[[Action]]

[biteoffherhead]

[There's something strange afoot, in luceti's forest. Namely that... it's bigger, in a chunk of land. The trees are remarkably taller, thicker, and generally of a different species of flora. It seems huge, towering over the natural Luceti forest, but it is only so large in area. Should you dare to venture into the massive trees, you'll

Comments

[action] - whoever?

[entaiho]

[The last few days have been slightly uncomfortable ones for Rokuta- the strange and changing scenery he can deal with, but the random encounters, not so much. The only saving grace is that the enemies thus encountered don't actually bleed, but it's still quite uncomfortable.

The forest, however... different, is still peaceful. He wanders for a bit, spends a while staring back at the odd spirits watching from the trees, and finally ends up deciding the island is the perfect place to take a nice, relaxing nap. So that's where he'll be, head pillowed against Rikaku's side, and dozing comfortably in the sunlight.]

You get Moro! San may jump in later? Who knows!

[biteoffherhead]

[Moro isn't sure what to do, ultimately, when she finds him resting on what resembles the Forest Spirit's island. After a while of thought, she wades into the water to get close, not setting foot on the island at all. She wasn't sure if it was the Forest Spirit's island, still.]

... Rokuta.

[entaiho]

[Rikaku reacts first to Moro's presence, watching the wolf alertly but without overt wariness, and not bothering to wake the sleeping kirin. At the sound of her voice, though, Rokuta stirs, opening his eyes just a crack at first before waking up enough to realize she's there. That's when he'll sit up, trying to pretend that he wasn't sleeping or anything even though he still looks a little drowsy.]

Moro? Nn. Good afternoon?

[biteoffherhead]

That island belongs to the Forest Spirit.

[A short pause...]

...in my own home, at the very least. You are much greater than I, but your companion would not be permitted to touch the soil.

[entaiho]

This island?

[Give him half a second to process that, since he just woke up, but then he'll blink and give Rikaku a look. The shirei flicks his tails once in response, then disappears back into the kirin's shadow.]

I apologize if I upset you- I didn't realize this was your forest. Er, your forest where you come from, I mean.

[biteoffherhead]

Yes. The Forest Spirit's mountain.

[She seems really happy about it, though. She missed her forest!]

[entaiho]

Huh. It's a nice forest.

[And it is, too. It has a different feel to it, but not an unpleasant one.]

What about those little white spirits in the trees? Are they from your home, too?

[biteoffherhead]

They are Kodama. Strong, healthy trees give birth to them.

[entaiho]

No shortage of those here. I like that.

[He pushes to his feet again, absently brushing off his clothing as he does. Moro doesn't seem offended by his presence there, but probably best not to push her.]

[biteoffherhead]

[If anything, she's a little anxious that he's on the island. The Forest Spirit is nowhere to be found, but... well. Some religious rituals are hard to take exception to.]

Now you understand why the forest here must be protected. Luceti's trees are weak.

[entaiho]

They're younger, too. Does that make a difference?

[He glances down at the water and wrinkles his nose slightly: it was a lot easier to get there by riding on Rikaku's back. It's probably best not to call his shirei back just to avoid a dunking, though, so he finally just breathes a faint sigh and slides into the water. Good thing he can swim.]

[forestpride]

[And San will indeed join them. It took her a bit to orient herself to home again. But once she found the pool, well. She swims to Moro's side, floating there in the water and looking at Rokuta.]

[biteoffherhead]

Only in the sense that the luceti trees have not been permitted to grow so old.

[entaiho]

So you protect them to give them that chance?

[He gives San a nod in greeting, or as much of one as he can manage while making his way through the water.]

[forestpride]

It will be many, many seasons before those trees match ours in strength.

[She's not nearly as high-tension in her home forest, you know]

[biteoffherhead]

[Moro just. Walks along the bottom, hahah.]

Many more if humans are not cautious. They've behaved so far, but I do not trust them as a whole to maintain that.