❥ text. (@wild.flower)

[hasitsthorns]

[ It's been a bit since prom and, perhaps unsurprisingly, Rose went off on her own afterward. She thought that her feeling strange was just a natural part of the change of seasons and warmer temperatures but now it's... too warm.

Or, rather, she's too warm. It's been long enough that she feels a bit unfocused for it and buys a thermometer at a local store from the suggestion of the clerk. She thinks he says something about cold medicine, too, but she doesn't find any medicine in the refrigerated section. Which honestly is a shame because her throat hurts and she could go for some ice cream.

It's only after she takes her temperature that she realizes she actually has no idea what an average human temperature is even supposed to be.

Hm. ]

hey, everyone
quick question
is 102 a pretty bad fever, or-?
this thermometer thing beeped and turned red so it SEEMS bad
I just want to know what level of concerned I should be

[ Probably more than she is, oops. ]

Comments

[crystalmaster]

That's interesting. I guess you're pretty glad you fell in then, since that's the only place there where you can catch them!

[He remembers her story from before.]

It sounds like there's lots of nice things to see in Azalea. I should get over there. I kinda wonder why both paths to get in are so rough.

[hasitsthorns]

[ Oh, yeah- They did talk then, didn't they? It's wild to think sometimes, really, the repeated experiences... She's still not used to it. ]

I don't know, but it does make it feel a little more secluded and cozy. I like it, honestly, and if I settle down anywhere here- It might be there.

[crystalmaster]

I guess it probably keeps out everyone who isn't serious about getting there, so maybe in that respect it makes it safer?

That kind of reminds me of where I used to live, actually. You had to go through the desert to get to it. Although unlike Azalea, we had so many people coming there that it never felt that secluded.

[hasitsthorns]

Yeah, might be- I didn't realize what I was getting into when I stubbornly headed there but, man, I was not disappointed. Slowpokes are just... They're the best.

-Though, oh- Ew. The desert? Sorry. That's a bummer. I went through Arizona once and I saw enough beige to last me a lifetime. Don't know how people can just, like, live there.

[crystalmaster]

That's great.

[Radley has to laugh.]

Yeah, some of the scenery leaves something to be desired. Where I was, though, there were a lot of red rocks. Those were pretty striking. And we had some wooded areas with pine trees. Some people planted palm trees in town too. So there were some nice things to look at. Outside of town were some ranches with grass for cows and horses.

[hasitsthorns]

[ Red rocks... Like Sedona, maybe? She doesn't remember much beyond the red rocks and how pretty it made the landscape look at sunset. Maybe there is something to what he says. ]

Palm trees, huh? Never understood them, like- How do they even work, man? Make no sense. [ A beat. ] Oh, gods. I'm getting philosophical about palm trees. Maybe I should see a doctor.

[crystalmaster]

... You know, I have no idea. Roses, I could tell you about. Palm trees ... yeah, I don't know how they work. They look pretty cool, though.

[He chuckles.]

Actually, now you've got me curious. They have palm trees somewhere here too, so maybe I'll look up how to cultivate them, just for fun.

[hasitsthorns]

[ See? It's strange! Still, she has to give a good-hearted chuckle at that. ]

Well, hey- If it gives you something to do, why not?

[crystalmaster]

Yeah, I think I will. Maybe sometime when I'm bored. It seems like there's always something to do around here.