016 | The Good Old Days

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Ageswapping
When: July 15-17
Where: Everywhere
Summary: A breach in the space-time continuum is messing things up.

Edit: OVERFLOW is here!



The Far Shore has been dealing with a lot of space-time pulsating through the past week or so and everything is culminating on the night of the 15th, even though the Heavens are preparing for an all-out Obon bash. They had planned to have the celebration on the 15th itself, but Amaterasu asked to postpone a day due to the horrible feeling that is permeating the Far Shore.

And it turns out she was right to postpone everything. In fact, it will have to be postponed another whole month at this rate...



Before

Late in the day on July 15th, the new batch of shinki will arrive to a Far Shore with a thick, tense atmosphere. All night on the 15th it feels like something is about to happen - and it's difficult to tell whether that something will be good or bad. Any attempts to contact the management of the Far Shore have fallen on deaf, slightly harried ears and so everyone is left to their own devices to try and figure out why things are so tense.

July 16

Just after midnight, an explosive shock wave rips through the Far Shore, bringing on the age changes with it. Even the spirits of the Far Shore seem to be affected - for example, the library goblins are either toddling around on wobbly legs or are dragging themselves from place to place and looking decrepit. There are a few gods and shinki that seem to have been exceptions from the change, though it is not clear why.

July 17

Another wave of energy comes in the early morning of the 17th. Fewer people are affected this time and it seems to alter those people's ages a second time. There is no rhyme or reason to who is being affected further. Several of the library goblins have just dropped dead from severe old age. Oops.

Aftermath

Late on the 17th brings about one final burst from the energy that has been plaguing the Far Shore. For a short moment, every new temple glows with a soft light, seeming to beckon to their owners. But the light is gone quickly and everyone will find themselves back to normal with complete memories of everything that happened during their age adventures. The goblins that died, though, are still very dead. Looks like the library will need to get some new help soon.

In Summary:

• Meet the newbies
• Get aged or de-aged
• Deal with other too young/too old people
• Try to handle the consequences
• Have fun~

Comments

[revolutionfalcon]

[A: July 15th, Closed to Reisi]

[It's been a long time since Shun's felt the assignment of another shinki.

It's a little surprising that there's nothing heralding the newcomers but an actual organised training effort (though he can't help but be satisfied they actually took the suggestion), but he couldn't fail to notice the thick, tense atmosphere when he'd patrolled this morning, and he has to wonder whether that has something to do with it. For now, it doesn't seem like they're getting any kind of clear answer, so once he focuses himself to try and figure out the direcion of his current shinki and ends up feeling pulls from two directions, he sets out to try and find the source of the second.

Identifying them isn't too difficult given the images that break through to the forefront of his mind as soon as he lays eyes on them, so after a brief moment of looking the guy he's come across over, he approaches with a wary, but confident air.]

You. We need to talk.

--

[B: July 16th]



[i: Morning]

[Waking up a child, remembering nothing, in a temple you don't recognise without your little sister who should definitely be there with you is a bit of an overwhelming experience, but Shun's handling it. Or trying to. The young boy, looking about seven or eight at most, is instantly recognisable by the hair just as bizarrely styled as it is when he's a teenager, and his yellow eyes which are much rounder and softer than anything his normal appearance could approach.

Whether he should normally know you or not, his memories of the people he knows here are gone, so anyone he approaches gets the same small but persistent tug on their clothes and a worried, but polite smile.]

Sorry, but have you seen a little girl with purple hair and pink eyes? I'm supposed to be looking after her, but when I woke up I was here and she was gone...

[ii: Afternoon]

[By this point, Shun's been reassured that Ruri, while perhaps not here, should be safe, so he's more focused on exploring this strange and interesting place he's found himself in. While doing so, though, he's run across a few of the aged-down library goblins, and is trying to help one of them to walk so he can teach all of them at once.

While he tries to support the demonstrating goblin as they wobble forward on an undersized leg, the creature's attempt at walking fails, and when it topples over, Shun goes down with it due to the unpracticed attempt at a supporting hold.]

No, that's not right... [He grumbles a little as he rubs his arm, before noticing someone else nearby and waving.] Hello! Can you help me teach them how to walk? I don't think they know.

--

[C: July 17th]



[The second flare hits Shun as well, and he could almost be mistaken for returning to his normal form at this point, if it weren't for the details. His eyes are still a little kinder and livelier than they would normally be, and his intimidating bearing is gone as well as any of his usual wariness and awareness about himself. He's also slightly shorter, though it's not really by much, and a bit softer in the face - a few years younger, probably, early teens rather than late. As it is, he's roaming around the Far Shore with a bit of a confused look, mostly trying to find other actual people so he can ask what this even is.

It's so wide, yet so empty...it doesn't feel right. His own home could never have this few people in it and still feel that way.

Once he spots someone, he gives a brief wave and smile as he approaches.] Hi. Are you supposed to be here, or did you just show up out of nowhere? I just showed up and I have no idea what the hell this place is, so I was hoping someone could help out.

[Anyone who would normally know him is free to fall over from shock at that actual mostly politeness.]

--

[D: Aftermath]



[As an early teen, he still has no idea what's going on when the wave sweeps through the Far Shore once more. But once the last few years of his age return, he realises the tension from earlier in the day is gone - no, it's two days ago, isn't it? The memories of what he'd done in that time hit him full force, and with a frustrated hiss, he holds a hand to his face for a moment.

...He knows several people who are probably never going to let him live that down, but he should probably make sure they're okay before doing everything he can to make them forget what just happened. Probably.

Anyone who approaches him or who he approaches himself stands a chance of getting a brief look up and down as Shun considers how likely it is they're still under the effect if he doesn't know them, or checks them against what he knows of them if he does, before inclining his head slightly as if satisfied.]

So it was that pulse that returned us to normal. [Now let's all pretend it never happened.]

[E: Wildcard]

[[Want to do another thing? Hit me up here or plot contact at reviseleviathan!]]

July 16 - afternoon/pretend Johan is a bitty because lack of icons ;;

[rainbowmaster]

I'll help!

[There's a voice that comes from above Shun, and if he looks up, there's a giant eagle with a stone attached to it flying above him.

What should be more worrying is the tiny child on top of it, and he's peering down at Shun carefully from where he's perched. He says something to Cobalt Eagle, earning a huff from the Duel Monster before the eagle suddenly comes swooping down and landing beside Shun.]

i have about three tiny shuns to cycle through and one of them is grumpy...

[revolutionfalcon]

[It's probably a good thing that what Johan said was what caught Shun's attention initially, because as soon as he sees the big gem eagle, his eyes widen like he's totally enraptured by it. If anything, he only looks even more excited when it comes to land next to him, and is pretty clearly restraining the urge to immediately come over and start petting it.

It's probably a good thing the other goblins are making an attempt to help the first one up.]

Your eagle is really cool! Can I touch it? [He's gonna hug the eagle--]

[rainbowmaster]

[Johan grins even as he slides off of Cobalt Eagle's back.

He nods at Shun.]

You can touch it! [Or hug it.

Cobalt Eagle certainly doesn't seem to mind either way.]

1/2

[mostsuitable]

[Though the fog around him was impenetrably thick, cold, and obscuring, Munakata felt he could clearly see the Gray King right through it. He charged at the older man, successfully deflecting the other King’s shots as they rained upon him before he unleashed a powerful slash his opponent. Stunned and defeated, the Gray King fell, but Munakata couldn’t relax until the fog, the Gray King’s ultimate defense, began to subside.

“We will advance with sword in hand, for our cause is pure.”

When the fog cleared, the warm sun beamed down as the Blue King stood over the fallen Gray King, blood pooling around him.

“I can’t believe you won… Fine then. Stick to that stubborn ideal of yours. See how far it will take you.”

As the Gray King took what might’ve been his last breath, his Sword of Damocles disappeared from above. Blue clansmen bustled about their victory, but Munakata fell silent as he struggled to withdraw Sanctum, his power crackling around him.

“Captain!” His lieutenant called out behind him. “You must undo your Sanctum immediately!”

“I already did,” Munakata answered with back still turned on his clansmen. “But it seems my will alone is no longer enough to make it disappear.”

Then he heard his lieutenant stand behind him. “Everyone, stand back! You too, Zenjo! I am his lieutenant. If necessary, I will…”

She didn’t need to finish for everyone to know that she’d be the one to slay her Captain, her King. Having wanted to spare her the responsibility, Munakata had chosen the man who’d slain the last Blue King. But here and now, she’d resolved to do it herself.

As his clansmen evacuated the area, Munakata moved to stand by the door that Fushimi had opened earlier. The Sword’s cracks and fissures continued to split, pieces of the Sword falling like flakes of ice and snow. And while he continued his struggle to suppress his power, he couldn’t stop it blistering and cracking about him.

Then, the aura went out of his Sword, and it began its descent. Ready to face his death, Munakata turned to face it without trying to look at anyone or anything in particular… when his lieutenant’s blade crunched through his chest. Slowly, his body began to slump, his strength leaving as his life began to fade. Maybe his arms went around her, maybe they didn’t make it, but Munakata had tried.

“Thank you… for your outstanding work… as always, Awashima…”

Such are the visions of a noble death that Munakata cannot remember.]

2/2

[mostsuitable]

[After listening carefully to Bishamon and reading the informational pamphlet, all that was really left was to find his god. Of course, he would take the time to train and mingle with others, but he wanted to know his god. He wanted to know if they were compatible, and if they weren’t, he might request that they separate ways.

But then a younger man approached him, cautiously but confidently.]

Very well. What might your name be, and how might I oblige you?

[revolutionfalcon]

[Given the brutality of the very first death Shun had seen here, most of what he takes out of what he sees of Reisi's is information. Someone skilled, someone dedicated to a cause - that's not always a good thing, but it had seemed like he'd given his life to protect those other people in the memory. Presumably his comrades, if that woman who'd stabbed him was his lieutenant...

Shun's eyes narrow in faint interest. Someone he can work with, possibly.

His tone is fairly brusque when he speaks, in the manner of someone who prefers not to waste time, and he addresses Reisi as levelly as his confident air would have implied.]

Kurosaki Shun, or Nekhbet when I have to be. I figured you wouldn't want to be left wandering around looking for the god you were assigned to, so I came to find you when I sensed you being here.

16 morning

[kokuyoyo]

[The boy in the beanie seems to be a vibrating ball of worry as Shun approaches him, but at least he doesn't run away. They're all kids here, right? That means he answers, too, with a hasty shake of his head, before blurting out an answer of his own.]

A boy with blond hair and a scar?

[revolutionfalcon]

[Since this guy is obviously really worried himself, Shun makes sure he gives the matter of whether he's seen someone like that a lot of thought. After a few moments, he shakes his head, a bit sad to have let the kid down.]

No, I don't think so. Maybe we could look for them together? [More eyes should help, right?]

17th!

[welcome_home]

[ The greeting certainly has Nanako blinking at him. ]

Shun? Is that you? Are you feeling alright? [ She asks with a hint of surprise.

Was he... was that a smile? ]

[revolutionfalcon]

[That seems to surprise Shun equally as much, and his expression shifts to one of mild confusion as he looks her over.]

Do I know you? I'd ask if you were one of Ruri's friends, but I don't think she's here. [While he does sound a bit concerned about that, everyone here so far has been friendly, so if she is here, he shouldn't have much to worry about. If she's not...well, he doesn't even know why he's here...

He circles back to a smile regardless of his worries.] You probably know more about what's going on than I do if you already know me, anyway. And I'm fine, apart from not really knowing what's happening.

B ii - because awww

[missingache]

[Another kid? Roxas stops to tell the kid he'll help when he just stops and stares.]

... [Is that Shun? Shun as a kid?

KEEP CALM

Roxas takes a deep breath and nods.]

S-Sure. Why not!

enjoy the cute until he ages back up whoops

[revolutionfalcon]

[Indeed it is - it's pretty difficult to mistake that hairstyle. Roxas' momentary awkwardness seems to slip the child Shun by, and he grins a bit as he pulls himself out from under the toppled goblin and moves to pull it back to its unsteady feet as well.]

Thanks, mister. I've helped people learn walking before, but I don't think their legs are the same. They're kind of short and wobbly, see?

[He points at one of the other goblins, wobbling about on stubby little legs.]

C, yep

[returnedfromtheline]

[A second wave was rather unexpected, and Yukine is still in the throes of not being able to decide on how to feel about it.
On one hand he’s taller (older) again –the same as when he’d eaten that fruit. (He’d measured.) It’s awesome! His voice is even a little deeper this time which is kinda cool. On the other hand, he knows this can’t last. It’s the cruelest tease ever.

His eyes cast down as he walks towards the school he gets greeted by a polite voice that he kinda recognizes- then he really looks at who is talking to him.]

K-Kurosaki-sama? What’s with the sudden being nice? [And then what he actually said catches up to him.]

Huh? What do you mean, you don’t know where this is? We’re near the school. [ (Pardon him for a moment as this doesn’t all quite click together yet.) ]

[revolutionfalcon]

[The amount of times Shun's heard that by now today shows in the immediate side-eye Yukine gets, though it's not the severe sort Shun is prone to normally so much as just the squint of someone who's seen someone else do something weird. The other two hadn't mentioned anything about him being particularly nice, either, which just makes it weirder.]

I'm not that rude. And I've had this conversation a couple of times today, but even if you say you know me, I don't remember you. I only remember being here since this morning.

[There's some vague feeling of having been here before, but there's so many years between it and now that it's little more than distant deja vu.]

Why are you calling me "Kurosaki-sama", anyway? [Because that's...really not how people usually address him.]

16th, i

[blizzardrock]

[Shun has a what? ...Wait, Shun was a child once???]

I haven't, but...let me make sure of something. Stay here. [Because with this oddness and that tense feeling from yesterday, he should probably check that Actual Shun isn't actually here before he jumps to conclusions.]

Here, keep Pipey company. [Have a festival plush to hold, Lil Shun.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[Right here is probably all the proof Fubuki needs to show that Shun didn't suddenly spring into existence as a surly seventeen-year-old. Probably.

Though Shun frowns a little at the negative answer and the request for him to stay, he brightens up considerably at the sight of the big bird plush, and immediately takes it and brings it close.]

Okay. Are you going to be gone long? [How long he needs to entertain this bird for is an extremely serious question.]

C July 17th - Age 4

[little_wave]

[Kairi is a bitty today, so she might not be the best person to ask, but after he asks someone else she comes over to tug on his pants leg.]

Hey, Mister? Can I touch your hair?

[It looks SO COOL.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[Turning away from the last person asked - probably a soulless shinki, by the look of them, but it's not like he could tell - Shun looks down to the little kid with a slightly bemused look on his face. In his world, his hair isn't really noteworthy, so he's never had anyone ask that before...but he does have a pretty massive soft spot for kids, and it just doesn't feel right to turn her down.

So after a moment, he crouches down to her level and tilts his head forward.]

It's not very interesting, but alright. [Despite its appearance, any touching of it will reveal that it's soft and flexible, natural rather than styled or coloured that way, and bounces back easily to the unusual shape from any manipulation.]

July 17

[ripplesoflosttime]

[Sorry Shun, bu Lavi doesn't hear him right away.

In fact, his attention seems to be entirely caught by a dead goblin and he's crouching next to it, a look of wonder on his face. He seems rather curious and possibly confused than even bothered by the fact he's crouching beside a corpse.

However, he's also not paying attention to another goblin, older and very much walking as if it's having more trouble doing so, slowly approaching him from behind.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[Well, Shun wasn't going to get any answers out of him anyway. He should probably have been paying more attention to who he was talking to.

The dead goblin is a little bit creepy, though, he has to admit. Even so, noticing the other goblin approaching the kid, Shun steps up quickly and starts to wave him away from the body.]

There's another one coming for it. Maybe you should leave it alone.

C

[birdstheword]

[It's that politness and the softness of his eyes that has Hajime staring at him more then his questions do. Sure, it should be surprising he's even asking such things but in this place were people can lose and gain memories, it's not as much as Shun's smile. A smile that is directed at her]

. . . . . . Kuroro-kun?

[Sorry, Hajime is just...wow. This is amazing. A smaller Shun would have been amazing but this...this is just something.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[Unfortunately, saying that makes his smile switch quite quickly into giving her a bit of an odd look, though it's still much cuter than any face he'd be making normally.]

That's not my name. At least everyone else who recognised me had that right.

[He sounds more confused than the derogatory or dismissive he'd usually be about that, though.]

You should probably introduce yourself if you know me, because I only remember being here since this morning even if a couple of people have said I've been here longer. [And provided him ample evidence to support the fact.]

July 16 - Adult Kairi (Because I can)

[pure_radiantics]

Pink hair and purple eyes?

[Kairi starts thinking hard.]

I know one girl with pink hair, but I don't think she has purple eyes... what's her name, and yours? I'll try to help you if I can.

[She tries to give him a kind smile, but she's also very worried for both their sakes.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[[Continued to the overflow.]]