April's Story - The Mother Plant Resurrection - Part 10 - UPDATED Feb. 1

They hacked their way through the thicket, only to encounter a very large web. April wasn't deterred though, and they hacked as easily through the web as they had the vines. They walked on for some time, feeling very tired, but determined to keep going. It was getting dark, but eventually they saw the glow of a cabin up ahead in a clearing and quickly made their way forward. It was still drizzling and despite their umbrellas, they were pretty soaked. Up ahead was a woman fishing.

https://i.ibb.co/Bz1D39s/10-03-23-1-44-49-PM.png

"That must be her," Tate said.

"Lightning bugs!" April exclaimed.

https://i.ibb.co/1GnHMTP/10-03-23-1-44-23-PM.png

"Focus," she head Tate say, but there was amusement in his voice. "Let's go introduce ourselves."

https://i.ibb.co/s9nJ2rr/10-03-23-1-46-07-PM.png

She seemed friendly enough, despite them having intruded upon her dwelling place. Tate explained to her that they were investigating the origins of what was known as "The Mother Plant." As soon as he mentioned it, The Hermit's expression changed. She was not willing to share what she knew; not so easily.

https://i.ibb.co/SypTwv4/10-03-23-1-47-41-PM.png

She explained to April that she would only help them if they would help her first.

"Of course," April offered.

Tate picked up The Hermit's fishing rod and continued fishing. She didn't seem to mind.

The Hermit continued, "I have some information that might help you, but first I need some help collecting insects for my herbalism."

"You want us to...collect insects for you?"

https://i.ibb.co/VM2FCdw/10-03-23-1-48-12-PM.png

Tate chuckled as if on cue, a mosquito buzzed by April's face and she swatted it away.

"Yes, that is, if you want my help."

April took out her notebook and wrote down the list of all the bugs The Hermit wanted. It was late though, and so they set up camp in the clearing and decided to look for bugs in the morning. April decided to light a fire; they still hadn't eaten and a fire would be nice for roasting the fish they had caught earlier.

https://i.ibb.co/HC6JG6y/10-04-23-1-25-43-PM.png

"Ouch!" This was the second time she'd accidently set herself on fire. First earlier that morning, and now this... She quickly threw off her jacket and stomped the fire out, but her upper arm was badly burned. She hadn't brought any burn ointment though, and so she toughed it out and put another jacket on (thankfully she had brought an extra one). At least she had gotten the fire lit.

https://i.ibb.co/prLJ97m/10-04-23-1-25-58-PM.png
https://i.ibb.co/qNKZfkk/10-04-23-1-33-19-PM.png

"You brought a guitar?"

"No, The Hermit had one. She said I could borrow it." He strummed peacefully and April smiled as she roasted some fish. She was starving.

After they ate they went to bed. Thankfully it was nice and dry in the tent.

https://i.ibb.co/jv1N7Zw/10-04-23-1-35-24-PM.png

The rain stopped sometime in the night, but Tate couldn't sleep.

https://i.ibb.co/qdLzrqV/10-04-23-1-36-20-PM.png

The next morning April set about collecting as many bugs as she could find around The Hermit's clearing.

https://i.ibb.co/1r6YPnF/10-04-23-1-47-10-PM.png

She found it actually enjoyable. There was so much nature here. She got out her camera and took some pictures.

https://i.ibb.co/z45zdq0/10-04-23-1-56-10-PM.png
https://i.ibb.co/thFsxPw/10-04-23-1-56-41-PM.png
https://i.ibb.co/RzzNKCn/10-04-23-1-57-48-PM.png

The Hermit sang to herself and tended her plants. April thought to herself that she really didn't seem lonely after all...

https://i.ibb.co/djTYC4w/10-04-23-1-49-50-PM.png

Tate was fishing while April was catching bugs.

https://i.ibb.co/N2YnWZb/10-04-23-1-43-58-PM.png

Which was nice, because come lunch time, he had roasted fish ready for them. April was glad; she didn't think she'd be able to cook anything anytime soon. Her arm was really throbbing, but she kept on. She still had more bugs to catch.

https://i.ibb.co/DVR3dRr/10-04-23-1-51-39-PM.png

They decided to pack up and head back to Granite Falls Forest to see if they could find the rest of the insects they needed.

https://i.ibb.co/PjsvQ3m/10-05-23-1-34-37-PM.png
https://i.ibb.co/DkSgCDr/10-04-23-2-02-30-PM.png

After some effort they had collected almost all the bugs they needed. They only needed 2 dust spirits. They sat down to have a meal.

https://i.ibb.co/KGwmpNM/10-05-23-1-35-27-PM.png

"It's too bad she doesn't need any mosquitos..."

https://i.ibb.co/TtLr8Fy/10-05-23-1-39-14-PM.png

"Tell me about it..."

April stood up then and winced from the pain in her arm.

https://i.ibb.co/Bnm4vCR/10-05-23-1-41-52-PM.png

Tate came over to her. "You've been favoring that arm. Tell me what happened."

"I just..." she sighed. "I burned it last night when I lit the fire. I thought it was fine, but I think I burned it pretty badly."

https://i.ibb.co/rxHJtDt/10-05-23-1-42-20-PM.png

"Come back to the cabin," he urged her. "I have some stuff for burns. You should have said something earlier. It could get infected."

Back at the cabin April took off her jacket and her outer shirt. She sat down on the bed and looked at her arm. It was very red and her skin had bubbled up in several places.

Tate came over with some ointment and some bandages. He kneeled down beside her and she turned her head away as he carefully applied ointment and started wrapping her arm.

https://i.ibb.co/dLhp16J/10-05-23-2-04-41-PM.png

His hands were surprisingly gentle. April felt her heart quickening as his hands worked. He was so close; she was afraid to look at him. She sat very still. And then slowly he cupped her face in his hands and looked into her eyes.

https://i.ibb.co/qFVP4m1/10-05-23-2-47-54-PM.png

"How's that?" he whispered.

She could barely breathe. "Better..."

His gaze rested on her lips and April thought he was going to kiss her.

https://i.ibb.co/T2PtZvR/10-05-23-2-48-05-PM.png

She closed her eyes. Her hands found his waist and she heard him inhale.

And then her phone was buzzing in her pocket, and they broke apart. She heard Tate murmur, "I'm sorry..."

And before she could say anything, he was walking away.

https://i.ibb.co/Mkrfyc3/10-05-23-2-42-30-PM.png

She checked her phone. She had a message from her dad.

"DID YOU CATCH ANY FISH???"

'Ugh...really bad timing, dad.' She sighed. She was getting used to Tate walking away.

https://i.ibb.co/ZNB15r0/10-05-23-3-22-43-PM.png

Tate was gone for awhile and so she decided to go to bed. He must have come back in at some point, because when she woke in the night she could make out the outline of him in his sleeping bag.

https://i.ibb.co/wzYywmH/10-05-23-10-45-41-AM.png

April woke up early to shower. Tate was still sleeping so she snuck outside to the outdoor shower.

https://i.ibb.co/YZjLNys/10-05-23-10-46-32-AM.png

When she came back in, she expected to find him still sleeping, but...

https://i.ibb.co/MsJPQKy/10-05-23-8-08-15-PM.png

He was getting dressed. April saw scars running down his back. She hadn't meant to walk in on him like that...

https://i.ibb.co/hLGxB8j/10-05-23-8-09-51-PM.png
https://i.ibb.co/3yBzRwT/10-05-23-10-53-48-AM.png
https://i.ibb.co/rym23ST/10-05-23-10-54-30-AM.png

She headed outside to wait. After awhile the back door opened and Tate came out and sat down next to her. They tried to pretend like nothing happened.

https://i.ibb.co/YXwwBrq/10-05-23-10-57-26-AM.png

"You're having marshmallows for breakfast?" she asked him.

"You have to roast marshmallows at least once when you go camping..." she noticed there was some tension in his voice.

"We're supposed to leave today, but we still haven't found those Dust Spirits."

He smiled, "I found them last night."

"You did?"

"Now all that's left is to give them to The Hermit."

He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but he didn't. April sighed. "Well, let's go then."

They found her back at her cabin and April handed over all the insects they had caught.

https://i.ibb.co/XkfB6C9/10-05-23-7-49-48-PM.png

"Thank you," she said. "And I have some things for you too."

She gave April a book, a cowplant berry, and a strange seed.

"That book investigates the biology and physical structure of The Mother Plant. Perhaps knowing its chemical processes, molecular interactions, and physiological mechanisms can give you an idea of its development and evolution. All I know is that the Essence of Energy from a cowplant and the Binwue seed are an important part of it. The Binwue seed is very rare and difficult to find, but you can have that one, as a token of our friendship."

https://i.ibb.co/h2XwLN2/10-05-23-7-48-34-PM.png

"I used to live in StrangerVille," The Hermit told her. "My father...he was a scientist...he wrote that book. I hope it helps."

"Thank you very much." April told her. She was itching to get back to the cabin and read that book.

They were packed and ready to head to the bus station to take them back to StrangerVille military base, but their bus didn't leave for another hour. April sat down to read the book The Hermit had given her.

https://i.ibb.co/DrvnjNK/10-05-23-8-12-46-PM.png

The book seemed to be about how to create something using the Essence of Energy, the Binwue seed, and some other ingredients. The goal was to...

"Resurrect The Mother Plant?" April read aloud.

Tate looked at her. "That's what we're trying to do."

April just stared at him. "What do you mean resurrect it? Why would we do that?"

https://i.ibb.co/Y8X9nTN/10-05-23-8-19-01-PM.png

"Look, I was just given the orders, I assumed you already knew..."

"You knew this entire time? And you didn't say anything?"

https://i.ibb.co/D7BnrWH/10-05-23-8-19-10-PM.png

"How was I supposed to know you didn't understand the orders."

"Understand the orders? No one ever told me!"

https://i.ibb.co/k9XjqFm/10-05-23-8-19-23-PM.png

She was angry now. "How is that supposed to help find the people who have gone missing? Why would we resurrect the plant if it has something to do with that?"

"Look..." Tate started, but April got off the couch and headed to the door.

She was fuming. "No, you look! I just want to find my friend Marci! I never wanted to get involved in resurrecting The Mother Plant! My parents defeated it when I was a kid, and now we are supposed to just go and resurrect it?"

https://i.ibb.co/DbRVwtv/10-05-23-8-19-58-PM.png

"Don't you care about the people who have gone missing?" she spat.

That made him angry.

https://i.ibb.co/1Kwvg2Y/10-05-23-8-20-01-PM.png

"Don't act like I don't care...I am doing everything I can to find them..."

"And you're okay with this plan?" she asked him.

"If it will help find them...yes." He was quiet now and all traces of the peaceful smile she had seen beneath his shell were gone. His tough exterior was back and she felt like every moment between them since this trip started had just been undone.

"I don't want any part of this..." she said, and stormed out the door.

https://i.ibb.co/02dKn0m/10-05-23-8-22-13-PM.png

She was angry, but then why did she feel like crying?

https://i.ibb.co/KxbxDz6/10-05-23-8-22-52-PM.png

Credit to Ilkavelle for the Mother Plant Resurrection mod that inspired parts of the story, specifically the parts with the book and details about the mother plant.

The bus dropped them off at the base. The two of them were silent the whole way. It was late when they got back and Tate left for his barracks, leaving April sanding by the road. She was heading for home when she noticed a familiar figure on the opposite side of the road heading in the direction of the lab.

General Grunt? What was he up to?

There was no one else around and so April made a decision; she followed him.

April kept her distance and General Grunt didn’t seem to notice her. He was too confident.

https://i.ibb.co/k3Ft8Hc/10-06-23-12-22-10-PM.png

They finally got to the lab and General Grunt stopped at the entrance. A ringing noise sounded and April jumped, but it was just the general’s phone.

https://i.ibb.co/XxrDprH/10-06-23-12-24-00-PM.png

“Loki! Tell me you have good news.”

https://i.ibb.co/p4Gcftr/10-06-23-12-23-52-PM.png

April crept closer to listen.

The general nodded, his ear pressed against his cell phone. “Mhm. Good, good. Sounds like you’re making more progress now that you have more test subjects.”

https://i.ibb.co/n19x4Fm/10-06-23-12-24-12-PM.png

Test subjects?

“Did you figure out the rest of the ingredients? Mhm. Yes, yes, the book. I’ve sent my top two operatives to get it. I can fill you in tomorrow.”

The general fumbled in his pockets for a second and then said, “Darn. I forgot I gave the card to that girl.”

https://i.ibb.co/2hzpnK1/10-06-23-12-24-14-PM.png

That girl? April bristled.

“I’ll have to get another one. Loki, I’ll call you tomorrow.” He hung up his phone and turned around, heading in the direction he had come from.

Crap, she thought he would be going inside. April hurried and crouched behind a bush, hoping he wouldn't see her.

https://i.ibb.co/mbBbF88/10-06-23-12-26-54-PM.png

He passed by and April held her breath.

https://i.ibb.co/DGz4r6W/10-06-23-12-26-41-PM.png

Finally, the general was out of sight and April breathed a sigh of relief. That had been too close.

https://i.ibb.co/VN74zKY/10-06-23-12-27-46-PM.png

She had to get out of here. She gathered her courage and headed home as quickly as she could.

https://i.ibb.co/Rj0KqBh/10-06-23-12-29-19-PM.png

She got home and paced around the living room.

https://i.ibb.co/RHYcL5T/10-06-23-12-32-07-PM.png

What was the general planning? To resurrect the Mother Plant; that much was clear. But what was that about test subjects? And what was his goal? Surely this wasn’t about missing persons anymore…

She couldn’t take it. She felt like something in her was breaking. She had seen General Grunt sneaking around the lab, she had helped spy on innocent civilians, and for all she knew Tate was in on it too. She had trusted him. This was not what she had in mind when she signed up for the military. She had a sinking feeling about the general. What was going on? She had trusted him too, but now she knew she had been wrong.

She wasn’t any closer to finding Marci and she missed her family terribly. Glimmerbrook, where her family now lived, was too far from StrangerVille to be an easy visit. She felt miserable, and to top it off she hadn’t felt like writing in forever. She didn’t feel like she was cut out for the military and she felt like she was reaching a breaking point. She just wanted to give up. The problem was, she had signed a contract. She couldn’t just leave the military. She didn’t think General Grunt would give her a leave of absence, especially not now. The only way out was to just…leave. Desert and get out of StrangerVille and take that book with her. Of course, that would mean a lot of trouble for her, but right now she just wanted out.

She felt desperate as she packed a small bag and threw it over her shoulder. She’d get out of town and take a taxi to Oasis Springs. She’d figure out what to do from there.

On her way out of town she had to pass by the military base. She hoped no one would notice her. She hurried by as fast as she could, but then she heard a voice call out behind her.

“Wait!”

https://i.ibb.co/x3VCDfp/10-06-23-12-42-02-PM.png

She turned around. It was Tate. Oh no. She dropped her bag off her shoulder and tried to hide it behind her.

“Don’t go.”

https://i.ibb.co/tx02tFg/10-06-23-12-42-51-PM.png

“What am I supposed to do? Just comply with what’s going on? What we’re doing…it’s not right. And you…you knew…”

https://i.ibb.co/R9jpMZm/10-06-23-12-44-43-PM.png

“April…”

https://i.ibb.co/t8Qg76B/10-06-23-12-45-19-PM.png

“You don’t have to the right to use my first name. How could you? Spying on innocent people. Trying to resurrect that thing in the lab. You’re just okay with that?”

He caught hold of her wrists. “No, I’m not. I’m not okay with it. And I did know. I thought you did too. But if you leave, they will find you.”

https://i.ibb.co/HB1XW2w/10-06-23-12-46-00-PM.png

“What do you mean?”

He just shook his head. “Please. If you want out, I’ll try to help you get a leave of absence, there has to be another way.”

He took a step closer to her and they were so close now that April could feel his warm breath on her cheeks in the cool air. He had said he wasn’t okay with it, but how could she know? He was so close that she couldn’t think straight. And then, without thinking...

https://i.ibb.co/BP4HDYv/10-06-23-12-47-32-PM.png

April closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his. She gasped when he didn’t pull away, but instead pressed into her, wrapping his arms around her.

https://i.ibb.co/LtJMSnz/10-06-23-12-48-21-PM.png

Heat rushed through her and her knees suddenly felt weak.

https://i.ibb.co/znYHdR4/10-06-23-12-50-54-PM.png

And then just ask quickly as it had happened, it was over and he was pulling away from her. He looked at her imploringly.

https://i.ibb.co/QvtHxJW/10-06-23-12-51-37-PM.png

“So, will you stay then, Major?” he asked her.

She blushed. “You can call me April.”

https://i.ibb.co/QHrR9Xk/10-06-23-1-13-36-PM.png

“April.”

“Yes, I’ll stay,” she whispered.

https://i.ibb.co/5RyMVgp/10-06-23-12-52-05-PM.png

“But you have some explaining to do.”

He reached behind her and picked up her bag. “I’ll walk you home.”

When they got to her house they stopped on her porch. Tate handed her her bag. They hesitated for a moment, just looking at each other.

April desperately wanted to kiss him again, but instead she asked, “What were you doing out so late?”

“I couldn’t sleep…I was thinking about how I could explain things to you. And then I saw you.”

“Come inside,” she said, opening the door. They sat down in the living room and she waited for him to speak.

“You asked if I cared about the people who have gone missing.” He sighed. “My sister is one of them…”

https://i.ibb.co/KFY1ccz/10-06-23-1-02-32-PM.png

She felt bad for getting so upset with him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“So of course, I want to do anything I can to find her. When I found out what the general was planning…I was upset.”

https://i.ibb.co/gFgdT6D/10-06-23-1-03-54-PM.png

He hesitated, not sure what to say next. “I don’t know what General Grunt’s goal is, but I have my own plan.” He looked straight at her then. “After we resurrect that thing, I’m going to kill it. For good this time.”

https://i.ibb.co/Y0WHGxC/10-06-23-1-03-39-PM.png

She stared at him. “How are you going to do that?”

https://i.ibb.co/h75g3wG/10-06-23-1-06-24-PM.png

“I don’t know yet…”

https://i.ibb.co/YBLhfmg/10-06-23-1-07-50-PM.png

“Well, you’re going to need some help.”

“Thank you…”

She ran her hand down his back. She saw him flinch and she pulled away. “I’m sorry…”

https://i.ibb.co/YpcNqn5/10-06-23-1-09-21-PM.png

“No…your touch feels good…don’t stop.”

She wrapped her arms around him then and asked him, “How did you get your scars?”

“I told you I got upset when I found out that the plan was to resurrect the Mother Plant. I tried to leave, like you did…”

“What happened?”

“One of the scientists found me. I was punished severely. I knew too much. That’s when I came up with my plan and I agreed to stay and help the general.”

She shivered. The scientists were working with the general then. How terrible…

“I should probably go back to the base…” Tate said.

April didn’t want him to leave. “It’s already way past curfew. You can go back in the morning.”

https://i.ibb.co/WWS93S1/10-06-23-1-11-29-PM.png

She pressed close to him and whispered, “Stay.”

He couldn’t say no.

https://i.ibb.co/FgCzhSP/10-06-23-1-12-24-PM.png

Aww, great update! really interesting what general is up to... Loki ? Circe there too? imo she was always even more mean than him.
Ahh.. that was so coming, I mean the kiss <3

Well, they are both scientists B) so we'll see...
I'm glad you liked the update! <3

Edit: I guess she's not a scientist, she's in the medical field... aw well...

April made breakfast the next morning and they talked about their plans.
https://i.ibb.co/NFknHdn/10-06-23-1-48-32-PM.png

She still couldn't believe he had stayed the night at her house. Neither of them seemed to be able to stop smiling about it.
https://i.ibb.co/rxMvNmY/10-06-23-1-48-43-PM.png

They needed a plan of action though. April suggested they should work on the instructions from the book in order to resurrect the plant.
https://i.ibb.co/hFnzMDn/10-06-23-1-48-56-PM.png

"General Grunt is going to want to want that book. I won't be able to go empty handed tomorrow when I report to him." Tate said reluctantly.
https://i.ibb.co/Ryw2BQS/10-06-23-1-49-39-PM.png

"Well, without the Binwue seed, he won't be able to make the formula. Better give him the book and leave out the part about us having the seed. That way we can stay ahead of the game, but still be working side by side with him."

"Will you be able to remember the formula without the book?" he asked her.

"I'll just take photos of the important parts."

She thought of the conversation she had overheard in front of the lab when the general had been on the phone.

"He'll probably have one of his scientists trying to concoct a potion in the meantime. We'll need to be quick in case they are able to also get a Binwue seed," she added.

Tate nodded, impressed.

https://i.ibb.co/m69j5K8/10-06-23-1-49-21-PM.png

"About the missing persons..." April said. "I think we should talk to Ophelia Nigmos. She's the niece of a woman named Olive Spectre. From a book I read, Lyla Grunt was the first person to go missing and it happened in Olive's garden. We should talk to her niece to see if she knows anything."

"Lyla Grunt?" Tate asked. "The General's late wife?"
https://i.ibb.co/Ryw2BQS/10-06-23-1-49-39-PM.png

"So she was the general's wife..." April whispered. She had only guessed before.

"I didn't know she was the first person to go missing...I thought she had died," Tate informed her.

"Well, I suppose what I read could be wrong, but it's worth finding out."

Tate agreed, but suggested they keep this part of their mission secret.

After breakfast April washed up and Tate left to go report to the general. April had work too; even though they had this mission, she still had other work to do.
https://i.ibb.co/86b2Lnq/10-06-23-1-50-25-PM.png

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After work, she planted the cowplant berry she had received from The Hermit.
https://i.ibb.co/4tJrzgp/12-11-23-9-15-58-PM.png
https://i.ibb.co/d7Qd9zS/12-11-23-9-16-00-PM.png

The first thing they needed was an Essence of Energy drink. And for that, she needed a cowplant.
https://i.ibb.co/6mybY6P/12-11-23-9-16-22-PM.png

She tried some reading afterward, but she couldn't focus on the story.
https://i.ibb.co/vdMRPRs/12-11-23-9-17-48-PM.png

She decided she needed to unwind at 8 Bells. She met Tate there, and Nina was there as well.
https://i.ibb.co/WHBcf9s/12-11-23-9-20-08-PM.png

April ordered drinks for them and they chatted for awhile. April has happy to introduce Tate to Nina.
https://i.ibb.co/F8BcQXT/12-11-23-9-20-37-PM.png

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Afterward, April went to talk to Theresa. If anyone knew how to find Ophelia, it would be her.
https://i.ibb.co/jJnCxtg/12-11-23-9-36-21-PM.png

She did in fact know.

"She lives in Strangerville, you know. Right around here." Theresa pointed down the main street they were on in the direction of a group of houses.
https://i.ibb.co/47DQfKP/12-11-23-9-37-05-PM.png

"Oh, that's near where my friend lives," she said. And then added, "Used to live..."

She thanked Theresa and hurried home. It was late and she would need her rest.