crickets wander, murmuring [open]

[sanswords]

Echo had been cooped up all winter, waiting for spring to arrive. Sure, she had spent some time outside playing in the snow, but she's a nymph, and nymphs like warm weather. So when she saw it was getting nice out, she happily went outside

Comments

[myrddin_wyllt]

Merlin might be about as well, tending to a small patch of spring lillies and humming to himself.

He might say, over his shoulder, without stopping his work, "Well, lass, so long as you'll be plucking, you may as well lend a hand."

[sanswords]

"...a hand," she murmurs, looking at him with wide, curious eyes.

[myrddin_wyllt]

Merlin nods. "Come now --- those bulbs won't be planted on their own, lass," he adds, and points to hem.

[sanswords]

"...own, lass," she murmurs again, nodding.

[myrddin_wyllt]

"Well," Merlin asks, "Were you going to come and help an old man, then?"

[sanswords]

"...man, then?" She smiles a little, jumping up. She's certainly willing to help.

[myrddin_wyllt]

"Here," Merlin says, gruffly but not unkindly. "Help me with this."

He's reorganizing some flowerbeds that have been disturbed by the winter.

[sanswords]

"...with this." Echo nods and begins to work, carefully.

[myrddin_wyllt]

After a moment, Merlin smiles a bit more. "You have skill, lass."

[sanswords]

"...skill, lass." She looks over at him, beaming.

[myrddin_wyllt]

Merlin grins back, his face is full of elderly amusement. "Aye, I speak the truth."

[sanswords]

"...the truth." Echo giggles.

[myrddin_wyllt]

Merlin looks amused and shakes his head. "Lass, one day," he says, "I will find a way to help you speak your mind."

[sanswords]

"...your mind." She sighs a little, looking down.

[myrddin_wyllt]

"If you allow me," Merlin adds, very gently.

[sanswords]

"...allow me," she murmurs, and nods.