Trickcal: Chibi Go story · Apostle stories
BigWood's Story
BigWood is an elemental that doesn't fit the elemental mold. She supplies her berries to Ashur Bakery to be used for pies. Something seems amiss...
6 scenes, 321 lines
1. Strange Tree and Delicious Pie
53 linesStrange Tree and Delicious Pie
Sprite Forest
Ashur... When is she gonna get here... She's gonna get it...!
Tired of waiting for Ashur, I lean on the large tree.
Sigh... Seriously, the sprites in this world... I should teach them the concept of time or something...
Hoo, hoo... BigWood... Make... Berries...!
...? Huh?
A strange sound comes from somewhere...
Hoo, hoo, hoo. Berry picking hurts, but... Hoo, hoo! BigWood make...!
I don't know where it's coming from, but I hear something strange...
Feeling off, I look up to see a pervert—no, something weird.
Gyaah! What is that?
Gyaah! You scared me!
Gyaah! Why are you popping out from there?!
I almost had a heart attack...! Ashur pops out from behind, screaming, and scares me half to death.
I-I almost had a heart attack! You almost sent me to the Weekend Farm!
Whaat? You're kinda shameless, Master!
You probably mean "spineless"... Where do these guys even learn to speak...?
Hngh, hngh. Ashur. BigWood make. Berry.
Ohh, amazing, BigWood! I can now make some excellent Big Berry Pie!!
What the heck...? She's scary...
Don't jump down suddenly...
BigWood... give! Berries!
Wh-What's with her? What is this? She's frightening!
BigWood! Came to get berries picked!
No thanks!
What's with her...? What's with this normal exchange...?
Why are they having such a normal discussion...?
Hehehe, great quality berries this time. Hehehe...
These berries. Gave them special care.
Good. That's good. Very good.
Is this some kind of backstreet deal or something...?
Oh, Master... You're still here?
YOU asked me to be here!
Aha... Did I?
Ashur responds absentmindedly as she picks a bunch of berries off of BigWood.
Hoo! Hurts—no, feels goo—no, can take berries!
So, who the heck is she...? I've always wondered what she was...
Aha... This is BigWood! She's an important berry supplier for the bakery!
It can't be... Is she the ingredient for the Big B... pies—no, your berry pies?
Ingredient?! How dare you... About such a kind elemental! I didn't know this, but you've got a mean streak in you, don't you, Master?
She's a kind elemental who makes berries for me even when she doesn't have any. You're horrible, Master!
Uh, you're ruthlessly picking handfuls of berries off of her... I don't think you're one to talk...
Hoo, hoo. Hoo. Pain becomes future joy...! Hoooooo!
Having picked too many berries to carry in her arms, Ashur passes some to me.
Here, Master. Carry these for me, please. I'll make you a delicious pie!
Is this why you've asked me here...?
Hehe. I thought it'd be nice to see you, too. Alright then, BigWood, we'll get going!
I'll see you again next time!
I quickly follow after Ashur, who leaves cheerfully.
Hoo, hoo... Hurts...! But this pain... Feels good...!
I feel she said something strange, but let's ignore it... Might be best not to look back.
Let's just focus on some delicious Big B—no, pie...!!
2. Why She Left Elemental Mountain
45 linesWhy She Left Elemental Mountain
Sprite Forest
I sit down with BigWood and have a deep discussion in the woods... Okay, not deep, but a discussion about this and that.
You're originally from Elemental Mountain? What did you do there? You wouldn't have had use of berries there...
...Did hard work.
Huh? Did something happen? Don't tell me that you were bullied...
BigWood's body—no, branches start trembling in anger from just thinking back on it.
BigWood tried stopping them. Every. Day. The angry elementals.
Fire elementals. Mad every day. So they light fire.
So, tree elementals burned. Became pitch black.
...Yikes.
...Isn't that a good thing? Since it puts out the fires set by the fire elementals?
Master never raised plant. Excess water makes root rot!
...It isn't good to give a lot of water?!
I thought plants needed lots of water to grow well!
BigWood looks at me with a look of disdain.
Anything in excess is bad.
Excess affection. Excess compliments. Same thing. Master a failure. You don't know this.
Oh, that's why... All the plants I've tried raising...
I tried to do as much as I could for my plants, but they'd wither away...
Excess nutrients. Also cause root rot. Don't even know that?
BigWood looks at me with a look of disdain.
Master. Stupid? Excess affection. Also poison sometimes.
I see... But wait... Why am I being scolded here...?
Something BigWood says makes my heart ache... Ow.
Oooh...
Covered now. Under bark. BigWood scars of glory.
Wow... that's impressive! I still can't do anything about it when they start fighting each other.
I nod to empathize as I pat BigWood on her back.
I believe I see tears glistening in BigWood's eyes for a brief moment... Let's give her some privacy and pretend I didn't notice.
Was very difficult... Want to stop thinking about it now.
Yeah... I see. That must've been rough for you.
I nod my head to empathize while patting the back of BigWood's head... Or should I call them leaves?.
So, how is it living here? Is it any better?
Ah, sure.
Wow... BigWood, you're amazing.
It seems that I have been wrong about how BigWood is a weird elemental. It seems I've let my own biases get in the way.
3. Grow, Leaves!
59 linesGrow, Leaves!
Sprite Forest
She won't follow me all the way here, will she?
I take in deep gulps of air as I try to catch my breath.
Naia, you awful brat...! I let my guard down for a second, and you throw me into the middle of the lake...?!
I swear vengeance and walk through the peaceful forest.
Ah... this is nice. How peaceful. I hope it's a quiet, uneventful day—
Oh, isn't that Big B—I mean, BigWood?
BigWood seems to be sobbing up ahead.
She looks a bit scraggly today... Did she have a run-in with Sist or something?
What's going on, BigWood?
Yeah? What kind of concern?
I sit next to BigWood and once again I'm struck by how scraggly she seems today...
BigWood doesn't... have. H—
...What? You surely have a head!
Master. Stupid. A head. Everybody has. But hair? Some have, some don't.
Ah... You were going to say "hair"...
BigWood doesn't have. No leaves. So, no hair.
I feel like BigWood needs to be comforted. She seems to be sad with her hunched demeanor.
I'm a nice person, so I'll comfort her.
There, there. Hair isn't the most important thing in the world. You're a tree elemental, after all.
BigWood's branches start to shake violently.
M-Maybe I got it wrong?
Whoa, whoa, calm down. You'll shake your leaves off.
No!
But why are you so hung up on your leaves? You seem to have enough... wait, never mind.
Did you have a run-in with Sist or something...?
BigWood's branches droop as she becomes dejected.
Not that...
She seems so miserable. Let's comfort her.
There, there. It's not like having lots of hair has that many benefits or anything...
BigWood's branches start to shake violently.
Yikes, maybe I shouldn't have said that?
Whoa, calm down. Your precious leaves are falling off!
But, you...
Sigh... Never mind. Consideration. Master lacks. Maybe because you have no leaves.
Hey, I'm very considerate, you know?
What BigWood means...
Leaves. They are symbols of wisdom!
For tree elementals. More hair, better treatment!
Yggdrasil is very leafy.
So is she saying Yggdrasil gets treated well because of this...? Sometimes, I can't understand what she's saying...
Tree elementals dream. Becoming tree like Yggdrasil. Magnificent tree.
Nature created. That way.
Hmm... You seem to have sufficiently contributed to nature already. You're big enough, aren't you?
No! Not enough!
Sprite priestess. She said so. BigWood grows hair—no, leaves—Then BigWood will become lush.
But BigWood does not grow. No, does not seem to grow...
BigWood quickly becomes dejected.
You say that you aren't growing, but... the sprites climb you... play hide-and-seek in you...
BigWood does not grow hair—no, leaves...
I think back on the rascals that shake BigWood and pick her hair—berries, rather, every day.
Maybe it's not that she doesn't grow any, but that they keep getting plucked off her...?
Hmm... Wisdom comes to those even without hair. Don't worry too much, BigWood.
You're already amazing! You're wise, even without leaves!
R-Really?
BigWood shakes her branches as if doubtful.
4. Brave BigWood
58 linesBrave BigWood
Sprite Forest
BigWood bends!
What are you guys doing...?
I witness Sist peeling off BigWood's bark.
Oh? Master? Since you're here, can you help me with this?
No, I mean, what are you doing...?
BigWood! Ouch, it stings, ouch... N-no, BigWood bends! More!
With a pop, a piece of bark falls off.
What's up with that sound...? No, actually, why are you peeling that off...?
I mutter in a half-resigned voice as I watch.
This? The bark of an elemental is a precious medicine. Ah, that looks good. Turn your back this way.
...It just looks like ordinary bark to me... Are you trying to scam folks again...?
Suddenly, a certain someone who'd gleefully buy this "precious medicine" comes to mind.
The pile of bark next to Sist looks rather ominous.
*Huff* My bark... being peeled off...! This is but the fate of elementals!
Please peel off mo... Uhh, BigWood means, it's okay to peel off more...!
I've got a feeling that watching BigWood's acts of sacrifice any further will be bad for my mental health.
You've peeled off enough.
...Looks like you've peeled off plenty... why don't you stop?
Eh? Don't you know the saying, the more the merrier?
Don't bring up old sayings just to benefit yourself...
Who cares? Hehehe. More! Gimme more bark!
Take... Take more! *Huff* It hurts, but BigWood is fine!
BigWood looks in pain.
BigWood looks like she's in pain... That's enough peeling...
Ohh, it's fine. Don't you know the saying, no pain, no gain?
That's not something you should say in this situation!
Hey, she says it hurts!
With a pop, another piece of bark falls off.
Just what is up with that sound...
Oho, this should be enough. Well, I'm off then. Adios!
Sist gathers up the bark and runs away.
I look at BigWood with pity while she's rubbing the peeled spot as if in pain.
Are you alright, BigWood?
*Huff* BigWood wanted to be peeled off more... *Huff* Too bad...!
I hear something I think I shouldn't have... Let's change the subject quickly...
Tch. Are you two trading often because of that medicine or whatever?
Yes. Peels off bark every time. *Huff* It feels goo... no, it hurts.
Uh oh, I shouldn't have asked that. I try to change the subject again.
So, uh... how does Sist use the bark as medicine? You eat it raw or what?
She said you boil it in water. Said BigWood's bark is good for your body.
...Well, we humans also boil herbs and drink them...
*Chuckle...* BigWood is a nice tree. BigWood wanna tell the Master a secret.
A secret? What is it?
The tree bark... It's actually dead skin... of wood elementals.
Uh... huh? Wait, what? Dead skin?
Yes. Don't know why you'd wanna boil and drink dead skin, but BigWood heard it's good for your body.
...There's a saying that good medicine tastes bitter. Yeah... bitter... I bet it does...
Just as I promise myself I'll never take medicine made from tree bark, one thought crosses my mind.
Hey, wait. You're wearing tree bark and nothing else. If that's all dead skin, does it mean...?
Ahh, you mean this?
No! Don't say it! I don't wanna hear it!
BigWood is one brave elemental. I decide to stop thinking today. I just have to.
5. The Moment She Gained Clarity
58 linesThe Moment She Gained Clarity
Sprite Village
*Huff... huff* Urgh!
Wh-What was that?! Where's that strange sound coming from?!
Huh? What's going on?! What is that sound?
Startled by the sudden strange noises in the middle of the night, I run out of the palace with Erpin.
More...! More! You can shake it more! *Huff*
Aaargh! Wh-What's happening? T-The beating stick, where is it?!
Calm down, Erpin! You gotta calm down first to catch the pervert...!
Sprite Forest
We grab the beating sticks and run toward the source of strange sounds, only to find BigWood and Ashur.
.........
.........
Here? Should I shake this side to make them fall better?
*Huff* That's the spot! I have more berries there!
...Oh, you were picking berries... what a relief.
...Not! What are you doing at this time of night, Ashur?!
We're doing this out of mutual consent, so please don't interrupt us!
It's too noisy at night. Let's stop them.
Hey, you've picked enough. Just call it a night.
You'll disturb everyone and they'll all come running out.
Ashur stops picking the berries.
Really...? Should I stop? I don't think I have enough...
She looks at the berries she picked and tilts her head.
Hmm... this is enough... I guess...
Alright, I'll stop for today. Oh, Master, don't forget to come to the bakery tomorrow!
Get them to stop before Erpin explodes.
Looks like you've picked enough?
I quickly go up to Ashur and whisper in her ear.
Hey, Erpin is about to scream her head off. I'm tired, so hurry up and go home.
Ashur's head turns toward Erpin.
I'm picking berries tonight because of Her Majesty, though.
...If Erpin screams, Ner might come charging out.
Eek, I'm off then! Master, make sure to come to the bakery tomorrow!
As Ashur quickly disappears, Erpin begins to scold BigWood.
BigWood, why did you let yourself be treated like a fool?!
*Huff, huff...* Not yet, it's not enough!
You should've said no if you didn't like it!
She could've picked a little bit more...!
Just what caused all this ruckus in the middle of the night?! *Sigh*
If you're curious... *Huff* Shake BigWood's branch to get the answer.
They both continue to say what they want, but it seems that BigWood's words have caught Erpin's attention.
So this is what they mean by "talking past each other"...
Oh? Really? Let's do it, then! I gotta know!
Erpin shakes BigWood's branch, and then shakes it even harder with excitement.
Just then, BigWood suddenly has a very peaceful look on her face.
I am satisfied now, dear Sprite Queen. You may stop now.
Huh? What?!
Startled, Erpin makes strange noises and falls from the branch.
Wh... What? She's suddenly turned into a different elemental!
When one fulfills her desires, a moment comes when she gains clarity...
And that moment has come to me. There is no need to worry, dear Sprite Queen.
Also, as for what you were wondering about earlier...
Uh... no. I don't think I need to hear it anymore. See ya!
Erpin is gone in an instant.
BigWood, who's turned into a different elemental, mumbles something. But I don't hear anything... yes, nothing at all...
6. That Elemental's Dream
48 linesThat Elemental's Dream
Sprite Forest
By the way...
Do you have a dream, BigWood? Oh, maybe it's different for elementals?
Feeling awkward, I scratch my head and look at BigWood.
BigWood has a dream, yes.
Oh, really? What is it?
To take root in the Sprite Kingdom. That is the dream... of BigWood.
You dream is to take root?
Yes.
Hey, that means you've already achieved your dream, right?
I think BigWood just gave me a pitiful look again...
Master is a fool. BigWood meant literally by taking root.
BigWood will settle in the Sprite Kingdom, and sow seeds.
So that wasn't a figurative expression...
Master is smart, but acts like a fool sometimes. What a noob.
Hey! Where did you learn that word?!
Grab BigWood by the collar... I mean, by the branch and shake it.
You brat, who taught you such a bad word?!
Was it Naia? It was Naia, huh!?
You're quick to catch on sometimes, Master. BigWood hates perceptive brats like...
Naiaaaaaaa!!!
Lecture BigWood.
BigWood, that's a bad word. You're a good elemental, aren't you? You shouldn't use words like that.
BigWood sighs as if she just heard something pathetic, then speaks quietly.
Master, that's what you call a boomer.
Darn it, now where did you learn that word?!
I shake BigWood's branch wildly.
More... You can shake more! *Huff*
...I'll stop.
I rub my arm to calm the goose bumps I just got.
Anyway, BigWood will do it. Will sow seeds and make lots of friends.
I think they'd be more like your children.
And then raise little elementals and become even better friends with sprites.
That is BigWood's dream.
Hello? Are you listening?
BigWood isn't confident of taking root in this land of Yggdrasil. Not yet.
But one day, BigWood will be able to do it.
*Sigh* Yeah, I'm sure your dream will come true. Well... you're close to sprites, after all.
I start to picture BigWood surrounded by sprites.
There will be more elementals. Then more and more sprites will come.
Then BigWood will be ripped off more... no, do more unpaid service... Hehe... *Huff, huff*
.........
The goose bumps rise once again. I take a step away from BigWood.
Hehe... *Huff* BigWood doesn't mind the pain... More will sprites come, and BigWood will be happy... *Huff... huff...*
.........
I take another step away, but BigWood doesn't notice and continues to chuckle.
...Well, BigWood is a friendly wood elemental... so it should be... fine... right? It'll be fine... I think...