Setting Down Roots
A generative art collaboration with Vaseem B.
Welcome
It’s time for another collab story, this time with Vaseem B. Vaseem and I actually did the image collaboration way back in February, but due to health reasons and other things going on in my life, it’s taken me this long to get around to writing a story. This in no way reflects my genuine admiration for Vaseem or my enthusiasm for working with him. Thank you so much for your patience, Vaseem!
You can find Vaseem on Instagram as midjourney_fun. Check out his work; it’s truly beautiful.
The Collaboration
Vaseem approached me out of the blue to do a 444 Chippy Collab. I had never met him prior to this, but I’m very glad he asked. If you’re new to Eclectic Extras and have not read any of these collaboration stories, you can read about how it works in the first collaboration post I did with Mixed AI Art.
In the past, I’ve created images with the prompt words, actual prompts, and the story images with them. I’ve decided that this creates a lot of work for me that I don’t need to be doing. So today, I’ll just share our prompt words.
Vaseem’s shared words were schematic, cute, dessert, and juggler. His privately held words were neon, graffiti, street, and skateboard.
My shared words were vivid, colors, outlandish, and diner. My privately held words were detailed, conjures, dishes, and flaming.
The Story
You’ll find all of the words Vadeem and I used within the text of the story, which was inspired by our images. I had fun finding ways to use them. I hope you enjoy reading the result!
Setting Down Roots
Jenner hadn’t started out as a pastry chef. He’d been a juggler. And he’d loved his work in the space circus. He got to travel to new worlds and had seen much of the inhabited galaxy. But he’d really wanted to set down roots somewhere, maybe find a steady partner and start a family.
So, when Marco had come up with his idea for an outlandish magical café that only served dessert, and then showed him the detailed schematic for the design of his planned diner, Jenner had jumped at the chance to work with his Fey friend. This was it. This was his chance to walk away from the constant travel and the loneliness it bred.
So, while Marco saw to the purchase of the lot and construction of the diner, as well as the million other details necessary to start any kind of restaurant, Jenner had enrolled in a college program for would-be dessert chefs. He was good at it, which shouldn’t have surprised him. Marco had remembered how Jenner used to bake alongside his grandmother at her bakery. His idea to combine this with Jenner’s juggling skills and his own magic had been genius.
And the entire experience had been great. The diner was a smash hit. Graffiti depicting Jenner and his flaming creations floating across the heads of diners to gently set down on or into their already waiting dishes popped up on street after street. One of them even pictured him on a skateboard as he juggled his vivid neon masterpieces. Inspired by the graffiti, he experimented with colors and shapes, creating ever more elaborate desserts.
Headlines screamed across the tabloids: “Chef Jenner conjures flaming dishes you won’t want to miss.” His juggling and Marco’s magic made, well…magic.
And then she came into the diner. Cute didn’t begin to describe her. Malin was drop-dead gorgeous. Their relationship started casually—at least on Malin’s part. Jenner was smitten immediately. Getting to know her only strengthened his growing infatuation with her.
Jenner had been surprised the first time she came through the door as he and Marco were prepping for another busy day. She waltzed into the diner in her tight jeans and pink chiffon blouse and his first thought was that she looked like one of his desserts personified. It took him a moment to pick his jaw up off the floor.
“I…I’m sorry, we’re not open yet,” he managed to get out, though he really wanted to say, “Would you go with me?”
Her laugh was a tinkle of bells. “I’m Malin, the new health inspector.”
That brought Jenner up short. “What happened to Scott?”
“He retired. He didn’t tell anyone ahead of time. He didn’t want a fuss.”
“Oh,” was all Jenner could get out. Not, “Thank the stars for that.” He gawked at her for a moment, then realized he was being rude and maybe making her uncomfortable. But she just smiled, maybe used to this kind of attention. “Um, let me know if you need anything,” he added lamely, then forced his attention back to his prep work. The diner would be open in an hour, and he needed to be ready.
For the first six months, Malin only came in for her scheduled inspections. Initially their conversation was confined to things related to the diner and his work there. She seemed fascinated by every aspect of it. Called it truly unique and called Jenner an artist.
Slowly, they moved on to other topics, until they talked about everything. At least, Jenner thought it had been everything. Malin was looking for love as well, and as their relationship heated up, Jenner started to envision the life he had been craving—marriage and a family.
One lazy Tuesday (his only day off from the diner), as Jenner lay in bed, running a finger over Malin’s bare back as she lay sleeping, he whispered, “I think we should get married and buy a house.”
He jumped when Malin spun toward him, sitting bolt upright. “What?”
Apparently, she hadn’t been sleeping after all. “Um,” he spluttered, as tongue tied as the first time he had met her. “I think we should get married?”
Malin’s eyes warmed. “Not that part,” she said, shifting into his arms. “The bit about buying a house.”
“Wait,” Jenner said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”
“You haven’t asked me properly yet,” Malin answered, a wicked gleam in her eye. “But it depends.”
“On what?”
“On you giving up on the idea of a house, at least for now.”
Confused, Jenner tried to rack his brain for reasons why Malin wouldn’t want to move from their apartments to a shared house. They could afford it. “You want to stay in an apartment?”
“No, silly. I want to travel the galaxy. I’ve been saving to take a year’s long trip.” She planted a kiss on Jenner’s lips that nearly stopped his heart. “But we could work, both of us, and extend that to three or even four years. There’s plenty of time to settle down.”
Jenner’s heart plummeted. “I’ve already done all of that.” Was this going to be a deal breaker for her?
“But not with me,” Malin said, kissing him again, more gently this time. “It wouldn’t be forever, and think of all the fun you’ll have showing your new wife your favorite sights across the galaxy.”
Jenner did think about it. Really, the reason he’d stopped traveling was that he’d become lonely. With Malin at his side, he’d probably enjoy it again. “What about Marco?” he asked, guilt turning his stomach sour. “He needs me to keep the restaurant going.”
”Actually,” Malin said, grinning, “Lydia and I have talked about this a lot. She and Marco would be open taking your show on the road. You could be celebrity chefs on cruise ships. I don’t think you’d have any difficulty opening a new diner on any world we decided to set down roots on.”
Jenner stared with wonder at his beautiful, smart girlfriend—now fiancée. She had really thought this through, which meant she had already decided she wanted to marry him. Heart swelling, he realized that not only could he do this, he also wanted to.
“Well?” Malin asked, looking up at him with a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. “What do you think?”
Jenner pulled her into a long, luxurious kiss. “I think I love you and that I want to travel the galaxy with you. You’re all the roots I need.” As he proceeded to show her just how much he loved her, he was already seeing stars.
Afterword
Vaseem and I came up with some truly fun images during our collaboration together. You can find the ten we jointly chose to share by following the link below to Instagram. The odd numbered images (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are mine. The evens (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) are Vaseem’s. Don’t forget to check out his Instagram. It’s well worth your time.
As of this writing, I don’t know which collaboration I’ll be using for Eclectic Extra’s next story. I’m waiting on data from other creators, and can’t write until I receive it. Stay tuned.
And where is home but where the heart is ❤️ Great story. I was completely caught up in it 🥰