Recharging (Xiomara)

[Cale Stark]

There had been plenty of reasons why he hadn't stopped to fight anyone besides the norm that it was stupid and pointless. He had been injured and weakened from his travels. The journey was long and hard, the terrain unforgiving and he had never ventured so far from home. Now as he sat on a bench staring out at the various herbs he felt somewalhat pathetic. Xiomara had made this journey many times, and injured at that. A particular memory struck a cord with him and his muscles tightened, veins bulging from his arms and neck until the anger subsided and he pushed to his feet; palm rubbing against the back of his head.

Cale decided that browsing was better than waiting around for Xio. He took a deep breath and started to walk, quickly taking interest in the plants that had been placed here. The meticulous way with which each one was kept, clean and prim and proper. It made him chuckle and his body relaxed. The cat hadn't changed very much from when he'd last seen her, but she had finally seen her own strength beneath that frightened girl. She'd come a long way and grown into a fine woman.

Tilting his head back he looked out the dome windows into the sky, night was approaching. Just as well, it was the proper time to recharge his stone on his patron star. Giving Taz snow cones and snow had taken too much out of him; but he didn't regret it. The kid looked like he needed happineas in his life. Cale found a seat and took it, his lids growing heavy and his body relaxed. Before he knew it, he'd dozed off. The sound of water and a light snore filling the greenhouse.

[Xiomara]

Things had finally settled down where Cale was involved and she was relieved to have that mess and his life out of the frying pan AND the fire. She was carrying a little pouch of seeds to plant in the herb garden, knowing she would find him here. The first day she'd seen him, she'd noticed how much his star's power had lessened and though it was alright for her to lose some of that cold, she knew that for Cale's true nature it could prove devastating. Not only did it keep him protected, it also kept him cool; something very much needed for a Polar Bear. She had tried to forget how quick people were to react with hostility towards him, these were dangerous times and perhaps she had been a little hard on Darcassan and Cerverous, but she had needed to make her point. They needed to learn to reign themselves in or she would leave to keep Cale safe.

Upon entering Eden the sounds of the flora and fauna were the first to rush her in symphony with the smells, it was a sweet duet and she smiled, her worries slipping away with the promise of being able to bury her hands in the dirt. Though that song was interrupted by the very present snores of someone, she knew that sound. Chuckling she followed it further into the greenhouse and crouched down, one hand braced on Cale's shoulder while leaning forward; her forehead pressed against his. "Hortus est locus nix herbam reliquit. An herb garden is no place for a cub. Time to wake up, Orion."

[Cale Stark]

He was wide awake the moment Xiomara stepped into the greenhouse and her scent was carried to him, right now he was resisting the urge to smirk or smile. Still keeping up the charade and snoring for her benefit. One eye popped open to stare at her when their forehead met and he smiled, showing most of his teeth.

"Took your time, Andromeda." Here in the privacy of the greenhouse he could call her by her clan name. Out there amongst the other people, the outsiders she would be Xiomara. Reaching up he made as if he would stroke her hair but instead, placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle nudge. "My arse is getting numb, and the moon will be out soon." Heaving a sigh he got to his feet when she moved away, if she should.

[Xiomara]

Rolling her eyes with a smile she sat back and let him get to his feet, holding a hand up and expecting him to help her get to hers. She knew Cale would be good for helping her. Once she was on her own two feet she tucked stray locks of hair behind an ear and looked up over the dome of the greenhouse. "You're right, let's go." Brushing past him she set the seeds down in a safe and dry basket before grabbing a pure ivory colored bowl, it looked like it was made of bone but was glossy against the light and polished to be smooth. It was also always cool. Pulling it out of its black wrapping she smiled at Cale and motioned for him to follow her as she took a slender vial, containing glowing water. These were all things treasured by her people and she would never allow anyone but those of her clan to see them. It was a rare gift to have.

Leading him to the ladder, she put the items in a small bag made of nothing but herbs and flowers and slung it over her shoulder, climbing up the ladder towards the roof where they would have their little moon viewing party and replenish Cale's star. Xio talked while she climbed, feeling perfectly at ease with Cale climbing up after her, they had done this many times. It was a welcome routine. "You caused a ruckus, but I'm sorry about ditching you. I just... I can't leave Cerverous alone. And you weren't helping. I'm surprised you didn't tell them." The last bit was mumbled, but she knew that he would be able to hear her regardless of the volume of her voice. At the top she opened up the hatch and climbed out, onto the metal beams that kept the glass and solar panels in place, navigating her way expertly on two feet. There was a small catwalk, leading to another ladder also framed by glass. She sat there, scooting aside to make room for Cale.

[Cale Stark]

Chuckling he gestured for her to lead, following behind as she walked and talked. Xiomara started climbung the ladder before he could do anything about it but he hung back and enjoyed the view before climbing up after her. The mumbled hint gave him pause and he simply shook his head, waiting until they were setled to reply to the chiding and questioning.

The catwalk was too thin but he made it alright to the small area holding the ladder and without pause sat where she had made room for him. A sharp, clearcut whistle left his lips at the view. "Looks like you're doing well for yourself here, Duchess. As for why I didn't tell them, its because its yer duty to tell them. Not mine. You're the one that asked for time and I've given it to you, but you have to decide soon Andromeda." Reached over and slid a hand through her hair, bringing a few of the strands to his nose, bunched in a fist between his fingers. His eyes gleamed and stared at her while he inhaled the scent of her hair, teeth glinting in the moonlight from his grinning mouth. "I don't reckon the Cerverous bloke would react well to the news."

Letting her hair fall he reached under his shirt and pulled out his star, taking it off and dangling it from the chain before her eyes. The way a bully would do it to a kid at a candy store, just out of reach.

[Xiomara]

Wincing at his blatant response she looked over to Cale, her face softening into a smile when she saw that he had her hair in his fingers. though his words rang more than true, it had been a while since he had asked and she had yet to give him a response, always changing the subject when it came up. Now would probably be no different, and Xiomara figured she would have to stop running eventually. But she didn't want to jump into anything without first getting her own answers, it simply wouldn't be fair to Cale. At least what they were doing now, it was more fair than what she could possibly say to him afterward. "I just need a little bit longer, besides hasn't it already been decided? What's the point in asking me if my decision has been overruled since the beginning?"

Xio watched the star swing back and forth like a pendulum and she waited for the opportune moment before snatching it out of Cale's grasp; her free hand freeing the bowl from its cloth confines and placing it on the outcropping they sat on. The moon's light would hit it directly and she afterward she poured the water from its container. Mist roiled out of the bowl and licked at the rim, the sound of ice forming could be heard in the silence that had taken place between them. But there was no such sight inside the bowl, the water roiled quietly over the star and Xiomara's eyes moved from the item over to the man; checking to see how he would be reacting. "One more thing, what was up with that accent?" Xiomara broke out in laughter at the memory of his terrible southern accent, the one he had presented everyone with. It had been confusing and perplexing at the time but right now it was the funniest thing she had ever heard. "I think you went a bit overboard, don't you?"