***
A few days passed by since meeting with Maynard. Juniper stood in front of his plants, checking on the Verdona plant beasts—Fauna and Flora—as they stretched their vines lazily toward the sun.
"Okay," Juniper murmured to himself, a spark of excitement in his voice, "let's make sure the world knows how special you both are."
His idea had been brewing for a while now: the idea of using his platform as a food broadcaster to spread awareness about the potential of plant beasts and their abilities. He could feel that their intelligence, combined with their cuteness, was a great way to engage people, to not only showcase the importance of sustainable farming but also give these incredible creatures the recognition they deserved.
Setting up his camera, Juniper positioned the Verdona plant beasts in the centre of his vegetable garden. The two plant beasts beamed with vibrant energy, their vines playfully reaching out to touch the vegetables in the garden, which Juniper had carefully cultivated with his plant-based abilities. Fauna, with its large, thick leaves, gently nudged a few ripe tomatoes, while Flora's smaller, delicate vines coiled around a few herbs.
"Alright, everyone," Juniper said with a smile, speaking directly to his growing online audience. "Meet Fauna and Flora, my two new friends, and the reason I'm here today."
A few comments popped up on his live feed almost instantly:
Netizen 1: "Wait, plant beasts? Are they real?!"
Netizen 2: "They're so cute! Look at those vines!''
Netizen 3: "How do they even work? Like, do they eat plants too??"
Juniper laughed softly, replying to the comments. "Yes, they're real! And you'll see, they're not just adorable, they're quite helpful too. They actually help me tend to the garden, using their abilities to nurture the vegetables. It's a team effort, really."
He gestured to the rows of vegetables growing —tomatoes, carrots, peppers, and herbs, all flourishing thanks to his plant abilities combined with the help of Fauna and Flora.
"So, today I want to show you how we're growing these vegetables and how it can be a new way to think about food production," Juniper continued. "Fauna and Flora help in ways I couldn't manage on my own, and I think it's really important we give these creatures the recognition they deserve."
More comments flooded the screen:
Netizen 4: "Wait, are those the plant beasts? I thought they were just a rumored creature!"
Netizen 5: "They look cute, I kinda want one."
Juniper smiled, excited that people were so interested. He shifted gears, focusing on his next point.
"Now that you've met them, let me show you how they help me in the kitchen," Juniper said, his voice light and warm. "Today, I'm making a vegetable medley dish that features a lot of the veggies we've been growing here. A simple, healthy meal that really brings out the flavors of fresh, homegrown produce."
Juniper moved to the kitchen, where everything was neatly arranged for the broadcast. A large wooden cutting board sat in front of him, alongside a collection of fresh vegetables—sliced carrots, ripe tomatoes, zucchini, and freshly picked herbs from his garden. Fauna and Flora were now lounging on the counter, their vines curled around various utensils, looking like two adorable spectators at the cooking show.
"I've got a medley of vegetables here," Juniper began, his hands deftly slicing a zucchini. "This is a simple dish, but the key is in how you prepare each veggie. You want them to keep their flavor, their texture, and their nutrition intact."
As Juniper continued chopping and tossing the vegetables into a pan, the netizen comments poured in:
Netizen 6: "Ooh, I'm hungry just watching this. How do you make it smell so good?"
Netizen 7: "You make it look so easy,! I'm definitely trying this out later. Is there a secret ingredient?"
Juniper adding a dash of olive oil into the pan as the vegetables began sizzling. "Honestly, the secret ingredient is just using the freshest veggies you can get. And trust me, these ones from my garden? They've got a taste like nothing else."
Fauna's large leaves rustled, as if to agree, and Flora swayed gently on the counter, showing an almost human-like interest in the cooking process. Juniper smiled warmly at them, tossing the vegetables into the pan with a quick flick of his wrist.
"Alright, so we've got zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, and bell pepper in there," he said, flipping the vegetables gently with a spatula. "Now, the key to a good medley is making sure each vegetable gets a little char, but doesn't get overcooked. That's how you keep them flavorful and crunchy."
The aroma of the sizzling vegetables filled the air, and Juniper let it hang there for a moment, smiling at the positive feedback from the audience.
Netizen 9: "The smell of this dish is practically coming through my screen!"
Juniper's heart warmed at the comment. He loved sharing his passion for food and wanted to spread his love for fresh, homegrown produce even further.
Once the vegetables were perfectly cooked, Juniper plated them, adding a few sprigs of fresh herbs for garnish. "And there you have it, a simple, yet delicious vegetable medley that anyone can make with a bit of fresh produce and a love for cooking!"
He paused, looking at the camera with a smile. "Thanks for tuning in, everyone! And remember, if you've got your own garden, take a moment to think of making your own produce.''
*
After the broadcast, Juniper packed the leftover medley dish into a container and set out to visit Ciro. He was also happy to catch up with his friend, especially now that Ciro had moved into the neighbourhood. The Verdona plant beasts, Fauna and Flora, followed closely behind, their vines swishing happily as they made their way to Ciro's new home.
When Juniper arrived at Ciro's door, he knocked gently, and the door swung open to reveal Ciro's warm smile. Ciro's pregnancy glow was even more radiant now that they'd settled in. He was a bit slower in his movements but looked happy and content.
"Juniper! And you brought the plant beasts with you," Ciro exclaimed, stepping aside to let them in. "It's so good to see you! And thank you for bringing food, I've been starving."
Juniper grinned, holding up the container of vegetables. "I thought you'd appreciate this, especially after your move. Fauna and Flora were more than happy to join me for the trip."
As Juniper entered, Fauna and Flora wandered around curiously, their vines gently tapping at Ciro's plants in his home. Ciro chuckled at the sight, clearly enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
"Looks like they're getting comfortable just fine" Ciro said.
"I think so too," Juniper replied, settling down to chat with Ciro. "I've got some ideas on how they could help with farming and food production. But, it's a big decision. There's a lot to consider."
"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out. You always do."
Juniper smiled at his friend, feeling a little more hopeful as he discussed his ideas for the future.