thenearshore | -Overflow- for 016

[ She goes tellingly still a moment and blinks at him, because that... resonates in an eerie way that makes her heart clench in her chest.

Could it be... but no, that was impossible, wasn't it? ]

You don't? I'm so sorry. I didn't... Everyone should have a name.

[ The way she freezes up is honestly weird to him. He doesn’t have a name and he might be bitter about it, but what’s it to her?

Dragon eyes narrows and he watches her for a few moments before he speaks. ]

It doesn’t matter.

[ But it does, or he wouldn’t be irritated about every time he’s been asked about it. ]

[ It rings far too close to familiarity to another friend she'd made that there's no way to miss the coincidence. Was it a coincidence? Was this what the strange feeling was she felt towards him? But how was that possible?

And his eyes... ]

What if it matters to me?

[ Her voice is quiet and a little hesitant as she takes a step closer, peering up at him, wondering how she could find out if there was anything to this sudden little suspicion she had. Even if it didn't make sense yet. ]

[ Stubbornly he holds his ground, glaring up at her.

What’s up with that? “What if it matters to her?” Why would it matter to her in the first place? It doesn’t make any sense. ]

Then you’re weird and don’t make sense. Because it doesn’t matter.

[ Surprisingly enough, his accusation gets a soft laugh from her as she gives him a crooked smile. ]

You wouldn't be the first to tell me that. I can't explain why, but... It still matters. Everyone should have a name.

Do you have a god here?

[ He shakes his head, rakes a hand through his hair, and turns his gaze back at her. ]

Whatever.

[ It’s not that he doesn’t want a name… but still. The way people keep being surprised about it is bothering him.

But he decides to focus on the rest of what she said, instead of dwelling on it and the frustration he feels. ]

A what.

[ Considering he ditched the temple he found himself when he was suddenly a teenager again, and forgot that he had a very frustrating conversation with Kija only a little while earlier, he doesn’t actually know that he has a god. But the 看 that’s visible on his upper arm might clue her in on the answer to her question. ]

A god. You found yourself here with no idea how or why, did you not? That is a mark of a shinki, chosen to work with the gods who inhabit this place. That's what you have there.

[ She had noticed the symbol on his arm, fortunately, when he'd lifted a hand to brush his hair off his face. ]

That serves as a sort of new name for you, given to you by the god you are here to help.

[ He stares at her as he tries to grasp exactly what she means. He gets it, sort of, but, he’s not interested in anything like that. ]

That sort of thing is bullshit, I’m not doing that.

[ He doesn't comment on the new name thing. He can’t even read what it says, so he doesn’t know what this new name is supposed to be. This name thing feels complicated, though. ]

That's your choice, of course.

[ At least, she hoped it was. She understands that not all gods might see it that way, but it's a stance she will defend firmly as a god herself. ]

But having the name of a god protection for you both. There are evil spirits called ayakashi who prey on people here. It's only as a team that a god and shinki can destroy them. Together. So it is dangerous to remain without one. The partnership is vital and necessary on both sides.

What if I don’t care.

[ Or what if he doesn’t trust anyone enough for that. ]

[ She cocks her head to the side, eyeing him curiously. ]

Yoj don't care to even keep yourself safe? I know there are some here with little regard for the other gods, or for the people we are meant to aid, but succumbing to an ayakashi's Blight sounds like a terrible and entirely unnecessary fate.

Maybe I don't.

[ He does, but that's got nothing to do with her. ]

What the hell do you care for?

[ She just casts him a thoughtful look. ]

Because I do. I don't agree with how or why we've all been brought here without a say in the matter. Or the arrangement they've placed us in and expect us to just fall in line with. But that doesn't mean I wish to see anyone harmed if it could be prevented.

[ What do you say to those sort of things? If feels...unfamiliar, to hear a sentiment like that. That bothers him just as much as the sentiment itself. ]

...whatever.

[ He wants to leave. This is starting to get really weird. *Not that it wasn’t before, but none the less. ]

[ Yona just gives him an assessing look before smiling at him. ]

Well. Regardless of whether you care of not, should you find yourself in need of help or anything else, you can seek me out. [ She lifts a hand to motion behind her, where her mountain can be seen in the distance. ] My temple is atop that mountain and I, or my shinki, can often be found there. But I hope you find a safe place to stay all the same. [ And perhaps a god that could maybe help him change his mind. Or keep him safe in spite of it. ]

I don’t want to.

[ He might change his mind sometime in the future, but right now he doesn’t trust her. (And once he’s back to being a grumpy blind old man, he won’t even know how to find the way.) ]

[ She just inclines her head and takes a step back, giving him a thoughtful look. ]

That is your choice. But the offer remains, all the same.

[ He huffs, looking away and moving his gaze to find somewhere else to head for. ]

Maybe I’ll remember it.

[ He’ll just go back to the tree. This time without dropping the sword. Or at least that’s what he decides. He just wants some peace and quiet and time alone. ]

-Overflow- for 016 | The Good Old Days

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