The Queen of Torchline put a little more space between them, and the corners of Hadama's eyes crinkled further as his smile finally escaped, spreading slowly as she made her accusation. It was all part of the game, and he could no longer rely on his reputation for nobility to obscure his pragmatism from her. Flora knew him too well.
So he would have to find other ways to surprise her.
The spoon made another slow circle of the thickening frosting, working the last sprinkle of powdered sugar in until it was smooth. There was still sugar left in the bowl that the Doubletake had abandoned during her tactical retreat from the potential blast zone and the Tidebreaker tilted his head to listen to her reasoning as to why she should not be crowned in frosting. The smile remained, even as he dipped his head in a small acknowledgment of her first point. It was the second that had his smile breaking into a grin as he turned back to the bowl and resumed stirring in tacit invitation for her to return to her side of the task. "Hmm. The battle, perhaps." As for the war? "But I will accept restitution. If you will look for more Tumsea shells this season." He glanced down at his hands and the single StAer ring they bore. "If you find another that would give us enough to make a lucky ring." Clearly he had some catching up to do with Flora's own accessorizing!
So he would have to find other ways to surprise her.
The spoon made another slow circle of the thickening frosting, working the last sprinkle of powdered sugar in until it was smooth. There was still sugar left in the bowl that the Doubletake had abandoned during her tactical retreat from the potential blast zone and the Tidebreaker tilted his head to listen to her reasoning as to why she should not be crowned in frosting. The smile remained, even as he dipped his head in a small acknowledgment of her first point. It was the second that had his smile breaking into a grin as he turned back to the bowl and resumed stirring in tacit invitation for her to return to her side of the task. "Hmm. The battle, perhaps." As for the war? "But I will accept restitution. If you will look for more Tumsea shells this season." He glanced down at his hands and the single StAer ring they bore. "If you find another that would give us enough to make a lucky ring." Clearly he had some catching up to do with Flora's own accessorizing!
