Welcome to Gaia! ::

Tiberius' home in Sutfirth was a cozy little thing even from the outside. The stone of the building was aged and colored with time. The wood had a smokey feel from years and years of smoke and ash. In the front there wasn't much of a yard at all, just a few steps that led up to the door. Even the backyard wasn't that big. It was dominated by three sunflowers.

He had planted them years ago. They were from seeds he had found in his pocket when he left the Forest. Each year, he'd replant them and watch them grow tall. The farthest on the left was Marian. The center was Bethany and the one on the right was Elissa. They were beauties, his three suns, and since the beginning they had been here in his yard. Nios often joked, calling them Tiberius' "lady loves". It was true he spent a lot of time caring for the sunflowers. After all, autumn was in the air and that meant it would be time to gather next year's seeds again.

Watering can in hand, he walked opened the door. Only to find a man in his yard already. One hand held a knife, the other held a sunflower. Tiberius whipped his head around to look at his flowers. Bethany was missing, her stalk sliced clean.

"You little brat!" He screamed, watering can pointed menacingly at the man.

The poor was fidgeting under his gaze, of this, Tiberius was sure. Let him wither. Let him burn. Tiberius' grip on the watering can tightened. From the alley, he saw a small line of text rise. It was too far away to read, but it was obvious what the city people were talking about. Everyone who lived near here knew that Tiberius loved his sunflowers. To cut one was certainly the best and most effective way to invoke the bookchild's wrath.

And as if things weren't already bad enough, the sunflower fell from the bookchild's hand. Jostled, a few vibrant petals fell from Bethany's head. They were a bright yellow against the grass. Tiberius breathed deeply, trying to reason through his anger.

He hadn't seen the boy before. He must be new. Newly awakened. Don't get angry. He's practically an infant. Really. No need to get mad. Control your temper. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Inhale --

"Is something wrong?"

The watercan flew out of Tiberius' hand faster than he could breathe.

Tiberius was angry, that much was for certain. But for some reason, he felt a sting of pity followed quickly by a stab of guilt.

Things would be so much easier if the boy had reacted in anger or something. But this sorry whimpering... The bookchild's reaction reminded Tiberius of a wounded puppy for some reason. He couldn't help but feel as if he had done something completely unforgivable. The longer Tiberius stared at the boy, the more guilt he felt.

Sighing, he brought a hand to his neck.

"Look, I'm sorry about throwing the watering can at you. But in the future, don't cut down other people's flowers."