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Lukas puts the emeralds on the counter and waits for Jack to react.
It’s not often that he splurges on something but this was something for Jesse. The two have been roaming around town a few weeks back and Jesse wanted to visit Jack’s Emporium since it’s been a bit since she visited. While there, Jesse had spotted something that kept her attention during the whole visit but refused to say anything, even when Nurm attempted to get Jesse to take a better look.
A sapling in a pot.
However, it wasn’t just any sapling but a Cherry Sapling that is quite rare to come by in their world.
Jack, Nurm, and Petra had taken a trip with Ivor and Harper through the Network not that long ago. Lukas knows that Jack and Nurm had ended up bringing back a lot of treasures with them but the Sapling was the only thing out of all of it that matters.
“What’s it for?” Jack asks, finally saying something after just staring. “You buying something because I’m afraid that most of it is for looking, not buying.”
“I know.” Lukas pulls back; losing what confidence he did have coming in. “You remember the Sapling that Jesse was looking at? I wanted to see if I could buy it from you and replace it later.”
The Order all of have access to the Network without the need for permission like others. So, Lukas could sneak off at a later date to collect a Sapling and give it to Jack. Just not right now since Beacontown is still being rebuilt and Jesse to trying to earn people’s trust back; Lukas and Radar have been sticking by her side to make things easier.
Lukas had left Jesse with Nell and Em while he visited Jack and Nurm; knowing that he had a limited time before returning to her side.
“Well, the Sapling belongs to Nurm, so you have to take it up with him.”
Nurm is standing by the Sapling and has just finished tying a piece of string around it; shaping it into a bow. The Villager looks quite proud of himself and Lukas felt horrible about barging in now. That was until Nurm brought the pot over and held it out towards Lukas; saying something that he doesn’t quite understand.
Jack chuckles. “Nurm noticed Jesse staring and has been waiting until she comes back, he wants you to take it to her.” He slides the emeralds towards Lukas, who takes them. “Nurm also said to keep your emeralds, replacing the Sapling would be enough.”
“Thanks, Nurm.”
Lukas left two of the emeralds on the counter and the pot in hand before either could stop him. He made sure to tell them ‘thank you’ and that he would replace the Sapling as soon as he could. Both just wave Lukas off before returning to what they have been doing before Lukas came in.
…
Jesse is sitting on the step in front of Nell’s house, fiddling with her communicator. A device that Oliva and Ellegaard have been working on; it can send messages between people no matter how far away they are. There are only communicators for the New and Old Order, along with Harper and a few others, but they are planning on making sure that more people can keep in contact with one another.
Lukas takes a seat while making sure to keep the Sapling out of view.
The Cherry trees were a sight to behold when they entered that world. It was both peaceful and unnerving with no real in-between. Even after defeating the boss of that world, like so many before it, things never really changed and that feeling never left until they returned to the Network.
However, Jesse loved it and talked about returning to the world a few times since then.
Petra and Ivor never seem interested but Lukas wouldn't mind returning.
“Oliva and Axel are coming next week for dinner,” Jesse said. She lowers her communicator down and looks out at their people, not quite sure what to do with herself. “Petra might come if she is close by around that time but she said not to get our hopes up.”
“I’ll bring out the recipe book.”
Lukas knows about the choice between Jesse staying in Beacontown and leaving with Petra. How could he not when he was standing right there, watching a thousand thoughts easily being read on her face. He knew whatever Jesse chose would be a choice that she wanted to make and not because she had to make.
And in the end, Jesse had decided to remain with them.
“Actually, I think I got the perfect centrepiece for the table.”
Jesse looks at him just as he brings the Sapling around and holds it out towards her.
There was only silence between the two of them even when Jesse gently took the pot from his hands and could only stare at it. Lukas couldn’t quite read the emotions on his friend’s face, even though he had grown used to figuring out what was going on in that head of hers, but could tell that Jesse was conflicting through so many.
“The Emporium.” Jesse set the pot in her lap while looking over at Lukas. “You didn’t have to, Lukas.”
“Well, actually it was Nurm who wanted you to have it.” If they weren’t busy rebuilding the town, Lukas would have gone to that world himself and got a sapling but it was impossible at the moment. “You always did like the Cherry trees.”
Jesse turns back to the Sapling, smiling softly at the sight.
“Thank you, Lukas.”
Lukas knocks shoulders with Jesse; “no problem, Jesse.”