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Who: Nanako and EVERYONE!
When: Early March
Where: The BRAND NEW Shelter of Nanshe in the Central District
What: Nanako's Temple has moved and gotten a makeover! So this seems the perfect time to have a party and also to watch the blooming cherry blossoms!

[ Nanako's Temple had moved once before, so that in itself wasn't all that surprising, especially after almost an entire year here now. But she hadn't been expecting the Temple to change completely, adding more rooms and more of a homier vibe than the shrine had had before. Parts of it reminded her a little more of what her big brother's temple had felt like when he'd been here, and she's grateful for that, although she's a little worried because there seems to be so many rooms that she keeps finding in so many nooks and crannies. Maybe her temple just goes on forever now?

Either way, the move timed as it is seems like the perfect excuse to throw a big picnic outdoors on the grounds around her temple, which seems perfectly suited to host a large number of her friends over at any given time. And with her temple surrounded by cherry trees, their blossoms full and colorful right now, it makes the setting an inviting little corner to sit an mingle for a while.

The day before, every single temple in the Heavens would have found a carefully-crafted invitation on their doorstep, the words carefully written out in a childish hand, inviting them to a Cherry Blossom Viewing at Nanshe's Shelter. There's even a carefully drawn little map on the back to show them where to go, since Nanako doesn't want anyone getting lost on their way to the new location.

There are blankets laid out in the grass beneath the trees and on the wood and stone patios are little tables and chairs clustered together invitingly. There is food set out on a stretching buffet, the platters somehow never seeming to run low on food. There are decorations strung up along the outside of the temple and around the trees in pink and creams, although some of them certainly look to have been made or put up by decidedly childish hands.

As for the goddess herself, she flits about the party with a bright smile, happy to see everyone who shows up and making sure her friends are having fun, or maybe introducing herself to anyone she hasn't met yet. ]

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[ Kairi is wearing a cute new flowery dress and magenta cover when she gets her turn walking up the front steps of the temple, to see Sora there playing host with ease. She is not very subtly holding a massive gift for Nanako, which contains a giant plush rabbit. So it's entirely possible that Sora doesn't recognize Kairi until she lowers the gift to the ground temporarily after she hears Sora's greeting. ]

Hello again!

[ She knew Sora was Nanako's shinki, at least. She got that warning thanks to Nanako. ]

So Nanako's your goddess, huh?

Hey! Hey, Kairi!

[It's the girl from the training hall again. Sora smiles warmly and nods. Whatever is in that giant gift he's sure Nanako will love.]

She is! Just because she's small doesn't mean she's not powerful, huh? Who knew we'd move so fast to the central district.

[ Kairi giggles at Sora's appreciation of Nanako. That's good. She suspected Sora wouldn't underestimate the youngest goddess in the Far Shore, possibly even tinier than Amaterasu herself. ]

Oh Nanako and I go way back. She's been working hard for a very long time. She didn't just move to this district because of some recent acknowledgement.

[ Then she appears to consider her words before continuing. ]

You know, Sora... her big brother used to be here with her. So I'm really happy she'll have someone like you around her temple again.

[He has definitely been told how hard gods and goddesses have to work in order to be moved to the central district. He honestly feels like he should work even harder because he basically got a free ride to this nice upscale neighbourhood and he doesn't want to feel like a slacker or like he's useless. She's a strong goddess and he wants to be a strong shinki. For her.

Kairi's note about her brother has Sora's eyes blink in surprise.]

Really? I didn't know that. But if I can help her out and watch out for her like that, that makes me happy too. She deserves it since she does work so hard.

[ Kairi nods. ]

She was living on her own for a long time - too long, really, but apparently she's a really capable young lady.

[ Thinking back on their first meeting, Kairi chuckles a little. ]

I probably should have known from the first time I met her. She was out at a kind of carnival playing games like it was no big deal. Even her big brother wasn't surprised that she was wandering around on her own. She's still a goddess, so she has some power behind her; physically, she's not even that much older than another goddess in charge here.

[ She takes a chance and steps forward, placing her hand on Sora's shoulder. ]

I hope you two will be able to work out what she can do on her own and what she needs help with.

[Sora seems to fall quiet for a second or two as he considers all that. Nanako being alone and taking care of herself for any period of time seems really sad. She's tiny and she's young, she shouldn't have to worry about certain things.

He smiles after that, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He will do his best to be a big brother as well.]

Well, I hope she never has to feel alone again. I want to stay by her side as long as I can.

[ She completes the forward motion to give Sora a hug. ]

That's what I hoped you'd say.

[ Then she pulls back. ]

I'm really glad that she has you now, Sora. If you ever need help figuring out one of her prayers, don't hesitate to call me, okay? I've never been able to be her shinki, but I'd help her in an instant if you feel like you need it. Just until you're settled into this shinki partner business, of course.

[ Because she has every confidence that Sora could run circles around her if he had the same amount of experience that she did, as a shinki. ]

[Honestly, the hug surprises him? He doesn't recoil but he stands there a little dumbfounded before his hands touch her back and then she's pulling away already...

Weird. His heart feels a weird painful tug-tug and he's not sure why.]

Ahh... Geeze. Thanks, Kairi. You've been really nice. [He mumbles.] We're both really lucky to have a friend like you.

Edited 2019-01-02 19:35 (UTC)

[ She chuckles softly - but a little somberly, she can't hide that from him. ]

What can I say? You make it really easy to be nice to you. Anyone would want you as their friend, Sora.

[ At least that much is 100% true. ]

Besides, I remember what it was like when I was new here - how hard it could be sometimes. There are things that we'll never have in common with our gods, even if they were nice and encouraged us to talk to them about anything that was bothering us. And for you in particular...

[ She stares over at Nanako again. ]

I figure you'll need one extra person to talk to like that, compared to most new shinki.

[Geeze, Kairi. Stop?? Sora's heart is going to burst from compliments like that?? HIS FACE. BLUSHING.]

Er, you really think so?

[Sora is so new to this place that he hasn't met a lot of people yet. Sometimes he thinks that people might not like him because they always look at him with this sad look in their eyes. Like he said something wrong or it's a mistake for him to be here. And honestly, that's made Sora feel extremely lonely at times. He has no memories and because of it his heart feels half empty and he doesn't know how to fill it up. He thinks he's always liked to be around people. To have a lot of friends... That something like that would make his heart feel less empty.

And yet...]

Thanks, Kairi. It has been a little rough on me. Sometimes I feel like I'm not really in the right place. But I'll be okay, especially if I have a friend like you now. It's nice to have someone I can talk to.

[Because as much as he adores Nanako he's not sure she'll understand.]

[ She smiles when he calls her his friend. That's the best thing that could have come out of today, to her. Still, she wants to reassure him a little more, if she can. ]

Mmm... how do I put this...

[ Both because it's Sora, here without his memories, and because she would be cautious talking to any new shinki about these things after less than two months in the Far Shore. ]

A lot of shinki tend to feel that way. I know that doesn't make it any easier for you, but... I'm sure there are other shinki who can help you figure out where that 'right place' is, Sora. It may take some time... but I'll support you however I can.

[Sora has heard from Roxas about sometimes shinki can't really talk about this or that. Boy, that's even more frustrating for Sora. He gets curious sometimes but he doesn't want to risk the chance of hurting himself or worse, Nanako.]

What about you, Kairi? When did you feel like you were in the right place?

[Is he allowed to ask things like that?]

I mean... Was there a point where you felt like you were doing the right things?

[ The question makes her think about Forrest in particular, so she does look a little sad before answering, because she intentionally tries to think of more examples that are easier to talk about. In doing so, she hits on a pattern - one she hopes will resonate with Sora on some level, with or without memories. ]

There have been a couple of times now when I was around as a friend was in danger, and I helped protect them. Other times, I wasn't able to help, but I paid as close attention as I could so that if we needed the same spell again, I'd be able to teach it to someone. In all of those cases... it kind of feels like...

[ She touches her chest. ]

This might sound strange, but it's almost like I am the right place, and other people come to find me. So if I just wait long enough, my friends will know where to find me.

[Sora wonders if he'll come to a point where he feels like that too. Where he feels like his heart is in the right place and not somewhere else where he might be needed. That feeling inside him... It's so vast. It scares him.

But he decides to smile, giving a small nod at her words.]

I hope it'll be like that for me someday too. I just want to feel like I belong. And if I can help people along the way, that's a nice bonus.

I believe you can do it, Sora. And if you need help, you know where to find me.

[ She gives him a smile and a little wave, before turning to approach one of her other friends.

Partly so he won't see the crinkled smile as she holds back those intense emotions Sora brings out in her. ]

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