I took the spiritorium to be something similar to a talisman in some ways, meaning that it was sacred. Because of that, I wanted to pay attention to the details while constructing one.
“I can put my imagination to work all I like, but nothing will happen until I roll up my sleeves and take a stab at it! Experience is the best teacher!” I said as I jumped down from the altar and reached down eagerly to scoop up some dirt.
“Wait a moment, Fran!” Alk shouted. His voice was unusually sharp.
My hands stopped just inches from the ground.
Alk stood up from the altar, took my hand, and pulled me back up. I looked up into his eyes. Unless it was my imagination, they looked awfully strict.
Did I cross a line of some sort?
I tried to say something, but no words came out. My mouth just opened and closed helplessly.
Alk let out a long sigh. “Never have I heard of a lady who would dig up dirt with her bare hands! Did it not cross your mind to use a tool?”
“Oh... I’m very sorry that you had to see me behave in such an unsightly manner.”
“I wouldn’t call it ‘unsightly’...but I doubt that you would have had much success scooping anything up with those tiny hands,” he said as his perfect eyebrows knitted together.
He was completely correct, of course! My hands would’ve been totally ineffective for digging in the tough soil. Now that I thought of it, tools would also be an issue to overcome with regard to my desire to garden. It had slipped my mind... Was there anything I could order that might be good for digging?
Though lamentable, I suppose I have no choice...
“Sometimes, sacrifices just have to be made! And...ordered!”
As guilty as it had made me feel, I had ordered a single large serving spoon in hopes that I could use it for digging instead. I didn’t like the idea of ignoring its intended purpose, but right now, I wanted to make the most of building my first spiritorium! After all, there was no telling when I might get another opportunity.
When I pressed the spoon into the dirt at my feet, I was surprised at how little resistance I felt.
“I had thought it would be tougher to dig than this... Not that I’m complaining!”
I spooned dirt into the lunch box, forming a pile. I then continued to scoop up more and more, adding each spoonful to the pile. After that, I placed the light blue glass on the opposite edge of the box, put a can of air in a corner to one side of the glass, and a party candle in the corner on the other side.
Gnome watched my handiwork and nodded approvingly. “Your arrangement is most impressive for a beginner.”
“I’m so glad you think so!”
His reaction was highly reassuring and meant I wasn’t making any major mistakes. As I continued to place items, trying to make a balanced environment, I could feel two pairs of interested eyes following my movements. While Alk’s eyes weren’t one of those pairs, his constant glances could not have been more obvious. He was clearly losing the fight against his curiosity.
“It would be nice if I could add flowers or moss balls to make it look more attractive,” I said.
“Too bad we’re in a cave. Ya could probably hunt down some moss, but I dunno about flowers,” Salamander said, peering at my work.
“I suppose readying those would be a long-term project. Although this is likely the only spiritorium I shall ever make...”
It was already all but finished too. Thanks to the dirt, it was overwhelmingly brown—only the ornaments I’d added had given it any color. There weren’t any flowers in our vicinity, however, so I supposed that there was nothing to be done on that front.
I was just about to let out a disappointed sigh when inspiration struck!
“I know! I can use my skill!” I exclaimed.
My trump card was perfect for the job, and I had almost forgotten about it! I buzzed with excitement as I swiftly summoned my tablet. I was going to order some colorful edible flowers so I could decorate the spiritorium.
“I knew it! It looks so much more vibrant now!”
It certainly helped that I had ordered a wide variety of colors, including red, pink, white, yellow, orange, blue, and purple... Combined with the green of the leaves, the spiritorium had quickly become that much more lively!
“I see,” Gnome said, nodding. “You have created a spiritorium that makes the most of your skill.”
“Yes,” I said. “I thought the spirits might be intrigued to know that I’m capable of ordering such things.”
He chuckled. “Both Sylph and Undine do have a fondness for curios. I am sure this will capture their interest.”
A beautiful glass filled with refreshing water. A curious can and flowers that stayed in full bloom, no matter the season. All of these things had been procured by my skill. I sincerely hoped that the spirits might be interested enough in these to grace us with their presence.
Gnome, who had been keeping a watchful eye on the spiritorium’s progress from the very beginning, pushed up his monocle and smiled. Hopefully, that meant it had his seal of approval. “A spiritorium is never complete, even after it has been built. There is always much to be done, like changing the flowers each season or rearranging the items,” he explained.
“My, I suppose you’re right! I’d better dedicate myself to my gardening so I can eventually add the flowers I’ve grown.”
I was certain that I was doing a poor job of hiding my excitement. Otherwise, Gnome wouldn’t have gone out of his way to point that out to me. My spiritorium could develop and grow through my efforts! If my gardening went well and I managed to cultivate some flowers, I would add a few as extra decorations. Either way, I was rather proud of my miniature garden, considering it was my first attempt!
“All I need to do now is pour the water into the glass and open the can of air,” I said.