thenearshore | A god, a shinki and a dog, bring all the food

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A god, a shinki and a dog, bring all the food

Who: Ginia, Caster and a special guest later
What: Caster and Ginia try to find Votelli
When: January 6th
Where: "Mysterious" forest back on the Near Shore
Warnings: None for now, will update if needed

[ Dropping by the forest has become some of a ritual by now. Archer makes a box full of food, riceballs, vegetables, octopus-shaped sausage- whatever he feels like making that day. Let's not stifle his creativity in the kitchen. Then when all is done Caster and Ginia take them, sometimes taking a dog, Regal, along with them.

Today is no different, Caster warps them all into the wintery forest. It's been really cold lately, maybe they should have brought something warm for her to wear instead? If that's the case, they can always leave parts of what they have now. His spell being enough to give protection of the cold for the time being.

Caster gives Regal a pat on her head and starts walking, she matches his tempo immediately. ]

Hmm, Ginia, think we should wander in a different direction today? [ He turns around to see advice from his shinki. ]

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Oh. Just ayakashi? [Her tension bleeds away, her shoulders sagging back down to their normal slouch as she gives Caster another dubious -- but much less hostile -- glance.]

It's good you're better. I saw the food.

[She hadn't eaten any of it, because she hadn't been entirely sure it wasn't a trap, but they wouldn't try to trap her like this, would they? In person?

Ginia was nice before.]

... Are you looking for somebody? Who might've come here? I don't see everyone.

[Her tone is cagey; she seems to be trying to sound nonchalant, but it's not a convincing attempt.]

[ It was a shinki that turned ayakashi, but Caster can see why this detail is to be omitted. Those wounds are still fresh. Still, the girl seems a lot more guarded than before.

Something must have happened-

Maybe they are not alone in the forest, and she's wary with the other possible guests being around. Or maybe it's truly just them. She was willing to talk with him and Shun, but that doesn't mean they're friends or any kind of welcome presence. Maybe he should offer to set up that silence spell again. ]

Nah, we're here to see how you're faring. And to share the food. [ And there is something Ginia wants to talk about, but best to leave it for her. ]

Caster's right. We're here to talk and keep you company.

[How nice will Votelli think Ginia is when Ginia admits she broke her promise? In the days following the meeting, Ginia's kept an eye on the network and the general mood. No chatter on the network, no announcements from the Heavens, the shinki at training didn't seem any more harried or agitated than usual, and Votelli is still here.

So something is currently in their favor.]

Why don't you try the food now? If you're hungry. Archer tried to make a little of everything, we weren't sure what you liked. There are sweets too.

[Ginia digs through her bag again, pulling out two small boxes. One box of assorted mochi - from the store, still wrapped - and another small box of wagashi, also made by Archer. She sets the sweets down on the bento box.]

[She edges forward, just enough to pick up the box of wrapped mochi, and turn it in her hands, looking at the contents.

After a moment, she opens it, picks out two, and holds one of them out to Archer and one to Ginia.]

You have some, too.

[A third, she picks out of the box, and keeps in her hand, watching the two of them before she unwraps it. If they put something in it, they won't both eat it themselves, right? Even if it's a sleeping potion or something instead of poison, that would knock them both out. If they eat it, maybe they're really just here to help.

They haven't said anything yet about what Gojyo told her, either -- that the Heavens know where she is and might be coming for her.]

[ Caster walks closer and takes the mochi as well. He unpacks it and bites into it unhurriedly. He's a big guy™ so the mochi gets devoured quickly. Probably before Ginia chooses her treat ]

We don't want to intrude, though. [ He says when he finishes ] If it's a bad moment we could return sometime else.

[ "Or not at all, if you don't want to see us at all" but if that's the case, she should say it herself. It's hard not to notice how tense the atmosphere is. ]

[The caution is understood. Ginia takes the piece of mochi and bites into it without any hesitation, chewing the sweet, sticky rice - mmm, strawberry - and finishing off the piece. The food is only food, a peace offering with no ill intent.

So she's not continuing to loom over Votelli, Ginia brushes leaves and twigs away with her foot and takes a seat. Regal sits next to her, upright and alert, though non-threatening.]

We're happy to see you're okay. I want to talk about something, but as Caster said, we can always come back.

[She glances at Votelli's clothes, still no more appropriate for the weather than before.]

Are you cold?

You can stay.

[They both ate their mochi. She unwraps her own, and bites into it, relaxing a little.]

... Is it cold?

[She plucks at her sleeve, looking a little blank.] I'm okay.

[It's cold by any standard degree of weather, but with her own thermoregulation controlled by nanotechnology, Ginia doesn't feel the chill under her coat. Caster doesn't seem bothered either.

Maybe it's a god thing. Ginia picks at a twig on the ground, fingers tapping against her phone. Right. Best to be out with it.]

I need to apologize to you. I broke my promise and told other people about you. I'm sorry.

[Votelli rounds on her, eyes widening before they narrow with fury, and the trees shake violently overhead.]

That was you?

Why did you tell them!?

[ Oho, trees. They do listen to her- Caster puts a hand on Regal's head to calm her down. Good thing she's a well-trained dog. ]

Many of those other people have met you anyway, miss. [ If the intense argument that happened was ] The rest does not wish you ill.

[Yep. Gojyo was definitely here. Ginia holds her ground as she glances up at the rattling trees, banking on Caster grabbing her and Regal and teleporting them out if Votelli attacks.]

I trust the people in that room, none of them want to hurt you, most want to keep you safe. They aren't the kind to run off to tell the old gods.

[Ginia glances at the trees again. Some of those branches are pretty sharp. What did Gojyo tell her?]

You're lying. He said you told Heaven all about me.

[Her hands are clenched tight, and her mouth set in a stubborn scowl. All right, Heaven hasn't been searching any more regularly in her forest since Gojyo warned her, but--]

[Wait, what? Ginia's eyes widen at the accusation, mouth pressing into a frown.]

The only people present were new gods and shinki. None of the old gods and shinki were present.

[Though if they all reside in Heaven, they are a part of Heaven by definition. Ginia grumbles inwardly at Gojyo, still aware of the branches.]

Unless someone else spread information outside of that room, and for that I'll take responsibility for, I don't think the greater Heavens are any more aware of you.

[ Caster moves closer to Ginia so the sides of their shoulders touch. If he has to he will teleport them away, but maybe this misunderstanding can be cleared. ]

I think I might get idea who told you- let me guess, long red-hair, kind of loud? He got really upset when people started talking about you, it's clear he cares of you a great deal miss. [ There's a respect in his tone when he says that. Looking back, he can understand why Gojyo reacted the way he did. Caster's youth was full of intense anger sparks, and while years tampered him, or just taught him how to keep temperament on a tighter leash, he can understanding losing shit when someone you cares might be in danger.

That understanding doesn't make Gojyo's relation of "told all the Heavens" any less dramatic. But from one ragemonster to another, yep, #relatable ]

But if he stayed a bit to listen, he'd learn that majority of people there are concerned of your well-being. You've warmed your way to many hearts that day, there are people who want to help you and keep you out of Heaven's reach.

[ He sighs and shrugs ]

Look, if anyone told Heavens, they'd be swarming this forest for past week.

[Votelli cools a little, her expression still dubious, but no longer as angry. She looks between the two of them.]

There've been some of those shinki here. The ones with the white robes and the swords.

[But it's true: there haven't been more since Gojyo warned her. Fewer, in fact, day by day.]

Who was there?

[Ginia nods in full agreement at Caster's words, relieved when Votelli yields. Even if the brunt of Gojyo's anger was directed at her and Archer initially, she doesn't fault him for getting upset. Like her, he wanted to protect Votelli even if their methods were at odds. That she can respect.

Amaterasu's shinki. It's not surprising they're in the forest considering how they directed everyone there first. Yet it doesn't seem like they've noticed Votelli while she's noticed them enough.

At Votelli's question, Ginia racks her mind for an answer. She gave them Votelli's name and face, it's only fair to give some names in return. But honor is only good if both sides adhere to it. Trying to remember who was all there, Ginia goes with a calculated risk.]

Shun, Goku, Gojyo, Suzaku, our exemplar, Archer.

[People that met Votelli already, people she knows can take care of themselves or otherwise if Votelli finds them for any reason. She looks to Caster, letting him add names if he wishes, or otherwise further smooth the situation.]

[ Caster interprets it of who was there were Votelli name was dropped, and he helpfully - or unhelpfully adds - ]

Zelda and Hakkai too, though they didn't speak much. [ Only when the situation exploded ]

Maybe it's the underdog rooting for underdog thing- but people are sympathetic to your plight. [ Is there a way to help the small goddess and destroy the cult at the same time though? Unfortunately, life isn't easy and neither it is nice. She might be an old god reincarnated in this form, not remembering anything and groomed to do the cult biding- or maybe she sprang into being like those myriads of gods that show up to answer people's wishes. If it's the latter case, wouldn't wiping out the cult destroy a big base of her followers? ] But the question is, do you want help?

[ Probably the most important question here. ]

I don't know some of them. Archer, Zelda, Hakkai...

... Are they going to tell anyone?

[Shun hadn't exactly been the most comforting, either, and Suzaku was friends with that loud person on the horse who made all the threats...

But she hasn't seen more of Heaven's foot soldiers out here. She chews on her lip.]

I don't know what kind of help you're going to give me.

I don't think so. They're careful people and they don't want to see anyone hurt.

[It's the most charitable statement at least. Archer she's certain of, Zelda to some degree. Hakkai she believes is cautious, but with ties to Gojyo, Goku, and Chikusa, who can tell. None of them are malicious though.]

Perhaps we can help find somewhere else for you to stay? The Near Shore is vast and if you have other places to go, it'll be harder for the Heavens to find you.

[And maybe, if they can get her out the influence of 'Sensei,' it'll be safer overall.]

Even if you'll prefer to stick to the forest, there is still a lot of various places to see everywhere

[ They could help with making shelters, but Caster gets a feeling that Votelli can take of that part herself. Given her power over trees. ]

But being around people is a pretty nice experience too. [ But he is a very social creature. If anything, that makes the job easier. On the other hand more humans, more ayakashi, so it's probably best if this girl doesn't explore big cities from a get-go ]

Maybe I could go somewhere else.

[She clenches her hands, looking down.]

In the Near Shore, anyway. Maybe that would be okay.

If you wanted to stay in Japan, Mount Takao could work. It's a common hiking area so you'd be able to see more people.

[Which could work well in staving off loneliness and finding more people to believe in her outside of the cult. On the other hand, it might draw attention from the Heavens more.

She looks at Caster, phone tapping against her chin before she types.]

Could you find a place for her in Ireland?

[ The mention of Ireland surprises him ]

Sure, I could but- that's on the other end of the world. [ It's also noticeably colder than here, the winter lasts longer in Ulster. He's not sure if uprooting a small goddess for far away from her home country would be a good idea ]

Question is, where would you want to go- [ he turns to Votelli with a genuine question ]

I want to stay here. It's my home. But I don't want the Heavens to find me.

[And maybe, if she has a shrine, she wants to be close by that, too. She chews her lip doubtfully.]

I haven't been to Mount Takao. Where is it? Is there already a god there?

[Ginia pulls up a map on her phone and plots out Mount Takao relative to their current location. It's further south from where they are, almost two hours by car. She turns the phone around and moves in to show Votelli the screen. There are also other mountains and forests around to move to.

As for the second part of her question, Ginia reclaims her phone to do a quick search.]

There are some shrines for tengu on Mount Takao. Is it a problem for gods to share an area, or is more you might be more noticeable to the Heavens?

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