The Watcher

Writers: Heather, Miriah
Date Posted: 20th April 2016

Characters: J'ackt, Saidrene
Description: J'ackt and Saidrene have a discussion about a particular interest of his.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Alina, R'enh, Jerinne

J'ackt

Saidrene

Standing next to Zith and Saidrene, J'ackt was quiet as he watched
Cyclone Wing during their drills. His eyes were locked on one person
in particular, his shoulders tensing and relaxing in response to the
near misses. Saidrene was saying something and he gave a noncommittal
grunt in response.

Saidrene's eyes cut sideways at J'ackt and then darted up to look at
the dragons in the sky. "Oh relax, J'ackt, it's just practice, she's
not going to get injured."

"Hm?" His attention finally went back to Saidrene and he blinked, then
cleared his throat. "I'm just watching." His eyes slid back to the
drills even as his hands shoved in his pockets.

The greenrider rolled her eyes a bit. "It's obvious that you like her,
you know." There was a moment's pause before she added, "And she likes
you too."

J'ackt's brows snapped down and he moved his gaze back to his friend.
His best friend really; she probably now knew him far better than
anyone else did. Surprisingly, he snorted. "She tolerates me at best."
He couldn't explain how he felt about Alina. She frustrated the blazes
out of him mostly and he said so. "She's annoying. And frustrating and
absolutely stubborn and willful and..." His eyes snapped back to the
drill. "And not fecking careful! Shaffit, that blue nearly barreled
into her!"

"Tolerates? Hardly. I think she reacts that way to you because you are
the epitome of what she was raised to dislike, and yet she finds
herself liking you anyway." Saidrene's eyes followed Alina's dragon in
the sky.

"Heard about Jerinne, by the way, I'm guessing you're relieved." she added.

He glanced away from Alina's dragon and his face tightened. "I'm sure
she's telling everyone what a bastard I am."

"She probably is, but considering the source, people know not to take
anything Jerinne says very seriously. She's always been a drama
queen." Saidrene said matter-of-factly.

"No, I was a bastard to her." J'ackt admitted coolly. "And I was happy
to be one, the fardling bitch."

Saidrene normally tried to reason with J'ackt when he spoke about
other girls in a derogatory way, but where Jerinne was concerned,
Saidrene felt the girl was getting what she deserved.

She turned her attention back to Alina. "Be careful with Alina,
J'ackt, it's all or nothing with her. If you hurt her I'll be forced
to throw you from the top of the Weyr, you know." The corner of her
mouth lifted to soften her threat. Alina was her good friend, and
J'ackt her first lover, she cared for them both, but she especially
felt the need to be protective over Alina.

J'ackt actually looked away. "I know that." His voice had changed from
cool to soft and his jaw twitched. " I get it. I can't give her all.
Shards, couldn't give it to you and you're my best friend." He looked
up to watch the dragons again. "I'm not going to hurt her like I did
you. I won't. Besides, she wants some Hold man to come and be her
hero, I think. I'm not that guy and we both know it." He shrugged, but
still watched.

Hearing him call her his best friend made her feel emotional on the
inside, but in a good way. She liked being his best friend. "It's not
that you can't give her all, J'ackt, you could, if you let yourself.
It's all about choices. Her mind may tell her that she wants the ideal
Hold man, but what the heart wants is usually something else entirely.
You'd have to be ready to give up your other relationships, like
Cosani... and me."

"No, I can't." He shook his head, then glanced at her. "And I'm not
giving you up. Cosani...she's exciting, but you're more than that." He
then shook his head and glanced back up at the dragons before looking
away. His expression changed, his emotions being carefully bottled up
until his face was implacable. "I'll be fine. So will she."

Saidrene knew that wasn't the truth, but the look on J'ackt's face was
one she recognized, and she knew there was no reason to push the
topic, not right now anyway.

"Any word on when you'll be joining the Fighting Wings?" she asked.

"I thought I told you." He scratched the back of his head. "I'll start
in the queens wing next sevenday."

"No, you didn't tell me." She gave him a little punch in the arm. "Too
busy pining after Alina, I suppose."

The blow didn't even make him wince, but he did scowl at her for the
last bit. "Your mother didn't spank you often enough."

"Nor you either, I suppose." She quipped.

"I can remedy that." He glanced at her and arched a brow.

Saidrene chuckled. "Maybe, I hear she's pretty taken with R'enh right now."

"Really?" He gave a shrug. "Good enough guy."

**Too good for her, probably.** Saidrene thought to herself before
pushing to her feet. "Well, as thrilling as watching Alina is, I have
other things to do." She nudged his shoulder, "Don't stare too much,
it makes you look like a stalker."

He eyed her, looking slightly annoyed. "I watch you up there too, you
know." He snorted. "I worry about you just as much." He wrapped his
arm around her waist and squeezed her in a rare hug from the side. "Go
on then." He glanced up quickly, then looked away. "I've got to do
things too."

His words brought a small smile to her face as she reached up, brushed
his bangs away from his eyes, and then left.

Last updated on the April 21st 2016

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The Watcher