CoTL Oneshots <3

LESHY - Camellias

I always imagined Camellias to be quite important to some of the CoTL characters since they're so prominent! So here's a lil writing thang about them !!
This one is abt Narilamb along with some sibling bonding between Leshy and Narinder. :)

"Shamura, I can't find it!"
"Look harder, worm."
"Why do you say that in such a derogatory way? And I can't look harder, I have but a single eye."
Shamura sighed and approached Leshy in the library, taking a look around with their many eyes.
"Here it is, brother," they shook their head, speaking in a low voice as they grab the book and hand it to Leshy."I apologize for my apathy. What is it you're reading up on gardening for, anyway? Aren't you something of a professional?"
Leshy took the book gratefully, stashing it in his robes.
"Nari was adoring my camellias and I had the idea to help him grow his own, perhaps in the afterlife."
"Are you sure that will work? Can anything even grow in his realm?"
"It couldn't hurt to try," Leshy shrugged and left.

...

"I found this at your temple," The lamb approaches Narinder cautiously, ducking as they enter the tent. Narinder only grumbles in response, his back turned toward the Lamb.
"You're so grumpy," the Lamb lets out a laugh as they sit beside Narinder and hold something out to him. He takes it, slowly, upon recognizing it as a gardening book. He tries to stifle the swishing of his tail.
"I didn't know you liked to garden," The Lamb grins.
"I don't," Narinder mutters, a lump forming in his throat as he runs his hand over the cover of the book, "but Leshy tried to teach me."
"Did you grow camellias?" The lamb snickers.
"Good guess," Narinder lets himself snort in a dismissive way, "I was going to, yes...But it didn't work. Life does not thrive in the afterlife, as you may have predicted."
"Well... you don't live in the afterlife anymore," The Lamb suddenly stands, gently taking the book. "Let's toss this silly book and I'll teach you! We can plant some camellias by your tent."
"No!" Narinder immediately snatched the book back, his hair standing on end. The lamb is stunned for a moment before they smile and lift Narinder to his feet.
"Of course, we can keep the book. But don't you want something to do when I'm busy? Something to keep up with? I'm sure the change from such a demanding position.. well..."
"Yes, alright. I will admit, it does sound nice to have something to... take care of again."
The lamb nods and takes his hand. Narinder looks at the book as The Lamb leaves to fetch the supplies they'll need.

...

Knock, knock, knock.
"Just a moment," Narinder groaned as a small group of acolytes finished stitching up his robes. He then swung open the door to his personal chambers, the small animals scurrying out on their feet as Leshy appeared in the doorway.
"What is it you need, bishop of chaos?"
"Brother, I simply wanted to help you grow some camellias somewhere around here. It would give you something to do and—"
"What, while you're all attending those celebrations I'm banned from? Thank you, truly, but I'm too busy for such things," The cat scoffed bitterly.
"Now, don't be that way," Leshy chortled as he took the book from his robes and held it out to Narinder, "you can find the time. Do you want me to help you or not? I know how much you love those flowers, so it really couldn't hurt."
"I think I am capable enough to figure out growing some flowers," Narinder hesitantly took the book.
"The bishop of death growing flowers? You amuse me, brother. Come."

The lamb yawns as they step out of their tent, shielding their eyes from the sun. They immediately spot Narinder, watering can in hand as he kneels over the buds of what will soon be beautiful red flowers. The Lamb approaches. They can hear him mumbling things to the flowers, but they cannot understand what.
"They're growing so nicely," The Lamb says kindly.
"Yes. I hope you're not surprised. I was once a god! I don't need help growing some silly plant..." Narinder says as he looks up at The Lamb.
"Of course, you're right.," The lamb agrees as they nod and then turn to leave, "I'll be in the temple if... well, if you have anything to say to me," they walk off with a wave of their hand, not wanting to suggest Narinder may need their assistance at any time. Narinder returns to his flowers, and as the lamb steps away, they can just barely make out his muttering:
"..You need me, don't you..? Fear not, I will take care of you..."