thearena | There is unrest in the forest [Open]

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There is unrest in the forest [Open]

Who| Groot & Anyone!
What| The alien tree is exploring and learning how this game works.
Where| Mostly the first floor, but he can be found exploring the upper floors.
When| Late Week 1 through most of Week 2
Warnings/Notes| Groot is very limited in his verbal communication, he can only say “I am Groot” and the rest of his communication is through verbal infliction, expression, and gestures, so it's very much like playing with a character who's mute. If you feel your character would understand this giant (like Rocket does), feel free to contact me and we can talk about it.

[A. Pretty Much Anywhere]

It's not so much as the shops here are useless, but that they're useless to him. He sees a number of things Rocket could make use of, to twist into weapons and tools, that was what his friend excelled in. But when Groot looks at them, he sees nothing of use to him. Just objects.

He just strolls around, trying to piece together exactly what this situation is, if this is a prison or something worse. Most often he wanders in the earliest part of the day, when the stores first open, though he can be found at other times too - checking for anything new, for anyone of interest. His friends especially. Rocket must be here, he saw a stuffed toy that looked just like him, though it could be that creature Quill mentioned too. He couldn't tell you one way or another honestly, but he much rather have Rocket here than not.

[B. Food Court]

Never let it be said that Groot doesn't catch on to things. He fully aware he's kind of hard to miss, but with how much people are hiding and keeping to themselves, he's realized that might not be a good thing. In some penitentiaries, being obvious, large, and threatening was to your benefit, but in others that can get you the wrong kind attention. This place is the latter.

No one seems in any rush to kill each other, but everyone is afraid of those who would readily take the chance. Makes the threat in the air tangible.

So, he does his best to actually lay low. Not an easy task. At least with all the blood in the ice room, no one really goes there.

The food court is only now opening and Groot is there waiting, ready to grab food and move on before too many arrive.

[C. Out in the Open Somewhere]

He learned very quickly that his body doesn't function the same as it used to, that some things are now out of his control. The little Terran he met told him they take away powers, but he's not sure why a natural function has been taken away or altered. What was he going to do? Kill people with flowers?

It's exceedingly annoying when these functions of his happen outside his command.

Like right now, he's standing still in the middle of the hall, the night is falling and the whole area is lit up with tiny floating spores of light. Harmless, but they glow like starlight and fire. And every time he moves, more come out from all over, but if he's still, nothing happens.

So, he's chosen to stand still for the moment, watching the lights of his accidental creation. Many could easily mistake him for an actual tree.

[D. Locker Room or Close By: post scavenger hunt]

The locker with his name on it was curious enough. When he first found it, there was a roll of Aluminum inside, the next day a kit to start fires, so he continues to go back and see what else might appear. So far, he hasn't found it empty. Nothing has been useful yet, but perhaps Rocket or another will find use for them.

Yesterday it was just a list, but the hunt was interesting and he was able to find everything on it. The note of congratulations he finds the today tells him the engraved saber and bottle of alcohol are his prize for it.

He inspects both curiously. What use does he have for either?

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Unlike some giant, tree things, Dave is so very in his element right now. Cruising malls had been a regular pastime for him when he was younger and the multitude of stores just makes access to supplies all the easier. Even better than that is the fact that there's absolutely nobody to stop him from speeding around the mall on his skateboard as he crosses from one destination to another.

From a distance, the lights are pretty mesmerizing, but they also make him wary. Wary enough to get off his board and kick it up so he can carry it closer. It works pretty well as a shield and he's pretty eager to smack someone in the face with it.

Curiosity gets the better of him and he approaches the tree with stealth, not recognising it as sentient just yet. He's reaching out slowly to bop one of them in midair, chuckling to himself as it does absolutely nothing. "If I had a jar, you'd make some sweet loot. I have a friend who would be all up on this shit." He mutters to himself, glancing up at the tree idly and balking as the fact that it has a face becomes apparent to him. He brings up his board warily, wondering if he just boobied right into a trap. "Jesus- they got you dressed to the nines, huh?" He asks, hoping it's a fellow tribute and not an aggressive one.

Nico hasn't slept well in a couple of years, but since Tartarus it's been worse. He tosses and turns, his mind won't stop working, and when he finally manages to drift off he feels the pit air soaking back into his lungs, slowly, slowly killing him, and Tartarus himself laughing in his ear. He doesn't stay asleep for very long.

Instead he gets up and wanders the mall, looking again for another way out with little hope. Maybe tomorrow he should try breaking into the employees only area, or see if he can get up to a window.

He's passing through the hall when he notices a tree that wasn't there a few hours ago, and he stops to stare. If he peers through the gloom - and he's gotten used to making his eyes work in the dark, even without being able to make the shadows shift for him - he thinks he can make out a face, and an intelligent one.

"Hello?"

Big, small. They all present their own problems, each can make you an attractive target to others.

One of the smallest tributes has had the same line of thinking as Groot. As soon as the comic book store shutters rolled up this morning Clementine had left, slid her way down the escalator bannister to the ground floor and found a hiding spot near the food court.

The hiding spot consists of the place between a potted plant and a trashcan right at the entrance, a little smelly but no worse than the stink Walkers carried with them. She waits for the doors to open, bracing herself to run in, grab as much food as she can carry in a bag and then return to the comic book store quickly.

What Clementine doesn't expect is to almost run into a walking tree whose long stride carries it forward into her path by the time it's taken three strides.

"Ahh!" she yelps, sliding across the smooth floor in a furious attempt to backpedal.

When Chibi-Usa opens her locker she finds 8 grenades. She knows she got them as a prize in her scavenger hunt, and really she knows if she leaves them there not on could someone else get at them and use them, Mindy would probably get annoyed at her for not taking them.

So in addition to having her cricket bat, she scoops the grenades up and with her arms full she starts to scamper back to the others, and hopefully back to the comic shop, because she would really rather not carry this many of them around.

When she rounds a locker bay she see's the giant tree, her eyes widen in surprise as she trots to a stop. Chibi-Usa can honestly say she's never seen anything like him before, the shock and awe has her so captive her arms loosen enough for her to drop her grenades.

Now that she notices. She cries out as they start to hit the floor then she scrambles after them to pick them up, but as she has a few in her hands she freezes when she remembers she's actually in an arena that's all about killing each other, and she's just made herself an obvious target.

They'd tried retiring early, but while Albert slept soundly, Jet couldn't catch a wink. He'd always been a ridiculously light sleeper and every small noise and every loud thought was making it impossible to keep his eyes shut.

So he'd decided on a quick walk. He laid out a couple traps to keep his fiance safe alone and made sure their little spot wasn't very noticeable to any passerbys--more likely now that it was getting darker--before heading out. He didn't have a destination in mind, he just needed a walk, a chance to stretch his legs and pretend for five seconds he was just walking around a mall instead of an arena. Besides, he was well equipped this time, he hardly felt there was a threat.

But a threat would have been more expected than a giant tree on the lower levels that seemed to be surrounded by little floating lights. Jet hesitated, unsure of the safety of approaching something he was certain hadn't been there before, but ultimately stepped closer--nearly right next to the tree--and into the field of little lights.

His shining eyes, the little smile settling on his face, the way he relaxed as he looked up in childlike awe all exuded his innocent amazement at the sight. The thought that maybe the tree wasn't safe completely fled his mind; surely something so wonderful and beautiful couldn't be dangerous.

"Wow..."

Groot wasn't the only one who had figured out the usefulness of the lockers. Belle herself had found a sleeping bag, a bottle of hand sanitizer and then a rod that had a lamp on the other end of it (something she believed to be called a flashlight.) Very useful items.

After the scavenger hunt, she returns to the locker that has her name on it to see whether her efforts were rewarded by the Sponsors with other helpful items. However, when she opens her locker she finds a strange black object that's so big that it barely fits the cramped space inside the locker. Without recognizing the item, she takes it out and is first surprised by the weight of it. There certainly was something very familiar in it.

Only after she notices the barrel she realizes that what she's currently holding on her arms is a gun. A real gun. Her stomach dropped.

Just when she's about to put the gun back to the locker, she hears heavy steps coming from the reverse side of her locker. Hesitantly, she moves towards the sound, absent-mindedly pointing the gun forward.

"..Hello? Is anyone there?"

Edited 2014-08-28 23:09 (UTC)

It's beautiful.

Aang wanders into the cloud of spores, eyes wide with wonder. He's not yet familiar with arenas, with the Capitol's tricks, so he doesn't bother checking to make sure they're safe. Luckily, they don't burn his skin like candle wax.

He just stares, raising one hand to catch the glowing spores. They fall, brushing his fingers, gathering in his palm, until he blows them gently back into the air.

And then he smiles. He laughs. He bounces on the balls of his feet and spins through the fluffy spores, making them twirl and float and bob in the air, and he can't stop smiling and laughing because it's beautiful.

He notices the tree. He's never seen the tree before, but he doesn't think that it might be dangerous. He's never heard of a people who could grow a tree at will save for spirits. So, to get a better view, he approaches the tree, grasping his nimble fingers on the trunk and beginning to climb, surprisingly light for a human.

It takes a second to realize Terran isn't talking to Groot, but to himself at first - the only reason he realizes this is because of how he reacts when he looks up. Perhaps the creature thought he was a stationary tree, which he was was a common mistaken for a nonsentient life form. Were that the case - mistaken for a tree while attracting creatures with shiny lights - then this would be an excellent trap. Were Groot someone for that.

He's not really the best with subtly outside of language.

Groot looks down at himself, the action causing a small fluff of spores to puff from his shoulders. He pauses in his movements for a second, eyes narrowing in annoyance, but with an irritated huff, he looks at his get up and then at the Terran. His annoyance isn't directed at the smaller creature.

"Hmm," he gives a short, stilted nod, adding a few more lights to the mix. This costume and these circumstances were testing his patience.

Groot watches the creature carefully from his position, the lights have all dimmed and gone out, but his movements still causes them to spawn, so he keeps still. Just watches and waits to see how this little one reacts.

There's something about the creature that reminds him of Quill, maybe in that slight off quality, but he does admit, he has very little experience with Terrans.

The tentative greeting, the hesitancy of what he is and how dangerous he could be, it makes Groot feel more at easy in the other's presence. He still doesn't see a lot of reason to attack and kill the creatures he's met here - too many are innocent, too many with no reason to be incarcerated. All it's doing it making him question their captors more.

"Hrmmm," it's a kind sound, a greeting in one way, confirmation in another. He moves his arm up in an arch, spores spilling from the cracks of his body and relighting the area again. The spores catching on the ventilated air's gentle current, floating up and around, soft and gentle.

It's an easy mistake to make, Groot. Often Dave finds himself trapped in conversations with himself, if he hadn't noticed the face he might have gone on and on for some time. Interrupting himself is for the best, actually, because standing in the middle of an Arena at night while muttering to yourself is conducive to fuck all.

A brow quirks at the puff of spores and Dave pulls a face that's a mix between confused and impressed. It isn't hard to tell that the irritation isn't aimed at him, but he's still wary when he steps closer.

"That's what I thought. I was kind of hoping you'd say 'to the vines' though, we could have built some really good rapport there." He's taking the small noise as an indication that he can speak, why else would he have a mouth? "You should have seen what they stuck me in when I got here. It was tight as hell and sequined up like a shitty disco ball." He splays his hands over his chest as if to demonstrate this. "Took me like three days to change out of it, and that was mostly because I was covered in blood by that point." He adds that like it's perfectly normal. "I dunno if we have any x-x-x-x-x-x-l shirts for you here. I mean, you could try the sports store. Have you seen hockey players? They're huge. Not that you're fat, I mean, but you're kind of broad. Also a tree, but I think you probably knew that part. If not, I've got news for you." He nods to indicate that he's finished his sentence before he gestures up at the lights. "This is impressive, I wish I could do this."

Edited 2014-08-30 06:16 (UTC)

The tiny creature is as much a surprise to Groot as he seems to be to her. He's not yet sure if the creature is running out to attack him or meaning to go for food, but Groot doesn't react as if he thinks the former. Instead, taking a step back so she doesn't slide into him, while also holding out a hand for her to grab to catch her balance.

The surprised expression settles into one of curious concern, hoping to have not frightened her too badly, yet wondering about her eyes at the same time. She's most definitely Terran, a sapling at that, but her eyes are so unusual, more Xanderian in their golden hue.

Something to think on later, for now he merely wants to make sure she doesn't fall.

Rocket has spent most of time perusing the stores for anything useful. He'd spend hours hopping from one useless Terran shop to another, looking for items and parts to build the weaponry he needed to properly eliminate the competition here. Primitive humie weapons and traps simply weren't going to cut it for him.

It was while he was in some kind of electronics store that looked like it had different versions of Quill's music player thing (or something). He'd just tossed another item that he'd deemed useless over his shoulder and looked up, only to find a familiar tree-shape strolling down the hall. For a moment he was just stunned; before he'd found himself here, Groot was still in a pot growing back to full size. The Groot he just saw was a huge, lumbering, larger than life sort of Groot.

Within moments, Rocket was scrambling to reach him. "Groot!! GROOT!"

It wasn't what Clementine was expecting.

First of all not to run into the creature, and secondly for it to offer her a hand so she didn't fall on the hard floor. Her hands go in front of her instinctively when her balance starts to teeter forwards and grab onto something that feels like a tree branch. Startled by this turn of events she looks cautiously upwards, thin chest drawing in deep breaths.

She'd thought it was something the Capitol made, one of their mutts at first glance but now she's not so sure. If it was a muttation Clementine was pretty sure she'd be dead by now.

"... thank you."

Groot pauses when the tiniest creature he's met here rounds the bay, her arms full of weapons he knows much about thanks to his closest friend. He's immediately on guard, questioning if she's a threat to him or not, those have the potential to actually kill him. It sad to realize he might have to kill the little sapling, she looks innocent enough, but he can't chance dying.

Then she drops them.

She obviously has no idea what she's doing, let alone how to handle these weapons. They must have been given to her, like his many gifts he's received - all of which were safely tucked into the bag he's holding. As much as his friends would say to steal some and go, he can't, they're possibly her best defense with how tiny she is, so he can't take them.

With an amused but kind sound, Groot stoops over and picks up two of the grenades with his free hand, holding them out to her with a smile.

Groot keeps still as he hears someone approach, wondering if he should move, check if they're a threat of any sort to him. But then thinks better of it. This proved to be a good trap for a number of other creatures, so he figures if he needs to defend or attack, waiting might be best.

When the Terran comes into sight, dazzled by the lights, Groot decides better of attacking when he doesn't feel threatened or concerned. It's an adult, yes, but Groot doesn't see anything to be cautious over.

Though, the creature seems unaware of him. Best to announce his presence and see what happens.

"Hrmmm," a sound that is gentle, agreeing. He moves his head to look down at the Terran, a small puff of lights leaving his shoulders. His expression is kind, something that sits well with the sound he just made, though there's a curiosity to it as well.

The voice gives him pause, as he comes to a stop. The voice might be cautious, questioning, but Groot doesn't want to corner the creature by accident. What if it lashes out? It's a confined space, it wouldn't be difficult for someone his size to do it. Especially with all the small creatures he's met.

"Rrru?" it's a cautious sound, something questioning in return. Testing the waters as he takes a careful step closer and leans forward to look around the bay of lockers. When he does, he can see her.

And the weapon she's holding.

His look of cautious curiosity, something that was gentle, now hardens a little. He's poised to pull back and out of her sight if she even seems to think about pulling that trigger, but he's giving her the chance not to.

Darcy hasn't seen that much action in the Arena. It's a small blessing, really, because if she already had, she would probably be dead. Which...yeah, Darcy doesn't want to die.

She's kind of afraid that she might tonight, because she still hasn't found a safe place to hide away for the night. So it's while she's hunting for a safe place to crash for the night that she can get to before the gates close she sees...something. Fireflies maybe? Though how did that many fireflies get inside the mall?

It's not the smartest move, but she edges toward where the mass of firefly-esque things are out of curiosity, which is where she finds...a tree. A tree and fireflies. Maybe it's some sort of Mall Of America-esque thing they've installed to kill them all. Whatever it is, she's willing to take her chances with trying to catch one of the floating glowing things.

And accidentally jumps against the tree. Whoops? "Sorry," Darcy says. And automatically feels ridiculous because she's apologizing to a tree.

As he moves closer to pick the grenades up, Chibi-Usa flinches thinking that his large wooden hand is coming for her, when she realises it isn't, she looks at the hand and blinks. Then she looks up at his face for a long moment before she gives him a small smile as she takes the offered weapons.

"Thank you."

She picks up the rest and then stands with them bundled up in her arms.

"My name's Usagi Tsukino. But, if you want you can call me Chibi-Usa." She gives him a little bow. After all, if such a big tree like someone is going to be nice to her, she is certainly going to be polite back. "What's your name?"

The sound instantly snaps Jet's attention from the lights to the tree he'd practically been ignoring before. His heart was pounding in his ears, but he tried to keep calm as he backed up a bit to look up.

The tree was definitely moving. And making sounds. And also making the little floating lights if the puff of them that came out of it--was that a shoulder? It looked like a shoulder--was any indication.

His pulse calms a bit more as he takes in what is definitely an expression on the tree's before unnoticed face. It was a talking, walking, tree and Jet couldn't even say it was the weirdest thing he'd ever seen. The only question was: was it a new tribute--because he definitely would have noticed it sooner--or was it Capitol-made?

"That's you making the lights, isn't it? That's a pretty cool ability. Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you."

He had to admit, there was a part of him that felt a little silly talking to a tree. But then a thought occurred to him that chased the awkwardness away.

"...Are you an Ent?"

Joel has, for the most part, gotten used to the rhythms of the arenas. Each one is different, of course, but it's usually relatively easy to work out the kinds of things that will be dangerous in each one, pretty fast. If you're observant, and know how to put things together, most arenas will probably not present too many surprises.

But there's always a few.

The minute he sees the - well, spores - floating around ahead of him, it's as though his whole body seizes up, and for a brief moment, he's not in a Panem arena. He's in Boston, Pittsburgh, a subway tunnel in Salt Lake City. And he doesn't have his gas mask.

"Jesus Christ," he mutters, clapping a hand over his nose and mouth (even knowing that would be useless) and preparing to beat a hasty retreat.

Although he's pretty sure this Terran is talking mostly nonsense - though the mention of blood so casually tells him that it'll be a normal occurrence - Groot is clearly listening closely to everything the smaller creature is saying. He finds he's comfortable around those that can talk enough for the both of them, Rocket often talks to himself or just talks and talks and talks, which suits the monosyllabic tree just fine. So, he seems completely unphased and unbothered by the rambling, letting it come to it's natural conclusion before responding.

He looks at the spores - a few more escaping from between the cracks of his body. The lights are quite pretty, they remind him of the man burning stars in space and time, but it still irritates him that it's now out of his control.

"I am Groot," his tone is casual, pleasant, a level of gratitude to the nature of his words. There's no reason to respond to anything else the small creature said. He has no need for clothing and hasn't a clue what hockey is, so he'll stick with the compliment.

Such a tiny creature, he feels almost bad making her flinch like that.

The sapling reminds him of a cherry blossom. The pink hair and red eyes are so very odd for someone who otherwise looks Terran. Though, she could be something he's never seen before or a mix. Not often that happens, but he also wouldn't be shocked to learn it. It's very curious.

"I am Groot," his tone is friendly and pleasant, the nature of his words introductory, the smile still on his face to accompany it. She's so very polite, a welcomed change from the rudeness he's accustomed to.

Groot watches the small creature dance and laugh, just enjoying the lights of his creation, and it's warming to see. Most people approach him or the lights with caution, seeing it for the trap it very well could be and him for the large threat he can choose to be, but Groot just doesn't have that in him to do. Circumstances considered, it makes sense, but this is a nice - though mildly concerning - change.

He has no reason to hurt this creature who's merely having fun.

But then it's climbing him. While not a new thing to him, still, it's a bit rude to do without consent. So, he reaches over, hand wrapping around the small creature's torso, and plucks him off with ease, releasing more spores into the air as he does. He moves to hold the creature where he can give it a scolding look, though he doesn't seem that upset by how gentle his grip is.

"Hrmmmmm," while not an unfriendly sound, it's definitely one to accompany the scolding look. There's a layer of a gentle chiding when trying to communicate a wrong doing to a small child.

Aang lets out a yelp when he's picked up, but he doesn't struggle, allowing himself to be moved by the... tree???

"Oh!" Aang blinks, dangling from the tree's hand (?). It has a face. And an expression. An expression that looked a lot like what Monk Gyatso or Katara made when Aang did something inappropriate.

...Is he being scolded?

Well, he did just jump on the tree without asking.

He gives a sheepish smile, clasping his hands in what would be a bow if he weren't still dangling. "Sorry, Mr. Tree. I didn't realize you were a moving tree." If that makes it any better??? What is the etiquette for climbing among trees...?

Oh look, more spores!

They're coming from the tree. The cracks and crevices in its limbs. Aang catches one between his palms, his face stretching into a grin before he blows it gently back into the air.

Likewise, Dave is pretty comfortable around people who don't talk much, because they listen better. They usually hear the things that go unsaid along with the implications and the deeper meanings of a lot of nonsense. He's already reminded of The Mayor just in this brief interaction with the tree. Strange looking thing, but gentle and strangely attentive. Maybe Groot is different when he's pissed off, but the familiarity of it puts him at ease.

"You are Grootiful." He compliments with a little, ironic twist that the tree probably will not get. "These are pretty grootiful too-" He moves to try catch one, but it's clear he isn't sure what to do with it so he lets it go. "You must be wicked old if you're that big, huh? Not that I'm gonna slice you open and count your rings or anything. I'll take your word for it- the word is gonna be groot, isn't it?" He smirks just a little because he's already catching on.

The fact that Groot is impressively big is relevant because he's studying those ribbons and wondering how restrictive they are. "Hold on-" He says like he's going anywhere, slipping a hand into his pocket to pull out a fabric wrapped knife, shaking it out so he can pick it up and study Groot with a critical look. "I am Groot?" He hopes he lilts that in a way that the can I help? essence is implied

Edited 2014-09-06 10:53 (UTC)

The second he hears the familiar voice, Groot comes to a stop and turns to see his small friend hurrying towards him. There's no stopping the relieved smile that graces his face at finally finding Rocket. He'd almost started to think that their captors were able to separate them, a task typically only accomplished if they wanted it to happen.

Seems that stuffed creature was meant to be his friend after all. Perhaps he can grab one to illustrate to others he likes who his friends are.

At least now he knew what he needed to do here. Rocket had to win, if they couldn't escape first that is.

"I am Groot," My small friend, I've been searching for you all over in this strange prison, I'm pleased to see you unharmed. He sounds as pleased as he looks.

Groot looks down at the creature that's bumped into him, seeing what looks like an unarmed Terran and thus no longer feeling too threatened. Probably should, but he has yet to meet any of the scarier Terrans around and about. Either way, his movement to look down at her causes another puff of spores to fill the air, escaping from the cracks and spaces in his shoulders and neck.

"Hmmm," it's a kind sound, neutral more than friendly, but definitely not unfriendly. He's accepting her apology, unaware that she's unaware he's a sentient being.

If he had realized she didn't know, he-- well, he would have done the same thing. He's not exactly trying to fool anyone or be sneaky.

Groot hears a noise from behind him, turning to look at who made it - the action causing a few more spores to escape from the cracks and spaces in his body. The lighting makes it hard to be sure, but it looks like a Terran, gruffest and largest he's met so far.

But it's doing an odd gesture, as if to keep from breathing? Is the air poisoned or the creature sick?

Tilting his head to the side, he takes a single step forward, a noise of concern as he asks after the man's well being.

Perhaps he doesn't get the level of meaning behind the Terran using his name in such a way - in combination with what he assumes is the word beautiful - but he can't help smiling a little at the cute gesture. Such a curious little creature this one. At times it seems to almost understand him, but he knows it's more that the creature is catching on.

Though, his size and age don't have much bearing on each other. Not that this little one would probably understand that, since it's probably still growing into age by Terran terms.

Groot makes an amused hum at the knife and the Terran using his words. Another endearing gesture like the last one.

"I am Groot," his tone is friendly, accepting of the offer, mildly explanatory as if expanding on something, giving a long nod to go with it. The little creature doesn't need to talk like him, but he won't stop him from it. Besides, he would very much like to get out of these ribbons, so he's not about to refuse or change the subject.

His expression softens when he watches the tiny creature playing with one of the lights as it dangles from his hand. It would be hard to stay mad at anything that is so carefree and joyous, especially when it just apologized for the wrong it unknowingly committed. So, he gently sets it down, letting it go so he can pat the little creature's head, giving a hum that's friendly and pleasant, an almost accepting nature to the tone.

The apology is accepted.

Plus, as he pats the creature's head, more spores float down from his palm and around it. He's done it on purpose, adding more lights for it to play with, to have the spores dance around the tiny creature just as it has been dancing around them.

Groot carefully watches the Terran's actions and reactions to its' situation, curious to see how much or little of a danger it was to him. He's still sure of his previous thought, that it wasn't a threat to him, but he knows better than to underestimate.

He gives a long slow nod at the first question, feeling it's rather obvious, but not wanting to leave the question unanswered. The compliment earns a smile from him, he's also rather fond of the little lights of his making. Even if they kind of annoy him right now with them being out of his control.

Then he's asked if he's an Ent. That gets a confused furrow to his brow, smile turning down in thought. No, his race has never been called that, nor does he even know what it is. Perhaps another noble tree race out there, but they are not him.

"I am Groot," it's decisive, though not unfriendly. He's setting the record straight - he's Flora Colossus, not an Ent.

He's pretty sure his friends would tell him he's playing this game wrong, but he can't quite care. If people were willing to be friendly and nonaggressive, he's happy to do the same. Violence is something reserves for those who deserve it or for the protection of himself and his friends.

Her expression of gratitude gets a small smile and a nod from him.

There's a moments pause before he looks back at the food court, making a hum of inquiry as he gestures to it, offering to accompany her. He figures they are both here for the same reason and he's not about to attack her, so then why not go together.

"Groot." She repeats to remember it, still smiling.

"It's nice to meet you." She looks at her grenades and then back up to him. "I. I don't want to use them. But they were in my locker. Did you get anything?"

It's more than a little obvious that in this moment, that groot means her no harm at all, and with that fact, Chibi-Usa is going to treat him like she would treat anyone else she's met in her life.

At this rate, it's hard to say whether Dave would appreciate such thoughts. On the one hand, he does so hate being considered adorable and childish. However, on the other hand, he does quite like Groot. Groot won't go around saying he's cute or anything like that, so maybe it would be alright.

Realistically Dave doesn't think he needs to talk Groot's language, but he does enjoy the little familiarity it might bring to a situation where the tree may not necessarily trust him on his back with a knife. He just barely smiles, only because he knows the tree won't judge him for it, and approaches his side. "I'm comin' up." He gives his leg a pat, trying to be as careful as possible when he pulls himself up to avoid snapping anything off and potentially hurting him. Luckily, he's a pretty efficient climber and it doesn't take much effort to hoist himself up onto Groot's shoulder.

"This is great hands-on experience. Both as a naturist and an aspiring actor. I mean, mostly because I always played the tree, but my drama teacher would be proud. I'm really getting in touch with my roots." Heheh. "Man, they wound you in tight, huh? This is almost an unfair handicap- I don't even think being massive balances it out." He tuts to himself, but his deft hands are quickly weaving into the ribbon and working on slicing through the tightest and most restrictive ones away.

Groot gives a nod to indicate it's nice to meet her as well. Part of him wants to relieve her of the weapons, not wanting her to accidentally blow herself up, but also wants her to have the protection they present. Were she to offer them, he might take her up on it, but only if he can get her something else to protect herself with.

"Hmm," it's a sound of confirmation as he sets his bag down, opening it and pulling out the saber that's wrapped in a multitude of colorful ribbons to keep it from slicing open the bag. He unwraps it and holds it in display to her. It's a simple saber with his name carved into the blade.

If she looks in the bag, there's a bottle, a flashlight, and two stuffed dolls visible at the top, the rest of his items deeper in and below these things.

Edited 2014-09-08 08:16 (UTC)

As per usual, Rocket didn't stop when he reached his friend. He quickly scrambled up his legs and back until he got to Groot's shoulder, where he could communicate to him more easily.

"About time you showed up, you idiot! Where've you been?!" Never mind the fact that he's really glad to see him, and to see him fully grown. Because that part really goes without saying. And Rocket's also conveniently ignoring the part where Groot may or may not have been here for just as long as he's been there. "You got no idea how these humies think they're allowed to treat guys like us! Actin' all high an' mighty like they're the only sentient beings in the universe."

It smiled at her.

If this was a mutt it was a very sophisticated one but by now Clementine's pretty sure it's safe to assume this a new tribute, another non-human one. She straightens up and let's go of -- she feels like it's rude to use 'it' -- his (since he looks male by her understanding) hand and watches the gesture and interprets as best she can. "You want to go together? Okay." she nods, returning the creatures smile cautiously.

She wonders what a tree person eats. "The food's best if you come early." and Clementine takes a step towards the food court, looking up at him to see if he follows. "I'm Clementine."

When the tree - the tree, what the hell has his life become? - moves, Joel takes a couple of hasty steps back, because his first thought is some new kind of bloater, and the eerie silence (aside from creaking branches) doesn't help much.

He knows it's too late - he has no gas mask, and he's already breathed in the spores. A hand clapped over his mouth is useless.

"What in the goddamn hell?"

"Groot?" That didn't really answer his question, but the tree-guy--Groot--hadn't seemed to agree with Jet calling him an Ent, so maybe that wasn't it. He didn't know what, though, he hadn't really heard of any other tree-people race.

"It's nice to meet you, Groot. I'm Jet."

He was just going to silently guess Groot was a new tribute since the blond was fairly certain he would have noticed a giant moving tree before.

"You kinda stick out, don't you, pal?" It was said with some concern since sticking out was hardly a good thing. Then again, Groot was a giant tree, being hit by a giant tree would probably be pretty effective as a fighting technique.

"You can probably take care of yourself, though, huh?" Jet looked up at Groot but then looked to one of the little floating lights that had just drifted down enough for Jet to reach.

Gently, he extended his fingertips out to see what it might feel like. They kind of looked like little mushrooms.

Aang could swear that the tree is smiling. He gives the tree a big, still somewhat sheepish smile as he gets a pat on the head (no one back home will ever believe this), and more lights come out. Immediately, he brightens up, catching the lights between his hands and chasing them around and giggling to himself as he manages to gather bunches in his arms to blow back into the air, his footsteps light and careful to avoid crushing any lights even as they gather on the ground.

"They're all beautiful!"

He spins around, the spores floating around him and crowning his head in a glowing halo for the briefest moment.

"Are you a nature spirit?"

The sound makes Darcy yelp way louder than she'd like. After a quick glance around to figure out who made it, Darcy can only come to one conclusion: this is a tree that's not a tree, which is kind of terrifying to think about. Or would be if it weren't for the fact that, if it (he?) wanted to to hurt her, it probably would've done so by now.

"Oh my god," she whispers, looking up at the tree and backing away enough that, if she cranes her head up, she can see his eyes. "So. Um. Hi?"

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

There is unrest in the forest [Open]

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D - locker room

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omg I didn't even realize the similarity, this is amazing

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XD glad you like

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