“I did. Flowers of different colours. Different trees and shrubs. I have…friends who help me with the gardening. They’re better at it than I am. They could tell you what the plants were, more than I could.”
“They sound lovely. I’d like to see them sometime,” Alianna cringed. “Not that I’m inviting myself to your house. I just think the flowers sound nice.”
Alianna fought for something else to say, rather than leave an awkward silence and allow him to think she’d been inviting herself to his home after one date. “You haven’t actually told me where you’re from. I know you’re here on business, but where is home?”
“A long way from here,” Rionan said, his face turning grave for a moment. As quickly as she noticed his expression, he snapped out of it, looking up at her, his appearance softening. “Not somewhere you’re likely to have heard of. Bit of a washed-up place really.”
“If it’s washed-up, why do you live there?”
“I’ve told you that before. A sense of community. Of mattering. It won’t be washed up forever.”
Alianna felt a warmth grow in her chest at that, and she held his stare. “Community and mattering. It sounds nice.”
Rionan broke their eye contact and looked back out to the sea. She followed his gaze, adjusting her position in the sand, all too aware of his hand, which was mere inches from hers.
“Is there a garden near here?” Rionan asked quietly.
“A public garden? Yes, there is. It’s about a thirty-five-minute walk from here. It isn’t as nice as it used to be. The plants there used to be wonderful, with different colours and smells around every corner, but the local council had to make cutbacks, and there aren’t enough volunteers to look after it. It’s still nice, but it isn’t like it used to be.”
“I’m sure it’s still lovely, and would be even lovelier if walking through it in good company,” Rionan’s eyes landed on her again, and she felt a fluttering in her stomach, which she decided she would not acknowledge right now. “Would you like to meet for a walk there, maybe over the next day or two?”
“Hmmm. Deal. I can’t do tomorrow, I’m tied up with work, and then I have plans with Tasha. I’m sure you probably have some actual work to be doing yourself while you’re here, too. How about the next day?”
“Sounds perfect.” Rionan smiled at her, returning his gaze to the sea, while she continued to ignore the feeling in her chest, and the colour she knew was creeping onto her cheeks.
10
Rejuvenation
The next day, while he knew Alianna had been at work, Rionan ventured through Porthan on his own. He asked a gentleman who was sweeping the roads where he would find the public gardens, and was given directions there. He found them sure enough, and made plans to come back in the evening, after nightfall.
Rionan
16:55: What time am I meeting you at the gardens tomorrow? I can make my own way there. Looking forward to seeing you again. Is Shadow coming?
Alianna
17:03: I have a surprise, so the evening would be better. Not so dark that you can’t look around, though. Same sort of time as yesterday? Will leave Shadow at home.
Rionan
17:05: Same time as in, the time we planned to meet, or fifteen minutes later, because you might be late?
I am joking. But…same time, or Ali-is-late time?
Alianna
17:06: Ali-is-late time. Aim for just after 6pm. See you tomorrow
***************
Rionan ventured back to the gardens that night, exploring further than he had when he found his way here earlier. Alianna was right, they probably had seen better days. The plants were in desperate need of pruning; they wereunderwatered, and everything looked a bit tired. The time of year and lack of water were apparent, with things wilting far earlier than he would have anticipated had the space been properly cared for.
Rionan glanced around and listened, ensuring nobody was there before he dropped to his knees and placed his palms on the ground. He felt an electricity stir to life within him, reaching for his fingers and pulsing outwards. It moved out and down. He breathed in and out. Slowly, steadily, the feeling of the life emanating from his hands was more satisfying than he imagined it would be.
After what may have been a few minutes, he opened his eyes. The flowers around him were now luscious, colourful. The foliage was striking and vibrant, in shades of greens and reds. The trees surrounding them seemed to hum with energy as they welcomed thenight air, beckoning the wind to flow amongst their branches. A vast rainbow of contrasting beauty and life surrounded him, and he smiled, feeling more whole than he had done earlier that day.
11
