Fleur's Floral Wisdom

The long branches of the willows moved ever so gently in the breeze of the Hidden Garden, for a city boy like Rhys the change of scenery was refreshing. It also meant many the usual prying eyes back home couldn’t roll in and spoil his surprise.

In the last couple of weeks he’d taken up to gardening, a suggestion that Nadia had offered during their last chit-chat over a cup of coffee. 

Pour lady hadn’t had a days break after meeting him. From helping him find his footing as a fox and being his rock while he became a heart broken sap. To now her now in recent days listening to him gush happily about reuniting with his wife.

In fact his surprise was meant to be a gift for his wife - Delmare. A flower that shimmered in slight hues of blue, an homage to the ocean, a place that his wife holds near and dear to her heart. 

At least that was the plan because in place of a wonderfully large flower with petals that almost looked like they were shimmering, was instead a brown-red flower that looked more dead than alive. The poor man’s shoulders slumped wondering if he had done anything to kill it. A part of him felt like he had just wasted the last couple of weeks since he managed to just kill the poor plant.

His head fell into a hand, the gears of his mind working over time trying figure out if there is a way he can fix this whole situation. 

“Oh, that’s a certainly an interesting one?” While gentle the sudden voice in his direction startled him more than a little. Enough for him to be spinning on his toes. 

“Urk!” It wasn’t hard to see who had spoken to him. What with her size and all the petals that surrounded her. He relaxed once more, putting a had to his chest to catch his breath - very much a human habit that stuck.
“Oh-ah, sorry about that. Just-” he looked back to the very dead plant.

The goddess watched the poor man fumble through his words before giving him a small smile more out of sympathy. “Had a few troubles, yes?”

“Yeah, you could say that. Funny though, lived in bio dome for a while. You’d thingkthat I’d be better at this after being around nature for so long.” He rubbed the back of his head then looked up at Fleur, “Any advice?”

The goddess took a moment to think before lowering herself to be at eye level to Rhys. “Well… I don’t think there is much help for the little one there now.” She saw his eyes drift to ground his eyes flattened a little. Holding out her closed hand she Gently added, “How about trying these ones instead? It may not be the kind you were trying to get - but I’m sure you’d be able to grow something just as lovely or more so with these.” 

She watched him curiously stare at the seeds in her hands before he held out his cupped hands. Being careful to catch them as she rolled them into his hands. 

With him just staring at them she grabbed an empty pot, “Shall we see what you grow?”

“Hm? Oh! Yeah, yeah.” He put the seeds to the side and helped fill the pot with a bit of dirt. Taking time to fill it just right - did he spend a bit to much time on if - maybe - yes. Very much so. He didn’t want what ever these flowers were to up and die on him as well. 

That same level of care was repeated for top layer as well. Every now and then he would look at the goddess every now day than - checking to see if he was doing these simple spells right. Her expression staying gentle all though-out his long process.

He stared at the pot, “What now?” His question broke through the silence that had surrounded him. It was so flat and random that it even thought off the goddess, Making her laugh.

“Hold it and think about the little one, Your day or just anything you’d like to to share with it, Then when you’re ready open your eyes.”

Was he hesitant at first, yes, spectacle- naturally, but he was down to try it. Maybe this would save the day and he’d still come home with a gift.

Scooping up the the pot he let out a sigh, shook out his shoulders and then closed his eyes. He stood there for a moment holding the plant feeling nothing. He wasn’t sure what he was meant to think or feel, maybe he was over thinking? Not thinking enough? 

Once more Fleur’s voice broken “Deep breath-” Her voice helped him focus out of his spiraling thoughts.

A deep breath in he refocused letting his mind drift off. Reflecting on the past year he rode his emotions. His sadness was the first to roll in - the sudden change of… everything - losing his friends and family in a single second. 

Fleur watched the pot eyeing the stem poking through the soil, small as it maybe it still had a vibrate striking blue - green color. She hummed approvingly. Starting to assume that the flower would be a small thing. Gentle and fragile, then the sprout shot up a bud beginning to bloom. Beautiful red petals poking through the bud. When the flower opened up fully she got to see how decorative the petals were, sequence covered the red adding a shimmer of orange. The flower itself caused the stem to droop from how large the petal was.

Rhys opened his eyes, blinking a few time taking in the sight of the flower. It sure wasn’t what he was expecting. The cloth like material of the entire thing was interesting - to say the least. But he couldn’t complain it looked so soft. Pretty. A bit of a show stopper but he liked it. 

He carefully held it up to his nose and breathed it. It smelled sweet. He nodded happily. “She’s going to love it, Ah-haha thank you.” He was partially bouncing with joy. “Um - my wife I mean! Actually I should probably be going.”

The goddess returned him a smile, “I’m sure she will. It’s a very lovely flower.” 

He had a dreamy look on his face, “Yeah. But thank you again!” He practically ran off holding the potted plant close to himself. Nearly tripping over his own feet from his giddiness.