The Dragoneer Manual

Chapter 20 - Suitors

That evening Rory joined Teak in the cafeteria for dinner. When she found her, Teak already had a plate full of delicious-looking raviolis in front of her.

"Sorry! I already got food because I'm starving!" Teak said, a bright smile on her face. "I recommend the raviolis for sure!"

Rory smiled at the much needed levity Teak always managed to bring, and requested a plate of her own from the chefs. When she sat back down some squeals erupted behind her. Both she and Teak turned to see where the noise was coming from.

Bluejay was sitting at a long table with some other Intermediate students, and a pretty girl was standing by his chair. The girl's group of friends were behind her looking on expectantly, and were the source of the squealing.

Bluejay looked across the room and met Rory's eyes. She whirled around and blushed hard. Teak saw the whole thing and started giggling.

"What's that all about?" Teak asked.

"What's what about?" Rory said, defensively.

"I dunno, seemed like you and Bluejay had a moment there."

Rory scowled.

"Nah, I just ran into him earlier. He asked me why I've been avoiding him, but I haven't been. He's just always swarmed with girls as you can see."

Teak shrugged.

"Well it's only natural that he gets surrounded by potential suitors."

"Because he's so good-looking?"

Teak let out a bright laugh.

"What? No..." she said, laying a hand on her stomach, trying to stop her chuckles. "But apparently you think so, Rory."

"Damn it," Rory said, unable to stop herself from smiling along with Teak. "What do you mean its only natural, though?"

"Well, Rory, he is a prince."

Rory had to do everything she could to keep her jaw from dropping.

"A what?" she asked, trying to keep her eyes from bulging out of her head.

"Yeah, he's a royal, you didn't know that?"

"Um, NO. Obviously not."

Teak burst into another round of laughter.

"Ok, ok, if he didn't tell you, maybe he didn't want you to know. I won't say any more then."

Rory grabbed Teak's hand across the table with a pleading look.

"Wait - You're gonna leave me hanging like that?"

"Sorry, sorry!" Teak said waving her hands in front of her face. "I've probably already said too much."

"Just tell me-"

"Tell you what?" A deep voice interrupted from behind.

Rory spun around to see none other Bluejay, standing beside their table with his head cocked to the side.

"Uh, what exactly they filled these raviolis with because they're so delicious!" Rory managed to blurt out.

Jay looked down at her untouched plate.

"Huh," he said. "Yeah it looks like you've really been ravishing them."

"Yeah, uh, this is my second plate!" Rory said, embarrassed by the obvious excuse.

"Good to see you have a healthy appetite, Rory," he said, pulling a chair to their table. "Mind if I sit here?"

Teak gestured vehemently at the seat.

"Please, join us Bluejay!" she said sweetly.

Rory threw a glare in her direction, and Teak smiled mischievously back.

"I need a break from whatever drama is going on back there," he said, keeping his voice low. "So I told them I had to speak with Arthur Wood's daughter about an important research assignment."

Teak raised her hand enthusiastically.

"Oh, that's me! Ask away!"

Bluejay sat down right next to Rory, so close their shoulders were almost touching.

"Rory since you already ate your dinner, you shouldn't mind sharing this with me," he said.

He leaned closer, smirking. His face was so close to hers as he spoke that Rory forgot to breathe. Then he suddenly pulled the tray so it lay between them, grabbing her unused fork and stealing a bite.

"Many thanks," he said, chewing. "My, these are delicious."

Rory narrowed her eyes at him, feeling a mixture of annoyance and adrenaline. Teak slipped an extra fork over to Rory from the end of the table, smirking cutely.

"So- Miss Wood. Tell me, do you have a favorite kind of Dragon?"

"Any Dragon that is cute is my favorite!"

Bluejay broke into a soft laugh.

"Is that a scientific classification?" he asked.

"Hmm..." Teak stopped to wonder. "No, but I think I'll need to have a word with my dad about that."

Bluejay nodded, feigning seriousness. Then he pushed the plate slightly toward Rory.

"Please, Rory, I wouldn't want you to starve," he said teasingly.

She frowned and took a piece off the plate dramatically.

"You know, it's good that we ran into each other actually," Bluejay said. "Since I'll be working with you both tomorrow."

Rory and Teak both looked equally puzzled.

"I'll be leading your class on your first mission," he said, pushing back his chair. "Rest up tonight, because it's gonna be a long day."

He gave Rory a teasing smile.

"Especially for the new recruits," he said, and tousled her hair.

Rory froze in place like a cat, and she could hear Jay's quiet chuckle as he turned around and walked away.

"You two are cute together," Teak said, and Rory shushed her.

....

A/N: Tell me, tell me... Do you ship Rory and Bluejay? <3