flora
Flora's expression softens a fraction as she watches Maea deflate, the stubborn lines of tension easing from the Ancient's posture as something brittle and defensive finally gives way. The queen’s own fingers relax against the bar, her stance shifting subtly, no longer poised to counter an argument but now simply to listen. "I know," Flora murmurs quietly at Maea's admission, her voice gentle but unflinching. "Wanting to prove you're useful, that you matter—it’s something most people want, I think. Gods know I’ve spent enough years chasing that feeling myself." Her lips quirk faintly, self-deprecating, a hint of something vulnerable flickering in the steady aqua of her gaze.
As Maea looks out across the water, Flora follows her stare, the reflected lights bobbing gently on the dark ripples. "It doesn’t mean it’s impossible," Flora says finally, thoughtful, the words carefully chosen. "Just that it has to be the right time. With the right people."
She turns her gaze back toward Maea then, studying her carefully. "If the Family is ever gone—and gods, I hope they will be—and if you can build trust and allies, mend fences... then yeah. Maybe you and Liam could make something really good here. Something special." Her voice softens further. "But you can't force the world into changing overnight. Trust me, I’ve tried." Her mouth curves into a wry, almost wistful smile. "It’s exhausting, and it never works."
Flora shrugs gently, her tone shifting lighter again, trying to offer at least a fragment of the hope she sees Maea searching for. "And who knows? Maybe after all this, the world will be ready for someone who wants to build bridges instead of burning them down."
As Maea looks out across the water, Flora follows her stare, the reflected lights bobbing gently on the dark ripples. "It doesn’t mean it’s impossible," Flora says finally, thoughtful, the words carefully chosen. "Just that it has to be the right time. With the right people."
She turns her gaze back toward Maea then, studying her carefully. "If the Family is ever gone—and gods, I hope they will be—and if you can build trust and allies, mend fences... then yeah. Maybe you and Liam could make something really good here. Something special." Her voice softens further. "But you can't force the world into changing overnight. Trust me, I’ve tried." Her mouth curves into a wry, almost wistful smile. "It’s exhausting, and it never works."
Flora shrugs gently, her tone shifting lighter again, trying to offer at least a fragment of the hope she sees Maea searching for. "And who knows? Maybe after all this, the world will be ready for someone who wants to build bridges instead of burning them down."
We need love, But all we want is danger
We team up, Then switch sides like a record changer
We team up, Then switch sides like a record changer
