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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Mar 25, 2016 20:21:26 GMT -5
"Oh, these?" Sanuta chuckled. Before he went on, he stopped right at the edge of the vineyard and raised a hand. In unison, any large pebble or stone resting in the soil was lifted into the air and pulled his way, where Sanuta condensed them into a single rock and set it down amongst many others surrounding the patch of vines. "These are chisai fruits! Cultivated in due respect for the goddess of blood."
Sanuta leaned closer to one of the vines, sniffing the grape-like bundles of fruit growing from it. "Ahh... Just ripe! Care to try one?"
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 25, 2016 20:35:22 GMT -5
"Oooh..." Lagola stared curiously at the bright red fruit. It looked great and smelled even better. "S-Sure! Thank you."
With Sanuta's blessing, Lagola plucked one of the plump berries off the vine and popped it in her mouth. The skin had a very mild tartness to it, quickly giving way to a mouthful of sweet, refreshing juice. She couldn't help but softly moan with pleasure, it was just so good. It felt like it had been so long since she tasted fresh fruit.
She smiled up at Kendall, who had helped himself to the fruit as well. Then she gave Sanuta a satisfied nod.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Mar 25, 2016 20:51:01 GMT -5
"They are quite succulent, aren't they?" Sanuta laughed before eating a berry. He promptly swallowed before adding, "Not only are they a great source of antioxidants, but they have a tremendous effect on the emotional state one feels towards others. In a way, they allow the consumer to more deeply understand the bonds they share with those around them. Not just the ones that they have forged themselves, but the ones they are meant to have."
For instance, as Sanuta ate the chisai fruit, he looked to Kendall and felt an overwhelming sense of trust and respect. He always felt humbled to be in the angel's presence, not to mention unworthy of partaking in his grand plans, but he knew in his heart that this was a great and genuine friendship the two shared. As for Lagola... Though he had only just met her, Sanuta could already tell that they would get along famously and that she was someone he could easily count on.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 25, 2016 21:10:40 GMT -5
Lagola blinked in surprise, not exactly expecting the berries to have such an... abstract effect. "O-Oh, wow..."
Even stranger, as she continued to snack on them, staring up at Sanuta all the while, she felt strangely comfortable around him. More so than she was with most people, new or familiar. He seemed like exactly the kind of guy she would want to hang out with. Maybe even work for...
When she bashfully turned to look at Kendall again, the best way to describe how exactly she felt is overwhelming red. Kendall was the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful person Lagola had ever met, on top of being wise, smart and protective. She could think of little more that would make her happier than to be in his loving presence forever. But... more than that... she wanted to be just as helpful to him as he had been to her. She wanted to be the best for him. She felt... like herself around him.
Kendall wouldn't say it... not quite yet... but his feelings for Lagola went well beyond a well-intentioned instinct to protect her. He could say the same about every one of his dearest friends. With her, it was different. He felt secure around her. Grounded in the present. Given his powers and position, Kendall only barely lived in the present at any given point in time, but she gave him a reason to focus on what was right in front of that. And for that, he was eternally grateful. For now, all he wanted to be was to help her be the best she could be. To be her guardian angel.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Mar 25, 2016 22:29:26 GMT -5
Sanuta giggled a little, then turned around and resumed mentally stones out of the ground. "Well... Do help yourself. Just don't eat me out of house and home! Haha! Once I've rid the vineyard of these rocks, I'll be moving on to the vegetable patches."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 25, 2016 22:37:30 GMT -5
"Sounds like a plan!" Kendall cheered, strolling through the rows of vines with his hands in his pockets. Lagola walked alongside him, a big smile on her face as she looked around and nibbled on chisai. Seeing her joy made Kendall absolutely ecstatic. "Having fun?"
"Mm-hmm!" More fun than she had had in a long time.
"Glad to hear! Although, let's not spoil our appetite so soon, hmm? We have lunch to look forward to, after all."
"Ah! Right..."
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Mar 26, 2016 17:56:53 GMT -5
"Well now!" After a mere five minutes, the rocks had been removed and Sanuta was ready to mosey on, strolling through the rows of vines until he met Kendall and Lagola on the other side of the yard. "Let's continue, shall we?"
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 26, 2016 18:09:10 GMT -5
"Okay!" Lagola happily followed Sanuta out, Kendall diligently by her side. She took one last whiff of the chisai vines, then she scurried along and asked, "So... you said that you grow these to honor the... goddess of blood?"
Lagola knew the story by that point. The story of how the island came to be. As such, she was fairly certain she knew who Sanuta was referring to, even if he didn't. It felt odd to withhold the truth from him, and she could clearly see that Kendall felt the same way, but his commitment was nonetheless interesting.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Mar 26, 2016 18:49:12 GMT -5
"Yes, indeed." Sanuta beamed at her and nodded. "Chima, one of the eight Skaian gods. She oversees and manipulates the bonds between people. The bonds of blood."
He gazed out at the landscape as they casually strolled along the path. "I do my best to pay respect to each and every one of them. This garden would never have come to be if not for the will of Kitomo, the god of hope."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 26, 2016 18:58:47 GMT -5
"I-I see..." Lagola nodded in understanding, staring out at the horizon. "Well... thank goodness for him, huh?"
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Mar 26, 2016 21:20:02 GMT -5
"Very much so..." His excitement never fading, Sanuta broke into a jovial jog, making a beeline for his vegetable patch. "Well, there're only so many hours in a day! Let's make the most of it!"
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Suffice to say, Sanuta was having fun. Over the next few hours, he, Kendall and Lagola bounced around the garden, tending to his plants, discussing their uses, and just generally enjoying each other's company. Lagola was so sweet and cute, and she was clearly enjoying Sanuta's stories and routine. Sure, gardening was his passion, but having someone around who loved it as much as he did and was willing to learn, work and talk with him... it was a change of pace he found surprisingly welcoming.
Eventually, as the noon sun blazed overhead, Sanuta finished turning the kakuyaku bushes' dry bed to mud before turning to smile at his guests. "Ahh... I'd say a lunch break is in order! What do you say, Lagola? Kendall?"
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 26, 2016 21:34:37 GMT -5
Lagola was in the middle of smelling flowers when Sanuta called her, giggling at a butterfly before responding, "Sure! Lunch sounds great!"
"Fine by me!" Kendall agreed, jumping down from the boulder he had been sitting on and starting the trek up the hill to Sanuta's house.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Mar 27, 2016 21:28:01 GMT -5
"Splendid! Let's go!" Sanuta happily bounded after Kendall, Lagola by his side as they ascended to his hilltop home. He exchanged smiles with the little troll, then took a deep breath as he looked around at the garden. "I must say... I've been enjoying this! It's been a great day thus far!"
Upon reaching his house, he sprinted up to the door and politely held it open for his guests. "After you! Welcome to my humble abode!"
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 27, 2016 21:44:51 GMT -5
"Thank you," Lagola politely responded as she stepped inside. Likewise, Kendall respectfully bowed his head as he followed her in.
After untying her shoes and leaving them by the door, Lagola strolled into the living room, looking around in curiosity at the décor. It was small but cozy, just how she liked it, from the couches to the potted plants to the floor cushions surrounding the coffee table. Her eyes were briefly transfixed by the tapestries hanging on the walls depicting eight of the twelve aspect symbols. The symbols of the eight human players.
Lagola had to stop and stare at the magnificent image of Kitomo, instantly recognizing the god of hope for who he really was. Still, baffled, she had to turn to Kendall, point to the tapestry and softly ask, "Is... Is that...?"
"Mm-hmm..." Kendall needn't say anything more. It was of course troubling to him, knowing this simple gardener unknowingly worshiped Kendall's human friend. Granted, he knew for certain that Evan wouldn't approve of such idolatry. Someday the time would come to show Sanuta the truth and the light. Until that day came... well... at least he had hope.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Mar 27, 2016 21:54:32 GMT -5
"Fascinating, aren't they?" Sanuta walked up to the duo, nodding to the tapestries. "The emblems of the eight Skaian gods are evident all across the island in the remnants of their former worlds. There's no doubt in my mind that they will return soon.The signs are there... heheh... but not everyone is willing to look too closely. If that makes sense."
With a smile, he continued towards the kitchen. "Please, sit down! I'll make us some lunch! Would you care for some tea?"
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