==========-< << The Oak and Thistle - Courtyard >> >-===========
This square courtyard is practically wedged between a number of businesses and features four very high stone walls, none with windows save for a single one that peers in from the apartment above the Oak and Thistle itself. It's a hidden gem, away from the prying eyes of the public with hundreds of lush, verdant plants fitted in all manners of planters that line the wall all the way up to the rooftops and litter the ground along the perimeter. There's a ladder fitted to a rail and wheels on the side, suitable for enabling someone to get to all those hard to reach places, much like a library.
The ground is otherwise paved of cobblestone, save for around a very large central oak tree. The trunk is wide and the branches reach for the sky, carefully pruned to allow for even the tallest of people to move around the garden without getting clotheslined on any low hangers. It holds a strange surprise, nestled right into the bark: a full size arched door and frame whose style echoes of days gone by.
Dotted around the courtyard are a number of chairs and tables and by night, hundreds of golden-white fairylights glitter in the overhanging branches, illuminating the space just enough to add something of a romantic atmosphere.
It's been a long day of honest work with their hands. Seven proved that he's capable and he's strong and resilient - he barely took a break, except for a short lunch break and some water breaks now and then. Whatever she tells him to do, he gets done - he asks for directions if he's not sure how to do something and is eager to learn.
After, they buy some take away food and brings it here, the giant man eager to show Saturna something; he's got a place to live, explaining a friend lets him stay here. He's dressed in durable clothes, and even shoes today. Even he realises that when you work, you best look as normal as possible so customers won't be too weirded out. He leads Saturna through the store and towards the back, through the private area and into the courtyard.
Saturna's satisfied and content. A good day of work almost always left her fulfilled, and she was happily following Seven through his new accomodations. Her gaze never stopped moving, really, since there was so much to look at on the way through the shop, but as they stepped out into the courtyard? She simply stops and stares, clearly surprised and impressed with the hidden courtyard.
Even Seven, who prefers the real wild, likes this place. It's got a near magical touch to it, even if there's no /actual/ magic here. Carrying the bags of food over to the center, he sets it down on a table; he lights a lantern hanging above so they have some more light, adding to the ambience. Does he realise how romantic this place is? By the looks of him, that's /not/ his intention - he's just as content as she is after a full days work, and eager to eat a proper meal as he sets out the boxes and the drinks, hiding away the bags under the the table for now. "I'm starving," he admits, waving her over to sit. "Beer or one of these fizzy drinks?" There's a few to chose from.
"This place is amazing." She can't help but try to look at it all, and there's just so much to see! Finally, though, she drags her eyes back to him with a bright smile. "I'm glad you found a place where you're happy." Honest and sincere, genuinely happy for him. "Hmm.. Beer? It always tastes so good after a long day of hard work." Her stomach gives a little growl, clearly starving as well.
Beer it is, for them both, Seven grinning in agreement as he sits down, grunting a bit tiredly. He's resilient, but even he feels the effects of honest work for long hours. He stretches his neck and back a bit, and then opens up containers - it's a mix of asian foods or whatever Saturna preferred to buy. Seven's made some money of his own and paid half - and there's plenty of it to fill both their bellies. "It's very nice," he agrees with his quiet raspy voice, glancing around as he opens their beers. He digs in, first almost starting to eat with his hands before he remembers; he picks up a plastic fork and begins eating while eyeing her closely. "I can sleep out here, too. If the room gets too... small."
Saturna Settles as well, picking a seat that made conversation easy. A mix of asian foods suited her just fine, and she was digging in while he talked. "It seems perfect for you, Seven." A little nod before washing down a bit of the meal with her beer, and she glances around again. "I've heard there's a few abandoned cabins scattered around. I might go take a look at some of them soon."
Seven shrugs a little, grinning lopsidedly. "Bit too central for me, but for now - it is perfect," he admits. He eats ravenously but tries his best not to be a total Beast while eating, chewing a few times before swallowing and everything. He even /tastes/ the food - this is the first time he's had Asian and he looks down in some amazement realising it's a brand new taste for him. Once that has dawned on him, he eats much slower, savoring it. "I will help you fix it up," he promises. There's a frown though, and he adds; "Make sure you have an escape out somehow. A tunnel, something."
Saturna says, “I might still build from scratch, but I figure there's no harm in looking at what's around. Something might be almost what I want, after all." She smiles, glancing to him again. "Of course I'll accept your help. We make a good team, and I'll definitely help you with a more permanent place, when it's time." She's relaxed, and starting to eat a bit slower. She probably took the edge off the hunger, and is now taking her time.”
"Yes. I've decided to stay awhile. Might be a long time," Seven admits - so he would be in the market for something more permanent, and this place, lovely at it is, isn't it. "I learned something," he suddenly remembers, sitting up straight. "Give me a minute." He stands up and jogs inside, but only to that backroom with supplies; he returns less than a minute later with a sketchpad and some drawing pens and flops back down on his chair. "Apparently," he says, as if he didn't know or had forgotten, "I can draw quite alright."
Saturna says, “That's good." He was one of the few real -friends- she had, and the fact that he was staying made her quite happy. She perks up at the sudden admission, instantly curious and interested in what he was remembering. "Sure," is offered as he stands, taking the moment to finish up her meal. "Oh! That's awesome. I can't really draw outside of drafting blueprints, really."”
Beginning to draw, while eating a few bites here and there, Seven gets a bit caught up in it - but the way he also keeps glancing at her makes it obvious he's sketching /her/. His style is simple, with wide sweeping lines; his focus is on the eyes and her hair and the shape of her head. What comes out is a good likeness - he could use more practice, but he does have some innate talent or he has been training in the past. He slides the sketch over to her, smiling.
She watches, attentive as his sketching takes form. She's just a little bit shy that he's drawing -her-, too. Just a tiny bit. "You are pretty good! You should definitely draw more. I bet you'll get even better." She's studying the rough portrait, taking in how he sees her before offering it back.
"I'll make a better one," Seven says - he takes that sketch back and looks at it before he lets it slide into the sketchpad; he doesn't give it to her. Maybe he wants to keep it for himself, in case... in case something happens. He'll have a memory. One can almost see him thinking that as he watches her with intent scrutiny, eyes simmering with sudden emotions. "We shouldn't be friends," he admits suddenly. "It's not right. You're in danger."
Saturna says, “I like that one just fine." She smiles, gently inferring that she doesn't -need- a better sketch of herself, that he doesn't need to make her a subject of his art. She probably just doesn't want him to feel obligated to make a better portrait of her?
She's clearly taken aback by the sudden shift in both attitude and conversation, confused more than hurt, but.. "What? Why not? How am I in danger?" Pulling her beer a bit closer, getting a bit smaller.”
There's a sullen look at her for a moment, before he finishes his meal and leans over the table, slouching. Seven considers something thoughtfully. "It's alright," he says finally, with a sigh. "I will talk to someone. And make some promises. And then, then we can be friends. And if you want, you can be under my protection, then. But we must talk about that later." He reaches a hand out, to take hers - hesitantly. Not sure if she'll want to. "Do you trust me?"
All of this is such a sudden shift-- and so far removed from their normal interactions. Even his bouts of paranoid beastliness, or that first time when he suddenly got up and left.. None of it was quite like this. Her hand tenses just slightly before she lets him take it, giving him a decidedly firm nod. Determined. "I want to stay your friend, Seven."
That hand is squeezed tightly for a few lingering seconds. Seven has never been so intensely worried about something, but now that he has a plan, he's more at ease. And when she says she wants to remain his friend, she's offered a quick relieved grin before he lets go of her hand. "I'll go talk to that person, tout suite," he says, throwing in some French while he's at it. He yawns widely, suddenly. "I think it's bed time for us - more work tomorrow." He hesitates, and offers; "If you want you can stay here - I'll sleep outside anyway. That bed upstairs is great."
Her worry lingers a little longer than his, but it's far less intense. Concern for her friend, faint worry about what she's getting herself into, but nothing so pointed, so -known- as what he must be feeling. "Maybe another time? The brewery isn't terribly far from here." She smiles, gathering what little she needed to get on her way.
"Maybe," Seven says, standing up and he'll follow her to the front door. "Drive safely." He watches her leave, then closes and locks that door - a quick look up and down the street, in his paranoid way. Then he's alone again and heads up those stairs with heavy steps.
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