Tubby's Notes:
Name: Amber
Occupation: Outrider for the Knights of Favonius
Profile: Super cheerful and super wholesome. She's bright, athletic, and rarely makes trouble for others. She and Aether are practically joined at the hip, doing missions together in Dragonspire, racing each other, or having eating contests. Her warm nature would melt even the most cynical heart. However, I am concerned about her slight bunny aesthetic. I know she is not an actual bunny, but many UHA members take on traits of the animals they are connected to. If that ever becomes the case with Amber, I might become Auntie Tubby sooner than expected.
They poised meters before the ledge. Below lay a sharp fall into jagged rocks and merciless waves, and miles ahead, an island with a flag. The wind blew at their backs. Legs hunched like coils, ready to spring.
"On your mark," said Amber.
"Get set," said Aether.
A leaf fluttered on a breeze, tumbling slowly. The pair watched, waiting for the moment it brushed the grass. Anticipation grew to unbearable heights.
"GO!"
They exploded off the cliff. They spread their gliders. Wind buffeted the wings and propelled them over the bluff into open air.
Aether had been practicing since she taught him. He caught an updraft that carried him into a fastmoving current. Amber matched his movements, catching the current and closing the distance.
"Not bad," she said. "But you've got a lot to learn."
Amber closed the glider and divebombed towards the crashing waves. He panicked, fearing for her safety. Then, the glider opened. Amber's flight path curved upwards. Carried by her momentum, she rocketed ahead.
That maneuver was a little beyond his skillset. Luckily, he wasn't out yet.
He threw his palms backwards and released jets of Hydro. The twin jets propelled him. Arms moving in breaststrokes, water burst behind him again and again. He closed the distance. Then, he overtook her.
"Hey, that's cheating!"
"Never said I couldn't do this!"
Amber divebombed. No matter, he still had the lead even if she pulled off that stunt. Then, the gliding champion caught the updraft of a thermal. Buoyant air hurled her into the clouds. Amber divebombed once again. Arms tucked in, she fell like a torpedo. A solid minute of this and she picked up breakneck speed.
She easily soared past him and kept going, all the way to the island. At that pace, Amber would get the flag before him.
Aether summoned the wind to his palm. He unleashed a cyclone that shot him across the sky. Eyes watering, teeth clenched, Aether's head spun and his breakfast almost flew from his mouth. He poured out more wind, more, and more. The island lay beneath him. He reached for the flagpole.
For just a moment, he and Amber hung in the air, side by side, arms extended for that flagpole.
Aether zoomed forward, misjudged the distance, and passed the flag completely. Amber came in and snatched it.
They rolled with their landings. Aether stumbled, falling forward, and landing on his back with a grunt. Amber walked up to him. Hand on her hip, she flaunted her prize.
He got up to a sitting position. Amber reached out a hand to pull him up. He took it and promptly pulled her into his lap. Amber smirked.
"Oh, we're playing that game now?"
She pounced, pushing him over, but he brought her down with him. The pair rolled over each other, vying for control. Their tussle sent up showers of grass. Amber pinned Aether's arms and straddled his waist. Just like that, she had him. Oh, he could escape if he wanted to. But he'd never willingly break out of this position.
Giggling, she nuzzled their noses.
"Now give me my prize."
Aether puckered his lips and gave the victor her kiss.
"Make out contest!" she declared.
"Bring it!"
Their tongues entwined. Amber's got on top, then Aether's. The tongues rolled and rolled, vying for dominance—not sexual but rivalry. Neither one would admit defeat. Being so evenly matched meant Aether had to get clever.
He snaked his hand free and squeezed her butt. Amber yelped in surprise. That moment of weakness proved too much. Aether overpowered her. The Outrider moaned as her lover took control, groping her bare thighs and digging his tongue deeper into her hot mouth.
This time, Aether came out the victor.
"You cheater," she said, not looking even the slightest bit sad about losing. "New game! Same rules!"
Aether and Amber stripped down and began their favorite game of all. A naked game. They were both winners.