The Scent of Lavender

[hadthehighground]

Who: Obi-Wan Kenobi & You
What: Obi-Wan got a reward! With a very distinct smell.
When: Day 17
Where: Residential Area
Warnings: None atm.

The whole testing experience had been rather trying, and it wasn't just the test either. Anakin was getting more difficult to deal with, and his presence only seemed to make it worse. Despite the Sith Lord being sent to... wherever it was he want, his demeanor had not improved in the slightest. 

Obi-Wan knew he was the main target of Anakin's rage, and someone else had gotten hurt trying to help him. 

Thus after the testing was done, the Jedi decided to hole himself away in his room again. The man rarely being seen for a week aside for coming out to eat or use the fresher. And that was typically done when he knew Anakin, and probably most everyone else, was asleep. He spent the time in his room meditating for the most part. Rarely even logging into the network. 

However, around the 15th or so, some might catch a whiff of a different smell. One that some might recognize as lavender.

Obi-Wan had discovered he's been gifted with a host of cleaning supplies, for personal hygiene and otherwise. He decided to first try some of the personal items. Thus there would be hints of lavender lingering in the men's bathroom due to the Jedi's late night excursions. Using the lavender shampoo, soap, even toothpaste. 

However, on the 17th he will be seen in the common areas again at a decent hour. Though before he's seen, anyone coming into the room he's in will be hit with a wall of lavender odor that is exceptionally strong. Yep, he's back to cleaning, and using lavender scented products. Wiping down surfaces with cleaning solution, the bleach if its especially nasty, and so forth. It's really handy having these, but it seems there is a price to pay in one's nose being assaulted.

Comments

[actualhumandisaster]

The whole place stank!

Anakin was drawn out of his room at an unusual time for him by the mere fact that this smell was creeping into his room and was disturbing his nap meditation.

Understandably irritated, he stepped through what was considered the living area only to spot a rather familiar face. And he made a face in return, adding an expression of disgust to his usual glare.

"You STINK, Jedi." he announced with a snarl. At least he didn't outright attack.

[hadthehighground]

If it wasn’t so strong, Obi-Wan thought the smell could be pleasant. He’s getting used to it though, and merely glances up at Anakin as he makes his rude comment.

Clearly his attitude hasn’t changed.

The Jedi simply goes back to what he’s doing, deciding it best to ignore the other man. And who knows, maybe these cleaning products also serve as a good Sith repellant.

[actualhumandisaster]

Anakin's scowl deepens at the lack of a reaction and he simply moves past the other man and into the freshly cleaned kitchen area. Not that there is much use for a kitchen with these rations they have to feed themselves on.

It's some of those rations he grabs and then proceeds to make a generous mess with while pretending to eat them as he pointedly watches Obi-Wan work.

[hadthehighground]

If the story existed in their universe, Obi-Wan would be feeling like Cinderella right about now. With Anakin playing the part of an ugly stepsister.

However, if Anakin was looking to ruffle the Jedi, he would be disappointed. The sound of crumbs hitting the floor only earned a glance, but his expression remained blank.

[actualhumandisaster]

And while Obi-Wan ignores him, Anakin keeps making a growing mess. He even flung small pieces of food across the room with an almost innocent expression.

After opening and spreading around about half of three ration packs, Anakin then put those opened, partially eaten and partially thrown around packs back with the closed ones and cast the Jedi a short glance, not saying anything himself just yet.

[hadthehighground]

Sorry Anakin, but you’re getting much of the same. He doesn’t even look at you this time. The Jedi pretty much acting like it’s not even happening. Until some pieces land near him, which he just picks up quietly with no complaint.

[actualhumandisaster]

Fine. Obi-Wan is asking for it, then.

Using the Force, Anakin lifts more than a handful of the crumbs he tossed everywhere, directs them over to his former teacher where he uses the Force some more to pull back the collar of the older man's suit only to dump his collection of crumbs right into the back of Obi-Wan's suit.

All in a matter of mere moments.

[hard_decisions]

Unfortunately, Wesley's sleep schedule is not consistent. Mostly because, well, that would require him to get a healthy amount of sleep at night. Normally he spends this time brooding in his quarters, but tonight, he feels the need for mental occupation.

So tonight, when Obi-Wan comes out to fetch food, he finds Wesley seated at one of the tables, with a peculiar assortment of playing cards- of mismatched decks and sizes, all face-up- laid out in front of him.

He's contemplating them deeply, but he glances up at Obi-Wan as he enters. "Oh, sorry. I can move these if they're in the way."

[hadthehighground]

While a little surprised to see someone else up, Obi-Wan is hardly bothered by it. The offer of moving though is met with a dismissive hand wave.

"It's quite all right. Not as if there is much to eat here anyway."

The Jedi moving to where the rations are stored and taking a couple out. During the war he had been rather used to this sort of thing. While it might bother some of the others here, eating unpalatable nutrition bars was just routine for him.

He did sit down though, looking at the cards before taking a bite of the ration bar. Though he paused mid-chew as he looked at the man more closely.

"I don't believe we've met."

And here he thought he already knew everyone else here.

[hard_decisions]

"Ah. No, I arrived late. The first since you all got here, as I understand it."

Wesley had gotten used to the bars of dubious foodstuff. Fortunately, his general emotional state had substantially dampened his appetite anyway, so he hadn't had to choke down too many.

"I arrived on, I believe, the second day of testing. I'm not sure if I saw you that morning or not, I was a touch..."

Overwhelmed.

"Distracted."

[hadthehighground]

“Ah I see,” Obi-Wan said with an understanding nod. It seemed that LACUNA didn’t intend to stop with the small group she first brought in.

“I was a bit distracted myself.”

Not only with the testing, but his most recent episode with Anakin. But well, now they were meeting each other and introductions were better late than never.

“I’m Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

I'm so glad Wesley's not a pop culture guy. Makes this much easier.

[hard_decisions]

Fortunately, while Wesley had managed to see little of Obi-Wan, he'd also seen even less of Anakin. It did mean, however, that he was entirely unaware of the conflicts between the two.

"The tests, yes. I got the impression they were... stressful."

Wesley grimaces slightly, then offers his own handshake.

"Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. It's good to meet you, circumstances aside."

Lol people have ICly fanboyed over him in other games before.

[hadthehighground]

Not to worry, Wesley was likely to find out about it soon enough. At least he didn’t have to see two men brawling naked.

With the extended hand though, Obi-Wan reached over to clasp in a handshake. They should all be friends here, and hopes they could be. Whether Anakin could come around though remained to be seen.

“Good to meet you as well. I take it you’re having difficulty sleeping?”

[floweroftheslums]

Aerith had noticed the loss of the older man, but she's smart enough to comment on it. Even though she's not afraid of the one called Anakin, she doesn't want to cause any trouble for the rest of the people with them. And while sleeping in their rooms is safest for everyone, she doesn't really like the fact that Obi-Wan has all but locked himself into his room to avoid Anakin. On the 17th day of their captivity, she walks into the common rooms and sees him. She can't help but smile as she walks closer to his table. Yes, the smell of lavender—something she's very well acquainted with—is everywhere and has been for a while now. And it gets stronger the more she moves towards him. "I take it that you got some gift from LACUNA? In the lavender variety?"

[hadthehighground]

Whether anyone liked it or not, it’s what Obi-Wan decided to do. What he thought was best for his own reasons. But he knew he couldn’t stay in there forever. Quiet time alone in meditation was never a waste of time, and helped to clear his mind, but he had to face Anakin again at some point.

Looking out at Aerith as she spoke, Obi-Wan offered her a friendly smile.

“Is that what it is? I don’t recognize the smell, but it seems a bit flowery. Is that what a lavender is?”

[floweroftheslums]

Well, she's not about to tell him he's wrong. She just thinks it's stupid that he's letting a bully like Anakin keep him from everyone when the younger man was the issue. Still, not her place and she's not too comfortable to try and get between them. Tell Anakin off in her own way? Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe. She wrinkles her nose in a smile that's a half-grimace. "Yes, lavender is a purple flower on a long stem that's used mostly for its soothing scent. Although I don't think LACUNA meant for it to be that for you."

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan telling him off certainly would not help him at this point. It would only result in more choking unfortunately. Instead, he's resorted to having patience. Waiting for him to simmer down a bit, waiting for an opportunity to try to reach out to him.

They have plenty of time after all.

While Obi-Wan wouldn't recommend it, he couldn't stop anyone else from giving him a piece of their mind though.

"It doesn't seem that way, no. But one must make do with what they have."

Beggars can't be choosers.

[floweroftheslums]

Well, Aerith's hardly afraid of being choked by an overgrown toddler. She's suffered worse and being here isn't exactly a walk in the park, considering the alternative she should be experiencing. Besides, she's always been a little reckless when it comes to helping other people. She wasn't going to stop that now that she's in some strange place with a bunch of strangers. Sticking together was going to be how they all made it through, after all. "It's true that making do with what we have is pretty much the motto we should be living by, LACUNA could help us. Although, I suppose with the cleaners you're using, you could cut the smell a bit by adding more water. It would minimize the overwhelming part of it. "Also, if you need help with your cleaning project, I'm not afraid of a little hard work."

[hadthehighground]

Perhaps she should be. If she had a healthier dose of self preservation, maybe she wouldn't have to experience any of that. She seemed like too nice of a girl to deserve anything bad happening to her.

"Considering LACUNA is our captor, I don't think she had any intention of helping us." She's not been vert helpful thus far, and gives them what they need to survive aside from these "rewards".

"It would also minimize its effectiveness," he pointed out. At her mention of not being afraid of hard work though, he offered her one of the rags he had.

"Be my guest, you'll get use to the smell after awhile."

[whereishe]

Yuna coughed when the strong scent of lavender filled her nose. She had nothing against flowers but it had felt as if a field of lavender had slapped her in the face. It stung her nose and she wanted nothing more than to be rid of the scent.

"Hello?" She followed it to Obi-Wan. Yuna knew him, had seen him around at least, but she hadn't spoken to him. He had nearly disappeared after the testing and she wasn't sure if something had happened to him. It was good to see that he was safe but the aroma was a little too much to ignore.

"What is that smell?"

Yuna was trying to shard not to insult it but it was awful.

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan had seen Yuna around as well. But well, with all of the Anakin drama, he hasn't gotten around to getting to know everyone very well just yet. Still, he looks up to offer a friendly and somewhat apologetic smile.

"A gift from LACUNA," he explained.

"It seemed she wanted to assist in my cleaning endeavors, though... not without a price apparently."

He wouldn't be insulted, he can't say he's fond of the smell either, but he's starting to get used to it by now.

[whereishe]

"This is a gift?" She didn't sound convinced, then again, these kinds of cleaning chemicals weren't available in Spira.

"How is this clean?"

Was he going to be spreading that thick flower scent everywhere in hopes to mask the other smells? Yuna would have been happy with some soap and water though maybe that was enough. She wasn't exactly a master clearer and really didn't know.

[hadthehighground]

"At least you don't have to suffer through the toothpaste," Obi-Wan told her with some humor.

Really, it didn't taste very food, but it worked. Though he wasn't quite familiar with these products either, but he figured it out. Especially with the ones that had labels.

"I apologize for the smell, but they do help."

He motioned at a nearby table he had just cleaned. It had been very dusty and grimy and now it practically sparkled.

"Hopefully it'll dissipated after awhile."

[whereishe]

"Oh." Yuna walked over to the table and ran a finger across its surface. It surprised her more than it should have. "I hadn't realized."

She turned back towards Obi-Wan, her head canting thoughtfully to the side.

"Hopefully. Until then, maybe you need help? If we finish faster than the smell should dissipate sooner." And hopefully not come back. It was starting to give Yuna a headache.

She missed going outside.

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan would like some fresh air himself, so he could sympathize. He missed being around nature. If there was a garden, it would be more tolerable. But they had to make due.

"Of course, you're more than welcome to help."

He then offered her one of the pieces of cloth he found that he had been using as rags.

"In fact, once we're done here, perhaps you could cover the ladies' refresher."

Because, you know, it wouldn't be all that appropriate for him to go in there.