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

[ Zelda nods along as she listens to Martel. While bedridden, she's been reading the journal a lot, and it sounds like a number of people have come down with the same illness.

At the mention of a medicine shortage, the princess hesitates. ] If you don't have enough medicine, then don't let me impose. I can continue recuperating at home.

[ From her voice, it sounds like she intends to turn around and leave the clinic, but she doesn't actually make any move to do so. She's just so tired... ]

Or perhaps I can lay down for a bit until Link can come fetch me.

Getting treatment when you're sick isn't imposing, princess. [She smiles.] And you...well, some of these symptoms seem to come in the most advanced stages of this illness.

[Martel gently nudges her into a room with an open bed and hopes the availability of it will keep Zelda there.]

I know we've been doing some work with those leaf creatures to make treatments, so I'll make sure you're settled before I see what we have to work with. Is Link a friend of yours?

[She can't remember if she's met a Link here. Maybe it was just over the journals?]

[ Oh, there's an open bed. Maybe it would be okay to rest here for a little while. If someone sicker comes in while she's here, she'll give up the bed and return home. That should be fine. Zelda will let Martel guide her over to the bed and sit down on it.

"Is Link a friend of yours?" ...Oh. This is the first time since they kissed at the wishing well that someone has asked that question. ]

O-Of a sort, yes.

[ Zelda can feel her face getting hot and prays Martel writes it off as a sign of fever. What is Link now? They're still friends, surely, but... are they also something more? ]

[Oh, Martel caught that awkwardness. She is pretty good at detecting stronger feelings from people, such as her own significant other who was far worse with it than Zelda. And on that note, Martel really likes getting to know about this particular emotion.

She had just been grabbing a small tray that held a few things she thought she may use, and jerks it closer to her after hearing Zelda. The only thing keep her from bursting into a big smile is the fact that she needs to take care of her illness right now.]

Oooohhh, is that so?

[Work now, prying into personal lives later. Martel hands Zelda a small cup of water that she somehow didn't spill during that quick, excited reaction.]

First of all, it's important to drink lots of water with illnesses like colds. See if you can handle some of this.

[And the fact that she's part tree now has Martel thinking about how to deal with plants, too.]

[ Zelda gratefully accepts the cup of water from Martel, holding it carefully in both hands to keep from spilling it. She hadn't realized it before, but now that she's seeing the water, it occurs to Zelda that she is so incredibly thirsty. She lifts the cup to her lips and gulps down its contents with gusto, probably too fast for someone who is as weak as the princess is.

But it also helps hide her blush, seeing that Martel absolutely picked up on the implications of Zelda's stammered answer. Even though she hasn't even attempted to pry, Zelda feels compelled to explain anyway. She doesn't want Martel to misunderstand! ]

Well, we are friends, I mean. We have been for a long time now. But I left Songerein recently, you see, and before I left... [ "...he kissed me," but Zelda can't get those words out. ] And I didn't think I would ever come back, but I did...

[ She's babbling, and worse than usual, because the fever is making it hard for her to explain properly everything she wants to explain. ]

[Ooo, this is serious! Martel really doesn't like pushing people when they aren't ready for things, but this definitely sounds interesting. She may need to look into this some more once Zelda is feeling better. Particularly that cliffhanger on what happened before she left.]

I see~! Well, I'm glad to see you back. It's definitely important to have friends you feel so close to.

[She's smiling a bit too much for how she gives her typical advice.]

There is a medicine we've been testing that might help you recover more quickly if you'd like to try it, but I should note we aren't completely sure it actually works. And let me know if you'd like some more water!

[ Martel really seems like she's enjoying this a lot and maybe it's because of the fever but Zelda can't entirely figure out why. Link is just a really good friend that she loves and wants to kiss a lot. Normally, the princess is so verbose she can easily find an appropriate word to describe anything she encounters. But since she came back to Songerein, she hasn't been able to apply the right descriptor to her evolving relationship with Link.

Whatever that relationship is, it's constantly bubbling under the surface of Zelda's conscious mind, boiling over at even the slightest notice. It will not be able to get more information out of Zelda, should Martel decide to pursue her curiosity. ]

More water would be wonderful, thank you. [ She is downright parched and thinking about Link is not helping here. She hands her empty cup back to Martel. ] And I would be happy to try the medicine. I can have Link keep notes on my reactions as well and provide them to you later on.

[ Leave it to a scientist to volunteer herself for an experimental medicine and offer to provide data on the results. ]

[Martel is trying to mask how thrilled she is as Zelda keeps talking. The way she's still able to mention him calmly and seems certain he'll do things, this is the real deal right here! But she has to get the princess through this illness successfully first. Pursuing this won't be of much use if this ends up being the first fatality from the virus.]

I'll find you a larger glass, princess. And I'll be right back!

[She gives her the water in said cup before scurrying away for a bit to get some of the leaf monster's sap. She feels a little guilty, but since they need to kill the monsters anyway, they may as well be of some use! Martel carefully makes her way back with a spoonful, her other hand underneath it just in case she stumbles.]

All right, please try to eat this.

{ a bit leafy }

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