< Ashelle and T'jellan, at practice >
 
> T'jellan hurriedly ate his lunch, knowing the training would already have
> begun. And sure enough when he reached the green the hatchlings were
> already working on being oiled. He spotted Ashelle and watched her from a
> distance. It never occurred to him that he was paying much more attention
> to her then he would to any other new dragonrider ..

  Ashelle spotted T'jellan as she turned to get to another area on Oaklah,
and waved happily, oil flying everywhere.  She laughed, and gestured him
over.

  "I'm learning how to oil Oaklah, it's sloppy though, and she won't sit
very still for it.  I'm wearing more oil than she is!"

  T'jellan found himself laughing at the sight before his eyes.  She was
right, and she looked as if she could use a good dunking in the lake.  Now
where had *that* come from?

  << It came from you wanting to have fun again, my rider. >>

  Ashelle grinned, noticing the look on her friend's face.  "Do I look
that bad, honestly?"

  "Well, you could be mistaken for a hatchling yourself if you didn't try
hard."

  She gave a happy snort, and sent her oil filled cloth flying to land
with a *splat* against T'jellan's tunic.  "Thanks a lot!  Now you can look
the same!"  Laughing, she went for another cloth, as T'jellan blinked in
suprise, and sputtered..torn between being aggraved and laughing.

  He watched her as she moved, that hair of hers bouncing all over,
swaying as if it had a life of its own.  She was just the right size for a
good hug, or even a cuddle.  He stopped in suprise, holding the cloth,
and tried to figure out what had come over him lately.  She was too young
for him by far...but he found himself enjoying the time they spent
together, even just talking about dragons.  There was an innocence about
her that was refreshing.

  << You like her, don't you, my rider? >>

  < She's nice, and makes me laugh, that has nothing to do with liking
someone, and don't you go playing matchmaker on me.  She's too young for
me. >

  << Since when does age have anything to do with being happy? >> 

  T'jellan stopped in his tracks, about to toss the cloth back at Ashelle.
That hadn't occured to him at all.  Well...it wasn't like he was in love
with her or anything.  He loved...the sad look that had been on his face
earlier at breakfast returned, and he didn't notice Ashelle moving towards
him.

  "T'jellan?  Are you all right?  You look so sad...like you did earlier
this morning.  Is it something I did?"

  He jumped, startled, and was glad that no one noticed.  "It's a long
story, Ashelle...one you wouldn't be interested in."  He passed her the
cloth, and turned to leave.

  "T'jellan, wait a minute!"  Ashelle hurried over, and offered a smile.
"Look, maybe I do talk too much now that I'm Joined.  Maybe I do look odd
with my eyes being different and all...but I still have feelings.  I don't
like seeing friends hurting.  You can talk to me if you like.  I don't
share confidences...honest."

  Then she winked.  "Besides, I'm going to teach you to sing."

  T'jellan rolled his eyes, and chuckled.  "Then you have a lot of work
ahead of you, Ashelle.  But if you really insist on trying, meet me at the
lake after practice and Oaklah is asleep.  No one will hear me there."

  Ashelle grinned.  "Deal!"  And gave his nose a rub with the oily cloth
before hurrying back to her dragon.

[Tag: Kris!]

-------------

Jeanette Ashelle/Oaklah * Whiteriver

[NRPG:  Kris, where things go from here is up to you...I'm game for
anything.  :) ]