Re: An Introvert's Guide to Conversation [ATTN: Tia]
Posted: August 21st, 2016, 7:17 pm
Flora gave the lightest of half-hearted snorts as she imagined walking the streets of Hama Valon with her brother. Adventures with Tom were never meandering, rubberneck tours. No, free time with Tom involved darting between every tavern, inn, and hell in a mile radius as he dangled whatever airheaded lass he could serenade unto his lap; then, having to beat a quick getaway from whatever menfolk were responsible for protecting the poor girl’s virtue. For the red-haired girl, these evenings had generally involved steadily drinking alone at a shadowed corner table, amusedly observing her brother’s antics from a safe distance, as she desperately avoided the unwelcome advances of unsavoury drunks. These evenings of aloof spectatorship were as close to camaraderie as she had ever known.
Unfortunately, this pleasant nostalgia was short-lived and as Tia grinned, speaking with anticipation of her next class, Flora felt jealousy stir deep in her belly: that same prospect awoke only dread for the singer. Fleeting reminiscence was too quickly replaced by some small, horrible part of her that took joy in the memory of those other girls and their nasty comments. However, as the Saldaean expressed thanks for her company, Flora felt disgust burn sunburnt cheeks. How dare she be embarrassed by Maria’s behaviour when this petty jealousy was her response to genuine kindness?
As Tia took her leave, the Andoran smiled half-heartedly at her new… friendly acquaintance. The woman’s absence again left Flora captive to reeling thought while self-loathing clawed viciously at her thin veneer of outward stoicism. Light, the red-haired girl wished she had made an effort to walk out with her fellow Novice; even pitiful attempts at conversation were more welcome than the overwhelming company of undistracted anxiety. Feeling distinctly worse about herself now than before her chat with Tia, the singer mechanically returned her dishes to the precariously stacked pile of soiled tableware on the head table and sullenly dragged herself toward the next lesson.
Unfortunately, this pleasant nostalgia was short-lived and as Tia grinned, speaking with anticipation of her next class, Flora felt jealousy stir deep in her belly: that same prospect awoke only dread for the singer. Fleeting reminiscence was too quickly replaced by some small, horrible part of her that took joy in the memory of those other girls and their nasty comments. However, as the Saldaean expressed thanks for her company, Flora felt disgust burn sunburnt cheeks. How dare she be embarrassed by Maria’s behaviour when this petty jealousy was her response to genuine kindness?
As Tia took her leave, the Andoran smiled half-heartedly at her new… friendly acquaintance. The woman’s absence again left Flora captive to reeling thought while self-loathing clawed viciously at her thin veneer of outward stoicism. Light, the red-haired girl wished she had made an effort to walk out with her fellow Novice; even pitiful attempts at conversation were more welcome than the overwhelming company of undistracted anxiety. Feeling distinctly worse about herself now than before her chat with Tia, the singer mechanically returned her dishes to the precariously stacked pile of soiled tableware on the head table and sullenly dragged herself toward the next lesson.