A minor commotion arose in the growing community of Velauhart early in the morning, well before daylight. Any minor issues or anomalies were usually resolved on their own or with the intervention of one of Alicia's close aides; namely Rufus, if the problem is a security concern, Ramiel, if it's anything related to livestock. Agriculture, apiaries and the forestry management was Dryssia’s responsibility, waterworks along with the newly founded aquaculture duties were Llynbel’s, and although a secret, the internal code of conduct and regulations - that is, in other word the law of the region - was drafted almost solely by Rosalia, the enforcement of them, however, so far has been mostly unneeded. Alfred was in charge of everything else, including administration and management. Alicia’s Araneae leaders, as they are highly independent, would need sufficient justification to take orders from pretty much anyone. Only ones who could exercise absolute authority over them was none other than Alicia and Alice themselves, barring one exception: Alpha. Whilst she was by no means exempt from Kindred’s power, as the one given the charge of leadership, Alfred had considerable sway over her ‘younger sisters’’ decisions.
The problem at hand, unfortunately, did not solely fall into any specific responsibility, which resulted in a spontaneous gathering of multiple representatives. Unable to reach consensus the problem was quickly elevated to Alpha, who brought it directly to Alicia in her room.
Though Alpha wore her usual passionless look on her face, the corners of her mouth had only slightly turned upwards. It was as if someone just told her a joke and she was trying her best not to lose it.
‘Well, it's not like I’m in a position to censure anyone for not recognizing if something is a nymph or not, let alone a dryad… As far as I know, I only know one dryad for sure and she basically looks like a normal person. ’
‘Satyr…? Wouldn’t wander alone… Maybe a Chyort…? Would make a lot more trouble if it were a Chyort… hm…’
‘Her? And fibers… like wood? Maybe she is a dryad…’
A concerning individual came up in that passage.
‘So it's extremely low voltages this time. I’ve seen her demonstration of a ‘low level voltage’ last time… More like a convulsive level. Wait a minute…’ Alicia tensed up in remembrance of unsavory memories related to Nikolai and Electricity.
Letting out a long sigh Alicia relaxed again. There would be no Electrical Explosions… yet.
With her report contents over and having received a go ahead with their current plan, Alfred made a quick bow and turned to the door. Since gaining a vaguely humanoid form, the Bride of Death has become infatuated with magical potions that could heal wounds and cure diseases in a single swig of mixtures of dubious origin. An antithesis to what she was, a venom monger that only dealt death. Trying to turn her lethal toxins into something else… something curative. Though at first she only created decoctions fit only as poison for the local oversized rodents she has since made great strides. Enough to move onto human trials. Though she was sceptical at first, Alicia has come to recognize her honest effort, but one thing remains a mystery, why did she come to have such deep fascination with, what is technically pharmacology. While Alicia was pondering such diversions she noticed Alpha who was just about to leave froze in her tracks. She turned her head to the side, as if intently listening to the whispering leaves of the trees outside.
Alicia was led just outside the storehouse for temporary stockpiling and sorting of the plantation’s produce before it was sent to the cold storage underneath the lodge. There she could already see Llynbel, Ramiel and November along with a few Elves stealing glances of the perpetrator from a far. Strangely Ramiel seemed to be keeping his distance from the new girl, Alicia had thought the contrary - that the goat would find the girl’s presence more appealing. It would be more of a surprise if they didn’t, she was completely different in appearance than anything they’ve seen so far in their life in this forest if at all. Naturally she stood out with her ligneous horns, cloven hooves whose fur-like fleece spanned the majority of her legs, thinning down and stopping about the thighs, about what she had expected from Alfred’s account.
But a few other significant features she had failed to mention struck out: her hair. Long fluffy hair with soft and loose curls that reached to her lower back; it looked woolen white with hints of pink that became exponentially more vivid as it neared the tips, and at the end becoming completely orange. In addition, her skin tone rosy beige1Wise Owl #cdbca6 seemed slightly off… almost… treen in appearance. From the simple clothes that she wore it was highly probable that November had to make them on the spot. Simple woolens over a chemise.
‘She’s a little shorter than I expected, and more modest in the chest department, compared to the other Dryad I know…’
As Alicia and Alfred approached the group took notice.
November's eyes were typically dull and black, but they had become a vibrant violet as she greeted her Mistress.
‘She’s not usually this excited… Wonder what happened to make her like that… If she’s happy it's either bad or really bad… I’ll have to ask what she set aflame this time, afterwards.’
With the conversation shifting to her the girl started fumblingly speaking, in a manner similar to lambkin unsure what to do. Her panic seemed to only multiply with the weighty gazes of Alfred and Tesla.
Very much so gladdened to be of service, Alfred would do much more for her even without the motivation, but she could also read in-between the lines, and understanding Alicia’s intentions, made her departure, dragging along Tesla with her, who whilst unwilling, complied with her leader's judgment.
‘Here I thought it was an actual security concern. Well better a false alarm than no alarm.’
Llynbel, unable to stand her blundering, spoke for her from the side.
‘So I was right… Ramiel should have a good compatibility with her…’ Alicia's gaze turned to the Ram, inquisitively. ‘So why is he trying to maintain distance with her?’
The goat sought to appear unconcerned under her probing scrutiny, but yielded eventually revealing his worries.
A wordless affirmation came as a reply.
Fidgeting a bit, still nervous.
‘Stone fruit tree? Must be a native tree, I don’t remember having any of them planted though…’
‘You’re not making it any clearer for me, Llynbel…’
“I believe they’re called Apricot trees around these parts.”
She nodded vigorously in answer.
>Processing Request.
‘Huh…?’
Excitedly she answered.
In her delight she started to sprint towards Ramiel - who started to run away, but too late did he realize her intent and his belated reaction meant that she caught onto him wrapping her arms around his neck. There was no escape now, only distraught bleating came from him as he was quite aggressively nuzzled against.
‘Ah… so he was the morning’s victim eh… Clingy…’
‘Bit childish… again… like a certain other Dryad.’
‘Speaking of which…’
From a distance riding on top of Rufus, Dryssia came with something… else in tow behind them.
‘What in the-’
It looked like a tree that had uprooted itself and started to walk.
‘Looks like it's going to be a long day…’
Auratic
I've noticed that I'm slower when committing to an idea. I try to develop it to its completion, get halfway through then don't know how and where it fit it in, forget about it and get frustrated. I feel like I've set myself an ever increasing standard that I myself cannot keep up with, creating a bout of indecisiveness that results in procrastination.
Anyway... I also missed the anniversary stuff so let's do a QnA, send me or any of the characters in the story questions. It will be answered in the next few chapters, unless its inappropriate question: (Like asking for my precise home address or social security number)