forum Glad You Came (oxo Closed)

Started July 14, 2020 by @Oakiin

tune

"I'll trade," Arlath said, only half-jokingly. "Nah, I really can't cook. I don't grow a lot of food, mostly flowers. I have a wild salad mix in my raised bed, it's beautiful. But otherwise a few herbs and just…yeah, flowers."
He shrugged and sat back, unconsciously relaxing. "I have a lot of marigold, but the again, it's impossible not to, it grows like a wildfire. I have to keep beating it back from my sweet-pea and honeysuckle, but in some places I've just given up. To be fair it looks beautiful with almost any other plant. I think in another couple years it'll have taken my entire yard, it's already spreading outside the garden. And lavender. A lot of lavender."

"Marigold is good for magic use. So is lavendar. Lavendar tea to calm the nerves, and a sprig of it under the pillow to help one sleep. And Marigold, for cheeriness and brighter days. Keep it in a locket around your throat, or make a crown of it. Also drying them, or make them into a perfume. I don't know if Marigolds would make a good tea…I'll have to try it when I get home. Lavendar oil in water is also good for calming…I hang my herbs to dry from the ceiling after they've finished drying, since I cook so much. I grow so many vegetables and fruits I haven't bought any from the store in years. And of course I have my little greenhouse…and a ton of rose bushes out front. I adore roses. And bleeding hearts too." Crystal was too busy staring into the handsome man's eyes and enjoying her evening when there was a thud at the window. She jumped and turned, to see Ashton, who had green hair and brown eyes, laughing, Evelyn with pink hair, blue eyes, and a bag, yelling at Ashton, and her twin brother Evan, with blonde hair, blue eyes, crossing his arms and shaking his head. Evelyn's face print was on the glass. "Ah. And here is triple trouble. That is Evelyn, her twin brother Evan, and Ashton. It seems they've come to check on me. Which is fine. Except walking distance, this restaurant is 3 hours away from the house. And I swear if my brother drove them here…lotsa earfuls." She sat there, watching the three, glaring at them with disapproval. "I should've called a babysitter, and not their uncle. But he said he'd do it for free…" She shook her head and then returned her eyes to the man before her. "I apologize for this dear."

"Brighter days, huh?" Arlath murmured, looking as though he had been distracted by the suggestion, deep in thought, finding himself getting quite lost in her voice and eyes. He'd never seen such rich green eyes. But when Ashton and the others appeared, he jumped back, nearly knocking a plate off the table. He sat bolt upright, eyes darting between Evelyn and Crystal for a moment, but managed to relax again just as Crystal was turning back to him. He forced a smile and let his hand slide off the table, hoping she wouldn't notice it's slight shaking as he tried to calm down.
"It's okay," he said, keeping his tone light. "They're just kids being kids." He managed a more genuine smile as he looked back out as the three of them. "They're some of your kids?"

"Indeed. Evelyn and Evan are the second eldest, and the first two I ever adopted, as you've heard of. Ashton has only been around for a handful of years. None of them should be here. And Ashton shouldn't be shoving his sisters face into windows. She could've broken a tooth or gotten a nasty goose egg. And where are Evans glasses? Oh dear…" She sighed and turned to Arlath. "Do you mind if I bring them in for a moment? I promise they won't be too much of a disruption to our evening. As an apology I'll pay for our meal."

"Oh, no, it's fine," Arlath assured. "Please do, I'd love to meet them. And don't worry about the bill, I don't have a problem paying. Doesn't seem right for you to get stood up and also have to pay for two people." He let out a quiet breath, relieved when his heart rate slowly returned to normal. You're okay, he told himself. Literally just some kids at a window. Calm down there buddy. I just hope she didn't notice and think I'm some weirdo.

(Bump!)

(Oh, hey, perfect timing! xD)

Crystal had noticed. But she figured with him being military, just slight trauma from that. "I'll be right back dear. Order yourself something if you wish. Lindsey really is a nice girl." She got up and headed over to a woman named Lucy. "Well hey there sugar cube!" The woman spoke with a heavy southern drawl. "What can I help ya with?" This woman looked to be in her 60's, and was practically Crystal's replacement mom at this point. "Is it okay Lucy if I bring my rather troublesome children in?" "Ah, those three little monsters at the window are yours? Why sure! As long as they don't cause too much of a ruckus I don't see why not. Need me to bring over any extra chairs?" "Ah, yes. One chair please." "Ya got it Rosey! And bring that fiiiine specimen of a man home. You'll have to tell me what he's doin' on a date here with the likes of you later." "Oh I will Lucy I will!" She then rushed outside and grabbed Ashton and Evelyn by the ear with a very displeased look on her face as she dragged them over to the booth and sat them down. "What are you three doing here? Do you realize how dangerous it is out there?!?!? It is well past midnight! Did Joseph drive you, does he even know you're here?" Evelyn spoke up. "Mom mom relax. We got worried since you weren't picking up your phone so we snuck off and biked over here." "YOU-" She took a deep breath. "You three will stay here for the remainder of the date and then I am driving you home. You three are grounded from a week and before you start complaining I DON'T want to hear it! Now sit down, order something." Evan sat down in the chair and looked over Arlath. "Crys, uhh…where's William?" "I got stood up, and this wonderfully kindhearted hero stepped in and saved me." Ashton shook his head as Evelyn began to play on her phone. Crystal immediately snatched it up. "How rude! No phone's at the table, especially when meeting someone new."

(Sorry my replies are so choppy I'm tripletasking rn TwT Won't be back in a couple hours, but see ya soon!)

"It's fine," Arlath said softly, slightly overwhelmed by the amount of people before him. That irritated him. He used to be constantly surrounded by more people than this. Was he that out of practice? He'd never been shy or socially uncomfortable in his entire life. Sure, he really hadn't talked to anyone in months, but how had he changed that much?
Shaking off the sudden sadness he felt, he focused on Crystal again. She was comforting. Something about the way she smiled felt very peaceful and calming. That was something he found steadying in his current moment of uncertainty.
"It's good to meet you all."

Crystal sighed as she waved over Lyndsey. "3 more menus please. And Arlath are you sure you want to pay? It's going to be quite the high priced bill, and I have a family discount here." She said this with a kind worry, as she reached over and patted his hand softly. Evelyn and Ashton had started a kicking fight under the table, but a side eyed glare from Crystal quickly put an end to that. She sighed. "Evan, I'm glad you're here at least. At least someone went along and watched over these two." Evan nodded. "Of course mom."

(Sorry I didn't get to you yesterday, my internet's being horrible, it keeps cutting out randomly for huge chunks of time :/)

Arlath stiffened slightly at the unexpected touch, fighting the urge to recoil. But he managed to keep his tone light and genuine when he spoke, mentally nailing his hand into place to keep from jerking it away.
"No, I'm happy to," he said. "It's nothing, I won't struggle because of it. Have anything you'd like, it's no big deal."

Crystal's hand moved away and she returned to lecturing Evelyn and Ashton about the dangers of the city, about stalkers and rapists and creepos. Evan just stared calmly out the window. He was definitely the quiet type, and was also unsure of what to say to anyone at the moment.

Arlath found he could relate. He was still gathering himself after the introduction of so many new people. After a moment's hesitation, he finally spoke, keeping his voice quiet.
"Evan, right?" he asked, glancing across as Crystal continued her tirade. He couldn't help but smile slightly at that. She was clearly special, and even when lecturing errant teenagers, she seemed put together and in control.
She's very beautiful, he admitted to himself. And she likely had been flirting earlier. Maybe this was something he could go along with.

Evelyn and Ashtons faces looked downfallen as Crystal finally had finished ridiculing them. Evan nodded. "Yes and your…Arlath." He smiled softly. The waitress came by and the troublesome trio all ordered. Only Evan was allowed dessert, since he never really caused anything, just was brought along to help Evelyn and witness the aftermath, then report it to Crystal.

"Yeah." Arlath said, chancing a smile in return. "These two really get in trouble that much?"
He moved his book back to the seat beside him to make room for the new dishes crowding the table. He had finished eating a long time ago, stacking his own plates and handing them back to the waitress with a quiet word of thanks.

Evan nodded. "I'm one of the more responsible siblings. I mostly follow Evelyn so I can report back to Mom if she doesn't end up convincing me to get involved in her shenanigans myself. Surprised Clara didn't come…" The three siblings dug into their food as Crystal messed with her hair a bit. She wasn't pretentious, but she did rarely mess up. "Evan did my makeup and hair. He's quite talented. I think he'll make a fantastic makeup artist some day." She said with a proud motherly smile on her face. Evan blushed a bit. "Mom, I've already told you I'm going to become a movie producer and try to provide a bigger platform to include the LGBTQ+ community. I thought you were all about righteous causes." "And I am Evan, I just hate to see such worked on talents go to waste." She booped his nose with her index finger, making his nose scrunch up before he shook his head and went back to eating.

"You do look lovely." It slipped out before he could catch himself, and he hastily added "You did a good job, Evan."
A clumsy cover up at best, but what could he do. It wasn't like he didn't sincerely mean it, she did look stunning. If he was lucky, no one would really notice, or maybe they wouldn't think much of it.
Then again, he thought as he took in the family in front of him, They don't seem the type to miss stuff like that.

Crystal's eyes took on a new light. "Why thank you handsome. I rarely get complimented with such sincerity." She smiled gently. Evan was blushing a bit from the sudden compliment. "Thank you kindly." Then Evelyn spoke up. "I like him better than William,and I wouldn't mind him as a step dad. You two do look good together, both striking in opposite ways which compliments each other. You two should date." There was nods of agreement between the three siblings,as Crystal who had gone into a very carefully planned silence, thinking about it, spoke up. "I do have to say I strongly agree with my children for once."

Words failed him for a moment, overwhelmed by the onslaught of people voting he date Crystal. And then Crystal had agreed, essentially asking him out. For a moment panic filled him, and he said the first thing that came to mind.
"A-are you sure? I'm not that…I mean, you'd probably regret it. You deserve someone…better than me," he finished lamely, unable to look away from Crystal as he trailed off.
Dammit Arlath, get yourself together, he berated himself. He stomped down the panic, realizing he may have blown his chance with his rushed words. He didn't want to say no, he didn't want her to leave. Even though it felt like getting stabbed to even consider it, he justified it to himself with the excuse that it couldn't hurt to go out with her.
There's nothing wrong with it, he told himself, pushing his fears aside and trying his best to just ignore them. If he hadn't already scared her off, that is. Again he cursed himself for his rash words.

"Arlath. I've spent the last oh,30 or so years,give or take? Hearing people say they aren't good enough for me." She suddenly slammed her hand on the table. "And I. ME. CRYSTAL. Get to decide what's good enough and what's not for my own personal damn character. So don't bring yourself down so. Me picking you as a lover is like winning the lottery. Mind you, there's all the kids, and you stay around long enough they'll start calling you Dad before marriage. You're very much the father type. And another thing,I've learned long ago not to regret a single damn thing I've done, and I started a war against my own sister. I won it too. So don't go barking up the tree of regret, I've learned to let go and move on, but not regret. Regret sets you back from improvement and you. Are a wonderful improvement and addition to my life. If I regretted I wouldn't be where I am today." Her kids in the midst of her speech finished their meals,and Evan wrote down Crystals number and slid it too Arlath.

Arlath flinched back at the sudden movement and raised voice, but by the time she was done, he found he was struggling to hold back tears. He so desperately wanted to just regretlessly say yes, no matter how his past screamed at him. He looked away, trying to hide his emotions, something he'd never been good at. he reached out and took the paper with her number, studying it as an excuse to break eye contact.
"Okay," he eventually managed. "Alright. I…thank-you. That means a lot to me."
Slipping the paper carefully into his pocket, he made a massive effort to compose himself, finally daring to raise his head again, smiling weakly.
"Now I'm practically legally required to pay for your meal," he said, attempting a joke to cover up the emotions swirling just below the surface.