Chapter Text
Drift had been planning on a solo exploration. It would be good to be alone, she thought, to reflect on… everything. A lot had happened. There was a dragon tournament next week, she now had a burn scar just under her left eye, and she may or may not have caught feelings for the person who lived right above her. Surely that wouldn't be awkward to deal with at all.
She hadn't expected to run into anyone else out there, but lo and behold, she found Graecie just outside the school entrance.
“Oh, hey there. What are you doing out so late?”
“Oh! Hello Drift! I was just going for a walk, but I kind of got too scared to go out alone. But now you're here! If you wouldn't mind walking with me?”
“I mean, that's what I'm out here for, and Pyro's been saying we need to talk with the other dorms more, so sure, why not.”
“Oh, blessed bells!” Graecie rang the bells she kept tied around her wrist in a bracelet. “So where do you usually go on walks?”
“Eh, I just kinda wander around in the woods. Sometimes I go to the flower field? By the way, off-topic question, but do you know anything about flower symbolism?” Graecie seemed to light up immediately.
“Yes, I do! I actually studied it for a while! Did you want to know about any particular flower?”
“Yeah. See, sometimes when I'm walking around or hanging out with certain people I kinda grow flowers at my feet? Usually it's dandelions, but I've noticed a kind of pattern. When I'm scared it's blue orchids, and when I'm around one specific person it's lavender. Does that mean anything?”
“Hm… I don't think the blue orchids mean anything, but dandelions are usually survival and joy. And lavender…” Graecie paused and pulled a small book from her bag. Drift noted the words “Flower Symbolism Guide” on the cover and figured Graecie was double-checking something. Then she let out an incredulous laugh. “Sorry, sorry, just- I forgot it said that! Uh, lavender symbolizes royalty, devotion and… homosexuality?”
“Ah. That would make sense.” Graecie raised an eyebrow.
“Explain?”
“Well, uh, I don't wanna get into it, but I've been involved with the monarchy before. And the person the lavender shows up around… miiight be thegirlilike BUT YOU CANNOT TELL ANYONE OR I WILL NEVER LIVE THIS DOWN.”
“Hey, I'm in the same boat as you.”
“Ohh, you and Zam?” Graecie looked away, probably blushing.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yeah, it kinda is.”
For a bit they just walked in silence, until the scent of lavender washed over them. Moments later, they emerged into the lavender field.
“Well, we're here. This is the best hangout spot. One time Cam fell asleep here, apparently the lavender smell is sleep-inducing.”
“I see… I think I remember that? I'm not sure, I was with my friends at the time. Not that you guys aren't my friends! Just–”
“Hey, don't worry, I get it. English is hard sometimes.”
They spent the next hour or so talking about random things, like flowers and people and the academy. Fern and Fleece chased each other through the grass, occasionally flaring their wings in a mock intimidating gesture. It was actually really cute.
By the time they got back to the academy, the moon was almost setting. They ran to their dorms to not get caught by the guards, who were very strict about curfew.
Drift finally fell asleep thinking of purple flowers and a certain girl that she probably thought of too much.