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+---- Thread: a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined (/showthread.php?tid=10924)
a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined - Flora - 03-21-2025
Flora paced restlessly beneath the tangled branches of the Wildwood, the pale sunlight of Flowerbirth filtering through the dense canopy in fragmented beams of gold. Her footsteps wore a nervous pattern in the damp earth, skirts whispering gently around her legs as she moved. Usually so carefully composed, today the queen's appearance was markedly different—her spring-green dress was rumpled, golden curls slightly wild, and her jewelry haphazardly chosen, reflecting the chaos swirling in her thoughts.
She glanced toward the shadows between the trees for the hundredth time, frustration and anxiety knitting her brow as she tugged restlessly at a curl. [say]"Come on, Soh,"[/say] she murmured urgently beneath her breath, reaching out to gently brush her fingers against the rough bark of a nearby tree. [say]"Can't you help her get here just a little faster?"[/say] she whispered imploringly as if the Greatwood might listen, as if it might care enough to aid her.
With a heavy sigh, Flora turned sharply on her heel to continue pacing, fingers twisting restlessly together as she waited, each heartbeat filled with quiet desperation for her friend's arrival.
RE: a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined - Sohalia - 03-21-2025
What was it that Soh always seemed to be running behind these days?
She hurried through the Wildwood to the appointed meeting spot, keeping an eye peeled for a certain rose all the while. She’d been searching for days and found nothing, but that didn’t mean they didn’t exist, right? Surely, sooner or later, someone would stumble across one and they would collectively be able to strike a blow against the Family?
The Luminary arrived to find Flora pacing, her dress rumpled and her golden curls wild, and Soh rushed up to her friend with a frown. [say]”Flora! What is it? What’s happened?”[/say] she asked, reaching out to grasp Flora’s shoulders as she looked the other girl up and down, checking for injury. [say]”Are you alright?”[/say]
RE: a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined - Flora - 03-21-2025
Relief washes visibly across Flora’s face the moment she sees Sohalia emerge from the trees. Her pacing abruptly halts, and without hesitation, she surges forward, pulling her friend into a tight, desperate hug. She draws in a shaky breath, holding onto Soh tightly as if the Luminary’s presence alone could calm the storm raging inside her.
[say]"Gods, Soh,"[/say] she murmurs softly into her friend’s shoulder, exhaling slowly before pulling back just enough to look into Sohalia’s concerned eyes. [say]"I’m—okay. Well, sort of."[/say] Flora offers a weak, crooked smile before producing two sealed envelopes from a pocket in her dress. They’re carefully addressed—one to Jack, the other to Hadama, which is slightly heavier with something distinctly stone-shaped inside.
[say]"I need your help,"[/say] Flora says quietly, her aqua eyes unusually serious. [say]"I need you to keep these for me, and send them in exactly three days. No sooner and definitely no later."[/say] She presses the letters firmly into Soh’s hands, fingers trembling slightly. [say]"And please, don’t open them before then, okay?"[/say] Of all of her friends, Soh was probably the only one she could trust to follow her instructions despite how odd they seemed.
RE: a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined - Sohalia - 03-21-2025
Flora pulled her into a tight, desperate hug, and concern knitted Soh’s brows together. [say]”Flora, what -?”[/say] she started, but then the Doubletake was holding out two sealed letters to her. Swallowing hard, Soh took them. One was addressed to Jack. The other, heavier envelope was for Hadama. Soh looked from the envelopes in her hand to her friend.
Worrying her bottom lip between her teeth, Soh started to shake her head. [say]”Flora, what’s going on? Let me help you,”[/say] she all but begged. This request - these letters - felt like a goodbye. [say]”Are you - why -?”[/say] Was Flora leaving Jack? Was that what this was about? But what about Hadama? Why would he receive a letter, unless Flora was leaving Torchline?
But she knew her friend - and Flora would never. Not like this.
[say]”Something’s wrong,”[/say] Soh said, holding the letters in one hand while grasping Flora’s arm with the other. [say]”This isn’t like you.”[/say] Her silver eyes were pleading as she tightened her grip, as though holding onto Flora would keep her here and keep her safe. [say]”Tell me, please.”[/say]
RE: a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined - Flora - 03-21-2025
Flora’s gaze softens, her chest aching at the desperation in Sohalia’s voice. Her heart twists, guilt gnawing sharply at her resolve, but she shakes her head firmly, curls bouncing softly with the motion. [say]"I—I can’t, Soh,"[/say] she murmurs gently, covering Sohalia’s hand with her own, squeezing softly, apologetically. Sohalia had already been kidnapped once by the Family, and though she'd be an accomplice in Flora's plan, at least she'd be an unknowing one.
Her voice drops lower, barely audible even in the quiet seclusion of the Wildwood. [say]"I have a plan—"[/say] She pauses, eyes scanning the trees as though wary of invisible ears. [say]"But I can’t say what it is, because Vox could be listening."[/say] Flora’s expression flickers briefly, her nerves briefly betraying her fear, before steadying once more. [say]"If things go the way I think they will, everything will eventually be okay."[/say]
Her eyes plead silently for Sohalia’s understanding. [say]"Trust me?"[/say]
RE: a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined - Sohalia - 03-21-2025
Soh bit the inside of her cheek, her worried gaze flickering across Flora’s face. She knew that the queen would never ask this of her unless she felt like it was absolutely necessary, but she also remembered the horrible days where she’d thought Flora dead forever. Whatever the Doubletake was planning, Soh prayed that it wouldn’t end in bloodshed - or, at the very least, not Flora’s blood.
She took a deep breath. [say]”Okay,”[/say] she said, tucking the letters safely away in a satchel she carried across her body. [say]”I trust you. Just - be careful, okay?”[/say] she asked, forcing a smile that didn’t reach the concern in her eyes. [say]”Three days, right? I’ll deliver them myself.”[/say] After all, one could never trust that the mail was going to get somewhere exactly on time, and it sounded like timing would be important for Flora’s plans.
RE: a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined - Flora - 03-21-2025
Flora exhales softly, relief washing through her, though the tension lingers stubbornly in the set of her shoulders. Her smile is faint, shaky at the edges but genuine, gratitude warming her expression as she squeezes Sohalia’s hands one last time. [say]"I'll be careful,"[/say] she promises, voice soft but firm, trying desperately to convey more confidence than she actually feels; she only had so much control over what was actually going to happen. [say]"And it...it might be a little while before we can talk properly again."[/say] She pauses, teeth worrying briefly at her lower lip before her gaze steadies on her friend’s silver eyes. [say]"But we will, Soh. I promise."[/say]
Flora hesitates briefly before pulling Sohalia into another quick, fierce hug, wishing silently that she could tell her everything—but knowing that she can’t, not now. [say]"Thank you,"[/say] she whispers, drawing back just enough to offer a fragile smile. [say]"For trusting me."[/say]
So saying the queen takes a breath before pulling out her compass, and, with a last smile, disappears back to Torchline.
~FIN