thenearshore | [Closed] Prayers As Usual

[This was a strange prayer to hear at first, moreso than the time when he helped make an egg baby with Yona and fought off ayakashi. His first thought upon hearing the request was questioning about how he even had sacred items in the first place. But upon realizing the area where the prayer came from, he could see a reason: Bordelum, Germany. Having been there a few times, Aymeric's thoughts immediately went to the spring dedicated to Forseti.

Naturally, he asked Goten to come along if he wanted and both soon found themselves within the forest close by.]

Well now, it would surprise me for someone trying to steal rust-colored water. Let us try to find this person and speak about this so-called curse.

[The prayer isn't that confusing. He's more confused and surprised they're not visiting Hellegoland again. But...it made sense for Aymeric to have more then that island. He's all for helping with prayers though so naturally he is a bit eager as he tags along.]

Is rust-colored water better then regular water? It doesn't sound good. Maybe we should get whoever it is to try kool-aid?

[Goten is just going to assume the stolen water is being consumed because what else could it possibly before.]

Hey Aymeric, what is a curse?

It has iron within it but not the kind that would help with the body. Someone would have the urge to feel sick rather than healthy.

[Isn't kool-aid full of sugar? ~~also why hasn't the sugar nut who is the god had any yet?~~]

A curse...is a prayer that provokes more harm than good. The intent is to hurt someone in any means necessary. [He doesn't like it but his thoughts get interrupted when he hears someone moaning.] Hmm? I hear someone close.

[Clearly the temple needs more kool-aid products. Maybe fruit roll ups too!]

That doesn't sound good.... why would someone wanna curse someone though?

[He perks a bit at the moaning, blinking. He faintly heard it.]

C'mon! Lets go see, they might need help.

[Helping is what they're here to do, kind of, so Goten is already jogging towards the source.]

[RIP those fruit rolls if Aymeric ever tastes them. The moaning however gets closer as the leaves and branches around snap and crackle with sluggish steps and a young man stumbling and holding onto the trees for support. His face was flushed red and he seemed to be sweating profusely.]

Sir! Are you alright?

[Aymeric has a feeling that he may be the one who prayed for help.]

Hmmm? Oi, does it look like I am fine? My insides feel like they're punching me from within!

[Goten stares at the man, not really sure what is wrong. Did he eat something bad? Goten has never had a stomach ahce as painful as this man seems to be having.]

Did you eat something super bad?

[He looks around for any sign of the bad food.]

[There is no sign of food, however, there is a empty water bottle beside the man.]

I wish I did! I drank some of that water from that spot close by and now my body hurts all over! Dammit, I think the god who owns it decided to get pissy and smite me!

[Meanwhile, Aymeric's expression is...flat and neutral. He didn't need to be a god to realize that drinking funny colored water might not be a good idea, no supernatural forces needed. He sighs quietly and kneels down to him.]

I do not think it was the will of the god who decided to cause harm. Mayhap the spring itself needs to be cleaned.

Look, it says that this is the spring of Forseti, right? I know gods can be vicious-urgh!

...we can discuss this while we get you the help needed. [Turning to Goten, he gestures to take the other side.] I am quite sure no one will try anything on your life for now.

[This dude didn't even use ''smite' right sheesh...]

[Goten perks up a bit when Aymeric gestures and steps over to that side. He glances to the man again.]

Isn't there some way we can get him to throw up the water or something?

[Who knows, that might happen on its own. Surely drinking bad water couldn't be life threatening right? Goten wouldn't know but he'd like to think so. Still, he doesn't like anying talking bad about Aymeric. He can't help but frown.]

Forestti isn't mean! He's a super nice god and you shouldn't think just cause you got bad water that it's his fault. He's one of the nicest gods ever.

[Do they have to help him?]

[Goten why suggest that?]

That might be a suggestion but we will see with the proper help.

...kid, you are weird.

[Aymeric gives the mortal a flat stare because there are two thoughts he's having at the moment: how dare you insult his son and how dumb are you. Reaching the end of the dirt path, they come across a paved road as he leads them on.]

But he has a point: Forseti is not supposed to be mean for he is a god of justice, not vengeance. There would have to be a good reason beyond drinking from a spring in honor of him to make what you are feeling a curse. Moreso when water is somewhat a connecting theme in his origin story...I do believe he would be welcoming of those partaking of the spring but mayhap it needs to be cleaned before anyone will try to drink from it again.

You sound like a fanboy.

[Really?]

No, I just enjoy reading. Including various myths and stories.

[WHERE IS THIS CLINIC SO THEY CAN DROP HIM OFF PLZ?]

You should be nice to Aymeric 'cause we could of just left you there, mister....

[They wouldn't have. No matter what the guy said neither Aymeric or Goten could leave someone in pain, right? It sounds really temping though. Goten doesn't like having to listen to this guy insult Forseti and Aymeric.

The paved road gives them a quick route to the small town. One of the more stand out building being the clinic.]

[He's right; Aymeric wouldn't leave the man but it was very tempting to do so. Whatever Goten said made the man stop moaning and look down at the ground.]

I know...sorry, man. People tell me I have a bad case of Foot-in-Mouth Syndrome.

[He's quiet for the first time and Aymeric studies him as they reach the doors to the clinic.]

Admitting it is a good step. Now you have to prove you can improve on it. And not to drink any water with possible metal inside.

[Goten pushes open the door and holds it open for Aymeric and the guy before bouncing off ahead. It takes tugging on one of the nurse's shirts to really get their attention but Goten explains that their 'friend' drank some bad water and really didn't feel good.

The nurse seems to understand and gets another nurse to help her take the poor man off Aymeric's hands. Before reasurring them that the man would be fine and it was good that they brought him to the clinic.

Goten just smiles and moves closer to Aymeric.]

.....Was that the prayer?

The idea was to see weither he was cursed or not and to handle it appropriately. I can say that we have succeeded. Mayhap he will learn his lesson from now on.

[Maybe. After like 5 or 10 times of being told. He seems to be like the type that takes a while to realize the lesson being learned.]

There truly is no need to stay here, we should move on.

[With their business done in the clinic, Aymeric leads Goten outside and begins to lead him back towards the path where the tiny Forseti temple is. That is until the elezen hears a few villagers speaking what sounded like gossip.]

Wow, there's a lot more people getting sick lately isn't there? The clinic has had more folks come in within the last month than the past six.

[Hm? You mean there are more who feel the same way? Aymeric cocks his head to the side just as the woman who was speaking spots him.]

Hey! You just left from there, right? Are you feeling bad too?

Me? Ah, no. We were just passing by when we spotted a young man who was and lead him there. Is it not common this illness?

Pff, hell no. It's just weird. Since you guys are traveling, gotta do the usual 'be safe' bit but it's needed more since folks around here keep swearing that they see a cult run around praising some god or whatever in the woods. So yeah, careful out there before the crazies come for you!

...I will be sure to watch the road then. [Yeah, he is taking Goten and walking rather quickly so they can speak a bit more freely.] This cannot be fate itself, tis too linear to believe so...we may have to investigate the forest for these people before going back.

[Goten offers a smile and waves to the woman before trailing after Aymeric. He jogs to keep up with him since his stride isn't half of what Aymeric's is.]

Linear...?

[He always uses weird words. But Goten nods as he keeps up with him]

Let's go to the forest and figure out what it is then. The other guy didn't take long to figure out so it would be kind of cool to explore some more. I don't want anyone else getting sick either. Let's go!

[As they approach the edge of the forest, a rumble fills the air, the now familiar low growl of the shinki of Aditi riding around on her motorcycle. It clashes with the general feel of the surroundings of the Far and Near Shore at times but that's something that will be amended in the next day.

For now though, Celty slows down as she sees the other two walking along and waves to them as she pulls to a stop. By the look of the bundle strapped to the back of her bike it seems she was in the middle of making a delivery.]

[Leo, meanwhile, comes out of a shop on the other side of the road, coffee and bags from a bookshop in hand.

Huh.]

Aymeric?

[Ok, he was not expecting to see two people he knows in the same area for different things.]

Celty? Leo? What brings you two here?

[Oh hey its the strange lady that doesn't have a mouth and Leo! He blinks slowly, looking between the two before returning Celty's wave with one of his own.]

Hey! Have either of you seen a cult or know where one would be? Aymeric and me want to find one.

[He's not sure what that is but the lady earlier mentioned it so they might as well be on the look out while investigating the forest.]

[Celty glances at Leo, not completely sure if they've met before. In any case she pulls out her phone, typing into it and then offering it to Aymeric to read.]

Ah no. I don't know anything about any cults. I was just hired to make a delivery to the shrine down the road from here. Supplies or some such I guess.

[She makes a professional point of not asking the details beyond making sure her transports aren't something insanely illegal.]

What sort of cult? Who do they worship?

[He might have heard something, but he wasn't sure yet. Best get information.]

They never said but if they are to be staying within the forest, the god they might be worshiping is myself. [The fact that his expression darkens makes the thought worse. But it is something they cannot rule out.]

Unless there is another god known around this area but considering we have just spoken to a man who thought drinking rust colored water made Forseti 'curse' him, it would be folly not to investigate. More people could get hurt and while they may not be the source of this first case, they could be very well responsible for the others.

[Goten gently pats Aymeric's hand because he is one of the best gods ever and it's not his fault what dumb people do or try to blame him for.]

We just wanna figure this out and make sure no one gets hurt 'cause it's not right Foresti's name is going put to something that isn't his fault.

[Celty's helmet shifts, the visor focusing on Aymeric, but it's a bit hard to tell what she's thinking without an expression to read. Still, there's an air of concern about her and her body language. She had been wondering what might happen if people take the worship of the Far Shore gods a touch too far, and what their responsibility was in those cases.

She then looks over her shoulder at the package she was out to deliver. It could be that this job was supporting these cultists. She wasn't responsible herself, but that didn't mean she was going to so simply finish the job if it meant people were getting hurt.]

I was going along there anyway but I'd like to make sure of what's going on too.

If they're dragging your name through the mud, I'll help. You're part of my pantheon anyway, so all the more reason to help.

[He wasn't expecting this much help for a prayer but Aymeric feels very grateful. And slightly worried because he knows the capabilities of at least one of them at full power.]

My thanks to you all. We will get to the bottom of this, I can assure you.

[And he will take the lead into this forest excursion. It's not part of the typical spooky forest setup but it does get a bit unsettling when the trees and branches are soon to get thick that it does get a bit hard to see. About thirty minutes in, he stops mid step.]

Wait. I smell smoke.

[Smoke usually means fire. And fire usually means-]

We may have found our quiry. Stay close.

[He moves forward, being careful not to make any sudden movements. And his hunch was right: through the trees he could see a fire...along with several figures draped in black cloaks from head to toe, speaking in hushed tones as if in prayer.]

[With this much help, there's no way they can't solve this prayer. Leo is amazing and Celty he knows is really cool too. The additional help makes him grin a bit even after Aymeric points on the smoke.

Goten keeps close to to his god, trying to peek out to get a look too. It's really hard for him to keep as quiet and stealthy as him. To his credit he does at least whisper.]

Can't we just go punch them and make them stop?

[If it were with other company or by herself the surroundings might get to Celty, but for the moment she is more in a protective mode. She trusts Aymeric to do what's right if something goes sideways, especially with the child with them. The conversation she had with him some months back and also his bearing give him that responsible air about him.

When he calls attention to the clearing ahead she kills the engine on her bike and dismounts. Best not to draw attention to their approach. She signals with her hands that she's going to loop around to the other side. If these are the people Aymeric is looking for then she wants to make sure none of them can escape when he makes his move.]

Punching only works on people who respond to nothing else.

[Celty has a good idea, so Leo starts for one of the other sides.]

Hopefully they'll listen to Aymeric and we won't have to punch them.

Leo is right, we cannot resort to violence but only use that kind of force if there are no other means available.

[Looking to Celty and getting the gist of her movements, Aymeric moves closer to listen to the group, hoping to get a clear view. One of the robed people steps out nd removes their veil, revealing a woman who has barely reached eighteen years with her baby face and bright blue eyes, a smile too wide to be anything sinister (well on the surface) and raises her arms up.]

My friends! Thank you for coming and helping me with the great task handed to me by the great god Forseti himself! As you know, he has come to visit me in the form of dreams and to spread the His Word to the town and beyond; and with that we needed to see whom Forseti would deem worthy of his fortune. My plan to use his Holy Spring as a test has proven a success and those who were deemed unworthy has been struck down by his might!

[It was like a stone had sunk to the bottom of Aymeric's stomach. The girl's speech, while not unfamiliar to him, reminded him about the primals Eorzea faced and his birth father. She spoke as if she were mad and by the Fury did it make his skin crawl. But what was worse was that she and her group were using the spring assuming those being sick were punished for not following 'his' word.

He had to hold in everything not to feel ill, instead his knuckles going white from gripping the closest tree,]

As soon as our supplies get here, we can continue our glorious task! Speaking of that...they sure are late.

Probably because they think this is too spooky and batshit crazy.

Hmm? Did you say something?

Nothing!

[Well...that explains it. Aymeric turns to the others, his gaze steely because oh boy did this push some damn buttons.]

Nay, we need not fight them but mere words will not persuade them if they believe their cause is just. [And he looks to Leo because obviously look at the mage.] While I may not enjoy what I will suggest but I see no other option: we must use a scare tactic if we are to stop them.

[Most of what the woman says goes over Goten's head but he roughly gets the jest of it. Crazy people thinking that bad water making people sick because they don't beleive in Forseti. That's not good. He still doesn't see why they can't just swoop in and take them out. Let Aymeric tell them what he wants because he is Forsetti.]

Scare tactic?

[So they are going to get to do something? It might not be fighting but Goten wants help if it makes those people stop using Aymeric's name to make other people sick.]

Can you really scare someone badly enough to stop?

[Celty waits a while to see as much as she can of what's going on. Perhaps hoping they'll just give up and disperse. When it doesn't look like it's headed that way though she tries to send a message to Aymeric directly via her phone.]

It seems like they're waiting for me. Do you want me to finish my delivery? Or do you want to confront them and have me keep them contained?

[She has a good work ethic but she likes to avoid playing conspiracy to greater crimes if she can help it.

Of course, she could probably make for some good scares too if needed, but she wasn't there to hear that part of the plan.]

Was that the biker?

[Leo pulls Brynhildr out, ready to start as soon as Aymeric gives the word.]

[Aymeric rubs his chin in thought because this plan needs to be thought through and they only have one shot. It needs to count and he intends to make sure everyone helps out in their own way.]

Tis possible to make someone stop given the persuasion is strong enough. I do not wish to harm these people but they must learn that what they are doing is wrong and mayhap this will help them move in a better direction. If we all pull our resources together, I believe it will happen but we only have one shot at it.

[Pointing to where some poor sap has passed out, he begins.]

And we have been given a gift: I shall take that robe of his to conceal myself and there is metal around the site for me to manipulate. However, we will need atmosphere to ensure terror in their hearts. [And he knows Leo can do it and Celty looks like she can but is unsure so he addresses them.] Will you two be able to handle that?

[And now for Goten...wait, he has ki does he not? Perhaps...] Goten, you have usage of your ki, yes? Mayhap enough to keep their focus onto me? I would use my Flash technique but we want them scared, not angry.

[Closed] Prayers As Usual

Prayer 60

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does this count as 7/10?

I think so~ 8/10

sweet 9/10

10/10~!

Wooo!

/o/

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Prayer 61-Rise of The Dumb Dumbs

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