dearbrynn

[dearbrynn]

[dearbrynn]

Brynn Parent-Abernathy

thirty-nine. juvenile probation officer at the courthouse. jessica capshaw.

potential triggering content: n/a

Q. What bad habit are you struggling to overcome?

“That is definitely taking my work home with me. I’m the worst for it and I know I shouldn’t, but sometimes it’s just hard, y’know? I’ll get super into a case or a client and then next thing you know, the janitor is turning off the lights and locking the door.” brynn’s whole heart and her soul is put into her work. She is definitely a person who is either entirely in or one hundred percent out of something, and usually, it’s the first option and has been this way since she was young and in primary school. So it’s no surprised just how dedicated to her work she is, and that every case that comes over her desk she dives head first into. “I’m really trying to not do it cause I know work and my personal life should be kept separate, god, especially with what I do but I’m trying. That’s something, right?”

Q. What keeps you up at night?

Brynn has seen a lot on intense situations with her line of work, the worst of the worst if you ask her considering she works with children and young adults. One in particular, however, stands out to her and has stuck in her head since the beginning of her career. It was not even really her case, she was assisting as she was still an intern at the time. But that did not stop its severity from leaking and solidifying into her brain. “there was this young kid, he was barely eighteen; poor kid did not have it easy — “ she won’t talk about it, she legally cannot. She can remember it clear as day, and it only fortified her interest in becoming a probation officer. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, much like this case and young man, and sometimes people make mistakes but no young person should be damned for something that happened prior to being even legal to drink. Brynn has always been an advocate for change, a firm believer that a person can change. “anyway, the boy was on probation for some nasty cases and it wasn’t what he did that keeps me up, but instead what lead him there. And I just hope he has found peace these days, I hope he has gotten away from the filth of his old life. I’d like to think he has, that at least soothes the insomnia of it all.”

Q. What’s your strongest relationship like & who is it with?

One brown eyed woman instantly comes to mind, and a soft smile touches her face. She could tell you about the first time she walked into that office, wearing a navy blue top and her first words to Brynn. Maybe she would ramble on about sharing coffee mugs, cold feet and wedding vows, seeing the way her eyes twinkled when her veil was lifted and how Brynn thought her heart would never be fuller than when with her wife. The strongest relationship in her life is framed and hung on the wall of their once shared home; it’s a hamper of tangled and mixed clothing, picking out a bottle of red wine despite having always drank white, and it’s soft morning kisses but also the heated touches at night. However, with a packed suitcase and the map quest to frostford, that strong relationship is twisting and bending. Then again … Only a relationship this strong, this still strong, could pull her away from her home city and to this quaint one stop light town. A smile comes over her features and her head tilts, “well I’m married and my wife is pretty damn special. She is the whole reason I’m here, and I’m a city girl so that’s gotta say something, right?” a laugh leaves her, a purely fond sound and some warmth rises in her chest at the mere thought of being reunited with dana. She nods and she looks off, lost in her own thoughts. “yeah, definitely, the strongest bond I have is with my wife.”

Q. Are you running away from something or towards something?

“Definitely toward.” Toward something that ran away. It hurts her a little bit, but she is trying not to think too much into it or harbour the guilt. The other woman could have run off for a number of reasons, surely there was nothing that wasn’t fixable between them. They were doing fine before she left, what could have happened in such short time to completely reverse that? “I think everyone would run toward her— like, toward what I’m running toward. You’d have to be crazy not to.”

Q. What’s your favorite place in town so far?

“is it wrong to say the courthouse ? —- i know, i know. but i’ve only been in town for a few days and I had to make sure my work was all set up and transferred, you know? a girl’s got to eat.” Brynn really does dive head first into work. Her final words, however, spark a thought and it is clear as her eyes widen for a brief moment and she points her index finger. “Oh, you know what, I did stop by this one restaurant and they had the most amazing biscuits — Beulah’s Kitchen? Am I getting that right? I mean the entire meal was so delicious, I will definitely go back. Oh, and driving into town I strayed a little bit and stumbled across this little creek, I never did get the name of it though. It was pretty but I heard some rumours about a witch or something? I’ll have to dig a little deeper.”

Q. If there was a pie left are your doorstep with a welcome note, would you eat it or be suspicious?

“With everything I’ve heard about Frostford, I’d eat it for sure.” A smile cascades over he face and she says it with a firm nod. “I’m sure there are some great bakers around these parts and homemade is far better than anything you can get in the city. There isn’t much better than a country pie. Bonus points if it is cherry, it make not make it to the night fall if so,” she chuckles. “Add some vanilla ice cream to that dish you’ve got yourself a right meal.”

[dearbrynn]

[dearbrynn]

joscasti​.

Josephine smiled and swayed her head left and right at the woman’s question.“It is decent place, it’s home one way or another. But I’m mostly here for…family business, I guess you could call it.” That was a way to put it even if it sounded impersonal.

“sounds ominous” brynn mentions but waves it off with a simple laugh. she wouldn’t pry, she had never really been one with a need to know everyone’s business. “I’ve only been here for a few weeks but I definitely feel the sense of home.”

[dearbrynn]

gidaster​.

“I just wasn’t sure I wanted to be on display on tonight’s special return episode of Animal Cops: Frostford Edition,” Gideon said with a shrug. He wouldn’t have put it past someone in town to have made it quite the ordeal if he had indeed left the stupid chicken in the car. However, that was never really an option for him regardless of how he felt now standing in the store. “She’s lucky she’s good at keepin’ the bug population around the house down.”

“the return of it? Oh boy, what has happened before in this town, should I have really moved here?” Brynn asks with amusement still touching each feature of her face.  she shakes her head before tucking some blonde tresses behind her ear. “is she your only bug copper or. . . do y’ have a whole. . . what is the chicken version of a litter?” her head tilts, her city roots becoming very evident.

[dearbrynn]

mariahogden​.

“Uh…” she started, trying to think about if she really even knew Dana that well. One or two nights together was about the extent of what they knew of each other. They weren’t exactly friends. “We’re not super close or anything, but I’ve been around for awhile. Everyone here kind of knows each other,” she shrugged. “So, Brynn, tell me about yourself! Where ya from? What do you do? Favorite color? All that good jazz.” 

“that’s the whole thing about small towns, right? Everyone knows everyone.” She isn’t sure just how quickly she will warm up to that notion, but there was only really one way of finding out. A small chuckle passes through her lips and she tilts her had slightly. “I’m from mobile, I’m a juvenile probation officer and my favourite colour is probably baby blue. And for a real fun fact, my favourite animal is a panda.” She smiles warmly. “what about yourself?”

[dearbrynn]

theotheraldrich​.

“They ain’t the friendliest group, that’s for sure. The product of gettin’ gifts instead of gettin’ hugs growin’ up, I think.” He shrugged, not that his father was the most affectionate, but the Abernathy’s were downright mean to each other half the time. “Delilah, right.” He let out a low laugh, it was nice talking to someone who didn’t know what happened between them. “I hear a compliment’s the way to her heart. Gotta make it a real one, somethin’ convincin’, she’ll still see right through you, but flattery gets you everywhere with her.”

That brings a feeling to her chest that she isn’t fond of. She knew about her wife’s family, or at least what dana had told her, but the reminder of the shortage of familial companionship and love in her wife’s upbringing still doesn’t sit right with her. “yeah? Well I’ll have to remember that. assuming she ever wants to hold another conversation with me again.” She chuckles.

[dearbrynn]

vivianabernathy​.

“I never claimed to know about your marriage, Brynn. I mean how could I? Dana didn’t even tell anyone it existed until she needed a day off work.” That hadn’t ended well - Vivian had had to find another receptionist after Dana stormed out. “But I’m glad you’re such a perceptive person. I’m sure you had us all figured out before you even met us.” The sarcasm was thick in her tone.

Despite that it sounded like the blonde was trying to jab at her emotions, Brynn wouldn’t let herself fall prey to her comments. It’s not too difficult; she is rather thick skinned for the most part. She presses her lips together and nods slowly. “I like to meet a person before I make my judgments.” She states simply.

[dearbrynn]

delilahisms​.

“Yeah. You didn’t even know my frickin’ name, so clearly, your wife didn’t really want you to meet us,” she snapped, the words filled annoyance. “I really don’t care who you are, but good luck. I’m nowhere near as much of a bitch as my mother.”

“thanks for the warning, I suppose?” she says, and that’s all she can think to say. There would be no turning over this conversation, clearly. “I apologize if I offended you.”

[dearbrynn]

boonekimball​.

“Thank you, I take pride in that. Bein’ the nice guy is what I got goin’ for me. – Your wife, you’re married, of course you are. We’re like…the most acceptin’ small town in the world down here, if you’re worried about any of that stuff. You don’t have to. Where are you from?”

A smile comes to her lips that is somehow a cross between proud and sheepish. “yes, I am married.” She chuckles and tucks her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “I wasn’t, but thank you for the reassurance. it’s nice to hear, boone. I’m from Mobile, born and raised up there. The country part is gonna take some getting used to.” She admits with a tilted smile.

[dearbrynn]

danahq​.

Dana truly couldn’t tear her eyes away from Brynn. She could never understand how someone could be so kind hearted, so loving and so forgiving. At least forgiving enough to come back to Dana after Dana had almost ruined everything in the most self destructive Dana way. Her eyes shifted to the car for a moment before back at Brynn, turning to walk with her towards the house. “I uh… I hope you like it,” she commented. She had used all of her personal savings to put down on a mortgage at the bank. She had really wanted this to be something separate from her parent’s money. This was from her work and her work only. Opening the door so that Brynn could step in, the floor plan was pretty open. Everything was decorated. “There’s enough room for a dog,” she hinted, again. She always hinted at getting a dog, a small chuckle leaving her lips, “Made sure we had a yard and all.” 

there was really nowhere else in the world brynn felt more comfortable, loved and right than with the other blonde. it is how she knew dana was to be her wife, how she was so sure; the sense of home the other brought with her and how it seemed that all problems could be washed away by just being in her arms. a smile brushes across her features, “i love it already just from out here.” she tells dana and walks with through the front door. she looks around and her brows lift.  a chuckle escapes her and she turns to look back at her wife, “well with all this room, there is no reason not to have a dog.” he tells her and presses a kiss to her cheek. “dana, this place is beautiful.” she comments and walks further inside to look around.

[dearbrynn]

vivianabernathy​.

“Again, you don’t know anything about this family. Or what Dana is really like, so maybe reserve your judging until you learn a little more,” Vivian scoffs. She didn’t really blame her sister though - showing her true colours would be a bold step, and their family was an even bolder one. “You don’t get to take the Abernathy name and suddenly decide you’re the resident expert on our lives. Not really how it works, Brynn.”

brynn nods, “you’re right.” she tells her and clears her throat. she had not truly intended to stomp her way in and act so arrogantly, but her drive to protect and defend her wife had overran her. “though, i do know dana. i married her, and i’m a good judge of character, and what our marriage has entailed thus far is something you don’t know.”

[dearbrynn]

danahq​. 

a gentle smile came quickly to dana’s lips as her eyes gazed over her wife’s features. every time she looked at those bright blue eyes, those dimples in her cheeks, even the way her lips curled when she smiled… dana fell in love all over again. “thank you,” she sincerely commented, “for seeing me.” i mean… it helped that she didn’t know the people in frostford, but still. she couldn’t quite picture anyone other than the the woman in front of her, with the heart of pure gold, willing to put up with the abernathy family for her. 

she leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to brynn’s lips, whispering gently, “marrying you was the best decision i have ever made.” 

there was a something in the air of this small town, she could tell by the introductions with most of her in laws and in the shift of her wife’s behaviour, and it had brynn wanting to hold dana a little closer for safety. her hands come up to cradle the other woman’s cheeks as she draws in closer and she smiles at her. “i love you,” she reminds her and kisses her back. “and i’ll love you forever and always.”

[dearbrynn]

mariahogden​. 

Eyebrows rose, a small smirk coming across her face as she chuckled, “You locked down Dana Abernathy?” Shaking her head with a small chuckle, “Good for you. She’s nicer than most people think. You’ve done what many could not.” Many, including Mariah. Holding out her hand, “I’m Mariah, it’s so nice to meet you.“

“yes she is,” she grins. brynn reaches forward to take her hand in shake, her smile still present. “nice to meet you too,” she says back, tone swelling into something warmer. “have you known dana long?” she asks. while she is in the mindset that everyone in this town has known each other since being knee high, she also knows it’s better to not assume. after all, she is a new comer, there’s bound to be others amongst the crowd.

[dearbrynn]

danahq​.

closed starter for @dearbrynn​

dana sat across the dining room table from brynn. staring down at the plate full of food, none of it that had really been touched. she moved it around but only a small bite had made it to her lips. she hadn’t even touched her wine. the numbers kept running through her mind, the calories, the amount of running or pilates she would have to do to burn it off. her therapist’s voice was running through her head. telling her she was just trying to use the control of what went into her body to deal with the lack of control she felt with her emotions at the moment. her therapist was right. she couldn’t control how awful she felt about her siblings. she couldn’t control how awful she felt about what this town thought of her. what her parents thought of her. she couldn’t even control how much guilt she had over leaving brynn and having brynn come here, to a town where she was now surrounded by the same people who treated dana like shit and were no likely to treat brynn the same. maybe she’d listen to her therapist’s voice if she hadn’t quit therapy. 

wasn’t like this issue hadn’t reared it’s head in their marriage before. the only issue was that when it got bad, dana had left. not wanting brynn to know about it. now brynn was back and dana went from months of a deep relapse to trying to pretend like daily meals weren’t killing her again. “i can’t-” she started, her voice choking as tears filled her eyes, pushing the plate away from her as she stood from the table, “i’m sorry, i can’t.” wiping away a couple tears that had fallen she moved out of the living room toward their bedroom, “i’m just gonna go for a run and i’ll be back and we can do something then. maybe a movie or board game or something.” 

wondering why her had left in the first place had always driven her mad; she could never understand. maybe it is why she had been so quick to accept her suggestion of following her to frostford --- she never, for one second, was under the impression dana had done it out of ill will or spite. while brynn had been quick to forgive her wife, curiosity nagged at her constantly of what could have been the driving force under her heels back to frostford. the dinner had been cooked and set on the dinning room table for the two of them; brynn had always been raised to have family dinners together and she loved carrying that out with dana. granted, there wasn’t much she didn’t love doing with dana.

she looks up at the sound of dana’s voice and is taken back by the sudden upset and turmoil that seems to contort the other’s expression. “dana---”  she whispers and stands from her spot. she walks over to their bedroom with her, completely disregarding the meal and wine. concern is evident on the blonde’s face as she comes into their room and she pauses. “hey, what’s wrong?” she asks. “are you feeling okay?” her wife had barely touched her plate. 

[dearbrynn]

boonekimball​.

“Brynn, hello.” He laughed at himself, trying to regain focus. She was making it hard. “Sorry. Growing up around here you know everyone, face like yours stands out.” He shrugged. “I’m kind of part of an unofficial welcoming committee, if you’ve ever got any questions. You are new in town, right? I didn’t just miss you somehow?”

laughter chimes out from the blonde as he speaks. it’s been a while since a man has hit on her, really, considering where she is from -- it’s common knowledge that she is married. to a woman. “well they ought to make you official, you’re doing a pretty good job of making a girl feel welcomed.” she comments with a grin toward him. “i am new, yes. i came down to be with my wife.”

[dearbrynn]

delilahisms​.

“Whatever,” Delilah waved off the correction. She’d probably forget Bryan’s name in a minute anyways. She rolled her eyes at the other blonde, her tone cold and dry, “Look lady, you don’t know anything about me or my family. You only know the half-truths that Dana’s fed you.”

“i don’t know if they were necessarily half truths but you’re right that i don’t know your side of anything, any of you.” brynn nods and she sighs. her impression with her new family was not going well. “i’m sorry,” she says the younger.