Chapter Text
“Oh come on Rory.”
Arial was facing Aurora, walking backward. They were walking along the edges of Oceena, the water kingdom, enjoying the day before Arial had to trek back to Mills.
“I already told you no Arial. If we get caught, we are both going to get in serious trouble. We can’t risk having anyone see you here.”
“No one will see us!”
“That’s not true and you know it. If Emberra hears that a citizen of Mills is in Oceena–and talking with the princess mind you–they will start war. And sorry to say it but I don’t feel like having to lead a war as a 15 year old princess because my best friend was being stubborn.”
“Okay, that’s fair but still! Your people aren’t ones to rat us out! Besides, it’s not like your parents are here to scold us!”
Aurora stopped in her tracks. Why did she have to bring that up?
“Oh, I’m sorry. That was out of pocket. I just- I thought you were at the point where joking about it was okay but it’s not. I’m so sorry Rory.”
Aurora closed her eyes. The breeze picked up a bit, sparking a chill that ran throughout her full body. The waves crashed nearby as she stood near the empty beach, her best friend beside her. Sure, her parents weren’t here anymore. And maybe she made jokes to cope with trauma or sadness, but did that give other people permission to crack a joke too? Well, maybe Arial.
“It’s ok, you didn’t mean it to be rude.”
A sigh of relief.
Arial and Aurora were never meant to meet. It just happened to be fate that a small, silver-haired girl with blonde freckles waltzed past the Oceena border and bumped into the princess on her 8th birthday. The best birthday present ever.
“Please can we go to the docks? Just for a minute!” Arial begged.
“Fine,” Aurora replied with a roll of her eyes. “Just a minute though, got it?”
“Yup!”
The two strolled along until they reached the docks. Small row boats laid along the shore as calm waves crashed and rolled along the sand. The water wasn’t as clear today as most other days, but it was still beautiful. The teal color contrasted the gray-ish blue sky behind it, and the white clouds above. The gusts of wind made this scenery feel as if it were one from a dream.
“I wish everyday was like this.”
Arial turned her head toward her friend in curiosity. To her, today was a gloomy day. No place to fly, too windy to be enjoyed, the sky too dark to be outside too long.
But to Aurora, everything seemed to be at a standstill. Finally, no royal duties to fulfill, no treaties to uphold, no image to maintain, no people breathing down her neck to make sure she does what everyone wants: be like her parents. She could be herself for the first time in a long time.
There was no noise other than the noise of the waves, the wind, and the two girls standing on the dock, breathing in and out.
“I would have hated weather like this.”
“It’s perfect.”
Now Arial thought she was crazy. How could you possibly enjoy a day so…dull?
“I disagree.”
“I don’t need the sun to enjoy the water. A day like today is calm. No one is around to yell at me, or tell me how I’m doing something wrong. The water reaches toward me to pull me in and yet I must stay on the shore. The wind pushes me further from my duties, but knows when to draw the line. Today is…perfect. And besides, you’re here.”
Arial stood silent for a moment. A small blush spread faintly across her cheeks.
“Thanks,” she muttered, “I’m glad you agreed to bring me.”
Aurora smiled and turned back to the blues, teals, and grays that contrast her friend’s cheeks.
“Though I must admit princess, I like you better in the sunlight. It’s easier to see the gold in your eyes…and hair.”
She noticed them?
“Oh- uhm- yeah. I guess that’s a good reason. I don’t know though, it feels like the warmth from the sun isn’t warmth it’s just…heat. I like the cool breezes that the clouds let in. It’s all so-”
“Calm.”
“Yeah. Calm.”
The two sat down and watched the water for hours in silence, just simply basking in each other’s company.
Once the sun began to set, Arial decided to return home to Mills. They walked to the border of Oceena again, as they did everytime Arial visited, and bid farewell. Letting go of their embrace, Aurora got a good look at Arial. She noticed how her gray eyes had a light purple undertone and flecks of gold within them. Her blonde freckles were barely visible now but Aurora always found them. They were a light blonde which made them hard to see unless she was in direct sunlight, but Arial was beaming right now. It was almost as if Ilios himself laid a sunbeam down on her just for this moment; just so Aurora could infatuate herself with her friend’s beauty.
Arial strutted on the path, through the forest and just as she was almost out of sight, she turned around one last time to see her friend. Aurora, in all her beauty: a faint smile, a faint blush, and a hopeful gaze.