APR 17 Saturday.

I draw out another rune and finish modifying the spell that is enchanted into my mortar and pestle, which is now linked to a medium sapphire.

The last two weeks have been both calm and slightly annoying, mostly because the Fire Starter was released, it did not take long for the public to notice. That wasn't helped when the news really broke as newspapers started to print new stories about what is called yet another genius invention from the mysterious Veil Winter.

I do feel a little pride with yet another helpful invention but they are kind of overstating things, then again that is what the news is good at isn't it? As you can imagine this all resulted in more damned mail, at least it's far more clean, I don't want to walk around like I was any more than absolutely necessary.

But all of this is second to something more important that I've been planning, growing the Copper Lily. That is also the reason I'm currently remaking my mortar and pestle. I've used a medium sapphire to really boost its grinding abilities, I need that boost to grind down the copper.

Copper alone is probably not going to be enough though, this metal is just too pure, so I found a smeltery in Canterlot. There I was able to both buy some copper ore, it's low quality but if I mix it with my ingots and some soil I can make suitable soil for my newest plant.

I also paid the smithy to cut up the copper ingots I bought into small pieces, around an inch each. The ore was in a sack in many small chunks, so it doesn't need more processing. I open the sack and grab a few pieces of ore along with a single piece of the copper ingot, and I throw all of this into my mortar.

I didn't do anything fancy while modifying the spells used, I just made them stronger than before, I'll just have to hope this is enough. I start to grind down the copper and it does work but it will take a while to grind fully, while grinding I move an empty bag over to me. Then I activate a small ruby to form a shield around my mortar, it won't block my magic but will block any loose dust, I would rather not breathe in any copper.

It does prove to be a very slow process and it takes half an hour to grind down one pound of the mixture, I may have to look into better runes to speed up this process. but this should be enough for a single plant, I think. I sprinkle some water from my flask to take any dust out of the air before turning off the shield and collecting the rough copper dust.

After that I check a few more things I'll need for today, once it's already I place all the things in my new saddlebags and move out to the main room of my apartment. Today is one of the days me and Celestia planned to meet, but to shake things up a bit I'm the one inviting her.

In her past letter, she asked me to show her if I succeeded in growing the Copper Lily, and I plan to do more than that and invite her to see my attempt. I'm a little nervous about failing though, but if I do fail it won't be made worse by her being there.

I think I've prepared as best I can for growing the Copper Lily. I have copper and even copper ore, and with enough life magic, I should be able to grow viable seeds to make more plants. On a different note I love my new saddlebags, the style fits me well and they are so much better than my old ones. The blackish-green cloth strikes a contrast with the yellow leaves drawn out of thread.

There are maple leaves, oak leaves, and even a few small flowers, it all comes together with a simple but enjoyable look, and like I said it's a large improvement over my old saddlebags. I've also added the enchantments I had on my old saddlebags into my new ones.

I leave that line of thought alone as I pick up a small cloth bag on my shelf, it holds the Copper Lily seed. I take a moment to make sure it's still alive and nod to myself as I feel its small amount of life magic move very slowly inside the seed, I pack it away with extra care and turn to my shadow. "It's time to go Girl. To Gaia."

She emerges on my back a moment later and we enter the Void a second after that. The Void stretches out and I have a thought as I stare into it, I wonder if this Void is staring back. like that old saying. Either way, it's not like I'd be able to know for sure.

That thought ends when I'm greeted by the afternoon sun gleaming in my eyes as I now stand in a lush grass field. I look around for a moment before letting Entropy fly off to do whatever she wants while I put my blindfold on and go to my shack to grab two White Oak seeds.

I've wanted a nice outside place to relax in Gaia's Eden for a while now and I have some time before Celestia arrives so now seems like a good time. First I need to pick a location, and I think the best would be near the Gold Oak for a good view, but not too close as the tree needs room.

In the end, I settled for a spot roughly forty feet away from the Gold Oak facing the side closest to my shack. Once I have a spot picked out I head over to my log pile, I cast spells on a few of the regular Oak logs to significantly lighten before picking up three in my field.

With two trips I have six logs moved and I dig out three holes in a line each hole five feet apart, my field makes it easy. I move ten feet to the side and do the same again, this new structure is going to be ten feet wide and fifteen feet long with six supports made from logs. I place the first log in a hole and start growing roots to keep it in place.

I continue this with four more logs and nearly get the last one in place before abruptly stopping as I'm moving the log, not far away I feel the space ripple and rend apart. "Hmm, seems she's early," I mumble before continuing to move the log into its place and rooting it thoroughly.

I already decomposed the oak logs to the same length so I just need a floor and roof now, so I decided to start with a good floor. I take out a White Oak seed and drop it before letting it spread and grow, I don't grow any bark or leaves and start to form a solid foundation.

A two-inch thick slab of pristine white wood spreads out, it's an inch in the ground and an inch above it. This process takes a few minutes even while boosting the speed by using more life magic than necessary. As I'm working I feel and hear Celestia walk over to me. "Seems you've been busy, what's this for?"

I smile at the friendly and relaxed tone she carries. I don't remove my blindfold and just concentrate on my work while answering her. "A pavilion, somewhat like those in the royal gardens. Although this is a little less grandiose. Also, you are a little early, aren't you? I didn't even get to surprise you with all this." I joke a little as she watches me grow out the floor, although I only guess what her expression is.

I can imagine the smile she often has. "A wonderful idea, and for the record you never surprise me, I just fail to predict you." She says with clear sarcasm. If I wasn't blindfolded I'd have rolled my eyes at that. "As for why I'm here so early? Well, I told Cadance about our meeting and she was very insistent I come as soon as I could, she even offered to finish my work."

I raise an unseen brow. "Huh? Well, that's nice of her. Especially considering how much work I gave you both." I do find it a bit odd she didn't take the opportunity to mess with me, but she doesn't always need to do that and it's good to see she can just be nice. I move past that thought as I finish the floor, "I'm thinking of having the roof be covered in leaves like my shack, what do you think?" I ask her opinion while growing out the basic frame of the roof.

The six logs extend upward at a forty-five-degree angle, then I grow them horizontally at the tip where the logs merge along the fifteen-foot length. "Hmm, yes I think that fit would fit rather well as a theme of sorts, you could also add some Moon Glow Vines for lighting." She suggests while tapping the new floor with a hoof.

I nod at the suggestion. "Good point, I can even have them hanging down, and maybe some railings too." I grow a half-inch thick plane of wood in between the roof frames and cover the top with a layer of bark and leaves to finish the structure. I huff out a little feeling the drain on my magic, doing all that so quickly nearly drained me.

The last time I did this I made my shack but that took a lot more material and time to think over how I wanted to build it, so I wasn't as tired by the end. I take off my blindfold and turn to her as she looks over the new building with a smile, "Tea? I could use some right now." I say while walking into the new area and dropping down on the wood.

She follows me and lays down facing me. "Maybe a carpet as well, or some cushions to lay on." I nod while setting up my teapot and filling it with water before activating the enchantment and waiting for the water to boil. "So, beyond changing life inside and outside of Equestria yet again, what have you been up to?" She asks.

I wave my hoof in a so-so motion. "Not too much really, I've mostly focused on a few personal projects and helping Cadance with our rune project." Cadance and I met up a week ago and actually started working on the rune a little, it was just us making a basic design for the rune and trying to figure out how to word the rune's runic context properly.

She nods. "Good to hear. Also, do you always wear that?" She points to the blindfold I have hanging around my neck. "Because if you do, I might get to hear some entertaining rumors about you going blind." She says half-seriously, somewhat of a dark joke by pony standards.

I chuckle at that and take out two teacups before pouring us both some fresh tea. I smile back up at her and drain my cup to regain my magic. "You want to play that game? Because Cadance is a gossiper, and she has told me quite a few rumors about you." I have heard a few from her that are good ammunition against her.

She smiles right back. "I know right? Do you mean the rumors about you and me?" She asks back with some humor, and I just give her a confused look in return. She smiles wider at my confusion, "Did you know some ponies think we are dating?" She even waits a moment to say that so I'm drinking tea at the same time.

I spit out all my tea and start coughing as she breaks down laughing. Once I've recovered a little I look at her like she's mad while trying to not blush as my mind goes wild. "They WHAT! Why?! I-We---What?!" I stumble and flail my words as she just laughs harder as I blush despite my best efforts. In the end, I just sit there thoroughly embarrassed as she recovers from her laughing fit.

"Haha, y-you really don't know? I'd expected Cadance to have teased you with that before." It's at that moment I remember a few times that Cadance did mention rumors, but it seems she was keeping this rumor in reserve. "Don't feel too flustered though, it's just staff gossip." She drops the teasing tone but still looks very pleased with herself.

I just glare for a moment before slumping down a little and wiping some tea dripping off of my chin with the back of my foreleg. "This is why I hate politics, so much drama and gossip. Now I don't want to think about this so change the subject... Please." I ask with a thoroughly defeated tone.

She just keeps smiling but does give me some mercy. "Fine, but I'm telling Cadance, I think I might have just ruined a long-term prank of hers." She drinks some tea and I just take a few deep breaths and relax again. "As for a topic, well I do have one off of the top of my head... But it is a bit morbid and might not fit today." She says with a much more gentle and slightly hesitant tone.

I feel my body settle down and give her my undivided attention while perking up some, I really doubt she could rattle me but I'm really curious now. "Go for it, a somber mood is preferable to what just happened." I give a much more upbeat and joking response while refilling my teacup.

She smiles and nods, but doesn't ask for a few moments. "You told me your friend, Daisy I believe, lost somepony not long ago." That is a bit of a morbid topic, but nothing that bad really. "I also remember you said you've pondered death before." I nod at that and notice she still has some hesitation. "Well my question is simple then, what do you think of death? And I am asking in the more philosophical sense." Her tone is not sad or serious, just curious and mellow, maybe a little melancholy too.

Now that is an interesting question, and one I can understand Celestia asking about. She is one of the few beings that has lived for more than a millennium and I honestly can't imagine the amount of death she's seen in her life, but I also feel a little warm knowing she probably asks this with some concern over my health.

It's also not something she would really be able to talk about much, she has few friends and I might actually be the only one of those friends that is willing to be philosophical. So I think about my answer for a few moments, "In what way? What do I personally think of death? Death as a law of reality? Or something like a deity or embodiment of death?" I ask back with an equally curious tone.

I see her smile a little despite the topic. "Good question and I'd have to say I'm curious what you think about all of those, but let's start with it as a law." She drinks some more tea and seeing how relaxed I am about the topic is less hesitant now.

I nod. "Well, It's probably best to define what death is first. For a law, I'll just presume it's the process of something ceasing to be what it once was and not anything that may come after that, like an afterlife or that something changing. And to be blunt, as a law it serves the same purpose as most laws of reality, balance." I now have her full attention as I continue.

"All things begin, and then they end. As a law, it is simply a fact that things must change, and honestly, I'm not sure what more to add to that. At its base death as a law is less of a law and more a simple fact of the world we live in, there's probably a better word for that." I probably ramble a bit too much but I think I explained my thoughts properly.

She nods after a moment and her smile grows a little. "I think that is a good explanation, but I think it could be said to be a law because by its very nature as part of reality it resists any change to how that law functions. Then again that function is left up to interpretation more than anything." She debates a little.

I nod back after a moment. "Good point, death can be very different depending on the culture and individual," I admit before realizing we're out of tea and starting to make a new pot as some rain moves over the area and starts to fall from the sky.

Over the rhythmic taps of rain on the roof above us she continues. "Correct, and that's also perfect for the next form you mentioned. Death as a deity, some would view it as evil or wild, but others view it as a simple part of nature. And then there are all the different forms death is said to take, from a vengeful force of the world to a slightly more passive being that takes your soul when it's your destined time to die." She starts to get into the conversation and adds more points to talk about.

"I think there is a part that most miss. Most of those variations have one thing in common." She raises a brow. "They all frame death in a somewhat kind light, even if they did not intend to." That earns me a confused stare for a moment.

But she seems to get it after a moment. "That is something I don't hear often, but I think you mean that death waits for us? That it is patient in a way." I nod with a smile. It's not that surprising though, it's not exactly a rare thought. "Yes, I suppose you're right then, all the different iterations of death I can think of have that is common. Although, a few need worship or sacrifice to keep them so patient." She adds some context.

I nod, she's probably seen many worship death in some form. "Agreed. Anyway, to move back to the point, death as a literal being can be viewed in an endless number of ways, so I'll just tell you what I personally think, look at me combining my last two options to save time." I joke a little and chuckle, but she just smiles in return.

I brush that off and continue. "Death is a very... Kind thing." She looks confused but doesn't interrupt me. "I once told you I fear living forever, because forever is endless. It's odd, but I find a little... Comfort knowing that one day I won't have any worries, just rest, endless rest. Death is with you the first day you're born and the day you die, they are your oldest friend."

"And like a friend, they do not demand you come to them or show you anger if you shy away in fear. From the lowest of the low to kings on high, they are all greeted the same, and they are all taken where they need to go when it's time." I pause for a moment and see a very thoughtful expression on Celestia's face.

I drink some tea and finish. "So, for me at least, I intend to greet death as the old friend I think they are. But that's just how I see it, many would probably disagree." I think I'm half quoting a few things from my last world, but for me this is how I would like to imagine the embodiment of death, I am being very optimistic though.

As I finish my little speech she stops and looks out into the rain as it really starts to pour down, it's a long lingering stare like she's remembering something. "That is... An oddly beautiful way to look at it, and a perspective I haven't heard before. Sure, a few were similar but not the same as that."

She looks back with a thoughtful face. "Death as a friend? That would definitely be interesting." She comments that part more to herself than me. "Thank you, I... I think you have given me much to think about... I also find it interesting that you talk about this more like a Griffon would."

I feel myself stiffen very slightly but hide it well. "Really?" I ask back hoping to see what she meant by that.

She nods with a smile and seeds to partly move past this topic. "Yes, I find that races like the Griffons and Diamond Dogs seem more willing to talk about and ponder these more morbid things. And you yourself are rather good at putting yourself in the perspective of others, I guess that trip did you some good hmm?" She compliments me and jokes a little while I relax again realizing she's just pointing out the obvious, I do act more like a carnivore than most ponies ever would.

"But this topic has dropped the mood a little, anything else you'd like to talk about?" She drops any gentleness and seems to want to move on to something more lighthearted, and I have just the thing for that. I smile widely at her and start taking two things out of my saddlebags while standing up to stretch my legs.

"Do you have a spell that can collect some of this rain? Or just water in general?" I ask while placing down the bag of mixed copper and a small cloth bag. She looks over the items a little confused but nods at my question. "Perfect, then give me a few minutes, I'll be right back." I drape my cloak over me and walk through the rain to my small shack.

When I get there I grab a large bag of unwanted mail and my crude wooden shovel before walking back. I get back to see a still curious but patient Celestia looking at me with a smile as I take off my cloak and shake some water off of me, but I'm interrupted as a spell hits me and I'm instantly dried. "That works too, thanks." She just silently drinks some tea as I get to work.

I drop the sack and she sees the mail inside. "Why?" She finally asks.

I smile and start to grow more wood from the floor. "Out of everything, the bag of mail is the one you ask about?" She nods completely serious. "Fine, I'll show you." I place my crude shovel to the side and she immediately takes it to look it over, I just let her satisfy her curiosity.

I pick the dead center of the pavilion and grow a hollow tube three feet tall and the hollow center is a foot wide. I shape it like a tree stump and even add some fake roots and bark, I make sure to keep the middle of the fake stump hollow with the top open. Next, I take the bag and dump all the mail inside the hollow trunk.

She stands up and walks over to sit next to me and watch what I'm doing. A moment after I've emptied the sack so I toss it to the side and start decomposing all the mail into fresh soil. Celestia smiles at me and chuckles a little, "You compost all of the mail you don't want?" She asks humorously.

I smile and nod. "I'm not keeping it, and I don't want to just throw it away, so why not compost it?" I summarize as I move the second bag over to us, the stump now has a few inches of soil in the bottom. "Can you fill this with water? A few inches under the lip." She nods immediately and a moment later her horn starts to glow.

Raindrops and water in the air all gather into a single spot in mid-air, and all that water forms a small falling stream that lands on the stump. "Well, I can't say it's a bad idea. Actually, I can think of several times I'd have liked to do the same, but I had to settle for just burning those." She jokes. I chuckle at that, it seems we agree that some mail just needs to be burned.

The stump is now full of muddy water and she stops her spell at the perfect time, It's an interesting water spell, I might research that later. For now, I pour the copper dust inside and start to mix it all with my shovel as Celestia raises a brow. "What, are we making soup? Because if we are, that seems like a mighty big spoon, I wonder why it's so big?" I try to ignore the teasing tone and finish my task.

"Make your jokes, I can take them all. But to answer you, no, this is something so much more." I drop my joking tone and very gently pick up the cloth bag. "Hoof," I demand while motioning for her to give me her hoof, she raises a brow but does as I ask.

I let a single small seed drop into her hoof as I see it click in her head, she glances at the water in the stump and back to me. "I thought you might... Well, I thought you might want to be here... For my first and possibly last attempt, no guarantees this will succeed though ." I smile up at her as she gets a look that's a mix of happy and sad.

I see a large smile bloom on her face as she looks back at me. "Thank you." Her tone is a mix of happy and a little excited. "What do I need to do?" She asks back.

I smile widely. "Well, just chuck it in. Let's see if this will work." She does just that with gusto and I watch as the seed splashes in the water before sinking right to the bottom. I reach out with my life magic and focus on the small seed before pushing some life magic into it.

This entire setup is just to hopefully grow and collect more seeds, I don't think the Copper Lily would be able to live here long-term without my constant help. After a few moments, The seed breaks apart and a small unseen sprout starts to spread roots and form a bulb while stretching a stem upwards. "It worked."

I see a beaming smile on Celestia's face as the small plant shoot reach the water's surface and unfurls into a small three-inch wide pad of deep green. "Thank you." She just repeats herself again and keeps her smile as another shoot follows the first, and then a third.

Eventually a fourth grows but it's different, when it grows I see a bud form that slowly unfurls into what looks like a normal white Lily flower. I almost get concerned that this is not the right plant, but a moment later I notice that the flower petals are really thin, thinner than paper.

A few moments later we see small bits of copper start to be excreted by the flower petals, and more builds up over time. The petals grow thicker, but my magic is being consumed quickly, and even with so much life magic it still takes a long time to grow fully, I guess forcing the plant to gather this much copper so quickly takes a lot of life magic.

But I need more seeds and that can only happen if I finish the plant's life cycle, I do prevent any more offshoots to try and keep my magic drain to a minimum. After a few minutes of us watching in silent fascination, the flower petals are now even thicker than a normal Water Lily's petals.

Finally, a small cluster of yellow needle-like petals grow in the center while new types of offshoots grow from the leaf stems, a few moments later the pods grow on the ends of the new growths while the new petals start to also build up copper. Eventually, the seed pods are done and I stop growing the plant, just in time too because I'm almost out of life magic.

I reach out and pluck four pods filled with seeds, and all of them have small amounts of life magic moving around inside them. "It worked, I can grow more. YES!" I get a little loud as I celebrate happily that it really did work. I turn back to Celestia, and she's just looking at the copper flower seemingly transfixed.

An idea pops into my head at the sight, and I reach out with my magic to decompose the stem and any plant material still in the flower. It nearly sinks a moment later but I pick it up in my field and stare at the pristine flower made from pure copper. I stare for a moment longer before holding it out to Celestia. "Here, it's yours now."

I smile as she looks over the moon, but her expression has an undertone of something sad. Still, all this is worth it to see her so happy. "I... Thank you Shade, this means a lot to me." Her tone is soft but happy as she holds the shiny flower in her hooves with a large smile.

She stares at the metal flower for a moment more before looking back at me. A moment later I'm once again enveloped in a double hug, but unlike last time I can appreciate it. The feathers cover my back while her forelegs grab my sides, and my face is buried in some chest fluff.

She lets go a few seconds later and moves the flower to the side with her horn. I smile widely at the hug. "Good, I'm glad you like it. Now, I'm mostly out of magic, and I wouldn't mind learning something. So, teach me that water spell, It seems interesting." I try to move off the emotional topic before things get too heavy.

I see a whole different smile and she has a more teacher-like look. "With pleasure."

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. :D
Current year is 994

Your probably getting a shorter chapter next because I went way overboard on this one, but I think it came out well. I hope you like it.