⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 92 - Day 99
Where: Shabondamashii Bathhouse
What: With the Silver Mirror claimed and the animals of Eden relocated, it's time for the carnival to kick back and enjoy an interdimensional bathhouse and the surrounding festival city. Meanwhile, the scattered shards of the Mirror have an unexpected effect.
Warnings: Dark/Light halves acting weird.

THE BIG CLEANSE↴ As the carnival recovers, the Ringmaster has brought it to the gates of a famous interdimensional bathhouse to rest. She won't be joining you for most of it, though she will be checking in frequently and available by radio. She's fixed a large portion of the Silver Mirror after it shattered, but it seems like pieces are missing. She doesn't want to rest until the missing shards are dealt with, and the Mirror itself is locked away safely. ► YOUR OTHER HALF: The shards missing from the Silver Mirror didn't just disappear - after breaking apart in Eden, fragments of the object embedded themselves in the spirits of those not already touched by its powers, and those that had been the most fae-touched. That means, your characters. The effect of this, explained in more detail on the plotting post, is that some characters will be splitting into two versions of themselves: the Light, and the Dark. This doesn't mean good and evil, of course, it's far more complicated than that. Splits can start happening at any time after arriving in Shabon, and initially characters won't know how to rejoin with their twins. Later on, it will become apparent that they need to reconnect via the shard of the Mirror they share... of course, in order to rejoin, you have to have both halves, and not all twins will be as eager to go back to the way things were before. This plot point is optional. ► SPA DAY: When you're not engaging in metaphysical division, you are free to enjoy the many luxuries that Shabon offers. Things will mostly have an east-Asian bend, like what you would see in the movie Spirited Away, but as long as it doesn't affect the setting much, you can honestly have whatever spa-type services available that you want. Food is served both in restaurants and 'buffet' style. There are also well paid sex workers here, if that is your thing, but make sure to tip well. ► FESTIVAL TOWN: The city surrounding Shabondamashii is largely meant to catch the business of interdimensional tourists. There are frequent parades and other events held, and the architecture is very closely packed. It's easy to get lost if you leave the bathhouse, but it's definitely worth it if you like party. You can pick out a few outfits for yourself and some fun nick nacks, but nothing that would normally require mod approval.

Comments

[betheman]

"Mnnnrgggff..." Darker Gon sniffs a bit, but otherwise doesn't really respond. Marishi has a better idea, moving over to nuzzle against her partner while carefully removing the sake bottle with a vine.

"Noboru...Noboru, guess who's here...?" As 'Light' Gon simply stares with crossed arms, Marishi continues. "Noboru.... ...Yuuya's here~"

Boy that worked.

"Y-YUUYA!?" The name escapes like a yelp, and not only does Gongenzaka shoot up immediately, he curls up just as fast- a few of the trinkets he bought fall from his leafy storage bundle in the process. (though they fortunately don't break) "Where- wh..."

Somehow jolting upright got him looking not down, where Yuuya is.

"I.... I, th... I can't! I ran! I can't let him see me, I was horrible! Rude! I..." He sniffs, fidgeting and curling up a bit. "Noooo, no no, I... ...He wouldn't forgive that, he couldn't..."

"Oh don't be ridiculous Noboru, you're not thinking properly..! He's the most forgiving boy we know, goodness!"

"Of course," the Light version notes. "After all, it is not a matter of if he forgives, but if we make ourselves worthy of forgiveness. Such is what I, the man Gongenzaka, have taken the care to do..."

"But now I really can't then..!!"

this is a mess,

[hippocarnival]

Yuya jolts, leaning back as Gon shoots to awareness and proceeds to immediately devolve into panicked rambling.

"H-hey, hey!" He just ignores light Gon's quip in favor of reaching for dark Gon's hand with both of his, squeezing gently to encourage him to look down and realize Yuya is here.

"It's okay. I already forgave you, there's nothing wrong between us! Calm down, it's okay..."

[betheman]

If the jolting into panic wasn't sudden, then the next shift is equally sudden. As though a switch has been flipped, Gongenzaka blinks, and stares downward. "...R...really?"

"Of course it's 'really', Noboru...I told you, as long as we were all honest..."

That's about as far as she gets before Yuuya is pulled into a more intense hug than either have ever likely experienced.

"AAAUH..!! Th...That's so wonderful, Yuuya..!! I... I, the man Gongenzaka, am so hh...Happy to hear...!"

Marishi is going to go back to prodding the other half now. "goodness noboru just join back with him however that works, we can't take this much longer,"

[hippocarnival]

Yuya sucks in a sharp breath as he's pulled in, choking as dark Gongenzaka pulls him into a painfully tight embrace. That's normal, but Yuya's a little worried that like this he'll forget to let go before he suffocates Yuya.

He twists with a gasp, trying to look at light Gon. "C--can we get him out of here...?"

First part of dealing with this is getting Gon somewhere he won't go and make more bad decisions.

[betheman]

The Light Gongenzaka frowns at his other half. He frowns at Marishi. And then, still frowning, he looks toward Yuuya before he sighs.

Slowly, he trots toward his somewhat oblivious double before tapping the other's shoulder.

"Auh?"

Gongenzaka's frown persists, and he holds out his flesh hand. "...If you would," he states sternly. And while the other hesitates, and tries to duck back a bit, he too looks to Marishi and then to Yuuya.

And then, with a sniffle, takes the other's hand.

What happens next is a bit...Odd. While the Dark double lets go of Yuuya to wobbly stand, the other seems to simply walk into him. Both do so, until finally there's only one Gongenzaka left- eyes shut.

...One Gongenzaka who is now wearing a very formal set of hakama, bandages underneath, while decorated with a number of piercings and carrying various nonsense souvenirs.

A true blend apparently.

Marishi collapses in relief. "Oh thank GOODNESS..."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya let's out a wheezy gasp as he's released, steadying himself while Gongenzaka fuses. That was... sp much easier than it could have been, and when he sees him whole he looks utterly relieved.

"Gongenzaka..." He smiles, shoulders sinking. And then he pauses. "You, uh, have a lot of piercings now."

[betheman]

"Nnnh..." Gongenzaka takes a few moments to properly regain his senses. Part of it might be that half of him drained a sake bottle, leaving him with the side effects. Groaning a bit as he holds his head, it isn't until he shakes himself and hears thr resulting clinking that he becomes aware of Yuuya's words. "Mnn...Auuh..? ...piercings..?"

His head hurts far too much to get frantic over this... Marishi at least has a solution. "They just now went in so it isn't too permanent Noboru...we'll have to remove the metals and meditate on it.."

So they shall. Gongenzaka however, focuses what clarity he has on something else.

"...Yuuya..."

Hoo. Boy.

Well half if him certainly spoke for him, apparently.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's expression twists wryly, until Gon says his name and looks at him like that. He glances aside, rubbing the back of his neck shyly as he looks to the door.

"What happened to you?" He shakes his head before peeking at Gon as he points at the door. "Let's go somewhere else."

Not sit around in the cramped tattoo parlor Gon made bad decisions in. Yuya starts for the door, ready to get back to the slightly more open streets. "Do you think the tea is still there?"

[betheman]

"Mnng...I, the man Gongenzaka, suspect that what happened was someone discovering the safest method of keeping part of myself 'still'," he half whines, grimacing. As Yuuya asks about the tea however he pauses- and slowly, a smile comes to his face.

"...I, the man Gongenzaka, believe it may...and if not, then I would be happy to obtain more, for that matter."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya smiles a little. "You--part of you went through a lot of effort to set that up, right? So let's see if it's still there."

After they abandoned it, he hopes Gon had it reserved on time. And he can ask about what exactly Gon's other half went and did after. Because piercings and alcohol don't spell him having done the best for himself in his state of mind.

[betheman]

"Auuh. It is...somewhat difficult to keep sense of the memories, but it was a heavily planned matter.." Gongenzaka admits, blushing a bit. It was all very over the top when he thinks on it after all.

"...if my memory is correct however...we should have it until the breakfast hour." Surprise Yuuya its kind of super early. morning actually.

[hippocarnival]

It does look lighter outside... how long were they looking? What time was it when Gon came to get him?

"Then we have to hurry!" Yuya pucks up the pace, breaking into a run as he tries to retrace their steps as best as he can. He still gets turned around a couple times, but Gongenzaka can steer him back on track.

Luckily, when they arrive, the section is still reserved for them. The tea is probably cold by now, but at least they have a couple hours to appreciate the scenery... or get more tea.

[betheman]

You don't want to know the hour Yuuya. You just don't.

Marishi gives them both a knowing nod and smile once they're finally back. "...The tea and kettle aren't far from here... ...how about I handle that while you talk, neh?"

A clever daemon, certainly. Of course as soon as she's gone, Gongenzaka is simply beet red and lost for words.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya kind of put the original intention of the room out of his mind, but Marishi's gentle teasing and Gon's blush reminds him quite clearly.

There's an awkward pause once she leaves, Yuya staring at Gon before he sits on the cloth like before, putting his gift aside.

"So... um. You picked a really nice place."

[betheman]

There can be no running from this. Frankly he still finds the fact that he did in the first place disgusting- but after all, there was likely some magic involved.

Gongenzaka thus takes that conversational start and clutches it tightly, nodding and trying his best to look at Yuuya instead of the ground. "...It reminded me of the Summerlands," he admits. "...Of the small garden we found, with wisps and lights... ...it was an echo of a peace I, the man Gongenzaka, had shared...and treasured, with you..."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya smiles hesitantly, although he clasps his hands tightly in his lap in tension. "I'm glad you liked that place so much. I liked it, too."

It's a much safer topic than kissing, so Yuya doesn't sound worried. But he's not sure he wants to try and fail a third time, like maybe he shouldn't be pursuing it at all.

"And I really like the gift you got me."

[betheman]

It's safe. But he doesn't want to make Yuuya give up. Sitting more comfortably he stares at the tea and thinks of that 'almost' moment, briefly cutting from it to beam at his friend. "Ah- you truly did then?!" There is a sigh of open relief, more genuine than half of him could ever convey. "Hahh.. It is a relief...I, the man Gongenzaka, had hoped to gift something lasting, and useful...but I wished for it to suit you as well of course, so..."

[hippocarnival]

"Yeah!" Yuya smiles more brightly, also relaxing at Gongenzaka's relief. "I'll figure out something to write and try it later."

He's going to doodle a bunch of smiley faces and stamp his name all over a page.

"Really, I appreciate this, all of it. Thank you, Gongenzaka."

After all, it isn't often Gongenzaka pointedly sets something up for Yuya. Not because he doesn't care, he knows, he's just a man who expresses himself with much simpler actions. Still... it makes Yuya feel a little special, no matter what the original reason is.

[betheman]

The Ringmaster will be proud no doubt.

Gongenzaka's smile softens- he looks to Yuuya with a seemingly distant gaze, face slightly less red even as he tries to bring words to his mouth. "I..."

He swallows- and shaking somewhat, tries to speak as tears dot his eyes. "...Even if I, the man Gongenzaka, was only half of myself after all...I wanted for the words which I wished said, to be said..! ...To me, Yuuya...when it comes to you, I... ...I...."

With a shuddering breath, he chokes, wiping his eyes with one sleeve. "...More than anything I needed to be sure that I would not run from my feelings..."

He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath- and reaching out with his soul. With a familiar feeling. A warm, comforting and close feeling.

He meant those words, even if only half could say them.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya blinks rapidly as Gongenzaka starts to weep, leaning forward. But he doesn't say anything. He waits, and listens, and puts a hand to his chest when Gongenzaka pushes his feelings forward.

It holds him for a moment, with not quite a return until Yuya gets to his feet and approaches Gongenzaka, narrowly avoiding kicking over the cold tea set.

"I--Gongenzaka." What he wants to say gets stuck in his throat, and instead his knees buckle down so that he can wrap his arms around Gongenzaka's shoulder in an embrace. That's when his own feelings, initially quiet and uncertain, burst with assurance and affection.

He's always loved Gongenzaka. That was never the question in his mind, and it hasn't changed now.

[betheman]

The response is imminent. Gongenzaka is in tears of the best sort, beginning first as a rumble and then erupting all at once as he returns Yuuya's hug with a solid cling of his own. How he can hold the spirit connection is anyone's guess- with them perhaps it's simply because of how familiar and constant it has been. But Gongenzaka holds Yuuya close, burying his face against the other's hair, and he does not want to let go for anything.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya squeaks as Gongenzaka's tight, nuzzling cling buries him in his fur. He flails, hands vaguely gripping at the air before he squirms up enough to get his head over Gon's shoulder with a gasp. Able to breath again, his arms settle back around Gon, clinging to the back of his kimono as all of their feelings wash over him.

"... Um." He starts slowly. "So, are we--are you...?"

[betheman]

"Yes," he manages between the sounds of sniffling and crying. If it were possible he could well be holding even tighter- yet he manages to move so that his head is in front of Yuuya's again, nearly brow to brow. "From the both of my halves and beyond...Yes."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya sucks in a breath between his teeth as Gongenzaka shifts them--mostly him--around so that they're facing each other. He flusters at the confirmation, his gaze locking with Gongenzaka's as he's frozen for a moment.

Then he shakes to awareness, sighs and reaches to wipe some of Gon's tears away. He thought he was going to be the one crying about this (his eyes are getting a little wet).

He pauses, tilting his head and moving with an awkward jerkiness befor he just swallows down his anxiety and leans suddenly to press a very quick kiss to his cheek.

And then he pulls back as far as Gon's tight hold allows him, a blush creeping over his cheeks.

[betheman]

It is so quick that Gongenzaka almost misses it. Almost being the operative word. Gongenzaka blinks owlishly a moment, growing steadily redder in the face as he does. And then he laughs- an odd half laugh, the sounds broken up with coughs and surprise. He pulls Yuuya close again, and while it is hardly a kiss by definition the other will find his cheek rather ferociously nuzzled against.

It's as close as he can figure out to do right now, really. What are snouts, how do they work,