Going Out is Not Training || Self Para
Quidditch. School. Studying. Initiation training. Work. Gym. Vidia's schedule was jam packed. She didn't have time to sit and bullshit. She didn't even get to see her roommates long enough to say hello. She didn't mind the lack of social interaction but she didn't even get time to trash talk the little putos she enjoyed messing with.
“Vidia! You're here!” Helen was a cute little thing. Her sweet disposition reminded her of her best friend. Maybe that was why she showed up. Vidia missed Felicity and Helen was the next best thing.
“Yup. Why are we here? What kind of lesson could be learned here?” The two young women stood outside of a wizarding nightclub as the music thumped from inside.
“Your first lesson on balance,” Helen grinned.
“Clubbing isn't balance.”
“Your balance issue isn't physical, it's mental,” She waved for Vidia to follow her. “You're so intense. You don't have time to relax. You don't have time to make friends. So, tonight, you'll be hanging out with us.”
“Are you kidding?” Vidia’s eyebrow peaked to one side.
“We both know that's a lie. You have people you drink with and people you bully.” Vidia's jaw dropped as the sweet young girl spoke so candidly to her. “So, no alcohol. You need to socialize sober. Have fun. That's your training for tonight.”
“And if I can't do that?”
“We'll repeat the lesson,” Helen flashed a sweet smile and linked arms with Vidia as they were let through the velvet ropes.
The flashing lights and hum of chatter gave Vidia the urge to order a drink. She looked around and exhaled. She was there for some stupid lesson on balancing her life. It was bullshit but she agreed to all of the crap. She wasn't about to turn around now and give up.
The light danced around the rows of liquor bottles behind the bar as she followed Helen to the group sitting in the V.I.P. section. “Here you go,” Helen stepped up on the platform where everyone sat.
Claire, Graham, and Rodney greeted Vidia as Trina scoffed and ignored the new addition to their party. “Hey, Vid!” Graham was a little too close for comfort. “Let's go dance.”
“No,” she hissed into his ear.
“You're supposed to be training. Finding your balance.” His grin was wicked and Vidia wanted to punch him for it. However, she knew Helen wouldn't be too thrilled about that.
“Whatever,” she nudged past him and made her way to the dance floor.
It was a different feeling to be on a dance floor sober. It didn't bring the same pleasure or satisfaction as it did in the past. Even Graham’s arm that slid around her waist sent a wave of different feelings than what she was used to. “Hands off,” she tried to move forward but he pulled her back. “Let go, Graham.”
“We’re just dancing,” he spoke closely to her ear so he could be heard over the music.
“You don't need to have your grubby hands all over me,” Vidia pulled his hand off her hips and took a large step forward.
“Come on, Vid,” he closed the distance between them again. “It'll be fun.”
“I can't hit you but just know, I want to,” then she left the dance floor.
Vidia was having a shitty time. She used to love going out. One night of sober socializing didn't seem like it would be a struggle. It was. It was a major struggle.
Claire and Helen were off doing Merlin knows what over at the bar. Trina and Rodney were off talking to one another. Graham quickly recovered from Vidia's rejection and moved on to some other female.
“You shouldn't look so down,” Vidia rolled her eyes as she heard a man speak to her. When her eyes ventured a look it was Alf March, Guild Commander. “Isn't Helen’s lesson supposed to have you looking like you're enjoying yourself?”
“Guess it's not a good lesson.”
“It's a great lesson. You're just a sucky student.”
“Excuse me?” Vidia couldn't believe her ears. He barely knew her.
“You heard me. You want to join the guild and these people are taking time out of their schedules to train you. Appreciate the gift that is their knowledge and at least try.” Alf leaned against his elbow against the small table between the two of them.
“This is not how I enjoy myself,” she said begrudgingly.
“Well, how do you enjoy yourself?”
“Lots and lots of alcohol,” She said with a grin.
“Then let's start you off with a shot or two,” Alf held his hand out for Vidia to take. She wasn't going to tell him that Helen said no alcohol. What Helen didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
“Cheers,” Vidia raised the glass then knocked it back as quickly as possible.
Alf and Vidia had a few rounds before she felt happy enough to be looser and more sociable. “Are you ready to play nice?” His whiskers tickled her ear as he leaned over to ask the question. Vidia simply nodded. “Good.”
His hand laced with hers and guided her to the dance floor. Alf and Vidia moved together and she was in her happy place.
“See you can have a good time,” Alf whispered as his arm held Vidia around the waist.
“You like being right, don't you?”
“Not many people, I suppose,” Vidia turned to face him as they danced.
“How is your training going?” Alf asked making small talk.
“It's alright. It's better now that I've had a few drinks.”
“Graham and Rodney both seem pretty interested in what's happening over here.”
“And?” Vidia peeked over her shoulder. Graham looked angry but Rodney seemed concerned. Graham was just upset because Vidia turned him down. She knew that would happen. Although, Rodney’s concern was more of a mystery to her.
“Is being observant a Guild requirement?”
“Not entirely. It doesn't hurt to be, though.”
Vidia ran her finger down the center of his shirt, her finger gliding over the buttons as the past. “Why are you here? Just to check on my training?”
A cockeyed grin curled on his face. The thick whiskers on his face concealed much of the deviousness but Vidia knew it was there. “I was curious what all the fuss was over the bet.”
Vidia rolled her eyes and pushed herself away from his embrace and headed over to the bar. She was tired of the bet. Why did it even matter? She wasn't there for sex or anything in the realm of sex. She wasn't brought to the Guild for her sexual ability. She was offended that the bet was a huge topic of conversation among the members.
“Vidia,” Alf followed her. “We're having a good time, aren't we?”
She snapped around, “if I was a man would this bet even exist? Is what's in my pants all that matters? Or who for that matter? I may not have been the most chaste of girls. I slept with a lot of people. But fuck all of you who think it's okay to bet on when I would sleep with Graham.” Her chest heaved with anger.
“Relax, Vidia,” Alf called for a water from the bartender. “I didn't mean to make you upset. I was just seeing what was up.”
“Well, you've seen. So, you can go.”
“Want me to make sure you get back okay?” Alf asked as he handed her the water.
“I'm fine,” Vidia's reply was short as she sipped the ice water. “Bye, Alf.”
Vidia sat at the bar staring at the glass as the ice slowly melted. She slowly cursed Graham for even existing. She cursed Rodney for telling her. She cursed everyone who made the bet.
Her thoughts drifted to wonder why they never made ice that didn't melt. Witches and wizards could do spectacular things but they still have ice that melted and watered down drinks.
“That looks like some deep thought,” Vidia wanted to swing her fist around and hit whoever pulled her from her mind but she stopped. It was Rodney. “Are you okay?”
“What happened with Alf?” He took the stool next to her.
“That stupid bet,” she muttered.
“Oh,” Rodney tried not to laugh as he ran his hand through his ash brown hair. “Yeah, Alf isn't exactly the most tactful of men.”
“You're the one who said he was your type.”
“Shut up,” she swatted his arm.
“No way. I came over to see if you were okay. I should get praised not swatted!” He rubbed his arm and pretended to whimper.
“You'll be fine,” Vidia said as she rolled her eyes.
“I might need a kiss to make it better,” he leaned his arm close to her.
“Come on, Vidia. I won't tell,” his frown pulled downward even more.
“You're pathetic,” she rolled her eyes as she kissed the spot where she hit him. “There.”
“Thank you,” he sat back in his seat. “You kissed my boo-boo.”
“Oh good merciful Merlin!” She swung her seat around to face him. “If I knew you were going to talk about it I would have let you sit there begging me for one.”
“What if I asked you for a real kiss?” His eyebrows bounced with his question.
“Nothing. Trina would kill you,” Vidia said with a laugh.
“But you'd be the one to kiss me. Why wouldn't she kill you?”
“If Trina wasn't a factor, then would you?” He leaned in close enough to smell the hint of vodka on his breath.
Vidia leaned in and whispered, “No.” she flashed a grin and swung her feet around. With a bounce, she was off the stool and fading into the crowd.
She spotted Helen, Claire and Trina laughing with each other like the merry band they were. Vidia had zero desire to be the fourth woman in their little clique. As annoying as the men were, Vidia was better suited to keep up with them.
“Alone, finally.” Vidia turned toward the bathroom and ran into Graham, again.
“Go away, Graham. I'm not nearly as drunk as I need to be to tolerate you.” Vidia ducked under his arm and kept walking.
“You'd rather sleep with Alf than with me?”
Vidia whipped around to face him, “I didn't sleep with him. I danced with him. Big difference. And I'll probably never sleep with you. So, get over it.”
“Why does it even matter? Get over it. Not everyone wants to sleep with you.” She pursed her lips as her arms met her sides.
“Because,” he didn't have much of a reason. He took a step forward and relied on his looks to make her change her mind.
“Get over it, Graham. Your life will be easier if you do.”
“I don't lose bets,” he hissed.
“Everyone has new experiences,” she patted him on the shoulder and side stepped around him.
His hand came around and grabbed her. Vidia was stunned as her back hit the wall, “Trina is right about you. You're nothing. Not even worth the seconds it takes to piss.”
His breath mixed with hers and he hungrily scanned her body, “whatever, Graham. Stop eye fucking me and let me go.” She tried to keep her usual demeanor but she was worried what he was thinking about.
“Everyone has new experiences, right?” Before his grubby hands could manage their way up her leg, Vidia’s palm met his nose. A gush of red flow and he screamed.
“I'm sure you've had your nose broken before,” she gave him a shot to the kidney for good measure. “Now you can piss blood and think of me for an extra few seconds.”
Vidia was done. Socializing with the other members wasn't going to work out. She had to accept that they didn't respect her enough for it to work. If they weren't going to respect her then she was done. She was leaving.
“Vid!” She heard Rodney’s voice once she hit the street. She really hated how he was so quiet when he didn't want to be heard. “Wait!”
“Just wipe my memories and leave me alone,” Vidia shouted as she walked.
“No,” Rodney caught up quickly. “What happened in there?”
“It was a failed lesson. That’s what it was. I don’t fit in with you guys. You don’t want me around.” She stopped and looked up at him. “So, go back to your friends.”
“We do want you around but you’re not the easiest person to talk to. You’re always so guarded with your snippy comments and foul language. Drop that guard of yours and you can fit in with us. You can fit in with anyone if you just stop acting like a bitch all the time.” Vidia’s jaw dropped. “So, get back in there and become our friend.”
“No,” Vidia was going to stand her ground. “You think you know me. Following me around for a few months doesn’t mean you know me. I like keeping people at an arm’s length. I actively avoid relationships. It’s not some sort of accident. I did this. I made myself like this.”
“Stop being so stubborn. Stop just fucking stop. You’re throwing this opportunity away because you’re afraid of being our friend? Do you hear how ridiculous that sounds? You’re willing to throw away an opportunity to be one of the greatest flyers of all time because you don’t have to like us?” Rodney held her by the shoulders. “Listen to yourself!”
“I don’t even know why I’m still standing here.” With a crack, Vidia apparated to her room at her parents’ house.
“Ah, shit!” Rodney was there with her. “I got splinched!”
Vidia grumbled as she took a look at the part of his arm where he had a large gash. “Here,” She tossed a shirt at him, “for the blood.”
“Wait here,” Vidia opened the door to her room and let the stairs glide downward. She was lucky enough to have parents that were magibotanists who kept all sorts of healing herbs in the house. She rummaged through their stores and yanked a few things out that would aid in the healing.
Rodney jumped when Vidia pulled the hatch door shut and spilled the herbs on the floor. “You’re an idiot. Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to do that? You don’t surprise side apparate with someone.” Vidia yanked the shirt from the gash and studied his wound. “I’ve had to patch up a few quidditch injuries over the years.”
“Have you ever lost a patient?” Rodney joked.
“Nope but you seem to have a death wish. So, does it really matter?”
“Nah, I just wanted to finish our conversation.” Rodney winced as Vidia pulled his arm closer for a better view. “You've got some bedside manner.”
“Our conversation was over. That's why I was leaving,” She said while pouring a salve on his splinched arm.
“I didn't say it was over.”
“Oh, really? And who said you were the boss of me, cadelo?” Vidia laughed as she examined her work as the gash began to vanish.
“No one. I just want to be your friend.” Rodney glanced at his splinched arm and nodded. “Look at you. If flying ever fails you, healing seems like something you can do.”
“Nah. That would mean I have to like people. That kind of gets in the way of my hate the world initiative.”
“Why are you like that? You're not a bad person. You can be nice.” Rodney shifted on the small seat Vidia had for her vanity.
“That's really none of your business.” Vidia began cleaning up the mess from doctoring his injury.
“I'm just trying to understand, Vid. Can you blame me?”
“There's nothing to understand. I don't want friends. Plain and simple.” The agitation was growing in her voice.
“But nothing. Just drop it. You're all fixed up. You can leave now.” Vidia let the door drop back down for Rodney to leave.
“Vidia,” he stood up and almost hit his head on the slanted ceiling in the attic, “just talk to me. I'm here trying to be your friend. You say you don't fit in with us by how do you know if you don't try?”
“Rodney, if you say my name one more time,”
“What? You'll do what? You're too short to slap me. Can't break my nose like you did to Graham. Cut the big bad girl routine for like five minutes and be real with me. I'm just here trying to be your friend.”
“My best friend died. We were just kids and she died. I spent a day hiding in an old oak tree crying. I vowed to myself that I'd never feel that pain again. I wouldn't love or care for someone like I did for Lorena. So, if you don't mind, leave.” Her words were cold and distant. It had been a while since she said Lorena’s name.
“It's damn near impossible to do that,” Rodney took a step closer to Vidia.
“I do a pretty good job. I'm not going to say it again, leave.” She tapped her foot angrily as she waited next to the door.
“Come on. We just got going. Helen’s training lesson could still be somewhat of a success.”
“Fine. I'm leaving. I can apparate from here.” He said looking around.
“Doesn't matter. My parents left for some plant expo in Germany this weekend. They took the puppies with them, too.” Rodney laughed at the notion of Vidia having puppies.
Rodney went down the ladder and Vidia followed. They walked in silence through her house. “You have a big family. I always thought Ridgewell was joking when he said Alberto had thirteen children.”
“Don't talk about my grandfather like you knew him,” she scowled up at him as they got closer to the front door.
“I've heard so much about him. It feels like I do know him.”
“Well, just shut up about it, okay?” Vidia felt a small twinge of jealousy. She knew very little about her grandfather. Since she decided to join the Guild, she felt like she didn't know anyone she was related to. Between her grandfather, Alberto, her mother’s parents, her uncle and mother’s betrothal and subsequently her parents falling in love, everything seemed to be so much more than what she was told.
“Can I get a list of what I can talk about with you? I have a feeling it's a much easier list to remember.”
“Quidditch. Alcohol. Girls. That's about it. Unless you're also into guys, that's something we can talk about, too,” she flashed a cheeky grin as she reached for the door.
“Sadly, I'm not into guys. So, just the three topics. I think I can do that. What if the girl is Trina?”
“Then keep it to alcohol or quidditch,” they both let out a chuckle. “She's probably going to be pissed at you for leaving.”
“She's not my girlfriend or my keeper,” Rodney’s tone was less playful than before.
“Do you answer to everyone you sleep with?”
“Touché,” Vidia opened the door and motioned for him to leave.
“Well, I guess I'll be going.”
“Good night, Vidia.” Rodney hesitated in the doorway. “Give us a chance. You said we don't respect you. If you want us to respect you, then you need to give us a chance to.”
“I don't want your respect. I just want you out of my house and my life.” She shrugged and started to close the door.
“I'm not buying it. Somewhere deep down, you want to befriend us,” Rodney held the door open as he talked. “Just a chance. Please?”
“If I say I'll think about it, will you finally leave?” Rodney nodded. “Fine, I'll think about it but don't hold your breath, puto.”
