thenearshore | Closed

Romeo opened his mouth to ask what a museum was but Ginia answered his question before he could even ask it. It was a place where you learned history? That sounded like a really interesting place!

He nodded at her suggestion. "I bet Elfnein would love it! She likes history and learning things!"

He would ask her and they could come here one day!

"I'll leave a list of places you two can go."

There are all sorts of museums, zoos, aquariums, and historical sites they could both enjoy without going too far away from Tokyo.

Ginia finishes mapping out the route and leads the way through the grounds and out toward the nearest station.

"Ever been on a train?" she asks through her phone, keeping Romeo close by as they reach the busy station. With how most people seem to teleport around or run across rooftops or fly, it feels like the people who actually use the transportation system are fairly low. A pity, it's a nice system.

A list of places! They could have a really fun day out and learn lots and lots of things. He keeps following her sticking pretty close, he doesn't want to get lost!

He shook his head, wide eyed and excited. "No! Are we going on one now?"

Ginia nods and walks him through the step of buying a train card (she pays, it's the least she can do) and shows him how to use it to enter the gates. It's usable even on the train system closer in Tokyo so it'll serve him well.

With only a few minutes between trains, it doesn't take long for one to arrive, the station chime playing as the train pulls up to the platform. There's an open spot near a window; Ginia lets Romeo take the seat so he can look out the window while she stands. With several stops to go, Romeo has plenty of time to enjoy the city scenery passing by as the train rolls along.

Romeo watched as she used the machine to buy a ticket. He doesn't have any money to give her in return but maybe he can find another way to repay her at some time, or ask Elfnein, she will have a good idea. They went through barriers that opened and closed on their own and soon were on the platform with lots of other people. He stuck close to Ginia and watched open mouthed as the train came into the platform.

Once on the train he knelt on the seat looking out of the window. "We are going so fast!"

Yes he's flown on a magic cloud and regularly teleports but this isn't magic, this is something humans do and it's amazing!

Romeo's joy is a delight, though even Ginia can't deny there's a charm to them. The whole system is a feat of human engineering and precision and something to be respected. But even if shinki can leap along at a fast pace, there's something nice about watching the scenery go by.

The train slows as it approaches the next station, coming in at a precise stop. The station's jingle plays as the doors open, people getting on and off the train.

"We have five more stops to go and then we're going to walk a little to get to the house. We'll take the train back to the shrine too."

They were stopping? Romeo looked around at Ginia but it didn't seem like they were there yet, they were just picking up more people and dropping some others off. A good job because Romeo wasn't sure everyone was going to fit on the train!

Five stops! Romeo counted them as they continued, keeping up a running commentary at the exciting things he saw from the window. The city was really interesting and it was different seeing it out of the window of a train rather than on the street in amongst all the hustle and bustle.

Soon they were drawing to a stop for the fifth time!

"Is this where we get off, miss Ginia?" The train had been exciting, but now the task of delivering the invitations was about to begin!

Indeed they are. Ginia keeps an eye on Romeo as they leave the train, making sure he doesn't get lost in the crowd heading toward the exits. There are several exits and she makes sure they have the right one before going through the turnstiles. They're in a slight more suburban part of the city. Apartment buildings are still scattered around as well as some small stores, but there are also some houses too.

Their first destination is a small house with a small stone wall around the perimeter. The small area inside is full of potted plants - flowers, vegetables, and herbs - and a soft-looking moss lawn. There's a paved path up to the front of the house.

Ginia makes sure the letter is ready and a message typed on her phone to play. She straightens out her suit jacket before knocking on the door. There's barking from inside, the scrabbling of paws on wood.

"One moment, one moment," calls a voice from inside. There's quiet hushing from behind the door, a few more barks, before the door slides open. An elderly man looks out, adjusting his glasses as he peers at the two of them. At his side, an excited terrier paws at the ground and barks again. "Can I help you?"

Ginia bows and offers the letter to him, playing her message.

"Good morning. We're here to deliver a letter on behalf of your son, Ryosuke, and come bearing his wishes."

Romeo stuck close! He didn't want to get lost, when everything was so big and busy! Romeo copied Ginia and bowed at the man who opened the door. He grinned as Ginia played the message and the grinned at the dog, he looked friendly!

"He made this invitation specially for you, sir!"

"Ryosuke?" The man looks surprised, but takes the letter with a light chuckle. "It must be important if two young people are coming all the way out here. Come in, take a seat, have something to eat."

It's the sort of request from the elderly that can't be refused. The dog barks in agreement, spinning around in happy circles and running past his owner. Ginia follows, pausing to remove her shoes and line them up so she can step into them later.

The home is old, cozy, full of personal items but also a bit barren. He ushers them to the dining room, setting the letter down as he heads to the kitchen to make tea. Lucky for Romeo, the dog is very friendly and all to happy to investigate.

"Make yourself comfortable. Don't worry, Hachi is friendly. Are you two from the shrine?"

Romeo followed Ginia in, grinning back when the man was so friendly. He slipped his shoes off and lined them next to Ginia. He looks around, peoples houses are always really interesting! Especially human houses when they have had all their lives to put things in them that they want!

Romeo sits on the floor to say hello to Hachi, since they are being all formal and inviting this man he makes sure to sit formally too, just like they had been taught in training!

"Hello Hachi! Do you like strokes?"

It seemed Hachi did indeed like pets because he rolled onto his back and let Romeo scratch his belly. He glances up at Ginia, to let her answer the mans question, because... They aren't really. But Romeo doesn't want to lie and Ginia probably has a clever way of saying it!

The man came back a moment later, a tray of tea and a plate with some wrapped biscuits. "If I'd known I was having two young people visit me I would have picked up some snacks in the town, but hopefully you like green tea chocolate."

"We're volunteers. With how busy things are at the shrine, we thought we would help your grandson." There. It's as close to the truth as she can get without saying outright who they are. Of all the people to believe in gods and shinki, the former keeper of Ebisu's shrine seems the most likely to believe it, but why risk things?

She smiles as he returns, bowing her head thankfully, rising a bit incase he needs sitting down. "This is fine, thank you. We're the ones who came by unexpectedly. But we come bearing the will of your grandson. He would like to gather the family together in honor of Ebisu-sama, but I will let his words speak for himself."

"He wrote you an invitation because he would really like to see you, sir!" Romeo grinned from where he was still scratching Hachi's belly.

The man sat carefully and leaned forwards to start pouring tea. "Well since he sent you two all the way out here, I best read that letter."

He handed Ginia a cup and put another on the table, he smiled kindly at Romeo. I'd let that cool down young man, I know how impatient small boys can be." He seemed lost in thought for a moment before he picked up the letter and began to read.

Edited 2019-05-10 05:11 (UTC)

The letter isn't a long one, only half a page long. What it lacks in length, it makes up for in sincerity. A letter from a grandson to his grandfather, of the current head priest to the former head priest, a request for his support.

Ginia lightly blows on her tea, alternating between watching Romeo and Hachi, and the former priest. The man lightly dabs at his eyes as he folds the letter up and sets it on the table.

"Ahh, Ryosuke... he was always a good boy. Very shy, very sensitive, I worried about him. Managing a shrine is difficult work, especially one with such a long history. Tell me, what do young people, especially foreigners, know about Ebisu-sama these days?"

Romeo was also watching the man out of the corner of his eye as he sat playing with Hachi. He wondered if it was a sad letter to make the man cry. Invitations weren't meant to make people cry...

"What's a foreigner? Ebisu-sama is really kind and a really hard worker! Even though he's just little he's really brave and wants to make everyone happy!"

He scratches Hachi's ears as he speaks but then stops. Because he's not sure he's meant to have said so much! He glances at Ginia.

It's a lot to have said and Ginia isn't sure how the old man will take it. He may have been a priest for Ebisu's shrine, but that doesn't necessarily mean the two ever met. However, she wouldn't say anything Romeo was said was wrong either.

She's relieved when the man gives a sudden laugh, face crinkling up as he smiles at Romeo.

"A foreigner is someone from a different country, though ah, maybe I shouldn't be so quick to judge. Yes, that's right, Ebisu-sama is all of that." He passes one of the wrapped snacks over to Romeo before turning to look at Ginia. "And your thoughts?"

It takes Ginia a bit longer to choose and type out her words, hoping her answer will suffice when she plays it. There's quite a lot she could say about her god, but there's still a divide between the Near and Far Shores.

"Ebisu-sama is a caring, joyous god who wishes for the best and does everything he can for everyone. We can all learn from his determination and joy. I don't think anyone can doubt Ebisu-sama loves humans."

The former priest smiles and nods, also handing a snack over.

"I'll have to speak to Hanako, but I think there's one trip left in these old bones."

"Oh! Yes sir me and miss Ginia are from a different place!" The heavens was definitely a different country and before that they came from a different world! So they were foreigners. New word learned. "Thank you sir!" He takes the wrapped snack and carefully unwrapped it so he could eat it as Ginia played her message on her phone.

Then the man spoke and Romeo's grin grew so wide! "You'll go to the festival sir? Mister Ryosuke is going to be so happy!"

The man chuckled again, "How could I deny him when he has taken such care to invite me?"

Edited 2019-05-11 09:05 (UTC)

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."

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...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.

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!"

"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?"

Romeo glanced at Ginia and grinned widely! He would love to stay and have dinner with this man! He was really kind and it would be nice to stay and get to know him better.

"I would like that a lot, miss Ginia, sir!" They still had another letter to deliver but they would have time! They had set off nice and early to make sure they got everything done!

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