Commonplace

Writers: Devin, Iluva
Date Posted: 9th June 2025

Characters: T'lin, Z'kylo
Description: Veth has a bath and is determined to make everyone be friends
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 4 of Turn 12

T'lin

Z'kylo

Veth was like a canine unleashed the moment her riding straps were off, leaping and bounding the entire way to the Weyrlake with wings wide to absorb all the glittering sunshine. She was itching -- to bathe, to fly, to finally have _fun_. After mostly behaving through drills that morning, and heedlessly ignoring Z'kylo's griping about how she was going to drown the rest of the bathers (she was _not_, thank you!), she practically threw herself into the shallows.

It was a perfect day.

}:Hi!:{ She called to a big brown. His head swiveled toward her, briefly taking in that excited, crazed energy from a length away, and immediately departed for the Rim.

Undeterred, Veth dunked her head and began scanning about for someone else. Rivulets of water ran down her neck, tickling and refreshing all at once. The warmth of Dolphin Cove agreed with her and she let loose a happy warble -- the epitome of a dragon enjoying herself to the fullest.

}:Hurrrry!:{

Groaning, Z'kylo trailed slowly behind her loaded up with bathing gear, a floppy hat over his reddened ears.

Then, like a canine on an avian, she spotted a handsome azure dragon and decided he looked both friendly _and_ fun. Splashing toward Calaroth, it was Z'kylo's urging that had her slowing at the last moment so as not to _actually_ drown anyone.

}:Hello! Isn't it a lovely day?:{ Her wings wiggled for emphasis. }:I'm Veth! You're such a pretty shade of blue, you look just like the ocean!:{

}:I do have a very pretty hide,:{ Calaroth agreed easily, admiring himself for a brief moment before turning to Veth. }:Your hide is a nice color, too. Like the leaves of trees. It's nice to meet you, Veth. I am Calaroth.:{

Puffing up at the compliment, and from such a comely dragon at that, Veth inched a little closer. }:You think so?:{ She asked with coy innocence, swishing her tail. }:I'm always telling Mine that. He just doesn't seem to get dragon beauty. Yet. It's funny, though -- he fusses with his hair _a lot_ even though he puts a hat or a helmet on it most of the time, so, like, why bother? Does Yours do that?:{

"Veth!" Z'kylo shouted from the shore, out of breath and in the early stages of a headache.

}:That's him.:{ She said without looking, as if he could possibly be yelling for some other Veth.

For his part, Z'kylo wouldn't mind another Veth if it meant she'd actually listen to him. He set the bucket down with a sigh and wiped his brow, pulling the hat back down immediately. "Veth, do you want your bath or not?!"

T'lin stepped around his blue, scrub brush in hand and not a stitch of clothes on. First he smiled up at Veth, then looked over at her rider on the shore. "Is Cal distracting her? He does like to charm the ladies."

Z'kylo felt the bile rise in his throat. His annoyance with Veth instantly evaporated. He could see everything. _Everything_, and Veth's enjoyment was not helping the dark crimson flooding his face. "NO!" He shouted back, hauling his hat even further down his eyes. "Sorry, no. No, he's fine!"

**Veth. Get _over_ here or I'm leaving.**

}:Why? He's so nice!:{ She reasoned with eyes still admiring Calaroth. }:Come in! You're going to get wet anyway, why not do it over here? Come ooooon.:{

"Oh no, oh no. Oh no, oh no." He chanted quietly, wondering how on Pern to get through this. He'd heard things about this place. He'd seen things. He knew he'd have to... get used to it -- somehow.

Wading in slowly like he might be allergic to water, he'd just have to stay on the opposite side of Veth and let her block out the things that were currently searing themselves into his memory. "Did... did someone steal your bottoms?" Z'kylo couldn't help but ask.

T'lin laughed. "It's a hot day, I'm washing my dragon, why bother? It's not any different than the bathing caverns." This wasn't some holder fresh from the farm, the other man was a rider with a full grown dragon. "I'm T'lin, and this charmer is Calaroth. You must be new to Dolphin Cove."

Uh, it _was_ different than the bathing caverns because at least Z'kylo _knew_ to expect nakedness there. This was like a slap in the face, and unfortunately not the first one since he arrived. _He_ had also bothered: long sleeve shirt, pants reluctantly rolled to his knees, giant hat that wasn't doing all the jobs he needed currently.

"Yes. I Impressed at Dream's End." He said stiffly, trying to steady his breath as he worked up a lather. "This is Veth." She preened happily at the recognition. "And I'm Z'kylo. So, you're... from here, T'lin?"

"Impressed here. I was born in a small farming hold." T'lin stepped partly behind Calaroth's flank since the other rider was so clearly uncomfortable. "Well met, Z'kylo and Veth."

}:You will like it here,:{ Calaroth told the green. }:It is warm and there are dolphins!:{

}:Oh I already do.:{ Veth assured him sweetly, though the word 'dolphins' had every shade of wonder flooding her eyes, wiggling about with excitement. }:Dolphins?! Oh, I can't wait. I can't wait! Mine, Mine when can we go?:{

**Another day.**

Brush stilled mid-sudsing, Z'kylo didn't say anything aloud for a long moment. Small farming hold. And he was bathing his dragon in the buff. T'lin couldn't have been more than a Turn or two older than him, yet here he was: stark naked like he was birthed in the Weyr's cradle. Something pulled tight in his stomach, and he had to slosh a little to the side to properly reach Veth.

"Well met." He said back, the color finally cooling on his cheeks. Until--

}:Calaroth, do you and Yours want to come see the Dolphins with us?:{

**_Veth_.** He scolded, full of pointless frustration. It was nice to know one of them was thoroughly enjoying themselves. "Sorry, I... I'm not used to this sort of heat. What do you like to do for fun around here?"

}:Yes!:{ Calaroth shifted in his excitement, almost knocking T'lin over.

"You can flirt, but please try to stay still," T'lin told his blue with a laugh. To Z'kylo, he said, "Swimming is a good one, helps keep you cool, too. The beach nearby can get crowded, but you can fly down the coast a little if you want more peace and quiet."

}:I want to swim with Veth. I can show her the dolphins.:{

}:Eeee,:{ her mental laugh buzzed all across Z'kylo's mind, soft and playful. }:We are going to have _so much fun!_:{

Swimming. Great, more nudity. He would need some awfully dark goggles to block a lot of that out. Although, that wasn't really fair. T'lin was being friendly, and unlike some he didn't seem to be _trying_ to make him uncomfortable.

}:I'm going to look so good for Calaroth.:{ Z'kylo wrinkled his nose, still wishing she wouldn't say things like that to him.

He ducked under Veth's wing and scrubbed as close as he could without being bumped by her endless preening. "Yeah. I've been meaning to explore a little, but I haven't had much opportunity," he lied. "Er, anything that doesn't involve sunburns?"

"Ah, that is a hazard around here. There's always dragonpoker games, and parties," T'lin said. "What kinds of things do you like to do?"

**Nothing.** Z'kylo thought bitterly, though that was probably a lie, too. He'd been laser focused on all the things he _didn't_ enjoy since Impressing. "Poker sounds good, although I don't always have extra marks for that. Chess is alright, too. Do you know if there are any regular... meet-ups?" A long pause as he scrubbed. "Do you play?"

"Poker? Or chess?" T'lin asked with a hint of amusement. "Yes to both. You don't want to play chess with me unless you like losing." He laughed. "Poker, though, you have a chance."

"Either." They were two of his few remaining fortes, and, despite himself, Z'kylo bristled a little. He was rarely competitive, but he might have turned to properly size up the guy again and challenge him to a game, to prove it. But he was _not_ about to look again, so he began scrubbing hide with renewed fervor. Calmly, he said, "Maybe we could play sometime."

}:Owww! Too rough!:{ Veth wiggled away a little, a sad whine high in her throat as her wing flicked reflexively, like a runnerbeast's tail ridding itself of vtols. It hit Z'kylo square in the face, and he was still sputtering as his hat went flying, sailing through the air and flopping a few feet away amongst the suds.

}:Oooopsie! Sorry, Mine. Calaroth! Can you reach Mine's hat? His little face is burning.:{

"Shells!" T'lin went running to grab Z'kylo's hat. He picked it up, flicking soapy water off it, and went to hand it to the greenrider.

He heard T'lin's sloshing approach but it still didn't prepare him for it -- he barely had his own, "Thank you," out of his mouth when his eyes zeroed in on way more than just his hat.

Z'kylo's hand shot up to cover his eyes, every part of him burning with overwhelming embarrassment. "Oh F-- I'm, I'm _so_ sorry, T'lin." His free hand wouldn't dare fish about the air for his hat, not this closely, just managing to hold itself open without shaking. "Thank you." He said in a small, choked voice.

T'lin pressed the hat into Z'kylo's open hand. "Sorry, I didn't think." The bluerider bit his lip, trying not to laugh. He didn't want to be rude. "Nudity is pretty common here. A lot of people don't think much about stripping down to wash their dragons or go for a swim."

"It's okay!" Z'kylo yelped, still not looking, "You're fine, honestly. You're hot." Wrong phrasing. "I mean, _it_is_ hot. I... I'm just really not used to it." The water trickled down his reddened cheeks as he pulled the brim down low, and he turned to wherever he thought the shore was. "I just remembered something I need to do, like right now, but maybe we could play chess sometime. It was nice seeing you."

Veth's little wedged shaped head snapped up at his hurried departure, }:But - but what about my bath?!:{

**_Later_.** was all Z'kylo could think to say back.

T'lin pressed a hand to his mouth to keep from laughing. **So he thinks I'm hot.** The next time they encountered each other, he might try a little flirting -- _if_ T'lin was wearing clothes. He didn't want to make the greenrider too uncomfortable.

Last updated on the June 13th 2025

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