The Sea and Beach

[Thilwen Nimlondiel]

R'lan nodded, his eyes resting on her face gently. "Sometimes having a quiet place away from things is the best part of life. A place you can really feel alive."

You like her don't you. Ellorth commented to R'lan as he enjoyed his swim in the surf.

You know, I think I do. R'lan told his Ellorth with wonder coloring his mental voice.  

[jc-jade]

How did he know so well what it was like? she found herself wondering. "Exactly. But being completely alone can also be bad for a person. Everyone needs someone." She paused, a trifle shocked that she had said that aloud. "But we're lucky- we've got the dragons and firelizards. Obviously, not everyone does."

Verenna startled herself by once again looking at R'lan, a very faint smile inching its way up her face. He was a nice conversationalist. And a nice guy overall.

She had to look abruptly away from him, scowling, as the thought once again crossed her mind that he was too good for her, being a bronze rider and all.

((Do you want to continue this as if it had happened after the time jump, or instead should we go off and do our own thing to go with the flow of the time jump?))  

[Dragon_Lady_Selene]

((Just so you know, the weyr has now had another time jump. This one is seven months and there are now eggs on the hatching sands.))  

[Thilwen Nimlondiel]

R'lan stood on the sandy beach, regarding the gentle lap of the waves and Ellorth swimming a ways away. The past seven months since he had arrived had gone by quickly. His thoughts turned to Verenna, as they usually did these days. He hadn't had a lot of free time the past few months but he had somehow managed to make time to visit Verenna, and Ellorth had spent more time with Baneth than Ellorth could normally stay in one place without rushing off to socialize.

I just haven't had reason too.

R'lan chuckled.  

[jc-jade]

Verenna aimlessly wandered the beach, aimlessly thinking. She could hardly remember the day before, let alone 7 months ago, everything had been so hectic, but anything related to R'lan she remembered. It was so strange. And Baneth's inclusion of Ellorth into her life had been surprising as well. Normally Baneth insisted upon a "full and productive" social life, wandering about to talk with any and all dragons, but lately she had talked with Ellorth more than any other.

Vaguely, she realized that R'lan stood not far away. "Hey, there," she called out to him, her step quickening perseptively.  

[Thilwen Nimlondiel]

R'lan turned and smiled. "Verenna! Good to see you! It's been too long!"

Ellorth rumbled in amusement. You are transparent, Mine.

R'lan rolled his eyes. As if I'm trying not to be. Besides, you know me too well.  

[jc-jade]

You have no idea, Verenna thought to herself. "Yeah, it has been. Busy much?" she teased. She stepped up closer to him, and craned her neck to where she thought she saw Ellorth in the water. "Hey, bronze guy!" she greeted him.

((See you when I get back in a week!))  

[Thilwen Nimlondiel]

"Yeah, how have you been?" R'lan asked, unable to contain his smile.

Hello, Verenna. You both should join me. The water feels really good.  

[jc-jade]

((Back!))

"I've been absolutely great! And you?" Verenna inquired with a grin. ((I dunno why, but as I wrote that, I was thinking it in a British accent. Call me crazy... sweatdrop )) Addressing the bronze, she said, "Yeah, I think maybe I will! It sounds good to me. R'lan?"  

[Thilwen Nimlondiel]

((Yay!))

"I've been fine," R'lan replied with a smile. "I think I could go for a swim about now." He pulled off his shoes and shirt before wading into the surf.  

[jc-jade]

"Well, that's good." Even though Verenna had hoped for a longer answer, she tried not to let it show, and grinned misheviously, almost child-like. Ignoring basic swimming proticol, she dove in (after quickly shedding her weyrhide riding jacket and boots). Coming up with a laugh, the dragonlady said, "I haven't swam in years! Giving Baneth baths doesn't count."  

[Thilwen Nimlondiel]

"Indeed it doesn't," R'lan said with a hearty laugh. "You know, I would have been even better if there had been more time to spend doing things like this, Verenna."

Ellorth swam over at a sedate pace. Rune was curled up on the bronze's head and chirruped as Ellorth approached them.  

[jc-jade]

A soft smile graced Verenna's features. "Oh?"

Myvonne, her green firelizard, winked in, landing on Baneth's foreleg. Baneth had joined them in the water, and Myvonne wanted in on the fun. Matt, the brown FL, soon followed, and curled up on Baneth's head, glancing at Rune as he did so.

Verenna treaded water easily, calmly. "Why's that?"  

[Thilwen Nimlondiel]

"I have liked you since I first got to know you," R'lan told her. "I could hardly not be better had I more time to spend with you." R'lan regarded her with a gentle expression.

((I may not be on much this week. Vacation time.))  

[jc-jade]

((I understand. I'm leaving again in a few days myself.))

Verenna blinked, under the pretense of clearing water from her eyes. Someone actually wanted to spend time with her? "To be honest, R'lan, I'm not sure what to say to that. I've liked you too, for a long time."

In the back of her mind, Verenna heard Baneth chuckle. The green was up to something, she knew it.