[Hmmmmmmmmm] the big tree blinks at me slowly a few times, as if surprised that I still exist rather than focusing on the question that I asked it.
I wait patiently whilst he inspects me but my patience is quickly running by the time he finally gets around to talking again.
[You look different,] he observes.
[Obviously, I've evolved!] I explode at him. [Can you explain to me why your plant-based parent is sprouting willy-nilly and soaking up gross mana around the place?! Do I have to ask every question three times or something?!]
He blinks.
[No.] He says finally.
I take a breath.
[So why aren't you answering my question then?] I grate out.
He looks at me with an almost palpable sense of pity.
[Because mother finds it amusing and so won't let me answer.]
The leaves and flowers that sprout from every surface around us seem to wriggle with amused joy and I slump where I stand.
[This might not be diplomatic of me, Mr Grove Keeper, but your mother is a massive pain in the thorax. Is she always like this?]
The tree nods in understanding.
this, and we know. I ask that you be patient with her.
rustle angrily and the
more, but I think I might be
stillness and the giant tree
be why she is reluctant that I share, but I do not see the harm in a little truth. It is an extension of trust
olive branch? I can
smiles wide, the bark on his
[The Mother tree is very sensitive to mana, her roots can sniff out changes from quite a long range, and her roots spread wide. When
does your mother have roots through? And that massive thing I ran into was a tertiary?
The Grove Keeper chuckles.
attempting to describe it to you. As for your other question, I will not reveal much other than to say that it is likely less than you think. Our Mother is not a normal tree, but rather a monstrous tree, thus she does not follow the same set of rules
the Grove Keeper once again holds up his hands in
says
again but I can tell they aren't happy.
this particular brand of mana, I don't even know what kind it is,
I do not speak overmuch. Suffice to say, Mother is an expert when it comes to containing and eradicating this particular form of
branches around
finds it delicious,] the Grove Keeper
I raise an antenna.
[Delicious?]
[Yes,] he nods.
Mother Tree doesn't need water to survive, right?
[This is true.]
I don't see is nearly as many Bruan'chii. There are a few here and there, tending to the plants, engaged in what appear
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