Practice Makes Perfect

Writers: Devin, Clancey
Date Posted: 7th December 2005

Characters: Dysali, D'ren
Description: Dysali and D'ren spend some time together...
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 28 of Turn 3

She had invited D'ren for a swim and a visit with the dolphins, but she was more nervous than ever when seeing her ... friend? He wasn't precisely just her friend any longer, but the two of them were so sharding careful with each other! It was like they really _did_ need practice at kissing and touching. It was so much so that Dysali wondered if he was even ready for that kind of thing.. and was she?
Weren't most young people going crazy trying to 'figure it all out'?

She ran her fingers through the soft auburn curls one last time, then went out to the ledge to lean on Lillyth. Her green was glowing with the warmth of the sun, and eager to be off with Menanth, who was by now, of course, much larger than her and quite the handsome bronze, or so Lillyth said often. There was a bugle of greeting as Menanth glided gently toward the ledge.
His rider was nervous, but also excited. He and Dysali had the whole day to enjoy together, which he always looked forward to. There was also now a new element to their relationship. D'ren had very much enjoyed kissing Dysali and he wanted to do it again, but he also didn't want to rush things. }:Don't think about it so much. :{ The bronze said as he touched down on the ledge.

**Alright.** D'ren said, laughing quietly.

Dysali waved to dragon and rider with smiles of welcome. "Hello, handsomes." She moved away from Lillyth's side to greet D'ren as he dismounted with a very warm hug and a gentle kiss on his cheek. The more touching they could do, perhaps it would make them more comfortable with each other. "I've packed a wonderful lunch for us and I thought we might spend the day at the beach. Play with the dolphins, perhaps, or just enjoy the sun." "That sounds great." D'ren smiled and felt some of his nervousness fall away.
Today would be a good day. He told Dysali to lead the way as he mounted his dragon again.

Dysali paused to smile at him again, then mounted Lillyth as easily as she'd gotten off. She hoped they would get over their nervousness with each other, he made her feel warm when they touched; like I'lan, but different. "Lillyth knows where we are going!" She called, then they were aloft and going /between/ to the same cove they'd practiced their visualizing toward. They appeared over it and found it empty of people.
**All to ourselves.** D'ren thought as they circled to land. The bronze and the green landed beside each other in the sand and their riders dismounted.
"Race you to the water!" He called playfully, turning to sprint down the beach.

With a fond pat to Lillyth, she tugged the carisak from her dragon, leaving in the shade of a tree. D'ren was racing toward the water already, and she swore, shedding her overclothes in a rush and diving after him. She landed in the water a few steps behind him, and ducked under the water before coming up grinning. "You win.." She teased, and splashed him full in the face. Laughing, D'ren returned the splash. Then he dove down, grabbed hold of Dysali's leg and pulled. Tugged under, she grabbed his shoulders on the way down trying to stop her dunking. When they both came up laughing, she was still close to him, and she grinned. "Its nice, being with you..I'm happier than anywhere except with Lillyth."

"Me too. Just switch out the dragon name." He said with a wink. The waves were gentle today, the two young riders bobbing slightly as they swam in place.
**She looks so beautiful out here. So free.** D'ren reached out, pulling Dysali even closer to him, and his lips met hers.

Dysali smile was as warm as the kiss they shared as he held her there in the water. Her heart began to pound so in her chest that she thought he must surely feel it. For so long, she'd been friends with him, not really understanding what emotions were moving her. She didn't understand them any better now; all she knew was the feel of his arms and lips and she tightened her hold on him, her smaller body molding to his easily. When they came apart she looked seriously at him. "D'ren.. I'm... We're more than friends, aren't we?" D'ren returned her look. "Yes. I mean, I hope so." He was feeling light-headed from the kiss. It was a very pleasant feeling.

Dysali grinned at him. "OH.. I want to be more than friends.. I just wish we weren't so sharding careful with each other all the time.. " She finished in a rush, her cheeks flushing bright red even as she leaned back into his arms, pressing a little kiss along his jaw, then his neck.

A small sound of pleasure rumbled in his throat. His arms tightened around the greenrider. "Maybe we need some more practice." D'ren kissed her again, deeper and longer, his whole body tingling with the contact.

Surprised but very pleased, she responded whole-heartedly. A warmth was starting in her stomach and moving out, and she remembered how wonderful it could feel to go beyond kissing. How much better with D'ren? "I'm all for practicing, D'ren. As we learned in Weyrling-hood, the more you practice something, the better you are at it." She let her fingers run along his bare back, enjoying how his muscles felt to her fingers. D'ren's heart sped up. The feel of her body against his was good, so good. It was hard to concentrate on anything else. After a while he pulled away, laughing a little shakily. "I think we should get out of the water before I start drowning."

Dysali grinned at him. "Is it my fault you can't swim as well as I can?" She teased, hugging him tightly for a moment, then darting away.
"I brought blankets and lots of food... and the dragons might want to swim instead." He splashed water at her lightly. "Alright. I'll help you spread out the blankets, and then I can give you _all_ of my attention." It was definately getting easier to touch her.

Dysali smiled at him, her eyes darkening with an intensity that surprised her. "Hurry then.. all of your attention is something I'm _really_ interested in experiencing." How sweet to have loved and wanted him even when she couldn't have him... and now .. it was even better. Grinning in anticipation, she raced out of the water ahead of him to the carisak, Lillyth's croon echoing her rider's immense happiness in the moment.

Last updated on the December 7th 2005

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Practice Makes Perfect