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Out of Season (13) : One would think that winter would be dismal and gray, and after each snowfall there's a hefty dose of white covering up the world. Except, all winter bright patches of wildflowers begin sprouting straight through the frost--as if spring has decided to push its way into winter a few months early. Blues, pinks, yellows, and purples bloom in vivid clusters, warming the landscape with bursts of color that look impossibly alive against the cold. The flowers behave exactly like their normal spring counterparts--soft petals, gentle fragrance, and even suitable for tea or simple crafts. They’re simply appearing far too early. Whether it’s a harmless anomaly or a sign of something stirring beneath the seasons, the sudden blossoms bring an unexpected beauty to the winter chill.
Idri had been out for a walk by himself, but his friend Eli seemed to have the same idea. He waved to the other man. “Hey. Have you been seeing those wildflowers popping up?” He’d seen little patches of them everywhere on his ventures out as Polarite, but it was never until he was on the way home that he thought about gathering a bouquet for Noa. That had been part of the reason he wanted out of the house. The other was that Noa and the twins were napping on the bed and he didn’t want to disturb them. So he thought a short trip outside would be good for him.
Eli wanted to have a little me time before he went back to entertain his children. Lily handled them just fine and she told him to take his time while he was out and about, but he also felt bad for leaving her with the kids on her own. Lily would look at him funny for that one, but he was so used to taking care of their kids that he didn't know what to do with himself whenever he wasn't taking care of them. Eli looked up, and saw Idirian waving to him. He waived back, walking in the direction of his friend, “I have. Had to keep Collin from picking them.” Mostly because he didn't know what kind of flower they were and he didn't want to risk his son getting a rash or worse. Maybe he would pick some himself to give to his moth next time they met. “It's strange…Its in the middle of winter so there shouldn't be any flowers.”
“Exactly,” he said. “So much weird s**t happens here. Have you encountered the giant wolf made of snow and wind?” That ******** was a pain in the a**. Although, it had gotten easier when he and the Knight had agreed to work together instead of against one another. “I thought about picking some for Noa, but I’m also wondering if they do something weird.” He didn’t want to put Noa’s or the babies’ lives in danger. God, he knew he was being over protective of all three of them, even Ainsley had mentioned something to him about it. And if anyone knew when he was being over protective, it would be his sister.
“I haven't been out enough. I just came back from England. Lily's parents stay there.” and while he did have a good time with everyone, [Silas and Willow having a stare off was hilarious] he wasn't much for crowds or socializing. Even when he streams he doesn't really talk much [his voice is pretty deep and all the daddy, zaddy, and talk more he gets from his chat was enough for him to only talk when needed], so it took some effort to communicate. “You could pick them and test for yourself.” He shrugged, “How are Noa and the twins?” He hasn't been out on patrol so seeing General Saleeite wasn't grunted at the moment.
“England? Nice,” he said. He’d thought about traveling once Ainsley turned eighteen, but now he might have to think about that some more. Eli was right, though. He could pick them for himself and find out. He knelt down near a patch of the flowers and inspected them closely. “They’re doing good. We just took the twins to the doctor for a checkup and they’re progressing the way they should be at their age.” Which was only three months. It was incredible how much things had changed since bringing the twins home. He turned and looked up at Eli. “If something happens to me, take my body home?” he said with a smirk. Noa and Ainsley would be proud. He made a joke.
“England in the winter, Italy in the summer.” Since their family was super huge and all, plus Mercy loved going to visit her father-in-law. The information about the twins actually brought a small smirk to his face. “Good.” He knew Idirian wasn't doing the greatest around then and Noa was practically feral. Eli watched as Idirian started to squat down to look at the flowers, then he made a joke? “I promise I will bring your body home. We will give you a viking ceremony.” he chuckled.
Idri chuckled at Eli’s joke and turned back to the flowers, picking a purple one. When nothing happened, he looked back at Eli. “Maybe a flower patch is just a flower patch?” he suggested. He checked his fingers, but nothing seemed amiss there either. He didn’t feel sick, or dizzy, or sleepy. There was no rash on his fingers. And he was pretty sure he wasn’t hallucinating. He picked a couple more flowers in case picking only one didn’t do anything. Before he knew it, he had a small, colorful bouquet in his hands. He stood up and turned to face Eli again. “Nothing. I think the weirdness is just the fact that they’re here in the middle of winter.”
Huh…Well maybe he could pick some for Collin after all.
“Alright. No Viking Funeral I guess.” He got down on his knees as well, picking some flowers in his son’s favorite colors. He picked some for his wife and one for Willow even though he was sure his little girl was going to be as judgemental as ever. Once he had a fair bit of colors for his family, Eli cursed since he didn't really have anything on him to keep the flowers safe. Subspace wasn't safe since you cant have anything living in there.
Well…He could just carry them home.
“Don't have a bag on you?” He chuckled lowly.
Idri snorted softly. “I wasn’t exactly prepared to pick flowers,” he said with a quiet laugh. It also wasn’t something he ever thought he would be doing. “Hey, Eli?” he started softly. “You got any… tips or something for how to propose?” He was nervous, not that he thought Noa would tell him no, but he wanted to do it right, anyway.
Point taken.
Eli raised an eyebrow next, “Yeah?” Oh…He wanted to propose? “Well I didn't exactly propose to Lily…Well not traditionally anyway. I would just go with what feels good for you. Not sure what other advice I could give though.” Hell, Dmitry would be a better person to ask this since he actually proposed to Ryan in the traditional way.
Yeah, that was about what he expected Eli to say. Idri chuckled a little. “I’ve noticed you don’t do much the traditional way,” he said. Idri didn’t either, which was why he had asked for Eli’s advice. “I don’t think traditional is the best way for me, either.” He looked down at the colorful bouquet in his hands. “Maybe you’re right. I keep waiting for the perfect moment, but life’s not perfect, especially with two babies and a teenager in the house.” Ainsley had already walked in on them once or twice while they were making out on the couch, thankfully they hadn’t gotten much farther than that. “Thanks, Eli,” he said with a small smile.
