5 hours ago
Daphne watched Araminta retreat into the tide of guests, her smile already reabsorbed by the warmth and music that coated the room like candlewax. The scent of citrus and champagne lingered faintly in her wake, but Daphne tasted only copper at the back of her tongue.
Daphne wasn’t sure she could speak for Eve, but she agreed to meet Araminta the next day.
As soon as Araminta moved out of range, Daphne pivoted, her heels whispering against the concrete floor. She stepped in closer to Eve, her voice dropping low, the way one might speak before setting fire to a letter they weren’t supposed to read.
“I promised my mother I’d be on a plane before morning. She says the borders are going to close at six.” Her words came fast, too fast for her usual rhythm as if she were already calculating the breach of it in her mind.
Her look was one of pleading for Eve. The only person here who would understand the implications of what she was about to ask.
“Do you think your father could get us a jet if we stay?”
Daphne wasn’t sure she could speak for Eve, but she agreed to meet Araminta the next day.
As soon as Araminta moved out of range, Daphne pivoted, her heels whispering against the concrete floor. She stepped in closer to Eve, her voice dropping low, the way one might speak before setting fire to a letter they weren’t supposed to read.
“I promised my mother I’d be on a plane before morning. She says the borders are going to close at six.” Her words came fast, too fast for her usual rhythm as if she were already calculating the breach of it in her mind.
Her look was one of pleading for Eve. The only person here who would understand the implications of what she was about to ask.
“Do you think your father could get us a jet if we stay?”
![[Image: Daphne-sig-updated.jpg]](https://thefirstage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Daphne-sig-updated.jpg)