[semi-open] i reached out my hands and seized something shapeless but precious

[revolutionfalcon]

Who: Temple Nekhbet residents, visitors, and concerned parties after the event (basically anyone who Shun is on good enough terms with to feasibly be allowed into his temple. If you're not sure, ask!) There'll be a couple of closed prompts in toplevels too.
When: November 15th-17th
Where: Temple Nekhbet
What: Post-event temple mingle, for concerned parties, some in-temple problems, and the grand effort to actually get Shun to sit the fuck down for a few days.

[The vultures on the grounds of Shun's temple are a little calmer than usual in the wake of the recent incident, though perhaps that's courtesy of their usual meticulous care being taken over temporarily by Kotori, who is much more willing to keep them off people on the grounds than Shun is. In a slightly different, but equally carelessly-worn kimono to the one she was wearing in the video post, she's grooming a couple of the messier birds, who seem very attuned to her presence.

If anyone comes by intending to visit or at least look in on Shun after what happened, she'll invite in people she knows happily, or even those who responded helpfully to the network post and seem to know Shun well. However, she may tactfully suggest they not stray too much further than the well-lit visitor's room furnished in plain white linens until she can bring him in...or track him down, as the case may be. He's probably tried to sneak out of the temple at least once since he's been up to getting out of bed.

However, he's certainly not the only person about the temple, so feel free to take the opportunity to meet other residents or regular visitors as well.]

Comments

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun seems a little thrown off by that first statement, and he narrows his eyes slightly, though it seems more like confusion than suspicion.] Were you that concerned?

[Granted, while he wouldn't yet describe Ginia as a "friend" considering his towering standards for the term, she's still an ally, and he probably would've been concerned had their positions been reversed. Still, he feels it takes more than that to come right out and express relief.

He goes along with the change of subject to maple leaves, though, frowning slightly.] In what situation? There's a few things it could be.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia shrugs noncommittally, but considers the question. He is kind to her, he's a good ally, and she respects him. Speaking practically, he's reliable and it would be a shame to lose that. It would be easy to say it's purely out of practicality too.

But he is kind to her and he's one of the few people she can sign at and be understood. Maybe that is enough of a reason. Who knows.]

The spell tag wrapped around the leaf in the straw dolls. I think it's a maple leaf of some kind.

[revolutionfalcon]

[That makes Shun frown a little, because nothing he can think of himself seems to fit that.] They're associated with autumn, and balance of nature, but that's all I know. If it's not a maple from here, it could mean something else.

[Shun only really knows plant symbolism related to the flowers in his garden and the more common local ones, so if it's not a Japanese maple, he's not going to be very helpful on that front.]

[unlucky7]

[None of the symbolism stands out as anything that would create a direct connection. Why a maple leaf? What not something else? Or is the leaf nothing special? It's hard knowing what's real and what isn't.]

I know all the signs point to various things connecting together and there could be a cult trying to create a new god, but I worry it's all a distraction to something else. That while we're looking for clues, we're missing the bigger picture. I hate it.

[revolutionfalcon]

[She's not wrong about that, and Shun lets out a lengthy hiss himself.] I know. There's definitely something in the background here - there's no way that cult formed out of nothing, and no way it was them doing some of the things we've been dealing with so far. But it's one of the clearest leads we've gotten yet, so we can't just leave it.

[As much as he'd prefer being able to go straight to the cause, that's just not possible for them, so they have to do it this way.]

[unlucky7]

If there is a cult, it's more disturbing they were able to get this far without anyone noticing at all until after the fact.

[But maybe that's the problem with eight million gods; how do you keep track of the activities of so many? The heavens are confused enough with the presence of new gods and their shinki, what's one more new god acting on their own?

But hindsight is easy to remark on. All they can do now is keep moving forward.]

I don't have anything else to share, not until I begin crunching some information. I'll let you know once I have more information or other leads to follow.

[revolutionfalcon]

It's definitely got some connection to the previous times people have gotten into the Heavens unnoticed. The problem is there's so many gods that trying to track down a traitor is going to take them slipping up.

[They can't just constantly put surveillance on eight million gods, or even if that's not literal, whatever high number happens to be accurate, because there were certainly a hell of a lot of them at that party. Chances are they're entirely reliant on clues and what little slips of information they get.

In any case, this is probably all they can do for now, so Shun just nods at Ginia's dropping of the subject.] I'll see what I can do once I get out of here.

[There's a pointed sidelong glance in Kotori's direction at that.]

[unlucky7]

Don't push yourself too fast. I get you want answers, but let yourself rest up. Don't make trouble for your shinki.

[Yeah, yeah, it's nothing he hasn't heard over the last few days and she gets why he's raring to go, but that forest was bad and there's no telling what's next. She nudges the boxes of food she brought.]

Don't worry about returning the boxes, you can keep them or I can pick them up later.

[revolutionfalcon]

I don't need that much rest. I'm fine. [He's certainly much better than he was the first day or two, especially compared to when he was having trouble staying upright for more than a few steps. As far as he's concerned, upright and moving is fine enough for his purposes.

As for the food, he lets out a faint hiss through his teeth.] I suppose with as many people as there are in the temple right now, someone will go for it quickly enough.

[unlucky7]

[Sure, sure, whatever you say. Ginia nods her head at Kotori and the vultures again.]

Take care. I'll let you know as soon as I have any information of note.

[revolutionfalcon]

[While Shun lets out a slight sound of annoyance at the sentiment, he raises a hand as he starts to turn away.]

Hopefully we're fast enough this time that the trail doesn't go cold. [It's happened a bit too often with other incidents.]