Inkblot 3

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Amaterasu arrives on the Plane with a very angry-looking tree. It looks half-dead; the trunk is twisted and there are no leaves, only enormous fruit that is glowing with a sickly, pinkish light. It's also writhing as if it wants to strangle someone. Amaterasu is snarling at the tree, but she looks up when she realizes where she is.]

Oh, really now...

[The tree whirls around and lobs one of the fruit at her. Amaterasu dodges and the fruit explodes when it hits the Astral Floor.]

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

Amaterasu?!

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[She backs away from the tree until it goes stiff and seems to forget about her.] Hello, Mu. Forgive me--my arrival here was unexpected. As unexpected as the fact that the tree arrived with me.

[lamb_of_gold]

That tree looks to be rather dangerous...

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Watching the tree.] Only if you get too close to it. It is a demon tree; they appear sometimes in cursed zones. I was heading into Hana Valley to try and dispel the curse when I came across this one. I can restore it to its normal self, but I need to stun it first.

[lamb_of_gold]

And how would one go about doing that?

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Mischievous smile.] Hitting it with its own fruit tends to work. [She starts to trot slowly forward toward the tree.]

[lamb_of_gold]

[Follows half-a-pace behind, matching her smile]

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[The tree twitches as they get closer, then finally twists around and lobs a fruit in their direction.] Here it comes! [And Amaterasu prepares to Power Slash the living daylights out of it.]

[lamb_of_gold]

[Using his epic teleportation, Mu catches the fruit in mid-flight and lobs it back with about as much strength as it was thrown]

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[And the fruit hits the tree hard. The tree slumps over in a daze. Amaterasu starts laughing.] Well done, Mu! I had no idea you were so talented~

[Brush time! Mu, since he's psychic, is one of the few who might be able to actually see it. Amaterasu makes a circular mark around the tree while it's still dazed. An instant later the tree bursts back to life, sprouting leaves and flowers. It is now a very healthy-looking apple tree.]

And that's that. It should be quite safe now. [She looks back at Mu and grins.] Thank you for your help, Mu~

[lamb_of_gold]

[Mu blinks at the transformation] Any talent of mine seems vast outshone by yours, Goddess.

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[She giggles.] I do believe you just made a pun, Mu~

[She makes a quick brush stroke and cuts an apple from the tree. She catches it by the stem and trots over, setting it at Mu's feet.]

A taste of Nippon, then, for your help and your skill at humor~~

[lamb_of_gold]

[Takes the apple gingerly and sits] I thank you kindly, madame.

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Sits as well.] You're very welcome!

[lamb_of_gold]

[Munches on the apple awhile, petting the Wolfie] Are there many trees like this?

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Leaning into the pets.] There are always a few where there are cursed zones, and quite a lot in Yoshpet Forest. I have a few more of these to defeat in Hana Valley before I can restore the guardian sapling there. [Gives a yawn.] Strange, using the Brush techniques seems to wear me out much faster than usual. Another effect of this place, I have no doubt.

[shunofandromeda.livejournal.com]

Wh..what is that thing!?

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Backing away from the tree enough that it goes rigid again, losing interest.] Shun. It is a demon tree, a tree that has been affected by the cursed zone.

[lamb_of_gold]

On the upside, you may come here to sleep and you will not miss anything in your world.

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

Indeed! A handy attribute of this place, I think.

[lamb_of_gold]

It is, so long as you do not let it affect your normal cycles.

[witchmaker.livejournal.com]

The trees aren't all like that where you are, right?

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

No, I imagine that would do more harm than good. Fortunately I need significantly less rest than the average mortal.

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Backs away from the tree until it goes rigid again.] My work would never be finished if that were the case! No, only a handful of the trees affected by cursed zones become like this.

[lamb_of_gold]

More in the winter, I assume?