shroudedinsecrecy | INBOX (IC)

Great!

You can come over whenever you're ready. And I think I have everything I need here, so you just have to bring yourself.

Alright. I'll be there as soon as I can!

[Which, for her, would take...maybe 10-15 minutes.]

Awesome! Take your time. : )

[He also texts some more details about where exactly in the gardens he is.

And at the gardens, Phoenix frets while he tries to make sure that everything's in order. He's wearing his usual suit with a traditional-looking picnic basket and blanket set up in a tranquil area of the gardens.]

[The details were a huge help! She knew the gardens well enough that they were able to give her an almost exact location, and she knew precisely where to go.]

[When she eventually arrived, she would still be in her "work" uniform--the acolyte wardrobe of the Fey family, sans her hood. Though she had acquired several (cute) outfits since her arrival in the city, it was often this one she could be most commonly found in. Especially if she were coming directly from the Gym.]

I...hope I'm not late, am I?

It took me longer than I thought to finish with those herbs.

[Once he notices her approach, he drops his frantic fussing over the basket and quickly stands up to meet her, with a goofy smile. She looked as precious as ever in her acolyte wardrobe.]

Of course not! There's no such thing as late when it comes to an easygoing picnic. [He also raises a curious eyebrow.] Herbs?

They're...part of my private tea collection.

[Somehow, even the thought of having a private tea collection caused a momentary flush to her cheeks. It was an admitted luxury she was willing to indulge, despite the fact that she was...supposed to live a modest lifestyle, sparing on the frivolities.]

I know they sell the pre-made bags in the stores, but...there just something about the flavor of a brew that I can custom-blend myself. I've been spending time at work when there are no customers waiting experimenting with the different herbs I've been able to acquire.

A private tea collection...? [He takes that in for a moment, and then he smiles.] That sounds great, Iris! There's nothing like the personal touch when it comes to preparing something. ...I bet they come out really great!

[She beamed at the compliment, coming around to sit across from him. Tucking her legs beneath her, her posture remained as straight and proper as always.]

Sometimes. Not always. I've had to learn the hard way that some of the herbs here are not quite as good at offering substitutes for the ones I remember back home.

[Phoenix sat cross-legged and shifted nervously a little as she st down.]

Huh... So a lot of trial and error, huh? But, I guess we even learn from our mistakes! [He says with a sheepish laugh, as he thinks of his own learning experiences from areas such as cooking.]

...it's true. I've been doing a lot of that recently.

[She didn't sound too sad as she spoke, though. In some ways, it really was a relief. To be able to learn and grown and better herself.]

You have, huh? You could have fooled me. [He says with a warm smile. It's easy for him to overlook most mistakes she may or may not make in his presence.

But then he starts setting up the picnic. There's a variety of neatly-wrapped sandwhiches and snacks that he starts to lay out across the blanket.]

[...he was too kind, truly. What had she ever done in her life to possibly deserve someone like him?]

[Rather than torture herself with that thought into eternity, Iris instead turned her attention to the assortment of food that he was setting up. She had to resist the urge to offer to help, but it was his picnic and she didn't even know what was in the basket.]

You really did come prepared. This all looks delicious, Feenie.

What kind of sandwiches are those?

Thanks! Let's hope the taste matches up! [He gives a sheepish laugh.]

Well, nothing too complicated. Some cheese, some bologna, some ham... I'm sorry, I should have asked which kind you'd like best.

No, it's alright. I'm not picky. Any of those would be just fine.

Which is your favorite?

[He feels assured by that and smiles lightly.]

Call me old-fashioned, but I think I like some good old pb and j the most...

[That settled that, then!]

I'll have a PB and J, please.

[He pauses for a moment, and then - he didn't think a request for a sandwich would soften his expression that much.]

...PB and J it is.

[He grabs one sandwich of that variety and leans over close to hand it to her.]

[She trusted his judgement. It was as simple as that.]

[She reached for the sandwich, fingertips inadvertently brushing against his hand as she accepted the plastic-wrapped sandwich, and pulled back. It took almost no effort to unwrap, and she broke off a small piece of the corner to nibble delicately on, before looking up at him with a bright smile.]

You were right. It's so good!

The bread even tastes fresh.

[Ah, the soft tingle of their fingers touching. He pulls back once she's had it, and he tends to his own sandwich. But it's easy to be distracted by how adorable Iris's reaction is, and Phoenix smiles warmly.]

R-really? I'm glad you like it. [Almost makes me wish I made it myself. Too bad I'm not brainwashed into being a baker anymore...] I made sure everything was as fresh as possible, and... and prepared it with care?

It shows.

[She didn't care if he had actually made it or not. All this had been done by him for her, and that was enough. She paused long enough to take another bite, enjoying the creaminess of the peanut butter and sweetness of the jelly mixed in.]

I never did get a chance to ask...but why the sudden decision to have a picnic today?

[Not that she was complaining, of course, but merely curious. And if there was no reason, then...well, no reason was as good a reason as any.]

[I wondered when we'd get to that. Has she not guessed?

After taking a bite of his own sandwich, Phoenix glances right at her.]

Well... It's because today's a very special occasion. [Then he adds, a little teasingly.] Don't you agree?

[As a matter of fact...]

It is?

[He softly nods.]

Iris... [He'll quietly reach for one of her hands and give a gentle squeeze for a moment while looking right at her.]

Happy birthday.

[His words came as a genuine shock to her for two reasons. One, because she had forgotten--well, no, not forgotten, per say, but had simply lost track of the days. Was it...was it really her birthday already? And, more importantly...]

You...remembered.

How could I ever forget?

[Even in those years when he thought that she was Dahlia Hawthorne, convicted murderer, he still remembered the day and used it to try to honor the good in the girl he once knew. The good who now turned out to be an actual separate person, who is now sitting across from him.]

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