"Huh?"
Quinlan blinked dumbly at the two floating seeds.
A sudden streak of green light darted from his hair, zipping like a firefly across the space. Rosie twirled mid-air with a giggle and plopped herself down on Serika's firm shoulder.
Serika was still cradling Mimi, the small blue dryad girl who was currently trembling against her chest. Serika's hand moved carefully, steady as stone yet gentle as a whisper, stroking the girl's hair.
"B-Big Sis Rosie…" Mimi whimpered when she felt Rosie's presence nearby.
Rosie leaned forward with the exaggerated curiosity of a child. "Why are you scared, Mimi?" Her voice was sing-song, light enough to make the air feel less heavy.
Mimi hiccupped softly. Her watery eyes shimmered as she tried to explain. "I-I tried taking care of my tree… watering the flowers… brushing the moss, like always… when… when! Suddenly, everything felt… wrong. The roots were twisting."
