oom: Jack comes home

[jack_inthegreen]

The forests of Britain are not what they once were. It was said a squirrel could cross from Newcastle to Dover and never touch the ground--but those days are long gone.

Still, what remains of the forests feels much the same to the one who knows them. Their voices are familiar, comforting--many are old friends who remember him from seed and acorn.

Comments

[blueskinnedboy]

"This is terribly self-indulgent, you know," Chris remarks.

He is beautiful, elegant, and practical.

As ever.

[jack_inthegreen]

I don't need you lecturing me too, youngling.

[blueskinnedboy]

"I'm not here to lecture. Merely to point out that this is terribly self-indulgent. You're too ineffable to be such a drama queen, Jack."

[jack_inthegreen]

His branches shake.

I don't wish to use that name anymore!

[blueskinnedboy]

"Why not? It's yours. The one you gave yourself when you needed one."

He studies his friend. "Come with me, Jack."

[jack_inthegreen]

Almost against his will, he is no longer a tree--he's wearing a body, a mortal, human body.

"I do not wish for this, either, Krishna."

[blueskinnedboy]

"There are times when your friends must disobey your wishes, Green Man."

They are on a hill, in the jungles of India.

"Do you remember this place?"

[jack_inthegreen]

"I remember. It's where we met."

[blueskinnedboy]

"You were doing much the same thing as you are now. Mourning the loss of your past, your people, your name."

He watches the jungle.

"Cycles," he remarks.

[jack_inthegreen]

"I know about cycles. You don't need to tell me about them."

[blueskinnedboy]

"Except you forget so easily. You always were so forgetful. I've sometimes wondered if the green wasn't--" He makes a toking gesture at his lips.

[jack_inthegreen]

Krishna gets a pointed, green glare.

[blueskinnedboy]

Chris smiles at him. "You left because you were forgotten--a lost god for a dead tribe. That's what you said then.

"Only you weren't forgotten, not completely. They still told your stories--just under different names. They still honored your cause. They still carved your face in their churches."

[jack_inthegreen]

"My face in stone . . . it made no sense then, it makes no sense now.

"I'm not a god of stones. Certainly not of buildings," he says with distaste.

[blueskinnedboy]

"You're such a snob sometimes."

He crosses his arms behind his back. "My point is, no matter how lost you felt, there were still those who found you. Called your name in the forest. Left offerings at your feet.

"But you weren't there to hear.

"A god must be present in order for his people to feel his love, Green Man."

[jack_inthegreen]

They are in Krishna's village, walking in the bustling market. People rush to Krishna, bow, offer him flowers and eggs and lengths of silk, almost weeping with joy at his smile.

"You were always more of a people-person than I."