Submission (#85) Approved
User
Prompt
Submitted
3 November 2024, 10:56:55 MST (4 days ago)
Processed
3 November 2024, 12:21:23 MST (4 days ago) by RoyalReality
Comments
a story about NPC-004 taking a fall walk, admiring the season and scenery, and picking apples. the journey getting there is just as important as the destination, to me. 600+ words
NPC-004 (nicknamed “Flora” in this story) is an Isopup with a love for all things nature and outdoors. Even when the green of summer fades to the reds and browns of autumn, and the plants quietly begin their process of going to sleep to face the winter ahead. New seasons also bring new and novel, or otherwise loved traditional activities to all the Isopups on their respective planets.
It was a fine, brisk morning in late fall on the planet of Verdara, as even the great green homeworld of the grass element must follow the cycles of the seasons. Of course, the great greenhouses and solarpunk cities dotting the surface of this world can be kept in perpetual spring, while the rest of the seasons turn forwards naturally, marching onwards in time. Fall begins a slow slide into the natural sleep of winter, and with it many exciting changes and beloved holidays, celebrated all around the universe of Kaithara by different Isopups.
One such long standing tradition to Flora the grass Isopup is the trip to her favorite apple orchard that winds down a rambling river valley near where she lives. It takes a bit of traveling on foot to get there, but the views are beautiful and to her the rewards are well worth the extra travel, and much more satisfying than buying apples at the store!
She bundled up into her favorite sweater, and found a suitable woven basket bag to carry her sought after apples in, then emerged from her front door into the mild autumn sunlight. The rays felt nice on her face and skin, and albeit the strength of the sun being weak in the autumn weather, it still slightly energized her to feel the sun on her long vine tail, and the sprouts growing along her body. Flora stretched out her arms, rolled her shoulders backwards and forwards, and then took the beginning steps of her trek down the path and into the sparse forest near her home.
The time passed pleasantly on her walk, the trees occasionally dropping leaves in a multicolor confetti of browns, yellows, and oranges - gently drifting on the slight breeze that carried the scent of fall. As Flora trekked down the path worn into the earth of the forest floor, she could see some occasional small animals rustling through the undergrowth and fallen leaves, or scurrying along the branches of the trees, darting within the colorful foliage. These creatures were surely looking for extra food to store away, or otherwise gorge themselves on before the coming of winter.
Watching these animals as she walked made the time pass in a flash, and before she knew it Flora had come to the old stone bridge that crossed the river that divided the valley, and led to the apple orchard. Crossing the cracked and cragged stonework, she looked over the edge for a moment to see the leaves swirling through the eddies in the water, and then emerged from the last of the shade on the other side of the bridge. Now approaching farmland and field, she could see the white painted wooden fencing marking the boundary, and the apple orchard that grew within.
She quickly got to work, meandering down the rows of trees, picking whichever apples she thought looked delicious, or large enough to use in cooking. There were a great many varieties on trees still laden with fruit, each on their own row, and she sought the signs that told of her favorite types. Some delicious by themselves, others more suited for baking, there were plenty of things she could do with these apples and she considered them all as she reached on her tiptoes or sometimes used her long prehensile vine tail to pluck the fruit from the branches. Before long her basket was heavy and full, and she wondered if her arms would get sore carrying the load home. Still, it was a beautiful day, an enjoyable walk, and she always loved visiting the orchard. As she turned to head home, she began considering what recipe she would like to use for her first batch of apple desserts to share with her friends, family and neighbors.
NPC-004 (nicknamed “Flora” in this story) is an Isopup with a love for all things nature and outdoors. Even when the green of summer fades to the reds and browns of autumn, and the plants quietly begin their process of going to sleep to face the winter ahead. New seasons also bring new and novel, or otherwise loved traditional activities to all the Isopups on their respective planets.
It was a fine, brisk morning in late fall on the planet of Verdara, as even the great green homeworld of the grass element must follow the cycles of the seasons. Of course, the great greenhouses and solarpunk cities dotting the surface of this world can be kept in perpetual spring, while the rest of the seasons turn forwards naturally, marching onwards in time. Fall begins a slow slide into the natural sleep of winter, and with it many exciting changes and beloved holidays, celebrated all around the universe of Kaithara by different Isopups.
One such long standing tradition to Flora the grass Isopup is the trip to her favorite apple orchard that winds down a rambling river valley near where she lives. It takes a bit of traveling on foot to get there, but the views are beautiful and to her the rewards are well worth the extra travel, and much more satisfying than buying apples at the store!
She bundled up into her favorite sweater, and found a suitable woven basket bag to carry her sought after apples in, then emerged from her front door into the mild autumn sunlight. The rays felt nice on her face and skin, and albeit the strength of the sun being weak in the autumn weather, it still slightly energized her to feel the sun on her long vine tail, and the sprouts growing along her body. Flora stretched out her arms, rolled her shoulders backwards and forwards, and then took the beginning steps of her trek down the path and into the sparse forest near her home.
The time passed pleasantly on her walk, the trees occasionally dropping leaves in a multicolor confetti of browns, yellows, and oranges - gently drifting on the slight breeze that carried the scent of fall. As Flora trekked down the path worn into the earth of the forest floor, she could see some occasional small animals rustling through the undergrowth and fallen leaves, or scurrying along the branches of the trees, darting within the colorful foliage. These creatures were surely looking for extra food to store away, or otherwise gorge themselves on before the coming of winter.
Watching these animals as she walked made the time pass in a flash, and before she knew it Flora had come to the old stone bridge that crossed the river that divided the valley, and led to the apple orchard. Crossing the cracked and cragged stonework, she looked over the edge for a moment to see the leaves swirling through the eddies in the water, and then emerged from the last of the shade on the other side of the bridge. Now approaching farmland and field, she could see the white painted wooden fencing marking the boundary, and the apple orchard that grew within.
She quickly got to work, meandering down the rows of trees, picking whichever apples she thought looked delicious, or large enough to use in cooking. There were a great many varieties on trees still laden with fruit, each on their own row, and she sought the signs that told of her favorite types. Some delicious by themselves, others more suited for baking, there were plenty of things she could do with these apples and she considered them all as she reached on her tiptoes or sometimes used her long prehensile vine tail to pluck the fruit from the branches. Before long her basket was heavy and full, and she wondered if her arms would get sore carrying the load home. Still, it was a beautiful day, an enjoyable walk, and she always loved visiting the orchard. As she turned to head home, she began considering what recipe she would like to use for her first batch of apple desserts to share with her friends, family and neighbors.
Rewards
| Reward | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pumpkin Head Upgrade Fossil (PHUF) | 1 |
| Dragon Potion | 1 |
| Runes | 300 |
| Wisps | 3 |
| Candy Corn | 50 |
| Welcoming Fall Badge | 1 |
Characters
NPC-004
No rewards set.