thenearshore | 009 | Where Your Demons Hide

009 | Where Your Demons Hide

Who: Everyone!
What: Emergency demon fighting
When: Late May 5-Early May 6
Where: Just outside of Tokyo
Summary: The demon from the school has reared its ugly head again and needs to be taken down.

On the evening of May 5, the Heavens suddenly receive an influx of prayers from people in and around a certain town just outside of Tokyo. There seem to be a lot of people in the area that have suddenly stopped responding normally (or at all). The situation continues to spread as the night goes on until not only is the whole town suffering from this malady, but the neighboring towns are starting to become affected as well.

With so many gods and shinki on hand - including new ones that have just appeared - the Heavens have issued a request for any available gods and shinki to go investigate what might be happening down on the Near Shore. New gods and shinki will be given the low-down on what's happening, but not much more than that.

The situation will continue to expand until just a little before dawn, when the demon finally has enough power to revive.

Drained Humans

Many humans in the affected areas are walking around despondently. Oftentimes, they are just walking into things or getting hit by things. There have been a few car-related incidents as well. Anyone who was present for the high school incident will recognize these symptoms as something that was happening to people in the school. The glazed looks, the spiritless responses and reactions. So this should be fairly familiar to some.

No One's Safe

Unfortunately, being in the town will start to wear on anyone who is there. Gods and shinki alike will find themselves growing more despondent the longer they spend in the town. All of their energy will be slowly sapped from their bodies, and shinki in particular will feel almost like their existence is draining away.

Hellish Circle

There is a large park in the center of the town. Drawn all around this park is a magic circle, large enough to encompass the whole park. There are candles around the edges of the circle, and in the center there is a cup filled with blood covered by a mask with a swirling eye pattern on it. Stepping into this circle will not only make you extremely tired and suddenly drained, but it will also bring bat-like ayakashi bearing down on you.

The Demon

The Demon itself rears its ugly head just a little before dawn, springing out from the center of the magic circle and looking right pleased with itself. It stands about 5'8" tall, so it is largely unimposing, but there is an aura about it that makes it undeniable that it is powerful. The demon will gladly fight anyone who comes at it, though most he will just shove out of the way without a second thought.

In Summary:

Help the drained people
Try not to get drained yourself
Be careful about being corrupted
Fight the demon
Have fun~

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[When Dio arrived here, he'd been in some sort of 'new home' for himself. Someone had spoken with him, explaining that he was a god now(of course he was? He already was, if you asked him), and what all that entailed.

Excuse him for being skeptical.

What was more concerning for him was that he'd had a vision of Masaki; her death. By fading, to be exact. He had lost so many people, he couldn't bear to have lost her that way and when he was told that he could find his shinki(who was apparently Masaki), he had rushed off to find her, and he finally did without much issue.]

Ma- ...! Masaki! [He had worried for a moment that he might reveal that they knew each other previously. Dio had not planned on actually listening to the person who had spoken to him previously, but something in him had seized up before he could run to her and hug her, his hands instead grasping at her arms.]

I'm so glad I found you. I... I'm Dio. [This was a weird meeting. Oops.]

[She didn't know this. There was just a kind of quiet terror and confusion as she tried to figure out where she was. Why she was here and what she was to do. Everything-nothing-made sense.

There was such a sense of relief though when someone called out her name. He was huge, and her eyes widened, standing stock still as her arms were grasped. She didn't throw him off, but she blinked at him. Someone knew her. He...wanted to find her?

This was so strange.]

Dio...?

[She said his name slowly, as if tasting it for the first time. The confusion was set aside. Dio. Dio. She didn't know who he was, but he could help her, so she thought. And hoped.

Confusion slowly changed, and she offered him a warm smile.]

Thanks for finding me. I'm not sure what I would have done, if you didn't.

[It... hurt to not be able to say anything, and Dio struggled with it silently for a moment, looking Masaki over. She was wearing his shirt still...

Dio's hands left her as he straightened himself up, trying to regain his poise.]

I'm a God, and you are meant to be my partner. [After all, he'd had no vision of any others. It was only her.]

I suppose... I am now to take you home. [This home. Their home? At least for now. Dio offered her a hand then. ]

Maybe we can get you some clothes.

[He changed.

It was if he locked himself up, even as he told her the truth. She didn't know she was causing him so pain, without all the memories. He had locked himself up, it felt like.]

Okay?

[His home? Their home? She blinked, and came forward, uncertain. But she grasped his hand firmly.]

I'd like some clothes. Um-

[She started, and stopped, even as she intertwined their fingers together. She felt a little...lost.]

I'm your partner but...what am I supposed to do, exactly? I'm not a God, am I?

[He had to close himself off, as much for her sake as it was for his own. He couldn't be seen getting all emotional right now, right? He closed his eyes as her fingers interlaced with his own, sucked in a breath, and let it out as a sigh.]

You are not a God, no. [Why not? She was just as worthy as he was, wasn't she? He didn't know.] You will be my shinki. My weapon. With your name, I gave you form and purpose.

[It was at that point that he did it. Teleporting, for the first time. It was a little exhilarating! Regardless, they were home. Their home. Yeah, that worked.]

Home, sweet home... I guess. [He laughed a little, nervous.] Let's go... look into your room then, hm?

[She wouldn't know what to do if he started crying. She certainly didn't have a hankie on her.

But she was thoughtful for a moment-thinking of what he said. Her...name. She had form and purpose now too? That made sense. It had felt as if she'd been floating-

She squeaked, surprised, and laughed a little. That was cool! Do it again Dio, that was fun!]

My room? Oh, good! We're not sharing sleeping spaces then.

[She laughed again, bouncing a little on her feet. Her room meant clothes then right? In her size! Perfect! She was getting over her confusion, and excitement was coming in its stead.]

This place is neat! And there's so many stairs...I guess this'll be good for exercise huh? How'd you do that anyway? The teleport thing.

[There would be plenty of time for teleporting in the future, and he'd certainly be doing it as much as he could.]

I wouldn't dream of sharing a room with a young lady. Not without courting her first, at least. [He sighed, not wanting to go further with that and instead leading her beneath the stairs and into the small foyer which lead to the front door.]

The teleporting is pretty simple. Thinking about where you wish to go, who you wish to see, then just willing yourself to go there. I guess. [It was like explaining how to stop time. You just... do.]

[She giggled. Sure, they were holding hands and they'd just met. And she was giddy with relief, but she still....it was kind of cute.]

So I'm a weapon and a young lady huh? Does that mean I get to flirt with you?

[Yup, Masaki has her bounce back. She was still a little wide eyed from looking around the temple, and little wonder. She's not exactly familiar with the design but it's...well. A little overwhelming.

Then again, it's almost hard to believe this place will be her home.]

So I could teleport. Okay. Okay! That's cool!

[That'd explain why he found her, or rather how. He thought of her. In other ways, it'd be creepy or something she'd question, but she's going with it right now.]

[Oh no, why was she so cute? And so terribly forward, as usual. He smiled at her, returning her flirtatious manner of speech.]

Only if I'm allowed to flirt back.

[That was really only fair, right? In any case, he wasn't going to keep going in that direction for the moment, feeling like Masaki might prefer to have some pants before they settled in and started flirting mercilessly.]

Come then, follow me. [He lead her inside then, through the kitchen and living room, and then up the stairs, to where their rooms were. He stopped at the door to the room that would be hers, offering it to her.]

Here's hoping there are some clothes in here. Otherwise maybe we can go shopping?

Of course! One sided flirting wouldn't be as fun. And kinda boring, don't you think?

[She grinned up at him. Maybe they'd be all right. But, well, she really wanted something on her legs. It might be summer or late spring, and warm but her legs felt exposed.

She'd go through the kitchen and living room next time, when everything wasn't so overwhelming.]

This is mine...? Oh wow. Wow.

[It's a mix of plant life and comfort. She can see that there's a large window, covered in a curtain, a large bed, pillows and plush rugs...yes, things are made out of stone, but it doesn't take away from it. It's a combination of hard and soft, and life.

She even has a desk and a walk in closet. It's not personal but...she lets go of his hand, looking around with large eyes, her head ducking into the closet.]

I think we might have to but...wow.

[The smile he returned to her was warm, fond. She may not remember him, but she was just the same as ever. Dio wished he could wrap her up in his arms and plant a kiss on her, but he couldn't do anything so brash.]

Yes, this whole room is all yours, as is the bathroom next door. I have a master suite.

[He laughed a little at that, just letting her go in on her own. He would not intrude upon her space for the time being, instead allowing her to get acquainted with her space on her own.]

I will be in my room if you need me. Just try to get dressed, and then we can go and get some more clothes for you, alright? [He didn't have much for funds, but he also didn't exactly pay bills or for food, so he'd spend what he needed to.]

[She might smack him and bite him for all the wrong reasons if he did that. One step at a time.

In the meanwhile, she was loving the space. She might have just froliced around, but he reminded her that she wanted to take care of a few things-like food, and clothing and...yes.

A shower. She really wanted one the moment he mentioned she had a bathroom all to herself.]

Okay! Thank you so much! I think I might take a shower before I-

[She motions to herself.]

That's all right, right?

[She's so excited. She still doesn't know what's going to happen with her new life but...this person with her, this god, seems all right. And the temple was amazing. So things couldn't be bad at all!]

[He would rather avoid doing things that bother her, and so he refrained, instead remaining at the threshold to the door.]

Do whatever you'd like, Masaki. This place is as much your home as it is mine.

[He paused again at that, the thought of that making his heart flutter a bit. Metaphorically, anyway, the actual physical heart in his chest remained still. But...! Sharing a home with Masaki! Different rooms, but that was alright! His home and her home were one and the same.]

Just let me know when you are ready, and we can go, alright?

[His words made her pause, and she pressed her hands together-as if to pray or to clap, it was hard to tell. Home. Home, a place that would be safe for her and her partner.

She looked forward to making memories in this place.]

I will-I'll come to your room or wherever you are when I'm done.

[She was near about glowing with happiness.]

Just-thank you Dio. So much.

[For finding her, giving her a room. She'd hug you but she's p sure she's kinda gross right now.

So she'll flit off to find the bathroom and towels instead. And soap! And shampoo! GLORIOUS SHAMPOO.]

[As much as it still hurt, knowing she had died, knowing she had forgotten him and knowing he could not remind her... he couldn't help but feel somewhat happy. He didn't know how permanent this all was, but for the time being they had a place to call home. A place they were safe and could be comfortable.

A place with running water and electricity. And nice furniture, too.]

Thank you, Masaki.

[He doesn't fault her for not hugging him, even if he was more than okay with how gross she currently was. He'd needed to wash too when he first arrived, after all.]

See you soon.

[And with that, he ducked out, heading to the living room to wait. Maybe he could even find some non-smut books to flip through.]

[She was just thrilled to be somewhere warm and safe. And having Dio be happy-that made her happy too.

Though she didn't know what he was thanking her for-she hadn't done anything yet! She shook her head, and watched him for a moment as he left. He really was nice to her.

This was going to be good, she thought. But first, shower.

And it felt amazing. While Dio was looking for books, Masaki was having a great time getting cleaned up. She shampooed her hair three times at least. At least. It was great!

But while she was able, miracle of miracles, able to find an outfit in the closet, along with shoes...something was missing. It was kind of important.

So she ended up searching for Dio, peeking into rooms. There was his master suite (and boy was it a master suite) knocking on his bathroom door, and wandered until she found him.]

There you are!

[She brightened up. Maybe it helped that it was so dark, or it was only the two of them, but she was glad to find him again. Or maybe it had to do with that faint scent of blood? Maybe.]

[Dio rather enjoyed his current home, though it still felt impermanent to him. He was having a hard time believing others when they told him that this was simply where he would exist from now on. It'd been too long in Between, things were only as they were perceived.

He could not fight to remain in a false world before, and he could not remain in this one either, right?

There was a bitterness lingering in his heart as he sat in the living room with the first book he'd found, one leg crossing over the other as he flipped through it. He didn't get far before Masaki returned, Dio looking up to her upon hearing her voice.]

Ah, yes. Ready to go, then?

[He closed the book without another thought, moving to stand up once more and looking over her. She looked much more comfortable now, after having cleaned up.]

We've got to return to my shrine in the living world in order to come back here, just remember that.

[It wasn't a mansion, it wasn't like anything she knew of. It was kind of neat! She looked forward to playing in the kitchen. She had no idea that there was a place where memories could be used against them, bubbles of Unreality.

She just knew she was cleaned up, he was waiting and he liked books? Who knew what he was reading. He could have been reading porn, for all she knew.]

Yeah, I'm ready. So I guess our shrine...shrines? Are our anchor. Huh.

[She was thoughtful for a moment, before she perked up.]

Ok, one thing before we teleport or anything. I think this is overdue, and I don't stink so...

[She came forward, and if he let her, she'd give him a hug. It was a thank you hug, just because she appreciated not feeling so lost.]

[It had been some dusty old tome on the religion that he was supposedly some reincarnated god of. The Aztec Pantheon. It was somewhat confusing still, but he'd study it some more in time. For now, it was time to take care of Masaki.

But then she caught him in that hold... the embrace. A hug. He couldn't help it then, sniffling a little and then letting the waterworks go. He'd been holding it in since he got here. Losing everyone, waking up in this new place that looked so similar to the Earth he'd left behind(albeit Japan), and finding Masaki again. He couldn't hold it in any longer, no matter how strange it would be.]

MMmmmasaki...

[He couldn't say it. He couldn't say 'I was so afraid I'd never see you again'. He couldn't tell her how happy he was that she was safe or that he was afraid that this would all disappear, so he just... sobbed.]

[Hey, that's something she needs to read too! It'd be useful, maybe. Or they could...at least understand some of the lore and why the place smelt like blood. She was going to febreeze the place once she learned about the stuff, really.

But...she didn't know what to make of this, this sudden...burst of tears. She knew he'd been shutting himself off but not how much.]

What's wrong?

[This is kind of alarming. She didn't want to let him go either but she...kind of made to nudge him back into a couch or chair.]

It's okay. Whatever it is, it's okay. I'm here. I'm not going to leave. After all-we're partners, right?

[Dio held her close still, sucking a slow but shaky breath in and then out. He needed to calm himself down. Everything was so much, and he couldn't talk about that, but he could tell her one thing...]

I'm just... happy. Do not worry.

[He sniffled, letting go of Masaki and wiping at his eyes, being nudged onto the couch. He needed to calm himself down before he went out in public anyway, and Dio slumped a little.]

I've just been through a lot lately, and having you here is a relief.

[It was pretty overwhelming. Losing friends, losing a world again, not being sure it was real...

A lot a lot. But Masaki was mostly confused. She had been freaking out quietly, but now she needed to look out for him.]

Of course. I'm here for you.

[She smiled a little, and made to stand over him. Sorta. She just tried to move so she could stand between his legs. Easier to wrap her arm around him, and brush his hair out of his face.]

I guess it was pretty lonely without someone around huh? I'm sorry I wasn't there with you from the start. How long have you been alone?

[Dio wasn't going to bring her down if he could help it. He was happy to be with her, even in a less than optimal situation. She was here. She had died, but she was here, and as safe as she could be. Through his tears, he smiled at her. If he had no one else in this world, he'd still have her. If not as his lover, then as his partner.]

I know you are. [He didn't reach back for her, still not wanting to initiate too much physical affection, but craving it so badly even so.]

It wasn't long, but I'd... lost someone important to me recently. It's easier to deal with when you aren't alone, you know?

But enough about that. We were going shopping.

[And who knew? If he was lucky, if he was careful, hd could havd partner and lover once again. Masaki patted down her pockets, and sighed.]

No, I'm sure it hurts. I'm sorry, I don't...I can't really compare.

But I'll be here for you. And...you're right, we do need to go shopping.

You need tissues and...um...

[She blushed, glancing away.]

I need something important.

[Dio could not help but laugh at that. He could probably guess what it was that she needed... considering what she needed the last time he'd seen her in his shirt.]

I do need tissues, don't I? [He sniffled again, patting lightly at Masaki's shoulder.]

We'll get you whatever you need, not to worry. [He smiled, getting up from his spot after trying to convince her to step aside so that he would not just have to pick her up to get up.]

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