RP:Daring Daisy & the Vampire Vines
Lake Frysta
“Sshhh...” It’s just you out here, kitten. You and the lake and your guardian couatl. Mamoru is over by the lake with his head in one of those fishing holes, not paying you any mind anyway. So who are you talking to? Ah That would explain it. The whole reason for coming up to this hidden, secretesqe place. “I know you hate it...” Cradled in her paws is a bit of root, shivering in the Frostmaw cold. This isn’t Venturil. This isn’t home! This is strange and cold and nothing to eat will ever come here! Daisy hunkers down there in the treeline on the other side of the lake from the path, hushing on the little protesting root with warm whispers of love and promises of good things to eat very soon. That root is placed in her hair for warmth and safe keeping, freeing her paws to fetch a trowel from her bag. Both paws are needed as she lifts the gardeney weapon above her head. Was that a battle cry? Heh. The snow is Kuzialed several times before she calls out to Mamoru. “Come help me!”
As always seems the case, when Daisy is around, others aren't far behind. Perhaps it's the druid's natural warmth that draws them in, in the same way the trees stand a little taller and animals breathe a little easier at her presence. Satoshi is no different, drawn to Daisy like a hummingbird to a flower, with only a small part of the kit's mind even aware she's diverted off her original path and is now weaving through the woods toward the source. And so, not long after Daisy's made her request of Mamoru, Satoshi appears, hanging upsidedly-like from a branch, her legs hooked over it so that she dangles above the druid, all grins and whiskers. "You rang~?"
Mamoru lifts his head out of the lake. Not because he heard Daisy's order, but because he heard Satoshi's sweet voice chime out. Of course she sounds nothing like buttlerey Lurch when certain doorbells are tugged on. Oh no. The Queen's voice is like a thousand tiny harps playing a thousand different notes all at once: beautifully chaotic, yet comforting too. Daisy lifts a smile to her friend and waves the trowel. "I have presents." More stabbery is administered to the snow with a viciousness one wouldn't expect from someone so small. Even the monkey tail has joined in on the fun, using a little gardening fork stolen from Daisy's bag to smack at the snow.
A mental note is made to never get on Daisy's bad side, (Daisy has a bad side?). With the fierce way the little druid stabs at the snow, Satoshi can't help but fold her ears back and flinch. Of course, there's no actual pain to feel, it's simply reflex and a hint of comic dramatization. A tiny squeak of protest escapes her, only to be turned into an excited trill as she says, "Presents~?" Daisy always has the best presents. With a squirm and a twist, the magus is out of the tree and crouched beside Daisy, all grins--and a curious lifting of eyebrows when she spies the monkey tail. "That's new."
As soon as Satoshi is on the ground, Mamoru is right next to her with his head pressed against her arm and chin pointed to the sky in his silent way of saying hello. You can't really be upset at a couatl for not helping dig when they're greeting the Queen, now can you? No. You can't. So she doesn't and is satisfied with the tail's help instead. Damn thing is actually useful for once. For a minute anyway. Soon as the tail notices it is noticed, the fork is dropped so it can inspect the stranger. Like some sort of furry cobra, the tail kind of bobs back and forth a bit, dancing in front of Satoshi's nose. It slips forward to pet up her cheek along her jawline and is about to snake sneakily like a sneaky snake into her hair when Daisy snatches it up by the 'throat' with one paw and points a scolding digit. "No." Daisy and her tail have a staredown for a moment, but we all know about having staring contests with cats. So the tail backs down and goes back to digging with a little bit of a pout. The feline smiles in a bit of a sheepish manner. "I helped Tenebrae." As if that alone is enough of an explanation. "Too much magic."
Satoshi raises her eyebrows as if to say, 'That's all the explanation needed.' And in truth, it really is. But the look is also followed by a frown that cuts a deep line in Satoshi's normally smooth brow. A worry line, on a face that never worries. And a serious tone, in a voice that doesn't know the meaning of serious, "Be careful, Sundrop." Yet, as much as the magus typically loves to rant and rave about how much she hates and distrusts the Lady of Darkness, she can't seem to bring herself to do so in the druid's presence. She can only manage the quiet warning, and hope Daisy knows what she's doing. And so, Satoshi puts on a cheerful mask and offers Mamoru an affectionate rub on his scaley head before she settles back on her heels to watch Daisy and that monkey tail dig.
What fun is being careful? Not much, but Daisy doesn't want to cause her friend worry. "I will." It isn't long before snow gives way to dirt. Hard as what, frozen dirt! Nice little area you've got cleared away there, kitten. Little circle patch about three feet in diameter. At least frozen dirt doesn't cling to your fur so much. That is always a bonus of hanging around Frostmaw. Frozen dirt and snowcones. Mmmm. Cherry ones. Or grape! Grape ones are good too. Mamoru doesn't like snow cones. He does like easing himself into Satie's lap like some sort of giant beast thinking he's a lap couatl. "Mamoru..." The kitten sighs and tries to shove her guardian off the Queen, but he is having none of that. She smiles apologetically to Satoshi and hopes she isn't too squished. "Oh!" The present! Reaching into her hair, she pulls out that bit of root, hushing on the shivering plant when it protests. Don't you know you lose all your heat through your head? It was totes warm up there and now there's just this pawfur to keep it warm. Showing Satoshi, she pets a finger along the root with a whisper. "Vampire thorn vines."
While not as small as Daisy, Satoshi is still a smallish creature, and so finds herself forcibly going from a crouch to seated in the snow due to the hefty couatl on her lap. Aside from the fact she's been knocked over, the kit doesn't mind Mamoru's actions, and only takes a moment or two to make herself comfortable before she looks back toward the druid. An almost sheepish grin is offered and a shrug that says, 'It can't be helped'. And then the kitten's present is revealed, capturing Satoshi's full attention. "Oooh~," the sound is impressed, despite Satoshi not knowing precisely what a Vampire Thorn Vine is--but dammit if it doesn't -sound- snazzy. And dangerous. Satoshi's favorite things.
Mamoru is quite happy nuzzling up to the icy queen. Who says her hugs are chilly? Not this couatl! He shoves the top of his head into the curve of her neck, closing his eyes as they press under her chin. Tiny little wings flutter as if replacing a dog's wagging tail. No, Mamoru doesn't say much, but he certainly does know how to communicate. Maybe he doesn't say much because Daisy doesn't say much. She'll talk when she needs to, but... Heh. What do you think about wearing a trench coat and a backwards hat, kitten? We'll call you Silent Daisy. The druid scrunches her nose as she moves it down towards the exposed soil. Pressing her cheek to the ground, the little root is placed there in front of her. There is a smile and a long blink with soft whispers. Warm breath stirs the root and if you're paying attention, you may see Daisy's nose receive a planty kiss before that root smashes at the ground. It isn't easy, though. Several attempts with plenty of encouragement from the feline have to be made before the surface is even broken. Keeping close to the struggling root, she looks up at Satoshi, hoping her efforts will impress the Queen into making that sound again. "She's trying." Her paw pets at the ground a little, encouraging the plant to grow.
Although part of her--the prideful, showy-off part--wants to loosen the permafrost with a few simple words, and thus make the plant's attempts easier, Satoshi resists. Now is not the time to show off. In fact, now is the plant's time, for if it is to survive in Frostmaw it must overcome this first trial. Silently the magus roots for the little growth, even as she flicks a glance Daisy's way. "What does it do, Sundrop?" While Satoshi does have a wide and varied knowledge, plants are one of her more lacking subjects--aside from some the more mythical and/or violent species that frequently crop up in mage-lore.
And boy does that little root fight! Daisy helps, of course, but it is a slow and tedious process. Too quickly and the root just gets bruised and smashed and dies. Too slowly and the root just freezes before it can adjust to its new surroundings. The druid knows, though. She knows when to nudge and when to take a break. What does the vampire thorn bush do, kitten? "Eat." She smiles, thinking back to her adventure with the caravan of necromancers. "And protect." Ah, there! Sitting up, she claps her paws together with the happiest of grins. "She likes it!" A single, clawed finger points to the bit of ground without snow. Daisy isn't helping so much anymore, and the soil kind of bubbles like it is a pot of simmering water - rippling oh so gently as the vines make their new home.
Amber-flecked eyes flick from the fighting root to the encouraging druid, uncertain of which is the better one to watch in all this. At Daisy's answer, Satoshi's ears swivel forward in an expression of curiosity. "Eat? I'll hazard a guess what, by its name." Where in the world does this little, sweet druid find such dangerous plantlife? ...Maybe Satoshi will have to introduce Daisy to Vailkrin's Ya-Te-Veo tree one day. That beast gives a whole new meaning to 'dangerous plantlife'. To avoid causing the protective couatl any undue concern, the magus tries to keep these thoughts masked, and continues on in their chat, "What sort of protecting does it do~?" Go, little root, go!
"Blood." Peculiar little plant it is. Looks like an ordinary everyday brush with ordinary everyday thorns that ordinarily just get in everyday activities. Looks like. Heh. Go on then. Get closer. Have a peek. What was that? Is there something in there? What is making the bushes shake like that. Did that branch just-- Aaaahhh! That is the sound you make when the vampire thorn bush stabs you. Not just once. Not twice. But a dozen times with a dozen thorns, all hungry for that tasty treat running through your veins. This little treasure is fighting, and hard! Frostmaw can be cruel, for sure. But hungry plants are hungry and hunger drives roots just as it will a man. Daisy's forever smile shines up at the Queen. "It will capture and consume." The druid turns to the little sprout poking out of the ground and trying to make its home. She lectures it about not harming the Satoshi and at all costs it must protect her. She takes Satoshi's hand in her little paw and pulls her closer to the still growing plant. It is about a foot tall and twice as wide by now. Eventually it will cover this whole side of the lake in a wallesque fashion. "Remember her," she warns the bush. A single branch with a single thorn snakes out, careful not to stab at the Queen. It sniffs her hand then moves to the other side for more sniffing before rubbing against that hand and retreating back to home.
Careful not to jostle Mamoru, Satoshi lets her hand be stolen for vine-plant sniffling. She even goes as far as to offer the growth a light pet with fingers cautious of the thorns. "If the Sundrop speaks highly of you, you must be quite the wonder indeed~," the magus says to it before retracting her hand and settling back to watch the druid and plant at work. "Where did you find this little one? For someone so delightfully cheerful, you always seem to have such... interesting friends." Interesting: Satoshiese for dangerous, bloodthirsty, murderous, or all around wonderfully vicious. The kit is far from complaining, but dammit does she want to know where Daisy does her shopping.
Mamoru is quite happily snoring there in Satoshi's lap. Lazy couatl! You better wake up if there is an emergency! Geez. Find yourself in the lap of a pretty girl and you forget all your duties. You know who doesn't forget their duty? Those vines. But they're hungry. They need to eat to be strong! Daisy knows this. "These are from Venturil." They are given a loving pet before she crawls towards through the snow and towards the trees a bit. "They saved me and a whole caravan of necromancers from certain death." What are you going to feed to the vines, kitten? Ah. Staying on her knees, she holds out both paws. Come on, little bunny. Just a little closer. That bunny hops right up into Daisy's arms, not knowing its fate. She pets it with a soft purr and soon enough little bunny eyes close and little bunny dreams fill little bunny heads. The queen is offered a smile as Daisy moves back over to the vines. "Eat..." the druid whispers, keeping the little creature asleep while the small vines needle prick at the offering. Oh you're much stronger now, aren't you? The kitten looks up at Satoshi again. "I will bring you a strawberry from Vailkrin when I go again." Hehe. Those little gems are such a treat.
Satoshi had no idea couatls could snore, but lo! There's one snoring away on her lap right now. The more you know~. Giving said couatl another pat atop his head, the foxkin returns her attention to Daisy in time to see the bunny being brought forward. With obvious interest, Satoshi watches the vines feed, eyes eager as they flick about to catch every detail and commit it to memory. Oh, Satoshi's going to like having these bloodthirsty plants around, yes she is. Only when the feeding begins to subside does Satoshi say to Daisy--without taking her eyes off the plant, "Caravan of necromancers? Sundrop, you keep odder company than I do~! And that's saying something, considering my family. I'd like to hear the story behind -that-."
Couatls can totes snore! Especially when they're big and fat like Mamoru. Fat little kittens should exercise with them more. Spend less time with planty things for a minute. But not this minute. This minute is for helping vampire thorn bushes grow and prosper! And now with their 'bellies' full of breakfast (dinner? What time is it?), those thorns are ready to expand. Daisy gives them one last little pet of encouragement before leaving them to venture on their own. She'll check on them from time to time, just to make sure they're alright, but mostly the plants should be able to get along. "The necromancers..." Oh where to begin? Meeting Valentin in the bar and that shop. Keeping him from paying too much for barrels. Venturing underground to find a dead... what was that thing? All those stories are told to the Queen, leading up to being invited to ride into Venturil with Valentin and Artritus and the caravan of necromancers. They were trapped between these darling thorn bushes and some way scary alivedead things, you see. Move the bushes, Val says. And she does, easily making friends with the dear plant. "They helped..." A loving smile is flashed to the growing bushes and she goes on to tell Satoshi of the great battle that took place. How the thorns kept her safe -except from the one guy that snatched her up and almost ate her, but she sucked the life out of him with reverse druid healing- and of the very strong magics that came out of Valentin and Artritus that were a bit scarier than the creatures attacking them. In the end, they won with very little casualties. "... and then everything was dead." She blinks with the hint of a smile. "Again."
Satoshi listens with all the attentive air of a dedicated audience. While she remains still enough as to not throw Mamoru into upheaval, the kit still manages to wince, make sympathetic noises, laugh, and (quietly) cheer at all the right moments. It's clear the magus loves a good story and throws her whole heart into it. When Daisy's tale ends, Satoshi is left wearing a thoughtful half-smile as she softly echoes the druid's ending words, "Again... Hm." A sigh is heaved, not a sound of sorrow or weariness, but rather the sort one would utter after they've partaken of an especially good meal. Instead of patting her stomach, however, Satoshi gently pets the scaly head of Mamoru before she shuffles him off her lap to plop onto the snow. "I should return your serpent-ish guardian, Sundrop, before I wander off with him. Thank you for the tale~. -And- for the wonderful plant you've brought back to share. I think it will find the lakeshore an interesting home, with all sorts of different things it can taste-test~." Satoshi reaches forward then to pat Daisy's head in an affectionate farewell and, only after a short pause for consideration, does she do the same to one of the vine's branches--careful of the thorns. "I'll leave you three to your greenwork. I've got to see a wayward spirit about a love letter~." Whether she's being facetious or truthful is impossible to tell from the magus' expression as she throws Daisy a salute.