Petal is already back? Wait, three weeks are already gone. I just built like a maniac, but never focused on the time. Snow seems not to be perturbed, she was always together with Leafy.
By the way the Bandit found a way to end himself in the cell, so Karl is getting sedatives in his food from Loopy, to not lose him too fast. It seems the Bandit got to realize over the Months, he will not escape and just gave up. Need to keep hope up for Karl as I have plans with him.
Walking out of the Castle for a while I start sprinting right to the Village. Ava has enough stamina and strength to be there in about 5 Minutes, which is already unreal, but hey, Magic.
“Hello Petal. Forgot you were coming today, I am sorry, for not being there earlier.”
“Lord Null, I am grateful for your presence. I see Leaf is looking a bit better. Later I would like to ask you about something, hopefully you can fulfill my request.”
Ah, yeah… Well I will at first ask for my grudge to the Root to be excused by what I am doing right now.
“Ah, by the way, we had a problem this month and I have to apologize to the Root. As you know the creation of the Mana dew is fickle and needs a special environment. Right now in the place where it accumulates a branch was cut off by a rather serious crack. Albeit I am sorry, there will only be half of what I traded earlier for now.”
“My Lord, Petal has nothing…”
“I understand Lord Null. It seems to have been a really serious break that happened, and maybe if my clumsy self had been tending it, it would have been a total dry up. Luckily you have the far sight to be able to handle this.”
The strain on the Guards faces was all too visible, but Petal was even more vicious. Well we have the same line of thinking it seems. The message will definitely be heard not only by the Queen, but every Family head. Do not mess with my Family, or you will lose. Period!
“The Guards are rather heavy laden, what is this about?”
“Oh, you might heard about Falling Leafs outing. I brought some belongings from the Root City, but that will be talked about, when the departure time comes. At first we need to talk about the mending of the… crack, that seems to have a detrimental effect on our long time trade.”
“I see… I am sorry, but it will take a long time for it to be mend, but with help and maybe some understanding of the Root the process can be quickened, if it is possible to repair at all. I have to look at the damage first and this will take time.”
Petal smiles rather knowingly and seems to be genuinely happy to hear me standing up for Leafy and even approves my punishment. Well she is her best friend, so it is totally understandable she would be on her side too. They fucked really up sending her to mend it, as it looks like the Root in general will bleed a lot for making Leafy cry.
…
At night Leafy and Petal are back in their Gazebo. The Guards are with the bags stuffed into another Gazebo. They notice the rather gloomy if not slightly bloody air, but seem to stay in line.
Talks were more in the line of how Leafy is feeling right now and what she might need. The whole thing is still a rather open wound, even after three weeks, but it needs to be addressed, even Petal thinks that.
Snow made Tea for us and it was… bitter. Well she never did boil Tea before and just looked how Leafy always did it. She will learn, while I am thankful for her to be such a Darling and tries to help our slightly wilted Family member feel loved.
I am a bit less murderous because of Petal being there for her, but still I will make the Root pay somehow. While thinking about lowering the water flow I find it not enough to have them feel what they did. So I am still a bit lost in how to deal with them. Even cut they are Leafy her Brethren, so I can not just attack and experiment on them, she would cry even more.
…
“Thank you for the Mana dew, even if it is a bit less for now.”
“Nothing to thank me for, there are people who I like on your side, which might be troubled if I do not give at least a bit from my reserves. Are there any other things you want to discuss, before going home?”
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
It is a bit strange for her to have me here right now, but wanted me to be at the departure to ask me something. Must be important.
“Yes Lord Null. As I see, you have more than two Gazebos build and might have Room, so I wanted to ask, if I could stay here and become a resident of your Domain?”
...what?
“...sure?”
“Petal!”
Ah, Leafy restarted a bit later than me it seems. Well the shock of that revelation was a bit abrupt for all of us. The Guards still look blank.
“I thank you for your hospita…”
“Wait Petal, why do you want to stay here? Do you want to be cut like me? This is not a decision you can make without repercussions! Please overthink it again!”
“Leaf, I already know what I am doing. You know too why, are you not?”
“Petal… we can’t…”
Wait, wait, wait… What is going on?
“What is going on?”
“I am sorry Lord Null, please do not look down on us too much. We… well, we are dirty women.”
Doesn’t make sense, what does she mean?
“I can not comprehend, what you are telling me. What do you mean?”
“We live a Taboo for a long time. Women can not beget women, as it is seen as dirty. I think the right term in common is ‘lesbian’? We love each other.”
...so?
“So what?”
“My Lord… We love each other. We live a forbidden life for some time now.”
“...and?”
“Lord Null, what do you mean ‘and’? This is a rather serious thing going against our rules. While you might think of us just having some affair and going back to our mates we…”
“No, you two are together. I get that. Just… Well I remember where I came from, there were some disputes about it being uncouth, but most people accepted it without any problem.”
“...there is such a place?”
“Yeah Leafy, and to be honest I am totally open about that. Why should I not, it is the love of others, and I have no say in it. As long as all the lovers can and are consenting, there is nothing against it.”
While Leafy and Petal look somewhat shocked about something that I do not really understand the Guards look lost, confused and have a slight revulsion in their eyes. What is so strange about it? Love does not mean you need to pump out babies to be allowed to be happy. Do they throw infertile people in the wood-chipper, when found out?
…
“So those were your belongings.”
“Yes, I said it were things from Root City to live here, but I never said they are for my Leaf.”
Putting out the tongue, she looks somehow adorable. Leafy still hasn’t fully comprehended what had happened, but she needs Petal right now more than anything else. Why would I just send her home, if she wants to stay? Would be stupid.
Instead of what she said of having multiple Gazebos, she directly invaded Leafy her Gazebo and spreads her things.
“My Lord, I do not know if this is…”
“Leafy, she is here for you. You need her, and she needs you.”
“I still am confused… I love her, but our love…”
“Here it is totally normal. Just be happy and be yourself.”
“I… thank you my Lord.”
And there go the tears again. Walking inside the Gazebo she hugs her Girlfriend and I take that as a sign to go. They can heal now in peace.
“Snow, while I was working I finally made you something. I hope you would like it.”
“And Leafy?”
“She needs to be alone with Petal. You helped her greatly, but right now she needs her the most it seems.”
“Okay! What did you make me?”
“You will see.”
And with that I go with her to the Castle. I hope she likes the whole Floor full of adventure Park gear. I had really overdid it, but needed to tear my mind away from Genocide. The urge is nearly gone completely.