Immune (NaNoWriMo2014)(Wattys 2014)

4) All But One (Part 1)

Hopefully the only 'part one' I ever have to do. It's too late to do it all right now. Tomorrow I propose a double update. Double update, anyone? Then again, I still have to do an Afflicted update... Tripple update? Yes? @jobbee1234 and @timelordkid, I'm looking at you two.

Nathan stepped back from Mother Nature's arms, leaning awkwardly on the hollowed out tree trunk. The bright green glow shined directly behind him, matching the hue of his calm eyes. "What is this 'urgent' business you need me for, Mother?"

Mother Nature sighed, her eyes involuntarily glancing at the westward staircase. Nathan gave her an exasperated look.

"Mother, you know –"

"You hate it, and I know, and I am truly sorry, but it is time."

Nathan pouted childishly. "Who told you that? Father?"

"No. He did not."

"It was rhetorical. What is it called? The faster I can do this, the closer I am to going back home."

Mother Nature looked at him with shock. "You are home!"

"This isn't home anymore. Ireland is home. I don't live here anymore, nor want to live here. The dysfunction and isolation isn't worth it."

"Nathan! Apologize! That is no way to talk about Mother Tree! How rude humanity has made you."

The leaves above rustled, and a cool female voice spoke. It rang out in their heads, everywhere and nowhere, both reaching their ears and infiltrating their minds.

I have not taken offense. It is fine, Nathanial, head of Arret, son of Mother Nature Titiana and Father Time Auberon.

"Mother Tree, forgive my offense," Nathan replied respectfully. "And please, refrain from using my full title. Nathanial or Nathan is just fine."

Nathanial, head of Arret, son of Mother Nature Titiana and Father Time Auberon, I am a being older than even your birth parents. I cannot simply change my ways.

"Can't you make an effort?" He asked. Unlike his mother's method of communication, Mother Tree's was perfect; she had mastered it millenia before he was born. If anything, it soothed him, unlike Mother Nature's raw seizing of the mind.

Nathanial, head of Arret, son of Mother Nature Titiana and Father Time Auberon, I may omit your parent's titles from yours, but it would be a great disrespect to them. Tread carefully.

Nathan gave Mother Nature a semi - pleading look, and she waved her hand as if to say oh, alright. Go ahead.

"Please do, thank you."

As you wish, Nathanial, head of Arret.

"Any possibility you could simplify that to just Nathanial Arret?"

Without proper reasoning, something so simple might require a sacrifice. Do you present any jusstifications?

Nathan pursed his lips in thought. "Well... technically, I am not the head of house Arret. I have no wife or child. I am the only.

Fair enough. If you were not you, Nathanial Arret, I do not think I would have complied so easily. Be glad that you are who you are.

"Yes, Mother Tree." Nathan turned to his mother. "Tell me, what is it called?"

Mother Nature sighed. "Wormwood. It's listed under poisons."

"Fantastic. Poison. Stemmed from, if I may ask?"

"It comes off of petrified wood, as debris or spores. Knowing humanity, scientists and their bullshit reasonings will say otherwise."

"How fast, would you say, could they come up with a cure?"