As the rented all-terrain vehicle trundled through the xenofungi forest, Bayushi Akagi rubbernecked excitedly as he looked through one window, then another, at the towering mushroom trees and the strange wildlife native to Asakaze.

"This is all pretty amazing," Akagi said to his new friends. "How big do these mushrooms get?"

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rented 4-person ATV to travel here without using a time slot

"Bigger, much, much bigger," Moriko answered. Ten and Ren were sitting in the fourth seat, snouts poking through the narrow opening where the window had been cracked open for them. The task of driving had fallen to her, and she didn't relish it, but the otori wouldn't be back until tomorrow, so they were stuck with this.

Slowing, she pulled the ATV over between two thick stalks. They were near the edge of the patrolled area, the screamers were small enough that the Phoenix presence hadn't pushed them too far from the city, and that was a blessing, because the Phoenix didn't want to head too deep into the forests. Killing the engine, she glanced about, "this looks like a good starting point."

Some brightly colored lizards lounge in the sun, only to skitter away as the loud ATV got close to them, disappearing into the undergrowth, their iridescent dorsal spines wobbling side to side.

Hoshiko followed the others. "Lead the way, Mori-chan."

Moriko opened the door for the dogs, who bounded from the vehicle. Ten immediately took the opportunity to relieve himself against a nearby fungal trunk. Scanning the surrounding area, the girl tried to remember anything useful about the brightly coloured lizards they’d just seen. At about fifteen centimetres long, they were good shoulder-perching size, and they had the benefit of not screaming... probably.

“Hoshi-chan, do you remember those whatsie-call-its..?” she fanned out the fingers of one hand and forming a shadow-puppet of the spiny-backed lizards, “you know, the...” she waved the ‘spines’ for emphasis. “Oh, it’s on the tip of my tongue.”


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[D1 LA] Lizards! (Lore: Biology/Intelligence, untrained, TN15): 2d10 12

"Fascinating," Akagi gasped as they spotted the brightly colored lizards. Stepping out of the ground vehicle, the Scorpion drew his holorecorder and pointed it at the rainbow creatures, adjusting a few controls to compensate for the uneven light of the fungal forest.

"I haven't seen this particular species, but I think I know the type," he said, continuing to holorecord. "I imagine they most likely eat insects, and the spines must be a natural defense against predators.... do you know if the bright colors are to attract others of their kind, or to indicate they are poisonous?"

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1LA know fluff about rainbow lizard INT/Lore: Nature: 4d10o10k3 25

Hoshiko's knowledge of the local wildlife was very limited. That had always disappointed her mother.

"That's very interesting."

- - -
(1LA) Fungal Forest Fun, Lore: Biology/Intelligence, Untrained: 2d10 7

"They seemed harmless enough," Akagi commented, lowering his holorecorder after the lizards fled into the undergrowth. "Very pretty, though."

The Scorpion looked toward his Shiba guides. "Which way do you think we should we go now?"

“Sure,” Moriko snapped her fingers, calling Ten to her side. She was dressed more appropriately for nature rambling today, in lightweight armour, and weapons on both hips. “Now, what we want to find is one that's still young, so I think we should try looking for nests." Moriko began picking her way around the fungal 'roots' and streamlets. The uneven surface was a tripping hazard, but the lack of undergrowth kept the sightlines mostly clear, and the young ranger, clearly in her element now, quietly pointed out the signs that showed where screamers had been.

After some time, she stopped, her eyes lighting up, and she shushed the group. "Over there," Moriko pointed towards a branch where a small, fuzzy reptile was earnestly chewing on a dragonfly.


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[D1 LA] Here kitty, kitty (Perception 3 / Hunting 2, Tracking Emphasis, TN25): 5d10ro1o10k3 43

The Bayushi padded up quietly to stand next to Moriko and looked in the direction she pointed. Akagi said nothing, respecting Moriko’s expertise, but his eyes were alight with excitement at the hunt. He did, however, reach slowly and silently to draw his holorecorder, in hopes of capturing the moment on holo....

Her sister's skill was well beyond her own.

"Well done Mori-chan." she whispered and prepared to follow the others.

Closer would have been better, but she didn't want to risk scaring the skittish little creature. Slipping her webgun from the holster, she carefully took aim at the minuscule target and offered a pray to the Kami. Her aim was good and, in moments, their fuzzy quarry was quickly entangled in webbing. "Boo yah," she cheered under her breath.

Holstering the webgun, she turned a radiant grin on the visiting Scorpion, "stay right here," Moriko was practically shaking with excitement, "the whole shot-with-webbing thing probably freaked the little guy out, so give me a chance to calm him down, yeah?"


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[D1 LA] Here pspsps (Reflexes 3 / Hojutsu 2, TN25): 5d10o10k3 50

Moriko's aim is true, the sticky material whacking the small screamer straight on. It struggled, but could not free itself from the web that glued it against the fungal stalk, screeching and crying as it clawed, futile as its efforts were.

Scrambling over to the little creature, Moriko did her best to exude a calming aura. Animals generally didn't mind her presence and, when she was little, catching lizards and frogs to drop on her sister's hair—or hide under her scrolls—was easy enough. Actually handling a screamer, a frightened one at that, was a bit different.

Making soothing whispers, she carefully plucked at the webbing. Gentle movements revealed a tenderness and care for the young animal, stroking its fur and cradling it in her fingers as she manipulated the creature from its entanglement. "Oh, yes, that's it, look at you," Moriko cooed, "are you cute? yes, you're cute."


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[D1 LA] Soft kitty, warm kitty (Awareness 3 / Animal Handling 1, Raise x1, adjusted TN15): 4d10o10k3 20
Base TN10, 1 Raise to be extra soothing.

The small lizard nuzzled against Moriko's hand, hissing softly, somehow managing to sound affectionate, even if it was a lean, mean, insect mauling machine. The critter was evidently grateful for being freed, unaware that the person helping it had gotten it trapped in the first place.



"Hsss.... <3"

The Bayushi watched with obvious interest as Moriko landed a precise shot on the screamer. Akagi looked a little alarmed when the animal started screeching, but stayed back, obedient to her instructions. He broke into a smile as Moriko managed to calm it down.

Hoshiko smiled. She always appreciated watching her sister do her thing.

Very pleased, Moriko returned to the group, the little screamer cradled in her hands. She opened her fingers just enough that the creature could be seen, but not so much that it could easily wriggle out of her clutches. Showing Akagi and Hoshiko, “what do you think?”

"Why, it's adorable," Akagi said, his eyes wide with excitement as Moriko brought the small, furry animal close to them.

He extended one hand to try and pet the beast, then hesitated, remembering the small, sharp teeth. "Is it safe to touch?" he asked. "What's the best way to make friends?"

The small furry critter was less impressed with Akagi, hissing at him as if its life was on the line, dragging its wing to cover its face. Suddenly the screamer looked a lot less friendly.


"Hsss #"