Chapter Text
Lumidouce Bell, Romaritime Flower and Lakelight Lilies. Neuvillette admired the bouquet of flowers from each angle as he settled down to his desk for another day's work. His favourite flowers in this week's display were the lakelight lilies. He enjoyed how the centre of the flower really did look just like a bubble of hydro. Out of curiosity, he created a small amount of hydro at the top of the flower and watched it roll down the orb, and gather at the base of the petals.
Letting out a gentle sigh, he looked wistfully out the window by his desk. From here he could see clearly the pond where the lilies were grown, and the managed plots where other flowers and herbs were grown. He used to feel bittersweet about the vases of flowers which were cut and prepared weekly for the many rooms across the mansion. While they were beautiful to look at, but cutting down these flowers in their prime seemed so shameful. It was violent and selfish. From his window he could see them flourishing in their natural habitat. Was that not enough?
Idly, his eyes scanned the plots. The marcottes were growing well, their heavy heads bobbing in the light wind. If he looked closely he could see the lotuses, "Pluie" he thought their name was, seemed to be more numerous than last week. Actually, the plot of rainbow roses was doing well too... that was a little odd. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen any of those at all this season.
Neuvillette reached over to the desk, picking up the set of documents due for today and scanned the titles. Reports on air pollution in the former industrial zones, updated measurements on sea levels, and a request for financial aid for the upcoming flower parade in the city. Nothing especially taxing really. Settling into his desk he got started on the paperwork.
Neuvillette sat at one of the garden tables, surrounded by bushes, bulle trees and patches of carefully curated flowers. Above the canopy of trees, the sun was starting to set. This area was often used to host small garden parties. A number of white tables with matching chairs were dotted around the patio. He was joined by his friend, and personal guard, Clorinde. Once his day's work was done, they would usually go out to the garden and soak up some rays of sun in the fresh air. It was a perfect and peaceful end to the day. Honestly, he could almost forget that his family would not give him permission to leave the mansion grounds, and that every day was the same routine. Paperwork, study, and review in his office, followed by a few short hours on the grounds, sleep.. and the same again. Each and every day for the last twenty-five years.
Breaking the silence, he heard Clorinde push out her chair, the metal scraping across the stone. "Excuse me, Sir. I think I heard something over by the west side.. I'll go check now.", she explained curtly, and started to make her way over to the display. "Yes of course, thank you Clorinde, I appreciate it", he responded without much thought. Clorinde was an excellent professional. He hadn't heard anything at all, but she was already checking everything was safe over by the bushes.
"Finally free from the clutches of bureaucracy?"
Distracted watching Clorinde turn the corner, Neuvillette hadn't noticed a second person had come up behind him. "Ah, Wriothesley, I didn't realize you were working here.. we can leave if it's easier", Neuvillette started to reach for his cane. Wriothesley chuckled in response, "No, no it's fine really. I was just looking around before finishing up". Setting his cane back into place, Neuvillette motioned towards the empty chair beisde him, "Would you care to join us then?" he asked, looking up optimistically. Wriothesley nodded, and collapsed into the chair, reaching for a biscuit from the tray laid out for afternoon tea.
"Another difficult day then?", Neuvillette began, the body language a clear conversation starter.
"I guess? It's not really difficult or strenuous", Wriothesley mused in response. "It just feels good to be completely lazy when you've finished everything you needed to, y'know?"
Wriothesley was looking across at him, slouched in his chair, the biscuit already devoured. He was wearing his usual informal uniform, shirt and trousers in browns and greens. Neuvillette didn't particularly feel that the colours suited his complexion, but apparently it was long agreed that the gardening staff should keep to dark, earthy colours. It reflected the work environment. And perhaps more importantly, disguised evidence of the work environment on their clothes throughout the day.
"I suppose a change of pace at the end of the day is a rewarding capstone," Neuvillette responded after a moment's pause. His way of relaxing after a day's work perhaps didn't look like slouching in the nearest chair and gobbling up sweet treats.. but sitting here, enjoying the evening air and taking in the view was one of his favourite ways to end the day. Now that he reflected on it though, spending time on the patio was a relatively new habit he had developed. He smiled a little at the thought. This new habit had grown out a desire to see, and at the time hopefully meet, the new gardener who was looking off to where Cloninde was meticulously searching.
Wriothesley had joined the groundskeeping team as a part of a 'clean industry' initiative his family had been developing. Their nation of Hydro had developed a booming industrial economy over the last century. They discovered a great wealth of minerals under the soil, and their universities developed new technologies to take advantage of these minerals.
However, after a century of intensive development, the previously pristine environment was suffering. Several species of plant and animal neared extinction, and the previously clear and sparkling waterways were filled with filth from the machines. So, his father had proposed a new initiative to move away from these disgusting factories. One phase was to provide alternative work and training to employees from the industrial regions. To get the project started, his family felt they were obliged to take on a number of these employees. Or rather, none of the court would accept it unless the royal family started the process.
Honestly, his infatuation felt trivial when he considered how such a chain of coincidences would let him meet this sweet and handsome man.
"... it's not too different to making things on the assembly line, but making something from start-to-finish, and making something you *want* to, rather than what's been ordered feels totally different to regular work." Wriothesley was explaining empathically, miming out putting pieces together.
"I could see that," Neuvillette began. Wriothesley had discussed previously his hobby of putting together scraps and miscellaneous pieces from the factory he worked at previously. He suspected his engineer friend was being modest when he described the creations as "nick knacks" and "silly toys", but unfortunately he had not seen any of these designs himself. The mansion security did not allow staff to bring metal items into the grounds. "It's like the difference between reading a book assigned as reading, and picking something up out of curiosity." Wriothesley pointed enthusiastically, "Yes! Exactly that!"
Neuvillette smiled. His energy was so infectious. Somehow, when they spent time together, it was easier for him to focus on the good things in life. The hobbies he enjoyed. The time outside of his schedule and duties, which had seemed so all-consuming before.
"Sir, it was my mistake, I found no evidence of an intruder by the gate," Clorinde had returned to his side, brushing away some dirt from her trouser legs. "...However, we seem to have an uninvited guest here now." She gestured at the gardener, clearly exasperated.
"Ah damn it - oh sorry sir - uhm whoopsie-daisy...", Wriothesley was sheepishly rising from his chair. Neuvi's smile faltered. While not a serious offense, only staff members with the highest security clearing were welcome to converse with the family without invitation. "Have a good evening, Sir", and with that Wriothesley disappeared back into the plots behind the patio hedging.
"Let's return to the house Clorinde," Neuvillette said as he stood, trying to hide his disappointment. "There's a novel I was thinking of continuing in the library."