Garden

[asoftermeme]

— garden meme

Sometimes, all you need is a brief retreat from the rest of the world. A place filled with the soothing scent of flowers and the gentle touch of the passing breeze. Might be real nice to just lie down in the grass and relax for a bit...

— scenario prompts

1) RELAXING.
A garden's a good a place as any to read a book in peace or get an impromptu nap, right? The sun is out, it's nice and warm, and—well, now you can just close your eyes for a spell and bask in the warmth as you drift off to sleep.

2) OUTING.
You've come here to look at the flowers with friends, or you thought it might be a nice place to bring a date. Settle down for a picnic, or have a nice, scenic stroll.

3) EVENT.
You've been trapped mingling with other guests or foreign dignitaries or greasy bigwigs or just about anyone else you might find in a stuffy banquet, so it's time to escape into the garden of the venue for some air. There could be others trying to catch a break just like you are. Just be careful not to overhear anything you shouldn't be listening to.

4) ASSIGNMENT.
You've come here for a reason. There's a target you've been assigned to tail or neutralize, or something valuable you have to pilfer from an estate. Infiltrating through the garden seems like your best bet for remaining undetected. If you're lucky, everything will go as planned. And if not, have fun getting away unscathed.

5) GARDEN WORK.
You've been tasked with fixing up the garden in some way, whether it means planting new things or tending to what's already there. Are you slacking off on your duties or hard at work?

6) TRAGEDY.
The garden is merely the stage for a disaster. The birds and insects have gone silent; another threat lies hidden amidst the foliage. Someone is hunting you—or you, them. Is that the smell of smoke and the beginnings of a fire? Perhaps this will be the setting of a cataclysmic battle.

7) SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
What started as an ordinary stroll through the garden has turned into something else entirely. There's something unearthly about this place, like you've stepped into a different world. Perhaps it's a gateway to another realm, or you've otherwise stumbled across some mythical secret. Or, alternatively, you aren't really in a garden—you're just here in a dream.

8) OTHER.
Anything else you can think of!

— setting prompts

A) PARK / BOTANICAL GARDEN.
The garden is part of a well-maintained park with a large variety of plants. There's a pond somewhere lined with a series of willows. Sometimes, geese, ducks, and other waterfowl pass through.

B) PALACE GARDEN.
If there's a magnificent palace, it stands to reason that the garden is just as beautiful, right? Think countless species of flowers, beautifully maintained trees, fish ponds with gorgeous water lilies, butterflies fluttering in the distance.

C) FIELD OF FLOWERS.
It's not quite an actual garden, but if you go to a field of flowers, you could make a wreath. Or flower crowns, if that's more of your thing. There could be four-leaf clovers hidden among the wildflowers.

D) MAZE.
Hedge mazes can be fun sometimes, right? Maybe there's a legend to go alongside it: if you and your beloved start at opposite ends of the maze and meet again in the center, your love will be eternal.

E) SHADED GARDEN.
There's a walkway lined with flowering trees. A shaded area with a gazebo, a table, a set of chairs. Today could be a fine day for some tea or coffee. You could host a little garden party.

F) GREENHOUSE.
It's warm in the greenhouse and long rows of plants line every available surface inside. Are you tending to the plants or looking to make a purchase?

G) HOUSE GARDEN.
It's nothing spectacular, but you have your own little garden that you've been taking care of, growing flowers and vegetables and anything else that strikes your whimsy.

H) WINTER GARDEN.
With the cold weather, the flowers have withered and the trees lie dormant, their barren branches coated in frost. Snow covers the grass and lines the benches; a hush has fallen over this place. Are those footprints in the snow? Have you come here for a purpose?

I) OTHER.
Anything else you can think of!

meme by sockupo.

Comments

[bwrw]

[ That's so nice of him! She'll help by watering them later. She's good at that without learning spells. ]

Oh, I'm free every day here. Heheh. So any day is okay with me!

[ She scratches her cheek, looking sheepish. She's also free in the land of the rain, but she can't admit that. She barely left the library or her assigned quarters without her mother's permission. ]

For example, umm— I've read this gardening book about humans creating an irrigation system that sprays their crops and plants in a wide-ranged area. Mages must have had a spell to do that. After that invention appeared, it surely got discarded.

[ She says, bringing up the hoses and automatic watering system in everything but name. ]

Either way, both are trying to mimic something in nature. That's rain!

[monsterofminos]

[More trees mean more fruit. That's a win in his book.]

I do not... have anything planned either.

[Asterios listens intently, understanding what she means and nodding. While he can't fully envision said invention, he has a general idea of how that might work.]

Weather spells... would work... but it would... be handy to have... something physical to use... Humans are... very clever.

[bwrw]

[She'll work hard to water those trees every day! It'll be almost like a hobby besides reading and trying to figure out how spells work (very embarrassing for the Avatar of Mystics)!]

Oh. Don't you have a, erm, a pastime? That's right. I have read humans like to take up "hobbies" to fulfill them in their leisure time.

[ Her eyes sparkle in curiosity to learn what Asterios does in this summertime palace. Hobbies do sound fascinating: something to do outside one's purpose. Besides, all her time is freed until she begins her pilgrimage! She could try something new as long as she is here. Teaching is new, for example. She has not done that yet. ]

They are. I'm not sure whether or not the staff is human, but it made me happy to interact with them.

[ Exactly as she has read. It's exhilarating to approach them and sense their different emotions. Very rich and changing, unlike the stagnation of the fae. ]

[monsterofminos]

[Oh. Hobbies. He heard Ritsuka speak about those. The bull tilts his head slightly as he thinks.]

I like... napping in the sun... and eating. And forging things... And flowers...

[Seems he's a blacksmith! Who knew. Asterios naps and eats far more than anything though. It's a good life.]

I don't know... they seem it...? But this place... is strange so...

[A shrug.]

busy days sorry

[bwrw]

[ Ohh. Her eyes widen. So many, but isn't eating necessary? It could be a hobby for fairies, she thinks. They don't get hungry. But her full attention goes to the unusual sneak in his list. ]

Forging things? Do you have a smithy here, Asterios?

[ Color her interested. If he doesn't, they could turn an empty room into one (with permission from the staff). ]

Ah, I wondered if they could be similar to the humans from the world I come from, but some of them look older than they'll ever grow to be.

[ That surprised her. She's never seen wrinkles in her life until she met the elderly housekeeper. ]

All good! I'm always up for backtagging. =3

[monsterofminos]

[It's a hobby when you're a giant and didn't get to eat real food the majority of your life.

He could also be mistaking things he likes with hobbies though.]

I found one, yes... It is very nice... and has let me... fix my helmet... and axes.

[There's a soft thoughtful hum from the bull.]

Maybe... they are Servants... or created from... magic?

thank you!

[bwrw]

Can you show me? [ Her eyes lighten in interest. ] Sorry, um, fairies are... well, we are decent at forging.

[ Even if she has no idea how it is done, she is supposed to forge this important weapon. The holy sword that would be known as 'Excalibur.' ]

Oh, human mage's, um, familiars? [ She squints, eyes darting in direction of the castle again. ] I know about them. I would probably detect if they were made of mana.

<3!

[monsterofminos]

Yes, I can show you...

[He slowly begins walking in the direction of the smithy, waiting for Aesc to follow.]

Something like that... Unless... they are that... science thing... I have heard about...

[bwrw]

Thank you! Maybe we cou—

[ She's about to suggest scheduling it after the lessons, so it won't overload him when he has started walking away! Eh? Wait! She picks up the pace to follow him. Ahem. She regains her composure immediately. ]

Science...[ Her voice trails off, unsure. ] Um, you mean like a homunculus?

[ Some look aged with wrinkles and grey hair! She has never seen that in her life. Homunculi do not age like that. ]

[monsterofminos]

[He's got all the time in the would so Asterios isn't concerned.

Although it might be good if Aesc goes over a schedule with him. He'll do everything in one day if not.]

Something similar. A... "sim-you-lay-shun," I have... hard it called. Do you know of those...?

[bwrw]

[ His legs are so long, she thinks he's thoughtful for walking slowly, or she'll have to run to keep up. ]

Sim— [ She halts, word caught in her throat. Simulations. She knows what it means for a world to be simulated. But...there is no tree holding this fantasy, now is there? So she doesn't think it is a lostbelt. ] I do. I also know not every simulation is created by technology.

[monsterofminos]

[He could carry her to make things more easy but he knows not everyone is comfortable with that.]

Are there... magical ones...?

[bwrw]

[ That is fine. She needs to exercise to get ready for a long pilgrimage in the future. This should be a consequence of spending all her time in the library! ]

Uh, something like that. They are still real people, regardless of their origin.

[ With feelings, dreams, fears. She knows their hopes, making her heart waver when it shouldn't. ]

[monsterofminos]

I think... I understand.

[Sort of. But it's not super important.

They finally get to the tucked away little forge and Asterios has to duck in to enter. He inspects the flame of the forge itself, adding a bit of coal by hand before dusting himself off.]

It is... cozy in here.

[bwrw]

[ She beams as he says he understands. It's something she isn't sure she can speak a word. The line between fantasy and reality is thin; disturbing it would cause one to fade.

Aesc takes a deep breath when they reach it. She's in worse condition than she thought if trotting this way has her tired. Maybe she should start some routine...like running around the palace grounds every morning. ]

If you excuse me—

[ She clears her throat, asking permission before she steps in, keeping her floating grimoire and staff close so they wouldn't accidentally catch a spark of fire. ]

Ohh. This is nice. So this is what a forge looks like outside a book.

[ She halts a couple of steps behind Asterios to take in the layout. There is the furnace, the anvil, the hammer... It makes her itch for an indescribable longing. She realizes she has no idea what to do, but maybe she has to unlock this knowledge. Like a quest taken out from the adventures she dreams about.

If he has any items cooling down or in progress at the display, she'll approach to inspect them. ]

[monsterofminos]

[He isn't sure what she's excusing herself for but doesn't say anything on the matter.]

They have... forges in books...?

[There's a dagger and a sword. Not the best craftsmanship — Aesc will likely see he's learning though. The sword was made first. A bit curvy and misshapen. The dagger is better made but has hammer marks. Both blades are sharp though and can cut through most things.]

I need... to keep practicing... It's difficult... making items for... normal sized people.

[bwrw]

[ She's only politely asking permission to enter his smithy. Her eagerness makes her hastily step in as soon as she says that. ]

There are books about every subject—blacksmithing isn't excluded.

[ Not that the theory and description are too helpful. She thinks this is one of the "learn by doing it" types of crafts. Her searching gaze stops on the dagger and sword exhibited, walking closer to them. ]

I think it's amazing you are doing this without a teacher to guide you, Asterios!

[ She's often lost about how to learn spells without one. She hand is about to reach for the dagger, but she doesn't move yet. ]

May I?

[ It's his handiwork, so it deserves a close appraisal. If a member of the Earth clan were here, they would certainly share more helpful insights. ]

[monsterofminos]

There is...? I had... no idea.

[He sits at the stump he has in front of the forge, watching as Aesc explores the room.]

Francis Drake... helped me some... during our time together...

[Before that happened.

He nods his head in response to her question.]

You may.

[bwrw]

There is. Maybe after you learn how to read, we can finish one together.

[ She suggests excitely. Aesc likes that as a goal. The vocabulary in those books is technical. It would mean he's mastered all the basics and finally...! Finally! He'll finally consult literature from his field. ]

Thank you.

[ She bows her head in gratitude and reaches to grasp the dagger, gingerly running her fingertips on the visible hammer marks. ]

May I have a suggestion? Perhaps..we can find a smaller hammer to help you with the cleanup.

[monsterofminos]

That... would be nice.

[Reading books about forging and blacksmithing would be nice and help his craft!

But at her suggestion, Asterios takes a monent to consider and nods his head.]

Yes... A smaller hammer... would be good... It is hard... to finish... with such a big hammer...

[bwrw]

Can you wield a smaller hammer with ease?

[ She glances at his hands. They are fairly large and perfect for more sizable tools.

She raises a hand, volunteering for the task. ]

I could do it for you if you need assistance. If, um, you don't have objections.

[monsterofminos]

I think I can...

[He tilts his head inquisitively. Making something together with his new friend could be quite fun...!]

I have no objections. I would like to see... what you can do.

[bwrw]

[ Where would they get the hammer? They could borrow it or— Aesc looks at her slender hands. She could craft it. Or try to. She has made small tools, but those projected items don't last, maybe it is time to demonstrate why Vivian's Item Construction was unmatched in Proper Human History!

(She...has a long journey to fill those shoes).

Nodding profusely, she takes a deep breath and mumbles some words. A rapid incantation in no language humans can speak. She cannot do as the other fairies who can simply manifest sacraments, she has to use a spell. A dainty hammer appears floating before her. It's almost all white with delicate accents of blue and the gold imprint of fairy letters decorating its handle. She catches it and holds it up. ]

Will this do?

[monsterofminos]

[Much like a dog, Asterios tilts his head from side to side as she mutters her spell, curious as to what she's doing.

When the hammer appears, he gasps and leans in to get a better look at it.]

Oh... Yes... This will do.

It is... very pretty.

[bwrw]

[She's curious what she's doing too. It's the two of them. She's acting out of instict rather than something she remembers before this young manifestation. But look! It worked. Aesc glances up at the gentle giant with unabashed excitement and glee in her eyes. ]

Thank you! I can't believe it. I did it!