Finding Cover
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Yvonne, Miriah
Date Posted: 29th July 2014
Characters: Alina, J'ackt, Ervine
Description: Ervine tries to confront Alina about what had happened the night before, but someone is in the way
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 28 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Ikalis
Notes: The Game 9
It was difficult to get up that morning. Alina even managed to drag a brush through her hair and pin it back in its usual style, although she missed a tendril that curled against the back of her neck. Bleary-eyed, she stumbled into the dining cavern and piled a plate with her usual breakfast. Nothing looked appetizing. The cheese was oily, the fruit sickly sweet. She made herself take some anyway.
When she turned to find a seat, it was only to lock eyes with Ervine. He stood at the other end of the cavern with his two friends. A bruise was blossoming dark against his cheek and his left eye was beginning to blacken. He wore a thundercloud of an expression. One of his friends said something, grabbed him by the elbow. Ervine shook him off and started to cross the cavern toward her, trailing his other friend in his wake.
Alina panicked. Ervine was the last person she wanted to see. Frantically she looked around the room for her friends, Ikalis preferably, but anyone in a pinch. She couldn't spot any of them. But there was Jenackt. Sitting by himself at a table, as was his habit now that Saidrene had gone to Dragonsfall Weyr with her mother. He was better than no one at all, and if she was lucky then his reputation would make sure that Ervine kept his distance.
Before she could second guess herself Alina darted over to Jenackt's table and claimed a seat across from him. "Good morning. I hope you don't mind if I join you."
Her sudden appearance was startling and Jenackt's brow lowered. "Does it matter if I do?" He turned his head away and in the corner of his eye, noticed the approaching boy and turned his head to look at him. He went still as he took in the boy's bruise and the expression on his face before putting it together. "Looks like he minds."
"_He_ can choke on it." Alina toyed with a bit of fruit and refused to look in Ervine's direction.
Ervine's friend, meanwhile, had caught Ervine's arm and engaged him in a whispered discussion half way across the dining cavern.
Jenackt eyed the pair and then turned back to Alina. "You do that to his face?"
"None of your business," she said quietly, after a long pause. She hadn't thought that she could leave a lasting mark. Heck, she hadn't been thinking
of anything at the time. And now Ervine wore a bruise because of her lack of control. Her mother would be so ashamed of her, even if Alina knew that he deserved it.
"So you did." Jenackt's mouth twitched and looked over at the boy again. "Good for you. He's a prick." There was a pause. "And it seems like he's very interested in you right now." He turned back to Alina, one brow raised. He wasn't stupid; Alina wouldn't have chosen to sit by him if she didn't need to.
She shook her head. "No, he's not." And if only he'd go away and prove it.
He glanced back over and his smile was humorless. "Really. Then why is he glaring at you and coming this way?"
Alina instantly regretted sitting at Jenackt's table. He was one of the last people that she wanted as an audience-- whatever happened, he'd never let her forget it, and it would probably be all over the Weyr by lunchtime. She stared down at her plate as if not looking would make the whole situation disappear.
"Hello." Ervine nodded politely to Jenackt before stradling the bench and sitting next to Alina. She leaned a little away from him. "Good morning, sunshine. We need to talk."
"No we don't. I have nothing to say to you." She was still staring at her plate. Desperately she wished for Elana. Her twin would have been able to
get rid of Ervine with no problem. But she wasn't here.
"I think you do." Ervine tapped his finger on the table, looking annoyed. "But I don't think you want to have this conversation here."
She took a deep breath, straightened her spine, and turned to fix the boy with a glare like daggers. "We're not going to have a conversation here, or anywhere else for that matter. And I was serious when I told you to leave. So scram."
"Really? Because you and I have unfinished business." He made a subtle gestured to his blackened face. "And I really, really don't think you want to leave it unfinished."
Was he seriously angling for an apology?! Alina sniffed. "I can't _imagine_ what you're talking about."
"She told you to leave." Jenackt interjected, sitting straight and turning to face Ervine from Alina's other side. "I suggest you do." His face was calm but there was a glint in his eye that left no doubt that he was deadly serious. "She doesn't want to talk to you and she doesn't have to. Bugger off."
Ervine held up his hands, palm out. "It's cool, friend. I'll leave you to your breakfast." He stood, but he didn't look happy about it. "I'll see you later, Alina."
"I'd rather not," Alina said acidly.
Ervine smiled at that, nodded to Jenackt, then left.
Jenackt watched him as he left, the coiled tension in his muscles only easing when Ervine was a good distance from him. "Like I said. A prick." He turned back to his plate and popped a piece of fruit into his mouth. He rolled his shoulders to ease the tension there and took a sip of his water.
It irked her that Ervine had listened when Jenackt spoke, but hadn't when she'd been the one to tell him to leave. She stared down at her plate again, lips pinched, and tried to force herself to not be angry. It didn't work. "You're right," she said after a moment. "He is a-- prick."
He turned to her and gave a crooked grin. So, the girl did have it in her to say a few curse words. He'd wondered. "So, tell me. Why does he want you so bad?"
She turned her glare on Jenackt, suddenly embarassed as well as angry. And oddly guilty, as if she actually _owed_ him an explanation just because he'd chased off Ervine. Which she didn't. "I already told you that it's none of your business. He's a pain in the rear."
He ignored her glare, taking another bite. "Well, if he bothers you again, let me know. "
As if. Alina was just about to tell him that when she remembered just how desperate she'd felt when she sat down next to him. As much as she hated to admit it, Jenackt had been useful when he didn't have to be. She turned her glare on her plate, then abruptly stood. "I have to get ready for class," she mumbled.
"Sure." He shrugged and finally looked back over at her. "Glad to help."
A 'thank you' was on the tip of her tongue. She fought the impulse to say it, and instead left to throw her uneaten breakfast into the trash.
It was going to be a long day.
Last updated on the August 1st 2014