thenearshore | 007 | Clean Up Your Act

Entry tags:

007 | Clean Up Your Act

Who: Everyone!
What: Spring cleaning
When: All day April 15
Where: All around the Heavens
Summary: The Heavens don't like things being cluttered, so it's time to clean up a little bit.

Main Hall

While the main hall of the Heavens seems spotlessly clean at all times, that's not the case at all. In fact, it's been at least a decade since the last time they actually cleaned everything out properly. There are a lot of hidden closets and back rooms that have layers of dust and dozens of boxes filled with nothing but junk. Who knows, though! You might find something interesting and useful in there along with all the garbage.

Suprises

Unfortunately, some of the older temples on the Far Shore seem to have some interesting surprises tucked away, ranging from cursed artifacts all the way to magical creatures locked up in long-forgotten rooms. You are free to be creative with this as a way to get your characters into trouble while cleaning.

Complimentary Dinner

After all of your hard work, you deserve to have some tasty food and refreshing beverages. So the Heavens have provided that for you, so that you can wind down after a long day. It's not as fancy as the banquets they often put on, but there is a nice array of food and drinks for everyone to enjoy.

Counselling

As usual, there is a white-robed shinki bearing the gold chrysanthemum of Amaterasu sitting at a table in the Main Hall. There is a small sign that denotes her as the counselling shinki. Anyone is welcome to approach her, and she will smile serenely at anyone passing by as well.

In Summary:

Clean up your home
Help clean others' homes
Get the main hall clean too!
Hope no hidden magic jumps out
Seek counselling if you need it
Enjoy your complimentary dinner
Have fun~

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Souji?

[The name doesn't quite fit in his mouth, somehow. It feels awkward, but Yamato chalks it up to being on first-name basis with a stranger, and puts it out of his mind. By now, he knows that dwelling on discomfort won't lead to any answers.]

I'm Yamato no Kami Yasusada. [Normally he adds "You can call me Yamato", since "Yasusada" is special, reserved for his one (and only) goddess. But Shepard isn't here, might never be here again, so it doesn't seem to matter as much anymore.] It's nice to meet you.

[But, ah-- congrats on your new brood of babies, Sooj... and even the most miserable creature on earth can't be too upset around a horde of rainbow chicks. Yamato's mouth turns up despite himself, and he lifts a hand, hiding a laugh behind the billowing sleeves of his haori.]

Souji-kun must be very easy to follow. [Very, very carefully, he picks his way through the ducks, moving to stand beside Souji so they can walk together.] You might have to take them all to your temple with you.

[Assuming Souji is a god, because-- well, why not?]

It's nice to meet you too, Yamato-kun.

[Because Souji isn't one to assume that he can call someone anything, and usually errs on the side of too formal rather than not formal enough.

Good LORD, Souji's true fate is clearly to be a mom, and these magical ducklings know it. They happily crowd around him, ready to follow wherever he might lead. One tries bravely to climb up the leg of Yamato's hakama.

Souji is however rather embarrassed by that assumption, going a truly fetching shade of pink while stifling a small giggle behind his hand.]

Ah, no, I'm not- [He turns that hand around so that Yamato can see the kanji written on his palm.] But you know, I guess we could take them to Hijikata-sama's temple. He has some nice gardens, and I'm sure they'd be happy in one of the ponds there.

[SOUJI IS CLEARLY A MOMGOD look how many followers he has already...!

But no, apparently not?! Yamato blinks, genuinely surprised, but there's no mistaking the sight of a shinki's name. Yamato's never seen his own, but he knows what it is all the same.]

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought-- [Well, it's obvious what he thought, isn't it? He's a little embarrassed himself, but Souji's laughter is clear and kind, and it makes him smile a little bit.]

Is Hijikata-san your god? [He ventures, with only the tiniest bit of hesitation. And... jealousy, if he's completely honest with himself. But that feeling passes quickly; his situation is no one else's fault, and Ayumu isn't a bad person to serve. She's just... not the right person.]

[He was clearly meant to be a motherly goddess figure, he just thinks too much like a Shinki to realize his true destiny.

He shakes his head in response to that half-spoken apology, smiling kindly.]

Don't be sorry. It's pretty hard to tell the difference unless you're told.

[He inclines his head, and just look at the way he already is shining with devotion and pride. It comes oh, so very naturally to him, and he sees no reason to question that feeling.]

He is. He was incarnated as the god Hachiman-sama only just today. [A moment of hesitation from Souji as well.] Are you a Shinki as well, then?

[Oh, he's looking. He's looking, and it hurts, this reminder of how utterly delighted he'd been months ago, when he'd first met his own god.]

Yes... I am.

[He pauses, jaw working as he tries to figure out what to say next. Normally, he'd be bouncing on the balls of his feet, talking about how wonderful his own god is and what an honor it is to be a shinki. And a part of him considers mentioning Ayumu, because he is her shinki now, no matter how much he hates the situation. But his throat is tight and Souji's face is so content, and he can't, he can't let anyone else feel like this.

Abruptly, he stops, reaching out to grab Souji's hand and hold it between his own. It's a gesture meant to get his attention, but it's the first time Yamato's reached out to someone in days, and he can't help his grip being a little too tight.]

Please stay very close to him. [There's something a little desperate in his eyes, turning this from general advice to a personal plea.] Don't let anything happen to your god, okay? Don't ever let him go away.

[...Welcome to heaven!]

[Souji startles a bit when he's grabbed like that, but allows his hand to be held, because somehow he can sense right from the start that this is important. The way Yamato holds onto him so hard, as if he's trying to keep something from slipping away, trying to mend something that's already broken... And there was that look on his face only moments before as well, conflicted and hurting, as if a subtle crack had opened in the world and Souji just hadn't realized.

So he doesn't complain at the pain of having his fingers slightly squished, but wraps them around Yamato's hand in turn. Meeting his gaze steadily, he nods.]

I will. I promise I will. [Something pulls at his lips, empathy at the horrible conclusion, the only one that can be drawn from Yamato's insistent plea; the certainty that this is deeply personal for him somehow.] I'm so sorry, Yamato-kun. Whatever happened to your God... I'm so sorry. Thank you for- [His throat closes up a bit at the very suggestion of such loss.] -for warning me. I really appreciate it.

[There's something about the way he says it that makes Yamato feel like he can believe it. Really, truly believe it, like Souji truly understands. Better than Yukine, who's a Hafuri for Yato. Better than Yuuki, who'd gone through the exact same situation. Souji's looking at him with eyes that see the pain of loss, and Yamato can rest assured his words will be heeded.

To some, that might be ridiculous--Souji and his god are new, they might say, how could they be attached so quickly?--but to Yamato, it's just a relief. So many people are unhappy as a shinki, or having a shinki... finding someone who feels like he does is like having the sun on his face after a long storm.]

Thank you. [He doesn't apologize. Not to Souji, but... maybe to Ayumu, later. Ayumu... it's not really fair to leave her out, is it? It's not her fault that Shepard is gone, and she certainly didn't ask to get stuck with him. The least he can do is give her credit where it's due, and maybe even reassure her a little bit. He can't say he'll be fine, and he can't bring himself to make her any promises, but... maybe he can show her he's not going to waste away in a dark corner somewhere.]

Would you like to meet a friend of mine? She's... taking care of me, for right now. [He can't accept the idea that Shepard's never coming back. Joshua left and returned, and that's enough proof that the possibility is there. It's terribly unfair to Ayumu, but he can't help it. This is the best he can do.

Besides, he gets the feeling she'd like Souji. Ayumu likes a lot of people, but Souji's easy to be around, Yamato's quickly finding. Not quite a gentle presence, but a bright one nonetheless.] She can help us make sure we don't leave any of the babies behind.

[The implications there are so easy to pick out, startlingly so even to Souji, who nonetheless doesn't question it. Yes, it's overwhelming to just understand so easily, but for now he simply assumes that this is just a thing between two Shinkis, bound together by the love they naturally feel for their God, the one who gave them their name. With his hand trapped between Yamato's, it almost feels like he's trying to protect that name, keep it safe from anything that might threaten to rip it out of his skin, leave it bare like an open wound.

The image causes him to shudder, nausea pressing hard at his throat for a moment.]

I'm glad you're taken care of, until- [-until your God comes back. He doesn't actually say the words, but even so implies them, assuming that Yamato will pick up the meaning just as easily as he has so far. Hoping that he understands that Souji will believe for him too, believe that Yamato's God must come back to him one day. Anything else is unthinkable.]

I'd be glad to meet her. Though I think we can actually leave off all these little ones before we do that. It's only this door up ahead, I think. We were closer than I expected. [He gestures to a sliding door with a familiar seal next to it, which should lead out into the gardens around the temple from here, if he's any judge at all.] And then I'd love to meet your friend.

[It feels so weird to smile. It's only been a few days since Shepard disappeared, but the thought of expressing any joy in her absence had seemed horrendously wrong. Offensive, even. It's hard on Ayumu, it's got to be--Yamato isn't so oblivious that he doesn't know that. But devotion will always win out, in the end.

Still, the thought that someone else has as much faith as he does, that someone else is willing to believe she'll come back... the gratitude he feels is enough to coax a real smile out of him, and he doesn't hide this one.]

Oh, really? Okay. [Pulling away would probably be the normal reaction, which is apparently why he doesn't do that??] Will Hijikata-san be there? I'd like to meet your god someday.

[And possibly tell Hijikata to take good care of his shinki, because that's what he'd been doing even before he lost his own god. Yamato is very passionate about his fellow Shinki's well-being.]

[That smile tells him for certain that his faith in Yamato's god returning had managed to come through loud and clear, and his returning smile is warm and serene. He's happy, genuinely so, to have been able to bring that kind of relief to the other.

And he certainly doesn't mind that Yamato keeps holding his hand, simply locking their fingers together more tightly between them as he walks.]

Hijikata-sama... [Weirdly enough, it sounds more right the way Yamato says it. Hijikata-san. He's not sure he's bold enough to say that just yet, but he'll keep it in mind.] He'll probably be around cleaning too, I imagine.

[He beams as a sudden idea strikes him.] Maybe after I meet your friend, I can go find him, so you can meet him? [He shoves open the door up ahead, stepping through it so the ducklings can follow them in.] He's my God, after all, so I'm sure he'll want to meet my friends. [See. Just like that. Friends.]

[No Souji, don't be rude like Yams... who calls everyone -san or -kun like a punk...

But the ducklings are eager to get to... anywhere (they're ducklings, just moving is exciting), and Yamato has to make sure nothing fuzzy gets caught on his sandals. The duckling from before is still trying to burrow in his hakama-- or eat it, maybe, it's hard to tell. But Yamato doesn't mind. YOU JUST KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON, LITTLE BIRD.]

That sounds nice. [Ayumu'd gone around greeting other gods, a while back, and he'd always tried to look out for allies for Shepard. He can put aside his sadness long enough for that, especially if Souji feels as strongly about his god as he does. Did. Does.] Ayumu-san has a lot of food at home... maybe we can bring some over later, too.

[Seriously Ayumu it's getting a little ridiculous.]

[Look, something just feels right about using that form of address for Hijikata specifically. He won't always use it, of course - certainly not in front of other Gods! But maybe when it's just the two of them?

Souji bends down and gently untangles the duckling from Yamato's hakama, scooting it gently in the direction of the pond. They're still just kind of pouring through the door towards the water, but at least they're starting to thin out a bit. Looks like a couple of hundred ducklings, all told.

He's still holding on to Yamato's hand, though, and gives it a small squeeze as he stands up.] That would be very generous!

Ah, I think... maybe these are the last. [He nods behind him at a group of straggler ducklings.] We should leave quickly now before they follow us through the door. [Let's bolt outside and slam the door shut. Mission: Trick the Ducklings is clearly a great success!]

[Sooj if you're thinking dirty thoughts about his collarbones you can probably drop the honorifics entirely, y'know

Good lord, though, that sure is a lot of ducklings... a sane person might wonder if they were being kept in there for a reason, or if they were someone else's pets, but Yamato just watches to make sure none of them get stuck or fall over.]

I think they'll be very happy here. [He shakes his bangs out of his face, watching the little birds with open fondness. He didn't think he was so susceptible to cute things, but apparently...

Souji's right, though. They can't have an endless train of ducklings everywhere, so they'd better get out while they're distracted with their new home. Yamato nods, turning towards the door.]

Let's run for it. Are you ready?

[SHUT UP, he's a pure Shinki, it's not his fault that his God looks like an inverted triangle with muscles...

Souji is watching the happy ducklings jump into the pond like it's the best thing he's ever seen - and to be fair, his memories only stretch to this morning, so it just might be.

Still, he's instantly crouching down slightly, preparing himself for their DRAMATIC ESCAPE as soon as Yamato mentions it.]

I am! Let's run on three, okay? [He squeezes Yamato's hand once more, because he's still not letting go of that, okay?] One... two... three! [And he's off, laughing as he runs, stumbling back out in the corridor and hurriedly calling to Yamato:] Close the door, quick!

[Really, because from this angle he looks an awful lot like a wet blanket--

But Yamato matches Souji's position, seeing no reason to let go if Souji doesn't! It's funny to think he's not usually so tactile, but then, neither is much of the company he keeps. Maybe it's inappropriate, to feel so comfortable so quickly, but. It's nice. Uncomplicated. (ha)]

Go--! [Yamato's no tantou, but he's fast when he wants to be. Still, he lags behind Souji, because they can't both get through the door at the same time. And because it's nice, maybe, to feel that slight tug, a little bit like an unbreakable bond.]

I've got it! [He can hear the chirp chirp and the little pattering of more observant ducklings hot on their heels, but he manages to shut the door without letting any of the fuzzbabies zoom out. It's a near thing, though, and Yamato shuffles away from the door as quietly as he can.]

We should go quickly. [He leans close to whisper, lest the ducklings catch wind of their voices and get even more distressed. Yams feels you, lonely birds...] We can bring them a nice treat later, right?

[For a moment he's bent slightly forward, catching his breath and laughing. There was such a simple joy in doing something like this, something childish and silly and together, something you kind of had to be two to laugh like this about.

But at Yamato's words, he sobers up a bit, and he even presses his free hand momentarily against the now closed door, listening to the chirping sounds of the ducklings on the other side with a slightly guilty expression.]

I promise we'll come back, okay?

[He doesn't say it in quite a loud enough voice to alert them and distress them, but having said it is still something that counts. Maybe it's a bit silly, but even tiny ducklings shouldn't have to feel like they're left behind.

Then he gives Yams' hand another light squeeze, smiling, although his voice is still kept low as well.]

Please lead the way to your friend.

((continued here!))

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007 | Clean Up Your Act

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