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

[Sousuke frowns as the woman and her child vanish over the wall. Well that’s a survivor… So the question is, do they still stick to the twenty minute countdown or do they restart it since they’d just seen a Near Shore resident? He doesn’t want to linger around here longer than they have to… but “have to” constitutes protecting the innocents. Peering out into the fog again, Sousuke curses quietly. There’s no hint of the fog lifting either.]

Looking around? As in shopping or exploring his temple?

[He fixes the barrier, though it taxes him again and some of the air quality drops because suddenly his breathing feels thicker and a ripple of somber sensations drip down his spine. The atmosphere outside’s gotten through and it’s going to affect them again. He focuses on Masaki’s words again.]

That’s a really different memory.

[Shopping or exploring versus finding it in the bedroom. And it’s not so distracting as much as something else to focus on than the zombies now pounding at his walls. Besides, he isn’t any better, since he’d gone two days without a shower when he arrived here.]

[She's still keeping the clock from before. She doesn't know if they can keep restarting the clock, over and over. He's worn out, and she's getting herself confused. Even if that means that she's not helping out as many people as she could or should (and feels bad about it...)

They can't last like this. And their gods could do a lot more good, with their shinki then without them. The air feels heavier, and it's harder to focus. She almost misses the last statement, and shakes herself, like a dog flinging water off of their coat.]

Exploring his temple. I explored a little, then we shopped because...it didn't have everything I needed.

But the phone was there. Sorry. Got a bit mixed up. Somehow.

[She loves showers. And food. Both were amazing, even if she never felt full.]

[Well if that’s the decision she’s making, Sousuke’s not going to fight her over it. One of them has to stand up and take control of this or that or they’re never going to get out of this place. Just as Sousuke’s determined to take turns and when he comes back on the defensive, Masaki takes over the clock and he acquiesces to her decision. It’s probably the better option, considering the strain they’re experiencing already.

Honestly, they’ve been at this for a while together and who knows how long before then. They’re only guarding one—relatively—small area among a wide open perimeter where people can go streaming out of at any moment. So the chance that there are a lot more survivors left inside the mess of battle is very small. At least that’s how his mind is logically trying to ease his concern and conscience.]

I see. We’ve had to go shopping a little as well. I didn’t think about phones though.

[Considering Rin’s able to teleport to his side or call Sousuke to him, that’s not come up. But it’d be… nice to have some leeway, once Sousuke gets over his still-lingering reluctance to let Rin leave his sight due to what Schuldid to the larger boy. He doesn’t want to be stolen again, but he doesn’t want to live in fear attached to Rin’s waist either.]

[Far too true. She wants to do the right thing, and the right thing here-even if it makes her grit her teeth-is to stick to the timer. They'll do more harm then good if they stick around for too long. Especially if their borderlines fail.

She's been running around like a headless chicken and stressed out at the damage she caused, and Sousuke-who knew what he had done.]

Phones are good. Plus, it means you can just...give him a text if something or the other pops up.

[She likes to send texts to her god, just to see how he is, if he wants anything. It's kind of nice just to be able to check in on each other, and on the others on the network as well.]

[Sometimes the “right” thing is pretty stupid to do. They can stand guard here until the night falls on the hopeful off-chance they’d be able to save one more person. But it’s impractical to do so. Not with the battle going in front of them and their gods probably stuck somewhere inside it.

So the timer stays. As she figures, it’s less to everyone’s benefit, including theirs, to keep this stakeout. Especially given their fatigue.]

I could. But he can pretty much read my mind or just pop in next to me if he wants.

[No, there’s not a slight tinge of annoyance in his tone as he says that. But he’s not arguing the idea it’d be nice to communicate with Rin without having to be next to him.]

[Sadly so. But that would be impractical and no doubt painful if they try. Better to find their gods and do better when they can.

Masaki checks her phone-the timer is still counting down, still have five minutes to go-and she glances his way, frowning.]

Gods can teleport sure...but how does he pretty much read your mind?

[Dio might be able to do the same. Better to know, then not in this case.]

[He doesn’t like the idea of having to rely on other gods to get the job done. He should be able to finish things by himself. But as Masaki’s proving right now and this world has proven so many times before, Sousuke is a shinki and is in a certain “cog” of this machine. He can’t do more than his “role” at the moment. Frustrating as it is.

Being forced into teamwork and partnership is bothersome. But he can’t say he doesn’t like it after he adjusts. His partnership with Rin, after all, gives him no regrets even after the struggles they’ve already encountered.]

I’m not sure. He knows what I’m feeling and seems to know things about me I don’t.

[Obviously because of his memory loss but… Sousuke doesn’t try to think about it.]

[She'd like that too, but maybe it's better to think of themselves as providing the power, and the gods providing the precision.

Then again...she's never been summoned by her vessel name before either. Dio, if nothing else, cherishes her, and does treat her like a person first, a weapon...not even.]

....huh. I'm not sure if Dio knows the feeling thing, but knowing things about me...

[She presses her lips together.]

Rin might not be the only god keeping secrets. But we don't need another shinki falling.

[As much as she hates to say it.]

[Sousuke’s sure people see it one way and another, but he still doesn’t like the fact he’s forced to rely on someone else to accomplish something. Whether that’s being alive (which he’s admittedly grateful for, but still…) or battling and using his powers. But it’s something shinki can argue about later when they’re not in the middle of a battle. Which… is seeming to slow down because they’ve not seen anyone for a while now.]

I don’t like it.

[Which probably goes without saying, Masaki knowing what she does of Sousuke.]

All gods keep secrets from their shinki; there are things they can’t tell us, even if they want to.

[It’s annoying and he doesn’t see the “why” behind that decision, but it’s pushing against the very rules and nature of this place, so… Sousuke’s not someone to give up and surrender, but he’s also logical and this is a battle that isn’t winnable by his lonesome.]

I know. I don't like it either.

[That's something, considering their previous conversations. She sighs, and closes her eyes briefly. It doesn't help that she's feeling heavier from not the strain, but the emotions, the stress of everything they have to do.

She takes a moment to check her phone, huffing quietly.]

It's hardly a productive way to create a situation based on trust. But at least we shinki can trust each other.

[To...a certain extent. They can still be used to hurt one another. And she puts her phone away.]

It's time to switch.

[They agree on something! (They’ve agreed on a lot of things in this meeting with each other so that’s progress, right?) Sousuke faces the battlefield again, scanning as best he can through the fog and bodies. The motion near them is lessening considerably; he hasn’t seen a zombie near their wall for a while, much less anything actively trying to attack it. The atmosphere, however, is still a trying drain on his strength. Masaki’s most likely as well.]

Aa. Trust can’t be forced. [He still isn’t someone to trust other shinki willy nilly either, but at least he trusts Masaki and Goten as fellow shinki. Even if he knows it can get him in trouble if someone’s going to manipulate or abuse that. Neither of which he thinks is past some people here…]

All right. [And quietly lowers the borderline to allow her to take her place and renew the bastion.] It’s quieting down out there.

[It's a lot of progress! They're doing pretty well, it's like they're adults or something. The motion does seem to be happening less and less though, as things quiet down.

Even if the atmosphere is trying to drive them to their knees, they'll work this out, somehow.]

Too true.

[She steps up, brushing her knuckles against his as a sort of fist bump (abit a lazy one) before going through the motions of putting up the protective details of the borderline. She can feel the pressure again, but no matter.

More importantly, she resets her clock, and shows it to Sousuke.]

Good. Last ten minutes.

[Wow, call the presses. Adulting going on here. At least it’s nice to have some lightheartedness while they focus on the ominous task ahead of them. Because once they agree to leave this wall and strike out into the mess, they’re literally going to be heading right into the remains of the battle.

And neither of them are anywhere near their peak performance as it is.]

Ten minutes.

[He agrees with her. It’ll be their last since they can’t keep lingering here. So even if there is an appearance of a new native, they’ll have to excuse it as a chance and take it to leave it. The fist bump earns a slight blink and he looks down at his hand. Hadn’t Rin shown him something similar to that a while ago?]

When we leave, do you want to go together or part ways? It’ll be hard to see in there and I can probably only sense my god.

[It's a miracle, an answer to someone's prayers. But really, they need that light heartedness, since they might not have it for awhile after this.

And they're both really needing a nap, hugs, and comfort food once they escape.

She nods, glad that he agrees with it. Even if he seemed a little confused about the fist bump. Then again...she's mostly noticed other people doing it. It's a friendly thing, isn't it?]

Together for a ways. I can track down my god, but I don't think I can track down yours-I haven't met him yet.

[She's a cheating cheater that cheats like that.]

[He doesn’t know how much longer this is going to affect them after all is said and done. This close to so many spirits, having their minds and souls pulled by those flying around them, reminding them they too are simply dead creatures inhabiting flesh that may or may not even be theirs. Do they even remember what they look like? Of course they don’t. And if that’s the case, how do they know they’re even who they think they are? Does Masaki know for sure that she looks like this> Does Sousuke know if he even sounds like this? Are the things they find themselves good at even theirs or simply the habits of the body they’re renting?

Who are they? That’s what the spirits around them are whispering. Isn’t it much easier to simply let go and drift away into the light above, abandon these bodies they have little use for asides from being someone’s tool at convenient times? See? Isn’t it easier this way… Give up, close your eyes. Don’t think or remember. Let the darkness envelop and drift away into the quiet slumber.

Sousuke’s eyes already begin to dim, his mind’s exhaustion rapidly taking over from the sudden influx of words. Together... He doesn't get it. What the other shinki says seems to drift through his mind and out his ear without registering. How they got around Masaki’s barriers (or his own) he doesn’t know. But they’re here now. Tempting them, drawing them, wanting their bodies for their own.]

[It was pressing close, the air getting too thick. She knows she has to look the way she does, because Dio looks at her the way he does. And Sousuke knows who he is thanks to Rin and everyone else.

She doesn't want to let go. There's still so much to do. She can feel a part of her that wants to give way and...

Her temper flares up. It's a temporary thing, not even a second wind, but she wants the spirits gone.]

Line!

[She draws one, vibrant and strong in her want to separate them both from the whispers. But she took in a huge breath, and after a smack to the chest, she grabs his hand.]

We're going! We need to get out of here!

[How does she know she looks this way? She doesn’t remember anything about herself. What if this isn’t what she really looks like and this is simply something that she’s been given? What if she’s simply another soul that happened to find its way to this body? Her god looks at her because she’s there. She’s ont invisible. But if she leaves this body and moves on, there’s a good chance she’ll find herself in the afterlife. Who she really is. She doesn’t need to stay here in this place that doesn’t provide her with any answers.

And how can she even trust her god? After all, she knows as well as any shinki that her god has to lie to her. To keep things from her. Because there are things a shinki shouldn’t know. And if he’s going to keep one thing from her, why not keep more… So how can she really know that she looks this way? How can either of them know who they are when all they have to go on is a name and whatever their gods tell them? Wouldn’t it be easier to let go and avoid this amnesiac existence where their own identity is an unknown mystery they’re not even supposed to know…

Sousuke jerks at the sudden appearance of the line bursting through his thoughts. The voices rip away with loud sounds of anger and frustration, once more driven out into the fog of souls twisting and spinning through the air, seeking for another dead body to possess and once more have avenue to life. The swimmer shakes his head, trying to throw the foggy doubts and confusions from his mind.

Only to tense up when Masaki grabs his hand. He looks towards her, sharp and intense, eyes focused again.]

Aa.

[But where are they going to go? Their gods are out in that battle and obviously the spirits Masaki’s just cut off from hanging around them are also out in that battle, only about a hundred times more in number and intensity.]

We can retreat for a moment to get our breaths back. [And their heads on straight.]

[She didn't know. She didn't know who she had been, what her name meant. But she wanted to be looked at by her god, still wanted to laugh and cry and be with him and all of her god and shinki friends.

She doesn't know what her god has to keep from her-but she knows it isn't entirely because he wants to. And she wants all of those thoughts tO GET OUT OF HER HEAD.

The line helps, and Sousuke seems to jerk awake himself. They need to go. Now. The spirits are too close, and just on the edge throbbing like an oncoming headache.]

More than a moment. We need our energy back.

[She tugs his hand, her eyes intense. Her fingers hurt. She needs to remember that, how there's blisters and everything. She needs to remember that because it's real unlike all those depressing thoughts in her head.]

Come on, run! If you can't run, tell me, and I'll do something!

[For now, they get their break as the spirits are pushed back by the wall. Sousuke’s still too tired to make his own, but at least his head’s clear again and his strength is recovering as the air clears and the thoughts silence. He may not know all those things, but his name feels right, Rin’s voice and presence feels right, and he’s never once looked at himself in the mirror and wondered “Who am I?” yet. But that’s a yet… He may not have his memories, but Sousuke’s pretty sure he’s Sousuke. Honestly, what other choice do they have but to be who they are now?

He snaps out of it a moment later and looks behind them. That’s really their only option. Running into the battlefield right now will just overload their minds from the collections of angry spirits beyond the wall in front of them.]

Aa. Let’s retreat for now.

[He has to trust that Rin’s fine wherever he is. For once, Sousuke wishes he could sense his god like Rin could sense him. His body hurts, he feels exhausted, but he forces himself to move.]

I can run.

[There’s a slight undercurrent suggesting her not to underestimate him. But he quickly aboutfaces and drops off the other side of the wall, moving quickly towards the woods once his legs are on the ground again. Notably, away from the main battle. Away from the spirits.]

[They need that break. She doesn't know if she can make another. She's not going to question Sousuke's identity or her own-there's too much at stake if she stops now. And that is one thing she refuses to do.

She may be caring and soft hearted, but she also has her limits. This is, actually, the nicest thing she can do for the spirits, if not for herself.

She nods, thankful that he's seeing sense. They'll have to find their gods later, when they've recovered. Eaten, at least, rested, if not sleep and try to calm themselves down.]

Good. You go, and I'll follow.

[She'll be following, if not being right beside him due to his longer strides. She has to climb over the wall, and she starts moving, away from the spirits and her borderline.

She can only hope it'll stay up long enough to give them a good, long head start.]

[Sousuke makes sure she’s over the wall and following him before he moves further. The forest is still alive with sounds of people running away or those braver sorts that are sticking around and watching from around the sides of trees. Ironically there are some vendor stalls parked or wedged on the outside of the perimeter when their owners found that it’d been too much work to keep running with their possessions.

He doesn’t stop until he’s a few trees deep in the forest, refusing to completely lose sight of the area. He still doesn’t know his way around this place and he’s not about to get lost in the woods. Turning around, Sousuke rests his back against a tree, eyes scanning the area in front of them. The shrine and sky, along with the mist of spirits, are still visible. Good. He isn’t planning on staying here for long. Just enough to catch his breath and calm.]

Are you okay?

[Looks like they made it without much issue. Nothing is following them, so that’s good. He’s still not completely okay with everything that’s happened, but he knows it’s not over so has to buckle down and accept it.]

[The forest is alive with people screaming. She doesn't even pay attention to the vendors, even if she usually is hungry and could use the energy.

She doesn't know the way either, but she's sure they'll find a way out. There's a part of her, she thinks, that will find a way.]

I'm okay. Just breathless.

[She doesn't feel all right, but she's functioning. Good enough.]

You?

[Sheesh, people are still here screaming? Shouldn't this place have cleared out several minutes ago? Unless the spirits and zombies are chasing people into the forest... He doesn't see any nearby, but it's a possibility...]

Aa. I'm fine.

[A lie, but he's not keeling over and he's not physically injured. Sousuke wants to rest for a bit is all. Maybe swing back and grab something to eat and drink as a refuel but... He's not willing to admit his weakness yet.

They're only done with their battle.]

[They should be gone, and not screaming. Maybe that was a bit of a delay there or something. She's hoping people are just screaming in frustration or something like that.

That would be more comforting.

Gently, Masaki touches Sousuke on the back.]

All right. Then...let's try to find a place we can rest and refuel.

[Far, far away from the spirits and the zombies.]

['Should' being the operative phrase. Sousuke looks around a few times, trying to see where the loudest or closest is coming from, but it's nigh-impossible and he's honestly too tired to worry about it right now. They've done their best to keep as many people safe and now it's their turn to take a breather. Before they dive back in there again to find their gods.

He blinks at the touch to his back, but then quietly shakes his head.]

No. This is far enough. I don't want to lose sight of the shrine.

[The spirits aren't coming into the forest it seems, so they should be safe here.]

011 | Black Parade

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