lostcarnival | ⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

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⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

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.

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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.

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."

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..."

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."

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..."

"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.

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.

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.

Edited 2018-09-02 21:53 (UTC)

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.

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...?"

"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."

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.

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,

Yuya squawks as Gongenzaka rubs his face against his cheek, turning away slightly as he leans back with a laugh. "W-wait, that tickles!"

Despite the protesting and squirming though, Yuya's chest is light with happiness and affection. Being met so enthusiastically is... a relief.

Truthfully, it doesn't feel a lot different. He already loved Gongenzaka, and loved being close to him. But now he can let go of the anxious fear of rejection, and it's like things are back to how they should be. It'll probably mean things will be different in the future, but right now he's happy just being accepted.

If anything should change after all, it should only be a loss of fear. Their connection and understanding was already there- now they simply know it, and are able to embrace it. Laughter quiets, and soon enough Gongenzaka is simply holding the other in a partial hug, soaking in the happiness that lies between them.

He almost misses when Marishi finally deigns to return- vines carrying a pot of hot tea. "Some refreshments, before we're booted out?" she offers gently, purring and winding around them both.

Yuya wipes his eyes dry, then twists around to look at her when she returns obviously in much better spirits. He could say it's just her connection to Gongenzaka, but knowing her... Yuya has a feeling she was waiting.

"Thanks," he grins, reaching for the handle of the teapot and hoisting it up. It swings a little in the air, but it doesn't spill. "I can pour it!"

He shifts, gently rolling out of Gongenzaka's hold to do just that.

"Hm!" Pouring the tea seems like a good idea. Marishi herself will wait until the load is off her before stretching and sprawling out with a yawn. They can sit and enjoy the tea from here- or at the least, for the next little while.

...

He's glad the split happened, despite everything.

~~Boy, when he looks in a mirror though,~~

Yuya passes Gongenzaka his cup first, before pouring his own and holding it gingerly between his fingers. When he sits down, it's a little bit closer than before. Yuya's thoughts are settling.

It's pretty hard to forget what led up to this, though, especially with a mismatch of piercings visible on Gon. He looks up at him, smiling with a touch of curiosity.

"So what was that splitting about?" Yuya's not sure if he knows any better what happened, having experienced it. "Is it really because I asked to kiss you?"

"Auh?" Gongenzaka blinks, glancing at Marishi a moment- the cat unhelpfully rolling her eyes as her partner coughs a bit. "Th-That... well..."

His ears twist back, face rather red. "...Truthfully... if there were anything I feared the most, it was that we would do something, and then you would determine the matter otherwise unpleasant, or..."

"He was too focused on being rejected after the fact," Marishi huffs. "...As if that could ever happen..."

Gongenzaka frowns. "...Aah. ...That, apparently..."

Yuya snorts. "That's what I was scared of, but I asked you first!"

Not to downplay Gongenzaka's anxieties, he just thinks it's funny Gongenzaka was worrying about rejection when Yuya was the one making the move. The first one, though... it takes Yuya a second, glancing over Gongenzaka like he isn't sure why he'd worried about anything being unpleasant when it never was before. But there is a line that they didn't cross before, and his gaze lights up a little with realization.

"Were you worried because of how all the fae magic changed you?" He points, not at any specific part of Gongenzaka because... well, there's a lot.

"Mnh-! I- I, the man Gongenzaka, did not say it was a logical fear..!!" he whines, still red. "Truthfully, I do not even completely understand the reasoning..!! It was simply a paralyzing sensation, and one which I, the man Gongenzaka, could not focus on with proper care at that time..!"

The mirror magic definitely didn't help.

Yuya smiles wryly. If it was serious enough to split, isn't he a little more worried about it? Or more critical about why he was feeling that way...

Yuya reaches to put his hand over Gongenzaka's without breaking eye contact. "You're not still afraid, are you?"

For a few moments, Gongenzaka returns that stare- and then glances upward with thought, thinking it over. "...To say that there is no fear at all...that would be dishonest," he determines. "After all, I, the man Gongenzaka, think that sort of fear is something all of us carry, according to what we desire most. ...However..."

He smiles. "...It is in spite of that fear, that I, the man Gongenzaka, also have faith that this is the right choice."

"Then what are you afraid of?" Yuya's not letting the topic drop that easily. If Gongenzaka has worries, he wants to assuage them. He's always been trying to support him, hasn't he? If anything, that's even more important if they're going to--to date.

Yuya flusters faintly as he remembers that they really have agreed to date, but he's still looking at Gon with an imploring expression.

"What is anyone afraid of these days- 'that something could happen'," Marishi cuts in, her partner casting his eyes downward.

"It does not have to be a matter of what we ourselves decide or feel. ...It is a matter of what we lose."

"But what we lose doesn't change anyway- whether it's said or unsaid, the care has always been there. It would hurt just as much no matter what."

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