Life Should Be Simpler.

Writers: Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 3rd August 2014

Characters: A'kua
Description: Friendships can be complicated.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 18 of Turn 7

It was supposed to be simple. He was supposed to give Ninaine a few days to
try to get over the realization he wasn't interested in her romantically,
then come back, apologize for the misunderstanding, and resume their
conversations as if nothing had happened.

That was how an angry, upset woman was supposed to be handled, right? At
least, that was how the precious few decent men of Bex did it. Back off,
return later, try to keep things moving forward. That was why Aluka had
gone to the weyrling barracks for the evening free time. But for the life
of him, he could not convince his legs to keep carrying him into that
particular area, and he didn't know why. He wanted to see his friend again.
He wanted to say he was sorry for disappointing her. He wanted to serve her
the soft, sweet biscuits and lemon curd jam he had finally and legitimately
asked for from a baker. Yet he still couldn't make himself move.

And as his knees stayed locked in position, he came to a conclusion as to
why: It was something Ninaine had said. Something that had really bothered-
no, downright disturbed him. "I didn't tell you that, even if I did have
the right."

Which could mean two things. The first was she actually had been interested
in him, attracted to him, and simply never said so, and he hadn't
recognized the signs. The second was she wasn't interested, but would have
accepted courtship because that was how a good holder girl did things.
Thus, if he had been courting Ninaine, and Luneth willing to leave him
alive for daring to touch her partner, every future intimate encounter
would have been unwanted on the weyrling's side, and that would have made
it rape, even if Ninaine never told him to stop.

Worse still, Ninaine had given no indication she wanted to talk to him
again. Not a note, not a verbal message passed through a drudge, not even a
friendly nod across the way. Maybe she was mad at him. Maybe she thought
he'd been purposefully misleading her. Maybe she had decided she didn't
need him.

So despite the voice in his head that laughed raucously and caustically
called him a coward over and over, Aluka hunched his shoulders, lowered his
head, and walked away.

It had been a while since his heart felt so twisted up. At least he had
some comfort food in hand.

Last updated on the August 12th 2014

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Life Should Be Simpler.