The First Apiary
A Chance to Heal...
Competition
Human nature followed us to Safeharbor, nipping at our heels. When one has and another has not, it's only a matter of time before the have-nots seek change. The Valentines were heroes. They were loved. They solved a problem the greatest minds of earth could not, and bruised more than a few egos.
It was peaceful at first, or perhaps a better term would be passive aggressive. The number of hives grew, and many sought to barter in exchange for the excess. For a select few, it was a genuine interest. Some truly had a passion for the profession, and the Valentines helped in every way they could.
Others were not so genuine. When bartering failed, they threatened. When threats failed, they resorted to violence, theft, slander, and cruelty. As the number of apiaries grew, the animosity grew as well. New advancements that could beat the competition were revealed every day, break-ins were reported every night, and without a proper form of law enforcement, they often fell on deaf ears.
The Dangers of Faith
The Valentines persevered, as did we all, but they were people of faith in a world that sought to break free from such shackles. Those who shared in their passion stopped coming, fearing persecution and retaliation from their peers. The whole of Autumn shunned them in the end. They were harassed, refused service, and eventually exiled like all the other people of faith.
I honestly doubt this particular case had much to do with religion. While the time marked a shift toward a preferable, secular society, this was about our most precious resource. They packed up what they could and left Autumn, seeking refuge among others who felt the sting of rejection from those they sought to help. I wonder if any are still alive.
Such a sad end to a tale about healing. We were meant to stand united, not squabble over perceived unfairness. Needless to say, reform was just around the corner, but the long term effects are still present. It's the worst form of prejudice, silent and hungry. Despite our progress and efforts, our journey for healing is far from over.
Advancements
First order of business was climate. The Valentines managed to find a perfectly suitable building only to tear it apart and slap the pieces back together in a new form. They laid the ductwork for ventilation, and planted the first seeds in their vertical gardens.
The flowers grew. Roses, lavender, tulips, and other species deemed useless by those who built the arks. They set up a site for citizens to deposit organic waste. Earthworms were brought out of their hibernation, eager to forge the miracle of compost, which only made these gardens flourish more.
They built sunlamps, lights that mimic the spectrum of the earth's sun, and in a few short months, the first bees of Autumn took flight. By the end of the year, honey was becoming the most valuable commodity on the planet.
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Oh my goodness. What a font. Very good. Write more.
Wait what? Which font. I cant pick my favorite, I love them all too much. XD