thenearshore | Look around, look around

Entry tags:

Look around, look around

Who: Izumo and Open
When: Early August
Where: Far Shore, possibly Near Shore.
What: Post-Ablution stuff. Coping with missing friends and returned memories. Izumo doesn't appreciate haunting season.
Warning: N/A

A. Cnoc Áine - After Shizuo’s Ablution

[After performing the ablution on Shizuo with Chikusa and Goten, Izumo has decided to stick around Yona’s temple to keep an eye on the two. Normally he wouldn’t be around the temple so much, only ever coming and go briefly to visit Shizuo or Yona. He usually sticks to the room that ended up being his, but he’s actually out and about in the temple now.

If he looks a little tired, just pretend that he isn’t instead.

However, anyone around the temple might spot him in the halls or somewhere outside. Come and talk to him? Drink with him?]

B. Double Cross Bar - Memories On A Wall

[The moment he’s learned that Sora and Roxas are gone, Izumo felt a bit—not sad, per se, but something close to it. While he wouldn’t exactly call himself sentimental, he’s decided that putting up a photo wall can be at least one way of keeping memories alive.

So, after a day or two, he puts up a post on the BBS:]

If anyone has any photos of Sora and Roxas, mind if I have a copy? I’m working on a project right now, so I thought it’d be good to start with those two first.

[Anyone who does come to the bar will find Izumo leaning against the counter, focused on a blank wall to the side. He seems thoughtful, though he does glance over at anyone who comes in.]

C. When Will Dreams End? [Closed to Totsuka]

[He sent a text to Totsuka earlier that morning upon awakening. It’s not like how he reacted when he first remembered Anna, but now some things the man has said the few times they’ve met makes sense.

Choosing his bar instead of Mikoto’s temple or Totsuka’s temple was a good place to talk. With it still closed, it gives them the proper privacy they need.

Really, Izumo didn’t enjoy waking up suddenly remembering people from his past life, but it’s even worse now because this time, he’s aware of one fact about the god: he’s dead.

By the time Totsuka comes to the bar, Izumo already has a drink in front of him.]

D. Fade to Black

[It’s August.

It’s summer and it’s haunting season.

So, it’s not surprising that Izumo is being haunted by some ghosts that decides to play with him. Which is why he’s looking fairly unimpressed at a floating lighter, the sounds of childish giggles heard around him.]

E. WildCard

[Feel free to make up your own prompt if nothing here interests you!]

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[Seeing the name on this BBS post, Munakata recalls meeting Kusanagi roughly two weeks ago. Kusanagi seems like a reasonable man who could get on with Reisi well enough. He also seems to know Fushimi, who'd discussed his red and blue powers on the BBS over a week ago. Munakata had noticed their conversation went quiet for some moments when they presumably changed to private settings, but he's curious to know whether the other man had mentioned him.

Additionally, Suoh is Kusanagi's god. Although it's something Reisi has vested interest in, there's potential danger in pursuing this interest. However, it isn't exactly easy to get anything straight from Suoh.

It can't hurt just to talk to the other man, right? Besides, he can always ask about the photo project if nothing else.

So he looks up where to find Kusanagi, and it doesn't take long to come across Bar HOMRA. A bell chimes when Munakata pushes through the door, his gaze going to the bar to see Kusanagi there, as expected. He offers a small smile before moving to take a seat at the counter.]

Izumo Kusanagi. What an elegant place you have here.

[He's not sure if Munakata actually wanted him to mention him during his talk with Fushimi, but in the end, he didn't really mention him - not by name, anyway. It's Fushimi. He's able to figure it out.

But Izumo is a bit surprised when he sees Munakata entering, giving the other shinki a smile in greeting.]

I'm glad you think so.

[It's still a bit under renovations, so hope you don't mind the mess too much.]

How've you been doing, Munakata?

[Most places in Japan tend to wall off areas that are undergoing building, repair, or renovation because it inconveniences passerby. Sure enough, the renovation is something of an eyesore, but the building interior has character and an unexpectedly inviting atmosphere in spite of its appearance. Then, of course, there's the sight of the bar's master at work as well, adding to its ambiance.]

Well enough, thanks for asking.

[As he approaches the counter to take one of the closer seats,]

How about you? Have things been busy?

[It's mostly the second floor, so hopefully it's not too much of an eyesore. Besides, he didn't exclusively say that the bar was opened again, but he won't protest to anyone coming in to check it out.

He chuckles, smiling.]

A bit, yes. It's only been recent since things have begun to calm down. [He's had...a very busy day. He's hoping August would prove to be much better than July.

But since Munakata has sat down--] Would you like anything to drink?

[How accommodating.]

A glass of white wine, then. [With his back straight, Munakata sits properly and elegantly.] The house wine is fine.

[Studying Kusanagi's expression,]

"There's no rest for the weary." Or so it's said. [Not that Kusanagi looks worn out exactly...] Might I ask what you've been up to?

A wine for the liege coming up.

[It's said mostly teasingly while he goes to get him that glass of white wine.

It's not too long before a glass is slid in front of Munakata . However, at the quote, there's a brief thought if he actually looked that tired for the other shinki to notice before:]

A few things really. July's been a rough month so everything's finally began to settle down again. What about you?

[The remark is intriguing if only because Munakata likes the sound of it, but it otherwise doesn't spark any nostalgia or ring with any familiarity. ]

Things certainly have been quite eventful. To think that I only arrived on the fifteenth...

[Not that Munakata appears any worse for the wear for it.

For curiosity's sake,] Might I ask how long you've been at the Far Shore?

Only that long ago? It feels like you've been here longer.

[At least, that's the impression he's gotten from Munakata when they first met.

He smiles slightly.]

I've been here since April, actually. So, not too long, but it certainly feels like it.

[He pleasantly smiles in return.]

That seems relatively long from my perspective. [Especially given various disappearances... and murders.]

What's the longest anyone has been here, to your knowledge?

To my knowledge? Since the second wave of arrivals in this place.

[He gives a light shrug.]

But I'm sure there's been people here since the first wave as well, just not as much.

[How interesting. How long have the Heavens here been in the habit of collecting gods and shinki from elsewhere?]

And how long ago were the first and second waves, do you know?

[Is this a fairly new system put into place only recently, or has this been their way for some length of time?]

Unfortunately I do not.

[So, sorry about that, Munakata.

He raises an eyebrow at him, though. Did you come here to ask him questions about this place?]

I can, however, direct you to someone I know who has been here since the second wave.

[He notices when Kusanagi quirks his brow. The answer is both yes and no, after all. He hasn't quite gotten to asking about Suoh, but he also can't resist getting other possibly useful information.]

In that case, I would appreciate any names you would share.

[He takes a sip of his drink, then sets his glass down before pulling a box of Blue Sparks out from a pocket. Then he shakes a stick out and puts it between his lips before returning the box to its place.]

Hajime Ichinose. She was part of the second wave.

[When Munakata places a stick between his lips, Izumo takes out his lighter and lights it for him.]

[When Kusanagi moves to light it, Reisi decides there's no need to reach for his own lighter. Besides, he's seen the bartender's fire abilities in action at least once before.]

Ah, thank you.

[He closes his eyes, takes a drag, then calmly exhales.]

Hajime Ichinose. Is she a god or a shinki?

You're welcome.

[Pulling his lighter back, Izumo hums.]

She's a god.

[A god who's been here for some length of time in comparison to newer waves of gods and shinki. Reisi tucks that away in his mental notes.]

I see. I'll see about getting in touch with her.

[He glances through the smoke dancing in the air.]

Now then, let's move on to the main subject.

[Because all of that earlier was simply a courteous formality performed as the prelude to what Reisi really wants to discuss with Kusanagi.]

I have some questions about Suoh Mikoto.

She's not hard to miss.

[Hajime really isn't hard to contact either.

At the mention of his god, Izumo doesn't look surprised. Whether it's because he's used to people talking to him about Mikoto or since it's Munakata, the god was bound to come up, given the interest Munakata had shown during their first meeting.

So, he raises an eyebrow.]

What about him?

[Kusanagi hardly seems surprised at the subject change; in fact, it's almost as if he'd expected it. Munakata still remembers their first meeting, when he'd discovered that Suoh was the other shinki's god, it was almost as if Kusanagi had expected him to have a different opinion of the god.]

It appears that you and Fushimi-kun share some measure of his fiery red powers.

[There's a brief silence as he takes another drag of his cigarette, and some part of him wonders what brought about the mood to smoke. It's not really a habit of his, but he occasionally finds himself in the mood on a whim.]

Am I correct in that assumption, and that you and Suoh are familiar with each other?

[Familiar with each other... from Kusanagi's previous life, though Munakata's more than certain Kusanagi knows what he means without his having to spell it out.]

So it seems.

[Ah, so Munakata is familiar with Fushimi, too?

Izumo is quiet for a bit. While he doesn't have any particular evidence to support it, he knows that he and Mikoto have known each other before. He remembers their initial meeting and to Totsuka--

The other god did a good job in cementing that theory.]

We could be, but I'd rather you didn't share that particular information with anyone else. As far as anyone's concerned, Mikoto and I are just a god and shinki who got paired up with each other.

[The response confirms more than one of Reisi's suspicions. First, Kusanagi's answer reveals some degree of certainty that he and Suoh have known each other before. Second, Kusanagi is willing to share information, though to what extent...?]

You have my word. [Just to confirm that:] Your only connection is that he is your god, and you are his shinki.

[Here, he wonders how much information he himself should be prepared to share in the event that Kusanagi decides to be tight-lipped about something.]

What do you know about his powers? or, more specifically, his red flames?

[He eyes Munakata for a moment as if trying to debate on what he should tell him.]

It's the same as mine - stronger. [Izumo knows there's more. Mikoto's flames feel the same as Anna's, after all.] But I don't know the full extent of it.

I see.

[Stronger. This reminds Reisi of something not all that long ago, when he unlocked Enomoto's power.

Is Suoh to Kusanagi what Reisi is to Enomoto? How does Fushimi fit into this equation?

Well, even if he doesn't quite know how that works, Reisi really feels like he's on to something.]

That's quite all right. I appreciate your answers, Kusanagi-kun.

[Fushimi is a snowflake.

But Izumo can tell that Munakata is onto something, a connection that ties them all together into a web.

He smiles.]

Well, I certainly hope that it helps you.

I assure you it does.

[It's an important piece to a puzzle that can cost shinki their afterlives.

He wants to ask more about Suoh, but that last answer seems like more than enough food for thought. So after a long enough pause to end their discussion on that last topic, Reisi moves on.]

I saw your post requesting some photos on the BBS. What sort of project are you starting?

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toremainbehind - 2017-09-01 03:18 (UTC) - Expand

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Look around, look around

b&e

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a million years later...

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