Round 35 Transcript

Jeane's eyes narrow as she regards Hera, her gaze lingering on the woman's face before shifting back to Silra. The air seems to thicken, heavy with unspoken tension, as Silra's free hand slides down Jeane's arm, fingers brushing against her skin in a gentle, exploratory touch. Hera's amber eyes flicker, a spark of curiosity igniting within them. Consequence: Silra's touch sends a shiver through Jeane's body, heightening the already charged atmosphere between them. New detail: Hera's eyes flicker to Silra's hand, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern, as if she's not sure what to make of the subtle display of intimacy. Immediate pressure: Jeane's gaze snaps back to Hera, her voice low and controlled as she asks, "What do you want, Hera?"

I lean back slightly, giving Hera space even as I maintain my position over Silra, my wings shifting in agitation beneath me. My voice is cool and measured when I speak again, each word carefully chosen to convey exactly how little patience I have left for this interruption. "What do you want, Hera? If you're here to moralize or mediate, then you can see yourself out now." My gaze flickers down to Silra beneath me—her hand still resting casually on my hip—and back up to Hera's face, noting the tension in her jaw even as I feel a corresponding tightness in my own chest. We might be at an impasse right now, but there are more important things than whatever emotional drama is brewing between us. Like ensuring that our carefully laid plans don't come crashing down because of a momentary lapse in judgment—or rather, in control. And right now, I need to make sure Hera understands exactly where she stands in all this.

I don't move my hand from Jeane's hip, but I do shift my focus fully onto Hera now—not because I'm done with this thing between us, but because I know Jeane well enough to understand that she won't make a decision while we have an audience. So instead of pushing it or trying to force something, I address the actual problem standing in the doorway like it's the most natural thing in the world. "Look," I say, keeping my voice even despite how much I want to just grab Jeane and walk away with her, consequences be damned, "if you've got something specific to say about any of this—about us or what happened earlier or whatever—then spit it out." My thumb traces a small circle against Jeane's hip, a subtle reminder that yeah, I'm still here and we're still in this weird standoff even if I'm not actively trying to set shit on fire right now. "But if you're just here to watch the show or pass judgment, then do us all a favor and close the door on your way out." I meet her eyes steadily—no challenge in it but also no bullshit either—and wait for whatever comes next. Because honestly? Part of me hopes she actually has something useful to say instead of just being another complication we have to navigate around.

I step further into the room, letting the door swing shut behind me with a soft click that seems overly loud in the charged silence. My eyes flick between Jeane and Silra—Jeane's wings still bristling beneath her, Silra's hand resting casually on her hip—and I feel a tightness in my chest that has nothing to do with the sight of them together like this. Because here's the thing: I may not agree with how they're going about it, but I can't deny that there's something real between them—something that goes beyond just power dynamics or sexual tension. So when I speak again, my voice is softer than before, tinged with a weariness that comes from being caught in the middle of other people's drama for far too long. "Look," I say slowly, choosing my words with care even as part of me wants to just turn around and walk away from all this mess, "I'm not here to moralize or mediate. That's not my place." My eyes meet Jeane's directly, holding her gaze until she blinks first—just to prove that I'm not backing down no matter what she thinks she can do. But then I sigh, letting some of the tension drain from my shoulders as I look at Silra instead. "I'm just... worried about you both. About where this is going and if either of you has really thought through all the consequences." My brow furrows slightly, a small crease appearing between my eyes as I consider how best to phrase what comes next. "Because let's be real here: you two may be into each other in ways that make my head spin just thinking about it, but that doesn't mean you're immune to making mistakes or hurting each other." I pause, letting the weight of my words settle between us before continuing on. "And while I may not understand everything that's going on between you...I do know what it's like to get caught up in something and forget about the people who care about you."

The corner of my mouth twitches, almost but not quite a smile, as I look back at Jeane. "So if you're sure this is what you both want—if you're willing to face whatever comes your way without turning tail and running when things get messy..." Then I spread my hands in a gesture that says the rest: then who am I to stand in your way? Because really, isn't that what love is ultimately about? Supporting the people we care about even when they make choices we don't fully understand or agree with? And maybe it's time for me to start trusting them—trusting Silra especially—to know their own minds and hearts without trying to protect her from everything. Even if said protection comes in the form of a lecture on not getting too emotionally involved with her superior.