Muffy watched the other’s cheeks crimsoned. So cute ♡! Flora is so precious, the playful blonde thought in amusement. She could only return a genuine smile at the other. While Flora was skimming through the menu, Muffy debated if she wanted to eat herself. Mmm, not too hungry. She did have a cup of coffee to keep her preoccupied!
Sipping on her mildly sweet cocoa, Muffy casually observed the woman across her. Of course, the blonde wanted to know more about her! From what she could see, Flora unquestionably has good taste with food! The curry section seemed to have captured her attention. Oh, now she was looking at the pasta platters. Muffy wasn’t very good at cooking either. (Actually, in general.) But she made a mental note to one day learn how to. Perhaps, Felicia could teach her a thing or two!
Flora’s stammering protests interrupted her thoughts to which Muffy waved dismissively. Before she could assure Flora though, her sudden aversion to Muffy’s casual question threw her off guard.
Muffy set the warm mug down. Worry lines creased on her forehead as she looked at the other in bewilderment. Oh, gosh. There seemed to be a blanket of seriousness and discomfort.
Well, the blonde didn’t want to pry. Flora’s blatant hesitation and anguished words made it clear that the conversation needed a change of subject… But a part of Muffy was deathly curious. Especially at how the other touched her scar! Like, what happened? Was her potential roommate a criminal on the run or something?! How thrilling!
The apprehensive beautician shook her head and leaned forward. “Oh, Flora. You could tell me anything! I mean, I know we’ve only met a few seconds ago but we’re going to be roommates—basically sisters by heart! Besides, I’d feel more comfortable knowing more about who I’m living with.“ Then, she quickly added with a whole-hearted smile, "Though I’d understand if you prefer not to talk about it yet!”
A waiter came by and asked Flora what she wanted to drink. The woman gave a small shrug, then asked for a soda. Hopefully the caffeine would keep her going and the sweet texture would improve her mood.
On the other hand, Muffy asking about her history - prying, really - was only serving to sour that mood further. She would have preferred to keep her past to herself, at least until she was more comfortable with her new roommate. And she had a point. Muffy probably would prefer to know just what kind of a person she was dealing with. Flora was sure the people around her came up with all kinds of ideas about how she got her scars. The last thing she needed was her own roommate making up weird stories about her past.
She fiddled with her hands, picking at hide and running the tips of her fingers over her nails. She hadn’t really told anyone about what happened with him. She kept it all to herself, letting it bubble up to the point it was now about to overflow. She supposed she’d rather it be a stranger than someone who knew Carter. That way, they couldn’t say “I told you so”.
“I actually grew up here, in Leuda. Always had liking for rocks so I thought, well... maybe I could be an archaeologist. I went to college here. He was my teacher. Name’s not important... The year I graduated, he asked me to come with him, away from the islands. Help him find long lost artifacts all over the world, you know? I admired him. I was stupid.”
Flora’s hands were starting to shake. She rested them in her lap, hands clasped tight together as if that alone would stop the trembling.
“He was amazing. No other word for it. He was intelligent and eloquent and had a vision. Said he wanted to make a museum, and I believed him. Said he loved me, and I believed that too...”
Don’t cry, damn it! It’s embarrassing to cry over stuff like this!
“One day, everything was gone - him, the truck I bought us, all the artifacts, everything in my wallet. Left without me... He didn’t even say goodbye...”
The food soon arrived. A nice pasta carbonara. She’d likely be making rainbow curry tonight to deal with all these emotions.
“I... I’m sorry. I don’t mean to, ah...”
