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[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.]

[processing...]

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

[So very cheerfully,]

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

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.

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.

[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.

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.]

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.

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.

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.

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?

[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.

[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.

[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!

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.

Before you go, darling. I recently invited your friend Caleb to a small, very casual book club my friend Fenris and I've been enjoying. If you would like to join, we'd be so happy to have you.

We meet every Sunday.

Hmmm.

[He considers that a moment.]

I have to admit I'm not much of a reader. Sure can't keep up with Caleb on that front. But if that's not a problem, the company would be delightful. ...Oh, and I don't know what Sunday is, sorry.

[After Caleb, Rue really should have seen that one coming.]

Oh, of course! I'll bring you over a calender, so the two of you can keep track of the days of the week used in this realm.

[Sorry Rue even the new calendar might be useless to him since he barely follows them. But "every seven days" is easy enough to remember.]

That's very kind. I'm sure Caleb will remind me when it's time to go anyway. He always knows when things are happening. Is there a book I should be reading?

[tbh Caduceus does not really know how book clubs work-]

[Let's be real, Rue will happily text him every Sunday morning as a reminder, just because they already so enjoy his company.]

I'll bring over a copy of our current book tomorrow. We've only just begun, so you hardly missed any time.

[Hopefully by then someone will have taught him how the relic works-]

Oh that's perfect. I really appreciate it, thank you. I'll be sure to let Caleb know so he can come out of his research, he'll be happy to see you.

[Or, you know. Happy. For Caleb.]

[Rue should really just sit the both of them down and spend the afternoon teaching them all of the basics.]

Excellent! It's a date. And as far as my home goes, it is always open to either of you, anytime you should like to stop by.

[Honestly that would save them so much trouble.]

Same goes for you. I can't promise Caleb is the best host all the time, [he is not] but we'd be glad to have you for a spell.

[rue has noticed that about caleb, for sure]

It's quite alright! I think I'm beginning to understand him much better, he's a delightful man. But I'd always be so grateful to come over and spend the time with you.

In that case, consider the invitation mutual. [He ducks his head in the gentlest of bows.] Until then, I hope you have just the loveliest of days.

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ruevealing - 2024-01-30 04:48 (UTC) - Expand