crescentview | 🍁 fall catchfall

🍁 fall catchfall

🍄 who: Oriphi & others
🍄 what: open prompts & catchall
🍄 when: fall
🍄 where: various
🍄 warnings: some nsfw

i. flower shop 💐

[ Oriphi's flower shop is now open! She has been hard at work growing flowers on her and M-21's farm, trading with townsfolk and such to put everything together. And so beginning in the fall, she spends most of her afternoons after tending to the farm in this cozy little nook in town, available for any and all floral needs... and possibly even more! There are also small gifts available in the shop, like little plushies and little crafted items, decorations, and homemade snacks.

Ori herself can usually be found fussing over some arrangements or displays, chatting with random NPCs who wander in, talking to some of the live plants inside the shop (??), or otherwise sitting at the counter enjoying some afternoon tea, ready to be bothered.

What are you waiting for? Come on in! ]

ii. on the arco lunar 🚢

[ Ori has dressed up for her date on the Arco Lunar with M-21, with her hair carefully braided in a half up, half down style.

She'll be sticking with her date for the most part, but she can easily be caught by herself now and then, looking out into the sea while leaning on the guardrails of the deck... and occasionally looking like she's not doing too well. She's doing her best not to get seasick...

If the boat rocks at any point, she might end up having to lean on someone, grabbing an arm. ]

S—Sorry! I just need... a second.

iii. teleportation!? 🌳

[ Are you foraging in the forest? Or minding your own damn business in town?

If there's a conveniently person-sized trunk of a tree nearby... You might suddenly be greeted by the sound of magic sort of... bubbling up from said tree. Then in just another moment, a magical portal appears on the trunk, through which steps a petite little tiefling, now fashionably bundled up and looking a little cozy for the fall! She has a basket hanging on one arm and a staff held in the hand of the other.

She startles when she sees she's not alone wherever she's come out (yes, even in town). ]

Oh, woops! Good day!

[ The portal seems to close and then disappear behind her, and the tree is left looking as if someone didn't just fully walk out of it. ]

I didn't startle you, did I?

iv. wildcard

( feel free to toss something else in! we can hash things out at my plotting comment if you're feeling something else! )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ It's the latter half of the first week that Trahearne finds his way to Ori's flower shop. The decor is cozy, the atmosphere comfortable; though he'd been a little nervous when he first walked in, it's like it calms him immediately.

With a placid smile, he strides to the counter, to his tiefling friend. If there's anyone that he trusts to help him, it's her. ]

Hello, Ori.

[ Ori is tending to one of the displays in the shop when Trahearne enters, carefully snipping dead leaves off of a plant, with her tail curled around the handle of a watering can she's holding up. Very convenient, it's like having three hands...

But her ears perk up when a little bell chimes with his entrance, and she's quick to turn and smile. ]

Welcome— Oh! Trahearne. [ ahem. ] Welcome to Druid Crafts! How can I help you today?

[ Oh! What a useful thing to have--a tail. At least Ori's seems prehensile, unlike charr tails. ]

First of all, I want to extend my congratulations. [ He offers a little nod before his eyes dart up, taking in the decor. ] You have a lovely shop, and I'm sure the people of Crescentview will greatly appreciate your services.

[ yes, it sure can grab things,

But she offers a light little chuckle at his congratulations, waving a garden shears-wielding hand dismissively. ]

Thank you! I hope it feels cozy and warm in here, especially since it's getting cooler out... And, since the Goddess wants us all to get closer with one another, I thought gifts might be a nice way to do that.

[ It is warm and cozy. He is a plant, after all, and he can attest to this... The way his little smile widens is confirmation of that. ]

It would be.

[ There's a pause before his smile drops, just a touch. ]

That's why I'm here, actually. I need your help.

[ She tips her head to one side when she notices his expression shift slightly, but soon enough she's realizing why. Ori offers a reassuring smile in response, hoping to ease some of that worry he surely must be feeling. ]

Ahh, I see... For Syrlya, yes?

[ Not... anyone else, right??? For Syrlya??? ]

[ DOES NO ONE ON THIS ISLAND HAVE FAITH IN HIM????

There's yet another shift in his expression, a result of the way his chest tightens, and the prick of a flush tickles his cheeks. Of course Ori would know immediately. ]

Yes. [ Why does he sound so bashful? Is it because this is finally happening? ] I...have made mistakes, and I'm afraid I've soured our relationship. I thought you might know what to do.

...

[ With a quick glance to the door, just to make sure that there aren't more customers trying to come in, she sets her watering can down on a shelf, and tucks her gardening shears into a pocket of her florist's apron. Then, with a sweep of her arm she gestures at a stool near the counter for him to sit at. ]

Trahearne, what happened? You two seemed so peaceful together at that night when we were watching those movies...

[ The disappointment in himself duller and the heartache of witnessing Syrlya's ire towards himself has dulled in the days that have passed, but it still doesn't keep Trahearne from tensing, preparing himself for another (much deserved) chewing out.

Movie night seems so long ago.

He sits on the stool, looking at Ori with worry written all over his face. ]

I signed him up for the date auction without telling him. And...he took it very badly.

[ She still remembers how distraught he'd looked when they woke up together one morning; he had been so afraid that his feelings for Syrlya were somehow dulled by the spell the both of them had been under... And she sees that same fear and worry right now.

Once he's situated on the stool, she hops up and sits on top of the counter. ]

I see... And what were your intentions, when you signed him up...?

[ There's a moment of thought before Trahearne gives a measured answer: ]

To be honest, I did not think too deeply about it. I wanted to show everyone just how brilliant he is. [ He just wanted to write about him...? ] I would be happy knowing just one other person could understand what I see in him.

[ It's just a date. And here's where it seems he and the rest of the population are on different pages. ]

I had no reason to believe this would be any more serious than the spring dance or the Hot or Not contest, but...it seems it was.

[ That he scarcely bat an eye when he found out someone had signed him up should have been indicative of that. ]

[ If he were to ask Ori, she would have been among those who had thought the dates were supposed to be less serious... Though she had been a bit embarrassed, herself, when she found out that Amber signed her up, but... when she thought of these dates as opportunities to make new friends or get to know people better, that made it all feel less scary.

She knows everyone feels differently about these things... Perhaps it's not so much that the idea of dates or the nature of them that had upset Syrla, but... ]

Well, you know him better than I do, of course, but... There are different ways to show everyone how brilliant you think he is, I think. And going behind his back to do so could have been what upset him.

[ But. Well. He's not here to be scolded. She's fairly certain he's had enough of that. They can focus on how to fix things. ]

So... What we need to do is find a way for you to genuinely, directly, without any need for schemes or secrets... Express the feelings you tried to convey in that application, right?

[ All the goddess meddling and goddess-inflicted feelings and impulses made everyting feel less genuine. He'd trusted Syrlya to understand that, if something romantic were to happen between them, it would be because of his own will. He didn't want their first date to be a goddess trick. He wanted to ask him out, organize the outing, tell him how he feels of his own conscious, sober will.

He has been scolded plenty. Otegine's words had been helpful, but they dug into fresh wounds and embedded themselves there. So he is grateful that Ori jumps straight to solutions. Some of his tension dissipates as he leans to rest his elbows on his knees. ]

That is what I hope to do. I owe him...several apologies.

[ Briefly, he rubs his face in his hands. ]

I kissed him once, but...he didn't react. I don't think he liked that, either.

[ She blinks, tipping her head to one side. Syrlya didn't react...? How curious. ]

You don't think so...? Did you ask him?

[ did y'all... you know... communicate ]

No.

[ Trahearne shakes his head. The thought of asking him didn't cross his mind at the moment. In hindsight, he should have. He remains silent for another pensive moment. ]

The moment was just right, I...

[ A sigh. ]

I shouldn't have.

[ Well... She can hardly blame him. Thinking of these things in the moment is so much easier said after the fact than done... ]

I-It's okay, it's already happened...

[ She grabs a little journal from atop the counter, along with a pen, and then starts scribbling. ]

What kinds of things does he like?

[ Trahearne takes a breath and leans back in his stool a bit when she asks, mirroring her a bit. ]

He likes...elegance, but his impression belies hardiness. [ Like a fine sword covered in the blood of his enemies. It's fine. Don't think too hard about it.

He is still thinking of flowers, specifically, though. ] Pinks and purples. Perhaps blues, too.

Okay!

[ she writes it all down! Elegant, but tough, pinks, purples, blues. ]

Anything else?

[ Trahearne thinks for another moment. ]

I'd like...seven different types of flowers, if that's possible.

[ He turns to Ori, a faint look of distress on his face. ]

I...wish I could have survived, fought and lived alongside him in the seven years that have separated us.

[ Of all the things, of all of the revelations, this one has hurt the most. ]

Seven types...

[ She is scribbling, and only after she finishes does she look back up and find that distressed look on his face. She blinks, a bit in surprise, until the words dawn fully on her and her own features twist and knit together in sorrow, as empathetic as ever. This is not the first time Trahearne has told her about his fate, but... They hadn't exactly been in their right minds the first time, and it still pains her to hear, nonetheless. ]

Ah... I see. Seven types of flowers for each year...

[ She puts her pen down momentarily to reach over and squeeze his shoulders. ]

You should tell him that.

I intend to.

[ His answer comes readily, because he has been thinking about this to begin with. His eyes drop, momentarily studying his hands. ]

That I've squandered the two seasons we've had together already pains me.

[ ... ]

Otegine said that hesitation can be harmful, and...he's right. I should not have waited this long.

[ Ori can't help but chuckle so very quietly when he mentions Otegine. He'd said hesitation can be harmful...? She seems to recall him hesitating to reach out for Pyra's hand... Ah, well. ]

That's why you have to make sure your apology is thorough and heartfelt. Not that I had any doubt that you would... And make sure that your time together moving forward is full of the love you wouldn't let yourself feel in these past few months.

[ She starts making note of her ideas for various flowers in her journal. ]

How about... Another kind of present that he might like, too? An object... Of course I specialize with plants and flowers, but if there's something else we can make, perhaps with wood or stone...

Edited (my html!!!) 2023-02-02 23:45 (UTC)

[ Trahearne nods at that. Over the past few days, he's done a lot of thinking, picking apart and analyzing all that's happened, his feelings. Sitting with and accepting what he's done, and what he wants to do. If his sincerity doesn't come across after all that, then he isn't sure what to do.

He idly watches her write for a moment, when the next question takes him by surprise. ]

Another kind of present? [ He purses his mouth in thought--too many presents, too flashy or too elaborate might end up having the opposite effect, if he knows his commander. ] I am...hesitant to give him too much. [ Especially when he made him that angry. ] But as a token of appreciation, perhaps.

[ After another beat, he looks up at her, curious. ] What sort of wood crafts do you have?

[ To be honest, she had blurted out that suggestion without much thought... She thought maybe that one of her spells could aid in the creation of such a gift but... That would require actually knowing what she would want to do, which she certainly does not.

So there's a bit of a saving grace when Trahearne expresses that he doesn't want to give too much... ]

Ah, well, right now... Not much. But maybe we can think about it for a future present...

[ She's so good at this business thing! ]

But you're right, perhaps the flowers will be enough. Besides... Your words will be the most important part of this gesture, right?

They should be.

[ He has never been the type to shower others with gifts and empty words. In truth, he has some apprehension about gifting him flowers to begin with, but the prospect of turning up empty-handed also sits with him the wrong way.

After one pensive moment, his expression lightens a bit, imagining the chance to come back under better circumstances. ]

But I would love to work with you on a future gift. If all goes well, that is.

i

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