Completed A day in the gardens

[Erade]

Timestamp: Summer 85th of 513AV The Hydroponic Gardens was warm and slightly humid in the 12th chime. The mirrors that reflect light and play as rain catchers of sorts, intensified the already warm quarters. The giant underground greenhouse was the Inartan's main source of fruits and vegetables. Especially during the two seasons where the bird people are literally trapped in their own home due to weather conditions, so the garden is a god send. Already now most of the fruit and vegetables have grown and well on their way to becoming ripe. Which was evident, due to several Avora, Chiet and deks blustering around preparing for the equinox festival in a few days time. The older Yasi class was taking a field trip to the magnificent gardens to help out and to learn more about symbiotic relationships which, was what they were currently covering in class. Ms. Piko, the advance class' teacher, lead the rambunctious teens over the stone bridge, that crosses over the main pool and then branches out in the four cardinal directions. Stopping in the center, she waiting for the stragglers to catch up before speaking up. "As you all know this is the main pool of the hydroponic gardens. In here you have the fertilizer ring which houses a very special species of algae that feeds on waste and in return turns the water into rich, nutrient base water. Now remembering the four main symbiotic relationships, which one is the algae an example of?" Ms. Piko scanned the students and saw a few raise their hands while others either were fascinated by other things or just was plain bored already. One such student was her most hardest to deal with, Erade. She was an exceptional bright child just didn't try hard enough, so she called on her. "Erade?" Erade had stayed on the outskirts of her classmates. The hydroponic gardens were pretty fascinating in their own right just wasn't what Erade had in mind to do for the rest her life. Leaning against the stone bridge, she peered down into the many rings of water, that was the whole core and foundation of making the gardens so successful. Several of the outer rings had the algae Ms. Piko was just talking about, and as you got further in, the algae was replaced by smooth rocks that had moss on them that seemed to grow like weeds. Erade was only semi listening to Ms. Piko, so was unaware she had asked a question as well as had called on her. "Erade!", Ms. Piko called out again, to get the young girl's attention this time. Startled out of her little daydream, Erade answered, "Um.. What was the question again?" The other yasi snickered under their breath, because she was caught not paying attention. "I had asked, which example of symbiotic relationship did the algae represent?", Ms. Piko huffed out. She really didn't like repeating herself. "Mutualism", Erade replied plainly. "Yes, mutualism and if you all remember, mutualism is where two species benefit.." Ms. Piko continued to explain what mutualism is, how there are different varieties of it, and how the relationship worked between the Inarta and the algae. By the time she finished her mini lecture, four Avora were patiently waiting at each intersection. They had on green and brown earth tones brydas and matching vinatis. To show their status, they were decorated with small glass beads along the seams to give them a slight sparkle in the borrowed sunlight. One of the Avora had a plain brown apron on while another had a small brimmed hat to protect her from the more harsher sunrays.

[Erade]

Erade was grouped off with five other classmates and was left in charge with the South sector Avora. The south section was where the trees and herbs grew at. The trees growing in there were well over 200 hundred years old. The Avora here had figured out a way to make them grow wider rather than taller due to space limitations. With Autumn quickly approaching, a few of the trees were already showing signs of the change, their leaves becoming various shades of reds, oranges and browns. While the fruit trees were full of their fruits and dropping them to the ground. The trees shared their space with a small herb garden, which sits off to the side of the sector. The yasi were assigned to different task and put to to work. Erade was tasked to weed the herb garden and start picking some of the herbs. Heading off to the little patch, she could hear one of her classmates grumble and complain because she was assigned to clean the mirrors. Erade noticed it was one of the gigglers from before, and couldn't help but laugh at the girl's situation and think karma is just and swift. There wasn't many weeds to pull, to much of Erade's delight, and moved on to harvesting the herbs. The Avora that had escorted them to the south sector was making rounds to see how the yasi were fairing and to ask them questions about gardening and identify the species with the sector. She finally made her way to Erade and began drilling her on the herbs before her. "Out of this herb garden which of these can you identify?" The Avora asked softly. Looking around the patch, Erade pointed to four of the herbs and named them. "Basil, Bay, Parsley, and Oregano" She pointed to two more, "I think that's Rosemary and that over there is Marjoram." The Avora was pleased with her answers and sat down next to Erade. The little artisan was really excited about herbs because she began to point to the rest of the herbs Erade wasn't familiar with and tell her their various uses other than cooking. Erade could barely keep up but was able to retain some of the information the Avora was spewing out. The Avora looked over to the poor teen who was slowly losing her. "I'm sorry, I rambled off there didn't I? I get that way about herbs sometimes, I'm Nakea by the way," she said calmly, returning back to her soft demeanor again. "No its ok, you're passionate about something so that's always good and I'm Erade."

[Erade]

Nakea gave Erade a warm smile and the blush that once was spreading across her face was beginning to lighten up some. "Yes I suppose you are quite right. I have always loved gardening even when I was a young yasi. I remember trying to grow my own garden in the Yasi quarters, only to realize that seeds dont grow well in stone." Both girls had to cover their mouths to keep in their fit of giggles. Regaining her composure before Erade, Nakea got up and brushed off the dirt that clung to her apron. "Well I need to get going, I have to grill your fellow classmates still, it was nice to meet you." Nakea said as she waved to the yasi and made her way to the opposite side of the sector. Erade returned the wave, and went back to picking the herbs and placing them in the small basket beside her. She picked a few more clumps of basil and decided that was enough. She looked around her to see if anyone was paying any particular attention and no one was. Leaving the basket there she made her way past the ancient trees and out of the southern section. Not sure where to go next, Erade made her way to the northern sector where berries were grown. It was pretty late in the summer so all of the berry bushes should be full of berries and growing like weeds. Only two of her classmates was in this section and no Avoras in sight. "The sina berry should be around here somewhere.." Erade mumbled to herself. The sina berry was her favourite besides blackberries. Especially if she managed to get ahold of a sour one. The yasi found a couple bushes of it hiding along side a huckleberry bush. The sina berry bush didn't grow too big and wasn't particularly flashy looking except for its pink to red bell shaped flowers. Looking around again, she plunked a few off and popped them in her mouth. She closed her eyes and savored the sweet but slightly tarty flavor. The little seeds that filled the center of the berry were no problem and she quickly swallowed them. Just then Erade, got a devious idea concerning a certain pepper that is grown in the eastern section. Grinning from ear to ear she got up. As much as she wanted to eat more, Erade knew she better not and continued to look for the peppers.

[Erade]

The little fiery peppers were growing on a stone lattice off on one of the far walls of the eastern sector. These peppers were a favourite among the Wind Reach folk, to add some heat to soups during the winter and to one's libido. Erade intentions were to pick a few and unbeknownst to a few of her classmate, they will eat them.

Picking them would be the easy part because the eastern section was currently vacant. For how long, Erade was unsure so she grabbed a few and shoved them in her sontav. Normally she left it in her little room, but for some reason, when Erade got dressed this morning she felt she would need it today. The tiny girl was glad out of all days, she had decided to wear it, because now it made a makeshift hiding place for a devious deed.

Next the hard part, getting the other yasi to eat the fiery peppers. She headed back to the northern sector where she had seen two of her classmates that had laughed at her earlier. Erade was above revenge but she wasn't above a simple prank. The yasi she was looking for were two girls who thought themselves better than most because their parents were Endals.

The two girls were charged with weed pulling amongst the prickly Thornberry bushes. From just the entrance, Erade could hear them complaining about getting stuck from the thorns and this was beneath them. The tiny girl couldn't help but roll her eyes. They act like they are Avora or Endals and not twelve year old yasi.

Quickly recalling their names, Erade called out to them. "Kiria! Celide!"
She picked up her pace to a slight jog and pulled the peppers out of her sontav before reaching the girls.

Kiria and Celide sneered at Erade's approach, like her very presence would taint them. Even went so far as to step back some, when Erade stopped in front of them. "What do you want?"

Trying to be as nonchalant as possible, the older yasi held out her hand revealing the peppers. "One of the Avora was handing out these in my sector so we could taste them and ask us to give one to the rest of our fellow classmates." Erade could hear the lie in her voice but hoped the two younger girls wouldn't. She especially hoped they were unaware what the peppers were and stupid enough to eat them.

[Erade]

The girls looked skeptical at Erade, then down at the peppers that rest in her open palm. They slowly reached their hands out and took the fiery peppers. Erade had to try hard to keep the excitement off her face and body language. Her muscles were starting to tense up from remaining so rigid.

Kiria and Celide were about to put them in their mouths when Ms. Piko walked it, announced their time was done and that the class was to return to the classroom. She waited by the entrance of the sector for the girls to join her.

Erade internally cursed Ms. Piko's timing and grumbled under her breath as she made her way to the teacher. Looking on the ground, the yasi noticed the two peppers. Maybe the prank was not all lost. The two snobby girls had dropped the peppers on the ground, probably when Ms. Piko interrupted them. Grinning ear to ear mischievously, she picked them back up and dusted them off.

Erade easily caught up to Calide and Kiria. "Wait you forgot your treats." The older yasi handed back to them and took off running as they put the peppers in their mouth.

Erade was already with the rest of her class when she heard the wailing behind her. The snobby girls' mouths were on fire and they were failing their arms, thinking it would help. The only water close by was the water that feed the various plants in the gardens and Erade didn't think the girls would even consider the 'special' water.

Calide and Karia further proved Erade wrong when they stuck their heads in the water. The yasi could barely contain her laughter, and nor could the rest of her class. Erade was sure to get in trouble for this but was well worth it in her opinion well unless they made her next bendi glassblowing.

Ms. Piko helped the girls out of the algae infested water and began to escort them to see a nurse. "You all are dismissed for the rest of the day." Erade thought she managed to get off scotch free but she thought too soon. "Erade we will discuss this later." Ms. Piko said while giving Erade a stern look.

The yasi avoided her glare and murmured something of a confirmation. Well I almost got away with it.

The rest of her class waited until Ms. Piko turned the corner with the girls before dispersing, whispering in hush tones wondering what happened exactly. As her classmates passed Erade they gave her a mix of faces, ones of disgust and others of appreciation. Erade waited even longer to leave. She wanted to extra make sure Ms. Piko was gone. Once she did leave, she had her signature grin on her face as she made her way into the Inner Warrens and onward to her little room where Noralth was waiting for her.

[Harrier]

Skills	Amount
Observation	3
Gardening	2
Subterfuge	2

Lore

Hydroponic Gardens: A study in mutual symbiosis

Hydroponic Gardens (South): For trees and herbs

Herbs: Basil, Bay, Parley, Oregano

Nakea: keeper of the herbs

Identifying Sina Berry bushes

Fiery Peppers: A fine prank

Bonus: You have earned a nickname! Following the fine prank with the peppers, Erade is now known by her classmates as "Pepperade"

Additional Comments: Lots of lores for this. You're definitely getting better at these solos.

(c) abstract