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Date Posted: 19:42:27 01/31/02 Thu
Author: Rowan Silvertree
Subject: Swimming lessons
In reply to: Saras 's message, "Answers and Reactions" on 13:28:08 01/31/02 Thu

Rowan watched shrewdly as Ravin took an exit stage left, after “explaining” what he’d been doing with Laurel. Now, Rowan hadn’t exactly been aware of this whole beautiful-naked-man-lying-on-top-of-his-sister thing. Really, he’d just seen the two of them both head toward the pond in the same direction, both also disappearing behind a small copse of trees. True, the possibility of one of them being naked had entered his mind, but he really thought way too highly of Ravin to assume that right off the bat. Probably the only reason he didn’t chase him down and pummel his face into mud, too.

Another reason, however, was because he was left with Argus. Rowan blinked and stared at the scraggly haired man, literally not understanding a word that was coming out of his mouth. (This was his first time talking to the guy since actually seeing him.) Well, okay, that wasn’t quite true. He got the general gist that the man had once been a cleric (which Rowan recollected was some type of priest or other) but had never been a mage. The guy seemed pretty damned vehement about that last part, too.

“Okay, buddy, so you’re not a mage already!” Rowan eventually cut in, trying to sooth their newest companion. Argus’ eyes were wandering about the camp, finally alighting (naturally) on the beautiful Isobel, who still flaunted herself shamelessly in that kickass little number she’d acquired for herself back at the Jann camp. Okay, that’s it, he thought, wiping at the perspiration that kept coming to his face, Tia’s trying on that outfit for me next time I see her.

He wondered where she was, then, his own eyes wandering about the camp, as well. As if right on cue, she emerged from the tent housing Marz, a bright small lighting up her pixie-like face as she fluttered to and fro about the place, informing everyone of Marz’s excellent condition. Rowan was glad to hear that; although he wasn’t exactly the kid’s biggest fan, he never would have wished for him to die so tragically like that.

He sighed when Tia disappeared into the tent again. Maybe there was some truth to what Jeremy had said about her and Tristan, but he doubted it. Anyway, it would be a good test of his ability to not get jealous over someone who was, after all, just his friend. Definitely one of the hottest friends he’d ever had, but just a friend nonetheless. And he wasn’t jealous about her being in a tent with a beautiful dragon and his semi-comatose lover. No way. Not at all.

He was about to get up and follow Ravin—this whole thing about lying naked on top his sister was just bothering him way the hell too much—when he noticed Isobel jump up and beat him to the punch. Curious, he watched as she reemerged almost instantly before grabbing a comb and heading back toward the lake. Well, now he would absolutely just die if he didn’t find out what they were doing.

Getting quickly to his feet, he followed after her, peeking around the bushes to see what was up between them. His eyes nearly popped out of his head as he saw Isobel, sitting very close to Ravin, her tightly laced up breasts pushed perilously next to his face, as she worked vigorously on cutting his hair. The thief’s eyes were riveted on the woman’s, ahh, endowments, and he had his hands clasped over his lap for obvious reasons! Isobel, oddly enough, seemed so intent on her work that she scarcely even noticed the reaction she was causing.

Holy shit, I’m up next for a trim! he thought, pulling excitedly on his hair. Letting out a deep breath, he quietly slipped away from the pair and headed back toward camp, where he heard a rather happy-sounding Jeremy offering to go swimming with Saras. The genie was in the process of answering when Rowan sauntered up, still holding his clothes in his hands. He was now fairly dry, and could probably pull his pants back on without getting the crotch and seat soaking wet, but hell, if they were up for another dip in the lake, what was the use?

“Like hell you’ll sit on the shore,” he chirped, winking at Jeremy. “Come on, kids. Let’s go swimming!” He offered a hand to Jeremy and helped pull him up before doing the same to the more delicate-looking Saras. The genie didn’t look too sure about this, but he also didn’t seem to be the type to speak up when he was unhappy about something.

Rowan was just about to take off toward the pond when he felt something small and furry start to rub against his legs. He looked down and raised an eyebrow at the gray cat staring up at him with its huge yellow eyes, tail twitching slightly. He wasn’t really big on animals, especially when they might be another one of his sister’s little spies.

“Meow,” said Mikoshi, her voice slightly lower than usual, as if she were scolding him.

“Yeah, okay, you’re coming too, kitten,” he muttered, reaching down and picking the cat up by the scruff of her neck. She meowed again, sounding even more unhappy if that were possible, but didn’t put up any further signs of a struggle. He clutched her to his chest and led the way to the spot he and Tia had been fishing in.

“Okay, so you say you’re not a swimmer, huh?” he asked, turning to Saras and raising an eyebrow. His mouth quirked slightly when the genie nodded hesitantly after looking at Jeremy, who kept tossing him beaming looks. Either the kid really dug genies or he’d heard about Marz’s recovery. Rowan was betting on the second one being right.

“Well, the best way to learn is to just do it. Throw your fears to the wind and do it, you know what I mean. Here,” he held up Mikoshi in one hand, “I’ll show you. Like this.” Without another word of warning, he tossed the cat into the pond. The creature yowled as if it were being tortured the whole time it was sailing through the air, it’s shrill scream finally cut off as it plunged under water. After a few seconds, it came back up again, paddling furiously for the sure.

“Got it?” He turned to grin back at Saras and almost burst out laughing. The poor genie looked petrified beyond belief, and he’d reached out to grab Jeremy with one hand as if the boy would be his champion should Rowan try anything dirty. “I’m telling you,” Rowan continued, shaking his head with mock pity, “It’s the only way to learn. Look at the cat. She’s a pro already, see?”

Sure enough, Mikoshi was almost on shore now. There was murder in her yellow eyes as she stared hard at Rowan, making him gulp slightly. Yeah, okay it was definitely now or never.

“Too late,” he said, smiling brightly at Saras, “You aren’t backing out now.” With that, he suddenly jumped forward and scooped the lighter genie up into his arms and made a mad dash for the lake. He took a flying leap into the waters, actually sailing over Mikoshi’s small paddling body to land with a huge splash. Both of them came up almost immediately, since it wasn’t very deep.

Rowan kept a hand under the genie’s nearest elbow, just in case he panicked, and turned toward shore to wave a hand. “Come on, kiddo! It’s too damned hot to be standing on shore right now!”

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