{ a bit leafy }

[dreamposts]

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

Comments

HIYORI.

[foremother]

[ Dragefjell is a long way from Songerein, she thinks, and as much as Zelda would love to go there, to actually see it with her own eyes, and to visit the hot springs, she is unable to. In her current state, it would be ill-advised at best. A sickness is claiming her physical form, beating her down into unwellness with shockingly harsh bouts of coughing fits and sniffles. Soup was not curing her, and so now, it was time for the old wives tales.

It is one such coughing fit that gets a gaggle of people to filter out of a shop— a little pottery shop that offers lessons. She thought— no, hoped— that she would be well enough to ask for it herself, to sit down and inquire for a lesson or two, and make something for her to burn the leaves in. But...

Zelda, too, leaves the shop. She loiters, then, determined to get what she wants— and when she finally thinks she's found someone who looks kind enough to help, she places her fate into the girl's hands. ]

Are you looking to shop?

[ It's a simple enough question. ] I could pay you to do something for me, if you need money... [ She, theoretically, should have enough for the burner, and to pay the girl for her help. But there's no hiding the illness that tucks itself into the corners of her delicate, rounded features: if only Hiyori knew she was jumping over a few steps in the whole old wives tale. ] I'm short on help at the moment.

[wwtd]

[ zelda places her fate into the hands of a sixteen-year-old girl. always a great choice. those hands are currently occupied petting one of those stray maple leaf kittens, scratching it behind the ears with a content smile on her face as it purrs away and rubs its small face against her knees.

she blinks at the voice that seems to be directed at her (yes, one look around confirms it is indeed HER she is being spoken to) and looks up, slowly standing out of her crouch. the fatigue that comes with sickness - tired eyes and the slouch of shoulders - isn't lost on her. neither is... this smell.

a spirit? or a god.

all these things contribute to a warm, sympathetic smile spreading across hiyori's face at essentially being asked for help by an utter stranger. ]

There's no need to pay me. Um, so, what can I do for you?

[foremother]

[ The sympathy stings a bit, but Zelda knows it for the gift it is. A relieved little smile crosses her lips, and she muses how lucky it is that she found someone kind from the outset. Pulling the shawl closer, she speaks in a guilty tone, as if this is truly just a burden to the girl. ]

I need a bowl for burning incense. Something handmade. [ If Hiyori's heard the rumors, she might be able to put both things together; that this girl is sick with the stick disease, or the leaf storm, whatever you want to call it. Those inside think it's contagious, naturally. ] And I can't get inside, so... But please do let me pay you back! [ A short, considering beat, and then: ] I can play instruments, if you like music. [ A song for a favor? ] Or perhaps more practically... I can sew.

[wwtd]

[ oh!

oh...

yes, she's heard the rumors. they're hard to miss as it has taken the population by storm (heh). she's able to put everything together, too, so hiyori's already moving to get inside once she has her mission and realizes what's going on. the compensation manages to give her pause and she mulls it over. her first instinct is to tell her it REALLY is no trouble to head inside and get her a bowl. it will take, what, a couple minutes of her time? or something.

but she can understand the feeling of being indebted to someone as well and how that nags. ]

I do like music, but... I'll think of something for you to sew, okay? I'd like to talk about what instruments you can play, too, but I'm going to grab your bowl! [ again, she makes an attempt to enter the building but peeks her head back out. ]

Did you want it to be any particular color?

[foremother]

[ A bright smile falls over Zelda, staring over at the other girl with a wondrous glint in her blue eyes. After being ushered out of the shop, this kindness is hard not to feel is a blessing from above. Before, she wouldn't have wondered how things always worked out for her, but now? Well, she still won't look a gift horse in the mouth. Clasping her hands together, the smile on her face falls before finding it's place again. She won't push the subject yet, but yes, she definitely need to see about sewing something for Hiyori; is the weather quite cold here later? If so... ]

Particular color? No. Anything you feel will be able to burn some incense would be best. Thank you, so much.

[wwtd]

[ judging by how autumn is turning out? yeah, definitely cold.

something that will be able to burn some incense. okay, easy enough. ]

Sure!

[ TIMESKIP!! to hiyori exiting the the pottery shop. there was a lot to choose from and go through, but she's not going to make zelda wait out there forever. she needs to get home, inside where it's warm and she can rest. burn that incense. asap. the little bell above the door signals her return. ]

Sorry for making you wait. [ a couple minutes but still. that's time she shouldn't be standing out in fall weather while being sick. ] Here, um, I hope this is okay.

[ hiyori offers her a bowl. pretty simple, but functional for her needs. hopefully. it's on the cuter side of handmade, too. not by her but you know. ]

[foremother]

[ The cuter side of handmade certainly is adorable. Zelda waits a scant few minutes outside, hands folded politely over each other, managing to sneeze only once while Hiyori considerately plucks a floral themed bowl out for her. It's not really any kind of matter to the girl with blonde hair and a simple disposition; Hiyori's apology when she re-appears is kindly, but unnecessary. ]

Don't worry so much!

[ Is it asking too much to not worry someone for a bit? She smiles, taking the bowl gently— and she admires it with unconcealed interest, before floating a question to Hiyori. ]

Do you like flowers...?

[wwtd]

[ can't help but worry. seeing as she's sick and all, standing outside waiting for hiyori out in this chilly weather. get inside, zelda!! so maybe it's a little much to ask? for someone like hiyori. a doctor's daughter...

halfway to opening her mouth to speak herself, it sort of just parts in surprise at the question. ]

Eh? [ haven't thought about it, honestly. though it doesn't take long for her to answer. ] Um, yeah. I do like them. They're all so pretty and colorful. You can always cheer someone up with some flowers, right? But I wish I knew more hanakotoba, aha...

[foremother]

[ They are standing in front of the shop, loitering, which Zelda realizes as she looks around the street as she listens to the girl's voice. It is, she imagines, not something they should be doing, so she nods in acknowledge before beginning a slow pace, walking with the hope that her ordinary savior might follow her. She grips the bowl in her hands, daintily and reverently, so as not to risk making it any less than it is.

Then, after a moment of silent consideration, she poses a simple question. ]

I'm not familiar with that term. "Hanakotoba..." What does it have to do with flowers?

[ There is nothing in her mind that drags any familiarity to the forefront in regards to it. She simply doesn't know it, but she's interested in whatever it is. ]

[wwtd]

[ naturally, she does follow along in the hopes that they're now headed in the direction of wherever zelda is staying so hiyori can help her reach that destination.

momentarily stunned, she forgets that oh yeah, different worlds. hanakotoba might not be a thing where she's from. ]

Where I'm from it's the language of flowers. People can send their feelings to another person by using certain types. There's a flower for any kind of message you can think of. I can't remember what daisies are meant to symbolize... but I did hope it would help you feel better?

[ which is funny because daisies do symbolize "hope" ]

[foremother]

[ With the pair of them wandering together, side by side, Zelda can lead Hiyori past shops and restaurants. They blur together in her eyes; her attention stays squarely on the girl who had selflessly helped her. The "language of flowers," she explains, and Zelda listens as if she's hearing a prayer. Her head slowly turns from Hiyori to the streets, processing this information. ]

You don't have to hope. It did. [ There's a smile tugging at her lips now, light and easy. She clears her throat, pulling the shawl closer, and then inhales deep before continuing. ]

My name is Zelda. I truly do owe you for this.

[wwtd]

[ zelda? that pings somewhere deep in her mind but she doesn't know what or where. only that she's heard it before. strange.

more strange is the smell that hasn't left since they've been walking away from the pottery shop. it is her! how does one ask if they're a god, though? she can't. it's not the faint scent of perfume but something else entirely. she's drawn to it, the same way she is with everyone on the far shore.

she too smiles first, relieved that her little hope came through. ]

N-no, really! It's no big deal. [ she waves a hand in front of her face. ] I'm glad we ran into each other. I'm Hiyori. You... said you can play music and sew, right? I can't do either of those things, so do you think it'd be possible for you to teach me? If you're still super adamant about repaying me, that is.

[foremother]

[ Nervously, she shifts, unaware of the topics tumbling together in Hiyori's quick and clever mind. She thinks back to Skyloft, and how bartering went; with money, of course. So after a sigh and a shake of her head. ]

I wish I could do this properly, and pay you with money, but I'm very much lacking there at the moment. [ So she nods, and smiles apologetically, watching the way the wind tousles Hiyori's pretty hair and how the muted tones of autumn make her eyes all the more bright. Perhaps, Zelda thinks, they're just always that bright— much like the girl herself is. ]

If you don't mind learning songs dedicated to the Goddess on a harp... [ Delicately, she adjusts again, pulling from seemingly nowhere a golden hand-lyre, perfectly suited for a pair of hands to hold it, but small enough to be held in one. For some reason, she truly trusts this girl, for she holds it in a way that Hiyori might be able to hold it if she wishes to inspect it further. ] And sewing I can certainly teach you. I can embroider, too! If you... [ Ahem. Well. ] have no issue learning the symbols of the Goddess and how to put them to fabric. But you'll be able to apply that knowledge to other things!

[wwtd]

[ they're all lacking in that, but hiyori doesn't find this particularly troublesome. it puts them on an even playing field, doesn't it? the divide between rich and poor doesn't exist. besides, she couldn't take her money for such an easy favor she would have done for anyone, had they asked.

it's possible that zelda isn't used to people doing things simply because they can, though. because they want to do a good deed for another human. (humanoid? elf? those longer, pointed ears... there's something... hm.)

zelda pulling a lyre out of nowhere doesn't appear to bother her much. like she's witnessed things seemingly appearing out of nowhere before. many a time. well, the act doesn't unsettle her, but the lyre itself makes her mouth open in awe. soon enough, ] Oh, wow! It's pretty! And small and cute for a harp. I thought those were a lot bigger! [ why would she mind? sounds fun to her either way. while she doesn't reach for it, she admires the gleam and again intuits something special about it. ]

I don't have a problem with any of that at all. [ embroidering, especially. ] You sound loyal to your goddess. What's her name?

[ she too is DEVOUT, but doubts zelda has heard of her god. ]

[foremother]

[ It is simply that kindness begets kindness in the world, doesn't it? But going out of your way for a stranger, one who is sick, sticks to her spirit in a way that makes her way to make sure Hiyori knows it's appreciated. Her voice is soft, nostalgic, and perhaps a little regretful with she speaks, the messy swirl of emotions linking together in a heavy pair of chains on Zelda's soul, even as she smiles. ]

Her name is... Hylia. [ Zelda shifts a little again, hands moving to lower the harp now that Hiyori has seen what she'll be learning on and approved of it. Idly, Zelda wonders if she can create a copy for her; there's a gift giving holiday coming up, isn't there? ]

We are raised with loyalty to Hylia in us. Hehe... this harp was part of a religious ceremony at one point. Now it's simply mine. I'm glad you like it so much. She had a harp like this. [ I had a harp like this. She could never say it, not here. ] The strings are so few, it's a lot easier to memorize the notes this way. The strings are usually colored on the learning harps, but we'll make do!

[wwtd]

[ hylia. hm, that's not a name she's heard before. even in all the books she read in the library in one frantic search for a stray god. there were hundreds, if not thousands, of names. no yato.

no hylia, either. maybe she missed it.

what is she like, hiyori wonders. having relationships with some gods and knowing their faces, she can't help but imagine it just as the pleasant scent of a spirit or a god washes over her again. ]

I'm a good student, I promise! [ hiyori declares, looking determined and enthusiastic at the idea of doing something new. ]

If you inherited a harp that was used in religious ceremonies, you must have a strong connection with your goddess. [ in fact, she's pretty sure of it. ]

[foremother]

[ For a moment, she's struck silent, unable to process a way to respond to Hiyori's sudden and remarkably astute deduction. Oh, yes, there's a deep tie between her and Hylia, and holding the bowl in her hands tightly, Zelda wonders how much she should utter in this conversation. Not much, she resolves. ]

I was playing the role of the Goddess in what you might call a knighting ceremony... Hehe. Actually, it was someone else who had this last. I'm not too sure how I came into possession of it again.

[ Oh, she has a few ideas. ]

[wwtd]

[ that reaction tells her everything that zelda doesn't, but hiyori doesn't comment on it. what with the pleasant smell always present in gods and spirits floating around them, how she was given a harp used in religious ceremonies? she might as well have told her that she's related to hylia. or her ancestors are.

she has no idea how deep the tie is. how wound around her and unbreakable.

hiyori, too, has a few ideas on how it found its way back to her. goddess connection and all. playing the goddess in a ceremony. yeah. yeah. ]

Oh! I've heard about those! They seem really important. [ probably saw some UK thing once on tv, watching with her mother. ] Who did you knight?

[foremother]

[ A number of truths go unsaid; observations and would-be conversations that happen to be snuffed out before they have any chance of growing into something more. As their small talk continues, Zelda smiles brightly, her expression lighting up immediately. Talking about Link is her favorite thing these days. Memories of a life she misses terrible dance in her mind, now. ]

Link, my friend. He was doing terribly, and he hadn't been practicing before the race. But he pulled ahead perfectly! He had wanted to be a knight so badly, and I worried all the time he would be rusty for the ceremony... I suppose it just was in him to work hard during the race itself.

[ ...Sort of. ]

[wwtd]

[ with how withered and tired and unhappy zelda had looked when she first called out to hiyori, she's relieved by that smile. it gleams like the gold of her little harp. she can't help but feel unburdened for the moment.

a knighting in a religious ceremony by a goddess after winning a race. huh.

hiyori pictures it. tries, anyway. if it's a knighting, they probably raced with horses! ]

Hehe, Link sounds like some people I've known at school. They don't study or don't pay attention in class and then when there's a test, they pass by without any problem. I can't help but be envious. I'm glad things turned out alright, though. Hmm, but a race is different from studying... you rely more on your trusty steed...

His horse must be amazing, too.

[ :D ]

[foremother]

[ Yes, this sounds normal to Zelda, absolutely nothing worth commenting on.

Until. ]

...What is "horse"?

WHAT IS HORSE LKSGKLSDJGD prob my fav zelda quote ever

[wwtd]

... Heh?

[ hiyori stops in her tracks. hanakotoba was one thing-- ]

Wh-what do you mean? Are there... no horses where you're from?

"zelda gibberish voice: what is horse" will now proceed to haunt us both forever

[foremother]

[ Is it that strange? Zelda looks away, as if that might help them both out now that she's broached the topic. Eventually, her curiosity wins out. ]

The truth is that... I have never heard of a horse. I'm not from the Surface, Hiyori. My home is up there... in the skies.

living in my head rent-free

[wwtd]

[ a little????

instinctively, she looks up to the sky. it's choked with clouds and gray. not a speck of blue. it looks like it might rain. not a good time to be out and about. they should find shelter soon.

she looks back down, eyes wide. the dilemma of zelda not knowing what "horse" is: gone. they'll come back to it. ]

Y-you're from Heaven? So you really are a god?!

[ all this time she was going to call her zelda-chan, but she's zelda-sama?! ]

the interior decorating in here is wild

[foremother]

[ Her first thought is something akin to, "that was shockingly easy." Her second thought is the horrified realization that Hiyori knows now, and Zelda looks at her with surprise in her face, mouth slightly ajar, and brows raised so high they are in danger of disappearing into her hairline.

Technically... ]

Heaven...? You must mean the Sacred Realm. No, it's just an island in the sky... during the war, the Goddes Hylia raised the land into the sky. We're safe from the Surface in the sky.

[ ...Which isn't a lie; it wasn't Zelda who did all that. She's not the Goddess... but she's also not-not Hylia? She offers Hioyori a contemplative smile; it's a tale too long and difficult to burden another person with, after all. ]

Do you... meet gods?