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

[hypomeneo]

Don't feel like it. Shit just happened.

[Waver raises an eyebrow; you'd think the bento had sprouted legs and was preparing to run. At least it isn't going to waste, though.

... then he decides to give a bit of a further explanation.]

Satya's gone.

[kokuyoyo]

...Ah.

[Chikusa pauses for a brief moment at that, food halfway up to his mouth. He knows her. Well, he didn't know her, but they had played a card game together, and there's no dismissing the bonding capabilities of the Pizza Van of No Morals. And yet... He hadn't really known her.]

[...And he has no idea what to say. It takes him a moment.]

Why are you here then...?

[hypomeneo]

[Why is he here when every inch of him broadcasts Peak City Boy, and this is not his usual scene, even before taking into account the grief. Well, it's partly because it's not his usual scene and it's an escape... and...]

Iskandar shouldn't be alone.

And hunting should prove good emotional relief for him right now.

[There's no therapy like murder therapy, no?]

[kokuyoyo]

[That is also something Chikusa understands, with how close he is to Ken. There were some things that they couldn't leave one another alone for, no matter how much it might have been detrimental to their own individual health. Chikusa continues to eat quietly, surveying Waver.]

...And you?

[Murder therapy is certainly very effective, in Chikusa's book.]

[hypomeneo]

I don't know yet.

I like chasing things, though usually it's through detective work. I have no problems killing animals.

[People are more complicated. Waver is disturbed with his own capacity for violence. Especially as his enjoyment of being in a fight grows.

And the revelation of the traitor is certainly going to piss him off not just for treason reasons, but fucking with children berserk button issues for one.]

Maybe it will help me vent too. If not... then I'm going have to find something else.

[When your proven coping mechanisms in life were chain smoking, drinking, and being a workaholic because there are no therapists in the toxic viper pit that is Mage Society and it's not paranoia, everyone is out to get you on every conceivable level...

... developing those healthier ways to process grief is a challenge. Especially when being shinki is a direct obstacle to such for many reasons. Especially when that grief is approaching trauma too complex to be dealt with as a shinki. Especially when part of the burden is concern for a lover's mental health, and worry over what happens when the thing that is looking more and more inevitable by the day happens if he can't escape his situation.]

[kokuyoyo]

Mm. Well, that usually does something for the part of the brain... that's attached to adrenaline.

...Have you tried using your mouth or bare hands...?

[It's.... a pretty fucking gross and horrible decision, even Chikusa is aware of that. However, hey, listen. Either Waver will become turned to the base animal part of his brain, like Chikusa's boyfriend, who is all animal brain, or he'll be so disgusted that he'll stop being miserable for five minutes.]

[There's no real downsides.]

[Besides all the blood.]

[Alternatively... Working through some more food, Chikusa chews thoughtfully.]

...Write?

1/?

[hypomeneo]

[









...]

[hypomeneo]

[








wtf.]

[hypomeneo]

[















WHAT THE EVER LIVING FUCK!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!]

Done

[hypomeneo]

What. The bloody fuck, Chikusa?!

[ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!






... well, he'll stop being miserable about Satya for those five minutes.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Hey Waver, do you have a drink around here anywhere, Chikusa could use something to wash this down with- oh. That's why he was quiet for that long. Chikusa slowly blinks at him, with all the hurry of a lazy cat.]

[Which is to say fucking none]

...It's an option. [He's not saying it's a great option but] Do you need to see proof in action....?

[hypomeneo]

[MAKING SPAZZ NOISES.





The booze is his. CHUG.]

Why the hell not?

[Because you're gonna show him anyway.]

[kokuyoyo]

[What a motherfucker, taking all the booze for himself. Well, whatever. Chikusa still has the bento, which he keeps firmly in one hand as he pushes himself up onto his feet proper instead of crouching in place.]

Then let's go.

[What? There's no point in waiting around. Besides... Chikusa isn't the one who's going to be providing the demonstration.]

[The second they were told what to hunt and what not to hunt, Ken shot off almost immediately, and Chikusa almost isn't sure if he remembered to steal some food or not on the way out. Frankly, it was a struggle keeping him in place even then, since it had been common knowledge that hunting would be an activity. So he has no doubt, as he begins to lead Waver towards the forest, that his boyfriend has already gotten completely filthy in all manner of ways... and likely in rather bloody ways, too.]

[He doesn't say anything as he leads Waver deeper and deeper into the forest, just casually eats while he walks with no particular worry in the world apparent. It's after the noise of the gathering is long behind them, not even echoes reaching them, does he pause and swallow his latest bite.]

[This... should be far enough in. Putting the chopsticks down on top of his bento, he reaches up and lets out a shrill piercing whistle.]

Ken!

[...That should probably get his attention. If not, Chikusa guesses they'll just keep watching, but he has more faith in his boyfriend's five senses.]

[junkyarddog]

[It won't take long; not when Ken has access to something like Cheetah Channel. Within thirty seconds of the whistle, something can be heard crashing through the underbrush some distance away - and approaching rapidly. Far faster than any boar or deer has a right to move. And moments later, Ken is literally skidding into view, putting on the brakes so hard he actually digs furrows in the ground with his bare heels. (Not that his feet notice or care about this; Ken goes barefoot almost constantly, and as a result his feet are as tough as nails.)

He's panting, looking momentarily worried as he takes in Chikusa and then - once he confirms there's nothing wrong - settles into merely curious, with a touch of leftover exuberance from all his activity today.] What'd you call for, Kakipi?

[To say Chikusa's predictions were accurate is an understatement. Ken is spattered all over with mud, his hands and feet are filthy...and from his mouth to his waist, from his fingertips to his elbows, he's positively soaked with blood. He's both too energetic and too obviously at ease for there to be any doubt that none of it is his.]

[hypomeneo]

[He swiped that booze fair and square! ... and it's coming with him!

Since he is not a Disney Princess (CHRIS WHY!) thank you very much, there's no chirping birds or frolicking animals to be seen as they journey into the woods, despite his ability to make any creature his familiars. Instead he drinks as Chikusa eats.

... it's a wonder he doesn't spray wine everywhere when Ken shows up. Because... son.

...

...

...

... and it's worrying that with all his internal conflict with his own violence, that that sight doesn't throw him beyond the initial what the hell is that mess. That the beat of carnage seems to be normal.

He's going to wave while one hand has a death grip on the wine bottle.]

... hi there.

[kokuyoyo]

A demonstration.

[...Oh, right, he should possibly explain more. Chikusa does so, even as he takes out a piece of tamagoyaki out from the bento to throw at Ken. He has absolute and complete faith that he'll be able to catch it with his mouth.]

Waver... is this guy. He was thinking of killing things too.... so that he would feel better.

...Thought I'd show him how you did it.

[You know. In the most disgusting way possible.]

[junkyarddog]

[Ken studies Waver as though he's just noticed him; in fact, he was perfectly aware of him all along, his senses are too sharp to not at least subconsciously pick up on someone's presence when they're right beside him. He's slightly wary, mostly curious.]

I remember you, byon. [He sniffs the air, confirming the scent; scent memory, for him, is considerably stronger and more reliable than his mundane memory.] You were there when we fought all those ayakashi and those cult ladies.

[At the mention of killing things as stress relief, Ken grins broadly, letting his tongue hang rakishly out of his mouth. His long, black-tipped tail - just like a cheetah's - sweeps back and forth where he's crouched.] Killing stuff's fun, byon! The boars are the best, though. Deer're too easy, byon. Besides, if you wanna kill deer then you gotta make sure you're not killing the wrong ones, so boars're easier.

[He pauses suddenly, sitting up straighter and looking over at Chikusa.] Kakipi, there's ayakashi around! I smelled 'em! [He says this in tones of mingled alarm and offense.]

[hypomeneo]

[First off. More booze. Second off, nodding.]

Same. I saw how you got the drop on the old one. Nice moves there.

[He saw a lot through the eyes of his familiars. It took awhile to sort out everything from that night, starting with how to cut the links between him and those animals.]

I'm hoping it helps. I need to get a lot of things out. [It's not people, so it's okay, right? ... but he already knows he takes no pleasure in the death of people. It doesn't need to be pleasure though. Just a release.] And easy won't do anything for me, you know? So boars it is.

I just need to figure out how to do it.

[... ayakashi...]

Are there? [Waver's heart sinks. That's the last thing he needs today. For... multiple reasons.] Well. [He makes a thoughtful noise to cover up his feelings.] If we encounter any, I can just call Iskandar. He might appreciate the opportunity to eradicate them.

[kokuyoyo]

Not our problem.

[Well. That's certainly a quick shut down of the idea. Chikusa spends a second eyeing Waver's booze, as if pondering if he can steal it while chewing on his own bite, before moving on.]

Dealing with an ayakashi right now... seems troublesome. So... let's just avoid them right now.

[They don't need to bother Hakkai with this sort of nonsense, and there are plenty of other do-gooder types around who will take care of things eventually. For now, he finishes off the bento and closes it up.]

Ken... Can you find us a boar not near any ayakashi...? Don't jump it just yet...

[junkyarddog]

[Ken preens under Waver's praise a little.] I'm strong, byon! But they had a lot of dumb tricks, so Kakipi's spell helped me get close enough to get her. [For all the faith Ken has in his brawn, he's at least smart enough to recognize that a lot of obstacles would have been thrown in his way if they'd seen him coming.

When Chikusa speaks again, Ken turns back to him to listen, head cocked slightly in canine fashion as he listens to his partner's instructions. Then he grins, tail wagging shamelessly.] I can find a boar, byon! Do you want me to go find one and then get you guys, or do you want me to lead you? [The former will be easier, and quite possibly faster, for Ken to do, since he can go at his own pace without having to accommodate anyone else's presence. But it comes with drawbacks; the time saved might not be much when taking in Ken's having to come get them and lead them back into account, and the boar he finds might move in the meantime.]