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velvet covered brick - Sohalia - 03-10-2025
On the heels of their encounter with Vox, Sohalia was more shaken than she cared to admit. He’d appeared not once, but twice - suggesting that he was, in fact, listening more often than not. She wondered if there was something about Flora or herself that interested him in particular, or if he was listening to everyone all the time. She wasn’t sure which was worse.
Leading the way through the village to the Bodega, Soh had told Flora about the little tea shop that was a hidden gem - the very place she’d met Tal all those years ago, and a place to which she often returned when she visited the Greatwood. When they arrived, they were greeted by a polite Fae waiter who, at Soh’s request, seated them at a small table outside, where they could watch the hustle and bustle of the marketplace as they talked.
[say]”Soooo,”[/say] the Luminary started once they’d received their drinks. [say]”How’s it going with Jack?”[/say]
RE: velvet covered brick - Flora - 03-10-2025
Flora snorts, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes so hard they pop straight out of her head. She wraps both hands around her tea, letting the warmth of the delicate porcelain soothe some of the lingering tension from their encounter with Vox. She hadn’t quite shaken the feeling of being watched, but at least here, in the easy hum of the village, she could pretend.
[say]"Gods, Soh,"[/say] she groans, dramatic as ever, [say]"I swear you just wait for the moment I’m finally relaxed before bringing him up."[/say] She sips her tea pointedly, as if fortifying herself before answering, then leans back in her chair, expression twisting somewhere between fond exasperation and quiet frustration. [say]"It’s going great, if you like a relationship where one person does whatever the fuck they want and the other gets to slowly go insane waiting for them to give a single fuck."[/say] Her voice is breezy, casual, but there's an undercurrent of sharp-edged hurt beneath it. She lifts a hand, twirling her fingers vaguely in the air. [say]"But, I mean, it’s Jack, right? I always knew what I was getting into."[/say]
Which was exactly what made it worse—that she’d known, had walked into it anyway, thinking—hoping—that maybe she’d be the exception.
RE: velvet covered brick - Ace - 03-10-2025
Even the brightest, coziest of places still had shadows, and between two shops, a pair of men were 'chatting casually' in hushed voices. No one paid them any mind, too enthralled by the vibrant Fae milling about the eclectic gathering of shops and cafes. So no one noticed when they clasped hands, a small slip of paper exchanging between them. The shorter brunette men gave a paranoid sweep of his eyes while the taller dark-haired beauty shoved his hands in his pockets, a lazy grin upon his face. They conversed for a moment more as the nervous one fidgeted, eager to escape the interaction.
When Ace finally dismissed him, the Attuned gave a low chuckle at the man's hurried exit. It wasn't like he'd bought the drugs. All the man had done was tell him where to take the delivery. Plus, the sheet of paper was in code, no one would have known what it meant except him and the buyer.
Shifting the small pack over his shoulder, Ace lingers in the alley, letting the bot bellied street rat slip amongst the crowds. His steely blue eyes following, he inspects a quaint cafe across the street, friends and couples enjoying dainty teas and sandwiches. It doesn't catch his attention as something of interest until a flash of familiar blonde hair sends a crooked smile over his lips. Explicit images of her falling apart at his fingertips have him pausing his departure, considering if he has time for a detour before his delivery.
RE: velvet covered brick - Sohalia - 03-10-2025
At Flora’s dramatic sigh, Soh gave her friend a sympathetic look. For all that Flora’s tone was casual and indifferent, she could hear the undercurrent of hurt lacing her words, and that was something Soh wasn’t willing to tolerate. If Flora was happy, she would be all for the relationship - but the minute Flora got hurt…
She reached over the table to put a hand on Flora’s. [say]”I’m sorry, Flora,”[/say] she said, because what else was there to say? She was hardly in a position to give relationship advice, and she wasn’t about to start messing with her best friend’s relationship, even if she silently questioned whether it was the right one for her to be in. She might have said more, attempted to offer some kind of sympathy, but as she thought, her gaze roved over the crowd, flicking from face to face until it landed on a familiar one.
Soh looked away quickly, her eyes round and her face suddenly pale. [say]”Not to cut this short, and I will absolutely be coming back to this topic because you deserve the best that someone can give you, but -“[/say] She swallowed hard, fighting to look nonchalant. She leaned towards Flora, lowering her voice. [say]”- the hot unicorn stranger I told you about? He’s here.”[/say]
RE: velvet covered brick - Flora - 03-10-2025
Flora barely has time to register the warmth of Sohalia’s hand over hers, let alone react to the gentle sympathy in her voice, before the Luminary suddenly freezes, her gaze flickering sharply over Flora’s shoulder. The shift is instant, unmistakable—from attentive best friend to someone trying very, very hard not to panic. Flora’s brows lift at the abrupt change in tone, her fingers tightening instinctively around her tea before she even fully processes Sohalia’s words. Then— oh.
Her eyes go wide, a slow grin spreading across her lips, all of her previous frustration about Jack immediately shoved aside in favor of this. [say]"You mean your hot unicorn stranger?"[/say] she hisses excitedly, leaning in with the same conspiratorial energy they’d had whispering about crushes long before the Family had ever shown up. She grins wickedly, resisting the urge to whip around and look immediately, because, gods forbid, she actually ruin this golden opportunity.
Instead, she casually lifts her cup to her lips, peeking over the rim in what she is absolutely convinced is an incredibly subtle, inconspicuous way. (It is not.)
[say]"Soooo? Is he looking at you?"[/say] she murmurs mischievously, blue eyes gleaming over the rim of her tea. [say]"Do you think he remembers you? Oh—are you gonna go say hi, or are we doing the thing where you pretend not to notice him until he notices you first?"[/say]
RE: velvet covered brick - Ace - 03-10-2025
Leaning against the alley wall like he owns the place, Ace is content to watch the beautiful woman as he analyzes his next move. She'd certainly been a fun time, and he wouldn't say no to another, but there's also the matter of her friend and whether he can steal her away (confidently ignoring the fact that she'd nearly run after their last encounter). He can't see the other blonde very well from his angle, but she seems attractive enough, with pleasant curves and a nice ass. The sudden idea of a threesome is very appealing, and Ace wonders if he might get lucky - if he can play his cards right.
His grin is charming and easy, a strand of dark hair hanging over his forehead in a nonchalant, attractively ruffled kind of way that matches the worn leather jacket he wears. The small tilt of his head is followed by the deep timbre of his voice against the Attuned bond, [say]Well, aren't you looking especially pretty today?[/say]
RE: velvet covered brick - Sohalia - 03-10-2025
[say]"What other hot unicorn stranger would I be talking about, Flora?!"[/say] Soh hissed, panicking. Her sexcapades had been all well and good in the black of night, when she didn't know if she'd ever see her lover again, but now that she was confronted with him front and center?
Ace's voice sounded in her head, and she nearly dropped her tea.
[say]"I'm gonna go with yes and yes,"[/say] she whispered to Flora, blushing furiously. [say]"He's staring at us and he just said hi."[/say] She raised her brows. She was an Attuned; Flora knew he was Attuned. She was a remarkably intelligent woman. She would put two and two together. Meanwhile, Soh struggled to regain her composure and failed miserably. [say]Hi to you, too,[/say] she finally said, her mental voice just as flustered as her physical one.
RE: velvet covered brick - Flora - 03-11-2025
Flora barely bites back a cackle as Sohalia physically flinches, her tea nearly sloshing over the rim of her cup. [say]"Gods, babe, get it together,"[/say] she hisses, though her wicked grin makes it painfully obvious she has no intention of actually helping. She’s far too busy thriving off of her best friend's absolute meltdown.
But then— oh. He's saying hi, is he? Silently? And just to Soh? Yeah. That’s not gonna fly.
With a pointedly slow sip of her tea, Flora twists where she sits, letting her gaze lazily sweep across the street, assessing the scene like she’s casually inspecting fruit at the market. It only takes a second to zero in on him—leaning all too smugly against a nearby wall, handsome, cocky, entirely too pleased with himself. The leather jacket? The messy hair? The way he’s looking at Soh like he’s already imagining how this is gonna end?
Oh yeah. That’s the guy.
Flora's lips curl into a slow, catlike smirk as she tilts her head back slightly, voice carrying just enough to be heard over the hum of the marketplace. [say]"You know, it's really rude to interrupt our conversation,"[/say] she drawls, blue eyes sparkling with mischief as she levels a pointed, teasing look in his direction. [say]"Especially if you're only gonna say hello to one of us."[/say]
RE: velvet covered brick - Ace - 03-12-2025
The adorable flustering of Soh's face and words are delectable, sending a thrill of excitement in his chest like the anticipation before a race. It's only heightened by the other woman's directness. Her seafoam blue eyes and pretty face make her teasing words deepen the smile on his face, the lone dimple on his cheek appearing in full force.
Pushing off from his perch, Ace walks through the crowd without a single sign of effort. No one parts for him, but he somehow maneuvers unhurried through with his hands casually in his pockets, as if no one could touch him if they tried - a testament to his many skills. His head dips as he comes to stand next to their table, looking only at Soh despite his words being directed at the other woman. [say]"Apologies. Sohalia's beauty made me forget my manners."[/say] A lie, but charming all the same.
Still looking at Soh, his head tilts with curiosity. [say]"I hadn't expected to see you in the Greatwood, so I was thrown off by the pleasant surprise. But what are the possibilities of two stunning women being in the same place at the same time? Sisters perhaps?"[/say] Finally looking to Soh's companion, his smile is sweet and disarming, playing off any 'ill-intentions' she may think he has. Meanwhile, his deep voice brushes against the Attuned bond. [say]Although you're the prettier one.[/say] 'Prettier' perhaps, but sexier? This woman beat her by a mile. Her confident demeanor and teasing tone dripped with experience, making him all the more intrigued by the pair. Capitalizing on 'first impressions' and all, he offers out a polite hand to accompany his drawling words. [say]"The name's Ace."[/say]
RE: velvet covered brick - Sohalia - 03-12-2025
Oh, but Soh was so far out of her league when it came to this pair, something that she realized as soon as Flora twisted in her seat to pin Ace with a challenging look. [say]”Flora!”[/say] she hissed, mortified by her friend’s boldness. Where Flora might find this amusing, Soh wanted to crawl under the table and die.
Flustered and blushing, Soh watched as Ace moved through the crowd towards them, comfortable and confident in a way that, though having seen it before, she was not used to. His gaze flickered over Flora - and hpw could it not? She was gorgeous and sexy and all the things that Soh was decidedly not - before settling, surprisingly, on her.
She hadn’t expected the compliment, but, as any woman would be, was pleased by it all the same - particularly when his Attuned voice brushed against her mind, reminding her of the last time he’d been in her head. She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the memories of his mouth and his fingers and his -
Cutting off that train of thought, Soh forced a weak smile. [say]”I’m just visiting,”[/say] Soh said vaguely. [say]”This is Flora.”[/say] Silently, she added, [say]I am not,[/say] a hint of amused bewilderment in her voice. Who could look at the pair of them and not choose Flora over her? [say]”I have to say, I wasn’t expecting to see you here, either.”[/say] Did he often leave Torchline? Was this a coincidence, or had she slept with a creepy stalker on accident?
RE: velvet covered brick - Flora - 03-12-2025
Flora practically preens at Sohalia’s horrified whisper, delighting in her friend’s discomfort the way only a best friend truly could. She has absolutely no intention of letting this go, especially when the man in question—Ace, apparently—looks exactly like the kind of trouble Sohalia had no business getting tangled up with. She tucks her legs beneath her chair, elbow propped lazily against the edge of the table as she sips her tea, watching with a catlike smirk as Ace moves through the crowd like he belongs there.
At his exaggerated flattery of Sohalia, Flora titters, utterly delighted, because yes, the Luminary deserved to have it laid on thick. The queen shoots Soh a sidelong look, her smirk widening as she nudges their knees together beneath the table. [say]"You hear that, babe?"[/say] she purrs, eyes alight with amusement. [say]"Your beauty made him forget his manners."[/say] She bats her lashes, clearly having the time of her life, and sips her tea again as if utterly unbothered by the entire interaction.
But then Ace turns to her, and Flora shifts ever so slightly in her chair, her amusement dimming—not entirely, but enough that the sharpness behind her eyes becomes obvious.
Ace.
She knows that name. And not just because he’s apparently been defiling her best friend in public places.
You couldn’t be queen of Torchline without picking up a thing or two about the city’s less-than-legal dealings. And you certainly couldn’t be dating its most infamous smuggler without getting a feel for who ran what.
Flora's smirk lingers, but there's something a little too knowing behind it now as she turns in her seat, propping one elbow against the table as she gives him a once-over, gaze sweeping deliberately from his leather jacket to his charming little grin. One perfectly arched brow lifts, her expression all but purring with amusement as she reaches out to shake his hand, letting her rings glint in the sunlight. [say]"Ace,"[/say] she echoes, voice as smooth as silk, as if tasting the name on her tongue. [say]"Of course it is."[/say]
RE: velvet covered brick - Ace - 03-12-2025
Flora's teasing doesn't seem necessary with how red Soh's looking. She seems like she might melt into a puddle of embarrassment if pushed far enough - or combust. Her words have him glancing subtly at her to say, [Say]I disagree,[/say] but he otherwise keeps his eyes on Flora and the way she appears to know of his reputation a little too well, just as he suddenly knows the Queen - and her relation to Jack. Only the linger of his handshake serves as a 'respectful' acknowledgement of her title.
Shrugging his shoulders, Ace looks back to Soh. [Say]"I'm here for work."[/say] Flora would know exactly what he means, but he keeps his less-than-legal profession close to the chest, instead shifting the topic in their minds. [Say]I don't think your friend likes me.[/say] His smile is unrevealing of their conversation, choosing only to say, [say]"But I've got some free time tonight if you'd like to join me for dinner?"[/say] And maybe dessert. The question is almost 'gentlemanly' as he gives her another relaxed and charming grin.
He turns back to Flora to add, [say]"You're welcome to come as well."[/say] Although he gets the feeling she'd be less than inclined, dashing any hopes of shared beds. Ace only wonders if she's going to be an ally or an enemy when it comes to his aspirations with Sohalia.
RE: velvet covered brick - Sohalia - 03-12-2025
Sohalia had never wished she could talk directly into someone’s mind, but she did in this particular moment, as Flora and Ace shared some kind of charged interaction she couldn’t quite read. She shot a glance at her friend, suddenly wishing Ace would go away so that she could ask Flora what that was all about.
Not wanting to seem like she’d just had sex and fled (which is exactly what she’d done), she elected not to ask Ace what it was that he did for work that would bring him to the Greatwood. Instead, she said, [say]”Oh. Well, it’s a beautiful time of year for a visit.”[/say] She was about to say that she hoped he’d have some free time to make the most of it, but he beat her to it, inviting her to dinner.
[say]Don’t be silly,[/say] she responded as she wondered what to do. If she went with him to dinner, was she obligated to sleep with him again? Did she want to? Glancing at Flora again in a clear plea for assistance, she hedged, [say]”Dinner sounds lovely, but Flora and I were, um, planning to get something later.”[/say] Mentally begging her friend to play along, she hoped that Ace wouldn’t notice her stutter; at least this way, the ball was in Flora’s court for now.
RE: velvet covered brick - Flora - 03-12-2025
Flora’s smirk curls at the edges, something almost feline in the way she tilts her head at Ace’s gracious invitation, as if she should be so grateful for the mere suggestion of tagging along. [say]"Oh, how generous of you,"[/say] she purrs, her voice sweet as spun sugar, though her aqua gaze gleams with something sharper. The sarcasm is practically dripping, but she’s already turning back to Sohalia, catching the pleading glance her friend shoots her and slipping into the role of best friend and savior with practiced ease.
[say]"Mmhm, that's right."[/say] With a theatrical sigh, she shakes her head at Ace, all exaggerated regret. [say]"Sorry, babe, but Soh and I have dinner and dancing on the agenda already."[/say] She leans in, lowering her voice just a touch as if sharing a secret. [say]"You should see the outfits we bought."[/say] Wrinkling her nose enticingly, Flora glances back to Soh with a saccharine smile.
Whatever the Luminary did or didn't want to do with Ace, Flora wasn’t about to let her feel cornered into anything—but if Soh did want him chasing after her a little more? Well. No harm in leaving it up to his imagination the sorts of things Sohalia might get up to without him.