Hazbin Hotel: Caine's Garden
"What's the point of this thing again?" Angel asked as he handed Husker another glass panel, his other arms holding glue, nails and a hammer "It's a greenhouse kid, it's for growing plants." He installed another panel, Caine standing nearby and looking over the blueprints "Sweet, I can get us a couple of prime "plants" if you know what I mean" he chuckled and Husker fixed him with a glare "I doubt that that's what Caine has in mind" Caine, hearing the whole conversation only smirked "Actually Husker, cannabis has been known to contain several healing properties and is quite a useful plant" He saw the smile spread wide over Angel's face and then shot him a look "No Angel, besides, this greenhouse is going to be used for cultivating new types of plants." He looked from the blueprints to several new specimens he had nearby getting some sun. He'd searched all over the pride ring for different types of plants that weren't being sold as drugs. He'd found some beauties, especially one that matched Emily's eyes perfectly. That would be a special project.
"Well, if you ask me, we could make a fortune if you used those gardening skills of yours to grow something other than flowers" he rolled his eyes, but then smirked at him "So, growing your girlfriend more plants for her nightstand hm?" Caine ignored him, Morrigan landing on his shoulder. He gave her a gentle pet as he contemplated many ways he could eviscerate the spider without making a mess "Angel I'm in a good mood, don't spoil it" Husker chuckled as he grabbed another panel "Well this thing isn't that big, about the size of a tool shed I'd say" Angel was as tall as the roof's edge and if he stretched out his arms, he'd be the same length of the small little glass house "I plan to expand the inside with magic. I'll have much more room and a better environment to grow plants that can't survive out in the direct sun." Husker only smirked "Yeah, and more room for some alone time with Miss Emily" The two of them sniggered like children, Caine shooting them a look "Husker…. how would you like to feel what it's like to line a pair of boots for Miss Emily" he threw back at him, setting aside the plans so he could get to work on the magic portion.
"Speaking of, where is her holiness anyway? You two haven't been by the restaurant lately." Husker was also concerned, having gotten used to seeing them around the hotel together "Yeah, usually you two are out and about taking a walk or having tea together. I haven't seen you two together since…." He realized since when and wisely said nothing. To say it was a weight on Caine's heart would be an understatement. She hadn't spoken much of anything to him since she'd come back from her meeting with Sera. He'd been waiting for her to apologize to her for losing his temper, but when she stepped through the portal, she looked more devastated than she had that morning. She'd flown off to her room and he hadn't seen much of her since. He'd been appearing at her door on the usual scheduled time, but she would either make an excuse or just not answer at all. It was starting to weigh on him. It felt like losing a huge part of himself. "I'm sure she's busy. She has a lot more to worry about around this hotel than just me you know"
As always burying himself in work was the best solution to any problem. Taking his mind off things would be a good temporary fix. He planted creeping vines along the sides of the greenhouse as well as shrubbery and other flowers to help it blend into its natural surroundings. He expanded the inside as planned, making it two floors with balconies, a massive tree sprouting out of the ground and spreading all around by the branches and roots. Several grew just right to make tables or shelves out of, one even coiling in a way as to make a perfect cozy nook to sit in at the tree's base. It truly was a wonder how plant life seemed to listen to him, almost as if it were feeling his needs and thoughts. With a tap of his cane, pots and tools sorted themselves out, everything neat and tidy the way he liked. It would be a perfect hideaway, a workspace for himself and hopefully Emily as well. She'd shown such an interest in plants, and he wanted to teach her how to grow them, maybe even how to grow her own flower.
One of the new shelves made a perfect storage space for all the various books he'd started collecting on plant life and the various ways it could be grown and experimented with. With a wave of his hand one of the books floated off the shelf and the roots of the tree sprouted nearby to make a handy stand. Grafting and splicing new species was something he'd taken a keen interest in. It was almost like creating life, creating something new. He had several specimens to work with now and would in time, hopefully, create something he could name for Emily. A plant to reflect the perfection that she was, to match her beautiful eyes, the soft complexion of her skin. Something he could look at and every time, see her in it. Even if she wasn't by his side. Unfortunately, all his attempts had been in vain. The new species would either quickly die or reject the splicing. He was by no means an expert and was at a loss as to how to make this work. Fortunately, there were others in the pride ring whose knowledge went far beyond his own and he'd sent out a few ravens to see if he could find someone to teach him.
He didn't know how long he'd been standing there, flipping pages before he realized he wasn't alone anymore. Emily had this presence, this aura about her. A warmth from the light she radiated that when she was near to him, made the flesh on his hand prickle and tense. He turned around, seeing her watching him. Her expression seemed no more improved than it had in the days before, but at least she was there, she was with him. "If I've upset you terribly, I would have you tell me. This tension…. I don't like it at all" He watched her shake her head as she grazed her fingers over a newly crafted table "I'm not upset, at least not with you" She'd been spending more time by herself lately. Sometimes isolation was best when there was a lot on her mind. When she needed to pray for guidance. "I was lost in my thoughts and prayers." He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Caine didn't think much of prayer, or of the higher entity she believed in. "The meeting was…. difficult and I'm sorry I didn't come to find you sooner afterward. I'm sure you must be wondering." He was, but also had steeled himself, prepared for the worst. "If they will not have me I'd just as soon know so I can get the worst of it over with. It won't change anything, but it will be like having some finality to that end of things. I'd rather my fate not be left in mystery"
This surprised Emily, the shock registered on her face "You'd stay? Even if you couldn't get in?" She had assumed that he'd sooner leave than stay in this place any longer. "It almost seems like an insult to you and the effort you've put into my being here if I packed up and left when things got difficult." He picked up a flower he'd been saving for her, one of the roses and offered it to her "You've really changed a lot in me. I feel different now, for better or worse I can't say, but it's because of you" She took the rose, gasping when a small prick caused a trickle of gold blood to trail down her finger. Carefully he wrapped it up in one of his handkerchiefs and held it in both his hands "I owe you a lot. For bringing me here, for believing in me enough to think that I can do this." There was something about the intensity of his gaze, the way he looked at her. She wanted to run, wanted to hide. It wasn't right. He shouldn't be feeling that way about her, or her about him for that matter. "Caine…we…. we shouldn't…" quickly she took her hand away before she could make a further fool of herself or bring him any closer to making a fool out of both of them. "I…. I can't" she quickly flew off and left him staring after her. Once again that angelic presence was gone, and he was left longing for the warmth she brought to him.