Despite the softness of his words, Nova's pout deepens, hurt flashing in her eyes as she looks to him, finally staying on him. "Hey!" He's not supposed to agree with the mean comment, and she takes a quick breath to prepare for retaliation when Koa continues, his laughter sounding too bright to be cruel. Her lips still curve down, but her eyes gain emotion again, their flat blue beginning to swirl with annoyance and indignation that shifts the more he talks.
Bright. Brilliant. Chaotic. These are adjectives she prefers. They're familiar and warm. They relight the spark in her chest, reminding her of the fire she often carries, the blinding light that she cherishes in herself. She likes feeling that way, embracing life and the sparkles that come with it. It makes life fun and vibrant and entirely her in a way that's too colorful and too loud for some people - like a firecracker. Koa sees that, her siblings see that, her mom sees that. Why does she care if Calla doesn't?
Tension releases its hold, the concerns and self-doubts beginning to melt like permafrost from a flower in the safety of spring. She sighs, letting her shoulders fall just in time for water to slap her in the face.
Like the crack of a whip, she comes alive, a sharp gasp snapping through the steam. "Rude!" But there's a smile on her face, mischief gleaming in her eyes that should certainly frighten Koa. She straightens, the curl of her body unfurling in a tiny spasm of action, ripples pressing out from where she stands. The water still reaches to her abdomen, but the top of her neon pink and glitter bikini is revealed as she slaps her hands down. "I'll show you firecracker!" She hasn't the faintest clue what that means, but it sounds right, and Nova bursts into action.
Magic flows from her fingertips, a giant wave cresting between them to fall over his head, surprisingly cold for the temperature of the springs. Through the falling of water, he'll be able to see the grin accented with starlit freckles, wild blonde curls, and the promise of further chaos.
Bright. Brilliant. Chaotic. These are adjectives she prefers. They're familiar and warm. They relight the spark in her chest, reminding her of the fire she often carries, the blinding light that she cherishes in herself. She likes feeling that way, embracing life and the sparkles that come with it. It makes life fun and vibrant and entirely her in a way that's too colorful and too loud for some people - like a firecracker. Koa sees that, her siblings see that, her mom sees that. Why does she care if Calla doesn't?
Tension releases its hold, the concerns and self-doubts beginning to melt like permafrost from a flower in the safety of spring. She sighs, letting her shoulders fall just in time for water to slap her in the face.
Like the crack of a whip, she comes alive, a sharp gasp snapping through the steam. "Rude!" But there's a smile on her face, mischief gleaming in her eyes that should certainly frighten Koa. She straightens, the curl of her body unfurling in a tiny spasm of action, ripples pressing out from where she stands. The water still reaches to her abdomen, but the top of her neon pink and glitter bikini is revealed as she slaps her hands down. "I'll show you firecracker!" She hasn't the faintest clue what that means, but it sounds right, and Nova bursts into action.
Magic flows from her fingertips, a giant wave cresting between them to fall over his head, surprisingly cold for the temperature of the springs. Through the falling of water, he'll be able to see the grin accented with starlit freckles, wild blonde curls, and the promise of further chaos.
Nova
Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket,
got that good song in my feet.
got that good song in my feet.
