From his seated position atop the lush grassy knoll, Eliwood’s cerulean eyes gazed fondly upon the rest area Pelleas and he had revitalized with colorful flowers. Benches that were once surrounded by patches of worn grass and weeds were now framed by newly created flower beds, boasting lovely purple and gold flower arrangements that commanded the attention of every passerby. The newly added presence of the flowers made the benches far more welcoming, offering its guests a quiet reprieve for those who grew weary along the trail.
As a man born within a family blessed with old wealth, Eliwood did not have the burden of toiling daily to earn a living. Rather than dedicate his time to working an occupation out of passion or to further increase his wealth, he instead committed himself to volunteering, satisfying his need to contribute positively to society. Having grown in a rural area, coupled with his family owning an apple orchard, Eliwood had always felt a particular fondness for projects aimed at the restoration or improvement of the natural environment. Hence his reasoning for taking part in this community project.
Aside from the intrinsic reward to such work, Eliwood also found that volunteer opportunities were a great source of developing friendships and socializing with others. Eager to establish new connections from those from a variety of backgrounds, Eliwood was delighted to have met Pelleas, and that they had hit it off rather swimmingly. As if his very thoughts summoned the man himself, Pelleas emerged into view, joining him at the peak of the knoll with his lunch in hand. Had Eliwood been a child, perhaps even more naive, he may have considered the coincidence magic. Instead, he merely smiled warmly, shaking his head.
“Not at all! Please, do make yourself comfortable. After the effort we have invested today, we both deserve a good rest.” He replied, a small chuckle tumbling past his lips. The thought of their labor made him acutely aware of his aching limbs and sore knees, but he brushed such pains aside, instead choosing to relish the reprieve.
“Speaking honestly, I do not believe we have ever met at prior volunteer opportunities, Pelleas. Tell me, are you from this area?” Eliwood asked cordially, “I am quite impressed with your knowledge on gardening. I admit, I never would have considered arranging the flowers as you had suggested.” Both his praise and curiosity was sincere, offering a warm start to their conversation.
The smile he received from Eliwood was welcoming, setting his nerves at ease. In the past, Pelleas had plenty of difficulty communicating with others, and the foster care system often prevented him from maintaining the few friendships he managed to forge. It seemed like the children he was with were shuffled around on a regular basis, while he, with a quiet and submissive demeanor, was afforded the ‘privilege’ of staying behind. This, paired with the other difficulties he faced, left him physically and emotionally isolated for much of his youth. Recently, however, he had begun to make an effort to reach out to others, aided by a newfound support system.
“I agree,” he replied as his lips curved to mirror Eliwood’s expression. He, too, was made acutely aware of the ache in his limbs, his arms begging for reprieve while the joints in his hips and his knees threatened to keep him off his feet for the rest of the day. Worse still, he was certain he’d be more sore tomorrow than he was at the moment. Yet, as he returned his gaze to the sight of fresh flowerbeds, he found himself filled with both pride and satisfaction. It was a job well done and time well spent.
“Oh, I -- Well, I do live close to the city,” he explained. “So, I volunteer there more often.” Despite that fact, he strongly believed that it was important to help nature reserves, in particular, since they were often the center of preservation in any given area. If they weren’t tended properly, native wildlife might be lost to invasive species -- perhaps permanently, in the case of those already classified on the endangered list. When he thought about it like that, a half hour drive seemed trivial by comparison.
Yet, as Eliwood continued, offering his compliments to Pelleas, the latter found himself rendered temporarily speechless. He was, admittedly, embarrassed to be praised so kindly when, in his own opinion, they’d contributed equally to the success of their task.
“Th- Thank you,” he stammered as his cheeks bloomed with color. “To tell the truth, it’s one of my favorite hobbies.” There had even been a time when he had considered becoming a florist. It was a simpler, less difficult career path to pursue. But, in the end, he decided he wanted to make a difference with his life, and he would have a better opportunity to do so as a social worker.
“And I’m grateful to know that you appreciate my suggestions. Although, I must insist that it would have been a wasted effort without your assistance. The weeds were quite the hassle, and yet, you never let them stand in our way, even when I struggled.” It was an admirable dedication. “I can only imagine how helpful you are at other volunteer opportunities.”
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