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[ruevealing]

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[steepwithdead]

It's the nature of plants to live and die, there's no shame in it. It's a beautiful thing.

[His smile doesn't falter in the slightest, indeed recognizing the comment for what it is. And some people have perennials, that's okay too.]

I'm happy to take anything you've got. Trying to build up a garden myself, I just need something to start with.

[He needs dead things to grow, that's kind of his thing.]

[ruevealing]

[Rue returns with a basket hanging off of their wing and two pairs of shears, one gently tucked into Caduceus' palm before they both slip out onto the path that leads to Rue's garden, a little painted sign requesting he step carefully, he's entering a fairy garden.]

Any preferences for your future garden?

[steepwithdead]

[He takes note of the sign and immediately takes more care with his steps. Best not to mess with fairies- not that he likes stomping on plants anyway.]

Not especially. I take the scraps because of what they can be turned into, not because of what they are. But if you have any recommendations for what might grow well here in spring, I'm happy to take it.

[He's asking for the garbage here, he is not remotely picky. Especially with the land obviously in the midst of winter- not as much growth here as there might otherwise be, so he's prepping for the future.]

Back home I grew food and flowers, mostly. And mushrooms.

[ruevealing]

[He may ask for the garbage, but Rue is all too happy to share their very best blooms with Caduceus, to see the garden they grew so many months ago begin to spread out amongst the various gardens in Gram.

It warms their heart.

So Rue will just start doing some trimming to begin filling up that basket. (Do they need the shears? No, but this is infinitely more polite.)]

Mushrooms! Do you think you'll grow them in your garden here? For a fae, I've always had an awful time growing them myself.

[steepwithdead]

[He'll take it all, very gratefully, mentally taking note of how much he gets so he can deliver them something nice in return later. At their question though, he hums thoughtfully.]

I can usually get mushrooms to grow anywhere. Have you got a place you'd like them to be? Show me where, I'll have a look.

[ruevealing]

You truly wouldn't mind?

[There's just no saying no to Rue when they give him that big-eyed, radiant beam of a stare at that incredibly kind offer.]

I was thinking they'd look perfect by the tree out front, just a little cluster to complete the look of my yard.

[steepwithdead]

It's no trouble at all. Point it out to me when we head back that way and I'll get things started, no problem.

[Hopefully they like RNG-based fungi because there's no knowing what'll grow.]

Least I can do for all of this.

[ruevealing]

[It'll look more natural that way, it's fine.]

Is it that simple for you? How incredible! My green claw, as it was, has always been more towards floral, than fungi.

[steepwithdead]

Well, I'm no druid, but I can speak a little to what lives and grows. I like growing flowers, too. Mushrooms I guess are just kind of my specialty.

[Something something decay, something something death cleric.]

[ruevealing]

[it's something that resonates so deeply with rue, though their own connection is simply to flowers and not so much life in general.]

Well, I'll be very excited to see how your garden turns out. Come spring, I imagine it will take over your yard! Which, by the way, where are you staying at? You're nearby, aren't you?

[steepwithdead]

[He looks quite happy about the idea of a flourishing garden, even if that would mean being here much, much longer than he'd prefer. Still, he masks that part like a champ.]

Oh, not far at all. Just next door, number 2.

[AKA Caleb's house, funny enough.]

[ruevealing]

[processing...]

You mean Caleb's moved out? Already? He did not even say goodbye!

[steepwithdead]

[So very cheerfully,]

No, no, he's still there. I left him this morning with his nose deep in a book as usual.

[ruevealing]

Oh! You are friends! How lovely.

Truth be told, I'm quite relieved to hear you say that. I was worried about him and the state of that cottage.

[steepwithdead]

Hmmm.

[Cue a deep, gravelly "trying not to judge" noise, even as he judges.]

He does tend to lose himself in his books a lot. We've been travelling together in the same group for a while now, usually he's got one or two people to drag him back to reality. Guess for now that's me.

[ruevealing]

[Rue hears that noise and quirks their brow at the man, quietly urging him to continue.]

I can see that easily. Not to speak ill on your friend, but he has seemed rather lost since he arrived. I'm grateful he has you now to lean upon.

[steepwithdead]

He's a good man who doesn't always believe that he is, and who has the potential to become great. He's also best not left on his own, so thanks for lending him a hand while we were separated.

[Poor Caleb. "Lost" is not a word he'd normally use to describe him (he's always been too fixated on his goals, whether they be good or bad), but then, he'd never seen the man alone before. At the very least he always had Veth.]

[ruevealing]

I did the very best I could, I promise, though as I've said, my heart will rest so much easier knowing you will be there at his side to help him where he might need it.

[One last little snip of blooms to tuck into the basket before Rue turns to Caduceus with a smile.]

--And if I may say, I'm absolutely thrilled to have you as a neighbor.

[steepwithdead]

Well, hopefully we'll be better neighbours here than the last time we had a house.

[They have yet to put the Exandria equivalent of a sunlit Christmas tree on the roof to irritate all their drow neighbours, so already it's an improvement.]

I'm happy to have you for a neighbour, too. You've been nothing but gracious, thank you! [He lifts the basket.] And thank you for this, too. I'll put it all to good use.

[ruevealing]

Now you've piqued my interested, dear friend.

[What kind of bad neighborly behavior should they be on the lookout for?]

And of course! I hope this is enough to start your new garden off fresh.

[steepwithdead]

Hmm.

[He just smiles. Maybe another time, it's... quite a long story. Instead he gives the basket a light shake.]

This will be more than plenty. Would you like to point out the tree that's due for some mushrooms?

[ruevealing]

[Rue knows all about the art of gentle deflection. They won't press for more. Not today.]

Absolutely. It's just around to the front. [And they'll take him right back out to the front of the cottage, where stands a lone, bare tree, shivering in the winter breeze.] I was thinking just about here.

[steepwithdead]

[Caduceus nods and ventures over to the tree, pausing in front of it to rest his hand briefly against the cold bark.]

...Hey there. Hope you don't mind, I'm gonna give you a few neighbours at your roots. Nothing feisty, they should get along with you just fine. Treat them well, would you?

[The tree's branches rustle subtly; hard to say if it responded, or if it's just due to the wind. Caduceus seems satisfied anyway, gathering up a handful of fallen leaves and a dead branch at its base. He presses his hand against both, murmuring under his breath, and after a little bit of waiting, several fungal stems emerge, the beginning of a mushroom cluster. It's just the start, and it'll take a few minutes to really grow in earnest, but Caduceus straightens up, smiling back at Rue.]

Oh, that's a really good species. You got lucky there.

[ruevealing]

[This man really just walks up to their tree, starts chatting with it, and the tree rustles out an answer. Honestly, that's fucking magical, Cad.

But he does exactly as he's promised and Rue can't help the delighted gasp at their beak at the ease of which he mushrooms pop up from the ground.]

Oh, Caduceus! They are so beautiful already! Thank you so much!

[steepwithdead]

You're welcome! Happy to help, especially after you helped me so much. [He gives his basket a light shake.] I'll get out of your hair, now. Best get myself started on all of this. But please, feel free to stop by any time for some tea. I'd love to get to know my neighbours better.