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Azure's acceptance into the cult was not something that was made into a big deal. It was celebrated, yes, and for the most part, the others seemed to be accepting, offering him welcoming smiles and respectful nods. Azure wouldn't admit it to anyone but himself, but the positive reception he received had calmed his nerves immensely. He would have hated to have made an enemy by merely existing, and he hasn't done anything but that.
He keeps to himself, silent yet approachable - someone who would not mind your presence but would not make a conscious effort to acknowledge it.
He engages in conversation when it's appropriate, but for the most part, Azure has been a calm observer, spectating idly while making mental notes of everything, even the small details. That person is quite talkative; this person enjoys sunny days; the one next to them does not like a certain food. Tiny things, all carefully categorized in the endless labyrinth of Azure's mind. Useless things, maybe, but he has always been perceptive. It helps conversations flow easier, in the rare times he participates in them; he can gauge someone's mood and adjust his demeanor accordingly. Indifferent, amiable, comforting (though he struggles with that), whatever keeps him in everyone's good graces.
He's been doing a good enough job at that, even managing to build a somewhat stable routine. Pray, observe, talk if needed, pray again, lose himself in his thoughts, pray again, observe, pray again. Shaky at best, and seldom consistent, but predictable enough for Azure to find comfort in it. If there's a deviation, he adjusts to it. He can't do much else. He can't expect everything to always go smoothly in a life like this - a life he willingly chose to live.
Sometimes, more often than not, Azure purposely breaks his hastily-created system for one reason. When he's not observing, when he's not praying, when he's not conversing, and when he's not zoning out, he allows nothing except his feet to guide him and he always, without question, ends up in the same sprawling flower field. It's the one predictable thing in his little world. The walk isn't far, and Azure only processes where he's ended up after he's lying on his back, basking in the sunlight as he quietly names every flower sprouting from the ground like an everyday chore.
Sunflowers are the most prominent ones, but there are also daffodils and daisies, carnations and asters, violets and orchids. A wonderful array of plants, a colorful variety of what Azure has been fixated on for years. He's had to stop himself from picking any of the flowers; he wouldn't want to disturb what nature has created and what nature continues to create, even if something would sprout in their place. Grass, perchance, or maybe another flower filling the place of another, eventually wilting or dying through different means. That thought in particular dampens Azure's mood without fail; it's something he tries to block from his mind.
Either way, Azure always lies in the field for as long as he can - sometimes it's just a few minutes, but on rare occasions, he stays for hours, drifting in and out of wakefulness. One time, he stayed long enough for the cool moon to replace the warm sun, an undeniable chill seeping into his skin that reminded him of where he was and, unfortunately, where he should have been.
Today is no different; another break in routine where Azure is carried to the same place he always returns to, walking on autopilot and letting his mind wander, thinking about small things and overthinking lots of other things. He's careful not to put too much weight on his feet, not wanting to crush too many flowers, and eventually finds a spot to sit down, ignoring all else. He takes a deep breath and releases it in a languid exhale, any leftover tension quickly draining from his body and leaving him relaxed. Comfortable. Safe.
He tilts his hat down, partially blocking his face from the sun. It feels hotter than usual, though Azure can't really bring himself to care. He's always had a natural inclination for colder weather, and he usually stays indoors whenever the temperature rises even slightly above what it should usually be, but today is...different, somehow. It's not sweltering — maybe because it's still somewhat early in the morning — but the extra warmth is noticeable.
Hands locked behind his head, propping it up, Azure breathes steadily and goes over all of the flowers he can remember being in the field. It's a fun way to test himself, even if he's never forgotten one.
Daffodils, carnations, sunflowers, violets–
"Excuse me?”
Azure startles almost violently and sits up as quickly as he can, knocking his head against someone else's, causing both of them to reel back in surprise and pain. He curses, rubbing the spot where he collided with whoever this was and resisting the urge to snap at them. Why were they close enough to accidentally bonk their head with his?
Azure glances up with a frown and pauses. He's seen this person before - he knows he has; he just...can't place their name, which is odd for him. Then again, he's never exactly bothered to learn anything about them. The most he's done is associate them with Amarah; clinging like a parasite and rarely giving the older one any personal space. Azure could never tell if Amarah was bothered by that or not.
He tilts his head, studying this admittedly intriguing character. They look back at him with a beatific smile. "My apologies. I was not expecting you to react so...strongly."
Azure can't help but scoff quietly. Him being scared (more of a heavy spook) was absolutely valid; who looms over a stranger like that? "I think a lot of people would react the same way."
They tilt their head back at him. "...You might be right," they respond simply, holding their hand out invitingly. "In any case, I don't believe we've properly met. I am Two Time, and you are...?"
Ah. Two Time. That would have been Azure's second guess after 'creepy person who doesn't know what personal space is'. He hesitates, eyeing Two Time's hand skeptically before slowly reaching and shaking it. "...Azure."
Two Time's smile brightens. "I believe I am very blessed to have met you, Azure. This must have been predetermined by the Spawn."
Azure pulls his hand back, frowning again. He's not sure how to respond to that, so he doesn't. "Why are you up here?"
"You seemed to be unresponsive," Two Time answers straightforwardly. "I wanted to make sure you were not dead. Losing a devout follower such as yourself would have been tragic."
"...How did you think I was dead?"
"You were unresponsive," Two Time says again, patiently watching Azure. They sit next to him, a comfortable distance away. "Unmoving until I spoke."
Azure looks at the ground and idly tugs at a flower's petals. Gardenia. That's a new one. "I didn't realize I was...like that." Does he look like that all the time? He shudders a bit at the thought. "Well, thanks for making sure I wasn't dead, I guess."
"Of course!" Two Time gives Azure their rapt attention, watching him toy with the flower. "You seem very interested in that plant. What is it called?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Am I not allowed to be curious?"
"I never said that–"
"Then what is the flower called?"
Azure rolls his eyes but still answers. "It's a Gardenia." His voice comes out softer than expected and he feels a small pang of excitement despite himself. It's been a while since he's been able to talk to anyone about flowers. "The weather is perfect for them to bloom, but I didn't expect them to appear here."
Two Time shifts closer to Azure and carefully touches the flower as well. "It must be the will of the Spawn."
Azure looks at Two Time, really looks at them, and notices how their expression has softened into something more tranquil. Their smile is more genuine, too. "The Spawn wills flowers to bloom now?" He questions, his tone filled with lighthearted amusement. "What's the reason for that?"
Two Time seems to hesitate before shrugging. "...I am not sure. The Spawn does many things that have deeper meanings. Confusing, yes, but done for a reason."
Azure hums in response, his hand leaving the flower and drifting to the grass, running his palm along the soft blades. His voice is barely above a whisper when he speaks again. "...Do you want to learn about more flowers?"
Two Time hears him and perks up, their smile widening. "Yes! Only if you would like to share, of course." They press against Azure's side and he finds that he...doesn't mind the contact. "I've always found flowers interesting. The way they can persevere through the harshest conditions...it reminds me of myself." Their smile wavers. "Even if they don't always succeed."
Azure places a comforting hand on Two Time's shoulder. He takes note of the unhealthy pallor of their skin but doesn't comment on it. They're talking about flowers, not physical appearances. "Well, I think you would like magnolias. Lotuses, too; they represent perseverance in their own way."
Two Time watches Azure as if he's hung every single star in the sky and named every one after them. "Do they really?" They whisper reverently. "I never knew that...Do you have a favorite flower?"
Azure's answer is immediate. "Nightshades. They're just...really pretty, and purple is my favorite color." He smiles wistfully. "I would have a garden of them if I could, but most of them are poisonous."
"Nightshades..." Two Time repeats the name a few times, committing it to memory. "Those sound beautiful. I like oleanders for the same reason that you like nightshades. I think they're poisonous, too."
"Very," Azure mumbles, looking to the side. "...Both flowers can kill a person."
"But they are both gorgeous," Two Time says with a nod. They notice Azure's hand still resting on their shoulder and they cover it with their own. "That's the sad part. Beauty that you cannot even touch."
Azure ignores the way his heart beats faster at Two Time's touch. He tilts his hand, palm facing up, and intertwines his fingers with the others'. "That's a good way to put it. It's unfortunate, but that's how nature works."
Two Time nods again and doesn't respond verbally. Azure does not expect them to. They sit in silence; Azure barely reacts when Two Time removes their hand and chooses to rest their head on Azure's shoulder. He closes his eyes and merely breathes, hitching as Two Time's scent fills his lungs. Warm, sweet, with a faint undertone of something that he cannot place.
After a few minutes, Azure quietly continues talking about flowers. He rambles on about the ones he can remember, falters at the ones he forgets the names of, and recovers when Two Time gives his thigh a light, reassuring squeeze.
Azure doesn't mind this new addition to his routine, however unintentional it — they — may have been. He supposes that he can make room for Two Time in his life.