Bloom
Chapter 9
Notes:
Characters: Gale, Morena, Mira, Yrelia Rating: Teen Warnings: Smoking talk Notes: Hehe, plotting, scheming. Also, genuinely love that Gale is a bit clueless in this. It's when he's at his cutest.
"Mother, I insist!"
Gale retracted his hand when Morena smacked it. "Gale, darling, I invited you to dinner. Let me fix you up a meal for a change."
"Mother," Gale groaned, "you fell off a horse. You should be resting! Imagine what Lily would say if she found out!"
"I am perfectly fine, I'll have you know! It's just a bruised backside. I have had far worse accidents." She gestured to the bar chair at the raised island. "And Lillian will not find out unless you tell her."
"You're acting like a young teen who is trying to keep a secret from their parent," he lectured, "I see it every day at Blackstaff."
"Strangely enough, I also saw it frequently when you were in Blackstaff," she teased, and he groaned again. He walked over to the chair from the stove, sitting in it with a huff. Morena smiled at him and picked up the tea kettle with a hand towel that had lovely sunflower embroidery. She poured some wonderfully fragrant Earl Grey tea into his teacup.
"Is that a new hand towel?" He asked before sipping the nearly too-hot tea.
"You noticed!" She grinned at him. "Yes, my young friend from my riding group embroidered it. She had a similar one, and I commented on how pretty it was. The next time we met, she had brought me one of my own."
"That was kind of her," Gale mumbled into his tea.
"And you know, Gale-"
"Mother," he cut her off, "I have no interest in meeting your friend, as wonderful as she might be."
Morena sighed like she was exasperated. "Have you no interest in romance, my son? No need to woo a lover?"
He rubbed his eyes, trying not to seem annoyed by the millionth attempt by his family to find a partner for him. "That is not the issue, Mother. I simply wish to find my own partner. Someone I can form a bond with through my own experiences, not someone who my mother, sister, or brother-in-law chose for me. Is that truly too difficult to comprehend?" Ugh. That may have been a bit too bitter for his well-meaning mother.
She sighed. She turned back to the stove and placed the teapot on her brass trivet that was shaped like a chicken. "I understand," she said softly. "Oh, you are so like your father at times." Her tone was both joyous and yearning.
Gale couldn't imagine what it must be like for her. His parents had met young. His father, the son of a nobleman who wished to be a chef. His mother, a young woman who was well-off, but not nearly a noble. They met at a gala, neither wanting to be there. They found each other trying to sneak off, and the rest was history, he supposed. Young love that blossomed into a marriage and two children.
When his father married Morena instead of the woman his father had arranged for him, he was disowned. No longer welcome in his family. Gale had no idea who his father's family was. Hells, he doubted his father's family even knew who he was. He knew they didn't care.
They had been each other's first loves. Their only loves. Making a home, raising children, until his father became too ill. Those damn cigarettes caused his lungs to go black. Morena swore that she would never touch one ever again after watching her children grieve the loss of their father.
Though Gale had to admit, there was still a distinct nostalgia he felt at times when the scent of cigarette smoke was in the air.
"Mother." Gale stood up from his chair and walked behind her. He wrapped his arms around her. "You needn't worry about me. I will not live my life alone, as you fear."
She let out a wet chuckle. "I hope so, Gale. Besides, you wouldn't dare deny me your children, would you?"
Morena laughed at her son's long, drawn-out groan.
*****
Gale strode through The Market after dinner with his mother. The sun was setting, but it was still light out. It was a very humid evening. He had a hope that as the sun sank below the horizon, the humidity would dissipate, but it seemed that it would not be one of those nights. He was glad that he was as talented in the Weave as he was. He would be able to return to his climate-controlled tower soon. Perhaps he'd even make himself a cold, sweet treat. That sounded lovely.
He walked past Rosewood's and noticed her closed sign was facing the street, and the shop was dark. He wondered if she always left at this time? He walked past the shop, already thinking of the chocolate he would add to his delightful dessert. He was so focused on his wonderful dessert that he almost walked past Mira's shop!
And what he meant to say was that the shop door opened in front of him, and he nearly ran into the person who walked out.
"Whoa!"
"Oh! Oh, gods, I am so sorry. I wasn't paying any attention."
Gale blinked at the familiar voice. He looked at the patron and saw Yrelia standing in the doorway, looking embarrassed. They stared at each other in silence for a moment. Her curly hair was in a messy bun, she wore a light cotton buttoned short-sleeved shirt that was tucked into her cotton peacock blue palazzo pants, and black sandals. He blinked at her collarbone. Usually she wore her clothes buttoned or laced up to her neck, but today he saw her collarbone. His brows twitched at what seemed to be a scar.
Yrelia cleared her throat and opened her mouth. "Lia! Is everything alright?" Gale heard Mirabella yell from inside her shop.
"Oh, yes, Mira. I'm sorry if I caused distress."
Mirabella appeared in the doorway, and her brows rose. "Gale! So it was you she ran into!" She laughed happily.
He smiled at Yrelia's groan. "No harm done, Yrelia." He raised his arms with a smile to show there really was no harm done.
She sighed at him. "I'm glad." She looked down at the ground at the many boxes that had fallen from her arms. Her lips twitched side to side before bending down and starting to stack the boxes again.
"Luckily for you, Lia," Mirabella spoke up proudly, "I tie all of my boxes before transport."
Yrelia chuckled. "That's true. I would be rather sad if I had already ruined these."
"Oh, don't be so glum! I would happily repair and restore any piece of clothing you have, my dear leatherworker."
Yrelia smiled. She began to pick up the boxes, but Gale cut in. "Allow me, my lady," he offered, and she looked at him, surprised. "I was the fellow who caused you to drop your boxes; allow me to carry them for you."
Yrelia opened her mouth, but Mirabella cut in. "Always the gentleman. You know, Lia, he's been like this since he was but a child. Always doing little things to help out this old lady. He takes after his father, that way."
"Mira, you are hardly old," Gale said as he picked up the boxes before Yrelia could decline. "You're still spry and youthful, as far as I'm concerned."
Mirabella laughed. "Well, go on, you two. I must close my shop. Lia, it is wonderful that you're starting to feel better. Please, we must have tea again soon. I'll invite Gwen, and we can have a nice time just like we used to."
Yrelia blinked and then smiled at her. "Yes, of course, Mira. I look forward to it."
Mirabella walked back into her shop, closing and then locking her door as she did. Yrelia sighed and turned back to Gale with an awkward smile. "You really don't have to carry these for me, Gale. It wasn't your fault."
"Please, my lady, I insist!"
She chuckled. "Well, I suppose if you insist. My home is in the South Ward. If that's too far, then we can just go to my shop."
Gale thought briefly of her clearly buttoned-up and clean shop. "The South Ward is perfectly fine to walk to. Besides, I'm due for a good jaunt around the city."
She laughed. "Perhaps you could join me on my morning jogs," she joked. She took in a breath and let out a light sigh. "Well, follow me. I'm sure carrying those boxes will get tiring fast."
She wasn't wrong. The boxes were fairly light, but holding them still while walking was a bit more energy than he had planned on after eating a wonderfully rich seafood pasta dinner. Their walk was silent, which was…awkward. He supposed they hadn't really spoken much, let alone held any real conversation.
He had been thinking about when she had left the venison with him. About their conversation. He did want to get to know her better. He wanted to be her friend! He had been thinking about puzzles that she might like, but he needed to be sure she didn't already own the ones he had in mind.
Gale followed Yrelia into the South Ward, noting that the people were rather friendly. They waved to Yrelia, some even bid her good evening. He had heard tales of the South Ward being friendly, but he had never experienced it. He tended to stick with his own Wards, never really going into…the…
Oh, he was a rich ass, wasn't he?
"Here we are," Yrelia spoke up.
They stood in front of a smaller apartment building. Two levels, and it didn't seem like there were too many apartments either. It didn't look particularly run-down. In fact, there seemed to be some recent upkeep. Some new exterior wood boards, a fresh coat of paint, and the gutters looked brand new and incredibly clean! How marvelous. It may be a less-fortunate building, but it was in wonderful shape. The landlord must take pride in their small building.
"After you," he said, adjusting the boxes slightly.
"It's on the second floor, is that alright?"
"Of course! Carrying some clothes up the stairs is nothing for a dashing adventurer like myself."
She giggled. "Well, if you say so."
They walked past the first set of rooms on the first level. Gale heard the familiar noise of a cough from someone who smoked cigarettes. His nose twitched and then flared. Ugh. Cheap cigarettes. Nauseating.
"Lia!" A woman with a raspy voice called.
"Miss Deedee," Yrelia said with a smile in her voice. "I can only be a moment. Someone offered to carry my boxes, and I'd hate to keep him waiting."
An extravagant older woman appeared from the apartment on the left with the open door. She had very large hair, up in a curled updo. Thick makeup with bright blue and silver eyeshadow that reached her eyebrows, long black eyelashes, and bright pink blush. She wore tall sparkling heels and a tight blue dress with shiny clouds.
So Yrelia was wearing casual, comfortable summer clothes, Miss Deedee was wearing clothes that told him that she liked to do comedy shows, and Gale felt rather…in the middle. A white button-up shirt with gold buttons, a nice purple vest with gold celestial embroidery, and matching purple pants.
She looked from Yrelia to Gale. Her brows shot up. "I expected Cyr."
"Ah, no. He's with Amber. Miss Deedee, this is Gale. Gale, this is my landlord, Miss Deedee."
"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am. I'd shake your hand, but," Gale shrugged and motioned his head to the boxes.
"Yes," Yrelia said with a bit of an urgent smile. "Let's keep going. It was nice seeing you, Miss Deedee! Good luck tonight!"
She placed her hand on Gale's elbow and gently tugged on him, letting him know that she was trying to get them up to her apartment quickly. He dutifully followed her. Nodding his head in the landlord's direction. Miss Deedee bid Yrelia good night before she walked back into her apartment. Notably, not closing the door.
They walked up the stairs and down the hall. He noted that the stairs were not actually inside. In fact, the only thing that was actually inside were the apartments themselves. "That must be quite irksome in the winter," he mumbled to himself.
Yrelia stopped in front of a door with a large sunflower wreath. It was similar to the one on her shop door. She must like sunflowers. Or perhaps it was just because they were in season.
"One moment," she said and started to fish out her keys from her pocket.
She found her keys and reached for the door handle. Gale was quite curious about her home. Admittedly, that was one of the reasons why he offered to help her. Her shop was so clean, neat, and organized! Was she like that in her home, as well? Did she have decor, unique kitchenware, and many different blankets? He was practically boiling over with curiosity!
He took a deep breath after she opened the door. She walked in and sighed. He stepped in after her and stared in awe.
"Sorry for the mess," she mumbled with a bit of shame in her tone.
Gale almost laughed in response. The apartment was flawless. It was like it was an ad for a furnished apartment. It was a small apartment, no doubt. There was the sitting room, which held a small dark green couch that stared at the door, to the left was a wine red chair with dark wood legs, and in front of those seats was a polished dark wood coffee table, which had an unfinished puzzle on it.
Both the couch and chair had perfectly fluffed pillows and a folded blanket on them. Behind the couch was the very, very small kitchen that held a wood stove in the corner. The back wall had four cabinets above and below the counter. There was also a counter with its back to the sitting room, a twin to the one on the back wall, and a sink against the left wall. There were plenty of fruits and vegetables on the counters, along with a set of kitchen knives, a bread box, and an over-the-sink dish drying rack, with a single glass cup.
"Mess?" He questioned, turning as he looked around the room. There was some art on the walls, mostly small floral paintings, and finished puzzles in frames, but there was also a small taxidermied deer head on the wall facing the couch. He also noted a basket of knitting supplies on the end table nestled between the couch and chair. There were also plants…everywhere. Flowers, large leaves, what he assumed was a fern or three. "I'm almost ashamed to have shown you my home, if this is what you consider a mess."
"O-oh! I'm sorry, I hadn't meant to…to say something to imply that you are a messy person." She sighed. "Here, you can place these on my table." She led him to her small kitchen table. It was round, painted sea foam blue, and had four mismatched chairs. "I hadn't meant to offend you, sorry."
"There was no offense," he waved his hand after he placed the six boxes on the table. "Just merely marveling at how spotless you keep your home and shop. My mother would love you."
Yrelia relaxed enough to chuckle. "Thank you. It's not often someone compliments my cleanliness." She cleared her throat. "And thank you for carrying these for me. That was kind of you." She shifted. "Could I offer you something to eat? Tea?"
"I just had dinner with my mother," he said, and she smiled in response, "but tea sounds lovely."
"Do you have a preference?" She asked as she walked towards a cabinet in the kitchen.
"Nothing with caffeine, please. I do wish to sleep tonight."
She laughed in response and picked out a square metal tin. "No caffeine, understood." He watched her reach up to a different cabinet and pull out a copper teapot with a porcelain handle with…painted sunflowers. He opened his mouth to ask where she had purchased that from, but she spoke up first. "So, tell me, how did your dinner party go?"
Gale, distracted by someone asking him to regale the grand tale of his dinner party, immediately started to tell her everything that happened. The guests, the food, the dessert, the games, and the jokes. She presented him with lemongrass tea and some shortbread cookies, which he happily delved into.
They sat on her couch, their tea cups resting on small plates, and the plate of cookies set in between. She smiled at him, listening to him talk, never interrupting him, just listening to him attentively. In fact, he realized she had barely said a word to him after asking about his party, and he felt incredibly self-conscious about, once again, completely taking over the conversation the two of them were having.
He opened his mouth to apologize, but she had stood up with a smile. She took the plate of empty cookies with her as she did. "Would you like more tea?"
He looked at his empty teacup and opened his mouth to agree. He actually wanted to learn more about this…almost friend. He didn't want to keep just talking and talking while learning nothing about her! But then, the clock on her wall chimed, and he realized that it was far later than he had meant to stay out. He had had plans for ice cream and a bubble bath!
"Oh, it's later than I realized," Yrelia mumbled with a smile. "I'm sure you're wanting to scurry off home by now."
"Ah, yes, I suppose I should travel home. Tara is probably wondering where I am."
Yrelia blinked, and her lips twitched. "Oh. I hadn't realized you had someone waiting for you at home. I'm sorry for keeping you."
"Oh, she is understanding. She is determined to get me out of the tower, so I think she'll be forgiving." Gale smiled at her. "Thank you, Yrelia. This was a lovely evening. We must do this again."
"Yes," she said, a bit distant. She cleared her throat, as if she realized something. "Here," she walked behind her kitchen counter and found a small food bag. She placed some cookies in it and tied it shut. "You seemed to have liked these. Take some for the road."
"Thank you. You must tell me where you got these from."
She chuckled. "I made them."
Gale smiled. "Then the next time we meet, you must share your recipe with me."
They walked to her front door and then bid each other goodnight. It was completely dark outside, and it was still humid. Seemed like it was not going to let up tonight. Now he really wished to go home to his climate-controlled tower.
He held the bag of cookies in his hand. He loosened the bow a tad to sneak another cookie out of it. He took a deep breath and smiled. Well, today was a victory! Yrelia became his friend!
"I must tell, Tara. She'll be thrilled!"
He hummed lightly as he chewed on his cookie as he walked towards his tower, his heart feeling light and warm.
