Elli and his lessons on the greens

In Art Challenges (2025) ・ By Kardinal
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Gulls called out to each other as the gentle ocean waves lapped softly against the side of the Howling Rose. The quiet swish of thread being pulled taunt and the muffled pop of a needle pushing into the thick canvas of the ripped sail was disrupted by the sound of cloven hooves running along the length of the sturdy old wooden dock and someone shouting as they ran toward the ship. Elli sighed as he set down the torn sail he had been trying to mend for the better part of the morning as his name became understandable from the shouting. He looked upwards toward the opening in the top deck of the ship just as Dirk’s head popped into view from the upper deck, slightly winded. “Did ya run all the way back to the ship from the main port lad?” Elli asked mildly concerned and wholly amused by the lads energy.

“Yeah,Dirk nodded, Capt’n said Del and Cordy was on their way over ta show ya the right greens.” Elli sighed again knowing the sail that he had been tasked to fix was not getting done today.

“Aight, let them know I’ll be over in a jif once I have everythin’ put away and tell Ivy he can fix his own damnable sail,” Ellie shouts as Dirk is already off like a shot.

“Can dooooo,”Dirk yells, voice fading as he hits the dock running after jumping off the side of the ship. Elli shakes his head murmuring under his breath about the lad having too much energy for his own good. He placed the needle and thread back into the little tin box and bundled up the sail and placed the tin and sail into a wooden crate to be worked on later that night. Climbing the ladder to the upper deck Elli hears a splash on the far side of the ship opposite the dock. Looking over the railing he sees Del sheepishly smiling up at him from the water.

“Let me guess Cordy wants to get this over with so he can make sure Python doesn't use their whole stash in one day again?” Elli sighs as he leans on the railing.

“Yep,” Del says, popping the p, “otherwise I’d be by the shore waiting with him for you to get your lazy scaly ass to us.” Elli sighs, he's been doing that a lot today, before he launches himself over the railing and hits the water with a loud splash; sending Del giggling and diving into the waves. Together they swim, see race, toward the main harbor where Cordy waits.

“What took you two so long,” Cordy whines from his place hiding beneath a tree, “you said it would take you that long to get him Del.”

“Oh, shut it you whine lil guppy, ya’r the one who got offended when I was going to ask around for help learning the greens,” Elli snarls, “we’ll start with you then since yar in such a hurry.” Cordy huffs and stands with a shake.

“ The lets be on our way then, we are headed for a pond just a ways inland that has a stream connected to the ocean, that has some of the plant we shall teach you about and a goodly population of Whisker Lilies to harvest from for the next leg of your journey,” Cordy says grumpy,” Del will meet us there to show you the best way to harvest and collect the edible bits.” The following walk was filled with Lots of lectures and scoldings by Cordy as Elli tries to identify the plants that Cordy is showing him. Elli has to make sure anything his crewmates will be given to sustain them is safe and almost poisoned him several times along the way.

Arriving at the lake Elli is in awe of the beauty of the clearing. He may be corrupt but nature's beauty always gets to him. The sunlight of the afternoon sun is streaming softly through the whole clearing where jellyfish mushrooms and heart cherries glow softly under the protection of the mighty trees surrounding the edge of the lake. The lake itself is covered in a carpet of Whisker Lilies in various stages of growth. A gentle splash draws his and Cordy’s attention to the shore of the lake where Del is waiting for them.

“What took you so long," Del calls out teasingly, mimicking Cordy’s earlier complaint causing Cordy to pout.

Elli chuckled, “I apparently had to learn more than the basics.” “That's cause you have a death-wise, you heathen,” Cordy sulks, “well since my part is done I am going to return home to make sure my brother has not lazied away the day.” With that Cordy turns and leaves the clearing.

“How much you want to bet he stops to collect ‘samples’ on his way back,” Elli asks thoughtfully, walking over to shore of the lake.

“Is that even a question? He’ll most likely spend the night outside trying to find a new plant of some sort,” Del says, shaking his head, “come on I’ll show you the best parts to take for your crewmates, and remember to only take what ya’ll need and no more.”

“Yeah yeah,” Elli says waving his hand dismissively as he walks into the water, “Can’t offend the goddess more than I already have anyway.” Del snorts and propels himself into the deeper water where the Lilies are growing. Elli swam out to catch up to Del for the next round of lectures. Over the next hour Del showed Ellie which flower where the best to make teas from, Which seed pods and bulbs where ready to harvest. Once Del deemed that Ellie had been shown everything there was to show he bid him farewell. Elli remained in the clearing for a short while after to do some fishing and to just float in the waters over the lake to reflect on his day. While he had learned much today he knew that he had a long way to go to make sure his crewmates never went hungry.

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Elli and his lessons on the greens
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In Art Challenges (2025) ・ By Kardinal
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Submitted By Kardinal
Submitted: 1 month ago ・ Last Updated: 1 month ago

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Thumbnail image for MERF-00002: Dorito
Thumbnail image for FAWN-00087: Dirk
Thumbnail image for FAUN-00337: Carvell
Thumbnail image for FAWN-00440: Cordyceps
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