as written by Script
The trail leading through Naseni forest was winding and in places overgrown, though it was obvious it had seen a boom in traffic lately. Plants that looked to have recently extended onto the track were pushed back and trodden on, others had been trimmed. Even with this increase in travel, however, the forest remained largely untamed, encroaching on the paved path in new places or from beneath through cracks in the stonework.
Seiji, who hadn't seemed to lose a mite of energy over the course of the entire journey, continued to lead the way. The journey had been, by and large, uneventful. Aside from a detour to avoid the road along the edge of Lake Yosai after some locals warned them of dangerous kappa activity, things had gone smoothly. They had spent nights in Tsuribazu and Yosai townships along the way, setting off from the latter a few hours ago. Now it was just gone midday, and the sun shone down brightly through the cracks in the trees (though those cracks were swiftly dwindling as they pushed further into the forest).
Along with Kinaro and Junwei, Seiji had picked up another pair of companions since entering the forest - a brown and patterned fox that trotted along parallel to them just off the trail, and a field mouse that dozed upon his hat. It hadn't been clear exactly why the animals started following them, but apparently Seiji's infectious enthusiasm wasn't limited to humans. He had run up to the critters as one might expect a much younger child to, and rather than fleeing, they had started to follow. He occasionally spoke to them, though they showed no signs of understanding.
"So anyway," the young boy was saying, "Yan'Xin village is a veeery spiritual place." he nodded his head solemnly, "The people who live there are very strict about people respecting the forest spirits, and spirits in general. That's why the festival is so important here. They have their own shrine and everything! I came here once before with my brother, and almost got lost in the woods wandering, so you two be careful! If I can get lost, then you'll definitely get lost. The forest spirits are tricksy, and like to tease travellers who go off the beaten path."
Seiji's expression betrayed no humour - it was clear that he believed every word he was saying. Whether it was true or not was another matter. After all, he'd never mentioned how long ago it was since he was last here. And children do like to make up stories to explain themselves getting lost.
The trail leading through Naseni forest was winding and in places overgrown, though it was obvious it had seen a boom in traffic lately. Plants that looked to have recently extended onto the track were pushed back and trodden on, others had been trimmed. Even with this increase in travel, however, the forest remained largely untamed, encroaching on the paved path in new places or from beneath through cracks in the stonework.
Seiji, who hadn't seemed to lose a mite of energy over the course of the entire journey, continued to lead the way. The journey had been, by and large, uneventful. Aside from a detour to avoid the road along the edge of Lake Yosai after some locals warned them of dangerous kappa activity, things had gone smoothly. They had spent nights in Tsuribazu and Yosai townships along the way, setting off from the latter a few hours ago. Now it was just gone midday, and the sun shone down brightly through the cracks in the trees (though those cracks were swiftly dwindling as they pushed further into the forest).
Along with Kinaro and Junwei, Seiji had picked up another pair of companions since entering the forest - a brown and patterned fox that trotted along parallel to them just off the trail, and a field mouse that dozed upon his hat. It hadn't been clear exactly why the animals started following them, but apparently Seiji's infectious enthusiasm wasn't limited to humans. He had run up to the critters as one might expect a much younger child to, and rather than fleeing, they had started to follow. He occasionally spoke to them, though they showed no signs of understanding.
"So anyway," the young boy was saying, "Yan'Xin village is a veeery spiritual place." he nodded his head solemnly, "The people who live there are very strict about people respecting the forest spirits, and spirits in general. That's why the festival is so important here. They have their own shrine and everything! I came here once before with my brother, and almost got lost in the woods wandering, so you two be careful! If I can get lost, then you'll definitely get lost. The forest spirits are tricksy, and like to tease travellers who go off the beaten path."
Seiji's expression betrayed no humour - it was clear that he believed every word he was saying. Whether it was true or not was another matter. After all, he'd never mentioned how long ago it was since he was last here. And children do like to make up stories to explain themselves getting lost.
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