Courtship Isn’t That Easy || Self Para (Part 2)
Claire had Vidia coming to the Faction house every possible day to read up on the rules and history of the Guild. When she wasn't there, she was at school. There was nothing else in her life that could possibly fit into her schedule, not even another date with Rodney.
While in the library with Claire, Helen came over to pay a visit. “So, how are you?” Vidia looked up from the leather bound century old text and shrugged. “I heard you went out to dinner with a certain silent giant.”
“And?” Vidia didn't bother to look up. She could feel both, Claire and Helen, staring her down waiting for some sort of Vidia style response. She learned that sometimes she needed to tone it down in order to play their little mind games.
“Just curious,” Helen sounded disappointed. “Oh, and I just want to tell you that I saw Trina leaving his room last night and she didn't look like a woman who was turned down, if you know what I mean.”
“If you're trying to make me jealous, then you need to try harder. Rodney, like you two, is just training me. Whatever he does in his free time is his business,” Vidia forced a quick grin upon her face. She tried to not let it show that hearing Trina and Rodney slept together again after he tried so hard to take her out on a date hurt. It was for the better. Vidia spent ten years or so avoiding forming bonds. She wasn't entirely successful with her few friendships but she did succeed when it came to romantic love.
“Oh well,” Helen pushed away from the table. “Since you're free from Rodney, we can have another lesson this weekend, right? I was thinking Paris. We can all spend the weekend there.”
“I have to see about my quidditch schedule.” Vidia closed the book and got up. “But I'll let you know, okay?”
“Graham will be there,” Helen’s smile twinkled with innocent hope.
“Graham can choke on it,” then Vidia excused herself. She didn't have much of an excuse except that she needed a break. Claire didn't mind. Vidia was diligent with her studies. Guild history was much more interesting than History of Magic.
Vidia was walking through the corridors looking for something to pass the time when she spotted Chamise. “Hello, darling.”
“Hello Miss Petcher,” Vidia gave her a quick wave as the two slowed down to talk.
“Please, call me Chamise. How are you doing, Vidia?” The chocolate colored woman asked.
“Oh, I'm alright. Just taking a break from training. How are you?”
“I'm glad to hear that. I'm good. Thank you for asking,” Chamise seemed like a genuinely nice person. Vidia didn't have much to go on when it came to the older woman but after their few brief interactions, she felt Chamise wasn't much of a bullshit artist.
“Can I ask you something?” Chamise nodded. “Rodney and Trina? How long have they been a thing?”
“Well, Trina was brought in when she was eighteen. Rodney was only fifteen at the time but he was preparing for his initiation probably since he was born. So, he helped her a lot. He didn't start sleeping with her until he was eighteen though, if that's what you're trying to ask.” Vidia’s eyes widened. Everyone in that place had a skill to instantly detect bullshit. Vidia hoped it was some sort of talent earned with the initiation process.
“Nope. Not my intention. Not at all.”
“Sure,” Chamise said with a heavy dose of sarcasm. “He's in the main room. Guild Master is training him a bit today but I think I heard him saying they were almost done.”
Vidia pursed her lips and looked around. How did she end their conversation and go off to find Rodney to ask him about Trina? Vidia was starting to like everyone and she didn't want to be rude to one of the officers of the guild.
“You can go,” Chamise said those three words and Vidia was off in the direction of the main room.
The main room was littered with people. It took Vidia a minute or two to find Ridgewell and Rodney because they were seated on the far side. “Good afternoon Miss Ligeiro. Care to join us?”
“Good afternoon Guild Master Penneleigon, Rodney,” she gave him a small nod of recognition before sitting with the two men. “What are you guys doing?”
“We were training but now we are just sharing stories,” Rodney answered before Ridgewell.
“What kind of stories?” She eyed him suspiciously.
“Rodney was just entertaining an old man with his very interesting love life. I, myself, never married. Never had the urge to,” Ridgewell commented. “Maybe Miss Ligeiro can offer some insight on your female companion issue Mr. Crowley.”
“I don't think so, sir,” Vidia protested.
“You're a female. You can offer a unique view.”
“Well, I took this girl out on a date. I thought it went well but she hasn't tried to talk to me or see me. She's busy so I don't want to be a nuisance but I don't know if it's that or a lack of interest. What do you think?”
“I would say that it's probably a little bit of both. Maybe she thinks you're still sleeping with someone else meanwhile you won't sleep with her.” Vidia let a smug expression proudly rest on her face.
“That's funny cause she actually did the same thing,” Rodney jabbed back.
“Well, are you?”
“Actually, I'm not,” They stared one another down while Ridgewell sat blissfully ignorant to what was going on.
“What about Trina?”
“What about her?”
“Someone saw her leaving your room.”
“She's an old friend. Her leaving my room doesn't mean we slept together.”
“How is she supposed to know that?”
“I didn't know there was a rumor circulating about it.”
“It wasn't just a rumor in the past.”
“Well, it is now.”
“Maybe you should just talk to her then.”
“Maybe she shouldn't be so busy.”
“Maybe she doesn't have much of a choice.”
“Maybe you should take this conversation elsewhere,” Ridgewell looked confused by the whole thing and their back and forth had began to attract attention of the other occupants in the room.
“Should we?” Rodney asked Vidia.
“No. I'm busy.” She got to her feet and stormed off.
***
N.E.W.T.s preparation was taking over Vidia’s life. While the thought of studying for the exams wasn't on her list of fun things to do, it was the only thing going on at the school.
The library at school was packed and the younger students were obnoxiously loud just asking for the wrath of Vidia to rain down on them. So, instead of getting expelled for hexing a first year to the ceiling, which did sound like a promising alternative to studying, she went into town to the Hogsmeade Library, which usually wasn't too packed.
The old wooden door creaked open as Vidia entered. Surely, the old librarian hissed at the same time for silence. Vidia rolled her eyes and headed for the tables.
“Studying?” Vidia flew from her seat when a voice came from behind her. Her scowl settled on Rodney’s grin. “Can we talk?”
“You always want to talk. Go away,” then she turned back toward her book.
Rodney leaned in so he could whisper, “I'm not sleeping with Trina. I figured I should tell you that.”
“I'm not-” the Librarian hissed at Vidia again and cut her off. She looked around for a place they could talk. She spotted a research room that seemed to be vacant. “Come on before we get hexed into oblivion.”
Vidia peeked her head into the room before entering. It was empty, like she thought. The old oak desk had a light coating of dust from infrequent use. There were books scattered around the room and parchment scrolls that looked like they should've been stored away instead of left to yellow with time.
“I'm not in the mood for this. I don't care if you sleep with her or not. Frankly, if you're sleeping with her it makes disliking you that much easier. So, bye Rodney,” and as she spoke he crept closer and closer. His hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her against him. “I said ‘bye’ not ‘touch me’ or ‘hold me’.”
“Is that so?” He lifted her off the floor and captured her lips with his. While she protested at first, Vidia gave in and let her legs hook around his waist.
“Mhmm,” she hummed against his lips as she pulled his shirt up but was stopped. “What?” Vidia buried her head in the bend of his neck.
“Not here.” She groaned as he placed her back on the ground. “If we go any further and I won't be able to stop myself. I'd prefer to have you without worrying the harpy is going walk in on us.” Rodney lifted her face with a finger beneath her chin, “and I don’t want to feel rushed.”
“And what about what I want?”
“You’re the one who said bye not ‘hold me’ or ‘touch me’.”
“Then bye.” Vidia stomped out of the room and went back to studying.
***
Cristina, Vidia’s cousin, decided to pay her favorite cousin a visit. Cristina and Vidia were often confused as twins since the girls are so close in age, a few weeks shy of six months to be exact, and they looked alike. Honestly, they could pass for sisters and they acted like they were anyway.
Alda had told Cristina that if Vidia wasn't at the castle or at home that she was more than likely in Hogsmeade. Cristina followed her instincts and went to the coffee shop, the Bad Owl, first. Luckily, Vidia was there with a coffee in hand and a far off expression on her face. Cristina and plopped into the chair across from her cousin and exclaimed, “Hola, Puta!”
Vidia nearly flew out of her seat at the sight of her cousin. “What are you doing here?!”
“Just visiting. I’ve been taking time off since graduation. What were you thinking about?” Cristina leaned back in her seat and rest her elbows on the sides.
“Nothing, really. Have you gone to see anyone else? Scotland is a pretty big stretch for a visit.” Vidia was thinking about Rodney and their almost sexual encounter that was cut short. She felt like it was payback for sleeping with Graham and that made her think about it even more.
“I was in the states already. I saw everyone pretty much. Keliani got a boyfriend so that was fun, not. Alejandro started a band. They blow but their lead singer is bangin’ so girls go to their shows. Alex is still a perv. He wanted to come but I said no. I know you hate him.” Vidia make a face at the mention of her cousin’s name. “Everyone else is pretty much the same. The Twins will be in Milan. They invited me to go to some fashion show but I said I was coming here instead. Then they rescinded their invitation. They claimed it was because they thought they had extra seats but the show only could fit so many.”
“Must be so rough for them,” Vidia said sarcastically.
“They’re just jealous that you’re everyone’s favorite over them. Even their own father likes you more than he likes them,” Both girls busted out in a fit of laughter as onlookers wondered what they were talking about as they both faded between languages and dialects.
“That might be a bit of a stretch but hey,” Vidia laughed.
“So, your mom mentioned a guy,” Cristina tilted her head as she waited for Vidia to try and deny it.
“She did?” Vidia kept her cool. She would have to yell at her mother later.
“Why are you being so secretive? It's just a guy, V. Not like you haven't had- oh, you haven't. Is this your first boyfriend?” Cristina leaned forward with a wide grin.
“He's not my first boyfriend. He's not anything. We went out on a date. That's it.” Vidia was trying to convince herself more than she was trying to convince her cousin.
“Is there going to be a second date?” Cristina asked. She had never seen Vidia date anyone. She was so curious to see how romance and affection affected her cousin.
“I don't know. We saw each other at the library and things got hot and heavy but he stopped it. Like who does that?” Vidia was still bitter if that wasn't evident.
“Did he say why?”
“He didn't want it to be in a dusty research room in the public library,” Vidia muttered.
“Oh, V! You're so used to casual sex. Not every guy likes to have random sex in public places. It's nothing against you. Get him where he's comfortable and you'll see the difference,” Cristina smirked suggestively.
“Can we stop talking about this?”
“What else is there to talk about?” As Cristina asked her question Vidia froze. “What?” She turned around to see a giant man with blue eyes and slicked back brown hair wearing a grin. “Is that him?” Vidia nodded. “Oh. I can leave.”
“Stay,” Vidia whispered.
“Hello Vidia,” Rodney said as he walked toward the table.
“Hi,” Vidia said with a bitter tone. “This is my cousin, Cristina. Cristina, this is Rodney.”
“Nice to meet you. So, I hear you took my cousin out on a date,” Cristina flashed a grin as she tried to look up at him.
“I did.”
“And?”
“It was a nice date.”
“And when's the next one?”
“That's up to her,” with his words they both looked at Vidia, who was trying to disappear before she was embarrassed anymore than she already was.
“What?” She scowled.
“Well...” Cristina held the word for as long as she could.
“I don't know. Why is this on me?” Vidia hissed at Rodney.
“Because you're so damn picky. So, pick something and we'll go do it.”
“Can't argue with that. You are pretty picky, V,” Cristina interjected.
“I just don't do dates,” Her tone seemed to be holding back her usual venom.
“Luckily for you, it's never too late to start,” Rodney leaned over to give Vidia a soft kiss on the cheek and whispered, “I look forward to hearing from you, V.”
“Whatever,” she muttered.
“It was nice meeting you, Cristina,” Rodney inclined his head before heading to the counter to order a coffee.
Cristina waited for Rodney to be out of range before she turned to Vidia with disbelief. “Vidia Nathaly Ligeiro!”
“Oh my Merlin, what?” Vidia tried to keep her voice down but she was close to fuming at the whole situation.
“Go over there and ask him to do something now.”
“But you're here.”
“I can go visit my favorite uncle for a little bit,” Cristin flashed a cheeky grin.
“I hate you,” Vidia pushed her seat out and stomped her way over to where Rodney waited for his order. “Want to do something, now?”
“Is this how you ask someone out on a date?” He asked while taking the cup with his name into his hand.
“If you have a problem with it then forget it,” Vidia's venom spewed as a defense against her embarrassment.
“No, no. It's great. I've never been asked out in such a manner,” his lips met the brim of his coffee as the corners stretched into a grin.
“Okay,” she looked back at her cousin who was giving her a thumbs up, “Can we leave then?”
“Sure. Where to?” He asked as his large strides carried him toward the door.