Sing, Sweet Nightingale [ATTN: Cinderella]

[Briar Rose]

After Briar Rose had sang for her animal friends, she had rested under the shade of a large tree, and stroked the squirrel that sat on her lap, until she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. It was a nap, and it came without warning. Some of the animals left after they recognized that the human was asleep. Most of them, however, remained.

[Cinderella]

It was a beautiful day outside, and, after tending to her royal duties, Cinderella had decided to spend the afternoon riding. Her Prince was away on a important trip with his father, so the young princess was left mostly alone.

Now, she was out on her horse, Major, who was galloping along in a content matter. Along with Major, Bruno, her beloved bloodhound, had joined her on the trip out. Cinderella had made sure the horse wasn't riding too fast, as she didn't want to lose sight of Bruno. When they had traveled quite deep into the woods, she tugged on Major's reigns, an indication for him to stop.

Descending, Cinderella patted the horse gently, smiling. She had not noticed that Bruno, who was sniffing around, had found something that had caught his attention. It was only when he barked, then ran off, did the young woman notice.

"Bruno? Oh, Bruno!"

Leaving Major, she quickly chased after the bounding dog, her dainty feet padding softly along the woodland floor. By the time she'd caught up with Bruno, he'd already found the something he was looking for...

...or someone. Cinderella got to the dog just in time to see him next to a very beautiful young woman, who appeared to be sleeping, quite peacefully. Various woodland animals surrounded her, although some had scattered to the trees when Bruno had rushed in.

"Bruno!" The princess whispered, but her voice made it clear that this was a demand. "Come here!" She wanted to leave the other woman in peace, and if Bruno made any noise, it wouldn't happen. She started towards him, but before she could get near enough, the bloodhound let out a happy bark, jumping up and down in front of the resting maiden.

[Briar Rose]

By now all of Briar Rose's animal friends had fled from the excited dog. When the dog was directly in front of the sleeping maiden and barked, the blond teenager woke up with a jolt. Her eyes were wide open in an instant, and she gasped in surprise. She looked from the old dog to a young woman.

"Oh... oh!" Briar Rose stood up and kept her distance from both the dog and the young woman. This was so sudden and so surprising, that the blond did not know what to say. So she stood and exchanged glances to the woman and her dog, in awkward silence.

[Cinderella]

Cinderella, though she realised it was most likely too late now to leave the young woman in peace, got to Bruno, and pulled him away, her face showing that she wasn't happy with what he'd done. The bloodhound decided now that barking had been a mistake. He hated seeing the pretty princess so upset with him, and quietly stood behind her as the maiden awoke.

It was clear that they had surprised her, and Cinderella thought it best that they leave, but not before she apologised for Bruno's behaviour. "Oh, I'm sorry about his behaviour," she softly spoke, gesturing to Bruno behind her, "I hope we didn't disturb you too much." Looking directly at the blonde, the woman hoped Bruno hadn't caused her any distress.

[Briar Rose]

The blond maiden remained still, but her eyes moved so she could examine both the old yet adorable dog, and his owner. The owner was very pretty, and one could sense undying qualities of grace and kindness just looking at her. The maiden remained silent for an awkward moment, but she managed to reply to the attractive, young woman.

"It's all right. I'm not upset." She offered a nervous smile, but the nervousness ceased when she looked to the dog again. She lowered herself to her knees and beckoned the dog to her, before looking up to his owner for clarification. "Oh, I'm sorry. But may I...?"

[Cinderella]

It was a relief to Cinderella that they hadn't distressed the young woman. She returned the smile, but could see that she was quite nervous in their company. As the blonde beckoned to Bruno, he too looked up to his owner. Though he wanted very much to go to the woman, he didn't want to upset Cinderella any more than he had done.

"Oh, of course you may," the princess replied, still smiling, and looked to Bruno. She could never stay cross with the lovable bloodhound for long, and found the smile growing wider as he padded forward, sniffing the maiden's hand, before giving an excited bark.

Cinderella laughed, amused, yet happy at Bruno, before a blue-bird flew down close to her. She held out a hand, and it wasn't long until the bird landed one of her fingers, tweeting at her merrily.

[Briar Rose]

Briar Rose was visibly more comfortable when the stranger granted her permission to greet the happy dog. She smiled, then looked down to the dog. After he sniffed her hand and barked, she giggled and stroked the dog, and then affectionately petted the dog's head. As she played with the dog, she looked up to his owner, in time to see the young woman greet a blue bird. The forest's maiden immediately recognized the stranger's compassion for all living creatures.

"... Do you love animals, too?" Her voice was soft and shy, but she was beginning to feel at ease with this stranger. Surely, her aunts would object, but this stranger was obviously wholesome and pure. Not wicked. Besides, she had met a few strangers already, and was beginning to realize just how deprived she's been, living her whole life isolated and without interactivity with humans outside of her aunts.

[Cinderella]

[OOC: Sorry to keep you waiting, Joe!]

The bird continued to tweet, the sound becoming almost a song as a few of the other birds, who were brave enough to come forward, started to join in. Cinderella allowed the bird to rest on her fingers a little longer whilst the maiden tended to Bruno, before lowering her hand to a nearby branch, gesturing it to fly off her fingers, which it did with some reluctance. Meanwhile, Bruno was enjoying the attention from the young blonde, and was beginning to like her already. He didn't make a noise when she spoke to his owner, but stayed close to the maiden's side.

Cinderella looked back to the other woman as she spoke. "Yes, I do. Some of them have become my greatest friends throughout the years, and I believe that they should be treated just as well as humans." After she finished, she gave another warm smile to the maiden, then only realising she did not know her name.

"Oh, pardon me. I don't believe I ever gave my name. My name is Cinderella, may I ask who you are?"

[Briar Rose]

Briar Rose smiled down to the lovable dog and petted him again. She then looked back to the beautiful, young woman when she answered Briar Rose's question. The forest's maiden smiled warmly as the stranger answered, and she nodded in agreement. She, too, loved animals, and viewed them as equal to humans.

Briar Rose's smile ceased and was replaced with surprise when the stranger revealed her name, and asked for her own. "You... you have a beautiful name," she said. She immediately recognized that her response was awkward. She blushed and meekly tilted her head downward, though her eyes remained on Cinderella. "Oh! I'm sorry! I just never heard that name before. And I think it's... lovely." She smiled timidly, and that's when she realized that she didn't answer the question with her own name. She looked away as she continued.

"I'm not supposed to tell you, because you're a stranger." She was confused by how she should react. She stood up, away from Bruno, and turned, facing away from Cinderella.

It didn't take a genius to see that Briar Rose was very sheltered, and shy because of it.

[Cinderella]

[OOC: Sorry. I suck at keeping up with posts. )x]

Though Cinderella didn't react this way normally, she remained silent for a moment after the blonde commented on her name, saying it was beautiful. It wasn't that she was upset with the woman at all; she merely wasn't expecting such an answer. The princess looked up to the maiden again, just in time to see her blush and lower her head, and Cinderella wondered if her reaction had been mis-interpreted.

"Oh no...please, don't apologize. I-I'm flattered that you think such of my name." She paused, almost smiling as she vaguely remembered her own father had having good taste in many things...well, apart from her Step-family, but Cinderella would never blame her father for choosing them. He wasn't to know how...how terrible they could be.

She forced herself to shake those thoughts of the past away. Cinderella listened to the maiden, only stepping forward when the blonde turned away. Bruno glanced up, sadness showing in his eyes as she moved away, as he was beginning to like her very much.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize," the princess softly said, realizing how shy she must be. Then, an idea came to her. "But, surely, now that you know my name, I couldn't possibly be that much of a stranger, could I?"

She wouldn't force the other woman to reveal anything else about herself, by any means, but felt that knowing her name would help in addressing her, as it wouldn't be very polite to refer to her any other way.

[Briar Rose]

The beautiful yet sheltered teenager stood with her back turned to Cinderella. She stood in awkward silence for a moment, but she obviously heard what Cinderella said. Her head and hair swayed slightly as she chuckled softly. She then turned her head to speak back to Cinderella. Her cheeks were red, but she had a smile.

"That's a good point."

She took another moment to decide what to do. She turned to face Cinderella again and, although she was too shy to look her in the face, she answered the question.

"My name, it's Briar Rose." Her voice was very soft and timid, like the coo of a dove.

[Cinderella]

Though she had discovered how introverted the maiden appeared to be, Cinderella still felt that she wanted to stay with her, even if was only holding a conversation for a short while. Of course, she'd leave if necessary, but, judging by Bruno's recent actions, he seemed to want very much to stay with the girl. When she turned her head to speak, Cinderella gave a warm smile, clearly stating that it was safe for her to reveal her name.

The blonde gave her name quietly, and the princess took a few steps closer, hoping that she wouldn't mind. "Briar Rose. That's a beautiful name, and I think it suits you," she replied, almost as softly as the maiden had done moments before, and then noticed that more woodland animals had joined to watch what was happening. "Looks like we have more company," Cinderella lightly added, giving a laugh. "I assume you've been friends with these animals for some time?"

[Briar Rose]

Briar Rose's cheeks reddened further, and her eyes glistened in humility, when Cinderella took a few steps closer and complimented her name. Despite her better judgment, Briar Rose did not step back when Cinderella decreased their proximity. She offered the forest visitor a very humble, gracious nod. "...Thank you. You're so kind."

She noticed the animals that re-entered the area, when Cinderella pointed them out. She didn't look to Cinderella when she answered the question, but she did nod. "Well... yes. I... I never met any other human until recently. Besides my aunts. You're..." She spoke too much. She flinched and looked from the animals to Cinderella. "I sing for them, because my songs bring them peace."

Briar Rose was very uncomfortable right now, but she didn't act rude because of it.

[Cinderella]

Cinderella listened intently as Briar Rose talked about her animal friends, though it didn't surprise her as much as she thought it would when the maiden mentioned she hadn't met many humans until recently, as she had realised how introverted the maiden was. Watching her, the princess saw that the blonde began to uncomfortable with explaining so much, but mentioned that she sang for her said friends.

"They certainly seem to like you very much...you must be a very good friend to them." She paused, thinking of how to perhaps ease Briar Rose's flustered state. Bruno, in an attempt to help, nudged one of the maiden's legs gently with his muzzle.

"I...I sometimes sing too. I particularly did so when I lived with...well, that seems like a life-time ago now, but I have a few mice and bird friends and they always appreciated it. I only wish I could've repaid their kindness more..."

[Briar Rose]

Briar Rose smiled softly, flattered by being told that she is well-liked by her animal friends. When she felt the old dog gently nudge one of her legs, she looked down to him and her smile grew in warmth. Her cheeks slowly began to fill with color again, instead of an awkward paleness. After a pause, she bent her knees and gently stroked his head affectionately. "Thank you," she said.

As she treated the dog kindly, she heard Cinderella explain her friends, and how she also loved songs and music. The blonde finished petting the dog and then stood upright to politely address the young woman. Her smile remained constant. "You're friends with animals, too..." After a moment of staring, Briar Rose shyly looked away, but still smiled. "... What kind of songs do you sing, if you don't mind me asking?"

[Cinderella]

Whilst it was subtle, Cinderella's stature relaxed when Briar Rose began to smile as she commented on the maiden's friendship to the woodland animals. Though she had only met her a short while ago, the princess already knew that it was important she kept the very shy Briar Rose at ease - that, and she was already hoping to perhaps be-friend her in some way. Looking down at Bruno, Cinderella assumed he was feeling a similar way.

She smiled as Briar Rose stroked said dog tenderly, and was silently grateful for his efforts too. Whilst the maiden was focused on the dog, Cinderella's words hadn't gone unheard and soon she stood and addressed the princess. Though she remained shy, there was noticeably brighter atmosphere from the mutual interests the two woman shared - animals and singing.

The question however made Cinderella pause, not because she minded Briar Rose asking, but honestly no-one had ever shown much of an interest in what she believed to be an everyday talent. The woman began to reply, her face thoughtful. "Well...I suppose they're cheerful and anything that will keep not just mine, but my friends' moods bright is worth trying." After a moment, Cinderella closed her eyes, and began to hum a soft, yet upbeat and pretty tune, which Bruno briefly barked at in excitement, always enjoying his mistress's songs.

[Briar Rose]

The shy maiden looked again to the dog's owner as she began to answer. Cinderella's voice was huskier than Briar Rose's, but to the latter, it was a very warm and gracious tone. It was very pleasant, even comforting, speaking voice to listen to. But Briar Rose wasn't prepared for just how gifted the voice was when singing, even if only merely humming. Cinderella's voice was amazing. Briar Rose was a self-aware soprano, and Cinderella's voice was deeper, but no less talented... if solely judging by humming. The golden-locked maiden wished to hear the voice sing actual lyrics.

Briar Rose smiled more warmly than before, a connection obviously established between the two young ladies. "You have a great voice," she complimented in earnest. "I can see how you could cheer up others with it." Her eyelids lowered halfway as her mouth grinned slightly.

"Your humming is nice... but could you sing a little song?" Briar Rose had overstepped her shyness however briefly, and her polite request almost had a hint of challenge in it. "I'd like to hear you sing words... i-if you don't mind."

[Cinderella]

As she sang, Cinderella briefly felt as if she was being taken to another world. It was a common experience for the young woman, as when she'd been a servant, singing had been one of the few ways she could truly express herself, and feel some sort of freedom. It had also helped her maintain that optimistic demeanor she'd always seemed to be able to uphold.

Not long afterwards, the woman allowed the tune to grow to a quieter dynamic, as she opened her eyes, before finishing her performance. Although Cinderella had merely viewed her singing as an accompaniment to chores, or something to keep hers and her friends spirits high in darker times, she was still subtly curious to know what the fairer maiden thought of it. When the latter complimented Cinderella's voice and agreed with the notion that it could lift people's emotions, the princess had a noticeably grateful, yet slightly bashful expression.

She was about to thank Briar Rose when said maiden spoke up again - with another surprising request. Having only heard Cinderella humming a tune, she wanted to hear lyrics along with it. The woman paused once again, unsure this time rather than thoughtful. It was one thing for her to softly hum a song, but to sing also...why, she couldn't remember the last time anyone had heard her sing - well, bar her animal friends, who always appeared to join in.

Noticing his mistress' momentary discomfort, Bruno stepped closer, pawing gently at her skirts and made a quiet, yet encouraging noise. Breaking out of her thoughts, Cinderella smiled at her beloved pet's efforts and briefly petted his head, before looking back towards the maiden.

"I'm sorry...it's just that, well...it's been such a long time since anyone has heard me sing. It'll take some getting used to..."

Despite her faltering words, Cinderella took a deep breath, knowing that singing, even for somebody unfamiliar to her, would perhaps calm the situation. The maiden also seemed subtly eager to hear her voice and clearly singing was a mutual hobby for them too.

"Oh, sing sweet nightingale, sing sweet nightengale...