40 - May Event: Mystic Messengers' Mark

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
When: May 15th
Where: Votelli's Forest
What: The boar and deer population of Japan has boomed in recent years as hunters age and people move away from rural areas. The people have called upon the gods to help with this "pest" issue.







All over Heaven, gods receive invitations stamped with the chrysanthemum of Amaterasu. Each and every god has been invited to join the old gods on an old-fashioned hunt to do something about the boar and deer populations on the Near Shore. Votelli's forest has been chosen as the location of this sacred hunt, as it offers an expansive landscape for the sport as well as opens up the opportunity for many of the gods - both old and new - to speak to Votelli herself face to face. Other activities are planned for those who do not wish to hunt, such as an archery contest and a demonstration of Takagari - the Japanese art of falconry.

Face to Face

Votelli and Sotero wait in the forest with whoever will join them before slowly, cautiously exiting. They don't fight anyone who wants to stand in front of them as they appear before the Heavens for the first time, but they feel compelled to step in front eventually. There, all in attendance can see them for who they really are: very young gods.

Votelli appears between 12 and 14, a lithe teenage girl. Historically very timid and easily spooked, she has found a certain measure of confidence... while still holding tight to Sotero's hand. She wears newer, finer clothing compared to her first outing, provided to her by her friends. Her hair is just as long and black, though. Those who saw the goddess fighting in the Cultist Compound might mistake Votelli for her young sister. And Sotero their younger brother.

For Sotero looks 10 - but a lanky, tall boy who in reality acts much closer to 6 years old. Normally very brash, petulant, and loud... he stays close to Votelli and doesn't resist holding her hand. His expression is not playful or sly this time, but very focused - putting on a brave face like he might very well have to protect Votelli instead of the other way around.

Suijin is the one speaking for the Heavens. "We have been told that the two of you wish formal acceptance into Takamagahara. Is this true?"

Votelli speaks first: "It is." Then she tugs gently on Sotero's hand. "... Yeah. It is," he eventually echoes.

Suijin lifts her broad hat. "Do you renounce all allegiances to the cultists who created you? If so - name them."

Votelli nods. "I do. ... His name is Imai Takeru." Sotero looks worried, turning to Votelli. "But they're my mom and dad!" He turns back to Suijin. "You'll hurt them if I tell you!"

Suijin shakes her head. "Only gods of calamity kill humans. We will sever their ties to you. They may continue to live in peace if they never again use the kind of magic that created you." Sotero looks unconvinced, at which point Suijin looks a little frustrated. "I expect a name before you are granted formal entrance to Takamagahara, but perhaps another name will suffice as a peace offering between us - an act of faith until all of these human spellcasters are discovered."

Sotero gulps, while Votelli holds him a little closer.

Suijin speaks again, with a more commanding tone: "Rogue God Sotero - name the one in the Heavens who allowed you entrance into our domain. Name the traitor and we will know your true intentions."

(Prompt continues as one thread below, allowing for characters to interject before Sotero speaks again.)

Event Bonus:
3+ comments in this thread gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.

Face to Face (Before/After)

Before: Prior to the above prompt, if any characters would like to provide words of encouragement or solidarity, that can be threaded out individually! We will provide a top level each for Votelli and Sotero with a "Before" subject line.

After: Since the above thread will resolve somewhat peacefully, Sotero and Votelli will be around to speak with characters individually during the bento lunch. We will provide a top level each for Votelli and Sotero with an "After" subject line.

Event Bonus:
3+ comments in a thread with either Votelli or Sotero gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.

Gathering for the Hunt

The hunt starts early in the day, but not so early that the gathered gods can't enjoy a handmade bento lunch before getting started. Each god and shinki who arrive will find themselves in a clearing at the edge of the forest, rolling green surrounded by the lush backdrop of thick vegetation holding the prey of today's hunt. Blankets are spread over the grass in inviting splashes of color and tables are set up with stacks of bentos, a variety of foods and snacks and drinks available for any craving or preference, no matter how varied or strange.

Those who were here and involved in the Hungry Forest event might also find the setting very familiar. And perhaps a little unsettling, if they'd been among those kidnapped and held captive within its depths. Although today the expanse of thick trees and shadowy underbrush seems like just a normal forest, lacking the draining effects and other dangers it had once harbored.

Before anyone ventures beyond the clearing, the hosting gods and shinki are careful to explain the nature of today's hunt and also warn the newer gods and shinki about which of the beasts are fair game and which are not - namely the more tame sika deer, considered sacred to several of the gods and often seen as their messengers. The other creatures in the forest, however - the herds of roaming deer and the wild breeds of boar - are all fair game to the hunters, and in fact, there's already contests and wagers popping up on who will bring in the biggest trophy.

There are even rumors of one especially large and clever boar thought to dwell within the deepest reaches of the forest, rarely seen but of particular bane to hunters and trackers who have sought it many times over the years. It has avoided all pursuit, however, and its renown only grows with each passing year. Will this hunt finally uncover the elusive creature of legend?

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.
Saving a sika deer from being killed gains an additional 250 followers / 25 exp per thread.

Ready Aim Fire

The clearing at the edge of the forest had been well prepared for hosting the Heavenly Host, both as a base camp for those entering into the forest in pursuit of their prey but also to entertain those left behind or not participating in the hunt itself. Those who remain outside the confines of the forest will find an assembled archery range for the non-hunters to still get some practice in or perhaps learn from one of the more experienced archers.

Contests take place throughout the day - some are distance based, each one with a varying range of difficulty depending on your level of expertise. Others have the range set up for challenges of field archery, adding in the difficulty of foliage or wooded areas and making aiming and targeting considerably more difficult. Some of the targets are even enchanted to move, hide, or dodge, creating some of the most challenging conquests for only the most dedicated of marksmen.

On the far side of the clearing - a very safe distance away from where any stray arrows might drift - several of the older gods remain behind to show off the art of takagari, or Japanese falconry. Once a sport restricted to nobles, warriors and samurai, many of the traditions and methods once practiced in the ancient days of Japan have been lost to history, but the finer details have clearly been preserved here among its gods. While the old gods hosting this practice remain in the background to watch over the proceedings (and keeping their favorite birds with them and out of stranger's hands), anyone is welcomed to approach the rest of the hawks and birds of prey, give hunting with them a try, or perhaps watch one of the experts in action.

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.
Participants in a head-to-head Archery or Falconry challenge gains an additional 250 followers / 25 exp per thread.

The Great Hunt

The forest is quiet, other than the call of birds and the scurrying of smaller wildlife as the hunters enter. The ground is thick with tracks to be investigated by anyone with a discerning eye. Those who know what they're looking for will find thickly-layered paths made by deer, boar and other beasts of the forest who have wandered familiar trails into the undergrowth. Following these paths will find many hunters some easy targets, as the forest is lush with wildlife and the herds have swelled in recent years to the point of overpopulation. It will be rarer for hunters not to spot their prey the deeper in they go, but as the day wears on, it does seem to be getting more and more difficult to find those herds of deer and boar...

The deeper into the forest one ventures, the thinner and more scattered these tracks become. The deer paths seem to veer off before the forest grows to its thickest and should hunters keep pressing deeper, they'll eventually find that even the boar tracks start turning scarce. The call of birds becomes quieter and more elusive. The thick shadow of trees overhead makes the forest seem darker and closing in around you. Even the very air around you seems hushed and tense as if the very forest itself is watching your progress.

Not all the creatures avoid the depths of this forest, however. Approaching the heart of the forest, there does seem to still be at least one creature who frequents it, although the tracks are much more massive and sunk deep in the dirt as if pressed there by a great weight. Some of them are scraped and smeared as if that weight was dragged a time or two. Was the great beast that lurked here injured?

If good luck is with you (or perhaps that is bad luck?), you might be alerted by the sound of underbrush rustling nearby. But what bursts out... could it be the massive boar of legend or is it something more sinister? For there are several dark ayakashi that have also been lurking in the depths of this forest of late, hunting for prey of their own, their forms distorted and rotting and their eyes red and crazed - all the eyes that have now spread out across their blighted forms, that is. Should they spot you, they will give an enraged roar and charge, frenzied and driven mad from Blight. Hope you came prepared to be the hunter or the hunted.

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.
Defeating a blighted ayakashi animal gains an additional 250 followers / 25 exp per thread.

A Different Sort of Hunt

For those not interested in partaking in 'the Great Outdoors', there is a different sort of hunt available to those with more experience hunting targets on two legs instead of four. The Counselors, their shinki, and Amaterasu's white-robed shinki emblazoned with their chrysanthemums... they all make it clear earlier in the day that they're still hunting down the last remnants of cultists free out in Japan and the world beyond, tracking down the locations of where the remnants are hiding out. For those willing to join this second hunt - whether they needed "warming up" hunting the deer and boar or not - the Counselors will make their research available - clues, whispers, addresses, IDs... whatever they could gather up until today.

Several of Takamagahara's own gods and shinki are out doing the footwork needed to round up the numbers of those that remain at large and any of the new gods and shinki who would rather lend their aid to this cause will be welcomed. Track down any remaining leads you have or get a location of a potential compound or blighted areas from the Hunt's hosts to go look into for yourselves - The Heavens want all remaining cultist members found and accounted for and are putting forth every effort to see this accomplished.

OOCly: Players are encouraged to select locations for compounds or heavy concentrations of cultists within Japan and outside it as well. Many locations in Australia, Europe, etc. have been named in previous Missions as places where blight circles have been located. Any of these - and other places - are places the Cult could have spread to. Next month, these will all become locations where Finale actions can take place. "Check in" with where your character(s) are going, but you don't need mod permission!

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments will gain 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.
Cultist hub of activity discovered and reported back gains an additional 250 followers / 25 exp per thread.

In Summary:

• Join the old gods on a hunt
• Enjoy the meal and activities
• Speak to Votelli or Sotero
• Participate in the hunt - whether your prey be two-legged or four
• Fight the giant boar ayakashi
• Have fun~

Comments

Questions?

[godsoffortune]

[kagenonadeshiko]

Quick question! Will hunting gear such as weapons, clothing, armor, first aid supplies, and so forth be provided for those who wish to participate in the hunt?

Cultist Hub Check-in

[godsoffortune]

Whether you found another Cultist Compound, just another hub of major Cultist activity, a named NPC (not played by a mod) of higher rank in the cult, or whatever... let us know here! We'll use this next month in the finale!

Anywhere that previously mentioned blight circles, a branch store of the Fujisaki corporation, or other cultist arc event locations are fair game!

[brynwieldr]

Though Aymeric is on a hiatus-sleep, Leo would bring forth his notes on the hub in Australia.

And I realize having a re-reading (lack of sleep yo) that that's not what this is about but he would still do it so people know to be careful checking it out.

Event Bonus Turn-in!

[listsoffortune]

Submit your threads for event bonuses here!

[kagenonadeshiko]

Turning in a Face to Face thread with 3+ comments from Ayumu and Ginia each here!

VOTELLI - Face to Face: Before

[fleetforestsprite]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[She's been by Votelli's side for quite a bit, helping her god get ready for this -- even if all she can really provide is assurance and support. Which she can, and she does, again.]

I'll be there with you. I'll stand by you. And no matter what happens, I'm your shinki, okay?

[She balls one hand into a fist, over the rune that lies above her heart. A gentle breeze catches her sleeves and her hair, making both gently drift for a moment as she watches Votelli with a quiet smile and warm concern.]

SOTERO - Face to Face: Before

[veiledflame]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex lowers herself in front of Sotero, holding his hands if he’d allow it. ]

How are you feeling?

Face to Face (OTA but one big thread)

[godsoffortune]

Continued from the main Event Prompt here!

[unlucky7]

That Votelli is willing to renounce Takeru doesn't surprise Ginia too much. Her conversations with Votelli always seemed like Takeru was someone she followed because there was no one else to. Takeru himself was always blatantly disdainful of her abilities too. Hopefully this is the chance she needs to establish herself.

On the other hand, Sotero's unwillingness to name the cultists who raised him isn't a surprise and Ginia isn't sure she believes Suijin's claim no one will harm the cultists if he names them. There's the matter of the mole (or moles) taking action to tie up loose ends. When Suijin demands their name, Ginia casually surveys the old gods and shinki for their reactions. It's not surprise she's looking for, but anyone on the ends of nervousness or too calm.

VOTELLI - Face to Face: After

[fleetforestsprite]

[medicinemaster]

Yaone approaches the young girl with clear purpose, her expression schooled into the same mask of implacable calm she had worn at the meeting with Suijin weeks before. Today she is dressed much less formally in a simple cheongsam top and pants chosen simply for ease of movement. She'd come to blow off steam by hunting game but her curiosity about the rogue goddess gets better of her.

The gaze Yaone levels on the girl isn't exactly unkind so much as clinical, assessing her with the same cool, level-headed scrutiny she might give during triage for a patient. After a moment, she reminds herself of the importance of bedside manner and her expression softens into something a little gentler and warmer.

"You are Miss Votelli, I presume? My name is Yaone. We share a common acquaintance. Miss Nia is my shinki, too."

Her only shinki now, much to her upset. But at least, it's common ground to start a conversation about?

SOTERO - Face to Face: After

[veiledflame]

[dredefulchilde]

There's a boy about Sotero's age sitting nearby, carefully monitoring a very small girl as she eats her lunch. Joscelin's become quite protective of his adopted little sister, and she seems perfectly content to sit in his lap while she munches away. After a moment, he looks up and sees who he's ended up next to.

"So you're the 'rogue god,' are you? You don't look terribly different from all the others."

[unlucky7]

Gathering for the Hunt
After sleeping for a week straight, some time in the outdoors is exactly what Ginia needs. The forest brings a light sense of unease because of the associations with it, but it's also just a forest. Votelli has renounced the cult and there are no cultists or spell tags draining the area. Ginia keeps an eye out just in case, but mostly she's looking for something else.

Armed not with a weapon, but with some rolls of adhesive-backed ribbons and plenty of deer crackers and vegetables, Ginia is on the prowl for the gentle sika deer. Dressed in more causal attire, Ginia deftly leaps branch to branch or lightly hikes through the forest underbrush. Whenever she spots a male sika deer, she carefully coaxes it over with food and wraps the ribbon around the top of its antlers. Hopefully that works as a good marker for people to leave the deer alone.

However, nothing ever goes as planned. Not all deer are so easily swayed and Ginia ends up having to give chase to a few. Perhaps accidentally flushing it into the path of a would-be hunter or disrupting someone's shot at a non-sacred deer. Or perhaps the deer are too easily swayed and even after Ginia finishes her makeshift tagging, it continues to follow her in hopes of more food.

First Aid Tent
Once Ginia is out of food and ribbons, she can be found back at the main area. Working with some of the other shinki at the first aid tent, she's busy teaching and demonstrating the Mend spell on minor injuries. Fingers in the halberd position, circle the injury while focusing on a borderline, close the circle by flicking the fingers away, then hold the borderline until the injury is cleared or stabilized. There's a sizable group discussing the spell and practicing it own their own.

"I, for one, find myself skeptical that such a young nora would master such a technique. It must be some kind of trick or some other deception involved." A shinki loudly declares.

Ginia, busy healing another shinki who took an unfortunate fall, stiffens slightly, but continues with her work. When the scratches are cleared, the shinki mumbles a hasty thank you and quickly leaves. Ginia sighs and sits back, wiping off her hands before reaching for her phone and typing up a message.

"Anyone else need healing or want to learn?" Her phone says in a digitized alto voice.

((ooc: Reminder Mend is a Tier 1 spell, don't forget to comment on the shinki spell page if your character wants to learn the spell!))

Ready Aim Fire
It's been a few months since Ginia did any form of archery, but the muscle memory isn't completely gone. She's certainly rusty, but she feels no shame as she starts at the beginner range. Her shooting is meditative as she releases her resentment and lingering sorrow with each arrow. The first few arrows fall short of the target. Ginia exhales and lowers her bow, rolling out her shoulders. Refocusing, she fires again, this time hitting the target in the lower half. Well, it's some improvement. All said, Ginia seems to be enjoying herself, taking her inexperience in stride.

As she finishes her last shot and waits for the rest of the range to finish so she can collect her arrows, she turns to see who else is around. With a wry smile, Ginia comments through her phone (or sign language to known individuals), "Guns are definitely easier."

Closed to Ebisu

[unlucky7]

Ginia knows immediately she's not in her bed when she wakes up. Her clothes are different too, a proper set of pajamas instead of the baggy t-shirt and shorts she usually wears to bed. Unease weighs in her chest as her left hand curls into the halberd position, blinking sleep away as she takes in her surroundings. There's a heart monitor clipped to her right pointer finger, an IV in her arm. A few vases of flowers and cards are placed on the nightstand and it takes a few more seconds for her to realize she's in the infirmary.

Feeling fine, rested even, Ginia toggles on and off her controllable nanomachines, making sure her pain dampeners aren't accidentally on. No pain at all, no trouble with any of the routines. Ginia sits up and pushes the blankets back, looking for any other injuries. None.

Unease lingering, Ginia looks for her phone and finds it conveniently on the nightstand, plugged in. The dozens of notifications will have to wait as she fixates on the time and date. Ten past 6 AM, May 15th.

How the hell did I lose a week? Ginia wonders even as the answer is clear. Isn't that a thing that happens to new generation that everyone treats as common fact? But having it happen to her...

No wonder she's in the infirmary. It's the most sensible thing to do when someone falls into a sudden coma.

Ginia pulls up the contact list and sends a message to Ebisu and his retinue.

I'm awake, feel fine. Sorry if I worried any of you.

[brynwieldr]

Gathering

[Leo is so not happy about being anywhere near this damn forest again, but he's here and if he's honest he misses things like falconry. That alone is enough to get him to come.

Still, he's giving the forest one hell of a stink eye even as he settles down with his lunch on one of the blankets.]

Why this forest, of all places...?

Falconry

[Archery's never been his thing, so Leo ignores that part of the picnic to focus on something that is more his style: the birds. He manages to get a glove and one of the hawks from the gods, finding an area he can let her fly.

Approach?]

"Hunting"

[Leo figures they've got enough people in the Forest doing the boar and deer hunting, so he decides to step up and take over Aymeric's usual job of messing with the cultists today. He looks at the list of possible locations before turning to whoever is closest:]

What sounds more cultish--a place named "Sweetwater" or a place named "Hell"?

[He's mostly being sarcastic.]

'Hunting'

[swordofzero]

Sweetwater. [Suzaku either hasn't picked up on the sarcasm or is ignoring it.]

Hell sounds too obvious.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Gathering

Da Qing isn't really aware of all that is going on with the two small gods and the heavens. He knows enough, they are connected to the cult and such but people seem to have it in hand and so he doesn't interrupt or get involved. Instead he eats bento and listens to information about hunting. Now this is something he should be great at, he feels like a hunting cat.

He is in human form, for now at least as he navigates the hustle and bustle of the hunt preparations. It sounds like it is going to be an exciting and busy day.

He makes sure to listen as well, "Right right, no killing the sacred deer. Got it. Are we ready to go yet?" Maybe he should have brought one of Shen Wei's turtles, they would be good hunting companions.

The great hunt.

"Line!"

No one had said anything about ayakashi! Of course Da Qing should have expected them, they were everywhere it seemed. He had been doing well, avoided the sacred deer, chased after many ordinary deer. He hadn't actually caught anything but he had been having fun.

Until this monstrosity had dived out of a bush at him at least. Da Qing's face was serious, concentrating on his borderline. He was very thankful for the extra practice with Kairi he had had on them.

"Uh a little help here would be great!" He's not sure there's anyone nearby but this boar ayakashi is up against his borderline and it looks angry.

The great hunt

[unlucky7]

The sound of someone shouting draws Ginia's attention as she leaps through the forest, quickly changing direction. From above, she spots the monstrous boar, eyes twitching all over its body, halted by a borderline, though who knows for how long. Ginia throws two borderline slashes at the ayakashi as she whistles, cutting into the flesh. The sickly smell of rot oozes into the air as the flesh knits back together. Landing on a tree, she throws down her own borderline, blocking it in another direction and buying Da Qing so time to move.

[smilingbullet]

Ready Aim Fire
[ D2 can't say he is a hunter. At least not of animals. Humans... Well, that is another thing entirely.

He also isn't used to a bow, and bringing a gun into the forest would defeat the purpose, probably. So he's staying out today, and is learning how to handle a bow.

There is nothing wrong with his aim, it's the thing about this that he's actually good at.

Figuring out how far to pull the arrow back and accounting for wind and gravity with an unfamiliar tool so different from a gun, rifle, or other similar weapon, on the other hand..

He is not hitting the target so easily. He's generally cheerful about it but those who know him might notice that he's eventually growing a little frustrated with himself. ]

A Different Sort of Hunt
[ You can't only do the things you're no good at. And tracking down people isn't something that D2 is bad at. Plus, it's a chance to get out for a while and maybe drag along some other person in need of an outing, even if they don't find anything or end up not reporting back on findings.

So here's going around in various locations- Europe, N. & S. America, mostly, but not solely, and looking for places through rumors and the likes. Follow the Ghost Stories, for example? (So maybe he's just using this mission as an excuse, at least a little bit. They have so much Access to different places, which is great.) ]

Ready Aim Fire first, Different Hunt later

[pure_radiantics]

Hey there, cuz-

[ Kairi comes over with her own bow in hand and then she sees him looking apprehensive about how he's firing. The one she brought is the one from the Book Party. ]

... Ah, I think we're in a similar boat. How's it going for you?

[yasei]

Ready Aim Fire
[ It is no surprise to find Obi participating in the archery competitions. Every single one of them, even. And he's unsurprisingly good, even though he usually uses a European style bow, rather than the longer, Japanese style one. But he's quick to adapt and weapons is his Thing. As is things that require a good eye, being agile, and speed and silence.

Obi also has experience with falconry- though it's not something that he remembers. He's more interested in the birds first though, and he's making fast friends with them (sorry old god, was this one yours? stop glaring at him like that). The birds are very pleased with this person who knows exactly where to scratch and how to, here, feel the fluff under the wing- Here, they'll groom your hair friendly human-

He can be convinced to move to the actual intention of the activity, but he's having a nice time. ]

The Great Hunt I
[ Hunting is something that Obi is very familiar with. He's also a great tracker. He even remembers some of the trails he saw last time he was here. So of course he has to participate.

Obi is often seen with a bow and arrow, or making more arrows, and today is no exception. He's also setting traps for the animals, and skillfully so. They might even be hard for humans or others to spot, and as a result, Obi might find unintended prey in them. ]

Uh...Huh....

The Great Hunt II
[ Obi is not shy about heading into the depths of darkness. He should probably not go alone but he's sure not everyone are keen to go deeper and deeper.

He might even be difficult to spot in the darkness, as the forest grows thicker and more difficult to get through, and with his ability to move around in perfect silence, he may appear as if a ghost, and spook people when he comes up near them.

And then, there are the animals. ]

That looks painful.

[ The Blight, once a terribly Blighted beast is spotted rampaging. Was there a person beside you just before? Sorry if he spooked you. ]

ready aim fire

[reloves]

[ Guess what time it is, Obi. It's the big "Zelda is now awake and therefore Minako feels super obligated to repay everyone who even slightly helped her thrice as much" time!!

Hence why she's seeming a bit more like her usual self now when she shows up at the archery raid. Especially once she spots him standing there - she moves over to him quickly with her usual energy, grabbing a whole pile of arrows as she goes until she's next to Obi. ]

Here, I'll help hand you arrows to shoot with!

[ Maybe a little too intensely helpful there, Minako. Don't ruin Obi's precious silence.. ]

[snowywolf]

Gathering for the Hunt
[ Gralat has, in fact, participated in hunting before. Both for survival, and for sport (the latter of which he finds ridiculous, but politics are politics). He's already had the time to test the dogs that came with the temple he's currently inhabiting, in the forest that lays on the grounds.

So there are five dogs there with him- two Norwegian elkhounds, one karakachan bear dog, one keeshond, and one chow chow... He does not know the true names of any of the breeds and the orange fluff ball looks far from any hound he's ever worked with before. The elkhounds are the closest to what he is used to.

They're a bit more friendly than he is, too.

He's not here to help. He's here to fill his pantry.

The dogs seem to think that they're here to socialize, though. They have behaved as hunting dogs in the forest before but now that they're surrounded by people before setting out....

They seem excited and are not shy about greeting strangers. ]

Ready Aim Fire
[ Falconry is familiar to Gralat as well. He's the second in command to the Emperor's tomboy niece, so of course he has participated in the sport before. Though it's not this exact sort of falconry, of course, it's more or less the same.

The dogs are laying on the ground watching, used to birds and not snapping after them because of the poultry at the farm-like temple, though as usual they'll turn their attention toward anyone approaching, happy tails and curious ears in action. Miija the soulless shinki is rubbing the bellow of one furry beast, staying out of his gods way.

Meanwhile, Gralat is familiarizing himself with the bird, and then is expertly handling it, once it comes to giving hunting with them a shot. ]

The Great Hunt I
[ Though he is still wounded, a bow does not expend a lot of energy if you know how to use it, and Gralat does. (Plus, the people of Ellvaldez are sturdy, stubborn creatures, not stopped by some little tiger beast bites.) The kukri at his waist, accompanied by the falcata shape that Miija takes (he has heard that there were ayakashi in these woods before, and why should they be gone now?), are also not difficult to use with the hand attached to his uninjured shoulder.

Once they set out the dogs do know how to behave themselves properly- though if they come across a person rather than the game they're after they will stop to say hello- and are working to flush out prey to shoot. If you make yourself known, even if just saying hello to whichever eager doggo found your hiding spot (though you might not be hiding at all, or hiding from something less pleasant), you won't be mistaken for prey. ]

The Great Hunt II
[ The deeper they head into the forest the more uncertain the dogs become, and they all try to press up against any human (or otherwise safe) legs nearby, almost tripping people up on occasion. Something is certainly going on, further in.

Though Gralat shouldn't head too far in, he is seeking entertainment now that he is stuck in this world, and perhaps he might find something interesting inside the darkness.

He should probably tie up his hair before they encounter something really dangerous, though, as it is very long and keeps getting stuck in reaching branches. ]

Gathering for the Hunt

[unlucky7]

[There sure are a lot of friendly dogs looking for attention. The chow chow approaches Ginia first and while Ginia is busy petting it, the keeshond and bear dog follow. This is the furthest thing from a problem as they bump and jump up at her, Ginia keeping her balance and gamely pushing them back down as she continues to pet them.]

[welcome_home]

Gathering for the Hunt

[ Nanako hadn't been certain she'd come today, because 'going hunting' didn't really sound like something she wanted to do. but getting to see her fellow gods and shinki and all her friends ends up being too great a lure to ignore, so here she is.

For the early part of the gathering, she can be found on a bright yellow blanket with a stack of bento nearby, ready to be shared and enjoyed with anyone who wants to come join her. She's quite clearly delighted over these, and may be peeking inside each of the bento to see what each one holds, her curiosity getting the better of her. And also, there's some really cute food in there! ]

The Great Hunt (Sorta)

[ Later, when she hears about the sika deer that are sacred and must be protected, Nanako may wander a little way into the forest, remembering everything Roxas had taught her about this. She's specifically looking for the sacred deer herself, rather than those that need to be hunted, and when she finds them, she offers them a bit of food. Which they all seem quite eager to take her up on!

This trend continues as the little goddess wanders through the forest and somehow.... the deer seem to be multiplying as she goes? Is there a deer grapevine in here that spreads the word someone is handing out food? Who knows, but there's starting to be an actual herd following the little goddess as she searches, all of them looking for handouts.

At least this is getting them out of the way of the hunt? ]

The Great Hunt

[unlucky7]

[Ginia is on the hunt for deer, but specifically for the sika to keep them safe. Nature will take its course and naturally cull the herd, but if she can prevent anyone from hurting them during the hunt, all the better. She's traveling tree to tree when she spots a sika deer... and another... and another...

It's an impressive little herd following a young goddess. Ginia whistles lightly to catch Nanako's attention, carefully leaping over to the front of the group and climbing down. A few smell the vegetables and grain crackers in her backpack. Ginia gently pushes them away as she takes out her phone to type and play a quick message.]

Where are you taking them?

[myblueskies]

Before the Hunt

Romeo has never been a hunt before! He's not sure what it will be like at all so he's quite excited as he begins the gathering. It's a lot of hustle and bustle and he listens carefully to the shinki explaining about the different kinds of deer.

He's a bit worried about getting it wrong, he doesn't want to hurt the sacred deer! "Maybe we should just stick to hunting the boar. That way we don't get it wrong." But they had said they had to hunt the other deer as well...

"Or maybe we could draw pictures of both! Then people can check!"

Ready Aim Fire

Romeo has never fired a bow before and for a while he just watches as the archers practice. It looks really hard but also really fun. The bows are huge though, almost bigger than he is!

He watches for a while before going closer, going over to one of the bows to pick it up. Joss had suggested he learned to shoot a bow so he should probably at least try.

He carries it over to where the line was, one of the shinki had told him lots and lots of rules about not crossing the line and not walking where people were shooting, and looked around trying to copy how everyone was holding it.

"So it goes up like this and then the arrow goes that way and..."

Falconry!

He's even more fascinated by the falconry, he watches the birds and the people flying them. He hadn't known you could persuade big birds like that to fly where you told them!

At first he had thought they were shinki, but it soon came apparent that they were actual birds.

"Wow!" He watched one fly overhead. "They're so big!" It was amazing they could fly at all!

The Great Hunt

He really wants to go into the forest, but he knows he shouldn't go on his own. So he is standing near the edges, looking for anyone he knows who looks like they might be going in to try hunting!

He's a little unsure about killing animals, but he ate animals all the time so that was okay. Even if he did have some animal friends. He guessed this was another big question, there was a lot of those in his head!

"Are you going to hunt?" He spots someone! Maybe this can be his chance!

Ready Aim Fire

[pure_radiantics]

"Hey Romeo!" Kairi swings by carrying the same bow she had at the Book Party. Granted, she's not any kind of proper marksman with it yet, but today she's trying. She gives him a chance, but sees he's struggling, so she decides to politely start an offer for help. "... How's it going? With your archery today."

[priforprince]

[ I. A Different Sort of Hunt ]



[ A topless purple limousine is parked two blocks away from the headquarters of the Fujisaki corporation, major stakeholder in the erstwhile department store fire (and several other grievous plots). Shikyoin Hibiki is seated in the back, typing on two laptops at once. Her nose is slightly red, and her eyes seem squintier than even her usual arrogant air.

She touches a hand to her ear, speaking in a low - and somewhat blunted? - voice. ] I see it. Commence the infiltration.

[ Over at the Fujisaki building, the doors open to admit a staff member. And a small purple stuffed goat toy wearing an exceptionally dashing pair of sunglasses slips inside in their wake. Another goat takes its place, awaiting the next opportunity to enter.

Hibiki sniffs. ] As blind as always. This company is woefully incapable of recognizing its best interesssssACHOO!!

[ --What an untoward, unwelcome occurrence. Hibiki muffles the sneeze in a hand, then pulls out a handkerchief, frowning. Has she grown allergic to incompetence....? The alternative, catching a pold, is more disturbing.

Inside the building, the goat rolls into an elevator. Operation ACCESS THE SERVER ROOM is underway. ]

[ Ready Aim Fire ]

Pathetic.



[ Thus judges the mighty God of Fortune, over a steaming mug with her horse Maxie's face on it. She's hunched up in her armchair off to the side, one knee propped up and the other tucked beneath her. And she's wrapped in a blanket.

Behold: the burrprito. ]

I'd thought a live viewing of intense competition would rejuvenate me, but your showing is tepid as a dog's water dish knocked over in the shade.

[ The worst has, indeed, come to pass. Overexposed to the presence of Small Children because her ardent follower Misa managed to track her down on her latest movie set and drag her to a little girl's tea party, the barricades of Hibiki's celebrity constitution have collapsed, giving rise to a pold. (Not the common pold, however, mind you. This is a celebrity pold.) And not even the sight of archery, one of the god Apollo's specialties, can excite her!

Whoever will be the one to restore the flame to the Prince's quenched heart? ]

[ The Great Hunt ]

[ The day wears on, and her pold worsens. Intolerable. Not to be borne.

Hibiki has therefore produced the Hibiki substitute doll, setting it up with a bow and arrow deep in the heart of the forest: the god Apollo, on the hunt. But, given her attractive and winsomely feverish state, the act of putting it in place sends a wave of dizziness washing over her, and she collapses facefirst into its lap.



As the helpless narcissist thus lies prostrate in her own arms, the underbrush rustles. And far more pairs of eyes than any one creature should possess gleam out - preparing to charge! ]

The great hunt

[myblueskies]

Line! [Was that Hibiki? And Hibiki? Two Hibiki's? And an ayakashi... That was the important bit, miss Hibiki was in trouble! Romeo could help! That wasn't a real boar because it had too many eyes! It was a bad ayakashi and it wanted to eat Hibiki!

Well Romeo wouldn't let it! He held the borderline firm.] Miss Hibiki! Quick!

[hypomeneo]

Gathering for the Hunt

[The picnic finds Waver subdued, with an air of melancholy. Waking up to find Satya gone was... gutting. Running through the contact list to find others gone just added to the weight. And the thought of one day waking up in the dirt...

He's trying not to dwell. Trying to keep the intensity of the emotions down so they don't transmit. Breathe in. Breathe out. Let go. Push it all out with each pass of air through his lungs. Exemplar, huh? He could never be Satya (Kayneth). It's a complicated ache he's not allowed to understand. Breathe in. Breathe out. Let go.

Right now he has a duty to Iskandar. That's the priority right now. And picking at his bento. It's good food but it seems to have lost its flavor.]

Ready, Aim, Fire

Trying to cheer me up? [Waver's voice is soft as the falcon on his arm headbutts his hand for pets after feeding it a bit of meat for fetching him a rabbit. Unusual behavior for a Peregrine; aren't they standoffish birds? This one's so eager to please. Even a novice like him can tell this is one very unusually friendly bird.] Aren't you supposed to be snapping my fingers off, hmm?

[He hesitantly strokes the bird's head with a finger.]

Or are you just wanting more meat....

[Later, Waver is found at the firing range with a bow and listen... it's clear he's not done this before, and listen... that might not be the right bow for him at all given how he's accidentally snapped the bowstring in his face... and oh dear, look at that face.

Help him? If you dare approach the cloud of utter frustration surrounding him.]

The Great Hunt

[Magic's an appropriate hunting tool, right? Waver has a knife, but you might want to encourage him take a more appropriate weapon if you don't know that mystic fact.

(to which he'll reply - unless you're a certain someone - he owns none save that knife and knows how to use none)

Given he's taking senbei and ribbon with him, you may also be excused he means to tag the deer alone. Or be surprised he's doing this in the first place if you catch him in the rare moments when he's not close to Iskandar - Waver seems more at home hunting through a library by the look of him, rather than hunting game.

Perhaps you ought to intervene and give him a few tips?]

Gathering for the Hunt

[unlucky7]

[Once, they agreed the next time they talked, they'd keep to a lighter topic, especially over food. But as Ginia - dressed casually for a day outdoors - comes by with a bento in her hands and spots Waver's expression...

She digs through her pocket and finds some spare change. Taking a seat in front of him, Ginia flicks a 500 yen coin into his forehead. There, the first payment for their depression jar.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[a: gathering]

[Once Shun hears what the bulk of this is, he isn't really interested in participating in it. Hunting of the kind that mostly involves humans (or dogs, for that matter) has too many negative associations for him, and he can't bring himself to step in as part of it.

However, those who go out into the forest and end up attacking any of the Sika deer, whether accidentally or intentionally, may find their efforts intervened with by a blue robotic bird holding its flat wings akin to a shield. Those who have seen Shun's Raid Raptors before might recognise his style, but otherwise, it's a seemingly random intervention...and while the bird doesn't appear aggressive right now, it lets out something of a grinding metallic chitter when it's hit.]

--

[b: ready aim fire]

[Shun was never going to not participate in falconry to some degree, especially since he's used some similar techniques in his training of the vultures that live around his temple. As such, he's well aware of the proceedings and methods of handling, though he doesn't bother with the gloves usually used either, since he knows from experience his coat is sturdy enough to withstand talons biting at it.

Even though he's trying to focus on working with a single falcon, a few of the other birds have followed him off to the side (specifically, the other falcons, as opposed to the hawks and various other birds of prey available). The result is that it ends up looking much like he has an audience, and after a while, he gives an irritated sigh and offers his other arm out so one or two of them can hop up onto it as well.

And then he immediately turns to anyone who looks like they might be able to take some of this business off his hands.] If you're trying this too, you might as well take one of these ones, if they're this ready to go.

--

[c: the great hunt]

[Shun's mostly been going through the forest to spot and defend any wrongly targeted Sika, but once he picks up the presence of the ayakashi deer, that definitely goes on his radar as well. And he definitely needs some more experience using some of his new shinki on the battlefield rather than just in practice.

He can be spotted jumping through the trees with a long poleaxe held in one hand. Those who ever saw Ren in a fight may recognise it as having been one of his shinki vessels, but rather than the black metal it had been with Ren, for Shun the weapon is a deep golden. The ease with which he wields it indicates he's been practicing with it, at least, which might be reassuring when the bellow of a blighted, enraged ayakashi deer emerges through the trees and Shun pauses on his branch.]

Another one, then. But if you're out here I assume you're prepared to deal with an actual fight. [Shun gives an aside glance to whoever happens to be nearby. He's not fond of the hunt proper and it's obvious, but an angry ayakashi is a legitimate risk.]

--

[d: wildcard]

[[I'm open to doing "a different sort of hunt" prompts, especially as Shun does have one specific overseas cultist location and is aware of them having operated in Egypt as well, but please hit me up about those first by PM or at reviseleviathan so I can write a proper starter!]]

The Great Hunt

[unlucky7]

[The bottle of blessed water in her hand and a borderline springing into shimmering wall below should be good enough of an answer. Ginia eyes the poleaxe. She's never seen Ren in a fight, but knowing Shun took his boyfriend's soulless shinki in, it's not a hard guess.

The deer bellows again, lowering its head to ram into the borderline. Bouncing off it, it stomps the ground in agitation.]

I can lure it into a better position if you want to stab it from above. Or we can lure it somewhere less dense.

[There's no controlling what a shinki's vessel form is, but there's no denying it's not the best weapon for a thick forest like this too.]

OTA!

[pure_radiantics]

Gathering for the Hunt
[ Kairi tucks into her bento lunch leaning up against the nearest tree, where someone might happen by to greet her, but eventually she'll walk around and say hi to other folks as well. She understands why this place is scary to some, but she spent too long in the forests next to Roxas's temple to feel the same way. So anyone looking particularly unnerved would be priority number one.

After the explanation is over though, she's amazed at the idea of the sacred deer. ]

... Just like Roxas's...

[ Her head starts to whip around, trying to listen for anyone who's definitely planning to go out protecting deer. If they're someone who could ride Nimbus with her, so much the better. ]

Ready Aim Fire: Head to Head!
[ While Kairi does spend a fair bit of time gawking around the falcons and falconers, she has her eye more on the archery. Anyone who saw her at the Book Party might not be surprised by why either. Blame Roxas. ]

Uhm, excuse me, do you have any tips before I get started? I'd like to do a decent job when I challenge someone else to this.

[ She's a little nervous, but mainly she doesn't want to waste someone else's time, while also indulging in a curiosity about one of Roxas's pastimes. Besides, she knows that she's not going out hunting for animals, no matter how hard she tries. ]

A Different Sort of Hunt: Looking for Group
[ Kairi mills around the spot where a lot of the newer gods and shinki are gearing up. ]

Anyone looking for an extra pair of hands? I'm good in a pinch, I promise! Especially if you're a shinki I can cast spells with.

[ She's trying to be just loud enough to be heard without being too obnoxious. Kairi really wants to help out, especially considering she can feel when the really bad, powerful ayakashi are nearby. ]

gathering

[nopixiedust]

It's funny, isn't it?

[That would be Wendy, bobbing out of the crowd and to Kairi's side. Hibiki is feeling like absolute garbage, unfortunately, but she's pretty sure her god can survive for like five minutes without supervision. Maybe not much longer than that, but... Five minutes at least.]

At the sanctuary, there are some sacred birds over there, too. The chickens and roosters, you know? I guess they have something to do with Amaterasu. I'm not really sure of the story behind that.

OTA!

[royaltyloyalty]

Gathering for the Hunt
[ Dokugakuji has a little picnic blanket all to himself for his assembled group! There's him, his two soulless shinki, Shinji, and the newest temple addition Dust. Now, they're not all there at the same time mind you, but you can definitely see them all chatting at certain times.

For his part, he's poking a little fun at the bento boxes. ]

This would hardly count as a whole meal for soldiers you're about to send into the field where I'm from, but then you wouldn't know the next time you'd have a good meal either. I guess they want us keeping light and not too bogged down.

Ready Aim Fire: Challenge!
[ Now, Dokugakuji's not about to win any marksmanship tournaments, but he does know how to fire a bow. Standard training as a leader of Kougaiji's army. So he picks up the weapon and even inspects it to see if it's properly strung. He's mildly disappointed that it was just because he was ready to show off.

Picking up an arrow in his hand, he calls out to passersby. ]

How 'bout it? Best out of 3 rounds?

The Great Hunt
[ The bit of fun had, Dokugakuji's ready to go out hunting for these big boar and deer they're supposed to be clearing out. He'd much rather have Shinji or Dust at his side the whole time, but on the off-chance they're not there, he's got his Soulless Shinki onhand at least. A sword and an old-fashioned lamp.

As a god, of course he can teleport, but he'll look towards a potential hunting partner first: ]

Any preferences on where we go hunting?

gathering

[kokuyoyo]

....I didn't know we were fighting for a war. But if you don't want it-

[There's absolutely no need for Chikusa to steal anyone's food, considering there is fucking plenty of it, and he almost definitely ate breakfast this morning alongside Hakkai and Ken. Yet, here we are, with him blinking down slowly at Dokugakuji.]

[If there's one thing shitteens can be counted on, it's apparently having limitless stomachs even if they weren't dead.]

[kokuyoyo]

A - Ready Aim Fire

[There's a lot about this celebration today that has Chikusa feeling wary, but he deals with it well enough as things go on with Votelli and Sotero. Once that's all settled and he's made sure he's filmed the whole thing, he wastes no time in going to nose around the rest of the areas. Hunting in the forest will come in due time- by which he means he'll make his way there eventually to make sure that Ken hasn't killed anything he isn't supposed to.]

[What ends up catching his attention are the group of gods with their birds of prey. Falconry, huh? Well, if they're talking bird excellence...]

[Chikusa immediately turns on his heel to go hunt down Hakkai.]

[Not too long afterwards, and everyone's attempts to try out or watch takagari hit something of a snag. That snag comes in the form of a sudden rush of mist- or maybe it's fog? It's a whole lot of cloudy something, at the very least. It's only people who manage to get just in the right angle or are outside the mist entirely who will realize that this is far from a natural weather phenomenon but rather an enormous crane, formed almost entirely out of this peculiar fog. The only things which seem a little more sturdy would be its long pale beak... and the pair of brilliant blue eyes that are surveying all of this.]

[Birds, technically, can't really emote. Because of their face, and all. That basic fact of biology and reality doesn't seem to be stopping this one from almost radiating smug satisfaction.]

[HOW YOUR TAKAGARI GO, THE HEAVENS? PRETTY GOOD, IT DOESN'T SEEM.]

B - For the Hunt

[Chikusa is not only 100% certain that Ken has already gone off ahead of him, he's 100% certain that he sped off before literally any of Heaven could tell him of the rules beyond the animals he could hunt. As his boyfriend's keeper, Chikusa has set off to make sure that Ken doesn't drag in more trouble than they need.]

[...Says the teenager who needlessly antagonized Heaven by turning into a giant bird.]

[Either way, for those who are trying to hunt in the forest, they'll be minding their own business... before Chikusa almost seems to appear out of nowhere to whisper from directly behind the hunter.]

Have you seen Ken?

[Hope he didn't terrify you or anything. He's just horrifically silent like that- there's a reason the world's greatest hitman once acknowledged his ability.]

[ALTERNATIVELY...]

[There's a boar or deer right in sight- in range of a weapon, about to wander into a trap set, whatever. However, before the animal can be hunted, a blur of blond hair and green clothes bursts through the underbrush and tackles the thing into bushes or chases after it.]

[And right there after it, drawing up a borderline between the chase and a would-be hunter? That's Chikusa, taking his sweet time in comparison. He makes sure to make eye contact- or his best approximation of it, if the opponent is 'hidden'.]

...That's ours now.

C - Wildcard

[Chikusa isn't game for a lot of stuff, but really, who cares about what he thinks? I'm game for any other prompts, these are just the ones I could think of immediately.]

B

[reloves]

[ Honestly, it helps that Minako isn't here to hunt as much as she just wanted to run around and maybe kick some ayakashi butt if she happened to run into one. She's been sitting still for way too long while Zelda was asleep, and now Zelda is awake again she has a lot of excess energy suddenly rolling in to spend on these kinds of activities.

Her not being here to hunt means she's not totally on guard or trying to listen for the tiniest sounds. So while Chikusa appearing out of seemingly nowhere is still plenty surprising, it at least doesn't super startle her. It just makes her eyes wide as she turns to look at him before her facial expression returns to normal. ]

Ken? Did the two of you get separated?

ota, will match style CN: blood and gore

[dredefulchilde]

Gathering for the hunt

Joscelin wraps his scarf tighter around his neck as he impatiently waits for the hunt to begin. Heaven is actually allowing him to kill mostly indiscriminately--this is a rare opportunity not to be missed and he's itching for the fight.

But the main event seems to be hours off and they've set up a picnic. Hunting luncheon. Whatever. The boy stretches out on a blanket by himself, feeling somewhat self-conscious in the kimono and hakama Ayumu dressed him in this morning. Toyo looks positively adorable in hers, and Ayumu is as beautiful as always, but he isn't so sure about what kind of figure a shrimp of a ten year old boy cuts in traditional Japanese clothing. Probably not a terribly impressive one. He thinks that hunting in his usual clothes would probably be more comfortable, but he's just so thrilled to be back with Ayumu again he didn't even think to argue.

He loads up on bento and sweets and tucks in with obvious enthusiasm. Except...

"Are you going to finish that cake?"

Ready Aim Fire

It turns out that Joscelin can add falconry to the long list of things he seems to be able to do. He's a natural with the birds, and it isn't long before he's made several kills with it. The bird preens herself as he feeds her choice gibbets of meat, and the sight makes him smile. It's an oddly nostalgic feeling, watching her.

He hears a sound behind him and snaps back to reality.

"Who's there?"

The Great Hunt

Finally, the main event. Joscelin couldn't help grinning as he was given weapons and instructions not to kill the holy deer and set loose. And then it was time to kill.

An hour later he can be found deep in the forest, next to the corpse of a wild boar. How such a small child could take down so fearsome a creature is anyone's guess, but...it's immediately obvious that he isn't just a small child after all.

Joscelin's face has changed. His eyes shine with a manic joy as he drinks the creature's blood, fangs fully extended. The outfit that Ayumu had so carefully prepared for him this morning is a ruin of gore and filth. There's blood everywhere. His face, particularly his mouth, is covered in it. It's in his hair, on his hands, streaking down his front.

And then there's the laughter. It's unhinged, cold and gleeful.

Approach at your own risk. You might want to get out while you still can.

The Great Hunt

[junkyarddog]

Joscelin may be surprised when a kindred spirit runs into the clearing...not the least of which because he runs in on all fours.

Ken is in Wolf Channel right now, and glorying in it. He doesn't look much better than Joscelin himself does(although it's clear no one bothered to dress him nicely first); his entire front is sprayed with what is obviously drying blood, and it's smeared around his mouth except for the places where he's obviously licked or wiped it away, none too neatly. There's blood on his claws, too - which, like his fangs, are bigger than Joss may remember them being. Really, it's obvious that the two of them have been engaging in fairly similar activities, and probably having equivalent amounts of fun.

Not exactly similar, though. Ken had been attracted to the smell of blood and laughter, coming to investigate, and now that he's here he stops, watching Joscelin with undisguised curiosity. He's never seen somebody do that before...

That stirs some of his less essential memories, the kind of memories even shinki get to keep when they come to the heavens. Things like information they learned while they were alive, even if it may be shorn of context. Ken doesn't precisely remember the circumstances under which he learned this, but he definitely knows there's a word for people who drink blood.

"Are you a vampire or something?" he asks curiously.

Despite the crazed laughter, it hasn't occurred to Ken that Joss might not be entirely in his right mind at this exact second.

[reformedsinner]

The Great Hunt

[Hakkai hasn't been participating actively in the hunt-- he's wearing a sword at his side and moving through the underbrush in eerie silence, but he's not going after any of the animals, tame or wild.

A sword isn't the best weapon to be using, in any case. He is keeping a sharp eye out, and dropping by if he hears any sounds that suggest that something other than an animal is in distress.

One of those noises turns out not to be a human -- or god, or shinki -- after all. It's a powerfully built stag, shrieking in a voice that could be mistaken for a woman's as it stamps violently at something, some smaller animal perhaps, long-since trampled into the mud. The discolored stains spreading over the deer's hide, and the eyes rolling from its shoulder and hip, explain the creature's unnatural rage.

He barely has time to draw his sword before one of those rolling eyes fixes on him, and the stag abandons its prey to wheel around and plunge towards him.

A smile cuts his face as he slashes towards the creature, feinting to the left. This might be more than a one-man fight, but Hakkai seems very willing to try it alone....]


A Different Hunt

[OOC: I'm open for Hakkai hunting down cultists with any other characters! Hit me up on Plurk at tinwateringcan if you want to do any plotting, but please feel free to tag in with their arriving anywhere in the world to investigate.]

[bakusatsuo]

[As it happens, Hakkai isn't going to be fielding it alone. A sharp, bright flash and an angry crack of sound explode off to Hakkai's right, blasting in the deer's direction, and the ayakashi shrieks angrily before wheeling away. It runs in a small circle before drawing to a halt, facing Hakkai and this new assailant with its head half-lowered, assessing the new and unexpected threat.

Said threat is Bakugou, striding out of the trees with a black look in his eyes, but a wicked grin on his lips. This is the first chance he's had to let loose since Zhao was taken away from him, and he's not going to miss the chance to take out his rage on deserving targets.]

What, you trying to keep all the fun for yourself? [He's barely glancing sideways at Hakkai, but the comment is evidently aimed at him.]

[chibisu]

A - Gathering for the Hunt

[Things were perhaps a little... stressful, waiting for Heaven's dealings with Votelli and Sotero. When they're finally done with, it's like lifting a weight from their shoulders, Ebisu has to say. Now all they have to deal with is the cult.]

[But that's a more long term issue than anything else. For right now, Ebisu will take a victory where he can find it, beaming as he and his full retinue of shinki set up a small picnic area of their own. Mostly it seems as though most of them are packing up bento and small packs of snacks for those aiming to go into the forest. Kimi in particular seems to be keeping a careful eye on where Sotero is.]

[Whenever Ebisu sees anyone who looks like they're getting ready to head for into the forest, whether for hunting or just plain exploring, he tries to wave them over. Mostly it's his shinki who seem to be doing any delicate work... but he's helping to stack boxes! That's something!]

Excuse me! You're going into the forest, aren't you?

B - Ready Aim Fire

[Ebisu isn't encouraged to go hunting into the forest for... fairly obvious reasons. However, that ends up suiting him and a couple of his shinki just fine once they see what activities that have been set up for those staying behind. Unmi and Aomi are two of his older shinki- amongst some of his oldest, really, although Aomi doesn't look it himself. That means the activities that have been set out today appeal to their strengths, and Ebisu can be seen trailing alongside his two shinki.]

[Whether it's archery or takagari, which Aomi and Unmi have interests in specifically, Ebisu approaches anyone else showing an interest in the activities.]

Do you plan to challenge anyone?

C - Wildcard

[While Ebisu isn't inclined to hunting, because he's a small clumsy child of a god, I can still make up something if anyone wants to see him there.]

B

[unlucky7]

[It's probably not the biggest surprise Ginia is among those trying archery given her propensity toward athletics. It's maybe more a surprise Ginia knows kyudo. Her motions are on the stiffer side, but it's clear someone taught her all the proper steps and she's diligently following them. Her arrow flies into the target a few inches off center, hand and bow lowering with an accepting calm.

She turns and acknowledges her god and coworkers with a small nod, considering Ebisu's question as she pulls out her phone. Physically, she's fine and her trip into the woods has left her unharmed, but there's a bit of tension in the way she rocks on her heels, a hint of conflict in her expression.]

Probably not. I'm incredibly rusty and can't say I'm in the mood for competition. What about you two?