The Garden, Monday

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

There were no classes today, so, of course, Cassidy was in the gardens.

She was focusing on the land and the plants because it was a really great way to help her suppress the emotions she was feeling and pretend that she was in denial as to what was happening this week. The air was cooler than usual and so she was tugging at the small and annoying weeds that seemed to crop up whenever she turned her back on them.

Some people drank when they were sad and upset, Cassidy worked herself into exhaustion. It was what she did.

Comments

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

The idea caused Cassidy to giggle. "I'm not sure that I can even imagine that sight."

[endsthegame]

Her laughter made him smile a little again. "But books," he promised, "And... is there anything you feel is missing from the garden?"

He could always ask Jane to look around for good seeds online.

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

She was glad to see him smiling again.

"There are two flowers that I have read about in some of the tales, here, but I cannot find the seedlings anywhere. Plus, there is one that I have heard about from Terreille, but I'm obviously not permitted to go there without a heavily armed escort and I don't have that." Especially not so she could go seed gathering. She shook her head. "Anyway, there's something called Bird of Paradise that sounds wonderful and the pictures I've seen are pretty, but none of the stores on the island carry them." In fact when she had asked, everyone thought she was talking about a real bird. She tilted her head. "Or really, any that you might suggest. Luckily, there is plenty of room to expand the garden if I need to do so."

Like she would mind the work?

[endsthegame]

"I'm not really an expert in the field," Ender admitted. "But let me know what you're looking for and I'll see if my sources can ship me something before I leave."

Books and seeds. That seemed like a decent enough farewell present for Cassidy.

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

"Whichever seeds you give me will be cared for, Ender," Cassidy assured him. She had yet to meet a plant she didn't like.

She had never met poison ivy, poison sumac or cactus.

[endsthegame]

"I know," Ender said, looking wry, "I just don't know anything about seeds at all. I'd rather not give you something poisonous or ugly."

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

Cassidy was silent for a moment and then she smiled. "I am not concerned. But I will tell you this. Every so often, when you can, take a few moments and walk the land or get a daisy for yourself. Even to those not of the Blood, the land is there to ease our thoughts. Plus, no matter what kind of stress or trouble is going on, you cannot help but feel some of your mental turmoil ease because a daisy is so simple, so gentle, and yet it is one of the plants that manages to make itself a life no matter where it is."

She cleared her throat self-consciously. "My mother told me that the last time I went home to Bhak and I was still afraid of my world disappearing again or every world but this one being no more."

[endsthegame]

Ender's smile turned a little more whimsical, but he nodded. "Wise words," he said. "Thank you for sharing them with me."

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

"I couldn't tell her what it was that had me so frightened and scarred, of course, but she is the one that told me that sometimes there are things that cannot be shared." She gave him a small smile. "You're very welcome. You have become one of my very best friends and someone that has helped me to learn so much that I didn't even realize I didn't know. I don't know what might wait you when you leave here, but sometimes, the simple things that we can overlook are what keeps us remembering who we are and what we need."