screwthatnoise

It hurts to stretch it, but it's not deep. I should be okay.

[ eyes it... ]

No, I don't think it should either. Especially not if it's going to keep growing.

Let me bind it.

... Okay.

[It is time to take a break and push Naoto's shirt up to apply first aid yep.]

[ okay, well, holding it up himself because that's easier. It's wider than it is deep because he half-dodged at the last minute! And it's not bleeding too much which is probably a relief ]

[It's a relief but still upsetting that you got hurt!!]

[Just going to bind it though for now, cleaning will come later if the heart doesn't heal it when we leave.]

[ shh shh it's ok. pulling his shirt back down once that's done ]

... We should probably burn it before it grows any more.

I think it's best if you don't touch it.

[Picking up two of the candles.]

... Okay— what did touching it do?

[ I, I MADE YOU CLIMB THAT, DID I DO A BAD THING ]

[No it's okay.]

Just a feeling. [Dismissing it it's fine. Taking fire to the tree though let's burn this baby.]

[ ... hanging back with Janta, then! nts: hug Sion a lot as soon as the tree is gone ]

You successfully set fire to the ~~rain~~ tree—the fire slowly grows, as if attaching itself to the tree, and within moments its immersed in this flame.

And as you anticipated, it gives off a strange black vapor. But instead of floating towards the sky, it sinks. Be careful not to inhale it, otherwise you'll feel that terrifying desire to put yourself in pain by any means possible.

[Tugging Naoto upwind but idk maybe we inhale some who knows.]

[ luckily it hurts a little whenever I move now '^' COVERING HIS NOSE AND MOUTH WITH A HAND but probably getting at least a little whiff of it oooh nooo ]

[Oh no baby :( wrapping his arms around Naoto. We have a limb now what...?]

[ coughing a bit DX and fishing Janta out of his pocket

guide us, Janta-kun ]

Janta is shaking.

"U-um... we need to leave. G-go inside, that's what! We can come out later..."

The stuffed bear suddenly stops. Beyond the fire, on the opposite side of the burning tree from you two, you see a silhouette. Oh, wait, it's that goddamn sadHail. She has her cloak pulled up over her face again, and she's smiling at you softly.

... If you're sure.

[ stuffs Janta back in his pocket and carefully tugs Sion back towards the house ]

[But Sad Hail?]

Hail?

[Being tugged though.]

[ not retreating all the way yet, just '-' safety distance while sion attempts parlay '-' ]

The flame begins to die, and with it the black vapor begins to dissipate, leaving only black ash in its wake on the vibrant grass. It happens so abruptly you would miss it if you blinked.

For a second the cloaked figure is still, watching you two peacefully. But she suddenly reaches into the ground, straight into it, and pulls out a black skull. She snaps off a few of the remaining roots attached to the top of it and dusts off the ashes.

Then she disappears for the second time, smiling.

[ .... what ]

...What just happened?

... Well, we got rid of the tree...

.....Yes but...

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside

Re: outside