The Botany Bay

[Sirella Valkner]

“Over here.” Sirella said pointing to a patch of ground. She smiled over at Ashin, as if acknowledging that she was still on mission.

Hylo stepped forward, “You’ll take good care of them right?” he blurted. He looked as if he was going to say more, but a look from his mother ended all thoughts. Slouching his shoulders he frowned and put his bare feet into the dirt kneading it with his toes. Then he saw Ashin. “Auntie Ashin!” he said starting to run towards the woman. As his passed by Sirella the woman grabbed his arms and yanked him to her side.

“Come with me,” Sirella said. “You will help Spencer learn.”

“Really?” The boy blushed green. “Okay, I can help.” Sirella led the pair to a clump of tilled earth. “Here.” She proffered a seed in her hand and planted it. The seed popped out of the ground and started to grow until it was a full bush. “My turn,” Hylo ran over to a patch of earth and put a seed into the ground. He closed his eyes and stuck his tongue out the corner of his mouth. Concentrating a small sprout burst from the ground growing to about two inches before the boy let out a big sigh. He was panting a little from the effort and his mother merely shook her head. “It’s all about concentration,” he said. “You focus on life, the cells and then give the plant your energy. Let it be a part of your life.”

“Like a lover,” Sirella interjected. “Now Spencer, I want you to try to sprout one of the plants, and don’t worry if you don’t get it in a single go.”

 

[Allyson Locke]

Everything was going fine and dandy, Spencer listened to the lecture. She watched as Hylo attempted to do what his mother had done, but didn’t yield the same results. A smile crossed her face as she saw that his plant did flourish a bit, he seemed like a really sweet boy. He described what was needed to be done for the plant to sprout. Though Sirella putting in her two cents caused Spencer to go cross eyed for a minute and look over at her.

“Like a lover? I-I-I’ve never had one before…unless Erich counted but…he just…”

Spencer lowered her gaze towards the plant, a sadness washed over her. The girl had come to realize that the man that she was so infatuated with was nothing more than that –a man-. He used her and while she thought about it, her hand went to her neck where scars from his teeth remained against her tender skin.

“I’ve never had a lover before…”

She placed the seed into the dirt and covered it slightly with the loose soil. Closing her eyes she focused on giving the seedling life. She focused hard on every cell that made up the seed wanting and wishing for it to live. After a long 10 to 15 minutes, nothing happened and Spencer fell on her bottom and sighed.

“Its not working, I picked up what Ashin taught me quickly what’s wrong with me?”

 

[Sirella Valkner]

Sirella exchanged a quick command with her son, help. “You won’t get it fast.” Hylo said. He scooted in the dirt closer to her and blushed green. “You’re meat. You just aren’t attuned to the feelings of plants.” Without warning he gently gripped her hand. He stared embarrassed at her for a moment, his eyes locking with hers. After a few awkward seconds he moved around behind her and gripped her other hand as well. “Could you open your palms?” he asked. She opened up her palms and the boy locked his fingers into hers. He plunged her hand into the dirt. “It’s good soil,” he said. “Now you need to reach out and feel the seed.” He maneuvered her hand to where the seed ones. “There is life in it, I’ll help you nudge more energy into its growth.”

Hylo felt Spencer focusing her energy. “Mother taught me a little song to help concentrate.” Sirella barely suppressed a grimace as the boy began to sing;

“Here's a little seed in the dark, dark ground.” He focused the life giving energy on the seed, pushing Spencer’s mind toward it.

“Out comes the warm sun, yellow and round.” The energy flowed freely into the seed.

“Down comes the rain, wet and slow.” The pair could feel the plant start to grow, though there was no visual sign yet. Hylo’s heart was beating heavily against Spencer’s back.

His voice got a little excited as the sprout started to pop up out of the dirt. “Up comes the little seed, grow, grow, grow!” And then they stopped. The little seedling had only reached about half an inch above the ground, but it was progress.

 

[Allyson Locke]

His hands locked with hers, he was gentle and she could feel the work he does in his hands. The soil was rich she could feel it when plunged her hands into the dirt. Spencer held her breath as she listened to him sing. It was a catchy tune and it made complete sense. She hummed along with the boy as she picked up the tune. She felt his heart against her back and it made her turn red compared to his green blush. They were closer than she had expected to get to him in this short time.

The seed sprouted and Spencer smiled as she watched as it burst through the soil. She understood how and what she had to do. Realizing that Hylo still hand her hands within his she coughed slightly and waited for him to release her. She was curious as to why Sirella wasn’t teaching her herself? It was odd, but Spencer didn’t harp on the thought too long. She enjoyed Hylo’s company it seemed their personalities were a bit similar.

“Thank you Hylo, I’m happy it sprouted….it feels so amazing to know that the plant sprouted because of our energy!”

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Good work, Hylo," said Ashin, breaking away from the wall at last. "You always were better at teaching that than I was."

She crossed the room and knelt to examine the seedling, very carefully not commenting on the closeness of Hylo and Spencer. For one thing, Hylo needed someone in his life other than Sirella, and Spencer fit the bill. For another...

Well, she would rather not alienate him. He called her Aunt, sheltered kid that he was, and she would respect that.

"This is a beautiful plant," said Ashin, examining the sprout. "Symmetrical, with good lines, good flow. I can teach you my specialties, and Phylis can too, but I've always believed it's good to be a generalist and be able to pick up tricks and techniques from many branches of the Force. Take knowledge where you can find it, I say.

"You know, Spencer, the things I've been teaching you don't manifest as just mentalism. By reshaping the deeper currents of the Force, you can bend fate and probability to even out things that shouldn't be. You could use to to, say, make sure plant growth is natural and doesn't get twisted and gnarled. Clean lines, that sort of thing."

 

[Hylocereus]

Hylo beamed with a smile. "Aunt Ashin did see Spencer make the plant grow?" The truth was the growth was he had done most of the work, but it didn't matter. "She's a good learner." The boy smiled, his face blushing green. "Where did you find her?" He could have asked Spencer directly, but outside of training he couldn't think of how to say it. Do you just aproach a girl and ask about her life? What if she wants to be private? "She's really nice," he said. "I'm sure we'll be able to grow a tree in a no time." In between sentences he would glance to his mother as if seeking approval, or looking for nearly any expression on her impassive face.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Yes, I saw Spencer make the plant grow. Well done, both of you. I found Spencer, well...I found her bored, and I offered her something interesting. Something significant that'll continue soon enough." Ashin grinned at the two young ones. "Carry on. You deserve some fun. I have to talk plans for, well, a coup d'etat with your mother."

 

[Sirella Valkner]

Sirella looked at her son. "Hylo, I want you to practice with Spencer," she said. "For the next twenty minutes I want you two to take turns making the tree grow until it bears fruit." She bit her lower lip and awkwardly patted her son on the head. "And then you will assist Spencer in making a plant grow from seed by herself.”

She turned to Ashin and the two walked out of earshot. Sector Two was safe, no apprentices would be stupid enough to go into one of the area’s she warned them of. Two already died doing it. “How is everything proceeding Ashin-darling?” she said finally when she was sure the two youths couldn’t hear them.

 

[Hylocereus]

Hylo looked over at Spencer after his mother left. He let out a little sigh of relief. "It's easier when the plant has already sprouted," he assured her. He closed his eyes and stared at the little green protrusion and held his hands around it. The little tree grew another few inches. "Mother said I can't control the force enough to make them grow like she does." It was an offhand statement. "Now you try. We'll take turns..."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Fairly well. I've purchased Mandalore's loyalty in the short term, and suborned certain Sith. I've also mined certain connections in other circles, and I have a lead on a useful artifact from one of the worlds in my possession. Your part in this will come in time. I'm relying on you and on the Mandalorians to ensure that Moridin and I are undisturbed, when the time comes. What can you report? What's your progress?"

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer listened, but she was amazed at the plant that she had grown with the help of Hylo. Looking at the boy she smiled and then returned her attention towards the plant. Ashin of course finally decided to join the group and she praised Spencer which caused the girl to smile even wider than before. The Master spoke about teaching her talents to her and then included Phylis. The mention of her Master made Spencer heart heavy. She had left the Jedi at the temple without leaving a note; the woman must be worried sick looking for her. Nodding, Spencer looked up at Ashin and spoke softly.

“I want to learn everything the force has to give. The Force is everything to me.”

Looking back at the plant she whispered the song again and felt like she had before with the plant. It started to grow a little bit at a time, but Spencer would get tired and she stopped. Spencer didn’t know what to feel right now; mostly she wanted to focus on the plant. Everything that had been going on made her think about home and about the temple. She didn’t want to think about those places, she wanted to focus on her task at hand.

Her head shot up away from the plant as she listened to Ashin talk about a coup d’état. Spencer had heard the words only from studies and she knew it was something that never brought about too much good, unless you were the person that won. Biting her lower lip, something she did whenever she was nervous she watched as the two women left the room leaving her and Hylo alone. The boy was simple and brought her back to the simplicity of the task at hand. She was curious on why Ashin and Sirella were so determined to teach her things. They walked a different path than she did, but she wasn’t going to question it to their faces – she was happy with what she was learning.

“I see, but you do a good job either way Hylo.”

Spencer smiled and took her turn, muttering under her breath the song that helped her focus on the plant. It grew only a couple of inches, but she was exhausted from it. Knowing her own connection to the force was oddly strong for someone as young and inexperienced as she was, she decided to help Hylo have the force power that could help push the tree farther in its growth. Moving close again to him she sat behind him and ran her hands down his arms being close like he was when he helped her. Spencer rested her hands on his forearms and closed her eyes while she rested her head on his shoulder. Taking in a deep breath, she focused her energy into him blending both of their connections like she did when she was with Ashin. It was different here though; she had a stronger current with the boy because she was touching him. As she closed her eyes she could see the currents of their force – his were small and thin almost like someone who didn’t even have control over the living force, her strands which were thicker bound and encircled his. Her face showed some strain, but Spencer allowed herself to fall into the meditative state in which she focused her entire being on the force. Her lips moved her voice a whisper in his ear as she spoke.

“Try it, now.”

 

[Hylocereus]

Hylo suppressed a shiver as his flesh blushed green. This girl was touching him. It was strange, why should he feel this way? He’d never really met a girl before, well besides Aunt Ashin and mother. Maybe that was it, it was just a new experience. “Okay,” he finally croaked out, his voice cracking a little involuntarily. “I’ll try.”

The force was flowing through him, and he could feel the girls influence rolling over him. He focused the new infusion of energy into plant growth and was amazed at how easily he manipulated it. “How…” his voice trailed off. He stared as the plant rose a foot, then two into the air. Hylo wasn’t even tired, normally he would be exhausted from this much growth. Realization hit him and he suddenly stopped. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m stealing your power for this aren’t I?” Gulping hard he turned back to face the girl. His cheek brushed against hers, but he could look to the side into her eyes. Soft pale skin burned green, “I don’t want to tire you out…”

 

[Allyson Locke]

The feeling of the transfer was similar to how it felt to be drained of all your energy. Spencer didnt know how to limit the surge of Force power, so Hylo had free reign of the Force. As he made the tree grow, Spencer watched in awe. Her face though showed the fatigue of the transfer.

He stopped and she felt her body lean against his for support. She was still recovering from the last battle and now she felt even more exhausted. Spencer left her hands on Hylo's forearms she gripped somewhat tightly for support.

A smile crossed her face and she too blushed when his cheek caressed softly against hers. She didnt want to worry him, Spencer wanted to help him give life. Together that's what they did.

"I'll be okay, we made the tree grow so much. We should try and get it to make fruit I could use something to eat."

The padawan didnt move while her chest rose against his back as she took in deep breaths.

 

[Hylocereus]

The girls touch made the young boy feel uncomfortable. Her body was practicaly draped over his, a pose he’d only ever seen with his mothers discarded lovers. There was something comforting in the warmth of her body, and the steady beating of her chest against his back. Hylo frowned. Spencer was using too much energy, she wasn’t maximizing the potential of growth. Meat didn’t understand plants, so it was reasonable. If Hylo had her capacity with the force he’d be able to make trees grow like his mother. Well maybe. He wasn’t sure how to tell her, she seemed so pleased with herself and he was pleased with her. “You could use subtly,” finally he decided to say. “When you push the force into the plant you waste energy. If you continue like that you might get hurt.”

Hylo positioned his hands by the tree again, scrunching his nose in concentration. “You need to find the nexus points, those vital to life, and infuse just them.” He had never been able to do this before, only read about it in the scrolls his mother had given him. “Can empower me again?” he asked. The girl started the process, the swirls of energy near palpable in the air. “Only a little,” he added. “The scrolls say that bigger is better, and in some bases it is. Bigger to make shields or bring great destruction.” He let out a sigh as he explored the plants own field of energy. The energy from his fingers seemed to almost park into the dirt feeding the small fruit tree. “But I’m very small.” The boy smiled at the thought, “but sometimes small is better. A telekinetic who can do small can pinch a mans artery and leave before anyone notices, so the scrolls say. And a small boy can thread the needle of force into the nerve center of the plant, its nexus of life.” His concentration was amplified by Spencer’s presence, and he combined his own power to the girls to create -- life.

The tree exploded with growth, at least compared to the slow tedious movements it had previously made. Leafs formed and bark hardened and the first little fruit started to form, then another. Hylo stopped when he tired, one fully formed fruit and three more starting to ripen on the vine. As Spencers body leaned forward to rest his leaned back. As a final act he willed the tree branch with the fruit to lower towards him. He plucked it and held it tight taking a small bite and then offering it to Spencer.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Tired again. Her body protested against another empowerment, but she listened to the boy and gave him another surge of power. The tree grew, but her eyes remained shut. The connection ended and her grip on his arms loosened as she rested. Hylo pressed back against her supporting her weight. Her eyes fluttered open as she heard the bite of the fruit. He offered her a bite.

Spencer moved her hands to his chest as she pressed her fingers into him. She leaned up and tightened her hold as she bite into the fruit. It was beyond delicious and she smiled nodding. The padawan was both amazed and delighted as she remembered that she had helped create it.

Her arms tightened around his torso as she hugged him in her excitement. Spencer rested her blonde head on his back as she took in another deep breathe.

"Utterly amazing. I've never tasted anything so sweet before! You're amazing Hylo!"

 

[Hylocereus]

Hylo was grateful that the girls eyes were closed, his entire body was green. He felt her gripping her arms around his chest and smiled. It was comforting to be in someone’s arms. That’s when it happened. Before he realized it a small bud had grown out on his head. He panicked hoping the hair would keep it covered. He didn’t need to flower now! How embarrassing would that be? Even if she didn’t see, he’d know. Hylo concentrated on the bud and willed it back to his head letting out an audible sigh. “Mother asked me for this tree specifically,” he said, “I don’t know why.”

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer noticed the little bud sprouting from his head. She didn't say anything about it wondering if thats why his body tensed and he panicked Either way, she figured he would be more plant-like since his mother was Sirella. It seemed to be under control and she could feel his body ease. It was odd, he turned green instead of red like she did, but than that was probably another difference between her 'meat' like body and his plant like body. He didn't feel like a plant though, she held him tightly and it was nice. She had never been this close to someone for so long -- even with Erich he preferred to hold her just for a moment though to exert his dominance. Closing her eyes again she sighed remembering her idiocy in following a Garhoon that literally wanted to eat you every couple of days.

Her fingertips petted against his chest as she thought. She wanted to feel if his skin was different from hers. He was smooth and soft, she wondered if that was because of all the dirt around him. Spencer had read something about how dirt helps exfoliate your skin making it softer -- her mind trailed wondering if she rolled in the dirt if her skin would become soft like his. She nuzzled his back, she was tired from everything that happened today and it was nice to have someone with her. It was a feeling she was never used too despite living in a temple full of other Jedi. No one held her and she never held anyone else. He spoke, she could hear his voice coming from his mouth, but from also inside his body - because she was so close to him. Not moving an inch she rubbed her cheek softly against his back and spoke.

"What kind of tree is it? Is it your mother's favorite?"

 

[Hylocereus]

The girl was all over him. She felt warm, inviting, and he wanted to return her affection. He lifted up his arm and put is around Spencer, his hand combing through her hair. He’d never experienced anything like this before. Once he had caught his mother and one of her discarded lovers in a similar position, but – did this mean they were lovers? The thought brought a shiver up his spine.

The youth had to take several deep breathes to calm himself. He shifted position and turned as best he could, to face Spencer. “It’s a breed of Passiflora edulis native to Serenno. It’s commonly called Sereno Passion Fruit.” As if things weren’t embarrassing enough, he had to blurt that out. He averted his gaze from hers and stared offhandedly at the dirt and ground.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer felt him shift so she did as well letting him hold her and touch her hair. It was an odd sensation but she liked it for the most part. Looking at the tree she blushed at its name and instantly felt awkward.

Regaining some of her strength she stood up and walked over to the tree. Her body was so much smaller with out the heavy robe and tunic. Spencer touched the bark and smiled.

"Its amazing how plants can make even a ship beautiful"

 

[Sirella Valkner]

Hylo resisted a little as Spencer stood up. Despite all his embarrassment he wanted to stay holding onto her. It was strange, that he should feel this way. He stood up and walked up beside her, his hand finding hers and gripping it lightly. “Yeah,” he said, “beautiful.” But his eyes were not on the tree. Weakly he gave a lopsided smile to the girl. “we need to keep practicing. Mother wants you to be able to grow a tree by yourself. I said I’d help.” His heart started to beat harder in his chest and an expression of fear overtook him. “Mother won’t be happy if I don’t teach you.”