007 | Clean Up Your Act

[godsoffortune]

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~

Comments

[spes_phthisica]

[That gets a just as emphatic nod out of him, and it's clear that Souji is in awe of being in the presence of someone who is clearly very wise as well as kind.]

That's the best way of making sure you can make people better when they really need it. You've got to trust that they will use their own strength while you recover.

[He very obediently sits down next to her, eagerly even, like a puppy being told that yes, he is allowed in the sofa just for now.] My name is Okita Souji. Would you allow me to know yours, if you don't mind?

[sanzohoshi]

[It's easier to say than do, of course. She can't help but worry about everyone, and can (and will) push herself to the breaking point and beyond to ensure everyone's taken care of.]] Mm. But I can't ask for everyone to give more than I'd give myself either. Still, you have a point too. I have to remember that.

[She sets her glass aside and reaches out to pat his head, her smile bright] What a smart boy you are! [It might seem condescending from others, but she's so sincere about it.........]

Pleased to meet you, Souji! [Jumping right onto a first-name basis there gj.] I'm-- Hmm... Well, as it turns out, there's another with my name here, so... Why don't you just call me Sanzang? I'm also the goddess of Mercy and Compassion, Kanzeon! What about you?

[She assumes shinki, just by his general demeanor, but she's not going to be rude and assume]

[spes_phthisica]

[Headpats!!! Souji honestly has never been good at recognizing condescending behavior, mostly because so much of what he sees as love and attention could so easily be misconstrued as such. He's used to having his head patted and being told he's a good boy, so how on earth is he supposed to know the difference? And although he has no memories, that is still how he parses human behavior.

Either way, he looks overjoyed with having his head patted, and certainly doesn't mind the first name basis either. In the circumstances, it's hardly weird, is it?]

Thank you, Sanzang-sama! Ah, and being that kind of Goddess, I can tell that you're the kind who always gives everything you've got. [He holds up his left hand, showing the 梅 drawn on his palm, because of course his poetry nerd God named him after ume. Of course he did. Also Souji has no idea he shouldn't just keep showing people his true name, rip him.] I'm the Shinki of Hachiman-sama, the God who protects Japan through the might of its warriors. [HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR LORD AND SAVIOR?]

[sanzohoshi]

Heehee! Well, I try! I've met the real Lady Kanzeon--well, the one where I"m from, at least. I'm not nearly worthy enough to be on her level, but I'll work hard! I hope everyone will lend me their strength too!

[Ah no it's cute... People so rarely let her headpat them without fussing, so she ruffles his hair a little too before folding her hands on her lap to keep them to herself. For now.]

I see! He must be very lucky to have you, he sounds formidable indeed! If I see him, I'll be sure to praise you to him!

But I'm a little envious, I don't have a shinki yet... [Well she has one of the 'soulless' ones she's been told, but that's not quite the same thing.] Well, I'll just have to be patient!

[spes_phthisica]

[He just laughs as his hair is ruffled, squirming slightly like a child would for show, but staying put and clearly enjoying it.]

I'm sure you will be an incarnation which she will be proud of!

[That's what he assumes her words mean, and he doesn't think too hard about the "how" because he's probably not meant to understand that. He's just a Shinki, after all, and they are Gods.

But oh no, that is a really sad thing to hear. He grabs one of her hands - well, as much as he can through her sleeve - with two of his own, unthinkingly mirroring the way Yamato had taken his own hand.]

I'm sure you will find a Shinki worthy of you soon. [He sounds so earnest and so certain about it too.] I'm sure that they will count themselves very lucky, to have such a kind Goddess to look after them, and to protect.

[sanzohoshi]

[She looks surprised at first--people didn't usually touch her hands or sleeves or anything like that, but she doesn't pull away. Instead she listens carefully, touched by his words-- they've only just met, after all, but she strives to be a good person. It's nice that someone she doesn't even know can say such things so easily.]

...You're very sweet, Souji! Your god is so lucky! [She repeats herself and with her free hand pats him on the head again. He's so cute!] I might just steal you away from him!

[But Sanzang laughs and squeezes one of his hands with the one he's hold] No, no, I couldn't do that even if I wanted to. I could never deprive someone of such a good shinki!

[She giggles again and smiles warmly] What's he like? Your god.

[spes_phthisica]

[When Souji attaches to people, he does so with little self-reflection or caution, all at once. Perhaps it can also be said that right now, he's more childish than he's ever been in his life, simply because everything is once again new and vibrant and overwhelming. He has no real frame of reference to anything he knows about the world, and so everything he knows for certain, such as what kind of people he likes and admires, turns into these huge fundamental things that lack any sense of proportion.

He laughs, playfully bumping his head a bit against her hand.]

Trying to steal me wouldn't work very well... but I guess you can borrow me from time to time.

[He doesn't know about Noras yet, have mercy on him...

Also Sanzang should have mercy on herself too. She could get stuck for a long time if she encourages him too much, if the way Souji's eyes light up is any indication.]

He seems very stern and imposing. But... he's not really that intimidating, you know? He's really very gentle when you talk to him. [That's partly because Souji is Souji, but he doesn't know that.] He's got this sense about him, like he'll keep you safe no matter what, and like the world will be okay as long as he's in it. [Look, memories or no, someone just gave Souji permission to literally make Hijikata his religion. This was to be expected.]

[sanzohoshi]

Heehee! I'll have to ask him myself! but don't worry, I definitely wouldn't keep you long!

[Yeah just wait until they both learn about noras...Though Sanzang isn't going to have nearly as many hang-ups about them as Souji inevitably will.

She rests her elbows on the table, cheek in hand as she smiles and listens] You already admire him so much! [She suspects already that Souji might be someone from his god's past, if only because the instant connection and admiration is a little much for if they were actual strangers. Souls and hearts, she thinks, will know each other even when the minds forget.]

He sounds wonderful, I'll have to make sure I go to your guys' temple and say hello sometime! And of course, if either of you are ever feeling down, I'll dance for you! [She moves a little to quickly in her excitement and grimaces, her smile looking sheepish.] Well, maybe not for a little while though... Sorry.

[spes_phthisica]

Aaah, what did I say about being careful, huh?

[The scolding is obviously very much a form of play, if the way Souji laughs and gently gives her a teasing little shove, as if to indicate she should sit back and relax more. But seriously, she really looks like she should go easy on herself a little while.]

We'd be happy to have you over, though! His temple is such a beautiful place, and it's got very nice gardens as well.

[And something about it feels very much like home. He supposes it's the kind of environment that he might've been used to when he was alive - especially the dojo, for some reason.]

Ah, and you could meet the ducklings! They're really cute. [What.]

[sanzohoshi]

Ah, sorry, sorry! I'm no good at listening to others! [Especially not about her own health or safety OOPS. Really, she'll need a 'real' shinki sooner rather than later she needs a keeper.

But she sits back obediently, and if she leans a little heavier against the low table, well, who can judge her for it?

Her eyes widen slightly and she blinks owlishly at him] ...Ducklings?

[spes_phthisica]

[That gets a laugh out of him.]

Well, you are a God now, right? A God can't just be ordered about... but listening to advice every now and again is probably acceptable.

[Huh. Gently treading someone in a position of authority really is one thing that feels right at home to him. It's interesting to pick up these tidbits of personality as they turn up.

But more importantly: Ducklings.] I found them! When I was cleaning, I found a lot of colorful ducklings with nowhere to go, so me and Yamato-kun put them in my God's garden. They're very cute? [It's like at least 300 ducks rip Hijikata...]

[sanzohoshi]

Ahaha, that's true! I've been told 'a god is always just,' but I can't believe something like that so easily either... No one's without fault and no one is perfect. Even us gods have to learn and make mistakes and grow, or else we'll remain stagnant. "Those who cling to perceptions and views wander the world offending people."

[Sanzang smiles though and shrugs. Talking about the ducks is probably better than dragging some poor soul into a philosophical debate and flinging Buddhist quotes around.]

How cute! But I wonder why those ducks were around to begin with... Who did they originally belong to, I wonder? If they're ducklings they must not have been around here too long! Well, I suppose if no one tries to claim them it's fine! It'll be quite a bit of work to take care of them, though... [Assuming that "a lot" means, you know. A LOT.]

[spes_phthisica]

Huuuh. You really are a very wise Goddess, aren't you?

[Yeah, all of that is a little bit too deep and introspective for Souji to fully grasp, bless him. But even so he enjoys the sound of the words, and the dazzling certainty and conviction that seem to give the their power. He's always been drawn to people who have powerful visions, even if he himself would never view himself as such.

He's much more at home with ducklings though, yes.]

Well, they came out of a pond inside a room... but the pond was far too small for all of them once I tried to put them back. [The pond might have had some kind of hammerspace ability, but Souji sure didn't know how to activate it.] But they're pretty easy to take care of, I think. We'll just have to feed them and clean up after them.