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

[Upon reaching the heart of the matter and having his thoughts confirmed by Heizou, Yato nods. At least now they have some idea of what they'll be up against, even if it's still a broad category. He also does as instructed, feeling the walls with a hum of acknowledgement. Looks like they're on the right trail after all.]

Everything you say makes perfect sense when we put it all together. All that leaves us to do is see if we can't determined what type of creatures we're dealing with before we stumble upon their lair so we can be prepared to tackle them. Given that they seem to be subterranean they could be susceptible to light. I know my jacket was taken from me in the middle of the night while I slept.

[The miserable finks! Least they could do is face him while he was wearing it. As for his plans once they get a hold of them? Well...]

Divine retribution. A swift asskicking should suffice in making them give back our clothes. Seeing as how you've now joined the ranks of their victims.

[He gestures toward Heizou's now missing shirt with a smirk.]

[Oho, there's a brilliant serious side to this god, too! Heizou's smile grows a little, pleased to see that they're on the same page. More or less, anyway.

Especially now that Heizou's shirt is gone. With his attention having been brought to that particular fact, he just looks down at himself with a soft chuckle.]

Huh. I thought it suddenly got a little drafty~ They're quicker than I expected.

[Probably smaller, too, if they were able to whisk his clothes right off of his back without him even noticing. This might be tricky.]

And something tells me we're a lot closer to their den than we may have thought.

What I wanna know is how they manage to get it off when we're wearing the damn things. It's not like we're being wrestled out of them. It's as if one moment they're there and then the next--

[He stops as he feels a breeze blow by his knees, sending a shiver up his back. Glancing down, he finds that not only has he been relieved of his precious jacket, but now the matching pants have gone, too.]

ALRIGHT! That does it! No more mister nice god! An asskicking is too good for these things, I'm gonna roast them alive when I get my hands on them!

[More determined than ever, he starts stalking down the corridor in a huff, now only wearing his t-shirt, boxers, and boots. They better hurry if they don't want to be fighting in the buff.]

Let's go get these bastards, Heizou!

[Heizou can't help but chuckle softly when Yato reacts that way. It's a completely fair reaction so it's not like he's judging... But he still thinks it's fun to watch. Plus all of this will make things a little easier for Heizou; he's always been more of a fan of solving the mystery than apprehending the responsible parties, so he'll happily leave the punishing to Yato.

Though... roasting magical creatures alive doesn't sound appealing either.]

Take it easy there, my dear Yato. Let's focus on retrieving all the stolen items first, okay? We can punish them afterward!

Yeah, yeah. I hear ya. Can't go around attacking them too much until I find my jersey, after all.

[For his part, Yato prefers being the man of action, so this does indeed work out quiet well.

And springing into action, he starts down the path again, leading them past clothes scattered here and there. Gradually the individual articles of clothing begin to pile up, first in small bunches, then in larger piles, finally in huge heaps, before culminating in mounds that are almost as big as they are.

While in contrast, he loses his shirt somewhere along the way. Go fucking figure. At this point he isn't even surprised, just annoyed at the gall these things have.]

[At least Yato's not past the point of being reasoned with. Heizou's well aware of how stubbornly gods can stick to some of their whims. This is nice. He can work with this.

The amount of clothes they come across on their path is incredibly impressive. Heizou tries to take note of what he can see strewn about everywhere at first, thinking only about how to get everything back to their respective owners... But as soon as it starts to get overwhelming, he starts to realize that they're just going to have to tell everyone where to go to find their stolen clothes.

And yes, somehow both Heizou and Yato are still losing their clothes. Yet another impressive feat, considering the fact that Heizou had been in his full Inazuman attire. He's down to his shorts, the fishnet gloves on his hands, and the rope around his waist bearing his Vision.

He stops to stare at one of the larger piles, head tilting in thought.]

So strange... They're not really doing anything with them. Just piling them up on top of each other. I don't even see signs of anything burrowing into the clothing for warmth.

[There are certainly times when Yato can be stubborn and petulant, but he tries to take his work seriously, even in this dream world.

Unless there's some wider opening leading from another path, it's going to be a long haul to get all these clothes out. The thieves seem to have made off with every type of article under the sun, from shoes to dresses to cloaks. Aside from returning them all, the real question is just how the hell they're going to find their own belongings amongst the mountains of fabric.

Or perhaps the real real question is how they're being stripped as they're walking along. Nothing's touched them so far as he knows, he hasn't sensed anything, so how...?]

It must be some kind of magic or curse that's taking our clothes off us. There's nothing in here with us yet.

[As they come up to a particularly large pile, Yato surveys it with exasperation. They can't even make use of the crap they stole? Then what even's the point?! Are they just some practical jokers, or are they really kleptomaniac critters?]

I guess that's in that we won't have to wash everything once we get it out, but damn man, all this effort and for what? Some kind of weird, perverted collection?

[Like he has room to talk.]

There's definitely some kind of dreamotion magic at work here. How else would they be able to do this without us feeling a thing, or seeing where they've put our clothes?

[He reaches out to tug at one of the articles of clothing with a thoughtful frown. He doesn't quite try to pull it free of the little mountain it's become a part of, though. It's more about checking for any kind of reaction from somewhere in their environment, his eyes searching the darkened area while he rubs the fabric idly between two fingers.]

I don't sense anything, but our thieves must be here with us somewhere... Are you particularly practiced in any kind of advanced magic? If our clothes are vanishing off of us as part of a spell that's been placed specifically on this area, there should be some way to counter it, right?

That makes sense. Somehow I didn't think about the creatures here being capable of using dreamotion abilities, but it makes sense in hindsight when they're native to this world. I suppose that means the best counter to it would be another type of dreamotion.

[For his part, Yato's begun scouring the piles in search of his missing jersey, or hell, any of his clothes. They must be here somewhere, hopefully on top of the piles given they were just stolen. He pauses at a pair of striped lady's panties, eyeing them before chucking them back on the pile. Huh.]

Regrettably not. All magic is beyond me - what I do is cut things. [Not very god-like, he knows, but that's just the nature of his existence.] How about you? Any natural magic abilities or skill with dreamotion magic? Otherwise we really may have to settle this in our underwear.

[He circles around another pile, scanning it... until he trips over his socked feet. His boots have gone missing now.] You little shits--! I really like those shoes, dammit!

[Heizou lets out something of an exasperated sigh. What good is knowing a potential solution to a problem when you don't have the means to try it out?]

Unfortunately, I've yet to get accustomed to using the dreamotion magic here, so this... This is a bit far beyond me. [A lot beyond him.] I have some influence over the wind and air, but that won't be helpful to us here--

[And when Yato curses out like that... Heizou finds that he's lost one of his gloves at the same time.]

...Man alive, this really is quite impressive. Maybe they'll show themselves once we've lost everything we can lose. Or maybe- [There's suddenly a spark of mischief in his eyes.] -we have to make a bigger mess of their hoard~

Guess that means magic is right out. Should've figured that'd be too easy for them to let us have it.

[He sighs as well, chucking a few articles of clothing over his shoulder.]

Impressively annoying, that's for sure! Well, I don't want to wait around to see if they'll crawl out of the woodwork once we're completely defenseless. I say we trash the place! [He goes to roll up his sleeves only to remember that they have his precious jersey and so grumbles.] With extreme prejudice. You on board?

[Glancing at Heizou, he grins, then promptly uses his foot to kick a pile of laundry over, scattering it all over the floor of the cave.]

[Heizou smirks a little, making his way over to another tower of clothes while Yato knocks that one down. He lets out an overly dramatic, put upon sigh, looking for all the world like he's pouting about being told what to do. Even though he's still pretty quick to clench his fist and rear it back, already starting to concentrate a glowing flurry of wind and energy around it.]

I don't usually like having to resort to getting physical, but... In this case I guess I just have to make an exception~

[When he throws that punch the whole stack of clothes seems to explode under the force of it, the burst of air sending everything scattering around the cavern. Nothing's damaged at least, but it does look a bit like a tornado struck where all those clothes used to be.]

[Watching as the other pile gets blown away by the force of Heizou's impressive abilities, he lets out a whoop and upends another stack himself, letting it cascade down like a landslide. It feels damn good to let his frustration out in a productive manner. ...well, he'll pretend it's productive.]

Woohoo! That's the way! Betcha this will get our thieving twerps to come out!

[It does seem to be having some effect, as there comes a scuffling sound from nearby although Yato doesn't see anything just yet. He goes still, waving a hand at Heizou.]

Psst. Hey! Did you hear something?

[Heizou manages to get a few more piles knocked down before Yato calls for him to stop. And for all his fake pouting, he is actually having a lot of fun doing it. There really is nothing quite like having a moment to just cut loose and go a little wild. It's not like this is hurting anyone, after all.

Except maybe for the feelings of their thieves.

He does stop to listen at Yato's behest, head tilting while he tries to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Wherever it's coming from, it's definitely getting closer and closer.]

...It sounds like our idea worked. I hope you're ready for this~

[It's almost a little disappointing that their chance at wrecking havoc is over so soon, but in the end their goal is more important than having fun. He wants his clothes back, dammit!

Having stopped to listen, Yato summons a pair of dreamotion blades that glow faintly as he turns his head this way and that, searching out the source of the noise. It seems to be coming from slightly deeper in, if his guess is right. Either they're approaching the nest or the creatures are coming to them.

He nods to Heizou to confirm that he is indeed ready to tackle whatever comes their way before starting to move forward to the next area.]

Ready whenever you are. Let's do this thing!

Meeting them in the middle, are we?

[He huffs out a little laugh before following Yato. He's still not a fan of having to resort to brute force, but in the company of a god who's probably more than capable of dealing with a sticky-fingered creature like the one they're probably up against... Well, he probably won't have to do much. That suits Heizou just fine.

He'll lend a hand if he needs to, though. He wouldn't leave his companion hanging.]

I'm right behind you~

Better we go to them rather than let them come to us. Gives us more room to maneuver.

[aka plenty of space to retreat should they end up being up against something they can't handle. 'Always leave yourself an out' is his motto. Not that he thinks they'll need to flee; whatever they're up against seems more interested in hoarding clothing than doing anybody any real harm. He's counting on that to carry over during their fight.]

Right then, here goes--!

[As they enter the next cavern, it widens out into a much more spacious room with high ceilings and even higher piles of clothes, easily towering over them like fabric stalagmites. Yato has to let out a low whistle at the sheer volume of laundry, mouth slightly agape. And their stuff is somewhere in here? Yikes.

Somewhere from between the piles comes that scurrying sound, only louder now. His head whips around to face it, ready to tackle whatever beast or person or in between comes their way-- when a cute little... cat..fish? waddles out. His shoulders relax just a fraction as he peers at the creature.]

The hell? [That's what's been stealing their clothes?? He was expecting gremlins or goblins or something similar.]

[Heizou trails after Yato as promised, and when they enter that cavernous space he also lets out an impressed whistle of his own. He's going to dread digging through these piles to find their clothes. Maybe his earlier plan of just letting everyone know where to find their missing items really would be for the best.

He also turns when he hears the sound of someone approaching and--

Oh. Oh it's cute.

Heizou's entire guard drops. His eyes are practically sparkling with delight as he approaches it, getting down onto his knees to greet it.]

Ah~! Hello there, little friend! Aren't you a sweet looking fellow~?

[For his part, Yato stays on guard, bristling as Heizou goes right up to the creature like it's a cat or something. .....okay, so it sort of is a cat, but that's not the point! For one, it could be dangerous, for another, it's likely the damn thing that's been stealing their clothes right off their backs! Even if they could get buddy-buddy with it, Yato's got a bone or two to pick with it.

Although maybe this is for the best. With Heizou distracting the creature, he slips around to one side, dreamotion blade appearing in one hand. If he can just... sneak up a little closer.....

Drawing his tongue over his lips like a predator, he suddenly leaps for his target, sword pointed down and wielded with both hands as he thrusts at the beast. Unfortunately it seems to sense him and dives into a nearby pile of clothes, burrowing into its depths.]

Dammit--! Thought I had the little shit.

[Distracting it. Yes, that's exactly what Heizou is doing. He's definitely not just having a great time scritching it behind the ears and cooing about what a cute half-cat half-fish seal-like creature it is. It reminds him of the blubberbeasts from the Fontaine region back home, and... Well. He's never seen one in person, but in the pictures they look a lot like this creature. A little less furry, maybe.

And then Heizou very abruptly remembers that Yato's out for blood. Right about when his blade cuts into a now-empty space just in front of him. To his credit Heizou just blinks in surprise before looking up at Yato, looking disappointed to no longer have a cute little critter to pet.]

I'm really not sure killing it is necessary, if that's what you're out to do.

[After his prey escapes, Yato yanks his sword out with a frustrated growl, careful to not slice Heizou. He may be a rampaging god but he's not so far gone as to catch his partner in the warpath. That doesn't mean he can't fume at the guy, though. He thought they were working together here!]

It's a filthy little thief! What do you wanna do, slap it in irons and haul it back for interrogation?!

[He huffs through his nose like a raging bull, glancing at the spot where the catfish disappeared into. It's one hell of a large pile. One that'd probably take both of them to knock over if they want to get at the creature. Whirling on Heizou, he jabs a finger at the clothing tunnel.]

If you want it alive, you catch it. Otherwise I'm going in for the kill! We need to stop this thing somehow before the entire town is running around naked!

[He straightens back up with a huff, putting his hands on his hips and surveying the towers of clothing that the creature has burrowed into, searching for where it's gone.]

Killing it won't solve the issue of getting everyone all of their missing clothing back! Unless you plan on manually hauling everything in here back to town.

[Fighting his targets is one thing. Executing them is quite a whole other thing, and one that Heizou isn't willing to advocate without good reason.]

We're better off catching it first. Besides, we also have no idea if it's alone or if's there's a whole pack at work here. Or are you willing to wipe out an entire species over this, dream world or not?

Yeah, yeah. I hear you! Doesn't mean I have to like it.

[Allowing his dreamotion swords to vanish, he resorts to grumbling under his breath. Guy's got a point, loathe as he is to admit it. He sure as hell doesn't feel up to dragging every piece of clothing back through this tunnel by hand.]

Of course not. I just thought that if we could interrogate the bugger we might be able to figure out a way of magicking everything back where it belongs.

[Although in hindsight it probably would've been a better idea to try talking to the creature first. Oh well. What's done is done. He's probably gone and scared the daylights out of the damn thing, so that option is likely right out.]

[Heizou raises an eyebrow at him before he goes back to looking over the piles. He can only see so far into the space that's been burrowed into, and he fully expects it has some magical ability to teleport from pile to pile.]

And I'm sure you would've done a marvelous job interrogating a corpse. I prefer to do my interrogations with the living.

[He's not mad, Yato. He's just disappointed.

...He also wants to pet the cute cat-creature some more. Not that that has anything to do with why he's shocked Yato went right in for a killshot.]

I guess we'll have to knock more of these over if we want to lure it out again...

[Leaning up against one of said piles, he sighs heavily and kicks at a random sock lying about. It always sucks to get scolded, especially when he knows he was in the wrong.]

I wasn't aiming for its head, I was aiming for its tail. Bit of a difference there.

[With a nod he pushes off of the clothing mound and turns to face it, giving it a test shove. This one's going to take a bit more effort than the previous one. Maybe if they're lucky they'll catch the catfish in the avalanche.]

Works for me. I need to work out some stress.

[That said, he puts his back into it and shoves hard, making the stack wobble unsteadily. A few more tries has it toppling over with a satisfied grunt. Haha! That's more like it! Take that, you stupid thieving fish!]

{ a bit leafy }

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