“Like I was trying to explain,” the plantman grumbled, winced, and averted his gaze.
With his back to me, he gripped the pool’s edge and swiftly lifted himself out of the water with the agility and precision of an Olympic swimmer.
Eight vines trailed behind him, four on each side, dripping water onto the floor as they rose from the surface of the pool. Each one was bare but ended differently: four had bell-shaped fuchsia and teal flowers, two had suckers, and the last two were textured like miniature corn on the cob but with a tongue-like feeler at the end.
His body was framed by vein-like details that highlighted his corded muscles and athletic build. Fern-like leaves covered his shoulders, as if it were some kind of natural defense, but it reminded me of ancient warrior armor.
How exactly was he able to get his hands on such a hot looking avatar?
I was used to being in simulations and interacting with others through their avatars. I couldn’t tell a lie. He was attractive. I wouldn’t be concerned about anything if it weren’t for the fact that I was currently naked in my human form.
Green was my favorite color, and when it came to meeting people in AltU, I had a thing for monstrous-looking humanoids. I once had a crush on a dragonman and a gargoyle, but those relationships never developed.
I couldn’t help but imagine him as some forbidden garden full of vines, leaves, and exotic flowers. With his teal pupil-less eyes, pointy elf-like ears, and living leafy skirt that would make past Pacific Islanders jealous, he was like a walking botanical garden. It was a shame I couldn't see if he had a nice ass beneath those leaves.
He was almost like a garden god—tall, sleek, and muscular with chiseled abs and as wild as the exotic flora that was a part of him.
But, no matter how appealing he was, or how amazing everything within this hometree was, none of it explained what was going on.
I spun around, gripped the pool’s edge, and decided to mirror him. I needed to stop this plantman from fleeing if I was going to get any answers.
As soon as my foot touched the floor, a green glow surrounded it, as if the ground was sensored.
“Here,Luwaeri, take this,” the plantman said softly, apologizing and averting his gaze from me. “Unfortunately, your clothes were beyond repair, so I created this living robe for you to ensure you had something to cover yourself with when you awoke.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly, moved by the thoughtful gesture. “How is it a living robe?”
Without hesitation, I grabbed what appeared to be a thick blanket made of jungle leaves, similar to the flora I saw while fleeing what he called a pafeldae. Lifting it up, I spun it around, taking in every detail. Little tendril-climbers weaved between the individual thick leaves, holding them together while adding a layer of a fine feminine design.
“Yes.” He nodded and extended his hands, his face still turned away. “If you want, I can help you put it on.”
“Thanks.” As I returned the robe to him, I felt my cheeks turn to fire. No one had ever offered to assist me in getting dressed... especially since I’ve never had to dress up for a dance or a wedding. “You are the first to offer.”
As I turned my back on him, I couldn’t help but notice the fierce determination on his face.
“Hopefully, I’ll be the last.”
CHAPTEREIGHT
VIOLA - VIOLENTVIOLET
“Bold words for someone I’ve just met.”
“You’re naked. Isn't that something your kind only does with close friends?” He averted his gaze as he pushed my arms through the armholes of the robe.
The material was smooth and warm, almost like heavy silk. Was this how celebrities felt when they dressed up in expensive clothes?
Despite the fact that my team’s fan base had grown exponentially over time, we had never received such elaborate outfits from our sponsored brands. Only the bare necessities, because no one wanted to invest in a new team that hadn’t proven themselves to be more than one-hit wonders.
“Perhaps you should start with your name,” I pointed out, shooting him a teasing grin. “And then you can explain everything.”
“You’re right,Luwaeri,” he muttered as he spun me around. His hands dragged along the waist of the robe, stopping in front of me only to tie a bow. “I’ve been so preoccupied with your discovery that I forgot to introduce myself.” He shook his head and scrunched up his brow. “Unfortunately for me, I still don’t know your name.”
“Viola,” I replied softly. “Similar to the instrument and a purple flower.”
“It fits you,” he whispered as he combed my hair with the back of his hand. “You resemble a fiery rainbow petal. On the outside, you’re stunning, but you’re also lethal to those around you.”
“Beautiful and lethal, eh?” I gave him a sly look, chuckling to myself at how similar his words were to what others had said about my AltU avatar. “And how about you?”
