Open Post: Curiosity

[sporesprouter]

Tress is, as she often is, in her workshop. However, what she is doing in her workshop is not even close to her usual activities.

Instead of her usual array of spores and sprouter's gear, she has found some more standard tools which are sitting on the table next to a rubber mat that is holding... a toaster. She secreted one from a kitchen that isn't particularly used. To the side are a couple books from the library as well as her open notebook.

She turns the toaster upside down and starts undoing some screws on the bottom of the case.

After all, the best way to figure something out is often to gain practical knowledge.

Comments

[sporesprouter]

"I think I probably didn't start that off too well. Let me try again. There's a dragon who came from another world to build a lair in the Crimson Sea, which is one of our seas, to study our spores. Did that help?"

[summerdude]

"A lot," Magnus says. His smile is self-deprecating. "Your world sounds really awesome. I think it would be fun to see it."

(Mostly it actually just sounds confusing, but he figures a field trip outside of the Nine Worlds could be fun.)

[sporesprouter]

"It's wonderful. If you ever get to visit, you're welcome to sail on my ship for a while."

[summerdude]

"Oh! Thank you," Magnus says. "So, these sunlight spores...?"

[sporesprouter]

"Oh, of course." She steps away from her worktable and over to a chest in the corner of the room, which she opens. She pulls out an aluminum box before closing the chest again. She walks over to the table again and sets the box down before shifting the toaster work carefully to the end of the table to give herself some room. "Just give me a moment and I'll show you."

[summerdude]

"Yeah, no rush," Magnus says, extremely eagerly. He watches Tress attentively.

[sporesprouter]

She nods. Once she clears out enough space, she grabs a couple more supplies. Setting down a metal plate, she then opens the box of spores. Inside sits what almost does look like sand, if sand were a sparkling golden yellow. She carefully spoons out a small pinch of the spores into the center of the plate and returns the box to the chest.

She then retrieves a bottle of water and a dropper. "All right. Here we go."

She loads the dropper and gets only close enough to extend her arm to dribble some water on the pile of spores which promptly bursts into a small but bright flash, almost like a more contained firework.

[summerdude]

Magnus jumps in surprise. "Wow," he says, taking in the sight and blinking to clear his vision. "So, absolutely not like what I can do. Are these spores used for anything besides ovens?"

[sporesprouter]

She nods. "They're also used to make flares."

[summerdude]

"I can see why," Magnus says. The afterimages are starting to clear from his vision, and he grins at her. "Wanna see something cool?"

[sporesprouter]

"Of course!" She takes a seat.

[summerdude]

Magnus glances at Tress for a second, and then closes his eyes and summons summer.

To an outsider, it will appear as if the light in the room grows brighter and the room itself grows a few degrees warmer. If someone were looking closely, they might notice that the light -- which has all the qualities of sunlight -- is coming from Magnus himself. The heat, which arrives separate from the light, is also coming from Magnus. Any plants in the vicinity might tilt to face Magnus, possibly even growing a few inches in the process.

Then, with a heavy exhale, he lets it all go. The room returns to normal. He opens his eyes and grins at Tress.

[sporesprouter]

She stares in wonderment, blinking a bit.

"That's amazing. You are a flare."

[summerdude]

"My dad's whole thing is... summer," Magnus says. "Guess I inherited a few tricks."

[sporesprouter]

"That really is amazing. And must come in handy sometimes."

[summerdude]

"Yeah, it's gotten me out of a dark tunnel or two," Magnus agrees.

[sporesprouter]

"I can imagine. Thank you for showing me! That was honestly amazing."

[summerdude]

"Thank you for showing me your spores," Magnus says.

[sporesprouter]

"Well, one variety, yes. I can show you more if you'd like?"

[summerdude]

Magnus leans forward eagerly. "Bring it on," he says.

[sporesprouter]

Tress grins and goes to retrieve another spore box. "I grew up on the Verdant, so these spores remind me of home. They scared me so much when I first went to sea."

[summerdude]

"Vines?" Magnus remembers. "Do they get really big?

[sporesprouter]

"They can, with enough water and enough spores. I'm not going to do anything disruptive like that, though." She opens the box and sets down a few emerald green spores. They're slightly larger than the sunshine ones were. Again she puts the box away and wields her dropper. She's quite judicious with the amount of water she lets fall onto the spores. A small cluster of vines start to sprout the moment the first drop lands.

Tress smiles and reaches down with her free hand towards the vines. She adds a bit more water and they grow more, curling almost curiously around her fingers and climbing up her hand. She glances at Magnus. "Verdant vines."

[summerdude]

"They look friendly," Magnus says, after watching them for a moment. "Can I touch them? Or is that a bad idea?"

[sporesprouter]

"You can touch them. I don't know if I'd call them friendly, though. They don't really have enough of a mind for that. Curious, in their own way, though."