Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lorey heard his call, and scrambled to the front door. She had her hair swept up and was looking just as well-worked as Richard was, minus the amount of sweat.

"Oh, hello!" Teagan said, laughing at both of them. Richard looked like the handyman of every woman's dreams, while Lorey was sweeter than she thought she'd be. They went together upon first sight. "I live a few houses down, and heard you two took over this abandoned place. News travels, you know?"

The large basket was set down at Lorey's feet. Within, there were fresh-baked breads, a bottle of wine, seed packets, cards from other neighbors, and candies. Lorey looked a little overwhelmed at the large gift.
"Thank you... This is beautiful!"

Teagan just laughed it off with a wave of her hand. "You're welcome. I'm Teagan Morrows. You two must be Richard and Lorey, right?" Knowing they couldn't be anyone else, she prattled onwards. Teagan was a very energetic type, constantly charged by the clean air and sunshine of Druis. She lived alone in her own small house that was surrounded by gardens. Her slight fame in the neighborhood came from her flowers alone, she said, not her.
"Good to see this place is getting some love!"

Teagan was sent into giggles at his wink, which caused Lorey's jealousy to flare up. It was so odd, how she had never felt threatened by anyone before. It was unreasonable, after all they'd been through and pledged to one another. Teagan was just there to be friendly, not steal her fiance...

"Aw, Lorey, you caught yourself one, didn't you?" she said, giving her a good smile. "Druis is famous for having friendly neighbors. Sometimes people get a little too friendly, though, which is when you have to find a polite way to say bugger off. This street is good about that, though."

Lorey nodded. She was glad to hear that they could at least have privacy as well as good neighbors.
"This is wonderful of you to come out here. I'd love to invite you inside, but we're cleaning up and trying to get things in order for our wedding..."

Which perked her right up indeed. "Wedding? Hey, I'll do your flowers if you don't have any of those yet! Free, too. I'm feeling generous for the new couple in town."

"Oh, Teagan, I'm sure we could pay you--"

"Nonsense!" Another wave of her hand, and the matter was settled. "Just tell me when this shindig is, and we'll start planning. I can show you my garden, and we'll set everything to rights. Now, I'll leave you two be, and get back. I've some more baking to do, for a charity later."

And just like that, Teagan was walking back down the path with her sun bonnet pressed to her head in the breeze, green sundress waving around like she hadn't a care in the world. Lorey only hoped she could look like that one day.

Lorey looked back, silent as well. She raised her hand to touch his cheek. He was sweaty and already sun-kissed, which told her he'd at least forgotten sunscreen on his face. And he said he would be careful.

"Love you," Lorey murmured, before slipping back inside to keep working on the living room and laundry.

Lorey hung more sheets on the line to dry, washed things until her eyes were irritated from dust and nose was running slightly from the smell of cleaners. Her rough hands stung a little from being exposed to some bleach again, but she had to wonder if she herself was ever dipped in bleach, with her white hair and pale skin. Her mother used to joke that if it ever happened, she must have closed her eyes tight to save the blue. Lorey noticed now that she did have more color, thanks to eating properly and getting sun. That, and she had a bit more curve to her. Everything was getting better, slowly but surely.

It was around lunch time when she had brought out the basket's contents. Bread, butter, a few meats... everything must have been from someone's farm. Lorey poked her head outside and called out to Richard.
"Darling, come inside for a break! We can eat what's in that basket!"

"Richard, I told you to put on sun screen..." Lorey touched his shoulders gently, and with the wet dishcloth she had in her other, began wiping away some dirt and grime before they ate. "You might start peeling in a few days."

Though if it gave him an excuse to not wear a shirt, she was alright with that.
"But yes, I went through everything, and it seems like people from all down the block or something gave us things. We have eggs, bread, butter, milk... There was a note that said someone wanted to give us chickens, but just gave us the eggs since we're city folk and don't know nothin' about raising birds." Lorey laughed at that, though really was thankful someone had taken notice.

"I wouldn't know how to take care of them. What were you thinking of, though?" Lorey hoped he wasn't thinking of anything as large as a horse. They'd have to hire people to take care of stables and the equipment.

Lorey buttered some pumpernickel bread, and could have sworn she was in heaven with the way everything tasted.
"This is so much better than anything in Veratia," she said softly, marveling that even the food had been touched by this purity they found themselves in.