Branwen - retired
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
-I wanna hold you high and steal your pain-
Posts: 169
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Moment
Jul 8, 2004 18:07:24 GMT
Post by Branwen - retired on Jul 8, 2004 18:07:24 GMT
"Don't be sorry," Branwen pleaded softly, her eyes following him as he moved to the window to stare out into the night. At his next question, a strained smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, a smile he did not see, as he was turned away from her. She drew a breath and clasped her hands tightly in her lap as she attempted to give him the explanation he so sorely deserved.
"His name is Zowan Fireside," Brae began, her gaze taking on a far-away cast. "I met him in November, only briefly, and then... he was the first to find me here in the Owlery when I learned of my mother's murder." She remembered the events of that day so clearly, so vividly, it seemed as if it had happened mere hours before rather than months and months ago.
"We've been through a lot together, good and bad," the Prefect continued, her voice cracking slightly as she recalled the trip they had taken to Hogsmeade for her birthday, the kiss at the starlit dance that the Valkerie Kasatzia had put on... the way she had held him in the Astronomy Tower when he confessed that he was ill.
Their fight by the lake.
"We had an argument," the half-elf reached up to almost angrily brush away the single drop of wetness that slid down her cheek, "and we haven't spoken since. I see him sometimes..."
She broke off finally; it was too painful, too much. Branwen's head dropped to her folded arms resting atop her knees as she tried vainly to keep from dissolving into tears.
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Branden
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Wandering...
Posts: 241
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Moment
Jul 9, 2004 4:37:29 GMT
Post by Branden on Jul 9, 2004 4:37:29 GMT
Branden clenched the ledge, his knuckles white as Branwen recounted the details of her relationship with this other boy.
But when he heard her voice slip, he turned around and walked quickly over to where she sat, squatting next to her.
"Branwen... don't cry, please.." he said softly, brushing a lock of her hair back out of her face. "I'm sorry for doing this to you. I didn't know... but... if he doesn't care for you, when you love him this much?" He gave a slight chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief.
"The boy has no idea what he's missing." He smiled again, the anger gone from his eyes to be replaced with a mixture of worry and gentleness.
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Branwen - retired
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
-I wanna hold you high and steal your pain-
Posts: 169
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Moment
Jul 9, 2004 10:13:29 GMT
Post by Branwen - retired on Jul 9, 2004 10:13:29 GMT
"Don't worry about it, it's all right," Brae reassured him with a sigh. Some part of her knew he was making sense, that what he was saying was logical and she should consider it. She couldn't, though, she couldn't accept that Zowan didn't care for her at all.
"I can't give up on him," Branwen tried to explain, but knew it wasn't coming out right. She closed her eyes. "You never know what could happen..."
The Prefect fell into silent contemplation, arguing vehemently with herself over whether to show him or not. Then she shook her head slightly, and looked up to give him a small smile. Not just yet... She didn't want to frighten him off; it was so hard for her to make friends.
"Branden, will you walk me back to the Common Room, please? It's getting late... "
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Branden
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Wandering...
Posts: 241
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Moment
Jul 9, 2004 10:29:40 GMT
Post by Branden on Jul 9, 2004 10:29:40 GMT
Branden's mouth smiled at her, but his eyes were full of emotion. Sadness, disappointment, jealousy... it was all there.
"Sure," he said, trying to keep his voice light. He stood, offering her his hand. He looked at the ground, avoiding her eyes.
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Branwen - retired
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
-I wanna hold you high and steal your pain-
Posts: 169
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Moment
Jul 13, 2004 9:05:01 GMT
Post by Branwen - retired on Jul 13, 2004 9:05:01 GMT
Brae got to her feet with a quiet sigh and rubbed her eyes. She was tired, drained, and he wouldn't look at her. She understood why he couldn't, and would not request that he do such a thing. Instead, she took Branden's hand carefully and pushed open the door.
"Thank you for showing me Bryn," she said quietly, looking out over the grounds. Brae wished for a moment that she could return the feelings so obvious in his dark downcast eyes, but it was just not possible. Her heart was no longer in her possession.
She started out of the Owlerly and tugged Branden's fingers gently.
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Branden
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Wandering...
Posts: 241
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Moment
Jul 14, 2004 1:15:04 GMT
Post by Branden on Jul 14, 2004 1:15:04 GMT
Branden tried not to flinch when Branwen took his hand. He followed her slowly out the door, keeping his eyes on the ground. He chuckled mirthlessly when she thanked him.
“I’ve made a right fool of myself, haven’t I?” he asked softly. He looked up and locked eyes with her. “I.. I am sorry,” he said haltingly. “I… should have asked first. I’m sorry.” He dropped his eyes again as they walked slowly back toward the Common Room.
“I would…” He stopped, and took a breath, looking back up at her. “I would like to be friends. If you want to,” he rushed. “I mean… after this, I understand if you don’t…” He smiled slightly and dropped his gaze once more.
To be friends… it wasn’t what he had wanted; but he wasn’t going to get what he’d wanted. To be friends with this girl would be more than good enough. More than what he deserved, after this fiasco. But that was it, wasn’t it. After this, she probably didn’t ever want to see him again…<br> He followed her along the hallway in silence.
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Branwen - retired
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
-I wanna hold you high and steal your pain-
Posts: 169
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Moment
Jul 14, 2004 18:41:35 GMT
Post by Branwen - retired on Jul 14, 2004 18:41:35 GMT
At the entrance to the Common Room, Branwen sighed the password more than she spoke it. For the entire walk back, she had not once let go of Branden's hand. She hadn't spoke either, but she hadn't dropped his fingers. Her grip had in fact tightened when he told her he would understand if she didn't want to be friends, and she shook her head in silent negation, hoping he would understand that, as well.
What happened was as much her fault as it was his, but it was no reason to stifle a new friendship that was as delicate as the first green sprout of spring. She went in first, stepping over the threshold of the Commons, her fingers still woven with his, and then she stood motionless for a moment.
Suddenly, the Prefect turned blindly, and wrapped her slightly trembling arms around Branden's neck in a fierce hug that only lasted a few seconds. It was long enough, however, to whisper a few words in his ear before she pulled away and quickly ascended the stairs to the girl's dorms.
"Don't be sorry anymore. I feel it, too."
It was the truth. She was only human, after all... well. Halfway, at least.
"Goodnight, Branden," the quiet goodbye drifted down the steps as the door to the girl's quarters snicked shut.
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Branden
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Wandering...
Posts: 241
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Moment
Jul 15, 2004 8:54:03 GMT
Post by Branden on Jul 15, 2004 8:54:03 GMT
Branden stood there for a long moment after Brae had gone upstairs. He could still feel the warmth of her arms around his neck, and his hand tingled where their fingers had been entangled.
He gazed up the stairs after her, still seeing her face, hearing her voice.
I feel it, too...
He smiled slightly to himself, turning and walking slowly up the stairs to the dorms.
Tomorrow was another day.
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