The Corruption- First Draft

Chapter 7

Havre sighed quietly as she walked up to Garbone's room. She was greeted by the sight of Garbone crying into her pillow. "Are you alright?" She asked quietly.

"No. I- I'm just so tired of him acting like he's better than me."

"I don't think he means that. He just has a hard outer shell."

"As if he actually feels anything underneath."

"He told me himself, he's trying really hard to connect with you. I think he just doesn't understand our generation's way of dealing with trauma," she said, approaching Garbone.

"Well he's doing a horrible job at it. It feels like he's not even trying."

"I understand. Hey, how about we get some fresh air?" Havre asked, placing a hand on her shoulder gently. "A nice walk always cools me down."

Garbone sighed, nodding quietly. "Alright, if you think it'll help," she said, sitting up and getting out of bed. She wiped away the remaining tears but her frown still remained.

Havre smiled, holding her hand as they walked out of the room together and down the hall.

It wasn't long before they were outside in the cool night, stars sparkling brightly. Garbone stretched as they walk, towards the rock they hung out at before. They were silent until they reached the rock.

"It's so nice out tonight. Not even a cloud in the sky," Havre commented.

"Yeah.. It's nice," Garbone said with a small smile as the two walked up the dirt ramp and sat on the rock.

Havre beamed, and slightly leaned against Garbone, resting her head on her shoulder.

Garbone breathed deeply before exhaling. "Thank you for taking me out here. I needed this. There's just much going on, it's hard to keep my composure."

"Of course. I understand exactly how you feel. On the bright side, at least you know Lennon is alright. And you have me here to vent to when Cassius or Akae are talking nonsense."

"I just- feel bad about it. Aside a few people, no one's really cared about my needs. Wouldn't you rather be back at your village and repairing any damage Lennon caused?"

"I'm always happy to be in my homeland- but I don't mind being away from it as long as I'm with you."

Garbone's face turned red as she smiled. "Thank you, for everything. You make being in a crisis feel so easy to manage. Especially now that I know who I am. Do I, should I change my name?"

"Only if you want to. Do you like your name?"

"I do, a lot. Ever since I named myself during my Rite of Passage I've always felt a little more closer to freedom away from Cassius."

"I forgot your culture does that. I never renamed myself, I kept my birth name. It must have been a magical experience."

"It always is. One of these days I'll take you with me to witness it. Duosg is pretty close to earning his cae and new name, maybe we can see if he'll invite us to the ritual."

"That'd be lovely. How does the ritual work?"

"We sing a song that our father figures have to approve of."

"Oh I love that! Will you play me your song one of these days?"

"I, I'd love to! I have to warn you though, it might not sound very "pretty". We have to throat sing our songs."

"Throat singing? Oh I love bards who can do that!"

"Really? Most people I know outside my culture tend to find it, annoying, I guess."