A Free Day at the Beach

Writers: Devin, Halyonix
Date Posted: 1st April 2026

Characters: K'mai, I'serin, N'vanik, Talryne, Z'kim
Description: A private group meets for fun and relaxation.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 14 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Oselle

K'mai

Still dripping from the sea, K'mai flopped down next to I'serin on the huge blanket. "What's for lunch?"

"Rum," N'vanik joked as he pulled a bottle from the picnic basket.

"And sandwiches," I'serin added. He did not mind day-drinking, especially on a restday, but he was not going to drink rum on an empty stomach. His thumb and forefinger captured K'mai's chin as he leaned over to kiss the bluerider, relishing the way the saltwater tasted on his lips.

K'mai made a low, pleased noise and deepened the kiss for a moment, thrilled at I'serin being so open in front of others.

"And I made dessert for everyone," Z'kim said, pulling out a carefully wrapped tray. The corner of his mouth turned up in amusement as he watched I'serin and K'mai. They were as bad as Nik and Talryne.

"Dessert?" I'serin echoed as the kiss ended so that he could look at the tray. Faranth, if all they ate today was sugar and alcohol, he would have a hangover by early afternoon!

Talryne watched Z'kim unwrap the food with eager eyes. "He makes the best little cakes and treats."

"I was a baker before the Pass. I like to keep my hand in." Z'kim offered the tray to I'serin and K'mai.

K'mai sat up. "Oooh!" His bright eyes darted over the desserts before he chose a little square cake with berries and cream.

I'serin chose the same. "A baker? That is quite an interesting path for a dragonrider." It was far more interesting than his own path of no craft, no skillset that could be defined by knots. He bit into the small cake and hummed appreciatively. "Would you be willing to share this recipe?"

Z'kim gave him a long look, then smiled and said, "No."

"He can't make people suck up to him for treats if he gives away his secrets," N'vanik said.

"Excuse you, it's called 'earning my favor'."

The banter between the two brought a fond smile to I'serin's mouth. Would he and K'mai ever feel the same ease with others? "Dolphin Cove will have the advantage on Dragonsfall bakers then," he conceded as he took another bite.

"Just enjoy the fact that Zeke likes you enough to bake for you." N'vanik laughed as he set out plates for everyone.

"We earned your favor already, huh?" K'mai smiled at the greenrider. "Are we really that charming?"

"_You_ are dangerously charming," Z'kim said. "And I find I'serin endearing, even though he isn't my type." He winked at the bronzerider.

I'serin did his best to nod and smile back while chewing through another bite. Z'kim was certainly not his type either but that was fine. "Then I am glad that we have earned your favor," he said after he swallowed. "We will have to find a way to return it for next time." Perhaps Headwoman Oselle could work wonders with those cherries again. Tossing the last bit of cake in his mouth, I'serin proffered the finger sandwiches around.

There was a tiny bit of cream on the corner of I'serin's lips. The temptation was too much and K'mai leaned in to lick it off his mouth.

The bronzerider instinctively stilled for a moment but then forced himself to relax. A kiss was one thing, a lick was something else, but he had to remember that he was in safe company and that no one would judge him here. "N'vanik, did you hear the latest waterball team that is seeking to challenge some of the Weyrs?"

"No?" N'vanik said with mild curiosity.

Talryne covered a laugh. "I'm so happy for you," she told K'mai.

"I'm happy for you, too." K'mai smiled. "How far we've come, huh?"

"Do you remember me, then?"

"Of course I do! You always seemed so . . . troubled." There'd been a death in the family, her mom, if he remembered right.

"Ooh, what's this?" Z'kim looked between them. "History?"

"The rumor is that Sunstone Seahold has started a team -- given their affinity for seacrafting -- and are boasting that they can defeat some of the Weyr teams in the next challenge season," I'serin said. "I would be very interested to see how Dolphin Cove compares. I know that Barrier Lake has a solid team."

N'vanik snorted as he started pouring himself a drink. "Holders aren't gonna beat us."

"I Impressed at River Bluff." Talryne's chest tightened. "And then my mom died and Ysanth was too young so I was stuck at the Weyr. I. . . didn't handle things well."

As soon as he heard Ysanth's name, N'vanik's attention snapped to Talryne. Wordlessly, he reached out and took her hand.

"I slept with a lot of men. I was so lonely and desperate, and I kept hoping I could find . . ." Talryne shook her head. "But K'mai was very nice to me. If I'd stayed, maybe we would've become friends."

"We _were_ friends," K'mai insisted, aching for the poor young woman who'd been so lost and then lost even more. "And we're friends again now."

I'serin wanted to hear more about how she had lost Ysanth but he knew better than to ask Talryne. He could not imagine life without Aluneth. How Talryne endured was admirable, to say the least. He made note to ask N'vanik more about what had happened, especially since she was from River Bluff. Unsure of what comfort to offer that would not sound lame, I'serin let the others who were more empathetic speak.

"I'm glad." Talryne's smile was a little sad at first, but it brightened as she turned to I'serin. "And I'm glad you trust us with your secret."

The bronzerider's smile was small, vulnerable, but genuine. "It is...good...to be able to be oneself," he answered. His hand went to cover K'mai's. "To be free."

K'mai's heart swelled and he lifted I'serin's hand to kiss it. Seeing him be his true self around other people was a wonderful thing

"Ugh," Z'kim said. "I was hoping for some past drama but instead everybody's getting emotional."

Talryne nudged him. "Be nice." Though she was smiling as she said it.

N'vanik handed I'serin a drink. It was good to see him free of the need to hide, and free of the burden of being Weyrleader. N'vanik thought about how his attraction to Z'kim wasn't locked away after flights anymore, about the sexual side of their relationship being public. Even about how Talryne had opened his heart Turns ago. He lifted his glass. "To being free."

"To being free."

Last updated on the April 26th 2026

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A Free Day at the Beach