Aaron

[poison_isley]

This little life was actually kind of nice. Restorative. She had her estate and its sprawling gardens. She had anything she wanted- because she took it. And from time o time there were the strangest industrial accidents. That put a smile on her face.

Every other day Ivy went to Klaus's little church. He was losing interest, she could tell, but the church fed the needy and Ivy had opinions about nutrition. The least she could do was coax the church garden to grow.

She didn't think anyone was here as she worked. Dressed in a pair of denim overalls and a plaid flannel shirt, she looked every bit the part of a farmer. She was encouraging the tomatoes to ripen when she heard a noise and whipped her head around, a dozen thick vines springing from her hair to protect her.

What she had to be nervous about in London of all places was was a mystery, but a girl didn't just let her guard down.

When she saw it was Aaron, the vines slowly, slowly retreated.

"Oh. Hey."

Comments

[poison_isley]

It was December, and a cold one to boot, but the tomatoes had blossoms anyway. In fact, flowers grew amongst the fruits and vegetables.

"What could you eat? Right now, I mean. Fruit? Veggies? Pick something and I'll show off."

[quitollis]

"Oh..." Aaron thought for a moment before choosing. "A- a peach?"

[poison_isley]

She walked over to the tomato and caressed the leaves tendly, then tickled the blossom. It immediately withered and a small, hard green ball appeared. There was a faint colour around her hand, like vapor. It took a couple minutes, but as she coaxed it to her will, the healthy, robust tomato plant began to produce a delicious looking peach. It even had a bit of a pink blush to it.

She plucked it and handed it to him, the sweet, heady perfume of it filling the air.

"There you go. A peach," she said.

[quitollis]

"That's incredible," Aaron said, impressed. He took the peach, looked at it, and tentatively took a bite. "What a beautiful power you have."

[poison_isley]

"Not everyone sees it like that," she said. "Even I thought it was a curse at first, until I learned to control it. Now that I know what I'm capapble of, things are better."

[quitollis]

Aaron might have insisted how much good she could do in the world, but he guessed that would only make her more certain that mankind was only there to use her and abuse the planet.

"I can only imagine. Those of us with powers carry a very personal burden. I'm glad you've grown comfortable with it."

[poison_isley]

Ivy folded her arms, but nodded. She paused for a moment, then said, "You know I don't feel bad about trying to save the planet, right?"

Her methods were questionable, she knew, but her reasoning was sound.

[quitollis]

"You've made that very clear," Aaron nodded.

[poison_isley]

She gave him a quizzical look.

"And you're not going to try to stop me? Get me sent back to Gotham?" Ivy asked.

[quitollis]

"I don't turn away from anyone who wants to be here," Aaron supplied.

[poison_isley]

Ivy didn't even know what to do with that.

"...and you know I'm not going to get all religious if I keep coming here...right?" certain he must have some sort of angle.

[quitollis]

"You're looking for the catch, aren't you?" Aaron said. "I'm not here to sell God. Everyone who comes here has their own reasons and their own ways of experiencing faith. Some feel better confessing, some listen to sermons, some only come to group, some just help out. I try to appeal to the good in everyone. That's all."

[poison_isley]

A pink blush, not unlike the peach, crept her cheeks and landlines a petal on her green cheek. Busted.

"Okay. I mean...okay," she shifted uncomfortably...kind of liking it, but so confused why.

[quitollis]

The why was less beautiful. Aaron sought redemption. And while he knew it was lost on him, he couldn't help trying. He'd seen enough evil in his life. He'd done enough harm in the name of God. If he could do a little good now, he would. "That said, if you're looking for something to do, we do run on volunteers and you're always welcome to participate." It was a little tease and a joke, mostly. He knew the Church was known for quietly pulling in people to do more.

[poison_isley]

She was surprised to hear herself say,

"...Maybe."

Where was her backbone? Jesus Christ, a little positive attention and she floundered with her sense of self.

Outside of Harl and Klaus, literally everyone in her life had told her she wasn't worthy if this kind of...care.

[quitollis]

Her reply was a pleasant surprise. He didn't push. "Do you want to come back in? It's quite chilly."

[poison_isley]

"I should probably, um, go," she replied awkwardly.

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded. "It was good finally meeting you."

[poison_isley]

Her smile was downright bashful.

"Uh, you too. Thanks. Um...bye," she said, abruptly walking out before she made an idiot of herself.