Fennel has a minion!

Herb the Shikaka

Highly aromatic herb.

Name: Fennel
Pronounced: (FEN-L)
Birthday: December 17th
Sex: Male
Occupation: Herbalist
Siblings: Twin sister, Camellia
Loves: Herbs, plants and anything he could do with them which could help others. Sister, Camellia. Friend, Leif. Secretly loves when Camellia decorates him with flowers (but don't let her know that).

Background Story:
"How about studying the wonders of herbs and plants with me?" Is a question you will often get if you are at all acquainted with Fennel. He's widely known for his love of anything that grows naturally and can be used to help people and pets alike. Where, though, did this love come from? One can try to ask Fennel himself, but he is hesitant to speak of it. So we must study the events surrounding his adoption carefully to glean his history.

A few years ago; there was a small Popoko village near Riverside Valley. Though there were not many inhabitants, it was a very happy village that lacked only one thing: a formally trained doctor. Instead, the healing was handled by an herbalist, who collected and studied many of the plants and herbs growing locally around the village. She would then apply their uses to various ailments within the village's population.

You were helping to carve a new home into a tree and injured your arm? She would prepare some Monk's Hood for you. You're about to go on a long adventure and want to be prepared for whatever might come your way? She would prepare you some common rue.

Her greatest gift, though, was not her knowledge of herb-lore and the like; it was, as she would tell many around her, her two young children. Fennel and Camellia--you could not find more different twins than they! Camellia was an adventurous girl and loved everything to do with exploring, running, and generally getting a feel for the outdoors.

But Fennel!

Ever the sickly yet optimistic child, Fennel would stay indoors, studying and assisting his mother however he could. She took the time to explain all the herbs she could to him; their uses and limitations, how to counteract them, how to make full use of them, and finally, proper dosage. Oft had she told Fennel, 'The best herb in the world is useless if you don't know how to make use of it.'

His little mind absorbed this information like a sponge, and ever his mind grew fascinated with the things that were stored in his mother's cabinets. Studying, studying--he was always studying! Fixated as he was on knowledge, he could scarcely do anything but conduct tests on the herbs his mother possessed.

On and on this happy existence might have gone; had only his mother remained in good health.

No matter what herbs he gave her--Monk's Hood for pain, common rue, even a few wild clovers for luck--none seemed to work. There seemed to be no solution to his mother's ailment, and young Fennel's heart very nearly broke with the sorrow of it all.

Then one day, he and his sister simply left the village. Many left behind theorized it was because of their grief; that the twins could not bear to be tied to such a painful place any longer. That it was too much, far too much for any young Popoko to bear.

The twin's journey brought them to Veta Lake, where they were very quickly taken into the adoption centre. Fennel fell into a depression during this time; thinking how stupid he had been to leave his home. How unfair it was that he'd had to lose his mother. How absurd it was for him to be languishing here...but his fortune would take a turn when he saw Jen.

Tired, bespectacled little eyes gazed upon the human with wonder. 'What was this creature?' was what first came to his mind, for he had never seen a human in all of his life.

"Poor little guy!" he heard Jen's voice say, "How long has he been here? And what's that in his paws?"

Fennel heard another voice say, "I think it's a dried wild clover...he won't tell anyone about it." He then glanced upwards as the human looked down over him. "The poor little guy smells like a forest!"

"I lived in one..." Fennel said, shyly. "I loved it. Do you live in one, too? Where do you live?"

"So many questions! I make my home near here; I have a garden, something you'll probably enjoy."

"What's in it? Tomatoes?"

"No, silly! Herbs!" The human could not help but be touched by the sparkle in the Popoko's eyes when she spoke those words.

And so Fennel (and his sister) came to live with Jen. Ever since then, Fennel has occupied himself as he once did, tending herbs and helping educate others on what herbs can and cannot do.

'And no matter what! The best herb in the world is useless in the wrong dosage!'

Story written by User not found: qcontinuum, overlay by hagane, official glade by Arbor with sketch by hagane and CI by User not found: inversitle. ♥️ Jessi for giving me Fennel.