Mary's Flower Garden
My neighbor and childhood friend Mary Raffles lives in a home completely enveloped in a sea of flowers.
Ever since I moved back to my hometown of Alemonowa as her neighbor a few years ago, I've been an eyewitness to the development of her garden from a small patch of pretty plants to a gargantuan living canvas of colors. She's even asked me to help out a few times, though I couldn't tell what for. It's not like she needs me in particular for anything – she's the expert.
Still, I suppose it's good to be able to catch up with old friends every now and then. The two of us parted ways in college, with me leaving to try and make my fortune in another city and her staying here and cultivating a green thumb. Well, I ended up coming back anyway, in the possession of a degree and debt, but no fortune. Mary, meanwhile, seems to be doing quite fine for herself. At least, I assume so. She's always happy to see me, so it's hard to tell, but I never hear her complain about work or coworkers or anything like that.
Speaking of, I ought to get to work myself.
It's going to be sunny all day today, so I decide to get a fresh start. Might was well go grab breakfast somewhere on the way. Once I freshen up and get outside my house, I bask in the sunlight for a bit. It's a warm day for October, so all I need is a light jacket. Mary's garden looks prettier than ever in the full sun, and I'm not the only one around appreciating it. I can always spare a moment to enjoy something beautiful like this, especially with all the hard work she must have put into it.
Ah, but I don't want to stare at it for too long. After all, after I eat, I need to...
(Choose one.)
[] ...get back inside. My next book won't write itself!
[] ...head over to the office, where the work never ends.
[] ...go to the café. Looks like they'll need me today!
[] ...prepare for the private teaching gig I somehow got.
But before I can get going, a familiar voice calls out to me.
???: Oh, Kenny, is that you~?
I recognize it as once as coming from Mary. She must be out in the garden. I can't see her, so she must be off working on the other side or out back. In any case, I call back to her.
-
Me: No, it's a ghost~! This is spooky month, remember?
-
Mary: Oh my~! I sure hope you don't haunt me, hahaha~!
Me: Not a chance. Your garden is way too cheery for that.
-
Me: Yeah, of course. I'm your only neighbor, remember?
-
Mary: Oh, I know~! I just like hearing your voice, hahaha~!
Me: Well, you can hear it whenever you want, you know.
While I do want to get going, I don't mind stopping for a chat with Mary. She
is the only person I know from school that I still talk to. I walk past the swirling colors of her flower garden to the stony path leading to her small home, and find her in her typical dress considering several small somethings on an outdoor table. Stepping in to get a better look, I see that they're seed packets.
As I walk over, Mary turns to look at me with her blood-red hawkish eyes. They're striking when framed by her thin pale face and long black hair. Well, I imagine they would be if I wasn't used to them. Whenever the two of us head out anywhere, she gets glances, stares, and frequent compliments, especially since she likes to ear old-fashioned dresses. She's got one on right now actually – something long and flowing and ruffled in red with white spots and a high waistline. I've only ever seen her in dresses like these since I got back, even when she's out working in the garden. It flows around her as she waves me over.
Mary: Are you about to head out? I want to ask you something before you go! Take a look at these!
She gestures at the seed packets, a set of five.
Purple Iris,
Yellow Daisy,
Orange Lily,
Red Poppy, and White Rose are arranged in the table in a circle. They look just like any other seed packets you could get from the store.
I have to wonder what exactly she wants from me here.
I get my answer once I get right next to her.
Mary: I'm planting some new flowers! But I'm not sure which ones to plant... they're all be quite beautiful in full bloom. Do you perhaps have a preference, Kenny~?
Instead of answering, I remind her that Kentarou doesn't shorten to Kenny, prompting her to stick her tongue out at me and point out that Kennedy, my last name, does. She then asks again if I have a preference, insisting that it's important that I pick. After all, I do have a front row seat to her masterpiece.
She does have a point there. This isn't even the first time she's asked me this, but usually I deflect and she ends up choosing on her own, sulking all the while. Not sure why she's upset - she's got good taste. All the colors flow into each other like in a painting.
...but when I try to escape this time, she grabs my hand and insists that she's not letting me go unless I give her a proper answer!
Ugh... I have places to be!
Well, I may as well go along with her whims this time (I say as if I often don't at other times).
So, after looking over my choices, I go with...
(Choose one.)
[] Iris
Me: What about these? Mrs. Calderon would appreciate you planting these in honor of her daughter.
Mary: Oh yes, it's so awful what happened to her. And I'm not just referring to her untimely death...
[] Daisy
Me: What about these? Can't go wrong with these beautiful flowers.
Mary: For sure~! That's probably why The Garland uses them as their symbol.
[] Lily
Me: What about these? Wouldn't they go well with all the other lilies in your garden?
Mary: Maybe, but I've had no reason to plant these vengeful flowers. Others might though...
[] Poppy
Me: What about these? I always associated poppies with somber moods though.
Mary: Ah, but they can also symbolize fun~! There's two sides to the poppy~!
[] Rose
Me: What about these? Your other roses wilted recently, may as well add these.
Mary: I was so sad to see them go... perhaps I should plant Roses of Heaven.
[] ???
NOT AVAILABLE. COMPLETE ALL OTHER ROUTES TO UNLOCK.
...and then chat a bit more with Mary before I head out for the day with her warmly sending me off.
QM Note: Hello! Trying out another original quest, structured a bit like a visual novel. Each route has one Complete End (and may have at least one Early End). Getting the five Complete Ends will unlock the last route and the Final End. I won't be needing to reserve any posts, so you can start voting immediately.
