[PQ] [rq] you're gonna go far

Jude

it’s tough to be a dreamer when they don’t come true
Feels like your blossoming is overdue

It's a belated compliment from Sohalia he doesn't expect, and he clears his throat awkwardly beneath a smile that comes off pleased against his will. "Who am I to say my adoring fans are wrong?" It's easier to be playful with her these days, sarcastic and teasing in ways he'd only ever felt comfortable displaying with Sohalia and Noe. And...well, Koa.

Nudging her back with a laugh, Jude wrinkles his nose at her sideways and plops another rock a little too close to her toes in payback. "I'd say we can seal the deal. Friends, for sure." And if it fills a sad hollow spot in his chest at least she can't see it and take back her judgment immediately.

Frowning, Jude shakes his head in a terse motion that has his curls bobbing. "No. I last saw Koa at Molly's," and he realizes that may be way too much information and soldiers on overly fast, "but I was uh. Kinda tipsy. And Sohalia and I had gotten into a huge fight post-breakup, so..." One slim shoulder shrugs awkwardly. "Ronin told me I should write her a letter though." Not that he expects it will be answered, leaving him with sum nada in terms of information to give Flora.

- - -

Keeps on keepin' on!

Well there ain’t no use in crying, darling
Or so they say

karma's a relaxing thought, aren't you envious that for you it's not?

With two rocks held up against his chest like a new pair of tits he's taking for a test drive, one of Torchline's more notorious thieves eyes Jack with appropriate wariness as he (literally) storms back down the rise. "Err—" He bleets helpfully, swallowing, while quickly weighing his options. "Ain't no harm meant Jack. Just thought they were rocks and.." Laughing nervously, he drops one back onto the sand. "..y'know, who gives a fuck 'bout rocks, right?"

Gasping theatrically, Flora leaps out of the way of the dropped stone as if it had been a boulder in Jude 's hand instead. Too busy laughing at her own drama to notice any signs that perhaps this throwaway comment of them being friends illuminates something in her near-cousin he'd rather have left dark, it's with a bright smile that the Doubletake acknowledges their new status as friends with a stern nod of her head.

"Huh..." Frowning, the mirth washes from Flora's features as she tries to remember when last she saw the soldier. "Yeah he wrote me a letter, like, right after I became queen saying we should hang out, and then..." Well, and then nada. "I figured I hadn't heard from either of them because of, you know, the fuckery going on."

But maybe it wasn't that at all?

"Should we be worried do you think?"

---

Round 5! Over halfway! Maybe one day we'll be done!