With a rustle of leaves and final burst of cinnamon, the tangle of roses and thorns that surrounded the grove suddenly shrivel and fall, tumbling to dry and brittle leaves and dried out stems in seconds, amongst which the dust that was once flowers blow - a dream exhausted and gone from a world too dreary for it to flourish in any longer.
The grove rustles
The Black fades and the Green renews itself. Such has it always been
Kiba lopes through the forest, obviously searching for somebody. "Stupid pup gonna get himself hurt..."
The Eighth Runelord arrives, formally dressed in his very best robes, and stands waiting to be acknowledged by the Great Erl.
His expression is grim.
The grove rustles
Runelord. What brings you to our Grove?
... I would that things were otherwise.
The trees rustle. There is a sense of quiet sadness
Spring Sapling was important to all of us, Runelord. She was a herald to us here, a speaker for those who cannot speak in far off councils. She gave her incarnation to pull another back into the Green. It was her fate, though it came through darkly until the Spear of Life appeared in the Tree Emperor's hands.
The Harlequin is a herald of chaos. His actions are hard to predict. His slaying of Starsong dismayed us all, but we will go on. Lynora-Jill still travels within the web of the Green. Nothing is ever lost. Even Spring Sapling will appear again some day when her current tasks are finished.
The trees rustle gently
If you feel you need to go protect your own people that is understandable. But remember that we are all stronger when we stand together rather than stand apart. The Grove is always ready to stand with those of good heart and noble purpose.
...
He sounds very weary now.
By your leave, Erl?
The trees rustle
May the spirit of Wooly Rupert look favorably on your lifepath Runelord.
The Runelord realizes the entish council actually joked with him
Dwell not on what might have been, celebrate what is. Fare well and may the future you seek be realized as you wish.
... I would that things were otherwise.
The trees rustle. There is a sense of quiet sadness
Spring Sapling was important to all of us, Runelord. She was a herald to us here, a speaker for those who cannot speak in far off councils. She gave her incarnation to pull another back into the Green. It was her fate, though it came through darkly until the Spear of Life appeared in the Tree Emperor's hands.
The Harlequin is a herald of chaos. His actions are hard to predict. His slaying of Starsong dismayed us all, but we will go on. Lynora-Jill still travels within the web of the Green. Nothing is ever lost. Even Spring Sapling will appear again some day when her current tasks are finished.
A raven appears, carrying a small limp frog.
"The Harlequin shouldn't bother you all. I froze him, and trapped him in the cave of two friends of mine. One is a white dragon, the other is Candle Lighter. I assure you, though I am indeed of the Black, I have no wish for fighting. I am a creature of law, and I do not intend on letting Chaos win this."Candle Lighter is cowed by the defeat of the forces of Black, and I daresay he is reluctant to pick a fight. There are some who still think that this is winnable. I do not, and I shall continue to look for stars to restore the Goddess."
... I would that things were otherwise.
The trees rustle. There is a sense of quiet sadness
Spring Sapling was important to all of us, Runelord. She was a herald to us here, a speaker for those who cannot speak in far off councils. She gave her incarnation to pull another back into the Green. It was her fate, though it came through darkly until the Spear of Life appeared in the Tree Emperor's hands.
The Harlequin is a herald of chaos. His actions are hard to predict. His slaying of Starsong dismayed us all, but we will go on. Lynora-Jill still travels within the web of the Green. Nothing is ever lost. Even Spring Sapling will appear again some day when her current tasks are finished.
A raven appears, carrying a small limp frog.
"The Harlequin shouldn't bother you all. I froze him, and trapped him in the cave of two friends of mine. One is a white dragon, the other is Candle Lighter. I assure you, though I am indeed of the Black, I have no wish for fighting. I am a creature of law, and I do not intend on letting Chaos win this.
"Candle Lighter is cowed by the defeat of the forces of Black, and I daresay he is reluctant to pick a fight. There are some who still think that this is winnable. I do not, and I shall continue to look for stars to restore the Goddess."
Meepo walks in, chuckling.
"What he means to say is, he's really, really scared and wants to get on our good side."
... I would that things were otherwise.
The trees rustle. There is a sense of quiet sadness
Spring Sapling was important to all of us, Runelord. She was a herald to us here, a speaker for those who cannot speak in far off councils. She gave her incarnation to pull another back into the Green. It was her fate, though it came through darkly until the Spear of Life appeared in the Tree Emperor's hands.
The Harlequin is a herald of chaos. His actions are hard to predict. His slaying of Starsong dismayed us all, but we will go on. Lynora-Jill still travels within the web of the Green. Nothing is ever lost. Even Spring Sapling will appear again some day when her current tasks are finished.
A raven appears, carrying a small limp frog.
"The Harlequin shouldn't bother you all. I froze him, and trapped him in the cave of two friends of mine. One is a white dragon, the other is Candle Lighter. I assure you, though I am indeed of the Black, I have no wish for fighting. I am a creature of law, and I do not intend on letting Chaos win this.
"Candle Lighter is cowed by the defeat of the forces of Black, and I daresay he is reluctant to pick a fight. There are some who still think that this is winnable. I do not, and I shall continue to look for stars to restore the Goddess."Meepo walks in, chuckling.
"What he means to say is, he's really, really scared and wants to get on our good side."
The raven glares at Meepo and speaks irritably.
"That would be one way of referring to it. I do not desire war, anymore, because now that the greatest force of the Black has been vanquished there isn't really much chance that the rest of us can win. So yes, I do not wish for death. Neither does Candle Lighter."
With respect, Great Erl, now that the Spring Sapling is gone, there is nothing left to protect you now from me, should I be tempted to take routes more expedient than effective.[/i]
[druidic]"For someone who boasts of his divination skills, I don't think he knows my secret or Sky's. Don't worry ent friends, you still have defenders, though none who would be nearly as liked as Sapling was. You don't happen to have seen my cub anywhere have you?"[/druidic]
After days of caring for the destruction wreaked upon the area by the battle btwn the Green and the Black, E7 finally returns. He drinks deeply from the Grove's spring, and gets some long-needed rest.
When night has fallen and all is silent, a lone wolf cub moves quickly toward The Tree of Life. Shifting to the form of a small boy, the little one places a shining speck in the roots of the Tree, and runs off, hoping he hadn't been seen.
JH stirs. The void in which he's been lost dims a little.
Leo and Aquila look at the gem and at JH's reaction. Leo nudges JH's form closer to it.
The trees creak and sway in the wind
He is away in the fields of Roleplay friend Kiba.
Thank you. If you need me, I'll be looking for him there.
Whoa man! A talking tree and a talking doggy! Those shrooms must have been more potent than I thought....
The trees rustle. The Great Erl sinks deeper into the Green. He sends his spirit towards Yggdrasil's Root.
Star Song. Do you linger? He sends out into the bright glowing web of power.
The trees rustle. The Great Erl sinks deeper into the Green. He sends his spirit towards Yggdrasil's Root.
Star Song. Do you linger? He sends out into the bright glowing web of power.
Great Erl. She smiles as her form coalesces before him. How are things in the physical world? I'm afraid my awareness is currently quite limited. It's nice to have someone to talk to.
JH stirs once again. Leo and Aquila position themselves closer to him, and Leo begins a low growl. It sounds as if the lion is humming.
E7 awakens, and immediately heads to JH's still form. He listens to Leo's strange song for awhile, then heads to the spring. Scooping ladles of water, he carries them back, pouring it liberally upon JH's body.
JH begins to stir more noticeably with each dose.
E7 sings as he works. His voice carries thru the Grove, though he sings quietly. Animals begin to gather. First among them the small red squirrel.
The squirrel approaches JH and digs near his right hand, revealing a glowing star. She picks it up in her mouth, unafraid, and scampers up to his chest.
The lion and eagle spirits both nod.
She places the star upon JH's chest, and he lets out a gasp as he awakens.
Lyn...
Easy there, Champion. Here,
drink...
He places the ladle against JH's mouth as he tries to sit him up.
The squirrel chatters her annoyance, but only for a moment.
She smiles as her form coalesces before him. How are things in the physical world? I'm afraid my awareness is currently quite limited. It's nice to have someone to talk to.
The Great Erl's glowing form radiates happiness
I am glad you have still not moved on to your next incarnation. There is still much greiving from the many lost in battle.
JH tries to clear his eyes, as one who has slept too long.
Where's Lyn? I felt her.
She smiles as her form coalesces before him. How are things in the physical world? I'm afraid my awareness is currently quite limited. It's nice to have someone to talk to.The Great Erl's glowing form radiates happiness
I am glad you have still not moved on to your next incarnation. There is still much greiving from the many lost in battle.
Yes, battle....Her expression becomes vague for a moment before her attention returns to him. "Erl, tell me please, Jack Hammer...did he survive?" She waits fearfully for the answer.
Yes, battle....Her expression becomes vague for a moment before her attention returns to him. "Erl, tell me please, Jack Hammer...did he survive?" She waits fearfully for the answer.
He is nearby, at the base of Yggdrasil's root. He grieves for you. If you reached out through me you could contact him.
Lynora-Jill feels the web of the Green reaching out to encompass her. She sees JH and his squirrel friend in the Grove
JH stares around him at the strange assemblage. Before, he was right at home. Now he acts as if he is a stranger.
I hear her.
He looks down and focuses on the glowing star fragment. Picking it up he holds it close to his ear.
This song...it sounds familiar...
Yes, battle....Her expression becomes vague for a moment before her attention returns to him. "Erl, tell me please, Jack Hammer...did he survive?" She waits fearfully for the answer.
He is nearby, at the base of Yggdrasil's root. He grieves for you. If you reached out through me you could contact him.
Lynora-Jill feels the web of the Green reaching out to encompass her. She sees JH and his squirrel friend in the Grove
Yes, I see.
She reaches her consciousness towards him. Jack Hammer, can you hear me, my love? I'm so happy to see you again, to see that you are alive.
Yes, battle....Her expression becomes vague for a moment before her attention returns to him. "Erl, tell me please, Jack Hammer...did he survive?" She waits fearfully for the answer.
He is nearby, at the base of Yggdrasil's root. He grieves for you. If you reached out through me you could contact him.
Lynora-Jill feels the web of the Green reaching out to encompass her. She sees JH and his squirrel friend in the Grove
Yes, I see.
She reaches her consciousness towards him. Jack Hammer, can you hear me, my love? I'm so happy to see you again, to see that you are alive.
JH starts at the voice. He looks around fervently.
Lyn dearest, where are you? I hear you, but cannot see you. Are you safe?
JH starts at the voice. He looks around fervently.
Lyn dearest, where are you? I hear you, but cannot see you. Are you safe?
Look within the Green, my love. I am, er, somewhat disembodied at the moment. It's a longish story. I....I hope you can forgive me. There was so much I thought I understood and in the end it all went so very wrong.
I...I cannot...see within the Green...
I remember...the harlequin...the battle...the pain...the Stone...so cold, yet alive...
I can't feel it anymore.
What's happened?
I...I cannot...see within the Green...
I remember...the harlequin...the battle...the pain...the Stone...so cold, yet alive...
I can't feel it anymore.
What's happened?
I don't know, my love. I don't understand. I remember the battle, the clown, the knife. I remember dying. I remember...please, forgive me. I didn't know. Prophecy or no, I swear to you I would have never gone anywhere near that battlefield if I had known.
I...I cannot...see within the Green...
JH feels a vast presence
Open your mind. All are welcome in the Green
JH can suddenly feel the life all around him. He sees a glowing form of whirling stars in front of him
E7 speaks to both LJ and JH thru their minds, and the Green.
You separated yourself from the Green when you summoned the Stone Lord aspect, JH. Connecting to the powers of stone often diminish the connection to the Green. There are far more worlds of stone than ones of both stone and Green.
I...I cannot...see within the Green...JH feels a vast presence
Open your mind. All are welcome in the Green
JH can suddenly feel the life all around him. He sees a glowing form of whirling stars in front of him
I see. Lyn, is that you?
I see. Lyn, is that you?I...I cannot...see within the Green...JH feels a vast presence
Open your mind. All are welcome in the Green
JH can suddenly feel the life all around him. He sees a glowing form of whirling stars in front of him
Yes, it's me. I told you I am somewhat disembodied at the moment. Although you hold a piece of my body in your hand. You need to guard it closely. It is my heart. I need all of the pieces of myself brought here before I can return as myself again, but there's something else...
JH places the star to his lips.
I'll keep it safe. What else?
JH places the star to his lips.
I'll keep it safe. What else?
There was something I didn't know until I was dying. I...I did my best to save her. I think it worked. I can't be entirely certain, since my pattern was disrupted then and I was scattered all over everywhere. I think I had enough time before that to make her a body so that she could survive. You have to find her. Make sure she's okay.
There was something I didn't know until I was dying. I...I did my best to save her. I think it worked. I can't be entirely certain, since my pattern was disrupted then and I was scattered all over everywhere. I think I had enough time before that to make her a body so that she could survive. You have to find her. Make sure she's okay.JH places the star to his lips.
I'll keep it safe. What else?
Who? How?
I'm not...strong...anymore. But I'll do my best.
There was something I didn't know until I was dying. I...I did my best to save her. I think it worked. I can't be entirely certain, since my pattern was disrupted then and I was scattered all over everywhere. I think I had enough time before that to make her a body so that she could survive. You have to find her. Make sure she's okay.JH places the star to his lips.
I'll keep it safe. What else?
Who? How?
I'm not...strong...anymore. But I'll do my best.
Our daughter. Arielle Victoria Hammer. Sorry about the middle name. Didn't have a choice. Stupid binding oath. I don't know where she is. My awareness is currently limited to the inside of Yggdrasil. I know it's a lot to ask. I wish I could go myself. I wish that I had known before...but that's beside the point. I can't change the past. I just need to know that she's okay.
Our daughter. Arielle Victoria Hammer. Sorry about the middle name. Didn't have a choice. Stupid binding oath. I don't know where she is. My awareness is currently limited to the inside of Yggdrasil. I know it's a lot to ask. I wish I could go myself. I wish that I had known before...but that's beside the point. I can't change the past. I just need to know that she's okay.There was something I didn't know until I was dying. I...I did my best to save her. I think it worked. I can't be entirely certain, since my pattern was disrupted then and I was scattered all over everywhere. I think I had enough time before that to make her a body so that she could survive. You have to find her. Make sure she's okay.JH places the star to his lips.
I'll keep it safe. What else?
Who? How?
I'm not...strong...anymore. But I'll do my best.
a daughter?...
a daughter?...
I'm not explaining this very well am I? Love, I was pregnant when I died. I did my best, used my power as best I could at the time, to give our little girl a body so she could survive. I think it worked, but I've been trapped here with no way of knowing for sure. I don't know what happened to our little girl.
I'm not explaining this very well am I? Love, I was pregnant when I died. I did my best, used my power as best I could at the time, to give our little girl a body so she could survive. I think it worked, but I've been trapped here with no way of knowing for sure. I don't know what happened to our little girl.
a daughter?...
I understand. Just stunned a bit. I'll find our baby.
Err...maybe someone can help me...