***all characters are 18 or older***
The orchid had been enjoying its environment for nearly two hundred years. It was an old plant, of a particularly unique species with very few still like it in the world. Little was known about this species of orchid, only that they were very rare, and reproduced a single time before the plant died. Almost nothing was known about the method in which the plant spread its seeds, or even what its flowering state looked like. Research of the handful of small specimens that had been found in nature proved impossible, as the orchids quickly withered and died once moved. This orchid had been left well alone, however, and it had thrived.
After almost two centuries, the orchid had outcompeted the waist high prairie grass and shrubs around it. It now stood in the middle of a small clearing, completely unnoticeable from the only path, a bike path, that ran along the tall grasses next to some trees. The orchid base was broad and dark green, roughly the size of a car tire. The plant had a dense and unfathomably complex root system that penetrated deep in to the earth. The root system had spread wide to support the large plant, creating the clearing where it now stood. The plants roots had reached its maximum possible extent several years ago, triggering it to begin the process of storing energy for reproduction and making the necessary physiological changes.
***
Olivia had loved her first days at her new school. She had arrived on campus a week before the start of classes to try to get a feeling of the local town culture and explore the paths on some nearby preserved prairie lands. The red-headed freshman had come to this school to study ecology and biology with the hopes of one day helping to preserve the beautiful nature lands she had always so enjoyed, as well as to help protect rare plants for future generations to see and learn about. She was of medium height and build, but her attitude was that of a spitfire. Olivia had always been the first to speak out at community forums against deforestation and paving over her version of paradise. The people in attendance all admired her impassioned speeches, even if they didn't agree with her views. She was a captivating speaker, both in the eloquence of her words, as well as in her figure. No one could deny the beauty of the passionate teen. Her green eyes would constantly be scanning the room for anyone not paying attention, but all eyes were locked on her.
Her bold love of nature had pushed her to this specific school which had a renowned combine major for ecology and biology. It was located in a somewhat remote but temperate region, with plenty of preserved grassland and forest surrounding the campus. Olivia's introduction to the area had been overwhelmingly positive as she met the local townspeople as well as several of her classmates. She had become quick friends with another ecology major named Anna, who hailed from the other side of the country. The two bonded quickly over their shared love of unique plants and beautiful scenery. The evening they met, the two made a plan to explore a bike path together that cut through the local prairies the next morning.
Olivia woke up early the next day, put on her favorite light green sundress, and began to prep for her morning. She knew the area was fairly vast and infrequently traveled, so she made sure to pack well. Olivia checked she had plenty of water, some trail mix, and a good book in case they needed to take a rest.
She arrived at the beginning of the trail on her bike a few minutes before their agreed upon meeting time. Olivia dismounted her bike, and stretched a little while waiting for her new friend. She looked down at the dress she was wearing. Olivia loved this dress and specifically how it clung to her curves without being too revealing. She had chosen not to wear a bra today and smiled cheekily as she realized she could see straight down from the top of her chest to her matching light green panties. She was proud of her form and that she could maintain such a body through her adventures.
As the minutes ticked past, Olivia began to wonder about her friend. "Hey girlie, just waiting at the trail!" Olivia texted Anna. After several minutes without a response, Olivia decided she must have forgotten their plan or slept through. She was annoyed but not too upset, she would still have a lovely day to herself, she thought. The solitude and scenery would give her time to think about the journey she had ahead in the coming semesters at her new school. Olivia set off down the path.
As she pedaled, she thought about what the classes would be like, which would be the most challenging and which could be the most exciting to her. She wondered about the professors and if she should ask around who was inspirational and who to avoid. She thought about her classmates and what they would be like. She was excited at the prospect of college parties and cute guys. She had been to a handful of parties before, but never anything too wild and nothing like what she had heard college parties were like. The thought of meeting a cute guy at a party, dancing the night away, and finding romance distracted her as she biked on.
Several miles later, Olivia reached a single large oak tree whose shade covered the entire path, including up to the edge of the prairie lands across from it. "What a gorgeous spot to take a little break", Olivia thought to herself. She had only been biking for an hour or so, but she wanted some water, and this was a perfect spot to read her book. Olivia sat below the shade of the tree, leaned back against it, and began to read. She didn't even notice it happening, but between the early morning start, the exercise, and the fresh air, she had grown tired and slowly drifted off mid chapter. The pretty red-head lay dozing against the tree, book still in hand.
***
Several yards away from the tree, there was a clearing in the prairie which was entirely hidden from view. In the clearing sat the large orchid.
Its anatomy had not changed much over the past few years, but notably several long vines had grown around the base of the plant. It also had gained a large bulb in the center of the surrounding leafage, which itself was knee high and bright green. It had the appearance of being ready to bloom, with the petals of the orchid beginning to become visible through the thin leaves covering the flower. The plant had four vines, two long thick vines, and two shorter and thinner ones. The thicker vines were about the diameter of a man's wrist, and could stretch several yards when uncoiled. The thinner ones were the width of a thumb, with small branching dandelion-like fronds on the end. These fronds waved like hair in the wind, with one of their main purposes being to detect and smell out the final element needed for the plant to reproduce.