Ballad of Flowers

Chapter 21

                They walked together in the sunlight, still not used to being out together during the day. They were heading towards a café slowly, admiring the sights as Orchid still seemed rather jumpy. She loved the sun, needing to sunbathe more often considering her scales needed it rather badly. A few people nonchalantly passed by, trying to ignore the Rainwing after seeing the news the other day. As they enter through the glass doors of the café nobody looked up, Orchid somewhat surprised and a bit confused, forgetting how she had rights for a moment. She smiles and walks up to the counter, nudging Alex nervously. "Please don't make me talk..." "C'mon, you need to get used to it eventually... Besides, they look nice!" They thought to eachother, getting a few weird looks from the barista as they finally stopped arguing telepathically. "I-I'll have a mint mango smoothie please thank you" Orchid anxiously murmured, voice quiet and fast as she avoided eye contact. Alex smiles and orders a coffee with extra cream...

As they quietly chatted, they ended up learning more about eachother. Turns out Alex had baby blue eyes, but had yellow contact lenses in. Orchid had to show him her irises could change colors, shifting them slowly through the spectrum. "They don't follow the same colors as my scales, and kinda vary... Apple can do this too, even though he doesn't have the scales... Did you know I can chirp like a parakeet?" He chuckles, resting his head in his palms. "I knew that... You're so cute sometimes..." "Oh, and while we're- " "Not in public, Orchid..." He blushes, Orchid giggling.

After finishing a small bit of food they ordered, they headed back home, not paying much attention to their surroundings. A man hastily walked up to her and grabbed her by the neck, drawing his fist back. She shielded her face with a whimper, Alex glaring at the man with pure hatred in his eyes. He froze, setting her down and slowly backing away. Alex barked angrily and he ran off, Alex scooping Orchid off the ground and looking her over for injuries. "I-I'm fine, I'm okay..." He sighed in relief, kissing her forehead and setting her back down...

When they got back home they fell asleep in the chair, warmly swaddled in eachother's embraces. Orchid slowly woke up about an hour later, Alex following. "Would you like to meet Snow and Tulip? I'm sure they'd love you..." He tilts his head in a confused manner, unsure who she meant. "It's... Complicated..."

"When should we leave? How far away do they live??" She points to her forehead, and sighs.

"Just relax, and remember I'm always with you... The first thing you need to do is find someone who would make you think of snow... I love you..." She presses her forehead to his chest, and they're both knocked out. Alex feels strange for a moment, feeling the darkness pressing in from the edges of his sight...