Tristan Flamesong/Relationships

**Spoilers Abound!**  This page contains SPOILERS! Have you finished all that's been released? If not, DON'T READ THIS, PLEASE.

## Relationships

### Cassian (father)

The relationship between them is complicated. He doesn't remember too much of the past, so he doesn't have some of the good memories they would have shared together. However, he still fears his father's wrath, when he almost sets the study on fire. His father becomes distant, and when they establish the The Phoenix Riders, his father pushes him really hard. It starts feeling like Cassian has no faith in him. His ideas are constantly being rejected, and even when he gets what he asks for, it's the bare minimum. This pressure makes him even more serious, and he starts to worry that he's going to be just like his father- someone who was a coward and refused to fight. Veronyka's arrival makes things more strained, as he ends up embarrassing himself, and his father makes her teach him. But she is the one who gives him the courage to stand up against his father, and the confidence needed to lead. Cassian starts to be nicer to him, but it's still not quite perfect. They're able to have a casual conversation now, but they still argue. When Cassian starts hiding things from him, Tristan starts to believe that his father doesn't trust him once more, even though he was just being protected. When he learns the truth, he knows that his father is reckless, and desperately wants him to rethink things because he cares about him. Their relationship gets better, as they understand each other a little more, and Tristan is even able to ask him to help save Veronyka. Cassian asks him to trust him, and even when everything goes downhill, in the end, Tristan still trusts his father.

### Olanna (mother)

Since Olanna died when Tristan was a young child, he hardly has any memories of her. Most of what he knows were from stories that other people told him. But even then, he adores her. He likes hearing the stories, and is proud of her for fighting and refusing to give up. He admires her bravery. While Commander Cassian was more diplomatic, Tristan realizes that it wasn't his fault that she died, and refuses to make her a victim, instead of a hero. He honours her.

### Rex (bondmate)

Tristan worked hard so he could be deserving of a phoenix. He was happy to finally have one. But their relationship didn't originally start off as strong. He never realized that commanding was the right way, so that's what he'd originally do first. But as a phoenix, Rex is way more intelligent than that. They would then become equals, and they grow close. Rex knows his fear of fire, and doesn't judge him. They help each other, and are always willing to help each other out. Rex tends to help cheer him up when he's sulking. Together, they make a good duo, as Rex isn't afraid to call Tristan out, and they fly well together. They're willing to do anything to protect the other, even if it risks themselves. They're never angry at each other.

### Veronyka (best friend/love interest)

Tristan originally knew her as Nyk. Nyk, who had gotten him humiliated on several occasions. He didn't like her because of that, was rude to her. Cassian even tried to pair them up together, and he hated it. But then he got control of his emotions, and apologised. He asks her to help him, and they become friends quickly. They even get so close that he's able to reveal his biggest fear to her. She helps him, and he even manages to become a Master Rider. He helps her too, helps her train and even offers her a sponsorship. Somewhere during this time, he starts to grow a crush on her. While he's shocked when he learns that Nyk is Veronyka, he doesn't react harshly, and even asks for her help. Together, due to their strong bond, they defend the Eyrie. From there, their bond grows closer despite the lies. She helps give him the confidence needed to lead, and he wants her to become his second. He learns about her shadowmagic and her heritage, and while he's hurt at first, he knows that she's still the one that he loves, and they work to fight off the bond as much as possible. Eventually, the tension between them gets too much, and they agree that they want to date each other. But she is quickly forced to leave him due to Val. He does his best to protect her from Lord Rolan, but instead he gets captured. He knows that her and the Riders will get him out though, he trusts them.

### Xephyra (friend)

When he first meets her, he's shocked. It was because a wild phoenix wouldn't usually come at the Eyrie often, and she was female. He feels bad when she gets captured, knowing that she'll be trapped in a cage, and even more so as he notices Veronyka's reaction. He notices how close they are, but he doesn't realise that they're bonded. When his father forces Rex to attempt mating her, he rebels against the decision. It doesn't go through. Eventually he does learn that Xephyra and Veronyka are bonded, and they start growing closer. While they don't seem to be too close, it's clear that he cares about her, and admires how much she adores Veronyka.

### Val (acquaintance to enemy)

When he first sees her, Veronyka immediately fled to go talk to her, and when he finds her, they're arguing. He wants to protect her, but then the topic is changed and they don't see each other again for a little bit. Or, at least not that he remembers. Val would mess with his mind, and made him promise not to let Veronyka join the battle. He agrees, as they're sisters. But when Veronyka and Val argue again, he realises that Val is a pretty bad person. This opinion solidifies when Veronyka tells him about how she was treated before she came. He sees her fighting with Veronyka once, and was angry, but also lost at the same time. When he learns the truth of their identities, he knows that Val will try and hurt Veronyka. When that chance comes, and Veronyka is forced to leave him, he dislikes her even more. He knows that Val wouldn't honour her promises. He sees her almost kill Veronyka, and he hates it so much.

### Sev (acquaintance/future friend)

He first meets Sev when he's trying to lead the Eyrie. He hears that an empire soldier is here, so Tristan takes precaution. When Sev tells him that empire soldiers are on the way to completely destroy the riders, he's a little skeptical. But then Elliot is there, and accidentally confirms it. He doesn't really get to know Sev, as he leaves to act as a spy for them. But when Tristan gets captured, he's relieved that he's not alone in this disaster.

### Alexiya (aunt-in-law)

Not much is known about their relationship, but he does accompany Veronyka to meet Alexiya. Their relationship is on good terms.

### Storm and Wind (Hunting dog and horse)

Storm and Wind seems to fear and not like Tristan, but after he lets himself go of the toxic animage tactics he used, Storm and Wind begin to trust him more. Wind is seen as his mount later, which implies that he is able to mend this relationship.