[SE] borrowing flower from a neighbor

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

Nova's never been truly alone before - not with her siblings and all the people who seem to gravitate towards her - so it sounds strange to her that people would be so lonely that they'd have to spend money just to feel some kind of connection, but Thorn says it with such certainly that she assumes people like that must exist in the world. 

Furrowing her brows, Nova sets a bundle of flowers by the fountain. "I guess that makes sense, but it's kind of sad that they don't get attention on their own. Maybe they just need to wear more glitter." She lets out a little giggle, looking to Thorn again. In all honestly, she doesn't care what people do or how they spend their money, even if she finds it all a little peculiar. 

Especially as he brings up his next point. Nova's eyes widen to something incredulous and full of glittering wonder. "How does sex help them sleep better at night?"

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

last couple of months kinda been a disaster

He could elaborate on the multitudes of which people come to see him, but something tells him that she might not want to know the half of it. So rather than saying it aloud, the courtesan sets a flower on a statue as they pass by, returning to her side past the fountain to hear her questions. “Yeah, maybe.”

If only glitter can solve the majority of Caido’s problems.

But then she’s turning to him with wide eyes and a question slipping past her lips that Thorn’s brows rise and his pale smile flashes across his face again. “Well, it’s a real good exercise. Y’get all that adrenaline pumpin’ and it makes ya real fuckin’ tired at the end, so it helps ya sleep ‘n forget about things for a while.” He’s only got one flower left in his hand, a striped one of red and white that he twirls as he gestures with his hands a little outwardly with a playful smile.

Hawthorn

tell all my friends i'm asleep if they ask ya

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

Thorn would be correct in assuming that Nova doesn't want to hear about people's problems, especially if they don't involve sparkles or her. It probably won't help her understand it any better anyways as her nose wrinkles with distaste, imaging her hair a mess and sweat plastered to her skin. She doubts there's even glitter involved. Then there's the fact of being tired - something that she's rarely felt - and Nova's shaking her head again. "Ew. That sounds like a lot of work, and not worth the effort."

When she turns to look at Thorn again, he's holding out his last flower to her. The smile on his face makes her giggle, accepting the flower into her grasp despite the bundle that remains in her own hands. "Thanks! I think we got most of the town!" Her eyes shimmer as they take in the various pops of color that spot the buildings, along with all the smiles as people stand baffled in the street to compare flowers.

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

last couple of months kinda been a disaster

Thorn snickers to hear Nova’s distaste of it, but he inclines his head regardless, head tilting slightly as he regards her. His wild curls fall to the side, his smile bright and wide as he hands the flower to her. “Some people like it.” Himself included, if he’s being honest. But he doesn’t feel the need to tack that on when he’s handing her the last flower and their work is inevitably done (as far as he can tell).

“You’re welcome. Was real nice of ya. I’m sure New Haven’ll be talkin’ about it for a while.” Some little nicety when the rest of the world seemed to be going a little crazy. At least with the Family gone, they could finally go back to living their lives.

Hawthorn

tell all my friends i'm asleep if they ask ya

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

Shrugging her shoulders as if she'll never understand people (especially those who don't like glitter), Nova twirls the bundle of flowers still in her hands, the one's she plans to take back to Torchline with her. "Maybe I'll try it some time just to see the hype, but I doubt it's that fun." She can't imagine it's quite as fun as exploding colors and sparkling clothes. 

Selecting a singular blue flower with fluffy petals, she offers it out to Thorn, a bright grin on her face. "A souvenir." Before he can reach out to grab it, Nova's stretching up on her tiptoes to tuck the flower into the curls of his hair, right above his ear. Giggling, she leans forward just enough to get a good look at her work. "This one makes your eyes look extra pretty."

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

last couple of months kinda been a disaster

“Well, if ya do and want some pointers, feel free t’ask me.” He offers her with a soft laugh, his smile softening a touch. He doesn’t expect her to, nor does he expect her to give it a shot. But still, he offers it anyway, if only to try and make sure that her first time went as perfectly as possible.

Ah, but then she’s selecting a very pretty blue flower from the bouquet bundle still in her hands and mentions a souvenir. And he leans forward as if to take it when she’s already tucking it behind his ear, mixing the blue with the wild untamed strands of dark brown. He laughs softly and raises his brow as he leans back, straightening up as if to strike a pose to peer over at her with the eyes in question. “Thanks, Nova.” Thorn hums, his posture relaxing immediately after as he scans her once more with warmth glittering in his seafoam gaze. “I shouldn’t keep ya from headin’ back if that’s where you’re headed. Have a safe trip, wherever you’re goin’, yeah?” He asks as he starts to withdraw, tucking the flower a little better into his hair to not lose it.

- FIN

Hawthorn

tell all my friends i'm asleep if they ask ya