[SE] pick your poison

vesper

Vesper waited on the porch, leaning against the weathered railing as dusk painted the sky in shades of purple and gold. Even in Deepfrost, Torchline was slow to surrender to any kind of cold, but tonight there was a crispness to the breeze that pricked at his skin. He shuffled his deck of cards with practiced ease—card edges whispering across one another—eyes skimming the distant shoreline as he waited for Nova and Caly.

A small wooden box rested on the nearby table, corners reinforced with dull brass. Inside were the hair pins he’d commissioned: one gilded with gold, topped by a shining disc of sunlight; the other a slip of silver crowned with a delicate crescent moon. Vesper had tested their hidden blades earlier, unsheathing one with a gentle tug, and couldn’t help a quiet murmur of appreciation. “Beautiful and dangerous,” he’d remarked, allowing himself a quick, rare smile.

Now, though, his features settled back into that cool, distant composure. The fading light made his platinum hair glimmer like a half-forgotten constellation, and the rings on his fingers flashed whenever he fanned or flicked the cards. With every shuffle, he cast a glance down the winding path that would bring his sisters home. He told himself it was just another evening, just another gift—but the way his pulse quickened at the thought of their reactions said otherwise.

Tell the preacher not to pray, there's no angels where I'll go
Only pieces that are broken scattered dreams across the floor

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

Nova

After every storm, there is a rainbow.

She bounced down the path with the energy of a shooting star, purple and green sequined scarf flapping in the wind that carries her pleasant humming. When she spots her brother's pale hair lounging on their porch, Nova gasps, grabbing Caly's hand tightly. "He's home!" A sparkling giggle spreads like seawater around the pair as she rushes them forward to reunite with their sibling. She's used to wandering away from home, but it felt different when her siblings chose to do the wandering, and she'd found that she missed seeing his broody face and secret smiles around the house. 

Once they are within shouting distance, Nova is waving her arm, blue snowflake sweater sleeve flapping over her hand. "Hi Vespy! We missed you! Did you have a good trip?!" Her smile is bright and full of expectant excitement. "Did you bring us back any presents?" She knows the answer is probably a 'yes,' but she giggles with girlish delight at the 'surprise' that must await them.

lately i've been leaning on what she swears is a feeling

Brightening at the realization that there’s a certain broody demigod haunting their porch, Caly squeezes her sister’s hand back and her chime of a laugh trails the vibrant colorful excitement her sister exudes. “It’s ‘bout time.” She mutters to Nova affectionately as they close the distance, admittedly picking up the pace to land them right in the familiar space of their home.

She doesn’t wave, because she knows that Nova’s doing more than enough for the two of them. Instead, she winds the goldenrod sweater around her thin middle, her smile vibrant as she releases Nova’s hand to drape against her brother, having missed him in his absence more than she thought she might have. “Hey V.” She hums, giving him a squeeze before releasing him from her hug. “You’ve gotta tell us all about it!” Presents or no presents, she wants to hear all about it regardless.

Calypso

but she don't believe in mistakes

vesper

A smile tugged at Vesper's lips as his magic caught the flurry of his sister's thoughts, faint and fleeting, but there all the same. He leaned more comfortably against the railing, shuffling his deck with languid precision as they approached. 

Nova’s boundless enthusiasm reached him first, a flurry of motion and sound that he weathered like a steady rock against the tide. He didn’t flinch at her excited greeting, though his eyes softened imperceptibly, taking in her animated gestures and the almost childlike delight that made her impossible to ignore. Caly followed, her energy calmer but no less familiar, the air around her seemed to shimmer with it, like sunlight dancing on water. The hug she gave him was brief but grounding, her warmth an unspoken acknowledgment that even in her quieter way, she’d missed him. He felt the tension he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying ease just slightly.

Though Vesper didn’t respond immediately to his sister's questions, the faint curl of his lips deepened as he reached for the wooden box beside him. "Don’t get ahead of yourselves," he said finally, his voice a low murmur, almost lost in the rustling breeze. He set the box on the edge of the table, sliding it toward them with deliberate ease. Then he stepped back, folding his arms as his gaze lingered on the two of them. Watching their reactions was always better than the gift itself—like observing a pair of bright stars, each casting their own light.

"The Greatwood was alright. If I thought it was worth goin' back in Deepfrost I'd have already bought us tickets, but it's cold up there." Wrinkling his nose slightly, Vesper gives his head a small shake as his long fingers idly tap against the wooden box.

"I did find somethin' I thought you two might like, though..." Rather, he'd had it commissioned; no doubt the girls would pick up on that once they saw what was inside. Vesper reached for the box with a deliberate, measured motion, his fingers brushing the smooth wood as if savouring the anticipation. Lifting it from the table, he turned it in his hands once before flipping the latch with a quiet click. The lid opened smoothly, revealing the two slender hair pins nestled within, their gleaming forms catching the faint light of Deepfrost’s twilight. He tilted the box slightly, letting the golden sun and silver moon atop each pin shimmer like celestial promises. With a faint smirk, he plucked the sunlit pin from its place, holding it between his fingers as though weighing its beauty against the sharp edge hidden within.

Tell the preacher not to pray, there's no angels where I'll go
Only pieces that are broken scattered dreams across the floor

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

The humid breeze rustles through coastal trees, creating wavering silhouettes that dance along the sand. One silhouette seems oddly deliberate, pausing when you do. A moment later, it fades into the surrounding greenery. You’re left with an unsettling weight in your chest, as though it’s still there, out of sight.

---

This does not count as a Random Event for levelling or MP. There will be no further admin/re intervention.

Nova

After every storm, there is a rainbow.

When her sister pulled away, Nova leapt forward to take her place with a tight breath-snatching hug around his waist. She only released him when she spotted something strange in the corner of her vision, but as soon as her eyes searched for it, it seemed to dissipate. Shrugging her mental shoulders, she glanced at the wooden box next to Vesper, eyes glittering mischievously. Although she listened to him, she also wondered if she was going to need to snatch their gift since he was taking so loooong to offer it. Would she be fast enough?

While her gaze darted between him and the box, she tilted her head with momentary curiously. "Hmmm. Was it as cold as Halo?" She'd obviously told her siblings about her 'wandering' up there, but she didn't think the rainforest type climate could compete with the icy tundra. Her own adventures to the Greatwood had been in Leafchange, and she'd immediately liked all the colors but it didn't even hold a torch (hehehe get it?) to Torchline. The images all flashed through her mind in a blur, from glowing plants to sparkling snow to the glittering waters of home. 

Then Vesper's words and movements captivated her attention. The big reveal quickly became her entire focus, and Nova leaned forward until her golden hair nearly brushed against the lid, just waiting for his fingers to flick it open. When they finally did, she clutched her chest like there might be pearls there, gasping sharply and loudly before letting out a small (more 'contained') squeal. "Aaaaah!!!! They're so PRETTY!" Their figures caught the light in the perfect way, sending small fractures of rainbows around the inside of the wooden container. She could easily tell that there had been a lot of time and effort put into making them sparkle and shine like galaxies. 

Nova was practically salivating at this point, trying with every fiber of her being not to snatch the pin from the box. She bit her lip to physically stop herself, eyes (and mind) begging for Vesper to hand her the one with the moon.

lately i've been leaning on what she swears is a feeling

“Ahead of ourselves, huh?” Caly says with a chime of a laugh, settling in and affectionately watching as her sister embraces their brother next. Her hip rests against the lip of the table, arms crossing her chest as she watches fondly and listens for the explanation, shifting her attention immediately to Nova at the mention of Halo. “Oh! I got invited to visit Halo by a guy recently.” She’s intentionally vague, her playful demeanor looking to Vesper to see his reaction to such news.

Ah, but the box distracts her, focusing immediately on it as she watches Nova step forward with all of her glee. Caly is more careful with her movements, graceful in the way that doesn’t suggest she’s seeking out the bursting beautiful chaos of Nova’s multihued personality. Caly’s is calmer, more refined. Graceful in the way the sun rises and sets, warmth and cold in equal measure.

“Aw, V!” She chimes affectionately, her smile bursting with delight and adoration as she leans in to look to the sunlit pin he holds in his hand, spying the gold that reflects beautifully against his slender pale fingers. She keeps her mind steady, though, not wishing to overwhelm her brother, but the golden light that casts upon it is equally as loving as it is brilliant. “You didn’t!” She says behind a soft laugh of excitement and gratitude.

Calypso

but she don't believe in mistakes

vesper

Vesper felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle even before he caught the strange silhouette out of the corner of his eye. Freezing mid-breath, he flicked a sharp glance toward the wavering shadows near the trees. He couldn’t be certain—whoever it was moved too quickly—but the unease that settled in his gut was unmistakable. Reaching out with the faintest brush of his telepathy revealed nothing more than a fading echo, and he exhaled slowly, clicking his tongue with irritation. The next moment, it was gone, leaving only the rustle of the humid breeze and the echo of his own racing pulse.

Though his gaze lingered on them, part of him remained on edge, scanning the treeline for any sign of movement. "Wouldn't know, never been." He says smoothly, of Halo. "But I imagine not. Halo's meant to be so cold durin' Deepfrost that you can't breathe without it freezin' your lungs." He half-smirked, but it was clear that whatever had set his nerves on edge still hovered in his mind. For the moment, though, his priority was enjoying the sight of his sisters—and making sure whoever had been watching from the shadows didn’t come back.

Vesper’s expression sharpened the instant Caly mentioned some guy inviting her to Halo. The protective streak he usually kept well under wraps to anyone but his sister's flared to life, sparking through his ice-blue gaze. "A guy, huh?" His voice carried a subtle edge, even though he kept it low. For a heartbeat, the flicker of sibling concern overruled the confident demeanour he wore like a second skin. One ringed hand came to rest on his hip as he cast a sidelong look at Nova, as if silently demanding backup. "Don’t go thinkin’ I won’t have questions, not to mention words if he so much as breathes wrong in your direction."

But then they were on to their gives, and Nova’s unrestrained delight coaxed a genuine grin from him; he extended the moonlit pin with a flourish, letting it glint in the waning sunlight. Caly’s excitement, calmer but no less warm, made that rare, faint warmth in his chest flare brighter. He offered her the golden pin next, admiring how it caught the light in mirror to the vibrant sparkle in her eyes.

"Happy Deepfrost." Their first.

Tell the preacher not to pray, there's no angels where I'll go
Only pieces that are broken scattered dreams across the floor

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

Nova

After every storm, there is a rainbow.

More willing to dismiss strange sensations than her brother, Nova nods her head emphatically at his apt description of the icy tundra. Although very pleased with her hunting adventure and first experience of snow, she prefers having feeling in her fingers and toes. Still, she gives him a bright smile. "We'll have to take a family trip up there one day. I've heard they have a rainbow gate." Her eyes glitter, practically reflecting the magnitude of colors they'd be able to see in Halo. 

But then she's twirling to face her sister, a stab of hurt hitting her chest. "Hey! You didn't tell me this!" Her mouth twists into a pout that she's kept such a juicy tidbit from her, but the pang quickly twists into curiosity. Grin turning mischievous, she leans close, "Is he cute?" Blonde eyebrows wiggle suggestively as she bumps Caly's shoulder. She'll be pestering her all week about this if she doesn't spill the beans soon. After all, she doesn't want to be left out of any rumors of romance for at least one of her siblings. 

Nova doesn't have time to delve into thoughts of her playboy brother's prospects for 'true love' as he offers out the moon pin, making her wiggle to release the influx of emotions. She lifts up on her toes to give Vespy a brief kiss on the cheek, expression and starry freckles sparkling. "Happy Deepfrost." Their first of many to come. Her eyes pull back to the glittery hairpiece, admiring it from every angle. She spins with it clutched in her fingers, humming like a little girl with a new doll. But this isn't a doll, and it was made to be worn so after a moment of pure bliss and appreciation, she presents Vesper with the pin and a bright smile. "Can you put it in my hair?" It doesn't have a streak of color today, making it all the more necessary for a bit of pizzazz.

lately i've been leaning on what she swears is a feeling

Oh, it’s what she imagines too when it comes to the icy climate. Which is why it’s never been something on her radar – adoring the heat and warmth of the warmer climates far too much to willingly venture to Halo. Ah, but Sah had been convincing and she did love adventure. So when the next statement is met with surprise from both of her siblings, Caly’s grin twists into mischief and she exudes all the coyness of a feline.

“He’s not bad on the eyes.” She explains to Nova first, bouncing a brow playfully before she looks back to her brother with the beautiful comb in his hand. “And I think he’s a little bit oblivious, so, I doubt he’s gonna do much of anything other than quite literally show me around.” It’s in a tone that’s almost bored, before she shakes herself out of it in lieu of the beautiful gifts on display, letting them overwhelm her senses in a way that seemed more akin to dawn breaking over the horizon after a long, dark night.

Positively beaming, she waits her turn, adoring the warmth of the golden comb as she inspects it when he hands it to her. “Happy Deepfrost, V!” She hums softly, calmer than her sister’s demeanor but still just as excited. She inspects it thoroughly, before she’s collecting the golden strands of her hair, twisting it up in a beautifully messy type of bun that she utilizes the comb to keep it in place. “Whattya think?” She asks, twisting a touch dramatically to show it off to Vesper and Nova.

Calypso

but she don't believe in mistakes

vesper

Vesper absorbs Nova’s kiss on his cheek with a flicker of amusement, though his smirk softens into something closer to warmth. "Happy Deepfrost," he echoes, his voice quieter, more genuine than usual. He watches as she twirls with her new pin, the silver glint catching in the fading light, scattering reflections like fallen stars. Then she’s spinning back, holding it out to him with bright expectancy, and Vesper huffs a low chuckle. "Yeah, of course I can," he murmurs, taking the pin without hesitation. He steps closer, careful as he lifts a section of her golden hair between his fingers, threading it back with the ease of someone who’s done this a hundred times before despite having done no such thing. What can he say, he's good with his hands. Satisfied, he tucks the pin into place, letting his knuckles brush against the strands before stepping back to admire his work.

Vesper scowls at the mention of some guy SHoWiNg CaLy AroUnd, rolling his shoulders like the thought physically irritates him. "Oblivious or not, don’t mean I gotta like it," he mutters, mostly to himself, though the sharp edge in his voice makes it clear he’s still chewing on the idea. "Show you around,” he scoffs under his breath, shaking his head. "Like you need a damn tour guide."

Still, Nova’s earlier suggestion about a family trip nags at the back of his mind, and after a beat, he exhales through his nose, tilting his head in reluctant concession. "But yeah, we’ll go to Halo," he drawls, flicking his gaze between them. "Just not in Deepfrost. Ain’t got a death wish." His smirk is laced with dry humor, though the protective weight in his stare lingers on Caly just a second longer before he lets it go, and instead watches as she twists her own hair into an effortless, sunlit bun, securing it with the golden pin.

"Looks like it was made for you," he says, which, technically, it was.

Tell the preacher not to pray, there's no angels where I'll go
Only pieces that are broken scattered dreams across the floor

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

Nova

After every storm, there is a rainbow.

Barely sitting still to let Vesper clip the pin into her hair, Nova lets out a small giggle. His fingers tickle and soothe simultaneously as she feels the strands curl into place. It's like it was meant for her hair, and when he releases her, the vibrant hybrid does another twirl to relish the way it flares her emotions with pride for the beautiful gift from her brother. 

She only stops when Caly speaks more on this mystery man. If she had her brother's ability, she might have recognized Sah's name and her multiple encounters with the kind man. In fact, he was the same one who 'showed her around Halo.' If she'd known, she might have wondered if the Wild Thunder had something for Marin girls. Instead, she just gave her sister a look full of mischief and something akin to pleading. "You'll tell me if anything interesting happens, right?" Even if that information might give her overprotective brother a stroke. 

If they all take a family trip, there might not even be any chances for 'tours,' but Nova's more than happy with her brother's response, bouncing on her toes and rubbing the thick blue yarn of her sweater between her fingers when she claps them together. Although she's not usually one for 'patience' and 'later', she's willing to wait if they all get to go together! Maybe they'll 'accidently' run into Caly's charmer. 

And when she looks to her sister, glowing golden in the waning sunlight, Nova has to grin. "You're so pretty! No wonder some guy wants to show you around Halo." She shoots her sister a playful wink, happy to keep bringing up the subject, especially when it's so obvious. Vesper may be more overtly protective of their sister, but Nova is willing to play the long game. Let them get close so they can use whatever resources or connections they can, then she'll see whether their worth the time and effort for something more serious with Caly. Although they would have to be really great to pass the tests she has in mind for them...

The glinting of the pins sends a flash of memory through her. "Oh oh! I forgot!" She rushes inside without so much as an explanation, a puff of glitter in her wake. Where it came from, no one knows, but it's dusting the ground as she steps back out onto the porch with a blindingly bright smile on her face. She doesn't draw out the moment, too excited to share her prizes from the game. When her hands outstretch, they contain a turquoise duck with a mohawk and another lavender duck, both made of rubber and childish notions. "You guys missed a really fun game in the Hollowed Grounds, but I brought these back for you guys!" Nova pushes her hands out farther, insisting her siblings accept her thoughtful gifts by the sparkling of her blue eyes.

lately i've been leaning on what she swears is a feeling

“Oh, I was positive you’d despise it.” She teases her brother before the pin is put into place, playfully refraining from sticking her tongue out at him – despite how she very much wants to in the moment, as he’ll be able to tell from her thoughts – before her attention flits to Nova with that amused bright smile. “Flowerbirth family trip?” She echoes out a thought, her grin flaring across her face while she sets the pin into place. “And yeah, ‘course I’ll tell you, sis.” She comforts her sister easily before her hands are dropping and her golden hair is held up by the pin, the light glinting in all the ways that allows her to feel just as beautiful as she had thought the pin was the second Vesper revealed it.

Snorting at her sister’s comment, she rolls her eyes before her grin softens toward Vesper and she leans in to steal another quick hug from him. “That’s because it was, wasn’t it, V?” She teases him, withdrawing with a squeeze and an affectionate grin, before her amber gaze flits toward Nova’s outburst, surprise coating all the warmth in her mind. Her head tilts, but she reaches out to pluck the lavender duck, inspecting it with a huff of a laugh. “C’mon, don’t leave us hanging. What was the game?” She asks, perking up and peering at her sister with a surprising amount of eagerness.

Calypso

but she don't believe in mistakes

vesper

Vesper shakes his head with affectionate exasperation, his gaze softening as Caly teases him. "Oh, you’re impossible," he murmurs, his voice warm and teasing as he accepts her quick hug. His eyes—flecked with slivers of light blue that seem to shift with the light—wander from Caly to Nova. The fading glow of Deepfrost’s twilight mingles with the lingering sparkle of the pins, setting his sister's features aglow in a dance of shadow and luminescence that has him smiling to himself.

Caly's question has the demigod winking in her direction as if sharing a secret known only to their family. Turning his attention back to Nova, he says in a low, teasing tone, "What sort of mischief in the Hollowed Grounds earned you...those?" Leaning back against the weathered railing, the cool evening breeze rustles through his platinum hair. "Y'got a captive audience." He adds, raising his brows and glancing at Caly.

Tell the preacher not to pray, there's no angels where I'll go
Only pieces that are broken scattered dreams across the floor

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!