Target Practice {Zero/O'rik}

[Zero]

By now O'rik had long given up his slightly aggressive advance and stood looking back to where his green had wandered off, silently trying to urge Kinuth to stop sulking and come back over. He's like you, you see? They're just like us basically! Now get over here! Sighing the young rider shook his head before turning to look back at the other pair as first the amethysts voice broke into his mind and his rider spoke up a little later.

"I caught you off guard?" He repeated with a huff of disbelief and small shake of his head. "I thought he was just a one off thing. C'mon, a green male?" O'rik scoffed and spared a quick glance over his shoulder at Kinuth.

Still somewhat sulking, though feeling a little more confident now that the laughter had stopped, Kinuth pulled himself to his feet and slowly trudged back up the riverbank. If they are like us then why was IyiathsHis laughing? She wasn't laughing at you just the-...nevermind, she just wasn't laughing at you. He gave the green snout a pat as it came down to bump his shoulder. "But I never thought I see another pair like us and another color as well. What's next? Female bronzes?"

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[Zirin]

"Well when I came out here I didn't think I'd stumble across anyone, much less someone like you. I'm allowed to be surprised now and again." She crossed her arms with a huff of her own. As if a green hide was that bad! At least Kinuth could be teased only for his gender; much of Iyiath's unhappiness came from his hide colour being made fun of. She paused, unsure as to what to do now. On the one hand she really wanted to just spill everything, to share her thoughts and worries with the man who had likely shared similar experiences... yet, she didn't want to open up to him. He was a stranger, a man who had appeared from nowhere. Could she trust him with her thoughts?

"I never thought anyone would tease a dragon... especially over something like this. Just because his hide doesn't match his gender doesn't mean he's any less wonderful than other dragons." Iyiath crooned happily, his anger from a moment ago a fading memory already. "We'll prove them all wrong, won't we Iye." The latter was said almost quietly, but there was a fierce determination in her voice. Nym had never been one to just roll over and accept her lot in life.

"You know... a female bronze would have it made. She could just sit on anyone who makes fun of her." She had never really thought too much of the larger colours popping up with mutations. So far they had seemed so untouchable. Aren't you going to socialize Iye? He's not a normal green. He'll understand you. Well, she hoped at least... but it would be the first green her dragon shared any common ground with. I don't like him. He's bigger than me! The amethyst continued to pout and Nym was glad that he kept his thoughts between them. As untrusting as she could be, she couldn't deny that she was thrilled to have met a kindred spirit.

[Zero]

All fair enough points. It wasn't as though he was expecting to bump into someone who just so happened to share some life experiences. Are you going to talk to your new friend now? Kinuth snorted and shook his head, seemingly to have already made up his mind on the matter. No O'rik groaned and dragged his hand across his face, glad for once that the exchange was kept between rider and dragon.

"Fine, pout away." He muttered under his breath before flopping down on the grass on his back and stretching out with a lazy sigh. He had originally come out here to get away from his chores and relax and now that the initial shock of their meeting had worn off he was quite ready to get back to what he was doing...absolutely nothing. "So..." Clearing his throat, Rik yawned and folded his hands behind his head. "Am I correct in thinking that Iyiath's minor variation is the reason you two left Fort for good ol' Rindell?"

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[Zirin]

“You’d be correct. We thought we might actually get to do something other than be teased here.” She replied, leaning against Iyiath and making herself quite comfortable as well. Not to mention you threatened to put a knife through someone’s face if it didn’t stop… Iyiath broadcasted again, forgetting that it should have been something private. He wasn’t the most intelligent dragon at times. She shrugged, “You too right? I can’t help but imagine your guy there was picked on quite a bit?”

In truth, she had so much she wanted to say, to ask. She wanted to know his past, how he had felt when he impressed, how he dealt with the teasing. How could she ask that though… would he want to know her past as well? Sure, she couldn’t help but want to trust him, but trust was something she couldn’t give that easily. With a sad smile, she pulled out one of the fruits she had picked and tossed it at him.

“So you’re at Rindell too right? Why haven’t I seen you around there?” She stretched lazily, “Or is it that you spend all your free time out here?”

[Zero]

The young rider shot his grumpy green a sideways look when Nym made the assumption that they had been picked on quite frequently. Well it was true of course. Why else would he be living with this ragtag little bunch of misfits? Rebellion... It was almost laughable. Though O'rik hadn't made the choice to leave for him alone. No. He wouldn't admit it, least to this headstrong girl, that his big green lump had been the deciding factor. He couldn't stand seeing, and feeling, his friend hurting and feeling lost on a near daily basis. "It...It was just time for a change." O'rik replied at last as he fondly scratched the large green's eyeridges as Kinuth moved to nuzzle his side.

He chuckled softly after hearing the amethyst's words. So she was a feisty one then after all. Perhaps it wasn't just all talk. Ah well, just something else he would have to figure out in due time. Even still, his sea blue eyes glanced her way and skimmed over her form with clear appreciation. What could he say? Feisty was sexy.

Drawing his mind back to the present, O'rik ran a hand through his untidy hair, glancing back across the river to where, in the far background their camp laid. "Yeah, we're here all right. Have been for a few seasons now." At the mention of "free time" he broke out in a sly grin. "Ah well, if by 'free time' you are referring to my time spent dodging chores and slipping off out here, then yes. I stay away from camp as much as possible. If I'm not there eating or sleeping I'm out here or at the beach."

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[Zirin]

Nym would have understood the greenrider's reason for coming to Rindell. She could have handled the teasing back at Fort, but feeling her dragon's sadness each time it happened had been heartbreaking. Even still, it hurt to hear him be teased, it hurt to feel the sad rejection building up in him with each foul taunt. Nymari hated giving up or running away, but for Iyiath she would do anything. What rider didn't feel that way? As O’rik answered, Nymari nodded in understanding. It was a vague answer, but he had said all he really needed to say.

She chuckled as he answered her questions and reached up to scratch at Iyiath once more, mostly an excuse to look away from him; she had to admit, that grin of his was strangely attractive and it unnerved her slightly. “We’ve only been here a sevenday or so and I’m already going stir crazy from the chores.” She didn’t mind doing the work, but counting stock and cleaning floors got rather tedious after the fifth time doing it. She supposed they might not be so different really; she was currently skipping her own chores as well. She could foresee herself skipping out in the future as well.

“For someone who wants to stay away from camp, you sure make it sound easy to find you.” She grinned playfully, wondering how difficult it would actually be to track the rider down out here. The forest was pretty big after all. Well, running into him had made this day significantly more exciting than she had originally thought it would be, and frankly she wouldn’t mind spending more days out here. “Although, I might just have to try the beach next time... Do they ever go looking for you there?”

[Zero]

"Excuse me? I believe it was I who found you, not the other way around. I was quite happy floating down the river." Not that it was easy to hide with a dragon but he wasn't going to tell her that. "Besides...using your dragon's head to balance fruit so you can throw sharp, pointy things at it tends to be somewhat of an eye catcher."

At both riders mention of the beach, Kinuth perked up, his eyes swirling happy blues and greens. I like the beach. Oh RikMine are we going to the beach? Without thinking the green had broadcasted his question for all to hear, much to the dismay of his rider. In fact, O'rik could almost kick himself for even bringing up the beach in conversation. "Not today," he mumbled, turning to look up at his eager companion. In response the young male dropped to the ground in a pout and huffed.

"He seems to think he met a shipfish the other week and has been insisting to go back ever since so I can meet it." Rik ran a hand through his messy hair and shook his head at his dragon. "He's made friends with a fish. My dragon's made friends...with a fish..." The greenrider sighed. He wasn't quite sure why he was bothering to tell her such, potentially laughable, information. Maybe it was because he felt he could, possibly, trust her? He chewed that thought over for a moment before shaking his head. It was far too early to tell, trust was hard to come by after all.

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[Zirin]

“If I recall, you were sinking, not floating.” She shot back, “You mean it wasn't my shockingly good looks that drew your attention?" She feigned shock as she joked, though she fully believed it had been her little knife display that had done the trick. "And I wasn’t going to actually throw the knife. My aim may be spot on but it doesn’t mean I’d endanger him like that.” So she was exaggerating a little bit. Her aim wasn’t so perfect that she didn’t occasionally miss, especially when it came to moving targets. She had been doing it simply to distract Iyiath from his sadness which, thanks to O’rik and Kinuth, was now long forgotten. In a way she thought she should thank him for that, but she wouldn’t, not right now at least.

At the mention of Kinuth’s ‘friend’ and the resulting pouty dragon, Nymari gave a short chuckle. It wasn’t a taunting or teasing sound, it was more a result of how oddly cute the thought of a dragon talking to fish was. "I don't doubt a fish is better company than half the riders here." She herself had never seen a shipfish before, she knew of them only because she had paid attention to her harper lessons, so the idea of seeing a shipfish was actually quite interesting. Iyiath had a completely different response to the comment however. His head perked up, his eyes whirling in excitement and curiosity. You met a shipfish? I’ve never seen one! Are they friendly? He wiggled slightly as he broadcasted the thought, quickly forgetting he had claimed to dislike the green. His voice cracked in excitement as he continued speaking for everyone to hear. Mine! Mine, can we go find a shipfish too?! Can we? Another chuckle escaped her at the thought.

“Sure, sure, you big lump. Next time we sneak off okay? I don’t have the right clothing for swimming today.” She rubbed the pink dragon’s chin, her voice soft as she spoke. She’d do anything to make her amethyst happy, even if it meant silly goose chases and, unlike O’rik, she wasn’t afraid to show her love for her dragon. “Maybe we’ll find that shipfish before he does, wouldn’t that be fun, Iye?” She doubted they’d actually find it, but that was the fun of a good challenge!

[Zero]

O'rik scoffed and rolled his eyes. Him, sinking? Ha! "Shows how much you know about swimming then." Hmph! Sinking, sinking! What nerve! He was very confident in his swimming abilities. Not even a pretty face playing with knives could have distracted him that bad. You think she's pretty? If I say she's pretty then can we go to the beach too, RikMine?

The greenrider twitched inwardly as his companions, still sulky voice, snuck into his mind. Thankfully the friendly green kept the conversation between rider and dragon. O'rik all but glared at his companion still lying prone in the grass next to him. Pretty? Well...she wasn't bad looking, quite attractive actually, but enough to distract him? Never. Or at least he would never admit that a pretty face could distract him.

Before O'rik had a chance to respond however, the young amethyst had jumped up and excitedly began to comment on the beach and shipfish. Kinuth was up in a nanosecond, eyes spinning happily and body practically shaking in his own brand of excitement. The previous "no" from His was forgotten in an instant. Oh, I did I did! But....I forgot her name.

Well so much for keeping the beach topic out of the current conversation. O'rik ran a hand through his hair as he looked between the two excited little dragons. Oh well, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that Kinuth had let his slip talk of his fish friend. Nym and her bonded didn't seem to mind, and no laughing too! Maybe his happy green had found a friend at last.

He cast a sideways glance at Nmy as she replied to her bonded out loud and smirked. "Proper clothes? Who needs proper clothes? Just take what you have off and jump right in!" Well that's how he was before bumping into her. Clothes... Rik thought to himself with a smile and a shake of his head. Silly woman.

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[Zirin]

"I could outswim you any day," She replied with a cocky grin before she could stop herself. Did it matter that she was a mediocre swimmer? Not at all. A challenge was a challenge and, if anything, it would help her improve. Besides, she had seen him sputtering in the water, there was no way he'd pose much of a challenge if that was the extent of his swimming ability. You shouldn't be so confident. You sink like a stone... Her face fell as Iyiath's voice entered her mind and she swatted his hide, glad he was remembering to keep it between them for now.

She has a name? Did you name her? Did she name herself? He was up and practically bouncing on his feet in excitement. It was times like this that Nym remembered the amethyst was still just a child. She grinned, happy to see that her partner was so excited about something; it had been a long time since she had seen him in such a good mood. Running into the green pair may have been the best thing to happen since coming to Rindell. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders, even if it was only for a little while. She leaned back, using her arms to keep her propped up so she could see him.

"And take the chance of some perverted greenrider floating by and sneaking a peek? I don't think so!" She retorted, a light pink on her cheeks as she looked away from him. She may have been pretty open with some things, but her Holdbred morals still made the idea of being naked around men somewhat uncomfortable. Her short time at the Weyr had helped somewhat, but she didn't know if she was quite willing to just strip down and let loose. Besides, she didn't like not having a dagger within arm’s reach! Stop being such a chicken Mine, I would protect you! The amethyst’s eyes whirled in amusement as he, once again, spoke for all to hear, his voice mildly possessive.

[Zero]

"Is that a challenge?" He grinned and his eyes flashed with the spark of competition and excitement of going head-to-head with someone. Getting to his feet he brushed some grass from his clothes before folding his arms confidently over his chest. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge, more so if that challenge came from a female. "Well c'mon then!" He started to kick his boots off and began to tug his still damp shirt over his head. "Don't tell me you're all talk there holdgirl. Let's race!"

O'rik was far from being weyr raised himself but the idea of nudity never seemed to bother him as much as it did others, especially in those he noted were holdbred. So he continued to undress till he was left in nothing but his soft hide breeches and went about setting all the discarded clothing in a neat little pile. He wasn't going to fully undress and risk loosing out or putting off his opponent. He needed a challenge.

Kinuth did fairly well at ignoring His and instead kept his attention fixed on Iyiath. The green gave a sharp little jerk of his head in an overly excited little nod at the other dragons questions. No no, she had her own name, I did not give it to her. The young male rustled and flexed his wings out slightly before turning to His and hopping into a playful stance one normally associated with dogs. RikMine can we go? Please?

Rik rolled his eyes as the green spoke for all to hear once again. "Fine, yes we'll go. Tonight though, after dinner. I've got a contest to partake in... Well," and here he turned to glance over at Nym, a smirk plastered on his face. "That is unless Nymair here chickens out..."

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[Zirin]

"Any time any place!" Nym loved a good challenge, she always had, but truth be told she hadn't thought he'd take her up on it right then and there. in fact, she thought it was just playful banter until the greenrider actually stood and started pulling off his clothing. Inhaling deeply she looked away. Shards, what had she gotten herself into. Maybe today would be a good day to put an end to her competitive nature?

She glanced back at him, relaxing as she noticed he hadn't actually stripped completely. She supposed that wasn't too bad, much preferred to being outright naked... but she would still be without her daggers and the very idea made her nervous. O'rik seemed to be a trustworthy enough fellow, but she had still only met him. What if his friendliness was false? Then the greenrider went and did what Nym could never ignore: taunt her. She bolted up, hands on her hips.

"I NEVER chicken out from a challenge!" She crossed her arms defiantly. If he wanted a challenge, he would get a challenge. Grabbing the hem of her shirt, she started to pull it off only to level a stern look at O'rik. "Don't peak!" She did what she could to make quick work of the process, shimmying out of her clothes until she was down to her undergarments, blushing the entire way. Her daggers were placed on her clothes to keep them clean, creating a rather impressive pile of killing implements. She bolted for water as soon as she could, launching herself in almost gracefully.

Oh Nym, we can't let him find the shipfish first! We'll go too won't we? The amethyst continued wriggling in excitement, though he moved to stand guard over His' things. He pouted when Nym ignored him for the time being. She had a challenge to attend to.

"Well slowpoke? I'm waiting!"

[Zero]

He grinned as his words hit their mark and she jumped up with her hands on her hips. So easy to get someone to partake in a challenge. After all, no one liked being called a chicken. Truth be told he hadn't actually expected her to rise to the friendly (was it friendly?) challenge, since she had just got done with telling him how she didn't have the right clothes for swimming.

O'rik rolled his eyes when she told him not to peak. "I aint lookin' you silly girl." So turning his back on her he wandered up to the edge of the river and dipped his foot in the soft flowing current. He suppressed a shiver. It was only just spring after all, the air might have been warm but the water was still brisk. It was different when he was swimming with Kinuth and had the greens warm body to keep him comfortable in the water. I can do this! Rik thought to himself, mentally pumping himself up, and set his fists firmly on his hip.

What was taking her so long? Had she changed her mind? Before he could fully turn around and shout back her way, a blur of fair skin flew past his side and was soon followed by an ungraceful sounding splash. "I'm not slow!" Well shard it. He had no choice now but to get in the water. Walking stiffly into the water he shivered before looking up river for a marker of some sort they could shoot for.

"See that tree branch sticking out in the middle of the river up there a bit? First one there and back gets bragging rights. On your mark.....get set...." And with a grin O'rik dove into the water, beginning his furious swim for the branch. Yes it was a cheap move but what were you expecting? He didn't play fair all the time.

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[Zirin]

If there was one thing to know about Nymari, it was that she never passed up a challenge, no matter how silly or small that challenge could be. To her, rising up to taunts and teases were second nature, she didn’t have it in her to pass up an opportunity to prove herself. She knew she’d regret taking up the challenge later, when she had to trudge back to camp with wet clothing, but for the time being she would ignore those thoughts. After all, the challenge was more important than her desire to have proper clothing. It was too late to turn back now anyways; she was already in the water and shards was it ever cold!

For a moment, just a moment, Nym thought he might chicken out. In a way she almost hoped he had so she could get out and warm back up again. Then again, if she had gotten herself wet and embarrassed for nothing she would not be a happy girl. Lucky for the greenrider he finally got into the water, only to shoot off before she had even spotted the apparent branch.

“Cheater!” She called as she kicked off and chased after him, well aware she wouldn’t catch up to him. In a fair race she likely wouldn’t have won, but with his head start there was simply no chance. Why agree to this silly race if you know you were going to lose? She heard Iyiath mumble in the back of her mind, clearly confused. Why? Because it was fun and exciting of course! “What kind of man destroys the sanctity of a fair challenge!?” She called, grimacing as she swallowed a bit of water. Of course, if he was going to play dirty so was she! He’d likely be too busy swimming to notice if she turned back before hitting the branch anyways!

[Zero]

Oh and did he swim his little heart out. As soon as he had taken the head start and splashed ahead of her, O'rik tuned everything else out and swam like his life depended on it and only surfacing when his lungs screamed for air. So of course any and all retorts went unheard. He needed to win. He needed to get to that branch and get back so he could warm up and he....How was she already heading back?!

The victory dance he had been doing in his head came to an abrupt halt as he popped his head out of the water to breathe and saw her casually making her way down the river to where they had left their things. "Cheater!" Rik shouted down to her before sticking his head back in the water and starting the swim back. It wasn't as though there were any reason to rush now. Her little trick clearly had him beat.

That's when the pain started. At first he ignored the sudden spark of pain in his calf, thinking it was merely a strained muscle or a cramp, and he continued on his way. It took only seconds for the pain to strike him again, only this time it was ten times worse then the initial blow. All at once the muscles in his leg seized up as what felt like liquid fire ran through his veins. Naturally his first instinct was to gasp and cry out in agony but with his head still submerged all that achieved was half a lung full of water. Visibly struggling he broke the surface coughing, sputtering, and shouting his anguish.

Poison, as that is what the large serpentine creature currently attached to his leg was full of, was slowly working its way through the young riders veins, numbing his extremities and making it increasingly difficult for him to keep his head above the water. Not to mention the pain was enough to want to make him blackout already. Shards. Why did he have to take her up on that stupid challenge anyway?! "Kin...Kinuth!" The green roared and practically dove into the water to rescue His. Moments later the young dragon reemerged, holding his Rider's coughing and choking body in his front claws, before depositing him on the muddy shore. Immediately he got to work stomping the life out of the giant and brightly colored serpent that attempted to make a quick escape and with worried and pain filled swirling eyes he looked to Nym. Please IyiathsOwn, help Mine, please.

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