thenearshore | All things run in order. [closed]

Entry tags:

ω bishamon | noragami

All things run in order. [closed]

Who Bishamonten and Suijin
What: Just checking with Bishamonten about some things that have come up. Namely what she's been telling the newbies, and ideas to keep them productively occupied.
When: Evening of June 25th.
Where: Bishamon's temple
Warnings: None

June. The Water Month. The month that the Mizu no Kami is most occupied with blessing the flooding of the rice fields.
Also, apparently, the month for many things in Takagamahara to also demand her attention.

However there was one point from nearly a week ago that she had wanted to discuss with Bishamonten, and it so happened that yesterday another point came up that needed to be discussed with her. So this evening, after her duties on the Near Shore halted for the night, she called up the war god.

Ring, ring.

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She'd been preoccupied herself, busying herself with upping training and security and a thousand other things. Of course, there was still paperwork that needed taking care of so there's an obvious slight delay before she answers.

Even then, there's a brief 'thank you, Kazuma' before she finally speaks. It's clear her exemplar had passed the phone to her. "Suijin? What can I do for you?"

She appreciates one who can get to business so quickly, but some pleasantries...

"Good evening, Bishamonten. A couple points have arisen that I would like to speak to you about."

She leaves the 'now' unsaid. Clearly Suijin has time to discuss it now if she's calling. And clearly Bishamon would make time for her as soon as possible.

Business is business, after all. There's the softest creak as it's evident she's settled herself in her seat. This is sounding to be a rather lengthy conversation.

"You have my attention. Has something come up?"

It's also clear that 'now' is when these points should be talked about, after all.

"Yes. First, I would like to know what circumstances led to you telling a new god about the Mandate of Hell." After a beat she adds, "With your permission to enter, I would like to speak with you in person."

She adds the second as a courtesy, speaking with others in person simply being her preference. With the god's permission, she can teleport directly to Bishamonten's office, and there wouldn't even be a pause in the conversation.

Ah. So that's what this is about. There's a breath before she speaks, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.

"Of course. You are welcome in my manor any time that is convenient to you." she continues, one finger tapping on her desk briefly in thought. "If this is something you'd rather speak about in person, then by all means."

"I shall take your invitation, then."

And in a flash, Suijin is standing there before Bishamonten's desk. Hanging up her phone and placing it within one of her kimono's sleeves she nods slightly.

"So then, what of the Mandate?"

She motions to a nearby seat, even as the smallest frown is still visible on her brow. "I'd only mentioned the mandate once and only to one other person." she begins, interlacing her fingers in front of her. "I'm certain you recall the incident concerning that demon which attacked us recently?"

Another breath, eyes closing.

"I had my suspicions at that time regarding who was behind it, given the mask..."

"Quite so." Those words carry a heavy tone as she takes the seat offered. "Heaven rejoiced to have done away with the sorcerer. To think that another has emerged so quickly..." she shakes her head. It is nearly beyond words.

"So, you shared those suspicions with Kurosaki." She then tilts her head slightly. "Have your suspicions changed, for you to say 'at that time'?"

"I believe it important to share whatever information we have that might be able to help." she replies, turning her attention to Suijin directly. "Which is why I shared my suspicions with Kurosaki."

"As for if my suspicions have changed, I can't say. There's too much happening now. If all these things are related, then perhaps the sorcerer is behind all of this." she continues after letting out a breath.

She simply nods again. Bishamonten was not wrong to share such information, of course. Which becomes a convenient segue into what she wishes to speak about next.

"As we work to find the culprit sharing such information carries risks, but doing so will hopefully also foster trust between the two groups. A trust that the new gods and shinki seem to believe you can be the foundation for, Bishamonten."

If she's surprised by this revelation, she doesn't show it save for a momentary straightening up and curious blink before returning to her usual expression. So that's what they thought of her...

"It aligns with what I believe. Making these newcomers aware of the rift between us and them will only breed resentment and distrust. We need to make allies of them. Not enemies." she finally says after a moment.

“The rift between the two groups seems to be a natural … ‘natural’ product of whatever ‘unnatural’ process is bringing them here. Such a rift cannot be mended. So you are right – we don’t need to draw attention to it, but rather bridge it. Besides that, no matter their means of being here, they are gods. As you are aware, discord between gods becomes discord on the Near Shore.

"I have a proposal, brought forward by a new god and shinki. They would ask that more effort put into acclimatizing and training. The recent training you held seemed to be a success, in that many new gods see you as someone, perhaps the only one, they can come to for such advice. It was proposed that such training, hosted by you, become a more consistent fixture, to give the impression that Heaven is both invested in and prepared to handle the newcomers.”

Pausing to give her a moment to take that in, she then asks, “What do you think of their proposal?”

She remains in silence, nodding every once in a while. The rift is natural... but it shouldn't grow. Especially between them and their shinki. These new shinki regaining their memories while the others can't... it's concerning. But she refrains from saying anything. But at least the bonds she's been making haven't come to nothing.

A new god and shinki.

So the newcomers have come to trust her.

"Given how we seem to get an influx of newcomers every so often, it might be for the best." she finally says, looking back up at the other god. "Those who know how to fight can continue their training and those who arrive will have the chance to learn."

"My temple will be open for any more of these future sessions."

"I am pleased that you are interested in furthering this idea. I shall forward to you the detailed outline of their proposal then, and let you handle the implementation. Should you need anything further in the way of resources, simply let me know."

She nods her head towards the other god slowly in thanks. When she lifts her eyes again, she smiles slightly.

"It is not often I have opportunity to meet you, Bishamonten. I hope that things have been going well with you and your additional mandate to assist the newcomers has not been too taxing on you and your hafuri."

"Of course. I'll be sure to make preparations ahead of time for the next training session."

There's a nod back of acknowledgement on her end. At least with this, no one's going to be completely helpless and the newer shinki might be able to acclimatize themselves quicker. All the better for their own survival.

"We haven't had a chance to speak privately, you and I... however, given the circumstances, chances like these are a rarity after all." she continues, the smallest fond smile on her face. "Kazuma hasn't complained and neither can I. These newcomers are... interesting to say the very least."

But that smile turns into the smallest frown. "However there seems to be an increasing trend of these shinki willingly making themselves strays..."

Suijin frowns as well, her hand slowly running down the cuff of one long sleeve.

“It is a most disturbing and dangerous trend. While some of the old gods are becoming more optimistic about the newcomers after seeing how they work to support heaven, most still distrust them. And that is one of the strongest reasons.”

She shakes her head distastefully before continuing in an even tone, “The gods have a certain freedom to do as they will, and everything they do is just. However they are taking their freedom too far, blatantly shunning the culture of this world they are now in. …” She pauses thoughtfully for a moment. “It became a tangled situation rather quickly.”

Another breath followed by a further furrowing of her brow at that.

"I've noticed one disturbing pattern: not many of them hold the bonds of god and shinki as importantly as we do." she begins, pressing her fingers together. "There is no trust between these new gods and their own shinki. Those who do trust their shinki do so out of their own goodwill. It isn't a surprise things are turning out the way they are."

"Even more with how one particular god has been naming shinki against their will."

She breathes in sharply.

“I had seen it indirectly spoken of on the BBS, but to have it confirmed… Nora-keepers are one thing, but this is levels beyond. The kind of discord made by this sort of violation will run deep.”

She pauses pensively, her hand again moving slowly down her sleeve.

“You are essentially the overseer of these new gods for the time being. Should you deem it just to discipline this god, it is your right.”

(And personally, she for one would certainly not stop her.)

The overseer of these new gods... it's a little daunting but hasn't she been watching over these mortals after all? But it's good she could bring these matters in front of Suijin. She feels it's something everyone should know.

These noras... that god...

But there is a nod back. "If you happen to hear anything about a god who goes by the name Loki, please let me know." she adds. The more eyes she has, the better. "It's good to know I have your approval to deal with this in a fitting manner, to say the least."

She will not go out of her way to research it for now, but should she happen across anything she will certainly let Bishamonten know.

"Of course. Minimizing long-term discord between gods leads to a more peaceful Near Shore. It is ultimately in everyone's interests that such atrocity be dealt with."

Putting her hands in her lap she looks at the other god with a touch of concern.

"Have there been any other troubles?"

As if noras and a god force-naming shinki isn't enough... but best to have a full view of the situation.

As this heaven's war god, she's always had this feeling of being the head of security. Now more than ever, given the situation.

Noras... Loki... she pauses to think, eyes closing briefly to organize her thoughts. "No... nothing else. Apart from the arson attacks, there hasn't been anything else but I'm certain you know about those by now."

There's a pause afterward. "...Have you heard anything from Amaterasu's shinki? Surely someone saw something."

“Unfortunately no, I have not heard of anyone seeing anything. I was on the Near Shore at that time, myself.”

There is a note of regret to her tone, but also an acceptance. It is what it is, unfortunate though it was.

"One of the new gods was recently helpful in doing some reconnaissance overseas, however. I hope that this avenue of pursuing clues will bear fruit in time."

There's a nod at that. Unfortunate, yes... but it can't be helped. She'll probably have to go ahead and try to dig up more clues herself.

But she does glance back up at the other god. "Were they able to find anything relevant?"

She tilts her head as she thinks about that.

"'Relevant'... it's unknown yet how relevant it is. But they did find some significant damage to the Near Shore. Circles that give off an ominous feeling and attract huge ayakashi. Fortunately my shinki were able to remove them, but it is disconcerting. Is it our culprit leveling up his abilities, or is it something else entirely?

"Kayonaga had a feeling that there was something more to it than what we were seeing - as though this was merely the residue of whatever the true spell was. That is simply his instinct, not solid fact... however I must say that it is fascinating how often a human's instincts are correct."

These circles. More ayakashi. Another shake of her head. If anything, it sounds like they're just getting into even deeper a hole than they were previously.

"If they aren't stopped soon... who knows what else they can be capable of doing in the future." she sighed, pressing her fingers together. It's bad enough all this is happening to the Near Shore but what if their culprit grows bolder? What if they bring the war to heaven itself?

"It is surprising how often humans have this gut instinct most gods don't. I suppose that's a lead we can begin to look into?"

"It is too tenuous to call a lead, but perhaps a direction. It is becoming even more certain that we have another sorcerer to contend with..."

By 'another' she means, of course, the unfortunate ordeal with Ebisu. Being in the presence of one of those seven gods of fortune, she deems it best to not say more about that for now.

"Hurt to humans, damage to the Near Shore and disruption of heaven- these things must be of course avoided or immediately dealt with. You are right to be concerned for the future. These incidents - connected or not - have been running on too long as it is."

All will be dealt with in due time. And that time had best be soon.

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All things run in order. [closed]

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