thenearshore | [Open] We all suffer, but we recover...

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[Open] We all suffer, but we recover...

Who: Shun Kurosaki and you (+ Shun and Ken Kaneki for prompt D)
What: Shun trying to find information on gods and shinki, plus trying to find out who to trust and visiting/getting visits from gods or shinki he's familiar with.
When: Prompts A-C: April 11th forward-date, Prompt D: April 10th
Where: Pretty much anywhere around the Far Shore.
Warnings: None yet, other than Shun being Terrible At People.

A [Information-seeking - any temple]

[After being in this place less than a week, Shun can already rattle off an extensive list of things he finds suspicious about how it works and the dearth of pretty much anything upfront. He's been hurting for information beyond the basics, and though he's been stuck settling in for the last few days, he's not going to just sit around and stew about his lack of knowledge on the way of things here for any longer. This time, he's going out in search of it, because if there's one thing he's not known for doing it's sitting around while he could be making headway on something important.

That said, he still hasn't particularly familiarised himself with polite society details again after suddenly being dragged out of still fighting a war, if on slightly different terms than he used to. This in combination with him being incredibly suspicious in general is probably going to result in him being found lurking in temple gardens and side-eying through windows rather than actually knocking on anyone's door. That said, anyone approaching him is going to get something closer to the impression that they're the one at fault for being so unobservant to someone lurking around their house, if the dry look and dour tone is any indicator.]

About time. How long have you been here? [It's something he needs to know upfront so he knows the kind of information he can get out of this, but it's rather abrupt to anyone with any idea how normal people start a conversation.]

--

B, i and ii [Visiting and being visited - Nekhbet's temple or temples of gods he's met]

[This whole prospect of having to familiarise himself with an entire detachment of people, most of whom he's never met before in his life, is quickly reminding Shun how much he hates doing exactly that. He knows the importance of friends and connections, but keeping track of new people to the extent he likes to and processing all that new information takes a toll after a while, and he starts to fall back on refamiliarising himself with people he's already spoken to before.]

i.
[Gods whose names he's learnt are a little easier to track down, and some of those few may find him doing what he wasn't doing earlier - knocking on their temple door, though it's about twice as hard as it really needs to be. Better hope your hinges are strong.]

ii.
[Then again, he can't be out all day, and in-between all this he'll be returning to his own temple periodically, whether it's to do habitual things like eat or drink, or process some particularly troublesome information. Anyone who'd like to visit the temple hidden in a hill, the long front walls and windows making it somewhat obvious nonetheless, will be some degree of welcome depending on how familiar he is with you.

Then again, he might be opening the door to meet you already by the time you get that far. He doesn't like being surprised, after all.]

What? [This is apparently his version of a polite greeting.]

--

C [Wildcard - evening of the 11th, any Far Shore area apart from temple grounds]

[Under cover of darkness, Shun feels a little more comfortable exploring the Far Shore at large. It's force of habit to operate in shadow and cover when he can, and after a day of dealing with people, he's prepared to just memorise the lay of the land here and find landmarks and vantage points he might need to make use of one day.

With as much to think about as he's had since getting here, though, he finds himself pausing at some of these locations, many of them spots with a nice view out across the area. Whether he's sitting in a tree or perched on a pile of rocks, it's clear to even casual passerby that he's focused on deeper things than the scenery.

That doesn't mean he's letting anyone get close unchecked, though. Whoever chooses to approach will be met with a level glare and a calculating glance up and down, and the rise of a subtle, ready tension in his previously slightly more relaxed form.]

You're out late. [It's said somewhat suspiciously, like he has any more right to be out at this hour.]

D [Closed to Ken Kaneki]

[Prayers. Somehow, he didn't think he'd be answering any this soon, but a role is a role and humans don't need to stay suffering because he's still getting his head around this place. Like hell he was ever going to get anything done with that empty shell excuse for a shinki, though, so he considers his options in terms of other new people and who would be least frustrating to try and team up with until he settles on one. They've met more than once, too, so it's less of a gamble than dealing with some of the others he's only known more briefly.

It's evening now, and he's waiting around a somewhat seedy-looking building on the Near Shore, leaning against the wall like he belongs there. The white-robed shinki is lurking just out of sight, and though Shun's eyes are closed right now, there's a subtle tension to his face that says he hasn't outgrown his suspicion of it.

For now, though, he's keeping alert for the sound of footsteps. Hopefully it's not long until he gets them, because he spends more than enough time alone with this shinki in his temple.]

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[The area that Shun says to meet him in looks a little...dangerous...if Kaneki were to characterize it. Still, he supposes he's a god, and it's extremely improbable anyone would notice him. Not to mention, he's got some kind of weird power that'd probably come in handy even if he did nmanage to run into trouble.

No such difficulties rear up as he makes his way along, and soon enough he spots Shun. He trots over to where his fellow god is waiting, taking note of his likewise vacant shinki. Since their first mission, Kaneki has managed to at least get Hana some clothes, but she remains just as vacant as ever.

He really wishes he knew what soulless really entailed...were they like robots?

Well, something to ponder another time]

Sorry if I kept you waiting.

[Opening his eyes at the sound of approach, Shun pushes himself off the wall and turns to meet Kaneki, eyes passing over him to scan over the other soulless shinki for a moment before returning to the god. It's certainly...something to know he's not the only person with one of these, though he's not sure what. Reassuring? Maybe, if they didn't raise a lot of sticky questions with answers not forthcoming. Frustrating? Well, he's not the only one dealing with them, at least.]

I wasn't here long. [It's not a huge concession, but it's a note that he doesn't have to worry much about it. Frankly, he was expecting to be waiting longer.

Putting his hand against the wall he was just leaning on, Shun indicates the building with his head.]

As far as I can tell, they're in there drowning their sorrows. I don't know why it took them this long to pray for help in a place like this.

[Kaneki follows Shun's indication, looking up at a neon sign, half burnt-out and flickering against the encroaching night. The establishment looks like a dive bar, by all accounts...which does lend itself to Shun's theory regarding what the people inside must be doing.

Slowly his gaze drifts away from the sign and to the door, lingering there]

Maybe...maybe they're someone who doesn't normally pray?

[It's his best guess. Not everyone prays for help, and if it took drunken desperation, it must be someone who wouldn't have done it otherwise. At least, it stands to reason]

Either that or they prayed so many times to deaf ears they gave up until now. [Every word of that comes with a biting bluntness, because even if it's a pessimistic comment it's one Shun's seen and experienced himself. There are a lot of reasons not to pray, and not being the type is the best case scenario.

Regardless of why the person they've chosen to answer is doing it, though, they're here to help somehow, and Shun steps around Kaneki to the door of the bar.]

Come on. Might as well try to get them before they get so drunk nothing works.

[He steps in, the seediness of it somewhat familiar to him given the kind of haunts he ended up in on occasion back in his world.]

[There's a bitterness to those words that it would be impossible for Kaneki to miss. His only answer is a thin frown, having no firsthand experience with praying for any deity to intervene on his behalf... And even now, he's wondering why two gods such as themselves have wound up with this particular sort of prayer to answer.

Maybe it's got to do with the way the Heavens aren't working as they're supposed to, but he's got no way of knowing for sure. Whatever the case is, he follows Shun into the building, glancing around as he speculates which of the barflies might have prayed for them.

One bent over the bar and wreathed by shot glasses seems a likely candidate]

Do you think it's that guy?

[He gestures to the man, supposing there's no rudeness in pointing if they're not bound to be noticed]

[Before answering, Shun skims quickly over the rest of the bar to check for any other likely candidates. None of the other patrons in the bar look quite that woebegone, so the one decorated with glasses is probably their best bet.]

Unless they're a lot better at hiding their sadness than that prayer sounded like, it's probably them.

[Considering the situation for a moment, Shun's eyes narrow a little before he steps forward.] Let's go.

[Though prayer kind of implies they're supposed to be going about this in a godly manner, Shun's first move is to tap the man's shoulderblade sharply in passing. Though the reaction is delayed, the man's head turns, and Shun uses the moment to swiftly shove away the man's current shot glass before taking one of the stools next to him.]

Drinking doesn't solve anything. [Straight to the point.]

[Well, that's...certainly the direct approach. Kaneki can't exactly argue with it, having seen Shun get results before. Grabbing attention at all isn't the easiest of tasks for them, having to first seize and then hold focus, so although he wouldn't have been so direct on his own, it might be the right idea.

They don't know just how long they can actually keep the man's attention, even if he prayed for them to be here.

He takes a seat on the empty stool at the man's other side, caught briefly in pensive silence before he decides to speak up]

He's right. It's a depressant, so it's not going to help your mood, for starters...

[Perhaps not as assertive as Shun, but he's trying]

[Though Shun isn't exactly a fan of extended contact with people, given the man's attention already seems to be slipping slightly, he's pretty sure he's going to have to suck it up. He taps the man's leg with his foot on the side closer to Kaneki as the other god speaks, banking on the man being too drunk to realise the contact didn't come from that side. It seems to work, and he picks up where Kaneki's somewhat less direct tone trails off. If they're going to get through to this guy, it's going to take more than just a standard talk.

The man blinks a little confusedly, like he's trying to figure out where this sudden intervention is coming from, and though his hand roams for the shot glass that was in front of him earlier, it's out of the way enough that he doesn't find it.]

And if you're that invested in finding or waiting for your daughter to come back, do you really think she wants to come back to this wreck?

[It's not a nice way to put things and Shun knows it, but it seems to have an effect, the man's face scrunching up in a way that makes it hard to tell if he's parsing the insult or straight-up ashamed. In any case, he feels like Kaneki will probably try to lighten the blow if he goes too far.]

[The words are harsh, but at least the man seems to be reacting to them. Kaneki isn't sure he could've been quite that blunt, so it may be fortunate that the two of them are here instead of only one. Before he says anything further, he pauses to wait for the drunken man to process what was said, studying the forlorn set of his features and the way he reaches for the absent shot glass]

Wasting your time and money here...it won't achieve anything positive. There are better things to do with your time, and...surely your family wouldn't want to see your destroying yourself this way.

[Because in the end, isn't that what this is? Drinking himself stupid, running the risk of poisoning himself with too much alcohol just to drown out sorrow and thought. None of that leads to anything better or brighter]

[At least they seem to be following the same line of thought, and it seems to be helping the words get through on top of that. The man's hand pauses in its roaming motions, falling limp, and though he doesn't retract it from the strewn glasses, his brow is furrowing in thought. It's probably hard with how drunk he likely is, but he's thinking. It's something, and Shun knows they can't let up and let the weak point slip by.]

Exactly. You obviously care deeply for your daughter. You should care more what she thinks of you when she comes back.

[When, not if. The prayer had definitely sounded like this was a case of a missing child rather than a dead one, and Shun would be a colossal hypocrite to be telling others they had less than definite chance of getting their loved ones back given the (lack of) weight with which he treats even the barrier of death.]

And a drunkard isn't going to be the one to find her, either.

[It's a relief to see that even with the fog of inebriation hanging over this man, talk of his daughter comes through. Kaneki is sure that says a lot about this fellow, and everyone has a moment of weakness... If they can bolster him up with the right words, they can hopefully prevent him from winding up right back in this place some other night.

If he finds motivation and acts, then he can move forward. He can take positive action toward finding his missing child. Kaneki studies the look on the man's face, the way his brow seems furrowed in thought and his eyes seem distant — hopefully in contemplation]

If you think of the steps you can take, instead of spending your time here... You'll feel better about this. And those efforts might hasten her return. There are things that remain for you to do right now, but being here won't let any of that happen.

[Being drunk won't let any of it happen, either]

[It's somewhat reassuring to Shun as well, seeing the contemplative look at the obvious responsiveness to his daughter. If the sight of her, even figuratively, can bring him out of this state, that may be all they need to reach to give him the hope he's asking for.

And if he's being honest, Shun can't say he doesn't relate to the feeling of losing close family and what it can do. Not that he's bringing that up in any way here, instead continuing on their current vein with no more overt sympathy than he ever had.]

Not only think of them, begin them. There are things you can do that might seem small at first that will push you closer to her. Giving up isn't an option, and giving up here before you've tried to push yourself like this would be a waste.

[Of time, of love, potentially of a life. They don't know much about the circumstances here, but he feels it's safe to assume that there's dangers at play beyond their scope. Even ayakashi, perhaps.]

[Not just thinking but doing... Kaneki finds himself glad he's not the only one here trying to convince this man to pick himself up and move forward. Losing family is painful, but for this person, it doesn't have to be permanent. And any actions he takes toward changing those circumstances will be for the better]

He's right. Figure out the first steps you can make, and take them. After that, you can keep building on those efforts — and I'm sure people in the community will help too.

[A missing child would be something that anyone could relate to worrying over. Easy to care about, and naturally he's sure that those who know the family would want to help. Kaneki watches the man's expression, takes in the way his brow furrows and he nods to himself, a half-coherent mumble about the neighbors, and he presses on]

Talk to them and reach out. They may come up with things you wouldn't on your own.

[It's good that Shun has been reminded, lately, of what value there is in fighting alongside those you trust. Not long ago, he would have been slapping down that sentiment and urging the man on alone, but now, he can't help but agree, inclining his head as he carries on the sentiment in his own way.]

If you have friends you trust, work with them. For information, extra eyes out, connections, anything they can provide. It might not be an easy path, but it'll be worth it in the end one way or another.

[Whether the outcome is good or bad, there's a closure of sorts at the completion of something like that. Knowledge of what had happened is some motivation, if not his ultimate one.

The bow of the man's back seems to be straightening a little, and though he's clearly still drunk, he seems more aware of the fact, and the way he holds his hand to his head says he's noticing the impediment instead of settling into an expected numbness.]

That's another reason you can't be like this. For her, to find her, you need to put in your all. [There's a strong familiarity to his tone - that sentiment, at least, is a very close one to Shun.]

[It's an inspiring speech, from where Kaneki is sitting. Rather than being cutting or pithy, it feels like there's a strong sentiment there. And he's content to wait until Shun has said his peace on the matter, agreeing with what he's got to say and seeing the effect that it has on the man they've been speaking to.

Between his straightened posture and the focus in his expression, the man gets it. At the very least he's thinking about what he's being told, and that's an important bit of progress in and of itself. He has to evaluate what he's doing and agree that a change needs to be made in order to move forward.

So Kaneki is relieved to see the man nodding along by the end of those words]

Your best is what your daughter needs from you, right now. Anything less is something you'd wind up regretting.

[Because the knowledge that there was something more one could have done is by far among the most haunting]

[Shun knows as well as anyone that they can't drive what this man does beyond here, or even be sure he'll heed their words after the moment of inspiration, but it does seem that they've done what was asked. Provided some kind of hope, however intensely drilled, and the possibility of progression.

In an experimental, cautious motion, Shun slides the shot glass that had been pushed out of reach back into the edges of the man's line of sight.]

He's right. Knowing you could have moved when you didn't isn't something easy to live with. You'll always be asking yourself what could have changed.

[He knows, because he's done it before. It's not something he cares to repeat.

As the man's gaze lifts more and he rubs a hand messily over bloodshot eyes, he pauses as he catches sight of that last, tantalisingly full shot glass. But with an impatient shake of the head, he shoves it aside again, and Shun gives an approving nod.]

[A faint smile tugs at Kaneki's lips when the man pushes the drink away. He's taken what they've said to heart, at least in some respect, and that in itself seems like a victory. The guy they've come to help has decided to stop drowning his sorrows in liquor and that's an improvement over where he had been before they'd arrived.

If this is the kind of thing they get to do...maybe being gods isn't all that bad]

Just keep moving forward, that's the way you'll change things.

[Kaneki doubts there's much more he can add at this point, though when the man starts to get up, he leans around to look at Shun]

Should we get him a cab...or something?

[Feeling like that's a reasonable note to end on, Shun glances over to Kaneki at his suggestion, and before responding, turns around to look over the bar. Most of the patrons seem to be absorbed in their own little worlds, but there's one with a more respectable glass of alcohol, a computer open in front of them, who glances up at the man seated at the bar before looking back to the computer. There's a furrow of what looks like concern in their face, and Shun slides off his stool.]

Better idea. Wait here.

[Crossing between tables with a natural, easy caution, he stands next to the internet-browsing patron and raps the table sharply. They look up, blinking in surprise at the apparently sudden presence, and it seems like they might be about to question when Shun gives a pointed glance back towards the bar.]

You know him, don't you? He'd do better with a comrade than a cab home.

[As he turns and walks away, the person at the table's focus slips, but they close the computer and pack their things away, leaving the glass and winding their way across the bar to tap the man on the shoulder. He turns, and Shun comes back to lean against the stool, as the two - neighbours, if their words are any indicator - talk for a few moments and the drunker of the two finally rises, not without a little stumbling.

Though Shun's still watching the two of them, when he speaks, it's obviously to Kaneki.]

Maybe this'll help him realise he's not alone in this.

[Here, Kaneki hadn't even noticed the furtive glances that man nearby was casting in their direction. It's a good reminder to be more aware of his surroundings, something that will doubtless prove useful in the wide gamut of prayers they're expected to address, and he observes quietly as Shun approaches the fellow and speaks to him.

Despite knowing that he'll go unseen, he reflexively stands when the man approaches to speak with the fellow they've been trying to help. And when he stumbles, Kaneki's quick to reach out to support him — but the man's neighbor puts a steadying arm around his shoulders instead.

Puffing out a relieved breath, he watches the two as they make progress toward the exit together. That was definitely the better idea, and it's fortunate that Shun spotted that concerned neighbor in this crowded bar]

I think you're right. Seeing someone who's there for him is a good reminder.

[Nothing is quite the same as the tangible presence of someone who cares]

[It's force of habit and more a survival mechanism than anything, but being able to pick tics and similar sorts of things from people does have other uses. As soon as the two get out the door safely, Shun pushes himself upright and tips his head slightly towards it himself.]

I think we're done here. I've spent enough time in seedy bars and gambling dens to last a lifetime.

[Also last time it happened he got arrested along with a ton of other people, and he really has no interest in hanging around long enough for something like that to happen again even if he's ostensibly mostly invisible. He's just waiting for some lucky random patron to pay enough attention to notice he's underage - hell, they might both be - and complain loud enough to draw the attention of the entire bar.

Not that it's something he should really be worried about, given his instinctive avoidance of contact with anyone in the bar as he steps away from the counter.]

[Although Kaneki's visited a bar before, he hasn't been in anything he'd consider a dive bar like this. So he can safely say that he isn't interested in sticking around either, especially with his increasing awareness of just how crowded and noisy the place is, with no task to focus on.

So he easily nods and moves to follow, weaving between a couple of heavy-set patrons as they approach the bar. Good thing for his slight stature, he supposes]

You know...I think we really did a good thing.

[And there's no mistaking that he seems hopeful as he says those words, hints of a smile shyly tugging at his lips. It's nice to think that they can do some good in this place, even if they're not equipped with all the information that they ought to be.

Helping people like this...it's not so bad]

[Though Shun is much less visibly impressed with their work, he doesn't smack down the sentiment, which is probably all that can be asked in this situation. Instead, as they exit the bar, he looks up into the night sky with an unreadable expression on his face.

It's true, what he'd said to someone else on his first day here. He's seen people pray to deaf ears too many times to trust it himself, and he's seen people beg for mercy that didn't come no matter what they believed in. He's been the one they were begging, in some cases.

But maybe, if there's something worth doing here, it's at least trying to give people some kind of answer to their deepest troubles. He's never been the type to hold someone's hand all the way through, but sometimes all people need is a push the right way.]

...Maybe we did.

[Right now, that's all the concession he can give.]

[The cool night air is refreshing after being in such a small, stifling space, and Kaneki finds himself relieved for that. Crowded spaces are at times oppressive, leaving him feeling pressed in on all sides. Unlike Hide, who flourished among others, Kaneki had always done far better with fewer people and quieter locales.

It was fortunate for him that, in being focused on an objective, he hadn't had to think too much about how many people were there. And as a resident of the far shore, he didn't have to fear drawing more attention than he needed or wanted. In all, it's easier than he might've imagined.

After a brief pause to collect himself, he squares his shoulders, holds his hands flat to his sides, and bows politely]

Thank you for working with me.

[Once he's straightened, there follows an indecisive pause before he simply winks out of existence. Teleporting is still something of a work in progress for Kaneki; he's not the best at making graceful entrances or exits]

[It is nice to be outside again, though Shun wasn't planning to be giving or receiving any thanks. So the bow from Kaneki makes him raise an eyebrow slightly, like it's not a reaction that should be expected in this situation despite everything, and it's not until after the other disappears that he lets out a slight, almost amused breath.]

You too.

[Maybe it won't be as hard as he thought to find comrades here. Even if this dimension has almost nothing in common with the others he knows.

A few moments later, Shun follows suit, and simply melts into the darkness like he was never there at all.]

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[Open] We all suffer, but we recover...

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