thenearshore | [OPEN + CLOSED] restless soul at work

Entry tags:

[OPEN + CLOSED] restless soul at work

Who: Yamanbagiri and Charlotte (closed). Yamanbagiri and you (open)!
What: Meeting the new shinki on the (temple) block, and then he starting to work hard.
When: October 1st - 6th
Where: Konohanasakuya's shrines (Near Shore), Konohanasakura’s Temple and Heavens in general (Far Shore).
Summary: Yamanbagiri get to meet Charlotte, who just joined as Sakura's newest shinki. Otherwise, he get to work with shrine patrols and... being followed by a goose?

► Patrol (Near Shore, Konohanasakuya Shrines) [IC: October 1st - 6th]
[That announcement Amaterasu made and her request to keep an eye out for anything suspicious was still on his mind. While Konohanasakuya isn't as big or well known compared to other gods, she still have shrines at the Near Shore. And it gave him an idea.

After his concerned (and well, mildly drunk) chat with Tsuzuki, he's been playing around with some ideas and decided to act upon on of them.

At the Near Shore, he's been taken to patrolling the number of shrines dedicated to his god. He's taking advantage of his lack of presence to observe any visitors who come to visit. There were some people who do legitimately came to pray to his god. There's the occasional person who visit out of curiosity (studies? Or interest in the legends and gods in general?).

He's not in one place. Sometimes he would go to her other shrines instead of staying at one place. Which may or may not... fuel some things. The feeling like being watched, or some people sworn they saw a glimpse of something white, or how the shrine seem neater than the day before.

Yamanbagiri couldn't help it. He'd occasionally help tidy up the shrines if he see something. That would be what anyone would see or sense: the presence of a Far Shore resident moving about seemingly suspiciously in one of the shrine dedicated to Konohanasakuya aka Sakura.]

► Meeting the new shinki (Konohanasakuya's Temple, closed to Charlotte) [IC: October 5rd, evening]
[Ever since he started his patrols, Yamanbagiri have been finding himself feeling tired. No matter, he just need to get used to the routine and figure out the best way of tackling it. Plus, he's usually punctual with his time. By the time he's done for the day, he'd be back at the temple in the evening. Usually just in time to see whoever's in the kitchen, and if he needs to cook.

Not that he minds. Cooking for others is a nice thing to do, he just doesn't say it that loudly.

With a stifled yawn, he makes his way towards the kitchen and step inside. And coming across someone unfamiliar.]

Hm?

[Wait, who is this girl?]

► Geese, Geese Everywhere (general Far Shore, open) [IC: October 6th, afternoon]
[There's been a number of goose wandering around the Heavens. Yamanbagiri know about them but usually keep his distance. Who knows what they can do? Maybe they're the suspicious entities they're warned of? But they haven't really been doing anything strange beside existing out of season?

Which season do geese appear in often, again? He should probably look it up. With a tired yawn, Yamanbagiri's heading back towards Konohanasakuya's Temple and looking around as he go. He did see those white-robed shinki on patrols, but didn't bother them.

Meanwhile, there's a goose—one of those autumn geese that's been around lately—following right behind Yamanbagiri. And it's steadily getting closer and closer towards him, and keeping its focus on his... cloak? Leg? It's a sight that's clearly... probably not the weirdest. But not an everyday occurence! Maybe.

After some time, he finally noticed and giving it a look as he walks.]

Oi, what's with you?

[It keeps on following him.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Just as Sakura asked, Charlotte has been making herself comfortable all day. Her lady is busy, after all, with other guests and difficulties. It's up to Charlotte to manage her own affairs, at least for the moment. Of course, "getting comfortable" had taken all of five minutes plus a few hours for a solid nap before lunch. It's not like Charlotte has many possessions or hobbies now.

So, eventually, comfort takes a back seat to business. If she wants to stay here, she'll have to make herself useful and likable pretty quick. The temple is crowded enough already. So Charlotte spends the afternoon tidying the temple, figuring out where everything goes and discovering that she's not a terrible homemaker! Sure, it's not fun and lounging around on her futon all day sounds a lot more enjoyable, but she can do it! She does have skills other than punching!

Next she has to figure out if she can cook- if she can wake everyone up in the morning to a beautiful breakfast, she'll have them all eating out of her hand. Hopefully not literally.]

Ugh, how do they not have any milk here? [The problems with having fantasy jrpg European recipes in your head while you're working with a fantasy jrpg Japanese kitchen. Charlotte's rummaging through cupboards, other ingredients already strewn across the counter, certain everyone else in the temple is either asleep or busy elsewhere.] Come on...

[There's someone he didn't know in the kitchen. The fact that she's this deep in the temple means she... might be a guest? Or a friend of Sakura or Tsuzuki. But for a moment, he wonders if she's like those suspicious types they warned them about during the banquet?

He walks over towards her, frowning and looking suspicious of her. He speaks up to get her attention.]

Oi, you! Who are you and why are you here?

[Whenever Charlotte looks, she would see a swordsman in a ragged looking cloak. His hood covers most of his handsome face, yet he's still (obviously) frowning at her.]

[Charlotte jumps when Yamanbagiri speaks up, reeling back around with her fists raised as she gets into a defensive position.]

Why am I here- who the hell are you?!

[Some vagrant who let himself into the temple??? What the hell???]

[Wow, did she really ask that to him???? His hand goes to rest atop of his sword's handle, in case he need to draw it out.]

Who am I? I'm Yamanbagiri Kunihiro and I'm one of Sakura's shinki!

[He can say that with confidence, because that's what grounding him and his identity right now.]

So who are you and why are you going through our kitchen?

[... Fuck. It hadn't even occurred to Sharak that a proper little girl like Sakura might have a shinki like this. He's handsome, she supposes, but he looks like he just came in off the street! ... Which he technically did, she thinks, but still.]

Uh- I- [Well, he is her senior shinki. Sakura will take his word before hers. Charlotte's body language instantly changes as she shrinks back and starts to look much meeker.]

I'm Lady Sakura's shinki as well. My name is Charlotte and my lady just named me this morning. I'm so sorry, I thought she would have told you...

[He blinks at the change he just saw before him. That's quite a quick change in attitude... and once she explains, his eyes widen in surprise for a moment.]

Oh. [Oh. Now he feels almost awkward. If she's a new shinki, he should welcome her. For a moment, he removes his hand from his sword.] Sorry, I didn't know yet.

[He did kind of leave early in the morning. And now this is a "fine" first meeting between them. Yamanbagiri didn't want to cause trouble for Sakura and the temple, so, so, so... so he should try to welcome her (wait, he did thought of that already) and see how it goes. Okay? Okay, time to act like... a senior shinki.

Wow, he's in this position already.]

Welcome to the temple, Charlotte. If you need any help, I'm around. Tsuzuki's around longer than me, but you're free to ask me about things.

[Smooth.]

[Hah, he gave in immediately. For someone who was trying to act tough just a few seconds ago, he's a bit of a pushover. Charlotte batts her eyelashes.]

It's all right... I'm sorry if I raised my voice earlier, I was just so frightened for a moment! [As far as excuses go, it could be worse. She sure didn't look scared though. Charlotte nods politely, smiling now.]

Thank you, Yaman... bagiri. [Wow, what a mouthful.] I'm sure I'll need a lot of help, while I learn how things work... Please look after me, won't you?

[Right, time to act like a responsible senior. She doesn't look scared, but maybe that's how she is? They just met and barely know each other.]

It's fine... I was—[On edge, from a few reasons. He stop talking for a moment, before shaking his head.]—nevermind.

[But anyway... His name. It's always his name.]

... If my name's too much, you can use Kunihiro. [He wonders if he should start saying that for any and all future introductions. With a nod, he turn his attention towards the kitchen counter, seeing the spread of ingredients.] So what are you doing, cooking dinner?

Kunihiro. [That's also a hard name to say! But she manages.]

No, I'm sorry, it's a little late for that... I was getting a head start on breakfast! [Damnit, he ruined her surprise... Well, she can work with this anyway, hopefully.] But if you're hungry now, I'd be happy to prepare something for you! Why don't you sit down and I'll rustle up a delicious meal for you?

[She's going to make everyone here love her if it kills them, damn it.]

[That's better than nothing. As long he knows if someone's referring to him in the end. He blinks at her for a moment.

... Now that he thinks about it, he is a little hungry. And this would give him a look at what she can do.]

If you don't mind, sure. It's nice to have another cook around here.

[He does it whenever he have to, since Sakura's so busy and Tsuzuki can take a break sometimes. Yamanbagiri goes to sit down, watching Charlotte.]

I don't mind at all! [Charlotte follows Yamanbagiri to his seat and gently pushes him into place. Her hand lingers a little longer than it needs to and she winks at him.] Let me look after you, okay?

[Then she turns to head back to where she was, rolling her eyes now he can't see her. Just walk in and ask for food, huh? Yeah, she offered, but doesn't everyone know that's just being polite? What an ass.]

Don't worry, I won't take long! I'm sure you're starving.

Ah, thank you...

[While he's curiously watching, Yamanbagiri relaxes a little. Which may make it easier to notice how tired he might look.

Maybe he should adjust his patrols? But he should be thorough about it, hm...]

I don't think you need to sweep the path!

[The early drift of yellowed leaves isn't that much in the way! It's sort of aesthetically nice, Tsuzuki guesses, in a "the ground matches the trees" way.

More importantly, he thought they were looking for people out of place, not, you know, messes.

(And he doesn't want to clean.)]

The priests'll do that. That's what trainees are for.

[He stops and just... hold the broom in his hand. He'll put it back where it was before any of the priests wonder where it went.]

Sorry. I just...

[He didn't know, want something to do? But that's kind of rude, when he did decide on this task without asking.]

I feel a little... [He looks out at the shrine. It's still quiet. Who would come at this time of day, the elderly and the priests?] I'm not sure, really.

Well, I mean, if you want to, I guess.

[... Mostly, Tsuzuki doesn't want to, and he feels a little weird watching Yamanbagiri clean up around the place while he just wanders with his hands in his pockets.

Not weird enough about it to help. But a little weird.]

I was just thinking, we're here to look for anything wrong, so sweeping'll take too long.

I'd be quick. Or stop.

[And let the humans wonder why the broom is laying on the floor. His hands loosen and tighten their grip on the broom. He should put it back.]

I know we're supposed to look out for anything suspicious. I wonder... how I—we... [He stop to take a deep breath. Okay, okay, he's calmer now.] ... Alright, I'll stop sweeping.

[He doesn't know how to put this feeling into words. So he opt for the easy topic.]

... How we're supposed to do that, you mean?

[Is that what he means? He seems awfully nervous about it. Tsuzuki'd just been envisioning a quick sweep of Sakura's shrines, maybe asking a few priests if anything seemed out of place lately, checking for ayakashi and any weird energy...

He blinks.]

I think you might be worrying about it too much.

I...

[Tsuzuki manage to say it in words, that he's having trouble to verbalise right now. Because he doesn't know, or didn't want to acknowledge?

He sigh, lowering his head for a moment.]

Yeah, yeah I know. I want to do well and help Sakura, so I've been... thinking a lot.

[Slowly, Tsuzuki nods.]

Thinking about... what kind of stuff?

[It can't just be sweeping, or taking care of her temples on the Near Shore, even. There must be something else that's worrying Yamanbagiri.]

[Thinking about what...

He both expect and didn't expect the question. Being asked about it directly.]

About... everything? [He realises that doesn't help, at all.] I want to help Sakura and protect her, so I want to do as much as possible for her...

You know, Yamanbagiri, if you stress about it too much, it's just going to trouble her-- right?

[That's Tsuzuki's excuse, anyway.]

We might be shinki, but we're still just people. We can't do everything at once!

[So. He smiles, ruefully.]

... Just pick one thing you can do for her, and focus on doing that well. Don't try to do everything.

[He's quiet, listening to Tsuzuki. And he knows... he make sense. Hearing it in words from someone else kind of helps put it into perspective for him.]

... Yeah. I'll try to do that. [Picking one thing. In this case... ] I'll think about what to do.

[Even when a part of him wonders if just one thing is enough?]

Thanks, Tsuzuki.

No problem. [He grins, and adds, a bit embarrassed:] Anyway, that's just what I try to stick with.

[Help her out, but don't try to do everything.

It's hard enough to figure out what Sakura does need, sometimes.]

So, wanna put the broom back and finish checking around this temple?

[He nods and relaxes his grip on the broom.]

Yeah. Let's do that.

[For now, he'll focus on checking the temples dedicated to Konohanasakuya.]

( Let's say he's made it back to the temple now, goose in tow because of course it wasn't going to leave him alone. It's a little later in the day and Sakura is sitting on the veranda with some snacks and just trying to relax. When Yamanbagiri arrives, she's quick to greet him with a smile, )

Welcome home.

( Ah. . . She won't say anything bu she sure is looking back at his new friend... )

[He hoped it would have lost interest. But no, it's still there. He stops to greet Sakura with a nod.]

I'm back...

[Yep... she definitely is looking at the goose. He glances at it to see it's now... next to him?]

Sorry. I don't know why it follows me here.

It must like you.

( She's teasing, )

... If you can't get rid of it, you could try taking it to one of the springs.

( There are quite a few in her gardens so... maybe it just needs a new home. )

Probably... I don't know why it does.

[It must be, but he's still a little embarrassed? Yeah. Must be embarrassed. He looks at the goose for a moment, before taking a few steps.

It follows him. Well, at least he can lead it to a spring like this? He looks up at Sakura.]

You don't mind?

Not at all.

( Besides, it's really the least of her concerns right now... She thinks for a moment and has an idea, )

Uhm... wait here a moment. ( She'll dip back inside for a minute and come back out. It doesn't look like she's done anything at all but that'a secret for now. ) Let's go together.

( To the spring. )

[Huh? He wonders what she did, but decides not to ask about it. Yet.]

Alright.

[After a blink, he nods and walks toward the spring. The goose follows after them—him, really—towards the spot.

Once they're there, he stops and looks at the goose.]

Here. You can stay in this.

[The goose... makes a sound at him? He can't tell if it's agreeing or disagreeing with him. Yeah, it's enough that he looks a little confused for a moment.]

( She can't help but giggle, though, she tries to keep it quiet. She doesn't want to embarrass Yamanbagiri, after all. She waits to see if the goose will leave... )

It sounds like it wants to stay.

( And carefully, so as to not upset the goose too much, she steps next to Yamanbagiri, reaching into her sleeve and holding out.... two rice crackers which she breaks in half. )

Let's see if you can distract him.

( And she'll take Yamanbagiri's hand and give him the crumbled crackers. )

I guess it can stay with us...

[He really doesn't think of any reason to chase it away. With a blink, he looks down and see the crumbled crackers in his hands.

Ah. With a nod, he bends down and drop a few on the ground. It looks at them curiously, before it stretches its neck to eat the first crumble. After finding that it likes it, it quickly eat the rest at a faster pace.]

So it can eat this...

[Almost entranced, Yamanbagiri drop some more crumbles at different spots. The goose follow his movements, snapping out once the crumbles start to hit the ground.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[OPEN + CLOSED] restless soul at work

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Patrol

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

geese

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject