#leafeo

( @themeowsticvigilante )

* As if in response to your line of questioning, the bushes begin to gently rustle all around you, a few stray leaves picking up and fluttering through the air. *

* A mysterious figure, about twice as tall as you are, steps out delicately from behind the shrine, carrying a small basket in its mouth. The basket contains an egg with a starry blanket wrapped around it, as well as what appears to be a Soothe Bell tied around one side of the handle. *

* As the Pokemon steps out to face you, you notice that there are flowers blooming in their wake. Stray leaves can also be seen fluttering around their general vicinity as they step in front of the shrine. *

* They place the basket down delicately, before sitting down in front of you and gazing curiously at the Gracidea flower. *

pretty boy

* The guardian takes a moment to ponder on this. They step forward, placing a paw on your hand, a white glow surrounding your bodies. As their eyes close, the world around you changes… *

* Your vision is immediately swamped by shades of red, orange and yellow. The smell of smoke is nearly overwhelming, the crackling of flames and dead tree branches coming from all different directions. The roars of the flames are accompanied by the cries of Pokemon, their footsteps rapid and thundering as they try to make a quick escape from the raging wildfire. *

* The entire scene is quite jarring from the serenity of the forest you were just in. However, as you peer between the trees and walls of flame, a familiar figure can be seen leaping through the carnage. *

* As the Guardian leaps from place to place, plant life sprouts from the footsteps, quickly rising up and around the flames in an attempt to choke them out. This also goes on for some time, with the Guardian leading Pokemon to safety, battling back the fire as best they can, until… *

* … the fire is stopped. The Pokemon come out from hiding to gaze upon the remains of the forest they once called home. It is a burnt wasteland right now, but in due time, it will return to its former glory, as a forest is known to do. *

* The Guardian looks at you calmly, closes their eyes, and--as they did once before--show you mental images of the forest during the four seasons. *

* They tell you their name isn't ready to be revealed yet, but is associated with the forest they stay in. Calling them by their title is preferred for now. ( The Guardian does thank you for asking what they prefer, though. The thought is appreciated. ) *

* They proceed to open their eyes and give you a nod of gratitude, gesturing behind them to the basket containing the egg. The Gracidea flower is calmly nestled beside it, acting as a nice compliment to the purple blanket. *

* ...They can't help but wonder what they're going to do when hatching time comes around. *

* The Guardian, in a surprising turn of events, has appeared by the shrine! They’re a lot more present than they usually are. *

* However, they appear to be hiding something mysterious by the bottom of the shrine... And when you go in to get a closer look... *

( art by @occasionallyshinyumbreon )

* It’s an egg! *

* What could the Guardian be doing guarding an Egg like this? *

A shrine that honors the forest’s guardian, the one that watches from far across time...

* As you set down the candy with the other offerings, the deity steps out from behind the altar to get a closer look at the sugary treat. *

* Almost curiously, they kneel down and sniff the candy, before fully lying down on the forest floor and starting to paw away at the wrapper of the candy. *