The cherry trees appear.

[thewidewideworld]

During the night something wonderful has happened. A large area of the mountainsides and foothills of Milliways has sprouted cherry trees. Smooth grey-brown bark, between twenty and thirty feet tall, and covered in tiny blossoms.

There are winding paths through the cherry trees, and occasional clearings ideal for s rest or a picnic. Stone lanterns are placed at intervals along the paths and around the clearings. At dusk the lanterns will light up with a cheery glow, to be extinguished after sunrise.

And half way up the side of the mountain, with a lovely view back down to the lake and gardens, is a natural amphitheatre, ringed by pure white blossoms. A perfect, private but welcoming space.

{ooc: kicked off with permission from Seimei’s mun and the Modgods. Thread-hopping, plot use, and exploration welcomed. The trees will be around for two weeks.}

Comments

[quick_clean_pure]

Oh, wow. This is pretty.

Graverobber's not too familiar with nature in general, really, given the state of things in his world. He's seen trees, sure, but the kind they can safely plant in the nicer parts of a city as grungy and run-down as his. There were a couple in the cemeteries, but they were small and usually badly-cared for.

These trees, though, these ones are fucking gorgeous.

So when he looks at them and wanders into them for the first time, he just stares for a bit, enjoying the sight.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric dances and laughs, his long grey kimono sleeves creating whirlwinds of pink and white blossoms. He spots Graverobber and comes dancing over to him, smiling brightly. "Graverobber!"

[quick_clean_pure]

When he hears a voice calling out to him, he shifts, listening to the voice carrying the sound and realizing whose it was. "Hey there, Sinric," he says, cheery smile on his face as he spots Sinric and his whirlwind of flowers approaching.

[thewidewideworld]

"Isn't it beautiful!" He flutters his arms, rippling silk spilling a stream of petals. "I love this time of year."

[quick_clean_pure]

"It really is," he says, glancing over at the whirlwind of petals emanating from both the trees and from Sinric himself. "Jesus. I've never seen anything like this before."

[thewidewideworld]

"You should see it at night, when the lanterns are lit. In the stillness the blossoms are like silent snow."

[quick_clean_pure]

"I'll have to do that, then," he says, still kind of looking around amazed. "Where'd they come from?"

[thewidewideworld]

"An island called Nippon in my time. But Japan in later ages. They are planted all over the island in great groves - both finely and carefully arranged gardens, and great wild places."

"The month of blossoms is a time of festivals and celebrations. Of dancing and music, of food and love and joy."

[quick_clean_pure]

"And the bar just brought them here?" he asks, glancing around. "Or did you ask the bar to put them here?"

[thewidewideworld]

"There's a man who is a god who brings the cherry trees every year." Sinric dances in playful circles, "His name is Seimei and he's wonderful!" He sounds a little drunk on the joy of it.

[quick_clean_pure]

He chuckles good-naturedly at Sinric's obvious enthusiasm. "That's real nice of Seimei, then," he says. "It's certainly not a bad sight to come out to over here."

[thewidewideworld]

"They only last a couple of weeks but it's beautiful while they last. That's kinda the point of them. To celebrate the beauty of a moment."

[quick_clean_pure]

"Makes sense. 'Nothing gold can stay' and all that," he says. "Still, pretty to have 'em while they're here. I don't think I've ever seen this many trees before, period, or any at all that look like this."

[thewidewideworld]

"Nothing gold can stay." Sinric echoes. "I've never heard it said like that. I like it."

He smiles and stops to admire the view. "It is so very beautiful."

[quick_clean_pure]

"It's from a poem where I'm from, I think. I don't really know the whole thing, but it has a part -- 'dawn goes down to day, nothing gold can stay' -- and it's about sunsets and flowers not lasting, or something like that," he says. Graverobber honestly isn't even sure how he knows it. He's not sure where he heard about it.

"But still, it's damned pretty to look at while it's here."

[thewidewideworld]

"I like the sound of that. I shall have to seek it out."

Sinric sits down next to Graverobber and starts to sing. Just softly, a song about the cherry blossoms. Just because it feels good to sing.

[quick_clean_pure]

Graverobber quiets to listen to Sinric sing, letting it flow through his ears. Like Sinric's other songs, he's never heard it before, but it's lovely.

[thewidewideworld]

He lets the song play out, holding the last note for a long moment before letting it fall softly like a petal on the breeze.

He smiles and leans his head on Graverobber's shoulder. "Every year I find myself missing Nippon. My happy memories are bound in the blossoms."

[quick_clean_pure]

Graverobber lets him lean on him, his arm going lightly around Sinric's shoulders when he does. "Can't say I blame you. Maybe one of the doors in the bar could let you visit? Maybe not the same time or spot, exactly, but at least the same country."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric is very glad for the touch, radiating warmth like a content cat. "I hadn't thought of that. I shall have to ask around."

[quick_clean_pure]

He smiles slightly at Sinric's pleased reaction. "Yeah, and I mean, it can't hurt. Besides, so many people at the bar are from so many different places, maybe at least one can let you visit, even just for a little."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric is a very physical individual and closeness warms him. And he likes Graverobber very much.

"Every world is a new adventure." He smiles. "Have you had a chance to travel?"

[quick_clean_pure]

And Graverobber likes him very nuchm too!

"Not really," he admits. "I mean, the bar's already been a hell of a new experience with..I don't know, everything it's got. I hadn't really thought about going outside of that yet."

[thewidewideworld]

"I am travelling through the foothills of Rome beyond my door. With people I would struggle to explain this too. But once I have brought them to where they need to be, I would be glad to show you my world. If you desire to see it."

[quick_clean_pure]

"Sure," he says, smiling a little at the offer. "If it's no trouble to you or anything. Don't want to be causing you any hassle or anything."