Upon The Winds Of Dubiety

The youngling's small life continued to grow, as did his relations with his fellow younglings. Their understanding of the world grew together, though they kept to the plains complacently. The older they became, the more their personalities grew, branching out in different directions of fate.

On an afternoon where the sun shone brightly, its beams reflecting back in the golden grass, the younglings played together in its safety. Currently, they were engaged in a game of chase. One youngling pursued the others while they ran away, and tried to catch as many as possible until their turn was over. An adult supervised and timed the turns, making sure no one ran too far.

Esredes: *At the moment, he's doing his best to avoid the youngling taking his turn, and there are still three of them in the game. His strategy mostly revolves around waiting until the pursuer comes near him, and then darting away quickly. It's worked out okay for him so far, but this youngling is particularly good at being the pursuer. He's attempting to stay out of the pursuer's sight as he focuses on the other two still in the game.*
Youngling: *The current pursuer is right on the tail of another player. She's desperately trying to confuse him so she can dart off and get away, but right as she tries to make a run for it, he touches her*
Youngling: Dang it! *she looks visibly upset over being caught* You're so fast! It's not even fair! You should've gone after the other two instead!
Youngling: But you're so slow. How could I not go after you?
Youngling: Ugh! *she slinks off to join the others waiting for this turn to be over*
Adult: *She watches the youngling from the sidelines, then turns her head towards the pursuer* You have two minutes remaining to catch the last two. Better hurry.
Youngling: Don't even need it! *He whirls around and stares right at Esrey, who is all the way on the other side of the field. Target acquired.*
Esredes: *He's very much prepared for this, and grins in a taunting fashion* Come at me if you think you're so fast!
Youngling: *He bolts off towards Esrey, who crouches near to the ground, waits a few moments, and then runs off towards another end of the field. The pursuer is quick in mind as well as body, however, and adjusts his direction without losing much ground.*
Esredes: *He continues running, but he's getting closer. He attempts to create more distance, but the pursuer is only closing it. His heart began to pound. He waits for the pursuer to get right near him, then stops suddenly, whirling around and taking off behind him.*
Youngling: *The pursuer is caught off guard, but quickly turns himself around to continue after Esrey.*
Adult: One minute left!
Youngling: *Her warning seems to make the youngling's speed increase even further. Esrey doesn't spend long ahead before he's caught up again. Esrey whirls around again, but he's not fast enough this time- the youngling touches him before he can get away.*

Youngling: Hah, gotcha! You're not so fast after all, see? I am the fastest!
Esredes: Hey, I'm still fast! You just managed to catch up!
Youngling: No you're not, you're as slow as the rest of them. It took me less time with you than that other girl.
Esredes: It did not!
Youngling: Yes it did! Your strategy only worked once! You and the others are just not nearly as fast as I am, slowpoke~
Esredes: *He narrows his eyes at the youngling* Nobody calls me slow!

*The ground beneath the youngling rises up from beneath him and hits him in the chest. It then sinks down as quickly as it had come up while the other younglings gasp. A breeze picks up across the plain.*
Youngling: Ow!! * he backs up and puts a hand to his chest* That hurt! What is wrong with you?!
Adult: Esredes! *She stands up and is over by them in what feels like an instant* What on Erden has gotten into you?! Esredes: *The flaring moment of anger he had is replaced by terror.* H-he was being mean to me!
Adult: *She shoots Esrey a look of venom* I will deal with you in a moment.

Adult: *She looks away towards the other youngling* How badly did he hurt you?
Youngling: I'm fine, but it hurts…
Adult: Can you walk okay?
Youngling: Yeah... *he removes his hand from his chest and rests it back on the ground*
Adult: Go see the other adults to make sure it's okay. *She turns back towards the other younglings- and Esrey* Playtime is over for today. All of you go on back.
Youngling: What?! Come on!
Youngling: I was going to win!
Youngling: I didn't even get a turn!
Adult: Go back. Now. Except for you, Esrey, you're staying here.

All the younglings begin to walk away, back towards the others. One mutters a "thanks, Esrey" under their breath as they pass him.

The satisfaction of the retaliation had only lasted a second. Now alone with the adult, all he feels is a sense of fear for what she will say to him.