Something to Look Forward To

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 19th July 2006

Characters: D'cal, Sh'dori
Description: D'cal invites Sh'dori to play waterball
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 8 of Turn 3

The ball rolled across the beach, picking up sand and mud as it went. It finally came to a stop at Sh'dori's feet. "Sorry about that," D'cal called as he ran dripping down the beach after it.

"That's all right," the big brownrider grinned and picked up the ball, tossing it deftly back to the young man. "Playing aren't you?" "Just finished, actually," D'cal smiled. "Are you a player?"

"Used to be, on my younger days. I could still dunk you, I bet," Sh'dori answered. "Oh, I wouldn't talk so harshly," the bluerider grinned. "I look small, but I'm strong."

Sh'dori grinned wolfishly. "Ah, but I am both big and strong." D'cal's eyebrows raised at the implied challenge. "And I am a seacrafter raised in and on the sea. Do you think you could outswim me?"

"Probably not," Sh'dori conceded. "When did you play last?" D'cal asked curiously.

"Does teaching it to little children count?" Sh'dori asked. "Of course," the bluerider nodded, duely impressed. Good enough to teach, eh?

"Then last time was last restday. Mostly splashing around in shallows,"
Sh'dori shrugged. "Have you heard about the challenge that's gone out among the riders? From Dragonsfall and Riverbluff?"

"Yes, I've heard something. Reviving the old games? We used to have tournaments between weyrholds during the interval." "Well, I hear its more of a Turn End excuse to party. But it sounds like a sharding good time to me. Do you want to play?"

Sh'dori shrugged. "I play only for the fun. That's one reason why I quit the team. The captain back then was taking it all too seriously. Just because we lost three times in row to River Bluff Weyr, I was NOT going to dedicate all my free time for it." "I cannot vouch for the captain," D'cal admitted, the fact it was J'darin gauled him but there was nothing to be done about that, "but the rest of us play for fun. It's a team of volunteers. Of course, we'd like to win, but truth is, I think we all just want to have something other than Threadfall to look forward to."

"I'll think about it. It is, however, a good way to impress women," he winked at the bluerider. "I sharding hope so," the bluerider laughed. "Why else do men _compete_
if not to impress the women?"

"Why indeed, why indeed, "the brownrider agreed from the depths of his heart. "So, want a chance to impress the ladies?" D'cal asked, shaking the waterball enticingly.

"I always want to impress the ladies. Maybe I should practise a bit first. I won't impress anyone if I'm wallowing like overloaded barge." D'cal shrugged. "Ah, we have some time. Our first game isn't for a few seven-days yet."

"Toss me that ball and we'll see if I still remember the rules," Sh'dori suggested.

"Rules? There are rules to this game?" D'cal grinned. "Hold on a moment. Let me wash the sand off."

"Sure there is, like: don't drown anyone." "Well, then, you remembered," the bluerider called back to him as he splashed the ball with water to clean it. "I'm pretty sure that's the only rule I've ever heard. That and don't passed the plane of the net."

Sh'dori quickly removed his clothes and followed the weyrling into the water. This even might be fun, if he still remember how it was played.

"Go long," the bluerider said, pointing further out.

Sh'dori went where he was pointed to. "Get on with it, dontcha hold the ball," he said when he was ready.

"All right then," D'cal called and lobbed the ball as far out as he could.

Last updated on the July 19th 2006

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