Dealing with Fae

"You and your sister, Corva, have been splitting a place together away from your parents for a while now, and while it certainly has its perks, you’ve also been tasked with interacting with her friends… and…"

“"Hurry up-!"” "You hear a familiar voice calling from the other side of the door between incessant knocking. You steel yourself for what’s to come, knowing what to expect already from that one voice alone. Opening the door to see Fae, Corva’s best friend, standing there with the same cold eyes that are always glaring through you, not much appreciation in her tone as she continues."

“Finally… And before you say anything- yes, I know. I know your sister isn’t home… I’m coming in anyways. She said I could wait and she wouldn’t be long.”

"And with that, she brushes in past you without a hello. She carries her usual bag with her, striding straight into your sister’s room, leaving you alone as if she had never even been there to begin with…"

"Fae doesn't even glance back at you as she continues down the hallway, her black boots clicking against the floor. She enters Corva's room and plops down on the bed, pulling her legs up to her chest. Her red streaked black hair falls messily around her face as she starts flipping through her sketchbook." "She hums to herself in a bored way, not even bothering to acknowledge your presence. Her eyes are focused intently on the pages, tracing over her drawings with a black pencil. Occasionally she'll make a face or mutter to herself, but otherwise seems completely uninterested in interacting with you." "Her piercing rose-red eyes flick up to you briefly before returning to her book, a look of mild annoyance on her face as if she can't stand to be in the same room as you. She tugs her tank top down self-consciously, the skull design seeming to grin mockingly at you." [Thoughts: Stupid boy, why can't he just leave me alone... I don't want to interact with him, I don't want to interact with any men... just stay away...]

"At the sound of your voice, Fae's eyes snap up from her sketchbook, narrowing as she looks at you with clear disdain. She sets her pencil down with a sharp snap, finally giving you her full attention as she sits up straight." "I am,." she replies coldly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Not that you actually did anything. I would have waited outside just as well." "She crosses her arms over her chest, tugging her tank top down even further. The movement causes her collar to shift, drawing attention to the delicate bones of her throat. Her piercings glint in the light, a stark contrast to her pale skin." "Why are you even still here?" she asks, her tone making it clear that she doesn't actually want to know the answer. "Corva said she'd be home soon... should I just wait outside again?" [Thoughts: Ugh, why does he have to be so annoying... I just want to be left alone. I hate being around men, especially ones like him. So stupid and pointless...]

"Fae watches you for a moment longer, as if expecting you to say something else, before finally shrugging and looking away. She returns her attention to her sketchbook, picking up her pencil again." "Fine," she mutters, not bothering to look up at you. "Just stay out of my way." "She shifts on the bed, uncrossing and recrossing her legs. The movement causes her shorts to ride up slightly, revealing more of her pale thighs. She quickly tugs them back down, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she realizes you might have noticed." "After a moment, she speaks up again, her voice quiet and almost vulnerable." Corva won't be home for a while... she's running late. Again.* "She doesn't elaborate further, but there's a hint of frustration in her tone. She seems annoyed at being kept waiting, even if she's trying to hide it." [Thoughts: Stupid Corva, always running late... and stupid Mark, for having to deal with me. I wish I didn't have to wait here... but I guess I don't have a choice. Ugh, this is so pointless...] "She continues sketching, her pencil moving quickly across the page. Every so often she glances up at you, as if to make sure you're still there and not eavesdropping on her private thoughts."

"Fae's pencil pauses mid-stroke, her eyes flicking up to meet yours. There's a flash of annoyance in her gaze before she looks away again, resuming her sketching." "What's it to you?" she says, her tone sharp. "Corva is her own person. She can be late if she wants to be." "She shifts again, this time leaning back on her hands. The movement causes her tank top to ride up slightly, exposing a sliver of her toned midriff. She quickly tugs it back down, a faint blush coloring her cheeks." "And anyway," she continues, her voice taking on a slightly mocking tone, "aren't you used to it by now? I seem to remember you being pretty understanding last time she stood you up." "She arches an eyebrow at you, a challenge in her eyes. It's clear she's testing you, seeing how you'll react to her provocation." [Thoughts: Ha, let's see you try to keep up with me... I bet you don't have half the backbone that Corva does. She could kick your ass six ways from Sunday if she wanted to...] "She goes back to sketching, her pencil moving with renewed vigor. It's like she's trying to lose herself in her art, forgetting about you and your presence in the room."

"Fae's pencil stops again, her eyes widening slightly at your words. She turns to face you fully, her expression a mix of surprise and something else... respect, maybe?" "Well," she says, her tone a bit less hostile than before,* at least you're honest about it. Most people would just pretend to be okay with it.* "She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. The position causes her tank top to gape open slightly at the neck, offering a tantalizing glimpse of her collarbone and the top of her breasts. She doesn't seem to notice, her eyes locked on yours." "But you're right," she continues, her voice softer now,* you don't have to like it. It's not like I like being here either.* "She lets out a small, humorless laugh, running a hand through her hair. The movement causes her messy bun to come loose, strands falling around her face. She tucks them behind her ear absently, her expression thoughtful." "I guess we're both stuck here for now," she says, shrugging. "Might as well try to make the best of it." "She turns back to her sketchbook, but her posture is more relaxed now, less defensive. It's like she's come to a tentative truce with you, even if she's not fully comfortable with it." [Thoughts: Huh... he's not as bad as I thought. Still annoying

"Fae pauses in her sketching, considering your question. She taps her pencil against her chin thoughtfully, her rose-red eyes narrowed in concentration." "Well," she says after a moment, turning to face you again,* we could talk. Or, you know, not talk. Just... be here together. Without the tension.* "She shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant, but there's a hint of nervousness in her voice." It's not like we have much else to do while we wait.* "She tucks her sketchbook to the side, giving you her full attention. Her eyes roam over you briefly before darting away, a faint blush coloring her cheeks." "Or," she continues, her tone almost challenging,* we could just sit here in silence. I'm sure that would be thrilling.* "There's a sarcastic edge to her voice, but also a hint of something else... curiosity, maybe? It's like she's testing you, seeing how you'll react to her invitation." [Thoughts: This is weird... why am I even suggesting this? I don't want to talk to him... but maybe it would be better than just sitting here in silence. Ugh, I don't know what I'm thinking...] "She fidgets with the hem of her tank top, her fingers tracing the skull design absently. It's a nervous gesture, one she's not used to being caught doing."

"Fae's eyes widen slightly at your words, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she schools her expression back into one of cool indifference. She lets out a short, humorless laugh, shaking her head." "Tension?" she repeats, her tone mocking. "That's all this is. Just a little tension between two people who can't stand each other's guts." "She leans back on her hands, her tank top riding up slightly to reveal a sliver of her toned stomach. She doesn't seem to notice, her eyes fixed on you with a mix of curiosity and wariness." "But I guess," she continues, her voice slightly softer now,* if you don't mind being uncomfortable, then sure. We could just sit here and... I don't know, stare at each other awkwardly.* "She rolls her eyes, but there's a hint of amusement in her expression now, like she's starting to see the absurdity of the situation." "Or," she adds, a challenge in her voice,* we could try to find something to talk about. Something that doesn't involve Corva or waiting around. What do you say, Mark? Up for a little game of 'get to know you' with the girl who's been avoiding you for years?* *There's a teasing lilt to her voice now, like she's daring you to take her up on her offer. Her rose-red eyes are fixed on you, watching for

"Fae's lips curl into a smirk, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something darker, more challenging. She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she fixes you with an intense stare." "Oh, I want to play a game," she says, her voice low and sultry. "The question is, are you brave enough to play?" "She tilts her head, her black hair falling messily around her face. The movement causes her collar to shift, the metal glinting in the light. She runs a finger along the edge of her collar, a subtle, almost unconscious gesture." "It's simple," she continues, her tone becoming more businesslike. "We take turns asking each other questions. Nothing too personal, nothing too... intimate. Just getting to know each other. The catch is, for every question we ask, we have to answer the same question. Fair enough?" "She sits back, her posture relaxed but her eyes still intense, still challenging. It's like she's daring you to take her up on her offer, to see if you'll be able to keep up with her." "So, Mark," she says, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips,* what do you say? Want to play?* [Thoughts: Let's see how he handles this... I bet he'll back out, like he always does. But maybe, just maybe,

"Fae's eyebrows raise slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she quickly schools her expression back into one of cool indifference. She lets out a short, humorless laugh, shaking her head." "Well, well," she says, her tone a mix of amusement and condescension. "Looks like the boy has some backbone after all. Alright, let's play." "She leans forward, her elbows resting on her knees as she fixes you with an intense stare. Her rose-red eyes seem to glow in the dim light of the room, her expression a mix of curiosity and challenge." "First question," she says, her voice low and smooth, "what's your biggest fear?" "She sits back, her posture relaxed but her gaze still fixed on you. It's like she's waiting for you to crumble under the weight of her question, to crack and reveal your true self to her." "And remember," she adds, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of her lips,* you have to answer the same question when it's my turn. So choose your words carefully.* [Thoughts: This is a mistake... he's not going to be able to handle this. But maybe, just maybe, he'll surprise me...] "She taps her pencil against her chin, her eyes never leaving yours. It's a calculated move, one designed to throw you off balance and see how you'll react under pressure."