A Surprise Date

Writers: Devin, Halyonix
Date Posted: 2nd November 2025

Characters: K'mai, I'serin
Description: I'serin surprises K'mai with a date at Sunstone Seahold.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 9, day 8 of Turn 12

K'mai

I'serin

}: It will be nice to be warm, :{ Aluneth remarked as I'serin envisioned the coastline of Sunstone Seahold. How many hours had he swept along that coast when River Bluff existed? It would be bittersweet to return but this time, I'serin had a hopeful reason to. }: I have told Sebeth where to go, :{ Aluneth said as he took off, roaring a farewell to the watchrider just before he went /between/.

K'mai had a wide grin as they came out over Sunstone Seahold. This wasn't a deserted beach or some other hidden corner of Pern, this was _public_. Of course there would be limits on what they could do even if their relationship had been open, holds being what they were, but the important part was that I'serin was taking him out somewhere.

Sebeth circled down to land next to Aluneth, nudging the bronze's shoulder in playful camaraderie. }:It is so nice when they are together.:{

"Well this is a pleasant surprise," K'mai said as he dismounted, still grinning.

"Do not let me overthink this," I'serin cautioned him as he tucked his Weyrleader knots into his pocket. He looked at the Hold as he decided what next to say. "You appreciate material gifts," he said thoughtfully, "but you appreciate experiences more. This...may not be as exhilarating as cliff diving but it is an experience." He paused, shifting his gaze to K'mai, as his expression became one of mild scheming. "I think you will enjoy it." He tilted his head towards the Hold, indicating that K'mai should follow.

"I'm sure I will." K'mai put his own knots away, hiding the fact that he was from Dragonsfall, and followed I'serin toward the Hold.

Though the market area of the Hold was not as crowded as usual, I'serin still navigated it with the careful steps of one who disliked being touched. Eventually, he came to stop at a stall that smelled strongly of fish and vinegar. "Good afternoon," he greeted the vendor pleasantly. "What is on the menu today?"

"Red fin fresh, packtail roe, grilled black eel. Still got some of the bream but had to salt it. Still tasty though," the man answered. He was slicing the red fin into very slim, precise cuts. The workspace around him was full of implements and condiments, as well as a large bowl of rice grains. "You hungry?" he asked of the two riders. Before they could answer, he said, "Have a seat. I'll get a plate made." And he busied himself with that.

"Have you ever had raw fish?" I'serin asked of K'mai as he sat.

K'mai nodded. "But made by a professional like this? Only a few times, and it's been a while." He was still riding high on the fact that I'serin was taking him out for a special meal.

Someone sensing tourists approached, offering up skins of redfruit juice, which I'serin paid for before handing one to K'mai. "It is an artform as much as a meal," he said. "The fish used must be of a certain quality and handled properly, else you will sicken your customers."

"Hadn't had that happen since my grandfather's time," the cook said. "We know our fish." He was deftly arranging some of the slices on a large wooden board but there was still plenty of cuts left to make.

"I can already tell this is going to be an exceptional meal," K'mai told the cook. "Your passion and dedication are clear." Then when the man wasn't looking, he gave I'serin a secret, warm smile. It was still far too public a place for I'serin to be brave enough for anything more but K'mai would not miss the sparkle in the bronzerider's hazel eyes, nor the way the corners of his mouth quirked to smile back.

"I was not a fan of it the first time I tried it," I'serin said as they watched the man work. "But someone insisted that I try it again, with a bit more guidance on pairings, and she was correct. I thought that perhaps more Seaholds partook in this sort of fare but apparently it is rare."

"Family tradition," the man said in explanation. With a little flourish, he presented the two riders with wooden board filled with all sorts of cut fish, expertly arranged so that the slices and types created the image of a fish leaping from the waves. "Enjoy." And he left them to their meal, shifting a few feet away to serve another customer.

"You are supposed to use the little sticks," I'serin explained, "but I am not adept with them." He instead picked up the first piece with his fingers.

K'mai lifted one of the sticks. "Sir?" he asked the cook. "Would you be able to demonstrate for me?" He at least wanted to give it a try.

The cook drifted back over with a merry, "Absolutely," and picked up two slim sticks to demonstrate. "You hold the bottom one like this, against the bottom two fingers. Stays right there. Your top stick, that's the one that moves. Like this." As he showed the riders how to do it, effortlessly of course, I'serin picked up the sticks again and attempted it once more. He still managed to drop the piece. "Takes practice. Keep at it," the cook encouraged both.

After watching the instructions closely, K'mai did his best to copy the movements. Using the sticks tugged a little at his new scars, but he managed to get the piece of raw fish halfway to his mouth before he dropped it. He laughed a little and tried again. On the third attempt, he leaned close to the board and managed to get the food into his mouth. "Mmph!" he said triumphantly as he chewed. The chef made a victorious sound and wandered away again.

I'serin tried two more times without success. He put the sticks down. "Forgive me for my inelegance," he said to K'mai as he plucked a piece with his fingers again.

Under the counter, K'mai nudged I'serin's foot. "You don't need to impress me. I uh," he said quietly. "Don't mind watching you eat with your fingers." Something about it sent a little flicker of heat through him, and K'mai got an idea. He glanced at the cook, who was turned away from them, then his gaze flicked around to make sure no one was watching. Then he lifted a piece of the artfully crafted raw fish in his fingers, slid it into his mouth, and then slowly drew his fingers out, sucking them on the way. "Mmm."

Between the foot nudge and the suggestive sucking, I'serin's mind raced six ways into panic and six ways into arousal. As emotions and scenarios collided at high speed, he cleared his throat awkwardly, certain that a blush could be seen on his cheeks. "Incorrigible flirt," he finally coughed softly.

K'mai bit his lip, eyes sparkling. Shards and shells, I'serin was adorable. "You know I can't help teasing a little." He picked up the sticks again and got another piece into his mouth after two tries.

"And I would not ask you to change," I'serin answered. He bit it another piece, savoring the salt and brine against the rice grain texture. "What do you think?" he asked, motioning to the meal.

"It's great. Different from cooked fish. There's more . . . freshness and subtle flavors." K'mai's expression brightened. "Oh hey, I wonder if this is what fish tastes like to the dolphins."

"Perhaps," I'serin agreed. "Have you ever met them?"

"Yeah, they came by River Bluff sometimes." K'mai tilted his head. "You didn't swim much, did you?"

The bronzerider shook his head. "Not with the dolphins there. I was...a little too focused on my training. Though I did get to have conversations with a few. It was quite enlightening. I should find a few hours to visit the ones at Dolphin Cove."

"There's a ton of them there. It's fun." K'mai had swum with the dolphins there a few times when he'd gone to visit friends.

There was a pause while I'serin went over possibilities. "Would...you like to accompany me perhaps?"

"I would _love_ to. Time with you in warm, tropical water playing with dolphins? Sounds perfect."

The bronzerider smiled shyly. "Then I believe we have our next restday planned."

Last updated on the November 2nd 2025

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Surprise Date