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Post by Nadia on Aug 23, 2021 14:27:22 GMT -6
It had been a peculiar little flower that they'd found.The sensible option was to take it home. Nadia had gotten Laoise and headed straight for the estate, cradling the tiny bloom in her hands; it needed a safe environment, and she hadn't wanted to leave it in the garden, where it might've gotten trampled or eaten. Who knew? If she tended it well, something special could come of it...There was another thing on her mind that day, though. A baby, cradled in her arms like a precious bundle - a snoring black sausage of a puppy. Korack was her first ohou and a brand new addition to her hoard of companions, and she was delighted to welcome him, and watch him grow. What better place to do that than in the tranquillity of the garden, where everything was fenced off and she could let him explore and sniff in safety?[11]
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Post by Nadia on Aug 24, 2021 6:00:32 GMT -6
It still needed a hideous amount of work, though. Nadia sighed as she looked over the small bits she had achieved - the entrance path was looking better, with most of the weeds plucked from the gravel, but there was the rest of the garden to go. There were seeds to plant, insects to chase off, produce to find... she had no shortage of jobs, only a shortage of time. She could manage two things at once with Korack there, though. He was content to sleep for the moment, snout pressed into the crook of her arm. The position pushed his nose up to expose his tiny teeth. It was unbelievable how endeared she was to him, even after a short period of time; they had the exact same effect on her that houluh pups did. It was much of a muchness. Any baby creature melted her into butter in an instant. [12]
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Post by Nadia on Aug 24, 2021 6:03:48 GMT -6
"Little man," Nadia cooed. Korack showed no signs of stirring, as sleepy as he was; the snores were ridiculously loud for a tiny puppy, enough to make the sleeve of her jacket vibrate. Fierce breathing was no doubt a good sign, though. "Are you with me? We are here, at last. Would you like to see?" The simple answer was no. What he wanted to do was nap, and occasionally stretch his little paws over her in all directions. That was okay. While he was resting, she could work without having to worry about him getting into mischief... and of course, there was only one proper way to do it. A puppy tucked into her collar. Korack's head poked out of the top, but his body was snug to her chest beneath her shirt. The dangers of him having an accident were not lost on her, but she'd dealt with much worse in her time. [13]
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Post by Nadia on Aug 24, 2021 6:22:27 GMT -6
The warmth of the puppy against her skin was soothing. Nadia couldn't help smiling to herself as she toddled over to the shed, key in hand; it was much better to work in the company of a creature than alone. Once the door was unlocked, she let herself in, and tried not to be too shocked at how dusty the interior was. Her tools were gathering cobwebs, laying here there and everywhere. Another reason to be embarrassed about her lack of attention to the garden. She tried to ignore her face heating up as she reached for her spade and watering can - she'd make it all spick and span eventually, and there was no shame in humble beginnings. At least she wasn't paying a gardener to do her dirty work. The days of having estate workers had long passed. Korack yawned wide, his teeth catching on the collar of her shirt. [14]
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Post by Nadia on Aug 24, 2021 6:30:37 GMT -6
Perhaps it would be worth scouting around the place and making notes of what urgently needed repairs? Nadia always carried a notebook and pencil with her, so it would be no trouble, and it would be best to do it while Korack was still sleepy. If she was wandering all over the place while he was awake, he'd have no end of places to run off to. So, she set about it. The spade and watering can were left near the front gate, and she went with only writing materials and puppy in tow. Korack bounced a little with her steps, but didn't seem to be bothered by it. On the contrary, his little tail wagged inside her shirt, thumping against her chest. There was plenty to write down, she was beginning to realise. The garden had been left to its devices for too long, and wildness was beginning to creep in. [15]
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Post by Jack on Aug 24, 2021 10:43:45 GMT -6
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Post by Jewel on Nov 16, 2021 19:12:12 GMT -6
It was kind of a spur of the moment decision, to turn up to Nadia's garden.Jewel didn't have a plot of his own. He'd been considering it, but why jump in when he could get some firsthand experience without having to commit? If it turned out to be a mess, and too much hassle, he could forget about it and leave it to the professionals. Was Nadia a professional? She sure was something--"Hey, Red!" He could see an auburn head bobbing around among the bushes, straight ahead from where the gate was. There was no one else it could possibly be. One hand went to flip the latch while the other steadied Wisteria; the jibiji was craning her neck to look around the unfamiliar space. "Whatcha doin'? You got room for a little one in here? Two little ones?"Quite frankly, she wasn't gonna have a choice in the matter.[Fall - 1] [Black Bones - 1]
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Post by Nadia on Nov 18, 2021 14:20:20 GMT -6
Nadia was quite taken with her activity. There was plenty to make notes about - her pencil was scribbling and flying across the page with speed, which should've been disconcerting in itself. A great number of things needed to be addressed. With a bit of luck, they'd prove to be lots of small jobs, rather than a ton of heavy work... Korack heard the calls before she did. The puppy whimpered, pawing at her chest, and she freed one hand to cup him with it. What was that racket? She straightened up and peered through the bushes back towards the gate, only to find a visitor. "Jewel!" It had been a little while since their last coffee date, so she was happy to see him, but the timing wasn't exactly ideal. "I... well, I suppose, b-but I am in the middle of doing some restoration work, so--" Oh, he was letting himself in. [2] [Black Bones - 2]
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Post by Jewel on Nov 18, 2021 14:47:17 GMT -6
It wasn't the tidiest garden he'd ever been to. Jewel was surprised - with what he knew of Nadia's character, he'd expected something a tad more polished. Wisteria rustled her wings as he strode down the bath in the direction of the bushes, eyes focused on the unfamiliar figure. "Workin' hard, or hardly working?" He slung the arm not carrying his bird around her shoulders, tugging her into him before she had a chance to protest. "Looks like a big job, Red. You should get some professionals in." After a quick squeeze, he was happy to release her. "How've things been? I haven't seen you in a minute. Figured I would've heard from you for a date by now..." The fae hopped up to sit on a fence post, trying to disguise his grimace when it wobbled beneath him. It wasn't a good sign if it couldn't withstand him. "I'm wounded." [3] [Black Bones - 3]
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Post by Nadia on Nov 18, 2021 14:54:48 GMT -6
Nadia forgot quite how quickly Jewel moved, and spoke. She had barely a moment to react before she was being hugged to his side; her own attention was drawn instantly to the jibiji in his company rather than him, which was no surprise. A fae boy was interesting, but a critter was the preferable company. "Ah..." Her brow furrowed a bit. A big job? Was he saying her garden looked messy? It was difficult not to prickle at that, but she reminded herself that he was not from polite society, and likely hadn't considered how his words might bother her. "I have been... quite busy, so meetings have fallen by the wayside..." Korack's silky head leaned back over the button of her jacket, and his tiny nose wriggled, sniffing the air. What was that sweet smell? What were all those loud noises? He didn't understand what was happening! "A date...?" Nadia's brain short-circuited. It took her a firm shake of the head to bring her back. "A-anyway... how have you been keeping?" [4] [Black Bones - 4]
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Post by Jewel on Nov 18, 2021 15:00:30 GMT -6
Jewel grinned. It was so easy, and so funny, to get Nadia to squirm; the sheltered ones always made for the best targets. Despite the fence's wiggling, he was confident enough that it would take the weight of a jibiji, and Wisteria was encouraged down to the slat next to him. She was happy to oblige. "Oh, you know how it is. Ducking and diving," He said, and meant it a tad more literally than most. "I've done a few shows, but I'm still trying to get solid work, y'know? Not thaaat much demand for a sexy, flexible dude around here right now. Sucks, right?" The part about him still living in the kennels was conveniently left out. His smile grew wider at the sight of a furry head popping up from Nadia's chest, and he couldn't resist a chuckle. "Who's that there? One lucky little dude. S'not usually that easy to get in that position." [5] [Black Bones - 5]
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Post by Nadia on Nov 25, 2021 8:24:29 GMT -6
Just as Jewel was taken with the puppy, Nadia was intrigued by the jibiji. She'd never seen one like this before, but could estimate the species by the diminutive size - certainly not big enough to be an Izer. Beautiful in those delicate features, though. The silly smile on her face said it all. "Quite..." It was obvious she wasn't listening to what the fae was actually saying to her, in favour of admiring his bird. "I love your friend's plumage. I have never met this one before... she is a real showstopper." Animal talk was good talk. She barely realised she'd been asked about Korack until she noticed Jewel staring at him; the pup whimpered when she scooped him out from the warmth of her jacket to show him off properly. "This little one, he is called Korack!" His stubby tail twitched on her wrist. "An ohou puppy. Is he not darling?" [6] [Black Bones - 6]
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Post by Jewel on Nov 25, 2021 8:31:10 GMT -6
"Ohou?" A species he hadn't heard of. Jewel tried out the sound of it in his mouth, and decided that it made him laugh. "Never seen one of those before. I've seen the other ones - hoohoo? Those guys." It was unclear whether he was deliberately getting the name wrong to play on her nerves, but it would've been a safe bet. Wisteria twittered, hopping up onto the fae's knee when she saw the puppy being held closer to them. What was that? Could she take a little look at it? "Ah, this is Wisteria. Whizz," He replied, stroking a finger over the crest of the jibiji's head. "That pup's cute. Not as cute as me, but..." A dazzling smile followed (dazzling by his standards, at least). If it would embarrass her into more stammering and blushing, he'd consider it a success, because it was hilarious. "So, you need any help?" [7] [Black Bones - 7]
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Post by Nadia on Nov 25, 2021 8:46:15 GMT -6
Wisteria! Her full name was pretty, even if Nadia thought the nickname was a tad unfortunate. She gave him a wry smile at his tease. "I think you mean houluh, but yes, you may have seen them. I have a few." More than a few... the number was definitely over ten by then, and most of them were still babies. No wonder she was always tired. "They are quite popular here in the City." When Korack was safely tucked back into her jacket, legs stretching akimbo, she gave some thought to his proposition. Was he being serious? Two pairs of hands was better than one, but he was a guest and it would've been impolite to foist responsibility on him. Then again, he did offer. Then again, did he mean it... "I... am sure you have better things to do," She said. Korack took the opportunity to close his small teeth around her collar. "Do not feel obligated..." [8] [Black Bones - 8]
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Post by Jewel on Nov 25, 2021 8:58:02 GMT -6
Better things to do? Psh. Jewel would never pass up the opportunity to spend time with a friend, even if it did involve shovelling muck in the garden! (Truth be told, he was hoping to get a free meal out of it. Company was fun, but it was even better with food.) Was he taking advantage of Nadia's tendency to be a kind and gracious host? Perhaps - but his visit would also do her some good, he thought, because she spent too much time in her own head and not enough in the real world. Wisteria was enthralled by the pup. She fluttered over to land on Nadia's shoulder, peering down on the dark, sleepy mass. A curious tweet followed. What was he doing? "Ah, sorry," He gestured to the jibiji, though he didn't look apologetic in the least. "She's clearly loving it here, so let me help. C'mon, it'll be fun!" [9] [Black Bones - 9]
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