"Hmm?" Gaia hummed. "Did you say something?"
Taranis sighed once more before saying, "So much has happened in my absence; why are you just telling me of these things now?"
"It never came up in any conversation, plus, you've been refusing to talk to me, remember?" Gaia pursed her lips, "Every time I'd ask if we could talk you'd tell me to fuck off."
Guilt pressed heavily against Taranis' chest as he thought, 'She's right; it's my own fault, I shouldn't be angry with her over this.' He took the rose from Gaia and intended to sniff it, but it dried and withered in his hold.
"Nature can see past your physical appearance and see your soul," Gaia told him. "You can't hide from your punishment and I can't shorten your sentence."
Taranis kept his eyes focused on the pieces of the withered plant that lingered in his hand as he spoke, "Thank you for telling me about Alia and Oliver as well as about my father, you can go now...I'll handle everything."
