“How have I never been here before?” I asked, looking out into the pond, “The flowers are beautiful, and the pond has turtles and koi! This garden is so full of life!”

Azalea chuckled, “I’m glad you like it, not a lot of people visit gardens or parks nowadays, the world has so much entertainment vying for our attention, which means nature gets taken to the wayside.”

I smiled, “I disagree, look at these turtles, there has to be a story here.”

Az leaned over the ponds railing to get a closer look, having to stand on her tip-toes to get a better view, “You’re right… it’s almost as if they’re holding some sort of council.”

“I’m not surprised,” I said, adding to her scenario, “See how they’re all standing on those rocks with their necks stuck out. Those are clearly noble turtles, they have all the best real estate. This is the prettiest part of the pond after all.” I nodded toward the murky waters to our left, where only a few sad turtles lurked.

With a smirk she grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the murky waters, “Oh really? Then tell me about these turtles.”

“The slums district turtles, obviously,” I said without missing a beat, “But…” I began, my mind forming a larger narrative, “Not just because of economic equality. See those markings on that turtle’s shell? They’re the same as the high class ones. She used to be a member of the council, in fact. However, her ideas were too radical, and in return, she was banished to the slums, dismissed as low life, her name forgotten.”

Azalea’s gaze was fixed on mine, listening to my story, “The plot thickens, now…” she glances around, then points at a nearby bench, “I bet we could see the whole pond from there, that way we can really get an idea of what’s going on with those turtles.”

My eyes widened, “Great idea!” I grinned, “Though if you think this conspiracy stops with just turtles you are solely mistaken.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything else!” Az led me to the bench and patted the space next to her.

I sat beside her and shifted slightly, “This bench isn’t exactly in the shade, but it does have a nice view… 7/10.”

She snorted, “You rate benches?”

I shrugged, “Others deserve to know what they’re getting into with this bench, rating it warns them it’s just a 7/10 bench. We must inform the masses.”

“And what does a 10/10 bench look like?”

I pointed to a bench across the pond, sealed off by construction tape, “That one. My guess is that tape has been there for years, that way only the employees get to use it. See how it’s in the shade, has a nice curve to it for improved comfort, and offers a fantastic view? A 10/10 bench if you ask me. Not only that, but it’s got a dedication on it, they only dedicate quality benches, after all.”

Azalea sighed, “Oh to have one’s namesake immortalized in a bench…”

“You think it’s that difficult to get a bench named after you? I’m sure with a little bit of patronage and digging I can get a bench named after you in no time.”

She cocked an eyebrow, “Really?”

I nodded, “I’ll look into it for you. Besides, you’re just as deserving of a bench as anyone whose ever been dedicated on these things. Probably mostly crusty old snobs with enough money to donate to a garden so they look as though they care about the environment.”

Az beamed, “Well when you put it like that…” She struck a pose, “I suppose I might just be benchworthy.”

For the first time in the conversation, my breath caught. The image of Azalea posed on that bench, hair shifting slightly in the breeze, her eyes twinkling in the sun… it was, well, needless to say it was enough for me to change my rating of this bench.

Her laugh sailed through the air, “What? Do I really look that ridiculous?”

I shook my head, “No, it’s not that. I just… nevermind. Anyway, I’ll let you know what I find about bench dedications.”

“Oh don’t worry about that, I’m sure only those snobby rich folk get dedications.”

“No, I said I’d look into it and I will. I promise.”

“Those turtles are the ones who really deserve a dedication, especially the ones fighting against the status quo.”

“They’re doing much more than that.” I pointed over to even murkier waters, where a lone turtle stood on a jagged rock, “That turtle is trying to achieve godhood.”

“Godhood?”

“Yes, he’s a practitioner of the dark shell arts. It’s been banned by the turtle pond council, he has his koi spies infiltrating the turtle council and planning his attack once his ascension ritual is ready.”

She chuckled, “Those turtles sure have more interesting lives than us.”

I leaned closer to her to watch the turtles, placing my hand over hers, “Too bad turtles don’t get bench dedications.”

Azalea’s eyes met mine, “Too bad indeed. I’ve had a lot of fun with you today, would you perhaps want to meet up again?”

I grinned, “I’d love to, just name the place?”

Az looked around before her eyes settled back on me, “Let’s meet at this bench.”

My smile brightened, “Perfect.”