h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

~Kheldar walks up the path with a bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers in his hands. He knocks on the door~

*Mari-rae limps to the door on her cane and opens it.*

Kheldar! My dear! Please, come in. What lovely flowers, thank you! And wine too!!

*She brings him into her cottage, closing the door behind him.*

How have you been? I'm so glad you found me here.

~her cheeks are warm with pleasure and her eyes are sparkling behind her trifocals~

I've been doing fine, although very busy. Which is exactly why I decided to come over for a visit. I haven't really talked to you since our date, so I thought it would be nice to see if you were already settled in your new cottage

~is also very happy to see mari-rae again, a huge smile is on his face ~

*Leads him through the living room which is doing double duty as a library as there are shelves and shelves of books, mostly science fiction he sees, with some classics mixed in. They go into the kitchen. It is a bright cheerful room with lots of windows overlooking the garden. There is a dishwasher half installed in front of the sink with a mess of tools laying on the floor.*

Just come through here and we'll have a pot of tea. I'm sorry about the mess. I was given this dishwasher by an angel, Galaxy Babe, have you met her? Bluebottle is supposed to be our plumber here, but he never answered my call, so Gwennie tried to install it for me. ~sighs~ She had good intentions, but you know Gwennie.

*Fills the kettle and puts it on the stove to heat.*

Sit, sit! Make yourself comfortable. I'll put the flowers in water. Would you rather have the wine than the tea? Or should we save it for dinner? You are staying for dinner, aren't you?

I think we should indeed save the wine for dinner. I mean, how could I turn down a dinner invitation from you .

Don't think I have met Galaxy Babe before, but then again, there are a lot of people I haven't met before. And of course I've spoken to lots of people already, and I don't remember all of them. I met BB though and Gwennie...well, what can I say about her

So, how are you enjoying this place so far? It looks beautiful

I am enjoying it very much. (Is wondering why Kheldar hasn't mentioned her hair. She has just had it colored from its white to a pretty apricot shade, and she thinks it has taken 10 years off of her.) The garden keeps me pretty busy, but the house is small enough to not be too much work. Besides, I have Phillipa staying with me now. She is my niece and is a very useful person. Phillipa is running the Tea Shoppe for me.

What have you been up to, Kheldar?

*Brings a tray to the table with her best porcelin tea pot and cups on it. There are also cream, sugar and lemon wedges, and a plate with assorted scones, sandwiches and cake. She sits and pours Kheldar a cup.*

~notices there's something about Mar-Rae that's changed. However, he can't seem to think of what it is, but it does make her look...younger, more enthusiastic, alive~

Hey Mari-Rae, you have a twinkle in your eyes

*Pats his hand affectionately.*

How have you been, dear? Tell me, do you still have that sapphire I gave you? I was a bit worried that you lost track of it that night.

Of course I still have it . I don't carry it with me however. It's safe at my place, at a place where I know how to find it. It's too beautiful to take any risks with it. Wouldn't want it stolen, right?

For the rest, I'm doing great. I'm just enjoying h2g2-life, not doing anything specific atm. Walking around and talking to people, you know

I'm so glad you have the stone still. It'll bring you good fortune, dear. Continue to keep it safe.

You always had an exceptional joi de vive, if that's how its pronounced. More tea? Or can I show you around my cottage?

Enjoying life is always one of my top priorities
I'd love a tour around the cottage. The tea will probably wait, and if not, we can always make some more. I'm dying to see what you created here

Ok, you've already seen the living room and the kitchen, come out into the sunroom.

*She leads him through a pair of french doors into a glass surrounded space with vaulted ceilings. There is a slate floor that is warm underfoot in the light from the sun, a plain pine dining table and chairs. Original works of art are displayed on the walls above the windows. A hot tub sprawls in a corner, it is big enough for a crowd! There is a wood stove nearby, and the views on every side are of magnificently blooming flowerbeds.*

I spend most of my time out here.

I can imagine why. For years now I've been looking for a place like this, where I could just retreat. Lie on a comfy sofa with a book and do nothing but a bit of reading and relax. I may keep this in mind for when I feel like spending a rainy sunday in a way like that

Kheldar, you can come over and use anthing you'd like here, rain or shine. Come out into the garden. My roses are in bloom.

Thank you, my dear. You're the best . Of course I'd like to see your roses. Lead the way .

*Opening the sliding patio door they step out onto a stone flagged terrace that is bordered with lush plantings of flowers. The colors are predominantly white, blue, and pink and the mingled scent is delicate and charming. She leans on her cane and walks off the terrace under an arch of blooming pink roses and through a small iron gate. They enter the rose garden. Completely private with tall evergreen hedges, the roses are magnificent in their formal beds. Here the scent of rose is strong and sweet. There is a little iron bench in a spot of leafy shade and they sit together.*

It's beautiful. Do you tend to these roses yourself, or is there a gardener who takes care of them?

I'll tell you this, milady. Now that we're sitting here, I'm happy to see you again. It's been far too long since we last sat down and had an undisturbed quiet talk. I don't know why I waited so long to pay you a visit

First click http://www.geocities.com/maryl.geo/pinkgate.jpg ...

I love to garden, so it isn't work to me. It is beautiful, isn't it? I think a garden creates a feeling of peace. I'm so glad you are here, Kheldar. How has life been treating you? Do you have someone to care about? Are you happy?

Caring for someone. Let me think...apart from you ? Nah, I only have a few people that I look out for. To make sure that when they have problems, I'm there for them. As for the happiness, I'm a bit too busy to have time to be happy. But then again, that's not important right now. Life is treating me well, I don't have anything to complain about really

btw, the picture shows a lovely sight

Well, that's good. But you should put aside time for yourself or you'll end up my age regreting the lost opportunities you had. Goodness, I'm starting a sermon here! Sorry.

*Picks a perfect rose bud and slips it into his button hole on his lapel.*

There, that's better.