RP:You'll Never Believe What Happened
Part of the Vinabre Cosmetics Arc
Summary: Alvina asks Brennia to meet up after an embarrassing incident with Xiem. Brennia tells Alvina about meeting a fortune teller named Verah and about how she'd run into her ex Niall after Verah's prediction.
Vice & Virtue Cafe
The Vice and Virtue Cafe is run by the avian twins that work at the Schezerade Tavern at night. This particular cafe opens before sunrise for the morning rush when others have to get to class at one of the colleges or work at the Avenue of Business, but then the twins close down in order to help out at the Schezerade Tavern in the evening for the dinner rush. Many Schezerade socialites gather for brunch at the cottagecore themed cafe because of its simplicity in stark contrast to the cityscape of Schezerade and the wonderful overlook of the Jubilant gardens where you can just make out the arts college castle esque establishment beyond the gardens. Many wonderful scents fill the cafe and waft out to the outdoor dining area. They are most famous for the healing properties of the Jasmine Tea and decadent Tarte Tatin.
Alvina's been struggling for the past week over her last encounter with Xiem. So of course, she's brought the awkward situation to Brennia to help her examine. Alvina asks Brennia to meet her at a little cafe just off the Schezerade bazaar. The air is warm, crowd is lively and being outside amid the chaos makes Alvina feel more put together. The energy and excitement of the strangers around her helped fuel the empathetic nature of her person and she felt a stolen sense of peace from it. When Bre arrives Alvina will already have a coffee and little tea pot for the table, as well as little baked goods like croissants and egg tarts. She's already helped herself to an odd chocolate thing that turned out to be fruit somehow. An actual trap. Her curly red hair is pinned back in her new standard fashion with a brightly colored sundress and oversized sunglasses that hide her pale skin from the sun, even under the patio's umbrellas. When the bard wrote her invitation, she'd mentioned only that she fears she's made a mistake and she'd explain at their meeting.
Brennia arrives, but for a minute she gets caught up greeting all the socialites she used to schmooze on her campaign because most of them are still friendly with her and it doesn't hurt to keep those connections. She finally spots Alvina in the outdoor seating area and brightly smiles at her, giving a little wave of her fingertips accented with pointy decorated nails. The avain is seemingly trying to soak up the sun today as she is not wearing her usual oversized sweater and velvet leggings. Instead, she is wearing a dress number that has a crop tank top portion with a couple of straps criss-crossing along her torso and chest that tie the short skirt together with the top to look more like a dress. Her tattooed long legs are accentuated and it is even more evident that her tattoo pattern does, in fact, cover the majority of her bronze skin. Today she wears her hair down in it's natural fluffy curls and she is advertising their make-up line on her face. It is impossible how she looks so different, but still the same with just a few products. "Hey, lady," her slightly raspy timbre greets her dear friend as her warm smile pokes dimples in her cheeks and she leans down to give the woman a hug before taking a seat. "Oh, yes. ViVi Jasmine Tea," the avain excitedly says while pouring herself a cup. "Tarte Tatin, too? Don't mind if I do," she cuts a small piece in half and slides it onto her plate while crossing one long leg over the other. "How are you doing today?" She makes sure to ask before sipping some tea so she may inquire for the other kind of tea, "and what is this predicament you've gotten yourself in?"
The cafe's always packed whenever Alvina walks by, so it made sense for them to meet here. Old socialite habits die hard, though she's still not convinced she doesn't want that slot in the world anymore. Only time will tell. For the more immediate future, Brennia's arrived, looking the very picture of a model with her fashionable outfit and flawless stride. Not to mention that beautiful makeup she's wearing! Alvina's face is the exact opposite; with her huge glasses and pale lips. One might assume she's hung over except for her easy posture and bright voice. "Don't you look vibrant?" comes Alvina's greeting, on the end of a sly smile. It was lovely to see Brennia in something besides her bulky sweaters. She knew the woman had been a little self conscious about her weight loss. There are enough pastries and tea for the whole afternoon should they choose to take it. "Horrible embarrassed to be honest, but first how are you? You look amazing." Whatever's plaguing Alvina hasn't knocked her completely off balance.
Brennia has gone as far as to wear some clunky heels that make her even taller because who gives a fork about men and their inflated egos… Maybe she's on one today or maybe she is giving into a new power all together! As always, she blushes when Alvina compliments her even though it only shows at the tips of her long tapered ears when she tucks some hair out of the way, "why thank you, gorgeous." The mother sitting across from her is always flawlessly beautiful - it is a fact. Brennia would love to just gobble all the treats, but she doesn't want to upset her condition again, so she takes it easy as usual. She takes a small bite of the deliciously flaky apple Tarte Tatin at is topped with salted caramel and makes a conscious effort to chew it enough, but it also helps to really savor the flavor as she lets out a soft moan of appreciation. Her slender shoulders shrug up and the lines of her collar bone accentuate in the light along with the pointy shoulders as parts of it sink in with the simple movement of shrugging, "I am good." Those deep teal and solid colored irises are narrowed between her darkly lined eyelids, "I am decidedly owning the power of my femininity and unapologetically over these bullspit," she definitely is getting the common curse word wrong, but I think we can let this one slide, "expectations that are placed upon people within society." She catches an elder avian man leering and she simply flashes that thousand watt smile his way with a wiggle of her fingertips before focusing back on Alvina, "what happened?"
Alvina nods at Bre’s report of being good. “You look like it!” She chimes pleasantly. Brennia continues, explaining her unapologetic embrace of her feminism. “Oh gods,” She sighs in agreement. “Gender roles are such bullspit.” She sticks her tongue out and laughs. The bard looks where Brennia is waving to watch the man flush and move away. “What a charmer.” Bre was beyond out of his league. Keep dreaming pal. Brennia’s attention is back on Alvina and she flexes a nervous smile. “It’s a long story,” because when isn’t it, “but I ran into Xiem in the tavern…” That should be the start of a normal conversation but she continues, stirring her drink as a distraction. “We talked for a bit and he told me about his wife and kept saying all these chipper things about how Hudson and I must be such a great, strong couple. Of course I broke down and said we’re separated.” Alvina shakes her head, pulling off her sunglasses to look at Brennia with unfiltered embarrassment. “And then I just, cried. He was so nice and so sweet about it, encouraging me to not give up and stay strong but I just felt destroyed. He’s a guy I hired to help with the house and I’m breaking down in front of him.” That wasn’t how she wanted the employer / employee relationship to go. Not that she’s a stuck up classist. “I don’t want everyone knowing I can’t hold my life together.” She whispers, turning bright red remembering the moment he hugged her. “I remember just wishing it was my husband hugging me instead of this very nice man. And he must have known it too…” She sighs loudly, dramatically as she’s wont to do, and looks at Bre, awaiting judgement to be passed on this situation. “Please tell me what’s wrong with me.” Her arms drip off the sides of her chair, leaned back and staring at the umbrella over them on the patio. “He’s so nice and I…I can’t stand it. And then I feel bad that I can’t stand it and then that makes me feel worse and it just spirals into this whole doubt fest.”
Brennia attempts a bit of dark humor, "yeah, being dead on the inside doesn't mean I have to look like it on the outside." The jokes about death didn't fly so well with other people, but if she doesn't joke about her death and more than likely pending death - she will become a real bummer! One tattooed hand motions for her to spill it as the other is tipping some tea to her lips and once she sips, she mentions, "for you? I have all day," the avian gives Alvina her full attention as her expression shifts some with concern and thoughtfulness. "Not a damn thing," she offers in a matter-of-fact tone. "Honestly, I wouldn't dwell on it. He is a nice guy and all, but I didn't even know his wife had passed until you told me because he doesn't really talk much about her and still wears his wedding ring." Brennia smirks as she jokes, "oh my, you've hugged a man - how devious of you." Then she waves a hand as if swatting away any doubt she should have, "maybe he wished you were his wife when you two hugged." She nods after sipping on some more tea, "you can't stand that he's so nice because you like bad boys, Alvina. There is nothing wrong with that, but it seems he is the first single guy you've interacted with and he isn't all mean, mysterious, aloof and brooding. So, of course you cannot stand how nice he is." Then she leans on the table while narrowing her gaze again, "too nice if you ask me. I bet he is hiding something, you know?" Brennia ponders something for a moment before attempting to make Alvina feel better, "want to hear how I embarrassed myself recently?" She has some tea to spill herself, "as long as you were done with your story, of course."
Alvina'd grown a morbid sense of humor when she'd been surrounded by death and danger. Now, death is a little touchy, after Aubree. But Bre knows Alvina's a good sport these days and doesn't flinch away from such things. "Pfft, as if." Alvina's expression softens at her thoughtfulness. Brennia brushes off the encounter as perfectly normal, even teasing Alvina about hugging a man. This makes the bard flush though why she's embarrassed she doesn't know. "Oh stop." She covers her mouth, hiding a smile. Devious, sultry Alvina, out here hugging guys like some kind of hug harlot. The idea was ridiculous but of course she had been overthinking the exchange when left to her own devices. Maybe he -did- wish she was his wife. That would make her feel less guilty, but it didn't make her wish he'd been Hudson any less. Alvina's emerald eyes shoot open at Brennia's observation. "Because I like bad boys?" She considers this, making a check list of all the men who'd stolen her heart over the years. A couple had been bad boys for sure, but others had been wholesome and sweet. Maybe a little aloof at times. Maybe a little reckless. She lowers her lids, leaning her chin into her palm, elbow propped up on the table and hums thoughtfully. "Maybe it was just the timing. Something about him made me feel less like a little innocent girl and more like a powerful, desirable woman." Not at first. At first they'd played at being adults like teenagers. Nice dresses and rings, a horse just because she had their children. She'd never been...loved like that before. To be showered with affection like she was a precious thing, without her even asking. "No one ever fought for me the way he did." Alvina sighs loudly, happy to return to the narrative of Xiem having a deep, dark secret. She laughs loudly on reflex. "No way." Her face crinkles with doubt. Brennia offers to share her own embarrassing situation in exchange for Alvina's and the red head nods eagerly. "Tell me everything, leave nothing out!"
Brennia lets out a raspy little giggle, "okay, but it might put your embarrassing story to shame." She jests because she definitely isn't in the habit of diminishing other people's feelings or in some sort of competition. "This gorgeous fortune teller came to town a couple weeks ago and gave me a fortune of love," there is an eye roll there, but only for the love part. "I didn't really mention that I am already in a relationship with Zahrani, but she shows me a tall bearded man with gray eyes on a farm and warm with hair to match… oh yeah, he's quick-witted." For a moment her face goes dead-pan because they both know who that is describing, Niall. The one that left when the going got tough. "Of course I totally broke down and started crying before running out of her tent like a spaz!" Her ears are taking on a red color since she is blushing again and her hand goes to her forehead. "It was awful…" she showly sips her tea to add suspense, "guess who I ran into last week." Of course Alvina can probably guess! "Yup, I was just in the Frostmaw caves trying to find more plants and flowers for our cosmetics line when Queenie came running right up to me," Queenie is Niall's dog who adores Brennia and Brennia adores her. "There he was calling for her and looks at me like a ghost," with a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head, she chuckles again. "Do I storm out after asking him how he could keep just leaving me behind when I needed him most and giving him a proper piece of my mind?!" She shakes her head again, "nope. Stupid me hugs him… Now who's a hug harlot here," she grins with a shrug of her shoulders. "Now his mother is really sick and he lost his father and brother to that plague in Cenril," she rests her face on her fist with a helpless sort of expression on her face, "I am in a pickle."
Alvina snags another pastry to nibble on while Brennia files her in. She raises an eyebrow. A gorgeous fortune teller? The bard giggles into her pain au chocolat at the mention of a love reading. Her eyes go wide when Brennia describes Niall. "Excuse me, WHAT?" The pastry hangs in the air in her limp hand. Her face has blanked in astonishment. Bre mentions she even ran into Niall last week too?! Alvina didn't think her eyes could get any wider. The avian is blushing but Alvina doesn't know if it's because she is embarrassed about the fortune teller or how casual she acted after running into Niall. THE Niall. "No." She whispers in shock. The 'hug harlot' almost pulls a smile out of her. "I'm sorry to hear that about his family..." Bless the werewolf curse. When Brennia concludes with a tumultuous statement, Alvina looks up at her. In a pickle? "What?" She blinks, confused. "I-I'm not judging you at all," Honestly, Alvina thought it was a touch romantic, the timing of it all. The reading and Niall's reappearance. "Are you...thinking what I think you're thinking?" Young Alvina would write a ballad about fate and circumstance. Older Alvina is hesitant to believe people can change. Alvina sets her pastry down delicately, giving Brennia's face all her focus. "What -are- you going to do?" Her own heart beat is louder than the cafe and bazaar.
Brennia grows quiet as she’s obviously in thought. Her stomach feels like it is in a tangle and she reads the expressions shifting on her dear friend’s face. “That fortune teller had things spot on and even mentioned something about letting happiness in, but I’m already happy and my plate is already quite full. Of course I’ve recently imagined a life with him again, but if he choose to leave me for the second time… I don’t think my health could take it.” Her expression becomes more serious in that sentiment as she remembers the humiliation she felt when he left her and how she needs to remember the boundaries she needs to stick to in order to protect herself. Brennia has discussed her many surgeries over the last few years with Alvina and how her body has been through hell. “His father was a great man and I met his brother once. Heck, his whole family is so warm and inviting. Nothing like the cold royalty I was raised in and they took me in like their own.” That reminds her to send a care package of the cosmetics for his sisters that he asked for. She takes a deep breath and her wings have been shifting here or there with the troublesome thoughts, but now they are relaxing as she settles on her decision. “I’ll always have love for him and I care for the entire Coin family, but obviously it would be irresponsible of the both of us to attempt to pick things up where he left off. Not with how emotionally charged everything is with the recent deaths of his family and the condition of his mother. Zahrani and I are non-monogamous, but Niall is a traditional sort of being and I respect that.” The way her health is, it would be best not to be committed to one person and her secret longing for the peaceful feeling of death is definitely not something she wants to put on someone else’s shoulders. A soft smile spreads across her lips, “so. When do you get to run into your new best friend, Xiem?”
(1 0f 2) Alvina looks perplexed. "Would you tell me where this fortune teller is?" Her prediction of Bre's situation was oddly spot on. Enough so that it made Alvina wonder if, well no that's not possible but she didn't know what was possible anymore. This Fortune Teller, while a possible scam, sounded too legit to question. Brennia was a reliable source of information. She looks away when Brennia mentions she's thought about a life with him. "And you shouldn't have to endure that again." Alvina would never tell her friend to make that choice, she would tell the other woman to prioritize her own health and happiness above a fateful encounter. But what Alvina advised and what she herself would do were quite different. It's no secret she's reckless with her heart. It astonishes her how warm Brennia herself was with such a cold upbringing. You'd only ever guess the avian as royalty by her boundless grace. When she pulls her eyes away from Brennia's wings, she's greeted with a soft smile and reflects it in turn. "I think that's a wise decision." And brave. "Boundaries are hard to maintain in person..." She knew from experience. Alvina will flush with surprise when Bre asks about Xiem.
(2 of 2) "Pfft, never." She joked, taking another bite of her pastry and chewing thoughtfully. "Though, really, when he comes to look at the house I bought. So he can plan the renovations..." Here she sighs, rather dramatic. "It'll be embarrassing." She's sure, then she remembers the remark about Xiem's secret they didn't know about. Yeah right. "Plus, I'm not letting a MAN be my best friend unless he's my HUSBAND." She pauses, overthinking this. "not like Hudson but another husband or, well, whatever you know what I mean." Alvina wants to cover her face and fade into obscurity. "I'm sure it'll be very normal and very casual and very not weird when I see him. I'm sure." As if repeating it will make it more true. "I'm really proud of you." She says, commenting on Niall. "On talking to him and not running away. And knowing your boundaries still. Both are very hard and very important. I hope you can grow a lovely, healthy friendship in place of what was before."
(1 of 2) Brennia likes to believe that Verah is legit, so she will probably keep things on the surface and superficial with the woman in the future to keep the magic alive. "She was in the Bazaar here in town, but she travels all over. Her name is Verah," she ponders for a moment. "I do hope she returns and even made sure to point willing students her way for their own readings." Brennia likes to think she could be a reliable source of information on certain people, but she has a fault of searching for the good in all people and accepting them for however they wish to be seen. Unfortunately that has let the wrong type of people in her life at times. When it comes to matters of love these days, Brennia has learned not to trust her heart like most would and she relies more on her brain, but she doesn't care if that makes her seem cynical to others because the ones closest to her know it is not true. She has joy, she has passion, she has love and is quite happy with the person she is these days even if happiness isn't able to fully soak into her old soul. "That is true," she mumbles in response to the way dynamics can change simply by someone's presence. She reflects on that second embrace herself and Niall shared in comfort for him, how deeply she breathed him in while feeling her frail frame against his sturdy one.
(2 of 2) With a few blinks of her eyes, she is drawn back to her jesting about Xiem, but then Alvina starts floundering like a fish out of water and the gears start to turn in the back of Bre’s mind. She doesn't like this. Brennia can't give advice on such things because she's never been in such a position, but she recklessly does anyway, "old Bre would suggest you embrace how you wish Xiem was Hudson and use the guy to get over him. I actually did that for a while after my first breakup. The Bre here with you now suggests you protect your peace and re-focus on finding yourself." She smirks and lets out the start to a chuckle, "honestly, both suggestions are trash because I have never been married, not even close." Brennia wonders out loud, "what are you supposed to do if your next interaction is awkward like you fear?" Then she nods and sighs out the short sentence, "I sure hope so," but she is scared of what she truly would say or do when something comes up because it never goes the way you plan out in your own mind.
Alvina takes a drink, averting her gaze to the table. "What a pretty name." Verah. Brennia looks reflective and Alvina wants her to feel a sense of privacy, even though they are such close friends, sharing her most private thoughts wasn't a price to be paid to maintain that friendship. Alvina'd listen if Brennia wanted to discuss it further but she wouldn't try to get the woman to confess. She gives Bre a playful warning glance when she suggests using Xiem to get over Hudson. No way is she doing that. The second bit of advice is more practical and more her style. The get under to get over strategy wasn't really Alvina's playbook, not that she judged. Five years would take a long time to get over, no matter how nice Xiem seemed. Or how painfully final her separation was. "The term is silly," She says, twirling her wedding bands. Marriage. "What would I do?" If the interaction was awkward. "I...guess we'll have to...keep working together until the project is over." Floundering aside, "I can write Hudson the most cold formal letters, telling him about how Meadow's doing in school or how dumb Luna's boyfriend is but he stopped by the house once." Near the bard's college, since she'd been back. "And I was suffocated by this need to be seen by him." The strange emotional distance with close proximity made her feel like a paper doll. What would -she- do if Hudson tried to hug her? Alvina's only saying this to show she relates to Brennia's hesitance and concern. Sometimes the 'happiness' that would soak our souls is nothing but beautiful distraction. She reaches her hand across the table to take Brennia's. "It's okay." Even if Bre doesn't have the answers or makes a different choice in the moment, it would be okay. "You're still in control of what YOU do and that's all you can do. Try not to overthink it too much or you'll drive yourself crazy." Alvina gives Bre a soft, knowing smile. "If a friendship is possible, take it. Plant it. Respect it and yourself."
Brennia playfully grimaces, "if anything, a play about this would be entertaining." Of course she would never do something like that! "Vina the Vixen," she jests with a short giggle behind her fingers. Then the subject turns to Hudson and she considers it rude he didn't even stop by the college to say hi because she still considers him a friend as well. Bre surely hopes they aren't expecting her to choose between the two of them or that by inviting Alvina to stay at the college she has accidentally made a choice. "Yes…" oh how these conversations could have been better suited in a therapist's office, but they are poorly trying to be each other's shrink and it isn't a horrible thing. Maybe reckless. "What would it accomplish by being seen by Hudson? Do you need him to see that you've got everything under control without him? Do you need to know you're still desirable? How could being seen by someone benefit you?" Brennia is genuinely asking because she doesn't believe she ever felt such a way. If anything, she always wants to hide. Brennia holds onto Alvina's hand and places her other on the back of her's with a sort of weak smile on her lush lips. "When was the last time I said how much I appreciate you?" Alvina has been her longest and dearest friend, "you're resplendently astonishing and tremendously strong, even if you don't notice yet."
(1 of 2) Alvina laughs at the jest. "Vina the Vixen, could be good for the brand." Brennia's confusion about why Alvina wanted to be seen by Hudson makes her hesitate. Was it...not healthy to feel that way? Her therapist wasn't in practice anymore but her werewolf support group had handled the brunt of the more professional advise. Maybe this would be a good time to seek one out, to keep from overburdening her friends with all her messy secrets. "I don't...need to be but it's..." What did she want from him now that they'd agreed to end their marriage? Strangely, Alvina fights back tears to consider the truth she shares. "We were so angry when it was decided and then he left. I wish he'd hug me, tell me he's sorry we couldn't make it, tell me he still loves me and wishes it was different. I wish he'd tell me I'm beautiful and thank me for all my hard work taking care of the kids. I wish he'd...acknowledge me as a person. To acknowledge...all the pain I feel, as the other half of it. He's the -only- person who -completely- understands." Alvina sniffs, feeling utterly foolish. His acknowledgement wouldn't fix her. She shouldn't need him to validate her feelings, they were quite real and she was allowed to feel them. "He looks at me like I'm barbed wire." Her tone dips, becomes sharp and unforgiving. It was still a lot to process. With the children, there hadn't been much time to grieve. Only time to get things done. Brennia's hand overlaps her own and her eyes sting where tears formed and were wiped away. "You say so every time you indulge me these ridiculous complaints." Alvina laughs quietly.
(2 of 2) Brennia, like Xiem and Lanara, tell her she's strong and it's become the single fastest way to bring the bard to tears. But do we ever feel the things we are? Or do we only see the fault lines where we wish we were better? "I'm literally going to cry, please." Brennia and Lana, unlike Xiem, were perfectly allowed to see her cry but they were in a cafe so..."We both are. We're overcoming the past and becoming our favorite versions of ourself and I blame you, don't try to talk me out of it either." Alvina sticks her tongue out at the avian. Unable to find the words to compliment her sweet sentiment, Alvina hopes Brennia knows she would die for her. She was invaluable to Alvina and that would never change.
Brennia wiggles her brows, "possible lipstick shade?" The avain takes her hands back only to shift her chair next to her friend's and allows her to lean on her shoulder while leaning in return. The sides of their heads rest against the other and her velvety warm wing curves around Alvina so people don't see them crying. Conveniently, with herself out of the way, the patio of the cafe overlooks the gardens and the beautiful blue skies. She slides her fingers between Alvina's as they simply sit there, looking over the breathtaking gardens of Schezerade. "I'm sorry you're not getting the closure your heart needs," she finally speaks while lifting her head slightly to look into her friend's eyes. "I see you, Alvina. I love you," in a different way, of course, but that goes without stating. "You are gorgeous. You are a patient and kind mother. Every time I am around you guys I can see that the kids do love you and appreciate you, even if they are not well equipped at showing it. I know I cannot even fathom that pain and I do not understand like he could, but you'll always hear things like this from me to you." With a deep breath, she turns her solid gaze back to the horizon, "I do feel a shift happening and brighter days are ahead - I just know it." She lets Alvina rest her head on her shoulder and then she rests her head on top of her's as they take another moment of quiet to take stock of their growing lives. Soon the pair surely end up brainstorming cool names for lipsticks like 'Vina Vixen', 'Bre Bombshell' and so forth.