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i'd drink up the look on your face - Flora - 07-30-2025
Flora stepped through the doorway into the Dusklight like it owed her something—or maybe like she was ready to be owed—heels clicking soft and sharp across the plush welcome mat as the air changed around her. Warmer. Thicker. Like walking into the mouth of something silk-tongued and starved.
The dress Flora had picked was sleek as a threat, clinging in all the places that invited staring and letting go of her back entirely in a plunge of shadow and skin. Her scars—those winding, delicate ridges left by the Reaper in raised silver— seemed to glow in the low amber light. She didn’t cover them, not tonight. Tonight she was happy to let those who looked upon her wonder what kind of girl wore such brutality like an accessory.
At the bar, she ordered something cherry-laced that would burn as it went down, wanting the heat of it to singe away the sharper edges that the past few weeks had carved into her mind. Downing her shot easily with a sigh that was more theatre than exhaustion, Flora turned to lean one elbow on the bar, a twist of hip and hem putting her centre stage in the candle-drenched haze. Gold glinted off her collarbone. Her lashes were curled like claws.
Now all that was left was to wait for Danta to come along and find her like a match finds a fuse, and gods but she could always count on him to brighten her mood.
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Dantalion - 07-30-2025
[say]"Flora, you look like all the mistakes I'm dying to make tonight. Don't you know how unfair that is this season?"[/say] She isn't left waiting long, though rather than emerging from the Backrooms (a place he only really goes when necessary these days), Danta appears from the side door to the kitchens. He's dusted with flour and there's a streak of jam on one of his cheeks, and he looks - as usual, to be honest - mighty pleased with himself.
[say]"I hope you haven't been left without company for too long,"[/say] he purrs, wiping his hands off on the apron tied about his waist and sidling behind the bar so he can make her (and himself) something more substantial than a cherry shot. Mixing together two margaritas dusted with chili powder rather than salt, he slides Flora's glass towards her and raises his own in a toast.
[say]"To what do we owe the delight of your company?"[/say] he inquires. [say]"You're lucky, by the way. I've forced our security out on an errand, so we can both have a break."[/say]
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Flora - 07-30-2025
Flora turns at the sound of his voice, and gods, she lights up like she means it. [say]"Oh, this old thing?"[/say] she says breezily, glancing down at herself like the dress hadn’t been picked with malicious intent. [say]"It practically threw itself on me. I didn’t have the heart to say no."[/say] But it’s the jam streak on his cheek that gets her. Her brows bounce as her gaze skims him head to toe; apron, flour, that infuriatingly self-satisfied grin. [say]"And you look like a pastry I’d ruin my reputation for. What were you even doing back there? Baking for your sins?"[/say]
She lifts the margarita as it slides her way, the scent of lime and spice curling up toward her nose. [say]"We?"[/say] she echoes, cocking her head with mock suspicion just before he clarifies. When he mentions Asta, Flora mock-pouts, plush lips curling downward in exaggerated woe. [say]"Aww, and here I was starting to really like Leafchange Asta. Did you know we had ourselves a proper little scrap the other day?"[/say] Her grin turns sly, the gleam in her seaglass eyes sharpening. [say]"I enjoyed it much more than I ever thought I would."[/say]
She takes a slow sip, the heat of the chili-salt rimming her glass prickling against her lips. [say]"We actually thought maybe we'd make a game out of it in the rage room."[/say]
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Dantalion - 07-30-2025
[say]"Is that so? Well if that's the case I can't blame it. I can count any number of people who would like to throw themselves on you right now. You're looking at one of them."[/say] Bouncing his eyebrows at her over the rim of his margarita, Danta settles comfortably against the counter, flour and jam and apron and all, and he glances down at his outfit with a scoff. [say]"I was making thumbprint cookies,"[/say] he says. [say]"Asta taught me how last year, and the kitchen is one of the only places I can count on him not to bug me."[/say] That latter part is admitted with a playful smirk, though the kernel of truth is all too apparent.
But at least the butcher still seems capable of socialising during Leafchange, even if it's a proper little scrap with Flora, and Danta's eyes light up with dark mischief. [say]"I did not,"[/say] he says. [say]"But then again I'll be honest, I can't really hold a conversation with Asta these days beyond a few sentences before I'm biting a pillow."[/say] With a fanged grin, he takes another considerable drink of his cocktail. [say]"Tell me everything. Are there any new scars I should be looking for on either of you?"[/say]
Gods, and then she mentions a game in the rage room, and Danta all but swoons against the counter. [say]"Flora, are you sure you're not planning to become an Ancient? Your ideas are becoming better than mine."[/say]
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Flora - 07-30-2025
Flora meets the bounce of his eyebrows with a sigh so dramatic it might’ve required a chaise to faint upon. [say]"Don’t even joke,"[/say] she says, one hand lifting to her chest as if wounded. [say]"Knowing you’re more or less off the table right now is devastating. Honestly, I'm taking emotional damage just by being here right now."[/say]
But then he says thumbprint cookies and she tilts her head, a soft snort of disbelief escaping her. [say]"I’m sorry—thumbprint what now?"[/say] Her nose wrinkles. [say]"That sounds adorably domestic."[/say] Still grinning, she takes another slow sip of her margarita, clearly delighted to be the first to share the gossip. [say]"No new scars,"[/say] she assures, [say]"but I did stab him, or rather..he stabbed himself by walking into my dagger."[/say] There’s a beat, just long enough to be concerning before she waves a hand airily. [say]"I healed him right after. He did sucker punch me in the ribs, though."[/say]
A low laugh curls from her throat, warm and amused as she licks a speck of spice from the rim of her glass. [say]"That's because I'm single and you aren't. I have to actually come up with ways to keep myself entertained these days."[/say] Her gaze flicks to Danta’s apron like it’s personally to blame.
Then she leans in—slow, deliberate—until her chest presses lightly against the bar. Just enough pressure to curve her cleavage perfectly against the flickering amber light. [say]"Besides, what better way for me to test my limits than the rage room?"[/say] she murmurs, lashes fluttering. [say]"Actually trying to beat the shit out of someone was wildly cathartic. And of course Asta was more than game."[/say] Her grin widens, catlike and sharp. [say]"You’re invited, naturally,"[/say] she purrs, voice all honeyed suggestion now. [say]"You know I always have a good time when I’m with the pair of you."[/say] She lifts her glass again, the clink of ice punctuating the offer. Just in case he needs reminding of exactly which memories she’s referring to.
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Dantalion - 07-30-2025
[say]"I'm glad to hear that I am worth the emotional damage. If it makes you feel any better, being more or less off the table right now is killing me too,"[/say] Danta tells her with a salacious smile, reaching back once he's had his initial fill of the margarita to untie his apron, ball it up and toss it in a corner somewhere. (The jam remains unnoticed, alas). [say]"And I don't just mean because I can't put my mouth and hands all over you, though that's honestly a sin. I think Asta nearly broke one of my hips a few days ago,"[/say] And this coming from a man built for those sorts of acrobatics.
Leaning his elbows back on the counter, his grin tilts towards something affectionate as he explains. [say]"Thumbprint cookies. I'll show you how to make them one day if you want? They're very simple."[/say] If they weren't, he'd never have had the patience or skill to make them again by himself.
[say]"Did you? Did he?"[/say] All but mumbling the exclamations around another sip of his margarita, Danta of course gives all the delighted reactions expected from such fresh tea. [say]"What a cad. I'm proud of you both, honestly - and a bit jealous I couldn't be there to join in."[/say] But then oho, he's invited, and the spark of chaos in his eyes flickers ever darker at the mere thought of the rage room and all that might happen behind its closed doors.
[say]"And I always have a good time between the pair of you,"[/say] he agrees with a slow, mournful sigh, his eyeline having dropped right down her cleavage. Indeed, it's not certain if the pair her refers to is Asta and Flora, or just the Doubletake's glorious breasts.
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Flora - 07-30-2025
Flora grins, sharp and sunlit, and leans a little heavier on one elbow just to drive the point home. [say]"Say more nice things about wanting to touch me,"[/say] she purrs, lashes fluttering like a challenge. [say]"I think I’m owed at least that much."[/say]
But when he complains about hips and acrobatic injuries, she wrinkles her nose in mock dismay, affection blooming behind the expression. [say]"Mmmm, but...don’t you normally like that sort of thing? Don’t tell me you’re getting delicate in your old age."[/say] When he offers to teach her to bake, though, the flirt flickers, dims just slightly. She shakes her head, not unkindly. [say]"Mm. Pass."[/say] Her smile softens at the edges, voice lowering just a touch. [say]"Baking reminds me too much of Jack."[/say] A roll of her eyes follows, as if brushing past the weight of it. [say]"But I'll eat whatever you bake. Or..."[/say]
And because of course he hasn’t noticed the jam still clinging to his cheek, Flora reaches out with a single manicured finger, making a little tsk as she swipes it clean. [say]"Can't believe this is the only taste of you I’m getting tonight"[/say] she sighs dramatically, then, with deliberate slowness, slides her fingertip between her lips and draws it clean.
Then, proud as anything, she straightens up and declares, [say]"Asta pulled out his very big and very scary new magic and when I held up my little dagger to block it, what do you know? It didn’t."[/say] She laughs, bright and biting. [say]"He happily walked right into it."[/say]
Flora notices Danta's gaze slipping, and she lets it, basking in it like a girl stretched out in summer sun. Though just when he might have thought the moment was nothing but jokes and cleavage, Flora leans forward, voice dipping into a hush like a shared sin. [say]"Do you think the rage room would bring you back if you died inside it?"[/say] she asks, chin tilted, eyes narrowed with something wicked. [say]"Or...is that too far?"[/say] She’s joking. Probably. But the heat in her voice has cooled just slightly, like maybe because she’s already walked the line once or twice, she wants to see how intentionally close she can get to it again.
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Dantalion - 07-30-2025
[say]"Owed that much and then some,"[/say] Danta agrees, his voice dropping to little more than a purr as he also leans against the bar. [say]"I want to remember what Torchline tastes like on your skin, and to remind myself how you sound when you're just about to--"[/say] He sidles out of the way of one of the other barman who - absolutely deliberately - has decided to inch past with a stack of clean glasses. Grumbling, Danta huffs out a sigh and straightens back up.
[say]"I'm so into that sort of thing,"[/say] he agrees with a groan. [say]"Which ought to tell you how much of it I've been getting, if even I think I could go for a twelve hour ceasefire."[/say] Chuckling under his breath, he promptly finishes the rest of his margarita and immediately moves to make something else - something that might not go down so quickly or easily.
[say]"It reminds you of Jack? Ew, why?"[/say] Danta pulls a face, because of course he's a good friend, and he'll feel whatever way about the captain that Flora tells him to feel. It's just as he's turned back to her that her hand lances out to catch the jam on his cheek, the Maverick's expression flickering from befuddled to playfully admonishing in seconds. [say]"How do you know I wasn't saving that for later?"[/say] He sighs, rubbing at his now clean cheek. (He definitely wasn't).
It's his turn for the humour to fade, though, as Flora mentions his beau's pretty new magic, Danta's smile growing a little strained. [say]"Quite a convincing illusion though, isn't it?"[/say] he trills.
The Doubletake leans forward, though, her voice dropping to something hushed and altogether more intimate, and of course he follows suit. [say]"Whatever happens in the rage room,"[/say] he says, slowly and deliberately, [say]"stays in the rage room. Scenarios like the one you're talking about are exactly why I made it."[/say] So, short answer, yes.
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Flora - 07-30-2025
Flora huffs as Danta’s sultry little serenade is cut short, her sigh theatrical and long-suffering. [say]"That. Was. Rude,"[/say] she mutters, shooting a glare at the barman’s back as if he had just interrupted something sacred, which, to be fair, he had.
Still, she laughs as Danta groans about his dry spell, the sound light and wicked. [say]"Boohoo, the Maverick’s having too much sex,"[/say] she teases, voice soaked in sarcasm. [say]"Tragic. Somebody quick, write a song about it."[/say]
But the quip dulls as her thumb circles the rim of her glass, the last drops of lime and fire nearly gone. She tosses it back in one go, then sets it down with a clink. [say]"I only ever really baked with Jack,"[/say] she admits after a pause, teeth catching the inside of her cheek. [say]"And it always turned into sex. And like..really good sex."[/say] She shrugs, but there’s weight beneath it. [say]"They’re good memories. Just...the kind that hurt, now, y'know?"[/say]
When Danta sighs over the stolen jam, Flora widens her eyes in mock innocence and shrugs again, this time all wicked delight. [say]"What do I care about what you were or weren't going to do later, when I'm not going to be invited?"[/say]
But the mirth softens when she sees his smile shift; when that Haunt magic and all its echoes steal some of the colour from his voice. She nods, quieter now. [say]"Yeah. Asta said it reminded you of the Climb and all that...stuff."[/say] Which was putting far too blunt a point on it, of course, so her lips twitch, an almost-apology she doesn’t quite voice. Asta's haunt didn't have the same effect on her, of course, given that it was purely fear for fear's sake, and not emotional torture thrown over someone she was in love with.
But then she leans in again, catching on his words like a tide to anchor. Flora’s grin returns, slow and razor-edged. [say]"Good,"[/say] she murmurs, voice curling around the word like smoke.
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Dantalion - 07-30-2025
It was rude, and though Danta can practically see the smirk on the barman's face, he doesn't bother to go after him about it - not when he can keep shooting the shit with Flora. [say]"These staff are getting sassier, I swear,"[/say] he mutters, turning back to her. At her sass, though, he reaches out to unceremoniously push her empty glass off the edge of the bar. It lands with a brilliant, tinkling shatter, and someone is already coming to clean it up, making it evident that this is not an unusual occurrence by any means.
[say]"I hope one day you fall for a nymphomaniac, and you try to crawl out of the bedroom but they drag you back in,"[/say] he snipes. [say]"You'll die of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Granted,"[/say] he adds with a thoughtful pause, [say]"you'll probably die happy, but still."[/say]
Huffing out a long sigh and making her a fresh drink, as she explains about Jack, Danta is able to coax his chaos back to a more manageable level. [say]"That's shit. Baking and sex while you're baking is the best,"[/say] he says emphatically. [say]"It won't always hurt though, or so they say. Until then, though, no bedroom chef roleplay for us, huh?"[/say] He tries to tempt her with a smile. [say]"Shame. I've always wanted to smack your ass with a spatula."[/say]
Setting her drink down, his nose wrinkles as conversation spins towards Asta's Haunt. [say]"Yeah, it... I was an idiot. I tried to front it out, see the worst of it all at once. It backfired,"[/say] he explains, letting out a long, slow sigh and angling himself subtly away from the door to the Backrooms. [say]"Doesn't change that it's damn impressive though, huh?"[/say] He says, pulling the mask back into place as best he can.
Much more easily done when he makes his confirmation about the rage room, and the Maverick tips her a wink. [say]"Then I look forward to seeing you there."[/say]
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Flora - 07-30-2025
Flora snickers into the back of her hand, eyes glittering as she watches the barman disappear. [say]"Gee, where do you think they got it from?"[/say] she asks sweetly, lashes fluttering like the picture of innocence, right before Danta shoves her empty glass off the edge of the bar like a cat punishing a trinket. The shatter is crisp, theatrical, and absolutely unnecessary and gods she adores him for it.
[say]"Might wanna get that looked at,"[/say] she teases, propping her chin in her hand. [say]"Your inner drama queen’s showing."[/say]
But as he curses
She waves a dismissive hand as if brushing off smoke from a too-hot flame. [say]"Mm, no chef's roleplay."[/say] But then her eyes flick back to his, playful once more. [say]"Doesn’t mean you can’t still smack my ass with a spatula, though."[/say] A wicked grin unfurls. [say]"We could always go the classic route. I’m the maid. You’re the disgruntled bachelor who gets real mad when I fold your linens wrong and put your utensils away in the wrong place."[/say]
Reaching for the drink he’s set down for her, she wraps her fingers around the glass and watches him as he speaks of the Climb. Of fronting out fear and losing the gamble. Her expression softens, quiet sympathy threading through her features as she murmurs, [say]"Gods. I can’t even imagine."[/say] She doesn’t press, though, and instead takes his lead and lets the topic dissolve as easily as salt in surf with a quiet, [say]"yeah, it was super impressive."[/say]
She lifts her drink, the chill of it brushing her lower lip. [say]"So what do you think?"[/say] she asks, casting him a sidelong look. [say]"Do we wait ‘til Leafchange is over, or do you think it won't matter how Asta is? I mean, the whole point is letting out all the things you’re not supposed to act on, right?"[/say]
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Dantalion - 08-01-2025
[say]"No idea,"[/say] Danta says, as serious as you like, and he takes a haughty sip of his new drink to punctuate the remark. [say]"And I think you'll find that as long as everyone else is looking at it, my inner drama queen is quite content."[/say] Even if it definitely becomes more of an outer drama queen at times like this. Another sip of his drink before he sets the glass down, the Maverick at least has the decency to wrinkle his nose as Flora reminds him of the physical realities of getting fucked to death.
[say]"Oh, it has? Alright, well, fine. No falling for anyone, but if you ever do want to have no strings sex with a nymphomaniac, I can set you up. It'll have to be next season if it's me, though."[/say] Gifting her a rather salacious wink, Danta snags a barstool with one foot and drags it over so he can sit with the Doubletake rather than continuing to lean across the bar towards her.
His eyes widen with delight to hear that spatula ass-smacking might still be on the cards, Danta whistling low under his breath. [say]"Flora, why don't you come and be a madame at this brothel?"[/say] he asks, as if this is something he's asked her to consider several times instead of bringing it up right here, right now. And, pleased that the Doubletake has taken his lead on the matter, he's more than happy to leave talk of Asta's haunt as impressive and not pick at that scab any further.
[say]"Well,"[/say] he says when it comes to the timing, pressing his hands against the counter, [say]"I did speak to him before about using the rage room for shit like that, and he was worried that it would encourage his bad habits. I doubt he'll care at this season, but I'm not so sure it's a good idea given what he's already said about it."[/say] He wrinkles his nose. [say]"Then again, if it's just fighting maybe that'll be fine, and you can leave the sex murder for Deepfrost."[/say]
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Flora - 08-01-2025
Flora laughs, bright and unrestrained. [say]"Oh, believe me,"[/say] she says, lifting her glass in an answering salute, [say]"I know the feeling. My inner drama queen is thriving this season. She practically has her own wardrobe."[/say] Or at least her own stationery, where Kaisel was concerned.
But then he offers himself up for no-strings sex, and she sags theatrically against the bar, one arm folded beneath her head like she’s just been rescued from a desert. [say]"Thank the gods,"[/say] she groans. [say]"Because while I wildly adore you, and Asta, for that matter, thus far, you're the only two I’ve managed to sleep with who didn’t somehow implode my entire emotional infrastructure. So yes, yes, please. I’d very much like to accept."[/say]
As he settles beside her, Flora twists toward him, one leg crossing over the other as she leans in with a grin. [say]"A madame, huh?"[/say] she echoes, eyes sparkling. [say]"Danta, I only fucked you for the first time a few seasons ago. I may have a lot of ideas, but I’m wildly unqualified."[/say] Raising her glass to her lips again, Flora adds, [say]"Also, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I already have a job. Queen of Torchline? Bit of a handful, that one."[/say]
Still, she sips from her drink again, entirely unbothered, as if playing barmaid-in-chief at a brothel would slot in just fine next to crown and chaos, and honestly, were it not so far away from the sun and the surf she'd probably consider it.
At the mention of Asta’s concerns, though, her expression shifts, thoughtful now, the ice in her glass swirling softly as she nods. [say]"That makes sense."[/say] There’s no argument in her tone, only easy agreement and trust that of course Danta knows what lines not to cross when it comes to his lover.
But then she lifts her brows slightly, brushing one finger idly along the rim of her glass. [say]"He told me he hasn’t needed blood at all this Leafchange,"[/say] she murmurs, eyes narrowing just a touch. [say]"You think that’s just the season talking, or...is it possible something’s shifting in him?"[/say] There’s no judgment in the question, just mere curiosity. Asta was Asta, but perhaps with the arrival of certain new abilities, older needs were being pushed out to make room.
RE: i'd drink up the look on your face - Dantalion - 08-02-2025
[say]"Our respective drama queens are in good company then, it seems,"[/say] Danta says with a broad grin that bares his fangs, and he lifts his glass to gently clink it against Flora's. He's withdrawn his hand to take a drink just in time for her theatrics - see previous remark about drama queens, evidently - the Maverick chiming out a laugh and tilting his head as if trying to spy Flora through her halo of curls.
Her acceptance is like music to his ears, Danta jostling her affectionately as if trying to persuade her to rise from the dead against his counter. [say]"I will make sure to arrange something for us the second I can trust Asta not to be more of a manic than usual,"[/say] he says, because while they're both a big fan of the butcher's usual brand of chaos, this is pushing the envelope even for Danta.
Tutting and rolling his eyes at her arguments against his wildly entertaining suggestion, he props an elbow on the bar and cradles his chin in his palm. [say]"Fake it 'til you make it, duh,"[/say] he says confidently. [say]"If anyone could, it's you. And you had that job when you were also in charge of The Hanged Man, as well as other things,"[/say] he points out, referring of course to their delightful guild.
It might make sense, not tempting fate with a cannibal, but Danta is still impatient for when they can all really let loose, and he sighs softly and straightens up just as Flora speaks again. [say]"Mm, no he hasn't,"[/say] he agrees, brow furrowing with curiosity. [say]"I can't say whether it's a permanent change. It's hard for us anyway, because it's not like that need is ever really gone."[/say] Bloodlust being what it is, he means. [say]"I think maybe we'll know more in Deepfrost, if he just... goes back to how he was before. Either way, I look forward to having you as a fellow researcher in this."[/say] He winks.