thenearshore | [open] the bird is here and we are off

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[open] the bird is here and we are off

Who: Shun and you!
When: December 3rd-6th
Where: Nekhbet's Temple, the Far Shore in general, and also some well-known Tokyo shopping districts.
What: Shun accidentally his whole god of fortune powers and thus brings some giant metal bird friends along to the Heavens, and also ~~goes birthday shopping for someone~~ is hunting ayakashi at the shops, it's fine, don't ask questions.

[A: Nekhbet's Temple, December 3rd (Early Afternoon), semi-closed to established CR (or Central District residents)]

[It's early afternoon on one of his training days with Ren, so Shun is hanging around outside his temple giving the vultures a feed, or possibly a snack of some kind. It definitely appears to be some kind of jerky they're all clamouring over rather than actual raw meat or worse, carrion.

There's something somewhat reminiscent in Shun's expression that would probably be mistaken for fondness in anyone not him as he watches them flap around each other. It's not something he's prone to admit openly, but the loss of his former "allies" in his monsters when he came to this world had been a heavy blow in that initial month. Discovering the vultures in his temple had been somewhat of a remedy to that as time went on - not quite the same, but there's a loyalty and a bond of some kind there as well. Even if Keba is the only one that fond of anyone outside the temple.

A hand creeps almost automatically towards the back of his belt before he stops it, and forces himself to drop it back to the rock he's sitting on. Nothing has changed in the months he's been here, every time he's thought to check again, see if there was a possibility the fault that had occurred in his duel disk when he arrived might be fixed. He can still see them, but that, too, isn't quite the same.

He's mulling on that still when a large shadow falls across the stone, and instinctively, he leaps up and turns, expecting an ayakashi.

What he gets instead is a large robotic bird, several times his size and crawling with exhaust pipes, six red eyes glowing in its head.

Shun's eyes widen, but not in fear, just in surprise. Cautiously, almost as if he doesn't want to be too optimistic, he reaches his hand out, and the bird emits an eerie, metallic low as it dips its head down to meet his hand with the air of a loyal animal greeting its human for the first time in a long time.

His fingers touch slightly warmed metal and find resistance, and immediately, he moves closer, taking the bird's head in two hands and bringing it up to rest his head against it with a long, slow breath. It's not quite an affectionate hug, but it's certainly demonstrative of some kind of heartfelt reunion.

It's a shame that metallic birdcall was probably loud enough to draw an audience of some kind.]

--

[B: Far Shore, December 3rd-4th, OTA]

[Once Shun manages to puzzle out that it wasn't just some random happenstance that brought on Rise Falcon's appearance, but something he can now do for some reason (possibly to do with that whole God of Fortune mess the other day), there's only one thing for it: fly.

That is to say, he figures flying is both an excellent way to make sure that particular skill of his is up to scratch, and ensure he can hold these real "summons" as effectively while he's flying on a monster as he can on the ground. Or that they don't tire him out enough that he falls off. He's not quite sure how that part works yet.

As such, he can be seen both that day and the next soaring through the skies of the Far Shore, most commonly riding one of three robotic birds: the first one he summoned with the power, a smaller purple and gold one with curved back wings that makes for a more difficult but also more streamlined mount, and occasionally, a magnificent gold-and-black one with a multitude of wings and a halo-like construct visible at its back. Ultimate Falcon seems a bit showy for normal work, but Shun figures it's a good test of how much difference the size of the monster makes.

He will descend close to the ground on occasion, slowing and guiding his mount down with expert subtle movements of his weight that the birds respond to as if it's a natural pair, seeming perfectly content skimming along the ground.

They do let out creepy, metallic bird cries at the sight of people nearby, though, as if in warning to Shun, and his usual response is to lay a hand on the bird's head.]

I see them. [Whoever got raptor-screeched at gets a short nod in passing, though he'll slow down to talk if he's addressed or if it's someone he's met a few times.]

--

[C: Tokyo shopping districts, December 5th-6th, OTA]

[It's getting to a week before Ren's birthday, and while Ren's weird taste has given Shun reason to pick for and buy some presents online because it's both easier and less embarrassing for him, he does eventually decide to bite the bullet and buy some bits and pieces in person. This, unfortunately, means going to a shopping district if he wants a good chance of finding the kinds of things he's looking for.

If he's encountered in Shibuya or Shinjuku, he'll most likely be loitering in the general vicinity of accessory stores, cute trinket shops, and the occasional clothes shop with an unabashed, but wary air. It almost looks like he's looking for something other than just the shops, though it's only the very alert that are likely to catch him entering and leaving these shops.

In Ginza or Asakusa, he'll mostly be peeking at artisan/unique stores and items and more accessories, leaning more towards hair accessories this time, though his eye will also be drawn by things like knives as well, because...well, of course it will. It's a bit harder to conceal that he's looking at stores here, but he's trying.

If he's approached by anyone from the Far Shore, he's likely to start eying them off from a good several feet away, as if considering whether he should just leave now (or tell the other person to, most likely).]

Do you want something? I'm busy.

--

[D: Wild]

[[If you'd like to plan something else, feel free to contact me at

reviseleviathan!]]

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[ For all Obi likes animals, this is bizarre. Does these ....beings...? count as animals in the first place? Is it future machines? Man, the future has such weird things. This bird is harder to read than normal birds. ]

Okay...

[ Super bizarre. He understands the first bit. Spirits though..? Normally, in other worlds not connected to the Far Shore, how does that work? ]

So you've learned new magic with your new position, then.

Duly noted, I'll keep the sweetness to minimum. [Archer's already considering possible flavor choices. Perhaps something sweet and sour.] No adverse reaction to sweetened coffee?

[Goku is immune to such terse attitudes and it shows. It's almost like he's used to them or something.]

Hm, okay. If you say so! [Maybe Shun just doesn't have any friends back home. It's possible.] Hey, hey what else does your world have? It can't really just be humans, right? What about this thing? It's so cool!

[He means the giant bird.]

It's a creature you summon?

[A shikigami? Hakkai's interest sharpens, and his gaze lingers thoughtfully on any symbols he can spot on the creature. It looks like a robot to him; there's none of the fiery energy that marks Kougaiji's summon creatures, nor any evident spell objects.

He's also no expert in that kind of magic, even if it happened that Shun's world uses the same magic that his own does.]

Interesting. I wonder what changed?

[Ginia glances at Ultimate Falcon, bowing her head to it again. That was rude, sorry.]

May I pet you?

[Though now the question feels a little rude to ask. It's like the nekomata again, though she hadn't minded after the fact.

So maybe she can't resist petting animals. And maybe giant metal birds still fall under the category of animals.]

[Shun can't exactly blame the guy for being confused, since even he isn't completely sure what's going on in terms of how this happened. And it's not the kind of thing he can explain in detail when there are people from his world and similar worlds here as shinki.]

Something like that. It's probably another kind of god power, considering how powerful some of the old gods with the position seem to be.

[It wouldn't surprise him if becoming a God of Fortune involved being given new powers, considering how obsessed the old gods seem to be with the idea of it, though it would've been useful if anyone had actually mentioned it.]

I don't usually have it like that, but probably not. [Shun prefers bitterness where that's concerned, though there is probably one thing to impart there before Archer gets any ideas.] Make sure you use actual coffee, or he'll know.

[If there's one thing Ren actually is picky about, it's coffee.]

[Considering he comes from the same world as Hakkai, Shun would've been very surprised if Goku wasn't immune to those kinds of attitudes.

When Goku remarks on the bird, Shun lays a hand on Rise Falcon's beak, considering how much to say. He can't go into too much detail, but considering the half-truth he gave earlier about who's here from his world, he also can't straightforwardly say why.]

We just call these "monsters", though this one's name is Rise Falcon. They're called on as we need them, otherwise it's as if they aren't there. So it's a bit different to humans and animals and whatever else.

[Though they do live alongside humans in a certain sense, they also don't, and it's hard to explain without dipping into risky levels of detail.]

[Archer gives him The Look.]

Don't worry, I'll use only freshly ground coffee. Using cheap ingredients is not my style.

[Is that a cooking nerd surfacing? Whoops.]

[The only symbol visible on the bird is a red crest on the side of its neck, shaped like stylised wings of some kind. Shun seems to key in to the kind of thought Hakkai is probably having, though, and shakes his head slightly.]

In my world, I summoned it with a piece of technology, not my own powers. Which is why it's strange, because it's obviously not that here.

[His duel disk is still hidden on his person, as is his deck, and that's not how it works in his world, even ignoring the fact that the Real Solid Vision function has been broken since he got here. The only available explanation is that he did it himself somehow...but that's where Hakkai's question comes into play.

Shun considers it briefly, and ends up pulling a bit of an irritated look.] The only unusual thing I can think of that happened that recently is the stupid announcement from the other day.

[Ultimate Falcon scrutinises Ginia with its single eye for a few moments, as if considering the idea. Then, eventually, it makes a slight noise that sounds vaguely affirmative (if still eerie) and dips its head down a bit so it's within reach.

Shun doesn't seem particularly surprised, resting his own hand on the bird's neck.]

I think they'd be familiar enough with the people I know to accept that sort of thing. [Johan had said he'd seen at least one of the spirits around Shun when he'd been here, so it's not beyond belief that the spirits would be familiar with Shun's allies in this world.]

[Shun's just going to give him a Look right back, because come on, he needs to be sure of this sort of thing.]

I figured, considering the kind of obsession you seem to have with cooking. Ginia made sure I got that food you made the other week.

[He admittedly mostly left it for the people who'd been staying at his temple at the time, but he had taken a bit of it himself, and it had been obvious enough Archer was skilled at the task.]

Someone has to cook. Last time Caster and Lancer tried to bake a cake mix they burned down the kitchen.

[He'd be damned if he ever admits it's as close to a hobby as one can get.]

[That...does not put him any more at ease. He frowns as he stops in his tracks and looks up at the two of them.]

How does it usually work, then? [~~He needs to know the warning signs.~~]

[Shun gives a faint snort.] Sounds like Chinatsu. I always thought cooking was straightforward enough myself, but then there's plenty of people who can't cook rice without burning it.

[It's hardly rocket science, and yet Shun learnt very quickly not to trust Chinatsu near anything in the kitchen that involves actual cooking.]

It usually works with a specific piece of equipment I don't have here. So you can probably see why I'm confused. [He's not getting too specific, and definitely not letting slip about his duel disk - it's more of a half-truth he's giving, since he does have a duel disk but it doesn't have the function it would need to do this. As far as he's concerned, the less he says about it the safer it is.]

So I need to figure out what caused this first before I start figuring out what specific parts of it are different.

[Hakkai and Goku are both well-trained when it comes to smiling in the face of grumpiness. Slightly different smiles, but still. His smile drops at "monsters" though.]

Like... they're not real? [That's confusing. Goku holds out his hand for Rise Falcon to sniff before he tries petting it's beak as well.] ... Why do ya call 'em that?

[It all sounds kind of weird. Almost like Goku's staff, but Nyoi-bo isn't a bird or a monster or anything like that.]

Obviously not.

[The crest could be some sort of sigil, Hakkai supposes, but it looks more like a marking of rank or regiment. He tilts his head back, considering the bird for another few seconds before he glances back at Shun.]

Well, that's just not fair. I haven't gotten any pets out of the deal.

[His tone is dry.]

I suppose.

[He tilts his head.]

So, what's this one's name?

[Ren is making his way up the path through the front garden--pretty slowly, like usual, so he can enjoy it longer--when he hears the weird birdcall from somewhere up ahead. He frowns a little and picks up the pace. It doesn't quite sound like an ayakashi...but it doesn't sound like anything else around here either.

But it doesn't look like anything to worry about either, and he relaxes as soon as he can see what's going on. It's just Rise Falcon...although it's weird that Shun summoned it when it seems to bother him so much--

Then he finally notices that Shun seems to actually be touching it, and Ren gasps in delight and jogs the rest of the way over to them.]

Oh! It's actually here this time!

[Shun's eyes open when he hears footsteps, and he's about to put some distance in to break that obvious moment of vulnerability when Ren speaks up and he relaxes a little. He still lifts his head again, but one hand remains on the side of Rise Falcon's face and beak, as if letting go might make it disappear again.]

It is. Somehow. [Shun raises his free arm - it's very clear he's not wearing his duel disk on either one, and now that he's having the chance to think about it, he certainly looks a little bit confused. Rise Falcon swivels its head slightly towards Ren, six red eyes observing him until it decides it remembers this person and settles a bit.] Something else must have caused it this time.

Étranger Falcon. [It's a bit of a weird name even for a robotic bird, but Shun is so used to strange monster names that he doesn't really question it. It's better than having to introduce something like Fuzzy Lanius, at least.]

I've mostly been testing this with bigger ones, so I'm trying to figure out whether their size makes any difference to how hard it is to keep them here.

[Granted, this one isn't exactly small, especially in wingspan, it's just smaller than most of the others in his Extra Deck.]

Edited 2018-06-26 11:15 (UTC)

They're not pets. [Shun's tone is equally dry, but there's an immediacy to his answer that serves as somewhat of a warning. Insults to himself he's willing to take with a straight face, but his monsters fall under the group of his allies, and insulting them is treading dangerous waters, even if Hakkai's tone makes it clear it's not really intended that way.

Rise Falcon, too, gives an unpleasant sort of grinding noise at the remark, head turning towards Hakkai. It may not be able to communicate, but that doesn't mean it can't understand.]

And if it is some kind of power, then yours would obviously just be something else. It's not as if our original powers are anything like each other's.

Just because something isn't visible doesn't mean it isn't real. [Shun might not have said that so firmly a few months ago, but that was before he met Johan and received confirmation that the idea of Duel Monster spirits wasn't simply a myth. Now that he knows that's true, it's hard to say in any sense that they're not real even if they're not around all the time.]

Don't ask me, the name's been around a lot longer than I have. It's just what they're called. [It is slightly odd, since there are human-shaped "monsters" and similar sorts of things, but Shun's so used to it that it almost feels weirder to question it.]

Edited 2018-06-26 11:16 (UTC)

[Hakkai inclines his head, accepting the correction. The falcon's grumble makes it clear enough that 'pet' isn't a name it appreciates.]

My apologies. Comrades, then.

-- But you may be right about that.

[He'd more or less stumbled into his original power when he'd discovered his temple's workroom. Will there be some similar clue to his new one? Or will he have to come up with some other way to discover it?

He shakes his head, after a moment.]

I suppose I'll find out.

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[open] the bird is here and we are off

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