Dragon Rider Play

Jeremiah pulled on his chestpiece, shirt, and bracers on. Once he was ready, he followed Pat, pulling his cloak hood up.

Pat grabbed her cloak but ran out without putting it on.  The rain was coming down hard, turning the dirt paths into mud rivers.  She laughed as she slipped and slid along, running for the rookery.  Rainy days were the best!

Jeremiah laughed and followed Pat a bit more slowly. Once at the rookery, he took his hood off again and went to Erika's stall.

Luke was still asleep. He had actually fallen asleep on the floor in Warrior's stall.

Warrior was wrapped around Luke, his wing over him like a blanket.  He was sound asleep with Luke, the sound of the rain soothing him.

Erika paced her stall, her spines out.  She didn't like this noise!  It was so strange and weird!  It scared her.

Pat bounced to Nightshade's stall.  "Nightshade!  Are yo awake?"

Jeremiah comforted Erika and told her that it was rain.

Nightshade yawned sleepily. What was that noise? It was very sleepy sounding. Good night, Pat.

Pat giggled and poked Nightshade gently.  "Come on, Nightshade!  Come see the rain.  Please?"

Erika hissed and shook herself so her spines rattled, but she gradually settled down into a moody sulk.  She didn't like it.  Too cold.  Too moist.  Hot and dry was better!  She looked up and hissed at Noctilucent.  The Cloud Dragon seemed to be the only one having any fun.

Nightshade raised her head and yawned at Pat. Maybe later. What was rain?

Jeremiah shook his head. "Tell you what; you can ride on my back, under my cloak, for today. That should keep you drier. Unless you want to stay in here all day."

"Water from the sky.  Won't you come see?" Pat coaxed.

Erika growled softly.  Staying inside was a good idea!  Going outside was not.

Nightshade cuddled down. Maybe later. She felt sleepy now.

Jeremiah nodded. "All right. I'll come back and check on you at lunch then, okay?"

"Fine, stay in bed!" Pat rolled her eyes.  "I'm going outside!"  She stood and headed for the door.  "Are you coming, Jeremiah?"

Erika's answer to that was to burrow under the straw and disappear.

"I'm coming, Pat." Jeremiah said. He left Erika to borrow and flipped his hood back up.

Pat skipped out into the rain once more.  Around them, riders hurried to and fro, huddled in their hoods and cloaks.  They looked miserable in the weather, rushing to get where they were going, whether it was the rookery or the mess hall.  Pat looked around and grinned.  Throwing back her head, she smiled up at the dark sky, closing her eyes as the rain pelted her face.  Arms out to the side, she turned in place, slowly at first then with increasing speed.  She couldn't help laughing in delight.

Jeremiah smiled as he watched her. "Why does the rain make you so happy?" He asked.

Pat came to a stop, shaking her head and sending her short hair flying.  "Rainy days are always my happy days," she smiled.  "They were the only days that I had to myself.  It was too dark for embroidery, we couldn't go out for lessons, so I had the day to myself!  I would go out and play and then the kitchen maids would help me clean up before Mother saw me that way.  I'd play fantasy in my room or outside... It was a tiny slice of freedom!"

Jeremiah smiled. "Sounds like it was a lot of fun." He said genuinely. "Personally, I could take or leave rainy days. To me, they're just another day."

"I know."  Pat smiled and held out her hands.  "Here, take my hands.  I'll show you what I see."

Jeremiah paused, but took Pat's hands, curious now.

Pat gripped his hands securely then leaned back and began to spin them both slowly.  The rain seemed to swirl and dance as they spun, especially looking up into it.  It looked like magic!

Jeremiah smiled and laughed. This was pretty fun. It made the rain look quite pretty.

Pat stumbled to a halt, half falling into Jeremiah as she giggled.  "That is why I love the rain!" she stated between giggles, leaning against him.

Jeremiah smiled and laughed. He held Pat to him some, his form solid. After a moment of just watching Pat, Jeremiah had to look away, his cheeks getting red. "Uh, we should go get breakfast, ya?"

"Sure.  Sorry I'm embarrassing you," Pat said, moving away.  She'd liked him holding her.  Strong and safe.  She shook off the feeling and moved off.  Today was too wonderful for gloomy thoughts!  "Breakfast awaits!"

Jeremiah nodded. "Can't keep Amond waiting, right?" He said. Jeremiah had liked having Pat close, surprisingly.

"Right!"  Pat opened the door for them both and wiped her feet as she stepped inside and hung up her wet cloak with the line of others.  Most of the riders were gathered toward the fireplace while the chefs finished putting out the food.

Jeremiah put his cloak up with Pat's and looked to see what was for breakfast today.