MORE PROMPTS roach and newman heart eyes over something horizon's doing without realizing
Prompt under the cut.
“But there aren’t as many representations of the whale as it used to,” that’s how Horizon finishes the riveting tale of Sadalsuud’s fixation with sea life.
Roach taps their lips with their fingers as if they were considering the Domini’s words. Newman knows their companion enough to recognize they’re barely holding back an amused smile.
The three of them are strolling down the yard after a Calling in the meditation cabin. Once alone, Newman alluded to a question one of the Yellow Scrubs had brought up. Horizon didn’t mind filling in the blanks about Sadalsuud’s past.
“That whale surely–” Roach’s colorful addition is interrupted by somebody calling out for Horizon.
“Domini,” Velour says once they are close enough to be heard without raising their voice.
Horizon turns to face their assistant. Their expression, however, goes from inquisitive to bemused when they notice the worried look on the kid’s eyes, and their tense rictus. “Tell me,” they say.
Velour stops in front of the three of you, stare fixed on their Domini. “Dahlia’s, uh, son. He’s come back.”
Horizon nods once. The smallest of frowns flashing on their face before disappearing behind a mask of neutrality. They take five steps in the direction Velour came from–the front gate–before remembering Newman and Roach are there too. The Domini turns around, offers them an apologetic smile. “I have to take care of this, but it won’t take me long.”
“Then, we might as well go with you,” Newman says. Maybe they are bored, maybe they are curious about this new person showing up in the ranch and the way Velour and the Domini reacted.
Horizon blinks once.
“Yeah,” Roach interjects, “Dahlia… Dahlia… that’s the fifty-something woman, right? Used to smoke like a chimney but doesn’t anymore?”
Horizon’s eyebrows lift up. “You talked to her?”
“Nope,” Roach answers with a smug grin. “I’m right, am I not?”
Horizon doesn’t reply, but they look at Newman and nod indicating they are ok with them tagging along.
—
The man waiting on the other side of the gates seems to be around Horizon’s age. With a receding blond hairline, dark shades, black slacks and a navy blue shirt, he really doesn’t look ready for a hike in Luna Ridge.
He looks up from the pager he’s been frowning at when he hears the group’s arrival. Pocketing the device, he asks, “Where’s my mother?”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Ricci,” Horizon greets him with a polite smile.
“Save it, you insufferable douche.”
Next to Newman, Velour takes a deep breath ready to defend their Domini’s honor, but a neutral look thrown over Horizon’s shoulder quiets them down swiftly. The kid is practically vibrating with righteous fury next to Roach and Newman, but they don’t go against their Domini’s silent plea.
“Tell my mother I came to talk to her,” the man says before sniffing.
“You know Dahlia doesn’t want to talk to you,” Horizon explains patiently.
“Her name is Beatrice, not Dahlia,” the man replies.
Horizon tilts their head. “Well, that’s factually wrong. If you talked to your lawyer, Mr. Ricci–”
“Why do you think I’m here? What’s this nonsense about changing her will? You think your cult can drain my family dry? You’ve got a storm coming, you weasel.”
“Oh, then you should know Dahlia has legally changed her name too.” The Domini waves a hand. “Coming back to her will, yes, she’s decided to contribute to The Chosen People as a thank you for what we have done for her.”
“What you’ve done for her?” He takes off his shades, sticks his face on the gate. “You’re stealing from her! Stealing from us! You’re–”
“And you would know about that, wouldn’t you Mr. Ricci?” Horizon interrupts. The soft smile is still in place, but their gray eyes have turned harsh and calculating. “Dahlia knows money’s been vanishing from her account for months. She knows about the parties, and your…” cold eyes scan the man’s face, “expensive pastimes.” The man sniffs and Horizon’s smile grows almost imperceptibly. “Pastimes she doesn’t approve of, I might add. But,” they continue, extending an olive branch, or at least an easy way out, “Dahlia is more than ready to forgive you if you respect her choice to do with her money as she pleases without any further issues.”
“Listen–”
“Learning about that spending habit of yours broke her heart, imagine if she knew about the other ways you’re squandering her fortune.”
For once, the man is speechless.
“Should we call her? Tell her about Positano?”
“How…”
“Let’s not do that, Mr. Ricci. Dahlia has gone through enough thanks to you and your father.” The polite mask returns as sweet as ever. “Have a nice day.”
Horizon turns around and walks off, hair swishing behind them. Velour is watching them as if they had sprung wings and were glowing with divine light. They quickly follow after them.
“Hm.” Newman looks at Roach and Roach smirks at them. “Well, that was hot, wouldn’t you say?”
It is 1am in my time, but I happen to be both awake and fully functional. That aside, I thought of a random question: What exactly does Velour look like? Did you have anything specific in mind? Or is it just up for interpretation?
On CH4 I describe them as: They are quite young, freshly out of high school you'd guess; they've got clear downturned eyes which make their face look naive and candid.
That’s all I’ve said, so you’re free to interpret that whatever you want.
