Rhea's eyes widened and she pushed past Leriph, heading towards the man. "Oh my god, Leriph!"

The drunk guy wheeled backwards and collapsed on the floor, splayed against the carpet. Rhea knelt next to him, reaching down and probing his head for any sort of bumps or bruises. "Leriph, you can't do that!"

“I think so too,” Pari agreed. “He all but confirmed that he’s been doing stuff like that for years. And we all know how shady Sangria is.”
“Hmmm,” Saskia squinted thoughtfully. “Well, I suppose we should just be glad he’s on our side.”
“For now. I don’t think Roo has any sort of leash on him.” Pari shook her head. “He’s a time bomb.”

Pari's closet was a mess, and the seamstress - a wizened woman with more wrinkles than she had hair - stood resolutely as the princess stalked around the room, tearing the silken fabric she'd been draped in off of her shoulders, letting it trail after her stomping feet like slime off a snail. "I have told you again and again, Cher Ghul, that I need this gown to be made of Kalyharan cashmere." she scowled, snatching her robe off of a nearby stand and slipping her arms into the sleeves. "You made me a gown with mulberry silk. It's not that complicated and somehow you fucked it up. What the hell am I supposed to wear to dinner tonight? We're meeting the Kalyharan Council and I'm not showing up in a dress made from a directly competing material!"
"Princess, I think you're... perhaps it's not so bad..." a nearby maid offered weakly and Pari spun on her, face flashing white with fury. "Are you suggesting that I don't know how to do my own job?" she seethed, stalking towards the offending woman. "I'm sorry, are you the one who's going to be sitting in front of a panel of the most important people in the country? Are you the one they're going to be dissecting?"
"I'm sorry," the maid breathed, "I apologize--"
"I don't need or want your apology, I want you to fix this!" she shrieked at them, pointing one trembling finger at the cast-off gown. "Dinner is in three fucking hours and I have nothing to wear. Fix this or I will make sure that no one in this room gets a job on this continent ever again."

"I will not be threatened, Princess." Cher Ghul retorted. She folded her hands together, watching Parisa disapprovingly. "This behavior is unbecoming."
Pari turned to stare at her, a sheen of disbelief in her gaze. "Unbecoming? Unbecoming?"
Who was this demented old bitch to tell her that she was being unbecoming? Who cared if she'd been the one to embroider Tasia's swaddle or craft the late queen's wedding gown?

peach — 07/16/2021 2:14 AM
She was past her prime and clearly, clearly, her legendary skill with shears and cloth and needles had been well over-exaggerated.
Fifteen Kalyharan ministers, captains, and secretaries were arriving at the palace in two hours and fifty-five minutes and she had nothing to wear to show off her expertise in their affairs. Three of those Kalyharan diplomats had talked down to her at their previous engagement; she wouldn't be humiliated like that again. At least, she didn't plan on it, but Cher Ghul's utter fucking incompetence threatened to topple her plans like a stack of neatly-laid dominoes. She was supposed to bowl them over - she was supposed to have had it in the bag - and so much of it relied on a goddamn dress that hadn't been made.
"Get out." she snarled, and her voice wavered, and that made her even angrier. A veritable tsunami of boiling, roiling fury seemed to spark against her chest, constricting her throat, dotting her forehead with unbecoming sweat. Two hours and fifty-two minutes, and she was a damn mess. "GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"

The maid had not needed to be told twice; she'd turned tail at Pari's first order. Cher Ghul cast an unimpressed look in her direction before slowly turning around, easing her way out of the room in a geriatric waddle. Pari clenched her hands into fists so that she wouldn't throw something at her. "FIX THE DRESS, GHUL!" she hollered, but the seamstress gave no indication that she'd heard.
A scream bubbled in the pit of her stomach but she swallowed it back down, instead giving the mulberry gown a good kick before stalking into her closet. Fucking stylists couldn't do anything right - what was their family paying them for? And speaking of incompetence and her family - Kyros. This was all. His. Fault. He wasn't even here - he wasn't even going to be at dinner to suffer with her. Not that it would have mattered at all, because Sol was around and she was all he really needed. (edited)
[2:18 AM]
Pari ripped through her outfits with violent gusto, tearing them off the hangers and tossing them to the floor behind her. It was a futile task and didn't help in the slightest, and rather than relieving her frustration, it only made that lead ball grow heavier and heavier and heavier. There was nothing here for her to wear. The diplomats were coming in two hours and forty-three minutes. Kyros was occupied, Tasia was counting on her, her parents were absent as ever, Lucifer was no help and Fizara's very existence only made everything worse. She was an island, and she was sinking, and everyone around her seemed to be waiting with giddy anticipation for it to happen. Her hands shook as she stifled something that rose alongside the scream, but she swallowed that down too. There was already an ocean around her; no need to endow its waters. (edited)

plum — 07/16/2021 2:27 AM
"Parisa?" Feofil called tentatively from the other side of the door, punctuating his inquiry with a quiet rap on the door. He'd witnessed the banishment of the staff on his way over to check on her before dinner, and steeled himself for the volcanic response that was sure to greet him.

peach — 07/16/2021 2:29 AM
"Go away, Feofil, I don't have time for whatever problem you've gotten yourself into." she barked, her voice muffled by its thick wood.

plum — 07/16/2021 2:30 AM
"Even if that problem is solving your problem?" He returned, eyebrows raised in anticipation.

peach — 07/16/2021 2:32 AM
"You think you can solve my problems?" she laughed, the sound sharp and unfriendly. "Sorry Feo, I'm not looking for extracurricular advice or what to get Vera for her birthday." (edited)

plum — 07/16/2021 2:35 AM
He sighed, rolling his eyes, and called "I hope you're decent," as a courtesy before pushing the door open.

peach — 07/16/2021 2:36 AM
She was, luckily, decent enough; her robe was full and black. So was her expression. "Get out." she said venomously.

plum — 07/16/2021 2:39 AM
"You know you can't threaten me," he reminded her. "Tell me about Cher Ghul."

peach — 07/16/2021 2:40 AM
"She's a fucking nuisance and halfway to a hospice." Pari muttered, casting a look of utter and entirely-undeserved loathing towards a red ensemble that was really quite pretty. She tossed it over her shoulder and continued down the line. "I honestly don't know how that old bitch hasn't croaked."

plum — 07/16/2021 2:42 AM
"What happened with the dress?" He wondered.

peach — 07/16/2021 2:44 AM
She finally turned on him, hands planted on her hips, cruel and contemptuous all at once. "Oh my god, are you going to sit here and nag me for a play-by-play? Please, dude, I have enough on my plate without having to spoon-feed you information on top of everything else."

plum — 07/16/2021 2:50 AM
"I am literally in your corner right now," he said, calm expression unfaltering. "And if you let me help you, I will. Honestly, if you don't, I will anyway."

peach — 07/16/2021 2:51 AM
"What the hell could you help me with?"

plum — 07/16/2021 2:52 AM
"Pretty much anything if you tell me what's up."

peach — 07/16/2021 2:54 AM
"Nothing's up." she snapped, but it seemed that her resolve had weakened, if only slightly. "Everything is wrong, actually. I've got to deal with the Kalyharans and I can't wear that."

plum — 07/16/2021 2:57 AM
"What's wrong with it?" he dared to approach the mess that littered the floor surrounding the closet.

peach — 07/16/2021 2:58 AM
She looked at him like it should be obvious, uttering a groan of exasperation with just a hint of impatience. "Oh my god, Feo, seriously?!" (edited)

plum — 07/16/2021 3:01 AM
He patiently looked her in the eye.

peach — 07/16/2021 3:02 AM
"It's mulberry silk! Do you know where the mulberry silk is from?" she seethed. "Taiwan. Guess who's an ally to the Harahan?"

plum — 07/16/2021 3:04 AM
"Taiwan," he replied almost in unison with her petulant proclamation. "Right. That doesn't mean the night has to be ruined."

peach — 07/16/2021 3:05 AM
"I don't have anything to wear!" Pari cried, glancing at the clock and turning a ghostly shade of white. "Damn it. Dinner's in two hours and thirty minutes."

plum — 07/16/2021 3:06 AM
"Okay, hold on," he put his hands up to catch her attention again. "You know who's gonna come through for you right now? Me. Will you give me two seconds to do that?"

peach — 07/16/2021 3:07 AM
She stared at him, her cheeks flushed with anger, her expression white with panic, and a strange sheen in her eyes that he'd never seen before. And then - her voice - full of defeat. "Fine."

plum — 07/16/2021 3:12 AM
"Work with me here. Do you still have that gown you wore to that Atherdalian industry celebration or whatever that big bash was? The one that's 100% all-Atherdalian?"

peach — 07/16/2021 3:12 AM
"... somewhere in here, I think." she gestured vaguely to the rows and rows of dresses hung out behind her.

plum — 07/16/2021 3:15 AM
"So get someone to find that, and I'll meet you back here in five minutes tops. Okay? Tops." He promised. (edited)

peach — 07/16/2021 3:15 AM
"Wait - where are you going? What are you doing?" she asked, a hint of her old fire returning. "... I'm so not in the mood for surprises."

plum — 07/16/2021 3:21 AM
"I'm gonna steal something real quick. You'd draw too much attention, so don't worry about it." He was already on his way out the door. "I'll be right back!"

peach — 07/16/2021 3:22 AM
She watched him go, somewhat frustrated by the lack of transparency and somewhat intrigued. Either way, she was too tired to care about it at all. Instead of summoning a maid, she picked herself up and trooped over to the back end of the closet, where the dress would be. It was one of Sparrow's favorites, so she'd have kept it preserved in her special corner for the prettiest Pari outfits.

plum — 07/16/2021 3:28 AM
Feo was back quickly as he promised, with an unassuming, flat box tucked under his arm and a wary glance about his face. Once the door to her chambers was securely closed, however, he held the box up with a smug sense of glee.

peach — 07/16/2021 3:29 AM
She was leaning against the wall, scrutinizing the dress he'd made her retrieve. "What's that?"

plum — 07/16/2021 3:33 AM
"The jackpot." He offered her the box-- on it was an elegant name, embossed in golden letters. An up-and-coming Kalyharan designer, he assumed she'd know.

peach — 07/16/2021 3:37 AM
"Adiah al'Azur?" her brow furrowed as she gingerly took the box from his hands, gaze flickering between his face and the glittering calligraphy. Where had he gotten this? al'Azur's collection was ferociously limited; each piece went for hundreds of thousands. Getting access to her stuff would have been as easy as ordering pizza, sure, but not on such short notice. "What--?"

plum — 07/16/2021 3:44 AM
Feo's eyes almost glimmered with satisfaction. Sparrow wasn't the only resourceful one around here. "Kyros dragged me into helping him birthday shop for Sol," he explained, "But that's still two months away. Wear this tonight, rep Atherdale, rep Kalyhara, and tell Kyros to suck it up and buy something else later."

peach — 07/16/2021 3:48 AM
She stared at him, the migraine burning in the back of her brain fluttering out like a dying candle. With this, she could... stick it to Kalyhara, she could stick it to Kyros, she could salvage the stupid dinner. And it was because of... Feofil?
Shock was too small of a word to describe the tide of disquiet that rolled through her now. "Thank... you. Jesus, Feo. Thanks."

plum — 07/16/2021 3:49 AM
"See?" He tilted his head. "I got you."

peach — 07/16/2021 3:51 AM
She opened the box to draw out a shawl that fell with the characteristic faint shuffle of rich Kalyharan cotton. It was embroidered with what looked to be an entire scene of the kingdom. "Kyros is going to blow his top. This is perfect."

plum — 07/16/2021 3:57 AM
"He deserves it after those harrowing three hours he had me staring at jewelry and whatever else." Feo agreed.

peach — 07/16/2021 3:59 AM
Strangely enough, Pari didn't laugh. She seemed to enamored by the shawl, which she draped around her shoulders. It sat right on top of her curtain of hair, leaving it billowing around her face, her gown fanning out and her eyes bright against the dark cloth. She glanced at a nearby mirror and then back to Feo. "How do I look?"

plum — 07/16/2021 4:00 AM
"Stunning." He replied simply, in earnest.

peach — 07/16/2021 4:03 AM
A smile, however faint, found its way to her lips - like the sun breaking over a storm. She glanced at him again and realized that it wasn't the shawl that was special. It was beautiful, sure. The craftsmanship was exquisite; unmatched. But so was Feofil. "Good. I hope I blow those old geezers out of the water."

1

plum — 07/16/2021 4:08 AM
"Hey," he pressed gently after a moment of them basking in their glory. "Be honest. Was it all really about the dress?" (edited)

peach — 07/16/2021 4:09 AM
Her smile faded and she looked away, brow dropping once more. "I've just got a lot on my plate. Once it's over, I'll be fine."

plum — 07/16/2021 4:13 AM
"Well, until then..." he leaned back against the wall, settling in. "You want to talk about it?"

peach — 07/16/2021 4:14 AM
"Two hours and twenty minutes." she warned him. "... but I could complain for days. You've already done your time."

plum — 07/16/2021 4:18 AM
"You can talk while you get ready, can't you? It's kind of the whole reason I came up here, you know."

peach — 07/16/2021 4:23 AM
"Sparrow didn't send you?" she said half-jokingly, heading towards the vanity with the knowledge that he would follow.
Sparrow had borne some of her anger earlier that night. She'd probably sent Feo a text to have a quick peek to make sure the princess wasn't about to explode.

plum — 07/16/2021 4:26 AM
"She did not," he confirmed. No more than she usually did, anyway, always worried about Pari when she wasn't around. "I noticed you've been stressed and I know your usual confidantes are gone." (edited)

peach — 07/16/2021 4:31 AM
She snorted, taking a seat and beginning to pin up her hair. "What's up Feo, are you stalking me?"

plum — 07/16/2021 4:31 AM
"It's called being your friend, dumbass."

peach — 07/16/2021 4:33 AM
Pari's reflection grinned at him. "Wow, someone's feeling spicy today."

plum — 07/16/2021 4:35 AM
"And you're feeling better." He mused. "I'm glad, though."

peach — 07/16/2021 4:39 AM
Her smile faded a little at the thought of everything to come. "Yeah. I am."

This was one of those moments - the ones that Mirza was always going on and on about. A branch. A pathway. He believed that every choice built a different path, that every tiny diversion from a pattern yielded an entire universe full of lost possibilities. Pari didn't know if she cared enough to contemplate the idea - she was someone who lived by the choices she made. There would be no looking backs. Regrets were for smaller people than her. But she could acknowledge that those pivotal points existed, and she could recognize when she was smack dab in the middle of one.

After a long moment of silence - always comfortable, with Feo - she admitted quietly, "You... looked out for me. People don't usually do that."

plum — 07/16/2021 4:42 AM
"Well, yeah. You're my friend," he reminded her. "And you can't always be the one in charge of crisis management, not when it's your own crisis."

peach — 07/16/2021 12:37 PM
"I'm not in a crisis, no need to be dramatic." she said, but it was without her usual bite. "It's just... a busy season. I just need some time to wind down. I'll get it when we're done."

plum — 07/16/2021 12:38 PM
"Done with... what?" He wondered, thinking to himself that he'd never seen a non-busy season in Pari's entire life.

peach — 07/16/2021 12:40 PM
"These last few weeks of galas, dinners, tea, all of that." she said, dabbing a dusty pink color on her lips. "It just sucks because Kyros hasn't been carrying his half of the load. He's got his hands full of Mojisola."

plum — 07/16/2021 2:21 PM
"Yeah, I've noticed..." he muttered. "Have you mentioned it to him at all? If he'd hear anyone out, it would be you." (edited)

peach — 07/16/2021 2:32 PM
"When is there any time?" she said, touching up her lashes with a long mascara brush. "If he's around, he's busy. He doesn't answer his phone. No point. I'll just do the work; someone has to."

plum — 07/16/2021 2:43 PM
"You can say no, you know. If it's his responsibility, then..."

peach — 07/16/2021 2:52 PM
"It's not something I just push off onto someone else. The work has to be done. If it isn't, that gets reflected onto my family. So sure, it's his responsibility, but it's also my ass on the line." she pressed a tissue against her lips, dabbing the excess color away. "It's not terrible. Just social events, which I'm good at. I can handle myself. It's just that there's too much overlap. I haven't had a break in two weeks." (edited)
July 17, 2021

plum — 07/17/2021 1:34 AM
"It's still messed up," he concluded. "If I could do anything about it, I would."

peach — 07/17/2021 1:35 AM
She glanced back at him with a faint shrug. "Well, the shawl was enough."

plum — 07/17/2021 1:41 AM
"I'm a good listener, too," he tried. "Good to vent to, maybe? Let off some steam?"

peach — 07/17/2021 1:45 AM
"You never have things to vent about, though." she noted, squinting at herself in the mirror. "... well, no, you just go to Sparrow." (edited)

plum — 07/17/2021 1:52 AM
"Not even, really. It's not my fault I have a pretty chill life," he countered. "But it's what makes me, y'know. Reliable."

peach — 07/17/2021 1:53 AM
"Till all that bottled irritation comes pouring out."

plum — 07/17/2021 1:55 AM
"Yeah, that's my tactic. Save it for when I need to Hulk out and clock a rich kid in the face."

peach — 07/17/2021 1:57 AM
"I guess that's definitely one way of dealing with it." she turned to look at him. "Too much eyeliner?"

plum — 07/17/2021 2:01 AM
"No, it looks good." He confirmed. "I still do think you should let Kyros catch some flack for not pulling his weight sometime. He can't expect to be able to drop his work and have someone else magically pick up the slack, ride-or-die cousin or not."

peach — 07/17/2021 2:05 AM
"Oh, don't worry, I'm gonna kick his ass when I get a chance." she assured him, spritzing some bottles in the air. "Ride-or-die should go both ways. Which perfume do you like?"

plum — 07/17/2021 2:10 AM
He leaned forward and took a moment to process each scent. "Mm. Pink bottle," he gestured.

peach — 07/17/2021 2:13 AM
"Gardenia," she said approvingly. "My favorite too. I hope it makes someone choke."

plum — 07/17/2021 2:17 AM
"How long is this thing supposed to go for?"

peach — 07/17/2021 2:18 AM
"God, I don't know. Hopefully it ends whenever Tasia leaves, and she leaves midnight at the latest." she rolled her eyes. "She's lucky, she can just have Simona pull her out for 'a meeting'."

plum — 07/17/2021 2:19 AM
"Hey, you need an out? I can make a well-placed phone call."

peach — 07/17/2021 2:22 AM
"Nice try, but I'm on the hook till their general leaves." she said with a wry smile.

plum — 07/17/2021 2:22 AM
"Maybe I oughta call the general then," he cracked a grin.

peach — 07/17/2021 2:23 AM
She rolled her eyes in amusement. "The man's totally stoic. I'd love to see you face him down."

plum — 07/17/2021 2:30 AM
"Hey, I'm scrappy, I could do it."

peach — 07/17/2021 2:31 AM
"I'm sure." she glanced at her watch. "Learned from Sergei?" (edited)

plum — 07/17/2021 2:36 AM
"Well, when you grow up around some of the most important people in the world and nine Russian uncles built like tanks, you kind of lose the ability to be intimidated."

peach — 07/17/2021 2:37 AM
"When are you gonna tank up?"

plum — 07/17/2021 2:41 AM
He smiled and reminded her with a note of misfortune in his voice, "No blood relation. Best I can hope is to eke out a few more inches maybe."

peach — 07/17/2021 2:42 AM
"Rats. I need a bodyguard when I'm older. Figured I'd tap into your talent, but I'll have to go with a rando."

plum — 07/17/2021 2:48 AM
"Sounds good. I'll just stick around and be, uh... the Palace librarian or something."

peach — 07/17/2021 2:49 AM
"I feel like you'd just nap on the job." Pari accused.

plum — 07/17/2021 2:51 AM
"It's part of the fun! Scavenger hunt, find the librarian."

peach — 07/17/2021 2:53 AM
"Fine, fine, I'll put in a good word for you." she said, rising from the vanity and traipsing back over to the closet. "You don't need a blood relation to get jacked, if that's what you want, you know. You can try. It's just eating a lot of carbs and protein and doing the right exercises. I can show you, if you want to come work out sometime."

plum — 07/17/2021 2:55 AM
"What, now you're going to get built like a tank?"

peach — 07/17/2021 2:56 AM
"God, no." she snorted, "But you think I look like this because I got lucky? I know what I'm doing."

plum — 07/17/2021 3:03 AM
"To be fair, though... your parents are also ridiculously gorgeous. I'm sure you put in the work but you also did basically win the genetic lottery."

peach — 07/17/2021 3:21 AM
"Do you have a crush on my parents, Feo?"

plum — 07/17/2021 3:22 AM
"Feels like the whole kingdom does sometimes."

peach — 07/17/2021 3:22 AM
"You're really good at non-answers." she smirked.

plum — 07/17/2021 3:45 AM
"What am I supposed to say? Lie and say they're ugly? Like most people I have eyes."

peach — 07/17/2021 10:30 PM
"Ewww, Feo, you think my parents are hot? Gross."

plum — 07/17/2021 10:32 PM
He gave his eyes a big roll. "Hence the non-answer, Pari."

peach — 07/17/2021 10:34 PM
"Gross!" she laughed again, pushing his shoulder. "I'm totally telling my mom that you have a crush on her. My dad, too!"
August 5, 2021

plum — 08/05/2021 10:22 PM
He just shook his head, knowing there was little he could say to get her off his back at this point.

Pari waited for a moment in which her cousin looked disengaged enough for her to slip into the conversation he was having with several ambassadors’ kids, a hostesses’s smile plastered onto her lips. She looped her arm through Kyros’s and pleasantly asked the group, “Having fun?”

"Parisa," he greeted, making way for her and allowing for the congratulatory crooning from the group.

“Actually, I’m stealing you.” She was already pulling him towards a more private corner of the room, tossing over her shoulder, “I promise I’ll bring him back in a second!”

"Everything alright?" He asked once they were generally out of earshot, face dropping the customer service expression he'd been sporting for most of the night.

“No.” She dropped his arm, her own scowl returning as she looked to the doors. “Did you see Sparrow and Mirza?”

"Not recently, why?"

“I saw him like, dragging her out of here. Something weird’s going on, and you know what happens when something weird happens with Sparrow?”

He exhaled. Drama. "I'll investigate and keep it under control."

“Cool. I’m going to handle Feo,” she muttered. “Don’t want him using this as an excuse to run out on me. Keep me updated.”

"Don't worry about it." He gave her a nod of assurance and made his way out of the room, excusing himself as he passed partygoers.

As he moved through the party, some of what Pari had been mentioning became more apparent. People were locked into conversation, sure, but some of those conversations were oddly charged, and people were looking at him. This wouldn’t have been strange in any other context, but Kyros had grown up with this crowd. They didn’t stare at him, not unless something else was going on.
He found himself striding down the hall, seeking clues as to where Sparrow and Mirza had gone.

He pulled out his phone as he walked, scrolling through his conversations to find Mirza's number. His finger was a centimeter off the call button when he heard muffled voices from the door just beside him.

"Sparrow, it's a misunderstanding." Mirza said as soothingly as he could which, admittedly, was not very helpful. He could tell because Sparrow, whom he'd only just managed to lure outside, pressed her hands to her face. She'd stopped sobbing but she was still crying, though it was a steady stream of silent tears... which was honestly even more concerning. "It's not a misunderstanding, Mirza. It's not."
"I don't know what's going on, but I promise we'll get to the bottom of it."
"I know what happened already," she wiped her eyes, her voice hollow. "Maybe they're right."

The door cracked open to reveal Kyros, poking his head in. His expression fell into one of concern when he saw the state of his friends. "Hey." He let himself in and closed the door behind him. "What's happening? What's wrong?"

Mirza’s eyes had widened in alarm as Kyros entered. He opened his mouth to dissuade him, but Sparrow beat him to it, expression frozen in horror. “Get out!” she cried, lurching further back.

"Jesus," he retorted, recoiling against the door on instinct. "What?"

“Maybe you should go,” Mirza agreed hesitantly, standing to approach. “It’s not a good idea for you to be here.” Sparrow looked close to either hyperventilating or locking herself in the bathroom again.

"I'll leave if you step out and explain," he glanced between them. It was impossible to deny that she was in bad shape, whether due to his presence or not.

“You told everyone,” Sparrow’s accusation was fragmented, as shaky as her legs when she stood to face him. Her eyes stung and her cheeks were flushed with shame, but she wasn’t going to face him from the ground. “How could you do this to me?”

"What are you talking about?" He asked, defensive and clearly at a loss.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she cried. “How could you tell them?! Why would you tell them? And- and- how could you make me… how could you say those things?”
Unless they were true. Her palms felt like ice, breath stopped in her chest. Had she really taken liberties? They had been drunk, both of them, but she had… she’d known what she was doing. Had he?

"Sparrow, Sparrow, quiet down," Kyros's confusion edged further into panic. "What? Tell them what?"

He seemed so sincere in his bewilderment, all wide-eyed and mouth agape. It made her terror stall for just a moment -- was it possible that he'd been so drunk that he simply didn't remember? But who else could have revealed what had happened that final night before they'd left? She and Kyros had been the only ones awake; she was absolutely certain of that. The others had been knocked out cold.
Sparrow had never, ever spoken of what had transpired between them. She'd been too ashamed. But Kyros? The only explanation that remained was that... it hadn't been as momentous for him as it had been for her. Kyros was the only one left to spill their secret, and now he couldn't even remember what he'd said to everyone else - how he'd ruined her life. Disbelief rose from the pit of her stomach, tailed by cold fury. "You don't remember?"

"What do you mean, what? I figured she dumped me because you don't like me." he scowled.

Pari laughed a little as she pulled away slowly, lacing her hands around his neck. "You're acting like you've never done this before."

"And somehow it took you this long to realize." she sighed dramatically. "I'd kick you, but I like sitting here."

She grinned again, tugging at the hem of his shirt. "So are you going to keep this on, or..?"

Gabriel scoffed at him, clearly unimpressed. Maybe it was the resentment from being a good guy and getting dumped anyways, and then getting confronted for being dumped, but the next words slipped out of his mouth without preamble. "That's what I was doing, dipshit."

"Honestly dude, can you just fuck off?" Gabriel demanded, fists curled. "You--"