Re: Brianna, Brian, Open
If there was one thing her upbringing and education had given her the opportunity to perfect it was the 'demure smile' one adopted when once was being questioned about personal matters one didn't want to reveal, or even acknowledge themselves. It was something her mentor had commented on when they'd first discussed her abilities, advising her it would be a very handy attribute in the times ahead.
In the days since Gabe had relocated their friends she had found herself thinking of not just that eventful day, and evening, but also the individual who'd become such a key part of it. It'd been a number of years since she'd learned to keep her distance, remain behind the shields she'd been taught to keep in place to protect her, tamp down her own feelings. It hadn't been hard, the scars and memories of allowing herself to be affected by others, to have feelings for another, were still there. The looks on faces when caught out in their lies and the switch of mistrust, where she'd gone from being the one being betrayed to them accusing her of being the betrayer, would never go away. It was easier to remain slightly aloof, an arms length from emotional attachment rather than face those consequences again.
She held Brian's gaze, steadily focused, demure smile in place. "Sure?" She shook her head lightly, maintaining the connection. "Who can ever be sure of anything, let alone nothing?" she mused openly, the smile widening as she started sending a kaleidoscope of thoughts and feelings cascading across their shared mindscape. It really was getting easier each time.