010 | Relief and Rescue

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Cleanup and moral support
When: All day May 16
Where: Just outside of Tokyo
Summary: It's time to get rid of the mess that that demon made!



The attack by the demon recently has left the surrounding area in a very sorry state. Not only are some people still hospitalized or slowly recovering from the affects of the draining of their life force, but a lot of nasty accidents happened during the time that people were walking around like they were dead to the world. It's been attributed to an odd natural disaster, and many think it may have been an illness that caused it.

The Heavens have decided to send any available gods and shinki down to help out in the relief efforts. If they try hard enough, they should be easily seen for the times when they are helping people out, so it shouldn't be a problem.

On top of that, some new arrivals have suddenly appeared. Amaterasu has left them little handwritten notes pinned to their shirts:

'These people need your help! I'm sorry to throw you into things like this, but please do what you can.

☼ Amaterasu ☼'

And yes, she has doodled little suns next to her name.



Care

There are a lot of people who were left hurt because of the incident with the demon and they are still trying to recover from it. From broken bones all the way to mental trauma, these people have seen a lot of crazy stuff and they aren't feeling so hot. Any kind of care is viable, but you might also want to just be an errand-runner in order to help the qualified people who are already doing a pretty good job of helping these poor folks out.

Food

A fair number of homes and stores managed to get destroyed amidst everything going on with the demon, so there's a lot of work for the neighborhood to do in helping them out. Whether by helping to rebuild what has been broken or by just handing out some free food to the people who need it. Of course, you might also take some food for yourself. Hopefully you're not a horrible enough person to just steal from the homeless~

Literal Cleaning

And here's where the fun comes in. The buildings that need to be rebuilt and the streets that need to be cleaned up are all under works and you can help in any way you deem worthy. You might carry loads or actually put forth the effort to help rebuild some lost homes, it's up to you. Of course, if you set about helping out in this way, you might notice little fairy-like spirits flitting around each of the Near Shore residents who are working hard to help each other out. The little spirits shine brightly and seem to shy away if approached, but they titter happily anytime the person they're following does something nice.

Banquet

After the day is done, the Heavens have a special treat set up for anyone who helped out - a large banquet in the Meeting Hall back on the Far Shore. Just like any other banquet, there is food and booze of every kind available. But also, the small tittering bright white spirits are in attendance, following around any Far Shore resident who helped out today. You might find yourself with a new friend or two who won't leave you alone, who keep giggling anytime you're kind, and who don't seem to be able to talk and only exude delight and good feelings.



In Summary:

• Help out the people affected by the demon
• Give out food to people who need it
• Clean up the messes
• Eat some good food, drink some good booze
• Have fun~

Comments

[small_reservations]

Care

[Admittedly, this is an awkward situation. Axel's still trying to figure out what's going on, and all that being a god entails. Not to mention the fact that he simply isn't the most empathetic guy.

So when he's tossed in the deep end, what better than bedside care, right? Right. Clearly. After all, sometimes you have to be heartless.

He'll be generally underfoot until he gets kicked out around the areas cordoned off for medical help. He can't really heal people per say, but he can give basic first aid and help hold people with broken limbs down when others set them, at least. And when he's done? All the mortal doctors can't really remember much more than a good samaritan. It's not the most rewarding work, but hey, at least there's a bowl of fruit someone left.]

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, huh? [He tosses the piece of fruit gently up and down before taking a noisy bite.]

Food

[This is at least a more direct task, and thus an easier one. Just give food to people. Of course, some are claiming more than one person can eat, citing families to feed, and there are kids running around and playing in the wreckage that are constantly underfoot, but other than that, the job is simple. Canned goods for the long term, bread and fruit for the immediate. One bag per person.

Of course, the simplicity of the job also makes it boring after a while... Someone give him a distraction more interesting than seeing the architectural failings of the next building!]

Cleaning

[At least there's always something to do, that much is for sure. Axel's got a pushbroom, a hammer, and a bucket of nails that some random foreman foisted upon him, and he's not sure where to start. There's... a lot to pick up. Maybe a crane would be more useful than a broom. Just saying.

Well, every task starts somewhere. He begins to sweep, staring at the ground until someone comes into his view, completely in his way.]

Hey, could you move?

Banquet

[Ok. Maybe being a god has its perks after all. This is easily the best meal Axel's ever tasted, like a parent's cooking and a professional's all rolled into one. And the booze, too! Damn, what a spread. He's not getting drunk, not yet, but he's definitely had enough to loosen up just a bit.]

Care. Because what a way to meet again.

[missingache]

[Roxas has been zipping around, making a stop and delivering some supplies. He's about to head out again when a voice he hears stops him.

......

Hesitating, he looks over at the source. And stares.]

... Axel?

Indeed

[small_reservations]

[That voice... He turns his head (apple still in his mouth) before seeing the source thereof, prompting him to finish taking that bite and swallow. Without chewing. He coughs for a second, but manages to get it down ok before looking up again.

Yeah, he's still there.]

... Roxas.

[He was never expecting to see you again, buddy. Give him a minute.]

[missingache]

[Did you ever expect him to look a little older than the last time, because, oh boy, has this kid had a fun year and a half away from home.

Please excuse him as he walks right over and just gives you a tight hug. Axel remembering him after that incident, even if this is a different one... Roxas really doesn't care right now what the other thinks. At least he's not crying though he looks close to it.]

[small_reservations]

[Roxas never had a chance to get much older, barely even got to see his first birthday, so seeing him grown now... Well, it's not enough to make him unrecognizable, but it's trippy.

The hug, however, is enough to make Axel momentarily freeze up. How do you feelings. But after a second or two he manages to get a smile on his face and his arms around Roxas's shoulders, and hug back, even though one hand is still holding the apple.]

Hey, you ok?

[missingache]

[The only reason Roxas knows he got a little taller was because suddenly he wasn't the same height as the new Sora he met here. The other didn't seem bothered when he explained why.

When he pulls away, he rubs his eyes, nodding.]

I'm fine! I just missed you. It's been a while since I saw you last.

[small_reservations]

[That's a relief. Axel's smile only gets wider and more real at Roxas's words. He rests a hand on the young god's shoulder, and gets a good look at him.

It's still hard to believe this is actually happening.]

Yeah. It's the same for me. How've you been? Had any adventures, met anyone interesting?

[missingache]

[You're getting the very short version because uh... Roxas can talk for days about some of the stuff he's been through.]

A lot better than now. Tons of adventures, yes, and Sora's here!

[small_reservations]

[Based on how much the kid's grown? Axel expects numerous stories.]

He's here too, huh? Well, that'll be interesting.

[Understatement of the century there. Last thing Axel remembers is dying for the kid and Roxas's memory both. He wasn't really expecting a chance to see either again.]

So it's not always like this, right? This... crazy and chaotic?

[He gestures at the injured people around them, who are, by and large, ignoring them, and outside at some nearby wreckage. Seriously, this is hectic.]

Food

[oathkeeper]

[Sora is doing his part too handing out food and taking care of kids so they don't get hurt or trampled during the efforts to clean this place up. And he has a kid on his shoulders whom he's giving a ride and making car noises when a certain red head catches his eye.

... !!!]

Axel?! [He shouts, the surprise evident in his voice. He bounds for him with kid still in tow who's now laughing and grabbing at his hair.]

You're back!!!

[small_reservations]

[Well well. Another familiar voice. Axel finishes counting the cans to go into the next bag and looks over his shoulder.

Yep, that's Sora all right. He did get some warning, but this could still be awkward. Especially since Sora's words are... extremely confusing.]

Back? What? I just got here. You feeling ok, or is that kid pulling your hair too hard or something?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora's just... too freaking happy to see Axel. Here and alive and looking well and sounding like himself. It's too good to be true. Roxas was right, people do come back sometimes and Sora is elated.

He untangles the kid from his hair and shoulders with a little but of awkwardness and sets the kid down.

Then promptly throws himself at Axel in a tight hug.]

You're back!!! Does Roxas know?!

[small_reservations]

[You know what? He's not going to argue this. Sora's always been single-minded about his beliefs. It's not worth it.]

Yeah, saw him earlier. He was being clingy too.

[He laughs, a little wryly. It's hard to deal with you two! And if you hug him much harder, he's going to have to see if the town has any chiropractors, and they don't need another injured person.]

Not very open, though. Seemed kinda worked up.

[oathkeeper]

[Good on you, Axel! Single-minded about his beliefs or just a one track mind!

He squeezes Axel despite the comment about being clingy. They've had a rough last few weeks so seeing Axel alive and well is the best news they could have hoped for.]

Yeah. Um, we had to deal with a lot lately. I don't blame him. Don't push him too much on that stuff... Okay?

[That stuff being... Roxas was the accidental cause of your death last time, Axel.]

Wait! How much do you remember?!

[He should probably figure out if Axel is a shinki again or not.]

[small_reservations]

[He pats Sora's head. He's not exactly comfortable enough with him to hug back, but he'll give that much. As long as he can breathe, anyway, and that's starting to get... Challenging.]

Right. Got it. Don't press the kid.

[He snakes his arms down to loosen Sora's grip, but it's probably a fruitless endeavor.]

Remember? You have to ask? I don't think I've forgotten a thing, I've just never been here before.

[At least, that he remembers.]

... Have I?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora finally lets go of the red head and his eyes are wide with curiosity and surprise.]

You haven't forgotten a thing? Does that mean you're a god? You remember everything from our home worlds?

[This is important, Axel!!]

[small_reservations]

[He nods, setting a hand on his hip.]

That's what they told me. What's this god thing all about, anyway?

[They kinda skimmed on the educational summaries this time around. He was rushed out of his temple and sent to help with disaster relief.]

Yes. I remember everything. Like I literally just said.

[saikusu]

[The only time Saïx wears his hair up is when he's using the hot springs at Odin's temple, to keep any stray strands of his long blue hair from being left behind in the water and clogging whatever filtration system it has. (It's not like it could be blamed on anyone but him if it did.)

Until this morning when something got tangled up in it. What didn't matter - except that he wanted to avoid it happening again, so he pulled it up. The tattoo on the back of his neck with his shinki name is obscured by his ponytail, but as he turns to face Axel, it swings just enough for him to catch a glimpse of it if he's paying attention.

In his arms there's a big, open, box with various pieces of debris in it that he's carrying out to one of the big dumpsters. His face is peeking out between two large board, which have effectively become blinders for how much of his peripheral vision they've obscured.]

I didn't see... you there.

[He sounds disgruntled until he sees who was talking to him, and the last two words fall off like he's just seen a ghost. He didn't know you could come back from death after being killed as an ayakashi, so yeah, he's a bit surprised to see the guy he had a hand in killing standing there asking him to move.]

[small_reservations]

[Axel's seen him short-haired, but he never had the tattoo on the back of his neck. What'd they say about tattoos... Something about Shinki, and the messenger had given him a strange look when he said they shouldn't be reminded of the past, and confirmed twice that he understood. That struck Axel as odd.

Now, though? Now it makes some sense.]

Yeah... I figured as much.

[He gets a bad feeling with almost everything he can think of saying. He's not used to bad feelings. He's barely used to real feelings at all. This... this dread is almost enough to bowl him over, but it's definitely got him frowning.]

You need a hand with that?

[He can't fully disguise the concern in his voice, so he asks a question that fits with the tone. Better than asking if he's ok in general. Just thinking that sends another spike of raw fear through Axel's stomach.]

[saikusu]

If you could grab those boards, I've got the rest.

[At least that way he'll be able to see to his side instead of only dead ahead.]

Did you arrive today?

[It was easier to make small talk that didn't touch on the fact that he knew Axel, albeit briefly, from his time here before he turned into an ayakashi.]

[small_reservations]

[With a nod, he takes the boards, restoring Saix's peripheral vision. It takes a moment to juggle them into a position that lets him carry them, but soon he's got a couple under each arm. So long as he's not required to go through a door sideways, it should be fine.]

Yeah, I just got here.

[He looks around, and spots the dumpster, gesturing to it with one of the handfuls of boards.]

These go over there?

[saikusu]

[It was his own fault for putting too much in the box, but there was a lot still to be taken out and Saïx wanted to make as few trips as possible. But it was a huge relief to get those boards out of the way, not to mention they helped to lighten the load. So when Axel points to the dumpster, he's actually able to see him do so.]

Yes, they go there.

[He adjusts his grip on the box as they walk toward the dumpster.]

Do you remember your past?

[It was probably the easiest way to figure out whether or not Axel remembered him, and whether he'd returned as a shinki or a god without blatantly asking either of those questions.]

[small_reservations]

[Arms loaded with planks, Axel has just started to head over to the dumpster when Saix asks... That. That's a loaded question, given the past they share. Axel takes a deep breath and lets it out to calm his nerves - he hasn't had to do THAT in a while - before answering.]

I remember home. But if I was here before, I don't remember it.

[People keep saying he's back, Roxas was unusually clingy - he can only assume he's somehow been here before without remembering it. That's more than a little worrying.]

[saikusu]

[If Axel doesn't remember his time from here before, he's not going to bring it up. What good does it do? He barely knew the guy then and things hadn't ended well for him. Why pile that on top of him his first day here? It wouldn't accomplish anything.]

So that makes you one of the gods here. [A pause.] Shinki, like myself, don't remember our lives before we arrived. Having a fresh start is nice, if frustrating at times. I can never know what I'm getting a fresh start from, as finding out about my past can literally turn me into a monster - an ayakashi. However, I've been here a month now and I still haven't stumbled across my favorite food or figured out what things I like to do other than go on walks and look at the night sky. I did discover I like dogs. But that's still hardly anything. I should have more than two interests, but I don't know where to start in figuring them out.

[He tosses the box into the dumpster when they reach it. Saïx hadn't realized how frustrated he was with the whole memory loss aspect until he said all of that. There was a comfort in talking to Axel about it. He could talk to someone he knew with the added perk of them also being a stranger.]

Apologies, you don't even know me and here I am rambling on about the trivial hardships of being resurrected without your memories without introducing myself. I'm Saïx.

[small_reservations]

[Axel nods. This... it hurts. But it's a familiar pain. Last time, when Roxas forgot him, it nearly drove him to madness. Now that he's had that experience, he'd thought it might sting less in the future.

He was wrong. But he won't endanger Saïx.]

Y-yeah. I'm Axel. Got it memorized?

[He taps the side of his head, smiling a grin that doesn't quite reach his eyes. He can't explain this to Saïx, even. Can't explain why he's hurting. The smile quickly fades.]

... Sorry. Probably shouldn't comment on memory, huh?