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This is a joint post by Arlene and Katrina.

Day 14, morning

Tyler strolled down onto the beach and, coming around a pile of rocks,
surprised two people deep in conversation.

Gus continued to stare out at the sea, oblivious to the additional
member of this scene and tried to regain control over her unruly
feelings.  Dolfis, senses trained from years of dangerous living, turned
at the slight sound of feet on sand.  The boy looked somehow
familiar...he just didn't quite know why.

"I beg your pardon...," Tyler began, until he caught sight of the face
of the young girl who had revealed herself to be the dance partner in
the beautiful, blue dress.  "OH!  It's you!"

Gus spun about, startled by the new voice.  Dammit, she was growin'
soft, gettin' snuck up on like that.  Her annoyance, fueled further by
the pounding of her head, rose when she saw who had intruded. 
"Brilliant, Junior, you're a friggin' genius.  What you want?"

"I... I... Nothing.. I mean, I was just walking," then Tyler's eyes
widened further, "YOU!  Get away from him... do you know who that is?"

"So much for genius," Gus snarled.  

"Augusta," Dolfis reproved gently, knowing it was unwelcome, but unable
to stop himself just the same, "manners.  There's no need to be impolite
to the lad."

Tyler stood gape-mouthed, looking from one to the other -- and noticing
a striking resemblance. The same black hair and the same face - though
his was obscured by his beard - and the same startlingly dark blue eyes.
 How could he have missed it before?

Gus shot her father a dirty look, but refrained from snapping at him. 
Her head just couldn't take much more.  She turned back to Tyler.  "If
you're done starin', why don't you continue your walk?"

Dolfis noticed Gus's irritation and reached out to pull her closer. 
"That is quite enough from you, miss.  Behave yourself."

"Hey!  Get your hands off her!"  Tyler cried, as he lunged forward to
aid the girl.

Gus yanked her arm free of Dolfis's grip and spun towards Tyler.  "You
keep your grubby hands to yourself, Junior."

She turned back to Dolfis.  "And YOU back off.  You wasn't around to
raise me, you don't get no say now."

Tyler reached for Gus's arm, "And just what...," but before he could
finish his sentence, a fist connected with his jaw.

"I TOLD you to keep your hands off.  What part o' that don't you get?"
Gus stood over the fallen lordling, breathing heavily.  A small voice in
the back of her head pointed out that Tara was NOT gonna like this. 

Dolfis stood staring in aghast amazement.  Part of him wanted to cheer
the beauty of her left jab, the other part wanted to bend her over his
knee for fighting.

Picking himself off the ground, Tyler blustered, "You can't do that to
me!  Do you know who I am?  Do you know who my father is?"  Then turning
a steely eye on the pirate, "YOU know who my father is!"

"I know who your father is," Gus snapped.  "Time for your wake-up call,
Junior.  It don't matter here.  Tara rules, not your da.  And you aint
nothin' but a wet behind the ears rider now."

Dolfis put a calming hand on Gus's shoulder.  "You would be Lord
Grouty's youngest, then?  You have a look of him."

Tyler squared his shoulders, "That's right!  I'm Lord Tyler Grouty!"  He
shot a glance at Gus, "I am not just any new dragonrider!  My
father...," he frowned as he thought of exactly what his father would
think of his new status, then he grinned as he saw, again, who it was
standing before him, "my father will be very glad to hear that his *old
friend* is visiting the warren!"

Gus snarled wordlessly and launched another fist at Tyler's face, but
her wrist was caught just shy of its goal.  "Augusta, that is ENOUGH."
Gus froze.  Her father's tone of authority had been honed on pirates and
had to be obeyed.  Dolfis turned his eyes on Tyler.  "Is your father due
here soon, then?"

Tyler swallowed, his bluff being called.  He looked around him suddenly
wishing he were elsewhere.  "Honestly?  I don't know."  At that moment
Tyler looked about as vulnerable as any boy would who was suddenly
thrust into an unknown situation among strangers.

Dolfis sighed.  Despite the boy being a Grouty - with all the arrogance
of his title - he felt sorry for him.  The boy was so clearly in over
his head.  He'd wanted to try and make some amends with Gus, but he
couldn't stay if Lord Grouty was coming - not and get Tara in trouble.

Gus shook her head, surprised at her immediate obedience and then winced
as pain lanced behind her eyes.  "Lookit, your lordship, around here
rank don't matter...if it comes to it, I outrank you."  She smiled
slightly at the thought.  "Bein' a rider is all you is now, not a lord."

****
Plastyra awoke, alone and hungry.  She glanced around the dark hatchling
barracks. Her human wasn't around and her clutchmates were all still
sleeping.  Slowly she pushed the edge of the door ajar and peered out
into the world beyond.  She needed food... where would she find it?

Loki lay in the dim morning sun near the dining hall, watching the
humans filter in and out.  He had half of his mind following Gus's chat
with her sire, more than half a mind and he'd grow far too confused. 
Then he noticed the hatchling emerge from the barracks...alone, which
was unusual.  <Little one, where is your rider?>

<I don't know,>  the little multi-colored dragon said, <but I'm hungry.>

Hungry.  Loki eyed the hatchling speculatively.  She was far too small
to take to the pens to catch her own.  <Well, what does your rider look
like? Tell me and I'll help you find her.>

<*My rider is not a 'her',*> Plastyra responded petulantly, <*he's a
human.*> Plastyra pictured her rider as he had looked when she had first
seen him, fresh from her egg.  His bright, blue eyes shining at her in
wonder, his wavy, light brown hair touseled, and the smile on his young
face... this image she sent to the gray dragon before her.

<My apologies,> Loki responded smoothly.  <I meant no insult.>  He
grinned to himself. Gus was talking with this human right now, he could
look like a genius to this new hatchling.  <Come along then.  I'll take
you to your rider.>

Plastyra looked up at the older dragon, hope shining in her eyes, <*You
mean it?  You can find him just like that?*>

Loki smothered a chuckle.  This hatchling was going to be a LOT of fun. 
<Yes, just like that.  Follow me and I'll see you get fed.>

Plastyra happily followed behind the larger dragon.  She stopped in
amazement as they exited the warren.  Before her was the most amazing
sight!  Blue and sparkly, <*What is... that?*>  She whispered.

Loki frowned for a moment.  What in the world could she mean?  Then it
dawned on him - without her rider's mind to plunder, the little beast
was totally at a loss.  <That is the sea.  It's very nice to swim in.  I
can teach you how later, if you like.>

Sea.  Swim.  Plastyra shook her head.  She grinned up at the older male.
 He was so wise to know all these things!  He had already turned to walk
on, and Plastyra fell into step behind him, marveling all the while at
the soft, yet scratchy, substance that they tread upon.  She felt warm
-- almost too warm -- and wondered at the bright object up above that
was causing such warmth.

Loki glanced at the smaller multi-colored dragon trailing along beside
him and shook his head slightly.  What was it Gus had called creatures
like this? Pigeons?  Funny, wasn't that a kind of bird? Oh well, humans
were strange.  He led Plastyra around a rock only to realize that what
Gus was about to do to Plastyra's rider - AGAIN - wasn't funny at all.

<*My rider!  You found him!  Thank you...*>  the female hatchling
gushed, but faded as she realized she didn't know the older, and
obviously very intelligent, dragon's name.

<Loki, my dear.>  Loki grinned.  This admiration thing was rather fun.
<Now tell him you need to eat. >

<*Tyler!  I found you!  And I'm hungry!*> Plastyra called. <*Loki?  My
rider doesn't seem... happy?  Do you know why?*>  Plastyra sent a wave
of fear and confusion, as well.

Loki winced.  All right, how was he going to get Gus out of THIS one?
<Um, perhaps he is upset by your hunger.  He can feel it too - though he
may not understand that yet.>  Lame, lame, Loki thought to himself, but
it was the best he could manage.

<*Oh!*>  Plastyra felt a surge of a new emotion, guilt.  <*Tyler?  I'm
hungry -- and it's okay, I didn't realize that my feeling hungry, and
alone, and afraid, would make you feel that way, too.  Can you come and
feed me now?*>   

Loki breathed out a sigh of relief that Plastyra seemed to take his
story to heart.  <Quit fighting, Gus.  It'll upset her, remember?>

Gus winced and slowly, gently removed her hand from Dolfis's grasp,
releasing the fist in the process.  <Sorry,> she muttered mentally.

Tyler stepped back, startled by the ferocity in the young woman's eyes,
and by the sudden intrusion of Plastyra's mind voice.  <Now?  You want
to be fed now?> his mind voice answered Plastyra, while he addressed the
girl, "I certainly didn't mean... I thought ... damn!"  he muttered. 
Since coming here he seemed to be doing everything wrong!

Dolfis shook his head slightly.  This joining business was clearly
tricky.  He gently nudged Gus with his elbow.  "Make nice with the boy,"
he whispered, making sure that only she could hear him.

Gus flushed and sighed heavily. "You ask too much," she whispered back.

"Ok, Junior.  Forget your title and pay attention.  First thing, you
gotta feed that beast of yours.  So, haul your ass to the kitchen and
get a bucket of meat.  Go."

Tyler gaped at her, backing away, yet she was right.  He could feel
Plastyra's hunger, like a knife in his own gut.  He put his arm around
the neck of his dragon as they trudged back up the beach.  He glanced
back once to see the Seathief and the girl still standing among the
rocks.  It made him think of his father again... Tara had mentioned that
he could send word "home" but did he dare?

Gus watched Tyler head back into the warren, wondering just what it was
she had drunk last night.  First it had made her - well, best not to go
there - and now she was obeying Dolfis like he was^� oh hell.  Her
shoulders slumped.  Mustering what little dignity she had left, she
turned to her father.  "If Grouty is comin', you'd best get goin'."

Dolfis nodded soberly.  So soon to go now he'd found her, but he
couldn^�t stay.  He dropped a light kiss on her temple, murmured a
hoarse, "I'll be back soon" and turned to lope off down the beach toward
the Marquesa.  

Gus stood silently, no longer sure what the hell she felt.  The ship
slowly made its way out of the bay and then she watched as the sails
billowed into place as the Marquesa truly set sail.  She sighed gustily.
 Hell of a mornin'.  Her head hurt, her belly was far from happy - and 
everythin' had turned on its head.  What else could happen?

<We could be late for training,>  Loki suggested.

"Oh shit."  Gus spun and headed for the training grounds as fast as she
could manage.

___________

Submitted by:

Arlene aka Tyler and Plastyra

and 

Katrina aka Gus, Loki and Dolfis