//Closed by Admin//In the Green House

She knelt along the floors. Her naked fingers pulled at the weeds as she raked at he soil. Sweat drizzled down her cheeks as she spoke to the sleeping flowers. “Hush my darlings, I am here…come drink up. I know you are thirsty.” Margo stood as she went to the small fountain as she dipped the metal can inside. Bubbles boiled along the surface popping as the can filled. Margo scooped up the can as she sprinkled the water along the flowers.

The sound of the rain coated the dying petals. Margo dressed in peasant clothing, a simple brown dress, an off white apron mounted her front and knotted into a crooked bow along her lower back. She was a teacher, and an advocate for love and compassion. She rested her arms as she leaned back, her hands buried within the soil. “Perhaps a story? Oh an adoring love story shall cheer even the most withering rose!” Margo giggled as she nuzzled her chin along her shoulder.

“Once upon a time, a beautiful princess walked along a garden just like this. She was in search for the most precious flower to bring home with her to her castle. As she approached the garden, she saw a small, fragile old beggar talking to the flowers. The princess knelt down and looked at the elder woman. The garden was on castle grounds and the beggar was not a member of the royal house so the princess welcomed the visitor and two had a lovely conversation. The sun started to set, the princess than realized she had forgotten why she went. As the elder woman went to leave the princess called to her, asking the beggar when she would return.

The two agreed that each day they would meet in the garden and enjoy the others love for flowers. One day the beggar turned to the princess and told her that she would not returning, and this would be their final day to meet. The princess than selected a flower and gave it to the woman’s shaking hands. The princess told the beggar to keep the flower with her now and always, look to the flower for remembrance of the princess and the garden they both loved. The beggar smiled as she wandered, a mist taking the beggar’s face.

The next day another flower replaced the one that princess picked. This flower was unlike any other. The flower never welted or died for the winter, it remained just like their love for life forever. You see it does not matter who the gardener is, but the purpose of why they are there. I am your gardener, here to watch over you.” Margo smiled as she listened to the silence for a reply.

Ian wandered the halls…not really in search of his room but in search of solitude. This place was so large, he had never seen anything like it. He wandered aimlessly for a good deal doing his best to stick to the shadows and avoid anyone he might pass. At the orphanage and in even the city the best way to avoid trouble was to avoid people, and he did his best to avoid both. It was not that he did not like people it was just he did not like the way they treated him so he did his best to avoid everyone.

Ian was awe struck when he came across the garden…he had never seen anything like it. Where he was from nothing grew like this. His pace slowed as he took in the atmosphere created by the foliage and for the first time in a long time he felt safe. Meandering through seeing no signs of life he came across the greenhouse. This was all new to Ian, in his 15 years of like he had never heard of anything like this…he really did not understand what he was looking at but he was too impressed with the beauty of it to care. As his eyes studied the area he saw the first sign of human life he had seen in awhile, a female figure pressed against the background of the flowers.

Ian had not bothered to change since coming here from the orphanage, the same long tattered oversized tan clothes still hung from his body. His blue eyes moved away from the figure so he would not be caught staring. He walked to the east of the large room and sat down next to the plants…this place was peaceful and he was guessing there would not be many people around…it was perfect.

Perhaps his foray into a new environment had thrown him off or maybe he was captivated by his surroundings but either way Ian was just a bit mortified that he had not seen the second person standing in the room when he arrived. Ian was not strong, nor was he overly charming so in order to get along in the orphanage he needed to be constantly aware of that which surrounded him. Slowly he eased back into the gardens edge his eyes now cast on the new figure. Although Ian did not know either of them it did not take much processing to see that there was some sort of connection. He watched as the figure slowly ran her hand over her cheeks…an action Ian was all to familiar with.

Connection…something Ian could not say he had experienced. Although he understood it in its academic form he ventured it was something one had to experience in order to truly understand. His breathing was soft and although he was hoping to remain hidden he had the overwhelming feeling that at least the young woman was now aware of his presence. Although his body was stoic his mind was racing. Should he try and interact with these people, would they consider him rude or strange if he remained still? Leaving at a time like this would likely require at least some sort of introduction, but would his presence here distort the connection between the two individuals?

Ian was paying no attention to himself or his needs largely because there was no sense of danger in the moment. Very slowly his eyes drifted from the young women by the entrance towards the women who was tending the plants. He wondered what the relationship was between the two, he wondered if the women was here for work or for pleasure but mostly he wondered if she was aware of the presence of either him or the young women.

Garen was walking in the hallway trying to get more used to the place as he now know more about the modern days. He was holding the book that Riley gave him earlier at the registration room about to finish it. He was amazed by that device which is called computer and couldn’t wait to meet Riley again to try what he read on a real computer. He was reading the last page at the book. When he closed it he smiled and jumped happily”Yes!! at last I finished it.”

He placed the book in his pocket as he just passed by a door which made him stop and sniff the air trying to figure out that nice smell. It was familiar to him as he was raised up in a village which was surrounded by forest full of flowers with nice smell. He felt comfortable to that feeling of remembering the small village which he misses

He walked and stood by the door about to open it when he heard a familiar voice inside. He tried to remember that voice crossing his arms. But then he smiled when he did. It was the gorgeous teacher that he met at the tea room when he lost his way. He stood outside leaning his back against the door listening to the story she was telling crossing his arms while his head was down enjoying it.

After she finished he turned around opening the door and walking in. He saw the pretty teacher standing by the flowers while another two were standing together. It was the girl he met at the pool. He remembered that she didn’t want to talk to him back at the pool, So he decided not to try to bother her again.

The other one was the guy he met in the registration room. He didn’t know much about this guy. He just passed by them looking at them with a slight smile before standing beside the teacher looking at the flowers with his hands in pockets losing in his thoughts about his past and what’s coming in this place

Although Ian’s eyes were still firmly locked on the women tending to the plants in the garden he was more focused on his thoughts. She seemed to be totally enveloped in tending to the garden...two individuals had intruded on her and she had not even noticed them. Ian carefully studied her as she continued to move and tend to the plant life. If he had more courage he would have come to her, he would have asked her to let him help…he wanted to experience what she was experiencing in hopes that he might be able to capture a fraction of the feeling she seemed to be radiating. Just then Ian noticed a slight movement in his peripheral vision.

Shifting his eyes towards the disturbance he shyly eyed the young woman that was coming towards him. Ian’s normal response for this situation was panic, however, for some reason he could not begin to explain instead of a rush there was only a simmer of the emotion. Ian slowly shifted his weight back into the plants but did nothing more to escape the situation as she came to rest at a comfortable distance from him. He could feel her eyes washing over him…he could not blame her, sizing people up was an important skill.

"My name's Christine..."

She sounded so sweet, the simple greeting put him at ease and all of the sudden the feelings of danger and panic was snuffed out. Ian did not even bother to size her up, instead his eyes came to rest on her face. Without even thinking about it a slight smile appeared on his face. There was a delay between the time he thought of the greeting and between the time it actually left his lips. Ian spoke softly from his seated position. “I’m…I mean hello my name is Ian.” Ian was considering standing up to meet her when his eyes quickly shifted towards the disturbance at the entrance. He was immediately able to place the individual…it was the person who had registered before him.

His panic level was on the rise as he watched Garen stroll past the them…it seemed as if Garen was far more interested in the gardener. Ian moved his eyes back to Christine, he wondered if Garen’s entrance would have any effect on her. After a second of looking at her his hand moved off of his body and lightly patted the ground next to him. His voice was a bit more shaky and nervous as he spoke. “Would…you like to sit?”

Miss. Danae rose slowly dusting her filthy fingers along her apron. Her eyes looked down at her nails as she sighed addressing the others. “Come with me my children. Come save the flowers of this world.” Margo looked up as she quickly walked towards the three. “I am delighted to see others within my second home.” Margo placed her fingertips along Christine’s moist cheeks. Margo tilted her head as the trial of tears turned brown from Margo’s embrace. Margo shook her head. “Oh come now dear, no reason to cry. They shall live once more.” Margo lifted up her apron as she blotted Christine’s another smiled as she continued to lead them further into the confined Eden.

She knelt back down onto the dirt floor as she handed each a small metal shovel. Margo than turned to a rose as she uprooted the plant using the shovel as a base to hold the flower. “Now once a plant is lifted from the ground you must maintain the roots or it shall die. Like each of us, flowers are individuals, yet once it is paired with another something magical happens.” Margo stood quickly as she placed the red rose and replanted it within a the patch of yellow. She went back to kneeling as she tucked the rose into its new bed. “Hybrids are formed. The mutts of the flowering world. When two meet a new flower is created. When strangers meet a new friendship is formed.”

Margo spoke in a cooing tone as she looked at the faces of the students. “So tell me my lost wanderers what brings you to my garden?” Margo leaned to the side as she placed her hand along the floor while she tucked her legs behind her. Margo winked playfully at Christine. “I am Miss. Danae, Teacher of Formalities. Yet I assume that Christine has already introduced herself no?” Margo than looked at Ian’s clothes as her eyes widened. “Oh darling you are dressed perfectly for the Greenhouse, as of Formalities perhaps if we mend your clothes you shall be a confident young man.” Margo giggled playfully. “Christine can bring you to class so I can dress you that is if you shall accept my offering?” Margo than looked at Garen. “I do hope you found your way to the class you desired.” Margo shifted as she went back to weeding the flower beds.

“Well the weeds are battling the precious flowers for food and drink, in order to eliminate the negative, the toxins, the unwanted take hold and rip them out. Alas weeds never leave, they much rather enjoy corrupting the beauty. Although they are nothing precious to look at I can use the dandelions to make tea. If you could set their roots to the side perhaps I can give you a special treat as a thank you for your work my darlings.” Margo started to hum again as she turned her back towards the students as she started snap off the roots from the weeds.

Miss. Danae turned her head as she watched Christine’s reaction. Margo tilted her head concerned that her precious student was redirecting herself in a negative fashion. That Christine was welting her body as the lifecycle reversed. Christine was becoming that timid seed, that baby needing the tender love. As Margo turned her body she continued to attend to the plants.

That nervous plead. That dreadful yearning Christine so desperately wished to achieve. Margo turned around as she smiled at Christine. Margo nodded quietly as she placed a hand along Christine’s back. Margo looked both at Ian and Garen before addressing Christine. “Now my adoring gardeners please be gentle with the transporting. After all If we destroy the root the flower dies.” Margo winked playfully at the two. “The flowers life rests in your gentle hands milord’s. Nurture and cradle the flowers their life depends upon your guided hands. In a moment we shall return.”

Margo than continued walking as she weaved around the large clay pots and mounds of soil. Margo leaned against one of the unkempt flowerbeds as she looked at Christine. “We are alone now darling. So speak if you wish the flowers will not tell any of your secrets for they have kept my over the years. Such dear they can be especially when one feels alone, weak, ill, or saddened. A flower is a symbol of hope and dedication, a symbol that others are looking out for your wellbeing. Look around you Christine, so many living things care for you because you care for them.” Margo smiled as she continued to whisper as she awaited Christine’s desperate news.

Garen continued looking at the flowers moving his eyes between them lost in his thoughts remembering his father who was killed centuries ago by the demon.He even didn’t hear the teacher when she asked him if he found the class he desired. Garen raised his hands looking at them smelling the blood of the demon that he killed on that day thinking to himself ”Am I that dangerous?”He looked towards the teacher who was standing beside him, then looked at the two students on the other side. Moving his head again to look back at the flowers ”Will that day come?! Will that demon take over my body and hurt them?”

Garen took deep breath as he naturally moved to lay on his back with his hands behind his head looking at the sky with a slight smile and saying in a low voice to himself”Well, I guess they wont be in danger. They are strong enough to protect themselves”He closed his eyes smelling the nice scent in the place enjoying it till he heard the teacher’s soft voice again

“Now my adoring gardeners please be gentle with the transporting. After all If we destroy the root the flower dies.”

Garen looked at her then moved his eyes to look at the guy from the registration room. Garen sighed shaking his head then closed his eyes smiling trying to clear his mind. It was peaceful feeling that he was looking for since he joined this place till he heard another female soft voice talking "Uhm, Miss Danae, might I have a word with you...in private? "

He opened his eyes looking towards the teacher to see that the voice was coming from the girl he met at the pool. His eyes shifted between the teacher and the student. But then decided not to interfere with them and looked back at the sky smiling. Yet his curiosity was overwhelming .He looked back to see the student removing her hat. Garen saw what she was hiding and was afraid to show to anyone

Garen looked at the look on her face raising his eyebrow. He moved to sit straight with his right knee bent. He placed his hand on his bent knee looking at the teacher trying to see her reaction. To Garen what he saw was pretty normal. Garen didn’t want to interact with the student as he remembered what happened at the pool when he tried to calm her. So he moved to lay back on his back looking at the sky smiling

Ian was becoming far more aware of his surroundings as life in the greenhouse seemed to have burst suddenly. It still held its peaceful quality but the mood from when he had first entered had shifted. His eyes cast on Christine he was not at all shocked that she noticed the movement of the women before he did, after all it was clear that this women was the reason Christine was here. He could hear the same voice that serenaded the flowers offer a welcome to this place. Ian’s weight shifted forward out of the depths of the plants as Margo came to Christine and embraced her.

“Oh come now dear, no reason to cry. They shall live once more.”

It was a voice filled with both purpose and compassion…a very soft and sweet way to make a very strong statement. Ian slowly pushed himself up from where he had been sitting and meandered to Christine’s side…making sure to leave enough space so he would not be intruding. He could see something in the young women, a quality that mirrored something in him. Ian lightly plucked the shovel offered to him by the gardener and took a second to examine it. There was something about the way this woman spoke of the plants, of their task. There was a far deeper meaning behind her words and although Ian did not fully grasp it, it was somewhat intoxicating.

“So tell me my lost wanderers what brings you to my garden?”

Ian’s eyes were drawn up from the shovel to towards the gardener. It was a fair question but he was afraid that he had no actual answer…in truth it might have been aimless wandering but something about saying that seemed a bit callous. Just as he was about to gather the courage to say something the women introduced herself, she was a teacher? He had so many questions he wanted to ask her about the school. Ian wanted to know why they chose to send him here, what this place knew about what he could do and most importantly would this place accept him.

“Oh darling you are dressed perfectly for the Greenhouse, as of Formalities perhaps if we mend your clothes you shall be a confident young man.”

There was a slight blush on Ian’s face as she spoke these words. These were the clothes he had worn for years…the comment was not exactly flattering but he could not blame her. A year ago or so they might have been passable as nice but now they were in every sense of the words beggars rags. His head turned a bit away from Miss Danae, he could see Christine standing next to him and the student he had met at registration laying down. He heard Miss Danae offering and because his eyes were cast on Christine he could see the blush envelop her face as the sentence formed. Ian had never had someone offer to make him clothes before and although he wanted to jump at the chance Christine’s blush gave him pause. As she dipped her head Ian turned his attention back to Miss Danae.

“I…am sure the students here have a rather….hectic schedule. I shell only intrude on either of you if you have the time.” This was about as diplomatic as Ian had the capability of being…he was not a linguist. With the shovel in hand Ian walked forward and knelt down a good couple of feet from Miss Danae, looking over the tangled growth. He did not trust himself with anything delicate…most of the plant life was foreign to him but he did recognize the weeds she had spoken of. He would devote himself to the elimination of that which was killing the beauty of the garden. As he drove his shovel into the ground he could hear Christine speak…it sounded almost like a plea.

He had almost forgotten how she looked when she first arrived in the greenhouse. The way she looked at Miss Danae, if Ian had to guess Christine was here to do something important. This was something Ian did not want to intrude on so he turned his full attention to the task at hand…carefully he selected out the weeds and ripped them from the soil. Ian had not even noticed the pair leaving, nor Garen still laying about, the task had enveloped him.

Margo smiled as she watched her little actress perform. Fingers folded, coiling along the brim of the beanie as she exposed herself. Margo watched as Christine’s body tightened in fear as Margo smiled. Margo than stepped forward as she placed her hands along Christine’s shoulders. Gently and firmly Margo used the support from Christine as Margo knelt down eye level with her. Margo moved her hands from Christine’s shoulders as she brought her fingertips to grip a hold of Christine’s cheeks.

“My dear sweet Christine….you are beautiful! Shine with the flowers as they dance in the sun. Be proud of your pretty face and adoring ears. They make you who you are!” Margo giggled as she stood upright “Oh darling if every flower was the same, than they each would have the same name. How simply it would be for an admirer to pick. Look around you, thousands of petals are reaching out to you, and each a different breed. I am proud of you to not hide yourself and insist you must be like the others.” Margo leaned forward as she whispered into Christine’s ear. “That is what an admirer seeks, someone that has something special.” Margo winked as she started towards the others.

“I do hope you join us and I do believe it is rather hot in here to be wearing a hat darling.” Margo turned her body back around as she wandered towards Garen. Margo placed her hands along her hips as she tilted her head. Her hair flicking into her face as her pale pools drowned his reflection. “Well now it does appear that you are resting. “ Margo moved her hands to untie her apron as she folded it inside out. She layered the apron as a pillow as she laid it down next to Garen’s head.

“Rest well my little wanderer, the garden shall watch over you, but I suggest that you use a pillow, or you shall bring bits of the garden everywhere.” Margo shuffled her feet along the Greenhouse floor as she motioned for Christine to join Ian. Margo sat beside him as she watched the concentration. She watched his hesitant in his hands. Margo than overlapped his with her own as she twisted Ian’s wrists to loosen the soil. “You are so gentle with the ferns. I suggest to approach the wedding as a game. Now if you do not remove the entire root it will multiple. Creating double the work for those carrying hands of yours. What a shame that would be milord.” Margo giggled as she moved her hands to dust the soil to expose several roots.

Margo gasped playfully as her eyes narrowed. “Look at the marvelous spread before us! Now which root to pluck?” Margo tapped lightly on the off white roots. “Those are the weeds, the greenish brown are the flowers.” Margo giggled as she nodded her head to Ian than back to Christine. “I do believe he needs assistance Miss. Christine.” Margo tapped her finger along her lips. “Hush though, we have a sleeping admirer among the weeds.” Margo turned her head seeing Garen shuffle with his eyes and body. “Or perhaps he has awakened!”

Margo went back to weeding she gave Christine, Ian, and Garen some space. “I do insist that you three accompany me to Tea Room once we are done, I have a delightful surprise for you. As a result, and dedication to your gracious and noble acts. Three cheers for the Greenhouse Saviors!” Margo clapped loudly as her voice echoed off the Greenhouse walls.

Garen opened his eyes and looked again at Christine then back at the sky seeing the birds flying around the trees in the garden. He was feeling comfortable to be in this peaceful place. He felt shadow covering his upper body which made him look up seeing that Margo standing and untying her apron. He sighed shaking his head seeing her placing it beside his head. He grabbed it and moved to sit up looking at her then at the apron in his head smiling.”Thanks very much Ma’am”


He stood up and walked towards her with a slight smile moving his hands covering her shoulders with it”But I don’t need it anymore. I was about to leave anyway.”He looked at Ian smiling slightly seeing him having fun. Then looked at Margo walking towards him and instructing how to finish the job well.

He smiled placing his hands in his pockets and moved his head slightly looking at Christine walking slowly towards her still smiling. He stood infront of her still his hands in his pockets”Christine.i know I might be nosey but I saw it. You are really beautiful .So don’t be shy about it”

He turned around looking at Margo smiling ”Sorry ma’am. The tea room isn’t my type. I had a reason for joining this place. And I guess Formalities wont help me to achieve that goal. But thanks for the invite”He slightly bowed to her then started walking leaving the garden

[Exit if not stopped]

As he returned the apron Margo stood to address his farewell accordingly. As he mentioned his greater purpose she cocked her head to the side. Her mind spiraling with curiosity of his deeper commitment to avoid her class. He was persistent yet so was the professor. Margo curtsied as she stared at the back of his head. She felt the chemistry between Christine and others. Perhaps she was the missing connection to solve the equation that Formalities is not to be feared but to be accepted as an etiquette should.

As she rose her voice challenged Garen with a coaxing hint of bliss. She refused to smoother a student, a humiliating defeat on both parties. Instead she smiled as she looked back admiring the unattended flowers. “Such raw powers stems from a tiny seed, yet once it blooms the power is unleashed, filling the air with that powerful scent. I do hope Garen that you find the essence of your seed and you find what helps that purpose grow. If you lose your seedling we have many here that would wish to be planted by hands just like yours.” Margo reached into the pouch of her apron as she called for Garen to turn around.

A small cloth bag was wrapped in twin as she tossed it gently at waist level towards him. “In case you lose your way plant these seeds, as they grew they will guide you back here…back to us.” Margo gestured to Ian and Christine. “We are all in search of our cause, our reason, yet if you turn away you might lose a piece to your destiny.” Margo did one more dignified curtsey as she transformed into a proper lady once more. Even in tattered clothing she was glory.

Ian had never really experienced a place like this and until he knelt down to start his task he did not realize how choked the garden actually was. Although he was busy at work he was lost in his mind. Why was it nature would grant such an assassin almost supernatural powers to survive and yet make something so beautiful so fragile. His eyes slowly followed the vines of one of the weeds as it seemed to twist endlessly through the garden. The task as a whole would be a daunting undertaking but if he were to take it one square of dirt at a time he could do his part. This might be the only time in Ian’s life he would ever have the chance to assist something beautiful.

This time Ian would not be ambushed. Although he had not taken interest in the conversation that was taking place behind him he was well aware that Margo was close to him. As her hands overlapped his the grip on the shovel quickly tightened. Her words only strengthen Ian’s opinion…it seemed such a cruel joke that the weed was so gifted…such a ruthless plant that would destroy all in its path.

“Those are the weeds, the greenish brown are the flowers.”

Ian looked down at the small pile he had assembled…most of them were white. There was a slight blush on his face as he realized that he might have killed at least one flower but this slight setback only strengthened his resolve to go on as he plowed through the soil to see if any reminisce of the white root had escaped him. Ian remained focused on his task, the small square he had started in was slowly becoming larger and larger as he worked the edges.

“I do believe he needs assistance Miss. Christine.”

The skeptic and self conscious section of Ian’s mind could not help but wonder if he was doing the task so wrong that the teacher was sending someone to help him or if he was just a way to get Christine to work. As she spoke of Garen he slowly shifted back towards his task. Ian had never actually had tea before…he had coffee once or twice but the invitation was too good to turn down. He offered just a slight nod, it never even dawned on him that it more than likely went unnoticed.

”Christine.i know I might be nosey but I saw it. You are really beautiful .So don’t be shy about it”

The comment once again caused a pause in Ian’s work. He had not yet turned around to see Christine without her hat on but he was envious that Garen was able to just say something like that. Ian lacked the confidence to compliment most people and women were especially hard for him. Garen was accurate though, Christine was quite lovely. After just a second of envy he returned to his work in the soil shifting slightly to the left in order to get access to more contaminated soil. His work pace had slowed as he was drifting in and out of the conversations going on around him. Ian was particularly interested in one of the comments his teacher made.

“We are all in search of our cause, our reason, yet if you turn away you might lose a piece to your destiny.”

It caused him to shove the blade deep into the soil, cutting through vine and root. He wished something like that was true…or maybe he just wished he could believe it. In his 15 years or so he had never experienced anything that lead him to believe his life had any cause or reason. Pulling the shovel from the soil his head shifted and Christine came to rest next to him. It would have been hard not to notice what he was guessing she tried to hide. Ian offered her a smile in which he tried to convey acceptance and friendship…how it would actually be received was anyone’s guess. The snap of Christine’s weed drove him back into his task.

Such passion seeded within Christine. Such warmth and happiness. Christine was full of purity. Her stance coated with love and passion. She adored the flowers and yearned to protect and nurture. Margo went to the small fountain as she dipped a clay bowl into the trickling water. As she filled the earth tone container she walked over to Ian and Christine for them to wash up their hands. As Christine made the request Margo beamed.

“Oh Savior of the Bloom how honored I am to be accompanied by such an adoring lady. The flowers will wake just to feel your touch and hear your name.” Margo giggled as she placed her own hands to tread along the confined liquid. “You have fire in your eyes Christine. As the Phoenix arises from its own ashes you glow with the brightness of the embers. You my dear are strong and determined, perhaps it is from the flowers that give you this power?” Margo giggled as she watched Ian become consumed with his task. Finding him more concerned with the product than the steps taken.

Margo took hold of The Greenhouse in order to save a dying world. Her hands aimed to rejuvenate and resurrect the past. She felt that the two students appreciated the cause and she knew that her words were heard. Margo moved her hands to tickle Christine’s chin. Her nails raking the student’s flesh as Margo smiled. “Never grow discouraged for even the weeds drink from your woes and dread. Make the flowers proud by refusing to give or negotiate with the weeds. You must be strong in order to challenge the world, you are outnumbered darling, stand your ground and know you have others beside you. Together we shall defeat the enemy.”

Margo giggled as she taunted the weeds. Margo bent down scrapping one of the weeds from its bed as she used it add to her theatrics as she spoke. Speckles of dirt clinging towards the ground as she shook the weed awake.

Margo smiled as she listened to Christine. “Oh darling do not thank the teacher for doing her duty, do not thank the gardener for plucking the weeds, thank life for creating the flowers, thank the worlds adventurers for seeking the knowledge for your teachers to admire than embed in your own minds. You are the reason we are here, you and Sir Ian, Miss Christine! You and all the students give us a deeper purpose. Outside this world is another, and another, we are a small fraction of a whole, united we prosper into a community, we become something more than as we started. You my adoring gardener will be something, same as Sir Ian all because you humbling bestowed upon me the privilege and the honor of creating a new life for these flowers.”

Margo smiled as she looked at the progression. Margo saw warmth as the light battled with death as the flowers took the advantage. With the aid of Ian’ and Christine’s persistent hands the Greenhouse will flourish. Margo sat on the floor as she than sorted the weeds as she pulled the dandelion roots from the plump orange bulbs placing the roots along her apron.

“Flowers drink water as I drink tea my darlings, if possible after the work is done I would love if you gave me all the dandelions they are bitter but their roots create such a powerful taste of tea. It helps mend the weak who are sick with a cold or sore throat. How charming it is to rejuvenate the evil of the weed by creating something useful, something glorious, some pure. In reality ignore the weeds and look at life, your hand who you touch, who you encounter inspire or distraught another, take hold of situations for you may never darlings what you might create.”

Margo smiled as she narrowed her eyes as her fingers plucked the roots as she pulled apart the desired appendages.

Margo held tightly onto her precious gardener. Her digits stroked the adoring student’s hair as the embrace continued. Margo rested her cheek along Christine’s shoulder as Margo smiled. Her plump lips curling into a wide smile as her pale eyes blinked slowly.

“Oh darling, you are welcome! You are so perfect in this time of bloom my dear.” Margo stepped back from Christine as she lifted her head upright to face directly into Christine’s face. Margo turned her head as she followed the gaze of Christine to Ian. Christine than looked down at his hands as he continued to work among the weeds.

Margo than smiled as she watched the roots of the dandelions grow in size. Margo folded her hands along the base of her back as she continued to watch the flowers. “I do hope that you both join me for the tea, to watch your efforts come to life in celebration! You both have worked so hard and I would be delighted if you join me.” Margo knelt down as she scooped the mound of roots into her hands as she tucked them within her apron pocket. Margo giggled lightly as her pocket bloated. “This is enough my darlings come, come wash your hands and we shall be on our merry way!” Margo turned as she went back towards the door of the entrance of the Greenhouse, the teacher of Formalities second home.

Ian’s focus was absolute, the small patch of dirt was slowly growing as he decimated almost in his path. The only signs of life were three flowers desperately trying to hold onto life. Ian imagined how beautiful this place must have been once, and how tragic the downfall must have been. Ian imagined it happened like an unexpected blitzkrieg, the weeds swarmed through the garden. Perhaps Ian’s overdramatic framing of the situation was the source of his drive. It might be easy to dismiss the task as just busy work if he had thought about it simply as what it was.

His pause caused him to become more aware of his surroundings. The small quantity of sweat built up on his skin, how large the pile of discarded weeds had become and Margo’s sweet voice.

“I do hope that you both join me for the tea, to watch your efforts come to life in celebration! You both have worked so hard and I would be delighted if you join me.”

Still sitting Ian shifted his body away from the dirt and towards Margo and Christine. There was still so much to do here in the greenhouse but he dare not be rude. It would be a good thing to leave now, if he was lucky the task would burn in his mind and he would find himself back here alone with a thirst to face the swarm once again.

The young man stood slowly and moved towards the two women. Christine had undergone a transformation in her time in the greenhouse. Although it was the same girl who had walked in her energy had shifted. As Miss Danae spoke about washing up Ian examined his hands and clothes which caused his face to exude a pale red. Ian started to wander towards the door, lagging behind the two hoping that either Margo or Christine might lead him to a washroom.