Sun and Snow (Feya)

After the morning assembly, Haru was suppose to return home and give his “report” to his parents since they were eager to find out what the Queen had to say; however, the young man honestly did not want to go back home. This feeling was driven even more deeply since the Queen did not show up to begin with. The things he had taken from the assembly was for him and him alone. The information gained was associated with a life he did not share with the world let alone his rather odd parent. Sure he could’ve shared the information with Lisa, but he was pretty sure that even without being told the resourceful woman would find out about what happened anyway and from there already gauge his course of action. Unlike with his parents, there was no need to report these things to her.

In any case going home was a senseless act at this point, so the young man found himself instead first wandering about the school where he had met a familiar face and then after he had left and began wandering the the city itself. While it was true he was not hidden and most who were in the know on the media front could recognize him, the young man did not exactly keep himself hidden as he moved about the streets staying nearer to the sides rather than the main crowds. Sure this ran the risk of the occasional bold fan coming up to him, but for the most part the young man did not find this problematic since only a few here and there were actually free enough to pull such a stunt. Being mostly unbothered gave him the rare opportunity to explore the city at his own pace and without the annoyance of chatty parents and time frames. In fact…

Haru would pause near the corner of two streets to wait for the traffic light across the way to change to the walk symbol. As he was waiting, he would pull out his phone and after sending one quick message to Lisa, he would shut it off. Maybe it was an act of rebellion or perhaps something else, but for the time being he was going to ignore all those reminders about trivial things his parents had set up just have him be put on display for whatever plots they had in mind. A show was one thing, being used as leverage was another.

With that out of the way, he would place the phone back in his pocket before looking back across the way at the light. It took a while, but eventually it would turn allowing him and another to cross the way.

He would continue his walk moving from the busier sections of the city to the more quiet ones over time until he found himself accidentally wandering into a place he hadn’t taken into consideration before.

As he was moving through the place known as Sunlake Palms, he would find a random path off to the side of the main road and for the hell of it simply follow it. He didn’t expect it to be lead him anywhere special, so maybe that is why he was a bit taken back when the scenery shifted from calm and usual to magical.

Slowing his pace, he would look around the new area he was in with wonder as he took in the various plants and flowers there. He had seen gardens before, but none quite as impressive or well cared for as this one. As he took a step forward, he began to wonder if this was something the city kept up. He couldn’t imagine random people just taking care of the place and while nature was indeed wonderful care taker, these plants grew and radiated with a life that only human contact could produce.

Amazed, he would drift over to a group of flowers of various colors to examine them for a bit. Not thinking anyone was around, he would lean forward slightly to smell one that hung out slightly further than the rest. The flower gently tickled his nose, but he didn't mind as he took a small sniff of the pleasant scent it gave off. It was something that made him smile a bit as he continued to admire the plants.

Heh. Kind of ironic that such a simple thing as a flower could soften up the usually tense and seemingly unapproachable young man.

Haru would observe the flowers before him for a second longer before moving past them to observe the rest of the garden. He wouldn't get too far in before he found himself stopping as a person came into view. It was a young lady with silver colored hair. She was quietly watering and taking care of the plants near her. Staying quiet for a moment, he would simply observe the woman. Observed the way she took care of the plants and seemed to actually enjoy what she was doing.

She seemed to be pretty absorbed in the work making the young man wonder if it was wise or not to disturb her at all. He didn’t exactly want to upset or startle her, but turning away like he never saw her would be rude too, no? The young man would find himself in a brief bind as he hesitate for a moment. He looked over at a hanging plant near him trying to determine the best course of action…and also to recompose himself a bit. He always had a difficult time figuring out how to start conversations with others when left to open said interactions himself. Even so, he would eventually make up his mind as he took a hesitant step towards the woman working.

“Excuse me, but are you the owner of this garden?” he would ask his voice calm and soft despite his hesitant nature. He was a bit uncomfortable for sure, but maybe that was simply because he didn't know how to act in these sort of situations. At the same time he kind of needed to work on this socializing issue didn’t he, so why not start here?

Note:

She would look over at him, her face and eyes seeming gentle enough as mismatched eyes met the other’s with a calm even gaze. She seemed friendly enough, even though like most she was seemed uncomfortable around him. Even so she stood her ground well enough and even managed a smile. It was an impressive effort considering this could’ve turned out much differently.

“Ah. I see. It is quite an impressive place,” Haru would say as his eyes moved to the plants once more, taking in their beauty with much appreciation before his eyes came back to the woman who was standing up. As she took off the garden gloves and approached him, the young man would see the hand offered and hesitated for just a moment before reaching out and taking her hand into his own gloved hand.

“Hatsuharu. The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Feya,” he would say giving her hand a gentle, yet firm handshake. The action would only last a second or two before he let go of her hand and took a small step back to keep a respectful gap between them. To her question, he would blink.

“Use the gardens? You let people come here and work with the plants?” Haru said a bit stunned. She did say she was the owner, no? So was this garden something more than just a thing she cared for? Or a place that was pleasing to the eyes and soul?

Haru would nod in response to her words as he gave her a light smile as he took note that the other seemed to relax a little around him. Oh good this would make things a bit easier perhaps.

“Yes. I haven’t seen a garden quite like this one. It seems well loved,” he would say his voice remaining soft and calm. “Do you take care of the place all alone? And if so, how do you keep up with all?” he would ask as his eyes drifted to the fruits and vegetables that grew amongst the flowers. Huh. This garden had everything, didn’t it?

His eyes would continue to take in the details of the garden. His eyes only returning to the woman when introductions were made. During the exchange, his behavior seemed to amuse the woman though what about his ways did this was beyond the young man. Even so the light-hearted nature only furthered put the young man at ease as he continued to linger in the garden.

As for the answer given to his inquiry, he would become genuinely interested in the response.

“Is that so?” he would say as he moved a bit closer to get a better look at what the woman had been working on. It looked like it something new was growing there over a patch of dirt, but what sort of plant it was he did not know. Observing the patch, he would considered what was said. “I have always been curious if I was any good at gardening, but never had the opportunity to try it out,” he would say and then pausing he would nod towards the plant growing.

“What will that become once it has matured?” he would ask as he seemed to consider the pros and cons of this small venture into something new. Perhaps this would give him some space to relax and not be bothered for a bit. The garden did seem pleasant and Feya seemed kind enough, so maybe this was an option for him. Besides…he was kind of curious if he did manage to figure this gardening thing out, then what could he grow and in turn reap from the garden. Hmmm….

Haru would watch the other with a calm expression as the faintest of smiles crossed his lips. He wasn’t sure what to think of her the first time he saw her, but the more time he spent with the lady, the more the young man found himself relaxing and enjoying her kind personality. As she spoke about the garden, he would give her a small nod of understanding.

“You have quite a talent then,” he would tell her in gentle tones as his eyes drifted from the scenery around him back to the woman before him It wasn't a lie. It was quite amazing one person mostly alone made such a place grow. He never noticed that she had been observing him before. Remaining relaxed, he would ask another question.

“How long have you been doing this?” he would ask her before pausing to let her answer if she wanted too.

As for her short answer, she would only get a small smile out of that one. She made things sound so simple, but he had to wonder: Was gardening really as simple as this one made it seem? Just as he was thinking this, the young lady asked him a question that somehow managed to play off of the thought that had just passed. To this, he would fold his arms and let out a small hum as he gave it some thought.

“I wouldn’t mind the challenge…” he would begin softly at first not seeming to mind her being near him or her actions. He would pause before continuing as he heard her next set of words. “Well, I believe have plenty of both,” he would say with a light smirk and then unfolding his arms, he would nod to the woman as he made up his mind. “I would like to give it a go. How do I get started?” he would ask as he looked over at the other for instructions should she wish to give them.

He would let a few seconds of silence pass between them before his attention was drawn to the new plants growing. Moving over to the young woman's side, he would find himself leaning down to observe the white bulbs on the plants she was displaying. She said they were strawberries, huh? He never would've guessed from just a causal glance.

"Strawberries are a nice snack. Though, I think I prefer cherries or pineapple over them," Haru would say surprisingly open up just a tiny bit to the woman. Why? Well, maybe that is because he felt safe and okay with doing that with the lady. Regardless, he seemed to relax the more she remained calm and relaxed.

How humble. Haru could appreciate that as listened careful to the words that were spoken. The woman said she had become good at what she did due to simply doing it for 10 years. Haru’s eyebrows would raise slightly at this.

“That is quite a time to be doing something. I wonder if I could do the same in your spot,” he would muse as he kept the small smile on his lips. 10 years. He admitted he could be dedicated to something. After all, his current career he had been doing all his life and while he dreaded prep work, he had to admit he liked being on a stage in front of people. It was a freeing experience, but a thing that here and there he needed break from.

Typical East Eden was his place to go, but maybe this garden could be a place a of escape a bit closer. All he needed to do was figure out how to get started with such a task and so it was after some debate that he asked the question needed to get started on this. To his inquiry, the woman would take him over to a spot where she had seeds in jars. Reaching out for one, he examined the name on it before his eyes drifted down to the price. They seemed reasonable enough, so this shouldn’t be a problem. He would place the jar down with a nod.

“Mmm. I see. What would you suggest a beginner to buy? And a space to plant? Do you provide that? Or do I need to bring something here myself?” he would ask as his eyes drifted back to the woman. If he could start planting here, then perhaps it would be something to add to this beautiful place and maybe if he became really good at this, he could even consider bringing them back home. Hmm. He wondered if he could grow something to take back to Yoshiko (his horse in East Eden) for the next time they met. The potential of this new interest seemed rather large. While he didn’t jump up and down for joy like some, he was pretty excited to see where it would all go from here.

“Yes. It is unfortunate, but at least the market has found a way to get some rather tasty ones anyhow,” he would say easily enough before tilting his head. “Ah. You grow cherries? Then perhaps I can come to you for some instead of worrying about the market having them or not. I will pay you of course, if you interested,” he would say. Having a go to person would be nice than having to contend with the market, but alas it was only an offer. The woman had the choice to say yay or nay to it.

“Perhaps so,” he responded back as he gave the words some thought. Her words rang true enough. Everything got better with practice and time. He supposed that even if he wasn’t that great of a gardener, if he was persistent enough he could perfect the skill just like he did everything else. Even so, it seemed there was the issue of getting started first.

Outside of purchasing seeds and a plot, he would have to make sure he could find time to wander here and do said job. These were obstacles, but small ones he would be sure to overcome just to see if he could get far with this or not. With his mind pretty set, he would focus on the woman’s recommendation for starter seeds.

Tomatoes huh? An interesting choice. He wonder if they were easy to grow or maybe the easiest to purchase. As for the rest of what she said, he would absorb it all as he kept his stance relaxed as he enjoyed her enthusiasm and pleasant presence.

“I’ll keep that all in mind. I need a bit of time to see how my schedule looks, but I will be back to start the challenge soon enough,” he would tell her as he gave her a true smile for once. He thought maybe this gardening thing would be alright and if the woman came around a bit, he could perhaps learn more about her too. In any case, the endeavor would be interesting nonetheless.

As for the rest of the conversation, Haru would give a light chuckle at what he heard.

“I can’t argue with that. Things tend to taste better when they are right off the vine or prepared with care.” A simple truth in life.

While he was not a gardener yet, he did have a chance to taste fruits and veggies freshly picked when he was around East Eden. That was pretty much all he and Lisa survived off out there – the freshest of the fresh. As for the cooking end…Well, he never had to cook things on his own and to be honest he wasn’t sure if Lisa trusted him near a pan and fire; however, he did enjoy the meals cooked by Lisa more so than the ones the chefs his parents cooked. He wasn’t sure why, but those meals always seemed bland….but that was beside the point here.

Now about that offer. Huh. She actually agreed and gave him her number to call if he wanted said items? Was this one just a strong business woman, or did she naturally give trust to strangers after a while? It was a perplexing thing that Haru was a bit baffled by, but in the end didn't question much as he accepted the card easily enough.

“I’ll be sure to do that then. Thank you,” he said as he placed the card in a pocket for safe keeping. He would log the information later into his phone. Speaking of his phone, perhaps he should give her his number too so she’d know it was him calling her...

He hesitated for a bit, but then deciding to give her his secondary phone's number, he'd dig in a different pocket for a small pad and pen. He’d write the name down, making sure to just put the name Hatsu there instead of his full name. With that done, he would carefully tear the paper off and hand it to her. The trade seemed fair enough if she should accept it.

In any case once that was done, the young man would place the pen and pad away before answering the question posed. Unphased by the word darling, he would shake his head.

“No. You have been very kind and patience with me long enough. I thank you for your time, but I will be on my way, Feya. Perhaps we’ll meet again down the road,” he would say and then giving her a respectful bow, he would take his leave. The garden seemed like an interesting place to be; however, what sort of pathways would open due to this new path was yet to be seen. Even so the thoughts of the potential there were pleasant ones to keep him company as he finally decided to go home.

~Haru has exited the thread. Unless stopped.~