Defying Holiday Traditions

Several seconds later, Lyra approached Branwen with a rather enthusiastic hug and dragged her into a conversation about plans for New Years. Lyra and Bran got along fairly well. They both had a mutual respect for one another and both of them upheld a strong sense of dignity of their rank in the Cohorts. The Centurion elbowed Lyra lightly in the side and made an off comment about her age. This would be Lyra’s last year in the Cohort before she retired and moved into New Rome. Lyra was not looking forward to it whatsoever but took the dismissal with as much grace as a girl like Lyra could muster. If Bran was honest with herself; she was going to miss Lyra. She was a great asset during the War Games and just all over good person that she got along splendidly with. Which was a rather stupid concept, if Bran really thought about it. It wasn’t like she was never going to ever see Lyra again. New Rome was just a stone throw away and one day, Bran would join Lyra in living in the city. Maybe get a husband, raise a few kids to join the Cohorts, and spend the rest of her days with the people she loves. Immediately Bran’s thoughts went to Kyle West at the thought of settling down with someone. Said Praetor was on the opposite side of the town square with Jaymes and several other demigods. Unfortunately, Lyra caught where her eyes had landed and smirked wickedly. With some word about distraction, the girl melded back into the crowd, her hips swaying exaggeratedly.

Branwen sent a sympathetic look in Hunter’s direction. The poor boy wouldn’t know what hit him. Then again, Hunter’s relationship with Lyra was old news and more of playful, confusing dance that the two of them were well versed in. To outsiders, it was unendingly confusing but made perfect sense to them. In an odd way, Branwen envied the two of them. While their relationship was far from perfect, it was still authentic no matter how much Lyra claimed otherwise.

Turning her head away from her red haired friend, Branwen caught Sorin’s eye in the crowd. The other legionnaire waved enthusiastically in Branwen’s direction before being practically tackled by the larger form of Jaymes. The two of them giggled and started conversing with clearly love-struck expressions on their faces. Now there was a couple that could always make Branwen smile. Jaymes’ feelings for Sorin confused him so much, but Sorin was slowly but surely coaxing the son of Cupid into a sense of trust and security. They worked well together.

Branwen was just about to push herself and get back to the party when the crowd parted to let Praetor Kyle through. She abruptly collapsed back against the building when her knees turned to jelly at the very sight of Kyle. The light from the lamp posts around the square illuminated his golden hair and the stray flecks of snow glowed ethereally. Bran had to tell herself to breathe a few calming breaths when it became apparent that Kyle was making a direct beeline in her direction. She had to unzip her coat when she felt the heat rise in her face and smoothed down her cotton dress of imaginary wrinkles. Gods she hated how nervous Kyle made her.

Despite this, a natural, sweet smile melted across her face at the first tenor of Kyle’s voice. “Happy Christmas, Kyle.” Branwen said breathlessly, running her hand through the multi-coloured strands in her hair. In the holiday spirit, they were mostly white, gold, red, and green in colour. “The party is spiffy.” She blurted out before blanching. “Brilliant. I meant to say brilliant. The party is really… brilliant.” Its times like this Branwen hated her 40s vocabulary. She knew there had to be a down side to staying up late last night watching old black and white movies late into the morning. It still made her ache to watch them because they reminded her so strongly of all the good times she had a child with her best friend Yuki. Inwardly cringing at the mention of her childhood friend, Branwen quickly turned back to the conversation at hand.

The First Cohort Centurion blinked in slight confusion. Admittedly she had been extremely disappointed when it seemed like Kyle had forgotten to get her a present this year. Had he really just been waiting for the right moment to present to her? Blushing heavily, Branwen wordlessly took the present from Kyle, handling the little box like it was made of glass. “Thank you Kyle.” She said softly, smiling dazzlingly at the boy. She pried the leader box open with her finger nails and stared in amazement at the contents. The gemstone in the necklace sparkled in the faint light and Branwen quickly named the necklace her new favourite.

Reaching out to touch the surface of the violet stone reverently, Branwen gaped wordlessly for a moment. Her eyes darted up to Kyle’s nervous face and let out a soft breath that was part amazement and part disbelief. “Kyle!” Branwen exclaimed. “This is beautiful. Makes my gift look kind of cheap.” The gift was technically from all the Centurions which was a week off for both Flynn and Kyle. The Centurions had run the Cohort for a week straight, dealing with all incidents and paperwork that usually bogged down the Praetors and got them an all-expenses paid vacation in New Rome.

She reached into the box carefully and pulled out the necklace before carefully attaching it around her neck. She toyed with the heart pendent momentarily before glancing upwards at Kyle. “I love it.” Branwen said.


Words;; 950
Tagged;; Kyle West
Outfit;;
Notes;; Awww, Kyle you sweetheart <3