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

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.

Don't worry, the flowers will be simple. I think they'll feel more sincere that way. It will go well!

[ With that, she hops off of the counter again, and starts milling about the shop, collecting flowers here and there from various containers. ]

Of course, I don't know too much about how things have unfolded between you two, but... Honesty and being true to your feelings has always worked, in my experience... Even the bad ones. Perhaps especially the bad ones. It may hurt the both of you to talk through it all, but once you come out on the other side... Hopefully you realize that you're stronger when you're working through these difficult feelings together instead of apart.

[ Ori's words settle in Trahearne's nonexistent heart and warm him from the inside. The bud of confidence that had taken root not long ago stretches and blooms. ~~Is it because she's a druid...?~~ A genuine smile crosses his face at last, and relaxes to lean on the counter. ]

You've just reminded me. [ His gaze turns out the window. ] We have been through so much together, through adversity and harrowing ordeals. He was never one to mince words when it came to making difficult decisions, and I always sought his judgment when it came to making important decisions.

I suppose in the face of...unknown territory-- [ (romance) ] --I faltered. I have only ever felt this way with him, and insidious fears and doubts took hold of me, made me act in ways I would not have in the face of more perilous situations.

[ He looks back at her. ] Thank you for helping me realise this.

[ Ori is inspecting a bundle of flowers as he continues to talk, and though her hands are busy untangling stems, her ears and her mind remain at full attention for her friend.

And... They're lucky, she thinks, to have been brought to this world together. The Goddess clearly must have had some kind of plan for them. That Syrlya and Trahearne get this chance now - for Trahearne especially - to be with one another without the reality of their circumstances and responsibilities to various entities to weigh as heavily on them... She really, earnestly hopes that the both of them will come to treasure it.

She only wishes, somewhere deep within, that she and Colin could have gotten the same chance, in spite of herself. For a long while now, Ori has been prepared for the eventuality that the two of them would drift apart, but seeing people here get this chance with their people from home... It's hard not to wonder, sometimes. Perhaps they were simply not meant to be on so many levels that even the Goddess didn't see it fit for him to be brought here.

Anyhow, that's something to ponder after she's finished helping Trahearne, isn't it... ]

Hm. It's always easy to confer and make difficult decisions when the fate of the world hangs in the balance, isn't it? And easy to push away your feelings when there are more important things that require your attention.

[ She gets it. She's been there. And everything about the somber note in her voice says at much. ]

It's really no wonder that you've faltered. In some ways, facing conflict when the conflict is more... threatening feels easier than the possibility of a broken heart. I understand, really... But it's different now. I hope you two can find a way to face the future together.

You've been given such an incredible opportunity for it, after all. You have to take it, or at least try to.

[ Ori has been through her own ordeals, hasn't she? Trahearne nods with solemnity to equal her tone. When decisions need to be made in the moment, when thousands of lives hang in the balance, it's so much easier to prioritize. But when it comes to the possibility of emotional intimacy between two people, what takes priority?

No number of tomes in the Priory ever taught him the answer. He doubted Tyria's most brilliant minds ever could, either.

But the lack of an answer should never have held him back. He knows this well. ]

I intend to. I'm starting to think myself a fool for even entertaining the idea of not.

[ He can't leave this place—or watch Syrlya leave—without at least trying. He won't. ]

The hope you place in a brighter future for the both of us means a lot to me, Ori. [ He means this, genuinely. His eyes stay fixed on her as she works, appreciating the real effort she is putting in on his behalf. He can hardly believe himself so lucky to have such a good friend. ] As do your encouraging words. I hope to repay the favour to you someday.

The most important, wonderful things are often waiting at the end of a long, winding road. You might trip a few times, and maybe you even stray from the path, but... Once you get there, it'll be incredible and so worth all of the aching. And then, you make a new path together, hand-in-hand.

[ With a smile, she turns to face him, a greatly varied assortment of flowers now bundled up in her arms before she crosses back over to the counter to start assembling the flowers, first by pruning the stems of each flower with her shears. ]

There's no need to repay me, Trahearne. You're giving my new shop some business - that's more than enough!

[ He watches her as she moves and works, returning the smile.

She's right. This whole situation should be, frankly, impossible. They are in uncharted territory--perhaps it would be a bit different, a bit more familiar if all of this happened at home, but it isn't. They are in a world foreign, forced to play by another's rules, subjected to curses, surrounded by new people who fancy them. There is no map for this path, and Trahearne himself is somewhat amazed that his feelings for Syrlya have remained steadfast this entire time. There have been others, many he now deeply care for and consider good friends, but at the end of the day, his heart always goes back to him.

Maybe it's selfish of him, but he's ready to walk alongside him in this new territory now. ]

Standard monetary repayment, then. [ He gets from his stool, a slight tease to his voice.

Are you busy with work, Ori? It's too bad. Trahearne approaches her and gently wraps his arms around her in a hug, a gesture of his appreciation. Head tilted to the side so as not to poke himself in the eye with her horn. ]

Thank you. Again.

[ She's too focused on her current task to really think about what Trahearne might be up to when he stands from the stool; so when he closes in and hugs her, she stills for just a moment in her surprise. ]

Oh...!

[ But soon enough, she puts her shears down to reach up and pat one of his arms as it remains wrapped around her. Platonic affection like this has never been an issue for her, so she's content to let them both remain as they are. ]

You're welcome. Again.

[ Gingerly, she plucks a flower up from the seemingly unkempt bundle on the counter - a purple poppy, which she then holds up at Trahearne's face. ]

This is a poppy. I've read that in some places, this flower is a symbol used in the memory of fallen soldiers. I thought it might be perfect for this...

[ As Ori turns to pick up a flower, Trahearne's arms loosen as he lets her go. He's, honestly, quite surprised to see her stick the flower right in his face; he goes a little cross-eyed as he tries to get a better look at it.

What she says settles in his mind. His lips purse, and he directs his attention from the poppy to her. ]

In honour of all the Pact soldiers that died fighting the dragons?

[ It's the first thing that comes to mind. In his defense, it is tangentially related. ]

Well... I was thinking more in honor of you.

[ But... As a tribute to the rest of the Pact soldiers works, too. It could certainly be both. In the end, it's up to Trahearne to breathe meaning into the bouquet with whatever words accompany them. ]

I can't even imagine how difficult navigating all of that must have been, but... I think, for both of your sakes, you can allow yourselves to grieve the time you lost while promising to make good on the time you've been granted moving forward.

Oh.

[ He feels his expression fall. It's...true, though. Syrlya has spent seven long years without him, mourning him. Perhaps it can be in honor of the thousands that gave their lives to everlasting peace on Tyria, but he would most certainly count as one among them.

This bouquet is for Syrlya, for them, so perhaps it's all right if he shoulders that symbolism for himself. A little piece of him in his gift to him. Maybe he wouldn't have it any other way.

And after that moment of thought, he smiles. ]

I think so, too.

[ He places a hand to Ori's holding the flower to lower it so he can look at her. ]

That is very thoughtful of you. I know stewing in my "if-only"s will sour my mood, so I genuinely hope the same.

[ His eyes dart to the bundle of flowers on the counter. ]

And I hope he likes the bouquet.

Ah, well... If Syrlya doesn't like the bouquet, I think I'm supposed to offer you a refund or something...

[ Is that how running a business works? Who knows? She sure doesn't. ]

Or you can always blame it on me! Say it was my idea, or that I made you take a bouquet, or something...

Oh, no. I won't be doing that. And that's not necessary.

[ A wry smile cracks over his face. ]

You are not responsible for Syrlya's reaction to the gift, nor do you need to take the blame. Your job is to help me pick the flowers, and you're doing it wonderfully so far.

[ Ah, that's right-- ]

Tell me how much I owe you.

Oh, um...

[ She is just going to say... a random (low-balling) amount of currency. ]

Or maybe a bit of your fall harvest? What are you and Kaspar growing on your farm these days?

[ Trahearne comes back with a higher amount please, Ori, ]

--And that could work, too. [ His gaze briefly darts out the window. ] The forest is relatively dark, so we have plenty of mushrooms. We also have a sizeable orchard, if you would like fruit or coffee beans.

[ They have a lot! ]

But I would rather you take that as a gift as friendship, not as payment.

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oops i accidentally wrote

no oops i love it

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