[PQ] little by little, babe

i could be the reason you can't sleep at night

Flora’s house looked like it had been ransacked by a very indecisive, very sparkly burglar.

Empty boxes were stacked haphazardly in the living room—some pristine, others already half-filled with an assortment of seashell windchimes, tangled gold chains, two velvet pillows shaped like seahorses, and a single stiletto she swore she hadn’t worn since Fiat Lux two years ago. In the kitchen, the warm scent of butter and blueberry hung in the air, the scones and muffins she’d set out for her would-be helpers sitting prettily beneath a gauzy cover of enchanted linen that kept everything warm.

And in the middle of it all: Flora.

Still in her pyjamas (a silky camisole set in pale seafoam that looked entirely too luxurious for packing), the queen flounced between rooms with all the productive focus of a sunbeam in a storm. One minute she was ferrying a tray of perfume bottles into a box marked boat essentials?? with a flourish, the next she was staring into her coat closet like it had personally betrayed her.

"How am I supposed to pack for... I don’t even know how long?" she huffed to Spice. "What if I need my stargazing shawl and the emerald one? What if it’s cold on the water but not, like, ugly-cold, just dramatic and romantic and slightly tragic?"

Another box received three pairs of sandals, a feathered mask, and a bottle of coconut rum.

She stopped in the hallway, hands on her hips, curls piled on her head in a messy knot, aqua eyes darting around like maybe this time the house would reveal the secret to minimalist living.

It did not.

---

PQ to pack up Flora's house!

1. Flora
2. Kaisel
3. Sohalia

knowing I can't turn the rain into sun any more

Having lived in Flora’s house for a time, it no longer seemed compulsory for Sohalia to knock when entering. She let herself in, Tarak on her shoulder, to find an absolute disaster zone: boxes and all manner of belongings littered the little house, and Soh stood for a moment in complete awe at the absolute chaos that reigned. No wonder Flora had needed help.

Tarak took off from Soh’s shoulder, no doubt in search of Spice, and Soh called out a greeting as she picked her way through the boxes. ”Hey!” she said, her face both bemused and teasing. ”Can you explain to me why a feather boa is going in the boat essentials box, but your favorite mascara has yet to be packed?”

Sohalia

// I'd take the fall—I got you covered when there's no one at all //

"Why do you need EIGHT pillows!?" Kaisel shouts down to Flora as he descends the stairs for what feels like the 100th time already this morning. A stack of assorted pillows sway precariously in his arms, blocking his view, so he navigates slowly, his bare feet reaching out before sinking down each step. He's wearing typical Torchline beach bum attire—loose and breezy orange pants with multicolored popsicle designs on them, a matching over shirt that he left unbuttoned, and a white undershirt crumpled up somewhere on his bed because he couldn't find it earlier.

Like a stack of jenga bricks, one of the pillows from the middle threatens to go and it'd take all the rest with it, so Kaisel grabs it with all he has left, his teeth. "Thiff sheems likeh tooo mehnee." His toe smacks a box as he finally makes it down the stairs, and the pillows flop out of his arms in an explosive display as his body jerks against the subtle pain, half his face scrunching with a wince. Only the one in his mouth remains, but he spits it out like a dog when his newly cleared vision beholds Sohalia. "Hey Soh!" he trills brightly, offering her a grin as he leans down to rub the offended toe.

Kaisel

// When you need somebody to turn to—Nobody got you the way I do //

i could be the reason you can't sleep at night

"Obviously," Flora calls out as she reappears in the hallway, arms full of mismatched towels that smell like the sea and sun-bleached afternoons, "the feather boa is for emergencies. What if I get stranded and need to attract the attention of a passing skyship? Or seduce a pirate? Or perform an impromptu drag number? You have to be ready for these things."

She dumps the towels into a half-filled box marked maybe useful?? in aggressively glittery pen before spinning toward the growing chaos of the living room. "Kai, I’m the queen," she says, as if that alone justifies the pillow hoard. "I’m not about to sleep on some lumpy-ass single sailboat mattress like I don’t have standards. And I need options." She gestures broadly at the sea of chaos. "That one’s memory foam, that one’s down, the long one’s for cuddling, and the squishy pink one is emotional support. Obviously."

Spice zips through the kitchen behind her in a blur of ivory and chill, barking a miniature burst of frost at Tarak in greeting before diving beneath one of the boxes like it’s a snow fort.

Flora sighs dramatically. "This is going terribly. I’ve packed one and a half boxes, and I’m emotionally overwhelmed by the concept of choosing only six pairs of sunglasses. I’m spiralling." She drops onto the couch beside one of the open boxes and flings her legs up, her ankle brushing Kaisel’s hip like she might use him as a footrest if he stands still too long. "Please someone tell me I’m doing great."

---

Round 1: quick! emotional support for the queen!

knowing I can't turn the rain into sun any more

”Ah, of course. How silly of me,” Soh said drily, her eyes dancing with affection. She herself would probably not consider a feathered boa to be a necessity, but she would be the first to admit that she didn’t have Flora’s flair.

A shout echoed down the stairs and Soh looked up, surprised but not unhappy to see Kaisel carrying a load of no less than eight pillows. This, at least, she could understand - she, too, enjoyed a comfortable pillow (or several), some of which had varying purposes. ”Hey, Kai,” the Luminary said, offering a smile and a little wave in the young man’s direction. She didn’t know him well, but she liked him well enough, and he was sure to add a certain level of, shall we say, excitement to the proceedings.

Before Soh could offer anything more to the dragoon, Tarak soared towards the kitchen, wisely deciding that perhaps fire breath was not in his best interest to use indoors, landing to stick his head beneath Spice’s box curiously.

Flora flopped onto the couch dramatically, lamenting her lack of progress. ”Oh, it’s not that bad,” she consoled her friend. ”It just looks chaotic because moving always looks chaotic. We’ll have you sorted in no time, you’ll see!” Glancing meaningfully at Kaisel, Soh flicked her gaze to Flora, as though to say, help me, say something!

Sohalia

// I'd take the fall—I got you covered when there's no one at all //

Already stooped down, Kaisel reaches to gather the pillows a few at a time, a position which allows him to freely roll his eyes at the purpose she lists off for each of them. He wisely doesn't complain any further though, Flora's heightened state apparent in the sentimentality she places on each and every item surrounding her. He quickly stuffs each gathered pillow into one of the various boxes, which takes up most of the room immediately, requiring numerous trips and boxes back and forth. They can help buffer her breakables, or could be squished down under something heavy if space became an issue, which he definitely thinks it will, both in terms of boxes and her boat.

He sighs noiselessly as he leans against the side of a wall, a hand running thoughtfully against his chin as he tries to ascertain how this can be improved. The antics of the companions, while adorable, only serves to add a flair of madness to the process that is quickly proving to be out of control and careening into outright chaos before it's barely started. He's normally all for that, but the thought of sorting through all of Flora's shit until midnight doesn't quite sparkle with the mischief he likes, which is surprising given her penchant for glittering things.

As Flora collapses under the weight of decisions fraught with feather boas, Kaisel snorts. He glances from the exhausted crow to Soh, intending to meet her with a can you believe this shit? look. Instead, Soh's eyes are pleading, earnest. Gods, why did he agree to this?

"Yeeeah, great. For someone who has lost all their limbs and is packing one mouthful at a time." Sorry Soh, he can be supportive, but not like that. He purposefully shifts into Flora's extended legs, to force them to fall from the perch she's angling for on the wall near him, as he walks towards her. "C'mon, get up Flo-do. You're the only expert here on being delusional so we literally cannot do this without you" He offers her a hand to pull her up, and casts a stray glance to the side to be sure Spice isn't going to frost his kneecaps off this time. "Let's take it one category at a time and you can always send us back here to get your shit for you if you forgot it, no matter how far in the future that is." He hopes, for all their sakes, that she isn't on her outcast boat for that long.

---

Kaisel says it's shit but they'll do it together, more or less

Kaisel

// When you need somebody to turn to—Nobody got you the way I do //

i could be the reason you can't sleep at night

Flora groans dramatically as Kaisel nudges her legs away, shooting him a wounded look even as she reaches reluctantly for his outstretched hand. "Fine, fine," she huffs, letting him pull her upright as though it's the greatest inconvenience she's faced all day. "But if we get out there and realize I've forgotten something vital—like the sequined caftan or the sparkly wine glasses or the tiny forks—" she lifts a finger pointedly, as if anticipating an argument from either of them, "—I'm fully blaming both of you."

Still, her pout melts a little at Sohalia's earnest optimism and Kaisel's begrudging attempt at logic, and Flora can't help but flash them a half-smile, amused and affectionate despite herself. "I suppose you two might have a point," she admits begrudgingly, straightening her ponytail with an exaggerated sigh. "One category at a time. Fine."

She strides forward with renewed purpose (or at least the appearance of it), heading for the kitchen with determined steps. "We'll start with food and drinks," she announces dramatically, as if she's leading an expedition rather than relocating to a single-hulled sailboat barely big enough for her pillow collection. Spice peeks her head out from under the box, eyes glittering mischievously as she shoots a playful blast of cool air towards Tarak before fluttering to Flora's shoulder.

"Spice votes ice cream as essential," Flora informs her friends, lips twitching as she pulls open cabinets and gestures dramatically inside. "Also chocolate. And wine. And tiny cocktail umbrellas." She spins around, gaze serious and decisive. "Please note these down, team. I'd hate to forget something important."

Pausing by the open fridge, she turns to look at Sohalia and Kaisel, expression softening into something more genuine. "Thanks, by the way," she murmurs, quieter now but sincerely grateful. "I appreciate you both being here—especially since I'm fully aware of how ridiculous I'm being."

---

Round 2! Decide what counts as 'essential' when it comes to kitchen things.

knowing I can't turn the rain into sun any more

Sohalia looked at Kaisel, her expression wry. That hadn’t been exactly what she was looking for, but at least it seemed to help. And Kai did have a point. If they worked on things a bit at a time, it was sure to be less overwhelming. ”And there are three of us,” she reminded Flora. ”Together, we can tackle it, and we’ll get it figured out.”

Flora rose from her reclined position and led them to the kitchen. Soh followed along, grabbing an empty box as they went and setting it in the kitchen floor. Nearby, Tarak squawked, mock outraged, and chittered at Spice as she fluttered to Flora’s shoulder, clearly put out that he couldn’t play with his flames. Soh scooped him up, tickling beneath his chin, and his outrage turned from playful to real; he wriggled in her grin, screeching, until she released him with a shake of her head.

”Maybe pack the ice cream last, so it doesn’t melt,” Soh suggested with a grin. ”Otherwise the rest of the box is going to be very messy.” But wine, she could get on board with, and she pulled down a bottle of Flora’s favorite to tuck into the box. Then some glasses, which she wrapped with packing material to protect them from harm. And some plates, and bowls, and silverware - because Flora would need something to eat off of, surely.

When Flora’s expression shifted to something grateful and genuine, Soh smiled at her friend. ”Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said, softening as she reached out to give Flora a one-armed hug. Then, teasingly: ”Besides, you wouldn’t be you without just a touch of ridiculous. It’s what we love about you.”

—-

Soh grabs the wine, then some glasses, plates, bowls, and silverware.

Sohalia

// I'd take the fall—I got you covered when there's no one at all //

His lips turn to one side in a withheld laugh as she slips into his grip and stands. "I can't even imagine forgetting the sequined caftan." Which, is partly true, since it was one of the many attire options he'd been offered the first night here. "But, we gotchu. We'll get whatever it is, even if it's a hairpin," he reassures with a genuine smile, because he means it. He's already braced himself that it will be inevitable that she forgets something, he doesn't think it's possible not to with her dragon's hoard here.

He's pulled to the kitchen by her audible thoughts, a checklist of items that has him grinning as he leans against the counter and grabs one of the blueberry muffins laid out. He picks bits off it with a finger and thumb, either because he's not actually that hungry, or because it's the most fun way to eat it, hard to say. "I completely agree on the ice cream Spice," he regards the dragon with a look before popping another blueberry ball in his mouth. "But, agreed with Soh on leaving it for last. I think the tiny umbrellas have to stay though. Isn't the boat's kitchen like, half this size?" He arches an eyebrow, not certain Flora has completely come to terms with the idea of downsizing when the shadow of moving has taken up all her thoughts.

He pauses his chewing as she freezes and turns to them. "Wait, this is you being ridiculous?" He glances towards Soh, mocking shock, before his attention slips back on Flora with a broad grin. "Coulda fooled me, this feels pretty normal." He chuckles and flicks a crumb her way before moving to join the fray. Soh's working on essentials he agrees with, but he reaches for some of the pots, pans, and cutting tools she'd need for cooking. "You'll have to make do with less, wash the same thing more often." he holds up two different pots for her, an option for which one she'd prefer, because he won't allow both.

---

Kaisel says tiny umbrellas are not essential but cooking items are

Kaisel

// When you need somebody to turn to—Nobody got you the way I do //

i could be the reason you can't sleep at night

Flora’s chest swells with a warmth so fierce it almost outshines the late-morning sun filtering through the windows. She pulls Sohalia into a grateful squeeze, then turns to Kaisel with that fierce, mischievous grin he knows all too well as she feels a crumb strike her bare arm. "You’re both absolute saints," she breathes, brushing a stray curl from her face, before pulling a face at Kaisel.

"Alright—Soh, you’re on ice cream duty. Keep that cold box out of the sun until the very last second. And Kai, er.." She reaches for the gleaming copper skillet in his hand, turning it over in her fingers. "This one—yes. Perfect for morning omelettes when I’m too sea-sick to bother with anything fancier. And you," she winks at Sohalia, “"need to double the amount of wine glasses."

Spice flutters above her shoulder, a puff of frost marking each box they seal. Flora steps back, surveying the gentle chaos with proud exhaustion. "One room down, two to go—clothes and dragon-miscellaneous next." She leads the way down the hall, Spice flittering ahead to scout the landing. At the top of the stairs, she throws open her bedroom door to reveal a riot of colour and fabric: rows of hanging gowns, piles of once-loved tunics, and dresser drawers overflowing with embroidered scarves and bathing suits.

"Here’s where the real work begins," she says, sliding halfway into the closet and sweeping out a grand gesture of silk and sequins. "We’ll sort it into ‘Boat-Bound’ and ‘Bar-Forever.’" She yanks down the first glittering dress, eyeing it with mock solemnity, knowing she really ought to leave it behind, but tossing it into the 'take' pile anyway.

---

Round 3, clothes! Obviously Flora thinks gowns, scarves, and sunglasses take priority.

knowing I can't turn the rain into sun any more

Sohalia left Flora to obediently gather more wine glasses, sticking them into the box that she'd brought into the kitchen before retrieving the copper skillet from Kaisel to tuck into the very same box. With the kitchen sorted, she sealed the box and set it aside. She couldn't imagine making do on so little from the kitchen, but then, she wasn't going to live on a boat. Things were likely going to be very different for Flora for the time being, and her heart went out to her friend. Flora thrived on being the life of the party. How was she going to do that in exile from Haulani?

But this was not the time to express such concerns, or to shatter Flora's bravery in the face of such hardship. So Soh followed along, climbing the stairs behind Flora to consider her disaster of a room. Rows of hanging gowns, piles of clothing, and overflowing drawers greeted her. "Well, you'll definitely need some bathing suits on a boat," Soh reasoned, picking out a couple that she'd seen Flora wear before. "And you practically live in sundresses, so some of these..." And so she went from place to place around the room, selecting some of Flora's favorites to tuck into the boat-bound box.

Then she eyed the accessories. "Sunglasses, for sure. Even if you didn't love them, all that glare off the water and the sun... oh, do you have plenty of sunscreen?" she added, turning to regard her friend with a raised brow. It might not be clothes, but it would be helpful.

---

Soh suggests bathing suits, sundresses, and sunglasses. And sunscreen.

Sohalia

// I'd take the fall—I got you covered when there's no one at all //

'Dragon-miscellaneous,' he mouths silently behind them as they drift into the next room like unleashed birthday balloons, each bobbing in one direction or another. Kaisel lingers near the closet door, as if anxious to get closer and be swallowed by the sheer scale of Flora's wardrobe. The layers of fabric and multitudes of styles are an overwhelming concept for the otherwise simple Dragoon who could make do with the same two outfits for life. Sohalia busies herself with an expert eye on the endless options to decide between, but Kaisel watches Flora for a moment. Her longing is briefly visible as she weighs a glittering dress in her hands, deciding its fate. Her fingers clutch the shimmering cloth, as if she can hold this place in time if she grips tightly enough; keep the life she's built from rearranging beneath her feet while she's still catching her breath from the last stumble. But like the tide, time is relentless, tugging the seconds from her gold-adorned fingers with all the force of the sea. No matter how strong her grip, she can't hold this. He can't bear to watch. None of them can do a damn thing about it. So he finally dares to plunge into the hallway of hangers to do what little he can for her today.

Soh seems to have the boat-bound under control, so he reaches for all the excessively shiny articles of clothes he could find. "You could create the first mobile bar," he reasons as he pulls down a sequined array of threads. "Caftan?" he asks, holding it up to honor his earlier promise not to leave it behind. "Start a whole yacht business—or maybe a cruise line," e adds, yanking free various gowns and tiny, tight shirts. He flips them over in his hands, brow furrowing deeper with each one. None of the holes match anything he recognizes as a top. One seems like it has to be entirely tied on and wrapped around to make it take shape? The more complicated they look, the more certain he is Flora will want them and tosses them into the 'take' box. "Maritime Mistakes," he suggests as he sorts, "Or Saltwater Sin."

---

Kaisel grabs all the shiny and weird clothes for the bar-forever box and recommends she start a floating bar

Kaisel

// When you need somebody to turn to—Nobody got you the way I do //

i could be the reason you can't sleep at night

Flora’s laugh drifts over the riot of fabrics as she watches Sohalia lay out bathing suits like battle plans. "If I’m going to be marooned, at least the view from the deck should be spectacular," she agrees, helping her friend gather a rainbow of bikinis and a half-dozen sundresses. She tosses a floppy-brimmed hat in after them. "Sunscreen—top drawer, left side. Grab every bottle you find. I refuse to blister for fashion."

Kaisel’s suggestion of a floating bar earns him a bright roll of her eyes. "Or what about 'High Seas & Higher Heels.’ ?" She plucks the sequined caftan from his hands, drapes it over her shoulders, and gives an exaggerated twirl that sets glitter flaring across the room. "But yes, the caftan stays. And if my patrons pay extra, I’ll do a wind-machine moment at sunset." She shoulders past him into the depths of the wardrobe and returns with an armful of clothes that are all sparkle and impossible straps. "If even you can’t tell which end is up, into the ‘Bar-Forever’ pile they go—I do need to leave something fabulous for Torchline to remember me by."

When she reaches the back of the closet her fingers still. A well-worn linen shirt and a dark charcoal coat—both too broad in the shoulder to belong to her—lurk beneath the silks. The fine salt-stiff creases smell of teak oil and cigarette smoke. Carefully, Flora folds the shirt, smoothing the collar as if it might bite. "These… aren’t boat-bound,”" she murmurs, voice steady though her throat works around the words. She slips the coat inside the folded bundle and turns, lifting her chin just enough to keep the shimmer in her eyes from spilling. "Would one of you run these back to The Ark next time she docks? It's... I mean, I'm not super welcome around there anymore."

Flora exhales, straightening. "All righty...Once these boxes are sealed, let's do a sweep. Water every plant, empty the fridge except what’s boxed, and double-check windows and locks. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, and I’d rather not return to jungle vines and rotting fruit."

She tips her head, curls brushing her shoulders. "Could one of you stop by once a week? just to check on things? This house is the one Enzo and I picked together and I just...I mean, I don't want to lose it, too." A crooked smile replaces the sadness, softer around the edges. "I’ll owe you both endless cocktails for your assistance, tiny cocktail umbrellas absolutely included."

---

Last round! Lets make sure all the perishables are out of the fridge and that all plant are watered! And if someone wants to bother Jack for a thread, they can return the clothes he's left at Flora's.

// I'd take the fall—I got you covered when there's no one at all //

"Too long," he critiques as she confirms he is indeed holding the caftan and swipes it for the 'take' box. She undoes some of his work and flings the confusing clothes back into the closet—guess the boat has enough ropes that she doesn't need to work on tying down her clothing. Kaisel's trying to rearrange some of the box after sections are tossed back, but stills to look up when he hears her voice. It lacks its usual teasing bite or cheerful tenor, and though she's put on a bright face, he seems that the clothes folded in her arms have dimmed her. He bites back a frown, resist the urge to wrap her into a hug and press the broken parts of her further apart. Instead he reaches out a hand for it, "Yeah, I got it." One more worry off her shoulders. One less time to see the man that shattered her. He can do that.

He puts the stash for Jack to the side while he finishes closing up some of her boat-bound boxes. He makes sure to grab Mr. Bumble from her bead and tosses him in too, smiling at the plush as he does. At her next request he nods, and in true soldier fashion takes the role of securing the place behind them seriously. "You guys head downstairs for the food, I'll take these down and sweep the doors and windows up here, I'll water the plants as I go." He shoves a few boxes together into a pile and after dusting off his hands works the room from one end to another. He rattles each window after he secures the lock, just to make sure. The nearby watering can accompanies him, and each plant is given a good dousing before he moves on to another room.

---

Kaisel checks the doors, windows, and waters the plants. He'll take the stuff back to Jack.

Kaisel

// When you need somebody to turn to—Nobody got you the way I do //