thenearshore | 011 | Black Parade

Entry tags:

011 | Black Parade

Who: Everyone!
What: Parade of the dead
When: All day May 26
Where: Shinjuku
Summary: The Near Shore needs a little protecting from the dead

The last few days have been filled with festival food, high energy, and lots and lots of parades. Near Shore residents really know how to enjoy their holidays, stopping up traffic for hours on end as floats and palanquins go by and filling the streets and courtyards in the area with food stands and festival treats. Many Far Shore residents may have found themselves drawn to this particular festival, as it is being held in honor of a shrine.

When an unexpected parade starts up, the people gather round to watch the impromptu spectacle. It's a little strange, yes, but nothing too terribly off-putting. That is until the parade reaches the shrine itself, at which point all hell breaks loose as the members of the parade start attacking anything and anyone in their way.

The Heavens will then call upon all the gods and shinki who are available to help, because these attackers are not normal at all - they are, in fact, the undead.

Let the Festivities Continue

The festival is a large, booming one. There are dozens upon dozens of food stalls set up all over the place with so many different kinds of foods that it could make your eyes go buggy, most of them fried in some way. On top of that, there is live entertainment walking around, stalls with souvenirs, and lots of excellent company nearby. Surely you'll be able to enjoy the festival to its fullest.

The Walking Dead

It is not immediately evident that the parade is being manned by corpses, but keen observers would be able to pick out the noticeable rotting elements of the dead. Anyone with a soul-sensing ability might even realize that they're not soulless, just lifeless. When the parade reaches the shrine, every god and shinki will be needed in order to protect the Near Shore from this menace. Corpses must either be exorcised or completely mutilated to the point where they can no longer move in order to release the soul.

Not Rootbeer Floats

On top of the mass of dead bodies being possessed by stray souls, some of the floats on wheels in the parade seem to have been taken over as well. They are moving slowly and with purpose towards anyone that crosses their path. At first, it may seem like the float is just veering a little off course, but it will soon become evident that it's headed towards you. They may be slow, but they're very large as well, meaning there's a lot more than needs to be destroyed to release the soul.

Souls, Souls, and More Souls

In Summary:

Enjoy the festival
Help save Near Shore residents
Take down the dead bodies
Try not to cry
Cry lots
Have fun~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

’Dad’?

[Sousuke echoes the word, turning around to stare at Rin in a mixture of shock and disbelief. Then twists back to stare through the barrier at the spirt on the other side. Dad. Is that… Is that Rin’s father? A man with light skin, short dark hair in a close cut, brown eyes… Sousuke tenses up some when Rin breaks past him and runs forward, straight towards the borderline. He’s momentarily stunned, not sure what to do. The spirits themselves have been anywhere from lost and wandering to angry and aggressive. He’s had his own close experiences with them already and he doesn’t like the way they make him feel. His mind, his heart.

But… But if this is Rin’s father?]

Rin.

[Sousuke looks up to the spirit again, keep away from them by the borderline. Can he risk this? If the spirit attacks Rin, what will he do? But obviously Rin recognizes the spirit. Keeping him from his father would be… Sousuke frowns a little. But ultimately he dismisses the barrier. And then quickly inverts it. Three walls rise up, one on either side of them and another behind the spirit, locking the three of them into a dead end. That way, Rin’s father can’t be buffeted or dragged about by any of the other spirits. Nor can he escape either.

If something goes wrong, they’re in here alone and Sousuke can focus on Rin.]

[Rin barely remembers his father, his voice and face like a whisper in his mind, and for most of his life all he's had to go off of are photos and the occasional family video his mother kept on the shelf. Still, something about this one spirit calls out to him and keeps him from wanting to attack. He has to know him. Something about him...

As the borderline warps and shifts to accommodate the three of them now, Rin keeps his eyes on the figure ahead with a mixture of impatience and fear in his heart. He doesn't know what he'll do once the borderline's complete. Will he run to him? Finally decide to shake this off as some cruel trick and carry out his duty? There's not a lot of time to think and soon enough the barrier completes, sealing at the top like a large glass dome.

Human tells him to close his eyes and shake himself awake. Godly instinct tells him to see past it, show no mercy. And before he can choose one to listen to, the man straightens up... and smiles.

His teeth are sharp.]

No...

Rin. You've grown.

[His lip quivers, his eyes sting. It can't be real. He can't be real.]

Son... I don't have a lot of time.

[But Rin won't let him continue that train of thought and after shaking his head he turns to look at Sousuke instead, not exactly knowing why... just that he has to look at anything else if he wants to keep himself from being too overwhelmed.]

No... I won't do it.

[Sousuke watches the spirit with a solemn expression. He has no idea who Rin’s father is, has no idea if this really is his father or simply some threat that looks like him wanting to attack them with their guard down. But despite his protectiveness and uncertainty, he forces himself to trust Rin’s emotions and holds back until something proves otherwise.

At the very least, he can give his god some privacy and uninterrupted time with the spirit. If it’s true… then Rin’s going to need this. He stays behind Rin, arms by his side. It’s awkward and he feels strange, unsure of what to do, knowing he probably shouldn’t even be here during such a trying moment for his god. His father, his dead father… Sousuke has to keep his mind on the barrier and his eyes on Rin. If something happens, he can’t be caught unawares. The barrier seals off, leaving only the area behind Sousuke as accessible. He’ll work on closing that later; he wants an escape if things go south.

But if this is really a spirit… He’s felt them outside, their pain and their struggles. He’s seen what has to happen to send them on. And he’s aware of what decision Rin has to face right now. He doesn’t want Rin to have to make such a choice… but who else is worthy of making that choice?

Sousuke tenses a little when the man’s mouth opens and he sees the same sharp teeth he’s seen so many days of his new life here. Rin’s teeth. It has to be… Rin’s father. Without time, without a place, and yet the man still wants to comfort his son… Sousuke presses his lips together, fingers curling by his side. It’s not right…

Rin’s looking at him and Sousuke hesitates for a second before lifting his eyes to Rin. No, he doesn’t have an answer. He doesn’t know what he should say or even do right now. What they can do is obvious, but should… And Rin denies it. Of course he refuses; Rin’s heart is too soft, too large for this kind of choice. He’s gong to suffer; Sousuke knows that right now. No matter what happens.

So he has to make his own choice. Quietly, Sousuke lifts his hand, bringing his fingers close to his shoulder. Waiting.]

Rin…

[To be honest, Rin can't quite tell if this is the real deal or not either. At first glance, sure, he looks like him, and he even recognizes him as Rin. But this world has many unexpected twists and turns hiding around every corner, so for all he and Sousuke know, this could be exactly that. A trick. A cruel, disgusting trick.

They've already taken his friends away from him. Now this?

No. Whether it's real or not... he still can't bring himself to make that fateful decision. Of course he knows what has to happen. He's heard more than enough of these spirits calling out to them, begging and pleading for freedom. But he won't. Dammit, he won't!]

Rin, please.

[And when he hears his name a second time from behind, he shakes his head and raises his voice.]

I already said no!

[They could punish him for this if they find out. Hell, maybe they won't even care. But Rin cares too much in this moment to bother worrying about what the higher ups will do, so he's more than willing to take a risk.]

We're going to protect him.

[How, he doesn't know. He just can't afford to see him fall to anyone else.]

Sousuke, we-- We have to move him somewhere.

[Sousuke wants to believe it’s a fake. He has no idea; he doesn’t know Rin’s father. But he wants to think this is some trick that is simply playing on Rin’s feelings. Because it’s easier that way. Because his god won’t have to make such a painful choice. Because Rin won’t have to… But when is the easiest way the better way? The feelings he sees swarming through Rin’s mind and body right now are plain as the skin on his arms. Even without reading his thoughts, Sousuke knows what he’s going to do. Emotional and in pain, he’s going to defy the logic staring him in the face. He’s going to say something—do something—stupid. And then Sousuke will have to make his own difficult choice. And all he can do right now… is wait for it all to come to a head.

And the wave comes down.]

Rin. [The denial comes across his mind as smooth as the expected water from a shower. Rin’s refusing. Sousuke frowns a little and lifts his eyes to the spirit hovering in front of Rin, holding himself within the borderline the shinki’s erected around the three of them. Rin’s taking this risk…]

Protect him? [Sousuke’s tone is surprised, brows lifting in response. Only to furrow a few moments later, eyes crimping some. He presses his lips together, his jaws tight. It’s not his place, he shouldn’t say anything, this is Rin’s choice. Right? … Right?]

Rin… He’s in pain. [A pause.] No matter where we go… [You know he’ll continue to hurt.]

[Rin wants to do the same. He wants to be logical about this, to ignore what his heart tells him because neither he nor Sousuke will get anywhere if all they do is stand around and second guess like this. But how can he when the pain's glaring at him face to face? His pain, his father's pain. Whether that's really him or not, there's something wrong, something unsettling, and Rin refuses to leave without making it right.

So when Sousuke tries to reason with him he's exactly the same. Defiant, in denial, stubborn.]

No!

[He turns away from his shinki just as the body takes a step forward, feet dragging and heavy against the pavement.]

Dad, don't move!

Rin, don't do this. You have to let me--

[But Rin's already on the move, rushing towards the edge of the barrier to glance out over the foggy area beyond. There has to be somewhere they can go.]

The shrine. It's not far from here, right? [Panting softly, he starts to head for his dad, wondering how he's going to approach this. Should he take his arm? His wrist? He doesn't even know if he can touch him without something going wrong.] Sousuke, come on. We have to go. If anyone else sees him, they'll hurt him.

[More than he's already hurting? He doesn't even know.]

[It hurts. To see Rin like this, torn up and panicking. He knows he’s desperate to try and stave off the looming decision that sits on his shoulders, but Sousuke can’t see any other way around this. All the souls around them have either possessed bodies, flown off in aimless anger to attack people, or been either absolved or destroyed to prevent their interference and stop their own pain. He doesn’t know more beyond that. To keep a spirit around? How can they even begin to think about doing that? He frowns when the expected reaction from his god hits him in the face.

Quiet. That’s how he remains for now. Watching the painful sight in front of him. He glances once more to the spirit of Rin’s father, once more confused and a little odded out regarding the similarity in his looks and the other man’s. But he says nothing about it; it’s not a thought line he wants to entertain at the moment.]

Rin… It’s not… [And trails off again as his god runs to the edge of the borderline. He figures out what he’s going for almost a second later and his face reflects his despondency towards that idea. There’s nowhere they can go to make any of this change for the better.

His arms by his side, Sousuke watches Rin attempt to interact with the spirit, and he’s momentarily concerned that the spirit will try and possess him. But, that’s not happening. It would have otherwise already. Lips press together and he looks up at the borderline. Go… He doesn’t think he can move his barriers.]

I don’t know what’ll happen if I drop the barriers, Rin, He could be attacked by another spirit or we could be lost in the fog. You can’t touch him… We don’t even know if he can follow us.

[He hasn't encountered anything like this before, faced with a decision between life and death. Even in his time here, he hasn't had to kill anything or anyone for one reason or another. It's always been saving people, staving them off or even ignoring them if he has to. Never this. Never anything as painful and difficult as this.

No. He won't do it. Not today, not now.

The fact that Sousuke's still trying to reason with him doesn't make the situation any easier and with a quick turn on his heel he turns his back to the spirit and raises his voice.]

If you're not going to help me, then I'll take care of it myself!

[He can teleport them, can't he? He has to try. One way or another, something has to work.]

Rin, listen.

[The air feels cold when the spirit reaches out and though it can't exactly touch him it seems to rest a hand on Rin's shoulder. It's trying to be human, trying to seem more alive. Rin wants to turn and brush it off. They have to leave. The longer they stand around here, the more vulnerable his dad is to other gods and spirits looking to destroy him. Doesn't he get that!? But... his father's voice is stern, thick, and somehow Rin can't bring himself to argue against it.

Rin's father briefly looks up and across at Sousuke (an odd mirrored image of himself, when he thinks about it) before continuing.]

I can't stay here.

That's what I'm telling you! You--

No. You have to let me leave.

[He tenses and his fingers ball into fists at his sides. This is hard. This is so hard. And he can't see it, but the spirit makes eye contact with Sousuke again.]

... But if you can't, then someone else could.

[Like you. Sousuke.]

[Nor has he. It troubles him because Sousuke has no idea how he’s supposed to proceed here. Supporting his god means keeping his emotions in check and going along with what Rin wants. But in this case, his god’s emotions are going rampant. And understandably… His father’s spirit is standing in front of him and Rin’s expected to exorcise him from the world. Otherwise... Otherwise, what? Sousuke doesn’t know. Will the spirit become a monster? Will he continue to wander the world? Will he possess someone and turn aggressive? Or will he remain here in front of them in pain, trying in vain to convince his son to do the impossible mercy…

Sousuke presses his lips together when Rin rounds on him and shouts at him. It’s hard not to feel like a dog getting scolded at the moment. Irritation, pride, anger, they well up inside him, but he pushes them down before Rin can think about sensing them. It’s not Rin’s fault, Sousuke doesn’t need to take it personally.

But what can he say? The barriers remain around them, blocking their little trio inside amid the wandering souls and bodies outside.]

I am helping you.

[By taking his anger, by being some sort of anchor against the emotional storm swirling inside his god. When Rin’s father speaks, Sousuke glances to the side, unable to stop the uneasy sorrow from wisping within his body. It’s a private, personal moment, and he doesn’t’ feel like he should be here. But he is and he knows he needs to be here. For Rin. For Rin’s father. He feels eyes on him and looks up again, finding himself meeting the spirit’s gaze. A face so like his own… He swallows down the thickness in his throat.]

Rin. He’s not of this world anymore. He’s… only passing through.

[Sousuke wants so badly to put this gently, to help Rin see the reality without as much of the agony ripping through him. How can he bluntly tell him that Rin’s father is dead and he needs to return to the afterlife where he’d been so cruelly torn away from. It’s hard… on all of them. Sousuke tenses a little when he feels those eyes on him.

And hears the thought in his mind as clear as if Rin’s father had spoken to him.

He knows he can… Maybe not exorcise him, but he can strike him or otherwise manipulate the spirit’s location and body. Rin may or may not know that. Sousuke glances to Rin once more. Then walks forward. He can almost feel the spirit’s pain as he nears him, his own body and soul resonating with the spirit. After all, Sousuke’s dead too… A gentle glow appears on the tips of his index and middle finger and he comes to a stop beside Rin. Then holds his arm out to the side, in front of Rin’s body. He won’t look at him, can’t look at him.

But he has to do this. Damn me if you want. But you have to wake up. Rin.]

You have an amazing son, Matsuoka-san. Arigato… and sayonara.

[And sweeps his arm forward, the borderline’s glow already increasing on his fingers. Though he has no intention of actually casting a borderline at the spirit, Rin doesn’t know that. He hates this… but if it will wake Rin up, so be it.]

[Rin wants so desperately to shut out all the words he hears, because right now they're doing nothing but confusing and stressing him even more. In the back of his mind, sure, he knows there's more here. He knows Sousuke meas to help him and reason with him, knows his dad only wants to be set free back to where he belongs... but he can't listen. Not when he hasn't seen or heard his father in so many years. Not when this may be the only chance he has to look at him, talk to him, keep him...

He's not a photograph. He's not a little boy holding a trophy, smiling wide and bright with his teammates and friends. How can he be passing through? He's here, he's--

The gentle glow distracts him from those thoughts and soon he's looking up, eyes wide and questioning as he stares at Sousuke's face. What... is he doing? Another borderline? He can't possibly think he's going to try and separate them again, can he?]

Sousuke...?

[But when his shinki's response comes, Rin's confusion turns to dread, and without a second thought he leaps to the side, preparing to block the attack with his own body if need be.]

Sousuke, no!

[It comes out as a yell, raw and terrified, and with trembling hands he reacts quickly, sweeping his own arm out to grab Sousuke's wrist and hold it down for as long as he can. Not only can he not see his own father being hurt, he can't possibly stand here and watch his own best friend have to do it. This-- It's just too much.]

Please...

[Shoulders shake, he swallows, and with head hung he squeezes his eyes shut towards his feet.]

Please don't.

[Don’t! The word alone would’ve halted him, but when Rin jumps in front of the spirit to block him with his own body, Sousuke’s arm comes to a halt. Eyes widen a little, but then lid once more as the focused expression softens into reluctance. He knew Rin was going to do that, had practically counted on it. But it doesn’t stop the issue here. That if Rin’s going to stop him from performing the action, then someone else has to do it. Sousuke’s not willing to let the barriers fall around them and simply allow Rin’s father to be sucked away into the battle around them. But… the don’t have many options either. The spirit behind Rin remains and Sousuke presses his lips together again to force his words to stay put until he can think through them first.

It’s emotional, but the spirit’s not comfortable either. He’s been stolen from his resting place and forced to wander the world once more. He’s hurting, not just from his state, but because he’s hurting his own son as well. Sousuke lets his fingers slide apart, the glow fading away from his fingertips. Striking Rin would have hurt him too.

The sound of Rin’s voice rings in his ears, that sharp, terrified sound that’s so raw and hurting. He hates it, hates that this place is causing such an event. It’s “accidental” in one sense, but how does such a thing happen in the first place? Someone has to be at fault here for letting this happen. For hurting Rin…

His god’s hand wrapped around his wrist prevents him from lowering his arm and he doesn’t try to fight him to free it or continue the slash. Sousuke doesn’t want Rin to have to make this decision either. But is it any better if he does it? Can either of them live with either choice? To let the other perform the action would only serve to guilt the other afterwards.]

Fine… Let’s go to the shrine.

[He’ll acquiesce to the idea. Maybe they can find something there that will allow Rin’s father to pass on and neither of them will have to get their hands dirty with a stain that will never come off.]

Rin… come on.

[Everything happens so quickly. The light, grabbing for Sousuke's wrist, yelling out to him and using his own body to block whatever's coming his dad's way. It's enough to make him dizzy and by the time it finally settles he has to take a few moments to breathe. He knows the spirit is still behind him even if he can't hear it. He knows Sousuke's struggling being caught in the crossfire of all this even if he's not saying a word.

He's bringing more harm to everyone involved than he ever should and he hates it.

Rin's prepared to hear some reasoning again, so what he hears next surprises him and has him looking up with widened eyes.]

Huh?

[Looking outside the borderline, he sees they don't have too far to go to reach the shrine, but with his father in as much pain as he is, he doubt they'll be able to move quickly. He could risk teleporting them all there, but what if it doesn't work and they end up accidentally leaving his dad behind? Either way, his dad's going to be vulnerable... Still, they have to try.]

... We can't move with the barrier around us.

[Turning back to the spirit, who's since grown silent,]

Dad, come on. Stay beside me and Sousuke, ok? We'll get you somewhere safe, I promise.

[He doesn't respond, but after sparing the two of them one more glance he turns and begins walking towards the edge of the borderline. Maybe he's doing this because he doesn't like hurting Rin either.]

Sousuke, cover the front. I'll stay back with him.

[There’s not much time for a lot of thought right now. The fighting around them isn’t getting any calmer and the spirit the god and shinki are currently “warring” over isn’t getting any better either. Even if there are periods of silence between them, Rin’s emotions aren’t giving way to clear thought and Sousuke’s frustration and not wanting to hurt Rin are restricting his own thoughts. They’re both stuck like this, between the proverbial rock and hard place. Somehow, he knows Rin’s blaming himself for it, but as much as he wants to smack him for even thinking that way, Sousuke holds the response back. He has to weather this for Rin and somehow help this be as least damaging as possible.]

The shrine.

[Sousuke follows Rin’s gaze towards the outside world and the shine looming over them. That’s where Rin had originally wanted to go, right? He knows it’s a far stretch that they’ll even get there, much less find something to possibly prevent either of them from having to make that choice. But… What else can he do? Sousuke can’t force Rin’s arm and Rin won’t let Sousuke force his own. So this is the only compromise he can think to make.]

I’ll keep the barriers moving.

[Even if it ends up draining him to keep raising and lowering the borderlines, something he doesn’t mention to Rin. He’ll deal with the burden. His god has enough on his shoulders right now.

Sousuke feels a huge pang of guilt strike through his chest when the spirit of Rin’s father looks at him. He knows he’s hurting, he knows the spirit doesn’t “want” to be here because of the pain it brings himself and his son. He wishes there could’ve been something he could have done just then to somehow absolve the ghost. But, there’s not.

He steps forward and drops the barriers. Almost instantly it feels like the air is stifling and his throat clamps up. So many spirits, so many deaths, swarming around him, plunging into his mind, reminding him he’s just as “dead” as the other spirits around him and if his god were to will it, he’d be just as mad and twisted and lost as the spirits whirling around him—Sousuke snaps both arms up, sliding two borderlines on either side of them to create a pathway towards the shrine. The barriers quiver from the strain the atmosphere is putting on his mind, but it also frustrates and angers him, which allow him to put out the energy enough to make this “hallway” to the steps.

Taking his place in front of the ghost, Sousuke pauses beside him just long enough to whisper a barely-there apology. For not being strong enough to stop his suffering.]

[Rin doesn't have to ask to know his father's in a lot of pain right now. The longer he stays here, the more pain he gains, but even knowing that he can't bring himself to "save" him as some other gods suggest. How does he know "saving" him will bring him peace? How does he know "saving" him won't bring him more pain? He needs more time to consider his options, if there even are any, and he can't accomplish that if he's stuck here in the middle of a hectic battlefield.

So now they're on the move, compromising in the end, and with the barriers shifted to protect their sides, Rin stays beside the spirit of his father while keeping an eye on his shinki ahead, worried all this expended energy will end up taking a toll on him. He sees it in his heart--there's guilt written all over it--and as the borderlines flicker he feels a nervous sweat beginning to bead on his brow. This isn't easy on Sousuke either.

They're barely a minute into their journey when his dad turns to him again,]

Rin... once we get there, I need you to listen to me.

[Rin says nothing and keeps his eyes forward on Sousuke's back. There's another flicker in the barrier and he grimaces at the feeling it leaves in his chest.]

Sousuke, take it easy. Don't strain yourself.

Edited 2017-01-07 02:46 (UTC)

[Why were they in this situation? His god’s in pain. Rin’s father’s in pain. He’s frustrated over his inability to help either of them. Sousuke isn’t one of those running around the battlefield that can absolve the spirits of their existence here. But right now, he wishes that he was. At least then he could offer Rin some sort of answer. The barriers blocking out the battle on either side of them aren’t going to last long. Sousuke can already feel the pressure of the atmosphere and the spirits around them pressing against his stamina and, by proxy, his walls.

So he moves, glancing back every now and then to make sure Rin and his father are following him. Something else crashes against the wall and Sousuke grits his teeth as a bead of sweat wanders down his temple. He has to focus as much as possible to keep the barriers up and quickens his pace at the same time. Any original idea he’s had of casting a third barrier behind them flies out the window now. It’ll take everything to keep both of these up alone. His wavering, guilt-and-frustratoin-laden conscious isn’t helping his power either.

If you can get through to him, tell me what to do. He doesn’t know if Rin’s father can hear him, one spirit talking in his mind, but he can hear the man’s spirit behind him, talking to Rin. Telling him to listen once they arrive. Hopefully something will come of it. Hopefully they can find something to prevent this trauma from happening. Hearing his god’s concern earns another flash of the barriers as they’re struck and he forces them to hold.]

I’m fine. Keep moving.

[This isn't good and it isn't safe or fair for Sousuke, and halfway through their walk he finds himself wanting to call out to him to put the defenses down. Helping his dad is one thing, but... he wants him to look out for himself too. In a dangerous place like this, the two of them need to be strong and at their very best. Once something slams against the barrier, Rin twitches, because he swears he can feel it striking himself too... He can only imagine what it feels to Sousuke.

If Rin's father can hear him, he isn't giving any hints to show he can. Instead, he continues staring forward, unaffected by the noise and the atmosphere, which worries Rin more than he'd like to admit. He's hurting him, of course he knows that, but... He can't think of anything else to do.

That combined with the stress from Sousuke takes a toll on Rin, until it becomes too much and he has to call out to make it stop.]

Sousuke, stop!

[What are they doing? What is he doing? He's only putting them in more danger...]

You're not fine!

[No it’s not good. But there’s no other choice. Except for the one that none of them want to make. There isn’t another god or shinki running over to help them with such a decision. There is no pillar of light shining down ready to offer them salvation from their dilemma. There is only a row of light and a war on either side and steps in front of them. It hurts, his entire body is starting to throb, but he refuses to let the pressure break him. Sousuke focuses on the shrine in front of them. Another slam, another impact, and he feels his right shoulder throb intensely enough that he winces and clasps one hand to the joint. Over the name Rin had given him. His name. Yumeki.

This is nothing. This is nothing compared to what Rin’s feeling right now. The pressure of such a decision, the pain of it and the consequences delaying it brings out. Sousuke steps forward again, only to pause when he hears his name called out. His front foot is right on the shrine’s lowest step and he turns to look over his shoulder, eyes narrowed in focus.]

I said, “I’m fine.” [And turns back towards the shrine.] Come on, Rin. Just a few more steps. You can do it.

[Pay attention to yourself, Rin. Focus on ‘you.’ We have to help you; that’s what’s important here. So follow me, let me be your strength. Let me support you. You need this more. He holds his hand out behind him, turning it palm up and offering his grip to Rin. He’ll haul him up these steps himself if he refuses to move. They’re going to get to where it’s safe, dammit!]

[It's not a welcome sight, Sousuke suddenly reaching up to grip at his shoulder like that, and for a moment it's all Rin can think to focus on. How he missed all the signs for so long, how he never told him and carried that burden for so many years all on his own... The memory makes his heart tremble and seeing Sousuke make a similar sacrifice now doesn't help to calm him down.

He has the power to tell him no. He can order him, command him and force him to stop. But in the end he can't bring himself to do it, never will, and after taking a few moments to stare at the outstretched hand offered to him he swallows thickly then glances off to the side in resignation. It's difficult to focus on just himself. He's responsible for more than that right now, much more than he ever thought he would be.

But he does reach out, he does curl his fingers around his best friend's fingers and hold on... and after looking over to extend an arm out for his dad, there's a sudden flash of light as Rin spares enough focus to transport the three of them up the remaining flight of steps and into the dark safety of the shrine's entrance. It's not a pretty landing--he stumbles forward and nearly loses his footing once they arrive--but Rin gathers himself up soon enough and peers over at his companions to make sure they're safe, and most importantly, in one piece.

His father, he notices, could be better--so pale and unresponsive compared to when he first saw him--but he's here, he's safe, and they can hopefully wait this out for a few minutes longer.]

[It hurts. The pain in his shoulder is sharp and burning all at once. He doesn’t know why; it’s never hurt there before. But then again, he’s never completely exhausted himself to the point of struggling to stay awake and still demanding that his body give him all the energy needed to keep up two towering borderlines. But Sousuke refuses to let them waver. Doing so would hurt Rin and Rin’s father and that is something he’ll never allow so long as he breathes.

Snapping at Rin like that doesn’t sit well with him, but at the moment, Sousuke is hard pressed to care. He needs to get the two to the shrine and out of the fight and that’s what he’s going to do. The back of his mind tries to remind him that Rin holds the power here; if his god tells him to stop and really means it, he’ll have to. A command to him remains absolute. Rin’s never used such a thing before on him, but… Ultimately, it comes to naught and he’s left holding his hand out, waiting for Rin to take it.

Which he does. Fingers curl and he gives a pull, drawing Rin forward and further onto the steps. But before he can move, there’s a flash and his entire world disorients for a moment. He blinks several times, eyesight popping from the light. And then it dies down, leaving them within the embrace of the shrine’s shadowed entrance. The battle’s behind them, the noise is lessened here, and everything feels… more peaceful, calmer. His fatigue doesn’t seem so heavy, though it’s a lie to say it’s even remotely gone. But he’s not so stunned that he doesn’t notice Rin’s stumble and quickly snaps his arm out.

With a solid thud, Sousuke catches Rin’s chest against his arm, holding him upright.] It’s all right. We’re here. [They’re here because of Rin. They’re safe. That’s what matters. But… Rin’s father… Sousuke frowns at the image before him, then sighs and looks at Rin.]

We have to let him go, Rin…

[Rin's not sure how long they'll be able to wait out the fight in here, if at all. It might seem peaceful for now, but there's a chance they'll still be found. However long this lasts though, Rin's willing to take it, and after landing against Sousuke he stays motionless for a few silent seconds, hoping to use the opportunity to catch his breath. They haven't been running around or expending too much energy, but he still feels emotionally exhausted.

Seeing his father as he is doesn't help. Carrying Sousuke's fatigue and pain doesn't help. But what's he supposed to do? Those things won't go away unless--

We have to let him go, Rin...

Unconsciously, Rin squeezes Sousuke's hand before suddenly ripping his free as he turns to face the ghostly figure behind them. The one that looks like him, talks as if it knows him, taunts him. Everything spills out before he can stop it.]

Why did you have to come here!?

[he exclaims to which the spirit glances down at the ground.]

Why did you have to find me!? Did you honestly think I'd be the one to kill you again!?

Rin, I'm already gone.

SHUT UP! [The only reason you're like that... the only reason you never accomplished your dreams, the only reason you died... It's all because of me. Gripping his hair, Rin turns away again to stomp past Sousuke and find a place within the shrine to think. Some place to sit, to stand and be alone for a while. He can't do this.]

Edited 2017-01-19 07:39 (UTC)

[Sousuke’s tired. His body’s exhausted. He feels like he’ll drop to sleep on his feet if he gives himself half a moment. But he refuses to let his weariness distract him. They’re not done with this yet and he can’t let Rin down no matter what. So he settles in to wait, glancing over his shoulder towards the battle outside. Even with the mist and souls, the staggering bodies, the mess, there’s not a lot of people rushing out from the battle. It looks like the majority of the innocents have long gone and even the spirits are starting to disappear, having worn out their time here. Or whatever’s brought them here is now finally starting to draw them back.

He regrets what he says to Rin, knowing it’s not easy to take in and just as frustrating and emotionally infuriating as well. He doesn’t want to go for such an action if they can help it either. But… what else can they do but wait? Sousuke looks to Rin’s father again, noticing just how lethargic and unresponsive he’s become. It’s… painful to see him like this. To see someone so close to Rin, someone so familiar-looking to himself—

Sousuke tenses up in surprise when Rin abruptly tears away from him and rounds on the spirit. And almost gapes in shock at the explosion that bursts from his god’s mouth. He stares at him, hardly believing the person yelling is the same god who’s tried everything possible to protect the spirit of his father. --to kill you again. Sousuke shakes his head quickly for a second, visibly starting at such a thing.]

Wha--?

[He doesn’t know Rin, doesn’t know his past, but the sheer idea that Rin killed his own father is like someone telling him the sky used to be red. It’s ridiculously impossible to even believe and Sousuke wonders if his god’s actually been possessed by a spirit himself. It’d explain the uncharacteristic outburst (topic wise). But he has no time or chance to say anything, because Rin storms away from them without another word. He knows he wants to be alone so Sousuke doesn’t follow him, but…

A soft sigh slips out of his mouth and he looks away from Rin and moves to the spirit. For a few moments, he quiet, but then looks to him.]

Possess me. [It’s a strange thing to say but he continues on.] You’ll be safer inside and it won’t hurt as much as being out here. Eventually all of this will end and you can go back to where you came from.

… it’ll make things easier for Rin too.

[He knows he's acting irrationally, might even be scaring Sousuke with how quickly his emotions continue to change, but it's difficult for Rin to do anything else to try and cope with this mess. The most he can do is sit and wait this out. If he clears his head, maybe he'll be able to come to a decision. If he clears his head, maybe they can all move again and figure out how to end this peacefully. He's not sure how or if that's even remotely possible... but he has to try.

So with chest aching and head spinning, he walks further into the shrine, later finding a quiet corner to sit with his head down and pressed to his knees. It's going to be hard to tune out Sousuke's emotions along with his own and he releases a shaky sigh just thinking about it.

... He didn't kill his father with his own hands. He knows that. Of course he knows that. But he also knows his father gave up a lifelong dream for the sake of his family, a thought which used to haunt him every day for several years, now exacerbated by seeing his father's face once more. He never witnessed him die, and now he's expected to just like that? It isn't fair. He doesn't need anything else springing up in his nightmares and making it impossible to fall asleep.

In the meantime, now left alone with Sousuke, Rin's father stays where he is in complete silence. When he was alive, he was a very animated person, someone who always did what he wanted, when he wanted... Everyone said he passed all that on to his son before he left, but now here he is and here all three of them are, tired, frustrated, in pain... After a short while, he lets out a laugh, as if he's able to read Sousuke's mind.]

He didn't kill me. [he explains, his gaze turning towards the back of the shrine where his son sits in the shadows.] He was young. Probably too young to even remember my face.

[He pauses and turns back to Sousuke as he speaks though and with eyes wide he listens to what he has to say. It seems... stupid. Actually, it's incredibly stupid. They don't know each other and they don't know what could happen once Rin finds out. But after a moment his eyes shut and he smiles, understanding.]

You're Rin's friend. Sousuke, was it? I can tell you're someone important to him. [His son always did make friends quickly. ... He wishes he could have seen all of them.] Listen... I won't ask you to destroy me. And it was wrong of me to ask that of Rin too, knowing how sensitive he is.

But... if I do this, what will you tell him?

Edited 2017-01-23 03:42 (UTC)

[The silence, relatively speaking, is ominous. With the fading battle raging around the front of the shrine and the heavy weight of their decisions resting within the shrine, coupling with the sheer exhaustion he’s already dealing with from his defense of the wall and fighting the zombies earlier, Sousuke feels ready to drop on his feet and sleep. But he has to stay awake, has to see his through to the end. For Rin’s sake. The outburst from before only powers that resolve and keeps him up.

There’s no way Rin could have killed his own father; Sousuke doesn’t believe it any more than he could throw his god across the room. But he knows Rin’s speaking out of emotion, the things he says probably shouldn’t be taken seriously, but there’s something behind that strange explosion that’s rung true. Rin wouldn’t have said something like that if there’d been nothing there at all.

But Rn’s not here right now. He’s faded into the shine’s darkness and Sousuke’s left with the only other person that could possibly explain what just happened. The same person he’s quietly pitched one of the idiotic ideas to just now. But before they deal with that…]

I see.

[He doesn’t. Not really? Though he’s relieved to know that Rin didn’t kill his father, there’s no explanation as to why Rin’d even say such a thing. The gentle laugh from the man’s spirit eases his worries. At least it’s not a literal sense. Not like what’s being asked of Rin now. Sousuke silently guesses it was either an accident or some kind of sacrifice during Rin’s youth. Enough to make his god feel guilty in the weight of this event. Though he has no recollection of his own youth, he’s able to put some of the vague pieces together.

And then back to his ridiculous request. Sousuke frowns just slightly at the man’s smile, unsure if he’s calling him out on the absurdity of the request or simply… Oh. A brow arches and he purses his lips for a moment. Glancing back to the shrine’s darkness, he hesitates. Rin’s friend. He’s his shinki, obviously, but his friend? Though Sousuke has thought about it before, especially after the blighting and his subsequent work in the pool… Does he really consider himself Rin’s friend yet?

After all… what is a friend? He turns back to the spirit, quietly accepting that he is important to Rin. That much is clear. Somehow, though, hearing Rin’s father address him as Rin’s friend… makes it clearer what Sousuke feels. What he wants.]

Aa. I’m his friend.

[He shakes his head slowly.] I can’t destroy you, no matter how much I want to take the burden from Rin. I’m only a shinki. Rin can’t either. [This man is Rin’s father; he should know that as well as Sousuke does. The question earns a focusing from the young man and teal eyes harden just a little in his resolve once more.]

I’ll tell him the truth. That you’re resting without pain and we can wait this out until it’s time for you to return to the afterlife. [He silent for a few moments before looking into the spirit’s eyes, holding them.] Let me do this. … I cannot allow Rin to kill you either. [His duty as a shinki is to protect his god. Even if that means from Rin’s own self. There is no way Rin could do such an action and not be scarred by it forever.

Sousuke won’t let him make that sacrifice now. Not after seeing how much this has affected him already.]

[Maybe there's some hesitance there in what Sousuke tells him. Is he really his son's friend or is he jut agreeing to make matters easier? No. These two seem to genuinely care about each other, and that's telling enough.

It means a lot to him then, to hear Sousuke's response. His son wouldn't take well to a lie and there aren't many lies they can come up with to cover this situation up safely. Still, it's a difficult decision to make, and with his body rapidly succumbing to this world's energy, he doesn't have a lot of time to make it. Really, he'd rather be gone. But Rin--

With Sousuke's eyes on him, Rin's father becomes silent... but after a few beats he sighs in resignation. It wasn't meant to be this way. Maybe if he found someone else this would have been over quick. But he isn't the regretful type, no matter how sorry he feels, and with a smile he even manages a brief laugh. Odd and out of place... but it felt necessary.]

Rin always was stubborn. Things had to go his way or no way at all.

[This time would be no different. After all, Rin was his son.]

Thanks. For thinking about him. And taking care of him all this time.

[A brief pause where his smile softened as did the look in his eyes. Then, with a nod,] All right. I'll do it. [As far as he knew, it wouldn't hurt. Might feel weird at first, but it wouldn't hurt.] ... You mind telling me something first though?

Does he still swim?

[Sadly, even Sousuke isn’t sure he believes himself. He admits that Rin’s important to him, that he’s ready to protect him at a moment’s notice, that his feelings go far past what’s simply “duty bound” for a shinki. But… friends. Does Rin even see him as a friend? Of course he does. Of course he says he does… Sousuke wants to believe that Rin wears his emotions on his sleeve so openly he knows what he thinks.

But he doesn’t. After all, Sousuke’s not exactly been the friendliest of people to Rin at first. Though it’s improved, are they really “friends” right now? Partners on good terms? Ugh, he doesn’t know. Maybe he is just saying this to make matters easier. Right now, it’s not about Sousuke, it’s about Rin. Ignoring the friend issue at least, the rest is genuine and truthful, leaving no doubt in his own mind what he wants. This will help Rin; he knows that much. There won’t have to be lies, tragedy, sacrifice, killing, anything. It’ll… be a matter of patience and acceptance.

Sousuke feels the other man’s presence starting to waver, but he’s not sure if it’s because he’s fading into the afterlife or if it’s something more corruptive and painful. He frowns slightly, eyes taking a quiet, concerned look to them. He honestly wishes Rin’s father to move on… He shouldn’t be put through this. But he has to at least have the time and chance to say farewell. That sigh tells him the decision’s been made. It’s regretful, but it’s the better option right now.

There’s a lot of maybe’s… but none of them happened. There’s only now. It’s an odd smile, an odd laugh, but it’s moving forward.]

Aa. He is stubborn. Sometimes it’s infuriating.

[But Sousuke’s stubborn too. Enough to come to a flat standstill against his god if he wants to. The gratitude, however, earns a slight look of surprise, touched the man would thank him for something like that. After all, it’s Rin who’s been taking care of Sousuke, not the other way around.]

It’s something I want to do. He saved me… so I want to do what I can for him.

[This is only one of those things. Over and over, doing something for the other to help. It’ll be a never-ending cycle, but not something Sousuke wants to stop. Because he really does enjoy being around Rin. He nods at the question and then reaches his arm out for the spirit, not to grab him, but merely to offer… maybe even welcome. The question earns a soft expression and a gentle smile, his eyes deeper with a complex emotion inside.]

Aa. He does. And it’s beautiful to watch. I’ve never seen anything like it.

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