Closed | A Sudden Departure...

[fortune_detective]

Who: Residents of Izanagi Temple and close CR

When: Aug. 22

Where: Izanagi Temple

What: Kanji's housemates process his departure




Morning of the 22nd - Closed to temple residents only

[Immediately upon waking up, Naoto can tell that something feels off. There's a certain emptiness in her chest that wasn't there when she'd fallen asleep the night before. Uncertain if she's just overthinking things or not, she slowly gets up and starts her morning routine. It seems she's up before the others again today, so she sets about readying some morning coffee and tea for everyone. She opens the cupboard where they keep the mugs, pulling out one, two, three, four, five... Her hand stops. A sudden thought completely rupturing her calm. This unease she's feeling... could it mean that? No. Please no.]

[She sets the fifth mug down with the others before running back down the hall and up the stairs. Her footsteps likely loud enough to wake the others, but Naoto's too focused on proving to herself that this fear overtaking her is completely unfounded. It has to be. She stops outside Kanji's door. Her hand hesitates for a moment. Then, slowly, she opens the door just wide enough to poke her head in. Her heart skips a beat, and she lets go of the handle. The door slowly creeks the rest of the way open as Naoto stands in the door-frame, as the hallway light behind her filters in on an empty room. The five mugs sit unused in the kitchen.]


Afternoon of the 22nd - Open to Close CR

[Throughout the rest of the day, anyone who visits the Izanagi temple will notice that its residents seem more sullen than usual. Naoto, in particular, is sitting off in a corner of the temple's back porch by herself. She'll greet anyone who approaches her with a small smile, but it's clear that she's not alright. Her eyes seem unfocused, as if she's staring through you instead of actually at you, and her voice is also a little more hushed than usual. All of this creating just an overall air of numbness about her. She could use a friend right now.]

Comments

[mithrarin]

[Dust hasn't come this way before. In fact, it took a little effort to find just where, exactly, Naoto lives -- the truth is, he isn't used to visiting people 'at home', as it were.]

[His silhouette is distinct as he approaches, thanks to his hat and his cloak; Dust is identifiable long before he even reaches shouting range. He doesn't shout, of course. He might not even know how. And by the time he reaches the back porch, his smile is gone. The attitude of bleak numbness in the air makes it impossible to maintain, and he forgoes greetings as he tightens his hands on the strings of the duffel bag he carries slung over his shoulder.]

That's not a good look.

[fortune_detective]

[It takes Naoto an extra second to even turn and look up at Dust. She gives him a small nod in greeting, the sad smile lingering on her lips.]

Sorry. You've caught me on not such a good day.

[mithrarin]

Uh-oh.

[Dust shifts the duffel bag off his shoulder and twists to sit next to her in the same fluid motion. In some ways, the distance that his hat keeps between him and others, even in closer proximity like this, makes this sort of thing easier to talk about for him.]

Want to tell me what's up?

[fortune_detective]

[She's silent as she watches him take a seat next to her. She looks back out over the yard behind the Izanagi temple. After a moment, she's finally able to get out a few words.]

I... it looks like I'm out of a job.

[It's clear she's trying to distance herself from her feelings on the matter. Skirting around what exactly has happened, and failing to mention names or other specific details.]

[timeshields]

[Homura doesn't tend to wake up as early as Naoto does, but she's a close second. The pounding footsteps help. She pads her way downstairs and notes Naoto hovering at Kanji's door. Or rather, what was once Kanji's door.

Comforting has never been Homura's area of expertise. She's better at weaponry and demolitions than she is soothing somebody. But the pain of losing a god is one that she never wants to experience. She doesn't know just how heart-wrenching it would feel like, but the thought of it makes her want to rewind time so she'd never have to suffer that.]

... Naoto.

[fortune_detective]

[Naoto turns when she hears her name. She looks over at Homura, but her eyes don't really seem to see her. Her mouth struggles to form words.]

Homura-san... have you seen Kanji? He- he was here last night, but now...

[She turns back to the room. Her eyes begin to water.]

[timeshields]

[She's crying isn't she... Homura's not really cut out for this. Comforting is what Souji and Nanako do.]

... No, I don't keep an eye on him.

[fortune_detective]

[There are clearly droplets forming at the corners of her eyes, but somehow she's still holding them back, just barely. Her voice, however, still comes out a little unsteady and choked up.]

I... We... we were all home last night, weren't we? I...

[She shakes her head and clears her throat.]

Maybe- Maybe he just went out early this morning on some errand or something. He- he just forgot to leave a note... or tell me...

[declamando]

[Maria doesn't know who owns this particular temple, but it's not uncommon for her to stray close enough to temple buildings to notice the happenings of those on the grounds. Initially, when she sees Naoto sitting on the back porch, she intends to head over to say hello - the last time they met, she'd had a bit of trouble really looking at Maria. This time, though, Maria's in a more acceptable outfit: the effect of short shorts and high stockings is rounded out a bit by a ruffled top that's long enough at the sides and back to conceal a bit more of it than the front does.

Once she gets close enough to really pick out the details, though, it's clear Naoto is having some kind of rough time, and Maria offers her a sympathetic smile.]

I was hoping we'd run into each other again, but it seems I've caught you at a bad time.

[fortune_detective]

Maria-san, hello.

[Naoto manages a weak smile hello and nod of her head.]

I... received some bad news this morning.

[declamando]

[That's not altogether surprising to hear given the nature of this place, and Maria nods in understanding. Though she knows Naoto may not want to talk about it, she also knows it can sometimes help, so while she doesn't sit down, she does take a few steps closer.]

I'm happy to listen, if you feel up to it. Sometimes it's easier to get it all out.

[fortune_detective]

[Naoto opens her mouth to either politely wave off the kind gesture or to begin to tell her what happened, even she's not sure which one she wants. The internal conflict causes her to falter, and she closes her mouth again. Her eyes squinting now with the effort of holding back any tears, as she barely manages to keep her weak grin in place.]

I lost... someone...

Morning

[welcome_home]

[ It's the footsteps that draw Nanako's head out her room, peeking to find the source in surprise. When she spots Naoto down the hall, she hurries out towards the sound, her expression worried. ]

Naoto-oneechan, what's wrong? Are you okay?

[fortune_detective]

[It takes Naoto a moment to react. It's like she's stunned, her brain too busy trying to process what she's seeing in the room to even notice Nanako's walked over to join her at the doorway. When she does look down at the little girl, she's... well, it's clear she's trying hard to push down her emotions at the moment. As a result, her voice is choked, shallow. Her attention focused on controlling her expression and the tears threatening to well up and spill over.]

Nanako-chan... Kanji is... I don't know where he is...

[welcome_home]

[ Her eyes widen at this announcement and she moves past Naoto to peer into the room that has been Kanji's ever since his arrival. It's empty and her stomach sinks. She knows what that means. She's seen it enough times to know for herself. ]

Your name, Naoto. Do you still have it? [ The question is asked softly, even if she thinks she already knows the answer. She glances up at the older girl, reaching up to take her hand, squeezing her fingers in comfort. ]

[fortune_detective]

My... name?

[She blinks a moment as it dawns on her what Nanako is referring to. She reaches up and tugs down on her shirt collar, exposing the left side of her neck for Nanako to see.]

Ah! I don't know. It's in a spot where I can't see it. [She studies Nanako's reaction. Naoto's eyes almost pleading for her to confirm that the tattoo is still there, and this has all just been some sort of cruel misunderstanding or joke.] Is... is it still there?

Afternoon

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru's just passing by, when she sees a familiar figure sitting on the back porch. Her own smile brightens when she recognizes Naoto, but falters when her eyes meet the other girl's. It's like she's... muted, somehow.]

Naoto-chan...?

[She steps in closer, hands loosely clasped behind her back as she leans in with a concerned look.]

Is... something wrong?

[She doesn't like to make assumptions like this often. But it seems like the only explanation for the strange aura surrounding her usually calm friend.]

[fortune_detective]

[Naoto doesn't turn or give any sign she's noticed Natsuru's approach. Instead, she only looks up at the other girl once she actually addresses her.]

Natsuru-chan...

[She falters for a moment, struggling to pick the right words. She doesn't want to fall to pieces in front of Natsuru, but it's clear that Naoto's been fighting to suppress her emotions the whole morning. As a result, her weak smile looks all the more forced and strained.]

I lost-- [She clears her throat and shakes her head. No, finishing that thought would break her. She needs to put more distance between herself and what happened.]
I received some bad news suddenly... is all...

[thirdbeauty]

['She lost...'

It seems like Naoto was going to say something in particular, then stopped herself. Natsuru's concerned enough that she really wants to know what's going on, but she can't bring herself to pry if Naoto doesn't want to explain it.

What ends up happening is that she stands there awkwardly for a long moment, before slowly moving into sit beside Naoto. She watches the other girl the whole time, ready to stop if Naoto really doesn't want her to sit so close by.]

Is... it okay if I ask... what about?

[She doesn't know what else to say. Hopefully she's being cautious enough, here.]

Afternoon

[toremainbehind]

Naoto?

[He's never visited Izanagi's temple before, but he does generally take walks around the Far Shore, so he slows his pace when he notices her.

A frown appears as he goes over to her.]

What's the matter?

[fortune_detective]

[When she looks up and sees it's Izumo-san, there's a moment of genuine pain on her face. He's been like a mentor to her ever since she first arrived in the Far Shore, and, as a result, she feels the greatest threat to this thin, placid facade she's constructed as she's tried to force her emotions down. She opens her mouth to greet him, but chokes on the words. Instead, she grits her teeth, clenching her jaw and fighting back any tears trying to leak out. When she looks back up at him, her eyes are clearly reddened, but she's managed to keep any droplets from falling. Her smile is thin, strained and forced onto her lips.]

I... I lost something...

[She coughs, clears her throat and attempts to divert the conversation away to something else.]

I, um... I apologize for not being at training today.

[toremainbehind]

[The forced smile earns a slight frown of disapproval.

He knows the sign of someone hurting, the way that someone has been crying.]

It's fine. You seem to be going through something more important.

[Sorry, Naoto, but he's not going to drop this matter so easily so he does move to sit beside her.]

...I won't ask you what happened, but it is good to talk to someone about it.

I arrive

[socials]

[ With so many people getting up, coming and going, running through their routines, Souji has adjusted his. He takes care of the cats, first, and then walks around the temple grounds to make sure nothing is amiss. Then he returns to coffee and tea set out by Naoto, or Kanji, or even Nanako or Homura, and he helps make breakfast with whoever wants to do it that day.

He runs through this routine. He then comes back in, walking through the kitchen, and - pauses, seeing the mugs. It gives him a weird feeling in his chest, these innocuous mugs that are just out. It's harmless, honestly, but it. It's still a lot.

So he heads up the spiral stairs of the kitchen, two at a time, and stops when he sees Naoto. That feeling grows into dread, because that's Kanji's room. ]

Naoto?

Just in time to break my heart ;_;

[fortune_detective]

[Naoto doesn't turn at first. Instead, she stays staring blankly at the now empty room which had once been Kanji's. It's like her brain is operating on a delay, and finally, after a moment, she seems to recognize that Souji is standing there. She turns to look at him, and it's clear that right now, in this moment, she's doing everything in her power to stay composed.]

Souji=san, have you... seen Kanji this morning?

mwahaha

[socials]

[ There's no one else in the hall, either because they're asleep or preoccupied at the moment, and that... it makes it feel a little surreal, really. Souji braces his hand against the top of the railing, hesitant to make his way down the hall to where she stands. Like that will make it less real.

Something lodges in his throat, just a little. He closes his eyes and lets out a slow, steady exhale. ]

No. I haven't.