A Promising Start

Writers: Cali, Eimi
Date Posted: 26th July 2006

Characters: D'cal, B'vin
Description: D'cal invites B'vin to the waterball game.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 28 of Turn 3

"So how was waterball practice?" B'vin asked as D'cal arrived, "You look like you got too much sun again." "I'm a bit pink," D'cal nodded, "But it will soon fade into a tan."

B'vin grunted, "You already have one of those. I honestly don't know _why_ you bother with that game."

"Because it's fun, B'vin," the bluerider laughed. "Don't you ever just have _fun_ with something?"

If it had been anyone but D'cal, he would have taken it as a barb and either gotten angry or (more likely) just internalized it and sulked later. Since it _was_ D'cal, he just took the question at face value. "Sure I do; but it usually involves Serenth, or you. It doesn't involve alot of strangers that like to smack me in the head with a wet ball!"

D'cal chuckled. "Its a _challenge_, B'vin. Don't you like to give yourself a challenge sometimes?"

Personally, B'vin thought fighting thread was challenging enough, but he knew what D'cal meant so he just shrugged, "Yeah, I guess I do." "You should come out and watch the game! There will be a party after the game, you know. You can meet some new people. Get away from the Weyr for a while."

Though he would never admit it, B'vin was secretly jealous of all the time D'cal was devoting to his waterball practices. The chance to partake in that time was appealing, but the mention of a party gave him pause. "I don't think so D'cal; I'm not really the party type."

"Come on, it would be good for you," D'cal said, giving B'vin's shoulder a squeeze. "You need to get out, meet new people, try new things. You spend way too much time alone."

**I happen to like being alone** B'vin thought, feeling a bit indignant. }: You are never alone, I am _always_ with you. :{ came Serenth's warm assertion. That brought a small smile to B'vin's face, he hadn't even known she was awake, "How about I come to the game, and we'll see what happens?" he tried for the compromise.

"That sounds like a promising start," the bluerider agreed. And a bit of a triumph for him as well. How many times had he tried to get him out of his weyr to enjoy life a bit more? It was a small victory, but D'cal was pleased. "I'm doing it mainly for Serenth," he tried to explain it away with a shrug, "Aosorath told her what you two have been doing and she wants to see for herself." D'cal was amused by his attempt to justify it. "Why, is there something wrong with doing it for _me_? With just going to support a friend?" "No," B'vin said after a moment, then added with a grin, "I did say _mainly_, you fit in there somewhere!"

"Well, I'm glad to know I fit in there _somewhere_. But truly, B'vin, there's no reason for you to hide in your weyr day after day. Get out and enjoy the world. You might find its not as bad as you think."

"I said I was coming, okay." Friend or not, D'cal's incessant reminder of his hermit ways was starting to grate on him. "All right, all right, no need to get mad about it," the bluerider said apologetically. "I just worry about you is all."

They had been friends for months, but it still struck B'vin as somewhat strange that D'cal cared about him. No one _had_ in so many turns, not since his mother when he was young. "Sorry," he said contrite, "So I'll come to the game... and maybe I'll stay for the party."

"I'd like that," D'cal said with a smile. "And I will make sure you enjoy yourself."

Last updated on the July 26th 2006

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A Promising Start