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

[ The days are cloudy and crisp, and soon autumn will turn to winter. Yet there's no shortage of warmth in Ori's flower shop, one quiet afternoon. It's late enough into the day that Ori doesn't anticipate that any more customers will come by, so she doesn't feel bad about closing up a little early so that she and Trahearne can use the large table in the middle of the shop where she usually arranges flowers with her customers to work on a few projects.

For her part, she has an assortment of different colored felts, and her journal open to pages containing various doodles and ideas. In the center of the table is a pot of a delicate white tea atop a warmer, and one cup each for her and Trahearne each. And some homemade cookies, because of course.

She's just locked the scissor gate behind the front door when she turns to Trahearne and remembers something. ]

Say... Would you mind if I gave you one of my chocolates? It's, um... Harmless. [ unlike notegine's.... ] But I'd understand if you'd rather not!

[ Trahearne has been here for hours--all day almost (it's a miracle Ori hasn't kicked him out yet) as he works on little crafts for his friends. He isn't crafty, by any means, so he's thankful for Ori's help. His projects are simple, because he thinks the real heart of his appreciation will come through in his poems.

Maybe.

He's almost done weaving his second cord--this one, for Mishka--when Ori's voice snaps him out of his concentration. He lifts his head, gears in his mind switching, and he smiles. ]

Not at all. You're welcome to have one of mine as well. [ He nods to the box sitting in the empty chair beside him. ] We'll exchange.

Oh, good!

[ She crosses over to the counter, where she's been keeping her box, and then brings it over to the table before plucking a piece out of Trahearne's box and taking her seat. ]

I think mine makes you want to compliment me, or something like that...? At least, that's the only explanation I have... What about yours?

Mine forces the eater to tell the other what they love most about them.

[ That sure was a Mishka Jumpscare he got on that paddleboat. It almost ruined him. Almost.

At least he knows exactly what they do. ]

It sounds as though they're similar.

[ He finishes off this section before laying a piece of tape over his progress to keep it in place. With his hand free, he reaches for a piece of Ori's chocolate.

He lifts it to her in a toasting motion. ]

Cheers.

Oh...

[ Maybe that's what hers does, too? But it's honestly hard to tell, because the only person who's eaten them is Otegine, and he wasn't. Himself. At the time.

...

Anyway! She mirrors his gesture, chuckling as they "toast" with their chocolates. ]

Cheers, Trahearne!

[ There it goes. She's looking at him curiously as she eats her piece, wondering when its effects will kick in. ]

[ Trahearne watches her, too, as he munches on his chocolate.

And when his mouth is mostly empty, it's like the words come tumbling out on his own. Considering the trust he holds between both of them, he isn't too worried about what comes out. ]

I love your warmth. You are so caring of all things--plants, animals, people--and I think that's what naturally draws these things to you.

[ Oh... Though she knows the words were spurred on by magic, she can't help but feel truly moved all the same. Not all too long ago, Ori might have shied away from exchanging her chocolates entirely knowing what they do, but lately... She can't help but feel really grateful for the people she's met, here. And if exchanging chocolates helps everyone with their farms, and helps them be more honest about one another when it comes to their appreciation, then... She has to give it a try.

The trust is mutual. So Ori doesn't hesitate, for once, when speaking from her heart. ]

I love that you're so earnest and level-headed at the same time. You always do your best to listen to what everyone has to say, whether it's about their thoughts or worlds or their feelings... I love that, and how curious you are!

[ Mishka, Syrlya, Otegine, and now Ori...all use the word "earnest." He does, intellectually, understand what it means, but to hear it applied to himself so many times? He isn't sure how to take it. He just genuinely wants to do good for his friends, his community, his world. Even though he knows he will always stumble and make mistakes, he'll always try.

Curious, though, is a sylvari trait.

He smiles at her, and reaches for a cookie. ]

Thank you, Ori. I know it's the chocolates, but that's very kind of you to say.

[ She nods and smiles... well, warmly, at him. ]

I could say the same for you! I guess... Even if it was the chocolates, I know those words came from the heart.

[ With that, she starts to sort through all the different colors of felts she's amassed for her little projects. ]

You've been very hard at work all day here. Can I see what you've been working on?

[ His metaphorical heart. It's hard to smile back at her with a mouthful of cookie, but he tries.

He wipes the crumbs from the corner of his mouth as he presses a hand to the pile of things he's completed throughout the day. ]

I made a wine topper for Kaeya, [ he scoots the blue flower upon the wine cork towards her to show her ] wove a bracelet for Kaspar, [ he scoots that towards her, too ] a charm of sorts for Otegine, who gave me one from his culture, [ it isn't equivalent, but it is made with the same intentions, he thinks ] a hair tie for Adelis, [ he taps a light blue cord before his hands settle on the red weave of a similar pattern he's working on at the moment. ] and I'm making a matching one for Mishka.

[ He pauses, a flutter in his chest as he looks up at Ori again. It's obvious by the way he hesitates at first, by the way a smile slowly grows over his face, that he's trying to let excitement consume him. ]

I have to show you what Syrlya got me.

[ And with movements just as controlled, he pulls off his left glove to reveal a ring that sits snug on his ring finger.

Trahearne doesn't say much else, except hold his hand out loosely for her to see, and it is quite obvious on his expression that he is trying very hard not to grin silly. ]

Edited 2023-02-25 18:45 (UTC)

[ She's all smiles as he shows her the presents he's made... and honestly maybe trying to remember in her head to steal some of these ideas... a hair tie for M-21 would be nice. His hair is getting long and it so often just covers his face...

anyway ]

Hm...?

[ don't cry don't cry don't cry in another life you have cried in like every thread with trahearne... but she's so happy for them...!? A ring? On his ring finger? What does it mean!! ]

[ She frees her hands of her felts so that she can reach out and gingerly take his hand in both of hers so she can inspect!! Closely!! ]

Wow...! Trahearne, it's such a lovely ring, and— Please help me understand - does this mean the two of you are... [ y'know ] Betrothed!? Or already married?

[ He lets Ori take his hand, resting it in the warmth of hers, and he can't help himself anymore. The joy radiates off him, practically palpable even to his non-sylvari friend. ]

I don't know. [ It doesn't matter! He still beams at her, the grin reaching every corner of his features. ] But I love him--so much, Ori. I can't imagine my life without him.

[ damn you she is trying so hard not to cry and you get all like this!?! She blinks away the stinging sensation in her eyes, and her smile grows all the more fond for her friend.

It really is hard not to get caught up in his joy, but of course she would never shy away from it. She's always been an empathetic person, not perhaps to the point of complete empathy like Trahearne and his sylvari kin, but still. ]

Ah... That's alright! It's such a precious gift, just as precious as the bond you two have...

[ She squeezes his hands, and gazes up at his eyes. ]

I'm so happy for you two... It's such a wonderful feeling to love someone that much, isn't it? Ehe. You know, back at the party, Syr told me that you speak everything with your eyes. I think I agree..!

[ At that, Trahearne blinks, and the surprise reaches his eyes. He's touched, and doesn't respond at first. ]

He did? I...

[ OH... Why does this make him feel so embarrassed? He looks away for a moment, trying to compose himself. All these new feelings of affection--he really doesn't know how to handle them. Except get bashful.

Or chuckle, quietly.

He looks back at Ori. ]

I'm not sure what I want to make for him, yet.

[ It's not a competition, but. A ring is hard to top. ]

[ This giant tree man is so soft and precious, help. ]

That's alright. It's better if you take the time to think on what to give him than rush. But ah, why not make a ring in return...?

[ A ring in return? Traherane looks down at his own--it's so...perfect. What could he ever do or give to match? ]

Are you sure? Would that not be...cheap?

... Huh? Why do you think that?

[ Said as she's starting to cut flower and petal shapes out of felt. ]

I think it makes sense. If the ring is meant to be some kind of promise, then you should return the sentiment, right? Though maybe a different kind of jewelry would work, too? In the end, you're the one that knows Syrlya best, Trahearne...

[ As Ori starts to cut flowers, Trahearne turns his attention back to Mishka's hair tie, and starts weaving again. ]

...I suppose you're right. As a symbol of the exchange of a vow, a ring would be most appropriate. But I...gave him a necklace when I first asked him on the date. Perhaps I should wait. [ He smiles a little to himself. ] I think he would look beautiful in any kind of jewellery, to be honest.

[ He pauses for a moment, before looking up again. ]

What are you going to give M-21? Has he given you anything?

Edited 2023-02-27 18:16 (UTC)

Hmm, I guess when you put it that way, it would make sense to wait... Then what about something to put jewelry in? A jewelry box or stand or something like that...

[ At his question, her hands still. ]

I'm not... so sure, yet. We haven't really given each other anything since getting together... It's only been a few days.

[ Give her at least 72 hours. ]

I might steal your hair tie idea at the very least, though... His hair is always in his face.

[ Trahearne hums. Actually...that's not a bad idea. Even if it's just a box--it'd be useful. It'd have to look nice, though. Something to think about.

Though he doesn't look up from his weaving, he is listening. That is fair. For a budding relationship--one where he knows they started off as strangers not long ago--it isn't a bad idea. Maybe they'll wait 96 hours, even. ]

That's very thoughtful of you, Ori. I'm sure he'd like that.

[ He falls quiet again, looking at the red strands in his hands. Brief thoughts of Mishka and Syrlya pass through his mind before he looks up again at her.

Maybe this isn't the right time for this, but he is admittedly curious. ]

Did you ever do anything like this for Colin?

[ Hearing the name catches Ori off-guard immediately. Though she'd spoken briefly or alluded to him to a few folks, she'd been sure that she never once mentioned him by name. So how did Trahearne...

Oh. Right. That day, back in the summer... She'd told him, after they came back to their right minds. She'd told him that she was heartbroken to arrive here without him, especially after seeing how many others arrived with people from their worlds. Their friends, even. Told him that despite feeling strongly about him, she was sure it wasn't going to work out. That maybe, in a way, her arriving here was her running away from the inevitability of her and Colin drifting apart.

Did she ever do anything like this for Colin? It's hard to say. They've had a long, long history, and their bond - romantic or otherwise - had been forged over years and years, through so many harrowing moments. But that's what made it special.

As for M-21... It's not a romance that had been built on what-ifs and years of pining and then years of navigating societal expectations. Hiding what they are. She has only known him for about two months, so of course they don't know each other quite as deeply. But he's always there for her, always watching over her, always caring about her, and together they share a home that they both care about and want to care for. And that's special, too. It is different, but perhaps it's what she needs in her life, nowadays. That consistency and stability and knowing that when her head hits her pillow at night, he'll still be there when she wakes up, and not gone to another far-flung corner of the world on a quest he didn't think he should take her on.

She nods. ]

Sometimes. He gave me a lyre, once, a long time ago. When he realized I knew how to play. [ she... has that lyre now, here. ] It's hard to know what to give a prince, but he never made a fuss about it. Mostly I would do things like cook for him, and show him to my favorite places, things like that that we could do while on the road...

[ At last she starts cutting away at her felt, again. ]

I guess I already do some of those things for M, though...

[ Trahearne continues to weave, quietly taking in what Ori tells him as he does so. The way she speaks about him tells Trahearne she holds a special sort of warmth for him, one another would be difficult to replace. Even if he is not here, and she is with M-21 now, it's hard to think she could ever replace him in her heart. ]

Perhaps that is simply the way you show another your love. There's nothing wrong with that.

[ He thinks for a few more moments, watching red and white and silver create the pattern he saw in the craft book, before speaking again. ]

I don't want to speak for him, but as someone who would hold similar status if I were human, I can sympathise. I am almost certain he loved all the things you did for him simply because you did them for him, not because he was a prince.

[ His hand stills, and he looks up at Ori. There's a small smile on his face. Maybe it's bad, wrong to encourage positivity for a relationship that might not work out, but he simply cannot pass up an opportunity to talk about Syrlya. ]

Syrlya did not treat me as firstborn--he treated me as a friend. I thought him audacious at first, but... [ his smile widens SORRY ] ...I think it was for the best. If...you ever get the chance to see him again, then I would not worry about it.

🍁 fall catchfall

💐 late fall, after the karaoke party

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