Flower Fields
The flower fields of Warrenfall were, admittedly, quite plentiful. It wasn’t uncommon to see the grasslands blossoming in warmer weather, though in the winter months there was…far less to look at. Manticore supposed that was just how winter was though, and she found herself thankful for an early spring. It made the task at hand easier, that was for sure.
The big vayron moved across the field, pausing occasionally to look back at her brother, Hydra, to ensure he was still keeping up with her. The blue male was, of course, but at his own pace. Sometimes he would stop, looking at the flowers around him and making curious noises, almost as if he were truly giving them all individual consideration. She was sure that wasn’t true though, and he was probably thinking of something else.
Finally, it came time for him to be out with it. “So, why do we have to get flowers anyways, and uh…why aren’t these ones right?” He questioned her, and she stopped, sighing softly. It wasn’t a sound of exasperation though, just one that indicated she was surprised her brother (a scholar for goodness sakes!) didn’t know why they were out doing this.
“Because.” She started, fixing a firm look on the shorter blue male. “When a child asks you to do something for them, you do it to the best of your ability.” The little girl was being treated for some mild ailment or other at the clinic she was training at, and she felt it was imperative to help brighten her day some. “And she deserves the best I think, I want to see her smiling, don’t you agree Hydra?” Sure, they didn’t speak the same tongue as the humans, but she didn’t see any reason not to show she understood.
“I….yeah you’re right, Manti.” He agreed, looking to Manticore with a smile on his face. She had a good point, and it was then he realized she was intentionally wandering off the paths that ran through the fields. The big green vayron was looking for areas where people hadn’t been walking yet, in search of flowers that hadn’t yet been picked over. Even this early in the season, when the fields were blooming brilliantly, people were already around and picking flowers.
Maybe some of them had been florists, looking to get seeds to start new batches of gorgeous flowers, or people looking to impress loved ones perhaps? Maybe even other vayrons looking for the perfect makings of flower crowns for kids in need. Kids seemed awful fond of the things. He wasn’t so sure he understood it but that was fine, he didn’t need to know anything.
“Hey, you know how to make these things, right?” He called after her, realizing that while he’d been digesting the information she had given him she’d gone right back to walking through the field. “I mean…it can’t be that easy with no thumbs, right?”
There was a loud, sharp sound from his sister, and Manticore laughed loudly. “I think I can manage it, and if not I’m sure someone with thumbs does, we’re smart enough to help them figure out what we need help with.” It didn’t take much to convey to a friendly human that they wanted them to tie a bunch of flowers into a crown for a child. She could mime like a pro after all, and well…she was working alongside these humans.
Even with a language barrier there, she was able to get on just fine with them. Hydra was mystified by it all honestly, but he thought it was nice. There was silence between them from there on out, as Manticore walked, and Hydra followed. Honestly it wasn’t so bad, the quiet could be plenty nice, and he knew they were both here on a worthy mission. They had time to chatter between one another later on, when they got back to their home. It wasn’t as if they didn’t have plenty of time to spend together.
Finally, Manticore stopped, and she turned to him. The flowers around them were bright colors, pinks and yellows, and she seemed satisfied with them. Hydra paused, before moving to catch up as quickly as his feet could carry him. He was careful not to crush any of the flowers, and looked at them contently.
“These are beautiful.” He remarked, grinning wide at the sight. “I guess we gotta pick some, right?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “Just uh…make sure there’s stems on them still, because we can’t tie them together with nothing to tie.”
“Well…duh, of course.” He shook his head, moving off to find the most perfect of the chosen flowers. Carefully he pulled them up, making sure to snap them off above the roots, leaving a clean stem. He had no idea if the remaining roots could still do much of anything, but no point in having dirt clumps, right?
Each flower was set to the side gently, until he had a sizable pile and he carefully lifted them, walking back to his sister with a warm smile. He set the flowers beside her, on the small bunch she had picked as well. Manticore nodded in appreciation, and lifted the flowers gently one by one, taking care to weave each on into place. It was hard, but she had expected it to be.
The child wanted a crown of flowers though, and so she would have one. That was just what it came down to. She’d told her brother of the importance of the task, and the big female wasn’t about to give up now just because it seemed difficult. In time, she eventually had herself a carefully woven flower crown.
“Come here.” She spoke to Hydra, beckoning him close, and the moment he walked into range she put a paw out to stop him. He stopped, and looked confused for a moment before she set the crown on his head. “Carry this, so it doesn’t get messed up. Be careful with it, we have to bring this back now.”
A pause, and she smiled. “A little girl is waiting for us.”