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+---- Thread: [o] have you seen a fallen star anywhere? (/showthread.php?tid=11041)
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have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Theea - 03-31-2025
The early Flowerbith sun filters through the lichen-stained water and casts rippling red light across the forest floor, dancing over my skin. My boots are placed slowly, one after another. I’m not watching where I’m going, but I’m well balanced while I stare up at the floating river. I wear a faint smile. I’ve been here before, at least, more than once. Mom always was thrilled by beautiful displays of magic, and so stops here were common enough.
I’ve come for Frey and Rae’s shrine. Frey aged me, they’re why I can be out on my own at all—the least I can do is keep paying my respects. My thumb rubs absently over the offering in my hand, the folded parchment whispering against my skin — a soft sound under the flow of the Crimson Cataract.
I slow, and I pause under the red water. I’m nineteen. Sometimes that’s strange to think about. I was fourteen just last season. I wasn’t alone last season. I don’t really know what I expected, striking out like this. Maybe more success. Maybe a way to just reach my uncles, or even just someone to travel with.
Hand shoved in my jacket pockets, I turn on my heel toward a large rock against a tree, maybe an old river rock, before the war. I plant myself down and dig into my bag. Breakfast, shrine, then on with my travels. Why did I have to start so far away?
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Flora - 03-31-2025
Flora moves slowly, distractedly through the Greatwood, hardly noticing the vibrant dance of scarlet light filtering down through the magical river overhead. Her usually impeccable appearance has become decidedly frayed at the edges: blonde curls twisted loosely into a braid, strands escaping to frame a face pale and drawn. Her clothes—a soft, moss-coloured sweater pulled hastily over a wrinkled sundress—reflect the kind of careless dressing that speaks volumes about someone whose thoughts lie elsewhere.
Jack had left, and no amount of careful reasoning, pleading, or yelling had changed his mind, and Flora's heart feels like it's been dragged behind his ship and abandoned in open water. She'd been heading toward Niki, seeking comfort or distraction, or simply an escape from the emptiness left in Jack's wake, when a faint rustle draws her attention.
Glancing up, Flora notices a girl perched on a large rock near the river’s crimson glow, a bag at her side as she seems to be preparing for a meal. The queen blinks once, twice, realizing with mild embarrassment that she's stumbled rather obviously into someone else’s moment of solitude.
[say]"Oh—sorry,"[/say] Flora blurts out softly, voice hoarse as if from disuse or recent tears. She tries a smile, something bright and apologetic that doesn’t quite make it all the way to her eyes. [say]"Didn't mean to interrupt."[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Theea - 04-02-2025
I don’t notice the other girl at first. My head is half in my bag, shoulder deep, until my fingers brush a small parcel ribbon. I grin with a relieved huff, hauling it out from under everything piled on top. Inevitably, a blanket, a bucket hat, a sheathed hunting knife, and two headless arrows came tumbling out with it, spilling and clattering down the rock to the ground. My lower lip purses with a frown. [say]“Guess I’ll just put those there.”[/say]
Oh—sorry.
I blink up, frown vanishing at the sight of a woman cast in the rippling red hues. Her smile is beautiful, but it lacks something. I give her a warm smile back and shake my head. [say]”Not interrupting a thing.”[/say]
I study her as subtly as I can. It takes me only a moment to decide, and I look down to pull the string of the bow holding the parcel together. I unwrap it, revealing three large rectangle treats, pale yellow with what looks like jam in the center. I hold one out to the other girl. [say]”My mom sucks at cooking, but she’s a great baker. Try. It’s shortbread with raspberry jam.”[/say]
I take one for myself and wrap the other away—both, if the other girl decides not to accept the one I offered. [say]”I’m Theea,”[/say] I say before I take a bite. A little crumbly, a little messy, but well worth it.
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Flora - 04-06-2025
Flora’s gaze flickers down at the arrows scattered across the grass, then back up at the offered shortbread, hesitation hovering at the corners of her mouth. It only lasts a second before curiosity (and a deeply ingrained inability to refuse anything sweet, even in her misery) overtakes manners. [say]"Your mom might suck at cooking, but I suck at saying no to treats,"[/say] she quips softly, reaching out to accept the square, fingers brushing lightly against the paper.
Taking a small bite, Flora’s eyes widen with genuine surprise, the sweetness coaxing an actual smile to her lips for the first time in what feels like days. [say]"Ohmygods, these are actually amazing,"[/say] she admits warmly, lifting her other hand to catch crumbs before they can rain onto her already messy sweater.
As the girl introduces herself, Flora finds herself relaxing slightly, shoulders easing out of their tight line. [say]"Theea?"[/say] She tilts her head thoughtfully. [say]"Pretty. I’m Flora."[/say] A slight pause, fingers fussing with the edge of the treat as her eyes dip towards the ground. [say]"Thanks for sharing your, uh, emotional support shortbread with a stranger, by the way."[/say] Her smile turns sheepish, eyes lifting once more with cautious warmth. [say]"That obvious I'm having a day?"[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Theea - 04-07-2025
I smile when she accepts the shortbread. I’m proud of her baking, and I only wish I had more of it. I savor the bite I take, rich and sweet and tart. I brush crumbs from my lips, and my smile becomes a grin when the girl smiles. She’s got a really nice smile. [say]“Aren’t they?”[/say] I laugh a little. [say]“One of my favorites.”[/say]
There are all sorts of things mom can bake. The smells that would fill little cabins or rented spaces always made things feel like home, even when we didn’t really have one. Dad was the cook, and a damn good one.
Flora. My head tilts like hers did. Nikki said he was friends with Queen Flora of Torchline. That she comes to visit him here. She can't be the Doubletake. Could be a coincidence, right? Is Flora a common name? My heart starts racing. It can’t be this easy.
I maintain my confidence, and I try not to let on that I think I know who she is. [say]“You’re welcome,”[/say] I reply. [say]“There are few things more grounding than a good treat.”[/say] My smile turns a little sympathetic. For a queen, she seems… down to earth. Not what I expected. If she is the queen, of course. [say]“And I wouldn’t say obvious exactly, but also yes.”[/say] I take another small bite of the shortbread, once more swiping crumbs away. [say]“You just look like someone who needs someone to be kind to them.”[/say]
I pause. Really I shouldn’t press— [say]“Did something happen?”[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Flora - 04-07-2025
Flora's smile falters slightly at the question, like sunlight momentarily dimmed by a passing cloud, her eyes flickering down to the shortbread between her fingers. For a second, she debates the easy way out—a polite lie, something quick and breezy, the sort of response expected of a queen. But this isn't Torchline, and Theea doesn't seem like she's asking just to fish for a bit of gossip.
So instead, Flora exhales softly, shoulders dipping beneath the gentle weight of the girl's kindness. [say]"You could say that,"[/say] she admits, quiet enough that the words seem absorbed by the floating river's murmur overhead. [say]"It's sort of... complicated? I mean, what isn't?"[/say] She attempts a small laugh, though it barely lifts from her chest before fading into silence.
Her gaze shifts back up to meet Theea's, vulnerable yet defiant—tired but still fighting. [say]"I tried to do the right thing, and it kind of blew up in my face. And now I'm just... trying to figure out how to deal with it."[/say] Flora shrugs gently, forcing another bite of the shortbread, as though its sweetness might mend something deeper within her. [say]"I'm the Flora Vox mentioned in his last broadcast. I...let Dahlia infect me in exchange for a piece of her that I could use to protect Torchline against her. What she didn't know was that I had a rose all lined up to cure me with and letters sent out with instructions on how to do it, but lets just say that my co-ruler and boyfriend were less than pleased with my plan."[/say] With a sigh, the queen shakes her head. [say]"One is furious with me, and the other just...left."[/say] She'd leave it to Theea to guess which was which.
[say]"But hey,"[/say] she adds, rallying a little, attempting a brighter tone and almost succeeding, [say]"I guess that's just life. Even queens don't get a pass on heartache, right?"[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Theea - 04-08-2025
She seems to struggle with whether or not to answer, but after a moment she does. It reminds me of a tree bending in the wind, and the moment it’s finally released. I give her an encouraging nod.
The look in her eye is one my heart goes out to—it can only be the look of someone determined to keep going, even when their feet are bleeding. And then I understand why. I just about forget the shortbread in my hand, my eyes wide she explains fully what has her looking so worn. Flora had gotten infected on purpose... it wasn’t a far leap to understand why those two would be upset with her, or which one it was that left. I don’t let myself react, not yet, especially not to the realization that this is my would-be cousin. She’s just here. I’ve run into her by chance.
Holy shit.
Don’t react.
But then… ’Even queens don’t get a pass on heartache, right?’
I do react to that, face falling a little, brows knitting up at the center. She’s a queen, of course she’s staying as strong as she is—she's kinda required to—but that doesn’t mean she should have to be strong all the time. I feel a pang of not-quite-guilt but something close to it. I’ve known loss, pain, but not the way all these people I hear stories about do. My life has been comparably easy.
[say]“Come sit with me?”[/say] I invite, and scoot over a little on the rock. I brush my crumbs away from the empty space before she can sit. I give it a minute, taking a bite of shortbread before I say anything again. [say]“I’ve never had anyone leave me. And I’ve never had to make a decision like that—one where people depend on me. That must have been scary. I’d have been terrified, anyway.”[/say] I lift a gentle brow at her. [say]“I think that was really brave.”[/say] I take another bite of the shortbread, nearly gone now, and I watch the peacefully floating river. [say]“And that your boyfriend is stupid.”[/say] I smile in a way that says I’m trying to be funny, that I know I’ve never met the man. [say]”Not that I know anything about boyfriends either.”[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Flora - 04-08-2025
Flora hesitates only briefly, her expression softening with gratitude, the faint shimmer of tears quickly blinked away as she accepts Theea’s quiet invitation. She settles onto the rock beside the girl, breathing in deeply as if the fresh air might steady her as she lets her shoulders slump just a little bit, finally allowing herself a small reprieve.
A gentle chuckle escapes at Theea’s honest assessment, bringing an unexpected warmth to her chest. [SAY]"Well, he is kind of stupid,"[/say] she agrees softly, the words laced with a reluctant fondness, even through the lingering ache. [say]"But he's also..."[/say] Flora trails off, shaking her head slightly with a soft sigh as a sudden cramp of emotions has her throat tightening. He was also the man she loved, and her actions, however noble and stupid had probably pushed him away forever.
She nudges Theea gently with her shoulder, casting her a sidelong smile. [say]"Don’t worry—you’re probably better off without the boyfriend drama. Less crying, fewer headaches."[/say] Her voice is lightly teasing now, though the shadows still hover faintly beneath her eyes. [say]"And thank you. For not thinking I’m insane, at least."[/say] Flora laughs softly again, genuine despite the undercurrent of sadness still tugging at the corners of her mouth. [say]"You're in the minority, but I really appreciate it."[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Theea - 04-09-2025
But he’s also… I finish off my shortbread, chewing the last bite slowly as I wrap my arms around my knees. She doesn’t need to finish for me to understand. I’m glad she’s joined me, glad when she bumps me in the shoulder, warming me from there to my toes. I miss close companionship. Touch, in general I think. Another thing I never thought about missing before I left.
Flora’s smile is met with a sheepish one at boyfriend drama. No, certainly none of that, or of any other gender. Looking at her, I think I am grateful for it. She’s the queen of Torchline, fighting for her home, and her boyfriend left her for it.
I bump her shoulder back. [say]“People can be more than one thing at a time, and they can even contradict each other,”[/say] I say gently, then smirk. [say]”Just cause he’s ‘also’ doesn’t mean he’s not stupid. You did right by your people, even though it risked… this. I admire it. And if you hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t have met you here.”[/say]
Then I bite my lip a little too hard. [say]”Thaaat sounded weird. You did an amazing thing, it’s not about me meeting you. I mean it is. I’m just… really, really grateful you’re here.”[/say] Cue nervous laugh. [say]”See? Contradictions. Dad always said I'm a real charmer til I’m not.” [/say] Laugh a little again and clear my throat, a crackle of nerves in my stomach. I glance up at Flora. [say]”Can I tell you something… kinda off the wall?”[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Flora - 04-11-2025
Flora blinks, startled not by the words but by the way they land—earnest and unguarded in a way that feels suddenly intimate. It disarms her more than any dagger could. She turns her head slowly to look at Theea, her brows lifting, curiosity overtaking the ache in her chest like a hesitant flame catching on wet wood.
The corner of her mouth curls in a soft, wry smile. [say]"You’re lucky, I like off the wall,"[/say] she murmurs, her voice gentle but threaded with that familiar spark, the one that always flickered beneath the heartbreak. [say]"Go on, hit me with it."[/say] A beat, then a teasing nudge of her shoulder against Theea’s again. [say]"But if it’s that you’ve secretly got a crush on one of my dads or that you think river stars are hot, I swear to the gods I will push you into the floating river."[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Theea - 04-11-2025
I bark a laugh. [say]“A crush?”[/say] And then I shake my head with a wrinkled nose. [say]“No. Absolutely not. I don’t even know what they look like. And I do what the other things look like. Nnnno.”[/say]
My smile tempers a little, and I clear my throat. I feel like tossing up the hood of my cloak, to cower from the suddenly very real reality sitting next to me: I have a family that might reject me. Might think I’m a grifter looking to rub elbows with the famous and powerful. My heart pounds.
Flora nudges my shoulder, and I look back at her, at her warmth despite the unimaginable weight that bears down on her. [say]“My mom knew your dads.”[/say] My hands are shaking, and I have to curl my fingers to hide it. My words tumble like water bubbling down a steep hill. [say]“They haven’t spoken in like ten years. She’s scared to, she made a lot of mistakes. But she still, even now, calls them her brothers.” [/say]
I’m so exposed that I might as well have stripped down bare. This is the queen I’m speaking to. She has the authority to keep me from Torchline, from them, doesn’t she? She doesn’t seem like the type, but how I can know that?
[say]“I’m trying to find them. To meet them. I left my mom so I could do more than hide, and I want to start with family.”[/say] I swallow hard. [say]“Which also means… you.”[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Flora - 04-14-2025
Flora blinks, the smile faltering on her lips—not from displeasure or doubt, but surprise, a flash of confusion dancing brightly through her aqua gaze. Her brows lift as Theea’s revelation hangs suspended in the air between them, delicate and trembling like dew on a spiderweb. It’s fragile, that truth, Flora can see that, can sense the way Theea curls inward slightly, protective, vulnerable, as though bracing for rejection.
But the queen’s confusion melts quickly, warmth flooding into her expression like dawn spilling over the sea, gentle and bright. Her lips part, closing again as the words fail to gather themselves fast enough. And so Flora laughs softly instead, an airy sound of gentle disbelief that eases out of her throat like bubbles rising to the surface. [say]"Oh my gods,"[/say] she finally breathes, a soft, bewildered smile curving her lips as her eyes search Theea’s face, as if trying to recognize something in the other girl’s features.
[say]"Wait, so—you're like... my cousin?"[/say] Flora asks, tilting her head, curls bouncing as she studies Theea with new curiosity. [say]"Or—cousin-adjacent, anyway?"[/say] There's no accusation in her voice, no suspicion—just astonishment, quickly followed by a cautious excitement that builds steadily in her chest. [say]"That's wild!"[/say] Flora shifts slightly, the surprise on her face gentling into something softer, more sympathetic. [say]"Gods, your mom must have really been through it. Ten years? That's a long time to carry something like that around."[/say] She shakes her head slowly, thoughtfully, chewing at her lower lip as she tries to imagine her fathers' reactions. Ronin’s fierce protectiveness, Remi’s quiet intensity, but she's sure nothing that Theea's mom could have ever done would be enough for them to want to cut ties completely. [say]"Look, they're idiots sometimes—trust me—but they're good idiots. They care. Maybe too much, but still. I think they'd want to know. They'd want to see you."[/say] Her voice trails off, softening with compassion as her gaze flickers over Theea’s anxious posture, her hidden, trembling fingers.
[say]"Though honestly, if you were hoping for a more put-together cousin, you're totally out of luck. Clearly."[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Theea - 04-16-2025
Flora’s silence stirs up a nest of moths in the hollow of my stomach, their wings brushing panic against my ribs as I brace for rejection that doesn’t come. Her sound, her shift, the way her voice threads into something gentler—something fragile and breathless inside me starts to tremble. I hadn’t realized how close I was to falling apart. What would become of me, untethered, if they turned me away?
I nod, my smile blooming. [say]“Cousin, right,”[/say] I echo, and the word spills from me like warm sunlight melting through cracks in cold stone. I have a cousin—soft-hearted, steel-spined, radiant in kindness—and this is the first time we’ve met. [say]“My mom overreacted. I’ve been trying to convince her to talk to them for years.”[/say] I shake my head, a slow, rueful thing. [say]“And she became paranoid. Convinced if she stayed in the fight, she’d lose me.”[/say] I don’t want to say she’s already lost me—because she hasn’t. I love her with every thread of my soul, and I swore I’d return. I will. She’s my mother. But this was a path I had to walk, even if it meant walking away first.
“Good idiots”—the phrase turns the corners of my mouth upward like a flower following sunlight. Hope rises in me like dawn cresting the horizon, brilliant and impossible to contain. I sit straighter, and though my hands still tremble, I can breathe. Really breathe.
[say]“I’m glad you’re human,”[/say] I say, voice quieter, steadier now. [say]“Put-together is smoke and mirrors, you know? No one really is behind all that.”[/say] I shrug, a flicker of mischief rising to meet the warmth in my chest. [say]“I mean, if you were hoping for a cousin more useful than a gnat, sorry to disappoint. I was fourteen last season.”[/say]
RE: have you seen a fallen star anywhere? - Flora - 04-16-2025
Flora smiles, though it tilts a little sadly at the edges as she leans back on her palms, gaze flicking upward where sunlight drips through the leaves above them. [say]"Moms can be like that,"[/say] she agrees quietly. [say]"Mine and my dads were the same during the last war. Wanted me and my twin to stay safe, stay out of it. But we didn’t listen."[/say] Her voice softens. [say]"We ran off to fight anyway, and Enzo…"[/say] A breath, shallow and fluttering. [say]"He died in one of the battles. Or..well, a building fell on him, but.."[/say]
For a moment, the wind carries only the rustling of leaves and the hush of what’s been lost. Then Flora exhales and shakes her head, a wry little smile breaking through the quiet. [say]"So yeah. I get it. Parents trying to protect you. And you doing what you feel you have to anyway."[/say] For better or worse, that's usually how it went.
When Theea mentions her age, Flora snorts softly. [say]"Fourteen last season? Gods, that’s a vibe. Enzo and I opted out of a decade and a half thanks to Frey, so trust me—I get it. Puberty is weird when you do it all at once."[/say]
Her rings catch the light as she gestures vaguely toward the trees. [say]"I’d take you back with me, but I use a magical compass to get around, and it only really works for me."[/say] Then, more gently: [say]"But there are skyships in the Greatwood. Ones that run down to Torchline. So when you’re ready—if you ever want to—you can catch one and meet your uncles? Or just come and hang out with me on the beach?"[/say]