User:Arrow Quivershaft/Selene's Grove
 | 3P story universe |
{{#ifeq: User |User| Selene's Grove | Arrow Quivershaft/Selene's Grove}}[[Title::{{#ifeq: User |User| Selene's Grove | Arrow Quivershaft/Selene's Grove}}| ]]
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Author: [[User:{{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | {{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | }}}}|{{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | {{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | }}}}]] [[Author::{{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | {{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | }}}}| ]]
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Author: [[User:{{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | {{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | }}}}|{{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | }}]] [[Author::{{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | }}| ]]
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Authors: [[User:{{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | {{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | }}}}|{{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | {{#ifeq: User |User| Arrow Quivershaft | }}}}]]
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The next morning we set out early. It was a quick movement, and we encountered a few groups going the other direction. Pleasantries were exchanged, but nothing much occurred. Once the sun came up and the thermals started, stormwings were visible on the horizon, but they left us in peace. It seems that the bribe was good, after all.
I had to keep an eye on Blossom and made sure she stayed hydrated, since she had all that fur and it was warm. Alex was walking along and enjoying, and then we came over the rim of a small mountain, and there was Selene’s grove.
The whole thing is a forest, and it’s very distinctive, because it has excellent maintenance from its wardens. Everything looked vibrant and healthy. As we descended into the valley, we could see the entire boundaries, set against a backdrop of rougher terrain. The entire thing couldn’t be more than fifty square miles in total, I guessed. Blossom took a moment to admire the sight as we approached, but kept up, nodding slightly. Seems she approved.
"Looks nice." Alex commented.
"Selene has interests in keeping it well maintained." I mentioned.
"Then we should be careful not to disturb anything." Blossom stated.
"That would leave a bad impression, yes." And decrease whatever chance they had even further, I thought to myself.
"Roger." Alex said. He and Blossom nodded and followed me as I took the lead. I placed my weapons in storage and advised the others to do the same.
The main path continued into the forest, overgrown a bit, but clearly marked. In keeping with Selene’s “peace and love” philosophy, there was a lot of hippie-related things approaching the entrance. Painted peace signs, bandanas tied to a sign post. One rock face we passed had a big VW emblem spiked into it. Blossom growled slightly at that, but I shushed her, explaining this was accepted here.
Once we got under the canopy, it was like a Disney movie. The wildlife was present, abundant, and perfectly willing to approach an individual. Heck, if you could call it that, the animals were even friendly. Selene’s not a god with wide influence, but her presence is hard to ignore.
"I wonder if marijuana is grown here..." Alex mused after a while.
"What plant is that? I haven’t heard of it.” Blossom inquired.
"It's a recreational drug." I stated.
"The dude said it." Alex nodded.
"Recreational?" Blossom seemed confused.
"You use it for fun." Alex said.
“Fun...what do you do with it?" she pressed the issue.
"You smoke it and it makes you relax." I stated.
"The world becomes a better place.” Alex nodded.
“Why would you smoke a plant?" Blossom seemed confused.
"Well, when you smoke it this stuff in it goes into your blood and it makes you relax,” ALex explained, slightly exasperated.
"I’d rather drink tea." Blossom said, turning up her nose a bit.
"Tea is better for you, yes." I stated, closing off the conversation.
We passed a few hippie camps on each side, pretty stereotypical things. Guitars, music, weed, long hair. There was a circle of people talking off to the side; only about half of them were human. They noticed us and waved enthusiastically, greeting us in a variety of languages, which we returned in English.
We kept walking on. It was about a third of a mile later when the trail broadened and split, with a huge stone structure, like an artful combination of an Aztec pyramid and Stonehenge. It was overgrown, but in a specific way that told you it was carefully maintained. Around and nearby were several statues or large-scale wood carvings which served the same purpose.
Blossom looked at it with admiration. “Its pretty.”
"Well, this is where you were looking to go. You people ready?" I said.
"As ready as I ever will be,” Alex sighed.
"Yes, I’m ready.." Blossom nodded, and bowed and offered a small prayer to a nearby statue
"Do you wish me to accompany you inside, or would you rather go alone?" I asked.
"I would like to go alone.." Blossom said.
"Then I shall wait." I nodded. Selene isn’t into the forcemark business so I knew she’d be fine in here. Violence in Selene’s grove is...frowned upon. There’s a reason hippies like it.
"I'll also wait outside then?" Alex asked.
"Well...you can come if you want Alex." Blossom said uncertainly.
"But is that a good idea? I'm not a follower of Selene."
"Just go ahead." Dawn spoke, finally breaking her silence of the trip.
"I don't know, I’m sure it would be okay... but if you want to stay here it may be best?" Blossom said.
"Nate and I will watch things out here." Dawn stated. I nodded in agreement.
Alex nodded. "Okay, I'm coming along."
"Alright." Blossom took a deep breath "Shall we go, then?"
Alex nodded, and followed Blossom as they headed up the steps of the pyramid as I watched from a distance. I kept a focus on this to see what’d happen.
There were three dryads standing at the entrance, chatting amongst each other. Blossom walked towards them, and greeted them with a warm “Hello.” Alex just stood by near her, looking like a bodyguard.
The dryads fell into line and bowed, the middle one speaking. “Welcome, travellers, to Selene's domain. The land is open to your use, so long as you show it peace and respect."
Blossom nodded. "Thank you. I promise we shall give it the respect it rightly deserves."
"Thank you." Alex echoed Blossom.
Blossom got straight to the point. "Can I ask to see Selene?"
The left dryad spoke. "See her? Oh, Elysium no, dear. Concerns are handled through the attendants of the grove."
"Then could I speak with the attendants...unless you are the attendants?" Blossom asked. She was decent at being polite when she wanted to, it seems.
"Today that is us,” the left dryad spoke with a giggle.
"Is there somewhere..we could talk in private?" Blossom said as she pulled back her hood.
The center dryad nodded. "There most certainly is." She offered her hand to Blossom.
Blossom took her hand, and the dryad started to lead her around the structure and out of my vision.
Alex stood there awkwardly, waiting. He looked back to me. I met his gaze and shrugged. He nodded and tapped his foot, looking down.
The right side dryad spoke again. "You've come all this way to accompany your friend?"
Alex looked at her. "Yeah, kinda."
She nodded. "That is very sweet of you. Perhaps you might learn from your visit and enjoy our glade."
Alex nodded. "Yeah, it's very nice here."
"The springs are down this path here, as is the orchard. They are a good place to start."
Alex nodded again. "If you don't mind I think I'll have a peek then."
"By all means. Enjoy yourself, and carry no anger."
“Thanks for the tip." Alex said. He turned and headed off, glancing at us with a nod.
I took a seat on a nearby rock and looked at Dawn. We both shared a glance, and then started making some small talk.