thenearshore | [Open] [Game AU] What if...

I. Far Shore - Day of Arrival
[The meeting grounds aren't that different in appearance from how they look in the time period she's used to. Even the clothing worn by Amaterasu's shinki aren't too different either. But the skyline is distinctly different from what she's used to and when a harried shinki gives her a messenger sparrow as a way to send messages to others with, well...

Something certainly broke, didn't it.

Ginia takes quick inventory. The cellphone in her suit jacket she quickly turns off. Plenty of money in her money clip, but whether that'll do any good remains to be seen. Two folding knives, one as a charm, one for utility purposes. The magic bracelet from Orihime around her wrist still works. So does the handkerchief of folding wrapped around a bottle of blessed water.

Amaterasu's shinki seem confused enough as they scramble about. Time to see who else is here.]

II. Near Shore - Three days later
[For all the many changes, ayakashi provide an strangely reassuring constant. Blight burns Ginia's hand and up her arm as she races across rooftops, twisting eel-like ayakashi chasing after her. The change in clothing isn't helping, one shoe already lost, kimono askew. Still learning her way around, Ginia pauses and throws a borderline up, buying precious minutes as she reorients herself and the path to the nearest shrine.]

III. Far Shore - One month later
[It's a rare moment of lethargy as Ginia sits by one of the rivers running through Takamagahara, feet soaking in the cold water. Her sparrow hops about, picking at a rice ball Ginia has sitting on a cloth.

She smiles and offers a friendly wave to anyone passing by.]

Water feels great in this heat if you want to sit for a moment.

[Her words are signed in JSL; regardless of whether someone knows JSL or not, the woven bracelet on her wrist makes her words understood.]

Wildcard!
[Feel free to throw a prompt my way, I'll roll with it!]

Edited 2019-08-14 23:36 (UTC)

Would you... [Aw shit.] care [Dodging.] for a teleport?

[Waver looks similarly harried as he comes alongside, bounding across rooftops and thanking everything for the Caster upgrade. Clearly he's been caught alone as well, kimono and hakama mussed and hair streaming out behind him as he whacks away an ayakashi with a closed parasol. Clearly it also hasn't been long since the ambush, since he hasn't simply teleported out of Dodge either.]

[Ginia nods and wraps up her blighted arms in her sleeves before throwing herself at Waver. Put that strength to use and catch her. Or not; as long as they teleport away, she doesn't care how harried it is.

It's times like this she misses Luger. Or sneakers.[

[Zori are a pain like that. Oh for proper footwear. How do samurai figh- He's literally going to have to invent a better sandal if this keeps up.

It's not quite a bridal carry, but Ginia will see Waver's E rank strength in action as he snatches Ginia out of the air and bounds forward, teleporting in mid leap-

- and sailing into the territory of a shrine. Waver staggers forward as they land, and prevents them from pitching forward into a nearby water trough for tethered horses.]

Close one. Here's hoping they're not the tracking type.

[It's a little unfair he's so strong with his noodle arms, though Ginia isn't complaining as he catches her and teleports them away. Once they're safe in the boundary of the shrine's grounds, she deftly rolls out of his arms and lands on her feet.

At least that was her intention. It's a little less graceful as her obi unravels slightly and she stumbles on the landing. Ginia hastily adjusts her clothing as she fishes a blue handkerchief out of her sleeve and unwraps a flask inside. The entire contents are dumped on her arms, a bit of blight remaining as she runs out of water.]

The ayakashi shouldn't be able to get in though they'll probably go after someone else...

[Her signs trail off as she looks for a source of blessed water.]

I'd mark the location and let someone know, but I'm still learning my way around.

[Waver quickly looks away in case there's a wardrobe accident about to unfold and rustles in his own kimono for a flask of blessed water with one hand, while the other leans his parasol aside his side for the moment.

His eyes flick back when she starts signing, flask held out.]

I guess I'm going hunting later. [As soon as he hooks up with one of his shinki.] I didn't see anyone except humans in the area, so hopefully things won't get too bad until I can sweep in.

I could use extra eyes though. It's tight in there and I don't know the area well, either.

[Ginia washes off the remaining blight, noting a few light bruises and cuts.]

Helping is the least I can do. I can give you borderline support. I can't be out too long though.

[There's a dry smile as she returns his flask.]

The temple elders don't trust me. Understandable, considering I'm tall, foreign, and have a borderline healing spell no one has. So I'm trying to stay on their good side by not getting into too much.

[So much for that. At least she can heal up her injuries before she returns to the temple.]

You doing okay here?

I'd be grateful for as long as you can give me.

[Note to self: Get more blessed water before going out. There... should be some around here.]

Aside from really missing plumbing and treasures of modern civilization like decent shampoo? [He's making his own!] I'm running into the foreigner problem as well. How bad I get it from the other gods depends on how well I'm passing that day. [Usually people assume purely white most days.] But that's a pretty common issue for everyone.

[He rubs the bridge of his nose.]

Makes things interesting.

[There's a certain shinki named Natsumi who would certainly love the secrets to decent shampoo... or at least someone to swap suggestions with. But with the temple still in a buzz, it's probably best to hold off on visiting for a few more days.

Terumi isn't at the temple yet. That's a strange realization.

There's a sympathetic nod. There's whispering wherever she goes, some outright judgment. But if it's not one thing, it's another and she brushes it off.]

I'm hoping this situation is temporary. I was enjoying settling in to life at Ebisu's temple.

[A small sigh escapes. Ginia brushes her hair out of her face and does her best to fix it, buying previous seconds with the distraction.]

Kimi isn't here.

[At least camellia oil is easy to come by. And things such as public bath houses exist. Waver honestly prefers the mortal ones. There's benefits in not being noticed in these times.]

Me too. [He sure doesn't want to be around when the World Wars roll in if they stick around. He's planning on taking everyone and fleeing for his own pantheon or the Americas if so. Heaven's bound to get ugly for a Chinese god and all associated, no matter the tenure.] The past is nice to visit, but sticking around...

[Well... it'd be easier if everyone close to him wasn't dealing with being a fish out of water with no idea of how to interact with this age. There's no Throne of Heroes to download the necessary information to function.

Waver's eyes drop. Ah. Yes.]

Oh. He was one of the younger members of the Mi clan, right?

Edited 2019-08-18 06:57 (UTC)

[Change is ahead of them. Drastic, devastating changes, and Ginia wonders if they can avoid any of it, change any of it. If they should try to redirect things. Maybe there's no avoiding war, but if she could stop Ebisu from dying, if she could stop the massacre, wouldn't that be worth something?

Or she could screw it up and make it even worse. Accelerate a timeline and instead of a portion of the Mi clan dying, it's all of them.

One thing is for sure; they can't stay here long though. They shouldn't.]

He said he joined Ebisu's temple when they were setting the foundation for the towers. But he was with another god before, though I don't know for how long. So maybe he's still around somewhere.

[Her signs are filled with desperate hope and a reluctant acceptance, leaning into acceptance as she signs on.]

But it doesn't matter. He dates Aomi when he joins the temple and I'd never want to get between them. And apparently he had more of a temper too. I just...

[Another sigh, a sad smile. Their relationship is on hold until she can make it back to the present, but it'd be easier seeing his smile. But it'd be easier if so many of her other friends in the temple accepted her too.]

I never wanted to fully restart with a new temple after Ebisu. Ironic I'm doing that with them. It sucks.

I'll keep a look out for him. I promise.

[Change things. Not change things. Both with their pitfalls and promise. But. They are here. They exist in this world and interact with it. Unless this is a destined loop, change is already happening in both the small and large ways.

They say all it takes is a butterfly flapping its wings...]

... you just want something you can hold on to.

[God, he understands that.]

They're your family and you've been made a stranger. I'd say it more than sucks.

[There's another possibility for Kimi; he might be alive. The chance of running into him is so slim already as a shinki that to see him alive as a human feels impossible.

But impossible things have a way of happening too.

Ginia considers asking Waver to protect Kimi if he sees him alive or dead, but she can't will the words into life.]

Yes, exactly. Perhaps in time they'll accept me, but I don't know how long that'll take.

[She doesn't want to find out if it'll take months of being here for them to finally accept her.]

Though... it is good to see the temple so full.

[He'd do it anyway. It doesn't need to be asked.

... as for acceptance in this time... he stays quiet and decides to move the conversation on. He's known people from Chaldea from that time period... it could be a long time.]

Full, huh? That must be a sight. [Wistful. The massacre is also going unspoken, though it underlies every word.] I haven't been around yet. Is Natsumi and Terumi there?

Natsumi is and she's truly in her element.

[There's a fond smile. Already with Fuyumi too, though Ginia knows the two have been together for plenty of centuries by the modern era. Most important, she's happy now.]

Terumi isn't. I know he said he was named by Ebisu in the Edo period, but that's a long period in itself. Unmi and Aomi are around, as expected. I haven't see Kasumi, though Fuyumi says she usually works at the shrines. I haven't seen Kunimi, though with how big the temple is, I might have missed him.

[It's strange not seeing the exemplar she knows around, but he wasn't always Ebisu's exemplar either. As she's heard, he spent awhile on borderline duty.]

I've met Iwami though. Ebisu's exemplar.

Mmm... he might be with his other god at this point. What a piece of work that one is. Ran into him with Terumi once. Christ, I see why he punched him.

[... the guy has such a punchable face too. SO TEMPTING.]

I'm glad Natsumi is doing well. Fuyumi wouldn't have it otherwise, but still, hearing it...

As for Kunimi... isn't he a dab hand with a borderline, or so I heard? I know some of the guys said he's very experienced in fieldwork. He could just be out.

[Pause. Iwami...]

Though. Iwami. I've heard stories. What's he like?

[Perhaps. Or he too is still alive. All said, she's not even sure she'd recognize Terumi right now.]

Assigned to borderline duty right away from what I've heard. He did too good a job on his audition and scared Ebisu.

[Then again, literally throwing people is certainly a way to set an impression.

As for Iwami...]

A month or so before all this, I took a trip to see Jomon Sugi, one of the oldest trees in Japan. At least two thousand, maybe even around seven thousand years old. It's a grand tree, very awe-inspiring. You wonder about everything it's seen and survived through.

That was what meeting Iwami was like. Beyond that... polite, formal. We didn't speak long, enough to acknowledge each other.

Hooo? I've not heard that story yet.

[Share?

Mmm... ah. He sees.]

Though. I know the kind. Stately and full of mystery. [There have been some in his mortal life. A couple followers now. Grand dowagers of their clans.] I imagine he has stories.

But, heh. I remember the paperwork Kunimi was buried under three quarters of the time. With the temple fully staffed, I'm terrified to imagine the mountain he has.

I hope you get a chance to get to know him better later on. Right now... everything's a bit tossed about. Not the easiest for good chats.

I'd let to get to know him better, but I wonder if anyone really knows him besides Ebisu.

[The structure of Ebisu's temple always seemed different than other gods. It's a blend of family and corporate business practices (at least in her time). Kunimi is her exemplar, but she reports more often to the department heads. The current situation feels similar.]

Though with a full staff, perhaps there's less for him to manage. Or he's able to focus on other things because others are around.

[If Kunimi is often half-buried under work, it's because he's doing the work of so many others.]

As for Kunimi, the way I hear is Ebisu used to hire openly. Anyone who can cast a borderline gets a name, no questions asked. Kunimi got a name, naturally. His vessel form is a possession type so he can control Ebisu directly. Clumsy as Ebisu is, it's a great ability.

Except Kunimi oversold himself and began doing back flips and throwing people and beating people up?

Shit. Did he really? I never would have guessed.

[Waver wheezes in disbelief, as his falcon finally finds him and swoops down to land on the shrine gate. Out of fairness, again, Waver has only seen him buried under this or that or surrounded by teetering piles of paperwork that threaten to bury him under this or that. He supposes responsibility brought its changes just like it had to him.]

Haha... that's useful - very useful - but still wow. Can't blame Ebisu for being taken back by the... er... enthusiasm, though.

I'm not sure about the beating up other shinki part. Stories vary a bit on that point. But people were definitely thrown.

[So that's like beating up people, right? Ginia glances at the falcon and gives a small wave.]

But that's why he ended up on borderline duty. Not sure how he made it back into Ebisu's retinue, but it's probably because that's an ability one doesn't pass up.

[Especially for someone as clumsy as Ebisu. It's a bit strange seeing him now, older, but still as clumsy as he is as a child.

Ginia leans down and rubs at her feet, frowning at the chafing and blisters. She'll have to deal with them later.]

Ready to handle some stray ayakashi? Or do you have other business you need help with?

[Maybe...?

The falcon chatters as soon as the fingers wave. She's an unusually friendly one. Just like the one supplied to him during the great hunt back in May during their times.

Waver for his part whistles up to get the bird to flutter down and perch where he can reach her.]

... whatever the reason, I'm glad he did. He's a good man.

[Ginia's next question causes him to think.]

I'd rather kill those ayakashi sooner than later before they make much more of a mess. [But, as Ginia may have noticed, he's here alone.] I'll need to fetch Eirene or Judar though. Eirene will be easier. She's still at my Temple.

[Judar is doing what Judar does right now and Waver doesn't feel the need to hassle him yet.]

Won't take me long to get her. [... yeah. Ginia's still lost one sandal. That might be a problem.] Want me to fetch you a spare set of zori on the way?

I wish Luger was here.

[Not only because she'd have an (admittedly anachronistic and attention getting) weapon, but she misses his calm presence. But even if the new generation shinki can wield soulless shinki, they aren't gods. Hopefully Luger is safe in the present.]

I don't mind waiting. I can fill up my flask.

[There's another glance down and a sigh. If she had her way, she'd wrap her feet in cloth and go around that way. Better purchase on the rooftops and all. Getting an infection isn't even a concern with the tech running through her blood.

But... appearances. There's a tiny, sulky huff.]

A spare set would be great, thank you.

... so do I.

[A wistful sigh. The ones Waver needs to be around are. He's very thankful he hasn't had to Name another yet, very thankful that he has had his support network. But not everyone has been so lucky.

And no one really wants to try Heaven by revealing that fact... especially not in this era.]

No problem. Mind looking after Aurae here while I'm gone?

[Aka the falcon. Waver likes his names from Greek mythology apparently.]

[Ginia's strangely one of the lucky and unlucky ones. Her ties to Ebisu mean she'll be left without a god in the present and future and will always have a strong support group to fall on.

She never accounted for the past becoming the present.

Briefly, she wonders if it's better to nora to someone of the new generation temporarily. However, the problem isn't being able to fight ayakashi and when she really thinks about it, there's no one around she wants to nora to.]

Sure thing. We'll be great friends.

[By the time Waver returns, that statement is true as Ginia finds somewhere quiet to hide at, Aurae happily nestled on her shoulder and only nibbling slightly on Ginia's hair.]

Oh. Right for the hair again? I swear you like to snack on that just as much as the rodents I cut up for you.

[Waver sounds amused as he appears again with Eirene trailing behind in a demure kimono (he's trying not to make Hishiri comparisons with his shinki dressing like this... time has thankfully helped with that) and with a pair of zori in her grasp and some ribbons to help secure them a little better. She has a bundle of supplies slung across her back.]

I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. Did you find the blessed water source here?

[At least it's hair and not her ears. There's a fond distant memory of another bird of prey that was far more aggressive in nibbling and prodding. How is Chikusa doing? Safe with Ken, she hopes.]

This isn't a problem. My sprarow is far more aggressive about hair collection.

[That and the twigs he collects serve well for the nest he's been putting together. The attempts at wooing a mate? Far less successful.]</small. No worries. I found it around the corner. Only got slightly glared at by the shinki tending to the shrine too. It's a shrine for a home and kitchen deity, it turns out.

Ouch. A connoisseur of quality locks I see. Should I watch my head?

[Waver smiles as he banters and whistles for Aurae to join him by outstretching an arm for her to perch on. The hair, as Ginia is well aware, is serious business.

Aurae seems to be well aware too as she bypasses the arm to land on a shoulder and nip his ear.]

H-hey. What have I told you.

[Eirene walks forward with the zori for Ginia as Waver suddenly deals with overly affectionate bird.]

O-oh. Aurae! [A little distracted here.] Which god?

Though I'm glad there wasn't any problem when you filled up... ah. [Waver glances around the corner. Speaking of.] Hello.

Maybe. Though I am curious about the effects of magic on a bird nest...

[Only a slight tease. She knows hair is Serious Business when it comes to Waver. Iori is a nippy boy, but she's pretty sure she could deter him from Waver's precious locks.

Ginia takes a moment to mend up the blisters before trying on the new zori (slightly short, but they'll do), glancing over as Waver addresses someone else.

Oh, speaking of the shinki, she glares at them from around the corner, broom clutched tightly with defensive intent. She's in her early to mid teens if Ginia had to guess an age, round cheeks ruddy. Her kimono is a simple tan, but there's delicate embroidery around the edges and the obi is a rich indigo.]

Are you two staying for much longer?

[Her voice is polite but terse, each word a spit tack and a forced smile to match.]

[Hmmm... that's nice embroidery for sure, and the obi, though commonly colored, bespeaks of quality in its sumptuous richness of hue of the dye. The god must be reasonably followed then, if the offerings allow this for a shinki.]

My apologies, my lady, for the imposition on your hospitality, but we'll soon be going, yes.

[Waver is unruffled as he bows respectfully in the face of barely concealed hostility, yet not conceding an inch of godly dignity or authority. He's faced worse, and he finds this approach tends to stun the shinki of old gods out of such behavior, even if temporarily. Respect goes a long way.]

We thank you for your kindness in allowing us shelter. It is very much appreciated.

[Waver's assessment is correct; as he bows to the shinki, she recoils, face flushing red as the situation is suddenly overwhelming and goes against any script she might be familiar with.]

W-well, yes, of course! Kōjin-sama is a gracious hostess, all are welcome under her protection! You should remember her name!

[Ginia also bows, not at all worried about superiority or inferiority. Respect comes first and she knows where she stands with herself and her temple.]

I am familiar with her name. She is a mighty goddess and we are truly thankful for the protection of her grounds. You are fortunate to serve such a goddess.

[The shinki puffs up a little at the compliment, her tight hold on the broom loosening a little.]

Yes, I truly am. Yes, well, if you need anything else, I'll be tending to the shrine.

[She hurries off with a slight spring in her step. Ginia watches her go, tapping her cheek before turning to Waver and Eirene.]

I met Kōjin-sama in our time period once. Different shinki with her though. Nice enough, though definitely not a deity that matches the common depiction.

Edited 2019-09-03 04:24 (UTC)

[There she goes. A god bowing their head to a shinki is such an unspeakably and sadly rare thing; he may of made her day with such a gesture, and speaking to her not just as a servant but a lady worthy of respect.]

As am I. Her name and reputation is venerable in the Heavens, and you honor her with how well you uphold it.

Thank you, my lady. We shall do that.

[Waver watches her run off with that spring in her step, finger on his own cheek as well, while Eirene stands casually at attention. He didn't introduce himself, but gossip travels fast enough. He wouldn't be surprised to see more of Kōjin's shinki in the future, if not meet the goddess herself.

Speaking of...

Kōjin is usually depicted as male unless in the aspect of Kamado-gami, in which Waver assumes is the case here.]

Hm? Not a multi armed and headed lady I take it? I haven't had the pleasure yet. Most of the old gods I figure I'll meet at the Gods' meeting.

Which is soon enough at this point. Joy.

One head, two arms. She looked... late teens to twenties when I met her? [There's a slight wiggle of her hand as she guesses the age.] Not sure if she's a god that looks young overall or reincarnated in the last few years.

[If she had to guess, Ginia leans more toward the former than the latter. She's seen some pictures of ancient gods that don't look more than twenty and even Ebisu doesn't look more than someone in his 30s in the pictures she's seen.]

You'll have to let me know how the meeting goes. I'm on guard duty.

[Which is a shame since in her time, she had permission to go with Ebisu as part of his retinue. Natsumi hadn't shown her the kimono for the event yet, but the older shinki was giddy at the prospect. But guard duty is how it usually goes. AS she's heard it, it's usually not bad either.]

Shall we get on our hunt?

I'll have all the juicy details for you. To be honest, though, it'll be my first. [As it will be for a number of others.] I have a vague idea on what to expect, but otherwise...

[It's kimono for him. Hanfu is unwise given the company and the age. He's thankful for everything Natsumi and Terumi taught him about the rules wearing kimono; nobody is willing to help him and the others not humiliate themselves at the gathering now due to their foreignness.]

Better get a hoof on, yeah. [He's hoping it's just those eel-like ayakashi they face. The more negativity caused by those beasts, the more ayakashi drawn in to feed. An absolutely vicious cycle.] Come, Genki.

[It's more pragmatic for him to be armed going in. Urban environments are terrible for ambushes.]

May it go better than mine. I almost died.

[A story for another time, though there's also not much of a story. If there's anyone who can survive the politics of a God meeting - or at least grit his teeth and smile through it - it's Waver.

Really, she'd probably end up causing an incident if she went.

There's a flicker of a smile at Eirene's vessel form, bow solidarity and all. There's also a pang of sadness at the thought of Chris. Hopefully she's doing well, Tsubasa too. Hopefully they're together.]

We should draw enough attention from the ayakashi, but I'll hang ahead a bit to draw them out a bit more. I'll keep in sight.

[There's a rue smile and a wiggle of a foot.]

I'll try not to lose your shoes.

Festival - Several Weeks Later

Festivals in the past are entirely different beasts from what he’s become used to. Gone are the plastic toys and paddle pools full of goldfish to catch—these festivals are much more serious about worshipping the deities at any given shrine. The foods are even different.

Still, it’s not all bad. Joscelin has found a vendor that sells traditional sweets that taste even better than the ones he’d had in Tokyo.

And since he’s mostly invisible to adults, he’s been robbing the man blind for the last two hours.

He sits on the roof of Ebisu’s shrine, watching festival goers pass by and stuffing his face with stolen treasure.

The Far Shore - Six Months In

Winters are colder in the past. Both on the mortal plane and in heaven. No electricity means no central heat and no kotatsu to snuggle up under. Instead he’s huddled next to a charcoal brazier, blowing on reddened fingers to warm them. Chilblains. He’s got chilblains, despite being undead twice over.

He sends out his hawk with a message to anyone nearby:

Surely, someone here has to be an electrical engineer. I miss my heater.

Edited 2019-08-14 23:24 (UTC)

"It's bad form stealing from someone and then hiding on Ebisu's shrine," Ginia signs as she drops in front of Joss. Her expression is more exasperated than annoyed and she gives his forehead a light flick. That seems to be all the 'punishment' there is as she sits next to him. It's a nice view up there. Thankfully, most people don't look up.

"What did you get?"

“Oh, I’ll pay him back. Eventually.” He jingles a heavy coin purse. “Liberated this from a samurai earlier. He kicked a dog so I say that’s fair game.” (The dog—puppy, really—in question is currently hiding from Ayumu’s domineering cats in his bedroom at the temple. Joss still hasn’t come up with a name for his new pet, though “Bandit” sounds quite dashing.)

One thing hasn’t changed: Joss is still a kleptomaniac.

He hands Ginia some dango.

“This one’s red bean, and I’m not sure what that one is but it’s quite good.”

Edited (NO ONE SAW THAT) 2019-08-15 00:07 (UTC)

Joscelin's thieving ways haven't changed and Ginia supposes they never will at this point. Not that she can be too angry if thieving better directed and it's not like she can say she's never stolen things herself. There's a tiny huff of approval at how he obtained his funds, also certain she'll see the dog sooner or later.

"As long as you pay him back." That's her sticking point. She bites into the offered dango and looks over the other skewers.

"The tan powdery one is kinako. Soy flour. It's pretty good with a sugar syrup."

Ginia watches the crowd as she eats. Ebisu is popular as always, a reassuring constant. Also constant are her clothes; a simple light green kimono denotes her as one of Ebisu's shinki.

"How are you settling in?"

“Kinako,” he repeats. “It’s rather good.” There is a smear of the beige powder on one cheek that he doesn’t seem to know is there.

Other than that, he’s well put together in an indigo-dyed kimono and dark green haori. Joscelin has always been fastidious in his dress, and he’s begun to adapt to the new surroundings. “Well enough,” he says with a shrug. “It helps that Mum’s from this time—she’s keeping me sane. Christ, I miss the internet, though. And indoor plumbing. I have to get water from a well now. It’s positively barbaric.”

He takes a bite out of another red bean dumpling. “How about you? I’ve barely seen you since this most recent mess started. You don’t come play anymore.” (It’s hard to play Mario Kart when his Nintendo Switch won’t be invented for another 200 years, but still.)

A few people are definitely faring better than others. Ginia adapts well, but she still misses some conveniences of the modern era. Mostly plumbing. On the other hand, Ebisu's temple is still nice as ever so it's not too bad living there.

"I've been busy. I spent the first week being scrutinized by the elders on whether I could do the work. I'm also learning a new field as tourism and media is a little different right now." She's been spending more time in agriculture and putting her math skills to work in accounting. Teaching everyone her healing spell has also taken up some time. "There are a lot of people to remember too."

And a few key people that aren't around.

“I daresay it’s very different. It’s harder for the average peasant to just up and decide to go on holiday. No budget airlines or bus tours here.”

Joscelin’s face darkens. Something is clearly bothering him, and has been for some time. It’s why he decided to clumsily steal sweets in front of Ebisu’s temple and occupy a very visible place on top of the tiled roof of the shrine until Ginia noticed and came to collect her errant little friend.

“I suppose that I was around at this time, wasn’t I? Just not here.” Instead he had been off in London, doing whatever one does when one is a vampire in Georgian England. And which fat, Hanoverian ass is currently occupying throne, anyway? He can’t be bothered to remember.

“I know this, and yet I...I’m not used to it. The people starving by the road. And the sickness. Can’t something be done? We could set the other shinki on synthesizing penicillin or doing that Edward Jenner thing with the smallpox vaccine. Why can’t we change history?”

He feels a strange protectiveness towards the other children he’s seen in his time here. The adults can go rot—present company excluded, naturally—but he didn’t want to see another child Toyo’s age marked by starvation or disease.

Joscelin is kind and caring in ways far more than most people think, especially when children are involved. Is it because he died young? Some lingering regrets? It's something Ginia's always suspected. A slow exhale escapes because it's something she's considered, on broader and more personal levels.

"We can't promise it's a change for the better." Ginia holds up a hand so Joscelin doesn't try to cut her off, eats another piece of dango as she collects her thoughts together. "That doesn't mean we shouldn't try in some regard, but we have to be careful.

"Suppose one of us creates a vaccine for smallpox. How do we get the knowledge to the people here in a way they can understand? How do we ensure they can create more vaccines? How do we know it won't become weaponized in some way, or the knowledge restricted?"

Every action a ripple. Who knows what they disturb on the outer reaches.

Ginia eats the third piece of dango, twirls the skewer in her fingers like a tiny baton. She taps the end into the top of the shrine, her own worry seeping out.

"From now until the point where he named me, Ebisu will die many times. There is a point as well where many of his shinki will die too. I've been wondering if I should tell him all I know."

"I would tell him, if it means saving those you care about."

Joscelin doesn't even hesitate. "And I would take that damn cowpox and use it for a smallpox vaccine. I would teach doctors about antisepsis and I'd stop wars. If no one shoots that Austrian duke in 1914, millions of lives will be saved. We can save them." His eyes burn with an odd intensity and he himself seems taken aback by his vehemence. "I normally don't care about humans," he muses. "Having a soul is quite inconvenient."

"And suppose it doesn't? Suppose it means more people die?"

She's considered it. If Ebisu gets the brush sooner, if they move ayakashi away from the temple and continue research elsewhere, it could save things. It could also mean Amaterasu notices sooner, or perhaps the brush is cursed in some other way. The will of Ebisu's shinki is to not see their beloved god die again and again. Ebisu wants to protect humans and taming ayakashi is his means. Are the two always meant to go against each other?

One of Ebisu's incarnations wanted to live. Is it fair to ask this one to do so?

"It's easy to think stopping one thing means it all turns out well, but there will always be other problems, other complications. Also you're assuming people will take you seriously and not treat you as a lunatic child."

[Open] [Game AU] What if...

Ginia | OC | Shinki

Three days later

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Joscelin | OC | Shinki

Festival

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