As They Bloom

6 - The Mask

Yone sits beneath the Mother Tree, on a fluffy, knitted blanket someone had left behind during the bloom. The guests have long since departed, and the three of you are alone in the garden once more. You hand him a cup of tea, which he accepts with a wry smile. Despite the endless apologies, you doubt he's going to let you forget the greeting punch any time soon. 

Thankfully, it seems he finds the whole thing rather funny.

You and Lillia sit across from him, on two of the many cushions forgotten by the villagers. Between you, is a cobbled together dinner made up of fruit, seeds, steamed rice, and sweets. It's eclectic, but delicious all the same.

Yone eats, though he does so reluctantly. Mechanically. As though he's doing it out of obligation, or to appease you and Lillia, rather than for the joy of it.

You shuffle on your cushion, reflecting on your return with him to the garden.

"It's not very honourable to strike an unsuspecting friend," he'd laughed. It took you a moment to recognise him, but the moment you did, relief washed over you. You rained apologies on him, but he waved them away good-naturedly. "I should have said something sooner – I saw you bolting through that forest like a fawn. But clearly you didn't see me."

"Still, I dread to think that I struck you. You are our most awaited guest!"

He laughed. "You flatter me." He turned in the direction of the garden with a smile. "We'd better head to the garden. I don't think Lillia would forgive me if I missed the bloom."

You walked back together, the cold snap slowly dissipating until it disappeared altogether. But even with Yone by your side, and the cold slowly ebbing away, you couldn't quite shake the feeling of being watched. Of being followed.

The lingering feeling persists, even now. You look over your shoulder, at the forest peering through just beyond the garden. It doesn't seem as inviting as it had before. Nor as safe. Who were those men in the forest? What could they possibly want? And why did they care than you are Noxian?

You notice Yone watching you over his teacup. Something about his intense gaze makes you feel like he's reading your mind. His eyes dart to Lillia before returning to yours and raising his brow ever so slightly. You shake your head, mirroring his tiny, intentional movement.

He clears his throat and speaks gently. "Thank you for the meal." He sighs, looking between the two of you with tired eyes. "I apologise but the journey here has been long and I'm quite weary. Some rest would do me good."

Lillia is on her feet in seconds, gathering blankets and cushions. The garden is drowning in them, though they are not unwelcome additions. You have no doubts most will end up lining the sleeping spots around the Mother Tree, ready to lull another person to blissful dreams.

"Where do you want to sleep?" she asks him, arms overflowing. "Will these be enough?"

He laughs. "I don't need such comforts. It's enough to simply be here with you."

Lillia nods, her eyes downcast for a moment. She quickly shakes away the disappointed look, and smiles at him. Your mind flickers back to a conversation you'd shared a few days prior, while working in the garden together.

'"It used to get quite lonely in the garden until you came along," she said cheerily, pruning back wilted leaves.

You smiled at her, with a bashful shake of your head. "What about Yone? He visits you often, doesn't he?"

Her brows pinched, and a soft sigh escaped her. "He never stays longer than a few days. The garden makes him too restless."'

You settle into your bed, sinking into a cloud of feather down and wool. But sleep does not find you tonight. Instead, you toss restlessly from side to side, not managing to shake the worries.