Quote:
Curious Findings (17) : Maybe it’s got something to do with the weather, or the construction, or all the other general oddities that seem to occur in Destiny City, but for the first time in nearly fifty years, the historic tree in one of Downtown Destiny City’s parks has woken up. While the tree was known for being alive and growing despite a lengthy hibernation, this is the first year that it’s sprouted leaves–but that’s not all! The unique tree has now also started growing strange pods. Because of the trees legacy–and not at all because of the oddity–the area has been taped off, but that really hasn’t been enough to stop anyone curious enough to investigate. The tree itself is several feet wide and stands roughly fifty feet tall; it’s branches spread significantly and seem like they can hold a lot of weight–which is good, because the pods growing on it have a hard brown shell and can grow up to the size of a soccer ball. Sometimes, the larger ones seem to tremble and shake in place. Maybe it's an animal trying to nibble? Maybe it’s just the wind? Maybe it’s something else. The pods can be pulled from the tree or collected from the ground; the shells are incredibly difficult to crack open, and some of them leak a strange, acidic sap that is strong enough to cause skin agitation–and in some cases there are even reports that it’s burned through wood or fabric. Sometimes, the healthier looking pods that aren’t leaking anything even seem to shake on their own, which is a mystery in itself. Another mystery is why Almadel seems so keen to trade for them…
The tree that seemed to be so popular was the reason why Eli decided to visit the park today. He had his son as per usual and while he really wanted to see what was going on with the damned thing, the safety of his kid came first [that and he was sure his wife would let him have it if anything happened to their precious sun baby] Colin clapped and chanted while in his stroller, "Daddy! Lookit tree!" Eli chuckled and nodded, "Yes Colin, this is the tree Daddy is taking you to." He frowned at the weird pods growing, sorely tempted to try and pick one, but where would he put it? Colin stared up with wide eyes at the giant tree, reaching up as if he could reach the weird pods up above. "Daddy can I has? Please?!" He was bouncing in his seat, really wanting one of the pods to show his mommy when she got home. Eli raised an eyebrow, "Sure, Daddy can grab one for ya, but you are not to touch it at all. Dunno what it is kiddo." Pulling a bag out from his son's diaper bag, he reached for one of the bigger pods, grunting when it seemed like the pod wasn't about to come so easily.
"The hell?" he tried again, huffing and tugging.
Still, the pod would not come off of its branch.
Then the thing shook slightly.
Eli blinked and removed his hands like he'd been burned, eyes wide. Was there something in there or...? Maybe he should leave this thing alone...Or maybe he could show it to Ryan whenever they decided to meet up? See if his boss would be interested in it? Either way, Eli tried once again to yank the pod off of the branch, this time it came off with a 'pop' sound. He quickly shoved it into the big bag he had, bending to pick one up from the ground as well. It looked relatively healthy, and it always helped to have two of most things. Colin reached his hands out, "Daddy please?" Eli shook his head, "No can do baby boy. These are a no no. Do you want a leaf or branch instead?" Colin blinked then nodded with enthusiasm, "Yes! I can show mommy!!!" Shaking his head at how easy to please his son was, Eli reached over to grab a pretty leaf and a safe stick to give to his son, kissing the top of his head. How he managed to luck out with such a kid was a wonder to him.
Really, Colin got all of Lily and exactly none of him, and for that he was thankful. "Alright buddy, let's go take another jog through the park and head home so I can get dinner started. Did you want to play Fear and Hunger with daddy on stream after?" Colin's eyes lit up, "Yes! Yes! Stream time!" Eli grinned and tied the bag with the two pods to the handle of the stroller, beginning his second jog around the entirety of the park, son waving his hands about like he was flying with the wind blowing his already wild hair two and fro.
