when rome's in ruins, we are the lions
Vesper watches the way Nova resets her stance, the sharp tuck of her hands like muscle memory now, and lets out a soft whistle under his breath. "Look at you," he murmurs, pale eyes tracing the movement with quiet appreciation. There’s pride again—subtle as always, but unmistakable. He doesn’t need to say she’s learning fast; it’s written in the way his gaze lingers a moment longer, the way his smirk tugs slightly higher at one corner.
At her comment about Jack, he huffs out a short laugh, low and dry. "Jack doesn’t underestimate anyone, Nova. Not even on accident." A beat, and he rolls one shoulder in a shrug that’s almost lazy. "But he does know how to light a fire under people. Mighta told you that just to make sure you proved him wrong."
Her thoughts dim for a flicker, and though she’s not broadcasting them, Vesper can feel the edge of her doubt from the way her sparkle falters. He sighs, softening. "Yeah, he lies too," he admits, pushing a hand through his pale hair. "Plenty. But when it comes from him?" He glances over with a faint tilt of his mouth, wry and warm. "Even a lie can be worth somethin’. Might be all kinds of twisted, but I don’t think he’s ever not wanted us around, so I wouldn't worry about it."
He lets that settle between them a moment before reaching behind the bar, casting a look toward the small, spindly shape of the wine spider nestled in the shadows nearby. "Fine," he drawls with mock severity. "But if Jeff’s gonna taste-test, I’m openin’ a bar tab in his name. And if he starts orderin’ top shelf, you’re coverin’ it."
The grin he flashes Nova is all trouble and affection, the glimmer in his eye brighter now as he pulls a few bottles from beneath the counter. [asy]"Alright, c’mon," he says, nudging her with an elbow. "Time to learn how to shake without lookin’ like you’re churnin’ butter." And with that, their lesson continues, shadows curling lazily at their feet as the night at the Hanged Man rolls on.
~FIN
At her comment about Jack, he huffs out a short laugh, low and dry. "Jack doesn’t underestimate anyone, Nova. Not even on accident." A beat, and he rolls one shoulder in a shrug that’s almost lazy. "But he does know how to light a fire under people. Mighta told you that just to make sure you proved him wrong."
Her thoughts dim for a flicker, and though she’s not broadcasting them, Vesper can feel the edge of her doubt from the way her sparkle falters. He sighs, softening. "Yeah, he lies too," he admits, pushing a hand through his pale hair. "Plenty. But when it comes from him?" He glances over with a faint tilt of his mouth, wry and warm. "Even a lie can be worth somethin’. Might be all kinds of twisted, but I don’t think he’s ever not wanted us around, so I wouldn't worry about it."
He lets that settle between them a moment before reaching behind the bar, casting a look toward the small, spindly shape of the wine spider nestled in the shadows nearby. "Fine," he drawls with mock severity. "But if Jeff’s gonna taste-test, I’m openin’ a bar tab in his name. And if he starts orderin’ top shelf, you’re coverin’ it."
The grin he flashes Nova is all trouble and affection, the glimmer in his eye brighter now as he pulls a few bottles from beneath the counter. [asy]"Alright, c’mon," he says, nudging her with an elbow. "Time to learn how to shake without lookin’ like you’re churnin’ butter." And with that, their lesson continues, shadows curling lazily at their feet as the night at the Hanged Man rolls on.
~FIN
free of the colosseums
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
