magusrobin | Laby Inbox

Not at all! You were your same, kind self,, Basil. [She wanted to put him at ease.] Plus, I think the same thing happened to me… turning into a kid… I think.

[Her memories were a bit spotty on that.]

I’m glad you’re alright. I was worried that things would get out of hand but… it seems like things have calmed down a bit. [She could tell a trying response when she saw one. After all, Chise had used the same tactics herself. She wouldn’t push though - wanting him to feel comfortable.] If you would like… would you want to visit for some tea? My house has running water now, so it should be a good temperature, and the weather is nice today, so we could sit out by the garden too if you’d like… but if you are busy, don’t worry about trying to fit it in!

Oh, I'm really glad! I don't really remember a lot back then, but it's just good to know that everything was okay. I didn't know that you went through that too, though... It's a weird feeling, isn't it...?

( Basil pauses when she offers to come over. And even though she can't see it, he smiles. )

I'd really like that. If you'd like, I can bring some tea for the both of us! And... if you still need help with your garden, I can take a look. (✿◠‿◠)

It was... though I guess I've had a time before this that I've been 'turned' into a kid. But this time, I didn't remember anything.

[That had been more of a psychological perception, unlike this time.]

That works for me. Please don't stress yourself too much over the tea! If you'd like to bring the blend, my cottage has running water now, so we can steep it here.

[She didn't want it to be an arduous task for him. Basil was doing something nice, so he should be allowed to relax too.]

And I'll always take a second eye on my garden. I'm looking forward to seeing what you choose, now.

( Chise's home is coming in view as they continue to talk. )

You did? It sounds like it'd be a lot better to remember everything...

No, it's okay. I'm happy to bring something, since you're taking the time to have me over...

( With that, Basil comes into view, and he offers a shy wave upon seeing Chise. It feels like deja vu now that he's seeing her after what had only recently happened. )

C-Chise...? It's nice to see you.

[No sooner had she read his message did the boy come into view. She put her communication device away, offering a returning wave and a welcoming smile.]

Basil! It’s nice to see you again too. Thank you for visiting.

( The welcoming smile helps him relax a little. )

Thank you for having me... Even though we met before, it feels a little like we're meeting for the first time, too.

Of course.

[Her smile softens.]

And it’s funny you say that… I sort of get the same feeling. Like it’s a first meeting, but also that we’ve known each other for longer.

[Just a feeling. One they could contemplate later if they wanted. For now…]

Right. Would you like refreshments or flowers first? [In terms of seeing the garden.] I have some water already hearted, so we can use whatever tea blend you brought too.

Y-Yeah, it's a little like deja vu, isn't it...? But, it's not a bad feeling either... Uhm -- I feel happy, because we get to meet again.

( Basil holds the tea bag in his hand, looking to her curiously - a little hopeful. )

I brought lavender tea! I read that it's supposed to be really calming...

Likewise.

[Chise smiled softly, noticing the bag and his expression.]

And you’re right - lavender can be very calming. It can help with anxiety or sleep. I use it quite a lot in potpourri blends. I’m sure it will taste wonderful.

[The expression she gave him was encouraging as she opened the door to the cottage, inviting him in.]

Please, make yourself at home while you’re here. There isn’t too much, but I hope it’s comfortable.

[True to Chise’s word, the house was pretty bare. Furniture, standard to everyone who moved into one of the cottages, lay scattered about - a table and a few chairs outside of the kitchen, hallways leading to the other bedrooms. Yet, there were a few marks that Chise had left on the house - the sounds of the tea kettle in the other room going off (to which she left quickly to grab that before the water grew too hot), and a bag with a robin on the front containing a few skeins of yarn and an unfinished project.]

( She knew a lot about tea, huh? It's a little inspiring. He hopes that he can learn more, too. )

Ah, I read that, too... It's amazing to think about how much something so simple can do for someone.

( He steps inside then, pausing upon seeing what's inside. The way that the home was kept fairly bare reminds him of the way that someone from his home has done the same. Though, the confrontation that happened in her treehouse was fairly tense. He takes in a breath, pushing the thought to the back of his mind. )

N-No... it's nice. Thank you for having me.

( He catches sight of the yarn, offering Chise an uncertain smile. )

Ah -- is this one of the things you mentioned knitting...?

[She caught sight of that breath as she came back out of the kitchen. Maybe she wasn’t being as good a host as she thought…? He seemed somewhat uncomfortable…]

Please feel free to sit if you want to.

[She followed his gaze to the yarn.]

That’s right. I’m trying to practice… and also prepare for the winter.

[She sat the kettle down on an unevenly knit heat protector on the table, then made her way over to the bag. Pulling out her current project to show him. It looked like a long-ish rectangle, so far, knit in a mixture of red and brown.]

I figured it would be getting cold sooner or later, so it was better to prepare. And scarves shouldn’t be too hard… or so I thought.

( Preparing for winter is smart. Summer will end soon. With how unpredictable everything is, that was all the more reason for prepare.

He'll offer a quiet thank you before making his way to one of the nearby chairs. )

If you're teaching yourself, that's really amazing... Something like knitting looks really challenging.

It’s… sort of self taught.

[She motioned Basil over so he could see inside the bag. Several skeins of different colored yarn, an extra pair of needles, and a book lay inside. Chise picked up the latter.]

A friend took me shopping to get these, and this book shows you how to do certain loops and such. As long as I can read that, I’ll figure out the rest.

[She was used to self-study, in a way. Elias had her read lots of textbooks back home, and then practical application took place with him. But here, she didn’t have much of anyone to ask questions too - at least when it came to magic. If she had a question while knitting, she could always ask Eilonwy.]

If you’d like to learn, I’m sure Eilonwy would be fine with helping too. I could help where I can, though I am just a beginner myself. But it’s more fun to do these kinds of things together, I think.

( Basil takes a look through the bag curiously. Much like Chise, Basil was someone who was used to self studying. That was how he learned everything he did about gardening, after all.

Though, he withdraws a little when she mentions asking someone. )

Ah... uhm... m-maybe... ( He doesn't want to be a bother. ) I'm used to learning through reading... maybe I could at least start learning that way. I'd really like to be able to make some things for my friends here...

[Chise noted his response, but didn’t call him out for it. After all, she was much the same. Instead, she smiled, placing the book and extra knitting needles set in his hands.]

I’m the same. How about this then? I’ve memorized most of the stitches I’ll need in this book for my current projects. Would you like to borrow it and learn them yourself? It doesn’t inconvenience me at all, I promise.

[She added the last bit, anticipating that it might have been a concern Basil voiced - much like herself.]

( If she hadn't insisted right off the bat, he may have hesitated all the more. However, he can't help but smile. )

If you're sure... then, thank you. I'll take good care of it. A-And, maybe I can make something for you first, if I get the hang of it.

Focus for now on learning, and having fun while doing so. If you are able to make something, I’d love to see where your efforts lead.

[She answered his smile with one of her own.]

For now… let’s steep the tea you brought. Then we can see what the garden holds.

Ah, you're right... I'll try hard to learn, at least.

( Nodding his head, he pushes himself up to stand, tea bag still in hand. )

H-Here, do you want me to help? I'm happy to do it, since I brought the tea...

And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re both still learning, so I’ll try to help where I can.

[She smiled, taking the lid off of the tea kettle.]

Ah, if you’d like to? I don’t want you to have to do all of the work. Mostly we can drop the tea in to steep, since the water’s already heated.

In that case... We'd be teaching each other. S-Since I'll be helping you with your garden.

( He brings the small bag he brought, nodding his head a bit. )

Don't worry. If the water's already heated, then the rest is easy. I don't mind at all, Chise.

You’re right.

[The thought brought a smile to her face. Friends teaching friends. And it was the most confident she had seen Basil. Encouraged by that, she motioned him over gently, allowing him to steep the tea bag before suggesting.]

Now, while we wait, would you like to look at the garden? Or we can simply chat. Either is fine with me.

Can we go to the garden...? I've been wanting to see it...

( Basil loves things like flowers, to say the least. And on top of that, he wants to help a friend when he can. At the least, he can try. )

Of course.

[Chise made sure that the steeping tea was steady in their absence before motioning Basil to follow her. Back out the front door they went, then loping around the house to the side. There, separated from the rest of Somnius by a fence, sat her garden.

Truthfully, it had seen better days. Soil looked to be disturbed, but the plants had been properly resettled thanks to Eilonwy’s help. Chise was just glad that any of it remained after the trials that had shaken this place over the past few months.]

It’s mostly edible foods and medicinal herbs. Vegetables. Some of the types I use for potpourri too. But feel free to look.

[Chise herself grabbed a filled watering can, humming as she watered those that looked like they needed it. Allowing Basil the time and space to enjoy the garden as he pleased, but she was close enough if he wanted the company.]

( Basil follows Chise outside then, taking in the garden little by little as they approached it. He kneels down, looking to the herbs thoughtfully. )

It's really nice, Chise. A lot of people who can't use healing magic would feel lucky to know that this is here.

( Ah, but... The plants aren't as healthy as they could be, but it's not too late. They can still be saved. And Basil was more than happy to help her do that. To him, the thought of any life, plant or no, was a sad thought to him. )

Did something change for garden recently?

[She appreciated Basil’s discerning judgement. Even though he was young, he seemed very knowledgeable. That much was certain by how he went to work upon seeing the garden.]

[She took a few moments to think.]

Well… the attack from the Green Knight a few months ago definitely uprooted everything. I tried to move the plants to a better plot, hopefully so they would recover, but it seems like it hasn’t done much good.

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(We can continue here with action tags ^_^)

o9

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(Aaaah, Basil really is so precious T.T <3)

(chise is precious, too!!)

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wrap in a couple more tags?

Sounds good to me ^_^