25 - Troubled Waters

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Alleviating the troubles caused by conflict in Heaven
When: October 10
Where: Orihime's meadows in the Far Shore, as well as various places in Japan, China and Ireland
Summary: Orihime has been tasked by the Heavens with resolving the conflict caused in the mortal world by the new gods' struggles against one another. Several gods have been killed recently, and their violent deaths have led to dangerous corruption being released in the mortal world. Help Orihime expunge the corruption and return the human world to a peaceful existence.







Orihime's Meadows

Before traveling to the Far Shore, gods and shinki can meet and make plans near Orihime's modest home at the edge of the Southeastern District. Her dwelling is too small to accommodate even one team of gods and shinki arranging something as serious as this, let alone several. It is obvious she thought about this fact, and has crafted four cloth tents out in the meadows surrounding her home. The sounds of the milky way river are now joined by rustling fabric in the wind, for each tent has a flag mounted atop it and standing in front of it:

• The blue tent belongs to the team for Ksitigarbha. It has a sigil in black on the flag.
  
• The green tent belongs to the team for Li Tieguai. On its flag, a mortar and pestle in white, but the visible part of the pestle resembles a staff crook.
  
• The red tent belongs to the team for Cu Chulainn, with an impressive reproduction of a two-headed dog celtic knot in shining silver.
  
• The brown tent belongs to the team for Loki. Its flag bears a two-headed snake in gold.
All four tents are spread out in cardinal directions. Near each tent, she has a few stacks of wooden prayer tablets related to each of the problems, as well as maps and supplies for those who might need them.

In the center of all four tents is a simple chair and table where Orihime herself is generally sitting, talking to others nearby, or writing notes based on those conversations. She does a lot of listening when people ask her for new supplies she hadn't thought of previously, but has only been supplied with four shinki runners to get those supplies, one per group. Additionally, she cannot teleport down to the Near Shore herself, nor can anyone use her home to teleport down to where each of the troubles are; that is a problem for each group to solve on their own, with Orihime only able to mediate and provide suggestions.

Child's Play

Kshitigarbha, protector of children and of hell beings, is one of the recent casualties. Without his protection, it seems that babies' fears are giving rise to new and awful ayakashi throughout the city of Xi'an. Shadows on the wall above the crib, oversized stuffed animals, monsters hiding in the closet or rattling the windows at night -- all the fears of earliest childhood are taking real, malicious form. Babies are panicking, parents are exhausted, and all this stress is pulling in even more ayakashi! Someone needs to lure out these nursery nightmares and defeat them before the situation gets worse.

As gods and shinki work to rend the ayakashi tormenting children, they may notice a strange shadow passing by in the street outside, or scratching noises at the nursery window. Something more seems to be waiting outside....

Flu Season

With sky-high living costs and limited space, Tokyo has a large homeless population. Li Tieguai, protector of the poor and patron of medicine, was another recent death: now, winter's coming, and without his protection it seems like everyone's getting sick at once. They're suffering from everything ranging from plain old head colds and 'flu to more serious things like pneumonia or infections. Help pass out tea, soup and blankets, make sure they get the right medications, and get the sickest people to the hospital.

Carrion crows crowd close around the sick and croak, watching the gods and shinki helping them.

Wild Hounds

As if honoring the fall of the Hound of Chulainn, stray dogs have begun to form into large, dangerous packs in rural and suburban areas of Ireland, and even well-trained housepets have started breaking their leashes and joining them. They're starting to chase and bite humans, and it's only a matter of time before someone gets killed. Gods need to defeat the ayakashi possessing the "leaders of the pack," and get the pets back to their worried owners.

The groves of trees where the dogs are lairing seem unusually dark and shadowy, and footsteps seem to echo those of the gods and shinki tracking them down.

Prank War

Teenage pranks are turning unusually cruel and dangerous lately: with Loki gone, a few groups of bored kids have coalesced into more serious gangs in Chiba, and they've been seen setting fires, tormenting animals, vandalizing businesses and intimidating or robbing people walking alone at night. Someone needs to stop them from causing trouble, put them on a better path, or turn them in to the police before someone gets badly hurt.

Even as they're working to stop the teenagers' mischief, something seems to whisper to them and encourage them to join in and cause a little trouble. After all, it's just some fun....

Boss Battles

Those who helped to resolve the problems caused by the gods' deaths have one final enemy to face. Four dangerous ayakashi are behind these conflicts. Each character can participate in one boss battle, but it's fine for characters to form multiple different groups (i.e. multiple threads under one boss's comment.) To ensure that the NPC knows when to respond to your characters, please indicate which characters will be in a thread in your first comment.

Kshitigarbha - Child's Play

Li Tieguai - Flu Season

Cu Chulainn - Wild Hounds

Loki - Prank War

In Summary:

• Check in with Orihime and your new teams
• Save scared children
• Help the sick
• Tame stray dogs
• Stop pranks from going too far
• Watch out~

Comments

[toremainbehind]

[Shun, just what do you have in your coat?

But he does move over, gently picking up the boy. He lets his own aura shimmer a bit, its warmth curling around them enough where it won't be unbearable - just enough to shelter him from the growing chill. With the child secure, he gives Shun a brief nod.]

Let's hurry.

orihime's meadows

[revolutionfalcon]

[Yeah, that's a feeling Shun is never going to get used to regardless of how long he's known Hajime. He's seen her powers before, so he resists the urge to reach up and grab the thread once he sees it, but that doesn't make the creeping feeling that comes with her playing around with it any less unpleasant.

Her cheery greeting doesn't really help, either, and he mostly just frowns at her before turning his attention to look extremely suspicious at the threads instead.]

Do you really have to do that? [It seems a bit screwed up, when he really thinks about it.]

[freezetheheavens]

[Goten, your god is not happy.

Though it's hard to tell considering how blank faced Hitsugaya is at the moment.]

There are, but you got a bit careless. [Hence that bite.] You know Aymeric would only end up getting worried if you came back to him injured.

[birdstheword]

I don't have to do it but I like to.

[She holds up her hands a bit so he can see better. There might be a tiny small tug due to the movement but its harmless. Don't stress it!]

It's an easy way to tell if everyone is okay or here. I like to make sure everyone is doing good. If there's trouble I'll follow it and swoop in to help, you know?

[She clicks her tongue playfully.]

You'd the same, huh Kuroro-kun?

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun doesn't even dignify that order with an answer, just looking over the park quickly to make sure he has his bearings right before heading in the direction he knows the hospital is in. The girl curls up a little more, moving closer to his body warmth, and he holds the bundle a bit tighter before turning his head to address Izumo.]

I'm definitely kicking that guy's ass when I get my hands on him. He should've thought before he went out and caused all this.

[Shun was already pretty intent on punching Hakkai, but now he's extra intent on it.]

[sonofson]

[Goten frowns, sulking lightly. Hitsugaya is right about that, though he doesn't want to admit it. He just got a little overly outnumbered. It'd be easy if he was more willing to actually hurt the dogs but he's not.]

Yeah...but I'd be more careful! I mean, I'm gonna get a little hurt. That happens with all fights, even our sparring. Aymeric shouldn't worry so much...

[And he still has the blonde thing if things really get bad]

[revolutionfalcon]

That's the problem. [Shun can hear the whispering too, and he grits his teeth as he simply punches the next comer in the stomach to wind him.] I keep hearing it, but I can't find it. It's probably a powerful one if it can keep itself that well hidden and still make us hear it.

[Shun sounds like he's musing on that even as he grabs the guy he just punched by the arm and throws him over onto one of the fallen who looked like they were about to try getting up again.]

[freezetheheavens]

He'll always worry, especially if you happen to be dealing with ayakashi.

[Another glance at him, the disapproval practically radiating off of him from the look alone. But his eyes shifts back to the pack, all of them growling and snapping their jaws at them.]

Right now, we need to get rid of the ayakashi that's forcing these dogs to behave this way.

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun's breath catches a bit at the tug, largely out of him having to force himself not to react violently to something that just feels wrong to him.]

I can take care of myself. [Everyone else might be a different matter, but Shun is confident in that much. Or at least, that if he was in trouble, there's people he'd trust more to come to his aid than Hajime.] Besides, it doesn't make me like having your fingers all over my soul thread or whatever the hell it is any more.

[He moves his fingers around the end that goes into his chest, despite the fact that he can't grab it the same way she does.] With a mess like that, I don't know how you can even tell who's who.

[koukai_kirai]

[Orihime's Meadow]

[Before the troops head out, Hijikata can be found going from one tent to the next, often settling down to light a cigarette and scrawl on one of the printed-out maps of the affected areas that he's got with him. Fortune might favor the bold, but not nearly as much as it does the well-prepared.]

[On the whole, he seems rather calm -- not high-spirited, but focused and filled with a quiet sort of energy. It's only in the vicinity of the green tent that people might spot him looking uncharacteristically disquieted, or even taking a break from his compulsive plotting to take long, slightly shaky drags on his cigarette.]

[Wild Hounds]

[Whatever it is that Hijikata signed up for, he feels reasonably sure that it wasn't this.]

[That is to say, he somehow didn't adequately imagine what it would feel like to be backed into an alley by about a dozen very angry small dogs of various breeds, without any real idea of how to get them to calm the Hell down.]

...I suppose it would be bad form to just kill them.

[Prank War]

[Dealing with unruly youth, fortunately, is far more within the range of his experience.]

[Arguably less fortunately, he's not exactly known for his subtlety and gentleness in these matters.]

[Right now, he's got a teenage boy by the collar and is staring him dead in the eye, rather apparently putting the fear of (a) god into him. There's a small array of fireworks a few feet away, aimed squarely at the window of a nearby house.]

And just what the Hell do you think you're doing?

[Child's Play]

[Once Hijikata sees the situation in Xi'an, he's not about to go anywhere else.]

[It's likely he'll blame it on the quiet determination to protect the children that he can feel radiating off of Souji, but the truth is, he feels it, too. Ayakashi preying on the most helpless of humans, and the tired parents who try to protect them...]

[They're not about to let that stand.]

[Hijikata lets go of his sword's hilt with one hand, reaching up to brush the sweat from his brow. He's been up and down the city already, hunting down all the ayakashi he can find, but they just keep coming... Right now, he's near a daycare, where he's managed to push a small cluster of shadowy creatures out of the building and is trying to keep them from getting back in. There's a borderline blocking the most obvious entrances, but they're starting to look for ways around already... From inside, the shrieks of small children are still deafening.]

[He puts his hand back on the sword, shifting his stance slightly as he begins the incantation for Rending. The moment the words are spoken, he strikes out, tearing through one of the creatures and leaving it to shatter in Baiki's wake. A hint of a smile flickers around his lips as he turns towards the creatures again, eyes narrow and sharp and alight with the heat of battle.]

Now, then... who's next?

[Child's Play II - Support]

[Not ever battle is meant to be fought head-on, though -- sometimes, you have to get to the root of things another way.]

[In between moments of action, Hijikata spots a young father carrying a wailing infant. The young man looks completely exhausted, like he's just been drained of everything, and ayakashi are beginning to loom around corners nearby, sensing an easy snack...]

[Hijikata steps up to him, closing his eyes and reaching out a hand. In moments, the young man's posture changes, his tired resignation giving way to fierce, protective determination as Hijikata bolsters his will, turns up the man's feeling of I'll take care of him, no matter what until nothing else can withstand it. Disappointed, the ayakashi slink away, and Hijikata sinks onto a bench to catch his breath. He may be overextending himself slightly... but at the sight of a Far Shore resident nearby, he starts to stand again, nodding to them in greeting.]

How are you holding up?

[OOC: Have Emi's permission to handwave Souji being a sword here and there. You can HMU if you'd like to do a wildcard option -- he's going to be just about everywhere besides dealing with the Flu Season stuff!]

[toremainbehind]

Do you know what happened to him that prompted it in the first place?

[In other words, how did Hakkai die.

He follows Shun, a soft hum escaping from him to calm the boy when he seems to shuffle restlessly. If Hakkai’s death has a good and proper reasoning, Izumo might forgive him for causing such pain to these people.

Maybe.

Or he just can’t stand to see children suffering from this, too.]

E

[redmare]

[The fierce barks and snarls do make her tense, but when Shun beckons for her and starts heading toward the commotion, Chinatsu just had to follow him.]

You know our thing isn't exactly for...extracting, right? Won't we end up hurting the animals?

[replicatedform]

► Flu Season
[So many sick people, it's getting to him. For a moment, he briefly appreciate having a place to stay in Konohanasakuya's Temple. But he didn't dwell on that thought for long, before he start to get down to work.

Whether he's with Sakura, fellow shinkis or anyone who joined in handling these problems, Yamanbagiri is doing his part to help out.

In one shelter, he's handing out various items to the sick people. As he pick up some soup, he listens to the shelter's helper, who was pouring them into bowls, with a frown.]

Running low?

[She nods, before she lower her voice. They're doing their best to stretch it out, but their ingredients is going to run out at this rate. Yamanbagiri nods in understanding, before glancing over when he notice someone's approaching. Ah, someone from the Far Shore as well.]

Hey.

[He wonders if they overhear?]

► Prank War
[Why did he come here? Something about the request calls to him.

The good thing about being a Far Shore resident is that people never really notice him. Unless they're spiritually sensitive. But a bunch of hooligan teens on the loose may or may not even have that sensitivity.

Anyway, he's now trailing a group of teenagers, who look all too suspicious with the bucket of crates and inks they're carrying. He haven't try attracting their attention yet. Yamanbagiri need to see if they're going to cause a mess or vandalise property first.

With a fluttering sound of his cloak, he gesture to whoever's with him before following the group. They seem to be heading towards a building in the general, specialised shopping district.]

Flu

[replicatedform]

[Fortunately, someone did notice Hakkai. The fact that he's a Far Shore resident is probably a point in his favour.

Overhearing Hakkai, a cloaked swordsman walks over towards him and the sleeping person. Despite his appearance, he looks worried as he goes to check, standing near Hakkai.]

What's wrong?

B

[replicatedform]

[Yamanbagiri have just finished getting someone to take their medicine. With how ill they are, he counts it as a small victory to get them to swallow it in the first place.

Looking up, he sees Shun and he blinks for a moment. Once he heard what he said, he immediately understands and nods. He stands up, facing Shun.]

Got it. Which one?

[He need to know if he can carry them by himself, or need another person's help.]

Orihime's Meadows

[replicatedform]

[Yamanbagiri halts to a sudden stop when he notice the thread coming from his chest. And that chill he just felt... Gripping his sword's handle with his left hand, he raises his right as if to touch the thread. His eyes look upward, following the thread towards somewhere to his... right?

Looking over, he sees a girl... with threads in her hands?]

Oi.

[She's probably a god, but that doesn't stop him. He walks over towards her and stop at a distance.]

What are you doing?

[He heard her words, but his unease and the threads in her fingers got his attention right now.]

[revolutionfalcon]

No idea. He didn't tell his shinki either, as far as I know, so I couldn't get an answer out of them even if they were all just as annoyed with him about it.

[Shun definitely sounds somewhat incensed by the whole thing, because reasonably, considering Hakkai had been so convinced at the start Shun would be the one to get himself killed recklessly, he shouldn't have done it himself without a reason. But without knowing what that reason is, he's definitely got extreme doubts about whether it was worth all this.

Once they get back to the street, Shun nods to the left.] The closest hospital is down this way.

[revolutionfalcon]

We'll have to get it out another way. I don't think most shinki are really suited to extracting, but it seems to just be the leading ones that are actually possessed. The others are just under the influence of it, so if we can keep them back another way, it'll be fine.

[They just need to identify the leader, which probably won't be too much trouble even if it comes down to something like a blessed water test. That in mind, Shun reaches for one of the canteens on his belt.]

You should be able to borderline against them as well if they're affected by an ayakashi. [In theory. Ayakashi contamination should result in a similar repulsion.]

[revolutionfalcon]

Over this way. [Shun gestures quickly to Yamanbagiri, leading him over to a small huddle of people. Most of them aren't too badly off, but there's a very frail-looking elderly lady wrapped in a blanket whose skin is paper-pale in some places and flushed with illness in others. It would be close to impossible for just one person to carry her without injuring her, likely explaining Shun's request for assistance.

He indicates a stretcher set nearby, apparently thinking the woman's condition speaks for itself.] We'll have to be careful about moving her anyway, but that blanket should help a bit, and the hospital is only about two streets away from here.

[birdstheword]

[Yamanbagiri it's rude to ignore what is said to you.

Hajime blinks slowly at him but her smile doesn't fade. In fact she continues threading the threads through her fingers idly.]

Sitting here for a bit before I head out to help everyone out. I wanted to make sure everyone is doing okay, you know?

[Her eyes trail along to his thread and then back up to him.]

I don't think I've met you before. I'm Hajime, nice to meetcha!

[birdstheword]

Uwahhh, Kurororo-kun easy. You don't need to worry, I'm not going to do anything to you. I know you're strong and can take care of yourself but it's still good to keep an eye on you just in case. You're sorta a wild card!

[Meaning Shun does some crazy things and its a wonder how he always makes it out just fine. Besdies, she likes him and she's sure the Vultures would miss him too if anything happened.

She wiggles her fingers before picking through the various threads so Shun's is free. Once she lets go of it and it falls from the ones in her hands, it slowly fades. That eerie feeling fades along with the thread, letting Shun go free. Granted, that doesn't mean Hajime won't do it later.]

I donno how I can tell. I just can. Each thread sorta just looks like the person they're from to me. Like yours is a super intense!

[reformedsinner]

[Her breathing is raspy and congested. Hakkai frowns, and kneels next to her, touching the back of his hand to her forehead.]

She's quite feverish.

[Illness isn't actually something he's very good at diagnosing. That breathing sounds bad, though. He does have some pills for lung congestion in his bag, but getting her to swallow them might be more difficult.

He looks up at the cloaked man.]

Can you get a bottle of water?

A

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai pauses next to Izumo at his tent, picking up one of the wooden tablets and turning it thoughtfully over to read the prayer on the back. It's written in a wobbly hand, the edges of the characters straggling down one into the next.

Please help my mommy get better she says she is OK but I know it is just to make me not worry.

It's a good thing, he reflects, that guilt doesn't sting a god; and glances up at the other man with a quirk of his eyebrow.]

What does that one say?

[alchemists]

Prank wars - closed

[ Elfnein asked Eliot to help with the on-going trouble that the kids in the nearby area have gotten into. If they can find the source of the problem then maybe the pranks will stop, maybe...]

I don't want to be on their level and use a prank to get them to notice things, so we need to find another way.

Flu season

[ Elfnein is helping pass out supplies to those suffering with the flu. Though instead of the normal over the counter meds she has the super cure mixture she made to try and help those suffering. Only problem is said super cure mixture hasn't been tested yet. ]

C

[reformedsinner]

[That's not going to end very well for anyone involved, is it?

Hakkai breathes out in a sigh, and steps decisively in from where he had been passing by on the other side of the street. One of the teenagers turns to throw a wild punch, and Hakkai ducks under it, moving smoothly to sink an elbow into the boy's stomach. He lets out a squeaky wheeze and folds double.

Hakkai leaves him on the ground, struggling to draw breath, and moves to Shun's side.]

Ah, I see you're a teacher too?

[Because he's certainly imparting some valuable life lessons.]