Mingle Log: Agrarian Enclave -- Telepin Plant Nursery & Apiary

[magisteriamods]

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Mingle Log #2

note: log is sfw but contains vague references to nsfw things!

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With all the hustle and bustle occurring in High Rise Village, some of the locals will be persuading Otherworlders to spend some time in the Agrarian Enclave. The southern region of the island city-state boasts all manner of attractions.

Any trip to the Enclave tends to begin with a visit to the plant nursery and its adjacent apiary.

Telepin Apiary

The pollinators of the Enclave -- and they come in all forms -- produce the finest honey.

The Ambrosial Honey Collection of Magisteria contains varieties ranging from those with delicate floral notes to rich earthy drinks. Honey is added to teas and dishes at various small establishments all around the apiary. A favorite drink is called Ambrosial Bold-Gold. A person who consumes this drink will feel a sense of warmth and, likely, a desire to be more open and social, more likely to share their thoughts, feelings, and findings with fellow Otherworlders.

Those who drink large amounts may feel some inhibition loss and they may become more gregarious. They may also really vibe deeply with sunlight and nature. Otherworlders will be given to understand that natives consume this special tea almost like one would booze.

Drinking at the Telepin Apiary is the equivalent of day-drinking in the Enclave. It can prepare a person for the best leisurely stroll in the Community Gardens and the wonder of the Sky Orchards, or it can prime people for the various more adult-centric allures of the district...

After all, this was a land absolutely full of beings from fantasy races who were all kinds of beautiful and not exactly shy about the spring and summer thirst cycles.

Telepin Plant Nursery

It's a popular place to get a baby plant, and the plants here have a lot of personality.

They're about as sentient as the art installations. They don't require food like a pet would; they are, in fact, plants, but they also move about. Some have faces.

Many are kind of like... grass Tribbles: little tufty balls that run or roll about.

There are tomatoes and strawberries with faces, or those shaped like animals, such as strawberry mice.

MINGLE LOG

Otherworlders are encouraged to take a little break from the world: drink some honey tea, watch/adopt some grass Tribbles*, and engage with each other about all the weird shit y'all have seen.

[*could probably use proper names. would go gr8 with Musashi's or Libra's gardens, tho!]

Comments

[starshepard]

Ah! [ Azem releases his hand to get a better look at their bracelet. He'll find his own lighting up, less weak fluttering but more of a quick flash. ]

Good to know they work, however, it seems they need more time to sync.

[emet_sulk]

[ His cheeks flush a light pink as he jerks his own hand back, staring down at the bracelet. ]

...Don't you think this would be a little embarrassing in public?

[starshepard]

Why would it be embarrassing? [ Leave it to Azem to not see any problem with it. ]

I suppose you don't have to wear it all the time. I just thought it'd be nice for the times when I'm off traveling on my own.

[ As much as they'd like to take Hades with them every time they wander off, they figure that's not always feasible. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ He stares at the bracelet a little longer, debating whether his pride could survive the teasing Azem would shower him with when they realise exactly how often he thinks or has thought of them. ]

...I'll keep it on for your sake, [ he grumbles. Azem's bracelet lights up again a little more steadily than before. ]

[starshepard]

[ And tease they will once such a fact is made known to them. However, it is always out of love for him that they tease. ]

I'm glad. [ They smile brightly though their expression quickly turns to one of surprise as their bracelet gives a soft vibration and lights up a bit more steadily. He'll find his own does the same in response. ]

So... What do you think of your new little friend?

[emet_sulk]

...If I do not need to worry about how to feed the thing, I suppose I can look after it.

[ He rubs his wrist absently. Their disagreement had left him fearing that their relationship would end before they had a chance to make up for lost time. Now he feels a glimmer of hope. ]

Are you going to keep that one? [ He points to the sombre radish in Azem's arms. ]

[starshepard]

[ If Azem understood all that he had been through, they might have better understood his worry. But they are nothing if not forgiving, especially of their dear friend. Although, it could take them a bit of time to sort out their feelings and come back to make amends. ]

I'm glad. [ Azem grin at him.

They look down at the critter in their lap. ]

Do you want to stay with me? [ Their question is met with babble to which they chuckle. ] I'll take that as a yes.

[emet_sulk]

[ The "Hyth" onion in his lap makes burbling noises at him. He glances down to see it waving its tiny arms at him so he picks it up to cradle in his arms again. It seems content with this and nestles in as if to nap. ]

If only Hythlodaeus were truly here...

[starshepard]

Perhaps he'll show up.

[ Azem is hopeful, it'd be wonderful to have the last of their little trio here. But the mention of him brings a question to mind. ]

Speaking of... You never mentioned what happened to him.

[emet_sulk]

[ He falls silent for a while. His thumb idly strokes the onion as it dozes. From his stony expression and profound silence, Azem can probably guess what he's about to say. ]

Hythlodaeus...decided to offer himself as a sacrifice to Zodiark. He reasoned that, unlike me, he had little to offer the star in its post-apocalyptic recovery.

[ The words are delivered flatly. Even after so many centuries, Hades hasn't quite managed to move on from the loss of his two closest friends. ]

[starshepard]

[ Azem remains quiet for a long moment. They are sad to hear of Hythlodaeus' fate but it does not surprise them. He always looked to the two of them as being much more capable than himself but he always wanted to help when he could. It's no surprise that he would give his life's energy to summon what they saw as their savior. ]

I sorry. [ They respond softly as they lean into Hades. They would go for a one-armed hug but their hands are busy holding their own little vegetable friend. ]

You must have been so lonely.

[emet_sulk]

[ He is silent for a while. Yes, it was terribly lonely indeed. But if he gives voice to that, he feels his anger and bitterness might spill over again. How could both of them leave him the way they did? Hadn't they promised to return to the star together...? ]

I could have restored him, if we had been successful with the Rejoinings, [ he mutters. ] But I suppose his soul has finally been released now. He will be waiting for me in the aetherial sea when I return.

[starshepard]

[ The silence doesn't surprise them. If anything, it makes Azem realize that was a silly thing to say. Of course, he was lonely without the two of them. Azem isn't sure he'd ever truly been alone before that. They know that Hythlodaeus had been there for a long time before they came along and the duo became a trio.

They were so close they'd even made a pact to return to the star together... ]

I am glad for that at least. [ They reply softly, fighting against the tightness they feel in their chest as they fall into silence for a few moments longer. ]

Have you tried the drinks they offer? [ They finally ask. ]

[emet_sulk]

No. Not yet. Do you...want to?

[ He asks, as if he doesn't already know what the answer will be. ]

[starshepard]

Aye, let us have a few drinks.

[ They've already had a few but sharing them with Hades would make the activity all the better.

They stand first, carefully cradling their new friend as they do so. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ The onion in Hades' arms burbles quietly as he stands as well. There is a gaping hole filled with Hythlodaeus' lack of presence but he forces himself to ignore it. Azem is back and, well, he may not necessarily be forgiven but at least they're on speaking terms. ]

If you have any other questions... I will answer them.

[starshepard]

I will let you know if any questions come to mind.

[ They certainly have many questions but they don't want to sour their sweet drinks. So they may wait until later to ask them.

For now, they simply want to enjoy his company with a few drinks. ]