[SE] Under where?

Koa

There's an art to life's distractions

The noodle is indeed slick, scrambling back up to Boreal's back - though this time she gets the older dragon's message and stays put, forepaws on a majestic head about as big Pip's body, ready to pilot her new friend back to the silly humans and their lack of pants.

Of course Koa knows Anju: he his captain, adoptive aunt, and one of the only active Dragoons all-around hero. "Captain Rao and Riya are our mentors," the boy says brightly, pleased with the connection, a big grin on his face. And then because Tal drops the ball, the young man gamely picks it up with a wink and a "Always important to bring protection," said with surprising sagacity despite his twinkling eyes.

"Well, next time you're in Stormbreak you'll have to check our our new HQ." The pride has returned to Koa's voice, a little posturing as he thinks of his pet project. "Maybe even stop in for a spar." He's removing his shirt as he talks, ready now that the kitty is gone to dip into the lagoon. "We're gonna go for a swim before heading back to work - you in?"

To somehow escape the burning weight, the art of scraping through

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

Boreal finished her turn, grumbling happily up at her new passenger pilot as she trotted back towards their companions. Tal's pants (slightly scorched) were still held firmly in her jaws, but his shirt fluttered forlornly back on the rocks where Pip had dropped it. If he really wanted it he could go and get it himself, right?

A genuine grin flashed across the courier's face at the mention of Riya and 'Captain Rao,' and for a moment his dour countenance lit up, mirroring the brightness in Koa's expression.

Of course, the Dragoon proved he was good with more than just his fashion sense a moment later, startling an unexpected flush to the back of the courier's neck and the tips of his ears. Oh, Tal absolutely caught the innuendo... he just wasn't sure what to do with it. "Uh... y-yeah. I always do," he mumbled, suddenly finding it very important to look anywhere but Koa's too-knowing eyes. He reached up to rub the back of his neck awkwardly, casting about for a change of topic, but Koa once again came in clutch and the courier breathed a sigh of relief before nodding. "Yeah, sounds good! I could use some new sparrin' partners." Especially ones with abs like--

Nope, focus!

...Which of course was when Koa took off his shirt.

"Uh, sure, I can definitely swim," Tal agreed, though he didn't sound quite as confident as he hoped. Since he was already sans shirt and pants all he had to do was step into the water, nose wrinkling as he felt the little stones from countless wishes rolling against the underside of his feet. "More or less..." And with those brave words he slipped into the water, grateful that his lack of pants would no longer seem weird (though swimming with a vest on definitely was).

~Fin~