thenearshore | Closed

"It would be yummy and it's easier to eat than soup so you wouldn't need lots of bowls to wash up!"

That might be important if there's lots of people! "Or some of the grilled fish on sticks! I saw that at the festival we all went to." He waved his hand, it was some time ago. But they had been tasty.

"It might be fun for them to make those as a family as well because there's lots of jobs that everyone can do to work in a team!"

Suzaku nodded and went back to reading, it was probably best left to people who knew more about religion, ofuda and luck to know what to write on charms for the festival.

He looked up when she waved and nodded at her idea. "That's a good idea, perhaps you could buy paired tokens, one to throw for good luck and one to keep as a momentum?" It would also make it more likely people would buy them rather than just tossing a regular coin.

"Again I'm concerned about the tokens meaning more work for them but perhaps the temple already has something similar they could use."

"Paired coins are a great idea." This is why brainstorming with others is great. It's an idea she wouldn't have come to on her own.

"I'll have to see what's around. Maybe there's an artisan in Kyoto that can take a rush job. Perhaps it's even a limited amount as a test this year." It doesn't have to be anything too distinctive. Even wood coins with something printed or written on it would work. Whatever is collected in the rake could be used for next year too.

"I wish the prayer came in sooner."

Onigiri has the advantage of being simpler and easier to make than soup and the easier cleanup and distribution is a boon, but would it be memorable at a festival?

"I imagine grilled fish will be there since it's common and Ebisu is a god of fishermen." But there are all sorts of fish (and other sea life) to grill so the variety is plentiful. Salmon, mackerel, tuna...

"Red sea bream. Of course." The fast signing is more for own sake. She grins as she realizes the obvious answer, slowing down her signs to explain to Romeo. "Ebisu is often depicted with red sea bream. Serving that as soup or onigiri or any other dish would be special for the festival and the family."

Edited 2019-05-12 01:26 (UTC)

The first time she signs it is too fast for him to read it at all but luckily she slowed down and explained it to him. "Red sea bream!" He flicked through a few pages.

"It says here that grilled Red Sea Bream and rice is a lucky dish and people eat it lots at New Year but if the family make it it might bring them luck that the festival all goes well!"

"Wooden coins would work." They technically didn't even need to be coin shaped if they were tokens so woodcuts could work at a push.

"I guess they thought they could handle it themselves and then prayed once they realised they were overwhelmed."

The kinds of people that can easily notice those of the Far Shore are the ones spiritually attuned, children, and those close to death. Ginia hopes the reason he's noticed them so easily is because of the first category, but with his age and words... she bows her head to him and smiles, keeping her thoughts to herself.

"He will be very happy to hear that. Do you want to write a reply for us to bring back? I have paper and pens on me."

"Prepared, aren't you." Ginia gives an acknowledging nod and a slight smile as she pulls out a folder from her briefcase and pulls out a crisp piece of paper and matching envelope. An assortment of brush pens follow.

The man chooses a pen and aligns the piece of paper on the table, hand poised as he considers his words. His writing is beautiful; compact, but with sharp lines and round curves. Each character flows into each other as he writes, smiling to himself. When he finishes, he sets the letter aside so it can fully dry.

"What are your names? I want to write something for each of you."

"I was thinking that. Quick to make and easy to modify. Hopefully it won't cause a flood of people throwing wood coins or other things outside of the festival." That could be a problem, but they can deal with it if it arises. Ginia jots down a note, pen tapping against the table.

"That's how it always is. Can't blame anyone though. It's a big day with a lot of moving parts. Going to visit it?"

"It's also the fish taiyaki is based off." That's also an option, exploring different taiyaki fillings. Maybe not in savory flavors, but unique sweet flavors could be good, especially if they take advantage of seasonal flavors and local specialties.

"Have you tried taikyaki yet?"

Romeo leaned forwards slightly, not enough to get in the way but close enough to watch the man write. He has never seen anyone write things that look so pretty before! It's almost like drawing rather than writing! He's even doing it with a brush, which is much trickier than writing with a pen!

But then again he is so old that he must have practised a lot to get this good!

"I'm Romeo sir!" He grinned, waiting to let Ginia introduce herself.

Romeo shook his head. He had tried so many different things in the heavens but he can't remember trying anything called taiyaki! There's so much interesting food that he thinks he could eat something new every day forever and never run out of new exciting things he'd never eaten before!

"No I've never tried it yet, is it yummy?"

Ginia pulls out her phone and pulls up a picture of taiyaki to show Romeo. It's fascinating to think someone came up with the idea of making the treat shaped after red sea bream.

"A batter like pancake batter is poured into a mold. Then sweet fillings like red bean paste is put inside. I've also seen it with custard or chocolate. They're pretty common at festivals. I like them."

"Romeo...Ah, like Shakespeare. A good name."

"I'm Jitsumi." Ginia traces out the kanji on the tabletop with her finger. She considered giving her real name, but it felt more fitting giving the name Ebisu gave her.

"Truth, a good meaning. Let me think of what to write."

Ginia offers two more pieces of paper as the former priest decides what to write. He begins with Romeo, writing his name in katakana, then the message with a bit more of a sweeping style. It's a wish that Romeo will remain kind and cheerful as he grows up.

For Ginia, he writes a wish for her to remain kind and to be a role model to younger people.

Given the flourishing style and usage of kanji, it's understandable if Romeo can't immediately read the message. Secretly, Ginia is stuck on a word or two on her own as she accepts the message with a bow.

"Terumi. It's so good to see you."

One must be careful with their crushing hugs when one is a Servant. Waver's eyes scrunch shut as he holds fast and hard. This is good. This is good.

"Natsumi's around as well?"

As they go towards one of the workrooms and Waver sees the pile of coats on the tables and folded in the basket. This is work he doesn't mind at all. There's something comforting about it, really, to be absorbed in fabric and stitch. A pure physicality that draws away from thought. Waver reaches for pins, labels, and a pen.

"I'll get it sorted."

Ritual garments snag his interest as always. Terumi knows what he loves and fashion and history feature prominently in the list.

"No, it's no problem. I really enjoy working with clothing."

"I might do, Lord Saber and Edge will probably enjoy it." Alright Saber would enjoy it, Edge would grumble about having to baby sit them but probably enjoy himself.

"I am sure it will all go well, especially with you helping to organise things."

If they enjoyed the festival back in March, they should enjoy this one. Especially since there won't be any masked ayakashi. Ginia is utterly determined the cultist don't ruin this festival too. On the other hand, regular ayakashi will probably be a problem to deal with, but it's nothing a few borderlines (and maybe a few rending pairs) can't handle.

"I'm just one among many doing my best to help. Once the festival is underway, it'll actually be in the hands of the human volunteers. We're there to support as needed and keep borderlines up during the parade."

Oh was he meant to have given his shinki name? No matter, the man seemed to like Romeo's name anyways and he grinned. He bowed too as he accepted the message, he can read his name but he has no idea what the rest says at all... He doesn't want to be rude though.

"Thank you very much sir! I hope you really enjoy the festival!"

"They look really yummy!" He would have to try some next time there is a festival! All the food was one of the best parts about festivals!

"They could have those at the festival too! If they are sweet it will make everyone happy!"

"I'm pretty sure they will." It's common enough as a festival food Ginia would be surprised to not see it. Especially when the fish is a symbol of Ebisu.

"What kind of filling would you put inside one?"

"Our dear winter queen is off flirting with the geisha, but promises to come back with the ritual garments."

Terumi is full of fond smiles as he consults something on a tablet, leaving the sorting to Ginia and Waver. The happi have seen better years, faded from years of exposure to the elements and repeat washing. It's the kind of wear that adds to the story rather than looking shabby, though there are plenty of torn seams, fraying hems, and yellowing along the collar.

"Which group do these happi belong to?" Ginia asks. The coats currently spread out in the table have a stylized bird centered on the back and a hexagonal pattern on the trim.

"That would be Kyoto Sanga FC." Terumi's voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper as he leans in. "I enjoy the sight of athletic men with firm buttocks running about in any city, but my allegiance is solely to Tokyo Verdy. But I am a man of honor and would dare not tarnish Ebisu-sama's reputation by misplacing an entire group's coats. That wouldn't do."

"Um..." That's a tricky question! There's so much to chose from. Red bean paste is probably delicious but so is chocolate! But... What was the other word?

"Custard. Because I never tried that before!"

Nervous energy radiates through Ginia's link to her gods. While she's grounded enough to not let it distract her, she's definitely pacing on the rooftop as she waits for the parade to begin. It's not hard picking out Ebisu's other shinki set up along the parade route, all waiting with borderlines at the ready.

The plan is clear: the shinki along the parade route will keep borderlines up to flush out any smaller ayakashi that might have attached to humans. They'll drive off smaller ayakashi and keep them from attaching to other people. A few shinki on the roofs will keep an eye out for any larger ayakashi approaching the area or, god forbid, a vent opening. They'll contain what they can and send a message out.

As for Ginia, Chris, Tsubasa, and their soulless shinki, their job is to rend any contained ayakashi or go after any medium or larger ayakashi on or approaching the route. With how long the route is, they definitely need to pace themselves.

"It really means a lot the two of you are helping me out with this." Ginia says through her phone, still pacing back and forth. "Dinner is on me."

"No problem," Chris replied, while standing at Ginia's side. She felt her shinki's nervousness, but was otherwise not trying to show it outwardly. She knew from experience that commenting on someone's anxiety tended to make it worse.

She was decked out in full Symphogear armor, and had already transformed her Armed Gear into a set of pistols. She stood there, watching for any sign of trouble as they talked.

"But be prepared, I'm starving today."

Edited 2019-05-14 05:14 (UTC)

"Of course." He nodded at her with a smile. "I am happy to help with borderlines as well." He wouldn't want to see all of this work undone because of a few stray, or purposeful, ayakashi.

There's been too many incidents lately, but Suzaku hopes that with everything that has been discovered they will be able to draw the rest of the cult out and end things soon.

"I'm sure I will. Ah, are you two returning to Kyoto today? I don't want to keep you if you two have to go, but I can prepare lunch if you two have time."

There is plenty of work Ginia has to get back to even after delivering the second letter, but what good is their work if they don't take the time to connect with people on the Near Shore? She can't bring herself to say no, and staying for lunch wouldn't hurt.

"I think we have time to spare. Romeo, do you want to stay?"

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C17F: A prayer for holiday celebration

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