isleofavalon | [Catch-All] Reunions, Memories, & the Colour White

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[Catch-All] Reunions, Memories, & the Colour White

🧙 WHO: Aerith Gainsborough, You
⚔️️ WHAT: Catch-All for June / July
🕒 WHEN: June / July
🗺️ WHERE: Aerith's flower shop, Brocéliande, Camelot city proper, the Bay of Avalon
⚠️ WARNINGS: TBD

[01. Come for the Flowers]

[Little by little, Aerith's flower shop is getting put together. The walls are still a little barren, but contain some paintings done by local artists. Finally, it seems a little more put together.

There's no shortage of flowers on display in intricate arrangements. Planters hang from the ceiling. The scent lingering in the air is some combination of cinnamon and sweet floral notes. There's almost always a cup of tea (or something like it) at the front desk.

Aerith tries her best to keep herself busy, wandering from one end to the other, up the steps to the small loft up the stairs, back down again, making sure that everything seems to be perfect. She hums during the day to herself, overjoyed at being surrounded by some of the things that she likes most, even if she can't glean from them what she would back home.

Perhaps you've stopped in by mistake, maybe you're running errands, or you're here with the intention of finding something in particular. Either way, you're here now, and the little bell sound that chimes once you've come in signifies your entry. It's too late for you to leave now. (Aerith won't be chasing you down if you turn tail and flee.)

Whatever Aerith's in the middle of doing, she looks up from her task and eyes the door with a welcoming smile.]

Hi there! If you give me just a moment, I'll be right with you.

[02. How to Business 101]

Hm...

[Aerith holds a notebook protectively against herself as she wanders the streets of Camelot's business district. She stops every so often in the front of a store window, occasionally pokes her head in to get a good look at the wares and the design. She's doing business research to see what she can do to better her flower shop.

It's also a good excuse to get to speak with owners and others along the way and having never been one to shy away from conversation, Aerith is quite happy to exchange words in idle conversation.]

I wonder how they decided on prices. Did they just compare it to something local?

[A frown briefly crosses her features because she knows her own pricing has been pretty negotiable. But maybe flowers just don't work the same as drinks at a cafe or some of the other wares that Camelot provides.

Her feet start carrying her off to another store, her face is fixed on her notebook, where she's writing in small script her observations. She brushes up against a shoulder, or perhaps she walks headfirst into you, or maybe you simply found her in your way whilst you were trying to pass by. Either way, you are precisely one Aerith richer.]

Oops—Am I in your way? Sorry about that.

[03. Gone Fishing (Not Really)]

[She hasn't been here to visit since her original arrival. Aerith has lost track of time easily, and she knows why. She drowns in keeping herself busy and occupied. It gives her less time to think. The Bay of Avalon is a vivid recollection of how confusing it was to arrive in this new world, with the discovery that the world back home was frozen in time. It's still a little hard to wrap her mind around, but she's continued to adopt the idea that there's no sense in causing an uproar over it.

This is a thing she cannot affect, despite the otherworldly abilities that she may play host to.

It's a pleasant day, one that has her lifting an arm as she takes in what feels like a bay of water that stretches beyond what she can see.]

It's beautiful when you're not swimming out of it in the cold. Or being escorted out by turtles.

[There's a basket over one forearm, not even half full. Aerith has come all this way to see if there's any flowers that might be worth adding to the collection. Down in the water, there's occasional splashes of the fish and the welcoming organic ebb and flow of the water. Maybe one of these days she should consider going for a swim.]

Although it looks a little more serene when people aren't arriving, doesn't it?

[...She wonders if the Lady of the Lake sleeps when she's not bringing newly arrived.]

[04. Communing with Nature]

[Her fingertips splay against the rough bark and for several moments, Aerith remains still, listening to everything around her—the rustle of branches, the far off lilt of birds, and other things she cannot readily identify. For once, she's not out scouting for flowers. Rather, her visit to the forest sitting just outside of Camelot's town is for something more profound.

Aside from the occasional dreams she's had of home, of different times, of times that perhaps have not yet occurred, she hasn't felt the same since her arrival. Aerith hasn't had a way of discovering just how in touch she is with her Cetra abilities. It's not an easy thing to test either, considering the details of her 'abilities' have been complex.

Her touch moves over a subtle gash in the wood and after a moment's pause above it, it takes a gentle push of healing, an encouragement for it to heal. Whether it works or not, she hardly would know. Nature is more hardy than many give it credit for.]

There you are. [She says aloud, though she seems to be addressing the tree. After a beat, she turns to press her back against it before she finds her voice again.] I can't seem to hear anything, though. Even being surrounded by it all, it isn't the same. I'm not connected to you in the same way.

[She sighs, shutting her eyes as she thinks about where to go next. What to do. She's not seen anyone else hunting or searching for any of the ingredients that grow in the veil of trees just yet. But it doesn't mean they aren't there.]

So... what do you think we should do now, hmm?

[05. Wild Card]

[For everything else. If you'd like a closed starter, please let me know. You can PM Aerith's journal or PP me at ofthesky.]

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[As pirates go, he likes to consider himself to be as singular as he often is paradoxical.

It takes effort to keep his amusement at the shift in her countenance veiled, and he only just manages— there is more, he can tell, behind those intentions than her own love of flowers. Experience, perhaps, with those who foolishly took the simpler things in life for granted, something he finds many people to be guilty of quite frequently, himself included. It makes him increasingly curious about what sort of world she comes from, that flowers are treasures and perhaps even friends, or if it's simply in her nature— or both.

He gestures broadly with one hand to their surroundings, offering an easy smile.]

No doubt you will be an excellent teacher. Your passion for the subject is plain enough; anyone who has given their heart to a subject so completely must leave some impression on those they seek to educate.

My passion isn't up for question.

[She follows the way he gestures, her features softening in slight.]

I just know that I can't expect everyone else to be like me. That's impossible and it's not feasible. But I have actually met a few people here who really like plants, which is a surprise. A pleasant one.

[Aerith nods slowly before eventually she returns her gaze onto him.] I'm going to guess you don't know much about them, right? Think I could convince you to take one home with you? It'll be a real simple plant.

Kindred spirits, are they? Even if not, there's something to be said for finding likeminded friends.

[Opposites may both attract and complement one another, but it's always nice to find someone who thinks the way you do, appreciates the same sorts of things. He's far more pirate than engineer these days, but he can imagine he would have a great deal to talk about with anyone who shared his passion for machines and finding out how things work.

His smile quirks just a bit higher on one side.]

You have that much about me figured out, yes. My experience with plants is minimal, beyond the monstrous sort, but if you're not concerned that such a thing would be in danger with me, I can't say I'd feel inclined to deny such a heartfelt request.

["Yes."]

[Likeminded friends. What a nice way to put it. He's right, too. Given that she doesn't meet many she can bond with easily, she tends to treasure every friendship she makes.

As he continues, her expression is patient, though she can't help but wonder what a monstrous sort of plant would be like. Maybe monstrous plants just don't get the attention they deserve.]

That's a funny way to agree. [She grins, though, and beckons for him to come along with her whilst she takes the time to look at her variety of flowers, wondering what kind he might like.]

What kinds of flowers do you like, Balthier? Are you into simple or complex? Maybe something more refined like you...

Is it? I have been accused of using ten words where one would suffice on more than one occasion.

[His partner is a patient soul, but even with the closeness their partnership affords them, Fran has never been shy of letting him know when he's been a bit much.

It is, for the record, often.

He follows along with interest, letting both hands come to rest against his hips as he stands just behind her, looking over the offerings lined up on the nearest set of shelves.]

I've never given it much thought, truth be told. 'Refined' may be a bit much, but I do think there's a certain elegance in simplicity. Nobody likes to be accused of trying too hard.

It's a good thing I like listening to you talk, so you can use any many words as you want with me!

[Leave it to her to enable his bad habits. Aerith seems to have an ever infinite well of patience. Almost, anyway. Even when she gets angry, it doesn't always seem to be a malevolent anger.

After a moment's pause as she takes stock of her current inventory, she looks over her shoulder to him.] Elegance in simplicity. That's a good point. Sometimes less is more. [Which is exactly why her store isn't overflowing in flowers the way Aerith would probably like it to be. After a moment's consideration, she pauses by some smaller collections of white and pink lilies and she motions with a hand.]

What do you think of these? Some lilies are just one colour, but the ones that have two or more are pretty. Their little spots look a little like freckles, too, and their little ripples in their petals are cute.

[He'll certainly take encouragement wherever he can get it, concerning bad habits or otherwise. He pauses to allow his gaze to follow her path instead, his head tipping to one side as he considers the flowers she's chosen to suggest. They are lovely, and not entirely unlike some of the more elegant blooms he's seen in his travels. Galbana lilies tended to be blazingly bright in color, but their shape and simplicity are nearly the same as the white and pink lilies on display here.]

They're reasonably familiar, in fact.

[He closes the distance between them, hands still at his hips as he joins her and looks over the potted offerings as if to study.]

They are lovely. Do you suppose they're hardy enough to survive the hand of someone so inexperienced?

[His smile quirks to one side, teasing.]

I'm particularly fond of the white.

Oh, you have lilies back home?

[She asks it as he joins her and with some care, she picks up the smaller pot from the bottom, offering it up to let him get a better look. As he continues, she grins.]

If you need help taking care of them, I can do that too, but I don't think you'll have a problem. Back home, these were everywhere outside of the house. Well, not just these and not these specific kinds, but lilies. [She looks fond as she gently caresses a petal before she continues. Instructions for care seem like a good idea, especially for someone who might not be terribly familiar.] They shouldn't be too difficult to maintain.

You don't want to put them in direct sunlight, so you can put them in a window, but make sure you have curtains or blinds drawn. Otherwise, they can get sunburned, just like people. [Her gaze turns back onto Balthier and she demonstrates with her free hand's forefinger.] They don't need a special potting soil, but I can make one when it needs to be switched out and that will help keep it fed and fertilised. They do grow bigger, so when that happens, you have to repot them into something bigger, so they can stretch out. If you bring it back here, we can repot it together. Water them modestly, make sure their water can drain, so you don't drown the root, and talk with them.

[A pause and then.] Easy, right?

Galbana lilies— blooms found among the sands of desert nations.

[All the more appreciated for their stubbornness and determination to grow in what might seem like a hostile environment to those beyond their borders.

It's quite a list, but it amounts to very little actual effort that needs to be put in— and given the other skills he's mastered in his time, he imagines he'll have little difficulty with these. He nods, having watched her demonstration with interest.]

Ah, yes, 'easy.' Simple enough that even I could manage, I'm sure.

[... wait.]

Talk with them? Do people truly do that?

See, I knew it.

[She files away the information on his lily, however. Sometimes others have been able to get things from their homeworld. She probably can't request it herself, but if Balthier were to bring her seeds for the lilies that come from his home...

Her attention turns at his question and she grins.]

Yes! I talk to my flowers every day. In the morning, when I come in as I'm watering them, I ask them how they're doing and I tell them they're looking very beautiful.

[Aerith looks earnest.] They have feelings and thoughts, you know.

Suppose I'd never considered that.

[Which, really, comes as no surprise to either of them, given this is hardly her area of expertise. It is hers, which means he ought to take her advice to heart, but he has to admit that the idea of his speaking to something inanimate for any length of time feels a bit foolish.

He'll keep that to himself. It would be rude, otherwise, and he has no desire to injure her feelings, especially when she's so enthusiastic.]

I'll certainly keep it in mind. Do they answer back, in their way?

[Perhaps through noticeable growth, if he had to guess.]

Uhm.

[It's interesting that he asks that because back home, yes. Yes, they very much do. But probably not in the way that anyone would expect them to. It's not necessarily so much a voice as it is a feeling and these are very difficult things to explain.

And in Camelot, the plants aren't so different either. The question is, is how likely is it that he'll look at her like she's absolutely weird? Not that she doesn't already expect that. She is weird and she's very well aware of it, except to her it's not weird at all. It's just how she is.]

Yes. Yes, they do. [She decides.] They're living as much as you and I are, Balthier. That's why it's important to support them and to encourage them. If you do that, they'll grow better.

Well then, I shall do my level best.

[Silly as it may seem.]

I should certainly hate to disappoint you, especially after such an act of generosity.

[Those flowers will be safe with him— most likely.]

My hotel room could use a bit of brightening, anyway. They'll be a very welcome addition.

[Is he teasing her? As Aerith eyes him, she can't tell. Part of her thinks he's teasing, but there's another part that thinks he's being serious.]

I'm not sure you could disappoint me, but I'll take the flattery anyway.

[She grins broadly and tips her head, toying with her hands as she is wont to do before she continues.] You should let me take a look at your room. [This is purely innocent, she swears.] Maybe I can think up some decorating tips. I'm not much of a decorator, though, if I'm honest. At least, not outside of plants. It'd give me an idea of what might suit you.

[It's often a fair assumption to make that it's a little bit of both— for as often as he does tease, it tends towards affectionate, reserved for those he considers himself to be friendly with. Though they know little about one another, time with Aerith has quickly proven to be easy and companionable, comfortable in a way.

It's something that would have given him pause not too long ago, but he knows he would probably do well to remember that he needn't always keep friendly acquaintances at arm's length. It does, after awhile, get rather old.]

There's not much to see, I'll admit. It's been so long since I've stayed in one place, I don't know the first thing about settling in— but having a discerning eye like yours look about the place might not be a bad idea.

[His smile pulls to one side as he offers her a little half-bow at the waist, his arm in front of him.]

That, however, will have to wait for another day. I fear I've already taken up enough of your time.

[He gives her a little bow, which is perfectly charming. Just like him, actually. Aerith's smile grows all the more and her gaze dips for just a moment before she offers to him the lilies that she's picked out for him.]

I'll come by sometime and make sure that you're taking good care of these.

[She gives him one more appraisal and it occurs to her that what she's doing is making a memory. Solidifying it. It's something she does with many other people. It's one more to add to a collection. Something to warm her heart when she understands the weight of reality might attempt otherwise. These moments keep her light. She must hold onto them for as long as she can.]

Don't be a stranger, Balthier. You're always welcome here.

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[Catch-All] Reunions, Memories, & the Colour White

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