00:00Mm.
00:22Hello there...
00:26Careful now, dear sapling...
00:30You do well to keep steady footing when you so frequently visit this cliff's edge.
00:37Do know that I hadn't intended to frighten you.
00:45You may lower your guard. If I'd meant you harm I wouldn't have kept you from the rather long
00:53drop behind you. I merely come to talk, though this is a rather ill-fit location for this.
01:05The view from this rather lovely scene may be unparalleled. However, the winds may knock you
01:16from where you stand should we stay any longer. Come now, dear sapling.
01:28You're tense, dear sapling. I can feel your warts at the edge of my vision.
01:41Relax. Should anything wish you harm, I wouldn't so much as come within eyeline.
01:53It is a sight to behold. Trees springing up from the soil in mere moments.
02:01The wind moving fallen leaves block their vision.
02:09A few tricks I quite like to play on mortals.
02:16I cannot blame you for your weariness.
02:21Many of my kind have a dislike towards humans.
02:27It hurts to see how most of your kind chooses to treat beauties such as this.
02:34The senses less of their expansion.
02:38Large metal machines rolling over the hillside.
02:42Just because your people can't hear them doesn't mean they can't feel.
02:56You, dear sapling, are different.
03:04Where so many would leave this place barren, you refuse.
03:11For a human, it does surprise me you take care to avoid trampling, even the dandelions.
03:23Something so many brand of weed you still show compassion towards.
03:31A subtle thing, but one that has not gone unnoticed.
03:38I've even helped you forage on occasion.
03:45Yes, you weren't imagining things.
03:50Quite strange how you'd find just the right number of plans for your potions from time to time.
03:58And it's such a pretty arrangement.
04:02Not all dryads' tricks are malicious ones, dear sapling.
04:11Hm? Oh, you may.
04:15It is not far, but I suppose we have time for a question.
04:21If it helps to put you at ease, I'm more than willing.
04:29Oh, dear mage.
04:31Don't believe everything you read in books.
04:36I'll let you in on a little secret.
04:40The only thing your people know of dryads is what we let them.
04:49I have a liking towards evenings such as this.
04:56When the clouds blanket the sky and the soft winds run through the trees.
05:05Seeing them sway and move with the wind is such a delight.
05:15Though the sun does lend us her strength,
05:20We are more than capable when she's hidden behind the clouds.
05:31Are you looking for the way you came in?
05:35Worry not.
05:37Though you may be familiar with my forest.
05:41Getting turned around happens to everyone.
05:45You may worry about returning home later.
05:51However, now is not the time for that.
06:03Do keep up.
06:05We're almost there.
06:15Here we are, a sapling.
06:20Beautiful, isn't it?
06:23I've spent quite some time here.
06:28Do you see the large tree in the middle, standing above the others?
06:35It's mine.
06:37My home.
06:39Few mortals ever make it to this place.
06:44Be it an odd feeling that draws them away.
06:47Or a path that naturally guides them back.
06:55If I do not openly welcome them,
06:59they will not find this palace.
07:02Come along now.
07:12Careful now, my dear.
07:14Watch your footing.
07:18I knew you'd be tired after our walk here.
07:23But I hadn't thought it would be this taxing a journey for one such as yourself.
07:31Come along now.
07:34Come along now.
07:34You can rest here.
07:42There you are.
07:43There you are.
07:44Now then.
07:47Introductions seem long overdue.
07:51I am Elia.
07:55And you are the mage that so frequently visits my forest.
08:05I've been watching you for quite some time.
08:09And I must say, I'm impressed.
08:15Where others don't return so much as a glance.
08:18You admire Gaia's beauty.
08:26A quality long forgotten by most of your kind.
08:34It has been a treasure to have you in my forest, dear sapling.
08:43Hm?
08:44Your head feels fuzzy.
08:48Ah, you'd do well not to worry about it.
08:53Please, come closer.
08:59I don't want you passing out or hurting yourself.
09:12There's no need to be shy, dear sapling.
09:17My lap is open to you.
09:21I do hope the leaves make it more suitable for you.
09:28Most humans find it rather difficult to find comfortable perches on my park.
09:38Oh yes, the pollen.
09:42A flower given to me by a dear friend.
09:47The last of its kind.
09:50They gave it to me in hopes I could cultivate more of them.
09:55And I have.
09:58They dot the floor of this clearing.
10:02Their pollen has a rather strange effect on humans.
10:09They have a calming effect on the mind and body.
10:16And from the looks of it, you're neither that.
10:24You've been tense since I came to you.
10:28And if they weren't soothing you so, you likely would have fled the moment I told you of their presence.
10:41Even still, all swell in the end, dear.
10:50Your mind is calm and your body is safe with me.
10:59Though, you've no need to be concerned.
11:05The effects will wane in time.
11:08So you need only relax and enjoy this.
11:17I was so happy when I saw you on your last visit.
11:23But that, my dear sapling, is when I saw it.
11:29Most mortals see only the surface of Gaia's beauty.
11:33They see the trees sway in the wind and fail to see their dance.
11:43They hear the leaves rustle in the wind and yet are deaf to her quiet song.
11:55You, though, my dear sapling, are different.
12:08From behind your eyes, I saw your gaze fall upon their dance and your spirit dance to their sweet song.
12:22What a joy it was to see your soul join with theirs.
12:26Yes, if only for a moment, dear.
12:33Though, I saw something far more troubling as you fell away from their song.
12:41I saw your pain.
12:44I saw the weight, the burden of the mortal world you have to endure, envelop you.
12:56Your heart, dear sapling, the world your kind has forced upon you has not been kind to you.
13:06You come here seeking escape, seeking the peace the Earth has to offer.
13:17I've known your fondness for dandelions for quite some time.
13:22Resilient little things, commonly used in potions for those in your very state.
13:33Though they may dull the pain, you still carry the marks this world has thrust upon your mind.
13:45It hurts me, my dear, to see us all as bright and beautiful as yours, disgraced by the world you've
13:58been forced to live in.
14:01Though your tricks may help you, you continue to return to this broken state, still seeking escape.
14:18I can offer you the peace you so desperately need.
14:25I could take away that horrid stress you endure, to keep you from all that has harmed you.
14:34Though, though, I can only do this if you allow me, dear sapling.
14:46I would need only one thing from you.
14:51No, I need you to give me your name.
15:03The choice is yours, dear sapling.
15:10Regardless of your choice, I will cherish you all the same.
15:16I will cherish you all the same, my dear sapling.
15:25Thank you, dear sapling.
15:41Try not to worry, my dear.
15:44Just keep still from me.
15:48I promise this.
15:50You will be okay.
15:54All that, I assure you.
16:01Here we are, dear.
16:03I picked this spot just for you.
16:09Now, you need only let me do this.
16:15Try not to fight the spell.
16:19Focus on the calm spread through your mind and body.
16:26It will be over soon.
16:31It will be over soon.
16:44Fire.
17:02There we are.
17:05It won't be long now.
17:08I would like to thank you for doing so well for me.
17:17I will give you credit.
17:21You know my forest well.
17:24Had I not intervened, you may have even seen your exit on the way here.
17:32Though you may think it wrong for me to have hidden it from you.
17:38It was necessary.
17:41Had I let you leave, the world would merely break you again.
17:49I didn't tell a lie.
17:52I will keep you safe.
17:55I cannot allow a soul such as yours to be torn and tattered any longer.
18:04You gave me your name on your own free will.
18:12Hmm, I was rather curious as to when you'd see what's happening.
18:20Hmm, what's going to happen?
18:24Huh?
18:26You look troubled dear.
18:29I implore you not to get up.
18:34At this stage, you would only harm yourself.
18:40Even if you managed to leave this place, you wouldn't get far.
18:48Hmm, I'll let you in on a rather well-kept secret.
18:54Something few mortals ever learn about my kind.
19:02To give your name to a fae is to give your very soul to them.
19:11Hmm, that's right.
19:16You're mine, dear sapling.
19:23Of course, I could've tricked you from the moment we met.
19:29I could've asked for your name and been here much sooner.
19:35But I wanted this to be your choice, dear.
19:40To come into my care willingly.
19:48There it is.
19:50Your roots are coming in.
19:54Joining the earth at long last, my dear sapling.
20:03I cannot wait for you to feel Gaia's peace.
20:07Her love.
20:10You've felt it before, surely.
20:16The peace that comes from beyond a treeline.
20:21The hair on the back of your neck, standing at attention as you walk through a thicket.
20:28That is their song.
20:32The song of those who came before you.
20:37Listen.
20:40Listen.
20:46So many who have come before.
20:54Your people know nothing more than how to break you down to your core.
21:02In all those who've come before, I've seen it.
21:08Plain as sunlight on a clear day.
21:20I've seen their pain.
21:23How their body and mind breaks down.
21:27So I saw fit to help them.
21:33They're at peace now.
21:37What was before and what's to come no longer matters.
21:46There's only peace.
21:52Oh, how I can't wait to hear your voice added to their core.
21:59Your very spirit singing along.
22:03Playing in the wind.
22:07Oh, how you will love it.
22:19Listen to them.
22:22Listen to their song.
22:25Feel it still, your mind.
22:29And quiet, your thrashing body.
22:34Do they seem in pain?
22:38Do they seem burdened by the life your kind has made them live?
22:49Feel them.
22:51Feel their roots entwine with yours.
22:56Feel their comfort.
23:01Death will not come for you for generations.
23:09You will live to see the world in all of her beauty flourish.
23:17And when the winter comes and you wilt and rest, I will watch over you.
23:27Feel them quietly, as I have for all in my care.
23:39Simply keep it.
23:43Let yourself be cared for.
23:47Let yourself finally have the rest you so dearly deserve.
24:07Yes, dear.
24:09Your voice is even more beautiful than I thought it would be.
24:23Welcome home, dear sapling.
24:55Your voice is even more beautiful.
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