"Well, since you asked so nicely," Schuldig replied, rolling his eyes. Honestly, Artemis seemed to be under the impression that he was always half a breath away from acting on every crazy thought that entered his head. Not that it wasn't occasionally accurate, but every crazy thought? Not only was that gross exaggeration, but he'd never have time for anything else.

Besides, a lot of that crazy was other people.

He had to hold up a hand to stop the boy at his next remark though. "Wait a minute, Arty. A lily traditionally represents purity and virginity...and you think it would look good on me. Do you even listen to yourself, or is that entirely my job now?"

He allowed himself to be distracted from their banter, however, by the memory of the rose garden in Artemis' mind. Dozing in the warm sun, among the fragrance of flowers with nothing louder than bees buzzing to intrude, was more peace than Schuldig himself could even fathom - more than he even usually encountered in other people's heads. "Well, I don't have a home," he said aloud, closing his eyes and drinking in as much vicarious sensation as he could. "So no back yard, or front yard...not even a windowsill planter. A rose bush would be wasted on me."