Weak Nature - Chapter 3

In nature, one of the most amazing things is the tenacity plants have. Grass alone is able to power through even some of the worst natural disasters. An example for this on Varune is the Vis flower. Before the Cataclysm, they were called Paraboea vulpina. Not really having a name besides the highbrow’s, it was originally found growing on limestone. The plants that were able to survive were the plants that were able to grow closer inside the cave, because the cave itself helped protect the plants. Generations later, it became a cave plant. On its way to become a plant that grows in darkness, it would absorb a large amount of nutrients from both the air and ground.

Since this plant is basically an entire lunch in one flower, hunters and gatherers use this flower as an emergency ration, to allow for lighter packs for safer and faster travel. Most people that have tried the flower agree that it tastes like a huge mix of fruits, and is a great source of daily vitamins.

One thing that is troublesome about this flower is since it has adapted to the cave environment, it is more difficult to cultivate this flower en mass, to better equip Huma that use it. People with bloodlines that have to do with nature have tried to turn it back into a normal-ish flower, to no avail. In the village under the cliff actually, the reason why the Hostia sorta leader is the sorta leader is because he uses the cave next to his house as a cultivation ground for this flower. Looking at Fae, the leader asks,” I would like this girl to assist me in growing these flowers. What do you say?” Giving that kind of sharp look to Hora and Hestia, they kinda just looked at each other and agreed that allowing her to help grow plants would be a great idea, and allow her to better understand her power.

Fae, starting to realize that people were looking and talking about her, looked up from the flower, seeing the Hostia leader for the first time. Being a man around six foot, he isn’t the tallest, but with stark white hair that is short and spike-y, emerald eyes, an eagle nose, and a jaw stronger than some rocks, with a lean, but very muscular body, he is someone that radiates power. Rumors have stated that his bloodline allows him to see potentials that things have. For a leader, a very powerful ability.

Walking over to Fae and squatting down, he puts his hand out and says,” My name is Oko, would you like to help me take care of these flowers?” A little shy, but still happy she might be able to spend more time with the dark purple flowers, she slowly puts her little hand in his, allowing him to shake it.

Over the next few days, she was introduced to how she was supposed to take care of the plants. Water at x time, put a little blood of animals around them at y time, and so on. When she got used to that, and started to try to ask the flowers if they were hungry or thirsty, Oko noticed something very quickly. All of the plants were growing much faster. At first not knowing what was going on, he asked Fae what she had done. She just said that she asked the pretty flowers if they were thirsty or hungry, and fed or watered them so.

With the new increase in speed, and the fact that these flowers grow usually in about a week, on the fifth day, they were ready to harvest. Looking at Fae, Oko had to really think if he could somehow let her do this deed, when Fae herself seems to have become friends with all the flowers. Over the past days she has always come right at dawn, and only left at dusk, always playing and helping with the flowers. Fae, not quite so oblivious to be able to ignore his stare, looked up to him and asked,” What now Oko?”

Oko, understanding that Fae needs to do this part as well, said.” We need to ask the flowers where they want to be cut, so we can give them to our hunters and gatherers, to begin the next generation of flowers.” Not even hesitating, Fae took a knife off a shelf in the cave, and went, one by one, asking and cutting each flower. Watching over his protg, he couldn’t help but notice that each flower was relatively perfect, as if mother nature herself had gifted them to him.

Not one to dally, he soon busied her on replanting them, carefully instructing her while watching her glowing eyes go to work, slowly but surely making every plant seem as if it was a king with how much care was put into each seed. When all was said and done, he gave seven flowers to Fae, and said very sternly,” Every morning now you must eat one of these flowers. If you do not, I will not let you help me anymore. Got it pipsqueak?” Curious to the taste, Fae was all for eating one of them everyday. Nodding, she went right back to talking and playing with the flowers. Oko, the big softy, quietly went out not to disturb her, to trade the rest of the flowers for more ingredients, as well as other essentials, stuff he would need to teach her a bit more about just how much she is able to do with all she already knows.

Hora, keeping quiet as he watched over his little Fae, he smiled, before he solemnly started to walk away and head towards the exit of the village, on a dangerous mission of his own, equipped with a couple beautifully cut and cared for Vis flowers.