Chapter Text
Scott and his father had been running the flower shop together, just the two of them. Yet, it never felt fully completed. Like an unfinished puzzle or a face ripped from a family portrait, Scott’s mother was not here, nor would she be coming back.
Days were full of hard work, smiles, and customers all buying lovely flowers from the florists. The young florist had just turned 21 a mere few days ago. He never celebrated much, a few “Happy birthday!” s from regulars and his father sufficed.
The sun had just started to dim halfway under the horizon, Scott Springwell was eating his dinner, seeming to have gotten carried away sorting the flowers and creating bouquets that he forgot to eat when his father was.
‘Knock knock knock’
Three firm knocks echoed through the room, the only other noise that wasn’t Scott’s spoon scraping his plate. ‘Who would show up at this hour?’ Scott thought to himself, setting his spoon down and making the steps towards the front door. ‘We’ve already closed down shop for the night.’
The lock made a subtle click, creaking open softly as the blond pushed it open, ‘Huh. No one there.’ Scott debated if he was crazy and hallucinated the knocks, or if someone had hit and run. He got his answer when he downcasted his eyes to the doormat, a letter assigned to his address with a fancy wax seal. He knelt down, took it in his hands, and locked the door once more.
He left the note on the dinner table, first washing up and then bringing it to his room to read.
‘This looks important… I should probably read this in the morning, in case Dad has something to do with it.’ That was the final thought that Scott had concluded, setting the letter on his bedside table, blowing out the lantern and snuggling back into bed. His room was glorious in the dark, that’s when his glowberries showed their truest form and shone like golden stars in the sky.
– – – – – – *+☀︎+*– – – – – –
After another busy, content day running the flower shop, they were able to open the letter in the evening.
“Dear Scott Springwell,
Your services are hereby required in the capital city of the Blue Kingdom due to an unexpected mage shortage. The Blue kingdom has treated us well at Barrowhill, and have humbly requested for us to send a mage. You have been chosen by our government as we believe that advanced mage in our town.
Please report to your town commander who will explain your transfer process and organise your travel to the city.
This is mandatory. Failure to comply will result in actions being taken against you.”
His father read out, smiling “Scott, this is an amazing opportunity for you. We would’ve never had the funds to send you to a magic academy, but in Blue kingdom, maybe you’ll be able to foster your mage abilities.” Darius suggested, he attempted to focus on the brighter side, seeing as his son had his arms crossed, unhappy with the task forced upon him.
“Dad, they only picked me because I’m the only mage in town. I’m barely a mage! All I can do is go invisible, and I can’t even control that!” Scott explained, the corners of his lips were downturned in a frown.
“It’ll be okay, Scott. You go to sleep now, okay?” His father supported. Darius had a genuine smile on his face. ‘He reminds me so much of his mother. She would be so proud of how far Scott has come.’
‘I didn’t want this. I don’t deserve this.’ He whispered to himself while climbing the stairs to his room, letter in his hand. ‘All I wanted was to be the florist’s son, eventually taking over the flower shop. Not… whatever this is.’
‘I’m not fit for this.’
– – – – – – *+☀︎+*– – – – – –
He didn’t need much for the journey. He wore his mother’s cloak, an old suitcase full of extra clothes, a satchel of flowers, and some food for the road. He waved farewell to his father, leaving out the door with a hug goodbye from Darius.
“They gave me a compass in the general direction of the Blue kingdom... Let’s hope it works.” Scott mumbled to himself. He could do this.
Off the flower mage went, compass in hand and drifting away from the path of his home. He prayed that once this war was over, he’d be able to return and pursue his true interest: taking over the flower shop.
That shop was built from the ground up, Allura and Darius converted the old shed to a flower shop, their house right beside it. Allura had magic that focused on the growth of plants, and Darius was always drawn towards anything floral. They were a match made in heaven.
The first night, Scott constructed a decent enough shelter with sticks up against a tree, it wasn’t comfortable, but it was something. They never had the materials for camping, as the Springwells never intended to move anywhere else that wasn’t an entire day away.
‘They said the journey takes two days…’ Scott reminded himself, laying his head on his suitcase and taking a nap.
– – – – – – *+☀︎+*– – – – – –
‘Is that it..? Those cobblestone walls?’ Scott wondered, trekking over the cliff side and carefully maneuvering himself down the hills until his feet reached flat, stable ground.
He noticed there were people nearby a large farming area that was full of half-withered crops. ‘Maybe I’ll be useful here.’ The flower mage hopes. Flowers and crops were both plants, so surely it wouldn't be too hard to transfer his knowledge. Scott was polite, meeting others who apparently were also invited to join Blue Kingdom. He found a bubbly rogue who went by Mae intriguing. The two got to know each other whilst discussing where they were from and what they could do to help out the kingdom.
Mae was an excellent builder, and Scott suggested he could lay out paths, tend to the crops and construct a few buildings. Mae commented that she’d be working mainly on the foundations and buildings of the kingdom, making it the best it could be with beautiful views. The two were theorising where they could lay out paths when a blue person with a navy hood slid in front of them.
“Uhhh, hi, I’m 4C!” The person spoke. He didn’t seem human, his skin a vibrant blue which was translucent. An armored black haired man came up behind 4C, swinging his arm around the blue one's shoulders.
“Heya, I’m Nom. Yes, I’m a blue kingdom member and ignore the red of the armor.” The knight (?) spoke, a noticeable accent coming out of his mouth.
The four got to know what roles one another were, 4C being a rogue like Mae, and Nom being a knight. Scott found out that 4C was a slime, so that explained the translucency and more springy steps.
Scott found the other three kind, nice enough to be called friends. He could see himself settling into Blue Kingdom as himself and others put effort into building up the kingdom.
He had the feeling that maybe it was these three who would make it to the end with him by their side.