*Day after Tair'n returns, morning*

Someynara jogged up the stairs to her apartments, taking then two at a
time. A fine sheen of sweat coated her body from her five mile predawn
run, but otherwise, she could have just run a few meters for all the
casual observer would know.  She did her cool down routine on her dragon's
ledge, careful not to trip over the dangling golden-orange tail.  They
were on cautious speaking terms again after that horrible incident with
Cal'an.  She felt no need to jepordize their uneasy truce by needlessly 
waking Ravindra early.

Besides, nothing spoiled a good mood better than a cranky dragon and she
was determined to enjoy hers while it lasted.  Someyn leaned over and
stretched her long legs, revelling in the pleasure of having her body obey
her every command with ease.  The feeling went nicely with her gleeful
expectations for tomorrow; because tomorrow, her family would be leaving.
Hopefully for a very, very long time.

Just thinking about it made her feel almost light enough to fly straight
up to meet the sun at noon.  Almost being the operative word.  There was
the mystery of Cal'an's assaulter nagging at the edges of her conscious.
Someyn had a fairly good idea exactly who it was, but no proof and the
unpleasant certaincy that if she did speak of her suspicions, she really
would not like the consequences.

Suddenly feeling far dirtier than she was, Someyn hurried through her
exercises and went inside for her morning shower.  Her good mood was
further destroyed when she noticed the tell tale pink stain in her
underwear as she undressed. It certainly explained last night's rather
erotic dreams-- dreams that were an all too potent reminder of how long it
had been since she'd tumbled with halfway competent partner beneath the
bed sheets...

Sighing, Someyn turned on the water and stepped into the shower.  Another
day, another bad joke from the gods she didn't particularily believe in.

*Later, same Day*

The filly staggered about on spindly legs under his mother's watchful, if 
slightly disorientated gaze.  Big brown eyes stared at her fearlessly, wet
clumps of fur making her look strangely patchy but, like all young things, 
altogether adorable.  Someyn gave it a gentle smile as she finished
gathering up her things, feeling a twitch of envy towards the mare.

"Fine job, that," Biwon complimented from the other side of the stall.
"Don't think both of 'em woulda made it if it'd just been me."

High compliment indeed coming from that man.  She snapped her case shut,
"It's what I trained for, but thanks anyways."  She brushed the hay off
herself as she stood and gave Biwon a small, skirtless cursty when he
held open the stall door for her. 

He grinned shamelessly at her, showing off his less than complete set of
teeth, and locked the door.  "So watchya gonna name her?"

"The filly?" Someyn asked, wiping off as best she could with a towel.

"You brought her into this world, you get to name her," Biwon stated
seriously, as if it were an imutable law of the universe.  "So what'll it
be?"

The towel hung limply in her hands as her mind turned over possibilities.
"Call her.. Solo."

"Solo it is then." He brushed his hands together as if finishing with some
important business.  "Now I say we go celebrate Misty and little Solo's
continued health with a drink or two."  He retrieved a jug of hard
cider and two cups from behind a bale and poured liberally.  

"Nothing else you need me for then?" she asked the herdmaster more out of
habit than any real concern. He was something of a kindred spirit; the
animals came before everything, even good liquor.

"Not a thing cept as someone to toast with," Biwon replied.

"Well then," Someyn conceded with a smile and raised her glass.  "To Misty
and Solo."

"May they win many a race and take well to the bit," Biwon added with a
grin.  

Their cups clanged dully together before both shot down the drink in long
gulps.  She sighed as liquid burned a pleasant track to her stomach, and
handed the cup back.  

"And now, Biwon, I am going to go clean up.  I'll be back tomorrow to
check up on them, but you know where to find me if you need me."

"Aye, I do," he replied and saw her off with a wave.

She picked up her things and jogged the fairly short distance to her
apartment, bounding up the stairs, noticing that Rav was off somewhere as 
usual.

As much as she loved her job, there  was nothing like being clean and
smelling nice.  As soon as the door shut behind her, Someyn began shucking
off her clothes.  She walked into the bathroom and tossed them into a
water filled basin kept there solely for that purpose.  She turned on the
water and stepped beneath the steaming spray with a small smile for one of
the simple pleasures in life.

A simple pleasure that, despite her best efforts to keep it nothing more
than an act of bathing, kept losing its innocent nature with stunning
ease.  She shrugged it off as raging horomones until she heard the
dragon's challenge--*her* dragon's challenge.

"Damn it!," Someyn cursed, flinging back the shower curtain as Ravindra
flung herself into the air.  A breath later, the main door slammed open
and silence reigned but for the lonely spattering of running water.

***************
NRPG: Yes I know it's pretty darn dull for a mating flight post, but you
see how enthused you can get when you have to write it up in your school's
computer lab.;)  Definate mood dampener.  Also, the winner has been
chosen.

Bridget aka
Someynara and Ravindra