thenearshore | 003 | Save The Boats

003 | Save The Boats

Who: Everyone!
What: It's a few days after Hinamatsuri - time for a party!
When: Late evening (March 5, 2016) into early morning (March 6, 2016)
Where: The banks of the Kamo River
Summary: The Heavens have thrown together an outdoor party to celebrate Spring and ALSO to ask the Far Shore residents to keep the boats from Hinamatsuri from coming to shore.

Hinamatsuri is celebrated in Japan on March 3 every year. It is a festival to celebrate all of the young girls of Japan, not as important as their own birthdays, but certainly a big day for all families with a little girl among their household. It's perfectly normal for all of the cuties to dress up and get all sorts of delightful treats out of the day.

One of the normal festivities is a ceremony during which ornamental dolls are placed on tiers on boats and floated down the river. It is thought that all of the bad luck for the coming year floats down the river with the dolls, taking that bad luck away from their young girls to keep them safe for another year.

But the boats don't always make it all the way down the river like they're supposed to, and the Heavens sometimes like to make sure that the year will be full of less bad luck for the people of Japan. So they have decided to have the almighty gods do some legwork and disguised it as a fun Springtime party! They expect gods and shinki alike to push the boats away from the shoreline wherever they see them venturing near.

New gods and shinki will have been ushered immediately to the party as well, given all of the normal information, and then left to mingle among their new cohorts. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce the newbies to both their co-workers and the kinds of jobs they'll be expected to perform.

Buffet

A luxurious buffet is set up for everyone to enjoy. There are all kinds of foods to enjoy, though they all seem to be of a local variety. The Heavens have apparently used the funding from their own temples to purchase local food and support local businesses at the same time. In particular among the food and copious amounts of booze, you will find some Hinamatsuri staples - hina-arare, hishi mochi, chirashizushi, and a salt-based clam soup called ushijiru. Among the booze you'll find shirozake, a sake made from fermented rice, also a regular fare of Hinamatsuri.

The Boats

As if they are literally overflowing with bad luck, the boats seem to be making a desperate attempt to land themselves upon the shoreline. They are reluctant to make their way back into the water and will gladly run people down if they're allowed to and are happy to ram into someone over and over again to try and get their way. When they are finally pushed back to the center of the river, they will begrudgingly continue on their way. Of course, some of them will simply sink because of the weight of all that bad luck, but who can really blame them.

Children

As expected of a day dedicated to celebrating children, there are dozens of children running around and playing games during the festivities. It's hard to distinguish, but some of them appear to be human children while others are shinki. They are happy to let anyone in on their games and will gladly bother adults to come play with them or to let them try some of the liquor. (Mods will be available to play out any child interactions you may want, just flag us down.)

Counselling

Off to the side, there is a tiny table set up with a small, nicely written sign that reads "Gentle Counselling". On the other side of the table is a sweetly smiling shinki who is willing to listen to your problems and answer any questions you might have. She is also here to help out any gods that are having a hard time dealing with knowing about how their shinki died and any shinki that is having trouble coming to terms with the fact that they are dead.

In Summary:

Keep the boats off the shore
Enjoy the food and booze and spring atmosphere
Have some fun with cute little kids
Seek counselling if you need it!
Flag the mods in the top thread if you'd like an NPC
Have fun~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Okay, maybe he should have waited a little longer to pry those kids off--

He's definitely not expecting to be manhandled immediately, no matter what he saw Hibari getting up to earlier, and there's a deep part of him that hates it.

That dislike only gets him as far as grabbing Hibari's wrist, though, and he schools his expression back into a gentle smile. His anger is pretty understandable, even if it is aimed at the wrong person. (Why does that keep happening to him anyway?)]

Ah, you're mistaken. I was brought here too, and I don't even know your name.

[The other fights had been trying to regain some normalcy or attention from others, but this time was serious. His eyes were saying that-full of rage and anger and just a little bit of fear as to the fact someone had a hold on him and he didn't know how.

And the other guy just smiled and replied like it was no big deal, causing Hibari's hands to unconsciously tighten. Ren had the privilege of seeing this Cloud Guardian actually lose his cool-he was visibly upset and his hands were nearly shaking as much as their grip was strong.]

Then why is there a tattoo on my arm? Why did the GODS say to me that I belong to YOU of all people?!

[Ren winces very slightly, and not just from the hand at his neck. There's something about this that is really unpleasant, pretty much the way he's been feeling all evening but worse.

And that didn't work at all the way he'd been hoping either. Unfortunately, there's not much he can say that will help either. But at least he isn't smiling anymore.]

I don't know. They must have thought we could work well together. [The Heavens couldn't possibly just be assigning people randomly. That would be silly.]

I think I can explain the rest of it if you want me too, but it might be easier if we found somewhere to sit down.

I don't work with anyone. [Hibari growled through gritted teeth, but even he realized he wasn't going to get any answers out of the red-haired kid while he's being strangled. A tiny part of him contemplated actually just killing him right here, but the other, more logical part told Hibari that was a bad idea.

At the very least, the shinki removed his grip, but he still had a horrid glare. It was clear Hibari wasn't moving from the spot, so Ren would just have to speak to him right here.] Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right here.

[As soon as he's released, Ren takes a small step back to give Hibari some space and bites his lip on any small smiles or smart comments he'd like to make, since this is a delicate situation and those probably wouldn't help.

Or, that was what he meant to do, but as soon as Hibari mentions trying to kill him, there's no stopping the small but challenging smirk that forms on his face.]

You can try, but it won't make any difference. You'll just be assigned to someone else. And I'm sure I'm much easier to work with than most of the others.

[Ah yes, that is definitely the way to handle a delicate situation. Perfect.]

[And there it was again, the smirk on his so-called god's face, and suddenly Hibari was there, right in his face. He went straight for the legs, knocking them out from under Ren before attempting to pin him down on the ground.]

Why do you think I would listen to someone as weak as you?

[So, he really was trying to keep an eye out for when fists might start flying, since he's already seen that much of his shinki's temperament...but it doesn't help much when it isn't a fist and he isn't feeling well. Down he goes...

Which is bad. Very bad. Particularly since Hibari kind of has a point in this situation. But he never let something like that stop him before, so Ren makes a concerted effort to try to grab Hibari's wrists again so maybe he can at least keep himself from being held down.]

Look, I understand you're upset, but taking it out on me isn't going to help.

[Hibari just growled, practically forcing his rather meagre weight on the taller red-head to keep him down. He definitely didn't want his god of all people to have an advantage on him.]

So you can just use me like a tool? [There was a heavy amount of hatred and sarcasm in Hibari's tone at the moment.] As I said, I work alone, as my interests don't line up with yours.

[Okay, looks like he's staying down for now. He's still struggling, of course, but it's definitely a losing battle.]

You're making an awful lot of assumptions about me. If you're going to be angry with me, it should be for something I've already done.

[After all, her's plenty of that! Not that Hibari needs to know about any of it...]

[Hibari wasn't letting him up anytime soon, either. If he was going to get answers out of anyone, it's this person. Even if he keeps dodging the question and not giving the answers the shinki wanted.]

Again, why should I take an herbivore's word on something like this? I don't like being crowded and I see no advantage of working with you.

[His grip on Ren's shoulders was getting more and more painful.]

[It's tempting to joke about the "herbivore" comment--and in fact he even gets as far as looking bewildered and opening his mouth before the pressure on his shoulders gets to be too much, then he winces again and keeps that thought to himself.

But this is also rapidly pushing him to the point where he doesn't care about being nice, and he doesn't really like that. Hibari doesn't deserve that, and that isn't they way he wants to present himself either.

He shuts his eyes for a moment to center himself, and then sighs. He really wanted to have this conversation while he was sitting up, at least.]

You have to work with me because you can't defend yourself against the ayakashi alone. The only way we can fight them is together. And even if you don't intend to have anything to do with them, from what I've seen of them, they'll still come after you. And they'll kill you. Again.

[There you go, Hibari, you finally ticked him off enough for him to be completely serious.]

[There was a range of emotions racing through his head now-mostly disgust, anger, hatred, irritation,-but all it did was freeze him place as he seriously contemplated punching the red-head.

He could tell the god was telling the truth because he was finally being serious. Finally looking Hibari in the eye. Hibari had heard mention of ayakashi before, loathsome creatures it was his job to fight, but to have to actually be partnered with someone.

Ren had definitely hit a nerve point, because the last thing Hibari wanted was to be defeated again, DIE again. A few more moments of intense staring were all Ren got before suddenly, the grip lifted away and he was gone, several feet away from the god.]

I will not die.

[He's let go so suddenly that Ren is left blinking up at the sky for a moment before he realizes it. He doesn't get up right away, though; once he's pushed himself up until he's sitting, he's content to stay on the ground for the moment.]

Yes, you will. And I don't think you'll come back again.

[Maybe he would, but Yukine had seemed grim enough when he'd mentioned it that it seemed pretty unlikely.]

I don't want to see that happen.

[Hibari's lip curled up in distaste as he even entertained the thought of dying, but as his hands gripped empty air, he knew sooner or later he would have to come to grips with the fact that-

His memory was gone, so were his tonfas, and Hibari really had no clue what he was capable of. These ayakashi were new enemies, but somehow, the Cloud guardian knew he was at a disadvantage right now. HE had teamed up with Tsuna and the others before, even assisting Gokudera, but only because the stars aligned for them.

Was this one of those distasteful moments?]

And what exactly do you have that could prevent such a thing? If I am to remain undefeated, and I am forced to work only with you, how will you not be a burden?

[Their interests were aligning. Was Ren's reputation his?]

[Ren smiles very slightly and scratches at the back of his head.] You're really hung up on the idea that I'm the problem, aren't you?

[he drops his hand back into his lap and shakes his head. This is where they're going to start running right up against the issue of "using me like a tool," which he doesn't exactly like either, but there isn't much he can do about it.]

It depends just as much on what you turn into as it does what I can do. If you're not some kind of weapon-- [He pauses and bites his lip to keep his mouth from twitching too much.] Actually, if you're not a weapon, I'll be very surprised.

In that case, we should be all right if we stick together. I'm undefeated too, you know. Here, anyway.

[...not counting the reason he's on the ground right now. Hibari isn't an ayakashi, so obviously that doesn't count.]

[And just like that, the almost palpable rage was around Hibari as he took a few steps forward towards Ren.] Did you say what I turn into?

[That better not have meant what the red-head had obviously meant, because he was going to have a complete issue with.

He was.

A weapon.]

I am not your weapon.

[Ren takes that as a sign to finally push himself back to his feet, but that's his only outward reaction to Hibari looking like he's about to lose his temper again. He'd been scarier than that once upon a time.]

I know you don't like it. And please don't think that I don't care about how you feel about it, because I do. [Although maybe not as much as he did ten minutes ago...]

But you do have the power to turn into something now, and I can't fight the ayakashi without you. I don't know why it works that way, but it does.

[And now he is definitely getting ready to try to dodge if need be, because he won't be at all surprised if he'll need to after that.]

[Hibari almost did attack, just for the anger of being turned into a tool, but for once, he knew it wasn't Ren who chose him to be like this-which didn't make much of his irritation fade.

But not being able to fight the ayakashi. Obviously someone as weak as Ren would need his help, but he never worked in teams. He hated people enough that he was half a minute away from kicking the red-head in the face and leaving.

But he saw that Ren had tensed up as he moved forward-he was finally learning at least.]

And what exactly will be the benefit of us fighting the ayakashi?

[Oh good, he doesn't have to fling himself to the ground or something. That's a good sign. probably. He'll take it as one, anyway. Enough to relax a little again as he thinks about the question.]

Mmm, I'm not sure if there's a benefit for us....I'd like to fight them because it seems like they only exist to hurt people. I don't like that.

[He's not sure Hibari will go for that, though, so...]

For us, I suppose...it's fun? I can't fight the way I'd like to here, but fighting them is fun too.

[Ren was in luck, because instead of being angry at the thought of being a tool, he actually looked like he was considering what his god was saying. Hibari wasn't exactly pleased, but it at least seemed like this man had a similar idea about fighting to him. And if he kept his promise about their interests being aligned....]

Just know that if you even think you can just use me as a tool, I will bite you to death myself.

[Thankfully, he didn't take another move forward.] I'm guessing this has something to do with the words on my arm.

[Since it's seeming less and less like Hibari is going to attack him again, Ren goes ahead and smiles as waves that idea off. He'll probably have to reassure him with actual words in a minute that he'd rather this be a partnership, but for now, waving it off will have to do.

Because that is waaaaay less important at the moment than the opportunity that just presented itself. And here he was thinking he would have to be the one to bring that up again.]

They're related. Would you mind showing them to me? I'd like to see what they say.

[Hibari didn't trust Ren's look-why would he? His hunch was that people had always abused that sort of power and he didn't want it to happen to him. Whether it was something he forgot, or not, Hibari did not trust his words completely.

Still, he rolled up the sleeve on his left arm, displaying the two kanji branded onto his arm with a displeased frown. Maybe now he'll get some explanation about this word-Kumoki-on his arm.]

[Ren practically lights up as soon as enough of the main kanji is revealed for him to recognize it. After all, clouds are great and he's very fond of them, and his shinki being named after them can only be a good sign.

He does test out the other reading of it first, though, since that had been how Hana's names had worked. But once his murmured "Unki?" doesn't yield any results, he nods in satisfaction and takes a step back.]

Thank you. And now you can be angry with me.

[And before Hibari can get too alarmed about what that could mean, Ren stretches open his hand and narrows his eyes at Hibari.]

Kumoki!

[What better way to find out what Hibari turns into and show him what the tattoo means, after all? It isn't very nice, admittedly, but he's also still a little irritated about being on the ground a few minutes ago.]

[Ren was right-Hibari barely had a chance to glance suspiciously at his god before the words came out of his mouth-

It was almost like a jolt went through his body. Hibari couldn't fight it at all, and suddenly the world around him was changed, and he couldn't fight it.

There was a slight pause before suddenly, a pair of tonfas appeared in Ren's hand.

He was not happy and almost immediately discovered the mental link he shared with his god.]

WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO ME.

[Ren barely has time to register what Hibari turned into--other than the fact the he was right and his fiery and violent shinki is definitely a weapon--before Hibari is yelling in his head and that's so unexpected that he just stares at the tonfas in his hand in shock.]

You're still yelling at me!

[It's a pleasant surprise, though. His previous shinki had completely lost her personality while she was a weapon, and while he'd liked her quite a bit, he hadn't liked that part.]

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oh NOW he's pissed

gomen hibari he won't do it often promise