[closed] autumn catch-all

[heartshutter]

Who: Minerva (Tatara) and others
When: Various dates from end of Sept into October
Where: Various
What: Carryovers from Autumn Reception, (where applicable); prayers; and a very important meeting, among others. Individual toplevels below.

Comments

9/30: gala carryover for Reisi

[heartshutter]

[ The minute they cross the threshold to Minerva’s Temple, Tatara is quick to loosen his tie more before shucking off the stuffy black sport coat he’d been wearing, draping it over the back of one of the stools along the breakfast bar. There’s a sigh of relief that inserts itself there before he turns to his rather impromptu return guest for the evening. ]

Sorry about this being so sudden...!

[ Said with a wry smile. It’s not like he could have given notice without alerting Reisi to the fact that something was amiss between them, which only would have caused pointless worry.

In retrospect, it all could have gone so wrong tonight that, needless to say, Tatara is happy about this outcome. Over the moon, even. What’s not to be content with? Shun’s agreed to help them as soon as next week, and Izumo offered to host, so now all that’s left is...

Well, the piece left is the hard part, undeniably. But they’ll get through it, and everything will work out just fine. Together, they’ll find a way to save the kings. He knows it.

That’s for later. For now, he’s ready to bring a nearly-enchanted evening to a quiet, intimate close -- surely something Reisi needs after the whiplash of their earlier discussion. So, Tatara flips on the kitchen light, humming to himself as he pulls open a cabinet or two, idly scanning or thumbing through the contents within. ]

Should I make us some tea?

[ He knows how their night will end, but isn’t so sure his guest is ready to bed down just yet. ]

[mostsuitable]

[With a small but pleasantly pleased look,] Please, I don't mind being here at all. In fact, I'm glad you asked me to stay.

[Unlike Tatara, Reisi's still wearing his jacket and tie as he takes a seat at the bar and watches the familiar and endearing sight of Tatara going through the cupboards.]

Tea sounds delightful.

[Now that they have time to themselves and are out of the spotlight, Reisi has more time to process things in general. Outwardly, he appears pleased and assured, but the gears are turning just behind that. This isn't to say he isn't happy—he very much is. It'd been thrilling to dance the night away without a care who might see, and Reisi's very much used to allowing people to think whatever they wish of him. But Tatara is special...

—and Reisi can't help thinking something could've gone terribly wrong earlier. There's already plenty that he's lost or failed since arriving here. If something had come between him and Tatara, if Tatara would leave or abandon him, or if he just outright disappears one day...

Slowly, Reisi rises from his seat and walks around to the other side of the bar until he's just behind Tatara.]

Hmm... Tatara, I was thinking...

[He very well could be joining Tatara in his idle search, only because it's Reisi, he isn't really. Instead, he's more like a wall standing behind the other man.]

[heartshutter]

You got it! [ He’ll compile the list of offerings as he finds them then, keeping no real tabs on or tally of what they still have versus what’s been used up.

Admittedly, he’s a little surprised there’s been no continued questioning; no verbal pitfalls for Tatara to carefully avoid, lest he fall face-first into them.

But, then again, the night is still young.

And no sooner than that thought finishes, he hears the dull scrape of Reisi’s chair from the far side of the bar. Footsteps follow. Even with his back turned, it’s not easy to miss a presence so large, (literally and otherwise), after all. And no, he’s not joining in the search. No way. Though he need not view himself exclusively as such, he’s still a guest here, and a well-mannered one at that. Going prying through Tatara’s things would be the last thing Reisi Munakata would do, even with a valid excuse.

So, it’s something he needs, then. Which is why the god pauses, turning on a heel, and smiles up at his companion. ]

As always. [ He comments with a benign laugh. As if Reisi ever stops thinking...

Without any real warning or forethought, hands come up to idly straighten a tie still tucked into a coat -- one he shouldn’t really even be wearing anymore now that they’re home -- before arms lazily loop around the shinki’s waist. ] What is it?

[mostsuitable]

[So far as Reisi knows, there's no one who would ever so much as think of reacting as Tatara had in that situation. Yet he'd smiled, chuckled, and put his arms around Reisi as naturally as breathing. How was it so simple, easy, and reflexive for him to do so?

This strange feeling... Is this what it's like to feel one's heart flutter?

Reisi looks deep into Tatara's eyes, studying his expression with a measure of intensity much like when he'd taken a photo with his heart's shutter, as the other man had put it. Then, he puts one hand on Tatara's arm while lifting the other to caress his face. There, his thumb draws lazy circles on Tatara's cheek.]

I should share with you something important—a secret.

[heartshutter]

[ True enough, were they back home, he wouldn’t dream of touching this man this way. Then again, he’s almost positive the Captain of Scepter-4 would have had a myriad of protocols around who could touch him and when, and... no thanks. Tatara is too lazy, and far too freeform a sort for all of that. He’s happiest when he can touch and be touched on a whim, as things are now.

Of course, right now there’s a moment of intensity that seems to come with their contact. That stare isn’t just pointed, it’s piercing -- yet, the younger doesn’t hesitate. Rather, he moves a hand to briefly press the one at his cheek to it before releasing, brows lifting curiously. ]

A secret~? [ Consider his interest piqued. ] Do tell!

[ He’s not sure what Reisi has in mind, exactly, but is no less eager to find out. ]

[mostsuitable]

[At Tatara's response, traces of sly amusement play on Reisi's features, twinkling in his violet eyes and tugging his mouth into an almost delighted smirk.

Leaning in much closer to Tatara's face,] I don't know that it's something I can tell you, exactly...

[heartshutter]

[ Though he's still pretty intently focused, the shinki might notice the other's gaze bouncing from violet eyes, down to lips, and back up again.

He sees what you're playing at, Reisi. And unlike so many before who have likely faltered under this intensity, Tatara, conversely, will not. ]

Hmm... is it easier done than said, maybe?

[ Game on. Ante up. ]

[mostsuitable]

[Although Tatara isn't flustered, he's still wearing quite a lovely expression. By now, he likely already knows what Reisi meant.

Reisi lets out a small affirming hum as he closes in, then shuts his eyes before pressing his lips on Tatara's for a gentle and deliberate kiss. Soft and chaste, but as he lingers, he strokes a finger back and forth just beneath Tatara's ear. After that, he pulls away to make eye contact once again and gauge Tatara's reaction.]

[heartshutter]

[ Though he’d more or less seen it coming, there’s still a noticeable wave of warmth that washes over the god at that moment of contact. Sure, it isn’t their first kiss; not anymore, technically. But the first was done without forethought, a spur-of-the-moment impulse; this, in contrast, was very much deliberate. And for more than that reason alone, it’s thrilling.

So it’s a fluster he’s after, is it? Well, mission accomplished -- there’s no way Tatara can hide the heat on his cheeks as they part, or the way he breathes out in such a way that implies he just remembered that oh yeah, he needs to do that, doesn’t he?

Well done, Reisi. Very well done, indeed.

Beneath the concealment of his white dress shirt, Tatara’s quite confident all the fine hairs on his arms are at attention by now. Still, he’s undeterred, even bringing an arm up to drape loosely over the taller man’s neck. ]

That’s quite the secret! [ Lids lower, hazel eyes half-hooded, but still quite aglow as he angles back in to whisper a reply against waiting lips. ] I wonder... should I tell you mine?

[ Looks like tea might be indefinitely postponed. ]

wednesday after the gala: Izumo's bar

[heartshutter]

[ Is it any wonder that Tatara, the one who arranged this whole thing, is the last to arrive to it? Well, it shouldn't be. He'll stroll in, metaphorically fifteen minutes late with Starbucks, only the slightest bit bashful for having made the others wait. ]

Sorry, sorry!

[ He ought to be, but the apologies are more reflexive than earnest. In any case, a seat before the bar is snatched up, and the Red Clansman glances to his cohorts with a too-optimistic smile. ]

Now that we're all here, should we start?

[ The real question is, where? ]

[revolutionfalcon]

[And is it any wonder that Shun's squinting at him rather pointedly the entire time he's rolling in casually like that. For someone so intent on trying to make Shun take this seriously, he's shooting the message more than he is helping it.

It's equally impossible not to remark on Tatara's opening.] We've been here for plenty of time. We don't need to waste any more of it.

[And though he doesn't have any solid decisions on where to start, he does have at least one suggestion.] Should we cover what we know about their current conditions first? So we know for sure what it is we're dealing with.

[It's possible they've each gotten different information or impressions from the Kings, so putting it all together seems wise.]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo isn't even the least bit surprised when Totsuka came in late, though he does give his best friend a Look for his tardiness. He's been here from the start, so it wasn't any surprise when Shun was the next one to come in.

He sighs, running a hand through his hair and he gives a nod.]

We should. Covering the bases first is a good start, anyway.

[And given how Shun is the one being dragged into the King business, it's only fair.]

[heartshutter]

[ One thing these two have in common: Their ability to skewer one very tardy Tatara with just a glance. Ah well. He does kind of deserve it. ]

Well then, let’s put together what we know.

[ Glancing from one to the other, he gestures with a hand, palm-up. ]

Though, the two of you probably know more about King’s current condition than I do.

[ This said so casually, and yet, it’s something that wounds and worries him deeply.

And, spoilers: Shun got dragged into “the King business” when he acquired one as a shinki. Sorry not sorry. ]

[revolutionfalcon]

I wouldn't say that. But he's definitely trying to push people away at this point, which is going to make it harder. [If Tatara's already saying that, presumably he's already been pushed far enough off that he can't get a good idea of how Mikoto is. Even Shun only spoke to him briefly.] It looks like he's getting overwhelmed by his power or something, he was throwing it around as much as he could at the last training day last month. He was even using it whenever he could when he fought me. And his Sword's looked like it's been through hell ever since he got here. It's not going to take much to make it deteriorate further, as far as I can tell, and he's doing it to himself at this point.

[Though considering his unfamiliarity with the specifics of how they work, he glances to Izumo for confirmation or denial of the guess.]

[toremainbehind]

You hit the nail on the head there, Kurosaki.

[He gives a nod to confirm it.] The thing with Mikoto is that he'll continue pushing himself. He's always held himself back on some regard when he was with us [A glance at Totsuka before he looks away.] and he used it once before as well to guide spirits that one time. Mikoto won't let either Totsuka and I get close to him, and talking to him has gotten harder now.

[Moments like these, it's why he misses Anna.]

But with what's been going on with Mikoto, no doubt it'll start to affect Munakata as well.

[heartshutter]

[ Tatara meets that glance from Izumo, and then looks down to the bar top as he sighs. ]

The three of us -- Kusanagi-san, King, and I -- have been friends since I was a teenager. [ And despite however he may look to you, Shun, he’s actually in his twenties, thank you very much. ] And this is the first time things have ever been this bad.

The last three times I’ve seen him have been... eheh... [ Wincing, he forces a chuckle that seems to say it all. ] The first, he let me hug him, but only for a minute before he pulled away and told me to leave. The second, when I wouldn’t leave and tried to help him, he teleported to get away from me. [ That’s the one that hurts the most. ]

I saw him once more after that, and he wouldn’t even look at me. [ ...Or maybe it’s that one. Hard to say anymore. It all aches, to the point where Tatara hates to think on it whatsoever. He’d rather just ignore it all until it goes away.

Except, it’s not going to. At this rate, it’s getting worse -- and will continue to until they find a way to do something about it.

Glancing wryly from Izumo to Shun, then--] Mm. It’s already started to affect him.

Munakata-san once told me he could feel King’s power fluctuating. I’m not sure how it all works -- that’s something only the kings know. [ And Tatara discourages Reisi from dwelling on it, whenever he can provide distraction enough for that busy mind of his. ]

But it’s something he thinks about way too much, and the more he does, the worse he feels.

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun's heard a little of the foundational information about their gang, but he listens nonetheless. It's certainly noteworthy that this is apparently worse than when Mikoto died in his world, and that's enough of a grave omen that it keeps him attentive as Tatara goes on.

This is only confirming his suspicions about Mikoto's behaviour, and he nods, digging his fingers into the bridge of his nose briefly.] Munakata's mentioned feeling his power to me as well, so it makes sense. And he's definitely got it on his mind. That's about all I got out of him when I talked to him the other day - he thinks he's failed in his convictions, because the people he feels connected to keep disappearing or turning him away, and there's not that much he can do otherwise. Enomoto vanished a while ago, apparently he fought with that Saruhiko guy the same day I talked to him...

[He lets out a breath, letting his hand rest on the bar.] I'll take whatever part of that blame I'm owed from ordering him to stay away from Suoh. But Suoh hasn't approached him since then either, except when he helped him the night of the moon viewing. I think he might have decided to cut ties with Munakata regardless, because like hell he'd take heed of any decision anyone else made. And Munakata has no-one in the first place. When I asked him if there was anyone here he trusted to walk alongside him, he said he was still deciding, so I don't even know that much.

more gala carryovers to escape dreaded captcha hell!

[heartshutter]

[ individual threads below. ]

Alex

[heartshutter]

[ continued from beep! ]

Mm. [ Insert some forced laughter here. ] Maybe!

But it's how King is choosing to do things, so...

[ Oh, did he mention he's talking about his beloved king here? Well, he is. ]

[sing_for_me]

You must...really like him if you're fine with it.

[At least, it didn't seem like he was being forced into anything. Not in that way, anyway.]

Or...well, trying to be fine with it.

[heartshutter]

[ Tatara shrugs, inasmuch as one can while trying not to fall out of step.

Someday, you'll meet your king.

Boy, has he ever. ]

King is King, so... [ A small tilt of his head. ] Of course I do!

[ Take that as she will. And he'll ignore the bit about him "trying" to be fine. He is fine, and everything will work out. He just needs to keep reminding himself. ]

[sing_for_me]

[The talking had taken her mind off the dancing, actually, though that may have been a good thing. Otherwise, she would have been looking down at their feet the whole time.]

If you say so.

[There seemed to be more to it, but it wasn't her place to pry. They were strangers after all, as friendly as he was. Still, she hoped this king of his would change his mind.]

Sakon

[heartshutter]

[ continued from boop ]

[ Sakon seems to be taking this somewhat seriously, so... perhaps his god should, too -- even if seriousness is basically a foreign language to him.

Tatara has to lean in close (and angle up a bit, whoops) to hear that whisper and return his own in kind. ]

Aah, I think it might be. [ He nods. ] They say it was one of us who killed all those gods and shinki a while ago, after all.

[ Including Sakon’s former god, though he won’t blatantly point that out. ]

Maybe it was a god who set fire to her temple, too.

[ittenbari]

Hmmmm...

[Sakon leans down a little to be helpful. Since this is definitely not an "out loud" sort of conversation.]

Then aren't they going about this the wrong way? It's kinda...

[He waves his hands vaguely.]

Actually, it's really roundabout isn't it?

[heartshutter]

[ So helpful! ]

Eheh... [ Tatara's expression pulls taut for a moment. ] You might be right!

[ But, a moment after all that fades, he shrugs. ] How would you go about it, Sakon?