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

It's a ghost!

[purr_ince]

[Adrien has never been a deep sleeper so hearing that noise on the roof he's up after check on his Shinki and friends. One quick transformation later and Chat is extending his baton to peer up onto the roof. Seeing it's just Dust is calming actually. Adrien doesn't exactly trust random places or people.] Can't sleep? Is it that it's a new place or is it because you think it's weird to be invited to a hot spring and find it in shamble, too?

[mithrarin]

[A slight motion of his head indicates that Dust has glances his way, ever hidden beneath his hat.]

Around here, that's incredibly normal. The hotel rooms are a bit... small. Not meaning any offense, I just feel cramped.

[purr_ince]

None taken. [He's not sure why Dust thinks he'd be offended.] They are kind of small. [He's moving to perch comfortably.] And not everyone is a cuddler after all. Sometimes you have to just do what makes you most comfortable.

[mithrarin]

[The blunting of offense is directed at the hotel at large. He's sure it's a nice place, just not quite his style.]

...Yeah. That's, uh, definitely not a word I would use to describe myself. I'm pretty sure I didn't ever sleep indoors while I was alive.

[That's less impressive a claim when one considers how short a time he was alive, but nonetheless.]

[purr_ince]

Really? I've never slept outside. Might be fun though. I know people like camp and things but I've never done it. There are lots of things I've never done before. [He smiled a little.] But if that's what makes you comfortable I could see wanting to do it. Especially if that what feels and seems right to you.

[mithrarin]

Now might not be the best time, but when it gets warmer... find a place to camp, light a fire, and try it. You might find you really like it.

Or not. [Who knows?]

[purr_ince]

Yeah. Winter would likely not be the best time for that. But it could be nice. I'm sure. Maybe when it's fall or summer that would work. Not really a fan of being too cold and I'd have to invite someone along.

[mithrarin]

Round up your god? [Dust is a little behind the times on news, as it happens.]

[purr_ince]

My god..? Oh. I don't need one anymore. And I don't think my Shinki would like to go camping. Maybe Snake could go with me though.

[mithrarin]

...You're a god now, huh.

[Dust doesn't understand these things; in fact, he feels miles away from them, sometimes, as if everything has been passing him by.]

[purr_ince]

Yeah. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, if I'm honest. [Adrien doesn't get it either. He's as confused by the shift of events as Dust is.]

[mithrarin]

That depends on how good your memories are, doesn't it.

[Long and the short of it.]

[purr_ince]

[His lips twitched] Memories are tricky compared to my life here most of my memories are bittersweet at best.

[mithrarin]

I'm not sure I've heard many people say that before. Why?

[purr_ince]

They're likely just glad to remember things. [Adrien considered a moment.] I have more freedom here among other things. It's just better there.

[mithrarin]

That... depends on what they remember. [Dust would have been happier not remembering.] I guess the real question is, does it matter? You're here now. If it doesn't change who you are...

[purr_ince]

Fair enough. I remember some good things. [There were good times among the bad and that's what he's going to be focusing on from now on - as best he can anyway.] It will if those people show up then some things might matter but I'm going - I'll be starting fresh here as best I can.

[mithrarin]

What if they do? You're a god, you have friends and people who will support you, and you're living your own life. What can they do to stop it?

[purr_ince]

I didn't say they could stop me. I won't let that happen but it would just make things tense between us for a while. Especially if it were my father. My mother would be different. Any of my friends would be fine too so it's mostly my father that would be an issue.

[mithrarin]

Oh. [Dust pauses, then shrugs, turning back to looking out over the hotel and the land beyond it.] Can't give advice on that.

[Well, he can, but just generic stuff anyone could give.]

[purr_ince]

I'm not really looking for it honestly. I'm pretty sure it will never happen if It does I'll figure it out then. I won't waste time worrying needlessly about it now.

[mithrarin]

Yeah, that's fair. We definitely... can't control who comes and goes, or even begin to expect.

[After a moment of silence, he changes the subject.] Are you catching Marinette here?

[purr_ince]

Nope we're all just kind of rolling with the punches.

[The question confuses him so he echoes it with a cant of his head.] Catching Marinette? I'm not entirely sure what you mean but I do eventually need to talk to here while we're here.

[mithrarin]

Yeah, that was... what I meant. I don't know what's going on between you guys, but...

[Dust shrugs. He's neither blind nor stupid, he knows something is up.]

[purr_ince]

I don't really know how to explain it. But yeah. You're right there's a lot of tension there... [Adrien doesn't think he's either of those things he just honestly doesn't know what to say about it. He doesn't want to drag anyone else into it if he doesn't have to.] I'll handle it.