Frost Berries

The sugar-like snow fell delicately in the forests of the Arbor Area, landing in the trees more-so than on the forest floors.

In the midst of the forest, there is a tree made into a house that was covered with Winter Celebration decorations and the falling snow. This is where Eevee was, helping with the organizing of the Winter Celebration.

Eevee stood by the tree house’s entrance, which was a tree hollow opening with a round door. She stared at the falling snow, enchanted by the white, dancing crystals. No matter how old she got, she never grew out of enjoying watching the snow fall.

She remembered her first snowfall, she was just a pup outside her home, watching her Jolteon father running through it, plowing through the snow drifts, laughing. Eevee had played with him for a while, but soon cuddled up against her Flareon mother, snuggling into her warm, candle-scented fur and watching the snow dance with her father well into the night.

Eevee smiled sadly, remembering that night dearly, remembering her mother…

“Alright, my friend. The plants are ready to begin growing.” Her friend Noctowl peered out from the door. “Would you like to see it?”

Eevee snapped out of her memory, “Huh?”

“The Frost Berries are ready to begin growing, I just need to water them. Do you not remember what I told you? Frost Berries grow fast, and it’s always amazing to watch them sprout right before your eyes!”

Eevee reluctantly looked away from the snowfall followed him into his hollow.

There, right above the fireplace was an ice covered branch, Noctowl had been working hard to grow it when winter started, for this was the only time these branches could grow, and this branch was the only kind that bore Frost Berries.

Eevee looked at the small, empty knot in the white and blue branch, inside it was a small amount of dirt, and a single seed.

Noctowl took a small watering can in his talons. “Ready?”

Eevee nodded.

Smiling, Noctowl flew up and perched on the icy branch, not even feeling the cold branch through his thick plumage and claws. Gently, he dripped a few drops of water into the knot of the tree.

Both watched, beyond amazed as almost immediately, a green sprout partially coated in white frost grew, steadily climbing up, a bud forming on it’s top.

When the sprout reached about five inches, it tipped over, the weight of the bud making it top heavy. Almost immediately, the bud opened, revealing an entire bushel of developing holly red, periwinkle blue, and snow white berries.

Noctowl looked proud of himself, beaming at his masterpiece. “While Frost Berries are very delicate plants, they are incredibly picky about their surroundings and it can almost be impossible to grow them like this, I believe I have mastered the art.”

Eevee was openmouthed, gaping. Even though botany wasn’t her favorite subject to read about, she still read a lot about it. Frost Berries were included in the book she read, she learned about their colors, their size…but nothing in the book told her about this amazing growing process!

Noctowl chuckled, amused by her stunned face. “What do you think?”

“Th-that was incredible! I had no idea Frost Berries grew like that!”

“They should be fully developed in an hour.”

“Really? So they can be put up for decorations today?”

“Of course they can!” Noctowl looked surprised. “But is that all you are using them for?”

Eevee blinked, how else could these berries be used other than decorating?

The bird smiled. “Have you ever tasted Frost Hot Chocolate?”