Summary: "... I am the watcher, I am the one tasked to watch over the citizens of Trolberg like my father and his father did before me..." The boy stated as he sat on top of a cliff that towered over the city, "...That's all good and all but don't you ever get lonely just watching from afar?" The girl said, the boy sighed and lowly answered "Yes I do..."
( Chapter Eight - Gardening Phase Two)
Braille
Frida, Heimdal, and David all arrived at Watcher's cliff, where at the base of it is a small secluded park still clean and orderly as they had left it yesterday. With the morning sun still above the horizon, they began to carry out and finished their work. "All right Sparrow Scouts, it's time to initiate Phase Two of my Action Plan Book which is beautification and renovation!" Frida declared as Heimdal pulled a wagon filled with plants and flowers and David pushed a red wheelbarrow filled with their tools and supplies they need.
The two boys walked up to Frida's side and peered over her shoulder as she held her Action Plan Book out in the open for them to see. "If everything goes according to plan, which obviously will, then we'll have this once empty and desolate park into a local tourist spot, and also collect our Merit Badge from Raven Leader!" She said gesturing to the before photo she took before they started.
"That's great so where do we begin?" Heimdal inquired "We start by digging in the holes in the plots!" Frida answered and turned to his brunette friend "David, can you do that?" She asked and the boy nodded and grabbed a handheld spade from the wheelbarrow and set off to park's path, where the nearest plot, which is bordered with ropes that were staked to the ground.
"Remember to evenly space them out, use your thumb as your guide!" Frida yelled and reminded the boy as he let out a noise of acknowledgment "Okay!" David gave her a thumbs-up in return and began digging out small holes in the plotted ground. Heimdal walked up to her side, the sound of his cane tapping the ground made Frida turn in his direction "What do I get to do?" He asked, eager to participate in the activity.
Frida grabbed Heimdal by the shoulder and placed him in front of the wagon that held the plants, and flowers they'll use for renovation and beautification. "You'll unpack the plants and flowers from their temporary plastic pots, like this." She grabbed Heimdal's hands and guided them to pick up a potted plant, and Heimdal held it firmly in his palms as she let go. Frida bent over and grabbed one of her own as part of the demonstration as they both knelt down the ground to make it easier for Heimdal.
"You first give the pot a gentle wiggle-." She said as she shook the container and Heimdal mimicked her action and shook the pot he held and the dirt loosened up from the walls of the container. "-And then shovel with both of your hands at the rim and gently lift the plant's root and plant up. Like that!" She said as she demonstrated the process in front of him, pulling the plant out from its pot perfectly with the dirt still intact along with the roots. She watched Heimdal as he does the exact thing, albeit with difficulty, but with a few gentle push and pull he manages in the end "Hey I did it!" Heimdal beamed proudly displayed the plant held in his hands, out of its container, with some of the dirt left behind, therefore, exposing the roots.
"Might I ask is this your first time gardening?" Frida inquired, and Heimdal lowered the plant "Yes, evident by the hill my house is settled on, completely barren of other plants other than grass." He told her to which she nods as she reached out and took Heimdal's plant before standing up. "Just be extra careful with the roots." She advised him as she placed his and her plants in a woven basket.
"You can place them at the side for now and I'll come back and pick them up and move them into their new home!" She explained, "They're all lined up in a row. So it'll be easy for you to get your bearings and unpack them in a neat and organized way." Frida said and Heimdal was surprised and in awe at her foresight.
"Wow! you've really thought of everything!" Heimdal let out.
Frida beamed in pride "Of course! You see last night, I realized how your condition slightly decreases the team's efficiency by 2.4%. So I came up with a way for you to contribute and be part of the team's effort as well as increasing the maximum efficiency of how we work!" She said before she grabbed two more potted plants from the wagon and presented them to the blind boy. "And I also took the liberty of poking out Braille's as you will notice at the side of each container," She said, referring to the written language for the visually impaired, as she guided his hands to the side of the plastic container and Heimdal felt the holes she poked out and could surprisingly read it with clarity.
"This is some Cornflowers." Heimdal said out loud as he picked up another pot and touched the holes at the sides "And this is some Bellflowers!" He exclaimed.
Frida was delighted to find that all the hours she spent on poking out the holes and researching on how to translate English to Brailles was well worth it as she watches Heimdal read them out correctly and with ease. Heimdal
"That's very thoughtful of you. Thank you..." He said in earnest, as he was genuinely touched by the effort she put in to make it easier for him to participate. Frida chuckled and rubbed the back of her head "Oh you know it's the Sparrow Scout way after all." She confessed, gesturing with her hands, during that time David had just finished digging out the plot of land near the pathways.
"I'm done with this one!" He hollered and waved the handheld spade around as he gestured to the ground where there were evenly spaced holes were dug out "Nice job David, proceed on the next flower bed!" Frida shouted back.
"Will do!" David replied in the distance and moved on a few paces away to the next plot of land. Frida turned to face Heimdal with a basket on hand filled with plants already stripped of their containers.
"You can start by unpacking with the Cornflower's first, they're at the first row of the wagon." She pointed and gave him a quizzical look "Think I can leave the rest to you?" She tentatively questioned.
Heimdal gave him a nod and smile in reassurance. After this Frida set off to a nearby flower bed and grabbed two Yellow Cornflower's from the basket and plotted them down the hole, she used a handheld shovel to fill in the gaps and patted the ground to solidify their place in their new home.
Frida went back to Heimdal to see him nearly done with the unpacking of the Cornflowers.
She made her presence known as she gathered up the unpacked Cornflowers from the side and plonked them into her basket "The Bluebell flowers are next to be unpacked, they're the row next." She told him and gestured to the row of blue and small flowers.
"Okay!" Heimdal replied and flashed her a smile and a thumbs-up as he finished unpacking the last of the Yellow Cornflower's and handed it to her where she then transferred it to her basket. She strolled back to the flower bed, designated for the Yellow Cornflowers.
Where she bumped into David midway.
"Where to next?" He breathlessly asked, and Frida peered over his shoulder to see the flower bed for the Bluebell flowers has been dug out with neat and evenly spaced holes. She gave him a nod of approval and directed him to a secluded plot of land near the pavement by the road.
David gave her a salute and run off with the handheld spade in hand, and left Frida to her own devices, she knelt and placed the basket filled flowers at the side as she began to transfer them, one by one, gently into the ground with a handheld shovel, where the flowers would live out the rest of its life.
~~*oOo*~~
Heimdal IV || Sparrow Scout || Young teen || 4 ft || Average Frame || Tan Skin || Black Hair || White Pupilless Eyes || Sparrow Scout: Red scarf, Long Sleeve Yellow uniform, Brown trousers, and Black shoes with Long socks || Wooden Cane
===-o-===
These texts in between sections of my chapters are visual aids of characters they are optional to read, but I suggest you gloss over them.
Syntax: Name || Current Position || Age Group || Height || Size || Skin Tone || Hair || Physical Features || Attire || Items
===-o-===
David || Sparrow Scout || Young teen || 3'11' ft || Thin Frame || Light skin || Short Brown hair || Sparrow Scout: Red scarf, Long Sleeve Yellow uniform, Brown shorts, and Black shoes with Long socks
~~*oOo*~~
Candy
When David arrived at the spot he cautiously stepped over the ropes, that bordered the plot of land, and knelt down and began to dig out decently sized holes.
David was hard at work and in the course of doing that, a large silhouette loomed over David, the mysterious newcomer made its presence known to the boy as David daringly looked and saw the gruff face and wild black hair of a man in Safety Patrol attire, he also noticed the two other Rangers that stood behind him and he instantly shot up on his feet and shrieked his lungs out.
"AAAaaHHHH! It's the cops! I didn't mean to cross the road when there was a red light! Please don't arrest me I swear it was an accident I turned back as soon as possible!" He backpedaled away before he tripped over the rope and fumbled down the ground. The Ranger stood there bewildered at the panicking child "Relax kid, we ain't here to arrest you, we're here looking for someone," The gruff wild maned Ranger told him.
"I don't know any criminals!" David hurriedly said as he nervously stood up to face the Rangers, tapping his fingers in a nervous wreck.
"Ugh~! No, it isn't a criminal child." Another Ranger, with blonde hair styled in dreads, groaned.
A voice spoke out and asked, "May I help you?" Frida walked into the scene, to see what's the commotion all about, she stood by David's quivering side. Grimmel knelt down to their level "Yes! May I ask, perhaps if you've seen-" He began when a voice called out from a distance.
"Julie, Rodolfo, Grimmel!"
They turned their heads to see Heimdal approached with his cane. David and Frida stood aside to let him through as the adults noticed the specks of dirt on his person and clumps of soils stuck on his hands.
When he arrived he dropped his cane and opened his arms and ambled wobbly towards the nearest adult he can sense, with intention of greeting them a hug from the blind boy. Grimmel took a step back and shook his head as he spoke "Captain Heimdal, I appreciate the gesture of a hug, but maybe later on when-."
Heimdal didn't heed to his words as he clamped his arms and hugged around his side and gave him a short squeeze "-When you don't have dirt all over you..." Grimmel finished and felt the boy's hand intentionally rubbing the dirt on his cape.
Heimdal sniggered as he let go of his hug "I just finished cleaning my cape~." Grimmel moaned as he clutched his now sullied cape. Heimdal rotated on his heel and began approaching his next victim, which was her brown-haired assistant, Julie.
Julie looked on in disgust at the dirt-ridden boy. She rolled her eyes and extended her arms around the boy's head stopping him in his tracks. "Clean yourself up first." She told him and turned his head around and pushed him in Rodolfo's direction, to which Heimdal's face found its mark on his chest and immediately clamped his dirt ridden hands around him "Oh, uhh..." Rodolfo let out rubbing the back of his head.
"Pat. Pat" He said patting the boy in the back, chuckling, and the boy let go with his hands and clothes now clean.
"It's been so long since I met you three!" Heimdal exclaimed as Grimmel mumbled something incoherent under his breath while he dusted off the dirt and grime Heimdal rubbed on him.
"It's only been two days Cap'n." Rodolfo let out a hearty chuckle and ruffled Heimdal's head, unbothered by the boy's antics "So what brings you here?" He asked walking back to Frida and David's side who watched the whole interaction with an amused look.
"We're just here to drop these off," Julie stated as she brandished out two small pouches that were full, evident by its protruding sides.
"Wait are those-." David speculated as Julie plopped one on David and Frida's hands. David peered into it, and gasped "It's the candy Dastardly Jack gave us!" He proclaimed and jumped in glee.
"I've been waiting for this!" David said, his mouth watering as he eyed the assortment of colorful sweats before grabbing one and threw it into his mouth, and he moaned at the sweet and flavorful taste as the candy melted in his mouth.
Frida scanned the pouches contents and picked one out "So this is the candy he left for us after stealing our Float during the Parade?" She thought aloud before she shrugged and threw it into her mouth, giving it a few licks and chews before her eyes lit up.
"I say this is quite an exquisite taste." She perfectly described as David turned to her "I know right?" He said in agreement.
"Thank you, Dastardly Jack!" David exclaimed before he grabbed a handful of sweets and shove it in his mouth, Frida cringed at the sight "Yuck~. The cavities..." She shuddered and only ate one more before storing the rest in her person.
"Please don't praise that criminal right in front of us." Rodolfo scoffed pinching the bridge of his nose as his partner, Grimmel, rolled his eyes, arms crossed, and nodded in agreement.
Heimdal heard David's cry of joy when he ate the candy, so he himself got curious and faced Julie and held his hands out in eagerness to receive his own pouchful of goods "Sorry Captain but your mother insisted that you can only eat sweats after lunch." Julie shook her head and the boy puffed his checks and crossed his arms "It's not fair..." He pouted.
"So are your like their boss or something?" David inquired, whilst chewing, as he noticed the dynamic between the four Rangers "I guess you could say that." Rodolfo admitted and his partner Grimmel shrugged. "So you can like, order them around, and do stuff for you?" David presumed. "Sure can," Heimdal confirmed, hands on his hips and chest puffed out.
He waved his hand around "But the rank of Captain is just a title given to me, I actually don't have any qualifications of being a Captain at all!" He chuckled and gestured to his Ranger Assistant "Julie here is actually the one responsible for leading Squad 13." Heimdal admitted as the male adults behind him nodded in agreement.
"Why even give him the rank of Captain in the first place?" David asked. "No offense." He frantically added.
"None, taken." Heimdal waved it off.
Frida chose that moment to include herself in the conversation, striding forward, catching David by surprise as she raised a finger and began.
"Because according to Town Law, all citizens with the ability to utilize the 'Vaksam Blick' will be granted the title and position of Captain among the ranks of the Safety Patrol. Along with certain privileges that allow them to perform their vow, which is to watch over Trolberg, with no hindrance. There are also certain laws that a user can bypass, this includes the following and in no particular order.
Exemption from Taxes.
Optional Schooling.
No drinking age.
Requiring no license to drive.
Requiring no security search warrants of all forms.
And many more.
Which was all proposed by one of the City's founders Edmund Ahlberg, and then expanded upon by future Mayor's, council members, and leaders of Trolberg!" Frida explained in one breathe and the others gawked at her very detailed, and informative statement.
"Wow, I didn't even know half of this stuff existed until now!" Heimdal gasped as he tugged on Julie's coat "Does that mean I could drive the Patrol Car?" He excitedly asked "No." Julie shot down, arms crossed and the boy looked down on his feet "Aw~." He let out, in disappointment.
"You've been talking with your mother haven't you?" She muttered, referring to Heimdal's mother's obsession with vehicles. "The back of the car is called the boot or trunks," Heimdal said confirming Julie's suspicions.
"Very good young Frida." Grimmel complimented, clapping with his gloved hand, as the girl blushed at the kind words "Thank you." Frida said rubbing the back of her head and sheepishly looked away.
"I say you would make a great member of our Law enforcement in the future." Grimmel told her with conviction and Frida shook her head "No thank you, my parents want me to become a doctor or an engineer. Although I'll consider the offer if things don't go the way as planned." She explained.
Grimmel nodded "I understand." Grimmel said and flashed a smirk at Frida's way "Welp! Best we get going lest we be late for our patrol, see ya, next time Cap'n!" Rodolfo announced with his gruff voice as he walked towards a Ranger vehicle parked on the pavement, Grimmel merely tipped his hat and followed behind his partner. Julie knelt down to Heimdal's level "See you tomorrow for your night patrol Captain." She said and stood up.
"Bye!" Heimdal promptly waved in their direction as they entered their vehicle with Grimmel behind the wheels, Rodolfo at the side, and Julie at the back. The car engines started as the wheels picked up dirt before it drove off the pavement and then down the road before disappearing around a corner.
Heimdal lowered his hands as the three stood there in silence. Frida turned to the two boys "Well! Shall we resume our activities?" Frida asked, hands placed on her hips.
Heimdal nodded, and David looked at her with a face smothered in candy "Mhm~!" He let out as Frida cringed "David you're going to get cavities if you keep on eating those sweets." She chided and the brunette swallowed "A price to pay for delicious sweets." David laughed as he took another handful and was about to gobble them up when Frida spoke out.
"A price to pay for a dentist appointment!" She snidely told him with her arms crossed.
David looked at the candy in his hands and meekly put it back in its container "Suddenly I don't want to candy anymore, eheheh~..." He sheepishly chuckled storing the pouch in his person as Frida smirked and beckoned the two to follow her back to the park where they will resume their Sparrow Scout Badge Activity.
~~*oOo*~~
Julie || Ranger Assistant || Early Adulthood || 5'10 ft || Thin Frame || Light skin || Brown hair tied into a low bun || Uniform: Purple-sleeve coat, Brown scarf, Dark Brown gloves, Black pants, and Purple boots || Orange bordered Spectacles, Badge
===-o-===
Grimmel || Ranger || Early Adulthood || 6'1" ft || Thin Muscular Frame || Light skin || Blond hair in dreads || Uniform: Purple-sleeve coat, Brown cape, Dark Brown gloves, Black pants, Purple boots, and Wide-brimmed Purple Feathered Hat || Badge
~~*oOo*~~
Cliff
The sun lingered over the horizon as dusk began. At the base of a cliffside named, Watcher's Cliff, a team of Sparrow Scouts were hard at work in renovating a plot of land, specifically a small secluded park.
They sectioned off small plots all around the park, bordered with ropes and stakes, to be utilized as a flower bed. David finished digging out holes where the flowers are to be planted and is now tasked with watering and fertilizing the newly planted flowers.
Frida, after she planted the Yellow Cornflower and Bluebells, moved on to other flower beds where she planted Red Peruvian Lily, Purple Alliums, and White Anemones.
She is now currently in the process of planting bushes of Yellow Goldfinger flowers alongside the pathway that cuts through the park.
Nearby Frida's side is Heimdal, where he sat at a park bench with the wagon, he was placed there by Frida to shorten the time it takes to go back and forth to pick up the flowers and replanting them and maximize efficiency in the process.
Frida's wiped the sweat off her brow as she finished planting another Yellow Goldfinger flower, along the path, her hand went inside a basket to grab some more but found none. Noticing this, Frida stood up and walk back to Heimdal with the intent of getting another batch of plants...
However, when she arrived she was delighted to see all the Yellow Goldfinger flowers are already unpacked and neatly placed on the sides for her to pick up, Frida gathered them all up when she heard the sound of grunts and scuffles that came from Heimdal.
As she raised her head, she found the blind boy struggling to get rid of the dirt stuck in his clothing, unceremoniously dusting it off with his dirt ridden hands, which added even more to his problem, but Heimdal, unfortunately, couldn't comprehend this, due to his condition.
Frida held back a laugh and decided to make her presence known "Here let me get that for you." She offered and the boy froze and slowly turned in her direction "How long have you been standing there?" He timidly asked, his face blushing at the embarrassing display he probably put up.
"Hmm... For a while now." She said and tried to hold back another chuckle. She took out a handheld brush "A Sparrow Scout is always prepared." She stated and prompted the boy to raise his arms as she used the item to dust the dirt off his Sparrow Scout attire until he was spick and span. "Thanks!" Heimdal uttered.
Frida nodded and was about to head back with a basket in tow. "Frida I just want to say-." She stopped in her tracks and turned to him and listened as he began. "I'm glad to have a friend like you and David." He told her in earnest with a smile.
Frida didn't know how to react as her mind went back to the conversation she had with Raven Leader after the Great Bird Parade "Friends right~..." She mumbled before noticing the silence that began to rein in "The feeling is mutual." She quickly replied as to not make things awkward. Heimdal merely nodded and dismissed the lengthy pause.
After a while, Frida finished planting all the flowers, David was done fertilizing and watering the newly planted flowers, and Heimdal... Has just finished stacking up empty plastic pots in a pyramid out of boredom.
The trio all stood side by side and admired the hard work they pulled off. Frida strode forth, with a handheld camera in hand, and positioned it to where she snapped the before picture she took yesterday, with some minor difficulty on getting the perspective correct she pressed the button, and the camera flashed.
Moments after a film rolled out and she took it and gave it a small shake before she inspected the photo and gave it a small smile and nod of approval as she pasted it on her Action Plan Book before she proudly showed off the before and after picture to her teammates who looked on at the picture.
"I hereby declare we are finished with phase two of my action plan book!" She announced and snapped the book close "The only thing left to do is to show our work to Raven Leader and earn that Merit badge." She finished, her chest puffing with pride. "I say we did an excellent job Sparrows!" She added as she looked at the two boys who nodded "Indeed!" David said "Yeah!" Heimdal shouted in agreement.
Frida nodded "Let's all get cleaned up and pack away our belongings." She told the two as she scanned the scattered tools and supplies around the park. They begin picking up the tools and supplies with David loading them all up in the wheelbarrow and wagon, Heimdal stacking up and organizing the now-empty plastic container that once held the flowers they used to decorate the place, and Frida whose face was buried in her Action Plan Book with a pen in hand as she wrote a detailed report of today's and yesterday's event.
"Hey, guys!" Heimdal's voice broke out and the two stopped what they were doing and turned in his direction, "If it's okay with you two I want to show you something, just for a sec." Heimdal requested and David looked to Frida, who shrugged before she closed her Action Plan Book and approached Heimdal with him following from behind.
The blind boy took in the sound of their approach as confirmation, as he turned and gestured to the two "Come follow me." He beckoned, the two then followed him as he made his way around the park, down the pavement, and towards a corner by the road.
And soon they were walking up a fairly beaten and off-road path that connects to the road and up a slope. The three entered a line of trees and soon find themselves walking through a small forest.
David couldn't believe that they were still in Trolberg as thick trees, and dense foliage surrounded them on both sides.
They followed Heimdal up the path when Frida's eyes picked up on an exposed root that the blind boy was about to step over.
"Careful!" Frida called as she pulled the boy back from nearly tripping over an exposed tree root. Heimdal only smiled and merely waved his hands "I appreciate the gesture, but don't worry I know this place like the back of my hand." He stated and he traversed the area with ease, stepping over every little rock, and walking around every exposed root.
He left David and Frida behind to gawk as he glided up the terrain "Every rock, trees, bushes, and moss! These are the things you pick up on once all you see is darkness." He turned and told the two and they shook themselves back to reality and quickly scrambled to follow as to not get left behind.
...
After a while, the three emerged finally reached the end of the fairly off-road path and they broke through the last line of trees and arrived at their destination, a small plateau coated with grass with the cool wind hitting their heads and the sun's ray beating down on their skin that created a cold yet warm mood, the perfect balance.
"T-That... Was harder than expected." Frida panted as she leaned over to catch her breath with David by her side laid on his back, head facing the sky, clearly exhausted from the climb "You do this every time you come up here for your patrol?!" David asked out loud as Frida helped him get up to his feet.
Heimdal gave them a whimsical look "Well no, the Ranger car sometimes takes me up here since it can drive off roads." He answered.
"But you get used to it, the more you climb back up and down." He casually stated which somewhat irked the two a bit as they dusted themselves off and wiped the sweat off their heads. "So why did you bring us here?" Frida asked as she walked behind Heimdal.
Who in turn flashed them a knowing grin "Well to show you this!" Heimdal shouted as he stepped aside, theatrically gesturing his arms, and allowed the two to feast their eyes on the wonderful view. Their eyes lit up, sparkling, and their mouths were agape.
"Wow!" David gasped.
"Beautiful!" Frida exclaimed.
They stared at the breathtaking view of the city of Trolberg that seemed to emit an orange glow as the light of dusk shone over the horizon. Since the cliff towered most of the city's commercial high-rises it opted for a perfect view of almost everything in the city.
To the fisher's down the harbor, to the farmers in their stalls, to the citizens walking down the pavement, and to the cars driving on the road. All of which could be seen on top of this natural landmark.
Frida took a step forward and joined Heimdal's side, unconcerned at the edge in front of her.
"I've never seen Trolberg in this perspective before!" She proclaimed and gestured her arms out to the view.
"Is this what you see every time you go out to watch over Trolberg?" David stiffly asked, who was a few paces back and remained rooted in his place, as he didn't dare follow Frida and Heimdal's footsteps.
"Mhm!" Heimdal hummed and his eyes glowed white and set its gaze in front "The view never gets old..." He breathtakingly said before something caught his attention and cast his sight downwards "Hey look down there." He pointed and Frida's eyes followed.
Her eyes lit up in familiarity and the two shared a look and smiled before they turned around to David, who refused to even go near the edge, as they gestured to try and coax him to come over. "No thanks! I think I'm comfortable in this spot." David shook his head and politely declined.
"Come on David just a peek I promise it'll be worth your while~." Heimdal sang as Frida rolled her eyes and took David by the arm and dragged him on his feet, his body was stiff, his eyes closed, as he dug his heels into the grass, and scraped on the dirt, in an effort to stop himself from moving.
But with Frida being stronger than the quivering boy she effortlessly placed him a few feet away from the edge next to Heimdal. "Come on just look at it!" Frida said as she let the boy go. David peeked an eye open and looked down.
Seeing the distance between him and the ground below made his face instantly turn green, his vision narrowing, as he held back the bile rising from his throat. But this all changed when Heimdal turned his head and made him look at a specific spot down the base of the cliff.
David's eye lit up for the second time that day, the area they made him look at was a familiar sight to behold "Wow!" He gasped.
"See! I told ya so." Heimdal smirked as he and Frida shared a fistbump together and stared at the same spot. It was a birds-eye view of the park they've spent a whole weekend cleaning and renovating.
A small secluded land by the road surrounded by trees with a path that cuts through the middle and benches at the side, flower beds adorned the once empty plot of grass.
They took a moment of silence to appreciate the fruits of their hard work. "I can't believe we did all of that!" David yelled, no longer fazed by the fact he's standing near the edge. "I know right the flowers I picked are practically glowing!" Frida gushed at the colorful array of plants that decorated the park.
Heimdal nodded and smiled at their comments, his eyes no longer glowing.
"Thank you for sharing this wonderful view with us," David said.
"The pleasure is all mine! Besides, it's my way of thanking you two for the delightful experience." Heimdal said right before he looked away abashed as a moment of silence reigned in "I was hoping maybe we could all hang out like this once more, o-outside Sparrow Scout activities." He nervously asked rubbing the back of his nape and digging his heels into the ground as he refused to make eye contact.
"It'sokayifyoudon'twanto-! I understand!" Heimdal breathed out and mentally prepared himself for rejection.
David's voice broke out "Are you kidding me?" He began as Heimdal cringed at what comes next "Of course we would love to hang out with you more!" He exclaimed and Heimdal gasped "Isn't that right Frida?". David elbowed the girl.
"Y-Yeah..." Frida drawled out a bit longer for her own taste. She silenced the conversation Heimdal and David were having as her mind lingered on the reason why she picked Heimdal as her teammate in the first place, with the sole purpose being one of the privileged to earn an exclusive and rare badge, the 'Comrade of the Watcher' Merit Badge.
Frida wasn't stupid, she was an honor student for a reason. She knew that Raven Leader proposed that reward to coax her into accepting the request in the first place. Yet even when she realized this, she accepted the offer nonetheless, thinking that she had nothing to lose, only to gain.
She knew she was being selfish... Especially to a special blind boy who doesn't see the world the same as she does. To say the least she felt guilt in the pit of her stomach.
Heimdal and David chatted in the background, bearing smiles on their faces. Frida smiled at the sight. "At least those two actually became friends..." She muttered, this eased the guilt she felt, knowing something good came out of her actions.
"Say how about we take a picture, to capture the moment?" Frida strode forth with a camera in hand.
"Sure," Heimdal said as David stood by his left and Frida at his right, with the city of Trolberg behind as the sun begins to set in the background.
"Say cheese!" Frida stated as she held up the camera while leaning in near the two.
"CHEESE!"
*Flash*
The three gathered around as a film paper slid out the camera, Frida took and gave it a shake as the colors emerged. She stared at it before smiling and showed it off to the other two, with Heimdal's eyes glowing, and they too flashed a smile.
"I'll make copies of this for the rest of us... We meet up tomorrow morning to turn in our work, sounds good?" She asked.
"Mhm!" Heimdal hummed in agreement.
"Right!" David exclaimed as the sound of loose dirt cracked underneath his foot. He looked down and noticed that he still stood near the cliff's edge. Seeing this made his face turn green and immediately grab hold of Heimdal's arms.
"C-Could we maybe g-go back down again?" He stuttered as his body shook, his legs started to buckle underneath him.
"B-Before I pass out." He quickly added, Frida and Heimdal laughed at the boy quivering boy's misfortune. Before they eventually pulled him away and make their way down the cliff with the sun setting from behind.
~~*oOo*~~
Frida || Sparrow Scout || Young teen || 3'12" ft || Average Frame || Dark skin || Long Dark Brown wavy hair tied into a ponytail || Sparrow Scout: Long Yellow sleeve uniform, Red scarf, Red sash wrapped around, Brown skirt, Black leggings, and White shoes || Action Plan Book
===-o-===
Heimdal IV || Sparrow Scout || Young teen || 4 ft || Average Frame || Tan Skin || Black Hair || White Pupilless Eyes || Sparrow Scout: Red scarf, Long Sleeve Yellow uniform, Brown trousers, and Black shoes with Long socks || Wooden Cane
~~*oOo*~~
Submission
The morning after that the three met up at Scout Hall. The cabin was filled with Sparrow Scouts, with or without their guardians, to showcase the hard work they did throughout the weekend to Raven Leader, via displaying the before and after picture as proof, to earn the 'Friend of the Park' Merit Badge.
Heimdal, David, and Frida were all in a line with several other Sparrow Scouts. David watched as others presented their image in the front of the line, with some earning a nod of approval from the short-gray haired woman, and with others, rarely, receiving a shake of disapproval.
Not for long, it was finally their turn to present their work. Frida stepped forward and opened her Action Plan Book in front of Raven Leader's face.
"Here's the before picture..." She pointed to an image of a park, littered with weeds and wild vegetation. And trash and dirt scattered on the paths, pavements, and benches.
Raven leader nodded as Frida gestured to the picture next to it. "And this is the final and complete product!" She exclaimed and Raven Leader looked at in scrutiny. The three Sparrow Scouts waited anxiously for Raven Leader's judgment.
After a minute Raven Leader's eyes lit up as she took her eye off the picture before she flashed a smile at the group. "Very good Sparrows! I can proudly say that you have earned your 'Friend of the Park' Merit Badge!" She stated and took out three Merit Badges with a red border, two hands shaking, and a tree design.
She placed one on each of their hands as she beckoned them to move along for the next group to turn in their work.
They scurried out of there in an isolated spot where they celebrated. "Yes! Another one to the collection!" Frida hollered in the air as her two friends giggled at the display pocketing their own badges in their person. Frida ceremoniously pinned the badge on a free spot on her red sash proudly puffing her chest and showing it to the world.
"Well I had a fun time, but I need to rest! My arms are still aching from all that unpacking yesterday!" Heimdal said as he stretched his arms "Plant's are surprisingly difficult to unpack." He added and the other two simply nods.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Frida remembered something, she took out three pictures and gave one to each David and Heimdal. The blind boy's eyes glowed as a smile crept up to his face when he stared at the image.
It was the three of them on top of the cliff, with the city of Trolberg behind them as the sunsets. Heimdal and David were huddled together with Frida in front as she held up the camera to take the picture.
He looked up and the group shared a smile, Heimdal's eyes flickered around the room specifically to her mother, Verene, who mingled with some of the adults present in the Scout Hall. "Anyway, I have to go now. Bye now!" He said with a wave.
David and Frida gave him looks of understanding, as he turned off his eyes began walking in the direction of Verene "Bye!" Frida and David waved as they watched him go "See ya at school Heimdal!" David added.
Heimdal paused in his tracks as he turned sideways and rubbed the back of his nape "Uh... Y-Yes! Of course... See you guys at school too... I guess." He muttered the last part as he left, with his voice faltering at each word.
He arrived by Verene's side and waited for her mother to finish with her conversation before he tugged on her coat to grab her attention "Mum." He began.
"Yes?"
Verene bent over to hear what he has to say. Heimdal's mouth opened and close, struggling to get his words out "I-I think I would like to start attending school again..." He quickly requested, "If that's okay with you!" He added in the end for his assurance.
Verene gawked at the sudden statement before she managed to compose herself and a smile crept up to her face. "Let's buy some school supplies tomorrow." She merely said, as she stood up and grabbed his son by the hand.
She quickly strolled over to Raven Leader, who was busy with judging the latest before and after picture she received from a group of eager Sparrow Scouts.
"I hope you're still up for that tea." Verene quickly whispered to Raven Leader as she let out a chuckle "In a later date, perhaps tomorrow?" Raven Leader inquired.
Verene nodded and turned around on her heel, as she exited the Scout Hall with Heimdal by her side.
Raven Leader watched them go. She briefly excused herself and called another staff member to take her place whilst she's absent. The gray-haired woman's eyes scanned the area before settling on a familiar girl with dark brown hair.
Frida notices this and their eyes met. Raven Leader then beckons her to come over. "Excuse me a bit, David." She said and ran up to Raven Leader's side.
"I'll drop off the badge at your place tomorrow if that's okay with you, I also just want to say you did wonderful on fulfilling my request." Raven Leader said, hands placed on her hips. Frida was alarmed by this and at that moment she pondered whether or not to accept the badge.
Her mind went back to everything from her talk with Raven Leader about the request, to her researching and developing a plan, to her picking Heimdal, to her one-sided talk with Heimdal, and to her, David, and Heimdal at the cliff.
With her every plan and action for the sole purpose of receiving that exclusive badge.
She fidgeted around her red sash, adorned with every badge she earned, as Raven Leader waited for a response. Frida took a deep breath, her decision resolved, as she realized she was already too deep into this for her to back out now.
"Sure!"
She agreed under a strained smile. Raven Leader nods and went back to her previous spot and resumed judging the line of Sparrow Scouts.
"What was that all about?"
A voice asked catching Frida off by surprise "Nothing!" Frida yelped with a tensed shoulder before she calmed down when she saw it was just David who snuck up behind her.
Her shoulder dropped and turned to him "Anyway, my mother is here to pick me up." She said gesturing to a woman mingling with other adults. David nodded as Frida turned sideways.
"See you next time David!" She waved as she jogged to her mother.
"Bye Frida!" David waved back as he watched her friend talk to her mother before they left the Scout Hall. This left David all alone as he didn't come today with his Mum or Dad preferring to spend the rest of the afternoon in the company of someone else.
And that someone is a boy standing at the back of the line with another group. A boy sporting curly brown hair, with light skin, wearing a Sparrow Scout attire, and stylistic blue shoes.
"Hey, Sinon!"
Sinon turned around, surprised "David!" He called as David approached his side with a smile. Sinon was interrupted when a girl with blue hair elbowed Sinon's side to garner his attention, he turned around to the girl with a raised brow.
"Sinon, It's our group's turn." The blue-haired girl, which David knew was named Hilda, pointed out and Sinon nodded and turned to David.
"Just a moment," Sinon excused David and he nodded, and patiently waited behind the group. David watched as a girl he knew, named Aaliyah presented the before photo to Raven Leader who nodded before being presented with the after picture.
David didn't miss the strained look on the group's face as the Raven Leader checked the after picture in scrutiny. Their faces fell and shoulder slumped when Raven Leader shook her head, denying them of their badge.
After this Raven Leader stood up and congratulated those who earned their 'Friend of the Park' Merit Badge. And consoled those who didn't receive their Merit Badges.
She reminded those unfortunate Sparrow Scouts, that there are still more badge activities to come in the near future, where one can redeem oneself, and take their chances with other badges.
Sinon's group walked away, in a somber yet hopeful mood, as Raven Leader concluded the Sparrow Scout activity for the week, and dismissed the meeting as the children and the crowd began to filter out the Scout Hall.
Sinon, Aaliyah, and Hilda, plus David, walked out of Scout Hall where they were greeted by the afternoon sun.
Since no parents accompanied the members of Sinon's group them they took their sweet time spending the remainder of the time in each of the other's presence.
"Well, there's always next time," Sinon told his group with a shrug.
Aaliyah held out the after picture for them to see, and they couldn't resist grinning from ear to ear before they shared a knowing laugh, their minds flashing to a memory from yesterday.
David caught a glimpse of the group's after picture, and he cringed at the sight of an utter disaster displayed in the image "Woah! What happened? I have never seen someone mess up that badly for a Sparrow Scout activity before..." He exclaimed out loud.
"I don't envy what you guys went through." He added "Not one bit."
Sinon snorted "It was quite a debacle wasn't it?" He said and looked at the two girls who held back another chuckle before giggling once more as another round of laughter was shared amongst the team.
This didn't answer any of David's questions as the group snickered at an inside joke that he clearly doesn't know.
"Tell you what! I'll tell you all about it at lunch in school." Sinon said to him wiping a tear from his eye. "You better." David chuckled.
"So-."
~~*oOo*~~
Sinon || Sparrow Scout || Young Teen || 4 ft || Big Frame || Light Skin || Short Curly Dark Brown hair || Sparrow Scout: Red scarf, Long Sleeve Yellow uniform, Brown shorts, and Blue stylistic shoes with Long socks
===-o-===
Raven Leader || Mid Adulthood || 5'10" ft || Average Frame || Light skin || Short Gray hair || Long Yellow sleeve uniform, Red scarf, Brown pants, and Dark Brown boots.
~~*oOo*~~
( Chapter Eight - Gardening Phase Two)
Authors Note: This was a back aching chapter to write. The next chapter will conclude my take on Hilda Chapter 4 'The Sparrow Scouts'.
You're probably curious about what did Hilda, Sinon, and Aaliyah go through during their Badge Activity. Click that follow and favorite button to stay updated when I post the next upcoming Chapter Nine titled 'Hilda and the Vittra'.
And I would also just want to say that Chapter 5-8 solidifies Frida, Heimdal. and David's friendship which allows me to write more adventures using the three of them.
Leave a review if you have any questions, qualms, or reactions I'll accept and answer them all nonetheless.
Words: 7,435