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

[purr_ince]

Dust, you can't sit there and say you know what's in someone else's heart and head. You can't know how someone else feels. I mean not really.

[mithrarin]

No, but you can have a pretty good guess. Some people don't have that sort of -- of romantic nature about them. They just aren't interested in that!

[purr_ince]

Are you trying to convince me some people don't want romance? Or are you trying to keep convincing yourself that you don't feel that warm fluttery feeling in your chest when she's around? Or are you trying to convince yourself that she couldn't possibly love you because it's easier that way?

[mithrarin]

...Am I wrong, saying that some people aren't interested in that? That some people aren't looking for it? Have better things to do than that? Might have issues with it, because they're dead and have no memories -- or are a god and things get complicated?

[He really doesn't mean to take a crack at Adrien's own problems being a shinki to Marinette, though he might have accidentally done it anyway.]

Push it and you might lose a friend instead of anything you wanted.

[purr_ince]

No, you're not wrong. And I'm not saying everyone is looking for it. But you're the one that makes it sound like there is someone you're interested in. I'm trying to tell you that you should be open to the idea and the experience - not exactly right now but in the future. There's no need to be snippy about it.

[A scowl darkens his face before he shakes it off.]

If a friend can't take my honesty then maybe we shouldn't be calling each other friends.

[mithrarin]

[That's... a really low blow, a cheap shot. Are they even friends? Dust wouldn't have said so, honestly, not out of any disrespect for Adrien but just because of his own reticent nature and his own difficulties.]

[But still, that hits him like a physical strike.]

It's... not that easy. I told you why. And I don't know what I'd do if I lost -- lost a friend over this. A good friend.

[purr_ince]

I know that it's scary. How you think I felt telling Marinette and Snake? I mean it's terrifying and I could lose everything I have with them. It could change so much for the better or the worst. But--

[He's glancing down at clawed gloved hands.]

The alternative was lying to them and myself - stinging Marinette from feeling bad about keeping a secret. Some risks are worth taking. Love is one of those.

[mithrarin]

This is a secret... I wouldn't feel bad keeping.

[Even from himself, which apparently he's been doing for a while.]

I don't know what I'd do without my best friend. There isn't much that scares me, but that thought -- that thought terrifies me.

[purr_ince]

I think you'd regret it though. I mean maybe you wouldn't but I think you should at least be honest with yourself if no one else.

[He closed his eyes.]

Lying to yourself and denial aren't your friends. And honestly? Maybe you don't have to tell her but if you don't and she finds someone else you're going to get hurt. And you're going to sting Marinette with your anger and jealousy.. or bitterness or whatever it is you'd feel.

[mithrarin]

...I'm okay with being hurt, if she's happy.

[That's honest truth. He can't lose what he doesn't have. He can't regret what isn't possible. And there's no way...]

[purr_ince]

That tells me she really must mean the world to you. If that's what you want to do then that's your call but if you ever do need help with something for her, let me know. OR Marinette. Marinette is good at that kind of thing. Gifts.

[mithrarin]

Marinette doesn't exactly seem big on... the subtlety this would require.

[purr_ince]

Well, maybe not but she could let you bounce ideas off of her. She would know the kind of things a girl would like as a gift - friend or otherwise.

[mithrarin]

Right. And then she'll meddle.

[Let's be real here.]

[purr_ince]

She can't help herself really. She wants everyone to be happy. And she's got an eye for that kind of stuff. She got our friends Alya and Nino together and they're practically perfect for each other.

[He laughed.]

Meanwhile, Alya was trying to get Marinette and I together and I was trying to help Nino confess to Marinette. But at the last minute he blurted out that he loved Alya...

[mithrarin]

I know she means well. I just know she'd wreck things. If this -- if this ever comes up, it has to be on my terms, and done just right. It can't -- it's different. It's something you wouldn't understand, because the way we relate to each other is just... crazy.

[Dust clenches one fist, but not out of anger. Just intensity, as is ever his way.]

I think people who saw us wouldn't even know we're friends. It's fighting, and arguing, and constantly challenging each other. It should be infuriating, but I love it.

[purr_ince]

No, I get it. Marinette can be a bit overeager. I adore and love her with my all but she's excitable and occasionally goes too far. It's not a bad thing that she's high energy and fiery passion - it's just some times things need a lighter more subtle touch. This is one of those.

[There's a fond smile tugging at the corner of his lips.]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I don't wouldn't understand. That dynamic isn't all that rare actually. It's playful and sometimes heated passionate but it comes from a good place and you know even if you do argue or fight things will be okay in the end and you'll still have each other. I get that.

[mithrarin]

That's just -- all we do. I don't know how, at all, I would ever be able to say something straightforward and heartfelt and have it heard. So if nothing else, I have to... hold onto this, and maybe, maybe find a way. But I don't think, honestly, that she sees me... that way, at all.

[purr_ince]

That can make things hard. The being heard part. I used to tell Marinette all the time how much I loved her but when I was dressed like this as Chat she never took it seriously. She was in love with Adrien Agreste and anything Chat said to Ladybug registered as a silly flirt.

[He shook his head with a little laugh.]

I don't know the best way to make sure but I can offer a suggestion. When you decide to tell her take her hands in yours, make eye contact. Tell her there's been something serious you need to tell her. Emphasize that it's serious and that it's the truth.

Tell her that you love her and the time you have together, the laughter, the banter, how you get along. Then tell her what you want. Tell her you want more - dates, dinners, dancing, a relationship... Be as direct, raw and vulnerable with her as you can.

[mithrarin]

[Dust is silent for a moment.]

I... don't mean this as a shot or an insult or anything. But I'm not sure you have the best track records with love confessions.

[And he's pretty sure this idea would be, with Chinatsu, a disaster. If he ever tried to do anything, it would have to be -- well, either very circumspect, or deliberately explosive. A challenge, or a slow easing her around to the idea with her feeling it was entirely her plan to begin with.]

[Small wonder he thought he didn't have a prayer.]

[purr_ince]

Actually, before I came here and was a shinki I was pretty charming. I mean sure I used some pretty cheesy pick-up lines but really I only joked around like that because honestly there wasn't any time for deep sincere confessions. I tried once to do something super romantic but - It didn't work out.

[He laughed somewhat bitterly because now that he thought about it they'd stood each other up for the other person's alternate identity. In what world does that happen? And this time when he'd confessed he'd been feverish, weak, wounded...

Dust might have a point.]

But I mean I get it. My love life is a wreck. Don't listen to me. Besides you know her better than I do. You know what she likes and doesn't. What I'm saying is, no matter what you do don't let it be misunderstood or blown off. Good or bad you want to make sure she understands what you're saying when you telling her. That's all.

[mithrarin]

If I tell her. Which I don't expect to. Because I would rather have a friend than a shot.

[And really, that's how Dust sees it. There's no way that confession would go right. She doesn't think of him that way. Even if she's okay with -- with the species, with what a disaster he is, with everything -- there's no way she could look at him like that.]

But I understand what you're saying. If it happens, no pretenses, no uncertainties.

[purr_ince]

That's your choice to make really. I can't judge. Who knows it might be the right call for you. At least you're being honest with yourself now. That's always important. [Dust might be right to keep it to himself. Even if Adrien thinks it's wrong to just instantly write it off without talking to this girl - whoever she is. Even if it was just a vague what would you do kind of thing.] Exactly!

[mithrarin]

[Adrien... had it easier, Dust thinks, with who he was interested in. Neither of those two were a thing like Chinatsu.]

I'm not sure I like this honesty. Not knowing was better.

[purr_ince]

The truth is always going to be better than a lie. Even if it hurts. At least that's my personal experience.