29 - Autumn Leaves

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Uncover the remaining secrets of the mysterious forest.
When: Nov 29 - 30
Where: Chichibu National Park & the Central District
Summary: A heavily forested wilderness area in Chichibu National Park is attracting dangerous numbers of ayakashi, and Heaven's forces suspect that this might be the mortal forest that was connected to the Heavens in order to kidnap gods and shinki a few weeks ago.






Walk in the Woods

On the morning of the 29th, Heaven's messenger doves drop off small folded cards at the doors of every temple. The cards read,


We believe that we have identified the location on the Near Shore where the human accomplices were working. As it is a large area, we offer you this information, in case you are able to assist us in searching for clues to the identity of the culprit. Please investigate with caution: there are reports of ayakashi in the area.


Attached is a map to a large national park in the Kanto region, with a section of the park cross-hatched in red pen. Anyone who goes to investigate the marked area will discover that it is heavily forested and contains about a mountain and a half; the ground is steep, muddy with autumn rain, and slick with dead leaves, though some red and orange colors are still grimly clinging to the branches overhead. Watch your step! The supernatural menace seems to have faded, but the purely natural hazards can do almost as much damage.

Heaven's forces, wearing white short jackets with gold chrysanthemum emblems over much more sensible jeans and hiking boots, can be seen here and there throughout the forest, searching for clues themselves. If somebody gets in a real jam, they might be willing to lend a hand.

Mysterious Trees

Towards the center of the cross-hatched area, investigators may begin to see some familiar signs. Are those bits of torn-down spell papers still fluttering from nails driven into the trees? Vines and tree branches cut and broken by the hostage rescuers breaking through? Footprints, torn bits of black hooded cloaks... there are clues aplenty here.

There's something else, too: a mysterious presence still seems to haunt the forest. The trees might not move when anyone's watching, but it seems like they're in slightly different positions every time you look away and back. And what was that flicker of movement in the underbrush? Is there still someone here?!

Comment on the NPC REQUEST/CLUE SEARCH thread below to request specific details, or to go hunting for that mysterious presence.

Ayakashi Attacks

There's more than one mysterious presence in these trees... and some of them are definitely not friendly. The forest's aura is unsettling and creepy enough to partially mask their approach, but ayakashi of all types and sizes seem to have been drawn here. Some wind along tree branches or soar through the air on fleshy, wide-spread wings. Others crawl or even burrow in the ground.

And all of them are excited at the possibility of a divine meal. Look out!

Autumn Leaf Viewing

An area of the Central District planted with maple along a stone-walled canal has been decorated with hanging lanterns, comfortable spread mats and cushions, and an abundance of delicious food and drink on the afternoon of the 30th. Everyone is invited: new gods and old, those who helped investigate the Near Shore forest and those who didn't. For those who did investigate, though, one or two of the white-robed shinki who are helping with the party preparations and enjoying the food and drink themselves will take the opportunity to pull them aside and ask about their findings.

The party includes games as well as food and drink. Kites, poetry games, tag, hide-and-seek, card games and dice games are going on all over. There's even some determined board game and mahjong players who have brought their favorite game to the outdoor venue and are setting up on mats with immense care.

At one edge of the landscaped area where the party is being held, the ground slopes up, and is planted with a riot of bright gold, white and rust-red chrysanthemums. Like the ones that bloomed everywhere a few months ago, these flowers exude a sense of peace, confidence and security to anyone nearby, and especially those who pick the blooms to wear in their hair or their buttonhole.

In Summary:

• Investigate a wild forest
• Watch out for nasty trees
• Exorcise an ayakashi infestation
• Enjoy some hard-earned relaxation
• Have fun~

Comments

[erogappa]

Mysterious Forest III: Son of of the Curse of the Mysterious Forest (locked to Goku)

[ There was no question, when he saw the notice from the highers-up, what he had to do. Talking to Hakkai wasn't even a option. The man had been kidnapped and nearly starved to death by the forest, Gojyo reasoned. He wouldn't want to head back out and face it again -- who would? No, clearly the best solution was to find a god he trusted -- just in case there were ayakashi -- and go on his own.

And who better than Goku? The kid wasn't complicated enough for betrayal (or even dishonestly, Gojyo was pretty sure), he was strong, and he seemed to have a vested interest in keeping Gojyo alive. Plus, although he wouldn't admit it out loud, he'd enjoyed fighting the forest with the kid the first two times. Goku was a brat and a pain in the ass, but in a good way. Sometimes. ]

I should've brought the dragon.

[ Loaded for bear, his backpack has only gotten heavier over the last couple of miles. He can barely even muster excitement when they finally come across the first of the shredded charms nailed to a half-circle of trees -- he's tired, okay? Hiking takes a lot more energy than running a bar, and it's not like he's even been doing that recently. ]

[rockthemonkey]

[Goku's just happy to be here.]

Jeep likes Hakkai best!

[Said cheerfully, as a matter of fact, as Goku happily stomps through the forest like the experienced vagabond he is. Hiking isn't so bad, especially with company. It's something familiar, at least. His energy hasn't been diminished by the walk at all, probably helped by the fact that his pack has only gotten lighter as the day goes on. Luggage is always lighter when it's in your stomach.]

So he wouldn't help you anyway, kappa.

[Maybe he'd agree to help Goku, out of animal solidarity, but this is more of an off-road hike anyway. Dragons can only help so much. Goku cheerfully tears one of the shredded charms off it's tree trunk and stuffs it into his pocket.]

Man, those guys didn't clean up after themselves at all!

[erogappa]

[ Everybody likes Hakkai best. It's really getting to be a nuisance. ]

Oi, you really want that so close to your junk, shrimpy? [ Gojyo's understanding of magical wards is minimal, and he doesn't really think there's any residual magic left on the charms, but you never know. Maybe magic is like fire, or like radiation. Even after the spell is broken, there could be residual magic attached to the paper, right? ] Maybe they didn't clean up 'cause it's magically radioactive in here.

[rockthemonkey]

[Goku doesn't like Hakkai best. Just more than Gojyo- I mean...]

Huh? [Goku pats his pocket curiously.] You think? It doesn't feel like anythin'. [Because Goku's such an expert on magic.] I thought it might help to keep 'em, so we can shown 'em to people who know about this kinda stuff. Magic can be really weird.

[Well, at least he knows that much.]

[erogappa]

[ Goku knows magic? Huh. Gojyo files that tidbit of information away for later. ]

Uh. Yeah. Yeah, I guess. [ Gojyo gives the straps of his pack a tug, readjusting them on his tired shoulders, and continues slogging on. ] Hakkai was lookin' at one the other day, actually. I dunno what he got from it though. He said he could read part of it, but most of it's in some kind of magic code.

[ Which isn't quite what Hakkai said, but it's close enough. ]

[rockthemonkey]

[He knows it's weird and he knows that the best way to stop it is to smash something/someone. That's all he really needs to know.]

Sanzo knows about this stuff! [At least, more than any of the others do.] So I thought if I could show Sanzo, even if we have to wait a while...

[Goku trails off, distracted by a straw doll stapled to the tree, just out of his reach. Ugh, being short is such a pain sometimes.]

[erogappa]

[ Oh kid. ]

It wouldn't be the first time somebody came back, [ he offers at last, reaching up to pluck a tattered charm off a nearby tree. It falls apart in his hands, the paper dissolving from the elements and leaving nothing but a smear of rot and wet between his fingers. Disgusted, he rubs his hand on his pant leg. ]

And if anyone was a pushy enough bitch to force heaven's hand, it'd be Sanzo.

[ To be honest, he's a little surprised she hasn't already resurrected. It's the best argument he can find for the process being random though, he thinks -- if Hakkai can come back, but Sharak stays dead? Then there's nobody picking and choosing who returns. It's got to be random. ]

[rockthemonkey]

Right! [Goku grins at Gojyo over his shoulder, thrilled that as dumb as Gojyo is, he at least understands that much.] No one's gonna stop Sanzo! They'd just get yelled and shot at if they tried.

[No one can split their group up for too long. Sanzo will find them out of spite, if that's what it takes. Goku has complete faith that Sanzo will show up, grumble and moan about all the dumb shit going on, and then hit them with a paper fan for something.]

Ah, but Sanzo might get mad at us too if we take too long.

[erogappa]

[ Things Gojyo will never forgive himself for: telling Sharak that she should just fucking disappear the day or so before she disappeared. He didn't have anything to do with her disappearance -- he's not that important -- but that last conversation is a regret he's going to carry for a long time. And Goku's bright optimism isn't helping any. ]

I think she'd be more mad if she thought we were waitin' on her. [ Goku can't reach that straw doll on the tree, but Gojyo can. He works it free of its nail, but continues to hold it just out of Goku's reach, purely to be a jerk. ] Damn these things are creepy.

[rockthemonkey]

[To be fair, if anyone was going to magically disappear just to spite Gojyo and teach him a lesson, it's probably Sharak Sanzo. Maybe he is to blame. He better not forget about it and waste her time now.]

Well, he'll be mad no matter what but if we- wait, what? [Goku tries to turn around to face Gojyo while still looking directly up at the doll still out of reach. It puts him a little off balance.] Hey, give it- Gojyo! Who're ya talking about? And gimme that!

[That's his creepy doll!]

[erogappa]

[ He's in very real danger of tipping over from the weight of his backpack, but that's not going to stop him from holding the doll juuust of of reach over Goku's head. ]

What, this? [ He gives the doll a little shake, sprinkling dust and who knows what else onto Goku's head. ] Is it yours? I don't see your name on it.

[ ...Well he'll be mad? Goku wasn't talking about Sharak at all. Did he mean Genjo? Or was there another Sanzo out there still? ]

[rockthemonkey]

[Sharak's great too, he'll happily talk to Sharak about weird magic stuff as well. It's just that Sanzo is better.]

I saw it first! [Goku on the tips of his toes still isn't tall enough to reach something Gojyo doesn't want him to reach.] You didn't even wanna touch it! Gojyo! Cut it out!

[The logical thing to do here would be to jump and grab the doll, if he wants it that bad. But apparently the monkey thing to do is to grab Gojyo's arm and try to climb up it.]

Gojyooo! Give it here!

[erogappa]

[ Climb? Climb? ]

Oi, get off! Are you a monkey now?

[ Gojyo's backpack weighs nearly as much as Goku does. Between the two, there's no way he'll be able to keep standing for long. ...But dammit, he's gonna try. He stretches his arm out even higher into the air, pulling at Goku's backpack with his free hand. ]

Go find your own! This one's mine!

[ T-five seconds to total structural collapse. Four... three... ]

[rockthemonkey]

Yeah! ... I mean no!

[Monkey is better than shrimp but he's not a monkey either, damn it! Goku's feet are off the ground at this point, thus releasing him from any responsibility to keep them upright. That's Gojyo's job now, Goku's job is to flail and struggle to hold on.]

Gimme already! [Does he even want the doll that badly? Look, the point is that they're fighting over it, not what "it" is.] Gojyo!

[two... one... Goku's flailing foot meets Gojyo's knee as collapse becomes imminent.]

[fleetforestsprite]

[The nearby bushes, mysteriously, are giggling.]

[erogappa]

Fuck!

[ And he's down, knees bending one way, head going another, but refusing to release either Goku's back or the doll. He hits the ground hard, almost hard enough to knock the wind out of him, and there's a very long moment there where all he can do is wheeze.

The giggle from the bushes over there snaps him out of it, though. ]

Who's there?!

[ They're hunting for cultists and kidnappers and maybe wizards, after all. Gojyo shoves at Goku, scrambling to his feet, ready to cast a borderline (with the doll, apparently) at whoever might be about to attack them. ]

[rockthemonkey]

Woah!

[Goku falls with Gojyo, landing slightly softer on top of him. He's not about to let go either, but he's distracted by the giggling.]

Huh? [Goku is shoved and he rolls off Gojyo, landing on his back and looking at the nearby bush upside down. He seems a little less stressed out than Gojyo.] Hey, what's funny?

[fleetforestsprite]

[The bush says something like eep! and emits a rustling noise; a girl, maybe twelve or thirteen, long-haired and barefoot, scrambles backwards out of it and brushes down her mud-stained summer dress with equally mudstained hands. She eyes the two of them warily, posed to flee.]

[erogappa]

[ It's a girl? Gojyo straights up immediately, casting a questioning look over at Goku. He knows better than to trust somebody just because they look young and harmless, but at the same time? That's a kid, and she's clearly been out here awhile. ]

Hey. Are you lost?

[rockthemonkey]

[Goku looks back at Gojyo briefly, with a barely perceptible shrug, before turning back to the girl. Yeah, they can't trust someone just because they're a kid, but they can't not trust someone just because they're hiding in a bush.]

Hey- don't be scared!

[Goku scrambles to his feet, still crouched down. He smiles at the girl and raises his hand to the side of his mouth, in a mock whisper away from Gojyo.]

I know he looks kinda scary and weird, but he won't hurt ya. That's just his face.

[fleetforestsprite]

[She giggles at Goku's comment, and a little of the tension eases out of her posture. She shakes her head.]

I'm not lost. I live here.

[erogappa]

[ Goku's really trusting. That's interesting. ]

Oi. [ But he takes his cue from the shrimp anyway, folding his arms and scowling down at the top of Goku's head. ] What's wrong with my face? Don't say things that like to cute girls!

[ He'll be the dumb bad guy, that's fine. She seems to like Goku better anyway, so why not let the shrimp take over the questioning? ]

[rockthemonkey]

[Goku tilts his head back to stick his tongue out at Gojyo.]

If a creepy lech comes into her house and starts lookin' at her, of course she's gonna be scared! You should thank me for telling her you're not gonna do anything weird.

[Thanks guys, they'll be here all week. Tip your waitress. Goku turns back to the girl.]

Sorry, we didn't know there was anyone else here. Do you live here on your own?

[fleetforestsprite]

[This time, she covers her mouth with one hand when she giggles, looking up at Gojyo with curiosity instead of caution.]

Your face isn't scary.

[She reaches out, then, putting her hand on a nearby tree with the comfortable air of someone patting a friend's arm, and looks back at Goku.]

Yours isn't either. I'm not alone, but I'm not supposed to let people see me.

[erogappa]

[ She's not one of the cultists, is she? She's sure not acting like one of the brainwashed people. And she's not threatening them, or hiding outright, or leading them into a trap, so.. it's probably safe to talk to her? Probably?

She's a nice kid. He's sure it's fine. ]

How about we make you a deal. [ Unfolding his arms (which, ew, he's still got the dew-damp musty little doll in one hand), he mashes one palm into the shrimp's hair, just because he can. The doll he lets hang in his other hand, completely visible to the girl. ] We won't tell anyone we saw you, and you don't tell anyone you saw us either.