songerein | { a bit leafy }

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{ a bit leafy }

A BIT LEAFY

More details on everything can be found here.

I. LEAF STORM

II. INFESTATIONS

COMMENTS

I. LEAF STORM

During the first week of November, a storm of leaves will pass through town. It starts innocuous enough, with just a bluster of leaves carried in the wind that looks normal for the changing of the season. But as the days progress, there are large bursts even downpours of leaves that just fall all over town. And with this storm come strange things…

A. Leaf Monsters. As the leaves pile up and people attempt to rake and blow them away, there will be some strange movement...until it's revealed that oddly shifting pile of leaves suddenly rises up to try and attack, blasting sharp leaves and even trying to "engulf" the unexpecting, trapping them in piles of leaves. Time to deal with this sudden leaf invasion! (Note: the leaf monsters will be most active during the first week of the month and then taper off by the end of the second week. By mid-month, only a few will pop up here and there.)

🔥 Burn Burn Burn! Using any kind of wind will only disperse the leaf monster and make them split into more. They need to be destroyed completely, and the best way is through fire. Dreamotion fire especially.
🪤 Trapped. But be careful with that fire! There may be those trapped within the leaf monster itself, and burning it may hurt those inside. This is the one time using wind to disperse the leaves may be warranted, but maybe a "controlled blast" will help to keep the monster from spreading.
🐌 Animal Aid. While fire is the most effective, there are other methods—mainly through certain critters. The chickens around that statue from the Dream Board could probably help scratch and break them apart. Finding some special rainbow snails from the lake just south of town will also help as their glittery slime will not only trap the leaves, but also break them down quickly.

B. Leafever. The strange leaf storm and the leaf monsters are also bringing a strange cold-like disease, likely spread through the pollen or spores attached to the leaves. Those who get caught by the leaf monsters are most likely to catch it. Fortunately the effects are mild and only last a few days, week at most, but can be caught multiple times. There is also a cure, but it requires the same leaves that brought it.

🤧 Achoo! While having the leafever overall feels no different than a bad cold, some of the symptoms and side effects are a lot more…unusual with little consistency between individuals. Some may find themselves sneezing bubbles, others secreting slime as they sweat, and all dreamotion effects going haywire.
♨ Incense Burner. One way to help ease and lessen the effects of the leafever is to burn the leaves in a special incense burner infused with special dreamotion focused on healing and soothing emotions. A special stone must also be used, and it can only be found in the hot spring caves in Dragefjell, Dragon Island.
🍂 Leaf Sap. For the actual remedy, sap must be collected from the leaf monsters. How? Well—that's for everyone else to figure out, good luck. Maybe try squeezing the leaves? Or cook them?

C. Dryad. The most severe side effect of the leafever is the individual slowly turning more tree-like, some becoming similar to dryads. There are no serious side effects and will only last for about a day or two. In fact, those who "turn dryad" will feel healthier and livelier than usual. But it may be an interesting experience regardless.

🌲 A bit stiff. As the skin turns more bark-like and limbs become a bit more "wooden," those affected may find their movements a bit more limited at first. A bit of exercise and a gallon of water dumped on them will help loosen them up.
🌷 In tune to nature. While in this state, there will be an increased sense of awareness regarding all things plant. This includes the leaf monsters, allowing them to sense and pinpoint any that may be hiding or lurking around. There will also be a brief time where they can even control and call upon plants to do their bidding.
🍃 Big shed. When the symptom finally ends, all the leaves, branches, and bark will just fall completely off the individual and they will return completely normal without a single blemish. …And clothes. Hope this isn't happening out in public, ahem.

II. INFESTATIONS

With the changing of the seasons, all kinds of critters are either passing through on their migratory route…or burrowing in to start hibernation. Usually it's not a problem, but perhaps due to all the strange dreamotion energy flux over the past year, the creatures are behaving a little differently and getting in the way more than usual. The storm of leaves isn't helping matters, aiding in some of them to travel through. While some will appear during it, the majority will cause problems from around the second week onward.

A. Bugged Trees. Those living in treehouses are going to have a bit of a time as a number of insects will be looking to find a new place to chill during winter. Specifically, their home. Those who are under the dryad effect may want to be careful of any bugs that may be attracted to them.

🪲 Giant Beetles. Some may remember these fellows from previous years. The beetles are quite friendly, but they are quite large, large enough to ride on. They can also cause some rough damage on gardens and yards, their massive size creating large holes as they burrow into the ground. However, some are really useful with their pincers, capable of pruning unwanted branches. If not chasing them away, perhaps one could use them instead? (Especially against leaf monsters.)
🐞 Ladybugs. These ladybugs are average sized (thank goodness), but they have quite the attitude. Preferring colorful and well tended flowers, they will speak their mind should they find any that are wilting. They will also drop critiques on anyone with poor etiquette and living poorly. Those who have well kept homes will have an easier time with them…and also suffer large groups coming in hosting parties in the branches.
🦗 Crickets. The crickets are of the musical sort, ready to put on a performance to try and endear themselves to receive temporary lodging. Just for a few days! Their range of music is wide, from classical to punk rock to country to jazz to even rap. And while they try to be polite, well… Sometimes music jams happen whether they should or not. Like late at night. Crickets are nocturnal after all.

B. Migration Migraines. As if dealing with bugs wasn't enough, other critters are either migrating or looking to hibernate around town. One would think the Wildlands would have plenty to offer, but some may find the easy access to food in town a bit more enjoyable.

🦡 Honeycomb Badgers. These interesting looking badgers have a honeycomb for a back. While they will dig up gardens in search of tasty flowers, they need to "shed" their honeycomb and are deliberately going to people to offer it. They are not harmed and will just reveal normal fur beneath before a new honeycomb forms.
🦒 Flying Giraffes. A flock of large winged giraffes will be flying in and roosting on various tall buildings. They act a lot like Canadian geese, so…beware.
🐻 Cotton Bears. These cute little bears look like they could be living teddy bears with how small and plush they appear. And for winter, they are looking to sleep somewhere nice, soft, and warm. Like a bed. Now they don't really care if they are occupied or not, so maybe it would be better if some dens and beds could be made for them instead.

C. Field Foes. The farms situated around the outskirts of town are preparing to harvest their fields, but there's trouble. Unless it gets sorted quick, food might be harder to come by for the winter!

🌾 Scarecrow Rebellion. Something is wrong with the scarecrows, but no one is sure what. They're either sitting in the fields not trying to shoo away the numerous wildlife that have decided to come through, or actively waving their pitchforks at the very gardeners and farmers they're supposed to help. Perhaps they feel a bit underappreciated so some word of thanks could help them get back to work. In the meantime, some help clearing out the fields of unwanted visitors, especially the crows, will be needed.
🍄 Hopped Up Hares. Among the unwanted "vermin" are some hares that have somehow gotten into some…strange green mushrooms that have made them behave a bit erratic. They're digging up tunnels, wearing carrots on their heads, and stare blankly out into the distance. Catch them and drive them away! And maybe feed them some special pellets that will help cure them of their, uh, "ailment." It's not recommended to eat the mushrooms should they be found, but if one does…well, enjoy the same dizzying, heightened experience the hares did.
🍆 Oversized Veggies. Some young "genius" thought creating a special formula mixed with dreamotion would help the crops grow larger and faster. However, it only caused the vegetables to overgrow to as large as an adult person and are now rolling dangerously through the fields. Some even get into town! Pumpkins, carrots, lettuce, corn, potatoes, cabbages—all manner of vegetables are rolling around, so stop them before they cause too much destruction.

I. LEAF STORM

II. INFESTATIONS

COMMENTS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They were louder before the pest showed up.

[She sighs and flops down onto her couch, running a hand over her face. As soon as she got through the door, it's like her usual attempts to project a polished facade have completely vanished.]

I'm not even certain what it was supposed to be. Some sort of... long-necked yellow ostrich-horse.

[Leaning her head back, she glances up at Shealtiel.]

... Thank you.

[More quietly, a bit bitterly, she adds-]

Again.

( The quiet "again" creates a warm feeling in his chest, and he has to turn away from her to hide his small smile at it. He's scanning for weird ostrich creatures, anyway, it's not suspicious!

After seeing nothing, though (at least for the time being), he turns back to her, gesturing with a hand at her leg. )

I don't mind. But I don't know if I'm the best guy to help with something like a cold, either... Let's see, if you're hot, should I get you an ice pack? A cold towel??

You-

[She tries to hastily stand up, can't quite seem to give it the 'go' it requires, and relaxes back onto the seat again.]

You don't need to do anything further.

It's not like it's a big deal.

( Shealtiel huffs a little as he says this, moving away to peek closer towards her wash room. Surely there's a washcloth somewhere in here. He's gonna keep quiet about his leaf investigations and solutions, but something still has to be done now, and he can't exactly be stealthy about this part. )

If you just told me these things, they probably wouldn't end up this bad in the first place, you know.

[That prompts a growl of frustration and another attempt to get up. This time, she manages to stagger toward him, though she has to lean on furniture and walls to do it.]

You spend enough time doting on me already. As-

[She stops short, inhaling deeply to summon energy, only to erupt into a coughing fit.]

As flattering as it is, it's not necessary.

[A nice diplomatic way of referring to the multiple times he'd been left tending to her mental and physical wounds.

"You'll never deserve him."

Shut up.]

I-it's not doting!

( He's wound up by that, apparently, even with the coughing fit Azula deals with. He pushes aside some crickets (who play louder in retaliation) to grab a clean face cloth, then stands to wet it in the bathroom sink.

He wrings the cold water out of it for a little longer than necessary before bringing it over. )

It's just... saving you the trouble of being worse off. It's not weird! ( Definitely not weird, and that's why he has to say as much. He moves the wet cloth up, then gently presses it to her forehead, careful to brush her bangs away before doing so.

It makes him pause. )

Why'd you get up.

[There is, admittedly, a hint of a smirk on her face at his reaction, despite her obvious... struggle.

And then he steps closer, lightly brushes her hair aside, and rests the cloth against her head, and she freezes. Completely.

She doesn't even realize she's staring at him until several seconds after he's asked the question, and she suddenly huffs defensively, pulling back and yanking the cloth from his hand to hold it herself.]

To stop you from-

[There's another pause as the sudden movement seems to have nearly set her off balance, and she has to throw out her free hand to brace against his shoulder and steady herself.

-She's not even conscious that she lurches forward and grabs his shoulder the instant her joint snaps back into place, only realizing once the pain begins to subside that she's clinging to him rather roughly-

She huffs irritably at the intrusive memory and lets go.]

From fussing and coddling.

( asdfhgjl )

I don't fuss or coddle!!

( Shealtiel huffs right back, his voice raising in the process. It's not genuine anger, but a surface level type that Azula should be very familiar with herself. In one way or another. He relinquishes the cloth when she grabs it from him, but her stumble doesn't go unnoticed, and after she's steadied herself, he puts both of his hands on her shoulders with a stiffness that makes it clear he's trying very hard not to "coddle" or "fuss". )

You almost fell over!!

Of course you do! Every time I get so much as a-

[The thought is cut off as another spell of dizziness washes over her, and she hastily restores the cloth to her forehead.]

My point is, I'm not in the market for a nurse. I just need-

[The room to stop spinning.]

...I need to sit down.

( Though he keeps his cheeks puffed for a while after her first interrupted comment, he ends up releasing the tension in a short sigh. )

Then come on, sit down over here. ( Her bed, is where he's trying to guide her now, loosening his grip and offering more of a guiding path. Right. If he can get her to sit down, then he can go... take care of some leaf investigations.

He just has to get her set first. )

Or lay down, if it doesn't make you feel worse. I probably can't help too much with the crickets and stuff, but I'll see what I can do and then I'll leave you alone for a while. Okay?

[She doesn't resist as she's led- not that she thinks she really could in her state, which is galling- and her attempt to settle onto the bed winds up being more of an ungainly flop.

Dimly, it occurs to her that she's rapidly surrendering her dignity, but- well, that ship has sailed with Shealtiel anyway, and she finds that it... bothers her less now.]

You don't have to-

[And now her head hurts. Wonderful. She sinks back onto the mattress and drops the cloth over her head and her eyes both.]

-To do anything. You've done more than enough.

( There's a moment where he looks down fondly at Azula, the cloth over her eyes, and contemplates fixing a strand of her hair. He decides against it, laughing sheepishly instead. )

I don't know about that. But you can thank me later.

( He's playing around, of course. He hasn't done anything, really. Not yet, anyway... And he's going to go do more!!

It's fine if she gets a little annoyed at him for it. )

Is that better, at least?

[Of all the infuriating-

... The cold cloth on her forehead does, admittedly, feel nice, cooling her off and making her feel less... foggy.]

It will do. Thank you.

[She says it almost accusatorily, clearly expecting that- with her having relented to the cloth and the bed rest- he'll stop... whatever this is.]

I'll talk to you later, Azula.

( He places his hand on the edge of the bed briefly before stepping away, indicating his leave. He's going to be back whenever he figures more out...

But for now, he'll leave it at this. )

[Hrm. Well, she was half expecting him not to listen... but at least he had.

Ugh. She'd probably been unpleasant, she'd have to do something to make up for it later... but for now, she had to admit, rest sounded nice. And so, rather than respond, she simply lies back and lets sleep take her.]

( It's much later when Shealtiel returns. It's dark, and he means to sneak in, but the loud music of crickets and his followed grumbles and scrambles probably reveal him before he's even made it through the door proper.

It takes some time, but he wiggles his way towards Azula's room, knocking his knuckles lightly on the door frame before he pokes his head in. You know, just in case. )

Azula?

( He's holding something in a cup. )

[She's disoriented by the noise that rouses her from her sleep, and she swiftly sits upright-

Dark. How long had she been useless and idle?

That's about as far as her thoughts get before the sudden dizziness knocks her back onto the bed. Something landed on her lap when she sat up, too, and she feels around until she picks up- oh, right. The wet cloth.

'Azula?'

...And somebody else was in the room with her without her noticing. Ugh this illness was insufferable. Thank the spirits it was only Shealtiel.]

I told you, I'm-

[She shudders suddenly as a chill flashes through her.]

I'm fine, you don't need to-

[Wait. Her eyes focus, slowly, on the cup in his hands.]

...what is that?

It's tea.

( Well. He steps closer, properly into the room and up to the side of the bed. Without pausing to see if it's okay, he helps himself to a seat on the side of it, holding the cup out to her. It's warm, but not too hot. )

Well, it's... sap that I made into a tea. It'll help you feel better. Trust me.

You actually-

[She sighs and takes the cup from him, sipping at it ginge`rly. It's... not a pleasant taste, but she forces herself to stomach it nevertheless.]

You're ridiculous.

[Yep, that's gratitude for you. Another sip and a grimace.]

( Shealtiel, upon closer inspection, certainly looks like he's been up to something. There are a couple of stray leaves still tucked in his hair here and there, and his clothes are disheveled and have crumbles of dirt, twigs, and various other crumbles mixed into them.

He looks so proud of himself, though, smiling smugly. )

You're welcome.

( He watches Azula, though, with great focus. He's positive this will work, but he's not actually sure how long it takes, and... He's not going to feel relaxed until he sees it work. )

[The comment does in fact draw such an inspection- that smug, self-satisfied look on his face is more amusing than anything else, and she rolls her eyes as she takes another sip. How very like him.]

It tastes wretched, I'll have you know.

[But she is, at least, smirking when she says it.]

Wha— really? I mean, I tried the best that I could! I thought you'd like it better without a bunch of sugar. The hot water makes it so that the sap dissolves, so it's not as thick, too...

( Revealed that he spent too much time concocting a tea. But. Of course it tastes bad. It's medicine. )

[And now there's an actual laugh- she certainly sounds better, at the very least, and her head is clearer as well as she takes another sip.]

Sometimes you make it too easy, you know.

...I guess you're already feeling better.

( Teasing him from bed rest!! He leans back on his hands a little more, even if it means nudging up against Azula's legs beneath the sheets. )

Well, that's good.

{ a bit leafy }

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