Building a Bit of a Bridge

Writers: Devin, Miriah
Date Posted: 13th June 2013

Characters: D'hol, N'vanik
Description: The two bronze riders discuss a certain girl and perhaps start to get to know each other.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 16 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Jeyme

D'hol

N'vanik

D'hol entered into N'vanik's office and stood expressionlessly, though
his eyes shined with the mild sardonic humor that was usually
displayed when N'vanik and he had their discussions. "You wanted to
see me?"

"Been hearing some rumors. Not that I give them much weight, but I get
a little concerned when it involves one of my weyrlings," N'vanik
said. "I hear you've been spending time with Jeyme."

Both brows rose as he regarded N'vanik. "Yes, but nothing
inappropriate." His voice was cool. "The girl works hard, considering
her background. Harder than most. It's admirable."

"I just want to make sure it doesn't become inappropriate, on your
part or on hers. I'll have someone on the weyrlingstaff speak to her
as well. Not a reprimand, just ... caution." N'vanik leaned back a
bit.

D'hol stiffened and his face became absolutely expressionless as he
stared at N'vanik. There was no doubt that the insinuation was
offensive to him, but as he spoke, his tone was the epitome of cool
civility. "Do you go out of your way to insult your riders, N'vanik,
or is it just me that you take that pleasure with? That you would
even think that I would endanger a weyrling or her dragon is
completely offensive."

"It's not about insulting you, it's about protecting my weyrlings. I'd
rather be overcautious than not." N'vanik resisted the urge to roll
his eyes. D'hol seemed to take offense at _everything_. "She's a
holder girl, new to the Weyr, and _she_ might overstep her bounds."

"They're not just yours, N'vanik." D'hol relaxed and took a seat,
resting his temple on his fingers. "The girl may well end up in my
wing. And I had my doubts about her as well, considering her
background. She's well-bred." His lips quirked. Jeyme had hated that
phrasing. "But rest assured, even if it were attempted, and I don't
believe it would be, I would shut that down."

"Good. All I wanted was to remind you to be cautious. And as for her
being in your Wing ... remember I get first pick." He couldn't resist
teasing.

"Perhaps." D'hol's lips lifted slightly. "Unless Panitath rises again
before the Weyrlings graduation. Who knows, maybe I'll get first
pick." He looked at N'vanik with a small degree of humor. It was no
secret that he was angling for N'vanik's position, but most
bronzeriders were.

"If she flies again, there'll be more of _my_ weyrlings." N'vanik was
more confident than he had been before his leadership had been
confirmed again, although some doubt still lingered. It probably
always would.

Arching a brow, D'hol gave a toothy smile of challenge, for once not
meant to be derisive or confrontational. "We'll see, won't we?"

"Yeah." N'vanik returned the smile. "So what's the deal with this
weyrling? That's the first time I've heard you compliment anyone."

Both brows rose. "I do when they have earned a compliment. The girl
has. From what I have seen of her, she works hard to prove herself.
She hasn't yet complained of the hard work, even though she isn't used
to it and she is determined. Most young women of her background do not
do a quarter as well."

"So you admire her hard work. What else to you admire?" N'vanik asked,
holding back a smirk.

D'hol didn't rise to the bait. "Her drive."

"Uh-huh." N'vanik didn't look convinced.

D'hol shrugged and then gave a soft, dry chuckle. "I have eyes,
N'vanik. She's a lovely little thing, I'll admit."

"And she won't be a junior weyrling in a few more months."

"True, but that isn't a factor in my wanting her for my wing." D'hol
arched a brow. "That's a completely separate matter."

"Well, yeah. You can be attracted to her _and_ admire her work ethic.
I just like the idea of having something to tease you about."
Especially since the man was so serious all the time.

Both brows rose at that. The thought that N'vanik wanted to tease him
at all was a bit surprising. There was no love lost between them. "Why
would you want to?"

N'vanik shrugged. "Maybe it'll loosen you up a little."

Leaning back a little, D'hol smirked openly. "With all due respect,
the only time you've had dealings with me is either in Fall, meetings,
or in this office. You don't really know me personally, N'vanik. "

"Maybe we can fix that."

There was a long pause as D'hol drummed his fingers over the arm of
his chair. He spoke simply. "Why?"

"Because I've realized it's better to be friendly to the people around
you, at least if they're willing to be friendly back." N'vanik had
spent most of his life driving people away.

D'hol tilted his head and pursed his lower lip in thought. Why hadn't
the man tried that earlier? They'd been at odds from the very first
and suddenly he wanted to be friendly? Suspicion curdled in his
stomach. What was N'vanik up to and why? "You attempting to be
friendly to me may give me heart spasms." His lips lifted slightly and
he spoke plainly. "And I'm curious as to what brought this about."

"Your crush on that weyrling makes me think there might be a real
person under there somewhere," N'vanik said dryly.

There was a sigh. "I believe my mother would have attested to the fact
the fact that I am very much real." D'hol snorted softly. "And it's
not a _crush_." He spoke the word with distaste. "It's an attraction
and one most red-blooded men would have." He shrugged. "I am a man,
N'vanik. I have the same needs and desires as you do. I'm simply more
private about the matter."

Jeyme was a lovely young woman, but D'hol hadn't mentioned her looks
first. He'd mentioned her hard work, so N'vanik knew it wasn't just
physical attraction. "I can understand that," he said with a nod. "I
think I've taken up enough of your time, so I'll let you get back to
work."

D'hol rose, inclining his head. He paused before he turned back to
N'vanik and after a long moment of simply meeting the man's gaze, he
finally offered his hand.

N'vanik stood and shook D'hol's hand, a hint of a smile on his face.

Last updated on the June 18th 2013

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Building a Bit of a Bridge