Soulless Forest Altar
Hatsume had made her way back around to these lands again, and strangeness had ensued since the moment her paws lighted upon the northern beach. Hatsume had misplaced her sister, her corgi and her cousins, but she was sure that she could find them again, with just a bit of time. Her goose waddled along at her back, eyeing the crow at the foot of the alter suspiciously, but with a flick of her tail she tried to convince the bird to be at ease. She didn’t know much about the yokai of this place, but she knew a shrine when she saw one. Ruffling around through her belongings, she fished out her prize from the last time she she was here, a stick of dango and some sakura petals from her mother’s garden. She took a moment to place her offering just so, and dipped her head respectfully, waiting a few moments before stepping back, not daring to turn her back on the shrine until those beady crow eyes seemed to indicate she was a respectful distance away.
“Speech”
Your offering is placed upon the altar and a reverent hush falls over the fog-laden woods. The familiars are still and silent for many moments after your offering is laid, all eyes drawn toward the cerberus’ judgemental gaze.
Time ticks on slowly and then as if to some invisible, silent cue, the familiars let out a soft breath of relief all at once. A sharp caw overhead breaks the heavy sense of foreboding for just a moment, and as your turn your head to the sound and back you see your offering has changed. The flower petals have all wilted and cracked, their colors fading into a stone-like marbling of grey and black. The dango has vanished, leaving behind mere crumbs of flour behind. The bag of water remains but has grown so large that its edges hang down around the altar's marble surface. The goldfish within is gone and in its place, a new animal desperately flails for oxygen. Better get him out quick!
Before you go, something draws you to glance up and meet the stoney gaze upon each of the three-headed statue’s faces. A keen observer might notice a distinct change in the expression of each as they look upon the intricate carving, where each of the cerberus’ maws have appeared to curve up into the barest of smiles.
You have received:
Large Companion Pass
Staff: note when claimed