She watches the lazy plume of steam rise from her cup and fade in the cool, cool air. Florentine wonders what it would be to disappear in such a manner, to fade into nothingness – become something other. It makes the traveller girl ache for her powers, her dagger, so still, so silent was mostly forgotten nowadays. Too often it has become just a weight about her neck, an ornament at her breast.
Isorath counsels her. His words are wise and so full of merit and, as he bathes her in such wisdom, the words fall off the flower girl like sloughing water. Her eyes stray beyond the balcony, following the hummingbird as it wings its way into the distance. Trees reach up with their branches like crowns and the bird soars above their straining boughs. It carries the Dusk girl’s soul upon its beating wings. She returns to Isorath’s company only in time to hear him acknowledge the weight of her crown.
Desire, hot and scolding and so frivolous, rises bright and blazing within her. Oh what would it be to toss down her crown, throw herself from the balcony and chase the bird into nothingness! If she could not cut her way out from this world then maybe she could fly away? Fly until she found her magic, fly until all was left behind. Her heart strains as Isorath continues and, is it coincidence or fate, that he asks after her relationship with Reichenbach when her heart aches so?
Florentine’s eyes find his, glimmering beneath his snow-white lashes. “Do you ask how things are with him for the kingdom’s sake or out of personal curiosity?” The flower girl asks softly, her eyes falling from the beautiful boy to the hot cups before them. She is quiet a moment, contemplative before she asks another question as her mind still lingers in Denocte with her star-hewn lover. “Do you wish to leave Terrastella for Denocte?” Her gaze lifts to Isorath’s and this time it does not sway. Not to the clouds that call her, or the tea that still tastes bitter and sweet upon her tongue.
The queen wonders what his answer will be. Her court was a quiet, sleeping thing with empty spaces and she has in mind a place for him, should he choose to stay. Yet this boy’s love of Denocte is one she knows, one Flora feels deep within her chest and she put her court first. Florentine would not blame him to do otherwise – she knows what it is to love another with a restless heart.
You may just find your wings after all. Her head tilts at his words, her gaze heavy and steady as she regards him. “Do you doubt I will?” Flora asks quietly, her feelings veiled behind those soft, soft words. There is something about the dusk girl that becomes hard lines and angles, even as she lies with her soft curves upon the plush cushion.
“You are right. I do intend to build up the court. It is too quiet now, I shall be looking to see who remains loyal to Dusk. It is time the court ascends.”
@Isorath - sorry for the wait!
★ She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future ★
