It was edging into the late afternoon in the Branches, the wind more strongly moving through Laisidhiel's reaches here in the upper reaches than most of her citizens experienced. Some clouds dotted the sky, and the view was something truly hard to describe. Or at least, it was for Sven. But, if he had to, the word he'd use for it was simply...
Terrifying.
It took a tremendous amount of self-control to keep from simply turning around as the horizon expanded before his eyes, but that would make a waste of all this effort. All the internal practice of climbing the steps to this point, and the willpower it'd taken to get here. If he looked to his left, or his right, faun dotted the Branches and worked harvesting her bounties. He knew this. He knew this very well, actually - this produce was used in nearly all of their meals, and his future sister-in-law was up here. Why, he'd actually gone through the trouble of deducing -when- her shifts had rotated with the little ones to ensure she couldn't see him up here.
For one thing, it'd be embarrassing.
For another, she was a busybody. Nice, yes, but he didn't want her help for this.
And, lastly, most importantly, he didn't need her catching wind of this and speculating with Alba's sister. It really wouldn't be speculation as to the "if," but the "when" at that point. No good.
Sure, Mena obviously knew what was going to happen, and he was... also... ugh it was kind of yucky af to think he might also be his brother-in-law. Yuuuuuuucky. But even so, Sven was fairly sure he wouldn't say anything. If he would have, Alba would have also said something by now.
No matter... He was getting sidetracked, but at least his nerves seemed to have settled down some now. To the left, then the right, he looked, then slowly began to walk forward through the fields and the curious looks of bystanders. His purpose was obvious - a male uninvolved in this work would only find themselves up here fore a singular reason - so they didn't bother him. Simply enjoyed the spectacle.
Soon there were little in the ways of wandering eyes and fields of produce, and the wind curiously seemed to grow softer, even still, despite the height. Sven didn't know where he was, but instinctively, he knew he was headed in the correct direction. That the flower lay simply further beyond.
Time felt concurrently long and short as he moved, hoof by hoof, one step forward at a time.
But soon enough, small, white flower buds started to pop up, their petals delicate and beautiful even at such a young state. Only buds to either side, as if they were waiting for their time to open, whenever that time may come. They dotted the fields like stars in the night sky.
It was truly beautiful.
Yet no flower showed it's bloom.
Was this the right area? Sven turned his head on a swivel, concerned. This had to be the right spot, he was sure of it... Wasn't he? He thought he was.
What if nothing was blooming? What did that mean? Was the lack of flower some sort of sign?
He didn't want to believe it, but what else was he supposed to believe? He was out here looking for a magic flower at the top of a tree for ******** sake.
His heart rate was slowly rising as he started getting wrapped up in his own thoughts. He wouldn't be able to face his colleagues, or Alba, or anyone if he didn't find this flower. Returning empty-handed was the same as admitting he'd changed his mind, that he didn't actually intend to with her. And that was simply false! They were going to get married, and move in together, and start a family when they were ready - the flower was invaluable to this end!
He ran his hand through his hair, then brought them both up to rub his scalp as he fretted about what to do next, contingency, and the like. Certainly there had to be -something-?
He sighed and looked forward somewhat absentmindedly, then blinked, narrowed his eyes, crossed his arms, then walked in that direction with a touch more fervor and a lot less consideration for his footing than before. He damn near tripped on the unstable ground(branches?) In a couple of spots. But his attention was wholly focused on the white form becoming ever-so-more clear as he neared.
A flower, it's white petals seemingly glowing as they spread outward towards Sven. He knew, he just knew - this was -his- flower!
With the same care he'd give the most delicate of sweets, he reached forward and plucked the flower from a few inches below the bud, then ever-so-carefully brought it close to him.
And as he did so, he breathed a sigh a relief.
