RP:SiDD’s Best Friend
Part of the Vakmatharas' Jar Arc
Summary: Brennia has a habit of getting misunderstood. She adores her friend, Sidd and wishes to keep him near, but people will do what they want. She asked Aevo to keep an eye on Sidd while she’s occupied with her campaign.
Courtyard
Off of the to the west of the vast Main Hall through large paned glass doors you come to a large cobblestoned and marble walled courtyard, but it is not without a bit of vines growing along the walls and a couple large old trees somehow planted in the two centers of the courtyard. The outdoor area here is just as long as the main hall, but narrower by half which is still saying quite a bit for the area. The front half seems to be dedicated to painting and recreation as there are some lounges, easels and tables about if some of the students decide to enjoy their meals outside on nice days. The back half is arranged as a training area adorned with some weapons and dummies next to a few obstacles.
Brennia had been a little absent especially after her appearance at the Chamber of Raan where she was trying to voice her objections against what the senate was trying to do. This had lead to her meeting a fellow avian by the name of Corvo and he’s going to support her by being her campaign manager, but her safety comes first. Which leads us to point out the tall vampire who was seemingly following her footsteps a few paces behind her while directing workers under the cover of night. Other than the staff house within the courtyard there was another building on the opposite side of the greenhouse that she forgot to mention all together to Aevo and she makes a mental note to introduce Aevo to her bodyguard and to her campaign manager. She was dressed in nothing impressive as her and Daermon were helping workers move furniture around or clean up things.
Sidd and Aevo were crossing through the Courtyard, a detour of sorts on their way back to the college for the evening. The pair had been out working in Rynvale, a fact made obvious by the dusty and dirty appearance each sported. "Yeah, no, I don't know man. Doubt it. We're just so damned different, you know?" Aevo let's loose a booming laugh. "And? Ye ain't gon get anywhere with an attitude like that. Y'think I let that sort'o thing ever stop me? Never." THe human shrugged in response, "I don't know man. I just..." He would never finish that statement, as into view he would spy Brennia and her companion seemingly at work. Two fingers slapped against the side of his forehead as he greeted Brennia, "Yo." a nod issued to Daermon and the other workers. Aevo would grin his wily grin as he too issued greeting, "Lass. Gentlemen."
Brennia spots the pair and a bright smile spreads across her lips while waving them over, “you guys!” Daermon, having already spotted them, had stopped what he was doing and merely watched the pair closely, but when Brennia looks back at him they seem to be quietly having an exchange. The vampire seemingly reluctant, but gives a nod to the pair before going back to work. Whether Sidd liked it or not Brennia would the give him a warm embrace before glancing over to Aevo, that itch, “merry meet Sidd… And Aevo.” Blue eyes study the pair, but more of Sidd as if taking inventory of any new injuries. “How are you two?” After they’d answer that she motions to a sort of garden nook with a couple of benches so they can speak in private… Mostly. As she follows them she looks mentally distracted for a moment before catching up with them, “there’s a few things I want to talk to you about and as your duties as campus security, I think you should know as well, Aevo.”
Sidd observes Daermon closely and then the rest of the workers, only coming to be caught off guard when Brennia's arms folded around him. He returned the sentiment with a smile, his eyes lighting up as they separated. He seemed alright for the most part. He still sported a nasty looking shiner around the left socket, but otherwise no worse than when they last met. "What's going on?" he asked, head bobbing toward the current group of workers. He then answered her question, "Not too shabby. Just got off of work. I think the project's almost finished. How about you?" Aevo lifted his tribal inked shoulder with reply. "Alright methinks. A bit tired, but a tankard o' ale will fix that right up!" The pair followed Brennia's guidance toward the nook, Sidd seating himself as soon as he could. It was a long ass walk from the port. Note to self: Get a horse. Aevo opted to stand, arms folding over his chest as per usual. "Oh? I be all ears, lass."
Brennia stood as well for now and visibly looked a little nervous, “the Chamber of Raan here had an unscheduled meeting that the citizens have been waiting for a month now. I went and gave my oppositions to the bills they are trying to pass because if they do I’ll pretty much be out of a job and out of a home. After what happened I was more determined than ever and someone noticed. An avian named Corvo and he offered to be my campaign manager…” she took a deep breath, “but this will take up all of my time, I won’t be around much and I even have to take a break from teaching. I went ahead and asked Lanara to take over my remaining lessons for this year.” Her gaze drifted away to look at nothing in particular, “on top of all that, in order to keep me safe Corvo to suggested me that I find a bodyguard that I trust with my life or else he would assigned one… So, at this time that would be Daermon.” A glance to gage Sidd’s reaction because he would possibly remember that name as her ex.
Sidd lifted a brow. He didn't really know what to say, although that look on his face would speak loud and clear- What was she thinking? Still, it wasn't his place to say anything. He had only know the woman for a short time in truth, he was after all, the new arrival. He barely understood half of the things she were fighting for, or what it would even all mean in the end. Regardless, he would support her. "Alright. So, you'll be around less? Do what you gotta do, I guess." he said with a casual shrug. That name, the one taking over for her lessons, rang a bell. He did not comment on it, however. "So what does this exactly got t'do with me, then?" Aevo asked. "A little more information would be great, if'n ye don't mind."
Brennia was now looking fully to Sidd when she sat next to him with an unexplainable look upon her face. Worry? Disappointment? Wonder? There was something between them, but they would probably never know or if they did would it be too late? All she knows is that it really sucks, “I really need my friends to believe in me though. I want you two around, if you would like, to volunteer in my campaign office?” A hopeful look overtook her expression and as if on queue Daermon walked around a shrub, not as if he was there the whole time, but as if he was just summoned even when Brennia didn’t say anything out loud, “Aevo, this is Daermon. Daermon this is Aevo my security on campus. You two will be working together more than likely seeing as the storage area we are sprucing up over there will be the center of operations. Soon you will also meet Corvo to get better acquainted with him.” Dearmon would walk up and offer a hand to shake to Aevo, “and Daermon, this is Sidd. My best friend,” her deep blue eyes look to Sidd in her sincerity and a hint of loss.
Sidd's expression shifted; Steel blue of his gaze falling upon the ground at his feet. He would think about her offer in silence. A firm grasp would take Daermon's hand, hearty grin offered behind a friendly greeting. "Nice t'meetcha, Daermon. Look forward t'workin with ye." The lycan looked to Brennia next, "I don't see a problem with that. Ain't never really worked for a campaign office before, so this could be an interestin' learnin' experience. Be glad t'help out." Sidd's hands enclosed around one another as he leaned forward, grime covered arms resting upon his knees. He looked up and nodded to Daermon, offering a simple, "Sup." It would take a few moments, but he would have an answer for this friend, and it might not have been the one she were looking for. "I got your back. Told you that before. Though, that campaign stuff. Politics. It's just not my bag. I'm the guy that's usually protesting, or hurling flaming rag-stuffed bottles at authority." Sidd looked at Aevo, and then Daermon, taking some time before he settled upon Brennia. "I'd say you got this covered. I wouldn't be of very much use to you." When his mouth closed, he once again resumed looking at the ground.
Brennia watched Sidd closely and Daermon said his goodbyes to get back to work, again as if a silent command was given. She argues gently, “that’s not true. I have a suspicion that Vermillion Draft is involved in a lot more than what we’ve discovered. You can hurl those bottle things at him, maybe expose what he’s been doing under our noses. I’ve heard he has some sick fetishes which he plays out in that hotel of his and that he’s got some of the senate under threat if they don’t go along with him.” She didn’t care if his hands were dirty from work she grasped over one gently, “mon Inconnu, I do need you and want to keep you safe.” She glances to his ear to see if he is wearing what she gave him and Aevo, “after the theater is complete in Rynvale, would you consider moving here to help me… As one of my dearest friends?” Those deep blue eyes seeking out his, looking hopeful once again.
Sidd looks at Brennia like she's crazy. "What? How and the hell am I supposed to do that? With my super duper super-powers? From what I see, people like him, they don't mingle with people like me. And it's not like I have a ca-" he stops realizing what he was about to say would make zero sense. "Anyhow, I wonder how that would even play out? 'Some random human attacked our beloved Counsilman' or whatever he is. How do you think that's gonna go over? I'd be killed in a heartbeat. I don't have wings that I could just take off. We're in a land of skilled fighters and magic using wizards and crap. I'm an infant comparatively." He scoffs, head shaken as he thinks about it further. "You guys have more ability than I do when it comes to this stuff, you'd have more luck than I would." He was a bit agitated. It wasn't Brennia exactly, but a mix of things. Despite finally making a couple of friends, he still felt alone. He still felt out of place. This wasn't his world. This wasn't his home. And the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Her touch stole his attention from that inner confliction he was fighting through, his vacant stare landing upon the avian's hand. "I'm a big boy, Brennia. I don't need you to keep me safe. I just... man, I don't know." Aevo looked between the two with furrowed brow, he was not exactly enjoying the bit of tension that seemed present. Sidd stood up and pulled away from her grasp, his eyes not once lifting to either party. "I'll think about it." he said quietly. "I'm gonna go for a walk." As he turned to make his exit, Brennia might have caught a glimpse of the earring in the ear that she could not originally see from her position on the bench. "Well, that was a wee bit odd." Aevo commented, once Sidd turned a corner and disappeared from sight.
Brennia looked up at Aevo when Sidd left looking as if she was going to cry or something, but when Daermon rounded the corner once more he looked as if he was going to ask a question until he saw the single wave of her hand. He leaves and Brennia stands, “I didn’t mean actually attack him. Poor choice of words on my part… I meant he could use his trendsetter, screw the government type of way to gain followers while exposing his wrongdoing.” Standing near Aevo once more Her hand reached out and gently placed on a bicep, “would you look after him for me?” Blue eyes finally looked up at the lycan.
Aevo felt a deep knot in his chest when Brennia first looked his way, wolven blue eyes permeating a sense of sympathy. He nodded and tried to reassure the woman. "I know what ye meant. He’s probably jes havin' a rough go, y'know? Last couple o'days seems a bit off. Ain't shared a pint with me or nothin'. I even offered t'treat him to an escort! But he just ain't takin' any offers." Large shoulder lifts, Aevo had no clue what was going on. When the avian reached out, Aevo gifted the woman a smile, taking her eye in his. "Aye, I'sppose I can do that fer ye. Ye ain't got t' worry." There's a bit of a chuckle- It wouldn't be the first babysitting job he's had to take.
Brennia nods her head once, “thank you, Aevo.” She was looking down at the small space of grass between them as if it just became so interesting, “none of this has been an easy decision… But when he was taken,” her voice faded away to a near whisper as her eyes became a bit watery, “that was the last straw.” She leaned into Aevo and gave him a hug this time and it was gentle, but sad and her wings slumped to show it. Maybe the hug lingers and he could feel her skin warming so close to him, but she gently breaks their hug and looks away, “I… better get back… See you around campus.” Her paces around the shrub were slow as if her emotions weighed them down.
Aevo could only feel sorrow for Brennia. It was more than obvious that she were hurt by the things had that transpired; She cared more than Sidd would let her. Maybe it was a bad week. Maybe he was just an ass. Or maybe, he didn't really know how to handle himself in these situations. Either way, it was not right of Sidd to act like that, to just up and walk away. Aevo sighed and put those thoughts out of his mind for the time being. With Brennia's embrace, he stood, still, for a moment before folding an arm around her in return. A comforting squeeze and a pat on the back just to let her know that he truly empathized. With the separation came a nod, a half-bow even. "Aye. Take it easy, okay, lass? I'm sure he appreciates ye. I know th' kiddo cares. If'n ye need anything, just call, okay? Any time ye like." As Brennia went her own way, the lycanthrope frowned, turning then in the direction that Sidd had left and heading off.