closed starter for: @thomashopper in the ballroom, post plot drop full post can be found here if ya nasty
chaos unwrapped the ballroom like the first gift on christmas morning, tearing at it like a dog bearing teeth - and thomas hopper was close enough to reach.
lucky him.
“where is he, baron?”
the title came first because titles were useful cages. she pushed him toward a clearer patch of floor - away from both the girl and the chaos- not hard enough to make a scene but firmly enough to remind him that she could. her shoulders stayed squared for one beat too long, eyes narrowing in accusation.
then she let the blade disappear.
“tom.”
her voice was soft now. delicate. almost sweet, if you didn’t know any better. mey leaned in close enough that he would have to decide whether to step back or listen, and she has not yet learned the man’s behavior to know which way he would go. her lashes lowered, her mouth tilted, and she twisted her face into a smile that was common now as it settled over her like a second skin.
the pain dragged through her again. her vision blurred at the edges, but she did not blink. she let him look at her smile instead. was she frightened, furious, flirting, or all three? that was for someone else to guess.
for now she just needed information - and she would be asking everyone this time.
“tell me what you know.”
