paint the town BLUE

Orchid's smile widens. Own red eyes boring into those pretty, pretty, pretty violets. Purple and red have always been her favorite colors.

"You will find out in your own time."

She steps forward, curious, curious. Orchid's watching Jinx like a hawk. Eventually, though, she loosens the tension stare. Her gaze softens and her smile is sweet and innocent.

But that was something she never found uncomfortable. It was more the circumstances the Stars subjected them to that drew her ire. At least it wasn't a cage they had to suffer alone- something Orchid seemed quite keen to pick up on. Though Jinx remained wary, she forced herself to stay in place when the woman approaches. The kindness in her expression does little to truly ease her mind, even if it does make her less inclined to turn her away.

Besides, she liked being helpful.

Juliyah exhales a sigh. Sensing the presence before anything. He knows it isn't Vanth, but this is some shit he'd do. Long braided hair dangles over his shoulder almost. The upkeep to such long hair must be a pain in the ass.

The sigh alone gets a mischievous snicker out of Jinx. While mayhem on a grander scale was always a great time, just causing those little reactions tickled something inside her just as well. Maybe it was the younger sibling energy that had no real outlet with Vi absent from the city.

"I mean, I won't tell you not to. But you reading aloud might remind me of a bedtime story, and then I'll nod off and drop down and land on top of you. Your call if that's something you wanna deal with."

"I am Princess Orchid Evergreen, first of her name and soon to be queen of the Elder Vale. I am the rightful heir to Sebastian Everest Armaros." She pauses and then smiles, head tilting with amusement. "You may call me Orchid, if you so please." Jinx should be honored to be already on a first-name basis with the princess, soon to be queen!

Royalty…not something she’d ever imagined herself interacting with before this city. Not something she held a very high opinion of, either. The few problems she’d had that weren’t of her own doing were usually caused by the upper class. Here, though, status didn’t mean a whole lot. How someone acted mattered a lot more. This one was fine. For now.

“Hrmmmh…a couple years overall, give or take?” Her posture unfolds, legs now stretched before her so she can recline slightly, her torso propped up by planted hands. She lets her eyes wander to and fro. “It’s not too bad, all things considered. Plenty of restaurants, some parks, a place or two to find a hookup you’ll probably regret in the morning- the works. You just gotta learn to be okay with the fact that we’re all monkeys in a cage being watched by a buncha labcoats behind a window we can’t even see, much less break."

"My, you have a staring problem, don't you, Little Bunny?" Despite the observation, Orchid doesn't seem bothered at all. In fact, she looks to be relishing in the attention she's gaining from this blue-haired lady.

"Come closer. I would like to get a better look at you, if you do not mind?"

Orchid is a beauty. She carries an elegance to her, and she knows it. The princess adjusts her posture, moves her long black locks over her shoulder, and ushers her temporary companion to take a seat next to her.

“Kinda weird to ask a stranger, isn’t it?” Regardless of her sardonic reply, she still approaches as requested. To come closer was a request not often issued of her. ‘Get away’ was a far more common sentiment. Once in the spot gestured to, she drops unceremoniously to sit down upon it, one leg drawn up with a planted foot, the other crossed underneath. Her eyes scan the other woman’s stunning features, their neon glow faintly visible in the dim shadow cast by her own face.

He hands her something to drink in case she needed it. "Is it to your liking? I am incapable of tasting mortal food. They do not taste pleasant to me."

"It's r-" Shoot, her mouth is still full. The presence of mind to swallow before answering overtakes her. "It is- it's really good. Thank you for this...so much..." Emotion overwhelmed, tears threatening to spill over once again soon. The shuddering sobs of before wouldn't come with them, at least for now.

He glances at the child, "Like the flower....almost. There is a flower called the Powder Puff. Also known as fairy duster." He does smile. It isn't sure if it's a way to ease her mind or what.

"My name is Sebastian Everest Armaros." They step out of the dark alleyway and into the bustling light of shops and such. His hand still holding hers, he gently continues to lead her.

Eventually, after some time, they've made it into a large castle of Mistwood. He enters the building. It's certainly much safer in here than out there. Once they are in one of the living spaces, he motions for her to take a seat.

"I will return shortly."

Sebastian…so she knows the name of the hand she still clings to, though her grip loosens when her eyes finally turn upwards from the unfamiliar ground. She’d never been anywhere with a lot of plant life, much less the woods. It’s enough of a wonder to stimulate her curious mind alone…then there’s a castle! The only chance she ever got to visit such wondrous places was in the scant few children’s books her parents and Vander were able to scrounge up. Such an unbelievable thing, so soon after the unthinkable had happened…she feels so disconnected, like everything is too surreal to really be happening. It would probably be better that way…

Unfortunately, Sebastian wasn't that kind of person. The only thing he could offer her was his hand. It's warm. Warmer than most people's body heat, and the other thing he could offer was to take her someplace warm.

"You may be in a new world, but you are safe. No harm will come to you." It was a promise he'd keep. No harm would come to any child.

‘You are safe,’ he said. ‘No harm will come to you.’ Maybe…maybe that was enough, for now.

Her hands gripped his harder when she realized how warm it was. It wouldn't warm the chill in her entirely, but it could help, at least a bit.

"It is not," he answers quietly. He approaches closer, but still leaves her with enough personal space.

"You are far from home." His eyes lift from looking at her to somewhere, nowhere in particular. His other self is nearby, but he can't possibly leave this child on her own.

So many children. This strange phenomenon was unexplainable. He was in search of someone in particular, and still, there had been no signs of the young prince. Sebastian showed no signs of frustration. He followed the scent of another, the sound of another sob, knowing well enough that it was not his younger self in these alleyways.

He watches the small child silently in the shadows, though he wasn't truly trying to hide from the human's gaze.

She wasn't dead. His presence, his words, confirmed as much. This was the closest thing to it she'd known, but she wasn't there yet. What to do next, though? What could she do next? Despite her body and heart wishing to just give out, the gears of her clever mind turned, seeking some kind of answers.

Her hands pushed limply against the ground, feet attempting for just a moment to pull forward and bring her to standing position. It was an empty effort, really. Still kneeling, she gathered herself as best she could- which, right now, was “one upsetting occurrence from breaking down again.” It’d have to do.