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

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.]

[holygrailed]

Waver!

[Fear for her friend pushes Irisviel forward. She snaps a few strands of hair and throws them outward. They glow and lengthen as they flutter to the ground. A loop forms around them as a filigree cage curl and twist around them. In the safety of the shelter, Irisviel uses the cage walls to pull herself upright.]

Are you okay? Let me heal you.

[Without even waiting for his answer, Irisviel holds out her hands, channeling healing energy his way.]

[hypomeneo]

[The Bounded Fields take form around the cage, people smacking into them, and hissing because the energy is repelling them, but they're too much in a frenzy to care. Waver sucks in one breath, then another, as his bruises fade. Servant durability is proving to be a blessing here. He's far less hurt than he should be.]

I'm surviving.

You need to heal yourself as well. Then we're getting out of here.

[UUUURGGGH. Plan B. They can fight through the crowd and he can take the blows for Irisviel as he's made of somewhat tougher stuff, but that way lies potential failure if they all turn on him at once.

But there's another way.]

We'll go up and use our borderlines as platforms to move across. Sound like a plan to you?

[holygrailed]

Mm, I'm fine.

[Irisviel smiles as she finishes healing Waver. Her head aches, she's sore from being knocked down, but bruises will heal. She can take care of herself after everything is dealt with.

The cage holds around them. Irisviel studies the frame. She reaches out and makes adjustments, twisting the design to give them hand and footholds, flattening the edge out at the top to give them something to stand on.]

There, it's easier to climb up now. We can see where to go to from there.

[hypomeneo]

You tell me immediately if things change on that front.

[No arguing. Waver can sense prickles of interest from the ayakashi, spikes of malicious intent and hunger. It's noticed them. His hand slips into his pocket for his phone. Satya installed a panic button setting to alert Iskandar if his shinki got into trouble (and hopefully there's one for Iskandar too) and he can't tell how long they have before a tentacle comes their way. Surely someone's begun the fight against it. That should give them time.

Slowly... ever so slowly... Servant instincts take hold even as anxiety washes through him. Waver's eyes narrow as he goes to boost Irisviel up and makes to follow.]

It's noticed us. I don't know if anyone's bloody well fighting it yet or how long we have before it acts on that interest. Until our gods come onto the scene, we're going to have to save each other.

So be careful as you go up. I'll watch your back and make sure nothing flies at you.

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel nods and begins her climb. Even with the adjusted hand and footholds moving up the cage, her climb is slow. She's not physically strong by any regard, the head injury isn't helping. but the drive to survive pushes her on. The sounds of battle carry over the chaos of people fighting and trying to escape the area.

A plastic crate fly through the air and crashes into the cage. The metal rattles and shakes but the structure holds. Irisviel squeaks as she stops against the walls, a second crate following a few seconds later. There's only a few feet until the top; Irisviel scales up, dropping a new borderline in the direction the crates came from before turning to help Waver up.]

[hypomeneo]

[He knows. He would have fought on the healing herself point except for sensing the ayakashi's interest. Evacuation became more important. Waver grits his teeth as he takes her hand and hauls himself up. It's unusually strong; nothing like the other Servants, except maybe Caster, but strong none the less.

His voice is steel resolve as the crates crash against the cage and she squeaks.]

We are going to make it out. You're doing well.

[He knows she'll know and hesitate if he has any hesitation. Waver digs in himself for that kind of strength; the anxiety is shoved away. He has to be someone she can rely on right now. He has to try and lead.

No, not try. He has to lead.]

Good. That will keep them off us. [His own borderline appears horizontally at the top of the cage for them to clamber on; he's been practicing making them with just his mind and by now his constructs are much more sturdy. Waver clambers ahead of her on it, the fan appearing in his hand to parry any flying debris with powerful gusts of wind. He'll guard and help Iri up in turn.

There's a trash can thrown. Waver's eyes slide and the fan snaps to the side and knocks it away.] Ready?

[holygrailed]

[The moment she moves her borderline, that side will be vulnerable again. Irisviel studies the cage below, making a quick decision. The wires glow again as she channels her energy back into it. Some of the wire unravels, leaving just enough to support it as she builds up a wall to replace her borderline. She forces the wire to harden a little more and anchors it. There, it'll do.

Irisviel takes Waver's hand and climbs onto the platform, shying as debris continues to fly their way. She drops her borderline and recasts it just after Waver's with a shout and wave of her hand. May it be strong, may it hold.

Not may.

Will. It will hold.]

Go!

[hypomeneo]

Going! Stay by my side!

[The fan snaps to side to side as Waver parries the debris not being stopped by Iri's wire wall as they rush forward. Waver snaps forward another borderline as they leave his - each section by him or her another brick in the road they're building. Below them the crowd riots.

As they do so, something bigger is hurled and Waver swings his free hand towards it and snaps instinctively. Whatever it is is incinerated into ash. The battle behind them is getting more pitched as more gods and shinki join the fray and the crowd churns even further into frenzy.]

[holygrailed]

[Don't look back. Irisviel's legs shake a little as she runs; if her heart still beat, it'd be pounding in her throat with every step. Borderline after borderline, they run through the air, unnoticed by the humans below. She's deeply thankful for Waver's abilities; there are things she can do offensively, but they work poorly here.

So she must rely on her defenses. Trust in what she can do.]

Waver! The rooftop!

[A building four-story building to the right isn't too far from their current location, stairs winding around the outside giving them easy access down. Two more hairs from her head, a precious resources as she channels mana and wraps and winds. She sends the glowing wires out to anchor onto the building. An elegant lattice begins to weave together, tight enough their feet won't fall through. The wires continue to outline her borderline, walls forming up again to protect them.]

[hypomeneo]

Nice catch. We'll take a breather there.

[Waver's sneaking peeks back. He has to be able to anticipate the crowd moving and the path of the ayakashi if they're going to escape to a safer haven. So far his Luck stat is rolling well. The building is a boon; they'll be able to plan their next move up there.

The priority is getting Irisviel healed. All else will come after.]

Figure out what to do next.

[Up the wire lattice they charge. Waver spares a thought for Iskandar and Satya as he snaps borderline after borderline behind them for protection; they're lost in the crowd and he has no way of knowing either is alright.

On the rooftop, Waver sucks in air. Sooo... that Esteemed E in durability is making itself show. Or maybe he just needs to hit the gym as Chris and him joked about. He tries to ignore it as he scans the crowd, gaze dissecting the roil beneath them.

That thing isn't dead yet. They need more help. But first...]

How are you doing? That head staying intact?

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel releases her hold on the lattice once they're on the rooftop. Metal fades into hair, pale strands twisting away in the air. She slumps against the edge of the rooftop wall, breathing heavy. The ache of her head is all the more apparent now that there's a chance to breathe.]

Mm. Give me a second to heal myself.

[She raises a hand to her chest, a soft glow emanating under it. Unlike healing others, the effect of healing herself is almost instantaneous. The pulsing ache fades into nothing, her vision swims a little less. It doesn't help the exhaustion from running and mana drain, but nothing rest can't help.]

I think I'll be okay. And you? Do you need more healing?

[hypomeneo]

You're pretty drained. Just rest. The battle's flow at the moment suggests we'll be undisturbed for the moment.

Here.

[He takes one of her hands. Starts a simple mana transfer.]

I have plenty to fight and I'm unharmed thanks to you. You saved my skin back there with what you did.

[holygrailed]

[Ebb and flow, a balance of where energy is given, energy is lost. Irisviel accepts some of the mana, but pulls her hands away after a minute.]

Still, you need some for yourself. You fight where I cannot so you must stay strong.

[She smiles reassuringly, not at all bothered by the truth of her statement.]

[hypomeneo]

You have a fighter's soul. You know that, right?

... I would not say you cannot fight where I can, only that you'd probably have to approach it differently than I. We all have our strengths, we all have our weaknesses.

[He puts his hand in a pocket. Waver looks at her, looks at himself and listens to the whisper of his soul, the music of his true self. Shinki are barred their memories, barred to go looking. But if one is still inside, if one listens to the murmurs of self and do not force, answers can be retaken and what one really is reclaimed.

There are always work-arounds.]

[holygrailed]

[There are always work-arounds.

Irisviel smiles. Waver is a kind soul, wise and level, someone she truly appreciates here. Like understands like even when one's self is forgotten on the surface. They are mages; that will never change. They are survivors too, for all the strength and wear it has on them.]

We will survive this yet, together.

[She breaks a piece of hair off and channels it into wire, weaving a very simple cherry blossom.]

Here, for luck and protection.

[hypomeneo]

[Waver flushes slightly as he takes the cherry blossom, a red crawl crossing his nose to flame both cheeks.]

Thank you.

[O-okay...]

For you.

[He tucks the cherry blossom away in his pocket and runs a hand through his own hair, coming away with several strands that twist together with magic and form a thin bracelet around her wrist.]

For strength and fortitude. And good health.

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel touches the bracelet of hair on her thin wrist, a similar blush spreading across her face. Hair is a valuable resource and source of power among mages. The bracelet, like Waver's friendship, will be treasured forever.]

Thank you.

[She peers over the wall at the people below.]

Shall we continue onward? We cannot hide here forever.

[Not when there are so many people in danger, Berserker somewhere unknown. She must survive, but that doesn't mean she'll sit idle.]