[[Action Post]]

[biteoffherhead]

[Not far from the outskirts of the village, for any who have a tendency to venture into the forest, you'll find a trail of what looks like bandages, the fabric frayed and chewed off. The bandages, of course, have old, dried blood soaked into the weave, and so it lets off that icky metallic smell

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[one_green_eye]

[Ginko is seldom anywhere BUT the forest-- and he sees the blood. And follows it. Could be a person in need of help, but he doesn't call out-- just in case it's something else.

When he sees Moro, he freezes. The sight of the giant wolf is not so much of a surprise-- he's seen stranger-- but he has no idea what she's capable of. So he waits, with bated breath. Did she notice him?]

[biteoffherhead]

[She doesn't move her glance, but you can certainly hear a deep, primordial growl rumbling from her chest.]

[one_green_eye]

[Ohhh, he knows what that sound is. Moro herself might, perhaps, sense that there is something distinctly NOT human to that human scent of his.

Ginko stands very still-- trying to ascertain from her injuries whether it is safer to run. After a moment he decides to take a risk, and bows very low-- without taking his eye off of her.]

[biteoffherhead]

[Oh, she smells it. It's why you're still alive.]

...Face me.

[one_green_eye]

[He does so right away, his face calm-- even if his stomach is twisting. With fear or excitement-- probably a little of both. He says, quietly.]

I apologize for disturbing you.

[biteoffherhead]

[She inhaled, loudly, to indicate that he best stay put while she tried to decipher his scent.]

...What are you?

[one_green_eye]

[oh, he is rooted to that spot for sure-- how does he answer that? is it possible this creature might know of his world? he doubts it, but...]

My name is Ginko-- I am a mushishi.

[biteoffherhead]

[...Go on.]

[one_green_eye]

[..he pauses for a moment thinking of what else to say]

I came this way because I thought someone was hurt. [he inclines his head] But I would not presume to give aid to a god.

[biteoffherhead]

[...Oh man she seems so satisfied.]

So you recognize it.

[one_green_eye]

I do. I am no stranger to gods in my world.

[biteoffherhead]

One of a pitiful few.

Then you'll know the penalty of breaching my territory without my consent.

[one_green_eye]

[Ohhh boy-- what now? Inwardly, he recognized the irony of the god claiming this of all land--but gods are gods. And you don't argue with them.

His apprehension does not show on his face or in his voice, however. Because if it comes to it, he'd rather be cut down by a real god than killed in some experiment. He bows again, risking lowering his eyes to show his respect.]

Forgive me. As I said-- I thought someone had been hurt. And I have been displaced in this world from my own home without my own consent. This territory and its gods are foreign to me-- and thus its customs.

[biteoffherhead]

...I too have been taken from my home. These weak-spirited trees have become my new home. And I will protect this whispering forest with my full might.

[one_green_eye]

[That single green eye brightens at that--this is the most familiar thing he has come across in all his time here, and it makes him feel briefly as ease, despite the danger.

He muses...]

In my world I knew a mushishi who was forced to take on the role of a mountain god, when the great boar who was his predecessor died. In the end, he sacrificed his life to pass the task on to a creature more suited to it-- so that the land might remain healthy and protected.

The role of a god is not an easy one. It might mean nothing to you, from someone like me-- but thank you.

[biteoffherhead]

[She simply chuckles]

The forest of the life god is my true domain. It became fully my mission to protect it when Nago was slain by the greedy, repulsive humans.