Video Call - Pilot Echo Eleria to Pilot Noble Holding

[Marakai2.0]

He'd waited too long to do this, and he knew it. But truth be told, he was afraid, perhaps unreasonably so, of his friends reaction when he asked what he wanted to ask.

Raz turned on his laptop, showered while it booted up, dressed for the drop drills he had later that day, and then sat in front of it for the longest time, still trying to drag some courage up so he could do this. Even after he'd opened the program and was about to hit 'call', he hesitated.

This wasn't like him. What was wrong with him? Why was he so goddamned nervous over a call? Why was he even doing a video call? A damn phone call and a text would have worked just as well...

But no. He wanted to be face to face for this, and short of flying to Haviah, or riding the rail for five hours, this was the best he could do. He released a pent up breath, and hit 'call,' and awaited a connection.

[Zero Undead]

To say that Alec hadn’t taken the blog banter well would be a bit of an understatement. The worst part was he didn’t know what was just them being jackasses and what really was going on between Razzle and his niece. Of course, the second worst part was Raz was supposed to be his friend and was putting moves on his niece!

It didn’t matter that Jexica was legally an adult and could reject or accept any advances from any man she liked. Alec felt like it was his duty to be displeased with the idea of her being ogled by any men – let alone one of his friends.

Even with Havanah trying to make him feel better, Alec was still steaming the following day when the video call rang through. He was glaring when the call connected, blue eyes burning as Raz’s face popped up on his screen.

“You’ve got some nerve calling me after that shit yesterday Raz. I told my niece I had a friend in the squad that would look after her, and what do you do?” Alec slammed his fist on the desk with a loud bang, face screwed up in a grimace. Truthfully he didn’t know exactly what had happened between Raz and Jexica, but he knew he wasn’t happy with it. “I want to punch you so bad right now.”

[Marakai2.0]

Well, that went downhill...fast.

Razican recoiled away from the computer when Alec apparently decided to beat on his desk, and his face turned quite sullen when the other mentioned wanting to punch him.

"Man...hold up a minute, dude. What are you thinking happened?" He blinked a little, and sat back in his chair, a brow raised. This reaction wasn't far off the mark from what he'd expected, but not right off the bat.

"Cuz I'll tell you now, nothing happened, man. I went to her hotel room after the photo shoot, and we talked music for a couple hours. Bein' completely honest here. Then I went with one of our PR guys - Neeko - and walked her to the rail. I asked her for a phone number and got a kiss on the cheek. That's all, man..."

[Zero Undead]

You could probably see a vein throb in Alec’s forehead when Raz mentioned going to her hotel room after the event. Of course that righteous anger sputtered a little bit at the pretty pathetic offerings given with Raz’s version of events.

That was damn tame, if he was being honest with himself. He’d have been so much worse several months ago, before hooking up with Havanah.

“That’s all?” Alec asked suspiciously, with narrowed eyes. It was almost as if he didn’t quite believe him! Well, to be fair, his niece was gorgeous and talented – she got a lot of attention from people that wanted to do a whole lot worse than talk about music and exchange contact info. “You…you still asked for my niece’s number! Like what the fuck, man? You’re not supposed to be interested in my niece!”

That was a paper thin excuse and he knew it.

[Marakai2.0]

Raz blinked.

Well...here it was.

"Look...I know. I get that, man. I do, really....and that's why I wanted to call you, dude."

Raz sighed, and lifted his hand to drag it harshly down his face. "Listen. I like her, man. She's pretty, she's got the same sort of energy I've got - and that never fucking happens, you've gotta admit that - and to top it all off, she's a musician. I'm not...gonna be stupid about anything."

He sighed, and leaned forward, hands in his lap.

"I wanted to be honest with you, cuz you're my friend, Alec. I just want you to know...I'll behave. Okay? I wouldn't hurt her for anything, in any way. And even so, I won't do anything at all if you're not cool with it. I respect you, man, both as a Pilot and a friend."

[Zero Undead]

 “I don’t care how many good points you make, you’re asking an awful lot of me right now. I’m pretty sure it’s my familial duty not to be okay with any of this at any time. Ever.” She was only ten years younger than him, but he felt like he was supposed to hate any man that tried to get in her panties on principle.

Alec made a frustrated noise in the back of his throat and swept his hand through his hair in agitation. It could be so much worse. A number and a kiss on the cheek wasn’t terrible. Too bad that wouldn’t the end of it. Damnit all, he knew Havanah would be on Raz’s side on this one too.

“Look, she’s an adult and can choose her own friends without my input. If she gave you her number and a fucking kiss then she must have liked you at least a little bit.” He made a face and leaned towards the screen, scowling at Raz. “What exactly are you wanting to do here? I mean, what exactly are your intentions with my niece?”

Of course nothing had happened yet. What if he was getting worked up for nothing? Raz could still crash and burn with Jexica all on his own here.

[Marakai2.0]

Raz blinked again, and found himself staring at the screen in silence for a moment.

What were his intentions? He knew he had a history of just sleeping with whatever pretty face was interested, but that seemed...wrong.

He didn't want that, but he wasn't sure what he wanted. For her to be his friend would be enough, honestly, but...the chance for something more....

He closed his eyes, losing himself for a moment. The last time he'd attempted a relationship, it had ended badly. The last people he'd been close to had left him behind to face situations that no six year old should have ever faced.

But there was no war, and Jexica was no Pilot Candidate. She was a civilian, albeit a popular one, and nothing would happen to her. She had an escort everywhere, and if he had his way, he'd be at her defense as well, though he doubted he'd have to be.

He opened his eyes, and stared into the screen at Alec's face. "If nothing else, I'd be her friend. That's up to you....and her. But...I would like something more. I don't want a fling. She's not an object, and I'm not looking for a quick lay, so don't worry about that."

He sighed a bit, and covered his face with his hand, leaning into it; his next words were slightly muffled.

"If you're cool with it, I'd like to do this right. I wanna date her, get to really know her. After that, what happens...happens." He spread his fingers and peaked at the screen between them. "I swear to you, man. She's more than just...an opportunity. And I won't treat her that way."

[Zero Undead]

It was an abnormally long pause. Usually you couldn’t get Raz’s mouth to stop running, and here Alec was waiting impatiently for some kind of semi-acceptable answer.

Of course the answer he got had his brow arching at his friend skeptically. He knew Raz’s penchant for pretty face chasing as much as the next person. At his friend’s age he’d been so much worse about it even than him. It didn’t leave him with much room to talk, but when it was his niece it was much different.

“Let’s get one thing straight right now. It’s not up to me. Absolutely none of this is up to me, Razican Eleria. If Jexica wants to see you, then that’s her decision to fucking make. So if she says no, then that better be the end of it, and if she says yes…well then I have no right to stop her.” Alec sighed and rubbed tiredly at his face. At least he knew that his friend would respect her and not treat her like shit. “I’m not going to pretend to be thrilled about it, but…well she could do a lot worse.”

Now he leaned forward again, expression changing. “Have you called or texted her yet? If not, why the hell not? Don’t just ask a girl for her number and then leave her hanging, dude.”

It was much easier if he thought about it from the side of helping his friend score a date.

[Marakai2.0]

Raz's eyes positively lit up at Alec's response, and he let out a long breath that he hadn't even realized he'd taken to begin with.

"Man, you have no idea how much better I feel with you saying that." He let out a tired sort of chuckle, rubbing his face with that hand before Alec spoke again.

"Um...well, no, I haven't. I wanted to talk to you first, to be honest, and get this out of the way. Like I said, doin' it right, an' all...."

Well, shit. He'd waited all day already to call Alec, and now it'd be even later when he got a hold of Jexica.

"Ugh. Man, am I a jackass, or what? I'll try and call her as soon as we're done with this."

[Zero Undead]

“Well, I mean, at least you’re aware that you’re a jackass.” Alec laughed at that, already feeling a little better about the whole thing. Nothing had happened yet and Raz seemed genuinely into Jexica.  It really could be a lot worse than having her end up dating one of his friends for a while.

“Alright, hint taken. Just don’t be creepy and pervy with her, later.” The call was abruptly disconnected as Alec ended it.

[Marakai2.0]

Raz grinned. "You know it, man. But don't you dare say anything to anyone else. My jackassyness stays between you and me." He let out a chuckle, severely relieved that the conversation had turned the way it had.

When Alec cut the connection, he had to laugh again. Creepy and pervy? With a superstar like Jexica? No way.

Time to turn over a new leaf.

He sat and stared at the ceiling for a minute or so, just smiling up at the tile and one light. Well, step one - the hardest step, he hoped - was done. Now for step two - calling the siren herself.