He's a Lot to Oil
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Xanadu Weyr - Beach

The unerring range of subdued white rises and falls in a multitude of sandy dunes, creating an endless amount of tiny valleys constantly demolished and rebuilt by the frequent arrival or departure of a dragon. Smoothing out as it slopes gently to the edge of the deep blue water, the sand darkens and a shell here and there stands out for children to collect. The beach itself is set along a low cliff - the height lessoning as one heads eastwards, blocking a portion of the beach from direct access.

The wide wide stretch of water opens up to the east, the far distant shore way beyond the horizon and the beach curves ever so slowly round to east and west, distant arms of land embracing the wind-ruffled Caspian Lake. East leads up to the mouth of the Rubicon River, where the protecting cliff is merely an arms length higher then the sand, and beyond that, a winding road leading out of Xanadu's territory. Westwards, the beach narrows as the cliff swings out, leaving a path wide enough for dragons in single file before cutting in to the sheltered cove designated the Weyrling Beach. However, cut in the cliff face to the north are a variety of rough, wide staircases, providing access to the clearing and to the meadow.


It seems that on this warm summer day, Saenkarith's bath has become a family affair, for while Re're is reclining gather lazily on the beach, the brown is host to a trio of children (or teenagers if you prefer). While Dreia is carefully rubbing one itchy spot with a handful of sand, the eleven turn old Derin is settled on the brown's back, cheekily giving directions to his older sisters, ignoring the sun that beats down from just past the midday point.

Down near the water is a little brown firelizard that is currently pretending to be some debris washed up on the shore. He keeps a safe distance from the group on the beach, simply resting there with his tail in the water and his eyes half-lidded. The picture of happiness. When Osric appears at the top of the dunes it could not be said he was as happy as he could be. There's a determination to his movements, and as he scans the beach he frowns slightly then heads down. In one hand he has what once was a meatroll, only the meaty filling remaining.

It seems that Saenkarith has had -quite- enough of the children's so called bath, for his wings are speading and he's beginning to move through the water, down the length of the beach. The girls drop back quickly enough, but it isn't until the brown gives a good shake that Derin goes sliding off his back and into the water with a peel of laughter, hitting the water with a splash. Re're sighs a little, working his way slowly to his feet to throw towels at the three as they come towards him, gaze drifting back to his lifemate as the big brown continues down the beach towards that piece of debris.

Cadwallon is content to only stare at the huge brown as it heads towards him, one foot clutching tighter at some seaweed in a definite 'mine' movement. Osric on the other hand heads for the people with a quiet, "Excuse me." He pauses a second, then heads slightly closer, "Hi. Um. This might sound a little stupid but have any of you seen a firelizard in the last hour or so? About this big?" He measures a small distance between his hands.

When Saenkarith is sure he's dissuaded the kids from returning to him, he's settling down once more, sinking back into the water, nostrils flaring as they remain above the surface, little bubbles forming around them now and again, ignoring the firelizard-flotsam. As the kids dry off, Re're glances at the quiet question, blinking a little. "A firelizard?" A bit of a laugh from Derin and the boy pipes up. "I've seen lots of firelizards, they're all over."

Osric nods back at Re're, "He's a bit… He's still pretty new so he still takes off. A lot. He likes the beach so I thought I'd come down and see. It's almost food time for him so he's usually pestering someone." There's a slightly awakward pause that follows before he adds, "Mind you it's a big beach so the little brat could be hiding anywhere."

"You need… a harness. One of those things the put the whers in." Re're says with a bit of a snort, even as he gives Derin a long look for his smart-alec comments. "I'm sure he'll show up if he gets hungry enough." Saenkarith seconds this opinion from the water with a loud snort, rising out of the water and slowly trudging to the sandy stretch, even as the trio of kids begin to get antsy, and edge away.

Osric laughs, "I need to tie him to me, but then he'd just go back to walking up and down my arm when he's bored and I only just managed to train that out of him." The half meatroll in his hand is eyed for a moment, then tossed a little distance away. Relieved of his meaty burden he wipes his hand down his trousers, adding another greasy mark. This done he offers that hand to Re're. "Oz. Seems only right to introduce myself since I interrupted things."

Dreia is the first to dart away, and the young Derin follows quickly, Aidrea lingering only long enough to give Osric a long look, and a wrinkle of her nose. "Aidrea.." She offers almost haughtily before she took is taking off after her siblings. A roll of his eyes and Re're takes that hand without comment about the grease, nodding quickly. "Re're." A glance to where the meatroll went - a spot now blocked from view by Saenkarith's bulk - and the brownrider looks back to the other. "If you think firelizards are bad…"

Osric watchs the kids dash off, and the look that Adreia gives him. "I do bathe you know." There's little chance of the girl hearing him, and he follows it up with a shrug. The handshake Re're receives is firm, but far from bone crushing. "Yeah I don't envy you that one. Cad's bad enough to oil never mind one that big. No offence." The last is directed towards the dragon himself. Shielded safely from view Cadwallon sneaks forwards a little, eyes intent on the larger brown and, more importantly, that meatroll innard. Slowly he creeps towards it, dragging his piece of seaweed with him in case he needs to pretend to be a twig again quickly.

Saenkarith gives another snort at Osric, shuffling and picking up sand on his damp hide as he goes, sitting to peer almost oppressively down at the two. "I'd say none taken, but you seem as if you've set off Saen.." And the brown's twitching tail reveals annoyance as being at least one emotion of note right now. "He says he's quite easy to oil, thank you." Re're stifles a bit of a chuckle at that.

Success! Cadwallon slithers the last of the distance towards the roll and begins to eat, only pausing now and then to spit out a particularly sandy piece. Osric sensibly backs off a step as the brown looms, muttering another quiet "Sorry. I just meant he's really big. Not that that's a bad thing, it's just a… big… thing." For all he has been at the weyr for some time, being this close to a new dragon still gives him a little spark of obvious nervousness.

"He says he wasn't always big. And that if you Impressed, you'd work your way up, as they grow." Re're says with a little chuckle, Saenkarith continuing to loom, though he does turn to snap at the little brown who's drawn closer. And then the large faceted eye is back on Osric. "I.. I think he's saying that you're to be a candidate." As Saen snorts, Re're pauses before continuing. "Should you wish, that is."

Cadwallon shrieks as he's snapped at, abandoning his meatroll innards to flap round the big brown's head. Unsatisfied by this course of action he divebombs Osric instead, berating him soundly before landing and wrapping his tail as tightly around the young man's neck as can be achieved without actual danger of death. Whether it's this sudden leash or Re're's question, Osric just gapes for a moment. "Sorry?" Fingers tug at the tail-collar, but he's not to be dislodged, "I… um… could you give me a second." He turns away slightly, hand once more tugging at the tail around his throat, "Cad you little freak." Anything further is internalised, but it's clear he's thinking.

At the little annoyance around his head, Saenkarith snorts again - loudly - muzzle chasing the critter around until he's settled on his person, and its only then that the big brown settles down. A chuckle at Osric's reaction and reprimand to the firelizard, and Re're is turning. "You don't have to. As you said, its a lot to oil." Saenkarith lingers for another moment before becoming bored with the wait, starting to pad away.

Osric is quiet for a moment longer, but then nods a little, "Not like it's a guaranteed thing anyway. Um… We do still get time to ourselves though don't we? Only I've been getting lessons and I don't want to have to stop them. I… will you let go you idiot, he's gone." This time the tail loosens a little, but there's a very definite tightening of the talons on his shoulder lest he forget who's really in charge here. "I'll do it." He nods, clearly having come to some internalise decision, "Sure."

"Evenings are yours, unless you cause extra trouble." Re're confirms with a nod, arching an eyebrow at the mention of lessons but making no comment. As the little brown rearranges himself, the brownrider nods. "Good. Move your things to the barracks, Hisolda or one of her assistants will get you a knot." A pause and he flicks his finger. "No booze. No leaving without escort." And then after another suspicious look to him, he snorts a little. "And no sex, either."

"Extra trouble?" Osric laughs, emphasising the extra, "That means we can cause some then?" To the rest he nods, "No booze is fine, though I did have a promise of a trip to Ierne. But with an escort it's fine?" He leaves the sex part out for now, though there's a slight glance at the sand as the word is mentioned. "Barracks are… where exactly?"

"As long as you don't get caught, -I- don't care. But I'd not want to get on V'dim's bad side.." Re're snorts a little, before nodding at the mention of Ierne. "As long as there's a rider, you're fine. Just in case." Turning to leave his departure is stalled by the question. "Know where the hatching arena is?" As if you could miss the ginormous building in the clearing. "Front doors to the foyer, to the right."

"Front door, to the right." Osric repeats with a nod. "Got it." He actually seems pleased about the idea, and content to let Re're leave. After a moment he's still standing there, grinning, and calls, "Re're? Thanks." Another moment and he's turning to head back up the dunes.

"Good luck, Oz!" Re're does toss back after the thank you, the brownrider lifting his hand before cutting down the beach after the now less-sulky Saenkarith, the brown satisfied with the young man's agreement.

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