Jillian was huffing and puffing a little from the combination of the pollen-heavy air and her vigorous climb. Her pale pink face was flushed and her vision swam a little. She found a place on the trunk where she was able to sit her round bottom and tried to catch her breath.<br/><br/>She was definitely hearing rustling and movement from inside the trunk itself. It wasn't surprising, but it was worrying. In a normal tree all manner of insects or birds or rodents could be living on one plant. On a tree this size, in a place like this, what could be in there?<br/><br/>Feeling a little better, she started moving once again. She wished that she was able to have her staff held out in front of her for protection, but her climb made that impossible. Instead she just kept a cautious eye on the various holes and overhangs of the tree, constantly trying to be ready for an attack and trying to imagine how she could fight while she was climbing.<br/><br/>The top of the tree seemed very far away, but, looking down, the bottom didn't seem any closer. And since it was easier to climb up than down, she continued towards the top.