Purely Platonic [V'zire]

It had been way too long since she had last had a chance to chat with V'zire. Five whole days! So many things could have happened in that time! How did they let so much time pass? Did it make her a horrible friend for not seeking him out sooner? There had been some free time but she had used it to sew instead of socialise and meals were usually spent with the other Candidates lately since they were in such a routine and it made it easier to continue moving through the day as a pack on the same schedule that could also discuss what was just learned.

But she wanted to discuss that with V'zire as well! Among other things, of course. Mainly, the men V'zire seemed to be gravitating to lately. Her naughty little greenriding friend seemed to be quite the popular fellow as of late, if rumours were to be believed. Normally, they were good for a scandalous laugh but her own pretty hazel eyes had caught sight of V'zire eating or talking with certain other dragonriders lately and she had to quiz him about them!

So she was off, nearly skipping from the Candidate Barracks – she didn't see the need to move to the Weyrfolk Hall since she would Impress one day and then move to the Weyrling Barracks – to the common areas V’zire could be found in. Thankfully the search was short as she was dangerously close to perspiring from her energetic efforts as she spotted the greenrider milling about with a friend in the Gather Square. She donned a mischievous grin as she quietly, almost on slippered tip toes, approached her friend and brought her arms up around him to cover his eyes with her hands. “Guess who!” her voice was a merry sing-song and it was obvious that even if he didn’t know who would greet him in such a way the voice would have given her away.

His friend likely noticed Rhaedalyn, but did not want to ruin her sneaky approach. It .allowed for Rhaedalyn to catch V'zire unawares, in mid-sentence with his companion. His sight was blackened as hands covered his eyes, and really he did not need to hear Rhaedalyn's voice to know it was her. She was likely the only person who would play this sort of game on him. V'zire smiled reflexively, and hummed loudly as if he were in thought over who had crept up to stand behind him. "Mevrit?" Which was a hilarious suggestion in itself, since Mevrit was one of the girls who did not believe in fun. Not that it was a bad thing, it just made Mevrit different. That girl was a stark contrast to the friendly and warm Rhaedalyn.

"Mmm, that's not right. Rhae?" he said the name with obvious affection. He did enjoy the young woman's presence. Some of the Candidates who had been brought to Katila were adverse to dragonriders, and to the Weyr itself. Rhaedalyn had adapted perfectly, and V'zire felt as if she had grown up here. A true born weyrbrat, even if she wasn't actually one. He felt that Katila would miss a little something if Rhaedalyn wasn't here. She was such a good figure for other Candidates to look up to! Look at how happy she was with her new life, how well she was doing!

He turned around in Rhaedalyn's arms and wrapped his own around her waist in a warm greeting. "What brings you all this way to see me?" He had won the game, even if he let Rhaedalyn get a point with guessing wrong in the beginning. His friend offered Rhaedalyn a greeting as well, but then dismissed himself for a wing practice that he wanted to arrive at early.

“You goose!” Rhaedalyn giggled at V’zire’s first guess and the delight he had when saying her name. The young greenrider really was too much fun! How she had been lucky enough to snag such a fine man to be one of her closest friends was still astonishing to her. It wasn’t like she was all smiles and sunshine the first little while at Katila but as she caught on to her own importance within the weyr and settled into a routine, her smile had returned, as did the light bounce to her step. V’zire was the perfect friend for her. He was sweet and genuine and they oddly had quite a bit in common. He was also easy on the eyes. Rhaedalyn could admit to that and once their friendship truly took off, she had dared to tell him that once; though it came quickly with her not being interested. V’zire was a dream come true but he still didn’t give her the flutters in her tummy or make her breath hitch by simply walking into a room. Besides, she was fairly certain he was living an alternative lifestyle and women weren’t even his ideal partner! That had scandalized her for months after arriving but as with everything else, she grew to accept the weyr-outlook on things and started to see that love was love and she couldn’t denounce it when the couples were so happy together.

She just envied them now instead.

A shy wave was given to V’zire’s friend – a man she recognised and knew the name of but didn’t know much more about him. It such a small community it was easy to learn names and faces but she was so awkward around new people that it was still hard to properly talk with most. Once he was gone, Rhaedalyn tightened her hold on the greenrider, hugging him as if they were siblings reunited after a lifetime apart. She really did adore this man. “Do I need a reason to see you now?” She pouted playfully before wriggling free of his hold and taking two bouncing steps away. “I haven’t seen you in forever and wanted to catch up on everything with you.” Oh yes; there was plenty of gossip to keep them chatting well into the night but she’d make sure the topic of V’zire’s new friends was one of the top headlines.

"I think I'm a little bit more charming than a goose," he answered with a warm smile. Rhaedalyn's joy was undeniably infectious, and while V'zire was a person easily swayed towards happiness, having Rhaedalyn around made it just that much more easy. They were friends, and if Rhaedalyn had ever had a fleeting crush on the greenrider, V'zire was thoroughly unaware of it. People like R'nd were far more obvious with their advances, and V'zire was quick to turn them away. Though, now that he thought about it he did find it a little unusual and perhaps felt a little remorseful over R'nd not hitting on him as much now that he had B'jin. He missed that little quirk to their friendship, even if it made him horribly embarrassed and always managed to fluster him.

He held onto their embrace for as long as it took for Rhaedalyn to wiggle away from him. His grin widened at her response, because he was sure that they weren't entirely innocent words. "Why does that strike fear into my heart?" V'zire answered. There were just a few too many emphasis on certain words, and V'zire had learned quickly to catch on to their meaning. Rhaedalyn wanted to certainly catch up on everything she missed (even if V'zire did not think she had missed much at all). "And, I'm pretty sure that forever ago was only a sevenday. You can be so dramatic sometimes!" Truthfully, V'zire could be just as dramatic, he just happened to be les so than Rhaedalyn.

"So, what did you want to catch up on?" He really shouldn't ask her, but now he was curious!

Rhaedalyn stuck her tongue out at V’zire. Like he really had any place to call her dramatic! The poor boy overreacted every time R’nd so much as touched his arm and smiled at the same time. Although, to be fair, she was fairly certain she’d overreact as well but she wouldn’t be flailing and asking him to stop –much. She was a lady after all and did have some virtues to preserve! A pretty blush, rapidly beating heart, and likely some stuttering would greet any such flirtations as Rhaedalyn did her best to politely decline the attention unless the suitor meant to properly ask her on a date. If only she had V’zire’s luck in attracting men! A pout was almost given but she was in too good of a mood to let that take over his wide smile that she was suddenly covering. As comfortable as she was around V’zire, smiles and laughs were still often hidden away with only a handful escaping here and there.

“Let’s start with something easy,” she grabbed V’zire’s hand and gave it a light tug before crossing her legs at her ankles and dropping to sit on the ground. Her free hand quickly made work of her skirt, making sure everything was arranged nicely and hazel eyes wide with playful mischief gazed up at V’zire until he settled in as well. “I want to hear all about your new bluerider friend I’ve seen you with a bit lately but you won’t tell me about. He’s not really my type but I totally see the appeal and I totally see some interest there!” Rhaedalyn practically sang her observation to her friend. She adored the greenrider but he was deluding himself if he thought his not real relationship with what’s his name that was already mated would go anywhere. He had so many options! All V’zire had to do was open his eyes and take a chance. Of course she wasn’t one to talk since she could barely bring herself to greet the man she was convinced was her perfect match but that didn’t mean she couldn’t encourage and support her best friend on a road to eternal happiness!

Easy? This was the 'easy' part of their conversation? V'zire had neatly seated himself on the ground, completely unashamed to be on the ground when there were benches nearby. He possessed an easy-going personality, and little embarrassment when it came to little things like this. If Rhaedalyn thought the ground was more comfortable, V'zire would smile and nod his head in agreement. However, at the moment he wasn't sure if he should be smiling or not! He expected gossip, but however did not expect the gossip to revolve around him. The greenrider was completely scandalized for a few moments that Rhaedalyn would turn the tides on him. Then he realized that he clearly had to defend himself, and the time to do so was passing!

Rhaedalyn was staring him down with a mischievous, conspiring smile upon her face. V'zire knew that the longer he delayed his response, the more Rhaedalyn would become convinced that her wild dreams were true! "D-D'hys?" he nearly squeaked the bluerider's name. It wasn't that he felt any romantic inclination towards D'hys (not that he wasn't attractive, and nice, and cool, or anything!), but rather that Rhaedalyn had implied it. V'zire seemed to be incapable of dealing with any sort of romantic insinuations without getting flustered and embarrassed. "H-he's not my... nooo, we're not anything." He shook his head, as if that would dispel Rhaedalyn's convictions instantly.

"I didn't mean to not tell you, it's just that we are friends! Nice. Friends. Just that." He tried to clarify, and probably failed in clarifying. V'zire didn't mean to make Rhaedalyn believe he was seeking out a relationship with anyone! "B-besides I'm already sort of with someone..." His not-weyrmate, which did not say much.

Rhaedalyn jutted out her lower lip in a strong pout as V’zire stumbled his way through a denial. If he was anyone else, she would have taken that as a sign of a cover up but since it was V’zire, she knew all too well that her friend was simply embarrassed by the topic and telling the truth. Although the wording about being ‘nice friends’ was something to latch onto and tease about! “So you’re nice friends, eh? I bet it is rather nice to have such a friend around to rely on and lean against.” She giggled lightly and only sort of felt bad for picking on her sweet V’zire. He deserved it though! He had several people interested in him and while she would have picked R’nd as a good match for V’zire, R’nd had gone off and got himself addicted to B’jin – though they made the cutest couple ever!

Now she had to find someone else for V’zire, someone that would give the greenrider the attention and affection he deserved. She heard mostly good things about D’hys in the gossip though sometimes there were the notes about how his heart was made of ice and no one could melt it and that you shouldn’t try for anything more than a quick and hot affair with him. But, she had seen the way he looked at V’zire and he didn’t show any of that feral lust she had seen D’hys behave in when around other people and he seemed to genuinely have an interest of some level in V’zire. Why couldn’t they try out a proper date? Rhaedalyn sighed as the realisation hit her that maybe D’hys really only wanted a friendship and wasn’t attracted to V’zire after all. “It still wouldn’t hurt to make a move on him,” she said aloud, partly in answer to her conflicting thoughts but also as a suggestion to her friend.

“If R’ore,” she had to struggle to remember the man’s name since she didn’t usually deem him worthy enough to talk about, “can have a weyrmate and claim you as well, why can’t you find someone that makes you happy the rest of the time you two aren’t together?” It was an old question but Rhaedalyn felt it had to be brought up from time to time to make sure V’zire never stopped thinking about the issue and his happiness. It made her heart break to see him in such an eternal situation!

He couldn't help but think that Rhaedalyn was disappointed that he and D'hys were nothing more than friends. V'zire knew well enough that Rhaedalyn would like to see him with a more proper lover, but he couldn't quite see anything changing in his future. Things had fallen into a steady pattern - he knew what to expect, and more importantly, knew not to expect too much out of the man who currently held the title of his 'infrequent lover'. Rhaedalyn naturally liked to gossip, and V'zire was equally inclined towards the same. She liked to talk about who would go good with another, and V'zire would sweetly chime in his own opinions. "I only have just started to get to know him, but he seems to be... a really nice guy." No, he was not blushing, because Rhaedalyn would misinterpret that!

Her next suggestion just about gave him a heart attack! His chest seized and his cheeks burned brightly. The greenrider shook his blonde head of hair, "U-umm, n-nooo. I don't t-think I could do that. I d-don't think he's interested in me, or uh, not sure if he's available. A-and I'm not available!" He could come up with plenty of good reasons not to pursue a relationship with D'hys - all not on D'hys' hands. He thought the bluerider to be a fairly awesome man! It was just... he was so terrible with relationships, and felt obligated to R'ore. V'zire did not want to give off the appearance that he was some sort of greenriding... slut (the thought came to him tentatively, since he hated to think so negatively).

"Because, I'm not like him. I'm not like R'ore in the least, and just because he does it doesn't give me the right to. It's just not... who I am. I'd rather try to give that my all, than go around getting into relationships with everyone who asked me." There had been a few who had asked after him, too. V'zire always felt guilty about turning them down, but he was sure he'd feel more guilty if he accepted them. It was clear he had no great love for R'ore, but it was just as clear that he felt wrong about even wanting anyone else in his life. "I-I'm perfectly happy, even without someone to really love in my life." He didn't sound very happy, though he tried. "I have Nisk, too. She's all I really need."

Rhaedalyn felt her heart shatter at V’zire’s words. This man, her beautiful dear Vikki, was willing to sacrifice his own happiness and his chance at knowing real love all to keep someone idiot bluerider happy with the arrangement they had made. She loved his dedication to R’ore and how he hoped it might work out and that V’zire didn’t want to be like him but it still wasn’t fair! Why did V’zire have to suffer? Why couldn’t he find happiness with someone and let R’ore win the flights still if that was what the dragons wanted?

She didn’t mean to cry but a tear still broke free and slipped down her cheek. V’zire was the sweetest man she had ever known and he didn’t deserve this! Before she could think twice or remember they were in the Square, Rhaedalyn threw herself at V’zire, arms wrapping around his neck and face burying against his chest as she knocked them prone. “Vikki! Stop, just stop. Niskziath will always be there with you and I hope I get to experience that bond one day but you do need someone to really love as well. Not… not this void he’s placed you in,” she sniffled against his shirt though Rhaedalyn was proud she wasn’t sobbing or making a big mess of the material. “You don’t have to be like him but you don’t have to live for him either. If you fall in love with someone else, he has no say in the matter.” She’d kick R’ore if he tried to start trouble if she had to! V’zire’s happiness wasn’t something he owned anymore and she dearly wished her precious greenrider would realise that.

He hadn't meant to make her cry! V'zire couldn't even figure out what he had said wrong to stir the tears in her eyes. Before he could begin to think of how to apologize and console her, the young woman had flung herself into his arms. Instinctively he wrapped her up in one of the warmest hugs anyone could give. He had a way of embracing her that was firm, yet soft, comforting and warm. He hugged her to let her know that he was there for her, even though she was upset for him, not because of him. All V'zire knew was that he had somehow upset Rhaedalyn, and it was his job now to cheer her up again and make things right!

"I-I'm sorry?" he answered tentatively, unwilling to relinquish Rhaedalyn from his grasp until she had calmed down. This also helped to keep anyone else from seeing the young woman upset, though V'zire truly had no grasp of how little she was or how deep she was upset. He just knew that she was. "I love Niskziath, I love having you as a friend. I've got lots of love, just not the type people think about first. I'm okay." He wasn't sure if what he was saying were the right words, but he'd rather be honest over comforting her falsely. "I'm not living for him, I'm living for myself, and I don't think I'd forgive myself if I went after someone else right now. I'd feel... really bad about it."

He leaned back, and gently peeled Rhaedalyn out of his arms so he could look her in the eye. "You okay?"

She didn’t want to be peeled out of V’zire’s arms, even if it was done gently. V’zire was one of the only people that got such hugs out of her since she felt it was improper to be so casual and cozy with someone she wasn’t committed to and she was convinced he needed the cuddles right then! Naturally, he didn’t think so and ended up being more concerned about her than himself – it was part of his charm and she could see why people tried to take advantage of him. “I guess so,” Rhaedalyn pouted at the adorably concerned face and poked V’zire on the nose with a finger in an attempt to make them both smile again.

“I love having you as a friend as well. It’s why I worry so much about you,” it was clear he wouldn’t worry about himself so someone had to! Carefully so as not to give anyone a peek up her dress, Rhaedalyn slid off of V’zire and sat down beside him but she quickly grabbed one of his hands to hold between hers. “But promise me that if you really want to give in and you think there might be something there with someone, that you’ll go for it, okay?” She gave her best intimidating face which Rhaedalyn knew really wasn’t that good but it would at least show she was serious.

After a moment, she let go of his hand and leaned back to rest on her elbows and stare up at a dragon flying overhead. “Any exciting gossip from your wing practice?” Rhaedalyn knew V’zire was long past ready to switch subjects and she finally granted him the wish and picked something  far more enjoyable for them to chat about.

A finger pressed to his nose, and he scrunched his brows with a playful smile at the contact. This was the side of Rhaedalyn that he liked to see! Even if she was pouting, it was infinitely better than the sweet girl crying. He'd seen her shed tears a few times, but he never quite knew how to handle her when it happened. The best he could do was offer hugs and try to console her. Most of the time he had no idea what had gotten under her skin, so at least this time he had a clue as to why she had gotten so upset. He'd be more determined not to let it happen again in the future. Her pout was adorable, but he hated to see it on her face.

"You don't have to worry! You're my friend, so you must know more than everyone else that I'm going to be just fine," he reassured her with a warm smile. He didn't want her to be so concerned over him! She had her own troubles to worry about, and he refused to burden her's with his'. The greenrider tried to think of way to get out of making such a promise, because he wasn't sure that he could do what Rhaedalyn wanted... but he couldn't think of one. He also didn't want to make a promise with her and break it!

The idea was nice, but he had skipped out on so many opportunities before, it was hard to think that he'd give one a chance after these past couple of turns. "U-ummmm... I promise," he finally answered with a small smile. Now, he was definitely obligated to keep his promise. Rhaedalyn was smart enough to know that V'zire was the last person to break a promise, even the silly and small ones.

"N-not much... Niskziath and I aren't really that great, and I think it's beginning to show. We just aren't as quick to catch on as everyone else, so wing practice is a little bit of a hassle. D'hys is doing really well, though. Sometimes I think he does better than our wingleader." He looked over his shoulder, just to make sure no one had caught him gossiping such scandalous thoughts!

Rhaedalyn giggled as V’zire explained the practice. She certainly wasn’t laughing at their progress! It was just cute how D’hys still managed to steal the conversation and she was willing to try her hand at betting that V’zire didn’t even notice he did it. That’s what made him so precious to her. The greenrider was so genuine and fun to be with. “From what I’ve heard, it sounds like D’hys really wanted to help the wing improve and he likely is proving his worth given the whole colour thing the higher ranking dragonriders look at,” she didn’t like the colourist attitude all that much but she wasn’t about to stick her neck out more than she just had with V’zire. No sense in getting either of them in trouble!

“But I think if he’s as good as everyone says, then he’ll continue helping you improve as well.” Rhaedalyn hoped he would anyway. It would be a good step to help the two bond some more and show each other the interest they shared. V’zire only had to trust himself around another man and open up a bit more like he did with her and something might spark! “But I know you and Nisk will catch on soon. You’re so dedicated to what you do.” The pretty green dragon was a bit flighty at times but even Niskziath could figure out what was required of her eventually.

“So what else have you been up to? Are we still going to oil Nisk tomorrow?” Rhaedalyn chattered away at V’zire like usual, completely moving on from her outburst and letting the matter drop until the next time she couldn’t stand it anymore. Now it was time to enjoy the rest of the day together in their usual way of trading stories and gossip and planning for future meet ups.