No joke about wooing someone using a sprig of something scented and pocket full of sweets, but it did tug at the corner of her mouth. She still held the bouquet in her lap. Like it might bruise if she let it go.

„Woo, eh?“ A smile proper. Half joke, half memory. „Don't think I've ever needed flowers for that.“ And finally, softer. „But maybe I should start.“ Reached out almost instinctively to brush a stray fluff at Dove's shoulder. Stopped just short. Knew better.

„If you dry them, I'll keep 'em.“ The words came easy. „May be I even learn which parts go in the tea, and which ones turn your ears blue.“ A quick glance, playful, but grateful.

The talk of herb mixing earned a more serious nod. She watched Dove work with twitching wings and tapping hands. Her thoughts seemingly unable to stay put. „It's clever.“ It wasn't up for debate. „Sweetening what's good for people. Means they'll come back for it.“ She had a particular one in mind for the last bit. „Even the stubborn ones.“

„Next time you head out. I'll carry the basket.“ Like it was already done. Never having been a decision in the first place.

„It is home.“
 
She held a bated breath, at Vyn- when the hand moved towards her, keeping her gaze away to avoid drawing attention to it. Relief seeped when Vyn restrained herself. Her eyes mixed with disappointment and a sigh.

".. Maybe- I should hold that information back. Blue is a good color for you. I think."

There's a muted chuckle.

"Well, I suppose, it would be nice to have someone to chat with. Though, I hope you don't try to regale the flowers with the legends of your stew. Or the evil chicken. Or Gallum's Ghost." she frowned.

"I do not know if the forest spirits would find them as humorous. Or maybe they would. I don't know."

She finished the sorting, and nodded. "The rest- is simply just handswork. Hanging plants. Grinding others." She looked up at Vyn. "I imagine you have much better to be doing right now."
 
„Blue is a good color, eh?“ Dove was getting better at banter. She allowed herself to feel amused in silent approval. „I'll keep it in mind, in case I have need ears to match my dress.“ She let the woman work a moment, unbothered.

The ghost bit, however, got her head shaking. „Gallen's ghost's real.“ As close to offended as the smile could accommodate. „The stew just gave it form.“ And quieter yet. „And I never talk to flowers. Not unless they talk first.“ Like it was obvious.

Flowers found their way to her lap. Hands struggling to stay still for so long. Petals tickled in passing, but she didn't brush them off.

„Y'know, I was doing better things. Before I sat down.“ Her eyes on the noise of the camp. „Now I'm here.“

„So maybe not.“ A quick glance around like she expected someone to be behind her. „Don't tell Jem.“
 
Dove frowned. "And, how would you know?" she blinked.

There is a pause. Sensitive to the twisted corner of Vyn's gaze. It silences her to a peep.

"... W.. Well. I mean- perhaps we should.. do something better then. The sun is getting close to the horizon." she trailed. "I did pay Jem well in herbs." She pondered.

"M.. Maybe- I.. could make us something to eat. To- actually eat. I will eat it this time, I promise." Dove added.

".. And you can tell me more about these ghosts."

She leaned just only the slightest bit closer to Vyn, the proximity of their warmth spreading through the feathers. As if there presence was just enough. Just enough. One wing gently brushing against the deva, before consciously recoiling against her back. ".. by.. chance, do you remember where I threw my wing harness?" she asked quizzically.

It was rather hard to find clothes that suited wings. And now she just effectively made half of her limited wardrobe useless until it found.
 
„How would I know?“ Mock offense, a great one at that. „I'm Elum. We know ghosts.“ Like it was law. Carved on the wheel spokes and the surface of the Road itself. She had more to give, but quieted as Dove silenced too quickly.

„Something to eat sounds good.“ Voice dropping to match the other's tone. She wouldn't press it. The promise was enough. It was never about eating anyway. She noticed the wing brushing past her, just long enough to notice the warmth, before pretending nothing at all had happened.

„Your harness?“ Vyn blinked, remembering the stray bit of binding that Dove shed. „You dropped it on the way to Jem's last night.“ Her eyes narrowed. „Pretty sure someone picked it up. Might've thought it was a spare strap or... cursed?“ She wouldn't push it beyond a smile.

„I'll ask around. Things don't stay lost long out here. Just misplaced in six different directions.“

She started getting up, balancing around not dropping the flowers.

„Come on then, ghost doctor. Show me a proper meal.“ And offhand. „I'll carry the basket if you need.“
 
".. that doesn't exactly answer my question." she points a finger at Vyn. Like she knew the entire depths of Elum lore? There is a frown, it's mixed with frustration, but also a lower level of understanding. It didn't scream antagonism at Vyn, rather at herself, for the lack of knowledge she felt she possessed about this world. When people talked about being freed from a cage- they never talk about the world they escape into.

The healer sighed. ".. Well. So be it. But, you better not laugh at them." she snipped, her gaze pointed, a mixture of harsh comedy. She was trying. It looked foreign on her porcelain features. But, who knows, perhaps with practice, a smile line would crack the skin- and with it a beauty.

They would walk, to where Dove more or less gathered the 'cooking' was done. With a pause, she looks around. The fire was but a few low smolders. And it looked like the meal of the night was already prepared. Some sort of roast, cut and soaking. Dove frowned. This was very good- it would be rude to deprive Vyn of it.

So, she thought of a secondary way.

She poured each of them a bowl. "Come with me, I have something I made that you can eat within my belongings." she nodded assuredly. "We can eat along the way. And you can tell me about these 'ghosts' then."
 
The finger pointed at her honor like a sword. Vyn blinked, then slowly pulled back, hands up in surrender. „Alright, alright. Caught!“ Clapped her hands together. „Elum secrets revoked. No more ghost privileges for me.“ She noticed how Dove sighed all the time. Didn't feel like it was aimed at her now. Never really was. Just the weight of trying to keep up. She didn't laugh. Not even when she probably should've. There was something in the earnest way Dove tried that made her want to be better too.

„I promise not to laugh.“ A vow. Sacred binding and all. „Unless it's really funny. Then you'll just have to forgive me.“ It was hard to try and keep a straight face.

She was curious if Dove's idea of cooking was scooping already made food. That would make for a good story. Would also make Vyn the camp's best cook. She would tell that to the fire one night.

Following along without protest, stories came easy. „So ghosts.“ Mouthfuls between words. „The first one I ever saw was under a Wagon. Thought it was a lost sock.“ She looked to Dove with warning. „Wasn't.“ And let it hang there for a moment. Scary stories needed some of that. „Nearly lost a finger trying to pull it free.“ Another spoon between her lips. „Ever since, I don't chase anything that looks too soft after dark.“ Another bite. Life lesson imparted.

„What about you, ghost doctor? Ever seen something you shouldn't have?“

Kept walking. Kept eating.
 
Dove thought carefully.

There is a hesitation in her voice. A pause. Her brown eyes flicker to her, contemplating in thought. Searching Vyn, as if it's trying to find some knife- some sort of way to hurt her. The scan holds the air for a moment, before something softer fills them. Something sweeter than saccharine. Her eyes dance back up to Vyn's, watching the light grace her sharper features. There is a slight ruffle of her feathers. But it had a different message.

It was cozy. It was safe.

She breaks the silence. ".. I.. once.. saw one of my kind get brutally raped." she explained. Her hands twist around nervously. Unsure if this would qualify, if it was too much. But it was in the air now. "... So- I.. talked about it yesterday, but: I.. have gifts beyond healing. I can.. access the mind, much deeper than others know. I can twist it, find the wounds. I can see it for myself, if I so choose. Through my hands, I use the shroud everyone has within themselves to.. I guess, in many ways, feel their world. And, that- is powerful. " she explained very quietly.

".." Another pause. "I know others use talents like that to.. do malicious things. But- my people, they use it to heal ailments of the mind. You know, people who have.. gone delusional. Who have failing memories. Who are unravelled by small things. Insanities." she continued. "Often- there's a root to it all. Somewhere. Things like.. what I just mentioned."

"... My talents were.. extremely strong for my age. I was still learning how to manipulate these things, without accidentally slipping into them." she chuckled nervously. "I was working with her, to help her heal from this because- y.. you know! Something like that could keep her from loving people right ever again." She explained. "Part of the process, is we 'unknot' the blockage- and, during that, I.. I fell in."

There is another silence that grips the air. ".. Hate spreads. And stains. My mentor at the time did her best- but even now, to this day, sometimes I remember those moments as if they were my own."

Her head turns to Vyn, expectantly. Scared. As if Vyn was prepared to hurt her, somehow. Why, is a mystery.
 
It would be some time before Vyn said anything. Stopped shoveling food in. Ghost of warmth in her mouth, it no longer tasted as it should. Stopped making up ghosts. They had one among them right then. Hanging over Dove's head. There were both stories and memories plenty on the Road. She recognized the way silence follows pain. The way it tries to crawl back inside its out. The moment stretched, and she was quickly aware the awkwardness made by trying to hold the both and the flowers. It all felt wrong.

She struggled with looking at Dove as the woman talked. Wounds like that had teeth. And those got sharper with an audience. Her eyes darted to and from unevenly. Undecided.

She didn't comfort. Just stayed beside. Some of the flowers got scuffed in her carelessness. She awkwardly poked at them in hopes of setting them right. Like any of it could be right again.

„You carry a lot.“

What Vyn was best at was useless here. So she did what she could. Kept pace. Kept company.

There was a reason Wagons had more than one wheel.
 
Responsive, and quick, Dove quickly removed the food, and clasped one of Vyn's hands, holding it tight. She dare not touch the essence of Vyn, not without her consent- but the care and compassion the bird was capable of sat in her hand, a warm aura of affection. Waiting to spread. "I.. I do- but, please, don't.. don't feel sorry for me! I.. " she frowns "I.. do not talk of myself much- because.. there's.. just not a lot of good there." she explained. "B- but.. please! D.. don't feel- bad.. or.." She flustered with her words, anxiety peaking through the cracks of her voice.

"I.. I just- I was just.. glad to talk to someone."

There hangs that silence again. Her hand gripping Vyn so tight you'd think she was worried about Vyn flying away.

Then- there's a moment where something causes Dove to withdraw. And she pulls her hand away, giving back both food and flowers. Now a mess. She looked at it with some sort of expected disappointment. But not to Vyn. The victim of her blame was cast by her eyes onto her own feathered hands.

When they arrive at Dove's.. 'hovering' area, she reaches into a small crate that was dubbed 'hers' at one point. It has her aura, with bits of white feathers, and small little elegant etchings into the side. From the box, she pulls a very unique item indeed.

She pulls raspberry gummies. Some coated with.. possibly chocolate? Some with another coating. It honestly looked like a bag of experiments. But she pulled one out, popped it into her mouth, and then offered it to Vyn. "I made these, a few nights ago. They're.. not perfect. But, one of the elders bought a.. 'gelatin?' I think it's called? And I had to try it. I think- I think they came out well. What do you think?"

She looked expectantly to Vyn, offering the bag.
 
Vyn did all she could not to flinch at the sudden touch. She did not expect such a sudden movement from someone so skittish. Still, she accepted the hand and the warmth. And then it was gone, as quickly as it had come. Hand cold again, she felt foolish. What does she do next? Wouldn't try to grab the hand back. Or fix the mess she'd been handed back. Just balanced it all again. Gently turned the flowers in a better grip, so they were less crushed. Quiet tasks. Maybe that's what kindness was — as little noise as possible, as you took care of the mess handed your way.

They reached Dove's space, and the bird pulled something out like a proper illusionist. Vyn needed a moment to adjust. Was that chocolate? The offering made her smile. Like nothing difficult had ever passed between them.

„That one's lumpy.“ Fondly, selecting a chocolaty red blob. A sniff, then a bite. Chewed slowly, like it might explode. Blinked in safety. „You tried to poison me with love and berries!“ She grabbed another and held it to the light. „They're really good. Bit tragic lookin', but hey, we've all been there.“ Popped that one too.

„There's plenty good in every...“ And she winced at her lie. „In most people.“ And looking at the woman. „In you, for sure.“

„Thanks for talkin' to me.“ Greedy, as she stole more blobs. „You always can.“
 
She beams at the praise, watching Vyn process the treats and enjoy them, giggling a bit when she mentioned she was getting poisoned by love and berries. It sounded like a gentle choir of windchimes, caught by a summer wind. Her eyes lit up with warmth, and her shoulders sank, as if a soothing presence was coercing her to relax just a little bit. A tempting voice in her ear.

There is the smallest of a pink flush that crosses her cheeks, as she twists her fingers again, the sharp bits of her nails gently pushing into the flesh. ".. W.. Well.. I like talking to you." It's followed by a very awkward smile. "I.. I think- I think you make here feel like home. Safe. Sometimes. When, you know. You.. aren't.. dying from my treats." She tried to quip back

"I.. don't know what to do with myself. But.. I guess, you make it easy to find out. In.. in a way."

It felt like she almost went too far again. Clamming up, she wrapped her arms around herself, and quickly added. "Like- I.. I had an idea! If I stay, if I'm allowed to stay.. I- I kind of want a wagon.. stall? Sort of. I want a place where I can make treats, and sell them. It makes people very happy, and I think- I think it'd be fun, to.. gather things and make tasty snacks. And- I can even make.. like.. special ones. That help you heal. Or.. maybe some.. 'fun' ones." She did recall some of the residents of the wagon did enjoy CERTAIN herbs more than others. Making a snack out of those would probably do well.
 
Vyn chewed slower. Not the sweets. But the words that came after. The important bits. A stall, a space – the idea made her smile. The bird was nesting. She found it funny how she was still asking to be allowed to stay, as if it was a real question. She stored the half eaten treat in her pocket, trying not to squish it. Hand brushed away the stickiness at her mouth.

„You'll need a Wagon then.“ Voice lighter than it should've been. She didn't look at Dove when she said it. Her eyes drifted up, near the ridge. Her finger followed to one in particular. Crooked axle. Bits of faded green the tarp if the Sun hit right. Still held together, like it had something to prove. „That one's not being used. Bit of a creak in the back wheel.“ She sighed. „Holds up on the move tho. Door sticks in the heat. Only a little.“

„It's yours if you want it.“ Still wouldn't look at her.

That was the Elum way. The Wagons kept moving, even if their riders did not.

She reached back for the pocketed treat.

„Maybe you put your stall there. Make it yours. Fill it with ghost doctor sweets and flower tea. Healing and havoc.“ As close to a grin she could get. Memory stuck in her throat.

Finally looked over to the woman.

„You're already one of us. Rest is up to you.“
 
Vyn didn't quite know what she did for the little dove right then.

Didn't know about her dead dreams, or her subconscious desire to have her own nest home. Didn't know how she genuinely thought that her little idea was something that was fully realizable. Didn't realize that she never imagined past a flighty thought of actually creating and selling things. Never imagined a future where she could have a name, and people who would say 'hi' to her, or looked at her beyond anything than a pretty tool.

So, as Vyn continued describing, the excitement grew, and grew- her poor little heart beating so damn fast in her chest, her wings flapping erratically-

The moment Vyn looked at her: it was too late. Dove launched herself at her with the full force of an ostrich, her small self probably swaying against the poor deva, her embrace so damn tight, that if she actually had an ounce of muscle mass, she might have caused a breathing problem. Her wings flapped so erratically, feathers coming loose from sheer force, gently smacking Vyn with playful, excited little bits of affection.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

She could hardly bring herself to look at Vyn. She'd might've seen tears again. Can't have that.
 
She didn't move at first. Couldn't quite breathe either. The instinct to push back came fast – maybe it was the sudden weight, the noise, or the surprise. Or maybe it was the fear that if she reacted too strong, she'd snap the little thing in half. Wings everywhere. Feathers blocking most of her sight. And she seemed happy. Really happy.

Vyn's arms stayed pinned to her sides, unsure where they'd do the least damage. A careful pat or two at Dove's elbows was the best she could do. Light as she could go. Barely a touch.

„Your gonna knock the wind outta both of us.“ Smiling, but unmoving still.

„Careful now.“ As the feathers spread all around. „I think I inhaled one.“

Still didn't move. Let the bird chirp this one out. She could take it.
 
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