30 - Deep Clean

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: The Heavens have issued everyone invitations to a relaxing hot spring vacation.
When: Dec 14 - 16
Where: A traditional onsen hotel on the Far Shore
Summary: The invitations might have looked like an opportunity for a pampered getaway, but this onsen seems a little run down. And shouldn't there be a bigger staff? Is this an excuse to get the new gods and shinki to clean up an old building, or is it an opportunity for a rustic getaway? It's all in how you look at it....






Rustic Baths

Heaven's messenger doves drop invitations off by the doorways of temples throughout the Far Shore in the second week of December. Ornamented with a calligraphed swirl of steam, they invite the residents of each temple to relax at a recently re-opened hot spring in the safety and comfort of the Far Shore's southern fields.

Upon arrival, visitors will discover that the hot spring itself is heavenly. Cloudy waters in every shade from nearly white to turquoise fill pools that are cut cleanly into stone. The hottest baths are filled from pipes ten feet up, with steaming waters cascading down, cooled enough by the fall not to burn. Outdoors, fences cleverly masked with bushes and vines provide privacy for bathers. The indoor baths are set into the floor in solid wooden buildings, for those who would prefer not to brave the elements for their relaxing soak. Other wooden buildings are airier, with traditional sliding paper doors and tatami rooms within for visitors to sleep.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look all that ready to "re-open." The buildings are worn down by time and neglect; sliding doors are off their tracks, paper screens are torn, tatami is worn out, and the landscaping is badly overgrown. This looks more like a haunted house than a luxurious getaway. At least the baths are nice.

Cooking & Cleaning

There's a noticeable lack of staff around the hot spring; the only caretakers for the place appear to be two elderly shinki in plain indigo robes, one man and one woman. The man can be spotted here and there around the place over the few days that their guests are present, industriously scrubbing floors, patching screens, repairing tatami and cutting back bushes. It's far more work than just one person can do, and he'll be eager to explain the tasks and accept any help that's offered.

The other shinki is a slight, stooped old woman who bustles about with fresh towels and robes, lays out futons and pillows for the guests, and cooks three meals a day. She, too, is terribly overworked, and help with the laundry or the cooking will be gratefully accepted! Surely, if everyone works together, they'll be able to make this a wonderful.... vacation?

Spooky Sleepover

For those who take the two shinki up on their offer of hospitality, they will find that the rooms are comfortable, the futon are soft and warm, the stars are beautiful far from the lights of more densely populated areas of the Heavens... and as soon as the lanterns are all snuffed for bedtime, the remote resort starts to feel a little creepy. Strange creaking noises resound overhead. Is that the wind, or someone walking on the roof? What about the shadows cast through the paper screens by the moonlight? Is the flicker of light outside someone taking a flashlight as they go for a late-night walk, or a will-o'-the-wisp beckoning the unwary to their doom? And what about those distant animal howls in the forest?!

Investigate the mysterious noises, or pull the covers up and try to get some sleep. Extra-brave guests could even take the opportunity to light some candles and tell ghost stories.

The Bath's Master Returns

On the 16th, the two shinki will wake all of their guests up promptly at dawn by ringing a big brass bell in front of the dining building. Bursting with pride, they introduce the bath's proprietor, home at last from a long flight: he's a man in his thirties, tall, heavy-set and wearing a trailing feathery cloak, with a red face and a very large nose. (Or is that really a cloak? It could be wings....) He fans himself vigorously with a white feather fan, and welcomes the remaining guests in a booming voice, before inviting them to enjoy a lavish breakfast spread and come back soon!

Guests who have stayed until the final day will find a gift at their place setting when they go inside, especially if they helped the proprietor's poor overworked shinki with their tasks. Comment below on the "Gift" thread to learn what your character found in their package.

In Summary:

• Vacation at a run-down hot spring
• Help the staff get things in order
• Try not to get scared by the spooky surroundings
• Get a present from the bath's proprietor
• Have fun~

Comments

Dec 15th-16th [OTA]

[light_of_willpower]

Cooking and Cleaning
[As hard as it is, Mai wouldn't want Trunks to mope or brood. Not that he doesn't want to, but he also wants to honor his former Goddess' wish. Which means to the hot springs with others, even if he's quieter. Between the surprise of a jacket with an odd logo duct-taped to his room's ceiling, and his Goddess disappearing, he's not feeling very festive...

Which means it's time to throw himself into work, and he will happily help their two hosts. Mostly with the harder chores, like scrubbing, and cutting back bushes, or bustling towels and spreading out futons. It's a good distraction, and he's a work-horse of sorts. Yes, this is how he enjoys his vacation--although he might be persuaded to take a break during dinner or a dunk in the rustic bath.

[Spooky Sleepover]

The sounds were annoying, and the atmosphere a bit off. Trunks didn't really care though, but he is going to keep an ear out (and eye out) if anyone's in trouble or feeling scared and wants some company or extra protection. It's not as if he needs the sleep that badly.

Sleepover

[saiyanhybrid]

Oh--hey, Trunks.

[Gohan does greet him, though he's eying him a bit too just in case.

He knows Trunks, after all.]

Decided to go for a stroll, too?

Re: Sleepover

[light_of_willpower]

[There's a shrug, and a small polite smile.]

It's nice to see you again Gohan. Seems like this place is surprisingly noisy at night, and people find it creepy. I learned my way around pretty well earlier helping clean, so I've been trying to help alleviate some of the fears by playing guide and ghost-scarer.

[Not that he's seen any ghosts yet. Gohan does know Trunks--and can probably easily tell his guard is up. Not because he feels threatened, but because he's trying to not let on how much he feels the loss. He's polite, and he's staying active, to try and not brood.]

[saiyanhybrid]

No way of getting around it, I guess. But it's not unusual for buildings to make creepy noises.

[Still...]

How've you been holding up?

[light_of_willpower]

I'm managing. Mai wouldn't want me to brood. She also stated she wants me to find a good god to serve, so for all that I know nameless shinki are supposed to be powerless... I plan to take my time.

[Even if he couldn't do borderlines, Trunks was stubborn. And far from powerless, despite his lack of name.]

[saiyanhybrid]

Shinki are far from powerless.

[Even he knows that.]

But I'm glad to hear you're doing okay. If you ever need a place to stay, you're welcomed to stay at my temple for a while.

cooking and cleaning

[mostsuitable]

[It's hard to tell whether or not Reisi's actually assisting, but he's dressed in a med-dark blue robe instead of his usual blue uniform or even his typical civilian wear.

While he'd seen Trunks' post on the BBS, Reisi would much rather respond in person. So it's convenient that Trunks had still accepted the invitation to the hot springs even though it doesn't appear ready for its re-opening.]

You seem to be working really hard, Trunks-kun.

Re: cooking and cleaning

[light_of_willpower]

[Trunks'll change later, right now he's in his civilian clothing. Looking up from his scrubbing at the sound of the voice, and nodding.]

Reisi-san. How are you?

[He still didn't quite get the honorifics, but he'd picked up some people preferred them, and tried to mimic that. At least as much as he could without offending.]

[mostsuitable]

I'm fine. I appreciate your asking.

[Reisi can respect that Trunks could be quite polite and courteous, and that he's quite the diligent worker as well.]

I saw you'd posted to the BBS—I'm sorry to hear what had happened. How have you been faring?

[Hopefully he's been taking care of himself well enough.]

[light_of_willpower]

[The politeness helps, even though he doesn't know the other as well. They had gotten along whenever they've been around each other.]

She wouldn't want me to brood, so I'm trying to not do that. I'm managing so far, and hoping to take my time. She left a note, and wants me to find a good god to serve. I want to make sure I live up to her wishes.

[mostsuitable]

Whatever brings the new gods and shinki here is quite fickle, so it's good that she had the foresight to prepare for her possible disappearance. She was rather thoughtful in leaving such sound advice.

[While it isn't advised for shinki to remain godless for long, Reisi understands the need to look for a good god. He easily would've rejected Kurosaki, in spite of their assignment, if he didn't have a noble cause.]

Where have you been staying since then?

Cooking and Cleaning

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako had been helping out herself, wherever there were chores she could help with. Having spotted Trunks working hard for most of the day, she shows up sometime in the afternoon carefully balancing a tray in her small hands.

Atop it is a pair of steaming mugs of hot chocolate and a bottle of water for him, as well as a small plate of cookies and other treats the kitchen had been busy baking all day. ]

Trunks! It's time to take a break!

Re: Cooking and Cleaning

[light_of_willpower]

[Probably the only best person to get him to take a break. She'd caught him scrubbing, which he'd been hard at work on. Really, he was touching up as he'd finished the hard part of this section easily.

Being able to fly helped.

But he'll pause, and look over when Nanako calls out. Part of him really doesn't want to stop... But he also did appreciate her thoughtfulness, and it would be rude to refuse. Right? Ducking his head, a bit sheepishly, he'll nod.]

You didn't have to bring me anything, Nanako...

[welcome_home]

[ She just beams at him in reply, setting the tray of drinks down on a nearby table. ]

I know, but everyone's been working a lot. You need to take breaks sometimes so you don't get too tired!

[light_of_willpower]

[It probably wasn't worth telling her that he didn't get tired easily. He'd been surprised himself to find his limits seemed to be somewhat more--even for a warrior. A pleasant surprise though, and even if physically he was fine...

Mentally a break might not be so bad. Maybe.]

...Alright. Let me finish this corner quickly, and I'll join you okay?

[Which was really a little bit of scrubbing and dusting, then he's wringing out the rag and placing the bucket where it won't get knocked over. Only a minute or two.]

[welcome_home]

Okay, but don't take long, you wanna enjoy it while it's still hot, right?

[ She gives a smile and sits down with the tray. And then waits patiently, her hands folded in her lap as she waits for him to join her, the treats sitting untouched beside her. ]

Cleaning

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

[Around the time he's working on those bushes once, he might hear talking from a few plants over, behind a particularly unruly shrubbery. Or is it a tree? It's hard to tell, it's so tall.]

Alright, you...you're jus' bein' stubborn now. You'll look so much prettier an' grow so much better if ya don't get all over the place...

[It's a weird accent, rather country and low-born seeming, but it's a sweet sound, even if whoever is trying to...talk sense into someone? Something??]

Re: Cleaning

[light_of_willpower]

[It's not so surprising if someone is talking to themselves. Or the bushes and flowers, given he's aware that's a habit many people have. It's more what's being said and the tones used, that bring a chuckle from him. Easily audible from where he's trimming one of the taller-bushes.]

I take it you tried saying 'please' already?

[Amusement in his tone, but also good advice.]

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

[The sounds of rustling stop for a second, then the voice replies, perhaps a bit bashful sounding.]

A-Ah did...but...maybe they listen better to Japanese...d-do ya know the Japanese for 'please'?

[Her...knowledge of the language is still somewhat lacking. It's mostly plant terms...]

[light_of_willpower]

I didn't mean to interrupt...

[Or startle whoever it was. Still, give him a moment as he hmms in thought.]

I'm not sure--but I think 'O-ne-ga-i'? At least, that's what I hear most often from children, usually when they seem to want something done.

[Watching children at play, all children everywhere, had been one of Mai's favorite activities. Trunks was always on alert, but enjoyed it as well. Knowing he and Mai were doing their best to make a difference.]

Spooky Sleepover

[pure_radiantics]

[ Kairi's prepping for her own sleepover, but as she's wandering the hallways she spies him. ]

Hi Trunks. You're up late.

[ As if she's not, but she has the sign in her hands at least. ]

Re: Spooky Sleepover

[light_of_willpower]

[Turning his head at the voice, and offering a polite head-bow.]

Kairi. So are you, but you don't look like you're having trouble sleeping.

[Which is part of what was his problem. But he would manage.]

Re: Spooky Sleepover

[pure_radiantics]

Nah! I'm planning to be up for a little while yet.

[ She gestures to her sign. ]

I'm hoping a few people will join me for a sleepover party! It'll be fun!

Re: Spooky Sleepover

[light_of_willpower]

[Oh ho! That brings a small smile, and a thumbs up.]

Sounds like it'll be fun. I hope you enjoy it, and watch out for pranksters. This place is a bit spooky already, if you're not expecting it.

Re: Spooky Sleepover

[pure_radiantics]

Oh, you don't know me that well~

[ She grins and laughs a little. ]

I'm just as likely to be a prankster as to get pranked! I used to live in a temple full of boys like brothers, after all!