Inessa’s heart warmed at Thalia’s kind words. “Thanks, Thalia, I appreciate that. You’re a sweet soul, you know that?” Inessa made acknowledgment of Thalia’s compassionate nature. Inessa knew that in Thalia, she had a steadfast companion who would always be there to offer support and kindness.
She brushed aside the notion of seeking support or assistance, convinced that she had everything firmly in hand. In her mind, vulnerability was a foreign concept, and her immaculate facade left no room for doubt. Inessa harbored no doubt in her current abilities or what the future held. Over the years, she had gained a wealth of knowledge thanks to those she kept in company with and the stories she had read, especially during this summer. She sh worked to equip herself with a versatile set of tools to navigate any challenge that may come her way. If needed, she was more than prepared to harness these resources.
Inessa put on her most charming smile and took a sip of her drink, savoring it slowly as she listened intently to her friend. The liquid flowed smoothly down her throat, its liquid spreading through her body, calming her mind. She let herself be enveloped in the conversation, finding solace in the familiar rhythm of Thalia’s voice.
Thalia’s voice, like silk, wrapped around Inessa. She understood why so many people enjoyed Thalia’s presence. Despite her quiet demeanor and tendency to keep to herself, Thalia exuded warmth, radiating an aura of approachability. Thalia was in no way a threat, only a gentle allyship.
“Oh, it was just my old lover,” Inessa replied casually with a wink, her smile masking any deeper emotions into the conversation. “You guys were sure to meet before, right? It wasn’t much, just some kindness sent his way and some advice sent mine. Wishing me a great school year, you know, nothing too deep.” Inessa’s tone remained light and nonchalant, keeping any hint of significance concealed beneath the surface. She didn’t want to give too much away, preferring to maintain an air of casualness about the encounter.
Feeling Thalia’s hand grasp hers tightly, Inessa’s gaze shifted downwards. nessa’s mind briefly wandered, contemplating the gesture.
“No trouble here!” Inessa exclaimed, crossing her heart with her free hand. “Maybe the power of friendship will work on our side,” “In that case, I’m glad to have you by my side,” Inessa replied warmly, returning Thalia’s playful banter.
"Brothers can be quite unpredictable, it seems.
Almost as if on cue, Inessa heard her brother’s voice above all, prompting an exaggerated eye roll from her. With determination in her gaze, Inessa turned her body, ready to confront him. Under her breath, she mumbled something about fixing everything, a mix of frustration and determination coating her words. Despite the interruption, Inessa remained resolute, prepared to address whatever unexpected situation her brother had brought upon them.
As Inessa stood ready to intervene, she was relieved when Jesse stepped in to handle the situation. She couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on her. Were they wondering if her brother had gone crazy over the summer and if she was next? Inessa pushed aside the intrusive thoughts and raised the rest of her glass, joining in the applause as Jesse finished talking. She looked around, encouraging everyone else to join in, eager to shift the focus back to the festivities and away from any lingering speculation.
Inessa excused herself with a determined nod. “I should go check on him. God knows what gave him the idea to do that. We’ll see each other soon! Love you, have a great night,” she said, offering Thalia a smile before heading off to address her brother’s antics. With a sense of resolve, Inessa navigated through the crowd, her thoughts already occupied with the task ahead.
Inessa’s plans to check on her brother were quickly forgotten as she found herself standing face to face with an old friend, the oldest friend she had. Inessa felt a rush of nostalgia wash over her.
“Arya!” Inessa exclaimed, her arms instinctively wrapping around the girl. She took in Arya’s striking appearance, dressed in light purple that contrasted beautifully with the darkness of the architecture surrounding them. The sight of her oldest friend filled Inessa with a sense of warmth and familiarity. '“You look breathtaking,” Inessa remarked, her admiration evident in her voice. “Did you cut your hair?”
@Kristi thalia 
@CerealKiller ARYA!!!