The sky almost fell that day

[A voice called out, belonging to a figure just out of view, looking like they were already halfway done assembling their easel before noticing someone else was in the vicinity. They had paused rather awkwardly, already prepared to start packing up at the word.]

( @ahtsy-voyager )

[The red furred fella had turned quickly to the sound of a voice, clearly having been slightly spooked. They had still been on edge after the sight they had beheld earlier- word from those who have seen the rift closed before have told them that it had been... really close.]

[It was a bit frightening to know the end of the world had almost occurred, so it... might be a bit before sudden greetings or similar little things didn't get them all jumpy.]

[Realizing they had been staring for a couple of seconds, they quickly shook their head, tail tucking just so between their legs]

"No... I-I mean..- I mean no as in- as in go on right ahead...! I uh... I don't mind or nothin..."

[Its not like there's much to be distracted from. They're just assessing the damage to their poor gardens. Can't be transplanting any new flowers until the seedlings they've gotten started begin sprouting.]

"Cammie." [The other had said in a little breath]

"M-My name. It's. Cammie. Short for uh. For Camellia."

[And it quickly stretched a hand forward, glancing away with a touch of embarrassment]

"...I-I..."

"...Do... Do you have anything to deal with... with the pain..? I.. I don't think it'd be better than... than anything a doc could provide, but... But I have a few flowers in my home that.."

[A waver to their voice.]

"That help a bit with muscle pains...?"

[He offered his hand curled for a fist bump in lieu of a handshake, preferring to give their arm a break for now.]

"Dat's real sweet a yous ta offah, hon! I... 'Spose I wouldn't mind seein' what yew had."

"A..Ahah- You can just uh.. follow me if ya'd like. Not too far aways from here now... I uh... live close by.."

[A voice called out, belonging to a figure just out of view, looking like they were already halfway done assembling their easel before noticing someone else was in the vicinity. They had paused rather awkwardly, already prepared to start packing up at the word.]

( @ahtsy-voyager )

[The red furred fella had turned quickly to the sound of a voice, clearly having been slightly spooked. They had still been on edge after the sight they had beheld earlier- word from those who have seen the rift closed before have told them that it had been... really close.]

[It was a bit frightening to know the end of the world had almost occurred, so it... might be a bit before sudden greetings or similar little things didn't get them all jumpy.]

[Realizing they had been staring for a couple of seconds, they quickly shook their head, tail tucking just so between their legs]

"No... I-I mean..- I mean no as in- as in go on right ahead...! I uh... I don't mind or nothin..."

[Its not like there's much to be distracted from. They're just assessing the damage to their poor gardens. Can't be transplanting any new flowers until the seedlings they've gotten started begin sprouting.]

"Cammie." [The other had said in a little breath]

"M-My name. It's. Cammie. Short for uh. For Camellia."

[And it quickly stretched a hand forward, glancing away with a touch of embarrassment]

"...I-I..."

"...Do... Do you have anything to deal with... with the pain..? I.. I don't think it'd be better than... than anything a doc could provide, but... But I have a few flowers in my home that.."

[A waver to their voice.]

"That help a bit with muscle pains...?"

[A voice called out, belonging to a figure just out of view, looking like they were already halfway done assembling their easel before noticing someone else was in the vicinity. They had paused rather awkwardly, already prepared to start packing up at the word.]

( @ahtsy-voyager )

[The red furred fella had turned quickly to the sound of a voice, clearly having been slightly spooked. They had still been on edge after the sight they had beheld earlier- word from those who have seen the rift closed before have told them that it had been... really close.]

[It was a bit frightening to know the end of the world had almost occurred, so it... might be a bit before sudden greetings or similar little things didn't get them all jumpy.]

[Realizing they had been staring for a couple of seconds, they quickly shook their head, tail tucking just so between their legs]

"No... I-I mean..- I mean no as in- as in go on right ahead...! I uh... I don't mind or nothin..."

[Its not like there's much to be distracted from. They're just assessing the damage to their poor gardens. Can't be transplanting any new flowers until the seedlings they've gotten started begin sprouting.]

[It pressed its hands together tightly, a motion to try and emphasize what they were saying.]

"Close.."

[They were a bit fidgety alright- Hard to capture the face when it couldn't seem to keep eyecontact. It would shift to looking into his eyes, then down at their arm, the canvas (what they could see of it anyway) and repeat. It had been distracted from the rest of their job- there wasn't much to do anywho it supposed.]

"Oi... What didn't happen...?"

"I was one a day guys present on da Spire dat day... Got tossed about real good up deah. I realized pretty quick dat sumthin' wit righty wasn't doin' all righty while everyone else was busy makin' up and sayin' sorry..."

[He sighed, shoulders drooping.]

"I wasn't even supposeta be deah, is da funny thing. I was headin' to da print shawp wit a new portrait a' da boss, when I got swept up in all da madness..."

[Despite how the situation sounded, Ahtsy didn't appear angry or upset. Rather, perturbed.]

"I don't really see da boys or get updates on things very often since I'm always out creatin'... If I'dave finished dat painting a day latuh, I woulda been in da dahk about da truth a' what happened fer who knows how much longah... Woulda nevah known about how da boss had been feelin'..."

[Another sigh. In the passion of their monologue, they had stopped painting. They resumed with some hastened dabs at the canvas, shaking their head in embarrassment.]

[Cam took a quiet breath, the slightest tremble of their lower lip. Man... It sounded so intense... Truth be told, they're a bit in the dark about the whole situation themselves. Of course they watched the rift close- I don't think anyone wouldn't have or... couldn't have...- But the light sort of stung their eyes, and they couldn't hear all the voices through the heavens-] [But they HAD seen the ascension, Once the rift was somewhat closed, once the light wasn't as blinding. They had seen how King had emerged. And Grandma was right, it was beautiful!] [She was beautiful.]

"I-I've uhm... I've only been... gathering bits and bobs from all the gossip n' stuff coming out... Blokes talk around me a lot, so I pick up the gist."

[Another breath, adjusting their glasses once more- Looked like they were a bit too loose with how they keep touching them.]

"I... I'm sorry about... About what you're going through... it sounds like you're in the midst of all of it. I uh... I don't.. Blame any of yous.... It sounds like yous weren't really aware o' the plan.. And uhm..."

[Quietly an arm came to rub at their arms, trying to weigh their words. Oh, how to put this...]

"That's real nice a youse ta say... It was pretty hard to hea, comin' from da horse's mouth. Came to find out that some of us knew, some didn't... Loike me."

[They tried to spin their brush skillfully in their right hand...]

"You could say we're real similah in dat regahd-"

[Only to suddenly wince, and drop it. Normally, it was something they were used to doing without a second thought as a sort of absent fidget, but it would seem that trick would have to be relearned.]

"Eheh... ouchy. Um. B-but when I do get info, it's from people-watchin' from whatevah cornah I've tucked myself into."

[They recovered their brush as quickly as possible, trying to pretend it didn't happen.]

"Da boss is real sawrry though... Nevah seen more remorse in a man's eyes than I did dat day. He's prahmised ta change fer da better - even turned down his own godhood. If dat ain't sacrifice, I don't know what is."

[They took a couple steps back, gaze flickering between the canvas and their subject, nodding satisfactorily.]

"Just about finished, by the way - feel free to catch a look-see."

"I suppose... I.. I really hope he holds true to that promise... Can't do much more damage since hes... like us now, though, so uhm.."

[A sigh]

"I'll try not to worry too much about it..."

[Then, they gave a slight tilt of it's head once it was prompted to come over. Setting down their bag of wilted petals, they began to walk over from their spot.]

[And as soon as they caught a glimpse..-]

"..!!!"

[They had been rendered speechless, a clear glisten in their eyes, a sparkle, at just... how beautiful it was. More beautiful than, in their opinion, their own arrangements.]

"That's... that's absolutely incredible..."

[The glisten turned visibly into little pricks of wetness, it taking a paw to wipe at the corners of their eyes]

[A voice called out, belonging to a figure just out of view, looking like they were already halfway done assembling their easel before noticing someone else was in the vicinity. They had paused rather awkwardly, already prepared to start packing up at the word.]

( @ahtsy-voyager )

[The red furred fella had turned quickly to the sound of a voice, clearly having been slightly spooked. They had still been on edge after the sight they had beheld earlier- word from those who have seen the rift closed before have told them that it had been... really close.]

[It was a bit frightening to know the end of the world had almost occurred, so it... might be a bit before sudden greetings or similar little things didn't get them all jumpy.]

[Realizing they had been staring for a couple of seconds, they quickly shook their head, tail tucking just so between their legs]

"No... I-I mean..- I mean no as in- as in go on right ahead...! I uh... I don't mind or nothin..."

[Its not like there's much to be distracted from. They're just assessing the damage to their poor gardens. Can't be transplanting any new flowers until the seedlings they've gotten started begin sprouting.]

[It pressed its hands together tightly, a motion to try and emphasize what they were saying.]

"Close.."

[They were a bit fidgety alright- Hard to capture the face when it couldn't seem to keep eyecontact. It would shift to looking into his eyes, then down at their arm, the canvas (what they could see of it anyway) and repeat. It had been distracted from the rest of their job- there wasn't much to do anywho it supposed.]

"Oi... What didn't happen...?"

"I was one a day guys present on da Spire dat day... Got tossed about real good up deah. I realized pretty quick dat sumthin' wit righty wasn't doin' all righty while everyone else was busy makin' up and sayin' sorry..."

[He sighed, shoulders drooping.]

"I wasn't even supposeta be deah, is da funny thing. I was headin' to da print shawp wit a new portrait a' da boss, when I got swept up in all da madness..."

[Despite how the situation sounded, Ahtsy didn't appear angry or upset. Rather, perturbed.]

"I don't really see da boys or get updates on things very often since I'm always out creatin'... If I'dave finished dat painting a day latuh, I woulda been in da dahk about da truth a' what happened fer who knows how much longah... Woulda nevah known about how da boss had been feelin'..."

[Another sigh. In the passion of their monologue, they had stopped painting. They resumed with some hastened dabs at the canvas, shaking their head in embarrassment.]

[Cam took a quiet breath, the slightest tremble of their lower lip. Man... It sounded so intense... Truth be told, they're a bit in the dark about the whole situation themselves. Of course they watched the rift close- I don't think anyone wouldn't have or... couldn't have...- But the light sort of stung their eyes, and they couldn't hear all the voices through the heavens-] [But they HAD seen the ascension, Once the rift was somewhat closed, once the light wasn't as blinding. They had seen how King had emerged. And Grandma was right, it was beautiful!] [She was beautiful.]

"I-I've uhm... I've only been... gathering bits and bobs from all the gossip n' stuff coming out... Blokes talk around me a lot, so I pick up the gist."

[Another breath, adjusting their glasses once more- Looked like they were a bit too loose with how they keep touching them.]

"I... I'm sorry about... About what you're going through... it sounds like you're in the midst of all of it. I uh... I don't.. Blame any of yous.... It sounds like yous weren't really aware o' the plan.. And uhm..."

[Quietly an arm came to rub at their arms, trying to weigh their words. Oh, how to put this...]

[A voice called out, belonging to a figure just out of view, looking like they were already halfway done assembling their easel before noticing someone else was in the vicinity. They had paused rather awkwardly, already prepared to start packing up at the word.]

( @ahtsy-voyager )

[The red furred fella had turned quickly to the sound of a voice, clearly having been slightly spooked. They had still been on edge after the sight they had beheld earlier- word from those who have seen the rift closed before have told them that it had been... really close.]

[It was a bit frightening to know the end of the world had almost occurred, so it... might be a bit before sudden greetings or similar little things didn't get them all jumpy.]

[Realizing they had been staring for a couple of seconds, they quickly shook their head, tail tucking just so between their legs]

"No... I-I mean..- I mean no as in- as in go on right ahead...! I uh... I don't mind or nothin..."

[Its not like there's much to be distracted from. They're just assessing the damage to their poor gardens. Can't be transplanting any new flowers until the seedlings they've gotten started begin sprouting.]

[It pressed its hands together tightly, a motion to try and emphasize what they were saying.]

"Close.."

[They were a bit fidgety alright- Hard to capture the face when it couldn't seem to keep eyecontact. It would shift to looking into his eyes, then down at their arm, the canvas (what they could see of it anyway) and repeat. It had been distracted from the rest of their job- there wasn't much to do anywho it supposed.]

[A voice called out, belonging to a figure just out of view, looking like they were already halfway done assembling their easel before noticing someone else was in the vicinity. They had paused rather awkwardly, already prepared to start packing up at the word.]

( @ahtsy-voyager )

[The red furred fella had turned quickly to the sound of a voice, clearly having been slightly spooked. They had still been on edge after the sight they had beheld earlier- word from those who have seen the rift closed before have told them that it had been... really close.]

[It was a bit frightening to know the end of the world had almost occurred, so it... might be a bit before sudden greetings or similar little things didn't get them all jumpy.]

[Realizing they had been staring for a couple of seconds, they quickly shook their head, tail tucking just so between their legs]

"No... I-I mean..- I mean no as in- as in go on right ahead...! I uh... I don't mind or nothin..."

[Its not like there's much to be distracted from. They're just assessing the damage to their poor gardens. Can't be transplanting any new flowers until the seedlings they've gotten started begin sprouting.]

[They tossed an awfully familiar red beret some distance away carelessly, then rolled their right shoulder a couple times, wincing a bit.]

"Should be fine... Yeeah. I'll... Be aight."

[They muttered, mostly to themselves, before rummaging through their bag of art supplies.]

"E-Eehh?!.. a... a portrait? Y...you don't... mean of me, do ya..?"

[They glanced away a bit- it was rather hard to tell if they were embarrassed or not, considering their complexion was already red to begin with.]

"Ohhhh... Oh I.. I don't know... Id... Gee, I'd feel awful bad if y' hurt y'self more painting a... a picture of me..."

[A surprising first encounter to be sure... was this fella busking? They didn't have any coin on them at the moment... And since the bulk of their flora died, no gifts of that sort neither.]

[Ahtsy was already framing the florist with squared-off fingers, his tongue stuck out and an eye shut in concentration.]

"Paintin' folks was kinda my thing before I got lumped wit da Bizzyboys. And while I love da big boss - Rift incident and all - I've been drawin' da guy fer months. Yew'll make fer a nice change-a pace!"

[Picking up a lightweight sketching pencil, they flexed their fingers around the wood to test their grip. Muscles were still tight alright, but it was to be expected...]

[They were oh so flattered! Just before, they had expected their day to consist of quietly yanking up drowned flowers and trying to save what they could. Now, however, they've been chosen by this stranger to be their next painting! There was definitely a new glimmer of joy behind those round lenses of theirs now!]

[As they wrapped up their sketch and began prepping their pallete, they couldn't help but wonder about the flighty figure coming to life under every stroke of their brush. So, contrary to their promise, they spoke up.]

"Yew got a story, pal?"

[Eyes trailed to a bag of plucked weeds, petals and florets. Not too long winded now...]

"I dunno, I... I suppose I'm just a simple landscaper... A.. A florist." [They rub their gloved paws down on their overalls, mucky water slightly tinging the minty blue fabric] "I do a little bit everywhere, but... I do most of it.... here." [It wrings its paws together quietly] "... It's how I worship in a way... There were a lot more before... Before the floodings. Gosh, Half the flower beds were made of arrangements that could not handle that amount of water, Lots got washed out so... I'm trying to do what I can." [A sigh, Bringing a digit up to push their glasses back up the bridge of their nose.] "I don't blame the Miss, though... It was a rather cruel letter. I'd never blame her for such... Never."

[A voice called out, belonging to a figure just out of view, looking like they were already halfway done assembling their easel before noticing someone else was in the vicinity. They had paused rather awkwardly, already prepared to start packing up at the word.]

( @ahtsy-voyager )

[The red furred fella had turned quickly to the sound of a voice, clearly having been slightly spooked. They had still been on edge after the sight they had beheld earlier- word from those who have seen the rift closed before have told them that it had been... really close.]

[It was a bit frightening to know the end of the world had almost occurred, so it... might be a bit before sudden greetings or similar little things didn't get them all jumpy.]

[Realizing they had been staring for a couple of seconds, they quickly shook their head, tail tucking just so between their legs]

"No... I-I mean..- I mean no as in- as in go on right ahead...! I uh... I don't mind or nothin..."

[Its not like there's much to be distracted from. They're just assessing the damage to their poor gardens. Can't be transplanting any new flowers until the seedlings they've gotten started begin sprouting.]

[They tossed an awfully familiar red beret some distance away carelessly, then rolled their right shoulder a couple times, wincing a bit.]

"Should be fine... Yeeah. I'll... Be aight."

[They muttered, mostly to themselves, before rummaging through their bag of art supplies.]

"E-Eehh?!.. a... a portrait? Y...you don't... mean of me, do ya..?"

[They glanced away a bit- it was rather hard to tell if they were embarrassed or not, considering their complexion was already red to begin with.]

"Ohhhh... Oh I.. I don't know... Id... Gee, I'd feel awful bad if y' hurt y'self more painting a... a picture of me..."

[A surprising first encounter to be sure... was this fella busking? They didn't have any coin on them at the moment... And since the bulk of their flora died, no gifts of that sort neither.]

[Ahtsy was already framing the florist with squared-off fingers, his tongue stuck out and an eye shut in concentration.]

"Paintin' folks was kinda my thing before I got lumped wit da Bizzyboys. And while I love da big boss - Rift incident and all - I've been drawin' da guy fer months. Yew'll make fer a nice change-a pace!"

[Picking up a lightweight sketching pencil, they flexed their fingers around the wood to test their grip. Muscles were still tight alright, but it was to be expected...]

[They were oh so flattered! Just before, they had expected their day to consist of quietly yanking up drowned flowers and trying to save what they could. Now, however, they've been chosen by this stranger to be their next painting! There was definitely a new glimmer of joy behind those round lenses of theirs now!]

[A voice called out, belonging to a figure just out of view, looking like they were already halfway done assembling their easel before noticing someone else was in the vicinity. They had paused rather awkwardly, already prepared to start packing up at the word.]

( @ahtsy-voyager )

[The red furred fella had turned quickly to the sound of a voice, clearly having been slightly spooked. They had still been on edge after the sight they had beheld earlier- word from those who have seen the rift closed before have told them that it had been... really close.]

[It was a bit frightening to know the end of the world had almost occurred, so it... might be a bit before sudden greetings or similar little things didn't get them all jumpy.]

[Realizing they had been staring for a couple of seconds, they quickly shook their head, tail tucking just so between their legs]

"No... I-I mean..- I mean no as in- as in go on right ahead...! I uh... I don't mind or nothin..."

[Its not like there's much to be distracted from. They're just assessing the damage to their poor gardens. Can't be transplanting any new flowers until the seedlings they've gotten started begin sprouting.]

[They tossed an awfully familiar red beret some distance away carelessly, then rolled their right shoulder a couple times, wincing a bit.]

"Should be fine... Yeeah. I'll... Be aight."

[They muttered, mostly to themselves, before rummaging through their bag of art supplies.]

"E-Eehh?!.. a... a portrait? Y...you don't... mean of me, do ya..?"

[They glanced away a bit- it was rather hard to tell if they were embarrassed or not, considering their complexion was already red to begin with.]

"Ohhhh... Oh I.. I don't know... Id... Gee, I'd feel awful bad if y' hurt y'self more painting a... a picture of me..."

[A surprising first encounter to be sure... was this fella busking? They didn't have any coin on them at the moment... And since the bulk of their flora died, no gifts of that sort neither.]

Dear Diary,

Soon there is to be the great Rift Festival, in about a week or so's time. I'm trying to make everything all nice for the day, pruning some of the dead rose buds and weeds and the like. I wouldn't dare leave something so minor untouched for the big day. I wouldn't dare. Granny Iris told me a lot about the prior festivals. Said that they were rare and once in a life time- a breathtaking sight. I wouldn't know, this is my first. I'm excited, but very very nervous... I'm sure it will be wonderful, but I've got a bad feeling. I've always got a bad feeling though, don't I? So it's probably just me fussin. Some of these weeds are real tough to yank! Miss Mitternacht has been so happy with her King that there hasn't been rain in a long while, so all the ground is dried up. Maybe if she makes her laugh really hard we'll get a sprinkle! I'll do my best either way!

- Yours, Camellia ❀