The laugh that rang from the golden girl's lips was like a cool drink of water to a parched man and it brought a brighter smile to the warrior's lips. She was sure that with Bexley being so well versed in conversation and the social graces that she had had to use a less than genuine laugh more than once; but the one that burn forth over the oasis waters in response to the silver haired lass' own perceived shortcomings was full bodied and full of mirth. What a relief it was to see that she was worth this honest expression of joy from her newfound friend, what a blessing that the golden maiden deemed her trustworthy.
Eden attempted to resist the urge to sigh contentedly, but eventually lost the battle, the exhale ending on a happy hum and the fluttering of her ebony lashes against rosen cheeks. It had been a long time since the paladin had been thankful enough and glad enough to lose a battle of wills with her own body. Yet she wasn't disappointed or upset; any other company, any less well meaning or well cared for company slipping beneath her skin with such ease would have been a threat, but not Bexley Briar. Not her friend.
Tilting her ears toward her companion as she spoke, Eden allowed herself to relax into the melody of Bexley's voice, the undulating tones and halts of her words and the story that she wove out of thin air. The palomino's words conjured up images of tribes and gods, of greenery and family, of strife and successes side by side; a tapestry telling the tale of Bexley Briar's beginnings and of what may have very well been her childhood's end. Eden is suddenly filled with the urge to press her shoulder to Bexley's again and keep it there, an offer to bear some of the weight that the maiden no doubt shouldered. Distantly, Cerridwen's voice echoed within Eden's mind - A burden shared is a burden eased and a bond discovered.
"A good system doesn't mean anything from this far away," pointed out the striped shieldmaiden, though her voice was as kind and familiar as it had been since the pair met, "It sounds like you gained a lot of experience from a young age, that you made a lot of opportunities where otherwise there may have been none. You are a tenacious girl, Miss Bexley Briar." Eden paused to consider this statement before nodding and continuing on, "Yes, you're much like a warrior, but with your words, not your muscles - and I think that takes a lot more skill than throwing one's body around and trying to make the biggest bruise. Your Una would be very, very proud of you... Well, if she's worth her snuff, she better be proud."
Turning her skull and peering up at the white hot eye of Solis, Eden gave a shake of her flower laden head and blinked Solis' echoes from her vision before stepping forward into the cool azure of the pool. Moving forward until the refreshing waters lapped just above her withers and dragged at her dreads, the paladin turned toward Bexley and grinned, "Care for a dip? Trust me, it feels wonderful."
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