thenearshore | [Closed] Time to talk and make friends

[Closed] Time to talk and make friends

Who: Johan and Totsuka
When: June 30
Where: Tonatiuh’s Temple
What: Johan and Totsuka decide to get to know each other better.

[It had been a bit of a surprise when Johan received a message from Totsuka. The message itself was a surprise, along with a request from the older god asking if he can come over.

He recalls the older god during their time together taking down the flyers, but in all truth, Johan wasn’t expecting to hear from him so soon, especially since he’s sure they were both busy with adjusting to this new home of theirs. It made him curious, so he simply texted the older man back about the location of his temple.

While he waits, Johan is looking through his deck and looks at his shoulder where Ruby materializes itself. He smiles to her in greeting as she mewls at him before disappearing again.

A huff and Johan gets up, wanting to make sure Totsuka didn’t accidentally go up the stairs outside of his temple when the entrance is actually right at the base of the steps.]

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[ After meeting Johan -- no, specifically after hearing that he was a new arrival, and willfully without a shinki for one very specific, legitimate reason -- Tatara made an internal sort of promise to himself to keep an eye on him. After all, big temples get lonely when they’re empty, period -- no matter what anyone might say to the contrary.

So he opts to check in on his new friend in much the same way that he might’ve checked in on Black Dog again, had they had the opportunity.

When he arrives, he has to admit he’s a little stunned. If big temples are lonely, then surely one this massive is... well, worse, for one. He pauses at a crossroads, stairs to one side leading up, but those don’t seem the right path.

Thankfully, it’s about that time that Johan appears. ]

Aah, there you are! [ Tatara greets him with that same bright smile. ] Thanks again for having me.

[It definitely is a big temple, isn't it?

Johan is glad that he's found Tatara in time, though, giving him a smile.]

No problem. You surprised me for wanting to come over in the first place.

[Because, well, Johan would still be all for it if the other man had wanted to meet somewhere else instead. Even so, he's never really been one to complain and gestures for Tatara to follow him inside.]

[ Big, yes; and lonely, for such a seemingly friendly, kindhearted sort. Despite the company Tatara seems to keep willingly, Johan’s type is the one he secretly, quietly frets about most.

Following his host inside, the blond laughs lightheartedly. ] Is it really that surprising?

[He appreciates the concern, but he also hates worrying others.

Even so, he smiles.]

I thought you'd be busy. [With your shinki, with still adjusting.

But the inside is nearly as big as the outside with three floors, and Johan rubs the back of his head almost sheepishly.] But welcome to my home away from home, I guess.

[ Tatara isn't worried, he'd say. Still, doesn't mean he doesn't want to check up on Johan. They have sayings about those with tender hearts... ]

Aah, I thought so too. But Shouhei's plenty busy, now that he's reunited with San-chan. Which leaves me with plenty of free time.

[ There's a momentary flicker of wryness at that comment, as he makes his way inside. Of course, it's not a reunion for them, that they know of. Either way, those two need time to... catch up, in a manner of speaking.

Once indoors, Tatara's a little taken aback. ]

So much room! Way bigger than anywhere I've lived!

How do you not get lost?

[This tender heart has been through some tough times, Tatara.

A blink.] San-chan? A friend of his?

[A fellow god or a shinki? Someone who's known each other before they died and became a shinki?

Johan nods in agreement, still looking sheepish.]

I mostly just stick to what I know. I haven't fully explored the place yet since it's so big.

[ He's perfect for that -- just ask King. (Or don't, since he'll never admit it. Ah, well... ]

Mm! One part of our circle of friends.

[ He means HOMRA; but that's information reserved solely for Johan happening to inquire, if/when he does. ]

But since they're both shinki... [ Insert a shrug and a sheepish smile here. ] They're meeting again, for the first time. Still, I know they'll be back to their old ways in no time. [ For better, or worse.

Taking in the inside of the temple, Tatara peeks around a couple corners, basically making himself right at home. ]

If you like, I can help you explore the grounds while I'm here so that you'll have a better idea of where everything is.

It'll come in handy if you ever do decide to take a shinki.

[ But there's no rush on that. Seriously. He understands. ]

Really?

[Johan doesn't inquire...yet. Though, he'd be interested in learning more.

A blink and a faint expression of concern.] I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but if they're both shinki and were friends, couldn't it get complicated?

[Because, honestly, it's why Johan hasn't sought Fubuki out yet, even though Johan wants to meet whoever his friend's god is if only to thank him.

He smiles.]

Well, why not? It'd be more fun to explore with another person that just by myself.

[He'll...ignore that bit on the shinki for now.]

Yep! [ There’s no hesitation in that answer.

Someday, if Johan inquires, surely Tatara will have no reluctance in telling him all about the city of Kings; maybe even show off his sigil, still planted on his shoulderblade. (At least, last he checked.) But that’s for later.

That next question cues the scratch of the back of his head. ]

Not any more complicated than it was before... [ And that’s giving a wide berth, here. ]

Okay! [ A two-fingered salute. ] Show me what you’ve explored already, and we can see the rest together!

[Someday, when they've gotten to know each other a bit more.

Johan raises an eyebrow.] So it's always been complicated?

[But he nods, giving Tatara a grin as he leads the older man to some of the doors on the first floor. One door actually leads to a hot spring whereas the other door reveals what appears to be the backyard with forests and a sundial.

On the second floor, there are some bedrooms, but then they'll stumble into a large library that seems to take on two floors by itself.]

Edited 2017-04-11 14:46 (UTC)

Shouhei and San-chan? Eh heh...

[ Tatara laughs airily. Should he say...?

Maybe another time.

They roam about like overgrown kids exploring a mansion, opening this door and that, checking here and there. The hot spring, for one, brings the blond’s jaw almost to the floor. What a great place to have friends over and enjoy some quality time! He wants one of these at his temple! And having a back to the forest like that? So beautiful!

He makes a box shape with thumbs and forefingers and looks through it with one eye closed. ]

Remind me to come back here when I have a new camera!

[ Which, in turn, reminds him -- wasn’t he supposed to take a friend with him to Shibuya to get one? He’ll have to get on that.

Last thing they encounter is the library, which does, finally, settle that jaw firmly on the ground. Tatara can’t help but wander inside. ]

It’s huge!

I bet you have all kinds of books in here -- botany, zen gardens, baking, clay modeling, paper airplanes...!

[ Clearly, he has priorities, and they aren’t found in the fiction or nonfiction sections. ]

[Johan's temple is big for the sake of being big and clearly to house more than one occupant. The hot spring is definitely one to be used, though he's not sure who would be happy to come over to a stranger's house.

A laugh.]

Maybe we should go and get you a camera.

[But he rubs the back of his head as they enter the library.]

There are probably a lot of books in here. I haven't really explored.

[Because while the library has plenty of books, there are actually some books about Dueling in here, too. Not that Johan knows that yet.

He looks at Tatara curiously, though.]

Why do you list those hobbies, though?

[ Tell him about it! People could get lost in a place this huge! And in regard to that hot spring, look no further than Tatara! Then again, he's not exactly a stranger anymore, so. The question still stands, theoretically. ]

Would you come with me to get one? I could go alone, but... [ he smiles wanly and shrugs helplessly, head tilting to one side for just a moment in a gesture that seems to say, Where’s the fun in that? ] Experiences like that are meant to be shared, aren't they?

[ Tatara traces back through the library, delicate fingers running over the spines of books until he finds one that seems particularly old. He plucks it from the shelf. ]

They’re all different things I want to try someday! [ Then, blinking at Johan. ] Wouldn’t you?

[Tatara is always free to come and use the hot spring if he wants, even without an invitation.

Johan doesn't mind.]

They are. Besides, I should probably explore what kind of books are in this library, anyway.

[He's far from being a studious type, but hey, he does enjoy a good book once in a while. Johan easily falls into step with Tatara, peering at the book he's pulled out.]

Really? [He easily adopts a sheepish expression.] I guess so. I've only ever really been into Dueling, so it hasn't really crossed my mind much.

[ Sorry, Johan, but while Tatara is good at clever self-insertion, he's got some semblance of manners. That means he's far from the type to show up in that hot spring unannounced. ]

Dueling? [ Cue a head tilt and a pause. Call it intuition, but something tells him it's not the type he's immediately inclined to think of, with swords and armor involved. ] Is that what you're into?

Yup!

[Wait. Johan probably should clarify.] Not the type of dueling with swords involved. It's what the term we use back in my home when we play this card game with other people.

[Here, he'll show Tatara his Deck as an example.] The game is called Duel Monsters.

[ No matter how hokey, or strange, or potentially immature this or any hobby sounds to anyone else, Tatara's response is relatively the same -- at least in one respect. He still looks at the Deck with genuine interest, brows lifted, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape. ]

Duel Monsters. [ He nods, following. But he's got to ask -- ] Does it involve actual monsters?

[Does it involve actual monsters? Johan doesn't really want to answer that question given what happened, but:] Sort of.

[It's a vague enough statement, but he uses his powers as a god to give Ruby Carbuncle a solid form, the little creature sitting on Johan's shoulder as if it's been there the entire time.]

This little one on my shoulder is a Duel Monster.

Sort of? [ That answer doesn't really do much to abate his curiosity.

...But revealing that little treasure on his shoulder sure does.

He extends a hand to her, palm up, fingers only slightly bent. ]

She's cute!

[ He pauses there, to see what she'll make of him. ]

I'm guessing they're not all like her?

[Johan smiles, watching Ruby lean her head forward, her tiny paw reaching out to gently prod at Tatara's fingers.

She hasn't warmed up to anyone as quick as Yona, but Johan watches her carefully before he turns his attention back to Tatara.

He shakes his head.]

No. There are some that are bigger than her and there are all kinds as well.

[ He lets Ruby lead, bridging the gap to make contact with her only after he’s sure she’s indicated she’d like that. He’s pretty decent with animals, actually; after all, he’s tamed a great and wild lion, hasn’t he? ]

So in Dueling, these monsters [ it seems so weird to call her that; she’s not a monster at all! ] are made to fight?

[Ruby gently bumps her head against Tatara's finger.

A pause before a nod.] Yeah. We use a holographic system back in my world that brings them to life. To a lot of people, it's just a card game that can make a lot of money if you're good at it.

[ Tatara smiles at that, using said finger to scritch her gently. ]

So they’re holograms, but they have feelings and personalities...

[ Strange; but he can buy into it. He’s seen stranger, after all. ]

Is it a gambling event? Are there bets placed on the winner and loser?

No, not a gambling event. [Not if you're gambling your life, anyway.]

It's more like a tournament, I guess you can say. There are leagues that sponsor this sort of thing, and usually when you're on a winning streak or considered a Champion, you get paid for it.

[ Tatara watches with earnest attention. Then again, it’s likely not hard to believe that he’s genuinely interested; not when one considers the number of hobbies has had, currently has, and will have in the future.

Talk this one up enough, and maybe Dueling will be the next one he takes on -- one never knows!

He nods in understanding, lips pursed for a moment thoughtfully as he holds his chin between thumb and forefinger. ]

So, are you a Champion, Johan?

[ Not that it matters, of course; it’s all curiosity. ]

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