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…
Casablanca had to say, she was curious. There were so many reports of strange events happening around the tree in the park--the one that was supposed to be in deep hibernation, asleep but alive. Like it was waiting for something to wake it up. And this seemed to be a year where things were waking up.
There were the strange blooms of flowers that she'd run across. Reports of weird bugs. And this tree, blooming and fruiting, with fruit no one seemed able to recognize. So of course, of COURSE, she simply had to investigate. That was just a given! Besides, it might be weird magic, and as a Knight, wasn't it her duty to determine if any and all weird magic was potentially dangerous? That sounded right. It was probably right.
So, she approached the tree cautiously and with interest, and ducked under the caution tape with absolutely no pause. It wasn't like she'd gotten sent to St. Mag's because she was super good at following rules, or caring about going places she wasn't supposed to, after all.
MiddyGlow
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:28 am
Noir Songbird
Silistra was at the tree standing off to the side she was a bit nervous looking at the tree it reminded her of the tree she had seen on another knight's homeworld so she wasn't sure if she wanted to go near it what was it, what did it really mean? What did it mean for earth? Why did the merchant want the pods? Was the merchant good or evil? There were so many questions running though her head as she just stood there not going towards the tree. She figured she would gather her courage sooner or later, she still had her doubts that this was a good idea. She sighed out loud and looked around watching others get pods. She couldn't help but wonder if this would come back and bit them on the a** later.
As a civilian Silistra was a bit of a goody toe shoes, she mostly stayed at home where she was left on her own much of the time. She didn't do things she wasn't allowed to do not that she had a lot of rules since her parents traveled and left her to her own devices most of the time. It made her sad and lonely at times.
There was someone else here. Another Squire. She wasn't getting in Casablanca's way, so far, and that was something, as Casa poked at the fruits that were lying on the ground. None of them seemed particularly interesting, or like anything she wanted to take with her, especially when she'd heard rumors that whatever sap was coming out of some of the cracked ones was acidic.
It was probably undignified to use her weapon like this, gently poking away a cracked fruit so that she could bend down and scoop up an intact one on the ground next to her. But it worked, and the fruit tucked nicely into her subspace pocket, and she could figure out what exactly to do with it later.
She looked back at the caution tape. Considered how she would get over it. Then, she shrugged, and turned back, scooping up a second fruit for herself and then a third to toss at the other Squire hanging out.
"Catch," she called, tossing it her way. Because, obviously, if she was hanging out here, she must be looking for the fruit, right? Just too much of a goody two shoes to cross some caution tape. Whatever, Casablanca had lifted a thing or two for friends who were more law abiding before. This was no different.
MiddyGlow
Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2023 4:16 pm
Noir Songbird
Silistra was caught off guard when the fruit was thrown at her "Oh well umm thank you.." She stumbled over her words as she blinked she hadn't expected the person to take notice of her. She cradled the pod against her chest and she sighed out softly. She supposed now that she had the pod she might as well take it to the merchant and find out what he wanted with it. She was pretty sure there couldn't be any harm in that right? It wasn't like the merchant would hurt her. That wouldn't happen. At least she hoped it wouldn't happen. She went over to the figure that had thrown the pod to her. "So what do you make of the tree?" She asked. She looked up at the strange tree and all the things that grew around it. She wondered what the cause of all this was and what would come of it. Were these baby aliens? That would be very strange indeed. Then again the deep space senshi were here on Earth so perhaps they had babies like this on one of the planets. She shook her head to clear the thought.
"You're welcome!" Casablanca called back, cheery as anything. With her claimed fruity prizes. she casually climbed back over the caution tape, giving ti a little pat like it was a well-behaved dog and not a nonsentient piece of plastic ribbon.
"I dunno what to make of this thing," she said, "but I figure it's gotta be some kind of weird magic, right? Like, it's always some kind of weird magic." She shrugged. "So whatever will happen, will happen, and we'll all figure it out. For now, though, I just wanted to get a good look at these." And also go somewhere she wasn't supposed to be. That was always kinda fun.
MiddyGlow
Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2023 6:48 am
Noir Songbird
She nodded and "That makes sense it seems like a lot of strange things go on in this city." She sighed deeply "There seems to never be a holiday that is without strange magic and drama it would be nice to have a break once in a while but oh well." She then saw another girl jumping up to grab a pod and she watched her fall to the ground. "Oh dear excuse me I need to go and make sure they are all right." She said rushing off to check on the girl who had fallen down on her butt.
Casablanca's eyes flicked to the poor girl that had fallen over. She hadn't even really realized there were other people around them; it wasn't like this was a huge tourist spot, roped off in the middle of the night, but, well, magical rumors attracted attention, she supposed.
"Well, good luck!" She waved. "See you around!"
She'd gotten what she came for, and one person running over to help was probably more than enough.
