thenearshore | 005 | Sakura In The Night

Entry tags:

005 | Sakura In The Night

Who: Everyone!
What: Cherry blossom viewing
When: Nighttime March 26, 2016
Where: A park with sakura trees
Summary: Heaven is throwing a small party to view the sakura and let everyone relax.

After the absolute disaster that happened with handing out chocolates, the Heavens are tripping over themselves to make up for their inability to properly handle the situation. They are eager to make amends and assure everyone that they are hardworking individuals who want nothing more than to make everyone's stay here enjoyable or at least pleasant. To that end, they have invited all of the gods and shinki to a lovely flower viewing, since the sakura are in season.

And by 'invited', they mean 'mandatory', of course. You will accept their apology, whether you like it or not.

It's not all bad, though. The Heavens have provided various kimonos that can be worn, if you haven't brought your own, but you're not required to wear a kimono. They would, however, really like it if you did wear them. It's very traditionally Japanese, after all.

The party is taking place at night so that you can all hide your merrymaking from the Near Shore residents and also because the night sky is beautiful against the cherry blossoms. So try to at least enjoy yourselves while you're here.

Banquet

Every kind of food imaginable is available for your eating pleasure. On top of that, there are dozens of different kinds of desserts ready to be devoured as well. For the older crowd, booze has been provided and is being served by white-clad shinki bearing the golden chrysanthemum of Amaterasu. They are, however, refusing to serve alcohol to anyone who looks too young to drink, sorry guys.

Cherry Blossoms

The blossoms are absolutely gorgeous this year, and they are at the peak of their blooming right now. Nearly every single bud has bloomed and the pink petals are floating by everywhere you go. There is an ethereal light emanating from each of the trees, lighting up the area with a soft, pink light, yet it doesn't seem to be drowning out the brightness of the stars at all. It really is the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing anyone could ever hope for.

"Secret" Corner

Somehow, the Heavens have managed to make one small corner of the grotto into a completely secluded area. There is no marking or signs to indicate what this corner should be used for, but anyone entering it will suddenly realize that this is a place for lovers to meet privately. Only those that you enter the corner with will be able to notice your presence, and you will be unable to notice anyone else's presence as well. Enjoy yourselves, young ones!

Counselling

Off to the side, there is a tiny table set up with a small, nicely written sign that reads "Gentle Counselling". On the other side of the table is a sweetly smiling shinki who is willing to listen to your problems and answer any questions you might have. She is also here to help out any gods that are having a hard time dealing with knowing about how their shinki died and any shinki that is having trouble coming to terms with the fact that they are dead. Counselling will also gladly be offered to anyone who is still pissed off or upset in any way about what happened after White Day.

In Summary:

Enjoy the cherry blossoms
Eat lots of good food
Promise it's not poisoned
Spend time with people you like
Meet the newbies
Have fun~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yukine was almost regretting walking near Bishamonten when she made a comment like that, but he can’t help replying in a similarly thoughtful tone,]

They are. But not as nice as his tree.

[ You know exactly who she's thinking about, don't you, Yukine? She can't help but think back to that time though. When Suzuha had died, Yukine accidentally being brought to her manor alongside Kazuma's return... and the ugliness that followed. ]

No... these trees hardly hold any comparison.

[ There's a small sad smile though. ]

I think he'd be happy to know someone cared enough to look after it in his stead.

Of course.

[Both that Suzuha would be happy, and that Yukine would take up caring for the tree.
But... Folding his arms behind his head he looks up into the blossoming branches with a sigh.]

I wish I had a teacher though. There is only so much I can figure out from books, you know?

[Suzuha had had a good teacher, even if he had been secretly evil and crazy. (One of those, minus the evil and crazy, please...)]

[ She can't help but feel partially responsible. After all, Suzuha was her shinki. If she was more attentive, if she called to him more... no. He wouldn't want her to have all these regrets. He was such a kind boy, after all. ]

It isn't much but I could ask everyone else. Surely one of them knows enough to help...

[ There's a sigh though. ]

I feel partially responsible. He was my shinki... the least I could do is help preserve his memory.

[He glances over at her, his eyes narrow for an instant.

She is responsible. It's not all her fault, but still.

Yukine will never apologize for what he said back then. Even if he'd said it in rawest anger, he knows he was right. Remembering Suzuha smiling that smile that was suppressing so much... it still hurts. A bit.
But he also knows that Suzuha wouldn't want him holding anything against Bishamonten. (And if Yukine thinks about it, she's been hurting and trying to move on in her own way too.)

So, the instant passes and he returns his gaze up to the blossoms.]

I'd really appreciate that. Thank you.

[ Alright, fine. She was completely responsible. If it wasn't for her negligence, after all, Kuguha wouldn't have betrayed them... Suzuha wouldn't have died.

There's a small pained look as she turns her attention back to Yukine. She's certain he's thinking about it... probably about Suzuha, that day Kazuma got exiled... that was a crazy period for everyone involved. ]

...I never thanked you.

[From the corner of his eye he can tell she's looking at him again, but that comment makes him turn to face her fully.]

Mm? What for? ...Taking care of Suzuha's tree?

No... what you said that day apart from other things. Befriending Suzuha for one.

[ Don't make her repeat it. You know what she means. It's almost pained but she needs to swallow her pride after all. ]

I... needed to hear that. It only served to show how dire the situation had been. So... thank you. For being able to speak your mind.

[Whoa. Considering that this level of appreciation isn’t something Yukine gets a lot of, plus the fact it’s coming from someone proud like her-!
There’s a flash of temptation to rub it in, but Yukine stifles it. He’s better than that now. He should accept her thanks in the spirit it was given. (Watch him be a mature hafuri.)]

You’re welcome. Any time. [Okay, he can’t keep a touch of sauciness out of that. But he really will say it straight any time.]

If you learned from it… after someone messes up, I think that’s all anyone can ask for,

[He’s done a bit of that himself.]

[ Thank you for being more mature than your master. At least she can say you're being raised right. ]

It was quite the eye opener.

[ A sigh, but she does manage a smile, at least. ]

We still have quite a way to go but in a way, none of it would have turned out the way it did without you.

[ And Yato but she'll probably have to get really drunk to get emotional about that again. ]

[ …Please don’t make a habit of someone needing to die to have your eyes opened. ~~This really is an unfortunate trend with her ;A;~~
(But okay! Reckless and dangerous behavior, condoned by Bishamonten!)

Yukine can feel his face growing warmer. Crap, he doesn’t want to blush his head off over just a couple compliments!]

Thanks. I’m glad that things worked... are working out. I really do appreciate you letting Kazuma-san mentor me, too.

[ ~~It really is and those death flags make me think she's going to have some hard lessons to learn soon~~

She can't help but utter the softest chuckle at that though. ]

It was the least I could do. Though you and Kazuma must have your hands full wit hall these newcomers.

[Yukine rolls his eyes.]

No kidding, we do. It's practically impossible now to keep track of them all. Apparently even more have just shown up, too.

[He crosses his arms in disgruntlement.]

And I haven't heard of anything that could be a hint about all this. If anything, things have gotten even weirder since I read about that guy Hibari dying... and coming back...

[Given the recent context it feels weighty to bring this up. After all... usually, death for a shinki is the end.]

It looks like we'll have more coming in every month, if this pattern is to be believed. Amaterasu doesn't seem to know anything... and even if she is...

[ No. No, this isn't the time to sow dissent in everyone else. Not a good idea. Though she pauses, turning her attentio to Yukine. ]

These newcomers... they don't seem to conform to the rules, so to speak. They come and go, they return from death...

[ Cue exhale of exasperation. ]

[He echoes that sentiment.

The pattern is kinda hard to miss too, isn't it. At this rate heaven will be completely over-run with these crazy god and shinki who defy the rules of the Far Shore... Glancing up at her he says softly, candidly,]

Thinking about that, I'm kinda afraid of whatever power is making this happen. A power that can overturn natural 'laws' that govern how gods and shinki exist... Even if we find it, can it be stopped?

I'm certain we're not the only ones who feel uneasy about all this. There are others among these newcomers who will try to stop whatever force brought them here.

[ At least that's what she hopes. Hopefully the allure of power isn't going to let some people allow whoever was at fault to get away with this. ]

Until then... we have our work cut out for us.

[If Bishamonten says so, then it's likely true. It sounds like she has as good a handle on the situation as anyone. Hopefully they really can count on some of the newcomers to help and ...not make a further mess.

Yukine then pulls a sour face.]

Imagining how much work it's going to be if things keep on like this, ug. ...I just want things to go back to normal. That was plenty enough trouble as it was.

[Trying to whip Yato into being a god of fortune, wondering where the real sorcerer was, hoping that whatever trouble Nora wanted to stir up wouldn't come for a while longer... wasn't that enough?]

But whatever. We'll keep doing our best until then.

Normal. That would be a relief.

[ At least she can go back to focusing on hunting ayakashi without worrying that someone's going to get their ass kicked by getting too many ayakashi on their plate.

But all this talk to business brings something to mind before she got distracted by the cherry blossoms. ]

By the way, Yukine, have you seen Kazuma? He asked to meet me by the grotto and hasn't arrived yet.

Mm? No, I haven't. [-- Waaait a sec-]

You sure he asked you to meet him there?

I'm sure.

[ Blinking. Staring. Why are you kids always giving her weird looks about that? ]

Unless there's another grotto I haven't seen?

[Kazuma-san...
This is almost TMI for a student to know about his mentor.

M-Maybe he's just thinking about it too much. Yah. Maybe- maybe just because it feels private when you step in there, it's a good place to talk about secret things?

... ...

Somehow Yukine can't quite convince himself of that 100%.

A w k w a r d?]

Uh. No, there's probably not another grotto.

[ Wait til you find out about his manga. ]

I see... But there should be a reason he's asked to meet with me.

[ And a somewhat exasperated exhale. You're making her wait, Kazu. ]

Really. If it was something he wanted to talk about, it could wait until we went home.

[ Naive war god. Making things awkward for everyone since the Asuka period. ]

[Lookin' forward to it. (That will actually help this make a whole lot more sense to him...)]

[He looks off to the side, trying to smother whatever expression he's making -- something between a wry smile and an awkward grimace thinking of possible romantic confessions between Kazuma-san and Bishamonten.
He'd only stepped one foot in there before turning tail, but he could tell what that place was for.]

Oh, if it can't wait until you get back, I'm sure there's a reason why it has to be there...

Kazuma never does things without reason.

[ But why here, why now? Her office was private enough after all. There's an impatient tap of her foot before straightening up. ]

Perhaps I should go. He might be there. If you do manage to find him, please let him know I was looking for him.

[... Nope, he sure doesn't.]

Will do, Bishamonten.

[He almost says 'good luck' but stops himself just in time. If she mentioned it, Kazuma-san would probably kill him if he found out that he suspected something.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

005 | Sakura In The Night

A

;A;

That exactly ;;

it was inevitable they talk about it anyway. ;;;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject