Below is what I wrote during day 6 of NaNoWriMo.
(Reminder, this is a WIP, there will be spelling and writing errors. | Join me for live writing streams on Twitch. | If you like what you see, consider supporting me on Ko-fi and/or Twitch so that I can continue making more content for you to enjoy. https://linktr.ee/GoldThornGuild)
"You flatter me," Jia said.
"Hardly."
"So what is your plan for today, Liwen?" Jia said in attempt to move the conversation away from herself.
"I was hoping to explore the forest a bit," Liwen answered.
"That's an excellent idea."
"Could you go with her?" Progenitor asked.
"I would love to. I just need to do a few things around here after breakfast but I should be ready to go in an hour or so."
"Wonderful. Perhaps I could show Liwen around the garden while we wait for you to be ready."
"That sounds lovely. The garden is nearing its peak bloom at the moment."
~~~
"Does Jia tend all these plants herself?" Liwen asked as they walked through the garden with the Progenitor after breakfast.
"She does. It's her 'hobby'. It would be better to call it her passion but she can be surprisingly shy and humble about the things she cares most about. She puts so much care and thought into each plant in her garden. The layout of the garden may look random but it is a complex, interconnected system that few would be able to figure out or maintain properly.
"Many of the plants are also ones that she cultivated herself using plant-magic. These miniature yellow roses for example. They stared from the seeds of an ordinary red rose bush but as the seedlings grew Jia modified their structure until the result was this plant that looks completely different than the original."
"That's incredible. Jia has the power to create new plants and yet she treats it like it is nothing."
"I'm not creating new plants," Jia said as she walked up to them, "I'm simply changing the form of plants slightly. Creation is Progenitor's power not mine."
"You're not wrong," Progenitor said, "But you also don't give yourself enough credit. You are using the materials that are available to everyone, but few people would be able to use those materials the way that you do."
"I suppose," Jia smiled shyly, "So, Liwen, are you ready to go see the forest?"
"Yes!"
"You two have fun," Progenitor said, "I am going to stay here and check in with Aston."
"Oh, you aren't coming?" Jia asked.
"No, not this time. I know that Liwen will be well taken care of with you."
"I will do my best."
"I know you will. I'll see you two later."
"Ready to go?" Jia asked once the Progenitor had left them to return to the house.
"I am," Liwen answered.
"Let us depart then."
Jia led the way out through the garden's side gate and onto a well worn path. Though the path was unpaved, it was clear that it was often used and well maintained.
"The buildings on the left are the farm storehouses," Jia explained as they walked, "Just past them are the fields. If you ever need Lilian during the day, that's normally where you can find her. On the right is the pond. It's nothing too special, ornamental more than anything, but it is nice. It's not uncommon to see people relaxing or seeking inspiration around it. It does attract fireflies during the summer which makes it even more magical. It sometimes freezes in winter; not enough to skate on but the way the ice and frost sparkle in the sun makes up for it."
"I can't wait to see it in all its seasonal forms. Do people visit the forest often? This path seems well traveled."
"Yes. The forest is a beautiful place, so people often go in to enjoy it. There are also bountiful resources to be gathered there, though people going into the forest for that purpose generally use the main road on the other side of the village. This path is for foot-traffic only, so unless you are only gathering what you can carry the road with the space for a cart is the better option."
"I see."
A few minutes later found them at the edge of the treeline. Liwen paused and looked up at the tall evergreen trees, some of which were even taller than the main house.
"Beautiful, aren't they," Jia said.
"They are so tall," Liwen answered as they continued to stare up.
"I suppose they are," Jia laughed, "I've been around them for so long now that I stopped noticing how tall they are. Now I am even more excited to explore the forest with you. It will be nice to see things with fresh eyes again."
Liwen finally pulled their eyes away from the trees and followed Jia into the forest. The path continued to stretch on before them for a while. A few trees had been cleared to make space for the path, so there was a strip of clear sky above them as they followed the path deeper in to the trees.
Liwen walked in silent wonder; their eyes wide and darting around trying to drink everything in. After a couple minutes, they reached a clearing at the end of the path. At the center of the clearing was a tree that stood out from all the others surrounding it. It wasn't as tall as the other trees but it made up for its hight in breadth. The trunk was as wide as at least three normal trees and the tangled roots spread out even farther around the trunk.
Most of the trees in the forest were evergreens; their branches covered in dark green needles. This tree was different, its branches were covered in light green leaves that seemed to shimmer in the soft light that trickled into the clearing. The bark of the tree was also different. Instead of the dark, rough bark of the evergreens, it had smooth, silvery bark. Its branches reached out over the clearing, forming a leafy canopy.
The tree stood at the edge of a small spring. Little rivulets of water ran from the spring and disappeared among the other trees and underbrush. The water was crystal clear and rippled near the base of the tree.
"This is a life tree," Jia explained, "They grow over fresh water springs and nowhere else. They don't grow or die like most plants and are indestructible. It isn't even possible to pluck a single leaf from their branches. In many ways they aren't plants at all, rather eternal beacons leading to sources of water. Their leaves never fall, they simply change colors from one season to the next. Though not technically plants, they are the most beautiful trees in the forest."
"It's amazing," Liwen said with stars in their eyes as they walked towards the life tree, "Can... I touch it? Or is it off limits?"
"You may touch it. Progenitor doesn't deny us access to their creations."
Liwen walked up to the tree and tentatively placed their hand on its trunk.
"It's vibrating," Liwen said.
"Not technically, but sort of," Jia said as she also walked up and placed her hand on the trunk, "The tree isn't actually moving. What you are feeling is elemental energy in the tree. Life trees aren't only a marker of a source of water but are a source of elemental energy as well. Mostly plant energy to sustain the other plants in the forest but there is some of many types of energy present too. The vibration you are feeling is caused by the flow of those energies."
"I don't quite understand," Liwen admitted, "But it sounds incredible."
"You'll learn more about elemental energy and magic soon enough. For now just enjoy the forest."
Liwen somewhat reluctantly turned away from the life tree and began examining the other plants around them.
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