Lithya was soaking in the hot water of her small bathing pool when Buszketh announced that Vladmirth was coming, with Ead. She swore, eloquently inappropriate, and cut her relaxation period short; climbing out quickly and throwing on some clean clothes. From outside the rider could hear the rustling of wings as Vladmirth landed. She walked outside to where Ead was standing, brushing her hair on the way. "What brings you two here?"

Ead looked a little uncomfortable. "Vladmirth wanted to thank you for the riding straps." he told her. Lithya smiled, though she was uncertain herself. "And thank you for 'Keth's necklace." she answered. An awkward silence hung in the air, neither rider knowing quite what to say.

Buszketh swung her head around to look at them. Let's go down to the lake. I haven't had my bath yet. She suggested casually, breaking the tension. Lithya was relieved, and judging by the look on Ead's face, so was he. She vaulted up onto her dragon's neck and they glided smoothly down to the serene lake. Vladmirth landed with a splash, drenching everyone while his rider jumped off. Buszketh slid gracefully into the water, submerging herself nearly completely.

Lithya dove headfirst into the lake, re-emerging to attack her dragon with a scrub brush. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ead doing the same. Another silence ensued. Buszketh looked quite exasperated. If you are so uncomfortable, why don't you tickle him? The teal-black dragoness asked impatiently.

WHAT?! was all Lithya could say. She stared at the dragon, who explained calmly, Well, you always seem most relaxed when doing so. Lithya shook her head. Um, no. she intoned firmly. Buszketh snorted. If you won't, I will, then. She informed her rider, her tail emerging from the water behind Ead.

No, don't! Lithya exclaimed, but it was too late. Buszketh was tickling Vladmirth's rider mercilessly with the very tip of her tail. Seeing him convulsed with laughter, the dragon stopped and let her tail drift beneath the surface again. Ead recovered his breath, turned around, and leaped.

It was Lithya's turn to be made breathless with giggling. She backed away from the other rider and tripped over Buszketh, tumbling out of sight. She reappeared, floating face down and careful not to move. When she sensed Ead near her, Lithya pounced.

And missed, seeing as she couldn't aim with her face underwater. Once again the black-haired young woman disappeared from sight. She was swimming up again when something prevented her foot from moving. By this time, Lithya was running out of air. She couldn't seem to tell which way was up anymore....everything seemed sort of....distorted....and her lungs were screaming for air...Rider? Lithya? Are you okay? Buszketh asked anxiously. Of course, I'm fine.....just tell me which way is up.. Lithya answered dazedly.....air.... she thought, as her sight started to dim. I think my foot may be caught on something, 'Keth..... She told her dragon dreamily.

Buszketh whirled and pinned Ead with her gaze. You! Help my rider! She commanded. Don't bother...I'm okay... Lithya protested faintly. She thought she heard Ead plunge into the water as her dragon answered, No, you're not! Really... Lithya insisted. It was nothing, she just had to...had to...catch her breath....

LITHYA! Buszketh screamed mentally, unable to hear her rider's mental touch. She began flapping her wings in agitation, sending up a spray of water. Vladmirth's rider was trying to help, but her rider....ANSWER ME! LITHYA! The teal-black cried, ignoring the violet-blue's attempts to calm her. Buszketh began keening ear-piercingly. She could see Ead swimming around looking for her rider, who was still completely silent in her mind. She launched herself out of the water and sprawling out on the shore, writhing.

Buszketh, you stop that right now! Vladmirth snapped, but Buszketh was only dimly aware of the other dragon. SHE'S GONE! MY RIDER IS GONE!  Do you want to make this harder on my rider?! Look, he's dragging her up right now!  But the teal-black dragoness ignored him. Vladmirth growled in exasperation and grabbed her tail. SHE'S NOT GONE! He bellowed mentally, just as his rider resurfaced with Lithya in tow. Look, she's unconscious! Why do you think she wasn't answering? Look, there she is! 

Buszketh calmed down slightly when she saw her rider. But there was still no response to her mental queries. So do something about it! I'm having enough work calming down my own female. She heard Vladmirth converse with his rider, but she didn't care. Buszketh's attention was completely fixed on the inert form of her bondmate. Ead was doing something very odd, putting his mouth against hers and breathing...Don't worry. He knows what he's doing. The violet-blue male assured her.

Lithya suddenly came to life again, coughing out water in violent spasms. She lay there for a minute, gasping for breath. Damned right that was too close! Buszketh snapped, overhearing the conversation between Vladmirth and his rider, who was putting his arm around Lithya and helping her to a sitting position. The teal-black dragoness moved over to her rider protectively, but Ead didn't seem inclined to let go. So she sat down, snorting to herself and watching quietly.

You okay? Lithya heard Ead ask her softly. Yeah, I think so. She replied a trifle shakily. You should call for help when you're in trouble like that, you know. Not just try and handle it yourself. He told her sternly. Lithya smiled wanly. Well, I couldn't even tell which way was up, much less ask for help. And thank you for..for...um...saving my, uh, life. She murmured awkwardly. How was she supposed to thank him for rescuing her and her dragon from the brink of death?

And how had he done that anyway? More magic? Lithya sat up and looked up at Ead. How'd you do that anyway? She asked curiously. But you told your dragon that you were fine....and I'm not about to lose you to your ego. He was saying, then flushed. Ah, um... Lithya raised an eyebrow at him for the first comment. You told me you were fine during the incident with the rocks. She reminded him, referring to the time she'd accidentally injured him by flinging several rocks too hard in his direction. Ead thought about that for a moment. Yeeees...but I've learned since then. At least, I should hope I have. He said. Good. Lithya told him. From their vantage points, both dragons smirked.

He's avoiding her question. Buszketh remarked. Of course. He's much too timid. Vladmirth told her. I think you're right. Tell him to tell her. I want to see the reaction. And don't tell him I told you to. Buszketh instructed in her usual didactic manner. Vladmirth seemed amused as he looked at his rider. Ead, are you going to tell her how you revived her, or should I? He asked, making sure Buszketh's rider could hear as well. Lithya looked at her own dragon suspiciously. 'Keth, what under the twin moons are you two talking about? "I, ah, um...mouth-to-mouth." Ead mumbled. "Oh. I...uh...see." Lithya blushed. Now we've got them both red. Humans. So strange. Most definitely. I don't think I've ever seen my rider turn that color. Wait, Ead isn't human... Fine Riders, then. So strange. He acts like it though, so yeah....I've only seen him that color after talking with her. And by the way, what did you mean by 'your' female, hmmmm? Ah...nooothing. Good.  Lithya rolled her eyes at the two dragons when they stopped their chattering.

Out of nowhere, Vren suddenly appeared near them. He beamed. "Well! How are you two?" the kitten asked brightly. Lithya just looked at him. Ead's face was still flaming, she could see, and he just muttered a hello without looking up. Suddenly Lithya realized that she was practically sitting in his lap, and turned about the same shade. "Er...heh...sorry." she murmured, moving. Mind, she still stayed very close to him. "It's okay." the other rider mumbled.

Vren had turned to the dragons for a explanation. "Well? What just happened?" Buszketh looked at him curiously, while Vladmirth informed him, Lithya just had a near-death experience, and Ead saved her life by breathing into her. And they both turned red when he told her about the breathing part. The dragoness chipped in, adding, Don't they look funny?  "They most certainly do." Vren agreed in amusement. "Courtship is usually not so painful for young elves in the City."

Lithya felt her face heating up again at the word 'courtship.' The young woman glanced surreptitiously at Ead, who was busy studying the ground, but his face was obviously as red as her own. She looked back at Vren and tried to say something, but all that came out was a series of choking noises, so she switched to mindspeech. Vren! Honestly. The kitten, misunderstanding, gave her a toothy grin and chuckled.

"It's all right, my dear. I understand. After all, I've watched more young couples than you can possibly conceive of." He told her. Lithya buried her face in her hands from embarrassment and exasperation. That's not what I meant.... She responded, on the heels of Ead's pleading, Please Vren.....don't. "Oh fine, if you insist." Vren answered, "But I'll remind you of it every waking moment when you're finally paired off." He added. Lithya didn't think her face had ever been this hot before.

You know, it's time you two faced it. You like eachother a lot. The teal-black dragoness butted in, letting Ead hear her as well. Yes. Why can't you deal with it normally? Vlad seconded. No use beating around the bush about it. Vren's right. Buszketh continued. The kitten beamed at her. "Thank you."

A mutter is head from Lithya's direction. "I'll, um, be under a rock if you need me." Keep talking to them, Vren. Then, to Lithya, You're not going anywhere, my rider.  The dragon said in bossy tones. Ead just coughed, sounding rather strangled. Lithya wished fervently that she could sink into the ground. "You two really should just accept the situation." Vren was telling them mercilessly. After all, you've been this way for more than two Turns now. Vlad chimed in. Yes...but...but... Lithya stammered, as the violet-blue continued, We'd like to see you do something about it.  But.... "Enough buts!" Vren snapped. Lithya again attempted to say something several times, but never got beyond the first half of a syllable. But suppose 'Keth flies and...and... was what she was actually thinking, forgetting to keep the thought private.

"They're right, you know." She heard Ead say quietly, just the tiniest hint of a waver in his voice. He leaned over and grabbed Lithya's arm, pulling her in close to him and kissing her deeply. Vlad will be sure to catch her. He murmured. Vren smirked. "Well, finally!" That's the way, Buszketh said, No guarantees on that last part, though. The dragoness added. She could see Vladmirth smirking to himself, and glared at him before turning back to her human bond. We'll just leave you two lovebirds alone now... Buszketh announced sweetly with a draconic grin. There was, of course, no answer from either rider.

The two dragons moved off, followed by Vren. They'll be busy for a while. Nice work. the kitten told the other two. Buszketh smirked yet again. Busy indeed. She eyed Vladmirth enigmatically, while Vren smiled and disappeared. The violet-blue male returned the look calmly. The teal-black dragoness shook her head slightly, fluttering up to her ledge. Males. 

Vladmirth flitted up to his own perch (Buszketh couldn't help noticing how nicely he flew), folding his wings and settling down. Females. But they're worth it. 

Both dragons deliberately did not look at the two riders below.