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 Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 6:24 pm
A Small Adventure
WHO: Lorin, Claire, Ivy, (alpha lyrae) Duncan, and Aina (Rookeries)
WHEN: Early August 2016
WHERE: The Gambino Botanical Gardens
WEATHER: There's a nice breeze; sunny, but slightly chilly.
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Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 1:21 am
It had been almost a year down to the day since Aina and Duncan had seen Claire and her family last, and it was only a week ago that they had managed to carve out a time the families to reunite that worked perfectly with all of them. They were to meet at the Gambino Botanical, a lovely garden by the coast, to have a small picnic. Along with a basket of her and Duncan's own offerings to the picnic, Aina also brought a small giftbox with her. She hugged it to herself the whole car ride there, scrutinizing the label, which was written in her own handwriting heavy with curls and hearts - 'TO LORIN,' it said, embellished with a green gel pen.
"Grandpa?" Aina chimed in, glancing out the backseat window as the car slowed into the parking lot. "D'you think Lorin's gonna like his present?"
"I think he'll love it, Aina," Duncan replied. On a random weekday, it was easy to find parking at the garden, and he settled near the foot of the garden's entrance among the gravel. "Are you excited to see him?"
Aina flustered, wings twitching with excitement, and she giggled. "A little," she said, wiggling her shoulders a bit. Once the car was still, she clicked off her seatbelt and pushed open the handle of the car door. The autumn breeze against her hair was nice, and she hummed, staring beyond at the gate of oak trees covered in moss. "Are Miss Claire an' Ivy an' Lorin here yet?"
"We can give them a call soon, here," Duncan replied. He smiled back at Aina from the driver's seat, grabbing the picnic basket next to him meanwhile. "You're only a little excited to see him?"
"A little," Aina mimicked in return, giggling again. "Grandpa, your seatbelt's still on!"
"Patience, Aina," Duncan grinned, watching as Aina sunk into her seat in exasperation. "There's no hurry if you're only a little excited, hm?"
"Grandpa!" her wings fluttered, and she leaned against the threshold of the backseat. "You're movin' so slow...! Can I go?"
"I need to grab some blankets, first," Duncan said, finally having hopped out of his seat. Just as he began rounding the corner to the trunk, Aina followed, diligently popping open the trunk where the blankets were. She managed to grab a pile in both her arms, the height of them all well over her head; Duncan couldn't help but laugh in light of the Frei's enthuse. He closed the trunk for her and followed after the pomegranate's wobbly floating toward the trees.
"I can do it!" she said, muffled against the cloth. Despite her fumbling from the blankets obstructing her view, Aina managed to reach the entrance of the botanical gardens. "Miss Claire! Miss Claire?"
"Aina..." with a small laugh, Duncan leaned forward to grab a few blankets from Aina's impressive pile, allowing her nose and eyes to poke past it. The pomegranate grinned up at him, and he furrowed his brows, replying with a teasingly stern smile of his own. "If you're in such a hurry, would you mind calling Miss Claire for us, to see where she is?"
"Oh! Uhuh!" Duncan, after retrieving the phone from his jacket, exchanged the remainder of Aina's blankets for the device. While her grandfather rested the blankets on the ground, folding them neatly to better carry them, Aina hummed and began dialling the number for Miss Claire's phone. Once the phone began ringing, she pressed it to her ear, bobbing her head.
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 6:02 pm
It was hard to believe how long it had been, Claire thought, as she sat in the passenger's seat with a gift bag resting on her lap. The mug had sat in her kitchen since she had picked them up, collecting dust, until the phone call the week before had set everything into motion. Now, scrubbed clean and nestled in tissue paper, she kept her eyes peeled for familiar faces and an empty parking spot as Ivy drove and Lorin hummed excitedly in the back seat. The honey Frei had been getting better when it came to meeting new faces, the shyness before the moment of truth overshadowed by his impending excitement at another new friend. Aina had been one of the first faces that came to mind when she was figuring out whom she would like him to meet - there were not very many young-looking Raevans that she knew of, after all.
"There we are," Ivy said, leaning forward to squint against the sun, and she slid into the spot smoothly. A car that had tailed behind them, hoping for the same spot, was forced to drive on, and Ivy gave an apologetic chuckle to her rear-view mirror. "Sorry, friend, keep lookin'." Seat belts were unbuckled, and Lorin wiggled in the backseat, undoing his own in remarkable timing with clumsy, excited fingers. Claire let out a slightly nervous sigh herself - she really hoped the young ones would hit it off, more than hoped, in fact. Adapting a smile, she turned in the back seat.
"Excited?" she asked. Lorin had scooted to the door and was peering around the entrance and parking lot, trying to pick out who they were meeting without even knowing what they looked like.
"Mm-hm!" he answered, fingers drumming on the door as he continued to look. The two adults laughed and climbed out of the car, both heading for the backseat - Ivy for the food they had packed and Claire to let Lorin out. The honey Frei was out in a moment's notice and while his mama rounded the car to give her own mother a hand, he kept a hand to his brow, scouting the perimeter. They had not come to the botanical gardens yet, and even from the front, Lorin found himself trembling in excitement. That and with meeting a new friend, one his mama was particularly excited about as well - there was so much to look forward to. But that same nervousness was at work inside, and he closed his red windbreaker around himself.
"Ma, hand me the bags," he heard Claire say, "Can you grab the cookies?" A gentle melody and vibration drew his gaze and she reappeared, one arm loaded with paper bags and the other pulling a cell phone to her ear. His heart leapt into his throat at the thought of his new friend on the other line.
"Hello?" she answered cheerfully. "Duncan?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 4:01 pm
"Oh, shoot. We left your gift back in the car, didn't we?" Duncan asked, chuckling in amusement. Aina didn't seem to notice what he had said, more focused on the cellphone pressed to her ear. After resting the blankets primly on the ground, the picnic basket on top of them, he leaned forward to give the quiet Aina a small reminder. "I'll be back, Aina. There's something we left behind in the car."
"Mhm. I'll keep everything safe," she replied, smiling, and she gave her grandfather a small wave as he returned to the car only a few yards away. She hummed while waiting for the cellphone to stop ringing, turning where she was in idle motion.
When the cellphone grew silent, she froze in place, eyes widening. She bounced a bit when Miss Claire greeted her over the other line, and she giggled, floating a little higher to see if she could see her inside of the gardens. When she didn't, she turned around to observe the parking lot again, the sun poking through the flora making it harder to see.
"Mm-mm, 'm Aina," she replied, shading her eyes with her free hand. Duncan had just finished closing up the car, her gift in hand; flustering at forgetting something so important, she sunk back down to sit against the edge of the blankets. "Miss Claire, are you an' Miss Ivy an' Lorin here yet?" she asked, glancing down at the ground with a shy smile, "'M excited to see you again, an' it's pretty here."
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 9:38 pm
Hearing the small Frei's voice after such a long absence was soothing to Claire, and she smiled into the phone. Lorin registered the muffled, higher-pitched voice on the other end excitedly, his antennae giving a small shake as he watched Claire intently. Ivy shut the car door with her hip, arms burdened with a Tupperware container of cookies, as she circled it to join them.
"I'm excited to see you again too," Claire replied warmly. "And I know someone else is excited to meet you too." She glanced down at Lorin and he beamed eagerly. "But we just got here. Are you and Duncan still close to the entrance?" She scanned the immediate parking area, hoping to find them amongst the small crowd that had gathered there to enjoy the day. Lorin looked around as well, not quite sure what he was looking for, except for someone else who looked like a Raevan. So many of those that he had met came to mind, but he could not pick out anyone from the crowd with a ribbon trailing after them.
"Claire," Ivy said with a nudge of the shoulder, and they spotted the Frei and Duncan some ways away, around a bend in the parking lot and behind a clutch of trees. They saw the older man approaching Aina as she held the phone to her ear, and Claire broke into a smile.
"I just spotted you, sweetheart," she said. "We're on our way over, see you in a minute, okay?" She hung up the phone, and as she dropped it in her pocket, she turned her smile on Lorin. His hands came together, fingers laced, as she nodded ahead and said, "Let's go, baby boy," as she readjusted her hold on the bags in her arms and led the way. Ivy grinned at Lorin, sensing his nerves as she passed, and pressed a reassuring hand to his back. His heart gave a nervous jolt, and he floated after, excited and scared at once. It did not take them long to cross the lot and head for the trees, and Claire raised her arm over her head to get their attention.
"Duncan, Aina, good to see y'all again!" Ivy called as they finally closed the distance, smiling fondly. "Been too long, hasn't it? How have you all been?" Lorin hovered behind the two women when they stopped, Claire's arms drooping slightly to deposit the goods with the rest of what Duncan had already set up. As she knelt down to open her arms to Aina for a hug, Lorin ducked behind Ivy nervously, casting a glance up at Duncan. He had a very kind face, much like his grandma did, although he was certainly taller than she was.
"It's so good to see you again!" Claire murmured against her hair, hugging her close. Lorin had only caught her face at a blur, anxious as he was. But his mother's own excitement drew out him somewhat out of hiding, and his eyes widened as he took Aina in. This was the first Raevan he had seen who looked so much like him, in build, height, and youthful features. His heart jumped into his throat, where it remained, hands grasping the hem of Ivy's shirt. His antennae twitched.
"Aina, Duncan?" Claire pulled away from Aina a little as she turned, smiling at Lorin. "This is my son, Lorin. Lorin, this is Aina, and that is her grandpa, Duncan." Lorin's hands let go slowly, and he smiled shyly at Aina, still partially masked behind Ivy.
"Hi Aina," he began, his smile brightening. He could not believe it - someone who looked like him!
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2016 12:32 am
"I'm really excited to meet 'im too!" Aina exclaimed, giggling, pressing the phone tightly to her ear. Her eyes were wandering around the parking lot, and just hearing Miss Claire brought the laughter out of her, wings fluttering with excitement. "Mhm," she replied, wiggling a bit where she sat; when Miss Claire amended herself, she cast a shy glance down at the grass. As excited as she was, her nerves hadn't left her completely, and the Frei felt a fluttering in her chest at the impending meeting. "Bye bye," she said, holding the phone between both of her hands and resting it against her heart as soon as the line dropped.
"Aina, were you able to reach Miss Claire?" Duncan asked, setting the giftbox down next to Aina on top of the pile of blankets. When the Frei nodded, and quite hastily at that, Duncan glanced back behind him in time to hear Ivy as she approached. "Ah! It's so good to see you both again," Duncan smiled in return, holding a hand out for Ivy. "How have you been, Ivy?"
Aina floated higher, smile perking when Claire approached, any nervousness she felt melting away as soon as the woman reached over for a hug. She buried herself in Claire's arms, humming. "Hi, Miss Claire, I missed you lots," Aina said, nuzzling against her.
With Lorin hiding behind Ivy, Duncan managed to catch sight of him before Aina could, and he tilted his head curiously at the small Frei. When Claire drew back from their hug, Aina slowly attached herself back to Duncan, hugging his side for security. She glanced up at him, taking in his expression of quiet wonder as Claire introduced them to her son. When her eyes followed where her grandfather was looking, the Frei finally took notice of Lorin.
There was only a brief moment when the rain Frei didn't return Lorin's smile, mouth slightly agape in quiet surprise. But, as soon as he spoke, her smile grew. She hadn't forgotten the leshiye, forest guardians Miss Claire had described to be taller than even trees. She had expected a Raevan that towered over her, just like her nonc. She had expected a Raevan that looked like her grandfather, too, who spoke eloquently to adults, and was good at chess, neither of which she could do.
Instead, Lorin was small, just like her. Not taller, not so old seeming. It made Aina feel more at ease, and she waved, carefully letting go of Duncan's side, wanting to brave the introduction on her own now that she had seen him.
"Hi Lorin," Aina greeted, flustered in all her amazement. Holding her hands together, she stared at the ground, wondering what to say next. "Thanks for comin' out to the picnic with us," she said, nervously playing with her sleeves.
"What an honor it is to meet you, Lorin," Duncan said, gently, kneeling down to greet him at eye level. "How are you today?"
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2016 10:52 pm
Ivy took Duncan's hand with a firm shake of her own and a wide grin. "Oh you know, can't complain. How've you been?" Her gaze travelled down to the small Frei now in Claire's arms, and at the sight she laughed, tossing the little girl a jovial wink. "Aina been keeping y'all busy? How's Mordekai doin'?"
All seemed to still as Aina and Lorin finally registered each other, and Claire stood up slowly, her hands linked together in anticipation. This was the moment of truth, after all, and she exchanged a look with Ivy and Duncan before she watched the scene unfold. Aina's expression of quiet surprise hitched Claire's breath momentarily, but she exhaled slowly as the pomegranate Frei floated forward to greet her son.
Lorin, for his part, was quite surprised about Aina as well. His mama had only ever mentioned her by name and demeanor, a few features here and there littered throughout, but it was never enough for him to get a full picture of what she looked like. He had certainly not imagined someone of his size in front of him, and as Aina displayed a touch of shyness in her introduction, his wings wiggled in their own nervous dance.
"Thanks for letting me, I never done a picnic before," he replied, his arms flapping once against his sides. He was excited, very excited, yet he had found himself a little tongue-tied in front of Aina, his initial stage fright not seeming to pass as quickly as it usually did. It was so.. new to see another Frei who looked so similar to himself, and he was eager to know more about her, but it was hard to know where to begin. His eyes, wandering for a second, landed on the blooms and tiny branches in her hair, a feature that reminded him of his other Raevan acquaintances. "You got pretty flowers like Vesna's." His smile grew at the small connection as the shyness pulled back at last, and he looked up at his own antennae. "Wish I had flowers too, but that's okay." The antennae fluttered softly in response.
Lorin flustered a little at being addressed by Duncan, with so much of his prior attention on Aina, and he beamed at the ground as he swayed. "I'm good," he answered shyly as he peeked at Duncan through his thick bangs. "Thanks for comin' too!" His hands laced over his chest. "How're you?" Ivy held back a soft laugh, the heel of her hand pressed to her mouth as she watched along, and she merely grinned as Claire's eyebrow rose inquiringly at her.
"The kids're cute, I can't help it," she replied with a shrug. Lorin blushed at the compliment and his smile widened. His grandma was always so nice.
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2016 6:56 pm
Duncan chuckled, and Aina smiled broadly, too, fidgeting with her sleeves up as she tried focusing her eyes on Lorin. "I'm glad you're doing well, Lorin, and thank you for asking me how I'm doing," Duncan replied, bowing his head some at the boy in recognition. "I'm doing well! Aina and I have been looking forward to meeting you for a very long time."
Aina nodded in agreement, reaching forward to hold Duncan's hand for strength. She wanted to talk to Lorin, but she was struggling to find the right words. "I-it's true," she said, stammering at the ground. "U-um... I, um--" Aina blushed, giggling against her sleeves when Lorin mentioned the flowers in her hair, and Vesna, who she missed very much, despite only having met her back in June. As much as she wanted to say thank you, it was difficult, her wings twitching in response to Lorin's antennae. The pomegranate Frei glanced sidelong at the giftbox resting on top of their pile of blankets.
Duncan followed her line of sight, quiet, and rose to his feet to collect their picnic materials. Ivy's own soft laughter had him grinning, but with the two Freis seeming so equally shy, they seemed to need some help in spurring more conversation. "Aina brought a little surprise for you, Lorin," he offered, smiling gently down at the two Freis. "But before we do some gift-giving, can you two help us find a nice picnic spot?"
As Aina did with most tasks, some of the shyness seemed to fade in light of her sense of duty. "Mhm... but, um, Lorin's never been on a picnic before," she said, glancing carefully up at her grandfather.
"It's a team effort, then," Duncan replied, and Aina seemed to understand. The pomegranate Frei floated closer to Lorin, smiling nervously, holding her hands behind her back.
"D'you wanna? I can help," Aina offered. She skipped a beat, but after a moment, she offered her hand palm-up to Lorin, hoping to encourage the younger Frei along. "We gotta find the sunniest, prettiest spot ever."
Duncan stood back, letting the two Freis speak. She gave Ivy and Claire a smile, nodding his head. "Mordekai has been well," he spoke quietly to them as Aina spoke to Lorin. "You'll have to tell me how Aaron has been once we've found a proper spot. And motherhood, Claire," he beamed at her, smiling brightly, "What an incredible blessing."
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2016 10:24 pm
"Really?" The blush renewed itself in Lorin's cheeks and he stared at the ground; his cheeks were sore from how much he was smiling but he did not mind it. He had been looking forward to meeting Aina and Duncan as well, from how fondly his mama spoke of the two of them, but to hear that the sentiment was the same caused the warmth in his cheeks to spread into his chest. He swayed slowly on the spot. "I've been real excited to meet you too."
He felt a strange mix of feelings when Duncan mentioned a present; elation that they had brought something for him and a slight disappointment that he had not brought anything for Aina in return. As Aina turned to address her grandfather, Lorin looked fretfully at the ground. He had been so nervous and excited about this visit that he had forgotten to do something very important; usually he and his mama brought a plant, and Claire had certainly brought something, but..
"That's so thoughtful of you, Aina." Claire smiled fondly at the small girl and nodded towards one of the bags they had temporarily set down. "I also brought something for you, although it's less of a surprise and more of a belated drop off." She chuckled and rested her hand on Lorin's head, which startled him out of his small mood dip as he noticed Aina float closer. His guilt momentarily lifted at her invitation and his wings fluttered against his back. He glanced down at her hand and smiled shyly, extending his own to loosly grip her hand.
"Okay," he replied, still a little nervous but his smile continued to grow. He looked up to Duncan briefly and gave him a very serious nod. "Don't worry, we're gonna find the best spot in the whole world." He swung his and Aina's linked hands a little, steadied by the contact he had given. He turned his bright-eyed gaze to the pomegranate Frei. "Where're we gonna start?" The park looked so big from the entrance, full of its bright blooms and a sprinkling of early fall foliage amongst the trees. Given the task at hand, he felt more comfortable and was determined to do a good job. With a tentative squeeze, he posed another question to Aina. "Is this your first time here, too?"
As the Freis looked to be commencing their search, Ivy and Claire picked up their own goods again to follow behind. "Glad to hear," Ivy said jovially, adjusting her grip on one of the bags. "I'd been thinking about him whenever I stop by the Farmers Market! I always seem to miss the booth though." She had been curious since the last time the two families had been together about the farm, having seen the booth a few times before. Her timing was never the best.
"Thank you." Claire's heart felt full at the reunion, and watching the two Raevans get off on a slow but steady start, as well as Duncan's kind words. "I'll be sure to tell all. You'll have to fill us in about what's been going on in the meantime as well!"
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 6:40 pm
Aina didn't notice the dip in Lorin's expression, curious eyes upon Claire as she spoke. She giggled, flustering, and wiggled her shoulders a bit with the delight she felt. She hadn't a clue what the gift could've been, but she floated over to give Claire a quick hug to her side. "Thank you, Miss Claire!" Aina said, then returned her attention to Lorin. "We can do it," Aina said, puffing up her chest proudly, squeezing Lorin's hand in return. "Let's start over there," she said, pointing forward at a giant oak tree several yards away, surrounded by planters and vases of flowers.
"Thank you, Lorin, Aina. Please don't stray too far." With another firm nod, Aina gently lead Lorin further into the botanical gardens. Allowing the two some space, he watched as they floated along, readjusting his grip on the blankets with a bemused smile. He started behind them once they were a few yards along.
"Oh, no... he'll be sad to hear he missed you," Duncan said, chuckling. "He just finished up his rounds in the Gambino circuit for the year, but I'll have to let him know. He likes going up there to help with some of the winter events, if you're familiar with the one in North Coast," he explained, smiling at Ivy. The blankets were slowly drooping out of his hands, and he followed just a bit behind Claire and Ivy to readjust himself every few steps. He smiled warmly at Claire; her happiness almost seemed to radiate.
"It's been... an exciting few months since we've seen each other last, but I'm sure you feel the same. Aina's preparing to go to school in a month," he announced, perking, "Over in northern Barton, quite close to Gambino. It'll give us some more excuses to come visit you," he offered, smiling at the two women.
This park was big, big, but Aina hadn't quite processed it so immediately. The oak tree that seemed so close was still far away, tiny still by the measure of her eyes. Still, she liked this walk with Lorin, and she giggled at his question. "Mhm," she nodded, wings twitching slightly. She turned to Lorin, swinging their arms a bit. "We gotta garden at home but s'not big like this one... can you come over an' play sometime?"
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2016 10:57 pm
"Okay!" Lorin nodded firmly and, encouraged by the returned squeeze of her fingers, kept up at her side as they headed for the oak she pointed out. Claire's hand cupped around her mouth and she added a "have fun!" to Duncan's gentle advice - there was no need to repeat it when the children heard it loud and clear. As the adults started after them, casually chatting, Ivy noticed Duncan's intermittant stops to get a better grip on the blankets, and with a nudge to Claire's arm, the two traded places.
"Aw, let me take some 'a those from you, Duncan," she offered. "I've only got one bag here." She did not really wait for confirmation and scooped a few of the blankets from his arms. She took a moment to shift them about in her own arms, tucking it under the free one, before they continued onward. "But I definitely know the North Coast, I'll have to drive out to see him there, treats in tow." She grinned; the North Coast tended to get bitter cold winds in the winter, and she had no doubt the poor man could use a thermos of hot coffee. And, as Duncan broached the topic of school, both women brightened. "That's great! What grade is she in?"
"I bet she must be terribly excited. A new school year is such an exciting time." Claire's gaze landed on the two Freis floating several yards ahead of them. "That would be wonderful! I'm sure Lorin would love to hear all about school and how Aina's classes are going." Admittedly, she had only thought about his continued education fleetingly, concerned as she was with the first few hurdles; he was still learning to read, after all, and he was also so young.. would he be ready for a school system? There were several more worries that strayed through her head, all from the anxieties of a worried mom who was not quite ready to sever her apron strings. "What school will she be going to?"
Lorin was likewise marvelling at the size of the park, and the variety of colors in the sections of garden that lined the path. He swung his arm with Aina easily, falling into the rhythm and feeling comforted by the fact that it was her first time here as well. It made him feel less nervous and more like they were discovering it together. Aina's revelation of their own garden only increased that good impression, and he gasped in delight. "You got a garden too? Ours isn't big like this one either, or have as many colors yet, but Mama works real hard on it." He glanced over at her with a hint of nervousness but it was dwarfed by his excitement at her invite. "Can I really come? I bet it's real pretty." The conversation bug had bit, and he rolled with it, asking excited question after excited question. "Is it your grandpa's garden? D'you work in it with your family? I help Mama sometimes." He gasped anew as another thought occurred to him. "Oh! And I got a little garden in my room too.. d'you wanna come meet 'em?" He wondered if Aina would like Miss Cactus like he does - they both had pretty, warm blooms. "I told them about coming to meet you today and they were real curious 'cause they've never seen other Raevans before."
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 12:43 am
“Ah – thank you,” Duncan smiled apologetically to Ivy, in no real place to stop her from lifting some of the weight off of his tall pile of picnic accessories. Once he was freed of some of the blankets, Duncan was able to match Claire and Ivy’s pace without fumbling behind, one hand rested firmly on top of their picnic basket to ensure it wouldn’t fall. The charm of Ivy’s generosity wasn’t lost on him, and he grinned at her in return.
“I hear Hartline has been waiting to meet the master gardener herself for quite a while, now. The boys are going to be tripping over themselves trying to give you a treat of their own,” he added, jovially and calmly, as if imparting some bit of gossip. Duncan straightened his shoulders, a spring renewed in his step as he soaked in the garden and good company around him. He hadn’t told many others beyond a handful of family members about Aina’s school enrollment, but it felt right telling Ivy and Claire, especially after seeing the young Raevan under their care.
“Aina was placed in fourth grade. She’ll be going to Cypress Academy. If you've met Gertrude, Rhedefre’s guardian, she has a wealth of information on programs for magical children.” With Lorin so new to the world, Duncan did not expect Claire to worry about his schooling so soon – even Aina seemed too young for it, but there was no shaking her from the decision now. “Aina will want to tell Lorin everything, I’m sure. She’s kept him in her thoughts,” Duncan mentioned, chuckling as he glanced briefly at Claire. The distance between the adults and the two Freis were quickly closing as they approached the tall oak tree. “Always asking how Miss Claire’s child has been doing. I can’t imagine Aina would have ever expected someone so wonderful.”
The pomegranate bristled with happiness when Lorin gasped at the mention of her garden, and she bounced ecstatically when the leshy mentioned his family’s own. “I didn’t know you an’ your mama have a garden! Can I come over an’ see it too? Is it a garden with lotsa flowers in it?” she asked, her enthusiasm propelling her to the oak tree a little faster. Aina swung their arms forward, nodding hastily to Lorin’s first question. “Mhm! Grandpa said your mama an’ everyone she loves ever can play at our house all the time. It’s grandpa’s garden, but papa an’ I gotta help him with it everyday.” Once they reached the shade of the oak tree, Aina came to a gentle stop, eyes wandering up to the leaves bristling with the wind. Her attention was called back to Lorin at the mention of his own garden, and she brightened.
“Mhm! I do wanna meet ‘em.” Lorin’s flowers were his friends, too, and Aina was able to understand as much; but as he explained on, her eyes widened with a spark of wonder. “You told your garden ‘bout me?” she flustered, giggling; “I never heard ‘bout a garden bein’ curious before. Ours is just real quiet an’ listens to stuff.”
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:04 pm
Ivy had the modesty to blush at Duncan's choice bit of flattering gossip. "Now now, may have been a few years since I've won somethin' but I'm happy to share, anytime. But if they believe that I'm gonna come unprepared with gifts of my own, well then they'd better brace themselves." Her laugh, loud as ever, showed her joy. "And tell 'em all thanks. I think we'll have to plan a trip out to the farm, don't you?" She inclined her head at Claire, who nodded enthusiastically.
"I know Lorin would love to see a farm. I've been meaning to take him on more outings, and the more faces he can meet, the better." Truthfully, most of their trips were between family homes, running errands, and back again, with the occasional meet and greet. He had been so curious about everywhere else, asking her whenever she had an afternoon alone to attend to an appointment where she had gone, what she had done. The conversational shift to school had brought with it its own share of guilt, which she focused on the backs of the two Freis before them as they were quickly catching up. To see the two of them holding hands and chatting animatedly brought a warmth to her chest - the initial nervousness of meeting had all but dissolved, it seemed, in like company, and for that she was glad.
"Rhedefre? Think I remember him a bit from the tea party last year." Ivy's voice brought Claire back to the moment and she turned just as her mother addressed her again when Duncan paused. "Wasn't he the one that came out to see you and Cadi a little bit back?"
"Yes, although I don't think I've really met his guardians." Her smile renewed at the memory from April, of the four of them coloring on the patio in Lorin's oversized coloring book. The picture still hung proudly on the fridge. But softness returned to her expression as Duncan told them, with the same warm fuzziness in her chest she had experienced just moments before. Her own thoughts often drifted to Aina, especially when she would glance up and spot the mug that she had painted earlier that year, sitting on top of the freezer. "Well, she is quite wonderful herself." Her words were fond and full of happiness. "We've thought about her much since we've last seen you all. She's a sweetheart." Her smile brightened at Duncan before she glanced ahead at the two children. "And I know Lorin can't wait to hear everything. When he's curious about something, he doesn't let up easily." She chuckled softly. "Looks like they'll be two peas in a pod."
"Of course!" Lorin exclaimed. "Mama says you and Duncan and your papa can come any time, too." His mother was very welcoming with everyone, but she spoke with special fondness about the Clarke-Kantors. His own excitement allowed him to keep up with Aina, wings giving an eager flap as they approached their goal, and as he scooted ahead of Aina for a moment, he gasped at her affirmation, turning to face her. "You guys gotta have a great garden to play in, I wanna come see sometime! We still got lots of stuff to do in our garden but maybe soon it'll be good, too, when you guys come and play." It was a work in progress, as both his parents referred to it as such, with many of the plants in hiding until the following spring and the stone path still unfinished. As they reached the oak, he slowed and stopped next to Aina, but gave their hands a joyful swing.
"My garden's little," he admitted sheepishly, "but they're nice." Aina's curiosity about his morning chats with his garden banished the sheepish thoughts from him and he brightened. "Course! I talk to 'em every morning and every noon when I gotta move 'em out of the sun so they don't get sunsick." He swayed side-to-side. "But when I talk sometimes, I can feel their feelings, since they don't talk back. Maybe that's why your garden listens so much if you talk to it too?" He paused to nod in consideration - it was hard to guess since he had not gone to Aina's garden, but it made sense to him. Her branches and flowers made him wonder if she could do what he could, which admittedly was not that much, now that he had spoken about it, but his eyes lingered fondly on her red blooms. "My cactus will like your flowers 'cause hers is kinda red, too." He beamed, until he remembered with a jolt that he did not have a present for his new friend. There had to be something he could do for Aina! He looked at the rows of flowers far off on either side of the oak, flanking the walking path, which recalled another favorite place of his, momentarily pushing the search from his mind.
"My Grandma's garden is real big and colorful, with lotsa flowers and trees and stuff like this, too." It was a slight exaggeration in the way that children were prone to do, but he spoke proudly, squeezing Aina's hand. "Me and Sissy play there sometimes with Grandma's dog Misha. D'you know Misha, or Sissy?" He frowned momentarily. "We shoulda brought 'em, and Papa too, but Papa and Sissy had to work and Grandma says dogs can't come here."
"We arrive and you're bragging about me already, eh?" Ivy grinned as they finally caught up, and she set her load down, blankets piled on top of the bag she was carrying. She ruffled his hair, careful of his antennae, and he ducked his head with a laugh. "You raised him right." She remarked to Claire with a bark of laughter, as she reached for one of the blankets to start spreading it out.
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2016 8:37 pm
"You're too kind, Ivy." Duncan's smile met his eyes as Ivy laughed, and he let slip a chuckle himself - without a wall of blankets to obstruct his vision, the garden trail they were being lead down seemed even more beautiful than before. "By all means, Hartline always loves a guest - and they do have a farm store on site. I'm sure Stephen and Mordekai would love to show you around. It's beautiful in the fall, and if you would have me, I need to visit Hartline again myself. It's been much too long - nearly half a month has gone by," he jested - with the farm store so close, it was his family's go-to for most of their groceries.
Duncan felt a warm flutter in his chest as Claire spoke, all fondness and pride as he admired the two Freis chatting animatedly with one another only a few yards ahead. "The shyness has all but gone. What a beautiful sight," he commented, grinning. "There must be an abundance of curiosity between them. I'm sure we won't be sitting long."
"Really? Your mama really said that?" Aina asked, both touched and surprised. She wiggled her shoulders inward, smiling shyly at Lorin as he floated ahead of her - all this talk of gardens made her excited to explore the one all around them. "We'll come play soon, I promise," she confirmed, nodding her head certainly. "I'll ask grandpa 'bout it as soon as we gotta start eatin."
The pomegranate hummed as she listened, eyes on Lorin as she trusted their path towards the oak tree to be clear. She giggled, nudging Lorin's shoulder at his admittance. "It's okay if your garden is small! Grandpa says good gardens're grown by good people, an' I think you're good." What Lorin had explained next as wholly unexpected, and Aina listened intently, brows raised - perking, she bounced a bit.
"That's really cool! S'it like your magic? I don't get to feel their feelings like you do, I just like talkin' to 'em," she explained, too, reaching up to pat one of her horns at Lorin's mention of her flowers. Her blooms were reddest and her plants were fullest in the fall, and she flustered at his notice of them. "I'll like your cactus's flowers, too! Miss Minerva has cactuses an' they got flowers too, but your cactus sounds special," she smiled, tilting her head as she admired Lorin in turn. "Your wings look like the leaves we got fallin' from the trees in the forest... 'm sure our trees would like your leaves a lot, too," she mused.
"Mm-mm, I haven't met Misha an' Sissy before," she admit; before she thought to ask about them, Aaron was brought to mind, and she pouted. "I wish your papa coulda come... he's really funny," she brightened, for both Lorin and her sake, and shrugged. "It's okay... my papa had to go to work too. An' it's silly that dogs can't come to the garden." She had sworn she had seen a pup or two as they were entering the garden, but maybe she was thinking about the ones she spotted on their way to the city instead.
When Ivy approached, Aina dipped her head, smiling politely as Lorin's grandmother ruffled the honey Frei's hair. "Hi Miss Ivy," she said, turning to Duncan as he approached the oak tree just behind Ivy. "Grandpa, have you met Misha an' Sissy before?"
"I don't believe I have," Duncan replied, setting their picnic supplies down on a plush-looking patch of grass in the shade. Aina immediately began helping, setting the basket and gift down somewhere safe to help Duncan unfold blankets. "This is a wonderful spot, you two, thank you. The shade is very nice," Duncan commented, patting Aina's head. Aina gave him a sweeping nod, more than satisfied with the work they had done in find the perfect picnic spot.
"S'right under the big ol' oak tree," Aina smiled, pulling a blanket toward herself. She began unravelling it, gently setting the cloth down against the grass. "Miss Claire, Lorin told me 'bout your garden... can I play in it too?" she asked, staring curiously up at the woman as she smoothed out a small portion of the blanket. Despite telling the Lorin that she would wait until they began lunch, she found it hard to wait much longer.
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 2:17 pm
"'If you'll have me,' he says." Ivy's brow lifted and she shook her head with another snap of laughter. "Of course we will, thank you for inviting us. I'll make sure to give their farm store plenty of business." Fall was apple season, and she looked expectantly to Claire with an inquiring look; Ivy was a fan of her apple pies and apple butter. Claire laughed in kind at her mother's mock-hopeful stare, a laugh that dwindled into a hum as the adults watched the children ahead of them fondly. Duncan had a point - with how much they were getting along, they were going to be up and wandering as soon as they were able again. Claire had no doubts about that.
Lorin hummed in agreement to Aina's words as they went, warming at her echo of her grandfather's words. He and his parents put a lot of heart into their garden, small as it was, so he was glad to know that the size was not the important factor. He brightened momentarily when talk of powers came up and he shook his head. "I dunno, I think it is but nothing is real clear, I just feel what they feel." He nodded matter-of-factly, feeling a prickle of self-consciousness. But he was more interested in his new friend, and beamed when she mentioned a new name. "Who's Miss Minerva? She sounds real nice if she's got lotsa pretty cactuses." Anyone who was a friend of plants had his interest immediately, and he was eager as anything to learn more about Aina, including her acquaintances. As the party collected at the foot of the tree, Lorin smiled at his family as they all set to work getting the blankets, and he rushed forward to help himself.
"Well, considerin' I only brought him around the beach party, you're probably not very familiar with Misha," Ivy said with a grin. She plucked a blanket from the pile and unfolded it, handing one side to Claire as they lifted it up and stretched it taut before setting it down. "My dog. You'll get to meet him when you're down here next time," she added as an aside for Aina's benefit. "He loves kids." Lorin nodded emphatically.
"Misha's real big and he's got a big long nose that he likes you to pet." As he spoke, he held his hand out a good distance from his face to demonstrate for Aina. It was his favorite feature on Misha, next to his feathered tail that whirled like a propellar, and his silky fur, and his long legs. Lorin turned around with a wide smile of his own at Duncan's praise, as he came forward to take one of the blankets that Ivy had set down, spreading it out next to Aina's. "Yeah, lotsa shade and all the flowers are easy to see," he added in chorus to Aina's words as he paused and floated back to check his work and make adjustments, tugging the corners and smoothing out the wrinkles until it was to his satisfaction. Despite Aina's promise to wait until they ate before broaching the topic, he watched his mother and grandmother excitedly as soon as it came forth. He did not need to wait long before both women smiled, stretching another blanket between them.
"Of course you can, sweetpea," Claire answered warmly. "You're welcome any time, although our garden is still a work in progress." Her smile faltered into one of self-consciousness and she laughed, scractching her cheek. "But if all else fails, we can go down the street and see Ma's."
"And see Misha," Lorin volunteered excitedly, his hands clapping together as a realization came to him. "And we can ask Sissy to come too! And maybe Papa can be home rather than working so we can all play together, and Aina's papa too." The thought of company together in Ivy's expansive, colorful garden was almost too exciting a thought to bear for the young Frei - he desperately hoped it would be a reality someday. With the last of the blankets spread between their two parties, Ivy bent over to pick up the other items they had brought along and set them on the crisscrossing sheets (so that a wayward breeze would not undo all of their work). Claire turned to help Duncan with what he had brought, giggling at Lorin's stream of suggestions.
"'Sissy' is my sister-in-law's sister, Cadi," she explained, inclining her head towards the pomegranate Frei. "You remember her, from the New Years Eve party? That's Lorin's sissy."
"You have met Sissy!" Lorin gasped as he settled atop the blankets with his ribbon piled neatly beneath him. "She's real nice. She showed me Star Wars and lotsa video games. D'you know Star Wars and video games?"
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