10-03-2019, 12:45 PM
Whatever reaction he might have expected, the flush of Nox’s cheeks had not been among the possibilities. Raffe stared a little fascinated at the response, grin undiminished for the accusatory reposte. Certainly no denial followed, just a genuine laugh, warm for the squeeze of his leg. Another warning he wasn’t sure he heeded.
He didn’t know who Ivan was, but he didn’t envy the task described. As indistinct images formed from the words, he shuddered, mirth sinking to something both disturbed and concerned. Nothing held back from the openness of his expression; he wasn’t sure he could conceal himself even if he wished it, and he rarely thought to hide the truth of himself. One of them? He knew too little about the world Nox hinted at. Kallisti might straddle the cusp, welcoming the abnormal -- revelling in it. But there was much he didn’t know. The hint of it now roiled in his stomach, like his relief at Nox’s survival might be revealed premature.
“Like Kasun dangerous?” he asked. No fear marred the question, but no lack of concern either. He’d rather be prepared than ignorant, though it didn’t stop his distracted glance down at the pot in his hands when Nox pointed it out. A frown pursed his lips, but it was really too late to hide it. A crooked smile replaced the consternation of a spoiled surprise, and he shrugged his shoulders boyishly. “She’ll need more than a walk to perk her up,” he said, as though it hadn’t been a joke. “She was going to be a surprise. Once she was feeling better, anyway.” He lifted a finger to brush one of the stubs poking from the still water, then realised it was unlikely Nox had any idea what he was looking at without the bloom. Maybe not even then, if he didn’t know much about plants. This time it was Raffe’s cheeks that begun to heat. “It’s a lotus,” he said quickly. “An Egyptian flower.”
He didn’t know who Ivan was, but he didn’t envy the task described. As indistinct images formed from the words, he shuddered, mirth sinking to something both disturbed and concerned. Nothing held back from the openness of his expression; he wasn’t sure he could conceal himself even if he wished it, and he rarely thought to hide the truth of himself. One of them? He knew too little about the world Nox hinted at. Kallisti might straddle the cusp, welcoming the abnormal -- revelling in it. But there was much he didn’t know. The hint of it now roiled in his stomach, like his relief at Nox’s survival might be revealed premature.
“Like Kasun dangerous?” he asked. No fear marred the question, but no lack of concern either. He’d rather be prepared than ignorant, though it didn’t stop his distracted glance down at the pot in his hands when Nox pointed it out. A frown pursed his lips, but it was really too late to hide it. A crooked smile replaced the consternation of a spoiled surprise, and he shrugged his shoulders boyishly. “She’ll need more than a walk to perk her up,” he said, as though it hadn’t been a joke. “She was going to be a surprise. Once she was feeling better, anyway.” He lifted a finger to brush one of the stubs poking from the still water, then realised it was unlikely Nox had any idea what he was looking at without the bloom. Maybe not even then, if he didn’t know much about plants. This time it was Raffe’s cheeks that begun to heat. “It’s a lotus,” he said quickly. “An Egyptian flower.”