I am Alraune, the plant monster young girl.
The battle for pollination against a Perorist group of nectar-loving lizards had only just begun.
A dozen or so green lizard-type monsters, the Kusuaidechse, charged toward me as if they were performing a choreographed assault.
I wondered why they had appeared so suddenly in the first place. Perhaps this area had originally been their territory, and the Little Witch and I had inadvertently trespassed by settling here. That seemed like a plausible explanation.
To be honest, facing a pack of lizards with the predatory eyes of a Perorist was terrifying. There was always the option of having the Little Witch use her magic to escape into the sky, but if we did that, the Fairy currently being gnawed on by a lizard would surely be devoured.
She had been quite helpful to us, and I simply couldn't bring myself to abandon her. That left me with only one choice: I had to intercept them.
Yes. I steeled my resolve. I would take on these lizards whirling in their mad dance.
Good day to you, gentlemen. You must be the party of green lizards. I appreciate your presence at this gala commemorating my move to a new home.
That lizard over there with the gallant facial features seems to have already paired up with my friend, the Fairy. Tonight, our fairy friend is a bit different than usual—she is clad in a nectar dress, making her entire body sparkle.
But see here, Mister Lizard. The ball has not yet begun. Jumping the gun is strictly forbidden. I understand you could not resist the sweet scent that beckons gentlemen, but for the time being, I must ask you to release her.
I extended a dance invitation to the lizards in front of me. It seemed many gentlemen wished to take my hand; the lizards who grasped my poison briars collapsed to the ground one after another. It appeared they adored me so much they lost consciousness at the mere touch of my skin.
To be the object of such bashful devotion was truly flattering. That said, being courted by so many at once was a bit much to handle. Even if I had multiple briars for arms, I only had one head to process the chaos.
While I danced, fending off the approaching lizards with my poison briars, I heard something fall from the rocks behind me. I looked back and locked eyes with another green lizard. It seemed a guest had arrived through the rear entrance as well.
This was a predicament. All of my briars were occupied with the suitors in front of me, leaving me unable to offer a hand to the gentleman who had circled around back. He charged at me at full speed, radiating a Perorist aura that rivaled even a Honey-loving Perverted Bear. At this rate, he would jump me from behind and lick me all over!
Only one person in this world is allowed to claim my nectar: the Little Witch, who cares for me so diligently that she even repotted me into a bucket.
Before the lizard could complete his charge, my body lifted into the air.
"Alraune, we're flying!"
The Little Witch took flight, holding me tight. Suspended in the air, I looked down at the scene below. The dozen or so lizards stared up at us, utterly stunned. It seemed the lizards, who could only dance on the ground, were unable to follow us into an aerial dance.
This performance was a feat possible only through the Little Witch's levitation magic and my own unique status as a Bucket Alraune. While cradled in her arms, I pointed my briars toward the ground. Like a fisherman reeling in a catch, I snagged the lizards one by one.
Now then, Mister Lizards. The second act has begun. I shall show you all an aerial dance the likes of which this world has never seen.
Perhaps they were so overcome with joy at dancing with me that they felt as if they were ascending to heaven; as they dangled from my briars, they blew bubbles and offered praises of delight. Scouting my prey from above made targeting easy, and soon, almost every lizard on the ground was holding hands with me.
Dozens of lizards swayed in the air, hanging from my extended briars. It was just like a merry-go-round. With me at the center, the lizards—acting as my white horses—bobbed up and down happily. They were frolicking so hard they blew white bubbles, though it was possible they were simply getting dizzy.
It felt wonderful to finally do something characteristic of an insectivorous plant again. This was the aerial dance party that was currently in fashion. I hoped the lizards found it to their liking.
Only one remained: the gallant-faced lizard who still had the Fairy clenched in his teeth. Rescuing her was the priority. I launched the sticky vines of my sundew and plastered them over the lizard's mouth.
"Mister Lizard, did you enjoy your dance with the Fairy? I shall be your partner next."
I forced his jaws open and snared the Fairy with my sticky vines, successfully reeling her in. Back on the ground, the gallant lizard stood with his mouth agape, looking up at me with a tragic expression.
Please, do not look so lonely. Do you envy the fact that I am dancing with all your friends? Do not worry; I won't leave you out. You shall become a part of this merry-go-round as well.
I fished him up with my poison briars. While shedding tears of blood, the lizard offered me his applause. He seemed so happy to be reunited with his comrades. Yes, yes, how wonderful for you!
With a dozen lizard monsters dangling from me, I declared the end of our aerial dance party and landed back on the ground with the Little Witch.
Well, after such an exhausting dance, it was time for dinner.
"Time to eat!"
Chomp. Munch, munch.
Yes, it had been a long time since I'd had such a big catch! Lately, I’d been stuck eating fish or small animals. As expected, monster-class prey provided a much more satisfying meal.
"Alraune... I think you're eating a bit too much..." the Little Witch said with a strained smile.
It was true; I might have overindulged. Now that I was a young girl, my bulb wasn't as large as it used to be. The moment I swallowed one of the lizards whole, my bulb began to swell. Any more and I felt like I might split open. My instincts told me I was still hungry, but my new body disagreed.
Being a young girl could be quite inconvenient. I had enjoyed the mobility of the flowerpot life, but perhaps it was nearly time to plant my roots in the soil again. For now, I decided to end my meal there.
As I sat back in satisfaction, the Little Witch began her own meal. She nibbled on her bread, looking lost in thought. Oh, that reminded me... I felt like I was forgetting something.
"I've been humiliated by a lizard... and I'm a Fairy..."
I had completely left the Fairy on the ground. Coated in my nectar, sundew mucus, and lizard saliva, she was a sticky mess. I had the distinct impression that this Fairy was always covered in some kind of slime. I wondered why that was.
Ignoring the Fairy, the Little Witch spoke through a mouthful of bread. "I'm happy we have food, but... I'd really like to eat something warm for a change."
She looked so lonely. Perhaps eating human food again had reminded her of the home-cooked meals her parents used to make. The dinners she shared with her family must have been so warm and comforting. But here, all we had was cold bread and dried meat.
"If only I could start a fire, but I guess it can't be helped," she murmured resignedly.
If only we had fire, I could give her a warm meal.
"Don't... worry... Leave it... to... me."
"What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
"I... will... start... a... fire... Watch me."
I had made up my mind. The Little Witch always watered me and took such good care of me; it was my turn to work hard for her. If she could eat something warm, she would surely be happy. And as a bonus, she might finally respect me as her older sister!
Being a plant made fire a dangerous prospect, but I was willing to take the risk for her. All right, let's do this! For the Little Witch's sake, I am going to learn fire-making!
Thank you for reading. Next time: Seeking methods for a plant to start a fire.