jack in the green

What I'd like to have happen is this: Jack needs to be reassured he's not a useless god. If there's any love, any wisdom, any comfort that he's given your character, have them remind him of this. If he's made mistakes, remind him of these, too. In fact a bit of torment would not be out of place, given the nature of visions.

Jack won't be in one of his human guises, so if your character wants to remark on how he looks like as a tree, that's fine. He'll look a bit like this.

With the exception of Gil, there's no need for a particular order. I'd like Gil to be last.

As this is a vision quest, whitetext (and othercolortext), randomness, dadaism and whatever other abstractions you like are perfectly appropriate. And yes, a llama may wander through at random. Perhaps even a cheese man. Dreams are like that.

Slowtimes are fine, no need to tag right away (but starting tonight is fine too, of course), but I would like to have everything finished sometime Saturday so I can bring Jack back Saturday night. Here's the post.

Thanks!

Gil works nights and Jack doesn't need to sleep.

He's been staying up all night, watching bad tv, flipping through books he's already read, tending Georgia, drinking beers that don't affect him and not even touching the plants in the garden to make them bloom.

You encourage us and listen and care and don't do anything, obviously and then pat your little dude on the head when he's making you proud. Why does he have to make you proud?

Georgia calls him Papa but Jack wonders if he's lost all rights to that name. Father, Guardian, Lord--they all feel so distant, so strange. He cannot guard. He can't protect. He can't keep evil away. He can't even provide happiness.

Whatever makes you happy, Jack.

Sara's Father's Day cactus isn't as much of a comfort as it could be.

Your forest will die as you will die--as the pretty babe on her blanket there will die, in her time as well.

It hurts. That's what he tells no one, can't put into words or even the lines of a drawing. It hurts to know that like all the others, every one of them will someday be gone.

Perhaps you should not be involved.

He drinks another beer, watching two perky people sell ugly jewelry.

Tomorrow is Solstice.

He's never felt so mortal.

[tbombadil]: I can't get in.
[manyarms]: Where?
[tbombadil]: The bar
[tbombadil]: I can't get in.
[tbombadil]: Let me emphasize this for you:
[tbombadil]: I CAN'T GET IN
[manyarms]: Stop shouting.
[manyarms]: You're probably just trying the wrong door.
[tbombadil]: I've tried every door in the house
[tbombadil]: even ones that never worked before
[tbombadil]: and usually I just have to say I want to be a Milliways and I'm at Milliways
[tbombadil]: NONE OF THEM WORK
[manyarms]: Again with the shouting
[manyarms]: you're overreacting
[manyarms]: you're in Las Vegas, yes?
[tbombadil]: sorry
[tbombadil]: yes, I'm home
[tbombadil]: Gil can get in
[manyarms]: my door works for me
[manyarms]: so it's not that the bar is cut off
[tbombadil]: just to me
[manyarms]: just to you
[manyarms]: Jinx! You owe me a Coke.
[tbombadil]: I'm being serious, dammit. That Rowlands woman is still in the bar and there are so many people I promised to look after
[tbombadil]: and I can't do anything if I'm stuck here
[manyarms]: do you think she has something to do with it?
[manyarms]: Jack?
[manyarms]: *BZZ*
[tbombadil]: I'm here.
[tbombadil]: Just had to think about that.
[tbombadil]: If she has that kind of power hope is lost.
[manyarms]: somebody else, then. Whoever's in charge of these things.
[tbombadil]: Their timing SUCKS.
[manyarms]: Perhaps that's the point.
[manyarms]: Perhaps you should not be involved.
[manyarms]: Perhaps you're needed at home more.
[tbombadil]: I hate it when you're all logical at me.
[manyarms]: :D
[manyarms]: I'll go into the bar tonight
[manyarms]: watch over it
[manyarms]: I'll bring my sword
[tbombadil]: Don't.
[tbombadil]: I mean, don't bring your sword.
[tbombadil]: No point in you getting locked up in the cells because of her
[tbombadil]: she's caused enough damage and you need to be free to move
[manyarms]: You worry! I'm touched.
[tbombadil]: I'll touch *you*, youngling
[manyarms]: Promises, promises.
[manyarms]: All right. For serious. I'll go make myself useful.
[manyarms]: Don't worry so much.
[tbombadil]: I can't help it.
[tbombadil]: too many people I care about there
[tbombadil]: too many dangers
[tbombadil]: not enough I can do
[manyarms]: If I start seeing reports about it flooding in Vegas you are getting *such* a scolding
[tbombadil]: Hey now!
[tbombadil]: Georgie's calling for me. talk to you later.
[manyarms]: Kiss her for me.
[tbombadil]: Will do.

Outside, wisps of cloud gather from beyond the lake and the forest. They are heavy and dark, bringing with them wind that smells sweet and cool as new snow.

Outside, the man in green stands on the edge of the lake. There are many sides to this god: the genial Green, the wild Hunter, the merry May King, the impassioned Cernunnos, the gentle Father. And tonight he feels them all fighting with one another, each wanting to take his place on the surface called Jack and act.

I am the foundation of the earth. I am the crops in the field. I am the first rain of spring.

He is not a man of rules except for his own, but he keeps the rules here out of respect and a desire for peace. So he cannot do as he wishes and confront the Dark himself.

I call you, Rain. I call you, Thunder. I call you, small creatures of the earth.

But he can do this. He can bring healing rain.

There is a rumble of thunder and flashes of lightning, and as he tilts back his head the clouds release their rain.

He spreads open his arms. He smiles.

I am the instrument of joy. I am the warmth of the sun. I am renewal.

In the morning the scorched earth will be covered with misty-green new grass, and the air will be clean.