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Tinanath perked up in his wallow at the message from his brother. Mine, Micheth's rider requests our presence at the beach. Frankly the blue welcomed the opportunity to get out of the barracks, and he was sure His would as well. Ph'ton had been lost in studying all day and they hadn't had a lick of fun. They hadn't done anything! Maybe he could get His to play!

Ph'ton looked up from his book and shoved his dark hair out of his face. "Oh? She does?" His mood perked up immediately. Since they Impressed their dragons, they hadn't had much chance to be together, not like they had before, when they were just candidates. "Did Micheth say why?"

To watch the stars...

Slapping the book shut, the bluerider stood so quickly he knocked his chair over. "Let's go!" he grinned, and he and Tinanath ran for the entrance of the senior weyrling barracks. Tinanath was big enough now that Ph'ton could ride him, so he climbed onto the dragon's bare withers and with a few quick flaps of Tinanath's wings the pair soared across the weyrbowl and down to the beach. Ph'ton slid off onto the sand before Tinanath had even landed, and his grin widened when he saw Jailla.

"Hi," he said happily, plopping onto his rear next to her. "Shells, I've missed you."

Tinanath trotted over to Micheth and nuzzled his brother. Greetings, brother mine. I gather you and Yours have been busy? Too busy to say hello to me and Mine?

"I kept wanting to see you too," replied Ph'ton, barely resisting the urge to take her hand, to reach out and touch her silky copper-colored hair. No contact yet between them, those were the rules. He sighed. "Yeah, it feels like the closer we get to graduating, the more lessons they give us. So much to cram into my brain, my head's gonna burst!" He held his head in mock agony, then plopped his hands into his lap and looked over at Jailla. "I can't wait til, y'know, we can hold hands again."

Tinanath laid down on the sand and tilted his head. Much to say? Hmmm. Micheth's rider Jailla had always seemed rather soft-spoken, or maybe it was just she had a hard time getting a word in edgewise with Ph'ton. He loved His, of course, but the young man had a tendency to speak what was on his mind at the exact moment it occurred to him. Do you have any idea what it might be about? The blue had forgotten about playing in the surf -- this was much more interesting.

Ph'ton nodded, a big happy smile on his face. Their own weyrs! That was going to be exciting! He and Jailla would be able to get together whenever they wanted! And do pretty much whatever they wanted! He hoped they got assigned to the same wing, though the odds of that were kind of slim. But! Their own weyrs!

"Yeah! That's gonna be great! Um, the best stargazing spot?" The young man tilted his head in thought, looking up at the crystal-clear night sky as he pondered Jailla's question. "Hmm. See, I would think down here on the beach -- there are those beach weyrs with sand wallows for dragons that would be perfect, I think. Or maybe waaaaaaaay up high on the wall of the Weyr bowl. You need someplace you can set up like... whatever you use to look at stars." He looked over at her and nodded again. "That's what I think."

Tinanath casually eavesdropped on Ph'ton's conversation. They were talking about living quarters. It was kind of interesting, the things they were taking into consideration. Stargazing? They're talking about best stargazing locations. What does that have to do with feelings?

Rising, he shook the sand off his rich blue hide. Yes, I think a walk in the surf is an excellent idea, brother mine. You can expound upon your advice to Yours and living together.

"You know," Ph'ton said, leaning a little closer to Jailla, "I like the idea of a beach weyr too. The sand and surf right there, right outside my door, going to sleep with the sound of the ocean in my ears... Maybe -- maybe we could get weyrs next to each other?" He looked at her, brown eyes large and hopeful. "You know, so we could... be closer and stuff?"

Tinanath whuffled in agreement. I don't understand our riders either. If it were left to me, I would choose the place with the best wallow! And I think the best wallow is here on the beach. The sand feels so good on my hide... He let his thoughts drift off to warm sand and water, sleeping under the stars and frolicking in the waves. Ah, bliss.

His brother's question caught him by surprise. Living with you? Of course I would not mind! Tinanath stopped and eyed Micheth. You are my brother, we are closer than brothers even. I would not mind living with you at all! He snorted and raised his head imperiously. If you like, I can work on convincing Mine that living on the beach is the best solution.

"I think they would," Ph'ton nodded happily. She agreed! She wanted to be with him! Even living next door to him was wonderful! He knew full well they could get in trouble for even talking about this, but it was important for the future. Their future. Following her gaze, he watched Tinanath and Micheth rise and shake the sand off their hides and head to the water. "Yeah, I really think they would." He turned back to Jailla and grinned. "We'll have to talk to Liat, y'know, let her know what we'd like to do. I'm sure she'll say it's okay! I mean, like when it's time to pick our own weyrs," he added sheepishly

Trotting ahead of Micheth, Tinanath reached the edge of the water and let the waves wash over his feet. Yes, this would be an excellent place to live. All the swimming we wanted! He frolicked for a little bit, heading further out into the sea before turning and, dipping his muzzle into the water, splashed Micheth playfully. Think of the fun we'll have!

Ph'ton watched the two young dragons splash each other. His hand reflexively reached for Jailla's, but he remembered the rules and stopped himself. Shells, it would be great to be able to hold hands with her again, to touch her and wrap his arms around her and keep her close. How long until they were clear to do that again?

"Uh, yeah, Tinanath is super playful," he replied, sitting back a little bit so he wasn't tempted. "I guess it's just their different natures or something. Micheth is serious, Tinanath is playful. Though he can be serious sometimes too, especially if he wants something or has a set goal in mind." All trace of problematic feelings faded as he looked at his beloved blue, and he smiled. He couldn't imagine life without Tinanath.

Come, brother mine. With a flap of his wings, Tinanath lifted into the air, only to intentionally drop back down into the shallow water with a splash. He immediately ducked his body down into a play bow, holding his head just above the incoming waves so he wouldn't get a snoutful of seawater. Come play! Let's swim and frolic in the waves!