"Thank you" he muttered trying to stop the blush that was now creeping up his ears.

Flying up to the room above he motioned to where the little miniature gazebo sat on the window ledge. Inside a small fold of bright gold silk was nestled to create a soft bed for Calliope. Smiling at his little mini gazebo he peered past out into his garden. The sunlight was just beginning to fade and in the distance the call of many different birds rang out signalling it was nearing time to sleep. Turning he inspected the rest of the room. This one was much more tidy then the last and had several old weathered looking chests pushed up against the wall and against the foot of the bed. on top of each was a small pile of brown leather books and on one a pot of ink stood. The bed itself was impressive, seeming like it had been carved from one very large tree trunk and brought up here by its previous occupant. Kyrylo had to take all the feathers from the mattress out when he had first stumbled across it because of the mildewy scent and had spent the next few days asking the swans if he could have the downy feathers from their old nesting sites before taking them to wash in the river.

Smiling he turned his gaze to the long golden silk wraps that curled around the posts of his bed and crisscrossed to form a canopy. He had found soon after the tour was over, that the spiders and silk worms in the gardens were very nice and all too eager to help if you asked politely and brought them food. They had even dyed it his favorite color when he hadn't been around one day and he had been touched at their kindness.

"How quaint this little gazebo is. You've done a beautiful job on it. I'm sure Calliope must be very pleased."

"Oh, thank you. She sleeps in it actually" he grinned as he motioned to a small hook carved into one of the bed posts, "and we hang it just there". It had been her request to sleep where she could keep an eye on him and some place where he wouldn't thrash around in the middle of the night and crush her. "Calliope helped me make it" he said with a large grin as he peeked at his companion, "shes very good at math".

"Was there anything else you wanted to see?" he questioned as he picked up a piece of honeyed bread for the chest next to him and took a large bite.

Admiring the gazebo that Kyrylo had built for Calliope, she'd noticed the little fold of golden silk inside for Calliope's bed.

She'd looked to where Kyrylo told her he would hang the gazebo at night, and noticed the silk wraps that curled around the posts of his bed, forming a canopy. It was beautiful. She'd then turned back to the gazebo, realizing that the little bed for Calliope matched the silk scarves that formed the canopy.

It was then that she'd noticed the window that the gazebo sat in, and she peered out over the garden. What a spectacular view Kyrylo had from up here.

He'd told her, with pride in his voice, that Calliope had helped him make the miniature gazebo. She'd smiled as she envisioned the little moth handing the bits of twigs to Kyrylo, and she'd chuckled, her voice sounding like the chimes of bells.

Rosebud had noticed that the sunlight was beginning to fade, and knew that her visit with Kyrylo and Calliope would be coming to an end soon. This made her very sad. Kyrylo had also seen that it was getting late, but he'd politely asked her,

"Was there anything else you wanted to see?"

Rosebud had enjoyed her visit with Kyrylo and Calliope. She wondered if they had enjoyed it as much as she had. She knew she would like to see them both again, and realizing that Calliope had not seen her garden, decided to extend them an invitation.

Not wanting to overstay her welcome, she told Kyrylo,

"I cannot think of anything else that you may not have shown me. I've truly enjoyed our visit together, and should like very much to see both you and Calliope again."

"I was wondering, if perhaps, you would return to my garden tomorrow, and bring Calliope with you, so that she might enjoy it as much as you did today. She could drink her fill of the nectar from my roses, and I could take the two of you on a tour of my garden. Perhaps, even tell you a story or two."

"I cannot think of anything else that you may not have shown me. I've truly enjoyed our visit together, and should like very much to see both you and Calliope again."

Smiling he looked past where he heard he voice coming from out into the sky where stars were beginning to blink into the sky one by one. Her stay had been very welcome and he loved the company but he wasn't sure how to say it without sounding odd. Looking to Calliope he smiled for a moment as he gathered his thoughts; "do you need me to show you the way back?" he queried in soft tones. He certainly didnt want her getting lost, especially since no one could really see her to see that she looked as if she needed help.

"I was wondering, if perhaps, you would return to my garden tomorrow, and bring Calliope with you, so that she might enjoy it as much as you did today. She could drink her fill of the nectar from my roses, and I could take the two of you on a tour of my garden. Perhaps, even tell you a story or two."

Eyes widening in surprise, he took a moment to stop his jumbled thoughts before nodding enthusiastically, "yes! we'll be there tomorrow for sure". He had never had an official tour by a spirit of their chosen garden and he was excited to see what appealed to them. Did she pick it because of the smell? or the view? or perhaps because of the natural inhabitants? He was also curious if the spirit also had a "home" location in the garden and was all too excited for the night to be over so he and Calliope could see for themselves.

Rosebud looked across the lake to where Kyrylo had brought her into the garden through the gate. She said to him, "I believe I will be able to find my way back, but thank you for your kind offer. It was very generous."

He'd responded to her invitation enthusiastically. This made her happy. She began to look forward to Kyrylo and Calliope's visit, immediately.

She would take them on a tour of her garden, sharing it's beauty with them.

She would invite them to sit under the tree at the table, where they could enjoy a snack while she told them a tale or two.

The day would be as pleasant, if not more so, than this day had been.

Turning to Kyrylo, her voice rippling with excitement, she'd said, "Wonderful! I look forward to seeing you both then. Perhaps you can meet me at the swing on the island, and we can start from there."

Kyrylo stood waving at one of the large bay windows until he was certain Rosebud was far gone from sight. Turning, he shrugged out of his long robe and clambered into bed, hanging Calliope's mini-gazebo up on the hook as he made his way across the large bed. Today and been a very eventful day and all the flying and talking had caused him to tire very much. Smiling into his pillow he fell asleep to the gentle lapping of his lake on the shore and the slight rustling of silk as Calliope nestled into her bed for the night.

The next morning he woke early and quickly jumped out his window to bathe in the lake. He didnt want to offend his new found friend with his stench so he purposely scrubbed especially hard for the day since it wasn't only for himself. Flying back to his room he slipped into a clean robe (nearly the exact same as the one he wore the day before) and roused Calliope by softly tapping on the side of the mini-gazebo, "wake-up Calli!" he called out cheerfully as he pulled a wooden comb through his tangled locks, "today i take you to Rosebud's garden.".

A short time later he flew at a quick pace to the rose garden with Calliope safely tucked inside his robe, right above his chest. He was taking no chances in letting her be an easy target for a possibly hungry predatory that he knew lurked somewhere near by. Seeing the beginning flashes of color from the garden he began to descend, chattering non-stop to Calliope about everything they were passing so she could "see" for herself.

Kyrylo let out a whoop of joy as his feet landing on the soft springy grass on the island. Sitting on the swing he released Calliope and smiled as she landed on his knee. Swinging slowly he waited patiently for Rosebud to make her presence known.

Rosebud had taken her time returning to her garden the night before. She'd glided silently through the different gardens, taking in the beauty as she passed through each one until she'd come to her own garden.

She had felt happiness flow through her as she'd reached the table beneath the tree in her own garden. Though she had truly enjoyed Kyrylo's garden, she was glad to be back in her own.

Gliding up to the branch she loved to sit upon, she rested until the sun rose the next morning. Drifting down from the branch in the tree, she'd moved toward the island, and saw that Kyrylo and Calliope had arrived already.

She watched as Kyrylo sat with Calliope upon his knee, swinging together, and she'd smiled. It brought pleasure to her to see the two friends there in her own garden, enjoying themselves.

Looking about the island, she found a small white pebble, and decided to use that for Kyrylo to see her as she moved. She hadn't forgotten the flash of jealousy that had passed through his eyes the day before when she had invited Calliope to ride with her.

Bending herself to the ground, she'd placed her hand beneath the pebble. Concentrating, she'd raised her hand. The pebble rose with it.

Smiling cheerfully, she'd then approached the swing, the pebble in her palm. Her voice rippled with pleasure as she'd said, "Good morning, my friends. What a pleasure it is to have you here within my garden."

Kyrylo sat for a time conversing with Calliope as he swung back and forth on the swing. The smell of the garden was intoxicating and as he swung a cool breeze ruffled his hair and robe, bringing the fresh scent of roses with each blow. He had spent a short time alone with his moth friend before Rosebud’s voice floated over a small white pebble drifting in mid-air not to far away.

"Good morning, my friends. What a pleasure it is to have you here within my garden."

“Good Morning” Chirped Kyrylo, as he hopped off the still moving swing and used his wings to bring him gracefully to the ground. Calliope, having been thrown off in his jump flew to land on his head while berating him for not giving her warning, next time give a lady a heads up will you? Stretching his wings wide he looked around the garden and flashed a bright smile, “It’s so serene here.” pausing he looked back at the pebble, “did you sleep well?” he murmured as an afterthought. He wasn’t sure if Spirits slept or not in the same sense he and Calliope did.

He was anxious to start the tour of her garden and shifted his weight between both feet trying to contain his excitement. He couldn’t wait to see what Rosebud loved most about her garden and what things called out to her.

Shocked at Kyrylo's sudden jump off the swing, sending Calliope flying into the air, Rosebud had gasped. Seeing the moth land on Kyrylo's head, she was glad Calliope hadn't been hurt. She could see Kyrylo's excitement, and attributed his sudden movement to his inability to contain himself.

Looking about her garden, she'd decided to save the spot under the tree for last, where they could rest at the end of the tour. She would take them upstream first, and show them the cascade of waterfalls. Turning to Kyrylo, she said cheerfully, "Follow me."

Following the path alongside the stream, she pointed out the different colored roses and their meanings.

"See the many different roses here, the color of each rose represents a different meaning. Red symbolizes love, courage, respect, beauty, and a job well done. The dark red or burgundy rose represents unconcious beauty, the kind of beauty we talked of when I was visiting your garden."

Her mind wandered back to his garden, and the spire with the green ivy wrapped around it. A smile fluttered across her face as she remembered.

"The pink rose symbolizes grace, happiness, admiration, gentleness, and thank you. Orange represents desire and enthusiasm. Lavender symbolizes love at first sight, enchantment, and blue symbolizes the unattainable, the impossible."

"My favorite is the yellow rose, which symbolizes friendship, joy, gladness, delight, promise of a new beginning, welcome back, remember me, and lastly, it represents jealousy."

Her voice flowed with pride as she discussed her favorite rose.

"As you can see, there are many roses here of varying colors, to go over each color could take hours. I've gone over the more common colors. If there are any you would like to ask specifically about, please feel free to do so."

She'd offered him the opportunity to learn about the color rose that he would select as his favorite, and perhaps Calliope would choose a favorite as well. She loved talking about her roses, it made her happy.

She stopped for a few moments, allowing Kyrylo and Calliope to enjoy the many roses, and figuring that Calliope might just enjoy a sip of nectar now.

information on the meanings of the different color roses was taken from Morrison Gardens website

Kyrylo followed the floating pebble obediently, looking around at all the flowers that surrounded than and paying special attention to the ones she had pointed out. After a short time of her explanations he began to wish he had brought some vellum and ink so he could record it all down for later reading. She knew so much about her garden and he made it a personal goal of his to learn more about what everything in his garden signified to him so he could share it with others later.

He had emitted a little gasp of surprise when she had told him that they had barely skimmed the surface of the vast amount of colors the roses had to offer. Taking a renewed gaze of interest around the garden he studied a few of the more interesting ones she had mentioned. After a short while he finally answered her “I really like the yellow and the burgundy roses” he paused to point out one in the far distance, “but the peach one with the yellow center is my favorite. Does that one have a special meaning as well?”

Calliope flew from his head and perched on a large white rose, taking a deep drink of the sweet nectar inside before giving her opinion, white, without a doubt, the white ones. Grinning Kyrylo lifted his gaze back to the pebble, “Calliope really likes white things” he murmured with a soft chuckle.

Rosebud watched as Kyrylo looked about the garden, taking in the colors and scents around him. She'd giggled lightly when he'd gasped at her comment about having only gone over a few of the colors of roses around them. A silence filled the air as he'd looked about, and she turned to look where his eyes had stopped as a particular rose had captured his interest.

“I really like the yellow and the burgundy roses” he paused to point out one in the far distance, “but the peach one with the yellow center is my favorite. Does that one have a special meaning as well?”

She gazed upon the rose he had indicated, absorbing the shades of peach, pink, and yellow that emitted from the flower. Rosebud had smiled and her voice rippling through the air once more, she said to him, "Peach symbolizes gratitude and appreciation. They convey an expression of sympathy, or show how much you may miss a dear friend."

" The rose you selected is really quite wonderful, the colors reflect so much feeling and sensitivity behind them. I'm really quite pleased with your choice.", Rosebud had commented, her voice filled with emotion.

She watched as Calliope flew down to drink of the nectar from a white rose, and she was glad that Calliope could be here to enjoy her garden as well.

Kyrylo then murmured,“Calliope really likes white things"

Rosebud had smiled at Calliope, and speaking with sincerity, she'd said, "White roses symbolize purity and innocence. They say that you believe your intentions are pure, and when given to another, say that you believe they are worthy. They also represent silence, secrecy, reverence, and humility. They can also represent youthfullness and charm."

Rosebud noted how Calliope had indicated she was pleased, and she'd smiled. She was feeling quite happy as she shared her garden with Kyrylo and Calliope.

"When you are ready, we can move on, Calliope. It brings me great joy to share my garden with the both of you."

"Peach symbolizes gratitude and appreciation. They convey an expression of sympathy, or show how much you may miss a dear friend."

"That rose means what i feel for it" he grinned at the lovely coincidence before turning to absorb the smells and sights of some of the other colorful roses that dotted the immediate area.

"The rose you selected is really quite wonderful, the colors reflect so much feeling and sensitivity behind them. I'm really quite pleased with your choice."

Grinning again he turned to face the pebble with a shrug of his shoulders, "maybe it was a lucky coincidence?" he suggested while peeking at Calliope from the corner of his eye. She had appeared to just finish drinking her fill and was flying lazily over to alight on his person once again.

After listening to the explanation on white roses he turned to flash a smile at Calliope, "seems like you picked a flower that reflect you pretty well" he quipped before stretching his wings and giving a nod to Rosebud, "I think we are both ready to continue now".

Rosebud smiled as Kyrylo informed her that the rose he'd chosen meant exactly what he was feeling.

"maybe it was a lucky coincidence?"

His response to her statement caused her to ponder for a moment. "Or perhaps it was fate?", she'd interjected.

She watched as Calliope returned to her perch on Kyrylo's head.

"I think we are both ready to continue now".

Rosebud responded, saying, "This way, then. Follow me, please." She turned to head further up the stream. As they walked, she spoke of the rose bushes that lined each side of the stream, her voice strong as it rippled through the air.

"If you look beneath the flowers, you can see how the bushes are entwined together. This is what causes the colors of the flowers to appear mixed all together, as if coming from the same plant, yet each color grows on a different bush."

She paused a moment as she looked across the tops of the flowers, the myriad of colors dazzling her with their beauty. It was this that drew Rosebud to her garden. The sea of colors forming a rainbow over the tops of the bushes, creating a scene that most only dream of seeing. The colors were contrasted only by the deep green color of the leaves and branches of the bushes, and the blue sky above.

A small rabbit moved beneath the bushes, catching her eye, and gave her cause to issue a warning.

"You want to use caution near the bushes, for thorns grow upon the branches, quite sharp I might add. I've witnessed creatures catch themselves on those thorns, drawing blood as it sliced through their tender skin."

She thought that maybe she should have mentioned this fact before, else Kyrylo might have gotten too close and wounded himself upon a thorn. A feeling of guilt came over her at that thought. Realizing that it was too late for regrets, she continued on.

"Beneath the bushes, the smaller creatures make their homes, some tunnel beneath the ground, creating burrows for themselves. Some make nests upon the ground, and the insects make their homes on the leaves and flowers of the plants. So you can see that within these bushes, a world of it's own has formed. It's really quite amazing, don't you think?."

Kyrylo walked slowly behind the floating pebble listening as she told them about the wonderful little creatures that lived under the rose bushes. Smiling he watched as a rabbit scurried past and nodded his understanding when she had mentioned the thorns. It seemed that the animals living under the bushes knew how to use the roses to their advantages, keeping those that might harm them at bay with the threat of a prickly encounter.

The calming sound of the river near by was lulling Kyrylo into his own thoughts as he watched beautiful jewel-toned butterflies dance around the roses. The winking of dew on some of the leaves on the bushes reminded him of small little gems shining witht he force of the light shining down on it. Completely zoned out he walked past the white pebble and crashed into the river, coming up sputtering to the ringing laughter of Calliope as she flew circles around the white pebble. Clawing his way back to the bank he grinned up sheepishly to Rosebud, "I er... daydreaming" he admittied as he climbed soggily to his feet.

Quite startled by Kyrylo's sudden mishap, Rosebud watched as he struggled to climb out of the stream. Realizing he was ok, and that the incident really had been quite funny, her laughter rang through the air like a thousand crystal bells being rung in harmony with one another. She allowed her laughter to die down.

"I er... daydreaming"

He was grinning sheepishly as he made this comment. She'd grinned at this statement, and a rhyme filled her head. Rosebud felt the urge to share it with Kyrylo and Calliope, and so her voice flowed strong and clear, rippling with amusement as she spoke,

"Fanciful thoughts fill my mind,
As I pass this way today.
As I do walk a step behind,
Allowing my feet to obey,

The clumsy step that I do find,
That makes me lose my way.
My finesse redefined,
The silliness I portray,

I find myself un-aligned,
tumbling into the watery fray.
My excuse that made me blind,
A daydream, I do say."

Kyrylo's Daydream,
by Joan, aka Fiziali
Please do not use
without my permission.

When she'd finished her rhyme, she smiled at Kyrylo and said, "I'm glad that you didn't hurt yourself in your tumble, or I should have felt quite badly. The rhyme filled my head when you spoke and I saw that you were ok. It just seemed to fit the occasion, and I do hope you don't mind. After the initial shock, it really was quite funny, wasn't it, Calliope?."

"Pshaw" Kyrylo exclaimed with a wink as he waved at the water, "I'm used to it by now" he grinned, "water and i have a bit of a history together" he explained as he wrung out the water from his sopping robes and hair. Grinning he listened to the poem that Rosebud made on the spot and burst into peals of laughter, "So apt" he said as he finished his wringing and returned to the spirits side.

Off to the side Calliope sat perched on a rose leaf, her wings and antennae atremble with the mirth that was escaping her small body. "Apparently Calliope enjoyed it as well" he said with a wry smile, "shes seen all my 'incidents' with water".

Rosebud chuckled at Kyrylo's explanation of his history with water. The manner in which he wrung out his clothing was that of someone who had been experienced at it, and her eyes were filled with mirth as she thought about his current mishap and imagined his previous ones.

After she had finished telling her rhyme, he'd burst out in laughter, and her heart was filled with cheer knowing that he had genuinely enjoyed her poem. Though she had had her moments of laughter in the past, none of them had been like this moment that she shared with Kyrylo and Calliope, and the emotions that washed over her confused her.

She felt, somehow, that there was something special in this moment they shared with one another, that something amazing was happening. She would have to think about this moment later, when she was alone in her garden and could think things over. She committed the entire scene and these emotions she felt to memory, to ponder about at a more convenient time.

When he mentioned Calliope, she had turned to look at the moth and agreed that Calliope had indeed enjoyed her poem as well.

Rosebud moved her hand over Kyrylo's head, smoothing back his hair in a gesture of friendship. She did not know if he could feel it, but she hoped he could, somewhat.

She smiled upon him and said, "Kyrylo, I've never known a friend like you, and Calliope as well. It's different, with Spirits, you know. I feel a special bond with you and Calliope, something I have never felt with another Spirit."

She wasn't sure Kyrylo understood her, but she hoped that he would understand that she felt he and Calliope were her friends. She had never had friends before. The other spirits just were, they knew each other, they cared about each other, but it was never anything close. No bond was formed in their relationships with one another.

Kyrylo grinned as he felt a soft caress on his head helping to smooth back what was probably the mad tangle of hair that generally occur ed after he had dragged himself from the water. Smiling happily he nodded his agreement, "I would have to say your the one i have talked to the most and spend the most time with" he said in a slightly amazed tone. It had never occurred to him that of all the fae and spirits he had met in the garden, he would ever had become the best of friends with one he couldn't see. Stifling back a chuckle he quirked his ears at where the pebble floated a few feet in front of him, "D'you know, i think you may be my best friend" he managed to rush out before a small peel of laughter rang out.

Glancing over at Calliope he flashes a rueful grin, "Calliope and I are more like family" he nodded as he stroked one of her wings very carefully so as not to muss the fine feathery hairs on her wings.

Rosebud was just as amazed as Kyrylo at his revelation. She had thought that he would spend a lot of time with others of his kind. She knew he was a Whisperer, and that they were not as playful as the Llithe's were, but she had figured that they still spent time with one another, just the same.

Then again, there were so many gardens, she knew it was possible to sort of disappear among them, not really noticed by the others.

She wondered then if that was what had happened with her. Did the other spirits bond with one another and she just wasn't aware of it because she had gone off on her own claiming her garden for herself, and had never given them the chance to become close? It was something to think about some day when she was alone in her garden.

Rosebud realized she and Kyrylo were quite similar to one another. They each had claimed a garden for their own. They both loved their garden very much. They both liked each other and both of them were fond of Calliope, though the bond he had with Calliope was quite obviously stronger.

"D'you know, i think you may be my best friend"

Rosebud's thoughts had been interrupted. She looked curiously at Kyrylo, and a smile crossed her face when she realized he was quite serious. "You know, I think that you are my best friend as well, when I think on it.", she said, gleefully.

She laughed with him then, their laughter ringing through the air together. Looking up, she realized they had finally reached the waterfall at the end of the stream, and she exclaimed, "Here we are!"

She glided smoothly over to the edge of the water near the waterfall and allowed the fine mist to spray over her entire being. Sighing contentedly, she said, "This is one of my favorite places in my garden. Isn't it just lovely?"

Her revelation at them both being each others closest friends at the moment had made Kyrylo incredibly happy. Of all the other Fae and spirits he had met in the garden, none had spent so much time with him or told so much about themselves. Walking slowly surrounded by roses, their laughter ringing in the warm well scented air, he mused at the dream-like feeling.

"Here we are!"

Jumping from the sudden exclamation he took a closer look around at his surroundings. Just ahead was a beautiful waterfall with slight mist rising around it that caught the light and made rainbows or twinkled like shimmering gems suspended in air. Smiling at the pretty scene it made with the roses in the backdrop he nodded his pleasure, "yes, this is certainly breath taking" he breathed out slowly.

Rosebud was pleased that Kyrylo enjoyed this, one of her favorite spots, in her garden. She watched him as his eyes made out the lights flickering like gems on the droplets that formed in the mist. They danced about just like the fae who played in the Evercommon Garden, except there appeared to be a rhythm in the dance under the fall.

Rosebud watched with Kyrylo for a little while, then she turned and asked, her voice lilting as she spoke, filled with contentment, "Are you ready, then, to see the rest of the garden? We will need to head back the way we came, and then continue on, in the opposite direction."

She waited patiently for Kyrylo to answer, in no hurry to rush him away from this spot, if he should choose to remain a while longer. She could still remember the first time she found this spot.

Rosebud had stood, mezmerized by the dancing lights over the water, for many hours before moving on again. It had been the setting of the sun, the light fading around her causing the lights in the mist to fade as well, that had broken her concentration. Only then, had she made her way to the other end of her garden.

Kyrylo's eyes traveled over the glittering water slowly. Lke a prism it had bent light this way and that until a myrad of colors danced across the watery curtain. Smiling he reached out a finger to a small shimmering rainbow that was suspended just a few inches to his right. "I can see why you like this so much" he managed to finally say after the astonishment of seeing all the colors had subsided.

After a few long moments of gazing dreamily into the mist thinking about how he would like to come back and try to capture a likeness of the colors on parchment he turned to the floating pebble. "I would very much like to see the rest of your garden" he said with a slow smile while wiggling a finger in Calliope's direction trying to coax her to hitch a ride.