Flower Fields

Min

These days, people call me “Min.” I’m the great deity of my home island, Astera Isles- a tropical island with no winters or falls! I’m worshiped by my followers- Leafeon, and I work soooo hard to make sure my island stays lush and safe! 

The island wasn’t always this beautiful, though... Once upon a time it was a wasteland- but that was then and this is now, you know? It’s not all that clear, so I mean-

Right! You’re probably wondering why I can be in my “sky” form, day or night! That’s because I’m a deity, and being a deity means you don’t have to turn into a hamster! Pretty great, right?

More about my followers! There’s Elder, who is a dear friend of mine- but he’s not my “elder”, you know? We’ve known each other so long, I can’t even remember how I met him! There’s also his daughter, “Emini” and her two friends, “Odelia” and “Gwyneth”! They’re all great kids!

“Emini” is a weird name? Yeah! Odelia thought of that one! Her real name is “Emi” but it would’ve been confusing having two “Emi”s, right?

The other “Emi” is older than “Emini,” so it makes sense! He’s my personal student but... well I guess you could say he’s a very reluctant learner. 

... if the average taciturn character has “a chip on their shoulder”, well... Emi is a sphere! From all the chipping???

We don’t always get along, I guess. But anyway.

I’m trying to teach him and the kids how to respect nature! What else would you expect from a life spirit like me? We’ve... uh. Well, we’ve been working on it. The kids are alright, but Emi isn’t really... apt? Apt, sure. 

He’s... uh, a late bloomer.

But enough about him! More about me!

I’m about 5000 years old. Sounds pretty old, huh? Heh. It’s not though. Actually, I’m pretty young for a deity! You wanna see ancient? Look at my Mom.

Oooh, I shouldn’t have said that. But it’s fine. My Mom is Mother Nature more or less. Really, not all that important- she’s not really the kind of mom that makes you cookies... orr.... exists on this plane of existence?

Anyway. Wait, where are you going?? Did I talk too much again?

-

Emi

What? You want to know about the island?

I guess if you want an objective view, I’m the best one to ask. 

Astera Isles is protected by the deity- I guess you would call him “Min.” All of his followers are Leafeon- Eevee do not exist here. Instead, you are born as a Leafeon- a small one, I guess. 

Most of the inhabitants here have never even heard of an “Eevee.” Most of the inhabitants have never even left this island, even if they wanted to.

I have a chip on my shoulder? I do. I’ve always been difficult to work with. Even when I was a child. You can even see in in my... my family pictures. That was a while ago, though- I haven’t lived with them for a long time.

I’m shiny, yeah. It’s nothing special. Just random chance. 

Back to my disagreeable attitude. The deity is annoying. You’d be constantly annoyed if you had to deal with him every single day for pointless lessons. I’d rather go looking for garbage. 

More about him? Nah. He’s boring. Let’s talk about his followers instead.

This time around, there’s three kids- Odelia, Gwyneth and... Emi. Everyone calls her “Emini” so they don’t get confused between us.

Yeah, we have the same name. It’s a placeholder name. I don’t really answer to my name as is, so it doesn’t really bother me. Why would it? It’s just a name.

Anyway. They’re currently learning under the Deity in preparation for the Tree Bonding- that being a coming of age ceremony of sorts. I’d explain more but I don’t really feel like it.  As them- they’ll be happy to tell you.

-

Emini, Gwyneth and Odelia

HERE I AM!! ODELIA!

Stop yelling! Geeze!

I’m Odelia! My Mom is a baker and my dad eats a lot! I also like eating a lot! This is Gwyneth! His mom is an artist- no THE artist! And over here is Emini! Her dad is Elder...!

Um-

Emi is usually around, too! But I guess he’s busy right now? We’re the only kids on the island, though!

It gets pretty boring only having two other kids to play with, but...

... policy is policy...?

What’s that? You wanted to know about the Tree Bonding? Or just Trees?

Do you think I get to pick what kind of apple Tree I bond with? Because I don’t want to get stuck with Granny Smith apples!!! 

You should be happy with whatever you get, Odelia... Trees are... more important than anything. 

I mean, that’s what we’re in school for! So it better be important.

Emi doesn’t really care about them, though.

-

Emini

Why do you think people outside the island talk like a leader would step down or... stop being a leader?

I can’t imagine my father would stop being Elder... he’s always been Elder. He’s proud of what he does- very proud. He’ll always be the Elder. 

-

Gwyneth

... Emi acts like he doesn’t care about Deity and all the stuff we do in Deity’s name. He’s really proud about it, too. 

He knows all the songs of Deity by heart. Isn’t that kind of weird for someone who... just doesn’t care...?

... maybe being Wilted is too much to care about anything. Even things you loved. 

-

Emi

What’s being Wilted, and why am I?

“Terminal” is the most apt word for what it is. But it’s more than that. 

What happened to the Heart?

You really didn’t notice??? It’s always been one solid line!

I do not believe so. 

... then he’s just going to stay like this forever? He keeps yelling at me randomly! I don’t like it...

... I did not say he could not be fixed- only that I cannot fix him. 

... temporary. It is a transient state that he will recover from... eventually. 

... okay...

... but what am I supposed to do, Dad? He’s acting like I know him- I mean, I know him, but I’m not who he thinks I am! I’m not “Dee.” I don’t even know who that is...

...

... Emi... may I ask you a favor?

... I guess so. You want me to pretend? Why?

... this is only temporary. Thus... I suppose I see no reason to bring the realities of the past to his attention. 

... you have been gifted a chance to see him in a way very few have. I believe you should treasure it. Is this alright?

...

... I’ll do it, Dad.

Thank you, Emi. Sincerely-

Two paintings.