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The following is a log of roleplay from SouCon MUSH (soucon.godlike.com 4201). The world of Pern is copyright Anne McCaffrey, 1967. The dragonriders of Pern is a registered trademark. The following was logged by Foloran and Laemir of SouCon MUSH and posted by Joslyn of SouCon MUSH.
The following is a "choose your own adventure" type log (Foloran said so ;). As you go through, there'll be various links. If you ignore the links and read straight through, bear in mind that some of this was occuring simultaneously in different rooms.
Laemir rolls over onto his side, the cot giving a grumbly creak as the carpenter shifts. His lips smack together a few times, then his eyes slowly open. Once he rubs his eyes, he lifts slowly, his tall frame bumping the ceiling, hand going quickly to his head. "Ow! Shardit! Stupid ceiling!" comes his disgruntled cry.
Foloran blinks his eyes open, and nearly falls out of his (now empty) bed. He recovers, though, and stares up at the top bunk. "You ok?"
Laemir leans over the side, fingers curled around the steel frame. Long strands of jet black hair flutter downward, loosened from his runnertail. "Besides breaking the bones in my head? Yeah...." Another rub gives him a grimace, so he stops, flopping back onto the cot. Probably some dust trickles downward.
Foloran lets out a soft groan as he sits up, decidedly sore from all that dancing...and the other activities of the night. "Gah... Now I remember why I never go to dances.." Oh, did I mention his clothing is all strewn around his bed?
Laemir lays his arm across his eyes, hand laying limp. "Now I remember why I wanted to say 'No' to the question, 'Want more wine?'
Foloran lets out a soft laugh, poking the underside of Laemir's bed. "See, that's why I don't drink that stuff at all. Fun when it starts, but painful the next morning. Need me to get you anything?"
Laemir rolls to the side a little as if avoiding the poke. That brings out a quiet moan. "Faranth's bucket of brine, Fol, too late, too much from the skin, too long a walk back from the beach..." His arm raises to reveal one red eye. "How about you? Get much sleep last night?" Granted, it may seem like an odd question, but then it was an odd night.
"More than I have in a while, yeah," comes Foloran's reply - slightly muffled, since there is a matress between the two of you. He doesn't take any insinuation from the remark - remember, Fol's a bit dense sometimes, especially early in the morning.
Laemir's leg lifts to bend at the knee, waving back and forth slowly to each side. "Gotta give it to Southern, sure do have great parties here." There's a subtle lag while he does some remembering. "Better'n Ierne, that's for sure."
Foloran lets out a bit of a chuckle. "I never went to any parties in Ista.. Don't have much to base my decisions on.. Last night was definitely..interesting, though." He stretches out his arms and legs, and lets out a mighty yawn. *yawn* See how mighty it was?
Laemir can't really see the yawn, so he's not impressed. "Whatcha think of Jayla, hmm? Quite the sexy one?" There's a fingertip tracing invisible designs on the wall by his cot now, as he goes quiet to listen to your response.
Foloran sorta goes silent for a moment or two before he answers, nice nervous tinge to the voice. "Yeah.. Interesting outfit she had on last night, eh?" Looked nicer on the floor next to Fol's bed, but..well...
Laemir nods, but of course that's more for him than you. His stomach gets a lazy scratch right around the bellybutton as he continues, "Was, yeah. Wonder why she had the cloak on when she looked so good without it?"
"For effect, probably," Foloran says with a shrug (that goes unnoticed by you, of course). "You must admit, it was intriguing.. Had everyone guessing what she had on beneath it." And then beneath that...
Laemir continues, still drawing small designs that look almost like the gazebo that was just built if his finger'd be a bit of charcoal. "Seems you didn't have to do much guessing, huh?" comes his pointed parlay. More silence.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Foloran tries to play dumb. Maybe Jayla snuck out before you got back, he thinks to himself. He /was/ exhausted after their little romp. He fell asleep. He has no clue when you got back. Poor guy's nervous as hell, now.
Laemir lifts his bare rump up and down on the cot, causing it to shake, coupled by small short creaks. Maybe that'll drive the point home? Wait.. nah, he won't say that.
Foloran's face scrunches up, and he punches the source of those creaks, on the bottom of your matress, impacting on one of your low-points. "Yeah yeah yeah..so you saw.." Now he has no clue what to say, though..
Laemir yips softly, sitting up awful fast. "Hey! Whaaa.." he sputters, bumping his head yet again. "OW! Shards! I HATE this ceiling!" Rubbing didn't seem to help, so he swings his feet over the side of the cot, yanking the light sleeping cloth up to his head. "Yeah, saw enough."
Foloran lets out a soft chuckle - see, it's ok to be amused at pain, sometimes - and reminds, "It's your own fault for choosing the top bunk." The chuckle fades, though, and he glances up (at your feet), "Are you..ok with that?" With what you saw, he means.
Laemir reaches to the press, thrashing around in it to find his pants. "Ah, yeah, here they are." he says softly, "Do I mind if she checked out the underside of a runnerstallion?" There's a pause as he thinks about that. "Dunno, exactly. I guess it's up to her who she chooses to share her bed with."
Speaking of which, Foloran starts gathering up his own clothes, and begins the painful process (since he's sore legs and feet from dancing) of dressing. "Well," he replies, "she was.." He can't remember where he was going with that, though, so he tries something else. "I thought she was going after you, actually.." There. Your ball.
Laemir shakes out his pants, then flips them over the side of the cot, the legs snapping so close to your face. "She was, but when I wanted to speak with her, she was doing that... don't talk, hide under that thing... kinda game. Don't like games, never did. It's clear you won her fair and square, so.."
Foloran suddenly feels a bit..guilty, like he stole the girl from you, or something. "I was just tryin' to win that bet. I didn't think we'd.." This is where his voice trails off, picking up anew with, "We both just needed some company, I think." And company, he got, didn't he?
Laemir stuffs his feet into his pants, then yanks them upward. A few wiggles get them installed. "Pfft. Company? Seems like more'n that, don't you think? Well, if she's what you want, I'll not be the one to get in the way. People make choices, ya know. So. Was she good in bed?" Hard to tell what he's thinking there above you.
"Well, she and I sorta agreed on a casual, and /quiet/," Foloran stresses that word, "relationship. So, ya can't tell anyone, ok?" And now onto the question, "For it being her first time? She was incredible."
Laemir doesn't answer your first question at all. "Casual? You mean rolls in the cot just a few times a sevenday? Don't think I could see my way to let my woman do that with someone else, but I guess it's different with me. When Bry and I were together, I'd pull my beltknife if anyone tried to put one little finger on her. Course, that was a long time ago."
Foloran lets out another soft groan, leaning his head down and resting it in his hands. "No.. Casual as in we keep a low profile, and give things time, and see what happens. Last night was something we both just..needed." A lot, from the sound of it. Oh yeah, "But we have to keep things quiet. Please don't tell anyone..?"
Laemir lets go with a chuckle, but it's almost a hoarse one, stiff perhaps. "Needed it, eh? I had a few days like that, yeah." His next words are muffled as he shakes out his tunic then pulls it over his head. Sounded like an answer, but that's not clear.
"Hmm?" Foloran directs, promptingly, up at you. He wants a clear answer, and won't rest until he gets one. "What was that?" He's almost finished getting dressed..and in his casual clothing today - yay.
Laemir rolls onto his stomach, then eases down to the floor. The chair off to the side supports him while he tugs on his boots. "That your first time too?"
Foloran ohs, and shakes his head. A slight grin curls his lips upward. "Got..seduced by a proddy greenrider my third day here, actually." The grin falters for a moment..but you don't see that, so it doesn't matter much, does it? Oh yeah! Boots! Fol's got some of them. Might as well put them on, too.
Laemir yanks the second boot on, his foot giving a little smacking sound as flesh hits leather. "Better'n I did," he acknowledges. "I hear they get pretty wild. That right?"
"Let's just say I'll never look at that lake the same way again," Foloran comments suggestively, standing up to straighten out his clothing. "We sorta got interrupted, too..by another proddy rider. That was an odd night."
Laemir woos softly, then looks at the Steward with an entirely different look. A lopsided grin is given as he says, "Two and one? My kinda odds, yup."
Foloran laughs, and shakes his head. "No, no.. It wasn't like that. She came by and yelled at us for having sex in /her/ lake." He grins. "As you could imagine, neither one of us were too thrilled with her. Eventually, she just went away."
"Well," Laemir says, grinning back, "If you ever have two of them and want to share, you come find me, eh?"
Foloran grins again, and nods. "I'll definitely come get you. I don't think I could handle two proddy riders at once. They'd wind up tearing me apart." Granted, he'd die happy..but still.
Laemir raises a palm toward you, as he laughs, waiting for a return smack. There's a wink to you as he replies, "Bet ya could, sure, you seem like a strong kinda guy."
Foloran? With those scrawny arms and legs? Fast? Yes. Quick on his feet? Yes. Surprisingly so. But strong, the lad is not. He grins, and shakes his head. "Oh, no. Trust me. They get a bit..overzealous when they're proddy. You'll see.." Eventually, I'm sure.
Joslyn walks over from the Garden Cottage Clearing.
Having never been in here before in her whole life more than likely, Joslyn has to look at least a little curious about her surroundings. But she's got a purpose this time! (Shocking, I know.) With a definite drive to her generally languid stride, she steps in and looks about for someone in particular, hm.
Laemir's back is facing Joslyn so he's oblivious to her entrance. "Two proddy greenriders at one time. Now *there's* a thought." He chuckles, then shakes his head, slapping his knees. "You really *are* quite a man."
Foloran, having just finished dressing, glances up at the door, quickly stopping whatever conversation he had with Laemir. An eyebrow raises, and his face wrinkles at Laemir's remark. Then, to Joslyn,,"Something I can help you with, Goldrider?"
And an opportune moment for Joslyn to arrive, indeed. "Quite a man," she repeats with a truly ironic lilt to the sticky-sweet tone. Dismissing the Steward's query with a flick of her fingers, she continues, "Forgive the intrusion, but they said I'd find the handyman here." Having found him, said handyman merits a charming smile. Foloran gets nothing, so there.
Foloran didn't expect a thing from Joslyn, so he just nods and sits back down on his bed again..to sort through the clothes lying on the floor, most likely. Whistle while you work...
Laemir raises just one brow, then folds his arms over his chest. Pushing back the chair onto the back two legs, he rocks gently. "That'd be me, I'd guess, though the weyr's several of us. You were looking for Laemir?" He's not smiling, but he is taking in the sights...
Joslyn works a path through the cots and presses and such, frowning once as her bootlace works itself loose and drags behind her. Figures. "I hear Laemir's the best, so must be who I'm lookin' for," the girl replies, lace forgotten to favor another of those dimpled smiles. Her teeth are grinding some, coincidentally in time with Foloran's whistling. Go figure.
Oooh, and Foloran's just /thrilled/ about that, Laemir. He tries not to show it, but it proves nearly impossible. In the end, he just piles up the clothing, stands, and heads for the door, maneuvering around Joslyn with little more than a nod to her, and a flat expression.
Foloran walks over to the Garden Cottage Clearing.
Click here to see what happened to Foloran or keep reading to see what happened to Laemir and Joslyn.
Laemir isn't stupid. He's caught some subtle hints flying about and there's not a gold dragon in sight. Considering what transpired the past night, he probably figures turnabout is fair play. "Then come here and let me 'fix' that." he motions to the lace, patting his thigh.
Joslyn has to think a little about the offer before it clicks and she ooohhhs. "Not quite what I meant, but so kind of you," says the goldrider, having to try very hard not to look after Foloran. She's dying to know. Anyway, the boot - none too clean, sorry about that - is promptly placed upon the aforementioned thigh with a quick smile. "Actually, my trouble is with shutters."
Laemir could care less about the boot or whatever happens to have gotten onto it. "Steadying your boot to tug at the laces," he explains as one hand wraps around the goldrider's calf, the other grasping both ends to give them a firm tug. No chance she'll fall, for sure. Yank! "Never minded working with shutters," he says, returning the smile and tilting his head jauntily. "What'd they do? Or didn't, I guess."
"There IS a foot in there," Joslyn informs, wiggling it a little to prove the fact. Note that the other boot is barely tied at all, she likes them terribly loose. "Anyway, th'shutters." A hand upon the helpful boy's head and she proceeds to bring him up to speed on the brief story: "We had this storm a while back, see, and my shutters blew right off. Well, I went and rounded 'em up but there's no hinges. And I couldn't get 'em hung even if there were. So I need help." Isn't she just the cutest li'l damsel in distress?
Laemir gives the laces a quick tie, rounding them off with a fancy twist, one circling the other. "That's called the Twined Dragon, if you'd not seen it. Learned it from a friend of mine at Ierne Weyr. So. No hinges, eh? Doesn't seem like a big job to do after taking on a gazebo." Your boot gets a pat then a shove off his thigh, rather firmly. He dusts his hands off then pushes a stray lock of black hair back toward his runnertail.
Joslyn finds her other foot rather easily; she's used to being tossed about, really. "None at all, I'm 'fraid. And I went looking for some, but I didn't find any. And then I started thinkin' that I wouldn't know how to put 'em up right even if I did find them..." Quick breath. "So I came looking for you and now I've found you." She studies her newly knotted laces and then beams, she does it so nicely when she tries. "Thank you bunches, sweets. Might actually stay tied for a change."
Laemir smiles just a tad, then motions down to the other boot. "Match 'em up?" is his question as he then pauses. "Oh it'll stay. I've heard it'll stay put just like that even if you're right in the midst of Thread, leaning left and right with your canister. When did you want to start this.. project?"
"Oh, sure," says Joslyn, only to ready to relinquish her other foot to the useful fingers. "Jeuneth'n I don't get to fly Thread right now," is added with a wistful little sigh, poor dear Josy. "But I'll come'n find you when we're back on active status again." Pause. "Well, th'storm was a long time ago. But I ain't had time enough to worry about the shutters till the past coupla days."
Laemir leans forward to guide the rider's boot to his thigh. "Last couple days? Why's that?" No need to go into what he's managing to look at.
Joslyn bats a dismissive hand toward the door and explains, "Jeuneth'll clutch soon and it's not so good to take an egg-heavy Queen into a 'fall. So we're grounded." Le sigh. "Which makes Her Grace so irritable I haveta occupy myself with boring, menial tasks." Like hanging shutters.
Laemir lifts your boot onto his thigh, then proceeds with the same lacing tugs then knotting. There's a good natured chuckle as he responds to the boring, menial task. "Guess hanging shutters isn't quite so adventuresome as riding, but it has its own merits." He finishes but makes no move to retract the booted foot. Instead, he leans back in his chair to look up at you. Serious now, he says, "I saw you at the dance last night."
Joslyn sort of realizes what she said, and looks apologetic about. "Oh, well. It's not THAT bad - hanging shutters. It's just one of those things I ain't good at." She smiles, half-apologetically, and then lifts one shoulder to a shrug. "I was there for a little bit. But I don't dance so it was sorta silly to hang out." Probably comfortable like that, she leaves her foot there, too.
Laemir nonchalantly folds his arms on his chest, then nods. "Certainly were some surprises that came about from that dance." He looks toward the doorway, then continues, mostly at a few levels softer, "Surprises is right."
Shinji looks around and smiles a hello to Joslyn, "Hello there."
Joslyn's curiosity is naturally piqued, the gossip in her just dying to know. She sends a smile back Shinji's way, returning a quick, "Heyla." Then leans down toward the knee she's got bent, her booted foot on Laemir's leg. "Do tell," she intones quietly, tilting a listening ear his way.
Shinji with an oopsy face on, "I'm sorry, am I interupting something?"
Laemir's sable eyes noticibly widen, but just a tad. Controlling any movement on his face, he shrugs, feigning non-concern. "Just a few things, mostly from the evening." he says slowly, one hand moving from it's folded position to tug gently on the newly tied bootlace. "It seems there were some girl's underthings flying around this room last night. Hit me right in the face, ya'know. Course, I coulda been dreaming. Probably was." Shinji gets a brief smile. "Just finding out about a job I'm going to do."
"What girl's underthings?" asks the goldrider, a little bristle catching her spine 'fore she ditches the semi-cringe to nodnod in time to Shinji's question. "Work-stuff. Nothin' important," she assures, though she is keeping whatever she says to Laemir on the down-low.
Joslyn whispers "What girl? Do I know her?"
Laemir's eyes wander to the rider's form then he snaps back to the question at hand. He too speaks in a low voice, after clearing his throat.
Laemir whispers "The one with the cloak? Name's Jayla?" to Joslyn.
Joslyn blanches just slightly, trying very hard to look as composed as ever and ALMOST succeeding. "And who?" she asks, levelling a steady gaze upon the handyman - mutely begging him to say anyone but you-know-who.
Laemir doesn't speak the man's name, just lets his eyes wander over to the cot under his, the one Foloran uses. "Looked to me like they were getting on rather well. I do hafta say that what I thought happened could have been a dream?"
For about half a second, it looks like Joslyn might cry. Her lip trembles some as she follows the meaningful gaze - but then she bucks up properly and gives her chin a little toss. "Figures. He can't keep his pants on to save his life," she comments drily. "Not that I care." Mmhm.
Laemir's hand touches that booted foot gently, maybe compassionately. "If it means anything to you, I had an interest in Jayla. A passing interest," he clarifies, "but an interest. I think it was a dream, come to think of it."
Joslyn shakes her head - she's childish, not stupid. "It wasn't a dream. Don't try'n pretend it was, hon." Pause. "Not that it matters. Foloran's shared more furs than I care to think about, really, so one more won't make much difference." She draws up a grin (no small task considering she's all crushed and depressed and stuff) and adds, "Least I didn't build him a gazebo..."
Laemir winces, as Joslyn's last remark hits home. There's not much to be said, though, so he's quiet for a long time. Idly, the laces are toyed with as he musters up the next few words. "I like building. Didn't do it for her, really. It was a job."
"Hey," Joslyn begins, ducking down a little to get a look at poor Laemir's expression. "It's not so bad as all that, sweets. People just sometimes don't work out. Don't let it get to you," she offers up, impossibly cheerful considering the situation. "It only hurts for a little while," she adds, a soft poke in the chest at his heart.
Laemir reacts quickly, almost instinctively, grasping for the poking finger. Clearing throats always helps, right? He tries. "Ahem." Again. "Ahem.. Actually, if he wants her, that's his 'n her choice, I'd say. We were just trying out being with each other, nothing more. Besides, Bry and I had a nice swim and a long talk. We needed that. At least a talk when we weren't yelling at each other." That does bring a small grin.
"Come with me," says Joslyn decisively, her caught finger curling itself about the handyman's to give a definite if ineffective tug. "Won't do you any good to hang about here and be all sad'n lonely. Trust me," is added - a bit too certainly. Been there, done that. "Come come," is the childishly insistent conclusion.
Persuaded by an attractive goldrider? Could Laemir not go? On his aunties graves, he'd swear she'd make his cloudy days bright. Fingers slip down to encompass her hand, then he moves to raise himself, face close to hers as he leans forward. "Lead on." is his reply.
Joslyn puts the brush of a passing kiss on the closest cheek before she turns about on her heet - the bootlaces staying tied, even! Yay! "Try'n keep up," she offers with a wink back over her shoulder at the boy. With that, she drags him along by one hand through the door and on the long walk all the way to the beach.
Joslyn walks toward the Garden Cottage Clearing.
Joslyn strides over to the Beach.
Laemir walks toward the Beach.
In the water, Jayla does finally reach the surface and and nearly jump above the water from the speed she used to get back up. Gasping slightly for breath as she comences her swimming after him, his 'slower' pace allowing her to catch up with him. Afterall, she isn't all that tired being so used to doing that. She then reaches his side and stays there. Just in case he decides to do something again she might be able to easily stop him.
Ambling along at nothing of a pace, Joslyn arrives with the handyman in tow - holding hands looking quite cozy, hmph. She stirs up the sand as she walks, kicking it along with her booted feet and dragging Laemir along by the hand she's somehow gotten control of. In a second or two, she'll see who's out in the water and her mood will be shot to hell, but not just yet.
Laemir would skid to a halt if he'd been running. Dark eyes spot the pair out in the ocean froth. "I should probably get some designs started for your shutters..." he offers, forgetting it was just hinges she was after.
Joslyn's brows knit and she looks sideways at her company. "Why?" A shake of her head and she clarifies, "I mean, the shutters're already there. They just gotta be hu - " Oh. Foloran-and-Jayla. Oh. Her face turns red real quick like.
"Hung. That's it, hung." is Laemir's finish to Joslyn's sentence. Unclear it is as to what's to be hung.
In the water, Foloran's long legs provide the majority of his thrust, pushing him along the surface of the water. One hand immobilized as it's holding something, the other helping him along. Tired, cramped, and breathless for the second time in 10 minutes, he stumbles up to the shore, dropping to his hands and knees to catch his breath.
Foloran swims out of the warm waters of the ocean.
Click here to continue with this scene or continue reading to see what happened to Foloran when he left the cottage.
Zadira blinks a bit at Pjorin, trying hard not to flinch, then slowly nods. "I see. Yes, it sounds fair indeed that you spend your time out here peacefully now."
Foloran basically storms out of the Beach Cottage, turning immediately for the Coastal Path. Upset not being quite the proper word to describe the young man's expression.
Foloran walks over to the Coastal Path.
Foloran walks over to the Beach.
Jayla walks over from the Coastal Path.
By the time you arrive, Foloran's already walking down the beach, clothing having already been stripped from his body. Without warning, he bursts out into a sprint across the sand, feet digging deep divots into the malleable ground. As he approaches the water, though, his strides become more flat-footed..and his footprints actually fade to near nothing. You can swear, if you are watcing close enough, that he even takes a step /on/ the water before he dives forward, crashing into a wave and slipping beneath the rough surface of the water.
Jayla comes striding over from the coastal path, well duh, with both of her arms wrapped around her oversized tunic. The light ocean breeze making the fabric waver slightly at her sides. She lifts a hand to tuck some annoying her behind an ear just when Foloran's running catches her attention. Blush just a touch as she shades her eyes with that same hand to watch his depart into the water. Remaining silent, acting a bit shy with her head lowering a bit to look at the sand.
Something's wrong with Foloran, though - you can tell that even from this distance. From the angry /growl/ he lets out just before hitting the water, to the blatantly obvious anger being focussed into the act of swimming, itsself. Pushing himself to his limit, he speeds beneath the surface for a long time before finally breaking into the air again to take a breath and to turn back.
If Jayla wasn't unsure of herself before, now she definately is. The growl is warranted a belated blink as she moves, ever so slowly, closer to the water. That shy cast about her still remaing, expect for the slightly shocked expression that seems to defy what she wanted to do. And so, as she nears the water, it returns to the shy look as she takes off her sandles. Letting the surf lap lightly at her bare feet.
Foloran swims with sush speed, toward the shore, that he winds up actually running into it, so that he has to crawl, on his hands and knees, out of the water, gasping for air. He spent that entire return leg under water, you see. He leans his head down - which is a bad idea, as a wave crashes right into his upside-down face. He picks his head up again, concentrating on regaining his breath, for now.
Krystalin strides over from the Coastal Path.
Foloran rests, on his hands and knees, still about six inches deep in water, catching his breath.. No, that's not accurate. He's gasping for breath as if his life did (and it does) depend on it. He hasn't noticed Jayla yet, who stands off to one side, at the edge of the water.
A faint humming is heard off in the distance before she finally appears on the beach. Decked out in her flip-flops, towel over her shoulder, and bathing suit at the ready. Smiling out to sea, she gives a big wave to Jayla and Foloran.
Er, Krystalin did all that
Foloran doesn't notice a mere wave, he's too busy breathing, even while waves continue to crash into him.
Deep, long striding footprints trace Foloran's apparent path to the water. Deep, at first, but shallowing to near nothing as they get closer to the water. Analyze that..
Krystalin glances down at the sand, noticing the foot prints. her lips twist sidewards as she starts to analyze. Obviously, she didn't realize the state Foloran's in. Otherwise she would've been diving into the ocean by now :)
Jayla can't take it anymore, really. She abandons her sandles on her sand and goes straight for Foloran, the gasping one. Kneeling down at his side, despite the waves crashing around her...which is really what she wanted, so the water doesn't swirl around him as much. Tentaively resting a hand on his shoulder...more like pulling him up a bit actually.
With Jayla's help, Foloran manages to crawl further out of the water, a few loud coughs just to make /audible/ the condition he's in. Better, Krys? Once he's out of the water, he basically collapses onto the sand to catch his breath /there/.
Krystalin jerks her head up, frowning worriedly at the Steward. the gasps reaching her ears, she runs over. "Foloran? What happened?" Her tone is extremely worried and anxious for him to answer. But of course, if he's sitting here gasping for breath, one won't be coming soon. She kneels down on the sand beside him.
Jayla doesn't collaspe next to Foloran. Nope, she's the one with the nice smooth breathing right now. She resumes her kneeling position at her side, not even chancing a look at Krys who is on the other side, and the tunic she wears now stretches down to past her knees from the weight of the salt water. Expression, though, does mirror Krys' concern only more.
Foloran forcibly pushes himself up off his knees, and stands up, slicking his hair back and blinking his eyes. He takes a deep breath, and very nearly stumbles to one side. He catches himself, though, and glances over at Jayla - remember that pitiful look he had last night? That's the one on his face right now - before turning his head to look at the water. He can't be thinking of going out there /again/, can he?
The pitiful look. Ah, well, that doesn't settle well with Jayla just like it had done last night. She pulls herself up from the sand and once again goes back to support Foloran, a hand reaching out to take hold of her forearm. No way is she going to let him do that /again/.
Krystalin frowns, leaning forward slightly with a tentative, "Foloran?" She rises also, but very unsure of herself now. Nibbling at her bottom lip, she does try and help him up. And hopefully, she is helpful.
Foloran tries, weakly, to pull his arm away from Jayla. He's thankful for the help and all, he just.. Oh, just wait. You'll see. The second time he tries, he's successful. His arm and her hand are both wet, after all. Krys and Jayla do help, indeed, but Foloran pulls away, anyway. He turns around and, without a word, breaks into another sprint - back into the water, he goes.
Krystalin quickly throws off the towel, and flip-flops. Running out after the crazy man, she decides she is going to enjoy this first swim at her new home. Even if it kil-never mind.
Foloran is simply too fast. Long, powerful legs make for a good swimmer. Tired though he may be, he tears through the water, determination for..something in those powerful strokes.
He just has to be not wearing any clothes... Anyway, Jayla does tried to hold onto his arm for as long as she can...but doesn't quite make it. As he heads off in a sprint, she fallows right after the steward. Trying to catch up, but that dratted tunic is getting in her way. Still running, she pulls it over her shoulders and lets it drop heavily to the ground. Thankfully she was thoughtful enough to wear a bikini now. Diving into the water right when she reaches it, she continues to go after him.
Krystalin isn't running to -stop- him. Oh no, she's just simply going to make sure he doesn't kill himself. No suicide attempts. She has long legs too, but uses them at more of a leasurely pace. Diving out in the water, she swims with powerful strokes, hands cupping to get more use of the water.
Krystalin wades out and into the warm waters of the ocean.
Foloran wades out into the warm waters of the ocean.
Jayla wades into the warm waters of the ocean.
Foloran vanishes beneath the waves, skimming just beneath the surface of the water - the wake from his thrashing body vanishing for these brief moments. He reappears again, after a couple of seconds, and takes a deep breath. Guess where he's going? Can you catch him in time?
Krystalin swims much like a shipfish under water: her legs squeezed together, and arms to her sides. She arches her back, and flicks her feet up, making all the motion. Coming to the surface only for breathes, she watches the steward warily, and worriedly. He wouldn't actually be so upset as to..? She speeds up her pace, pushing her limits. Nearer, just a little more...
Jayla was always a good swimmer, you know, especially in ocean waters. Helps when your trying to escape someone, or just the opposite.. Trying to catch a certain person. Nearing where he is, she she dives under the water....moving faster along that way. She doesn't reach for him yet, just wait til she's closer to him.
Foloran draws in that deep breath, curls up into a ball, and straightens out again (inverted), vanishing beneath the surface again, those powerful strokes pushing him farther down now, rather than away from the shore...
After taking a quick deep breath, Jayla dives under right after him like an arrow. She goes farther and farther down trying to catch up with him.
Krystalin actually curses under her breath, and has to go to the surface, inhaling deeply. Doing a small dive, she too heads straight downward. Her hands are used this time, and her legs begin to kick. The fleeting form of the steward stays in her sight as she desperately dives deeper. Very unsure about this foreign water, and upset steward take a toll on her. She doesn't know what's down here...
But Foloran /does/ know what's down here. That's the point. Down, down, down he goes. And when he finally reaches the bottom, he reaches out and picks up a single, small item before flipping over and pushing himself back toward the surface.
Jayla stops her downward dive, her powerful strokes ceasing as her oddly with a quick kick of her feet to start climbing up towards the top.
Krystalin reaches the bottom shortly after Foloran does, and, seeing that he goes for the surface, she loses some of her worry. Bouncing off the bottom, she shoots like a rocket to the surface. Realizing that her lungs are just a bit pressed, she drastically increases her speed.
Foloran surfaces again, at long last, shooting halfway out of the water, and gasping in a deep breath. Since one of his hands is now occupied with holding onto an object so small you can't even see the thing with his hand closed as tightly as it is, he can't swim at full speed back to the shore. Instead, he takes on a slower pace. This still isn't good, though.. He is, by now, exceptionally tired. But at least he's staying above water.
Foloran's 'slower' pace, by the way, still isn't slow. It's just not full-speed. You can keep up with him now, though. :)
Krystalin, too, bobs to the surface. She gasps deeply, but realizes it still isn't over. So, this time keeping a steadier pace, she starts out after Foloran. And stays above the water.
Jayla does finally reach the surface and and nearly jump above the water from the speed she used to get back up. Gasping slightly for breath as she comences her swimming after him, his 'slower' pace allowing her to catch up with him. Afterall, she isn't all that tired being so used to doing that. She then reaches his side and stays there. Just in case he decides to do something again she might be able to easily stop him.
Foloran's long legs provide the majority of his thrust, pushing him along the surface of the water. One hand immobilized as it's holding something, the other helping him along. Tired, cramped, and breathless for the second time in 10 minutes, he stumbles up to the shore, dropping to his hands and knees to catch his breath.
This is where everyone meets up on the beach...
Foloran swims out of the warm waters of the ocean.
In the water, Krystalin quickly hurries after the crazy thing, and actually somehow quickens her speed. Although where it comes from, is a good question. She limps to shore, her face still contorted in that worried exression.
Krystalin swims out of the warm waters of the ocean.
"Shutters, hon. Hang the SHUTTERS," Joslyn emphasizes, though she looks rather like she wouldn't mind hanging a particularly breathless Steward at this exact moment. Anyway, still clinging to Laemir's hand as if her poor li'l life depended on it, she contemplates running away right now, pale eyes resting on the trail back in from the coast.
In the water, Jayla nears the beach with a few more long strokes. Tiredly standing up on the beach when she does finally reach it, still gasping softly for air.
Jayla swims out of the warm waters of the ocean.
Foloran coughs up the errant drop of salt-water or two which were hiding in his lungs, eyes clenched tightly shut as he draws in another deep, labored breath. His hand is clenching to...whatever it is he's carrying so tightly, his knuckles have gone white.
Krystalin plops onto shore, eyes kept on the steward, while she massages the cramps out of her poor legs. It's been a while since she's swam like -that-. She swallows, and then quickly coughs up the horrid stuff that got in through her lips. Absently covering it with sand, she gives two very samll smiles to Joslyn and Laemir.
Might this be the same Laemir as was present just a few moments ago? After allowing himself to be in tow, he slips his hand out of Joslyn's, his manner a tad different. Once again, he's folded his arms, this time in an observer-ish pose.
See, not only does Joslyn hate Foloran, she's also exceptionally concerned with the fact that he's hacking up his lungs over there. Torn between making an exit right now and hurrying over to check up on him, she just stands there - bereft of a hand to hold and looking all sad. Sniff.
Jayla stumbles on the beach as she moves over to take up the tunic that she dropped off before. Pulling it over her shoulders, repeatedly taking in deep long breaths. Only then, now that most of her breathe is regained, she takes the time to scan over the beach. Uh-oh, definately not good now. She stops on Josy and Laemir and decides to run over to Foloran, even if she is quite drained, to help support him.
Foloran stumbles to his feet, slicking his hair back to get it out of his face. It's then that he catches sight of the Goldrider, and starts his uneasy walk toward her. But not 'till he's glanced around to see Jayla standing on her own. He was going to help her up, but she doesn't need it. She's fine.
Foloran does this with, or without help. Well, apparently with, since everyone seems so concerned for him.
Joslyn doesn't look up to acknowledge Foloran's approach or anything, just keeps a horribly cold stare pinned upon Jayla now - cold as the Between she hates so sharding much. Such a hateful little wretch she is this evening.
Laemir's not too happy at seeing what's unfolding before him. He's not about to leave, no sirree. Cool eyes glance at the beach, then the waves crashing against rocks. Hard to tell where his mind is at this point.
Jayla pretends not to notice Joslyn's stare. Though she wouldn't admit it, it does seem to be burning a little hole in her. She keeps her stance by Foloran, whether or not her help is accepted.
It's accepted. Lucky Jayla gets to help Foloran walk, cramps riddling his legs, up to the Goldrider. With his free hand, he reaches out and grabs Joslyn's, opening it up. His clenched fist moves, then, and drops its contents into her open palm. It's a single, solitary marble. Or maybe it's every apology he could ever give her, or every thanks. Well, it certainly looks more like a marble. Then Foloran limps off, with Jayla's assistance, of course.
Joslyn looks down at what's in her hand, blinks at a whole mess of tears that she wouldn't dare spill out here in public in front of everyone, and then stares at the back of Foloran's head for a few minutes. By and by, "I hate you, Steward! And I'll hate you until I die!" So much for gratitude.
"Deal with it," Foloran sputters out, in the midst of his slow retreat.
Laemir keeps his cool demeanor as he watches Foloran and Jayla pass by. A flicker of a smile shows briefly toward the couple, but it's an odd one. Maybe it's a hint of a past conversation he and the Steward had, perhaps not.
Jayla doesn't even glance over her shoulder to look at the goldrider. Not even at Laemir. Though she is still well aware of both looks and Laemir's smile. All she does is slowly assist Foloran in leading him away, not even saying a word.
Joslyn drops whatever she's got right there in the sand - burying it promptly with a kick of her foot and then stomping on the grave of sorts. Nothing left to say about the matter, she dusts her palms neatly and adds crisply, "It is good to know I was right, at least. You really can't keep your pants on."
Krystalin moves shakey limbs underneath her, and glances at the pair stalking off. Slowly rising, she glances about for her towel. An almost sorrowful expression on her face, she keeps to herself, but unlucky for her, there's no shadows to hide in.
"Dresses either," is Laemir's addition to Joslyn's perception. Cool, much too cool for the situation, he just stands there, not moving.
Foloran just ignores the comment. It's no longer worth his time, or effort, to fight. His last two words before he walks back up the Coastal Path are, "Goodbye, Joslyn." Everyone wave bye bye.
Foloran walks over to the Coastal Path.
Jayla follows still after Foloran, though at Laemir's comment her back does stiffen. She doesn't say a word to him. Not yet, at least. Just wait til another day when she isn't upset and worried, then she'll get her word in on that.
Jayla strides over to the Coastal Path.
Click here to see what happened to Foloran and Jayla or keep reading to see what happened to Joslyn, Laemir, and Krystalin.
Issue resolved, Joslyn looks after Foloran for a second or two and then drops to a cross-legged seat in the sand and heaves a great big sigh. Only a few seconds before she begins to regale herself with a long string of very foul words that probably make her feel better somehow or another.
Krystalin silently stands and watches them move off. Eye kept on the ground, she slowly reaches down for her towel. That wraps around her torso, and she looks around for her sandals. Several swallows seem to somehow ring in the air as she does.
Laemir swallows, hard, then walks slowly, toward one of the chunks of driftwood. He straddles it, then looks out to sea, off in his own world. Joslyn's stream is part of the sea's rampage to him.
Krystalin seems strangley serene, calm. Definitely not her bubbily, happy self, ready to try and make everything better. Her face blank, she looks out to the horizon. A very soft whisper seems loud in this palable silence, wait. Hmm..it isn't silence with Josy's curses. Ah well. "nothing, nothing I could've done...." She too turns, but heads in a different direction. In fact the opposite of the other two.
Joslyn, who hasn't got the heart to sit there and choke on all those big tears, finally gets to her feet and drags her way up the beach. Head hung, hands shoved into her pockets, she makes a slow trek toward the coastal path. About halfway there, she stops and runs back real quick, unearthing whatever was buried.
Laemir isn't inclined to move right now. The sea breezes in his hair lend a calming effect to his mood, or at least send him thinking. Joslyn's activities are noted, but there's no indication that he's seen her or what she's done.
With whatever she buried in hand, Joslyn scuttles out of sight at once. She'll cry herself out and be better in the morning.
Joslyn walks toward the Coastal Path.
This is what Foloran and Jayla were doing...
Foloran does actually look pretty messed up right now. Besides the obvious mental anguish, he's having trouble walking 'cause of the cramps, and is still taking in deep breaths to make up for the lack of oxygen while he was underwater. He turns to you, though, as you help him move, offers a weak smile, and a soft, "Thank you."
Jayla shakes her head slowly as she slips an arm around your shoulder, supporting you even more as she still holds on to an arm along with that. She's still taking in deep breaths and her back is rather stiff, probably due to Laemir's comment or something of that sort. Slowing her pace a bit as she senses his cramped legs, returning softly, "I have a strong feeling I helped you get into this.. I couldn't just let you go through it alone."
Krystalin walks over from the Weyr Cove Beach.
Krystalin silently trudges by, eyes distant, face blank. No smile, wave, nothing. Moving silentl on her way, she leaves the pair to talk or whatever they're doing.
Krystalin walks toward the Northern Weyrs.
Foloran shakes his head to Jayla, as she helps him toward the Garden Cottage Clearing. "You didn't get me into anything. She dug me this hole, I'm just climbing out again." A groan of pain for those cramps, and Foloran adds, "Can we go to a Healer, or something? Please?"
Jayla doesn't argue with him on that point, not wanting to and not even having the energy to do so. She flicks her wet hair to the side that Foloran isn't on and nods slowly, "Sure..I keep some numbweed on my porch. That'll help you until you get to a healer."
Foloran walks over to the Garden Cottage Clearing.
Jayla walks over from the Coastal Path.
Foloran can't really do much more than be led, by you, to your cot... Or to his. But since you're the one with the numbweed, lead on.
** END LOG **