章 7: Hands On Approach

"But why can't I have a neural implant like the other kids?" Nitro asked, his small face scrunched up in confusion as he watched his older brothers, Hydro and Oxy, tinkering with an old computer motherboard. :/

"Because, little man," Oxy said, ruffling Nitro's hair, "we Normas don't need some fancy gadget to think for us. We've got something better up here." He tapped his temple with a grin. ;)

Hydro looked up from the motherboard, his green eyes serious. "Oxy's right, Nitro. Our family values learning through experience and hard work, not just downloading information into our brains." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Nitro frowned, not entirely convinced. At two years old, he was already starting to notice the differences between his family and the other residents of the bio-dome. :/

As if sensing his youngest son's doubts, John walked over and scooped Nitro up in his strong arms. "Hey, buddy, want to help me with a special project?" :)

Nitro's eyes lit up. "What kind of project, Dad?" ^_^

"We're going to build a new bookshelf for your room," John said, carrying Nitro over to his workbench. "And I'm going to teach you how to do it the old-fashioned way, with hand tools and real wood."

Nitro watched in fascination as John selected a few pieces of lumber and began to measure and mark them with a pencil. "You see, son, there's a lot of satisfaction in creating something with your own two hands," John explained, guiding Nitro's small hands to help him saw the wood. :')

As they worked, Simply poked her head into the workshop, a warm smile on her face. "My two favorite handymen," she said, walking over to press a kiss to John's cheek. "Nitro, when you're done helping your dad, I have a new book for you in the kitchen." :*

Nitro's face brightened. "A new book? About what?" O_O

"It's a collection of ancient myths and legends," Simply said, her eyes twinkling. "I thought you might enjoy learning about the stories people told long before the bio-domes existed." ;)

Nitro nodded eagerly, his mind already racing with the possibilities of the new knowledge waiting for him. ^^

As John and Nitro continued to work on the bookshelf, the sounds of laughter and good-natured teasing drifted in from the living room, where Hydro and Oxy were now engaged in a lively debate about the merits of hydroponics versus traditional soil gardening.

Nitro smiled to himself, feeling a warm sense of belonging wash over him. :D His family might be different from the others in the bio-dome, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

As Nitro watched his father skillfully guide the saw through the wood, a curious thought popped into his head. "Dad, where did you get this lumber from? I thought trees were hard to grow inside the bio-dome." :?

John chuckled, appreciating his young son's inquisitive nature. "You're right, Nitro. Growing trees in the bio-dome is a challenge. But our family has a special arrangement with the agricultural sector."

He set down the saw and wiped his brow, turning to face Nitro. "You see, the Normas have been collecting and preserving seeds from various plants for generations. We have a small, protected area in the agricultural sector where we grow a variety of crops, including some fast-growing tree species that are well-suited for the bio-dome environment."

John picked up a piece of the cut lumber, running his hand along the smooth surface. "We carefully tend to these trees, harvesting them sustainably and using every part of the plant. The wood is used for our building projects, while the leaves and branches are composted to enrich the soil."

Nitro's eyes widened in wonder. "Wow, Dad! That's so cool. Can I help with the tree growing sometime?" :D

"Of course, buddy," John said, smiling warmly. "Hydro is usually the one who takes care of our little forest, but I'm sure he'd be happy to teach you a thing or two." ^_^

As if on cue, Hydro walked into the workshop, holding a basket filled with fresh vegetables from their garden. "Did someone mention my name?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. :3

Nitro bounced excitedly. "Hydro! Dad was just telling me about our special trees. Can you show me how you take care of them?" *_*

Hydro set the basket down and knelt to meet Nitro's gaze. "Sure thing, little bro. But first, I need your help with something important."

Nitro's face lit up with curiosity. "What is it?" :o

"I need you to help me convince Oxy that hydroponics is the way of the future," Hydro said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "He thinks soil gardening is better, but I know with your big brain on my side, we can change his mind." ;D

Nitro giggled, always eager to participate in his brothers' friendly debates. "Okay, Hydro! Let's go talk to Oxy." XD

As the two brothers left the workshop hand in hand, John couldn't help but smile. Despite the challenges of living in the bio-dome and maintaining their unique way of life, moments like these made it all worthwhile. :')

Nitro and Hydro found Oxy in the living room, hunched over a sketchpad, his brow furrowed in concentration as he worked on his latest fashion design.

"Oxy!" Nitro exclaimed, bounding over to his brother with Hydro close behind. "Hydro says hydroponics is better than soil gardening. Is that true?" :o

Oxy looked up from his sketchpad, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Well, well, well. If it isn't my two favorite garden geeks. I was wondering when you'd come to challenge me." ;P

Hydro rolled his eyes, settling down on the couch beside Oxy. "Come on, Oxy. Even you have to admit that hydroponics is the more efficient way to grow crops in the bio-dome." :|

Oxy set his sketchpad aside, turning to face his brothers. "Efficient? Maybe. But where's the artistry? The soul? Soil gardening is an art form, my dear brothers. It's about getting your hands dirty and connecting with the earth." *_*

Nitro climbed onto the couch, squeezing himself between his two older brothers. "But Oxy, with hydroponics, you can control the nutrients and grow plants faster! That's what Hydro told me." :o

Oxy laughed, ruffling Nitro's hair. "Faster isn't always better, little man. With soil gardening, you have to be patient. You have to nurture the plants and let them grow at their own pace. It's a beautiful process." ^_^

Hydro shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Okay, I'll give you that. But what about water conservation? Hydroponics uses less water than traditional gardening." :/

Oxy waved his hand dismissively. "Water, schmater. The bio-dome's recycling systems take care of that. Besides, there's nothing quite like the taste of a tomato grown in rich, organic soil." B)

Nitro's face scrunched up in thought. "But what about the space? Hydro said you can grow more plants in a smaller area with hydroponics." :?

Oxy leaned back, draping an arm across the back of the couch. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong, my pint-sized protégé. With vertical gardening and a little creativity, you can maximize space in soil gardening too. It's all about thinking outside the box." ;)

Hydro chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Okay, okay. I'll admit, you make some good points. But I still think hydroponics is the way of the future." :|

Oxy grinned, picking up his sketchpad and tapping it against Hydro's chest. "And I still think you're a garden geek who needs to get his hands dirty once in a while." XP

Nitro giggled, enjoying the good-natured banter between his brothers. "Maybe we can do both? Hydro can grow things with water, and Oxy can grow things with dirt!" :D

Hydro and Oxy exchanged a glance, their faces breaking into matching smiles. "You know what, little bro?" Oxy said, pulling Nitro into a hug. "That's not a bad idea. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from each other." ^_^

As the three brothers sat on the couch, laughing and discussing the finer points of gardening, Simply watched from the doorway, her heart swelling with love and pride. :') In a world that often valued conformity and convenience above all else, her boys were learning to think for themselves, to question and explore and find joy in the simple things.

And that, she knew, was a gift more precious than any technology or virtual reality could ever provide.