Planning the plot Who: Liam and Skylar Where: Liam’s house When: midday Warnings: None
Skylar trucked himself over to where Liam was, wanting to check out the guy’s yard to help him pick out the right tree. He already had something in mind, but it was good to see what kind of space they had and such since Liam hadn’t quite been able to answer the question himself.
When he got to what looked like the right house, he paced around in the yard, not going to the door, instead getting to work right away.
Liam had stopped back at the house for lunch and had been in the process of leaving the house to go back to school, but what he saw in his yard made him pause. “Skylar?” He asked, walking closer to the form that was surveying the grounds and narrowing his eyes for a moment until he remembered their conversation. He was here, he must be here to look for the best ground. “Hi.”
Skylar looked up when he heard his name, confused at first, as if he hadn’t expected to be noticed in broad daylight, and then it shifted into a smile. “Well hey there.”
“For the tree?” He asked, looking back at him then the spot that Skylar had been watching. Maybe this was a good place for the tree. It was near the door, which was kind of cool and Audrey would be able to see it when she came home which would be nice.
Skylar looked at it then moved back about three steps. “Here. So when it gets big the roots don’t screw with the foundation of the house.” He smiled at the kid. “You have any more ideas on what kind of tree you want?”
That was smart thinking. Liam wouldn’t have thought about putting the tree far enough away to keep the house safe. Shaking his head, he looked back at Skylar. “Something pretty,” He said, shrugging. “Don’t know. What should it be?”
Skylar shrugged. “I just sprouted some orange trees? That would be pretty because the blossoms are white. I also like the cherry blossoms, but those aren’t really practical as much as pretty and these days everyone wants practical.”
Liam wasn’t necessarily thinking practical for this. He of all people knew how important it was to have some non-essential items with him, like Terry the Very Secure Ninja and the rest of the gifts Audrey had gotten him while outside the dome. “...Can I afford both?”
Skylar looked at Liam, one eyebrow raised. “Possibly. If you get paid regularly. I wouldn’t stiff ya.” That just wasn’t fair.
“...Which is prettiest fastest?” He asked, looking back at the spot on the ground where one of the trees would go. “I get paid. I work at the hospital.” It was just the affording something again feeling that was throwing him off. It was strange to have to wonder if he could actually buy something again when before they’d been foraging.
“Cherry blossom. It’ll be small, but bloom some and it’ll keep doing that.” Skylar grinned more and nodded. “Then you should be good. The orange would be more, practical bits and all.”
“Then...the blossom first,” He decided, nodding a little to himself once he had. “Can I get it now?” He asked, thinking he could easily skip the rest of the day and put this plant in for Audrey right now. “You can...help, right?”
Skylar laughed. “You can. And I will if you need it. It’s not too big at this point so it should be easy to plant if you’ve got a shovel.”
“...I don’t think...” He looked back at him and shook his head again. “Can you?” He asked, thinking he would want Skylar’s help even if he didn’t need it because he wouldn't want to screw up the plant.
Nodding, Skylar laughed again. “Yes. I can. Promise.” He didn’t mind. Plus he wanted the plant to grow well, which meant if Liam wasn’t sure, it’d be good to help. “I can head back and get stuff now or we can do this whenever works for you.”
“Now?” He asked, looking back at Skylar before giving a little smile. It would be nice, after the rough night yesterday at the hospital, to do something productive with his hands just to do it. Just to see someone else smile because of it.
Skylar looked like he was considering it then nodded. “Alright. Now it is.” He took a few backwards steps towards his place, sure Liam would follow. It would be fun to plant something today and with the clouds starting to pepper the sky it might even rain and ease the watering part.