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 Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:48 pm
The two followed Kerberos without any complaint or delay. “That’s interesting,” Lyndin said for the both of them, and Caedus nodded to agree. “I think it is very honorable to make such a bond with your world. It must be very proud of you,” Caedus added as he stepped out into the garden after Kerbros. Once there, he didn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He looked contemplative, like he needed to take in every last little detail and preserve it to memory. Lyndin was obviously impressed at what Kerberos had done, but he surveyed the area and nodded approvingly. “I am always impressed at the abilities of the natural world. Velencya can only do what we program it to. It can only give back what we put in, and even then we are limited with what we can achieve. I miss this,” he said, and sounded so tired. He reached out to hold a leaf between his fingers, gently brushing his thumb across it. “Such a small thing is still so beautiful.”
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:07 pm
Kerberos couldn't help but be endeared by how much and how obviously Caedus and Lyndin loved his world. It was something special, to see how excited they both were to see a living, breathing world.
"I think it must be," Kerberos agreed. "Or, I hope it is, at least?" He walked over to one of the growths of glowing asphodel, brushing his fingers over the blooms. "I'd like to think I've shown my world that I'm a worthy Senshi for it."
The groth, and the glowing marks on his skin, were proof of that, as far as Kerberos was concerned. Proof that even if he sometimes struggled to believe that he was worthy of the redemption he'd sought, his planet believed it. And that was enough to keep him going, most days.
He turned to Lyndin, and nodded.
"I can't even imagine what living on a synthetic world is like," he admitted. "But you and your people deserve to see your homeworld thrive again."
He paused, for a moment, and then grinned.
"Wait right here," he said, and he darted back inside the temple. He could leave them alone for a few moments while he recovered what he wanted; namely, two of the glowing asphodel blossoms that floated in the magic pool in Irit's chambers. The water seemed to have magically preserved them, and they would make lovely gifts for his visitors. He was back outside in a few moments, holding two glowing asphodel blossoms, one in each hand.
"Gifts. For the both of you. I know they aren't from your world, but I'd like you to have a piece of mine. Consider it a gesture of friendship."
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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 8:00 pm
It was no issue for them to wait; Lyndin and Caedus both knew they were in good company, and there was more than enough for them to admire in the garden while Kerberos was gone. When he returned, they were both still mostly where he’d left them, examining different little things with the same interest and enthusiasm. Lyndin reached for his first and cradled it gently in his hands, but Caedus seemed like he was trying to determine what it was first. “What are they?” Caedus asked, while Lyndin raised the glowing blossom up to his eyes so he could properly examine it. The light from the blossom reflected in his eyes, and it was with rapt appreciation that he accepted it. Caedus looked like he wanted to accept it, but he was always so careful about anything he came into contact with, so he looked at Lyndin and the blossom he held, and then back to Kerberos.
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Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 10:35 pm
Kerberos was glad to see Lyndin take the blossom immediately, but Caedus's caution, he had to acknowledge, wasn't unwarranted.
"These glowing asphodel flowers grow here naturally," he explained, "and in the past, my people--the priests, at least--preserved them using magic. Some of them lingered, and I thought they would make a good gift. A light in the dark, when all other lights go out." His expression was soft, and fond.
"They're hardy, resilient things, even without magic--they were among the first things to come back when I started visiting. And on Earth," he explained, "asphodel flowers are tied to death, and grief. And that's true here, too; but my people also saw them as symbols of recovery. Of healing. Of surviving, and learning to go on after great loss and great devastation. And I think...that's something you and your people understand. They're decorative, mostly, but...I thought they'd make a good memento."
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 9:05 pm
Lyndin nodded as he continued to admire the thing. “That is an impressive, thoughtful gift. I am grateful, Kerberos, thank you.” He’d been impressed with leaves, but this was something above and beyond that, and it was obvious that he saw this as some true little treasure of the universe. With the explanation, and with Lyndin’s comfort with the flower, Caedus accepted his own. He held it gently, like it was made of glass and if he wasn’t careful he might shatter it. “...It is pretty,” he said, and Caedus did have a fondness for pretty things, and shiny things, and rocks, and little things. He was all too happy to have this, and the light from the flower lit up his smile. “I will treasure it, Kerberos, thank you. I am always looking for a light in the dark,” he said, “And I always appreciate a little help. This is very special.”
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 11:29 pm
It was obvious that Kerberos was pleased that they had accepted his gift. There was no other way to read the way he radiated sunny delight.
"I'm glad," he said. "And--I'll stop by again, to donate energy. But for now...is there anything else here you'd like to see? I can show you the inside of the temple, if you'd like--it's not quite as impressive as out here, the buildings don't seem to be repairing themselves as easily, but it's still lovely. If not, or if you have pressing matters to attend to, I can take you back to Earth? I can show off the inside another time."
The offer was open, either way; Kerberos wouldn't take offense. There would be other planet visits, after all.
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2021 7:47 pm
“They are all impressive,” Lyndin said easily. “That there is a magic in this universe that can restore lost structures, too…” He seemed thoughtful. “I am envious. I am glad for you, for that.” Caedus nodded and looked like he wanted to look around more, and he looked to Lyndin and then Kerberos. “Can we stay a bit longer?” he asked, cradling the flower gently. “I think your world is very beautiful. I think Earth is beautiful too. But I would like to stay for just a bit longer, if it is not an inconvenience.” Caedus watched him thoughtfully and then looked to Kerberos. “...Would a short tour be an inconvenience? We will be respectful guests.” “And a little while more out here. Please,” Caedus said, and while he looked guilty he couldn’t help but look at the thriving plants. “It makes me happy.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2021 12:41 pm
"I wish I understood it better," Kerberos admitted,"because I imagine it would be a great help to you."
Still, he nodded. "I'd be happy to give you a short tour, and it's no inconvenience at all. We can stay as long as you both would like."
It wasn't often he had an opportunity to share his planet with people who were so...admiring. So happy to be here. And it made him happy to do so.
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