thenearshore | Prayer Log

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Prayer Log

Who: D2, Ginia, & Alex
What: Prayer 24
When: March 17
Where: Abandoned warehouse at the near shore

[ Things hadn't gone according to plan when Alex answered the prayer with Kaden and Shizuo. Even though they had technically completed it, the police were unable to catch any of the yakuza members. Part of her was relieved, since they had discovered just how young the delinquents were. She continued her search when she could, and it took longer what with everything that had happened in between. However, those long late night walks paid off eventually, and she was able to recognize one of them and follow them back to their hideout. They had found another abandoned building, a warehouse probably, to reside in. What's more, she had noticed some ayakashi hanging on their shoulders. Did that have anything to do with what they were up to? In any case, she had expressed how she hoped to avoid sending them to jail, and maybe try to convince them to take a different direction in their lives.

Of course, Alex knew better than to try anything on her own, so she decided to bring it up with Ginia back in the temple. As D2 was already there, he learned of the details as well. And so Alex teleported the three of them back to the near shore, and then closer to the warehouse. ]

I saw some older men..maybe three or four... [ She's peeking through a window, trying to catch sight of them. ] I didn't see if they had any ayakashi on them too though.

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Don't see them.

Going to move past them.

[Humans barely notice them enough and under Umbra, she should be practically invisible, but that doesn't mean they can't hear her. Slowing her breathing down, Ginia rolls her steps as she moves away from the shelves, moving in a large arc to avoid the light spread of the lantern. She slows as someone looks in her general direction as he talks, hand waving his cigarette, her presence unnoticed.

Clearing them, she stops by some crates and hides against them. There's what looks like an office ahead, the glow of another lantern or flashlight coming from it along with a few smaller glows. Ginia taps back into her nanites, the electronics overlaid once more. A central glow of a lantern, then three smaller hovering squares. Turning them back off, Ginia creeps over and peeks through the window. Inside the office are three teens on their phones, half-eaten bento boxes and bags of chips on the floor. Two more are napping on the floor, jackets bundled under their heads like pillows.

Ginia sneaks back toward the crates and hides against them as she texts them.]

Found five of the kids, they're in an office close by.

D2, can you distract the adults and get them to head out? Once they're clear, I'll signal you two to teleport to me.

[ Effective indeed. He needs to remind himself to see if she knows morse and other things, but he files that thought away for later.

He's not particularly fast at typing on a phone, so his response is slightly abbreviated, but it is a confirmation. ]

Yes'm.

[ He glances over at Alex as he presses send. ]

You keep an eye out for her signal. Wear that.

[ He points at the ear piece and tucks his phone back into his pocket. He motions to Alex to hide a bit closer but out of sight and where they won't hear the small sounds, shows her to wear the piece properly. He takes in what there might be that could cause a disturbance large enough for all four adults to come out. Some metal barrels, a rusty pickup with some half-unloaded items, some scraps of garbage.

Less than a minute later he moves along the shadows spread out against the wall of the building, making his way closer to the loading bay. It wouldn't be entirely practical to cast Umbra on himself for now, it would be better if Alex could see him. And if they see somebody move outside, then they'll go looking.

No key in the ignition, unfortunately. That would have been useful, why did they have that much wherewithal if they didn't have enough of it to finish unloading before taking a smoke break? They had used straps to tie down things to the truck, and he snatches some up, loops one around the barrels in a pattern to make them less balanced and notes that they stink of fish though it would be terribly unhealthy to keep fish in them- hooks the ends together and fastens another strap around the first. Another strap is attached to some
equipment boxes that are far too easy to unlock. He wraps the free ends of the straps around his hands.

Really, the low perception people of the Near have of those of the Far is a useful thing.

The sound of the barrels shifting against each other, ground and straps isn't the loudest, but it ought to be enough to alert both the four adults and Ginia to something going on outside. The sound of the equipment boxes tipping is, however, loud. He hangs around for a little while to see if he needs to tip the barrels as well, to get all of them out. If it is necessary, that sound will be even louder. ]

[ The men may not have noticed Ginia, but they sure noticed that sound. They get up, grabbing their guns and bats as they head over to the source. One is ordered to stay behind.

When they're closer, the men start to move more cautiously, holding up their weapons. They're not exactly the most organize group, just glancing around without much efficiency in their movements either.

Alex listens from the ear piece, though there's only so much she can make of it. ]

Did it work?

[ She gets up to try and get a peek on the inside, though she is hesitant to go against what they told her to do. ]

[ Alex started peeking around, shuffling in place waiting for the signal. ]

Edited 2019-01-04 16:08 (UTC)

[Ginia grins at the rumbling shifting rattling outside, three heading off while one remains inside. The remaining man is a little on edge, cigarette snuffed out and a hand gripping a lead pipe. She knows she said not to engage, but... well... Ginia sneaks out, keeping to the shadows and arcing back around, lunging at the man once she's close. She clamps a hand over his mouth and hammers her elbow into his head once, twice, until he's unconscious.

...Look, it's more efficient this way. If the three aren't taken out by D2 and come back, she can take them out too. Ginia binds his wrists with his belt and hauls him out of the way. She looks toward the office, but there's no sound or movement from them.

Sneaking back to her hiding spot, she sends a text out, listening for sounds outside.]

Knocked out the guard here. Kids didn't stir. Ready for you two.

[ Tsk. Only three. Hopefully it wouldn't be a problem that there was one left for Ginia. For the three that did come out, turns out they're not particularly strong.

They are also not trained to get out of chokeholds and somehow one is talented (and kind) enough to knock himself out by tripping on one of the straps. He wasn't even trying to make that happen with that person.

Wow.

Well.

At least it left him with only having to deal with two people, which made things faster. For safety's sake he pulled them together and unhooked the straps to fasten them with some quick but solid knots. Would save them the trouble of those specific guys for a little while at least.

And he could sooner return to Alex's side to be teleported inside. ]

[ As restless as she was, Alex waited and stayed put. It sounded like things went alright, so D2 should return soon. She hears a noise behind her, relieved that he got back so quickly. She turns, making the mistake of making eye-contact.]

Who the hell are you?

[ The young boy holds up his bat, and Alex puts her hands up. He looked like one of the older kids. ]

I--[ More than threatening, the boy looked afraid, and she couldn't help but notice the little creature on his shoulder, egging him on. ]

I'm Alex. I've been searching a long time for you. [ She starts to use her power, attempting to lure the ayakashi towards her instead. ]

I'm not here to hurt you, I promise. I'm not calling the cops either. I just wanted to find you.

[ The kid seems less aggressive now, not knowing why he felt curious instead as he steps closer. The ayakashi seems less agitated as well. Her hands start to lower slowly. ]

Why are you looking for me? [ Another step. Hopefully D2 gets back soon enough to create a borderline to push the ayakashi out. ]

All of you. I know it's not just you.

[ The kid stops walking them, eyeing her more suspiciously and tightening his grip on the bat. It might be time to switch it to calming him and the ayakashi down. Maybe she wasn't approaching this the right way. Switching from one emotion to another seemed to be bothering him. Was she using too much or too little? She really hadn't practiced enough. ]

Why would you..that doesn't make sense. What the hell does it matter to you? [ He's getting more agitated, and Alex was on the fence about upping the dose. This kind of indecisiveness is probably why she was told to stay back. ]

[Ginia holds her position, wondering where everyone is. Her thumb taps on the screen. She knows she needs to hold her position and trust in D2 and Alex, but tension rises slightly.

Inside the office, there's movement. The light moves as one of the teens stands up and heads to the door. Ginia quickly throws a borderline in front of the door to block it.]

"What the hell? The door is stuck."

"Push harder, knob seems fine."

[Ginia watches the door as she sends out another fast text.]

Status?

Teens are trying to leave

[ There just had to be a kid outside as well. It complicates things a fraction.

The kid is not going to calm down so easily now that he's been riled up, the feeling of danger amplified by the ayakashi attached to him. ]

1 w ayk outside
hold

[ The short message is sent to Ginia as fast as he's able. He doesn't think they'll need her help, but if the situation changes they'll let her know. Same if she needs them quickly, he assumes.

D2 casts Umbra on himself, so that he can't be seen by anyone as he comes up behind the kid. Not even the ayakashi or Alex would notice him.

At this point D2 has enough time and practice under his belt to place borderlines that don't lodge straight down in the ground. The ayakashi startles more than the kid does, because the kid doesn't notice the borderline that cuts the creature, just notices that something spooks him. With a screech the ayakashi dislodges, bit it can't find the offending shinki, only the god.

It slams into a borderline before it can reach her. The kid is only frightened, with the aggression caused by the ayakashi fading. D2 comes up beside Alex and bumps his hand against hers and murmurs only loud enough for her to hear. ]

Sorry for my delay, I made sure the adults won't bother us for a while after coming to.

[ Alex feels her phone vibrate, now worried she was taking too long. Should she just knock the kid out? Lure the ayakashi in?

Before she actually does anything, she notices the ayakashi jump and start to scamper towarss her. She hadn’t even...well, this works. Better her than the kid. However, rather than getting to her, the ayakashi smacks right into sonething. A border? But how—

She jumps when she feels the bump to her hand, turning only to find no one there. but she recognizes the voice.

Alex won’t ask how right now. Not when the kid looked so nervous now. She gives D2 a nod before turning back to the kid. ]

It’s okay. I promise we’re going to get you and the others out of here.. How many are you?

[ He swallows. ]

S..Six. The others are inside..

Okay..can you hide here until we get them? We’ll come back for you.

[ He hesitates, but nods. ]

D2..We can’t just leave him with the ayakashi..Can we box it in or..get it elsewhere? [ They had to get to Ginia. ]

[Ayakashi? Fuck. Ginia debates whether she should sneak out to join them, but it raises a question. As the teens continue to struggle with opening the door, she sneaks back and peers through the window. It's difficult to see in the low light, but there are definitely ayakashi clinging to the kids.

...Okay. Time to do something reckless.]

trapping ayk brb

[Ginia exhales to calm her nerves, releasing her borderline and dropping the shield back into the doorframe. The teens stumble as the door suddenly opens, falling back with a surprised shout. Dropping umbra, Ginia whistles sharply before running.]

"Who was that?"

"An intruder, I see him running!"

[The two fumbling with the door spill out of the office, the ayakashi clinging to their shoulders bouncing off the borderline. Unable to go too far, Ginia leaps onto a shelf, hanging in the darkness.]

"Shit, someone tied up Daigo! Everyone out!"

[As the rest of the teens spill out, a few more ayakashi bounce off the borderline. They continue to scramble about the office, looking for a way out, chatter filling the space as the wary teens spread out, weapons in hand and phones as flashlights.]

[ D2 takes a few steps away, looking for an angle that's decent enough. He can't pass through his borderline either, so he can't go too far to find that many places to throw a second one from. ]

Taking it elsewhere could take a bit of time. I could trap it though if there's one there's more-

[ Somewhere around here-... He feels a buzz in his pocket, and pulls his phone out as he leans a bit against his Line. Don't do anything too stupid, Ginia. ]

Apparently there are more of them, likely with the other kids. In that case it's easier to just take it out instead.

[ But Ginia is busy inside, so there is only the option of trapping it unless- ]

You could name me, if you'd like. It's the most effective solution available at the moment.

[ And D2 is a fan of efficiency. Would it be weird? Would Ginia disapprove? He knows some shinki prefers to be told first or asked before their god names another shinki. Either way they had to go to Ginia ASAP. ]

[ She turns to him at the suggestion. Did he really want to--

But he was right, it would be the most effective thing to do, and they had to get to Ginia. She could just release him afterwards. She'll apologize to Hibiki later for yet another emergency naming of one of her shinki. ]

My name is Oshun. Grasping thy true name, I bind thee here. With borrowed name, I dub thee my servant. The name answers, the vessel to sound. I call thee as my divine instrument. The name, Tamotsu. The vessel, Ho. Come, Hoki!

[ He wouldn't suggest it if he was against it, and the most efficient solution it would remain even if he was slightly averse to it. Being a nora had never been his plan even if it ended up lasting only a while, but there's no denying it being the best option in this situation.

Alex already has a general idea of how he died, but seeing it as if she was experiencing it was a different thing and he was sorry about having to let her see that. It's not pretty and it's not quick or painless.

The familiar feeling of shifting into vessel form pulls at him with the feeling of the name sealing itself on his shoulder blade and his spell coming undone, and the form of a firearm takes his place, finding way into her palm.

Of course, her suddenly holding a pistol startles the kid, but D2 can't really do anything about that. As has become a habit for him each time he is named, he is relieved and glad when he turns into an actual weapon. The only thing that he needs to know now is if his power is offensive, defensive, or support, and he's already searching for the string connecting him to Hoki's power. He won't need it for them to render the ayakashi, but it's good to figure those things out early. ]

[ Alex was already aware of how D2 died, as hard as it was to imagine dying by exploding bubbles. It was far more terrifying seeing it--almost experiencing it. But just as shocking was hearing the words he seems to repeat, but more directly. He always spoke of how the military was his home, a place that gave him purpose. It was her first time hearing that he could only live by killing. Someone as gentle as D2--the reason why she chose that name.

She gasps as she snaps out of his memories, her hand shaky as she held his vessel form. She gripped the gun, as if holding him in person. This wasn't the time to bring up his memory, and they've spoken of it before already. But it was difficult to keep her emotions in check. It felt the same with every death she saw. Ginia, Kaden, Wendy, Temeraire...none of them deserved such endings. It made her heart ache. ]

D2, I don't know how good my aim is...will you be able to keep from harming the kid?

[ He can't help but feeling further apologetic when she clearly isn't taking his memories with ease. He supposed that that was another reason to be glad that he wasn't a god, but a shinki; he didn't really want to see other people's deaths and as such he felt it unfortunate that other people had to see it. They shouldn't have to.

He tugs at the connection to whatever power he has as he finds it.

The Borderline formed to keep the ayakashi at bay at least somewhat are falling, and the creature is not exactly pleased with having been hindered in its way. ]

I believe so, but point the muzzle at the ayakashi and try to keep it from turning too close to the kid. Normal bullets go straight, more or less, so you should be fine.

[ Alex nods, straightening up. ]

I need you to stay still, okay?

[ She felt bad for the kid, who wasn't sure if that was meant as a threat. But it did keep her from moving. Alex points the gun at the ayakashi, hopes she is anyway, and takes the shot. ]

Rend!

[ It was a split second, but it seemed like the bullet had shifted and expanded somewhere in the middle of its trajectory, but returned to a regular bullet once again. It hits the ayakashi, and quickly vanishes. Was Alex just seeing things?

The kid opens her eyes when she realizes she hasn't been hit. ]

There was something behind you, but I think it ran away. [ Hopefully that excuse worked. The kid did seem to be calming down though, and suddenly it was like she wasn't all too sure why she was here. ]

Me and my friends--we didn't mean to do all those things! But we needed a place to stay and--[ Her voice was apologetic, frantic. She was aware of what they had done. ]

My friend is inside checking on your friends now. We're gonna in and help them, okay? But I need you to stay right here until we get back.

[ The kid looks shocked, but nods in agreement.

Alex teleports her and D2 to where Ginia is, looking around carefully until she spots her. ]

Ginia, are you okay? What about the kids?

[ There was something... He definitely felt that something happened, and saw... he's not entirely certain.

The connection to the power had slipped, a little harder to grasp than the power he has when fighting Hibiki. He'll get the hang of it though.

D2 casually continues to search as Alex busies herself with the kid and teleportation, and splits his attention between their surroundings and his task. ]

[Inside the building, as the influence of the ayakashi on the teens fades, they continue their search with a sense of uncertainty. Two of the teens untie Daigo and help him up to his feet, joining the other three. Ginia remains on the large warehouse shelf, focused on keeping up her borderline, but also listening to the conversation.]

"Look, maybe it's not safe to stick around here. Someone jumped Daigo and the others are gone..."

"Yeah, but where are we going to go? Not like we have money or nothing."

[When Alex teleports into the room, Ginia lightly flashes her cellphone, maintaining her position on top of the shelf. The teens are at the far end of the warehouse, milling about and talking among themselves, far enough they won't notice them. Her eyes go the gun Alex is holding and it's not hard to piece together what's happened, especially since she doesn't see D2.]

Trapped the ayakashi in the office. [Ginia waves over at the room, ayakashi still bouncing around.] Can you rend them?

[ Alex looks up at the shelf where Ginia was, about to speak to her, but she can hear the voices that aren't too far away. She lifts a hand and tries to sign instead. ]

Loud. [ She points at the gun.]

Help. Me? [ Her form was much stealthier, but she'll keep D2 in his vessel form just in case. ]

[Fair point. It's entirely possible no one will even notice the gunshot with how the veil of the Far Shore works, but it's not the best time to test that. Ginia glances back toward the humans before nodding at Alex. Ready when you are.]

[ Alex nods back, softly calling for her. ]

Come, Saki.

[ She holds her hand out as the sword forms in her hand. Ginia's form was always quite the sight. ]

One of the kids is waiting outside. Do you think the rest will want to leave with us?

[In a flash of light, Ginia teleports from the top of the shelf into Alex's hand. As she expected, there's D2 in the space shinki share in vessel form. She smiles and wave at him. If he was worried about her reaction, there was no reason to.]

Hey D2. Thanks for protecting Alex.

[Ginia isn't speaking so much as projecting her thoughts. Her voice is similar to her phone, though without the digitized quality. She glances over at the kids and clicks her tongue.]

If you got one to stay around and wait, I don't see why the others wouldn't follow. They seem pretty confused. Let's rend the ayakashi and see what happens.

[The borderline is still solid, but Ginia adjusts it to let Alex travel freely through it.]

Ooh, neat.

[ Sorry, he's never shared shinki space before, this is a new experience. It doesn't distract him from his tugging at his connection to his power, whatever it may be, but it's still noteworthy to him. ]

No problem~

[ He's curious to see how well Alex handles Ginia's vessel form, too, and if he might get to see Ginia's power come into play. ]

[ It was the first time Alex had two voices in her head like this. But it was comforting to have them, since she couldn't see them physically.

Adjusting her grip on the sword's handle, Alex steps through the the borderline. The ayakashi immediately go for her, and she raises the sword to slash at them. It was a little awkward to use just one hand since she's only ever wielded with both hands. She's not the most experienced swordsman, that's for sure...

Strangely enough though, as she strikes and misses one of them, she hears one the kids. ]

..Wha...What are we..Why are we here?

[ It was just like the other child after rending the first ayakashi. But she missed, didn't she? It's a little hard to think about it though as she tries to dodge the tiny little things jumping at her. ]

Ginia--did we hit anything?

[Ginia keeps her borderline where it is, not wanting to risk letting any ayakashi out. She sends a slashing borderline at the nearest ayakashi to force it back, trusting D2 to block and attack with his too. They're tricky ayakashi, fast moving.]

Missed. Breathe, Alex, we'll get them.

[She flicks another borderline attack out, cutting deep enough to nearly cut one in half. It twists and writhes as it flops to the ground, slowly knitting itself back together.]

[ Thing to consider: getting Alex a holster, if Ginia and him were going to be in vessel form at the same time.

D2 cuts borderlines toward the ayakashi, singeing one that was going for one of Alex's openings.

But for the most part, besides borderlines and power searching, he silently observes. ]

[ Alex does take a breath. The ayakashi can't blight them in vessel form, and they have her back. Alex steadies herself, only attacking when they pounce at her. ]

Rend!

[ She slashes at them, and they start to disappear one by one. ]

Was..Was that all of them?

[The small ones don't talk as much as the larger ones and self-preservation will cause even the hungriest ayakashi to flee. With nowhere to go in the small office, they pick off all the ayakashi.

Ginia flicks a few light borderlines into the dark corners to flush out anything hiding, but nothing stirs.]

I'm pretty sure that's all of them. Good job. Time to check on the kids?

[In the warehouse, they've clustered in the center, continuing their discussion of what to do or where to go without any obvious conclusion or agreement.]

[ Alex's strategy is good, she chose the most effective one for her and the setting.

With the last ayakashi taken care of and no more emerging from the shadows, D2 lets his attention on searching for his power fade. Instead it flickers toward the kids' direction. ]

If they can they should go home, but it might be good to see so it's only the influence of the ayakashi that kept them here.

Return, Ginia, D2.

[ It might be better to approach the children with them in their human forms. ]

I agree..I hope it's just that.

[ Alex heads over to where the kids are, making sure her hands are visible and up to hopefully seem less threatening. ]

Hey there, we're here to get you all out of here. Are you guys okay?

[ The kids group together, startled by their appearance. ]

Who-Who are you guys? Are you with them?

No, my friends here took care of those men. One of your friends is waiting for you all outside too.

[Ginia glances back at the borderline at the office, giving it a few more seconds before she releases the barrier and quickly closes the door.]

[The remaining human adult, a hand clutched to his head, startles a little as he notices the three other adults suddenly in the room with them. He stumbles a little as he tries to position himself in front of the kids, trying to look tougher than he feels. He's tall and broad shouldered, but he doesn't look much older than early twenties.]

"Look, I don't know if you three are police or what, but you let them go, I'll go with you. They're good kids, I don't want them gettin' caught up in things any more."

[ So there's a good adult not actually keen on making the kids into proper small-time criminals? But he seems to have misunderstood who they are...though it's not weird that he has. But they hardly look like cops, do they?

D2 smiles politely at the man, and at the kids he wants to protect. ]

We're not looking to make any of you go with us, sir. We also just want the kids to get out of this whole situation.

[ The man falters a little, clearly confused. ]

Really? You are? Why?

I know I still helped get them where they are now..but I want to make up for that. And..I understand them.

[ Was he also someone who just got caught into things? By the ayakashi too? ]

Do..any of you have somewhere to go?

[ The children, along with the man, exchange looks. So that's how it was, huh? ]

Then..What if we found somewhere for you to stay?

Do you mean we can stay together? You're not gonna separate us? [ One of the younger ones speak up, clinging to the arm of another. ]

[Ginia looks over the adult. No doubt with his height and size he was used to intimidate, but the nervous hunch of his shoulders and the way he's try to keep himself between them and the kids is real. She pulls out her phone and pulls up a map of the area.]

There are some hotels around the next subway station. I can cover the cost while we figure out something more long-term.

[ Vulnerable people were easy prey, after all. It's hardly surprising to find that they can't go back to wherever "home" was supposed to be. ]

I can too. Don't worry, I'm sure we can figure something out.

You'd..really do that for us?

[ If there were people they could rely on, it would be these two. ]

We'll do everything we can, but for now, let's get you all out of here.

[ She looks back at the other two, nodding at them before they start to head out to meet up with other girl too. ]

[Ginia keeps an eye out for anyone that might stop them from leaving as they leave the warehouse. There's an uneasy feeling it won't be so easy just setting them up somewhere new. What if the group comes back for them? What if there's trouble with the police? What if the parents of the kids come looking for them?

...Well, they'll figure it out. Throwing money at situations doesn't solve all of them, but it sure doesn't hurt either. She still breathes a little easier when they on the train without any problems. The kids cluster around Daigo, a few still giving them suspicious looks, but they mostly look tired and nervous.

Once they exit and head to the nearest hotel, Ginia pulls out her wallet and hands over all 10,000 yen bills inside. She shoves them into Daigo's hand and steps back, typing and playing a quick message on her phone.]

That should cover rooms and food for a few nights. I'll be back in a few days with more money and supplies.

Sorry for hitting you.

The first place might not be the best.

[ After all, the people the kids had been roped in with might come looking ,and then wouldn't it be reasonable to look at nearby hotels? He sure would have made that choice, were he looking for somebody. ]

Do you know any good place where people won't look in case somebody is looking for you, or should we check the phone book?

[ D2... People don't use the phone book any more, they use the internet. ]

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Prayer Log

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I am so sorry about the long delay

o7

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