At the Risk of Being Forward . . .

Writers: Devin, Sia
Date Posted: 16th June 2025

Characters: K'mai, Q'vettan
Description: K'mai shoots his shot with another Weyrleader.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 26 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: I'serin, Halia, Qelhelias, Thiseta
Follows "Keep Wondering" and several other posts

K'mai

Q'vettan

He stepped up to the older man and gave a bow. "Weyrleader Q'vettan,
congratulations."

Q'vettan hadn't been paying much attention. He'd been in quiet
conversation with some old colleagues from Igen, catching up on the
gossip from home, and he turned to K'mai with the pleasant smile of a
man used to exchanging diplomatic well-wishes. "Thank you. I'm afraid
I'm at a disadvantage. I used to pride myself on knowing all the names
of Dragonsfall riders, but the turns away have finally caught up to
me, bluerider...?"

"K'mai, of blue Sebeth. I'm originally from River Bluff." His smile
faltered a little. "So I don't believe we've met. A pleasure to make
your acquaintance, sir."

Q'vettan's smile didn't waver, but he caught the hesitation in K'mai's
expression. "Ah, I see." He said, his voice warm, even sympathetic,
though there was no real apology in it. "We have many of those at
Barrier Lake as well. You didn't want to return to the protectorate
once the Weyrhold opened? I'm from Dragonsfall, myself, and I find
myself sometimes yearning for both home and Igen in equal measure."

"I sure don't love the weather." The bluerider laughed. "But my
daughter and her mother are there, and by the time Barrier Lake
opened, it had started to feel a little like home, and since I
couldn't go _home_ home, I decided to stay." He shrugged a shoulder.

Q'vettan inclined his head slightly. "Family does have a way of
anchoring us." He agreed, "My son and his mother are at Dragonsfall as
well, as fate would have it. How are you finding this winter, with all
the holdless camping in the 'bowl?"

"Things are a little . . . tense. But I don't mind them much. They
needed a place to stay and we couldn't just leave them," K'mai said.
"Who are your son and his mother? I probably know them. I know pretty
much everybody at Dragonsfall."

"Journeyman Qelhelias is my youngest." Q'vettan said. A flicker of something passed over his face; surprised and sad at his own choice of words. "He's been on circuit for a few turns, but he's back home teaching the ballads to the next generation now. His mother works as one of the kitchen staff, Elhelia. Her other child is one the new greenriders in Chioneth's clutch, so I'm hoping that bodes well for his chances. Perhaps I'll join the betting pool for the next clutch."

"Oh, Elhelia. I know her. At least in passing." K'mai was a frequent visitor to the kitchens to charm treats out of the staff for his friends, and he'd been by even more often lately to get lunches for I'serin. "Her other kid . . . " He thought for a moment. "Oh, Halia! She . . ." Well he wasn't going to get her in trouble by saying she'd tried to steal alcohol from his weyr. "Has a bit of a mischievous streak."

"I hear she's like her father." Q'vettan said with all the fondness of a very distant uncle. "Most of my family is still there, so I'm sure we'll cross paths sooner rather than later."

K'mai nodded and decided that was enough small talk. "At the risk of being forward, sir," he lifted his bandaged arm, "would you take pity on a poor injured rider and allow him the pleasure of a dance?"

"The injury loaned you the confidence you needed, did it?" Q'vettan asked. Still, he considered the young man before him a moment. His smile didn't falter. “You flatter me, but I’m going to have to decline. I wouldn't dare overshadow N'vanik at his own feast.”

The bluerider laughed. "Well, it was worth a try, at least." Then he arched an eyebrow. "Maybe at _your_ Feast then, Weyrleader?"

Q’vettan chuckled, the sound low and warm. He didn’t look away from K’mai as he said, “A tempting offer. But I’m afraid I must continue to be a disappointment. It will be my Weyrwoman's first hatching feast at Barrier Lake, and I expect most of my time will be spent with our visiting dignitaries. Unless Thiseta wishes it, of course."

"Looks like I'll be charming a Weyrwoman," K'mai said with a gleam in his eyes. Was Q'vettan just politely putting him off, or was there a little teasing going on here? Bronzeriders used to be so straightforward, and now they were full of intriguing possibilities.

"Hah! Touche. I meant I'd just be dancing with my Weyrwoman, but I appreciate the search for loopholes." He shifted his weight a little, not-quite a subtle dismissal. Closing the conversational space between them. "Take care with those who you offer dances. The Weyrs have a way of remembering the bold, whether they like it or not."

"I've always been a bold one, Weyrleader. Life is short, why not enjoy it?" K'mai gave him a little bow. "Until next time."

Q'vettan bowed his head in response. "Indeed. I'll see you around Dragonsfall, bluerider K'mai."

Last updated on the June 23rd 2025

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At the Risk of Being Forward . . .