Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 51: A Girl of Flowers

Them hoped that Eory had been kind enough to ask Taylor to meet the waif on the dream plains that night. After an exhausting night of making awkward conversation with the moody elf, Terran, with nothing but smelly dishes for company, he could use some cheering up by the vivacious Taylor.

"So, Terran... how was it that you decided your dwarf friend was the one for you?" Them attempted a conversation starter earlier that night.

"She was respectful." He replied shortly.

"That's it?" Them was astounded by the elf's uninspiring and cold description of why he loved his woman. "Shouldn't you mention her curvy hips? Her plump lips? Her vivacious personality? You do burn for her, right?"

Terran rolled his eyes. "I do not need to drool over her and explain how much I esteem her parts to convince anyone, least of all you, that I love her."

What a tepid relationship... Them thought to himself.

And later that night, when he climbed into bed with Pete by his side, he closed his heavy eyes and reached out with his nearly-asleep-mind. To his surprise and delight, Taylor had opened the dream plains to him.

He felt his consciousness drifting toward them until he fell into them.

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Taylor was doing something very feminine; she was picking flowers on the impossibly verdant lands of her lush dreams.

Them popped into existence about a yard behind her. He watched her in silence for a moment—trying to discern whether doing something so very sweet and feminine fitted her well or not. He had to clap a hand to his mouth in a moment to prevent his laughter when she began singing.

♪I am an innocent maid

As white as a lily, some think I'm silly

And here I am, waiting for a knight with a blade

Wondering if he will cut my innocence in twain ♪

Them snuck up behind her on silent feet until there were only inches between them. He lunged forward with his arms outstretched—pushing on her shoulders. "Boo!"

Taylor shrieked and spun around. When she realized it was only Them, her wide-open mouth and eyes were drawn into a furious frown. She shoved a palm into his torso and exclaimed melodramatically, "you beast! How dare you sneak up on me!"

Them chuckled. "I couldn't help it! You made it so easy!"

Them cleared his throat and smiled mischievously as he looked at her hand. "So..."

Taylor, who was still holding a white lily in hand, suddenly dropped it and her face turned red.

"I didn't know you liked picking flowers and singing." Them finally burst out—unable to contain his amusement of the fact.

"I-I don't! I was just bored waiting for you. I had to do something..." Taylor explained hastily.

Them couldn't stop smiling. "You have a nice voice... It sounds to me like you have sung before and that you must like singing very much!"

Taylor did not look amused at his needling, and he decided he should stop before she decided to hurt him—or worse, end their visit for the night.

Instead, he decided to be encouraging. "You know, I was a bard for a time. Singing... Well, singing was the closest I ever felt to being alive. There's no shame in liking it. I can coach you if you like."

Taylor still did not look amused for an awkward beat, and Them thought she might tell him to leave. Her nose twitched; she sneezed. As if the sneeze had changed her disposition, she suddenly smiled. "What do you mean it 'makes you feel alive'? You're alive right now!"