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

Huh? Oh, gotcha.

[Ah, that's pretty slick! Immediately perking up, Yato leads him back to the mirror he'd been using. It looks fairly normal, with no special decorations or markings to indicate that it's cursed or something.]

It was this one. At first I thought it was a trick of the light, but then I realized there really were ears and a tail on me in the mirror, and before I knew it they were real.

[ Sure enough, when Senku looks at his reflection in the mirror in question, he's in the same boat, cat ears that are white with green tips like his hair, and a tail that is much the same, except he's clearly some kind of a longhaired cat...person?

His brow furrows. ]

There must be some trick to this? [ He leans in, glancing around the edge of the mirror. Some spell? Some switch? Anything? ]

[At the sight of Senku with eerily similar features, Yato thrusts an accusatory finger at the mirror like it's personally offended him. Which technically it has. Damn mirrors! Why is it always mirrors in this place?!]

You see! You see! Damn thing's cursed or something! If you're not careful you'll end up like me! [It's tempting to try attacking it, but what if he needs it intact in order to change back? He doesn't want to be stuck like this forever!]

I see that. [ His reflection is twitching his ears enticingly as Senku runs his fingers along the entire outside edge. ]

This might be some kind of curse though. There's only good news with that, almost everything around here is temporary.

Really?? [That gets Yato to relax a lot, tail swishing more gently behind him.]

Whew...! Thank goodness for that! Last thing I need is a permanently vulnerable spot while I fight ayakashi or other creatures. I've seen how much a tail can get in the way.

[Like a certain human he knows.]

So I should just wait for it to wear off, you think?

[ He has questions, but he does get that Yato can fight, that seems good enough of an understanding for him to sit on his questions. ]

Probably, that's how this place is since it's a dream things get strange. I don't know if you can use the dreamotion to hide them, or change them. I'm not very well versed in that.

[That seems to calm him down considerably, enough that he can actually break out into a slight smile.]

Yeah, I haven't been here long but I've noticed that. I suppose there's no real harm in having them if it's only temporary. I'll just have to keep from getting into any fights. And watch out for doors. Wouldn't want this thing getting caught in one.

[He grabs onto his new tail, watching the tip flick in his grasp.]

Fortunately, when it comes to people dreaming like you, most of us aren't in the habit of picking fights and I haven't heard of any disturbances, so you should be fine for now.

[ Yeah, getting a tail caught in a door would not be ideal, would it? ]

Can't say I've had the experience having to mind such an appendage.

Well that's good on the whole. Though it kinda leaves me out of work, not that I mind when I have these things to worry about.

[His ears flick in response, swiveling forward.]

So this isn't a common occurrence, then. Figures I'd have the pleasure of catching... whatever it is that's made them appear.

I'm afraid so, but if it helps, every so often they do need someone with combat skills. I don't have those, so I usually take the point as a medic. [ That's where his experience lies. ]

The rest of the time, well, my partner and I have started a business venture making and giving away ice cream.

Ooh, awesome! I don't want to let myself get rusty from sitting on my ass for too long. Glad to hear there's also people here with the skills necessary to patch people up. [Not that he tends to need it, but it's reassuring all the same.]

You give away ice cream?? [Those ears perk up as his tail swishes.] Whereabouts are you located? I know someone who'd appreciate a tasty dessert!

I'm sure you'll find something to do with your combat skills. [ He has none, he can't help Yato with that. ]

Creamistry: Ice Cream and Soda Shop is found in the main square. Anyone is welcome anytime and I take flavour requests.

Yeah, there's bound to be something that needs fending off.

You even take requests, huh? Do you guys serve sakura-flavored ice cream? [He's got an idea in mind now that he knows there's an ice cream joint in town.]

I do, I like the challenge, but I haven't made that kind. [ Senku answers, nodding a little bit. ] I can though, it'd be an interesting flavour for next month.

[ That gives him time to work out the formula and the best balance, as well as stuffing Gen full of ice cream. ]

{ a bit leafy }

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject