"Just what are you hiding?" Zenobia could only raise an eyebrow at her friend. She liked to think she had interacted long enough with her friend to be able to predict her. However, she failed to see that her Coralin classmate was a gossipy chatterbox. She most certainly underestimated her observation skills.
"What are you talking about Phoebie? Can't I enjoy the fact that I can finally use my hands without those damn crutches? Just a little longer with an overbearing boot and I'm home free!" Those dark eyes narrowed, intense as they met Zenobia's.
It made her want to hobble away. In all honesty Phoebie didn't look upset. Rather she seemed amused, as if this was a game. Her friend became an investigator, on the hunt for the truth. What truth exactly Zenobia had no idea.
"You've been spending an awful amount of time on your phone, Zeno. Been daydreaming quite a bit too." She leaned in. A tad too close to the red-eyed girl's personal space. Zenobia heard her singing those words, she saw that knowing glint. Alright, Miss. Snoop, she'll throw a bit of a bone for that curiosity.
"There's been a project I've been working on with a friend of mine."
"The cute one that's not from our school?"
"Where'd you get 'cute' from?"
"Damn, was hoping you wouldn't notice and say-'Yeah!' or 'The very same." A sigh escaped while fighting down the blush that wanted to form on her cheeks. Why did Phoebie have to be so embarrassing?
Can't she have a friend without worrying about appearances for a change? Besides, Zenobia could hardly be considered someone to judge Elias for his looks. She had seen too many people insult her father even though she thought he was cool and handsome looking when she was little.
Hell, she still heard people going behind her back despite all the compliments that were rained upon her by Zora. In the end, looks meant nothing to her. She liked Elias. He was helping her with her sister's coming of age mask and that was it. Anything else was not solely up to her.
That didn't stop her from narrowing her eyes at her snooping friend though. She could see the signs that the Coralin girl was up to no good. In public she could pretend to be as shy and reserved as could be, but behind the safety of their meet up spot, with their masks off-she was a meddler with the best of intentions. Both of them were exposed, playing a card-less game of poker while poking and prodding (mostly Phoebie, not her) for whatever information they could.
It was actually funny. Of all the people Zenobia could have for a best friend, it had to be a gossiping, closet matchmaker. Personally, she wouldn't have it any other way, but she wouldn't admit it either as Phoebie probed for more information. With an amused smile of her own, the suspicious teen simply revealed her sketchpad, allowing needy fingers to snatch it away.
"Oh wow. Zeno-these are incredible!" From the first page, her classmate showed awe in her expression. Carefully her trembling fingers traced the neatly traced lines. From the slight curve of the side, to the feather patterns that stretched under the eye-holes, bright, respectful eyes followed.
A bird mask, inspired by the harpies from ancient myths, were in colors of bronze and black with a gold tint on the edge of the feathers. It wasn't a full face mask, but it covered the upper part of the face well enough to where it could be presentable. That particular sketch took her two days of trial and error before feeling satisfied.
If it was ever to be created, it would be made of paper mâché. Zenobia would make the base of the mask black, with those bronze and gold feathers fluttering around the eyes, stretching beyond the base. What would make it stand out would be the upper corners curving upwards, much like actual wings.
"You're so talented." Together they went over the drawings. The next page followed the same manner of movements as Phoebie scooted closer to her. Sometimes she would ask a question over the design. Nothing out of confusion, but curiosity.
It brought out a bigger pair of grins the longer they looked on. All the better that this was their study hall period, where neither of them had to worry about a teacher calling on them or their fellow students interrupting. They had time to just…talk. Relax even.
"My sister is going to be going through her age ceremony soon. Elias…is an incredible carver and sculptor. He's going to help me make a mask for her."
"Ohh that's amazing! Why didn't you tell me before? I would have loved to help with this. I'm not an artist like you, so don't even try to throw a brush into my hand. Researching though, I would be down with investigating myths and inspirations for you."
There was not a doubt in her mind about that. Phoebie would have probably reached the same conclusion as her in half the time if she had known. Yet…at the time Zenobia wasn't sure if she could confide in her. They were friends, closer than anyone else in Zenobia's life with the exception of her little sister, however she wasn't sure if she would be accepted.
Or rather if her talent would be. One too many times in the past her mother showed disdain for her artwork. Loathed anything and everything to do with mask making. Elias understood her because of his own craftsmanship, so it was never a concern (though she didn't fully understand that till after they started working together) it was another matter entirely to bring someone without any prior knowledge in.
"Let's just say my mother disapproves of it. She doesn't want me to be a mask carver or designer."
"That's such a waste! These are amazing, Zeno. If ever you want some help, feel free to message me. Actually-do you think when you're done with your sister you can do a mask for me? I love my family mask, but I'm nearing the age where I need to start figuring out my own. I would love one made by you!"
Hearing praise like that…hearing a determined, willing desire to help, it all stirred a warmth she desperately sought. Not for the first time did she feel so glad her fellow outcast decided to take the chance properly confront her. Took a chance to actually talk to her. Phoebie was a brave and wonderful soul, and Zenobia was so happy to have her in her life.
"I'd love to. My sister's first, afterwards I'll talk to Elias and work on yours."
"Definitely-wait, I got a name? Elias, hmmmm?"
"Why are you acting like this?"
"Because I know nothing about him other than he's a friend outside of school who is apparently talented in mask carving. In general, I don't know too much about you."
"You could ask."
"I could-but you don't tend to talk about yourself. Back home, when someone is reluctant to bring things about themselves up, it's rude to push them. Elias, I can talk about to a point since you admitted being friends with him, but your family, yourself-you don't bring it up at all."
Maybe that was why she was such a chatterbox that lived for gossip. The more she was told, the more acceptable it was for her to talk about it without offending someone. It was an interesting way of thinking. In reality, the fox-masked teen had gone so long without somebody to talk to that it was just…normal for her not to bring up her family or childhood, never did she think she'd even have someone to talk about this with.
"It was never something I thought of bringing up."
"Well, that's why I'm curious! Of course you don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
"I don't mind. Things are just…complicated."
"Then why don't we do a sleepover? We'll have the chance then!"
"A sleepover? Where did that come from?"
"Well…I may have gotten my grades up high enough to attract my family's attention. I may have brought you up and they want to meet you? They've actually been hounding me for the last week or so to invite you over so that they could meet and thank you for helping me. And I've been dying to get some serious girl time with you. I love our boys, but man can they be annoying."
Her mouth was running a mile a minute. So much so that Zenobia struggled to grasp herself at each bit of information that fell upon her. Her friend's kin wanted to meet her? To thank her? And apparently Phoebie's been wanting to invite her over for ages? The only thing that didn't sound like a surprise was her thinking the boys were annoying.
"I've never done a sleepover before."
"Neither have I! So, we'll figure it out together." It sounded nice. More than nice it sounded fun. Though, there was doubt spreading before Zenobia. Deep within her mind she knew that it wouldn't happen. That reason being her mother. The instant she told the old hag she had been invited out somewhere, let alone for a sleepover, she'd demand answers.
'Who?' 'What family?' 'Where? Why?' 'What mask does she wear?' All the intrusive questions to a point were understandable, yet that didn't erase the fact that at the end of the day, her mother would refuse. She'd rant on and on about how Phoebie would be a further stain to Zenobia's reputation. It didn't matter if she was aware of her Coralin background or not. She was an outsider, an outcast.
"I'll see what I can do."
"Cool! I have so many plans." She wanted to. She wanted to hang out with Phoebie and just have fun for a change. Without worrying about further messing up her leg. Without feeling bitterness rage within her heart every time her mother opened her mouth. To be free from society's judgmental gaze for a change. She would see what she could do. Zenobia promised.