Xaden
"I don't blame you, I'd hit that."
"Ridoc!" Violet hissed, trying not to laugh.
"I'm just saying, I see the appeal, you know?" Ridoc grinned at her as he gestured at Xaden up on the dais. "Personality's not the only thing someone looks for in a partner."
Perhaps he noticed the gesture, because his head turned in their direction. Violet looked away quickly, but Ridoc met his wingleader's eyes and winked.
Xaden blinked and shook his head slightly, and Ridoc wasn't sure if he was confused or turning him down. It was probably shutting him down, but he could ask later, right?
Ehh, maybe he shouldn't have asked.
"Do not make me turn you down a third time," the Wingleader made it clear he was utterly bored, "else it will be a much longer way down."
Emery
"Are you a air wielder or did you just take my breath away?"
The third year cadet stared at him. "I'm an air wielder, yes, but I wouldn't use it on another cadet like that."
Ridoc blinked up at Emery. Really? He'd be really pleased with himself for that one, he hadn't thought- shit, no more signet-specific pickup lines.
He realized he hadn't replied because the cadet was still talking to him. "Are you okay? Does your squad leader need to get you to a healer?"
"I'll take care of him." Rhiannon put her hand on Ridoc's shoulder and pulled him away from Emery. "Ridoc, you have to stop trying to get with third years, it's embarrassing."
Rhiannon
"So if third years are officially off-limits, what about you, Matthias? I could help you work off some of the tension that goes with being a squad leader."
"You're the cause of half the tension I have being a squad leader," she said, but she was at least cracking a smile as she dragged him toward the dining hall for dinner.
"Then it's only fair I should help, don't you think?"
Rhiannon shook her head at him. "Nice try, but you're too mouthy for me. You want to help me get laid? Switch duties with Tara so I can see her after dinner."
Ridoc shrugged- it seemed like the least he could do, really- and stopped to talk to Tara before he joined his squadmates at their table.
Imogen
Ridoc slammed into the mat, a knee in his kidney and his arm twisted so far around he thought maybe his signet was being double-jointed. Hey, no complaints if it was, that would come in handy later.
"Hey Cardulo," he gasped out. "If I tap out, can we go again later?"
"You want to join Sorrengail for sparring lessons?"
"I could go for a- ow- threesome, but I'm hoping to get my head between your thighs."
Instead of answering, Imogen punched him in the other kidney, and Ridoc wisely tapped out.
Liam
"Is there a dragon nearby, or was that just my heart taking off?"
Liam didn't look up from the little piece of wood he was carving, so Ridoc had to elbow him gently to get his attention. "Sorry, did you ask me something?"
Ridoc despaired a little, but repeated the line anyway. He'd thought that was a pretty good one, dammit.
Liam's fair skin pinked when he actually heard the question, and he smiled gently at Ridoc. "That's pretty sweet, but I've got my heart set on someone."
How was that fair? Liam was even cute when shooting him down. Nobody that cute should be allowed to exist, Ridoc thought as he grinned at him. "Hey, no harm done. I had to try. Who's your eye on?"
"Have you met Violet's friend in the Archives?"
Bodhi
"I'm serious, Durran! It's like I'm cursed lately. Even Tyvon keeps telling me he's busy." Ridoc groaned and buried his head in his textbook. Why had he even asked Bodhi for help studying? He wanted to do anything but study, Bodhi was so stupidly good-looking.
"You're never serious. Rarely serious," Bodhi corrected himself, and Ridoc wondered if he just didn't want to be mean. "You've just got to keep working at it, the same as your physics homework."
"Right. There's a physics exam tomorrow."
Bodhi smiled. "That is why I'm here, isn't it?"
Ridoc shook his head, trying to clear it. "Of course. And you're a nice guy, trying to help and listening to me complain. I appreciate it."
Was he imagining it, or was there a hint of blush on Bodhi's dark cheeks?
"So what *can* I help you with?"
"I think I need help clearing my head, but with my flirting mojo failing I need to try something else. What do you say to trying to pick me up instead?"
Bodhi looked him in the eye. Yes, there was definitely a flush on those gorgeous, soft cheekbones. Ridoc smiled hopefully. Please don't have ruined it, he whispered in his head.
After a moment's hesitation, Bodhi smiled back. "Well... do you want to review for history tomorrow?"
"History?" Had he misread it that badly?
"Because I need you for a date."