thenearshore | [closed]

Entry tags:

ω yuri kozukata | fatal frame

[closed]

Who: Neji & Yuri
What: Prayer #16: A prayer for the lost:
My dog ran away from home last week. He's never been outside this long! I'm so worried, please help me find him.
When: April 23
Where: The Near Shore
Warnings: probably nothing??

[Well the kid had seemed distraught enough and Yuri had assured him quietly that they'd find the dog, so long as he handed over the leash said dog normally used.

Yuri bowed politely, saying brief goodbyes and reassuring again that yes, yes they would find the dog by the end of the night, guaranteed-- and sighing deeply as the door shuts firmly behind them. She looks at the leash with a mildly displeased expression, then glances up at Neji.]

At least this'll be quick and easy. There didn't seem to be a lot to choose from... [And at least her powers are good for something.]

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[Finding a dog. Neji's fairly sure there are other, more professional services somewhere in this city that would better cater to this. He stands quietly a pace behind Yuri, listens to the kid's pleas and descriptions and tips and it isn't that his attention is elsewhere-- but the parting can't come soon enough. Yuri's proved to be an easy sell to the kid.

Even Neji doesn't have reason to believe her promise will fail. He glances at the leash with a ghost of amusement and is glad he has no reason to be the one to touch that. He won't return Yuri's gaze, he heard her well enough.]

That's a good thing. [That they're not needed, not for more serious things. Double edged sword, sure, and he did hate being an errand boy but. Less prayers meant less demons. Anyway.] I believe you'll be able to fulfill this wish all on your own, Ixtab-sama.

[Yuri's quiet a moment to activate her power, turning her head to follow the unseen 'trace' of the dog. She supposes it could be worse--finding lost things was what her power should be used for, after all, and after the insanity that was Susano'o's attack on the Heavens a few days prior, a little bit of peace honestly was welcomed.

She dismisses the trace and starts walking in the direction it led her]

But you haven't been able to see much of the Near Shore, right? And there's always the chance ayakashi might attack. I feel better having you by my side. [A little embarrassing to say, but somehow she manages it with a straight face.

He's still calling her 'Ixtab' too, but she hasn't discouraged it. She feels like it's a hurdle they'll have to cross once they get closer and more comfortable with each other so for now she'll endure it.]

[Yuri turns to the invisible invitation to follow, and Neji mirrors the gesture. His brows pinch together in futility and he narrows his eyes (squints against the slowly setting sun, it looks like) and he seems to expect something. Nothing jumps out at him that screams that the dog's gone in that particular direction, but Yuri for once seems confident in it and so curiosity leads Neji to stay at her heels.

It's not even a brisk pace, for him, and he replies with a shake of his head before it dawns on him that he should actually use his voice.] Nothing of it looks familiar.

[The Near Shore, he means, and saying "nothing" is an exaggeration he soon regrets. But it's already out. so. Oh well.

The homes and streets didn't have to call to him for him to be useful. Yuri said she felt better with him around. Neji stops the small noise from bubbling out of his throat. He scoffs instead. It's not supposed to be unkind.]

Let's hope they don't, and that the dog only ran off because it was tired of being tied to a chain every day.

That's probably a good thing... [Since remembering would mean her getting blighted, probably. She rubs the back of her neck, remembering herself having to get Gojyo help her wash it off and all the awkwardness that came with that.

Hhhh.

She wants to say that anything will run off if you keep it locked up, but she's not sre how he'd end up taking that. At times she's not sure if he wants to be treated more like a person or more like a tool.]

He seems to be sticking around the neighborhood though; I don't think he meant to stray so far. I'm sure he misses his family--and they miss him too. They have to care a lot to put effort into getting him back. [Even if part of their effort included praying to gods and all but. Whatever. It clearly works so]

[It'd be too easy to read more into that comment than Neji would feel comfortable to allow anymore. He hums a reply of nothing in turn. And for the sake of warding off guilt, he tells himself, Neji doesn't let a moment of silence sit between them.]

I've hurt you.

[It's the fact of the matter- there is no strong emotion in his confession. Why should there be?] I didn't know that I was. [If anything, he's still perfectly baffled by her silence. He supposed she must be baffled by his lack of apology, though he tries to look sorry. He is sorry. Long story short, sincerity is a far cry from being Neji's forte.

A good thing. There is, he would now love to argue, such a thing as being too meek- even among the mild-mannered.]

I met another god and he angered me. [Negative emotions blighted gods, so that must have been the reason. And no, he won't admit to fear of the huge abyss of the unknown. Fuck that.] When you became a goddess, did you really expect to be tracking lost pets through the city for a living?

It's-- ['Fine,' she almost says, and then stops herself. It's not fine, she knows that, but at the same time it's not as though Neji had done it on purpose. She reaches up and rubs the back of her neck idly, taking a moment to listen and gather her thoughts together before she'll answer.

She also takes a moment to use her power again, watching the trace make a right down the street, which she follows.]

You did. [She says it like a bit of a confession. He had hurt her] But it was taken care of. I'm not going to ask you to try and be emotionless or anything like that, things like this will happen once in a while, but... If it becomes a problem, please let me know. [They could figure out a solution together, maybe. Hopefully.] Although I can feel your negative emotions, as far as I know it's only guilt or a few other things that will actually blight me.

[His question startles a short laugh out of her, a brief 'ha!' and Yuri tilts her head to glance over at him in amusement]

No, I'll admit that was a bit of a surprise. But even if it's a little... disappointing, I'm not really that-- disappointed. [That doesn't really make sense and Yuri huffs a laugh again] What I mean is, I like helping people, so I don't mind this so much. If it becomes a constant thing, though... [Yuri trails off and shrugs. It probably goes without saying that just doing these fetch quest type deals would get aggravating]

But after the ayakashi invading the temples and everything just a few days ago, this little bit of down time isn't unwelcome. [Amused, she adds:] Are you getting bored already?

[It wasn't about being emotionless, it was about not being weak. But even Neji knew better than that, and though he still expected more in the way of retaliation, he nodded and kept quiet.

It'd do no good to be jealous of Yuri's tracking ability, would it? But he still observes intently. What would that be like? Imagine having eyes that see what others couldn't--]

Hn?

[Did he hear right? Did she laugh? ...kind of?]

It certainly isn't as exciting.

[Wrong thing to say about the rampage? Possibly.] I'm not saying I'm looking forward to an ayakashi attack; only that it'd give me more to do than listen for the bells on a collar. With your eyes, I don't even need to track the thing down.

'Exciting,' huh... [She supposes that's one way to describe it, sure.] I didn't think you'd be so bloodthirsty. [It's said dryly, but she's-- joking? Mostly joking. Sarcastic, maybe.

She tilts her head, considering] I'll see if there's anything more exciting when we get back. [And then, because she feels a little bad dragging him all over, she gestures ahead] Do you want to try tracking it? [She doesn't know the extent of his skillset, but he's competent in literally everything else as far as she knows. WHy not this too??]

[Definitely the wrong thing to say about the rampage, then.]

I'm not glad that it happened. [In true teenager fashion, the defense is quick and sharp. The fact that it's delivered with what could pass as a sneer in the right light and that it's a hair above a stage whisper in pointedness and volume is just, well, part of the deal.

He'll tolerate being called a lot of things and maybe one day someone will actually test him. But being called unhinged is insulting-- much more than the prospect of killing with little discrimination. Funny, that.

Add to the offense that Yuri's now trying to hold his hand to placate him--] I can track it. But I will not.

[And God knows (literally?) why he's so confident of the assumption that he'd succeed in doing what he's never before tried... but. Back to the (miniscule) destruction of the Heavens. He hadn't known how to form a proper boundary line before then and now...

Neji gestures to an overturned trash can. Of all the contents spilling into the street, only bags that should previously have belonged in a kitchen were messily torn open, napkins betraying that leftovers had been in the same space.] There's no need to involve me in this. It'd only be an unnecessary waste of time and effort.

I wasn't-- [Yuri pauses and turns to face Neji with a mildly helpless expression. They had been doing so well, and her overtures of friendship had been taken as offense, apparently.

She shakes her head and sighs, running a hand through her hair as she tries to figure out what to say. In the end, there's nothing she can think to say that might salvage it right now, so she gives up and turns silently to the trash can, where her trace tells her the dog is still right in the area.

She crouches down and whistles softly, drawing the little chihuahua's attention as it comes bounding around the trash can towards them. It doesn't seem any worse for wear and is clearly friendly, as it immediately rushes to Yuri's hands to start licking them. Maybe it can smell its former master's home? She doesn't pretend to understand dogs and simply clasps the leash in place, before scooping the dog into her arms.

It wiggles a little as she holds it in a way similar to a babydoll and stands. She doesn't move right away though, scratching at the dog's belly and at length she sighs.]

Everyone keeps telling me that if we don't get along and you're too difficult, that I should release your name and give you to another god. [It's said suddenly and Yuri purses her lips a moment, letting that sink in before she continues.]

I think they're wrong.

I think there's a lot for us to work through. You're defensive and take nearly everything I say the wrong way. But, I don't explain myself very well either so I'm hardly perfect either. It's something we have to work through in order to work better as partners. It'd be easy to just cut my loses and give you away, but that would be cowardly and giving up. And I... I'm not giving up.

[Unless, of course, he wanted to leave her, but that's up to him. She shifts the dog in her arms and turns to look at him squarely, head tilted in mild question. She doesn't doubt he feels compelled to be loyal to her, but there seems to be a feeling of, 'don't you feel the same way?']

[Wasn't...? He bites back the irritation at her trailing off, then turning away from him. Scrunches his nose a little bit when the dog comes bounding forward and starts licking her hands and Yuri just lets it. He doesn't step forward to help or step back to give her space when she rises again. Instead he's just kept his eyes on her (the ever-present hypervigilance of their surroundings never wavering), expression cold and expectant.

But what's new?

It hardens the next instant. Hardly visible (the boy does value control, after all), his jaw sets and flexes with a retort wanting to be cried out. He's infinitely glad he isn't by nature some loud and brash bastard--

because Yuri doesn't shut up or strip him of his only identity after that, and Neji is forced to do anything but retreat (literally, figuratively--) and the walls of the guarded expression don't crumble but they aren't built upon either.

He breathes out.

I'm not defensive, he wants to bark out. Did he really need to make the decision of tossing him aside even easier? She doesn't reference courage again. Just stubbornness. It's funny, honestly.]

My name and life is yours, Ixtab-sama. I will not fight this fate if you are fair. [-What the hell did she expect him to say now, though?] I hope you don't believe I'll take coward's way out, either.

Of course not. You're too stubborn for that. [But she actually smiles a little as she says it because, well, so is she.]

We're partners. I won't toss you aside, no matter what anyone else says. Really-- [Yuri pauses, sighs, and starts walking back towards the dog owner's house] They can keep their opinions to themselves.

[When she asked for help she'd wanted help, not 'give it up.'] We'll just have to show we're better than any of them. [There's no better revenge then being better than everyone who tried to put you down, right?]

Just how many people did you ask about me?

[He's not that troublesome?? He doesn't even care about names but. It'd be a lie to say he'd feel particularly generous towards them if he did learn who had suggested to throw him away. His voice is laced with some restrained incredulity.

So he liked to push back and toe boundaries. It's frankly sobering to know he'd pushed (potentially) too far, too quickly. But not for the first time, he'll trust Yuri's small promise. It isn't blind

but it is the best option.

Like they agreed on the first day: they'll do better than just fine as a team. There was just the whole 'team' thing to still figure out. Gods, this was hard. After a second (and a scoff consisting of nothing but ego), he follows.]

We'll have to fight if that's our goal, Ixtab-sama.

Only Hakkai, but when you blighted me I was with two other gods who told me the same thing. [There's no use beating around the bush there.] I should introduce you to them sometime... [Show them things are better now? Or something? She doesn't think Neji would get along with either of them, but maybe he'll get along with Ukoku's crows? Some...how.

Maybe.

Either way.] They were just concerned, I guess. Misplaced, but concern all the same. [Look, she had allies that cared! Well, alright, Gojyo and Hakkai cared. Ukoku for a given value of "care." But that's not something to get into now-- Ukoku's complete emptiness and black hole of a mind/heart was her secret to keep, even from Neji.

The puppy squirms a little and Yuri makes a small noise, somewhere between exasperation and amusement. Okay nevermind her thoughts on getting a pet dog, maybe they can stick to a cat. Cats are nice.

Still, Neji raises a valid point.] Yeah, I know. [She doesn't particularly like it, but. She knows.] I'll fight and do what needs to be done. [There's a sort of grim determination to it.]

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