Wipe Out

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 10th May 2017

Characters: E'rae, Aishara
Description: The two of them have a great day surfing.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 1 of Turn 8

Aishara

True to his word, he had boards strapped to Leith's harness. E'rae had
packed towels, a blanket, some food, water, and sun cream. He was
wearing shorts that weren't loose fitting as well as a matching top.
Sandals adorned his feet and the bluerider was trying to think if he
needed anything else. Hoping Aishara would show up, he felt sad for a
moment thinking about how down she'd been looking.

"Hi, E'rae!" Aishara called when Ayumith backwinged to land next to
the blue. She wore her riding jacket over a light summer dress.
Ayumith was particularly happy that they were going out of the Weyr
and doing _something_. Her rider had been so sad and unhappy lately.
Unfortunately the green couldn't remember the reason any longer. So
her greeting to Leith was quite affectionate.

}:Hello beautiful:{ the blue obliged easily, making room for Ayumith
and resenting the fact that he somewhat resembled a herdbeast what
with the harness and the boards strapped to him just then.

Hearing her voice, he felt relief and his body relaxed. Deciding he
had everything, he turned and saw the dress that flattered her
coloring. Able to appreciate a woman, he smiled and approached. "I
think I've got everything. The spot I usually land at is about seven
dragonlengths down the coast going south. Past the big rock that juts
up." He didn't know if she knew the place, but he wanted to give her a
frame of reference to follow. Mounting up, he strapped himself in
quickly, eager to be gone and into the water. Hopefully he'd make an
okay instructor.

"We'll take the cue from you," Aishara said. She wasn't sure if she
knew the place although it sounded familiar. But to one grown up
inland, one stretch of the coast tended to look like any other.

Leith was careful to push off from the ledge without getting too near
the green. After jumping into the open space, he opened his wings in a
quick maneuver, stopping their freefall and effortlessly gliding a
ways to allow her to follow. He'd gain altitude after she was
airborne.

Ayumith followed him easily. Keeping up with the larger blue was not a
problem for the fast green. Usually it was other way around. The
flight wasn't very long.

It didn't take long to head down the coast. The sandy beaches gave way
to small coves with rocks and jetties. In one of these, Leith touched
down and waited for his rider to unload the things he'd packed
patiently even though he was itching to get into the water as well.

Ayumith landed next to him and Aishara dismounted. She unpacked the
things she had brought. "Nice place, looks private," she commented
after a good look around.

"Most of the time. I've seen people flying over but so far never seen
anyone land." It didn't bother him either way since most people tended
to avoid him unless it was a wingmate. Working quickly he got
everything he needed. Pulling out the boards, he took the longer one
for himself and then handed her the other one. Originally he had made
it for Werenn, but Aishara could learn on it as well. "So first you
have to learn how to paddle. This is the front of the board and the
back. We paddle out past the waves and then wait for the right one.
Then you ride it in, standing up as you go. Paddling is where all the
energy comes in though." One part of his lip lifted up, forming a wry
grin.

"Alright," Aishara said. "I never done anything like this, so don't be
surprised when I blunder," she gave the board a suspicious look. It
looked so small. How could she ever stand on it? "Doesn't it just sink
under my weight?" her eyes were still on the board.

"I messed up quite a few times before I got the hang of it." He
smiled, remembering those days. Seeing the uncertainty, he sought to
reassure her. "No, just like a boat it floats. So you ready to try
paddling first?" He held his board up and then moved towards the
water.

"Okay. I do count on you to rescue me if I sink," Aishara replied. She
kicked off her boots and removed the rest of the clothing, revealing
her swim suit. "I'm not the best of the swimmers," she warned him.
Although she swam much better now than when she had been a weyrling.
She bravely waded into to the water and stopped to wait further
instructions.

He was quiet as he appreciated the form in the swimsuit, as any man
would. The greenrider had worked hard to take care of her dragon which
translated to a certain amount of tone. She rode a fighting dragon and
he could appreciate that as any bluerider would. "I promise I won't
let you drown. And I'm sure Leith won't either." He was sure Ayumith
might have something to say about that, so he wisely didn't mention
the green. "Allright so let me hold your board. You're going to get up
onto it and lie over the top, your head at the front and feet at the
back on your belly." He put his hands out for the wood and held it
steady, leaving his floating behind him tethered to his wrist.

Aishara followed the instructions. "Now what?" she asked. She was
naturally athletic and had been riding whole her life so she had very
good sense of balance. The board turned out easier to handle than she
had expected.

He got up on his and stayed flat on his belly. Then he began to paddle
out. "Paddle like this. Follow me."

Aishara followed his example.

Once they were out past the breakers, he showed her how to turn her
board around and sit up. "So this is where you want to be. Then you
sort of look behind you and watch for a good wave. When it comes, you
paddle furiously to get in front of it, then you have to stand up on
the board and ride it. The hardest part is standing up since it means
balance. I'll do it first so you can see and then if you feel up to
it, you can try a small wave. Okay?"

"Okay," Aishara replied, feeling slightly nervous.
Her first attempt to stand up on the board ended up her taking a dive
head first. Then she had to swam to catch her board. On a third
attempt she actually managed to surf a little distance before taking
the plunge. She resurfaced laughing with the delight. "I think I
finally got the hang of it!"

"Doing great. I don't even think I got up on the board till the fifth
try!" E'rae chuckled and yelled from where he watched, ready to go
pull her in if need be. None of the waves were very large in the
sheltered cove which made it better to practice in.

After more rounds, he dragged himself and the board up onto shore.
Surfing was great exercise. Sticking the board into the sand, he
turned to see if the greenrider was just as tired as he was. It was
high time for dinner.

Leith hadn't exactly been cavorting in the water all that time,
though. The blue dragon had seen some of his rider's thoughts and had
actually managed to collect a nice pile of driftwood further up on the
sand. He knew E'rae would know how to light it. His own belly was
empty of firestone.

Aishara's board joined his and then she groaned tiredly and slumped
down to the sand next to him. "Shards, I'm going to have sore muscles
tomorrow," she remarked.

"Aye that's true. It took me about two sevendays before I wasn't
aching afterwards. You did really good for your first day though." He
smiled, actually quite surprised by the greenrider. It had been a very
good day, overall. Sitting up, he shuffled towards Leith's harness
he'd laid down on the beach and pulled out a flint and striker. Using
the two he easily managed to light the fire the blue had built.
Putting that away, he nursed the flames till they were strong.
Satisfied, he reached into the harness bag and pulled out meat he'd
marinated himself. Setting up a makeshift grill over the flames, he
threw it on, along with some vegetables, and waited. "Here's hoping
you can wait just a bit for your dinner."

"I can wait. I'm parched though, what did we bring for drink?" Aishara replied.

"There's water, a wineskin, and some juice. I didn't know what you
like so I brought everything." Reaching into the bag, he brought
those out, letting her take her pick.

Aishara picked the waterskin and took a long drink. She was that
thirsty. When she had quenched her thirst, she regarded E'rae with
solemn gaze. "This was a good idea, I haven't had this much fun in
months. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Sometimes trying new things can get us out of being
stuck. Glad I could help." He didn't pry, letting it be her choice to
open up if she wanted to. The bluerider knew sometimes how much hurt
could hide behind a look like that.

Last updated on the June 8th 2017

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Wipe Out