13311/Where The Wild Things Grow

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Where The Wild Things Grow
Date of Scene: 17 May 2021
Location: Silver Lake Wilderness, Northern NY State
Synopsis: Groot meets Yaozu in the woods.
Cast of Characters: Groot, Yaozu Lin




Groot has posed:
For a time, the ship he lives and works on has been orbiting near Earth. Though Groot had spent some time learning several of the Earth languages, he hasn't yet been. Hadn't yet been. Now, he has been. He'd taken a shuttle down and landed on the planet. He'd chosen a place more or less at random, on the east coast, in the northern reaches of New York State. Silver Lake Wilderness, though he knows that not. And, of course, he'd chosen night to bring the shuttle down, to hide under cover of darkness the landing.

With the shuttle having been landed quite neatly and hidden amongst a patch of trees. With his abilities, Groot had no trouble at all convincing the vegetation to grow up in such a way that the shuttle is entirely hidden from view. Something that had used what little remained of the darkness, for off to the east, the sun just breaks the crest of the mountains, bathing the land with early morning light.

Now, Groot turns and makes his ponderous way into the forest, following one of the forested slopes north toward a lake he'd seen in that direction. Lake Pleasant. It takes him time to get there, several hours in fact, and by the time he has made it, it's mid morning. He'd taken his time, soaking up the sun. Now that he's reached the lake, Groot makes his way into the shallow water at the very edge of the lake, letting his rooted feet soak up the hydration just as his leaves and skin soaked up the sun. He spreads his arms, and new leaves and buds grow along them, until he resembles a tree that had, perhaps, been lightning struck at some point on the edge of the lake, but survived and is now budding with the coming of spring.

Yaozu Lin has posed:
The changes to his hearing and to his vision have been challenging for him, even though he hasn't been overly willing to talk about it -- not that he's overly willing to talk about many things involving himself. It had become inundating, over stimulating. Too much. Though it's taken some measure of time of being within New York City for it to happen, Yaozu had gradually reached a limit, of sorts. He had reached a point of feeling oversensitive to every light, to every sound, to every thing. On edge with it, almost. He had approached Liansong about needing to be away from the city, from its people and from its noises, a couple of days prior. And Liansong had understood, without question, though there had been stipulations -- the tracking device he wore on his left wrist was one of them. The pulse oximeter ring still around his right thumb was another. And a promise to be careful. His device for communicating and a solar charger, too. Precautions were important things. And so, Yaozu's trip to Silver Lake Wilderness had been planned, vacation days -- which he seldom ever used -- had been booked even though he was still off active duty.

Yaozu had packed what he knew he would need -- it wasn't his first time going out into the wilderness. And he'd packed provisions -- food, water and purifying tablets and a filter to make clean water. There were other things that had been packed on a 'just in case' basis. He'd taken an early train this morning, to have an early start of things today. Since he was most comfortable in his silk robes, that was what he wore, though the ones he had chosen were dark green, and the undershirt was a dark brown, the silk having a matte finish to it so that it wouldn't stand out as much amongst the trees. A taxi had brought him the rest of the way to the wilderness itself, and he'd paid the driver before setting off on one of the trails that appeared less travelled than others. A trail that would lead to the lake.

It was quieter here. It was tranquil. He seemed able to breathe easier here, even burdened with the pack that he carried on his back. Areas like this? They were more common, at home, even with the density of the population. He could escape to them more easily, there. His laoshi had taught him how to survive in places like this, and he found himself grateful for the knowledge. After a while of walking, he reached the lake, and he removed his pack to set it down on the grass a distance from the shore. And there was a long moment where he stared at the water as though it was the worst thing that could possibly exist anywhere. Because it, and any other body of water, was. It was hard for him to see the beauty that possessed such paces. He shook his head briefly, then retrieved his bottle of water from his pack before moving aside to settle to the grass a bit away from the shoreline itself. His hazel gaze found the tree as he was removing the lid from the water bottle, and he tilted his head faintly to one side. "Life is enduring," Yaozu says quietly, to himself, and in Mandarin. "It finds a way."

Groot has posed:
Changes being challenging might be something Groot would understand. Those challenges are also something certain other people would probably understand, and do understand. For Groot, he carries neither food nor water with him, nor anything to purify either should he need it. He doesn't really need it. He can eat, and drink, but so long as he has sunlight and access to water, he doesn't /need/ to eat or drink.

Groot has been still for quite some time, when the human approached the lake. There's a bird standing on one of his outstretched arms. A squirrel has climbed him and is nibbling on a leaf atop his head. Though Groot is aware of the human, he doesn't move, doesn't open his eyes. He's a tree. He's a tree. No, really. He's a tree! But then there are words, in a language he understands but hasn't yet heard outside of vids and the learning programs he'd accessed.

And so it is that the man speaking in Mandarin about life enduring and finding a way? Will find that the tree he's looking at, opens eyes to look back at him with eyes a solid black, as deep as obsidian.

Yaozu Lin has posed:
This would not be where he would make his camp -- it was too near the water for his personal preferences -- but he would likely choose a spot not far from here. He needed water, after all. Shifting his position slightly, Yaozu tucks his feet beneath him in cross-legged fashion. He holds the cap of the water bottle in his hand for a moment, turning it about for a time or two, and he was about to take a drink from it when his gaze caught... something... after he had looked away from the tree to the lake again. And his gaze turns back to the tree, and he tilts his head to one side, noticing those black eyes that have opened.

Interestingly, Yaozu doesn't startle or freak out at all. "Mm," he offers, then takes a quick drink of his water before he sets the water bottle aside on the ground. Gracefully, he rises to his feet, the back of his right hand fitting into the palm of his left, and he extends his arms as he bows respectfully in the direction of the tree, his braid of hair slipping forward over his left shoulder. "Lin Yaozu offers apologies if his words have interrupted your rest, Tree Spirit. This one was unaware of your presence," he says softly, a respectful tone to his voice and the words offered up in Mandarin. It's only after his words have been said that he straightens, slowly, his hands lowering to rest in front of him.

Groot has posed:
To the north of the lake, there are many streams and smaller ponds. And further away from camp grounds and potential of there being people in the vicinity. In fact, at the northern end of the lake, though Groot cannot hear it, the human will be able to hear children yammering excitedly as their parents get ready to take them fishing. Going to the north, deeper into the wilderness, would probably be a good idea. Groot is meaning to, in due course. After his drink.

As the human bows and then speaks at him, Groot shifts and lowers his arms. The bird takes flight, startled by the sudden shift in the tree's position! He steps slowly from the lake, moving ponderously toward the human. Lin Yaozu. "I. Am. Groot." It seems, no matter the language, the words are the same. These? Are in Mandarin. Flawless Mandarin. If only the three words. He looks toward the northern end of the lake, head turning with the motion, then back to LIn Yaozu. "I am Groot," he says, tone a bit lower, words a bit faster, and pitched with a different modulation. Almost a querying tone.

Yaozu Lin has posed:
The Chinaman has brought more than one type of map along with him, of the area. He hadn't made strict plans in regards to where he would spend his nights here. There were factors to consider that were rather unknown -- how far would he be able to walk in a day, and how would he feel with doing this much walking with a pack on his back? Once, he had known these things, but he was different now than what he had been and so plans needed to be a bit more fluid. Either way -- he had time before he was expected back.

Yaozu notices the bird take flight, and he watches the tree move from the lake. If harm had been intended to be wrought upon his flesh, then he reasons it already would have happened. He tilts his head faintly to one side, and he blinks once, a flicker of surprise showing briefly to his eyes. The tree spoke. To him, and in Mandarin. That had been... unexpected. "It is an honour to meet you, Groot," Yaozu says, inclining his head towards the 'tree spirit'. He follows the spirit's look towards the north end of the lake before looking back to the spirit, and one of his eyebrows quirks up just a faint bit, his curiosity stirred. "You seem to ask a question and yet my ears hear 'I am Groot'. Reasonably... I do not think that you would introduce yourself a second time," Yaozu says softly. "There is a deeper wilderness to the north. Quieter. Further from people. With streams of water, and little ponds.. Lin Yaozu is heading that way," he adds, a small smile touching at the corners of his lips.

Groot has posed:
Unless Groot is just the stupid tree he appears to be, no. He wouldn't be likely to repeat his introduction. Nobody would unless they were a complete imbecile. Given that Groot is a tree, and moves pretty slowly... maybe he is that stupid. Then again, maybe he is not! Really, it's quite difficult to tell. Once again, Groot looks to the north, but not quite toward that portion of the lake.

"I am Groot," he says, words on the firm side, a hint of agreement to them. He looks back to the human, to Yaozu. "I am Groot." He turns then, and starts to walk slowly that way. To the north. Steps ponderous and slow.

Yaozu Lin has posed:
It's possible that Groot could be just a stupid tree. There's something that makes Yaozu unwilling to believe that, though. The second 'I am Groot' had definitely seemed to be querying in tone, and that was something his ears had caught. The Chinaman tilts his head faintly to one side as he watches the tree spirit moving, and his gaze turns towards the north a moment after it has looked in that same direction.

It's the most unusual exchange that he's likely ever had in his entire life. There's a smile that tugs at the corners of his lips as the three words are again said by the tree spirit with that bit of agreement in the tone. "Lin Yaozu hears the agreement in your voice. This one believes that what one's ears hear is not always the same as what is said or meant," he says softly. He gives a small nod then before leaning over to pick up his water bottle, capping it anew and tucking it back into his backpack. He picks up his backpack and settles it on his back once more, stepping forward to walk beside but slightly behind and to one side of the tree spirit. "Lin Yaozu is honoured to walk with you, to have his path shared by you," he says softly, his tone respectful.

Groot has posed:
Then again, any tree that talks probably isn't a stupid tree. Even if there are only three words it says. The deepness of the tree's voice indicates perhaps, male. Then again, it's a tree. Are there even genders involved? Would a female have any less deep a voice than a male tree? The tree once again glances over at the human, the steps pausing briefly. "I am Groot." There's something almost happy to his tone.

And then, he turns and starts walking again. To the north, and a little bit to the west. Further away from civilization and deeper into the wilderness. Also, his ship is in that general direction. He had seen several areas that seem like the streams and small ponds that might be desired. So, he's going to go to them. But, they're a ways off yet.

Yaozu Lin has posed:
A stupid tree, Yaozu has reasoned, would likely just plant its roots and stay in one spot without being bothered to move other than if it thirsted for more water than was available. Trees, by their very nature, tend to have both male parts and female parts on the same plant -- and so Yaozu doesn't really think of the tree spirit in terms of gender.

There's a glance towards the tree at the words, his steps pausing when the tree does so, and there's a smile that finds its way to Yaozu's features at that. Something is perhaps right in the world, or at least right in this part of it. "It pleases this one that he seems able to make you happy," he says, giving a small nod. He seems willing to allow the tree spirit to choose the path and the direction.

Groot has posed:
Groot does something then that might be a little unexpected. He looks to Yaozu, and smiles. He doesn't stop this time, though, his steps ponderous and slow, but his stride long so ground eating.

It takes about an hour to get to the first of the locations. A pond with a small stream feediing into it on one end, and a small waterfall cascading out of it on the other. The only bad part about the area is anywhere near water is pretty boggy. "I am Groot," he says, almost sadly, and continues walking.

The next site, almost an hour beyond the first, is also not quite right. The pool of water is almost stagnant looking, and as algae growing on the surface. Groot doesn't even say anything about this one.

And another hour on, he stops. This place is perfect. There's a small waterfall cascading over a rocky wall that meanders into a stream that keeps going. There is a slight slope to the ground, so it's dry and not boggy, well drained. Not far from the waterfall is an opening, an indention into the cliff wall. A shallow cave with a sandy floor that appears to be abandoned. At least, no sounds come from within and there are no animal tracks. "I am Groot?" That there is a question to that statement cannot be mistaken.

Yaozu Lin has posed:
The smile from the tree spirit is an unexpected thing. The Chinaman looks over and up to Groot, and he actually smiles back. A real smile rather than the ghost of one that seems to so often be what comes. Perhaps he feels more at ease, out here in nature, away from everyone and everything, and in the company of the tree spirit.

He walks along with the tree spirit, his steps graceful and light, keeping pace with some measure of ease. His breathing is easier, which he finds to be a reassuring thing. When they stop at the first spot, Yaozu tilts his head a touch to one side as he looks around it a bit. Then he gives a small nod, agreeing. "The ground is swampy, near the water. To get water would perhaps be dangerous," he says softly, his brow furrowing slightly. "It is unfortunate. The waterfall is pretty."

As Groot starts to head off again, he moves to follow, on towards the next site. And it, too, turns out to be less than ideal. Worse, in fact, than what the first site had been. Much like Groot, he doesn't say anything over it, though he does give a small shake of his head. The stagnant water would be risky, even with his purification tablets. And so, onward does he continue to follow the tree spirit.

When they reach the third spot, Yaozu stops along with the tree spirit. His hazel gaze passes over the waterfall, the way it flows over the rocky wall and into the stream before it continues further onward. He notices how solid the ground appears to be near to the water, which means it would be safer for him to get water for both cooking and drinking. The cave is the last detail that he notices, and he spends a moment listening, pleased that there are no sounds from it. Gone are the sounds of the city -- the sounds of traffic and people and all related things. Here, there is the sound of nature, and it soothes the ragged edges that had come from not yet being used to his altered senses. He looks to Groot at the question, and there's a smile that comes to his features as he gives a nod. "Lin Yaozu thinks this is a perfect place," he says, sounding pleased.

Groot has posed:
An unexpected thing that was more than a little creepy. And also quite child-like. That ease is probably not hurt at all by the fact that the tree doesn't say much. Groot is pretty quiet. The only regular sounds from him are the typical sounds a tree makes when it moves. Groaning, creeking sounds. Groot nods about the waterfall at the first site. It is pretty. Alas.

The tree spirit smiles that creepy, almost child-like smile again. "I am Groot." There seems to be satisfaction to that statement. Then, "I am Groot. I am Groot. I am Groot." All cheerful sounding. Then the tree waves the fingers of one hand and moves off. He walks across the stream and further along the cliff wall. Soon, unless Yaozu goes with him, Groot will be out of sight. Off to do whatever it is Groot do.

Yaozu Lin has posed:
For Yaozu, not every moment needs to be filled with talking or other noises. And yet, that's what New York City gives. Noise. Whether it is day or night, there is noise. It has worn on his nerves, and over the course of walking with Groot, that's gradually begun to fade. The tension has started to ease from him as well. Just being out here has already been good for him, and even more so for having the company of the tree spirit. It is, perhaps, a thing that he takes as an omen -- and one that is good, too.

Yaozu looks to the tree spirit at his words, at how satisfied he sounds, and there's a smile that comes easily to his features. He bows smoothly, in the same manner as he had when he'd first met the tree spirit. "Lin Yaozu offers thanks for your company, Groot," he says softly, gratitude in his voice, straightening after the words are said. "It was an honour to share the path with you, and this one offers thanks for finding this space for him to stay. Travel safely," he adds, giving a respectful nod to the tree spirit. He watches as Groot heads off, and only once the tree spirit has vanished from sight does he head for the little cave in order to remove his backpack and settle to have a drink of water.