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Who: Ayumu Yamazaki and temple residents and/or visitors
What: Catch-all post for threads occurring in or around Ayumu's temple this month. After dealing with blight, illness/lethargy from a distressed shinki, and injuries sustained during the player event, she's recovering at home.
Where: Vesta's Villa (Description/floor plan here.)
When: April 21st - 30th
Warnings: None yet but will add as they come up!

A. April 21st - 23rd

[It's rare to see Ayumu taking it easy but that's exactly what she's been doing since the ayakashi assault. The stinging's lessened considerably since Yamato's made a new friend but another problem has risen up to replace it - Satoshi. There's a palpable tension in the air between them after their fight. Ayumu still has no idea what to do with him but it's a problem she's willing to put aside while she recovers.

She hasn't seen or heard from Axel in some time now but with her health as it is, she simply hasn't had the energy to go to him. After a bit more rest, Ayumu will certainly pay a visit to Pippa's temple. She's wanted to introduce herself to Axel's other goddess for quite some time now, anyway.

In the meantime, she can be found lounging around in various parts of the temple, reading various cookbooks, poetry books, and books on parenting she'd picked up on the Near Shore, or fiddling with her smartphone as she tries once again to master the internet. The housework might be piling up without her doing it all or it might not if her shinki have opted to fill in for her instead. ]

B. Mealtimes

[Despite Ayumu's lethargy and fatigue, she still prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, compared to the usual elaborate feasts she cooks, meals these days are very simple and minimal effort. Hope everyone likes rice and steamed vegetables because that's all anyone's getting unless they chip in to help in the kitchen.]

C. Evenings/Nighttime

[Ayumu's private chamber is off-limits, not because she has anything particularly incriminating or even interesting lying around. Aside from a few classic romance novels and some volumes of erotic poetry by poets from a time even older than hers. Judging from the tomes lying around, Ayumu appears to have a fondness for stuff from the Heian era in particular.

There's an unspoken rule in effect that once Ayumu retreats to her room for the night, she's not to be disturbed unless there's an emergency or urgent matter that requires her attention. Feel free to bother her after hours or snoop around through her things. But be warned - if she catches your character doing it, they may wind up with some bruises for their trouble.]

D. Adventures in Childproofing

[Apparently, Ayumu has taken whatever she's been learning in those parenting books she's been reading to heart and has spent some of the funds obtained through selling off her urns on assorted safety devices designed to deter adventurous babies and toddlers from self-destruction. It's too bad they're mostly an annoying hindrance for anyone over the age of five. Feel free to destroy them if your character gets just a little too impatient or frustrated with them. The mistress of the house might be displeased but she'll deal.]

E. Wild card

[Feel free to treat this as a casual mingle and make your own top-levels! Or ping/PM me if you have an idea!]

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[It's been a week and a half since Axel stopped by. He hasn't heard anything else from Ayumu, but she's probably been busy helping Yamato settle in, right? Right. Sure.

After that nasty ayakashi fight, though, he's got to make sure she's actually okay, so he's trailing up the front walk of her temple in the morning, badly concealing the worried look on his face.

He raps loudly at the front door.]

Hey! Ayumu! You in?

[It takes her a couple of minutes to answer the door but as soon as she opens it and sees who's there, her previously grim expression brightens instantly. For a moment, she just looks at him as if committing his visage to memory with a soft smile on her face.

There's dark circles under her eyes and she's looking a little pale. But at least, the blight stopped when the stinging did and she was able to take care of it along with the rest she sustained after the fight. Too bad the shrine water hasn't done much for her fatigue.]

Axel.

[The way she says his name is almost a sigh of relief in itself.]

Hello. Please come in.

Edited 2016-09-10 18:01 (UTC)

Hey. [There's worry on his face instantly as he sees how exhausted she looks: that's not just from being in a fight, that's more than that. She really has had her hands full, hasn't she?

He represses a pang of guilt (oh, shit: she probably felt that) and steps in, crossing his arms.]

You're not looking so good. Are you okay? You didn't get in too much trouble in that fight the other day, did you?

[She does but doesn't pay it any mind. Thanks to the situation she's in, Ayumu's gotten used to the stings. And just as she's done with her shinki, she simply endures it without comment or complaint. Besides, why would she want to waste her time with him dwelling on sad, depressing things? Too much of her life's been consumed by unpleasant darkness already.

And of course, she doesn't want him to worry about her too much. Ayumu will be just fine. She musters up just enough energy to steal a quick kiss before answering.]

Nothing Yamato and I couldn't handle. And I had some help from other gods.

[Her expression brightens once again, as another thought occurs to her.]

Something wonderful happened. Two of my friends from home are here now - my commander and his companion.

[Companion seems like the most polite and discreet way to describe it, anyway. Then suddenly she glances down shyly, settling down from her sudden outburst.]

I'd love for you to meet them sometime. And for them to meet you.

Hey, seriously?

[He looks down at her, and then, clearing his throat in an attempt to be casual, leans closer so he can drop an arm around her shoulders in a half-hug. She's cheering up, but she still seriously looks like she needs a hug.]

Yeah, you should introduce me. I'd like to meet them. What're their names?

[He's still worried, a low-key hum in the bond between them, but he's trying to suppress that, too. He should've come by way before now. Somebody's got to keep an eye on her.

Shit, this is the real problem with being a stray. He just doesn't have enough time to look after all of his gods.]

[Ayumu hugs him back, sensing he's still uneasy, and leans comfortably into his embrace. If only he could sense her emotions, too, he'd know much she cares for his well-being.]

Hijikata Toshizou and Okita Souji.

[She rattles off the names so casually, as if they aren't prominent figures and the Shinsengumi aren't famous in Japanese history. And to her, they're not. They're simply friends and family.]

And yes, I wanted to arrange a dinner to introduce everyone. Nothing too big, just a small get-together. It could be fun. You could bring your friends if you like.

Hijikata Toshi-- wow, that's a mouthful. [He breaks off mid-given name to grin slyly down at her.] Tell me we don't have to use the whole name!

[She'd just gone by Yumi with him at first, and then Ayumu: now those are names of reasonable length. Seven syllables is pushing it.]

That sounds like a pretty fun event. Dunno if I'd bring all my friends, but maybe Pippa? Roxas and Sora? Deku?

[She ought to meet his other gods. Deku's already talked to a few of them, from what he's heard, but the more the merrier, right?

It'll be kind of a family thing.]

I'd be happy if they dropped by. It's been a while since I've seen Deku-kun or Sora-kun. And it'd be a pleasure to meet Roxas. There's some other people I'd like to invite, too - Nageki-kun, Horikawa-kun, Saix-kun, and Sheryl-san. Maybe Hinata-san as well.

[It really would be a kind of a family thing. And well, Ayumu's used to cooking for large groups of people.]

I'm not sure if they'd be free to come but I'd like to make the offer. The dining room here is really big!

[Not large enough for everyone in Takamagahara but she can fit in a quite a number of people if necessary. Though if the guest list is too large, Ayumu can always invite the rest on a different day.]

Whoa. I was worrying I was inviting too many people. That's got to be some dining room!

[What is that, twelve people? Fifteen? He's even lost count, he thinks, and laughs.]

Okay, so, I don't cook but if you need any help fetching and carrying for this party, I think I could fit that into my shinki duties.

[She's looking too tired to leave her to cook for a horde like that on her own, he thinks, and tries to sneak another quick kiss.]

[Maybe it's just beginner's luck or he'd been paying attention to how Ayumu did it but this time when Axel tries, he's got the angle just right and it's more successful that it had been the first time he'd tried it. And she rewards him by wrapping her arms around his waist and just holding him close but not so tightly he can't break free if he wants to.

Hugs feel so different with him for reasons Ayumu's still trying to figure out. It just isn't the same with him as when it's Souji or Satoshi or anyone else. Kissing him feels different, too; it's nice. Something new that she's yet to experience with anyone else.]

We can take a look at it together if you like. I'd like a second opinion before I start making a guest list. And I'd really appreciate the help if it's not too much trouble.

[After all, Ayumu's keenly aware of the number of gods he serves and it's something that concerns her a bit. Not because she feels any of them would be bad gods for him; as far as she knows things have been going well with the others. But she knows how hard it can be to serve just two masters efficiently. Serving as many he does seems like an impossible task sometimes.]

Edited 2016-09-11 01:58 (UTC)

[Axel wraps his arms gently around her shoulders. So, the second kiss worked better than the first one. Practice actually does help! At least, it makes sure he's learned what not to do. He smiles, possibly a little sappily.]

No problem. I think I can make the time.

Hey, maybe we should get out of the front hall? You can tell me how things've been going. With you and Yamato, for one.

Oh! Of course.

[Ayumu smiles back a bit sappily herself and takes his hand. But where to go? It's not like she lives by herself and it'd be nice to have some privacy while they talk. And really the only place in the temple that's completely private are the bedroom. After a moment, she turns to the right down the corridor.]

Is talking in my room fine with you?

[Ayumu hopes she isn't coming across as too forward. The last thing she wants to do is scare him away.]

Sure, if you don't mind!

[He squeezes her hand. Okay, maybe it's a little weird to go hang out with her in her room, but there's something about bedrooms that just says safe, private space. And she's got Yamato hanging around here, plus Satoshi somewhere. Not that Axel minds kids. He just doesn't really want to wind up explaining kissing to one.

He's barely figured it out himself, and Ayumu'd probably start laughing, which'd really suck.]

I don't mind.

[At least, if it's him. If it was anyone else, Ayumu would mind a lot and wouldn't be slightest bit shy in expressing it. Physically. But since she's comfortable inviting him into her private chamber, she squeezes his hand and leads the way.

Of the three bedrooms in the main part of the building, hers is the largest. The woodblock prints and paper lanterns Deku had brought to help her feel more comfortable in her own home have been placed on the walls and around the room. There's a few folding screens, a large tatami mat, a low standing table, and a futon in the middle of the room. Placed against the wall is a large cedar chest for her clothing and other personal effects. There's also a couple of kimono racks standing in front of the farthest wall.

But aside from that, the room is a little on the spartan side. Aside from the traditional Japanese decorations, there's not much in the way of distinguishable items that stand out as personal.]

We can sit wherever you like.

How about over here? [He settles down onto the ground next to the table, one leg outstretched casually, the other drawn up so he can rest his arm on it, and pats the tatami next to him.]

It's nice in here. This's more your style, isn't it?

[The rest of the temple's all stone and Greek. In here, it's like a little slice of one of the more traditional-looking places. It's a lot more her.

He kind of likes it, he thinks, and smiles a little.]

[Ayumu sits down next to him, looking pleased. It's not perfect, the room itself is made of the same stone as everywhere else, but she's doing her best to make it her personal sanctuary. The one place in Takamagahara she doesn't have to be anyone but herself.]

It is. It's much cozier in here than it was when I first woke up here. That first day was difficult.

[And for many days that followed until Deku brought his gifts by. Since then, she's been slowly expanding on her collection.]

[He leans his shoulder against hers, nodding.]

Yeah. You must've been pretty homesick.

-- Though I remember you still kicking plenty of ayakashi ass that day. That was your first day, right?

[It'd been his, and she'd seemed pretty uncertain with her powers. She could still have been getting used to them after a few days here, of course.]

[That simple physical contact is a comfort and she smiles at him, reaching over to take his hand once more.]

It was. I was pretty confused and I suppose a little scared. I didn't know where I was, what I was supposed to do, and I was completely alone. Someone told me my time was far in the past.... It was a rough day.

[Then she suddenly turned to kiss his cheek.]

But then I met you and the day turned out much better.

[She quickly looks away, almost shy. Expressing her feelings like this is still very new, just as new as having someone to express them to.]

Yeah, blowing things up pretty much always turns out well.

[This is not true! He knows it's not true. Still, he's had a good track record with it so far. He'd met her, for one thing.

He squeezes her hand, smiling a little.]

You know... I'm glad you named me. If I'm going to be walking around with all these names that aren't mine.

[He wanders into her temple uninvited as if it's the most natural thing in the world. He still doesn't understand why that is, but he's not going to examine the feeling either, because it's not like it matters. This is a safe space, a home space, because it belongs to Ayumu. Maybe it's just because that's the kind of Goddess she is, and who is he to question it?

He does however dip into a low, respectful bow as he finds her in the kitchen, apparently only just starting on the preparations for dinner.]

Ah, there you are, Ayunee-sama. [He looks up and beams at her.] I was looking for you. If you permit it, could I maybe help you with something?

[She squeezes his hand back and leans against his shoulder. It really is nice having someone to talk to like this.]

I'm glad I did, too. I'd say it's worked out pretty well for us so far.

[Though sometimes she wishes he'd been assigned to her instead of Satoshi, a sentiment she'll take to her grave. But then again, would they have this if neither of them had a choice in the matter? Part of why he's so precious to her is because he's the shinki and partner she chose for herself.]

[Ayumu still recognizes the sound of Souji's footsteps before she turns to greet him with a warm, maternal smile. Even back at the compound, he was one of the few that Ayumu permitted to approach her this way in her own domain. So just as natural as it is for Souji to wander in uninvited, it's natural for her to simply include him into her routine.]

Oh, hello, Souji-kun.

[She looks and sounds a bit tired but she's very pleased to see him nonetheless.]

I was just about to get started on the rice. There's some vegetables over there that need chopping. What brings you by?

[Back then, it might have been partially because even before getting sick, Souji never had the ravenous appetite of some of the men, and wouldn't try to steal any food before it was ready. And now, with only the knowledge that Ayumu is a God firmly in place, he would of course never do such a thing... unless it looked really tasty. Maybe.

Without hesitating for a moment, he crosses the kitchen and picks up one of the sharpest knives, handling it like an afterthought.]

I just wanted to come here. [A pause, then:] Ayunee-sama must've had it hard for a while, right? I think it can't be easy, things having been what they are with Yamato-kun. I've been trying to make him feel better, but I think I should help you too, you know?

Yeah. [He hesitates for a moment, then leans his head back down against hers, and lets out a breath.]

I should've come here to make sure you were okay before. You know, you do look like you've been working too hard.

[It's a closeness that feels good, not like the other times Ayumu's gotten close to others. There was always a goal, an agenda, the awareness that a mission could fail with one wrong word or her cover could be blown, placing her life in jeopardy. The wounds are still there, hidden under layers of invisible scar tissue, but for the first in her life, Ayumu's starting to feel like some of them might heal eventually.]

It's fine that you didn't. I know you get busy looking after everyone. And things here are getting better with Yamato-kun, at least. He and Souji-kun are friends now and I'm not getting stung any more. Things aren't perfect but they are gradually improving.

[Even if all she wants to do is sleep for a week most days.]

But it'd still be nice to get away from all of this for a day or two.

[She chuckles a bit.]

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[April 21]

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