Korasu+Solo Adventure
Born in a small kitsune village before the catacylsm, where the Grace of Wryllen touches the Jade Tide of the Draqin Empire's northern country, Korasu often reflected on both how he was restored to life and how he found himself in the land of the dead. Today was no exception, as he was inspired to retell the tale while speaking with the beautiful, but reserved, Lazhkùrva in House Doriavo. She doesn't talk much, and getting her to open up has been a great challenge. The interpid bard has learned that she's from the Wryllenic Realms, she likes flowers and animals, and that she excels at changing the subject of a conversation, especially when it's about her past. Still, he can't help but think there's more to her than meets the eye, so he presses on - slowly, patiently. Today he's been sharing stories, mostly of the imaginary kind. It's her turn, and she begins:
"Have you heard the story of the mangrove and the rose? They tell it often here. Once upon a time, there was a cemetery by the shore, where a great Mangrove loomed over a long forgotten grave. He was alone, save the silent tombstones, and so one day when an old woman came with a single rose he was overjoyed. He called out to her, but she could not hear him, instead placing the rose with sincere love upon the grave. Such was the pull of their hearts, that by the time the old woman had left in tears, a magical spark had given the rose new life. And so, with sappy tears in his own branches, the Mangrove watched as Rose the dryad was born. The two became fast friends, and then lovers, as their bond grew stronger each year. To the people who visited the cemetery, she was just a thorny vine that bloomed in the spring, but to the Mangrove she was so much more.
Over time, Rose yearned to escape the dreary cemetery and see the world, but she could not leave the sight of the Mangrove on pain of death. Such is the life of a dryad. Then a dark stranger came to the cemetery, who recognized Rose and the Mangrove for what they were. He offered her a gift - the freedom to go as she likes - but explained such things come at a terrible price. Hastily, Rose agreed, and so he bestowed his dark gift upon her, then left. She delighted in exploring the nearby towns and villages, exploring by moonlight, only to return to her beloved Mangrove by daybreak. Once while out and about, she discovered a sleeping man and was overcome with a carnal hunger. All her life, she had subsisted on the remains of his family in their graves, and the morbid curiosity of the taste of the living filled her with a terrible urge. Being elderly and asleep, she easily overcame him, and feasted on his flesh. To her surprise, the man died (she had never seen men die before), and then his remains took on a familiar, boring flavor. Not fully understanding what she had done, nor truly respecting the lives of the people she was now free to walk among, Rose continued. The longer she spent away from her beloved, the hungrier she became, and soon she began spending more time away indeed...
The Mangrove, for all of this, was largely oblivious. The stretch of years seemed to blur together, and Rose's comings and goings were notable only for the waves of pain and joy he felt. He had noticed that more graves were being added to his cemetery as of late, but thought nothing of it, as in his experience, more men die every year. Then one night Rose returned to her Mangrove, with an expression of bloody terror. The townsfolk had seen her this time, and they came with fire. All at once, the Mangrove realized what had been happening. Just as he had known no peace, the villagers had known no peace. In his roots, he could feel them marching toward the cemetery, and he could see the glow of their torches in the distance. Ready to die, but desperate to save his beloved, the Mangrove pushed with all his strength upon the ledge where he had stood for generations. Finally, it was enough to pry him from the earth, as he and Rose plunged into the watery depths below. By the time the villagers discovered them, they were floating out to sea. Though they would later explore all the world, they would never know peace. This was the price paid for her freedom."
Staring off into the distance, Lahzkurva seems to forget herself for a moment, before asking aloud, "What would you do for someone you loved?"
(You may respond here to her question or with your own story, if you prefer)