Astoria

Gardening with the Arcanist.

The snapper dropped her shovel in frustration. Her tears hit the dirt with soft plops, mixing with the fresh soil, newly brought in from the Earth flight’s latest tunnel project.
“Hey little snapper, why are you crying?”
The snapper sniffed and looked down, confusion crossing her features as she gazed at the strange creature that had spoken.
“You’re not a dragon.”
“Nope!” The creature agreed cheerfully, snapping they’re book shut. The snapper watched it warily as the thing stretched, wings flitting.
“What are you?”
“An Arcane Sprite! I’m Infiniti and I work with Arcanist!” The sprite’s cheerful demeanor dropped. “There aren’t very many of us left.”
“Oh.”
“Yes. Back to my question though; why were you crying? Ooh, and what’s your name?” Infiniti had already bounced back to a go lucky attitude and the snapper couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m Terra, and I was crying because... because I can’t garden!” She exploded into tears again and Infiniti patted her large foot kindly.
“Well, we‘ll figure something out, the Arcanist loves gardens!”
“How?” Terra wailed mournfully.
“See this nifty book?” The sprite fluttered up to be eye level with the snapper and proudly showed off her tome. “Most dragons think it’s got fan fiction— which it does, sometimes— but it’s actually a magic book that changes to fit any situation!”
Terra nodded, excitement creeping into her heart. “So, it’ll teach me how to garden!?!”
Infiniti beamed. “You catch on quick!”
The sprite opened the book and began to read.
...
Hours later, five shining rows of plants had been planted, so many that Terra forgot most of the names. Luckily for her though, Infiniti’s neat penmanship had labeled every plant.
“Hey Terra?”
“Yes Infiniti?”
“In a few weeks, I’ll remind Arcanist that he’s gotta get out of the tower to see some gardens and I’ll make sure yours is on the list.”
“Really?” Terra questioned.
“Really.” Infiniti promised.
...
Back at the Observatory, a very busy Arcanist was reading with one arm, writing with the other three and simultaneously having a very interesting conversation with a Spirit of Arcane. He looked up from the potions book that some Skydancer had sent him right as Infiniti came in through a window.
“Where’ve you been?” He asked as he looked back to the book, quills scratching away.
“Gardening.” The sprite trilled, wiping a spare clump of dirt of their book.
The Arcanist put down his work and sighed, wistfully staring out the window. “I miss gardening.”
There was a pause and then he was up like a whirlwind. “It’s a beautiful day! Grab the seeds and rakes! Let’s go garden!”