[KQ] taste the sun-sweet berries

MATHAIR

The light fades, and the Mathair herself steps forward. No longer just a twisted tree, she takes on a form both human and otherworldly - a manifestation of her true self. She is small in stature but exudes an undeniable power. Her skin is dark, her eyes wild and untamed, her hair a mass of thick, twisting locks like the roots of an ancient tree. Her dress is made of tattered leaves and bark, barely holding together, but she stands with a regal grace that makes her appear larger than life.

Her eyes scan the group, filled with something far older than anger - something dangerous and unpredictable. Though the void is gone, the Mathair is still a force of nature, still fierce and unbound. Her gaze lingers on Flora, a flicker of recognition passing through her wild eyes before her lips curve into something like a smile - not kind, not gentle, but something primal and ancient.

The forest seems to come alive around her, the trees swaying gently, the air thick with magic. The Mathair, cleansed but still dangerous, steps forward, her presence commanding, her eyes locked onto the intruders who dared to face her. The Greatwood is hers once more, and she will not be tamed.

Surveying those around her, her eyes narrowing as her arms fold over her chest. Her voice, low and dangerous, cuts through the silence. "And what now? Do you expect a reward for freeing me?"

Sah

Sah watched his lightning crash into the tree alongside Noah's stag. Over the crash of lightning and fire, he couldn't hear Flora's words but he could see her mouth moving. And then Rae appeared and the air left Sah's lungs. He had never seen the twin gods of nature before and their presence was as overwhelming as Mort's had been. In a completely different way, but their power was obvious even before they planted what could only be one of their lilies and the void was banished by their hands. Flora was freed and surely, they were safe.

Before the Wild Thunder could relax, however, the Mathair changed. His eyes widened as he took the seasonal deity in. Taking in her stance, there was only one way that he could possibly respond.

Sah inclined his head respectfully, "No reward apart from the ability to leave your domain safely now that the void has been purged." He wanted to ask if the goddess needed or wanted anything else from them, but he didn't know Mathair well enough to guess how such a question would be received. It stayed his tongue, and he hoped that one of the others would be able to pose the question properly.


~
Sah denies any desire for a reward apart from being able to leave safely.

Regional Score bonus: +9 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +9 should be included)

Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Mastered
Starmour | Beautiful lightweight armour that glistens faintly with starlight. This item blocks physical damage at the wearer's Mastered level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.

Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
Lucky Star Earring: A studded star earring that grants the wearer +2 luck when worn. (Made by Sah)

I think therefore I am,
But what if all I do is bleed?

Noah

That's the price you pay
Leave behind your heart and cast away

His strike was true, and Noah readied himself for another clash, aware that the protection gifted by Safrin was slipping away. But then, Flora’s prayer rang out, and in its wake, the twin gods of nature materialized within their realm. Noah froze. Had his jaw not been clenched with resolve, it would have fallen open. For the first time, he beheld Rae, and was rendered awestruck by their presence. From them blossomed the white lily—a vision of fragile and graceful in the oppressive shadow of the Void!Mathair.

Breath caught in his throat, Noah waited. The lily carried out its divine purpose, purifying and reviving what had been promised to death by the void’s grasp. It was an awe-inspiring sight, one he could scarcely believe was unfolding before his eyes. Were it another’s story, he would have been enraptured. Yet it was his, he was seeing this before his very eyes. He was still enraptured.

Though no snow-white angel descended with folded hands and eyes full of compassion, this was the Mathair's true form—freed at last from the void. The hunter let his breath out, his chest heavy with relief. “We seek only to rid this world of the void’s corruption,” he declared, letting his hands fall open in a gesture of peace, a silent vow to abstain from further violence if it could be avoided. “If there is anything more we can do for the Greatwood, for you, or for the fae—we are here.”

And he prayed, fervently to Vi, hoping it would suffice and she would not turn her wrath upon them.

--

Noah offers to further help the Mathair, the GW, or the fae.

Regional Score bonus: +9 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +9 should be included)

Just another product of today
Rather be the hunter than the prey

Table base by Skylark

you look like my next mistake

Feeling the touch of someone behind her and automatically assuming it was Tal—Sah probably wouldn't dare touch her and Noah, she'd decided that day in the fountain, was a prude (as opposed to respectful)—leaving only the courier. Feeling a warm rush of energy sink into her skin thanks to his ring, the Doubletake was able to shakily get to her feet, staggering back a few steps to let Rae intercede on their behalf.

Having no doubt of the twins' power but not thinking that they'd actually help the way that they did, before Flora could think of anything to say, they were gone and brilliant light was flooding out of the Mathair in the sort of sunlight ribbons that she remembered as a child. Unlike the others, possibly, Flora did know about the Mathair. Knew how Deimos, Ronin, and her dad had brought her back from the Feverlands and placed her back within her tree. Knew the stories of how fickle and vicious she could be, but how tricksy too. How powerful.

Glancing at Sah and Noah who predictably declined the goddess's offer, the Doubletake wasn't so quick to simply turn down a gift. Even if it was a trap.

Reaching into her pocket, Flora thumbed her compass, ready to dart away should things go poorly before stepping forward, a wry smile on her lips. "Bet that feels better, huh?" No longer being void-bound? Meeting the Mathair's soil-dark eyes, the queen thinks of all the things the tree could offer. She'd given her dads an item that could bring down almost any foe, and if she was capable of that as a gesture of thanks, what else could she do? The way young minds in love are want to do, Flora's flit to Jack, and instantly an idea took root.

"Not a reward, but a favour maybe." She suggests. "There's a series of pathways deep in the mountains in Halo where mageglass can be found, only...it's blocked. Maybe you could speak to the Eirachi about opening a new one or...I mean, if you know the way through, you could just tell me." Grinning, Flora shrugs. "Y'know, whatever's easier."

---

Flora asks for a new path forward in the Mageglass mines in Halo OR the answer to the current riddle.

Regional Score bonus: +11 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +11 should be included)

Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Lucky you | A ring that when worn grants +3 luck. Must be included in all PQ/PQ+/KQ/DROP posts to be counted

The Void corruption didn't leave the goddess willingly or easily, but leave it finally did, purified from within. Before Tal could heave a sigh of relief the tree shifted again, and he got his first sight of the Mathair's conversational form. She was intimidating as fuck, and all of his instincts were telling him to run--

But there was nowhere to run that she couldn't catch him, this deep into the Greatwood's heart.

He swallowed hard, mouth dry and heart pounding, and was relieved when the others went first. Sah had the same idea he had - don't piss off the lady and gtfo - and Noah was as selfless and brave as ever with his potentially dangerous offer of assistance. But it was Flora, bold and unapologetic, who stepped up with a suggestion that had Tal drawing in a sharp breath of surprise and admiration. Both at her courage and her temerity - and her coolness under pressure.

Which left... just him, he realized belatedly, as he looked at the Mathair and cleared his throat self-consciously. He tried to take a cue from Flora's book and straightened his spine a little. "Uh, well... I mean th'whole point was t'get rid o'th'Void infectin' your whole... you," he gestured vaguely at the woods around them, sweating. "So we already got our reward. But, uh... if it's okay with you... could we have your blessin' t'look for some o' Vi's Roses, please?"

---

Type: Grey | Style: Defensive | Level: Mastered
Rockhide Vest | An armoured vest flecked in black and white and lined with cool, fur-like material. This item blocks physical damage. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.

Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Lucky you | A wishbone earring blessed by Mort, that when worn grants +5 luck. Must be included in all PQ/PQ+/KQ/DROP posts to be counted.

MATHAIR

The Mathair's eyes glinted with something almost like amusement as Sah spoke, his words cautious, polite.  The Mathair let the corners of her lips quirk upwards, her gaze settling on him, predatory and unblinking. She said nothing, only stared, as if weighing his worth in the depths of her ancient eyes, watching with satisfaction as his discomfort grew.

Noah was much the same.

"How noble," she murmured, her voice dripping with something that might have been mockery, her eyes glinting with a dark amusement. She took a step closer, her gaze never leaving Noah 's, her presence overwhelming. The forest seemed to lean in with her, branches creaking and leaves rustling, as if the entire Greatwood was part of her body, her power. "Be careful what you offer, Forsaken. The Greatwood may call on you yet."

But then there was Flora. The Mathair's gaze softened, just slightly, as she looked upon the young woman who had called down Rae, who had spoken to the heavens and brought forth a god. Flora did not shy away, did not stammer or tremble.

The Mathair's brow arched, and for a moment, silence hung in the air. The Eirachi - the frozen goddess of Halo, the one she had not spoken to for centuries. It was a bold request, but the Mathair respected boldness. She nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on Flora, something unreadable in her expression. "Very well," she said, her voice a low murmur, like the wind rustling through the leaves. "For you, I will speak with her. But know this, child - the Eirachi is not one to be easily swayed."

Then there was Talyson. His request was different, simpler.  The Mathair studied him, her eyes narrowing once more, a dark smile curling her lips. She stepped closer to him, her presence looming, the shadows of the forest seeming to deepen around them. "The Greatwood is not kind to strangers. It never has been," she said, her voice almost a whisper, her eyes locking onto his. "It is ancient, it is wild, and it does not suffer fools. But..." She paused, her gaze raking over him, assessing. "So long as you respect it...you may indeed stay as long as you like."

---

This concludes the KQ!!

You can each post a final time if you want. The thread will be closed in 48 hrs.

you look like my next mistake

Having not quite realized that she was holding her breath, it was only as she relaxed her fingers away from the button in the centre of her compass that Flora allowed herself to breathe. "I believe in you." The Doubletake purrs in response; boldness had gotten her this far with the tree, and she could only hope that she read the goddess's reaction correctly.

Taking a few steps back, the queen raises her hand, her two thrown daggers returning to her splayed fingers. Wondering if it was actually a blessing that she'd missed both times—perhaps that had been one of the reasons the Mathair had been inclined to grant her request—Flora shoves them back into her pouch before glancing at the group with an expression of nervous joy. "Well...I'm...y'know, gonna go home and heal." Once again she wasn't as badly beaten as Noah was, but even so, Flora really wasn't the be tough about pain type.

Waggling her fingers toward Sah and Noah, the Doubletake offers Tal a slightly more genuine smile than he was probably used to. He had healed her, so she figured she owed him that much at least.

---

Flora out!

Noah

That's the price you pay
Leave behind your heart and cast away

Noah was used to the tone that the Mathair took, whether he was able to register and recognize it for what it was. Always willing to sacrifice, to bend, to do what was good and right was not always met with the same feelings from others that drove it within himself.

He was okay with that.

It was why Vi had chosen him, right?

Thankfully, despite the tone and response, the Mathair did not choose any violence against them. Noah lowered his head in respect and thankfulness, voicing that to the seasonal deity with sincerity. He turned as Flora backed away and took her leave, giving her a smile in response to her wave. He looked then to Talyson, and Sah, and said, "I need Cordelia and the twins to know I am safe, but I am willing to come back to search deeper for the roses." Each of them knew where to find him.

Thumbing his own compass in his pocket, Noah transported to the Citadel.

--

Noah out!

Just another product of today
Rather be the hunter than the prey

Table base by Skylark

A year ago Tal would have cringed beneath the Mathair's primal regard, but he was stronger now, or at least more confident in his strength.

And besides, with Sah and Noah and Flora watching, his pride managed to keep his spine more or less straight, even if he did swallow hard at the goddess's terrifyingly undivided attention. He was half expecting a root through the chest from behind for his temerity at asking her blessing, and no one was more surprised than the Messenger when she instead gave her permission for his continued presence in her woods.

"Thanks, miss--uh, lady Mathair," he managed, somehow not sagging until she turned away from him. He managed a shaky smile for Flora and a small wave of understanding at Noah before looking to Sah with a brow raised in challenge that was mostly bravado. "Well? Are y'gonna help me look for a Rose?" he dared his frenemy, gesturing further into the Wood.

Still dark and deep, but no longer quite so... purple.

~Tal out!

Sah

Sah took a deep breath as Mathair chose to spare them from any repercussions of attacking her. Somehow, all of his attacks had landed, and he sent a quick prayer up to Safrin as gratitude for his luck today. It certainly would have run out eventually, but Rae's intervention had prevented that.

Nodding at the goddess he continued to keep his tone respectful, "Thank you for giving us permission to look." It was a relief on two fronts. The search for roses could begin, and he could finally run through the Greatwood again.

Flora's boldness wasn't a surprise, but it still had the hybrid lifting a brow. As she left she nodded in turn, li[ps twitching at her gesture. Noah was soon to follow, and the Wild Thunder gave his shoulder a quick squeeze before the Demi-god activated his compass. "I'll see you soon."

With the others gone, he turned to Tal with a smirk, "You know it. Let's head to the Wildwood."

~
Sah out!

-[FIN]

I think therefore I am,
But what if all I do is bleed?