ORIGIN

Since he had awoken to find a devastated garden in partial recovery, Rift had once again put his heart and soul into bringing his garden back to its former glory. With his love and his magic, it was soon almost back to its delicate perfection that he had kept it at before the fight. The only spot that he found himself struggling with was the crater where Pride had created a ball of super heated flame. The grass had grown, but nothing else seemed to want to take root.

He was in the middle of pulling out some of the worst weeds when he heard someone approaching. He glanced around, a small spike of fear thrilling down his spine, but it appeared to only be a baby owl, gently touching one of the flowers. He made a small noise of protest involuntary as he watched another gembound, a stranger, handling his plants, but he forced himself to stay back. He needed to work through his trust issues.

"Yes," he replied. "I have tended to this garden all my life." With a glance towards the ruined spot, he realized that this might not be as impressive a statement as it was before. "There are others, scattered across the caves, but most are here in Eridanus." He touched one of the plants that he had not grown himself. Perhaps it had been Mercurius, while he had been asleep, or maybe Enka when he was off patrolling. "We all work to grow our gardens together."

Rift nodded slowly. He wasn't sure if he should be imparting things so easily to strangers, but this one was young and he had to remind himself, again, that he had created the Kingdom to be open to all. "Yes. The Kingdom of Eridanus makes its home here." He raised his paw and gestured towards the massive tree behind the owl. "This is our Home tree. We tend to the forest, we protect it. We nurture life in all of its forms."

A small smile appeared on his face. Of course, a baby owl would wish for flight. Many wanted to be able to fly, him included, although it was a childish fantasy that he had given up long ago. "You will grow. Don't worry, you will fly someday. You have wings that will one day carry your weight."

Rift was only a little taken aback by the sudden request to join the Kingdom. He had a feeling it was leading up to this but the suddenness and the eagerness was a bit surprising. Still, he couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Sure. We are welcome to all that do not bring violence." His face grew serious for just a moment and he leaned forward, regarding the small owl. "That is, you swear that you are a creature of peace? That by bringing you into the Kingdom I am not endangering those that cannot defend themselves as well as those that are sworn to the ways of peace?" It was a very important question and, for a moment, Rift wished that he had some of that useful magic that would allow him access to a gembound's past or its mind. But that was rude and invasive and he decided only a moment later that he was happy that that power was not in his control.

Rift could hear the honesty in the owl's voice and he smiled. "Good. Then on behalf of the Kingdom of Eridanus, I, Rift, the Guardian, welcome you." He leaned forward and tapped his muzzle against the owl's forehead. "What is your name, child?"

Once the owl would respond, Rift pulled back and dipped his head, turning to the garden. "Every flower and plant we've ever discovered is growing somewhere in this garden. Take your time - pick out that which represents you and call me over. It will be your gift as a citizen of the Kingdom."

Rift followed Aetius as she called him over. He eyed the rose and smiled. Yes, a good decision. He could see why she thought it would be good. He leaned forward and pressed the tip of his nose (or mask, really), and allowed magic to flood into the ground. The rose trembled as its roots began to move. The earth began to shake and squirem until the roots gently pulled themselves from the ground. The whole flower lurched upwards, roots and all, and it carefully patted down the soft ground so that it looked like there hadn't even been a flower there at all.

Rift gently picked it up with his mouth and handed it to Aetius. "This is yours now. You may do with it what you wish. No matter if you stay with the Kingdom for life or if you should leave sometime in the future, this flower will always represent the home you have with us."