RP between Degu (Ganu) and Yam
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Ganu — 03/25/2021
Despite the sad moments in his life, Ganu had come to find Thornmouth peaceful so far. There were prejudices but at least there was infrastructure in place to protect him from anyone acting on it ...at least lawfully anyway. His days were filled with gardening and so far interactions with the Aiolfi family, and when he came home there was sometimes Luca (assuming the young man had stayed, or at least visited).
Today Ganu was spending his time alone in the fenced garden behind his house that backed onto the woodland. Here he'd been able to make it his personal utopia. A few fruit trees of all sorts grew at small scales around the perimeter and a small pond sat in the far corner. A couple of benches surrounded the outside and flowers bloomed. The source of its vitality would normally have been the troll himself, but the unicorn he housed here radiated the true source of its vitality.
He smiled as he approached the beautiful creature with a red apple in his hand and offered it out while his other hand sought to rub behind its ears "Good afternoon.... not too bored I hope?... I see you're making some bird friends." he rumbled warmly as he looked up at the grumpy little sparrows fighting each other for perches in the bushes nearby.
yam — 03/25/2021
The unicorn accepted the apple. A true oddity of it's kind, it was unfearful of people and did not stray far from Ganu's home. It's large, heavily-lashed eyes seldom wandered, and when it rested, while hidden in the safety of the garden, did not bother to hide. As of right now, it lay at rest, observing Ganu as he went this way and that as he worked. It seemed content to do so.
Luca had not chosen to stay at the home, however he visited regularly. The unicorn seemed to know he would always return, as it did not wander to find him. Whether it had complex feelings about this was anyone's guess, as it was rather unemotive and difficult to read. It seemed most at ease when Luca was there, even if he was not actively engaging with it. If Ganu allowed it, Luca would help with the gardening, as he seemed to have grown interested in it since being in a new environment. Good, he needed hobbies.
As Luca approached today, having walked all the way from in town, the unicorn flicked an ear and directed it's head in his direction. Ganu would find over time that this was an indicator that Luca was coming, even before he was truly there. Today being no different, Luca as if on schedule would appear through the green. Poker-faced like his mother, anyone not knowing him would think him a stern individual, but like his mother was mature and sensible with a streak of softness. Approaching Ganu and the unicorn, he would offer the troll a soft smile. "Hello, Ganu." and to the unicorn, 'Stellina', which meant 'little star', likely in reference to the subtle starburst marking that surrounded the horn on it's forehead.
"How are you today? The garden looks well. The birds look grumpy." So he had picked up on the sparrows.
Ganu — 03/25/2021
Ganu looked up when the unicorn indicated the young mans arrival and smiled tenderly at the sight of him "Luca, what a pleasant surprise" he greeted fondly, gently stepping back to give he and his companion space to greet one another.
"I'm well, the sparrows are always grumpy" his chuckle rolled like gravel, the markings on his body gently pulsing with each new laugh. "And you, Luca? Have you eaten?" he asked immediately. The young man might have noticed that since he'd been alone he'd been even more eager to keep Luca for dinner, lunch, breakfast...whatever he'd stay for. Perhaps he just wanted to take care of someone.
From the house, Argus in tiny house-cat-like form plodded out into the garden and rubbed up against Luca's legs with a sweet little 'prrrt~' of greeting.
yam — 03/25/2021
Luca stroked between the unicorn's eyes, down to the velvety nose. The unicorn closed it's eyes, content. "I am well. No, I haven't. What's on the menu today?" there was a impishness to his tone, though subtle. Glancing down the teen would smile at the tiny-Argus, leaning down to stroke his forehead with the back of his curled finger. "Hello, you." straightening, Luca leaned forward and pressed his forehead to the unicorn's, just beneath the horn. "You seem happy today. I am glad." his voice was low, soft. Audible, but clearly for the unicorn and no one else.
"I received a letter from Iris. He said Mother and Father are trying to arrange for their relocation here. Simone and Paolo and their families would likely stay though, to continue the 'reign of the great Papaveri House'." his voice had shifted into something mocking in the latter portion of the sentence. "I know Simone will be pleased to be rid of Father." a pause. "-and Iris. I believe Iris would be coming along. I miss him."
Ganu — 03/25/2021
Ganu beamed, perking up visibly "Ah I thought I might roast some meat out here in the garden." he nodded towards the fire pit "I have some fish and some venison, plenty of potatoes...do you know how to peel potatoes?" he didn't like to assume when Luca was from such a wealthy family.
Though when it was mentioned that the family were looking at relocating, Ganu looked delighted "Are you absolutely certain? That's fantastic! If they need a place to stay for a few days while they house shop I am happy to board them in my home...if they aren't too- furious..." he knew he'd still stolen from them, but he hoped at least Luca understood why and could see how this was better for the unicorn.
He grunted softly "Simone will, I know... but I will be only too happy to see them again. Perhaps they might meet the Aiolfi family i've been gardening for... it reminds me of my time serving the Papaveri estate." he said with a soft and wistful smile. "I've missed Iris too, he was a good friend...a grand listener."
yam — 03/25/2021
"Oh, that sounds like fun. Yes, I know how." Iris had showed him, believe it or not. "I can help."
"I believe so. Iris seemed a bit anxious in the letter, and he isn't an anxious person, so... I think it is real. He has never lived anywhere else his entire life... I think when he came here with Father and I, that was the first time he had ever left. I am sure they would be happy to stay if you'll have them, they all like you quite well." Furious? Luca shook his head. "My father was more upset for me, I think? He's a bit... well." Yes, Ganu knew. "Anyways, that all remains to be seen. Who knows how long it will take, I'm sure there's an impossible amount of paperwork involved in the Lord and Lady of a major house just up and leaving."
Luca didn't sound too bothered by the idea of having to wait for them. He liked Iris and he missed his parents, but he was liking being more independent. He had always had everything handed to him, done for him. He found doing things for himself and earning things through work to be far more enriching. "When I was little he would lay on the floor with me and listen to me while I talked about my day. Even if I repeated myself half a dozen times." the lad chuckled. "...He never spoke much about himself, though."
Ganu — 03/25/2021
Ganu's tusks tugged at his lips, the smile was broad "I miss them, you know? I hope they truly are coming... we've a lot to catch up on by now I expect!" he seemed warmed as Luca talked about how Iris had always listened to him too "Maybe he will, one day. Make yourself comfortable, i'm going to go get the food."
He was gone for a little while and it was apparent why when he returned with a hefty tray piled high with meat on one side and a pan full of potatoes on the other and a knife for peeling. He set it all down beside the fire pit and pulled seasoning vials from the pouch at his hip.
The big ol' troll looked only too excited about dinner, but also that he'd be sharing it. He went about starting the fire "You excited for them to come here? Hope you haven't felt too isolated out here..." a thoughtful pause "Made any friends in the city yet?"
yam — 03/25/2021
"Maybe." Iris was an odd individual. It made Luca wonder: Why? Was he just... like that? Or had he been through something? Or? As a young man, no longer a small child, he wondered these things. He wondered so much he some times disturbed himself with possibilities. Why was his father the way he was? That was one he tried to not think too deeply about. "Right."
Assuming he was given the knife, Luca immediately began peeling, first using the tip to carefully carve out any eyes. He wasn't necessarily the fastest potato peeler in the world, but he wasn't terrible at it and was getting the job done.
"I mean... yes, of course. I miss my family. But I've liked the change... This is an entirely different world, after all... There are similarities to home but far more differences, and it is beautiful here... and it doesn't feel so stuffy and tense." Not that there was no stuffiness or tension about. There was, he just hadn't encountered it yet.
"Well. Not... proper friends? But I've never been great at making proper friends. I think it's because of how I grew up. I played with other children but I had such a big home, and everything I really needed, so I didn't have much need to leave... Father even had a teacher come and help with my maths and writing outside of regular school, to ensure I was good enough to record keep and all that..." there was a tone to his voice that suggested his very next word: "Boring."
"I have seen a strange man wandering around the marketplace, though... Er- I have seen him elsewhere, but when he's around other people he's really far more noticeable and difficult to ignore... He wears all white and has the longest hair I've ever seen on a man..." Oh, we all know who that is. "He reminds me of Iris, a little... he has the same kind of facial expression all the time. I wonder if they're related." Not quite.
Ganu — 03/27/2021
"Must be nice to be your own person a bit more huh? some independence..?" he asked with a smile as he went about setting up a metal grill he owned after washing it down, pitching it up on hooks over the fire before taking the time to season the meat.
A deep rumble resembling a laugh sounded from his chest as he all but heard the unspoken word. But then Luca all but described Onnushi, it wasn't like many people stood out like that "Onnushi...I've known him for a few years now, though I wouldn't say we're close. He seems to follow my friends and I from place to place" he said idly as he placed meat upon the grill.
"Iris reminded me of him, it's almost uncanny...don't you think?...I think I brought it up once."
yam — 03/27/2021
Luca nodded. "Yes. I haven't got Father breathing down my neck about responsibilities or Simone giving me that look." he didn't elaborate what that look was, but it was in reality a mixture of jealousy concern, manifested into a very stern, penetrating side-eye that made Luca rather ill at ease.
"On...Nush..i..." he had to say it out loud slowly, as he had never heard a name like that before. It sounded... Eastern?
"How odd... He is not dangerous, then? If you know him, perhaps I could try to get to know him..." The lad was mostly talking to himself, evident in his lowered voice and absent, lowered gaze. When he looked up, he'd tilt his head. "It is. Perhaps if I encounter this Onnushi man, I can ask him if he knows him."
First potato done, Luca would place it aside and start on the next. This one seemed to be going faster, as he had gotten into a rhythm. "Ganu, how well does gardening pay? I do odd jobs in town like delivering things but I like gardening more than running back and forth being yelled at if I'm late..." uh oh he gon steal yer job. Just kidding.
Ganu — 03/31/2021
"If he does come to live here, you'll have to maintain that boundary no doubt...if he tries to slip back into breathing down your neck." he said with a warm smile.
"He can be dangerous...yet so can I under the wrong circumstances. I can introduce you to him some time." he prodded at the food with a poker and turned it over once it was well charred on one side.
The glorious smell of sizzling meat was no doubt making the neighbors and even the nearby faewatch drool.
"It depends whose gardens you tend, I am at a skill level where I am able to offer my services to noble families and build a good enough rapport with them that they tip me well. It's something you're truly interested in?" he asked, seeming to beam at the thought. He sort of hoped that he'd inspired Luca to like it, at least a little.
"Perhaps I could take on an apprentice... teach you some of the tricks of the trade. What do you think? of course if you want to go your own way I can at least point you in the right direction."
yam — 03/31/2021
"Well... if he does come to live here, he won't have any power over me beyond being my father." that is very true. He'd have some money, yes, but he'd have no standing politically or be a 'big wig' so to speak.
"I see... I would like that." though Luca did not speak any further of Onnushi. Something about him and his mystery made him rather appealing to the lad, but that very likely was youthful curiosity.
The smell, naturally, drove Luca to process the potatoes faster. As they were finished and ready for Ganu, he'd hand them over. He only intended one for himself, but Ganu was a large fellow who needed far more fuel than a shrimp like himself. When he was done with the potatoes, he'd hand over the knife to prevent himself from playing with it idly; a wise decision.
"Yes, I think so. I would like to at least give it a try, you know? I may not be any real good at it but I won't know until I at least test the waters." Most of his gardening, truthfully, had been done strictly with Ganu or with Iris and it involved puttering about awkwardly, observing more than actually doing. It wasn't because of a fear of getting dirty or anything silly like that, either. It was a fear of doing something wrong.
"I would love to be your apprentice! If you'll have me, that is..." Luca sounded, in his own opinion, too enthusiastic and because of this cleared his throat, lowering his voice. "I don't want to impose, or anything."
Ganu — 03/31/2021
Ganu smirked, lips pulling against his tusks "Never stopped a father trying to lord himself over his progeny now and then! ...at least so i've heard" oop.
He took the knife and potatoes, disappearing just a short time to get some water and toss the peel on the compost heap. Argus nearly tripped him ass over tits on the way back and Ganu huffed "Argus - what have I told you about weaving around my ankles?"
"Mroww"
Ganu rolled his eyes and came back to set the pot up to boil. He laughed with Luca's enthusiasm and reached out to grip the boys arm with equal energy "Are you kidding? I'd love nothing more than to teach you...I can provide a little bit of a wage while you're learning." He'd give him some of his own salary, because it was only fair if the lad was helping with the work and Ganu had at least enough of a nest egg to not worry about shards too urgently.
"You can come with me to work, I'll introduce you to the Aiolfi's and the Grimani's. You'll love their gardens... goodness"
He trailed off with a smile and poked at the meat again "...how perfect for you too. I'd like to think i had an influence on this but no doubt the biggest influence is your bond with this beautiful unicorn" he said with a smile over at the creature. He half wondered if a unicorn's magic could rub off on a person if they chose to do so in the same way dragons could.
yam — 04/01/2021
"Reminds me of all the puppies Father has always had running about. I'm surprised none of them got hurt, they were always underfoot at the worst of times." Luca did miss the dogs. He always loved those damn dogs, though. When one went from old age, he did not mourn like his father did, but he did mourn. They were special to him.
"You helped inspire it to fruition, though, Ganu. The unicorn has always brought such joy to me, and the life that follows it, but seeing someone actually put their hands in the soil, tend to the earth, that's different." He briefly wondered if his father would approve. Probably not, but he had a softness for Luca that Luca suspected would allow him to proceed regardless.
"You're very kind. I look forward to this, really. Don't hold back, please. I want to learn from my mistakes, not have them swept under the rug and remedied for me..." Ah yes, the Way of the Privileged. Mistakes didn't build character for those who had no need for it. Luca hoped to tackle this issue and actually become someone interesting, not just some stuffy man some day who was a pampered kid growing up.
"Who are the Aiolfi and Grimani? Are they houses like back home?"
Ganu — 04/03/2021
As time went on the meat seemed ready, Ganu idly moved the cooked pieces to the edge of the grill where it was cooler as if he'd done it a million times before. He smiled when Luca said he'd helped inspire him, looking over at the boy tenderly. "You know...it was a learning curve for me, too. I used to use my magic all the time.... i've since learned that there is a discipline and importance to tending the earth by hand and only using magic where necessary... it's refreshing to hear that you've come to similar conclusions" he added warmly.
"I won't...I'll have callouses on those hands of yours in a week" he winked and rumbled with playful laughter. With the food ready and the potatoes boiled he added a little butter and actually mashed them up ... creating a perhaps intimidating mountain of mashed potatoes. Plate offered to Luca he smiled and waited "You'd better go first or there'll be nothing left" he mused with a crinkle of his eyes.
"They are. The Aiolfi's sometimes face troubled times...I ask that while we're working there we never make more of a scene if they fight. They are a wonderful family, but times are troubled. Grimani has their own troubles, strict parents and rebel 'youths' though i expect they're my age roughly" he chuckled deeply.
"I like to watch over the families...I become fond, protective. Make their lives better in little ways... perhaps it's the clan-focused nature of what I am... but it brings me peace and happiness as well as sorrow and worry."
yam — 04/04/2021
"The unicorns' magic was the primary source of magic I ever knew. I've seen so much, just since leaving home..." despite this, Luca did not seem troubled by this. He might have been, but he very well may not have been. It was difficult to tell, given his often blank, relaxed expression and calm manner of speaking. Something very much like his mother.
"Heh. Thank you for the warning. I do have a little already, though! I've had to help move crates and barrels a handful of times and it's definitely made parts of my hands a bit tough." Not thick, cracked, and dry like a true worker's, but they no longer were tender and red by the end of the day.
"Oh? Oh! Okay," Luca laughed and collected a modest amount of food, nothing overly heavy. For being a teenager he did seem to eat on the lighter side.
"Sounds like my family. At least Father quit running around in his small clothes a long time ago. That was terribly embarrassing." Ah yes, Adamo in his underwear, running around the estate with a sword in hand, fighting everything he passed. Good times.
"I think you managed to soften Father during your time with our family... he really does like you, you know."
Despite the sad moments in his life, Ganu had come to find Thornmouth peaceful so far. There were prejudices but at least there was infrastructure in place to protect him from anyone acting on it ...at least lawfully anyway. His days were filled with gardening and so far interactions with the Aiolfi family, and when he came home there was sometimes Luca (assuming the young man had stayed, or at least visited).
Today Ganu was spending his time alone in the fenced garden behind his house that backed onto the woodland. Here he'd been able to make it his personal utopia. A few fruit trees of all sorts grew at small scales around the perimeter and a small pond sat in the far corner. A couple of benches surrounded the outside and flowers bloomed. The source of its vitality would normally have been the troll himself, but the unicorn he housed here radiated the true source of its vitality.
He smiled as he approached the beautiful creature with a red apple in his hand and offered it out while his other hand sought to rub behind its ears "Good afternoon.... not too bored I hope?... I see you're making some bird friends." he rumbled warmly as he looked up at the grumpy little sparrows fighting each other for perches in the bushes nearby.
yam — 03/25/2021
The unicorn accepted the apple. A true oddity of it's kind, it was unfearful of people and did not stray far from Ganu's home. It's large, heavily-lashed eyes seldom wandered, and when it rested, while hidden in the safety of the garden, did not bother to hide. As of right now, it lay at rest, observing Ganu as he went this way and that as he worked. It seemed content to do so.
Luca had not chosen to stay at the home, however he visited regularly. The unicorn seemed to know he would always return, as it did not wander to find him. Whether it had complex feelings about this was anyone's guess, as it was rather unemotive and difficult to read. It seemed most at ease when Luca was there, even if he was not actively engaging with it. If Ganu allowed it, Luca would help with the gardening, as he seemed to have grown interested in it since being in a new environment. Good, he needed hobbies.
As Luca approached today, having walked all the way from in town, the unicorn flicked an ear and directed it's head in his direction. Ganu would find over time that this was an indicator that Luca was coming, even before he was truly there. Today being no different, Luca as if on schedule would appear through the green. Poker-faced like his mother, anyone not knowing him would think him a stern individual, but like his mother was mature and sensible with a streak of softness. Approaching Ganu and the unicorn, he would offer the troll a soft smile. "Hello, Ganu." and to the unicorn, 'Stellina', which meant 'little star', likely in reference to the subtle starburst marking that surrounded the horn on it's forehead.
"How are you today? The garden looks well. The birds look grumpy." So he had picked up on the sparrows.
Ganu — 03/25/2021
Ganu looked up when the unicorn indicated the young mans arrival and smiled tenderly at the sight of him "Luca, what a pleasant surprise" he greeted fondly, gently stepping back to give he and his companion space to greet one another.
"I'm well, the sparrows are always grumpy" his chuckle rolled like gravel, the markings on his body gently pulsing with each new laugh. "And you, Luca? Have you eaten?" he asked immediately. The young man might have noticed that since he'd been alone he'd been even more eager to keep Luca for dinner, lunch, breakfast...whatever he'd stay for. Perhaps he just wanted to take care of someone.
From the house, Argus in tiny house-cat-like form plodded out into the garden and rubbed up against Luca's legs with a sweet little 'prrrt~' of greeting.
yam — 03/25/2021
Luca stroked between the unicorn's eyes, down to the velvety nose. The unicorn closed it's eyes, content. "I am well. No, I haven't. What's on the menu today?" there was a impishness to his tone, though subtle. Glancing down the teen would smile at the tiny-Argus, leaning down to stroke his forehead with the back of his curled finger. "Hello, you." straightening, Luca leaned forward and pressed his forehead to the unicorn's, just beneath the horn. "You seem happy today. I am glad." his voice was low, soft. Audible, but clearly for the unicorn and no one else.
"I received a letter from Iris. He said Mother and Father are trying to arrange for their relocation here. Simone and Paolo and their families would likely stay though, to continue the 'reign of the great Papaveri House'." his voice had shifted into something mocking in the latter portion of the sentence. "I know Simone will be pleased to be rid of Father." a pause. "-and Iris. I believe Iris would be coming along. I miss him."
Ganu — 03/25/2021
Ganu beamed, perking up visibly "Ah I thought I might roast some meat out here in the garden." he nodded towards the fire pit "I have some fish and some venison, plenty of potatoes...do you know how to peel potatoes?" he didn't like to assume when Luca was from such a wealthy family.
Though when it was mentioned that the family were looking at relocating, Ganu looked delighted "Are you absolutely certain? That's fantastic! If they need a place to stay for a few days while they house shop I am happy to board them in my home...if they aren't too- furious..." he knew he'd still stolen from them, but he hoped at least Luca understood why and could see how this was better for the unicorn.
He grunted softly "Simone will, I know... but I will be only too happy to see them again. Perhaps they might meet the Aiolfi family i've been gardening for... it reminds me of my time serving the Papaveri estate." he said with a soft and wistful smile. "I've missed Iris too, he was a good friend...a grand listener."
yam — 03/25/2021
"Oh, that sounds like fun. Yes, I know how." Iris had showed him, believe it or not. "I can help."
"I believe so. Iris seemed a bit anxious in the letter, and he isn't an anxious person, so... I think it is real. He has never lived anywhere else his entire life... I think when he came here with Father and I, that was the first time he had ever left. I am sure they would be happy to stay if you'll have them, they all like you quite well." Furious? Luca shook his head. "My father was more upset for me, I think? He's a bit... well." Yes, Ganu knew. "Anyways, that all remains to be seen. Who knows how long it will take, I'm sure there's an impossible amount of paperwork involved in the Lord and Lady of a major house just up and leaving."
Luca didn't sound too bothered by the idea of having to wait for them. He liked Iris and he missed his parents, but he was liking being more independent. He had always had everything handed to him, done for him. He found doing things for himself and earning things through work to be far more enriching. "When I was little he would lay on the floor with me and listen to me while I talked about my day. Even if I repeated myself half a dozen times." the lad chuckled. "...He never spoke much about himself, though."
Ganu — 03/25/2021
Ganu's tusks tugged at his lips, the smile was broad "I miss them, you know? I hope they truly are coming... we've a lot to catch up on by now I expect!" he seemed warmed as Luca talked about how Iris had always listened to him too "Maybe he will, one day. Make yourself comfortable, i'm going to go get the food."
He was gone for a little while and it was apparent why when he returned with a hefty tray piled high with meat on one side and a pan full of potatoes on the other and a knife for peeling. He set it all down beside the fire pit and pulled seasoning vials from the pouch at his hip.
The big ol' troll looked only too excited about dinner, but also that he'd be sharing it. He went about starting the fire "You excited for them to come here? Hope you haven't felt too isolated out here..." a thoughtful pause "Made any friends in the city yet?"
yam — 03/25/2021
"Maybe." Iris was an odd individual. It made Luca wonder: Why? Was he just... like that? Or had he been through something? Or? As a young man, no longer a small child, he wondered these things. He wondered so much he some times disturbed himself with possibilities. Why was his father the way he was? That was one he tried to not think too deeply about. "Right."
Assuming he was given the knife, Luca immediately began peeling, first using the tip to carefully carve out any eyes. He wasn't necessarily the fastest potato peeler in the world, but he wasn't terrible at it and was getting the job done.
"I mean... yes, of course. I miss my family. But I've liked the change... This is an entirely different world, after all... There are similarities to home but far more differences, and it is beautiful here... and it doesn't feel so stuffy and tense." Not that there was no stuffiness or tension about. There was, he just hadn't encountered it yet.
"Well. Not... proper friends? But I've never been great at making proper friends. I think it's because of how I grew up. I played with other children but I had such a big home, and everything I really needed, so I didn't have much need to leave... Father even had a teacher come and help with my maths and writing outside of regular school, to ensure I was good enough to record keep and all that..." there was a tone to his voice that suggested his very next word: "Boring."
"I have seen a strange man wandering around the marketplace, though... Er- I have seen him elsewhere, but when he's around other people he's really far more noticeable and difficult to ignore... He wears all white and has the longest hair I've ever seen on a man..." Oh, we all know who that is. "He reminds me of Iris, a little... he has the same kind of facial expression all the time. I wonder if they're related." Not quite.
Ganu — 03/27/2021
"Must be nice to be your own person a bit more huh? some independence..?" he asked with a smile as he went about setting up a metal grill he owned after washing it down, pitching it up on hooks over the fire before taking the time to season the meat.
A deep rumble resembling a laugh sounded from his chest as he all but heard the unspoken word. But then Luca all but described Onnushi, it wasn't like many people stood out like that "Onnushi...I've known him for a few years now, though I wouldn't say we're close. He seems to follow my friends and I from place to place" he said idly as he placed meat upon the grill.
"Iris reminded me of him, it's almost uncanny...don't you think?...I think I brought it up once."
yam — 03/27/2021
Luca nodded. "Yes. I haven't got Father breathing down my neck about responsibilities or Simone giving me that look." he didn't elaborate what that look was, but it was in reality a mixture of jealousy concern, manifested into a very stern, penetrating side-eye that made Luca rather ill at ease.
"On...Nush..i..." he had to say it out loud slowly, as he had never heard a name like that before. It sounded... Eastern?
"How odd... He is not dangerous, then? If you know him, perhaps I could try to get to know him..." The lad was mostly talking to himself, evident in his lowered voice and absent, lowered gaze. When he looked up, he'd tilt his head. "It is. Perhaps if I encounter this Onnushi man, I can ask him if he knows him."
First potato done, Luca would place it aside and start on the next. This one seemed to be going faster, as he had gotten into a rhythm. "Ganu, how well does gardening pay? I do odd jobs in town like delivering things but I like gardening more than running back and forth being yelled at if I'm late..." uh oh he gon steal yer job. Just kidding.
Ganu — 03/31/2021
"If he does come to live here, you'll have to maintain that boundary no doubt...if he tries to slip back into breathing down your neck." he said with a warm smile.
"He can be dangerous...yet so can I under the wrong circumstances. I can introduce you to him some time." he prodded at the food with a poker and turned it over once it was well charred on one side.
The glorious smell of sizzling meat was no doubt making the neighbors and even the nearby faewatch drool.
"It depends whose gardens you tend, I am at a skill level where I am able to offer my services to noble families and build a good enough rapport with them that they tip me well. It's something you're truly interested in?" he asked, seeming to beam at the thought. He sort of hoped that he'd inspired Luca to like it, at least a little.
"Perhaps I could take on an apprentice... teach you some of the tricks of the trade. What do you think? of course if you want to go your own way I can at least point you in the right direction."
yam — 03/31/2021
"Well... if he does come to live here, he won't have any power over me beyond being my father." that is very true. He'd have some money, yes, but he'd have no standing politically or be a 'big wig' so to speak.
"I see... I would like that." though Luca did not speak any further of Onnushi. Something about him and his mystery made him rather appealing to the lad, but that very likely was youthful curiosity.
The smell, naturally, drove Luca to process the potatoes faster. As they were finished and ready for Ganu, he'd hand them over. He only intended one for himself, but Ganu was a large fellow who needed far more fuel than a shrimp like himself. When he was done with the potatoes, he'd hand over the knife to prevent himself from playing with it idly; a wise decision.
"Yes, I think so. I would like to at least give it a try, you know? I may not be any real good at it but I won't know until I at least test the waters." Most of his gardening, truthfully, had been done strictly with Ganu or with Iris and it involved puttering about awkwardly, observing more than actually doing. It wasn't because of a fear of getting dirty or anything silly like that, either. It was a fear of doing something wrong.
"I would love to be your apprentice! If you'll have me, that is..." Luca sounded, in his own opinion, too enthusiastic and because of this cleared his throat, lowering his voice. "I don't want to impose, or anything."
Ganu — 03/31/2021
Ganu smirked, lips pulling against his tusks "Never stopped a father trying to lord himself over his progeny now and then! ...at least so i've heard" oop.
He took the knife and potatoes, disappearing just a short time to get some water and toss the peel on the compost heap. Argus nearly tripped him ass over tits on the way back and Ganu huffed "Argus - what have I told you about weaving around my ankles?"
"Mroww"
Ganu rolled his eyes and came back to set the pot up to boil. He laughed with Luca's enthusiasm and reached out to grip the boys arm with equal energy "Are you kidding? I'd love nothing more than to teach you...I can provide a little bit of a wage while you're learning." He'd give him some of his own salary, because it was only fair if the lad was helping with the work and Ganu had at least enough of a nest egg to not worry about shards too urgently.
"You can come with me to work, I'll introduce you to the Aiolfi's and the Grimani's. You'll love their gardens... goodness"
He trailed off with a smile and poked at the meat again "...how perfect for you too. I'd like to think i had an influence on this but no doubt the biggest influence is your bond with this beautiful unicorn" he said with a smile over at the creature. He half wondered if a unicorn's magic could rub off on a person if they chose to do so in the same way dragons could.
yam — 04/01/2021
"Reminds me of all the puppies Father has always had running about. I'm surprised none of them got hurt, they were always underfoot at the worst of times." Luca did miss the dogs. He always loved those damn dogs, though. When one went from old age, he did not mourn like his father did, but he did mourn. They were special to him.
"You helped inspire it to fruition, though, Ganu. The unicorn has always brought such joy to me, and the life that follows it, but seeing someone actually put their hands in the soil, tend to the earth, that's different." He briefly wondered if his father would approve. Probably not, but he had a softness for Luca that Luca suspected would allow him to proceed regardless.
"You're very kind. I look forward to this, really. Don't hold back, please. I want to learn from my mistakes, not have them swept under the rug and remedied for me..." Ah yes, the Way of the Privileged. Mistakes didn't build character for those who had no need for it. Luca hoped to tackle this issue and actually become someone interesting, not just some stuffy man some day who was a pampered kid growing up.
"Who are the Aiolfi and Grimani? Are they houses like back home?"
Ganu — 04/03/2021
As time went on the meat seemed ready, Ganu idly moved the cooked pieces to the edge of the grill where it was cooler as if he'd done it a million times before. He smiled when Luca said he'd helped inspire him, looking over at the boy tenderly. "You know...it was a learning curve for me, too. I used to use my magic all the time.... i've since learned that there is a discipline and importance to tending the earth by hand and only using magic where necessary... it's refreshing to hear that you've come to similar conclusions" he added warmly.
"I won't...I'll have callouses on those hands of yours in a week" he winked and rumbled with playful laughter. With the food ready and the potatoes boiled he added a little butter and actually mashed them up ... creating a perhaps intimidating mountain of mashed potatoes. Plate offered to Luca he smiled and waited "You'd better go first or there'll be nothing left" he mused with a crinkle of his eyes.
"They are. The Aiolfi's sometimes face troubled times...I ask that while we're working there we never make more of a scene if they fight. They are a wonderful family, but times are troubled. Grimani has their own troubles, strict parents and rebel 'youths' though i expect they're my age roughly" he chuckled deeply.
"I like to watch over the families...I become fond, protective. Make their lives better in little ways... perhaps it's the clan-focused nature of what I am... but it brings me peace and happiness as well as sorrow and worry."
yam — 04/04/2021
"The unicorns' magic was the primary source of magic I ever knew. I've seen so much, just since leaving home..." despite this, Luca did not seem troubled by this. He might have been, but he very well may not have been. It was difficult to tell, given his often blank, relaxed expression and calm manner of speaking. Something very much like his mother.
"Heh. Thank you for the warning. I do have a little already, though! I've had to help move crates and barrels a handful of times and it's definitely made parts of my hands a bit tough." Not thick, cracked, and dry like a true worker's, but they no longer were tender and red by the end of the day.
"Oh? Oh! Okay," Luca laughed and collected a modest amount of food, nothing overly heavy. For being a teenager he did seem to eat on the lighter side.
"Sounds like my family. At least Father quit running around in his small clothes a long time ago. That was terribly embarrassing." Ah yes, Adamo in his underwear, running around the estate with a sword in hand, fighting everything he passed. Good times.
"I think you managed to soften Father during your time with our family... he really does like you, you know."
