Town of Slysian ~ Monday, Spring 2

It was early spring morning in the town of Slysian; the new year started with a swing. It was a little chilly, and there was fresh dew on the grass. Some of the trees already had their flowers, but still just had their beginning buds.

Custos emerged from the edge of the forest and looked at the rising sun. He retreated to the temple after his nightly patrol to get some rest. With the threat of attacks by the Sech Empire, even in little Slysian, he was a little on edge. With a snort, he dismissed his thoughts, and the guardian lowered his head to get into the open temple, where he would stay until another patrol.

The town began to come alive, like it did every morning. The birds sang their songs, and business carried on as usual. Earlier workers at the docks loaded boxed for shipment, the lighthouse was turned off for the night, and the old lighthouse lady sat comfortably with her morning tea. The day was young, promising and beautiful.

---

Appearing back on the stoned streets, Meara was up quite early that morning. She held a small, tightly net bag that was full of pearls, sea shells, and light colored stones. It was her monthly trade with the Merfolk to achieve materials. Now less out of her fishy form, she walked along the stone and brushed her hair out of her eyes. Her head tilted up and looked at the sky, and a smile stretched across her face.

“I just might make it in time to still get the morning tea blend from the shop.” she whispered. She signed and began to mumbled to herself, “One of these days, I won’t be on a schedule.” But she smiled, because even though she ran around a lot she was still happy. “I’ve got to get a sweet treat before I open…!” in a sense of hurry, she began to excitedly jogging to the bakery with her pearls and all. Her long light blue hair bounced as did her bag of goods.

As usual, Nanashi was up early, out on his little farm made up of the Monsters that were pets. Mostly consisting Wooly, Buffamoo, Cluckadoodles, Hornets, Chipsqueaks, Furpuffs and Wolves and many more. He had quite many of them, mostly to produce goods for the village, and for those who wanted a pet. He did his daily work of cleaning the barns, feeding the monsters, brushing the monsters, giving them attention and then cleaning his home/shop.

After that was all done, the silver haired man went into his kitchen, sat down at the table and drank a newly made bottle of milk. Unable to cook, it was just better to drink milk or something. He could go pay for breakfast, but he rather not bother the others so early in the morning.

Virtus loved to farm, his father did it in Sharance and he was always eager to help, tilling the fields was long and tedious, but it was worth it to finally plant the turnip and straw berry seeds and give them the water they needed. After taking care of the crops, it was his job to take care of his animals as soon as he walked into the barn all of his animals flocked to him eagerly awaiting his attention. "Good morning Queenie" He said to a large hornet, she was always the first to greet him in the morning and always the happiest to receive a brushing. He loved all of these monsters and they loved him, after each animal got a brushing they got fed and he walked out of the barn after they were all happily munching away.

His farm house was only a stones throw away from the barn. It was a simplistic little farm house with a bed in one corner with a trunk at the foot of it and a calendar next to the bed, there was a little study area with a desk and a bunch of book shelves behind it, mostly farming and animal care books but if one looked closely they could see a few magic tomes, that sat there gathering dust. But perhaps what caught the eye the most was the kitchen which was fully stocked with all sorts of cooking utensils and a fridge. His passion behind that of monsters and farming was that of cooking even though he was terrible at it and burned hot water he still tried to better himself at it every day, with the exception of today, today felt different like there was something coming in on the wind and he wasn't going to like it.

"Ah, another spectacular morn! O sun, thank you for blessing us with you splendor! With just a great blessing, how can anyone not enjoy this great day? Wouldn't you agree, dear sister?"

"*sigh* Yes, yes, Cori, it's a wonderful morning," said the girl walking beside him.

Coriander and Lavender walked through the plaza, a bundle of goods distributed between the two. They had just finished their early morning shopping and were heading back towards the bath house. They had supplies for the baths, as well as personal items, like their food. Food was important.

They were coming up to the bath house.

"Oh, shoot!" Lavender said, suddenly stopping in her tracks. She turned to Coriander, clapping her hands together (or at least as best she could given her arms were full), "We totally forgot about the bread! Sorry, Cori, can you get those for me? I have to go home to get lunch ready. Please please please?"

"What's this? My dear sister asks something of me? Why, of course! I'm always willing to help you out!" he said, puffing his chest out. He quickly deflated it again.

"Eh... could you take my stuff into the house, though?"

Lavender giggled, before nodding.

"Excellent, my dear sister!" he exclaimed, handing his things over to her "Then, I shan't take long!"

He turned, running along toward the bakery.

He was running so fast, that as he turned the corner, he almost ran into someone from behind. No wait. No 'almost'. There shouldn't be an 'almost' in that sentence.

He saw light blue as he stumbled backward.

Mari quietly walked out of her house and into her garden, full of flowers of all colors and sizes. Patches of cherry grass and daisies sprung up along the grass, while hibiscus and lilac bushes stood tall, stretching in the morning sun. Morning glories were still blooming, and roses bushes clung along the wall of her small house. She walked through the garden, picking some of the beautiful blossoms as she passed.

"Oh my, it's a lovely day today, wouldn't you say so Lilac?" Mari asked Lilac, her pet silver wolf, in a soft voice. Lilac yipped happily back, trotting along side her master.

They continued towards the front of the cabin, where a wagon stood, filled to the brim with flowers of all kinds, lilies, moondrops, and irises all stood sat near the front, while kinds like poppies and violets sat near the back, delicately placed so as not to get crushed. Lilac ran to the front, and Mari attached the wagon leads to her, careful so as not to hurt her. They began walking, Lilac pulling the wagon while Mari carried the pack full of seeds.

Not soon after, they arrived at their destination, Niphan Gardens, the flower shop that her family had owned since long before she was born. Pushing the door open, she slid inside and placed the seeds on the front counter. Gradually the flowers were transported from wagon to their displays, and the seeds had been sorted and each put in small, britly colored cloth bags. Mari behind the counter, playing with Lilac and feeding her treats as they waited for customers. It was a good thing that the people here were appreciative of nature, or else her family would have suffered, but instead the business had thrived, and Mari had to constantly restock to keep up.

Virtus after eating a hearty breakfast of burnt tasting relax tea and a failed dish of flan, continued his daily ritual of putting on his sword belt and making sure his broad sword was cleaned and ready for action. Satisfied with everything he made his way into town. The Farm was only a brisk walk away from town, down a pathway that led into the west end of town. He hardly knew anybody in town except the person who sold him crop seeds. And some of the guards, he supposed he should talk to more people but after his capture at the hands of the Sech's he wasn't sure who to trust.

He made it to the edge of town just in time for his first stop to open up and that was the flower shop. He wanted to grow flowers in a small garden he had made so the hornets could pollinate them. He walked inside and instantly he was hit with the scents of many flowers it smelled like paradise in there. But he had come where for a purpose and he walked up to the counter and asked "Excuse me, do you have Emery flower seeds?"

Nanashi finished his breakfast before glancing at the time, realizing it was about time he got ready to set up shop. With a sigh, he stood and went outside, setting up his wagon and filling it with supplies. Milk, eggs, wool, hay, caring supplies for monsters, as well as some of the smaller monsters for the shop. Whistling to of a few of the bigger critters, he fixed up so it was being pulled by a Silver Wolf and a Hunter Wolf. He had some of the bigger monsters following him as well, Blood Panther, Shadow Panther, Buffamoo, Elephant, Claw Dragon.. And some others.

With a nod of approval, the long silver haired man walked to the town, a brisk walk from his farm. Reaching the town Marketplace, he walked to the large plaza and had the cart stop in the middle. He gently pat the wolves on the head and gave each a treat for their work. Taking a breathe, he reached into the cart and unfolded a sign and set it on the ground. It simply said 'Pet Shop: Open. 7 AM to 2 PM. Mon, Wend, Fri.' To let know anyone unfamiliar with routine.

Nanashi's fluffy silver tail twitched lightly as it was wrapped around his waist, his fluffy canine ears flicking gently on top of his head. His mismatched gaze of gold and blue glanced around the town. He noticed the flowershop was open now as well, he liked visiting sometimes since he enjoyed flowers. It seemed they had a visitor from the more newer residents of the town, a farmer. Looking away, he closed his eyes and simply listened, absently petting the monsters around him.

Eloise had never been a morning person by any stretch of the imagination – which was why it might be shocking to some to see her out and about so early in the day. Not bothering to stifle her yawn, Eloise rubbed her sleepy eyes as she walked through the town. She had to go to the flower shop to buy some new seeds to grow herbs for her potions, and she wanted to get them and start planting before it was time to open her shop.

Walking into the cheery looking flower shop, Eloise saw that despite her early start, someone had already beat her to the store. It was one of the farmers. He always made Eloise feel… uncomfortable. He towered over her and he always smelled like the monsters he kept on his farm. If you looked at the little witch as she breezed into the flower shop though, you wouldn't think she was anything but her usual carefree self.

"Hiya, Mari," she greeted the girl behind the counter. It had taken a month for Eloise to even learn her name, and she still wasn't sure she got it right every time. Though always chipper, Eloise wasn't exactly what one would call 'sociable'. "You got any red clover seeds?"

Mari looked up as someone entered the shop. It was Virtus, one of the farmers. Mari didn't know much about anyone here, other than their names and some of there jobs. She quickly stood, turning to rummage through the shelves in search of the seeds "E-e-emery, right?" She asked hesitantly. Just as she turned back around to hand them to her, one of the few people she did like to talk to entered the shop. It was Eloise, a witch who was about the same age as Mari.

"Hiya, Mari," she greeted the girl behind the counter. It had taken a month for Eloise to even learn her name, and she still wasn't sure she got it right every time. Though always chipper, Eloise wasn't exactly what one would call 'sociable'. "You got any red clover seeds?"

"Ah, h-hello Eloise. Sure, I can get that right away." Mari replied with a soft smile as she turned back to Virtus. After handing him the seeds, which were carefully placed in a green bag and the words 'Emery', she turned back and fished out a bright blue bag with a red clover symbol on it, followed directly by the words 'Red Clover'. Handing the bag to Eloise, she suddenly remembered something.

"Um, would you two like some moon drop flowers? I-I got extra, and I'm not sure I can sell them all. They're on the house." She stuttered with the words, but in her hands were two bouquets of beautiful flowers. Just because she didn't know everyone very well didn't mean she wouldn't like to have friends, and she tried to be nice to everyone. Looking past her two customers she spotted Nanashi outside and waved, hoping he'd see.

When the flower shop keeper handed him he seeds he went for the correct amount of coins, and when he had brought out enough money to cover the golden seeds she offered him a bouquet of moon drop flowers. "Sure they were my moth- their my favorite flower." He said trading the bouquet for his payment on the emery seeds, he was smiling as he took the flowers if only for a split second and it was gone. "Thanks miss." He said and exited the store.

When he closed the door behind him he looked at the moon drops, they were his mothers favorite flower, and his father often grew a large patch of them for her, he would remember his mother making whole crowns out of them and setting them upon his brow and calling him the King of Sharance. He always had fun with them, it was funny how such a small thing could remind him of the home he left years ago.

He looked over to see the pet shop owner sitting idly by petting his monsters, among the group was a dragon, Virtus smiled and went over and started petting it. Soon the dragon's tail was thumping against the ground like a drum "Dragon's are such amazing creatures don't you think?"

Nanashi continued to stand idle, murmuring as a Fluffpuff climbed onto his right shoulder. Glancing toward the flowershop once more with his mismatch gaze, the pet shop owner noticed the Flower Shop Owner, Mari, give a friendly wave toward him. In return, the silver haired man gave a soft smile and returned the wave of greeting. She was a sweet girl, although quite shy around most folk. Though she does seem to enjoy playing with the monsters he brings whenever she has spare time. A long town resident, she was one of the first townsfolk he met when arriving here. Bloody and beaten in his animalistic monster form. Almost a year ago now.

The memory was caught off as he noticed the farmer who had went to the Flowershop, walk over and started petting a dragon. The Claw Dragon nuzzled into the hand, happily accepting the earthmate's touch. Even started speaking to him. Virtus didn't seem to be one to talk to people much, much like Mari, though he felt I wasn't due to shyness. But he also was a fellow monster lover, and seemed to enjoy the collection he brings for the villagers.

"Indeed, they are strong magical creatures. Quite fierce, but have a sense of mischievous playfullness many aren't aware of." Nanashi smiled as he chuckled a little as the dragon flicked out a forked tongue at his comment, seeming to stick it out like a child.

Shifting a little, the mismatched eye half-monster looked at Virtus. "Everything been alright on your farm?" he asked softly looking at the fellow tall man. Nanashi himself, was around 6'0 and was pretty lean and tonely built. Being as well a Doctor, he did find himself asking if things were healthy for everyone. Since he treated both humans and monsters.

Meara bumped into someone. She was so concerned about getting a sweet treat that she completely forgot about her surroundings. “Oh! Good Morning, Coriander! Fancy seeing you around!” she laughed and gave him a friendly smile. Since both of them were pretty native to the town, they at least knew a little about each other. “I’m sorry I ran into, uh, I was a little blind in thought…” she looked away embarrassed at herself.

She felt guilty for running into him, so she ended up laughing nervously. She saw that he wasn't really busy so she thought it would be nice to talk to him, since she doesn't get the chance talk to her neighbors because of everyone running their shops. “I was just heading to the bakery. Got some spare time before the bath opens?” She made sure her net bag was tied and she put it into another bag that was around her shoulder.

With made a silly face to ease any awkwardness, and said, "It would be nice to catch up a little bit. Oh and how's your little sister?"

"Ah, Meara! And a good morning to you as well!" he said, after he'd recovered somewhat for the encounter.

Meara apologized, and then turned away with embarrassed look

Oh dang, that's kinda cute. Wait, no, focus Cori. Don't make things more awkward.

"The bakery? Ah yes! I was also heading over that way. I have to gather some goods."

Cori smiled when Meara made a face at him. It was the simple gestures from people that he enjoyed seeing. She then asked him about Lav.

"My dear sister? She is doing fine as always. She helps around the bath from time to time, but mostly handles the domestics."

He then made an exaggerated thinking motion.

"Say, dear Meara, Since we are heading to the bakery in twain, shall we head there together? It would be good conversation."

Nanashi asked how his farm was doing so he answered. "It's great to be back on a farm." He said "Hows business?" He asked, this is perhaps the most Virtus has ever spoken to anyone, he started scratching the dragon under the chin which brought it even closer to him. He had seen dragons like this all the time when he was captured by the Sechs they were experimented on and some looked so deformed he felt bad when he looked at them. But this dragon was perfect specimen of health and quiet happy too.

But his thoughts of the Sechs dragons turned into thoughts of the Sechs which made him frown. But the dragon was probably a better reader of emotions than a normal human so it nudged him and brought him out of his dark thoughts. For a reward he started scratching a bit harder which caused the dragon to raise it's chin.

At the question, Nanashi's left ear flicked thoughtfully. "Alright. Not too many people as of late want a pet at the moment, but some tourists have taken some interest. Mostly the cute little critters like Fluffpuff's or Wooly's. No ones been too ill either so my medical services has been requested lately. Which is good that everyone is staying healthy after the long winter." he answered as his mismatched gaze watched the earthmate coddle the eager dragon. Briefly, he saw a frown appear on the farmers lips, before the dragon comfortly nudged him to bring him out of his thoughts.

It seemed to work, since Virtus scratched under the chin of the scale covered creature. Nanashi didn't really know much about this man, other than his occupation and name. Though Nanashi didn't ask questions of who someone was or their past. It was a bit unfair since he couldn't tell his own. Even after almost a year , no recollection of he was before coming here came to him. It was quite frustrating at times.

"He seems to like you." The silver haired man spoke, noting the happy dragon getting quite a bit of attention. A few moments later, he tensed as a growl was emitted, his fluffy ears perking straight up in alarm before drooping to the sides at the realization that it was his stomach making such a sound. Although Nanashi's expressions were calm, it was usually his ears and tail that gave away his emotions. Right now it was a bit of embarrassment.

Rolling his eyes a little as the wolves gave a yip in amusement , he gently scratched behind their ears through their thick mane of fur. It was then, a red round ball scurried up on top of the wagon's side and balanced along the railing. It looked similar to a apple and could only be the cute monster Pomme Pomme. It waved its little arms before holding up a apple to the half-monster.

Blinking a little, he smiled gratefully to the monster and took it, patting the top of the Pomme Pomme's round head. "Thank you." he said thankfully before taking a bite of the delicious fruit.

Meara smiled, “Well, of course! I think we both can enjoy a conversation since it’s been a while. We better make it before we open for the day, don’t you think?” She linked her arm with his and she kinda tugged him along in a joking way. She always had a knack for lifting the mood by making it goofy. “I remember when I first came to this town,” she began to start conversation, “My mother loved this town. I was about five years old, maybe, when my father took me here for trade.” She stopped and looked at Cori, “I think I remembered you and some of the others! Some of us were really small back in the day.” She looked up at the sky and she continued to hear the town moving around and watching people carry on. “I’ll have to stop by the flower shop too. To lighten up the shop.” she said in an airy voice.

Soon, they arrive the bakery. Meara closed her eyes and breathed in, “I love the smell of the bakery.” she laughed, “The bread is nice, but I love the cakes and cookies.” she looked at Cori and smiled mischievously. “You never got much ‘sweet’ things in the sea. It was always so salty.”

When Meara linked her arm with his, he began to blush. As she pulled him along towards the bakery, he desperately tried to think of something to say, but all he could manage to do was to nod and follow her conversation as best he could.

Eventually they stopped just inside the bakery, and Coriander had just enough of a mind to regain his composure. He cleared his throat.

"I am also a fan of baked sweets, of course! I enjoy salty things as well, but I imagine that the sea is way too much, yes?" he inquired, smiling widely at her.

"As for me, though, I need to pick up some bread for the family meals. We generally don't buy cakes and cookies that often, and, well, my dear sister would yell at me if I did so," he finished, laughing sheepishly.

He waltzed over to the breads, perusing the breads. He then turned back to Meara.

"Say, cakes and cookies notwithstanding, what kind of bread do you like?"

Meara laughed at Cori’s comment about the sea being salty. “Yeah, you could say it’s a little too much. It might not be so bad if there was a little pepper to it.” She listened to him talk about his dear little sister, sniping at him if he always bought too many cakes and cookies. She giggled at the mental image, “She seems like she knows how to run the place. Smart girl!”

After a second of thought, Meara shrugged, “Eh. Bread is bread. I guess I like just plain ol’ white. Oh, and pumpernickel. I like it with tea in the mornings sometime.” She turned and asked the baker for a cookie, and in exchange she gave him the amount of coins needed.

She took a bite out of it and smiled, pleased. She covered her mouth because she has a weird thing of chewing in front of people. After a second, “How about you? Do you normally stick with one kind of bread?” She finished her small cookie, covered her mouth to make sure there was no crumbles (she had a odd thing about that too), and walked towards him. “Is it okay, if I called you ‘Cori’ instead of ‘Corriander’? I like you name! But I feel it’s something someone would say if you were in trouble, if that makes any sense at all?” She gave a little laugh, then started playing with her, it was a nervous twitch, she was thinking hopefully that comment wasn’t offending.

Coriander picked out a small croissant for himself, and then bought the loaf of whole wheat bread that Lavender wanted. Handing the coins over, he turned around just in time to see Meara taking a bite out of the cookie.

Dang, that really is cute.

She asked him about his choices of bread.

"Well," he started, holding up the bag of whole wheat, "this is what Lavender utilizes to make sandwiches and other associated meals, but I myself prefer things like this." He held up the croissant.

He was then asked about his name. He tilted his head at her, quizzically.

"Um..." he muttered, before clearing his throat. "Yeah... calling me Cori is perfectly fine, if you would like."

Truth be told, only Lavender had called him Cori up until today. It would take some getting used to.

He decided to disregard her other comment about his name, because he didn't even know what to say, and he didn't want to make it awkward.

"Anyway, I must be off soon, my dear sister is waiting for me to bring this back," he stated, "If you have time today, you should come visit. I acquired a shipment of new salts for the bath, I think it will be quite a hit."

He headed to the door, before turning back towards Meara.

"I bid thee farewell!" he said, bowing towards her, before heading out of the bakery.

Looking down, she gave a half smile, “Yeah, that would be nice. I might do so later.” She honestly didn’t know what to say, because she felt like she ruined something. She cursed herself in her head for being too sensitive. Her mouth twitched, but she looked up and gave him a friendly smile, and averted her eyes. “I’ll just see you later… then.” As he went out, Meara just sighed heavily. Her hand came up to her forehead and she grumbled.

She turned to notice the baker looking at her, “Yeah… I messed that one up didn’t I?” she huffed. The baker just laughed and walked away, but Meara laughed too. ‘Well, I’ll just continue calling him Corriander. Even though I still think Cori is nicer. I wonder if he knows how much his little sister talks about him.” Meara has seen his little sister, (was is Lavender?) and only said a few words to her here and there, but she was almost sure she looked up to him a whole lot (or at least they got along nicely). She was thinking all this as she walked out the door.

“Well, since that’s over, let’s get started on these pearl necklaces.” she smiled with a sigh. The bakery was only a block or two from her jewelry shop. She opened her door, walked in behind the counter and behind that was a table where she began to work on her pearls.