[[Action]]

[biteoffherhead]

[And now for something completely different! Something simple, yet astonishing in its own right.

Moro, playing with a squirrel.


...Granted, the squirrel is running for its life, as Moro playfully bats at it, chasing it in the snow and pinning it with a massive paw. Then she would release it, before letting it scurry off before trotting after it.

Don't let your guard down, though. Even now, the scent of a fresh kill lingers on her. Likely a deer. Her full belly may also be why this little squirrel is getting harassed rather than killed.]

Comments

[pearheaded]

[0_0;;]

S-so... um... hi! You're not a violent wolf, are you? B-because I'm not very good at fighting or anything, so I'd just, y'know, run away...

[At least he smells less of human and more of a earthy smell, like grass and dirt.]

[biteoffherhead]

[It does give him a little tiny advantage, yes.]

What are you doing in this forest?

[pearheaded]

A-um—

[He kneels, as if addressing a queen. Because clearly when a giant wolf asks what you're doing in a forest, it means to suck up to her as much as humanly—or, uh, nonhumanly—possible.]

I was just looking at the trees, Miss Wolf! I like to check up on them from time to time, to make sure they're faring well...

[biteoffherhead]

These trees are weak, and pitiful. What do you possibly know of their welfare?

[pearheaded]

I-

I happen to be one of them, ma'am.

Well, not one of the ones here, but from my world.

[He bows a liiiittle bit more, frowning.]

I was in the same form as them, 130 years ago. S-so I understand a little of their feelings... though I can't hear their voices...

[biteoffherhead]

[Her scowling shrinks a bit. He didn't quite smell 'tree' as he did 'human'.]

I have lived a very, very long time. I've never seen a tree take the face of a man.

[pearheaded]

To be honest, it's not very usual...

[He relaxes his shoulders, but his eyes still carry that same nervousness.]

I don't know very many like myself... I guess you could say I'm neither plant or man, at this point. I've been trying to find out what I should call myself, since I came to be this way.

[He pauses, and seems unsure.]

... Is that a bad thing, to you? To have the face of a man, even if aren't entirely one?

[biteoffherhead]

Why would you sully yourself with such an ugly face? Why wear the face of the creatures that so regularly cut and burn forests?

[She's not happy with herself that she couldn't tell you were a tree. But even more than that, she doesn't like the idea of trees turning into humans...]

[pearheaded]

[He flinches, and looks deeply hurt by the statement.]

Why do only humans get a face like this? ...Why can't I have one?

Or would you have been more content if I stayed something who could never see, hear, or smell? Is it really that bad, to want to live like breathing animals, like you or them?

[biteoffherhead]

So great is that desire that you would join the humans that defile the forests?

[pearheaded]

It's my desire to walk this earth with my own feet, and see everything there is to see, whether it's painful or beautiful. Whether I'm in the form of a human, a bird, or a wolf, nothing would be any different—I'm still the very same tree from the hill.

Unless you truly believe what someone looks like is all there is to judge.

[biteoffherhead]

Then why not take the face of a wolf, or a bird? Why did you chose to be a human?

Humans are revolting creatures. To wear their face implies to be allied with them.

[San was an exception. San was always an exception. The only exception.]

[pearheaded]

[... He smiles quietly with a sigh, shoulders rising into a small shrug of surrender.]

If I'm revolting, I guess I'm revolting... You can see me however you want, ma'am—what is your name, if I'm allowed to ask?

[biteoffherhead]

I am Moro of the Wolf Tribe. Guardian of the forests.

These trees... these trees are weak, with no gods to nourish them. With no spirits to strengthen them. Do not forget their cries for help, even if you cannot hear them any longer.

[pearheaded]

[He nods—a Guardian of the forest? That's a pretty amazing title...]

I won't forget. I'll try to keep them safe if I can—being here or at in my world, wouldn't ever change that. [He braves a few more steps toward her; his curiosity is pinged by a lot of these words. He can't help himnself.]

Your world has gods, Moro? Not that ours may not, but... I've never seen or heard of any before...

[biteoffherhead]

I am a god.

[She's not growling any more, but her face is still scrunched in distaste. San was born a human and was becoming a wolf, but you? You became human, and she's not sitting entirely well with it.]

[pearheaded]

[He blinks in surprise, and then sits back down quickly—he's in the presence of a god, right?! So he should be sitting! H-he thinks. Maybe. They are like world leaders, right?]

I had no idea! I'm sorry if I said something that was out of line—but Gods in the forest!

It's relieving to hear you're here to look after this forest.

[biteoffherhead]

Yet but a moment ago you were eager to challenge my wisdom. That changes so swiftly?

[Moro chuckles.]

[pearheaded]

[He blushes, shoulders rigid.]

N-not at all! I mean—that—

[What are the right words to say to a wolf god?!]

I've been alive a long time, but I've never got to meet one! I guess I was just overconfident in what I've been slowly learning, Miss Moro—I apologize if it came across as trying to be smarter! Trust me, I'm not at all, in fact I'm quite stupid for my age!!

[SOB; he's easy to work into a apologetic frenzy, if you give him the chance.]

[biteoffherhead]

I have spent countless years watching over the richest forest known to both man and god. The forest belonging to the god of life and death himself... the Forest Spirit.

I have been watching the last several generations of humans, as they destroy ground that is holy even to the gods.

[pearheaded]

[He just opts to sit cross-legged in front of her, curious.]

I guess... that is one thing I've been trying to stomach about a lot of humans... They can be so destructive, when they're not properly taught about things when they're little.

I'd never had a problem with those who lived their lives within the villages scattered throughout the forest. They only took the bare minimum to survive, but the people from The Capital...

They don't know when to stop.

[biteoffherhead]

It will all end, in my forest. The boars have already marched to their deaths, the only survivor turning into a demon. And the humans march, into the depths of the forest.

They will cut the head of the Forest Spirit, and all will die.

My only regret is not biting off the head of that woman leading them before I died.

[pearheaded]

[That was a cruel thing to hear. His faces turns into a look of genuine sorrow; to have an entire place die...]

I'm sorry for what's happened. It is something no forest should have to go through, least of all to a god like yourself who watches it.

[biteoffherhead]

I only woe not being able to witness their moment of realization, when the Forest Spirit will swallow them and steal the life back from them.

[pearheaded]

But still... for so many to perish for that... It's a cruel thing. I wish something could have been done.