Vera was sitting in Illy's bedroom, her knees drawn to her chest. She'd chewed through three fingernails and was working on her index finger now. She didn't know what was going on at home, but she'd heard Mama and Papa muttering to each other about Feofil and some party, and using words that she didn't know the meaning of. She wished someone had taught her more Russian.
They'd dropped her off at Illy's house and for the first time in her life, she didn't want to be there. She'd much rather be at home, or wherever the rest of her family was. It wasn't fair that they wouldn't let her get involved.

plum — 04/17/2021 12:48 AM
Illy had been confused when one of Vera's uncles had pulled up to the house in the wee hours of the morning with her best friend in tow, exchanging hushed conversation with her mom. She didn't know what was going on, but the vibe was weird, and not in a good way. Gal had made them some hot chocolate and for the first time ever let them take it upstairs into her room. She'd already drained her mug dry, and held the thing between her hands as she lightly kicked her feet against the side of the bed. "Uhhh... well, I could braid your hair for you if you waaaant... or I was gonna say we could paint our nails, but you're eating yours, soo..."

peach — 04/17/2021 12:49 AM
"Do you have that gross nailpolish that makes your nails taste bad so I won't eat them anymore?" Vera asked miserably, her finger in her mouth.

plum — 04/17/2021 12:55 AM
Illy's eyes twinkled. "The one that was supposed to be pineapple-flavored but tastes like licking vomit off a shoe?"

peach — 04/17/2021 12:55 AM
"Yeah," she looked even more beaten-down. "That one. I'll... put it on."

plum — 04/17/2021 12:57 AM
She hopped up and went to grab her nail polish box from its spot on the closet shelf, dropping the mug off on the nightstand along the way. "It's gross but it is super shimmery at least."

peach — 04/17/2021 1:02 AM
"I do like shimmers..." Vera reached out to grab it, but her voice was still melancholy. "I think something's wrong with Feo."

plum — 04/17/2021 1:03 AM
"I was wonderin' why you showed up at like four in the morning."

peach — 04/17/2021 1:04 AM
"Yeah, Ma and Papa ran off somewhere and they were talking about him..." she frowned at her feet. "I think he's in trouble."

plum — 04/17/2021 1:08 AM
"Well where was he?" She deposited the box at the foot of the bed and picked out the aforementioned pineapple polish. "Also, I'm gonna give you braids while you paint your nails so your hair'll be curly tomorrow, cool?"

peach — 04/17/2021 1:10 AM
"He was at some party." she said, nodding her assent to Illy's latter request. "He went with Kyros and Pari and them. Can you do a fishtail?" (edited)

plum — 04/17/2021 1:12 AM
"Sure, I've been practicing." Illy fetched her little spray water bottle and hair bands from her bathroom and settled down behind her friend. "D'you think he got arrested? Like maybe they got busted for something?"

peach — 04/17/2021 1:13 AM
"Busted for what, though?"

plum — 04/17/2021 1:14 AM
"Uh... punching another important guy?" She guessed.

peach — 04/17/2021 1:14 AM
"You know, maybe he did. There were lots of important people at the party, I think." Vera ruminated. "... do you know why he punched the last guy?"

plum — 04/17/2021 1:18 AM
"Not really, none of them seemed to want to talk about it. Did he tell you why?" Illy spritzed Vera's hair to dampen it up so it would form lovely, curly waves whenever it was released, combing through it afterwards with her fingers.

peach — 04/17/2021 1:21 AM
"Nope, but Papa gave me a really long talk after I punched Bobby and he was like, 'Vera, you can't go punching people for no reason, you can only use fruit borscht if you're trying to protect yourself or your friends.' And I was like, what's fruit borscht gotta do with it? Can you even make borscht like that?"

plum — 04/17/2021 1:22 AM
Her brow furrowed. "Huh?? That makes no sense."

peach — 04/17/2021 1:24 AM
"Right? That's what I thought, but Papa just goes on and on so I just said, 'okay papa. Okay papa. Okay papa.' I even tried asking Feo, but he said he didn't wanna talk about it!"

plum — 04/17/2021 1:31 AM
"Your dad does talk a lot," was all Illy gleaned from that. "I feel like my dad doesn't talk as much, but he does talk loud."

peach — 04/17/2021 1:35 AM
"Your dad talks to your mom a lot." Vera objected. "And to Furfur. But he doesn't really talk to me a lot. I have tons of questions for him, actually. Do you think I could do my Parent Jobs Interview paper with him? 'Cause Ma and Papa aren't allowed to talk 'bout their jobs..."

plum — 04/17/2021 1:36 AM
She sulked, "Nooo... Gal told me I can't talk about his job either."

peach — 04/17/2021 1:37 AM
"Huh? But his job is so cool!"

plum — 04/17/2021 1:39 AM
"I know!" Her fingers weaved carefully between the sections of Vera's hair. "I think it's a dumb rule. I guess she doesn't want him to get in trouble for punching people like Feo did."

peach — 04/17/2021 1:40 AM
"Yeah, that makes sense. Hey, what about Uncle Seir? Can we interview him?" (edited)

plum — 04/17/2021 1:41 AM
"Well she didn't say anything about him."

peach — 04/17/2021 1:41 AM
Vera's eyes lit up. "I still need someone for my report. And it's due tomorrow!"

plum — 04/17/2021 1:44 AM
"Tomorrow's Sunday though. But I don't know when he works, it's pretty random, so we should get him when he's free."

peach — 04/17/2021 1:48 AM
"Oh. It's due after tomorrow. Is he free right now? Can we go? It'd make me feeeeel betterrrrr..." she sang, then realized that it was true. It did make her feel better. If she was off on an adventure, at least she wouldn't be sitting around here waiting for someone to tell her what was going on with Feo.

plum — 04/17/2021 2:24 AM
"Yeah, I guess we could try the door in the basement, even though my mom keeps it locked."

peach — 04/17/2021 2:29 AM
"Ah, what's a piddly little lock to the greatest detectives on the earth?" Vera sprang up.
April 18, 2021

plum — 04/18/2021 2:24 AM
"Truuuue, besides I'm pretty sure she just keeps the key in their room somewhere. Do you want a hair clip?"

peach — 04/18/2021 2:25 AM
"Ooh, do you have a cat one?"

plum — 04/18/2021 2:26 AM
"Uhh, I think I might've left that one at your house." She hopped off the bed and bounded over to the bathroom to retrieve her little box of hair clips. "The blue one?"

peach — 04/18/2021 2:26 AM
"Oh yeah... maybe. Do you have a smiley-face one?"

plum — 04/18/2021 2:28 AM
"Yeah, here," she picked out a little orange smiley face and handed it over.

peach — 04/18/2021 2:28 AM
"Thanks!" Vera tucked it into her hair. "How are we gonna get the key from your mom's room?"

plum — 04/18/2021 2:29 AM
"I don't know, especially if she's sleeping..."

peach — 04/18/2021 2:29 AM
"Do you think Iezabel could get it for us?" she wondered, "We can just ask nicely."

plum — 04/18/2021 3:17 AM
"Yeah..." Illy scratched at her head. "It depends what kinda mood she's in, but she might. Let's try it."

peach — 04/18/2021 3:41 AM
Vera followed her out the door and down the stairs. The house was warmly lit, soft orange lamps glowing amidst the darkness. She could hear dark whispers emanating from the shadows and then the echo of footsteps behind them, but it had never bothered her. The lesser demons were bored, too. They had to entertain themselves somehow.
April 21, 2021

plum — 04/21/2021 12:56 PM
"Iezebeeeeel," Illy whisper-called, not wanting to alert her mother, whose location was unknown. "Geez, she's never around when you need her to be."

peach — 04/21/2021 1:10 PM
Vera made a face at a small, squat demon that tried to bite at her ankles and shooed it away. It was called the Harbinger, and Gal like to keep it around because it ate bugs that came in from the forest, but Vera thought it was just a little too keen on nibbling anything in its path. "You think she's sleeping?"

plum — 04/21/2021 5:56 PM
"She might be reading in her room or something..." Illy guessed, banking a left in the direction of the basement. "I dunno."

peach — 04/21/2021 5:58 PM
"How does Iezabel read if she doesn't have eyes?"

plum — 04/21/2021 5:59 PM
"Not Iezebel, dingus. My mom."

peach — 04/21/2021 6:01 PM
"Oh." Vera blinked. "That makes more sense."

plum — 04/21/2021 6:06 PM
Before they knew it they were standing in front of the warped basement door, protected by an unassuming keyhole with no matching key in sight. Aside from wear and tear over the ages the door had stood here, it also housed a tangle of crosshatching scratches all down the bottom... the dogs got excited whenever they anticipated Dad coming home. He liked to believe it was because they loved him, but Illy suspected it had more to do with the assortment of outlandish treats he often brought back for them to gnaw on. "We could pick it." she suggested.

peach — 04/21/2021 6:10 PM
"Do you have a bobby pin?" She asked. She didn't know how to pick locks with one, but it seemed prudent to ask.
May 11, 2021

plum — 05/11/2021 12:04 AM
The ghastly, wheezing susurration that emanated from between the two girls murmured, "I have a fingernail."
Illy couldn't help but jump at Iezebel's sudden appearance, turning to fix the gangly mass of black hair and paper skin with a scowl. "Bel! It's rude to sneak up on guests."
"You do it all the time," the woman hummed in her peacefully melancholic manner, jarringly at odd with her death rattle of a voice. (edited)

peach — 05/11/2021 7:20 AM
"You didn't sneak up on me, Iezabel." Vera said, patting her head where she'd thumped it into the wall upon startling. "I knew you were there the whole time."
June 14, 2021

plum — 06/14/2021 6:00 PM
"Why are you girls trying to break into the basement?" She glossed over the obvious lie to inquire.

peach — 06/14/2021 8:06 PM
"We're trying to get to Hell so that I can finish my school project." Vera said, holding up her phone. "I'm gonna interview Mr. Seir!"

ages - kyros 7, baseline from there

"What do you think of the 'Lurians?" Pari asked, spooning some ice cream into her mouth. "They're weird."
She, Sparrow, Kyros and the rest of the gang were sitting around Sparrow's dining table. Simona was out, working with the queen, which left the small apartment rather empty.
"I like Uzochi." Sparrow said. (edited)

plum — 01/29/2021 10:12 PM
"It's not like they ever talk to anyone," Kyros shrugged.
"I like mint. I wan' mint." Vic said for probably the sixth time in the past ten minutes, thumping his spoon against the table.

peach — 01/29/2021 10:23 PM
"Uzochi talks to me." Sparrow said again. A small smile lit upon her lips. "He's nice. I like him."
"He's old and boring." Pari decided. "And you can't have mint, Vic, it's stinky and no one likes it so we don't have it."
January 30, 2021

plum — 01/30/2021 12:36 AM
"Stinky?" This was an outrage.
"Isn't it a little weird for you to be talking to him?" Kyros pointed out.

peach — 01/30/2021 1:07 AM
"I help clean his room." Sparrow justified. "He gives me chocolate biscuits."
"Not strawberry? Lame." Pari scoffed.
Mirza patted Vic on the head and said appeasingly, "I like mint." (edited)

plum — 01/30/2021 1:34 AM
"Why are you cleaning his room?" Kyros wrinkled his nose.

peach — 01/30/2021 1:35 AM
"Cause it's my job."

plum — 01/30/2021 1:35 AM
"You're five. You don't have a job."

peach — 01/30/2021 1:38 AM
"I do too!" she protested indignantly, "Simona told me so! I have responsible-cities."

plum — 01/30/2021 11:58 AM
"You're not even in real school yet."

peach — 01/30/2021 12:01 PM
"Yeah I am! I learned counting to one hundred, want to see?" she leaned forward and splayed her hands on the table without waiting for his response. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 'leven, twelve, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty-" (edited)

plum — 01/30/2021 12:17 PM
"Hey, hey, you skipped a bunch!" He accused. "Cheater!"

peach — 01/30/2021 12:19 PM
"I'm not a cheater!" She cried. "You're mean!"
"Sparrow is a cheater, Sparrow is a cheater!" Parisa thumped her fists on the table, grinning.

plum — 01/30/2021 12:20 PM
"It's just the truth," he defended. "You have to say all the in between numbers or it's not right."

peach — 01/30/2021 12:22 PM
"You're not right," Sparrow pouted, putting her spoon down. She didn't want to eat ice cream anymore. "I did say them, I did."
"Kyros is mean," Pari declared. "And he's stupid! Stupid kyros!"
"Uzochi's smart, that's why I like him." Sparrow sniffed. "He's nicer than you." (edited)

plum — 01/30/2021 12:31 PM
"He's a dummy and a bad prince."

peach — 01/30/2021 12:32 PM
"No he's not! He's nice, he gives me chocolate biscuits and he helps me clean." Sparrow informed him hotly. "He's nice and cool."
"Uzochi's cooler than Kyros!" that was Pari, obviously.

plum — 01/30/2021 12:34 PM
Kyros could think of no bigger insult than to stick his tongue out at his cousin. On the other side of the table, the other three kids were having a peaceful discussion about ice cream flavors.

peach — 01/30/2021 12:46 PM
Pari reached over and poked his tongue, fast, before he could pull away. "You ate my germs!" she crowed.

plum — 01/30/2021 12:47 PM
"You're disgustin'!" He crowed back, face scrunching up in disgust.

peach — 01/30/2021 12:48 PM
"No, I'm Pari!"
"Do you like mint, Sparrow?" Mirza asked in his squeaky voice. Sparrow thought on it. "It's spicy."

plum — 01/30/2021 12:50 PM
"Haha," Vic crooned. "I like it."
"Mint's not spicy, it's cold." Kyros put in.

peach — 01/30/2021 12:52 PM
"Do you like it Feo?" Mirza asked. When the boy said nothing he nodded and agreed, "Me too."
"It's ice cream, it HAS to be cold." Pari said scornful. "Stupid Kyros, stupid Kyros!"
"Pari, don't be mean." one of the guards chastised. She frowned at him. (edited)

plum — 01/30/2021 1:11 PM
"Even if you eat other mint things, they're always cold." He rebutted. "Mint is cold. You're the stupid one."

peach — 01/30/2021 1:12 PM
"No it's not! You can have hot mint tea." she sneered. "Hot so it can't be cold, you're stupid!"
"I'm gonna go hang out with Uzochi." Sparrow decided, sliding out of her seat. (edited)

plum — 01/30/2021 1:13 PM
Kyros turned his attention to her suddenly, grabbing her wrist. "Hey, you can't just leave."

peach — 01/30/2021 1:14 PM
"I want to!" she insisted. "Uzochi will play games with me and he isn't a meanie!" (edited)
January 31, 2021

plum — 01/31/2021 3:17 PM
"You're the meanie for calling me mean," he accused.

peach — 01/31/2021 3:18 PM
She squinted at him, then looked mollified. "I'm sorry." (edited)

plum — 01/31/2021 3:20 PM
"It's okay. I'll forgive you if you finish your ice cream with me."

peach — 01/31/2021 3:20 PM
"Okay." she said, clambering back onto the chair and picking up her spoon. "Maybe we should invite Uzochi for ice cream!"

plum — 01/31/2021 3:21 PM
"I don't think he would come," Kyros shrugged.

peach — 01/31/2021 3:40 PM
"We won't know if we don't ask!"

plum — 01/31/2021 3:46 PM
"Well, you can ask him, then, cause I won't."

peach — 01/31/2021 3:49 PM
"I will." she replied stoutly.

Eighteen Years Later...

peach — 01/31/2021 4:23 PM
Sparrow was sitting in Kyros's office, cross-legged on the floor behind his desk as she browsed the documents in her hand. Her abstract role as a member of the palace meant that the work she rarely got was eclectic, but she was glad for something to do. The staff didn't seem to know what to make of her. She was technically under the king's command and a part of his household, but Kyros hadn't suggested that she wear the uniform. She had tried wearing business casual for a few days but the sheer amount of clothes and their constraints had felt like a straitjacket, so Sparrow had returned to diaphanous blouses and cotton shorts though she also wore a cardigan until she got inside. Kyros also didn't seem to mind that she spent most of her workday sprawled around his office since she didn't have her own. She could have asked for one, but he hadn't brought it up, and she liked being near him. They worked silently, but at least they were together. He had been a little averse to her touch initially, but being in close contact seemed to have had a remissive effect on him, to the point where she could lean against his arm while they perused papers together.

She was still living with Vic and Mala, so at least things weren't too lonely. Gaia was with them now and Vic was introducing her to the eccentricities of the tiran world. (edited)
March 3, 2021

plum — 03/03/2021 9:43 PM
Kyros was closing the last of the files on his stack as his phone buzzed on the mahogany desk. He was surprisingly on schedule.
"Meeting in ten," he broke the silence, expecting she'd know the drill by now. As much as he enjoyed her company during his administrative work for the past (decide time frame), he didn't leave anyone alone in his office for any amount of time, old friend or not. There were a lot of cozy corners to shack up in while he was out that didn't include his office though, so she could more than make do.

peach — 03/03/2021 9:46 PM
Sparrow dutifully picked herself up off the floor, stretching her arms to the sky and releasing her tension with a puff of air. "With Parisa?" She asked hopefully, even though the relationship between the cousins had barely thawed.

plum — 03/03/2021 9:48 PM
"No." He dismissed without skipping a beat. "A different thorn in my side."

peach — 03/03/2021 9:49 PM
"That's like, half the palace." Sparrow's voice was light, but it troubled her how true the words were. (edited)

plum — 03/03/2021 10:12 PM
"Now you're catching on."

peach — 03/03/2021 10:14 PM
"Can I ask which nuisance it is today?" she wondered, pulling the cardigan over her shoulders and doing up the buttons.

plum — 03/03/2021 10:17 PM
"His insufferable highness, Uzochi Lavela." He tucked his papers into the middle drawer of his desk and turned the key.

peach — 03/03/2021 10:19 PM
Sparrow's breath caught. When he looked up, her eyes were wide with delighted surprise. "Uzochi's here?" she asked, "I thought he was living in Ilurius now, for good!"

plum — 03/03/2021 10:28 PM
He brought his gaze up to examine her face. It wasn't the reaction he'd been expecting. "You know each other?"

peach — 03/03/2021 10:30 PM
Sparrow realized this a second too late and clamped her lips together in a more subtle smile, but couldn't help the surge of excitement that had shot through her veins.
Uzochi had been a priceless ally when times had gotten tough, especially since he had no reason to be... but he'd remembered the little girl he had shared chocolate biscuits with while at the palace, and he had always been kind. Still, he was just one more person she had visited rather than Kyros, as unintentional as that had been. "I saw him once in a while, when I was out at sea." (edited)

plum — 03/03/2021 10:39 PM
This fact was not lost on Kyros, who took note with a stinging feeling. "He go out sailing much?"

peach — 03/03/2021 10:42 PM
"No, we just... happened to be spit out close to Illurius. After spending a few days in the middle of the sea, we washed up on the coastline." she admitted, leaning against the wall. "When I woke up, there were Illurians staring down at us from behind their rifle barrels. We'd scared the fish away, and we were strange... but Uzochi let us stay for as long as we wanted."

plum — 03/03/2021 10:44 PM
Kyros almost scoffed at the mention of their rifle barrels. As if the Ilurian guard did any protecting of their own. "How fortunate for you." He grabbed his bag and stood.

peach — 03/03/2021 10:45 PM
Sparrow jumped up to follow him out, thinking to ask as they hurried out the door, "Kyros, do you think I could-- say hi? Really fast? I won't sit in on your meeting, obviously, it's just... it's been a while since I saw him." (edited)

plum — 03/03/2021 10:48 PM
Seeing an opportunity for information, he seized it as innocuously as he could, wondering, "How long has it been?"

peach — 03/03/2021 10:50 PM
"I don't know..." she mulled it over, trying to decide whether to fib and risk Uzochi blowing her cover, or to tell the truth and risk Kyros' wounded pride. Perhaps she could fudge it a little bit? She really didn't know. It wasn't like she'd carried around a planner while traversing the unforgiving ocean. "Maybe a couple of years..?"

plum — 03/05/2021 1:04 AM
He nodded, stepping out and locking the door to his office. "Well, maybe it'll soften him up a little, then."

peach — 03/05/2021 11:07 PM
"So why's he been a thorn in your side?" she asked, catching up to him. "I mean, aside from all the... being colonized stuff. Or is it that?"
March 11, 2021

plum — 03/11/2021 10:16 PM
"Essentially that. He hates me for all the decisions I had nothing to do with." It was all he could do not to roll his eyes. "I guess that is what happens when you inherit a regime."

peach — 03/11/2021 10:22 PM
"He's always had a strong personality. And so do you." Sparrow said pensively, crossing her arms. "And both of you like to be the leader."

plum — 03/11/2021 10:26 PM
"As it stands now, Ilurius is under Atherdale practically in name only. I don't know what more he could possibly want." He caught himself before letting too much more loose. Not that any of this was privileged information, but still, he couldn't afford to make that a habit.

peach — 03/11/2021 10:27 PM
Sparrow reached over absent-mindedly, running her hand in a small circle against his back. "Maybe his family."

plum — 03/11/2021 10:30 PM
Despite seeing her nearly every day since her arrival, her touch still sent a small jolt of panic up his spine. At least he'd learned to take it more graciously than the first time. "I'm not the one keeping them from him. But anyway-- it doesn't matter. It's nothing you need to be worried about."

peach — 03/11/2021 10:38 PM
"I know," she said, choosing not to mention that he must know how she worried anyways. "Uzochi really idolized his dad, but then King Lavela made that stupid move against Atherdale, and he called Tasia's bluff when she... held Princess Lyx hostage. I think that just shattered him."

[DMs between Kyros and Parisa]
Kyros: We need to talk. ASAP
peach — 05/06/2020 9:20 PM
Pari THE GREAT: what do u want?? I'm working
plum — 05/06/2020 9:21 PM
Kyros: By "working" do you mean sulking in your room?
peach — 05/06/2020 9:24 PM
Pari THE GREAT: no, dumbass, I'm working
Pari THE GREAT: school didn't suddenly end because Sparrow decided to leave
plum — 05/06/2020 9:47 PM
Kyros: ASAP means ASAP, Pari. You'll want to hear this.
peach — 05/06/2020 9:50 PM
Pari THE GREAT: just tell me now
plum — 05/06/2020 9:51 PM
Kyros: I had a long talk with Tasia about a lot of things she's been keeping in the dark
Kyros: I'm not allowed to tell you most of it. But I did finally get answers about Miz's dad, for one
peach — 05/06/2020 9:58 PM
Pari: wtf are you serious??
Pari: you're telling me everything, right???
plum — 05/06/2020 9:59 PM
Kyros: We can talk about it
peach — 05/06/2020 9:59 PM
Pari THE GREAT: come to my room!!!!
plum — 05/06/2020 9:59 PM
Kyros: I knew you were sulking in there
Kyros: I'll be there in a little while. Wouldn't want to interrupt your studies
peach — 05/06/2020 10:06 PM
Pari: ALREADY INTERRUPTED JUST COME NOW
Pari THE GREAT: how tf am I supposed to keep studying w you dropping that! So casually!!
plum — 05/06/2020 10:09 PM
Kyros: If you want to know so badly, meet me in the gardens
peach — 05/06/2020 10:17 PM
Pari THE GREAT: geez, fine, Mr. Wannabe Saga. Be there in 15

Sparrow: hi

plum — 08/07/2019 12:24 AM
Feo: Oh my god Sparrow

peach — 08/07/2019 12:24 AM
Pari: SPARROW

plum — 08/07/2019 12:24 AM
Feo: Did you get my texts??

peach — 08/07/2019 12:24 AM
Sparrow: hi
[12:24 AM]
Sparrow: yes
[12:24 AM]
Pari: what the FUCK dude
[12:24 AM]
Sparrow: I'm sorry

plum — 08/07/2019 12:24 AM
Vic: sparrow holy shit are you okay

peach — 08/07/2019 12:24 AM
Pari: YOU DISAPPEARED
[12:25 AM]
Sparrow: Yea I'm fine I'm okay

plum — 08/07/2019 12:25 AM
Feo: Pari stop she was literally in the hospital

peach — 08/07/2019 12:25 AM
Pari: WTF HAPPENED 2 U
[12:25 AM]
Pari: idc I want answers NOW

plum — 08/07/2019 12:25 AM
Vic: no one would tell us anything

peach — 08/07/2019 12:25 AM
Sparrow: yes sorry
[12:25 AM]
Sparrow: I know
[12:26 AM]
Sparrow: sorry about that it was just like
[12:26 AM]
Sparrow: not a good time
[12:26 AM]
Sparrow: dont freak out
[12:26 AM]
Sparrow: I had a heart attack but I'm fine
[12:26 AM]
Sparrow: everything is fine
[12:26 AM]
Sparrow: honestly I didnt even notice

plum — 08/07/2019 12:26 AM
Vic: you had a heart attack??????

peach — 08/07/2019 12:26 AM
Pari: WHAT THE FUUUUCCCCCC

plum — 08/07/2019 12:26 AM
Feo: How did you not notice..?

peach — 08/07/2019 12:26 AM
Pari: OH MY GODDDDD
[12:27 AM]
Pari: WUERE R U

plum — 08/07/2019 12:27 AM
Feo: Are you okay through?

peach — 08/07/2019 12:27 AM
Sparrow: it honestly just felt like I couldn't breathe for a little bit I thought I was just nauseous or something

plum — 08/07/2019 12:27 AM
Vic: jesus im glad you caught it

peach — 08/07/2019 12:27 AM
Sparrow: I went to Ingora bc I wanted some sleeping pills and he told me I was having yea
[12:27 AM]
Sparrow: I'm fine

plum — 08/07/2019 12:28 AM
Feo: We were all really worried about you

peach — 08/07/2019 12:28 AM
Pari: WHERE R U WHERE R U
[12:28 AM]
Sparrow: I know
[12:28 AM]
Sparrow: sorry
[12:28 AM]
Sparrow: sorry it took so long
[12:28 AM]
Sparrow: I needed some time to process
[12:28 AM]
Sparrow: rommer was with me so I wasnt alone

plum — 08/07/2019 12:28 AM
Feo: I tried to come see you but they wouldn’t let me in :(

peach — 08/07/2019 12:29 AM
Pari: sparrow. WHERE. TF. ARE. YOU
[12:29 AM]
Sparrow: I know. They told me
[12:29 AM]
Sparrow: sorry you came all this way

plum — 08/07/2019 12:29 AM
Feo: No??? There’s no reason to be sorry

peach — 08/07/2019 12:29 AM
Sparrow: I'm in the tea room in the west suite, second floor

plum — 08/07/2019 12:29 AM
Feo: I’m just glad you’re okay

peach — 08/07/2019 12:30 AM
Sparrow: actually I wanted to talk to all of you
[12:30 AM]
Sparrow: in person

plum — 08/07/2019 12:30 AM
Feo: Can I come see you??

peach — 08/07/2019 12:30 AM
Pari: OTW
[12:30 AM]
Sparrow: yes please
[12:30 AM]
Sparrow: I have cookies

plum — 08/07/2019 12:30 AM
Kyros: Me too?

peach — 08/07/2019 12:30 AM
Pari: wow def on my way then

plum — 08/07/2019 12:31 AM
Vic: what do you mean me too dude are you not part of this friend group

peach — 08/07/2019 12:31 AM
Sparrow: you don't have to come if you're busy because you already know
[12:31 AM]
Sparrow: what I'm going to tell them

plum — 08/07/2019 12:31 AM
Vic: woah wait what does he know
[12:31 AM]
Kyros: Oh. Should I though?

peach — 08/07/2019 12:32 AM
Sparrow: if you want?
[12:32 AM]
Sparrow: I'll tell you when you come up vic
[12:33 AM]
Sparrow: take your time though. Don't rush
[12:33 AM]
Pari: I flew back from Paris for u
[12:33 AM]
Pari: I'm gonna get there asap

plum — 08/07/2019 12:33 AM
Vic: girl we’re rushing

peach — 08/07/2019 12:34 AM
Mirza: wtf
[12:34 AM]
Mirza: I was sleeping
[12:34 AM]
Mirza: I'm on my way too
[12:34 AM]
Mirza: what's goin
[12:34 AM]
Mirza: YOU HAD A HEART ATTACK??
[12:35 AM]
Mirza: ARE YOU OK
[12:35 AM]
Sparrow: haha

Vic: little late to the party there miz

peach — 08/07/2019 12:35 AM
Sparrow: good morning mizzoo
[12:35 AM]
Sparrow: I'm fine, no worries
[12:35 AM]
Sparrow: guess my mom gave me something after all?? lol
[12:35 AM]
Sparrow: or my dad actually idk

plum — 08/07/2019 12:35 AM
Vic: what, heart problems??

peach — 08/07/2019 12:35 AM
Mirza: wow that's fantastic
[12:36 AM]
Sparrow: yea I guess I rlly take after them
[12:36 AM]
Pari: dumbass
[12:36 AM]
Pari: I'll get u a heart transplant
[12:36 AM]
Sparrow: I don't know if you're joking so no thanks but thank you

plum — 08/07/2019 12:37 AM
Kyros: Careful, she’ll murder everyone ahead of you on the transplant list if you ask

peach — 08/07/2019 12:38 AM
Sparrow: in that case, fire away
[12:38 AM]
Pari: u little murderer
[12:38 AM]
Pari: gladly
[12:38 AM]
Sparrow: actually DONT

plum — 08/07/2019 12:38 AM
Kyros: I need five minutes to weasel myself out of this thing. I’ll be there soon.

peach — 08/07/2019 12:40 AM
Sparrow: take your time

plum — 08/07/2019 12:40 AM
Vic: we won’t but thanks

peach — 08/07/2019 12:41 AM
Sparrow: lol
[12:41 AM]
Sparrow: what tea do you want?
[12:41 AM]
Pari: ROSE LIP PLS
[12:41 AM]
Sparrow: got it
[12:42 AM]
Pari: *hip

plum — 08/07/2019 12:44 AM
Kyros: Chai is fine
[12:45 AM]
Vic: ill just have mint or something

peach — 08/07/2019 12:45 AM
Sparrow: cool cool. Miz? feo?
[12:45 AM]
Mirza: I want chai
[12:45 AM]
Mirza: but I want kyros's chai specifically
[12:46 AM]
Pari: HA. ME TOO

plum — 08/07/2019 12:48 AM
Kyros: Dump a box of cinnamon into my chai then.

peach — 08/07/2019 12:48 AM
Mirza: :o
[12:49 AM]
Pari: I'll choke it down if it means u dont get any

plum — 08/07/2019 12:49 AM
Kyros: And I will laugh at your suffering

peach — 08/07/2019 12:49 AM
Sparrow: I'm making regular chai for k and miz, rose hip for parisa, mint for vic
[12:49 AM]
Sparrow: and chamomile for feo?
[12:49 AM]
Pari: laugh as I puke in you
[12:50 AM]
Pari: *on but actually no IN YOU
[12:50 AM]
Mirza: like a bird mom

plum — 08/07/2019 12:50 AM
Kyros: Like the bird you are, exactly
[12:50 AM]
Feo: Yeah chamomile is perfect thank you Sparrow

peach — 08/07/2019 12:50 AM
Pari: I may be a bird but ur the bird brain kyros
[12:51 AM]
Mirza: wow that was not good
[12:51 AM]
Pari: it still applies

plum — 08/07/2019 12:51 AM
Kyros: Yeah that doesn’t track at all

peach — 08/07/2019 12:51 AM
Sparrow: great, I'll have it ready
[12:51 AM]
Pari: birds??? Bird brain??? God ur both too stupid to understand my advanced humor
[12:52 AM]
Mirza: ok

plum — 08/07/2019 12:52 AM
Kyros: It was the slightly more verbose version of “no you”

peach — 08/07/2019 12:53 AM
Pari: no u
[12:54 AM]
Mirza: oh damn she got you there

plum — 08/07/2019 12:55 AM
Kyros: By the way Pari were you drunk out of your mind last night or did you have an actual stroke while texting me?

peach — 08/07/2019 12:55 AM
Pari: what
[12:55 AM]
Pari: hang on
Kyros:
[An image of Pari's drunken texts to Kyros]

peach — 08/07/2019 1:02 AM
Mirza: hahahahahaha
Pari:
Pari: so I got a little tipsy

plum — 08/07/2019 1:02 AM
Kyros: You good now, or..?

peach — 08/07/2019 1:03 AM
Pari: my head is killing me but what else is new honestly

Sparrow's expression had softened during Parisa's rant, though her eyes were still shadowed with hurt. She crossed her arms and said quietly, "If you care about him that much, why won't you give him a chance?"
"Because--" Pari scowled, her words quick on an exhale. "It would never work out."
"How could you possibly know that, Pari?"
"Because I know him! And I know myself. And we don't mesh well together." Pari shot back. "In case you haven't noticed, I don't really mesh well with anyone."
"That's because of you. You push people away."
"I do not--"
"It's what you're doing right now." Sparrow lashed back at her. "You know what? Do what you want to. Convince yourself that there's no possible way you and Feo could work out, even though you've been friends for more than two decades, and go marry some delusional sixty-year-old, power-hungry asshole."

Pari watched as Sparrow returned to the papers strewn across the floor, picking them up as she stalked all the way to the door. "Sparrow," she tried, but Sparrow simply stepped across the threshold and shut the door with a gentle but firm click.

Pari’s heart swelled at the sight of him, filling with such content that she could not say she’d felt before. Like sleeping under the sun on a sandy beach or picnicking in the gardens behind the palace, but stronger and so much more full. It was overwhelming, how much — could she say it? Think it? Love. It had to be. She’d never utter the word out loud - as addled as she was, she knew enough not to put that word out into the world - but she could keep it close to her heart. She could bask in this scene for a few more minutes, lounge in his warmth just a little while longer. Last night had been amazing, but this feeling of being alone, together, just the two of them in a soft bed full of blankets under the cold winter sunlight… she was embarrassed, in retrospect, at her impulsivity. But that was why Feo was dangerous, wasn’t it? Because he made her come completely undone, which was why she leaned forward in that early morning daze and pressed her lips against his. She couldn’t even remember worrying about morning breath or waking him up or anything. She’d just… done it. Without thought, without reason, without rationale.

Pari relented, lacing her arms around his waist as he drew her closer. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

“Better than usual. You were out like a light.” She closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against his skin.

“Do you have coffee? I want some coffee,” Saskia said. Pari nodded and gestures towards the kitchen. “You two can sit down, I’ll grab you a cup.”