thenearshore | It's too early for this to be a Christmas Miracle... [open-ish]

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It's too early for this to be a Christmas Miracle... [open-ish]

Who: Yukine and the people he knows. (And people he will soon know?)
What: Someone benefited from this unknown ~~fruit~~ phenomenon! Yukine is now TALLER!(And is totally not excited about it, can you tell.)
Besides being taller (180cm/5'9"), Yukine also looks a few years older. His voice sounds the same though, and he has the same slight build.
When: Afternoon of May 17, and up to May 20th.
Where: All over the place, Near and Far Shores.
Warnings: None

[One: Yato]
The day after working hard for the people of that small town, Yukine and Yato are back to working hard in another way. Cutting down ayakashi before they can harm humans. Averting disaster. Getting Yato closer to being a God of Fortune.

... Not that you'd know it to look at the guy. They'll work on that. Seriously, anything would be better than the track suit and ratty scarf.

On lunch break Yukine is probing the topic starting from "You've been around a while, right? What do you think 'bout kimonos?" When suddenly- he feels weird. He's trying to listen to Yato's answer, really he is, but his eyes look right through him, unfocus for a moment...
Blinking he rubs his hand across his eyes. He feels better in one way, but now there's a different problem-
"Geh- Wh-what the hell? Why is everything so tight?!" It hurts, actually. His pants are too short and too tight, his shirt is pinching at him, and his shoes feel way too small.

[Two: Bishamon and Kazuma]
Yukine is on his way to ~~show off~~ visit the people he knows. And, well, ok- the fact that Yato was worried over what happened to him made him want to go to Bishamonten-sama's first, just to see if she knew anything from her experience.
(...But mostly to show off.)

Showing up in Bishamon's courtyard in a pink collared shirt and black pants (that are both a bit too large for him, but better that than too small), he catches the first shinki he sees to find out where the god and her exemplar are.

[Three: Everyone else! aka the choose your own adventure option]
There are some normally scheduled things, like tutoring. And some things that aren't scheduled, but an easy reason to visit, like sword practice or visiting cats.
Or perhaps you just happen across Yukine - even though he looks different, his name on his collarbone is still easy to spot. Not knowing how long this will last (forever, right!), he will be spending some time clothes shopping. Shirt to shoes, he needs a new wardrobe.
However he meets people, Yukine will be quite happy to pause and chat for a moment.

[[OOC: Prose or [bracket] formats ok!]

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[/shrug
Either way, hopefully even 'one person' wouldn't have reason to give a new god the runaround on a piece of information like that.

Okay, so he was poking fun at this guy a little. He's way too uptight. ...But he can sort of relate to it being hard to get out of a certain mindset. A little.]

Okay. So what's productive?

[The way Shun lists his reply is almost mechanical, like something committed to a schedule. In reality, it's merely because he's so used to these things and doing them that it takes little thought to bring them up, but the effect is the same.]

Finding out more about this place and our circumstances, sparring, teaching non-combatants how to defend themselves, patrolling for threats, making useful connections and reliable allies for future battles. And answering prayers when they come up, but that should be obvious.

[He might resent being here, but he won't turn down the chance to help people who actually need it if they call.]

...

That actually is productive. [Yukine's opinion of him has gone up a little.]

Thanks for your help, then.

I did say that. And I don't need gratitude for something I would've done anyway. [His tone is less irked than it could be at that, because he knows well enough that there are people who would've called far more ridiculous things "productive".

While he's here and has one of the old shinki around, though, there is one question Shun figures he should raise even if it is a bit of an odd situation for it.]

I've heard from the old gods before what they think of this situation with the new gods and shinki. Have the old shinki been thinking much different?

[Jeez, just let him thank you without rejecting it, would you? But he takes the words with a grain of salt because of the tone, and because this guy is just... weird that way.

He blinks at the suddenness of the question, but thinks about it seriously. Gods and shinki should ask him stuff whenever they can, after all.]

Different? As in different from our gods? Mmm. I think Yato is more ... [what's a good word for it?] wary of what's going on that even I am.

[This guy sure is short on words though. What is he after, really?]

[At this point, Shun's more focused on the conversation than what he actually came here for, and he's eying Yukine even as he's obviously considering the question. At the mention of that particular name, Shun's interest piques a little, since he heard about a little of him from Bishamon.]

If what Bishamon said is right, he has good reason to be. But I was more interested in your opinion on it, even if it's not much different from your god's.

[Given he hasn't had the chance to discuss that with Yato, it's new information either way.]

Hold up a sec. I've introduced myself. You want to introduce yourself back before I start chatting you up all casual like that?

[He probably should have asked for that before even giving his opinion to this guy's question in the first place. Answering questions with facts is one thing. Giving his opinion to someone he doesn't know from a hole in the ground is another. Even if he has apparently spoken to Bishamonten-sama about things Yato should be worried about?
What is up with this guy...?]

[While he has no real problem with introducing himself, Shun raises an eyebrow at the specific wording of the question.]

I don't see what's "casual" about an opinion on events that affect all of us. But if you're going to insist on it...Kurosaki Shun, or Nekhbet if titles matter to you.

[There's a bit of an unsaid "now answer the damn question" in his expression at the end of that. He doesn't really see how a name makes them know each other any better as a person, but if that's what it takes to get an answer out of him then he'll reserve that comment.]

[Yukine barely, but successfully, holds back a sigh. Given this guy is obviously hyper-serious, the 'casual' part had been intended to be kinda sarcastic... besides, isn't an opinion pretty casual? It is, in his mind.

Whatever. At least now he has a name. 'All the better to tell Bishamonten-sama on you if you mess up', Yukine thinks; although given Kurosaki-sama's idea of 'being productive', maybe he won't have to worry too much.]

It doesn't matter much to me if you want to be called by your own name instead of the god's. [With a shrug he sticks his hands in his pockets.]

In return for my opinion, will you tell me about Bishamonten-sama told you? [If there is something particular that Yato should be wary about, Yukine needs to know about it.]

[Well, at least that's one of the old lot he doesn't have to explain wanting his actual name used to. Though if this one's been hanging around the newcomers enough, he's probably used to it by now anyway.

Normally he'd be more careful with that information, but if Yato was as involved with what Bishamon told him about as she said, Yukine probably already knows this or at least has some awareness of it. So with that in mind, and with another calculating glance over the shinki, he nods.]

I doubt it'll be new information to you, but fine, if you want to know that badly. That's all I'm prepared to give for the sake of an opinion.

['You greatly underestimate how much Yato talks to me.'
So Yukine thinks to himself, but he also tells himself to play it cool. If he acts too eager, the guy might hold back.]

You're probably right, but I don't mind hearing it again.

[Yukine shifts his posture a bit as he thinks about his 'opinion'.]

I guess there's a lot to be opinionated about in this 'situation'. You new guys are all weird. Weird in more ways than I can count anymore. Weird names, weird personalities, weird ideas... I mean sure, you'll get all types, but seriously weird. And in this world, some of that translates into seriously stupid, and seriously dangerous. [Nora.]

I'm not gonna beat around it: I think you're dangerous. Maybe not one-on-one. I've met some nice people. But as a group.
...But then, whoever is bringing you guys all here is even more dangerous. So I'm all for working together to figure this out.

[Completely ignoring the setting at this point, besides the passing notes of people who get close, Shun focuses his attention on Yukine's words. It's a little less eloquently put than most of the other old hands he's spoken to, but that doesn't really matter to him, and in the wake of the conclave the other day he can understand the attitude more as well.

Rather than question or be offended by the idea that they're dangerous as a group, Shun inclines his head in agreement, but remains silent until Yukine is actually finished. When he is, Shun takes just another moment to consider his words before responding.]

Makes sense. I'd think you were stupid if you didn't think we were dangerous in some way, especially when we're being brought here by a force nobody can trace.

[As for the information he owes back, he puts it a little more succinctly.] Bishamon told me about when Ebisu and Yato went to Yomi to find the Mandate of Hell. It's just a theory, but with attacks like that one on the town the other week happening, she thinks it's possible the Sorcerer, or whoever our enemy is, might've gotten their hands on that artifact. Since he was one of the ones who went looking for it, I assume he'd have more understanding of what that means than we do.

[... Thanks for thinking he's not stupid, anyway.

Yukine's expression tightens - That's what Yato went there for? What is the 'Mandate of Hell'? Damn that jersey for not telling him anything!]

He probably does. But you'd have to ask him. He has me as his shinki, so that's probably why he's not talked about artifacts with me. He doesn't need them.

[Is Yukine in a prickly mood now? Sure is. Especially seeing as his mouth is defending his stupid god while his mind is cursing him.]

I doubt you have the same power it does, regardless of how much confidence you both have.

[It's not toned like an insult, but the remark is somewhat dry. To dismiss all artifacts due to the presence of one shinki seems reckless and ill-informed to him, whether the confidence is misplaced or not. Especially something that can supposedly control ayakashi.

Still, he's talked to enough of the old gods about this sort of thing, so adding one more to the list only creates the problem of finding him.]

If he turns up, I'll ask him anyway. Bishamon had some of the information, but she said he'd be the better one to ask as well.

[More prickles have been added. Congrats.]

I don't know which way you meant that, but I'm not just any shinki.

And good luck with that. If you're lucky, maybe he'll even invite you in for tea. [More than that, of course, Yukine hoping that's he's around when that conversation between the two gods goes down.]

[And an even lower level of impressedness has been achieved, if that was at all possible.]

That doesn't make a difference to what I said.

[Yukine still likely doesn't have the power of the artifact, and with an attitude like that, even with power there's a heavy risk of dangerous overconfidence.

At the mention of inviting for tea, Shun has to give a dry, disbelieving snort.]

Like he'd make himself available that easily. Bishamon's the only one of you lot I've been able to get hold of consistently, since Suijin comes on rarer terms even when she does want to talk.

[Rrr. If this guy were a shinki, he'd beat him cold in a borderline battle.

Yukine's frown tightens - it's partly because of him that Yato has been busy, but--]

You never know. Did you try asking him?

I've only met him once before. I doubt he'd go out of his way. [At this point, Shun's confidence in the old gods actually being available when he needs them outside of the aforementioned is basically zero, so he's been getting as much information as he can by himself.]

Like I said, if he bothers to show up at anything else in the future, I'll ask.

You might be surprised if you try calling him out instead of waiting for him to show up himself.

[Yukine has a rather bland smile for that bit of advice - Yato is still desperate to take calls for jobs, even though he's following Yukine's directions about taking out ayakashi. Ah, well...]

Anyway, I'll leave that to you. [Mister doesn't-take-advice-anyway.] But like I said, I'm all for actually working together to figure this thing out. I can keep you in the loop of what we learn, if you do the same.

The old gods haven't given much of a high bar for expecting them to actually respond to any questions either way. [Even Suijin has been fairly closed on the subject when he's spoken to her, so Bishamon's really been the only one decent about it.

As for the second offer, his response to that is much more immediate - and actually positive (by his standards), since he gives a short nod in reply.]

I've agreed to do that with a few others already, so I don't see a problem with that.

[Yukine doesn't know about that- it sounds like this guy is getting a fair amount of info from Bishamonten-sama.
But again, leaving it to him~]

Right. Good luck to us both, then. Or I guess that'd be 'all of us'.

[That's not a sentiment Shun can argue with much, since they're probably going to need luck to get anywhere with an enemy who doesn't leave a trace, and he inclines his head slightly.]

I suppose I'll see you again. [It's said in a very matter-of-fact way, as if he's simply stating the likelihood that they'll run into each other again somewhere. In the meantime, he turns back to the rack and picks out a shirt so straightforwardly it almost looks like he's done it at random before turning away, glancing over his shoulder to keep Yukine in his sights for a few moments. He doesn't tend to just turn his back on people that easily.]

[Yukine watches the guy go, his face set in a straight line.

He doesn't move his stance as Kurosaki-sama looks back over his shoulder. He doesn't move for a very long minute even after he's gone out of sight.

But once he's certain that he's not coming back Yukine slumps forward exhaling a deep breath.

Craaaaappppp... that was almost as bad as standing toe-to-toe against Bishamonten-sama. At least Kurosaki hadn't had a gun pointed at him. Heh.
Anyway, he's kinda glad this guy's on their side, at least.]

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It's too early for this to be a Christmas Miracle... [open-ish]

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