every stroke of luck has gotta bleed through

we thieves and lovers will keep up our urges to sin, to sin
let your desire be simply acquired within, within

He’s heard the stories of Stormbreak. He’s heard about their past of wiping and manipulating the knowledge in the small space, so curiosity gets the best of him as he spots the Collegium. He wonders whether or not the library has grown since Stormbreak’s admission to allowing Abandoned and the like back into their shores, and if so – what other information might be harbored within.

So for the distraction it provides, the butcher drifts into the collegium, finding himself immersed in the rooms of hundreds of books, finding his way down dusty passages that not many had delved to before (wondering briefly if it were restricted), but the butcher doesn’t care. Nobody has told him not to be here yet, so he continues – inspecting for anything of note, dragging his finger along the bindings of the tomes as he peruses, the threaded cane clicking against the floor.

Astaroth

if you want me all to yourself, then take on the leap

flora

The Collegium's endless rows of books are suffocating today—at least, that's what Flora tells herself as she wanders down another quiet aisle. She's not being shady at all. Nope. Just your friendly neighbourhood queen, casually browsing books about roses and lilies. Totally not slipping pages from bindings or obscuring critical paragraphs beneath messy swipes of ink. It's fine. It's totally fine.

So absorbed is she in this delicate act of sabotage that she nearly misses him. But the tap-tap of a cane catches her attention, and Flora's aqua gaze lifts sharply, finding a familiar silhouette amidst the dusty shelves. Her lips curl instantly into a sly, secretive smile, all subtle mischief and violet delight.

Slipping the last marked page discreetly back onto the shelf, she glides toward Asta, dress whispering softly around her knees. Her eyes glitter as she sidles right up beside him, close enough that he’ll feel the warmth of her presence before she drapes herself dramatically—and quite uninvited—against him, peering up at him through thick lashes. While Dahlia's kiss hasn't changed her drastically, it has roughened up her normally polished edges a good deal.

"I haven't interrupted you and Danta in some librarian roleplay, have I?" she drawls playfully, voice soft and teasingly conspiratorial.

I can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we thieves and lovers will keep up our urges to sin, to sin
let your desire be simply acquired within, within

He is very much used to being left alone by the majority – especially in Stormbreak, especially right now while his features are relatively gaunt and he looks as if he hasn’t slept in weeks. (He hasn’t, not really.) So it comes as much of a surprise when he doesn’t hear the whisper of fabric of her dress and feels the sudden pressure of a warm body pressing up against him.

It's a very quick and easy twist of the bladed cane being lifted, sharp edge pointed toward Flora’s stomach before it registers to him who has draped up against him. Tension flares in his body and he feels like stone beneath her despite how he begins to soften, huffing a soft laugh and quietly glad he hadn’t just stabbed her. “Ah, Flora,” he says clearing his throat, tail flicking back and forth like a slightly agitated cat before he calms himself and his racing heartbeat. “No, Danta is not here.” He murmurs, straightening up and setting the cane back onto the ground. “Apologies for the reaction, you startled me.” He puts it bluntly, flashing her a smile that grows warmer and more relaxed as the seconds pass, but it still seems somewhat masked.

But he does turn to her a little easier, returning the favor now that he knows just precisely who has slunk up beside him, draping a free arm around her shoulders companionably. “I did not know you would be in Stormbreak..?” He half says and half asks, cocking his horned head toward her and abandoning the books for the time being.

Astaroth

if you want me all to yourself, then take on the leap

flora

Flora grins up at him, entirely unbothered by the sharp flash of the cane, barely flinching even as it aims briefly at her stomach where once such a blade had pierced all the way through. If anything, it only deepens her smile, something breezy and unconcerned tugging at her lips. "Careful," she teases lightly, eyes glinting playfully as she smooths a hand down the front of his chest—quickly, gently, almost like soothing an animal. "You might hurt someone pointing that thing around. I mean, I know that’s kind of the point, but—"

She trails off with an easy laugh, letting herself melt a little more comfortably into his side as his arm slips around her shoulders. If she notices the careful edge to his smile, she doesn't acknowledge it. Instead, Flora tilts her head thoughtfully, curls loose and tousled in a way that doesn't quite match the usual meticulous perfection she normally maintained. Today there's something just a little off—her dress slightly rumpled, her jewelry less carefully arranged, her movements languid and careless rather than sharp and deliberate.

"Do you normally know where I'll be and when..?" Her smile widens subtly, eyes bright as she lifts one shoulder in a shrug. "Should I have let you know in advance, or..?"

I can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we thieves and lovers will keep up our urges to sin, to sin
let your desire be simply acquired within, within

His retort of maybe had I known I’d be less likely to try and shank the next person that touched me unannounced dies on his tongue as he realizes she doesn’t deserve his sharp and blunt answers. Instead he huffs a little laugh and nods, horned head inclining slightly even as he doesn’t shy away from the gentle touch down his chest, finding it does wonders to soothe him as intended. The sharp grin remains, a touch too manufactured to be real, but as she settles into his embrace it gives him a moment to scan her in turn.

Something feels off, though he can’t quite tell what. Maybe she’s having a really good vacation and has decided to let her guard down a little – though why in Stormbreak after everything that had happened, he couldn’t begin to guess. “Not at all, darling.” He confirms before his laugh grows a little deeper and he squeezes her shoulders a touch, exhaling a soft sigh. “I did not mean it like that. You obviously do not have to tell me anything you do not wish to.” It was common knowledge, so he thinks, he’d just blundered it in his surprise. “It has been a long couple of weeks for me, so I am sorry if I am not my typically wonderfully handsome self.” There’s the air of his usual ego there, before he’s scanning her a bit more fully.

“How are you? And how have things been?” Ever the gentleman, he places the ball in her court so they can catch up however she wants to.

Astaroth

if you want me all to yourself, then take on the leap

flora

Flora makes a quiet noise of sympathy, though her lips still curl into something soft and playful as she shifts her weight against him, comfortable and unguarded. "Well, I won’t hold it against you," she teases lightly, eyes sparkling as she tips her head to glance up at him through her lashes. "I mean, you always look wonderfully handsome to meee." Her voice trails off a good deal more suggestively than it normally would, before fading into a warm laugh.

When he asks about Torchline, Flora wrinkles her nose with a dramatic sigh, leaning slightly into the comforting warmth of his arm. "Torchline got stuffy. Lots of men, lots of opinions, lots of men with opinions—you know how it goes," she says breezily, waving a hand dismissively before her expression brightens again. "But Stormbreak? Oh my gods, Asta, it's so wonderfully clear up here." She beams up at him. "Everything feels... simpler, y'know?"

Yet the violet haze in her thoughts doesn't stop her from noticing the shadows under his eyes, the faint strain behind the careful mask of his smile. A delicate crease forms between her brows, concern edging into her gaze even as she maintains her casual drape against him. "Hey, are you okay? What's been going on?" she asks gently, fingers brushing lightly against his arm again, though this time the touch is more careful, more tender. "Can I do anything to help?"

I can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we thieves and lovers will keep up our urges to sin, to sin
let your desire be simply acquired within, within

Chuckling lightly to hear her suggestive twist to her tone and the way she looks up at him from beneath her lashes, the butcher’s smile twists a little brighter. “And you are always the picture of beauty to me.” He hums, leaning into her suggestive twist of her tone if only because it was comfortable. And while they didn’t typically talk like this, it made for a good distraction.

As for her complaints of Torchline, his thumb strokes along the top of her shoulder idly as he listens, nodding his head in agreement before he laments with a dramatic sigh of his own. “I certainly do.” Not that he found much of it in the Grounds, though that was likely because he and Danta thought similarly enough that there was little to argue in regards to opinions and thoughts, and however he wished to run the Grounds was his decision. Astaroth wasn’t made or meant to lead, he’d gladly keep his hands off of that title.

But it is surprising to hear her praise of Stormbreak, and choosing to think nothing of it, the butcher’s smile warms a touch. “I am glad you have found a place to relax.” Gods knew he needed one right now. Which segues perfectly into her concern as she remains draped against him but points the questions back, something which has him sigh a little. “It is nothing you need to worry about. I am just.. On a quest from Dygra to get a crow charm to help with my nightmares.” Ones she would know well, if she recalled the boggart. “So I am sure you can imagine I have had to see and deal with many. And I am still recovering from having to spend a night where..” He takes a heavy sigh as his smile grows a little softer and his voice drops a little lower. “Where it all happened. So I am managing, and trying to distance myself a small amount so Danta can try to sleep at night in his own bed.” Their bed, of course, but lately he'd had the monopoly on it from the Maverick's own concern.

Astaroth

if you want me all to yourself, then take on the leap

flora

Flora hums sympathetically, pressing a little closer as if proximity alone might ease whatever shadows cling to him. Her smile softens, though the mischievous sparkle remains in her eyes, a subtle contrast to the genuine care that still filters through her tone. "Mmm, nothing to worry about, sure," she teases softly, nudging him gently with her shoulder. "Just casually fighting off endless nightmares and reliving your trauma. Totally no big deal. Is it at least close to being done with?"

She shakes her head slightly, curls bouncing as she studies his face, concern briefly replacing the breezy ease she's maintained so far. Her fingertips trail lightly along his arm, idle and comforting as her voice drops into something quieter, more sincere. "I know you don’t exactly love accepting help, but you don’t have to manage everything alone, you know?" Her gaze softens further, aqua eyes clear despite the casual disarray of her appearance. "And don’t even try and tell me you’re fine, because I don't want to hear it."

Then her expression gentles again, the playful curl returning as if drawn back by an invisible thread. "Seriously though—if you need a distraction, you know where to find me. I'm annoyingly good at being distracting."

I can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we thieves and lovers will keep up our urges to sin, to sin
let your desire be simply acquired within, within

She nudges him, though he can still see the concern there, and a soft hum of a laugh escapes him again. “I only have two tasks left. I took a break to acquire some gifts for Danta for how dreadful all of this has been.” He murmurs a little, but he allows himself to be open with her as she studies his face, to see the lines there placed by nightmares plaguing his sleep and the exhaustion that’s clear in the dark circles around his eyes and his otherwise pale exterior.

“You know me all too well, Flora, darling.” Comes the soft and tired purr, one that breaks into a low hum of agreement. “I do have help, though.” A variety more than he was expecting, even if it took a great deal of effort to tell himself he was capable of asking and it wouldn’t make him seem indebted for it when they genuinely wanted to help.

Such was a man so used to crafting deals, he supposes.

“I think a distraction could be quite nice, depending on what kind you had in mind oh queen of distractions.” He says, his smile widening a touch. “And perhaps while we are on our way might I suggest an addition to our other interests?” The Thieves Guild in particular, now that he’s thinking about those that have offered to help. With no way of knowing whether Thalassa was interested, he can’t help but to put the question out there, seeing if there’s any interest before poising the question to the Marauder’s Captain.

Astaroth

if you want me all to yourself, then take on the leap

flora

Flora listens intently as Asta speaks, her playful energy tempered slightly at the sight of the exhaustion etched into his features. Her eyes soften, concern knitting subtly through her breezy demeanour as she sighs softly at his side. "Two tasks left is good though, right? That's practically the finish line," the queen murmurs encouragingly, her voice gently coaxing. "And I doubt if Danta expects anything from you, but you do give the best gifts, so I'll doubt if he'll mind" she adds with a teasing, fond nudge of her shoulder against his.

Then, with that moment of gravity fading as quickly as it came, Flora brightens dramatically. "Okay, distractions—" she announces, shifting effortlessly back to animated suggestions. "We could hit one of those tea rooms with the little fish that nibble your feet? Orrrrr we could wander the Silk Houses and judge their brothels against the Dusklight—totally for educational purposes, obviously." Her eyes glitter mischievously as she smirks up at him, once again the suggestive tone coming on a little thicker than it normally would. "Or, oh! We could go dancing? Nothing distracts quite like making questionable decisions in public." Flora had claimed to be good at distractions, not at suggesting good distractions, you'll recall.

Finally remembering he'd asked something, Flora pauses mid-bounce, arching an inquisitive brow. "Wait—what addition?"

I can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we thieves and lovers will keep up our urges to sin, to sin
let your desire be simply acquired within, within

“Yes, well.. seeing as his birthday is imminent, I happened to pick an awful time to start this I think.” Hence the rushing through it. But his smile is a touch softer as he looks to his bubbly companion, his arm warm where it’s still draped across her shoulders. The more she brightens, the more it’s reflected in the butcher’s face, his smile lightening and his posture relaxing slightly.

And gods, does she have quite the variety of distractions up her sleeve. Good or not, Astaroth chuckles lightly and inclines his head as he considers the options. “I am partial to the dancing and the judgements.” He murmurs thoughtfully, before he leans in a touch conspiratorially. “I do adore a slandering kind of gossip.” Comes the quiet sound and the chuckle, before he draws back up to his full height.

Keeping his arm around her as he glances down the dusty aisle they’re left alone in, the butcher’s attention returns to Flora. “Her name is Thalassa. She’s become quite a wonderful friend of mine and I believe she may be useful for us, provided you and she are interested?” A suggestion of making connections, of course, though it’s completely up to Flora whether she may be interested in expanding her Thieves’ Guild members.

Astaroth

if you want me all to yourself, then take on the leap

flora

Flora laughs softly, nudging him again with a playful roll of her eyes. "Wow, you're so right—planning a quest that drags you through personal nightmares right before your boyfriend’s birthday is just top-tier romance." Her voice is teasing, but there's a sympathetic warmth beneath it, fingers giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "Honestly though, he's probably going to appreciate the effort even more, knowing what you were working on at the same time." She flashes him a mischievous smile, eyes glinting. "That's real love, babe."

At his response to her proposed distractions, her expression lights up dramatically, grin widening with delight. "Mmm, gossip and poor life choices, my two greatest talents," she hums with exaggerated pride, leaning in to match his conspiratorial whisper. "Good call."

Straightening slightly, though still comfortably tucked beneath his arm, Flora tilts her head thoughtfully at the mention of Thalassa, curiosity flickering across her face. "Oh—I've met her," she says lightly, the corner of her lips twitching into an amused half-smile. "She threw daggers at my head. Consenually, of course." The grin grows brighter, clearly entertained by the memory. "She's good though—quick, sharp. If you trust her, I'm definitely interested." Little did the queen know that she'd already witnessed Thal's talents in action, lightening Flora's purse and absconding with her mirror when last the Doubletake was in the Grounds.

I can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we thieves and lovers will keep up our urges to sin, to sin
let your desire be simply acquired within, within

Snorting softly as she nudges him, the butcher’s dramatics fall back into full swing as he squeezes her shoulders. “I knowww.” Comes the drawl, before seeing the mischievous smile and nodding, relaxing a touch more because she was more than likely right. And in the end, it was as much for him as it was the Maverick – for all the harm he’d caused over the seasons they’d officially been together. “He’s had the opportunity to witness it firsthand.” Which wasn’t great, but it wasn’t as bad as he thought it might be.. But still.

Seeing her dramatic increase of her expression, the butcher lets the low chuckle escape him as he nods. “What a horrifyingly delightful pair we make, mm?” Between gossip and poor life decisions, well.. The butcher had plenty of those under his belt too. But at least it’s a compass point, an edge toward ignoring all the other things waiting on him for judging other’s choices.

He’d be lying if he didn’t seem to brighten at the fact that the Doubletake knew of his friend, though, letting the warmth spread through him as he nods his horned head, tail flitting in delight at his heels. “Yes, that sounds quite like her.” All in good fun, though, and enough that he nods to her question before he decides it’s safe enough to drift out of the dusty aisle they’ve corralled themselves into – keeping her under his arm as they embrace the light filtering in from the windows up high. “I do. I shall speak with her and perhaps if she is interested she might find her way to you?” Comes the suggestion, completely unaware that Thal’s birthday gift to him was the mirror in question, missing from the Doubletake.

In all honesty, he should have recognized it, but that was also the time he’d nearly died and Safrin had been called down to rescue him. Perhaps that’s a good enough excuse to not have noticed it right away.

"Would you do me the honors of leading the way, darling?" He asks in a playful hum, sticking to her side for whichever she chose to do first - dancing, or judging. He was game for both.

Astaroth

if you want me all to yourself, then take on the leap

flora

Flora leans into him lightly as they emerge from the dusty aisles into brighter light, grateful for the warmth of his arm around her and the familiar mischief that seems to ease the tired lines on his face. "Ugh, truly horrific," she agrees dramatically, fluttering her lashes up at him with exaggerated innocence. "Anyone with sense should definitely steer clear."

She lets out another soft laugh, genuine delight flickering in her gaze as he confirms his trust in Thalassa, and she dips her head in easy agreement. "That sounds perfect. Tell her I'll be waiting," Flora says breezily, entirely oblivious to how funny a statement that is, given the mirror the pirate had already nicked from her. "I will eventually be heading back to Torchline, so by the time you two chat, she can probably find me at the Hanged Man."

Straightening a bit more at his invitation, the queen beams, chin lifting in playful command as she slips from beneath his arm just enough to take his hand in her own, squeezing once as she tugs him toward the exit. "It would be my pleasure. Her curls bounce with every step, her dress rustling softly around her knees as she pauses briefly, considering their options. Then, glancing back at him over one shoulder with a mischievous smirk, she decides, "I vote we start with some people watching near the Silk Houses. Maybe near some of the more risque shops. We can pick out first-timers." And make up stories about what they're buying and why, going unsaid.

Without waiting for a reply, Flora leads him away, determined that by the time they're done, at least one of them will have forgotten all about nightmares and quests, if only for a little while.

~FIN

I can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!