Getting back at the bullies

Writers: Ang, Mirren
Date Posted: 1st July 2012

Characters: D'ret, Elona, Saebyr, Ceton
Description: Pranking the bullies Saebyr and Ceton
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 17 of Turn 6

Following the boys discreetly, Daret tried his best to look
inconspicuous when Saebyr and Ceton went inside to the inner lake.
For as much as the hold-born brats shied away from showing skin
publicly, they loved going to the lake. He just couldn't understand
them. Smiling at someone entering, he turned away and found a place
to wait for Elona.

Pulling his tunic off, Saebyr tossed it at Ceton with a laugh, the
larger boy telling him to close his eyes as he continued to undress.
The two laughed as they dropped everything but their undershorts on
the sand and headed into the water, away from everyone else to keep a
bit of modesty. It wasn't long, however, before others joined to keep
their attention.

Elona's heart was pounding and her hands were sweating. She was trying
to look nonchalant, walking along with her ponytail swinging back and
forth with each step. She saw Daret and tried not to meet his eyes.
She couldn't help it, ultimately, she looked right at him, sure
everyone would know what they were up to.

The look on Daret's face was priceless as he tried to get her to stop
looking at him and focus on the task at hand. Eyes wide, lips
compressed, he glanced around to see that no one was paying them the
least bit of attention ... especially Saebry and Ceton. Shoving his
hands in his pockets, he turned and slowly walked down the hall with
the intent of returning once she'd grabbed the clothes. He'd left a
laundry bag nearby so she could grab it and shove the clothes in as if
she were only there doing chores. Now he only hoped she'd settle down
before the bullies noticed.

Her eyes widened as she watched him leave. With a gulp, she walked
over as if she was doing nothing wrong, grabbed the clothes and walked
away, too quickly for complete innocence. She ducked down the hall,
looking for Daret.

He hadn't even made the full circuit before she was heading toward him
with the clothes. Shards, she was quick and he stopped her just
outside the entrance before peaking inside to see if the boys noticed.
He exhaled loudly upon seeing them flirting with a couple of girls
nearby. Turning back to Elona, he grinned and took the clothes from
her before he stuffed them in the sack he pulled out of his shirt.
"Nice job," he whispered with another quick glance around. "I'll see
you in lessons later?"

It was important to get the clothes back to their beds then return to
the lake so they could see he wasn't involved and he could see their
faces when they realized the clothes were gone.

"Yes, all right," she whispered. She looked back over her shoulder
quickly. "I was never here!" she turned back, grinned and then darted
off her her next job, helping keep J'darin's office tidy!

Chuckling softly, Daret made his way back to the barracks as quickly
as he could. He was careful to be sure no one saw him return the
clothing to the two cots, not taking the time to be sure the right
articles were set on the right cots. Jogging to the lake, he entered
with a whistle and began undressing.

Seeing him, Saebyr elbowed Ceton and headed over to the smaller
candidate. "Hey, Daret! Lose your way?" Saebyr asked with a snicker,
prepared to dunk him the moment he stepped into the water.

"Not all of us need to soak longer to take the stink away!" he yelled
back then grinned as those close to them laughed.

Ceton laughed too and had to duck as Saebyr turned on him. "You don't stink!"

"Sharding straight I don't," he grumbled and headed toward shore,
stopping when the water lapped around his waist as he realized his
clothes were missing. So were Ceton's. "Who took them?!"

"Took what?" the skinny, clueless lad asked. Ceton looked on shore
and paled. "Our clothes!"

It took everything in him not to start laughing at the shocked looks
on their faces. "How should I know?" Daret asked as he looked around.

The girls that were flirting earlier started laughing when they
realized the two Hold lads would need to walk back to the barracks
naked.

Saebyr's face turned beet red and he pushed Ceton towards shore.
"Find a towel. I'm *not* walking back naked!"

Stripping off his trousers, Daret headed into the water, enjoying the
discomfort immensely. "I'd offer my clothes but you'd never fit in
them." He dove into the deeper water before Saebyr could wring his
neck.

One of the girls took pity on them and moved to get her own towel and
one of her friends. She wasn't the least bit shy and stood in the
shallows holding it out to them. Daret made a face but allowed it
since he had no intention of getting caught. "Here, Saebyr ...
Ceton," she said without any expression on her face.

Embarrassed even more at the stirring in the water, Saebyr growled as
he grabbed the towel. Ceton was nicer and actually smiled at the girl
but his eyes were on her chest. Smacking him lightly on the shoulder
and grinning, she moved back to her friends in the water.

Daret watched the two boys exit the lake and rush out. Unable to keep
it in any longer, he dunked into the water and laughed.

* * *
Elona had finished her work, unusually quiet and went off the to the
dining hall for the evening meal. She kept an eye out for Daret the
entire time.

It wasn't hard for Elona to see what happened at the lake. Before
Daret arrived, Saebyr and Ceton entered with heads bowed, avoiding eye
contact with everyone as they got their food and sat down. That few
were paying them any attention was what had Daret walking in with his
usually chipper attitude. Getting his food, he saw Elona then
motioned for her to join him at the table with her own meal. "How was
your day?" he asked before taking a big bite of fresh bread.

"Fine," Elona said, slipping into a chair. "But I sort of feel bad for
them," she glanced toward Ceton and Saebyr. "What did they ever do
anyway?"

Glancing at the pair, Daret shook his head. "Don't. They deserve
much more. They're bullies and not only to me. The latest incident,
they'd cornered Enrana and who know what they would have done to her
had I not gotten angry and punched Saebyr," he answered with a frown.
"Trust me, I paid for that many times over. No, the embarrassment
they feel is nothing compared to the fright they like to dish out."

Her eyes opened wide. "Have you told anyone? They shouldn't be allowed
to get away with that!" She shivered. She had no idea what she'd if
they cornered her and tried to... She shook her head, not wanting to
think about it.

"Yea, Wingsecond P'nal caught us as my fist connected. All three of
us were punished for differing reasons and Enrana is fine. She's a
candidate, too," he said, taking another bite of his bread. "Those
two are the worst but they're being watched now. Just try to stay out
of their way, okay?"

"Of course! I'm just surprised they weren't sent home!" She had felt
safe here, but now... She took a deep breath. "If they ever find out
that I was involved..." she went a bit pale then.

Daret blushed at that. "Well, if they were sent home, so would I so
I'm not going to complain. I was the one who hit after all," he said
as he swung his foot beneath the bench. "But it's over now and I
don't think they'll be doing anything more ... for a while. Genith
should clutch soon and we'll all be busy with getting ready for
Standing. I can't believe it, but I really want to Impress this
time!"

"Me too," she agreed. "But... It'll be sad too. You know, because of
my son. I won't see much if him if I do impress!"

Reaching out, Daret patted her hand lightly. "I can only imagine how
hard it will be for you. But it'll only be for a little while and
he'll understand. Your son probably won't even notice you gone so
much, he's so young," he said, knowing that wouldn't help a bit.

Grimacing at the knowledge, he took a bite of his stew and chewed for
a bit. He was about to talk when Saebyr and Ceton got up to leave.
So focused on keeping an eye out without actually looking at them, he
wasn't sure if she said anything or not.

She watched him and then followed his gaze. "I hope they learned their
lesson," she said softly.

"Don't worry. I'll be watching them for a while. They won't get
anywhere near you," Daret said before finishing his meal and standing
up. "I've gotta go ... see you tomorrow?" He started back towards
the kitchens where he'd clean up his bowl but went slowly in case she
didn't want him to go.

Last updated on the July 24th 2012

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Getting back at the bullies