songerein | { a bit leafy }

A BIT LEAFY

More details on everything can be found here.

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

[There's a slight twitch of his finger as he reaches for his own cup, those words striking a chord. But again he doesn't respond immediately, instead completing the action to take a sip of his coffee, though it tastes more bitter than usual.]

If they were around to witness all of that...or had the memories to.

[As if tired of the dancing around, Eustace looks at her more directly than he has before.]

Aerith, if you haven't been told already and want to know what happened I'll tell you. However, it's not something pleasant, and something that I deeply regret.

[She quiet for a moment as she studies his face, squinting her eyes slightly as she does so, then gives a firm nod.]

I want to know.

[She sounds sure of that.]

You're important to Tifa, which means you're important to me. I don't like having this between us. I should know what happened. I want you to feel like you can talk to me, not walk on eggshells.

[He had a feeling—no, he knew that would be her answer. That's just how she is as he remembered her.

So there's another small stretch of silence before he lets out a small breath.]

In that fight... I attacked everyone. And towards you... [It takes him another moment before he answers in a quieter voice.] I was in an extremely possessive state of Tifa, where I wanted no one near her. So... Perhaps it was because you were so close to Tifa that I was more... Brutal.

[Does he give her the full details? He's still not sure, but he'll try first to give an idea and just go from there.]

It was to the point where you could have been killed. No, it was more a miracle you survived it.

Mmm... I see.

[That certainly does explain why he hasn't been in any hurry to get close to her this time around— and while she doesn't remember what happened for herself, she considers how she might feel if she were in that situation today. It would have been terrifying, of course, but also...

He wasn't really himself, was he?]

I understand why you might want to avoid talking to me after all of that. I think... even so, I would have wanted to forgive you. I would have understood, even if it took some time. Did I, when I was here before? Forgive you?

...Yes.

[The word comes slow, if only because he remembers the time that passed and how difficult it had been for him to accept. A feeling he still harbors, as evident by the slight dimming of the light, as if a cloud had passed over the sun to cast shadow over the table, specifically over him.]

But you had at least known me, even if it were not for that long.

[The dimming of light draws her gaze upwards for but a moment, and makes her heart feel just a bit heavier, but she ultimately looks across the table at him when she speaks again.]

I'm glad. I trust my former self to have made the right the call. I'm a very good judge of character, you know.

[She smiles at him in earnest then, though it's a bit more reserved than usual.]

I want us to be friends, Eustace. This doesn't change that one bit.

[There's a faint quirk of a smile, her attitude and personality the same as what he remembers.]

Likewise.

[And that faint smile warms to something more genuine.]

Even if it's starting fresh, I'd like to get you know better. Not just for Tifa.

[Though it would be a lie to say it wasn't a large part of it.]

I feel the same.

[Her smile hitches just a bit wider, radiating warmth.]

Some of it is for Tifa, but— I want to get to know you better for myself, too. If Tifa chose you... then I know that means you're someone really special.

[She tilts her head a little as she leans back in her seat at last, taking hold of her cup of coffee between both hands.]

She's a good judge of character, too.

[A light quirk of his lips for a tiny smile.]

I wonder.

[A light joke, as if still questioning her choice in choosing him. But no, he knows Aerith is right, and he's forever grateful that she did choose him.]

{ a bit leafy }

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