters a bit to my dislike. However, I do enjoy a good tan, as you have probably guessed."

The female grinned, shifting to a sitting position as she watched R'keh. Her little Mineral had risen from his huddled form, now watching the Sand while he tilted his head here and there. Finally, he gave his Keeper a look, before the female nodded. In a flash he was running through the warms sands, chirping to the other flitter. Maybe she'd be willing to play for a bit? A soft chuckle left Saich lips, before she turned to look at the male GrassRider again.

"But what about you, R'keh? Are you planning to take a nice tan, or swim?"

Unlike Hialith, Saich was quite cheerful and talkative. In fact, the dragon and rider had little to no things in common -- they were almost like opposite sides of a mark. Sun bathing was one of the few things Saich and Hialith did shared -- and enjoyed just as equally -- together. It was odd, in a way, most of the times Riders and dragons did have a few things in common, but these pair was as different as day and night.

[Sparrow]

Amirinth gave the dragon equivilant of a smirk when she noticed Hialith edging away from the water's edge. Oh, don't you like to get wet, Hialith? The Grass's tone carried a tinge of disappointment, swimming with other dragons could be so fun. And the ocean was especially exciting because the salt in it seemed to give it a certain bouancy the lake didn't have, and the waves were fun to play with. She flicked her tail, splashing playfully in the direction of R'keh.

He grinned at Amirinth and kicked at the water, sending a little surging in a weak sort of way towards the Grass. She snorted. But R'keh was talking and could at least reply before gaming with his dragon. "I plan to swim," he said in reply to Saich's question. "It's best in the ocean in my opinion." When he got tired of that though, laying in the sun for a while would be nice.

Nip chirped again, hopping off R'keh's shoulder and fluttering to the sand to join the Mineral. R'keh made no move to stop her, if he had he probably would have only been bitten and then she would have joined Sun. The little Sand hatchling blended in pretty well with the sand at her feet, except for the dense black at the tip of her muzzle and tail. But her camouflage, however useless it probably was here, was better than the Mineral's bright color.

[Boo :3]

Sun was more than glad to see the Sand was willing to play, or at least sun bathe with him at the very least. He was a very social creature, but his Keeper dragon was always so gloomy... It was no fun trying to get games from her. Sure, Saich was lovely with him and gave him all he wanted -- but even the flitt needed a time to socialize with others of his kind, and what best than those that had come from the same hatching as him? As the Sand blended into her surroundings, he was startled for a few moments, unsure to where had she disappeared to. An inquisitive chirp was given, before he noticed the darker spots that moved, and soon managed to find the silhouette of Nip. He scurried over, sniffing the Sand's hide carefully just to make sure she was there, before chirping happily. He wondered what would she like to do to have fun, Sun was willing to do almost anything.

"Well, I plan to continue and sun bathe, though I certainly won't mind you and Amirinth's company. It should be fun to watch you two play. Won't you agree, love?"
Oh yes, Mine. It should be delightful.

The sarcasm that dripped of her Bond's mind-voice annoyed Saich somewhat, though the woman knew the reason for it. Hialith was bound to rise soon again. With a sigh she reflected on that thought for a while. Last time, both the winning chaser and his Bond where chased out of their Weyr the next morning, by both a gloomy and snappy Hialith and a not very pleased Saich. She wasn't quite fond of sharing her private chambers with people she did not knew -- though Flights were unavoidable. Still, it did not mean she couldn't throw out the winner the next morning.

Oh, don't you like to get wet, Hialith?
No, Amirinth, I do not. Not in the ocean at least. The salt makes my hide feel awkward, and I do not find it pleasant. I do like the warmth of the sands and the sun, though. It makes my hide feel nice.

[Sparrow]

Nip gurgled at the Mineral's apparent confusion and turned her head to sniff him too when he approached. Maybe when she was grown up and bigger she would be easier to see in the sand. For now though, maybe she could take advantage of it. Giving her tail a playful flick, Nip scuttled off across the sand, keeping low to the ground and curious as to how well Sun would be able to keep up.

R'keh shrugged and patted Amirinth's shoulder. "I guess we'll apologize ahead of time if she splashes you."

It is much more fun to swim than watch, Amirinth added, although only to her rider which made the comment rather useless. R'keh laughed and this time gave the water a harder kick, managing to get it to spatter across Amirinth's shoulder before he tossed his shirt onto the sand and dove for deeper water. Amirinth snorted, kicked some sand at her rider's shirt to ensure it would be itchy when he put it back on, and followed.

No, salt-grit is not nice clinging to my hide. But the water is very fun to swim in anyways. And R'kehMine will help wash it off after. There is plenty of sand here for rubbing. Definately one of the advantages of telepathic speech, Amirinth could have her head under the water and be chasing after Hers and still be able to talk with the Storm Cloud. You and your Mine should join us. Salt isn't that bad.

[Boo :3]

Sun chirped loudly, the flitt startled as Nip raced off, her shifting hide blending perfectly with the sands. He tried to keep his gaze on the two tell-tale signs of her coloring, before he lost them completely, confusing them for a few shells. Standing and looking about, quite disoriented, the Mineral chirped again, before attempting to pick up her trail. Visuals might not work, but he now knew her scent. So maybe he could find her? He went off, chasing after her scent until he managed to almost bump into the flitter herself. A happy thrill escaped his vocals, and the firelizard flared his wings out in excitement.

"No worries, I won't eat her alive for being soaked a bit. After all, the sun would dry it off. However, I would like not to be soaked purposely, though."

A smile was in Saich's features, the female was quite content to have some company around. Sun bathing was relaxed, but a bit boring when alone. AT least now she could socialize, even if the other would be swimming for a while. Her lack of most clothing was a fact she easily ignored, life at the Weyr had made the female quite... Liberal. After all, what could be worst than waking up one morning and finding a man in your bed -- while only being able to remind yourself that your dragon had flown, though not be able to remember any more details about it? After such experiences, something as being with little amount of clothing along with a GrassRider was almost normal behavior.

I don't know...

The Storm Cloud was certainly not sure about what to do. Sure, Amirinth made it sound like fun -- though fun was a word rarely found in Hialith's vocabulary. Her Rider could sense her dragon being anything but uncomfortable to this idea, before smiling softly as she stood. She didn't liked salt water, but a bit of socialization for her Hia would not be unwelcome.

"Come on, you big lump of coal and smoke. Let's go have some fun."

It took a bit of coaxing, though soon Saich was able to get the Storm Cloud into the water -- after she had bolted right back out a few times, complaining of the cold water. Hialith was far too used to the warm waters of the Weyr's lake, though after a while the dragoness finally desisted her moaning and complaining, sinking half-way into the ocean. She was still reluctant, though at least she was willing to give it a try. Saich was also quite reluctant, the warmth of sun bathing was so much more soothing than the colder water, though she was thankful the sun was relatively high up -- and thus had warmed the waters to an extent. She did not wished to imagine how it would have been should it had been night time instead. These waters would have been freezing cold!

[Sparrow]

Nip trilled enthusiastically to Sun, happy that he had found her again and finding how long it had taken him to do so- and how clumsily, apparently he still hadn't been able see her- very funny. She didn't dart off again this time, but began chattering blissfully away. Nip was a girl anyways, and liked to talk.

Amirinth flared her wings suddenly, they weren't far under the water and the movement wasn't restricted much, sending water surging over R'keh's head. He laughed and twisted around in the water, keeping his eyes shut against the biting salt. The water wasn't too deep here, he could touch the sand below and still have head and shoulders above water. Taking advantage of that, he cupped his hands and started splashing Amirinth. She rumbled happily, tossing her head.

You join us now?! Amirinth gave an excited trill as Hialith and Saich entered the water. She immediately turned to join the Storm Cloud and escort her out to deeper water where they could really swim.

R'keh grinned at Saich. "Decided to join us? Hope the water's not too cold for you." He had, over the ten years of being with Amirinth, built up a better resilianse to cold than most others he knew. The ocean water was nothing compared to some of the things the he and the Grass had dragged each other through.

[Boo :3]

The Sun, though possitively male, was still more than willing to listen as the Sand chattered away -- and even add his own thrills, croons and chirps into the conversation every now and then. Bless the little dear, he was so good natured and sweet. Quite a contrast to Hialith, really -- both in presonality and hide coloring.

The Grass seemed very excited to see her in the waters, though Hialith could not say she felt the same way. As the other came over, slowly escorting her to deeper waters, Hialith was a bit reluctant at first, though eventually she did gave in and followed the Grass. Her Mine seemed hell bent on having her socialize, and the cool waters did felt somewhat refreshing after sunning. Plus, the prospect of a nice wash cheered up the Storm Cloud... Somewhat, at least.

Once in deeper waters, Hialith was more willing to submerge, going rather deep, before rising to the surface to take some air. She looked for Amirinth, feeling her stomach grumbled. Say, Amirinth, you wouldn't know a good place to catch large fish? I am rather hungry, but the herdbeast pens are so far away from here. Well, the Grass had insisted for a swim. Maybe she would be willing to acompany Hialith for some fishing?

"Yes, well... Might as well jump on the bandwagon every now and then, right? Plus, I figured Hia could do with some socializing, it might just get her out of that gloomy world of hers. Though I must say, I keep on missing the warmth of the sands even more and more as I sink in deeper! I guess I'm far too used to the warm waters of the lake."

She gave a nervous laugh, managing to restrain a shiver from the cold. Saich was definitely not used to this. But, it would do Hialith -- and her -- some good. So she might as well give it a try.

[Sparrow]

Nip had felt very content chatting with Sun for a while, but her ever-shifting personality was now begging her to do something with more movement again. But what now? Hers was out in the water, she wasn't sure she wanted to go out there. But he seemed to like it, and Nip's dragon friend. She chirrupped invitingly to her new Mineral friend and leapt into the sky, darting out to R'keh.

Amirinth rumbled happily as Hialith joined her in venturing into deeper waters. And now she wanted to fish? What fun! Of course, of course! Big fish swim in the deep waters. Amirinth will show you. Ducking completely below the surface of the water, Amirinth took off, swimming with powerful kicks of her hindlegs and guiding with her constantly swaying tail.

"I suppose." R'keh laughed and watched the faint dark shadow of Amirinth head deeper into the ocean. Headed after bigger fish? Good luck love, don't let poor Hialith down. Fish, in his opinion, were never very reliable and traveled to much for one to ever say they knew where they were. "And it doesn't take long to get used to the cold, don't worry. Soon you won't feel it at all." R'keh winked. He, at least didn't. It had been a long time since he had noticed the ocean being cold for more than a few quick moments.

[Boo :3]

As the Sand leapt to the skies, the Mineral willingly followed. He just recently noticed His inside the water, and Hialith disappear under the waves. He had thought they disliked these waters. Chirping inquisitively, he landed on the woman's shoulder before receiving a fond kiss on his small head. He then waited, wondering what Nip would invite him to next. He chirped inquisitively, watching the water below. This was, after all, the first time he came so close to the ocean.

Hialith seemed willing enough to follow behind the smaller Grass, drifting through the water like a knife through butter. Very well, Amirinth, lead the way. Her tail kept her in the right direction, while powerful movements from her body kept her speed constant -- much like a terran aligator.

"Yes well... You are definitely more used to it that I am, R'keh."

Saich sighed, keeping her arms close to one another, and wrapped around her torso as she stood there, half dipped in water. Compared to the warm lake the ocean was an icy cold mass of salty water. But, at least, her HialithLove was socializing -- and that was worth any ammount of time in this cold place.

"So, since when have you been drawn to the ocean R'keh?"

[Sparrow]

Nip landed briefly on R'keh's shoulder, living up to her name and biting his ear softly to tell him she was there and saying hello. That done, she looked curiously down into the water, unsure of whether or not she wanted to play in it. Hers seemed content, but her Sun's friend seemed unsure. Of course... she was not a human and Nip's very large cousins seemed to like the water too. With a loud chirp, Nip leapt into the water.

Her half-spread wings caught on the surface and were slapped open and she scrambled for a moment- gasping and flailing in the water before realizing it did not mean to drag her down. Nip's eyes flashed briefly yellow and she snapped at the water only to find her mouth full of a very bad taste. Spitting and coughing, she withdrew sullenly back onto R'keh's shoulder.

Amirinth noticed a few smaller fish flicker past, their silvery hides glinting in the light that made it through to surface of the ocean. She snapped playfully at them, not meaning to eat, and rumbled as they scurried away. Silly fish. We're getting closer! Amirinth informed Hialith excitedly. Little fish always come first, and then the big ones.

R'keh laughed and stroked Nip, giving her reassuring thoughts. That first experience in the water had not been good, but she would learn to like it. "If you move around," he commented to Saich, "you'll warm up faster." Still rested on his shoulder, Nip shivered and pressed against his neck. "The same goes for you," he whispered to the little Sand.

The ocean? R'keh shrugged. "I don't know... I grew up at the Weyr and it's always just where my friends and I would go when it was hot and we didn't have any duties. There were always dragons at the lake. And Amirinth has found that she likes the ocean a lot too, so we just... come here a lot." How exactly could he explain that? R'keh had just always loved the ocean.

[Boo :3]

As the Sand suddenly dove for the water, and flapped about like she was drowning, the Mineral chirped in worry, wings half spread as he made to dive after her. Still, soon she was back on R'keh's shoulder, safe, and Sun let out a relieved croon. His eyes had been whirling with yellows, before they calmed down back into pleasant blues and greens.

"If you move around,you'll warm up faster.'

Well, that part she knew, but she wasn't sure exactly where to move to to warm up better. To be sincere, Saich wasn't much of a swimmer -- hence why she preferred the lake and staying at the shallow parts. Sure, she could float on her back, but at swimming she was no better than a feline -- and sometimes she thought even they did at better job at it than her.

"Mmm, I'll be more pleased once Hialith demands a bath in the lake. She'll want to get rid of the salt in her hide."

The Mineral on her shoulder continued to watch the water, occasionally making as if to dive, before he decided against it and huddled close to the neck of Saich. The female grinned, before grabbing Sun gently in her hands, and lowering him to the water's surface. He screeched, not convinced by it due to the Sand's previous experience.

"Don't worry Sun, calm down. I won't let go of you, just relax."

He still seemed reluctant, though the flitt relaxed in the hold of his Keeper. She dipped him softly in the water, letting him get used to it. He flapped around a few times, before realizing it did not hellp him much, and thus tucked his wings tightly against his body. He was soon paddling with his small legs, still held securely by Saich, but soon he seemed confident enough that the female let go of the firelizard. He faltered a bit, sinking, before beginning to paddle with his small legs again and rising to the surface.

"There we go, that's a good boy!"

Meanwhile Hialith continued to follow Amirinth, her gaze flickering to the smaller fish every now and then. Whenever one swam too close the dragoness snapped at them, making them flee, and on one or two ocassions she managed to trap a few inside her jaws, before letting them go. They weren't worth much effort, they couldn't even be considered a small snack for the Storm Cloud.

The deeper we go, the larger they become?

Granted, Hialith had never gone fishing before, but she had seen other dragons do it. She had wondered how it was and, since she had been dragged into the ocean this afternoon, the dragon figured she might as well learn and give it a try. Who knew, maybe fish tasted better then herdbeast. Maybe she would become used to this and do it more often.

[Sparrow]

Nip watched curiously as Saich helped accustom Sun to the water and looked down at it again. Her new friend hadn't died, he seemed to be swimming alright now. Interesting. She dipped her tail into the water, scrutinizing it again. R'keh laughed and lifted her gently, murmuring softly to the little flitt as he lowered her into the water too.

Nip thrashed briefly in his grip, biting at his fingers and lashing at his wrist with her tail. He only cooed to her, not particularly bothered by her little teeth or the weak strength in her thin tail. Finally the Sand gave up and began paddling as she had seen Sun do. Moments later R'keh released her and she immediately squawked and struggled to paddle back to him.

The rider had thought ahead and placed her a few feet from himself. By the time Nip paddled to his chest she came to the realization that as long as she kept kicking her feet, she could stay afloat. After bumping her head against his chest, Nip turned back and began awkwardly swimming over to Sun.

"It's funny to watch them- wild fire-lizards seem to have no trouble with water, even the hatchlings." R'keh and Amirinth had managed to watch a few wild hatchings, and the first thing flitts did was head for the water, herded by the adults.

"Amirinth would rather just roll the salt off in the sand," R'keh commented, "I don't know what it is she has against baths." The sand here was plenty warm anyways. He looked around, occasionally glancing at Nip to make sure she was alright, and finally located a large rock not far away. "Want to try swimming to that?" He pointed to the boulder, grinning.

Amirinth snapped at a large fish, herding it backwards towards Hialith. Yes, see? Sometimes the big fish travel in even bigger schools. Those are very fun to chase. Her eyes whirled playfully and Amirinth darted quickly forwards again. A few smaller fish either swam off or were blasted away by the dragon's underwater wake. The Grass focused on trying to find a large group of the glinting prey. She preferred herdbeasts over fish, but they would make a nice snack here.

[Boo :3]

This time the fish was not so easily allowed to escape. As Amirinth snapped at a lightly larger fish, and it headed her way, Hialith was quick to snatch it and devour the thing. It was a good appetizer, but certainly not enough to fill her stomach. With a pleased rumble she followed after the Grass, keeping around a feet or two behind the other's tail.

I see. They do sound like much fun...

Fun... It was a word the Storm Cloud was certainly not used to using. But her thoughts were soon snatched away, as teh dragon tilted her head. She could have sworn she had seen something bright flash below tehm. Perhaps a school of fish, liek Amirinth had mentioned?

Let's go deeper. Perhaps they are hiding from us.

Akwardly swimming, the Mineral managed to catch up with the Sand, staying along with her as he continued to paddle around. Small fish swam here and there, and feeling more confident now Sun even attemted to snap at a few of them. His head dove underwater, though always reappeared empty. Catching fish was a harder task that what he had realised.

"Well, perhaps the adults know how to teach them how to swim better than us? Plus, they are still rather hungry when they leave the hatching site, so maybe their hunger encourages them to learn faster. I suppose our flitts live a too pampered life in the Weyr."

Saich smiled softly, watching the antics of the two hatchlings in the water, and noticing Sun trying to fish. Sadly, the Mineral had no success -- though he could not be blamed on his first try, right?

"Want to try swimming to that?"

R'keh's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, Saich turning to watch teh boulder before stammering lightly. It was rather far from the shore, she noticed, and the female did not felt too comfortable in deep waters. She did not knew how to swim, barely how to doggy paddle -- and even then she had almost drowned once. Still, she couldn't quite bring herself to admit to her Wingleader she didn't knew how to swim at her age, It was rather... Embarrassing.

"I don't know, it seems a bit distant..."

[Sparrow]

Amirinth glanced down curiously. Oh yes, let's see! She twisted easily in the water and started deeper. Hialith had been right- there was a fairly large school of large, silvery fish swimming here. You could make a good fisher, Amirinth complimented the Storm Cloud as she darted at the school's edge. Fish scattered briefly in fright before gathering together in an even tighter group. Silly fish.

Nip watched Sun for a long moment, curious about how he kept ducking under the dark waters. She still doubted them and didn't want to go all the way under quite yet. But she could see something glinting tantalizingly just under the surface... The little Sand's eyes whirled uncertainly as she pondered what to do.

"Probably." It wouldn't have surprised R'keh if he were to discover that the natural swimming instincts of fire-lizards had been bred out of them over the years by people raising them away from water. Many used them mainly as messangers or just as company, like a canine. It would be very possible if these flitts who had been with people for generations had forgotten what came so naturally to their wild cousins.

"You can get the fish too Nip," he whispered to the little fire-lizard. She glanced at him uncertainly and returned to inspecting the water. It would take her a while to get used to the ocean, it seemed.

"A bit distant?" R'keh raised his eyebrows. "Bah, it's an easy swim. Not any further away than Amirinth is long." It took a few seconds for the idea that maybe Saich simply didn't like swimming to come to mind. Well... it wasn't as though he couldn't teach her if that was the case. "It'd warm you up at least, and I'll bet the rock is hot." He winked.

[Boo :3]

Thank you, Amirinth.

The dragoness acknowledged the complement from her Wingleader, before following behind the Grass. She watched her herd the group closer, and the Storm Cloud was reminded of herdbeast.Wondering if it would work the same with fish, she attempted to snap at them, before circling around the school of silvery critters. It worked, they had scattered just lightly, before re-grouping in an even tighter bunch. So, choosing the best way to go through, the Storm Cloud dove right through the school -- jaws wide open. A mouthful of fish were trapped as she closed the, taking her time to swallow before going in for a second round. This was ok, but Hialith had the desire of finding something a bit... Bigger.

Is this the biggest fish can be around here?

The shiny little Mineral kept up his tries, again and again an again and again until, finally, a small silvery thing was caught between his jaws. He pulled it out of the water, though in his excitement he chirped -- and the fish slipped back into the water and out of his reach. A piteous ry left him, the Mineral's hopes crushed, before his Keeper cooed to him softly.

"Don't worry Sun, just remember to swallow before you speak next time!"
"A bit distant? Bah, it's an easy swim. Not any further away than Amirinth is long."

His words broke her attention away from Sun, the rider hesitating as she searched her mind for a valid excuse to get out of this predicament. Nothing.

"It'd warm you up at least, and I'll bet the rock is hot."

And here she was just being sorely tempted.

"Oh, it does sound like a lovely idea... Shards. R'keh, to be honest, I don't really know how to swim. And, though it is close by, it seems awfully deep..."

Saich had no desires to go drowning in the ocean any time soon, to be honest.

[Sparrow]

Amirinth snapped up a few fish as they scattered away from Hialith's attack, swallowing them quickly. Bigger fish? Of course! There are always bigger fish. Finding them isn't always easy thouhg. Her eyes whirled excitedly as the Grass shot off through the water again. She had found bigger fish before, oh yes. Amirinth could do it again.

At the sight of a fish in Sun's jaws, Nip leapt off R'keh's shoulder and into the water. She wasn't going to let him really get the first one. She tried darting her head at the shimmering waterdwellers though, and continued to fail. Nip moved too much in the water and all the fish knew she was there. But the young fire-lizard did not want to go all the way under its surface...

R'keh only watched Nip; he would be no better at catching fish than the fire-lizard and probably would only make her worse by trying to teach her. So he encouraged her mentally and turned to glance at the boulder again.

"You don't know how to swim?" R'keh worked to catch the surprise that flickered through his face. He had never met someone who didn't know how to swim before... Hmm. "Well, I suppose I could help you. It's never too late to learn." He grinned at Saich. Learning to swim wasn't hard at all, this could be fun. "I'm sure it's not as deep as it looks anyways."

[Boo :3]

((I'm gonna close this one. I have no muse for it. DX))