How Green Becomes Wood

"That is quick," Dark replied, a little impressed, "Have you been considering this for some time?"

Daizi leaned over to scoop Ivy from her high chair, "You got so messy, habibti, we're going to wash your face again."
 
"I have been debating on going for the last three months or so, but I only recently made up my mind to go when my boss reminded me that I still had not used my vacation days. I believe he worries for me," Ciara said frankly as she laid her eating utensils delicately on her plate. "In truth, I had not thought about inviting Alec and Xander until more recently. If this time does not work out, though, there will be other times."
 
"I am sure there will be." He agreed, sitting back in his seat while Daizi took a napkin and wiped Ivy's face clean.

"I used to only take vacation days when we went to Egypt, and seldomly took sick days if I could avoid it" Daizi said, keeping Ivy in her lap, "I ran out of whatever I had left last year, I had to take so many days off. Now my work schedule is honestly laughable, I've lost all sense of it, but my boss is still more than satisfied."
 
"I worked from home for a time, but it was ultimately not a good fit for me. I am impressed by those who do. We have a few low-level analysts who work from home, and they typically get all their work completed in half the time as those in the office," Ciara commented.

Xander stood and cleaned off the table, picking up the leftovers and setting them aside to be dealt with later. Alec scrambled to follow him.
 
"To be honest, I think I'll be more satisfied in my career once I'm back in the office, but..." She shrugged, holding her daughter more securely, "I valued some non-professional aspects of my life more. One day I'll go back, but I have really valued being able to be closer to my family this year. Lunch breaks are more fun."

She was letting Ivy sit in her lap, but when it became clear she was in too wiggly a mood, Daizi stood her up and held her securely. Immediately, Ivy hugged her little arms tightly around her mother's neck and pressed their faces together before babbling happily. In between what she was saying to Ciara, Daizi would respond to Ivy as though she were making valuable contributions to the discussion.
 
Last edited:
"I see," Ciara said, watching them with an unclear expression. "It is good to get different perspectives from time to time. And you, Mr. Dark, you have no intention of returning to a... an outside employer?"
 
"Not at this point in my life," Dark answered, "I enjoyed the work I did as a teacher, truly, but I believe I value being able to stay here and support my family more than I value working a paid position. When she is in school, I may go back. I did have many plans, there. The closest I have come to employment were the few days I filled in for Alec at his job."
 
"Oh? That must have been an interesting change of pace," Ciara nodded. "Remind me, Alec, where are you working?"

"Peaceful Petals, a flower shop," Alec told her happily as he and Xander returned to the table now that everything was cleaned up. "I'm learning a lot about how to display flowers and keep cut ones alive for as long as possible."
 
"He enjoys the work more than I did," Dark drawled, sitting back in his seat, "I find I am much less interested in flowers not grown by my wife."

"The customers were certainly very interested in you," Daizi replied before Ivy grabbed her mouth.
 
"It is good that you are getting some good work experience," Ciara remarked. "Have you chosen what it is you wish to work toward as a career? Perhaps something to do with plants such as biology?"

"Not yet," Alec said slowly. "I have been considering some ideas, but I haven't picked anything yet. I was considering a career in the arts."

"The arts?" Ciara repeated quizzically.

Alec smiled. "Dance, theater, music... something like that."

"Oh." Ciara hesitated, clearly trying to find something positive to say and fighting with what she really wanted to say. "That sounds like an interesting choice to... consider."

"I thought so," Alec nodded.

"And you?" Ciara asked Xander a touch hurriedly.

Xander shrugged. "Leather crafts. It's been working so far, and if it doesn't, I mean to go into one of the trades. Whichever looks the least boring. Or maybe see if Cooger will hire me on as an apprentice."

"That is a very practical plan of action," Ciara approved, though she looked a bit disappointed. "You do not wish to attempt some sort of college degree? You might discover a career you are passionate about that way."

And make more money and be more respectable, Xander thought in amusement. "No plans yet, but I haven't ruled it out," he said to make his aunt happy.
 
"We don't want to push them into something they don't feel would serve them," Daizi said, flipping Ivy upside-down, "All jobs matter, I want them to be able to support themselves doing something they love. But I do agree college opens doors to careers you may not yet know exist. I went to college initially to be a concert harpist."

"I wanted to become a tattoo artist, for a time." Dark mused, "I think we are both familiar with changing minds."
 
"Indeed, minds do change a lot," Ciara agreed, but her tone suggested she'd never changed her mind about careers and did not fully understand what Dark and Daizi were talking about. She did not argue, though, only moved the conversation to other, more bland topics for a few minutes. Then. feeling she had fulfilled her obligations for social politeness, she started to stand. "I should be on my way. Thank you for dinner. It was quite good."

"Thank you for stopping by, Aunt Ciara," Alec said, standing to walk her out.

"Yeah, it was cool, and for the stuff," Xander said, following.
 
"I'm so glad you decided to stay for dinner," Daizi said while she and Dark also walked Ciara out, "It will be nice to have you here again on Friday, and again next Saturday. Please keep in touch."
 
"I shall. Thank you for the invitations, and I look forward to seeing you again." Ciara removed her show covers, retrieved her purse, and said a few more polite goodbyes as she left.

Alec watched her go and made certain she was most definitely on her way before slumping with an exhausted sigh.
 
Alec smiled weakly up at Dark. "Thank you. It has been a very, very long day." He rubbed his face tiredly. "Ah, crap. I keep forgetting to tell her I work for Uncle Tristan. There was even the perfect opportunity, and I plum forgot!"
 
Dark squeezed Alec's shoulder and then, with a quiet sigh, pulled him in close and kept him tucked beneath one arm, "She will be very surprised to see him on Friday if you do not warn her, or allow us to do so."
 
Alec burrowed into Dark and closed his eyes. "I'll text her tomorrow before school," he mumbled into his father's side. He stayed there, tucked in a place of warmth and safety like a baby bird, utterly drained. He was truly glad his aunt had come and that she'd given them the last few things she could find of their mother's, but it had also been a lot emotionally to process. He wanted another nap.

Xander wandered wordlessly into the living room and sat on the edge of the couch. Gingerly, he looked through the items again, arranging them on the coffee table as he did so. Such a random collection of items. It looked like a box that would end up at a charity shop. Yet at some point, someone important to hm and cared about these items. They meant something to someone no matter how dorky they looked to him. He found a few loose photos tucked under one flap of the box and pulled them out. These could go with the photo album. There were some empty spots.
 
"Okay," Was all he said, keeping Alec tucked in closely for as long as he needed. Standing there, somewhat hunched from the height difference, he almost decided to save his back and just lift Alec up and hold him that way. The only thing that stopped him was the fear of embarrassing his son. "I love you, Albuma," He murmured, smelling of cardamom and cedarwood.

Daizi stopped in the living room, knowing she should be on the way to nurse. Already Ivy was tugging at her neckline, but she heard the rustling of the box, "Hey," She said, holding Ivy's hand to prevent embarrassment, "How is it going?"
 
Alec breathed in deeply of his father's scent, savoring it. "I love you, too," he whispered back. He gave Dark a little squeeze and slowly pulled himself away. He could tell Dark was uncomfortable in that position and didn't want him to get hurt by staying bent in a weird position for too long. "I'm going to go to my room. Thank you for..." He waved a hand vaguely, not sure where to start. There was so much to thank him for.

Xander glanced up. "Alright. I found a couple of pictures. I guess someone liked printing them out. I don't know what to do with the rest of this. Most of it's junk, but... you know. It was hers."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top