thenearshore | 016 | The Good Old Days

Entry tags:

016 | The Good Old Days

Who: Everyone!
What: Ageswapping
When: July 15-17
Where: Everywhere
Summary: A breach in the space-time continuum is messing things up.

Edit: OVERFLOW is here!

The Far Shore has been dealing with a lot of space-time pulsating through the past week or so and everything is culminating on the night of the 15th, even though the Heavens are preparing for an all-out Obon bash. They had planned to have the celebration on the 15th itself, but Amaterasu asked to postpone a day due to the horrible feeling that is permeating the Far Shore.

And it turns out she was right to postpone everything. In fact, it will have to be postponed another whole month at this rate...

Before

Late in the day on July 15th, the new batch of shinki will arrive to a Far Shore with a thick, tense atmosphere. All night on the 15th it feels like something is about to happen - and it's difficult to tell whether that something will be good or bad. Any attempts to contact the management of the Far Shore have fallen on deaf, slightly harried ears and so everyone is left to their own devices to try and figure out why things are so tense.

July 16

Just after midnight, an explosive shock wave rips through the Far Shore, bringing on the age changes with it. Even the spirits of the Far Shore seem to be affected - for example, the library goblins are either toddling around on wobbly legs or are dragging themselves from place to place and looking decrepit. There are a few gods and shinki that seem to have been exceptions from the change, though it is not clear why.

July 17

Another wave of energy comes in the early morning of the 17th. Fewer people are affected this time and it seems to alter those people's ages a second time. There is no rhyme or reason to who is being affected further. Several of the library goblins have just dropped dead from severe old age. Oops.

Aftermath

Late on the 17th brings about one final burst from the energy that has been plaguing the Far Shore. For a short moment, every new temple glows with a soft light, seeming to beckon to their owners. But the light is gone quickly and everyone will find themselves back to normal with complete memories of everything that happened during their age adventures. The goblins that died, though, are still very dead. Looks like the library will need to get some new help soon.

In Summary:

Meet the newbies
Get aged or de-aged
Deal with other too young/too old people
Try to handle the consequences
Have fun~

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What does it do?

Yes, that's right. Mortals from other planes have been drawn to this place to assume the roles of gods and goddesses that have... gone missing.

[It's the best way to explain it.]

You're right but if someone grabs you and pulls you into range, you'll know what to do. And you can hit them in the nose, too. Noses are delicate; they're easy to break and it hurts a lot if they do. So they'll have to let you go. But if that doesn't work, there's other places to target.

[There's a very brief pause before she continues.]

Like here and here.

[As Ayumu speaks, she taps each of Chikusa's temples in quick succession.]

The skull is very thin and weak in your temples. If you strike an opponent here, you can really hurt them. Maybe even finish them. It's not a move to use unless you're desperate or intend to kill.

[Another pause, followed by a sisterly smile.]

There's vulnerable areas along the jaw and neck, too.

Yeah, right. You came after me faster than ever.

[Another laugh, then he's back to sitting up. He's a little winded from all that jumping around and falling business, but nothing's bruised or scratched as far as he can tell. As for Sousuke, perhaps he's wounded his pride, even just a little, and when he sees that glance over his shoulder Rin blinks... before pulling himself back up onto the bed and crawling over to lightly punch his shinki on the arm.]

Even if I wanted to, you wouldn't like that.

[And don't try to deny it because he knows that's not the truth! Now, back onto his pillow he goes, flopping over and curling up with the blankets halfway pulled over his legs.]

[Too late. He's already doing it. And he's going to keep on doing it whether you like it or not! Because somehow he's more frustrated in this tiny little body than he remembers being and the two of them going at it like this isn't making matters any easier. Maybe if he stays still for an hour or two...

He twitches on that thought, surprised when he feels fur brushing up against his arms, and try as he might to keep them squeezed to his body, Sousuke manages to wriggle in between that space anyway, climbing up and leaving little to no room to continue pouting into his knees. There is, however, just enough space... for puppy kisses. Which he wasn't expecting. At all.

Rin's speechless at first. Here he was thinking they'd stay fighting all morning. But... they can't be at each other's throats like this when they're going through the same situation. They should be working together, right?

Sighing, he scoots his feet further forward, giving Sousuke more space to move, then reaches out for one hand to gently settle atop his shinki's head, fingers ruffling between both floppy ears.]

I hope so. [...] And I'm not crying.

Really?

[The boy's tone does catch her attention. He doesn't talk like a child, she thinks. Then again, neither had she. But she has experienced the strange aging effects firsthand, even if to her present knowledge she started out as a child yesterday.]

The same thing happened to me. Well. In reverse. I was very young yesterday and today I'm older. It's very odd. So it affects minds then, too?

[The past couple of days have been very confusing.]

[She nods.]

I think so, too.

[They'll have to clear it first to make sure there's nothing dangerous inside but it's a plan with a goal and that makes Ayumu feel a little better about all of this. So she starts walking forward, still holding onto Platina's hand.]

If you see one that looks good to you, let me know, 'kay?

Some of these buildings are so -- unusual. Amazing, really. I've never seen anything like them. I always wondered what it would be like, to go to a big city...

[Of course, she has no way of knowing the Far Shore is quite unlike anything in Midgard, having only ever been in known of her tiny village.]

I don't know where I got my glasses... [Sliding them off of his face, he holds them up into the light.] It'd be nice if they were made by a unicorn.

Rrrgh…

[He wants to deny that, but bared, grit teeth and that little pouting growl are all the progress he gets on that denial. Sheesh, he did not come after Rin. It’d simply been instinct. Yeah, that’s right. And Sousuke knows that’s a load of bull right there, but doesn’t mean he has to admit it or anything. He sits back on the bed with a little grunt of annoyance and crosses his arms over his chest, legs tucked under him for the time being.

Of course Rin’s still getting some laughs out even with that wind knocked out of him. As the other boy crawls back on the bed, Sousuke deliberately ignores him, even doing that mature response of turning his head away from him to pout off to the wall. Just gonna sit like this—Whap.]

Hey!

[Did you just punch him?! First the pillow and now this? Sousuke gapes at Rin in shock for a second, but when the other boy hits him in the face with that truth, it’s all Sousuke can do to sputter something unintelligent and get red in the face.

He would not!

… care that is! Rin could sleep on the floor all he wanted; Sousuke didn’t care if they shared a bed together. Not at all. … nope. He scowls, mouth closing with a click as he watches Rin flop onto his side and curl up in the blankets. Ugh, this guy. Sousuke heaves a sigh and unfolds himself so he can twist at the hip and walk on his hands and knees over to Rin’s side. And drops down onto his chest, face down in the pillow.]

You’re so annoying. [After a moment, another muffled comment.] You’re sure you’re okay, right?

[Seriously? Is this really something to cry over? Sousuke wants to think that, but he can’t help but also feel frustrated over the events. Even if it is most likely only for a little while, they’ve spent what, less than an hour and already get into a row? That’s like a record for them since they teamed up as god and shinki.

Making matters even worse is Sousuke realizes he’s the cause of most of Rin’s frustration this morning. Yelling at him, locking him out of the bathroom, calling him girly (hey, it’s not like it isn’t true in a way), and all the rest. Logic would say the reason for Rin being upset should probably stay away from him, but… apparently he’s not going to.

Sousuke’s gonna end up stuffed between Rin’s chest and legs and now he’s got his god’s taste on his tongue. Weird, embarrassing, but it felt like the right thing, or at least the better thing, to do at the moment. Not like he can put an arm around Rin or ruffle his hair or anything else a human kid could do, right? Well at least it got Rin all stunned and stuff; Sousuke can take some pride in that because stunned surprise is better than his god wibbling all over the floor (or him).

He gets some more space as Rin lowers his legs a little and sinks slightly in the other boy’s lap. Has to wriggle a bit to get his legs into a better position so he’s not doing some stupid dog straddle or something. And there’s the hand on his head, rubbing at him like Rin does when Sousuke’s in his normal vessel form. Even if he pretends he’s just tolerating the touches, it really does feel nice.]

Yes you are. [Come on, you think that fib will work?] So are we gonna get a bath or what?

[Sheesh, has he always been this pouty and grumbly as a kid? Rin doesn't remember it... or maybe he does, but it's all too much of a distant memory. It's kind of funny really. Once upon a time, the two of them were virtually inseparable. Attached at the hip, closer than family. But it scares him to think they've lost several years... and with that they've lost more than just time spent together. Rin's caught himself second guessing this conversation or that they might have shared on his doorstep, or the exact moment they both decided fistbumping was their thing.

So maybe changing into kids again hasn't been so bad. It's helped them relive some things, rediscover who they used to be before they grew up. Sure, he isn't one to live in the past, but-- This is nice. For a little while.

He's smiling when the bed beside him bounces and after opening his eyes he giggles, seeing Sousuke face down in his pillow, all lanky limbs and no muscle. But then he has to go and ask that and almost instantly Rin tucks his head back in to his pillow, maybe the slightest bit embarrassed. Hmph. So he was worried.]

Yeah.

[A beat.]

... Just kinda cold.

[Not like Sousuke’d know how to answer that question. He’s not thinking about the what if’s or whether he was like this back then; he’s just going by feeling and reaction. And yet, for all his pouting and grumbling, there he goes, asking Rin if he’s all right after that tumble. And of course he’s got to do it following up on those protests about not caring. Ugh, that’s even more annoying… but he does want to make sure Rin hasn’t bumped his head or broken something. Even with that laughing from before, who knows?

Sousuke keeps his face turned away from Rin, still half-smothering himself in the pillow as he tries to make the red go away. Doesn’t want to look up with pink cheeks and get teased again. Who knows how long they’re going to stay as kids. Not that he completely regrets the past two days. It’s been fun… most of the time.

He gets his answer and instantly he knows Rin’s mimicking the same position. Head in his pillow, not looking at him, voice muffled through the fluff because of course Rin’s embarrassed or touched or something. Sousuke finally rolls his head to the side, just enough to get half his mouth free of the pillow and one eye open to look across the bed at his god.

Nooo, he wasn’t worried. ~~Yes he was.~~]

Well the blankets are down around your legs; that’s why you’re cold.

[And promptly tucks a foot in the blankets and hikes his leg up to awkwardly try and throw the blankets further up Rin’s body… while trying not to kick him at the same time. Double awkward.]

[He thought they would have been several miles away from each other by now to keep the entire castle from exploding. It seemed the smarter thing to do, the logical thing to do. But oddly this feels fine, albeit a little awkward, and he'd rather have it than more lunging, biting, yelling or whatever else they got themselves into only a few minutes ago. Now just like that, the worst of it is over.

He hopes.

Sighing, Rin rubs at his eyes (which are not full of tears, ok?).]

Whatever.

[There's nothing he can do to change his mind about that anyway, so there's no point in arguing about it now. As for a bath-- Wait, a bath? ... We?]

Um... [Looking over his shoulder at the tub,] What can we even change into if our clothes are too big?

[Attentively, Quarantanove listens before giving a nod. He understands, and there's no chance that he'll forget.]

Just make sure to come back...

[That's all he needs before he curls up, watching with wide eyes as Quattordici disappears into the building. Most other children would be antsy, fidgeting while the minutes drag on like hours, seconds an eternity. However, with Quattordici gone, Quarantanove is perfectly and utterly still. Something deep inside him knows that it's important to be still, to be so quiet and nonassuming that he ceases to exist, just blends into the leaves and wood. He goes so still that he thinks his brain is somehow too active, and it slips right out- that's the only way he can think to explain the strange feeling that overtakes him as he waits and desperately hopes for Quattordici to come back.]

Edited 2017-06-22 15:03 (UTC)

Eyes, nose..... and temples. Okay.

[Rubbing at one side of his head with one hand, he uses the other to carefully touch at his neck.]

I don't know the jaw, but, um.... The jugular? Is that one?

[A pretty big word for a little kid throwing rocks.]

[Hey, Rin might be annoying every now and then, but Sousuke’s never had the urge to run away like a scaredy cat. Leave to go cool off, sure. Wonder if maybe they made a mistake to partner up, yeah. But run? Nope. Even with their arguments that made the castle threaten to detonate, he ended up only leaving long enough to cool down before returning every time. Guess logic didn’t really dictate “them” did it…

Because just like now, those rough, hot, bitter, angry, troublesome, whatever moments always passed by without leaving a scar.

Strange, wasn’t it. Of course they’ll get into a row again; Sousuke’s pretty sure they’ll be yelling at each other before the clock strikes noon. Especially since they’re kids now. He watches his god rub at his eyes (yeah that’s sink water all over your knuckles). And gets that response. Which is about all they can make right now.]

What?

[The ‘um.’ This is why they came into the bathroom in the first place, right? Well, the normal reason. Get up, wash off, start the day. Sousuke glances at the tub when Rin does, head unconsciously cocking to the side, floppy ears dangling a little at the tilt.]

Uh, I dunno. Make togas out of the sheets?

Oh, is that what happened?

[He knows that's why, but he chooses to tease Sousuke about it since he's going to be such a grumpy pants for a little while longer. But at least he's trying to be helpful and caring despite all that, tucking and kicking until the blankets just about hike up over his knees. And look at that. No kicking! Of course Rin could do this himself, but since Sousuke'staking the time, who would he be to stop him? So he makes himself comfortable, all snuggled in and properly warm once half his body's covered and he can easily tug on the sheets to bring them over his shoulders. Ordinarily he'd prefer being unrestrained while he sleeps but he's up for a change tonight. Just this once.]

So.

[Opening his eyes again, peeking across the bed]

Are we really gonna sleep now?

Uh-huh.

[Said in a droning voice because duh. Of course that’s what’s happened. Rin’s gonna tease him with something dumb, he’s gonna give him a dumb response. Doesn’t stop him from still working on throwing more blankets up, leg going back and forth on the bed to kick the material further up. Of course Rin could reach down and get those things up himself, but apparently he’s content to let Sousuke do all the work. Which, well, he’s doing voluntarily and all.

He’s only getting halfway though. Once those things are up at his waist, Sousuke drops his leg and stuffs it back under his own covers before fishing around with his hand until his middle finger catches on the diagonally-draped bedding. A few tugs and shrugs and he’s got the blanket tucked up under his arm, shoulders and upper chest left bare as he settles against the soft mattress again. It’s cool enough that blankets are comfortable in this room.

That question. Sousuke's smirk comes clean through his voice.]

I dunno. Depends on if you’re gonna fall off the bed again.

So long as they help you, isn't that the most important thing? [Focus on the positives, since -- well, let's face it, they weren't made by unicorns. She won't even pretend there's a chance.]

There ain’t no reason ya can’t go gettin’ stronger despite bein’ a little fellow. You just gotta learn how t’ fight diff’rent type’a people.

Awright, [ He puts down the other stuff he brought, ] you do like this, an’ then like this. [ then shows how to grip the feathers, and the type of pull that makes it easier to get them out. ]

Really.

[ He nods, because really. He looks at her curiously. It’s not like he doesn’t have a guess who she is, but he can’t exactly ask if she doesn’t remember things. The shinki mind is delicate and way too bothersome, seriously. ]

Huh. I see, that’s interesting. I wonder why it’s mixed up like that. But yeah, it seems like it. Memories, too, sometimes.

[It takes awhile, but as promised, Quattordici eventually emerges. And he's cautious enough to make sure no one's watching him before he trots over to the tree where Quarantanove is hiding.]

It's big inside! There's all kinds of rooms and desks and stuff. There's even a kitchen! [He pauses for a moment.] I didn't really see anybody, but...it doesn't look abandoned or anything. People might still be using it.

I need to be able to fight adults. [He says this with intense determination.] But they're way bigger and stronger, so it's hard.

[He watches Butch's demonstration attentively, and then mimics him with surprising skill. He's not the brightest of kids, but he's pretty quick to pick up on something once he's been shown how to do it.]

[Breaking a child's heart, Celestia, tsk tsk.]

[Still, he nods.]

When I don't have them on, everything up close is really fuzzy, and it bugs me. I can't help Quattordici that way- he's my friend. He'd like you.

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016 | The Good Old Days

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