#meadow croft

[izayoichan]

The two sat watching the older ones prep for their competition, while the younger classes were later in the day. At first they had all been surprised, but it was because the older groups were faster, and this way they didn’t have to wait for them to be done. 

Amuary: You’ll do great, come one, we saw you practice. Logan: Yep! Liam: We all agree, you’ll do great.

Rylan smiled as everyone sat down around him and his twin. He had seen Vy and Hayden there as well, and knew that the adults were just giving all the kids some space. 

Dinah: What happens when you win? Rylan: Ehm.. we get a little trophy I think? Dinah: Better have your parents make you a trophy case then.-she winked- as I think there might be a few in the future. Rylan: Dad already said he would make one. -they chuckled- I will be glad if we just do well. Flynn watched them sit there and chat, they were very different from how it had been for him back then, when it had mostly just been him and Fannar, but he loved seeing them all together and being close. Seeing Ibuki, Kaylin, Mateo, Melisan and Anabelle joining them told him that everyone was here for this occasion Meadow: Aww, look at them all. -she smiled sitting down next to Flynn- Feels good, doesn’t it? Flynn: It does. -they smile at their aunt- I am surprised you made it though.

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Watching them all leave, Arlo looked at Fannar for a bit, they realized their angel bunny missed their family, and they knew River was much like a father to them.

Arlo: I like them. Fannar: I’m glad, now come, how about we make hot chocolate and watch the stars tonight? Arlo: Yes.

After the first visit, Meadow came over to chat with Fannar and Arlo on a regular basis, helping Arlo with his potions. Honestly, the ones that had not been over were Hayden and Vy. Hayden didn’t want to push Vy yet, but the more time passed, the more he hoped that Vy might want to even if their son had sent them home. 

River: You sure? Vy: Yes, unlike you, I am clearly not welcome! He kicked me out! River: He didn't kick you out. He asked you to go home. Vy: It's the same thing! River: Well. You nearly left his heartlight to die. What did you expect? Vy: My stars! Why do you all insist to treat me as if I'm the one at fault here!

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As the two made their way, Meadow turned around, sighing slightly and shaking her head. There were so many things in her head now that she found it hard to focus. When just a few minutes later there was a ping from the bell over the door, she turned around, only to go wide-eyed stumbling backward.

Meadow: Milo… Milo: Oh.. this is nice, a certain young man told me so. - they smile, then look at Meadow.- Meadow: Young man? Milo: Ehm... Lucas... The superstar? He called the shop a while back, and we talked. Meadow: … Milo: I’m sorry I lost contact with you. When you went quiet I figured you had found someone else, and I didn’t want to butt in. Meadow: I.. eh.. -her eyes darted towards the flower, scared of his judgment of it.- It has just been a mess…and I killed your flower... I mean, not dead dead, she still has a root left, but… she’s basically on emergency care…-she rambled on until she felt a hand on her shoulder.- Milo: Any chance you would tell me over a coffee, cake, and some sweets? -he looked over at the flower. - As for that one, I think we can make it better again.- Meadow: You're asking me out? Milo: Basically? Meadow: I have work to do... Plants to tend to. Milo: I can help, I have been told I am fairly decent with plants. -he winked- and after that, I want to take you out for dinner so we can talk.

She shook her head at first then she nodded. She wanted to talk to him again, wanted to tell him things, learn more about that flower he was so sure would be fine when it still looked like it was dying to her. Then she showed him around, putting in the back of her mind that she would thank Lucas for this... Both for her brother coming in, and now Milo. 

Milo: This almost feels like home... It’s very nice. Meadow: Thanks. -she watched him as he helped her with the plants.- garden in the back too. Milo: I saw. The day went like this for them, some talking between working. Her shop had become more popular after a certain star had mentioned his flowers coming from there, she guessed she would see more with the latest flower creation as well. When the working day was over, she showed Milo her favorite place, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like herself again, and at peace with things. In the flower shop, the orchid seemed to straighten, and the leaves that were left moved slightly as a small green bud made its presence noticed.

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Meadow: Welco… Oh -she stared at her brother, noticing Lucas standing there as well. - I guess you got my flowers. River: I did. -his eyes fell on the photo of her graduation again.- I think I owe you an apology. Meadow: Ya think?

River frowned.

River: Alright. I owe you an apology. I’m sorry, I have been a lousy brother. Meadow: Meh, just a little.

She rubbed her neck, like every time she stood in front of him, she felt so small, so insignificant, it made her feel like she had something she needed to prove, to be good enough and she just did not know how and regardless of how hard she tried, she’d never be enough.

River: You’re not the easiest…-he felt the small squeeze of his hand, that had him look at Lucas, that shook his head.- I’m sorry, again. I’m sorry I let you leave, and I am sorry I missed your graduation, you deserve better. Meadow: It’s okay… -she shrugged, looking down. It wasn’t.- River: It isn’t, your flowers say so. -he managed a small smile. - Meadow: Just a second... 

She realized that her shop was open, standing like this would be bad for business really. So she walked past them and flipped the sign to say closed. Then she led them out back, so they could talk some more. 

Meadow: There, now at least we won’t be interrupted.  River: Yeah…

They stood there for a while, neither really sure where to actually start this conversation. They both wanted it, but they were still stuck.

Lucas: That exam you took... Is it one you can never take again? Meadow: Eh... I can, but I would need a sage’s blessing...-she looked at her brother, she had hoped he would have done that back then, given her a second chance..- but I never got one. So there really isn’t a point anymore. I’m not in RoM anymore so… Yeah, I didn’t get a second chance. River: Wait, you... Did you want me to? Meadow: Well yes, of course! You're my big brother! I thought that…-she crossed her arms. - I thought that was something you would realize.

There it was, that look and that tone of voice that always triggered the memory of his mom. It was so hard to fight that feeling. 

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Meadow: I am going to fail again if I try… I haven’t had time to train or study or… -she sniffled rubbing tears away from her eyes- Lucas: No one says you have to take it right now right, you can study, maybe with some added help - he smiled at River.- And when you feel ready, you can try again? Right? River: Of course. Meadow: So… I can think about it? -she dried the last of the tears that stubbornly made their way down her cheek.- River: Yes, and tell me when you know. I’ll support whatever decision you end up with. -he looks around the garden with all the plants, then back at his sister.- Sound good? Meadow: Yeah.. it does. She looked between her brother and Lucas, that young man was a miracle worker in her eyes, the River she saw now, was different and she was sure that was because of him. Lucas: Oh, one more thing. Meadow: What? Lucas: Yeah, I need a bouquet of flowers for a lady who is about to come to get her new dog later, the dog's name is Daisy, and she loves flowers. -the dog was terminally ill, all they could do for her was to keep her comfortable, and their owner wanted her to come home with her for her final days.-  So since we're here, and we're going there to meet with her later, I just thought it a nice thing to do. Aaand I want to take pictures and put them on my simstagram. -he winked- Meadow: You really are something, you know. River: That he is. Lucas smiled, taking River’s hand in his again, as Meadow led them back inside, shifting the sign and talking a bit with Lucas about the flowers, Lucas taking both pictures of her, the shop, and her flowers. He was finally going to do something good with his fame. Lucas: And I am paying, no freebie. Meadow: Oh fine! Family price though -he glances over at her brother who just smiles- Lucas: Deal. As the two make their way out, he picks up his phone, clearly having a message on it before he puts it back down and looks at River. River: Yep Sunlight, let’s go make an old lady happy.

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Lucas: Thanks, how much? Meadow: Nah, I know what you're doing, they're on the house. Lucas: Fine, next time though I will be a paying customer. Meadow: I do weddings, so you know. - she smirked at the instant blush on Lucas’s face.- I mean, imagine the publicity for me? Lucas: Erhm… I guess?

She chuckled before walking him outside. It had been good to see him, she had missed their talks. Lucas: I’ll be in touch, I promise. Meadow: I’d like that.

Lucas just smiled and hugged her before she managed to turn away, Meadow looking surprised at him.

Lucas: I know, but sometimes I hug someone regardless. And with that she watched him walk off, the direction he was heading told her he was heading for the shelter, flowers in hand. Shrugging her shoulder she turned around, her eyes falling on the orchid, which made her eyes widen a little, as she thought it looked like it had perked up, just a little. 

Lucas opened the backdoor to the shelter, looking around cautiously. He never went in the main entrance anymore, as the new back entrance kept him much more hidden, and left the front undisturbed by his presence. River: Isn’t this your day off? Lucas: It is, but well, I was in the neighborhood. River just shakes his head, noticing the flowers in the young man’s hands. It was an odd bunch though, so they made him wonder. 

Lucas: Is it bad timing or? River: Nah, I just finished the last surgery, Arlene is waiting for them to wake up. What’s up? Lucas: I need to ask you something, or well two things. River: -looks at the flowers- Hmh, come on Sunlight, let's have coffee and you can ask. River watches him, he notices the slight nervousness in the young man's voice, and the flowers lead him to think of someone. One served coffee and a talk later, he sits with the bouquet of flowers in his hands, looking at the list of flower names, and a head resting on his shoulder. 

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River: I am not a mind.. -he stopped, once again, feeling a light squeeze of his hand, Lucas snapping him out of it. - You're right... It should have dawned on me when they said it. -he sighed. - Meadow: Yeah. I mean, your sister fails an exam, needs a sage to give her a second chance, a sage, like her big brother? I mean… River: You don’t need to be a bi… -another small squeeze off his hand and he stopped himself and took a deep breath- Why must you be so much like mom? I keep seeing her in you, I know I shouldn’t. Meadow: I look a lot like her... I know River: You sound like her too. But that’s not an excuse for my behavior. You are not her. -he looked around at the flowers, smiling slightly.- If you were, these flowers would be dead. Meadow: Oh, I have an orchid that would disagree! -she laughed sadly, her mother basically had a black thumb.- Sorry for being… inadequate. -the words just fell out of her mouth.- Never good enough for you to be proud of. River: You're not… - he stopped, it dawned on him that his actions would have made anyone feel like it. Ignored, forgotten, never being told by your big brother you were good enough.- I realize I made you feel that way... I can say sorry over and over, but how about I say: I’ll try to do better instead? Meadow: I… -she wasn’t sure what to say, her arms just falling to her sides instead of the crossed position she normally had.- Ehm…

She had never felt so disarmed in her life, hearing the words from her brother. Not an excuse, but instead a promise to do better, it was something she couldn’t quite process. She was too used to their normal way of talking, bickering, anger, and name-calling. Lucas let go of River’s hand, giving him a bit of a nudge and a nod. This was why he had come here, to guide, to stop them from falling into their normal ways, and right now, if it was him standing there like this, he knew River would hug him. Somewhat hesitant River took a couple of steps forwards, gently and carefully putting his arms around his sister, a little like he was expecting her to swat him away. She stiffened at first, then she just broke apart in his arms, all the anger, the frustration, the loneliness coming to the surface as tears, just letting River hold her and rub a hand over her back while she cried. River: Do you still want a second shot at it? He looked at her as she pulled back, drying her tears. Meadow: The test? River: Yes. Meadow looked around, her eyes falling on Lucas. She started laughing a little in her crying.

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Meadow: Yeah, I took some inspiration from an old lady’s flower shop there, it wasn’t big but. -she motioned for him to follow, opening a door in the back.- All the flowers were “home grown”. Lucas: Wow!

Behind the little shop, there was a garden, filled with all the flowers that he had seen in the shop. Stepping out and into it was like stepping into a whole different world, the sound of bees and other creatures making themselves heard, and all of it had him smiling. Lucas: You really are quite amazing, you know that? Meadow: Eh Lucas: Oh come on, you make potions better than anyone, you make these. -he takes out the gem River had given him from his pocket.- and on top of that… you manage to handle all this. He stretched out his arms, spinning around once, just because it made him want to. He could stay here in this garden for hours, he was sure about it. 

Meadow: I am not that good. Lucas: You are, you're just not giving yourself credit.-he walked closer to her, he knew two things he would do to prove it.- Now I need a favor, and I know you won’t like it, but I will still ask for it. Meadow: Ehm? Lucas: I need you to give me flowers to give to River, but it is not from me, it’s from you.

She stared at him as if it was a very odd request. Lucas: Those flowers need to tell you how you feel about him, what you really feel about him. Let it speak all the words you feel you can’t. Meadow: You really think he will understand? Lucas: With a bit of a push and help, yes. You know the meaning of every flower, every color, every scent... So I believe you can find them. I will just have to help him figure them out as well.

She grumbled and looked at him, it was really hard to say no to those eyes, and that slight hopeful smile on his face, so instead she shook her head and walked into the garden looking at the many flowers. The more she looked at them, the more she realized he was right. She could tell him all that she felt with these flowers if she just chose the correct ones. Meadow: These... They… Lucas: Say what you can’t, you’ll have to tell me their names though, I am not that flower savvy.  Meadow: I’ll make you a list. 

She took him back inside, making a list of the flowers she had chosen. Pink Camellia, Striped carnation, white clover, forget-me-not, purple hyacinth, tiger lily, blue salvia, southernwood, and Zinnia. Lucas watched, knowing he would google them all before he delivered them to River, so he could try and make him understand. They both needed the other, they were just hurt, and too stubborn to talk.

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