chase the sky.

“right.” florian nods his head and chuckles, turning to look at cody. “everyone can dance. so that’s no excuse.” that’s something he genuinely believes. after years of seeing people basically jump up and down in underground clubs in paris, florian is sure it can’t never get worse than that. “i’m taking a break, dakota,” he replies, using cody’s full name. he loves it, and he loves the sound of it. “i can’t just dance all night, dakota. i need my rest to mingle with guests and try out the food.”

open

Leo snorted and shook his head. “No, you don’t get it. We do stuff like that all the time like if you’re grappling, someone is gonna put their arm on your neck. It’s just what you do.” His tone was bright and mirthful as he spoke,” he shouldn’t have tapped. He should have just turned his head.” Reflexively, Leo checked his watch, only to see the time and frown. “Shit. Sorry about that, I can talk about this stuff forever. You had to go, right?”

    ---- getting leo to talk about anything personal in the slightest was always some sort of achievement. so, listening to him tell his story while they sat on the steps of a building was something cody was all too glad to do. “so if someone dances with you and they put their arm on your neck, you’re gonna flip them?” she asked, cocking her head and giving a smirk. “nah, you have my time. regale me, leo,” she stated, placing her chin in her hands.

when: sometime during the reception . where: the bella donna hotel . who: open .

florian has barely seen sophie or lisa once or twice, but he is surprisingly close to miss donna sheridan. or kinda close. the woman is basically a local legend and she had rescued florian from his drunken adventures once or twice. basically a mother figure for all the locals, flo was grown to love her and so he is thrilled to be here celebrating her happiness, and her daughter’s happiness.

florian doesn’t really like to talk about it, but he loves weddings. a celebration of love, lovers marking the beginning of the rest of their lives together. even if they might end up in divorce. selling the fantasy is what matters. and tonight, tonight looks like a fairytale. the backyard of the hotel is illuminated by little lights on the trees, there’s flowers everywhere, people drinking and dancing, laughing and kissing. 

florian grabs a glass of wine and sits on a nearby bench to observe his surroundings. he sighs in contentment before turning to the person next to him.

“aren’t you dancing tonight?”

    ---- cody was exhausted. but she promised the sheridans that she would be here. and here she was. granted it was outside and on a bench, but to be fair, she was inside most of the night. and to be less fair, perhaps, weddings weren’t really cody’s thing. nothing against anyone.

Leo: you know, i respect that even though i don't believe you

Leo: oh, i don't know. it's pretty cold this time of year

Leo: maybe another time?

Cody: that's actually probably a good call...

Cody: i'm gonna pretend that you didn't make an excuse of it being too cold in chicago in june.

Cody: but i won't push.

Cody: also i think i went on a date about a month ago. i don't have many other friends to talk about that to.

Jules: can't say i know who that is to be honest, but he sounds like he deserves it

Jules: hey now don't break the plant man

Cody: good, he's actually the worst. annoying as hell. like. 'ooh i cut 10 seconds off my mile' I WILL SPRINT THE WHOLE MILE TRY ME ADRIEN. TRY. ME.

“broken hearts are part of living, darling, it’s impossible to escape them,” he comments, sipping on his champagne. there’s a smirk on his lips. andrés never has had the need to tell someone that he is a prince, that he actually holds a nobility title as part of the monarchy in spain. people already know that long before they meet him. and it amazes him. how cody seems to have no idea. and he’s not planning on telling her any time soon. “i can be your king,” he tells her, taking her hand to plant a small kiss on her fingers. he is gone soon after that.

the night goes on between glasses of champagne and friends. andrés actually claps and shouts when the master of ceremonies announces cody as the prom queen. the event is over shortly after and andrés is mindful to try and find her on the sea of people. if only to congratulate her and say his goodbyes. “your royal highness,” his says, approaching her. “looks like you’ve already got a king. but i’ll happily be your loyal courtesan.”

    ---- “ok nicholas sparks,” cody retorted, snorting a little. she rolled her eyes a little before shrugging. “you one of those types who is like ‘if i don’t give my heart to anyone it can’t be broken so i don’t get close to anyone’?” she asked, point blank. not that she could talk. she had her own commitment issues that she never spoke about. “be my king, then,” she challenged before a kiss was placed on her hands like out of titanic. and then, they parted and cody went to find leo.

Jules: okay, but now i wish you hadn't won because that would have been a sight to see.

Jules: and hot, i love a woman on a rampage

Cody: no. do not joke about me not winning.

Cody: well, i'm gonna fight adrien one of these days i hate that man more than salmon.

jules: i might be slightly high but i stand by what i said

jules: aw, well im glad you get to balance the cosmic scales ❤️

jules: yes! i'm happy for him too

jules: it's fine, only judging you a little

Cody: power to you, i think. and to the trees.

Cody: cosmic scales and justice. if i didn't win, i would probably have screamed and developed telekinetic powers to go on a rampage.

  She offered a smile before quickly wiping any crumbs from her hands. “Sorry - I’m Esme,” The brunette stuck out hand to the other. “I saw you at the event I never got a chance to congratulate you. Your dress was beautiful. There was so much going on that night-” Waving her free hand with a small laugh, “-I honestly don’t know how they got through anything.”

    ---- cody raised an eyebrow, taking the other woman’s hand and giving it a strong shake. “cody,” she replied, introducing herself. giving a bit of a smirked smile, the woman gave a shrug in an attempt to look nonchalant. “thank you. and the dress was agata’s, you should be paying her the compliment,” the confession came. a small shrug came after esme commented. “people love to be made special. they’re going to wait to get their ego boosted.”

Leo: okay now that sounds bad

Leo: who is it? what did you do???

Leo: i'm sure he'll be happy to have you back even if it is for a short time

Cody: i honestly haven't done anything yet. i would never hit a girl.

Cody: that only furthers the patriarchy pitting us women together.

Cody: i'd punch gideon, though.

jules: the trees told me i should text you

jules: they’re pervs tho i won’t tell you what they said

jules: congrats on the prom queen thing tho, i know you wanted to win lol

Cody: the... trees?

Cody: that's strange. only judging you a little.

Cody: THANKS! i'm like only mildly surprised. like duh i'd win but at the same time i don't know that many people. see i didn't win at my own prom so i HAD to win to set things right.

Cody: and leo won, too, which actually made it cooler.

  -- “oh absolutely. i hate mornings- but i have to get up early to run. late at night i’m actually fun. plus, late late at night is the best for heart to hearts and finding out weird shit about people.”

slumber: what's one thing that helps you fall asleep when it feels impossible?

  -- “well. aside from a gratuitous amount of melatonin and valerian root; kava tea and reading. tea help me to relax and reading is a good way to wind down and tire your eyes.”

earth: where do you feel most at home?

  -- “is it weird to say wharf and marinas? i grew up in a fishing town so wharfs feel familiar and comfortable.”

waning: what is your biggest regret?

  -- “running. i caused a lot of trouble i didn’t need to and it strained things.”