[se] sorry but you just got in my way

& if you never bleed you're never gonna grow

Given how truly devastated Torchline had been earlier in the year by the arrival of Starfall, a few citizens had taken it upon themselves to organize an appreciation event in the middle of Haulani. The event consisted of random pairings of individuals who attended, in 5 minute segments, where each duo would clasp hands, and spend their time together saying what they were thankful for. The idea was of course to spread cheer and to remind all who were there that everything was not quite so bleak as it had seemed when the island had first appeared near their shores.

Of course Flora had attended given her position as queen. Dressed in a cocktail dress made mostly of sequins, the Doubletake looked as shimmery and effervescent as any might have expected from her. Having gone through a few rounds already Flora was nearly ready to excuse herself and find her way towards the punch bowl—gods hopefully it had been spiked with something—when the shifting crowd parted and an unfortunately familiar face filled almost the entirety of her vision.

Given how things were set up and how thick the crowd was around them, it wasn't as though Flora could somehow evade her next pairing, and so it was the queen found herself reaching out her hand to grasp Koa 's as they were bound together for the next five minutes in a ceremony of appreciation.

when I'm at the mall, security just can't fight them all
And when I'm at the beach, I'm in a speedo trying to tan my cheeks

Koa is also here.

Seeking purpose and also a reprieve from his downward spiral of emotions, the Dragoon had seen the signs for a gratitude event and thought, y'know what, seems like a nice positive way to spend and afternoon. He'd even gotten himself a nice set of clothes for the occasion, linen pants and a button-down shirt adorned with cloud wyrms wearing sunglasses. The sort of fun and festive thing he'd never wear back home.

And though it starts off stilted and strange, soon enough Koa is having a grand ol' time. His inherent extroversion and positive outlook make him well-suited to this kind of activity, and he makes a game of bringing smiles and laughs to his partners by the time they part. So it is he's  feeling brighter and lighter than he has in months, grinning boyishly as he spins around to meet with his next partner---

"Flora!"

There's a comical mix of vibrancy and alarm in Koa's voice as he squawks her name, an octave higher than usual. Clearing his throat, the Dragoon extends his calloused hands to wrap around those of the Queen. "I mean- Hey." The stony silence of their boat ride from Apopo looms heavy in his mind, threatening to rear its ugly head as he flounders for something appropriate to say. At last he settles on: "You look beautiful," a flush on his cheekbones and voice wavering uncertainly as he meets her flawless, aqua eyes.

Koa Carpenter

We headed to the bar, baby don't be nervous
No shoes, no shirt, and I still get service

& if you never bleed you're never gonna grow

Having very nearly excused herself from this round of appreciations in lieu of taking a break and getting some punch, Flora had remained for one more pairing if only because hearing so many flattering things said about her was good for her soul. The Doubletake had never been the sort of girl to fish for compliments, but instead actively baited the waters and advertised her needs with glowing neon on signs.

"...heyyyyy..." For a moment time does that thing, where everything slows and blurs. She can distinctly make out the stupid cloud wyrms and their stupid sunglasses (and gods she hates how well Koa is pulling off that look), can pick out some of the notes in the cologne he's wearing (he must be, no one smells that good on their own), and even has the time to notice the flush spread out across his skin.

That's right my lovelies! A quick compliment about what your partner looks like to get us rolling!

Clearing her throat as the instructions break the spell and time forges on, Flora lifts her chin slightly with the weight of the smile she's forced back onto her lips. "For someone who was LoSt iN ThE WiLdErNesS your skin isn't as destroyed by bugs as I would have expected." That was a compliment, right? Letting her fingers slide around Koa's as was the expected choreography, she let the bodies around them dictate her movements moreso than being guided by the dragoon as she continued to be held to fix him with her gaze.

when I'm at the mall, security just can't fight them all
And when I'm at the beach, I'm in a speedo trying to tan my cheeks

There's a lovely moment where it feels like maybe things will work. Where her hands fit perfectly into his, and the sunlight softens her knife-sharp cheekbones, and the scent of her perfume is floral and warm and as familiar as his own. Where neither of them smiles, because neither of them is trying to fake it, to hide the layers of confusion and hurt beneath affected ease. Koa's heart skips, willing, wanting, denial an easy and oft-sought rhythm he's danced to time and time again.

It doesn't last. Flora's chin lifts in a way he's all too familiar with, and Koa closes in response, frustration flickering fire-bright in the copper of his eyes. "Aww, you're too kind. The trick is mud baths and a cutting sugars- or all food, really." He doesn't let his smile falter at her barbed 'compliment', but something sharpens in the curve of his mouth, feathering the edge of a now-clenched jaw. So that's how it's gonna be, his hands seem to say as they shift over her fingers, which now feel foreign and abrasive in his.

Technically he's already complimented her, but it would be ungentlemanly not to do it again. "Your dress is gorgeous. You're certainly the most eye-catching person here." Gaudy is the implication, the sequins reflected in his glittering eyes.

Koa Carpenter

We headed to the bar, baby don't be nervous
No shoes, no shirt, and I still get service

& if you never bleed you're never gonna grow

"Aww, I suppose that's what explains the complete loss of muscle, mmm?" It felt undeniably good to lash out at Koa while wearing a smile, while dancing seamlessly through dozens of others who were praising their partners with no idea at all of the venom being thrown in their midst. It was petty and childish but gods it wasn't as though Flora could just fall into Koa's arms and declare the whole thing a mistake, now could she?

"I'm surprised you even noticed given how forgettable I seem to be to you."

Very good, very good! Now that we're all warmly acquainted, lets move onto your partner's favourite physical feature!

Tightening her fingers around Koa's while her smile likewise sharpened, Flora had to force her thoughts away from features of the dragoon that she did genuinely like by reminding her of the things Ronin had previously said about Koa. "Well, I think your best feature is definitely your back. Though maybe it's just because that's the part of you I see the most." Sneaking out of my bedroom. Running away. Leaving.

when I'm at the mall, security just can't fight them all
And when I'm at the beach, I'm in a speedo trying to tan my cheeks

"Yes, well, maybe my memory would be better if you didn't have a habit of literally vanishing every time things don't go the way you'd like." Which is often, his brittle smile says, while his thumb brushes pointedly over the invisibility ring.

And then they're onto physical characteristics, and what could be very low hanging fruit. "Thanks," Koa drawls in response to the compliment. "I had to do a lot of climbing, during my camping trip. Glad it's had a positive effect."

Things are getting sharper now, teetering into a territory from which it'll be dangerous to escape. Barbed can so easily become cruelty, and they're both so young and volatile, and it's so easy to bite back. "I'd have to say my favorite feature is your eyes." It's the beginning of what could be a sincere compliment, were it not for the bitterness in Koa's smile. "They're always so expressive. You've got a real talent for letting me know how much you hate me with just one look."

Koa Carpenter

We headed to the bar, baby don't be nervous
No shoes, no shirt, and I still get service

& if you never bleed you're never gonna grow

"So weird how that always seems to happen around you, huh?" Flora agrees, as her gaze dips down to her ringed fingers, focusing on her adornments rather than where Koa's fingers covered her own. "Maybe I'll use that one next time." She mentions, nodding toward a signet ring instead with a fairly ominous inlay of a large cat on it. Insert deadly pussy joke here.

Flora's lips twist into a smile that doesn't go anywhere near her eyes as they turn to physical compliments; eyes which pointedly do their best to imply that Flora is strangling Koa in her mind. "Aww, I mean, I can't take all the credit. You really make it so easy."

Now my lovelies! If your partner was in a fairy tale, what part would they play!

This question has the crowd shifting as multiple pairs of feet try to follow the steps of the dance while also trying to decide what literary roll their partner would occupy. A few left feet have several nearby couples shoving into the dragoon and the queen, pushing them comically closer to one another than either would likely want just at that moment.