❀ diamond in the rough, a flower blossoming in the slums

[gardeningaia]

Perhaps getting thrown down here was part of the plan. The great quest. The attempt to woo sweet Agrabah princess, or just fetch what that weird rug merchant asked you to get.

More likely this particular stop wasn't on the itinerary. Boy is that Saucer of Wonders picky! The moment you--or a faithful but not always reliable animal companion--got distracted by something shiny, it was down the hatch to a natural desert prison, surrounded on all sides by quicksand. There's evidence that people have been here...and evidence they died here. You're not about to find anyone alive and kicking in the rundown shacks anytime soon.

Look long enough, though, and you'll find a dusty watering can lying on its side. The weathered metal has certainly seen better days, but maybe it could be cleaned up with a little polish?

Or maybe you're more interested in the "water" part of "watering can". This is a desert, after all.

Pick it up?

[ No? But thou must! Not much is going to happen until that can's picked up, and Aerith might get a bit impatient if your character ignores her. Oh yes, indeed, she's in there as the Genie.

In a little spin on the theme, I'm using the Disney take rather than the classic version itself. Also, if you want to find the watering can in a completely different place to better fit your own character's quest, that's fine! (And I do mean completely different, never underestimate the power of cosmic ...powers.) The Gold Saucer/Corel Prison just happened to suit the Cave of Wonders sequence nicely. ]

Comments

[simulatedsummer]

[ One moment, he's hanging on the streets like it's no one's business. The next, he's landed in prison of all places. What's the deal with that? Seriously, come on. It's not like he was doing anything wrong.

...

...Oookay, so he might have been stealing all his life. And he might have been finally caught red handed enough times for them to make a case of it. Or maybe it's simply because he's older now. Either way, this street urchin's gonna pay their dues now. ...Sometimes, he kind of wishes they had just taken his hand in-Oh. Oh, they did now. Well, that's great. Why didn't he realize it before?

Well then. After the initial sinking feeling, Roxas is at least relieved to see it's bandaged up, so welp. After a passing sigh, he decides maybe he ought to explore where he's at. Maybe just maybe, he'll find a way out. Of course, he doesn't realize how thirsty he is until he sees the watering can (wait, what is that even doing down here?) So, he tromps on over to inspect it. Maybe there's a bit left... but he doubts it. It looks like it's been sitting there for centuries. ]

( ooc: Yep, Roxas got a hand lost to the chopping block just in this dream. Nothing permanent. 8D; )

[gardeningaia]

[ There'll be a giggle when Roxas first touches it, blowing into full-blown laughter at more touching, and bursts of puffing smoke with each sound winding together into a fully-formed girl who bobs backward so playfully when her feet hit the ground that it almost seems like she's dancing. ]

Hello hello! And how are we tod--oh, no! [ Aw heeeck no. Even if it's been bandaged up it's obvious to see it was recent and she can't imagine it feels fine. ] What happened? Let me-- [ She reaches forward, but the next second, her hand stops as her cheeks puff out. She...can't. Not unless he wishes it. ]

Raaaaj~

[simulatedsummer]

[ Wait... Is he already starting to hallucinate from dehydration or did he just hear that watering can- OH JEEBUS WHAT IS THAT. He jumps back as the laughter escalates and smoke starts to spout from the can. What did he just get himself into? He takes a few more steps back, his footfalls clumsy, but eventually he just stops and stares.

Whoever this mystery girl from the magical watering can is, she sure is spunky and- h-hey! He pulls his bandaged stump back on instinct before he cringes at the feeling of the motion. He cradles it with his remaining hand, looking at her uneasily. ] It's fine. Just- fine. [ He scrutinizes her. ] Who are you?

Jodie \o\~

[gardeningaia]

[ She cringes just a bit herself in sympathy (and a little "oops") when she sees his reaction. The spunk is still there in her smiles--she's so used to acting spunky even when she's not feeling it, she's out so of course she should feel it!--but the excitement in her eyes has shifted to concern. ]

Me? You should be worrying about yourself first. But I'm Aerith, genie of the watering can, granter of three wishes to lucky winners. Looks like you drew the stick today. Bet you didn't think you would! [ Because it looks like his luck's been terrible as of late. She's sure he could use some wishes. ]

/o/ It's weird to be in a game together again. LMAO;;

[simulatedsummer]

Genie of the.... watering can? [ Roxas echos her words with squinted eyes followed by a raised brow. This is something definitely new to him. New and... Did she say she would grant three wishes?

Slowly, he shakes his head. There's a bitter laugh that leaves his lips as he looks up to nothing but high walls of quick sand. ] I really must be losing it. [ He definitely blames dehydration. And being stuck there a while. But he never thought he would feel desperate enough in his head to conjure such an eccentric illusion. ]

just a little but IT'S GOOOOOD

[gardeningaia]

Watering can. They're so much more roomier than the old lamps.

...[ But for all her quirkiness, her smile softens when he mutters that. ] Hey. [ She leans in toward him, lifting an eyebrow. ] If you're losing it, you've got nothing to lose making a wish, right? I'd like to help you. But rules are rules: you decide how I help.

*A* Yes, very good~

[simulatedsummer]

[ If he were in better humor with the situation, he might have laughed. But this whole situation is bizarre, leaving him to blink dumbly before giving a careful: ] Right. [ If she says they're roomier, uh. Sure, he'll go with that. It's not like he has personal experience.

It's so strange, meeting this lady. But for all the weirdness and all the sureness he has that this is some kind of delusion, she raises a point. And he finds himself slowly shaking his head with an almost pitiful smile to his eyes. ] I guess you have a point. [ Man, not only is he listening to this strange lady his conscious conjured but he's agreeing with her, too, now. He holds his remaining hand up until it's barely touching his chin. ]

So... Wishes, huh. What kind of wishes?

Re: *A* Yes, very good~

[gardeningaia]

How about I tell you the wishes I don't do? They're much fewer than the ones I've done. [ She ticks off on her hands. ] I don't kill people--ugh! And I don't bring them back to life. Sorry, it's not allowed. Last, I won't make anyone fall in love.

And the number three, that doesn't change.