A new order.

[Grayell]

Grayell sighed and laid back on the table once more. He wasn't aggravated though, this was just a chat between friends.

Ya know, sometimes I swear you think about sex more than I do. I know you don't want... whatever, I just figured I'd share. If I can't talk to you by now well we're in real trouble. You know me better than most.

And you know, I think you're a little more intimate than you know. I think you are a little more vulnerable than you're aware - and I am not trying to offend you.

He thought about it a moment and took a decent drink before he spoke.

Maybe it was just the chemistry. Maybe it was the tension. But I wanna say for the record that to me, you were giving a little more of yourself than just the sex. Maybe just a little. Maybe it's because we're friends. I am not saying it meant anything on that level.

But whilst we aren't lovers and whilst we weren't looking at settling down or anything, I do like to think you cared. It's hard not to with a friend. It doesn't have to change anything of course, friends can share a lot of things without jeopardizing that friendship.

He realized this was complex. He wasn't trying to talk about them so much as he was trying to make an observation.

Look, what I am trying to say here is simple. Even as a friend there's some degree of emotional context there. It doesn't have to be complex or love in any other way. But what I am trying to get across is this - you already are more intimate than you might be aware.

And for the record, it was flattering.

He sat up again and placed the empty bottle beside him.

You don't have to agree with that but you can let me think it. I think you're entirely capable of something meaningful.

He chuckled.... and entirely expected to be told exactly what is what.

[Margrett]

She blinked, giving him a confused stare.

I never said I wasn't intimate when I wanted to be. Did I misspeak? When I said "card of intimacy" I meant freedom. We've had this conversation before.

[Grayell]

Grayell shrugged... and grabbed another bottle. He pulled it open with his teeth and drank, here we go.

Ayup. Well. Best of luck with that.

He rubbed his eyes, lost himself in thought and tried to think of the best way to approach this.

Yeah. You said intimacy. That's not sexual freedom. Intimacy is emotional context, this you know. With the very strict rule of nothing meaning anything, you might have anticipated that being a little confusing Margrett.

Oh well. Not for me to figure out. As for the freedom thing... well I simply don't want to discuss that. We had one simply discussion about it, I'd rather forget it entirely. If you find someone, then fantastic. Really.

He forced a smile but was still pensive.

I wish all the best for you.

[Margrett]

She shook her head, taking a drink.

I still think you're misunderstanding me. I may have said intimacy, but I meant freedom. And I didn't say that nothing meant anything. I meant that having sex doesn't automatically mean you're in a romantic relationship.

She shrugged.

Fine though. I figured we could discuss beliefs, but hey. I'll stop.

She blinked.

So. What now?

[Grayell]

Grayell smiled and slipped off the table. He looked at her, found that dynamic that made them fun and lightened up.

Well you say one thing and I think another, shit happens. And we can talk. Any time you need to. And friends are good for snuggles too.

He chuckled, then turned his back to the wall in front of her and slumped down it to sit on the floor.

I want to clear the air. I want this known now so it doesn't cause an issue. I have someone, you might have someone - who knows.

But I meant what I said. It was hard to walk away from you. I couldn't see you again that night without wanting to stay.

And I smile about it now. But I want you to know, that I'll think about it. Our chemistry isn't just a thing, I don't think we're just two people wanting mutual fun. I think we have a spark... and I am ok with that. Just keep it in mind. I'm not immune to it, I'm not suddenly beyond it.

I think we can have that and remain friends. I think acknowledging it only makes it easier.

[Margrett]

Well...

She moved her chair over to the table, and leaned her arm on it.

I still think we're too similar. We couldn't have a stable relationship. But I won't deny that night was fun.

She shrugged, smiling faintly.

Call it a spark if you want. I won't.

[Grayell]

Grayell slumped then which only signified his complete giving up. Holy crap, she might just be stupid.

Marg. Blueberry.

I didnt' say anything about a relationship. I am not suggesting anything of the sort. A spark is just something two people have alright? It's an attraction, it's chemistry. That's ALL I was saying. I'm not being all sentimental....

Geez. I don't want anything from you. Nothing. I have an INCREDIBLE woman in my life, our passion is just... well it's beyond comprehension. That is something I would never give up, never jeopardize. I can't ask anyone to know what I feel because it's beyond people, it's beyond being human.

He smiled now that he spoke of Kiko.

I don't need anyone to know or to see it, I don't think anyone could fathom it in the slightest. I am not interested in anyone else in the slightest, because that woman.... well she gives me peace. Hope. Completion.

He laughed, just a little and looked back at Marg.

Blueberry, I'm not hitting on you or trying to be daft. I might just be in love. You... well you're my pain in the ass friend who I adore to no end. Shit, if you fall for someone, we're both in serious trouble.

[Margrett]

She gave Grayell another blank stare and then chuckled, shaking her head. .

I know you're not hitting on me, and you didn't mean a relationship. I used that as an example. And I didn't mean to make you seem sentimental, or anything like that. I just said I didn't think we had what you think we did. That's all. At least, I didn't have it on my end. I didn't feel any chemistry.

She took a drink and then pointed vaguely with the hand that held the bottle.

That's good you found someone. Not doubting it. I'm happy for you. Really. I mean that in as non-sarcastic a way as possible. Hopefully I have that kind of relationship one day.

[Grayell]

Grayell chuckled.

You know, I think I'm showing my age. It takes chemistry to flirt well, that's the way I see it. Otherwise it's all too.... bah.

He took the new bottle and drank the entire damn thing. He wasn't here to think. He didn't flinch but stared intensely at nothing for a moment afterward.

Oh well. Guess I won't need to worry about you teasing me, being an old man and all.

He grinned, shook his head. None of it mattered. They had work to do.

So. Park. I want to enforce a message with it. You want the town to grow after we're gone. I want it to do so with every consideration for the wilds. We can both achieve something here. We can provide progress and maybe... just MAYBE, we can make the first non-elf settlement that gives half a shit about nature.

The park is the first step in us unifying our message and getting it to he people. It will also be the first test to see whether we really can work together.

[Margrett]

She shook her head.

You're not that old.

Then she seemed to get a little more serious.

I agree. Park's the first thing we need. Any ideas for incorporating the wilds, liek you said?

[Grayell]

Grayell started to chuckle at her first words... and couldn't seem to stop for a good time yet. His hand lifted, partly covered his mouth as his chest bounced, quite amused by that. Perhaps he hadn't explained that to her.

I think a community garden would be fantastic, there are many plant and herbs growing wild around these parts that people venture into the wilds for. Allow them to bring them into town, cultivate them here. It will save us the trouble too and give them a sense of ownership.

I would very much like to see something to keep the children amused as well... and perhaps something romantic for young lovers. A swing, a pond, something. It should be populated with plants native to the region though. It could be quite beautiful really and we could encourage people to take their own plants home, grow wildflowers and other plants throughout the town. A rustic town such as this could be quite romantic if only for some vines and some flowers eh?

He smiled at the notion.

[Margrett]

She nodded, thinking.

Only problem with a community garden is that you can't expect the community to maintain it. It's a good idea, though. And while the kids are being entertained we should also take a few steps toward...education. Set up a school. Maybe I'm thinking too far ahead, but it seems important.

[Grayell]

Well no, you can't count on them... except it means more produce at market, more herbs for herbalists and there isn't any reason the children cannot work on the garden as part of their education.

A school would be nice, so long as we don't fall prey to the trappings of what's considered important or 'smart'. Too many people out there with an education and unable to survive. I'd like to see us having a more down to earth approach to education. Make strong people of strong character and in turn see the community thrive.

Back to the garden... it might benefit us to have something of an irrigation system. Nothing grand - but we could bring water readily to many homes in the town. The well and the lake work well, but removing that one labor from our citizen's lives could mean they could focus on other tasks - namely the upkeep of their homes and property. Water could go a long way to improve the state of Wistvale. I'd like to see waste water used to irrigate the garden which can then filter it before it returns to the lake.

Forgive me if I am being a little focused on the garden... but it does tie into many things. You'll find my ideals are more about symmetry for success than individual components of the town.

[Margrett]

I know, I know. Garden's important symbolically. And practically, if we count the plants themselves.

She looked at the wall thoughtfully, brow furrowed.

I do think a school would be more important, though. Not anything major. How to read, write. Math, maybe a little practical knowledge. It would also be important symbolically; the people of Wistvale would be more willing to listen to a group of people promising to educate their children.

[Grayell]

Grayell shrugged.

I'm not entirely worried either way, though I do think a garden is a little more celebratory. We should also consider honoring the harvest and so on, if we as a town adopt what people are already celebrating, that will also put us in good standing.

We need to see how much community participation we can encourage though, if we simply hand it to the people they won't treasure it as much. We need them to invest in improvement.