[OPEN]

[waitingforhope]

Who: Mai & You
When: End of August
Where: The Near Shore | Mai's Temple
What: The goddess of children pays a visit to the innocent smiles she's sworn to protect | Enjoying a refreshing, evening breeze at "home"



I. - The Near Shore (Elementary School)

a.

[There was a large oak tree. Tall enough to reach above the schoolyard wall, with branches just thick enough to be comfortable for sitting. It provided the perfect mix of shade from the overhead sun, adequately elevated vantage point, and convenient camouflage from those she didn't wish to see her right away.]

[Not that it would have been hard, if one capable of seeing the gods were to look: having ventured out in "official" capacity, her casual slacks and coat had since been replaced by a green dress befitting of her godly nature draped over her thin frame, the skirt billowing softly around her ankles as they hung off the branch ledge. Her back was pressed against the tree trunk, head turned to watch the children at play in the schoolyard below.]

[...and also keeping an eye out for any ayakashi that might take the opportunity to cause trouble.]

b.

[The sound of quiet sobs was what drew her attention. Especially since it sounded close by.]

[Glancing down, she saw a girl just inside the playground gate no more than 4 or 5. Her head was bowed, hands lifted into tiny fists rubbing at her eyes. Both cheeks were wet with tears. Her dress was dirty, and she had a scrape on her knee. Not deep enough to break skin, but enough to tell it hurt. She was alone, none of the other children nearby noticing her plight.]

[Understanding the situation, Mai straightened. Her posture shifted as she moved to jump down, coming to land in a half-kneel. Dress and hair flowing around her before settling. Her feet barely made a sound as she stood up, and as expected, her presence continued to go unnoticed. She closed the space between herself and the girl and crouched down just enough to place a hand on her head, words carrying on the wind:]

It'll be alright.

Every scraped knee is a new story you can tell your friends. They just need to know you have one. That's all.

[The sobs subsided, and Mai stood up and backed away just in time for the girl to lift her head. Tears brimmed the corners of her eyes still, but she blinked them away as she looked around her, confused. Her lips formed a small pout...but, rather than continue crying, she wiped at her eyes one last time and stood up. Brushing the dirt from her dress, she slowly made her way back to the group of children.]

[One little boy waved the minute she came into his line of sight, and immediately asked about her knee when he noticed the 'boo-boo']

[Mai smiled knowingly at the scene.]

II. - Mai's Temple

[Mai's Temple was relatively small and modest, sitting on the edge of a cliff. The air smelled of salt and the field of surrounding grass was lush.]

[Of course, while the inside was comfortable in its own right--vaguely resembling a certain apartment that once passed for 'home', right down to the plush couch and furniture--that first night, she found laying outside, staring up at the night sky with no small amount of awe.]

[The stars were so clear. She could have spent all night trying to count how many she saw and not come close. Back home...the skies had long ago turned dark. Perpetually clouded with smoke and the remnants of death and destruction wafting up from the desecrated earth below. At one point, she was sure she would never see a starry night sky again.]

[Now...she was pretty sure she could fall asleep beneath one. Lulled by the gentle breeze and otherwise peaceful quiet hour.]

Comments

II - Stargazing~!

[impetuouswind]

[Cliffs are precisely the kind of place Temeraire enjoys; so long as there is no snow on them and enough room for him to land. She may notice a black cutout against the stars as he circles in, wings cupped to catch the last updrafts from the cooling land before he drops down onto the grassy field--

-- and stops, and blinks, as the form of a nearby house and a human outside come clear to his not particularly keen night vision.]

Oh dear. I'm sorry. Were you asleep?

[waitingforhope]

[There was a strange silhouette that appeared out of the corner of her eye. Indiscernible at first, until it flew closer. A shape began to take form. Closer and closer until she felt a sudden rush of air as it landed in the field. She sat up, startled but unafraid.]

[Her eyes took a moment to adjust.]

[...was that--?]

No. [She shook her head as she stared up at the dragon with widened eyes. The talking dragon. Her mind fleetingly drifted back to Shenron, though it had been a lifetime ago since she'd last seen him. That fateful date when she and the others had made the last wish on earth before the dragon balls had been lost for good.] I was just looking up at the stars. It's...been a long time since I've seen a view like this.

[In more ways than one.]

[impetuouswind]

It is a lovely night, isn't it? And so much cooler than the day.

[Temeraire sits up on his haunches, flipping his wings back into neater folds along his sides as he cranes his long neck up towards the sky. His tail curls around his feet as neatly as a cat's.

A cat the height of a three-story building at the shoulder; but still, a cat.

The stars are glittering feverishly in the night sky, unmarred by clouds, and Temeraire's ruff pricks up around his jawline with pleasure at the sight.]

I simply had to try a short flight, but I didn't want to wake Alex.

[waitingforhope]

Alex?

[Strange as the situation was, Mai visibly relaxed as the conversation continued. It was interesting watching the way they moved. Like a cat, almost, and she at once thought of Scratch.]

A-1 (Because if she's there officially, he's not far behind.)

[light_of_willpower]

[With Mai overseeing the elementary school yard in an official capacity, her shinki was not far behind. A branch slightly lower than her own and while she was sitting, Trunks was standing and leaning against the trunk of the oak. As at ease in the tree as he would've been on the ground. Prepared to intervene or act, and dressed to blend in a bit more than his Goddess was. Loose jeans and shoes in dark blue and grey, with a darker green lightweight hooded shirt. Enough to hide him in the shadows of the branches, but he wouldn't stand out too much if he was noticed.

Eventually, watching the children, he lets out a small chuckle. Audible enough to be heard, but not loud enough to carry.]

[waitingforhope]

[She heard the chuckle, tilting her head down to glimpse at her shinki partner. Alert, but relaxed in the moment. A grin appeared at his apparent amusement, unsurprised by his reaction to the children.]

You see something funny?

[light_of_willpower]

[His head nodded slightly, recognizing that he heard her besides her words. Blue-eyes remained watchful though.]

Just wondering about some of their games. Part of me is wondering if we could adapt them to training purposes, make it more fun for younger shinki and Gods. Or people who balk at the idea of combat-training, but if it's a 'game' wouldn't have nearly as much trouble...

B.

[skygaze]

[It's the sniffling that catches the shinki's attention too but before he do more then look over, Mai is already taking a handle on things. He hasn't seen the woman before, it's honestly difficult to tell Far Shore people from the regular humans sometimes. The only thing that gives it away is how the girl looks around confused before running back to her friends.

Suou isn't quite sure what to make of the scene. It's heartwarming sure, but does it really make that much of a difference? The little girl would have surely gotten over it with or without Mai's influence. He just stares at Mai curiously, frowning a little like she just did the oddest thing in the world.]

[waitingforhope]

[Mai had never had much of a gift for sensing ki. Or, at least, she'd never been trained in it. Still, it wasn't difficult to detect when a pair of eyes were staring at her like that, and she turned to the newcomer in question.]

Yes? [Maybe not the most polite greeting, but at least her tone was pleasant enough.] Was there something I could help you with?

[skygaze]

[He stiffens a bit when she turns to him, not adverting his gaze immediately but there is a bit of a 'caught' light to them. He considers her for a moment, arms comfortably crossed over his chest.]

Why'd you do that? She would have been fine without your help.

i-b!

[welcome_home]

That was really nice of you.

[ The voice comes from behind her, a tiny figure peeing over the edge of the fence, even if she shouldn't be able to reach the top of it on her own. She'd been drawn by the sound of crying as well and had arrived just in time to see Mai comfort the little girl and send her back to her friends.

Nanako smiles down at her, looking pleased. ]

[waitingforhope]

[That was a very tiny voice coming from a very high up place. Mai's first reaction was to worry even before she spun around, and when she caught sight of Nanako...]

How...did you get up there?

[It slowly dawned on her that, if this were a mortal child like the ones she'd been watching over, she shouldn't have been able to see her so easily. Maybe.]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako gives a quiet giggle and flaps her wings to lift her higher until she can perch on the top of the wall, swinging her legs over to the other side. Now completely visible, the wings and halo that come with her god power are hard to miss and she beams down at the other god. ]

I flew! I thought I would come help whoever was crying, but you already did!

I-b

[saiyanhybrid]

That was really nice, Mai.

[Hi there.

Gohan gives her a small smile of greeting as he approaches her.]

[waitingforhope]

[Moreso now that she knew who he was, Gohan was always a welcome presence. Returning the expression, she moved to stand and turned towards him.]

I would be a poor goddess of children if I were to ignore their tears like that.

[saiyanhybrid]

[Gohan's smile widens.]

Good thing they have someone like you looking out for them then.

II

[sonofson]

[Traveling from Hitsugaya's temple and back to his home at Aymeric's temple was a quick flight. It was one Goten made time and time again. He could practically do it in his sleep! But this time around something catches his eye.

It's always interesting how new temples keep popping up when new gods show up so while it's no surprise, the tiny temple on the edge of the cliff does peek his interest. It's getting late and he should really be getting back home. He even told Hitsugaya he was going straight back home but....a little detour wouldn't hurt! It wasn't like Far Shore had ayakashis or monsters usually.

Floating down slowly, he lands easily on the grassy cliff. His big eyes looked over the temple with growing curiosity, tempted to see what's inside because it looked tiny compared to others he'd see! He hums thoughtfully, walking around the temple's outside before coming across Mai laying in the grass. He just barely manages to keep from walking over her by the time he realizes she's there, his eyes had been on the temple not the ground!

Startled, he stumbles back to keep from stepping on her. But it's not more then a couple of seconds after that Goten tip toes back over. He stares down at Mai before leaning over, his face just inches from hers. Was she dead? Maybe he should get a stick or go get Aymeric....]

[waitingforhope]

[Rustling grass in the distance. Tiny footsteps. Approaching.]

[In her state of momentary bliss, Mai saw no reason to feel alarmed. Yet. Trunks was nearby, just inside the Temple when she last saw him, and he would have certainly sensed any impending danger. For that reason alone, she waited until she could sense that presence grow closer...and closer...and closer still, until the steps paused right beside her. Only then did she peek open a single eye.]

[Her vision was filled with the last face she would have ever expected to see.]

[Or the face she thought she saw.]

[In a flash, she sat up, eyes wide and whole body tensing in anticipating of a hasty retreat. A single, sharp gasped managed to escape her lips as she twisted her body just enough to face--]

[...]

[...in between pounding heartbeats, she looked down. And realized...no, that face was much too young to be Black. Or even Goku.]

[sonofson]

[Goten practically squeaks out a small surprised shout of his own as Mai suddenly opens her eyes and sits up. He quickly backs up before making a hasty retreat to her temple, running around the building. When in doubt, runaway! He's happy she's not dead but whatever was wrong with her, he didn't want to get in trouble for!

He can feel someone fimilar flare up a bit, which makes what he did seem a bit worse but...it also keeps him from just flying off. Is that Trunks? It's gotta be....so this lady must be his god or girlfriend or something.

Goten stays behind the building trying to figure out if he should leave or not, but naturally he can't resist peeking out to glance at Mai. It's a small peek---not that his spiky hair doesn't give it away]

I-B

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun is at the school for an entirely different reason, but that doesn't mean the little upset hadn't caught his attention while he was there. He has a bit of a soft spot for children that even he can't really try to deny, and the sound of a child crying isn't a hard one to pick up.

It seems like someone else has the situation well in hand by the time he gets there, though, and rather than step in and confuse things, he leaves her to it. Considering he hasn't met this person before, though, he keeps an eye on the exchange until the little girl returns to her friends safely.

Still observing Mai, as if trying to get what information he can just out of a visual, Shun steps forward with a movement intentionally loud enough to be overheard.]

Thoughtful. Seems like you're used to that. [And getting straight to the reason he's here, because he doesn't see why he shouldn't ask:] Have you seen a formless ayakashi around here?

[waitingforhope]

[The new presence startled her, but only for a moment. Once she got a good look at his face, and heard the compliment, she stood and offered a sheepish smile in return.]

You could say that. There...weren't many children left towards the end of my life. [She looked out to the playground for a moment, eyes shimmering with a sad nostalgia.] But the ones who'd survived were very precious to me. That's why I want to protect these children as best as I can.

[A pause, and she turned back. Allowing a moment to ponder the question.]

No, not so far as I've noticed. If it lacks a form, how would you know it's an ayakashi?

[She was still new to this world and its concepts, and thus far had only seem examples of ayakashi with forms to them.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[This isn't the first time Shun's heard from someone who sounds like they've had a similar experience to his own here, and a somewhat pained shadow comes over his features as he inclines his head. There's something understanding about the motion, however little of it there is.]

Children shouldn't lose the ability to smile. [His tone is still neutral, but there's a certain wilful force to that statement.

At her question, he shakes his head a bit, marking a somewhat rounded shape in the air with his hands.] Not formless like it can't be seen. But a lot of ayakashi take shape as animals or monsters. This one just looks like a blob, but it still has the eyes and the bright colours ayakashi do.

I-A

[replicatedform]

[The reason Yamanbagiri went to the Near Shore is to familiarise himself with the location, one small area at a time. It's so that when it's time for him to accompany his god for a prayer, he wouldn't slow her down.

And so, right now, today's outing happens to include an elementary school. Counting on how unnoticeable he is to the living, a figure in a dirty white cloak enters the school grounds and walks around. If anyone can see him, they may notice his sword's handle poking out at his hips.

He sees the children running around and playing, making him smile briefly, before he continues walking along the wall. Until he come closer to the a certain part of it and he pauses, glancing up. And give the girl a curious, questioning look.

If she's a teacher at the school (which he kind of doubt), there's no reason for her to be up in a tree. He follows her gaze, towards the children playing.]

... Are you watching them?

[waitingforhope]

[She spared a glance downward, barely disturbing her peaceful posture with a slight head tilt. And nodded.]

Watching over them.

[A subtle distinction. But one that was important to her.]

Ayakashi don't frequent the younger children quote as often--[At least, not that she's seen so far]--because their hearts aren't so heavily burdened, but they can still cause a lot of mischief at the first sign of tears.

sorry for the late!

[replicatedform]

Ah, I see...

[He nods in understanding. He turns his gaze back towards the children playing. He wonders if he should ask about her. A god of children?]

So they're not common targets for ayakashi, but they're still just as vulnerable either way. Was it troublesome to deal with?