Ballad of Flowers

Chapter 23

                Alex sat on the couch silently, starting to miss Orchid. Tulip had fallen asleep with Snow in her arms, Snow wriggling free and wandering down to the main room. Alex didn't notice her at first, lost in his thoughts as she slowly walked up to him. Her eyes were wary, a deep blue swirled with a cyan as she sat down next to him. He perked up at this, looking over to see the small dragon staring at him. He adjusted his tone to be gentler, the voice he used to coax Orchid when she was scared. "Hello... I'm sorry about earlier..." She blushes, looking away. "I-it's fine..." She whispered, still hesitant to trust him. "Is there anything I can do to help you trust me? I swear I won't hurt you, but I've known Orchid long enough to know saying that won't work..." She reluctantly placed her snout in his hand, looking up at him to see how he would react. He stroked her head, then scratched beneath her chin. She purred happily, climbing into his lap as he gently brought his hand along her wings. She practically went limp at this point, her irises turning to a lovely indigo as her happy purring grew slightly louder...

About 15 minutes later, Snow padded back upstairs to Tulip sleeping, sliding back beneath her embrace and dozing off. Alex sat on the couch alone, wishing that Orchid could be there. He missed her soft smile, her little chirrups she would make, they way he could always make her happy if she was sad... He finally understood her description of how cold it was without him... He wanted to sleep but couldn't think without her there. He knew why Ukele killed himself, how unbearable it was to be away from her, the empty void of her old presence taunting him as he started to panic, hyperventilating. He didn't know where he was, he couldn't see her, he didn't know anyone here, he wanted to be next to her once more.

Tulip found him shivering and breathing sporadically, rushing over and attempting to coax him. She tried her usual tactics with Snow, asking what's wrong and holding her close. Alex scooped her into a hug, wanting to hold someone, even if it wasn't her. She yelped, about to protest, but noticed his whimpering. She realized why he was in the current condition, and hesitated. "Alex... Orchid isn't gone... She's all around us... She's here..." She murmured, blushing. He started to calm down, breath returning to normal. "... I can see why Snow likes you..." He said quietly, closing his eyes as he slowly dozed off. "Hey, don't fall asleep! You still have to meet everyone else!" She grunted, sounding a bit irritated as she shook him awake...

Alex yawned as the three of them walked towards their destination. "... So... Her name is Magma?" Tulip nods, Snow lurking beneath her lab coat. Alex could tell that she didn't like Magma, due to her visible shaking and more intense white. Tulip reached down and stroked her chin, giving her a loving look before pressing on. When they arrived, they heard angry grunts, as well as a few plaps before a loud thud could be heard. "... She's for anger, right?" Tulip stared at the door, nodding as her eyes looked a bit afraid. That's new.