socialcapital | [ JACKSON HEART ]

He did, at least, accurately pinpoint that this is Firuz's early life. The people on the busy street below don't seem to notice the massive greenhouse on the hill, too busy trying to sell wares or food.

[It helps to be genre savvy sometimes.]

Two hundred fifty-three and one quarter silver dinar.

On the one hand, having absolutely none will mean I'm less of a target. On the other... it's not going to be possible to do much like that.

... come to think of it, I don't even know what business he was in.

[He looks toward the market, and then up at the greenhouse, considering.]

If he's tuning in especially hard, he CAN sense negativity from somewhere in the market - the kind that comes from years spent in a bad situation desperately trying to build a safe way out. There's no negative feelings from the direction of the greenhouse.

[A slow sigh.]

Give me a few minutes, little one. There may be something in your far past that can help brighten your present.

[... and he heads toward the greenhouse.]

The road up to the greenhouse is a smooth one. The building itself is nothing short of magnificent - compared to Creation's regular technology levels it might as well be magical. It's the size of a palace, with what appears to be its own miniature false sun shining out of a spire in the center, and it's absolutely filled with flourishing plant life. Some you can recognize - they have equivalents in Estoria, or on Earth - many more you can't. Of the ones you can, all are edible plants.

The door is open, covered with a thin curtain of gauzy fabric that somehow manages to keep the heat in.

In front of the greenhouse, conspicuous and alarming, is a massive bloodstain. Stepping around it would be easy - there's room on all sides to walk around.

[More than enough room. So when he stops, it's deliberate -- and when he reaches to touch it with a single fingertip, it's even more so.]

He can pull away at any point, but as long as he is touching the blood this memory plays, in a first person perspective, on a loop.

[It's not the first time he's seen it. And it's not a surprise. But it's still enraging, and he hisses softly as he pulls his hand back.

... this is a greenhouse, isn't it. Let's see if he can find some water and maybe a few ripe vegetables or sweet fruits for a mistreated orphan.]

As far as interactive symbolism goes, it's a little on the nose.

It seems like a lot of the watering for the plants is automated through - basically - sprinkler systems. There's technically a lot of water, but it seems like it would be hard to carry.

As far as fruits or vegetables though, there are plenty. Fruit-bearing trees and bushes, vines twining up trellises, flowers which, through context clues, are probably edible...

From deeper in there's the sound of children giggling.

[Pockets a good two handfuls of grapes, and... well.

It probably won't hurt to see just a moment of those happier days. He follows the sound of the voices deeper.]

Around the corner are a pair of twins, about five years old, playing in the garden. Whatever game they're playing seems to involve a lot of scurrying around and hiding behind bushes and then jumping out to chase the other one around! Occasionally hiding behind bushes includes nibbling a berry or two while they're there.

[It's a scene worth committing to memory.]

The princes Firuz and Azir, is it?

[I'm glad you still have these moments, too.]

They both startle at the same time - not the kind of startle of someone with something to fear, but the kind of children who frequently get up to mischief - and turn to look at you, curious.

"Yeah!"

"That's us!"

This is a wonderful garden.

Of all the things that grow here, what are your favourites?

They both rattle off lists of fruits and vegetables that don't have a lot of overlap, at the same time, with lots of 'and-and-and-' interjections as each item on one twin's list reminds the other twin of another item for his own list repeatedly.

That sounds very close to "everything".

How about this -- if you were each to pick one thing for the other, what would it be?

"Just one..."

"One is hard..."

"Azir likes sweet berries! The sweeter the better! So I'd pick sacred ruby berries!"

"Oh yeah... well, Firuz likes things with more than one flavor, so... I'd pick the sunrise fruit. They're kinda spicy and sweet."

Those are both good choices.

Could you show me where they are? I have a friend around your age, and, well... it probably wouldn't hurt to bring just one or two back with me, would it?

"We can show you!"

"We've got lots of everything here."

"Enough to feed everyone in Mahalen and then some!"

"So you can have a couple."

Thank you both. Mahalen is very lucky to have you.

They both puff up proudly.

"Yep yep! We're working hard too."

"Berries this way!"

Each twin offers a hand for him to hold, like guiding people around like this is totally normal for them. It might be a game they play with their parents or siblings?

[He takes both those small hands, hold gently firm.]

Lead on.

They Very Seriously lead him through the greenhouse, with the slightly meandering gait of young children in a garden full of distracting snacks. The berries are in a grove of low-lying bushes with soft green leaves - they're bright red and slightly teardrop shaped.

"Berries here!"

Azir picks one to eat now that he's been reminded they exist.

[He follows Azir's lead, picking two ripe sacred ruby berries.]

All the plants here are in wonderful shape. Everyone must take very good care of them.

"Yeah!"

"Mom and dad put a lot of work into it."

"Fruit this way!"

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