Butterfly

Courtier Tales: Butterfly

Draca smiles as you come in again after completing a job. "I have another job for you. An interesting one. It is in town but it should be a bit interesting." You perk as the phrase 'in town' is enough to make you feel like you might actually be able to recover after the most physically draining jobs of before. However you have already learned to be suspicious of any job that sounded easy. And while there were no mountains or major obstacles that you can remember it did not mean that there were not any. You give her a weary look. This job sounded too good to be true. Especially if Draca thought it was 'interesting.' Draca's grin widened "I see you are swiftly becoming an experienced courtier." She said in a conversational tone. You eye her wondering if that meant that you were learning to never take things as they were presented. And if that meant Draca had been doing this to you on purpose. Somehow you could see that happening. Draca when on "There are more challenges then to the body to be a good courtier. The mind also holds many mysteries. This job will help you explore those." She extends a claw holding the package and tells you where to go. You swallow as you take it. You are starting to wonder what you are in for. But you have a feeling in your gut that you are going to wish that this was just another physical challenge.

As you head on to to the meeting location you are wondering exactly what you are in for from this Butterfly. As usual you know next to nothing about her. And you have a feeling you are in for a rough ride. You mentally pause as you wonder if Draca is actually a closet satist and actually enjoys tormenting her trainees or if this is really for your own good. You are having a hard time making up you mind on what position to take. Perhaps this Butterfly can help you decide. Finally you arrive at the building and stare at the structure. It is impressive. It would appear that this butterfly lives in a treelike building could support a city of its own. Strangely enough there appeared to be a door for you to enter and you do. The room seems to be lit by small balls of lightning floating midair. A maze of bookshelves is carved into the living wood. You see another human sitting reading a book of daunting size. You clear your throat and ask where Butterfly is. The man pauses looking at you closely. "You want to see Butterfly?" He seems a little impressed. "You need to go to the other side of the tree. Go through to the far side and go through the door. She will be there. Good luck."

With that foreboding information you gather your nerve and now are certain that you are in for another one of the challenges that Draca's jobs seem to be. You follow the instructions all the same and exit the three entering a field of flowers some seem to be normal ones while others seem to be made of all sorts of a materials including glass, stone, crystal, wood, and bone. There are also other things made of similar materials in all sorts of shapes and forms. In the center of the 'flower garden' stands a dragon who appears to be constructing another flower out of paper. You guess this is your client and approach. "Butterfly?" You ask just to be sure. But before you can add anymore the dragon speaks. "What do you think makes a flower a flower?"

You pause as you are not sure what this is about. Butterfly said "I don't have all day answer when I speak to you. The question is simple what is a flower?" You sigh as this is going to most likely be an uphill battle. "Flowers are pretty and they hold a scent. They are flowers." That answer fits. And you are not sure why you need to define it. However you are at once challenged. "What makes a flower pretty? Why do they have to hold a scent?" Your answer most likely won't please this dragon but you say it anyways. "They just are. And some just hold a scent. Others don't I guess." Butterfly said "So flowers don't have to hold a scent but they have to be pretty. Show me a flower then." You sigh as you move to pluck a flower and said "Here." You say certain that this too will be challenged.

As expected Butterfly does "So all flowers must look this this?" You knew that it would be too simple. "This is one type of flower it is a violet and all violets look like this." This task is already starting to great on your nerves. Butterfly does not accept that "So are all violets pretty?" You say "If you like violets then one is as good as another." Butterfly's eyes gleam and you know you have slipped up. Butterfly points to a violet made of bone. "So this is a violet and it is pretty."

You said "It is shaped like a violet but it is bone. I guess it is pretty enough." Butterfly says "Does that mean that all bone violets are pretty then?" She then pulls out a bone violet that looks like it was made by a drunk using hacksaw. You of course shake your head "That one is not well made. I would not call it pretty." Butterfly eyes you. "So it has to be well made to be pretty then." She pulls out a glass sculpture of artfully blown and shaped class. It is clearly made with extreme skill. However the sight of it repels you. Something is about the color and shape that gives you a bad feeling. It looks almost like it was made to resemble something you instinctively fear. "no that is not pretty." You tell the dragon.

Butterfly said "But it is well made." You nodded "well made but not pretty." You suddenly realize why you don't like it. The glass seems to be shaped in the form of different body organs all mixed with each other. It is not exactly tasteful that is for sure. And certainly not pretty. Butterfly looks at you. "So then if a flower does not have to be wellmade to be pretty then what makes a flower pretty?" Again you are faced with the same question and you are trying to find an answer that can't be so easily challenged. You see a flower being visited by a butterfly and you seize on that idea. "Flowers partly are pretty because they help provide food for insects that drink nectar." You know better then to just accept any bug as a visitor as you might be shown a house of roaches or dung beetles. Butterfly said "So if it is a host nectorvores then it is pretty." She eyes you. "Did you know that the male mosquito is a nectarour while the female also feeds on blood of various species including humans and animals. Does that mean that those things are pretty flowers?" You pause as you are not sure it is wise to compare humans, skunks and dozens of other creatures to flowers. "No those things are not flowers. However some of those things are pretty perhaps to others of their kind." You are starting to talk like a lawyer for your own well being.

Butterfly said "So then what makes a flower a flower if a flower is not defined as pretty." You are faced with the original question again. You decide to really think about it this time instead of shooting with the first answer you come up with. You look at the different things and after several minutes of hard thought you say this. "A flower is seen in different ways. To me a flower is pretty. It is a lovely thing that you get to see in many forms at different times of the year. To different people different flowers hold different appeal. A person may also make things in the shape of flowers for decoration or using flowers as an inspiration. The ones I like are the ones of my favorite flowers or are well made and made with loving care. They are parts of a scene that is frozen in time. They can remind me of different times or memories. They also can remind me that there are better days to come with times are not going well. Or in the harshness of winter. To other people flowers might mean different things. Lovers sometimes give each other flowers or other gifts. They are used as part of weddings or gifts to females that you are close to. Some flowers are a labor of love and they can be the last gift to a person who has died. Flowers I guess are many things. And have many meanings. But to me they are honestly just flowers and many of them are pretty." You look at the dragon hoping that this answer is good enough.

Butterfly smiles "I see. So that is how you see flowers." She reaches out and seems to write down some notes. "Very good. I see. Your impression is interesting. Now what is your name?" You give it and you said "I am here to deliver a package for Butterfly. Will you accept it as well as my answer?" Butterfly smiles "I will happily. I am Butterfly after all and you have given me an interesting gift with your answer. She accepts the gift a book that appears to be titled 'Beyond the Obvious by Butterfly. She smiles "My new book. I see that they finished it. That is sooner then I expected." She grins and hands you your payment. The extra gift makes you smile as it is a flower that appears to have been carved of crystal. It is lovely. It also glows just a little bit with an inner light. You turn your smile onto Butterfly. "Thank you for this flower. It is very pretty."

Butterfly smiles at you. "Flowers are often given as gift. That one stands for friendship and new beginnings. I hope you enough it as much as I enjoyed making it." You said "it is lovely. And I like the meaning as well." Butterfly smiles "I hope to see you again. Perhaps you can lend me your insights again." You say "Perhaps...." And with that you turn to leave. Butterfly was not so bad. However you are not sure you would return. Yet as you stare as the flower you ponder the meaning. Perhaps it is something to have your views valued by a scholar and author. Perhaps you should accept that friendship..... a friendship that is represented by a pretty flower.