A weary smile spread across the elders lips with a subtle laugh. "My dear Jacelyn. So quick with your words. I do know something, actually quite a bit..." With a heavy sigh she got to her feet before walking towards one of her shelves and pulled out a book before continuing. "They are not the first like them to grace our town and I guess you should all learn the truth." In a leisurely pace she walked back over to the group handed the book over to them and taking her seat once more to start the long explanation that could be deemed a story.

"It all began about 300 years ago we were partaking in extensive genetic engineering on trees, at a research facility on Earth's moon. All so we could produce trees capable of growing in harsh, arid conditions. However the trees became conscious and spread to Earth in a fiery genocide, wiping out most of our civilization and fragmenting the moon... As those years passed the forest grew to what you see now, it is ruled over by treelike humans called Zruids. They control our water supply, I have had to encounter them three times in all my life, very unpleasant and each time it never got better..." Her voice was calm and deep with hidden knowledge as he hands went to rest upon Sage and Clover. "You too must avoid the forest, you are a threat in its eyes because in those years we tried to stop the forest and it believes you are going to do that too. That is why you must stay here if you promise not to go in there, for years Neutral City has built a bond between the forest and I do not want you breaking that. It happened only a few years ago...." With sorrowful eyes she looked up at Jacelyn. "...because of your father."

To say Jacelyn wasn't horrified and angry would be a lie. She had hated her father before thinking he had abandoned her when it was really the Elder who threw him out. "Than he is living in Ragna?" her question was rhetorical because she knew the answer even before she spoke up. The whole time her eyes had glazed over with fresh tears. No matter how much she hated him, she couldn't stop herself from loving her father.

For Sage he was lost, shocked and in slight turmoil. They caused this to happen to earth, the downfall of the human race and now it was even hurting in the form of a forest. At that moment Sage didn't want to be here anymore, the chill that ran down his spine at the knowledge something wanted him dead left a rancid taste in his mouth. The book didn't help much either. It held all the secrets as to what they were doing, the reason why he was put into a cryogenic pod. A plan in hopes they could continue the human race...

The elder watched them all wishing things could be different but to lie to them would put them in danger. "Now all of you stay away from that forest. It holds many secrets that not even I know of. For now, the two you found will be staying with the both of you. They are your responsibility. Rune, get them all use to the way of life here and Jacelyn, you make sure it is comfortable and they get what they need. So off with you all. I can tell you are tired, you need warm food and beds not discussion over these matters." Her voice now held quite a motherly tone as she coxed them all to higher spirits.

Jacelyn with a deep breath walked over to Clover and held her hand out to the girl. "You'll be staying with me I guess, like I will let you be in the same house as Rune and I don't think his clothes will fit you." she said in a light tone trying to get the girl to laugh. If they would be together from now on she would make it as pleasant as possible. Which would most likely end up with her picking on Rune all the time.

[{Alright. I just feel bad for taking so long to reply. The school has a way with giving me all my hard classes at once.}]

Clover studied the older woman carefully as she spoke. She was grateful that someone might have some answers to the mystery of years gone by. She was surprised when the woman mentioned that Sage and herself hadn't been the first ones to awaken in such a manner. It made sense that there might be other survivors but from the horrors she had seen in the forest cave she had assumed they had been the only ones to make it through alive. The green-haired female watched as the older woman retrieved a book and brought it to them to look at. Clover let Sage take hold of the object and glanced at it curiously for a moment when he opened it but then chose to watch the elder as she spoke. There would be time to look at the book later, or so she hoped. The first part of the story was familiar to her. She knew about the tree project that had taken place on the moon. It was to be a big success but from what she had seen in the forest it was clear something had gone horribly wrong. According to this woman, the trees had somehow grown sentient? And actually broke apart the moon? It was almost too horrific to believe but the evidence was unavoidable.

Clover did her best not to recoil from the old woman's touch. It was all so much to take in at once and she hadn't yet decided if she liked this woman or not. She didn't seem to mean them any harm but she had a certain directness that was almost unlikable. The young girl wasn't stupid however, it would be suicide for her to go back into the forest alone so she nodded, indicating that she would stay well away from the forest. What other choice did she have? If she didn't agree the old woman might just throw her out for the so called Zruids to find and presumably kill, if the snake-like vines didn't do so first. The woman didn't seem to notice however as she turned her attention to Jacelyn to mention something about her father. Apparently he had broken the previous bond between the forest and this city which at this point she could only assume had gotten him exiled and caused a lot of trouble for the woman before her.

Clover was more than relieved when the old woman put on a mothering tone and dismissed them from her office. All she really wanted to do now was go to sleep, even if it meant not waking up again, whether it be on this couch or on the cold hard ground outside. Jacelyn however came to claim her before she could consider these possibilities any further. The small girl took the hand offered to her and used it to help her stand. She nodded that she would go with her but didn't laugh at the attempted joke. She doubted Jacelyn's clothes would fit her any better than Rune's given the other girl's height compared to her short stature but she agreed that she would be more comfortable staying with another female and it was better than having to stay with the older woman.

Rune already knew much of the story that the elder told but the last bit shocked him. Jaceyln's father had broken the bond between the forest and Neutral City? He had always assumed she was fatherless because of an accident. It wasn't uncommon for men to get lost exploring underground caves or get trapped in collapsed buildings. Looking over at the female beside him he saw the tears in her eyes and almost reached out to her but stopped when she phrased a question for the elder. Her question went unanswered however as the elder ignored it and gave them their orders.

Rune nodded that he understood. He would be their guide, explaining the workings of the city and the duties they must perform while Jacelyn did her best to make them at home. The white-haired boy frowned at the way Jaceyln made him out to be some creep unsuitable for Clover to room with but brushed it off. She was hurting and needed to hide it behind something, even at his expense. "That leaves you and me," Rune said to sage with a friendly smile. From the way the other man had been acting around Jacelyn he was sure Sage would be more than happy to be staying with him. Rune stood by the couch and waited for Sage to rise so they could go make the necessary arrangements and be off to bed though it was almost sunrise by now.

((It's totally fine. I actually rather like the pace we're going at because I don't feel pressured to post if I don't have the time.))

It was true, Sage was more than happy to be staying with Rune. Preferred not having to be nagged till his ears fell off for something he did wrong. At least he hoped his new roommate would be more lenient. "I'm not going to object to that at all." he spoke in a chipper tone quickly rising to join Rune. Getting to learn about his new home fascinated him. He decided to make the most of this as he could, no point in getting sad over the past. Would make a new future and get the forest to accept him. Better to do something in the face of nothing.

Fallen into a methodical silence Jacelyn lead Clover back down the twisting staircases to solid ground allowing the others to follow at their own pace. No need to rush in her eyes and she was ready to pick Clover up if she tired too much. Either way she was going to wait for the others. "Rune. If I see you doing chores this morning, I won't just take your coat this time..." Her only warning to him, she didn't want to see him working not when with his energy level. On top of that she cared for him as she did the other two, her motherly nature slowly beginning to show. "Lets go Clover. I think you will like it at my place." she spoke with a gentle smile.

Jacelyn led Clover to her home holding the makeshift blanket for a doorway. "Grandma, I'm home and we'll be having someone stay with us." she called in hearing the quite hum her grandma while she cooked. With a grin she happily lead Clover in to show her the small abode. It had two bedrooms, hers was full of pillows and blankets, while her grandma had the bed. The kitchen, dinning room and living room was one big room, the room they entered. There was also the luxury of a bathroom. "I hope you like it here." Jacelyn said knowing her grandma would treat her just like another daughter.

Sage on the other hand looked upon Rune with a raised eyebrow. "Wow... What did you do to get her bad side?" he mused nudging him gently with his elbow a goofy grin on his face curious how he got Jacelyn to act like that. To him it was obvious that she treated him different from him and Clover. Not that he minded. Didn't not want her wrath to rain down upon him. "I wish you luck with her." he laughed already assuming something was between them.

[{Alright. Just so use to people chewing me out. Oh and I'm sorry for how short this. My laptop is broken and I know have to reply with my ipod that is horrible at keeping internet connection.}]

Rune held back a chuckle at Sage's apparent enthusiasm at rooming with him. It was obvious that the other teen didn't fancy living with Jacelyn at all, and Rune couldn't blame him. She could be a bit...pushy, especially towards men it seemed. 'She's probably just used to fending for herself,' Rune decided; that was the best excuse he could come up with anyway. Jacelyn was a complex creature. She had proven herself to be both fierce and proud but also compassionate and protective. There seemed to be more to her than he originally thought. And now this business with her father... She would have a lot on her mind. With that in mind, Rune gave the girls a few moments head start before heading for the stairs with Sage in tow. There wasn't much to say at the moment so he kept silent as they descended the half-destroyed building. Sage was sure to have a few questions and he would be happy to answer them but for the moment he was content to remain silent until called upon.

Clover shambled down the stairs after Jacelyn, happy that the other wasn't going too fast for her to keep up. One hand trailed along the wall to help her keep her balance as she focused on placing one foot after another securely on the step below. Her legs grew tired and her knees threatened to buckle but she managed to make it on her own and joined Jacelyn at the bottom as she waited for the other two to arrive. It only took them a few moments to appear however, for which the younger girl was grateful. The sooner they reached Jacelyn's place, the better. It could be some dirt-floored tent with nothing but straw for a bed and she wouldn't care so long as she could lay down.

Rune was surprised to find Jacelyn and Clover waiting for them outside. He was certain the pair would have already headed off in the direction of Jaceyln's hut to rest but he had been proven wrong. The young man came to a halt in front of the girls and opened his mouth to ask why they had waited but Jacelyn cut him off. Rune blinked in surprise at the threat but offered a slow nod in response once he recovered. He didn't think it was her business if he did his work or not but it would be his first priority to make sure Sage was settled anyway. He would do his chores later in the day, after he had gotten a chance to rest.

The white-haired teen merely shrugged in response to Sage's question, there was really nothing for him to say. He wouldn't waste precious energy trying to explain the verbal sparring match that had gotten them to that point. The elbowing and goofy grin he received from Sage made him frown. What was the other boy getting at? He didn't seriously think there was something going on between him, did he? Sage's laugh set his teeth on edge. "It's nothing," was all he managed to say through gritted teeth. Lack of sleep was starting to foul his mood and he decided the sooner they made it to his place the better. There would be more practical things to discuss there than Sage's ridiculous theory about his love life.

Clover couldn't believe they had waited just for Jacelyn to yell at Rune one more time. She couldn't understand why she was spending her time with the guy if she couldn't seem to stand anything about him. Jacelyn's personal life was none of her concern at the moment however so she simply nodded and stumbled wearily after the taller teen. Fortunately Jacelyn's abode wasn't too far and was a step up from the dirty hut she had been imagining. Whatever the old woman was cooking at the stove smelled delicious and Clover eyed the pile of pillows in Jacelyn's room longingly. "It's wonderful," she said, "Thank you." It was nothing compared to what her old home had been but she was not in a place to complain.

Rune's dwelling was small but of sturdy construction. Unlike some of the other huts, his had a swinging door that he had built himself from materials he had looted from other broken down buildings. Pushing the door aside, he allowed Sage to step over the threshold before following him inside. The house was small and things would be a little cramped with two people but they would make do. The room they entered consisted of a combination kitchen/sitting space. There was a fire pit for cooking, a large basin for water, a small table hewn of wood, and two chairs. Beyond that was a darker room that housed a mattress posed upon the floor and Rune's personal belongings. "You can take the mattress," Rune offered automatically. He would see about finding himself something to sleep on later. "This is it," he announced after showing Sage the small bathroom that protruded from a hallway in the space between the kitchen and bedroom. "I can make us something to eat if you're hungry," he offered, shrugging off his jacket. Rune was tired enough to go to bed hungry but he imagined it had been a very long time since Sage had last eaten so the young man was likely to be a hell of a lot hungrier than he was at the moment.

((It's been so long since I've posted that your computer is probably fixed by now but if not I completely understand. Writing anything on an iPod can be frustrating, let alone an RP post. Also, don't worry about it being short. Personally I consider one paragraph to be "enough", two to be "average", and three or more to be "long". ^///^))

[{I'm sorry for taking so long. I have no excuse this time other than become and introvert and losing all inspiration in roleplaying. It is losing its, sparkle for me lately. Don't worry though. In my books these are long posts too. Don't know how I keep up but I seem to be doing it. We can shorten it if you like. Just feel if I don't mirror my partners post they'll abandon me.}]

Having at least some brains Sage didn't push the matter about Rune's love life though it took all his mental strength to keep the words from spilling out. The desire to comment on how his denial sounded a little, too angry to be nothing. He held it in though for this was a different time. Speaking in such a blunt manner seemed to be looked down upon and could get him in trouble. Not like in the past he was a perfect angel... Sticking to silence he followed his roommate all the way to his place. It was small, quaint but homy. He couldn't ask for anything better, there was a place to sleep, food, and other luxuries. "I don't need to use the mattress. The ground fells more at home," he spoke with a laugh in his voice. Cryogenic pods were too, comfortable. Much preferred the firm ground after being in that pod for years.

Jacelyn raised an eyebrow in surprise. "No need to thank me," she said with a gentle smile. Allowing Clover to make herself at home she wandered over to her grandmother to take over the cooking. "If you aren't too tired you can stay up for something to eat. If not I understand," she spoke to Clover while taking care of the stew her grandmother had prepared and checked on the bread. Bread Jacelyn had made just a day ago. One of her favorite things to do, make homemade bread. Nothing compared to it and if Clover stayed up, she hoped she liked.

Gin, Jacelyn's grandmother quietly left her granddaughter to the cooking before hobbling over to great Clover. "Hello my dear. What would your name be?" she asked getting rather close to her to get a good look of her. Old age had taken a toll on her sight and mobility. She was still a happy woman, small and frail but a warm that could light up a room. With a hearty laugh she hobbled over to a dressed before pulling out some clothes, two dresses too be exact. "These should fit you the best my dear," she said holding them out to Clover in her wrinkled hands. They weren't much, not made of luxurious fabric or vibrant colors. "I can alter them too if you want. Need something to do these long days when Jacelyn has run off," she talked excessively overjoyed with the new company.

Settling down on the floor Sage yawned sleepily before looking at Rune after being reminded he hadn't ate in over a few centuries. "That would be wonderful, being that you aren't too tired to make it. If not I can wait," he said not wanting to push his stay. They had done enough from him today. Saved him from the pod, the forest and gave him a place to stay. Didn't want to push their kindness to the limit. Even though he though Rune, seemed too complacent. That seemed to stem from his desire of Rune standing up to Jacelyn. Like he needed to take that abuse from her. "Why do you let Jacelyn treat you the way she does? Does it not bother you?" he asked wanting to learn more about the man he was staying with. Sage wanted to feel safe here, more at home, but he barely new Rune. That bothered him the most at the moment.

[{Wow, I think I shortened it myself... Sorry! Again. I've seemed to hit writers block and inspiration. Also I don't think we need anymore, exciting things to happen. All our characters seem to be tuckered out.}]

((You're not the only one. I haven't really been in the mood for roleplaying in a while and my favorite one seems to have died so I haven't really been inspired to post anything for a while. I'm sorry I've let this one go for so long. V_V))

Rune shrugged at Sage's insistence on sleeping on the floor, "As you wish. Let me know if you change your mind." The white-haired man was tired enough to sleep just about anywhere at the moment but he wouldn't argue against lying in his own bed if Sage was going to refuse it. He watched the younger man settled himself on the floor with a yawn and thought that perhaps Sage would fall asleep but the young man seemed to revive himself a bit at the mention of food. Rune wasn't the best of cooks but he knew how to feed himself. During the day he would eat what the women of the village provided working men for lunch and in the evening he would usually dig into his stash of dried meats. By then he was usually too tired to be bothered with cooking a hot meal. That would be the work of his wife whenever he took one.

Giving a simple nod to show that he had heard, Rune returned to the kitchen and rummaged around for something to eat. He returned after a few minutes time with a plate of jerked beef and hardened biscuits and two glasses of a bitter juice. "Sorry it's not much," he said, placing the plate on the floor beside Sage and lowering himself down beside his new room mate. "The woman usually cook around here," he said as a sort of excuse though it was mostly true. "We can get a hot meal later," he explained as he took a piece of meat from the plate and inserted it into his mouth. It was salty and the spices burnt his tongue a bit but Rune didn't mind, he was used to it.

Happy that things seemed to be winding down and comfortable in the peace that his own four walls offered, Rune was ready to doze off as soon as they finished eating but it seemed Sage had other questions for him. Rune finished chewing what he had in his mouth and took a long sip of his drink before attempting to answer Sage's question. The truth was that he wasn't quite sure himself. He told himself that it was nearly impossible to argue with her, she almost always had some way of turning what he said against him but if he used this as his answer Sage would surely think him weak, if he didn't already. "It does bother me," he replied honestly, "But words get me nowhere and I would never resort to hitting a woman." His answer was probably the most simplistic answer possible. There was surely a lot more to it than that but Rune wasn't in the mood to try to explain something he had barely had the time to speculate himself.

The tour finished, Clover allowed herself to fall into the nearest chair as Jacelyn went to check on whatever was cooking on the stove. It smelled like something she wouldn't usually eat but after years without a single meal, the teen was sure that she would manage to down it if she could stay awake long enough. Realizing that she was beginning to feel a bit woozy, Clover decided that she should do her best to stay awake long enough to eat at least a few bites of something before going to sleep lest she make herself sick later on. She was quite certain that the circumstances of her awakening were far from the ideal for the scientists who had developed the cryogenic pods. Rations were meant to be given upon awakening and there would undoubtedly be a period of rehabilitation that included more regimented exercise than running for your life.

Clover did her best to suppress a shiver at the memory of running through the forest and was happy when Jacelyn's grandmother came to distract her. She was a bit taken aback by how close the woman seemed to scrutinize her but she was not unfriendly and the teen answered her question, "Clover," she said simply and almost shyly though she hadn't been the shy type back in her day. The woman seemed to find amusement out of her timidity and laughed as she hobbled over to retrieve a bundle of fabric from a chest of drawers nearby. The old woman returned with two dresses which she offered to Clover. The young girl took them out of the grandmother's wrinkled hands. They weren't as nice as her own dress but they were practical. Clover thanked the older woman and set the dresses down on her lap. She wasn't bothered by the chatty company but rather welcomed it as it would help her stay awake long enough for the food to finish cooking.

((Sorry, I definitely didn't intend on writing that much. >.<))

Ready to inhale the food Sage took a small bite at the dried meat only to cough a bit, the spices were a bit too strong for him. That didn't stop him though, he was ravenous and it was food. "Guess I should of went with girls for a hot meal." he joked but ate the food without much complaint. It was better than nothing at all and he would have to get use to it if Rune would be his roommate from now on. Now that he had food Sage practically dropped the subject about Rune and Jacelyn's relationship, it had merely been his entertainment. Something to think about that didn't involve the extinction of his family and world. Finishing the food he looked around finding where the dishes went staggering a bit at how sore his legs were.

"I think I am going to get some sleep now." he said rubbing his hand through his messy, long, blonde hair that use to be short. After stating his plan he found his spot on the floor and made himself as comfortable as possible. With how tired and exhausted he was where he slept didn't matter anymore and once his head rested against the pillow he was out like a light. Luck for Rune, Sage did not snore in his sleep, toss and turn instead the way he looked now was how he would look in the morning. A slight excitement fluttered in the younger males insides at what they would do in the morning. He planned throw all his sorrows into his work and find his place in this city so he didn't impose on Rune anymore.

Placing a small bowl of the stew, a slice of bread and a wooden spoon down for Clover, Jacelyn smiled at her gently. "Eat all that you can. You seem quite tired." she said observing her new roommate not wanting her to force herself to stay up. Walking back into the kitchen she collected some food for her grandmother and then finally for herself. Not even Jacelyn ate a lot, it didn't much help she ate with a broken metal ladle. There were barely any utensils in the house, had enough for two people but not three and seeing as Jacelyn did all the cooking she took the leftovers. Unlike her mother Jacelyn barely spoke, especially when it came to conversations, she could argue though.

Before Clover fell asleep she informed the girl what would be happening, "Sleep for as long as you like, you can stay here with my grandmother today or try and find me. I'll most likely be in the city somewhere." she said feeling guilty she couldn't give Clover anything else to go off of. For Jacelyn, Clover could even go with Rune it didn't matter to her, she didn't want to tie the girl down. Jacelyn, stayed up though to clean up the dirty dishes and give the leftovers to the few animals they had out here. When she finally returned, she found her grandmother asleep in her chair and she hoped Clover was sleeping well too. Climbing up into the makeshift window sill, that had been her bed when she had been a child, started out into the night.

Jacelyn could not sleep a wink and once the sun rose and the daily chores began, the most shocking thing happened, Jacelyn wore a dress and pulled her hair back for once. It even shocked some of the villagers as she helped them out with chores, it wasn't like she never did this, it only happened when she was troubled by something. The few who knew this gave her all kinds of things to do and she worked diligently into the morning questioning if she should check on Clover. She knew if she stopped though or took a break she would collapse, whipping the sweat off her brow she decided to finish this last chore before checking in on her roommate.