It was sunny.
A good day for a trip.
At least that's what the Once-Ler had thought when he was hitching up his donkey Melvin to his wagon. He was smiling, after such a long time coming he was finally going to set out and show the world how awesome his Thneed product was.
He turned back to his family going to wave goodbye to them only to hear his mouth jeer back. It wasn't an unusual thing. Shortly after her one of his brothers ran forward giving his arm a whack.
He wasn't sure which it was they both looked the same and both seemed to be equally stupid. Once-Ler just rubbed his arm giving fake smile as they headed out.
He leaned back as they traveled playing his guitar watching as they traversed many terrains. Finally they stopped. Of course The Once-Ler was asleep, as they had been moving for a while. Melvin just rolled his eyes and kicked the wagon waking the man. The Once-Ler shot up sending the donkey a glare before speaking, "Hey I told you we'll be there-" He stopped as he caught sight of what was before them.
A giant valley filled with beautiful trees. Covered in lush green grass and split with crystal blue rivers. The Once-Ler stepped forward as the creatures began to take notice of him. Some Humming fish sang swimming in the river, as the Swamee Swans and the Brown Bar Ba Loots can over.
The Once-Ler smiled at them all pulling his carriage forward as he removed a few of his things. Though when he turned around the animals seemed less happy to have him there. The Once-Ler managed to placate them with marshmallows.
He smiled as he watched them eat picking his axe up. "Alright, Bout to make Thneed, Bout to change the world." he smiled walking to the nearest Truffula tree.
As soon as he hit it with the axe all the animals ran away. The Once-Ler didn't seem to notice as he continued to hack at the tree. Though also as he hacked he failed to notice the prescence of a young woman. She had heard the animals yelling and running and just being louder then usual. A few had come to tell her someone was here though they'd seemed happier then.
The young woman watched as the young man cut down the tree. Her brows furrowed as she did stalking forward. The Once-Lersmiled as he finished and turned expecting to see more animals.
He was met instead with the young woman's fist. She'd swung hard hoping to stun him long enough to take his axe. The Once-Ler had dropped it after he'd cut down the tree.
"OW! What the hell-!" He stopped when he caught sight of the woman standing a few feet from him. She was very beautiful at least to him. The only comparison he'd had was his mother and aunt. But even by normal standards he assumed she would be. Though her face was marred by a scowl, her grey eyes narrowed dangerously. She was wearing a patchwork dress that fell to her knees. Black pants came under it reaching her ankles.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" She took a step forward brandishing the axe as she moved. Her short black hair swayed as she moved. The Once-Ler raised his hands in defense. "I'm The Once-Ler….. I'm here to start my Thneed business." The girl frowned more. "Thneed? I've never heard of that."
He rolled his eyes. "That's because I haven't made it yet." He made a motion to take the axe back but she stepped away. "Don't even think about it! You don't cut down the tree's here!"
The Once-Ler looked back seeing the stump the fallen tree beside it. "Your made cause I cut down a tree?" The woman glared at him. "Yes I am." "But it's just a tree."
This earned him another punch to the head. "OW!" "Just a tree! JUST A TREE? That was not just a tree. It was a symbol of the life here." The woman lowered the axe as she spoke. "The animals need the trees….. They need them for the food and shelter they provide." the Once-Ler watched her as she spoke. She seemed to care a lot for this place. He fornwed before turning to her. "Alright I understand, I won't cut down anymore trees." The woman frowned at him not believing it. "Your lying."
The Once-Ler nodded. "Yeah, but I got my axe back." He turned starting to drag the tree away. The woman looked down seeing he'd taken it while she was speaking. "Hey! Get back here! I'm not going to let you down this!" The Once-Ler stopped at the spot her was going to set his tent up at. "It was just one tree chill ok." "No I won't chill. Your going to destroy this forest and I won't let you!"
"Dude don't be so over dramatic! I haven't done anything but cut down a single truffula tree. I'm trying to destroy anything. But your free to stay and watch." He started pulling the tent out and setting it up as the woman pouted sitting down.
When he was finished the Once-Ler started plucking the tufts of the tree. "So you got a name?" He turned to the woman eyeing her curiously. The woman sent him another glare before she spoke. "Marly."
He stopped for a moment looking at her. Marly hmm? It fit. He started working again a smile on his face. "Nice name. Suits you." Marly blushed faintly sending him another glare. "Oh be quiet."
And the whole time they spoke neither noticed the tornado or the thunder in the sky.
