[PRP] A Nice Surprise (Cal & T'sal)

[DruidTigeress]

Masterharper

Neri sat on the warm sands out on the shore near their cove, with Lulu stretched lazily across her lap, and a small cluster of eggs in the sand beside her. Though banished from her side, the proud father still managed to look decidedly smug as he perched on Finbar's shoulders. The pale green didn't seem to mind these humans getting close to or handling her eggs. You might say it spoke to the trust she had in her bondmate, but, in reality, what it really spoke to was her total lack of interest when it came to motherhood.

Neri, for her part, had no intention of keeping any of the eggs. She'd impressed Lulu in the first place on accident, and though the calm and docile green had worked out well for her, she wasn't willing to roll the dice on another just yet.

"I'm good with just Lulu.. But if you want an egg, you can take it." she said to her friends who were present.
"I think one's enough for me too." Cal said, his own green crawling up the back of his neck, under his shirt. Darling had been a joy to have around, but he certainly wouldn't say he needed another one.
"What about you, Finbar? Is one enough for.." Before she could finish, Fin gave his answer by thrusting out his hand silently for an egg. Neri laughed, picking a dark colored egg for the young seacrafter. "Get Nelly to show you how to take of it!" she called after him as he darted away, trailed by his sandy brown. Several others picked up an egg or two and then drifted away, until only the two friends were left. She figured whatever wasn't taken by their group, she would give to the island children to keep or sell, as they pleased.

Cal crouched down in the sand, looking closely at the brightly colored eggs. An idea suddenly occurred to him. Or rather, something he'd forgotten. "Actually, if you wouldn't mind.." he started to ask. But by the time he turned his gaze back to Neri, she was already holding out an egg to him, with a prescient smile.
"Here." she said, depositing the small green egg into his hands. "Alloth's been dying to tell her all day, but I made her wait. I figured you'd want to be the one to do it."

Standing, she scooped Lulu up in one arm and picked up the last remaining egg with the other. Her gaze clouded for a just a second, as she spoke to her dragon. "Alloth's asked Zayinth to meet you here." she said, grinning cheekily. "I'll give you two some alone time," she added with a wink.  

[Masterharper]

DruidTigeress

Super slow tag! Sorry! gaia_star

T'sal hadn't expected to be summoned, but to say a part of him didn't light up at the call would have been a lie. A small part of the green rider knew he had it bad, but he never let himself really think about it. It wasn't that he was against having feelings for Caliban -- the two of them had been having fun for Turns now -- but commitment had never been the green rider's strong suit. Furthermore, he knew how their relationship started -- some fun when they could manage it, no strings attached, no questions asked. He didn't need to ask what Cal got up to on his long sea journeys or trips to foreign ports, and T'sal certainly wasn't going to give Cal details of his escapades.

But romantically, a small part of T'sal knew that things were changing. The last time he knocked boots with someone that wasn't Caliban had been some time; and though he claimed he just hadn't found anyone interesting yet, the reality he didn't want to face was he just found it unsatisfying and unappealing. Furthermore, he found himself thinking more and more about that serious sea captain, and tried to find more excuses to bump into him. It wasn't always easy, given T'sal was landbound, and Cal married to the sea, but sometimes it managed -- and it helped that Zayinth liked Alloth so well.

Ah, but though T'sal understood that he was falling, he refused to put stock into it. They just were meant to have fun -- he didn't need to think about anything more, and didn't ant to face the reality that maybe, just maybe, he felt more than Cal did. It was possible, and it wasn't something he was going to risk facing. So he would enjoy what he got, and take it day by day.

And if he was a bit heartsore and lovesick, well, no one but Zayinth had to know. Thankfully, the green could keep a secret

Though T'sal had no idea what this summons was about, he had high hopes. "Any idea what they need?" He questioned Zayinth as he mounted up. He'd been spending time in Southern Boll Hold, enjoying the pleasant weather, and the hospitality of some of the smaller holds. It was a bit quiet for the man, but he was able to do some trading of goods with a local Caravan that was passing through, and a Gather was scheduled the next sevenday, something T'sal was considering attending. Some of his patrons had a few things they needed that they couldn't get due to their exiled ranks, and a few had a message or two to be sent to others in hiding. T'sal didn't ask questions, and just did what he had to do to make his marks and keep his comfort.

Ah, but he'd done most of what he'd come to Souther Boll to do, and the rest could wait a day or two. No, for now, he'd happily take an excuse to Cal and Neri's little cove to see what was so needed.

Alloth wouldn't say, but it will be good to see her, and the others. Zayinth's pleasure only heightened T'sal's own joy. Reaching out to the green, she informed Alloth they would be there soon.

- - -

The green bugled greeting when she appeared from Between not too long after her message to Alloth was sent. She dropped quickly to the beach, but pulled up for a delicate landing not far from where Cal stood. Her eyes whirled a bright blue-green, and she looked around hopefully for Alloth. We are here, Alloth! As if her own bugle could have been mistaken as someone else.

Ah, but the green was excited to see her friend, and could hardly wait for T'sal to remove her straps.

Once his green was free to move around as she pleased -- or take a dive into the waters without ruining their riding gear -- T'sal was quick to push up his riding goggles and make a bee line straight for Cal. "Well this is a nice surprise . . . Didn't expect to hear from Alloth today." Part of the green rider wanted to kiss his hellos, but another part of him knew he had to play it cool and smarmy. He wasn't a lovestruck green rider, pfft. Of course not. He'd make up for that later if he had his way.