Sea Cot Hold Home Part 1

Posted on Sun Jun 1st, 2025 @ 9:34am by Blue Rider S'ven & Green Rider Kelsa

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: East of RCW
Timeline: M2 D29

Kelsa stood in front of the mirror, still looking a bit flushed. Not that she was complaining but now she needed to figure out what to wear. She had pulled on a loose fitting shirt that slid off her shoulders, a tank top underneath for a little more modesty. Now she just had to figure out if she wanted to wear her leather pants or one of her skirts. She sighed in frustration as she braided her hair up and twisted it into a bun.

S’ven came out of the bathing chamber grinning as he stopped and watched the woman, flushed still. He bit his lip as he heard her sigh and could see the frustration on her face, and walked over, pinning her hair. “You look beautiful.” He assured.

She turned in surprise, giving him a smile. “Thank you,” Kelsa said as he helped her pin her hair up. “I don't know why I'm so nervous.” She looked at the skirt and pants. “Which one?” She asked.

“Trousers. Easier to ride your green.” He said he wanted her to be comfortable. “Me either. It’s nothing special.” He promised quietly as he grabbed up his flight clothes and tugged them on before grabbing up a towel to dry his hair for travelling between.

Kelsa nodded, grabbing up her pants and pulling them on. The pants would be easier to ride in. “When was the last time you saw your family?” She asked as she pulled her pants on. She wasn't quite sure what to expect.

“Last time was around harvest season.” He said with a shrug. He had been on a sweep over them and had stopped to check in. It had been like normal, his mum upset and his dad proud but disappointed to lose his son to something he could never understand.

She glanced over her shoulder at him as she finished getting dressed. “Thank you for being willing to share this part of your life,” she said softly, knowing it was probably hard. There had to be reason he didn't speak of his family.

“You're my mate.” He said knowing it was more than that with her but that was the simplest way to put it with her. Plus if he was bringing someone with him there was less likely to be the usual awkwardness.

Kelsa walked over to him and hugged him. “Yes I am,” she grinned, liking the sound of that. “But I am still grateful you are sharing this part of your life with me.” He didn't have to but she was glad he was.

“Well you shared yours and I did have a family who came to my impression.” He said still very confused about that day and night when he had impressed the blue dragonet who had come out of his shell and instantly came looking for him. He had always had crushes on boys and girls but he had thought it all childish thoughts.

She nodded a bit as she rested her head against his chest. “I don't really remember that hatching,” she admitted. She had still been young and she honestly couldn't remember if she had even been at the Weyr yet.

“It was a long time ago.” He had been nervous but he could vividly remember the blue staggering towards him and the way the blue lit up when they finally connected in an awkward hug. “The Weyrwoman impressed at the same one so it’s okay if you do not remember I barely remember other than meeting Dareth.”

Kelsa thought a bit. “I don't think I was at the Weyr yet,” she admitted. There was an age difference between them but it never bothered her. “I don't think we could ever forget the moment we met our dragons.”

“I don’t know, I was very shocked at the time.” The man laughed lightly as he pulled back and looked at her. “I do remember you impressing though. I was there when you were searched by Nerlyn and Tanly.” He had been the support for them.

Kelsa looked up at him in surprise. “You remember that?” She asked. She had been terrified when the two green riders had told she had been Searched. “I didn't think it was true,” she admitted.

“I remember a lot of those days. I was there to make sure Nerlyn and Tanly did not get into trouble.” He thought it was more to make sure Nerlyn stayed out of trouble but it had been nice to get out and about. “You were one of the few older women that we found that day in Far Site. We were pretty desperate for female candidates.” He reminded quietly.

She thought back to that day. She did remember there being a blue dragon too but she had been so terrified and excited at the same time that she hadn't really noticed the riders. “I do remember two greens and a blue but honestly I was scared,” Kelsa said softly. “I barely remember the riders.”“

S’ven smiled and shook his head. “It’s not important. What is important is right here and now.” He said, kissing her forehead softly before he turned to grab up both their jackets. “Time to go before we get distracted… again.” He laughed, not at all ashamed of how he had distracted them.

Kelsa giggled a bit as he kissed her forehead and stepped back. “We'll never leave our weyr then,” she smiled. She had certainly enjoyed the distraction though. Especially with him. S'ven made her happy and whole.

“Another time.” He promised with a wink as he handed over the jacket and quickly headed out to the dragons that were all set to go with straps. He had set them up whilst Kelsa had been bathing and getting ready.

“I'll hold you to that, blue rider,” she laughed, her eyes dancing. S'ven brought a side out of her that she didn't show to others. Kelse slipped into her jacket as she followed him. Vyiath crooned at them.

“Just wait till your next flight.” He laughed as Dareth ducked a little to let his rider on and just about allowed S’ven to connect the straps before he spread his wings and jumped off the ledge.

Kelsa raised a brow. “I have to wait that long?” She asked with a laugh as she climbed onto her green. Vyiath kept low for her before soon pushing back to her feet and following Dareth off the ledge. edge.

The man grinned as he heard the question but just answered by shaking his head at her. He did not need to answer her question when she knew better.

*** Dar give them the image. *** He demanded thinking on the cot hold and the way it would be looking about now with the sun fully in the sky. Dareth rumbled his agreement and passed on the image. With a wave to the watch pair the blue and his rider blinked between.

Kelsa was grinning broadly. She did know the answer but it was fun to tease.

Vyiath rumbled her acknowledgement of the imagine, following a few seconds behind her mate. Kelsa waved to the watch pair as well just before Vyiath blinked between.

S’ven appeared above the familiar cot hold and smiled as he glanced to his left and saw the green pair appear out of between as well. He indicated down like he would if he was in the wind and circled lazily to a spot just outside the cluster of buildings where people were getting on with work barely acknowledging the dragons in the sky.

Kelsa looked around at the cot hold. It was cute and it looked like everyone was keeping busy. She was surprised though that no one came running. Usually at least the children were anxious to meet the dragons. She gave S'ven a thumbs up to let him know she had seen him as Vyiath happily followed Dareth toward the ground.

Whilst no children came running a woman came running to the clearing where the pair landed. She stopped in front of S’ven and wiped her hand on her apron and just looked at the man. She was small, middle aged with dark hair peppered with grey but she looked happy to see the pair.

“Hello Dareth. Hello Sovenar.” She smiled before she rolled her eyes at her mistake. “S’ven…” Sve corrected.

“Hello Mother.” The man smiled as she corrected herself and bent to hug her close to him.

Vyiath landed next to Dareth, crooning hello to the woman. Kelsa smiled. She seemed to have smile lines around her mouth and seemed actually happy to see S'ven. Kelsa blinked in surprise as S'ven hugged the woman. Mother? She hadn’t expected that.

Kelsa slid down her greens shoulder and stood quietly beside S'ven. It was nice to see him smile.

The man hugged her for a long moment before he pulled back and turned to look at Kelsa wondering how to do this. “Mother this is Kelsa and Vyiath. Kels is my…”

“Leave the boy alone Sara.” A rough voice called as a man that looked like a smaller version of S’ven joined them.

Kelsa stepped up next to S'ven. The green rider's eyes widened in surprise at the rough voice. She glanced at S'ven, figuring this was his father. At least judging by looks.

“Oh hush Soven. I am just excited to see him and Dareth. And they’ve brought a girl with them.” Sara explained as Soven took in Kelsa next to his son.

“Mother. Father. This is Kelsa and Vyiath. She is my mate.” S’ven said quickly before anyone else could interrupt him. Both adults looked ready to burst but it was Sara who hugged Kelsa to her first.

The young green rider relaxed again once it seemed like things were alright. She smiled before gasping in surprise at the unexpected hug. “It is a pleasure to meet both of you,” she said.

“As it is you Kelsa. S’ven has never brought anyone back before other than that blue rider Malaree. She nearly gave your brother a heart attack.” Sara explained letting the young woman go.

“I won’t hug you.” Soven assured Kelsa but he did hug his son down to him.

Kelsa glanced at S'ven. That sounded like a story she wanted to hear. She smiled at S'ven's father. “It's okay. I was just surprised.” she answered, slipping out of her jacket. Now that they weren’t flying it was too hot for the jacket.

S’ven smiled at the woman and took her hand in his. “Come. Have some breakfast or lunch. I can never remember the time difference from here to the Weyr.” Soven smiled leading them back towards the cot hold. It was an older building that they were led to but it was on the edge of the cliffs down to the water edge.

She squeezed S'ven's hand. So far things seemed to be going well. “This place is amazing,” she commented, looking around the cot hold. Kelsa loved the place already.

“We are ship and fish crafters here if my son did not tell you.” Sara said leading the pair inside the cot holds main building. The room was cooler than outside even with the roaring fire that had pots and pans resting on it bubbly away.

Kelsa nodded. “He did say that but I have never been to a hold like this. I grew up in Far Site,” she admitted. “It is lovely here. I am glad S'ven brought me.”

Sara smiled proudly as she fixed everyone some klah playing the steaming mugs down in front of them allowing people to add sugar how they wanted it. The group at the table started to talk about how the cot hold operated but S’ven watched his mum going back and forth not joining in the conversation whilst Soven was animated.

“Mum…” S’ven said gently, rising to his feet. “You do not need to fuss.” He said, touching her hand as she grabbed out a fresh loaf from her oven. “Let me get that and you sit down.” Sara smiled, relinquishing the heat gloves.

Kelsa smiled as she watched the family. She didn't know why but this was not what she had expected when meeting his family. He never talked about them so she found herself picturing the worst.

“Thank you,” she smiled at Sara, wishing the woman would sit down. She bit back a giggle when S'ven took over. “So you do know how to bake,” she teased him.

“I did help Tula often when I was young before I could join the wings. Thank you very much Kelsa.” He said, smiling a little at her teasing. He turned as he saw his parents share a smile.

“He could never do it as a lad though. It was easier for him to steer a ship than help cook.” Sara said, making the man roll his eyes as he set the bread on the side to cool a little.

“Hmm not sure I believe that,” Kelsa giggled. “I will have to ask Tula.” It was fun watching S'ven work around the home like he was born to it. Kelsa looked over at Sara. “Really? He could handle a ship that young?”she asked curiously. “It always seemed like that would be quite a task.”

“He was born on a ship. He didn’t know dry land properly until he was eight turns and his sister and brother started picking crafts that required us to be home more.” Soven explained, smiling.

“He could handle ships as well as he handles that blue dragon out there.” The woman added proudly. S’ven smiled a little as he sat down in the familiar chair.

Kelsa glanced over at S'ven. She knew he had grown up around ships but she hadn’t realized he was actually born on one. “Shards,” she said in shock. “That is impressive. You must be proud.” At least it sounded like they were.

“Of course we are.” Sara said smiling. “Still confused about it all these turns on but proud.” She assured looking at her son as he ducked his head away from her gaze.

The green rider nodded a bit. She didn't want to push that one as she didn't know if they were confused about him being a rider or a blue rider specifically. “He is a great rider. Even made wing third in his wing,” she said proudly.

“I did wonder what that new knot was all about lad.” Soven wondered as S’ven laughed at his fathers ability to be proud and make him feel like he was 12 turns old all at the same time.

“Been wingthrid a while.”’ He admitted.

“But you never tell us anything about your life at the Weyr.” Sara commented.

Kelsa bit her lip. Had she said something she shouldn't have? Maybe there was a reason he hadn't said anything. She was proud of him though and figured his parents would be too. “Sorry,” she whispered to him.

“No… it’s okay. I just don’t want you both to worry.” He said gently to the older adults as he leaned out and put his hand on Kelsa’s knee.

She glanced over at him with a smile. “You do know parents worry no matter what?” she teased him, smiling again at his parents. She liked them.

“I know.” He said, shaking his head a little before standing up. He knew that but his parents were too kind to have that worry about him. “What were you going to do with the bread mother?” He asked rising to cut it up.

“Just bread and butter with jams if you have the time.” She said softly.

“We have all day if you can spare the time.” S’ven said going to the sink to wash his hands.

Kelsa nodded. Warm bread sounded wonderful. The green rider loved bread. It was probably a good thing they were so active as riders. “As long as that's not imposing on the both of you,” Kelsa added.

“Not in the slightest.” Soven assured quickly. “The tides are too strong for us to do anything so we are tied to the shore today. We were just going to be fixing and needing so you are the perfect excuse to ignore those things.”

The green rider chuckled, her eyes dancing. “Glad we could help. And by all means put us to work if we can be of assistance,” she offered, knowing S'ven was probably rolling his eyes.

The man was rolling his eyes but that was interrupted by the door opening and a man and young woman walking in. “We saw dragons and we struggled to contain the children.” The woman said rushing over to S’ven wrapping her arms around him giving him just enough time to put down the knife.

“Easy Ven.” He said smiling as the woman held him tightly.

“My elder children Vena and Sovenar.” Soven explained as the man sat down in S’ven empty chair.

Kelsa looked over her shoulder, smiling as more of S'ven's family piled in. It was nice to see and S'ven looked happy. “It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Kelsa. Vyiath would love to meet the children,” she assured them.

“You brought a girl home little brother?” Vena said letting the man go as she took in the young woman. ”Absolute pleasure to meet you, green rider.” The woman looked at S’ven grinning more.

“Why don’t we all go and look at the dragons?” S’ven wondered hopeful to get outside for a few minutes.

Kelsa flushed a bit as she listened to the siblings. “Thank you. It's nice to meet S'ven's family,” she said, getting to her feet. Apparently S'ven wanting to get away from this awkwardness.

“Oh this should be good huh Sovenar?” Vena said, still chuckling away as S'ven looked at his father for help but he just held up his hands in surrender.

“You all go and I’ll finish the bread.” He offered which only made the wingthird roll his eyes.

Kelsa was confused as to what was going on. She gripped S'ven's hand. “Am I missing something?” She whispered to him.

The blue rider squeezed her hand to offer reassurance. His brother and sister were the type of sibling that mocked relentlessly but always had his back. “They did not think I would bring a girl home with riding a blue dragon.” The man said, rolling his eyes.

“ oh,” Kelsa said, thinking about that. That hadn't really eve crossed her mind. “Well, you're all mine, blue rider,” she smiled. She would stand beside him through everything.