UPTOWN | DUSK
“Your father is a sethearcruel in Gioran dythtedepetty in Gioran erse, just like mine. I should have known better. I really should have. YaldyetShit in Gioran.” The petite woman slipped into her own tongue, colorfully expressing how she felt at that moment with words rather than tears, tapping her finger on the shotglass to demand another one. As the keep came over to pour the faintly blue-glowing spirit, Athrym glanced at the red head, looking over his own sincere face as he searched her own. Steeling herself and shooting back the drink as Nauleth slumped back in his chair, the Gioran shuddered and pushed the glass away, leaning both arms on the wood and scowling at the drinks that lined the back wall.
“It’s ridiculous, really. I thought I’d been selected to come here because of my academic prowess, and you know I was actually in shock. I’m a half-breed, unpure, but I still got to represent my people in the great University of Brunnhold. So stoic and proud, my mother groomed me to be exactly what I needed to be, but it was all false. Lord Bruthgrave had his hand in the whole thing. I wasn’t chosen because I outshone or impressed anyone. I was chosen because I make a good bargaining chip.” Looking back at the freckled man, the blonde sighed and stood straighter.
“You of all people don’t need to apologise, Professor. I’m afraid you were clearly the other part of the chessboard, the King to my fathers Queen so to speak. We’ve both been tricked.” Turning to face him properly, her hands gestured passionately and her brow turned from a frown of anger to one of frustration.
“The worst thing is, Nauleth, I realised in that moment as you asked, that I’m stupidly in love wi—” She stopped herself short, cheeks turning a dark pink and eyes dropping to her hands as they fiddled before her, the bold daring foreigner suddenly shy as emotional truths feel from her lips.
“I’m in love with you. And…argh!” Throwing her hands over her face and sinking onto the chair beside her, the Gioran took a few slow breaths, lowering them again with red rimmed eyes shining with unwanted tears that so violently fought against her wishes.
“It was a beautiful, wonderful, breathtaking surprise. I didn’t think…I didn’t think you Anaxi ever did anything so bold and recklessly wonderful, and oh, my heart just about stopped.” She laughed, sighing heavily and rolling her eyes to the ceiling, lip trembling for a fraction of a moment as her field pulsed with frayed emotions.
“Love is such an illogical concept. It’s messy and painful and lovely and so unplanned. I don’t really know why anyone would want to feel like this, but I couldn’t imagine not feeling like this. I feel so stupid, because really, we are a smart coupling. I could have been logical and jumped to that conclusion first. Then, none of this would have mattered, his gloating wouldn’t have mattered. But it did. It does. Damn it, it does.” Turning back to the bar, she closed her eyes and pressed her forehead into her hands, elbows resting on the hard wood.
“EyhadaSound of apathy in Gioran.” She sighed, turning her face to rest her cheek on her now laced fingers, looking at the taller man with a small smile.
“How you feel about me then, Professor? What was it, we compliment each other? It was a very nice proposal.” Tilting her head further to rest her chin on her knuckles, the pale blonde looked at him with an arched brow.
“You know, you didn’t really get to hear my answer before Hadrian stole the limelight. Did you…” Spinning on her chair to face the man again, legs crossed, the young woman smiled.
“Did you still want to hear it?” She asked with a slightly teasing tone, as though waiting for him to wave her off and let the moment pass.