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

[unlucky7]

It's nothing bad! It'll leave nothing more than a light scar if even that! Ginia was resilient to Unmi, gamely holding his arm out for him. When Kimi arrives, she frowns and gives an exasperated huff. NOTHING. SERIOUS.

But she's not going to argue the point in front of her coworkers and god. If it gives them peace of mind, fine. She relents with another tiny huff and sits on the picnic bench, feeling a little bit of trepidation. Knife cleric away, Kimi.

[chibisu]

"Don't you huff at me!" Kimi manages to grumble, even as he's only halfway across and already dissipating into light as Ebisu calls his name.

Situated behind their god, Unmi looks over to Kiwami. "Kunimi is in there as well, isn't he..?" He manages to relax when his coworker gives a stoic nod. Oh, good. Then there's no need to worry.

Armed with a kitchen knife, Ebisu stands on the tips of his toes with his mouth scrunched into a frown of concentration. A faint glow slides across the blade, and he slides it in carefully. In direct contrast to how a knife normally interacts with flesh, it almost seems to slide in harmlessly... Almost. There's a sting, like disinfectant on a scrape, but it's no doubt far less of a bother than the actual wound is. It leaves behind a trail as he moves it around the wound until, finally, he's connected it, and Ebisu snaps his wrist out as if sliding the 'slice' away. It doesn't happen like that, of course. Rather, the light washes over the wound, fading away and only leaving scarred tissue behind.

It's a good thing it wasn't more serious. That still leaves any residue blight, of course, but they can get holy water in short order.

"Do you feel better?" Ebisu asks, looking up at Ginia's face.

[unlucky7]

Dammit, Kimi. The urge to huff again out of stubbornness is high, but she holds back the burst of pettiness. He's worried, that much she can recognize. It's a minor wound from an ayakashi, she's had far, far worse injuries, but... she's not the one who saw her temple get slaughtered by ayakashi. Who now needs to cut an injury out of her significant other.

Ginia holds very, very still as Ebisu slides the tip of the knife into her skin. She knows Kunimi is guiding Ebisu's hand and there's nothing to worry about, but her hands ball into tight fists at the first 'incision.' It stings, but it's easy to shrug off like most pain. Harder to shrug off is the sight of the knife sliding around bloodlessly. Her back is stiff as she watches Ebisu work, a tense hiss escaping when he flicks his wrist.

The red, raised flesh is gone, a thin scar left behind. Another for the collection. There's a thin patch of blight her earlier douse of water didn't catch, but it's easy to treat later.

Ginia nods tersely, hands unclenching. "Yes, thank you," she signs habitually, though her tense expression is contrary to her words. "Can we talk about the mask now?"

[chibisu]

Ebisu smiles up at her in clear defiance of any grumpiness or impatience. "Yes, you are permitted to talk now," he says, lowering the knife. For the time being, he keeps Kimi as he is, just in case. It's clearly making his shinki a little antsy, but it might be for the best. Kunimi can calm him down, and they won't get distracted this way.

Behind him, Kiwami patiently begins to strip out of his jacket. When Ebisu glances over at him curiously, he tilts his head down a little. "It might be better not to keep it so close to you," he explains to Ginia quietly. "Until we can get a proper container for it, to make sure that there is no negative magic or anything lingering from the ayakashi."

[unlucky7]

Today is the day for all sorts of revelations and concerning statements. Ginia glances at the mask and gives a tiny intake of breath. Right. Magic. There's no denying what she did was dangerous and could have gone poorly for Waver too, but better to ask for forgiveness than permission? It's not like anything bad happened either.

"Someone already looked over the mask for any negative magic and didn't find any. He was attempted to scry back to the location of the controller of the mask, but was interrupted."

If nothing else, at least she's proactive in tracking leads while they're fresh?

[chibisu]

"Oh, then that's good." Ebisu nods in satisfaction. Even if it wasn't from his temple explicitly, he's glad that she was able to get it looked over by someone else with apparently some skill in the matter. Although now he's very interested in what she said...

"How was he interrupted?" Was it an attack, coincidence, or something else? He has so many questions.

[unlucky7]

Ginia points at a nearby picnic table. It's slumping slightly, the wood legs most visible looking a bit askew.

"We were using that table for scrying. Right when it seemed like there was progress, the table gave and disrupted things." She smiles very dryly and huffs. "A stroke of bad luck one might say."

Fucking mild curses.

"He's going to take more time to prepare before trying a second time."

[chibisu]

"So it wasn't like that before," Unmi mutters, crossing his arms as he looks over at the table in question. Takami is already going over to investigate it, kneeling down with no small amount of wariness.

Ebisu also stays where he is, although he's looking over as well during Ginia's explanation. His gaze is a little distant, churning over something, before he finally looks up at Ginia.

"Would I be able to be of use, then?" he asks. "I am a God of Fortune. Perhaps that could be used in some manner."

[unlucky7]

There's nothing unusual about the table; it's old, wood a bit rotted from constant exposure to the weather. It would have sagged eventually, it just happened to give out today of all days. Funny coincidence that.

Ginia considers Ebisu's question. Exceedingly good luck cannot be underestimated when dealing with minor cases of bad luck. Yet though she got the mask and any chance of keeping his involvement out is impossible with him aware, there's still the inclination to protect him. From himself, maybe. She looks at Ebisu, though also at Kunimi still possessing him, then to Unmi.

"That's a better question for my seniors."

[chibisu]

Apparently, Unmi is already thinking about it, brow furrowed a little bit even as he continues to stare where the mask is displayed. What Kunimi thinks is something that only Ebisu and Kimi are privy to, although the young god doesn't seem to show much on his face that could hint at anything. All he does is look up to both Unmi and Aomi expectantly.

"It's possible," the eldest shinki admits after a reluctant moment. "However, I believe I speak for all of us when I say a little bit more research beforehand would both help prepare us and put us all at ease." He means the temple as a whole as much as the seven of them gathered here. "For example, a better understanding of the method your acquaintance used, and a little more inspection of the mask itself. All of us being present would also be good."

While he doesn't say anything, his gaze does briefly flicker in Takami's direction. After all, if there's anyone who would feel better being in a position to do something in case of a bad turn...

Ebisu picks up where his shinki trails off. "Well, learning more about the method is just common sense anyway. Would your acquaintance mind that sort of thing very much, do you think, Jitsumi?"

[unlucky7]

"I do not think he would object to the presence of others nor explaining what he's uncovered or detected."

Ginia's typing is a little slower, an uncertainty based on the fact Waver is still a relatively new acquaintance. A respected one, certainly with a set of skills and knowledge personally beneficial. It helps his god is one she's on good terms with, and the temporary set back with his scrying attempt seemed to become a personal challenge.

Iskandar doesn't seem to have any objections either, provided Waver doesn't come under any harm. And if he does... well, Ginia will put her head on the line if it keeps everyone else safe.

"I promised I'd give him financial support with anything he needed. Until he's ready, I agreed to hide the mask on the Near Shore."

[chibisu]

"Then we will wait until he is prepared for another session," Ebisu says easily enough, utterly relaxed. It doesn't seem to be anything he's particularly bothered with, and Aomi seems to shake his head fondly from where he's standing with him.

"Do you already have an idea of where to safely keep it, Jitsumi?"

[unlucky7]

"One of Amaterasu's shrines."

With that incredibly glib joke out of the way, Ginia continues to type before anyone takes it seriously.

"I have a few ideas to look at. Temporarily, I'm going to put it in a backpack and store it in a locker at train station."

It'll buy three days before she needs to move it, though she plans on having it moved by then. Mostly it's a matter of making sure her ideas are viable.

"It's probably best you don't know where the final hiding place is, but I'll tell someone else for security. Any volunteers?"

[chibisu]

From the side, Takami makes a brief choking noise. It's hard to tell if it's a sudden laugh or just a too-fast wheeze of surprise at her joke, but Kiwami smacks his back a few times to help him get over it.

Very politely, the others ignore that small episode, instead, thinking among themselves carefully. "Kimi knows the best about getting around cities, and therefore such things as station lockers," Unmi says slowly. "However, he's already got a lot on his plate." None of them say it, but they're all thinking of the latest name that he's carrying.

For that reason, Aomi raises his hand. "Then, I'll help take care of it. I should be able to help with at least this much."

[unlucky7]

Ginia glances at the kitchen knife present among them. The name is already one burden of responsibility and treason, she's not going to place another on him. It also feels a bit much to put on him when they've been dating for all of four days, even if they're in this treasonous handbasket to hell together.

She bows slightly to Aomi.

"Thank you. Can you buy a backpack for me? I don't want to travel around too much with the mask unconcealed. I'll look up stations I can use for the interim."

[chibisu]

"Of course. I'm certain I can find a store that's open and unbothered by the recent mess." Nodding to all of them, Aomi quickly turns on his heel and begins to hurry off. Even if he gets lost, well, he's in a city, he has a phone, it should be fine.

For now, Takami nervously approaches her. "Jitsumi... Are you certain things will be fine with you handling this?"

Ebisu nods empathetically, and reaches over to take a hold of her sleeve. "You have to let us know if anything is amiss with the mask or where it's held!"

[unlucky7]

Ginia looks between Takami and Ebisu. The actual answer is no, she's not certain because she has in her possession a mask that has plenty of history in the temple. Heaven wouldn't hesitate to take action if they saw her with it. It's not only Ebisu and his temple, but Chris as well. The chain effect it could have if she makes a mistake.

"Ebisu, Kimi, and Unmi know I first approached the temple in January because I was seeking information about the mask in connection to the cult. With the first clue since then, I have to see where it leads."

Even with all the danger it could bring.

"I'll keep an eye on the mask and notify you if anything goes amiss. If things look like they'll bring trouble onto any of you, release me."

[chibisu]

The first couple of sentences are no surprise. However, with her finishing one... Each of the shinki still in the park turn their heads to look down at Ebisu. Not a single one of them seems surprised that his face has contorted into one of what can only be described as extreme reluctance, with how tightly his brow is drawn in. Even his mouth has taken an odd shape, a scrunched up little wiggle.

He doesn't say anything. It would be hard to, since he obviously can't agree.

[unlucky7]

The silence is deafening. Ginia looks at the older shinki in turn and then down to their god, surprised at Ebisu's expression. There's nothing wrong with her statement. Ebisu's life is the most important. The temple can't handle any more disasters. If her mistake would bring danger onto them, isn't the most logical thing to cut her loose so she can take any punishment herself?

Right?

It's the logic of someone who was an asset and a tool first, valued second. As Ginia looks at her temple, her own brow creases, confused by everyone's reaction.

"I can't let anyone get hurt or killed on account of me or my actions."

[chibisu]

"But you're my shinki." The scrunchie shape of a mouth finally manages to untangle enough to say that much. "You're a part of our temple." He offers no other explanation to this. Shouldn't it be obvious, after all? She's a part of their temple, so they can't toss her away for their own reasons.

She's too important for that.

From the side, Takami skittishly approaches her, one hand hovering uncertainly near her arm. "It's not..." His fingers flinch, regardless of her movement or lack thereof, and he takes in a shuddering breath. "It's not right."

Chuckling under his breath, Unmi reaches over to pat her on the back. "I'm afraid it's very difficult to untangle from us." He looks over his shoulder. "Don't you think, Kiwami?"

With his coat folded over his arm, having not bothered to put it back on again, Kiwami simply looks over at Ginia right in the eye. He clearly considers his words carefully before speaking them. "Only ask to be released if you'd truly be happier, not from duty."

[unlucky7]

Oh.

It's easy being a tool. Follow orders, do as you're ordered, don't think, don't feel. She can't remember that life, can't remember how much it broke her down, but she's still cobbled together from the pieces left and welded back together. It's harder being a person. To feel, to think, to make decisions that can be right or wrong, to hurt and disappointment, to make things right, and do it all over again.

Ginia's eyes move from god to shinki in turn, the confusion etched into her face softening. There's a reaction to insist it's for their safety, that she couldn't live with herself if anything happened to them because of her, but what does she know? She's a shinki around for all of five months, fumbling her way through the act of existing. Five gods in five months, is that a record? No, probably not.

There's less fanfare in releasing a shinki. A few words (if that), a simple order impossible to stop, a breaking name. It's wrong forcing a shinki to keep a name if they want to be released. A shinki should be free to go as they wish. It's a generation far more ready to fight for the freedom of new shinki than for the gods.

It's the contrary streak, the side that can't help but bite back against act of kindness. Ginia swallows down the urge to rebel because no one is saying she can't leave. They are asking what she truly wants.

Is this what it's like to have a family? To belong somewhere? Ginia wants it to be as she breaks eye contact with Kiwami, a hand covering her eyes as she starts to cry.

What does she want? Isn't that a dangerous question for a shinki? To want when everything is in service of their god? When nothing is truly their own? She wants her gods safe, her temples safe, for the people around to stop hurting.

(But what do you want, Ginia? Jitsumi?)

Tears aren't always sad. Mostly, she's touched and gratful in a way she doesn't understand. Ginia takes a few deep breaths and regains her composure. She takes a step back and bows deeply to everyone around, a shyly genuine smile when she rises.

"Eibsu's shinki are the best. I need to live up to that standard. I'll be careful with the mask, I promise."