songerein | Hangin' On, Hangin' On

Entry tags:

Hangin' On, Hangin' On | OPEN

Who: 76 & whomever
Which: Open Log | May Catch-All
Where: The Wild Harvest, town markets, potentially the farmlands and the Wildlands
What: Wild Harvest work days, break times, general tasks, and a few not so general tasks; flower wolf play time, and dragon grooming.
Warnings: Will add as/if they come up in threads.

The Wild Harvest

Mornings mean BACON
[76 always made a point of coming in a bit early to get things started- even if there wasn't a stew or something that needed to be started early to get flavors in by lunch; those he tended to start the day before anyway. Was even easy to do when he held up in the room given to him to stay in by Kazuma.

That and he could get in quietly without opening doors, always put himself right in to the kitchen itself as shadows drifted away behind him.

Garnish and Spicy noodle dragons loitered a bit as if keeping him company wherever he walked, oneGarnish dragon in particular curled around his shoulders as he moved. The smell of syrup and bacon filled the air, along with coffee. Wafted through the doors of The Wild Harvest even as he walked out in to the joined garden to gather a few herbs and the like they'd need for the day.

Better to prep than not after all, right? Mindful of the garden snakes of course, but not paying mind to the few little leafs and the like that seemed to sprout back after fingertips brushed plants to pick what was needed.

Nor paying much mind to the trail of herbal plants and flowers that crept from the soil he touched.]

Wonder if I should bring up moving a small beehive around here. [Hummed to himself- be good for the plants and vegetables- Right?]

Afternoons
[When things weren't so busy within the Harvest? 76 actually pulled himself out of the kitchen and rather moved back towards the attached room near the garden that was also more glass that solid wall- hidden away from sight as anyone in the attached garden would just see a wall of glass jars filled with multicolored glittering honey. Arranged in such a way it nearly looked like some stained glassed mural of sorts, and kept the inside of 76's area from being seen in to.

Of course he left the door open so he could hear if he needed to come back, or be found easily enough for those that could find the entrance. Other shelves had plant pots on them, filled with various flowers and a few herbs and things. These he watered and took care of, because they too helped make something of a privacy wall, kept people from seeing him if he did decide to lay back in the hammock, or sit by the table on one of the couch-like benches by it to eat something himself.

He also crouched by a strange rose bush that by now had grown nearly taller than him, the odd rose-like flowers glowing as he cupped one in hand carefully.]

Hell, this thing is doing better than I expected here. A lot more blooms- and still budding? [He worked gloveless, the golden stems and thorns maneuvered around carefully, the slight blue tints to the otherwise still blackened skin of his hands glowing just a bit in turn. Brought out the various shades of blue in the flowers themselves.] Gotta remember to ask Yujin or Susato how the Blazings I gave them are doing.

[Of course this was mumbled to himself.

Easy to catch him simply relaxing in there some days, too. Just taking in the peaceful atmosphere, the relaxation of his own personal garden.]

Town Markets

Farmer's Market
Glad to hear things are going well. [Some idle chatter easy for the masked man as he passed over something bundled in leather to one of the farmers manning a stall while speaking to her wife, taking up the basket that had been neatly filled with jars of jams and a few pickled things. He had a habit of coming by, picking up what wasn't grown at the Wild Harvest here and there- and a few for more personal things when he went on his hunting runs.

Of course this was also partly where he learned his goings on of things outside of town. Those birds sounded-]

At least they're easy to pick out from the usual crows and the like, right? Don't scare off the same, though- I can swing by and see if I can help any.

[The Flock, huh? Better to make sure it's not some damned mix of noctaere and eraser at this point. already knew those were around after all-]

Flower Wolves
[The man who ran the dogsledding outpost was easy to talk to, and on this day 76 had a wolf pup tucked under an arm, against his chest, ruffling the fur between their ears as he spoke-]

Haven't come across anything like them on your runs out? [Well, that was fine-] Figured I'd ask, other wolves are one thing but you get why I ask, yeah. [So either the flower wolves were new or... kept more to themselves? Maybe they did hang out in the areas of those Ents underground after all. Still, he'd got what he could and walked off with a wave to the guy, the pup wagging that lavender blossom filled tail as they wiggled a bit.] Guess you and yours are better at hiding out than I am, huh Bud?

[The further he got away from the outpost- well, the rest of the pack joined up and followed. One with prickly pears growing on her, another with thistles and cactus needles, the largest covered in some sort of creeping ivy, and one that practically shed cherry blossoms. All followed him at his sides rather than directly behind. Ears pricked and sniffing as they moved-]

Come on, time to get some exercise either way.

[Flower wolves, huh- what'll this place have next? They were friendly at least, if not a bit cautious of those who milled about; prickly pear and cherry blossom were more curious, however. Sniffing and watching as Cherry bounced a little, still filled some with young wolf energy sending those pink blossoms floating about on any little breeze.]

Misc.

Dragon Fluff & Feathers
[There was a pleased twittering sort of rumble coming from one of the clearings near the residential district as a certain blue dragon stretched out wings wide, tail flicking and smoke curling from nostrils-]

Yeah, yeah, I'm getting there. You've got a lot of fluff caught up in some shedding scales I need to take care of before getting to your wings. [A good and gifted brush in hand, and a pile of shed scales and even feathers caught up in a burlap bag just at 76's boots, careful as he worked the dulled shedding skin and scale off, shining blue just underneath.]

Just keep still for me, would you? Didn't realize how much fluff you grew while it was cold here, and you'll feel better for it.

[Brushing out fur-like feathering, letting Blue preen a little herself as if to help keep her occupied.

Could probably get something done with those dragon scales- maybe ask around town later?]

[Wildcard! Either mix and match or bring your own prompts inspired by any of the above! Want something a bit more personalized? Just PM this account, or hit me up in the game's Discord.

I'm happy to plot something out- CR Meme toplevel for the month is here if that's easier, or if you want something with the Surprise Eggs mini-event thing, too.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Susato lets out a breath. Not sure whether relief was the quite the way to describe it, but he would help him keep it that way regardless. She wonders distantly if he ever knew about the first excursion when he took her dad(s). ]

. . . Alright. We'll make a day of it. I'll make sure we have lunch, and plenty of water.

[ For the pups, too. ]

It's also all the more reason we're keeping this a secret between a small number of folks- your father and Sholmes may tell whoever they trust to keep the secret, and I do the same. Outside of that? [Well, it really was for the best not to let it get out; both so it never reached Reaper and... to keep people from going down there and destroying the peace, one way or another.

He trusted Eustace, and the one he would tell. Knew that both Kazuma and Susato would keep a secret as well.]

Sounds like a good plan, too.

[ Susato gives a nod, and then seems to look around as she continued her idle play with the pups. Maybe shadows made her think of Reaper now, after he's surprised her enough times. ]

Speaking of secrets... At the Flower Festival, I did happen to mention to Mr Sholmes that you had those photographs. [ 76 knows the ones. ] He mentioned that you told him about Ms Ana, I think it was. I wondered if he might want to see what she looks like, and I think he was interested in Winston as well.

. . . He may have forgotten. I told him to be discreet, but if he asks... Well.

[ Guilty? (Don't be surprised?) ]

[There was a sort of- soft sound, that turned in to a hum as he glanced down at Cherry's face, her head rested on his knee as fingers worked through fur to rub at the bases of the wolf's ears.]

Well, I'll be prepared if he asks. I did bring her up since we were playing that game of bubble darts- you know, easy conversation with some friendly competition. [So aim had certainly come up, and he still had a very fresh warm spot for Ana. Still hoped she was faring well even if it came that times passed differently.]

You're good on mentioning them, by the way. [In case she worried about that.] I do get that he's a bit- absent minded when it comes to keeping things on a lower profile? Energetic.

[ She trusts Sholmes, probably more than she rightly should, but it's a relief to get 76's blessing either way. There were other things weighing on her mind as of late, but she did worry, and felt it was worth warning him.

...As long as it never made it back to Reaper, it'd be fine. That's what she's decided, so she won't inadvertently manifest it by bringing him up. She's more than happy to continue on about Sholmes. ]

Energetic is one word for him, though I've seen him at his lows, too. [ "Music is dead. The world is... dead." Man could probably give Reaper a run for his money on some days, but she laughs a bit, thinking of his two extremes. ] ...How did he fare at the darts?

[Ah-]

He did pretty well, and of course wants a re-match at a game of actual darts. [Wasn't a bad game, really. Pretty mellow sort of play if it was with a group just enjoying a bit of food and drinks.] He got better once he got to talking, a little distraction can go a long way when it comes to a trick of the music getting faster paced to try and play with nerves.

[So he kept up a conversation, which is part of where the talk of Ana had come up given he was one to brag about her still. Having spent that time in the Index with her had really been... nice.

Still, enough implication was there to say Sholmes hadn't won. Came pretty close as far as 76 was concerned, of course.]

I see.

[ A fond sort of laugh to go with her acknowledgement. She'd like to say that Sholmes is looking forward to the rematch, though knowing him, he might have forgotten about that too. ]

I ran into my friend Sora actually, and we must have played the same game. We were trying to win a giant stuffed rabbit for him at the time.

...Now that I think about it, hold on.

[ Something occurs to her, and she seems to perk up, heading to the door back inside the Wild Harvest for something. Some of the pups look at her curiously with a tilt of their little heads. ]

Don't worry, don't worry. I'll be back!

[ When she slips through the door, there's a shhh-ed finger to her lips. Some minutes later, she reappears through the same door with her own wolf pup in her hands, turning to make sure the door's shut behind her. ]

That right? Sora seems like a good kid. [He remembered the help he got in constructing that fire pit for communal use- and was probably one of the few that still knew 76 had anything to do with it.

Rather Sora get any credit for that one, still. Came off as a good kid.

He did wait then, head tilted with a curious brow arched briefly.

There was a soft laugh once he got a look at what Susato was bringing in.]

Well, woulyou look at that.

We kept trying, so we won a lot of prizes, but this one made me think of you. I left him in Kazuma's room on accident when I stayed over, though.

[ She might have told him to pass it along, but it looks like they just forgot. She seems to bob the flower wolf back and forth as she approaches, and she lowers it so the pups can investigate too. ]

I figure you could keep him with you... say, if you ever go somewhere where they can't follow.

Or they can play with him too, if they like it.

Was a lot going on.

[So no surprise or blame on forgetting and placing tings elsewhere- really, it was easy to get worn out having fun during any sot of festival, more so when going there all of the days it went on and so on.

The flower wolves certainly do investigate with sniffings, careful not to overcrowd or shove since they had indeed been learning! Good pups, really.]

That right? [He was touched, was there in his tone a bit as he leaned forward from where he ay.]

Might take up on some of that, and it seems they enjoy him, too. [Blue loved the owl critter plush once she realized it was hers and- well.

The dragon was actually making sure it stayed in good condition, even when carrying it around. Clever girl.]

[ A lot.

The thought kind of lingers on Susato's mind, and her attention seems to drift somewhere else completely for a moment, but she quickly laughs when sees Barb actually bite down on the wolf. More gentle than you'd expect, seeing the cacti growing on him. It's almost like he and the others trying to get the wolf plush to play too.

One of us. ]

Good... I deem him the newest member of your pack.

[76 was decidedly not thinking about how the last day of the festival ended- still, everything had been a lot and it was that final day that might have taken the most out of him, even before he'd left the grounds.

One of us, one of us. The wolves were charmed by the plush, so very much so- and perhaps some of them could understand the concept given Blue with her own.]

Looks like he's a welcome member. [Of course he'd watch to see if they got overly rough, but for now- well. Gentle, welcoming play and mouthing on plush limbs.]

[ Susato seems content just to watch. If something happened to the plush, she at least knew how to do some patch work, so while she might have tensed up at some points, especially if two or pups would fight over the plush. Otherwise, she'll have a seat next to 76 and enjoy the rare quiet moment of calm. ]

Have you seen them hunt like regular wolves do? I assume they eat meat, but I wonder if the plants growing on them would affect anything about them in particular.

For example... Barb might react differently to strong sun or rain than the others would... maybe.

[Oh, it was something he'd been thinking about himself-]

They do go hunting and eat meat- they accompany Blue and I out on some hunting trips. I've also seen them dig up root vegetables or go for fruit that's either fallen or hanging close enough to the ground they can jump for- they seek it out. [Which wasn't entirely odd- wolves could and did eat things other than meat, but it seemed like these guys sought it out perhaps a little more.

Still, was still observing whenever he went out for a run with them.]

Barb doesn't go for water as much as the others, he still drinks it of course. He really likes going out by the drier areas of the Wildlands as well, roll around in the sand. Blossom leans that way a little, but seems to enjoy grassy areas just as much.

[ . . . So her suspicions were right. At least, that's what she's getting from all this. She's listening to 76 as she continues watching them, but then she'll turn to look at him. ]

Do you think they'd like some exercise?

[ Now?

...Well, OK, it doesn't have to be now now. She just got comfortable, but she'd love to see them in action. ]

[He gave the flowers wolves a bit of a look over-]

Honestly? They probably might, since whenever I get u to go they seem pretty ready to go. I've taken them out on my runs after all.

[76 quite literally ran with the wolves in the early mornings and some evenings if they hadn't managed to get in to something and tire out.]

...If I wouldn't hold you back too much, I'd love to come with you this evening.

[ She stretches, as if preparing for this, but she's otherwise not in a rush. ]

I would enjoy seeing the route you take. ...Do you ever race?

At worst? You can catch a ride with Blue since she comes along on these, too.

[It was Liv that finally came over to sort of lean against one of 76's legs, a hand set on the white wolf's head before rubbing along the side of it, brushing claws through fur. They enjoyed that he could give a good scritching.]

They like to race amongst themselves, but I'm just getting in a good run. It is a pretty scenic route, this place offers a lot.

[ Susato visibly perks up at the idea, in her own reserved way. She wants to ask a million things: what does it feel like? Would she be too heavy? Would Blue mind? Should she be nervous? But all of these fall by the wayside, and in the end, she finds that she either knows the answer to the question, or is able to figure it out after some thought.

After all, she already has an idea of what it should feel like. ]

It does. [ She's sure the atmosphere is different now, given that the flower festival is over, but knows it's still beautiful. ] . . . I got to ride on a butterfly, you know. One of the large ones that showed up along with the festival.

Blue is no butterfly, but I wonder if it feels something like that.

[76 had made a point of exploring, everything in-between the town and the Wildlands, the forests and more simply because it helped spend all of that energy he could have. Going for those runs, the occasional hunting trip, it was all meant to help burn that energy so he didn't get overly antsy on occasion.

Would never really be used to staying in one place too long, so he figured.]

Did you? Sounds like that was a bit of fun mixed with something new. [A soft hum as he considered it, all the same.] Could be, especially when she takes flight- otherwise it's a bit like riding a horse while she remains on the ground.

[ When he offered her a ride, she simply assumed flight. At the very least, however, she has ridden on a horse before, thanks to Prince Hans and Sitron, but she is still going to hope for some air time.

It ended up being fun, and definitely something new, but, well-- ]

We didn't have much of a choice, actually. One of the books hanging from the Tree of Memories... It fell on top of me and turned into a cage. Then it hurled me up, so I became trapped.

[There'd be definite changes for flight along the path that 76 usually took- for Blue at least, simply because at times it was easier for her to keep up from above than maneuvering through the trees. 76 was a sort of 'all-terrain' runner when it came to his exercise.

Helped keep him on top of his game, and it was fun.]

Not surprising something like that was going on- whole thing was still technically a dreamscape, even if it didn't behave as they have before. [All of the prizes won at games remained, and so on.]

[ ...Huh.

Surprise manages to flicker into Susato's expression, despite the fact that she must have known. It's subtle though, and she tilts her head. ]

You're right. I didn't think of it that way... but it was real to me.

...All of it.

I think it was all real- more was left behind with us, like the costumes and things won at games. People came here, even if only the town changed. Didn't reach far past it, not much else changed.

Left before the fireworks started that last day, went in to the Wildlands for a walk. [It was very real.] We were all still here, and not somewhere else.

Hangin' On, Hangin' On | OPEN

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