[SE] spike the punch

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

It's still too early for the bar to be busy, and despite her seeming lack of interest in learning to properly mix drinks, Nova's gotten enough complaints about the flavor profiles of her own concoctions to suggest that maybe she should actually know what she's doing. That way she can make the drinks taste as good as they look. 

Her eyes turn to Vesper, peeking out from the pink and orange strand of hair. They shine with amusement while her feet dangle from the counter. "So what's this one called again?" He's already made it for her twice, but other than the color and the glittery sugar rim, she doesn't remember anything about it. The colorful light from the stained glass doesn't help, distracting her every time he starts the process over - although she can't deny that she likes seeing him get more and more annoyed with each time she asks. It's obvious in the sparkling of her thoughts and the mischievous smirk of her lips that feigns innocence whenever she tilts her head.

the rose-colored glasses of life.

when rome's in ruins, we are the lions

The Hanged Man’s shadows curl low this early in the day, all violet haze and honey-glass reflections across the counter. Vesper stands behind it, sleeves rolled and one long curl of silver-blonde hair tied loosely at the nape of his neck. He looks like sin lounging in a stormcloud—shirt black, mostly unbuttoned, and clinging in all the right ways. The usual suspects hang from his neck: chains and charms, one of them a tiny glass vial of stardust that catches the light every time he shifts.

"It’s called a Heartstopper," he says dryly, leaning an elbow on the counter like gravity doesn’t quite apply to him. "Named for the fact that if you ask me one more time, I might pour the next one down your shirt."

The drink, to be fair, is obnoxiously pretty. Pale pink fading into mango-orange, a glittering sugar rim that’s borderline weaponized, and a single edible flower floating near the surface. It matches her hair a little too well to be a coincidence. "You want the ingredients or you wanna just critique the names?" he asks, flicking his fingers to stir a strand of shadow along the counter like a ribbon, looping lazily toward her swinging feet. His tone is pure amusement, but his eyes? All warning sparkle.

free of the colosseums

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

Leaning back, Nova clutches a protective hand to her chest like her heart might stop if he did such a thing. After all, she worked really hard on the glittering pink blouse that's unbuttoned to show her lacy white tank top that's been tie-dyed in a summery color pallet. The pink material is sheer enough that she doesn't even need to unbutton it to show off the color beneath, but that's fashion. Her head raises with a mix of indignation and pride to defend her choice in clothing. "This is a blouse, and I'll freeze the drink before it touches me." She flicks a strand of hair, snowflakes falling with the movement. 

Something (perhaps it's the teasing shadows threatening to shove her off the counter) tells her that Vespy's patience is thinning and she's not necessarily helping, but isn't that the job of every sister? Nova prides herself on being a nuisance at times. Other times it's just pure, natural skill. This time definitely falls in the range of intentional as she kicks out her legs, grinning. "I guess you can go through the ingredients, but I still don't know if I like the name." She'd think something 'sunrise' or 'sunset' or 'tropical' or something other would be more fitting, and if he starts listing the components, she will absolutely be thinking about other names.

the rose-colored glasses of life.

when rome's in ruins, we are the lions

Vesper watches the snowfall off her hair like it’s dandruff made fashionable, expression flat save for the faint flicker of amusement at the edge of his mouth. "If you ever actually froze that blouse, I’m tossin’ it in the sea," he says mildly, shadows curling at her ankles like they might do it for him. His gaze drags upward, noting the sheer tank and open blouse, then narrowing faintly. "You tryin' to attract a different sort of clientele in here?"

He doesn’t push her off the counter—not quite. But one of the shadows taps insistently at her heel like a disapproving cat pawing a cup toward the edge of a table. He’s not above following through.

Still, he reaches for the drink shaker with a lazy flick of his wrist, the metallic snap of its parts punctuating his sigh. "Alright, little miss tropical sunset snowstorm," he drawls. "Pay attention this time." As he pours, he begins the litany: "White rum, coconut liqueur, muddled basil, lime juice, pineapple syrup, and a sprinkle of edible glitter. The rim’s sugar, yeah, but it’s got a dustin’ of ground hibiscus in it too."

He slides the finished drink toward her, the sugar glinting like crushed galaxies along the rim. "It’s called a Stargazer. Because unlike some people, it’s deceptively well-balanced." A pointedly affectionate look. Then he leans back on the bar, rolling a silver ring between two fingers, constellation freckles softening briefly in the stained-glass light. "But go on. Rename it. What’s your alternative, Glitter Bomb No. 7?"

free of the colosseums

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

From the corner of the room a massive wine-spider scurries. Running toward you, it tries its best to crawl up your leg, hovering against you for warmth. Clearly something has startled it. Poor thing.

---

This is not a RE nor a rare creature. It cannot be used for levelling.

Wine Spider: These friendly arachnids can grow up to the size of a small housecat. With fuzzy bodies and spindly legs, they are often found lurking around wine racks or kegs of beer. They are almost always drunk, hiccuping and stumbling about. It is said that finding a baby wine spider in your drink is a lucky omen!

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

"I'd freeze the drink before it touches me, not the blouse, silly. It's too cute." Giggling, she lifts up the sheer pink material that glitters with enough sparkle to make it catch the light. Her head whips towards him, sharp and accusing. "And what's that supposed to mean? You don't like my outfit?" Nova's quite proud of her work; she'd sewn the sequins that line the top of the collar and edge of the sleeves then dyed the tank top herself. Overall, it screams 'Nova' in shimmering lights and pops of color. 

Maybe it's because she genuinely wants to learn, or maybe it's because of the shadows tapping threateningly at her heels, but when he makes the drink this time, she actually pays attention, using a similar level of focus that she had when sparring with Jack, like she's downloading the information in xerox scans and glittering laminations. She only gets distracted once by a giant wine spider that crawls up her leg, and she lets it snuggle into her lap, petting its fuzzy body as she listens with a little bigger smile. 

It sinks in better than before - but Nova's a pest, and even if Vespy knows that she has the recipe down from the list in her mind, it's way too fun to mess with him. Leaning back, she swings her head like she's humming a song rather than listing ingredients. "Okay. White rum, pineapple juice, muddled lime, basil liqueur, and coconut syrup, right?" Before he answers, she taps a teasing finger on her puckered lips. "And I think I'd call it 'Hi-Bitch-Kiss This Glittery Ass.'" She finally lets her eyes fall to Vespy again, already preparing for whatever retribution he may have in mind - not that the grin on her face says she's scared.

the rose-colored glasses of life.

when rome's in ruins, we are the lions

Vesper watches her hoist the sparkly blouse like she’s unveiling royal jewels, his expression deadpan, but the corner of his mouth curves ever so slightly — a rare tell. "I said nothin’ ‘bout the outfit," he drawls, his voice a lazy curl of smoke. "But if it blinds me halfway through a pour, I’m holdin’ you responsible."

He doesn’t interrupt when she leans in, all sparkle and unexpected discipline, the spider making itself at home like it owns the joint. There’s something almost unsettling about how quickly Nova shifts from chaos incarnate to clinical precision—her mind folding the recipe into itself like a pressed flower between glitter-slick pages. He feels her lock it in, each ingredient catalogued, colour-coded, probably illustrated.

He sets the glass down without so much as a twitch in his expression. The drink glows faintly in the bar’s dusk lighting, golden and green, a sprig of basil tucked with casual elegance against a crescent slice of lime. Then, reaching forward with one ringed hand, he plucks the spider from her lap—gently—and sets it on a nearby shelf. "You name a drink that, and I’ll make sure the menu lists it as ‘Nova’s Dumbass Juice’ in thirty-six point font."

A flick of shadow brushes against her ankle—not hard, but just enough to make her feel it, and then his pale gaze lifts again, faintly amused. "Try again. The drink is supposed to be the mouthful, not the name."

free of the colosseums

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

Her head tilts up in a proud pout and a level of confidence that says it's not her fault if he doesn't understand high fashion and the sacrifices that come with looking this beautiful. Plus, pouring doesn't look that hard if she's learned the drink so quickly. 

There's a pang of disappointment when Vespy steals her new friend, but she lets him pluck the arachnid from her lap without pitching a fit. That doesn't stop her from leaning forward to wave at the spider, whispering "Bye, Jeff!" with a hushed giggle before turning to address Vespy's 'threat.' As expected, her nose wrinkles in disgust, her tongue nearly making an appearance to clear the taste from her mouth. "Ewww. 'Ass Juice'? No one would order that anyways." She flicks her hand to dispel the thought.

Feeling very much like the stick man in a game of hang man, about to be hung upside down by her foot, Nova doesn't let the shadowy threat deter her from plowing ahead. "Why don't we call them 'Starbuds'?" Flavorful with a pop of spring and an obvious play on 'tastebuds' - things that still fill the mouth in their own way. Get it? Nova's pretty pleased with herself whether Vespy appreciates her genius or not, the smile on her face glittery and smug.

the rose-colored glasses of life.

when rome's in ruins, we are the lions

Vesper doesn’t blink at Jeff’s departure being mourned with a heartfelt farewell. Of course she named it. Of course it’s Jeff. His eyes cut briefly to the shelf where the spider has settled, legs twitching as it explores a bottle of dark rum like a curious drunk.

"Ass juice would sell," he says mildly, lifting a cloth to polish the shaker she didn’t use. "Not to the crowd you like, but you give that name to some sweaty bastard after a long haul at sea? He’d drink three just to prove somethin’." The cloth flashes, a flick of shadow sliding underneath to snag the next glass from the bar’s clutter with practiced ease.

Her pitch, though—Starbuds—pulls his mouth into a slow, crooked grin that’s one part reluctant approval and two parts amusement. "There she is," he murmurs. "Now that don’t make me wanna bleach my tongue just sayin’ it."

He gives her the glass with a flourish, letting her own invention rest lightly in her palm like a reward. The gold catches the light, the green glows faintly, and the basil leaf nods like it agrees with the name. "Starbuds it is. Gotta warn you, though—if we start gettin’ stoners showin’ up thinkin’ we serve somethin’ else, I’m blamin’ you."

free of the colosseums

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

Nova wrinkles her nose again, shaking her head. "Nasty. Maybe they should find other ways to prove how 'tough' they are." She liked watching Jack's crew beat on each other. If guys wanted to prove their strength or resilience, Nova thinks that fists or magic would do a better job than drinking something gross with a disgusting name. 

At least Vespy likes the new name, and she swings her feet and lifts her chin before offering Jeff a drop of the dink from the straw. "It's all thanks to you, Jeff." The wine spider pauses in its exploration to indulge. Grinning, she looks to her brother again. Her head tilt is full of innocence as she takes a sip of the drink just to try it. "Would that be such a bad thing? I tried that dragon snap stuff and it wasn't too bad." In truth, she hadn't felt that different other than her magic flaring, but she'd also had some alcohol in her system, and Koa had been kind enough to keep her from getting into too much trouble during her trip. If people want to bring that or other fun things, she wouldn't object.

the rose-colored glasses of life.

when rome's in ruins, we are the lions

Vesper chuckles low in his throat, the sound warm and wry as he wipes down the bar with a lazy flick of his wrist. "Most of the ones who gotta fight to prove they're tough?" he says, watching Jeff sip from the straw like a little velvet drunkard. "They're usually the weakest in the room. Shoutin’ the loudest ‘cause they’re scared no one’s listenin’."

He tosses the rag over his shoulder, pale eyes drifting back to Nova with a glint of dry amusement. "You keep an eye on the ones actin’ like they got nothin’ to prove. Quiet ones. Calm ones. Those are the ones who can tear the whole place down without spillin’ their drink."

But whatever softness there is in the drawl cools fast as she casually drops dragon snap, aka snapdragon, into the mix. His hand stills on the counter, and when he looks at her again, there’s something far less lazy about it. His brow rises—not angry, exactly, but alert in a way that prickles. "You tried what now?" It’s not loud, not sharp. Just edged.

His shadows still at his feet, quiet but not asleep, and his mind stretches automatically—a flicker of telepathy reaching for the mental echoes behind her words. He’s not above digging if she tries to wave it off. "When was this, and who were you with?" he asks, voice like velvet stretched tight over something less forgiving. He’s had the stuff, sure—knows the heat it sets under your skin, how it makes your thoughts sing and your body feel unbreakable. But she’s his sister, so the rules are different.

Even Jeff, perched now on the rim of a nearby glass, seems to sense the change in the air and goes very, very still.

free of the colosseums

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

Rolling her eyes, Nova snags her drink from Jeff for another sip, not even bothering to help Vespy wipe the counters. "Well, if they don't need to prove themselves through fighting then they don't need to prove it by drinking something gross." And she'll always prefer some hypermasculine displays of bloody force over watching someone do something as boring as drink 'Ass Juice.' 

His other points ring a little more, her head coming to tilt as she considers what 'quiet power' may look like. It doesn't sound like fun to hide abilities, and only one person seems to fit that bill, having admittedly surprised her despite his oh-so-serious and stoic nature. "Like Jack?" Because although she won't admit that he's stronger than her, there's a silent acknowledgement that he's been able to teach her a thing or two.

But then Vespy's voice is cutting through the bar with a precision and intensity that makes her eyebrows raise, her eyes glittering at the reaction. Nova doesn't try to hide it from him - even if she could, there's a small bit of satisfaction at having caught him off guard. A sly smirk plays on her lips, not even relatively discrete about her enjoyment. 

She leans forward then back, appearing nonchalant as she dangles the information. "Hm? With Koa in Stormbreak a few weeks ago. He's pretty cool. He said that since I'm Safrin's daughter and she's his patron then he'll do anything for me." Which obviously means that she immediately took him up on the offer, and that she plans to ask a lot more of the Dragoon.

the rose-colored glasses of life.

when rome's in ruins, we are the lions

Vesper’s grin returns, sharp-edged and dry, as Nova names Jack. "Yeah," he says, dragging the cloth in slow, idle circles along the bar again. "Like Jack." The name settles between them like something unspoken, familiar and flammable. "Our dear old dad is the king of keepin’ his cards close. Could win a war without showin’ a thing but a smirk." His fingers flick, silver rings catching the light. It was a skill they could both take as a lesson and a warning, though. Never showing emotion was the captain's strength as much as his most recent weakness.

There’s something almost rueful in the admission, a ghost of admiration tucked under his voice, though it doesn’t last long. Because Nova is still playing coy, twirling information like ribbon through her fingers, and Vesper—never one for patience—doesn’t bother waiting. His mind stretches with the smoothness of silk turned blade, sliding past the surface glitter of her thoughts and into the vivid recall she practically invites: warm air and too-bright lights, dancing with the dragoon like the night would never end, the pearl of snapdragon passed into her hand like a gift. No hesitation. No real thought. Just Koa’s easy grin and a whispered assurance that Safrin’s name was enough.

Vesper’s expression doesn’t change much—but the air around him cools, shadows coiling a little tighter around his ankles.

"Nova," he says mildly. His voice stays soft, but there’s steel behind it now. "You know how easy it’d be to lace a drug like that? Knock you out, fry your magic, kill you? All he had to do was hand it over and you took it like it was candy just cause he said he'd do whatever because of Safrin?" He meets her eyes, calm and piercing. "You think a man’ll tell you the truth just ‘cause he says he worships your mother? Nova. They lie. All of ‘em. Especially when you’re pretty."

The cloth stills in his hand. "You didn't know what was in it. You didn't know what it did. You just trusted him." His voice is colder now—not cruel, but cutting. And before she says that she'd met him before, and so on, he adds, "and what happens when it’s not Koa next time? What happens when it’s someone smarter? Someone worse?"

Even Jeff inches away from the edge of the bar, sensing the weight behind the warning.

free of the colosseums

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

His tone has her playfulness cooling like a hot brownie with sprinkle-covered ice cream being left out too long, the enjoyment turning hollow and lacking, melting to mush. Thoughts of teasing don't hold the same level of intrigue when he starts talking about uncomfortable topics like 'frying her magic' and 'death.' The usual hum of her excitement quiets to something sad and somewhat embarrassed mixed with the kernel of defensive pride at his chastisement, bristles and silent disappointment stirring at his lack of faith. 

A light blush splatters the starlit freckles of her cheeks, lingering night peeking through the rising sun. She becomes very interested in the edge of her blouse, fidgeting with the sequins stitched there as she mumbles under her breath, "I don't think everyone lies." Nova specifically recalls when every guy has called her pretty or said they liked her vibrant personality. Is Vesper right? Were they all lying to her? "You don't." 

Shrugging her shoulders, Nova does her best to defend her choices, even if he doesn't think they were the smartest. Her lips purse together, stubborn. "It doesn't matter. I was the one who brought it up to him." It wasn't like he'd had a chance to implement some evil or nefarious plan. He'd been too caught off guard by her request. 

Finally glancing up to meet Vesper's piercing eyes, she adds softly, "He even mentioned Mateo's name. Don't you like him?" There's a pout on her lips, a pang of something tender and crying for his approval around the undertones of wounded pride.

the rose-colored glasses of life.