EVEREST
Ever nodded slowly at Mateo’s mention of Flora, his gaze skimming the rim of his glass before flicking briefly toward the window. "She’s staying in the city, then? Inside the barrier too?" He didn’t know the deeper mechanics behind how or why it would work, only that it was being erected to protect the heart of Torchline which seemed like a logical place for its queen to be. "Is that the plan—for everyone to stay in Haulani now? Or just to know it’s there when needed?" He didn’t sound worried by the answer, only methodical, running through contingencies like checking fuel levels and wind direction.
Mateo’s offer to play matchmaker with Frey earned a dry huff of laughter—amused, even if his gaze didn’t lift. "I’ll keep that in mind," Ever murmured, and it sounded like he meant it. "If I need divine intervention... or a more robust education."
He pushed away from the countertop to refill their glasses. Each pour was carefully even, right down to the liquid line, and he held Mateo’s glass out before tilting his head toward the couch—a silent invitation that he didn’t realize was a little awkward until it was already offered.
Heading to the living room with a quiet exhale, Ever eased back into the corner of the couch. He turned the glass in his hands once, then twice. "Showing up at her door might be the sort of thing people would label romantic," he said at last, tone even. "But given everything that’s happened, a surprise like that might not be welcome. Or... it might be hard for her to believe what’s changed without seeing it." His brow furrowed faintly, as if trying to calculate the probability of success with insufficient variables. "Words on a page might not carry it." He couldn't simply say I'm how I was before, because that wasn't quite right. He felt better to be sure, but he was still him at the end of the day, with all of his strange ticks and needs; with no violet sea to swallow away the worst of himself, there are notable difference he was sure Isla would pick up on.
Mateo’s offer to play matchmaker with Frey earned a dry huff of laughter—amused, even if his gaze didn’t lift. "I’ll keep that in mind," Ever murmured, and it sounded like he meant it. "If I need divine intervention... or a more robust education."
He pushed away from the countertop to refill their glasses. Each pour was carefully even, right down to the liquid line, and he held Mateo’s glass out before tilting his head toward the couch—a silent invitation that he didn’t realize was a little awkward until it was already offered.
Heading to the living room with a quiet exhale, Ever eased back into the corner of the couch. He turned the glass in his hands once, then twice. "Showing up at her door might be the sort of thing people would label romantic," he said at last, tone even. "But given everything that’s happened, a surprise like that might not be welcome. Or... it might be hard for her to believe what’s changed without seeing it." His brow furrowed faintly, as if trying to calculate the probability of success with insufficient variables. "Words on a page might not carry it." He couldn't simply say I'm how I was before, because that wasn't quite right. He felt better to be sure, but he was still him at the end of the day, with all of his strange ticks and needs; with no violet sea to swallow away the worst of himself, there are notable difference he was sure Isla would pick up on.
Oh I'm just a house of stones
Somebody hold me steady
Somebody hold me steady
Code stolen from Queen Sky
