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+---- Thread: [SE] but on a wednesday, in a cafe (/showthread.php?tid=10828)
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but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Flora - 03-07-2025
Flora sits on the soft, mossy banks of the Stone Symphony, bare feet dangling into the cool, gently rushing current as she peers down thoughtfully into the glowing depths of the Sunken Gardens. The lush bioluminescence below shimmers gently, throwing soft reflections across her thoughtful expression—an expression that shifts restlessly between concern and curiosity. She tries not to dwell on Sohalia’s letter (except she's definitely dwelling), wondering what exactly constitutes "not bad but also maybe a mistake."
It's probably something to do with Koa.
A light, floral-print shawl drapes loosely around her shoulders against the faint chill of Flowerbirth, its pastel hues mirroring the delicate blossoms starting to wake along the riverbank. Her curls, free today and tousled by the breeze, frame her face, catching the golden sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. Beside her sits a half-chilled bottle of white wine—because this conversation absolutely demands wine—and two glasses glint invitingly in the gentle light.
She exhales slowly, fingers drumming nervously against her thigh. Her jewelry softly clinks with the movement, the sound blending with the distant symphony of trickling water and rustling leaves. [say]"Come on, Soh,"[/say] Flora murmurs softly to herself, partly worried, partly impatient, and completely ready to dive headfirst into whatever fresh drama awaits.
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Sohalia - 03-07-2025
Soh was running late, which was unlike her. Of course, it had also been decidedly unlike her to send a cryptic message to her bestie requesting an urgent meeting, but here they were. She hadn’t meant to worry Flora, but she hadn’t known who else to talk to about this. The only other person she could think of was Tal, who was like a big brother to her and therefore not a good candidate for a conversation about sex. No, it had to be Flora - who else did one go to with moral dilemmas if not their best friend?
She made her way hurriedly along the trail to the Sunken Gardens, Tarak trailing high above her in a search for prey. When they arrived, Soh threw herself down beside her friend. [say]”Gods, I’m so sorry, Flora. Getting off the skyship was a nightmare.”[/say] She’d done her best to get here on time, but everyone seemed to be flocking to the Greatwood these days.
[say]”Thanks for meeting with me,”[/say] she added. [say]”You look great, by the way.”[/say] Suddenly aware that she was chattering far more than usual, she winced. [say]”Sorry, I’m a little… out of sorts.”[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Flora - 03-07-2025
Flora lets out a soft, relieved sigh as Sohalia finally appears, her bright eyes flicking over her friend with immediate warmth (and a touch of lingering concern). She nudges the bottle of wine closer with her foot, flashing Soh an easy smile that’s equal parts reassuring and gently teasing. [say]"Oh my gods, stop apologizing,"[/say] she says lightly, giving Sohalia’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze before leaning back, letting her palms rest in the soft moss. [say]"Honestly, babe, you had me worried. Cryptic letters are kinda my thing, remember?"[/say] Flora’s smile widens playfully, eyes sparkling as she carefully pours them both a generous glass.
She tilts her head, gold earrings catching the sunlight as she studies her friend’s flushed, flustered expression. [say]"Okay, spill,"[/say] she prompts gently, holding out one of the glasses with a raised eyebrow. [say]"What exactly happened that has you so…?"[/say] Flora gestures broadly at Sohalia’s entire vibe, her lips quirking fondly, [say]"You know—like this?"[/say] Then, because she couldn't help it an the anticipation was likely to kill her, she quickly interjected: [say]"It isn't Koa, is it? Are you actually pregnant with his baby this time?"[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Sohalia - 03-07-2025
Soh settled next to her friend, flushed with not only the exertion of getting to the Sunken Gardens, but also the embarrassment that seemed to have taken up residence in her very veins. [say]”Hey, you could share the whole cryptic letters thing,”[/say] she pointed out, accepting the offered wine glass with a thankful look. Then, because Flora didn’t give her any time to respond before offering an even more ludicrous suggestion than her real purpose for needing to talk, Soh simply laughed. [say]”Am I - no, it has nothing to do with Koa.”[/say] Or did it? She had thought of him during her tryst, and maybe that wasn’t entirely an accident.
Shaking her head, the Luminary took a healthy gulp of wine, humming her appreciation as she prepared to divulge her latest secret. [say]”But I did sleep with someone,”[/say] she admitted, swallowing hard against the sudden lump in her throat. It wasn’t that she regretted it, exactly - it was just… not what she’d expected of herself, and she didn’t know what to do with that. Her voice lowered, shy and embarrassed. [say]”It was - it was my first time.”[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Flora - 03-07-2025
Flora’s eyes widen dramatically, her mouth dropping open into a delighted, perfectly scandalized little 'o.' [say]"Oh my gods—Soh!"[/say] she practically squeals, abandoning her carefully composed queenly chill entirely as she grips Sohalia's arm, bouncing slightly with excitement. [say]"Are you serious? Your first time?"[/say]
Wow, so she'd been waaaaaaaay off about the pregnancy thing before, huh?
Her aqua gaze sparkles brilliantly, a thousand delighted questions already firing behind her eyes, each more intrusive and delightedly inappropriate than the last. [say]"Okay, okay—details, please. Who was it? Was it bad? Gasp! Was it good?? Wait, no, don't answer yet—"[/say] Flora dramatically holds up a hand, pausing only long enough to thrust a glass of wine into Sohalia's hands.
[say]"Now answer,"[/say] she insists, practically vibrating with anticipation. [say]"Literally spare no detail. Like, on a scale from awkward fumbling in the dark to full-on romance novel, where did we land?"[/say] Her lips curl into an affectionate smirk as she bumps shoulders softly with Sohalia, utterly thrilled for her friend—while also deeply curious about what or who finally pushed the Luminary of all people to take the plunge.
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Sohalia - 03-07-2025
Soh couldn’t do anything but laugh as Flora gasped, bouncing with excitement as she bombarded the Luminary with questions. [say]”Gods, Flora - calm down,”[/say] she giggled, taking a deep drink of her wine. She pretended to consider the question, tapping her chin with a finger dramatically. [say]”It was… pretty amazing, actually.”[/say] Never mind that it wasn’t necessarily with the right person. Physically, it was incredible. Emotionally, she still wasn’t so sure. In the harsh light of day, she had to wonder if she hadn’t been incredibly, incredibly stupid.
[say]”Okay, so, I was just taking a walk on the Rainbow Road and I ran into this, like… Attuned racing thing? I don’t really know, to be honest, but there was this guy, and he raced and won, and I guess he saw me in the crowd and found me after and started flirting, and one thing led to another, and…”[/say] She shrugged, cheeks flushed with myriad emotions. [say]”I just - so much has been going on lately, you know? And I wanted to do something just for me. Just once.”[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Flora - 03-07-2025
[say]'I will not! This is a big deal!'[/say] Flora countered with a sly smile before helping herself to a large sip of her wine as well. [say]"I mean, not like that big of a deal, it's just sex, but...well, you know what I mean."[/say]
Thankful that Soh had thought it was good, the queen listens silently, though her expressions were every bit as theatrical as her friend had likely expected them to be. [say]"Just found you after, huh."[/say] Flora's smile utterly runs away with her she beams at the Luminary. [say]"So wait...where did it happen? No way you lost your virginity and had sex in public all in one go??"[/say] Gods it seemed wildly out of character, but then again, it sounded like maybe that's exactly what it was Sohalia needed if she'd felt like her entire life had started to revolve too fully around doing the prim and proper thing.
[say]"So...was this, like, a one time thing? Orrrrr, do you like him?"[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Sohalia - 03-07-2025
The thing was, it was a big deal to Soh. When she’d thought of losing her virginity, she’d always expected it would be with someone she loved, who loved her just as much. She’d thought it would be tender, and gentle, and beautiful. Maybe a little bit awkward, but she’d thought they would cuddle afterwards, talking about their feelings, falling asleep in one another’s arms.
If she was honest with herself, for a long time, she’d thought it would be Koa.
Shaking herself from that train of thought, Soh made a face. [say]”Actually, um, I guess I did?”[/say] she said, laughing nervously, afraid of the judgment she’d thus far inflicted upon herself to start coming from her friend. [say]”I just… wasn’t thinking, during. And after, I was so embarrassed to be just out there in the open, so I sort of… shifted and flew home.”[/say] She winced at the memory. She’d barely given Ace a chance to say goodbye, much less learn anything more about him than that he was an Attuned with a unicorn shift.
As for whether or not she liked him, she sighed. [say]”I don’t know him,”[/say] she pointed out. [say]”But… would it be terrible if I said I wouldn’t mind doing it again?”[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Flora - 03-07-2025
Flora's grin dims slowly, shifting into something softer, gentler, as she notices the conflicted flicker in Sohalia's eyes. [say]"Oh, babe,"[/say] she murmurs softly, giving her friend's arm an affectionate squeeze. [say]"First of all—zero judgment from me. I mean, come on. I'm...maybe not the queen of, but certainly royal family when it comes to being impulsive and embarrassing."[/say]
She tilts her head thoughtfully, swirling her wine gently in her glass as she lets Sohalia’s words settle between them. [say]"Second, good for you, honestly. Gods know you deserve to do something that's just for you for once."[/say] Flora hesitates, a quiet softness replacing her usual theatrics as she studies her friend's face carefully, recognizing the uncertain edge beneath the shy confession.
[say]"Did it make you happy?"[/say] she asks gently after a pause, the teasing set aside entirely now. [say]"Because that's really all that matters. Trust me, life is way too short and way too messy to feel guilty about finding a little bit of joy, even if it’s..."[/say] she trails off with a mischievous little shrug, eyes twinkling again, [say]"...literally out in public with a hot unicorn stranger."[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Sohalia - 03-07-2025
How was it that Flora could always see through whatever attempt at deflection Soh chose to employ, cutting to the heart of her insecurities with surgical precision? The Luminary swallowed hard as Flora squeezed her arm, offering reassuring words that eased something in Soh's chest with their sincerity. Maybe Flora was used to doing things that were impulsive, but Soh was decidedly not - perhaps, in some cases, to her detriment. And despite the reassurance, Soh couldn't help but wonder still if it had been a mistake, no matter how good it had felt at the time.
[say]"During... yes,"[/say] Soh admitted, fiddling with the wine glass in her hand and staring at the way the liquid swirled. [say]"But, after? I don't know. I guess I just... always thought it would be different? I mean, not actually doing it -"[/say] she smiled self-deprecatingly, [say]"- but, like... I always thought my first time would be with someone I cared about, not some literal stranger who just happened to be there and be hot and..."[/say] She shrugged helplessly. [say]"Maybe it's the romantic in me, but I guess I wonder if I should have waited?"[/say]
Soh took a sip of her wine, staring out over the water before them, eyes unseeing. Waited for what? She was a literal disaster when it came to relationships, having successfully played the wrecking ball in both of her first romances. Shaking her head at herself, she swallowed her misgivings and tried on a shy smile. [say]"He was pretty hot. You know, for a random unicorn stranger."[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Flora - 03-08-2025
Flora hums softly, setting her wine down to reach out and give Sohalia's knee a gentle, reassuring squeeze. [say]"I get that,"[/say] she says softly, her voice losing the teasing edge and turning tender, quiet. [say]"As someone whose first time was with someone special..."[/say] She sighs softly; talking about Koa always seemed to cast a shadow over her heart, no matter how much time passed. [say]"..I mean, we aren't together now anyway, so is it really any better? I kind of think you have to win the lottery of finding someone you really care about and have them be patient with waiting and then have the relationship continue on in order for it to matter in the long run."[/say]
She gives Sohalia a warm, knowing smile, eyes gentle as she leans her shoulder affectionately into her friend’s. [say]"I think the romantic in you deserves to be celebrated, though. But just because this wasn't exactly the fairytale scenario you imagined, that doesn't mean it wasn't right in its own way, you know?"[/say] Flora shrugs delicately, tilting her head thoughtfully as she gazes out over the shimmering water. [say]"I mean, who knows? Like you said, this was what you needed right now—just something spontaneous and purely for you."[/say]
A sly little smile curls at her lips again, and she nudges Soh playfully, brows lifting gently. [say]"Besides, hot unicorn strangers don't come around every day,"[/say] she points out teasingly. [say]"Might as well seize the moment when you can."[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Sohalia - 03-09-2025
Soh hadn’t considered the possibility that she could have slept with someone she loved only for the relationship to end later - and she should have, given her proclivity for ending relationships. She leaned into Flora, resting her head for a moment on the queen’s shoulder. [say]”You’re right,”[/say] she said, feeling better about her choices. Gods knew she didn’t seem to be the relationship type. Maybe she should just focus on having fun for a while - if, that is, she could find the time.
[say]”I don’t think it will go anywhere,”[/say] she mused, straightening to take a sip of her wine. [say]”But I don’t think now is the time for a relationship for me anyway.”[/say] When would she manage to date, after all, what with the Family breathing down all their necks and her myriad plans to take care of. She smiled, something a little sly in the expression. [say]”I really wasn’t expecting to like it so much,”[/say] she confided in her friend. [say]”I guess I’ve been missing out.”[/say] Maybe she would have to seize the moment more often - loosen up and allow herself to let her hair down.
She’d come a long way from the shy, touch starved youth who had left the Hollowed Grounds. That much was certain.
[say]”Hey,”[/say] she said after a moment, her smile fading. [say]”Off topic, but have you heard about this whole writing a poem for Vox thing?’[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Flora - 03-09-2025
Flora smiles softly as Sohalia leans her head against her shoulder, warmth and affection filling the silence between them. [say]"Exactly,"[/say] she murmurs reassuringly, giving her friend’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. [say]"Relationships are a mess at the best of times—trust me on that. Right now? Honestly, I’d just enjoy the fun while you can."[/say] Her voice drops to an affectionate whisper, teasing gently, [say]"Especially if he’s as hot as you say."[/say] In the long run how hot he was wouldn't mean anything—just look at Jack, after all and how things were currently going between she and the captain—but in the short run?
She settles back into the comfortable silence between them, tilting her head thoughtfully at the mention of Vox. Flora's expression instantly darkens into an irritated grimace, eyes rolling dramatically before she can even stop herself. [say]"Oh my gods, yes,"[/say] she groans with exaggerated annoyance, before straightening slightly and lifting one hand, reciting in a sing-song voice dripping with sarcasm:
[SAY]Violets are Blue, Roses are Red, I'm sure you mean well but get the fuck out of my head.[/SAY]
She drops her hand theatrically, sighing deeply before offering Sohalia a dry, sidelong glance. [say]"Y'think he'll like it?"[/say]
RE: but on a wednesday, in a cafe - Vox - 03-09-2025
A faint sizzle of static licked at the edges of the conversation, a barely-there fizzle of electricity in the air. And then—
[say]"Oh, Flora, my dear poetic prodigy,"[/say] Vox’s voice fizzed into existence, soft as a whisper but brimming with delight. The air shimmered, the faintest outline of something writhing in the periphery. [say]"Such passion! Such raw emotion! A delightful little verse—if a touch aggressive. But who am I to stifle art?"[/say]
A faint, static-laden chuckle crackled through the space between them. [say]"Consider me flattered."[/say]
And just as quickly as he appeared, the static winked out, leaving only the faint scent of ozone and the lingering hum of something not quite gone.