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Passion is a passing thing - Flora - 03-07-2025
Flora sits perched atop one of the gnarled roots framing the entrance to the Undercroft, a cozy shawl wrapped snugly around her shoulders to fend off the damp, lingering chill of Flowerbirth. Her shoes have been abandoned in favour of bare feet, idly swinging in slow, thoughtful arcs as she watches the steam from the two cups of tea curl lazily upward. She sighs softly, her breath visible in delicate curls, blending seamlessly with the hazy mist rising from deeper within the ancient library.
Having sent a letter asking Niki if he'd like to meet her, it occurred to her that perhaps she should have met him at his home, just in case the Greatwood tried to be tricksy with its pathways again. Glancing down into the warmly lit entryway, taking in the way the shadows play against old shelves filled with books, scrolls, and secrets she never cared to explore as child, the queen smiles softly to herself, tugging her shawl a little tighter and setting the second steaming cup beside her own, the rich scent of spice and cinnamon drifting lazily upward.
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Nikandr - 03-07-2025
Having responded to the affirmative, unlike in Deepfrost, Niki is more than happy to get lost in the woods should that be what the forest decides. Of course, now that he doesn't mind it, the Greatwood spits him out in the Sidhe Village with time to spare, the boy affording the trail he'd left a suspicious if not grateful glance before continuing on his way to the Undercroft. Spotting Flora outside, he raises a hand in greeting as he approaches, his steps visibly easier on his crutch now that the snow and ice have melted.
[say]"Hello, Flora,"[/say] he greets, his accent trilling around her name. [say]"It is good to see you. I hope the rest of Deepfrost treated you well."[/say] Falling to a stop before her, Niki has shed the heavier wool coat of the colder seasons, in a jacket that's a lighter material but the same dark colour, his oversized shirt neatly buttoned beneath it. [say]"What made you decide to visit the Undercroft?"[/say]
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Flora - 03-07-2025
Flora’s eyes brighten instantly at the sight of Niki, the last traces of restlessness fading into a warm smile. [say]"Hey,"[/say] she greets softly, genuinely pleased to see him as her eyes flick over him, relieved to note the easier set of his shoulders and the lighter step in his gait. Her gaze briefly catches on his crutch—more comfortable, but still there—and she quickly decides against mentioning it. He looks well, and honestly, she’ll take the win.
[say]"Oh, you know, it was about as good as Deepfrost ever is,"[/say] Flora replies breezily, waving one hand dramatically as if dismissing the season entirely before her expression crumples somewhat. [say]"Actually...uhm, my sister died. She...was found on the shoreline during LongNight."[/say] Swallowing sadly, Flora reaches out to offer the necromancer one of the steaming mugs. Funny how easy it was to separate out what had happened to Seren from the season itself, as if her death existed in some separate time and space from everything else she'd been experiencing.
[say]"How about you?"[/say]
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Nikandr - 03-07-2025
[say]"I will drink to that,"[/say] Niki agrees with a softly amused smile - amused, of course, because he doesn't actually drink, but Flora is offering him a cup of hot tea. Politely accepting it and letting it warm his hands, his expression drops into something quietly concerned to hear that her sister had passed away. [say]"I am very sorry for your loss,"[/say] he says, his tone one of warm and genuine sympathy, but then that's somewhat expected from a boy who had been an apprentice to an undertaker.
His own season has been nowhere near as eventful, and he gestures around them at the village as if to say same old. [say]"After you so kindly healed me, Deepfrost passed without incident,"[/say] he says. [say]"I did learn how to make cookies, though it was not on purpose. A baker was doing a demonstration and I could not escape being volunteered,"[/say] he explains.
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Flora - 03-07-2025
[say]"Thanks."[/say] Offering Niki a crumpled smile that she was doing her best to smooth out, Flora brushes her hair back from her shoulder. [say]"It's...I don't know how to explain it. I'm sad about Seren, but there's so much stuff swirling around her death that it almost makes it hard just to find the time to miss her."[/say] Whether or not that made sense the queen couldn't quite say.
Tapping her fingers against her mug to indicate the ring he was referencing just in case he needed another dose, Flora nods along, unable to help but laugh. Only someone like Niki could accidentally learn a skill like baking. [say]"Well, that's what you get for having such a sunny personality."[/say] Flora teases affectionately, though in reality Niki had likely been chosen as a sympathy on the baker's part, as if seeing the crutch or cane made him deserving of extra attention.
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Nikandr - 03-07-2025
Nodding slowly, Niki thinks for a moment before raising his mug to his lips and blowing on the tea, then finally taking a sip. [say]"Would you like to talk about her?"[/say] he ventures softly. [say]"About her as a person, rather than the events of her death, I mean. Though if you think speaking about that would help as well, by all means."[/say] The necromancer has heard dozens of stories about loved ones having passed on, still finding it second nature to provide that space for grieving people to speak. [say]"We could go down into the Undercroft to sit as well, if you would like. Though I imagine they will make us whisper."[/say]
Which, for someone with a sunny personality (as Flora ought to know), this might be quite difficult, and Niki dryly raises an eyebrow at the description attributed to him. [say]"Quite so,"[/say] he agrees, as unsunnily as you like, before venturing to lean against one of the large, gnarled boughs of the trees to take the weight off his bad leg.
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Flora - 03-07-2025
Flora's gaze softens, a shadow of guilt passing across her features as she looks down into the steam rising from her mug. [say]"I didn't really know her well enough to talk about her properly,"[/say] she admits softly, chewing briefly on her lower lip as a deeper sadness flickers through her expression. [say]"I mean... we went for a walk, just once, right before everything happened, and it was... nice. Better than I'd expected, actually."[/say]
She sighs heavily, her shoulders slumping slightly beneath the shawl wrapped snugly around them. [say]"It's just...things were really complicated. Seren's parents were Ronin and Safrin,"[/say] she explains, voice quiet, gaze distant. [say]"And Ronin's basically like my Dad too—well, one of them. But given, like, how bad things were growing up with Ronin and the fact that her mother was a goddess, I just always assumed she'd be the favourite. Not to mention she'd been born on purpose rather than a weird accidental one-night stand...So I never even tried to reach out, not really, until it was basically too late."[/say] Flora gives a rueful little laugh, shaking her head gently. [say]"Maybe I was jealous. Or petty. Probably both."[/say]
She pauses, realizing how much she actually did have bottled up, and glances warmly back toward Niki with appreciation and mild surprise. [say]"Yeah, I guess maybe talking to you about it wouldn't be so bad after all."[/say] She offers him a softer, more genuine smile as she nods her head toward the door. [say]"For you I suppose I can whisper,"[/say] she hums, teasing affectionately as she heads toward the entrance. [say]"I wouldn't want anyone to draw attention to you and have you inadvertently learn how to french braid someone's hair."[/say]
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Nikandr - 03-09-2025
Tilting his head but saying nothing as Flora begins to tiptoe around her relationship with Seren, Niki focuses on his tea rather than on the Doubletake directly, as if to take the pressure off her, whatever her answer might be. Giving a small smile as she continues, he rolls his mug gently between his hands and furrows his brow. [say]"It can be difficult, feeling as though you did not have enough time with someone,"[/say] he agrees. [say]"Though from what you have said, Seren did not hold your distance against you. At least you were able to meet with her and understand each other a little better, even if it was not as much as you would have liked."[/say]
Straightening up from the tree roots as Flora agrees for them to go down into the Undercroft, Niki follows after her and scoffs under his breath, his voice already lower as they descend into the dry, warm darkness that is soon punctuated by lanterns and will-o-wisps. [say]"Bold of you to assume that I do not already know how to french braid hair,"[/say] he says, smirking and blinking to adjust to the change in light.
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Flora - 03-09-2025
Flora pauses mid-step on the descent into the Undercroft, turning to fix Niki with an incredulous stare; it isn't the first time she's unsure if the necromancer is being serious or not, and gods but she loves that about him. [say]"Is that so? Well. Next time I make you lunch because you've passed out, you’re braiding my hair as payment."[/say]
With a dramatic shake of her curls, Flora continues downward, the warm glow of lanterns and will-o'-wisps casting shifting light across the stone walls. The deeper they go, the more the air settles into something quiet, heavy with the scent of old books and ink, the distant drip of water echoing softly from the lower, submerged levels. She finds them a tucked-away alcove and settles onto one of the benches, drawing her shawl closer around herself as she exhales slowly.
[say]"You know, I really thought I was going to hate her,"[/say] Flora admits suddenly, almost as if saying it aloud surprises her. She frowns slightly, fingers tracing idly over the rim of her mug. [say]"Seren, I mean. I expected her to be perfect. Like, exactly what I’d always thought Ronin wanted in a daughter. But she wasn’t—she was just... normal."[/say] Which somehow made it worse.
She laughs softly, shaking her head. [say]"And, of course, just as I start realizing that, she—"[/say] Flora cuts herself off, lips pressing together before she can finish the sentence. [say]"Anyway, maybe you’re right. At least we got that one walk. At least I know now that she wasn’t what I made her out to be in my head."[/say] Her voice is quieter now, more thoughtful, the bravado stripped away in the quiet of the Undercroft.
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Nikandr - 03-10-2025
Niki, of course, returns Flora's incredulous expression with one that is mildly puzzled and nothing more, as if he can't understand what is so unusual about what he's said. [say]"I did not realise that your being a good samaritan required payment,"[/say] he says with a flicker of a smirk, his voice as quiet and dry as the Undercroft all around them. [say]"Very well. The next time I lose consciousness and require your assistance, you shall leave my presence with braided hair."[/say]
Following the Doubletake easily into the tucked-away alcove - it's one that Niki prefers to use himself, surprising nobody - he tucks himself onto the bench opposite the queen and sets his mug down beside him. [say]"Oh, you did?"[/say] He raises his eyebrows, carefully propping his cane within reach. [say]"It is funny, how we build people up in our minds. I am glad that you got to meet the real Seren, and I imagine she would be as well,"[/say] he muses, smiling across at Flora.
[say]"Perhaps you will see her again yet?"[/say] he ventures softly. [say]"Between the Festival of Lights and the power your fathers possess, it could well be possible to have another conversation with her. Endings are not so black and white in Caido, I find."[/say]
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Flora - 03-10-2025
Flora huffs softly, tipping her head in faux exasperation. [say]"I mean, I could do nice things for free, but..."[/say] She smirks, running her fingers through her bangs. [say]"Besides, it’s a good trade—you get to stay conscious, and I get fabulous hair. Everyone wins."[/say]
Her tone is light, teasing, but as Niki speaks, the warmth in her expression shifts, softens, settling into something more introspective. She leans forward slightly, elbows resting on her knees, hands curled loosely around the steaming mug between them. [say]"Yeah,"[/say] she murmurs, exhaling slowly, the words slipping out like they’d been sitting on her tongue, waiting. [say]"I did."[/say] Her brow furrows slightly, lips pressing together, as if only now fully acknowledging how unfair she'd been to Seren, even if only in her own mind. The version she'd created of her sister had been something perfect, untouchable, a gilded ideal she could never compete with. But the real Seren? She'd just been... a girl.
Flora’s fingers tighten briefly around the mug, but then she forces herself to relax, forces a small, rueful smile as she glances up at Niki. [say]"Maybe,"[/say] she allows, voice quiet but not without a thread of hope. [say]"That’s the thing, though, isn’t it?"[/say] Her smile twists into something wry and she tilts her head, studying the necromancer with sharp, thoughtful curiosity. [say]"You’d know better than most."[/say] Reaching for her tea, she takes a sip. [say]"Have you ever had anyone just...wake up and walk off when you've been working on them before?"[/say]
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Nikandr - 03-14-2025
[say]"I would say that truly winning would involve my not passing out, but then I have a vested interest in remaining conscious,"[/say] Niki says, inclining his head to Flora as they make their unofficial deal. And as the Doubletake falls silent and thoughtful, the boy gives her all the time in the world to sit with her musings, carefully picking his mug back up where he's set it beside him and taking a slow sip.
Humming his agreement - that is the thing, indeed - Niki wraps his fingers around the mug to keep them warm when Flora is suddenly shifting gears and her aqua eyes pin back on him with a familiar curiosity. [say]"Er..."[/say] He tilts his head. [say]"Do you mean when I was apprenticed at the funeral parlour?"[/say] He assumes so, but there's something about the way she says working on them that could be applied to his magic, and he's not all that sure she wants to know the answer.
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Flora - 03-14-2025
Flora snorts softly, shaking her head. [say]"Okay, fine. I’ll admit that not passing out at all is probably the better option,"[/say] she concedes, smirking into her tea as she takes another sip. [say]"I just really like having my hair played with."[/say] But not at the expense of Niki going unconscious. (insert kombucha girl here).
Letting the warmth of the mug seep into her fingers, the queen leans back again, stretching her legs out in front of her, her expression thoughtful but no longer quite so heavy. Niki’s hum of agreement had settled something in her, made her feel a little less ridiculous for admitting what she had, though it doesn’t last long before her curiosity gets the better of her. At the necromancer's hesitation, her lips twitch, a slow grin curling at the edges of her mouth as she watches him tip his head in consideration. [say]"What else would I mean?"[/say] she asks leadingly, arching a brow.
RE: Passion is a passing thing - Nikandr - 03-17-2025
[say]"I can recommend some salons in the Greatwood if you are in the mood for having your hair played with,"[/say] Niki says with a smile he hides very well behind his mug of tea, the boy clearly not in the habit of taking the bait someone throws out for him, even when it's Flora. The same goes, evidently, for his necromancy, and at her catlike smile Niki lowers his mug back to his lap, gazing at her with a mild and polite sort of interest that absolutely disguises the whirring mind beneath.
[say]"I could not possibly say,"[/say] he says dryly. [say]"But no. I am afraid my work was solemn but boring in that regard."[/say] And here Flora's truth ring will absolutely flare with heat. [say]"Nobody got up and walked away. I am afraid all of our visitors who arrived where dead when they got there, and remained that way."[/say] That part, at least, does seem to be true.