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+---- Thread: [RA] Bitter and sweet (/showthread.php?tid=10677)
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Bitter and sweet - Hadama - 02-05-2025
Frosting was on the menu, and Hadama had come prepared. It was not a Mer food, but it was one he had learned in the early days of the Tide Pool Bar and he thought he had found a good recipe that his little cafe had perfected. True, he did not spend much time there anymore, but he still enjoyed cooking for himself and his friends when time and his duties allowed.
And today it just so happened that he could combine business with pleasure.
The King arrived at Flora's house promptly at the appointed time. He knocked on the door with a politely gentle tap of his knuckles, his muscles hidden today behind the soft dark blue of his favorite sweater and his long hair pulled back into a neat braid in preparation for the work to come. His other hand was filled with a shopping bag that held a few kitchen tools, several ingredients, and a small, brightly wrapped package that jingled from where it was hidden inside the heavy woven canvas.
"Flora?" he rumbled, trusting the timbre of his voice to carry through the door and alert Torchline's Queen to who was knocking on her door.
RE: Bitter and sweet - Flora - 02-13-2025
Flora flounces down the hallway, bare feet padding lightly against the floor as she practically bounces toward the door. Dressed comfortably—though still effortlessly fashionable, obviously—in a soft off-the-shoulder sweater and high-waisted shorts, her curls are pulled up into a loose, messy bun, a few golden strands framing her face.
Swinging the door open with a flourish, she grins up at Hadama, one hand braced on the doorframe. [say]"Punctual as ever, your majesty,"[/say] she teases, stepping aside to let him in. [say]"Come on in, I’ve got everything set up."[/say]
The moment he steps inside, she ushers him toward the kitchen, where a variety of drinks are already lined up along the counter, ranging from fresh tropical juices to something significantly stronger. (Look, if she was going to bake, she might as well make it interesting). Beside them, a small jar of edible glitter sits waiting, the shimmering contents catching the afternoon light.
[say]"Drinks first, then frosting?"[/say] She asks over her shoulder, already reaching for a glass. [say]"Or are we being responsible and saving the alcohol for after?"[/say] Her smirk makes it clear what her preference would be, though she’s willing to let the Tidebreaker make the call.
RE: Bitter and sweet - Hadama - 02-14-2025
"I cleared my calendar for today." Emerald eyes twinkled as he informed her of this fact, heartened to see her looking so fashionable and effortlessly sparkling again. Her experience in the Greatwood had worried him deeply, but the signs of healing from that trauma were encouraging. "And sent the Court's staff home. We will not be interrupted." Any business they chose to bring up would be their own, and they wouldn't be interrupted for anything short of a genuine emergency.
He was ushered to the kitchen, which he surveyed with quiet approval. He set his own bags down, slipping the small, brightly wrapped package into his large palm. It would have been more discreet if the bells threaded through the bow hadn't continued to jingle as he stepped over to peruse the drinks. "You may be responsible," he assured her solemnly. "I will not hold it against you." And so saying, he reached for drink that both looked and smelled like a coconut bellini, exchanging his gift for the glass and leaving the rectangular, glass-sized box on the counter. He took a savoring sip and hummed quietly in approval before returning to his bags to pull out his ingredients: a large tin of powdered sugar, a block of butter, a carefully-stoppered small brown glass bottle, and a small, thick package the size of his fist wrapped in waxed paper. "Ready?" he asked, his grin spreading slow and broad across his face as he set the ingredients on the counter next to the glitter.
RE: Bitter and sweet - Flora - 02-17-2025
Flora watches Hadama reach for his drink, amusement curling at the edges of her smirk. [say]"Oh, I’m the responsible one?"[/say] she echoes, feigning offence as she plucks up her own glass—something fruity and undoubtedly strong, (because baking is always better with a buzz). Taking a sip, she hums in approval before flicking her gaze back to him, her expression warm and teasing. [say]"Good to know the king of the sea has his priorities straight."[/say]
It’s only when he sets down the brightly wrapped package that her attention shifts, aqua eyes catching on the way the bells jingle against the counter. [say]"What’s that?"[/say] she asks, brows lifting in curiosity as she nods her head toward it.
[say]"Ready?"[/say] she parrots, gaze flicking between him and the package. [say]"For baking? Or for whatever this is?"[/say] She gestures with the gift, lips quirking in a knowing grin as she leans one hip against the counter. [say]"Because if you think I’m just going to ignore a mysterious jingling box, you clearly don’t know me at all."[/say]
RE: Bitter and sweet - Hadama - 02-17-2025
"It is your turn," he agreed, laughter held deep inside but bright in his eyes. "Today you asked for the chef. Not the King." And as it turned out, his drink was a coconut bellini, fizzy and sweet, and Hadama savored his first sip as he held the bubbles on his tongue a moment before swallowing down the playful burn of the champagne.
Alas, the bells gave away the attempt to leave the package for later. A tactical error, he would admit, but the small chimes had added a musical lilt to the gift box that he had been unable to resist when he had wrapped it. His attempt to gloss over the arrival of the present on Flora's counter went about as well as one might expect and he inclined his head in admission of defeat as he began to unwrap the butter - and the large package of cream cheese from its waxed paper covering. "Ready for baking. But the box is yours. A belated birthday present." Given the trauma that had accompanied her birthday this year, it had seemed better to wait for a more auspicious day to celebrate it, even if it had taken an extra season to arrive.
RE: Bitter and sweet - Flora - 02-17-2025
Flora rolls her eyes, though there’s no real exasperation behind it—just an easy, affectionate sort of indulgence. [say]"Ugh, fine. I guess I’ll be the responsible one today."[/say] She sighs dramatically, taking another sip of her drink as if to soften the burden. [say]"But only because I want to see you actually relax for once, chef."[/say] The title drips with teasing emphasis, her grin widening as she watches him unwrap the butter and cream cheese.
But then he drops the word birthday, and Flora freezes for a half-second, blinking at him before her expression brightens into something gleefully wicked. [say]"What, were you waiting to see if I was gonna die again before you bothered?"[/say] Her lips twitch, laughter threading through the words even as she tilts her head, nose wrinkling affectionately. Yes she'd died, yes she'd been shaken up about it, but clearly she'd shed the shadows of her encounter with Pierce even if she couldn't be rid of the scars.
Still grinning, she starts tearing into the wrapping, her aqua eyes gleaming with anticipation as she pulls open the box. [say]"I hope it's an IOU for us to get matching tattoos."[/say]
RE: Bitter and sweet - Hadama - 02-18-2025
Hadama simply looked quietly pleased at Flora's willingness to be responsible - though with both of them drinking today, 'responsibility' was likely to mean who got first dibs on licking the spoons - and took another sip of his drink before his hands were filled with ingredients. "Mmh. Safrin said something similar to me recently," he admitted, amused at his co-baker's teasing.
The Doubletake laughed at her own death, though a flicker of pain might have passed through the King's eyes as he concentrated on measuring the cream cheese. "I had hoped you would not. But I also needed the weather to cooperate," he explained, finally raising his gaze to catch her expression as she revealed the blown glass perfume bottle - a shade similar to her eyes, with the soft lustre of seaglass. His lips lifted back towards a smile at her alternative suggestion, and a quiet chuckle escaped his broad chest. "It is not. I was saving that for LongNight." His own teasing held a rumbling echo of that laughter as he began adding the butter and cream cheese into a bowl. "This is perfume made from Hak Etme flowers." Gathered after one of the rare Deepfrost rains had soaked the sands enough for the rare blooms to make their brief appearance before disappearing beneath the desert once more.
RE: Bitter and sweet - Flora - 02-18-2025
Flora is absolutely delighted by the perfume, with her eyes lighting up as she turns the glass bottle over in her hands, watching the soft sea-glass hues catch the light. It’s rare that she’s truly caught off guard by a gift, and yet this—this is unexpected in the best way.
[say]"Hadama, this is gorgeous,"[/say] she breathes, a touch more sincerity slipping into her voice as she lifts the bottle to examine it closer. Her fingers ghost over the smooth glass, the colour so perfectly matched to her own eyes that she wonders if it had been intentional. [say]"And Hak Etme flowers? You really do know how to spoil a girl."[/say] She flashes him a grin, though there’s a warmth in her gaze that lingers as she pops the stopper, bringing it to her nose to inhale the scent.
The fragrance is something unique—delicate but rich, a blend of floral and something sun-warmed, with a whisper of salt air that reminds her of the ocean at dusk. It smells like freedom, like fleeting beauty, like something rare and impossible to capture.
A slow, pleased smile spreads across her lips as she dabs a bit onto her wrist before turning back to him. [say]"Okay, you win,"[/say] she concedes, waving a hand as if to say congrats on besting me in the art of gift-giving. [say]"This is better than tattoos."[/say] A beat, then her smirk tilts back toward mischief. [say]"But only because the night is still young."[/say] And if the Tidebreaker things he'd going to walk out of her kitchen without wearing at least a little of the icing that they're about to make, he's sorely mistaken.
RE: Bitter and sweet - Hadama - 02-18-2025
Her compliments drew the smile back to his face, features softening in quiet pleasure at the joy the gift brought her. He paused in preparing the frosting to watch her examining the bottle, and when she flashed him a grin of her own he inclined his head in acknowledgment of the work that had gone into this particular present. Work that had been entirely worth it for her reaction to the floral perfume, unique to that one day and the mix of flowers that had sprung up in the desert in that exact mix.
A scent that would be Flora's, and hers alone, for as long as the bottle lasted.
"I was not aware that it was a competition," he demurred quietly, though a glitter of teasing in his eyes might possibly have belied his words. He took the moment to savor another sip of his drink before gesturing to the bowl with the aplomb of a man pretending not to hear the implied challenge in his friend's words. "Mmh. Spoon, please? The secret to a good frosting is the cream cheese." Once he had the requested utensil he began to fold the butter and cream cheese together with smooth, firm strokes. "You are in charge of sifting in the powdered sugar." A dangerous assignment - for the kitchen, at least. It was all too easy for the light, fluffy sugar to end up everywhere!
RE: Bitter and sweet - Flora - 02-19-2025
Flora arches a brow, clearly unimpressed by Hadama's attempt at playing innocent. [say]"Everything is a competition with me,"[/say] she drawls, but her smirk softens as she turns the perfume bottle over in her hands once more. Still, she doesn't argue his point further, only because—fine, whatever—he's won this round, and she's gracious enough to concede that much.
With a final, appreciative inhale of the scent still lingering on her wrist, she sets the bottle carefully aside before reaching for the spoon he’s requested. [say]"Mmh, yes, the secret,"[/say] she echoes, mimicking his serious tone as she passes it to him with an exaggerated flourish, her fingers brushing playfully against his as she does. [say]"I’ll make sure to take notes."[/say] But it's when he assigns her the task of sifting the powdered sugar that her grin turns absolutely wicked.
[say]"Oh, so you do trust me,"[/say] she muses, reaching for the bag with entirely too much glee, her aqua eyes alight with mischief as she scoops up the fine, powdery sweetness. She holds it above the bowl, pausing just a fraction of a second too long, as if contemplating an alternative target. [say]"Such a mistake,"[/say] she sighs dramatically, before—miraculously—she does as she's told and sifts the sugar properly into the bowl.
But Flora is nothing if not opportunistic, and she knows an opening when she sees one.
Hopefully before Hadama can react, she dips her fingers into the sugar-dusted frosting, quick and precise, and then—grinning like a devil—she reaches up and smears a streak of it across his cheek. [say]"Oops,"[/say] she purrs, utterly unrepentant, tilting her head in mock innocence. [say]"Though you did say I was in charge."[/say]
RE: Bitter and sweet - Hadama - 02-20-2025
The Tidebreaker sipped his drink to hide his smile, conceding Flora's point by his silence. He was content to wait for as long as she was admiring her gift, but once the spoon was in his hand it was back to work. Though when 'work' consisted of making frosting he knew he was having a good day. "Notes would be wise," he agreed, deliberately bland in tone as he held his laughter in check - though only barely.
Her wicked grin and delighted acceptance of her task had him slanting a look at her from the corner of his eyes, one steely brow arched as he watched her contemplate mischief...
And then seem to think better of it. The sugar began to sift into the frosting and he turned his attention back to the bowl, letting his guard down. For his punishment he soon bore a stripe of white across his cheek that had his lips compressing against the laugh that threatened to break his stoic mien and he paused in his stirring until he had himself back under control - give or take the occasional shaking of his shoulders as he turned his head to look at his co-ruler and take in her own mock innocence. "Hmm. Did I?" he rumbled, glancing down at the bowl and then over to Flora's blonde hair in its messy bun with wicked calculation in his eyes. He continued to stir, but he was able to do that without looking at the bowl. "But I think you would wear it better..."
RE: Bitter and sweet - Flora - 02-21-2025
Flora watches Hadama's slow, measured reaction with an expression that is equal parts amusement and anticipation, her smirk widening as she catches the gleam of wicked calculation in his eyes. [say]"Oh no,"[/say] she breathes, utterly unrepentant, but grinning all the same. [say]"I don’t like that look..."[/say] Which, of course, is a lie. She loves that look. It’s rare to get Hadama to properly scheme against her, and if he’s already plotting revenge, then she’s done her job exactly right.
Still, she has no intentions of making this easy for him.
Shifting her weight, she takes a step back, her fingers curling around the edge of the counter as if it might save her from whatever he has planned. [say]"You wouldn’t dare,"[/say] she accuses, but her laugh betrays her, bright and delighted, because of course he would. Hadama might be composed and thoughtful, but Flora has spent enough time with him to know that he is absolutely not above retaliation when it suits him.
And gods, she adores him for it.
[say]"Just think about this,"[/say] she continues, all faux reason, her hands lifting in an exaggerated, placating gesture (like the LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN LINDA gif). [say]"I still have to sift more sugar, and if you sabotage me now, we might never get this frosting finished."[/say] She pauses, tilting her head, her voice dropping into something warm and cajoling. [say]"Besides, you already know you’re going to lose this war, so why not just admit defeat now and spare yourself the humiliation?"[/say]
RE: Bitter and sweet - Hadama - 02-23-2025
The Queen of Torchline put a little more space between them, and the corners of Hadama's eyes crinkled further as his smile finally escaped, spreading slowly as she made her accusation. It was all part of the game, and he could no longer rely on his reputation for nobility to obscure his pragmatism from her. Flora knew him too well.
So he would have to find other ways to surprise her.
The spoon made another slow circle of the thickening frosting, working the last sprinkle of powdered sugar in until it was smooth. There was still sugar left in the bowl that the Doubletake had abandoned during her tactical retreat from the potential blast zone and the Tidebreaker tilted his head to listen to her reasoning as to why she should not be crowned in frosting. The smile remained, even as he dipped his head in a small acknowledgment of her first point. It was the second that had his smile breaking into a grin as he turned back to the bowl and resumed stirring in tacit invitation for her to return to her side of the task. "Hmm. The battle, perhaps." As for the war? "But I will accept restitution. If you will look for more Tumsea shells this season." He glanced down at his hands and the single StAer ring they bore. "If you find another that would give us enough to make a lucky ring." Clearly he had some catching up to do with Flora's own accessorizing!
RE: Bitter and sweet - Flora - 02-26-2025
Flora watches him carefully, her eyes narrowing just slightly in suspicion as Hadama’s smile lingers, slow and knowing. She knows this game, knows the patience in which he operates, but she also knows that a victory is a victory, and she’s not about to press her luck. Not when she can get out of this without frosting in her hair.
So, when he dips his head in silent concession, she preens, her grin triumphant as she drifts back toward the counter, reclaiming her spot beside him. [say]"Smart man,"[/say] she purrs, as if she weren’t the one who had barely escaped being crowned in sugar and butter.
As for harvesting more shells? The queen grins as her eyes dip toward his hand where a similar ring to the one she wears adorns one of his bronze hands. [say]"I can do that."[/say]