"Adaptable, I like that." (#Fictober22 Day 6 Repost)
featuring Vinnie Foster — a character from The New Ashton Chronicles, written & role-played by F.R. Southerland
( @normallyxstranger | @frsoutherlandauthor | www.frsoutherland.com )
© 2022, 2026 F.R. Southerland
original fiction (repost) | approx. words: 575 | general warnings: none | reblogs allowed & encouraged
Vinnie was in love with the idea of asurthaniums.
These plants didn’t exist on Earth and it was a shame, because they were beautiful with their purple and red blooms, and bright green leaves. They smelled a lot like strawberries when those blooms opened every morning.
At least, that’s what her sister had said when she brought her the potted plant. Andy’s demon boyfriend—or whatever she called the soultaker she was so attached to—had brought it from one of those dimensions he visited. Despite how it got to this world or who was responsible for its presence, Vinnie seized on the unique plant gladly.
This was a fantastic opportunity for her. Oh, she’d longed to study rare plants and flowers, never thinking she’d actually get her hands on something that should not exist here. Now that she had it, she must take care of it.
But would it thrive like other plants on Earth? Did it need sunlight and water and fertilizer? What could she do to make sure it survived in a new environment?
For a time, she kept it in her apartment in the pot it arrived in, with the soil of its home nestled about its roots. She watered it, cared for it as she did all her plants, but its supposedly beautiful blooms never unfurled. Frustrated, she considered touching it with some earth magic, a bit of green energy to coax it. Immediately, Vinnie thought better of it. She wanted to see it grow on its own. It was… more satisfying that way. Her magical influences—whether it be a spell or her mystical kept-in-a-pocket-dimension greenhouse—must be a last resort.
Tucking her long red hair behind her ears, Vinnie knelt by the empty plot she’d cleared out the day before in the vast backyard garden of the Kindheart Coven. Hopefully, the flowers would be happier in their new home, in fresh good Earth soil, surrounded by nasturtiums and violets.
Despite wanting to hold off on magic, she couldn’t help giving her usual blessing for the soil as she dug.
"Branches, buds, fruit, and seeds,
Soil, blossoms, vines, and leaves.
Bless these plants and help them grow,
On this garden strength bestow."
Gently, she removed the asurthanium from the pot and placed it down. Slowly, almost reverently, she pushed soil around it, patting it. “You should like this, I hope,” she said softly, smiling a bit. “It’s nice here. I visit often, so I’ll be able to give you whatever you need. Once I figure all that out. You have to help me with that, okay? We’ll work together. We’ll grow together.”
Vinnie sat back, admiring her work. The dirt felt good on her hands so she didn’t yet wipe it away, enjoying the sensation as it dried on her fingers. Brow furrowing, she leaned forward to straighten a stem, move a leaf, push more soil at its base.
That’s when she sensed it.
Holding her breath, the witch sat back, eyes widening as slowly, the small buds of asurthanium began to open. Each one welcomed the light, petals unfurling to reveal a vivid red cascading into a deep purple. She’d never seen anything like it.
“Oh,” she whispered, hardly breathing. “You’re so beautiful! I knew you could do it!” She gave a breathless laugh. “Adaptable, I like that. Oh, I more than like it— I love it. I love you! Thank you!”
And the strong scent of strawberries filled the air.
