[PQ] Solid Foundations

EVIE

there ain't no doubt in no ones mind

A very pregnant woman suddenly stormed in, and though pregnancy often made even strong women soft, apparently such was not the case here.

"No outlanders or naturals?" Evie said defiantly, younger than Vervain by a lifetime, but undaunted because of the life she had lived. "How is just getting rid of all our differences going to be any better? We are different. We have been born here, raised here. Sure you might be stuck here too, but that doesn't mean you get equal say."

Indeed, as Rory began speaking Evie found herself nodding in agreement. "Do you know how many houses were just taken? Empty though they might have been, did anyone even think to ask? No. You all just arrived and started making things your own, so forgive us all for being a bit reluctant to welcome you with open arms now." Evie's eyes were bright and furious. This was not her battle to be fighting because politics was about as far out of her wheelhouse as an arm wrestle was for Maea, but damnit she was here now and she'd not be made a fool out of. Not here. Not in front of Sam or Rory.

What Evie said next perfectly summed up what she had so loved about Rory once upon a time. His unwillingness to flinch even under pressure. The curt way he phrased things when his emotions were roused. The way that he'd say what needed to be said however hurtful, because better it be done now in this room with only these eyes and ears, than be allowed to grow into something monstrous.

And he wasn't wrong after all. Maea was a bad choice. The problem was, at the moment, she was the only choice.

Rolling her eyes as her twin stepped forward, Evie crossed her arms as she watched the back of his coppery head, wishing to throttle him, but instead scowling.

Desperately Evie glanced towards Rory. Was it better to watch this ship drown from shore and shout I told you so while they all drowned and potentially took more down with them? Or to climb aboard and at least make an attempt?

She knew what her family would want her to do, but nothing about this seemed like a good idea, and not simply for the reasons Rory had given.

With a bit of a dramatic sort of huff that Evie hadn't really intended, she dropped her arms to her sides and looked around the small gathering. "If this is going to work, we all need to put our hackles down, and yes I know that means me too. But I am not just going to pretend that we're one big happy family." She said shooting a slightly sympathetic (because her entire family was apparently dead) look at Maea, which hardened quickly (because she needed to put on her big girl panties right quick if this was actually going to work). "Because we aren't. Good for you for being a soldier and doing whatever else, but from the sounds of it your world isn't like this one. You didn't have gods, and your wall or whatever was put up by your own people. Ours is magical and has existed a lot longer, so stop treating us like we're just being ungrateful and inhospitable. We know things that counts for more than all of your experience combined."

Then, perhaps stupidly, she looked to Rory. There was something on the tip of her tongue. Something she wanted to say that would make her sound small and petulant and she wondered if he were in her position, if he'd say it anyways.

---

That's Evie's way of saying she's in?

that love's the finest thing around

Table by Sky!