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The way to the garden was thankfully not that confusing from the library. Two lefts and a right before Astral stopped in front of the door. He opened it, taking a small breath of air.
"These are the gardens," he said, smiling. "Careful not to touch the water in the stream though, it can be dangerous for mortals."
“Okay I won’t.” He said before looking around, just as awestruck as when in the library. “Wow….it’s so beautiful in here…”
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Astral smiled some at Simon's reactions to the room.
"I'm glad you like it! I've taken a lot of time to care for it." The god let go of Simon's hand for a moment, walking in.
“You don’t seem like the type of guy that would garden.” He teased gently. Unlike the library though, he stayed close by Astral’s side.
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Astral chuckled softly.
"I find it… cathartic." The trees, the flowers, even the grass- all carefully tended to. His favorite souls.
“Well that makes sense.” He said, still looking around. “You do a really good job.”
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"Thank you!" Astral smiled as he looked around. He did take great pride in his garden, and how he tended to it. It was something calming he could do that didn't involve torturing anyone. Just… tending to them.
That was really good for Astral. “I’m glad you have a hobby that helps you relax. “ he said, grabbing onto the god’s hand again.
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Astral looked down as his hand was taken, smiling back.
"I am, too. Perhaps we could work together in here sometime? Unless you don't enjoy of course. I'd never force you to."
“I think it’d be fun. I just don’t know if I’d be too good at it.” He commented sheepishly.
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"I'm sure you'll do wonderfully," Astral assured, moving to gently wrap an arm around Simon in a hug.
Simon smiled widely, leaning into Astral’s side. “I’m glad you think so…” he mumbled.
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Astral left his arm around Simon, humming softly as he led the human through the gardens.
"Mm…" He smiled down at Simon at the mumble, letting his hand slip into Simon's.
Simon blushed faintly, as Astral grabbed his hand. He was having a really great time.
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Astral walked like this with Simon for a bit, still holding the other's hand as he looked around.
"Mm… What's your favorite flower?"
“I don’t know if I have one really, I never payed too much attention to flowers.” There was one that he really liked, but too many memories came with it so he didn’t want to bring it up.
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"Ah, I see. Well, then, perhaps we'll be able to find one you like here in the gardens." Astral smiled softly, looking down at Simon for a time.
“We’ll probably be able to.” He agreed, looking up with a smile when he felt Astral’s eyes on him again.
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Astral nodded, looking around again.
"There are lots of different kinds here," he noted. He'd always asked what flowers his souls liked the most when he became attached, then carefully added them to the garden. Unlike the rest of the souls in the palace, the ones here actually were content. It wasn't the most active of lives, but it was a calm one, and one they were cared for in.
((Dang it’s surprising that Astral actually has souls he takes care of))
“There really are. How long have you been working on all of this? Do the plants all still live natural lifespans?” He asked, very interested in it all.
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(I know, right?)
"I've been working this for… well, for most of time," Astral admitted. "And they do, yes." He'd often just turn the souls back into seeds and replant them when they died.
“That must be a lot of work, having to replant them so much.” He said, pulling away from Astral for a moment to stop and look at some flowers.
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"It is," Astral agreed, "But it's worth it, in the end." He kneeled down by the flowers in front of him, gently holding one of the buds in his hands.
((I’m just hoping in the other rp that Simon will end up in the garden once Astral doesn’t need him anymore))
“They’re pretty.” He said, lowering his voice to what was almost a whisper, a soft smile on his face.
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(Oh he totally will at some point, he's probably gonna end up just. Constantly tended to by the child, and replanted where Astral can't find him oop-)
Astral nodded some.
"They really are," Astral admitted. He smiled, moving to carefully pinch off one of the flowers, offering it to Simon. He always made sure the souls couldn't feel a thing when he did this, of course. This wasn't where he came to inflict pain on anyone.
((Oop nice-))
((Simon: ah yes finally….rest))
((Astral, managing to find him: hey bestie :)))
Simon took it from him carefully, his smile widening. “Thank you…it’s beautiful.”
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(Astral's gonna be a lot nicer once Simon's in the garden, if we being honest. Like, he'd totally get Simon his own special spot because Favoritism, but he'll be a chill dude)
"Mhm…" Astral could feel the pride coming off of the bush he'd taken the flower from. They seemed to quite enjoy hearing how well they looked. Astral smiled, quite pleased as well.
((That’s good, Simon will definitely need to just rest and not worry about being hurt))
“Should we keep walking then?” He asked after a moment, looking over at Astral.
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(Yeahhhhhhhh…)
(Hey, at least he'll get to be pampered. And you know the child will be spending a lot of time with him to make sure he doesn't get too lonely)
"Yes, that does sound like a good idea. We'll want to get the tour done before I have to head back." Astral smiled softly, his hand slipping into Simon's again.
((Truuuuuuue))
((He’ll probably really like it honestly))
((He did always like it when Astral would take care of him :’) ))
Simon nodded, his smile widening when Astral took his hand again. He stood up again, careful not to step on any of the flowers.
