#lightfallsword 01

[floralalchemy]

@lightfallsword

“these creatures are fascinating, aren’t they?”

albedo is more focused on capturing the likeness of the various animal and plant life around the area, using the camera of his phone to do so - after all, it’s much more advanced then the technology teyvat had barely started using for preserving a visual reference.

“i wonder what brings about such phenomena in animals…” he had seen stranger, maybe, but no such sight as an animal sporting extra appendages or odd shaped bodies. “are these normal in this area, do you know?”

[sweetretribution]

Constantly she was reminded of how her upbringing affected her in ways that mattered so little- the introduction put forth had her rushing slightly to finish her bite, even though her mouth being full didn't affect her ability to do the same at all. She settles for a half-shrug at the other woman's admittance, never having looked herself but finding her situation the same in light of that. Then her hands get to work, one snatching a mildly used napkin as the other procures a pen from her pocket. In neat cursive she quickly writes 'Neopolitan' and underlines it, then circles the 'Neo' twice before bringing her gaze up to lock with Eula's, hopeful she'll understand both her answer and how to proceed.

Ah, not much of a talker, it seemed. Either way, Eula's fine to sit in comfortable silence as either of them enjoy their treat. It doesn't last for long though, as the knight does her best to be good company. "Eula, by the way," Her name, that is. It's the least she could give. "A pleasure to meet someone with similar tastes. I hardly ever find anyone willing to look beyond initial appearances when it comes to foods."

[sweetretribution]

Neo gives a firm nod and smile, finishing off her bite before taking another one. The other woman's comment about the holiday feeling causes her to repeat the gesture, though in a slower gesture of agreement rather than confirmation- the specific holidays here didn't exist back on Remnant, but she did quite enjoy the atmosphere they established.

"You like it too, then?" She takes a bite now, just as satisfied as her new acquaintance. "I'm much more partial to the seasonal flavors myself. It adds to the holiday feel."

[floralalchemy]

he would say a tour isn’t necessary for now, but she’s already moving ahead to acquaint him with the layout of the building without even so much as a second thought. he admires her self assuredness a little, honestly.

he’s naturally most drawn to the outdoors, especially with the prospect of seeing what she’s growing in her garden so that he might take ideas for a future garden spread of his own.

but she’s moved on just as quick to show him the rest of the rooms— one that she tells him is his to use. he’s silent for a little bit, but eventually he smiles faintly, grateful for the warm welcome if a little surprised. is it not a little too much for him to take up so much space in her home? 

he doesn’t say that, for worry of offending her, but it’s a lot to him. 

“thank you… genuinely, for giving me accommodations.” he’s a little stiff and awkward in the sense of not quite knowing how to thank her but he takes to setting his things off to the side and acquainting himself with the room.

“then i suppose, i’ll see you in the morning. i imagine you’re tired?”

Finally, he concedes and Eula can't help but smile triumphantly. She's managed to get Albedo to let his guard down around her, if only slightly. "That's fine by me." but she's careful to not sound too excited at having company. With that decided, Eula motions for him to follow. They walk for some time, silence sometimes filled with small chatter on Eula's part but otherwise comfortable. As they walk along flowered streets, they finally come to a small home, to which Eula gestures in welcome. "I haven't lived here for very long, but this is my home."

As they walk through the doors, they're brought into the living room and Eula gives him a short tour of the kitchen, a backyard filled with various plant greenery, where the bathrooms are, and lastly, the room that was going to be used as his. It's fairly uniform, plain sheets with a couple of paintings on the wall that she'd commissioned of Mondstadt scenery. "And this is your room. You're free to decorate it however you'd like since you'll be staying here sometimes." Is she being too forward? Perhaps, but she'd like to make sure he knows that he's more than welcome.

"It's rather plain, but I hope you'll be able to rest comfortably here."

[floralalchemy]

she does make a fair point; eula doesn’t seem like the type to offer or agree to something without being okay with it herself. so his being there wouldn’t so much be a burden after all… no matter if he worries it will be. even when he was new in mond the knights had been nothing but helpful, though a lot of that could also be said to be alice’s influence.

still, even now, there were people looking out for him.

albedo faintly smiles at eula now, no matter if he feels a bit nervous about it right now. he’ll get used to the change at some point. he tries to push down any apprehension that it might put him in a tricky spot if she noticed anything strange.

“well, it seems to be getting late at this point to begin with, and i was originally going to head back into the city for supplies but it’s likely something that could wait for morning. i’ll leave after breakfast, in that case?”

maybe it would ease eula’s mind at least. and albedo might just be eager to eat in someone’s company again, though it was a shame the others likely wouldn’t be able to join them this time.

Albedo isn't known for not keeping his promises, so Eula will trust him seeing as she has no reason not to. Though she can't help but feel a little huffy when he laughs; she was being serious, after all!

She can sense Albedo's slight hesitance at the offer and honestly? She can't blame him for not feeling entirely sure. But she also can't help but feel annoyed at his reasoning. If it was a matter of not wanting to intrude, shouldn't her offering in the first place have been enough of a reason why that couldn't be the case? Eula crosses her arms and stares off to the side before she reiterates herself, "If you were intruding, do you honestly think I'd waste my breath inviting you?" She turns to look at him again with a bit of an annoyed expression before it melts into the smallest of smiles. He had come to a compromise about it at least.

"Leave anything you want. I'll take good care to make sure none of your belongings will be disturbed. And again--if you need a place to rest for the night, even now, for instance, you would be more than welcome. Besides…" More hesitation on her part, coupled with kicking at the dirt before she finally comes out and says, "I would enjoy the company."

[sweetretribution]

Neo was rarely one to let her sweet tooth go unsatisfied, and she was quite fond of the more "festive" varieties of treats that popped up around here. She took the piece of bread with a smile and tip of the hat, and began to munch with a very pleased look about her.

“Take it, I have no need for two.” Pumpkin peppermint bread was certainly for people with acquired tastes and as much as Eula would love to finish both, they had been eyeing her from the start.

[floralalchemy]

to that, albedo actually stifles an unexpected laugh — it seems like eula hasn’t changed much either, but there’s some sort of comfort taken in the familiarity of a friend, perhaps making albedo’s actions those of relief in a sense rather then amusement.

“well, you have my word on that. these won’t see the light of day outside of personal use. i don’t take promises lightly.”

as soon as he’s sure he’s got a couple decent photos that include a decent view of the animal too, he starts flicking through, deleting any blurred images.

then before he has the chance to thank her, he finds himself taken by surprise at her offer.

“that’s kind of you… but really, i wouldn’t want to intrude on your space. although it would save me the trip all the way here and back, i suppose.”

which makes it an offer of convenience too, though he has some apprehension that he tries to hide. were she to notice any off behaviour on his part, he might be facing some questions he doesn’t consider himself ready to answer to with most people, friend or not.

“but, maybe… if i decide to spend any prolonged time in the area, then i might consider it. at the very least, maybe i could trouble you with leaving some of my supplies here so that when i do have to make trips back to the city it won’t be with all of my belongings — mostly, it is hard to carry things like an easel along with paints back and forth when i make trips related to my art endeavours."

Albedo goes on and on about one thing or the other. Eula listens attentively. It's good that they're finally getting to know each other without any of their other companions around if even a little bit. "Oh? Sure, why not. I'm holding you to only using them for yourself. Revenge will be mine if I see them anywhere else." She doesn't bother to pose, just gives a small, contented smile as she waits for him to take the photograph.

Maybe it's a mistake to offer this, but it's not as though she hates Albedo. In fact, in her own way, she considered him to be at least somewhat of a friend. Whether or not it was mutual is something else entirely. "...I do live here, you know. If you'd like, you can always stay with me while you continue your research," Though she's quick to hastily add, as if not to seem too invested, "--only if you'd like, though."

[floralalchemy]

“if that were the case, i’d be intrigued to study them closer, but doing so without being disruptive tends to be tricky. so i'll have to be happy with what little information i can gather from observing them here.” he muses.

“to be honest, i enjoy researching a great number of things. the more i can learn about something the better in my opinion. it can even help in my alchemy, perhaps even giving an answer to a previously incomplete alchemical compound or allowing me to find a new method, or any other number of possibilities. alchemy is an endless endeavour and learning is a core part of it.

“by the way, do you mind if i take a photo of the fellow on your shoulder too? you’ll be in the frame but i assure you they are for personal use only. i mostly use them as references for painting, or as specimen images if i need them, but i'm just looking for art inspiration right now.”

"Well, I would say that they're this way simply because the land is so rich in nutrients," Though whether or not that's entirely a good thing or not is a whole other matter that she's not qualified to answer. It's just a simple observation, that's all. She'll leave the science behind it all to Albedo to figure out.

Eula watches as Albedo continues to monitor the animals. It's strange to see them this docile and open to petting, but she's not complaining. The furry friends at both his feet and her shoulder take the berries happily, chittering all the while.

"I always thought alchemy was the only thing you were interested in, but it seems you're varied in your interests. I suppose that's my own fault for making that assumption." She made a lot of assumptions about people, something she shouldn't be doing considering her own background.

[floralalchemy]

“indeed, but only because i’m intrigued by the means by which something like this could happen. considering it seems like there aren’t any signs of strong pollution or corruption of the land, these fellows seem perfectly healthy despite the extra body parts.

“i wonder if there’s something drawing them to this area. in previous scouting i’ve done, i’ve also noticed most wildlife remains too skittish to approach so this is as close up as i’ve gotten. shots i’ve gotten of them were blurry at best most of the time.”

he makes sure to take a few pictures of the animal at his feet too before fishing out a couple berries, lightly patting the raccoon as he sets the treat on the ground for it to take, undeterred by the three large blinking eyes watching him with anticipation for food. then he holds up two more for the squirrel at eula's shoulder.

“here. they seem to enjoy berries. normally these would be rare occurrences, but it happens in such a frequency here that it seems like nature must have been overtaken by their kind. most would consider it abnormal, but it does happen in nature more often then people realize actually.”

"You're enjoying yourself, I see." Seeing the slowly accumulating crowd of animals around Albedo amuses her. He seems right at home amongst them, entirely in his element studying them. Eula watches him with intrigue, idly petting a two-tailed squirrel that had climbed her shoulder earlier. After having lived here for a time, she's already grown used to their peculiarities.

"They are. The locals aren't entirely certain, but I think it has to do with the nature of the soil that bears the various things they eat for food." A three-eyed raccoon nestles at Albedo's feet, whilst Eula takes care to make sure that nothing too big comes close to them. "It's strange, though. They aren't usually this friendly. They run at the sight of people usually."