songerein | This Flame That Burns Inside of Me

Entry tags:

This Flame That Burns Inside of Me | OTA

Who: Soldier: 76 & Anyone
Which: Open Log | March Catch-All
Where: Farmlands, Wildlands, room attached to The Wild Harvest
What: Helping clean up the farm lands for the farmers, falling back in to old habits of spending a lot of time out in the wildlands and visiting bees, and a flower surprise that 76 has brought back to his room that's attached to The Wild Harvest pub.
Warnings: N/A, will add as any come up

Days in the Sun
A.
[76 was no stranger to farm work, far from it; he was born and raised helping out on the arm his family owned on the outskirts of Bloomington. Wasn't a big one, but enough so that he always had farm chores to do every day growing up before and after school. Weekends, too. Always had free time with that, too.

Reason that he was more than eager to get out there, burn some of the anxious energy out of himself in cleaning up the planting fields and mend broken fences to make sure none of the cows or other grazing animals kept could get in to them that easily. Also mean shoring and patching up fencing for the fields those animals would be let out in to as well.

There was a yetox close by where he was currently working on clearing a field. Grazing on a pile of weeds he'd gathered and gave to it. Still wearing a harness, but the topless wagon it was hitched to was closer to 76, filled with other debris he'd been collecting already.]

Hope you've got multiple empty stomachs, big guy. You're goin to be eating well and burning it off today.

B.
[The yetox that was out with him was currently resting in the sun, while 76 himself had spread out some fabric to sit in the shade of the wagon itself, checking over the amount of nails he had and the condition of the hammer. Just beside him was a covered basket.]

Hey.

[Passing by? There was that gruff voice-]

If you feel like it, should sit down and relax a bit. Even if not working it's quite the walk to get out here. Got a bit of food and drink. Rest up for a minute, won't kill ya.

Shade of a Forest
[Was keeping himself far more bus than usual, more so after- well, felt like a good two months or more where he just couldn't get out here like he wanted. Given the work he was doing out by the farms? He was taking it a little more easy. Not camping out in the Wildlands as he had been, but it wasn't stopping him from re-visiting some places.

Been a while since he'd gotten a good eye on the dreamhoney bees after all.

Still would be a bit of a walk, stopping by other areas in the Wildlands between each hive he knew of.]

Should probably see what I can hunt-up to bring back to the Harvest with me.

[On occasion? A rather large dreamotion made wolf would be walking either alongside or a little ahead of 76. Blue eyes scanning the area and ears on the swivel. Sometimes there'd be two more to make it three total. Moving together as a unit and sometimes one scouting ahead if something caught attention.

Rather peaceful looking should they approach someone, at least.]

Thorns & All For A Blazing Dawn
[Once the second half of the month hits, and when not working in and around the Wild Harvest itself, 76 could be found in a room connected to the pub itself and the garden as well. The walls of windows that could be easily looked in to from either passing by or from the garden itself was blocked off by various plants in pots and some rows of very colorful jaws that acted almost like stained glass by how they were arranged; a rainbow of colors and patterns. Both the plants and filled jars gave him enough privacy, so he felt.

But he was sitting on one of the cushioned benched with a pot on the table, what almost looked like a golden rose bush with glass-like blooms and buds sat before him. A gloved hand cradling one of the blooms carefully, blue eyes narrowing as he'd taken off the tactical visor part of his mask once he'd gotten it in and sat down.]

How the hell did these come from me?

[He'd gone back out, looking for the area he'd finally been pulled free and, well. 76 had found a single rose bush, just a bit below his knee in height. Looked like it had actually grown on the trip back.]

What does this even mean.

(OOC: Feel free to hit me up/PM me if nothing here catches interest. I'll also be putting some planned threads in here throughout the month.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Judging by the size, and the evidence of claws, perhaps it was also responsible for the damage observed at the entrance. [ Sholmes muses as he rises to his feet. He continues stepping gingerly around the tracks, trying to put together where the creature went, and whether they should expect to find it still inside. ]

But you said we should have nothing to fear--Mikotoba and myself, at any rate--given our lack of nightmare contamination. Whether your state will irritate it, Mr. Seventy-Six, I can only guess.

[The tracks would lead deeper in to the cave, large and lumbering but somehow managing not to sink as deeply in to the damp soil as they should given the size. Vanishing in to that darkness that lead down the tunneled path. The dragging of the steps could only be caused by a sort of leather wrapped around the 'foot' that left the toes of it free to leave those distinct prints.

76 pushed himself up, the dreamotion wolf following a bit behind Sholmes to keep up that light it provided.]

I don't have any reason to believe it could be an Ent, despite the size, it matches otherwise. [And it would- there were a few smaller and much older prints that matched mixed amongst the prints Reaper would have left as well. Those that had perished within this cave, and there would likely be many more of them deeper in.]

If there are any in here? I'll take the chance because I'd rather not duck out of this trip early. They'll leave the two of you alone at least, either way- and I'm a quick runner. [Better prepared knowing what he did through- well, he'd been attacked once and he'd been alone.

Other times he always had the chance to see them first as someone had been with him.]

Either way? Heading deeper in may be the best choice. That's where most of the plant-life was, and where the deer always went.

[The knowledge that Ents tend to leave people free of nightmare energy alone doesn't quite settle Yujin's nerves. Judging by the size of the prints, it's still an awfully big creature. As they say, though: nothing ventured, nothing gained. There would always be some risk of danger involved with exploration. All it took was keeping a close eye on one another.]

Then... Let's get going. I'm quite curious to see just what else we may come across.

[ Sholmes doesn't need to be told twice and, in fact, takes point unless 76 objects. No use putting a beacon of nightmare energy in front; if Sholmes spies whatever might be lurking, ent or otherwise, he can warn the man accordingly.

As he moves forward, his focus alternates between the floor of the cave and the dark void ahead. The deer tracks add an unfortunate amount of noise to the mud, but Sholmes still finds the edge of a claw or a large smear here and there.

And ... for all of his earlier chatter, the detective knows when it's time for silence and focus. The acoustics of the cave are a challenge; did a sound echo from ahead, or behind? Every few steps, he pauses to listen. ]

Just keep aware of your surroundings. [And of course be cautious.

He let Sholmes take point, the dreamotion wolf stepping ahead as well to help provide light that much more without risk of stepping in to tracks- it didn't leave any, after all. A thing of pure dreamotion energy it wouldn't attract the attention of anything much; unless there was something that took of residence and fed off that, off course.

Of course the light revealed much of the same as the entrance; barren soil covered in a mix of ash and a green residue, the walls bare, and only stalagmites and stalactites within view otherwise. Dripping water. A rock falling somewhere and it's tumble sounding off nearly every wall.

The soil was still damp, and even if the stream couldn't be seen the sound of flowing water filled the tunnel- even more so when they rounded the bend and entered a far more cavernous area, the stream reemerging from an underground dip somewhere down a hill-like form. Light from the wolf would show it was the same water from outside.

No signs of life other than old tracks, including the set that led in to the area and kept going. 76 couldn't be surprised as he followed along, knowing the number Reaper must have done; would drive anything out of a place but... Something felt off. As if there was something that should be there but couldn't be seen. A hand had been rested along a wall as he followed, taking up the back in a way as a safety measure but—]

Terran is uneven. [Voice just loud enough to be heard, barely missing being carried as he moved.] Watch your steps, slipping here could go down hill fast.

[Literally and figuratively. Everything was damp, and the rocks that weren't covered by soil were slick with mud and moisture. All the same, it was a good example of where the Glowing Dawn thrived, even if all that had been here had been wiped out. A few glowing fungi had returned, a bit of moss here and there but otherwise- well.

It looked empty, felt overly so. No quite right- but why?]

[Yujin had never seen all too many caves in his lifetime. As a result, he absorbs as much of the experience as he can with a bit of modest wonder. Nature is truly marvelous, isn't it? How old are these walls? He can't even begin to estimate. The distant sounds, the echoes, the drips of water... It all sounds very serene to his ears. More religious folk might meditate in a place like this, he thinks to himself.

The warning is appreciated, for even with his hand pressed up against a wall for support, Yujin might've still tripped over the uneven terrain if he weren't paying enough attention. He proceeds with extra caution, but slows to a halt when he passes one of the glowing funghi. It's growing right there, just off their path, by the wall.]

Ohh, look at this... Sholmes, do you see it?

[ Sholmes hears the warning just as his shoes skid along a slick face of stone. He steadies himself on a passing stalagmite with a whew. His shoes have no tread to speak of and he's quickly becoming envious of their guide's more specialized footwear. When they return, he resolves to get his shoes resoled with similar grip.

Such was his distraction that he did not see the passing mushroom, but he has the good fortune of sliding into another healthy colony, sending up a cloud of glowing spores. He quickly covers his mouth with a sleeve, then, muffled: ]

Curious! Rather more what I would expect to see growing in a cave. Surely these little fellows must carry the same properties as the Glowing Dawn. [ He waves the remaining spore cloud away, then leans down to pluck a sample, examining both cap and gills.

His forward position and the new point of interest leave him totally unaware of Soldier's signs of growing unease ... if they were even easily observable to begin with. ]

There used to be more of those. [His tone was somewhat distracted, still moving forward even as he left the dreamotion wolf to trail and remain around Sholmes and Yujin. He had vision in the dark, enough that he didn't need it so close to him.] They acted like a light source of sorts, along with tree-like things that bared glowing fruit.

Fungi are a lot harder to get rid of. [No surprise they were clinging, even if starting to find purchase again. The mushrooms were stiff, but pliable. Hardy things, but the gills were softer, but didn't break easily if touched.

Could remember seeing that something above once glowed, in the darkness from above that mimicked a night sky with what managed to get through. Never had helped estimate how high the ceiling was despite the logistics of it; like the cave was bigger on the inside.

He kept moving, but never out of ear shot, more hunting down the cause of the feeling, of something out of place. Hand moving along a wall, stopping briefly as eyes narrowed behind his visor. For all his own warnings of slipping, boots made for varied terrain- it was like something had been put under a foot at a step that sent him slipping with a shout before he went down

and down

and down.

The initial slip had sent him right through a bundle of stalagmites that didn't break, but rather seemed to waver as he slid right through a wall behind the grouping, the scent of freshly tilled soil filling his senses, especially after his mask was knocked off from the rough tumble of a slide. His landing was at least padded by greenery, a few flowers swaying as he hissed a bit, pushing himself up on to is knees and- pracically freezing in place as one of the Ents was standing in front of him, the skull of a ram painted with glowing markings as it's head. Standing there, it moved and picked up his mask and leaned, offering it in large clawed hands as a few of the beads strung from curled horns clacked together.]

... What?

[Meanwhile, within those seconds that felt longer to 76 passed, the wolf had certainly been alerted given it was an extension of himself, head tilted and ears perked.

Calm, however, it was moving to the spot as a second wolf stepped out of it's shadow. Almost an exact copy if it weren't for shadows moving in different patterns over fur. More light to allow it to move if there were two, right? Meant one kept close to the pair.]

Hey- [And that was 76's voice, the other investigating the area the man had vanished, the one that kept close was being used like a walkie-talkie out of shock.] You guys are going to want to see this.

Uh- don't be alarmed, I've got company and it's not hostile. Try not to slip, it's a downwards slant.

[Because at whatever rate they came down? One of them would likely be the first to spot and observe that 76 was being helped back to his feet by a second, much larger Ent, the first he'd seen still there, watching curiously. Vines were wrapped around its antlers with a mix of stone and wooden beads hanging from the points; there were also a few of the Glowing Dawns blooming on those vines.

This was... weird, even if he was standing still while the large Ent moved clawed fingers to touch over the glowing blue streaks of 76's hair, rumbling something. A language? Not one he could understand, no real words. More like sounds.

Also to be noted were the Glowing Dawns growing in loose patches in this smaller and very much now underground cavern, more of that fungi growing from the walls along with flowering vines covered in small glowing yellow flowers. A few brightly colored butterflies were fliting around, along with a few other insects, the sound of running water in the background could almost fool someone to thinking they were outside.]

Thanks...? [He was used to them ignoring him, he did not expect this at all. Let alone be met with- what could he even call this?

Even if the 'smaller' one would eventually turn at the entrance of others. Wouldn't otherwise move, simply tilted that ram-skull head to better see who had come down now.]

[Yujin looks up just in time to spot that spore cloud, the tiny particles swirling in the light of the wolf's glow. He's not close enough to inhale any of it, but he does wonder whether Sholmes is about to suffer any nasty side-effects now that he's standing in the middle of it. The last thing they need is mushrooms growing on Sholmes's body in the same manner that those flowers grew on 76. Or worse- inside his body.

His thoughts are drawn away from such worries when he hears a slip and a shout from their companion's direction. His head turns towards the origin of the disturbance, yet 76 is nowhere to be seen. There's only an uneasy wolf, which duplicates itself after a moment. Then, 76's voice, calling them over to... somewhere. Where that other wolf is sniffing around perhaps?

He looks to Sholmes again, jerking his head towards that same direction. Still, once they reach the darkness of the downward slope, Yujin hesitates. Even after being told not to be alarmed, this feels a little dangerous to him. Perhaps Sholmes would prefer to go first...?]

[ Sholmes steps up next to Mikotoba and squints into the darkness. ]

Oh dear, I would have expected that from one of us urbanites, but goodness. Poor fellow. [ Then louder, mostly out of decorum: ] Mr. Seventy-Six, are you quite alright?

[ Of course, the man seems plenty capable and trustworthy, but the fact remains that Sholmes has only just met 76. Not to mention, spelunking is well outside of the detective's wheelhouse. If things are amiss below, they'll want at least one person able to run back for help. Accordingly, he glances to the doctor and rests a hand on his arm. ]

Await my signal, Mikotoba. [ Then, into the void, he calls: ] Watch yourself down there! I'm right behind you!

[ He exhales, looks down at the mushroom he's still holding and drops it unceremoniously in his bag. (He'll regret that carelessness later when he finds the lining is seeded with spores.) In the same motion, he unsnaps the thumb break on his holster; he may need to draw his pistol quickly.

Thus prepared, Sholmes gives Mikotoba another nod, and moves forward. If he was hoping to maintain any kind of grace and dignity, it's all for naught: after no more than a few wobbly steps, his feet slip from under him with a yelp of surprise, and he slides the rest of the way on his butt.

... To finally land on the same cushion of growth, where he immediately takes stock of his bizarre surroundings. The earlier warning is no consolation; the sight of those things in the low light sends his hand instinctively to his revolver. ]

Stand by, Mikotoba. [ He shouts this back over his shoulder and sits up at a half-kneel, gun drawn but lowered. ] Are you absolutely certain these are friends?

[One of the dreamotion wolves moved to stay at Yujin's side while the other would stick with Sholmes, rather than leave either of them alone or in the dark. More so while still up in the mostly empty cavern. With the majority of it's 'natural' light wiped out it was for the best, really.

Which was why, at the call down, it was from the wolf near the detective that 'spoke'—]

Past the fact I'm going to be feeling some of this fall later? I'm good.

[—in 76's voice, no less.

Even if he was preoccupied with- well, did they count as the welcoming committee? He could tell there was a vast difference between the two Ents, the ram-skulled one just a head taller than himself- but the other one was far taller than that, not even counting the impressive rack of decorated antlers it had.

At the second yelling down he did gesture a bit back towards the tunnel, which at least meant there was plenty of landing space for Sholmes in the verdant patch that cushioned a landing as well as it could.

The tallest one was- well, it was still showing interest in 76's hair, as if examining it. An ungloved hand in another very large claw that showed his skin was very much still dark and nails were clawed- but in this darkness, or perhaps with how close he was to abundant Glowing Dawns, there were small vein-like streaks of the same blue to his hair just visible. All glowing in match to the flowers. It sensed no threat enough to cause it's head to lift.

It was the ram-skulled one that had its attention on Sholmes.]

Considering my last run in? They emit a strange pollen if they were going to attack, so I think we're good. [That wolf that was tagging with Sholmes popped down behind him, trotting right on past.

Beyond 76 and the Ents? Was quite the sight to behold. A tunnel lined with flourishing flora and a brighter light coming from the end of it, a source of that sound of water.] I will say this is surprising, but I'd rather this than the alternative.

If they're not attacking me, you and Mikotoba will be safe regardless.

[At least he was getting his hand back finally, fingers flexing before he just- well. When his removed glove was returned to him, he went ahead and pocketed both.] I've never seen the big one, or anything like it, before. Might be who left those tracks above.

[The larger Ent rumbled, hand move from hair and patting 76's shoulder carefully.]

[With Sholmes gone, Yujin is left alone at the top of the slope. ...Well, not quite alone. He does still have a wolf buddy, but the question of whether that counts as actual living company borders on philosophical. It leaves him with enough light not to be terrified, that's for certain.

He can hear Sholmes and 76 talking down there, but he can't quite make out the words and the wolf seems to have stopped functioning as a communications device. Are they alright down there? Should Yujin go after them? Sholmes told him to stand by, though. To wait for a signal. If someone needs to go back and get help- or a rope- it definitely wouldn't do for him to go down that slope now. He needs to just wait patiently.

Restless, he whirls round to look at the rest of the cave again. The glowing funghi still catch his eye. High above, close to what must be the ceiling, something is rustling. ...No, fluttering. Something's moving. Bats?!]

Wuagh!

[Startled, Yujin takes half a step backwards and comes to regret it. His foot slips away behind him and the next second, he's fallen flat on his stomach, arms stretched out above his head. Backwards he slides, down that steep and dirty slope. There's nothing for him to hold on to, since all the nearby rocks are slippery.]

Whoaaah- Sholmes! Incoming! [Get out the way, partner! Here he comes!]

[ Sholmes watches the ents for another uneasy moment, then hesitantly returns his gun to its holster. He's just rising from his crouch when the shout echoes down from above. Before he can dive out of the way, Mikotoba barrels into the back of his knees, sending him sprawling forward into a face-full of plush cave moss.

If, for some reason, the ents had any notion that these interlopers might be a threat, this bumbling display is probably ample evidence to the contrary. ]

Bleh! Ptew! [ The detective pushes himself up on all fours, adjusts the bill of his hat, and wipes the grime from his face. ] Doctor! Didn't I tell you to wait, man?!

[ He shuffles around on his knees to face Mikotoba, giving him a cursory check for injury, then throws a look back over his shoulder to the ents. They look humanoid enough. Can they understand language? Well, better safe than sorry: ]

... Ha, ha. Please pardon the intrusion, erm-- [ A squint and raised brows. ] --gentlemen? What a lovely home you have here ... !

[The wolf by Yujin, of course, followed the man right down at an almost leisurely pace given four legs worked better than two at steep inclines- and claws gripped. It also didn't hurt that the creature was pure dreamotion, of course.

76 couldn't help the bit of a sympathetic wince at the landing, more so when Sholmes got cut off at the knees by Yujin, stepping away from the Ents then so he could offer the both of them a hand up. He was good for helping them both- and maybe it was not a bad thing that the Ents seemed content to hang back and watch.

Sholmes on his knees or not, after a knock down like that it'd be a bit easier to get a hand—]

You two alright? That looked worse than just a slide down that thing felt.

[It was the far taller one that waved a hand as if in reply, a few stone beads clacking together from the motion. The ram-skulled one looked back towards the tunnel and headed down it at an easy and slow sort of pace.]

[It's been a while since Yujin was last this embarrassed, but somehow any outing with Sholmes tends to lead to these sorts of situations. It's fine, he's fine.]

So-sorry. I'm so sorry. I slipped...!

[That's about all he can manage to stammer Sholmes's way. He's already attempting to scramble back to his feet, but when 76 offers him a hand up, he's happy to take it. He nods his head in gratitude as he moves into a standing position and turns to face the cave- and only now finally spots the Ents. His eyes widen in alarm. Even if they're docile, there's something about them that's just plain intimidating. It's the same sort of aura that surrounded the deer. They look like holy spirits- like kami.

He dips into a polite bow without even thinking about it and while what he says is "Ojama shimasu", the dreamworld translates as it always does:]

Pardon me for the intrusion.

[ Knees soggy, a smudge of dirt on his chin, Sholmes takes the other offered hand with a muttered thanks. After cleaning up his own coat front, he plucks at some debris clinging to Mikotoba's back, gives it a sniff and wrinkles his nose. Hopefully that's not guano.

As if this situation wasn't strange enough, Sholmes cocks his head at those respectful words. The languages overlap, like two tones playing in harmony, or maybe the two sides of a stereoscopic print stitching into one--as pleasant as it is odd. Perhaps the magic is straddling his passing knowledge of Japanese?

He shakes his head and turns his attention back to the ents, cautiously mirroring the wave. ]

Does your companion mean for us to follow? [ Sholmes looks askance at the large ent. He certainly hopes so; whatever lies ahead looks promising. ]

Think the slipping may've been some good fortune- even if it's not going to feel like that once bruises make themselves known.

[At least they were all back on their feet, right? Right.

The large one, the one who was staying in this 'entrance' to what had to be a larger cavern down that tunnel, stepped in closer with a lean, as if to get a better look at Sholmes and Yujin after the bow. A tilt that had every bead on their being clack with the movement, and a closer look would be able to point that those Glowing Dawns on their antlers grew on them much he same as the deer outside- a few smaller blooms were even on their head and neck; growing from this one that seemed very much like a leader. Not just from imposing size either.

There was a soft glow from those sockets, a mix of green and blue, and then a nod, straightening back up with another deep rumble and other low sounds.

A hand moved, gesturing towards the tunnel that the ram-skulled Ent was now gone from, having made their exit in to whatever was beyond the end of that path.]

Think we're being welcomed in. [Still some caution there, but after so many times of going in to the cavern above? This was new, hard not to still keep some of a guard up.

Did watch as this Leader turned to walk ahead, walking slow and easy to follow -to keep pace with- despite how long their stride no doubt was. They wanted the men to follow.] Might also be meeting who caused the damage to the entrance out there.

[Following? Well, once they reached the end of the tunnel it certainly did open up. There was more of those plants and glowing fungi abound, even large tree-like structures that looked like twisting vines that even now bore fruit that glowed in shades of pinks and purples from their 'branches'. Insects could be heard, a few that looked like a mix of moth and butterfly fluttering through, odd dragonflies- and of course, grazing ahead in larger fields of Glowing Dawn flowers and other flora were those deer that had the same flowers growing from them.

From some vines hanging from an unseen cavern ceiling, and even some of those tree-like structures, grew glowing berries in the shape of a crescent moon and a soft pastel yellow in color. Some grew in clusters, smaller, and larger ones were alone.

There was a free flowing stream that led to a pond, fed from a bit of a waterfall coming from a wall, that glowed a warm and welcoming golden yellow with hints of translucent pastel color easier to see from that constant shine. It was very much like stepping in to another world.

Cool yet humid air, comfortable in a way.

Of course there were more Ents to be seen, roving and even sitting under 'trees' like they were watching the world go by. A few had sleeping fawn curled near them, a low humming like song from those. Wasn't just deer around, of course- a few Kirin were passing through, likely on their way towards the outer cliffs of the Wildlands.

Rushing around and playing in the streams there could be a few odd creatures at play, even taking to the air. Even a few green and mushroom foxes were bounding around through the 'fields' at play.

So much life had returned and thrived, hidden there deeper below ground in a larger and like further carved out cavern.

Hard not to let out a breath, some soft whistle, at a breathtaking sight filled with so much-]

Hell of a sight.

[Quietly spoken, once the top of some carved out steps were reached. Putting it lightly, even.

The soil here would be mossy, damp. There was so, so very much to see that they had enough dumb luck to fall right in to it.]

[Though a bit leery about following the Ents, Yujin isn't scared of them. If anything, he's humbled, as if a mere human like him and his companions don't belong in the presence of such beings. He doesn't want to accidentally disrespect them, nor taint land that they might consider hallowed. Even so, to reject an invitation would be rude in its own way. There's nothing for it to continue through the tunnel, heart hammering in his chest with apprehension.

The moment they enter the cave, he slows to a halt near the entrance, his energy leaving him rather like a flock of birds taking flight. 'Hell of a sight' isn't quite the right term for it, Yujin thinks. Heaven of a sight feels more apt, even if it's nonsensical. Up until now, Songerein had always looked so very civilized and put together that it's almost like any other place. It's this one cave, though, that truly feels like they're in a world of dreams.]

Good lord...

[He doesn't know where to start with taking samples, if they're even allowed to do such a thing. Shaken, he looks to Sholmes for guidance.]

[ As any sense of threat evaporates, Sholmes proceeds without hesitation, only stopping briefly at the entrance to appreciate the view before declaring: ]

Gentlemen, if that was the rabbit hole we tumbled down, it seems we've well and truly entered Wonderland. [ Sholmes gives the large ent a cheeky wink. ] Though I must say, our White Rabbit is rather taller and less harried than I would expect.

[ Once invited in, there's no stopping the detective: he doesn't waste any time descending the steps into the thriving, subterranean ecosystem. A passing length of vine catches his attention first; he plucks off one of the glowing berries and punctures its flesh with a nail to give its juice a taste. Reckless as ever when it comes to eating mysterious substances!

As he considers the flavor, some of the strange fauna frolic past, eliciting a frustrated tch sound. ]

Blast! Would that I could take some photographic prints, but I haven't the film for it.

Think there's been some major work put in here. [76 didn't doubt it was the Ents' doing either, given his thought that they likely created the Glowing Dawn flowers- why would they stop there?

He lightly patted Yujin's back before he was making his way down the carved steps, the largest Ent content to linger at the top of them for the moment. The Large Ent even gave a nod, as if giving the okay to go ahead. There was only peaceful intent, no reason for it not to be allowed.]

More here than there was up top.

[The juice of the berry tasted like a mix of mango and strawberry- or perhaps that was mango and raspberry? They were refreshing, not too sweet or too tart.

There was so much variety- even the trees with their glowing fruits and blooms. Some as if their trunks were made of twisting vines, others as if they were carved- all in all, they were thriving as well as the Glowing Dawn and other flora even if in various stages of bloom and having fruit all at the same time.]

You might be able to focus on your journal, in the private section, to imprint images if you want to get close to that.

[He'd seen others do it when he skimmed through from time to time. Never made use of it himself, didn't much often feel a need to.

76 was taking a slow walk, not much sure he wanted to touch anything, but he did take a knee near one of those glowing streams, could spot little translucent fish swimming through. There were multi-colored pebbles on the bed of it-]

Huh. [The glow from the water seemed to be algae that the fish were feeding on, and in turn those weird mammal-esque insects were feeding on those. Like brightly colored otter bugs.]

[Much like 76, Yujin really isn't certain how much he wants to touch. He's even less certain about taking anything. Even so, he descends the steps with a cautious tread, taking in as much of the sights as possible. This proves to be difficult, as he also wants to keep something of an eye on Sholmes. His partner is very good at taking things, insulting people- or in this case Ents- and even eating things he ought not be eating.

Inevitably, he catches up to Sholmes to stand by his side.]

Even in a world of dreams, I never imagined I would ever come across a sight like this one. It feels rather surreal, doesn't it?

A capital idea, Mr. Seventy-Six! I had entirely forgotten about that remarkable feature. [ Sholmes pops the rest of the berry into his mouth and chews. If it is poisonous, surely Susato's charm will come to his rescue (again). ]

Indeed! I never imagined such life could flourish underground. Much less life that looks like this. [ He pulls his bag around and extracts his journal, quill, and a few more jars in various sizes. The last are passed to Mikotoba. ]

Here, my friend, if you would be so kind as to help gather more samples. [ As he says this, he helps himself to more berries. In true entitled British fashion, he will avail himself of every resource. Easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right? ]

What do you suppose our friends can tell us about this place? [ He calls this down to the older man before casting around for the leader ent. ] Have they any language besides pantomime?

Comes in pretty handy. [He supposed, at least.

Wasn't as if he used his often, but he paid attention to what others were doing when he did.

He pushed himself back up to his feet after watching the translucent fish for a moment, them nibbling at the glowing algae, to get a better stock of their surroundings. The trees were- well, they were something, weren't they? One of the closest trees looked almost like a weeping willow, the blossoms on it glowing and a few of the strange glowing pink and purple fruits had fallen. Picked one up slowly, turning it over in his hands-

Looking back up, keeping the fruit in one hand as he was reaching back for his knife.]

No idea. Never tried to communicate before, this is the first time any ever interacted as far as I know.

[The large one was walking down, attention seemingly gone elsewhere- as if just starting on taking a walk through the place.]

They were making a sort of low pitched sound to each other and at me when I tumbled down and they helped me back up. Likely their own language.

[When the jars are passed Yujin's way, he takes them rather clumsily, even fumbling with one of them. How many of these had Sholmes brought along? More importantly, he throws another anxious glance towards their hosts once his partner begins picking more berries. The Ents genuinely don't seem to care, though, and even 76 is holding fruit in his hand now.

Can they really just take whatever they want?

Still somewhat on edge, he steps closer to the river to get some water samples from there. Even as he does so, he looks over his shoulder towards his companions.]

If they have their own language, it means they understand the concept of communication, both vocal and otherwise. We may be able to get some more information out of them, then.

[ Sholmes has flipped to the private section of his journal and sets quill to paper, concentrating on rendering a panoramic view of the cavern. The image spreads like watercolor pigment blooming across a wet page. Once it's set, he scribbles a note underneath. ]

If we focus dreamotion energy, surely we can tease out a rough translation? It seemed to work well enough on Mikotoba's Japanese.

[ He descends further down and approaches a flock of the flitting dragonfly creatures. Another image is added to his journal. This time the process takes less effort. ]

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