Gwen nodded, considering this for a moment. “That’s the color my room was painted when I was younger. I like that color too. It’s easy on the eyes.” She let her smile soften as she watched the swans glide on the lake.
(Morning! How’re you feeling today?)
(G’morning
A bit shaky
You?)
Marla blinked, raising her hand to brush the corner of her eye with her fingers. It’s a similar colour to mother’s eyes.. “Yeah.”
(I have a math test next period so stressed atm. I’m sorry you’re still feeling sick!)
“What else can I interrogate you about?” She asked playfully,
(Sorry British, good luck! I’m sure you’ll do great
I’ve recovered, I just got an unsettling PM)
My sexuality. Marla bit the comment back with a secretive smile. “I don’t know, just ask away, I guess.”
(That was rough. And is everything okay with the P.M.? Was it a threat?)
Gwen raised an eyebrow in amusement at the expression on Marla’s face. “You’ll have to give me a few seconds. Ice breakers aren’t my strong suit.”
(Sorry British, but I’m sure it’ll turn out fine
Macha and I have faith in you!
Apparently, I’m an unnatural imperfection of a sin)
“Me neither,” she admitted, winding a lock of platinum hair around her finger.
(Lmao What MCR song did they steal that line from? And thank you, I appreciate the support!)
“Try and guess my favorite color.” Gwen scattered some of the breadcrumbs on the ground, hoping to draw in a swan.
(Lol. Np)
Marla scrunched up her nose in thought, biting the inside of her cheek. “Uh… gold? Orange? Green?”
Gwen’s eyes widened in surprise. “Hold up, hold up. How’d you guess gold on the first try? No one ever manages that.”
Marla blinked, an incredulous grin spreading across her face. "Wait– I got it right? I'm just as surprised as you are!"
Gwen burst into a light laugh. “It is a good color. Although I’m starting to think you’re reading my mind somehow.”
"I promise I didn't," she laughed, shifting into a more comfortable position. "I dunno.. it just seamed you. You know?"
“I don’t know, actually.” Gwen sat cross legged, running her fingers lightly through the grass. “I guess that’s a prophet thing. Your intuition must be off the charts.”
"I mean.." Marla glanced away, shrugging self-consciously. "I guess. I've always had a strong instinct."
(lol they forgot about the swans)
(That doesn’t surprise me at all lmao)
“Gods, sorry. Did I make you uncomfortable? I didn’t mean to, I swear.” Gwen looked away, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
(lol)
"Oh– not at all," Marla said quickly with a shake of her head, eyes widening slightly. Gwen seemed to be so worried about accidentally offending, she was beginning to wonder whether something had been done to her in the past. "I'm just awkward, I guess."
“Good.” Gwen sighed in relief, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “You don’t seem very awkward, just quiet. I don’t think it’s a bad thing either way.”
"Debatable…. at least when it comes to me." Marla cleared her throat, standing before Gwen had the opportunity to answer. "We forgot all about the swans, c'mon, let's go feed some birds."
“Oh! The swans!” Gwen scrambled to her feet, the bag of breadcrumbs still clutched in her hands. “How do we do this?”
Marla took the bag gently into her own hands, tipping a small handful of crumbs into her palm. Handing the bag back to Gwen, she carefully approached a swan, arm outstretched, The swan came forward without hesitation, eating straight from her hand. "Like that."
“You’re a better elf than I am.” Gwen complained, copying Marla and pouring breadcrumbs into her hand. “Are you sure about this?” She asked, actually somewhat nervous.
"Yeah, don't worry about it," she reassured the newfound friend quickly. "They won't attack, only defend if you intentionally hurt them. Trust me, I've done this a lot."
Gwen nodded, hesitantly creeping forward and outstretchung her hand with the breadcrumbs in it. “If I get eaten by a swan it’s all your fault.”
Marla laughed– again, what was happening to her?– shaking her head. "You're not going to get eaten, silly."
Gwen grumbled indignantly, but felt a surge of satisfaction when she heard Marla laugh. Maybe I am doing something right for once. She closed her eyes tightly, unable to handle the anticipation as a swan waddled over to her.
The swan bent an elegant neck to nibble out of her cupped palm, serene and surprisingly friendly. Marla stifled a giggle, prodding Gwen's shoulder. "Open your eyes, silly, there's a swan eating from your hand."
Gwen opened her eyes slowly, a bit shocked to see the swan there. “What do I do!?” She whispered frantically. “Animals are not my specialty!”
Marla chuckled, bumping her shoulder against Gwen's in a way that was meant to be encouraging. "Just let it– her, I think– eat. Relax. She's not going to bite."
Gwen stared at the swan, a little overwhelmed. “Just to be clear, I can’t pet it?” She was a little too curious for her own good as to how swan feathers felt, but thinking back to previous experience, she knew most birds were not fans of being pet.
"You can stroke her– gently and slowly," Marla affirmed, bumping their shoulders again. "LIke this." She demonstrated, seeming unfazed.
