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The Gardens



The Gardens of Castellum Argentus are laid out on the west side of the castle grounds and surrounded by a low stone wall up which vibrant green ivy strives to reach the sun. A slate pathway wends its way through dazzling displays of flowers and plantlife, from lilies and irises, to daisies and sunflowers. The scents of flowery perfumes drift on the air amid the buzz of honey bees and hummingbirds.

Trees and benches also line the path, providing cool and shady spots for a visitor to rest. Within many of the flower beds, fountains and statuary depicting fey lovers and heroes are scattered.

At the center of the area is a glorious rose garden, with every variety of the treasured flower imaginable. Planted in color groups, it is like a visual rainbow which soothes and awes the senses. At it's center is a pond in which large koi swim and ducks raise their young.

Filix wandered along peacefully, arms wrapped around her middle and keeping the cloak kept tightly around her body where she'd pinned it. It was only a light cloak, not at all warm, but Filix somewhat liked the silky brown fabric. It wasn't a pretty color, compared to the rich reds and purples that were fashionable once, but it felt nice.

She peered around in the gardens as she walked, half hoping to see someone. To Filix's delight, she did spot someone nearby. Alces! She beamed, and called happily, "Alces! How have you been?" as she half-ran over to the garden. Filix sat herself next to him on the ground, and only then noticed the book. "...Sorry, am I interrupting something? Would you like me to leave?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice Alces looked up from the page he was reading and smiled at her. "Hello Lady Filix!" He hadn't really expected to see anyone, but he was happy now that somone else had come along. "It's been a while since I last saw you." He went to lean over and give her a small friendly hug if she would allow it. "I have been just fine thank you. And yourself?" He asked as he closed the book and looked down at it for a moment. "Oh, no not at all! You can stay. In fact, please do stay. I was starting to get lonely without anyone to talk to." He smiled a bit wider and before he could say anymore he heard the scream. He frowned at Filix a moment as if asking her if she knew what was going on. "What was that?" He jerked his head in the direction it was coming from and blinked a few times, "Is that....Lady Rosa screaming?" The boy began to stand up slowly, holding out his free hand to help Filix up.

To the northwest, beyond a few of the taller plants and a tree or two, a large creature could be seen dancing around in a more shaded part of the gardens. Infact it was quite dark, where this figure was, save for the fact tiny specs of something another seemed dotted all over the figures silouhette.

At closer inspection, this was indeed Rosa, with a horde of what seemed suspiciously like fireflies relentlessly drifting about her. (Of course, she had always expected odd types of characters to be relentlessly attracted to her, but this really wasent what she ment at all.)

For some reason or another, the bugs almost seemed to take delight in bugging her (pardon the pun), and she didnt seem to have any better solution to ridding herself of the dozen or so bugs other then twirling around and around in circles flailing her arms around in shaking motions screaming for aid, while very sadly trying to maintain some sort of respectable, refined, ladylike mannor whichwas obviously near to impossible.

Filix giggled, pausing in her hurried footsteps the second she saw what Rosa's real problem was. No need to hurry then! In fact, she took her time, stepping over slowly and calmly as if taking a stroll through the gardens. Which she was, in a way...

Filix giggled more, not bothering to hide her own amusement. "Little sister, did you find something with an attraction to you? Would you like us to leave you and your admirers alone, or shall we help?"

Without waiting for an answer, Filix ducked down to pick up a fallen branch with leaves still on it and stepped next to Rosa in the middle of the bugs. She wasn't at all afraid of them, and started swatting at them with the twig and leaves.

Alces glanced over towards Filix again when she giggled and started to snicker a bit himself as he watched the bugs. He looked at Rosa a moment, with a blank look on his face and stopped swatting at the bugs for a moment as he looked to his side and shook his head, "No, I don't have a sword. I'm not a knight you know. I have swords hanging on my wall though, but Lady Xannyia doesn't want me to use them...she's a bit over protective." He started swatting at the bugs again as he continued, "I've only used them just a few times. Besides, I'm sure a sword wouldn't do much damage to these little guys. A branch would do just fine." He nodded towards the one Filix had. "There isn't anything to be afraid of Lady Rosa. These bugs are completely harmless, isn't that right Lady Filix?"

Rosa blinked at Filix a minute, and continued blinking for sometimes until she scoffed, "Pah! Well, dear sister, despite the fact you think I am a complete idiot, I know enough that - AAAH ONES ON MY NOSE GET IT OFF GET IT.." She found herself running out of the shadow place she had, through a wall of fireflies, and a bit past Alces; only then a whiff of a nice smelling though certinly unique fragrance following her.
She had, you see, tried a new.. perfume, of sorts, she discovered quite some time ago in Gaia. Of course, had she read bottle before she transfered some of the liquid into a fey sized container, and the interesting side affects.. she probably wouldent be in this paticular situation.

All the while, as she ran, and inevitably hid behind Alces since she decided he would make a much better fey-shield then her 'crabby bitter sister,' she went over a few of the words Filix had just said, "What was that about Equus?" She askled, her tone becoming much more serious as she let her eyes cross infront, trying to examine her nose for bugs.

"Equus? Oh... um... He'd protect you with his sword if he was here?" Filix tried to laugh, but it came out slightly dry. She followed Rosa out of the shadows, swatting at the bugs as she did, avoiding the other two's eyes.

"Anyway, what is that smell? Rosa, have you been rolling in the flowerbeds?"