RP:Solmization
This is a Bard's Guild RP.
Summary: Brennia and Alvina take a road trip to find Ranok to show him all the natural notes they've found.
Mystical Stream
Continuing on your journey, you come across a beautiful body of water running east to west, its shoreline bursting forth with fresh green foliage showering over the bank's edge. Water sprites flit about, dodging in and out of the stream at play, and wildlife once more graces this space, feeding from the surrounding greenery. Reflecting against the smooth surface of the bottom reside various rock and gem stones, their luster beckons to you to pluck them from their embedded position. Upon closer inspection, you decide it is likely best not to attempt such, as the depth of this stream is a deception to the naked eye, for it is in areas, fathomless. The waters here run all the way through to the moat surrounding the castle, and shimmer with pixie dust, no doubt lent from nearly every in the land to help restore the wonder and beauty to this relaxing spot.
Brennia and Alvina spent the early morning preparing clothes and food for their trip with each of them carrying a knapsack of goods and items, Brennia’s own probably a little larger. She lands in the woods with Alvina as it is shortly afternoon and they both need some rest from the in tow in order to set her and her own knapsack down, but holding onto her friend a moment to steady her footing or take a seat. Next she unhooks the bag that was around her own waist to lay out a thick blanket from within it. There is also a tent in there, but they don’t need that just yet. Brennia walks near the stream with a little wooden cup to procure some water from the stream and the babble of it set the bracelet off once more, “Alvina! Come quick!” A beckon over her shoulder before she lowered her wrist close to the water once more.
Alvina was exhausted, so she couldn't begin to imagine how tired Brennia must be. After all, she was the one doing most of the work! Flying them around. The bard tried to be mindful of this when packing her bag, and she only took what she needed to make it to Rynvale and back. When Brennia calls her, Alvina is stretching out her tight shoulder joints. Thinking maybe she needed another cup, the bard grabs hers and rushes to the stream to watch Brennia's bracelet react...and then her own. "You're a natural at this!" Alvina cried happily, watching their bracelets whir and hum in sync. Whatever these sounds were doing, it tuned the bracelets. She could almost see their smug faces when they revealed the solution to Ranok.
Brennia filled both of their cups and proceeded to sit near the water to listen to the bracelet more while handing the other cup up to Alvina. “We just have to get out there and explore… By dusk we should land in Cenril and we will set up a camp to sleep outside if you don’t mind. That way we might find more sounds,” large liberty blue eyes watch the gentle ripples of the water as she guesses out loud, “maybe they need solmization. You know; Do, Re, Mi,” she glances at Alvina in her uncertainty and gives a subtle shrug. She let a moment of silence rest between them, “I really hope I am not taking you from any sort of duties.” She remembers her mentioning a love and two kids, “but I am enjoying our time together.” A genuine smile spreads across those plump lips in her sincerity.
Alvina shook her head, drinking deeply from the cup Brennia filled with crisp, sweet spring water. "My poor children have their nanny." Marge was a godsend. "She lives with me, and it helps me do my job in Frostmaw. It's no different than that. This is for a greater cause!" Not exactly the cause of science...but probably close enough. Plus, her love life was a muddled mess. Enough said. "I'm enjoying it too. It's been so long since I've hung out with another lady so long. It's hard to find good friends." She admitted, thinking of where they might be able to land in Cenril without coming across trouble. "The ocean's sure to have a lot of sounds that might trigger it...Maybe we can find dolphins." The bard mused, with a laugh. "Thanks for carrying me all this way, I know we could walk or talk a carriage...I just feel bad I can't repay the favor." She flaps her wingless arms uselessly.
Brennia let out a rare raspy sounding giggle at Alvina’s arm flapping, a sound that lasted all but a few seconds and if Alvina wasn’t paying attention she would have missed it. “I am flattered you think of me as a good friend… it is mutual.” She cleared her throat softly and drank deeply of the water before filling a canteen of the water for the road. When Alvina mentions dolphins it reminds Brennia, “whales, too!” A shy smirk came over her as she didn’t mean to let her excitement bubble up so and she continues, “yes, that and when the crickets come out at night. I’m thinking we will find a cliffside near the sea where we can pick up the crashing waves as well.” Any trouble in cenril is really no match for Brennia as she can easily hold her own. She let the rusting of trees and the babbling stream be the music between them once more for a moment before she asks, “I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned their names… Or their ages.” She welcomes the conversation as she deals with students day in and day out anymore and she usually has to put on a graceful facade for them, but at the same time keep them all at an arm’s length.
Alvina grinned, Brennia's giggle caught and secured for future recollection. She found conversation about her children to be -the- easiest thing to discuss. "Luna, and Harper. They are nearly half a year old now, but they are also...part werewolf so..." In development, they were closer to a year. "Already babbling in nonesense, with a few good words now and then." Alvina laughed, remembering how they call both her and Marge, their nanny, Mom. It's cute, but heartbreaking a bit too. "I always knew I wanted children but they break my heart every day. To think they won't need me someday." A little melodramatic, but it's the truth. Alvina doesn't have a problem laying her heart out on the sand for all to see. She did it frequently with most things. There are no secrets in her life, beyond one or two complicated matters. They only stay secret because it hurts to discuss. "Do you have any children? Beyond the college?" She grinned, knowing that Brennia likely thought of all her students as her children. She had that nurturing aura around her, Alvina could recognize it.
Brennia tilted her head just slightly as the names of the children hit her ear and furthermore their race. She's met the man that causes her so much trouble and she is so glad that she shut their kiss down. Not that it would have meant something to her or Hudson, but that she might have missed out on a chance to get to know Alvina if word got around of what he tried to do. Brennia keeps a level expression in a spreading smile hearing about the kids. “From the hidden island of Vere, where Avians are the only population,” and slave vampires, “but we live so long that not many of my people…” she cleared her throat gently as she may of already clued Alvina in that she used to be royalty (reluctantly). “The people of Vere would rarely chose to have a child because there were already an abundance of Veretians and we live so long… I'm in my hundreds.” She settles those striking blue eyes on Alvina, “my point is that children were rare, sacred, and celebrated where I am from, but I do not have any.” She almost had triplets from a certain famous Lycan, but after his death she was so distraught she lost them. Again she’s smirking but now is seems bittersweet, “I don't know about them not needing you, Alvina. I find myself needing my mother still to this day. Turning to her for advice or just having someone to talk to… Even though she's passed,” murdered, “some nights I find our family portrait and just talk to her.” She glances away as a tear silently streams down the hidden side of her face before she quickly and nonchalantly swiped it off.
Alvina felt the mood take a downturn. It didn't take a bard to smell the tragedy in the air, but she saw it etched in Brennia's features subtly. The face of a composed woman, beautiful and brilliant, hiding behind a mask of infallibility so as not to be taken advantage of or harmed. There’s no interruption from Alvina. She feels the tug on her heartstrings, missing her mother even if she couldn’t remember her completely. There were snapshots of warm weather and green grass. Odd angles and strong hands to wipe her tears away. If only she could remember. Alvina’s hand falls on Brennia’s, giving it a light squeeze and a faltering smile. That universal sign of understanding but being unable to voice as much, her voice would break. “We always need each other, family or not.” Meaning to say she knew good friends she needed just as much as she missed her mother. Though her mother had a special place, a very particular ache in the halls of her heart. “Students are like children,” The crimson haired woman offered, a consolation prize in the form of her career. “You don’t have to be blood to make a difference in someone else’s life or to change them forever, the way mothers do.” Her smile built itself up, feeling stronger.
Brennia smiles back with a soft twinkle in liberty blue eyes, “thank you, Alvina.” She fell silent for a moment, but it was because of something more than just their meaningful conversation… She was listening intently to something with those elongated pointed ears. There was something drawing nearer in the distance as she barely managed to whisper, “do you hear that?” Her head swivels around after she stood up causing that long back ponytail to whirl around her form. The onyx velvety feathers puff out a little in the eerie feeling she got and her hands pull free the hidden Sai daggers from between her wings. Her eyelids narrow to access her better eyesight and she saw it meandering through the mossy woods not far from them, a creature nearly eight foot tall, covered in long dark brown hair and it seemed to lurk in a way she's never seen before. It was getting closer and this caused a sickened frown to form on Brennia’s lips because the smell it was giving off was potently nasty; unmistakeable. “Alvina,” she whispers, “start running that way,” she motions to the opposite direction of the sasquatch. Maybe another day Brennia would have gotten curious and approached the beast friend or foe, but they don't have the time and if it were possible foe she doesn't have the extra energy to spare. Brennia takes the cup from Alvina before tossing her the bag she brought and quickly gathers their own things; folding the blanket up and stuffing it into the large knapsack all the while trotting after Alvina. Once she hooks the knapsack around herself once more she broke into a full sprint and lifting Alvina up into the air after securing the woman tightly around the waist. They headed towards Cenril now.
Alvina had opened her mouth to say something along the lines of 'don't worry about it-' when Brennia asked if she heard something. Her previously parted lips eased closed and she perked her rounded human ears to listen. She couldn't hear much shuffling but it was there, in the woods. Something was moving. The woman only hears it as Brennia is frowning and whispering her name. It doesn't take much more to get the bard to her feet, white boots disturbing patches of dirt as they scrabble up and away from whatever loomed in the forest. Alvina hadn't gotten a good look, and calls out (a response out of the startled fear of being grabbed without warning) a moment after Brennia pulled her up and off to Cenril. Her heart throbs in her ears as she settles back into their previous flight pattern. If she'd had the frame of mind, she'd flap her arms playfully, as if assisting the avian while she's awash in the scent of old books and rain. It's soothing enough for her to fall asleep for a few minutes during their journey to Cenril. The weather improves the closer they get, but the wind picks up as they cross into the city from above. "The dangers of living by the sea..." Alvina offers, feeling guilt for having her friend fly so far. "Brennia, don't hurt yourself please…”
Elevated Lookout to Sea
The gentle sloping of the cliffs means that this area is significantly more elevated than most, providing a fine view of the sea to the east. The gentle waves rise and fall as several large masted ships strike out across the ocean to the islands of Rynvale to the east. This area is otherwise unremarkable apart from a crumbling staircase of stone cut deeply into the cliff and descending steeply downwards into the grey stone cliff. To the north the cliffs continue and to the north east is a large redstone building plain and square, with a somewhat spartan appearance. It is likely to be the headquarters of the Monks of Aramoth, the God of war.
Brennia watched as the skies slowly started to shift into dusk when she landed with Alvina and doing the same as before, helping her sit or gather her footing. There are a couple of old logs from trees here for sitting around an abandoned fire and Brennia starts to work on the fire, but gets impatient and hums a tune which springs the campfire to life. “Oh, don’t worry. I know my limits… I actually flew for nearly two straight days to get to this side of world when I ran out on my wedding and flew from my Island.” She gave a lighthearted smile, “I mean, Island Vere.” She really needs to stop calling it her island since she obviously gave up that right. “I didn't fly for a week after that though,” she whistles exhaustively before she opens up her bag and starts to set up the tent she brought along which is roomy enough for two to have their own space. Brennia opens the canteen she had before and pours them some water from the same cups as before just after she gets herself comfortable next to Alvina, “I can barely remember what we were even talking about before that creature interrupted…” She thought for a moment before continuing, “oh yeah, I think I’ve met the father of your children… He’s pretty smart and a nice guy, I think.” She offered gently as she only assumes that Alvina only hears the worst of the guy she loves, but he also was only giving a one sided opinion.
Alvina helps Brennia set up the camp, stretching once her feet are back on the ground. She's in the process of setting up Brennia's tent when this confession of running out on her own wedding stops the bard in her tracks. Canvas in hand, the crimson haired woman turns to look at Brennia, as if her emerald gaze could decipher the woman's thoughts. Alvina had been left before her wedding, not run out on at the altar or any such thing but engaged when her first husband-to-be vanished. "Why did you leave?" She asked, work temporarily halted to make this inquiry. She'd never heard of the island, or maybe she had in passing from Brennia at another time? It's difficult to remember, she's only human after all. Then Brennia moves the conversation to the father of Alvina's children and she's giving her a questionable glance. Brennia had met him? "Hudson?" She asked, just to clarify. It wasn't that she doubted someone would say something nice about him, but it was a pleasant surprise. Josleen was quick to tell Alvina she had no business with Hudson anymore, so it catches her off guard that someone seems to approve of him. But did Brennia know as much as Jos? About Valrae or Hudson's affair? It didn't matter, she told herself. It was just nice to hear some positive criticism about him for once. "He's too smart for his own good. He's a good father." She couldn't doubt that, except for the whole 'mob' business. That made being a family member a little more complicated.
Brennia answered rather plainly, “yes, that. It was arranged and the day before the groom’s best man told me that he had plans to murder me and my family so he could rule the nation of Vere himself. He was a manipulative and power hungry man, but the speaking terms between my father and I were pretty nonexistent. He wouldn't have believed be because I already voiced how unfair it was he was making me do this and that my younger brother would be better suited as a ruler.” A subtle shrug given, “so I ran out of the chapel and flew until I couldn't anymore.” Which was probably worse because the man ended up murdering her family anyway and hunting her down. Alvina knows him as some unlucky Avian by the name of Irenic. Brennia smiles kindly at Alvina's surprise of hearing good things about Hudson, “is that his name? I only know him by ‘The Sir’ as that's his street name I guess. You know, other than business talk, his kids were the first thing he brought up. The twinkle in his eyes when he talked about them proves he's a good father.” Brennia didn't really know the situation, but it didn't matter to her and she wouldn't go bashing his name for it even if she did. She got quiet a moment, “you know. Now I see it, you two make a lovely couple.” Now she sort of guessing here, “her really seems the independent type and like he can easily take care of himself, but I have a feeling that he needs you more than most would assume.” There was a howling in the distance and their bracelets react to the sound in perfect harmony.
Alvina wouldn't know enough to make the connection between Brennia's murderous groom and the broken Irenic in the tavern. She didn't know if the avian trait of their smell being the same had anything to do with it. She likely wouldn't put that together until days later at best. "I guess I got the good end of broken engagements..." She whispered darkly, shaking her head that such a thing could happen to someone as nice and charming as Brennia. Her fleshed right hand lands on Brennia's shoulder in a show of comfort, her emerald gaze locking on Brennia's face. "I'd have done the very same thing." In that situation, it feels like -you- are the one that can change the actions of others, even if running didn't save her family. Alvina didn't mention it, but a shadow falls over her eyes. Brennia was stronger than she had been. When the avian mentions Hudson as ' The Sir' Alvina laughs. It sounds too serious. Does Hudson have a street name? Maybe she should ask. Her left hand moves to cover her mouth, apologetically for the outburst. She wasn't laughing at Brennia, she was laughing at Hudson having a street name. The idea of it. The man who rolls around with small babies and tells stories about bunnies and giraffes in a cutsey voice. Such a monster, this guy. Alvina turns towards the howling, watching their bracelets react in perfect sync and smiles. "We went through a lot to have our daughters..." Alvina whispers, trying not to let herself cry at the memories. "But it was worth it, every bit." Every moment of screaming at Hudson in the streets or his 'working' late with Valrae. Every fight and every attempt to match moon cycles, all the fertility potions and charms from the hands of...that woman. Alvina closes her eyes and looks overhead. A small flock of gulls pass, cawing out to each other in the silence of their conversation. Their bracelets chime and whirl softly, as if they could recognize the need for quiet.
It’s a really good sign that you hope my mind is true
And I’ve been thinking of what to say all night to you
So you wanna be a man about it, do you?
And have you figured out all you wanted, have you?
Brennia let her large onyx wing curl about Alvina in her kind words and she giggles shortly and softly at all the similar parts which makes her seem much more innocent than she really is. She paused and let the bracelets revel in the natural instrument that is nature when the moments called for it. “That is very special, you should hold onto that with every fiber of your being,” she mentions to the fact that they tried so hard. Those liberty blue eyes rest within Alvina’s own gaze for a lingering moment in their bonding and honestly, “say, let’s play a song, yeah?” She pulls her own bag closer to get the saucer sized goblet drum from her back with a soft sigh, “I didn't even pack this.” A subtle shrug given as she starts the song in allowing Alvina to take the lead with this one and Brennia would only take the lower alto parts. A song that maybe connects with Alvina on a deeper level and at one time Brennia as well. It wouldn't be an overly long song and it would end softly with a soft smile spreading those plump lips, but the entirety of the song Alvina may notice that she was making an effort to keep her eyes closed. Was is concentration? Was is a precaution? Was she just tired?
When your heart becomes a million different pieces
That's when you won't be able to recognize this feeling
In the middle of the night all I think about is you
I dream in all your clouds of glory, it's true
So you wanna be a man about it, do you have to?
And have you figured out all you wanted, have you?
Alvina gives Brennia a relaxed smile, the brush of the wings feeling like a distant hug. The scent that holds Alvina's favor is threaded into Brennia's wings as well. She doesn't want to explain how mixed her relationship with Hudson has been. It's good now, maybe she could just pretend it's always been good. That nothing has ever broken them to pieces. When their eyes meet, Alvina's shoulders slack and she looks skyward after a few seconds. She's not unnerved by the appearance of the drum, and likewise less concerned with the appearance of her own Violin inside it's case, deep in her satchel. That's just the way things are now. Daedria would not rest until they completed whatever quest they were on, to whatever ends it bound them. At least Alvina knew she would not be alone in finding out what she wanted them to do. Alvina picks up harmonies in her mezzo-soprano, plucking her violin strings over the heavy beat of the drum while they worked in tandem. She couldn't help but feel like they needed a guitar to round out the piece but it was beautiful and piecing on it's own. Alvina did, in fact, notice Brennia's closed eyes. Her first thought was - she was feeling the music, in the same way she had in the concert hall when Alvina held her flute on stage. Could the avian feel the tones? See the nearly invisible threads of emotions rolling out from their instruments and likewise their hearts? Their bracelets, despite their perfect pitch and tones, did not react until a particularly large wave crashed nearby, adding it's touch to their tune. The bracelets whirled lazily and then stilled in the silence. Alvina rests her glossy black violin with white accents back into it's fur lined case. The bow was hitched in the lid, flecks of rosin gleaming in the firelight that warmed their faces. "It's so hard to find friends," Alvina noted, with a casual wistfulness. "But I'm glad we managed. You really get into your music, Brennia. I saw your eyes closed..." She's ignorant to any other reason the avian would want her eyes closed. "It's really refreshing to meet someone so skilled, that I can play with. I haven't played music with anyone in...quite a long time." It makes her recall playing taverns when she first arrived. When her fingers were all flesh. Having to retrain them had taken a little bit of time, even if the muscles remembered what to do.
When your heart becomes a million different pieces
That's when you won't be able to recognize this feeling
That’s called tough love
That’s called tough love
Brennia did love the feelings she was garnering from their magics weaving together aided by the mystical instruments. The waves adding to the surreal feeling of it all and once their songs end and Alvina muses her thoughts out loud she nods once in agreement, “yes, at the college I know I am admired and respected… It's just hard to let any of those people really in because of my duty there. Some days go by in a blur because of the different hats I must wear and the permanent mask I shield myself with.” It was a great feeling not having to fake it, but she sort of hesitates when Alvina mentions her keeping her eyes closed. “Oh… That. It is quite the story if you want to hear it, but there is a more ancient place where I get my Bardic power that I sometimes cannot corrale and if I am not careful I could place someone under a spell by accident because eye contact is everything in Bardic Arts.” She starts pulling out their packed away dinner which consisted of some sort of pasta with a light sauce. She also pulled out some fruits and cheeses to go along with the wine, “I also brought a white wine incase you don't like the dry stuff.” Handing over Alvina’s own serving of food she finds the little cups they had before and fills one with red wine and the other with whatever Alvina chose if any. “So, tell me. How did you and this Hudson meet?” Wanting to focus on the positive.
Alvina understood. She had to be reserved from certain people, to hold back a part of herself to keep from getting hurt but she’s long since given up hope of protecting her image. She was rash and she wasn’t always professional but she loved and she cared. She opened her heart to more things that hurt her then healed her, most of the time she didn’t regret it either. Only one time in recent memory might still be too raw to discuss, so the bard opts to listen instead of pouring her own sentiments into the mix. Her gaze is intent but light, so Brennia doesn’t feel pressure to say the ‘right’ thing or to perform for Alvina’s company. She tucks back loose strands of crimson as Brennia tells the story of her bardic powers. ‘Eye contact is everything in Bardic Arts’. Alvina should have known that but she’d never put two and two together. Eye contact was intense, the windows of someone’s soul, much like hearing someone perform could be. She offers her hands to hold whatever Brennia unpacks, the two women working in tandem to complete the task with ease. At the mention of white wine, Alvina grins. “I love white wine, how did you know?” She teased, taking one of the small cups along with the food. She’s rudely halfway through a bite when Brennia asks about the father of her children, so she chews thoughtfully before replying. “We were both hired for a project for the Eyrie.” She remarks, recalling their prior meeting in the forest. “Though I guess we met before that, in the woods.” Two years ago, my, it seems a lifetime. “And as we worked together, we started to find affections. One of us sooner than the other.” She laughed, remembering moments where Alvina became concerned about their relationship and Hudson was fairly indifferent. “His mother told me I was what she’d always hoped for, for him. And he told me the same later. We are opposites but we work well together. I balance his rash decisions and messy habits and he makes life brighter. Every day we wake up to each other, our daughters…” She shakes her head, suddenly emotional. “I didn’t think I’d ever deserve that kind of…safety. To be worthy of a partner…” Alvina’s had more wine than food and she’s sniffling into the cup and wiping at her eyes with the heel of her palm. “Forgive me,” She chuckles, voice breaking. “It’s just been rough between us, so I’m still amazed we’ve made it work this long.” Her empty hand waves through the air, trying to dispel the mood of the conversation. “Tell me something good going on with you. Are you speaking to that fellow still?” She meant the man who’d been present when they received their instruments at the college. Was Brennia wearing that necklace still?
Brennia worked on her food and Cabernet wine while she listened and smiled at Alvina’s tale, “ever considered writing a ballad of that story? It’s sweet,” she said in between bites, but when she starts tearing up Brennia let her wing snuggle just a little more around Alvina for comfort. At such a close proximity Alvina would find the wings warm and inviting, but almost hypnotic in the onyx feathers reflecting hues of navy blues and forest greens. “Of course you are worthy. In my opinion, the only ones who aren’t are the cowards. You know the type I am sure, guarded and off putting. The ones who never put themselves out there so they don’t seem weak because in matters of the heart it takes great courage to put yourself out there in that way…” She realized she was sort of ranting, “but I digress. Going through these trials will only make your bond stronger,” finishing with that warm dimple inducing smile while handing her a handkerchief. The air turns slightly colder as a cool breeze breaks up the warmth a bit from the fire, which was welcomed, and they could hear the sound of crickets singing brilliantly in the distance. The bracelets match the sound and she allowed nature's melody to place some pause in their conversation. He cheeks warmed in a subtle blush as she sips from her cup deeply, “oh… Vi. Yes. He’s met my lover, Eloni, and seems to get along nicely with her.” She does still have the pendant, but it’s in the safe place between her wings at the moment, “something about him made me realize something I’ve lost sight of. I was once one of those cowards I mentioned before,” she finished off her dinner and stowed the empty containers away. “I was too cowardly to be a leader back in my homeland. I thought my brother was better suited for it. I was too cowardly to defend my people from the awful man I was arranged to marry so I ran away. Even when I arrived in Lithrydel, when it came to matters of the heart, I fell into slavery to save a friend, but I eventually turned into his lover. I knew I was being hunted from my homeland and it was more about safety than love, but when he died I fell into a downward spiral of alcohol, herbs and relations. I didn’t settle down with anyone and kept my guard up, but then… A vampire came along and we loved each other deeply, even bonded our minds together, but we kept our relationship open. It was my suggestion, but really I was just afraid of betrayal or being made a fool of.” Brennia slid her long silky black hair out of it’s ponytail and started to smooth it down and work any knots out of it, “I guess Vi helped me realized, weather he meant to or not, that I don’t want to be that coward anymore.”
Alvina watched Brennia's wings thoughtfully. They were very beautiful and it's comforting for them to snuggle against her. "I'd have to argue the ones that run away are also cowards." She hated to think about her first fiancé but he was always there, in the back of her mind. A stain that she could never rinse free. Dampening her opinion and fueling her fear of being left all alone. Of being unworthy of companionship, because he'd promised to marry her and shortly after vanished, only to reappear with another woman. When Brennia mentions these trials making them stronger, Alvina nods. So many of her friends have told her not to trust Hudson because he'd made his mistakes. She'd made some too. They weren't perfect creatures by any means. The handkerchief is taken and used to dab the bard's eyes. Alvina snuggles against Brennia's wings when the wind picks up with a chill. They are giant blankets, and she's a bit jealous not to have them. She wonders, momentarily. if she ever saw her teacher's wings. Cerinii... Old lifetimes and old memories. Alvina carried so much with her. "Once you've been hurt, it's hard to open your heart back up. It took me years and years to even be able to love after I was torn to pieces. To trust anyone with my heart. I don't think it's cowardice. I think love is just...hard. There's so many factors...do they feel the same? Can you trust them? Will they stay? At the end of the day, you can't control how other people treat you but you can control how you treat yourself. And everyone deserves to be loved and appreciated, if not by other people than at least by yourself." That's the hard part, she thinks, as stars start to speckle the sky overhead. Loving yourself.
Brennia rests those liberty blue eyes on the dancing and crackling fire before them in allowing the quiet between them to fill the air with the natural notes of the crashing waves, the crackling fire, the singing crickets and the distant howling wolf at the lonely moon. It sounded like a symphony and as her time being a bard she never heard things like this before in how they were imperfectly perfect at the right times. She finished off the rest of her wine and offered that kind smile to Avlina at her side, “you have so much of yourself to love. I can just feel it. You have this loyal heart and strong willpower to do what is right. I admire that.” May be the drink talking, but she’s sensed these things about Avlina from the moment they met, “your kids are so lucky to have you.. And to have Hudson.” She looks back on what she can remember of Hudson for he was so basic in her mind that he was nearly forgettable, but she sees it now. How they would balance each other. Even if Alvina was uncertain Brennia makes an assumption, “you must let me know when the wedding is back on. I would love to attend,” heck she would perform for her or stand by her side at this point as she was increasingly adoring Alvina the more time she spend with her. After a long moment of relaxing, looking up at the stars or looking over the sea’s horizon and trading stories or tales Brennia finally suggests, drunkenly, “leht uszz rrretire to our szzuite!” She giggles and motions to the tent she set up cozy enough for two. Standing she dumps a little bucket of water on the embers of their fire before grabbing Alvina by the hand and pulling her in close so they may ‘white-gurl-drunk’ stumble to the tent together.
Alvina laughs loudly at something Brennia has said, trying to take another sip from her empty wine glass for the third time without refilling it. She stares into the cup confused, mouth slightly agap, wondering when she'd had that last drink of it. For those keeping score at home, it was about five minutes ago. Brennia dumps water on the fire and Alvina flops back in the sand, saying something rebellious about sleeping out under the stars before Brennia mumbles some nonsense gibberish at her that Alvina somehow understood about how that was a bad idea and she should come to the tent. She acquests to this demand and let's Brennia pull her up by the wrist so they can waddle into the tent. The bard strips off her dress without a second thought, this was a thing girls do at slumber parties, especially when heavily intoxicated. They had plenty of space, but it's no big deal in her mind. She fumbles rudely all over her own sleeping section, ruffling blankets and falling forward to hug Brennia rather tightly before kissing her cheek and offering some gibberish goodnight and thanks for hanging out. It was cool to have girl friends. Alvina needed more of them. Somewhere in her heart, it made her miss Jos a little bit. Why hadn't they ever been camping? Somewhere in the distance, a whale surfaces, it's subtle call sparking their bracelets to whirl lazily in the otherwise musical night of crickets and the nearby ocean waves crashing into the shore. Alvina forgets to put on pajamas, and sleeps in her underthings, using the sleeping bag as a blanket and the blanket as a sleeping bag. Nothing matters as long as she can get to sleep. She should have had more water.
To Be Continued in Rynvale . . .