primrose and lilies

“This water is specially purified by the clouds of the Embassy itself,” Primrose explains, waving a hand to a small watering can placed on the shelf in front of him. “It is pure dew, and the only thing delicate enough to properly feed our ambrosia with. The water from down in Burrowgatory is too hard, and will simply wash away any chance at life the buds may have. Ambrosia is not something that can be grown by just anyone.”

Meridian stands at attention besides him, staring hard at the watering can. As if he could x-ray vision through it and somehow glean what exact magical properties this dew could bestow, if he ever was able to tinker with it alchemically. Perhaps… healing salves. Or other protective and growth-fostering spells. He can imagine so many opportunities that could arise if he got his hooves on a large enough sample to experiment with.

Primrose clears his throat. “Are you listening, Meridian?”

Meridian snaps out of his daze, shaking his head. “Of course. I am deeply interested in the process of cultivation for this ambrosia, and it includes the water that must be used. I utilized the storage room alongside Dove when we planted the buds, but I was not aware that the water provided had such distinct and magical origins.”

“There’s nothing magical about it,” Primrose says sharply. “It is simply a gift that Melangel chose to bestow upon us when Dove made their decision to descend.”

“Of course,” Meridian says, not wanting to offend. He does absolutely still think it’s magical though. How could it not have magical properties, if it made the magical stuff of ambrosia grow? It just made sense to him. “So, is it utilized any differently than the typical methods of bestowing water upon plant life? Or is it simply poured upon the buds in specific intervals?”

Primrose picks up the watering can, holding it in both hands. “It is quite a bit different. It also depends very much on what type of ambrosia you’re watering. Tell me, what is the name of the ambrosia you’re tending to?”

“I am cultivating an ambrosia in bulb form, though I will admit to not knowing the specific classification. My untrained eye would lean to calling them lilies,” Meridian says. “But I am not familiar with the subdivisions of the species, unfortunately. I would love to know more about these things though. It’s endlessly interesting”

“You’ll have to show me, and then I will instruct you on the exacts of caring for this plant. You are taking on a large and important task here, Meridian,” Primrose stopped, his face growing very serious. “All of the resources in the Heavenly Embassy are quite limited. If you plan to not continue on your task here, I would recommend you bow out as a coward early. It would be better than remaining and requiring us to scramble to pick up after your mess when you do not intend to return.”

Meridian gives a deep nod. “I understand your caution. I have no intention of letting this go to the wayside. I do not want to impose on your kindness of letting me visit the Embassy and work in the gardens, and I will do everything I can to repay this kindness by taking work off your busy hands. I swear myself to this project, and on my life I make a pact that this ambrosia will have my full attention and devotion.”

This declaration, from most people, would be ridiculous and over the top. And that is not to say it didn’t seem ridiculous and over the top now, proclaimed by this bun covered in runic symbols and chains. But, it did seem to match his general energy. He was putting his heart into this ‘pact’, like he did for most things he expended his efforts for.

Primrose stared at him, looking him up and down. Calculating, and looking for any sign of insincerity or mocking. Finding none, he returned the slight head nod. “Very well. No need to swear your life, or anything like that. You must simply swear your time, which you have already made good progress on. Come, lead me to the ambrosia you are devoting yourself to.”

Meridian exits the storage room and heads towards the greenhouse.

When they get to the greenhouse, there are a few scattered cherubuns and succubuns tending to different sections of plants. Meridian gives them a friendly nod in greeting as he walks past them, and Primrose gives a small bow. Meridian files that away as perhaps something he should do while up here, just in case it’s tradition.

He navigates around the planters without much issue, remembering clearly where they planted the ambrosia bulbs together. They had placed small markers over the row of soil they put the plants in, so Meridian was able to point out exactly where they were to Primrose, who knelt on the ground to stare at the beginning wisps of plant life next to those markers.

“Hmm, I see. You said these were bulbed plants? Similar to lilies?”

“Yes, that is how Dove referred to them. They also mentioned that they were not exactly edible, if that narrows it down at all.”

“Ah, of course. Yes, that does clear the field quite a bit,” Primrose stands, handing the watering can over to Meridian. “These must be a species of Lilaelias Ambrosia. You were correct, they are found to be quite qimilar to the lilies that can be found in Burrowgatory, I believe.”

“Excellent,” Meridian commits the name to memory. “What are the watering requirements for such a flower?”

“Well, until it blooms, you must water it once every ten days. There will be no natural water making its way to these plants, so you must be sure to be punctual,” Primrose instructs.

“After it blooms, is the watering schedule different?”

“Yes, a bit. Once the petals begin to appear, you need to water once a week for 2-3 more weeks. At that point, we will be able to harvest and prepare the ambrosia.”

“Once every ten days, then once every week,” Meridian repeats, making sure he’s gotten it correct. “And what is the best method for watering?”

“You must ensure you do not drown the plants. Hold the water can above them, and incline it ever so slightly. It should be a light sprinkle, and for this amount of plants you must distribute about half the can evenly amongst the row of Lilaelias Ambrosia.”

Meridian nods seriously, and then holds the watering can out over the lilies. It was about half full, so he took his time very carefully watering the flowers as instructed. Primrose watched with an eagle eye, ready to stop him if he was about to water them with a drop more than needed. However, Meridian was well experienced in exacts. All his rituals and spells and concoctions asked for a steady hand and measured pouring. It didn’t take too long at all before the plants were watered, and the watering can only a quarter-filled was handed back to Primrose.

“Well,” Primrose says. “That was sufficient, I suppose.”

“Thank you,” Meridian says. He puts a hand on Primrose’s shoulder, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “I could not have done it without your guidance. I hope one day to repay you for your assistance and trust in me.”

Primrose wrinkles up his nose, his face flushing ever so slightly at the sudden extreme gratitude. With one hand, he pats Meridian’s hand on his shoulder twice, and then removes it from his shoulder. Meridian seems unphased, still grinning.

“Of course. My pleasure,” Primrose says. “I suppose I will see you around then, Meridian. I may have some favors to call in from you, next time you come around. As repayment.”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Meridian says. “I’ll see you in ten days!”