The tree was pleased to see so many enthusiastic (if only for their own reasons) to help gather food for the woodland critters. Arakh exclaimed his intention to help and dived into the bushes and soon the rest followed, some with similar gusto and some… well, not so much. Matheo, the sunshine colt, did bring up a good point, and a potential hole in this great scheme, but the tree didn’t think there were any poisonous plants in this area that they needed to worry about and they didn’t exactly have the time for a lesson. “Gather whatever you can, they will sort it out after.” The tree offered as much help as it could - which was none - but it would use the eyes and knowledge of the trees in the thicket to stop any of them that were about to taste something poisonous.

Some deposited their gatherings and went back into the forest for more while others lingered. Slackers lingered, and the little gang of skull children that didn’t know how to shut up. Before the tree could answer the questions of is that enough (obviously not! There was an entire season to get through!!) they were attacked.

Well, swarmed.

Well, I don’t know what the right word for what just happened but it was definitely some sort of attack/swarm.

An army of squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, songbirds, porcupines, skunks, racoons were led by a badger as they swooped in and started in for the stumps with the offerings of foods. These weren’t the group of animals that the tree was attempting to feed, these were “THIEVES!!” The tree’s booming voice shook the ground as it twisted its branches in anger, thwacking at a cardinal that got too close.

These were the uninvited house guests, the embodiment of that side of the family that doesn't get invited to holiday dinners but just shows up anyway and ruins everything.

The animals dodged around the legs of those who were standing in the clearing, grabby little hands and claws reaching for the gathered nuts and berries. A few birds made off with the leaf that Macaria had so carefully picked out to gather things in and a porcupine was going after Syrena’s. A squirrel, skunk, and racoon skittered towards the trio of Sabre, Tyrath, and Astarot - intent on getting at the offerings their bodies blocked. Several chipmunks bee-lined it for Cowboy’s stash as some goldfinches flew around Bathsheba and tried to distract her while others picked up the berries she so carefully gathered. A pair of rabbits cautiously approached Lyanna and her collection, their greed outweighing their caution. Meanwhile, the head of the gang - the badger - was hissing at Virga and eying the branch of sweet berries he had collected.

Others swarmed around too, squirrels and chipmunks skittering all over and birds of all colours diving in at any gap they saw, scattering and snatching the hard work of the tree’s new friends.

“HELP! THESE ARE NOT MY CRITTERS!” The tree’s voice boomed again, sending another tremor through the ground, and hopefully calling in reinforcements from those that were still out gathering food. “STOP THEM, THEY’RE TAKING THE FOOD!”


------


OH NO!! Woodland creatures from a neighbouring thicket are trying to steal the food that’s been gathered!

You have 72 hours to reply!

Random Event