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Alhaitham knew she looked good in white. It was the base color of her traveling dress, after all. It made her look ethereal and soft, like the light from a distant star.
But as she mingled with the crowd after the conclusion of the parade, and as his gaze lingered on her, he couldn’t help but admire her in the dress of the Knight of Flowers.
The flowing fabric of the traditional garment accentuated her figure, an aura of grace added to every step she took. The gold accents of her cyan and white dress shimmered in the fading sunlight. The patterns and embroidery on the bodice and the dress were well made. He found himself stunned, unable to look away from the vision before him.
In his opinion, which rarely took precedence over objectivity, Lumine looked better in Sumerian clothes.
Despite his usual stoic demeanor, a warmth spread through his chest as he watched her, a feeling so foreign yet also welcome.
Just then, an Aranara materialized on his shoulder. He didn’t get a chance to glimpse the forest spirit’s features before it jumped up to pat his head and disappeared.
Small white petals appeared in the air. They whirled around him before drifting to the ground. He blinked in surprise, struggling to comprehend the appearance of these delicate blooms. He’d heard tales of the Aranaras and their blessings for Sumerians in love, but never did he imagine he’d get to experience it firsthand, especially not in relation to the Traveler.
He found himself captivated by the petals’ gentle descent. He tried to brush them away in a discreet manner, but they continued to materialize around him, a silent testament to the emotions he was struggling to rein in. Realizing the futility of his efforts, he resigned himself to this unexpected display, his eyes inevitably drawn back to Lumine. A group of children gathered around her, and she gave them colorful hard candies. They smiled as they thanked her and popped the round sweets in their mouths.
Alhaitham couldn't help his lips quirking up at the sight. The petals swirled with vigor around him, drawn to the warmth in his chest.
He watched her interact with the children, until they started to scatter. That was an optimal opportunity for him to approach her. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to do.
He took a step, and a delicate white flower appeared from where he once stood. It unfurled its petals like a silent declaration. The aroma was rich and sweet, reminding him of her. He paused, momentarily startled by this visible manifestation of his feelings. He took another step, leaving behind another blossom, his resolve strengthening with each blooming flower that marked his path.
As he approached her, the petals trailed behind him. He cleared his throat, catching her attention. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the flowers surrounding him, a mix of curiosity and amusement dancing in her gaze.
"Traveler," he began, voice steady in spite of the flutter in his chest, "I see you're enjoying the festivities."
Lumine’s honeyed eyes sparkled with joy. "I am. The parade was quite fun."
Alhaitham chuckled. "And the Aranara seem to have blessed everyone today.”
She glanced down at the white flowers that were now surrounding the two of them. "I must say, you seem to be experiencing a… unique celebration of your own."
Warmth crept up his neck. "Indeed. It seems they have taken a particular interest in me today." He gestured to the flowers, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“I can see that.” Lumine's eyes darted to his feet, where one of them had weaved itself between his boots.
“Golden Nara!” The creature said, waving its tiny arms at her in greeting.
His eyes followed hers. "It seems they've taken quite a liking to you."
“That they have.”
He observed the delicate petals that had drifted around the skirt of her dress. The sight of her surrounded by the blooms enhanced her beauty, making his heart stutter in his ribcage. He swallowed hard. He found himself drawn to the intricate patterns, tracing the delicate embroidery with his gaze. He was a loss for words. The flowers around them continued to multiply, their sweet fragrance enveloping the pair in a world of their own.
Lumine's soft laughter broke the silence. "Well, Scribe, I never knew you had a flowery side to you."
He cleared his throat, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Neither did I. It seems that the Sabzeruz Festival has brought about many surprises."
She reached out to touch a flower that had blossomed near his hand. "They're beautiful. Thank you for sharing this moment with me."
His eyes softened as he looked at her. "The pleasure is mine, Lumine. Perhaps we could enjoy the rest of the festival together."
Her face lit up with a radiant smile. "I'd love that."
She fell into step with him. As they walked side by side, the flowers blossomed in their wake, a testament to the feelings between them. The Aranaras’ blessing had done more than just create flowers – it had given them a chance to nurture something far more precious.
As the sun set on Sumeru, casting a warm glow over the festivities of the Archon's birthday, the two of them found themselves at the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with the promise of love and the beauty of unexpected blessings, following the sweet fragrance of jasmine blooms.