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~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Even in the darkness he can see that pink on his face and even with some comfortable distance between them he can tell Sousuke's not really upset. He's just embarrassed... maybe even a little bit touched. But come on. What's wrong with thanking him a little? He hasn't done it a lot, so he needs to catch up and make up for it. And as for not going anywhere... He won't lie. He's thought about it, because he knows he's given Sousuke all the freedom in the world to make leaving an option. He knows life hasn't been easy for him here. He knows training is difficult when they don't even know what they're exactly fighting for. Their first night here, he was so sure Sousuke would choose to leave his side.

But here he is. Sharing his bed.

Touched himself, he's speechless at first and only watches quietly while Sousuke shifts to turn onto his side, but a few beats after that last muffled comment his eyes widen and he can't keep himself from shifting too, scooting closer until he almost has his head on Sousuke's pillow.]

Oy... [he teases quietly, one hand reaching out to poke his shinki's shoulder.] Don't be embarrassed. [He laughs, but with his higher pitched voice it sounds like more of a giggle.] I like being with you too.

Edited 2017-05-25 08:53 (UTC)

[Of course Rin can see it; that’s why he’s got his back facing him. Duh. But as a little uncomfortable, embarrassed, flustered, whatever, as he is, Sousuke’s not lying. The words hang in the air longer than he wants them to, and he knows Rin’s stuck in silence because since when does his normally-stoic shinki offer such kind of words. At least, you know, not in that teasing sense that usually plays on his god’s romantic notions. For his part, he does appreciate the gratitude, even if it makes him think of weird things. Because he doesn’t want to think much about leaving Rin. He’s comfortable here, has grown to enjoy their time together. Losing that…

Hn, look, he’d rather not shake up the status quo, that’s all.

They’ve gotten through a lot together and grown. While Sousuke wouldn’t stand in Rin’s way if his god decided to dismiss him for whatever reason, he knows he wouldn’t be “fine” with it despite his most likely saying so. Ugh, why is he even thinking about this right now?!

Sousuke pulls the covers up to his shoulders for no reason other than he wants to move and make his mind do something other than think. He hears the sounds of cloth against skin and the bed dips a little behind him. Rin scooted closer. He’s probably got his head on his pillow too. That’s… uh… that’s pretty close. Enough that the other boy’s words ghost his breath barely on the back of Sousuke’s neck and he shivers a little.

At least until a hand pokes him in the shoulder. And what was that? What was that?!] I’m not embarrassed! [Hmph! He lightly, pointedly, kicks a leg backwards, bonking Rin’s foot with his heel. Poking him and calling him embarrassed, hah, like that won’t earn a response.] You’re being romantic again.

[It's always something of a shock, hearing words like this come from Sousuke, but before coming here maybe he's had enough experience with them to help tone down his reactions. In hindsight, maybe he should act a little more, be a little more bewildered, more taken aback... but he's both too tired and too unconcerned to bother. Right now, all he can think about is getting under Sousuke's skin. Because it's fun, because it's lighthearted.

Because it's them.

There's nothing, not even a little kicking, that could keep Rin away. Not for long at least.]

Oof!

[he pauses... then with a snicker quickly takes aim... and... lunge! Have a tangle of noodly limbs trying to wrap around and pin you down!]

How about now?

[As uncomfortable as saying those words leaves him, Sousuke doesn’t regret them. Because they’re true and it feels good to actually say them out loud for once. It means that Rin deserves them, that he’s comfortable enough around the other boy to even shoulder this pink-faced admission for him. Of course, he could chalk it up to being tired and happy and not thinking as guarded… but that’s just an excuse. Sousuke keeps his back to the other boy, expecting, but hoping not, to be teased about that little slip.

Sheesh, of course the one time he gives Rin a little something like that, he’s going to get heck for it. What a friend Rin is.

He should’ve kicked him harder.]

What? [Sousuke grumps over the edge of the bed; he heard that snicker. Rin’s having too much fun with this. He reaches silently towards a stray pillo-] AUGH! R-Rin!

What the heck!? [And instantly he’s scrambling around, trying to find his limbs under that wriggling pile of noodle arms and legs. No, like, seriously! What are you trying to do?! He’s already on the damn bed!]

Hey! [Oh that’s it! Have a pillow to the face so he can try to pin YOU down next!]

[Oh, sorry, was he trying to grab a pillow there? Hah! Looks like Rin was too quick for him again! Feeling more than a little cocky for that one, he laughs out loud while trying to grab Sousuke's wrists, but it seems he started celebrating a little too early.]

Wah!

[POMF. Right in the face. Everything goes dark as he scrambles to push the pillow away and kick to keep Sousuke at bay at the same time. Aw, come on! Can't you stay down for one second?]

This means war!

[Time to make a grab for another pillow so he can try to whack him right back. En garde!]

HAH! [Sousuke lets out a triumphant noise when he nails Rin right in the face with his pillow. Good! That’ll at least give him a break to scramble backwards and try to put some distance between himself and this noodley octopus on the bed. But he doesn’t get away scot free, wincing as a kick lands right in his ribs.

Okay, okay! He’s backing up, keep your feet to yourself, jeeze! Sousuke smacks his pillow against those kicking legs a few times, punishment for catching his side. Damn, Rin. You got a boney heel. But he’s not staying down, nope! Sousuke gets up on his knees as Rin searches for another pillow and quickly pulls his own up in offensive posture.]

Oh you wanna fight? Okay! [Have a doublehanded overhead sledgehammer pillow smash on your crown, shark boy! Whap whap whap!]

[Hah! He's got you now! One kick like that and he's sure to gain the upper hand! So as soon as Rin grabs another pillow he's turning right back around to every intention of smacking Sousuke in the face as quick as he can, but unfortunately for him he's a split second too slow.]

Whoa!

[Ahhh a barrage of attacks! He's not so sure how he's supposed to crawl himself free from this one. He'll sure as hell try though, rolling like a log to the opposite edge of the bed to dodge any more hits. From there he's on his feet on the mattress, gripping his pillow with both hands and raising it high above his head.]

You're gonna regret that!

[And wham, bam, poof! Hopefully they both won't go toppling off the bed with all this roughhousing (not like that could stop them anyway).]

[You don’t got anything! And Sousuke crows in triumph when his barrage of attacks lands home.] Hah! Take that! [It’s obvious Rin’s not supposed to get away because Sousuke is the Pillow Master of a Thousand Blows! And he’s making sure he gets as many hits in as possible before the other boy gets his bearings back on him. Whamp Boff Fwop! He doesn’t want a smack in the face so have more pillowy offence.]

Uwah-? Hey! [Where do you think you’re going? Rin can’t go rolling away from him! Sousuke lands on one foot, his heavy attack throwing him off balance. Eyes widen and he jerks his head towards that raised pillow. Only a second of mistake and--] Crap! [He yanks his head down, trying to shield himself from the rain of blows.] Why you- Hey cut it—Oh that’s it! [Smack! Smack smack! Have some semi-pathetic flails to the side as he tries to smack at Rin’s hips to get him distracted or something. Sheesh! What a stubborn guy!]

[Pillow Master? Since when? He can't call himself the Pillow Master; that's cheating! And also very much not true when Rin's totally getting more hits in right now. Not that he's counting, but he can feel it!

And lookie here, he's clearly caught Sousuke off guard with his masterful escape tactics! All that's left to do now is keep him down. One hit there, another one here-- Ah! He's been whacked in the side! It's enough to have him wobble on his feet and thanks to the bed being pretty uneven all around his toes catch on the blankets and he quickly goes hobbling backwards in an attempt to right himself and get away at the same time. It proves to be a little too much and with momentum conserved he wobbles, teeters, and--]

Whoa!

[Right onto his bottom he goes, bouncing a couple times before somehow tipping backwards over the edge, pillow still gripped in his hands and one foot still up on the bed. Whoa, that was pretty high. He takes a second or two to process what happened... then he's right back to grinning, hugging his pillow to his stomach while he laughs out loud from the ground below.]

I flew!

[He just did. What are you gonna do about it, hm? Sousuke’s quite proud of his new title. Which actually doesn’t sound as fitting right now, considering he’s being beaten over the head by someone’s stupid pillow!

But lucky him—he gets a shot in from the side and Hah! Sousuke grins, one eye shut, as Rin tries his best to escape from the slick maneuver. He sees the other boy wobble and that cocky expression turns to surprise. Eyes widen and he lets out a yelp when Rin tilts.] O-oy! [Hey! Careful!]

Rin- the bed—stop backing up-! [Instantly he reaches out as Rin falls backwards, the scramble of blankets suddenly flying up against his face. Knees slip in the sheets and Sousuke falls forward.] Oof!

[Splats right on his face and stomach and everything. But he feels something solid smack against his palm and he quickly grabs it with all the gusto of a lifesaver. Got him!

But there’s no yank, no pull and he looks up, finding one leg sticking up in the air over the edge of the bed, his hand locked around that ankle. And… Rin’s laughing? It takes a second to realize it, but Sousuke quickly scrambles forward on his hand and knees and looks over the edge of the bed.] Are you-?!

[Uh… why is Rin laughing? He’s splayed out on the floor… Sousuke frowns almost instantly, feeling like a fool for having been so worried.] You didn’ fly; you fell, dummy. [Ugh, stop laughing! He was worried about you, you big dolt!]

[Everything flies by in a split second. His name, Sousuke's voice, blankets flying, himself flying-- The world's already tipped upside down then right side up again once Rin realizes what's happened, but he's too amused (and shocked) to be afraid. On that note though, what happened to Sousuke in all that?

A quick peek reveals the answer: his shinki face down on the bed, fingers gripping his one ankle like a true hero... then that familiar frown once he scrambles to lift his head.

Oh-ho, that's a look he's seen before.

Grinning behind his pillow, Rin waggles his foot side to side.]

You were worried.

[And he can't lie about that, because he can feel it!]

[Ugh, it’d serve him right if Sousuke tossed him around or something. At the very least, in the face of that most-definitely-a-grin behind that pillow, the other boy gives an annoyed grunt and tosses the waggling foot away.]

Was not.

[There’s a grumbling pout for you and he flops over onto his back before sitting up and rolling his neck and shoulders. Hmph. Like he was worried. Rin doesn’t know if he’s lying or not so there. Rin fell off the bed; that’s all there was to it.]

You gonna spend all night on the floor?

[Giving a glance over his shoulder, Sousuke keeps the pout on his face, trying to make it look grumpy. It’s… not as effective though, unfortunately.]

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.]

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?

[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.]

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.

[Oh, come on, don't be so sarcastic with him! And anyway, he's already doing Rin a huge favor here with the blankets, so as far as Rin's concerned, he's coming out of this a winner. A somewhat sleepy winner... but a winner either way. Although now that he thinks about it, is he really that sleepy? Maybe just tired. Or relaxed. ... Honestly, the thought of falling asleep so soon doesn't settle well in his stomach. Being this way with Sousuke again–

He never thought he'd feel so comfortable.

Yes, even when Sousuke still manages to throw jabs at him when they've just gotten cozy. Grumbling, Rin reaches his arm out so he can shove at his best friend's shoulder.]

Or maybe you'll fall this time.

[Sure, after you stop bossing him around! But the blankets are done and he’s settled and there’s no way he’s going to bother mouthing off about it right now. Way too comfortable in the bed. Winner? Was there even a competition? Sousuke snuggles into the pillow a little more before relaxing completely. Eyes closing, breath easing. Man, after the day they’ve had, he’s looking forward to getting some sleep finally. Recuperate for whatever tomorrow brings…

… except there’s still some nagging, little childish thought in his mind telling him he’s going to miss out on something fun if he goes to sleep.

Why should it be that way though? They’ll still be the same people tomorrow, even if they do go back to being teenagers. Right? They can do the same things they did as kids. Well, minus getting baths together…*cough*

He’s just about to tilt over into the dozy world when suddenly there’s a hand shoving at his shoulder. Sousuke rocks a little at the push and opens his eyes, a grumpy, annoyed pout coming to his face. Seriously, Rin?]

Mrgh… Push me off the bed and I’ll throw you out the window. Got it?

[Sousuke, there's always a competition! Haven't you learned this about Rin by now? If you don't stay on your toes, how can you prepare yourself to win? Not like Rin has anything against claiming all the successes. If Sousuke wants to hand them over, that's more than ok with him. Another thing that won't change, even if they wake up tomorrow back to their normal bodies. So he shouldn't be restless. He shouldn't worry about falling asleep. Change happens. It always does.

... But does it have to so soon? ~~Baths together though... They can talk about that later.~~

Determined then to hang onto a few more precious seconds, Rin snickers softly then trades his arm for his leg beneath the sheets, nudging at Sousuke's leg this time with several persistent pushes. It's not enough to shove him off the bed, but it's probably more than enough to keep him awake. Oh yeah. He's testing you. Not afraid to admit that.]

[He knows but can’t they have a competition over who can fall asleep the fastest right now?! You’d think by this time Sousuke’d be wise to sleeping in the same bed as Rin… but apparently ever since that one night after the fireworks on the beach, when Rin said they’d drag another bed in here, Sousuke’d never bothered to make that necessity happen. It was just… stupidly comfortable. Even if this kind of crap happened more often than not.

And there he goes. Not content with the hand on his shoulder pushing—or heeding Sousuke’s warning—there’s now a leg nudging at his own beneath the sheets. Push. No motion. Push. Nothing doing, Rin! Push. He’s gritting his teeth and doing his damnest not to move, you know. Push. AUGH that does it! Sousuke grunts and shoves right back with his leg, trying to put Rin’s leg back on his side.]

Mnrgh, Rin! I’m gonna smack you!

[Ohoho, has he finally hit a nerve? Or should he say, has he finally hit another nerve? Wow, he's awfully good at this. He can't remember being this good at it back in the day. But he's not complaining, not one bit, because poking fun at Sousuke's always been his favorite past time, and somehow doing it as a child feels so much more fulfilling. Maybe it's because they're smaller and there's no need to worry about being pinned down or sat on without any chance of getting up again. Sousuke might still be taller, but he's lost all that muscle mass, you know!

So he's going to milk this for all it's worth. Poke, poke! Wah, you can't shove him back to his side! That's not fair at all!

Scooting in closer, he giggles.]

Go on, smack me then. I dare you!

[What nerve? He’s just being annoying; that’s all! Sousuke grumbles into the pillow that he drags down in front of his face, trying not to yell further. Oh sure, Rin’s such a good expert at ruffling his feathers. Way to be proud of yourself, brat. And that stupid leg’s still pushing at him. An irritated mixture of whine and growl muffles into the fluff in front of his face and Sousuke keeps trying to push Rin’s leg back onto his side.

There’s a tiny part of him that’s actively attempting not to laugh or grin through his pout though because rough housing with Rin is fun. Even if he really wants to push Rin right off the bed by this time.] Rin! Stop it! Come on! [Sousuke just wants to pretend he can try to get some sleep here! This time, both legs go back, aiming to lop around that petulant limb and lock it down. Until he feels the bed shift and a certain someone scoots even closer to him. Giggling. Like a girl.

Wha--? He dares to dare him to smack him?! His pleasure! Sousuke almost instantly grabs the pillow an—Wait, no! If he does smack him, Rin’ll cry and he doesn’t want that all over the bed. Instead, Sousuke irritably jerks his head back and twists around as fast as he can on the bed.] I said—Mnp!

[And shuts up because Rin’s a lot closer to him than he thought… and…

… and …

His mouth just ran into Rin’s mouth.]

[This is too rich. There's no way he can give up this easily. Not when the night's still young and he has all this energy coursing through his veins! Besides, Sousuke can't fool Rin. He knows he's not really trying to fall asleep over there. If he were seriously bothered right now, then Rin would be back on the floor, face first down on the carpet. So, time to push more buttons! Push, push, push! Nudge, nudge, nudge!]

What's the matter? I thought you wanted to--

016 | The Good Old Days

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