thenearshore | acting on your best behavior, turn your back on mother nature

Entry tags:

acting on your best behavior, turn your back on mother nature

Who: Shun Kurosaki, Hibiki Shikyoin, Princess Zelda, and one (1) creepy tree cultist
When: ~~time is fake~~ Early December-ish
Where: A department store food court near a Mister Donut
What: Zelda enlists the help of the #1 and #3 gods in ~~interrogating~~ having a conversation with one of the cultists involved in the forest incident. Maybe someone should have told her they don't much like each other...?
Warnings: Passive aggressive teenagers but aside from that hopefully nothing.

[The plan is, theoretically, simple. Meet with the cultist from before, keep his attention long enough to ask some questions and possibly get some more contacts within the organization, then leave on peaceful terms where no one suspects anyone of being anything more than a group of mortals wanting to live in a kinder world. Simple and to the point. Honestly, she would have tried to do this herself if it weren't for two things.

One, even the best laid plans can go awry - a fact Zelda is well aware of. And she is not keen on finding out what these cultists might do should they find one of the "old gods" they so despise has been trying to probe them for information. She needs someone to watch her back in case things go wrong. And two, more embarrassingly... she is not the most well versed on the technology and culture of this world. She held her own well enough during the interrogation in the forest, but she needs someone who can cover for her if something she doesn't understand comes up.

And so, here she is with Shun and Hibiki, standing outside a storefront emblazoned with a smiling donut man as they wait for their quarry. For her part, Zelda has found a knit cap to tuck her long ears into, as well as a more modern winter dress, though her efforts at accessorizing are minimal outside of the hat. She takes a deep, steeling breath to calm her nerves, then looks to the other two gods.]

One last time, we all understand what the goal here is, correct? I do not want this to turn violent unless our hands are forced.

[She has probably gone over the plan and her non-violent conditions like five times with each of them individually but she is anxious, okay.]

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[Shun is taking some advantage of his habit of looking a bit out-of-place - he's still wearing his usual outfit, but he's opened the coat and messed the whole look up a bit to give the impression of someone who might be struggling with their life and looking for a reprieve. He imagines it's not uncommon for the cultists to get people in that sort of position, considering their aims, and it fits how he comes off a whole lot better than any other fake face would.

At Zelda's warning, he inclines his head. He figures it's mostly for him anyway, since in his experience Hibiki mostly just employs dramatic idiocy when pressed.]

Get the information out of the cultist without stirring suspicion. It's not how I usually do it, but as long as you do most of the talking, I doubt they'll think much of it.

[At that, he gives a rather pointed sidelong glance to Hibiki.] Which means no pointless dramatics, either.

[ Hibiki, on the other hand....could be dressed worse than this. It's not, for example, cowprint camo shorts. Give her credit where she deserves it.

She smiles at the warning, on her best behavior ~~to show up Shun~~ for the Princess. ] Meaningless conflict wouldn't be elegant. Worry not, Princess Zelda.

[ No one, please, point out she has a donut takeout bag. These confections are beneath her, naturally.

But Wendy might enjoy one. And Hibiki likes giving gifts. ]

[Goddesses have mercy, how is she ever going to explain the company she keeps. Archer would have probably picked a happy medium between two-steps-from-homeless and movie star, but then again there's a reason she didn't ask for his help here, isn't there? She'll just have to cross that bridge when she comes to it.]

My fear is that should we scare them off now, the organization will take greater care in covering their tracks next time they make a move. That being said, you... likely should not call me "Princess" while he is around. [She exhales, casting her gaze out towards the various people passing by.] If there are any aliases either of you would prefer to be called by while we speak with him, now would be the time to share.

[They weren't exactly the best choices for subtlety, Shun could've said that himself - Hibiki is Hibiki, and he's much better at actual interrogations than trying to blend in and ask questions. But this is what Zelda's working with, so it's going to have to work.]

I'm thinking the same thing. [As for aliases, he shrugs.] Just use Kuro, that's generic enough it could be a nickname for any number of names. If they ever have reason to recognise us, it's probably not going to make a difference anyway, but it's probably safer considering how some of the magic here works.

[If they see their faces again, they'll be recognised regardless - they all look fairly distinctive. But any spell that relies on names could become a problem if they just give out their real ones.]

Avoiding names in general is best. [ If pressed, she'll introduce herself as James Pond or something. PriPri7 is the only spy franchise worth knowing - and she, naturally, is next in line to play the star.

Motion catches her attention, however, and she glances across the court. ] Someone's coming.

[ To affect disinterest, she stares at her reflection in the sign advertising a donut sale. Never let it be said Shikyoin Hibiki can't achieve multiple goals simultaneously.

Now, is it the right someone? ]

Edited 2018-06-06 14:28 (UTC)

[It's the right someone; a man who appears to be in his late 30s, with thinning hair, an overly jaunty red collared shirt open at the neck, and skinny jeans, is approaching. He pulls out his phone, checking it. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he doesn't seem to notice the trio of gods standing in front of the Mister Donut.]

[Zelda is more willing to be direct; she is the one doing the contacting, after all. The man looks quite a bit different without the cloak and darkness of the forest, but his features are recognizable enough. She nods.]

That's him. I shall go try to get his attention.

[She steps forward, affecting bright-eyed curiosity as she puts herself in his line of sight.]

Oh, hello! You are the one I spoke to on the phone, right? About, ah... [She glances aside, as though she's unsure if she should talk about what she's about to say.] Big... changes in the world?

[Hopefully he recognizes her voice from her voicemails and so on. The fact that he showed up at all is a decent sign that he didn't forget about her completely after hanging up. Maybe the spell on the forest also affected the humans within?

... Also she's trying to discreetly check the side of his head that Archer punched to knock him out. He's a creepy tree cultist but she was still concerned.]

[Shun definitely pays attention to the man as soon as Zelda draws attention to him, but it's in his peripherals so he's not obviously eying the guy off. It seems pretty likely he's their guy, but they're not going to find out without asking considering how things go with Near Shore people.

As Zelda heads over, he turns his head more fully and follows along behind her at a trailing distance, as if reluctant but interested. It's absolutely not a hard manner to feign for him, considering how often he ends up having to play along with things he doesn't really want to do here.

He's not going to approach too close or intercede in the conversation until Zelda introduces them, though - he's just approached enough to look like he's not so overprepared. He figures most random people joining a group like this aren't as cautious about it as he is about...most everything, really.]

[ This is what gets pulled into cults nowadays? There's not a single beautiful thing about him. But, Hibiki supposes that's the point. One doesn't seek a higher calling in something absurd if one's life isn't already devoid of all excellence.

In any case, the clapper has struck, and it's time to assume a Role. Hibiki assumes an equally innocent smile. On another person, it would be bland - but she's still Shikyoin Hibiki. "Bland" is uncountenanceable. ] Thank you for taking the time to chat today. In this world of nothing but falsehoods, it's reassuring to know some seek the truth.

[ A small casual sparkle. Nothing too big. Blink and you'll miss it.

But lingering long enough to make people want to look at her longer, to see if they can glimpse it again.... ]

[The edges of a bruise are visible at his hairline on the side of the face that Archer punched in the forest, but he's not squinting at the light or looking otherwise too concerned. He does break into a smile when she approaches him, holding out a hand.]

Nice to meet you.

[He looks Zelda up and down, appraising her, but startles as Hibiki approaches. His expression twists into a frown.]

I didn't know you were inviting friends.

[Zelda takes the offered hand, keeping her grip light as he looks her up and down. Yes, she is just your normal, completely average young lady - no secret ninja training here, no sir. That said, her expression similarly falls when his reaction to Hibiki's presence is less friendly.]

Oh, I-- I thought I had mentioned that I had a few that were also interested...

[Did he forget? This could be a problem. She tilts her head.]

Is that alright?

[Seeing the man's suspicion pique already, Shun figures he should announce his presence in some manner now so he doesn't seem to "appear" halfway through when he needs a particular piece of information. But he takes advantage of the fact that the man's notice has so far passed over him, taking a half-step back and forcing himself to slacken his posture a bit, make himself look less imposing.

It's a strange look on him, and to him it feels more akin to how he used to hold himself before the war. It's probably more convincingly nonchalant than anything he'd muster up normally, at least.]

We can leave, if you want. [Quiet, conversational, slightly informal, like he remembers the Commons speaking.] But we heard talk and thought we should hear it from someone who really knows what they're talking about.

[He has to force those last couple of words out with the rationalisation to himself that it's technically true - the guy knows a lot more about what the hell's going on with this cult than they do. Honeyed words don't come easily to him, but he at least keeps that conflict out of his voice.]

[ Kurosaki Shun can act? There may be something to his position in the pantheon after all. He keeps pulling out unexpected talents.

Still, she can see that there's only one person in this group who knows how to flatter, and that the target requires a lighter touch. ] We're so dissatisfied, you see. It's as if the strongest gods are incompetent.

[ heh heh heh heh

heh ]

Yes, well... [He frowns, uncertainty flashing over his expression before he hides it behind bravado and a judgmental sniff.]

You should be more clear.

[Had she told him? He doesn't remember exactly what she'd said, only that there had been a meeting, someone interested in converting....

He looks between each of the three, and, eventually, nods.]

It's obvious the gods don't pay attention. Or if they do, they don't care. Just look at the world! [A vague gesture seems to indict the Mister Donut as proof of divine incompetence.]

So are you three willing to take some risks to do something about it?

[Well, at least Hibiki's having fun with this...]

I am truly sorry for the confusion...

[Zelda smiles, apologetic and a little nervous in the beats between the reprimand and his acceptance. But it seems like that little bump in the road was just that, a little bump, and the guy is still willing to cooperate. She doesn't know what Mister Donut did to earn such ire, but she nods along regardless.]

But that is why we are here, isn't it? [The glance she spares to the other two gods for agreement is also a silent prompt for further questioning. "Taking some risks" sure sounds ominous, doesn't it...]

["Acting" is probably a bit generous, but his prior training as a pro duelist did give Shun the capacity to wear a different face if necessary. The real question is how long he'll put up with the charade.

At the man's question, he gives an immediate nod. However ominous it sounds, they're not going to get anywhere if they look fussy and hesitant, and an unhesitating attitude is definitely something that comes naturally to Shun.] I know I wouldn't be here if I wasn't.

[It's just that the thing they're taking some risks to do something about isn't the gods. Shun certainly wants to know what a smug-looking guy like this wants out of a new world order, considering the direction his thoughts automatically go when people are making ill-thought-out grabs for power.]

[ Hibiki nods, as well. Light touch, light touch....let the target think he's the star player in the scene. Such is the talent of a true mastermind.

This could be an interesting opportunity, as well. Depending on the nature of these people's discontent, perhaps they have merely assigned their ire to the wrong cause, when their souls yearn for Apollo...?

Scene first, though. She is focused. ] I've always desired revolution.

[ what a time to not lie. ]

[They all have different tones -- one diffident, one determined, one declamatory -- but all three of them sound sincere, and the man nods, his glance sweeping across them again.]

If you're ready... then I've got a task for you.

You'll have to prove you're worthy of being a part of this.

[He pats his coat pockets, and, at last, produces a little fabric packet. It's an unobtrusive brown silk square, about half the size of his palm, hand-stitched shut around all four edges.]

Leave this on the grounds of Tokyo Daijingu -- somewhere where it won't be found.

[Zelda holds out her hands to receive the little packet, a wary sort of curiosity in her eyes. Thankfully, winter's incoming chill means her tendency towards wearing gloves just about everywhere is a little less odd than it might otherwise be to a modern person, and she hopes that if this sachet is somehow meant to do harm to beings of the Far Shore, avoiding direct skin contact will keep her safe as it does with blight. Is there any notable smell coming from it?]

This... will help the new gods? [She asks, trying to prompt the man into giving more information. Tokyo Dainjigu... that sounds familiar in a vague sort of way, but she's never been.] How long to we have to complete this task?

[More importantly, is it long enough to analyze the hell out of it to figure out what it's supposed to do?]

[Shun is already suspicious as hell as soon as the guy pulls out what looks a lot like one of those bad luck charms they've encountered before - though if it's not affecting the man to touch it, maybe it's something else. Still, he certainly doesn't consider it a stretch that someone in the position he's pretending to be in would be curious, so he leans in slightly towards Zelda, looking at the packet. Though it's how he normally checks over new things in detail, it has the side-effect of looking fittingly like he's never seen anything like it before.]

What's it for? [It's a more straightforward question than Zelda, but then, it fits the face here. He doubts anyone without knowledge of magic would think a tiny fabric pack could do much, after all.]

A trial, hmm....

[ Hibiki is also looking over the packet. In particular, she's looking to see if it's marked, or shaped, like anything she might have seen (or her goats might have filmed) in the forest, or the ruins of the department store basement.

The homemade appearance doesn't seem to allude to a very sophisticated organization... ] A modest prelude.

[The packet has no markings anywhere, nor any evident odor; it rustles slightly, like paper, as he places it in Zelda's palm, but it comes with no feeling of blight. It could have been a cat toy or a sachet; the outer appearance is so bland that it seems almost calculated to go unnoticed.

He smiles, sharply.]

All you need to know is that it'll help the new gods. If that's not enough, then go home. This isn't right for you.

[And, to Zelda:]

As soon as you can. Today would be ideal -- when you're done, I'll call you.

[They don't much like questions, huh. Though Zelda has to wonder if this man even knows what he's passing on, or if he's just on orders from someone else higher up. She glances to Shun with cautious eyes, a silent urging to be patient even though he's not getting the answers he wants. Surely, they have the tools and contacts needed to figure this out.

But... something else about the man's words does put her on edge--]

Wait... how will you know when we are done? Will you be tracking us somehow?

[That... might be problematic...]

[Obvious reluctance to give over the information just makes Shun more suspicious, but since Zelda's gloved hands seem to be keeping any potential curse effects at bay, he figures they can leave it. Especially if he's giving them a reasonable amount of time to do it - it just means they have time to analyse it or find a workaround to actually performing the task.

He nods at Zelda's question, though.] I'd like to know that too. I would've figured it'd be simpler for us to contact you.

[As little emotion as Shun typically allows into his voice, he presses himself to sound at least passably like he's genuinely confused about the choice rather than suspicious. Everything about the idea of being secretly watched doesn't sit right with him.]

We simply wish to execute our mission as perfectly as possible.

[ Hibiki chimes in to try to alleviate the suspicion their group might otherwise begin to exude. Which is not to say she doesn't find this whole situation suspicious as heck. She has experience believing everyone's a liar, but the persistent ones are the worst kind.

Besides, their organization has no panache at all if this is what they make their evil handiwork look like. Hibiki is not just suspicious, she's aesthetically offended. Which is worse.

What a blessing, then, that she is a professional actor! And can continue using confident yet honeyed tones on the target, smug in the knowledge that she's tricking someone who is up to a trick. That will secure their victory! ]

[The man leans forward, gaze sweeping across the three of them.]

We'll know. You three sure have a lot of questions for people who came to me asking to be let in on this.

If you want to know more, prove yourselves first.

[He nods at the plain fabric packet in Zelda's hands.]

I told you what you need to do. Go. I have your number.

[Zelda smiles reflexively, the nervousness that slips through looking a bit more like an apology as she closes her fist around the packet and slides it into her pocket.]

We are just curious, you know? I am sure everyone is when they start out.

[... It chafes her pride, but she makes herself bow slightly at the waist in the way she's seen other people of this country do so when they want to show gratitude.]

Thank you, for giving us this opportunity. We will do our best.

[And unless Shun or Hibiki has any objections, she will try to usher them away to disappear in the crowd. They've definitely got their work cut out for them, that's for sure.]

[Shun certainly doesn't have any objections, because he immediately turns on his heel and starts to walk away as soon as Zelda makes the indication. It's partially to go along with the plan, but mostly so he resists the increasing urge to just kick the man in the kneecaps and get the information out of him another way.

No guarantees if there's any more smug out of the guy's mouth, though. Shun has very little patience for being ordered around, undercover or not.

He'll hopefully at least wait until they're out of earshot before letting out any of his venom.]

Edited 2018-06-19 12:02 (UTC)

Adieu. [ Hibiki gives the man a small nod and salute, then follows her fellow gods. How laughable. To seek divinity, but fail to recognize it when it appeared in front of him....

But, anyway, on to the next act. Hibiki pulls out her phone. One...goat....and a car to discuss things in private....assuming...someone notices her calling for it.... ] Don't keep that charm on your person too long, Princess Zelda.

[ she made it the whole scene without calling you a princess

let her have this ]

[Yes, and we're all very proud of you, Hibiki.

Zelda hums in acknowledgement of her concern, pulling the charm back out to look at it once more. Now that she doesn't have to worry about keeping up harmless appearances, her expression falls into one of serious contemplation.]

That was... less enlightening than I had hoped. He seemed much more forthcoming with information in the forest.

[Another affect of the spell they were casting, perhaps? But in any case--]

We should go to the place he mentioned and check if they have not already placed any of these or any other charms there. I doubt they would give a task to a new recruit that they were not already capable of.

[As soon as Shun's confident they're out of sight, he turns to more closely examine the charm.]

I'd also doubt one charm would do anything to a shrine as significant as Tokyo Daijingu. But I'm also suspicious about what he said about knowing. If he's not lying, either this is going to have an immediately noticeable effect, or there's something in the charm.

[It could be part of the spell on it. He'd assume a bug or tracer more readily, but he doubts it would last so close to a magic source.]

We'll need to either take this thing apart ourselves or get someone more familiar with magic to check it over, anyway. We don't know what it's made to do, so it might be best not to take it near the shrine at all.

Leave that to me.

[ Hibiki produces a handkerchief and holds out a hand for the charm.

Granted, by "leave that to her" she means she's going to show up at someone else's temple (probably Elfnein's) and make them run the analysis. But the plan will be hers. So it counts. ]

[To say Zelda trusts Hibiki with the analysis might be a bit of a stretch. But she does trust that she won't want to let the princess down. It'll get done, one way or another.

So Zelda drops the charm into Hibiki's handkerchief, nodding.]

Very well. Then if we all find it agreeable, Hibiki shall take the charm to be examined, and I, at least, will go to the Tokyo Daijingu to search for more of them.

[If Shun wants to come with her, great. If he has other ideas, he's competent enough that she's not going to stop him. Though, that being said...]

... After this is all said and done, we should likely report our findings to Lady Amaterasu.

[slowly

glances

at mr. god of fortune]

Hold on. [Before Hibiki can put the charm away, Shun steps around and takes out his phone to get a quick picture of it.] If the person who examines it takes it apart, make sure you or them gets pictures. It might be made the same way as the other charms we've dealt with.

[Shun doesn't really trust Hibiki with analysis either, but she does seem intent on impressing Zelda, so Shun's going to have to trust her ridiculous ego isn't going to let her do something stupid with it. Especially when Zelda gives him that pointed look at the suggestion of telling Amaterasu, and he lets out a slight sigh.]

I'm going to need all the information to show if I request an audience to tell her. Which means this all needs to be done quickly. [He's particularly directing that comment towards Hibiki, considering her penchant for putting on a show about things.]

I'll come to the shrine. Two pairs of eyes is better than one.

[ Hibiki nods, slowly curling her fingers around the charm. A mention of Amaterasu has a...rather different effect on her than on Shun. ] Further puncturing of this defective system mustn't be allowed.

[ oh dear, we've unlocked

noble stoic antihero hibiki mode

the character designer has been brought in to draw her and everything. she is so handsome.

But she also actually seems competent, for once. So this analysis may actually get done properly! ]

[Oh.

Oh my.

Hibiki actually looks kind of cool for once. How surprising. Maybe her heart would have fluttered, if she was a normal teenager and not a repressed ball of duty issues.]

Right. Then it is settled. We will meet back up in the Heavens at sundown to discuss our findings and whatever courses of actions they might necessitate.

[Lightly, she bows her head to the other two gods.]

Thank you both for coming with me today. I owe each of you a favor.

[Shun still looks rather less than impressed at Hibiki's dramatic change in demeanour, but he's distracted quickly enough by Zelda's parting comment, which has him wearing the kind of confused look one would usually associate with encountering communication they literally don't know how to interpret.]

I would've been looking into this myself anyway, this just made it easier. You don't owe me anything.

[He's not all that fond of owing or being owed, even if he's made some exceptions in the past. But when it's something he absolutely would've ended up embroiled in anyway, he's not going to expect anything in return.]

I'll have a perfect report for you.

[ Hibiki, on the other hand, is totally going to cash in on Zelda owing her stuff. But first, she has to produce flawless results!

A nod to Zelda, and she turns to go, giving Shun an aside over her shoulder. ] Try not to hold her back on reconnaissance.

[ You are a dark and suspicious-looking fellow, after all.

...And now she's going to go, because she has a Mission, and not at all to deprive Shun of the chance to throw a bird at her head or something. ]

[At least she actually believes she does owe Hibiki something this time. She'll just have to survive whatever the other decides to put her through. She watches Hibiki disappear into the crowd with a slightly helpless look and a wave, before shaking her head and shrugging for Shun.]

Regardless, you have my gratitude. If there is anything I can help you with in the future, do not hesitate to call upon me.

[And hopefully she's actually proven herself trustworthy by now.]

For now, though, we have some clean up to do.

[While Shun doesn't start towards Hibiki at all, just before she has the chance to leave, a red robotic bird crawling with blades manifests out of thin air an inch in front of her face.]

Don't think the vultures not being here means you can run your mouth.

[It's a calm, straightforward warning (and at least partially so she might think before he needs to set any of his raptors on her later, for Wendy's sake if nothing else). The bird doesn't move to follow Hibiki when she leaves, but it bristles with an audible sound of blade against blade and watches her go.

Eventually, Shun lets it disappear and inclines his head slightly to Zelda.] Let's not waste any more time, then.

Hrrk!!

[ Hibiki drops her donut bag. When did he---!!!

A multifaceted opponent, that Kurosaki Shun.

She will probably end up handing off a bag of crumbled commoner pastries to Wendy, then sequestering herself to get this charm analyzed. ]

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acting on your best behavior, turn your back on mother nature

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hakkai you were a part of the spooky cult all along how could you

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thread wrap?

maybe one more round, i'm sorry about him

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