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

[silentscales]

[Despite their big fangs, they always managed to get the food without even risking hurting Adrien. They could be very gentle when they wanted.

Snake offers Adrien the reel for the kite with a tilt of his head. He didn't want to hog all the fun.]

[purr_ince]

[Adrien blinked then moved reaching for the spool of thread. He's taking a firm hold of it. And after a bit he's tugging it down into a sharp drive before letting it even out again.]

[silentscales]

[Snake's jaw drops as he watches the kite dive down and then even out again. He looks to Adrien's hands, wishing he'd paid a little more attention to either one or the other to see just how Adrien had managed that trick, especially since both Ayn and Martin had been watching the kite.]

[purr_ince]

[Seeing Snake's expression and the way that the other stared at him Adrien flashed him a smile before moving to gently place the spool back into Snake's hands. Then he's moving to stand in front of him.]

I'll teach you.

[After he's sure Snake has a good hold he's holding Snake's hands and guiding them in how to do the trick.]

[silentscales]

[Snake is thrilled not only to be learning how to do the trick, but to have such a gentle connection with Adrien. He's even got his snakes as a second (and third) set of eyes as he tries to get the hang of the trick.

It doesn't take him too long, though he almost knocks the kite out of the air at one point.]

[purr_ince]

[Adrien doesn't mind doing this. In fact, he wanted to do it. He wanted to teach Snake things. It helped him feel normal somehow and made him happy - well happier.]

You're doing so well. Ah--

[When they almost lose the kite he's adjusting the spool and saves the kite from a nosedive.] There we go. Don't let just dive too long or it won't level out no matter how hard you try.

[silentscales]

[Snake nods, glancing to Adrien briefly. It was so nice to have Adrien like this, and what's more, it does seem to make Adrien more content as well.

It also made Snake happier to have this exceptionally normal interaction. There was something about the simplicity that he craved, and Adrien, as well as Marinette, always seemed to find a way to give him that.

He doesn't have much trouble picking the trick up past the near nosedive, and soon he's got the kite dancing in the wind while slithering like a real snake.]

[purr_ince]

[Adrien smiled and he's more than a little happy to teach Snake various tricks. He doesn't know how he remembers them maybe he saw them on a video or tv or something either way they're just having the best time.

He doesn't take the spool from him he doesn't want to take over the kite. Thought he might be happily taking Matrin over onto his shoulders for cuddles and light little rubs with his fingers across his scales.]

See? This is fun right? It's awesome.

[silentscales]

[Snake nods, exceptionally content in this very moment. It was so nice to have Adrien here with him, and he adores the way that he gets along with his snake friends. Martin and Ayn both loved Adrien and getting attention from Adrien.

Snake keeps looking at the kite, as he speaks for Martin, who is turning his head just a bit,] 'That's the spot!' says Martin.

[purr_ince]

[Adrien laughs softly giving a soft little purr at Martin.]

You're just a scaly little cat. Okay a scaly cat with no legs but still cute.

[Idly his other hand reached and he's scratching at Snake's scalp gently.] All three of you.

[silentscales]

[Snake melts into that scratch as it loosens more built up scales. His jaw drops too, relaxing with that attention. He can't help but blush at being called cute along with his other scaled friends.] You're cute too.

Says Ayn.

[purr_ince]

[Adrien blushed and moved to lean against Snake a little.] Thank you. I'm flattered that you think so. So many pretty snake friends..

[silentscales]

[Snake keeps blushing as he leans into Adrien.] You're pretty.

[purr_ince]

[Well, when Snake leans into him like that he can't ignore it. He's not even going to point out that Snake isn't even bothering with the pretense of saying Ayn said it. Nope. Instead, he's slipping am arm gently around him curling up close.]

Today has been a perfect day. The best day.

[silentscales]

[What was it with Adrien saying just what Snake felt? He couldn't be sure, but he knew it felt just like that warm arm around his shoulders, and that made him happy. He gives a little nod, glad to just keep flying the kite with Adrien being affectionate like this.]

[purr_ince]

I like this. I really want to do stuff like this with you. There's a lot of stuff like this I haven't done before... And- And maybe you haven't either? We could do it together.

[silentscales]

I'd like that.

Says Martin.

[At first glance it might look like Snake's frowning a little, but he can't help that flat expression as he's feeling a little overwhelmed by all the kindness and affection.]

[purr_ince]

I'd really hope so. [ But seeing that expression he's not so sure. ] As long as you really want to. I'm here, okay?

[silentscales]

[Snake's mouth opens a little as he nods eagerly. He raises a hand up to the corner of his mouth to lift it up the way he had before. He's not sure why he finds smiling so difficult, but he is really happy.]

I do.

[purr_ince]

You didn't have to do that. [ Adrien blinked before he burst into soft laughter rubbing at the back of his neck. ] I guess I just got kind of worried there for a sec. Now about this, as long as you tell me if you get upset or you feel sad you come to me and we'll talk it out; maybe even cuddle okay? No matter what it is.

[silentscales]

[Snake nods gently. He had been slowly finding talking to be just a little bit easier. Adrien and Marinette like to ask about him, about the things that he liked. It's not something he feels comfortable talking about, but it gotten progressively easier as he tries his best to answer their questions. Even if he felt uncomfortable speaking about himself, it wasn't something that really upset him, either.

He might not be all that good with talking but he looks to Adrien softly,] You too.

[purr_ince]

[That look makes him smile, just the fact that Snake is talking to him as himself without speaking through or for Ayn or Martin... that's big and he wants to hug him super tight because Adrien is proud of him for being brave for making that step even if it's small. But if he did he's afraid it might backfire so he's just beaming a bright smile at him - delighted. The blond gave a nod of his head.] You bet!

[silentscales]

Snake's expression relaxes and he leans against Adrien. He and Marinette had spoiled him with attention. He never would have thought he'd appreciate a human hug the way he did the weight of his snakes on him.

[purr_ince]

Now that that's settled. We've got things to get into the house and cuddles to have. Come on. [Soon Adrien is drawing away and leading Snake the rest of the way to the temple then inside.]

[silentscales]

[Snake is more than happy to follow, looking forward to finding a nice spot to settle.]