008 | Sakura 2.0: You Can (Not) Have A Picnic

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Sakura picnic
When: Evening April 25
Where: The same sakura park as last time
Summary: Amaterasu has had a request to return to view the cherry blossoms one more time and she has decided to make it happen.



The cherry blossoms have yet to all fall from the trees, and so the Heavens have seen fit to hold another blossom viewing - this time with a picnic instead! The trees themselves do not have the ethereal glow they had last time, but there is a sweet scent that fills the air, drawing anyone inexorably towards the beautiful trees.

As a surprise, Amaterasu has sent her counselors to join the picnic as well. They can be found wandering around and enjoying the sights and foods just the same as anyone else.

All new arrivals will have been whisked away to the picnic by Amaterasu's shinki so that they can enjoy this escape just the same as everyone else. It seems Amaterasu doesn't want to leave anyone out this time, and so many of her shinki are milling around as well, clad in white with the golden chrysanthemum embroidered on their outfits.



Picnic

Dozens upon dozens of brightly colored picnic blankets have been provided for the guests to use. On top of that, pre-packed picnic boxes have been provided as well. They range from American-esque picnic baskets all the way to Japanese style bentos. Everyone is free to take as many boxes as they would like to and share among each other. Every picnic box has something different for everyone to enjoy.

Cherry Blossoms

The blossoms are falling freely now, showing that they are on their last leg of life. But the scent of the cherry blossoms has become so intense that it draws anyone who smells it towards the trees. You might find that if you breathe in too deeply or too long, it's like an intoxication equivalent to having drunk all night long. Good luck keeping up straight!

Performance

A performance stage has been erected in the park by the Heavens and there are a number of shinki who will sing and dance or perform in other ways whenever they have a spare moment. Gods and their shinki are encouraged to get up on the stage and perform as well, if they have anything that they would like to perform for their fellows.

Fire

Around sunset, the festivities will come to a screeching halt as a sudden burst of flames spreads through the trees, igniting them one by one. The spread of the fire is so rapid that it is very obviously unnatural. It will take a lot of teamwork and a large number of hands to put the fire out - or maybe you prefer to just run away. Either way, it will be hard to miss the pieces of paper that fly through the air, all bearing the same words: Down with the Heavens! Down with Amaterasu!



In Summary:

• Enjoy the cherry blossoms
• Enjoy the picnic food
• Meet Amaterasu's counselors
• View or participate in the performance
• Put out the fire
• Have fun~

Comments

[reformedsinner]

Cherry Blossoms

[Hakkai has settled on a blanket directly at the roots of one of the larger trees. There's a picnic basket there, but he seems to be ignoring it in favor of the Thermos and cup of tea he's sipping from with great aplomb. Problems? No, there are no problems here! Everything is perfectly calm and peaceful. He's putting in the necessary appearance to reassure the Heavens that he's playing along: or at least that's how he's thinking of it. Yes.

He's also feeling increasingly odd. A little dizzy; a little inattentive....

He hadn't brought the tea. He sets it down, abruptly, a little too hard, shoots to his feet, and has to catch himself on the tree to avoid a nasty fall. His claws leave white lines scored in the bark.

Please excuse the way he's suddenly stumbling into the crowd, murmuring little apologies every time he ricochets against someone. He is fairly certain he's been drugged. Oh -- was that you?

Sorry.]

[gentilitea]

I beg your pardon—oh. [ It’s just as well that Jakob hasn’t been around nearly long enough to experience the effects of the cherry blossoms just yet—or give Hakkai hell for not drinking his tea more properly. As it stands…

He sighs (which is a mistake), and tries to prop Hakkai up as best as he can manage. ]

Gods…how did you get into such a state?

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai jerks away from the offered support, even though that puts him in danger of stumbling again, and pulls himself up straight. His voice, with effort, comes out perfectly precise and careful.]

Please excuse me. I think perhaps it's time for me to head home.

[His vision isn't doubling, but only because he can only really see out of one eye. What it is doing is blurring. Badly. He crosses an arm across his body, hanging onto his other forearm in an effort to keep his balance.]

[gentilitea]

[ Jakob makes an annoyed sound at the rebuff, but nonetheless…once you’ve dealt with Add, rudeness from other people feels like a trifle in comparison. ]

What a fortunate coincidence. I had planned on calling on you at your god’s temple before that ridiculous rebellion had occurred.

[ He holds out his hand to Hakkai for support, his brows creased in concern. ] Allow me to accompany you.

[reformedsinner]

Ah -- thank you, I'm sure I'll be all right....

[It's rude to turn down the offer of support and he knows it, but there's panic running right under the surface of his skin, and the idea of leaning on a virtual stranger who he'd barely met -- no. No, even the thought is almost enough to make him flinch again. He's been drugged and he can't properly defend himself. He's not letting anyone he doesn't trust touch him.]

I'm really in no condition to-- [He trails off again, words escaping his grasp, and lifts one hand delicately to rub his temple. His head aches.]

[gentilitea]

Please, I am a trained he—doctor. [ he hastily corrects himself—thank you for updating him on the terms, Tenpou. ]

And, as I recall, I had promised you remuneration for my previous…er…conduct. [ If Hakkai can even remember that—given his state, Jakob thinks it’s unlikely. And even Jakob is already starting to feel his mind fray at the edges as the scent of cherry blossoms begin clouding his thoughts further and further. ]

[erogappa]

[ It wouldn't be in character for him to show up to a party without at least one bottle of something cheap and strong, but after two hours Gojyo's only downed enough to keep his throat wet. The idea is to look like he's playing along -- oh, it's just Gojyo, just that drunk god Dionysus, pay him no mind -- without getting stupid in the process. If Amaterasu wants everyone at this party, then she's got big plans, and he wants to have a clear head when those plans inevitably blow up in all their faces.

Still, even for the little he's drunk, he's feeling awfully loose and happy by the time he makes his way back to the blanket where he spotted Hakkai earlier. He doesn't have the time to wonder about that, though, because Hakkai's not there... and, worse, there are claw marks in the tree that send a chill down Gojyo's back. ]

Hakkai?

[ Head swimming-- shit, he's really drunk, when did that happen? -- he scans the surrounding picniccers. Nobody seems to be in a panic (or bleeding out, which, hey, bonus), but something happened. Something's not right here. ]

Hakkai!

[ If asked, he couldn't say why he headed off in the direction he chose. It just felt right. ]

Hakkai, where are you?

[reformedsinner]

[Was that his name? The voice cutting through the hubbub of the crowd brings Hakkai up short, and he half-stumbles again. Whatever this is, it's had a shocking effect. It's as if he's drunk half of Gojyo's cellar.

His eyesight is even a little blurred, and his thoughts won't follow properly.

Yes -- collect Gojyo and get out of here.

That's what he ought to do. That was Gojyo's voice a moment ago, wasn't it, he thinks, and blinks, trying again to shake off the dizziness.]

... Gojyo?

[There! It's a good thing Gojyo's tall, and his hair color is so vivid; he's easy to pick out in a crowd. Hakkai starts hurriedly toward him.]

[erogappa]

[ Hakkai's vines-and-ears make him easy to spot in a crowd as well. The merry-makers around them seem a little too loud, a little too friendly, and Gojyo has no problem pushing through the crowd to Hakkai's side. The whole festival is drunk, it seems, and dimly Gojyo's aware that he should be worried about that. But he's only able to concentrate on a few things at a time at the moment, and as soon as Hakkai comes into view all of those things are Hakkai-related.

God he's pretty.

Gojyo reaches out, pulling Hakkai to him in a great warm embrace. He's not hurt. He's not disappeared. He sighs with relief. ]

I was worried.

[reformedsinner]

[His reaction speed is absolutely terrible, Hakkai thinks, as Gojyo's arms go unexpectedly around him and he somehow, in the simultaneous attempt to tense up and keep his balance, loses his footing entirely and half-falls against Gojyo in return.

He's not at all used to leaning on anyone, he suspects. There's no doubt he's not used to anyone being this close. He's all elbows and awkward tension, but Gojyo's very warm, and the tension seems to be ebbing away all on its own. He might be melting like a carcass into stock, he thinks, and barely stops himself from laughing at the image. That's probably one of those mental images that no one really wants to hear him describe aloud, isn't it? Yes. It seems like one.]

There's something in the... [Gojyo's flushed. And his skin is very warm against Hakkai's: but he doesn't smell of alcohol, Hakkai thinks, the way he would if he were drunk. He sniffs. No -- all he can smell is the dizzying scent of the cherry blossoms.

Dizzying. There's something about that....]

... The.

[Ah. He lost track. He frowns, pulling the sentences together with meticulous care.]

I think there was something in the tea. Have you been drinking?

[mybadhabit]

[Having thrown himself straight into the middle of a tree without much thought, Sonic's not doing so well himself. In fact, if it wasn't for his lightning fast reflexes causing him to grab onto Hakkai's arm, he might not have been able to keep his balance when Hakkai bumped into him]

Shit, stupid feet- [he gumbled to himself as he focused on getting his feet firmly planted on the ground, then looked up at the person he was using for balance] ...Hakkai? Why do you have vines on your face?

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai's reflexes are lagging far behind what he's used to, and he flinches and stumbles as Sonic grabs his arm. He's half-ready to -- no. No, there's no reason to lash out; it's his computer procurer, isn't it? That's. Name. Hermes, yes. Hakkai smiles automatically, flashing a set of newly sharp fangs, and tries to school his thoughts into something like a rational sentence.

Vines?

Oh, yes. He lifts one clawed hand to tap a finger very gently against the curl of vine on his right cheek.]

They've always been there.

[Which is true, if lacking in actual explanation.]

[mybadhabit]

I'm fairly certain that's not actually true. [He squints at Hakkai, letting go and taking a step back now that he's got his body more under his own control. As he does, more details come into focus; the fangs, the claws, the pointed ears. For a moment, he's not sure if he's actually speaking to Hakkai, but if he wasn't, he would have been corrected, wouldn't he?]

[He looks Hakkai over again, one hand automatically moving the rest on the hilt of his sword, then he tilts his head to the side]

Have you gone ayakashi? [Most so far haven't been quite so human looking, but hey, he hasn't seen a shinki who's turned, so it was a possibility] I don't feel Blighted...

[Mostly, he just feels drunk]

[reformedsinner]

Ayakashi? [He sounds genuinely insulted at that suggestion, which is more than he would've allowed himself to sound if it weren't that right now keeping his voice under control is also very hard. If he's also going to stand and speak reasonable sentences about complicated topics, something has to bend. His expression's going wooden for lack of more complicated control.]

I'm a youkai, not an ayakashi.

[He crosses his arms.]

You're very direct today.

[returnedfromtheline]

[Yukine's mind is also preoccupied with many things- mostly related to the fact that he's surrounded by nora at this party. His prickly mood had not been helped any by getting sick in front of Bishamonten. Or by seeing his idiot god singing badly together with his mentor.

Damnit, he just wants to go home--

And while Yukine has been getting good at avoiding people about to bump into him because they don't notice him properly, he gets blindsided by the guy who staggers into him.]

Ah-? Sorry-- [Reflexively putting his hands out to steady the person, he's not at all expecting the face he sees. Or more precisely, the alterations to the face he sees. He's been done in by 'similar faces' before too, which makes him even more uncertain.]

...
Hakkai-san?

[reformedsinner]

Ah? Oh -- Yukine, hello...

[The voice is the same, and his right eye is still the same dark green, despite the way his left has gone slit-pupiled and yellow. Hakkai blinks at the boy, confused by Yukine's wide-eyed uncertainty for a long moment before he remembers: oh. Yes. Of course. Yukine hasn't seen him in this skin. Isn't that right? He straightens, a little unsteadily, and decides he won't try any complicated movements at the moment. It's easier to think when he's not also trying to do anything else.]

... Please, don't apologize, it's my fault! There's something-- [He glances up and around at the partygoers.]

I think I've had something I didn't intend to.

[There, that's mild and noncommittal enough, isn't it?]

[returnedfromtheline]

Uh- [Is this what that saying about elephants means? Unsure if 'having something he didn't mean to' has anything to do with his ears or face or eye...]

You mean you feel sick? Yah... Bishamonten-sama warned me, but it was too late. I got sick-- or, drunk - from the sakura trees. [he loads as much disdain for the word as he can into it.]

You better not get sick all over me. Wanna sit down?

[reformedsinner]

The trees?

[Hakkai blinks, wide-eyed.] Oh. Well. Yes, that would be... that would be a good idea.

[They're far enough away from the trees now, he thinks, that the air should be clearer, even if the scent is still too strong to a youkai's sensitive nose.]

[kissthegoddamncook]

[There's something with these cherry blossoms, Kensei figured that out quick enough. He doesn't want to be around here too long, and wants to get somewhere where he won't get wasted out of his mind. Of course, his luck is complete and utter bullshit, and someone bumps into him.

Someone who is clearly drunk.

He sighs and moves to touch him on the shoulder.]

Let's get you out of here. Come on.

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai jerks away from the touch, one clawed hand coming up defensively as he stares at the stranger. Oh.

Oh, he was trying to help, wasn't he? Oh dear. He covers for the defensive gesture a little awkwardly, reaching across his body to grasp his other arm. It makes him feel a little better balanced.]

I, ah. I'll be all right. Thank you.

[kissthegoddamncook]

[He doesn't even seem phased by the clawed hand. He's seen worse. He's felt worse.]

When you get away from here you will.

[He's a determined man and looks towards him.]

There's some blankets nearby. Come on.

[reformedsinner]

That's what I'm trying to do. Thank you.

[Sit down? No, he thinks he'd rather get further away than that. He smiles, very insincerely, and takes a step back.]

[blossomstorm]

[ Cherry blossoms and intoxication, too late to avoid it, maybe a trap, must leave before he falls asleep or does something stupid; all of this is very present in Tenpou's mind right now, if only because he's stubbornly not letting go of that thought. He's leaving this place, or at least attempting to do so, when this happens.

Hakkai isn't the first one to bump into him, or the first one he bumps into. This should be extremely painful for Tenpou, but Gaiden healing magic can't be denied... Ha ha. Face in hands. Anyway, bumping into each other was both their faults, let's be honest.

He's about to mumble a half-hearted apology, but he hears Hakkai's first, and that gives him pause. That's strange. He recognizes Hakkai's voice, but... he looks different now. Like a youkai...

. . . A youkai? ]

—Hakkai?

[ . . . Hopefully there's a reasonable explanation for this. One that doesn't involve hallucinations. ]

[reformedsinner]

Ah. Tenpou?

[Hakkai has been looking at his feet, at least after the third or fourth time he tripped; it's the voice that brings his gaze snapping up to the face of the man he's just jostled.

Oh. Yes. Yes, it certainly is. What a wonderful opportunity to meet his -- double. Former incarnation, if Gojyo's theory is correct. Something, in any case, that he doesn't need to distract himself speculating about when he can barely handle thinking about one thing at a time.

He smiles, reflexively, flashing sharper teeth, and inclines his head.]

Yes -- sorry, I think the, ah, atmosphere may be getting to me...?

[blossomstorm]

[ Continuation! ]