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It was not uncommon to find bugs in the greenhouse. They crawled in the dirt and rested on the leaves. Azure had come to see them as friends. Small companions to keep him company while he worked. Often he would see strange bugs while working: a ladybug with only one spot, a spider with markings like a smiling face. All unique and beautiful to him. Many he would find hiding amongst his nightshade. Of course, he would compliment them for their good taste.
On this morning in particular he met a very intriguing little creature. Perched on the largest flower of the largest nightshade was a small praying mantis. What made her so intriguing was that she seemed to only have four limbs. She had forelimbs with which to catch prey, but where there should have been four back legs, there were only two. Upon closer inspection, it was clear she had lost two legs. There was a small stubby remnant of one leg dangling listlessly in front of the back pair. She walked surprisingly gracefully by using her forelimbs as a sort of makeshift pair of legs. When Azure got too close, she leaned back on her abdomen, raising her forelimbs to show her clearly fierce strength and prowess. Azure smiled and raised his hand in surrender. It was clear he needed to placate this fearsome warrior if he valued his life.
“No need to fear my friend, I mean you no harm.”
Eventually, realising the situation would not escalate, the mantis lowered her forelimbs back onto the flower petal to balance herself. Gently she swayed her head from side to side trying to decipher the motive of this giant intruder.
“Ah forgive me my friend. My name is Azure. I am the caretaker of this garden. I do hope we can be cordial to each other.” They bowed politely. She considered his greeting for a long moment before seemingly accepting him as part of her garden. With the greetings out of the way, she went about the task of preening herself with one forelimb. Azure was content to watch her for a time. This tiny warrior intrigued him deeply. Despite being almost entirely disabled she had a strange confidence about her.
Eventually, of course, Azure had to begin with his routine of caring for the crops, but he entertained himself by “talking” to her as he worked.
“It makes me happy to know you’ve chosen that particular plant as your home, little warrior,” he said as he went about the task of weeding the potatoes. “That plant I began to grow as a gift for my beloved partner, Twotime. We planted it and cared for it together, and I’m sure with you protecting it, it will become very lovely and beautiful indeed.”
The little warrior almost nodded with content at this idea, though that was quite impossible. Insects can’t nod, and they certainly don’t speak English.
Azure finished up his tasks around noon, meaning he would be able to take the scenic route home and arrive early for evening sermons. He gave the greenhouse one more scan to make sure he hadn’t missed anything.
“Well I do hope to see you again little warrior, and if I do not, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Azure bowed with exaggerated flair towards the little mantis atop her nightshade throne. She coincidentally inclined her head, almost like she was nodding at him. Azure smiled at the strange timing before turning and closing the door to the greenhouse.
The next morning, Azure arrived early. With him he held a some what large fly he had caught. While he wouldn’t be surprised if the little warrior was no longer there, he supposed some food would do her good if she had remained. To his delight, she was perched almost expectantly on the very same nightshade where he had first encountered her.
“Ah, good morning, little warrior. I do hope you are doing well this fine day. It might please you to know I’ve brought you some food.” He inclined his head playfully, before holding out the large fly by its wings to her. Upon realizing the fly was in fact food, she snatched it from him with great vigor. Azure found himself quite pleased that she was enjoying his tribute. While she enjoyed her meal, Azure made himself busy with watering the crops. After finishing up with watering he pulled on a pair of thick leather gloves so he could safely care for the nightshade. The little warrior was seemingly not pleased with him messing with her domain, and raised her forelimbs in a truly terrifying display.
“Ah, no need to worry, my friend. I just want to water and prune my nightshade. I do hope that is acceptable.” He smiled as calmingly as he could muster without laughing. Surprisingly, she actually lowered her forelimbs, as if she understood him. And then, even more shockingly, she inclined her head in a nod. Azure’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. No. It was most likely another well timed coincidence…right? Azure shook his head and continued with his work.
Again, he finished around noon, but this time he decided to linger a little longer to watch the little warrior go about her activities. It was odd how highly intelligent she seemed. Her eyes held something far beyond that of a normal insect. He ended up spending way more time than he thought just watching her, and only noticed that time had passed when the greenhouse began to fill with the amber light of sunset. Oh, spawns, he was late for evening sermons! Maybe if he ran he could make it.
Over the weeks, he began observing his little warrior companion. She almost always spent her time resting on the large nightshade. Despite her confidence and strength, her lack of limbs clearly made life much harder for her. It saddened Azure deeply to see her in pain. He tried to make her life easier by bringing her food and chatting with her. He told her everything; his interests, his fears, his dreams for the future. Eventually, one week, he realized he had known her long enough that he should clearly be calling her by a proper name rather than “little warrior.”
“You always sit so regally in that nightshade blossom. Perhaps that’s what I’ll call you: Blossom?”
She seemed accepting of this name, though she fixed him with an exasperated look at his lack of creativity. Azure laughed at her surprising expressiveness. Of course, he really shouldn’t be surprised at this point. She was a magical little creature.
Often, Azure would talk about Twotime. After all, he loved his partner dearly, even if they did act like a feral kitten at times.
“They are very sweet, though I haven’t seen much of them. After beginning their apprenticeship with Amarah, they’ve been quite busy. I suppose worship is very important, but I miss spending time with them.”
Eventually, it seemed Blossom had claimed Azure as a part of her little kingdom. She would look at him expectantly whenever he showed up, waiting for her daily offering. She would get snippy if he showed up late, and stare at him until he explained himself. She was grumpy, sure, but Azure had come to realize she cared about him. It was nice to know that there was someone who cared now that Twotime was becoming more and more distant. His once goofy and excitable partner was becoming more and more obsessed with their worship. They seemed shaky, tired, sad. That in turn began to make Azure sad, seeing someone he loved so much losing their spark.
Blossom seemed to notice his sadness, and she was not happy about it. Every time Twotime became the topic of conversation, she would bristle. Unfortunately, she seemed to blame Twotime for Azure’s unhappiness, and every time Azure tried to defend Twotime Blossom would strike a threat pose at him, like she knew something he didn’t.
Nearly a month had passed, and now Blossom was what Azure considered to be a close friend. She was the only one who seemed to look at him kindly anymore. Even his friends within the church looked at him like something sad was going to happen. Azure knew something was wrong, but he tried to ignore it. The spawn would do right by him. It always did. He spent nearly all his time in the greenhouse now, hiding away from those mourning looks everyone gave him. Recently, he had taken up a project of a new kind; one Blossom clearly didn’t approve of, but silently supported nonetheless, as she always did.
He had begun carving a wooden engagement ring. He wasn’t sure why he had decided now of all times was a good time to propose, but if something bad was truly going to happen, he had to make sure Twotime knew how much he loved them before it happened. Blossom sat staring judgmentally from her nightshade throne as he worked.
“I really don’t see why you are so biased against them. They really are a sweet person. Life has been stressful for all of us right now,” he mumbled, trying not to fumble with his carving knife. He jumped nearly a foot in the air as a gentle knock rapped against the frame of the green house.
“Good evening Azure,” a soft, familiar voice greeted.
Twotime stood quietly in the doorway, one hand braced against the door frame. Their hair was messy, and their eyes were red rimmed and dark with shadows. Azure jumped up and ran over to embrace them.
Oh, spawns, his poor partner was so much bonier than before. They hugged him back but their hands shook.
“I’ve missed you, my nightshade,” he whispered gently. They were so fragile now, he worried even speaking too loud would break them.
“I’ve missed you too, angel.” They sounded as though they were on the verge of tears.
“Nightshade, darling, there’s someone I would like you to meet, if that’s alright.” Azure took both their hands in his, guiding them over to where Blossom perched. Twotime stared in minor confusion at first, then looked at Azure for explanation.
“Ah, this is Blossom. She’s been keeping me company this past month.”
Twotime nodded, seeming to immediately understand without question. They bowed politely to Blossom.
“I thank you for caring for my angel.”
Blossom scanned them with a look falling somewhere between pity at their declining health and disdain at something Azure couldn’t quite pinpoint. Twotime looked back apologetically, the two seemed to be having a silent and very heavy conversation. Finally Twotime lowered their head in what seemed to be shame, and turned to Azure. They just couldn’t bear to keep looking at her.
“Azure, I was hoping, with the sun setting, that you and I could walk together. We’ve spent so little time together recently, and… I would like to take one more walk with you.” they whispered nervously.
Azure wanted to cry with joy. Of course he would walk with them again.
“Yes, yes, of course, my nightshade.” He embraced them tightly, before letting go in panic that he had hurt them. Twotime smiled sadly and turned gently on their heel to walk out the door. Azure flapped his hands happily. Quickly he scooped up the ring and a bundle of slightly wilted roses he had prepared a few days before. He stumbled towards the door excitedly but stopped when he heard a worried chitter from Blossom. It was the first time he had ever heard her make a sound. She looked so concerned. Azure sighed softly and walked back over to the nightshade bush.
“Don’t worry, little warrior, I’ll be back soon, alright?”
He reached out and gently brushed her head. She nudged up into it like a cat.
“Azure? Are you coming?” Twotime’s voice carried with soft finality, but Azure didn’t catch it.
“Yes I’m coming.”
Azure didn’t come back that night, but Twotime did. Their robes were stained and their face was covered in pink tear streaks. In their arms they held a wilted rose bouquet and on their finger they wore a hand carved wooden engagement ring. They fell to their knees in front of Blossom, bursting into sobs.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so so sorry. Forgive me.”
She knew. She knew what they did the moment she saw them. Slowly she lifted herself, and turned away from them.
They got the message; this murderer would not earn her forgiveness. And so, very shakily, they stood and left, leaving her to cope with the loss of her gardener.
Without Azure, the days began to blur into a pointless mass. She couldn’t hunt the way she was. The only one keeping her from starving had been Azure, and now he was gone. Each day passed, thinner and hungrier, but she didn’t bother to try and find food. Even if she could catch something, her gardener was gone, and so there was nothing left for her.
“Oh, how [sad].”
This voice was new. It wasn’t Azure’s kind, gravelly tone, nor was it Twotime’s sad lilt. This voice was metallic, deep and grating. With the small amount of remaining strength she had, she dragged herself around with her forelimbs. Before her was a shadowy figure. Red code flickered through its entire being. It wore a tall shadowed top hat, and seemed to carry a malignant aura.
“A [little warrior] all alone.” Its voice mimicked Azure mockingly. That infuriated her, and though she had little to no strength, she raised her forelimbs, ready to defend the honor of her gardener.
“How fierce, you’ll do nicely.”
It reached for her. She tried to strike, but had no strength left, and ended up enclosed in inky darkness.
She awoke to a familiar bittersweet sensation. A finger, stroking her head. No, not a finger, an entire hand, and a voice.
“Hello, little warrior.”
Azure, that was Azure’s voice. Her vision returned suddenly. Standing before her was her beloved gardener, except different. His skin was inky black, and protruding from his back were four gnarled vines that moved on their own like sentient beings. But most startling was how small he had become, she towered over him in almost the same way he used to tower over her.
She herself was different, too. Her eyes saw in new ways, and she felt a kind of strength she had never had before, like she could tear through walls if she so desired. Her mouth, which before had only split into three segments, now split into six, that bloomed open like a nightshade flower. And her legs, they were different, new, strong. strong enough to finally carry her again after being so long without that right. Tentatively she lowered herself down to her gardener.
“It’s good to see you again, Blossom.” he spoke in that same kind voice she remembered on the night she lost him. She bumped her new, larger head against his chest. Yes, the feeling was mutual. And now that she had him again, she would protect her gardener forever.