Post by Prof. Hanae Shimizu on Jul 1, 2013 10:35:20 GMT -6
The sounds of insects and birds ebbed and flowed in the office of Hanae Shimizu. The office was actually a greenhouse, with a large oak desk and comfortable armchair surrounded with her favorite plants. Hanae leaned back in the dark green velvet armchair with her eyes closed, taking in the scents and noises that calmed her. She could hear the buzz of bees, the chirp of a lark that had built its nest in the eaves of the greenhouse. Her office was its own little ecosystem; the birds ate the majority of the harmful bugs that made their way in, and the beneficial insects kept her plants healthy and strong.
A tickling sensation on her arm caused her to open one eye. Crawling slowly over her skin was a ladybug. Hanae smiled and held out a wrinkled finger for the ladybug to climb onto, then stood and walked over to her alihotsy shrub. She guided the ladybug from her finger to one of the leaves, muttering softly, "There you go, dear friend. Keep those nasty aphids away from my beloved plants."
Her return to the desk was slow; her joints ached and her left hip bothered her, hence the reason for the cane she carried with her everywhere. Currently it was leaning against the edge of her desk. She didn't use it unless she absolutely had to, but its presence was ever comforting.