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“Gimme that, it’s mine!” Ida yelled, gripping what seemed to be trash as her jagged beak twisted into a snarl.
Over a year passed since Ida unceremoniously had her future snatched away from her. She went from being adored by crowds and nearly starring in her first feature film to fighting with homeless junkies on the street over scrap metal she could sell for more Glintshard.
Ida growled at the gangly looking men surrounding her, snatching back the metal and gripping it tight to her chest before scurrying away into an alley. She ran into one of the many abandoned buildings on Sweet Street and up the stairs until she found herself on the roof. She glanced over her shoulder before moving around some junk in the corner and finding pieces of metal, wires and other trash.
She sat there as the afternoon sun faded to sunset and she fastened together the metal and wires into a crown. When Ida stormed out of Tezuka Park a year ago she left behind her crown and in hindsight she wished she had kept it. Unable to overcome the embarrassment and retrieve it she began collecting pieces of junk and forming her own crown. She looked down at the crown and caught a glimpse of her reflection. The Glintshard had taken a toll on her and she became a shell of her former self. Her eyes were sunken and her feathers were dull blue, with a few having fallen off from malnourishment.
Looking away from the crown she fastened it upon her head and sat near the edge of the building. The reason she liked this location is because it was the perfect spot to look at the theme park. As dusk turns to night the lights of the park illuminate the sky and she would reminisce about her time there, humming the songs she once sang to herself. Every Friday night the park would let off fireworks and she had the perfect view. Ida waited patiently for the show to begin and was so engrossed that she didn’t notice the group of men who had followed her to the roof. Before she knew it, they had lunged at her, dragging her from her seat and wringing the crown from her feathered hands. The men started kicking her and Ida curled into a ball, doing her best to defend herself but the kicks and punches sent sharp pains through her body.
Even with her screaming Ida knew that no one was going to save her, that’s not how Sweet Street worked. This lonely feeling reminded her of her parents, her foster parents and even Tezuka himself. How each treated her like trash, willing to replace her when a better opportunity came along. No one would stick up for her, no one cared and this was just another harsh reminder. The tears welled up in her eyes and she wanted nothing more than to disappear. For a moment, she thought her dream had come true because she didn’t feel any kicking or punching. When she opened her eyes she saw a curious sight.
The men who were all attacking her moments ago now seemed to be suspended in the air. Ida rubbed her eyes and on a second look she realized they weren’t just floating, they were being held up by thick green vines. The men screamed and begged to be let down but were quickly flung in opposite directions. Ida watched in awe as they each disappeared in the distance and then jumped when she felt a touch on her shoulder. She turned around to find a woman with black curls like a storm cloud and a sweet smile kneeling beside her.
“Hey, are you alright?” she spoke softly.
Ida’s fight or flight would have kicked in but instead she felt the same calmness as when she watched the fireworks. She didn’t speak and just nodded.
“Good, then let’s get you out of here.”
She extended her hand out to Ida who grabbed it without thinking. The woman hummed a song to try and calm Ida as she led her off the side of the building. Ida snapped out of her dream like trance before making that first step but then felt her feet land onto something impossible. It was firm yet flimsy and when she looked down she was standing on a giant leaf. Very little plant life grew on Sweet Street outside of weeds. She would later learn that this woman had taken a small seed she planted and made it grow in an instant to the height of the building.
Ida continued to be led by the woman and every person they passed looked the other way. Ida noticed many seemed to have bruises different from the kind you would normally see on the Glintshard junkies, as if they were all recently in a fight. Soon enough Ida was led to the end of Sweet Street and into Megashine City proper. Her feet grinded to a halt, she hadn’t stepped out of Sweet Street in over a year and in an instant shame washed over her. She hadn’t minded before but she felt dirty and wanted to run back to the comforting filth that was Sweet Street. The woman turned, gripping Ida’s hand tightly and smiling once again.
“Don’t worry, it’s going to be ok.”
Without a word Ida nodded and again let the woman lead. She eventually found herself in front of a hotel nicer than she could ever afford to stay in. They passed through the doors and patrons stared at Ida, gossipping in whispers amongst themselves. The woman ignored this, taking Ida up the stairs until eventually coming face to face to the large double doors of a guest suite.
When Ida entered her senses were flooded with so many fresh and exciting sights and sounds. There were small plant bulbs hanging on the wall, illuminated as if powered by electricity. An impressive Oak Table in the center of the room was covered in papers. There was an unmade bed in the corner and on the opposite end of the room there was a stove covered in a used pots and pans.
“So what’s your name kid?” The woman asked, moving some of her papers off the table.
Ida was still in awe of the space before answering. “I’m Ida, Ida Lee.”
“Well Ida, my name is Oleander and I don’t know about you but I’m pretty hungry. How about I make us a quick dinner?”
Ida’s stomach growled embarrassingly loud and answered for her, causing Oleander to chuckle. She offered Ida the messy bed, apologizing for it not being made and told her she’d wake her up when the food’s ready. Ida couldn’t remember the last time she slept in a bed not made from newspapers and other trash so she hopped in. Once wrapped in the blankets her eyes immediately grew heavy and in minutes she fell asleep to the sound of Oleander at the cutting board.
When Ida’s eyes opened she initially panicked until she remembered how she got there. Sunlight poured in from an open window and when she looked towards it she saw Oleander was sitting by it, looking out into the city while puffing away at a pipe. Ida quietly shuffled out of the bed but Oleander noticed and gave her a smile.
“Well look who’s awake, sleep well?”
Ida nodded, wiping the sleep from her eyes but when she tried to stand her legs gave out. The room was spinning and she felt incredibly nauseous. This was a feeling she knew all too well, Glintshard withdrawal. As her vision blurred she was able to make out Oleander rushing to her and helping her back into the bed.
“I knew this was coming, just lie down on your side for a bit.”
Oleander went to the sink and grabbed a bucket, setting it next to Ida. She then ran to grab a glass of water and a handful of something else. Through tear glazed eyes she watched Oleander by the sink pour a glass of water and for a moment she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. While Oleander was at the sink, some nearby plants began to twist and grow almost to her will and drop a few seeds in her hands.
“Here, drink this with these.”
She handed Ida the seeds and water and she swallowed them down without question. Once it settled in her stomach she felt the nausea return in a vicious wave as she vomited into the bucket. Oleander held Ida’s hair back along with patting her back as this continued for nearly twenty minutes. When the puking stopped she realized she felt great, better than she felt in a long time.
“What did you give me?” Ida asked, wiping her beak as she sat up.
“It’s some seeds I’ve been working on, it helps purge the Glintshard out of your system and calms withdrawal symptoms. Nasty, but it works.”
Oleander walked to grab Ida some more water as she continued to talk. “Seems like you’ve been on the stuff for a while if you react like that, it will probably be a few more weeks of this treatment before it’s completely out of your system.”
She tried handing the refilled glass of water to Ida but she shook her head and refused.
“I appreciate the help,” Ida spoke softly. “But I can’t afford any of this.”
Oleander raised an eyebrow and then let out a boisterous laugh, patting Ida on the shoulder. “Kid, you don’t need to pay me back with money.”
Ida looked back at Oleander confused as she smiled down at her.
“Once we get you healed up you can pay me back, by helping me save this city.”
Ida’s eyes widened, lost for words she felt the tears run down her face as she extended her hands out and gulped down the fresh water happily.
After her medicine Ida was able to wash up in the shower along with being provided a new set of clothes by Oleander. They sat down for breakfast together and that’s when Ida learned more about her new savior. She apparently had traveled from far away but wouldn’t tell Ida exactly where. She was a botanist who found herself in Megashine City and wanted to help with the Glintshard crisis.
“Did you know that Sweet Street wasn’t always bad?” Oleander asked, Ida shook her head as her beak bit into some jam covered toast.
“It was once a robust marketplace. Candy, Cookies, Cakes, you name it. If you had a sweet tooth it was the place to be. But when Tezuka Park came around all those places were put out of business, they couldn’t compete with what the theme park could offer. So it turned into a slum and a few years later the drugs came in.”
“So that’s why you want to save it?” Ida asked. “Because you remember it for what it was.”
Oleander took a slow sip from her coffee. “Not me, but a friend I know remembers it.”
Oleander trailed off for a few moments before a smile came across her face. She switched gears as she jumped from the table and started introducing Ida to all the plants that were surrounding the apartment. Ida knew there was more to this story and Oleander but for now she just wanted to enjoy her first nice breakfast in a long time.
🌱🌱🌱
After 2 Months of treatment Oleander was able to confirm that all of the Glintshard had left Ida’s system. At this point her skin was clearer, her feathers were brighter and her eyes were no longer sunken. Her beak was still jagged from the abuse of chewing the drug but she chose to wear a mask made of colorful leaves fashioned by Oleander herself.
Now that she was healthy she was ready to help. Under Oleander’s tutelage she learned about plants and how their properties could help with more than just addiction, but that was the focus. The apartment they stayed in was a luxury and Ida didn’t quite understand how she was affording it, until one day she heard what she believed was singing from one of the closets.
“Ah, the next batch is ready!” Oleander cheered as she swung the closet open. Inside was a table of small plants with a sun lamp shining on them, reminiscent of venus fly traps and they were humming a melody.
“These are singing-snaps, my personal creation.” Oleander explained as she puffed out her chest proudly. “I bred Fly traps with Bell Phones and they can mimic any sound, including music.”
Ida was fascinated by the plants as they hummed and whistled happily. Oleander would sell these plants at the market for a pretty price since no one else had them and the profit from it would handle her rent for months in advance.
The real work however was when the two of them entered Sweet Street with the seeds. Many of the junkies had no interest in the offerings but the few who were either coming down from a high or not too far gone accepted it. It would work but the unfortunate thing was that none of them would stick to it. They would visit the addicts and provide the seeds but by the next dose they sunk even deeper and refused any help.
“There’s just nowhere to let them dry out, these seeds aren’t magic.” Oleander explained.
Ida thought this would frustrate Oleander enough to give up but it only pushed her to work harder and Ida respected it. She wanted nothing more than to help Oleander and pay back everything she did for her.
🌱🌱🌱
6 months passed since Oleander entered Ida’s life. Their relationship was that of a mentor and mentee. Ida eventually learned that Oleander was something called a Green Thumb, which she had never heard of before. Ida wouldn’t learn much about what that meant until later in life as Oleander forced Ida to promise to keep her powers a secret. Ida unfortunately did not have this talent but she picked up on many of Oleander’s botany teachings regardless. They laughed at a lot of the same things and Oleander respected how bright Ida was especially after cleaning herself up from the Glintshard. There was only one moment of slight turbulence between them.
Ida was trying to graft two different plants, a method she had spent weeks learning from Oleander. Oleander noticed this and told Ida that while the effort was appreciated she wasn’t quite ready to handle something like that on her own. Ida waved her hand confidently in an ‘I got this’ motion. The plants tightened, trying to graft to one another before bursting and sending Ida flying across the apartment. Oleander rushed over, grabbing her arm.
“Damn it Peggy! I told you to be careful!”
The words left her lips and she froze. Once realizing what she said, her eyes widened in shock and she released the grip from Ida’s arm. Oleander stood to her feet and silently made her way to the door, leaving the apartment. Ida sat there in silence, unsure how to react so she stood to her feet and worked on cleaning up the mess. An hour or so passed and Oleander returned. Her eyes were puffy from crying and she held a photo in her hand. She walked over to Ida who was sitting at the table and sat across from her, giving a smile.
“I’m sorry Ida.” Oleander spoke softly as she placed the photo on the table. It was a picture of a young girl. “I have a daughter back home, her name’s Peg. When my journey’s over I’m going back to her I just…I miss her so much.”
Ida looked at the photo and then back at Oleander. She didn’t have the words to fill the emptiness in her heart. To heal the pain that dripped with each of the word she spoke about Peg. She rambled about how awful she felt for abandoning her. Abandon, that word caused a lot of pain for Ida. It brought back memories of how her parents treated her and how much they smiled and laughed when they sold her for money. Memories of her foster parents treating her like a machine. Memories of Tezuka himself throwing her away like yesterday’s trash. She knew what abandonment was and she knew deep down that Oleander wasn’t abandoning her daughter. Without a word she leapt up and hugged Oleander tight, causing both of them to cry in each other’s arms. It would be the last time they ever discussed Peg with one another.
🌱🌱🌱
Three more months had passed and Ida’s life on the street seemed like a distant memory. Oleander had become a staple in her life and helped her to grow into her brightest self. She woke up each morning excited to learn under her and help with cleaning up Sweet Street.
“I grabbed those seeds you asked for!” Ida called out as she swung open the door. “We still have a few hours of sunlight so I was thinking maybe we could-”
Ida stopped when she found Oleander sitting at the table. She was silent, staring at a newspaper tightly gripped in her hands. Ida recognized that expression. It was the same one Oleander made months ago when she grabbed her arm and called her ‘Peggy.’ That look scared her because she had no idea what would happen next. Ida called out to Oleander, startling her. She turned and finally noticed Ida standing there and gave the best smile she could.
“Hey Ida, maybe we can do that tomorrow. We really should get started with dinner.”
Ida simply nodded with a smile, having a hunch that they wouldn’t get a chance to plant these seeds tomorrow and in situations like this her hunches were prophetic.
Late that night Ida’s eyes slowly opened to the sound of Oleander puttering about the apartment. She let her eyes shut instead of getting up to investigate. When the sun shone in, Ida fully awoke to find Oleander making breakfast in a much tidier home. It seemed barely lived in. Ida walked over to the table to find a box neatly wrapped in a bow.
“Well good morning sleepy head!” Oleander called out over her shoulder while frying bacon. “Almost finished, why don’t you pour us some O.J.?”
Ida nodded, still wiping sleep from her eyes as she reached to grab the pitcher of juice. Walking to the other side of the table she noticed from the corner of her eye a few bags packed near the door. Memories of last night darted across her mind and the realization made her nearly drop the glass. She returned to her seat, looking down to the floor while gripping her pajama pants.
“Alright, food’s on!”
Oleander placed both plates of food on the table and began digging in. She looked up and noticed Ida hadn’t touched her food and tilted her head.
“I made your favorites! Cheesy eggs and chewy bacon!”
Ida didn’t respond nor look up.
“Well…if you’re not gonna’ eat it, maybe I will…” Oleander spoke in a sing-song voice, twirling her fork in Ida’s direction.
“You’re abandoning me, aren’t you?”
Oleander lowered her fork along with her smile and sighed. “Can’t get anything past you, just like…”
Oleander didn’t finish the sentence and instead leaned back in her chair.
“You knew I wasn’t gonna be here forever Ida.”
“So take me with you!” Ida pleaded, her tear filled eyes darting up to match Oleander’s gaze. “Take me wherever you’re going. If you’re not here I think I’ll go back to-”
“Hey!” Oleander slammed her fist on the table. “You’re never going back to taking that poison. That’s not you!”
Oleander walked around to the side of Ida, kneeling and placing her hand in her lap. She reached up to turn Ida’s face and wipe away her tears streaming down to her cracked beak.
“I’m sorry I can’t take you with me. I really wish I could but it’s something I have to do on my own. But you? You’re the future of this place, you’re going to save this city. You’re never going to go back to who you were and you can only go forward. I don’t want you to forget that so…”
Oleander then tapped on the table, pointing to the wrapped present. Ida sniffled a few times before reaching out to unwrap it. She opened the cardboard box and when she reached inside she pulled out a crown made of flowers and a key.
“That crown won’t wilt away.” Oleander said with a smile. “It’s a part of me to stay with you. I want you to wear it and remember you’re not that scared girl I found gripping rusty scrap metal. You’re powerful, you’re brilliant and you deserve everything.”
Ida was so moved she felt like she had returned to the day she first met Oleander. She glanced back down to the box, saw the key and asked what it was for.
“Well, if you’re gonna’ save this city you’ll need a place to work. I was able to buy a small building on the edge of Sweet Street. It’s got everything you’ll need to keep what we started going.”
The wave of emotions flooding into Ida was so overwhelming all she could do was fall into Oleander’s arms as the two wept over their cooling breakfasts.
🌱🌱🌱
Back in the present Ida continued rummaging through the box while telling her story. “After breakfast she helped me get situated in the new spot and she was gone by that evening. She never visited but always used to send me postcards. Oh!”
Ida finally found what she had been rummaging for. It was a shoe box filled with all types of cards. She plopped the box onto the table and began digging through it.
“I loved when she sent these, it made me feel like I was on the journey with her. I could never really write back because she was constantly on the move but she always sent me something. Until she didn’t…” Ida trailed off.
Peg looked down at the box filled with postcards and could feel every molecule in her body vibrate. She wanted to snatch the box and hold it close to her chest, to scurry off and dissect every word to uncover even the smallest morsel of a clue to her whereabouts. Before she’d have a chance Ida pushed the box towards her.
“You should have them.” Ida said, smiling.
Peg looked down at the box and then back at Ida. She wanted to take it but something was stopping her. She thought about the story she was just told and how her mother had affected Ida’s life and deep down she knew that these weren't for her to take.
“It’s fine, those are personal to you.” Peg said with a smile. “We should go check on Josie, see how she’s holding up.”
Ida wanted to argue but instead let her mouth form a soft smile. “Sure, let’s do that.”
They left the room, both wiping away their tears but for Peg they were just going to start flowing again. When they reached Josie’s room many of the volunteer beastlings were crowded outside. Peg and Ida both feared the worst and rushed past the group and found Josie sitting up in bed devouring bowl after bowl of soup. There were beastlings serving her as fast as they could but Josie’s eyes noticed Peg in the hallway and she began pointing to the bowls.
“Can you believe it Peg? All they got is vegetable soup! What’s a girl gotta’ do to get some steak and potatoes?”
Peg’s eyes watered so much she could barely see in front of her. Without a word she ran into the room and lunged onto Josie, hugging her tight and crying. Josie yelped at first, still in a bit of pain but eventually wrapped her arms around Peg herself.
“Oh by the way,” Josie asked, failing to hold back a couple tears herself. “Please tell me you have my hat.”
🌱🌱🌱
Three weeks have passed since the events at Tezuka Park. Josie finally healed enough to continue her journey and many of the beastlings were able to give thanks to the girl who fought for their freedom. Josie didn’t enjoy being treated like some sort of savior and did her best to brush off the praise but Peg could tell deep down she was happy. The day finally came when the two would leave along with Gretty and the beastlings she was going to help return home. Gretty once again offered to have Peg and Josie join her but Gretty was going to spend time on this Leafland while Josie and Peg would continue their way to the top.
“Hey Josie, I got something I wanna give you.” Gretty said as she reached into her shirt, pulling out an old metal key.
“What’s this for? A treasure chest? Oooh a candy treasure chest?”
“Not exactly,” Gretty responded with a laugh. “ It's my family key. With everything that happened I never told you what exactly ‘Get Back’ is or does. A long time ago my people, along with humans, lived at the top of the stalk in a paradise but we were forced to leave our homes. It’s our birthright to live there and each family passes down their key in hopes of returning one day.”
“Oh so you’re giving me your house?”
Gretty laughed even harder. “No nothing like that. One day we know we’ll return but it’s more of a keepsake or an heirloom. I want you to hold onto it, as proof that you’re an ally of the Get Back. I don’t know if we’ll ever see each other again but if you run into one of the other members of they’ll know you’re one of us.”
Gretty looked back towards a group of Beastlings carrying bags. “I’m going to help these guys find their homes and when I’m done I’ll be returning to mine, a little place called Barrytown. If you’re going to the top make sure to stop by and show them my key. They’ll know you’re a friend and welcome you with open arms.”
Josie gripped the key before placing it around her neck. “You got it! We’ll meet again in Barrytown!”
“Looking forward to it Josie.”
Both Josie and Gretty turned to see Peg and a few others running over from the direction of where Tezuka Park once was.
“Well look who’s late to their own going away party.” Ida spoke, off to the side smoking a cigarette.
“Sorry, just some last minute things.” Peg replied a bit winded from her jog. “You ready Josie?”
The young girl stood and saluted before grabbing the bag at her side. “Ready Peggy!”
Peg groaned, rolling her eyes before Ida tapped her on the shoulder.
“Now remember what I told you, keep that Green Thumb stuff under wraps.”
“Oh? So you mean I can’t do this?”
Peg snapped her fingers and a vine curled from her pocket, reaching up and snatching the cigarette from Ida’s hand. The others laughed as Ida rolled her eyes, snatching it back.
“I’m serious! It’s not something you need to be flaunting around, especially if the wrong people hear about it.”
“I know I know, I’ll keep it a secret.”
“Good, now before you go…”
Ida tried to hand Peg an envelope but she refused it immediately. “I told you Ida, as much as I appreciate it you should keep the post cards.”
Ida shook her head. “I know, but this isn’t a postcard. It’s a photo. One your mother had before she left the city. I used to catch her looking at it all the time but she never talked about it. She ended up leaving it behind and well, I think you should have it.”
Peg thought for a moment, ready to give another response to turn it down but something told her that she shouldn’t. So she sighed, giving a smile and sliding the envelope in her jacket pocket.
“Thanks for everything Ida, I mean it.” Peg said, leaning in to give a hug.
“Now remember, about two days away from here you’ll find a Vine Shuttle Station that can get you to the next Leafland. We couldn’t scrounge enough money for a trip to the top but at least it will get you to the next step in your journey.”
Peg tapped against her satchel, signifying that she remembered to bring the Leos with her. “It’s more than enough, thank you.”
“Well try to write some time,” Ida said, giving both of them a tight hug. “I’ve been bored not having a one way Pen Pal.”
Peg nodded, promising to come back one day as the two turned to start their journey. The ones who stayed back with Ida were out there waving and wishing them safe travels. They said their goodbyes to Gretty and as they walked away Peg stopped, turning to yell at Ida.
“Oh and be sure to be on your roof tonight, there’s something you won’t want to miss!”
Ida raised an eyebrow but waved and promised that she would.
Night fell and Ida had made a seat for herself on the roof of the clinic. Her new crew of workers had joined her with a few leaving to ‘take care of something.’ She kept her eyes on the sky and wondered if maybe she misheard Peg. That was until she heard the familiar sound of fireworks rocketing to the sky.
She smiled while watching the display. Something she hadn’t done in a long time and thought she’d never get to see again. It was the usual fare of shapes and colors, clearly cycling through whatever fireworks were left behind but then the last one was something that made her fall from her seat.
Ida’s eyes fixated on the sky, enthralled by the words written across it. They were only up for a moment but the memory would be burned into her mind forever.
“Thank You, Princess Songbird.”
Ida tried her best to choke down her tears but it was too late. She was on the ground on the roof of her clinic sobbing like an infant with tears of pure joy streaming down her face.
🌱🌱🌱
After a day of traveling Josie and Peg found an inn to rest once night fell. Josie ate a large meal and was out like a light but Peg stayed awake. She sat near the window, with a lamp dimly lit beside her. In her hand she held the envelope that Ida had given her but was terrified to open it. She knew what was inside but she was worried how she’d react. She had been at this impasse for nearly half an hour and eventually ripped it open.
It was a photo, just as Ida described. It was of her mother at a younger point in her life, before Peg was born. She was smiling with her arm wrapped around a man. A man she didn’t recognize. On the photo there were words written in fading purple ink.
“To Andi my love. Let our vines intertwine forever. Love Blues.”
Peg gripped the picture tight in her hands looking for any further clue. Her heart raced as she read the words over and over until she noticed that they both were standing in front of a sign with two words written. ‘Custerdome.’ She then remembered the many times since passing the clouds that she heard about ‘The Custerdome’ but could never imagine the direct connection it would have for her.
She looked over at Josie, who was now sound asleep. She leaned over to fix the blanket, tucking her in before leaning over to shut out the light near her. Her eyes closed but excitement and possibilities danced in her mind.
She finally had her first serious lead on her mother. It was now going to be all or nothing as they climbed the stalk, to reach The Custerdome.
To Be Continued...IN VOLUME 3!