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

After the Cultist!!

[replicatedform]

[Hearing the call for action, Yamanbagiri quickly looks over to see a man being pursued by others. He knows what happen? At that thought, he starts to run after Mitsui Ryou.

Fortunately, he's fast on his feet. But trying to keep his eyes on the target prove to be challenging in this crowd.]

We need to block his way!

[He call out, so whoever nearby can hear it and maybe offer ideas. This is a festival, there should be something they can use as an obstacle. Anything to make him slow down.]

[onedrinkwithme]

[He's unfamiliar with his new companion but hey, the more the merrier.]

Then I may suggest to mind any metal nearby.

[Right on cue, there are several random items falling into Ryou's path but seem to move when the other two run by. With the way Aymeric is using his arms, he's putting his god power to decent use.]

[godsoffortune]

[Mitsui dodges the first several pieces of falling metal, until he puts one foot down wrong on a metal tube from one of the food booths. It goes out from under him, and he pitches sideways, landing on the sidewalk hard enough that he's staying flat on his back for the next several seconds.

They've got plenty of time to catch up to him while he's lying there, dazed, trying to get his breath back.]

[replicatedform]

[Fortunately with Yamanbagiri's speed, it doesn't take him too long to catch up to Mitsui. Before Mitsui can regain his breath, Yamanbagiri's by his side and pin one of his wrists down.

Firmly and can probably be felt by even someone from the Near Shore.]

[onedrinkwithme]

[As much as he feels unease at using the abilities given by Heaven, Aymeric can use it if deemed as needed.

Seeing as Mitsui's other wrist is free, Aymeric takes it and keeps it pinned with one hand. The other meanwhile is placed firmly on the man's chest. Like hells he will let him get away.]

[godsoffortune]

What the hell...?

[He's still gasping for breath -- it must be the run as well as the fall -- and he tugs at his wrists, trying to free them as he looks back and forth between his two captors.

Well back in the crowd, the two white-robed shinki are still approaching, although they're going to take a while to get there.]

[replicatedform]

[Yamanbagiri's bright turquoise eyes stare down at Mitsui from under his hood.]

Don't bother, you'll just waste your energy.

[Glancing up, he looks for the white-robed shinki. Where ever they are, they might take a while. Yamanbagiri looks at Mitsui before turning his attention to Aymeric. His grip on Mitsui's wrist remain firm and steady.]

He's dazed, but... do we need him to stay awake?

[He remember someone yelling that this guy "knows what happened". But he wonder if they're going to interrogate him as soon as possible.]

[onedrinkwithme]

Twould be best.

[It would be easy for them to knock him out due to strength outside of their Heavenly station so saving it will be best. But Ryou just confirmed that he can see them so Aymeric does not pussyfoot around.]

We wish to speak with you, ser. Please try not to make this hard for yourself.

[godsoffortune]

Who are you? Why are you after me?

[He's staring at them with a half-defiant, half-shifty air, and he tries again to pull his arm free of Yamanbagiri's grip on general principles.

It doesn't work, though, and after the one attempt he desists.]

[replicatedform]

... Good. You don't really need to know who I am.

[He would forget about him, anyway. How much should he get emotionally invested in this?

(He wonder if this is a case where using his impressive sounding name works?)

At least it doesn't seem like they need to knock him out. Yamanbagiri glance up to see if any of the white-robed shinki are coming.]

[onedrinkwithme]

[No need to get invested in the man's well being after all.]

Tis true but I believe you have answers for us.

[Aw, look at Ryou trying to intimidate them. Meanwhile Aymeric's own glare is fierce enough to make some men wet themselves. He's dealt with dragons smaller and much deadly than you, buddy.]

[godsoffortune]

[Ryou doesn't look inclined to pants-wetting fear. Bravado seems to be his response of choice, at the moment.]

Yeah, well, you still haven't asked me anything.

[He looks at Yamanbagiri dubiously, and then back at Aymeric, and frowns.]

What's with the elf ears, anyway? Are you cosplaying?

[replicatedform]

[He turn his attention back to Ryou. Well, okay, he can have that point, They haven't ask any questions yet. What was it did those white-robed shinki said...?

With a serious, focused stare, Yamanbagiri ask his question.]

You know what happened here, right?

[onedrinkwithme]

[Fair enough. While his new comrade asks his question, Aymeric will quietly switch hands that is holding down Ryou, letting the man breathe but still keeping a hold of his wrist. But he's not doing it out of the kindness of his heart; it's hidden from sight as he gestures for more metal to come closer, just in case the man tries any funny business.

Also, what's cosplay?]

[godsoffortune]

Sure. Someone dropped the shrine.

[His tone is flippant, and he's still flicking glances at Aymeric -- what's with the guy taking his other hand away? Is he reaching for a weapon? Ryou can't quite see.]

I don't know why you think I have anything to do with it, though. Do I look like I was in the parade?

[He can't gesture at his clothes with both hands trapped, but he ducks his chin to point at his suit.]

[replicatedform]

[As far as he can see, this guy looks like a normal person. But that doesn't mean he can't help or wouldn't know things.

Especially when the humans are important for the gods.]

Whether you did anything or not, I want to know if you know what happened.

[Hm... what to do if Ryou doesn't say anything? Either he knows something's up, or refuse to say.]

So, did you know or see anything strange before this chaos happen?

[onedrinkwithme]

[He knows that look, Ryou. Right on cue, Aymeric shows that hand and how there is absolutely nothing held in it. Nor is there anything strapped to his arm considering the yukata sleeve is falling down it. Besides, he leaves the daggers to the shinobi in Doma. When he speaks this time, the tone softens slightly but only because he is trying not to feel rage and lash out. He knows Ryou is involved but to push harsher will only make him retreat further in.]

It is quite strange to be at a festival dressed for business, is it not? Or that anyone who has nothing to do with such a disaster seemed to walk away rather quickly.

[godsoffortune]

Sorry, did you just say my clothes are weird?

[He still can't gesture dramatically, not when he's pinned to the ground, but he turns a disbelieving stare on Aymeric's ears and Yamanbagiri's cloak in turn.]

You've got some nerve. You chased me! And attacked me!

[And-- funny-- he isn't answering the question about whether he knows what happened. He seems content to work himself up into a froth of accusatory dramatics.]

Get off or I'll call for police.

[replicatedform]

[He saw that look, and it simultaneously made him feel self-conscious and annoyed. Leave his cloak alone!

After a quick glance at Aymeric, he looks back at Ryou with a hard frown.]

Don't bother. The police can't catch us.

[He sounds quite certain of it. Because well, Yamanbagiri is pretty sure the police from the Near Shore probably have no means to contain them.

So technically, they're powerless against them. Which Ryou might assume for a different reason.]

Look, all we want are answers. If you don't tell us...

[Yamanbagiri did consider the idea of threatening Ryou. With his free hand, he slide it towards his sword's hilt. The one trapping Ryou down tighten its grip.]

... I don't mind keeping you down, but I rather not hurt you too much.

[onedrinkwithme]

I do not like to resort to violence if the situation does not call for it. However, my comrade is correct that the local authorities will not be able to do their civic duty. [I mean, he did get chased by cops in a gang van so he's pretty damn sure of it.]

But alas, it seems that I have no other choice in this nor do I take any pleasure so please forgive me.

[His hands switch again from holding Ryou's wrist but mainly because a punch from the opposite fist would not cause much of an impact so he has to switch back and do the deed. And said punch aims right between the man's eyes. Since Aymeric does use swords, it is easy to realize that he never skips Arm Day.]

[godsoffortune]

[Ryou's head snaps back against the pavement, and he yelps, voice cracking with pain, and goes limp. It takes him several seconds to reopen his eyes, and his nose is already starting to bleed and go red when he does.

He tries to pull a hand away and bring it protectively to his face, as he watches Aymeric with new and real fear.]

Wha-- what the fuck?

The shrine fell over! That's what I saw! I wasn't anywhere close to it!

[He's done with the dramatics: now it sounds like he's desperately trying to convince them.]

[replicatedform]

[Now they're getting somewhere. Although he doesn't like it, that punch definitely helps cut out the dramatics.]

Is that really all? Nothing else?

[With a quick flick of his thumb, Yamanbagiri's sword slide out of his sheath a little. For all anyone knows, it might as well be a real sword. Which it is, but Yamanbagiri had meet people who thought he's a cosplayer.]

Because if we find out you're lying...

[For a moment, he let go of Ryou's hand. Only to swiftly unsheathe his sword and stab the spot right next to Ryou's head. From how close it is, Ryou can see it's undeniably a real sword made of real steel.

Which is also really beautiful as well, regardless if someone have an eye for weapons or not.]

[onedrinkwithme]

[Excuse you, it's 'whomst the fuck'. And while he's not pleased with the punching, Aymeric is glad that the bravado is done; politics aside, he hates bullshit. And despite it all, after seeing the bit of blood come out of Ryou's nose, Aymeric actually tears off a small piece of the inside of his yukata and cleans it off...before sticking it in the bleeding nostril. What?]

I would exercise caution if I were you; 'twould seem enough that a fist is preferable to steel [Yeah he sees that blade.] and as I said, I do not enjoy doing such things.

[He's tempted to say the words but that would be a gamble. It is easy for him to say 'I know who you are Mitsui Ryou and the organization you belong to' but at what cost?]

Now tell us exactly why you are here and why you seem to run away at nothing if you claim to be innocent. And trust me ser, I will know if you are lying to us. Saying that you were simply in the area will not work on one who is...how should I put it in this tongue...'used to the bullshite'?

[A bluff? No, it's politics. Actually, he also has an idea as he turns to Yamanbagiri.]

Just in case, check his pockets. All of them.

[replicatedform]

Got it. And remember this... I'm fast.

[As it making it obvious what he means, he slowly sheathe his sword in front of Ryou's eyes. Doing this just to instill fear into someone isn't his style, but it will do.

It's either this and free both of his hands, or keep holding his sword and use one hand to search.

With both his hands, Yamanbagiri start checking Ryou's pockets. No matter where they are.]

[godsoffortune]

[Unfortunately, Ryou is in no position to appreciate the beauty of the sword. He's more interested in the fact that it's really sharp, and really close to his face.

He opens his mouth, as if to keep denying, when Yamanbagiri starts checking his pockets instead. Then, he slumps, giving up the effort.

It won't take long for Yamanbagiri to find, in his left coat pocket, a couple of embroidered charms. They have a clear resemblance to the bad-luck charms that appeared around other gods' shrines during the New Year. His right coat pocket is empty, but there's something repulsive about it-- it's clean, and touching it won't cause any blight to appear on Yamanbagiri's fingers, but something about it seems foul, as offputting as the close presence of an ayakashi.

It might have held one for a while, perhaps. Or something associated with one.

Ryou slumps, avoiding both of their gazes, as the search continues.]

Fine. I put something in the shrine before the parade. But that didn't have anything to do with it falling over! It couldn't have. It was just a trinket.