No wonder my happy heart sings.

<blockquote>http://shadowlack.com/persona.php?id=12Okatteiru Stormwing</a> and http://shadowlack.com/persona.php?id=3Radin Dragyn</a>.
Early morning, Tria, 47, 81379.
Private for http://shadowlack.com/persona.php?id=608Cayson Lapices</a>, thank-you.
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Rolling over in bed, Radin groaned, and outstretched a vivid green arm. Still deeply asleep, his other hand reached up to scratch idlely at the black mane of fur that originated at his throat, and trailed down his belly in tousled spikes. Then, once more, he grew still, soaring through dream land though he lay there, frozen, flat on his back.

Next to him, squashed against the wall in the bunk they were sharing, Stormwing also stirred. She, however, did not immediately drift back into slumber. Her mismatched eyes peeled open, and she blinked, trying to figure out why there was a sea of green fur in front of her face. She then lifted herself up onto an elbow, and gazed down at her bed fellow: Radin Dragyn. He was wearing nothing but boxer shorts, his bare chest slowly rising and falling. Though Storm could not recall how he'd arrived in this place — she'd put on her PJ's and slipped into bed early in the evening, alone in the dormitory, as the boys were out enjoying a nightcap — she figured he had simply flopped down next to her after an exciting night out, too tired to do much more than strip to his boxer shorts and lay down. Not that she minded. A small smile lifted the corners of the thill's mouth, and she reached up a white paw to tickle delicately at the fur at his belly. Not to her surprise, Radin did not move, but snored on, content and asleep.

Yawning lightly, Winger shifted, freeing her trapped arm from beneath her body, and leaned over Radin to inspect the dorm' room. Cayson was draped on his belly across the left-side lower bunk, obviously just as deeply asleep as the green goon sharing her bed. Storm chuffled lightly, looking between the two males, wondering what they'd done last night that had tuckered them out so completely. Perhaps getting drunk, smoking it up, and then having boisterous sex? Doubtful, but it was still funny to Storm, and she snorted lightly and nearly fell over Radin.

Sitting up more completely, the female pendragon tried to figure out how she could escape her confines without disturbing her bed mate. Unfortunately, it soon dawned on her that there was no possible way to get out, except to climb over the snoozing arden. Apologizing in a whisper, though she knew he wouldn't hear it, Winger then climbed over him, trying her best not to jostle him or knock into him or that sort of thing.

Unfortunately, one of the boys had left a discarded tennis shoe next to the bed, and Winger's digitigrade ankle caved as she stepped on it. She immediately fell onto Radin's bare belly, one leg on either side of him, straddling him. Had she not been brown of fur, a scarlet tinge would have flamed up under her cheek fur just then. Sure, she wasn't a pure, virginal individual, but this was just... very awkward.

It was made moreso when Radin jerked awake, sat up on his elbows, and gazed silently at her from behind his prescription shades. Storm made to scramble from atop him, but he held here there with an arm, despite her squirming. "Good morning," he rumbled to her. "I've been kissed awake, but never sexed awake," he purred, teasingly, before sliding into a sitting position. She slipped more fully into his lap, and their gazes were now quite even. Not knowing what to expect from this recently found comrade and roommate, Storm just sat there and peered at him, feeling a bit embarrassed. But this was soon shaken from her when the green Radin leaned forward, kissed her nose, then shoved her off of himself and onto the floor with an affectionate laugh and a rather loud thump.

 

<blockquote>Stormwing's bottom smarted a bit as she flopped onto the floor, though the nasty look she cast in Radin's direction was mostly a joke. While she sat there on the floor, she grabbed the shoe that had caused her to stumble in the first place, and chucked it towards the kitchenette area. It thumped against a stool, then lay still, but none of the three pendragons was paying attention. Storm was slowly gaining her feet, brushing off her gray pajama shirt and shorts; Radin was stretching his arms and rolling off the bed; and Cayson was mumbling and looking at them with bleary, half-awake eyes, questioning about the time.

"I don't have a watch on me, but I'd say it's about nine. Wakey, wakey!" Winger said in reply to her friend's question. Leaning over his bed, she yanked the pillow out from beneath his head, and then hit him square over the head with its feathery softness. Radin laughed in approval at this action, though he did not join in. He sauntered into the kitchenette as Stormwing tossed the pillow back onto Cayson with a devious grin. "Want some coffee?"

Without waiting for a response, the thill padded from the room, slinking after her brightly-colored counterpart. The small kitchen area was just that — small — so the two had a tough time of it as they both bustled about. Radin grunted as he withdrew a carton of eggs from the refrigerator, and lifted them deftly over Winger's head as she suddenly passed him, on her way to the automatic coffee maker. Soon enough, the kitchenette was filled with the mingling scents of frying eggs and brewing coffee... and not much later yet, Radin had served up three plates, each with two sunny-side-up-eggs, and Winger had placed a piping hot mug of coffee down to accompany each.

"Come and GET IT," Radin hollered to Cayson, whom was still in the bunks niche. He then exited the tiled portion of the kitchenette, and took a seat on one of the stools on the other side of the counter. He immediately tucked into his meal, even as Stormwing joined him on his right side, claiming the center stool. She, too, began to eat, though more delicately, as she cast the sleepy Cayson intermittent looks.

"Your food's getting cold, and so's your coffee," she warned playfully, meanwhile poking Radin in the ribs every so often, cajoling a deep, purring giggle from him each time.

 

<blockquote>It wasn't long before Cayson joined the other two, and silence consumed the three pendragons as each enjoyed his or her simple but delicious breakfast. Even through this quietude, however, Stormwing kept up her insistent prodding and jabbing, now including both ardens, though they were too busy gulping down coffee and eggs to give her any more giggles. Eventually, she ceased to poke them, and it was then that Cayson spoke up, moaning appreciatively over his cup of coffee, then pressing onwards into conversation. His comment about a good sleep did not raise any alarm bells, but when he eased further into the question, asking about how the other two had slept, both Radin and Stormwing paused in their consumption and looked up at the obvious implication.

"We didn't have sex or anything like that," Radin said. His voice was not hurried, nor did he rush to explain anything. It was apparent from his firm tone that he was being both honest and serious. He gave Cayson a look from behind his darkened eyeglasses, then turned back to his unfinished portion of eggs. He knew his deep voice had cleared up the potentially sticky situation.

Stormwing blinked at the innuendo, and then at the Dragyn's easy address and dismissal of it. She then shrugged, pushed her empty plate away from her, and stood. Her coffee was still in her hand, and she quickly drained it, before setting it down next to her dirty dish. Instead of rounding the corner and beginning with the washing, as she usually did when she stayed at the dormitory, she pinned her eyes upon Cayson. "Since you didn't participate in the cooking, you can do the cleaning," she told him. Though her voice was mostly playful, there was a business-like tone in it, as if she was offended by the implication he had made several minutes ago. "Meanwhile, I am going to take a shower. I'll be quick so that you two can get dibs," she added, then sauntered towards the bathroom placed at the front of the room.

As the thill disappeared behind the door and shut it tightly, Radin finished his breakfast, and pushed his dishes over next to Storm's. He then swiveled a bit on his stool, peering at Cayson. The pair were the best of friends, and, well, even more than that. But, right now, Radin wanted to say something sincere.

"Do you remember what we did last night?" He asked. He blinked, as if groggily trying to recall something. "Damn, we need to stop partying so hard," he added on after a moment. "All I can remember is lots of noise and alcohol. And you jumping into a pool with all your clothes on, hahaha..." Radin trailed off, and his serpentine tail flicked behind him. The bright flame leapt and danced, but neither of the ardens was paying attention to it. "I think we came home pretty damn late, too. All I remember about that is kicking off my shoes, taking off my shirt and pants, and falling into the nearest bed. I'm not even sure I knew Winger was there, I konked out so fast. We had very little opportunity to bang each other," he noted, in case Cayson was thinking of snickering at the fact that Radin had shared a bed with Winger. "Yeah, one day, I hope that's in the cards for us. I mean, she's as attractive as cheese is yummy, and you know cheese is yummy. But we wouldn't just have meaningless sex, and I don't think anything of that sort is even anything but a distantly futuristic wish... wow, so, I ramble, don't I?"

He'd talked so long, he realized that the water, which had previously been making a gentle hissing noise, had been turned off. Stormwing must have been done with her shower. Rising from his stool, Radin brushed his hands together, and then peered at Cayson. "Dish duty for you, eh? I'll make it quick," he said, before plodding to the bathroom door, to stand there until Winger emerged, washed and dressed.

 

<blockquote>"No wonder my happy heart sings. Your love has given me wings," a voice came from inside the bathroom. Seconds later, the door opened. Accompanied by a thin billow of steam, Stormwing emerged. She brushed by Radin (whom smiled at her singing, and jabbed her affectionately in the ribs), still humming, enjoying the feel of the cool air on her damp fur. She'd already put on a pair of blue jeans and a white tee shirt, but moved towards the bureau to collect a matching denim jacket. Ramath-lehi's autumnal season was fast falling around them, and though the sun was often bright and exuberant, it was always useful to be geared up properly. Humming now ceasing, Storm drew the jacket about her shoulders, stretching her arms to break in the tough fabric. Once satisfied, she then moved closer to the kitchenette, leaning on the counter with her elbows and gazing at Cayson as he went about dish duty.

"Having fun?" She queried absently. "Hey, do you have any classes today? And does Radin? We should do something."

As she spoke, the sound of the shower being turned on sang in the background. Radin had quickly disappeared into the bathroom after she had exited, and now he was apparently getting down to bathing. Storm's ears twitched at the hissing noise, and then she yawned, before scooching over and planting her bum once more on 'her' stool.

"What did you guys do last night, anyway?" She added to her previous questions. A pad of paper and a pen was at the edge of the counter, and Winger stretched out, drawing them to herself. There was some of Radin's chicken scratch on it, so the thill turned to the next fresh page. She uncapped the pen, then, and began to scribble meaninglessly, though her ears were still cocked, waiting for Cayson's response.

 

<blockquote>Soft, white ear tips twitched lightly as Cayson spoke, though Stormwing kept her visual focus upon the paper pad. She scrawled a few lyrics, drew a couple stick figures, and jotted in a speech bubble or two. Then, bored of this, she pushed the paper away, returned the cap to the pen's tip, and then looked up at her friend. He'd stopped speaking, but the inflection in his voice suggested that he'd finished off with a question. Storm, used to back tracking in order to remember the last thing another individual had said, did so, and then pondered a reply. She hadn't done much of anything, which seemed a little peculiar, to think of it. Not that she thought Cayson would make fun of her for spending a night in.

"I just stayed here. Made myself dinner, polished my guns, then went to bed a little bit early," she replied. She casually spun on her stool, white feet finding the plush carpet. She moved towards the bedroom niche, careful not to trip over the tennis shoe she had throw earlier. "Speaking of the guns, I should probably hit the firing range sometime today or tomorrow..." Winger didn't actually know if either of the ardens sharing her quarters had a real interest in guns, so she didn't extend an invitation. She did, however, look up at Cayson, her eyes saying, "You can come... if you want to."

The female then turned to face in front of her again, and found herself in the midst of the bunks. The sheets and bedspreads were all a tangled mess on the two bottom bunks, but she paid no attention. She kneeled on the carpet and reached an arm beneath the bed she and Radin had shared, and slipped out what appeared to be a brief case. It had a nice network of locks upon it, and it took the thill several seconds to work them open. When she did, Stormwing allowed the case to spring open, and she eyed its contents. Two guns, a gleaming twin pair of what looked to be glocks. Mismatched eyes softened as the chocolate lady eyed here prized possessions, but she quickly closed the case and locked them up again, scooting her proverbial treasure chest back under the bunk. Next, she fished around again beneath the box spring, and tugged out a duffel bag. Unzipping it revealed just a few articles of clothing, or so it seemed, but a white hand lifted out and held up a squishy blob of... something.

"Wake up, Scooter," Storm breathed, and the blob suddenly possessed bright, protuberant eyes and tentacles. The little valli creature stretched and mewled in its owner's hand, looking sleepily around the room. "We're at the dorm'," Winger reminded her small familiar, but he didn't really need the reminder. Upon setting his wide, tarsier-like eyes on Cayson, still behind the sink, the valli let out a high-pitched, excited squeal.

"He says 'good morning,'" the female explained to Cayson as Scooter suddenly bounced from her hand. Instead of hitting the carpet, however, he began to float along in midair, accompanied by a muffled buzzing. "And I think I may have heard an 'I love you' somewhere in there, but don't overestimate it. He loves Radin, too, so he must love everybody."

Even as the thill joked, the green Dragyn emerged from the bathroom, wearing nothing but a white towel around his waist. Luckily for the Stormwing, whom was not prudent but also not a peeping tom or pervert, when he randomly stripped it off in order to get dressed, any questionable parts were covered by a damp mane of black tresses down his underside.

Radin quickly retrieved a pair of boxers, as well as jeans and a tee. As he finally tugged on a pair of tennis shoes — one of them had been the offending shoe from earlier — he stood up and brushed himself off. Just at that moment, Scooter accelerated, smashing into the side of his face with an affectionate but nevertheless squelchy noise.

 

<blockquote>As warm tentacles slithered up the side of his skull, to wrap around his face in a hug, Radin's facial expression was somewhere between a bemused grin and a grimace. He allowed the small valli to snuggle against his cheek for a moment, but then a green hand reached up to pluck the small creature off himself. Scooter squeaked at being removed, flailing his little arms, the purple spheres at the end of his tentacles reaching outwards for Radin's face again. "Sorry, little guy. I just showered, and you're kind of wet and sticky. No offense, little dude," the arden purred to the small valli. Scooter blinked his protuberant eyes, mewled, and then stoped moving. He drooped in his friend's hands, as if quite dejected. Radin chuckled at this sad veneer, and set his friend's familiar on a bar stool. The jellyfish descendant did not move, but continued to watch Radin, as well as the other two occupants of the room, with those bulbous eyeballs of his.

Even as he'd been dealing with the tiny Scooter, Radin was listening to the tail end of a conversation between the other two roomies. He didn't try to break in, for the moment, but he absently moved around the room, while tuning in with curiosity.

"Yeah... some time today, anyway. You guys can come..." There was a note of hesitation in Stormwing's eyes. "But if you guys don't mind, I'd prefer if you'd use the pistols provided by the range. At least until you get better. I don't want anything happening to my guns."

"Talking about going to the Thujgthyysaj't Jumda?" Radin finally interjected.

"Yeah. You interested?"

"Sure, and sure about the gun thing. I know how much you care for those things, so, no problem."

Just then, Cayson motioned towards his squeaky clean dishes, and requested that he be able to take a shower, and dry the dishes later. Storm and Radin both waved their hands, showing it didn't matter in the least to them.

As they waited for their roommate to pad to the bathroom, the other two roommates began to bustle about, busying themselves. Stormwing stood up near the bunks, and began to absently rearrange the sheets, while Radin went into the kitchenette and began to wipe down the counters that Cayson had not yet gotten to.

 

<blockquote>As Stormwing tucked in the final sheet on Cayson's bunk, she heard a muffled clunk, as well as a curse. The next thing she knew, Cayson nonchalantly strolled from the washroom, still buttoning his shirt. At his calm explanation, the thill chuckled, and stood up straight. She padded over to the orange and blue arden, and patted him soundly on the arm. "You sure you're all right?" She asked in a playful tone that would imply she was referring moreso to his head than to the plight with his tail.

Radin smiled at her words, and finished wiping down the counters. He then walked around the counter and into the center of the room. Here they were, all three of them now, just standing there. From behind his prescription shades, Radin studied both of his roommates, as well as the dejected valli on the stool. Then, with an easy smile, he clapped his hands and spoke up.

"So... what do you guys wanna do? I know we're planning to visit the shooting range," he said, poking Winger affectionately in the belly, "but it's a bit early for that, eh? Anybody want to go run some errands? I know we need to pick up a few groceries for the week..."

 

<blockquote>In belated response to Cayson's face-making, Stormwing stuck out her own tongue, which was beaded with a small, silver stud. She then snickered at him, before quieting down and listening to what Radin and Cayson had to say about the day's schedule.

"What shakers?" Winger wanted to know after Case had blabbed about his and Radin's other shopping adventures. She then realized the orange arden was calling her nicknames, and she screamed a mockingly angry, "What!" before launching herself at him.

Instead of tackling him, as it seemed she was going to do, she rushed him, and then swerved around. Stormwing then grabbed onto his shoulder and leapt atop his back. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and she felt the soft warmth of his hands as he reached around and supported her thighs. The thill then wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled her head against his, before turning around to look at Radin.

"I think we're all set here... ready to hit the grocer's? You can ride in the baby seat on the cart."

At the sight of Storm upon Cayson's back, as well as at the comment, Radin shook his head and laughed. He then proceeded to the door, which slid open on its track at his command. When the three had exited — Radin and Cayson on their feet, Winger still supported on the latter's back — he then let the door slide shut again, and made sure it was locked.

"Okay, you two goofs. We're on our way."

 

<blockquote>As Storm clung to Cayson's neck, she nuzzled lightly against his face. "Your hair smells good," she informed him, before loosing one hand from her grip to reach up and tousle his damp hair. "And now it looks good, too."

Even as she mussed up his hair, the orange arden was kicking up his jacket, and artfully catching it with his teeth. " "Mrrf meft mmalletfm." Winger laughed at this, before grabbing the coat and yanking it from between his teeth. Luckily, it didn't tear. "I'll hold onto it," the thill promised, before tossing the coat around her own shoulders.

All of this went on as they exited the dormitory, and then began to head up the hallway. Radin cast back intermittent looks as he went, still shaking his head and chuffling at his friends' antics. He couldn't tell if they were just playing around, or possibly even flirting. The thought of the latter made his stomach jolt, but just a little. If those two ever did end up hooking up, Radin knew he'd never lose his place in their lives or in their hearts. He wasn't threatened by the idea of a fling between them... though, as he watched Cayson tottering up the hall, with Storm still tucked against his back, he felt the tiniest bit of envy. Stormwing was a cute girl, after all, but... it wasn't like they necessarily had "crushes" on one another. It could all be in Radin's head. He guessed he'd just have to wait and see.

"Hurry up," the green arden called back to his friends, before reaching the elevator at the end of the hall. Their dormitory was in a relatively fancy wing, and the elevator doors gleamed. He could see the distorted but colorful reflection of Cay and Winger as they drew up behind him. "We should've made a list," Radin said thoughtfully as he waited for the lift.

"We'll be okay without one," Stormwing assured him. Just then, the elevator descended with a ding, the door slid open, and the trio slipped inside. In no time at all, they were lifted to the ground level, where they ambled out of the cab and into the luxurious lobby.

Radin ignored the grandeur of this chamber, as well as the few other students in here. He took a simple mental note, noticing a few attractive males studying on one of the upholstered sofas, but he didn't pause nor glance back. He headed straight towards the doors, and towards the inviting sunshine that spilled outside.

 

<blockquote>Stormwing blinked her mismatched eyes as the trio stepped out into the splendorous sunshine. It was a gorgeous morning, and she turned her face upwards, to look at the vaulting blue sky dottered here and there with cottony clouds. The slightest of breezes tickled her ears as she did so, and she began to giggle so hard, she eventually slipped from Cayson's back. Luckily, she was able to land easily on her feet, without stumbling or falling over. Upon finding herself upon ground once more, she easily matched the boys' paces, wedging herself so that she could walk in between them.

"Here's your jacket," the thill said, unshouldering it and handing it to Cayson. She then turned to Radin and admonished, "We have to make sure we buy some toilet paper. We're almost out, and that's just one of those things you can't live without, know what I mean?"

Radin smiled at this, and nodded. "Gotcha. No problem. I think they're having a sale on the name brand this week, too."

At this, Winger almost stopped. Instead, she merely blinked, and responded with, "Why do you know that?"

The green Dragyn smiled and shrugged. He reached out a hand to jab Storm gently in the belly, as he'd already done several times today. "I guess... I'm more gay than straight, eh?"