36 - Dragon Dance

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Help the Heavens cover for a missing goddess at her temple festival.
When: March 18
Where: Near the Sensou-ji temple in Asakusa
Summary: After Kannon's disappearance last year, the Heavens are concerned that things might go wrong at her temple's March 18 omikoshi festival. They've asked new gods and shinki to attend the festival and keep an eye out for trouble. Meanwhile, trusted newcomers and older gods and shinki alike are watching over the cultists that have been identified.






The Festival

Shrine-carriers, musicians and dancers congregate early in the morning in their matching outfits to get organized into their parade. Luckily, all of the parade participants this time are alive and well. There aren't even any troublesome ayakashi hanging around... so why is everyone having such bad luck?! Laces are breaking, costumes tearing, small children are getting sick from nerves, and even the drums seem to have gone out of tune. It looks like this parade is going to need a whole lot of help to prevent disaster.

For those who aren't busy with the parade preparations, food and souvenir booths throng the area in front of the temple. There's traveling games, too, and plenty of people showing up early with their families to find a good spot to watch the parade. This is one of Tokyo's most popular temples, so it's quite a crowd!

The Stakeouts

Any gods or shinki who were told about the cult problem by Amaterasu -- or anyone who might have heard from friends and allies about the plans -- can help Amaterasu's shinki keep a tight watch on all of the known cult members. Her shinki are looking for any sign of the young gods who she believes are behind all of this trouble, but are there other clues that might be found by a keen observer? Join in on staking out a cult member, and see what you can see.

Current cult members that the shinki are watching include:

• Mitsui Ryou - lives alone in a medium-sized apartment, appears to work a 9 - 5 schedule with occasional late nights.
• Imai Takeru - lives in a small two-story house by himself, has an unpredictable schedule.
• Shimoda Tsuki - lives alone in a small apartment with a lot of plants, works retail with varying shifts.
• Oota Saburo- lives in a medium-sized apartment with his wife and two young children, works a 9 - 5 schedule with frequent work trips.
• Maeda Shinnosuke - lives alone in a small, messy apartment, works construction (early mornings, long days.)
If your character is taking part in the surveillance of any of these people, please feel free to comment to the Cult Clues thread below with the name of the character they're watching, and the times that they're watching that character, in order to learn what they might see. (Note: surveillance doesn't have to take place only on the 18th. Characters can take part in watching the cult members at any time after Amaterasu's announcement on March 8.)

The Parade

At noon, the parade begins. Misfortune is still dogging the participants and the crowds around them, but it looks as though everything will go all right up until the final turn as the heavy, gilded shrine turns back towards the main temple building, tips, and slowly falls over sideways, straight for the crowd.

What's worse, when the shrine hits the ground, it cracks open -- and a huge, jellyfish-like ayakashi wearing a giant white mask with a single black eye inscribed on it heaves its way out and begins lashing its tentacles in every direction. People stung by the tentacles are driven into a furious frenzy, and fights are breaking out everywhere. Stop the humans from fighting, take care of the injured, and destroy the ayakashi before the situation gets any worse.

The Pursuit

In the middle of the fighting crowd, two white-robed shinki are chasing after a very average-looking salaryman in a tan coat. He doesn't seem to know that the shinki are chasing him, but he is moving fast, and they're in danger of losing track of him. They're calling out to any Far Shore denizen close enough to hear, shinki or god:

"Don't let that guy get away! He knows what happened!"

Anyone who has met or spent time staking out Mitsui Ryou will recognize him as the escaping salaryman. If your character takes part in the pursuit, please comment to the Cult Clues thread with a link to your thread - the character who successfully catches Mitsui will be determined by RNG on January 6, 2019.

In Summary:

• Attend the Sensou-ji festival
• Enjoy food and games
• Help Amaterasu's shinki stake out the cult
• Fight a masked ayakashi
• Have fun~

Comments

[holygrailed]

Festival
[With as large and crowded as the festival is, it's inevitable a few children get separated from their parents or group. With a soft spot for children and a distinctive look, Irisviel finds herself helping out lost children. Sensing the weird sense of someone from the Far Shore nearby, Irisviel waves and calls out, a young child clinging to her hand.]

Excuse me! Do you have a moment?

Parade 1
Over here, I can help with healing! Hurry!

[To anyone injured or helping someone injured, Irisviel waves them down. She's set up just out of reach of the lashing tentacles, a borderline in front for additional safety. Fighting is not her specialty, but she can heal and defend and will do what she can as chaos rolls around her.]

Parade 2
[A fight breaks out near Irisviel's location, an ugly brawl that draws more and more people in. Despite her best efforts to shield herself, a stray blow catches her on the back of the head and knocks her to the ground. Dazed, Irisviel balls up to try to avoid getting trampled in the pressing crowd, looking around to try to find a safe spot to hide at.]

Festival

[beyondtheblade]

[So many issues to solve, so little time. Tsubasa is actually feeling run a bit ragged, even for as in shape as she is. When she hears the call out though, she spins on a dime. Seeing the child clinging to her, she smiles.]

Ah, certainly. Did you need some assistance...?

[holygrailed]

Yes, thank you!

[Irisviel smiles brightly at the blue-haired woman coming over. The boy clinging to her skirt holds on a little tighter, but Irisviel pats his head reassuringly.]

Have you seen anyone else wearing his coat around? I'm trying to help him find his group.

[There are several groups wearing blue-and-white coats, but the white wave crest on the back is distinctive.]

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa looks down at the boy. Hm. She's not much dealt with children, at least not directly, as much more than fans...

Elfnein does not really count. She's smarter than the rest of them by a wide margin.]

Hmm, no, no I am afraid not. Do you need assistance finding them?

[holygrailed]

Yes, if you aren't busy? There are so many people around a second pair of eyes is welcome.

[The boy speaks up in a hesitant voice.]

"I'm with a dancing group if that helps!"

Festival

[cleansingstrike]

Of course, Irisviel.

How might I be of service?

[She's never too busy to offer a helping hand, especially towards her.]

[holygrailed]

Thank you!

[Irisviel gently ushers the young girl holding onto her skirt forward. An indigo and white happi covers her clothes like so many others, but the pattern helps identify the group she belongs to.]

I'm trying to find her group. Have you seen others wearing her coat?

[cleansingstrike]

I've not, I'm afraid. But pray allow me to offer aid and join you in the search.

[It's the least she can do.]

[holygrailed]

Thank you!

[The girl tugs at Irisviel; she leans down as the child whispers into her ear. Irisviel nods and straightens back up, relaying the shy child's message.]

She says they're supposed to meet at the setup area, but she's not sure where that is from here.

Parade 2

[priforprince]

[ A path suddenly forms - rioters blown to one side by a mostly-invisible, yet slightly purple force, and then hands reach down from above to try and pluck Irisviel up from the ground, holding her close.

It's Shikyoin Hibiki. With platinum wings topped by crowns on her back. You may swoon, if you so desire. ]

Improving your balance if you intend to continue skiing would be best.

[ Despite Hibiki's Super Cool (tm) response, her arms are surprisingly strong for a teenager. Cartoon Genius physics to the rescue. ]

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel sees the hand reaching for her and recognizing it means no harm, reaches out to take it. She's quite light so it doesn't take much to pull her to her feet.]

Oh, thank you!

[There's no swooning, but she does stare at the wings a bit. They're quite ornate.]

[priforprince]

It's distressingly chaotic here. Hurry to safety.

[ This is her Noble Prince Face. It involves a lot of staring just off people's shoulders into the middle distance, but it means well.

And it stays on topic, so, how about that. ]

[holygrailed]

What about you? Will you be safe?

[The mob around them is dispersing slightly from the force blowing them aside, but a few begin to fight anew among themselves. Irisviel knows there's space to run and gather herself before helping again, but she's loathe to leave Hibiki unprotected.]

festival

[wishwing]

[ Rion nods and folds her arms together. ]

I have a bit of time, sure. Do you need help?

[ She isn't sure where this is going but her ears are ready to listen. ]

[holygrailed]

[Stranger or not, Irisviel is willing to accept anyone's help right now. She smiles graciously at Rion and ushers the boy holding onto her hand forward. He's clutching a wood flute in his hand.]

Do you mind listening to him play for a moment? We need a second opinion.

[wishwing]

Oh, he's so cute! No I don't mind at all.

[ What an adorable child. Rion wants to cheer him on! ]

You can start any time!

Parade 2

[hypomeneo]

Irisviel!

[Paging anyone with actual non-magical combat skills - this Caster doesn't have them aside from dodging. And he's in the rank E club for durability. By Servant standards. Which means he's weathering any blows received as he fighting to Irisviel and not having a fun time of it.

But Irisviel is going to get killed if she stays there, so Waver grits his teeth and takes the pain. And snaps the wrist of whoever tried to yank his hair. No. There's a snap of bone. Apparently even rank E strength can do damage to a mortal.]

Irisviel! Yell out if you're conscious!

[holygrailed]

[That voice... Waver? Irisviel looks up, arms shielding her head as people move and stumble around her.]

I'm okay!

[Well...yes and no. Her head aches and someone bumps into her shoulder as they rush past. She focuses on Waver's voice as she draws her fingers in the halberd position across the ground.]

Line!

[A barrier appears in front of her. People bounce off as they graze off it, buying a few seconds to catch her breath and get her feet back under her.]

[hypomeneo]

Good! Time to get you out!

[Right. Time to get on the magic. Before he does, a fist slams under his guard and the air leaves his lungs in a whoosh.]

Oof!

[He snaps out his leg in an attempt to hurl the offender back, foot impacting the chest squarely. Slashes out a borderline to give himself breathing room. Give himself the ability to chant.

There's hisses in Chinese as he continues to body his way through. Casting Bounded Fields around them. Bounded Fields, as Mages usually set them up, both with the ability to protect and to repel normal humans away from them. Make the mortals want to turn away and leave.]

parade 2

[ofnovalue]

"May God's protection find you... Aegis!"

[ The voice seemed far off, but the familiar holy light of Ovelia's magic found its way to Irisviel all the same, filling her with the energy she needed to regain her senses and get the hell out of there. Ovelia called to her again from the sidelines, giving her a point to focus on in her flight from the panic. ]

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel barely registers the voice, but the burst of energy is familiar. It's powerful and supportive and Irisviel manages to get back on her feet. She spots Ovelia and runs over to her, grabbing her arm for support.]

Thank you! We have to help them!

[ofnovalue]

[ Ovelia steadied herself, offering as much support to Irisviel as she could. ]

Aye, surely, but how? In their madness, there are so many and we so few...

Parade 2

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker is in a rage, knowing his shinki is in trouble. The people in his way don't matter and they're pushed aside without so much as a glance towards them. His single purpose is to protect Irisviel now, rushing in front of her. Fully armored, but no weapon in hand for now, he stands over her. ]

Come with me. [ A command, not a request. ] I'll get you out of here.

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel is aware of a change in the group as the press of people suddenly lighten and the presence of someone looms over her. She looks up at her god, a thin trickle of blood bright against her pale skin and hair. Her hand braces against his leg armor as she pulls herself up.]

No. [The word comes out a bit breathy as she gathers her bearings, but it's not an accidental word either.] I'm fine, but there are so many injured and confused. We have to help them.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ The defiance gets a low growl from Berserker. It's something he should've expected, really, knowing Irisviel. She focused too much on others for his liking and would forsake her own well-being sometimes. He could just grab her and run, but he doesn't want to risk damaging the trust they've built.

Instead, he just snarls. ]

You're bleeding, you're not fine... [ An irritated huff. ] But if that's what you wish, I will help you in that task.