Flora

Oh, it's great to see you, Blossom.

Have you come to check on the little one again?

Your timing's perfect, hehe.

I was hoping to show you something.

The coreopsis has been growing so quickly these past few days.

Yeah. You'll be surprised when you see it.

Why don't we go take a look?

Right?

Its stems are much sturdier now,

and the color of its leaves has become so much more vibrant.

It's all thanks to you stopping by the garden to tend to it.

To a flower, that means a great deal.

Knowing that someone remembers it, enough to keep coming back,

gives it the strength to keep growing.

I'm sure that will make this little one very happy.

Oh, also.

Since you're here,

there's something I was hoping we both could do for it.

It needs a bigger home.

That's right.

With its leaves and stems growing so rapidly,

the inside of the planter has started to fill up with roots.

That would work, yes.

As for which planter to use, I was actually hoping you and I could make a new home for it.

Yes. A ready-made planter would do just fine,

but it's the first plant you and I have nurtured together,

so I thought it would be a nice gesture to make its next home ourselves.

Blossom.

Do you remember when you first started caring for this little one?

You were awfully worried then,

and yet it's grown up beautifully.

I did stick by your side and help, yes,

but if you hadn't poured your heart into it,

it would never have grown as much as it has.

You played a substantial role in its development.

Thank you, Blossom.

Coreopsis, can you wait just a little longer?

Blossom and I are going to make you a brand new home.

... Oh wow.

I think it's happy.

Hehe, you talk to flowers much more naturally now than when you first started.

The garden doesn't have the tools we need,

so we'll have to head somewhere we can actually make one.

I'm sure Lantana will be able to help us.

Yeah, you'll see her once we get to the workshop.

Hehe. Shall we get going, then?

Hey there, Flora!

Hello, Lantana.

Hey there to you too, Boss!

What brings you two to the workshop?

We came to make a planter.

A planter? What kind?

Just say the word and I'll get started right away.

Hehe, we appreciate the offer.

Actually, Blossom and I were hoping to make it ourselves this time.

Really?

Oh, okay!

In that case, making it yourselves does sound like it'd mean a lot more!

That's why we were hoping you could teach us how to make a planter.

Would you be willing to do that?

Of course.

I'll share everything I know.

First, could you tell me a bit about the plant?

Sure thing.

Got it.

It sounds to me like a ceramic planter would be the way to go.

A ceramic planter?

Yup!

It's easy to shape, and it'll harden up nicely once it's fired, meaning it'll last you a long time.

Could we paint on it as well?

You bet!

Just paint whatever you'd like, then apply a thin coat of clear glaze and fire it again!

We've got plenty of ceramic clay.

The basic tools are all here too, and the kiln's no problem.

What about paint and glaze?

Give me a sec.

I'll have to check.

Hmm...

We're almost out of paint and clear glaze.

We'll need to go buy some.

I'd really appreciate it!

Normally, I'd be happy to go myself,

but Liter is away on an assignment right now, so I can't leave the workshop for long.

Sorry to inconvenience you.

No need to apologize, Lantana.

Some paint and clear glaze will do it.

Pick whatever colors you need for what you have in mind.

Thanks again!

I'll get the clay and workbench ready while you're gone.

That way you can jump straight into kneading and shaping when you're back!

Just leave it to me!

Okay, Blossom.

There are so many colors of paint.

It's like a field of flowers.

Have you thought about what you'd like to paint, Blossom?

Well, for me...

I'd really love for both of us to be in it.

Yeah, and the coreopsis too.

I want the planter itself to show how we grew the little one together.

Hehe, right?

By the way, Blossom, are you any good at painting?

In that case, I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Then this will be a great chance for you to give it a shot.

How about you paint me?

Yes.

Why is that?

I have faith in you, Blossom.

Besides, if it's you who's painting me,

I think I'll like it even if it's a little rough around the edges.

Yeah.

If you paint me,

then I'll paint you in return.

Yes. I want to capture how I see you, with my own hands.

Hehe, will do.

I'll paint you the way you looked when you were gazing at the coreopsis.

To me, you looked wonderful.

We can use this color for the coreopsis.

Exactly.

I think it will look beautiful on the planter, as well.

Next...

let's find your color.

Yeah.

Just as every flower has its own hue,

I believe every person has a color that suits them too.

Your color, Blossom...

It's your color, Blossom. I'm not going to pick just anything.

How about this one?

Yeah. White doesn't clash with other colors,

but rather goes well with all of them.

That's why I think it suits you.

... Do you not like it?

Hehe, I'm glad.

Of course.

When you look at me, what color do you think of?

... Purple?

May I ask why?

I did?

Oh...

!!

...

No, I'm just a little surprised.

I didn't realize that's how you see me.

I love the color too,

because it's the color you put thought into and chose.

Now, what color should we pick next?

Yeah, we've got both the paint and the glaze.

Since we're doing it together, I'm really looking forward to it.

I keep imagining how it'll turn out.

Hehe, me too.

I can't wait to get started.

Yes, let's.

Hey, Boss! Flora! Welcome back!

We got the paint and glaze you mentioned.

Thanks!

Now that we've got all the materials we need, we can get started!

Hehe, we're in your hands, Lantana.

First, we have to knead the clay to get out all of the air pockets.

Then we roll it out into coils and stack them up layer by layer.

Then you smooth the seams together with your fingers...

And just like that, you've got yourself a planter!

Also, if any cracks form while you're shaping it...

Simply wet your fingers and smooth the clay again to get rid of the cracks.

What do you think?

Pretty simple, isn't it?

Once you give it a go, you'll see how easy it is!

Use mine as a reference and try making one yourself.

What do we do when we're done with it?

Pop it in the kiln for the first firing!

Carefully place your planter inside,

close the door, and press the start button.

I've already set the temperature and timer.

Once the first firing is done, you can paint on it,

then apply a thin coat of clear glaze.

All right.

Thank you for explaining everything, Lantana.

Okay then, I'll get back to my other tasks. Just come find me when you're done.

Hmm?

Uh oh...

Boss, Flora!

An urgent repair request just came in! I'm going to have to step out for a bit.

I wanted to stay here and supervise, but I have to go. Sorry!

Don't worry about it.

You've got work to do. Please, go ahead.

Thank you!

Oh!

After you've applied the glaze,

you'll have to put it back in the kiln for one more firing.

Pretty much!

You'll have to change the firing setting, though.

There's a setting on the kiln called "second firing."

Select that and then hit the start button!

All right! If anything goes wrong, give me a call!

Shall we get started then, Blossom?

Sounds good.

Let's try what Lantana suggested,

and smooth it out with a little water.

Yeah, the surface has smoothed out quite a bit.

...

Hehe, it's because we're both working on the same spot.

Just a moment, Blossom.

I think it's leaning a little to one side.

I'll make sure the shape holds steady on the inside.

Could you straighten the leaning part from the outside?

Definitely.

I think we can keep going.

It's all right.

I was supporting it from the inside, so the dent isn't too bad.

Then would you mind if I helped?

Here.

Your hand feels stiff, Blossom.

Relax your shoulders and wrist, then gently let your fingers do most of the moving.

Your movements are definitely gentler than before.

Hehe, then shall we continue like this for a little while?

Okay, I'll be right here supporting you, so just take it slow.

Great job.

Just keep adjusting your pressure like that, nice and slow.

... Sure. Just a little longer.

I think it's looking very much like a planter now.

Should we do the first firing then?

Sounds good.

Now all we have to do is wait for it to come out looking beautiful.

Given that it's going to serve as a home for a flower,

it's only natural that it deserves a lot of care.

Hehe, I'm sure it will.

After all, you and I are pouring our hearts into it.

Sounds like it's done.

It's remarkable how hard the clay has become.

The surface looks like it came out nice and smooth too.

Now we finally get to add the colors.

What should we paint first?

Yeah, that sounds good.

I've spent a lot of time with our little one,

enough that my hand doesn't have to wait for me to think before moving.

Sure.

Hehe.

No.

They look adorable.

I think the coreopsis will like them.

Okay. I'll keep going with the coreopsis.

I think the coreopsis is finished.

Now...

That's right. You're going to paint me,

and I'm going to paint you.

Are you nervous?

It's all right if it's rough.

What makes it meaningful is that you're the one painting me.

Hehe, I'm curious to see how you'll portray me.

Oh yeah?

!!

...

... Hehe.

I'm happy to hear that.

I'll have to smile more often for you from now on.

May I take a look?

...

You painted this as you thought of me. How could I not like it?

I could feel the care you put into it, so I was just taking it in for a moment.

Now it's my turn to paint you.

Hehe, leave it to me.

...

I have to look at you while I paint.

... You have such a steady gaze, Blossom.

Yeah, and that's what I keep trying to capture.

I'll do my best not to disappoint you.

It's finished.

Hehe, thank you.

I'm glad you like it.

Yeah. Let's be careful not to smudge the paint as we go.

I think that should be enough.

Just one last firing and it'll be complete.

Let me be the one to load it into the kiln this time.

It's just about done.

I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I agree. The colors became more vivid,

and the glaze looks like it set evenly.

...

Hehe, yeah. Very much.

I can't wait to see the coreopsis living in this planter.

Yes, let's.

The coreopsis must be waiting for us.

Shall we go ahead and move the little one to its new home?

First, we need to loosen the soil so we don't damage the roots.

Could you hold the planter steady, Blossom?

Yeah, it's kept growing in there this whole time.

Just a little longer, little one.

We'll have you in your new home soon.

Blossom.

We need to cover the area around it with soil. Would you help me?

Thank you.

Just cover it lightly. Think of it as filling in the gaps.

Hehe, see how the leaves are swaying? I think it's taken quite a liking to the new planter.

Blossom.

I can already tell this planter is going to mean a lot to me.

All of the thought we put into choosing its colors together,

the effort we put into shaping the clay, albeit imperfectly,

the time we put into painting it to make it look pretty,

and this moment just now, when we moved the little one into its new home...

Those things are all a part of this planter now.

Hehe, it makes me happy to hear you say that.

Thank you for making this planter with me.

...

This little one is going to keep growing beautifully.

After all, it's already grown so much under our care,

and we'll continue to cherish and care for it together from here on out.

Hehe.

You know, making something together with you...

it's been even more joyful than I imagined, Blossom.

I'd really like for us to do it again sometime.

Okay then, it's a promise.