florilegium

by Ljósfari (Ljosfari)

Summary:

A collection of drabbles inspired by flower-related prompts. Originally posted on Tumblr.

Chapter 1: Shadowheart - Spider Flower

Summary:

Spider Flower - a joke about getting eloped turning serious

"Waterdeep. Oh! Or Neverwinter."

"Too cold," Nocturne laughs, "wouldn't you rather go down south? Athkatla, perhaps?"

"Mmm, but I'd have you to keep me warm up north. And the skies are clear for your stargazing."

"That's why you stick so close to me, huh? Not because of my charm, just because I'm a walking furnace."

"Exactly." Shadowheart pulled closer to kiss Nocturne's lips. "The prettiest furnace there ever was.

"How much money do we need to get started? Come on. You can get your hands in the alms box, can't you?"

Nocturne gave her a sad smile. "I can try."

Chapter 2: Nocturne - Fungus

Summary:

Fungus - loneliness that causes the search for comfort in anyone

Who is this stray Mother Superior has brought? She has pretty eyes — not yet empty — and a kind smile. She looks concerned, as if she had spotted the scabs of blood around your nostrils and the bruises blooming around your eye.

"You're not having lunch with the boys?"

"They're stupid."

You rub your peeled knuckles. At least this time you could return a blow.

That kindness will disappear. As everything good does in this Cloister, for kindness is a lie and only scorn endures.

But until the lie reveals itself, maybe you can bask on its light a little longer.

Chapter 3: Viconia - Daffodil

Summary:

Daffodil - a wrong doing forgiven

Her fate had always been a daughter's dagger at her throat. Not even Lady Loss herself could cut that thread, sewn deep under the skin of every Drow Matron by Lolth's decree. Her only way to subvert that fate was to make her blood be spilled to the greater glory of Shar.

But her daughter returns an apostate — a Selûnite! — and sheathes her dagger after defeating her.

An open door. An open hand. A destiny, denied, and the disappointment of Shar heavy on her chest.

No greater loss than an entire life's work.

Viconia does not take her daughter's hand.

Chapter 4: Shadowheart - Lily of the Valley

Summary:

Lily Of The Valley - a tear, followed by a sob

Shadowheart does not cry. To cry was punished with a rattan cane across the knuckles in the Sombre Embrace of Shar — she does not remember why, she does not remember what, but she remembers the red-hot welts on her hands. Again and again and again until there were no more tears left to cry.

Thus her tears catch on her throat, along the ghosts of her parents, cold and heavy and bitter. Her eyes flood, and she blinks to keep her tears from spilling.

She breaks. She sobs and mourns and rages for the life that was taken from her.