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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 17, 2008 23:03:55 GMT -5
My step was light and happy as I made my way from Valerian towards Alyssum. The trip took a little while in itself, though it was beautiful, and I found myself picking a small collection of wildflowers and a few small, young ferns to compliment it as I moved. By the time I was at Alyssum, I didn't know what to do with it, and so I held rather dumbly to it as I waited for the adept who'd greeted me to go tell LaValle I was here.
A few moments after he'd gone, a child walked through, holding a card that I assumed meant she was on an errand. A shy smile was given to me as I gave her the flowers, keeping only one pale purple one out. Giggles sounded as she made her way out at a quicker pace, and I watched her as I waited, smiling to myself.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 17, 2008 23:18:32 GMT -5
The message was quietly delivered that Calista was waiting for me, and I smiled as I ducked my head so that it wouldn't seem almost garish, and then forced myself to walk down to meet here, trying not to flush too much and ignoring the pounding in my chest.
I was mostly in control when I made it to the welcoming room, just a bit flushed as I watched her for a moment. She looked very happy and healthy and it was good to see- and of course she was still beautiful. "Hello," I said softly.
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 17, 2008 23:49:12 GMT -5
The girl was almost out of sight when a voice spoke up to my right, soft, deep, unmistakable. My smile widened as I turned, eyes landing on the familiar sight of LaValle. "Hello LaValle," I responded as I met him halfway, unsure whether I should give him the kiss of greeting or not. "How have you been? You look wonderful."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 17, 2008 23:57:28 GMT -5
Stepping closer I looked up at her from beneath my bangs and smiled more widely, managing not to flush this time. It was so good to see her I couldn't help but not be embarrassed at the feelings that rose in me when I did. "I'm good, but you must have been better judging by how lovely you look," I told her softly, flushing a bit then as I dropped my gaze, then leaned up and brushed a light kiss across her cheek. "You're here for a lesson?"
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 18, 2008 12:35:33 GMT -5
The combination of his compliment and kiss made me blush, and I caught myself as I was leaning in towards him. "Yes," I said, smiling through the heat in my cheeks. "If you have time now, that is - if you're busy I can come back another time."
Belatedly, I remembered the flower I was holding onto. I didn't know the name of it, but its petals, stem and leaves were all unmarred, caught in the prime of its bloom. "This is for you," I said, smiling a little more as I handed it to him. "Partially for payment, partially just because it reminded me of you."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 18, 2008 15:29:39 GMT -5
"Thank you," I told her sincerely and with great feeling, pleased that she had thought of me though her flush told me I shouldn't have worried too much. "I have time, of course."
Smiling shyly at her again and with the strangest urge to brush my fingers through her hair to see if it was as soft as I remembered I instead looked closely at the flower. I didn't know as much about gardening as Adin, or many of the others, but I knew a few of the different types. "This is clematis," I told her, then gently held it toward her nose. "It smells sweet, and another name is Traveler's Joy."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 18, 2008 16:45:39 GMT -5
I looked down at the flower as he did, then leaned and took a soft breath of it. "It does smell rather nice," I said, looking up at him as the blush began to recede from my cheeks. "Another reason why it reminds me of you." And the color came back, but my tease was evident, laying lightly on my words. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 18, 2008 21:24:25 GMT -5
For a moment I could only watch her, then I heard her question and blushed brightly. "Of course not," I told her happily. "I'm just glad to see you. Let's go out to the garden."
Elua, the garden- please, just let me get through this lesson without losing my mind. I was sensitive to memories and the feelings of others, I knew that- and I already wanted to be more affectionate to her than she probably thought was decent.
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 18, 2008 22:16:21 GMT -5
I smiled softly at him, highly enjoying spending time with him again. His presence was calming, though I felt an almost overwhelming urge to draw my finger across his brightly blushing cheek.
Refraining myself, I nodded. "I'm ready whenever you are," I said, angling my body where I thought I remembered the gardens laying. "Have you been up to anything interesting lately?" I asked as we made our way, my hand naturally finding and taking his arm.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 18, 2008 22:29:56 GMT -5
Her hand was warm and I was glad of it, as well as the grounding effect it had on me. "This way," I told her softly, walking toward the door of the welcoming room and down a side hall that would lead to the newly blooming spring garden, thick with tulips and other strong flowers. "I don't do very much most people would find interesting, I don't think, but I've been keeping busy."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 19, 2008 13:44:37 GMT -5
He didn't seem to mind me taking his arm, and I was glad for it. I followed him, looking about as we moved, appreciating the curves of his House. "I don't know," I replied, looking up at him with a smile. "I'm interested in knowing. I'm glad to hear you've been keeping busy, though. It helps pass the days much more smoothly."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 19, 2008 14:45:20 GMT -5
"It does," I agreed with a smile. "I've only been helping where I can, assisting in the calligraphy classes and in the garden- when not in assignations, of course. Have you been keeping busy? I'd hate to think you were bored and unhappy."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 19, 2008 15:51:34 GMT -5
"I have," I said, my gaze taking in the garden as we exited the House. "There was a Shahrizai party that I attended; they contracted a lot of Valerians adepts. I've worked a little with the children, and," I paused, looking up at him with a blooming smile, "someone left a gift outside my door not too long ago. There wasn't a name, but it was so pretty."
My face reflected happiness as I glanced around the garden, taking in a deep breath. "It smells so nice out here."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 19, 2008 16:18:00 GMT -5
She glanced away just as my cheeks started to redden again and I almost stammered out the question to ask how she'd liked the gift- but her eyes being off of my face allowed me to save myself and hear the happiness in her tone. Besides, it was probably best to let her imagine whoever she wished for he gift. "That does sound like an interesting turn of events," I replied softly, watching her shyly.
"The flowers are finally coming back, and we've moved in some more from the greenhouse," I explained. "The soil is awake again, and the air is warm, and the helpful insects are back, so it's safe to plant."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 19, 2008 16:29:50 GMT -5
"It is," I replied as I looked back at him, feeling more relaxed now that we were out of the building and into the sweet smelling garden. "I just wish I knew who left it."
I looked about as he explained the plants new beginnings. The smell of the earth was in the air, a perfume that always smelled good to me. As I looked around, I saw a shed, and my cheeks instantly blushed. The last time I'd come for a lesson, we'd ended up inside one not too unlike that one.
"Are we planting some today?" I asked, hurridly looking away from it and back to him. That was a mistake as well - it made the memories flash more, and I had to concentrate on regulating my breathing so it didn't shorten.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 19, 2008 16:38:51 GMT -5
Her cheeks reddened as she looked around, and I could only imagine what she saw- in fact, I tried not to. It was likely to make me blush myself. "Not yet," I told her gently. "But we will learn the beginnings of it, what bits I know. Are you willing to get your hands a bit dirty? If not, we can save it, because planting can be dirty work at times."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 21, 2008 12:35:52 GMT -5
Trying to force the blush from my cheeks, I smiled, nodding at him. "Yes, of course," I added, my hand going to the russet-brown of my dress, holding the skirts in gesture. "I wondered if we might, so I tried wearing something that wouldn't show stains as easily."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 21, 2008 15:27:41 GMT -5
"You seem to read my mind," I told her softly and with affection as I met her gaze for an instant, then looked over the plants that had come to the grounds. "We won't be planting until the end, but before that I'm going to show you what I know about plant care, which can be just as dirty."
Smiling, I led her over to a series of newer plants and sat down, bidding her to do so with me as I flushed to remember the last time we'd been so close, and ended up much closer. I couldn't lie and say it was all sheer embarrassment either- memory tended to rule me, and I couldn't stifle a small wish deep within my soul. "We'll start from the bottom up, testing the soil."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 21, 2008 17:09:25 GMT -5
His voice was so soft and gentle, his blush so genuine, that I wanted to kiss his cheek - or better yet, his lips. Gods, I truly enjoyed being around LaValle. I sat next to him, not quite touching, but near enough that I was close and could see what he was doing easily. "Alright," I agreed, smiling warmly. "I'm ready whenever you are."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 21, 2008 21:54:40 GMT -5
She was so willing to learn something as simple as this- and some would say it was beneath her to set her lovely hands to grubbing in dirt, but the fact that she liked growing things only made me feel more affection for her. Gently I reached out a hand and brought it to the earth, taking a bit and holding it in my palm. "Good earth is easy to tell," I told her softly. "It smells right, and it feels right, and it's a good, rich color without feeling too much like sand or stone."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 21, 2008 22:16:06 GMT -5
I listened to him as he talked, my gaze fixed on the earth in his hands. I wanted to remember what it looked like - I couldn't imagine the gardens at Alyssum having poor dirt. "It smells right?" I asked, looking up at him curiously, my dark eyes into his lighter. "How does it smell, exactly?"
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 22, 2008 10:03:12 GMT -5
"Take a handful," I encouraged softly. "That's the only way to find out. Feel it between your fingers, then smell it. It's just- right."
Softly I took her hand and dropped the earth I'd collected onto it, forcing myself to ignore the flush that rose on my cheeks, as well as the rush of sensation at how soft her skin still felt.
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 22, 2008 12:50:41 GMT -5
I cupped my fingers as soon as I realized what he was going to do, catching most of the dirt into my hand. I was very aware of the feel of his hand on mine, soft and tender, everything I remembered as I closed my fingers on the dirt, feeling the moist softness. "I see now," I said quietly, glancing up at him with a smile. "I read somewhere that the darker the earth, the better for growing plants. Is that true?"
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 23, 2008 0:04:21 GMT -5
"So long as it's not dark from being too damp," I agreed with a smile, skin still tingling from where it had touched hers and repressing an urge to stroke her cheek. Besides, my fingers were dirty and I didn't want to mar her lovely face.
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 23, 2008 18:09:36 GMT -5
I smiled at him, then dropped my gaze, suddenly and unexplainably feeling a little shy. "That makes sense," I responded, picking my other hand up and dragging a finger through the moist earth. "What next?"
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 24, 2008 10:30:38 GMT -5
"Next is actually get our hands into the earth and checking a few things we can't tell simply by looking at the soil," I explained, putting my fingers as deeply into the earth as I could but moving very gently, my hand a few inches from the stem of the flowers. "In unplanted land this can tell you how rocky the ground is, and here it'll tell us how well water is draining. Too much against the roots for too long and they'll rot."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 24, 2008 12:06:37 GMT -5
I nodded, listening to him and trying not to be distracted by anything. It was hard, though, as I watched his hands carefully part the earth, touching it gingerly. "Too much of a good thing, then?" I asked as I observed, casting my glance up towards his face.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 24, 2008 18:17:05 GMT -5
"In a few cases," I agreed softly, pulling my hand free and shyly holding it out to take hers and show her what I meant. "Some plants can't have too much sun either, or they burn, but we'll get to that next."
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Feb 26, 2008 16:25:46 GMT -5
Gingerly, I offered my hand to him, giving him a small, slightly shy smile. "Plants that burn?" I repeated, glancing up at him. "I've never heard that before."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Feb 26, 2008 21:15:42 GMT -5
With a shy smile I shook back my hair as I put her fingers to the earth, delicately placing them in the holes my own fingers had made. "Some plants have leaves as delicate as pale skin, and too much direct sun can cause them to dry out, or crack, and they'll sicken from too much. Those ones we plant indoors, or in the shadows of other plants."
Once her hand was in the soil I slowly, hesitantly, almost regretfully released it, sliding my fingers over the back of her hand to keep the contact, then flushing with the realization. "In this ground you can feel the roots taking hold, and the moisture of it."
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