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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[Can he really be blamed for it though? He’s Rin’s shinki regardless of the fact Rin tells him he’s human. His job is to support and protect his god as best he can. Even if it means putting himself in compromising situations. He doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like the idea of either himself or Rin being too weak to handle themselves. But Rin’s also told him they’re supposed to be a team. And that means supporting each other. Even if their roles are different. Sousuke wants to rely on himself, would’ve chosen to do that had he been given the choice. At least that’s the way he feels…

But this isn’t the place for that. He’s Rin’s partner. Sousuke doesn’t understand most of it, but he knows he wants to keep Rin safe no matter what it costs him. Call it duty, call it stubbornness, but that’s what he feels. And even if he wants Rin to be strong himself… what kind of monster would he be to make Rin go through with the killing of his own father? Especially when Sousuke could come up with a way to prevent that choice from having to be made. Tsk, it’s all too complicated right now.

Best to let things take their course; what’s done is done and they can deal with any fallout regarding it later. It’s better this way, to listen to Rin talk and feel what his father feels in response to his son’s words. Sousuke admits it feels a little strange, having such sensations wandering through his emotions, but if Rin really has lost his father so young, Sousuke has no right to take this opportunity away from him.

He falls silent for a while, taking in the feelings that well within his chest before he response. It’s too bad he can’t offer Rin his father’s words… but maybe it’s for the best.] He’s happy.

But, Rin. [A gentle intensity, urging, that kind frustration you get when trying to tell someone something good for them. Sousuke looks at his god again.] You’re you. I don’t think he wants you to be just like him… You should be free to be who you are.

[No, he can't be blamed for it, not when he's only doing what this world expects him to do. But all the same, there's freedom they need to take into consideration. The right to choose, the right to be what he wants. That he still chooses to be at Rin's side after every blunder they've been through thus far is incredibly telling of Sousuke's feelings, and yet... Rin still wants him to be fair to himself most of all. They weren't meant to play sword and shield. Neither one of them should take on more responsibility and weight than the other. He thought they established that so many years ago...

Briefly his gaze shifts to focus on his shinki's right shoulder. He's not feeling any pain. He's no longer carrying that weight. But what if he tries to do it all over again?

Those thoughts end up pushed towards the back of his mind though once he's addressed a second time and just like that they're back to talking about himself. ... He knows he makes a big deal out of being just Rin, but believe it or not, it's a fairly new belief. He wanted to live out his father's dream, go to his school, his swim club, all while taking care of his mother and Gou. That's what a responsible young man did, what any respecting son should do... And somewhere in all that, "Rin" became lost.

So maybe it's been harder than he makes it out to be, holding true to his own words. Maybe it's easier to hear it coming from someone else, someone he trusts and respects as much as Sousuke, or in this case, maybe his own father. Either way, he lowers his gaze again, and shortly after he does he notices a spot of pink fluttering at their feet. Hn... another cherry blossom petal. After all this time, he can still never predict when they're going to show up.]

I'll do that. [he finally says as another petal joins the first and they both dance across the ground and into the hall behind them. He wonders if it's awkward or hard saying things like this. Does he feel like a messenger between them, like he shouldn't even be here at all? Either way, Rin chooses not to mention it, and instead lifts his hand up half way towards Sousuke this time, his fingers curled into a loose fist.] ... Thank you.

[They have established that. Sousuke knows how equal Rin wants their partnership to be. They’ve seen already the messy results that happen when one or the other tries to take on too much or do everything by himself. But Sousuke isn’t blind to how Rin feels about him. Rin feels responsible for him and wants him to be safe, just as Sousuke wants Rin to be safe. This right now has gone outside that balance, but Sousuke doesn’t feel sorry for it. After all, they’d spent the first, what, hour? trying to do it Rin’s way. To find a way to avoid killing. Sousuke hadn’t wanted the burden of anything to fall on either of their shoulders in this event. But he’d already seen the pain it put Rin though… so he’d done what he had to in order to prevent it.

Because it wasn’t just pain that Rin would’ve received from committing such an action. They can talk about it more later when they’re back at the castle and calmer.

There’s still so much about Rin Sousuke doesn’t know. His father’s brief conversation has given him a few insights, but there’s definitely not enough to form any real opinions. Why Rin feels he wants to be just like his father. Why Rin loves swimming as much as he does. Why Rin has such feelings towards Sousuke or whoever Sousuke reminds him of. All these things are locked away behind the “unknown” that they’re not supposed to go near. Frustrating… but at least it encourages them to grow together with only “themselves” as reference, rather than attempting to recreate what might be in the past or elsewhere, right?

Sousuke can learn about Rin and Rin can do the same for him. And maybe someday, things will work out for the best. Strange way to think about it, but they don’t need any further heavy thoughts right now. He catches sight of that pink heart drifting around their feet and it brings a little smile. There’s a gentle, nostalgic sensation inside him, like the kind you’d get when gazing over a picture of a happy, childhood memory. It only gets stronger when Rin gives his answer.]

He’s proud of you. [It is a little awkward, but any negative thought never has the chance to appear because Sousuke’s asked for this and he’s willing to be here in this role until it’s over. He’d rather it be this way, where Rin’s father can communicate in comfort rather than have to watch the kind man suffer while he waits. He pauses at the sudden lifted fist… but without more than a second or so, he lifts his own and gently bumps it against Rin’s.] Aa.

[… … …] I think he’s laughing at us. [That feeling you get when you see two people do something cute and funny that only they ‘get’ but everyone else thinks it’s both adorable and weird at the same time. Is there even a feeling for that? Well that’s what it is.]

[Speaking the castle, Rin's not sure if he should try sending them back now or later, or if they'll even have the chance to do so today at all. It seems everything's still dying down outside their little safe haven. The noises are soft, the energy levels in the air no longer full of static and pressure... yet even so, he doesn't feel compelled to move much from this exact spot. It's not like him, he knows. Even Sousuke will be able to understand that. But even Rin needs to take a moment to stand still.

So while talking like this is heavy, it's also comforting in a way he can't quite explain, and with the added familiarity of their hands touching he feels the last bit of added weigh roll off his shoulders. No, they're not exactly where they should be in terms of their relationship, but it won't be impossible to get there.

He lowers his hand against after a beat then at that comment lifts his head and raises a brow.]

Huh?

[Laughing? What, can he feel that? Wait, no, what's he even laughing for? Maybe a little self-conscious now, Rin feels heat rise to the tips of his ears.]

Why?

[Honestly, Sousuke’s wanted to make this comfortable for Rin’s father until the end, but who knows when “the end” is going to be? The spirits outside the shrine are still there, but through the fog and dwindling battle, he can’t tell if their numbers are decreasing at all. At least the overwhelming pressure of the atmosphere isn’t reaching inside the shrine; Sousuke’s not sure how well he’d hold up under that assault again. All they can do right now is stand here and wait. Something he’s pretty sure is driving Rin up a wall. At least now that things with his father are more or less settled.

He lowers his arm from that little bump. It’s a strange thing. Rin’d introduced him to it long ago and he still isn’t entirely sure what its meaning is. An agreement, a comfort, a congratulations, a promise? Maybe all of them. It feels nice though, even if it’s a little hokey. Though he wants to smack himself in the face for even mentioning such a thing. Because of course Rin’s going to ask about it and how the hell should he know the answer?!]

I don’t know. I’m just telling you what I feel. Which is what he feels.

[Said with an awkward shift and a glance to the side because his face is a tich pink. Matsuoka-san’s obviously amused because he feels it in his chest. So what? It’s just a fist bump. There’s nothing “cute” or something about it. Hmph.]

[Rin feels confident all of this will end soon, but playing the waiting game's never been easy for him, so these next few hours or even minutes might prove to be a bit of a challenge. He's not sure if he should sit down or stay standing, if he and Sousuke should keep talking just like this or keep their mouths shut before they say something stupid, but either way, he feels... better... knowing the three of them are out of the fight and the conflict and in the quiet shadows to be alone.

Looking back out at the fog, he does worry about the fight and whether or not he should be participating. He has a duty, after all. Things are expected of him, people are depending on him. But... the safety of his shinki and his father come first. And knowing there's even laughter in the equation now-- Rin stares at Sousuke for a beat, blinking in his confusion, but soon enough he smiles and lets out a little laugh.

What's there to be embarrassed about?]

Are you sure you don't know?

[It's a light tease of course, but he couldn't help himself.]

[Sousuke’s already resigned himself to that waiting game; it’s a far better option than the other possible ones they have. But he knows it’s not going to be easy for Rin. While he doesn’t like being bored any more than Rin does, he thinks he handles it better than his god. Take a nap, think about things. Mundane stuff to do while sitting around doing nothing. Whereas Rin seems the kind of guy that is always jumping for the next thing, never content for sitting in the same place for too long.

Speaking of too long, he looks to the front of the shrine, watching the battle outside. It’s calmer now, noticeably, and the fog’s starting to lift. They can actually see spirits drifting away into the light, rising to the cloudy air. If there’s anyone left out there to be saved, it’s not going to be any innocents. Only other gods and shinki fighting. Sousuke’d done a lot to help his little sector clear out of innocents. By the time he’d gotten to Rin, the shrine seemed desolate save for zombies fighting against the gods and shinki.

Plus it lets him look at something other than those staring red eyes. Look, he’s just had a funny feeling from your father and he’s relayed it. End of story, sheesh. Plenty to be bothered about since Rin’s looking at him like that and laughing.]

Oy. I’ve never been possessed before.

[Obviously he knows that for a fact so yes, he doesn’t know. There.]

[Something about that response doesn't seem too convincing, so Rin raises and brow and crosses his arms over his chest, feeling a little cocky for it. Well, that's true, but surely he can sense and feel things for the both of them, right? At least a general idea for why must be in there somewhere.]

But you are now.

[So there to you.]

Or maybe I should ask him myself?

[Sousuke mirrors the response as soon as he sees it, his own brow arching in challenge and arms folding over his chest. Someone’s getting cocky over something he knows full well personally? This shouldn’t be hard to win. Whatever they’re competing over at the moment…]

Yeah…

[Wait a second. Something about this doesn’t sound like it’s going right. He frowns at the other boy, and then tenses only slightly at the question. Hmph. Okay, he should’ve seen that coming.]

You can try. I can only tell you his feelings.

[So there to you back.]

Hmmm...

[He has a feeling Sousuke will try to be difficult here, but Rin's not about to let that happen so easily. And with his dad on his side (or so he hopes) this can only spell out good things for him! Well, it's not how he expected to spend the rest of the day, but he'll take this over anything else.]

So, dad.

[It feels weird addressing him while looking at Sousuke's face, so he'll just go ahead and go back to staring at his chest. That's... not as awkward, right?]

What are your feelings about Sousuke and I then?

[Sousuke’s frown doesn’t do anything but increase when he hears that hum of thought. That’s not something of any positive boon for him; Rin only makes that kind of “hmm” sound when he’s pretty sure he’s about to get on Sousuke’s nerves for his own stupid amusement. Some good friend he is, isn’t he. It doesn’t help that Sousuke’s practically hosting his god’s father in his soul right now…]

Wha-?! OY!

[He doesn’t even need to hear beyond that “so, dad” comment! This isn’t going to go down well and Rin’s obviously planning on making this embarrassing and awkward! Baka! Don’t do something stupid! Sousuke shoves his hand up, attempting to clamp it over Rin’s mouth, but he only gets halfway before the question comes out and leaves him staring at his god, one brow twitching in disbelief.]

That…?

[Crap. And looking as sullenly “kill you later” as he can, Sousuke lowers his arm, a little drop of sweat wandering down the side of his face. God, he can’t believe him. But he had said he’d do this, right? Ugh… This guy.]

Tsk. He feels really happy. [Which is odd to say because Sousuke’s glowering off to the side and yet one half of his mouth is trying to quirk up into an obviously warm smile. Because that’s exactly what’s going on inside him. A big rush of warm happiness and excitement over their friendship.] He called us friends…

[Oh, this should be fun. Of course he doesn't mean to wear his dad (or Sousuke) out with his antics, but what harm can a silly question or two do? So when he sees that frown increase, his smile does the same, and when that hand stops halfway towards his face he even lets out a quiet snicker. Ooh, so close. But come on. It can't be that embarrassing, can it?

Apparently it can, if that conflicting look on Sousuke's face isn't telling enough.

That plus the touching answer to follow leave him beaming inside until he can't quite control the laughter bubbling up in his chest. It happens so fast he has to hold his sides for a bit to keep himself from doubling over.]

That wasn't so hard, was it?

[Rin peeks up at Sousuke this time, one eye open while the other stays shut. Well... like father, like son.]

[Sousuke rolls his eyes. Of course Rin’d start laughing at him after that kind of answer. It’s tempting to… smack him or something, but there’s nothing around here safe enough to do that with.] Hmph. [He folds his arms across his chest and looks somewhere else. Jerk. He’s having his fun while Sousuke’s dealing with the embarrassing things.

Even if it feels completely lighthearted and jovial inside him.] He’s laughing again. [At you. He wants to say that, but he knows the real truth: At us. The feeling inside is relaxed and relieved, pleased with what he sees right in front of him. A swell of pride in the young man who laughs at his friend knowing that same friend feels “irritated” only on the surface.

The two of them get along so well regardless of their spats and teases; Sousuke knows this and honestly, to feel his friend’s father beaming inside him and feeling so happy about their friendship… It’s awkward, but it’s also very nice. His face pinks at the sensation and he presses his lips firmly together in a slight pout.]

He’s really proud of you… It’s like… when you see someone’s success and you’re happy for them… really happy.

[It's strange. He feels like he's having a conversation between two other people face to face but... it's not quite that at all. At some point or another, he has to wake up from whatever dream this is, splash water on his face and face the day as he always does. ... Easy to say. And it makes him sound like a lunatic every single time.

Soon enough, Rin's laughter settles and he finds himself staring up at Sousuke through both eyes once more. They're glassy from previous tears and new, full of emotions he can't try to name, and they soften at the edges once he hears those words again. Proud. Happy. Laughing. It's how everyone said his father was. It's the legacy he left behind... how he should be.]

... I'll keep making him proud. Even after he's gone.

[He doesn't look away this time. It feels more personal this way.]

I promise.

[Technically he is. This’d be easier if Sousuke could actually hear Matsuoka-san’s words, but all he has to go on are feelings. But at least he isn’t feeling any pain or stress from Rin’s father. That alone is worth all this awkwardness. Sooner or later though, all of this will fade and it will become another memory, another experience between them. But they got through this together, right? That’s the important part. Together, they saved Rin’s father.

Sousuke sighs and slips his hands into his pockets to busy his fingers with tugging at the seam. Despite his actions, the larger boy feels bright and happy inside, a warmth that he knows is all from Matsuoka-san’s beaming face. A gentle smile appears and teal eyes meet the red looking into his own. Those wet eyes brimming with emotion and soft with tenderness.

Your son’s really amazing, Matsuoka-san. … I’m glad that he’s with me.]

Aa. I know you will. So does he.

[Sousuke reaches up, hand moving to point at Rin’s heart.]

And he’s never truly gone; he’s always right here. With you.

[He wishes he could hear his words, his voice, and the face to go with them, but to do that would mean bringing him back out where he doesn't belong, and Rin knows it'd be far too selfish. Yes, he's accepted his father's death, but that doesn't mean he won't think about the what-ifs for the rest of his life, even occasionally.

Still, he doesn't feel bitter about that, and after following that hand towards his chest he smiles again.]

I think he's more of a romanticist than me, talking like that.

[But he knows what Sousuke says isn't a lie. He's always known it to be true, maybe even the truest thing he'll ever know. But, all that aside,]

Hey. Let's rest, ok? Until all of this finally winds down.

[Not many places to sit around here except the ground, but they'll manage.]

[There is a lot going on now that Sousuke wishes he could help provide. A safe place for Matsuoka-san to talk to his son, the words that only these feelings can provide, even to the far-fetched wish that he might somehow be able to grant Rin’s father his life back. But none of these are possible and it’s a bittersweet feeling to see his god—his partner, cope with this event.

It’s tough, and Sousuke’s proud of Rin for weathering through it. He’s acted… as much as anyone could expect someone to act in this situation. The smile proves it.]

Hn, I don’t think anyone could beat a romantic maniac like yourself.

[But it’s gentle, a light tease that’s affectionate despite himself. Yeah, it is true. And hearing Rin’s voice, seeing that smile, brings a brilliant calmness inside. Rin’s father… he’s happy too.]

Aa. I could use a rest.

[He’s been standing for a long time now. Rin too. Sousuke backs into the temple and finds a nice quiet spot between the pillars before leaning against one and sliding down to the ground. That’s a relief.]

[He wonders if he could have done better through this event. Maybe if he was a little more composed, if he listened to Sousuke and his father better, all of this would have dwindled down quicker and easier. But, looking back on it, this is... probably how it was always going to happen. He laughs a little at the thought--he can't expect to change over something so significant--and once Sousuke finds a suitable spot he follows, sliding down to the floor with knees pulled up to his chest. Romantic maniac, huh. He suits that nickname too well.

But being a romantic maniac is hard work. He could sleep like this. Maybe for a few minutes or so...

At least morning isn't too far off.]

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011 | Black Parade

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