Bridgette and Dawn: “Aura of the Waves” 🌊(Friends only! Another fanart based on my fic, Redemption)
HEADS UP: THIS IS NOT A SHIPPING ART. THEY’RE FRIENDS HERE!
Sorry for the caps, just wanted to make that clear😅😅
This is another moment from my post-AS, pre-RR fic, Redemption. This happens during the second half of Ch. 13, on Bridgette’s Side-story (The Aura of the Waves). In this part of the chapter, we switch POVs, from Gwen’s to Bridgette’s as she goes through another day of her new job post-TD, Surfing Instructor. And it’s not just her. She works alongside her love, Geoff, and their mutual friend, Brody. On that particular day, however, she gets a visitor after her shift is over: the aura whisperer, Dawn. To make the long story short as to how they know each other: Bridgette helped her out from the garbage bag she was put in after her elimination from ROTI. From there, the two stroke an amazing friendship.
During their talk, Dawn takes notice of how beautiful the day was looking and how the ocean water just seemed right. She liked the vibe so much, she wanted to try out surfing, and Bridge was more than happy to teach her. Needless to say, Dawn turned out to be a fast learner and managed to keep up well with the surfer girl’s instructions, something that made Bridgette incredibly proud and happy. After a short while, the two friends eventually had to head back, but not before Dawn comments on something. Here’s the snippet that tells you everything you need to know:
“My aura reading friend and I began to paddle back to the beach. As we did, she sat up on her board at one point and she commented on something that resonated with me.
- You know… this really is a beautiful beach. Its aura is… I don’t know, it just feels right. The animals that roam around here, the surrounding nature, and just the way the waves moved on the horizon and how their energy seemed to resonate with me were what made me want to try out surfing. – She explained. – Sorry, I know I’m rambling but… -
- No, my friend, don’t apologize. – I stopped her, sitting up on my board as well. – I totally get what you mean. This has quickly become one of my favorite places to surf around here because, like you said, it just feels right. It feels like a beach made for memories that’ll last a lifetime. –
That last part… while the good times came up upon hearing those words, one bittersweet memory invaded my mind, one that intensified as I looked at one particular section of the beach. Suddenly, I could feel my smile fade and my eyes drift down, looking at my own blurry reflection on the water below me.
- Are you ok, Bridge? Despite the beautiful comments, you seem… crestfallen. – Dawn had noticed and then asked me, feeling concerned.
- It’s… it’s something very hard to forget about, Dawn. It’s not particularly sad, but not really happy either. –
- I’m sorry if I’m somehow prying with this but… your aura indicates that it’s… grief what you’re feeling. –
I nodded, feeling melancholic.
- You see that rock over there? – I asked her, pointing at a rock over a piece of land that also served as a viewing spot for the beachgoers, lifeguards and the surfers themselves.
- It was right there where Geoff took me, mom, Lexa (AN: Bridgette’s younger sister in this fic) and, well, in a way… dad. –
Dawn’s eyes looked curiously at me for a second but then seemed to jump a bit with a quiet gasp coming out of her mouth, understanding what I had meant.
- That’s where you set him free, didn’t you? – She asked me.
- He lived for the ocean, it just seemed right. – I replied, feeling some tears form into my eyes as I remembered everything that had led to that point in time. – It never really mattered what beach it was; he was always on the hunt for a great wave. Even after he had to reduce his time on the water and focus on another job, his surfer soul was always there with him, and with enough love for mom, for my sister, and for me. He was, or rather still is, my biggest inspiration. And with every wave I ride, I think of him. –
I felt a pair of arms wrapped around my abdomen and a head lying on my shoulder. My aura-reading friend was giving me a comforting hug, which I instantly appreciated as I wrapped my left arm over her head and hugged her back.
- Sorry for your loss, my friend. – Dawn said gently.
- Thank you. – I replied, just as softly. – And you know, not only was he set free there, that’s also where his spirit is honored. The place where any one of us can pay him a visit. –
- Hmm… oh! I think I can understand now why the waves around here have such a vibrant aura. -
- With what you’re telling me now, I’d like to believe that the aura on the water is your father. Watching over you and those you care about. –
I smiled through some more tears and sniffles. I carefully nodded.
- I can absolutely see that, Dawn. Thank you for sticking with me on this. –
- We’re friends, Bridgette. That’s what friends are for. – “
Yup, in this story’s case, Bridgette lost her father to illness. I hope it wasn’t a bit much if I gave her such a thing. I always thought it’d be interesting to write a character with a family tragedy, or at least one that’s close. Writing this moment and how Dawn was able to use her aura-reading powers to help Bridgette grieve and make her feel better explaining how she perceives the way her dad’s spirit is watching over her now was a highlight for me and it did get me emotional.😭 The artwork depicts the moment Dawn approaches Bridge to hug her, and how Bridgette appreciates the gesture.🥺🥺
You may have noticed two things: 1. Bridgette has a brand new wetsuit! It’s her instructor’s suit and the academy where she works at gave it to her to keep, meaning she can use it in competitions! 2. Dawn has a wetsuit of her own! It’s based on her original swimwear’s colors but with green lines across. Bridgette loaned it to her along with the board and Dawn can use it again if she decides to take another surf session with her.
Shading and lighting this piece was HARD! I wasn’t sure what mood to go for but the sunset setting just seemed best to me, so I went for it. Hopefully, I cooked. The scene is supposed to be emotional and as an additional detail to make it so, there’s tears on Bridgette’s eyes. She’s remembering and missing her father while at the same time being glad that a good friend is there to see her through it.🥹
Like my Cody and Kitty artwork, I’m leaving you guys with the full piece and two transparent PNGs of just Bridgette and Dawn.
Honestly, if they ever met properly in canon, these two would be best friends. She’d even make Bridge’s list of BFFs (which includes Leshawna, Gwen, and Courtney).
That’s all for now, hope you guys enjoy!!☺️☺️
