As the last tendrils of winter’s chill receded from Auster, Ellara made her way to the God's Garden, her breath fogging lightly in the cool spring air. The earth beneath her paws was soft, with patches of freshly revealed soil interspersed between the lingering remnants of snow. The familiar scent of thawing ground and budding greenery filled her nose, promising the season of renewal.

The garden lay before her, stretching wide with rows of plants that had long been dormant under the frost. Here, nature flourished in organized chaos, a balance Ellara had learned to appreciate in her work. As she padded forward, her latte-pink coat catching the faint morning light, she took in the sight of each plot, some dotted with the first delicate shoots of new growth, while others were still bare, waiting to feel the touch of the season’s warmth.

Pausing by the rows of herbs, she leaned in to examine the soil. It was damp and rich, perfect for supporting new life. The thyme and sage looked surprisingly resilient, their hardy leaves already pushing through, small but vibrant. Further along, she noticed the garlic bulbs she’d planted in autumn, their green tips emerging, a reminder of her steady, ongoing work here. A flicker of pride warmed her chest as she gently brushed away stray leaves and debris, clearing the way for the tender new growth.

The garden was coming alive again, and with it, so too did her heart, even if only in small, gentle beats.

Ellara "Ella" Praetor

CODE BY SIN

He had been out to the God's Garden once before with his father. Would he get in trouble going again without parental supervision? Sure, he was young - like super young - but it was right next door. And he was following one his pack members. She was a healer too! She could teach him some stuff! Before he heads out of the garden tailing Ellara, Ioan looks to the skies, eyes lingering on one of his father's many birds circling the rookery. He hopes that his gaze lingered long enough for one to realize that it should follow him for protection or observation, most likely to also report so he would receive consequence later.

Feeling better that at least a companion was tailing him, Ioan raced after Ellara to catch up. Nearly breathless by the time he skitters to a stumbling stop near her, he looks to where she messes with some of the leaf litter. "Ellara, whatcha up to?" The boy inquires, head canting as he catches his breath. Steadier now on his paws, he steps closer to the wild garden where indeed fresh spring sprouts were attempting to break through the ground.

Ioan

table coding by bunni ♥

Ellara’s ears flicked at the sound of tiny, quick footsteps racing to catch up with her, followed by the skittering halt of little paws on damp earth. She turned to see Ioan, breathless but eager, his young eyes wide and curious as he took in the garden’s waking beauty. A soft smile curled at the edge of her muzzle, amused by the boy’s earnestness.

“Hello, Ioan,” she greeted gently, her voice warm but quiet, respecting the tranquility of the God's Garden. She watched him steady his breathing, excitement shining in his gaze. “I’m clearing away the leaves and debris, giving the new plants some room to grow,” she explained, gesturing to the small sprouts peeking through the soil. “Spring is a time of new beginnings, and we can help it along by giving everything a bit of care.”

She nudged aside a clump of fallen leaves with a careful paw, revealing another green shoot pushing through the soil. “You know,” she began, an idea sparking in her mind, “we could plant something new together. That way, the garden will have even more to grow this season, and you’ll get to learn a bit about taking care of it from the start.”

Ellara padded over to the edge of the garden where she kept her small collection of seeds, carefully hidden beneath a rock to protect them from scavengers. She lifted a paw to pull out a few tiny seeds, each one filled with the promise of life. Holding them out to Ioan, she explained, “These are for a type of herb that can be very helpful in healing. When it grows, its leaves can soothe wounds. Would you like to help me plant them?”

She nudged a patch of soil beside them, showing Ioan how to gently press the seeds into the earth. “Just a little bit of soil on top, like a blanket, and then we’ll give them a drink of water,” she instructed softly, demonstrating for him. “With some patience and care, we’ll come back in a few days and see the first little green sprouts.”

"Ellara"