[RP] The Inn of Peace - IoP (Open to all)

[Gren_Eckener]

Adam beamed, cheery as sunshine and pulled Zulma into a hearty, affectionate hug. "It's been far too long." he murmured, all affection.  

[Zulma san]

The innkeeper literally purred in her friend's arms. "Yes it has." she whispered back, closing her eyes a moment, enjoying the sensation of those friendly and loving arms.
Then she slowly pulled back and looked at him with a smile, golden eyes gentle.
"Thank you Adam, I am much better now." she winked at him before adding with sincerity. "So tell me, how have you been?"  

[Gren_Eckener]

He chuckled, cheeks a tinge pink. "Flattery, as always...you're so charming!"

He sighed through his nose, glancing away half a moment, rubbing his arm absently. "It's been all right...a bit slow, but the harvest was good, so I've been having fun going to the farmer's market and selling my wares. Everyone seems in good shape around here too!"  

[Zulma san]

Zulma shook her head. "I was sincere." she answered but his compliment too got to her and she also blushed a little. Adam had that ability with his gentle and earnest way.

She tilted her head slightly at his answer. Although he wanted to be reassuring, she knew that something was off. She took his hand gently.
"What is wrong?" she asked in a lower voice, eyes searching his.  

[Gren_Eckener]

Looking a bit sheepish, he leaned in. "I'm worried that I could do better for my plants...I think I'm feeling jealousy, but I'm not sure? I don't like it at all, so I'll just try to be a better gardener, y'know?"  

[Zulma san]

Zulma blinked and stared at Adam for a couple of seconds. He was worried about his garden. She would have laughed if she did not know him better and knew that his garden was so important to him.
"You are a great gardener Adam, the best I have known." she reassured him with a gentle smile before asking. "What do you mean by 'jealousy'?" she was confused on how he could feel jealousy.  

[Gren_Eckener]

"Well...Opal's growing giant vegetables, and adding all kinds of things to the soil, and even if I try the same, my vegetables are normal sized...it's weird." he pouted. "It makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong?"  

[Zulma san]

The innkeeper squinted her eyes a second before remembering who Opal was then she remembered, the giant.
Zulma looked at Adam straight in the eyes and spoke with a more determined voice.
"The most delicious vegetables I have eaten came from Your garden Adam. I do not think that adding things to the soil or making giant vegetables is a better thing."
She smiled.
"Opal has her way, you have yours. There is no shame in being different." She paused before adding with a knowing smile. "And between you and me, I am sure that you know better what is best for the soil and the plants."  

[Gren_Eckener]

He blushed a bit, bashfully glancing away with a small smile. "That's just cause I know how it ought to taste..."  

[Zulma san]

She smiled and nodded slowly. "Yes, you do." she admitted in a gentle whisper.
There was a moment of silence during which Zulma looked at Adam with a soft smile on her lips.
Then as if she snapped out of some thoughts, she spoke again in a more lively manner.
"May I ask for a cup of tea?"  

[Gren_Eckener]

"Of course! What sort?" he beamed, chuckling.  

[Zulma san]

Zulma smiled as she saw him perking up.
"Just some simple earl grey would be lovely, thank you." she said as she sat at the bar, looking at him preparing the tea.  

[Gren_Eckener]

For her, he skipped the drink machine, brewing the tea with a practised hand. He was no master of the art, but soon, he'd produced a fragrant mid-strength cup, serving sugar and milk on the side. "There you go~"  

[Zulma san]

She half closed her eyes at the sweet scent and let out a happy sigh.
"Thank you Adam." she put a sugar cube in it and slowly stirred it with her spoon. "Will you join me?" she asked before blowing on the hot liquid.  

[Gren_Eckener]

Having had the foresight to make a pot, he nodded, quite cheerful, and prepared himself a cup. "Gladly...I've missed sharing tea."

Taking a seat on a nearby bar stool, he sipped at his own, light and sweet. "We've missed you dearly, you know."