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

[Her not-quite-suggestions leave him sighing a bit, though he can't exactly argue with them either. It's like they're intended to make him think about the situation harder than he has been, which is also fair. He's just been trying to throw himself at the problem without really putting much thought into it.]

Not exactly? Usually I tend to just stab the things I want caught. But I think they want these guys alive. Maybe I can lure them in somehow. Or catch them in something.

[Maybe some kind of gemstone flypaper would work?? What do these buggers eat, anyway? UGH. So many questions!]

[ She nods in approval, pleased that he's putting in the effort. With his initial comment, she's starting to see that he may be the type that acts first. That, too, is a form of problem solving that she will not disparage. ]

That's a good start. But you don't know enough, yet. And when you don't know, you should obtain more information.

[ She was also unfamiliar with the jeweled bugs he was seeking out. Though some resembled the insects she knew, it didn't necessarily mean they would behave the same way. ]

[Even for her apparent youth, this girl's pretty darn insightful, he has to admit. It likely would've been better had he asked about these bugs first before running off to try catching them. Ah well, maybe he can ask around now and get some tips or even just info on their behavior.]

You're right about that. All I know is they're valuable and made of precious stones. Not much help to be garnered from that little bit of information. Have you heard anything about them?

[Might as well ask her since she's right here and it seems she's not the type to proffer knowledge first.]

They aren't endemic to my world, so I'm unfamiliar with them.

[ She looks apologetic. She's not used to not having knowledge, especially of nature. It's something she will have to rectify at the first opportunity, she thinks, and she can't help but feel excitement for that. To be learning once again... not that she wasn't before, but this time, it'll be of worlds beyond Teyvat. ]

Would you mind if I accompany you on your search?

Drats. Oh well, I should've expected as much. They're probably a local species exclusive to this dream world. They're certainly not native to my world either.

[He may not be a god of nature, but he's familiar with the general types of of insects earth has; if there were gemstone ones, they'd be the talk of the scientific world. Jewel beetles, despite their name, don't quite count.]

Huh? Oh, no, I don't mind. Though I guess we ought to exchange names first, huh? I'm Yato.

I see. Then that makes them very worthy of study. I would very much like to understand how this world works.

[ Dream worlds were hardly consistent with their environment. As they were usually constructed from the mind of a person, that which the dreamer focused on most would often be the most detailed part of the dream. This world has so far proven to be an exception to that though, although it did retain some of a dream's nonsensical logic. That means the jewel bugs may not remain indefinitely. But, she thinks, if she studies them and other future phenomena, she may be able to observe a pattern. ]

My name is Nahida. I'm pleased to meet you, Yato.

You and me both!

[Though not quite in the same way. He just wants to figure out the rules of this place to make his life a little easier, not so much so just for the sake of knowledge or its educational value.]

So far it doesn't seem like there's much rhyme or reason to what goes on here, other than its calendar closely following that of earth. Might be due to so many people here being from there.

[That's his best guess, anyway. Glancing around, he starts off towards the shops in town, motioning for her to follow along.]

Pleasure to meetcha, Nahida! How about we hit up a store to see what kind of stuff they might have to aid us in catching some insects? Somebody's bound to have something if we look hard enough.

Interesting. I haven't been here for long, but from what I've observed, this world also follows Teyvat's calendar, which means Teyvat and Earth's calendar are the same.

[ A mere coincidence, or something more? There are a lot of implications, but without knowing more about Earth, she can't draw any conclusions just yet. ]

That would be an excellent idea. Please lead the way.

Huh, I wonder if there's a reason behind that or if it's just happenstance.

[It's certainly strange enough to give him pause, although what it might mean is lost on him. He's only a small time god trying to work his way up in the world, after all, not philosopher.]

Alright, then! We're off!

[In so many ways... The first shop he heads to is a general store, where he picks out some gloves, a rucksack, and then proceeds to scour the shelves for something with which their targets might be caught. What he needs is a net...]

Do you know if they stock fishing gear anywhere?

That's a question I intend to explore at a later date.

[ Calendars weren't arbitrarily created after all, which means it's unlikely to be a mere coincidence. However, it's not the subject at hand right now, so she files away her curiosity and follows Yato to the general store.

Here, she observes Yato picking out items to assist his bug catching endeavours, and then tilts her head at the question. ]

I believe I saw them towards the back of the store.

[ She wonders why he doesn't search for bug catching implements, but perhaps it's not a common activity where he comes from. She wants to see what his current plan is anyway. ]

What will you use it for?

You really are an inquisitive type, aren't you?

[It's said with some admiration. Even if she's not quite the age she appears to be, not everybody would think or want to look into such matters.

At her answer he nods, steering them in the direction she's indicated.]

Catching them, of course! I thought about looking for a bug net, but those are probably geared more toward your standard insects. These ones have pointy ends and sharp edges, so I thought a fish net might work better. They're more durable.

[Locating the aforementioned equipment, he let's out a pleased "Ah ha!" and selects a small net with a mental handle.]

This oughta do us. Did you want one too so you can help?

To learn is to grow, and to seek knowledge is to understand the world.

[ The words carry a weight far beyond what a normal child could muster. She was always ever curious, ever wanting to know more. Wisdom was the divine ideal she represented, after all. ]

So you accounted for the difference between the insects you know and these ones. That is excellent reasoning.

[ She nods in approval, eyes shining bright. And then blinks in surprise when she's offered a net. She hadn't actually anticipated participating in the catching, but... ]

Yes. Please. I would love to help.

[ If she felt like an ancient being before, it's gone in the excitement bubbling out of her, plain for anyone to see. ]

Uh... Yeah, that makes sense.

[Definitely not something one would hear out of your average kid, that's for sure. He's going to assume that she's an old soul like himself, only way more mature than he is. That much has already become fairly obvious.]

Right?? I can be pretty clever at times~

[He's mostly teasing, though it is nice to hear any kind of praise. And when she starts getting all excited along with him, he can't help grinning widely as he passes her a net of her own.]

In that case maybe we should get you a complete set of equipment yourself, the works.

[Backtracking, he finds a pair of gloves in her size and a smaller knapsack, which he hands over.]

Here we go! Now we're all set to tackle these bastards!

[ She just gives him an innocent smile. Would he ask, one day, who she is? She hopes so, if only because it would mean that they would continue to associate in the future.

She isn't expecting him to go out of his way to procure a complete set of equipment, but she accepts them gratefully. ]

Thank you. I will do my best to help, but I've never tried catching bugs before.

[ At least, not this way. The human way. ]

[For his part, Yato is trying to be both respectful and cautious while he feels her out. Some beings prefer their true nature to be kept a secret, while others like himself are loud and proud about it.]

Don't worry too much over it. Now that we're properly armed, it shouldn't be as difficult, so you shouldn't have too much of a problem.

[He himself has mostly stuck to catching fireflies and they're not exactly known for being difficult.]

Alright then! Let's get this show on the road!

[With everything set, he starts marching them out of the shop and back towards the trees he was messing around with earlier.]

[ Even if it were difficult, it would still be interesting, because then she would have to think, and solving a puzzle was always fun. But she nods enthusiastically anyway, determined to catch at least one or two jeweled bugs. ]

I look to you for guidance.

[ This tiny old soul is relying on you, Yato! She follows eagerly, clutching the net's handle close to her. ]

Heh, I can't promise I'll be the best teacher of bug catching, but we can always learn together.

[Relying on him, huh? That may be a terrible idea, haha... But all the same, he leads them to their hunting grounds and stops beneath their wide branches, scanning the trees for any movement.]

Let's see... I've noticed they make distinct noises, so maybe if we follow those it'll lead us to them.

[He goes quiet, listening. There's one nearby, he can tell, but where...? Ah, that way! Stalking over to a bush nearby, he motions for her to join him.]

I think there's one in here. I'll go around from the other side and see if I can flush it out. If something comes scrambling towards you, clap your net over it, okay?

[ Teaching a subject is just another way to reinforce one's learning, so even if he makes mistakes, it'll be fine, because he'll learn something from the experience.

She stops next to him and listens to his explanation before attempting to learn for the noise herself. She's never heard one before though, so the attempt is mostly in vain.

She stays silent to let Yato concentrate on searching for the bug and approaches when he motions her forward. ]

I think I can do that.

[ She grips her net tightly, a determined look on her face. ]

[There's the slight rustle of leaves as he pushes through the branches, trying to be careful and quiet while still getting a good view of the hollows within the bush. There's the usual insects and spiders, a bird's nest, but no sign of his target. Going still, he listens again-- ah, there... more to the right...]

Ah--! There's one! Here it comes!

[Scurrying out from beneath the leaves comes one floral-covered creature of the same style that he'd been seeking when he fell from the trees. It makes a beeline towards Nahida, only swerving as it gets close in order to go around her.]

Catch it! Catch it! Catch it!

[Trying to scramble back out of the bushes, he gets snagged on a branch and utters a swear under his breath.]

[ Nahida gives herself some distance from the bushes—enough space for her to react to the bug's appearance, she hopes. She has some idea of what needs to be done—she's seen the activity a few times, in the dreams of the children of Sumeru.

It's a matter of hand-eye coordination, she's observed. Often, children can track the insect with their eyes, but the clumsiness inherent to a being who does not yet fully understand their own range of motion often impedes their success. While she is not a child, she has far less experience moving her body than most.

The insect comes scurrying out as Yato yells, and she finds its movement less erratic than she expected. She's patient, following the insect with her eyes as she tenses in anticipation, and then—

She whips the net forward, slamming the ring of the net onto the ground. Did she get it? ]

[ Oh, she's missed. She spies movement from the edge of her vision—the insect, scuttling for freedom. It moves quickly, but she thinks she can go for another attempt. She'd misjudged the distance between her hands and the ring of the net. That can be rectified easily. She swings the net again, and she's sure she's got it-- ]

[ —but her net snags for a moment on a low-hanging tree branch she hadn't been aware of, and the chance is missed as the floral creature scuttles into the bushes, not to be seen again.]

...oh.

[ She can't help but be disappointed in her failure—which is a strange sensation. Failure is but one step closer to success, she knows, but she feels a little upset in having let down Yato. ]

I'm sorry. I couldn't catch it.

[For the first few seconds Yato tries to untangle himself from the branches before eventually giving up and just yanking himself free, snapping them off in the process. Scrambling upright, he then hurries on back around the bush in time to catch sight of their target disappearing into the overgrown grass nearby.

He lets out a sigh, shoulders sagging, but straightens up at hearing Nahida apologize. She sounds so dejected that he can't be upset. Plus she did her best, which is all anyone can ask for.

Coming over to her, he offers her a hand in getting her net off the branch it's caught on. He also throws her an understanding smile as he does so.]

Don't worry about it! You had better luck than I did. We'll get it next time, okay?

[With her net unhooked, he takes up his own equipment, heading back towards the trees. Selecting one that looks good, he sets down his rucksack and rubs his hands together. Alright you little buggers...! Round two!]

Let's see if we can get one from up here. I think there's a nest for them somewhere nearby. All we should have to do is stir it up and then go to town!

[And pray they don't behave like bees when disturbed. That could be bad.]

[ She nods, still frowning as she switches gear from disappointment to analytical. She follows Yato to the trees as she turns over their attempt in her mind. ]

Your strategy was sound, but failed because I didn't anticipate how difficult it would be to stay aware of my surroundings when involved in the action. You didn't know my capabilities, so you couldn't have foreseen this outcome.

[ This was one of the things you had to learn through experience, rather than just learning about it through dreams and the Akasha. It really is different when it's your own body in reality, rather than a dream of your own making. ]

You seem to have more experience moving your body, so perhaps it may be better to swap our roles.

[ Agitating the insects would be a far easier job for her, most likely. She could try catching again once she's observed Yato a few times, she thinks. ]

[Wow, she's... really putting some thought into this, isn't she? Way more than anyone her apparent age could or would do. At some point he'll have to ask her just how old she is, strictly out of curiosity. Or maybe it has more to do with what species she is? Those ears don't exactly scream "human."]

It does get exiting when you're in the thick of it, doesn't it? I'm sure I'm shouting wasn't much help, either. We'll do better next time, I'm sure.

[After all, working as a team takes practice. He knows that much all too well. Thankfully this isn't a matter of life and death like a lot of his team-building exercises have been over the course of his life. They can take their time to practice, get coordinated, and tackle the bugs again.]

That's not a bad idea. I am pretty speedy when it comes to moving around. Alright then. Can you climb trees okay or do you think you'll need help?

[Last thing he wants is for her to fall and hurt herself. Even if this is just a dream, it still hurts like hell.]

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