⇨ 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

[exaomori]

[His potential?]

Hey, you didn't make any weird bargains, did you?

[reflash]

I already made one "weird bargain" with the Ringmaster, [which is the whole reason he's here] I'm not interested in making any more.

You really don't need to worry about me.

[exaomori]

The more you say it's fine and I don't need to worry, the more I do.

[It isn't the first time he's kept secrets, after all.]

[reflash]

I know you do. [There's an easy admission, and it isn't like it's a bad thing if he actually says something that could be interpreted as "I pay enough attention to know you care, and I recognize when you're worried".]

There isn't anything I could say that would make you worry less, once you've gotten started.

[exaomori]

You could quit closin’ yourself off like that.

[But how many times has she told him that? It was fine if he didn’t share everything with her, but she knows well enough that he’s not going to tell anyone if something was going on. ]

Fine, have it your way.

[ She relents, knowing that he will probably take it as a victory. This wasn’t Yukio, but it wasn’t not him. It’s frustrating, but she’ll still press through the crowd to catch up with him. Leaving him alone wasn’t the answer, and if she was a more honest person, she could admit that she would rather have his company than not. ]

[reflash]

[He rolls his eyes a little, since he's sure she can't see his expression. Being open emotionally never helped any exorcist, not Yukio, not Shura, especially not Fujimoto Shiro. He's never going to stop closing himself off.

He does, however, stop in front of a food stand.]

Did you still want something to eat? [Or did she just want to use that as a pretense for interrogating him.]

[exaomori]

[She wasn't super hungry to begin with, now she doesn't have much of an appetite at all. She glances over what the stall has to offer.]

Nn, let's keep goin'.

[She probably should eat, if only to make sure suddenly Too Cool Four-eyes did.]

[reflash]

[Interrogation it is.

Yukio keeps walking, with an annoyed flick of his tail.]

Have you had a chance to go to many festivals, Shura-san?

[exaomori]

[Too bad, he's stuck with her.]

Hm? [Asking about her? That's odd.] A few, yeah. Haven't gone to many the last few years.

[Working for the Vatican meant a lot of travel. A lot of of un-fun travel.]

[reflash]

[He's putting in an effort to be considerate. Appreciate it, Shura.]

The True Cross Academy festival doesn't count, I guess.

[exaomori]

[this feels weird]

It's the only one I've really been to. Workin' durin' a festival doesn't really count, y'know.

[JUST SAYING]

[reflash]

It doesn't. [HE'S AGREEING

he's kind of making up for lost time right now, since he can take a break and step away from his work for a moment.]

So you shouldn't be surprised that people are taking the opportunity to relax.

[exaomori]

[THIS IS WEIRD]

[There's a slight twitch in her jaw as she clenches her teeth. Was he really listening to himself and expecting her to just accept it? Ugh.]

Then you should get a drink with me, nya~

[u wanna relax with the big kids, yukio??]

[reflash]

I'm underage, Shura-san. [Not that that stopped him before, but the last time had some extenuating circumstances (Rin handed him a bottle and basically challenged him to drink).

But it's not as if laws have ever applied here...]

... are you buying?

[exaomori]

What, you think they’re gonna check for ID? Trust me, they won’t care~

[ Shura would know, being the terrible teenager she was. ]

[reflash]

This is a terrible idea, Shura-san.

... don't tell my brother.

[is he really going along with this? Yes, he is.]

[exaomori]

[ It’s a terrible idea, he says, then promptly accepts her invitation. This was Yukio, all right, even if something was up. ]

Nyaho! I know jus’ the place.

[ And suddenly Shura knows exactly where she’s going, though it’ll take some backtracking to get there. It’s clean and decent place, no frills or rough patrons that might make Yukio consider the wisdom of going out like this. For her part, Shura seems a little more relaxed, immediately calling for some sake as she heads towards a table in the back. ]

That’s fine by you, right~?

[reflash]

[He follows her, feeling more... more excited and anticipatory than nervous. There's a sort of thrill in breaking the rules, in a safe, controlled way like this. He's doing something stupid and impulsive, and he knows it, but he isn't worried or angry or rising to some kind of challenge. He's just... going along with things easily.

By the time they reach their destination, his tail's wagging low behind him, though his expression remains fairly reserved.]

You're paying for it. [He says, in an attempt to not wind up being responsible for Shura's drinking habit.]

[exaomori]

[What happened to being good to her, Yukio?? Besides, it’s not even his money she’s going to spend. ]

Nyahaha, you shouldn’t focus on that kinda thing, it’ll make the booze taste bad~

[It’s almost cute how excited he’s getting, like a dumb puppy. She wants him to get like this, willing to let loose and get into trouble. Something may be wrong with him, but this was a good opportunity.

The sake is brought out within a minute of them taking a seat; Shura orders tempura to eat with it as an afterthought. Better show him the proper way of doing this! She’ll even pour his cup for him, look at her.]

[reflash]

Talking about who's paying isn't going to change the taste, Shura-san.

[He pours her drink for her, because if there's one thing Yukio knows about drinking, it's that he's supposed to do that... for everyone, since he's always the youngest in a group when all the cram school teachers or exorcists go out for drinks, and always ends up pouring drinks for people and drinking soda or tea.]

[exaomori]

It does, it does! Talking 'bout bitter things makes the food taste bitter.

[Though considering how bitter he was, he probably wouldn't notice at this point.

Still, she can't help but approve just a little bit when he pours for her, waiting until he's done to raise her glass.]

Kanpai~

[She'll take a little sip, but keeps the cup close to her mouth, waiting to see how Yukio wants to start off. He'd probably play it safe, but who knew with this new attitude of his.]

[reflash]

[He matches that cheer appropriately (but not too enthusiastically) and takes a sip. He does not flick his tongue at it first, so Shura is deprived of that potentially amusing image. And when he does take a polite, small drink, he doesn't give her the satisfaction of flinching at the burn of the alcohol.]

[exaomori]

[ w o w, Yukio, are you trying to take some of the fun out of this??]

Nya, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were an old hand at this.

[ Fine, Shura can take it slow for this first cup. It was polite to savor, anyway. ]

[reflash]

Maybe I am. [He shoots back, with the sort of slight grin that shows his fangs.] Maybe you've been a terrible influence on me.

[exaomori]

Ha!

[Okay, that's a real laugh. This kid and his mouth--it was moments like this that reminded her that he wasn't going to stay a wimp forever.]

Blamin' me? That's okay~ I'm sure they wouldn't think twice about it if you say that ♥. But you gotta be careful, someone might really believe ya!