"This place is my constant. All the places I have lived, and the people I have meet, this is the only place on earth that has never changed for me." Chris paused as if trying to decide if he wanted to continue, "And I keep bringing you back because you keep letting me." Chris rolled to his back and looked up at the stars between the branches of the willow, "This is home for me, more than any place has ever been, and I want to show you my home." Chris rolled back over again to look at her, "And you told me that you don't have a place that you would call home, so maybe this will do for now."
-
This section is for roleplays only.
ALL interest checks/recruiting threads must go in the Recruit Here section.
Please remember to credit artists when using works not your own.
Fantasy Unlikely Partners
- Thread starter Flutterby
- Start date
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria listened silently, blinking her tired eyes every few seconds. Her feline face relaxed into a patient look, as he spoke, and when he finished, she didn't say anything for a moment. When she did speak, her voice was gentle.
"Okay.. well, that doesn't exactly answer the 'why' part, Chris." She paused, and shifted a little, releasing a little tension in her shoulders. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I just wanted you to be aware, that I don't enjoy being confused." Ilaria drew her tongue across a paw, and began cleaning behind her ear. There were some benefits to being stuck in cat form, like enjoying the feeling of a cat-bath.
"Okay.. well, that doesn't exactly answer the 'why' part, Chris." She paused, and shifted a little, releasing a little tension in her shoulders. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I just wanted you to be aware, that I don't enjoy being confused." Ilaria drew her tongue across a paw, and began cleaning behind her ear. There were some benefits to being stuck in cat form, like enjoying the feeling of a cat-bath.
"The why is simple. I like you and now that I have learned that you aren't going to die of old age 400 years before me, I can entertain the idea of letting myself get close to you." Chris paused and there was a small slightly awkward silence. "The point is, I didn't want to say goodbye, but I had to leave. But if you came with then I wouldn't have to say goodbye and I would get the chance to show you this beautiful place." Once he started talking again the tension between them dropped slightly, at least for him.
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria paused in her cat-bath to listen to him, and she was lucky that she was stuck in an animal form. If she hadn't, it would have been impossible to keep her face neutral. Instead of answering him with her words, she picked herself up into a crouch, and crawled across the branches.
She came up along his side, rubbing her fur against him as she did. The small silver tabby rubbed the top of her head underneath his chin, and touched the tip of her nose to his cheek.
She settled in, now curled up against the front of his shoulder, with her head close to his neck. "You get mushy when you're tired. Go to sleep." She said, as she closed her own eyes.
She came up along his side, rubbing her fur against him as she did. The small silver tabby rubbed the top of her head underneath his chin, and touched the tip of her nose to his cheek.
She settled in, now curled up against the front of his shoulder, with her head close to his neck. "You get mushy when you're tired. Go to sleep." She said, as she closed her own eyes.
Chris just smiled a bit and relaxed and went to sleep.
Chris woke up in the middle of the night and Ilaria the cat was still curled up next to him sleeping. He didn't know why he had woken but he was wide awake. "Chris." The voice was soft and melodic, female in nature. He knew it wasn't the willow they were in. "Ilaria." Chris heard her name and shook the small cat lightly, waking her. "Ilaria, something is trying to talk to us. Once Ilaria was awake they heard it again. "Come to my pool... I wish to speak with both of you..."
"Set us down please." Chris said, and the bed started lowering to the ground. Once it was on the ground Chris got up and walked a few steps away. "You heard that right?"
Chris woke up in the middle of the night and Ilaria the cat was still curled up next to him sleeping. He didn't know why he had woken but he was wide awake. "Chris." The voice was soft and melodic, female in nature. He knew it wasn't the willow they were in. "Ilaria." Chris heard her name and shook the small cat lightly, waking her. "Ilaria, something is trying to talk to us. Once Ilaria was awake they heard it again. "Come to my pool... I wish to speak with both of you..."
"Set us down please." Chris said, and the bed started lowering to the ground. Once it was on the ground Chris got up and walked a few steps away. "You heard that right?"
Last edited:
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria woke groggily, with a headache that reminded her of a hangover. She thought that Chris had said her name, but when he spoke, she knew that his wasn't the voice that had woken her.
The branches lowered, and she hopped out. While Chris questioned if she had heard it, she transformed back into human form. She winced a little, as she became solid again. She had needed a little more rest to feel truly well.
"Yes," Ilaria answered quietly, and started walking slowly toward the center of the Grove. "It's her, the Sea Spirit." She didn't explain further, but sleepily shuffled along, following the tug at her essence. The sea and the moon had a funny relationship, but it came in handy here, because it lead them straight to the spring that housed her.
The branches lowered, and she hopped out. While Chris questioned if she had heard it, she transformed back into human form. She winced a little, as she became solid again. She had needed a little more rest to feel truly well.
"Yes," Ilaria answered quietly, and started walking slowly toward the center of the Grove. "It's her, the Sea Spirit." She didn't explain further, but sleepily shuffled along, following the tug at her essence. The sea and the moon had a funny relationship, but it came in handy here, because it lead them straight to the spring that housed her.
Chris followed her, because he had not known where Seth actually put the sea shard, and Ilaria seemed to know where she was going. The willows were close to each other and had interlaced their branches to form a wall. They stopped just short of the wall. "Can we go in?" Chris asked politely. The trees stirred but made no move to open their wall for them. Chris frowned a little and was about to ask again when one of the trees spoke, "Seth instructed us that no one was to enter. Only he and.." The tree was cut off by a different voice, the voice of the Sun Spirit. "The spirit of the sea wishes to see them... Let them pass..." The willow said nothing in response, but the branches moved to revile the small path that would lead to the 20 foot clearing where the spring was.
They entered and the clearing was beautiful, unlike anything they have ever seen. The water was glowing light blue with swirls of darker blue in it. The flower in the middle of the pool was almost 3 feet tall and the stem was dark purple at the base that faded to red then to pink as it grew upward. There was a bulge halfway up the stem, and there were little cuts where the stem split into 5 little stems and one could see the dark blue shard glowing within. The flower was a dark orange at the base of the peddles and faded to white at the tips. There were red veins of color that striped up the peddles as well. There were three small branches a few inches under the shard, they were the same as the stem but smaller, starting with the shade of red that they were connected to then fading to pink. Instead of a flower on the end of the branches there was a single leaf. The leafs were like rounded out diamonds sparkling against the light around it, but with a light blue tint because of the water. The entire flower glowed, as it there was a string of lights inside of it. The shard didn't shine brightly like the sun shard did from inside its tree, but rather sent out calm waves of energy that made the flower glow brighter as it hit the peddles.
Since Seth had left earlier that evening the grass had been replaced with beautiful flowerbeds. Wile they were natural flowers that could be seen anywhere they also glowed ever so slightly. There were hundreds of butterflies and several hummingbirds, all buzzing and flapping about or resting on flowers. There was a path that lead through the flower beds and in order to not step over flowers they had to follow it in a wide spiral, circling the clearing twice before coming to the middle where the pool was.
Chris gestured for her to go first around the path after they were both done being shocked by how much the sea shard had changed this simple little drinking spring.
They entered and the clearing was beautiful, unlike anything they have ever seen. The water was glowing light blue with swirls of darker blue in it. The flower in the middle of the pool was almost 3 feet tall and the stem was dark purple at the base that faded to red then to pink as it grew upward. There was a bulge halfway up the stem, and there were little cuts where the stem split into 5 little stems and one could see the dark blue shard glowing within. The flower was a dark orange at the base of the peddles and faded to white at the tips. There were red veins of color that striped up the peddles as well. There were three small branches a few inches under the shard, they were the same as the stem but smaller, starting with the shade of red that they were connected to then fading to pink. Instead of a flower on the end of the branches there was a single leaf. The leafs were like rounded out diamonds sparkling against the light around it, but with a light blue tint because of the water. The entire flower glowed, as it there was a string of lights inside of it. The shard didn't shine brightly like the sun shard did from inside its tree, but rather sent out calm waves of energy that made the flower glow brighter as it hit the peddles.
Since Seth had left earlier that evening the grass had been replaced with beautiful flowerbeds. Wile they were natural flowers that could be seen anywhere they also glowed ever so slightly. There were hundreds of butterflies and several hummingbirds, all buzzing and flapping about or resting on flowers. There was a path that lead through the flower beds and in order to not step over flowers they had to follow it in a wide spiral, circling the clearing twice before coming to the middle where the pool was.
Chris gestured for her to go first around the path after they were both done being shocked by how much the sea shard had changed this simple little drinking spring.
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria stopped short of the wall, and starred at it in a little bit of confusion. She was barely aware of the conversation between Chris and the tree; she had been intensely focused on following the feeling inside her to get them there. It was a little more difficult than following the feeling of the moon, or running from the feeling of the sun.
Once the wall opened, she stepped in, and then stopped again. Her eyes traveled the space, taking in everything with a neutral expression. Her eyes stopped on the flower that was now housing the sea shard. It was magnificent. She waited patiently, and a few seconds after Chris gestured her forward, she felt the pull again and walked calmly around the spiral that lead closer to the pool.
The path ended in a jumble of large, smooth rocks that were right at the edge of the water. Ilaria paused, looking down at the water.
"May I?" She said out loud, without moving her eyes upward.
"Of course.. Kin are always welcome. And, I believe I have you to thank for being freed.." The voice answered. Ilaria slipped her shoes and socks off, and rolled her pant legs up. She stepped delicately onto a rock, and then sat, placing her feet in the water. The dark blue flickers in the water drew nearer to her feet, gathering lazy like a swarm of bugs. The voice turned its attention to Chris, and even though there was no way to know that, they both did.
"I have you both to thank.. but I must advise you, that these waters are no longer for you, and I am too tired to grant the protections the Moon-Child has received from the sun. At least for now."
There was a pause, and the Ilaria felt included in the spirit's attention again.
"I know you must be tired, champions, but I must ask for your help... This demon defeated, but I fear there may be more to come. The translation will be found by one of the legions. It is only a matter of time."
Ilaria swallowed softly, and her shoulders tensed slightly.
"Hush, child, the time for guilt is passed. The time of action is upon us. You must go, to save my sibling-spirits. The longer they remain unfound, the closer the demons will draw to them. The Earth will fall, and all will die with it."
Ilaria looked up toward the flower, moving her feet a little and sending tiny blue tendrils rippling through the pool.
"You are choosing us to be your champions." Ilaria said. It could have been a question, but the meaning of the speech was unmistakable.
"Yes, child. I have no doubt that sun and moon together can save us all."
There was a shift in the wind within the clearing, and the blue around Ilaria's feet dispersed into its natural pattern. The sea spirit had left them.
Once the wall opened, she stepped in, and then stopped again. Her eyes traveled the space, taking in everything with a neutral expression. Her eyes stopped on the flower that was now housing the sea shard. It was magnificent. She waited patiently, and a few seconds after Chris gestured her forward, she felt the pull again and walked calmly around the spiral that lead closer to the pool.
The path ended in a jumble of large, smooth rocks that were right at the edge of the water. Ilaria paused, looking down at the water.
"May I?" She said out loud, without moving her eyes upward.
"Of course.. Kin are always welcome. And, I believe I have you to thank for being freed.." The voice answered. Ilaria slipped her shoes and socks off, and rolled her pant legs up. She stepped delicately onto a rock, and then sat, placing her feet in the water. The dark blue flickers in the water drew nearer to her feet, gathering lazy like a swarm of bugs. The voice turned its attention to Chris, and even though there was no way to know that, they both did.
"I have you both to thank.. but I must advise you, that these waters are no longer for you, and I am too tired to grant the protections the Moon-Child has received from the sun. At least for now."
There was a pause, and the Ilaria felt included in the spirit's attention again.
"I know you must be tired, champions, but I must ask for your help... This demon defeated, but I fear there may be more to come. The translation will be found by one of the legions. It is only a matter of time."
Ilaria swallowed softly, and her shoulders tensed slightly.
"Hush, child, the time for guilt is passed. The time of action is upon us. You must go, to save my sibling-spirits. The longer they remain unfound, the closer the demons will draw to them. The Earth will fall, and all will die with it."
Ilaria looked up toward the flower, moving her feet a little and sending tiny blue tendrils rippling through the pool.
"You are choosing us to be your champions." Ilaria said. It could have been a question, but the meaning of the speech was unmistakable.
"Yes, child. I have no doubt that sun and moon together can save us all."
There was a shift in the wind within the clearing, and the blue around Ilaria's feet dispersed into its natural pattern. The sea spirit had left them.
Chris stayed back not wanting to assume that he could follow suit and make himself comfortable as Ilaria did, and he was right. Chris simply nodded and sad down slightly behind Ilaria and listened. When it was apparent that the shard was done talking Chris got up and stood patiently wile Ilaria got up and put her shoes back on.
He followed Ilaria out of the clearing. The wall of branches opened as they approached them. Once outside the willows closed again.
"So where do we start, and when? And what do you think about all that?"
He followed Ilaria out of the clearing. The wall of branches opened as they approached them. Once outside the willows closed again.
"So where do we start, and when? And what do you think about all that?"
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria stood up and slipped her shoes back on, her feet surprisingly dry for being stuck in water. She stepped through the branches, and gave Chris an amused glance when he fired off three questions rapid fire.
"You realize we only got like 4 hours of sleep? I'd expect a being of the sun to be less nocturnal," She said, with an obvious tone of humor. Ilaria glanced at him again, and answered seriously.
"I suppose we should start as soon as possible. I think.. I think the Golden Flame library might be a good place to start, there might be some information there that would be useful." She paused and considered her next words carefully.
"I think.. I think that this is a job bigger than just two people, no matter what the sea spirit says. We'll need the Golden Flame." She took a deep breath, and added, "And she was exactly like I always imagined her to be. Like the Moon Mother, but a little less kind, more stubborn and opinionated. She would do better in salt water, though," She said softly, a little sad about that.
"You realize we only got like 4 hours of sleep? I'd expect a being of the sun to be less nocturnal," She said, with an obvious tone of humor. Ilaria glanced at him again, and answered seriously.
"I suppose we should start as soon as possible. I think.. I think the Golden Flame library might be a good place to start, there might be some information there that would be useful." She paused and considered her next words carefully.
"I think.. I think that this is a job bigger than just two people, no matter what the sea spirit says. We'll need the Golden Flame." She took a deep breath, and added, "And she was exactly like I always imagined her to be. Like the Moon Mother, but a little less kind, more stubborn and opinionated. She would do better in salt water, though," She said softly, a little sad about that.
"I am still tired Ilaria. Just wondering what you were thinking." Chris said in response, also slightly amused. "But yes, we need help. I don't even have a clue where we would begin to search for either the moon or earth shards." He finished in a more serious tone.
"It is only 2am, with all due respect to the sea spirit, I am going back to bed. We can talk and plan more tomorrow." And with that Chris went back to he willow and went to sleep.
"It is only 2am, with all due respect to the sea spirit, I am going back to bed. We can talk and plan more tomorrow." And with that Chris went back to he willow and went to sleep.
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria gave a small nod, and followed quietly behind him back to the willow. After a moment if hesitation, she climbed into a branch-bed next to but separate from his, and tried to fall back to sleep.
Sometime before sunrise, even though the endless golden light of the Grove made it hard to tell, Ilaria woke up. With a little assistance from the willow, she was on the ground almost silently, and she started to wander off a little. It took her a few extra turns to find her way to the big hall where food normally was, but when she arrived she slipped quietly inside. The hall was entirely empty, and hauntingly quiet, but somehow there was still food inside. It was very little, compared to the usual meal-time spread, but that was understandable. From the baskets of pastries, she picked a blueberry muffin.
Ilaria glanced around her, with her muffin in one hand, hoping that there was coffee somewhere.
Rather suddenly, she heard a voice behind her, "There's fresh coffee over here if you want it, shapeshifter."
As Ilaria turned, she responded, "I really prefer 'moon child'. 'Shapeshifter' is a little archaic and offense." Her expression, which had been neutral-bordering-annoyed, changed to hold a little surprise when she saw who was speaking to her.
Sometime before sunrise, even though the endless golden light of the Grove made it hard to tell, Ilaria woke up. With a little assistance from the willow, she was on the ground almost silently, and she started to wander off a little. It took her a few extra turns to find her way to the big hall where food normally was, but when she arrived she slipped quietly inside. The hall was entirely empty, and hauntingly quiet, but somehow there was still food inside. It was very little, compared to the usual meal-time spread, but that was understandable. From the baskets of pastries, she picked a blueberry muffin.
Ilaria glanced around her, with her muffin in one hand, hoping that there was coffee somewhere.
Rather suddenly, she heard a voice behind her, "There's fresh coffee over here if you want it, shapeshifter."
As Ilaria turned, she responded, "I really prefer 'moon child'. 'Shapeshifter' is a little archaic and offense." Her expression, which had been neutral-bordering-annoyed, changed to hold a little surprise when she saw who was speaking to her.
There was a coffee pot and cappuccino machine and all the fixings, just like it was a gas station setup. But when Ilaria turned around to see who spoke she didn't see anybody, just a small tree next to the table, which wasn't odd because there were small trees in odd places all over the grove. But then the tree moved. Not the slow drifting way that the big trees outside did, rather the branches crackled and twisted to form human features. The tree twisted/separated and now was tending to the coffee bar. It had two legs and two arms, the leaves pulled into the body to give the appearance of hair and clothes.
"I'm sorry." It said in a high pitched squeaky voice, "Don't see many Moon Children around here." The head of the creature had features like a person as well, and it blinked and moved its mouth as any person would do. "You can make your own or I can make any kind of drink you want, so long as it is a form of coffee or tea." The creature talked shortly, speaking fast and but with longer spaces between sentences.
"I'm sorry." It said in a high pitched squeaky voice, "Don't see many Moon Children around here." The head of the creature had features like a person as well, and it blinked and moved its mouth as any person would do. "You can make your own or I can make any kind of drink you want, so long as it is a form of coffee or tea." The creature talked shortly, speaking fast and but with longer spaces between sentences.
Last edited:
Flutterby
standard-issue human
"That's alright, I can make it," Ilaria said quietly, watching the tree-being for a moment before approaching.
She took a mug from the tray that sat nearby, finding it fitting that the Golden Flame didn't use disposable cups. She poured some black coffee into it, and added just a little creamer.
"I was beginning to wonder who takes care of things around here. The Golden Flame aren't a very domestic bunch." She commented, stirring the coffee slowly. "What should I call you? As an individual and as a species?" She took a sip of the coffee, and found it pleasantly strong.
She took a mug from the tray that sat nearby, finding it fitting that the Golden Flame didn't use disposable cups. She poured some black coffee into it, and added just a little creamer.
"I was beginning to wonder who takes care of things around here. The Golden Flame aren't a very domestic bunch." She commented, stirring the coffee slowly. "What should I call you? As an individual and as a species?" She took a sip of the coffee, and found it pleasantly strong.
The plant creature stopped what it was doing as she continued talking to him. It looked over at her and cocked its head to the side as if contemplating what to say. It continued its work then replied, "I am a Dryad." It said shortly. "There is a great oak tree a few meters from the wall that surrounds the Sun Tree. It is the first tree to grow her besides the Sun Tree. That tree is the Mother Tree." As it talked it seemed to relax and almost enjoy talking. "Within just a few years it was the towering tree that it is today, and since then instead of growing, Dryads were born from its power. It takes about a year for the limbs to grow from the trunk, and a year longer for them to come to life. Once we do, we simply climb down our unborn brethren and make our way to wherever we are needed." The Dryad was now smiling and was actually talking a little slower. "Originally we were the garrison, defending the grove from attack. But since the willows came to be, we have moved to a support role. Making the meals, picking and planting the garden, gathering the fruit, making weapons and armor, acting as scouts. Kay is good, but can't mass produce, so we have our own workshop for less technical or mass productive tasks. And nobody expects the skinny little tree to be a scout. But our favorite task is meals." The creatures hand cracked as it changed shape from a hand into a knife, then to a spoon, then to a spatula. "Our unique ability to change our shape in minor ways makes us good at cooking and cleaning. And we have no desire to fight and most of the time we are shy, which is why we work support roles and we do most work behind the scene or at night." The Dryad smiled, "But I like you. Come down to the kitchen or to the Mother Tree any time you want." The Dryad went back to work, setting the last few coffee pots up then starting them. Wile he worked he asked, "Any questions mam?"
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria listened patiently listened, taking sips of her coffee as the dryad spoke to her. What she took away, was that a dryad was like a little tree creature, a tree-nymph, or even a tree-fairy. She smiled at the thought.
"I like to cook, too, baking mostly," She said quietly, and then took another sip. "And I like you too. Much more peaceful than the Golden Flame, as fun as they are."
She thought for a moment, and then spoke again, "So, if the Mother tree grew first, she must be very close with the sun shard?"
"I like to cook, too, baking mostly," She said quietly, and then took another sip. "And I like you too. Much more peaceful than the Golden Flame, as fun as they are."
She thought for a moment, and then spoke again, "So, if the Mother tree grew first, she must be very close with the sun shard?"
The Dryad straighten up from where it had been fixing things on the counter and once again tilted its head to the side as if thinking. Then it looked at Ilaria, "The Great Sun Spirit loves all his children equally. From the smallest fruit tree to the towering matriarchs, all receive his blessing." The Dryad looked confused then shrugged. "But yes, There was a short time when the Mother Tree was the only one, and for many years she received the majority of his power. So yes, it could be said that she and he are very close."
Chris woke up just as dawn was breaking and noticed that Ilaria was not in the tree as well. He got down and headed to the great hall because he was very hungry from the battle.
Chris woke up just as dawn was breaking and noticed that Ilaria was not in the tree as well. He got down and headed to the great hall because he was very hungry from the battle.
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria looked thoughtful for a moment. "That's amazing." She said quietly. "You talk about the sun spirit like I talk about the Moon Mother. The Golden Flame don't, I don't think they will ever entirely understand how its different to be a moon child. Or a dryad." She gave the creature a smile, and bit into the top of her muffin. "There must be so many of you. You're so good at being trees that I didn't notice any of you." Ilaria giggled a little, and took another bite. "And your muffins are very good."
Ilaria's eyes darted up at the sight of movement, and realized Chris had just wandered into the hall.
Ilaria's eyes darted up at the sight of movement, and realized Chris had just wandered into the hall.
The Dryads eyes darted to the door as Chris entered, the he turned his attention back to Ilaria, "Yes, there are thousands of us. Many of us stay in our tree forms and attach ourselves to larger trees, making us look like branches, lending our little bit of power to whatever we are attached to. There is a good deal here in the hall, and under the hall in the kitchens. But the majority go out into the world, traveling by night, recharging in the day. Most go to city or tourist places, anywhere with lots of people that having a spy would be a good thing."
Chris nodded to the Dryad as he reached for a mug and prepared a coffee for himself, not saying anything because in truth he had never seen a Dryad even though he knew they were there, and he didn't want to scare it away, and it seemed to like Ilaria.
"There are three kinds of Dryads. First are the warriors. They stand 7 feet tall and can regenerate their bark and limbs very quickly, allowing them to resist magical attack and create hardened armor. They can even grow weapons and shields and fight hand to hand, or grow spears and attack from a distance. Second are the spies. They stand 3 feet tall, but for their small size they can transvers great distances in a night. They also can change to be small trees or to blend in with any natural tree or bush, making them the perfect scout. And lastly there are the workers, like myself. We have only two forms, tree and human, you have seen both of mine. We have the same abilities as the warriors but not nearly as much power. It takes 2 years to grow a worker, but 15 to grow a warrior, assuming that the Mother provides for all equally. In the last thousand years only scouts and workers have been born, and I'm sad to say that the worriers stationed at all the ancient outposts have fallen silent." The Dryad had talked nonstop with an information download, but with its last words it grew quiet and seemed sad, but explained anyway. "If a Dryad spends to much time away from the grove it will cease to be a Dryad and become a normal tree. The armies built over the generations served their purpose and were not needed. So the Sun Spirit granted his noble warriors their due and let them grow as trees at any place in the world of their choosing."
Chris nodded to the Dryad as he reached for a mug and prepared a coffee for himself, not saying anything because in truth he had never seen a Dryad even though he knew they were there, and he didn't want to scare it away, and it seemed to like Ilaria.
"There are three kinds of Dryads. First are the warriors. They stand 7 feet tall and can regenerate their bark and limbs very quickly, allowing them to resist magical attack and create hardened armor. They can even grow weapons and shields and fight hand to hand, or grow spears and attack from a distance. Second are the spies. They stand 3 feet tall, but for their small size they can transvers great distances in a night. They also can change to be small trees or to blend in with any natural tree or bush, making them the perfect scout. And lastly there are the workers, like myself. We have only two forms, tree and human, you have seen both of mine. We have the same abilities as the warriors but not nearly as much power. It takes 2 years to grow a worker, but 15 to grow a warrior, assuming that the Mother provides for all equally. In the last thousand years only scouts and workers have been born, and I'm sad to say that the worriers stationed at all the ancient outposts have fallen silent." The Dryad had talked nonstop with an information download, but with its last words it grew quiet and seemed sad, but explained anyway. "If a Dryad spends to much time away from the grove it will cease to be a Dryad and become a normal tree. The armies built over the generations served their purpose and were not needed. So the Sun Spirit granted his noble warriors their due and let them grow as trees at any place in the world of their choosing."
Last edited:
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria listened attentively, slowly realizing that the dryad probably not get a chance to talk to other beings, outside of other dryads maybe, at least not very often. "That sounds like a very peaceful thing, to just become a tree and grow in the sun." She didn't say anything else for a moment, but let her comment sit in the silence.
After another bite of her muffin, she asked, "These scouts, can they communicate back here without returning? Do you think they know anything about the other spirit shards?" She gave a small, embarrassed smile, and added, "The sun spirit asked Chris," she indicated him with a small nod of her head, "and me to go looking for the other shards, the moon and the earth, and we need all the help we can get."
After another bite of her muffin, she asked, "These scouts, can they communicate back here without returning? Do you think they know anything about the other spirit shards?" She gave a small, embarrassed smile, and added, "The sun spirit asked Chris," she indicated him with a small nod of her head, "and me to go looking for the other shards, the moon and the earth, and we need all the help we can get."
The Dryad looked at them both in turn with narrowed eyes, trying to determine weather she was telling the truth. "Messages can be sent by spy Dryads to normal trees in a long telephone line all the way back to the grove. This process however is slightly unreliable because parts of the message get lost in the wind the farther it travels. If it is a long message you only get part of it, if it is a short message it might not make it back at all." The Dryad relaxed a little bit again, for it had been a little short. "For that reason and for the fact that they need to come to the grove to stay alive anyway, very few reports are sent instead of delivered."
A few more people started trickling in, and a couple saw the Dryad and made suppressed faces as they came up to get coffee. Obviously made nervous by the growing number of people the Dryad quieted his voice and talked quickly. "Come to the Mother Tree once you have eaten. We can talk more there." And with those last words it turned and ran silently and swiftly along the wall and disappeared into a trapdoor in the floor that most likely lead to the kitchen.
"Making friends I see. Been a member of the Golden Flame for 70 years and I have never actually seen one of the Dryads until now. He must really like you." Chris said as he went to go get some food.
A few more people started trickling in, and a couple saw the Dryad and made suppressed faces as they came up to get coffee. Obviously made nervous by the growing number of people the Dryad quieted his voice and talked quickly. "Come to the Mother Tree once you have eaten. We can talk more there." And with those last words it turned and ran silently and swiftly along the wall and disappeared into a trapdoor in the floor that most likely lead to the kitchen.
"Making friends I see. Been a member of the Golden Flame for 70 years and I have never actually seen one of the Dryads until now. He must really like you." Chris said as he went to go get some food.
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria kept her face nuetral when the dryad seemed suspicious of them, but couldnt hello but wonder why. She nodded silently, looking thoughtful. That could be very useful.
The increase in people made the little creature nervous, and he quickly left to avoid the attention he was getting. Ilaria watched him go, smiling a little to herself.
She looked at Chris, and followed along to get more food. While she had been getting coffee, the tables had been filled, and now she knew how. "He said they're just shy." She said, as she put some scrambled eggs on a plate. "I came in really early and interrupted his work, that's all." She gave a one-shouldered shrug, and poured some syrup over her eggs.
The increase in people made the little creature nervous, and he quickly left to avoid the attention he was getting. Ilaria watched him go, smiling a little to herself.
She looked at Chris, and followed along to get more food. While she had been getting coffee, the tables had been filled, and now she knew how. "He said they're just shy." She said, as she put some scrambled eggs on a plate. "I came in really early and interrupted his work, that's all." She gave a one-shouldered shrug, and poured some syrup over her eggs.
Because they were there early they got to witness the food being put out. There were small trap doors scattered occasionally around the floor, and dryads would open the door, set down a tray of food, quickly clear empty dishes and disappear back into the floor. The process took the numble creatures 15 seconds tops from the time they open the trap door to the time they close it behind them. There were few people in the hall, but they were the early birds that were use to seeing the dryads come and go.
As the hall filled there was a buzz of conversation. It was noisy but not loud and rambunctious like dinner or lunch.
Chris set his coffee down at a table and went and fixed himself a plate of eggs, hashbrowns and ham, then sat down and started eating. "What do you think it wants to talk about? And do you want to go to the tree right after breakfast?" Chris asked as Ilaria sat down next to him.
As the hall filled there was a buzz of conversation. It was noisy but not loud and rambunctious like dinner or lunch.
Chris set his coffee down at a table and went and fixed himself a plate of eggs, hashbrowns and ham, then sat down and started eating. "What do you think it wants to talk about? And do you want to go to the tree right after breakfast?" Chris asked as Ilaria sat down next to him.
Flutterby
standard-issue human
Ilaria gave another shrug. "I think it wants to help us." Her answer was purposely vague. It bothered her, for some reason, that the Golden Flame depended on the Dryads, but didn't seem to be entirely aware of their presence in the Grove. They disappeared into the floor, for sky's sake. I wonder what they eat.. Or do they photosynthesize?
"I'm going to go to the tree after breakfast, and then to the library to see if I can find any extra information on the shards." She glanced up at him, and then at his plate. Her fork darted across the table and scooped up a bit of hashbrowns, which disappeared into her mouth before he could protest. She continue eating her own eggs, and then said, "I guess you could do whatever you think is best, but I'm not leaving the Grove until I know where Im going, unless it's to go back to Mullbrook."
"I'm going to go to the tree after breakfast, and then to the library to see if I can find any extra information on the shards." She glanced up at him, and then at his plate. Her fork darted across the table and scooped up a bit of hashbrowns, which disappeared into her mouth before he could protest. She continue eating her own eggs, and then said, "I guess you could do whatever you think is best, but I'm not leaving the Grove until I know where Im going, unless it's to go back to Mullbrook."
Chris nodded in agreement as she was talking. He was in the process of cutting his ham when she took a scoop of his hash brown. He didn't say anything, just rolled his eyes and continued eating. "I agree. I'll join you at the tree then in the library." Chris finished eating and nursed his coffee until Ilaria looked to be finished as well then asked, "Ready to go?"
