Welcome to Gaia! ::

No one noticed it happening. The subtle shifts in climate, changes in behavior among animals. Everyone had been so absorbed by the technological advances made by the humans. No one realized they were ignoring their planet, and it was slowly reclaiming itself. When buildings suddenly would crumble, due to unnatural shifts in the tectonic plates of the planet's crust. The northern climate made a drastic shift, becoming warmer, while southern lands grew warmer. It almost seemed like the whole planet made a shift on its axis, where it would be warmest grew coldest, and vice versa. Docile animals grew more dangerous, while predators lost their characteristic aggressiveness. The humans' work, all they'd suffered for, was slowly being destroyed by their own planet. Flora retook cities, vines, moss, and lichen growing more rapidly than should have been possible.
Now few cities remain with the technology the humans had sought so desperately to attain; others were reduced to more primitive havens where little was offered. The main cities that maintained their status built protective walls around themselves, determined to remain as they were, while the rest of the world was left to fend for themselves.
Each continent had maybe one or two technologically-advanced city, with a few of the smaller towns scattered far between. Anyone who desired to travel the wilderness was expected to be able to fend for themselves, or hire a bodyguard from one of the main cities, otherwise they'd be picked out in the harsh lands outside those protective walls..

"What do you mean, 'there's no passage now'?"
The human gripped his weapon tighter, frowning. "Sir, the snow's too strong right now--you wouldn't be able to get far anyway."
"Pfff, don't tell me whether I'd get far or not!" Tassel began pushing passed the guard, only to be shoved back again. "Hey! Cut that out!"
"We can't let you leave the city!"
"Oh, sure!" The turquoise-haired man snorted. "Yeah, ya can! And ya will!"
Tassel forced himself passed, ignoring the shouts of protest, and the solid clicks of the weapons behind him. He pushed the keypad on the door with a rough finger, and it opened. The wind from outside blew in with hurricane strength, eager to demolish whatever it could get to. The men nearby cried out in surprise, rushing forward to close the gates again. Tassel got shoved out in the process, one man glaring at him darkly, as the gates shut once more.
"That's more like it. See? I told ya!" He shouted, but knew they wouldn't be able to hear him over the wall. "Finally, out of that stinkin place..."
He rubbed his hands together, hugging his body for more warmth. Flimsy jacket wasn't much help in the snow, but he didn't really seem to notice. He just started walking, murmuring to himself how much he'd enjoy ripping those guards' throats out with his bare...teeth... The thought brought a warm grin to his face, and his pace was more at ease than before.
Around him, the wind howled, concealing whatever sounds the forest had to offer.

Tassel roughly pushed his turquoise bangs from his face, growling as the wind persisted. He was sinking to his knees in snow, and his toes had already gone numb.
"What're ya doin this to me for?!" He roared at the wind, his voice carried away quickly. "I didn't even do anything..."
He stopped, the wind getting blocked by the shelter of trees. He looked around, finally able to open his eyes more than a crack. This area wasn't quite as snowed in--the canopy above held most of the snow. He squinted, frowning.
"Alright... Soooo..." He peered up, but shook his head. "No use. I'm lost. Where was that village?"
Shrugging, Tassel kept walking, enjoying the lack of strong winds. There was a rustle in a bush nearby, and Tassel pulled his hands from his jacket pockets. A rabbit hopped out, looking as innocent as ever. The man frowned, narrowing his eyes. The rabbit sniffed the air, then spotted him, freezing.
"No. Go on and keep hoppin." Tassel murmured, clenching his hands.
The rabbit kept staring at him, nose quivering. Then it crouched, lips lifting slightly to bare its teeth, teeth that were intended to chew grass. It loosed an odd screech, and scampered across the snow, leaping at Tassel. The man yelped in surprise, shielding his face as the animal jumped up at him, scratching and biting. He swat at it, sending it sprawling again in the snow, and he took off running.
Not that he was afraid of it... He just knew there'd be more. And a lot of angry rabbits was not fun to mess with. He dashed through the trees, slipping on snow and leaves, and listened as the rabbit pursued him, at least for a distance. When he couldn't hear it's frantic paws anymore, he slowed down and exhaled, watching his breath curl around his face.
"Stupid rabbits... Bah." He peered at his arm, wincing at the bleeding cuts from its nails. "They're kinda ferocious..."
He looked up again, and stared at a small hut. In the middle of a forest? He sniffed, but the cold air stung his nostrils. Shrugging, Tassel walked over to the hut, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Helloooo?" He called, looking around curiously.

Tassel lifted his head, one eyebrow quirked. He smirked, then approached the door to the hut. He knocked three solid times.
"Heeeelllooooo?" He taunted, a smirk crossing his features.