thenearshore | Curiosity killed the... [open]

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Curiosity killed the... [open]

Who: Zhao Yunlan & OPEN
When: The second week of February
Where: Far Shore - the library, near Ebisu's temple, the Western District; Near Shore - the ruins of a burned-out department store
What: Exploring, unwisely.

Library

[Zhao Yunlan is becoming a regular sight at a corner table in the library; he's accumulating a stack of books, filling them with bookmarks, taking copious notes in a cheap black notebook, swearing at them and not putting them away again when he leaves.

Research! He hates it. He needs an assistant who will do it for him, but in the absence of that helpful whoever, he's stuck hitting the books himself. It's going to age him posthumously.

Hopefully, no one minds the fact that a largely useless pile of books keeps being renewed on the corner table, and filled with paper scrap bookmarks that have to be removed before they're put away.]

Ebisu's temple

[Since he's died young regardless, Zhao is seriously considering switching from lollipops to cigarettes. There's something enticing about the smell of burning tobacco, and, besides, importantly: smokers can take smoke breaks. As a non-smoker, he's having to find some other excuse to sneak outside and see the sun every once in a while during his workday.

His excuse today is picking flowers. He doesn't recognize the flowers sprouting from the grayish soil clinging to cracks in the temple's modern-looking concrete courtyard, but they're bright, colorful, and have a non-zero chance of brightening the day of the poor white-collar workers typing their fingers to the bone on either side of his temp desk. Fresh flowers, an important part of office feng shui: or something like that.

(He's considering bringing in a houseplant. Those also make great excuses to take a break.)

He nips off the stem of a bright red daisy-looking thing, considers it, and turns with a shameless grin. Whoops, there's somebody, has he been caught skiving off?]

Here! It goes with your eyes.

Western District

[It's late on the night of the 12th, and Zhao had been working his way back home to Bakugou's place after a long day doing accounting and a few drinks out afterwards, except, annoyingly, his stomach is killing him. All right, so he'd skipped breakfast, and lunch, and dinner, and: all right, the last time he ate something was yesterday when Bakugou'd made breakfast. But it's not like he ever gets more or less hungry no matter what he eats! He'd thought it was no big deal.

Apparently even dead men can get heartburn from strong liquor on an empty stomach, he reflects, and slumps down onto a comfortable rock at the edge of the road, indulging his solitude with a wince as he bends over and puts his head on his knees.

This is really embarrassing. He'll just give it a few minutes, and once he feels a bit better, he'll just drag himself back home to bed....]

Department Store

[Mysteries abound. These mysteries, though, don't look like they're going to be solved anytime soon. Zhao ducks under plastic disaster cleanup sheeting and looks around the dripping, ice-cold, smoke-blackened floor of the unlucky department store, and shakes his head. Any clues that might've once been here are long since gone. If the fire hadn't gotten them, the months of abandonment and subsequent investigation would've.

Maybe he can sneak in and pull the investigation files somehow. Shinki do tend to go unnoticed, so he's willing to bet he can shadow a cop into any police office he wants. Getting keys to get into their files might be a little trickier, of course....

Sighing, he turns to go, just in time to spot a pale, whitish, sheet-like thing that's not plastic lashing out towards his ankle across the debris-strewn concrete floor.

With a shout, he jumps back, landing in a puddle. Filthy water splashes everywhere, and the sheet rears up like it's been possessed by a cobra, striking out at him again. The edge of it brushes his hand as he scrambles out of the way, raising an instant, aching, purplish welt.

Well, fuck. He's just found his first ayakashi all on his own, he realizes, turns, and bolts for the stairs with a possessed sheet in hot pursuit.

This is making a lot of noise.

Hopefully someone's passing by.

Help?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If you're thinking of all this as an organism-- [he waves his hand again, with more certainty, leaning forward as his interest in the topic overcomes his desire to see just how far he can coax that blush to spread.] -- are we really part of it?

We're still different from the old gods. We disappear all the time, shinki like me sometimes remember things, we've still got real names instead of just the ones we get from our gods.

It could be that it's that invading force that's putting us here. We could be cannon fodder to keep the old gods distracted and divided, and stop them finding those invaders.

[Or, what's the right image for Shen Wei's metaphor? Zhao's not great with medicine or biology, apparently. He scowls in brief thought, and then suggests:]

... An allergic reaction?

That's because we are imperfect, a hastily built response to an highly aggressive predator. The source building this hasn't found the right ratio yet, that's all.

[ He pursed his lips at the idea of an allergic reaction, tapping his brush a couple times before writing out a new line, a symbol looking like a collapsed H heading it. ]

That might be possible. Allergens occur when the defense system is hyper-alert but has nothing to attack, so it just builds and builds, resulting in strange attacks on the body. There is nothing there for them to attack, but they build up anyways, and attack perfectly healthy parts in response.

[There, see: he can speak this language. If not quite as well as he can speak Ginia's sign language so far, which is to say, he's got a science vocabulary that's probably about ten words, too.]

Right, that. I don't think we've got any evidence to suggest we're some kind of adaptation, any more than we do to suggest we're all stuck in a trap... but what I'm thinking is that we're going to figure this out faster if we figure out who's really behind us winding up here.

When we know who, we'll know why, and they'll probably be able to tell us how. We can decide what to do from there.

We are both new to this place and I think we are operating with a small understanding of how this works. So it's hard to make a conclusive theory to cover everything.

{ It had only been maybe a week for him? Maybe under a month for Zhao Yunlan? Sure they had talked to people but they haven't really gotten any solid leads. So all of this was speculation and two people walking through lines of logic from the evidence that they do have. ]

But is that a person? Or is that the magic of this place?

You're not wrong. [No matter how much information he might have been gathering, there's a lot he still doesn't know, and a lot Shen Wei doesn't know, too. They could go off on tangents together forever and not come up with anything useful.

Still.]

If it's the magic of this place, it's still reacting to a big, recent change. Right? And there should be signs of that change -- less ambiguous signs than us showing up -- too.

But this is still a start. It could change into a different theory, but at least it's a start.

[ He nodded to himself and set his brush down. Flinging out his hand in that imperial gesture again, a small bottle of water, a paper cup and a rag dropped into his hand. Pouring some water into the cup, he started cleaning his brush. ]

That is true, but will the changes be something we can see here? Or will the changes be something kept contained inside the Eastern Districts? There is also the granting of a magic or skill to the new gods like ourselves. Some haven't had any such skills themselves until now, while those with skills have something new. Is that a part of being a god or is it something more?

Hard to say, but if they want to figure things out badly enough, they might let us in to poke around. It could be worth a try.

Just don't try to break in the front door.

[Like that poor sucker who'd been looking for his goddess had. Zhao sympathizes -- it's almost impossible not to develop a real affection for your god, assuming they're not a complete shithead. Even then, he could see the potential for a little Stockholm syndrome developing. Shinki don't have a past, after all; they don't have power and they don't have homes or possessions of their own beyond what they're carrying. Being partnered up with someone who offers their home, their food, the opportunity to fight at their side? It's seductive.

Plus, he just likes Bakugou as a person, foul-mouthed and short-tempered though the kid might be.]

And I didn't know all gods had some kind of special ability show up that they didn't before.

[He nods at the water bottle.] Is that yours?

[Teleporting small items?]

Me? I have no reason to knock down anyone's doors.

[ Trying to affect the image of a scholar must not be working. Either that or he just so happened to show off more powers than he should, and as he thought that, he remembered the fetching of his writing tools. The blush which had been fading away was starting up again, but this time from embarrassment. Shen Wei cleared his throat, ducking his head while busying himself with brush cleaning. ]

I'm just a normal biology professor, not some fighter.

[ Does Zhao Yunlan believe that? He knew now that Zhao Yunlan never really believed it even when they had first met. But that was someone who knew about all the crazy stuff from Dixing and who was looking into odd deaths around him. But no, that would be dismissing that wonderful intellect hidden within that casually warm smile and provocative glances.

He finished and set the brush down before twisting his hand, sending everything but the notepad back before looking up again. Zhao Yunlan asking an innocent question may have a lot of meanings under it. Shen Wei exhaled slowly and shook his head. ]

I'm not sure what I might have gotten yet, but I've been able to fetch small objects for a while. [ Fetch small objects, close doors, shut windows, and move bigger things, like people and vehicles. ] It's not something I show to a lot of people.

Normal biology professor, huh.

[Able to summon small objects by throwing a hand out, then make them disappear with equal ease, but totally normal. Zhao lets his eyebrows inch up just enough to point out the contradiction in Shen Wei's statement.

Honestly, he'd be upset to be lied to, but that's such a bad lie it hardly even counts. It's like watching someone on a tightrope yell down that he has terrible balance.]

Well, if you say so, Prof.

I didn't think you were going to go break down anyone's doors, though. I said that because Amaterasu's apparently got a sore spot about it -- so being polite might go over better than not.

[ The fond exasperation in the look he gives Zhao Yunlan at that was tempered with a tiny pout, as if he couldn't believe that someone was actually poking holes in his words. He huffed, and tapped his fingers against the book sitting in front of him. ]

Yes. Normal.

[ He kept that look for a moment or two before the smile threatened to take over his face and he ducked again. Zhao Yunlan had known what he really was at one time, but this man sitting in front of him didn't, and Shen Wei wasn't sure how to handle it. He could argue about it, or he could ignore it, but he wasn't sure which would prove good in the long run. ]

For my people.

[ Maybe a middle ground would work. He didn't have to say Dixing or talk about the differences in length, just that generally say he wasn't exactly as human as most. ]

Of course. Being rude is the farthest from my mind.

[The look that Shen Wei gives him is one that can only be categorized as fond teasing; Zhao blinks at him, and breaks into a smile that matches the one Shen Wei's trying to hide with that duck of his head.

Normal, for my people, he says, which leaves an opening for the obvious reply. Zhao takes it.]

Who are your people?

Ah.

[ He ruffled the pages of the book, pondering exactly how to explain it without going into deep details about the genetics and how they adapted to the matter that filtered throughout their homeland and then sighed a little. ]

I've been breaking so many rules here...

[ Some of them he had to enforce, which gives him a moment of confusion about saying something that he technically had to punish himself with before shaking the feeling off. He was the one in charge so he did not have to be hesitant about it. ]

One of the two alien races that had settled on Haixing after our ship crashed centuries ago. We're the closest to humans in most everything save for our natural abilities, while the other group blends in with plant and animal life.

Edited 2018-11-05 01:56 (UTC)

New world, new rules?

[Two alien races landing on Haixing, Shen Wei's species closer to humans but with supernatural abilities and the other species blending in with the local flora and fauna. Weirdly, it makes sense to Yunlan. It's like hearing an old bedtime story over again.

He nods slowly.]

All right. ... What are they called? Your species.

A little. I doubt that the people who enforce some of the rules would come marching here to haul me to prison.

[ Considering that he was also the person who usually was tasked to do so, he doubted anyone would dare. Those that would, well, they didn't have the fire power to bring him in if they really tried. ]

Ah... [ He had mentioned pieces about Haixing, and about other things and it seemed not to have affected Zhao Yunlan. Shen Wei looked over at him and worried at his lower lip, wondering if he could say it and not have him lose his senses to a piece of the past. Maybe because he was talking about himself it would be okay? ]

...we once had a name for ourselves but it was lost over the years. We just use Dixingren like the rest of humanity these days.

Dixingren. [Zhao shows no signs of exploding into some kind of monster; instead, he just looks thoughtful, absorbing the information.]

Do you actually live underground?

[That sounds... uncomfortable. He's not an outdoorsy type himself, but to live without the sun, without the stars? That would be hard. Maybe it's different for Shen Wei's people. Then again, maybe it's not.]

[ A knot of fear slowly loosens itself, but he still was going to be careful. Just because one word wouldn't do it doesn't mean the rest wouldn't cause him harm. ]

For the most part. As far as I recall, our home world had a weaker sun and stronger gravitational pull, and the ancestors had felt more comfortable in the hollows underground.

[ And the radiation of their new home held the same kind that they had back home, giving them the strange powers that had them labeled as mutants among common people. Those in certain sectors of the government knew better, but then again, they had to work with the Dijun Regent in creating their treaties. ]

[Yunlan nods, fascinated, and breaks into a sudden grin.]

-- So is that why you're so pale, Prof?

[Because there's no way he can resist teasing just a little.]

[ He snorted, eyes narrowing a little at the tease. Of all the things to point out, Zhao Yunlan had to comment of his fair complexion. He almost expected the former officer to add other observations about his appearance soon. Like his suits or the fact he wore sleeve-garters. ]

I work inside and don't do a lot of traveling. Of course I'm pale.

I'm just teasing. [Aw, he got kind of defensive about that. The underground thing might be a sore subject, Yunlan notes to himself, and spreads his hands in sheepish apology.]

I guess you won't have to work inside quite so much here, will you?

Outside of library research.

[There's only so much they'll be able to get off the public shelves, he's sure.]

I know. It's just-- [ How do you explain that Dixingren do not really talk about being Dixingren? Does he just say it? ] -- we don't talk about it.

[ Even though he was perfectly aware that he wouldn't get into trouble. It wasn't that he didn't think anyone from Dixing was here, no, he was the enforcer of the rules himself. He couldn't just place himself under arrest and then jail himself. That would be just ridiculous. ]

Probably not. I need to clean out my temple area and try to get it look in somewhat repair.

Right, I bet not... but I don't think any of us count as human anymore, so you don't need to keep it a secret.

You might be an alien, but you're a god too, right?

[QED. Zhao shrugs easily.]

You're not stuck in one of those run-down places, are you?

I suppose... though I'm not sure if other humans I encounter here will be as accepting that fact as you are.

But for how long?

[ Because if this system collapses or the old gods decide to clean this mess up, what will happen to all of them? ]

It's in fair condition save for a few neglected areas like the gardens.

No, I mean I'm not much of a human anymore, either. I'm a shinki. [The corner of his mouth tilts up around his lollipop stick, and he casts Shen Wei a sidelong glance.] So, why throw stones?

Glad to hear your place isn't too beaten up, though. I've seen some of those empty temples, and they're not livable.

But will others feel the same way about themselves like you do?

[ A person could still consider themselves as human even though they were technically a dead soul. Not that Shen Wei would judge them any differently so long as they did not make it a problem. ]

I'm not. It's just a lifetime habit to not really say anything about it.

I suppose that it changes when someone appears to use them.

No, no, I didn't mean you were throwing shade, Prof, I meant there's no reason for any shinki to have a problem with someone else not being human. Though I guess you're right that we might not all feel that way.

[He shrugs, dismissing the question, and leans forward in interest.]

But, you know, I never thought about that. Do you think we take over an old temple that gets itself magically restored when we pop in, or do the new temples just pop out of nowhere? Because I haven't seen a lot of empty temples in good shape just sitting around to be moved into.

Curiosity killed the... [open]

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