The Yellow Blossom

[Mariyan Melen]

The Melen namana orchard spanned 100 acres west of the Telaan Valley. It was isolated enough that the orchard ran itself but not too far away from Salis D'aar that a trip couldn't be made within the day if supplies were needed. Most of the transportation ran in and out of the family estate on a timely schedule that such trips were rare baring an emergency or for personal endeavors. Droids maintained the orchards and upkeep on the equipment and mansion with two dozen hired hands on a rotating seasonal schedule. Currently the crop was ripe for the pickings and the fields bustled with droid, human, and bith activity.

Mariyan Melen casually strolled down a row of namana trees, glancing at the medium sized farming droids that hovered over the orchard. They were rectangular with a taller front which held sensor arrays that could assess ripeness of the fruit. Four extendable arms swiveled to and fro with a triad of gentle pincers at the end to efficiently pluck the namama fruit then carefully place them into an attached basket. Once enough were picked, they flew to the processing facility three kilometers away where they were inspected, washed, and labeled. Their final destinations were distilleries, bakeries, candy factories, and for exporting offworld.

It was a lucrative business that the Melens enjoyed - for the most part. Her daughter's mood ebbed and flowed like the waves of the Anduian Sea.

For now she enjoyed the beautiful day, admiring the tall trunks of the pale yellow trees as the whir of the pincers moved about their business. One particular low hanging branch she plucked a particular beautiful yellow and orange blossom to give to Esme, her aimer. She was the child she was to never have but fates decided differently.

Her musings were interrupted by the sounds of laughter. Immediately Mariyan's honed in on the owners of the voices and felt no trouble to be had. Just innocent fun. Her scowl of concentration became a smile.

"Banji! Do be careful! We're trying to harvest the fruit, not use it for sport!" she cautioned with a teasing tone as the young boy was about to throw a falling fruit at his friend.

The boy belonged to Arens - a family of nearby distillers who had a contract with the Melens. The children often found their way onto the property but it was just good fun - for the most part.

The blonde boy waved with a smile, Mariyan noted he lost another tooth. She remembered when Nadia called her with the news of her pregnancy! Five years couldn't have gone by that fast! "I promise! Just wanna watch the droids! It's fun!" He hunched over and dangled his arms like the farming droids and pretend picked some fruit. His friend, Marco did the same and it became a dance that kicked up dirt and fallen blossoms.

Mariyan laughed fondly. "Good boy. If you're around later, why don't you stop by for some juice. If your mother says it's alright, of course."

He perked up and grinned. "OK! I will! Have fun doing your walk thingy."

Banji was perspective. He knew she liked to walked and gather her thoughts amongst the trees.

She smirked, clicking her tongue. "Thank you, dear boy, Now off with you before my droids think you're a ripe fruit and pluck you right up since you're so sweet."

He and Marco laughed and ran off and Mariyan allowed herself a moment of introspection when Esmeralda was so innocent and carefree ...