Heading south for another dose of fall struck Halo as just a little bit ironic. Not bad, just ironic. A little smile played upon her pale lips as she moved into the God's Garden, figuring she'd spend a spare couple hours taking interesting plant cuttings. Some for the Hallows, and some for her to bring home on her own. It would be nice, honestly, to get some peace and some time to herself. Though Halo loved her children very much, the hustle and bustle was tiring sometimes. Not that she was complaining, of course-- this was the life she'd always wanted. Still, she enjoyed her peace sometimes. With careful, near gingerly steps over the soft earth, Halo browses the plants. The very first place her gaze settles is on the yarrow, the last of the little white flowers still hanging on for dear life. With a gentle smile, she assessed the plant. Yes, this would be a good place to begin her harvesting for the day. Her tail wagging softly in the autumn breeze, Halo set about taking her cuttings. "Speech"

Kiriko's gaze was bright as she entered the God's Garden. Though things had been strange lately (more than strange), it was going to be winter soon and the show must go on. There were still things that she needed to handle, things she needed to do and get done. Kiriko found herself worrying, more often than not. Worrying probably more than she should. With how many troubling developments had come lately, though, she couldn't be too prepared. It seems she's not the only one out in the God's Garden this afternoon. Kiriko's gaze fell on a small, pale creature, already engrossed in her work. It looked like she'd already found the yarrow, but she was harvesting more than just the usable bits. Curiously, the red koi approached the smaller woman, her gaze curious at the way the woman worked her tools. "Sorry, I... can I ask what you're doing? I came looking for herbs, but the way you're harvesting them is new to me." Kiriko's tone was light, curious, as she closed the gap between them. "Speech"

For as unassuming as Halo was, it seemed that her work would attract strangers. That was okay, though. This one seemed friendly. Halo was grateful for that. Her tail wagged lightly as the woman approached, acknowledging her presence at a distance. Halo's gaze flickered to her new companion, offering her a warm smile. Soft gaze glimmering in the afternoon sunlight. The idea that someone had taken an interest in her work made her happy, incredibly so. "I'm taking cuttings, here, I'll show you how." Her tone was gentle, kind, as the stranger finally came near. Her ears flickered softly, and a little smile. Skillfully tilting her tools to give the koi a better look... it struck Halo for a moment, her resemblance to Hanako. A little ache in her heart for the woman that she hadn't figured out how to get through to, how to help. "So I'm looking for a side shoot, like this one here." Halo pointed out a nice sturdy shoot, one that was well established from the main plant. "And then with a very sharp knife, I'm slicing off right beneath the joint." Halo indicated the spot. Cleanly and quickly, she sliced the stem free. Holding it in her paws, she showed her companion. "I pick stems that don't have flowers, because flowers will take nutrients from the plant. We need them to keep them, so they can focus on growing." Halo smiled, giving a little wag of her tail. "Do you want to try?" "Speech"

She watched as the woman worked, listening carefully as she began to overflow with information. Though the words came quickly, and with... maybe more enthusiasm than Kiriko would have expected when it came to something as mundane as gardening. At least her companion was excited, right? It was good to be passionate about things, even if the red koi couldn't necessarily say she understood. That's okay, to each their own. Watching intently as the smaller woman separates the stem from the main plant, it seems straightforward enough. Kiriko took the offered knife and did her best to give a confident nod. She looked to the pale woman for approval as she selected a stem that seemed pretty strong, and was barren as recommended. Then it was a question of cutting right below the leaf joint... there. Got it. Once again looking to Halo, she's glad to find an enthusiastic smile there. Politely, Kiriko returns the knife, handle first. "How do you take care of them once you get them home?" She asked, holding the fresh cutting softly. "Speech"

Halo's eyes glimmered, a little excitement resting there. The koi woman was doing well, especially for someone who'd never tried before! She beamed, offering the encouragement she could. Taking a curious look at Kiriko's cutting-- yes, that looked exactly the way it was supposed to. Halo took the borrowed knife back with a grateful smile, tucking it away carefully. The woman's question brings another little smile to her face. "Winter is coming, so you're going to need to do it somewhere that you can keep warm, and keep your cuttings in pots." Halo explained, her expression gentle. "Give the bare end of the stem a couple days to heal, and then plant it about this far down in the soil." The pale healer drew a short line in the soft dirt, indicating how far down they'd need to go. "Make sure you're keeping the soil damp but not too wet." She nodded sagely, watching the woman, prepared to field any more questions with just as much enthusiasm. "Speech"

Kiriko listens to the woman's gardening wisdom, perhaps a little intrigued by just how much knowledge ran beneath the surface. The little fluffy creature seemed so happy to share it, why should Kiriko stop her? Watching just how excited she was to talk about the plants, and hand a stranger a knife in the midst of all of it? To be so trusting. Really, the koi couldn't relate. She couldn't even begin to relate. Reminders that there was still such innocence in the world... they're everywhere, she guessed. "Can they be transplanted right into the garden, come summer?" If she had a gardening wizard right here, may as well ask her any questions here and now, right? Kiriko would allow herself to relax in the woman's company, still watching intently as she worked away at the plants and the gardening. The koi would take a few more cuttings of her own, comparing her work to that of the other healer in the garden. Curious, and wanting to learn more. "Speech"

The koi seemed content to listen, as well as content to continue her collecting of herbs. It made Halo smile to see that she was also taking some cuttings now, too. Already trying out the new skill, and not doing too badly either! Though some were a bit farther from the base of the leaves than she would have gone, it was okay! Her companion was learning, and that's what mattered. She was trying, and Halo was proud of her for that! "They should be strong enough to by then, yes. Any younger cuttings will be ready to transplant when you feel them give resistance when you tug on them gently. That means their root systems are starting to get strong." Halo explained, setting to work with her own cuttings once more. Carefully collecting what she'd need, but making sure that she was working in full view of the koi woman, if she felt like she needed another example to watch along with. Halo is perfectly happy to set an example, after all. "Speech"