story_vendla_1_1

It is hard for Magdelene to explain where her love of flowers stems from.

Maybe it was the praise she received when bringing flowers to school, or maybe it was the warmth of her parents' hands holding hers as they taught her how to prune, or maybe it was the joy she felt as she browsed the seed market with her grandfather while eating ice cream...

Or maybe it came after. Maybe it was the beautiful things she saw as she sat in the greenhouse, watching children naively giving their mothers flowers, young men bashfully buying them for their lovers, brides dreaming about their new homes with them...

All these warm and tender feelings she loved, all tangled up with flowers... She once believed this was what life should look like.

<p=1>Mid-reconstruction Brentwood, Victoria</><p=2>1099</>

Magdelene... Are you free now? Here, brought you some fresh pumpkin pie.

You really didn't have to, Bailey. Has something come up with your father?

Yeah... Look, I'm really sorry for asking you to come to our place so much lately. Please, just take it.

His head's gotten even more muddled these days. To be honest, I'm starting to get scared of him.

Does he still not want to leave the house?

It's only been getting worse. At first, he just didn't want to open the windows, but now, he'll start raving at you just for opening the door to get in.

When I was heading in this morning, I was nearly greeted with a hoe to the face... Thankfully, he recognized me at the last moment.

That's horrifying... How's his health?

You know how stubborn he can be. He'd never admit he's in pain. But lately, the skin on the right side of his stomach feels hard. I'm scared that the crystallization's spreading. I was hoping you could come by and have a look...

But no matter how much I complain, he's still my dad... If he hadn't lived through all that, he wouldn't have gotten like this.

Alright... Give me a moment to gather my things, then we'll be off right away.

Okay. Let's go, Bailey.

Oh, Magdelene, those flowers... No, I couldn't ask you for those.

Your greenhouse was all smashed up, but you still let us use it as a consultation room. You worked so hard to grow those, so how could we ever ask you to part with them?

I know they're as important to you as my dad's fields are to him. You both poured your hearts and souls into them... A pity he can't even stand looking outside at the field now.

Just take them and give them to your father. I've been so busy with consultations lately that I haven't had the time to take care of them. You can think of it as taking them off my hands.

He used to...

Magdelene considered saying that he always used to come by her greenhouse on his walks, but decided to drop the subject.

He would always come along with his wife, hand in hand. But now, there is no greenhouse, and no wife.

She heard that his wife was murdered in those very fields outside his door. After witnessing that tragedy, his mind was shattered. Even though the Sarkaz have been gone for months now, he still has not recovered.

Just treat it as visiting a friend. Allow me to bring along this one flowerpot.

There was once a piece of pristine farmland outside Bailey's door. Farming was her dad's livelihood, and his pride. He never let anyone trample on his fields.

But now, all Magdelene sees is a field full of weeds. No repairs have been started on the damage the Sarkaz left on the house, not even on the half-collapsed roof.

(Quietly) Bailey, over here. Baked you a cake.

(Quietly) Oh, you came. Sorry, Patel, I asked Magdelene to come give my dad a checkup, so I can't spend time with you today. You should head home.

(Quietly) Magdelene.

(Hesitantly lowering her voice) Hel...lo? Why are we whispering? Is your father asleep?

(Quietly) It's not that. Dad and Patel have a bit of a... misunderstanding.

Just a little one. Just imagine: regular meeting with your own fiancée, but with all the excitement of a love affair. How thrilling—

Patel!

Who's there?!

(Raises her voice) It's me, Dad! I invited Magdelene over, we're coming in now!

Who else? Who else is there?!

Nobody, Dad, it's just the two of us.

(Quietly) What's going on, Bailey? Didn't you and Patel plan to get married long ago before <i>they</i> came? I could've sworn your dad really liked him.

True. At the time, my future father-in-law hadn't yet started seeing me as an invader, a war criminal, a psychopathic killer—

(Quietly) Patel! Just go home already, seriously. My dad's in really bad shape today, and I'm starting to get a headache too. I don't want to have an argument right now.

That, well... Alright, fine. I was never here.

...Let's head in, Magdelene. All this stuff... I'd really rather not talk about it.

(Quickly closing the door) We're here, Dad. It's just me and Magdelene, no need to be scared.

How've you been lately, Harry? Any pain in your body?

The doors and windows are all shut tight, leaving the air stuffy. The old man who was just yelling earlier now stares blankly, curled up in his rocking chair.

He is engrossed in rummaging through an open wooden box, searching for something.

I'm going to draw some blood now, Harry. Would you mind if I put this box aside for a moment?

Now you want to take even <i>this</i> away from me? Damned devil! Let go! I'll never hand it over, not even from my cold dead hand!

Ah!

I'm sorry... I only wanted to draw some blood.

Are you alright, Magdelene? Did you fall on anything?

Dad! How could you just push someone like that?! Snap out of it, she's Magdelene! She's here to help you with your Oripathy!

Bailey... I'm fine, Bailey. Let's calm him down first. Try not to yell at him.

It's been like this every day... I'm already... Alright. He doesn't recognize you anymore, so I'll hold his arm steady.

Don't touch me! One of them's gone, gone! GONE! Those devils took it all!

(Shakes head) Don't force it. If I try to draw blood like this, he's likely to get hurt.

(Gently) You can hold onto your box, Harry, just don't move, okay? I'm going to use an alcohol swab to wipe your arm. It'll be a bit chilly, but don't worry.

(Sterilizes his arm) Yes, calm down, and don't look at the needle. Can you tell me about what's in your box?

There's... my old thimble... Bailey's mum's lapis necklace... a handkerchief I borrowed from the Laurens... and something missing... something new.

(Inserts needle into his vein) Ah, the four things you were getting ready for Bailey's wedding? Could you tell me what happened to the something new? Where did it go?

It... The devils took it.

...The devils are already gone, Harry. They took a lot of things from us, but it's all over now.

Look, do you see what I brought you? You used to love irises. They can be the something new, can't they?

Harry stares at the bright flowers. Magdelene continues talking to him, but there is no further response.

Thanks for going to all that trouble. How is he?

Won't know for sure until the report's ready. But I'm afraid what you felt on his stomach really was the crystallization spreading. At this rate...

It sounds like he's been looking forward to your wedding the entire time... Even though you and Patel...

How much longer do you think he has?

Let's talk about it outside.

Whoa...! I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, I swear!

Damn devil... Daring to show your face at my house again! Where's my hoe... I'll kill you, you devil!

Let's get out of here, Magdelene. Close the door behind you!

Patel! What're you doing outside?! Didn't I tell you to go home?!

I... I didn't think you'd suddenly open the door like that!

Bailey! Get in here!

Stop shouting! How many times do I have to tell you, not everyone with horns is a devil! He's Patel, your future son-in-law!

Don't even think of taking my daughter too!!!

(Breaks into tears) I can't do this anymore...

Bailey... Come, sit down. Here, handkerchief.

It's okay, don't blame Patel. He put a lot of effort into baking that cake, so he just wanted to leave it by the door for you. Isn't that right, Patel?

...I'm sorry for my tone earlier.

Your father's reaction to him... Is this why you postponed the wedding?

(Sobs) I know it's not his fault, or my dad's... Is it mine, then?

Of course it's not.

My dad... really liked Patel. But then...

Dad was the only one home the day Mum died. Her blood's still here, in the field Dad loved so much...

I don't know what exactly he saw that day, but the devils' horns must have left a deep impression on him.

Ever since his mental breakdown, he'd start screaming up a storm the moment he saw anyone with horns. And later, he hasn't dared step out the door, even keeping all the windows shut tight.

He's scared of remembering that day... but the more scared he gets, the more he reminds himself of what happened, over and over... He's trapped himself in that day.

I know you brought up our wedding to let me know he's not got much time left. But can we really hold it in front of him? What do you think?

Magdelene... It's me again. That day... Thanks. Here, have some cookies Patel baked.

(Shakes head) You really didn't have to. Your father's medical report is ready. Here. If there's anything else I can help with, please, just say the word.

Actually... there is. You remember that pot of irises you insisted on bringing over last time? You said it could be treated as the 'something new' at my wedding. My dad, he... he loves them maybe a little too much.

He's always staring at them, which does mean he's calmed down compared to before. But...

They've wilted?

(Nods awkwardly) He's been shouting more than ever now... I... really don't want to ask you for your flowers.

Flowers are just flowers, Bailey. What's most important are the people who like them.

Seeing the smiles on people's faces when they receive my flowers has always been my greatest joy.

Thank you, Magdelene...

It's a good thing I went to buy more of them when I saw how happy he was. There'll be enough to make a garland out of them, not just to look at them... Oh.

Right, you said your father doesn't like seeing Patel's horns, since they remind him of the Sarkaz.

What if we tried changing how he sees horns?

We've tried covering them with a hat, but he rushed forward and pulled it off before having another meltdown.

Hmm... That's not quite what I meant. I'm saying to change his image of them. Like, say, putting a harvest festival garland on Patel. Something only our town would have.

Every year I'd have loads of garlands left to finish before the festival, and I'd be so busy with them I could barely get any sleep. But plenty of people in town would come by to help, your father included.

Those days... when the greenhouse was always filled with laughter. Maybe he'll remember them... But it's just a thought. Maybe a little simplistic.

...If you wouldn't mind, could you make a garland? I'd like to try.

I'm going to kill you, you shameless devil!

Our harvest festival! You people ruined our harvest festival!

I-I'll be off now! Don't hit me!

*sigh*... You know, if he <i>did</i> manage to break off these horns, it'd save us a lot of trouble in the long run.

Are you okay?. Are you hurt?

Oh, I'm hurt, alright. I'm heartbroken.

Sorry... This was all my lousy idea. Why didn't I consider that reminding your father of the festival would only make him hate the Sarkaz even more?

It wasn't your lousy idea, it was something we agreed to try.

If me finding happiness can help him find the things he lost, then I'll do my best, even if it's just for that one moment...

The things he lost... What are they, exactly?

Have we been chasing the wrong trail this whole time?

I think the things he's lost are the things that were most important to him... Well, both things and people. Mum, the field. Now, he doesn't want to lose me.

So what we should be focusing on aren't the horns!

Right! We can try focusing on what he lost.

But I'm worried we might just get egg on our face again...

Can't get any worse than it already is. If you have any bright ideas, just tell me!

Harry, it's me. I'm here to visit you.

I've brought you some scones today. They taste familiar, don't they? Your soon-to-be son-in-law baked them.

Soon-to-be... son-in-law...

Ah... What's that sound outside?! Someone's there!

It's just the wind, Harry. Just the wind blowing seeds about.

Seeds... What... season... is it...

So long as you wish to plant them, you can sow seeds in any season. We've made it through even colder winters than this, haven't we?

It's me again, Harry. It's fin pie from your future son-in-law today.

That sound outside... It's always there... whenever you come around!

Wh-What are you talking about? It's just the wind outside.

The wind again? You're lying!

It's... It's because the seeds have sprouted. The wind's blowing their leaves against each other.

Leaves... The field outside... There's only... Aaaagghhhhhh!

At the mention of the field outside his door, the old man clutches his head in agony.

(Quietly) Seeds are tenacious things, Harry. No matter what the soil may be like, they will always find a way to break through.

It's me, Harry.

You again... There's people running about outside. What're they doing?! Don't try to tell me it's the wind again!

How about you see it for yourself? I'm here today to ask you to look out the window.

Out the window... That's...

No, I shan't open the window. I can't look outside.

Just one peek outside. If you don't like what you see, we'll close it right away. Alright? I promise.

Loathing is etched all over Harry's face. The more Magdelene tries to urge him, the more he recoils in fear, resisting the very notion. He cannot think about what might be outside the window, cannot think about what happened there.

Magdelene dejectedly pats the dirt off her hands. It seems today was all for nothing too. She tried so hard for so many days, but is still unable to persuade Harry to look out the window.

Ahhh!

Eh? Outside! Something's going on!

Don't worry, Bailey, your daddy's coming!

The old man leaps out the door he has not set foot out of in a long time, the sting of the sunlight forcing his eyes closed. However, once he sees what is going on outside, he is lost for words.

The field outside his door, where the love of his life was struck down, spilling her blood, was at some point filled with flowers.

Among the verdant leaves and buds, an iris blooms. His daughter and her fiancé hug each other in excitement by it.

Dad!

The old man takes one step, then another, towards the field. Upon seeing him approach, the young man grows timid, afraid that his horns might catch the elderly man's eyes.

Look, Dad. The field hasn't been abandoned just yet. The flowers here can still bloom.

We thought that with it being neglected so long, the transplanted plants might not survive. Every time Magdelene came by to see you, she'd teach us how to take care of them.

(Tearfully) And now look at them... They've bloomed.

Sorry, Harry, for deciding this without you... If you don't like it, we'll...

Harry walks into the field, but not to admire the flowers. He stoops down, grabbing a clump of dirt. He rubs his rough fingers together lightly, the soil falling between his fingers.

That day... She came out here to harvest the sweet potatoes. We didn't know when the war was going to end, and she was scared we'd run out of food...

If only... I had stopped her...

As the old man sobs, Magdelene sees the withered stems of the unharvested crop, left to rot. It is in this union of soil and stalk that the flower bloomed.

...Box... My box...

Here it is.

Harry cannot bring himself to pick the entire blossom. He trembles as he plucks a petal off of it, carefully placing it into the box.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Now, with something new, his daughter's wedding preparations are complete.

Upon seeing his face soften, Magdelene's tense shoulders finally relax. She looks at the lone flower in the field, lost in thought.

Magdelene! Sorry, but I didn't bring any snacks this time around, haha. Are you free tonight? Come over to ours for dinner. Patel's baked a fowlbeast pie today, and my dad's doing better now. His mind has cleared up a little.

Sure, I'll be there.

That's great! I was worried you might be too busy these days.

I'll say. I've got to take care of the patients here while also helping build the town hospital. I really wish there were two of me to go around. I'm more than happy for any excuse to take a little break.

Once the hospital's done, you'll be able to clear this place out, right? Do you... have any plans?

(Looks down at the table)

A seed catalog... Finally decided to rebuild the greenhouse?

Mhm. Well, that was the plan all along.

Really? But whenever I asked, you'd always say something like 'later' or 'in the future' or 'one day'.

You're always helping us out, but on our end, we're really looking forward to seeing you cheer back up too.

If I'm being honest, Brentwood will only feel like it's back to its old self when we can see you dozing off in the greenhouse, or running around the place with your shears pruning everything again, haha.

Thank you, Bailey.

You're thanking <i>me</i>? I haven't done a thing. It's you who's done so much to help my family out.

Magdelene thinks of the iris in the field again, and can't stop herself from letting out a smile.