Grey Nickle and Bronze Romeo / Pink Alicana and Healer Ryan

          Ryan and Romeo watched Latharna as she finished packing the picnic basket. She looked up at them and smiled. ~Alright I'm ready to go! Anyone who wants to come meet me outside.~ She called out to all her creatures. As she picked up the basket she winked at her two mindragons. ~I better see you two outside!~ With that she walked out the door.

          Ryan looked over to Romeo, ~Are you going to the picnic Romeo? I am! Alicana will probably be there with LadyWizard and I'm not giving up any chance to see her!~

          ~Of course I'm going! Nickle will be there with Remeus.~ Romeo got a wistful look in his eyes. ~Nickle and I have been planning for weeks but we've never had the right moment to...~ Romeo broke of suddenly and spread his wings to take off. ~Never mind.~ He leapt into the air and followed after Latharna.

          Ryan grinned at his friend's retreat. Then the thought of seeing Alicana sunk in and he shivered in delight. He was instantly in the air and quickly caught up with Romeo and Latharna.

          LadyWizard finished up the fish fry and wrapped them up placing them in with the rest of the basket. :Coronia, might I ask what it seems I'm missing out on?:

          LadyWizard jumped. "Umm, Abby, Latharna is coming over for a picnic. I'd invite you but..."

          :That's okay I was going househunting anyway. Wonder if I can find a decent place that would have a great view of the moons. You and my cousin be good now you hear!: Abby said while tossing her white hair behind her pointed ears. :Don't go elope while I'm gone.: she laughed at LadyWizard's blushing.

          "I-uh-I doubt that'll happen. Since you're going a ways take Jax with you. He needs the exercise."

          :You're right. Probably going to have to figure out drastic measures to get you to set a date for the ceremony. Oh well have fun.:

          ~Is it really today?~ Alicana Alicana was absolutely bubbling with excitment. ~Latharna's really coming over? Do you think Ryan's going to be with her? Do you think everyone will go for a swim and maybe...~ the little dragon winked, ~you'll finally admit it in front of someone other than Serenity or family?~

          "Yes it's today. I don't know who will come with her. And forget it you're not getting me to commit to actually telling someone I'm getting married until I have the date. Hopefully Remeus doesn't get so far..."

          :So far what? I promised I'd be here for the picnic so I made it on time. Though if Nickle gets any more excited I'll have to ask Abbigail for a tranq!:

          "Sorry you just missed her. Said she was going house hunting in the Fens."

          Remeus looked worried and glanced around the kitchen to hide his discomfort. :So nearly ready to go?:

          "Let's see... oh blast nearly forgot the stew." She spotted it next to where Remeus was leaning against the wall and made extra sure to keep her eyes on the container and not drift to him.

          Alicana and Marlene laughed in delight. ~She's blushing. That's so sweet.~ To make her turn even redder they sent a memory of him bathing.

          "Quit it! I don't make fun of your guys especially not when they are standing right there."

          :And what mischief did they pull this time?:

          "You don't want to know. Though I am curious how you didn't catch them whatever time that was."

          Remeus choked and went outside getting the hint it wasn't what they said but what they saw and were replaying. "Powers, I can tell how today is going to go. Ranthan you're positive no storms today?"

          ~Absolutely. But if you'll pardon me I'm going calling on Faerie Queen since we still have a few details to work out on our date.~ the weather shook himself before going to see if he could finally get over being tonguetied.

          "Okay, I guess anyone who wants to come so long as they can behave can and Alicana I'm not leaving you home where I can't keep my eye on you. Marlene, I want you to think about what the consequences could be if you don't stay out of my love life. You and Galian made a cute couple."

          Marlene softened looking at her burgandy daughter. ~Alright I'll be good just try not to get into too much trouble.~

          ~Remeus better keep his hands where I can see them.~ Xandeth muttered helping pick up the basket.

          "Why can't everyone just make up their minds whether they'll support me getting married or not?" LadyWizard retorted while lashing the basket to Carter's back. She idly noticed that Apollo had vanished so she shugged and assumed that Remeus had talked the fire into a ride. *Though he's going to regret that.* she laughed remembering why she didn't ride that stallion and prayed he'd calm down afterwards, especially considering Shade would have been the easier ride. She patted the other horses gently and mounted on the Shadow, Shade's twin brother. She tried not to look shocked at who all turned out. *This really is going to be a long day.*

          Remeus reined in trying not to wince from soreness. :In case you're wondering she'll be along in a little bit she just had a pink problem.:

          Latharna laughed. "What'd they pull?"

          :I honestly don't even want to think about it.: he spotted the small dust cloud and tried not to choke when he saw Shima and Lynoli among them. He shook his head knowing the trouble it meant. :Latharna, this might not be prudent but let's say someone else's mini managed to play around with people's love lives would it be against any rules to, quite by accident of course, send them clear across the Isle for peace and quiet?:

          "Remeus Spellcaster you wouldn't dare!" he winced not really needing to turn around to know LadyWizard stood behind him.

          :Actually I would. I have little enough liking for...: he shuddered when she turned his head to meet his eyes despite the smirks from minis and Latharna alike.

          "You don't like them meddle with us yet what do you consider you're doing to them." then looking to her friend. "I'm sorry. He's survived a few flights where things went off the wall totally. So he's a tad on the 'you won't while I'm around mode'. Remeus, lighten up."

          :I just know somethings going to act like a gremilin to a new spell.:

          Latharna covered an amused smile while everyone settled down. The minis were daintly feeding their mates or tossing it in depanding on their individual natures and suddenly Nickle stopped, head cocked to the side as if deciding something.

          ~What is it sweetheart?~ Romeo looked concerned.

          ~I just had an idea. Remeus you always say you could track LadyWizard through anything right? Let's have a contest to see whose mate knows them best enough to be the first to find them.~

          :No and no. Leave me out of any of this insanity. I track her when there's need and no other reason.: he ignored the incredulous looks from the group.

          ~Sounds like fun actually. Ryan you up to seeing if you can find me faster than Romeo could find Nickle?~ the proposal spread through the other pairs and it sounded like the game of hide-and-seek would soon begin.

          Latharna stood up and grinned, "Aretha, Butterfly and I will be the judges! This will make it so no one can cheat!" A gray and a purple mini land on each of her shoulders.

          The gray looks down on the group. ~The rules of the game are: No telepathy or empathy, no use of mist, no use of finding powers and last but not least no snagging another's mate!~ Aretha stretches out her neck trying to look bigger and more imposing.

          Butterfly roles her eyes at Aretha. ~Now if any of you want to join in but don't have a mate, just find another mateless dragon to be a stand-in.~

          "Alright guys come over here and we'll find you some blindfolds to make the contest a little more challenging!" Latharna pulls out two handkerchiefs from her pocket.

          "Ask Remeus to empty his pockets!" LadyWizard called out.

          Remeus shook his head. :Oh no! I am not going to join this silly game!: Remeus felt the glares of the whole group fall upon him. :Well maybe I have a few scarves,: he grumbled as he pulled out scarves from his pockets.

          Butterfly and Aretha flew over and took all but one of the scarves from Remeus. They then begin to ditribute the scarves to all the males. As they did this Latharna motioned Ryan and Romeo over to herself. "You two can use these," she holds out her two handkerchiefs. They each take a handkerchief and tie it over their eyes. ~Good luck each of you!~ Latharna grins at them then turns her attention back to all the others. "Remeus get that scarf over your eyes!"

          LadyWizard took the scarf from Remeus. "Oh Xandeth sweetie, hold on to Remeus while I get this on."

          ~You're joking right?~

          "No I'm not joking just hold him still for a moment while I get this on and spell locked down..."

          :You wouldn't...: Before Remeus could finish the scarf was over his eyes. :This is so humilating. Coronia, come on if Abby sees me like this I'm doomed.:

          "Sorry only way that will come off is if you play our game and play fair. Okay ladies, Kief is going to make sure we're not cheating ourselves. Once we find a hiding place we have to stay put! No flying, swimming or any other action that would be totally unfair to someone blindfolded. Now away 200 human paces."

          ~200 are you nuts? you really could lose us that far~ some of the guys complained.

          "Now correct me if I'm wrong but I could have sworn that was part of the game. Which reminds me. Ladies no talking. This isn't Marco Polo or Blind Man's Bluff but an even trickier game. Boys, anyone catches you peeking you're outta here. Am I understood?"

          ~Yes, ma'am.~

          "I'm not a ma'am yet." she weakly protested.

          Remeus laughed. :Gets you somewhat back for putting me in this position.: He could feel her presense retreating and smirked until the judges and Kief as referee glanced at him enough the hairs on the back of his neck went up.

          ~Well they're quickly approaching 200 paces. When they're there I'll tell you then go to join them to make sure the no tree climbing occurs.~

          ~Hey Kief any idea how much the ladies are grumbling about the no fly rule?~

          ~I get the feeling they see the sense since we don't want too many injuries considering you all are already operating under a handicap. Okay now.~ The peacekeeper darted high up then rode a thermal over the full distance.

          *I'm seriously going to get her back for this one. Well none of the rules said I couldn't use my nose and sense of touch or illusion to distract her. Just no sight. Though she owes me big time for reminding me this was my worst subject in class. Oh well I've had to track on less then this through the world barriers for her.* Remeus slowly got up testing his balance and walked away knowing he'd have to play someone dirtily to get her because he knew from experience she hadn't slowed much if at all. Her taking this as a rematch to make up for those years ago when the lesson had been cut tragically short.

          Nickle and Alicana watched as all the guys started to spread out in search of their girl. Nickle pointed to Romeo and Ryan who were walking side-by-side with their wing spread out to keep their balance. Alicana struggled not to laugh. When Romeo and Ryan started to get closer Nickle and Alicana split up and ran to find a hiding place.

          Alicana looked around for a place to hide. She spotted a large oak tree standing off to the left. She walked over and discovered at the very base there was a small chunk hallowed out of the huge trunk. Grinning Alicana stepped into her hiding place. She sat down and scanned the area for Ryan. She rolled her eyes when she saw him heading in the wrong direction.

          Nickle wondered where there was a good place to hide. She stepped over to examine some bushes. They were thick and Nickle decided they would work. She slipped in and settled into a spot where none of the bush would poke her. She spied Romeo through the crack in the bush. Romeo and Ryan had finally separated and were now heading in opposite directions. Romeo wandered toward her then stopped and turned to walk in another direction. Nickle suppressed a sigh and waited for Romeo to hopefully change his course again.

          LadyWizard nodded seeing her girls split up and the same with Latharna's. She glanced back to Remeus and fought hard not to swear. *What is he part homing pidgeon? Geez I didn't look away that long and he seems to know exactly where am I. How?* She poured on some the speed from the long legs she somehow inherited and ducked behind a large rock struggling not to pant afraid that would attract his attention. She chided herself for letting the part of the prey get to her and she felt a flush as she realized some of the others were really considering letting themselves go with the part of the prey and it was her reaction since she was truly afraid of letting her hormones win that battle. She fell to her knees rubbing the scar trying to outwit Remeus into thinking she was in another direction until she could not act so blasted scared that he'd ask. She fought the sob building in her throat as she ran through possibilities and saw the flaw in each. Powers that wasn't good. She leaned back and waited for the inevitable question.

          Alicana decided her power would do no good. She made herself as small as possible and wondered idly how ticked Ryan would be when he finally caught up with her. She would have to figure out how to distract him quickly and the same with Nickle and Romeo. She glanced over and Nickle barely nodded they would provide the one distraction their guys wouldn't be able to resist though they worried about their bonds' relationship surviving this since they both already knew that LadyWizard wouldn't take the same initive.

          Romeo felt as if he was going in circles and none of them held any trace of Nickle. He wanted to call out to her but knew it would do no good. He turned once again hoping maybe this time he was heading toward Nickle.

          Ryan was quickly becoming annoyed with the game. He'd used to love playing hide-and-seek as a hatchling but whenever they'd played the rules were never taken seriously. He kept getting the urge to pull the dumb blindfold off. Alicana was no where near where he was, he could tell that easily enough. She always smelled like flowers and her scent wasn't around where he stood. He whirled around and stomped down another direction.

          Latharna watched Romeo and Ryan search in areas no where near their mates. She bit her lip and wished she could help them. She smiled slowly and decided she would help them. She looked over at Butterfly. The purple narrowed her eyes and nodded her head no. Latharna's smile fell. She turned back to watching her minis and tried to ignore the purple's knowing stare.

          Remeus lay full length above the rock knowing his lady was watching the illusion and was close to acting like a cat and puncing but the scent of fear kept him from following through. He couldn't figure out what was going on but he wanted to give her a chance to compose herself before figuring it out. On the other hand, if she looked down at the scar, the fact he was much closer would be given away. When he didn't hear her breathing normally he half-paniced and his body reacted without concious thought. The scarf fell off his eyes and he looked into the aqua depths She looked away in shame forcing him to see what a compromising situation holding her pinned was. He backed somewhat but kept his hand on the wrist he'd grabbed.

          :Mind explaining why you're acting like a terrified doe?:

          "Remeus, just let the blazes go." her voice didn't carry and he saw how close she was to crying and attempted to pull her in closer to comfort. "I said let go!" She twisted the mild chain around until he let go in pain and left him just staying there while she poured on the speed letting the tears flow behind her. Remeus just looked puzzled and wondered what was going through her head before running after her.

          Romeo was finally on the right track. Any who worked in a forge or kiln would be able to feel the variances that his turning caused in a temperature that was localizied. He would bet more than anything it had to be Nickle. He felt a tickle of damp coolness to his right and started to follow it. *Romeo, don't go that way! Think!* Latharna blushed under the glares of Aretha and Butterfly. Romeo got the hint to turn the opposite direction the his mate was close and trying to lead him away from her hiding spot by sending him on a wild goose chase the opposite direction or at least within 90 to the left of where he was going before the side-track.

          Ryan thought he could trace the faint smell of flowers. He tried to detect where Alicana's scent was coming from and started to move closer to it's source. As he walked closer to the smell of flowers Ryan felt branches and twigs under his feet. *I better be careful,* he thought to himself. As soon as the thought formed in his head his leg connect with a root of the oak that was sticking out of the ground. He went sprawling toward the big oak's trunk.

          Romeo jumped when his out-stretched wing collided with a bush. He knew he was close to Nickle. He could feel a light mist that she carried with her wherever she went. He peaked his head into the bush and grinned as Nickle pulled his blindfold away. ~You found me,~ she kissed him on the forehead. Romeo stepped completely into the bush.

          ~I guess we should go tell Latharna that we found each other! Maybe we are the winners,~ Nickle started past Romeo then was stopped short of exiting the bush when his wings came around her.

          ~I don’t need to go to Lath to know that I won.~ Romeo kissed her shoulders and turned her to face him. When their eyes met Nickle felt herself melt into his embrace and forgot all about the game.

          Alicana pulled herself up tighter. ~Lilly I said you were out now leave, Grandma.~

          ~Have you no respect for your elders?~

          ~You break the rules you're out of the game. You knew that going in.~

          Alicana struggled not to laugh manically as claustrophobia started to close in. *If Ryan doesn't find me soon the wait is going to drive me totally insane.* A taloned wing literally stumbled on her and Alicana fell sobbing to the ground at the sight of her mate who had her effectively pinned to the ground in a tangle of wings. ~Ryan I think you can let me up now.~ she managed weakly.

          ~If I can manage to get us untangled enough to get this blindfold off I'd be more than glad to~ both blushed as they had to play a quick game of Twister to undo the snarl they'd landed in.

          Ryan looked sad at seeing the ungainly heap had injured her ankles and ran some branches through her wings. ~Here let me help you.~ he quickly soothed the pain and looked up into shining eyes which said there was another pain that would be even easily and more pleasant to work on first. He quickly and joyfully complied.

          Kief shook his head. ~Latharna how are we going to judge this? The first one to get found the girl went storming off and the second and third decided not to come back showing their prize.~

          "I don't know but you think you-know-who will calm down sometime soon?"

          Kief sighed. ~Who's to know? I definatly don't not having to deal with that type of nonsense yet.~

          ~Being in love is not nonsense.~ came a muttering from Butterfly.

          True but that's a bacholor who's never been in Love for you: the trio turned wondering who was eavesdropping and Kief just hung his head. :Sorry forgot to introduce myself Abbigail Miststorm. I'm Remeus's cousin. Don't worry about Coronia, she's forgiven him worse than this.:

          "Coronia? Remeus's cousin? Huh?" Latharna looked puzzled but remembered something that Remeus said that if Abby caught him like that he was doomed but she had half assumed it was either his nickname for his purple or her healer merdragon.

          :Coronia is LadyWizard's birthname. I moved in a couple days ago so I guess this was a shock me just showing up but I hoped to catch them on the way back so they could see my new place. In case you're wondering the worse is him acting like she was just a friend or relative while he went out with other despite his heart belonging to her and her alone.: she backed Jax up a couple paces. :Anyone of you bonded to Coronia Gildheart or Remeus Spellcaster go back to the Farms and not after them. This includes you Angelica. This is my turn to try and smooth things over not yours.:

          ~Well I guess that settles that~ Xandeth said philosophically despite his seething now that he found out Remeus's hands were definatly not staying still. ~Ladies and gents I'll see those of you who wish to stay for a while back home. Don't get into too much trouble~ Xandeth left with most of those the message was directed towards. Only ones staying had reason to and some were still giggling like little school girls with their guys holding them tightly.

          The End!

        Nickle and Romeo Alicana and Ryan

        Borders by Silverhair