#( main ii. ) « what a sight ! to watch the sun rise in the east

[treesprung]

( @hemagnificent​ ) « sc

               SPENDING TIME WITH the warrior king was a particular and strange experience. In the past, Daphne had spoken more with the younger king simply because he came into the west more often, but time and tide and the turning of the seasons had brought her to the high king’s door, and now she stood with a bow in her hand, gazing at a target a length away. 

Trees did not typically fight, but many dryads had, in Narnia’s history, played with feats of skill. While the skills they measured were different than those of man, the spirit felt the same. And as Daphne drew the bow back ( the bow having been made to handle the significant strength of a tree ), she focused on the target, and let the small dart fly, burying itself into the target cleanly. 

“I believe the deal was that if I made the target, then I could teach you something,” she chided with a grin, bringing the bow back to rest. “Are you ready?” 

[icekish90]

Australia 2017 - Western Australia

WEEK 2

01.02.2017 – Day 8

The beautiful sun is back in Perth, woohoo! An early start at 6:00am as Claire and Katrin (friends from the hostel) had booked tickets for the 3 of us to visit Rottnest Island. Rottnest Island is Western Australia's very own Island getaway, featuring a casual atmosphere, picturesque scenery and some of the world's finest beaches and bays, is located just 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle (extracted from the official website). Our journey started on William Street, around the corner of the hostel, where we were picked up from the Rottnest Fast Ferries (the company we booked under). The driver picked up other passengers along the way, before getting on the motorway to drive towards Hillary’s Boat Harbour. This is where we would get our Ferry to Rottnest Island, which was a 45-minute journey. Before boarding we received a bike and snorkelling gear, which were within our package. The total cost for the day trip was $100 each. The island consists of 3 bike ride routes to ride around the island, snorkelling points, the Wadjemup Lighthouse for a 360 Degree view around the island and a small airport. It was my first-time snorkelling, however I did well for my initial swim around Little Salmon Bay, Unfortunately, I did not get to see much on this attempt, however I managed to catch some fish on Parakeet Bay (caught on my GoPro). I also caught many pictures with the famous Quokka’s that live on the island. These little animals are part of the Kangaroo and Wallabies family, and are the size of a domestic cat. They are a member of the genus Setonix and are herbivores. I also caught a glimpse of some lizards, however non-of the venomous snakes that were warmed throughout the island signs. The roads were challenging to ride around, nevertheless is was a lovely day out, especially getting to relax on the beaches and cooling down in the sea.

 02.02.2017 – Day 9

It had been over a week and I had not started to write my daily blog I aimed to complete for the trip. A late start to the morning due to a late night of partying with my friends from the hostel. I started the day writing up what I had been doing for the week, and summarising the highlights so far. As I had not planned much for the day, I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Northbridge (the area which I was staying in), taking in the sights of the wall art found around almost every corner. I also discovered that the area was full of quirky restaurants and a green area which contained a large screen displaying cartoon films for the public. After finally uploading some pictures to Facebook and posting my blog on Tumblr, I had finished for the day.

 03.02.2017 – Day 10

Today’s plans were initially to travel to Fremantle to visit/ stay at Smita and Krish’s house, who are Hemant’s sister and brother-in-law living out here. Plans changed slightly and instead I had organised to stay in Perth City for a couple more days. As my booking ran out at the initial hostel, I moved onto another hostel nearby. A little quieter, but it was only going to be for a couple of nights. After checking-in in the morning and sorting my bag out, I headed out for a walk towards Elizabeth Quay. For lunch, I had a lovely Peri-Peri Chicken Sandwich from a café called LeVietnam (worth a visit if your planning to come to Perth). During my walk, I took in the sights of the large high rise buildings, the London Court Street, Perth Town Hall, Supreme Court, the beautiful Stirling Garden and Supreme Court Garden, before arriving and admiring the famous Bell Tower. The weather was hot with a cool breeze as I sat on a bench looking out towards Swan River, a relaxing time spent indeed. Whilst walking back to the hostel, I seem to have walked into a crowd of sports fans. Little did I know there was a basketball match on between Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane Bullets at Perth Arena. Unfortunately, I had arrived when the match was starting so I didn’t end up buying a ticket. Hopefully catch a match when I’m on the East Coast.

 04.02.2017 – Day 11

An early start today by getting ready and heading downstairs to the kitchen for the free breakfast included for my stay at the hostel. Not as much choice as expected…. Corn Flakes with 2 Toasts… Still better than nothing. After finishing, I headed out to walk towards Kings Park, 4.06-square-kilometre park located on the western edge of the central business district in Perth. Here I captured amazing views of the city (North and South) and Swan River whilst climbing up Mt Eliza. Whilst walking around there are information boards telling the historic stories of the discovery of the park, including the arrival of the Dutch, French and British. The Botanic Garden interprets Western Australia’s flora, and replicates around 3,000 native species. It was an awesome experience to capture the beauty of WA through this wonderful garden. I also climbed up ‘the DNA Stairs’ which is 101 steps high, leading to a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. In the evening, I headed over to the nib stadium where Perth Glory football club played their football in the A-League. A match was on at 7:00pm and I managed to get into the ground for free courtesy of a fan having a spare ticket available (I was at the right place at the right timeJ). The match was played between Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets. It wasn’t an amazing game of football, but it was an experience to watch it, especially next to the hardcore fans chanting songs throughout the match, and the celebration songs that were played every time the home team scored. The final score finished 3-2 to Perth Glory, a happy evening for the locals.

 05.02.2017 – Day 12

Day 12 was ‘how to be a game console historian.’ This was a quote shown at The Nostalgia Box – A Video Game Console Museum in Northbridge, Perth. I felt like I was in gaming geek heaven, where those wonderful childhood memories had been recaptured. It was cool to learn about the early stages of gaming, the development of the industry, the competitiveness of the companies involved, the simplicity of the games all the way to the power and performance of the today’s games consoles. My history highlight was the learning the development of one of the best games ever PAC-MAN. Did you know that the character of Pac Man is a Pizza with a slice taken out of it? Yes, this indeed was the creation of the character itself. Of course, the main highlight was to play on the many different consoles available… I mainly stuck with the PlayStation and Super Nintendo (the two of which I played with growing up). The PlayStation had none other than Crash Bandicoot, I could have played this for hours upon end. The Super Nintendo had the legendary Street Fighter II cartridge. I started of rusty, but soon brought out the skills of a true STREET FIGHTER gamer. An awesome experience even for a non-gamer, highly recommended to visit!

 06.02.2017 – Day 13

It was time to head on over to Fremantle where I would be catching up/ staying with Smita, Krish and Little Druv (Hemant’s Sister, Brother-in-Law and Nephew) for the next week. Before heading over via train, I spent the late morning and early afternoon at Elizabeth Quay and had some lunch at a fantastic restaurant called Annalakshmi. This was a South Indian Vegetarian Fine Dining restaurant on the swan river and had working volunteers who were brought together by Swami Shantanand Saraswathi (Swamiji). Annalakshmi prepares free food and allows those who visit/ eat to ‘pay as you feel’ once finished. It was an enjoyable and relaxing experience and the food was delicious. A great place to visit whether it is on your own, as a group, or to feed another person! After a 10-minute walk to the train station and a 30-minute ride on the train, I arrived in Fremantle where I was picked up by Smita and Druv. It was great to catch up with Smita and to see little Druv for the first time, who was looking at me and trying to figure out who I was. At this moment in time I was known as Kishkaka (KishUncle). As the weather was beautiful, I decided to take a walk into the city centre to the visitor’s centre, along with a stroll around the area. I was a little peckish and decided to treat myself to some Waffles and Gelato on the Cappuccino Strip. A filling dessert indeed, however I still had dinner to look forward to back at the house.

 07.02.2017 – Day 14

I had heard that Fremantle had the best restaurant selling Fish and Chips close to the Harbour at a place called Cicerello’s. This started my day as I had woken up a little later than planned. Cicerello’s is a unique eating experience in the heart of Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour. They are known to sell the best fish and chips with freshly caught seafood including oysters, mussels, crabs and crayfish. It was a slightly windy day as I devoured through my lunch overlooking the fishing boat harbour, with seagulls flying/ walking by. To burn off the food I decided to walk around the area, until turning up at the WA Maritime Museum, a symbol of Fremantle’s past, present and future as a coastal city and port. It was wonderful to encounter the unique galleries, the leisure boats and handcrafted sailing boats to commercial pearl lugers, and learn the history of the importance of the Indian Ocean for the Travellers and Traders. The museum contained so much information, I needed to rush near the end due to the building closing. I also climbed up to see the Round House, a permanent building built in the Swan River Colony and the oldest building still standing in Western Australia. Unfortunately, I was not able to go inside the building as it was closed, however I admired the architectural works of the building whilst the Indian Ocean created a beautiful scenery in the background. In the evening, Krish had invited me to play Squash with him at his local club as it was social night. I can’t remember the last time I played the sport, but I gave it a go. I didn’t win a single match, even though I played the beginners. It was fun to play, meet the locals, and I managed to get a good workout from it.

[treesprung]

( @viaminvenia ) « sc

               THE QUEEN HAD just heard what the people were calling her. Daphne watched with fascination as a flurry of emotions passed over Susan’s face, finally landing on one that Daphne could see, but could not name. 

“Do you not agree that you’re gentle? Is that it? I thought it was fitting the first time I heard it.” Daphne leaned against the banister of the balcony, looking out on the seascape as she spoke. “If it helps, the trees call you The Sapling Queen.” 

[treesprung]

( @greatdelta ) « sc

               “I CAN APPRECIATE that the army needs to march, Lady, but it cannot march here.”

Once more, Daphne had been called upon to speak for the trees. While it was rare for her not to get along with those within the kings and queens’ court, she had come to something of an impasse with the sword-wielder. 

“These are holy grounds, and there are saplings present.”

[treesprung]

( @nikolacvna ) « sc

                   “HAVE YOU HAD the chance to see more of the country?” They were in a minute caravan traveling westward; Daphne had joined them as she had already made plans to leave for her home that week, and going with the caravan had been a new experience too tempting to pass up. She glanced over at the princess with a smile. “Narnia is so much more than her castle.”

[treesprung]

( @wasgentle ) « sc

               IT HAD BEEN a number of summers since Daphne had found her way back East. While her roots did not reside in Narnia the country ( rather, in Narnia the land ), she had spent so many years in the Western Wood that the location of her roots did little other than to allow her to feel unfettered to any sort of sovereign. The kings and queens she chose to speak to were because of her own faith in them. 

The Pevensie royals had very nearly been the time that she turned her back on the country; the trees had lost so much in the Winter, and her wintry sisters had been turned against in suspicion. Daphne had, what now felt like long ago, been convinced by a young king on his way to survey the woods to give one more chance to the rule of men before spiriting away to a place they could not touch her. 

Daphne was certainly glad she had given them a chance, as they had turned out to be capable. After some stumbling, as was expected for a child of any species, crown or not, they were capable. 

And now, it appeared, they had shot up from saplings without her realizing. Time moved differently for the trees, admittedly, but the voice for the dryads had forgotten how quickly mortals moved through life. 

She arrived as she always had, in a form she had chosen a long, long time ago, in a dress that was fashioned after Old Narnia rather than New, sticking out in a way that the Tree of Youth did not mind. She smiled when she stepped into the courtyard at Cair Paravel for the first time in a long time. She had seen the younger king throughout his summers, watching him grow taller; after all, he stood warden over the Western Wood where she too acted as guardian. But the others — the queens — she had not seen since they were barely petals, and now they stood strong and lovely. 

Daphne had been greeted by the king she knew best, his hands on her cheeks in an act of familiar affection, when she saw Susan. She smiled, giving Edmund’s hands a small squeeze before he stepped away, and she turned to look at Susan. “You are bigger than I remember,” she remarked. “I forgot how quickly your kind grows! But you look lovely. Absolutely lovely.” 

[treesprung]

“You did what?” from val !

               IT HAD BECOME clear incredibly quickly that the younger brother on the throne had not let the circumstances of his and Daphne’s FIRST MEETING become well-known fact. Daphne herself acted without ego, and so when a small detail from the meeting had carelessly passed her lips only to be met with incredulity, she smiled at the memory. 

“I tackled him,” she replied. “And held him at the point of his own dagger. I’m afraid that he quickly learned that dryads are as strong — and as heavy — as the trees they ensoul. He couldn’t move me no matter how hard he tried.” 

[treesprung]

“I missed you.” from val

               A PETAL-SOFT SMILE radiated from Daphne’s lips as she heard a familiar voice from behind her. She had been in Cair Paravel for only a few hours; the sun had barely crested in the sky when she had arrived, and its dip downward had only really begun in earnest. She had been surveying the periphery of the grounds, speaking with the few trees who housed within them living spirits and nymphs. This close to so much commotion, very few of the trees that had rooted bear moving souls. The few she had found expressed a contentment for being close, though none claimed to be brave enough to allow themselves to be seen in any way other than at a distance, and Narnia’s first tree hoped that she could change that someday, perhaps a little… perhaps with a few trusted mortals. 

She turned her head and saw the little knight, pleased with herself that she had remembered correctly what Valerie’s voice sounded like. — Trees rarely forgot, in truth. 

“It’s been only a few seasons, little knight,” she replied with a sunny grin, summer beaming from her cheeks. “And I am always found in the West, you know. You could come see me.”

She was jesting, and her wide smile proved just that. Daphne moved to stand in front of the knight and allowed her dark eyes to scan the other. She she found that Valerie seemed intact, she nodded. “You look well, though still so small for one so fierce!”

[treesprung]

“Put it down!”

THREE WORD MEME FROM MARCH 25TH

               DAPHNE GRINNED BACK at the princess, only taking her eyes away from the target for the glimpse of a moment. “I have got this,” she promised, her attention then flitting back to the bow in her hand and the target in front of her. 

In truth, the target was a league away, but Daphne held within her limbs the preternatural strength of an ageless tree, each year growing stronger and more resolute with each ring in her trunk. Trees withstood most all, weathering storms and drought and — yes — even unending winter. The bow had been carved with her strength in mind by the centaurs, bending only to the stalwart power of a tree. Others had tried to bend it to their will, pulling down with all their might, but only other dryads — willowy, delicate dryads — had shown themselves to have the power necessary to wield the tool. 

She pulled back, the bow silently curving with her, bending like a willow in the wind. Her arm was ramrod straight, and she stood with quieted stillness only found within nature herself. With a quick release, the arrow FLEW, singing through the air, and buried itself deep to the fletching within the target, stopped only because of the hay behind the canvas sheet. 

She lowered the bow with a grin, gracefully handing the bow back to one of the centaurs who stumbled under its weight for just a moment before righting herself and trotting off with the curious tool. Daphne spirited back to the princess, sitting under the shade of a poplar whose dryad was willing to allow the company to sit, but unwilling as of yet to join them. 

“I have been practicing with the centaurs,” she explained gleefully. “They say I have a talent.”

[treesprung]

( @viaminvenia ) « starter call! 

               TIME PASSES DIFFERENTLY in the forest. TIme passes gentler in the forest. For Daphne, for whom time does not have its chains around her ankles, she feels time differently. 

So when she came back to Cair Paravel for the first time in several seasons, she suddenly found a much taller Queen Susan waiting for her. 

She had seen Edmund when he came into the West, but the others, she only had her memories, and the given memories of Edmund’s stories. To see Susan standing nearly as tall as Daphne was when she took the form of a person — ! Daphne stopped in her tracks only for a moment before the wind carried her to the queen, gathering the queen’s hands in her own. 

“You’ve grown! So tall and so beautiful, some might mistake you for a tree!”

[treesprung]

GIVES HER A BIG SMOOCH

               SHE COULDN’T DO so every night, but she’d stayed in a bed. Objectively, she could tell that it was comfortable, but she craved night air, and seeing the stars. He’d promised her that he would find a place which fit them both, and Daphne believed –– with all of her heart –– that Edmund would do so. He was remarkably, delightfully stubborn. He’d shown her plans he’d made for a sort of almost-inside, almost-outside room, lacking a ceiling in many places except to offer protection from some elements, and that had been the afternoon she’d truly understood the power of a kiss.

She had been sitting up in the bed, listening to the birds outside. Edmund had left every window furled wide open, and during the night, vines had begun to grow within the king’s room, and though Daphne had smiled apologetically, he hadn’t looked fazed in the least. 

Instead, he leaned forward, kissing her. Daphne leaned into the embrace, still learning what it meant to show the depth of her love in an altogether-human sort of way, but it was certainly not unpleasant. Summer-warm lips pressed against his, feeling his pulse, and her pulse, and the way they fit together. 

She smiled when the kiss ended, remaining in place, only a breath away from him. “You know I love you,” she said: she’d never been shy to use a word which meant love: love had the power to grow and regrow, and it was what held the forest together. 

[treesprung]

( @gentled ) « sc

               DAPHNE HADN’T BEEN in Cair Paravel for some time. First, the winter had come, and with the century-long winter still within memory –– some seasons had passed, but the woods were still regrowing; the forest was now filled –– filled –– with young trees running around –– she had wanted to stay with the forest. Time had gotten away from her, as it tended to do; Daphne wasn’t made with clocks in mind. Stepping back into the court was like coming back to a corner of the woods she rarely went to: it was familiar, but only just. The VOICE OF THE FOREST padded up the stairs with bare feet, verdant, budding vines circling her ankles and disappearing under an old-style Narnian skirt, and she smiled, eyes glancing around. 

She stepped into the courtyard, watching those in the castle milling around for a moment, reorienting herself with the speed of a place that was not like her forest in so many ways. She saw a flash of a skirt in her periphery and turned, seeing a much taller version of a young queen she had once known. Daphne grinned, waiting until Susan was closer so she could measure the young –– but not as young as she once was –– queen against Daphne’s own height. 

“Who is this queen I see? Surely not our Susan, who never was this tall before.” She grinned, reaching her hands out for the queen to hold. “My blossom, soon you’ll be higher than the trees.”

[treesprung]

( @splitcrown​ ) « sc

               SHE HAD SEEN Lord Peridan, and had asked him to come with her, as she had finally found a way to show her appreciation for his kindness he had shown when a wildfire had destroyed a corner of the Woods. She could not write to him –– she could not write –– so Daphne had waited until she had seen him next, hoping that she could convince him to come with her right away, as trees do not know how to plan. They are patient, yes: they are unendingly patient and can wait seasons –– YEARS –– for growth. But they do not plan. They allow the world to happen.

She walked in front of him as they traveled deeper into the woods. She had sent word on the wind when she had seen Peridan, and a whisper back had had her request assented; as they went further away from the Cair, she could begin to hear the beginings of music. 

They broke through a clearing that few knew about; the copse of trees grew so closely together that Daphne offered her hand to Peridan to help him over a rather large, exposed root of one of her sisters who was older than many of the trees in the forest. She smiled at the very small gathering of trees in front of her. 

Some looked terrified, and others looked unsure, but as timid as they may have been, nearly a dozen trees answered her call to show a kind man her gratitude. It was unlikely for so many trees to appear before a human very often –– Daphne was uncertain if Peridan had ever been in the presence of so many at one time –– but her words had convinced them. 

“You were kind to the forest, Lord Peridan,” Daphne said as she stepped into the circle of her sisters, turning to look at him. “And the forest thanks you. My sisters assented to coming to dance with you, if you would like. We do not own material goods like Man, and I could not write you a letter of thanks. This is what we can give.”

[treesprung]

“That’s not good.” ( peridan )

               HER WILLOWY NECK tilted to the side, trying to decipher what, exactly, they were looking at. She glanced toward Peridan, hoping that he could offer some small modicum of clarity, but his narrowed expression and look of confusion muddled with consternation only left her more puzzled. 

So she looked again. And still had no idea what it was she was looking at. She wondered if this was something that was made for MAN, but still had no way of knowing. The first tree pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. 

And then shook her head. 

“I wish I knew what it was,” she admitted. “But… I could not tell you what I’m even looking upon.”

[treesprung]

( @asundrop ) « equinox sc

               HER BELOVED WAS more beautiful than summer. Her beloved was more earnest than a promise, and more interesting –– more fascinating and COMPELLING –– than the best-told story by her satyr brothers. Perhaps Daphne was feeling sentimental with the turing of the seasons, but she couldn’t help but look upon her beloved with a sense of awe and EXCITEMENT.

The equinox had been the night before. She had joined her sisters in their celebration, as every tree was unerringly called to do, but even then, she had felt a thrumming readiness for the night AFTER, where she would be able to celebrate with Rapunzel. 

Daphne reveled in the celebrations the trees created; she could not and would not miss them for anything. Equally, she loved spending time with the strange and beautiful woman who had been kissed by the Sun. 

She had on a crown of flowers from the night before; as Elmbright –– first of the trees –– she had been given a mantle of new blooms from many of the flowering trees. Wearing blooms within the forest was a sign of status: only the flowering trees did so among the dryads, and only their own blooms did they wear. The exception had been Daphne, who ran through the woods with wild flowers and given blossoms decorating a golden mane. It had not been tamed since the last night, but the blooms were larger and far more organized than what she usually wore. 

She grinned when she saw Rapunzel, and greeted her with an embrace that the sun-haired princess had TAUGHT her. 

“Happy equinox,” she said, smiling with unconcealed delight. “Tell me: how did you celebrate last night?”

[treesprung]

( @darlingflight ) « equinox sc

               THE NIGHT PRIOR had been the proper equinox, but the moon was still bright this night, and so many of the Narnians who dwelled in the forest –– especially those who were not too shy of humans –– used the night after the equinox to celebrate with humans. 

There weren’t many trees who ventured out of the woods, but Daphne –– brash Daphne –– had heeded the invitation the king had given to her when he had last seen her to join them after the equinox had passed for a dinner and perhaps a dance. 

They didn’t dance the same as the trees, but Daphne had grown to have an amused sort of affection for the planned ways mortal men and women danced with each other. Trees did not have steps or rules to their dancing: their limbs shivered with Narnian music, and they rose and fell to the melody, spinning into a fury and releasing the energy that had stored in their bark. Daphne was both invigorated and a bit tired from the celebrations the night prior, but she had her customary smile on wherever she went that night. 

She had stepped outside for a moment of air, but when she came back inside, her skin chilled from the air that was still holding onto winter, she saw one of Archenland’s girls. She greeted her, and then asked, “How is it that you celebrate the equinox? Do you dance?”