In The Stardust

Matrimonial Fiascos

I'm not sure what direction I went with this...

“Happy Gardening Week, Troll Village!" Poppy announced. “In case you have forgotten how Gardening Week works, each day we do something that celebrates the beautiful flora we nurture and provide for. Today is Day Five: Show Everyone Your Favorite Flower!"

Lily mostly grew spices, but she did have a small garden of her favorite flowers, Giant Snapdragons. She carefully dug one up, put it in a pot, and carried it to meet with Poppy, Branch, Willow, Biggie, Smidge, and the children.

“What beautiful flowers you have!" Poppy said with excitement. “Who wants to share something about theirs first?"

“I'll go!" Biggie volunteered, and went up to where Poppy was. “This is a Four-Lip! It's called that because..."

While everyone explained about their flowers, Lily noticed Branch and the plant he brought.

“Uh, Branch, I don't think an Eyestalk counts as a flower," she pointed out.

“Sure it does!" he insisted. “It blossoms, doesn't it? And beauty isn't everything, the Eyestalk is very special."

“Danger!" the plant said.

“Does it talk about anything other than danger?" Lily asked.

“The danger is you... for looking too cute."

“I have a boyfriend," she replied, and the Eyestalk lowered its eye sadly. “Speaking of which, where is he?"

At that moment, Archer Pastry ran up to join the group and brought something with him.

“Sorry... I'm late..." he exhaled, holding up a daisy. “Almost... forgot... my flower."

“Archer, I understand you're new to this, but you're not supposed to pluck the flower from the stem," Poppy pointed out. “That's basically killing it."

“Sorry, Poppy," Archer apologized. “I was in a rush because Whistle wouldn't stop bugging me."

“Who's Whistle?" Keith asked.

“She's my pet bird," Willow replied. “I guess you could say we're the quadruple-yoos. Heh, heh. That was terrible."

“You have a bird for a pet?" Branch exclaimed, pulling Willow's face up to his. “Are you insane?!"

“No, just depressed," she answered. “Is... is that better?"

At that moment, the tiny bird flew up to the group. She whistled a tune and landed in front of Branch, who grabbed Lily's shoulders and hid behind her.

“Really? Using me as a shield?" she said sarcastically. Whistle turned to Willow and perched on her finger.

“Hey, Whistle!" she greeted. “My sister from another mister, what's happening?"

Whistle was a Green-bellied Thrushwhipper, which are tiny songbirds that each have their own unique song to identify themselves. Whistle sang sweet melodies that only Willow could translate.