Splash!

The usually serious Niyath decides to have some fun with her rider and with Hanreth at the lake. Surprisingly, it's Jenna who's the serious one this time out.

Jenna - Thursday, May 30, 2002, 8:17 PM
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Above southwest area of Fort Weyr Bowl(#921RLae$)
The southern wall of Fort's oblong bowl is disrupted by the evidence of an earthslide from Turns past, which broke through the southern bowl and into the lake. The walls on either side of the slide are tall and steep, their inner surfaces worn from Turns of exposure but still wearing some of the marks. The wind is gentler here, as this is an eddy spot below the lip of the earthslide.
Below you and slightly to the southwest spreads the large Fort Weyr lake. You can see that a portion has been fenced off for the herds in the Feeding Grounds to the north of it. Back to the northeast stretches the rest of the bowl, with the large area in front of the Weyrling Barracks and the entrance to the Living Caverns. Farther to the northeast are the entrances to the Junior Queens' weyrs, the Weyrleader Complex, and the Hatching Grounds. There are many ledges to 'weyrs' scattered throughout the walls of the cliffs here.
Contents:
Vtanth(#9000JOae$)

@>> Niyath folds her wings and drops, headed straight for the lake, even as Jenna squeals in surprise.

Fort Weyr Lake Shallows
The northern area of the bowl's lake is shallow and clear. The lake's water is cool, but plenty warm for swimming in by humans. The water never changes temperature year round due to the effects of the hot magma deep below keeping the water from getting any cooler. This area's shallowness only gets over a large full grown human's head near the southwestern section of this area. This section would be fairly nice to wash a dragonet in due to the sandiness and depth. Children and babes could wade near the shore.
The lake gets deeper, more than a dragonlength deep, off to the southwest. Dragons and their riders often dive in to the deep waters. At the southwestern edge of the lake can be seen the collapsed wall. To the north and east are the feeding grounds, and bowl shore, respectively.

@>> From the shore, Hanreth bugles his appreciation at Niyath's plunge.

@>> Niyath surfaces after only a moment. Good thing Jenna had hold of those straps. She is, however, completely soaked and more than a little shellshocked. Niyath warbles back to Hanreth a trifle coyly and is completely unrepentant as Jenna unclips to slide down.

@>> From the shore, J'nas calls from the saftey of the shore, "Do you need a hand out there, Jenna?" The amusement in his voice is not well disguised.

You unclip and slither down Niyath's side to her forelimb, and then drop to he ground.
Fort Weyr Lake Shallows

Jenna shakes her head, slogging to shore and the shallows. "I'm okay. She was just making a point is all." She starts wringing out clothes as Niyath submerges once more.
You wade onto the shore.
Fort Weyr Bowl, by the lake
This long stretch of the bowl lies to the southeast of the feeding grounds. At its western end, near the wall, the ground dips down slightly to where a lake has formed. Dragons are often washed there by their riders, and both riders and their dragons often swim in the cool waters.
The fenced off portion of the bowl for the Weyr's herds is to the northwest. To the north, a small structure built against the feeding ground pens serves as the Weyr's stables. Waves gently lap the shore to the west, and the rest of the bowl lies to the northeast.
Contents:
Hanreth(#3131JOabpqs$)
J'nas

J'nas grins as he watches Jenna wade out of the lake, "What point was she trying to make?"

Jenna grins a bit, looking back to the water, "I was spending far too much time on hides and flamethrower parts. If even /she's/ saying that, it must be true."

J'nas nods and skips a stone across the water. "I guess it is time to relax if Niyath is telling you to. Did she make any suggestions?"

Jenna smirks. "Scrub me, and oil me were her main concerns. What're you two up to? Just getting away for a bit?"

"Hanreth likes to do that once in a while," J'nas comments. "Occassionally, he likes to get away from the bustle of the bowl and just talk. That surprised me the first time." He gestures toward his gitar leaning against a stone. "Today, I was playing and he was listening."

Jenna shakes her head a bit. "I keep forgetting you were a harper. There's such a difference between you and - well, nevermind. Was I interrupting? I could go..."

J'nas snorts with amusement. "I figured that was all cleared up by now. I was /raised/ by a harper, but I never actually /became/ one. You aren't interrupting. Hanreth got distracted by Niyath's splashy entrance." As if to accentuate the point, the young brown warbles to Niyath.

Jenna ohs. "Well, you play so..." Her expression is a trifle wistful. "I haven't been down to the Hall in ages - oh! But did you hear? We can leave the weyr for the coverage area, long as someone comes with us."

J'nas' demeanor brightens. "I heard! I'm waiting for a chance to fly down to the Hall. It's been, what, nearly two Turns since I've been down there. That, and we get to stretch our wings and fly farther."

Jenna nods. "Sometimes, it doesn't seem that long. And others, it seems far longer. I've not really had news from there in ages." She watches Niyath as the gold finishes her wallowing to come and drip dry on shore, fanning her wings lightly as she does. "Those straps are never gonna dry, Niya - here." She starts unbuckling them.

Niyath wades out of the lake.
Niyath has arrived.

"Are you planning on flying anywhere in particular?" J'nas asks. "I heard that there is a gorgeous lake somewhere in the mountains."

Jenna mms. "The hall. And I've been to the lake before. I could prolly find it from the air. It's right around Ruatha. Just have to find a rider headed that way who was wiling to fly it straight."

Hanreth fans his wings toward in Niyath's direction in an attempt to blowdry her hide. J'nas ignores his lifemate's antics and continues his conversation with Jenna. "Personally, I can't wait to fly between. There are so many people haven't seen in so long. Until then, I'll be happy flying to the Hall on a regular basis."

Niyath croons in appreciation, shaking herself rather liberally, water flying everywhere and helping the cause further. Jenna nods slightly. "Most of the people I'd like to see are around here. And, well, Igen. And a couple up at the Reaches. I want to see if Redus and Carianna got married or not. And, well, to be honest? I'm not sure if there's really a reason for me to go down to the hall or not."

J'nas raises his hand to shield his face from Niyath's droplets but remains focused on Jenna. "You know people at Igen? That's one of my planned stops once we're allowed to go the distance." He chuckles at mention of Redus and Carianna, "I heard that they had. Never did confirm it, though."

Jenna nods. "Terrilia, and a few others. And my brother was searched there."

Niyath> Hanreth senses that Niyath says a trifle coyly, << Thank you for your help. I am very nearly dry. >>

Dragon> Niyath senses that Hanreth is unusually courteous, << I am glad to help. Sometimes I like to dry faster. >>

J'nas takes note at the mention of Search. "Is he standing for the current clutch?"

Jenna nods. "I only hope we're flying between before the eggs start rocking." Niyath twists her head slightly, regarding Hanreth for a long moment before settling next to him and stretching out, careful of her wings. "It's M'val's bronze that sired it. He's Miritha's son."

"I hope so, too," J'nas admits. "I have some childhood friends standing for this Hatching. Some of my mother's students are there, too. I'd like to see if any of them Impress." Hanreth whuffles Niyath as she makes herself comfortable. This elicits a quizzical look from J'nas.

Jenna ohs? "Who do you know that's standing? - You know, it's kinda funny how small the world is sometimes. Us both to have people on the same sands at Igen after impressing together here. Did you think you'd be here a turn ago?"

Niyath demurely turns her head away from Hanreth and settles more comfortably. Her tail, however, flicks over to take a playful poke at his. Odd for her - apparently it really *is* playtime.

J'nas ticks off a count on his fingers as he names people he knows. "...Joshi, and Chayil." He chuckles at the last question, "Shells, I was only visiting my mother when I was Searched. I didn't expect to stand, let alone Impress Hanreth."

Hanreth cranes his neck to regard the golden tail. With a quick twitch, his own tail accepts the challenge.

Jenna mms. "I'd heard Chayil mentioned down at the hall - and I think I met her once, but I'm not sure." She gives one last twist to her tunic and then gives up. "I will say it's honestly something I never expected. I think if I'd thought it through, I might've said no. Wouldn't that have been odd. - Not that I'm regetting impressing. There were just a lot of things I didn't think through."

Niyath's tail whips back on her side of the 'line' between the two. Tag. You're it. Her head remains down, watching Hanreth out of the corners of her eyes, facets gleaming in the gathering darkness.

J'nas grins. "I wasn't capable of thought when Maarie asked me to join the other Candidates. I even forgot the fact that Jenufa offered me a position at the Hall. Of course, I'm glad I accepted."

Jenna's smile is slow again in coming, though it's definately there. "Same with me with P'ter. First it was 'of course', followed hard with 'oh, not again!' Not everyone was so pleased, but..." She shrugs slightly. "Like you, I don't regret it. Maybe... a bit disappointed. So many things have changed."

Hanreth is still focused on Niyath's tail. His eyes whirl with mishchief as his tail snakes out and makes contact with Niyath's rump.

Niyath starts slightly. Ahem! Those are her hindquarters, not his thankyouverymuch! The coyness is just an act, as she bats at his tail with hers, eyes gleaming a bright blue.

J'nas nods in agreement. "Things /have/ changed. Some for the worse, but I think mostly for the better. It's whole new life ahead of us."

Hanreth yanks his tail back. He would curl it up if he was capable. He gives Niyath a look that could only be described as apologetic.

Jenna eyes Niyath for a moment, her expression vaguely suspicious. Then she turns back to J'nas and says, her tone amused, "Oh, c'mon, J'nas! We're supposed to be able to have it all, aren't we?"

Niyath> Hanreth senses that Niyath's tones are utterly disappointed. << You stopped. >>

J'nas gives Jenna an amused look. "All? Are you getting delusions of grandeur?" he teases.

Jenna says drily, "Just ask F'niah. - I mean, well, why can't we? Granted, we're weyrlings and certain things are putting a crimp in, well, just about everything." She darts another look to her mate. "But theoretically?"

Hanreth raises his head to look Niyath in the face. He croons to the young queen, even as his tail makes a sneak on his sister's own.

Niyath is fished in. Well, no one ever said she was a brilliant tactician. She lifts her head to rumble sweetly to Hanreth, not noticing the tail closing in on her own.

"Is that what F'niah thinks?" J'nas is actually surprised. "He should know better than that. We can't have /everything/. We are responsible for the wellbeing of Pern. Granted, we have a lot of leeway, but we shouldn't get carried away with it."

Jenna shakes her head. "No. That I have delusions of grandeur." She rolls her eyes a bit.

Hanreth takes advantage and snaps his tail out. He practically crows at his success of misdirection.

J'nas sighs, "Oh, that. When are you going to stop letting him get to you. I like Sef, but I don't think he's all there."

Niyath gives a rather undignified bleat as she catches on a hair too late to the tactic, tail soundly thwapped. Hm, well two can play at that game. She stretches her neck out to whuffle at Hanreth's, as her tail sneaks - well, let's say flops, she's really not too clever at this - in towards the brown's own rump.

Jenna shrugs slightly, "It doesn't bother me." Liar. "I just wish he'd get over it is all. I have way too many things to do to worry about what he thinks of me." She really is a terrible liar, looking away towards the caverns.

Hanreth is facing Niyath, but his eyes are watching the flopping tail. Curious to see how the gold will proceed, he pretends not to see through her ploy.

J'nas snorts, "He isn't going to get over it in the near future. F'niah's still trying to figure out how girls work. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was a clumsy attempt at flirting." He follows Jenna's gaze toward the caverns but doesn't say a word.

Jenna frowns faintly, blue eyes coming back to him. "That's not funny, J'nas."

Niyath forgets to hold Hanreth's attention, rumble dying out mid distraction as her tail reaches out to try to tag him solidly on the rump. So much for smooth.

J'nas holds his hands up defensively. "I'm not trying to be funny. Having been that age once, I'm just pointing out that it's a possiblity."

With a quick hop, Hanreth shifts his hind end just out of reach of Niyath's tail.

Dragon> Niyath senses that Hanreth encourages, << A nice try, but you need to practice your approach. >>

Niyath blinks at Hanreth and then attempts to look innocent. Jenna twists about to give her mate a dark look before saying, "Well, don't even think it. Last thing I need is for him to think that *I* think he's got a crush on me or something. Besides, Niyath doesn't like it when people are close to me."

J'nas clears his throat at gauges the distance between Jenna and himself. "Just how close does she allow people to get?" He glances at the two dragons with curiosity.

Niyath> Hanreth senses that Niyath demurs, << I wasn't trying anything. >> And if you believe that, there's some nice swampland in Boll... << Your hindquarters were just >> there? Around? In the way?

Jenna says mildly, "I haven't tested it, to be honest."

J'nas glances at Niyath, "I don't think I want to test it, myself. I heard she can be /quite/ protective."

Dragon> Hanreth bespoke Niyath with << Were just what? >>

Niyath> Hanreth senses that Niyath considers and finally comes up with, << Well, you did it to me. >>

Dragon> Niyath senses that Hanreth accepts Niyath's reply, << That is a good enough reason for me. >>

Jenna shrugs slightly, "She's distracted right now. Hanreth's keeping her occupied. And it was F'niah trying to kiss me."

J'nas wrinkles his nose, "I've been wondering what he was thinking when he tried that. I can't imagine K'fen was too pleased about it."

You say "Ah, well, you know K'fen. He never gets really bothered about anything. And who *knows* what F'niah's thinking. I doubt even he knows half the time. But, I guess since the other dragons mature faster than golds..."

Niyath> Hanreth senses that Niyath points out, << You were the one that moved. I think you just don't want to be next to me. >>

Niyath's tail snakes out, this time a bit lower profile, as she engages Hanreth in conversation.

J'nas rubs the back of his neck as he ponders this information. "I haven't thought about that. I wonder if that's having an effect on him. I never considered going through that time of life with a dragon."

Dragon> Niyath senses that Hanreth rebutts, << I was avoiding your tail. Why would I stay away from you? >>

Having thought the subject had changed, Hanreth remain oblivious to Niyath's sneaky tail.

Jenna snorts faintly. "What 'time'? Discovering girls? Or boys, as the case may be."

J'nas nods. "That's about right. Between discovering whatever it is that interests him, his body maturing all of a sudden, and dealing with a mature dragon, who knows what is going on in his head."

Niyath> I bespoke Hanreth with << Oh. Is *that* the point of the game. I thought the point was to have fun. >>

Niyath's tail moves as she shifts, pretending to look away from Hanreth. The new position is just enough to get the tip of her spaded tail within reach to take another swipe at Hanreth.

Dragon> Hanreth bespoke Niyath with << The point is to have fun. It is more fun if I don't just sit like a lump, is it not?" >>

Jenna says mildly, "I've little enough use for boys, and even less for ones that are only interested in a pretty face and a well turned skirt. I've had more than enough of that sort ignore me to last a lifetime."

J'nas slowly nods once. "I see what you're saying. I'm just not sure how you can take care of the situation, short of telling him to leave you alone. Unfortunately, you can't since we all live together in the barracks."

Hanreth has been suckered by his own tactics. Evidently, conversation is just as effective as 'sweet-talking'.

Jenna sighs. "Well, we should be getting our own weyrs soon. Niyath already has taken to sleeping out in the bowl most clear nights. She just doesn't fit on her couch anymore. And, I guess when the greens start rising, that'll sorta end most of the restrictions. Except drinking." She pauses and then mms. "Hm. Wonder how they'll handle that one if the boys start chasing?"

J'nas chuckles, "I think once the first green rises, /all/ of our restricitions will be lifted." He looks over at Hanreth and rolls his eyes. "It seems that Hanreth is getting ideas from Niyath, now. Where does Niyath sleep that she doesn't get in the way?"

Jenna mms, "Along the wall? Right in that curve as the barracks juts out. I usually crawl out and join her after bed checks." She pauses as Niyath gives a triumphant warble at her success. "And on that note, I think I need to put her to bed before /she/ gets ideas from Hanreth." Her tone is faintly amused.

"That's a good idea," J'nas agrees. "I think I'm going to stay here with Hanreth for a little while longer. You two have a good night. I'll see you in the morning."

Jenna nods. "Sleep well, J'nas. Come on, Niyath. Hanreth will still be here in the morning, I promise." She corrals her mate and heads back towards the barracks after a quick look back and a bit of a smile.