[closed]

[existentialcrisis]

Who: Ukoku and some people
What: things
When: 29 April-2 May, whenever works!
Where: places
Warnings: mentions of suicide in Yuri's thread.


Yamato (2 May)
[ The hospital staff have been ignoring Ukoku's wandering, but he's spent the last hour or so in a white coat anyway. Together with the minor effort he put in before leaving his temple—he actually bothered to button his shirt to the top and do his tie right (just a white-on-blue geometric print, unless you look closely enough to notice the rabbits)—he looks like a doctor.

But he ditches the white coat just in time, as it happens. With an insulated lunchbag and a thermos stolen from a staff lounge (and repurposed—guess what's in them, it's not lunch), he heads past the desk in the lobby. It's calm here, at the moment; no ayakashi to be seen except a little guy so tiny and harmless it's almost cute, chilling in the juncture of seat cushion—but he pauses. Is that Yamato?

He never did get to meet the fabled Commander-kun, would-be destroyer of Heaven.

Ukoku heads over to him, smiling. ] Yamato-kun?



Yuri (30 April)
[ At some point he shows up at Yuri's temple—and since Yuri always lets herself in at his place, he does the same here, a little too deliberately quiet.

She's told him she's not afraid of much, but that doesn't mean she can't be surprised. He shuffles through the temple without announcing himself until he's close enough to sense her presence, and then his voice is innocent: ]

Anybody home?



Kija
[ Ukoku's at the back of an electronics store, drenched in nausea-green fluorescent lighting and inoffensive jazz, picking up coils of wire and disparate, esoteric parts of uncertain purpose. Naturally he notices Kija first (who has hair like that), but he heads over to pick through things he doesn't need from a rack opposite him instead of making it obvious. His very first accomplice! This is nostalgic. ]



Hakkai (1 May)
[ Although the daylight doesn't make Ukoku's gnarled dead trees any prettier, or the crows in them any less ominous, it does lend a kind of shabby harmlessness to his temple's facade: it seems to shrink in the middle of the orchard, and the chipped paint and the cheerful orange of the few persimmons on his one living tree are brighter. Ukoku himself is sitting on a flat rock in the shadow of the porch, dressed like a responsible adult (having come back from pretending to be either a doctor or a professor, not that most people on the Near Shore notice him) except for the sandals and his rolled-up sleeves. He's hunched over a notebook, sketching and scribbling. ]


Sanzo (3 May)
[ When Sanzo showed up Ukoku was already outside. He'd been lying on a flat rock on his back, his black priest's robes half dissheveled, as if he'd just woken up in them. He'd had an ash tray on his chest and a sake set on the dead leaves beside him—two cups, in case someone decided to join him.

And then someone did, of course.

He pours Sanzo a cup of sake. The bottle is between them, along with the ashtray and a polite distance. The moon is a sliver in a thick dark sky. ]

So. Have you remembered anything else?

Comments

April 30th

[onerous]

[Well aside from the fact her headdress had been found stuck in the ceiling and she'd had to implore Neji to help her get it down, and the fact that said set of robes showing up in her closet was terrifying and strange in the first place... Well, it had been a pretty good day.

She sat in front of the vanity mirror, turning her head carefully from side to side and watching the little bells jingle and catch the light. Though the veil obscured her eyes she found herself able to see through it just fine, and her reflection stared eerily back at her. It felt strange to be in the robes in the first place, and she felt a tad embarrassed with herself for going full-out with it--she'd even put make-up on (where had she even gotten such red lipstick? She didn't remember buying that--)

With a frown she reached for the cloth she used to cover the mirror (having only reluctantly removed it to make sure everything looked alright on her and apply the make-up), losing herself in her own thoughts. Ukoku entering went completely unnoticed, and likely she would've ignored his presence anyhow even if she had. Neji was just as silent moving through the temple, though Yuri was sure she'd never get used to his sudden appearances.

Which is why Ukoku's call out is responded to with a yelp of alarm and the sounds of a stool falling over and make-up containers hitting the floor. Uncertain as to which part of that was more embarrassing, Yuri hastily threw the cloth over the mirror and hurried out to the hallway to face him.]

What are you doing here? [That came out a little ruder than she wanted to, her expression confused and a tad irritated--though it might be mostly lost since her face was mostly hidden by the veil.

It had been a good day...]

[existentialcrisis]

[ To some degree he expected to catch her off guard, but this, whatever it is, was not expected. For a few seconds he's just staring, visibly amused. He has a paper bag advertising a bookstore in one hand and some kind of Starbucks-esque drink in the other, frozen in place. ]

Are you going somewhere?

[ Ha ha. ]

[onerous]

What? [What kind of question was that? Why would-- She looks down.

Oh.

Her fingers curl into the robes, uncertain and self-conscious] No. I woke up and it was in the closet. It's-- [A pause but she remembers that she's already talked to him about them, so there's really no background information she needs to go into again] the official robes of the priestesses from my home.

Maybe the Heavens think they're funny.

[Like a certain someone thinks they're SO FUNNY... God, kill her now this is The Worst. She looks to the things he's carrying though, head tilted curiously] This is a bit of a role reversal... [Usually he's the one dressed like a weirdo and she's the one bringing stuff into his home.]

[existentialcrisis]

[ He's going to PRETEND NOT TO NOTICE THAT COMMENT while he tilts his head, studying her. ]

Have you been thinking about it recently? The, um, priestesses? Or your connection to them?

[ It's kind of a token question; she's the kind of person who dwells on things—for years, probably. ]

[onerous]

[Her lips purse, but she takes the moment to collect herself while she figures out how to explain her answer. For some reason, it's fine to invade Ukoku's space but having him in her own is a little... unsettling. It was different when she'd invited him over with Gojyo.]

The school year's really started, so the number of prayers I've gotten has gone up... [Which isn't exactly an answer but close enough.] Neji says I should wear it when I answer them, to look more 'proper.' [Her voice is rather monotone at that, not entirely sure what she thinks about that.

She looks down and smooths her hands over them, frowning.] Every time I saw these robes, the woman wearing them was trying to kill me. It's just-- strange, I guess. It's not like I'm officially one of those crow priestesses; it feels a little... wrong...?

May 1st

[reformedsinner]

Good afternoon!

[Things Hakkai doesn't have: Ni's phone number. He's decided it'll be easier simply to visit in person. After all, he's only asking about a game of chess, and he can leave a note if he happens to catch Ni not at home.

It's a grim and dreary place, even in the sunlight. The temple is old, the paint chipped and fading, and most of the trees dead. Ni's home after all, though, seated comfortably on a rock near the porch with a notebook that seems to be absorbing his attention.

Hakkai eyes him thoughtfully, pausing at the edge of the yard, and clears his throat.]

Excuse me!

[existentialcrisis]

[ Ukoku looks up as though he had no idea Hakkai was there, adjusting his glasses, and beckons him closer. ]

Hi! Oh—from the school, right? [ He caps his pen and closes the notebook. ] What can I do for you?

[reformedsinner]

That's right! Cho Hakkai. [He inclines his head, smiling politely, and crosses the yard to comfortable conversational distance.]

Ha ha, actually, I had a few reasons to drop by. I thought I may as well say hello, and -- well, Yuri happened to mention to me that you played chess. Would you be interested in a game sometime?

[existentialcrisis]

[ His smile might not touch his eyes, but the surprise that colors his expression for a moment is genuine. ]

She did! How about that.

[ Good girl. He gets to his feet. ]

Well, we're both here now, if you have some time. I've kind of missed it.

[reformedsinner]

Oh, well, if you happen to be free at the moment, I certainly wouldn't mind!

[He cranks up his smile a few notches, to "embarrassed but pleased by the offer," and sketches a bow with a tiny inclination of his head.]

In fact, I haven't had a chance to play it as far as I remember, although I do feel familiar with the game.

May 2nd if that's okay!

[okitactless]

[Ukoku why are you like this... why can't it be lunchables in that bag

But Yamato is blissfully aware of-- well. Pretty much everything regarding Ukoku's Ukokuness?? He'd had no idea any other gods or shinki would be here, honestly, as he'd come to visit without telling anyone (except Shepard, of course, and even then he'd been vague). The fabled Commander-kun is the entire reason he's here, after all, puzzling over a CPR poster on the wall with a paper bag of medicine in his hand. Where did he get it? What's it for? So many questions, so little time...

He turns at the sound of his name, startled, but Ukoku is easy to recognize and he smiles in greeting.] Oh, hello, Ni-sensei. I didn't realize anyone else would be here.

[existentialcrisis]

Neither did I! [ He comes closer, tucking his ill-acquired loot in the crook of his arm. ] I hope everything's all right…?

[ He doesn't look directly at the bag—that would be rude, and more importantly, if memory serves, Yamato is alarmingly honest anyway. ]

[okitactless]

["Alarmingly honest" is probably the best possible way to describe Yamato, this is true.]

Oh, yes, we're fine... [But that's a rather lackluster response, and it's clear from his face that there's something on his mind.] I came to learn how to take care of someone who's injured, actually. I thought you could do that in a hospital, but maybe I should go to a school? [HE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE TO START... help him.]

[existentialcrisis]

Well, I'm sure I can help you with that! [ Not That Kind of Doctor, but as always, nobody cares. ] Do you want to go somewhere else and talk about it? I was just about to go get a coffee. [ He gestures across the street outside. Oh look!! A convenient coffee shop. ]

[okitactless]

[WOW HOW CONVENIENT gosh it's almost like this was determined by the gods.]

Really? You would? [Yams isn't small or cute enough to pull off the sparkly-eyed apprentice look, but his face is hopeful and bright anyway.] If it's okay with you-- oh, but, don't we have to be in the hospital for this?

[Sick or hurt people go to hospitals, so he just kind of assumed this was where you came to learn first aid...]

A Time whatever

[bighand]

[Kija is here for one purpose and one purpose only: batteries. He needs about 50 of them to show his brothers (!!!!!!) the wonder and majesty of basic household items like flashlights, and alarm clocks— also miraculous items, truly, but powered by these tiny, mysterious objects...

He didn't expect there to be so many types, though, and he has no idea what any of them mean - why is the AAA smaller than the AA? That doesn't make sense???

When he's too frustrated about batteries to go on, he takes a step back with a sigh, and only then does he notice someone else is actually there. Ah— oh!]

Oh! Hello! [what's with all that wire] Are you working on a "project"?

[He says this with literal finger quotes, but it's because he doesn't understand, not because he can sense any menace. He's dumb.]

[existentialcrisis]

[ Ukoku looks up, affecting mild surprise.

He actually did finger quotes. ]

Hi there! I'm— [ no, he can't do it, he can't get all the way through without laughing a little— ] Yes, I am. A project, that's right. What about you?

[bighand]

[He sure did do finger quotes. They were good, right??]

I am collecting batteries! [He's proud of himself for remembering the word, too.] I would like to show my, ah... my friends a number of interesting items, but they require these in order to function.

[In case Ukoku didn't know that, Kija is here to help him with what batteries do.]

[existentialcrisis]

[ He crosses his arms on the top of the rack like there's literally nothing in the world more interesting than batteries. ]

Is that right! What kinds of things are you showing them?

[bighand]

[Good, there really isn't. Kija has actually brought one of these mystery items along— carried right here, in this cute satchel he bought to carry his very cool stuff. It has a dragon screenprint on it.

Anyway, he holds up a finger to signify Ukoku hang onto his seat!! and pulls out a... handheld fan. Why does he have this? What??]

This is called a "fan." It cools you personally when the batteries are inserted and this button is pressed!

[SEE THE BUTTON...]

Bullshit and Philosophy

[killsthebuddha]

Something like that. [ The words are muttered around a cigarette filter as he tries to light up. It sparks uselessly a few times before a rapidly waning flame appears, but it's enough to get the job done.

The truth is that he isn't even sure at this point, not with how, sometimes, everything felt too hazy to grasp in a way that he's not entirely sure is related to the spell that bound him as a shinki. He doesn't look over at the black-robed priest, instead squinting up at the sliver of white-gold left of the moon. He spends more nights than he ought to looking up at the moon like this, but this is the first time that's done it with someone else.

Sitting among rubble where Goku had thrown his tantrum, the moon had been full then and its cold light a comfort. 'Maybe you'll hear it someday, too,' he'd thought as he listened to Goku's soft breathing. 'A voice you know.'] Nothing about you. You must not have made an impression.

[ But he damn well knows that isn't the case. ]

[existentialcrisis]

What about, then? I have to know what I'm allowed to say! The suspense is killing me.

[ Ukoku always seems to be some degree of cheerful, but there's a lightness to it this time that isn't normally there: he's continuously moving in small, energetic ways. ]

[killsthebuddha]

[ The tip of his cigarette flares bright briefly, and he stays quiet a moment before exhaling a thin stream of smoke. ]

Goku. That noisy parasitic monkey has never given me any peace and quiet. [ There were so many memories. Dozens. Hundreds. The scope is dizzying when, before, he'd had nothing but a blank, ominous abyss to fear falling into. ] So why start now?

[existentialcrisis]

[ It takes him a few seconds to come up with a response; he hides it in pouring himself a careful second cup of sake. ]

He's so noisy and parasitic you had to cross time and space and dimensions and maybe death to look out for him! Next time I hope you remember something less annoying, like me.

[killsthebuddha]

I'd have to schedule you in. [ The slight sourness to his tone isn't particularly heartfelt, and he sighs as he reaches over for his cup. ]

Time, space, and dimensions would be bad enough. Death feels like overdoing it.