“Pardon me, Kai, but this is none of your business.” Grace’s eyes were watering, but she refused to cry in front of Robin. She tried to duck under Kai’s arm, just so she could see Robin’s face. “If that’s all you think of me, then why bother making niceties when we see one another? If all I am is some propagandist,” she spat the word, “then just ignore that I exist! I have plenty of company!” She stopped trying to edge past Kai, and instead, wrapped an arm around his steady waist. “People who understand why I leave. Right, Kai?” @littlexrobin
Robin was no genius. Or least she didn’t think of herself as one. But she knew what Grace was implying as soon as it was said. So that was it then. A reason she had chosen not to come back. The redhead turned away from the blond and towards the man. The one that Grace had called Kai. “I would’ve said you were lucky, once upon a time.” her mouth was dry already, which wouldn’t have been expected in the middle of the night though she had already sobered up so maybe she was already hungover. The whole night had felt like a hangover. “But whatever happened with the two of you and all of you people in this fucking castle…” It was barely more than a whisper as Robin tried to get her thoughts in a line as she looked back at Grace. “I hope you find happiness in your search for your legend. And I hope you know I loved the girl you were when you left. But I have no idea who you are anymore and this… this place has fucked you up. So I’m going to emulate that girl who was my hero, and I’m going to leave. And you can be me, and you can stay. You know where I’ll be.” The redhead was surprised at herself. She had expected more tears. Or to be louder. But she didn’t have the energy for it anymore. Starting to turn, she looked at Kai. She wanted to say something, extend an olive branch of peace or at least understanding that there was no ill will, but she couldn’t find the energy for the words. She simply offered a small nod to him before turning on her heel and making a beeline for the door, the tavern, and her rented bed.
“You are making it everyone’s business, Grace,” Kai pointed out, glancing at the people staring all around them pointedly. He caught her when she tried to duck past him, figuring that the only way this could get worse was if it came to actual blows. Then she wrapped her arm around him, and he inwardly groaned. Of course she’d find another way to make it worse, it was Grace.
He felt for the girl who turned to leave, he understood what she meant. Court change people, whether they liked it or not, for good or for ill. Some people thrived here, it brought them to life and they grew and learned, while others were so caught up in the games that they became a shadow of their former selves. It wasn’t just a twisted place, like some believed, but having so many vibrant personalities and bright minds in one place could have explosive results. He kept a firm grip on Grace as Robin departed, figuring it was for the best if she had time to calm down... and from the scent of Grace’s breath, time to sober up. “Come on, let’s find you a place to lie down,” he told her, guiding her towards a side passage.