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 Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 1:51 pm
A light started filtering in from the ground. It was like a documentary on plants on fast forward; a glowing seed was sprouting and becoming a flower. The light stopped, then began again a few inches away.
"Flowers tonight," Reese mused, softly. "Huh. Last night it was that," he pointed to a small oak tree. "This is the only part of the forest that does this. I don't control it. I don't know what does."
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 1:52 pm
Dari's eyes widened. Oh wow. He looked to the oak tree when Reese pointed to it and then turned to the guardian.
"This is amazing," he said softly, as if the flowers might hear him and stop their display.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 1:59 pm
"Yeah," Reese agreed. "It's been happening since..." He hesitated, scrunching up his face in thought. "Forever. I don't know why it doesn't move." But it was beautiful. "I've never shown anyone this before."
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:00 pm
"Did you know the guardian spirit before you?" Dari asked. He plopped down onto his rear to watch it happen.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:04 pm
"No," Reese said. "I think they were my parents, though. I didn't appear like my nymph did." Not suddenly, and not with the knowledge to avoid dangers. "I've never met another guardian. Are there others?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:06 pm
" 'They?' More than one?" Wow. "That's incredible," Dari said. It was rare to find a guardian spirit with parentage; not quite as rare as Maia but still quite intriguing. "In this forest? Likely not. There are more in the world, yes."
He turned to Reese then and smiled. "Reese, the only creatures able to spontaneously grow plant life like this are guardians like you and some of the very strong, very old nature spirits. Your nymph is still too young, so I'm willing to bet this is where your parents left the physical plane."
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:14 pm
"I think. I can't remember. The forest was bigger then, before the humans came and started using wood for everything. You've met others? What are they like?"
He paused. The guardian was silent for a long while. "So they died here," he said, at last.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:17 pm
"Most are physically older than you, but not all. Some are more suspicious of outsiders. Some look less human. Every one is different," Dari said, "but those capable of creating a new generation will do so, and then lay to rest."
Dari watched Reese think, and then shook his head. "Not 'died,' no. If they were dead, there would be no new growth here. They're simply not in the realm of the physical any more. They're pure spirit."
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:26 pm
So... They'd died to have him? Reese looked even more distressed. He did register Dari's words, and smiled slightly as He looked to the flowers. "Maybe they're happy tonight, then."
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:27 pm
"They're still keeping up the forest," he said, "and I bet they're keeping an eye on you too."
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:39 pm
Reese went silent again, watching the flowers for a long while. He turned to face Dari and wrapped his arms around the alien.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:41 pm
Dari returned the hug and smiled.
"You know, I bet you could talk to them. I'm not sure how well they could answer outside of the nature they can control, but you're never alone here." The poor guardian had asked him to stay and was adamant about keeping his nymph, so he must be lonely.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:50 pm
"I could talk to them?" Reese asked. He'd never tried. He'd never thought this clearing was mote than an area outside of his control. "Do you think they can hear me?"
As if in response, a number of flowers began to bloom in the formation of an English greeting. He stared, wide eyed. "...Hi."
The flowers quickly wilted, and more appeared in the shape of a heart.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:53 pm
Dari grinned. Good, good! They had made a new discovery for Reese. Not only were they going to get the developers off of his property, they were leaving him with more knowledge as well. Hopefully that would bring him some comfort.
"See? They've been here the whole time."
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:58 pm
Reese took a sharp breath and blipped off without another word. Dari was left alone with the slightly glowing flowers.
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