[closed] regardless of warnings

[oathkeeper]

Who: Sora & Kairi & Riku, Sora & Nari
When: When these prayers happen
Where: Where these prayers happen
What: Destiny Trio take on a Mission #08! Sora and Nari knock out Prayer #31 & #32!


[July 11; Mission #08; Sora & Kairi & Riku]

[Initially when they got the assignment Sora had been pretty excited to get on board with Kairi and Riku for the task. After all, when was the last time just the three of them did anything together? It’s like a dream come true! Despite that, Sora managed to sleep in for maybe... a little bit too long. Whoops.

So when he wakes up he panics and immediately destroys half his room trying to get ready and ends up teleporting to the hallway outside of Fuujin’s rooms while still trying to stick one shoe on his foot.]

I’m here! I’m ready! One of us has that letter we got, right?

[July 14; Prayer #31; Sora & Nari]

[The animal ranch they arrive at is very large. Much larger than Sora had been expecting it to be. He wonders mildly if that has anything to do with the animals getting lured out and stolen and killed. Was this place just too big to keep an eye on everything?]

Wow, this place sure is something. Let’s look around a little.

[But too much land shouldn’t be any reason why the handler should think he’s bad at this. There had to be a logical explanation why the animals were going missing, right? Time to get down to business.]

Comments

Yoooooo

[nolittlesecret]

[Animals are great. Ranches? Nari feels a slight well of irritation pop up as they arrive.]

... Right. Yeah. Lay of the land and all.

[The answer sounds distracted. It's quiet for a ranch, or so the redhead thinks, trying to see if he can hear anything.]

What kind of animals are dying?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora looks over at Nari with a curious expression.]

What's up?

[He then scratches his cheek as he recalls the details of the prayer.]

Mostly horses, I think. But there's goats and cows here too.

[Which makes him sad. He really wants to find out what's happening to them and hopefully stop it.]

[nolittlesecret]

Don't like this place. Too confined.

[For Nari. There needs to be much more roaming room in his honest opinion.

....]

Horses. Seriously? What the hell can take down a horse?

[He's seen videos. Those things can fight!]

[oathkeeper]

Really? [At that Sora looks around. There is a lot of fences and wooden barns and a big windmill.]

Maybe it is, but we have to make sure the rancher feels better about what he's doing. Try to be nice, okay?

[He starts to make his way over to one of the barns.]

I dunno, maybe wolves? Wild cats? Let's hope the guy has more info for us too.

[nolittlesecret]

[The fences are what's the biggest problem. They need to be way further back. Waaaaaay further.]

Right...

[Following, Nari bites the inside of his cheek.]

Wolves would leave more tracks. Big cats would drag the kill away... both would leave a huge, obvious mess... Rancher dude better have some good deets on this.

[oathkeeper]

Let's hope so.

[He's kind of glad Nari seems to know what he's talking about, Sora's never had to deal with anything like this before. He just hopes Nari doesn't upset the guy too much. There's suppose to be reassuring him, after all.

It's not long after that the man comes up and Sora greats him with a wave.]

Hey there! We're the ones that are going to try to help you. I'm Sora and this is Nari. Can you tell us more?

[The rancher looks older, perhaps in his forties. A thin man with bags under his eyes like he hasn't slept well in weeks.]

"Hello you two... Are you really going to be able to help me...? I don't know. Maybe this place is cursed after all.

The horses go missing at night. There's no blood, no trail, no breaks in my fences... Last night I managed to hear a strange moaning coming from one of the pastures. By the time I got out there though, there wasn't any signs of anything. And another horse gone. Only got four left..."

[nolittlesecret]

[Your shinki has already wandered off on a few occasions to go explore things. Then there's the internet as well. Of course Nari knows what he's talking about. He could even describe how a mountain lion kills in detail having witnessed it himself once.

Nari lets Sora do the talking till he hears about the moaning noise.]

Wait. The noise. Did it sound human or like an animal?

[oathkeeper]

"... Hmm." [The man seems to be unsure how to explain it. His voice is tired.] "Animal, I'd say. Something that growls low. I can't recall what kind of animal. It stopped as soon as I got to the pasture. It is like it snatched the horses right out of thin air."

[Sora glances at Nari wondering if he knows what that might be. What kind of animal growls but doesn't leave any tracks...?]

Are you sure you didn't see anything?

"... No. Maybe I should quit this venture, after all."

Ahh, I don't think it's your fault! It was whatever attacked the horses.

[nolittlesecret]

[Nari thinks and looks up. Maybe it can fly? What kind of things can fly that can growl... nothing normal at least. Could be a monster...]

Did you hear anything else? Like wingbeats? Or maybe noticed something off about the ground?

[Don't mind him still staring at the sky when he asks these things.]

Hey, don't you dare quit. These animals rely on you, so giving up is like sending them off to a slaughter house.

[oathkeeper]

[The man seems to straighten at Nari's last comment.]

"To the slaughter house? I'd never..."

[Sora has to smile a bit. That's Nari's way of encouraging someone, isn't it.]

"The ground... When I checked in the morning there were some scratches in the dirt. But again, I can't recall what kind of animal scratch."

Really? Well, let's go check that out!

[The man will lead the way with Sora waving at Nari to follow with. When they get there the horses are skittish and staying as far away as they can from them. Near the fence posts are indeed scratches in the dirt. Something with three claws or talons.]

[nolittlesecret]

[Not cheering up. Being painfully honest. There's a difference.

Following, Nari sees the horses and frowns. Something tells him that these creatures probably like him as little as he likes them even if it's his first encounter with them...

Just going to go look ahead.

Blinking, he heads to a set of scratches and looks them over carefully.]

... Whatever this was is definitely heavy. Gotta be to pick a horse up.

[oathkeeper]

[Painfully honest, cheering up, same thing...? Maybe!!

Sora walks around a bit too, checking for anything out of the ordinary aside from the scratches. Glancing at the way the horses are so skittish...]

Do you think maybe... It looked kinda human?

[It's a shot in the dark. But why else would the horses be so scared of them?]

Uhh... But I dunno, I don't think anyone human can pick up a horse.

Mission #08

[pure_radiantics]

I think we're lucky he didn't specify a time we had to be here! Just sometime today.

[She crosses her arms thoughtfully.]

I wonder what's going on... it can't be anything ayakashi related or he wouldn't have asked for a god and shinki that aren't partners, right?

[That only makes sense, to her.]

[dreamprotector]

Certainly. Sora would have overslept for sure.

[He's just got here late as it is after all.

Riku just shrugs at her question – he hasn't been here long enough to know much about how the old gods work. He wouldn't even be here if Sora hadn't asked him to come along.]

Beats me… Though, may I see that letter?

[oathkeeper]

[Finally getting the rest of his heel inside his shoe, Sora makes a face.]

Hey... I'm here, aren't I? Let's stay positive.

[It's not his fault Roxas decided to go gallivanting to Hawaii all on his own for like two days without telling Sora anything so he'd been worried. Speaking of that guy...]

Kairi, do you still have the letter? It said something about Roxas making a mess. He got into a big argument with Fuujin.

[pure_radiantics]

Yeah, I have it...

[She pulls it out from her side bag. Because of course she doesn't carry a purse -- too much energy for that.]

I wonder why he didn't want to take Raichi or Senri with him... [Or her, but if it had been a Guy Thing then Raichi or Senri still could've gone to protect him.]

Am I allowed to know what kind of argument before we go in? I was worried this guy kidnapped him or something, but if you talked to Roxas already, Sora... Well I guess we're about to find out why we're on the hook now too.

[dreamprotector]

[Riku leans over to look at the letter from behind Kairi's shoulder, reading over it then whistling softly when he's finished.]

I have no idea what Roxas did, but this Fuujin guy definitely sounds sour.

[Which is really only one word for it.]

You guys think it's a good idea for me to come with you?

[After all, Riku hasn't been invited along for this particular party.]

[oathkeeper]

He didn't take one of you with him because he ran off head first without thinking about it because he's a giant dummy sometimes.

[Sora says that maybe a little too fast. BUT IT'S TRUE. Where does Roxas get that from??? spoilers, it's you Sora]

Roxas and him apparently got into a big fight and Fuujin threatened Roxas so Roxas got mad and they almost smashed up an entire shrine belonging to Fuujin and who knows what else. [Sora sighs, his shoulders sagging.

Then he snaps back up and takes Riku's arm.]

Yes, it's a good idea! If the three of us work together on what Fuujin needs it'll turn out better. If he's got something against Roxas then having you around might be better to calm him down, right?

[Since it's pretty known the connections Sora and Kairi have with Roxas, so a third party might be a good idea. Plus from what Sora's heard Fuujin is a pretty prickly pear and Riku is way better at negotiating things than Sora is. Please help.]

[fuuthewind]

[Kaede is not looking forward to this. Not one little bit. When she got wind that Fuujin had sent a letter out to Roxas' friends she could already imagine how badly this little meet up could go. Fuujin was still upset over the attitude and disrespect that the blonde god had shown him after all.

Kaede stands by the entrance, peeking out from behind one of the pillars warily at the trio. If any of them are anything like Roxas, this is going to go terribly and could possibly end up with this shrine getting destroyed. Please no, she lives here. But it for that reason she is the only shinki on the premises today. To spare the others of this possible chaos.

Taking a deep breath, she collects herself and steps out to greet them. She doesn't bow, but there is a polite dip of her head. Kaede smiles she can't hide the worry in her eyes.]

Greetings Baldr-sama and friends,

I humbly welcome all of you into our home. Fuujin-sama is expecting you. I truly hope you are here to help.....

[Please?]

Allow me to be your guide and I will take you to Fuujin-sama.

1/2

[pure_radiantics]

[ Kairi's listening to Sora's reassurances for Riku - and hey, it's his best friend, so of course Kairi understands that if he needs back up from anyone other than Roxas, he'd ask Riku first. Never mind her own connections to Sora and Riku.

She's 100% on board for trying to help, that's the main thing. She can tell by the "giant dummy" remark that maaaybe Roxas did something that compounded the "Fuujin threatened Roxas" part of things. Kairi doesn't want to believe a temper from either of them would be that bad, but apparently so, if "almost smashed up an entire shrine" happened. Sigh. That's about all she needs to know, she supposes...

Which she's going to assume why Kaede looks worried when she introduces herself, and mentions "truly" here to help. ]

2/2

[pure_radiantics]

[ Kairi nods at Kaede and gestures back to Sora and Riku. ]

We do want to help... I'm Kairi, one of Roxas's shinki and his friend. You must feel the same way about your own god, right? Or respect maybe. Something more personal than a tool.

[ She smiles - from one shinki to another. Vessel in combat maybe, but friend too, right? Or at least something like that. She holds up the letter for emphasis. ]

So would it be possible for you to help us understand what "mess" Fuujin thinks he has on his hands, before we talk to him ourselves? And is the other issue he wanted us to help with related?

[dreamprotector]

[Riku just raises an eyebrow at Sora – who does he think Roxas got that from indeed – but doesn't comment, or even do much more than mock fight Sora's grab for him with a sigh; sounds indeed like they might need him along. He won't ever get out of being the role model, will he?

Then Kaede enters and Riku abruptly straightens, nodding back as well.]

As Kairi said, we are here to help. Any information you can give us before our meeting with Fuujin-sama would be greatly appreciated.

[oathkeeper]

[Well they need some sort of adult, right Riku? Especially since Sora's halfway to a shotgun reaction himself. He's frustrated with Roxas' headstrong temper but also that Fuujin apparently threatened him. Both not cool things.

He manages to settle down enough to smile at Kaede. She looks pretty stressed out.

But never fear Destiny Trio's here to clean up whatever mess this is!]

Whatever this big mess really is, we're the ones to patch it all up. Scout's honor. Maybe you should give us some tips about talking with Fuujin while you're at it.

[Please don't hit Sora for that.]

[fuuthewind]

May I see?
[She steps over to Kairi, looking over the letter in the girl's hands. Reading it doesn't make her feel any better and it shows on her face as she just stares warily at it. But, its taking her gaze off the letter and looking over the faces of the trio that does help. They look earnest enough and hearing them ask about how to go about talking to Fuujin does give her some hope. Maybe....maybe this won't go so badly after all.]

According to Fuujin-sama, Artemis-sama was very rude to him. Artemis-sama made accusations, yelled at him and so forth. Things got heated but some way or another it settled down enough not to endanger that shrine or... Hawaii.

[Kaede lets a small sigh slip out between her lips, considering things carefully.]

I believe Fuujin-sama called you here to possibly jab a bit at Artemis-sama considering your...relations to him. However, if the three of you are able to remain calm and tolerate whatever Fuujin-sama has to say, it should be fine. He does require your assistance but he is also a very proud god.

[pure_radiantics]

Roxas yelled at him? That doesn't sound like...

[Hm. Then again she's seen him get cross with her, but it was always out of concern. The stuff with Heligoland, his worries over her dating, that sort of thing. So if he did raise his voice, she's willing to bet that there was a reason behind it.]

Well- [She turns back to Sora and Riku.] At any rate, I'm not comfortable apologizing for Roxas without him here to speak for himself, but maybe we can still do what he wants and calm him down that way regardless.

[It's their best bet as far as she's concerned.]

Roxas is very proud too, Kaede. I'm sure he was trying his best. We'll do the same... maybe just a little quieter.

[Kairi says with a smile.]