nysalogs | ❪ event ❫ spirited away

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❪ event ❫ spirited away

PRELUDE

I'll get straight to the point, Thesaens. Dranbu is in dire need of assistance. I have received confirmation that the disappearances we were investigating last month have... escalated. Be cautious as you make your way through Josa Forest. Ideally we could go straight through, but it seems the main entrance to Dranbu is overgrown with thorns and vines, and there's a bit of a glitch with the rail system - the train is having trouble recognizing the Dranbu station as a destination.

I've uploaded a homing beacon to your devices with this message. Once enough of you have arrived in Dranbu proper, it should communicate with the train and register it as a stop. With any luck, that will make getting back and forth much easier for you all from now on. Best of luck.

Entry to the forest is not only overgrown with vegetation, but seems to be growing at an increasingly alarming rate. Any attempts to clear the vines will be met with even larger ones growing in its place, and it only confirms Nurray's findings as true.

The only way in is across the sound from Nadril, entering the forest from its snowy back yard. It doesn't stay cold for long; as one ventures further into the forest, the snow will disappear, as though it was completely out of place in the first place. The red sun's warmth will take its place soon after— and before long, you'll feel too warm for the clothes you came with. That's when you know you've entered the heart of Josa Forest.

WITHIN THE FOREST

The forest seems to be thick with a profound presence that can’t be ascertained. While venturing through it, one will feel like there are being watched or followed. This feeling will only intensify as metallic-scented drops of rain begin to fall between the clearings in the trees. Unfortunately, what many don’t realize at this point is that this is how the forest itself eats. How it subsists and lives through the minds of those who eventually get lost in it. Wandering this far in is akin to walking into a lion’s jaw, or rather… straight to its stomach.

But, the forest has a way of making one stay. While it swallows someone up, it shows them sinfully beautiful and picturesque sights. Even showing them people or things that are familiar to the lost. All of which will urge them to go in deeper and deeper. But, while the forest begins to prey on the mind of their victim— they will suddenly hear an elegant and alluring voice urging them back.

This voice promises them comfort and safety. Promises to be kind and open. Promises she has a place for them where they will never feel displaced or unwanted, or lost. Before they can fully accept, they will find that they are whisked away in Barthala’s embrace.

Some will be taken, wiped of all their previous memories and inserted new ones. Others will find they have no prior memories at all of themselves, only urged to go on with regular life. What is prevalent is the forest's desire to turn you. Metamorphosis is a phenomenon that occurs only to certain individuals, and there is no rhyme or reason to them. Some adventurers would find themselves changing by the minute, the hour, or the process may even take days and weeks. The forest toys with you, but it only wants to draw you closer to its core — as though there's a story there it wants you to see and understand. Will you go on anyway, knowing the forest has already has its claws on you?

I. ALL ROADS LEAD TO —
Exploring the forest is not a perilous experience - Barthala's blessing ensures that paths remain clear of any dangerous obstacles, and keeps anyone who enters the woods from losing their way. However, it will not always lead adventurers where they want to go. Stressed? Your path leads to a meadow, grass drifting gently in the breeze. Tired? You'll find your way to a tree with roots perfectly curved for a nap, the shade a peaceful retreat from the sunlight. The hungry will find streams full of fish or bushes laden with berries, and the curious will come upon elder trees, unique and beautiful. Only those who are truly satisfied with their circumstances, with themselves, can forge their own path, and venture to Barthala's Grotto.

II. BARTHALA'S GROTTO —
The deity's home is host to an abundance of life. Butterflies drift through the air, brilliantly colored and unbothered by any intruders. Foliage blooms in a rainbow of colors, many plants unique to this area alone. With trees arranged to provide a canopy over the path and small clearing, the scene is something out of a fantasy. Any plant life taken from this area will not survive long, though even in its dead, dried state, it retains a curious beauty. Explorers and creatures finding themselves in this area will suddenly find their clothing to be an unnecessary burden - what could be better than feeling the wonders of nature against bare skin? There is nothing unbecoming about such a natural state, any perverse inclinations are an aspect of personal preference. While the presence of Barthala can be felt here - a warm, comfortable sensation emanating from your core - she is nowhere to be found. Only one will have the opportunity to pass under a veil of willow branches and emerge to the cool air of a clear-as-glass spring.

Another nearby grotto is home to a plant with intoxicating effects. Just smelling the leaves is enough to entice most animals, and consuming them has effects on both mind and body. More easily amused, with thoughts that weave deep and distant, along with increased sensory perception can bring the user on a pleasant trip lasting up to five hours.

III. INFLUENCES — (18+)
Every five days, a weed scattered in patches among the forest underbrush blooms. The flowers are small and white, unremarkable except for how clustered they grow. When their petals fall, after only hours of blossoming, pollen drifts through the air. It clings to clothing, to hair, in the throats of the sensitive animals dwelling in the forest. Even those unaltered by Barthala's magic can be affected. The locals of Dranbu claim the pollen enhances fertility, but in practice, it simply serves as a poignant aphrodisiac. Those affected won't differentiate between the warmth of another or their own, a simple need to experience sexual ecstasy overwhelmingly pervaded. The pollen loses its potency after about three hours, leaving behind only a sweet smell.

YOUR NEW (NEW) LIFE

Adapting to an entirely new setting isn’t always so simple. People often say that assimilating oneself to the environment happens fluidly, and before you know it, you’re a part of it. In Dranbu, these words hold an uncanny sense of truth.

When you awake, your day begins like it always has. Your daily routine meets largely unchanged, except a few tinier details. Perhaps, you’ve realized your true calling is an occupation within the villages itself. Maybe in farming up strange medical herbs, maybe in acting as a witch doctor for the people, or maybe you find yourself drawn to the arts and you really enjoy sculpting fellow villagers in the nude. Once you commit these tasks, you realize, it feels like what you’ve always done. As if it were natural, as if you’ve done them for years, and maybe you have? At least that’s what your gut is telling you, and slowly your memories will too.

At the end of the day, when you return home, you realize you’re not alone. You have a partner who shares the same values and whom you love deeply. Or maybe a spouse whom you’re always arguing with. But, even that will feel as commonplace as the rest of your day. All you know is that the day that might have started off not being yours is entirely yours and yours alone.

IV. THE HUNT —
Those taken by the forest, animal features adorning their bodies, will find that their palates have changed as well. Carnivores crave raw meat, while herbivores don't mind snacking on a patch of grass or pulling leaves from branches. For most, there's no reason to cook a meal; once prey is captured, instinct says dig right in! It can be a gruesome sight, mangled bodies gorged upon leaving bloodstained faces, but it's natural. As is the hunt itself - any size of game can be found in the forest, and no one will go hungry for long. The magic that dwells here ensures a catch even for the clumsiest predator. Just take care not to stalk one of your own. For a hungry predator, there's no difference between a deer and a deer-like human.

THE BOUNDARIES BEYOND

For some, placated is synonymous with bored. While there is a sense of wonder in the beauties of nature that adorn the woods, serene forest life isn't for everyone. Those seeking more adventure can explore the challenging slopes of Waco Mountain. Barthala's influence is weaker on those bluffs than in Josa Forest itself, so thrill chasers won't be disappointed. Lose the path, slip on loose rocks, fall into a stream and spend a night wet and cold, there are many perils that come with traveling a mountain-side. Scattered ruins offer some shelter, their walls carved with images resembling Barthala, a dragon, and three other stranger creatures. While the deity's pacification does not flow as deeply through this region, all are still save from mortal wounds, and the veil cast over their memories will not lessen.

If you have made it this far, however, there is no reason to try to return to the main city of Dranbu. Accommodations are always available in the neighboring villages: Phares in the north, and Stroln in the south. These villages are in friendly competition with one another, and will tempt travelers with women and men of their kind in order to draw in business to their hotels.

FINAL OOC NOTES

No REP is available for this log. REP will now be primarily available through achieving NPC quests, which will be available on the 19th! Please keep an eye out for that!

Dranbu is entirely available for exploration! You may find that most of Wyver and Olympia Flora/Fauna may be found in the forest as well. For more information on your characters' (opt-in) Metamorphosis, please refer to the November Outline!

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Oh, but I'd feel a little bit bad leaving it all to someone else... [Ren gives a somewhat pouty little frown at that, wandering along and generally keeping pace with Dylas. He...would absolutely not feel bad leaving it to someone else, because he's lazy, but he would feel bad about not getting to be part of a good fight against something that stands a chance of endangering people important to him. So it's kind of the same thing in the end.

Ren blinks a little in confusion at that question, though, because he apparently forgot they didn't introduce themselves last time they talked.] Oh, right, I'm Suzugamori Ren, but just Ren is fine. And you were...?

[He does think it's kind of rude to leave someone without a name, but there hadn't really been a good opportunity to exchange names last time, either, so they might as well catch up now.]

Dylas.

[It's just Dylas. There's no last name, but his delivery is so terse that it's difficult to tell whether he's giving his full name or if he's just telling Ren all he's willing to share with him.]

And it's not about whether or not you'd feel bad. I just really feel like punching the crap out of something today, alright?

[His tail swishes back and forth in agitation as he walks, ears perking as he tries to listen for these threats.]

Oh, that's a cute name... [Ren says it without really thinking, because he never hesitates to point that out when it comes to meeting new people. It's not quite long enough for Ren to make something cutesy out of it easily like he usually does with uptight people, though. Even if he's probably going to try anyway.

Ren gives a thoughtful (if slightly disbelieving) hum in answer to that claim, lacing his hands behind his back as they move deeper into the trees. He's watching around them purely out of curiosity, but a lot of his attention is going to the canopy overhead rather than ground level.] Did something upset you? That's not really something you should be feeling like doing all the time, you know, it's bad for you.

It's...cute?

[Dylas pauses in what he's doing to consider that. It feels a little gross, having someone call his name cute? No one's ever done that before? He stares at Ren after, scrutinizing him like he's just told Dylas something suspicious or lied right to his face. He has no choice but to dismiss it, though, but he will add:]

Gods. You're weird. And...I'm fine. I'm completely fine. There's absolutely nothing bothering me. Don't worry about it.

[With each word, his tail seems to flick a little faster behind him. He's had a lot on his mind lately, but this guy doesn't want to know about all of that. He starts walking again.]

Mmm, people say that a lot... [Both Ren being weird and claiming they're totally fine about things, he's not really specifying which he's answering. But it comes with another doubtful hum, as if Ren isn't entirely convinced of either of those statements.

His eyes trail down to Dylas' tail and the vigorous movement in a way that seems distracted, but also somehow pointed, before it trails back up to him.] Your tail seems pretty agitated, you know, are you sure that's not how you are too...if you don't talk about it then it'll just get worse, right?

[His tone is one of innocent concern, as if he really does just want to help if there happens to be something wrong. He would like to know a little more about Dylas, admittedly - they've only met once before now, but he seems like he might be a little interesting deeper down than he's seen.]

H-hey! Don't just stare at my tail like that. That's...creepy!

[Dylas might be the older of the two, but he's a downright prude when it comes to people staring at his ass. He reaches behind him with one arm and grabs his tail, forcing it to stop. He's somewhat successful. His tail stops from his hand up, but his tail is long and continues to wiggle.]

You don't have to pretend to be concerned. You don't know me, and the important thing is that I get you through to the village. Besides...it's nothing.

[He lets go of his tail and...it goes right back to ignoring his wishes. Dylas really can't control it. He gives up, rolls his eyes, and crosses his arms.]

I'm always in a bad mood. That's all.

[Ren blinks at that reaction before he frowns slightly, like he just remembered something.] Oh right, you're really conservative about that, aren't you...

[Ren still doesn't really register it as staring at his butt anyway, though he...probably wouldn't get the problem even if he did, honestly. He doesn't mind getting that sort of attention himself, even if it's much more welcome from people he's actually interested in.

What Dylas goes on to say definitely has him tilting his head with a rather stronger frown of concern on his face, though.] Why do you think people can't be concerned about you even if they don't know you very well...? Especially if you're saying things like that you're in a bad mood all the time. That doesn't sound good for you.

[As much as Ren can occasionally use people for his whims - though he wouldn't call this an example of it - it's never quite sat right with him when people just assume that's what everyone around them is doing.]

What's that supposed to mean? It's not like I'm...an idiot when it comes to that sort of thing.

[He's trying to say 'hey, Ren, I'm not a virgin' without having to actually say it? Either way, he's turning his body around so that his tail isn't facing him. Dylas is flattering himself, too, he's tall and bony and there's almost no ass to speak of. He's a tragic, tragic man.

At Ren's reaction, he again crosses his arms, but his ears flick down, tail curling against his leg. He didn't say anything that wasn't true.]

It's fine if it's me. I can't help it, I'm always like this. [But he shuffles his stance, feeling guilty for hurting Ren's feelings. That's what it looks like to him, anyways.] But I guess it's been worse since the last time I saw you. Maybe.

[Ren tilts his head as if he doesn't get what Dylas means by "an idiot about that sort of thing". Then again, he was pretending to not know what a red light district was for last time they talked, so Ren's mostly just maintaining that impression.] Well, you got really annoyed about me looking at your tail last time, too, even though I was just trying to look at your tail and not anything else...

[So to Ren, that seems a little bit conservative, but he's not going to press on it too much. Especially since it seems like he might be getting somewhere on the front of figuring out what's wrong. A hand curls under his chin, giving him an impression of innocent and thoughtful concern.]

Did something happen...? If it's worse, then it sounds like it must have.

It's just a tail. You see them on other things every day, right? There's nothing special or noteworthy about mine.

[This feels like such a waste of time to him. At least they're not talking about his lack of on ass. Dylas' tail is actually very long, the fur near the tip reaching his ankles, and given he's six and a half feet tall...it's a very long, very majestic tail. Of course people would stare it. It doesn't help that his tail does a better job of emoting than he usually does.]

Nothing happened. [There. End of conversation. ... ...except he decides to keep going.] It's been happening. There are a lot of people sleeping. It doesn't bother me, but the mansion's completely empty now.

['All of my friends are asleep and it's really bothering me.']

Hmm, it's a really long and nice tail, though...people see hair every day, but they'll still stop and stare if you have really long and nice hair too, right?

[Ren says that in the tone of someone who's definitely experienced it more than once in his lifetime, which probably isn't surprising considering the length of his hair. It seems more of a normal happening to Ren, and he observes it as such. It does also help that the tail is less tsundere than its owner appears to be, but he figures he shouldn't point that part out.

Though at least Ren's experience with other grumps means he can translate Dylas' actual meaning well enough when he gets around to saying what's wrong. Some other expression flicks over Ren's face for just a fraction of a second before it settles on frowny worry again.]

That sounds like it does bother you, though...? Having a big house like that and nobody living in it must be lonely, right? I only have a small place and even that's a little bit lonely by myself...

Hey. Are you saying my hair isn't as pretty as my tail?

[Dylas isn't a vain man by any means, but he takes good care of his hare, too. It's long enough that it reaches the small of his back, and he can't even bring himself to think about cutting it yet. It's comforting to him, even if he has to spend extra time with all the extra hair and fur he has. Somehow, he's a little offended.

Whatever. He's not sure why Ren looked funny to him for a second there, but he's going to ignore it. He wishes he could ignore the worry on his face, too. He hates being worried about. He's fine! Everything is fine. He's not lonely and sad and crying himself to sleep some nights, it's all cool.]

Daifuku is there, too. He's a tiger cub. So...maybe it's a little lonely sometimes, but it's fine. That's just how things are here, right?

No...? [Ren seems confused where he got that from, but runs a hand through his own hair by way of explanation - it's a little longer than Dylas', down just past his hips.] But I see pretty hair more often than I do pretty tails. So if I have to pick one to stare at, then it makes sense for it to be the one I see less often, right?

[Otherwise he's just wasting a good opportunity. In any case, he gets seriously distracted from that subject by Dylas mentioning a tiger cub, because his expression immediately flicks right over into delighted.]

You have a tiger cub? And what a cute name, too... [Though he should...probably address the serious subject there too, and he sighs and subs the back of his head.] Mmm, people do have to go back to sleep here a lot, but I don't think that's a good reason to just settle for being lonely. Just because you can handle something doesn't mean you should have to, right?

No. That doesn't make sense.

[How dare Ren try and apply logic to his objectifying gaze??? Dylas sounds defeated either way, and his answer is what it is only because he doesn't want to admit that Ren is right. Admitting that Ren is right would mean that maybe he's in the wrong for getting mad at him for staring at his tail. Or. Something. He's losing track of the conversation.]

He used to belong to a friend of mine. [But as Dylas already said, all of his friends are asleep again, so he's not going to repeat t.] Are you always this friendly with people you don't know very well? I'm fine. Or I will be. I'm more of an 'asshole' than a 'good friend' type, anyways.

[At least he'll be honest with how he sees himself.]

Hmm, well, I think it does. [Ren leaves it at that, though, because he knows defeated when he hears it. Usually he has quite a bit of fun hearing it, but when it's just a battle of words it's a little bit less entertaining on his end.

Ren hums a little doubtfully at Dylas' summation of himself, though.] Is there a reason you can't be both...? You don't seem bad to me, just a little grumpy, and I always think it helps more for grumpy people to meet a friendly face once in a while. If everyone's grumpy all the time then it just makes for more grumpy.

[And that's his extremely simply-put explanation of why he's friendly to people he doesn't know well. For the most part, at least, but he hasn't met anyone here just yet worthy of immediate cold behaviour.] And it still seems sad to stay lonely if you don't have to be.

You would think that. You think too much about tails, too.

[His tone is accusatory, but at this point there's no real animosity behind them. Ren likes to stare at tails and he thinks that's normal and Dylas will just have to resolve to not kinkshame for that. Because Ren used logic.]

I, uh...you're asking a lot of questions. It's just how I am. And it's not like I don't have any friends. There's...one or two. [Yeah. Maybe. His tail starts to flick again as he attempts to deflect.] Why are we even talking about this? You're pretty into me all of a sudden.

[Ren pouts a bit at the accusatory tone, but he feels that makes his thoughts on Dylas' accusation clear enough to not chase it up verbally. Also, it's more fun to see him suddenly get awkward when the subject of him not being that bad comes up. He gives a little shrug, spreading his arms.]

Well, you don't get to know people unless you ask lots of questions, right? And I'd like to get to know you better. You seem like you might be an interesting person under all that grumpy posturing...

[There's something huffy about that last remark, as if the posturing is terribly inconvenient.]

I'm not interesting.

[He sounds so offended at that. It's a reflex of his just to be contrary, but he also can't fathom why anyone would think so. He's just...himself. He's not even doing anything too weird, is he? Why does this Ren guy seem so happy to talk to him?

The attention is actually kind of nice, he'd admit to himself if he weren't so emotionally constipated.]

What if I don't want to get to know you better? Don't I get some say in this?

[He already sounds defeated.]

[Ren looks almost offended at that, though it's a bit exaggerated.] Why don't you think you're interesting? Everyone has interesting things about them, right?

[Well, not everyone, but it takes a lot to make Ren completely write someone off at face value. And usually some amount of villainous cliche is involved.

It sounds like he's wearing Dylas down, though, so the last thing he's planning to do is stop here.] I mean, if you really seriously didn't like it for some reason, I'd listen, but I get the impression you're just kind of reserved and not used to this kind of thing...

What's with all these questions? Not everyone is interesting. I'm sure you're a lot more interesting than I am.

[He also hates talking about himself. He's being worn down, but he can't really elaborate on whether he's interesting or not. Besides, isn't it selfish to think you're interesting? Dylas know he's far from that, or if he is then it's for reasons he doesn't want to be.]

I'm used to people like you, it's just...been a while. Why don't you talk about yourself instead, huh? Since we're good friends now.

Well, I am pretty interesting, but that's no reason to sell yourself short. I think you're more interesting than you're giving yourself credit for. [Ren is entirely capable of showing his full self-confidence while also dragging everyone else around him up with him. Granted, that's mostly because he's used to dealing with stubborn grumpy people.

He hums a little at Dylas' question, like he's a bit confused by it.] I've answered the questions you asked me so far, though...if you want to know something, then you can just ask, right?

[In other words, Dylas is going to have to be specific if he wants Ren to talk about himself.] You haven't really told me all that much about you, though...just mostly about how you're feeling right now.

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