BEXLEY BRIAR
Bexley has had friends before - of course she has - but not like this, it’s obvious already. As a princess, the granddaughter of a god, many of her friends were fleeting and unserious, thrown away when they outlived their usefulness, or disappeared suddenly under Una’s threatening gaze, never to be seen or heard of again. Bexley’s only regular companion was her brother, and since his -
disappearance -
she has been almost completely on her own, socializing, flirting, chattering, sure, but never finding real companionship, not until now. Not until Eden, social awkwardness at all. Warmth sparks in Bexley’s bird-boned chest as she sees a future where she knows every inflection of the warrior’s tone, the placement of each dread, each piece of jewelry, each stripe that lines her aurealian skin. Suppressing a smile, Bexley, almost embarrassed, casts her eyes to the ground.
Tenacious, she repeats in good humor, though it’s a word that’s been used against her before. Tenacious, stubborn, unbearable - but from Eden’s lips it’s a compliment, not a phrase to be weaponized. How sweet a thing, to be liked, to be appreciated, for something that has followed and haunted her like a wraith. I doubt - I doubt she is, Bexley says after a long, long pause, her gaze meeting Eden’s reverently, but it doesn’t matter anymore.
Her voice goes soft, but no tears form, her jaw doesn’t grind. At the invitation a smile even splits open Bexley’s bone-white lips, and she follows Eden into the oasis with nary a moment of hesitation, curls starting to wind themselves into braids as she descends into the water, piling in loose strands atop her head; it’s cold! Bex squeals, body winding up with an exaggerated shiver. She blows out a tensile breath and rolls her eyes, relaxing slowly, slowly into the pool. Under the hot eye of the sun, Bexley glances at her companion and dares, So, how many of our court members have you met? Anyone… interesting?
She's not thinking of anyone in particular, but this is what friends do, right? Talk about boys and every stupid thing that crosses their mind? Bexley can't help looking forward to it.
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