RP:We Have to Go Deeper
Winter Berry Garden
Following the tiny passage through the hedges brings you into a secluded niche, a private garden sprawling out before you as a growing oasis in this frozen land. Bunched so closely together they create a living fence around the garden's perimeter is a sea of Winter Berry bushes, their tiny, snow white berries hanging heavy upon black thorned branches as strange insects hover about them. Upon close inspection, these creatures appear to be a species of bee, blue and white striped and far fuzzier than their warm-landed cousins, with even their wings and antennae coated in the insulating fur. Dutiful as any bee, these insects bustle about the garden, flitting between the various flowers with merry buzzing. Frost-Fire Roses, with their ghostly patterns of azure flames and glistening cloud of pollen, can be seen gathered in regal arrangements throughout, often nestled near patches of Blood Blossoms, strikingly beautiful with their deep crimson petals and toxic-yellow stigma. Other arctic or nocturnal flowers are visible throughout, clearly well tended by a determined soul to allow them survival in this harshest of climates. But most elegant of all in this floral display is the center piece, a Winter Willow, bent with ancient age but regal despite the kink in its thick trunk. Its gracefully bowed branches sprawl in all directions, leafy fingers brushing gently over flower heads and ground alike in an eternal caress, as if it were the loving gardener itself overseeing its charges. And yet, even here beauty has been marred, for directly in front of this arboreal sentinel rests a ring of destruction, earth blackened and dead, no plant daring to enter the space, nor snow willing to fall within its grasp. Not even the waving vines of the Willow crosses into the dead space, always sweeping past it as if brushing against an invisible bowl in the air. You can linger in and take in the pleasantries and wonders of this secluded nook, or you can return to the path by weaving through the enormous hedge once more.
Satoshi meditates, seated at the base of the willow tree and partially nestled among its network of roots. Couple that with the wraithen veil of mist coalesced about her shoulders, and you have a kit that's easily missed at first glance. Which is just the thing she needs to evade her escort, the frost giants determined to dog her every step in hopes of being the ones to accompany Satoshi to the first matches of Gualon's tournament today. But the little magus needs a break, thus finding her tucked away in the relative privacy of the garden and contentedly reading from a large silver tome.
Daisy waves at those frost giants as she passes them. They know her by now, considering how much time she spends in this garden. She has to fix the garden, damnit! Poor thing has been researching for ages now. Okay maybe a couple weeks. That is still forever! Poor Satoshi should have her garden back. She doesn't see the queen over there when she slips into that garden. Satoshi is never there when Daisy shows up, so why would she be there now. The little kitten walks up to the edge of the black circle and throws an acorn in the middle. Of course the magic just eats it right up. "I hate you!" That little outburst is nothing more than a peep, but powerful just the same.
Satoshi's gaze lifts from her book to the little feline, a brow arched at the squeaky outburst. My, my. The next thing you know, Daisy'll be spouting off 'Darn it's and 'Curse it all's, shaming every sailor from here to Rynvale. ...Not that there are many sailors in Frostmaw, aside from Hanan. Grinning at the thought, Satoshi speaks up with a musical lilt in her voice, "Your nemesis still bests you, I see~? Don't worry, you'll defeat it yet, Sundrop."
Daisy nearly stumbles into the black magic circle. Now there's an idea. Wonder what would happen if she actually touched the magic. Would it eat her? Pull her into a black abyss? Interesting. Maybe she should find someone to experiment that with... Oh! The stumbling! Yes. Satoshi's voice startles the kitten, obviously. Not because she finds Sato particularly scary (even though the kit is scary as eff for reals), but because she didn't expect anyone else to be here. "I'm glad you have faith in me." She smiles, offering the Queen a little bow. Just a little one, out of respect.
Satoshi involuntarily lifts a hand as if making to catch Daisy during her stumble, but the feline rights herself quickly enough. "Careful now. Stepping into that thing is like being fed on by a vampire. A particularly hungry vampire." Which is to say, it wouldn't outright kill Daisy, but it'd devour her vitality at a steady pace, draining her of energy and emotion until she either stepped back out or eventually surrendered the will to leave. Satoshi really doesn't want to see a Daisy husk in the garden. Shaking her head at the thought and retracting her hand, Satoshi replies with, "I do. If it can be made, it can be unmade. It is a law of existence~. If anything can stop a Life Eater, it is one who is full of life herself."
Daisy got a compliment from the Queen of Frostmaw! She leaps into the air with a fist in the sky. Airpunch, yeah! There is even the stillframe pause like at the end of those movies from the 80's when something awesome happens. Of course this is all internal and all Satoshi will see is the kitten smiling at the ground with a soft word of gratitude. "I've been working on a hybrid." A frown worries on her brow. "What happens if you dig in the circle?"
Satoshi looks thoughtful a moment--and a hint amused, as she might have possibly imaged the airpunch by reading Daisy's mind. Shhhh. "I honestly don't know. I imagine it is the same below as it is above." That rounded, bowl-like barrier that even snowflakes seem to avoid descending upon. "Magic does tend to radiate from its source outward in something of a sphere shape, it's only natural for this to take a similar form." And this, kids, is why you don't let two powerful mage vampires clash while in fits of bloodlust and rage, propelled by the influence of darkest Sins.
Daisy should be more careful about her inner shenannigans if our lovely queen can read minds! Oh the secrets to be told! Oh how close Sato would be about the pirates! Oh--- Sshhh! Maybe she can't really and it is just a writer's trick! Shifty eyes... the trickery. "I think I need to get under it." She takes a few paces back and points to the ground. "But how do we make a tunnel below and above?" That pointed finger traces a line in the air towards the magic's center. Her other arm points and comes down from above, meeting her first. "The roots take hold of the good earth. I would need help, I think, growing."
Satoshi's gaze flits from Daisy to the invisible barrier created by the zone of corruption, thinking. And totally not reading minds. Hence, her next question, "How well can you communicate with wildlife? I may know a creature or two that could help you dig, if you've the skill. As far as help growing... I'm sure we can find another druid or two. ...Or perhaps that little dryad I spoke with the other day. Madigan, if I recall?"
Daisy totally thinks Satoshi can read minds now. How else would she know about the druid's love for that particular dryad? She smiles at the thought of her friend. "I am not so skilled with wildlife, but I do know Madigan. Well, actually." Yes, Madigan would be able to help her just fine. There is hope for this garden yet!
Satoshi closes her book with a metallic thunk and climbs to her feet, expression still fixed in that thoughtful set. "Well then, I say we bring the lovely treeling in on this project. And I'll see about finding someone that can help with your digging problem. I have a few ideas..." But the question is... can she get a pair of trained Polar Badgers on short notice? Only one way to find out. "If you'll excuse me, Sundrop~. I need to see a man about a badger."
Daisy makes a mental note to find Madigan as soon as possible. "Take care. It has been a pleasure as always." She offers the queen another warm smile and a bow before sitting down at the circle's edge for a bit of experimenting.
Satoshi departs, but not before she ruffles Daisy's hair affectionately. Two can play at the auto-hit game!