Clematises
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Sitting in the same conference room that we sat in with James, we wait for Emerson and Alia to appear for the meeting we have today. Outside, snow falls down in flurry curtains that are beautiful to watch, but not at all nice to be in. Wind blows around the snow, and some of the cold crystals stick to the window and make pretty designs.
"I don't think Alia and Emerson will be late," says Azrael as he looks out the window, "and if they are, at least they have the weather as an excuse."
"True," I say as I recall that on the day that James came there was no falling snow but only a chilly wind and bright blue skies.
"Do you think they'll be alright, in this weather?" I ask as I continue to look outside.
"I will hope so," says Azrael, "the streets aren't that covered in snow, they're just more wet, so it shouldn't be that dangerous."
"I hear that the weather was supposed to get worse in the evening," says Azrael as he smooths out the clothes he wears, "so if it gets bad, we can cancel the meeting."
"Hopefully it won't," I say with a smile.
"I agree," says Azrael with a smile.
"Speaking of, can I ask what is it that you're wearing?" I ask Azrael.
"Oh, this? This if a Jodhpuri suit," answers Azrael as he looks down at his clothes.
It appears almost like a black coat, but golden buttons start at his right shoulder and trail down to his waist. It's suits him much nicer than a usual suit, as this brings out the shape of his body and also has a different feel of refinement.
"Alia gave it to me," explains Azrael, "and she likes it when I wear it."
"I think it looks good on you," I say honestly.
"Thank you," says Azrael as he smiles, and his cheeks are pink slightly.
We sit and wait, but not at all as much as when we had to wait for James. Soon, two pairs of feet, both rather slow and paced, come toward the door, and then a knock sounds.
"Come in," says Azrael, and the door opens to let two people in.
I recognize them both from the meeting of the Collection, the man with snow-white hair and a beard, and the fair-skinned lady. The man has his arm out for the lady to take, and they walk in together. They both are dressed warmly, and have a coat over their arms. I know they're not married, but they seem on good terms as Emerson seems to help along Alia, as they're both a little aged.
"Hello, Alia, Emerson" says Azrael with a smile as he stands up and walks over to them, and I stand as well and walk over to stand behind Azrael.
"Oh why how nice to see you Azrael," says the lady in a accented voice, I don't know what origin, but in a singing like voice.
"Has the weather been kind to you?" asks Azrael as both Emerson and Alia take one of his hands.
"Oh, you'll know from my cold hand that answer to that question," says Emerson with a soft and even voice.
"Would you like some coffee? Or hot chocolate?" asks Azrael as he points to a pot of hot water that is sitting on the table around some Styrofoam cups and packs of those drinks he offers.
"Ooh, I'd like some," says Emerson, then looks at Alia, "care to join me?"
"Not at all," says Alia, smiling and her dark black hair bobbing in a low ponytail at the back of her head.
They sit down at the glass conference table while Azrael and I pour some hot water and the powder into the cups.
"May I ask who you are?" asks Emerson as I hand him his cup of hot chocolate.
"I'm Hogarth," I reply with a smile.
"My, my. A fiancé?" asks Alia with a smile.
"Err, no. My amazing assistant," says Azrael as he hands her a cup of the steaming warm drink.
"Oh, I recognize him," says Emerson, looking over at me, "he was with you at the meeting, no?"
"Yes, he was," says Azrael with a smile.
"Oh, speaking of," says Emerson as he pulls his jacket he put onto his chair slightly forward, "we have something for you."
"Yes," says Alia as I see her pull her purse forward, a sleek black one, "we do."
They both pull out, separately, two wrapped packages onto the table. Emerson has one that's a soft creamy yellow color with a bright green ribbon tied daintily. Alia has a blue package that's slightly larger than the one Emerson pulls out, and I think it is heavier as I hear the sound of wood coming in contact with the glass surface of the table.
"The flowers you sent," says Alia to Azrael, "I simply loved them. Gardenias. And the tuberous begonia. They were so beautiful."
"Me too," says Emerson, "the daffodils were very nice. I have them in my office, and I like to pet the leaves and talk to them about my day."
"I'm grateful that they were able to make you smile," says Azrael with a smile as he puts his hands over his chest and lowers his head slightly.
"Not to mention that you were very sneaky," says Alia as she grins, "and I know you specifically picked those flowers, but I know you meant by them."
"Did you find it? The meanings?" asks Azrael as he smiles.
"We did, actually," says Emerson, "there was a book that I had published a while back that said the meanings of flowers, and we looked through it together and found the meanings."
"I have to say, it was very creative of you to set it up that way," says Alia, "and I'm happy you think of me that way."
"May I ask what is being spoken of?" I ask politely.
"Oh, well, see, Azrael sent flowers along with gifts to us for Christmas," says Alia, "the gifts were wonderful, but so were the flowers."
"Oh, yes they were," says Emerson with a nod, "it was spectacular. I only said daffodils, but there was clematises as well. They were wonderful."
"But what makes them even nicer," says Alia, "is that Azrael knows the words of the flowers."
"That's to say," says Emerson with a smile, "he knows the meaning of flowers, and he picked ones with meaning for us."
"What did he mean in the flowers he gave you?" I ask in interest, and I see Azrael's ears redden slightly.
"Well, gardenias mean happy days, and tuberous begonia means warm heart," says Alia, "and so, when he gave that to me, I think he meant that he wanted me to have many days of smiles, and also that I have a nice heart."
"And for me," says Emerson, "I think he means respect, with the daffodils, and with the clematises I surmise he was saying that he was happy to be with somebody with such a kind heart."
Azrael's face at this point is quite pink, and I try to hide my smile.
"I hope you liked the flowers," says Azrael.
"Oh, we did!" says Alia with a smile, "I still have each one of them, in the pot you sent them in, and they're lighting up the room everyday."
"But even though we have those gifts," says Emerson, "we never got to give you our Christmas gifts. So here they are."
Emerson slides his gift across the table to Azrael, who smiles as he accepts it politely with both his hands.
"May I open it?" asks Azrael.
"Please do!" says Emerson with a laugh.
Azrael smiles and he carefully rips the paper wrapping, and exposes a book beneath.
"Oh, my," I hear Azrael whisper as he pulls the book, very carefully out from the wrapper.
It appears to be a brown book with a silver part of the cover.
"Oh, Emerson. You shouldn't have," says Azrael as he smiles gratefully to him.
"I know you like that book and Williams quite some bit," says Emerson with a smile, "getting you the first edition of it would be the least of what I could do."
"Oh, it's amazing," says Azrael as he touches the cover, "I'm glad I have a safe at home. I think I will have to keep this there."
"Oh, don't do that," says Emerson, "it's meant to be read. And it's not getting any newer. I think you should read it and weather it with your own hands."
"Oh, well, if you say so," says Azrael, and smiles again, "thank you, Emerson."
"I'm happy that you like it," says Emerson with a smile.
"I have this," says Alia as she slides her gift across the table, "I hope you like it as well."
Azrael takes the blue wrapped package politely and carefully, and then rips it off. Underneath, there's a black wooden box. I see there's a latch, and after Azrael pops it, he opens the box so that everyone can see, and inside, sitting on black soft velvet cushion, is a diamond necklace that seems to be thick as my pinky-finger, and it sparkles and shines as Azrael in awe touches it softly and carefully.
"It's absolutely stunning," says Azrael, "it's a wonder."
"It's not much," says Alia, "it was originally supposed to be for a woman, but I had it tweaked to fit your neck. You look so nice with diamonds around there."
"Oh, thank you," says Azrael as he lifts the diamond necklace out from the box.
He takes off his own necklace he had on, I think a thinner one than that he's just received, and slips the new on on. But he seems to be having some trouble.
"Um, Hogarth?" says Azrael, "I think I need some help."
"Right," I say as I move my chair and stand up behind him, reaching up with my hands and taking the ends of the necklace.
The ends are a simple magnet, I think, but I take my time to put them together, as I like observing his neckline and also just like being near him. But, I don't draw it out too much, or otherwise I'd just stand behind him too long that we'd be dust before I was satisfied.
After sitting down, I see that it does look nice on Azrael. Azrael being made of lean muscle tends to have a thin neck, and a strong firm jaw. I guess the thin neck of his naturally seems to make it look long, but the round sideways line seems to create balance in his overall physique. Though, the diamonds are surely just an appurtenance, and without them Azrael's would not lose radiance.
"Do I look alright?" asks Azrael to me, and for a second I almost forget that it's not just the two of us, and that we're not really together at all.
"I believe it suits you," I say with a smile.
"It really does," says Alia.
"Would you like this one back?" asks Azrael to Alia as he holds up the necklace he took off.
"No! Keep it!" says Alia with a dramatic wave of her hand, "It's yours, and you might need it if you want a thinner one."
"Okay," says Azrael, and places it in the box and then putting the book on top.
"Thank you, again," says Azrael "I'm really happy."
"Oh, not at al!" says Emerson with a laugh, "You deserve it, and the flowers and gifts we got were better than what we got you. It's only because you're humble that you accept it."
"No, they're amazing gifts," says Azrael, "I really like them."
"Well, I think that's all that we wanted to talk about today," says Emerson, then turns to Alia, "I think, that's the case?"
"Right. We just came by to give you our gifts. That's why we wanted the meeting with you," says Alia.
"Oh, no worries, I love them," says Azrael, "and compared to business meeting, I prefer this meeting instead."
"I do too," says Alia, "especially with the Collection trying to get up in my business so much."
"Have they been bothering you?" asks Azrael.
"That would be one way to say it," says Emerson, "more bothering of Alia more than me. I'm in the book publishing business, and that's not at all in demand in the Collection."
"Should I get involved?" asks Azrael to Alia.
"No, I should be alright," says Alia, "I have additional security, and working in the fine stone sector, I have circles within circles of bulletproof walls around me."
"Perhaps I should get those too," says Emerson.
"Me too!" says Azrael.
And the four of us share a laugh together.