Songbird | Xaden Riorson |

.27

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Call me a wallflower if you must. I have been a silent observer for months. I've never been the type to go out and join in on a group of friends, as I've observed many others do.

I'd much rather blend into the crowds, lean against the walls, Listen instead of talk. I prefer to be silent and invisible. Afterall, all I have been until entering the Rider's Quadrant was visible.

After a while you get tired of the spotlight. IT can feel exceptional and make a person feel noteworthy, but only for a certain amount of time. After their time runs out, they become burned out and exhausted. I speak from experience.

My father, a wealthy man. A ruler if you wish. He was never one to care for the children he had. All of my elder siblings died either in battle or lack of care as a child. I am the only remaining Orion child remaining.

I sigh, pushing my thought to a halt and lean against the stone wall of an ally as I observe. Some may call it people-watching. I call it; being in a group without them having to know you.

"Hi," A soft-spoken voice greets from beside me. I jump at the sudden noise. The sudden intrusion on my safe place. I quickly pull down the long sleeve of my shirt, covering my spiraling relic.

I turn to the side, facing the stranger, only to be met with bright blue eyes, so vivid they could drown you.

I tilt my head curiously to the side, looking for any foul intent that may be hidden deep into those ocean-colored irises. I found none.

"Hello." I respond smoothly, acting as if I hadn't searched his gaze for something I knew I wouldn't find.

"You've been observing us for months, yet you never actually bother coming to join us." He tilts his head, blonde waves of hair flopping to the side, so much so that I have to fight the urge to lean up and sweep it away from his eyes. Those blue eyes searching mine. For once, I find I don't mind it. It doesn't feel invasive with him.

I laugh softly. "You clearly don't know me very well, Liam." I shake my head, sliding down the wall and sitting against it. I take another moment to fold my legs underneath me, grounding myself.

"Well, you're clearly an observer, how else would you know my name?" He asks, coming to sit down across from me. "I think it is only fair that I know your name since you know mine." He whispers, plucking strands of grass from the ground.

"Oh, do you?" I ask, raising a brow. Of course he deserves to know my name, I've known his since the first few weeks in the quadrant. Fair is fair, after all.

He simply smirks, holding his silence as he waits for my response. His patience is admirable. I will admit that much.

"My name is Cressida. However, you can call me Essie if you so wish." It hardly takes any time before giving in. His eyes make it hard not to. They suck you in like the tide slowly getting sucked out back to sea.

His lips slowly curl into a soft smile before he utters my name. "Beautiful, just like you." He reaches out and tucks a strand of fallen hair behind my ear. "Tell me, Raindrop. How is it that Evie and Wren haven't found and abducted you yet?" Liam asks, smirking.

"Where did raindrop come from?" I question, more focused on the endearment than the question.

"Your eyes, they are the exact shade of the clouds right before a storm. The ones that just let a few of the softest raindrops fall. The calm before the storm." My breath halts at his explanation, but I quickly recollect myself before smiling softly.

"When did you start working on your wood carvings?" I ask, wanting to get to know him after holding him at a distance for so long. I glance over to the small wooden dragonfly carving that has been resting beside him since he sat down.

He tilts his head, picking up the half-finished carving and twisting it around in his hand. "When Xaden and I first got moved into our new housing arrangements after our parents' executions. I needed something to keep both my mind and hands busy."

I hum, "Did you know that your name means protector or warrior?"

"I didn't," He responds quietly. "And what does the name Cressida mean?"

"Golden." I answer quietly, ducking my head down.

"Why suddenly so shy, Raindrop?" His fingers gently lift my head up, my hair fanning around my face. I blush and he just smirks.

I playfully glare, shoving his shoulder. I close my eyes for a moment before raindrops slowly start falling. I slowly reach my hand out towards his and raise a brow. "Care to dance?"

His soft laugh bounces off the walls of the alley as he takes my hand, pulling us up from the ground.

I walk to my dorm later, with soaked hair and a new friend.

New Character!! What do we think? Essie has a near and dear spot in my heart as do all the others.

If any of you haven't seen my character book that has each characters' "profile" and picture, here is Essie:

But she has Gray eyes, I just have to work with the ai sometimes...

Lots of love, thank you for reading <3