"A Story Of a Flower" | Juniper, Illadyn, Aolyn, Eodrynn
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019
Juniper: Is playing a game of hide and go seek, and has managed to dig a little cove under the cabin.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: Crashes down on top of roof, swishing her wings and tail around her. She hisses in a pretend bad guy voice. "Where did that little human go....I am getting very hungry..."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn drops down to the dirt in a fighting stance, growling playfully. Begins stalking and sniffing around the house.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper smirks in joyous and rebellious glee awaiting Eodrynn's approach.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 She walks in front of the cove once...then twice...slower... Then she drop down and looks in, her eyes flashing AND there she is. She reaches in, trying to grab her.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper rushes straight at her brandishing an evergreen branch with juniper berries. "Poison! You've fallen for my trap!" Jumps on Eodrynn and runs past her heading into a small forest path.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn mock falls flat. "A great fool am I. I should have seen it coming, the little human animal was too clever...but wait..." She rolls over onto her back, wings flat beneath her. "If she leaves me now, she will never find the dragon treasure....I suppose it is better to die here than to be captured and forced to speak..."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper: Her voice calls from up the path. "It's to late! I have found your treasure and it is to late to stop me! Haha! It's at the lake!!!" Her voice fades away into the distance. The lake where she is not supposed to go.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn sits up at once. Dirt spits from beneath her as she bursts into flight and after Juniper.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Upon arrival no sign of Juniper is apparent.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: Stalking for real this time, alert, ears twitching. Her voice very serious, "Juniper, come here at once and you will not be punished."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Nothing but the sound of water splashing against the sandy shore.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: Rumbly sound in her throat like an unhappy purr. Sits down and closes her eyes, listening....
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Tiny breathes can be heard near a rocky outcropping hidden by rushes.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 She stands up slowly and stalks over to the rushes. Her voice is gentle, but firm. "We are not playing now, Juniper. What do you know about this place?"
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "It is where the dragon treasure is hidden!"
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 "What else."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "It is where the rocks glow at night!"
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 "What else." Voice growing more dangerous, but still calm.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Moment of silence. "I- it's the sacred lake of the counsel..."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 "Yes..." voice growing softer. "And what does sacred mean?"
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 ... Grumbling sigh. "It means you can't have fun there."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Lifts chin. "Stand up."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Is still in her secondary cove behind the rushes.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 "Stand up, Juniper."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "I can't. It's too small to stand. Do you want to see it, though?! My secret hiding spot!!"
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: "You know what you must do to stand."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Finally comes out and starts swims the long way to get to shore.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn leaps from the shore, flies over head and scoops up Niper by her clothes. Hoists her up under her arm, lands on shore and gives her a sharp whack to the rear. "Walk back to the house."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Frowns and sticks out her tongue then starts to skip back to the house.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Grabs her shoulder and pulls her back, keeps hand there. "I said walk." Mutters under breath. "Rebellious..." Remembering her own brutally strict childhood.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "I don't want to!! I'm sick of all these rules! I want to know WHY this lake is so sacred. I want to know why we never go anywhere! Why is it I have to be "Good" all the time." Stamps her foot. "Sometimes I just want to be bad!" Hands curl into fists at her side.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn's voice rises a little. "We have told you many times why this lake is sacred and why you have to be good. Evil must be destroyed and if one is evil, one must be destroyed as well." She pauses. "But even if we had not told you why, you must learn to obey without question before I or Iladyn or Aolyn will trust you with freedom. You are a far way from that and have not yet proved yourself worthy."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper: Looks away. "I could always run away. You can't stop me every time."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: Sharp smile ahead. "You may try if you wish, but it will only further prove you are not ready." "To run from anything is an act of fear. It is better to stand." Pauses. "I believe we will go over your defense lesson when we get back to the house."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "Eyes lighten! Really! Uh... I mean," looks at the ground. "Okay."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn makes the purr sound again, but this time it's more amused. [They make their way back to the cabin and begin to train.] Eodrynn is holding a prop stick, and has also given one to Juniper. Walking around her examining her form.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper: Stands ready.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: "Well done. Show me your strikes." Voice pleased.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Rushes in and fights hard.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn fights at a basic level, blocking, but not aggressively. "Well done. Stay aware. Listen to your intuition and yet watch your surroundings. Hit me as hard as you can."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper: Runs straight at Eodrynn then feints to the left and thrusts her stick up towards the rib.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: "Well done! Say I'm a pirate and I'm coming closer to you and you have a dangerous feeling about me. How hard do you hit me?" Steps closer.
VioletofSherwood08/23/2019 Juniper: "As hard as I can!!" Hits as hard as she can.
CommandoChipmunk08/23/2019 Eodrynn manages to cover up growl of pain with a smile. "Exactly. Now, I am someone you have never met before, a stranger and he wants you to come with him somewhere... what do you do now?"
VioletofSherwood08/23/2019 Juniper: "Say no... then follow at a distance to catch the bad guy!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Eodrynn: "Not until you are ready for that, Juniper." Closes eyes solemnly. "Someday you will be able to follow on your own, but until then you must find me or Ildadyn or Aolyn so we can follow together. Remember, you do not have fire or scales or wings to protect you. You still must discover your own human powers first."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Pouts for a bit. "Will I get powers? "Can I get fire powers?!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Eodrynn: Gentle chuckle to herself. "It depends....do you feel fire inside you?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper closes her eyes hard and tries so hard to focus. "Yes! YES I DO!!!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Eodrynn smiling to herself. "I know you do, Juniper. You are going to have to work very hard for it to come out...and when it does, it will look different than my fire. But you have fire nonetheless."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 It is was dark when Iladyn returned and traded posts with Eodrynn. The two exchanged knowing glances. "She swam in the lake again today, Iladyn." Eodrynn said. Iladyn snorts in annoyance. Rubs his eyes. "I will speak with her." Eodrynn: "Are you sure she is ready for such a step? Should she make a mistake, should she disobey..." Iladyn: "She needs more room. She must be tested. At worst, we will suspend her from duty." Eodrynn nods in assent. The two bow to each other and then Eodrynn launches into flight to continue border patrol. Iladynn strides inside to find Juniper.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Is in bed but not quite asleep, although pretending to be.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn sits down in chair with deep, heavy sigh, stretches wings. Begins to wipe dirt and sweat off with a cloth. "Did Juniper go to bed without a story tonight?" He asks aloud to himself. "Is she getting too old for such things...?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 "What! No!!" Scrambles to a sitting position.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: Brewing tea. "Oh, I am glad to hear that, 'Niper."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Gets up and gives him a hug.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Takes the tea crock and sets it down next to the chair. "Aahh...let me see, I believe I have story just for tonight..." Iladyn rears back a little in surprise, then hugs her back quickly. Wraps his wings around around them both.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Snuggles into the hug and awaits the story.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn sighs. "There was once a very beautiful, powerful plant....it did not live very long, but it's fragrance could be smelled for miles and miles. Elyon made it for a special purpose." Asks for like, 100th time, "And you remember who Elyon is, 'Niper?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Somewhat exasperated. "The creator of everything..."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Yes, and He is very, very, very beautiful, and everything He makes has a little of His beauty inside it. "Well, one day, a human found this plant and tried to cut it into pieces and take it home. He thought he could kidnap some of it's beauty for himself, but as he was cutting it up, the plant died. "At least, that's what he thought had happened. But to his surprise, a girl came out of the middle of the plant and she was crying... "He felt sorry for her and tried to ask forgiveness for what he had done, but it was too late. 'You should never have touched me,' she said. 'I was loved by all and now with my house destroyed, I will soon die.' "'What if I water you? What if I replant you? What if I feed you plant food?" he begged. "I never meant any harm, I simply....I simply wanted you..."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Thinks for a moment. "He could have pulled it by the roots and planted it instead of cutting it..."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "He could have, and that is just what he said. He looked at her and said, 'I am so sorry, I should have tried to take you by the roots instead, then I could have kept you and you still could have lived.' "'But Elyon put me here,' she said. 'This is...this was my home...I may have lived for a little while, but I would have died for grief. Now I will never know what I was meant to do.'"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper frowns. "But she can't die. Every story has to have a happy ending."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "That is true. And every story does have a happy ending, only sometimes it doesn't look like it will.... "When the man heard that Elyon had planted the flower there, he became very very scared. For Elyon is the most terrifying Person you could ever meet. He is like thunder and lightning and deep black ocean waves and the wind and fire--nothing can stop Him. And He also knew that Elyon loved everything He made and justice would have to be met. "'Please do not tell Elyon,' the man cried. 'I am sorry! It was a mistake. I was not thinking. If I had known you were Elyon's plant, I would not have come close to you.' "'You silly man,' she said. 'All we plants belong to Elyon.' "And with that, she became very weak and began to die."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: "Noo!! "What if that is her purpose!! Flowers can make me happy when I cut them and put them by the window!!! She has to live!! What if that is her purpose!!!!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn paused. "Hmm, very good question...do you think the man should ask her that?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 "Yes! Because she can't die!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 "All right, we'll see what she says to that. "So the man turned to the flower and said, 'But flower, what if it is your purpose to come with me and make me happy? Afterall, Elyon has given us the other plants for that?' "She thought very hard at that. 'Either way, I will die. Plants always die when they are cut.' "You can see the man was very sad, because he saw his happiness had to come from someone dying. He began to think very hard and realized it wasn't just like this with the plant, but with everything. All his food had to die before he could eat it. All the forest died when fires came through, before the pine seeds could open. Everything good in the world depending on something else dying. "'Why would Elyon allow this?' He asked. 'Why would he make a world where things have to die for good to come?' "'Perhaps, death is not a bad thing,' the flower murmured. She was thinking hard. "'Perhaps it is my purpose now...perhaps Elyon allowed this now to be my purpose. Man, you can take what is left of my plant. I will soon be gone.' And with that, she closed her eyes. The man cried, because even if the flower had said death was not such a bad thing...he knew better. Death was terrible. And he had not meant to be a part of it. But then, neither are any of us... He took the plant home and showed it to his family. He put it on a windowsill and gave it water so it would not wilt as quickly. For awhile, the fragrance filled his entire house. He kept wondering and thinking, what if what the flower said was true? What if somehow , this was her purpose? He did not see what it was yet." "It wasn't until the flower was all shriveled up and dried that he went to throw it away. He brought it outside and put it in his garden soil to rot and make his soil richer."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper has calmed down and is pondering the story while learning against Iladyn.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Again, he waited, afraid that Elyon might come and punish him. But no one came. The plant lay dried up in the soil. It wasn't until spring came that he went out to check it, and when he did, he found his soil had grown the richest it ever had. But even better than that, there were many many seedlings in the soil. "He looked closely at what the seedlings were and saw that they were many many small plants like the first plant. And each one had a little girl inside of them, like their mother."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Froze for a second then went on listening.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 "This time, he knew better than to be selfish. He took the seedlings by the roots and brought them to his neighbors and told them. 'This plant will give you the richest soil you have ever seen.' "His neighbors planted them and took care of them, and instead of cutting the plants off, they learned to harvest the seeds and scatter them naturally. Their soul grew very rich and that land was blessed. Many people thanked the man, and indeed, he had done well in sharing at the end. But they should have thanked the plant because it was she who had told the man that he could take her when she was dying . She could have said no and the man would have left her and never discovered her secret. But she came to realize that death, when it is time to come, can be a part of Elyon's purpose and a good thing, even though it brings great grief for the time."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Tries not think about what's bothering her.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn sighs. "That is a very very old story my people on the floating island in the snow tell, though sometimes the story ends differently depending on what the listener thinks the man should say. I think you chose a good response." He lifts one wing a little to get his tea and sip it.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Looks deep in thought. Finally murmurs in a tiny voice. "Iladyn…"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 He looks down at her, sensing it. "What is it, Niper?" Voice gentle, but also regal.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Doesn't look at him and asks in a very soft and serious tone. "...Is that what happened to my mother...?"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: Heavy sigh. Strokes her hair a little with his wing tip. "...in a manner...yes..."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Sits very still... tears brimming in her eyes. "I love all of you... but sometimes... I wish I knew my mother... and father."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn nods, not the least offended. "I know...we love you too, but we wish you had been able to grow up with your mother, like all young ones should..." Sadness. "But that was not in Elyon's story for you...He will make your story beautiful in the end."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Nods. She then begins to crawl into bed again. As she gets under the covers she mumbles his name again. "Iladyn?"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 He listens, waiting, and standing up.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 "I... I swam in the lake again today..." tones of fear and remorse in her voice.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn strokes her hair. "Thank you for telling me. There is nothing wrong in having fun, 'Niper, but we must know when and where to do it and we must always, always obey those over us...'tis Elyon's way. I will not punish you this time, but I will give you a chance to make it up to me...."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Nods solemnly.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "I think you are now old enough to start coming with me on the patrol. What do you say to that?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Eyes widen in surprise. "Patrol? Really?"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Yes...but only if I can trust you to do exactly as I say. This will be training. You will get to travel and see more. It will be fun at times, but it also takes a lot of strength, stamina and discipline. If you can do well though, in a couple years, you will be ready for other adventures as well."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Slowly thinks about it... confusion on her face. "Why would you let me after how I disobeyed today..." Looks down for a second, feeling bad, then curiosity gets the better of her and she looks up at Iladyn.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Elyon is full of grace. When we disobey Him, if we ask for forgiveness, he forgives us...though...not without a terrible price." He pauses . " am willing to let you come because I believe you have fire inside of you and it needs to be let out. You need more space to let it out and learn how to control it. What you did was wrong and if you do not obey me on patrol, then I will have to stop taking you with me. But it will make me happier to see you redeem yourself than to just punish you. Again.. I am giving you a second chance."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Thinks about it then nods, "Ok. I'll go with you on patrols. I will listen and I'll help."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Thank you, Niper. I hope you learn quickly. Have a good sleep." Rubs hand down her face and silently blesses her with ancient Viridian blessing. Stands up and blows out light.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: Crashes down on top of roof, swishing her wings and tail around her. She hisses in a pretend bad guy voice. "Where did that little human go....I am getting very hungry..."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn drops down to the dirt in a fighting stance, growling playfully. Begins stalking and sniffing around the house.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper smirks in joyous and rebellious glee awaiting Eodrynn's approach.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 She walks in front of the cove once...then twice...slower... Then she drop down and looks in, her eyes flashing AND there she is. She reaches in, trying to grab her.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper rushes straight at her brandishing an evergreen branch with juniper berries. "Poison! You've fallen for my trap!" Jumps on Eodrynn and runs past her heading into a small forest path.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn mock falls flat. "A great fool am I. I should have seen it coming, the little human animal was too clever...but wait..." She rolls over onto her back, wings flat beneath her. "If she leaves me now, she will never find the dragon treasure....I suppose it is better to die here than to be captured and forced to speak..."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper: Her voice calls from up the path. "It's to late! I have found your treasure and it is to late to stop me! Haha! It's at the lake!!!" Her voice fades away into the distance. The lake where she is not supposed to go.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn sits up at once. Dirt spits from beneath her as she bursts into flight and after Juniper.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Upon arrival no sign of Juniper is apparent.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: Stalking for real this time, alert, ears twitching. Her voice very serious, "Juniper, come here at once and you will not be punished."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Nothing but the sound of water splashing against the sandy shore.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: Rumbly sound in her throat like an unhappy purr. Sits down and closes her eyes, listening....
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Tiny breathes can be heard near a rocky outcropping hidden by rushes.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 She stands up slowly and stalks over to the rushes. Her voice is gentle, but firm. "We are not playing now, Juniper. What do you know about this place?"
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "It is where the dragon treasure is hidden!"
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 "What else."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "It is where the rocks glow at night!"
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 "What else." Voice growing more dangerous, but still calm.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Moment of silence. "I- it's the sacred lake of the counsel..."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 "Yes..." voice growing softer. "And what does sacred mean?"
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 ... Grumbling sigh. "It means you can't have fun there."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Lifts chin. "Stand up."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Is still in her secondary cove behind the rushes.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 "Stand up, Juniper."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "I can't. It's too small to stand. Do you want to see it, though?! My secret hiding spot!!"
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: "You know what you must do to stand."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Finally comes out and starts swims the long way to get to shore.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn leaps from the shore, flies over head and scoops up Niper by her clothes. Hoists her up under her arm, lands on shore and gives her a sharp whack to the rear. "Walk back to the house."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Frowns and sticks out her tongue then starts to skip back to the house.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Grabs her shoulder and pulls her back, keeps hand there. "I said walk." Mutters under breath. "Rebellious..." Remembering her own brutally strict childhood.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "I don't want to!! I'm sick of all these rules! I want to know WHY this lake is so sacred. I want to know why we never go anywhere! Why is it I have to be "Good" all the time." Stamps her foot. "Sometimes I just want to be bad!" Hands curl into fists at her side.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn's voice rises a little. "We have told you many times why this lake is sacred and why you have to be good. Evil must be destroyed and if one is evil, one must be destroyed as well." She pauses. "But even if we had not told you why, you must learn to obey without question before I or Iladyn or Aolyn will trust you with freedom. You are a far way from that and have not yet proved yourself worthy."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper: Looks away. "I could always run away. You can't stop me every time."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: Sharp smile ahead. "You may try if you wish, but it will only further prove you are not ready." "To run from anything is an act of fear. It is better to stand." Pauses. "I believe we will go over your defense lesson when we get back to the house."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 "Eyes lighten! Really! Uh... I mean," looks at the ground. "Okay."
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn makes the purr sound again, but this time it's more amused. [They make their way back to the cabin and begin to train.] Eodrynn is holding a prop stick, and has also given one to Juniper. Walking around her examining her form.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper: Stands ready.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: "Well done. Show me your strikes." Voice pleased.
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Rushes in and fights hard.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn fights at a basic level, blocking, but not aggressively. "Well done. Stay aware. Listen to your intuition and yet watch your surroundings. Hit me as hard as you can."
VioletofSherwood08/22/2019 Juniper: Runs straight at Eodrynn then feints to the left and thrusts her stick up towards the rib.
CommandoChipmunk08/22/2019 Eodrynn: "Well done! Say I'm a pirate and I'm coming closer to you and you have a dangerous feeling about me. How hard do you hit me?" Steps closer.
VioletofSherwood08/23/2019 Juniper: "As hard as I can!!" Hits as hard as she can.
CommandoChipmunk08/23/2019 Eodrynn manages to cover up growl of pain with a smile. "Exactly. Now, I am someone you have never met before, a stranger and he wants you to come with him somewhere... what do you do now?"
VioletofSherwood08/23/2019 Juniper: "Say no... then follow at a distance to catch the bad guy!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Eodrynn: "Not until you are ready for that, Juniper." Closes eyes solemnly. "Someday you will be able to follow on your own, but until then you must find me or Ildadyn or Aolyn so we can follow together. Remember, you do not have fire or scales or wings to protect you. You still must discover your own human powers first."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Pouts for a bit. "Will I get powers? "Can I get fire powers?!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Eodrynn: Gentle chuckle to herself. "It depends....do you feel fire inside you?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper closes her eyes hard and tries so hard to focus. "Yes! YES I DO!!!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Eodrynn smiling to herself. "I know you do, Juniper. You are going to have to work very hard for it to come out...and when it does, it will look different than my fire. But you have fire nonetheless."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 It is was dark when Iladyn returned and traded posts with Eodrynn. The two exchanged knowing glances. "She swam in the lake again today, Iladyn." Eodrynn said. Iladyn snorts in annoyance. Rubs his eyes. "I will speak with her." Eodrynn: "Are you sure she is ready for such a step? Should she make a mistake, should she disobey..." Iladyn: "She needs more room. She must be tested. At worst, we will suspend her from duty." Eodrynn nods in assent. The two bow to each other and then Eodrynn launches into flight to continue border patrol. Iladynn strides inside to find Juniper.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Is in bed but not quite asleep, although pretending to be.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn sits down in chair with deep, heavy sigh, stretches wings. Begins to wipe dirt and sweat off with a cloth. "Did Juniper go to bed without a story tonight?" He asks aloud to himself. "Is she getting too old for such things...?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 "What! No!!" Scrambles to a sitting position.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: Brewing tea. "Oh, I am glad to hear that, 'Niper."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Gets up and gives him a hug.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Takes the tea crock and sets it down next to the chair. "Aahh...let me see, I believe I have story just for tonight..." Iladyn rears back a little in surprise, then hugs her back quickly. Wraps his wings around around them both.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Snuggles into the hug and awaits the story.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn sighs. "There was once a very beautiful, powerful plant....it did not live very long, but it's fragrance could be smelled for miles and miles. Elyon made it for a special purpose." Asks for like, 100th time, "And you remember who Elyon is, 'Niper?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Somewhat exasperated. "The creator of everything..."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Yes, and He is very, very, very beautiful, and everything He makes has a little of His beauty inside it. "Well, one day, a human found this plant and tried to cut it into pieces and take it home. He thought he could kidnap some of it's beauty for himself, but as he was cutting it up, the plant died. "At least, that's what he thought had happened. But to his surprise, a girl came out of the middle of the plant and she was crying... "He felt sorry for her and tried to ask forgiveness for what he had done, but it was too late. 'You should never have touched me,' she said. 'I was loved by all and now with my house destroyed, I will soon die.' "'What if I water you? What if I replant you? What if I feed you plant food?" he begged. "I never meant any harm, I simply....I simply wanted you..."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Thinks for a moment. "He could have pulled it by the roots and planted it instead of cutting it..."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "He could have, and that is just what he said. He looked at her and said, 'I am so sorry, I should have tried to take you by the roots instead, then I could have kept you and you still could have lived.' "'But Elyon put me here,' she said. 'This is...this was my home...I may have lived for a little while, but I would have died for grief. Now I will never know what I was meant to do.'"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper frowns. "But she can't die. Every story has to have a happy ending."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "That is true. And every story does have a happy ending, only sometimes it doesn't look like it will.... "When the man heard that Elyon had planted the flower there, he became very very scared. For Elyon is the most terrifying Person you could ever meet. He is like thunder and lightning and deep black ocean waves and the wind and fire--nothing can stop Him. And He also knew that Elyon loved everything He made and justice would have to be met. "'Please do not tell Elyon,' the man cried. 'I am sorry! It was a mistake. I was not thinking. If I had known you were Elyon's plant, I would not have come close to you.' "'You silly man,' she said. 'All we plants belong to Elyon.' "And with that, she became very weak and began to die."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: "Noo!! "What if that is her purpose!! Flowers can make me happy when I cut them and put them by the window!!! She has to live!! What if that is her purpose!!!!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn paused. "Hmm, very good question...do you think the man should ask her that?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 "Yes! Because she can't die!"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 "All right, we'll see what she says to that. "So the man turned to the flower and said, 'But flower, what if it is your purpose to come with me and make me happy? Afterall, Elyon has given us the other plants for that?' "She thought very hard at that. 'Either way, I will die. Plants always die when they are cut.' "You can see the man was very sad, because he saw his happiness had to come from someone dying. He began to think very hard and realized it wasn't just like this with the plant, but with everything. All his food had to die before he could eat it. All the forest died when fires came through, before the pine seeds could open. Everything good in the world depending on something else dying. "'Why would Elyon allow this?' He asked. 'Why would he make a world where things have to die for good to come?' "'Perhaps, death is not a bad thing,' the flower murmured. She was thinking hard. "'Perhaps it is my purpose now...perhaps Elyon allowed this now to be my purpose. Man, you can take what is left of my plant. I will soon be gone.' And with that, she closed her eyes. The man cried, because even if the flower had said death was not such a bad thing...he knew better. Death was terrible. And he had not meant to be a part of it. But then, neither are any of us... He took the plant home and showed it to his family. He put it on a windowsill and gave it water so it would not wilt as quickly. For awhile, the fragrance filled his entire house. He kept wondering and thinking, what if what the flower said was true? What if somehow , this was her purpose? He did not see what it was yet." "It wasn't until the flower was all shriveled up and dried that he went to throw it away. He brought it outside and put it in his garden soil to rot and make his soil richer."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper has calmed down and is pondering the story while learning against Iladyn.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Again, he waited, afraid that Elyon might come and punish him. But no one came. The plant lay dried up in the soil. It wasn't until spring came that he went out to check it, and when he did, he found his soil had grown the richest it ever had. But even better than that, there were many many seedlings in the soil. "He looked closely at what the seedlings were and saw that they were many many small plants like the first plant. And each one had a little girl inside of them, like their mother."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Froze for a second then went on listening.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 "This time, he knew better than to be selfish. He took the seedlings by the roots and brought them to his neighbors and told them. 'This plant will give you the richest soil you have ever seen.' "His neighbors planted them and took care of them, and instead of cutting the plants off, they learned to harvest the seeds and scatter them naturally. Their soul grew very rich and that land was blessed. Many people thanked the man, and indeed, he had done well in sharing at the end. But they should have thanked the plant because it was she who had told the man that he could take her when she was dying . She could have said no and the man would have left her and never discovered her secret. But she came to realize that death, when it is time to come, can be a part of Elyon's purpose and a good thing, even though it brings great grief for the time."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Tries not think about what's bothering her.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn sighs. "That is a very very old story my people on the floating island in the snow tell, though sometimes the story ends differently depending on what the listener thinks the man should say. I think you chose a good response." He lifts one wing a little to get his tea and sip it.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Looks deep in thought. Finally murmurs in a tiny voice. "Iladyn…"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 He looks down at her, sensing it. "What is it, Niper?" Voice gentle, but also regal.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Doesn't look at him and asks in a very soft and serious tone. "...Is that what happened to my mother...?"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: Heavy sigh. Strokes her hair a little with his wing tip. "...in a manner...yes..."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Sits very still... tears brimming in her eyes. "I love all of you... but sometimes... I wish I knew my mother... and father."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn nods, not the least offended. "I know...we love you too, but we wish you had been able to grow up with your mother, like all young ones should..." Sadness. "But that was not in Elyon's story for you...He will make your story beautiful in the end."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Nods. She then begins to crawl into bed again. As she gets under the covers she mumbles his name again. "Iladyn?"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 He listens, waiting, and standing up.
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 "I... I swam in the lake again today..." tones of fear and remorse in her voice.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn strokes her hair. "Thank you for telling me. There is nothing wrong in having fun, 'Niper, but we must know when and where to do it and we must always, always obey those over us...'tis Elyon's way. I will not punish you this time, but I will give you a chance to make it up to me...."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Nods solemnly.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "I think you are now old enough to start coming with me on the patrol. What do you say to that?"
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Eyes widen in surprise. "Patrol? Really?"
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Yes...but only if I can trust you to do exactly as I say. This will be training. You will get to travel and see more. It will be fun at times, but it also takes a lot of strength, stamina and discipline. If you can do well though, in a couple years, you will be ready for other adventures as well."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Slowly thinks about it... confusion on her face. "Why would you let me after how I disobeyed today..." Looks down for a second, feeling bad, then curiosity gets the better of her and she looks up at Iladyn.
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Elyon is full of grace. When we disobey Him, if we ask for forgiveness, he forgives us...though...not without a terrible price." He pauses . " am willing to let you come because I believe you have fire inside of you and it needs to be let out. You need more space to let it out and learn how to control it. What you did was wrong and if you do not obey me on patrol, then I will have to stop taking you with me. But it will make me happier to see you redeem yourself than to just punish you. Again.. I am giving you a second chance."
VioletofSherwood08/26/2019 Juniper: Thinks about it then nods, "Ok. I'll go with you on patrols. I will listen and I'll help."
CommandoChipmunk08/26/2019 Iladyn: "Thank you, Niper. I hope you learn quickly. Have a good sleep." Rubs hand down her face and silently blesses her with ancient Viridian blessing. Stands up and blows out light.
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