INBOX (IC)

[shroudedinsecrecy]

 

"This is Iris.  I'm so sorry I missed your call.  As soon as I'm able, I promise to get back to you."

Comments

[bewrightback]

[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?

[shroudedinsecrecy]

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.

[bewrightback]

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!

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[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.

[bewrightback]

[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.]

[shroudedinsecrecy]

...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.]

[bewrightback]

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.]

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[...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?

[bewrightback]

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.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

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

Which is your favorite?

[bewrightback]

[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...

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[That settled that, then!]

I'll have a PB and J, please.

[bewrightback]

[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.]

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[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.

[bewrightback]

[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?

[shroudedinsecrecy]

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.]

[bewrightback]

[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?

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[As a matter of fact...]

It is?

[bewrightback]

[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.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[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.

[bewrightback]

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.]

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[The flush to her cheeks was back in full force, and she could feel her heart fluttering as if it had transformed into a butterfly. All these years, and he hadn't forgotten. He made it seem like it would have been impossible for him to forget. Even though they had only ever celebrated once. Back when she was still posing as her sister; at least she and Dahlia were born on the same day, and she'd never had to lie about that.]

You'll probably think this is silly of me, but...I actually almost did.

Time seems to fly by here. I haven't always been keeping track of what day it is.

[Especially with the time discrepancy between home and here. Enough that she hadn't been expecting her birthday to be so soon, and yet...here it was.]

But...thank you. For remembering.

[bewrightback]

Really? [It makes sense. She's always putting others first... So she overlooked even this.

A fresh breeze blows at his face as he smiles at her. He's intent to make her feel as special as possible on this day.]

Well, Iris... I'm happy to give you a reminder. And let's make this birthday as... as happy as can be, you know?

[shroudedinsecrecy]

It's already one of the happiest I've ever had. I don't think I could ask for anything more than this.

[She could maybe think of one or two others that had been equally pleasant, with memories she still treasured. At most.]

[bewrightback]

[His smile only grows fonder at that praise. It almost melts his heart.]

...W=wow. I'm happy if I managed to make it that high up already! But... Are you sure you're satisfied, Iris? I... I can work on any request that you might have! Alright?