thenearshore | 008

[She sees that hand and rests her own on top of his, giving it a gentle squeeze. It's a comforting gesture, and though she won't mention it out loud, she appreciates it. He also gets a tiny laugh out of her.]

We need a break from this. Once it's over, we should go for a spa treatment.

You bet. Get everybody together and hit a hot spring destination! Karaoke! Drinks! Fancy meals!

... Maybe we can talk one of the older gods into paying for it if we're really lucky. They've got better income.

[He squeezes her shoulder comfortingly, and glances up in sudden distraction as one of his birds gives of a faint sense of found something!]

Just a minute.

All these ideas sound fantastic! I could go for a nice dip in the hot springs right about— [cough, cough] ... now.

... Heeeeh, you're getting naughty, Mr. Tsuzuki. I approve!

[Of course she'd approve of the older gods' generosity being taken advantage of. It means she, Tsuzuki, and her friends get nice things after dealing with countless disasters.

Her eyes follow Tsuzuki's line of vision and, low and behold, she sees the pretty birds from earlier.]

Me, too.

[Tsuzuki holds up his hand as the doves come winging back, and pets each gently atop its head as he releases the spell. They dissolve, leaving only singed pieces of paper that flutter to the ground.]

Okay -- they're fine. They're helping fight the fire. Why don't you --

[A crack of thunder interrupts him, and he looks up, wide-eyed, to see a storm forming in a swirl over the trees on the other side of the park.]

-- You know what, I think you can just go meet them once the fire's taken care of. I think somebody with a really useful power showed up!

[The fire's roar is lessening under the hiss of heavy rain.]

[Sheryl's gaze pans over to the doves that dissolve into the air, nothing but pieces of paper to the ground before her hand presses against her chest. She heaves a sigh, her expression relieved at the mention of her shinki.]

Thank goodness! I'm so glad they're okay!

[With a surprised gasp, she jolts up at the crack of thunder as her eyes flicker over to the storm. It doesn't take long to notice the sudden rain, feeling the sudden cool breeze across her skin from where she stands. Much better than suffering through the putrid smoke.]

It's amazing, having to see all that from here...!

[Sheryl can't say she's seen a storm of this caliber before, judging from the way she widens her eyes like saucers.]

Yeah, it is!

[Tsuzuki's eyes shine with relief as he looks up into the storm, raindrops spattering across his cheeks.]

Wow, somebody's got a lot of power. I bet it's Raijin.

[He's the god of storms, after all! Who else would be summoning a giant one like this?]

Raijin?

[Sheryl doesn't realize right away that she actually had spoken to that particular god before, hiking her brows in confusion. The rain usually brings about depressing reminders, but for once there is relief in her glimpse.

She senses the raindrops cascading down her face, then closes her eyes, lifting up a hand to let the water spatter across her palm.]

So that's who made everything rain...

I don't know for sure, but this definitely seems like his kind of thing.

[He smiles at Sheryl.]

Okay... things are gonna be all right. You're not burned anywhere, are you?

[She glances owlishly, tilting her head to one side before she lifts up her arms. Her eyes linger on them at first, then they drift along the rest of her body.]

No, I don't see any burns. I'm all— ow!

[But she winces all of a sudden, focusing on her feet. Oh. Right, she's been running around in heels non-stop and now they might be swollen. Time to wave her hands around.]

... I'll be okay, I swear!

Whoa, that didn't sound like you're okay.

[He turns toward her, a frown deepening on his face. That "ow" seemed like something hurt.]

What is it?

— Oh! It's just my shoes.

[She waves a hand in a dismissive manner, trying to gain her composure back from that wince.]

It's nothing that I can't handle. I'll just take them off.

Oh, got it.

[They're definitely party shoes, not "running through a tree grove on fire at night" shoes. It's amazing she hasn't broken a heel. (Or an ankle, he thinks.)]

So -- I really ought to go track down my shinki too. Are you going to be all right...?

[Running around in high heels is what she does often on stage, except she usually wears the special kind that's customized for her concerts. Her feet tend to be delicate. Sheryl finds a nearby boulder to sit on, plopping herself on it as she starts loosening the straps of her shoes.]

I won't be defeated by a pair of shoes, Mr. Tsuzuki. Or a fire!

[Except the smoke from earlier has an affect on her throat. Guess who's coughing again? Welp....]

[He hurries to her, patting her worriedly between the shoulderblades.]

Hey, deep breaths, okay? Take it easy.

Maybe you should just rest here! Try texting them, now that things're quieting down they should hear it, right?

[She covers her mouth, suppressing another cough that threatens to burst out of her until it goes away.]

I'll be fine, thank you.

[A few coughs can't kill her. Reaching for the smart phone in her purse, she starts pressing a few buttons.]

There, they should be getting my message right about now.

Okay, if you're sure.

[He smiles at her, and reaches down to gently pat her shoulder.]

Text me if you need anything else. Okay? I've got my phone on me too!

But I can just talk to you now that you're right next to me.

[She gives him a cheeky smile to go with that remark of hers.]

Totally convenient!

[Now he feels guilty. He chews on his bottom lip.]

Uh -- yeah! That's true. I really do have to go find my shinki, though -- I mean, they're fine right now, so if you need me to stay until yours get here I can!

Ah, that's right, Battler is still out there...

[Oops, she almost forgot. There's a firm shake of her head as she waves her phone.]

No, your shinki are your responsibility. Go look for them, Mr. Tsuzuki!

-- Okay.

[Oh man. He still feels really guilty about this. He hesitates for a long moment, then flashes her a quick grin and turns to dash off into the darkness.]

008 | OVERFLOW

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