Mal-Tree!Sheila. Merry Christmas?

[badinlatin]

After receiving a note from Sheila yesterday, Mal figures he might as well go see what's going on with her.

Besides, he has Tequila to look in on.

Walking out the lakeside door of the Bar, Mal doesn't immediately notice anything different - he waves to Caspian, who had apparently beaten him to letting Tequila out into the paddock. Turning his attention back to the lake...

Whoa. New Tree.

Mal makes quick work of the distance to the lakeside, and soon is standing at the base of the willow trunk.

"...Wèi?"

What? Mal's never talked to a tree before.

Comments

[sheila-nagig.livejournal.com]

Not many people have. But it's not just any tree.

And really, there's not much of a reaction. Just branches rustling in a breeze that doesn't touch Mal.

Snowflakes drift down, and land in his hair.

Call it, "hi."

[badinlatin]

I feel like a ruttin' idiot.

"Uhm. Got your note." Mal scans the entirety of the tree, from roots to top branches. Maybe looking for somewhere to focus. Who knows.

"Ain't gonna say I understand why you're a tree, but I'm sure you got your reasons. And no, I ain't got any idea what a Tolkien is."

Beat.

"Nice...branches?"

[sheila-nagig.livejournal.com]

If willow trees could grow melons...

The branches shift, as though shrugging.

More snow tumbles down in soft drifts, possibly tickling Mal's nose.

[badinlatin]

Tickling Mal's Nose = Making Mal Sneeze.

"Ahschoo!" he stifles quickly. More to himself, "Ain't no wind around..."

Looking up, "Think you're funny, don't ya?"

[sheila-nagig.livejournal.com]

Trees can't smile. But it looks like Sheila's giving it a good try, as the knots in the wood shift, just a little.

But hey, she's just a tree. Innocent as can be.

[badinlatin]

Did the knots on the willow trunk...move, Malcolm?

Nah.

Right?

"Pfft. Lookit me, talkin' up at a tree like it'll talk back," Mal chastises himself.

"I'll see ya 'round then, I suppose?" Mal calls, appearing ready to leave.

[sheila-nagig.livejournal.com]

A quick shudder through the tree, and every branch's stock of snow falls on Mal's head.

Some people juggle geese!

[badinlatin]

Watch Mal be frumpy!

"That ain't fair, Sheila!" he literally shakes his fist at her, feeling silly about it all the while.

"How'd you like it if I threw snow at you, eh?"

[sheila-nagig.livejournal.com]

She's just a tree. A receptacle for snow, considering the season.

The branches shake, non-threateningly. After all, there's no snow left on them.

[badinlatin]

No, Mal - you're not going to win a fight with a tree. Grow up.

'Sides. It's Sheila.

"Fine," Mal returns a smile to his face. "I'll see ya about then. I come out here fair enough for my horse like y'know, so it's not like you won't have me to dump snow on. Talk to ya later, Sheila."

Mal proffers an overly dramatic bow and turns to leave.

[sheila-nagig.livejournal.com]

There's a light whack to his butt as he turns about.

But of course, trees can't smile, and they can't laugh, and they certainly can't move of their own volition...

Right?