thenearshore | everything else keeps changing (closed)

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everything else keeps changing (closed)

Who: Cho Hakkai and Ekko
When: Morning June 27th
Where: Outside Chronos' temple
What: So, about that new shinki of yours...
Warnings: Discussion of ayakashi, possible mention of violent death considering how Gojyo's death went down, will update if anything else comes up

[Amaterasu's temple burned down last night. She's alive, from what Hakkai has heard, and that's at least one positive thing. If she'd been reduced to early childhood again, and her advisers placed in charge, he's not sure that any of the newcomers would escape. They've been tied to the rebellion again and again, after all.

Whether or not they're actually involved.

But she's alive, and so Hakkai's taking a few hours early today for a much more personal way of spending his time. He's waiting outside the temple of Chronos, seated on a knee-high decorative boulder under a leafed-out cherry tree by the main walkway, with a book in hand.

He's only occasionally darting glances from under his lashes at the temple itself. If Gojyo comes out, he hopes he's far enough away and looking otherwise engaged enough not to be suspicious. The moment Ekko shows up in his front garden, though, Hakkai plans to flag the young man down.

He turns the page.]

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[Ekko's stayed completely out of the way of Amaterasu and her shinki. It's very clearly Not His Problem, whoever she managed to piss off is after her, and her alone.

So he's spent most of the day holed up in his temple. He's testing the mechanical trinkets with the technology around here. When he finally comes out of his temple, it's around ten. A mechanical looking glove is on his hand and he's looking entirely pleased with himself.

Which is when he sees Hakkai sitting in his yard. That's the guy who killed Gojyo. Does he know he did that?

Shit.

Play it like he doesn't know the guy. That's his safest bet.]

... You need something?

[Hakkai marks his book with the ribbon sewn into the binding, tucks it under his arm, and inclines his head in the best approved shinki-to-someone-else's-god style.

There's no point in starting this conversation off on the wrong foot, after all. Ekko needs to trust him, or, at least, to believe him....]

I wonder if we could talk? Privately.

[Ekko's slightly on edge to begin with- but he's pretty sure that's normal when he sees somebody's murderer face-to-face.

Going with him somewhere private seems... sketchy at best. He could probably rewind himself out of whatever it is, but does he want to take that chance.]

Something specific on your mind, stranger?

Cho Hakkai. [He clears his throat.]

Ah... as a matter of fact, it's about your shinki. I'd rather not stay where he can see us -- for his safety.

[Ekko looks suspicious, which, Hakkai thinks, is a point in his favor. He's not wandering off with a stranger to some private place. At least Gojyo's new god is sensible.

On the other hand: it's making the hairs prickle across the back of his neck to be so close to the temple, and to know that Gojyo could wander out at any moment and send all of this spiraling into increasingly dangerous explanations.]

[The hell does his murderer have to say about him? Why's he even concerned for Gojyo's safety to begin with.

... Maybe there's more to it than the death scene revealed.

He'll glance back to the clocktower-temple. 10:05 AM.]

Ekko.

His safety, huh? ... I'll bite.

[But there's no way he's going into a dark, abandoned alleyway with this guy. A place that's far from his temple, but still full of people...]

How's the meeting hall for a place?

Perfectly adequate. [Hakkai considers the young man, and then holds out his hand, palm up, and smiles. Perhaps it will help to offer his own gesture of trust first.]

Would you be able to teleport us? Choose your destination.

[As long as it's away from the risk of Gojyo stumbling across them, Hakkai admits he could not care less.]

It's not hard.

[... He looks at the hand a moment.

Does he actually want to take it- well he probably has to for the teleport to work...

So he'll take it, but he seems a bit reluctant. It doesn't take him long to get them to the meeting hall.]

Made it.

[Ekko's reluctance startles him: caution is one thing, but this is closer to being treated like a genuine enemy. Gojyo wouldn't have told his god about their meeting already, would he? When it had been so brief?

He promptly drops Ekko's hand as the meeting hall materializes around them, and folds his own hands in front of himself, deliberately innocuous and harmless.]

Thank you.

Your current shinki was here, until a month ago, as a god. My god, in fact.

I don't know who might recognize him, or who he might have told about his past, but --

[He unclasps his hands and spreads them in a tiny shrug. The problems should be obvious: anyone could know, anyone could recognize him.]

[Once they've made it Ekko's hands drop down as he listens.]

You... What? He was your god?

[Hakkai was legitimately Gojyo's murder. What the fuck kind of game is Heaven running here?

He almost wants to say something. But the thought of saying anything about either of their pasts makes him want to bite down on his tongue. Danger is practically blaring in his head. None of that.

He tries to shake it off.]

... So basically make sure nobody says anything about his past to him.

Ever.

Yes. And a good friend.

[The shock, too, seems like it's too much for the statement. What does Ekko know? What details of Gojyo's life has he seen -- and how did Gojyo die--

The very thought makes Hakkai feel sick. His gaze flickers down to his hands, and back up to meet Ekko's.]

That's right. I'm warning the people I know were close to him, but I doubt I know them all. You'll have to be especially careful at the Heavens' gatherings.

[A... A good friend? Who murders their own friend?

He doesn't manage to hide the confusion on his face.

Jinx is nuts but she's never tried to come after him. Just every single Piltie she comes across. (Relatable.) Ekko might hesitate to call her a friend, but that's for a whole host of reasons. She was before she snapped but...]

I got here pretty recently. It's not like I know them either.

[Shit, but he's responsible for him as his god, isn't he.]

Do you have a list? Or do I have to stun anybody who starts bringing up his past?

If anyone brings up your shinki's past to him, stunning is the least you should do.

[His tone is, abruptly, cold and implacable. Gojyo has only been here a day. There can be no question at all that any mention of his past -- anyone who knows him better than a day's acquaintance can explain -- is something he shouldn't remember.

After a moment, Hakkai relents (I got here pretty recently, he'd said--) and adds more gently:]

Being told anything about our pasts can destroy us. I don't know if that means only his time among the living, or his time as a god as well. I wouldn't like to find out the hard way.

[People here don't seem particularly prepared for battle. It should be pretty easy to stun them if they start talking about things they shouldn't. At least Parallel Convergence is still in his reach here.

The cold tone doesn't surprise him much. If they really were friends, no wonder Hakkai's trying to look out for him now.

It doesn't explain Gojyo's death in the least but, now he knows they're both shinki and don't remember anything.

Damnit, that makes it way more complicated. Though suddenly the danger feeling makes a lot more sense.]

Well... I don't want him getting destroyed on my watch. I'll look out for him.

[It's a surprising relief to hear that. Of course gods should, but some gods --

Hakkai relaxes, his posture briefly sagging with weariness before he summons up a small, genuine smile.]

Thank you.

[-- he says, and bows deeply from the waist, not as a shinki to a god, but in straightforward personal gratitude.

The smile lingers as he straightens up again.]

... How is your kanji study going?

[He doesn't think Ekko remembers -- most people who leave don't, even coming back as gods -- but he'd been an utter beginner with kanji before, and Hakkai suspects that, at least, should remain.]

[These people are going to give him a headache. He can already feel it- he's too young for this... probably. Is there ever a good age to deal with amnesiac killers? Probably not. At least the killers in Runeterra had the decency to remember their killings.]

Yeah uh... no trouble.

[And then he mentions kanji and Ekko groans, frustrating overtaking the sense of unease.]

Who decided there should be so many of them? Aren't two alphabets enough to deal with?

Ha ha, it could be worse. At least we all speak the local language...!

[Even if they don't all read it well.]

Yeah, but it makes research a huge pain. If they'll let us speak it, we should be able to read it.

[What a stupid oversight.]

... At least we can talk. I guess.

It really does. I can lend you some workbooks if you're interested...

[He pauses, and glances at Ekko, wondering if the less fraught conversational turn gives him the leeway to ask probing questions. It might not, he supposes, but he'll try.]

... What is it you're researching?

Yeah. I could use 'em.

[He sure did steal a bunch of them, but he could use more practice.

There's a long pause. Hakkai doesn't seem dangerous now, but he definitely saw what happened to Gojyo. On the other hand, unless he has the same technical knowledge as Ekko and knows where to look, it's unlikely he could make much of his research.

... Probably.

Best to stay vague.]

The machines and energy sources of this world. They're different from home.

I'll --

[Bring them by your temple, he almost says, and stops himself before he can finish the sentence. No, he can't, can he? Not if he's trying to avoid Gojyo, and he is going to try until he's sure he won't lose control of his reactions and give too much away.]

-- keep them for you at the temple school.

[Machines and energy, though... Hakkai's tone is still interested, but it's mostly polite. He can't help with that outside of making a few book recommendations, and it's doubtful, with such a vague description, that even book recommendations will be of any value.]

You're interested in technology?

Gotcha.

[He notes the odd skip in the sentence and for a moment wants to press on it.

... But Gojyo's probably the reason he's suggesting the temple school. Hakkai won't have to run into his ~~victim~~ friend.]

Yeah. Zaun's the pinnacle of technology back home.

[Some people would say it's Piltover, but they're mistaken.]

This place doesn't have anything like hextech though.

Many of us seem to come from worlds that... aren't much like this one.

[Hakkai tilts his head in a very tiny shrug.]

Is hextech more advanced than what they have here, then? Or simply different?

This world is kinda boring.

[But he supposes that's what you get when there's no magic on the Near Shore. At least as far as he can see.]

It's different. Less of this electricity thing and way magic.

Do you think so? It's almost too exciting for me sometimes.

[Although that's the Heavens; the Near Shore is much quieter by comparison. It's not so much the violence Hakkai objects to. It's how hard it is to fight.

He shakes his head after a moment, though, still smiling mildly.]

There is less magic than you'd think there should be on the Near Shore, but the electronics are very useful.

You're the one who's been here longer.

... Right?

[If Gojyo was his god once then that's the reasonable thing.]

Yeah, they look like it. The... microwave things?

[He hasn't come across them at home, but he's also not rich enough to own one. And nobody threw them out so.]

... yes, it's been a while. Since late February.

[Four months somehow seems like much longer, he reflects. Perhaps it's how minimal his earlier memories are. Perhaps it's just that they have been... exciting is an accurate word.]

I was thinking of cell phones, personally.

[He hesitates for a moment, and then says, with the corner of his mouth quirking helplessly up:]

... Ah, if you don't mind, I'd like to know. What does he turn into?

Four months, huh? ... A lot can happen a fraction of that time.

[If anybody should know, it's Ekko, considering how much he messes with time.]

The internet thing is pretty nice too. Easy to find what you're looking for.

His vessel form? Well... he wanted it to be some kind of gun. We found the kanji and everything.

I suppose so. Although, compared to a lifetime, it's still very short.

[A gun. Hakkai's expression softens, briefly: is there something subconscious in Gojyo that's reminding him of their connection to Sanzo, of their journey?

Alternatively, he might just think guns are cool. Hakkai doesn't think he'd had the least hint before his memories started to return, but it's easy to look back and fool himself that this or that action had been influenced somehow.]

... So that's his name? Juuki?

It's... not how much time you've got, it's how you use it.

[It's been a while now, and it doesn't seem like Hakkai is about to fly into a murderous rage. He'll offer his own life philosophy for now.]

Yeah. Doesn't turn into a gun though, so it looks like the name doesn't matter too much.

[Hakkai lifts a hand to his own face, running one claw tip lightly over the skin on his cheek where the edge of his name lies, and smiles.

(It is, coincidentally, the character for violent rage -- but he suspects that if Ekko's still teaching himself kanji, he won't have gotten to sixth grade material yet.)]

No, I'm afraid it doesn't. This is my most violent name, and I turn into a coat!

[He peers at the kanji, but it just looks like lines and boxes to him.]

A... coat? Man, you guys really can turn into anything, huh?

He turns into a staple remover.

[Sorry, buddy.]

... A staple remover.

[Of all the things he'd imagined Gojyo would become, in all the world, office equipment was never on the list. Hakkai stares, blinking, for several seconds.

A staple remover. He starts giggling.]

Doesn't really match his image, huh?

[He was expecting something more weapony, but he got what he got.]

No, not at all.

[He clears his throat, getting the laughter back under control -- it's not that Gojyo as a staple remover isn't funny, but he knows he's only laughing because it's the first part of this that's not upsetting, and he's still tense enough that his laughter could turn hysterical all too easily.]

... I imagine he must have an interesting power to make up for it, then?

[A lot of this is upsetting, all things considered. Seeing a friend who doesn't remember you- apparently not remembering killing that friend-

He's suddenly really glad nobody from Zaun is hanging around here. Ekko is pretty sure he couldn't taking having to deal with Ajuna if he didn't remember him.]

What? Shinki are supposed to come with powers?

... Yes. Some of them are harder to guess than others, but all of us have some kind of special power.

[Well, it can't be an obvious one, then -- or Ekko didn't know to look for it.

Hakkai's glad to take refuge in helpful advice. It's easier than the fraught subject of Gojyo's memory.]

[It's definitely not obvious. But he's also not sure what kind of powers shinki have. He's used to his soulless shinki, who turns into a near replica of the blunt clock hand he's always used.]

I thought turning into a vessel was the special power... I wonder what he does.

No, there's usually something else! I could bind my enemies when I was a sword, and I give my goddess the ability to use shadows as a weapon now that I'm a coat.

[And, between those two, there were two gods with whom he never discovered his powers. That's defeatist, though. And besides, Hakkai doesn't want to talk about either of them any more than he already has.]

It's a good idea to work with him to figure it out, especially if his form isn't easy to fight with.

He has some sharp bits, but I'm used to using a sword. ... He's way smaller than that, and I'd have to get even closer to an enemy.

I'm used to close combat, but that's like... the palm of my hands.

Wear gloves.

[Useful ayakashi combat tips with Cho Hakkai!

He really will wind up blighted otherwise, though.]

That's enough to protect against blight?

[Somehow it seems way too simple.]

I wouldn't try to wrestle an ayakashi with gloves or without, but for a brief touch, clothing does seem to protect you.

[He shrugs with every appearance of cheer.]

And with a weapon that small, you should take precautions!

Thanks for the heads up.

[... Is it really okay to be taking advice for him?

He seems pretty concerned about Gojyo either way, even considering how Gojyo died. But he also just doesn't remember it. Is it fair to judge somebody for their actions if their memories get wiped upon shinki-fication?

Ugh.]

I'll invest in a pair.

Good luck.

[Fighting with a staple remover... well, it's going to be interesting, Hakkai thinks.

And he might want to see if he can find a way to be nearby if they're going up against ayakashi, just in case. A last-minute borderline could save a lot of pain.

He's silent for a moment, and then brightens deliberately and bows.]

... Thank you for agreeing to speak with me, Ekko. That's all I had to say.

... Thanks for the warning.

[It's hard for him to manage it, but there's his thank you.

He does appreciate knowing just what to look out for when it comes to his new shinki.]

It's the least I could do.

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everything else keeps changing (closed)

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