oom: Jack comes home

[jack_inthegreen]

The forests of Britain are not what they once were. It was said a squirrel could cross from Newcastle to Dover and never touch the ground--but those days are long gone.

Still, what remains of the forests feels much the same to the one who knows them. Their voices are familiar, comforting--many are old friends who remember him from seed and acorn.

Comments

[puckishly]

A slender shape detaches from one of the trees, steps from the shadows as a boy with tangled hair and bare feet.

He glances around coolly.

"You've done rather well for yourself."

[jack_inthegreen]

The branches creak.

This is my home.

[puckishly]

"Such things are often overrated."

[jack_inthegreen]

Overrated? That I should come to a place of peace when I need it?

[leftthecradle]

What do you want?

Again, the question is deceptively simple.

[jack_inthegreen]

I want to rest.

[leftthecradle]

Is that all?

Twilight creeps over the forest. Fireflies flash and dance in the air. Crickets chirp in the grasses. Off in the distance, there is a low hoot of a spotted howl.

And after you are rested, what then?

[jack_inthegreen]

Then I will wait for the world to end.

[not_ho_chunk]

There aren't many places Gray Jay can't go, if he wants to enough to make the effort.

He's come for a visit, in his first form.

"Ho-hoka, Green Man."

[jack_inthegreen]

Dia daoibh, Whiskey Jack.

[not_ho_chunk]

"I never came to this part of the world before", the bird remarks casually. "But forest is forest, and the wild is the wild."

[jack_inthegreen]

That's so.

This is my first forest. Through the centuries it has changed little. No earl has ever dared cut it down--perhaps they've sensed that it is more sacred than other lands.

[lvpd_sidle]

She knows this place as well and as intimately as Jack.

Like father, like daughter.

Hello, Papa.

[jack_inthegreen]

There is a creak like a great trunk split in half.

Georgia.

[lvpd_sidle]

You know my name!

There is simply joy in her words.

Papa, why are you sad?

[jack_inthegreen]

Of course I know your name, precious child. I named you.

A man must feel useful to be happy, my darling. A god must feel useful. And I am no use to anyone.

[leftthecradle]

There is a new sprout in the grass. It shoots up like a time-lapsed film and sends out branches like a poker player fanning a hand of cards.

When it does, it's obvious that it's not a tree. Not an ordinary one. For the "branches" are arrow-point signs. A signpost in the middle of the forest with ambiguous directions.

OVER THERE

YONDER

AWAYS

NOWHERE

SOMEWHERE

And one large sign pointing straight down.

HERE

[jack_inthegreen]

The tree sways.

Everywhere is here.

[leftthecradle]

There is a human sitting crosslegged on the ground before the sign. He's pouring over a large map. After a moment, he looks up with a smile.

Why are you here?

[jack_inthegreen]

Because this is my home.