RCW: Lunch By The Ocean

Posted on Thu Mar 26th, 2026 @ 10:57pm by Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Tula & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL
Timeline: M4 D10

Nerlyn stood looking at the ocean from the pontoon. She was resisting the urge to just jump in as it was too hot that day but she had somewhere to be in a little bit and could not get soaked despite Oceania’s clicks below encouraging.

“I can’t. I wish I could come and play.” She assured gently. K’ron had asked to have lunch and she wanted to be dry to at least show she wasn’t rushing around.

K'ron wasn't at all sure how this conversation was going to go. He didn't even want to have it but he knew he needed to. They needed to get to the bottom of how Nerlyn was feeling and how they could help.He sighed softly as he rubbed his arm. He still had to go back and let Thalia look at the wound so he hadn't given up the sling just yet.

Nerlyn turned as she felt a presence behind her and offered a small smile to him. This was the first time since she had come back and spent the evening being sick that they were alone for the most part without Raen or others interrupting. “Hello Bronze Rider.” She murmured walking to meet him.

K'ron stood quietly, watching Nerlyn with Oceania. His mate seemed so at peace around the Dolphin. Shard it anyhow. He managed a small smile as she walked up to him. “Hello Journeywoman Dolphineer,” he answered, still extremely proud of her.

“New title… not been called that by you before.” She replied leaning up to kiss his cheek softly. “You asked to have lunch?” She pointed to where the dolphin bell and several seats were where she had left her jacket and what she had scrouged up for lunch.

He smiled. “It is a mouthful to say,” he answered with a slight chuckle. “But you have earned it.” K'ron nodded a bit. He had been looking forward to lunch but he also feared where this conversation might lead.

“I think I prefer just Nerlyn from you.” She admitted sinking down into the chair as she grabbed up her satchel and pulled out something for herself and him. “I grabbed something for you from inside too. I didn’t know if you were bringing anything.”

“I can do that,” he answered. It had felt a bit odd if he was honest. He held up a basket he had grabbed. “I grabbed a couple things,” he answered. “And thank you for grabbing me something.”

Nerlyn offered a bigger smile at the expression on his face. Journeywoman Dolphineer didn’t quite have the same drawl to it as bronze rider and it didn’t certainly have their child giggling at the way Nerlyn said it. “Oh well then between us we have a feast.” She looked up at him waiting for him to sit down. “How’s your shoulder?”

K'ron slid into one of the empty seats, setting the basket on the table. “We do,” he chuckled. Right now things actually felt normal but he knew it was far from it. “Sore but healing. Nikolai said I should be able to get the stitches out in a couple days if Thalia gives the go ahead.”

“You went to the infirmary? Shards… did you want me to come with you?” She asked looking guilty as racked her brain if she was meant to have gone with him.

He shook his head with a slight smile. “It's okay. It was sort of a last minute decision to go down.” It hadn't been a scheduled visit so he really hadn't had time to tell Nerlyn he was going. “I heard you’ve missed a couple of your appointments though,” he said gently.

Neryn glanced at him as she leaned over to grab some food but stopped and sat up straight. “Yeah…” She reluctantly admitted looking at the ocean. “I… I have.”

K'ron sighed slightly. “Ner?” He asked gently. “What's going on?” He hated this. She had been so excited about the baby and making sure she stayed healthy and now she was missing appointments. K'ron didn't uunderstand.

Nerlyn looked at him and sighed. She hated when he used that patient and sad tone with her. “I don’t know.” She admitted. In all honesty she did not know where her lack of emotion was coming from.

He frowned a little. That wasn't good if she didn't even know. “Is it me?” he asked gently. “Or just the Weyr in general? you looked so happy with Oceania just a moment ago.” Was Nikolai right? Was he going to lose her?

“The Weyr. I just feel out of sync with the world is the best way to describe it.” She admitted picking absently at the wood arm rest. “I felt calm, K'ron. Not happy but for a moment I felt calm like my thoughts were not racing searching for something no longer there.” She tried to explain the sensation going through her head.

K'ron tried to follow her line of thought. “So you're not happy there anymore,” he said slowly. That hurt as both Raen and himself were there. “Calm is good. I am glad at least someone can give you that.” he seemed to be failing at it.

“It’s not about happiness. I’m just not in sync there right now, I’m not a rider, I can't hang with them as I used to, I’m not a woman of the lower cavern so I don’t have that . I am not a weyrbrat… I… I just can’t find my niche so I’m not so reliant on you. I don’t want you worrying constantly so you are able to live your life too.” She spat out trying to not make it sound as harsh as the words sounded.

He listened quietly, just letting her talk. He hoped it would help but he wasn't so sure. Okay he understood the not fitting in. “But your whole family is here,” he pointed out. “And love, I am always going to worry about you. That doesn't mean I don't have a life.”

“They are all riders. I just feel like I am dragging you all down.” She said with a shrug. He wanted to hear her thoughts so she let it out. “I saw it that night when I bribed S’ven.” She sighed as she rubbed her eyes, willing herself to not cry.

“You bribed, S'ven?” He asked in confusion. How had he missed all this about Nerlyn? “You are not dragging us down. None of us feel that way and we love having you in our lives.” He had a feeling she didn't believe him though.

“That night you and him hung out in the cavern. I bribed him with a ship visit. I did tell you but you had a few ales.” Nerlyn said softly as she winced looking at her finger that she had gotten a splinter in with her picking at the chair. “I know you all love me.” She assured gently.

K'ron frowned a bit. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that. And he did have to admit he didn't remember much past a certain time with S'ven. “Nerlyn,” he tried. “I am trying to understand. Truly I am, but please be honest with me. What would make you happy? I mean truly happy.”

Nerlyn looked away from his frown. She knew he was trying to understand. “I don’t think…” Nerlyn started.

“Ah there you are Nerlyn.” A voice called and Tula was stomping across the space towards the pair. “I need your help.” She admitted looking at Nerlyn and then K’ron seeing the strained expressions. Looked like she got there just in time.

K'ron looked over at Tula's voice. He silently groaned. So much for getting Nerlyn to tell him. “Hi Tula,” he said kindly..

“Hello Wingleader.” She anwser throwing him a smal smile as she sat in the chair next to Nerlyn.

“Help? From me?” Nerlyn asked confused.

“Yes. J… Master Jameas is useless in Weyr business. I need you.” Tula said firmly. “I am fed up of nearly drowned fosterings and wondered if you would be willing to run swimming classes.” Tula said firmly as Nerlyn blinked trying to take it what the woman was saying.

K'ron blinked in confusion. Swim lessons? That was a new one. He kept quiet though and let Tula talk. It wasn't like he had anything to add anyhow. He only seemed to make things worse.

“Why me?” Nerlyn wondered looking down at the ground confused for a moment before she looked up at Tula. Tula smiled broadly.

“Why not Nerlyn?”

“Because …” Nerlyn shrugged a little. Tula frowned. She had not seen her former Fosterling like that since the worst parts of losing her green. The Weyrleaders and Nikolai had been right.

“What you suddenly think because you lost Leaneth that the Weyr isn’t your home and it doesn’t need you and your skills?” Nerlyn nodded, opening her mouth to say something but the Head Woman carried on. “Pfft… someone needs to teach swimming to weyrbrats and who better than a former weyrbrat. You won’t let them get away with anything and I know at least they would learn how water safety works.” Tula said firmly, glancing to K’ron and winked. Nerlyn looked at the bell and finally nodded.

“Okay. I can do that if you need me too.” She said a little firmly looking at Tula.

K'ron was a bit confused but as soon as Tula said about Nerlyn not fitting in he knew Nikolai had spoken to the Weyrleaders. He thought there for a minute that Nerlyn was going to flat out refuse. This might not fix everything but it would at least help for a bit. He smiled at Tula, thankful for the older woman.

“Good I expect you at the nightly women of the lower cavern meetings as well Nerlyn so we can discuss it all with Weyr leadership.” Nerlyn paled a little at the prospect. “Jameas will agree.” She said grinning as she rose and crossed to where Nerlyn was and touched her cheek. “I am not willing or ready to lose you yet little bird.” She said quietly, making Nerlyn tear up. Everyone used to call her that as she was always so ready to be up and out in the world. “I expect this baby to be named after me as well.” She added to soften the name she dredged up.

K'ron shook his head a bit. It seemed like Tula had it all worked out. Now if Nerlyn would just agree maybe she would see that she still belonged at the Weyr. “Now wait a minute,” he grinned, glancing at Nerlyn.

“I brought you both up.” Tula laughed before rolling her eyes. “I kid but I cannot wait to meet this child.” She assured quietly watching something trigger behind Nerlyn’s eyes and she burst into tears.

“True,” K'ron had to agree. And he certainly wasn't opposed. His face paled though when his mate started to cry. “Ner?” He asked worriedly.

“I am okay.” She sobbed holding up a hand but Tula bundled the small woman up against her chest and let the woman sob.

“It is okay. It’s okay to feel sad and grieve but you are still ours.” She whispered into her hair looking to K’ron offering a sad smile.

K'ron hung his head. He had no idea what to do anymore. He had tried to assure Nerlyn she was wanted and needed but to no avail. There had even been a couple arguments there. He was spent and at a loss.

Tula leaned out and tugged him towards herself and Nerlyn. She gently pushed Nerlyn towards K’ron. “And this daft man wants you but you do not get to throw people away claiming that you are unworthy of us,” Tula said gently.

K'ron didn't resist the tug. He didn't have the energy or desire to. He carefully wrapped his good arm around Nerlyn. “Forever and always,” he answered. He didn't ever want to lose Nerlyn.

“And that is a big promise from a bronze rider.” The woman commented as Nerlyn simply nodded turning her face into K’ron’s shoulder. Tula slipped back a little letting K’ron comfort her. “I will see you tonight Nerlyn 19th Candlemark.” The woman stated clearly.

He held Nerlyn close, letting her cry if she needed to. “And I mean every word,” he promised, kissing her hair. He then mouthed a thank you to Tula for all her lp. help

The woman nodded. “Take her home when she is ready. I am going to have words with Master Jameas.” She assured looking like a woman who meant business as she walked up to the Craft Hall.

“I will,” he promised. He would let Nerlyn calm down some and maybe eat a little before they headed back. He owed Tula a lot for her help.