06-29-2023, 04:21 PM
Rena’s emotions were fragile and sour-tasting, primed with a deep-rooted pain Esper could not decide whether she favoured or not. There was a questing shyness to the girl that Esper thought she might easily crush by accident, and yet she had a soft spot for those straddling two worlds. The compliment made her laugh, not unkindly. But she only really had eyes for Roza.
The name bestowed plucked a knowing smile to her lips, shared like a secret, because she knew well enough why Roza had picked it. She gave a graceful bow of acceptance, as courtly as a knight, holding Roza’s gaze the entire time. “Camellia,” she named in return. The bright and beautiful queen of the winter flowers, currently painted in pink and red miniature up the curve of Esper’s cheeks. Meanwhile Cruz demonstrated his knowledge of what narcissus was, and Esper barely heard. Though the spell broke its hold a moment later.
Cruz must think it was his birthday, which amused Esper greatly. In her own experience, you did not find a place for yourself, you made it. Rena was as tentative as a lamb amongst wolves. She didn’t need to be given the choice. She needed the claiming. Esper obliged. “Of course she’s coming with us.” With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she reached for Rena’s hand and slipped it into the palm Cruz had laid open in expectation of her own. A sly, sultry wink followed.
She didn’t take Roza’s hand either, but did move to slip her arm about her waist. She was peripherally aware that Renáta was still watching them. “To our favourite place,” she said, to the query of where he ought to take them. Which was to say, Cruz should rise to the challenge of surprising them. No pressure. Her smile laid down the gauntlet.
The name bestowed plucked a knowing smile to her lips, shared like a secret, because she knew well enough why Roza had picked it. She gave a graceful bow of acceptance, as courtly as a knight, holding Roza’s gaze the entire time. “Camellia,” she named in return. The bright and beautiful queen of the winter flowers, currently painted in pink and red miniature up the curve of Esper’s cheeks. Meanwhile Cruz demonstrated his knowledge of what narcissus was, and Esper barely heard. Though the spell broke its hold a moment later.
Cruz must think it was his birthday, which amused Esper greatly. In her own experience, you did not find a place for yourself, you made it. Rena was as tentative as a lamb amongst wolves. She didn’t need to be given the choice. She needed the claiming. Esper obliged. “Of course she’s coming with us.” With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she reached for Rena’s hand and slipped it into the palm Cruz had laid open in expectation of her own. A sly, sultry wink followed.
She didn’t take Roza’s hand either, but did move to slip her arm about her waist. She was peripherally aware that Renáta was still watching them. “To our favourite place,” she said, to the query of where he ought to take them. Which was to say, Cruz should rise to the challenge of surprising them. No pressure. Her smile laid down the gauntlet.