{HAZE-3} Pruning — Proelium

Yet another visit to the fields of yore, yet another day to toil mercilessly in the throes of vines and vice. The fields behind the Casino were full of daily battles — watering, checking for weeds, fertilizer, working with natural pesticides… more than one can count on one’s digits. However there is one more degree of work that must be done to promote a healthy garden. To bring a crowd around requires resources beyond comprehension… if there is too much, one must “cut away” the unnecessary, the dead-end, the competition…

And that’s why Calcifer is out here with a pear of long gardening shears in the hazebloom fields. The flowers were sprouting wonderfully… However, the gardeners’ jobs did not end here. For the best yield, Hops received specific instructions from Angora… one of them being the occasional trimming of wayward sprouts, stems, and branches to ensure that the blooms grow unfettered. This really was serious work, huh? In truth Calcifer didn’t mind the chance to learn more about the inner workings of the Casino’s gardens—more knowledge for The Hoarde in the end, plus… they still had that deal, and he wasn’t going to get his dues without a suitable amount of produce.

“Lord Calcifer! How’s it going over there?!” From the other end of the field, Hops looked over… eventually she jogged her way to Calcifer’s side… and Calcifer had to make sure to reach out and get her to turn the sharp blades of her shears downward. Don’t run with sharp objects, folks.
“The wayward riffraff of the garden fears my wary eye, Damsel Hops. And how fares your side of the field?”
“All trimmed up and ready to grow! Your help has really made this whole hazebloom season a lot easier, sir. As… as expected of your excellency! I wonder if Angora would consider signing you on for extra hands more…”
“Tch!” Calcifer scoffed, a streak of red across his face. “This is a one-time deal for my greater pursuit of knowledge! Do not get used to my favor, Damsel Hops. If you need extra hands, why not hire them during the busiest season?”
“That’d probably be easiest to do, but…” Hops trailed off with a slight giggle… and that was all Calcifer needed to know. He knew why Hops giggled as such. A sneaky dragon lady, Angora was.

“In any case, we have more trimming to do! We trim the hazeblooms to improve yield, but we also trim the trees and bushes around the Casino for aesthetic reasons… and even though I don’t know how to cut bushes into those fun shapes, I do know a bit on how to maintain them. Here, take these.” As Hops talked, she pulled out a sizable set of shears—a weapon way too large for a bun that was Hops-sized—and handed them to Calcifer. Almost as if this tool was the modern-day Excalibun… Calcifer looked on in abject horror.

“These…”
“If you could get the higher up branches I can’t reach, that would be wonderful…” Hops batted her large eyes, and Calcifer couldn’t help but sigh.
“Well… it must be done. Lead forward, Damsel.”

You know you’re in for a long day when your co-worker’s pulling out the tall ladder…