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+---- Thread: here's the countdown (/showthread.php?tid=10221)
here's the countdown - Flora - 10-10-2024
Flinging her arms around her brother and tugging him close, Flora sighs wordlessly against him, trying and failing to find the words that would even come close to describing how glad she was to see him despite what a fucked up evening they'd just had together. [say]"Love you."[/say] She whispers into his curls. [say]"Shopping date soon?"[/say] Pulling back only when he'd kissed both of her cheeks, the queen gave the botanist a warm squeeze before turning and leaving him to it.
Turning, Flora immediately fled to Jack's side. Her thoughts were a thicket of rosebushes whose blue-green leaves might have looked inviting, but actually hid thorns far more impressive than the blood-red flowers that outwardly blossomed. Higher and higher they grew until their gnarled shapes helped to divide her thoughts into segments, helpfully compartmentalizing the parts of the evening she didn't really want to think too hard about. Having been around Jack long enough to know that his method of dealing with conflict was either with a knife or not at all (until he absolutely had to), Flora thought it best to keep prolonging the inevitable hard conversation that they'd one day need to have.
[say]"Well, that went about how I thought it would."[/say] The queen says breezily, brushing a few strands of hair from her face before fishing for the captain's hand. [say]"I did like seeing boyfriend Jack, though."[/say] She adds with a playful smile, her eyes narrowed slightly against the bright orange-magenta gradient of the setting sun.
RE: here's the countdown - Jack - 10-10-2024
Lingering a few feet away as Flora says her goodbyes to her brother, with the setting sun Jack has pushed his sunglasses up off his face, one of his hands tucked casually in his pockets as he watches the inexorable pull of the tide. At a glance the captain is the picture of ease, silhouetted darkly against the dying rays of light, but as Flora reaches for his hand she'll find it ice cold despite the warmth of the evening. There's blessedly no frost to be found, at least, and perhaps most surprisingly of all, he slips his fingers against the Doubletake's without complaint, his footsteps slow but sure as they set off along the beach.
The maelstrom in Jack's own mind is potent enough, for once, to swamp any thoughts he might have preferred to siphon from Flora, and his jaw tightens a fraction as she speaks. [say]"It's always a pleasure to see myself become nothing in your family's eyes,"[/say] he agrees, his voice a soft drawl. [say]"Can't wait for the next one."[/say] There's no use telling her he's leaning much more towards the knife than the avoidance tonight; the Doubletake knows him well enough that she can probably tell from his expression alone.
[say]"Oh? Well at least someone approved,"[/say] he says with a scoff, glancing away from the sea to the port slowly creeping closer before them. [say]"I'm gonna head back to The Ark."[/say] He's liable to get into a fight if he takes a detour to the Hanged Man and its drunk patrons, but Flora is welcome to do so if she still wants to grab more booze.
RE: here's the countdown - Flora - 10-10-2024
Had the chill in Jack's fingers not been caused by the aggressive disapproval of her family, Flora might have demanded to feel the touch of his hands all over her body in an effort to combat the heat. Instead, she merely twined her fingers all the tighter against his, her mind overlaying golden threads that bound their hands together.
[say]"Well I hope I made it clear enough to them that you're not nothing in mine."[/say] Flora says all but under her breath. She'd honestly thought she'd gotten through to Remi when she'd gone to visit him the week before, and the fact that things had unravelled so quickly left the Doubletake a touch stunned. [say]"I'm pretty sure Mateo liked you."[/say] The queen points out with a soft squeeze against the captain's fingers. No, Jack wasn't out to win any popularity contests, but it wasn't her family who'd taken such a dislike to their relationship, only Remi and Ronin. Sunjata and Hotaru, she was quite certain, would never act this way, and no doubt Enzo would be beside himself when he finally got to meet Flora's new boyfriend.
Raising her eyebrows, Flora glances up at the captain, his silhouette lined by an orange glow and bordered by the darkening sea that had her breath catching in her throat. [say]"Or you could come to mine if you want some actual quiet."[/say] She suggests softly. For all the familiarity of the Ark, there'd always be a handful of people within the newly extended net of the captain's magic; unlike her home which would remain silent save for her own thoughts. It also had the benefit of things like an actual shower, scented oils she could use to fuss over Jack with, and a much larger bed.
Whatever he chose, though, Flora had no intention of leaving his side.
RE: here's the countdown - Jack - 10-10-2024
[say]"Ah, but it's only a matter of time, right?"[/say] Jack mutters, uncharacteristically morose about the entire encounter, as if he'd manage to take Remi's feelings about him and make them his own much in the same way he's able to do with Flora so often. Taking a deep breath and sighing it out, while it's an absolute ballache to take out his cigarettes - and light one - with only one hand, he doesn't free his other from Flora's touch. If anything, the hard drag he takes off the smoke feels all the more worth it for the effort, and he offers it out to the Doubletake afterwards.
[say]"Visit your brother more often,"[/say] he mumbles on the exhale, smoke briefly clouding his expression. [say]"His front is good, but he's hangin' on by a fuckin' thread up there in Stormbreak."[/say] Tilting his head to crack his neck, the gesture does little to relieve any tension, and at the suggestion that they go to Flora's place, the refusal is right on the tip of Jack's tongue before he's biting it back.
[say]"When shit gets rough I always go back to the sea."[/say] He mutters the admission even as he gestures towards Haulani and Flora's place. [say]"Force of habit, I guess."[/say] No one can say Jack isn't good enough for the sea, after all Remi. [say]"Lead the way."[/say]
RE: here's the countdown - Serendipity - 10-10-2024
One even seems to look at you, uttering a soft greeting, before moving on, after its brethren.
You’ve encountered a Cloud Wyrm. This counts as an uncommon creature encounter for the purposes of levelling, but does not count as a Random Event for levelling or MP. There will be no further admin/re intervention. If you choose to follow this creature, you do so at your own risk, however, just having it in this thread is enough to satisfy your levelling requirements.
Cloud Wyrm (uncommon/mythical) - Cousins of the dragon, these small and serpentine creatures boast no wings or destructive breath. Rather, they breathe clouds. Their four-legged white bodies can be seen slithering through the air, puffy clouds streaming from their mouths to ease the intensity of the sun on the plains. They never get any bigger than a weasel, and are known as docile, playful creatures, and they seem to enjoy collecting shiny things.
RE: here's the countdown - Flora - 10-10-2024
Over the years Flora has had more than her fair share of petulant moments such that she knows the tone in Jack's voice all too well. Still, it's so strange to hear it coming from his lips that her immediate inclination is to grab him by the shoulders and give him a good hard shake as if she might knock out whatever thoughts were causing it and instead make room for the way she saw him. Instead, she tugs at his fingers to slow his pace and slides her palm against his cheek to direct his lips down against hers. It was a kiss that was unhurried and familiar; not one of lust but of love. [say]"No."[/say] She whispers softly against his lips. [say]"It isn't."[/say]
Settling back at Jack's side so he could finish fishing out his cigarettes, she starts at the sudden arrival of the pod? pack? slither? of cloud wyrms, before laughing at their antics. Accepting the offered cigarette with a hum of thanks, the Doubletake inhales deeply, enjoying the way the tobacco mixes with the taste of gin and Jack's lips.
[say]"Wh—"[/say] Blinking, Flora nibbles at the inside of her cheek as she chooses the path that will lead into town rather than down toward the water. [say]"I know. Or...well, I thought maybe he was just putting on a smile for all of us. It's why I keep trying to get him to move here."[/say] Frowning, the Doubletake sighs softly. One of the reasons things hadn't worked out with Koa was simply because she couldn't spend enough time up in Stormbreak, and unfair as it was to Mateo, the same applied to him too. Still, she could be better. Would be. [say]"Thanks for telling me."[/say] Flora says softly, turning her head to press a kiss against Jack's shoulder.
[say]"Mm, well, you can see the sea from my bedroom window."[/say] Flora points out, quietly thrilled at the prospect of
RE: here's the countdown - Jack - 10-10-2024
Bristling automatically as Flora tugs at his hand - Jack is used to being the one slowing their pace and picking it up again, after all - the captain is as close to surprised as it gets to feel her fingers brushing against his cheek. The thunder in his mind is loud enough to block hers out for the moment, evidently, such that it takes a second or two for him to respond to her kiss, warm and unexpectedly affectionate as it might be. [say]"If you say so,"[/say] he mumbles - and she does for tonight, and so that's enough. For now, it's enough.
Not finding the cloud wyrms nearly so entertaining, Jack snipes back his cigarette to put it back between his lips as they walk. [say]"He doesn't want to move here,"[/say] he mumbles around the smoke. [say]"Right now he can blame feelin' alone on the distance, because he's up in Stormbreak. If he moves here and nothin' changes, it means he's the thing that's wrong."[/say] Maybe he shouldn't be airing someone's dirty laundry like this, but hey, it's one of the perks Flora gets, right?
[say]"I'd prefer it if you could just open a window so I could hear the waves,"[/say] he says dryly; being misted like a plant doesn't sound nearly as pleasant. [say]"But sure."[/say]
RE: here's the countdown - Flora - 10-10-2024
Wincing, Flora presses her tongue against the back of her teeth as she hears Jack out. [say]"But it would change if he was here."[/say] She implores, as if the captain's was the mind she had to change. [say]"ughhhhhhhhhhhhh."[/say] Groaning theatrically and kicking a bit of sand with the toe of her sandal for good measure, Flora gives her head a shake. [say]"Another thing that my dads have spectacularly fucked up."[/say]
Leaving the cloud wyrms behind, it's an easy stroll through the town toward Flora's street, and with the sun having sunk down beneath the horizon the temperature is threatening to become bearable again. Glancing up at Jack and grinning slyly, the queen shrugs casually against him. [say]"Mabye I'll just wshhhshhshshshhh to make you fall asleep."[/say] Poorly imitating the sea if only to try and get Jack to smile—she doubts if it'll work but it doesn't stop her trying—Flora chuckles before her smile fades by degrees. [say]"You're allowed to be upset, you know."[/say] Quietly said, the queen recalls any number of times that she's been upset in the past when all anyone tried to do was snap her out of it. [say]"However you feel...it's okay with me."[/say]
Fairy lights decorate the outside of Flora's home, making it incredibly easy for her to find the rock beneath which she hides her keys. Sliding one into the lock, Jack will find the Doubletake's home wonderfully cool and utterly silent.
RE: here's the countdown - Jack - 10-10-2024
[say]"Don't shoot the messenger, love,"[/say] Jack says with just the hint of a smile in his voice, the captain flicking the ash from his cigarette with another slow exhale, the nicotine and familiarity of the gesture managing to smooth out some of his (metaphorically, he's not Remi) ruffled feathers. [say]"You sure about that? I was under the impression they could do no wrong, for all of Remi's self-deprecation."[/say]
Scoffing and turning his back reluctantly on the beach if only so they can walk up towards the Doubletake's house, her humour prickles down the strings of his magic, and he raises his eyebrows at her without even a kernel of amusement in his expression. [say]"I didn't quite catch that,"[/say] he says ever-so-dryly. [say]"Do it again?"[/say]
Whether Flora does decide to wshhhshhshshshhh him to sleep, her next remark has the captain wrinkling his nose even if upset is a very accurate evaluation of his current state. [say]"My ego just took a kickin' is all. Not the first time."[/say] Not in the grand scheme of things, no, but it has been a hot minute since it last happened.
Stepping into Flora's home and into the strange shield of silence within it (other than her thoughts, of course), Jack takes off his sunglasses to set them down on the counter and ruffles a hand back through his dark hair. [say]"Thanks,"[/say] he mutters belatedly, already drifting towards the stairs. (She'd said he could see the ocean from her window, after all, and he's not planning on waiting around for it).
RE: here's the countdown - Flora - 10-10-2024
As it always does, a flicker of opalescent light shivers through Flora's mind as he calls her love, before thoughts of Remi and Ronin's past misdeeds have her groaning under her breath. [say]"Not that there will be a next time, but feel free to bring up the fact that I was conceived while they were married. Or how Enzo and I had to grow up on the other side of the forest and couldn't even live with Remi because Ronin was so jealous and mad that we were alive? Or the fact that Remi agreed to it?"[/say] Could do no wrong? Flora could give Jack ammunition for days against precisely that point if he wanted it.
Meeting Jack's flat stare unwaveringly, Flora widens her eyes. [say]"WSHSHSHSHSHSHHWHHHHSHHHHH."[/say] She repeats emphatically, her own amusement bright enough for the both of them.
[say]"You never seem to care what other people think of you."[/say] The queen points out softly as she steps aside for Jack to enter. Surely Remi hadn't said anything that the captain hadn't heard before? [say]"Why does what he says bother you so much?"[/say]
Trying to quiet the way her thoughts immediately flush with affection to see Jack looking rather at home already, Flora hums casually under her breath and nods toward the stairs. [say]"You go, I'll be up in a second."[/say] Not only will the captain be able to see the water from her window, he'll be able to see the Ark as well, and so long as he's willing to keep the temperature down, he can open the window as wide as he likes. When Flora eventually returns, it's with two glasses of rum and several small bottles tucked beneath her arm.
RE: here's the countdown - Jack - 10-10-2024
Saying nothing but absolutely tucking away the various sins that spill from Flora's lips (and so quickly, too), Jack might have had something to comment about eventually - something wry and throroughly unflattering towards the Taliesin demigods, yes - but he's promptly distracted by Flora The Ocean. [say]"Ah,"[/say] he murmurs, nodding down at her as he enters the house, [say]"I see. I caught it that time."[/say] Very good, the slight bob of his eyebrows seems to say.
Alas, the minor lift in his mood takes a nosedive once again as Flora calls him out on his FeeLInGs, and Jack mutters a curse under his breath that is aimed as much at himself as anyone else. [say]"How fuckin' weird would it be for me to say it's because his thoughts remind me of my old man?"[/say] he grumbles, the words almost reluctantly grated out, and he heads upstairs as if he might be able to escape the Doubletake's inevitable follow up questions.
When Flora does appear, rum and various bottles in hand, she will absolutely find Jack sitting at her (now open) window, his shirt half unbuttoned and a cool breeze filling the room, dragging with it the smell of salt and night blooming flowers.
RE: here's the countdown - Flora - 10-10-2024
Once, Jack had accused Flora of not knowing anything about him. For the most part, she was able to set aside that comment as having been one he'd reached for in the heat of the moment, but it was difficult to ignore it completely, especially in times like this when there were very obvious gaps in the queen's knowledge of the captain and the things he'd gone through. Despite the way the words practically begged to be let out, Flora kept them caged behind her teeth, helping herself to a sip of rum right from the bottle before filling their glasses and softly padding up the stairs.
Without saying anything, the Doubletake sets the glasses down on the windowsill well within Jack's reach, before letting the smaller bottles tumble into her waiting hands. Placing those down as well—they're essential oils if the captain decides to look away from the water—Flora silently reaches over Jack's shoulders to unbutton the rest of his shirt, before softly pulling it off of him. No doubt he'd put up a fuss about being touched the way Flora was intending, but then, the queen wondered if the captain had ever been touched the way she was currently planning. She was almost certain he wouldn't have paid for it at the Halenani, and despite the way she was sure there were men and woman alike who'd have offered him the service for free—maybe begged to let them fawn over him when the deed was all said and done—Flora couldn't imagine him ever saying yes.
[say]"Fuck your dad. And mine."[/say] The queen decides as she sprinkles a bit of oil onto her palm, the scent of it not unlike the sea, before warming it by rubbing her hands against one another and then smoothing her fingers against the tight muscles at the top of his shoulders.
RE: here's the countdown - Jack - 10-10-2024
Quiet as Flora's home might be, it only makes the tether between her mind and his magic all the stronger for it, and the fact that she bites back her questions despite that is something that leaves Jack feeling strange and unsteady. He doesn't deign to look away from the window (he doesn't need to, after all, knowing exactly what the Doubletake has selected and why), but he does take the rum, watching The Ark sleepily anchored in the harbour and the port twinkling away in the distance.
[say]"I haven't, no,"[/say] he replies to her thoughts around a sip of his drink, nonetheless surrendering his shirt and letting her set it to the side. He hasn't let anyone touch him the way Flora is currently planning - in his younger years, the workers at the Halenani would have been lucky if he stuck around long enough to properly button his pants again.
Lifting his glass for another sip of rum, in the glow of dusk and with the Doubletake in such proximity, she'll undoubtedly notice the brand new spill of ink against the captain's right bicep, hidden until now by the dark material of his shirt. Strikingly without colour, the shapes are nevertheless apparent; a spray of hibiscus, jasmine, bougainvillea, and the odd calla lily. In short, a display of flora, with not a drop of starlight to be seen.
[say]"Don't say that,"[/say] he drawls, of his father and fucking him. [say]"He'd enjoy that if it were you, I've no doubt."[/say] Beneath her hands, the captain's shoulders are the sort of tight that borders on painful, cords of muscle formed by his time navigating The Ark but made tense by the sort of responsibility that goes well beyond pulling rope and climbing rigging.
RE: here's the countdown - Flora - 10-10-2024
Leaning forward, Flora presses her lips near the captain's ear. [say]"Well, you'll like it."[/say] She assures him, and while her confidence might seem unwarranted, assuming Jack doesn't block her thoughts from his, the fact that she likes touching him—and gods, does she ever—ought to be more than enough to make it enjoyable for him.
Not noticing the spray of dark lines climbing toward his right shoulder at first, it's only as the Doubletake shifts to stand properly behind Jack that she notices the shadows falling along his right side seem to be in a pattern. [say]"wh—"[/say] Immediately Flora's fingers pull back, her mind ridiculously thinking she might smear the delicate petals that her eyes are starting to make out amidst the shadows clinging to the captain's body. Flowers?
Breathless, Flora's mind explodes into the same vacant nothingness that often came post-orgasm, complete with the feeling of the world being swept out from beneath her feet.
Because they weren't just flowers, they were flora—
—and aside from flaying the skin from his body they'd be there forever, and—
Still not daring to breathe as if doing so would shatter the illusion she was currently letting herself believe, the queen lets her oil-warmed fingertips press back against his skin, trickling down his arm properly this time as if to make sure that the ink wouldn't fade beneath her touch.
[say]"Ewwwuhh."[/say] Flora groans under her breath, having half a mind to knee the captain in the back for putting the thought into her mind in the first place. But, on that note...[say]"As long as you're around, I have no plans to fuck anyone else."[/say] She murmurs softly.