[open] hydaelyn's house for wayward souls

[exarchal]

Who: Anyone!
When: All of November.
Where: The Haven, at the "classy" grade house maintained by some people from the FFXIV cast.
What: It's mingle time. Drop by for a visit, make your own toplevel, maybe ask who that weird old guy sleeping in the yard is. (It's probably crystal grandpa.)
Warnings: Mind FFXIV spoiler warnings in threads!

[ Located past the fanciest manor houses is something a little more modest. The most prominent thing one would notice about it is the front yard, which someone obviously spends some time in, though the cutting of certain bushes is a little close to amateur. More importantly, it looks a little messy but very inviting, and there's almost always the smell of something warm and delicious coming from inside the house. The lush and flowering garden in the back has a recently-scrubbed fountain and running water, as well as a near-permanent host of small birds. Is it magic? Probably. Most of the flowers are roses, though, which are a bit hardier than your usual flowers.

The interior is just as cozy, with a fire in the hearth that's almost always going, and plenty of books loaned or purchased from shops. Furnishings are occasionally sparse but the kitchen is fully-stocked, as is the family room where most people spend their time. The dining table exists and it's nothing fancy, but there's almost always a smorgasbord of fruit and other snacks left out for visitors.

New this month are tiny sigils drawn in faintly glowing paint along the windows and doors. Teleportation wards are in place, as well as soundproofing for each bedroom (ahem), so anyone teleporting directly inside the house will find themselves repelled.

There is a spare housekey under the mat, though, if someone gets locked out. ]

Comments

i! finally slides in here

[joies]

[As Aymeric is busy in the garden, he'll find himself a visitor - one certain brightly colored, and very vocal, bird. One that tweets and chirps from his perch on the bench, before hopping onto his shoulder, clearly taking an interest in his work.

When one is the familiar of a walking flower, one takes an interest in garden work. And Iago likes to think he knows his way around a garden! ... Or at least knows when to weed some plants.

And said walking flower soon appears, expression faintly curious about what her familiar is up to - before she notices Aymeric busy at work, and Iago there to act as "support".]

I didn't realize you had a green thumb, Aymeric.

[endsought]

[The knight really is into his work, not even recognizing the bird's tweets until he finds himself perched on Aymeric's shoulder. One glance allows him to know he has a visitor. He doesn't turn quite right away, instead using a finger to prod and pet the bird before he looks to his guest.]

Alas, 'tis not something I generally have, but I figured since it is part of our abode, it would do me well to help take care of it. Having only one person tend to the garden seems like far too much work.

[joies]

[Iago preens at the attention, feathers puffing up with some pleased chirps, while Persephone leans against the fence - mostly to get a better look at the garden he's tending to. It seems to be well-maintained, maybe through hardwork or magic. Or both.

Seeing Aymeric so focused though, makes her lean more towards hard work.]

A garden like this does certainly need more than one pair of hands. And you seem to be doing well. [A pause.]

Though would you like any assistance? You could say I have some experience with gardening. ['Some experience' says the woman who even has flowers constantly blooming in her hair.]

[endsought]

[He's not surprised to hear she has experience and likely a green thumb. Being the personification of a garden herself, she likely has to use similar tactics to take care of herself. With a single nod, he accepts her offer.]

It would be an honor to have your assistance, Mistress Persephone. I am sure we would all appreciate your expertise.

[He can do so much and prune where he needs to, but anything more is out of his field of knowledge that he leaves to the others. However, even upkeep takes many hands to ensure its beauty is upheld.]

[joies]

The honor is all mine! I'm always happy to assist with any gardening duties.

[With this, she easily hops herself over the fence - Iago chirping and fluttering over to some bushes nearby. Clearly the little bird is determined to help!!

... Mostly because he wants the praise that comes afterwards.]

Iago has helped me with my garden many times, he seems to enjoy pulling out weeds and snacking on them. And chasing any pests.

[She watches as Iago busies himself with an amused smile, single eye warm before she turns her attention to Aymeric. Crouching by his side now, as she reaches for another pair of gloves - with how she holds herself, seeing how she seems happy to get to work and help pull weeds might be an odd sight.]

I can show you which weeds to watch out for, some are far more persistent than others.

[endsought]

[Aymeric is your man if you want praise. Iago picked a good friend. The Elezen, is just pulling out some stray weeds that catches his eye, though he does notice there are more trying to rise up and coil around the roses.]

We shall have to hire him at one point. I am positive we can pay him in the currency he so desires. [He's guessing bird seed, but hey, he could be wrong!

Though knowing which weeds to prioritize would be beneficial.]

And yes, please do tell me which weeds to take out first. 'Twould be troubling if I left such pests until the end, believing they were not doing harm.

[So serious. But this is Aymeric who doesn't have the duties he once did back home, so he needs to keep busy somehow.]

[joies]

[Iago is gonna be the best birdfriend Aymeric ever had... Even though he might be the only birdfriend the Elezen has, but he still wants to claim the number one spot.]

He accepts payments in praise and head scratches. Also he enjoys bird seed.

[So she's certain they can pay for Iago's specialized services. But anyway yes, weeding lessons!

Luckily for Aymeric, Persephone also takes this very seriously, motioning to some of the coiling pests with a slight frown.]

We shall start with this, you cannot simply pull them out and decide that's it. The roots must be removed too, lest they spread and grow anew.

[So she digs a hand under the soil where the weed is growing, and... pulls it out, roots and all!]

It's a bit tricky at first, but you shall get the hang of it. The main concern is making sure that you don't harm the plant we're trying to save.

[And here we have two esteemed rulers, hunched in front of bushes as they weed them.]

[endsought]

And what if a plant must be sacrificed?

[Listen, this is a guy that had no problem potentially killing his best friend to save his beloved country.

..........as good as he seems, he's still a little messed up, gomen.]

Unless there are ways to avoid that.

[joies]

Then we may take clippings of it, so it can grow once more.

[It's okay, all her best friends are varying degrees of messed up including herself. So she doesn't bat an eye at the... extreme wording here. Instead she smiles softly, as she gestures to some of the smaller growths along the stem of the plant.]

It may be unavoidable at times, but there are still ways to preserve the plant. Tending to clippings is a little more extra work, but I believe it's worth it.

[endsought]

I see. While I would avoid such a drastic thing, 'tis good to know there are ways to preserve it.

[And keep the garden looking as lovely as possible and regrow what they must.]

To have you and your knowledge is great. As it is to have you, Iago.

[Not ignoring the birb, because he knows birb friend will help when he's struggling with weeds.]