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Post by Gelquie on Nov 1, 2018 5:18:55 GMT -5
GelquieKarda listens to the mage's flustered description of Valli as stonily as a wooden creature can. She leans over the mage and inhales deeply - not in the soft way one would sniff someone else's perfume. The air rumbles like a tiny storm wind as she reels it in, and a faint white mist is left to float over the mage's head, drawn out by Karda's breath. She waves it away with one hand. "If you feel dizzy when you get home, or see too much sparkling light on fluids, or feel an urge to jump into fluids, or any other strange symptoms, just... make sure to breathe clean, dry air, and visit whoever can look after your health." Karda slaps her forehead with the sound of wood striking wood. "This is why I can't let her invite in humans for any jolly occasion. Someone has to look out for you. And it always ends up being me." She pauses in her grumbling to hear the mage's message. "She was that concerned, huh. So Valli's acting all responsible tonight." Karda watches the mage thoughtfully, her eyes going over the crystalline flower garland. She glances towards Jackie as well. "Sending me two mostly intact humans is just as much of a message as what you're telling me," the dryad mutters. Checking the fire on her way, she walks back towards her pumpkin patch, at the edge of which is the start of a field, and picks up something. "Fairly good listener, aren't you," she tells the mage, shoving some corn into their hands. "Use this to drown out any thralling whispers in suspicious swamps." You got The mage seems confused at first by Karda's actions, and yet not threatened. They look up in confusion as a white mist emanates above them and is waved away. They then listen to Karda's instructions, still confused. "What, did... something happen to me while I was in her grove. That's strange, I didn't even notice... I, uh, whatever you did, thank you. I know it's difficult to be the only one looking after everyone. But I'm grateful you are." After delivering the message, hearing the response, and being given the ear of corn, they look confused at the ear of corn before realizing what it means. "Oh, thank you! I... didn't know corn had that effect. But thank you; that's very practical! That should help a lot." They look up at Karda, and take a step closer to the fire for warmth. "But yeah, I mean, other than whatever that was, I'm alright. She didn't mistreat any of us, at least, I don't think. She seemed to want to help out. Just, maybe got carried away. Um, anyway, yes, she was concerned. But it seems like the way she does things bothers you. I don't blame you so much, if you have to clean up afterwards. If I've truly a listening ear, then I open them to you, if you want it."
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Post by Liou on Nov 1, 2018 11:18:17 GMT -5
Celestial"The fault is mine," Karda says while assembling Jackie's infusion. The smooth herbal scent of the chamomile blooms into the air. "I offered hospitality to a human without brushing up on your customs and need for heated fluids. You understand that we do not heat things often, given that we are not the most fireproof of creatures. You are free to stay tonight. As long as you don't wander into obviously uninviting areas." She keeps a very straight face, but the corners of her mouth twitch. "You are quite fair yourself, though a few millenia too young for me. I will not be as bold around the fire when not performing for my partner, but I see nothing wrong with sharing pie." GelquieWith Jackie's tea poured, she turns back to the mage. "This is why it's irresistible to protect you humans. Even when meeting a being centuries older than you, with magic far beyond your grasp, you cannot help but be concerned. I respect Valli's needs, and she knows mine. I panicked when she said she would play tricks on tonight's trick-or-treaters, but I should have trusted her to go easy on you." She places the still-hot kettle in front of the mage, with another earthenware cup and the selection of leaves. "I suggest you make the most of the hot water." Karda then examines the lotion sent by Valli, with its pretty miniature flowers and glitter. She unscrews the jar, takes a whiff. A few drops spill from the lid and onto the ground; immediately, crystalline flowers spike around Karda's feet, and a glob of frogspawn explodes into a chorus of full-grown frogs which loudly take over the pumpkin patch. The dryad slaps her wooden forehead again.
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Post by Celestial on Nov 1, 2018 11:33:57 GMT -5
Liou (and a tag to Gelquie for pie) "I would not say it's so much a 'human' custom as a 'British office worker' custom. I cannot get through the day without several cups of tea," Jackie gladly takes the tea, blowing on it to cool it. "I do appreciate you doing this for me. I cannot say if I will accept your offer of hospitality- I have work tomorrow- but I will stay for a little bit longer." She does not react to Karda's compliment regarding her fairness but instead reaches for the pie, beginning to divide it into several chunks. One for herself, one for Karda and one for the other person. Even if she was not talking to them, there was no reason she should not share. She pushes a chunk towards them and eats her slice as the frogs begin to sing. Jackie seems completely unimpressed by this whole display.
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Post by Gelquie on Nov 2, 2018 3:55:44 GMT -5
Liou - The mage looks upon the kettle and cup set before them. "Oh! Uh. Thank you; that's very kind of you." They pour themselves a cup as they contemplate Karda's words. "It's certainly one of our better traits," the mage admits. "I can't help it. ...So, what Valli did was a prank?" The mage considers, then lets out a small laugh. "I guess it wasn't too bad. It's kinda funny, now that I look back on it. Though I'm still glad you helped out. I suppose I can understand why you panicked. I guess concern is something we have in common." The mage blinks when they're offered pie by Jackie ( Celestial). "Oh! Uh, thank you." The moment they look and smell the pie, the instant they are glad that the woman offered a piece. They take a bite. "Wow, this is really good. Thank you so much!" they repeat. They watch the display as the contents of the lotion are unveiled, and their eyes go wide. For a long time, they don't speak. "Wow, uh. Welp. I." For a moment, they're speechless. "...The flowers are nice," they eventually say. They then go back to staring at the frogs, ultimately amused by the whole show.
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Post by Liou on Nov 2, 2018 6:11:58 GMT -5
Rooted in the ruins of the ancient house, at the edge of Karda's garden, there grows a red oak tree. The behemoth seems to have outgrown the house and burst through the garden wall.
On the other side of the ruins, its trunk and branches are twined with a second tree's. Together they have grown in knots and twists, arched and woven their limbs together and solidified over the years into an inseparable alliance of oak and willow.
Stepping over her roots, Karda meets Valli as she skirts around her tree.
"Are you all right?" Valli asks.
"Better, now that I know they were fine. I should not have fretted. I should just have trusted you."
"I was very good," the swamp dryad says proudly. "I did not even bring out the bog mummies, Karda, even though I heard they were back in fashion. Next year, I will greet the mortals outside our domain instead."
Karda shakes her head. "I ruined your night. You are a huntress, and you have needs. I never want to prevent you from fulfilling them."
"No, I'm sorry for causing you unnecessary worry. I know it's in your nature to guard and protect. But I meant it when I said I only wanted to play harmless pranks. Harmless for the humans, too, and not just for me. I don't hunt for my sustenance anymore. I have mellowed so much since I met you."
"I'm sorry. I never wanted to force you -"
Valli cups her long, lithe hand around Karda's square jaw, bark trailing against bark. "It wasn't you who changed me, sugarbeet. I am not unbending as you are. I am prone to change."
Karda reaches up to stroke her fingers. "And you were right to invite mortals. It did do me good. After seeing you through their eyes, I feel like I've met you for the first time again." She raises her other hand. "I brought your favourite plant."
"Aconites?"
Karda shakes her head and opens her fist with a creak of wood, revealing a sprig of mistletoe.
In the rising wind, the thin reed bent down to kiss the mighty red oak.
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