[7.10.2707] Dining With a Friend (Jaysen)

[Kendrall]

The young sailor nodded slowly when Sertex voiced his concern about seeing his sister hurt again. "I completely understand, Sertex. I really do. My own sister is still twelve turns and will be thirteen soon. I wouldn't be happy if a boy wound up hurting her in any way. But my father taught me many things about being on the water, and those lessons have carried over well into my life overall, including on how to be a gentleman. I would never hurt your sister knowingly." Jaysen met Sertex's watchful eyes, but his one hand that had been in his lap reached underneath the table to take Calyssa's hand into his, lacing his fingers through hers. "I'd like to remain friends with you, Sertex, and even would welcome the opportunity to serve with you in the same wing if that ever arises."

Misty trilled softly at Sertex, but kept a watchful eye on him. The queen firelizard wasn't about to let anyone come near her pet whose intent was to bring him harm. She'd even convince Storm to help if she had to. But the trilling was meant to be a soothing one, as if suggesting to Sertex that her pet's word was his honor and would never knowingly break it.

[sorra]

Sertex leaned back in his chair as he studied Jaysen. He glanced over at Calyssa. He hadn't seen his sister so happy since before Bradan's death. Maybe things would be okay. The young sailor seemed to make his sister happy and that was what mattered. "If you harm her you'll have me to deal with," he warned.

"Sertex!" Calyssa scolded. "Stop it. He's not going to hurt me." She jumped a little when Jaysen touched her hand, but quickly twined her fingers through his.

Storm chittered softly, watching everything that was going on. He had taken a liking to Sertex as well and he didn't want to see any of them get in a fight.

Sertex sighed. "Alright, I'm sorry," he said softly. "And I would like to stay your friend too, Jaysen. I guess I'm just being a bit over protective."

[Kendrall]

Jaysen merely shook his head at Sertex's threat. "I wouldn't dream of harming your sister, Sertex," the sailor shot back, his voice level. "Give me some credibility here. I haven't done anything to warrant your ire. Nor will I ever. But like I said, I've been in your shoes a time or two." He extended his free hand towards Calyssa's brother to offer it. "You have my word that your sister will be safe with me, and that I'll see to it she is treated like a lady." Jaysen then turned to look at Calyssa and raised his other hand - now intertwined with Calyssa's - and kissed the back of her hand and gave her a warm smile before returning back to her brother. "Besides, if anyone even thinks about raising a hand to harm Calyssa, they'll have both you and me to deal with. And Misty will see to it that I don't rock the boat or capsize it." The queen firelizard chittered her agreement. She knew how to keep her pet in line.

[sorra]

Sertex sighed in frustration. "No, you haven't," he agreed with a slight frown. "I guess I just never thought about my little sister growing up." Calyssa shot her brother an annoyed look. Just because they were about a half a candlemark apart he always thought she was young. The teen reached out and shook Jaysen's hand. "Alright. I believe you," he said.

Sertex's eyes widened a bit and Calyssa's face flushed. She hadn't expected Jaysen to do that. "And I think I can take care of myself," she told both of them before giving them both a smile.

Sertex shook his head. "I can see I'm out numbered," he chuckled. "Alright, I'll back off," he promised. He chuckled as Misty answered Jaysen. Storm chittered happily. They all seemed happy again.

[Kendrall]

Jaysen chuckled at the reaction from the siblings before forming a response to Calyssa's comment. "That may be, Calyssa, but you'll never have to face the currents alone," he said, gently squeezing her hand before letting go. The sailor then noted that mostly everyone had already left, which meant it was now free time. Looking at Sertex then at Calyssa, he blinked for a moment as if pondering his next move. "Seems we have roughly a candlemark before having to be in the barracks. Either of you up for a walk?" He rose to his feet, then offered to pull back Calyssa's chair and help her stand up.

[sorra]

Sertex thought about saying something in response to Calyssa but knew she'd only get mad, so he left it go.

Calyssa smiled at Jaysen. "I know. I have you two that I can count on," she said cheerily. She liked the sound of that. She knew Sertex would always be there, but now she had Jaysen too. She returned the light squeeze before he let go.

"I have to study," Sertex started. Calyssa shot him a look. The teen shook his head. "Alright, I'll study later. A walk sounds great."

"I'm free," Calyssa added cheerily. She wasn't ready for her evening with Jaysen to end just yet.

[Kendrall]

Jaysen smiled, then offered Calyssa his hand for her to take into his. "We can always study later," he added, nodding at Sertex. "Besides, as far as I know, we won't be tested for at least another sevenday. And there's always tomorrow." Waiting for Calyssa and for her brother, he indicated he was ready to head outside into the warm evening air.

Misty trilled softly but she seemed to be happy. She was looking forward to this.

[sorra]

Calyssa accepted Jaysen's help up and smiled. It wasn't very often that one managed to pull Sertex away from his studies. "I'll even help you study if that makes you feel better," she offered.

Sertex shook his head with a smile, his blue eyes shining. "I'll get to it soon," he assured. "But I might take you up on that offer," he teased his sister as they waited for Jaysen to lead the way.

Storm sat happily on Calyssa's shoulder. The bronze chittered softly, wanting to get going.

[Kendrall]

Jaysen smiled warmly as he took Calyssa's hand into his, then led the trio out of the Dining Cavern and outside into the Bowl. It was a warm, clear night, and the stars shone brightly. Jaysen walked slowly, letting his hand and arm swing slightly with each step as he held Calyssa's hand. It felt right to him, to be with her. He wanted so badly to ask her to be his weyrmate and lover, but knew it wasn't the appropriate time. No, he'd wait until after his dragon and hers were bonded together. Then he'd ask the question.

The young sailor looked up, and pointed to a faint cluster of stars towards the north. "I remember when my father first took me sailing and fishing at night, he showed me that particular cluster. It's always been towards the north for as long as I can remember, and I've often used it to help navigate at night. I admit I've gotten lost a few times, but once I was able to find that cluster I've managed to find my way back to shore." Jaysen looked around again, only this time pointing at a bright blue star to the west. "That star always shows up in the west just after sunset, and on the eastern horizon just before dawn. It's a beautiful sight to behold when you're on calm seas."

[sorra]

Calyssa contentedly walked beside Jaysen, not at all upset that he still held her hand. Actually, the longer she was around him the more she realized how much she liked him. She just hoped that at the up coming hatching they would be able Impress and maybe be able to their relationship a step further. Although she wasn't going to mention that to Sertex. At least not yet.

Sertex quietly watched them. He was still a little protective of his sister, but he couldn't really see Jaysen trying to hurt her. He sighed softly. He was going to have to let her grow up sometime.

"You got lost?" she teased Jaysen. "I thought you said you were a good sailor." She could imagine that even the Masters got lost at some point in time. She looked up at the cluster. "I've seen that cluster a few times," she said cheerily.

"And I've seen that blue star before," Sertex said. "It is pretty at dawn." He had seen it a few times when he had sat up all night with an animal.

[Kendrall]

Jaysen smirked at Calyssa when she teased him about getting lost at sea. "Oh, I'm a good sailor and fisherman. But even I've been known to misjudge a current a time or two. That, and it took me a while to recognize the various stars and get used to their patterns across the night sky. Thankfully, that cluster," he pointed to it with a free hand, "pretty much stays in the northern sky throughout the entire turn. Sure, it seems to climb higher during the warmer months and lower during the rainy season, but it's always stayed in roughly the same quarter of the sky."

He pointed back to the blue star when Sertex mentioned he'd seen it at dawn, and nodded. "You should see it when you're out on the water. Looks almost as if it's rising from the ocean itself." Jaysen looked at Calyssa. "Perhaps one day I'll be able to show you."

[sorra]

Calyssa chuckled. She liked teasing Jaysen. It felt so natural to be with him and he hadn't taken it as an offense so that was good. "I guess we learn the longer we do things," she smiled. She looked back up at the cluster. "I'll have to pay closer attention to the stars now. They seem pretty interesting." She had always been busy with other things and never took the time to look at the stars.

"Oh, I bet that was pretty to see," Sertex said. "Although it was pretty at dawn anyhow." He had always liked looking at the stars.

Calyssa nodded happily. "I would like that," she said. "Maybe you can teach me some more about the stars."

[Kendrall]

"Aye, we do learn the more we practice our craft," Jaysen agreed. But before he could tell Calyssa that he'd love to teach her more about the stars, the drum tower tolled, indicating that all Candidates were now to be in their barracks. He sighed, then looked at the siblings. "Seems like we'll have to turn in for the night, I'm afraid. Amazing how the marks go by and you don't realize it." He shook his head ruefully, then looked back at Calyssa. "Mind if I walk you to the Commons Room, at least?"

[sorra]

Calyssa smiled. Practice made perfect in everything it seemed. She looked up as she heard the drum tower, frowning slightly. She wasn't ready to turn in yet, but knew they had to. "It did go by too fast," she agreed. The candidate nodded. "I would like that," she smiled.

Sertex wisely kept quiet. There wasn't much he could do anyway except make sure that Calyssa wasn't hurt. He just followed the two back to the common room.