VETTA VIEWED her recently acquired assemblage of broken vase pieces with a sense of satisfaction. Here was a worthy project that was full of self-educational value far exceeding the value of the vase itself.
Inspired by the dedication of Wackie Mandrake, she imagined piecing the fragments together and presenting the item almost as good as new to a grateful owner who despite the words of the maid would probably be missing it terribly as a cherished possession.
Although Vetta was not a possessive creature herself, she appreciated how people clung to certain things for comfort and familiarity. It promoted well-being, very much a part of the five wellsprings of joy, and so her mission was a bright and clear path before her. She would trod along it, uplifted and inspired by the knowledge she was doing something to help a fellow being in the trammels of existence.
'I find with puzzles, it's always best to start with the edges and then work your way from there,' Anthera said, coming into the room just then early that evening and seeing an array of pieces neatly arranged upon a table, pattern side up. 'Although your puzzle seems to have a lot of jagged bits and very few starting points.'
'It is a vase,' Vetta said proudly.
'You're rummaging in other people's litter for a hobby now? That could lead to all sorts of life style choices you know.'
'Really?' and Vetta looked around in puzzlement.
'Ooh, look. Those two bits must go together,' and the Meditia girl snatched up the indicated pieces and clicked them in place.
'I know,' Vetta said, 'it's so exciting when that happens. Please hold that pose while I find some glue. Pairing all the pieces will halve the puzzle in an instant.'
'There's optimism for you. Sure you have all the bits?'
'I am. I saw this beautiful vase when it was whole and when it was sadly broken and all the pieces gathered in an instant.'
'Running about madly were you? Guilty conscience makes fixers of us all.'
'Oh no. It was not me,' Vetta said with artless honesty. 'It was... unexpected.' She could not name the culprit for fear of disparaging someone without really knowing what happened.
'Apply the glue to the one edge only, that's it. Now wipe the excess and stand it so the pieces are supported and won't move until the cement has fully dried,' Anthera said, ignoring Vetta's denial.
'You sound as if you have done this before,' Vetta replied, grateful for the instruction. There was a glance and a smile from the other.
'I'll leave you to it. Don't want to steal your glory.'
'Thank you. You are very kind, more than kind.'
