Chapter 1
Chapter 1
The spring air was fresh this morning, flowing between the blooming greenery grown long in rows of Yasha and Beau’s garden. Streaks of sunlight met it, as the vast, luminous blue sky broke out between the dispersing clouds. Various birds were singing life to the coming day, and rushing from bush to tree, dextrous on their small wings. It was one of the bright spring mornings that struck you with its beauty, as the wildmother once more transformed the cold season and all living things who were part of it.
Facing out onto the garden was the porch, with the wood deck in worn and flaking paint. It had enough space for two medium sized people. And two were sitting there. Comfortably hunched, heads facing up to catch the beams of sunlight. One larger, pale, muscular, clothed in cool hues of grey and black. Her hair partly braided, partly out, with metal accessories and glass beads. The second shorter in comparison, clothed in warm and earthly colours. His coat, fallen off his shoulders, and his sweater matched his copper hair, which shone like embers when the sunlight met it. The plants by their sides had grown tall enough to match their height when they sat down. Some of the seasonal early-spring flowers were blooming in white, indigo, yellowish-orange-
Beau was out on a work mission, so Yasha and Caleb were the only ones present in the house this morning. The aasimar woman had offered to show how the garden had turned out.
“It’s, beautiful.” the wizard genuinely affirmed, looking to Yasha for all of three seconds before averting his gaze, and turning it back to the garden. In many corners the greenery had been allowed to grow as to emulate a patch of wildflower hill. Flying insects floated around the space.
“Isn’t it?” she answered, leaning forward with a smile. Then she straightened back up, leaning on her arms. Paused, taking in the morning.
“We spend so much time fighting, it’s nice to just, be.” she stated.
“And even when we’re not fighting monsters, it’s hard to keep from fighting yourself.” she added.
The wizard nodded slightly.
“..Ja.” his tone matched hers with frustration. “It is strange, living without the pressure and push of such high stakes. Although court certainly brings its own pressure.”
“I’m sure you and Beau can beat the court cases. And, if not, we could just go and kill them.”
Yasha’s tone did not change to indicate that it was a joke, or a half-joke, but Caleb took it as one. He let his head down with closed eyes a smile. Ran a hand through his hair.
“And that’s not here, now. Your lives are more than court battles.” she continued.
“Yeah…” Caleb tucked his head between raised shoulders, as he is prone to. “I think, one of the most important things Molly taught me was about the here and now. It took me a long time to, internalise it but.. He was right in that, we can decide who we are in the present.”
She gave him a faint smile and an understanding look.
“He probably taught you that long ago.” he added.
“He did.” she told him. “But it took a long time for me to grasp it, too.”
“You still, ah, look tense?” Yasha told him, keeping her tone soft enough as to not put him off.
"Just tired." he answered.
"..You want me to give you a massage?"
The wizard paused with doubt, and stammered before saying "I'll pass."
"I was just kidding." the huge woman added with an awkward smile. "Are you still intimidated by me?"
"No, I'm just..aware..of your strength." he answered.
"I still think you could use a massage, they're great for releasing tension in the muscles and getting rid of stress. You could get your Essek to do it" she said it softly and plainly, but with a knowing smile.
Caleb froze a bit, looking anywhere but at Yasha. "Um.."
“Me and Beau do massages and yknow, it’s a great practice between..partners.” she added.
Caleb was flushed and staring into middle distance, though with a fond expression. He didn’t find any words to answer with. Decided to change the subject by asking what kind of crops his friend had grown.
“Oh! yes, well-” she started and stood up, starting to point out each plant she remembered the name of, which was about half of them. Bee-and butterfly attracting flowers, herbs, cherry tomatoes, beans. The wizard followed, recognising a third of the crops, the edible ones mostly.
“Of course, I want to plant more but for now it’s mostly wildflowers and things that were already planted when we got the house, which I like too-” Yasha gushed about each part of the garden, and Caleb took it in. It was good to see her in elation. A recent look on her, and it fit her so well. Added to her beauty, her power. Caleb felt proud and protected, having such a friend. In this beautiful place they could pretend they were clean, happy, content people. The abyss of regret and sorrow was not far from them, they knew. But they could have moments like this. And they could create more.
“I’ve actually got a lot of seeds from Caduceus, do you want some?” The barbarian headed into the house, and soon emerged back with a pile of brown seed bags, carrying them against her chest. She dropped them down on a smaller outdoor table, and began showing each and every one to the wizard. They had names and simple sketches of what a grown seedling would look like. Caleb picked out a few of the edible plants to bring with him, as well as a species of lily named ‘diminutive golden lily’. He thanked the woman looking like a proud gardener with her hands on her hips. She looked comfortable these days. He was also slowly turning to a sense of health, his hair grown less bristly and more full, with healthier meals and regular baths. Both Jester and Essek had gifted him bath-soaps. His eye bags were less dark and his gaze was more present, clearer.
They returned to the inviting sun-dappled wood-deck, and stretched. The day was well and awake now. With the position of the sun, Caleb knew it was nearing 10 o´ clock. He took out a raw piece of yellow crystal and turned it in his hand in a habitual way. Ideas around a current spell he was working out forming in his mind along with its calculations. Yasha and Beau’s porch brought serenity, at least when they weren’t drinking and being dumbasses, Caleb thought fondly. The aasimar woman had gone into stretching every body part. It was bordering into a workout. She always enjoyed the feeling of having control of her body, of having strength and mobility. It helped her do several tasks like house repairs, carrying furniture and carrying Beau.
She finished her morning workout, did the last of 25 pushups. Flushed with energy from the activity, she made her way back to the porch stair where Caleb was still lost in thought. She landed next to him, with strong affection come upon her.
“Hey” she said.
The redhead blinked a few times before turning his head to her. She took his hand, initially tense, but let it fall away to sincerity.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Caleb got a stunned look for a second. Then he came back and held on as well.
“ah, , thank you.” he said, quiet, vulnerable. Shut his eyes, leaned into the support and their shared strength.
They closed their eyes, took in the sunlight and the sounds of nature around them. It felt like some kind of forgiveness.