Cherry picking [Open]

[zouichi]

As Zouichi had mentioned earlier, the cherry trees behind the Inn had begun, as of the past few days, to bear fruit. Whatever oddity of the 'seasons' here had encouraged them to bloom before, apparently it had convinced them that now was prime cherry season.

He reached up into the branches of one of the trees, plucking the ripened fruit and leaving the rest for later. He'd promised some to Alendian, of course, but truth be told, he was setting aside the sweetest, choicest fruits for someone else. A larger proportion of fruit to pit, not too soft or too firm, with the most attractive colors...

It was normally a fairly mindless task, but he was engrossed enough in picking and sorting today that he might be caught unawares.

[The thread with Alendian and Ildraniath is closed, otherwise the post is open]

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[quick_strike]

She stepped out fully, the customary blur of Eldar cloaking technology making it obvious who it was. Of course, she pulled down her hood the next moment to help confirm any suspicions.

"You caught me."

[futureisclear]

"Alendian...?"

Ildraniath arched a brow. Other than that, her face was a carefully composed mask.

[zouichi]

Zouichi stared at Alendian for a brief moment before he came upon the answer he was looking for. The cherries, that was right. But...

"I believe the deal was that I'd bring them over to you," he said with as much composure as one might reasonably expect given the situation.

[quick_strike]

She waved a hand to dismiss that. "You hardly know where I even sleep at night. Where would you bring them?" Which was true. Alendian rarely slept in her own crew quarter, instead grabbing random places to sleep when she felt tired.

On the other hand she had questions. Ones that didn't involve Zouichi hearing. So she sent Ildraniath a thought. Well, that's not entirely accurate since Alendian didn't have any training in that area. But she did broadcast a thought openly so Ildy could pick it up without even trying.

'What was that about?'

[futureisclear]

"I didn't realize you had a taste for Earth fruit," Ildraniath replied casually. Well, as casual as she tended to get, anyway. She sent something back, of course. Because she couldn't very well stay silent.

'Zouichi and I... we've a relationship.

This probably wouldn't end well.

[zouichi]

"I'd send you a message on the comms when they were ready, of course," said Zouichi. While he was aware that Ildraniath could read the thoughts of others, he wasn't really sure what form an actual mental conversation would take, or even if he'd be able to pick up on one, should it be taking place.

[quick_strike]

A wave of shock rolled over her, followed by revulsion, followed by conflict and confusion all in that order. Were other Craftworlders that different? She remembered that Alaitoc had fought Biel-tan in the past, ironically Ulthwe soul stones being the source of it, but she didn't think the rift was that large, the difference that big.

'This is a physical...or emotional relationship? Or both?'

Thankfully, she could keep a poker face for Zouichi. "That is too far gone now. There is no point in being defensive over it."

[futureisclear]

"It's only fruit, after all," Ildraniath replied softly. She could feel the emotions roll off of the other Eldar. She should've expected that. Had expected it. To be honest, she struggled with it - but she could not help her own emotions.

'Both, to a degree. But mainly emotional'

For now, anyway.

[zouichi]

Zouichi tilted his head to the side slightly in acknowledgement, still watching Alendian. It seemed as though some sort of conversation were going on through unspoken channels, although he was unable to pick up on what, exactly, was being said.

In any case, he wasn't particularly worried about Alendian's presence here. This was Ildraniath's decision, not Alendian's.

[quick_strike]

"You're right, it is just fruit. I'll wait for your message, Zouichi."

She really wanted to refer to Zouichi by that derogatory term saved for humans but she did have some tact and not make the both of them mad. So instead, she turned to leave before she said something that might do such a thing. Time, yes, time was needed to put things back into perspective.

"I have something I need to attend to either way."

[futureisclear]

Ildraniath dipped her head in a nod, "I'll speak with you later Alendian. Be well."

This might make things awkward for a little while.

[zouichi]

Zouichi gave Alendian a nod of farewell, paused for a moment before turning to Ildraniath. He wasn't quite sure what to say. Express surprise that invisible Eldar were hanging out in his backyard?

In the end he settled on, "Are you all right?"

Alendian's disdain, in and of itself, didn't really matter to him. But she was the only other Eldar awake on the ship. And to Ildraniath, her people meant everything.

[futureisclear]

"I'm fine," Ildraniath replied, although she was still watching Alendian leave (or rather, keeping an eye on the direction she'd left it).

"She knows, now. And it will be fine."

At least she thought so. Or maybe she was just saying that.

[zouichi]

Zouichi sighed. Alendian had been much more polite than usual (outwardly, anyway). Was that a good sign, or a bad one? Probably the latter. At the very least, the exchange verified that Ildraniath hadn't told Alendian about the two of them beforehand.

He looked a little wry; it wasn't that he thought the exchange had been his fault, but likely Ildraniath would have preferred the exchange happen differently -- if at all. "Somehow, I never thought I'd have to deal with camouflaged Eldar in the yard."

[futureisclear]

"We tend to be in places we're not meant to be, doing things we're not supposed to. It's a trait our rangers seem to pick up along the way..." Ildraniath replied absently. She would have to deal with the fallout of this. Later.

For now, she would try and think about something else.

[zouichi]

"Are you speaking from experience?" Zouichi knew that Ildraniath had been a Shining Spear -- but a ranger? That he wasn't sure about. He wasn't sure if he could imagine Ildraniath picking her way through the forests, wandering freely as Alendian did. The image seemed so at odds with the reserved, elegant woman with whom he was familiar... but then, it would have been in another lifetime. In a manner of speaking.

"If you'd like, we can go inside. Everyone else is out at the moment, so there shouldn't be any more surprises."

[futureisclear]

"No, it's perfectly alright," Ildraniath murmured. After a moment, she folded her hands and shrugged.

"Not from experience, though. Just from observation and what I know of those who take up the mantle of the ranger. Nothing against them, of course..."

[zouichi]

Zouichi nodded. "Of course. Besides, you might say my job is getting into places I shouldn't be."

He paused for a moment and... ah, that was right. "What were you saying earlier? About moving into the City?"