There's value in both. Vegetables will feed people, but flowers are beautiful. [a pause.] But even the pretty things have some use here. Most of the flowers can be used in tinctures, or in a tea blend.
[they come over, moving slowly and stiffly as always, and examine the work she's done. they're quiet while they do, and it seems like a pretty thorough examination.]
Good. Well, fair's fair. Let me get you what you asked for.
[they will approach and place their hand on her arm. their touch feels like stone and also like verdant, like growth and decay at the same time. a green glow appears in their palm and a numbing feeling spreads through her arm. the injury isn't fixed, but the pain is reduced.]
That's the best I can do for right now. Take it easy. If you push through, you'll hurt it worse.
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[they let her garden in silence until she asks a question, but it seems as though they've been listening and paying attention anyway.]
Any suggestions?
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[Practical to the core.]
...If you want flowers, though. You can go for that.
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[She thinks for a moment.]
Half and half, then. Half vegetables. Half flowers.
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[they don't commit to the idea, but they seem to like it.]
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[........]
[A distant sort of look, but she's set on the task, and she's grabbing the hoe (not shale/milo)(probably) to start tilling the soil.]
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[they register that distant look, but they don't pry. they are a statue of their word, and she chose gardening, not feelings.]
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[She'll simply harden her expression with a curt nod at that, continuing to work. Her arm smarts. It's fine.]
[Everything is fine!]
[And its done. She'll catch her breath.]
...There. Now you can plant more.
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[they come over, moving slowly and stiffly as always, and examine the work she's done. they're quiet while they do, and it seems like a pretty thorough examination.]
Good. Well, fair's fair. Let me get you what you asked for.
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[Fair is fair, indeed. She's used to that. Exchanges. Alliances. One thing, for another.]
[It's how it always works.]
Thank you, Milo.
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[A roll of green bandages, a needle and green thread, appearing in the palm of their stone hands, held out to her.]
Now, will you let me do a little something about that arm?
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[Her arm is throbbing from the work, but she's ignoring it, as she always does, glancing away.]
...If you must.
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That's the best I can do for right now. Take it easy. If you push through, you'll hurt it worse.
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[She watches the whole process intently, and when it is over, she stretches the arm experimentally...and nods!]
...Thank you. [She'll keep that in mind.] Thank you for the help.
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[they watch, calmly.]
Come by whenever you need anything. Or if you ever want to talk about it. I'm a good listener, but I'll always give you a choice.
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[Wasted on someone as closed off as her, though, she thinks.]
It's a nice place you have here. I can tell you worked hard on it. I...might drop by. Perhaps.
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I hope you do. Even if you just want to make another trade for some work.
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[She makes no promises! But she's appreciative (as much as she can be) all the same.]