riverviewlogs | [closed] mission: carnivorous harvest

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[closed] mission: carnivorous harvest

who: hana song, genji shimada, x'rhun tia, shigeru miyata, keith, shiro
what: the carnivorous harvest mission
when: sept. 15-18
where: the jungle; outside of the abandoned city walls
warnings: none foreseen; will update as necessary

TRAVELING, CAMPING

[ It’s early in the morning when the team sets out from the Perimeter Guard’s base of operations; they have a long ways to go to reach the jungle, which lays beyond the outerwall that surrounds the abandoned city. The Guard has equipped them with supplies for traveling, including camping gear, containers for collecting the Lababerries in, and of course the information they need to reach their destination within the jungle.

Passing through the abandoned city before reaching the outer wall is quicker than the traveling they will do outside of the wall; while the abandoned city is grown over, there were still paths that were relatively clear for the party to travel along – there won’t be much of that out in the jungle. That does not, however, preclude any sudden appearance of the monsters that may have broken through the outer perimeter of the city.

Traveling concludes during when night falls, which puts the team just within the confines of the city: it would be easier for them to take on what may lie beyond the fence once they’ve rested for a night. They camp out around what would have been an old house on some small plot of farmland at the very outskirts of what would have been settled before the Quarantine was compromised. At the very least, it provides some solid shelter in the event of a freak weather event, but vines and other vegetation have overtaken it to the point that it was really barely a shell of its former structure. The area around it is open and well-suited for setting up tents and a fire and everything else.

Members of the team, of course, take turns keeping watch through the night.

The plan would be to find a suitable campsite for the following evening within the jungle but away from the area where the Lababerry plants grow; it wouldn’t be wise to camp near carnivorous plants, after all, although there’s nothing to say that there aren’t other dangers lurking within the jungle. After examining the search area and locating the plants, they would harvest the fruits and then journey back, likely making this a four-day trip in total. ]

SURVEYING THE SITE

[ After about half of a day’s travel into the jungle from the outer perimeter, they reach an area that had been marked down as habitat for the Lababerry-growing, carnivorous plants. The party will have to make camp at least some distance away come nightfall lest they be eaten in their sleep, but in the meantime they can get to work by surveying the habitat area and pinpointing the locations of the plants; both for data collection purposes and to make it easier for the seasonal harvest that will take place once the plants are once-again dormant because, in an environment as rapidly-growing as the forests outside of the Quarantine, things are constantly changing.

The Lababerry plants grow on a shrub that enjoys the shade and dampness of the jungle’s understory. At first glance, it is almost indistinguishable from most other plants growing beneath the large trees, but closer inspection would reveal the Lababerries themselves growing in clusters directly along the shrub’s stems. But closer inspection would get your hand and/or face possibly bitten off by the leaves also growing on the stems. They appear to be completely unsuspecting until someone gets too close, at which point the leaves split and reveal toothy openings much like a venus flytrap’s that can elongate and extend from the stem almost like a vine, and snapping at its prey much like a snapping turtle. So, good luck fighting off the plants while making sure the berries stay in tact (which probably means less fire and explosions, more hacking and slashing). The goal, for now, would merely be to observe the plants’ behavior and come up with a good strategy for harvesting later.

Oh, and making sure the party doesn’t get attacked by any of the other monsters dwelling in the jungle. ]

HARVEST

[ After a day of surveying and clearing the area of any outside threads, it’s time to harvest! If the team has prepared sufficiently the previous day, this should be the easiest part of the mission! Hopefully. Barring, again, any angry monsters coming through.

Using the information they gathered on the plants and coming up with a good way to extract the fruits, the team will have to fight the plants without completely destroying them to leave enough crops for the next harvest season and collect them in the containers provided by the Guard before making their journey back toward the inhabited area of the city. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Shigeru will nod, though honestly once he's inside the tent and Genji comes in with him, he kinda realizes what it might look like to the others. Oh, gosh, he's so flustered that he fumbles with his phone. He might hesitate before taking a seat over in the corner of the tent. ]

Is this...okay?

[ People sharing tents on missions isn't strange to him, nor does he think it should be to anybody else. And they are friends, after all, first and foremost. He doubts anyone will make any snarky comments that aren't wanted.

Although seeing him flustered makes him a little himself. Genji clears his throat and settles inside the tent after closing it. ] Of course. As long as you're comfortable as well.

[ He crosses his legs and straightens his back a little, taking a silent and deep breath himself. Emptying his mind with Shigeru so close might prove a little harder than he thought... ] Have you ever tried to do this or something similar before?

[ Pause. ] Meditation, I mean. [ Fingers crossed he isn't blushing. ]

[ Shigeru knows people won't say anything, well not outwardly, but then again he should be used to comments being spoken about him privately or publicly. Still this...makes him awkward and flustered because it's Genji of all people. But, ah, he was acting childish getting flustered over being alone with a handsome man who he has genuine and deep feelings for. Obviously who would ever get that way in this situation?!

Shigeru just shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head to rid himself of miscellaneous thoughts. ]

I've tried is a few times since...since we talked about it. But I dunno. Maybe I was just too...focused on other things for it to work.

Edited 2017-09-27 23:19 (UTC)

[ Genji is perhaps realizing his slight error in judgement as well. He's never had to meditate in close proximity to... someone had an affection for. (He's nearly thirty-six years old, it isn't a crush.) He supposes his Master would just chuckle and say something about 'adversity' and 'change.' He misses that monk.

He takes a deep breath. ] It is something you have to sort of work toward. It took me weeks to reach a sort of breakthrough with it, so it can depend.

[ He crosses his legs. ] I found that focusing on one specific thing and only that was a good starting point. Like a making a phrase a mantra in your head to help ground you. Or maybe an object or a memory? Something you've found calming in the past.

[ They're just both too pure for this. Shigeru knows all about working hard towards something. His entire life has been an uphill battle since his powers manifested.

But focusing on a specific thing in an enivroment like this is going to be hard, if only because its not exactly clean...and he has trouble with places like this in general. ]

Okay. I'll...I'll try. [ He'll take a deep breath and exhale closing his eyes as he does so. ]

[ He wishes he had a recording of his Master's orb song, although he isn't sure if it would help Shigeru. Genji leans in just a little bit after he closes his eyes, keeping his voice low and gentle. ] Try to take full breaths from the bottom of your lungs, and just focus on that one certain thing. If your mind wanders, acknowledge it and put it away.

[ Ah, this is hard. He really wants to just take his hand.... ]

[ Shigeru will nod and try to do just that, but his cheeks are turning red ever so slightly as he feels the presence of the other near him. He takes deep, full, breaths and continues in a steady rhythm for awhile. But his mind is wandering and focusing on Genji who is very close to him! This is hard. He's going to open one eye just a crack and look at Genji with a flustered smile. His hands will pick up his phone to type something. ]

Something like that is good?

[ He wants to make sure his technique is proper and good, yes. ]

[ Goodness, he's cute. Genji just sort of huffs a croaky little laugh and leans back in return. He reads what Shigeru wrote and nods. ] Yes, I think that works well. The phrase I found that grounds me is a quote from a swordsman who lived many centuries ago.

[ His family would probably be so shocked to learn he reads now, of all things. Before the only books he ever picked up were manga. ]

[ Ah. Shigeru's expression looks disappointed when Genji leans back. But he covers it up with his device as he types something. ]

Can you tell me what it is?

[ He's just honestly curiously. Learning more about Genji always makes him happy. ]

[ He's almost shy about revealing it, as it really is a personal thing but... it's Shigeru. He's comfortable around him, and sees no reason not to. ]

"Even if I sacrifice my body, I will never sacrifice my honor." [ He gestures to the lights on his chest, to 'War God' written in Kanji there as well. ] When I realized I wanted to be a better man, I started to see this body as a gift instead of a curse.

[ Ah. He is just going to listen as Genji explains, he's always wondered what that symbol meant to the other, and he can see it does mean quite a lot to him. His hand might go the kanji and trace it on instinct with a gloved hand. He'll realize what he's doing and pull his hand away with a rather flushed look on his face. He really hadn't meant to do that?! Oh my gosh. He is just going to pretend he didn't do that! Yes, try to act normal Shigeru! ]

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to...do that. [ He totally did. Shigeru looks so flustered right now as he fumbles with his phone to try and make the situation less...awkward. Please forgive him, he's no good with being openly affectionate with the people he likes. He's trying though!! ]

I'm...glad that you could see the good in it. Even if you're different, you're still you on the inside. It's like...me and my powers. If you can help someone with them then you shouldn't even feel ashamed to use them. Is what my father once told me. Perhaps I should use his words for my meditation...

[ He looks so shy when he shows that to Genji. He looks thoughtful as he takes his own words into consideration. ]

[ Since it's part of his armor, Genji can't feel his touch but... he finds himself wishing he had? Goodness. The action itself is more than enough to make his stomach flutter a little and he clears his throat a little, trying not to blush. ] No, it's all right— You can't make me uncomfortable, Shigeru. [ Well, not physically at least... he sure makes his heart do funny things.

When he reads what he types next he smiles, nodding. ] That was part of my realization that my body was a gift, that I could help people. Your father sounds like he was a wise man. I think that would be a great idea.

[ His own father was... complicated. But he doesn't want to think about the man time, especially not when he's alone in a tent with Shigeru. ] Would you like to try again?

[ Well he's grateful to hear that at least. He really doesn't know what's gotten into him lately?! But he feels comfortable around Genji and...touching him doesn't cause his anxiety to spike as much as it would normally. But he'd never want anyone to feel uncomfortable by his actions is the thing. ]

I want to try again. [ He nods as he gets into same position that Genji is in. He'll take a deep breath and then exhale as he closes his eyes.

It is hard to concentrate with Genji around though. ]

[ Genji keeps his own breathing silent, the only sound the faint hum of his systems whirring deep in his chest. He typically would meditate in return but he finds himself just... watching his friend for the time being.

He cares for him immensely, there's no denying that. Although he still isn't quite sure if he should do anything about these feelings. The friendship they have is wonderful and Genji wouldn't want to do anything to harm that. In the end, he wants him to be comfortable and happy.

A few minutes past and he's pulled out of his reverie (more like pining) and he clears his throat. ] So how did it go that time?

[ The faint humming from Genji helps him relax even more, perhaps it's knowing that the other is there should anything go wrong. He finds comfort in Genji's presence and he will open his eyes with a smile at the question asked. ]

It was better. I think I'm getting the hang of it.

[ He smiles at that. ] I'm glad. Like I said, it takes time. But I do hope it helps you.

[ Genji finally lets himself relax, shoulders dropping just slightly, when he remembers something he wanted to tell him. ] Oh! I did start looking into some sign language after we spoke about it. I haven't had a chance to study much yet, but— [ He does a gesture for 'Nice to meet you.' ]

You did, really? [ Sign language was hard to learn and not every is willing to do it just for him, so maybe that's why Genji doing that makes his heart beat faster and he gives him a shy little smile.

Shigeru will sign something back, slowly so Genji can follow it. 'Thank you' is want he motions as he gives the other man a shy, blushing, smile. ]

I really appreciate that you went and tried to learn on your own. It's not so bad, right? I thought it was hard at first but then...it just sort of clicks after awhile.

[ Genji smiles at that, pleased he hadn't done the movements wrong. He returns it with 'You're welcome.' ] It has been very interesting to study, I've enjoyed it. It makes me wish I had learned it earlier, actually.

[ He settles out of his seiza sitting position and crosses his legs, leaning an elbow on a thigh. ] I started learning another language young, so it isn't an unfamiliar process to me.

[ Is that so? Shigeru is just watching and listening to Genji silently, his expression one of love and adoration in a way. Genji was so easy to be around and the man never had any qualms in giving him his space or changing his ways for him. Even this...learning sign language just to make it easier for Shigeru to talk to him. It's just so...nice and almost too pefect, but Shigeru isn't complaining. Shigeru smiles warmly before he moves forward, after Genji has finished speaking, a gloved hand resting on the side of Genji's visor, as he plants a kiss against his visor where his lips would be. Ah! Oh no. He did it again?! Ugh he really has to stop doing that. He looks so flustered as he moves to sit back down in his spot. ]

I...I'm really glad you started to learn on your own! [ If Shigeru's actions aren't indicative enough...he's really grateful for the open-mindedness of it all. ]

I always had to coax people to learn to talk to me. I was the one who had to adapt instead of others. So you...doing this for me, I'm really grateful. You're one of the few people who...really tries to learn and puts up with all my...differences.

[ His face is so, so, red right now. Gosh he really has to think before he does things... ]

[ Genji experiences a unique mixture of emotions for a moment there; so thankful for his visor while also hating the fact it exists in the first place. He supposes it's good Shigeru doesn't see the completely stunned look on his face. Oh how he wants to lean in to that hand and tug him closer...

But Genji swallows around his rushing pulse and clears his throat. After a moment, he slides off just the face plate because it's faster than removing the entire head piece. ] Shigeru... there isn't anything about you that I feel I have to 'put up' with.

[ His voice is gentle but a little hoarse. Genji moves a little bit closer as he puts his face plate down on the sleeping bag underneath them. ] I do understand how that feels, like you have to mold yourself to fit the world around you.

[ Genji slowly reaches up like he wants to cup his face, but waits to see what his reaction his before touching him. ] Wanting the people I care about to be comfortable is always worth it.

[ Shigeru would let Genji do whatever he wants, honestly. His trust in the man is 100% but that's always unsafe in this sort of situation. Shigeru's heart is pounding in his chest as Genji removes the face plate, knowing exactly what the other was going for with the action. It...makes his stomach flutter and his heart race, he'll gentle take Genji's hand and place it against his face. His expression loving and trusting as his eyes look back into Genji's half lidded and his face red still with blush. He types something with his free hand in that brief moment of silence. ]

I feel like I can just...be myself with you, that you don't want me to be anything else, even with my phobia.

[ And that's...one of the many things he loves about the other. But he doesn't write that out, it's pretty evident and clear in his expression anyway. ]

[ That makes him smile as he brushes his thumb against his cheek. ] I would never want you to feel like you have to be anything but.

[ There's a voice in the back of his mind that's telling him how deeply unprofessional this is, to be indulging in this when he's on a mission of all things. They could be attacked at any second or someone could get hurt... distractions are dangerous. But Genji finds he doesn't much care in this moment, feeling oh so very selfish for the first time in a long time.

He's kind of okay with it. And the expression on Shigeru's face makes it all worthwhile.

Genji leans in, finally, brushing their lips together gently. ]

[ His body gets shivers and goosebumps when Genji finally kisses him. Shigeru replying with a return of that kiss on his own. His breath comes out in a small huff as he pulls away then. His face is so red but he doesn't honestly care at the moment.

The smile he gives the other man is warm and caring as he brings up his free hand to lightly touch Genji's cheek. He doesn't type or say anything in that moment, but instead will just give Genji a loving look. ]

[ Genji lets out a sigh as he pulls away, flicking his tongue against his own bottom lip as he does so. He brushes some of Shigeru's hair behind his ear before he slowly pulls that hand away, then covers the one on his cheek gently.

Oh, he's so very smitten. He isn't sure what they even are at this point but... ] Are you all right? [ Genji brushes his thumb across the top of his hand. ]

[ Shigeru will shiver at the small little motions Genji does. His eyes never leaving the other's as he watches him. He nods happily back at Genji though with that question. The concern is another thing he loves about the man too. ]

I'm definitely all right.

[ He's just so smitten and happy that he honestly doesn't know what to do with his feelings right now. ]

Can we-? [ Kiss again is what he wants to ask. ]

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