The flower he remembered
[10:56:08] Crow (melchior.wardell) couldn’t help but to spy Kedja with something strapped to her thigh. Curious perhaps, or was it the strong pull she had upon him that made him approach her. “What is that?”he asks pointing to the dagger. If something rubbed him the wrong way it was a slave wearing weaponry.
[10:58:48] KeDjA (lilli.breda) watches the butterflies fluttering over the flowers as if there were nothing better in the world than being a butterfly. When she hears footsteps and then the voice that goes with them, she turns around. Her first answer to Crow’s question, based on what she’s observed, is “butterflies.” Then she pauses for a moment when she notices his gaze, and her eyes drift down to herself. “Oh… that… a knife, Master,” she replies truthfully… and simply.
[11:03:24] Crow (melchior.wardell)’s eyes remained on the knife for a moment longer before returning to Kedja’s face. There was no anger in his expression, but the stillness in it was enough to make his opinion clear. “A knife, yes.” His gaze dropped briefly toward it again. “You know my view on slaves carrying weapons.” He stepped a little closer, though not threateningly, his voice remaining low and even. “I don’t care whether you intend to use it. I care that you could.” Ther was this pause. “Put it away for now. Then tell me why you have it.” He wasn’t accusing her. He was giving her the opportunity to explain before deciding what, if anything, needed to be done.
[11:07:39] KeDjA (lilli.breda) ‘s eyes follow his movements as he takes a step closer. “I was planning to use it. Otherwise, it would have lost its usefulness, Master.” For a brief moment, something like irritation flashes across her face. After all, she uses knives several times a day. Her right hand points to the flowers beside her. “My master’s orders,” she finally explains. “Flowers for the innkeeper.” As always, she uses no more words than she deems necessary.
[11:11:52] Crow (melchior.wardell)’s gaze followed the gesture toward the flowers, then returned to the knife. For a moment, he said nothing. “So. Your master’s orders.” His eyes settled briefly upon the blade again, his expression thoughtful rather than angry. “That explains its purpose. It doesn’t make me particularly fond of seeing a slave carrying a weapon.” His gaze returned to Kedja. “I’ve seen too many things go wrong when a weapon is within easy reach. Intentions have a habit of changing when circumstances do.” A brief pause, his tone remaining calm. “If you were mine, I would have you leave it behind unless the work specifically required it.” He glanced toward the flowers.“But you’re not mine. So the decision is ultimately your master’s.” A faint lift of his brow. “Just understand why it catches my attention.” He would speak on the matter as his attention was taken by someone approaching. “Ah greetings lady. I trust you are well?”
[11:15:51] KeDjA (lilli.breda) tilts her head slightly as he explains. “Even if I’m not, you should know me better, Master,” she replies quietly in a gentle voice, before her attention is diverted when she notices a movement behind him. Her eyes follow the figure for a moment before she looks back at Crow. “I understand, Master,” she finally says, before he turns around and greets the woman. As usual, she keeps a low profile from this point on and merely bows her head in greeting. Her hands rest on her back, as if to emphasize the words she first addressed to Crow.
[11:20:09] Róisín Russo (roisin.heartsong) would have woke early , and was exploring , and noticed them in the garden and said ” Tal , I am well , I hope the same goes for You ” as She nodded to the girl ” tal girl ” as She looked to the Flowers and smiled ” My Complements to whom ever has been tending These they are Lovely “
[11:24:21] Crow (melchior.wardell) turned his attention toward the killer that approached. Giving him a dip of his head. A respectful gesture to the man he knew well. Than his focus returned to the woman. “Tal. I am well enough.” His gaze briefly moved toward the flowers before returning to Róisín. “Your compliment will be passed to the one tending them.” His eyes shifted momentarily toward Kedja, then back to the woman. The earlier exchange remained quietly filed away in his mind. Kedja’s words had been simple, but there had been something beneath them. He did not press it. Instead, he allowed his attention to settle on the lady, observing her with the same quiet scrutiny he gave everyone who entered Black Ember Port. “Exploring?” he asked, casually enough that it could pass as simple conversation
[11:30:13] KeDjA (lilli.breda) glances to the right as a movement appears out of nowhere. The corners of her mouth twitch briefly before she steps back slightly to put some distance between herself and Crow, then reaches for her left thigh and pulls out the knife. The way she does it probably reveals more than she should. At least to men who use knives regularly themselves. She hums softly, probably barely audibly, as she begins her task, carefully cutting some flowers from their roots just above the ground. In doing so, she mainly selects those that the butterflies tend to visit less frequently.
[11:32:44] Róisín Russo (roisin.heartsong) nodded ” Yes I Love the Waterfalls , good place to go sit and think on Your Problems , and I was looking to see what Plants , and Herbs are Native to this area” as She nodded and smiled ” well they do a wonderful Job with the flowers ” as she noticed the Man she met Yesterday and nodded and said ” Tal , I hope Your day is going well “
[11:34:16] αяѕυѕ (daimos.baarer): Arsus, also known as “The Silent One,” set off for the inn. He hoped to meet Kedja there; after all, she had been tasked with getting some flowers. For that purpose, he had been given a knife. It was a simple knife that could be used to cut flowers, cut meat, and, if necessary, fend off animals. You can definitely do all that with a kitchen knife. He hoped to impress the innkeeper with the flowers; he had once heard, though it had been a very long time ago, that women like flowers. For whatever reason. He spotted Crow, who greeted him with a nod. Arsus nodded back. Twice, just to make sure Crow would notice. He then nodded to the woman, also as a sign of greeting. He raised his hand and motioned with a finger for Kedja to come closer.
[11:39:55] Crow (melchior.wardell)’s attention shifted briefly toward Kedja as the knife appeared. This time, however, he watched the draw rather than the blade itself. The movement was smooth, practiced enough to catch his notice. Interesting. His eyes followed the knife as she carefully selected the flowers, cutting those least visited by the butterflies. That detail earned the faintest lift of his brow. Crow then turned toward Arsus “I see the mission is proceeding successfully.” There was the faintest trace of dry amusement in his voice. His attention returned to Róisín as she spoke of the waterfalls and native herbs. “Then you’ve found one of the better places to start looking. The Port has more useful things growing around it than most people bother to notice.” He himself pondered on the mission of flowers by Arsus. Of course there was still that bet, which if Crow was honest, had not yet given it much effort. Perhaps because there were other matters that occupied his mind. Or perhaps because the woman was far more resisting than most.
[11:45:46] KeDjA (lilli.breda) works quickly and soon has a small bouquet of flowers in her hand that looks as if someone had picked it by the wayside. Nothing over the top, nothing exotic. Probably just the kind Namika would choose herself. She puts the knife away just as quickly as she’d drawn it and now closes the distance between herself and Arsus. “My Master,” she says softly, holding the flowers so he can examine them. She had noticed Crow watching her, but at first it didn’t unsettle her. Her voice is soft so as not to interrupt his conversation with the scribe.
[11:49:52] Róisín Russo (roisin.heartsong) nodded and smiled ” Yes good thing I have good boots , to maneuver around to find stuff , Have You seen My Father Recently , I’ve not in quite some time now ” as Sh saw the girl cutting the flowers , and said ” those will be lovely in aaa vase”
[11:53:37] αяѕυѕ (daimos.baarer): Arsus thought briefly about Crow’s words and wondered which mission he might be referring to. The one with the innkeeper, perhaps. Arsus smiled to himself. If that was it, then he was really going to get things started. Arsus rarely placed bets, and when he did, he intended to win. Women liked it when you listened. A trait Arsus was born with. He probably noticed the look in Crow’s eyes as he watched how skillfully Kedja handled a knife. Arsus hadn’t just taken Kedja to bed; he’d also taught her other things that worked to his own advantage. That Kedja benefited from this, too, was only natural. He would look at the flowers she brought him, just a bouquet of flowers. He trusted Kedja more than he trusted himself on this matter; if she thought the flowers were beautiful and worth cutting, then that was simply the case. “What mission?” he asked Crow, almost in passing, as he took the flowers and examined them like a trophy. He didn’t really want to interrupt the conversation between Crow and the Scribe. “Beautiful flowers, thank you, Kedja,” he then said to his slave.
[11:57:07] Crow (melchior.wardell) let his attention rest briefly on the simple bouquet before returning to Arsus. A faint hint of amusement touched his expression at the way the flowers were inspected as though they were some rare prize. “Beautiful, apparently. And efficiently acquired.” His gaze shifted toward Kedja for a moment. The knife had disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared, but Crow had noticed the movement. He said nothing about it now. Then Arsus asked about the mission. Crow’s eyes returned to him. “The mission?” A slight pause. “Apparently, it was to acquire flowers without declaring war on the butterflies.” His tone was dry, though his eyes briefly betrayed the joke. “Judging by the result, she has succeeded.” He glanced toward Róisín and gave a small nod. “As for your question about your father, I haven’t seen him recently. Although I did receive word of him being in Valaris. The Killer Kage has placed his banner there once more.” he knew Roison slightly aware of these matters so he didn’t keep that intel from her.
[12:02:16] KeDjA (lilli.breda) lets her hands fall as Arsus takes the bouquet and wipes her palms on the black, silky fabric before placing them back on her back and interlacing her fingers. At Arsus’s compliment, she beams at him for a moment and then murmurs a quiet “thank you” during a brief pause in the conversation. At the mention of butterflies and war, the corners of her mouth twitch suspiciously and her eyes sparkle with amusement. Her imagination runs wild immediately, conjuring images of armed butterflies. To keep from getting completely lost in her thoughts, she clears her throat softly and moves a little closer to Arsus to ask him quietly, “Would you like to deliver the flowers yourself, or should I bring them, my Master?”
[12:02:54] Róisín Russo (roisin.heartsong) nodded ” thank You , I do Hope He is well , Kage I mean , I’ve not seen Him since Skull , when I told Him about the Physician , searching for a rock thief ” as She nodded about her Father ” well I assume I’ll see my Father sooner or later , but I wont go to Valaris ”
[12:08:04] αяѕυѕ (daimos.baarer): Arsus let something like a smile show. “Oh, the mission,” he paused and lowered the bouquet so he could see Crow better. “I think Kedja handled this mission brilliantly, as you can see. Without provoking the ‘War of the Butterflies.’” Somehow, Arsus felt he’d heard that expression before—probably from some Earthling who was actually referring to stars. Arsus listened to the conversation in passing. He turned back to Kedja and looked to see which knife she was actually carrying today.
[12:12:24] Crow (melchior.wardell)’s gaze moved briefly toward Kedja as she spoke, catching the quiet amusement in her expression before returning to Arsus. “The war has been avoided. A successful mission, then.” A faint smirk touched his mouth. His attention shifted toward Róisín at the mention of Kage, listening without interrupting. He gave a small nod, filing the information away without pressing her further. Then his eyes returned to Arsus and Kedja. “I’d let Kedja decide,” he remarked dryly. “She was the one who selected them. Besides, if the Innkeeper is the intended recipient, perhaps the woman who knows her preferences should deliver them?” His gaze settled briefly on the bouquet. “Though I admit, I didn’t expect you to become a man of flowers.” There was a small dig in his words or perhaps jealousy that he didn’t think of that approach. He turned to Roisin. “Do you wish me to pass him a message?” he offered as ever gallant.
[12:17:12] Róisín Russo (roisin.heartsong) shook her Head ” Oh Just That I was wondering How He was is all , thank You ” as She smiled then to the Others ” I’m sure the Women will be quite happy , Most women love gifts of flowers , they even like chocolate , tho that can be expensive if someone has a sweet tooth”
[12:22:11] Crow (melchior.wardell)’s brow lifted slightly at the mention of chocolate, his gaze moving briefly toward Róisín. “Flowers and chocolate. Apparently, there are rules to this business that I was never taught.” A faint smirk touched his mouth before his attention returned to Arsus and the bouquet. “Though if the Innkeeper has a sweet tooth, Arsus may have discovered that flowers are only the beginning of the expense.” He gave Róisín a small nod. “Good to know about Kage. If you happen to see him before I do, tell him I asked after him.” he would dip his head “But I fear I have to depart. Duty calls.” with that he moved off silently and quick. He had been putting it off too long already. As he would head to Avarra.
[12:26:27] Neeve Barbosa (kristie.tigerpaw) sat reading her book quietly in the marketplace
[12:30:07] Crow (melchior.wardell) had developed an unfortunate sixth sense for certain things. Some places seemed to have a way of placing people exactly where they were least expected and Neeve had a habit of being found where he was already looking for her. So when he entered Avarra and found her seated among the flowers, book in hand, He did not pretend otherwise. He made no effort to pass by as though he had not come with a purpose. His gaze settled upon her, sharp at first, then softened by the faintest trace of amusement. “Greetings, Lady Neeve.” He came to a stop nearby, eyes briefly dropping toward the book before returning to her. “Reading something interesting. Something concerning the latest developments in serums?” His brow lifted. “Or perhaps a much more dangerous subject…”The corner of his mouth curved.“…the romantic affairs of an Ubar and his pleasure slave?”
[12:36:27] Neeve Barbosa (kristie.tigerpaw) turned another page just as she heard Crow’s familiar voice behind her. Lifting her head, she greeted him with a warm smile. “Actually… it’s a fairy tale about a girl who goes down rabbit holes. I found it in the library here on Gor. An odd place for a book like this, I feel.” She glanced down at the pages before looking back at him. “It’s a story I know from Earth, called Alice in Wonderland. Have you ever read it?” She chuckled softly at his suggestion. “Though I’d love to hear about this Ubar and his pleasure slave, if you wish to share. I’m sure it’s a far more interesting story, involving… romance, intrigue, and perhaps even a death!” Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she folded the corner of the page to mark her place and set the book upon the table. “Care to join me?”
[12:42:00] Crow (melchior.wardell) listened in the way he always did when she spoke, not merely hearing the words but allowing the little details to settle into place. “Alice in Wonderland,” he echoed, considering the unfamiliar title. “No. I can’t say I’ve read it. Or even heard of it.” A faint smile appeared. “I have had my share of sandwiches, though. Courtesy of a Barbarian.”He offered no further explanation. Some experiences were not his to share, not even with her. At the mention of the Ubar, Crow gave a quiet shake of his head. “That story sounds dreadful already. And yes… I doubt either of them came away from it particularly well.” He lowered himself beside her, settling with the ease of someone accustomed to finding a place wherever he happened to be. As he did, he adjusted the daggers at his belt, making certain they sat comfortably. A necessary inconvenience of being perpetually armed. His gaze returned to her. “There isn’t much romance in the stories I’ve heard that actually lasts forever.” A faint, almost wistful curve touched his mouth. “Perhaps that’s because forever is a rather difficult promise to keep.”
[12:47:13] Neeve Barbosa (kristie.tigerpaw) paused for a moment, studying the man who had settled beside her. Her fingers tapped lightly against the book as she noticed him adjusting the daggers at his belt, a movement so familiar that she suspected he had performed it every day of his life. At the mention of sandwiches, however, her eyebrows lifted, and a curious smirk spread across her face. “Sandwiches, courtesy of a Barbarian? Now there’s a story I’d like to hear someday.” She chuckled softly before considering his words. “I don’t know, Crow. I know a few stories from Earth where they live happily ever after, though I suspect fairy tales are rather different from the real thing. As I know all too well myself.” She tilted her head thoughtfully, reaching for a flower from the vase before her and turning it gently between her fingers. “Forever is a long time, especially here in this world, Crow.” Her gaze returned to him, a faint smile touching her lips. “I think I’d choose… now over forever. Or at least…” She glanced down at the flower, her smile lingering. “For a while.”
[12:58:35] Crow (melchior.wardell) listened, the faintest amusement touching his features as he considered her words. His hand almost lifted when a loose strand of her hair caught his attention, the impulse there for only a moment before he deliberately kept it to himself. “Fairy tales,” he murmured, “are dreams given words. Hope and longing dressed up as something that might actually survive the ending.” Her jest about a lifetime of happiness earned a quiet chuckle. “I suspect even a man like me might grow suspicious if everything suddenly became too easy.” When she spoke of the girl from long ago, his gaze drifted for a moment, memories passing behind his eyes that he had no intention of explaining. Then he looked back to Neeve. “What we have now,” he agreed quietly. “Perhaps that is the only part of any story we are ever truly certain of.” His attention fell to the flowers beside her. After a moment, one brow rose.“Flowers seem to be following me today. Should I bring you some next time?” The question was asked lightly, but there was enough seriousness beneath it to make clear he genuinely wanted to know her answer.
[13:07:24] Neeve Barbosa (kristie.tigerpaw) watched him for a moment, a small smile playing upon her lips as she considered his words. “Perhaps that’s why we enjoy fairy tales so much, Crow. They give us something to hope for, even when we know the world doesn’t always work that way.” She glanced down at the flower still held between her fingers, gently brushing a thumb across its petals. “Though I suppose there’s something rather lovely about not knowing how a story will end. It would be terribly dull if we knew everything that was going to happen, wouldn’t it?” She popped the flower back into the vase, and then his next question about the flowers brought her gaze back to him, and she raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Are you offering to bring me flowers, Crow?” She chuckled softly, tilting her head as though giving the matter some serious consideration. “Well, I certainly wouldn’t object. Though I might begin to wonder what you were after if you started arriving with flowers every time you came looking for me.” Her smile softened a little as she looked at him. “But yes, I’d like that.” She noticed his restraint, too, the small nuances in his manner that spoke of the man beneath that carefully composed exterior
[13:14:10] Crow (melchior.wardell) nodded slowly at her assessment, the faintest trace of amusement touching his expression. “I have to admit, the element of surprise is one I could never live without.” The words carried a meaning of their own, though he offered no explanation. Some truths were better left where they belonged. As she spoke, Crow listened, not simply waiting for his turn to answer. He noticed the small things, especially when she spoke of flowers and what they meant to her. He gave a quiet nod, as though committing the information to memory. “It seems so easy,” he murmured. “So simple. So… effective.” His gaze drifted toward the flowers. “Apparently, I missed that particular lesson.” A faint chuckle escaped him. “Today I saw a slave cutting flowers so her master could present them to a woman who could simply look out of her window and see those same flowers growing.” He shook his head slightly.“I confess, I don’t entirely understand it.” Then his eyes returned to Neeve. “But if you like receiving flowers, then I suppose I should remember that. And next time, Lady Neeve, you shall have them.”There was nothing dramatic in the promise. Perhaps that was what made it matter.
[13:21:09] Neeve Barbosa (kristie.tigerpaw) noticed more and more that he kept looking at her expressions and somethings he said were left… unsaid. She paused a moment and cleared her throat. “You leave a lot unsaid Crow. Unspoken like a beast from this world that can not speak. Yet you speak half of what it is.” She sighed a little and tapped the book again “Why not… tell me? Why do you keep it hidden? I have lived a far time you know. I can handle.. whatever it is. ” She then chuckled softly at his confession, glancing towards the flowers as she considered his words. “Crow, I think you’ve missed the point entirely!” Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she turned back to him. “Of course the woman could look out of her window and see those very same flowers growing. But there’s a difference between admiring something beautiful and knowing that someone thought of you when they saw it.” She continues “It’s not really about the flowers, you see. It’s about the thought behind them. Someone taking a moment out of their day to do something simply because they thought it might make you smile.” She paused, studying him again “Though I must admit, I’m rather enjoying the idea of you wandering about Avarra, trying to decide which flowers might please me most. Though I do hope you won’t go troubling some poor slave to cut them for you. I think I’d much prefer knowing you picked them yourself.”
[13:25:54] Crow (melchior.wardell) listened without interrupting, his gaze remaining upon her as she explained. There was something almost disarming about the simplicity of it. Not the flowers themselves. The thought behind them. His eyes lowered briefly to the book beneath her hand before returning to her. “You notice more than most.” A quiet breath escaped him, almost a laugh. “As for what I leave unsaid…” He paused, considering the words carefully. “Some things are safer when they remain that way. Others are simply difficult to put into words.” His gaze held hers. “And some things, Neeve, become considerably more dangerous once they are spoken aloud.” There was no threat in it. If anything, there was honesty. Then her explanation of the flowers drew the faintest smile from him. “So that is the lesson I missed.” He glanced toward the flowers around them. “It isn’t the flower. It is the fact that I saw it and thought of you.”His eyes returned to hers. “That seems considerably more complicated. But perhaps worth learning.” At her last remark, one brow lifted. “And you want me to pick them myself?” The faint smile deepened. “I suppose I can manage that. Though I make no promises that I will know which flowers are supposed to make you smile.” He looked at her for another quiet moment. “I may simply have to learn by watching you.”
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