⸻        ･ﾟ                 ♱               “   you aren't considering turning back now, are you ? ”  a  roguish grin  stretched  across his  lips,  a  mischievous  glint  in  his  eyes.  both of them would undoubtedly fall in  great  trouble  if  they  got  caught,  but  malachi  had long turned apathetic towards any risks his questionable endeavours entailed.  his  eyes  narrowed,  holding  his  hand  out  for  her  to  take.   “  what  do  you  say, susie  ?  would you like to have some fun ?  ”

⸻        ･ﾟ                 ♱               she’d  always  been  rather  odd.  elusive  and  trapped  inside  that little head of hers—  reflecting a  strange  world.  malachi  couldn’t  quite  grasp  her,  barely made sense  of  the  stories  she  told.  and yet  he’d  been  intrigued,  attentively  listening  to  her tales whenever she stopped by.  picked  up  on  details  that  continued  to  haunt his own psyche for days to come.  “   back  so  soon  ?  ”   he  was  at  his  regular  spot in ironwood grove,  a place she'd usually be able to find him.  “  they  spoke  of  a pretty nasty rainstorm tonight, so it's best not make things too late today.  ”

⸻        ･ﾟ                 ♱               he’d  been  quiet,  brooding,  arms  crossed  over  his  chest  as  he  leaned  against  the  thick,  brick  walls  of  the  cobalt  forge.  while  not  particularly  an  unusual  sight,  the  prominent  frown  etched  into  his  forehead  spoke  of  deeper  troubles;  ones  he  hadn’t  been  willing  to  share.  malachi had  grown  accustomed  to  roni  providing  a  type  of  refuge  he  couldn’t  find  elsewhere—  the only person he trusted  in  this  god  forsaken  town.  yet today even her presence could offer no relief.  “  roni,  ”  he hesitated, sucking on his teeth.  “  there's something i need to ask.  ”

⸻        ･ﾟ                 ♱               like  a  month  to  a  flame.  malachi  couldn’t  help  it—  not  to  way  his  skin  buzzed  whenever  she  was  near,  nor  the  way  he  yearned  to  remain  in  her  vicinity.  to bask  in  her  energy,  lay  completely  at  her  mercy.  meeting morgana had rekindled a part within himself he'd long given up on. purpose and devotion both lit aflame; instantaneously and unexpectedly. sensing her presence before recognising her silhouette near the gates of ironwood grove, malachi promptly abandoned his work as his body appeared to move on its own accord. “  miss  hawthorne.  ”  a polite greeting,  accompanied by a tight-lipped smile. he  appeared  before  her  with  his  hands  clasped  behind  his  back,  dressed  in  his  work  attire.  “  i  hadn’t  anticipated  your  return  so soon.  would  you  allow  me  to escort  you on this promenade ?  ” 

⸻        ･ﾟ                 ♱               “    you’re  misunderstanding,  i wasn't asking.   ”   fingertips  firmly dug  into  the  other’s  shoulder,  preventing  felix  from  leaving.  something  erratic  reflected  in  his  eyes; something  akin to  both  hopelessness  and  determination.  he  wouldn’t  accept  no  for  an  answer,  not  with  the  leverage  he  had.  “   i’m  a  fast  learner,  you  get  to  flaunt  your  skills.  you’re  the  best,  after all, that’s  precisely why  i  chose  you.  ”