Timestamp: TBA
The ravosala ride to the Spot was a relatively short one. The ravosalamen generally guided their vessels south, passing through the city center on their way to the far side of the Docks. Irriari barely registered passing the western side of the Temple of the Black Sun. The first time she had seen the looming building, she found herself in awe of it. Now, it was simply a part of the backdrop of Ravok. The ravosala veered to the right, taking a small canal that led towards the Spot. As the ravosala turned, Irriari found herself staring at the plants that were creeping along the canal edge. Some vines and stems had escaped from the trellis that they were anchored to. Flowers decorated the entire structure, from the very bottom of the base all the way to the impossibly high arch. Lilies mixed with violets and bright perennials provided even more splashes of color among the varying shades of green. Potted white orchids sat under the shade of the trellis with their blooms reaching to the sky. Partially in shock, Irriari nearly floated past the garden before she managed to snap out of her reverie and get the attention of the ravosalaman. He was all too happy to let her off before the Spot. She had paid him for the full journey ahead of time and he had travelled less than half the total distance.
Ignoring the looks from the humans that were milling about the Merchants Ring, the zith moved towards the trellis, curious as to why anyone would maintain such an expansive garden in the middle of Ravok. The flowers called to her much like the promise of a hunt. The flowers that were nested among the wood of the trellis were bold and delicate all at once. They expanded without regard for the limits of the trellis or the edges of the canal. The forests she had grown to love had found a home in Ravok, albeit a constrained one. Irriari reached out and touched one of the smaller flowers that resided near the bottom of the structure. It was similar to the wild daisies that grew in large clumps in the forest meadows. Unlike daises, the coloring of the petals was a bright purple with hints of blue throughout. The petals were small but numerous, each stretching and inch and a half outward from the yellow center of the flower. The petals were soft like velvet but not prone to falling off at her touch. The leaves and stem of the plant were much rougher. They had adopted a scratchy texture that was likely used to deter plant eating predators. Whatever the reason the flowers were here, the zith delighted in finding such a relaxing escape among the tall buildings and nonstop chaos of Ravok.
As she began examining the potted orchids, a man appeared from behind the right side of the trellis. Shaken by his sudden presence, the zith chastised herself. She has gotten so wrapped up in the flowers and plants that occupied the space that she had forgotten to listen for people. Such mistakes could kill her. However, the man that appeared from behind the trellis seemed to pose no threat.
“Is this your first time at Café Fleurs? My name is Darnel, and I own this café. We have a variety of teas and desserts. I can bring you one out here, or you can sit at one of the tables we have.”
Darnel gestured to the direction from which he had entered. Irriari moved slightly past the archway and noticed that there was an assortment of plants bursting from nearly every surface. Vines scaled part of the building, and large trees provided shade for the tables. The zith shook her head.
“I’m more interested in the plants than sitting at a table and watching the humans talk about your food. Bring me a drink, I don’t care what it is.”
While she didn’t think she would care for this mysterious ‘tea’ substance, the zith knew that she would have to part with a few mizas if she wanted to continue examining the garden. It was a small price to pay in order to feel like she was home again. If she closed her eyes and simply existed in the moment and allowed herself to breathe in the fragrance of the flowers that surrounded her, she could pretend that she was still a young zith out with Hatred, gathering berries to eat. The illusion was powerful but not nearly deceptive enough to hold her there. Irriari opened her eyes and focused instead on the flowers in front of her. Those days were as far gone as these flowers were beautiful.
The ravosala ride to the Spot was a relatively short one. The ravosalamen generally guided their vessels south, passing through the city center on their way to the far side of the Docks. Irriari barely registered passing the western side of the Temple of the Black Sun. The first time she had seen the looming building, she found herself in awe of it. Now, it was simply a part of the backdrop of Ravok. The ravosala veered to the right, taking a small canal that led towards the Spot. As the ravosala turned, Irriari found herself staring at the plants that were creeping along the canal edge. Some vines and stems had escaped from the trellis that they were anchored to. Flowers decorated the entire structure, from the very bottom of the base all the way to the impossibly high arch. Lilies mixed with violets and bright perennials provided even more splashes of color among the varying shades of green. Potted white orchids sat under the shade of the trellis with their blooms reaching to the sky. Partially in shock, Irriari nearly floated past the garden before she managed to snap out of her reverie and get the attention of the ravosalaman. He was all too happy to let her off before the Spot. She had paid him for the full journey ahead of time and he had travelled less than half the total distance.
Ignoring the looks from the humans that were milling about the Merchants Ring, the zith moved towards the trellis, curious as to why anyone would maintain such an expansive garden in the middle of Ravok. The flowers called to her much like the promise of a hunt. The flowers that were nested among the wood of the trellis were bold and delicate all at once. They expanded without regard for the limits of the trellis or the edges of the canal. The forests she had grown to love had found a home in Ravok, albeit a constrained one. Irriari reached out and touched one of the smaller flowers that resided near the bottom of the structure. It was similar to the wild daisies that grew in large clumps in the forest meadows. Unlike daises, the coloring of the petals was a bright purple with hints of blue throughout. The petals were small but numerous, each stretching and inch and a half outward from the yellow center of the flower. The petals were soft like velvet but not prone to falling off at her touch. The leaves and stem of the plant were much rougher. They had adopted a scratchy texture that was likely used to deter plant eating predators. Whatever the reason the flowers were here, the zith delighted in finding such a relaxing escape among the tall buildings and nonstop chaos of Ravok.
As she began examining the potted orchids, a man appeared from behind the right side of the trellis. Shaken by his sudden presence, the zith chastised herself. She has gotten so wrapped up in the flowers and plants that occupied the space that she had forgotten to listen for people. Such mistakes could kill her. However, the man that appeared from behind the trellis seemed to pose no threat.
“Is this your first time at Café Fleurs? My name is Darnel, and I own this café. We have a variety of teas and desserts. I can bring you one out here, or you can sit at one of the tables we have.”
Darnel gestured to the direction from which he had entered. Irriari moved slightly past the archway and noticed that there was an assortment of plants bursting from nearly every surface. Vines scaled part of the building, and large trees provided shade for the tables. The zith shook her head.
“I’m more interested in the plants than sitting at a table and watching the humans talk about your food. Bring me a drink, I don’t care what it is.”
While she didn’t think she would care for this mysterious ‘tea’ substance, the zith knew that she would have to part with a few mizas if she wanted to continue examining the garden. It was a small price to pay in order to feel like she was home again. If she closed her eyes and simply existed in the moment and allowed herself to breathe in the fragrance of the flowers that surrounded her, she could pretend that she was still a young zith out with Hatred, gathering berries to eat. The illusion was powerful but not nearly deceptive enough to hold her there. Irriari opened her eyes and focused instead on the flowers in front of her. Those days were as far gone as these flowers were beautiful.
