Telling them a story told by flora

[punchtheflowers]

Who: COMPLETELY OPEN
What: Good old gardening fun
Where: Greenhouse and gardens
When: Sept 5th to 12th
Warnings: Well, anything can happen. But try to be nice to the plants

Comments

Sept 7-10th, Any Time and Every Time

[hasprettiestmon]

It wasn't a secret that if you ever needed to speak to Erika while she was on campus, you'd need to go to either the greenhouse or the gardens. It was where she spent the majority of her time, as there were always a number of things to be doing. Watering what needed watered, trimming what needed trimmed. The berries needed counted, the carnivores of the bunch needed fed, she needed to keep an eye on the student plots and see who had been neglecting theirs... The list was rather extensive at times. The current goal for the moment was to make some room for the students that had already expressed an interest in continuing their cultivations through the winter.

When there weren't things to do, she'd often sit with a cup of tea. Anyone was more than welcome to join her, providing the gym leader was awake enough to provide substantial company.

Any of the days at any time.

[boxingmidget]

One of her students came by for a visit. It was Mac. Surprise.

Mac already had taken Botany but he did like to come and help with the greenhouse. Someday at some point in the past, Mac probably promised this. That he'd still come around the greenhouse to be manual labor. Today was such a day.

"Miss Erika!"

[hasprettiestmon]

This was completely unexpected. Totally.

Erika was already smiling when she turned her head towards the familiar voice, giving the student a nod of her head. She always did like it when he came by to vist. "Good afternoon, Mac."

[boxingmidget]

"Afternoon, ma'am," Mac replied. "Just came for a bit of a visit. I see everythin's in top shape here?"

He examined the area. Yep, just as exotic and lively as he remembered.

Oh look, some of Erika's Pokemon were even walking around. Maybe?

[hasprettiestmon]

"Mmm, yes. There has been a bit of an issue with the berry bushes, but nothing more than mysterious counts." Nothing too grievous to worry anyone's head over.

Victreebel paused in some of her passerby hopping to give Mac a short nod. Hello again. Off she went.

"And how are you today, Mac?"

[boxingmidget]

Sup, Creepily Badass Plant. "I'm doin' fine, just kinda checkin' up on things. Haven't heard too much from the WVBA since my fight, so I guess I'm on a bit of vacation." Yeeeeeeeeeeep.

Oh, the berry bushes? "Need any help? With the berry bushes anyway?"

[hasprettiestmon]

She chuckled. "I'd say you've definitely earned one of those."

Erika turned to give the berry bushes nearby a considering look, cupping her chin lightly. "Hmm... I think they're fine, for the most part. There's really nothing to be done with them until the mystery is solved." There was a small shrug of her shoulders and she looked back to Mac. "Though if you wouldn't mind, I'm sure there's a bit of something you could help with."

[boxingmidget]

"You can gimme any job, ma'am and I'll be sure to help. Consider it payback for the match, you guys showin' up meant a bit so..."

Yeaaaaaaah...Hee.

I AM THE SLOWEST YOU DON'T HAVE TO REPLY TO THIS...

[hasprettiestmon]

Erika smiled and lightly patted his arm. "That's hardly something you need to pay anyone back for, Mac." They had showed up of their own volitions to wish the best for him. If anyone was expecting a favor in return, Erika would have had to have some words with them.

She turned to the rest of the greenhouse. "But if you'd like, could you help me move a few flats? I've been trying to figure out the best way to make room for students that want to use the greenhouse in the winter…"

TAGGING ABCK ANYWAY SO THERE

[boxingmidget]

"S-still...it...It made me real happy, I dunno how to really show how much I truly appreciated it other than do whatever I can do, y'know?"

But he motioned to the area Erika turned to.

"Yeah I can see that. I could move 'em where you'd like, ma'am, lemme know what you want me to do."

Any of the days at any time. (Stolen from Liz.)

[voice_of_animus]

The other person Caim saw a lot of in the greenhouse was Erika. She had a strange, otherworldly feel to her. At least that's what Caim would have said if anyone had asked - and if he could have spoken. She walked with a kind of grace he hadn't seen anyone else with in the entire area and it was a bit refreshing. It was odd, how seeing something as simple as a walk could invoke a series of nostalgia, most of which Caim simply didn't want.

Dark hair, a bit of a smile, maybe she was even humming a little to herself. He couldn't tell, because he was never close enough. But she looked happy and he felt a little envious because he wasn't even sure he knew what happiness was. Sure, he thought he'd felt it once or twice, but it seemed such a fleeting ideal that it was impossible for him to truly pinpoint or define. And it was such a subjective little word, too.

As she moved around the flowers and the plants, pruning, and generally making the greenhouse lovelier each time she passed through, Caim the Creeper moved as well. It was never safe

[hasprettiestmon]

Someday, Caim might come to realize that it was nearly impossible to stay hidden from everyone in the greenhouse for long. Erika had already known about the quiet, dark haired stranger that had been wandering through the flora for a while now. His presence had been whispered to her by the plants that kept careful watch when she could not.

He was quieter than Erika. He made no fuss. They would watch.

He couldn't hide forever though. Eventually, Erika concluded that he was going to be content with just this. She would have to be the one to extend a greeting. It happened in the morning one day, as Erika watered some of the flowers. There was that gaze again, the one that did not quite belong to any of the vegetation around her. (More of them had eyes than one would expect.) She paused in her task, turning to scan the ferns and brush.

"Hello?"

[voice_of_animus]

He froze. She had pointed him out. But he had made no noise. Someone or something had set her off. But what? He thought about looking at his hands, or perhaps the bottom of his boots to see, but if he did either of those things, she would know. No. He had to remain stationary. And if he did that, perhaps it would be rude, and she had been no such thing to him

[hasprettiestmon]

And so he came to reveal himself. The bow, admittedly, took Erika by brief surprise. While she certainly was not a stranger to the action by any means, she wasn't entirely used to others instigating the exchange. Erika naturally took to bowing in response, holding it for a moment as she nodded her head.

She looked back up at him, wearing a soft expression on her face. "I hope you've been enjoying your visits."

Bustedddd.

[voice_of_animus]

For many moments, he stopped and stared. She had caught him, but he supposed if someone was going to, he would have preferred it to be her rather than someone else.

He thought about what she said, and a little too much. Did he really enjoy anything? Was he capable of enjoying anything? He didn't think so, honestly. He thought part of him had long since died. Unfortunately. Died with his passions. Died with himself. Died with everything that made him human. And now all he was, was a vessel of anger and hatred.

"It has been enlightening."

It seemed the best way to say things. For now, anyway.

[hasprettiestmon]

She watched him carefully, taking in who he seemed to be. From the way he was holding himself and the way that he stared, he seemed to be a somewhat reserved individual. Erika gave his notepad a slight look of confusion as he pulled it out, but that mystery revealed itself momentarily.

Ah. No wonder he was so quiet.

Erika kept a small smile for him, nodding her head. "I see. May I ask what has caught your attention the most so far?"