[ME] The Ride is Worth the Fall

there's an angel on your story and a demon in your bed
feels a bit surreal, feeling bad, don't feel it yet

“Oh, certainly.” The butcher agrees, drawn up to his full height and dressed for the event more than he had previously. Sure, he’d had the tassled vest and pants, but this year he’s opted for something a bit closer to goth/witch cowboy. He’s got the black boots on, a black cowboy hat with a wide brim, tight black jeans and opting not to have the dark fancy shirt he’d worn last time, he arrives shirtless – apart from the vest worn over his scars and skin.

The starburst of his scar tissue is entirely visible in its rigid branches and he glances over at his fiancé to quietly admire his own outfit – red’s always a brilliant choice for the Maverick in his opinion – and he spots the chaos of a potentially bad idea brewing in his stunning blue eyes. “Oh? Do enjoy, darling.” He asks before Danta’s departing, each clink of the spurs on his lover’s boots like a bell he keys into to ensure he doesn’t lose him to the crowd.

Humming a soft laugh to himself, the butcher’s sure that Danta will find him once he’s done signing up and before the event actually starts, so he drifts over toward Nikandr in the booth and sits beside him, shooting his too sharp smile over at the abandoned. “Hello Niki, dear.” He hums, his accent practically purring with his good mood. "My fiancé has decided to be a rider this year, so perhaps you will not mind my company to watch?" A dark brow lifts playfully as he tilts his head.

---

Asta is watching!

Astaroth

it's a roulette kinda deal, black and red is what you get

Noah

Crooked souls trying to stay up straight
Dry eyes in the pouring rain

Noah arrived with boots chalked pale by the road and shoulders warmed by the long sun. Dead Iron Ranch spread wide ahead of him woth fences squared off with care, corrals packed firm, banners snapping from posts in the dry wind. 

Noise layered thick, laughter from the rails, the clang of gates, the restless bellow of penned animals. He paused a moment outside the main crush, taking it in the way he would a new stretch of wilderness. He rolled his shoulders once, gaze tracking the arena at the center of it all until he found familiar shapes and faces. He made his way towards them.

A corner of his mouth tugged upward in a smirk. "This out to be interesting." He mused to Deimos, flashing a smile punctuated with a wink towards Erebos.

---

Noah will enter as a bull with his griffin shift.

While the shadow proves the sunshine

slow down, you're doing fine

Flora is already grinning before Kaisel finishes his inspection, the braid over her shoulder bouncing as she shifts her weight in short shorts that are doing absolutely nothing to help with the heat. Cowboy boots scuff the dust, white crop top already kissed warm by the sun, and when she reaches him it’s with zero hesitation and all mischief, her palm landing smartly against his ass, fingers curling to grab one cheek with bright, unapologetic satisfaction. "Nope," she declares, cheerfully triumphant, holding it a second longer just to make her point before letting go. "Because if there was, I wouldn't be able to do that."

The ranch hums around them—dogs darting between boots, hooves drumming somewhere deeper in the pens, the air thick with smoke and salt and sugar and fried things that absolutely do not care about portion control—and Flora loops her arm through Kai's without missing a beat, tugging him along toward a vendor promising cold drinks and shots.

She laughs as she pulls him closer, shoulder nudging his arm in easy intimacy. "And honestly, if it bothers you that much," she adds lightly, eyes sparkling as they near the drinks, "we could always swap outfits. We both know how good you look dressed as me."

Flora

you can't be everything you wanna be before your time

I've been trying out the high road, and I hate it

The Ark wrinkles her nose as if Jack 's question has tracked grit across her deck, sending him an unimpressed look over one shoulder while she keeps her arm looped around his waist, curves moulded to him with the easy inevitability of hull to keel. The red-and-white checkered halter top clings scandalously tight and low, the denim shorts barely there at all, and her hair moves like it remembers water, loose and restless and alive against her shoulders as though the air itself is a current. "I remember," she grunts, the words rolling out like something spat over the side of the ship. Her mouth quirks as she huffs, the sound sharp and amused all at once. "Not sure which was worse, the hooves, or the way the crew splintered my boards trying to clean up after them." Her fingers tighten at his hip, possessive, easy. 

As they stop at the drinks stall, the world hiccups. The vendor freezes, eyes going glassy, mouth opening and closing like a fish hauled too far inland. The Ark feels it, the soft afterwash of herself leaking into the space they occupy: a whisper of salt where there should only be dust, a distant hush like surf remembered in sleep, a low, restless pull under the ribs. Her magic drags its fingers through the moment without ever announcing itself, and the man never quite recovers. By the time he thrusts the drinks into Jack’s hands, he is blushing to the roots of his hair and shaking like he’s stood too close to something vast. The Ark turns, all heat and teeth, and blows him a kiss that is unapologetically filthy. It lands like a breaking wave and the man looks like he might not survive it.

The Ark laughs, low and pleased, leaning back into Jack before raising a brow at him, eyes bright and predatory, a question already riding the curl of her smile as she leans in close enough for her words to brush against him like a warm spray. "Do you think I'd be able to ride any of the entries?"

---

The Ark is here to cause drama for Flora watch!

Her Siren's Wake ability is active:
Magic: Siren's Wake | After she leaves a space, traces of her presence linger briefly: a faint scent of salt, the sound of distant water, a restless feeling in the chest. People rarely notice it consciously.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Passive

I've got a lot of sins, but you're my favourite

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

No way you can deny, you feel the most alive when you are terrified

The sudden shelf of her hand against his cheek sends him briefly onto his tiptoes, stiff with surprise, before immediately melting into the wicked curl of her fingers and settling back down into the cup of her palm. "Oh, I see," he grins over at her. "Now I understand the appeal. Kinky cowboys," he drags out slyly, flashing the shopkeep a wink. Stepping away from the styling space, it's with a bit of fresh swagger to his step that he falls into stride with Flora. In a drip or drown world, he has no intention of breathing water.

Threading into Flora's arms is as natural as any other force in the world now, it's own chapter of physics. The energy around them battles with the heat of the day, but even with the kiss of sweat promising to leave its version of hickies across him, he finds a bounce to his stride that isn't just from his new threads. It has quite a lot to do with the woman beside him, accentuated with the occasional glint of the hairties on their wrists and the air that's been cleared and settled. It's a beautiful day, the event promises a show, and damn, he's in a good mood.

Unable to beat back the grin from his face, he lets it lead him as much as she does, especially when it's clearly the drink stall they're steering to. "Oh, are we getting fucked up today?" he wonders, and though it's a question, it really isn't. Snorting at once and shaking his head at her offer, he holds up a finger between them, curt and stiff. "Absolutely no way I'm putting more clothes on you today. I could take a bite out of you, you look so good," he scoffs, letting his gaze sweep up and down her in unabashed admiration before leaning in to get two vodka shots.

Passing one over to her and holding up the other, he then winds his arm around hers before them, shot glasses gleaming at the ready. "To hot days and hotter looks," and yes, he's including himself in that now. Constrained by the twist of his arm against hers he has to lean in and duck down to tip the shot into his open mouth.

Kaisel

I'm a daredevil on the highway to hell

You can’t stop the change,

any more than you can stop the suns from setting.

He notices Hawthorn through the crowd, grinning as his friend draws closer. Playing the part of 'cowboy,' he tips his hat to the man, lowering the icy beverage from his neck to give him his full attention. Laughter flows easily, his shoulders shrugging at the question. "That's the plan, although I expect to give a similar performance as last year." A fancy outfit and a few extra hours on a horse with Colt don't make him a skilled rider, and he still expects to taste of dirt by the end. He'll be proud if he can make it out without major injury, although his ring will be on standby regardless. 

Raising an eyebrow at Thorn, his gaze draws down the western outfit - with some liberal altercations - amusement tugging a smirk onto his lips. "What about you? Giving riding a try?" It would surprise him, but Zavien wouldn't mind someone to nurse his wounds with later, someone to share in his misery.

Zavien

JACK

"It was the clean-up," Jack decides immediately, fingers skimming casually against her bare arm, catching and teasing at a wild, red curl as if seeking something to do. He isn't left bored for long, as it happens, raising his eyebrows as the vendor they've stopped before quite suddenly loses most of his higher motor function. He can feel it, in fact, as the man's mind washes through with a haze of wine-red lips and scandalous curves and distant music; when the Captain finally accepts their drinks, handing one off to The Ark, he raises it in a jovial cheers.

"You're gotta watch where you point that thing," he drawls through a wicked laugh as they step away, Jack taking a long sip of the drink that is, yes, mostly alcohol thanks to her little stunt, his arm resting casually back around her shoulders. "Could get someone hurt." The chastisement - if it can even be called that - is the sort of lip service he can't even pretend to take seriously, Jack instead leading them up into the stands to find a good place to sit and watch people make fools of themselves.

"Love, I think you can do whatever the fuck you want," he whispers back, lips curling in a smirk. "Whether they'd get out of it alive is another matter."

you wanted perfect, you got your perfect
but now I'm too perfect for someone like you

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

NIKI

Niki has only just settled in his seat when Astaroth comes to join him, the boy's eyes lighting up at the now-familiar sight of the Ancient - albeit in a much different style to what he's used to. "Hello, Asta," he greets, taking another sip of his iced tea and scooting up a bit to give the other man room to sit as well. "I do not mind at all, no," he says amicably, gazing out at the main arena where it looks as though the last sign-ups are just about taking place.

"Has he ever done anything like this before?" he wonders - then again Asta had said this year, so he's inclined to think it will be the theocrat's first time. "I do not believe I have ever even ridden a horse," he adds, scoffing a bit. No surprise there, of course, but it's still interesting to see the variety of events ongoing. "Would you ever consider signing up as well?"

my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now
I can feel the light shine on my face

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

I've done nothing wrong
Except for all the atrocities

Iskra seemed intent on encouraging her antics, of which she could approve of. Her eyes wandered in search of a potential victim, mildly disappointed to see her usual prey had upped his ante this year, regarding the suspenders as a personal challenge. There was always Koa, she supposed, but then her smile went a little Cheshire, and after stealing another round of chicken, opted to start with “True, I could always pull down y-,” and abruptly cut herself off the moment her uncle rounded over.

Choking down the food and pretending it’d simply gone down the wrong way, she finally turned to address Sunjata ‘s proclamation, pretending nothing was amiss. “Good. Send ‘em flying!” with a wicked grin to suit. “Any idea who you’ll get?” Uncertain how these things were chosen, she thought it’d be neat if the bull could pick – but maybe that violated some fairness rule or some shit.

the honeybee

Besides that
I'm innocent

everything I let go

Much like the festival in the Climb, there was a litany of people, and Erebos found himself searching every sight and sound that they could. Some he couldn’t give name to, having never known or met them before, and others, like Noah, who came over. Half-tempted to bounce with excitement, he kept himself moderately contained by putting his hands over the top of his father’s head and leaning quite precariously until the Sword placed him back up properly.

Unbothered, as this seemed to be a frequent and habitual occurrence, he finally directed his attention back to the Sentinel. “Are you going to enter? Who gets to be your rider? Do you guys have a say? Who won last year?"

Erebos

has claw marks on it

DEIMOS

Deimos waved to a few passing by – nodding in solidarity of the non-participating witnesses. He was certain he’d be hearing multitudes from Erebos on the way home, in an endless barrage of inquiries (much like Noah was receiving now). Ensuring the youth was secure, the Sword shrugged his shoulders towards the Sentinel; not the least bit surprised by the string of questions - clearly a daily occurrence. “Apologies. We did not get to see it last year.” Erebos would’ve been a scarcely a toddler, and much less equipped for the attention span required, and they’d been in the middle of a warframe; the Sword hadn’t been tempted to meander and stray too far from home (unless it was barraging Starfall). “Good luck.” It ought to be entertaining, nonetheless.

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

Sohalia

After signing up - against her better judgment - to be a bull, Soh scurried off into the crowd, looking for anyone she knew to take her mind off her sudden nerves. Thankfully, she spotted Flora and Kaisel by a stall that seemed to be selling shots, and she quickly joined them to order her own. "Hey guys!" she chirped, leaning on the bar while she waited for her drink, drumming her finger nervously on the wood as the rest of her vibrated with a nervous energy. "Don't mind me, just getting a drink. Are either of you planning to ride?"

It took a moment (the stall was busy), but her shot was delivered soon enough, and Soh downed it quickly before indicating she'd like another. She had seen several people she knew, but she wasn't sure who was participating in the rodeo, and so it was impossible to size up her potential competition. "Should've just watched," she muttered to herself. But it was too late now.

it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going

slow down, you're doing fine

Flora’s grin turns slow and wicked at Kaisel's question, her shoulders lifting in a coy half-shrug as if she is pretending to weigh the options when she has absolutely already decided. "Today," she declares, tapping her glass lightly against his before the vendor can even fully retreat, "seems like a perfect day for day drinking."

Dust curls around their boots, music testing its chords somewhere near the arena, dogs weaving between knees, and for once she is not measuring escape routes or calculating political fallout or wondering which letter needs answering before sunset. From the way they're both dressed to the rowdy atmosphere around them, it all makes something in her chest feel young again. Not Queen. Not Doubletake. Just Flora, laughing in the sun, heat slicking the hollow of her throat, braid brushing against her collarbone as she leans closer to her husband like gravity prefers it that way.

She bites at the inside of her lip, failing to suppress the curl of her smile, letting it sharpen instead. "I would not complain about losing a few layers," she purrs, one brow lifting, gaze dragging slow and knowing across him before settling back into his eyes. "You know. Because of the heat." His, more than the sun's.

"Cheers to that." She twists her arm against his and tips the shot back, vodka burning bright and clean down her throat, breath catching for half a heartbeat before she exhales through a grin that threatens to split her face in two.

"Babe!" Flora's cheer is instant and unfiltered as she hears Sohalia, and she untangles from Kaisel without hesitation, arms already opening as she steps into her best friend and folds her close, squeezing hard enough to press dust and perfume and nervous energy together between them. Gold rings and a sparkly hairtie flash at Soh’s back as Flora rocks them once in an affectionate bounce before leaning away just enough to take her in.

"MMm, not this year," she answers, wrinkling her nose, braid shifting over her shoulder as she shakes her head. Then her expression shifts—mischief sliding in smooth as silk—and she tilts her head with far too much innocence to be believed. "I thought I saw Koa’s name on the sign-up sheet, though," she says lightly, eyebrows bouncing in exaggerated suggestion, mouth curving around the words as if she is merely offering helpful information and not absolutely enjoying herself.

---

Flora is by the drink stand chatting with Sohalia and Kaisel

Flora

you can't be everything you wanna be before your time

do you feel like a young god?

She anticipates going to this event on her own – not that she minds it too much. She knows it’s thrown by Colt and she realizes the whole difficulty between being here where she knows Vesper would absolutely avoid – and subsequently, her sister too. It doesn’t keep her from it, though, not when she’s still trying to live here and be a part of things. So she arrives, wearing her cowboy hat and perusing the gathering, saying hi to those that she knows that have come to visit the Sunbeam, until her eyes spot her father with a flame haired woman on his arm.

She beelines toward them, shooting them both a sunshine smile, unaware of anything else that might be happening or will possibly happen, choosing to slink into the seat on the other side of Jack to tilt her attention toward him and The Ark. “Mind if I sit with ya both?” She asks, assuming they wouldn’t, but asking anyway as she settles in to watch the event unfold and whatever else might happen.

---

Caly watches!

Calypso