Welcome to Gaia! ::

The fence collapsed into pieces. All of the hard work that the trainees had done was immediately destroyed. It really was a pathetic sight, the fence completely obliterated to mere splinters. Once the dust settled, the true carnage became immediately clear.

If Alec had been waiting to hear harsh words, none came.

Instead, the boy got a brawny arm wrapped around his shoulder, and Terry Tuggle drew him in for a very brief hug.

"Lets call it a day, trainees! You all head back to the barracks, I hear we're having delicious meat slop for dinner, doesn't that sound fantastic? I think it does. Go on, now. Shoo, shoo."

Terry Tuggle would brook no arguement from anyone. It was obvious the mustachioed man meant business.

However, before Alec was permitted to leave, the boy was given a hand-knitted, violently pink hat with desu little cat ears, lop-sided button eyes, and a bulbous bead nose that glittered neon green in the dimming light of day.

"Here. Don't ever forget that there's a strength in all of us that we might not be aware of. Someday, you'll need to call on that strength, trainee. Remember today, and remember this fence."

As the sun glittered through the trees in the light of early, early morning, the bells rang. Classes, classes, training, and more classes.

It wasn't until after lunch the next day that the trainees would be able to make their way to the Peace Garden. The first thing that they would notice was that the fence...

The fence was completely finished.

It was in pristine condition. Each plank was perfectly aligned. Each twist of twine was immaculate. Even the nails were hammered in as straight as could be. There was even a fully functional gate that latched easily from the outside. A string was threaded through to the inside, which, when pulled, would open the latch on the outside. All of the wood was raw and unpainted. It was, in essence, the perfect Peace Garden fence.

The second thing that the trainees would notice as they trickled in one by one or in pairs and small groups, was Terry Tuggle kicked back in a ratty looking hammock. He looked exhausted, but completely inspired and utterly happy. In his big hands he held a pair of knitting needles, which deftly click-click-click'd as he knit what looked suspiciously like socks.

Covered in.

You guessed it.

Cats.

"Good morning, good morning!! You'll have to excuse me, trainees. I'm very, very tired. I was up all night building the fence. I was inspired by your goodwill, camaraderie, friendship and teamwork!!! It's finished now, so we can get to work again! We have so much to do. Painting the fence, tilling the land, planting the seeds!!"

Terry Tuggle set his little knitting project down and rose to his feet.

"First, we'll paint the fence. We don't want the wood to rot and fall away - and after that, we can focus on the earth itself."

Terry Tuggle gestured at a whole stack of paint cans, all in different colors. There were also a handful of brushes, more than enough for everyone to use!

"Lets get started!"