World Tree MUSH

    It can take some time for the Vines to get settled when integrating a new Blossom, and sometimes they end up in odd places. And sometimes, serendipitous. And sometimes both! In this case? Both. Several Vines now lead to a 'Dead' world, though the definition of Dead is a bit odd. The world itself is lush with greenery and life, it just appears that everything sapient is gone, probably due to some strange mystical or scientific event.

    In this case it opens up on a bluff overlooking a valley. Built into the opposite wall is a weathered, ancient ruin of a castle. A castle, not a fortress, as it looks more ornate than something that has high walls and defenses. A pain to invade, but far from impenetrable.

    The weird thing is that a few hours ago, it also started sending out an energy signal, as well. All on its own. Since this world is Dead, that means that something offworld must have started poking around... and found something.

    Athena has other concerns, but this was 'on the way' so to speak. She didn't bring anything but her drone, Little Owl, and some light armor for exploration, along with her typical armament. The reincarnated goddess steps out of the archway of roots that is the form the Vine entrances take in this world, idly scanning about. The drone on her shoulder beeps and pops off, floating up to scan the area.

    "Woah," a young girl's voice says, just a few moments after Athena arrives. Belle's arrival is with little fanfare, just walking out of the gate, then adjusting her glasses as she peers at Athena and the drone that's flying off. "Neat," she mumbles, though she looks out of place here. She's dressed like... a schoolgirl, that's it.

    Which is weird mostly because she has no real sign of shock when she eyes the advanced armor of Athena, gives a wave, and then just starts staring at the castle. "I don't suppose you've got a zipline or something, Miss? I'm betting you're here to take a look at this thing, too?" This has to be a pretty weird field trip.

Endrit Has in fact been exploring a ruin in her own world, Finding a tunnel witch lead into this new part of the ruin, it looks completely different from anything she has seen before. The little, colorful feathered creator, searching around the ruins already by the time you two enter. She spots the two new creatures, tilting her head.

    "Already on it," Athena says. "Athena. Like the goddess, if you're familiar." She's careful to say 'like' rather than 'is' since most people don't respond well to others claiming to be gods. Little Owl is already beeping and warbling, before stringing a line down to one of the more sturdy-looking balconies. "I'm not sure what is here, just curious, but it could be something dangerous."

    Though what she ends up running into, when she slides down the line and carefully steps through the doorway, is... A DRAGON! Except a tiny dragon. She halts, unsure of Endrit's species. "Hm. Hello, can you understand me?" She keeps her rifle pointed to the side and away, to try to look non-hostile.

    As for the ruin itself, it's overgrown with vegetation, but in the 'decades ago' not centuries sense. Plenty of crumbling remnants of the former residents are here, but no bones or corpses, thankfully. It does appear they looked largely medieval in technology, except... apparently quite adept at plumbing?

    Belle grins, scratching the back of her head. "I kind of just wandered in, but that happens. It's a lot better than the last weird place I ended up. Unless this whole setup is secretly a giant spaceship again." She huffs, "Ah, yeah, we have Athena in my world. Had, I mean. Call me Belle, I'm just a student, but I have some protection on me."

    She doesn't reveal what that protection is, but is evidently grateful for something to move, because it doesn't extend to flight. She peeks around Athena, letting the armored goddess go first. "Huh... so far nothing strange except that little dragon. Hello."

Endrit tilts her head "O, you two can speak, this makes things easier." tilts her head "I am called Endrit Lysandraeth Crystalline Winterweave Albrezia Ivoryscale, but you can call me Endrit, What's your names and species" she asks the both of you as she sits up on hind legs.

    With the realization they can talk to one another, Athena relaxes. "Call me Athena, and this is Belle. I just met her, so don't know anything beyond that. Just checking to make sure this place isn't dangerous." She steps aside so Belle can speak. "As for me, I'm... actually my species is debatable. But it's probably easiest to call me a human, that's the closest analogue I can think of."

    Exploration of some random wilderness, or simply buildings?, seems like something a pokemon trainer might do. (And potentially might have Luke left with a warning from law enforcement in some potential worlds). But this time it was allowed, this was an abandoned building! He is glad to join Athena and Belle in the exploration, joined as usual by one of his pokemon!, while he is not expecting battle, he expects potentially having to move heavy rocks, or old furniture or something out of the way, and what better way to do such than his fluffy scrapper, Bewear. The fact that the pokemon can also potentially level the whole ruin on his own is not taken into consideration, but thankfully the plush looking creature is remarkably careful as it follows luke. "This is so cool, never seen buildings like this back home." he comments as he explored, having gotten a bit lost roaming on another side for a bit, but slowly coming to catch up with the rest.

    Belle just laughs, "Yeah... I'm human. Well, mostly. Close enough. I'm not sure what the rest of it is, anyway, so might as well say human, right?" She adjusts her glasses, looking at the dragon. "I'm here because I look into strange things, and this is strange! What are you doing here-" She starts to ask, before Bewear thumps nearby and makes her sigh. "Oh, there's Luke..."

Endrit tilts her head and looks Athena and Belle over, then blinks as Luke comes up behind the two, the little feathered Dragon-like creature bowing to both, then looks at the Bewear, tilts her head and Luke behind it "a Gormoror, interesting" she says looking at the Bewear" As for me, my king is called a Zi-Ri, its a pleasure" then to answer Belle's question "I enjoy uncovering ancient Seacrets, and learning about old magics

    "So an explorer," Athena surmises. Of course, Endrit could be lying, but it's easier to take her at face value. "Obviously not a native, if you're talking to us. Yeah we're just looking around to see what caused things to shift around. I don't know if these people used magic, but you're welcome to whatever we find." She pauses. "Unless it's what caused all of them to vanish. Maybe don't unearth that secret."

    She glances at Luke. "Our friend here can help us clear out any rubble in the staircases or the like. I hope. I haven't seen anything interesting yet, though."

    Indeed, anything special must be in the lower floors.

    "I'm not a mage or anything, so I'm just here for the same reason," Belle says. She jerks a thumb at Endrit, turning to look at Luke. "Sounds like this one didn't turn on whatever drew us here. Hey, be careful what you touch, though. This stuff is probably fragile." She pulls out a disposable camera and hands it to him. "Take pictures if you want."

    Hey, her world is in the late 90s, camera phones aren't really a thing yet.

     The Bewear is intrigued on the 'creature' talking with Belle and Athena, but seems to be aware there is no imminent threat, simply taking a few steps closer to Endrit for a better look, letting a sharp, squeak as the dragon addresses it as a 'Gormoror'. Luke appears a moment later, "Sorry, was looking at some stuff..." and pauses as he sees the new person, "Oh, hi!" he offers, waving happily, certainly not one to be surprised by unusual species. "I'm Luke, and this is Bewear." he says, pointing to the pokemon, who waves one mitten. "Pleased to meet you.". 
    When Athena mentions about clearing rubble, the pokemon nods and taps its chest, reaching for Luke and picking him up for a moment. "Hey!, I don't think a demonstration was needed." the boy protests, chuckling. "Don't worry, I promise Bewear is very careful.". He holds the disposable camera as it is offered, while still being held by the pokemon.

Endrit nods to Athena "Yes of coarse, I may be young, but I've lived long enough to know not to mess with anything on a massive destructive scale" she says as she looks up at the Bewear, it looks odd to her, but still looks like an offshoot at least from the Gormoror. She then blinks at the Camera "Pictures? what do you mean, it it some magic, image capturing device?" she asks Belle, then nods to Luke and Bewear "pleasure to meet you both."

    "Oh, a new one..." Athena chuckles. "No, that's technology I think. Though it can be hard to tell sometimes. Definition gets a little blurry." She starts walking again, looking for a way down. Though yes, the stairwell is blocked by rubble. Not a ton of it, but enough to be annoying and need clearing. Little Owl floats along behind her.

    She points to the drone. "This is also a machine." Little Owl makes a high-pitched, annoyed beep. "Okay, a machine that thinks, but still mechanical."

    "Yeah it's technology," Belle affirms. "Magic is pretty rare and hard to use where I come from, but our tech isn't as fancy as this woman's." She points at Athena, but then flicks her wrist. A green-tinged, fancy bow snaps into being in her left hand. Another twitch and it's gone. "THAT is magic. And Luke thinks this place is pretty cool, so I thought he'd want to take pictures."

    She doesn't want to admit she also thinks it is pretty cool.

     Luke nods to Belle, "I do, mostly because I haven't been to anything like this back at my world, you know? a castle you said?". he turns to Endrit, "Can I take a picture?" he asks, and if given permission, he takes a quick snap of the dragon, before pointing Bewear to move further ahead. "Thank you Belle, I kind of didn't think to bring one.". 
    As they come to the obstruction, the Trainer is placed down (gently), and the big pink, black and white pokemon begins to carefully pull away the rubble, starting with the larger chunks, it really seems like they weight nothing to it. One h as to wonder how is it holding the rocks, when the paws look like flat nubs without digits.

Endrit tilts her head, looks over the owl and the camera"Technology? Machine? she asks "This is indeed new to me, how do they work" she asks then notes the bow, "Interesting" she thinks for a moment "My world, magic is commonplace, at least for what we call the eight prime species, but to do these things with out magic, to create golems or devices that can capture images, this is all new" She then looks at Luke and nods "I would love to see the results" she says, not to surprised by the Bewears strength

    "Different worlds, different rules," Athena says, waving at the camera. "It sounds like yours is full of magic, so they never needed to develop machines to do their work. That's... pretty common. Very few worlds develop them both." She stands aside to let Bewear do his work, readying her rifle again.

    "You'll see a lot of surprises here," she warns. "But you seem a curious type, you should be fine. Most worlds are populated by humans or human-like beings though. You're kind of different. I've never seen one like you, but I've known quite a few non-humans."

    The staircase isn't choked with rubble. With some squirming, Luke or Endrit might have been able to squeeze through. It's safer when cleared though... and down below, there's a gentle blue glow. Looks like something is active down there.

    "No problem," Belle replies to Luke, giving the younger boy a thumbs up. She's in 'big sis' mode right now, even if she knows Luke is about as capable a combatant as she is. At least, with his pokemon out. She nods along to what Athena says, "Yeah, and then there's weird worlds like mine where magic is hidden but still strong, so they develop technology. That's kind of my job though. Seeking out the hidden stuff."

    She frowns as the stairwell is revealed, then glances around. "I don't hear anything so... we should be careful but it's probably fine."

    "There is no magic in my world, but there is technology, and electronics and machines." he explains, as if Bewear was an absolutely mundane thing like a cat or a houseplant. The pokemon just clears everything, and pauses near Luke to let the boy decide the next step, while he speaks to Endrit, "Sure, I'll be glad to share a copy of the photo." he offers, smiling. The Bewear seems happy that the dragon finds it impressive. Thankfully there is nothing around for the pokemon to pick up and show off, or at least, it's aware that 'no, no breaking anything just for fun' is a rule in effect.

Endrit smiles at Belle,"I think we should get along just fine then" she then turns to Athena "Five of the Primes are bipedal, so I am formular with the concept, but there are no humans so this is new, I'll need to learn more at some point" she says

    "I see," Athena muses. "One of those worlds with multiple dominant species... mine is basically just humans and modifications of them, though a few have been uplifted." She quiets as she advances down, carefully following the stairs and turning the corner... then relaxing, motioning for the others to be quiet but that it was safe to continue.

    Around the corner is a room that looked to be a 'power station' for magical items. Somehow, an animal activated it. Namely, a stray cat. The glowing blue orb has ancient symbols on it, worthy of study... eventually.

    But for now, the momma cat is snoozing there with her kittens, sitting on top of the apparently warm, pulsing blue glow.

    Belle advances cautiously... then covers her mouth to keep from laughing, coming out as a quick exhale and chuckle. She nods, relaxing as well, then steps back so she can speak quietly. "Well, I guess this wasn't anything dangerous after all. But it was good to meet you, Endrit. Hopefully all our adventures will be this calm."

Endrit moves over to the power station and examines it "This is new two, a different type of magic from what i am used to, this bares investigating" and she pulls out parchment, copies down any symbols on it"It has been and I hope to do more of this kind of thing, you can join me anytime " she smiles

    Luke doesn't know magic, so he just takes a picture of the scene, well, a couple perhaps, moving around a bit to photograph the cat, and the runes.