[EP] hands in the dirt, head in the sun

[st_rigaetsica]

After Vax'ildan caught her giving some of the plants a little nudge, Joanna was being more careful and not using magic as she tended the plantings. Getting her hands in the dirt and around growing things was grounding in ways she needed, with or without magic.

"No. Thank you. I have all the towels I need." The staff's obsession with offering towels was beyond Joanna's understanding, but was easier to ignore than the lack of aura and their general vagueness. "The fuchsias could use some attention, though. I was going to get to them after I finished here, but you could take care of them." The groundskeeper looked at Joanna with confusion. "The fuchsias. Bushes... small, carmine-" With no signs the woman knew what Joanna was talking about, she shook her head. "I'm going to clean up this bed today. Maybe you could find another part of the grounds to tend?"

The groundskeeper toddled off to do... whatever it was she was going to do, and Joanna let out a sigh of disbelief before catching the eye of someone passing by. "I had middle school students who were easier to talk to."

Comments

[st_arkcrowblack]

This was something Snow understood. She spent whole days with the horses practically because it was just easier to focus on them than the fact that they were effectively trapped here and she felt that much more keenly in such a confined space. She nodded. "Wasn't anybody at all in the stable."

[st_rigaetsica]

"Just horses needing someone to look after them." Horses, who didn't talk and wouldn't expect Snow to either. Joanna could see the appeal. "And you can ride when you feel the need to move. I remember days like that, saddling my horse and just letting him run until there was no one and nothing around."

[st_arkcrowblack]

Snow perked at that, though she didn't realize she had done. "You ride?" So few people had, since she'd left home. Once technology had replaced horses, horses had become a niche pastime for rich people rather than something everyone with enough money to scrape together strived for.

[st_rigaetsica]

"Not so much recently," Joanna admitted. "Where I'm from they were much more common when I was younger." Younger in years, at least, since Joanna's body physically reset each time she became pregnant with Ingrid. "Sometimes I miss riding. Not so much having to watch out for droppings while walking down the street.

[st_arkcrowblack]

"The shit's nobody's favorite part," Snow agreed quietly, though the shoveling kept her muscles strong. "But it's good for your garden."

[st_rigaetsica]

"It is," Joanna agreed. "I may come see you about that some time, if that's all right." Once she had a better idea of the groundskeeper's supplies and routine.

"Or if I get the urge to go for a ride."

[st_arkcrowblack]

Snow fidgeted, shy but not in her usual terrified way. "If I can help..."

[st_rigaetsica]

"Thank you." Joanna gave the girl an encouraging smile. "The plants will thank you too." She huffed softly. "I'm not sure my arse will, first time I get back on a horse, though."

[st_arkcrowblack]

"You get used to it again," Snow said softly. "If you want to ride again, that is."

[st_rigaetsica]

"I'm sure I will." Joanna hadn't really thought much about the horses since she got here, but now she had, the idea of riding again was growing more appealing. "I'll find my way out to the stables soon, I imagine."

[st_arkcrowblack]

Snow nodded. It was a line to escape on, and while she didn't dislike Joanna at all, she did mean to take it. "I should be going there now," she murmured.