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 Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 9:27 pm
On the other side of the island, next to a rather scenic cliffside view, the tree was beginning to rapidly bud. Short of the feeling of isolation and loneliness there was another feeling-
- That of potential power.
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 9:42 pm
There were few things that moved the Life lead as effectively as potential. The isolation and loneliness had gone unnoticed by the man, another calm pool in the peaceful cold of his mind, but potential...that was the world worth living in. The thing to seek out above all else. Stepping to the edge of the cliff, the doctor took in the tree with little doubt as to the source of it. But why? And what comes next?
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 9:53 pm
The Death lead, already on the other edge of the scenic cliff, looked away from the mess of tree, who's buds were slowly beginning to bloom, for just a second to just stare at the doctor. A second later, pretending he didn't see the arrival, kept on waiting.
It was just that much more awkward.
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 9:57 pm
"You were particularly adorable as a child, Caelius." The doctor smiled broadly at his Death counterpart. "Are you trying to clean up the last bits of the mess you and your people made?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:09 pm
Thankfully it wasn't Mark that had shown up or there probably would have been a lot more begging and crying involving broken laptops that were probably Lucky's fault.
The Death lead was content to continue waiting for the equivalent of nuclear cherry blossoms blooming in February when there was conversation. "And you are here because."
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:11 pm
"Because I am the one here equipped to handle this. I can only assume you're here to learn from your betters."
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:20 pm
Because staring at the doctor had absolutely no effect, he just went back to the equivalent of gazing into the ocean. The tree roots were beginning to extend further outwards now, rising slowly above ocean level.
"My betters," he repeated finally, incredulously, "So you are here to research the Creation branch and then add it to your bookshelf next to the ******** hands and her head."
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:27 pm
The doctor watched the roots, his smile broadening. "Though that would be wiser than handing it over to a set of fumbling lackeys, I believe it may be of greater active use. Why? Were you going to call in William to chop it down? Or, like the head, is it a life you'd like to personally sever? And then....what? Feed it to your pet...or should I say, master?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:43 pm
That actually got a reaction out of the Death lead, but it was just confusion. "What does that have to do with the-"
- And then the roots of the tree tore right through the cliff, rapidly snaking its way down the shoreline and into the forest, splitting into halves, fourths, and then spreading across the visible island like a network. At the same time the flowers on the tree began to wilt before they could even fully blossom, leaving just one speck visible from across even half the island, tearing up the sky in green.
For each person who saw the green it would be different. Some saw knowledge, others saw yearning, and strength, and courage, and love, and the list went on and on tailored to their own memories.
For those truly with power, they saw the child of the tree as it was in its purest form.
The Grail. A grail. It was knowledge and power and immortality and creation. Creation had always been about potential.
The Death lead moved first, he was gone the second he summoned his weapon-
- And then stopped short, circling the base of the roots above sea level as a child sat at the tree and refused to move.
"What will you bring with knowledge?" It was a voice but it resonated with all minds on Deus. "What will you bring with Creation?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 11:00 pm
"Growth," the doctor replied succinctly, strolling toward the base, no weapon summoned.
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 11:17 pm
The closer they got to the base of the tree, to the embedded grail now lowering itself towards them, the stronger the visions got. This relic wasn't just part of the island, it belonged to be used.
Tantalizingly close to the grail, there was a arc of blue-white light, and then Circe was cutting into the tree. Immediately vines wrapped protectively around the fruit, as the roots lengthened and pushed the two back and there was the feeling of rejection.
"Get away from the ******** tree," Caelius moved between the doctor and the coveted grail, weapon still summoned.
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 11:45 pm
"This is why," the doctor explained through gritted teeth, "your people are always breaking things instead of doing anything remotely useful." The doctor took another step forward. "And what does Creation, bring?" The doctor's voice raised, talking past the other leader.
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Zoobey rolled 2 12-sided dice:
2, 6
Total: 8 (2-24)
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 11:52 pm
"You do not define useful, or what breaks." Circe just mostly glanced off the doctor's Fear shield as the tree shifted a little closer until they were both bathed in sickly green, "This isn't the same your ******** clone project, you can't possibly-"
-"You already know," the voice drowned out all else for a second. "You already know why."
It had accepted the Doctor and a child pulled itself from the roots and held out the grail in its hands and it was impossible to look away.
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:17 am
The attack got an eyebrow raise and then the doctor was reaching toward the grail and then past it, reaching to grasp the child's shoulder even as his gaze was transfixed by the grail. "Everything comes at a cost, my dear. I suppose yours is quite steep." His hand went from the child's shoulder to his cheek, an affectionate, almost fatherly touch. "But I suppose I've grown to the point where I've stopped, haven't I?" The doctor smiled and placed his hand on the grail.
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:45 am
In that moment the crying stopped.
And the memories the tree had gathered, the grail coiled around the doctor and showed him potential.
He saw the intended future, saw the grail become a seed, sinking deep into the island until it spread its roots around the edges. In time the roots would grow and grow and form a barrier, finally truly warding the island from the others.
What will you bring with Creation?
The scene shifted, and the grail become a heart, beating steadily. It was just a heart, but the doctor knew.
What is your potential?
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