This chapter takes place during chapter 85 of Seeking
Tumblr about my stories: JaimiStoryTeller
So the goal is to catch this up before Easter so for Easter I can update Seeking, please leave plenty of reviews to prompt that goal! I greatly appreciate all of them.
Mycroft's POV
He feels the brush against his mind, a rather questioning touch, and he recognizes it as Trace, one of his two pack assigned guards.
Yes? He mentally inquires, focusing on the wolf. He had discovered after being pulled into the pack link that he had developed a limited gift of telepathy with other pack members. It is not strong nor very long ranged, but worked for catching his guards attention and asking questions.
Are you attending the Day of Seeds celebration at the pack home when you are done working? The wolf questions, his voice a bit curious.
Eyes narrowing, he tries to recall if he has heard of that before. What is it?
It is the celebration of growth and spring, pays respects to the Earth Lord, the patron god of wolves. The wolf answers him after a moment.
He considers this for a moment, remembering that the doctor had once said their gods were active and wonders how true this is. Perhaps he should go in order to see what type of celebration it is.
How is it celebrated? He inquires as he works on his paperwork, getting most of it done now. Some things are just far too simple to be interesting.
Choosing of a plant to grow during the gathering, plants always have meaning, I selected a pine last year for its meaning of hope. It is currently growing in a pot on my front porch. After selecting a plant, you put the seeds or saplings into a pot, you my select a boring pot of a decorative, one with meaning or just for show. The wolf pauses in his answer for a moment, he gets the impression that the other man is considering the order to describe the situation in. Somoni, a Japanese wolf bonded to Kaley Watson will be leading, she is well versed in the Earth Lord lore and traditions. Once you have your plant all ready place it somewhere it will not be lost until dusk, there is a pot luck.
He rolls his eyes at this, thinking that the pack seems to love pot lucks. It is horrible for his diet, especially the cakes, and the Lestrade daughter's cakes in particular.
Ye,s we feed each other a lot, it is good for building comrade between packmates. There is a pause then the wolf remarks, you do not need to diet, you need to eat more stably, perhaps you should consider a mindhealing to deal with the habit of binge eating. Anyways, back to the subject at hand, the pot luck lasts all day, with people coming in through the entire day to do their seeds and eat. There are different games and groups set up, people getting to know each other, spending time together, and learning from each other. At dusk everyone gathers in the oldest ring of trees. The caller, Somoni, will lead the prayer to the Earth Lord while everyone holds their plant seeds or cutting. If the Earth Lord accepts the plants will grow rapidly and will last far longer than any regular plant.
Hmmmm, he thinks to himself, paging his assistant, he waits for the dark-haired woman to enter the room before inquiring, "What is on the schedule for the rest of today?"
She flips through her phone before answering, "You have a meeting at one with the minor official of Sweden, and the rest of the day is just paperwork."
"After the meeting I am leaving early today," he states, as he sorts the papers on his desk, "I have been notified of a pack gathering I would like to attend." I will be attending.
"Day of Seeds," she murmurs, glancing up from her phone, "I had not thought you would be interested or I would have notified you of it."
Curious, he queries, "Do you celebrate it?"
She nods once, "I do, before work I get my planter ready, so all I have to do is pick it up after work on my way to the clan gathering." Looking back at her phone, she asks, "Is that all sir?"
He nods, before returning to his paperwork while she leaves. Eyes narrowing, he considers the statement about his weight. He has always had weight issues. It has always fluctuated between him being too heavy and too light. Over the years his brother has made lots of comments on it, many were cruel and snide, but towards the end, before he had left for this trip, the comments had changed. They were no longer cruel, but almost questioning instead. Could it have been possible his brother was worried about him? He is curious what mindhealing is, this is not the first time he has heard that word.
What is mindhealing? He inquires of the wolf.
The closest I can compare it to in the human world are therapists who work with mental disorders. The difference is, a mindhealing actually takes place fully within your head, can normally be completed within one or two times. The wolf replies, the mindhealer enters your mind, finds the areas that are problemed, and carefully sets to repairing them. Do not ask me exactly how, I am not a mindhealer, though I have been mindhealed in the past to deal with my depression. He gets the impression of a shrug, as if it is not a big deal.
He can think of several very useful applications of that. At the same time he realizes the moral ethics problem that comes with that sort of gift. If it is used wrong, it could be a mind control technique, if used right it could be very useful. A part of him is curious if he could enlist a mindhealer to work for him. How much more useful would his staff be if he did not have to worry about them having a mental break?
Does a person have to be awake for mindhealing? He inquires, gathering more information.
No, like physical healing it is possible for the person to be asleep for it. Some mindhealers prefer that actually, because then the person's mind does not fight against them. He gets the impression that the wolves eyes narrow.
Thank you for the information, he replies to that before falling mentally silent and returning to his work. It is fifteen minutes to one, best eat one of those fruit bars now that he is being prompted to eat regularly. At least they taste good. It had taken a few tries to get only flavors he likes, but now he does not have as big a problem eating them as when he was first told to add at least one of them a day to his eating habits.
He has just finished his fruit bar, peach and apricot, when there is a knock at the door and his assistant slips in.
"You're one o'clock is here," she tells him seriously.
"I'm ready," he responds with a small nod, his eyes sweeping the area to make sure that there is nothing out of place.
His meeting lasts for nearly two hours, but he feels that it is productive. After the meeting, he finishes up the paperwork on his desk and stands, calling for his car to take him back to his flat. At his flat he showers before dressing in one of his more conservative tan suits, having noticed that amber gold seems to be a favored color within the pack. Once he feels ready, he grabs his black umbrella before heading to his car and using it to go to the pack house. Along the way, he decides to stop at one of his favorite sandwich shops, purchasing all of the premade sandwiches they have. When he gets there, he parks in the same spot he has parked in several times before, mildly shocked to see that there are not a lot of people here yet until he remembers that school is in session so the families will probably be coming after.
Getting out of the car, he grabs the three bags of sandwiches, a slight flush on his skin. This is the first time he has brought something for the pot luck, though he has really only been to two of them, the first one where he was welcomed to the pack, and the one after. Heading into the house, he knocks twice before entering, more out of habit than because he has to. Inside the pack house he discovers that the tables are already set up with the beginning stages of food. He is not sure whether he should put the sandwiches out or not.
"Mycroft! Hello, how are you? Have you brought something for the pot luck? I'm happy you were able to make it." Xia exclaims in Chinese when she spots him, hurrying over to where he is standing.
He smiles the politician's smile, before nodding once and murmuring, "Hello Xia," tilting his head he continues, "Do you know where I may put these?"
"I'm in charge of the buffet right now, so let us go put them up." she answers happily.
Again he nods once, before motioning for her to precede him. As they are walking through the house, she chatters away at him in Chinese, telling him about every little thing, most of which he phases out, catching only the important parts. Once in the kitchen, she takes the bags, carefully sorting through and putting some of the sandwiches on a tray to carry them out to the table, while the rest are put into the bottom drawer of the fridge.
He walks with her, carrying one of the trays to set on the buffet table.
Once it is in place she turns to him querying, "Have you already got a seed ready? I picked strawberries, for all of the positive meanings that go with the plants plus the fact I can use them for cooking."
"Hmmmmm," he makes a humming noise, "I have not."
She beams at him before asking, "Do you know where the gardening shed is out back?"
"I do not, however I am certain I can find it with ease," he replies with a small smile at the excitable shifter.
"If you go out the back of the kitchen, through the door to the kitchen garden, turn left and keep on going to the edge of the house you will find Somoni helping people to select their plants and potters." She tells him before scuttling off to collect the food from another person who has just arrived.
He follows her advice, taking his time to look around as he does so, before finding it. There is a small, dark-haired woman with an olive complexion and rich brown almond eyes that seems to be fluttering around helping the various people. When she spots him, her head tilts her head for a moment before wandering towards him.
"You are human," she murmurs, "My greetings Mycroft, brother of the alpha-second."
He arches an eyebrow at her, surprised at her greeting.
She smiles and shrugs slightly, "Not from here, still use some of the customs I grew up with, including using rank of known family member." She pauses, tilting her head slightly, "I am Solomi Watson."
"Mycroft Holmes," he replies, not bothering to respond to the rest.
"Would you like an explanation of plants choices and pot choices?" she inquires, her expression becoming more serene.
He nods once, his attention focusing on her as she moves over to one of the tables and begins to speak, pointing at different pots and explaining their meanings. From there she moves to a different table with a variety of soils, rocks, and filler on it. After that she moves on to the biggest table currently set up, pointing out the different sections it is divided into and listing off all of the plant seeds and cuttings, and there meanings. She then shows him to a cart set up with supplies including a tray with gloves, a variety of trowels and other little tools, and aprons.
When she is done she turns to him, lifting her head slightly and querying, "Have you questions?"
"Will it matter what combination I use?" he questions after considering the information.
"If you plan to keep it potted, select a long shelf life pot, otherwise, not particularly." She answers with a smile.
He nods once more before turning and selecting a tray before heading over to the first table. Setting it down, he grabs the apron and puts it on, before carefully looking over the pots. Some are plain, some are simplistic in there decorations, and some are highly ornate. He selects a low, flat pot of a dark red color that would match his office. Frowning he considers the next set of options.
Apparently the Japanese wolf notices that he is trying to decide something because she drifts over and queries, "A question?"
Inclining his head he asks, "Is there a way to ensure the plant reminds small?"
She tilts her head to the side, a thoughtful expression on her face, "How small? The pot you have selected is for a plant up to sixty centimeters in height and ninety-one centimeters in width."
His mind quickly figures out exactly how big that is and smiles slightly, just a bare curve of the lips, "That will work."
She inclines her head, "then we paint the symbols of growth slowing on the bottom of the pot." She motions to some of the painting supplies, selecting a very fine tipped brush and waiting for him to choose the color. Silently he selects the deep red since it will match the light swirling pattern on the bottom of the pot, blending with the rest of the reds. "This is the rune to slow growth," she carefully paints it onto the bottom of the pot, showing him each stroke and motion, along with the final results. It reminds him of a Japanese symbol.
"If I decide to give the plant to someone later, will that affect its life span?" he inquires as he accepts the pot back.
Smiling lightly she gives a small shake of her head, "Many people use these plants as a gifts, since they have longer lives , they excel for that purpose."
"Excellent," he responds before settling the pot on his tray and moving on to next stage. His mind pulls up images of all of the bonsai and miniature trees he has seen over the years, considering how the plant was supported. Carefully he designs the bottom and inside of the pot. Layering the gravel for drainage space, the soil to plant it in, after reading the packages of the different types to discover the one that is best for his needs, after that he coats the top with a soft set of pebbles and light moss covering except the center where he wishes to put the plant. Once the second step is done he moves onto the table of seeds and cuttings, carefully looking over the options, including the pictures that go with each. When he has decided on which of the small bushes he wants, he read the instructions on their care and growth. After he has completed the process, he puts the tray back with the apron.
Before he has a chance to say or do anything, a high pitch squeal rips through the air, "Mycroft!"
Turning, he discovers the youngest Lestrade hurrying towards him, her small body flying through the small building to his side.
"Hello Sofia, may I assume the rest of your family is nearby?" he inquires as she stops directly in front of him and beams at him.
"Daddy is speaking with Uncle John, Chare is looking for her missing cobra, and Madeline is on her way here. What type of plant did you pick?" she replies in rapid fire her eyes bright.
The last time he had spoken with Gregory he had mention that his youngest and middle daughters were a bit upset over something one of his nieces had said.
"I selected a Japanese winterberry, a type of holly," he answers, "Do you know what type you wish to select?"
She beams at him, picking a temporary pot and setting about getting her tray, "I'm planting sunrise morning glories, I've spent the last three weeks thinking about what I want. Morning glories alone, before considering the color are for affection, then I picked color choices for all positive things, 'cause I want our lives to be good." As she is speaking she is working on her pot, her small hands diligent, "I garden sometimes, and I like to read about it." She smiles whimsically, "Maybe I will be a landscaper when I grow up."
A soft chuckle escapes him at the idea, he cannot picture this small girl so full of life and energy doing gardening for the rest of her life. Actually, he is moderately sure she is going to be one of those types who accomplish her goals in one field before moving on to the next. By the time she is done, he is certain she will have several degrees and successful careers.
The young girl is just about done making her pot when her sisters enter, both waving at him, but neither speaking. The elder looks likes she is concerned and distracted, the middle looks like she is in a better mood now than she has been in a while.
"We're all meeting up at the normal table in the dining hall area to eat, wanna join us?" the little girl asks in her normal hyper way.
He inclines his head and follows the small jackal as she trots out of the area, around the house, and over to their car, setting her planter on the floor in the back seat.
Since that is a good idea he walks over to his own, settling it down inside his before he turns to find her next to him, a big smile on her face.
"How have your classes been?" he inquires as they turn towards the house and make their way to the gathering room.
Happily she chatters away, telling him about her classes and teachers. The other shifters and gifted that she has in her building and classes, how she can identify them on scent alone sometime. She babbled about hers and Madeline's plans for this upcoming Friday, reminding him that she was currently avoiding part of her family.
"Do you plan to hold a grudge forever?" he queries as they sit down, they have only retrieved drinks, choosing to wait for the others before eating.
She shakes her head, hard, "No, just until they smell like they regret their behavior. We're family, family is supposed to support and help each other, not be cruel." She gives another shake of her head, "Bit not good, as Uncle John says."
He nods understanding exactly where she is coming from.
Silence falls as the two of the sip at their drinks. He is surprised at how easily she seems to handle it. Eventually she tilts her head in queries, "Why don't you think I am wrong for reacting as I did?"
His lips twitch in a small smile, "I might not have always gotten along with my brothers, but only I could treat them like that."
She nods and again the two of them fall silent. The silence is short lasted because Charlotte and Gregory join them, talking about something to do with customs. He listens closer, taking in the details. A few minutes after that Madeline joins them, her fingers dancing a quick hello towards him. The five of them visit for a short while before getting up to get dinner from the buffet. One thing he is happy about is all three girls have healthy appetites unlike so many other girls he knows of.
When they are done eating, Sofia decides to join the other children of her age. Charlotte goes to join the pack teenagers. Madeline retreats to the library. He spends the time with Gregory, just talking about whatever comes to mind. Just before it starts to get dark outside the female beta calls everyone to attention, before mentioning that the gathering is beginning. At that point, many of the people within the room with draw, heading to their vehicles or where they had placed their pots to collect them.
After fetching his own pot, he meets back up with the Lestrade family, walking with them to a ring of trees in the fair side of the property.
His gaze sweeps the area, taking in all of the pack members including John who looks like he wants to be somewhere else. Stepping so she is closer to the middle, the Japanese wolf begins speaking. Though it is not in any language that he knows nor does it sound like Japanese.
Hold you pot in front of you, think of what you wish for this upcoming year, if your desires match your plant and are sincere, the plant will grow. The voice is soft and in his head, forcing him to quickly match mental tone with aloud tone and coming up with Mouse.
He nods once, moving his hands to hold the pot in front of him, focusing on those he considers family, including his brothers, parents, Gregory, the three girls, and hesitantly John. He continues to listen memorizing the words to see if someone will translate them or he can work out a translation.
As she finishes speaking, the sky around them seems to light up, shades of browns and greens, colors that are never seen in the northern lights and definitely never seen in the air around where they are. Eyes narrowing, he focuses, just barely making out the form of a solid man that seems to shimmer into existence for just a few moments before vanishing. Nearly every single pot goes from having just seeds and saplings to having nearly full plants.
His own seed is now a windswept miniature Japanese winterberry tree, its trunk solid and twisty, flaring out into a variety of curvy, coiled, and curled branches, each ending in small tightly furled dark red buds. It is rather beautiful actually.
"Beautiful," the little jackal murmurs as she glances at his plant.
~It is very nice, we both have types of holly,~ the gifted girl signs, ~protection and hope, good meanings and purposes.~
~They are good meanings, you have a nice English holly,~ he replies.
She smiles at him, a small thing but he is aware of its importance.
He smiles back.