thenearshore | [Closed] Promoting Peace, Nanako Style.

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[Closed] Promoting Peace, Nanako Style.

Who: Nanako, Homura and Suijin
When: July 14, Late in the day
Where: The Meeting Hall
What: Mission #01: Nanako has decided to Help.

[ Nanako and Homura had returned to the Far Shore after fulfilling their Prayer at the Marketplace, only to find a shinki waiting at Nanako's temple with a letter. Accepting it, Nanako had managed to piece together enough of the words to figure out who it was from before racing home to show it to Souji.

Having her big brother read it for her had led into a Dojima family meeting to talk about the problem and help Nanako work through some of her own ideas to think about presenting to the god. It's a lot to think about and it's a little intimidating for her, being asked what she thinks could help, but she takes the request with all the seriousness she can muster.

Which lingers in her demeanor as she teleports to the Meeting Hall a little later that evening, clutching the letter she'd received in one hand and Homura's hand in her other. Marching up to the first official-looking shinki she finds, she peers up at him with shy determination. ]

I'm here to see Suijin. Do you know where they are? I have a letter!

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[While Homura... doesn't actually care that much about the state of Heaven or most of the people in it, she does care a lot about Nanako and Souji. So when Nanako decides she wants to go and talk to one of the native gods, she's not about to let her go off alone.

How much protection can she be against a powerful god? She has no idea, but she'd rather be here than not.]

[The white-garbed shinki checks the letter, a faint surprise showing on his face. But he then hastens to assure the young god that she is expected. Directing the god and her shinki inside the building and towards a set of three chairs set in a loose circle, he then excuses himself to make a phone call.
It takes only a moment for Suijin herself to appear there, with an elderly-looking shinki at her shoulder. The atmosphere around Suijin is entirely elegant, her elaborate kimono making a soft sound as she approaches, her broad veiled hat concealing her face but her red-painted lips and dark eyes still standing out upon her white-painted features.

Those dark eyes move slightly between the young shinki and even younger god. While young gods and shinki are not entirely uncommon, they still have years of experience behind them. This new god though- could she truly be as old as she appears?

Putting that thought aside for the moment she introduces herself in an even and gentle voice.]

I am Suijin, the Mizu no Kami. And this is my shinki Suna, vessel name Saki, commonly called Sunanaga. I am told you answered my letter regarding peace on the Far Shore?

[ Nanako had been perched on the edge of one of the chairs while she waited, curious gaze taking in everything in the room around her with wide-eyed fascination, feet kicking absently beneath the chair because she's far too short to reach the floor.

When the two figures sweep into the room, however, she's quick to hop down, a look of surprise on her face for a moment as she takes in the sight of this unfamiliar god before quickly dipping into a polite bow before her. ]

Ahh, yes! I'm Nanako. Or Nanshe. [ She wasn't sure which one was better to introduce herself as here so she quickly skips the rest of that part before motioning at the girl beside her, hoping her shy nervousness wasn't too obvious. She was here on a mission, after all. ] This is Homura, my shinki! [ Sort of. And also her brother's. But.... she's not going to mention that right now. ]

Your letter said you wanted to talk about how to make things more peaceful here?

[Homura doesn't even sit down next to Nanako, she stands slightly behind and to the left of Nanako's chair. They're here for a meeting Suijin called for but she can't help but be tense.

It's a bit more complicated than just Nanako's shinki, but whatever. She doesn't care about the rules of nora nearly as much as the Heavens seem to.

But she'll at least bow in respect to Suijin.]

My name is Homura Akemi, commonly called Homura.

["I'm here to look after her." Is the part she leaves out.]

[Suijin acknowledges their introductions with a slight nod then sits in a chair, Sunanaga standing behind her much as Homura is for her god. It gains the
young shinki a nod of approval from the elder, despite her insufficient introduction.

Although this child god has a rather mature and self-sufficient air about her, she seems to truly be a child… well, she shall see how things go. Suijin will not discriminate against her, especially since she has already been proving her character by her deeds.
She may have to be careful to choose simpler vocabulary though…]

Yes, I did. It is important that we make peace between the variety of gods, and shinki, of the Far Shore, even if it is just a little at a time. Discord, that is, fighting and trouble here, becomes trouble on the Near Shore, and I hope you would agree that we must protect the humans from that.

So, I am interested to hear your ideas on the matter. I will listen to everything you have to say until the end.

[And true to her word she settles into an attentive, listening posture.]

Please, go ahead when you are ready.

[ Nanako glances back at Homura, feeling nervous and uncertain with the older god's attention focused so intently on her. But she'd agreed to come here to see if she could help and she was determined to see it through.

Taking a deep breath, she lifts her chin stubbornly and meets Suijin's gaze. ]

I don't think most of the gods that are here want to fight with each other - or with the old gods either. But a lot of them are confused or scared or sad, so sometimes yelling is easier to do when you feel like that. A lot of them still don't understand what's happening or how they can help or why they're here. They think people are keeping secrets and they don't know who they can trust. If they can't trust the gods around them, or the ones they're supposed to be helping, then I think they're going to keep fighting.

[ She fidgets nervously, hands twisting in front of her. ] They can't really trust the older gods either because they don't know you. I met Ammy at the beach and she was really nice and I could see she wanted people to be happy here. If I can see that from meeting her, then maybe so can the others. Maybe then whoever was causing all these problems wouldn't be so angry and do bad things if they knew who you all were and what you were like.

[Homura watches Nanako, and when she turns back, she gives a small nod. They've talked about this at home already. Everyone in the household discussed it. It seems like a solid enough plan.

She personally doesn't agree that meeting with people is enough to stop the 'bad guys' but it could ease some stress for the newest gods and shinki.

Her voice is soft but sure.]

As a new shinki I arrived during the demon incident. Things were more hectic then, but some kind of meeting with the people who call this place home might help settle them.

I see.

'Trust' has come up before in conversations like this. You bring a different perspective to it than the others, however, which is helpful.

[She pauses for a moment, slowly running one hand down the length of one long sleeve.]

Allow me to ask you a question. Do you think that the old gods are the only ones who can bring that trust?

[ Nanako's head tips to the side as she considers that seriously for a moment before shaking her head. ]

No, I don't think trust works that way, not really. It has to come from both sides. You need to offer it to get it back, right? It only happens if you work together.

Trust is a two-way street. But it does fall to the people who consider this place home to open up to the new arrivals. You know how this place works better than any of us.

You are right, of course. But consider that there are things that will certainly narrow that street, on both sides. It is simply the nature of things. Also consider that there seems to be some arguments between the new arrivals as a group. Us ‘old’ gods, however, have had centuries to come to agreements and find some degree of balance. If these new appearances keep happening, perhaps things will eventually settle in the same way.

However, given your answer that both sides need to work together and that sharing information is important, you will be pleased to know that there will be a welcoming and training event tomorrow, when the newest arrivals are expected to appear. This has been brought about through both groups of gods and shinki working together.

[ This has her expression brightening slightly. ] Oh, that's a good idea! That makes it easy to find people when you're new! It can be really scary, otherwise, especially when no one knows where they are, or why.

[ She tips her head to the side then, considering the woman across from her. ]

I hope we can work together, though. You seem nice. And I want to help! I know a lot of the other gods and shinki do, too. They've been practicing for it really hard.

[She wonders if that was another meeting between Suijin and one of the new gods to set up the welcoming event. It makes sense to have them since the newest arrivals (particularly shinki) have no idea what they're supposed to be doing.

Her gaze settles on Nanako. She can't say it here, but she's still sure of herself when she thinks 'just because somebody seems nice doesn't mean that they actually are.']

Some of them are adjusting well to the positions they were given.

I am pleased to hear that some are coming to terms with this situation, unusual though it is.

I hope that we can work well together as well. [She's glad that she at least 'seems' nice! How amusing.]

Can you tell me what kinds of things the others have been practicing at in order to help us?

All kinds of things! I know the gods and shinki have been practicing working together and trying to get stronger in case bad things happen again, like at the festival with the scary things, or when Ammy's temple caught on fire. Everyone I know has been training really hard so they can protect people. There's some people that are really good fighters here, they've been practicing together and teaching others how to do new things too!

[ She hums thoughtfully, trying to think what else. ]

Oh, and there's a school! To help people learn what they don't know already. Some people don't know how to read certain languages and some people aren't very good at cooking for themselves but there's teachers for a lot of different things that they're sharing what they know. Even fighting and medicine and healing and magic. Some people come from worlds really different than this one so they don't know how things work very well, so it helps them learn about it there!

[Homura nods along as Nanako relays the information to Suijin.]

I've attended some classes at the school. It's a useful resource.

That would be the school that the shinki Hakkai has taken responsibility for, isn’t it. It sounds like it is useful in many ways, then.

[One hand smoothing the hem of her sleeve she pauses thoughtfully for a moment. Nodding slightly she then repeats,]

‘Training hard so they can protect people.’ This report is encouraging. It gives me a bit more of the whole picture of what the new ones have been doing with their time here.

I believe it has been difficult for everyone to accept that this is how things are now. Again, it is good to hear that they are accepting their new position.

You have very positive things to say, but I shall ask this as well. Have either of you heard or seen things that worry you? Things that could be a source of the ‘discord’ I mentioned at the start?

It is! It's a really nice school, and lots of people have been helping out and learning new things there, both!

[ At the question, Nanako hums thoughtfully. ] I think a lot of it is because people fight and yell sometimes when they're scared or confused, or maybe just sad. They don't know anyone here, so they don't know who they can trust, and they miss their friends and family - or they don't remember if they even had any... [ She adds this a little more hesitantly, not looking in Homura's direction, because she knew Homura didn't want to remember anything, but she didn't think that applied to everyone here. ]

I know a lot of people were upset and scared when the bad things happened, like the zombies at the festival, and the fire. There were the posters, too. I know a bunch of the other gods saw them, too, when we all went to see the new shrines all over. But know one knows why they're out there, like who put them up, or why they're so mad at Ammy. Do you know why they'd want to hurt her? Maybe there's some way we could help?

[Her gaze remains calm and cool. There might be people out there who want their pasts back, but she is emphatically not one of them.]

When I first arrived there was the Japanese town that got destroyed. I understand that there's no way to plan for tragedies such as that. But it did not make for an easy adjustment period.

If there's a way to help, we'd like to. [Nanako and Souji would like to. Homura remains absolutely ambivalent about the Heavens at large.]

[She listens to Nanshe's ideas. They are almost exactly what she had said at the start, so she is quite consistent in her idea of what is causing discord. Suijin ponders that she had not considered ‘sadness’ so heavily, nor missing friends and family. Yet much of that is a product of the strange exceptions that happen among the new gods, and especially shinki.

She stiffens slightly when Nanako comes to that topic of past friends and family. She does not think Sunanaga would fall so easily, but the new gods are not cautious at all of things that approach the Secret…

And then the topic turns towards Amaterasu.]

As of now, no one knows why someone is targeting her like this. However, it is the natural course of things that those in the position of highest power are often a target. Amaterasu herself is familiar with this fact.

As for how you can help… If you yourself think of anything that would assist the newcomers, particularly in those areas you mentioned of being scared, confused or sad, you may contact me again. Sunanaga here is assisting in coordinating such efforts. Or the new god Aidos. He seems quite dedicated to sharing information.

If you are particularly worried about those other occurrences, you can continue to keep a sharp eye out for this person to leave behind a clue we can use.

... [There is another task she could offer, but despite the risk being relatively low she still hesitates to offer it to a child. Perhaps if she is unsatisfied with her suggestions thus far.]

Aidos? [ Does she know who that is? She squints, trying to remember if she's heard that god name yet.

But she absorbs the rest of that information with a serious expression. ] I will keep a sharp eye out, and I know others will be too. But if they're gonna leave a clue, does that mean we have to wait for them to do something bad again?

[ That doesn't sound like a good idea. There's still a risk that more people might get hurt by that. ]

I can help with the new people, though. I like doing that anyway, even if I don't have a lot of answers for them. And I'm not very good at fighting yet... It took me a long time to figure out what I could do as a god, but maybe that could help, too.

He's the god that types up the timeline of events, isn't he?

[She's seen him on the network, even if they haven't spoken.]

We'll keep working on your fighting skills.

[Suijin nods at the shinki to confirm her question.] Yes. I believe his common name is Izuku, if you might know that better. His timeline of events has already proven useful, and his efforts towards the new arrival’s orientation will surely be just as helpful.

I will be very pleased if you would help with the new arrivals. There are many things you can share with them from your experience, and answering their questions will help you grow as well.

[She then smiles kindly.] There is much you can do without having to fight ayakashi. However, it is true that in the course of your duties you may come across them. And besides the ayakashi, there is the culprit behind recent events. It is unfortunate, but as we are a step behind them, the chance of us stopping their next move is rather small. I hope you can build your skills enough to at least keep yourself and your followers safe.

[ Nanako's expression lights up at that. ] Oh! The superhero! I know him! I can go ask him about it. Thank you, Suijin.

I can help with the new arrivals. [ Nanako nods with a determined expression. ] It's scary being new and not knowing why you're here or how you can get home again. [ She flicks a sideways glance at Homura and gives the other girl a warm smile. ] I'll keep practicing my fighting too. I want to keep people safe. And maybe I can help keep Ammy safe, too. I know there are other gods here watching for clues, too. I'll ask them what I can do to help.

[ Although she flicks one more searching glance at the goddess, chewing on her lower lip in thought. ] But I would be doing that anyway. Is there anything else that I could help the gods by doing? [ Since other than her conversations with Ammy, this is the first chance she'd had to talk to the older gods about what they think needs to be done here. ]

[She's uninterested in him, but if he's helpful and not a threat then Nanako can meet him alone. If she already considers him a superhero then she's probably fine, all things considered.

Homura wonders if by recent events Suijin means the murders or bringing people here. Both are cause for alarm for the old gods.

But she doesn't have anything else to say here, so she keeps quiet.]

"Anything else." [What an earnest and eager child.]

To help me, I would ask that you help with harmonizing the Far Shore, which you have agreed to. Besides that, there is one other task that I am involved in. It involves a scout investigating an area in person, and reporting back about any unusual things there. However, although you are eager, I would not tell you to take on that as well.

The other gods have tasks that they are overseeing. You would be welcome to try asking one of them. [After a beat she adds,] Although, do be cautious around Fuujin. Due to his experiences, he does not see the new arrivals in the best light.

Scouting? [ Nanako cocks her head to the side to consider that for a moment before glancing over at Homura questioningly. Wondering what it might be, she looks back to Suijin. ] Is it dangerous? If it's just looking, we could try?

[ The mention of the other gods has her looking intrigued, however, her expression turning to anticipation. ] The other gods? It's alright if I ask them? [ She pauses at the caution, looking uncertain. ] Fuujin? Is he... he's not the Thunderstorm god, is he?

[ She might still be a little concerned about meeting a Thunderstorm, despite Ammy's reassurances. ]

If it's dangerous I don't want you to go without Souji and me. [She can protect Nanako just fine, but she'd rather not be alone while protecting her.

Homura... also doesn't want Nanako to deal with a grumpy god, but if that's her will, then she's not doing that alone.]

Shinki Homura has the right of it. Indeed, even if there were no danger expected, it is best to always have your shinki with you on the Near Shore.

The god of thunderstorms would be Raijin. Fuujin is the god of wind. You look interested to meet them, though. [Despite her caution over Raijin. Well, not that he has been making the best impressions either. It is just the natural tendencies of those two…]

How about this, then. I shall offer to you a special task: to improve Fuujin’s impression of the newcomers. It is something I believe you are perfectly suited for. [Because even Fuujin could not lose his temper completely at a child as earnest as this.]

If you have the patience to see it through, I believe it will help even more in the long run than scouting missions. But, the decision of how to spend your time rests with you.

[ That would be easier now that she had Homura to count on, so Nanako nods seriously. ] I know. I try to be careful. I won't go without Homura, or my big brother.

[ She'd learned that the hard way, after going on a prayer without a shinki of her own, even if she had gone with another god-pair. At the time, it still hadn't been enough.

She listens to the task Suijin lays out with a thoughtful look, thinking that over. Wind wasn't as scary as Thunderstorms, right? At least not in Nanako's mind, so after a moment she nods, glancing up at the older goddess with a bright smile. ]

Okay! I can try. Maybe if he likes the new gods better, there won't be as much fighting then either, right? [ Which could solve two problems in one! ]

[Homura briefly looks very tired. Why would you do this to her, Suijin? This is not a thing she wants to do, but she's not going to leave Nanako to some grumpy old god's wrath.]

... If you're sure.

[That expression is not lost to Suijin.
If you wish to guide your god in another course of action, you must speak your mind promptly, shinki Homura.
This might be a good opportunity for them both to grow.]

You are correct - calming Fuujin will go a long way towards peace for us all.

It is decided then. [She pauses thoughtfully for a moment, considering the child god.]

Would you prefer to take your own initiative - that is, to make your own plan for how to meet him? Or shall I arrange a meeting?

[ Completely oblivious to Homura's long-suffering look as she gets lost in her own thoughts for a moment, Nanako glances over at her a moment later before looking to Suijin once more. There's a note of hesitancy in her tone as she asks her next question, because approaching the older gods by herself is a little different than anything she'd done before.

Well, except for Ammy, but she'd been out on the beach already anyway, and Nanako hadn't realized who she was. ]

If I go ask to meet with him, would he let me? Isn't he really important? Do I need an appointment?

[Homura is used to everybody completely ignoring her. There's nothing to tell her that won't happen here, so she just accepts it.

Fuujin it is.]

[A small, soft laugh comes from her.]

As the god of wind, yes, he is rather important. At the very least I will tell him to expect you, but making an appointment- I believe such a courtesy would go over well with him. [After a beat her smile grows a little more.]

I would recommend making an appointment through his exemplar. She may assist you well.

[ Nanako smiles brightly at that. ]

Okay, I will make an appointment with his shinki. Ahh... who is his shinki? Can I find her here?

[ That sounded like a much less intimidating way of doing it than just wandering up to another of the old gods and saying hi. ]

What is his exemplar like?

[But it would be so very interesting to see what would happen if you did!]

[Of course, she would see Nanako succeed as smoothly as possible.]

Here, I will give you Kaede’s contact information.

[And Suijin pulls out her cell phone to send that to Nanako immediately.] Wait a little while before contacting her – I will tell her to expect your call. I will also tell Fuujin to expect your visit.

[She then turns a wise smile on Haruka.] You should make your own impressions of Kaede. However, as I said, I believe she will be a good help to you.

You have now taken upon yourselves several important tasks. Do not push yourselves to hard.

[[OOC: This has made available to you a personalized follow-up mission for Nanako and Homura.

Fulfill the following conditions:
- Make an appointment with Kaede to meet Fuujin. (May either be hand-waved and summarized in one tag or played out. Please discuss your preference with Az, the player of Fuujin.)
- Discuss with Fuujin his dislike of the new gods and try to improve his opinion of them.
- The log is to total 15 comments or more (not including npc comments)
The reward for successfully completing this mission will be 900 followers/90 exp, as well as the potential for further NPC interaction depending on the CR gained.

If this is acceptable please reply to the Prayers page when you are ready to start the mission and put "Personalized" with a link to this post in place of a prayer/mission number.]]

Edited (/aggressively fixes the wrong spelling of Kaede...) 2017-06-17 05:37 (UTC)

[ Nanako wiggles down off her chair and tugs out her phone to make sure she got the information before beaming up at Suijin happily. Remembering her manners, she dips into a polite bow of gratitude before the older god. ]

Thank you, Suijin! We'll do our best to make a good impression. And we will contact his shinki soon to make an appointment. [ Although that has her casting a sideways glance at Homura again as she straightens. ] Are you sure you're okay with coming too?

[ Since she's realized she'd gotten caught up in what she could do to help without asking Homura what she might want to do about this. ]

[Homura does not offer a bow this time. Just a slight incline of her head.

Just what have they gotten themselves into?]

I won't let you meet him alone.

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[Closed] Promoting Peace, Nanako Style.

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