[Fair '24] Alowyn - Biggest Vegetable

“Wow,” A voice exclaimed from behind Alowyn’s large plant, “How did you manage that?”

Alowyn turned around to meet the unfocused gaze of empyrian not much bigger than she was. The light blue and brown empyrian tilted her head as if trying to hear better, but the noises of the fair really messed with her hearing. Alowyn noticed the empyrian’s blind pupils and wondered how she could tell the fruit was large. The empyrian made a series of clicks and whistles as she patted the massive watermelon between them. 

“It takes a lot of care,” Alowyn answered when she realized how the empyrian knew. 

“I can imagine,” The small empyrian replied softly and then added, “I’m Aroa.”

“Alowyn,” She introduced herself evenly as softly.

The pair stood in silence as they inspected the large watermelon Alowyn had grown. It wasn’t all about the care, if Alowyn was being honest her plant magic had a hand in the growth of the watermelon. However, she chose to keep that to herself. Aroa hummed as she continued to pat the watermelon. 

“My pumpkin didn’t quite this big,” Aroa said mostly to herself, but it intrigued Alowyn. 

“Where have you set up your display?” Alowyn asked, “I’d like to see your pumpkin.”

Aroa shook her head, “Oh I haven’t made a display, everything is bigger than my pumpkin.”

“You never know,” Alowyn insisted, “You can use the display next to mine.”

Aroa made more noises that indicated she was thinking about it until she agreed and wandered off to get her pumpkin. While Alowyn waited, she guarded the stall next to her and answered any questions that reoseans asked about her watermelon. Nearly half an hour later, Aroa made her way back to Alowyn, grunting along the way as she hauled her pumpkin. At the sight of the pumpkin, Alowyn wanted to laugh. Not because the pumpkin was small, it was quite the opposite. The pumpkin was huge, but Aroa’s lack of sight and her method of comparing size obviously didn’t give her a full picture. 

“Let me help you,” Alowyn said lightly as she moved to help roll the pumpkin. 

The pair struggled to get the pumpkin on the display stand, but once they did the crowd that had gathered around them gasped. When Alowyn saw the pumpkin next to her watermelon, it was clear who had the bigger fruit, or vegetable.

“See, my pumpkin is too small,” Aroa whispered to Alowyn. 

“No,” Alowyn giggled, “Your pumpkin is the biggest thing here.”

Aroa gasped, “Seriously?”

Alowyn laughed, “Seriously.”

Alowyn looked at her watermelon, which was definitely large as far as watermelons go, but nothing compared to the monster of a pumpkin Aroa had brought. Aroa patted down the watermelon again and then moved to her pumpkin and patted it down. She shook her head.

“It doesn’t feel bigger,” Aroa mumbled to herself with some confusion. 

“Maybe try to hug each one,” Alowyn offered an alternative. 

“Oh, good idea,” Aroa exclaimed. 

Alowyn watched as Aroa tried to wrap her arms around the pumpkin and couldn’t completely circle it. Aroa hummed and then tried to do the same to the watermelon. With the watermelon, she could completely wrap her arms around it. She gasped at the realization. She turned to where Alowyn stood and gave her a bright smile. Alowyn lightly chuckled at the empyrian’s excitement. 

“I took away your win,” Aroa gasped. 

“That’s okay,” Alowyn reassured her. “There’s always next year.”

Aroa shook her head and with a sudden streak of confidence said, “I’ll win next year too.”

Alowyn laughed brightly but didn’t say anything to the contrary. Though Alowyn was already planning what she would do over the next year to grow something much larger with the help of her magic. Aroa was also planning for the next competition, while she answered some questions from people who asked her about the pumpkin. 

While the pair waited for the judging to finish, they talked to each other about their growing methods, and how they fertilized and watered the plants. They shared tips and tricks the other learned through the adventure of growing the past year. There was a competitive friendship that seemed to blossom between the two as they talked animatedly about growing other plants. 

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