#prizedfox

She stands still as a statue, her eyes glued to an unspecified point somewhere in the watery abyss below. She’s come here to think, to seek clarity for a chaotic mess of thoughts that has dominated her mind for the past week. The shootout did not occur here, but how many times had she read stories and accounts of cruel demise that had occurred here? The history of the bridge doesn’t escape her; and she had hoped that being in the epicenter of Rosvony’s violence would provide her with a vision of a fresh path she and the Angels ought to head regarding what had happened at the festival.

But, as her fingers curl around the rail and she swallows an invisible lump forming in her throat, it reminds her of the harsh reality. Nothing. A week has passed and my god, how hard each of them have worked to solve the mystery. Every single Angel — and nothing. Raven draws in a deep breath as frustration causes her eyes to flutter closed. How is it possible that they remain clueless? It shouldn’t be possible. Not with all the assets they have in their possession. Not when they’re supposed to run this city.

She’s deep in her thoughts; but not deep enough to lose all awareness of her surroundings. Although they haven’t initiated a conversation yet, her arrival is loud, her presence instantly demanding the attention of everyone in her vicinity. Some people’s minds just are like that; and though she didn’t come here for a social encounter, Raven releases her grip on the rail and turns toward Evelina anyway. “You look well.” She notes after a quick observation of her person ( because of course she knew the hand the masterminds behind the attack had dealt to Morozova ). “Either the wound wasn’t severe to begin with or you have an exceptional healer in your hands.”

Larger crowds, Raven finds, unnerve her even when she’s under the blissful influence of Ryker’s power. She may not be able to hear their thoughts, may not be subjected to their filth and lies, but so many people in one place always awakens the itch beneath her skin to just turn around and run. They’re all smiles and laughter and excitement now, she observes. Her eyes briefly follow a pair of twins, no more than ten years old, as they race past her toward a nearby stall selling candy. She listens halfheartedly as another couple debates between heading toward the Moaning Gulf or remaining at the Shopping District. It’s all fun and games, a scene straight out of a storybook. 

If only she could find it in herself, to enjoy it as well.

Without realizing it, her lips curve downward and something akin to misery flashes across her features. And that apparently doesn’t go unnoticed by a seller next to her because, quicker than her brain can process what’s happening, she’s handed something — two things, if she’s precise. Her fingers wrap around—she gazes downward—the lollipops, her lips part in surprise. She looks up at the seller too, but there’s no explanation other than briefly mouthed “for the sad girl” as they head to their stall to serve another customer. 

“Right.” Raven whispers to herself, eyes returning their focus on the two candies she now has. One she can enjoy herself, but what will she do with the other one? Especially since neither of her boys are within her sight range. There’s no use in letting the gift go to waste either; so when she senses a figure fairly nearby, she grabs one lollipop and holds it out to them. “You can have this one,” she announces quickly. The lack of established eye contact, or any attention, really, is purposeful — maybe then this moment will be over sooner and she can once more retreat to the comfort of her library. “It’s a sign of our... summer spirit.” An embarrassingly poor excuse, but about everyone here should buy it on this day, should they not?

Tessa could still remember the day Evie had drunkenly told her that she had put her as her emergency contact. She remembers how it had felt as if this only further tightened their bond as sisters. At that moment, while Evie drunkenly cooked them pasta, Tessa had realized that this would be forever. At least if she had anything to say about it. The woman in front of her was the family Tessa would never leave behind, she was her rock whenever the boat wasn’t steady. Evelina herself had probably never seen herself as that to other people, never thought she could give security and hold to a woman just as lost as herself but they had managed to hold onto one another with all their might and it had been enough. Well, it had been enough until now. 

“It seems like she has partially lost her memory, we can’t completely determine what parts are missing, especially since she doesn’t really talk to us. ” The doctor’s words still swam in her head as she now stepped into the room that they had put Evie into at Tessa’s request. It had cost more money than it should have but it was safer for Evie to be secluded like this and there was no amount of money Tessa wouldn’t pay for her best friend’s well being. The doctor had also said that often times people only lost a couple of years worths of memory and that Evie did remember who she was herself, apparently.

Laying eyes on Evie, she couldn’t help but flinch a little. Seldom had she seen her friend looking so small, so fragile. No, she had always been a whirlwind, a force to be reckoned with. “Hi, Evie,” she murmured softly, to get her attention. And that she got, but not in the way she had anticipated, not the slight smile she knew so well or the exhausted wave she might have expected. Instead Evie practically sprang out of her bed, doing something she could only consider snarling. 

The pain at the realization there was no sign of recognition in Evelina’s face was perhaps the harshest thing Tessa ever felt but with force she bit back that sadness and smiled a little. “I’m no threat to you. Not only because I would never want to hurt you but also because you could kill me twice before I could try once.” It was the truth, had always been and so Tessa lifted the picture she held of the two of them. It was the only framed picture they had in their apartment, one that showed slightly younger versions of themselves smiling on the bridge of tears. “I’m... I brought this. You obviously don’t remember right now but I’m Tessa. I’m the other girl in this picture.” She held it out for Evie to grab, which she did hesitantly. “This was four years ago on the day we decided to move into our apartment together,” she explained softly, watching Evie’s every move. 

“I will tell you everything you want to know, if you let me.” The doctor had said it might be helpful, he had said anything that might trigger memories would be helpful. “This doesn’t prove anything.” Evie’s voice was quiet but forceful and while Tessa couldn’t help but feel a little hurt, she had half expected this to happen. Evelina had after all never been particularly trusting. “See the ring on your right hand? I have the same one on mine.” Another fond memory, another sign of how tightly their lifes were interwoven now. “I’m also your emergency contact, if you want to ask the doctor. You don’t remember any of that right now but he said maybe I can help you get some of those memories back.” Hesitantly she a step toward Evie, careful so she wouldn’t alarm her. Taking her hand with the ring, she put her own one next to it. “You always thought the rings were silly but I love them. It’s a sign of belonging. I never feel alone anymore, when I look at mine.” 

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It was a rarity to see the Orlova heiress traipsing the streets of Central Rosnovy so blatantly, without the slew of half-hidden bodyguards by her side, or a blacked out G-Wagon tracking her every few blocks. Truces eluded to peace, and peace was a dual platter, best served with trust, meaning today (and only today), she was able to skirt the protective service that seemed to follow her like a pesky shadow. The only reason Tanya even bothered to show up to this piddly festival was because she was required to by the big man himself, and the only reason she hadn’t ignored Isaac’s direct order was because, well... she enjoyed her limited freedom, even if she was using it to shop. Bahler Designs had really outdone themselves for the summer season, Tanya herself clad in their red, double-breasted wool design, obligated to match the festival’s theme even if she found its existence taxing. When she had heard from her valet that they were already rolling out their fall designs, well, what better way to waste away her day? She spent the entire morning losing herself among the racks, making polite small talk with the shop hands and some nearby Rosnovians whose interest was undoubtedly piqued by her presence among them.

When she finally exhausted her politeness reserves, Tanya began taking her leave, having limited herself to a single outfit purchase so she wasn’t carrying bags around all day. She was all smiles and well wishes as she moved away, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw the quick movement of a man who didn’t want to be seen, ducking behind a corner and giving himself away. Without pause, Tanya turned on her heel and stormed away, a scowl permeating her features. Of course Antonio was following her, and of course she was infuriated by it.

There was no time to lose; heels clacking against the pavement, she dove off down an alleyway, then another, weaving her way through the shopping district until a familiar haunt finally presented itself. She practically dove through the back door of Gray’s, shedding her coat and shoving it away with her other purchase before attempting to sidle up to the bar. Having shouldered her way between the tightly packed bodies and perched herself on the farthest barstool from either entrance, Tanya finally breathed a sigh of relief, though it was quickly cut into a breathy gasp as she realized just who she was sitting next to.

“Un-fucking-believable, are you following me too?” the heiress groaned, ducking her head toward none other than Evelina, hoping a curtain of blonde curls would be enough of a shield from the prying eyes of her tail. Of course, now that she was this close, Tanya could smell the bourbon leaking off Evelina, liquor seeping off her skin and lingering on her muted breath. “Ah, no, you’re just drunk. You know it’s barely past noon, right?” she smarmed, a touch of a smirk dragging up her lips right as the back door opened once again, sending Tanya careening toward the other woman as she ducked beneath the bar top. At least no one, not even Antonio, would suspect Tanya willingly spending time with the most infuriating soldier in their ranks - she just had to hope to every God she didn’t believe in that Evelina would be too drunk to make a scene and blowing her cover. 

send me a ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse.

send me a ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse.