Comfort Food (-open-)

[Adara Snow]

Adara loved exploring the grounds. There was so much to see, so much freedom in wandering wherever she chose, with no one to steer her away from the next bend. But she wasn't used to such freedom, and after a time, it began to feel suffocating. The library had always been a haven to her. Yes, there were books not allowed to her, but the library at Schneewittchen was so vast that she had hardly noticed the difference.

Adara relaxed as she walked through the doors, into silence interspersed only with the occasional shuffle or crinkle of pages. She breathed in the scent of paper, of parchment, age and knowledge, and before long, she was settled in a chair near the window, legs tucked beneath her on the chair as she read.

[Ryan Magby]

Ryan was getting ready to leave the library when he saw Adara walk in, he decided to try and talk to her. Ryan got up and grabbed his quill and parchment and walked over to Adara's table "Have fun with your new friend?"

[Adara Snow]

Adara nearly dropped her book, surprised at the sudden interruption. She caught it with the tips of her fingers and drew it back onto her lap. "Yes..." She could feel Ryan's disapproval, and it was painful for her. "I think you should get to know him, Ryan. He's very polite, very sweet." Her cheeks heated slightly in a soft blush that she tried to hide by looking down at her hands, letting her hair swing into her face.

[Ryan Magby]

Ryan sighed and shook his head "You wouldnt think that if would have heard our conversation in this very room not too long ago, or if you would have heard our conversation in the forbiden forest when he went into detail about what he did to my ex." he said looking at her.

[Adara Snow]

Adara shook her head adamantly, tears already forming in her eyes. "Don't ask me to hear these things," she pleaded. One fat tear dropped onto her robes, then another. "Please, Ryan." She couldn't bear a repeat of the afternoon by the lake.

[Ryan Magby]

Ryan sighed "Adara I dont want you to get hurt. I am trying to save you. From what i have gathered I believe that he has a deal going on with Storm that he cant do anything with a girl for a certain amount of time, which is why nothing happened with yall's first meeting, but when that time runs up he will come back and he will go all the way with you, even if you dont want it. I can understand if you are not sure if you can believe me or not, but if thats the case ask around. Ask any of the girls i told you about, Savannah, Pandora, Storm, or Dru, or you can ask Michael. Emilian is Michael's old friend, back when Michael was the same way as Emilian. Its your choice, im just trying to be a good friend and save you."

[Adara Snow]

Adara shook her head throughout Ryan's speech, trying to trust him, trying to listen, but he said so many things she didn't understand. And he hadn't listened to her. She'd asked him to stop, and he'd gone on. "I don't understand, Ryan!" She got to her feet, unable to sit prisoner and listen, though she knew that she should. He said it was for her own good. "Why are you doing this to me?" She looked up at him, pain in her dark eyes, a thin trail of tears making its way down her cheek. "Have I hurt you?" She chewed her lip guiltily. "Is this punishment?" she asked, the words only barely audible. She was familiar with punishment. It was the only thing that she would admit to herself that she hated.

[Ryan Magby]

Ryan looked at Adara "No it is not punishment. I am trying to help you."

[Adara Snow]

Adara couldn't stem the flow of her tears. "But I don't understand, Ryan!" she repeated. "You told me that you had...cheated, that it wasn't that bad, you told me that you lied!" It was the most horrible accusation she'd ever made, and it was painful to say. "You have lied to me, he has not."

[Ryan Magby]

Ryan looked at her "I said that it wasnt as bad as the rumors said. The rumors going around were that i slept with the other girl, i never did that. I messed up, i know that, and i take full responsiblity for what i did, but me and my girlfriend got through that, we made up and were still together after that. Emilian has lied to you. We both have done things wrong, but at least i know i did wrong and i admit to it. Please just go to some of the people that he probably told you were his friends, like Pandora or Storm. If you ask them they will tell you the same things I am telling you. I know I did wrong, and trust me I will always hate myself for what I did, but Emilian has done things that make cheating look good. Please, im begging you, go to other people and hear it from them too, dont let yourself get hurt. He doesnt care about you. If you let him do stuff with you, he will have his fun and probably never talk to you again. He admited that to me just a little bit ago in here."

[Adara Snow]

There were so many things that she still could not understand, and the confusion showed in her eyes. It was so much to take in, and she didn't know what to say, who to turn to. There was only Ryan and Emilian that she knew, and it was difficult to trust Ryan now. Emilian had said nothing bad about Ryan, not one negative word, and it only made Ryan look worse in comparison.

"Leave me, Ryan. Please. I need to think. Please." Adara was still crying silently, her pale face flushed from the effort. She couldn't take this. She asked only that he allow her the time to think things through.

[Ryan Magby]

Ryan sighed and nodded "I hope I can see you again sometime." he said as he walked passed her and started to leave.

[Adara Snow]

Adara collapsed back into her seat, the book she'd been reading sliding unnoticed to the floor. She buried her face in her hands like a child, but made no sound, the only sign that she was still crying the occasional slight shudder of her body.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian had seen Ryan leave the library and wondered if he had been talking to Adara. When he walked into the library he grinned, she was there. But she seemed to be crying. What on earth had that brat done now? he asked himself as he came up beside her. He put an arm on her shoulders, "Adara? What's wrong?"

[Adara Snow]

Adara gave a light gasp of surprise and straightened, one hand wiping ineffectually at her face, only spreading the glittering tears until her cheeks shone. "Emilian," she breathed, his name almost a prayer from her lips. She wanted to tell him, wanted to confide, but how could she? Already, she had betrayed her friendship by doubting Ryan, by calling him liar. She would not compound her sins by sharing them with another. "I am sorry, Emilian, I can not say it." Her teeth worked against her bottom lip, an effort to keep from saying anything regrettable.