Dragon Rider Play

Tithenor stood waiting patiently for the other two boys to join them, his head tipped back as he watched the sky.  The clouds were few and far in between, but still pretty.

Erika grumbled at being interrupted in her play, but Warrior was only too happy to snuggle up in Mark's arms.

Blade grinned when he saw his friend. "53 just told me to keep them clean and not roll around in the mud." He told his friend as he put Erika away. "Okay, now if you wanted you can take a nap, okay? I'll right back after lunch."

Mark put Warrior in his cage with his ball. "Be good while I'm gone, okay?"

Erika yawned and clicked in reply before wandering into her little hut and settling in for a nap.  Ah, nap!

Warrior cooed softly, head butting Mark's hand before going after his ball.  He liked his ball.

When Blade returned, Tithenor told him, "I thank you for getting it checked."

Blade shrugged and grinned at Tithenor. "Yeah, I figured I'd better go myself before you dragged me there." He teased his friend. "Let's go get lunch. I'm starving!"

Tithenor inclined his head and allowed Blade to take the lead, Pat close behind.  As they walked, Tithenor remarked to Mark, "You have been unusually quiet."

Mark looked at the elf. "Eh? Sorry. I was merely thinking was all."

"Would you care to share your thoughts?" Tithenor offered with great care.

Mark smiled. "Just us four. We are kind of a bunch of misfits, but I wouldn't trade you three for anything." He gestured to Blade. "We have a street wise wisecrack," And then to Pat, "The small boy who always seems to defy the odds and never ceases to surprise or amaze," And finally to Tithenor, "And an elf who is probably at least most of the brains around here."

Tithenor considered Mark's words for several strides before saying anything. He wanted to be certain he understood what the human was saying. "I find it an honor to serve beside you three as well. Your knowledge of dragons is most commendable to our unit."

Mark smiled and nodded a thanks to the elf as they walked into the mess hall.

Pat was waiting with Blade as the chefs finished putting the food out on the buffet style. At last, the head chef rang the bell signifying all was ready. Pat took off, determined to beat Blade once. Just once!

Tithenor wasn't in the mood to fight the crowd and waited for the rush to pass before getting in line.

Blade raced Pat. He wasn't planning on losing to him easily! He laughed as they bolted.

Mark smiled and waited with Tithenor. He wasn't particularly hungry, and could stand and wait for a few minutes.

Pat saw an opening and took it, slipping between Blade and the couter. She stopped short at the start of the buffet, turning to give Blade a triumphant smirk. Ha!

Tithenor merged with others, waiting patiently for Blade and Pat to work things out.

Blade pouted and laughed as he lost. Oh well. He still got food in the end.

Mark laughed at Blade and Pat. After going through the line, he sat at his normal spot at the Table.

Pat felt giddy. She'd actually won!! She'd beaten Blade at something!

Tithenor watched the young humans in amusement. Such emotional creatures.

"You may have won this time, Pat, but you just watch. I'll beat you next time." Blade grinned at her.

"You wish," Pat told him, sticking out her tongue at him.

Blade pretended to get offended by it, but took it well. He ate his food. "Just you wait, Pat. I've been racing honest so far, but if you want a challenge, I can race dirty."

Pat looked him up and down. "You mean this isn't dirty enough for you?"

"Pat, hush," Tithenor admonished gently.

"Sorry."

"You know what I meant!" Blade argued. He didn't seem to mind what Pat said too much. Didn't make him lose his appetite at least.

"Blade, please fight fair while inside the buildings or within class," Tithenor said in the same calm, patient tone.  Between the lines he meant "where any teachers or others in authority could see."

"We'll be good, sir," Pat said with a faint smile.

Blade pouted but agreed. He ate all of his food, all but licking the plate clean.

Mark laughed a little. He ate everything that was on his plate as well.

Tithenor opened his mouth then closed it.  Licking the plate wasn't the worst thing to do.

Pat rolled her eyes at Blade, smiling a little.  Boys.  She ate primly, unable to lose that, not even as a "boy." She did notice, though, that Tithenor barely ate anything.  Was he feeling okay?  She couldn't ask in front of the others, though.

Blade also noticed and frowned. "Hey, Tithenor. You should be eating more, not less. How else do you think you'll recover? Don't make me force feed you..."

Mark rolled his eyes at Blade. "I don't think that'll help anything. Besides, all he has to do is stand up and you can't do that."

"Was that a joke about me being short?!" Blade cried out indignantly.

"Yes. Yes it was."

Tithenor chose not to answer, hoping Mark would distract Blade enough he wouldn't have to answer.  He very calmly took his empty dishes and disposed of them before returning to the table.

Pat looked up and told Mark softly, "I don't think you are short at all.  You are simply... Concentrated.