[BRYONY] Another Journey

The comb slid easily through Bryony’s bangs, the thin bristles fanning them out across her forehead and curling them inward with just a few strokes. Placing it down, she switched the comb for her own two hands as they entangled into her hair, pushing up and out to volumize the brown locks and smooth out any stray strands. After looking in the mirror and turning her head side to side, she gave a short nod at her reflection and picked up a tube of clear lip gloss, raising it to her lips and smearing it evenly, being sure to line it along her cupid’s bow. 

Bryony often took care of her appearance; it was something instilled in her from an early age. But in the past couple years, she had opted to be more active in taking care of her looks, particularly now that she had a reputation to maintain.

Twisting the cap back onto the gloss, Bryony furrowed her brows as she looked herself in the mirror, pocketing the item and adjusting her coat. Times had changed, in two years. Unova had changed when she last went; influence and so-called “inspiration” from the events in Sinnoh meant increased security measures, since the region was all too familiar with resurgence in organizations. And sure, while they worked extraordinarily well, the region’s gain in safety left a feeling of extinguished free-spiritedness and grit. That loss drew Bryony back to the subways for the popular street entertainment of Subway Battles, where she gained her reputation as a seasoned battler. And, of course, the thrill of underground fighting in the cities drained, abandoned sewer on the east side of Castelia also gained her a reputation. And a couple souvenirs, she remembered, as she touched her chin and traced a short, thin scar with her fingernail.

Alola had also changed. Being in close communications with Unova, they also suffered from intense security changes, although the environment of the area allowed Bryony to feel a little less dragged down when she had moved there to stay with Taemin. Yes, it was a nice place to relax. She enjoyed watching Taemin battle, and equally enjoyed giving him tips and lessons when he needed it. But too much relaxation gave her a sense of unease; she missed the danger, the thrill of Unova, but she knew she needed a healthier outlet.

And here she was now, on a ship, headed to Galar. As she pulled her belt through the loops in her jeans, the memory of being interviewed by a woman in red at Azure Academy popped into her brain. There, she had given information that she was of Galar descent, with the admittance that she had never been herself. Now, she could finally see the sights that her grandmother spoke of over the phone, and a smile tugged at her lips. Perhaps she would pay her a surprise visit.

Reaching down into her bag, she grabbed her accessory bag and unzipped it, grabbing a pair of simple, faux diamond stud earrings and putting them in their respective ears. She dug around some more, hoping to find her battle gloves somewhere at the bottom, but the feel of cool metal forced her to pause.

Retracting her hand, she looked down to see a silver chain with a tiny, pale purple gemstone as its charm. At the sight of it, Bryony felt her jaw tighten, shuffling the necklace until the stone was between her thumb and index finger.

"Now how could I almost forget you." she mumbled under her breath, before undoing the Clawitzer clasp and bringing it up to her neck, closing it back up and adjusting it on her neckline.

With another tug at her coat to better shape it and a quick brushing back of her hair, Bryony put her makeup and things away and placed them in her suitcase, looking at herself in the mirror as she grabbed it to go and leave the now docked ship. She glanced at the necklace in her reflection, a somber smile crossing her face as she nodded to herself.