a disturbance on the breeze

[San (サン)]

San came to a halt under a tree, putting distance from herself and the busy marketplace. There seemed to be small pockets of nature here and there throughout the city, but they were more often than not swarming with humans. The lone tree apart from the city seemed to be the only one around them for miles. Ahead and behind her lie stretches of sand and dry plateaus. San and Hageshi had been traveling many full moons to get here. They had met many along their way, man and beast. Yet she still had not found those that the wind spirits had told her of. A pack of human and animals that wrought destruction to the land. Still, she would travel as long as it took to find them. She had no doubt that she would arrive in time to help those distressed in the forest, humans liked elongated conflicts. However, that did not mean that she could tarry; each moon meant another day of destruction had gone by.

It puzzled her that other creatures would partake in human destruction. Perhaps they too had been touched the curse that had plagued her forest. She had hoped that she wouldn't have to come upon another Iron Town for moons, but it wasn't to be so. It bothered her that she didn't know of a real cure for afflicted animals - Ashitaka had to kill Nago to cease the boar god's rampage. Of course, death was part of the natural cycle in the forest, but to be transformed into a demon and killed was far from the natural order. Perhaps she could find an answer to a cure while on her travels.

With her legs dangling down from the tree branch as the cool night air gave her some respite, her mind drifted to her human friend, as it oft did in her long, solitary nights. Now, more than ever, did she miss her brothers, Ashitaka, and Yakul. They formed an odd pack, but a pack nonetheless. She knew Hageshi felt it too: the lack of forest, other spirit animals, and a pack weighed on their minds as much as the distress of those they were riding to protect.

She heard a growl below her. Hageshi had been roused. By what though? San sniffed the air but couldn't make anything out. Too muddled were her senses by the dense population of humans. Didn't humans get enough enjoyment from the vast marketplaces and stifling the growth of buildings? The Wolf Girl dropped out of her tree in a crouched position next to the wolf, picking up her spear and, although warm out, donning her hood and face mask. She stood at the ready, poised on almost all fours, minus the spear in ther right hand. They would be ready to defend this tree, or at least their right to peace and quiet by the tree.

[Creature]

There were so many sounds! So many scents and different sights, it was hot and yet cold at the same time and everything seemed to have something conflicting it. Creature was in a world much different from his own, the spirit realm always had some sort of balance but this world was chaotical and nonsensical and it made the beast giddy with excitement.

Quickly he scrambled over rooftops, walls, crates, whatever he could get his sizable paws onto until he fell near the two who obviously weren't native here either. Then again he didn't know what was native or not! Tiny white hues went hue and his jaw clicked open, he inhaled and low screech that was barely above a whisper left him. It sounded more like a high pitched whine.

He leaped forward dropping onto his forelegs and wiggling around in a play bow at Hageshi and San, excited chirps and chitters leaving the densely furred beast before and 'swatted' it's paw at them in an attempt to get them to play. 'Friends, oh friends yay! More friends!! You guys want to play?! We should play-' It was then he suddenly stood up stock still all well with the exception of his tail that was wiggling a mile per second. 'Oh, oh do you guys want food I can get you food!'

And then it hit him. Could these guys even understand him?! Eyes went wide before he flopped against the ground and whined in defeat. 'You probably don't even understand what I'm chittering!'

[San (サン)]

Several scenarios flashed through San's mind. Perhaps she had been too reckless, bringing herself and Hageshi near the marketplace and then into it. People had stared at them. She hadn't been surprised by that. Humans often displayed confusion upon seeing her riding atop a wolf. Some people had even chased her down because of it. So there could be people hunting them. They could also just be curious. San quickly chided herself for thinking something so naive. Humans' curiosity more often led to capture and destruction than to respect and growth. But still, a large place like that had been overwhelming to her senses. She had gone into large places like that before. She had come across a few of them while on the road west. Everywhere else was so unlike her forest that she, Ichi, Nii, and Moro had guarded. A lot of places were crawling with humans with no tree in sight. Some looked like Iron Town. Others looked smaller, others much worse. Although somewhat acclimated to the sight of Iron Towns, she couldn't help but feel a bit dazed and confused. The bigger the Iron Town, the more unsettled she would become. The sheer scale of any settlement overwhelmed her senses. Her nose filled with human stench and smoke. The barren earth wined beneath her. She grieved for the roots of trees torn away from her, felled in the name of the settlement.

A look of relief, then, passed over San's face as a large, purple wolf-like creature ran towards her. She stood down and removed her mask, a gentle smile floating across her lips. Upon the relaxed stance of San, Hageshi's hackles lowered and he lay down again, watching the new arrival with interest. San tilted her head, this animal seemed to be the size of a guardian, if not a small god. However, she had never seen such a spirit have the sort of coloring this one did. San blinked, hearing the whine. Was this guardian not capable of speech? She, of course, had come across many animals who were not gifted in tongues. But it had been a while since she had seen a guardian-like animal incapable of it. Perhaps it had been corrupted by the town? "Do you not speak?" she asked curiously. Hageshi lept up and gave a return bow and playful growl as he recognized the animal's playfulness. Still, the purple beast continued clicking. San couldn't comprehend any of it. San hummed in thought. It seemed harmless. Perhaps these strange lands had strange animals that only resembled forest spirits but acted as normal animals did. It acted like an oversized wolf, yet it didn't act like it at all.

Suddenly the wolf-creature flopped over and whined where it was energetic just moments ago. Hageshi blinked and walked over to the purple-wolf, nuzzling it gently. "Are you hurt?" San walked over to it and gently placed her hand upon one of the large stripes, still at the ready to jump back should she alarm the creature. Although it seemed not to be of any danger or want to cause harm, a wild animal was still a wild animal. She smiled. So soft... like holding a wolf pup.

[Python]

    Python hated the desert, they really did. It wasn't as devoid of life as so many mortals stupidly believed, and had its share of flora and fauna that adapted to the harsh environment over years of trial and error in the way of things, the cycle of life as some more enlightened and less stupid humans might have put it. But it still sucked. The sand was hard to get a grip on, the wild temperature changes from scorching day to chilling night, and everything else. At least the desert was less touched by mortals then most places. They wanted nothing more then to sleep, but Python wasn't going to sleep out in the open again. Finding yourself covered in sand after going to sleep was one mistake too many. The city at least had places to hide, albeit it Python had to be creative in order to avoid the humans. 

    But then... came the sounds. Not like the sounds of the usual fanfare of this city, but an unnatural screeching, and something that sounded human but... not? The screeching and clicking was definitely from something supernatural given a natural form, but the human voice was intriguing. It likely sounded normal to most mortals, but to an immortal serpent dragon, it had a slight ting of godly overform to it. Likely a human who lived around or even with godly creatures.

    Python quietly padded to the lone tree in sight, and spotted San and Creature. The human stood out like a sore thumb already, and the big wolf that accompanied her was no help. The purple creature... thing was unnatural and sounded very annoying. It was like nails on a chalk board, but the serpent wasn't looking to pick a fight. Yet. 

    "You both stand out in this place," Python hissed out, mostly to announce their presence. "Well, not as much as I do. Being a resurrected creature does that to you." 

[Slugsworth]

Pfft. Peanut gallery. There was always a peanut gallery.

Slugsworth was, as ever, still on his quest to track down his father. For all his trouble, Slugsworth had managed to construct a more or less complete map of a good part of the Old World. Given his natural interest in cartography, he supposed he ought to consider that a plus. But he was nearly as single minded as his father, and maps weren’t the real reason for his travels. Whether he knew it or not, he was slowly honing in. At least now, word from the animals had brought him to the headquarters of… an army. Not the army he was looking for, but he was closer than he’d been so far to getting answers.

The sea bunny didn’t like sand. He’d only acquired legs somewhat recently and walking on sand was a learned skill. Hoofing it on four feet made it slightly easier and the high speed at which he could run on all fours made travel time at least somewhat more bearable.

Slugsworth had stopped on top of the nearest dune to the nearest tree. He put his hands on his hips and his black ears folded flat out of disdain. Honestly, Slugs reveled in his time alone; it was nice, not having people around to complicate things. He loathed having to make idle chitchat to achieve his goal. Why couldn’t his fat bastard of a father just show up and be done with it already?

Still, Slugsworth fixed the satchel at his side that held his mapping equipment and resigned himself to march right up to that tree. That was the highest vantage point in the area and would be grand to start a new map from. He just needed to sidestep the weirdos that felt like loitering their tonight.

“Okay, one side! I gotta get up that tree,” stated the little mer-creature, intent to make himself assertive, “I already know one of you probably has an idea of what I’m still looking for.”

Round red eyes briefly glanced at the familiar serpent, before he crouched and braced himself for a leap.

[Reuben]

There was quite a crowd out tonight. The golden experiment with a leather satchel hanging at his side had hoped for some privacy. It was the whole reason for why he'd headed away from the noisy market and out into the still desert under a starry sky unobscured by structures. But it appeared that even the area around this tree was occupied. It was an interesting assortment, consisting of a human, a large white wolf, a green snakelike dragon, and two creatures, one large and purple, the other small and white, that he knew weren't experiments. The purple one was clicking and screeching.

He came from a large family with a few members who made similar noises. Besides the somewhat irritating noises issuing from the mouth of the purple being (though he wouldn't hold it against the creature seeing as that was the only way it seemed to communicate), the conversation was mellow, much quieter than the bustle of the marketplace.

He headed towards the group on his pudgy golden legs, popping a falafel ball into his mouth on the way. He'd bought a whole bag of these delicious balls, as well as several packages of the same, which were to be delivered to Clopin's headquarters tomorrow morning. That was why he'd come down here in the first place, to find some quality ingredients to use in his sandwiches. "Quite a gathering". He said to the group, before he popped another ball in his mouth, chewed it, savoring the flavor all the while, swallowed, and continued. "What's the occasion?"

[Creature]

For a second Creature had all but almost forgotten that he was distressed. He was getting nuzzles and pets, his anxiety was immediately beginning to drop. Sure he didn't know how to speak right now but he knew he could learn how, it would just take practice or hearing it more before he adapted. It wasn't a lost cause, maybe he should stop being so dramatic. Then again where was the fun in that?! He was made for mischief after all! His tail started to wag like crazy again as San's hand smoothed through his fur. The sensation felt so nice, like his mom cooing over him again! Boy he missed his mom-

Snake! Python? Lizard? It had for legs! Maybe it was a spirit like him? No. It was missing the aura that would usually float off on of his kind. He was quick to sit up, patting his hand like paw on Hageshi's head in a 'hello I love you' friendly gesture before chittering softly at Python. He seemed to be aware of the annoyance, switching his pitch to be lower and not quite as straining on these beings ears. 'Everyone does I think-' He responded but he became aware of again they probably didn't understand him. He sat on his rump, tapping his chin thoughtful of how he could communicate until he learned more.

He already knew he wanted to stick around the wolf family. They already had an endearing presence on him. He snorted sharply and suddenly before making a small gesture with his paws toward San to warrant her attention. First, he pointed himself, 'I', then he made a grabbing expression with his paws, 'Have', then showed two toes, 'to', and then finally dragged his paw over his head, the two toes again and then dragged his paw over his throat. 'learn to speak!'

Just as he finished his sentence, a white bunny like creature with a beak appeared, and then something yellow and stubby looking. Confusion painted Creature's features before he got up and went over to Reuben. Siding eyeing Slugsworth on the way over. What was he looking for? Once he arrived beside Reuben he very promptly began to snuffle at him. Whatever he had for food smelt really good!

[San (サン)]

San continued to stroke the purple creature's fur, a bemused look on her usually surly expression. It seemed to enjoy the attention; they had acted like an overgrown wolf-pup. Perhaps wolf spirits did take on different forms in this land. Either that or it its physical appearance had been tainted by the overgrowth of humans. San wanted to find out either way - if the former, then she'd have to stop always questioning whenever she came upon a creature she didn't have knowledge of. She had put herself in the position of a stranger in a strange land, but she didn't mind; if the latter, she would help restore the forests and heal the spirits. She'd endure.

The wolf girl looked up, hearing a new voice. Yet another unfamiliar sight met her eyes. A ginormous, cross between a green lizard and a snake padded up to them, looking upon the strange gathering with interest. The newcomer had the aura of a spirit, so perhaps this creature hadn't inhabited her forest or any other lands she had traveled in previously. Unlike the purple creature, this one could speak. So perhaps... no, never mind, she'd ask questions. That seemed to be the only way she'd truly be able to acclimate herself. She bowed to the lizard-like creature and nodded. "The humans in the village have made that clear. I do not intend to stay - only until the land and spirits are at peace." Her gaze turned towards the creature she had continued to stroke. "They are not common in this land either?" she asked, looking at Creature's stripes. She had no place to really comment on any animal or spirit that looked odd to her - for many of them did not reside in her forest. "It is possible for spirits to reincarnate here?" Was the land as desperate as that?

At a movement from the purple creature, San looked to it, blinking as they tried to mime language. "You... get... head, throat? Talk?" she guessed aloud. Well, at least now she knew they were capable of understanding and knew a higher level of communication than just screeching. Unless screeching and clicking were its normal tongue in their land... wherever that may be, spirit realm or physical world. "It's alright... we can learn together," she said with a smile.

Hageshi let out a slight growl. Looking down, San noticed a peculiar mix between what looked like a rat and a bird with an antenna. At their request, San scuttled out of the way and her wolf companion followed scuffing and eyeing the smaller creature. Well, that made two with speech, one without... maybe spirits and speech-capable animals were more abundant than she had originally thought. This one didn't hold an aura of a deity, and Hageshi seemed to regard it as just another animal. "I have not," San shook her head. "Have you lost something?"

On the breeze, San smelt something food. Hageshi must have smelt it too. He got up and padded over with Creature to a stubby yellow looking... San had no idea what kind of creature to equate it to. Hageshi seemed more interested in the food the creature was carrying than in giving her any hints whether it was a spirit or not. The girl blinked. Of all trees, she and Hageshi had to pick the one that others gathered around. Then again, it seemed to be the closest sanctuary away from the busy marketplace. Besides, it didn't seem too bad. None of them seemed to be obnoxious humans nor did any seem to be openly hostile or ready to cause a conflict. She tilted her head in mild confusion as the yellow creature began to speak. She'd get used to all the talking, strange looking creatures someday. "I do not know of any pre-determined occasion. My companion and I were seeking rest away from the humans. Have we intruded upon anyone's tree?"

[Python]

    "If you're wondering if I have any idea of what the purple furball is, then no," Python replied to San. They did like that this human was being respectful at least. Wherever she came from definitely instilled that respectfulness towards godly creatures, which was rather rare nowadays among the mortals. Too big for their own good, if you asked the serpent. "It's probably something from around here, as it certainly isn't from my corner of the world. Err, then again, I've been dead for a couple hundred years, so maybe they are."

    Python scratched their head idly. The chittering towards them from Creature was better then the screeching from earlier, but not by much. If it was so determined to try and speak then maybe it would turn out fine. The greek serpent didn't pay too much mind to Slugsworth as they were acquainted before, but then... was that food? The smell wasn't too hard to miss since it was suddenly there in an instant. 

    Python sideeyed the two-legged yellow furball that had what was no doubt human food with it. Just... what was Reuben? He didn't have the smell or aura of a godly creature or spirit, but didn't really resemble any earthly creature they knew. Plus he talked pretty fluently in the current mortal tongue. Something seemed... wrong with him, like he was unnatural. Whatever he was, he seemed pretty harmless and more interested in the human food then anything. 

[Slugsworth]

Slugsworth was still crouched when the yellow whatever decided to intrude. He gave an ill-tempered snort before releasing the bunched up muscles in his legs and leaping a remarkable distance into the air. Webbed claws gripped the base of a massive palm frond and he pulled himself into a crouch. The skinny mer-creature couldn’t be any less interested in food right now if he tried.

A minute or so was spent removing a big blank papyrus scroll from his satchel, all the while his ears twitched slightly from their folded back position in response to the sounds. He turned down and pointed the point of his drafting compass at the group.

“My father, Scourge of the Seas. That’s what I’m looking for,” growled the little thing, “You would think he’d be easier to find. Got himself involved in this trivial land-dweller nonsense last I heard.”