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 Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:36 pm
Yambati looked up as he heard approaching footsteps. It was one of the Melancholic girls from his class - he vaguely recognized her as often being at the side of the bright-red Sanguine. In any other place, he would have gone back to his thinking.
But in the Gardens, he did have a job. She looked as if she was there with a purpose, not just ambling amongst the flowers - and so, he approached cautiously.
He stopped well outside her zone of personal space, but close enough to be noticed. "Welcome to the Gardens," he said, trying to sound amiable. "May I help you with anything today...?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:46 pm
Aysel jumped slightly as she was addressed- she hadn't even noticed that somebody else was there. Biting back a defensive remark- it wouldn't do to snap at him for no reason, after all- she forced a wary a smile. " I'm looking for..a plant. A blooming plant...or..seeds, for said plant. But I'm not sure what kind of seeds I'm looking for.." she trailed off with a slightly defensive shrug. "They're for..somebody dear to me. A gift..." frowning slightly, Aysel grimaced. She sounded like a fool...
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:49 pm
But she didn't - at least, Yambati didn't think so. A few weeks ago, he would've shared her sentiment, but... things changed.
He quirked an eyebrow, an interested look in his eyes. Seeds? Seeds. Seed splitting, which meant practice. "Well, perhaps I can assist you, then? I'm one of the Gardeners. Just give me an idea of what kind - color, shape, that sort of thing - flower you're looking for."
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:56 pm
"Red." Aysel said immediately- red for warmth, passion, movement, love...warmth for Antigone. She blushed, glancing up at the Gardener as though daring him to read her mind...which, of course, he couldn't...she hoped. "Red would be ideal..." she repeated in a softer voice, "or orange...but not roses." Too cliche. Not warm enough..alive enough. "As I said...I don't really know flowers well."
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:03 pm
He nodded. "Alright, then. Follow me..." Yambati thought as they walked over to the area of the gardens with the highest concentration of reds, oranges, and pinks, running over the different species they had. Red... orange... He couldn't help think of Kallisto for a moment, and for that reason, he didn't suggest tiger lilies. That was a special flower to him.
"Well, there's the Clemantis, though that generally runs more magenta than true red," he mused, indicating the plant. "And Weigela Red Prince." He pointed to that, as well.
"But I think... that perhaps the Calla lily is more what you're looking for?" It was much less traditional flower, more elegant. He thought the Melancholy would like it.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:09 pm
As Aysel's eyes fell upon each flower, she questioned- this one? This one? But as the Gardener showed her the last- a lily of some sort, he'd said?- she nodded. This was the one..it was perfect. She beamed at him, delighted. "This one.." she agreed, nodding. "She'll love it...I hope. It reminds me of her, in any event..." realizing that the Gardener (honestly, she would have to learn his name) would have no idea who she was talking about, she blushed faintly and added- "They're for Antigone...do you know her?" She almost hoped he didn't...she felt silly enough being down here, without looking like a romantic sap as well.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:14 pm
Yambati shook his head. "No, I've never met her. But... she's the Sanguine girl who I see with you in class, correct?" A very faint smile touched his lips - he didn't notice it - at seeing such... happiness. He understood, even if he didn't know quite what he understood.
He looked at the lilies again, then back over to Aysel. "I can cut one or two for you, or I can split a seed - the cut ones will obviously wilt, but the seed will take time to grow. The moon is right, though, for planting Calla lilies, if you're interested, and I can instruct you on the care..."
If he was going to split a seed, he would need to fetch water in the small bowl he carried in his bag.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:24 pm
A blush, difficult to see in contrast to her dark skin, slowly heated her cheeks. Although he didn't know her love, he had seen them together...would see this action as the horribly goopy, sappy thing that it was. "That would be her..." she murmured sheepishly, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other. Hopefully he wouldn't think her weak...but she did require his help.
"If you're not too busy...I'd like to grow some of my own, for her. I've all the time in the world...they're not for a specific occasion, you see. Just...thought it would be nice."
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:35 pm
Yambati nodded. He didn't think that giving flowers to others was overly sappy. After all, he'd given Kallisto a Sundew, right? Besides, Aysel was subdued enough that Yambati couldn't dislike her, and therefor, couldn't see her possible reasons as anything bad.
"I'm not too busy - this is my job, remember?" He tried to sound a little reassuring, a little welcoming.
"Just wait here a moment, while I prepare." He set his bag down by the planters, taking out what he would need - silver scissors, burlap, the water bowl. His trowel was in his bag, as well, but he didn't have soil or a pot - they'd have to plant it on the way out. Taking the empty bowl, he rose, leaving Aysel for a moment to get clear water from one of the fountains. Returning, he set it with the other thing, and took off his glasses as well, setting them aside.
"All I ask," he said, kneeling before the calla lilies, "is that you think pleasant thoughts while I work - it's not crucial, but it will help how well it grows."
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:45 pm
Aysel nodded stiffly, feeling a bit out-of-place as the Gardener went about getting ready. She considered asking if she could help with anything...but as he had said, this was his job. She ought to let him do it...right?
As he returned, she gave him a small, guarded smile...and then knelt beside him, watching intently. At his request, she blinked curiously. Pleasant thoughts influenced how flowers grew? How did that work? She made a point to ask him later, for now she was busy closing her eyes and focusing on doing as she was asked...grasping for pleasant thoughts. Of course, at the forefront of her mind was Antigone...the one who was her happiness, although she hadn't spent much time with her lately. But no, no...no worrying, she thought chidingly. Happy thoughts.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:53 pm
Yambati looked over the lilies, finally settling on one with perhaps not the most vibrant colors, but the most healthy flower and leaves. Before doing anything, he cleared his mind, letting it settle into pleasant thoughts. He breathed in the scent of flowers, plants, moist earth, letting himself drop into a sort of working trance. He took up the silver scissors, leaning over the planter to carefully, carefully clip one section of stamen, catching it in a small burlap square.
He cupped the piece of burlap in one hand, washing the silver scissors off in the basin with the other. Only once the scissors were clean did he set them aside once more. Then he set the burlap and stamen on the edge of the planter, holding both hands, one atop the other, over it. He closed his eyes, again drawing in the scent of the earth. He saw the lily in his mind, elegant, bold, drew that essence from the clipping, up into the curved pitcher shape.
When he was sure of the image in his mind, he covered the clipping with the second piece of burlap, and submerged the whole package into the bowl of water. Holding it completely underwater, he focused all of his willpower into it, willing it to form into a perfect, round seed.
And after the water bubbled a little, he withdrew his hands, uncovering the seed and holding it out for Aysel to see.
"There... a seed."
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:52 pm
One perfect seed.
Although gardening truly wasn't her thing, Aysel couldn't help but to feel a bit awed. An entire living thing, contained in this one tiny thing..this one seed. She smiled hesitantly up at the Gardener, murmuring softly to him. "It's beautiful...thank you." For a moment or two, she sat quietly and smiled, trying to keep that sense of awe with her, trying not to let the oppressive worry back in. In the end, however, she failed, and her face closed back up. With a sigh, she hauled herself back to her feet. "Is there a certain sort of soil I should plant it in...? And..does this flower like sun, or shade, or..?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:27 pm
Yambati also stood up. He looked strangely transformed after the seed splitting - he looked content, happy. There was a smile on his face as he began gathering up his supplies.
"Calla lilies..." He pursed his lips, thoughtfully. "They prefer full sunlight and mulch mixed in with their soil. The soil should be kept moist. I can plant it for you, if you like."
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:54 pm
"I'd very much appreciate that..." she murmured, smiling carefully. "I truly know very little about gardening..and would be very grateful for some help. Is there any special care I should give them, or..?" Wondering what she was getting into in order to grow flowers that she didn't even know if Anti would like, and feeling rather overwhelmed, Aysel fell silent.
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:03 pm
"Just keep the plant by a window where it can get sunlight, and water it every time the soil seems a bit dry," he explained, leading her towards the supply shed to get a pot and some planting soil. "That's all. It should be fine with minimal care."
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