Determined To Be Friends

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 18th March 2008

Characters: Eliste, Nico
Description: Nico is determined to be friendly with their mysterious passenger, Eliste
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 13 of Turn 4

She had been evasive since being shown to her quarters for the duration of the trip. He had asked around the rest of the family but all had been tight lipped, none more so than Fog. No one seemed to think he should be around her, but he couldn't get her image out of his head.

That frail, scared and scarred look that haunted her eyes, now haunted his thoughts day and most nights. It wasn't normal for him to be this way, and maybe he had hoped his easy smile and charm would have won him a new admirer that first morning, but instead it seemed to have scared her off.

This morning he had seen her when she first emerged from her room, she had all but scuttled down to the galley and then back again, if he hadn't had first shift this morning, he would have missed her again. He could be grateful for small mercies in the roster that he had seen her at all since they had left Emerald Falls.

He stood to the side of the galley door, drinking his morning brew and watching the fog lifting from the waters. He felt mellow for the first time in days, just from the sight of her. His attention pricked as he saw her door open and she emerged again, with an empty tray. he stood up and smiled in welcome, hoping she wouldn't shy away again.

"Good morning, Ellina. I hope you're settling in well?" he asked, in what he hoped was a warm and welcoming manner.

Eliste froze. She had been called that name since her arrival, but it still didn't settle well on her. It wasn't her name, but she was afraid to give anyone her real name. Her gaze met Nico's only for a quick moment before it shied away again. She nodded in greeting along with a soft, polite, "Yes, thank you."

She hesitated, as if she were uncertain if she should move past him.
Nico hadn't done bad to her, but she was skittish. Fog's questions hadn't been so prying as Nico's had been when they first met, and she was afraid he might try to dig deeper and find out more. Eliste had been trying to come up with some ruse that wasn't a complete lie, but that had been impossible. So, she had decided to say that she would be visiting family if anyone asked. She preferred not to be asked, however.

"Pardon me." She whispered after a moment, and moved fully into the galley to return the tray. Breakfast had settled better with her this morning and while there was still nausea, it wasn't so powerful as before. It was a welcome respite.

He wished he knew who had made her so nervous, who had treated her so badly that she retreated in on herself when around anyone else. As far as he knew, she hadn't confided in anyone since she had boarded the boat, she'd kept mainly to herself. He was used to the women in each dock fawning over him, he didn't need to encourage them, they just hovered around him like a wherry around an injured herdbeast. He needn't use his charm or his smile, they were just - there. But she was different, this woman intrigued him for more than just her lack of interest in himself - there was more to the story - but with the way she was now he would have to tread carefully.

"Are you enjoying the trip so far?" he asked, slipping into the room and trying to remain a safe distance away from her to try and put her at ease.

"Yes, thank you." Eliste set down her tray, wiped something from her hand, then set the napkin on the tray. She then turned and headed back toward the door. She hardly looked at Nico, only gave him a slight nod as she passed.

"Ellina -" he started, not wanting to lose her attention so soon. "-
er, have I.. Have I said or _done_ something to displease you?" He took a step towards her, then hesitated, better he stay back and not worry her more.

Eliste stopped and turned back toward Nico. She was surprised at the question, and uncertain how to answer it. "Pardon? Oh...no." She shook her head, though her gaze never met his.

"I didn't mean to pry - " he started, nervously, for him, " - I was just surprised to see anyone here so early, and - well I'm sorry if I offended you." he smiled slowly, hoping she would at least forgive him his approach.

The girl nodded slowly then spoke softly. "Yes, well...I'm still rather tired so, please, excuse me." With another nod in his direction, she turned toward the door.

"So, I might see you at a meal sometime soon?" he asked, moving further forward, once more trying one of his more charming smiles in the hope of having her return one.

Eliste paused again, her hand on the door. Why was he paying so much attention to her? It unnerved her. The last thing she wanted was to be noticed enough to take someone's attention. If she could have, she would have just disappeared into her room and stayed there until they docked. Unfortunately, that was impossible. As for meals...she took them in her room whenever she could. "Perhaps." She offered, not really intending to come to the galley any more than she had to.

Perhaps was better than an outright "No!" - so for now he would have to be satisfied. He smiled at her retreating back, before she left the boat, they would be friends, of that he was determined.

Last updated on the March 19th 2008

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Determined To Be Friends