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Description

Crossing the lake, the flames entered into the fog-veiled forest with a hop, skip, and a…float? It seems they too had the power to defy gravity and did not have to touch the ground, or water, at all. “A very odd night,” thought Lady, as she made her way up the small hillside toward…she stopped. Where were they going? A moment ago, she was certain of her decision and damn the repercussions. Now, not so much.

The glowing flames continued deeper into the woods that were her home, unaware of their playmates’ sudden pause. The giggles drifted into the night. “Hrmph! You made your decision to chase the lights! Now is not the time to turn back!” Lady thought and she focused all her effort and picked up speed thinking her loudest thought, “Slow down! Wait! I don’t know where we are going nor do I know the way!”

And like so many things that night, a sudden change occurred. Lady thought perhaps there was a shift in the wind or the way the trees swayed back and forth. Suddenly the ground began to glow red-orange. “Oh!?!” thought Lady as the red-orange glow spread further into the forest towards the direction she last saw the glowing flames. It was a path perfectly outlined through the forest. “Be careful what you wish for Lady.” Another giggle whispered on the wind.

Crouching closer to examine the newly made path, Lady noticed that the color came from the leaves, but the light emanated from seeds, of what plant she didn’t know, but they rested ever so delicately top. The tiny white-hot specks of light made it appear as if the forest floor was ablaze. She briefly thought of the fire watch tower behind her and hoped they did not mistake this magic for a real fire. “The last thing we need in this forest.”

But then, she was not in the forest any longer, but an old orchard. Or, what was left of an old orchard, for it would be best described as barren now. The clearing was once the Jacobsen Cider farm and teaming with life, but this past year disease had claimed the organic forest orchard. In the center lay the oldest tree on the farm, already bare of leaves. Another missed harvest. Lady’s thoughts turned wistful, “It was inevitable that soon the Jacobsen family would have to sell the farm, probably to the wine industry, like so many old farms before.

Under the old apple tree, thousands of seeds twinkled among the roots, mirroring the stars. “Hauntingly beautiful,” thought Lady, “Almost like my lake! A mirror for the stars. But why did the flames take me here?”

Behind her, a flame giggled, too close for comfort and she turned. But when she looked back, there was no glow, no flame in site. “Hrmph, cheeky fire.” Turning back towards the tree she…

“By the moon and stars above! Would you look at that!!!” she exclaimed. The seeds had vanished as quickly as they had appeared, but the tree was forever changed. What was once a surely dead tree was glowing with ripe golden apples and thick lush leaves. Nine, smaller saplings had sprung up from the ground in neat little circle. Lady was in awe, dumbstruck even! Was this the little flames doing? Was it real or just a trick?

“Surprise!” they giggled. “What fun!” giggled another! “A treat” cooed a third. And they danced among the branches like laughing finches. One by one, they hopped down away from the clearing. The last and smallest flame briefly paused to plead to Lady, “Come play!” before disappearing back into the forest.

“Indeed.” Lady thought.

~~~~

Author's note: ***Edited to fit the Event guidelines*** See comments below

Base Score: 5 AP (Flat Color Illustration)
+5 AP (Full Body)
+10 AP (Simple/Vignette Background: Wheat in Rain )
+5 AP (Event Bonus)
Sub Total AP Art: 25

Base Score: 12 AP (Writing: 612 words)
+5 AP (Event Bonus: nine + wistful + barren + finch + fog)
Sub Total AP (Writing): 17

Grand Total (AP): 42

Base Score: 2 GP (Flat Color Illustration)
+2 GP (Full Body)
+4 GP (Simple/Vignette Background: Wheat in Rain )
+2 GP (Event Bonus:
Sub total GP (Art): 10

Base Score: 6 GP (Writing: 612 words)
+2 GP (Event Bonus: nine + wistful + barren + finch + fog)
Sub Total GP (Writing): 8

Grand Total (GP): 18

Description

Crossing the lake, the flames entered into the fog-veiled forest with a hop, skip, and a…float? It seems they too had the power to defy gravity and did not have to touch the ground, or water, at all. “A very odd night,” thought Lady, as she made her way up the small hillside toward…she stopped. Where were they going? A moment ago, she was certain of her decision and damn the repercussions. Now, not so much.

The glowing flames continued deeper into the woods that were her home, unaware of their playmates’ sudden pause. The giggles drifted into the night. “Hrmph! You made your decision to chase the lights! Now is not the time to turn back!” Lady thought and she focused all her effort and picked up speed thinking her loudest thought, “Slow down! Wait! I don’t know where we are going nor do I know the way!”

And like so many things that night, a sudden change occurred. Lady thought perhaps there was a shift in the wind or the way the trees swayed back and forth. Suddenly the ground began to glow red-orange. “Oh!?!” thought Lady as the red-orange glow spread further into the forest towards the direction she last saw the glowing flames. It was a path perfectly outlined through the forest. “Be careful what you wish for Lady.” Another giggle whispered on the wind.

Crouching closer to examine the newly made path, Lady noticed that the color came from the leaves, but the light emanated from seeds, of what plant she didn’t know, but they rested ever so delicately top. The tiny white-hot specks of light made it appear as if the forest floor was ablaze. She briefly thought of the fire watch tower behind her and hoped they did not mistake this magic for a real fire. “The last thing we need in this forest.”

But then, she was not in the forest any longer, but an old orchard. Or, what was left of an old orchard, for it would be best described as barren now. The clearing was once the Jacobsen Cider farm and teaming with life, but this past year disease had claimed the organic forest orchard. In the center lay the oldest tree on the farm, already bare of leaves. Another missed harvest. Lady’s thoughts turned wistful, “It was inevitable that soon the Jacobsen family would have to sell the farm, probably to the wine industry, like so many old farms before.

Under the old apple tree, thousands of seeds twinkled among the roots, mirroring the stars. “Hauntingly beautiful,” thought Lady, “Almost like my lake! A mirror for the stars. But why did the flames take me here?”

Behind her, a flame giggled, too close for comfort and she turned. But when she looked back, there was no glow, no flame in site. “Hrmph, cheeky fire.” Turning back towards the tree she…

“By the moon and stars above! Would you look at that!!!” she exclaimed. The seeds had vanished as quickly as they had appeared, but the tree was forever changed. What was once a surely dead tree was glowing with ripe golden apples and thick lush leaves. Nine, smaller saplings had sprung up from the ground in neat little circle. Lady was in awe, dumbstruck even! Was this the little flames doing? Was it real or just a trick?

“Surprise!” they giggled. “What fun!” giggled another! “A treat” cooed a third. And they danced among the branches like laughing finches. One by one, they hopped down away from the clearing. The last and smallest flame briefly paused to plead to Lady, “Come play!” before disappearing back into the forest.

“Indeed.” Lady thought.

~~~~

Author's note: ***Edited to fit the Event guidelines*** See comments below

Base Score: 5 AP (Flat Color Illustration)
+5 AP (Full Body)
+10 AP (Simple/Vignette Background: Wheat in Rain )
+5 AP (Event Bonus)
Sub Total AP Art: 25

Base Score: 12 AP (Writing: 612 words)
+5 AP (Event Bonus: nine + wistful + barren + finch + fog)
Sub Total AP (Writing): 17

Grand Total (AP): 42

Base Score: 2 GP (Flat Color Illustration)
+2 GP (Full Body)
+4 GP (Simple/Vignette Background: Wheat in Rain )
+2 GP (Event Bonus:
Sub total GP (Art): 10

Base Score: 6 GP (Writing: 612 words)
+2 GP (Event Bonus: nine + wistful + barren + finch + fog)
Sub Total GP (Writing): 8

Grand Total (GP): 18