Submission (#331) Approved

Much to Sazial’s dismay with the nicer weather it meant more visitors had come to Ealei. One kittom in particular had been boasting about the flowers in Faerindell and while Sazial didn’t usually get quick to annoy he didn’t really like the kittom’s tone or manner. Elora, the kittom in question, was none the wiser. She had a confidence that often caused other kittoms to misunderstand her. So often others considered her bossy even when she at times was just excitable or not the best at asking for help. Unfortunately Sazial had also fallen victim to this misunderstanding and now, to prove to her that there were far prettier flowers Ealei could provide, he was working his way down the steps winding down Yggdrasil’s trunk. It wouldn’t be long until he reached the mangroves and her eyes would twinkle enviously at the mangrove flowers he procured. At least that was the plan originally but nothing ever went quite as planned.

There were many boardwalks in Ealei and areas where the water was not quite as deep. That said for a kittom the only swimming skill Saziel had was a very sad doggy paddle. Originally he had been aiming for the mangrove flowers that grew off the trees but amidst climbing out on some roots he spotted another flower. It was a lovely white color but its petals seemed to catch the light just right that in areas it seemed to transition from hues of yellow to blue depending on how you looked at it. Saziel knew the flower was not magical but the iridescent shift in color it had was alluring. The flowers were held aloft on strong stems that grew up a few inches out of the water and its rippled leaves sprawled near where the stem met the water.

Collecting a few more mangrove flowers he looked at his surroundings with the blossoms still in his small jaws. The white flower was the one he had been looking for and now that he had laid eyes on it he knew he had to have it. This would be the proof that Ealei had superior flowers he thought for sure. The problem now was getting to it… He scoped out the area, inching back on the branch to head back to the boardwalk and set down his haul of mangrove flowers. The white flower was far out of reach and he wouldn’t have been able to grab it easily while swimming, especially with his swimming skills not being particularly good.

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a washbasin of sorts and some rope. If he just borrowed them for a little bit no one would mind surely...he just had to put them back after. With a keen eye he investigated the basin, making sure it was not full of water and clothes. Having confirmed that he looked to the rope next and down at his paws. He could tie the rope to one of the handles on the sides of the basin and then secure it to the boardwalk. Then the washbasin wouldn’t float off entirely and he could pull the rope back. It was an ingenious plan indeed, at least that’s what Sazial kept telling himself. With some help from his pomu and checking to make sure there were many knots so nothing would come loose, Sazial felt himself nervously at the edge of the boardwalk.

He looked up at the white flower one last time before sliding the basin into the water carefully. Looking down at it and how it rocked for a moment he felt a dizzy sensation but shook it off. With cautious steps he slipped into the tub of the basin and waited for the rocking to subside. He could feel himself getting a bit seasick though. It was clear Sazial would never be one for the life of a sailor or crew but this much should have been bearable.

When it finally stopped he cautiously paddled towards the flower. Just a little bit further and he would be there. At least he would have been if the washbasin didn’t come to a jarring halt. It had run out of rope and with a scowl he looked at how close the stalk was. Maybe if he just reached a little... Sazial thought he might reach it. As soon as he leaned the edge of the washbasin though he felt the balance of it give and the whole thing overturned. The flower was quickly forgotten and he frantically splashed and paddled as though his life depended on it until he caught hold of the rope and washbasin.

Thankfully the washbasin hadn’t taken on too much water but the walls of it were too high above the water he knew he wouldn’t be able to get back in. He had been resting there in the water for a moment clinging to the rope until he felt it become taught. He couldn’t see around the washbasin to know who was pulling it but soon he was close enough to the boardwalk a few paddles and his paws made contact with the edge. He felt his scruff get caught between the teeth of a small mouth and when he was done relaxing on the dock after being snatched from the water he looked at his savior. It was the kittom that had been boasting earlier and his eyebrows furrowed as he waited for them to brag how they had saved him.

Instead he was met with rough paws pushing on his back and a very concerned Elora. “You’re just like those brothers of mine!” She said worriedly. “I saw the washbasin flip over. Are you ok?” She asked while his expression grew flustered. He was so embarrassed. If it had been Rabbit he may never have heard the end of this but he was relieved that embarrassment and a little bit of fear were the only things he felt. Elora’s eyes had already wandered up to try to make sense of what he had been doing and they glimmered with interest seeing the flower. Maybe it was because Faerindell flowers were so familiar and common to her but she was quite enamoured by the one Sazial had been after. It had to have been the prettiest flower she had seen in awhile.

Though she knew Sazial had spotted it first and she wouldn’t be able to keep it she wanted to at least see it up close. Already she was looking at what they had toolwise and trying to think of how to help. Sazial watched as she not only bossed around her pomu but his as well. What nerve she had...but quickly his washbasin was undone from the dock now that they had pulled it back up. “You grab that part of the rope!” She said, not giving him much time to question it. Tossing a large loop over she told him to walk down one end of the board walk while she did the other. Using the encircling rope with enough force it cut the flower stalk mostly cleanly.

Sazial saw her scamper off for a moment before trotting back with a very small fishing net. The cast it out and soon they had the flower retrieved. She made the whole process look so easy but Sazial knew from his mishap earlier alone both kittoms would have struggled to fetch it. Once on the dock they admired it. “It’s an Abellum flower. They’re my favorite but they’re usually hard to find around Ealei because the way the light reflects you just don’t see them easily.” Sazial said proudly.

He had only ever seen the flower in books before, so it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that it had been his first time actually seeing one in person. All the same it was an exciting experience. He hoped that in time more would grow. He was sure when they severed the stalk some seed pods had fallen from the flower. Satisfied Elora agreed to let him keep it. After all he had found it first but in exchange the next time they crossed paths she convinced Sazial he had to help her hunt for more flowers. He was used to running around chasing after Rabbit that it was a condition he easily accepted for the help and rescue he had received earlier. With that the two kittoms trotted off, chattering excitedly about the different plants in Ealei. Manaberries seemed to be the most mysterious by far but they weren’t the only flower around these parts of Eyre.