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Magic is rare in this realm, but there are some who are born with it. Like little Anya, who, from a very young age, had been born to an apothecary and raised with the help of a royal envoy.
Although, we all know better than that, and so does Anya. However being raised by a foreign scout and secret mercenary didn’t bother the telepathy. Her parents were both working to maintain the unstable peace between their respective kingdoms.
“Anya! There you are!” Anya blinked away her thoughts and looked up as Becky came jogging across the main square in front of Eden Academy. The school that Anya had attended for the last seven years.
“Becky! Good morning! What are you doing out here?” Anya asked, glancing at the carriage her friend had arrived in.
“I went to visit my father at the royal smithy. He’s been really busy since he’s got a lot of newer blacksmiths and a ton of apprentices to assign work to.”
Anya sighed internally at this. Becky was wonderful, but she had a tendency to brag about her father. Of course, at this point Anya was used to it, especially since Eden was filled with children of nobles and courtesans and important merchants.
“Oh, jeez, sorry Anya. That makes it sound like I’m trying to flaunt his work, I’m just proud of him, you understand right?” Anya smiled. Becky has always been the best at reading her emotions.
“I do. I love my papa as well. Don’t feel bad about it!”
“Thanks Anya,” Becky said before continuing. “Anyway, what I was really getting at was that he’s been busy but wanted to give me an early birthday present, see?” Becky readjusted her hat and did a little spin to show off the dainty metal flowers that held her hair in their usual pigtails.
“Woah, did your dad get those for you?”
“He made them!” Becky grinned. “Oh! That reminds me, Martha wanted me to give you this. It’s an invite to my party tomorrow. I’m inviting the whole class, but I wanted to make sure you’re the first to get one.”
“I’ll be there!” Anya replied instantly. Becky laughed before linking arms with her friend and marching her way into the school grounds proper.
——
“I won’t attend,” Damian said matter-of-factly, his arms crossed as he looked down at Becky.
“Let me slug him again,” Anya whispered to her friend, glaring at the boy. Becky put a hand out.
“That’s quite alright Anya, there’s no need for you to hit him. Mrs. Forger taught me well enough that I could do it myself if I wished. But it’s fine if you can’t come Damian. I’m inviting everyone, I don’t expect everyone to be able to make it. Too bad though, you won’t get to see Anya all dressed up for the party!”
Wait, everyone’s going? And Anya’s going to dress up for it? Damian’s thoughts drifted into Anya’s mind and she tried to keep from smiling.
“Ewen, Emile, you’re both invited too, do you think you’ll come?” Anya asked, glancing at the two boys, who both shrugged.
“Probably,” Emile admitted. “It’s been a while since I left campus.”
“Yeah, I don’t much to do this weekend so I will, if Damian goes I mean-“ Ewen said, glancing at his friend.
“I guess I can try to find the time to show up,” Damian said grudgingly, looking away. Anya caught a tint of pink high on their classmate’s cheeks.
“Oh fantastic! We’ll see you there Damian! Be sure to bring me a good present!” Becky called, once again dragging Anya away.
“See you Sy-on boy!” Anya called over her shoulder before turning to her friend. “Becky, you know I don’t have anything fancy to wear to your party right?”
“Of course, that’s why we’re going shopping! Don’t worry about money, I don’t mind paying.”
“Uh, I think I might need to tell my papa I’m going to get home late…”
——
“You’re only telling me now that you’ve been invited to Becky Blackbell’s party?” Loid sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I should’ve known,” he mumbled.
“She only invited me this morning!” Anya pointed out. “And look, she got me this dress, so we don’t need to get one, and I already know what I want to get her!”
“I don’t mind taking her this evening Loid, you’ve had a busy day, unless you want me to make dinner?”
“Anya, I don’t mind that you want to go. I wish you’d mentioned Becky’s birthday was coming up sooner so we could get her a suitable gift, but it’s alright. Yor, I don’t mind cooking, I think it’s pottage stew tonight.”
“Sounds lovely,” Yor said with a smile. Bond borfed in agreement, his tail thumping against the wooden floor. “Let’s go find that gift for Miss Becky, Anya!”
——
“Happy twelfth birthday Becky!”
“Anya, welcome! Thank you so much for coming! Oh my goodness you look so cute! Did your mom do your hair?”
“Yeah, it’s kind of tight though,” Anya complained, reaching up to touch the bun.
“That’s good, it’s means it’ll stay in place when we’re running around! We’re going to be playing tons of games and-“
“Becky, you should invite your friend inside,” Martha interrupted. Anya would have jumped if she hadn’t heard the woman’s thoughts earlier, the older woman seemingly materializing behind Becky.
“Right, yeah, sorry Anya, as always please come in, make yourself comfortable!”
“Thanks, I don’t mind. Should I put your present somewhere?” Anya glanced around. “Am I early?”
“Oh it’s fine, everyone should be here soon I can take tha-“ there was knock at the door and Becky glanced at it.
“Go greet Alice and Meg, I’ll be fine,” Anya said. Becky gave her a confused glance before going to the door.
Wow, Anya’s getting really good at recognizing people by their footsteps. Or maybe she just saw their carriages out front? Becky’s thoughts rang out clearly as Anya allowed Martha to take the gift she had for Becky.
“I hope you enjoy the party Miss Anya, Becky’s been looking forward to it.”
——
“You won’t believe what happens next mama, Becky tried to pair me up with Damian for the next two games in a row! I knew she was up to something,” Anya said, crossing her arms.
“Did you have fun?”
“So much fun! Me and Becky won several games, and like I told papa, me and Damian were unbeatable at the ring toss!”
“Becky enjoyed her gift right?” Loid asked, glancing up from the bread he was kneading.
“Of course she did! I’m her best friend, I know what she likes!” Anya boasted, remembering the dozen times Becky had said thank you, and how tightly her friend had hugged her after opening the small box.
“Good, I’m glad you enjoyed yourself kiddo,” he said with a smile before getting back to work. Anya plopped down on the couch next to Yor, who reached up to start pulling pins from the girl’s hair.
It was so.. normal. It was such a soft, mundane moment, but something warmed in Anya’s chest. The tension in her shoulders drained away, and let herself lean into her mom, and listened to her dad’s quiet humming from the kitchen.