<Okay. I'm not feeling this. Let's move on. What do I want to do next. Describe the garden? I dunno. I kind of want to fastforward to when Douglas meets up.>
<So, I think I want him to meet Ruby first, by accident. Then Acacia shows up and is like what the fuck dude. What took you so long? And Ruby is like whoops, he's the magician. As I recall, Douglas doesn't actually think Acacia is human (well, she isn't) but he basically looks at her like we would a talking dog (or tree). Like she's a neat trick, which Acacia hates by she tolerates because he gets shit down. Acacia is prickly. I think Ruby is the only person she genuinely likes.>
<Right. So. Ruby and Douglas meeting. Maybe they're in the grove?>
<Because of course Douglas knows Jack. There are only so many humans, especially high profile ones. They've definitely clashed before.>
Ruby felt someone behind her while she was working at making a rope <or whatever>. “Go play with Cora, Jack. I'm busy.”
“I'm grateful to say I'm not Jack.”
It definitely wasn't Jack's voice. This one was deep and even, with a hint of humor to it.
“Acacia,” Ruby yelled, twisting around and to her feet. She clutched the rope in her hands, although she wasn't sure what she could do with it if necessary.
The man held up both his hands, palms facing forward and open. “Be calm. I only harm creatures of the holders.”
“How did you get in here?” Ruby demanded. She hadn't relaxed.
The man leaned against a tree trunk. “I should ask you the same. I've tried many times to learn the secrets of this place, with no success.”
<”If you're in the habit of scaring people half out of their wits, I see why. This is a place of rest.”>
<Ugh. I suck at banter>`