Archive of Our Own ^beta

5th Red Wolf Moon, 1180

To: Bernadetta von Varley

 

Bernadetta,

I understand that you have some interest in horticultural matters. The chief gardener tells me that many of the flowers in the greenhouse are suffering from some sort of malady. Enclosed is a description of the problem. Could you give the matter some attention?

Hubert von Vestra

6th Red Wolf Moon, 1180

To: Bernadetta von Varley

 

Dear Bernadetta,

I have not received your reply. I am well aware of your aversion to leaving your room, so perhaps you have run out of supplies to communicate with the outside world. The attached parcel contains what should be sufficient stock of ink, paper, and quills. I trust this will remedy your inability to respond.

Hubert von Vestra

6th Red Wolf Moon, 1180

To: Bernadetta von Varley

 

Dear Bernadetta,

Ah, you do live. How reassuring. I shall forbear comment on your self-appraisal as the lowliest worm to ever render a botanical opinion; nonetheless, the problem needs to be addressed, and the monastery complement is proving woefully inadequate to the task. I will have a sample sent to your room forthwith, as I gather no house call should be expected.

Hubert von Vestra

7th Red Wolf Moon, 1180

To: Bernadetta von Varley

 

Bernadetta,

If you will not go to the greenhouse, the greenhouse must come to you. So?

Tiredly,

Hubert von Vestra

 

P.S. I have enclosed a volume on floral maladies from the library, should your materials on-hand prove insufficient.

P.P.S. Is it your impression that I wish to spend my days penning missives about fungal conditions or petal discoloration? The sequence of events that has transpired outside your walls is simple:

1. Flowers grow short in the greenhouse.

2. Certain members of our house and others, who fancy themselves poets of a plant-based language of sentiment or seduction, grow increasingly petulant at the dwindling supply of fuel for their herbaceous stylings.

3. My patience grows short.

P.P.P.S. Before I am reduced to thrusting my hands into the earth like a peasant to resolve the situation, I will knock on your door.

8th Red Wolf Moon, 1180

To: Bernadetta von Varley

 

Dear Bernadetta,

Naturally, I would not disturb you at your labors. There are more specialist volumes in the library collection, should you require them. Though—never mind, I'm sure they aren't of much interest.

Sincerely,

Hubert von Vestra

9th Red Wolf Moon, 1180

To: Bernadetta von Varley

 

Dear Bernadetta,

Of course. Please note that in the enclosed volumes I have marked several chapters as "possibly dangerous" or "for highly skilled cultivators only." While I would never presume to tell you your business, I assume you wish to avoid both hazard and more specialist matters which are surely of limited relevance to this query.

Sincerely,

Hubert von Vestra

3rd Ethereal Moon, 1180

To: Bernadetta von Varley

 

Dear Bernadetta,

I attempted to finish this conversation in person, but on four occasions after class and one after pitched battle, you emitted a high-pitched noise and fled at the sight of me. I will assume there was, perhaps, a menacing shadow looming in my vicinity. Regardless, the carnation catastrophe seems to have resolved itself, and floriographic communiqués once again litter the halls. My regards for your sage advice to the dirt-grubbers.

Sincerely,

Hubert von Vestra

 

P.S. You may as well retain possession of the borrowed volumes until such time as Garreg Mach secures the services of a less homicidal librarian.

4th Ethereal Moon, 1180

To: Bernadetta von Varley

 

Dear Bernadetta,

I am not a worrier. I am tolerably fond of vegetables, but only when appropriately spiced, as they seldom merit the centerpiece of the dish.

Sincerely,

Hubert von Vestra