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Topic:
I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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correllian_ale
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
4/29/06 9:40am
Subject:
I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
- Date Edited:
7/9/06 8:23pm (3 edits total)
Edited By:
correllian_ale
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Title: I’m Simply the Gardener
Author: correllian_ale
Timeframe: Almost 1,000 years BBY
Characters: OCs
Genre: vignette
Keywords:
Summary: An Ithorian reflects on his contributions to life as a gardener
Notes: Written for the OC Dueling Circle Challenge #18
The GFFA is an enormous galaxy, and though humans are its most common species, they're far from the only ones. It's easy to write about humans since everyone can relate to them. So for this challenge, try writing a story from the point-of-view of an alien.
A special thank-you to the kind souls who nominated/qualified the "Gardener", Ithorian Torm Solon for the Summer Awards: Best Non-Human Character!!! You guys kick ash!!!
To be on Coruscant, or my homeworld, or Kuat; many would see that as an affirmation of skill, my talents in horticulture. Nevertheless, I have found that owning a trader’s mart on an Outer-Rim backworld like Femushia to be just as elite, just as satisfying, and just as gratifying as those who would claim a profitable Core sited shop.
However, turning a profit has never been the core of our existence. I’m simply the gardener, what would I need with the grandiose. An Ithorian’s desire to grow and care for a life is one’s being. The joy of a sale is not derived from the credchips placed into my grasp, but at the potential of incredible joy for the intended recipient of the Life Born of the Soil, whether it be the buyer, or their loved one – or even potential loved one as the case may be.
~ Breath easy, release your milk ~
Careful not to disturb her peaceful rest, I stroke the Sweetblossom’s sun basking laves gently, trying to coax it her to produce more of the extract I provide Jucco. Poor spice-addicted fellow he is, the extract helps to alleviate his slavery to the Jawa-on-his-back. The poor creature tries so hard, and the milk’s properties have only a fraction of what he desires, but as far as I can tell, he has not ‘fallen’ again. I never accept money from him, but he always finds ways to leave credchips around in inconspicuous places for me to find later. The young Rodian has a good set of hearts within, so I help him face the pollution that destroys him. He needs his chance to bask in the sunlight, and grow.
The rows of the Treeman’s Herb sways with the breeze gently, beckoning to me, petitioning for my attention. A displaced citizen of Naboo, a young girl; is their only connection to home, as are they hers. She lives the lonely life of a medic, and although she is a healer of beings, her ‘green-thumb’ leaves a lot to be desired; as the humans say. Once a month, perhaps twice she will return to my humble shop – a wilted and dead Treeman’s Herb in hand – and ask me to cure what little remembrance she has left of her grandmother. She is not aware that when she returns latter that day, that I have replaced the plant with one alive and vibrant, and have not in fact; nursed the old one back to health. I ask for no payment, telling her it was a simple matter really, but she is steadfast to bestow upon me a bottle of mixed oils, and herbs to add to my vegetarian meals; an old family recipe she informs me, and I feel honored.
I do as the healer does and ease the suffering of a hurt soul. My people value life above all else, and in my hearts, I could not soothe my pain over the dead plant by informing the tired youngster that she is in fact, a killer. I dutifully turn the plant now absent of life into a mixture that will bring more of its kind to life.
It is mid morning, and the glint of the sunlight reflecting off armor startles me. Many times in the past, I have found myself victim to robberies by blade, and several years later, my nerves tense at the sight of shiny and sharp objects. But as I said that was in the past.
Before me now, shadowing the bright light of the orange sun from my eyes is the reason it is in my past. With as many years as I have fingers in the past, the figure before me had saved my shop and myself from local thugs; and made a public declaration of my clemency from molestation. That was the only time I saw him with his helmet on, and to this day am humored by the terror the sight caused my assailants.
His Mandolorian armor does not frighten me, but unfortunately, it does have a negative effect on my patrons. The cream-colored suit, covered in the plates of body-armor is welcome sight in my shop. It means he has survived another conflict, and although his penchant for violence saddens my hearts, his presence always lifts my spirits.
His hardened face greets me in his native tongue, and I return the greeting as Ithorians commonly do with those outside their species. I raise from my hunches, towering over his human figure, the graying red hair atop his head seemingly thinning beneath my gaze. I ignored the fatigue present beneath his eyes in form of dark circles, but instead regarded the excitement within them. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I guide him to the back of my shop, into the attached greenhouse, to the table where I cultivate his passion for life.
~ You go now to return to your bride. ~
The statement is an inquiry. Our bond as friends was developed from the time I spent helping him strengthen the bond with his mate. He had rescued me, and I offered him my services as a simple gardener as he saw fit.
His request was also simple, that I provide him with a flower for his mate, to help salve the crevice that was between them when he returned from his ‘work’. She was not Mandolorian, he had told me in a moment of weakness, and certain confidence. ‘She did not understand his warrior’s ways’ he had told me. He harkened upon me to provide him with a sarad that he could present his bride, a symbol of peace and love. It would be obvious that I shared his mate’s mind, as my people are also ignorant of the needs of the warrior.
It was his need however, that I came to understand. He needed to return from battle and from violence to the love of a family. Through simply inquires of him – of which he was at one time he was very suspicious of – I had come to learn not only of her homeworld, but of the actual region she grew up in. I had come to know her mindset, and her value of family, which was actually similar to those of the Mando standing with me. From those things, I was able to deduct the flowers from her life, those that grew around her, as she had grown.
At first, a simple single stemmed flower I provided him, and told him it would remind her of her family of days gone by. And it did, and it ‘filled her with a sense of melancholy joy’ he told me.
‘She still frets about my life as a bounty hunter’, he tells me from time to time. But she now knows it not that the thrill of the battle, but of the returning home that drives him.
Even though I know where he has been and what he has probably done, I find myself looking forward to his ritual visits to retrieve a gift of life for his bride. As I’m sure she does as well, for it means her mate has returned, and the process of growing as a family can renew, much like the blossoms from climate changing worlds.
He stops in less often now that the war is over, but feels that will change. ‘Without a common cause to bind them, beings realize what it is that they don’t like about each other again’, he often says.
Ruus Dengar the Mandolorian quietly and thoughtfully selects a thin, vibrant plant, with a bright orange-yellow blossom. ‘The sarad is like her smile’, he informs me, perfectly comfortable to be vulnerable in my presence.
~ She must be as lovely as the sun that rises then. ~
He has no trouble understanding my deep-throated rumbling in basic. To look at the human’s mouth, so lined from frowning, one would not think its smile would be so infectious. ‘She is burc’ya' he returns, as a sudden yet understandable haste takes hold of him.
He wraps his hands, made brutal looking by his armor, around the Tillychord’s vase more delicately than one would suspect, and places a small satchel of credits onto my bartering table. I have long since surrendered from arguing with him in regards to paying me so greatly for such a small plant. He informed me once that the plant was small, but its worth was not.
I suspect he knows I contribute the money to an orphanage he has donated several occupants to in the past.
‘Vor’e burc’ya’, he calls out his common farewell as he leaves my shop. I believe it is a statement of affection, how I must ask him to learn me Mando’a some day. But then, what use for it will I have?
~ I’m simply the gardener. ~
FIN
-----signature-----
Consider this my "throw back" jersey...  I govern my life around my own personal code of ethics, and I suggest that you do the same.
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Healer_Leona
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
4/29/06 4:10pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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Wow, that is just beautiful. What a wonderful alien OC you've created. So much the kind of being I'd like to know. Giving and loving without asking in return.
I just really love this. 
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Still crazy after all these years.
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Meredith_Kenobi
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
4/29/06 4:17pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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 Wow. I think that word sums this up pretty well, and that's all I can say because I am in effect 'wow-ed'. I'm speechless. Very well done!!!
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Proud to be ZaraValinor's Padawan  Delighted to be brodiew's Master
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Rogue_Pilot_2347
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
4/29/06 6:34pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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Wow...
Wow...
The Ithorian has such beautiful memories! I love the little clips of a caring, selfless life! That was beautiful, C_A! 
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JadeSolo
Title: NSF managing NSWFF
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
4/29/06 8:19pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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I do as the healer does and ease the suffering of a hurt soul. My people value life above all else, and in my hearts, I could not soothe my pain over the dead plant by informing the tired youngster that she is in fact, a killer. I dutifully turn the plant now absent of life into a mixture that will bring more of its kind to life.
One of my favorite parts of this beautiful vig. I think it says exactly why he's a gardener - he values life and understands how death and life are perfectly and naturally intertwined. I also really liked how the Mando was so comfortable in his presence that he would freely speak his mind.
Wonderful job. If you ever expand on this character, I'd love to read more!
-----signature-----
"If you expect a kick in the balls and you get a slap in the face, it's a victory."
"May God bless you and keep you always...I mean that in a civic deist way." -Prof. Siegel
"No guaranteed money, but all guaranteed fun!"
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Elana
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
4/29/06 9:55pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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Oh, that was lovely. Wonderful character.
-----signature-----
"Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within." - James Baldwin The Slumbering Princess http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=23230496&brd=10475 My original fiction http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elanafic/
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oqidaun
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
4/30/06 4:01pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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This was so touching:
I do as the healer does and ease the suffering of a hurt soul. My people value life above all else, and in my hearts, I could not soothe my pain over the dead plant by informing the tired youngster that she is in fact, a killer. I dutifully turn the plant now absent of life into a mixture that will bring more of its kind to life.
I'm terrible with houseplants, too.
This little bit reveals so much about this character.
What an incredibly orginal piece!
You've broght such life to this gardener.
Wow! I'm left a little speechless by this.
It was so perfectly constructed.
Damn, Ale, you've really nailed this one.
Beautiful work!!!!
-----signature-----
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Jennifer_Lyn
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
5/1/06 12:51pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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He stops in less often now that the war is over, but feels that will change. ‘Without a common cause to bind them, beings realize what it is that they don’t like about each other again’, he often says.
Ruus Dengar the Mandolorian quietly and thoughtfully selects a thin, vibrant plant, with a bright orange-yellow blossom. ‘The sarad is like her smile’, he informs me, perfectly comfortable to be vulnerable in my presence.
~ She must be as lovely as the sun that rises then. ~
He has no trouble understanding my deep-throated rumbling in basic. To look at the human’s mouth, so lined from frowning, one would not think its smile would be so infectious. ‘She is burc’ya' he returns, as a sudden yet understandable haste takes hold of him.
He wraps his hands, made brutal looking by his armor, around the Tillychord’s vase more delicately than one would suspect, and places a small satchel of credits onto my bartering table. I have long since surrendered from arguing with him in regards to paying me so greatly for such a small plant. He informed me once that the plant was small, but its worth was not.
wow. beautiful sentiments and enchantingly written! lovely job, c-ale!
-----signature-----
Forever in search of the perfect Obi-Wan quote but it remains something... elsewhere. Elusive. Secret agent in the OC revolution Proud Master to Kestrel_Kenobi A Stirring in the Bones - http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/24526219/p5 - updated 8/30
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raisedbywolves
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
5/1/06 1:12pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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Awww, this was wonderful! Loved the different things that the plants meant to each customer, and the way that slight language difficulties accentuated the characters' different heritages. Great viggie!
-----signature-----
What She Saw: http://boards.theforce.net/Before_the_Saga/b10475/21886008/?0 Proud (if erstwhile) padawan to Master Darth Pixel. It's not Darth Real Life, actually - I prefer to think of it as my very demanding Jedi Master.
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WyoJedi
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
5/3/06 9:40pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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Amazing! I have always thought the Ithorians were an interesting species. And you have really established a strong OC for the challenge. Very powerful fic.
Cheers,
Wyo
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the_wandering_shadow
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
5/4/06 3:46am
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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Now this Ithorian was a well-developed OC. Such a kindly fellow too. I really liked him. Good story.
Poor spice-addicted fellow he is, the extract helps to alleviate his slavery to the Jawa-on-his-back.
Did anybody else find the term 'Jawa-on-his-back' funny?
-----signature-----
Daniel Paul Harms (1958-2007) Yesterday I bought Harry Potter y Las Reliquas de la Muerte (Deathly Hallows in Spanish!) lordmaul13's PIC The new writing contest: http://boards.theforce.net/science_fiction_and_fantasy_books_and_comics/b10749/28279838/p1/?2
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-Darksaber-
Registered:
Mar '05
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Date Posted:
5/4/06 12:44pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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Aww, this was lovely. Such a great OC you've created here!
-DS
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I literally do not know who I am. It's all untested. Am I funny? Am I sarcastic? Sexy? Right old misery? Life and soul? Right-handed? Left-handed? A gambler? A fighter? A coward? A traitor? A nervous wreck? Judging by the evidence, I've certainly got
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bi0nic
Registered:
Feb '06
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Date Posted:
5/5/06 8:16am
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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You did a really great job getting into the mindset of an Ithorian with this, correllian_ale, nice work!
Being a gardener seems like the perfect job for a member of his species, and the way he interacts with the other characters was brilliant, so giving and gentle. It seemed very true to the way Ithorians have been shown in the only thing I know them from, KOTOR.
Excellent response to the challenge!
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"I'm the sickest linguistically illicit lyrical misfit in the business And probably in existence, what's your consensus?" - Canibus Padawan to furrylittlebantha
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SBD-518
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
5/6/06 9:18am
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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Wow. This gives real insight into what the life of Ithorian is. They get so little attention, because they never play major roles in the SWG. Beautiful work.
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I am a Sith Commando. We're so good, you didnt even known we existed.
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Lord_Zeron
Registered:
Mar '05
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Date Posted:
5/6/06 4:44pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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That was a beautiful vignette, it was nice seeing thing's from the view of an Ithorian. They've always been one of my favorite species, since they're always so peacful and kind, as you managed to convey very well throughout the story. It also makes perfect sense for an Ithorian to be a gardener, considering the lives they lead on their homeworld.
I enjoyed hearing about the relationship between the Ithorian and his customers, especially the bounty hunter. It came as a total surprise that he was really Dengar, I thought it might have been one of the Fetts at first until you mentioned the red hair. Excellent submission to the challenge!
-----signature-----
"The greatest reward is often the journey which brings you to it." -Someone Wise Links to all my stories can be found at The Sith Archives: http://www.freewebs.com/lord_zeron/
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correllian_ale
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
5/7/06 12:33pm
Subject:
RE: I'm Simply the Gardener (Vignette - an OC Dueling Circle response)
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 Whoa! Thanks guys...
Healer Leona: Giving and loving without asking in return. He is a good hearted fellow isn't he, but then after I asked myself; 'how does he pay the bills?'. 
Mere_K: I'll see your Wow! and raise you a Wow-E-Wow! 
Rogue_Pilot: The Ithorian has such beautiful memories! I just hope they weren't imagined as a result of being around all those different herbs all day... 
JadeSolo: Thanks Jade! The Ithorian (whose official name is Torm Solon btw) may make an apperance, from time to time.
Elana: Thank-you so much.
oqidaun: You're right, he's too much of a nice character...totally not my style. Maybe I should kill him off for the OC Anom challenge.
Jennifer_Lynn: Aw, thanks...
raisedbywolves: Thank-you, the plants were meant to represent the characters, so I appreciate it.
WyoJedi: I always liked Ithorians too, they remind me of Yoda without the mischief...
tws: It was very funny, imagining the hooded little thing tithering like a complaining back-pack...
-darksaber-: Thank-you!
bi0nic: From what I understand, the principal of their life is caring for nature on their home planet; so I thought a "simple gardener" would be a perfect fit. Glad you liked it.
SBD-518: The only major attention I've seen with them is in the NJO, so it is nice to expand on species like that.
Lord_Zeron: Thank you. Its not the actual Dengar we know from ESB, since this takes place almost 1,000 years prior; but maybe an ancestor of some sort...it would explain the Mandolorian-like armor he wears.
-----signature-----
Consider this my "throw back" jersey... I govern my life around my own personal code of ethics, and I suggest that you do the same.
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