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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:23 am
Katori walked around the creaking porch of an older farm building. At one point it looked like this property had belonged to some villager who was desperately trying to use the natural heat of the area to grow whatever they could before moving on. "You really think this spot is worth saving?" She found herself repeating as she looked for her brother's companion, the strange foreigner once again confusing her with this decision to purchase property neighboring the animal sanctuary. The land itself was open, a couple of acres nestled at the base of some rocky mountains where the stream from the sanctuary simply dipped beneath the ground to reappear somewhere across the mountains, but it was overall fairly empty minus the old farm house. Katori though had been convinced to tag along with Nasrin while Taaru worked with some locals to help draft plans for the property and the huge building project that Nasrin had in mind.
[Katori 1]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:23 am
"It is!" Chirped Nasrin with a bright smile. Ever since deciding to venture into Zena with Taaru, the hybrid had taken to expanding her wardrobe for the colder weather and was currently sporting warm wool leggings that disappeared into fur boots that came up just above her ankles. A cream colored coat with delicate blue and golden flowers embroidered along the edges kept her warm over the short dress she wore beneath and like her boots the outfit was trimmed with fur. Her hair was braided like usual but she even sported a fur hat to keep herself warmer, the bitterness of winter still lingering as they prepared for spring.
"My father sent plans over for a greenhouse like those we have in Belrea. The ground here is warmed by natural hotsprings so it'll be perfect for growing the herbs that I need." Nasrin touched the railing of the porch, her expression hopeful as she glanced back to Katori. "Once we renovate this building into a ten bedroom inn with a large kitchen and dining area then it'll be perfect for visitors. There's even a cottage nearby that we can turn into a private residence if necessary." Of course that brought a slight flush to her cheeks since she was still adjusting to being in a relationship with Taaru, her companion finally turned into a lover after nearly two years of traveling together.
[Nasrin 1]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
"Ten bedrooms, you're very hopeful. Those nearby hot springs best create some true miracles." Katori teased though there was actual concern in her expression as she glanced about more. The place seemed to have a good foundation, they would definitely need to add a whole new wing for the bedrooms but at least the kitchen was large enough for what Nasrin wanted. While Katori knew their families had the funds to support such a plan it was strange to imagine staying in one place like this. "You sure that you want to stay in Zena, Nassie?" She could only imagine how different their home was compared to Belrea. The stories spoke of cities with crazy technology and diverse landscapes with mountains and the ocean nearby for warmer seasons. So why Zena? Then again she couldn't imagine Taaru living so far away either.
[Katori 2]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
Nasrin smiled warmly towards Katori. “I truly believe they will.” She acknowledged, her hands folding together almost as if in prayer for good fortune. “There’s been studies about how the minerals in the water can really help with health.” She explained while thinking about her father’s research back home. While her family focused more on plant growth and herbal remedies, he had taken a bit of interest in mineral water at one point and she had borrowed those notes in preparation for this. “I love Belrea, but Zena is beautiful in its own way and honestly there’s nothing like the hot springs here back home.” There were some by the mountains but it was nowhere near the level of springs that she had found here in Zena and Sauti.
[Nasrin 2]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
“Ah, I see.” Katori smirked as she listened to Nasrin, the ideas of studies and minerals basically ignored as she honed in on teasing the other girl instead. “So nothing to do with my brother then, hmm?” She joked lightly as she knocked against the banister of what once had been a sturdy wrap-around porch. It would be nice once they replaced the wooden boards and painted everything, that much she could admit. Some swinging chairs for relaxing in the evenings as the sun was setting beyond the mountains? That would be perfect. Okay, so perhaps Nasrin did have something good going on for this area after all.
[Katori 3]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
A flush decorated Nasrin’s cheeks. “W-what?” She sputtered, her cheeks darkening even more as she shook her head and then stopped as she realized that she didn’t like lying. “I mean, yes?” She managed after a moment, her fingers twisting the end of her braid shyly. “He’s definitely part of the reason I would like to stay in Zena. We’ve been through so much together and I can’t really imagine not being with him.” She admitted quietly, her gaze peeking up towards Katori as if hoping that was alright to say. Taaru’s family had always been welcoming so she didn’t think it was an issue with them, but at the same time it was still awkward for her to admit her feelings so openly to anyone.
[Nasrin 3]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
“It’s fine.” Katori chuckled as she reached over and patted Nasrin’s shoulder. “I’m glad that he managed to snag someone as sweet as you. I still don’t know how he did it because of how goofy he can be, but he is a good guy.” She admitted herself as she walked across the porch. “So this building will be the main house, right?” It was hard to imagine travelers resting inside, but at the same time it did make sense. There was a merchant’s path leading towards Zidel nearby and this could easily be a stop for anyone traveling towards the capital or back towards Sauti. If they advertised it enough and Nasrin truly could get her name out as a reliable healer then surely others would come out this way because of that fact alone.
[Katori 4]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
“He truly is.” Taaru was silly at times, but he had a golden heart which Nasrin adored. She also was fond of having some fun on occasion, the healer still somewhat playful despite all of the trials she had endured over the last few years since leaving Belrea, and so she appreciated his humor even more. Just thinking of the iceling shifter hybrid made her chest warm with that fluttery feeling again. “I really hope that we can renovate everything without any issue. I was thinking of a golden brown to stain the wooden boards here while we lay down a path out of the natural stone in the area. It’ll be a mixture of pale gray and cream with some warm tones to brighten the place up a bit.”
[Nasrin 4]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
“Sounds lovely.” Katori admitted as she pondered the idea for a moment, the hybrid leaving the porch to walk around the exterior once more. “We’ll need to weed the area a bit, it’s warm enough here for some plants to thrive even during these cooler months thanks to the springs.” She noted as she tugged at one of the spindly plants and made a face at how the stalk pricked her skin. After uprooting them they could replace the weeds with some local shrubbery, the ones that had the pale purple and cream colored flowers that smelled so nice. “Shrubs and then maybe some mint or something?” She asked after a moment, glancing back towards Nasrin with curiosity.
[Katori 5]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
Ah, weeds. Nasrin made a face before leaving the porch to join Katori. “I think that would be nice. Some of the weeds are actually wildflowers, perhaps?” She noticed as she tilted her head with curiosity, studying some of the other plants that were along the otherside of the building. “Maybe I can place some stones around them to keep them from spreading but let them bloom naturally. These actually are about to bloom with purple cone-flowers which are good for keeping rodents away.” They looked like tall weeds whenever they weren’t in bloom but once spring arrived the purple flowers would be lovely. Speaking of which reminded Nasrin there was a small garden plot in the back that she had noticed. “Do you think I could steal some rosemary and other herbs from your family’s garden, Katori? I would love to plant some around the back here for the kitchen. It’s always best to grow your own fresh vegetables and herbs for cooking.”
[Nasrin 5]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
“Oh, good catch.” Katori removed her hand from more plants, just in case they were actually something useful, and brushed the dirt on her leggings. “I think it should be fine to borrow some herbs, just leave some for Zyphire when he visits soon. I’m hoping to get a couple of good meals from him before heading further north with Finn.” She had healed up enough finally, the bandages on her arms finally removed after the incident with the chiavi and was guessing they would probably linger another week or so before moving on with his mission.
[Katori 6]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
“Ah, Finn.” Nasrin opened her mouth and then closed it again before simply nodding. “I’ll make certain with Zyphire before I dig up anything then. It’ll be nice to plant some here though for the summer so that the roots can have a chance to get adjusted to this soil before the colder weather makes the plants retreat.” Some she would have to save seeds from and replant while others would return with the warmer weather. It was those that she wanted to try to plant this season before it was too late since she had the feeling they would be busy with the actual buildings for the majority of the next few months. The greenhouse especially would be time consuming, considering all the finer details and hardwork it would take to make certain everything was perfect for the glass roof and insulated walls.
[Nasrin 6]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
“Yes, Finn.” Replied Katori with a soft sigh. “I honestly don’t know what I’m doing with him.” The admission slipped from her lips, the hybrid flushing slightly before shaking her head. Finn was becoming someone dear to her after everything that they had been through together, but they still had a bit of a rocky relationship. It hadn’t helped that Finn had gotten terribly upset at her for risking herself to protect others, the rockslide honestly scaring Katori for a moment as she got buried alive that afternoon. But how could she not help? It was nearly impossible for her to sit back when people needed aid. Still, though while she always protected others somehow the idea of Finn protecting her was not such a bad thing. It would be nice to be held, if she wasn’t ready to pommel him the next moment during an argument. It was strange worrying over someone else and then realizing that they could also worry about you in the same manner, just with a lot of explosive emotions mixed in that really seemed to be a mess at the moment. It truly made her head spin and her heart feel funny, the very mixture of emotions making her want to smack at the ground in frustration.
[Katori 7]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:24 am
“It’s always complicated when you travel with someone.” Mused Nasrin with a small knowing look crossing her delicate features as she studied Katori. “It took me almost two years before I finally realized that I had something with Taaru. Perhaps your friend is more than that?” She gave a slight shrug as she walked past Katori and started towards the garden area. “I think you both just need time to figure things out. You're very explosive when it comes to emotions, but I don’t think that’s a horrible thing.” She acknowledged quietly. “If anything it may mean it’ll be easier to get everything out in the open instead of pondering over it for so many months like I did with Taaru.”
[Nasrin 7]
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 6:25 am
“More than what? A nuisance?” Quipped back Katori with a flush. “I honestly don’t know what you expect, but I just want to help him out…he’s not a bad guy despite being feral half the time.” Finn had just been through a tough past and would need plenty of time to overcome those experiences. He was like one of the injured raptrix that had been caught and nearly maimed by poachers. Some of them took forever to trust someone again, if ever. Katori’s expression fell at the very thought. It wasn’t as if she simply thought of him as someone that just needed care, not anymore. She honestly didn’t want anything bad to happen to him going forward and was going to do her best to protect him. Somehow the thought of anything bad or even thinking about those who did such horrible things to him in the past just made her blood boil. Was that how he felt when he watched her get covered with rocks? No wonder he had been so angry! A sigh left Katori’s lips. Damn, this was frustrating! “Maybe we should just focus on this garden.” She managed as she followed Nasrin. “I can rip through some of these weeds if you direct me. I don’t want to uproot something actually helpful by mistake.”
[Katori 8]
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