Just some Hollyberry jealousy for my Act 2 rewrite... meet Berry Compote, my OC to fill in the Adonis role in the Eternalholly relationship!
Hollyberry had never been a jealous woman.
She had always been bold and determined, unapologetic about pursuing what she wanted. She had never been like Golden Cheese when her greed got the better of her, or even Pure Vanilla in the deepest depths of his yearning over White Lily. If she wanted something or someone, she spoke up, asked questions, and never let envy fester.
If this was jealousy, she hated it.
For the tenth time, she looked up to the head of the table. Her stomach twisted at the sight that greeted her, her hand tightening around the cup she held.
Berry Compote sat next to Eternal Sugar, talking to her, too low to make out in the conversation of the dining room. Her quiver of arrows and bow were tossed aside on the floor, left for someone to trip on. She sat next to her, leaning forward as if Eternal Sugar was the sun and she was the Earth, always wanting to be a bit closer. She understood the desire. Eternal Sugar was smiling brightly, the same warm smile she gave her when they first met, leaning just as close. One of her bright pink curls brushed her cheeks.
She had moved her curls out of her face when she had picked up her body, and the smell of sugar had been sour, sickly.
Hollyberry took a swig, glanced back, and felt her stomach twist to the point that she felt sick.
Berry Compote had shifted positions. Her short chiton, a soft, petal-pink hue, had ridden up, exposing more of an elegant, sun-kissed leg, and one of her clasps was falling down, revealing her cleavage. What made her stomach upset wasn't the way that Eternal Sugar's eyes glanced down to her breasts, but the way she stroked her hair, revealing a pin that Hollyberry hadn't noticed, keeping Berry Compote's red curls in place.
It was a simple hairpiece, golden at one end. What made her stare was the white feather, tinged slightly pink.
The rest of the room had quieted, enough that she could hear. Or maybe she was imagining? She couldn't tell.
"I never take it off, my Virtue."
"Berry Compote, do not be like that. You know of your privileges, and it is exhausting to never hear my name from you." Her hand paused. "Except for that one time."
There was a laugh. "I'm sorry, Eternal Sugar. I didn't mean to upset you." She reached up, cupping her hand. Her thumb rubbed her palm. "Do you remember when I received it?"
Eternal Sugar laughed. "I do. You stumbled into my garden accidentally. When I requested what you desired…" Her hand finally moved away from that feather.
"A simple feather from you, to never forget you."
Hollyberry looked away. She stood, unsure what else to do. She needed to get up, to move. She was getting distracted.
Some air would do her good.
