[Closed] You have heard the pleading of your followers

[rockthemonkey]

Who: Goku and Nephenee, Goku and Nia.
When: December 23rd and December 24th
Where: The Near Shore
What: Prayers 56 and 72.




December 25th
And the guy said- He said, if he catches a bunch he'll cook 'em up and give 'em to me!

[Goku bounces along the path leading to the lake happily, occasionally slipping on a patch of ice and quickly righting himself. It hasn't been a long walk from the nearest shrine, but they are a bit out of the way here. This side of the huge fishing lake is practically deserted; most signs of civilisation are far off on the other side. But here is where Huitzilopochtli's follower likes to set sail from, so this is where Goku is headed. Hopefully Nephenee doesn't mind the hike.]

If you help, I bet he'll give you some too! We just gotta figure out what's scarin' all the fish away or somethin'. You'll help, right?

[This is what happens when your shrine is the closest to the site, Neph, you get a monkey knocking on your door asking permission to travel through your temple grounds. At least he asked first and invited you along for the ride. They're coming up on a car with an empty boat trailer hitched to the back, parked next to the pristine lake.]

I bet the fish'll taste real good!




December 24th

Woah.

[Christmas Eve in downtown Tokyo is an amazing sight. There's more people on the street than Goku has ever seen in his life- or it sure feels that way. There's a market going on, with cute gifts and food on sale, and navigating through the crowd looks near impossible. Especially when you're a good couple of inches shorter than most people there.]

Um, okay- [Goku ducks to the side to avoid being run into by a lovestruck couple, more focused on staring into each others eyes than paying attention to where they're walking.] I'm supposed ta find a lady here- she's tryin' to do some shopping but she doesn't speak Japanese!

[Hopefully she speaks Chinese or... Welsh... or this is going to be a real comedy of errors. Goku grins at Nia cheerfully. Getting back up had just seemed like a smart idea, after how things had gone the last few times Goku ventured to the Near Shore. He might have asked Gojyo, but he probably would have just ended up flirting with the poor woman and Goku can't allow that. Ken and Chikusa are busy with each other and that leaves-]

You'll help, right? We just gotta find her and help her get some stuff! It'll be easy!

[Nia is so nice and generous. Who knows what Goku actually said over the phone to get her to come along.]

Comments

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Actually, Nia has to agree. Downtown Tokyo is amazing.]

[Too many people, that's no lie. If they were inside her skin would crawl, but out on the street she's just mildly uncomfortable, and even that she can ignore for the sake of the spectacle. These displays! With the trees and the fat bearded man in red -- Nia practically has to haul herself back to Goku's words.]

You know, I'm normally not one for shopping, but here and now this seems like it'll be an adventure. Looks like the biggest challenge is going to be the lines.

[Even Nia can have unwarranted optimism at times...]

[rockthemonkey]

Do you think we can cut in line? No one's paying attention to us...

[It's rude, but hey. Their cause is a noble one. Goku stands on his tip toes, trying to look over the crowd and find his follower and failing miserably.]

I dunno what she wants though! So we gotta find her first.

[sassywelshcatgirl]

If we rely on that too much the clerk won't notice us either, and then where are we?

[Nia's not even TRYING to peer over people. She's well aware of her own physical limitations, and isn't going to pretend otherwise.]

Don't you have some sort of prayer sense or something? I thought that came with being a god.

[rockthemonkey]

We can shout!

[Goku finally jumps in the air, putting him head, shoulders and knees above everyone else in the crowd. He lands with a thud and barely misses seriously ruining some girl's day.] I dunno how that stuff works! It's weird.

[Does he look like the kind of god that knows what he's doing? Goku looks around and furrows his brow in concentration... And then abruptly points in one direction with one hand and grabs Nia's wrist with the other.]

This way!

[It's as good as any other way.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Nia reflexively yanks back when he grabs her wrist. It isn't even that she minds so much, as that she wants to be the one who picks when physical contact occurs. But she doesn't put any actual strength into it, legs and back staying out of it, and after a moment lets him tug her along.]

You know what this person looks like at least? Or are we just hoping really hard?

[rockthemonkey]

[Just punch him, Nia, he'll learn eventually. Maybe.]

Uh, hopin'? I kinda know what her voice sounds like, I think...

[Judging by how Goku is still looking every which way while he drags Nia along, he doesn't really know where they're going.]

Um, she was real upset! And confused and couldn't get anyone to listen! So, look for someone like that.

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Guess that might stand out just a little bit. [She'd suggest they listen instead of look in normal circumstances, but that sure isn't going to help...] Hey, why don't you get up high? You can probably see better if you hopped up on a light or a sign or something, right?

[rockthemonkey]

Oh, hey, good idea!

[As a reward, Nia gets to not be dragged along down the street anymore. Goku stops in his tracks and grins at her.]

Hey, cats are really good at climbing right? Can you get up high?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

I'm not a cat. [Why does everyone keep saying that? She's just got different ears!] Gods are really good at ridiculous jumps, why don't you just spring up there?

[rockthemonkey]

I don't need ta be a god to get up there...

[He can jump he can climb he can get anywhere he wants!!]

I just didn't wanna leave ya behind!

[But then Goku bends his knees and jumps up- and up- until his hand catches the steel bar of the street light above them. Goku climbs up and balances on top carefully, surveying the crowd.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Then come back down when you're done. [Nope, Nia isn't going to go clambering up there like the monkey he is. She does take the chance to peer around herself, trying to listen more than look. The noise is something else, but she's got pretty keen ears, maybe she can hear that -- whatever language that isn't what she's mostly hearing.]

[rockthemonkey]

I will!

[Goku can't quite put his finger on what it is about Nia that he likes, even after only knowing her a little while. Is it just because she's cute? Maybe it's because she can fight pretty good. It's probably just because she's so nice!

He takes a minute to look over the street. It really is an amazing view. So many people, so many smells, so many sounds- ah! He points to the other side of the street.]

That lady over there looks a little upset. She seems angry too.

[There's a woman muttering frustratedly to herself in Spanish, pressed up against the wall to avoid being pushed around by the crowd. She does stand out a fair bit among the throngs of Japanese, especially when she drops her empty shopping back and presses her hands against her eyes. "I'm so far from home, God..."]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Nia nods, then hurries across the street before they can lose track of her. Easy enough, being a Far Shore resident, to just get through the crowd without any shouting or rudeness (on her part, too), close enough so she can hear the words muttered in a language she doesn't recognize.]

[She sticks one hand up over her head to give Goku the thumbs-up. Looks like they have their worshipper in need!]

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

[Nephenee is one of those people who very much enjoys hiking (and running, and jogging...), so she doesn't mind at all. Thankfully, her shinki Anemone doesn't either, though she's riding on Neph's back in her vessel form, a lance, anyway. And besides, Goku is adorable.]

O'course Ah will. Can't right refuse someone askin' for help. 'Specially not on Christmas.

[Her big sister tendencies might be strong right now, too.]

Reckon it could be a lotta things. Fishin' can be tricky even if it's jus' a mundane thing an' not maybe an ayakashi. He could be too loud, or there could be a bigger critter comin' after them...

[rockthemonkey]

[He's adorable and full of energy. They make a good pair, hiking through the wilderness.]

What's Christmas got t'do with it?

[Goku vaguely knows what Christmas is, but it's not something he's hugely familiar with. Not many Christmas trees in Buddhist temples.]

I don't really go fishin' a lot, but if it's somethin' scaring them then it should be pretty easy, right? [Goku pats the katana loosely tied to his belt. Normally he'd let Ishi walk on his own, for at least the illusion of company, but the shinki had quietly suggested being in his vessel form before they left. If they're going on a prayer, he wants to be prepared to fight at a moment's notice.] Even if it's not ayakashi, we can just kick it's ass!

[Because that won't scare the fish away.]

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

Goodwill towards men an' all that. Not that that's the only reason.

[She isn't sure what to think about some aspects of the holiday, but she likes that part, and she can appreciate a day where people try to make the world a better place.]

Not gonna lie, ya kinda remind me o'my brothers, too.

[There are many reasons she is cool with helping out, that's just a few of them. But how to explain the complexities of a seemingly simple thing such as fishing...]

Depends on the fish, kinda. Weather an' stuff have an impact, too. But if ya don't scare em off an' learn to take your time, it gets easier.

[rockthemonkey]

Is that what it's about? I thought it was somethin' to do with trees and lights! [Not that goodwill doesn't sound nice, but most of Goku's exposure to modern Christmas has been from watching holiday shoppers.] What're your brothers like?

[Probably really nice and super cool, if Goku reminds her of them. That's got to be it.]

The guy sounded like he went fishin' a lot, so I thought he must know a lot about it. Maybe we can ask him if something weird is going on?

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

Well, that's some of it, but those are more symbols, Ah gather.

[She might have grown a fir tree up on her temple grounds and strung it full of treats for crtters.]

They're triplets, names are Rowan, Sage, an' Reed. They're...'bout eleven now, Ah reckon. Youngest o'my siblin's. They're pretty energetic, but they're good boys. Pretty helpful with the farm, too.

[She nods at the last part.]

Ah'd hope so. Reckon that's him there.

[She points to a guy with fishing gear nearby as they approach. Thank you for pointing out the obvious, Nephenee.]

[rockthemonkey]

[Goku's a critter. Give him treats.]

You have a farm? That's so cool! [Is it? Goku just looks excited because farms mean food.] What kinda- oh!

[Goku jogs ahead and waves his hand at the grey-haired man.]

Hey! Heeey! Hey, mister!

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

[That's the first time anyone's called farming 'cool'. She blushes a bit at it, but their finding the man interrupts them both. Nephenee holds up a hand in greeting as they approach.]

H-hiya. How's the fishin' goin'?

It's going terrible...this area was fine for years, and then suddenly the fish just won't take the bait! Not a nibble! But...I'm giving it another go. One last try before I sell the old girl...

[He pats the boat lovingly. Nephenee looks to Goku and gives him a decisive nod. Not that she wasn't already in this, but she wants this guy to succeed.]

[rockthemonkey]

[Monkeys are easily impressed. Anyway, it does sound like fun. Farms have animals!]

You really have t' sell it- I mean, her? [That sounds rough. Goku nods back at Nephenee. They have to at least try to help!] Do you know why the fish are all gone? Is somethin' wrong with the lake?

That's just it! They should be biting like mad right now. It's not like we've been over-fishing or anything either, no more than usual. Old Whatshisname from over there was telling me he caught a whole load just last month!

Hmmm... That's weird!

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

Hmm...Ah know a bit 'bout this sorta thing. Do ya mind if Ah look at your rods an' bait?

Uh, sure, I guess? Haven't changed anything about them, though.

[Nephenee nods and looks at his equipment. As she suspected, it's fine.]

All this is fine...Maybe there's a big fish scarin' 'em off?

Well, I haven't seen anything. But there could be something, I guess.

[This is looking more suspect by the minute. She gives Goku a knowing look.]

Whatcha think, Goku?

[rockthemonkey]

[Goku peers over Nephenee's shoulder as she examines the equipment, but he's not much of a judge himself. There's rods and there's nets and there's all the things he'd expect to see with a fisherman. That about finishes his assessment. He'll just trust Nephenee's judgement.]

If everything else is good, it's gotta be something else, right? [Brilliant deduction.] An' if he hasn't seen anything, it's gotta be real sneaky. [Hmm. Goku tilts his head thoughtfully.] That or... y'know.

[Ayakashi.]

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

[Her nod suggests she is thinking the same thing.]

Ah have experience fishin', an' spearfishin' in particular...maybe we could come help ya out? Gotta be better than goin' out alone...'nother pair o'eyes an' all.

[The man rubs his chin in thought.] Well, guess it can't hurt any. Alright, help me get her set up and we'll be off. What're your names?

Ah'm Nephenee.

[rockthemonkey]

I'm Goku!

[It might help reassure the man if Goku responded with his god name, but he's not going to do that. For one thing, he still can't pronounce it.]

Don't worry, we'll help ya out! I can- uh- [what can he do?] ... I can fight real good!

[It's not his fault he has no other useful life skills, okay. The fisherman looks suspicious.]

... No roughhousing on deck.