thenearshore | 38 - Power Palette Swap

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38 - Power Palette Swap

Who: Everyone!
What: Power Palette Swap Event!
When: April 15th - April 18th 2017 (March 1st - March 8th 2019)
Where: Throughout the Far Shore and Near Shore
Summary: A couple of intrepid magical investigators unknowingly trigger some mishaps among the New Gods and Shinki.

For two weeks, the Ama investigators have been combing the compound where Cultists were dealt a heavy blow by the New Gods and Shinki. Among them, two in particular had been looking to move the Crystal that the cultists had in their basement, the stand that it sat on, and the dolls nearby. Combined with Waver's analysis, Judar succeeds in using his magic to transport the Crystal out of the basement.

As they manage that, a ripple effect washes over the New Gods and Shinki. There is a slight sense of Vertigo for some, a stronger wave for others, and then things start to change...

As It Happens: April 15

Everyone was minding their own business. Perhaps they were on the Near Shore helping complete a prayer, or they were in the Far Shore attending to various godly duties. Regardless of where everyone was, it's around noon when some things start to change. A mild sense of vertigo happens to those who start to experience physical body changes, while a stronger wave seems to wash over the God or Shinki's skin if their powers are changing, or perhaps even a sudden stop-in-your-tracks deadening of feeling if being depowered entirely.

April 16

Later in the afternoon, through no extra effort of the Crystal-movers, a loud noise like a subwoofer kicking into effect issues from within the Crystal, knocking anyone away who was near it by several feet. The one-shot noise reverberates in the ears of all New Gods and Shinki, triggering another change for some. At the Crystal, the black color that appeared when the former Goddess entered the Crystal fills more of it.

April 17

Closer to 7pm, once more, the noise issues forth from the Crystal, louder and knocking people back several yards this time. The Crystal fills with black and grey. Some might swear they can see a face of the white-grey against all of the black, resembling an Inkblot / Rorschach test style picture.

Aftermath: April 18

Around 10am, the black coils from within the Crystal settle down into more of whispy smoke, much harder to see in it. There's a slight tug in the direction of the Crystal regardless of where New Gods and Shinki stand, and with that pull, the change effects go away and all are returned to as they were.

In Summary:

Swap powers with another character!
Gain or lose powers!
Swap physical appearances with another character!
Use or abuse the changes while you can!
Investigate who and what is responsible!
Have fun~

Questions? Leave us a question on the OOC Plotting Post and we'll do our best to answer ASAP.

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It's many of the same concerns. It's gotten better with time to settle into a routine and a temple watching her back (literally and figuratively). But all shinki are their own monsters and hers is founded on her doubt and fragile self-worth.

Ginia listens to him, hands folding together. Despite his appearance, he's still Ebisu, recently reincarnated. He lacks experience, but his words are always honest and she can't argue with the logic of his words. Her worries are valid, but no different than the others at the root. An important reminder, especially for a temple still recovering.

You are more valued than you think. Oh. Her breath catches. A simple reminder, but always welcome. A day at a time. Continue looking for the answers to her problems, continue improving, continue forward. Six months isn't much in how long her life as a shinki be, but may there be six more.

"Thank you, sir. I'll try to continue to do my best." Remember to breathe, slowly, in and out. "I hope this current problem doesn't continue much longer."

Ebisu seems to be making the best out of his situation. Her own situation isn't as bad as it could be. It's still a disruption to a life she would like to return to.

"May I show you what I've been working on in the interim?"

"It seems to be a ever shifting issue. I am sure it will settle eventually." Granted, for a god, 'eventually' can be a ways off farther than the average person might think of. Still, he's pretty confident in this. After all, there is a status quo that so far seems to be holding things together so far.

In the meanwhile, he leans over curiously. "Do any of these books have to do with the project you are working on, or are they all strictly for recreation?"

If only she had his confidence. But what is three days of strangeness in a god's life? This too will pass, hopefully sooner rather than later. Not being able to reach higher shelves even with a step stool is highly inconvenient.

"The books are for work and recreation. I have a few reports I can work on away from the temple."

But there's one book that's highly relevant. Ginia leans across the table and pulls over a small, thin cloth-covered book, more personal journal than anything published. She turns to a page with a diagram, the writing on the pages faded from time and also on the sloppier side.

"I found a shinki's theory on borderlines. Their theory is a careful hand can cast a borderline to fill a space without damaging the area around it. It's a sound theory and I've had some success replicating the idea."

"Oh? That's an interesting idea." Ebisu can't say it's ever come up yet in his current incarnation. Perhaps a past one. There are so many shinki in the Far Shore, ideas would always inevitably come up, right? Especially with their afterlife span.

"Then, what do you plan on using it for?"

Ginia grabs a pen and a piece of scratch paper. She draws a short line across the paper, then traces her fingers in the halberd position around the line, creating a tight circle. There's a light flick of her wrist as she completes the circle. It's a motion that should be familiar to Ebisu.

"If a borderline can cut and shield, why not heal too?"

"Why not indeed." Even if Ebisu's voice is a calm as usual, his eyebrows rise up in clear interest and approval. This is exactly the sort of thing he was talking about when he speaks of this new generation able to change things up for the better in the Far Shore.

"How far along are you in your research on it?"

"I've been practicing filling a space with a borderline. I understand the idea, but I think there's something wrong with my borderline." As the message plays, Ginia gestures at the pieces of paper on the table with various shapes cut out.

She moves a piece of paper with a circle cut out closer, repeating the same motion as earlier, but this time actually channeling a borderline. The space fills with the shimmer of a borderline, but it's dull and inconsistent. It also feels like it takes more effort to maintain and she quickly dismisses it. Turning in her seat, she casts a new borderline on the ground, signing "Line!" with her right hand to help focus the spell. A borderline springs into place, but it's weak and flickers, a far cry from the solid borderlines she knows she can cast. Ginia frowns as she grabs her phone, but doesn't seem too bothered either.

"I think it has something to do with my current form." Ginia opens her mouth to show off the fangs she's now bearing too.

"Your current form... Ah." He leans in closer, one hand curled at his chin while he takes in the change. So it's more than just being a small child. Well, that seems to be a common denominator in this place.

"It will be something to keep in mind when all of this is corrected, then. Do you know what you have those teeth?"

Ginia closes her mouth and nods, looking a little uncertain. It's safe to share with him, but she worries more for Joscelin's sake. When all this rights itself, how will he handle being young and a vampire again?

"My friend, Joscelin. He's a vampire, but he's not aware because he's a shinki." Suspects, yes, but there's no way to confirm things without sending him spiraling down. "He would normally sustain himself on blood, but here he has to drain energy from ayakashi. It's the other reason I'm avoiding people; I don't want to risk biting someone."

So it's something like that. This new generation of shinki truly do come in a variety of different existences. Still, while he'll certainly keep quiet on this matter for Joss, there's something else he's worried about. "Then, have you been sustaining yourself on ayakashi as well?"

He can understand her concerns, but even those of the Far Shore need to eat somewhat regularly.

The pause is the telling answer before Ginia even writes anything.

"No. I think it's safer if I stay on the Far Shore." Away from the noise and bustle and beating hearts and warm veins. Ginia likes to believe she has everything under control, but why go into a situation and put everything at risk? And while she accepts feeding on ayakashi is a part of Joscelin's physiology, the idea makes her uneasy too. Sure, she could feed on ayakashi now, but will there be any lingering side-effects after?

"If this is only a temporary thing, I'll be fine."

Ginia.... Ebisu is already frowning a little in disapproval before anything is said. "You still shouldn't risk things," he says, mildly admonishing in a way that is far more effective in the voice of an adult. Pulling his hand away from the table, he reaches over to lay it on top of Ginia's head. "I would offer help if I could right now, but I don't believe that this body is sustainable for feeding in any way." There are a lot of strange things when it comes to the void and what Add is connected to. Best not to test it, especially with Add telling him to be careful as it is.

"Would any sort of blood would do?"

How quickly the tables turned. Is this what it's like having a parent? Between his words and the gentle hand on her head, Ginia feels thoroughly chastened. She can still dig in her heels though.

"It has to be ayakashi, blood doesn't work." Though it still tastes disturbingly good. "Sugar helps keep my energy up though, and I can eat food, but it won't do anything."

So there's no danger of starving any more than a shinki can starve. It's only been two days, she's snacked on enough chocolate bars and soda to keep going. Maybe it's time to have someone pick up the energy drinks Kimi favors to see if that helps.

"If this continues for more than a third day, I'll speak to Chris about hunting ayakashi."

"I suppose she would be more adept at such a duty..." Ebisu isn't a combat god in any way, shape, or form, and that probably means double when he's in such a state. Add has stressed being careful until they learn more about the situation, after all. Still....

He nods his head to her. "Tell me if there is anything you need assistance with. There are still things I can do, even with the current situation being what it is." Sure, what those things are might be a little mixed up right now, but Ebisu is confident that he can do that much. He is, after all, a God of Fortune, and this is one of his shinki.

"Yes, sir." That much she can agree to. And with a chance to move away from questionable feeding practices, there is something Ginia can think of. She stands up on the chair and climbs onto the table to sit next to him with the same effortless ease as her movements as an adult. Easier even; there hasn't been a full opportunity to test out the reflects and agility of a vampire, but she's had light samples.

Turning on front view camera on her phone, Ginia tries to angle the phone to get both of them in the shot. Unfortunately, her shorter arms put her at a disadvantage, but it's manageable enough.

What are they- oh, okay, he thinks he gets it now. Ebisu tries to adjust himself to help make it easier for them to be in the same frame, and reaches over towards the phone. He doesn't touch it just yet, however.

"Should I help?"

Ginia hesitates. He has the advantage of longer arms as an adult. There's the possibility he's still no more dexterous, though her phone would survive a drop and luck might be on their side. On the other hand, there's his whole void-situation to consider. The last thing she wants is to lose her phone. Sure, she can get another one, most of her pictures are saved elsewhere, she has all her gacha game transfer codes saved, but it's still her phone.

...Oh hell. Who knows when she'll be able to get a selfie with her god as an adult again. #yolo

Ginia hands him the phone and shows which button to press.

The good news is that Ebisu, against all odds, doesn't drop her phone and have it clatter to the ground. Instead, in a change of pace, it manages to stay securely in his grip, and Ebisu makes sure to have them both in the picture correctly.

In a gesture that's perhaps familiar to her from pictures passed around, he sneaks in his free hand and flashes a peace sign.

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38 - Power Palette Swap

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