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]

Comments

[zouichi]

Zouichi turned at the sound of her voice. He greeted her with a little nod, lowering the basket he was holding as he did so -- but it was hard to miss the slight smile on his face. "Farseer. Yes, I thought I should get to it before the ship decided it was evening again. Would you like some?"

[quick_strike]

Alendian, on the other hand, hid herself out of habit frequently. It came from spending too long as an outcast and when the farseer appeared, Alendian hopped back around the corner to hide herself. What in the warp was she doing here? Probably something as innocent as getting cherries too but habits still had a hold of her so Alendian didn't advance or show her position.

[futureisclear]

Ildraniath's lips quirked in a slight smile, "I won't say no to fresh fruit. Eating canned or dried rations... or the slop... gets tiresome after a while. Thank you."

She reached out and plucked a cherry out of the basket, examining it for a moment, "An Earth fruit, isn't it?"

[zouichi]

Zouichi nodded. "It's one of my favorites... although I admit I haven't sampled that much fruit before. Be careful of the pit in the center."

He paused for a moment as he considered what she'd said. "I still have some supplies left from our last shore leave mission. If you'd like, I'd be happy to bring something by a little more frequently. Perhaps, as you said, it would be a welcome change from the usual."

Yes, he was totally offering to make lunches for you, Ildy. In a slightly roundabout way.

[quick_strike]

Alendian flatly wondered if she was thinking too much into it. They couldn't be too close, could they? No, she definitely wouldn't believe it until she had solid proof.

But reacting to her want to keep hidden, her cloak wavered a little and blended in with its background despite it being unnecessary. It was proof, however, that she wanted to continue to stay unseen.

[futureisclear]

"I wouldn't mind, although I don't think you need to go to the trouble, Zouichi," Ildraniath shrugged, "It isn't as if the rations here will kill me."

At least, one would hope so. She carefully took a bite of the cherry, letting the taste linger.

"Not a bad taste."

[zouichi]

Zouichi shook his head. "No, of course not. But I'd like to do it. Besides. I know it's a little irrational, but knowing that at least some of the slop comes from cloned meat is... unsettling."

He smiled at her appraisal of the fruit. "Glad to hear it. I'll set these aside for you to take back. Oh -- was there any reason you came by today?"

[quick_strike]

Now we were getting down to it. Alendian had been invited but apparently, the farseer had not. It was getting better.

[futureisclear]

"Simply to pass on my greetings and to see how you were getting on. I've not much else to do, aside from plan and attempt research," Ildraniath shrugged lightly and then tossed the cherry pit aside with an elegant flick of her wrist.

"You know I enjoy the time we spend together."

[zouichi]

Zouichi did know -- although conversely, it was also nice to hear it. He smiled warmly at her, a far cry from the polite, unconsciously guarded expression he usually wore in public. "As do I." As he'd seen Ildraniath do before, he raised a hand, gently touching her shoulder in a gesture of affection.

Then, a little sheepishly, he withdrew it, unsure if he'd gotten the nuance quite right. "Did you ever decide whether you wanted to move into the City?" He was thinking back to the time she had come across that wraithbone structure among the buildings here.

[quick_strike]

That was exactly what it looked like, wasn't it? No one does that except really good friends and...

...whoops, she ended up coughing in disbelief. Alendian covered her mouth but she had the sore feeling it was too little too late.

[futureisclear]

Ildraniath shook her head, although the smile that threatened to tug at her lips told Zouichi that he'd at least gotten a part of the gesture correct, "No, not yet-"

She paused at the sound of a cough, gaze darting over their surroundings.

[zouichi]

Zouichi looked up, suddenly alert. Of course, chances were it was someone who had blundered into them rather than an actual threat, but...

"Come out, please."

[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.