#as maize

[ask-maize-spirit]

I realize, we never got the chance to connect further.

Of course, what was happening at the time sort of prevented it.

But, now that we don't have to worry about that...

Hi!

- @squares-begone

Hello, radiant one... It is always a joy to meet a new friend.

You shine brightly... what is the burden for such a gift?

What say you tel me about your light?

[ask-maize-spirit]

[ @os-mapmaker ]

Greetings. You may call me the Mapmaker. I’m on a journey to gather information about all currently known timelines and their residents for…

…Oh. It is quite dark here. Surely not the ideal place for a spirit of greenery to reside.

Interview: Maize

[START]

⠀

If I may ask, why have you been rooted in such a place, devoid of any light? Surely your world has had its sun returned, right?

Ah, a journalist? It is little I can offer, I'm afraid. Perhaps our voices shall be enough, for this. I may... not have all the answers you need, inquisitive one, ...but I will attempt, nonetheless.

This place may be dark. But sometimes it gifts us light of sources unknown to myself.

It is where I was taken, after... well. After I aided our savior, with the strength I had left. I was blessed to see them one last time, at the end of their journey but...

My work in this world is over. This is a place to rest, or perhaps it's what comes after it is all over.

[ask-maize-spirit]

Ah, Maize! Hello!

- @zeralight-asks

Another joyful voice, hello!

What brings you here?

[ask-maize-spirit]

You found me... it has been a while, do you want to talk?

I may not know you, and you may not know me, but like vines our paths may intertwine.

We should take this chance to connect, shouldn't we?

I want to show you my story, the roots that held me... And what's ahead of me.

Do not be afraid, bring your joy and concerns alike. You cannot have one without the other.

Think of me less like a spirit, and more like the familiar tree that signals the way home, and we will soon be like old friends.

///ooc: blog guidelines under the cut.

Hello! This is @farolero-posting (AKA Fran) known for running a few other blogs. Here are the main things you should know about this blog:

Content warning: may feature discussions about death and grief.

This is set in an AU, Post-Solstice. The specifics of this AU are unknown to you. Ask her and you shall receive!

For those who follow other askblogs I have: this one is NOT compatible with them

Though it has some story elements, it is not as linear or lore-heavy as other blogs I run.

Maize can answer both serious and joking questions, don't worry too much about sticking to the timeline.

Other OneShot RP blogs are free to interact!

Other characters Will appear. You may even get some OCs even.

This blog will be text based, without sprites, but I may make exceptions.

NO NSFW asks will be accepted.

[ask-maize-spirit]

Have there been any, for lack of a better word, disturbances recently?

Oh..., it has been so long since I received a message.

Hello.

I don't think anything is out of the ordinary?

Is there reason for concern?

[ask-maize-spirit]

What’s your favorite memory?

You remind me of someone.

Of... a man taking notes on a traveling journal. A worn down book, held tightly the way one holds their child.

The people I would encounter would often ask for my powers, or some wisdom... And yet that time he simply asked that same question you bring now.

It was... quite challenging to choose, back then.

But now the answer seems clearer.

Let me tell you of that same memory...

Would you believe if I said that there were once in the past, celebrations of glenfolk alongside us spirits?

Traditions have changed with time, of course. Not because of any... strife. Rather... lack of numbers, I suppose.

The speed of our world has done its harm, one could say. Busier people, busier lives... consequences beyond our foresight.

That is... less important for the story.

Solstice celebrations were the most awaited ones, towns would journey into the deeper forests, and we'd open paths for them as well.

I was young, back then. Not strong enough to shifts paths. It was said young spirits were prone to wander off, and I was no exception. Knowing when to set your roots on the ground was a stage in my life I wasn't ready to live yet.

I tread far, far away from the gathering that day. I found a rocky river.

And I found a feathered youth. I...

Oh... my memory is weak.

I... remember that she had a huge bag on her back. woven with plant fiber and ram wool, as was common at the time. Hers had a fish pattern.

There was a cliff between us. Not on the earth, but perhaps on our lives... I could feel the vines crawling on its rocky surface, on my end. I suppose this scared her. And she ran off.

Intrigued, I went after her, crossing the gap in one leap. There was an attempt, truly, but... The landing... well. I would heal fast, but strong as my kind may be, our youth are fragile as well.

The feathered one stopped, dropping her bag, and rushed towards me. I remember her picking me up, with some struggle. She sat me by a nearby tree, and made an attempt to mend my wound. Her fear returned.

I asked her, "what would frighten her so?"

She admitted, she had never seen one like myself. She lived by the underground village, she had a small family. They grew corn, and fished by the river.

I had never seen one such thing as an underground village, or a small family when mine was so big. We grew all sorts of things, and we fed the creatures around.

As we spoke, I took in the sunlight, using my renewed energy to create wraps around my injured limb. Soon enough I was walking again... Not without trouble, but taking steps nonetheless.

My feathered companion gasped in surprise. She invited me, eager now. A bridge had been built over the cliffs of our lives... I accepted, curious and daring.

The town had two entrances, bells hanging by the gates, with stairs and gently sloped paths leading underground. Fireflies filled the place, thriving in the dim light inside.

She led me through the labyrinth of passages. Admittedly, there were many open spaces, letting sunlight shine through, but far was it from what I was used to.

Her family... was a man. Say some that a family is a chain. I would say a family is a hand being held by another. This man was not her father, her uncle, or her elder. He was a fisherman that could fish no more, aging as he was.

He said today was a pleasant day, he walked slow steps and made it to the garden. He would later go back to his nest, when he felt was time.

I asked if he ever went outside the town, if he ever missed the wind blowing over the sea of times past.

He said yes.

He said he missed the fireflies too, as they wouldn't go far from the coast. He said he'd miss the days when it was night and the night as dawn arrived.

He said he never missed family anymore. He never missed belonging somewhere.

I shared the day with the two of them. He shared stories I cannot retell faithfully. My feathered friend wove a bracelet for me. I watched over their plants, making room for each root in the fertile land.

Traditions of Solstice had been more of a distant tale for them. It was a day like many others. But the words spoken and the people met would be unique to that day.

By the underground, light finds its way. And in such a way. I eventually found myself there every time I missed the friend and the fireflies.

And it was that way how I decided to belong there, and miss it no longer.

[ask-maize-spirit]

Maize: You seem distressed...

(Maize places a hand on George's shoulder. George shivers.)

George: I don't know about any of this. I am so lost and it will be a disaster if I don't know what to do.

George: (pacing) I was busy doing... work I think. I should be in the archive room. I had some manuscripts to publish for next week and-

Maize: Is that the last thing you remember?

George: I... think so... that's not wrong right? I may have... fallen asleep? Maybe this is just a nightmare. Oh, I don't want to upset you, I don't know if you tell people they're in a nightmare or...

Maize: Miss... listen to me. You're not saying anything wrong... No...

Maize: I think we both have per... Well. (Maize pauses, hesitant) I cannot say for certain what brought us here. But together perhaps we could figure something out.

Maize: What say you about using looking through this computer? It looks like our only option, for the moment.

Maize: My abilities are limited. I never used one before, after all.

Maize: Please, I will be by your side. You will be fine.

George: I can try... (George looks up at Maize, stunned as she finally noticed the plant spirit's face.) .Are you... our god?

Maize: No... not at all.

Maize: Merely a withered guardian.

George: Oh... I will help.

George: Where... should I start?

///ooc notes below the cut

///ooc: alright folks! what do you say we do a little bit of interactive fiction? Feel free to give them prompts, or ask them any questions you have. There are answers out there and I'm gonna help you reach them *wink*

[ask-maize-spirit]

I... don't take steps quite this often.

It is... slow for me.

I would prefer to use vines to get a better idea of my surroundings. But it does not seem possible for me to do so in this place. Don't worry, it is fine.

Oh? This machine... It must be one of those computers.

It gives me the possibility to send messages... Oh! I can read what you have written for me now. This is much better.

Say, who can read me?