Welcome to Gaia! ::

It would be a stretch to suggest that Okassis was actually settled to life in the Weyr; but, he thought to himself as he made his way gradually across the Middle Level of the Weyr from the Kitchens toward the Lower Level, he was beginning to find his pace. The life of a Candidate was undemanding thus far.

He was from too tough a breed to enjoy an easy life for long, though. But perhaps, once the Healers stopped fussing over the bruise on his cheek and the cut on his arm (they didn't know that he was still limping slightly), he would be able to secure some duties more satisfying than "peel tubers" or "chop meat". It wasn't that he thought these duties were beneath him; in fact, he found them quite pleasant. But that was as much thanks to the company as anything. He thought warmly on the acquaintances as he had made. First Tiaet at the butcher's, a strong and hardworking woman that he instantly felt kinship towards; then the Nose, who was a bit of a gossip (a terrible gossip, actually), but friendly and engaging.

One thing that he couldn't make on the roads were lasting friendships - sure, he made friends here and there as his Trader family went from Hold to Hold, but it was rare that they'd ever keep contact once he was gone. But here, he had a chance to meet new people, make new connections. He smiled fuzzily; a female Candidate who was passing saw it, and looked at him curiously. Catching her gaze, he nodded his head to her politely as he passed, mind abuzz with the thoughts of all the great new pals he was going to be able to make while he was at the Weyr, the friends he was already well on the way to making --

Something clicked together. A thought that was very pronounced to him, so much so that it was startling he hadn't realized it sooner....

"... Shards, there are girls here!" Okassis blurted out, as if seeing for the first time that, yes indeed, more than one gender occupied the Weyr. Females! in the Weyr! Where he was planning to stay, for more than just a few lousy days. Here he was, getting sappy about the chance at new friendships - what about, you know... a re-la-tion-shi-i-i-p...?

His outburst didn't go unnoticed; the girl who had instigated this realization heard it, for one, and eyed him very strangely before proceeding hurriedly on her way. The youth seemed to be frozen with the possibilities hanging in front of him, and barely noticed.

Feeling the slap on his back, Okassis turned his head in minute surprise. The unfamiliar youth - a bit taller, a lot leaner, but with a familiar ease - teased him on his clumsy exclamation. Sheepishly, he answered the boy's smile with a grin of his own.

"Not off to a great start, am I?" Okassis answered lightly, unperturbed by his apparent failure. His broad shoulders relaxing, he turned to face Davian more properly and offer some small explanation - "Name's Okassis. Grew up with traders, so we were always moving - never thought I'd be in one place long enough to do anything much, you know? But shards, I'm probably going to be around here a while...."

Now that he'd come to this realization, the blonde's eyes were constantly on the move - flicking around the halls, centering in on the female passerby, wondering. Never mind that Candidates weren't particularly encouraged to have relationships (Okassis's broad interpretation of the Candidatemaster's rules), nor that Okassis didn't have any intention of failing to Impress. But even just until then was more time than he usually got in one place, and maybe, just maybe...!