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 Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 2:34 pm
 location DORM xxxxx company IZZIE xxxxx outfit CASUAL WEAR ”Of course. And, if you ever need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask. That’s what friends do, right?”
Nayeni beamed and nodded, all too grateful for the offer. Even if their abilities weren't directly translatable, she was certain she would be able to learn all kinds of things with Izzie's guidance. And it was even better that Izzie was already willing to call them friends! "Yes, and -- if there's ever anything I can do to help you, I will be more than happy to!" she chimed with a half-hearted attempt to reel back the excitement in her voice. It was hard for her to maintain a quiet volume when she was feeling so elated. And while Nayeni wasn't sure that she would be of much help to anyone, she was thrilled by the prospect of it. Surely it had to feel so wonderful, knowing someone was able to rely on you for something.
It was a bold hope for her -- especially when she did not even notice Izzie's momentary tension.
Nayeni's smile held strong as her friend praised her mother. She thought very highly of all of her family, but her pride in her mother was the most strong, after everything the woman had accomplished. It was only when Izzie reflected on the misery their world had seen that Nayeni's smile softened into something sadder, more tender. "Yes, I agree... I suppose it can be very difficult to put your feelings aside, when they can be so incredibly overwhelming, but..." She trailed off with a distant look. "Well. Even if everyone could just try, things would be better, I think."
With her embarrassment over her miserable tale, Nayeni had not dared so much as a glance toward Izzie, for worry about what she would find in the other girl's face. Hanging out with friends was supposed to be fun and uplifting, but she simply did not know how to express her situation in such a way. And she most definitely did not want Izzie to think she was miserable to be around. So when the redhead extended a hand in comfort, Nayeni felt the teensiest bit less guilty.
But she was expecting a normal touch -- not a playful tug of her hair. It was so silly and unexpected and charming that Nayeni had to bite back a little laugh, and instead grinned so wide her cheeks hurt. Izzie's words warmed her heart, enough that she unfolded her body, dropping her heels against the soft carpet beneath their chairs. "That's a very good way of looking at things. Your brother sounds like a very smart man," she responded, echoing Izzie's earlier statement. "I'll have to keep that in mind when I start to worry. It's hard not to be afraid of making mistakes, but you're right... The mistakes teach us the most important lessons."
Her juice wasn't quite enough to soothe the ache forming in her throat, but still Nayeni drank a little more, hoping her voice would hold at least for the rest of their conversation. She nodded along to Izzie's statements, and once more had to hold back what would have been gleeful laughter at the other girl's antics. "I am very alright with it," Nayeni affirmed warmly. "I'm really happy to have met you, and to be able to talk with you like this. It just goes to show how much we all have in common with one another, even when our lives have been lived worlds apart. Headmistress Gunter is very wise and brave, working so hard to bring us all together."
She smiled at Izzie meaningfully, reflecting upon the circumstances of their meeting. That night had been so terrifying, and even though they'd barely been able to communicate, they still made it through together. Now here they were, chatting like old friends. The world certainly worked in mysterious ways!
Nayeni poured herself another glass of juice -- her last before she switched to water, she swore -- and snuggled into her seat. She was pleased Izzie had eaten a little bit more, which she hoped meant the other girl was feeling more comfortable. "You mentioned your best friend doesn't get along with your brothers?" she ventured curiously. In that, Nayeni could relate. Not so much the siblings part, but having a best friend who didn't get along with other people in one's life? She knew the feeling all too well. "Is your friend here, at Utopia?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:13 pm
 
The reciprocated offer had delight racing over Izzie’s features. She was doing it. She was making a new friend of someone outside of her circle. It was exhilarating. And terrifying, if she were being honest with herself. She did her best to focus more on the former than the latter, holding it within her like a lifeline. She was going to enjoy this for as long as she could. Reality, and the consequences of it all, could be handled when she left the room. Or so she told herself, as she smiled and nodded at her companion.
The expression on her features only brightened at the next words to leave Nayeni’s lips. The girl was far more aware than she probably realized. It solidified her resolve to keep her as a friend, knowing that they were sure to be stronger together than not. They had similar views on the world, and they could be some of the first to take the steps to help the world. It was a beautiful vision, and while she knew it would take a while to get there, Iz wanted to try. Like her new friend had said, just trying could make things better. It was another thing she hid away in her secret part of her heart, determined to do whatever she could to help Nayeni make it happen.
”Then let us be the first. Right here and now, we promise to keep moving forward no matter how hard or overwhelming it can be. Together, okay?” It was a silly thing to offer, not knowing what the future had in store for either of them. But it felt…right. Like the first step to healing the broken world they all had come from. It bolstered her confidence and made her feel more secure in her choice to befriend the woman before her. Perhaps it had been fate that had put them together on that scary day, and who was she to defy fate?
Nayeni’s response to her teasing had her own features beaming in response, glad that she had taken the action as she had intended. It brought the mood back up and had her laughing softly at the comment about her brother. Connor would have been amusingly offended by such a statement, Liam would have just seen it as a truth rather than a compliment, and Finn would have just laughed it off. Her brother’s were an interesting bunch, something she hoped to share more of with her new friend down the line. For now, Izzie just kept the thoughts to herself and nodded in agreement. To her, they were some of the smartest men in her world. Tiny as it was, of course.
”And if you ever do feel worried, you can always come find me. Building a bridge of peace starts with trusting each other first, right?” There was no one in the world she trusted more than her best friend, so was it a slight against her to offer such a thing to another. Especially one so new to her? The war within her raged, tearing at what her heart wanted and what her head was screaming at her. Iz did her best not to focus on it, preferring instead to revel in the pure joy of Nayeni’s next words. The girl was alright with being her friend! How amazing was that?!
”Aww, that’s sweet of you. The feeling is most certainly mutual. I’ve never had a friend outside of my bestie. My mother said my brother’s should count, but that’s just silly. They have to put up with me, doesn’t mean they have to be my friends as well.” Her words pulled a soft chuckle from her lips, remembering the bewildered look on her mother’s face when she’d said those exact words. It wasn’t that she didn’t adore her brother’s. She just couldn’t see them on the same level as Gwen. Or Nayeni now, she mused as she sipped from her juice once more.
”I am also in agreement with your view of our Headmistress. Though, I am curious about her. Have you ever met the woman? Or seen her around? You’d think we would have seen her at some point by now, right?” It was a thought that had been bugging her since her arrival at the academy. She’d thought about sharing it with Gwen, or even Ellis, but hadn’t wanted it to be heard by another. Here, in her new friend’s room, Izzie was certain they would be unheard. Or so she hoped, anyway. The thought threatened to stir her nerves again, so she did her best to leave it alone and nibbled at her cookie.
The shift in topic to Gwen and her brother’s had her laughing softly once more. To say that they didn’t get along was a serious understatement. Not that any of them would admit such a thing out loud. Gwen had such a unique personality, and her brother’s just didn’t get it. Liam knew better than to speak up against the crown, Connor didn’t like the way Gwen spoke to her but knew it would hurt her rather than him, and Finn made it a point to avoid the princess unless ordered to do otherwise. It was a stressful situation, but one that she hoped to fix someday. When all of this was over and they could all find peace amongst the kingdoms.
”Yeah. They all have very different personalities. It tends to be a bad combination sometimes, so they just keep their distance. The only time they really interact is during royal events when we all have to be a united front.” And while she would have loved to say that the events had been easy going, she knew she couldn’t lie. Connor always made it a point to try and spar verbally with Gwen, Liam stood at his post and ignored her and her brothers, and Finn hung out in the back unless their father told him otherwise. She was the one that usually did the most, playing the part of dutiful daughter and Duchess. And friend, if Gwen ever needed her, of course.
Izzie popped the last of her cookie into her mouth at Nayeni’s next question, her head nodding in response. She contemplated how best to answer, concerned that her friend would be upset for giving up too much. Not that Nayeni hadn’t probably seen the amazing woman that was her best friend. Gwen was the smartest, prettiest, most talented person she had ever known. Maybe it was a good thing. Her bestie was sure to be another great influence for the young woman. With her mind made up, she finished off her juice and set the glass aside to relax back into her chair.
”Yeah, she is. Her name is Gwen. I’m sure you’ve seen her around in class.”
Location: Nayeni’s dorm Company: Nayeni
Thoughts: ‘I’m so full…’ OOC:
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