a beautiful fool

There is love inside this madness
We are walking on the moon

Even in leadership, Sohalia couldn’t remember a time she’d lied. Whether it was in her role as Heart or in her personal life, honesty had always struck her as the best policy (even when it wasn’t). But this was different. This was Flora and the Family and a threat to those she held dear. For them, she could learn to lie, even if it didn’t come naturally.

Smoothing her hands on her legs as though to wipe them clean, Soh nodded solemnly. ”Alright,” she said. ”I can do that.” Perhaps she wouldn’t even need to lie. Avoidance, after all, was something she was well-versed in, and she could very easily disappear for a time, or just not talk to Flora about the letters at all, if they did run into one another. Surely there was plenty of gossip for two young women to enjoy rather than very serious talks of political maneuvering.

Though I don't believe in magic
I believe in me and you

Sohalia

Hadama considered the Luminary in silence for long moments, measuring the strength of her conviction against her resolution to fix what had been broken. His trust in her had already been cracked deeply, but their friendship was a long one. A strong one. And he drew in a careful breath, reminding himself of that fact. Before him sat a woman who had ruled a region. Who had survived an attack from the Family to depose her, and clawed her way back from illness and weakness.

Who had sought his help in regaining her crown.

He came to a decision, giving a single slow nod. "Thank you." He would place his trust in her, because he had no choice. Because he needed to trust in someone, if he could no longer trust in Flora. He would lay his plans accordingly, seeking out Jack, finding a way to turn this pyrrhic victory that the Doubletake had won for them into something true.

But he would keep those plans close to his chest. He would trust Soh as far as he must, but no farther. Not until he knew he could do so again in full.

Someday.

"I have work to do. Be careful on your way home," he rumbled, finding his courtesy at last, even if it was cool at best. He stood, unfolding from his chair up to his full height and indicating the door which he would walk Sohalia to before closing it quietly but firmly behind her.

~Fin