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+---- Thread: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness (/showthread.php?tid=11712)
and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Flora - 07-12-2025
Safrin’s Mirror lives up to its name tonight. The steam rolls off the water in silken curls, rising toward the glitter-drenched velvet of the Halo sky. Stars shimmer overhead like they’ve been hand-pinned by the goddess herself—too many to count, too close to feel real—and below them, the surface of the hotspring gleams with that same celestial glow, as if the heavens have spilled themselves into the basin.
Flora floats near one of the edges, limbs loose and lazy beneath the water’s warm cradle. She’s in a green bikini that sets off her sun-kissed skin, the colour rich against the contrast of Halo’s pale stone and starlit frost. Her curls are piled atop her head in a haphazard twist, a few damp strands clinging to her temples, and her neck is arched just so against the edge of a smooth, heat-warmed rock, letting her head rest with the serene detachment of someone who’s finally exhaled.
Eyes closed, she breathes in the quiet, one earned by putting distance between herself and the world (Jack, Kaisel), by flying until the wind ran out and the sky grew dark. Until she found herself here.
Spice flutters nearby, perched daintily on a snow-dusted ledge. The little dragon blows determined puffs of frost at the rising steam, each exhale creating ghostly curls of ice that vanish before they can take shape. Her tiny claws click against the stone with each repositioning, the steam stubbornly refusing to freeze despite her best efforts.
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Amhran - 07-14-2025
Not a particular fan of hotsprings (the getting in part, specifically; they are perfectly nice to look at), Amhran nevertheless feels as though he ought to pay Safrin's Mirror a visit for no other reason than because he is part of the reason it exists in the first place. And while he has no intention of taking a dip, the steamy air and the heat rolling through it is enough for him to shed his coat, leaving it folded over one arm as he approaches. The place is surprisingly empty but for one shape in the mist, and only as he draws closer does he realises he recognise her face.
[say]"Hello, Flora,"[/say] he greets politely enough, offering her a smile and falling to a halt near a large, flat boulder that seems more than suitable to rest against. [say]"It has been a while. Have you finished your pilgrimage to all of the shrines?"[/say] He remembers she had been on a mission to visit them, recalling the small vial of white sand from Torchline she'd brought when he'd seen her out on the Tundra.
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Flora - 07-14-2025
Spice is the first to notice the demigods arrival. The little dragon perks with a frost-glittered chirrup, tail curling as her wings fan open for balance on the narrow ledge. A quick puff of icy breath swirls defensively into the mist before she settles again, but the sound is enough to pull Flora from her quiet. Eyes cracking open, she turns her head lazily toward the movement—steam parting to reveal a tall, lean silhouette approaching through the haze. She doesn’t flinch at the voice, half-muffled by warmth and water and her own weightless float. Instead, she smiles, slow and drowsy from heat and distance. [say]"Heya,"[/say] she says, her voice smooth as sea-glass, [say]"Nice to see you again."[/say]
With a slight tilt, she twists to look up at him more fully, one arm dragging through the water as she shifts her balance. [say]"Yeah, I finished."[/say] Her tone is a little proud but not boastful; she’d made the journey, left her offerings, whispered to gods beneath every kind of sky. The water closes over her collarbones as she straightens, toes brushing the smooth stone beneath the surface. Her curls remain twisted atop her head, though a few damp strands now dangle freely as she leans forward, forearms resting on the pool’s edge near where he stands. The stars paint dappled light across her shoulders and back, glittering in the rivulets of water that trail down her skin.
She lifts a brow at his dry clothes and folded coat. [say]"I don't know if you know this, but you aren't exactly dressed for a swim."[/say]
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Amhran - 07-15-2025
[say]"And you as well,"[/say] Amhran agrees with a polite smile, setting his coat down on the boulder behind him now and shifting to lean comfortably against it; not quite sitting but not quite standing either. [say]"I'm glad to hear it. I feel like I ought to be paying more visits myself, lately,"[/say] he admits, watching as Flora drifts closer like a model on the cover of Hotsprings Weekly. Entranced by the way the stars dapple across her shoulders, he offers a small nod to Spice as well as if to say hello.
As for his own attire, the Raeling glances down at himself before offering her a rueful smile. [say]"I haven't learned how to swim yet,"[/say] he tells her readily. [say]"Until quite recently, there weren't all too many places in the Citadel where you could practice, but I'm not a fan of sitting around in hot water anyway."[/say] No shade to those who enjoy it, of course. [say]"I just wanted to see how the springs turned out. I've been looking into whether any plants might grow in such an environment, too."[/say]
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Flora - 07-15-2025
Flora grins, lashes catching the starlight as she tips her head to the side. [say]"If you ever want company on your shrine rounds, I’m game. I give great moral support and even better snacks."[/say] Her voice is bright with the promise of mischief, softened by genuine warmth.
Spice takes his nod as an invitation of her own. The little dragon flits from her perch with a flutter of pale wings, trailing mist and glitter behind her. She hovers just behind Amhran, dainty claws beating the air as she leans in and exhales a soft puff of frost against the nape of his neck—cooling, refreshing, the kind of chill that offsets Halo’s oppressive hotspring heat. It lingers only a second before she darts away again, satisfied.
At his admission, Flora blinks. [say]"You don’t know how to swim?"[/say] There’s no judgement in her tone, just frank surprise. [say]"Well. That’s a tragedy we’ll have to fix. I can teach you in one of Torchline's calmer tide pools if you ever find yourself my way."[/say] She straightens, stretching languidly in the water before settling back into a relaxed lean. [say]"Hot water’s basically magic,"[/say] she declares with a little wave of her hand. [say]"Loosens everything up, gets you out of your head."[/say] A sly smile curves her lips. [say]"You’re missing out."[/say]
As for his plants, she wrinkles her nose thoughtfully. [say]"Algae seems to grow in just about everything, whether it’s invited or not. But Rae’s lilies? They love hot water. It's literally the only place I ever see them grow. Who knows, maybe that means you'll like hot water more than you think."[/say]
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Amhran - 07-17-2025
[say]"I'll certainly keep it in mind, if I ever find myself on a tour of Caido's shrines,"[/say] Amhran says with a grin. [say]"Though if you're offering to bring snacks, I may end up going just to invite you along,"[/say] he adds. [say]"Would that cause offence to the gods, do you think?"[/say] He doubts Rae would mind, though of course he hasn't actually had a real conversation with the twins since evolving out of planthood.
Shivering at Spice's sudden greeting and attention, Amhran finds himself smiling after the little dragon and tilting his head. [say]"Is she yours?"[/say] he guesses, nodding after the springs' icy mascot before his soil-soft eyes return to Flora. [say]"Most of the water in Halo is quite difficult to swim in, by virtue of it being frozen,"[/say] he says, laughing. [say]"And I've visited Torchline a little bit in the past, though never for fun."[/say] Usually it's for big, serious meetings involving death and war.
As for the hot water, Amhran does step a bit closer to the lip of the springs, crouching down to let his fingers curl through the steam. [say]"I suppose you're right,"[/say] he says, both about the merits of the springs and the sorts of plants that enjoy growing there. [say]"I did plant one of Rae's Lilies up in the Climb last year,"[/say] he agrees. [say]"I need to go and harvest it soon, though now that the Family are gone, I'm not sure quite what to do with it."[/say]
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Flora - 07-22-2025
Flora grins at the idea of being carted around just for her snacks, teeth flashing briefly as she swirls a hand through the water like it’s syrup and she’s stirring it lazily. [say]"Oh, I highly doubt it."[/say] She lifts a brow, considering. [say]"I feel like most of them would either not care, or would like the attention."[/say] There’s an irreverent lilt to her voice, but not disrespectful—more the kind of cheeky affection you’d use with an older relative you’re mostly sure still loves you.
At Spice’s frosty sneak attack, she lets out a quiet snort and confirms with a fond, [say]"She’s mine,"[/say] as the little dragon flits smugly away. [say]"Well, mine as much as a moody dragon the size of a wine bottle can be."[/say]
But it's the Torchline comment that draws an actual gasp from her, fingers clutching the stone edge in mock horror. [say]"You went to Torchline and didn’t have fun?"[/say] she says, eyes wide. [say]"Blasphemy. That's basically illegal as far as Torchline goes. You’re going to have to come back and let me fix that immediately."[/say]
Her voice is light, teasing, but the warmth is real, and it carries through as he crouches down near her. His fingers curl through the steam, and she watches them like a cat might—mischief blooming across her features. [say]"You realise,"[/say] she says slowly, [say]"that being fully dressed this close to a hotspring is basically begging for someone to push you in. I’m exercising heroic restraint right now not dragging you in by the wrist."[/say] One brow arches; willpower has never really been Flora's strong suit.
But his mention of the lily grounds her again, the playful edge softening into something more thoughtful. [say]"Oh,"[/say] she murmurs, shifting in the water to rest her chin briefly on her arms, curls spilling forward like sunlit kelp. [say]"The Draig Cordillera’s still infected. I was actually thinking of going there soon to try and start cleansing it...it’s where Spice was born, so. Feels right."[/say] Her fingers move absentmindedly through the water, stirring small ripples toward the demigod.
[say]"If you don’t know what to do with the lily,"[/say] she adds, looking up at him through lashes still wet with starlight thanks to the pool, [say]"maybe we could plant it there together. I’ll bring snacks. Obviously"[/say]
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Amhran - 07-23-2025
Tilting his head as if giving Flora's remarks some serious thought, in the end Amhran simply nods his agreement. [say]"You have been to a lot more shrines than I have,"[/say] he concedes, [say]"and you've never mentioned being cursed by any gods, so I'm inclined to take you at your word."[/say] Grinning, he watches Spice arc gracefully through the air with something of a wistful expression; it must be nice, after all, to have a companion. [say]"She's beautiful,"[/say] he says earnestly.
Almost jumping at the gasp that leaves her Amhran is startled into a laugh, shrugging almost apologetically down at her. [say]"I've only ever been there once with Deimos, as part of talks about war and the void,"[/say] he tells her. He decides not to mention the strange roaring power that he's almost certain should have killed him, especially since it originated from a fellow demigod rather than the strange void crystal they'd been targeting. [say]"Immediately might be a small issue, but it did seem like a lovely place."[/say] Certainly not somewhere he'd avoid visiting in future.
Raising his eyebrows at the sudden wisdom she has to offer, when Amhran realises her advice stems very much from mischief, he of course scuttles back from the edge of the hotsprings as if Flora might reach out to grab at his ankle at any moment. [say]"I appreciate the heads-up. And you not doing that."[/say] He chuckles, finally opting to sit a close (but safe) distance away on a small boulder.
[say]"Oh, the Cordillera? I... yes, that might be a very good idea,"[/say] he says slowly. The sooner Caido is entirely cleansed of the void, the better, after all. [say]"Would you like to come to The Climb to harvest the lily with me? There are more hotsprings there for you to enjoy."[/say] He holds his breath, waiting for her to insist he joins in next time.
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Flora - 07-23-2025
Flora lets out a quiet hum, eyes half-lidded as her cheek rests against her folded arms. [say]"I mean, being Accepted kind of comes with the perk of not being curse-compatible,"[/say] she says, voice warm and wry. [say]"But trust me—my parents have been cursed enough times between them for me to know exactly what not to say in a shrine. I learned early not to sass gods without a backup plan."[/say]
Her lashes flutter as she straightens again, water lapping gently at her shoulders, and she wrinkles her nose with theatrical distaste at the mention of war and the void. [say]"Ugh. That’s the least fun Torchline itinerary I’ve ever heard."[/say] She pauses, then flashes him a bright, sly grin. [say]"And if your only problem with an immediate visit is transport—well."[/say] She spreads her arms, water rippling outward in gentle waves. [say]"I have a Skyship now. The Sugar Tide. She’s fast, sleek, and absolutely capable of rescuing you from Halo in the name of hot weather and refreshing drinks."[/say]
As he retreats from the edge, Flora swipes a hand through the empty air in his direction with a dramatic huff. But it’s his offer that draws her back in again, curiosity and delight sparking across her expression like stars finding new constellations. [say]"I’d love to,"[/say] she says, sincerity anchoring the mischief in her tone. [say]"But only if you promise to get in the hotspring with me after. Dealbreaker otherwise."[/say] Her brows lift as she tilts her head, curls falling forward in a cascade of gold. [say]"And let’s be honest,"[/say] she adds with a flick of her fingers toward his lanky frame, [say]"you’re tall enough that swimming probably won’t even be required. But I’ll teach you anyway if you like."[/say]
RE: and I'd be the immediate forgiveness - Amhran - 07-24-2025
[say]"I feel as though you'll be a very good companion when it comes to visiting shrines then, with or without snacks,"[/say] Amhran says agreeably, wondering how much he might be able to learn from Flora about being respectful of the gods. (And let's be honest, he's probably more curse-compatible than she is, despite having a direct line to Rae).
Shifting to get more comfortable, he nods along at her judgement of his one and only visit to Torchline. [say]"There was food, and the weather was good,"[/say] he says in the itinerary's defence, but yes, it had all been rather dry when he'd not been getting friendly fired to death. [say]"But yes, it would be nice to visit without having to discuss the fate of the world. And the Sugar Tide, you say?"[/say] Even the name is sweet enough to have him smiling, and Amhran sits up a fraction.
[say]"Yes please,"[/say] he says immediately. [say]"I usually travel with Deimos - I've never actually been on board a skyship. If I meet you at The Climb, perhaps we can travel back down on it...?"[/say] The Raeling is still understandably hesitant at having to get in the hotspring, but with a gentle reluctance on his face, he concedes. [say]"Alright,"[/say] he says, [say]"it's a plan. I'll meet you there in a few days."[/say]
And he'll either sink or swim, but he has a feeling Flora will be delighted either way.
~FIN