<i>Who brought you these?</i><br/><br/>Basren considered, wildly, of lying. That was quashed immediately, though. Sovele would<i>know</i>. And if he didn't know right away, he would find out. There was, of course, the fear that Sovele would disapprove of who it was that had given Basren contraband, but Basren was convinced it was meant to be a kind gesture, one to lure his interest rather than an outright act of rebellion. He was low content. He didn't have many prospects, and as much as Sovele doted on him, Basren knew he would need to court someone else eventually. Not that that wouldn't be its own tangle, considering how jealous Sovele could be.<br/><br/>Basren kept his eyes on the table in front of him, emitting a sense of casualness he didn't feel. "Matthias Yardell caught a trespasser on the edge of his lands a few weeks ago. The plant was in the man's pack. Matthias had no use for it, but he saved it for me as a curiosity." He risked an opinion. "I thought it was thoughtful of him." And then, swiftly, to cover up that, "I think it might originally be something edible--a lettuce, maybe--but it's pretty enough to be ornamental, don't you think?"<br/><br/>A weed. It had grown heartily enough, with a bit of care, despite having traveled across the country to Sovele's palace.<br/><br/>"Well, I could pot it," he said. "The roots can't spread if I do that. The color is just so--" He paused, awkwardly, realizing he was either treading thin ice or Sovele simply wanted him to grovel a little. "--rich."<br/><br/>Fingers brushed his vest, plucked out the flower he'd chosen. Sovele had noticed, that was obvious. The compliment was hidden, but it still made Basren flush with happiness. He turned in to Sovele's lean, his head ducked demurely. Flowers and food had been set aside, Sovele's attention turned entirely to him.<br/><br/>Basren pressed a shy kiss to the corner of Sovele's mouth. It felt stolen, as it usually did when they were anywhere but the bedroom. Basren always had the nagging feeling that the queen would march in, or one of Sovele's children would come in to seat themselves, doing their jealous best to command Sovele's attention.<br/><br/>"I've filled a small space with these already," Basren said, sounding amused. "Somewhere for our particular use." He pressed another kiss, thinking that Sovele really did just want buttering up. "If you could procure this other for me, if I put it around your gift, for example, the white of the stone will stand out immensely. Every detail. Wouldn't that be pretty, too?"