((This is a Semi-Open RP. It's an adventure thread primarily for Wukong and Mai, but others will be popping in here and there as well.))

Forest next to the Institute of War

It was the break of dawn, and the sun just barely started to peek over the horizon with the telltale signs of life beginning to stir; birds chirping and the soft laughter of wild dogs running in packs towards the darkness to the west. The crisp taste of a cool night brought sweet morning dew dripping gently off the leaves and falling into puddles along the thick, mossy floor. It was the perfect day to begin their adventure.

With a misty breath, Mai stirred atop a pair of closely weaved branches that made for an incredibly comfortable bed for the night. She used her torn kimono as a blanket to keep her warm for the evening, with a peach or two set towards the end of the branch for breakfast. The kimono slid off her slender form, revealing the dark top she wore, clearly Asian in nature with frog clasps unbuttoned at the front of her neck. The bandages around her lower torso kept the red sash secured overnight, with a short obi, and belt pinched securely around her lower waste. She yawned softly, and slowly pulled herself up from the comfortable spot to stretch out and carefully balance her way towards the end of the branch. The belts unfastened to replace the kimono on, before securing them once again with the red sash replaced to its normal position. As she settled at the end of the branch with her legs folding cross-legged to eat one of the peaches, her gaze broke through the canvas of green to get a sense of the day, watching the clouds towards the north to see how they stirred and what weather they might bring.

She leaned forward with her elbow resting atop her knee, and the peach held near her mouth to take occasional bites. During the night she had run off to gather some things for the trip. They’d be going into different climates and unlike Wukong, she lacked fur and would require some extra layers. Violet eyes flicked up to the gently blowing leaves surrounding her, particularly the ones high above and drew to a full stand allowing the branch to sway beneath her and feel the wind blowing against her form.

It was already turning out to be a beautiful morning. The song of many birds carried with it a pleasant morning greeting, stirring away the remnants of sleep left lingering in Mai’s thoughts. As the wind picked up a bit, a cold, chilling breeze carried beneath it causing her to shiver a bit and hop around to rid her of the frosty air.

If Wukong were still asleep, she would carefully make her way as quietly as possible towards him hoping not to disturb the sleeping monkey. Her legs would wrap around the branch above him, and slowly her upper body would swing down with a single feather pinched between her fingertips. Quietly, she’d try to tickle his nose with it. Her eyes would be near his, kind of like before when he was hanging upside down from the branch above.