013 | How To Save A Life

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Investigating suicides
When: Afternoon June 16
Where: The Near Shore (Tokyo)
Summary: Investigation and reporting
Warnings: Talk of suicide/suicide ideation.



There has been a very sudden, very disturbing increase in the number of suicides committed in Tokyo recently. While this sometimes happens for naturally occurring reasons, the Heavens have a suspicion that something is wrong here. So they are enlisting the help of any gods and shinki that are willing to give their time, including newly arrived gods and shinki who will be informed of their situation before being directed anywhere.

It's up to you whether you are interested in helping the Heavens out, they only want those who are willing to lend a hand. Though if your god/shinki forces you along with them, that should be fine too.



Briefing

The briefing of the situation will be happening at the Meeting Hall of the gods, orders coming directly from Suijin herself. After the explanation is given, gods and shinki will be given supplies to help them, including books on how to help people in bad situations, water bottles, and some light snacks to take with them. This could go all night, so make sure you stock up on what you need before you take off.

The Streets

Streets that are usually bustling and loud are somber and awkward now. Many of the people seem to be down in the dumps and those who aren't are so put off by the situation that they are keeping mostly quiet. When approached, the ones who are obviously depressed will talk only of how life isn't worth it and how they wish it was all over. Others will comment on how confusing this all is coming from the people that are depressed. NPC interaction with mods will be available, but you are welcome to control your own NPCs as well.

Ayakashi

Perhaps unsurprisingly, those who spend enough time talking to the people in Tokyo will suddenly realize that there are a number of ayakashi attaching themselves to each of the affected people. That's right, multiple ayakashi connected to each person. They will have to be destroyed to free the person from their depressing thoughts, but there sure are a lot of them around. And, to make matters worse, a very aggressive, noisy kind of ayakashi will show up randomly to interfere with everything. They require teamwork to defeat and are hell-bent on attacking gods and shinki rather than humans.

Reporting In

Reports about what you have seen and who you have saved and what you have destroyed can be taken back to the Meeting Hall where Suijin will be waiting to be briefed. Those who bring her information are likely to be rewarded, though they might not realize just what kinds of rewards they are receiving.

In Summary:

• Get informed
• Go do some fieldwork
• Find and defeat some ayakashi
• Save some lives
• Report back in to Suijin
• Have fun~

Comments

[onerous]

{Yuri waves a hand--don't worry about it.] It's my domain, it's my responsibility. I should've spoken to the Heavens before, but... [Well she's still suspicious and wary of them, unfortunately. Though at least this prompt response has warmed her to them a little more.

She continues to watch Lara, intrigued and a little surprised.] You can use all of these? [Color her impressed.

The question Lara asks, however, has her sighing, shoulders slumping a little in reluctant defeat.] No, I have no idea. I assume there has to be a larger ayakashi, or perhaps something--or someone--directing them. The victims are all-- Well. They're not the kinds of people that I normally cater to.

[adventurology]

[Wipe, wipe, cleaning the blade off and oiling it down properly, Lara looks up at the question. Can she...

OH, right. Most people would still assume she was the museum kind of archaeologist.]

I can, yeah. Honestly, the only kind of weapon I'm not at least familiar with is something like a rocket launcher. I've had some...ah...let's say bad experiences with people trying to kill me on expeditions.

[There's a reason she was chosen to the the Goddess of War, after all.]

[onerous]

[Yuri is quiet for a long moment, struggling with an internal conflict. On one hand, the question is practically begging to be asked. On the other hand, it seems kind of rude to just ask outright.

After a moment she finally takes a seat at the table herself and looks like she slightly regrets it. Sitting down means relaxing some and relaxing means she wants nothing more than to drop her head on the table and sleep. Be strong, Yuri...]

Why would people try to kill you on expeditions? [She really can't resist]

[adventurology]

[Ah, well. Another bitter and irritable comment about the attempted murders and she has to answer questions. It's fine though, there's actually a reasonable explanation for this. No, well, no that's not right. There isn't, but there's at least one that makes sense.]

Mostly to keep me from finding an artifact first. It's...all wrapped up in conspiracies and shadow plays, but the short of it is that I was on the trail of something that had real, tangible power and some people who stole my research decided they wanted it first.

[That's, of course, leaving out the whole mad sun cult from a few years back.]

[onerous]

Oh. [She's just curious, really. She imagined it might be people who don't want things uncovered or wanted things to be left alone.]

I suppose that makes sense. There'll always be people that want all the credit first, or want the power over what good it could be to others.

[She stretches her arms out in front of her over the table, tensing and relaxing her back. She lapses into a comfortable silence, not particularly feeling inclined to make much conversation before a thought occurs to her. She tilts her head curiously]

You didn't have to join in on this. Why did you? [Again, she's curious.]

[adventurology]

Ah...well, yes, that's it, exactly. They just wanted to use it for their own ends, that's all.

[Lara smiles warmly and continues working on her weapons, content to leave Yuri in silence and let her relax. She's an introvert by nature, and it's easy to fall into quiet and enjoy the company of others. Yuri definitely included in that number.

Looking up, she blinks, not really following why that's even a question.]

Because it's the right thing to do? People need help. And really...[She grins.] I'm not too good at sitting still.

[onerous]

Ah, I wasn't-- [She looks a little embarrassed and waves a hand] Sorry, it's just... I know this sort of thing makes people uncomfortable. I don't think many people--gods or shinki--would be volunteering or actually sticking around to help out.

But... I'm glad for the ones that are. [She's sleepy and it's making her emotions come out more than they normally would, her hands twisting together on the table] ...Thank you.

And-- I know we're supposed to report to Suijin, but... If you could tell me what you find too, if you find anything, I'd appreciate it.

[adventurology]

Maybe it makes some people uncomfortable, and sure it makes my skin crawl a little, but that doesn't mean anything. It's something that needs to be addressed, because it's not natural. Don't sweat any of it. I'm just doing what I need to be doing.

[If it were normal, she'd leave it be. She would absolutely, but this is wrong.]

And of course. I'll do just that. If you do the same for me.

[Finally setting down the knife, she reaches across the table and sets a hand on Yuri's arm.]

And when it's all settled, let's go some where, eh? You, me, Felicia, maybe a couple of others. Monaco or something. Have a vacation for a day or so.

[onerous]

[Yuri nods lightly, appreciating it all the same. It's nice to have allies--friends--that she feels she can count on. And giving up information she finds is part of that trust.] Of course.

[She looks surprised at the touch (people didn't typically get physical with her) and it forces her to focus.]

Go--? [She's pretty sure her work won't stop after this, but...] I... suppose I did promise both my shinki I'd relax after this... And I've never been to Monaco before. [Still, Yuri looks a tad reluctant for another moment before sighing and giving in with a nod and a tired smile.] Yes, okay. I suppose just for a day or so, my shinki can handle my prayers for me. It'd be nice to get away for a little while.

[adventurology]

[Lara is a fairly physical person, at least, when it comes to dealing with friends. Particularly younger ones, and women. Yuri was both of these things. And she definitely needed a helping hand.]

Monaco's nice. You'll enjoy it. Promise.

[Drawing back her hand, she laughs, trying to turn a serious moment into a happy one.]

But you're going to need sunscreen. The French Coast is hot.

[onerous]

[Yuri blanches and makes a face. IT WAS ONE TIME, LET HER LIVE.]

But my lobster minions miss me. [Despite her embarrassment and her exhaustion, she'll still try to joke back a little. But Yuri shakes her head after a moment.]

...No, I'd really rather not go through that again. I'll actually wear it this time.

[She stares down at the table for a moment, before heaving a sigh and beginning to stand.] I shouldn't stay around long. I still have a lot of prayers to see to. [To help or to hinder, she doesn't know yet.]

[adventurology]

[Lara allows herself a smile, nodding with some degree of certainty.]

I understand. I should go find Felicia and Ingrid and get ready myself. I think my guns are pretty well polished.

Good luck, Yuri.