court of storms and oceans

Zavien

The shock still rings through his thoughts, but it's starting to sink in, not quite as sharp in light of Flora's reassurance. He nods, although it feels heavy with concern, a little like moving through thick water. Letting out a soft sigh, he runs a hand between strands of his hair, granting her a sad smile. "Thank you for telling me. I won't spread the news." In case that's something she's concerned about. "I can't fault him for prioritizing his people though." Judging people for their choices has never been something he believed in. There is always a reason, and he can't begin to understand how difficult it must have been to make that decision. 

It doesn't make the situation feel any better, but he takes a cue from Flora, brightening a fraction. "Those sound like great ideas. I look forward to seeing what you do with the place." Even if her flip in tone isn't a clue, Zavien finds it hard to believe that she's happy Hadama has stepped down, no matter how chipper or excited she seems. But it's not like him to call someone out, and he lets her have the illusion that everything is 'better' this way - and who knows, maybe it would be eventually. For now, he offers a lighter smile, slightly teasing in return. "You still have plenty of people to help in his absence."

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

flora

Flora only shrugs at Zavien’s gentle absolution, lashes sweeping low for a moment as if the weight of it all brushes too close. She’s never been one to let people off the hook just because they meant well. Intentions didn’t hold cities together, and what else was there to judge someone by, if not their actions? But her grin returns, crooked and wry, when he humours her earlier suggestions. "Just wait," she says, voice warm with mischief. "Torchline’s about to get obnoxiously twinkly. You’ll be sorry you encouraged me."

As he mentions all the people she still has around to help, she widens her eyes with a look of theatrical astonishment as if to say you don't say. It earns a chuckle, light and dry, but when her eyes meet his again there’s a flicker of something more genuine behind the gold and gloss. "I appreciate you coming down. We’ll catch up again after LongNight, okay?"

Turning toward one of the carved marble shelves near the door, she reaches for a tall, crystal-clear glass—no ceremony, just familiarity—and dips it into a small stone basin inlaid with starlight runes. The healing waters ripple faintly as she offers it to him, cool condensation already forming along the sides. "Best water around," she says, breezy again but not insincere. "Might not be wine, but it does cure headaches." A flash of a grin. "Even political ones."

~FIN

I hold my breath just a little bit longer
halfway out the door but it won't close

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!