Failed Conversation

Writers: AL, Francesca
Date Posted: 6th August 2008

Characters: Chalzie, Alydelle
Description: Chalzie tries to have a conversation with Alydelle and fails.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 11, day 6 of Turn 4

Chalzie tucked her wet hair behind her ears and scanned the dining cavern as she entered. She had gone for a brief swim before the evening meal and, apparently, had spent more time in the water than she had thought. Some Journeymen were sitting at one of the tables, as were some older apprentices, but her friends had probably already eaten and gone to their rooms. The girl scooped some meat and vegetables on her plate and poured herself a some juice, quickly drinking a few gulps and then refilling the glass.

As she walked over towards the back wall, resigned to eating a quick meal by herself, she saw a girl sitting at the table by the corner, alone. Chalzie had several classes with the apprentice, but had never spoken to her. What was her name? Something starting with an "A." She didn't seem to be the social type. Chalzie had even seen some people make fun of her, but she didn't know why. But, sitting with someone antisocial was better than sitting alone, so she slid into the bench across from the girl and gave a friendly smile. "I see you're having a late dinner too." It wasn't the best conversation starter, but it was something.

Alydelle looked up, startled. She glanced around, wondering if, perhaps, there was someone near her that the other girl could be talking to, but it was obvious that there wasn't. After what seemed to be a moment of thought, the girl muttered, "H'lo."

Not very social seemed to be a good description of the girl. "Do you usually eat this late? It's much more fun earlier, when there's more than stuffy Journeymen here."

And that was part of the problem. There were more apprentices too. That meant more teasing and taunting, and not in a good natured manner either. Alydelle couldn't help but be a bit suspicious at this one. She was eating later than the others. Had she come there to tease her too? Well, she hadn't started out doing so.

Was she trying to get her trust just to trick her into something? What was the motivation behind speaking to her? Alydelle knew that usually other apprentices didn't speak to her unless they wanted to make fun of her or ask her for help on their assignments - only to ignore her once again when they got what they wanted. She was a goody two shoes, a girl with her nose stuck in her assignments - the kind of girl that didn't mind tests and seemed to do very well on them without effort. That was Alydelle. So why would someone like Chalzie want to eat with her? Was she going to lure her out with the plan of some sort of ambush outside of Masters' eyes?

Alydelle lowered her gaze and shrugged, her fork darting at her food and pushing it around the table, giving the other girl no other sort of response to her question.

Was it worth it to try continuing the conversation? Chalzie couldn't understand why someone wouldn't enjoy making some small talk. They were all apprentices at the same Hall and, hopefully, would be spending Turns taking classes and working together. But, if this girl didn't want to contribute to the conversation, Chalzie wouldn't bend over backward trying to encourage her. Instead, she resolutely munched on a tuber. She wasn't sure if she wanted the girl to eventually talk, or if it would be more painless if they spent the rest of the meal in silence. Chalzie would leave it up to her to decide.

Alydelle cast several glances toward the other girl. Chalzie. Yes, that was her named. She seemed well liked by the other apprentices. That made her even more suspicious. She'd never come up to Aly before, so why then? All of a sudden, she wanted to talk to her and eat with her? It didn't make any sense. Alydelle glanced around the hall. More people had left. Were there some apprentices lurking behind doors? Was there a plan to make her seem foolish. She had been tricked before, laughed at. She hated it when they did that sort of thing.

Chalzie began eating faster, hoping to be through with this strange meal as quickly as possible. She chose to ignore the subtle looks cast in her direction. If the girl was curious about something, she could go ahead and ask.

She saw the apprentice look around and arrived at a possible explanation of her strange behavior. "Are you waiting for someone?" Maybe she had a friend she liked to eat with. Maybe she didn't like speaking with strangers, or eating in large groups, but had made a close friend who she liked to spend time with alone. Maybe it was a boy? No, she seemed too shy to show much interest in boys. But, yes, perhaps a close girl friend.

"No." Well, that wasn't completely true. She was waiting for there to be a shout of laughter and to be jumped upon. Of course, there were still enough people in the dining hall that they wouldn't be stupid enough to do that. But what if she went outside? Alydelle was almost afraid to leave.

Well, that killed that hypothesis. Chalzie wondered if she really wanted to be alone, or if she was secretly lonely. Either way, the apprentice was beginning to realize why people teased her. Being shy was one thing. Not engaging in conversation and, in fact, discouraging it, was frustrating.

Would the other girl give up? Or would she sit there all night? Should she leave? Maybe she could time it to when someone else was leaving. Then no one could jump on her. Or should she just stay and hope for the best? Alydelle continued to glance nervously between the girl and the door, suspecting some sort of trick and not quite sure what she should do. The girl hadn't said anything bad. She had actually been friendly. That was the problem.

Chalzie hurriedly chewed and swallowed the last tuber on her plate and grabbed the bread roll to eat on the way back to her room. She wasn't sure whether to laugh at the girl's strange behavior or give in to the annoyance she was feeling.

She stood and looked at the girl. "Well, see you in class," she said, not expecting a response. Then, before walking away, she added, "You know, if you actually tried to talk to people, you might make some friends." Then she walked away, trying to ignore the stab of guilt she felt at her mean-spirited comment.

Alydelle watched the girl Chalzie until she disappeared through the door, then looked down at the table. The problem was, she had tried before and the only thing she had gotten in return were words designed to hurt and humiliate. So why should she bother trying if that was all her efforts brought about?

Last updated on the August 7th 2008

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Failed Conversation