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you know you wanna be bad with us - Flora - 11-29-2025
Flora’s knuckles travel a bright little rhythm across the dark wood door, each tap carrying a shimmer of restless energy she’s been trying to keep pinned down ever since she and Kaisel pushed through the Dusklight’s velvet-curtain heat. She feels overdressed for sin and underdressed for confidence in her soft oatmeal sweater, the sleeves loose enough to swallow half her hands, and light-wash jeans that hug just right. It’s cozy, warm, normal clothing in a place designed specifically to turn normal into a rumour.
She nudges the office door open with one hip, curls tumbling forward as she leans in; just enough to peek around the frame but not enough to commit to entering until invited. Hazelnut light slips through her hair and catches the glimmer of her rings, every piece of gold loud against the neutral sweater, like she accidentally wandered into a brothel dressed for a weekend market but decided to pretend she meant it.
[say]"Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy."[/say] It spills out of her in a long, sing-song strand she can’t quite shorten, the kind of greeting that ripples through the air like a tossed silk ribbon. Her grin follows right on its heels, mischief bright as a struck match. [say]"I just dropped off my boyfriend to talk to your boyfriend,"[/say] she says, stepping just inside the doorway now, fingertips smoothing down the hem of her sweater even though it doesn’t need smoothing. [say]"So I figured I'd come and bother you."[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Dantalion - 11-29-2025
If Danta’s door is closed it’s either because he’s working, he’s ‘working’, or Kiada is in there. Today finds him having started at option one before stumbling blindly into option two, and by the time Flora’s knuckles announce a bright and cheerful interruption, he’s… well. She’ll see.
[say]”Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey,”[/say] he trills right back - and as she opens the door to step inside, she’ll be hard pressed to find the theocrat at first; having evidently raided the Dusklight’s clean laundry, whatever Danta had initially been doing has now become a commitment to making a blanket fort.
Within the fort the floor is lined with pillows and throws, and he’s draped a few blankets from his bookshelves and across from his desk to create the canopy. Drawing the ‘door’ back to grin at Flora from where he’s laying down, he looks obscenely comfortable in a burgundy sweater that, based on the way it seems a bit too big, probably belongs to Asta, and a pair of striped pajama pants. [say]”Luckily for you, I am in a prime state for bothering now,”[/say] he says, grinning and beckoning her inside.
Shifting to sit up and make room, he’s already reaching out to pour her a glass of wine as well, tail sweeping lazily across the blankets. [say]”And you say he’s gone to bother him? Do tell. You know how Asta adores being bothered.”[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Flora - 11-29-2025
Flora blinks once, twice, and then a slow third time that feels less like confusion and more like her brain gently recalibrating to accept that she has, in fact, walked in on the Maverick—feared, respected, occasionally murderous—curled up inside a fully committed blanket fort that looks like it was engineered by a child with a sugar rush and the architectural ambitions of a minor god. If anyone ever accused Kaisel of being immature again, she is absolutely keeping this memory tucked behind her ribs like a pressed flower. Thirty-eight years old and building forts during work hours; the mental image blooms in her with wicked delight.
Her grin spreads fast as she drops to her knees without hesitation, jeans tugging awkwardly as she crawls inside with the shameless enthusiasm of someone discovering forbidden treasure. She instantly regrets denim—Danta's striped pajama pants look like pure, decadent freedom—and she briefly imagines herself wrapped in them like a blanket. Later, maybe, if things with Kai and Asta didn't blow up.
The fort swallows her gently as she settles in, and she accepts the offered wine with the sort of ease that suggests of course Danta has wine within reach inside of his fort. Why wouldn’t he? This is the Dusklight. Of course this man preps for hospitality inside fabric-based architecture.
[say]"Kai has gone to apologize,"[/say] she says, painting the word with theatrical gravitas as her aqua eyes glitter. [say]"For what happened at the Festival."[/say] The grin that follows is all sunshine and secrets. [say]"And I sent him with a box of that tea I know Asta likes, so hopefully he gets at least one bonus point for bribery."[/say] She lifts her glass in a tiny toasting gesture, voice dropping into conspiratorial warmth. [say]"The rest is...well. Up to him now."[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Dantalion - 11-29-2025
[say]"Those look wretchedly uncomfortable for lounging,"[/say] Danta - of course - points out as Flora crawls inside his fort in her jeans. [say]"If you want I can send for something more comfortable? Or you can wear one of the blankets as a skirt. I'll even pretend not to peek while you're changing."[/say] Chiming his glass of wine against her own, he takes a decadent sip of it while the Doubletake gets herself comfortable, and soon enough there's nothing around them but the warm, soft walls of the fort.
Eyebrows raising as the details of Kai's bothering come to light, he offers an encouraging nod that says the young soldier has earned a modicum of respect from him even if it remains to be decided for Asta. [say]"Godspeed to him,"[/say] he tells her. [say]"I feel like the tea will definitely help, I just hope he isn't put off by the sight of Asta at work as the Dusklight's security."[/say]
It might not be nearly as bad as what the butcher had unleashed at the Blood Moon Festival, but given that his whole schtick is to look grumpy and intimidating out on the main floor of the brothel, he doesn't envy Kai his decision either. [say]"Well,"[/say] he says in a quieter voice, [say]"if you hear any screaming that kind of sounds like him, let me know and we'll go out and see what's up. If I'd known this was happening, I'd have built my fort out there."[/say]
Sighing and setting his wine down to properly lounge back among his pillows, he smiles indulgently towards Flora. [say]"And how has my favourite queen been?"[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Flora - 11-29-2025
Flora makes a soft, scandalised noise in the back of her throat at his offer, as if Danta has suggested something truly outrageous and not simply comfort. [say]"There’s no need to bother anyone,"[/say] she says, though her grin betrays how tempted she’d been by the vision of pajama freedom. [say]"Maybe I’ll just..."[/say] Her fingers slip beneath the hem of her sweater and she undoes the top button of her jeans, then a second, a sigh of relief fluttering through her like petals unwinding.
She nestles back into the pillows, tucking a blanket across her lap. At the mention of Asta and Kai, her shoulders rise and fall in a loose shrug, curls tumbling forward as though they want to participate in the conversation. [say]"I have no idea what got into him at the Festival,"[/say] she admits, a sigh threading through her voice like a warm draft. [say]"I wouldn’t even be surprised if his ex cursed him or something, because that was not like him at all."[/say] Her grin curls sharp and amused as she takes another sip, longer this time, letting the wine drape honeyed warmth down her spine.
The idea of rescuing Kai draws a bright spark from her, a conspiratorial gleam. [say]"Yes, absolutely, we’ll go save him if needed. Though I feel like the tea should act as at least a partial shield."[/say] The image of Danta dragging this entire blanket fort into the main room tries to bloom in her imagination; she bites her lip to keep from laughing aloud.
When he lounges back, Flora’s gaze softens, and she watches him like someone who enjoys beautiful things, then hums a pleased sound in her throat. [say]"Well, there aren’t any other female rulers in all of Caido,"[/say] she notes, widening her eyes in exaggerated innocence while very deliberately not saying a thing about the sexism of it. Flora shifts a pillow behind her, sweater slipping off one shoulder, and lifts her glass again. [say]"I’m great. Kai and I are planning a trip up to Halo to see the auroras. And..."[/say] Her eyes spark with a shadier shade of excitement. [say]"I bought this map off a very suspicious fellow that supposedly leads to starwhales. It’s probably a dead end, but even if it is, it’ll be fun."[/say]
She lets the last word stretch, lazy and content, before tilting her head, curls sliding to one side. [say]"And speaking of fun... has your birthday outing with Asta happened yet?"[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Dantalion - 11-29-2025
[say]"Ah, this isn't your first foray into blanket forts I see,"[/say] Danta says through a laugh as Flora deftly unbuttons her jeans. [say]"This is a safe space, Flora, you can do whatever you please to get comfy as far as I'm concerned."[/say] Case in point - look at the state of the Maverick. As for Kai's behaviour, he gives her a gentle shake of his head after another sip of wine, as if to say he wasn't as surprised as perhaps he should have been by his behaviour, in retrospect.
[say]"I don't know if it'll help either of you, but the blood moon is renowned for causing impulsive decisions,"[/say] he explains. [say]"It's Dygra's most chaotic time. It could have just as easily been Asta or you or I picking a fight all of a sudden. You just learn to take it with a pinch of salt - that is, if what happened hasn't spooked you both into never attending another one."[/say]
Which he sincerely hopes not, because despite having had a thoroughly terrible time of it at the festival himself, it's usually a riot of drinking and dancing and the occasional bit of arson.
[say]"And if the partial shield doesn't work,"[/say] he says of the tea, [say]"I bet he could always just throw some in Asta's eyes and run."[/say] Laughing at his own mental image, the smile that follows turns wickedly delighted at Flora's reminder of her status as solo-female-leader. [say]"That may be true, but that still doesn't mean there's only one queen,"[/say] he says with a wink. [say]"Not that I could possibly comment on our fellow leaders and their proclivities. Though I bet Sunjata would make a tiara look good."[/say]
Blue eyes glint with curiosity as she mentions Halo, Danta tilting his head as he thinks about it. [say]"I've only ever been once, and that was a really quick trip from outside to inside,"[/say] he says, chuckling. [say]"That sounds fun, though. You should ask Asta if he remembers any good landmarks or other things worth seeing. Just remember his knowledge might be centuries out of date, so..."[/say] Pinch of salt and all that.
As for his birthday outing, he doesn't even pretend to be surprised that Flora has been told about it, the Maverick gently shaking his head. [say]"Not yet - we're going to go ina few days,"[/say] he explains. [say]"I don't know all the details, but it sounds right up my alley."[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Flora - 11-29-2025
Flora’s grin unfurls slow and bright as she sinks a little deeper into the nest of blankets, and she gives her head a small shake. [say]"Honestly, I probably should have a conversation with Kai about how much undressing I’m allowed to do in front of friends,"[/say] she muses, nose wrinkling in that way it does when she’s trying to be both self-aware and very-not. Her fingers toy with the edge of the blanket in her lap, gold rings catching the dim light as she searches for the right word.
[say]"I don’t think he’s controlling or jealous or anything,"[/say] she says, shoulders rising in a soft shrug as her gaze drifts up toward the low canopy of their fort. [say]"Just...old-fashioned about things like that, I think."[/say] The word lands with a sigh, warm and amused, threaded through with affection rather than judgment.
As Danta explains the blood moon’s mischief, her eyebrows drift upward, expression lighting with the kind of understanding that feels almost like relief. [say]"Ohhh,"[/say] she breathes, a soft exhale that untangles a knot she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. [say]"Well, if that’s the case, then hopefully Asta will take what happened in stride."[/say]
The mention of attending another Blood Moon pulls another nose wrinkle from her, this one edged with humour and mild horror. [say]"I finally met Charlie,"[/say] she says, voice lowered as if the priestess might burst through the blankets at any moment. [say]"And I got the distinct impression she wanted to set me on fire, so..."[/say] She lets the implication hang, wry and sparkling, sipping her wine as if it can ward off combustion.
Danta’s grin at the idea of multiple queens draws an answering spark from her, her own smile blooming in mirrored mischief. She nudges his foot lightly with her own, sweater slipping further off her shoulder. [say]"I’ll ask Asta if he remembers anything good up there,"[/say] she agrees, before talk of his birthday pulls her attention back to him fully, and her smile softens into something warmer and more affectionate. [say]"Well, I hope he throws you a party too—something decadent and loud, so that I can come."[/say] She lifts her glass in a teasing salute. [say]"And if not.."[/say] Her grin curls wide and conspiratorial. [say]"I’ll just throw you one myself so I can be on the guest list."[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Dantalion - 12-01-2025
[say]"...Allowed to do?"[/say] Danta says slowly, something cool and curious melting into his gaze as he looks at Flora, his own bejewelled hands glittering with silver and gemstone as he reaches for the bottle to top up her wine (already, yes, this is starting to become tea-time in the non-traditional sense). [say]"Mm, well... just let him know now if it bothers you,"[/say] he says, topping his own glass off as well. [say]"Being old-fashioned is endearing in a lot of ways, but that can wear off pretty quick with shit like this."[/say]
Raising his glass in a toast to the blood moon and her trickery, Danta nods to the Doubletake. [say]"I think he will,"[/say] he agrees with the quiet confidence of a man who had been there with Asta for the aftermath of the festival, awful as it had been at the time. Hearing that Flora has met their firecracker priestess, though, has him sitting up a fraction more, flashing her a fanged grin. [say]"It's possible,"[/say] he says; Charlie's adoration of flames is as fervent as any Ancient's. [say]"But she's also a stickler for consent and making sure everyone's having a good time, so I wouldn't worry too much."[/say]
Taking a long sip of wine since his glass is now obnoxiously full and sinking back among the pillows as talk returns to his birthday, Danta bounces his eyebrows at her leadingly. [say]"I have no idea what he has planned when it comes to a party or not, but I'm absolutely inclined to agree with you. And I'd be honoured if you were my party planner."[/say] He winks.
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Flora - 12-01-2025
Flora hears exactly what sits beneath Danta’s tone, the cool edge glinting like a warning shard of ice beneath velvet, but she only lets her shoulders rise and fall in a soft, untroubled shrug. The motion slides her sweater lower along one shoulder, and she nudges her wine glass toward him without thinking as he tops it up. [say]"If keeping my clothes on keeps the person I love happy,"[/say] she says lightly, a ribbon of warmth through the words, [say]"then I’m happy to do it."[/say] Her aqua eyes flick toward him with a playful spark, lips curling into something bright and knowingly teasing. [say]"Don’t tell me you and Asta don’t have some rules in your relationship to keep everyone happy."[/say]
Her relief at his confidence in Asta’s forgiveness loosens her posture, and she hums a pleased sound before promptly rolling her eyes toward the blanket canopy. [say]"Well, Kai is apparently going with Charlie to see Dygra,"[/say] she says, matching Danta’s fanged grin with a knowingly theatrical groan. [say]"So I guess I’ll have to wait and see if he comes back an Ancient or not."[/say]
The idea hangs there long enough to sparkle with humour before she sips her wine again, leaning back on one hand, curls brushing a pillow. Then her whole expression brightens like a lantern flame catching an unexpected breeze. She mirrors Danta’s eyebrow bounce with one of her own, delighted and wicked. [say]"All I know about what Asta’s planning is that he said it wasn’t the sort of thing I’d like."[/say] Her grin sharpens, slow and smooth, a gleam that promises trouble wrapped in silk. [say]"So I bet you can guess exactly what sorts of things it’ll involve for you."[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Dantalion - 12-01-2025
[say]"Mmhm,"[/say] Danta drawls, his tone still mildly suspicious, but Flora is a big girl and he's already given his two cents on the matter, so he leaves it at that. [say]"Of course we do,"[/say] he says of himself and the butcher (who, yes, can be considered mighty old-fashioned in his own right), [say]"but those are things we decided together, not things that Asta has told me I'm not allowed to do."[/say] That way lies resentment, especially for a child of Dygra as he is.
Speaking of which, his mouth actually drops open at the news that Kai will be visiting Dygra with their pocket-sized priestess, Danta equal parts delighted and disbelieving. [say]"All this time where I've been asking you to consider joining our prestigious ranks, and it might be Kaisel who ends up even hornier than before?"[/say] He laughs. [say]"What a dark horse."[/say]
And oh, he knows exactly what his gift from Asta might involve in that regard, but it does mean that there's almost certainly no party element to it - which is right where he and Flora can take free rein, he feels. [say]"Well, we'd best get planning a party where you're invited and we can all celebrate the traditional way, hadn't we? Wouldn't want to leave anyone out."[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Flora - 12-01-2025
Flora’s eyes widen in a way that’s all sparkle and exaggerated innocence, the kind she wields whenever she feels the faint need to defend someone she loves without turning the moment sharp. She lifts her freshly topped-up wine in both hands, elbows brushing a pillow, and lets out a soft, airy laugh. [say]"That’s why I said he and I should have a conversation about it,"[/say] she replies, giving the word a gentle, lilting emphasis. Kai would never give her an ultimatum about anything, she's quite sure. Though she could imagine fairly dicey situations where gummy worms were involved.
Flora takes another sip, hiding her smile behind the glass for a moment before lowering it, curls brushing her cheek as she snickers. [say]"Guess we’ll see how persuasive Charlie really is,"[/say] she says, amusement glinting in her voice. [say]"We did have a whole conversation about Ancients and Attuneds the other day, though, so..."[/say]
She stretches her legs slightly beneath the blanket, nudging a pillow with her knee, and listens to the distant hum of the Dusklight beyond the fort. No screams yet. No thuds. No tea being hurled as a defensive projectile, which felt promising. [say]"Well, since we haven’t heard any screams yet, I’m choosing to believe things are going well out there,"[/say] she says, though it might just be that Kai was already dead. [say]"Kai was going to see if Asta would be interested in you two coming back to Wildering House for a proper LongNight redo."[/say]v
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Dantalion - 12-01-2025
[say]"Well then,"[/say] Danta purrs, catching the edges of steel that Flora has wrapped in warm amusement and opting, very wisely, not to prod at her any further lest he find something sharp. Well, not to prod seriously, anyway. [say]"If you show up visiting me next time wearing a chastity belt, I'm going to choose to take it as a new kink,"[/say] he decides with a grin, gaze dropping for a moment to the depths of his wine, as if considering another sip.
Distracted by the urge to confirm Charlie's effectiveness as a priestess, he all but beams at her. [say]"She is a delight,"[/say] he confirms, [say]"and that's usually enough to persuade people to her way of thinking. She can also hold a truly startling amount of liquor. But anyway - Ancients and Attuned? Say more things."[/say]
Finally committing to a drink of wine, Danta cocks his head towards the 'doorway' of their fort as if also listening for any screams, the tip of his tail flicking absently like a cat's. [say]"Mm, you might be right,"[/say] he says slowly. [say]"In which case, very well done to your beau. And gods, you don't have to ask us twice, though I think it's raining in Torchline too this season, isn't it?"[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Flora - 12-01-2025
Flora’s laugh slips out on a warm, indulgent breath. The idea of showing up in a chastity belt is so absurd she nearly snorts her wine, shoulders shaking as she tries—and fails—to keep a straight face. [say]"Oh, I’m definitely not showing up in a chastity belt,"[/say] she says, eyes glittering. Then again, pleasing people has always been one of her kinks, and if making Kai happy counted as pleasing him...then she was absolutely inclined to agree with Danta.
Tucking her legs beneath a fresh fold of blankets and sipping at her wine again, she lets it melt comfortably into her bones while her mind circles Charlie like a wary cat around fire. She never quite knows what to think of Charlie, thinking only that she was bright, scorching, and dangerous in the way lantern flames are dangerous when you’re made of silk. Flora blinks, nodding along, trying not to overthink the idea of Kai spending so much time with her.
Then the conversation shifts, and the breath she releases is softer but heavier around the edges. [say]"Yeah....since we’re both Accepted, it’s just one of those things,"[/say] she murmurs, gaze drifting down into her wine like she’s trying to read the future in the reflections. [say]"But lately I’ve been thinking maybe I’m holding myself back by staying one."[/say] The admission feels like pulling a petal off a flower; small, delicate, revealing more than it seems.
Her lips twitch, uncertain, before she continues. [say]"Sometimes it feels like I’m staying an Accepted just so I can always call in the cavalry when I need help."[/say] Her fingers trace the stem of her glass, slow and restless. [say]"But why couldn’t I just get stronger on my own? So I don’t need them?"[/say] She wrinkles her nose, finally lifting her gaze to him, aqua eyes half-exasperated, half-hopeful. [say]"Or is that stupid? Am I throwing away a good thing?"[/say]
Flora sighs and nods, brows lifting as she swirls her glass. [say]"It’s always rainy this time of year in Torchline,"[/say] she says with a dramatic little roll of her eyes, [say]"but it’s definitely worse than usual. The Grounds seem like they’re getting hit just as hard."[/say]
RE: you know you wanna be bad with us - Dantalion - 12-01-2025
[say]"And if you did,"[/say] Danta adds of the chastity belt she'll probably never end up wearing, [say]"you'll forgive me if I say I'd like to watch Kai try to figure out how to get it off you."[/say] Punctuating that remark with a crooked wink, the Maverick follows suit with Flora and melts into the comfort of the fort, all too pleased not to be hearing the sound of the butcher chastising Kaisel for his antics at the festival.
Especially when it means he can do more of this instead.
Humming his interest and setting down his wine so he can lounge properly, Danta props his head up in one hand and listens as Flora explains the Accepted conundrum. [say]"Well,"[/say] he says, his tail sweeping across the blankets to curl contently around him, [say]"personally, if I were able to call Dygra to my aid in a crisis, I'd never give up that ability. But,"[/say] he adds, as if to say he's very much the devil in this advocacy, [say]"my devotion to my goddess feels much more... intense to the relationship I feel most Accepted have to the gods in general."[/say]
Fidgeting with one of his rings on his free hand, he nibbles at the inside of his cheek. [say]"Dygra does mean embracing change, though... so perhaps this would be an interesting new direction for you. For what it's worth, though, I've never thought you needed the cavalry. You're a force of nature all on your own."[/say]