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~

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[ "he's proud of you"

That's certainly something he hadn't expected to hear. Not here. Not for a long while, at least. He can't help but think back, remembering William as he was: a stern manager, always so focused on his work and everyone else's, the man who taught him how to properly write up his first report. ]

He was a reaper's reaper. No one better'n he was in the department, I can tell you.

Is that so...

[ Yes, he wanted to keep the other talking, to not sink into whatever depressing thoughts he was headed towards. ] He must have been, if he was able to put up with you, Ron-san. You are a piece of work all on your own.

[ His other hand lifted, forcing the other man to turn his face to him. ]

Edited 2016-12-24 01:52 (UTC)

M'not that much of a wreck!

[ And he was laughing. After all, he was never one to wallow... no matter how depressing the subject. It wasn't having to strike donlwn his boss that saddened him. But he did finally straighten up, securing that hand to his cheek. ]

He would've liked you, I wager. Always did find favor in the ones with a proper head on their shoulders.

[ He slowly rose to his feet, offering a small nod of his head. His hand remained on Ronald's face, wanting to continue to offer any semblance of comfort that he could. ]

Good to hear. [ He secured the deck brush beside him. ] ...Were you hurt?

[ It was a comfort, he had to admit. That touch, he found, was something he was slowly growing addicted to. There's a shake of his head at the question though.

But there's obviously a gash across his cheek, though faint and his sleeve's torn but nothing to note. ]

S'just a flesh wound. He took it easy on me. And you? You've been managing best you can out there, haven't you?

I'm still in one piece. [ He shifted a bit uncomfortably, moving his weight to one side. He was wearing a yukata, so it was hard to see his currently swollen ankle he took from a particularly hard fall. What was more obvious was the small, bloody knick at the corner of his mouth on his forehead. ]

Jade wandered off and then everything turned crazy. [ His thumb stroked Ron's cheek. ] ...I didn't know you were around... I wish I would have found you earlier.

[ Another light chuckle, more of relief if anything as he leaned close to press a kiss to his forehead. ]

Course I was about... but I should've gone looking for you meself. Saw Jade earlier. Gave me a bit of a hand with this old girl.

[ Patting the handle of the lawnmower before giving himself a light hair ruffle. ]

M'glad you're alright. D'you need help getting back? Prolly not safe here.

I hurt my ankle, [ He admitted, and he pulled his yukata up a bit to reveal his steadily swelling ankle. ] I'll be better off on my own. I'll just end up slowing you and your uh... lawnmower down.

I've been using the deck brush as both a weapon and a crutch so I should be fine.

[ The worried look on his face is evident even as he moves an arm around the other god to steady him. ]

Come on then. Can't ruddy well leave you out here, hurt and on your lonesome. Never be able to forgive meself if something dire happened!

[ And he steps one foot down, making clear room between him and the mower handle. ]

I'll get you to the nearest temple.

[ Newsflash: he's serious. ]

[ He looked down at the space, then back up at Ron. ]

...Are... you serious?

Serious as the sky is blue, mate!

[ Another jerk of his head. But he doesn't seem the least bit insulted... just insistent. ]

Get on. D'you think I grabbed a mower at random if I didn't know how to use it?

I guess... not?

[ Well... he supposes it's not the weirdest thing he's done, that's for certain. The young man slid in between the lawnmower and Ronald's arm. ] Um...

I'm... ready?

Hang on, then.

[ He moves himself back into position, directly pressed against Watanuki's back before kicking the engine back to life. It's got the same power as a properly tuned motor and runs just as smooth. Despite having one arm, his hold is secure and thanks to the momentum, neither of them are likely to fall off that easily.

And it's just as well. He's steering, weaving this way and that to avoid as many of those shambling corpses and wayward floats. No pauses to strike, just to dodge. It's clear where he's headed: one of the temples just outside of the main part of town. He doesn't stop, doesn't slow down until they're out of the city and behind the safety of the large red torii that creates the boundary between the temple grounds and everything else. At that, he lets out a breath and releases his hold only to hug the other god closer a moment. ]

Go on. Get going.

[ Watanuki kept his back against Ron. He could forget the pain in his ankle, briefly. a hand came up to rest over the other man's. ] ...Mm...

Can I just...

Stay like this? For a moment. I'm...

A little tired. [ He leaned back a little more. ]

We prolly both need a break.

[ He'd been fighting for a while, really... and that scuffle with him and the spirit had taken a bit. He motioned with his head toward a nearby bench by a tree before offering his hand. ]

S'better there'n out in the open.

Okay. [ He took the offered hand, walking with Ronald slowly to the bench. There was a little hobble as he moved. He took a slow seat, letting out a faint huff as he relaxed on the bench. He looked to the blond, offering a nod. ] Thanks.

Nothing to thank me for.

[ His eyes were trained on the other, leading him to the bench and making sure he was steady. Ronald did offer him an assuring smile as he took his own seat, leaning forward with his arm on his own knee. ]

Does it hurt much?

Yeah... it makes it hard to move, but... I'm used to it. [ When it came to running to save your life, he could ignore any pain. But even so, it looked incredibly swollen. He pulled his yukata up more, to his knee, looking it over. ] I just need to stay off of it and get the swelling down is all...

...What's with the lawnmower?

Didn't tell you? S'what I used to use to do the job back home. Course, me old girl was a bit bigger'n this and had a bit more kick to her motor but this one does the job well enough.

[ ....Ron, really. Now's not the time to be checking out his leg.

He raises a finger though as if to ask for a minute before disappearing past the torii and around the corner. When he does come back, it's with a cold can of juice straight out of a vending machine which he hands over. ]

Here. Should help to get the swelling down.

[ Actually Ron this is a perfect time to be checking it out because-- ]

[ He sheepishly lifts the yukata a bit more--to the thigh. He sticks his leg out. ]

Could you, uh...

...Do it for me? If... that's okay.

[ ....well, if it's going to be easier then... how could he decline such a generous offer?

But he'll be subtle about that cruise. After all, he's supposed to be tending to a swollen ankle ffs. Though he has to admit, the view's rather nice... ]

Looks worse'n I thought...

[ Crouching down in front of him, fingers curling around his calf and leading that leg against his own knee before pressing the cold can against his ankle with a sigh. ]

Did a bit of a number on you.

[ There was a hiss and a gentle tremor of his body and leg in Ron's hand. ] Mm.

I wasn't watching my footing.

It feels better with the cold on it though...

I'm sorry that I'm being a nuisance.

Never said you were, sweetheart.

[ Offering a smile back before continuing to press the can against his skin. At least it helps... and keeps the swelling down. ]

Prolly don't need to tell you to take it easy on that leg for a bit, eh?

I'll do my best. [ There's a small smile back. ]

What about you...? That cut on your face doesn't look so good...

Like I said, s'just a flesh wound.

[ And chuckling because the oddest notion came to him. ]

Don't think it adds to me charm then? I'd prolly look a bit wilder if a scar set in.

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