....There she sat, alongside a few hundred other Griffons, all arguing back and forth like wild animals fighting over a carcass.
Cordelia Nichola Delcroix was her name, but to most people she was Député Delcroix, although some preferred to call her "Communist Scum", "Cyclops", and "A Pirate On Occasion", it was mostly her co-workers in the MPA using such loving titles behind her back.
Currently, she was sitting among all 300 députés, bored out of her mind and looking out a window at the sunlight dancing across the water.
She always enjoyed summer weather, the heat letting her dress lighter, the bright sky reflected on the coastline, the cool breeze blowing through her feathers, it was wonderful to her.
Alas, her biggest regret about investing in politics was that she rarely got to enjoy such blissfully perfect weather. Instead, she had to sit in a cramped room and argue about all sorts of things, such as the current argument about reallocation of funds for housing or increasing Aquelia's already large military industry.
The Parti Aquiléen du Travail wasn't a big party, only holding 15% of the seats in the Assemblée Nationale. This meant their votes were not worth much, and most of the party was dedicated to negotiating with the other three parties. Cordelia was, to her personal enjoyment, one of those well known for negotiating with the others. Such was her assignment for this evening, which came much faster once she dozed off watching the trees blow in the wind.
Flash forward to the end of the session, pleasantries and fake smiles filled the room as it emptied, save for two griffons. Cordelia, and her "friend" Camille Moreau, a Député from the Front des Jeunes d'Aquilée with a significant amount of power in the Assemblée. The griffon, with a heavy sigh, approached the other with a gleeful facade and a raised claw to shake.
"Camille, as lavishly dressed as ever I see." Cordelia's voice, full of spite hidden under the tone of admiration, greeted her acquaintance. The two had a history with one another, serving together in the revolution 20 years ago and constantly having these private meetings ever since getting into their offices.
"Cordelia, still dressing like a baker's daughter, as always." Camille, a younger griffon with bright golden feathers greeted her back with an equally spiteful message. She knew what was coming next, and was fully aware that she'd either be walking in the sun or treated to a fancy dinner soon. To anyone not familiar with the political game, these two were always on the edge of having the other assassinated. Yet, in truth, they'd been friends since their early years as chicks. That doesn't mean they didn't disagree often, and even argue loudly, but the job never got in the way of their friendship.
"Care to join me, Ms. Moreau? I was just about to take a nice walk, and I'd enjoy a familiar face to talk to while I stretch my legs." She wasn't lying, she'd be more than happy to see someone she knew in public, but of course there was an underlying agenda in this invitation.
"Cut the crap, 'Ms. Delcroix'. I know you need my vote, so please don't act like we're talking as friends and talk to me like a fellow député." The mask was off, Camille wasn't a fan of the charades and lying that came with the job, she was an awful liar, and Cordelia was far better than her at it. She knew that and she hated it.
"Fine, fine. You caught me, but I'd still like to take a walk with you, like we used to back in the summer when we were off from school."
Camille shrugged, sighed, and paused to count up her options before taking the slightly older griffon's claw and shaking it.
The two quickly made their way out of the building and down by the shoreline, walking beside one another silently and soaking in the warmth. The sun poured down on them like a gift from Boreas to the Aquelian people. The sound of water rising and lowering across the beach below the two made Cordelia relax and drop any sense of professionalism she looked like she had. Truth be told, even though she was only 35, she was incredibly childish at heart. This was best displayed by how often she daydreamed and spent her days outdoors in the sun just enjoying herself.
Back when she first made it into the Assemblée, journalists used her childish enjoyment of nature to slander her, saying she was too busy building snowgriffs or sandcastles to sign papers and argue politics with the 'adults'. And truth be told, she did both in excess compared to her co-workers, but she knew when and where to be serious.
"So, tell me Camille, do you ever miss the days we would spend sitting by the ocean and soaking our feet in the water? Or are you too grown up for reminiscing?"
With a heavy sigh, Camille responded plainly: "Yes, Cordelia, I long for the days we could relax and let our parents fret about the country. Unfortunately, those days are over, we have a job to do and it has to take priority over our fun."
Without wasting a second, the one-eyed griffon shot back with an excited offer.
"What if we killed two birds with one stone? Go soak our feet while we get our unpleasant discussion out of the way? It's a beautiful day today and I'd hate to waste it sitting in some overpriced restaurant eating food I could make myself for half the cost and a tenth the time it takes them!"
The offer, while an incredibly childish one, appealed to the part of Camille that wanted to relax and drop the stress of her job for once, and she reluctantly nodded in silent agreement to the proposal.
"Great! Follow me, I've got the best place to sit in mind, nice and quiet but not so far away that it's unsafe."
It wasn't long before the two were laid on the sand, feet in the ice cold water, sun warming their feathers as they got comfortable like old friends, not as députés. The light falling on them gave Camille's golden feathers a bright shine, almost sparkling like real gold does. Unfortunately, Cordelia's dark gray feathers couldn't compare at all to her naturally beautiful shimmer, but that didn't stop her from letting the sun glaze her body in a perfect mixture of warmth and comfort.
"Cordie- Cordelia, we really need to be working while we're here." Camille's tone sounded like she was uncomfortable about procrastinating, but her slip of the beak made it clear that was more than happy to be here with her friend alone.
"Aww, can't you just relax for a while Cammy? We've got all day to work, lay back, enjoy such a perfect day and forget about our jobs for a moment!" Cordelia didn't miss the slip, she may be half blind but she had a sharp eye for reading people, and an even sharper sense of charisma.
Her admittedly weak plea struck home, and 20 minutes later the two had taken off their député atmospheres to simply rest in the company of one another.
"Isn't it so great? Just laying here, the two of us together again like back before the revolution? I know life is much better now, but I missed getting to see you so unwound and calm as you are now Cammy."
"It is. Its very nice, nice and comfortable, it's been too long since I had a chance to unwind like this." Camille normally hates being called that nickname, only Cordelia knew about it, and she used it any time the two weren't in public or sitting at the Assemblée, not out of malice but because it was just a force of habit.
"We should spend more days like this, before the snow rolls in again. I still remember sitting in the trenches with you throwing snowballs back and forth while we waited for orders, sipping the hot chocolate locals would bring to give to all the children stuck fighting in the war…"
Cordelia had a knack for reminiscing, looking into the past of her negotiation targets to appeal to their emotions, but she also did it with close friends and family just to keep the fire of friendship aflame. It was her speciality, she spoke to people's hearts much more than their minds, and that was what got her to where she is today.
"Yes, yes, you certainly had quite the aim back then. I could never keep up with your quick eyes, always one step behind and getting drenched by the time we were done. It really is a shame, what happened to your eye. But, I suppose I should be thankful the medical staff at the nearby hospital could get the shrapnel out from your thick skull." It was true, she did feel bad for what happened to her friend back in the revolution, but that didn't mean Camille couldn't laugh a little with her.
And laugh she did, Cordelia was more than okay with jokes and teasing about her physical situation, often making them herself and laughing harder than anyone else. She wasn't bothered or upset when someone noticed, and whenever a confused chick would ask about it, she'd tell them a story about it being a magic portal she uses to summon stuff. She kept a bag of candy on herself at all times in public for this, and with a sleight-of-hand trick she taught herself, she would "summon" a sugary treat from her "portal" and give it to the children before leaving.
The two griffons spent the whole day talking, laying on the sand and watching the sky go from bright blue to a beautiful shade of red and purple, before the sun finally set and the two walked home.
Cordelia, as modest and humble as she was regarding finances, rented an apartment like the common griffon did, and she didn't even spend much on decor. It was basic and simple, boasting a few paintings on the wall that shed been gifted or purchased. She made her way to her bedroom, sat in the chair beside her desk, and turned on the little radio sitting on said desk. After fighting with the controls, she tuned in to some classical music, relaxing her already calm body more as she poured water from a bottle into a mug and sipped from it.
She began writing, poetry and song-writing were her favorite pastimes when she wasn't out in nature. Usually she wrote about things she saw, be it insects or plants or even people. This time was different though, there was a reason she wanted to lay down with Camille instead of walking, she never could bolster the courage to say so but she'd had feelings for her old friend since they first met.
This poem was special, it was her own way of confessing such complex feelings in a way Cordelia understood. The room was littered with dictionaries and the occasional thesaurus, the floor was covered in crumpled letters and wasted poems she didn't deem worthy. But tonight she had a feeling she's get her perfect writing. After spending the whole evening with Camille, Cordelia had time to think, and with that time she came up with what she considered her masterpiece.
"We fought side by side in a bitter war,
True comrades fighting for evermore.
Never again would I forget the feeling,
Of close connection determined and appealing.
One day we found ourselves as peers,
Side by side in the Assemblée for years.
No more glory days of war for us,
But in politics we found a cause.
As we worked together I found I was growing deep feelings in my heart,
But I was too afraid to let them start.
A new kind of fight, but no less scary:
The fear of confessing to my once noble comrade so she could see.
Where once we were comrades in arms,
A flame silently glowed in me for her that ever warns.
A silent prayer was all I had,
That someday I'd find the courage to confess and that pain turn to glad."
With a heavy, but pleased sigh, Cordelia signed the poem with "Yours truly, C.D." and put it in an envelope, but this time she wasn't trashing it, she crept outside past teens sitting on the stairs and elderly griffons stargazing, down the street where she saw a young group of griffs smiling and talking about Boreas knows what, and to the large house Camille had bought roughly 5 years ago. She said a small prayer to Eyr under her breath, before placing the poem in her mailbox and walking in silence home.
The next day took forever to come, but when it did Cordelia was awoken much earlier than she was used to being awoken by a knock at her door. She hadn't even changed clothes before falling asleep, she she hastily threw on a clean top and brushed down a few unruly feathers before opening the door.
A large, older griffon met her gaze, and handed her the letter she sent back, but with a note attached. After she shut the door and sat back down, Cordelia's heart had started racing, she panicked to the point she began pacing the apartment like a predator in a cage. She felt nauseous, lightheaded, heavy, and her head began killing her. It took all her strength to stay upright. After a few hours of fighting and groaning, she opened the note.
"Meet me at the beach, 12:30. Don't be late this time. Bring drinks too, I want to talk.
-C.M."
The beautiful cursive far outperformed her own rough handwriting, but Cordelia was too busy stressing even harder over the note's ominous ending. She took some medicine, melatonin specifically, to try and calm her mind down while she began dressing a little more formal than usual. Instead of the usual black eyepatch she wore, Cordelia opted for the one her mother made her after she was elected into her seat, it was white with a beautifully crafted picture of a Cordelia rose, which was what inspired her name in the first place.
After donning her, admittedly much more masculine looking dress clothing than the rest of her clothes, she grabbed the note and read it over before opening her refrigerator and grabbing a bottle of decently fine Vinovian wine and leaving before she had another panic attack. Upon arrival, barely making it before being late, Camille was already sat where the two had sat the other day covered from neck to tail-feathers in the usual fine garments she wore. Beside her was a basket, sitting upon a small navy blue tablecloth, with just enough room for one other griff to take a seat.
Following a smile and a welcoming gesture, Cordelia sat down on the other side of the basket, putting down the wine between the two of them as she did so. There was an awkward silence, the discomfort between the two was nearly visible in the air and neither wanted to make eye contact with one another. Watching the sunlight dance across the water once more, they both sighed quietly and opted to sit in silence. After nearly half an hour of watching the light and bathing in the warm air, Cordelia turned to face her old comrade, opened her beak, and asked the question that's been bugging her all day.
"You…. You aren't upset, are you?" That was all that could weakly crawl out of her throat, her usual speaking skills had melted away in the lonely company of the one person that made her warmer than the air around them.
"About the poem? No, not at all, it was beautiful. I knew you always were….an odd one, your eye definitely wanders a lot when I'm around, but I never knew if you would confess to me before I drug it out of you like I've had to drag countless other things from your body." Camille sounded calm, still avoiding eye contact, but finally looking over in the direction of her companion. In truth, she loved the poem, she had a habit of keeping anything Cordelia sent her because it always was something nice for her to read. They'd traded letters for decades, since they were young chicks at least, but eventually it became a habit of genuine communication like one would do in a long distance relationship, yet they lived less than 20 Kilometers from one another.
"Then…. Why am I here, Cammy?"
"Because I need to come clean, since you did the same for me." Camille sighed, turned her body around, and looked straight into her friend's eye. "Cordelia, you've been here at my side longer than I can remember, we've done almost everything together and have been inseparable from the start. Even in the midst of revolution, you came to me before even asking for a doctor whenever you were hurt, I…. I guess I just want to tell you the truth. I feel better around you, even when we argue on the floor of the Assemblée, just hearing your voice ring out across the room, hearing how passionate you are for your beliefs, it's amazing. Yet, sitting here with you, under the bright sun, surrounded by quiet wind and not a cloud in the sky, just the two of us and the Gods alone. It's a feeling unlike any other. I would pay anything to get to feel this every day, Cordie."
By the time she had finished speaking, both griffons were in tears, both from hearing such a heavy truth and from simply reminiscing on their past together. Without any words, not a mumble or a sigh, not even a blink, Cordelia leaned over and wrapped her claws around Camille, pulling the two into a gentle hug as they cried into one another's feathers silently. Neither wanted to ruin the moment, both worried they would say something wrong, so they just stayed silent as the tide rolled in and the sun shone down upon the wet spots spreading across their clothing. The only sound either of them made was Camille making a quiet thankful prayer to Eyr for giving her the strength to speak up and discuss her true feelings, and Cordelia quietly laughing between tears nervously as she let's her emotions overtake any sense of logic she still held.