flora
Flora sighs as Jack nods toward Kaisel, the sound escaping her like it’s been simmering in her chest all day. Her gaze cuts toward the ring in the pool where her best friends linger in the water. "Ugh, of course," she mutters under her breath, loud enough for Jack to catch even without his telepathy. And gods, the mess of it. The thorns tangled around her thoughts, how yes, she probably shouldn’t be talking to Jack given how raw everything still was, and yet, it’s him. The one person who still arguably knew her better than anyone else.
Had Jack lingered, maybe she would’ve stalled. Let the sun ride a little higher before she set fire to the afternoon. But as he smoothly turns away, Flora lifts her chin and squares her shoulders. Whatever, it didn't look like anyone was having much fun to begin with.
The Doubletake flashes a smile that doesn’t quite touch her eyes and scans the crowd. she can't catchKoa 's eye to try and get him to channel with her, and Talyson is busy talking to Vox—ew, seriously?—which leaves her one option. Her lashes lower, sharp and deliberate, as she finds Zavien across the pool, flashing him a slow, conspiratorial wink. The signal.
Then she spins toward the Dad Group like a girl with nothing but time and chaos to spend. "Hey, Deimos!" she calls, voice bright and laced with sugar. "You wanna play a game of chicken with me? Bet we'd make a great team!" He'd asked for a subtle signal, but that had never been Flora's way. If nothing else, the strangeness of the queen's choice to call on the Sword for such a ridiculous game would hopefully clue in those who knew both the Doubletake and the Sword, that something was off.
Flora wiggles her fingers at Deimos in a come-hither wave, giving him the moment to come closer; to get within range. One hand lifts like she’s brushing a curl back from her face, but her mind sharpens—knife-like, deliberate—as she channels. Not to Ludo. Not to Safrin. To Frey. Bind him up for me, she purrs inside her head, syrup-sweet and laced with spark. Just enough to make it easier for Deimos to turn him into a pin cushion.
The queen’s smile curves, dangerous and dazzling; what was a Torchline party without a bit of bloodshed, after all?
Flora gives the signal to Zavien and Deimos, and then channels!
Had Jack lingered, maybe she would’ve stalled. Let the sun ride a little higher before she set fire to the afternoon. But as he smoothly turns away, Flora lifts her chin and squares her shoulders. Whatever, it didn't look like anyone was having much fun to begin with.
The Doubletake flashes a smile that doesn’t quite touch her eyes and scans the crowd. she can't catch
Then she spins toward the Dad Group like a girl with nothing but time and chaos to spend. "Hey, Deimos!" she calls, voice bright and laced with sugar. "You wanna play a game of chicken with me? Bet we'd make a great team!" He'd asked for a subtle signal, but that had never been Flora's way. If nothing else, the strangeness of the queen's choice to call on the Sword for such a ridiculous game would hopefully clue in those who knew both the Doubletake and the Sword, that something was off.
Flora wiggles her fingers at Deimos in a come-hither wave, giving him the moment to come closer; to get within range. One hand lifts like she’s brushing a curl back from her face, but her mind sharpens—knife-like, deliberate—as she channels. Not to Ludo. Not to Safrin. To Frey. Bind him up for me, she purrs inside her head, syrup-sweet and laced with spark. Just enough to make it easier for Deimos to turn him into a pin cushion.
The queen’s smile curves, dangerous and dazzling; what was a Torchline party without a bit of bloodshed, after all?
Flora gives the signal to Zavien and Deimos, and then channels!
The rumors are terrible and cruel
But honey, most of them are true
But honey, most of them are true
