Do You Want to Build a Garden? (Part I)

Posted on 09/27/2023 @ 7:47pm by Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca & Captain Cara Letsul

1,634 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Pages...
Location: Arboretum
Timeline: Current

ON

Cara had set up an interviewing station in part of the arboretum. She was getting just a little bit frustrated. The commander could have done the interviews in her office, but how could she truly get a feel for the candidates unless it was in the very spot that needed to be attended to. The Arboretum. Three protentional candidates had come along, and she took them for a tour of the place, seeing if they had ideas on how to improve or even repair the damage that had been done. To her they just had sterile ideas and even thought of getting rid of the area which had butterflies in it. She gave a sigh and sent them away taking a seat upon the cushioned ornamental chair, just under a flowering arbor.

She poured herself a glass of ginger tea, sweetened with honey, and raised the glass to her lips to take a sip. Her attention was caught by a flower that was just dangling just overhead, it being a climbing rose. "Well now don't worry your pretty head, we'll find the right person to tend to you and your companions." Cara glancing around at the scenery.

She tapped on her combadge, "has there been any other interviewees that have shown up? If so direct them to the arboretum please." She sat back to enjoy her tea, and took solace for the moment in the quietness of her surroundings.

Brianthe hadn't been looking for another position, but when she heard about the attack on Poseidon Station and the damage to the arboretum, followed by a request for a botanist to help with repairs, she applied for an interview and put in a request for a transfer. She knew the job wasn't guaranteed, but if she did get it, she wanted to start work right away. The poor plants would need help as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

When it was her turn to go in, she smiled her thanks and entered the arboretum. It was her first time getting a good look. The damage was worse than she expected. She paused at a bush to look at the leaves and check the soil, then to a vine of flowers to look at the underside of the petals. Yes, they were bad, but not too bad. Most of them could definitely be saved if they started right away.

She found the woman looking at a flower and smiled, sensing a kindred spirit. "Hello. I'm Brianthe Oaxaca."

Cara had paused to take in the fragrance of the rose when she heard a woman's voice. She lowered her gaze from the rose and took in the woman that had just arrived. "Brianthe welcome to the Arboretum. What brings you this way-" she paused for a moment as she checked her padd. "Oh my! So, tell me about yourself please and if you'd like to do so, we can walk instead of sitting down"

"Walking would be good. I'd like to get a better look at the arboretum," Brianthe replied. "What do you want to know? I come from a small colony on Solaria Prime. My grandmother taught me about plants and their uses. That's what first got me interested in botany and horticulture."

This certainly sparked Cara's interest greatly, "Those subjects are very much near and dear to my heart, including this arboretum. I maybe in counseling but things like this are always connected to mental health to help ease the troubles of the soul and mind." Cara remarked with a smile. " Cara rising from her chair. "With all that has happened in the last few months, especially rather recently, I've not been able to put my heart into working on the arboretum. It, to me, is the very heart of the station. There are people who have been able to keep things up but, there just needs to be a bit more. It may even need a touch of magic if you will, to revitalize the place, to do a metamorphosis." Cara walking around the small table she had there, finishing up her tea. Cara placed the glossy black tea cup upon the table caressed the red hibiscus flower upon it, then smiled at Brianthe. "Let’s take a walk, shall we?"

As an empath, she picked up overtones of color. She was also aware that the counselor was a telepath. "Yes. I want to see what you have here, and what condition the plants are in. I agree that we need green spaces to keep us grounded. There's nothing like being around living plants." Bri wondered if the station had any plans for updating the arboretum or if they were simply looking for someone to put things back together.

"I have been thinking of the arboretum getting updated, but don't want to lose a part of the classic areas in here. Such as an area where we've got butterflies that flutter their way amongst the plant life. There is an area where the children can swing on swings a playground and there are fountains. However, I do want someone who has a vision as well as to how the beauty here can be enhanced."

"Butterflies are magical," Bri said softly. "I wouldn't want to get rid of them. Or fountains." She glanced at Cara. "Can you splash around in them?" Fountains were beautiful, yes, but she liked them to be more than decorative. "And the swings: are they for everyone or just children?" The other woman might as well know what type of person Brianthe was before she agreed to let her work here. Adults needed whimsy as much as children did.

She looked around, thinking about updates that might enhance the arboretum itself. "Have you considered a holographic ceiling? It could imitate a day and night sky. You could also have thunderclouds when you mist the plants." Some areas might even do well with an artificial rainfall. Then again, Bri liked walking in the rain--even if it was artificial.

"Oh, the fountains have multiple purposes and yes they can be splashed around in them. And the swings are for everyone." Her eyes lit up as Brianthe continued on with her ideas. "What you say is true and I do so love walking in rain and dancing in it. "An artificial sky with changing of the hours may help people out." Cara stated. "and there being rain. You are truly hitting the key points that I was wanting to hear."

"Well, you have a planet nearby and I'm sure a lot of people go there, but it's nice to control your environment, too. To create areas that appeal to different tastes. I like forests myself, but some people prefer flower gardens, and others like having quiet places to sit and meditate or read." She was looking around as she spoke, imagining how the arboretum as a whole could be utilized. Or enhanced, as there was a lot to appreciate here already. "I assume you want to repair what you have and then make some improvements. It's already a lovely place."

Cara gave a solemn nod. "Yes, I do want it repaired also yes improvements are a definite must." a bright smile lit up Cara's features when Brianthe had spoken of possible new areas reflecting different landscapes. "Holographic sky reflecting the night sky or even the day sky. You are someone who can definitely bring out the true hidden beauty of the Arboretum. I am of a mind to hire you right on the spot. In fact, I could do just that."

Brianthe laughed, delighted by Cara's enthusiasm. Her laughter had a bell-like quality to it. "I'm very pleased that you think so highly of the gardens, and the possibilities. Do you plan to have a role in repairing the arboretum?" While the other woman said she could hire Bri on the spot, the botanist wasn't sure she had the authority. Regardless, Cara would be a good person to work with as she and Bri shared a similar passion for plants.

"I do plan on having a role in repairing it, participating in some of it anyway. And most definitely I do want to see the plans that you come up with especially since I am part of the command staff of this station. I haven't completely introduced myself have i. I am Commander Cara Letsul." then gave a girlish laugh. "I am truly sorry. I am very passionate in getting this area up to par as it is very important in having a bit of green to come to."

"I assumed you were one of those in charge," the Solarian replied. "Of course you would have a say in what's done." She smiled. "It's nice to have someone who wants to be involved rather than say nothing and then complain."

Cara gave out a pffft. " I do not get along with someone like that. I prefer associating with those who are not afraid to get dirty, and make a difference. I don't mind getting dirt and grime beneath what little nails I have." she held up her hands to where it could be seen that she had short nails. "I don't like to have long nails, gets in the way of things when working with the hands."

"Yes." Brianthe held up her own hands. Her nails were neatly trimmed, but short enough for working with dirt and plants. "Sometimes I also go barefoot, depending on where I'm working." She laughed again. "I've been called a bit of a free spirit." Among other things, but generally she didn't mind. Bohemian was one that made her smile, but mostly she just liked being called Romani.

(To be continued...)

Commander Cara Letsul
Operations Commander
Poseidon Station

Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca
Botanist
Poseidon Station

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