Mid morning | 46th of Spring
The Vyctoria’s Conservatory was enthralling. It was more than just the flowers and herbs spread out across the land—it was very much a haven. The conservatory was well placed away from the city, which meant nature was able to take full bloom without the noise. It was still under the safety of the city, however, and it brought a little ease to the idea of not so pleasant wildlife wandering about. Claire was sure it could still be dangerous, but the same could be said anywhere outside the city.
Sometimes even inside the walls too.
The conservatory also played another part in her visit. It wasn’t just a wonderful place for herbology, but a good way to thin the crowd. The Kelvic had been feeling weighed down since she had fully settled into Riverfall. At first, she had considered that it was the new city—there were many who already knew she was Kelvic for one. But the feeling did not lighten the longer she remained. In fact, it seemed heavier than ever. And she was beginning to feel a little crazy. Every time she looked behind the girl swore she could make out dark hair and eyes, flitting from just beyond her vision.
With nearly everyone within the city being taller than her, it made it difficult to spot anyone for longer than a tick before someone else cut off her vision. Even in her raptor form, the way Riverfall seemed laid out made things difficult to get the bearings about who was following her—if anyone truly was in the first place. So she came up with a simple idea that would both even the grounds and indulge her need to visit the beautiful flowers she had spotted the very first day she had arrived in Riverfall.
Tucked underneath her arm was the small blank book she had purchased before she had left Alvadas. Up until this point, Claire had not bothered to use the book. When she had gotten the simple black bound leather she hadn't thought about its use… just a desire to get it. It was recent thoughts of Elma that had spurred Claire to use it finally.
As a younger child, the Kelvic remembered the many scribbled books Elma had written herself. Most of them filled with simple pictures of herbs and flowers, lined with useful properties of each plant. Riverfall would undoubtedly have numerous plants she had to learn about. Taking up Elma’s old hobby seemed like a natural choice. A book of her own making with her own notes. Something she could pass on to someone else.
The only problem was Claire had no idea how to draw. Writing had been a difficult task to learn in the first place. Elma had been doing it so long the flowers lining the pages of her book looked as if they could jump from the page. But every skill she had now was taken with a first step. She didn't have the advice to follow this time, but the Kelvic was sure she would form her own learning curve.
First, the Kelvic would need to choose a specimen. While it was tempting to start with something she was unfamiliar with, it seemed more logical to find a herb she understood. A drawing would be difficult enough without constantly staring at the chosen prize to get every last angle. Or at least it sounded easier in that respect.
Opening the front door, Claire found herself eyeing an older man, Akalak, sitting behind the desk. The lobby wasn't impressive by any means, but given the world, she already knew lying behind the far off door, the Kelvic paid it no mind. “What's your business today? Renting or looking to buy some herbs?” Claire blinked for a moment. Did they rent out plots of land? The idea was appealing actually—finding time to come down and grow something that she could use for personal stock. Not to mention the quiet away from the city. It was a thought that would have to wait, unfortunately, but Claire knew it would still be there the next time she visited…
“Oh, I don't need to rent or buy. Actually, I was hoping I could just… draw?” The girl couldn't help but give a small sheepish grin to the man. At first, she wasn't sure he would let her as he stared at her as if she hadn't said anything at all. The Kelvic couldn't help the hurried tone of her voice as she tried to assure the man she wasn't after anything else. “Just draw and take some notes really,” She held up the blank book as if he needed further proof. “I have some knowledge of herbs already and—”
“Very well. Just do not disturb anyone, be careful where you sit, and don't you dare pick anything without one of the gardeners do you hear me?” His tone was flat, though not entirely unfriendly. Claire took the opportunity to simply nod in agreement and shuffled herself quickly to the door before he could change his mind. A mild thank you mumbled past her lips as the door was pulled open, and she swore she heard him grunt at her, but she didn't take the time to look back. Instead, her jaw dropped at the beauty laid before her.
Sometimes even inside the walls too.
The conservatory also played another part in her visit. It wasn’t just a wonderful place for herbology, but a good way to thin the crowd. The Kelvic had been feeling weighed down since she had fully settled into Riverfall. At first, she had considered that it was the new city—there were many who already knew she was Kelvic for one. But the feeling did not lighten the longer she remained. In fact, it seemed heavier than ever. And she was beginning to feel a little crazy. Every time she looked behind the girl swore she could make out dark hair and eyes, flitting from just beyond her vision.
With nearly everyone within the city being taller than her, it made it difficult to spot anyone for longer than a tick before someone else cut off her vision. Even in her raptor form, the way Riverfall seemed laid out made things difficult to get the bearings about who was following her—if anyone truly was in the first place. So she came up with a simple idea that would both even the grounds and indulge her need to visit the beautiful flowers she had spotted the very first day she had arrived in Riverfall.
Tucked underneath her arm was the small blank book she had purchased before she had left Alvadas. Up until this point, Claire had not bothered to use the book. When she had gotten the simple black bound leather she hadn't thought about its use… just a desire to get it. It was recent thoughts of Elma that had spurred Claire to use it finally.
As a younger child, the Kelvic remembered the many scribbled books Elma had written herself. Most of them filled with simple pictures of herbs and flowers, lined with useful properties of each plant. Riverfall would undoubtedly have numerous plants she had to learn about. Taking up Elma’s old hobby seemed like a natural choice. A book of her own making with her own notes. Something she could pass on to someone else.
The only problem was Claire had no idea how to draw. Writing had been a difficult task to learn in the first place. Elma had been doing it so long the flowers lining the pages of her book looked as if they could jump from the page. But every skill she had now was taken with a first step. She didn't have the advice to follow this time, but the Kelvic was sure she would form her own learning curve.
First, the Kelvic would need to choose a specimen. While it was tempting to start with something she was unfamiliar with, it seemed more logical to find a herb she understood. A drawing would be difficult enough without constantly staring at the chosen prize to get every last angle. Or at least it sounded easier in that respect.
Opening the front door, Claire found herself eyeing an older man, Akalak, sitting behind the desk. The lobby wasn't impressive by any means, but given the world, she already knew lying behind the far off door, the Kelvic paid it no mind. “What's your business today? Renting or looking to buy some herbs?” Claire blinked for a moment. Did they rent out plots of land? The idea was appealing actually—finding time to come down and grow something that she could use for personal stock. Not to mention the quiet away from the city. It was a thought that would have to wait, unfortunately, but Claire knew it would still be there the next time she visited…
“Oh, I don't need to rent or buy. Actually, I was hoping I could just… draw?” The girl couldn't help but give a small sheepish grin to the man. At first, she wasn't sure he would let her as he stared at her as if she hadn't said anything at all. The Kelvic couldn't help the hurried tone of her voice as she tried to assure the man she wasn't after anything else. “Just draw and take some notes really,” She held up the blank book as if he needed further proof. “I have some knowledge of herbs already and—”
“Very well. Just do not disturb anyone, be careful where you sit, and don't you dare pick anything without one of the gardeners do you hear me?” His tone was flat, though not entirely unfriendly. Claire took the opportunity to simply nod in agreement and shuffled herself quickly to the door before he could change his mind. A mild thank you mumbled past her lips as the door was pulled open, and she swore she heard him grunt at her, but she didn't take the time to look back. Instead, her jaw dropped at the beauty laid before her.
Common | Isur
