Waist Deep in Muck! [Bre]

[jack]

“Ah…well lookee here.” The body shifted further, arms reaching farther down as the boy’s backside was lifted further into the air, his toes barely touching the ground as he bent over a fallen log. “This is…different.” A wide grin was settling itself on the teenager’s features, his dull eyes glittering as muddy fingers swiped almost desperately at the mud, clearing the muck away from something decisively shiny. He gave a soft grunt as he struggled to reach forwards further, bottom lip teased between his teeth as his brows knit together with determination. A few tense moments passed, the silence of the area split only by the occasional grunt or mumble as the boy struggled. But then there came a holler of victory, and the lean form leapt up, clutching a small bit of steel tightly to his chest.

“YES! I knew it! Knew it, knew it!” The boy, grinning ear to ear now, pushed his goggled up into his hair, unconsciously smearing much over his already muddy face as he wiped at his nose, staring with proud eyes at his prize. It wasn’t especially extraordinary, a simple silver platter with simple embellishments that could have been found on any expensive table. But he had found it! He had found it hiding in the muck and grime of an old pile of metal and strange shaped things he could only call “machinery” that his father and he had been picking clean for years. It, therefore, was a treasure of unimaginable perfection, and he hoisted it above his head with pride, watching as it glinted.

“Ahh—look at it, Cogs! Have you ever seen such a perfect thing? And Pa said I’d never find anything like it; said he’d already found everything of value! Haha!” Above his head, a Bronze shadow circled, giving a soft chatter of cheer for His before landing carefully on the boy’s head, tiny claws clicking as they clung to the goggles, his tail curling around the youth’s neck. He craned his own neck forwards curiously, eying the odd bit of metal with softly whirling eyes. An image of home and the melting pot his father kept permanently burning flowed into Sprocket’s mind, and he snorted, rolling his eyes up to meet Cogs’s stare. “Well of course I’m gonna melt it down! What else would I do with it? It’s a platter, for Faranth’s sake.”

Laughing, he tucked the platter under his arm and headed out of the dark little wooded area, Cogs leading the way lazily. Smiling with the air of a satisfied cat, he stepped out of the brush to the bright sun, grumbling as it burned his eyes. His goggles were lowered immediately, the clear lense replaced by a shadowed one with a flick of a lever on the side of one. Content to have his gaze more solid now, Sprocket made his way down a familiar pathway, stopping where a creek made its way out of the wood. A runnerbeast was tied at the tiny bridge, and it glanced over at him curiously for a moment before going back to the hay he had left for it. The boy grinned and trotted over, stripping of his shirt as he did.

After quickly rinsing off the majority of the muck—most of which, he mused thoughtfully—had managed to get its way into his hair—he set to cleaning off the tarnished silver, humming to himself as he wiped away centuries of mud and grime and algae patiently. In a little while he’d have to head back to the house, and set off for Crescent in the morning. He sighed, licking his lips. Sometimes, he missed the days when he could just lurk about the woods for days, seeking out lovely whatnots such as this.

[Admin]

And every time I've held a rose,
It seems I only felt the thorns,
And so it goes, and so it goes,
And so will you soon I suppose.

The yellow dragon burst from nowhere into the cool air of the southern summer. She bugled a triumphant call. The sky she saw was the sky of her birth! The cold winter of Dalibor, with its quick winds and sometimes snows, held its own majesty, but there wasn't anything quite as nice as the soft, lovely air of the south in that dark season. It kept the air from being sticky and wet. It brought a pleasant warmth after being in the dark void of between. Her rider flexed his fingers as he peered down at the hold spread out below them with a penitent, strained expression and a distant, faint grin. Home, Gejami Hold, where he had been born. He had never thought to return to it at that time.

Annith swept lower, long body elegant enough in the air though she was no great beauty to see in flight. It was arguable, of course, that the sight of any dragon in the air, just soaring and diving and twining with the winds, could be beautiful. At first, she headed for the hold, examining it with twists of her head as she descended. She could see, with her sharp, swirling, blue-green eyes, little forms racing all about below her. The watchdragon answered her cry, welcoming her, a distant, vague memory of seen glimpses to her, as they came from the same Weyr. It was so lovely to see many glad to see them! They did come on search; she liked to search. She was sure they would be glad to hear why they came.

Then there was a flash of metal. She turned her head sharply, shifting her wings to slow her speed and shift her direction. An iron there as well? No, just something made of metal, pretty much mundane, way off in the woods on the outskirts of the hold. They had plenty of time! She wanted to go investigate! With a strong flap of her wings, she set herself soaring off towards the bit of glitter. On her back, P'nay didn't complain. His worry went away, and his grin spread, dominating his well proportioned face. A little adventure would be fun, better than pretending to inspect little holdbrats who he had to stay away from while Annith did all the real of the work. Whatever had made that flash had to be interesting!

There was a creek that led into the woods, and it cut a nice open patch for her to land on with its banks. She landed softly, with a flick of her tail. She delicately folded her wings. P'nay undid the riding straps in a flash and slid from her back, landing only a little heavier than her on the ground. He whirled, raising his arms joyously and pulling off his riding helmet to shake out his tawny blond hair. He surveyed the area, searching for what might have brought them over there. It didn't take him long to find. It had a nice butt. Annith would only agree to the fact that the shiny plate that it held must be the sparkler. She never had shown any proper taste in men, so he didn't blame her. He just grinned, charmingly.

"Hello;" he called, waving as he tucked his helmet under his arm. The southern weather was so much fairer. He dropped the helmet on the ground, and pulled off his flight jacket, wishing he was wearing something other than his flight gear. That done, he loped over towards the boy, still grinning a pretty smile. Annith stretched out her neck, sniffing with intrigue at this individual. The plate held little interest to her; she didn't care that much for things that glimmered. They were nice, but not fascinating. However, this person could keep her interest; she liked people. He certainly seemed to be keeping the attention of her rider, who looked quite gleeful as he gallivanted on to get closer to the dirt streaked boy.

And this is why my eyes are closed,
It's just as well for all I've seen,
And so it goes, and so it goes,
And you're the only one who knows.

[jack]

Sprocket--oblivious boy that he was--didn't seem to notice as the massive creature landed, his adoring stare locked on his prize. His goggles were up now, a slight change in cloud-cover making it easier on his sensitive eyes. His platter nice and clean, however, he rose to his feet, moving to get out of the creek. Instead, he found himself faced with a gallivanting rider and an immense Yellow dragon.

A soft squeak of surprise slid past his lips and he took a step back, taking a moment to realize that yes, he had missed the dragon's arrival and yes, that man was talking to him, before straightening to his feet with a confused blink. "Ah...hello.." He chirped hesitantly back, his platter pressed against his bare chest in a failing attempt at modesty. Cogs quickly came to the rescue of His, however, scooping up the man's abandoned shirt and tugging at his pants leg.

Sprocket quickly knelt down and took the tunic, shrugging it on and moving quickly to the side of his runnerbeast. The steed--which he was semi-expecting to be panicking--merely bat an eye at his rider, staring at Annith with the bland expression of an old plow-horse who'd seen and done everything. "Uhm...I-I'm sorry." The boy chirped out after a moment, running a hand over his dripping locks, "I didn't realize that...uh..you were..needing this area?" He shifted, fiddling with his goggles warily, "We'll...uh...we'll leave you be, rider. Sorry to intrude."

Not that he had, in fact, intruded on anything. But he wasn't about to argue with a Yellowrider, even if the man hadn't told him to leave yet.

[Admin]

And before the night was over, oh,
Her little secret was between us,
But she laughed, I cried,
And she said, "I'll be fine."

At the nervous reaction of the boy, P'nay softened his posture and expression. He glanced briefly at the bronze firelizard that flitted about the boy's legs. The sight of a flitter wasn't rare at the Weyr; they had several bronzes that ran all about causing what trouble Kings did. "It's fine. Your aren't intruding;" the rider assured the more squarely built youth, slowing his approach. His arms sat extended from his sides, showing he wasn't armed and didn't intend any harm by coming closer. The last thing he wanted to do was scare the boy off so quickly.

Behind him, Annith let out a comforting croon, a gentle soul by nature and born to nurture when needed for the sake of another. Anyway, she certainly didn't see a reason why the boy needed to be afraid. Her rider was good, if he wasn't allowed to run too rampant on the unsuspecting. "I'm P'nay. This is Annith;" he said, introducing them. He gave an appropriate wave of majesty and admiration towards his lovely yellow, who let out another croon to show gentle recognition. Step by step, he moved closer, keeping his pace steady and subtle in its forwardness.

"We saw your plate. It's pretty. Just came to say hello;" he explained, smiling beautifully. Another step, then another, and another. He stood before Sprocket and extended his hand. "It's lovely to meet you;" he said, with perfect manners. With the skittish creature before him, he took a leaf from Annith's book, acting exuberantly sweet and tender. She had her secrets, of course, and could change from that, and, thus, so might he. They each had their twists and turns. He wasn't planning anything, really. He just had vague hopes.

How am I suppose to help,
Somebody when they tell you,
That they don't need help,
How am I suppose to reach a soul.

[jack]

So...the rider wasn't here to..do whatever nonsense rider's did in Sprocket's favorite place? The boy blinked, tilting his head slightly, then arched a brow. Well, that did make sense. What would a rider do with a mud-hole anyways? If dragons were anything like his lovely little flit--a clean freak--they wouldn't want to be in the mud anyways. Feeling that the ordeal was already explained away, he arched his brow further, a slight frown tugging at his lips at the almost...belittling manner the other man was acting. Sprocket wasn't a child, he was just a worry wort!

"My name is Sprocket, and this is Cogs." The teenager interrupted, smiling pleasantly as he took a few steps forwards, bridging the gap between them and taking the blond's hand. He shook it firmly, Cogs scurrying up his legs and torso to perch on his elbow royally, inspecting P'nay carefully. Finding the blond to be at least semi-acceptable, the King gave a soft scoffing sound and padded up to His's shoulder, arching his neck regally as he sat there. The dirt-covered boy gave a lop-sided grin, reaching up to rub the flit's eyeridges fondly.

His smile broadened to more of a grin when his platter was praised, and he held it up with child-like pride, displaying it to P'nay in a manner as though he just wanted to stare at it himself. "It is rather fantastic, isn't it? I can't tell you how happy I was to find it--my father was convinced we'd gleaned the last bit of silver out of this area." His grin grew wider and he licked his lips, his eyes practically sparkling as he let his mind wander to all the fantastic things he could do with the significant amount of silver. Practically swaying with excitement, it took a quick bite from Cogs for him to regain his composure, and the boy flushed as he literally glued his feet to the ground, shrinking down a bit. "Ah..I'm...uh sorry. I...kinda got carried away."

Swallowing, Sprocket diverted his eyes to Annith, almost as though he were seeking a distraction. He looked her over carefully, and smiled softly, "Annith, is it? S'very a very handsome creature." He laughed gently, glancing to Cogs, "I've never really seen a dragon this close," His gaze drifted to P'nay, "I mean, I've seen them before, but I've never had to travel so far that I couldn't go by runnerbeast. Are they...good company? I mean, Cogs is a life-saver. I couldn't imagine life without him now that I have him, but dragons...are they anything like that?"

[Admin]

Who shot that arrow in your throat?
Who missed the crimson apple?
It hung heavy on the tree above your head.

P'nay blinked when the boy, Sprocket, with the bronze flitter, who was named Cogs, stepped right up and shook his hand. Then his grin widened, becoming just a little bit devilish. He eyed the firelizard who inspected him back with a mighty, intrigued neutrality. When he was presented with the silver platter he cared nothing about, he tried to awkwardly match the enthusiasm the boy had for it. He inspected it, wonder what the fascination was. He supposed it pretty, and would suppose it all the prettier for its bearer. However, he failed to see why it was just so wondrous.

Politely, he waited while the boy fell silent for a time, linking his hands behind his back and leaning forward a bit to inspect Sprocket closer. He had dirt on him still; it looked cute. It looked even cuter when he steadied himself and blushed. "It's fine;" P'nay assured Sprocket. He whirled around to face Annith as the conversation turned to his beautiful dragon. She shifted, comfortably, under their gaze. Handsome? He failed to see it. He loved to see the world as beautiful, not a single aspect as handsome unless required, and Annith was the most beautiful piece of it. However, he let it go. It was still a compliment.

"Dragons aren't a thing like that. They're so much better. No offense to Cogs, of course;" P'nay said, glancing back from Annith to Sprocket and his little bronze with a sincere look of mild apology. "Annith has saved my life more than a time or two. Her and I go back a long while, from before the beginning of time, and on till the end, aye, lovely?" His dramatic words fell from his lips with a stark rawness and reality to them. He seemed quite happy, smiling on through it with utter happiness, but not a thing he said right then he didn't mean. Soulmates, lifemates, dragon and rider.

Annith rumbled, voice deep and comforting. She flared her wings. She would do anything for hers! She would never let him die. When he died, she would go away too. Together, forever, now that they had each other. P'nay's expression turned soft and open, full of fond memories and a blinding love for the refined beast before him. He shook his head, not in any negative fashion but simply an exuberant acceptance and blink. Briefly, he closed his eyes, and then he opened them to look at Sprocket, expression sharper. "Annith is the best of company. You won't find any better. Though, I must say, I'm pretty fine company myself;" he teased, grinning. Then, out of the blue, he made a request. "Want to go swimming?" The creek wasn't that big, but it looked big enough. Without a thought, he yanked his shirt off, kicked off his boots, and waded into the frigid, shallow water. Annith let out a sigh.

Gloria, we lied, we can't go on,
This is the time and,
This is the place to be alive.

[jack]

Cogs was the first to speak up after P'nay had spoken about dragons, making a rare noise that sounded a bit like a snort. Sprocket looked down at the flit curiously, smiling fondly at him as he reached up and lovingly rubbed the Bronze's eyeridges. The fire lizard reluctantly leaned into the touch, making certain to fix P'nay with a rather indignant stare first though. He would have to have a discussion with this blond creature later--couldn't have his lovely Sprocket thinking that dragons were too much better than he.

"Sounds...rather marvelous." Sprocket mumbled, tucking the platter under his arm in order to hold his flit, running his fingers fondly over the well-polished hide, "I mean...well..I don't know. You certainly must have a rather wonderful time though. If they're so much better than flits...I honestly can't imagine life with one--it must be...incredible." He smiled, a sweet adoring one, and looked up at the other, his eyes large and intrigued. But without explanation, he suddenly shrunk back, pupils dilating in worried fear and his body language going from antsy but relaxed, to silently terrified.

"H-Her..?" He nearly squeaked, releasing Cogs to bring his platter in front of him, almost as though he though the tiny silver thing could keep him that much safer from the massive Yellow, "Y-You mean its a girl?" He swallowed--a deep, panicked gulp--and took several steps back, eying the distance between himself and his runner with decisive want. The runner was closer to the dragon than Sprocket himself was, however, and he quickly decided that it would be far too risky.

He swallowed again and shuffled a bit further back, the platter still up in shield-mode as Cogs protectively curled around his neck, nuzzling his cheek in an attempt at calming him. "I am...very sure you are amazing company." He chattered quickly, moving backwards even more, "B-But..ah..I...should probably get going." He took a deep gulp, but paused, momentarily distracted by the blond's lack of dress--my goodness he was nice to look at...--before the realization that the dragon was still there kicked in and he shuffled away more, "H-Have a p-p-pleasant s-swim, Rider." He chirped, squeakier than ever, "I-I think I'm going t-t-o...uh..g-go hide in a log or some other inconspicuous and dirty thing."

[Admin]

You should've said no,
You should've gone home,
You should've thought twice,
Before you let it all go.

P'nay, standing up to his knees in cold water, tried to puzzle out why, all of a sudden, the boy was terrified of him and his dragon, when he'd seemed so confident after being briefly surprised. All because Annith was a girl? "Well, I can't fault logs for options of hiding places, though I've always been a caves man myself, just calm down a second;" he said carefully, mind whirling. He didn't want Sprocket to go! So, a little white lying wouldn't hurt anyone, only help!

"Yellows can be boys or girls. They're sort of gender neutral. He's a boy, in truth, cause I'm a boy;" he explained, pulling his things out of his butt in a very convincing voice. He meant no offense to his beautiful dragon, who couldn't be more of a perfect female and he couldn't see her any other way, and tried to make that clear to her with apologetic thoughts. He was just trying to make Sprocket less terrified! It was all for the sake of that boy, for the greater good!

That is why I can have eggs? Annith innocently questioned.
Beside the point. Male whites hardly chase anything, right? P'nay said reassuringly.
So I'm supposed to be a male white? She sounded mildly confused.
Yeah, a very yellow male white! Exactly! Her rider readily accepted this idea.

Annith, who had been quite willing to help with this odd boy, seemed to accept his reasoning, shifting her weight back slightly so she was a tinge farther from Sprocket and relaxed comfortably on the grass of the creek bank. To make it extra convincing, she let out a low rumble, digging out her voice from deep within her chest. "Yellows all look like him. They're the prettiest dragons about;" P'nay continued, with extreme pride for yellows coming into his voice with ease.

"So, you want to keep enjoying my amazing company;" P'nay wheedled, grinning in that winning way he did so well. He waded deeper into the water, ignoring the chill so he wouldn't break the perfect face he'd put on to convince Sprocket. He felt the tug of the weak current of the creek around his legs. Playfully, he splashed a bit of water towards Sprocket, trailing his fingers through the water with a slight beckoning motion. He played pure temptation, irresistible.

I shouldn't be asking myself why,
You shouldn't be begging,
For forgiveness at my feet,
You should've said no, baby.

[jack]

"G-Gender neutral..?" Sprocket repeated, looking a bit like a spooked dog as he paused in flight, his head slightly down and shoulders hunched, but his eyes lifted in hopeful interest. "S-So....it..depends on your g-gender?" Well, that didn't make a lot of sense. How would the dragon know the gender of the person they would impress while in the egg? It certainly was improbable that it knew early enough to develop the proper anatomical structure to match a person it had absolutely no contact with..

But dragons themselves were rather illogical--at least when looked at through the eyes of someone like him--and he desperately wanted the rider to be telling the truth. So reluctantly, he accepted it in his head, although he still wasn't completely relaxed anymore.

"If h-he's a boy..." He mumbled after a moment though, not slinking any closer, but not moving any farther either, "Then why d-did you call him a h-her..?" The teenager shifted slightly, lightly scratching at his platter with dull fingernails, and Cogs shifted, giving P'nay the most 'you and he are both imbeciles' look that he could muster. Sprocket reached up, stroking the flit's head, and the Bronze ruffled his wings, averting his gaze to Annith for a moment--definitely a girl--before relaxing into the man's touch.

Sprocket licked his lips absently, half-heartedly trying to hide his stare as he watched the blond sidle further into the water. He swallowed after a moment, glancing to Annith, but with a soft smile--well, if the rider said it was a boy, it was a boy!--sidled over at long last. He plopped himself down on the bank, the platter in the dirt beside him and Cogs perched on his head, and grinned. "I-Its a bit too cold to swim, don't you think...?" He murmured, looking again to Annith, unable to become completely comfortable again.

Ugh! He had such contradicting thoughts...sometimes...
His eyes wandered down P'nay' lean form...over beautifully soft skin and perfectly tamed hair...
The gray-haired youth bit his bottom lip, averting his eyes to the tree line. Curse him and his head.

[Admin]

I'm up against the wall,
Like I committed a crime,
Take care,
I hope never to see you here.

Lies upon lies came into his head. Annith didn't mind what he called her, which was true enough. Ideas about how explaining how only about ten percent of females weren't infertile in dragons, Queens and reds and oranges and a couple of yellows, whites, and grays. He gave a shrug, suggesting he was an idiot, when Sprocket asked why he had messed up his own dragon's gender. It was just because; he choose not to provide anything more to stop lying.

Annith watched Cogs, sensitive to the colors of his eyes and the shift of his body. She would protect the bronze's bonded, and she would protect her rider. Those thoughts brought out a fierce, firm streak that lay deep within her. She looked straight at the bronze firelizard and sent him a single thought, all raw emotion so he would understand. Annith was a boy. HE was a boy. She accepted her new, momentary gender easily. The bronze would take it too.

At the sight of the youth sitting, P'nay let out a sigh of breath, disguising it behind splashes in the water. "It ain't so bad;" he assured Sprocket, though his voice became more playful and light than before. He could easily keep the freezing sensation creeping into his toes out of his mind by sheer force of will for his intentions. It really wasn't that bad. Wasn't exactly like the Southern ocean in summer, but it was nice if one tried hard.

"It'll be even warmer if you come and play with me;" he added, with a big, twisted grin and a less than innocent wink. He was no good, but that was entirely the point, now wasn't it? He wanted to get up to no good, with Sprocket! Light danced in his blue hazel eyes. He tilted his head back slightly, letting his blond and brown hair fall back from the angles of his face. Drops of water ran along his face where they had landed from his splashing.

P'nay glanced at Annith, since he did note that the boy still didn't look too comfortable with her. "He can go if you want. He wouldn't mind, right, lovey?" Annith let out a deep rumble, starting to pick herself up and stood. She seemed eager, knowing what her rider was going to get up to if he was allowed. Crouching, she launched herself up and swept her wings down to sail off. Her rider smiled at Sprocket, and beckoned him into the water again.

I couldn't lead them on like mice,
I couldn't fool them all,
That's not something I do,
Cause I'm me not you.

[jack]

Cogs--who had appeared to settle down after a moment--shot Annith a rather sharp look the moment the dragonness sent a thought bubble his way. He stared, his eyes whirling, but accepted the Yellow's emotion after a moment, realizing that whatever they were up to--he still didn't think she was a he--it was for Sprocket's good. And so long as His--sweet, clueless His--was going to be happy, he would go along with it. He settled with a very quiet rumble, fiddling with the boy's grey mess of hair.

The teenager glanced curiously up at the Bronze when he started almost girlishly messing with is locks, but after a quick, bemused look, he set a soft smile onto his lips and returned his gaze again to P'nay. "Oh I-I don't know about that." He mumbled, eying the water with distaste, "I was just in that stuff...and it seemed awful cold t--"
He broke off at P'nay's request for him to join in, his eyes widening slightly. An adorable flush spread quickly onto his cheeks when he recognized the--not so--subtle hints the blond was giving, and he quickly hunched his shoulders and crossed his legs, his hands in his lap and his chin tucked to his chest. Eyes peering like a sheepish hound dog from his mop of hair--which had fallen rather haphazardly into his face, to the displeasure of neat little Cogs--he swallowed, his blush growing darker.

Before the boy even had time to stutter out a reply, however, P'nay had gone on, gently sending away the Yellow...all for Sprocket's sake. The gray-haired boy ducked his head completely, staring at his hands for a good, long moment. But--reluctantly--he lifted it at last, biting his bottom lip as he looked with well-reigned in excitement at P'nay. "I-I guess a...quick swim would..b-be okay."

He rose to his feet slowly, lifting Cogs from his head as he did. Gently pressing his lips to the flit's forehead, he sent him an image of Home, as well as a "message" to give to his father. The flit gave a rare chirp of agreement, and with a light toss from Sprocket, was off into the air. Sprocket, meanwhile, turned his attention to P'nay, a gentle little smile on his face. Licking his lips sheepishly, he reached down, pulling his shirt up and over his head. It was immediately clear that yes, Sprocket was definitely a smith.

Lean muscle covered every inch of him, from his well-defined hips to his slightly broad shoulders, and arms that were dancing a nice little jig on the boarder between smooth and pure muscle. Tossing his shirt to the side--his boots quickly following it to lay by the platter--he shot P'nay an almost curious look, an almost playful smile on his own face as he carefully pulled his goggles free of his hair, tossing them to the ground as well. "So..P'nay.." He began, sliding easily into the water and making his way--after a full-body shudder from the cold--to the blond's side, "Is it...common for you to drag poor bystanders into random ice-water swims?"

[Admin]

You make me smile like the sun,
Fall out of bed, sing like bird,
Dizzy in my head, spin like a record.

P'nay thought better than to clap like an eager child when Sprocket agreed to join him, just beaming widely to show how happy he was that he was going to have company. He had been concerned, in the long time the boy kept staring down, that perhaps he might actually say no, but that all went away when those tentative words came out of his lips, biting his lips in that adorable fashion. If the yellowrider didn't have an entirely one-track mind, he might actually have been a competitive fellow. However, all he did was enjoy the cute shyness of Sprocket and how he was making it go away.

Then he enjoyed the sight of the boy without a shirt. A smith! He had an impeccable eye, didn't he! There certainly wasn't a need for Sprocket to be sheepish! Perfect muscles, those were what those were, in P'nay's opinion, and he'd certainly seen his fair share of bodies in his time. He tilted his head ever so slightly to the side, trailing his fingers back and forth through the water. The freezing chill of the probably mountain source or ice melt stream had been forgotten by him. It felt like the perfect temperature. It was better than a southern beach. Everything was better with company, especially attractive, muscular company with cute facial expressions.

Seeing Sprocket's playful smile, he let his own grin settle back into something to match. He watched, fixedly as if he couldn't look away, as the boy slid into the water and came over towards him. "Oh yes, me and Annith flying around all the time, find freezing streams, or rivers, rivers are quite good too, and then find people near them to invite to swim in them;" P'nay replied, voice sincere except for the laughter in his eyes and in his smile. He hardly thought of the swim as random. He had wonderful logic for wanting to go swimming! It included meaning he could not have a shirt on and to get Sprocket not to have one on either.

The motion slow but subtle, he reached over and took the boy's hand in his. For several seconds, he just stood there, gently holding the boy's hand, making sure that it was clear he meant nothing by it but a show of kindness as he kept on grinning over at Sprocket. "See, it isn't so bad, is it;" he asked after that short while, voice and expression soft in cheerful happiness and bliss that he obviously thought his new companion should share.

Not wishing to push his luck, as he had been quite insistent in taking and keeping Sprocket's hand for that bit, he released the boy. Turning, he waded deeper into the water, though there wasn't much farther to go. Current, slow and sluggish and not likely to do him any harm, tugged and pulled around him in a comforting, soothing flow. He turned his head, looking back of his shoulder, and gave Sprocket another wink, grin turning back to devilish in a manner fitting of him. He trailed his fingers through the water behind him, subtly still beckoning for Sprocket to follow, follow him.

You make me dance like a fool,
Forget how to breathe,
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee.

[jack]

A soft, comfortable smile settled onto Sprocket's lips, the M.I.A. dragon clearly soothing his nerves completely. Cogs sailed in a few moments after the gray-haired teenager slid forwards, cocking a grin at the man's apparent spring-hopping before noting the Bronze's arrival keenly. The flit gave a soft flare of his wings--an affirmative that his message had been delivered--and settled on the boy's runner, curling up for a nap.

Sprocket, meanwhile, turned his attention on P'nay. There wasn't a hint of fear on the boy's face as he let his fingers slide free of the blond's hand, his eyes wandering absently over the man's form. Annith was gone--he still was a bit wary he was a she--his father knew he was going to be late...Cogs was asleep...and his platter was still nice and shiny behind him. His smile grew into a lop-sided grin, clean white teeth showing ever so slightly.

"No...I suppose it isn't." He replied, voice low in his throat as he stalked after P'nay, his eyes locked determinedly on the blond's. With a distinctly predatory air he slunk around the blond, using his own familiarity with the area and the water allowing him to circle the man, marking over the other almost as though he were looking over an especially lovely bit of steel. Licking his lips, he came in front of P'nay and began to slide forwards. Without warning he was suddenly in front of the blond, his hands pressing against the man's hips as he backed him into one of the creek's high banks, grinning lazily. "But it could get hotter."

Chuckling, he leaned in, lips hovering inches from P'nay's. For a moment he searched the man's eyes--a thousand questions in his stare--before he shoved them all away lazily and brushed his lips against the other's. A second passed and he did it again, before--with a grin--he pulled the blond's hips forwards and gave him a viciously strong kiss. Strange and skittish as he was, Sprocket was far from unexperienced. He would happily give P'nay a run for his money.

[Admin]

I want you to want me,
I need you to need me,
I'd love you to love me,
And I'm begging you to beg me.

Subtly, P'nay swallowed as the tides of their little swim suddenly turned upon him. He tried to follow the circling of the boy, eyes fixed with a scared delight on the youth with the gray hair, but found his feet slipping over rocks as he tried to turn. He froze and didn't move as Sprocket advanced on him. He didn't want to run, even if he felt oddly like he was being hunted. There were worse feelings in the world. The change in situation was interesting. He grinned as he was backed into something that felt like packed dirt.

The dangerous mention that it could get hotter made his spine shiver in delight that sent courage rushing through his blood with red hot adrenaline. The thrill of it all flared through his body like liquid fire. The idea that it had ever been cold fled far from his mind as he regarded Sprocket back, and then he felt lips lightly against his. Halfheartedly, not wanting to be torn away from the sight of exactly what was going on before him, his eyes fluttered. He drew in a breath to fill lungs that were empty for reasons having nothing to do with logic, when there was a pause before another kiss.

The third kiss was the best. The fierceness of it brought more skin in contact. He pressed back, brushing more skin against him as he deepened the already thick kiss. He hadn't expect that to be how it would go. He was the instigator. He was the one who brought it all crashing down. He was the one who jumped people. However, he was quite pleasantly surprised to find that Sprocket could hold his own. His hands and fingers glided over the smith's muscular back.

Of course, that wasn't to say that Sprocket was coming out on top. His fingers caught the fingers of one of the boy's hands, pulling it away from his hip. Then he slipped free, ending the kiss with a last bit of quick, taunting pressure. "I don't think it's quite as hot as it could be, but we're making excellent progress;" he commented as he slithered sideways in the water, having no better way to try to keep his distance. He didn't try to get far. He just tried to get Sprocket to turn. Then he lunged in for another kiss, pressing the boy back that time around.

Feeling all alone without a friend,
You know you feel like dying,
Oh, didn't I, didn't I,
Didn't I see you crying.

[jack]

Soft grey eyes, wise with work and years, flashed as the other man's hands brushed against his fingers, moving them keenly from the soft skin at the blond's hips. Reluctantly, but willingly, he allowed his arms to be moved, taking keen advantage of that last bit of pressure to snake his tongue out and run it along the man's lip before he smirked and watched as P'nay danced away. Standing still and solid, he raked his eyes up and down the man's form. Fearless without women around, he let his shoulders fall back and down, stretching up slightly as he lifted his chin and let his arms hung loose at his side.

"You're probably right." He crooned, voice low, husky, and calling, "Though if you're gonna keep yourself way over there, it'll just have to stay the same temperature." Smugly, his smirk twisted and he lowered his chin, eying the man from a lower angle. His hair--damp from water--hung over into his face, giving him a strangely dark appearance even as he tilted his head to the side and allowed light to flicker on one cheek. Keenly, he watched the blond as he slithered around, but seemed reluctant to turn. Only when he could no longer crane his neck and easily see P'nay did he turn, and he was quick to solidify his stance once more, the foot that had been forced to move cleverly seeking out a stone with less algae than the others.

Years of working and wading through creeks just like these made him wise to their ways--he wasn't about to risk falling down in this instance. Licking his lips, he set to observing P'nay with his full attention once more, and thanked himself half a moment later when the man lunged. Instinctively he spread his arms a bit, capturing the blond and slowing the attack just in time. Grinning as lips were pressed against his, he just barely kept his ground, bare toes clutching the stones like tiny claws. Feisty fellow.

Hungrily, he now pressed back, muscles straining against the awkward position and the weight of the other as one foot went back to brace on. He refused to let himself be pushed into a corner, a stubbornness he was certain would surprise P'nay rising like clean flowing water to the surface. "Nice try." He whispered after the kiss had dissipated, "But you'll have to try a bit harder."

Grinning, he shifted and took a step forwards, sidestepping in an attempt to get around P'nay. Irregardless of his success or failure, he wrapped his arms lazily around the man's waist, and set to attacking his neck, gentle nips and nibbles leaving a trail up the Yellowrider's neck and to his jawline.

[Admin]

Oh, take a chance,
Let your body get a tolerance,
I'm not a chance, but a heat wave in your pants,
Pull a breath like another cigarette.

P'nay didn't exactly care that Sprocket held his ground. He was pleased, simply because he got to kiss the boy. It didn't matter to him in the end, and he let the smith step around him as the hungry kiss ended. He grinned, stretching out his neck by tipping his head back, as he was caught with a hand around his waist and nips against his neck. "I think that was actually a very nice try, and I am quite happy with not trying again as things are;" he said quietly, because it was only really necessary for him to speak loud enough that the burble of the stream didn't overwhelm his husky voice. It didn't have to be a single bit louder.

Mine, I think he would be a good candidate. Annith, who had been staying out of it and enjoying a nice look over of the surrounding land, suddenly jumped into his mind. His eyes unfocused and he stopped dead. I probably should get another look at him; she helpfully added. Pretty yellow dragon of his had said what? His brain, intent on one thing, refused to process the information. No, no, not possible! Sprocket could not be a candidate, because he was far too amazing. He wasn't supposed to sleep with candidates. Annith tended to give him sad looks for it. She liked him to behave sometimes, about silly rules and senses such as that.

Of course, that hadn't stop him a time or two before, but he shifted reluctantly away. He looked cross, though still very interested from the unfocused way he eyed Sprocket. "Annith says you might be a candidate. Wants another look;" he muttered, crossing his arms to keep them to himself in a disgruntle fashion. Already winging over, Annith settled a respectful distance from the stream, not wanting to upset the smith. It was easier to pretend to be a boy from farther away. She was concerned about looking female, even if it was silly that she cared so much about Sprocket's well being. Being a candidate was good!

A cross P'nay minded his manners as his yellow scrutinized his would-be lover. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe he'd just have to salvage the mood. She took her time. He started to twitch. She continued to take her time, twisting her head. "Annith;" he complained like an upset and bored child. Then he lunged for Sprocket, and that time it was a surprise to even him. Annith failed to find a polite way to protest. If Sprocket was a candidate, he would worry about it later! He hungrily locked lips with the attractive boy, twining their bodies. She should have mentioned it earlier to him. He wasn't patient enough to wait out her choice.

Said-a, I don't care just a-what you think,
As long as it's about me,
You said I don't care just what you think,
As long as it's about me.