User blog:Gnomehunter/Day 17: Plant Gang

Write a story with a Plant-type monster

Plant type is my single favorite type of monster in the encyclopedia. I love almost every plant girl here and it was just kind of a challenge to decide which one I wanted to write about. The dryad is really sweet, and I decided she would be a good choice since getting to spend time with bug girls is a huge plus.

Plant Gang

I got nothing on this title

'''“Ah love, such a beautiful thing to happen between people..but not at the expense of others. Next time, find a way to express your love for each other that doesn’t involve harming local wildlife. Understand?” The dryad asked, staring sternly down at the two teenage kids who had come to carve their name on her tree. '''

'''“Yes ma’am!” They both nodded quickly, then turned and ran back the way they’d come. '''

'''“Oh, to be in love”, she sighed to herself. “When might I have that chance?” --- “I wouldn’t pull on that flower if I were you”. She watched a man tugging at the base of a great pink flower that had sprouted in the ground a short walk from her tree. The man turned and jumped in fright. '''

'''“Monster! Stay away from me! I’m so hungry I could eat this flower. But it’s got to be attached to something”.'''

'''“Sir? If you need some food I have fruit on my tree that I’d be happy to-”'''

'''“Never! I can’t let myself be swayed by a monster’s charms”.'''

'''“Oh but if you’re afraid of monsters you really shouldn’t pull on that flower”. But he wouldn’t listen to her. I guess he’ll learn the hard way, she thought, turning back to her tree. A time later, and a shrill scream pierced the air. The man had pulled up a Mandragora, and was now driven into a frenzy with the small girl. She didn’t see the two, but the effects of the scream still made her wish she had a mate for herself. --- A man dressed in light armor ran up to the base of her tree, crouching down to rest. He pulled his helmet off to breathe, sweat pouring down his face. '''

'''“You seem to be in a hurry. What troubles you?” The dryad asked. He gave a start when he saw the young woman sitting in the branches of the tree above him. '''

'''“Pursued by a very persistent mushroom girl. She won’t stop bouncing, I’m lucky to have escaped”. '''

'''“Oh, a Myconid. They’re a sub-species of the Matango. They no longer have the same monsterization capabilities as their progenitor species but they’re still as charming and gentle. Are you sure you wouldn’t like her company?” '''

'''“For now I prefer to remain by myself. I don’t suppose I could get your assistance in evading her?”'''

'''“Hmm, the only reason a monster might prevent another monster from getting a man is if she wanted that man for herself. I’m afraid I couldn’t bear to stop a monster from finding her chosen partner. But I will tell you that you'll find a much bigger expanse of the forest in the direction you’re going. If you wanted to avoid your pursuer, you’d be better going back the way you came and trying to get into the open where she doesn’t have as much to bounce off of”.'''

'''“Well, I thank you for your advice. A good day to you”. The man bowed, put on his helmet and stood up, watching in the direction he had been running. There was a thumping sound, and something came flying into the open, a girl with a mushroom cap on her head, limbs tucked in close as she flew through the air. She sailed past the dryad’s tree and the man bolted in the opposite direction. The myconid continued to bounce around, and as the man vanished from sight, the dryad caught the girl in her vines. '''

'''“I missed”, the girl said sadly, staring into the forest. '''

'''“Oh, don’t worry dear. He just changed directions. You might still catch him. I’ll give you a hand”. She hurled the girl between the trees and off in the direction the man had run. Straining her ears, she heard the man’s voice as he cried out in shock. She cheered silently. “I think that was the most admirable man I’ve ever met in my life. I think they’ll be perfect for each other”, she said wistfully. --- Dryad was resting peacefully in the branches when she heard a shout. Opening her eyes, she looked down to see a raccoon beastman, carrying a small pack on her back. '''

'''“Good afternoon, madam. Are you the master of this forest?”'''

'''“Oh, good afternoon. You must be from Zipangu? This forest doesn’t really have a master, but if you need directions or assistance, I might be able to help”. '''

'''“I give you my gratitude. I am looking for the closest route to the city of Garonne”. '''

'''“Well, you’d have to go through the North-West region. It’s much more dense and there’s not much of a trail due to how many monsters live there. But I suppose that wouldn’t be much of a problem for you. But are you sure you want to go there? It’s an Order controlled city”. '''

'''“I’m aware of the risks associated with the city, and I have my own reasons for seeking it. But I thank you for your guidance, and concern for my safety. In exchange for your assistance, it’s only fair that I do something for you”. '''

'''“Oh I don’t think there’s anything that I’d need”. '''

'''“Are you sure? I caught wind of some wizard men traveling through the area searching for signs of matangos, all of them single and all of them looking rather handsome. Why don’t you take one of these prisoner fruits?”'''

'''“Oh! My, well, thank you”, she said, taking the juicy pink fruit from the danuki and putting it away in one of the higher branches. '''

'''“Well, good day”. The danuki said, and proceeded in the direction of the city. '''

'''“Thank you!” The dryad called out. --- Two days later, a small group of wizards passed through the forest. They were dressed in long flowing robes, all tied up around their arms and legs to allow for easier walking. She watched them talking amongst themselves, when one of them looked right in her direction. '''

'''“Madam?” She emerged from the tree. '''

“How did you know I was there?”

'''“I could sense your presence due to my magic training. Allow me to introduce ourselves. My name is Kent Alvarez. My associates and I are just one group of many groups traveling the continent in search of matango clusters. Our aim is not to harm them”, he said, seeing the woman looked suspicious, “but to make a map of their locations, possibly in the interest of collecting them in a more focused area. This would make it easier for men who wished to become their partners, and a way to contain their spread within a reasonable level”. '''

'''“I see. Well, there are none in this area. I saw a myconid chase a man this way a few months ago, but none of the kind you’re looking for. But you’re free to stay here and search the forest”. '''

'''“Thank you. We’ll be here only a few days”. She watched them prepare a camp some distance away from her tree. Over the next couple days, they investigated the area, using wards to prevent monsters from getting near, while surveying the forest. On their third day, they packed up, and prepared to leave. As the team departed, she called out to them.'''

'''“Kent! Would you wait here for a moment? I have a matter of greatest importance that I must speak with you about”. Kent spoke to his colleagues, who looked more than a little concerned, but left him behind. He approached her. '''

'''“And what would that be?” Vines erupted out of the ground, coiling around his limbs and body, pulling him close to her. She took his face in her hands, inches from her own.'''

'''“That would be that I have found you to be incredibly attractive and desirable as a partner, and I simply cannot allow you to leave”. Kent nodded. '''

“May I have your name?” 

“Well I don’t really have one, but you can feel free to call me darling, or sweetheart, or-”

'''“My dear,” Kent said, pointedly. “We came up with a plan for what to do if one of us became endeared with a monster in our travels. We agreed we would continue our expedition with her, or, if this was not possible, we would continue our work for a year before returning to her”. '''

'''“A year? How am I supposed to be able to wait that long?” '''

'''“I can understand your reluctance to part. But this work is important. The Order uses some of the more threatening looking monsters as justification for attacking smaller towns or outposts, even trying to torch sections of forest. If we can create a more comprehensive map of Matango colonies, we could fight against their attempts to scare neutral communities”.'''

'''“Oh! Terrible. Well, I can see how important your work is. But before you leave I have to give you something”. Kent tilted his head as if to ask. She closed the distance and smooched him on the lips. She held him there, trying to convey all her feelings in one gesture, hugging him closely. When they parted, his composure lay on the ground in pieces, and he almost looked like he wanted to stay. So she set him on the ground. “A little something to remember me by”, she said with a smile. '''

'''“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Farewell, dear”. '''

'''“I love you!” She called. --- The next year passed by slower than it had ever passed before. Monsters came and went, some married to men and some in pursuit of them, but she managed to speak to or greet the ones who had the time. She spent her days thinking about Kent, and wondering how his work was going. Then the fall, winter and spring passed, and as it returned to summer, suddenly he was there. '''

'''“My dear, his voice rang out, jerking her out of her rest. She leaped out of the tree, taking a place in the branches to see Kent, standing before her. Hand to her mouth in shock, she could barely speak. “When we last met, your parting words were, ‘I love you’. And I did not answer. That has been the thing in my mind every day since I left. I’ve seen countless couples, monster and human, human and human, all living in different means but all freely expressing their love for each other. I have met couples who were separated by tragedy, couples who lost each other in passing, and even couples who came about because of it. But always they express their commitment to each other. And I wish I had done that for you. So now I say, I am back, here to stay, and it is my deepest pleasure to say that I love you, and wish never to separate again. She squealed with delight and happiness, pulling him into her arms, raining kisses onto his face. They embraced, and when she gave him a moment to breathe, she whispered,'''

'''“Now we need to celebrate our marriage properly”. '''

“Ah, I have...heard accounts about how a dryad mates”.

'''“Well, let me assure you firstly, that there is nothing to worry about. I promise you”. '''

'''“There’s no way I could doubt you, my dear”. '''

'''“Mmm, then let me show you…” She wrapped her arms around him, and as Kent was pulled towards the tree, he closed his eyes. He felt his body push against the rough bark, then he began to sink into its surface. “Please take a breath, darling. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Kent let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. Then, he continued to sink, until his entire body was engulfed in the bark-y surface. As he continued to move, his outstretched arms felt open air, and he found himself emerging out of the tree. He was sitting in a room, every surface made of wood that had the appearance of the inside of a tree. His wife appeared before him. “This is our home, but I can assure you it can become much more than it appears”. She embraced him, leaning him back so he was laying on the soft wood floor. Kent’s worries were banished by the pleasure his wife was providing to him. '''

'''Becoming aware of the passage of the day, Kent woke up, his wife laying in his arms. '''

'''“Sweetheart, that was amazing. I don’t know how anyone could complain about this predicament. How much time has passed?”'''

“Oh, it’s been a day”.

'''“What? That long already?”'''

'''“Mhm, time passes differently for us. It makes it much easier to keep enjoying each other. And this time we have a visitor. You wouldn’t mind sharing would you?” Kent looked to see an enormous beetle-like woman approaching the tree. She was covered in a hard brown shell, her human body dangling in the air as she traveled on a large six-legged insectoid body. Her glassy black eyes showed no signs, but she seemed to be interested in the tree. '''

“Well, I don’t suppose I have any problems if you’re ok with it”.

'''“Certainly, our tree produces lots of delicious sap that makes many bug-type monsters come for a taste. I think we should share our happiness with others”. The beetle put her large trident down on the ground, and knelt down to suck on Kent, who cried out in pleasure. His wife took a place near his face. After the beetle had her fill, she silently asked his wife for a moment, and she obliged, allowing the beetle to take her turn with Kent. She was quiet but absolutely adorable, and Kent couldn’t help but feel love for the beetle. She left the next day, but Kent found more visitors. '''

'''A Mantis who was shy and reserved, but dropped her guard for just a moment as she took her position with him. A hornet who all but demanded his attention, but turned far sweeter when she had a taste. And a gentle mothman who visited at night. With so many other visitors, and his wife’s attention, Kent witnessed the passing of the seasons in almost a blink of an eye. He opened his eyes one day, inundated with senses. The faint breezes rustling through his leaves, a bird chirping as it nested in the branches, the sound of water running through his roots... Hm? Kent gave a start, realizing that all of his senses were that of the tree. He shook his wife gently.'''

'''“Dear? It seems that I have become aware of the same things that our tree is”. '''

'''“Of course, that’s an effect of our marriage. But it also means you’ll find it much easier to leave by yourself”.'''

“How do I do that?”

'''“Ummmmm, you have to sort of, focus on yourself and imagine yourself as an individual person? That lets you move through the tree. Oh, but don’t force it, that makes it harder”. Kent snickered. “Hey, mister, don’t make fun of me. Or maybe...you’d rather spend another day with me?” She trailed her fingers up his chest. '''

'''“That offer is quite attractive. But first, I’d like to try what you suggested”. For weeks, Kent focused on trying to separate from the tree. In between visits from the many bug monsters that were drawn by the juicy sap that ran down the tree. His magic training aided him, and one day, Kent found success. His mind at ease, he reached out to the wood wall, and found his fingers sinking into the side. He leaned forward slowly, continuing to sink. As he stepped forward, his body was slowly engulfed, until he found himself in the same place he had been a year ago, inside the tree. His fingers broke the surface, and he reached out, grasping at air. He continued forward, until he found himself outside, the air tickling his skin, and he fell flat on his face. But his wife caught him in her vines, lifting him up to face her. '''

'''That was very good, darling. But are you alight?”'''

'''“Thank you, dear. But it seems as though I’ve lost the use of my legs”.'''

'''“Well, as much as it felt like you were walking around, you’ve been merged with the tree. You haven’t moved in a year”. '''

'''“Well, I could see why someone might be afraid. But now I feel like I’d rather be back inside the tree. I wasn’t missing anything important like sun or air. The tree gets plenty of that”. '''

'''“Well, there’s no reason you have to remain isolated. Besides our visitors”, she waved to a honeybee who was buzzing nearer to the tree”, we have several neighbors in this forest, also dryads. I could take you to visit them”. '''

'''“Excuse me”, the honeybee said, blushing. “But I smelled something so sweet, I just had to ask for a taste”. She buzzed near to Kent, taking a big whiff. Kent’s wife patted her on the head. '''

'''“Of course, sweetie. I’ll have my darling ready in just a moment”. The bee hummed as Kent returned to the tree, surrounded by the comforting walls of wood. He kissed the bee, running his hand through her hair as her wings buzzed. And he kissed his wife, as she took his head in her lap and smiled happily. '''