A Fishy Vacation Diversion

20260821

Written for “Smogust’s Story Hoard”, prompt 15.

There was no draconic sleep aid quite like a belly full of fish, pleasantly stretched flight muscles, and the crashing of ocean waves along the beach. Theo already considered her vacation a great success.
She peacefully slept through dawn, only stirring once the sun rose high enough that rays reached over the bushes surrounding the shallow pool she’d bedded down in. As she yawned and stretched, she was startled to hear a voice behind her.
“Oh. Not dead.”
When Theo craned her long neck to peer back, she found a small figure, wrapped up against the brisk salty breeze, perched on a nearby rock.
“I’m not dead, no.” Theo said bemusedly. Belatedly adding “Good morning.”
“Morning.” The figure rolled up a leather pack of tools - it looked suspiciously like the sort of kit you’d use to dress game or such in the field.
Humph! Well, Theo supposed you couldn’t complain about someone being willing to try eating you, so long as they hadn’t tried anything.
“So, what bring you here?” The figure asked amiably. At least they were more personable than that flock of vultures she’d been faced with last time this happened. “Are you after the Big Gulper?”
“The what?”
“Legendary fish. You know?” They tilted their head and peered at her, then said “Oh. Don’t. Well, there lil island to the east. And around it reef. And in that reef is biiiiiig gold fish thingy. Nobody knows what it is. People come from all over to try catch. But it sinks boats, rips nets, breaks rods.”
“Oh? A giant fish, eh?” Theo cast a thoughtful glance to the east. She could do with some breakfast… “Any idea if it tastes good?”
“Who knows? Mystery meal.”
“Hm!” Theo lazily stretched her wings. “Are you a fisher, then?”
“Kinda? Mostly comb beaches.”
Theo blinked and stretched her neck to peer at the sandy shore. It didn’t look particularly well groomed. “Isn’t that thankless? Surely the sea just messes everything up again.”
“Huuuuh?” The figure tilted their head the other way, then let out a merry laugh. “Oh! No, no, not comb tidy, comb search. Look for gifts the sea brings in.”
“Ahhh.” Theo chuckled with them. “So, you thought I might be a ‘gift’?”
They shrugged. “Things wash up. Crawl away from sea. Die. I collect. Waste not want not.”
“Fair enough. Well, I appreciate you checking whether I was dead first.”
“Manners.”
They stood up and dusted themself off.
“Before you go, do you know exactly where that island is? With the ‘Big Gulper’.”
“Ah, it…” They rubbed the back of their head (or rather, hood), squinting at the ocean, then gave Theo a thoughtful look and hopefully asked “Could you carry me? I can direct…”
“What, while flying?” Theo smiled indulgently. It did seem a source of wonder for those without wings. “I think so. If it’s not far.”
“Less’n hour by boat.”
“Pff, no time at all then!” Theo climbed out of the water and extended a leg for them to climb. “Hop on and direct, friend. I want to see this legendary fish.”
They chortled in excitement and scrambled onto her back, burying their fingers in the mane which ran all the way down her from head to tail-tip. “Ready!”
“Alright.” Theo gave a gentle shake, making sure their grip was secure, then asked “Which way to start? East, you said?”
“Yep!” Accompanied by a tug on the left side of her neck.
Theo turned, following the motions, until they gently tapped their feet against her shoulders.
“That way!”
“Got it.” Theo flapped her wings, making sure everything was nice and loose, then bounded across the shore, her passenger squealing gleefully, and launched into the morning sky.
Well, while hunting a boat-sinking giant fish might not be restful, vacations were also about embracing spontaneity and enjoying the local sights. Why not take a jaunt with a new friend and try for a legendary mystery breakfast?

I took the prompt as “A dragon meets a new friend on the shore”.

Click through to see the amazing art that inspired this story (and maybe read other fiction written for it while you're there).