geri_chan: (CountD2)
geri_chan ([personal profile] geri_chan) wrote2008-08-15 03:27 pm
Entry tags:

FIC: Fragaria Vesca


Title:
Fragaria Vesca
Rating: PG
Word Count: 457
Pairing: Vesca/Papa D (University age)
Characters involved: Vesca, Papa D
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Matsuri Akino. No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Summary: This story grew out of a discussion on [profile] ds_petshop and the Petshop Yahoo Group about Tokyopop's decision to write Howell's first name as "Weskar" instead of "Vesca" in the second series.
Author's note: Much thanks to [profile] kayirowling, whose comment inspired me to research the meaning of Vesca's name, and for added clarification on the Fragaria Vesca.

***

"Happy birthday, Vesca!" D sang out as he walked into Vesca's open dorm room.

Vesca gazed suspiciously at the Count, noticing that he had his hands hidden behind his back, and wondered if he should have locked the door. Not that locks would stop a determined D, he suspected.

"Thanks, you shouldn't have," Vesca said, not very enthusiastically.

D pouted, his lower lip protruding in a childish and yet endearing manner; Vesca had to fight back the sudden, inexplicable urge to kiss it.

"That's not very gracious of you, but happy birthday, anyway," D said in a slightly miffed voice, bringing his hands forward to reveal his gift, a small potted plant.

Vesca goggled in shock at the familiar sight of green leaves and small red berries dangling from a thin, spindly stem. "That's...that's..."

D giggled, apparently mollified by Vesca's reaction. "A Fragaria Vesca," he finished sweetly. "Commonly known as the Woodland Strawberry. Smaller and more strongly flavored than the Garden Strawberries that are commonly sold in supermarkets these days."

Vesca felt his face grow hot and, no doubt, as red as the strawberries. People always asked about the origins of his unusual name, and he always evaded them with vague lies about it being an old family name. After all, it was mortifying for a grown man to admit that essentially, his name was "Strawberry"!

"How did you know?" he asked in a resigned voice.

"Come now, dear Vesca, I am a biologist, after all!" D laughed.

"A biologist, not a botanist," Vesca grumbled. "I thought you were into animals, not plants."

"Ah, but you might say that my family has a special affinity for plant life," D said with an enigmatic smirk.

"Well, thanks, I guess," Vesca said gruffly, taking the pot from D. He plucked a berry and ate it, savoring the sweet, slightly tart taste that brought back memories of his childhood. "These used to grow wild in the woods where my mom grew up. She loved them so much that she named me after them, much to my embarrassment."

D gave him a smile that seemed warmer and more sincere than usual. "I think that's very sweet, Vesca. It's certainly nothing to be ashamed of."

"Thanks for the gift," Vesca said, a little more graciously this time. "Would you like to have some tea and try some of these strawberries?"

"Thank you, I would," D replied, and Vesca got up to fix the tea, but D intercepted him and pressed his mouth against Vesca's, his tongue darting between Vesca's lips for an all too brief moment before he stepped back, leaving Vesca flushed and confused and breathless.

"Yes, those strawberries are certainly delicious!" D said cheerfully. "Now how about that tea?"

***

Afterword: Yay, my first drabble! I tend to be long-winded, so I have a hard time keeping a story to 500 words or less! There's more information here on Wikipedia on the Fragaria Vesca, if you're interested.

Heh heh, it just occurred to me as I was writing this that my Vesca has the same problem as Ichigo in Bleach! ("Ichigo" means "strawberry" in Japanese, although Ichigo is always protesting that it's written with a different kanji character. Not that anyone really listens. ^_^)

[identity profile] kayirowling.livejournal.com 2008-08-16 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
Well, technically, Fragaria is the one that means Strawberry, while Vesca means Edible, according to Latin ^-^

...I'll bark at you for a while, anyways, 'cause the Fragaria Vesca stars in one of my own drabbles (http://community.livejournal.com/psohdrabble/293879.html) and it even spawned a sequel (http://community.livejournal.com/psohdrabble/295598.html).

Still, know that your drabble was cute! =D I totally love PapaD/Vesca! X3

[identity profile] geri-chan.livejournal.com 2008-08-16 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, "edible" is good, too! ^_^ Let's just blame the error on Vesca, who hasn't done his Latin homework, and associates his name with the fruit. ;) Though really, it could have been worse--his mom could have named him "Fragaria"!

Thanks for the feedback, and I loved your Fragaria Vesca drabbles!

[identity profile] kayirowling.livejournal.com 2008-08-16 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, his mom could have XD Or, perhaps, he may have a sister who IS named like that? XD *giggles at the thought*

...and "edible", yes... Can see Papa D taking advantage of THAT one =3

Oh, thanks for liking them! ^-^

[identity profile] dragoneye200.livejournal.com 2008-08-16 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
Now that is sweet =D I must admit to knowing no latin so what his name means exatly I will not hazard to guess.

But the idea, phew, its really, really good.

[identity profile] geri-chan.livejournal.com 2008-08-16 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, glad you liked it! ^_^

[identity profile] yellowhorde.livejournal.com 2008-08-16 12:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, lovely! XD

[identity profile] geri-chan.livejournal.com 2008-08-17 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! ^_^

[identity profile] yamipenguin.livejournal.com 2008-08-16 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow...So that's where Vesca's name came from! I had wondered...*amused* Kinda reminds me of Ichigo from Bleach...

[identity profile] geri-chan.livejournal.com 2008-08-17 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I can't say for sure what Akino-sensei was thinking, but it seems logical. And heh, it does remind me of Ichigo! ;)

[identity profile] bootoye.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
An affinity for plants indeed!! ^^

I love Papa D and Vesca!!!

Thanks!!

[identity profile] geri-chan.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 09:10 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you; I'm glad you enjoyed it!