socialcapital | [ JACKSON HEART ]

He gives a happy little kiss back.

"I didn't know you could feel it... what does it feel like?"

[He looks up to the garden sky, closing his eyes.]

Like this.

Warm. Full of life. There's strength in it, and power, but its expression right now is gentle. And it is... real. Neither flawless nor flawed, but alive and growing within you.

Jackson blushes a little.

"Ah... I asked, but I'm still flustered... I love you. Thank you for putting so much effort into bringing me back together."

Ms. Harmonious Song was correct. Even if I had known the exact particulars of what was required, I would not have left any of those paths untraveled.

There is enough Sun Sign within me still to cherish the journey. And to have been privileged to see this much of you, and to have been welcomed into doing so...

How else would I have learned what seeds to ask Ms. Nana for when I return?

"Seeds? -- Wait, do you think that's possible?"

I have absolute faith in Ms. Nana's abilities.

I do not expect the cost to be light. But I do believe it will be possible.

"They're extinct though, I'm pretty sure. A lot of the types of fruit and vegetable we grew in that greenhouse were the only ones in the world at that point."

Then perhaps I should request a broader collection. Particularly if any prove to be dioecious.

I wonder if she would be able to provide care instructions as well. Sunlight, watering, acidity, ambient magic...?

"Satin I'm going to get too emotional and start crying if I think about it too hard."

And yet, all of them remain alive, here in your heart.

Do you really think the magic to allow me to walk through this place would exist, but the one to bring something that exists here into the outside world would not? I've tasted the fruits of that greenhouse now too. They live within me as well, even if not to the level they do here.

He sticks his face into Satin's shoulder.

"I don't know. I guess theoretically anything is possible. ... A lot of produce I really liked... my favorite fruit, my favorite dessert... I know it's kind of silly to miss those especially, but."

And the part of you that became a Solar has been so wrapped up in other things that neither of you ever considered that you, yourself, will almost certainly have the power to bring these small things back to life.

[He strokes the back of Umbra's head, petting his hair.]

"... It didn't seem like a priority even if so. Is all."

Not compared to "survival", no.

"And botanical engineering was not a key skillset of either of my lifetimes, though I guess I have a lot of time to learn it."

Additionally, this opportunity fits well into my own plans. So I have no hesitation in taking advantage of it.

"... Botanical engineering... plans?"

No.

You've mentioned that the "you" of the outside world won't remember this, so I will choose to believe there's no harm in speaking of it plainly. Especially since my experiences here have only confirmed my suspicions.

In both your lifetimes, you have been very poorly served by agreements that have bound you. One into destitute servitude, and one into a gilded cage -- but a cage nonetheless, where you were obliged to work just as hard, with just as little rest.

And due to whatever combination of nature and personality that is inherently "you", once you are so bound, the only escapes you permit yourself are through fulfilling the terms in full, or by chance and circumstance beyond your control.

He blinks, thoughtfully.

"Um... I guess that is how it turned out in both lives, yeah..."

I don't know what the future will hold. But I know, right now, I would like more time with you.

[His hand drifts from Umbra's hair down to his shoulder -- to the place his teeth had marked during the Princess performance, though the marks themselves long since vanished.]

I've given a great deal of thought to how to ask for that. There are words, and roles, that we both have our reasons for avoiding. You're finally free to stretch your wings how you wish. No matter how appealing the idea of a second home might be, if entering it closes a door behind you, all you will see around you will be more bars.

So I have been thinking, instead, about how to make you a garden.

Jackson Firuz Totality Umbra Mahalenka goes on a face journey of feeling surprised, touched, emotional, and feeling intense cuteness aggression all at the same time.

"A garden..."

A place near to me that you can recognize as belonging to you, but that you can enter and leave as you wish. Like a gardener who plants berry bushes near their house to welcome migratory birds on their travels.

The original concept had been metaphorical, but I am beginning to suspect that a physical garden may work just as well.

"Well, I want to stay with you too... I guess you're not the type of person to be disappointed if it's not 'traditional' either. But are you really okay with... I guess... planning around the idea of me leaving?"

Of course I'm not. I dislike the thought of it intensely.

"... So if I did ask you to move in with me you'd say no? Or is it okay if I do it first?"

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