The ranger couldn't help but grin at word of old Atlas Ashgrave. Back when he was Aldrics age- he had been an apprentice of his. Yes, Farrest had planned on becoming a doctor himself, but fate had other plans. In short he owed much of his knowledge for medicinal herbs to the doctor- running errands such as these was the least he could do.
"Yarrow root and sticklewort-" he echoed, "I'll send them by with Aldric once this doe mess has been settled." At which Alixanna then excused herself into the house- leaving Farrest, Aldric, and Laciel. The frail boy spoke of his plan and the ranger listened.
Farrest squinted against a stray beam of light that peered over the roof of the mayors house. The morning was getting along now- he wondered how far into town the doe was at this point. He nodded politely as he listened to Laciel's stuttering reply- and he made no motion to stop the lad as he ran off. Poor child- so jumpy and afraid. He wondered if losing his father had made Laciel seemingly worsen socially like this. The ranger felt pity for the boy and disappointed in his father. How could a man leave his family like that?
He brushed these upsetting thoughts aside and headed on over to the garden, beginning to pick up the half eaten sunflowers. The ranger wondered what the doe saw in these sticky and tough plants that was so appetizing. Whatever it was- he was sure it would work. Baiting the animal was perfect for gaining its trust. If the plan worked- he planned on stopping by the forge later on that day to personally thank the boy- and offer him something in return for the advice.
Farrest turned toward Aldric,
"Son- do you know Laciel? I don't think I've ever seen you two hang out." He stepped out of the garden and tucked the flowers under an arm as he searched his vest for something,
"He seems like a nice boy- I think you would both benefit from getting to know one another."
Back upstairs the Mayor was much too in shock at the sight of the flower bud to reply in time. Already Guinevere had run off before he could stop her- and how her worries would stop if he did! Varric, in perhaps his own little way of expressing shock, had sputtered something about extinction and vaginas before running off after her.
The mayor guffawed. He laughed so hard that he stumbled back into the room and had to sit down on Guin's bed. The frame creaked and bent into an unnatural "u" shape under his weight- but he didn't care. He leaned the axe against her bed frame and looked up just in time to see a concerned Alixanna. The mayor smiled up at the girl-
"Oh Alixanna- sorry if we all scared you." He said, "but Guin is honestly just overreacting. The flower bud hasn't even bloomed! No one is getting married to anyone. Thats not even the whole point of the flower."
He fell into explanations- where the girl cared to hear it or not- hells it was a way for him to calm himself down about it.
"Yes- the Ascythenia blooms between two kin souls. Soulmates. And, yes, people often pursue relationships after this. And, okay, a few of those people have gone off an married." He rambled, "but soulmate doesn't mean romantic partner or life partner. A soulmate is someone who is much like you. Someone you can connect with on a much deeper level than the physical."
Gareth shrugged,
"What I'm trying to say is- my daughter doesn't have to marry whoever has the same color plant that she has. She can most certainly love them. By all means she can cherish them. Its still her choice in the end- despite what the flower says."
He stood then and smiled down at Alixanna,
"I hope this old man has helped clear up your confusion at least- I hope not everyone thinks of the Ascythenia as an arranged marriage ordeal. Honestly- more often than not- it blooms between close friends."
The mayor was tempted to run off after his daughter and tell her all this- but she was older now. He knows that he cannot chase after her for the rest of her life when something scares her. She's a Hart, he rationalizes, we Harts always find our footing in a battle.
"Excuse me- she hates it when I go into her room unannounced." He says as he steps out of the room and into the hallway with Alixanna, making sure to close the door behind him.
"Shit did I do that?" Says Gareth as he looks down at the glass and flowers strewn about the floor. He siiiighs before smiling apologetically at Ali,
"Head on out now- everyone seems to be fine to me. When you see your father again- tell him I say hello and that I plan on visiting him soon. Just to talk."
