Chapter Text
They were running late.
In an hurry they scurried around for all of their belongings, scattered remnants of last night study. They went left, and found a pile of pages, needed in case Amarah would ask any tricky questions. And right finding what seems to be a book, now filled with torn pages of all of their notes. Finally gathering all their required items, Two Time shoved them in a large shoulder bag taking a deep breath. Holding on the wooden door knob, another small breath is quickly taken as they finally step outside. The sun is raised, way too high, confirming yet again how late they are. Passing by the other small houses, Two Time occasionally wave politely at their peers, making their way through the center of what is now a village. They grew up here, the small community who used to be is now grandiose and full of followers, brothers and sisters in the name of the Spawn. Two Time stopped in front of their mentor’s door, an hesitant knock, then another one.. waiting for an answer… They were only met with silence. Nervously looking around, they noticed the flowers adorning the grand place, something special is coming up. 'Probably another welcoming ritual… Amethyst look like she was ready anyways..' Two Time thoughts not for too long as the old lady Camellia calls for him.
"Two Time!" the old lady exclaims as she take their hands in hers "Were you waiting for Amarah? He left not so long ago, quite in an hurry actually..." she looked to the chapel, eyeing it for a moment turning back to Two Time.
- "Camellia madam! May the Spawn bless you," they said with a smile, tightly holding her hands
"He left in an hurry? Maybe am I not that late now that i think of it.. was Amarah annoyed?" they asked in worries, now was not the time to be on Amarah's bad side. He needs to be noticed.
- "Oh dear Spawn! It is nothing to fret about. Have no concerns, Amarah was demanded at the chapel earlier today," The elder looked up at him with a small chuckle as she could see their worries.
Two Time exhaled feeling relived, their mentor wasn't mad.. just summoned early. As they backed away from Camellia, they bumped on Azure who was carrying heavy crates. One fell on the ground, the wooden planks splitting in half damaging the few flowers inside. Looking at Two Time with a frown and a simple groan of annoyance he placed down the remaining crates to the ground and started to clean the mess. They immediately murmured a few words of apologies, their hands raised apologetically quickly crouching down as they tried to help how they could.
”I apologize.. I believe I am a bit stressed today..” they said while picking up the dirt in their hands placing it in a bucket Camellia has gently bought for the both of them.
-”It’s no big deal.” he say in a sigh “I should have paid more attention to my surroundings,” Azure declare in a calmer voice looking down at the flowers. “They were supposed to be moved, I don’t really know if they will grow now… some looks intact, while others have their pedicel broken..”
Two Time just stares at the man who seems to now talk to himself. Gardening is not something they know let along botany, and it look like they are quite devoted to this.. They stood up, wiping the remaining dirts off their hands on his t-shirts as they then hesitated. This was their fault, helping further should be what they have to do. But at the same time it looks like he would rather take care of his flowers alone.. Not to mention, they were supposed to be alongside their mentor today, even if Amarah was required early. The sooner the better and it might avoid him scolding. Without a word they made their way out, leaving Azure and Camellia who seemed to comfort him together.
The way to the chapel is rough but beautiful, countless stairs to climb to join the chapel who overlooks the growing community, and honestly this view is worth it. Even though Two Time has been climbing those stairs ever since they can walk, the way up is still as exhausting as the first time. Probably because of the lack of sleep and his overlooked hunger. Panting in exhaustion, Two Time finaly reached the last step, taking a seat on it to take back their breath. They barely had the time to do so as the front door of the chapel opened, the sound turning Two Time's head. One man step out, he looked quite disappointed immediately walking down the stairs not even noticing their presence. Then a woman.. she is no different from the man looking annoyed if not pissed off. However unlike him, she noticed Two Time, looking at him with nothing but a frown following the path of the man. And finally Amarah stepped out of the chapel at last, passing an hand through his grey hair with a sigh closing the door behind him, he look quite exhausted and slightly annoyed like the others. But upon seeing Two Time who walked to him a small smile began to spread on his face.
"Spawn bless you my child, you did not need to come all the way up here to find me," He said with a little smile.
- "Spawn bless you too Sir. I was already running late.. I had to at least see you as soon as possible, for todays lesson. I am more than eager to learn more about the divine writing, enthusiasm can be seen on their face, as they hold on their bag expecting another lecture.
- "Have you not seen the grand place? festivities are close. Multiple days worth in fact," Amarah says in a calm voice as he descended the stairs expecting them to follow.
- "Yes, I have Sir. I believe it is for Amethyst, she looks well-prepared and devoted. Her mentor must be prideful at the moment.." As expected, Two Time followed behind him, looking down for a moment disappointed in the fact that he haven't been noticed as a viable member of their community. Of course this day will come but in their eyes it is taking way too long.
Amarah focused on the landscape, fidgets with something in his pocket as he then began to speak again. "I am taking time with you, Two Time. I am more than proud of your constant research and complete devotion to our beloved Spawn, ..a quality some may not have." He teasingly said with a smirk, playfully shoving them around in an attempt to comfort them.
Two Time frowned at the first playful shove, but quickly relaxed and smiled back at him "If i am 'more qualified' why wasn't I the chosen one? I believe I deserve more than any to finally be baptized.. I’ve been reading and studying every corners of the books I have access to,"
-"We all have chosen duties by the Spawn, some are fits with plants.. while others are more efficient with studies. Her mentor surely saw what she can help with, and believed she was ready for that."
Amarah answered ruffling Two Time's black hair who answered by rearranging their now disheveled hair. They looked up at their mentor, this was not the desired answer but for now it will do. They finally reached the foothills of the mountain, the decoration now reaching the stairs to the chapel a beautiful array of white flowers neatly placed, confirming madam Camellia and her apprentices presence here. The thought only made them embarrassed of his earlier encounter with Azure, one of Camellia’s protege. He seemed quite calm even tho Two Time have damaged a good amount of those beautiful blue flowers. They pinched the bridge of their nose washing off this event, for good now hopefully. Amarah seemed to walk aimlessly, stopping by to wave and begin discussions with other member, after what seemed to be an endless walk time and a few boring discussions…he stopped by a bench under a tree. The place calm and the flowers at this time of the year bloomed. He took a seat with a satisfied sigh patting the empty space by his side.
"Care to share what you have learned last night? I believe I required you to study with others," Amarah carefully waited for Two Time's answer, eyeing their bag with interest.
- "Of course! We focused more on discussing different verse... One was intriguing and we for sure need the knowledge of an elder to confirm our thought," Excitement can be seen on his face as he rummage in his bag pulling a few papers and an old used book. Openning it he leans closer to Amarah allowing him to see his writing.
Amarah examined their study, it is clear that they have wroten a lot about the Spawn. A few questioning about the way to go, how should they behave, what pleases the Spawn… Two Time is probably one of the few who do not need constant reminder of what they are expected to do, a good thing indeed.
"This is good, quite impressive. The Spawn is more than pleased when Their children have such a ferocious need to know the truth. In fact, with how you keep things going, you might be one of the few blessed with the ability to Respawn," Amarah said in a grandiose way, placing the book aside as he fully turns to them.
"Have I ever spoke of the few Robloxian who gained the Spawn favor? Oh this was such a read.. and I honestly can’t wait for the time you will be able to witness it yourself. The old Camellia has seen it for herself.. this is why she has chosen to become a gardener and serve the Spawn."
-"Really? Do you truly believe I can be chosen by the Spawn Themselves? How can I make Them notice me more? I believed I was left aside by Them.. I kept on hearing how They speak to others, giving them prophecies and meaningful dreams.. yet I cannot hear the Spawn voices like the others," They said in a mix of excitement and doubt, joy to know that their mentor genuinely believes they can respawn, but doubt still clouding his mind as they feel left aside from their own god.
-"Indeed Two Time, you’ve come a long way. I still remember when you attended your first lecture.. " Amarah closed his eyes with a smile the memories pleasant to his heart. “But doubt not my child, the Spawn is not silent you just do not understand what They are trying to tell you. You have dreams, they all have meanings. Maybe journaling them can help you decipher the meanings of it all, Amarah still spoke in a calm voice, now is not the time for the seed of doubt to grow in their mind. He gently placed an hand on their back with those reassuring words.
-"..It’s true that I do dream, you are right Amarah I need to pay more attention to it." Two Time reciprocated the smile looking more confident now. “I’ve never thought of journaling.. it’s true that the Spawn speaks how They wish, foolish of me to believe I could understand it right away.. I should pray about it tonight..” they felt more relaxed enjoying the time they share with Amarah, it will be rarer now as the festivities unfold, he will be busier.
-"This is the way to go Two Time, the Spawn never leave a child unnoticed. Now.. how about you meet Amethyst? It can be useful if you have questions.. and maybe she can invite you to her ceremony I am sure you wish to see how it goes,"He exclaimed as he stood up from the bench. The sun is already setting a sign for the both of them to head back to their respective houses.
"Give this to the keeper, I owe them anyways.. he will give you extra food with it."Amarah said as he pulled out a small bracelet made from crystals. “I know him personally, he expect you and his bracelet.. it should be something healthy, I requested easy vegetables. I should deliver meat sometime this week however.”
They took the bracelet a silent thank as they looked up at their mentor. They did not expect a direct request for friendship from him, maybe it is something actually needed, required to gain ranks, and they have overlooked it.. But Amethyst is the last choice Two Time would have... She is really not it. Amarah seems to know why Amethyst but even if it’s to allow them a glimpse of the ceremony will she be as naive as trusting someone so deeply under the span of a day? Two time’s conflicting thoughts can be seen on their face as they walk to the greenhouse where as expected, the keeper who well.. keep undesired guests outside gave them a quite large crate and a smaller one in exchange of the bracelet. It is heavy, the large one already is but the second just make it impossible to carry alone. At first Two Time wonder if they will be able to carry it all the way to their home. It is no use to ask for help from the keeper, leaving his duty might cost him a lot even if it was to help a sibling in need. Maybe if they carry the crates one by one.. a few taps on his shoulder startle him stopping his incessant thinking.
”Is everything alright? What are you doing in front of the greenhouse?” the same calm voice from earlier today, Two Time look at him at first surprised but then it make sense for him to here, after all the greenhouse is like his second house.
-“Spawn bless you..! I was just retrieving food my mentor gently gave me. I was just about to leave in fact!” they grabbed both crates, raising them up in difficulty as pain could be seen on his face. Azure watched in disbelief, it is clear those are too heavy yet they refuse to ask for help. Two Time only had the time to take a few steps forward, Azure already picked one crate helping him out.
-“I’m in no hurry, I will just place it by your doorstep.”
Yet again they have made a fool of themselves.. the crates was heavy and asking straight for help would have been ok, but it doesn’t matter anymore. The walk to his house was silent.. cold, awkward. Both did not dare to speak a word, but only only one was feeling embarrassed about this yet again. After a few deep thoughts of the right word to use Two Time finally spoke.
”I apologize for the flowers earlier, I really did not put a single thought of my surroundings, they say, keeping their gaze locked on the crate. They could only imagine pissed off he was especially with the glance he got one the flowers fell to ground.
-“You’re still on that? It is no big deal you know, the flowers already got replaced. But if you feel so sorry about them maybe you should grow some flowers too. In a way to repairs the one who wilted, Azure say jokingly with a chuckle as he place down the crate near Two Time’s doorstep.
-“Well, if you give me all the necessary things..”
-“I wasn’t serious about this.. but hey, if botany pick your interest it not forbidden to come by the greenhouse. Just say Camellia needs your help and they should let you pass.
Two Time stared at him for a moment, was he just casually talking about lies? They rather avoid doing so now.. They placed down the crate on the other, exhaling out in relief.
-”I would rather not speaks lies of Madam Camellia’s kindness.. however, I can always ask her directly, they answered, after all this is something worth the ride, Amarah advised them to grow connections.. with Amethyst, yes but others count too no? And it’s better than just having her as their only friend.
-“You do your things then, by the way my name is Azure. I believe you know that I am Camellia’s apprentice, it was nice having this small chit-chat,” Azure say with a smile.
-“I am Two Time. I must say this talk had quite the benefit… I genuinely thought you had me black listed because of the crate.. haha!”
Azure laugh back waving a good bye at them. For sure this was enjoying, and they will try to have a word with Camellia.
It did not take long for Two Time to fall asleep. Once he entered his house, the moon was already up in the sky, the small chat they had with Azure earlier still warmed their heart. The loud thud of his bag falling on the ground as he sigh and walked to the table placing down a crate, then another. Vegetables were neatly aligned, carrots, lettuces, tomatoes, potatoes.. and even rarer ones within the community considering his rank, cucumbers, eggplants, two yellow pepper and the culprit.. a pumpkin. No wonder the crate was that heavy.. even a few strawberries were offered, really Amarah was kind for giving them that much. They should consider thanking him.. Too tired to properly cook anything, surely because of last night late study they ate a few strawberries before heading straight to their bed. Amarah is right, tomorrow they will try to socialize with Amethyst. It should not be that difficult giving how talking with Azure was pleasant and relaxing.