I spy...
About the time Karen realizes the girl is moving close, her flashlight sweeps past where Karen is... then back.
"Um... hello," the girl says. She looks surprised to find someone lurking out here, but not particularly frightened.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I spy...
About the time Karen realizes the girl is moving close, her flashlight sweeps past where Karen is... then back.
"Um... hello," the girl says. She looks surprised to find someone lurking out here, but not particularly frightened.
Karen grins and waves. "Evening. Nice to see someone else enjoying the park after hours." She stands, then offers a hand. "Name's Karen. Thought you may have been a park guard, hence the hiding."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I can relate," the girl says, chuckling. She takes Karen's hand. "You must have been out here for awhile. Your hand feels cold."
"I'm Cassie. My friends are Cynthia and Elliot."
Cynthia tosses off a noncommittal "Hi," while Elliot just waves to Karen.
"Mmhmm. The cold air kinda makes things pop, you know?" Karen returns the wave.
"So, you're the one clearing out the non-native plants here?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Well, the three of us, yeah," Cassie says. "I suppose you might say I'm the leader. Are you here just to enjoy the park by night?"
Karen nods. "I'd be up for offering a hand, though. I'm a bit of a botanist myself."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Sounds great," Cassie says. "We can always use a hand."
As Cassie gets back to work, she asks "So, you said you're a botanist. Are you out here for professional reasons, like research or something, or more personal reasons?"
Karen joins in on the work, carefully removing the plants and setting them aside. "Bit of both, really. Came mainly to check out the place, but became intrigued when I noticed your work. Is there a particular reason you're clearing the non-native plants at this site?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"They don't belong here," Cassie says, simply. "Other than that... well, this is probably going to sound strange, but they damage the spiritual purity of the site."
"Doesn't sound that strange at all." Karen offers her a small smile. "I've often seen that areas with more native plant life thrived better."
Draft this Post