chibisu | Ebisu's Inbox

It's highly possible. The Shores are disconnected. Anything tying them together is rare on its own, after all.

[It's possible that the two events are entirely separate... but the possibility of that is incredibly rare.]

Rare is not impossible.

[And even impossible or improbable things are becoming far more likely.]

Putting the tool and controlling ayakashi aside for a moment, is this kind of magic among humans common?

The rituals to drain energy, summoning demons, the dolls representing my generation, have these things happened before or is this kind of magic new?

I don't believe it's something that's common... but I believe it has happened before. I'm afraid I couldn't tell you the extent... not immediately.

[He would have to do a lot of thinking, talking with the others, and going through his own notes and journals that he's written in over the many decades.]

If you find something later, could you let me know? I've been wondering if the arrival of my generation perhaps changed something in the world.

[Arrivals from multiple worlds all with their own forms of magic, still working here. Ginia is far from an expert on magic, but something about that seems strange too.]

Of course. This is relevant to all of us, even the greater Far Shore.

[Granted, the rest of the Far Shore might not act like it, but that doesn't stop a truth from being what it is.]

Since it may very well come into play... The item the master was retrieving was a brush.

Is there anything about this brush that would make it stand?

[If she sees a cultist controlling ayakashi with a brush in their possession, she's mugging that cultist as soon as possible. But if there's anything specific, that'll make it easier than robbing every cultist calligraphy or art enthusiast too.]

Hey.
Still up?

[It's late when Ginia texts Kimi, well after they've returned from the temple. She's pretty sure he's asleep and wouldn't blame him if he is. She's definitely not sleeping.]

I never saw any of them personally, so I can't say. I've heard the handle is red, and the brush itself is pointed, not flat.

[Unfortunately, that's all he knows.]

[A description is better than nothing. Whether the cult even has the brush in its possession is conjecture. It could be lost entirely or in the possession of someone else.

Would it be better if the brush was still in Ebisu's possession?]

Do you think someone in Heaven is working with the cult? The accuracy needed for the dolls is too precise otherwise.

[There's a pause before Ginia adds on to her message.]

For the record, no hard feelings for what happened in that basement.

Hm? Oh. [Right. That. Kiwami sighs.] I'm only glad that I was careful with that doll...

[If taking it away from the crystal had caused something to begin to happen... Who knows what damage would have done.]

At any rate... It might be that someone among Amaterasu's retinue is responsible. However, there are other possibilities. For example... [He curls his fingers to his mouth thoughtfully.] Have you ever heard of someone living being able to access the Far Shore...?

[That's something Ginia hopes to never find out. Hopefully no one takes it upon themselves to use the dolls like voodoo dolls.

Ginia shakes her head at Kiwami's question.]

I thought gods couldn't transport living humans.

[But perhaps never considering otherwise or other means was shortsighted.]

No rest for the wicked (ノ#-_-)ノ

[Sure, he could sleep, but, well. Everyone is simultaneously exhausted and worked up from what happened at the compound. He's leaning on the latter, personally. Besides, it is a night off, of sorts.]

Can I come over?

Can I come over? (#／。＼#)

May I come over?

Want company?

Want to come over?

I saw this article

[Ginia types and deletes message after message, a little frustrated at how hard it is to send a simple message. She could use company. He's still awake and her boyfriend. There's nothing wrong with wanting his company! She still feels immensely awkward asking, finally settling on a message.]

Can I come over?

[Unlike Ginia's own struggle with words, Kimi's comes immediately.]

Of course. Door's unlocked.

[A worrying amount of doors are unlocked in the living complex for Ebisu's shinki... save for the ones with no one in them anymore. But this time it's on purpose, at least.]

[When Ginia comes over, the smell of shrimp will waft out to greet her first before the sight of the room does. It shares much of the same structure that Kiwami's does, when she visited, but that's about all it seems to share. The walls have been painted a warm orange, and there's a large television set where Kiwami would have kept a fish tank. Facing it is a large deep blue couch, where a variety of colorful pillows. Paler blues, pinks, purples, yellows... There's no doubt it's comfortable, at least. There's another desk tucked away in a corner, proud to house a computer system that looks fairly modern.]

[And along the walls? Well, there are plenty of book shelves, for starters, that carry all sorts from fiction to comics to what is very clearly a very robust collection of cookbooks. In what spaces are left, there are picture frames hanging here and there. Ginia might recognize Aomi's style of painting, with one picture being ink paintings of a pair of flying crows. The others seem mostly focused on oil painting, or the fun and abstract. Over one plush chair are his work clothes, including the vest he'd worn to the compound.]

[Stepping through further, and she'll finally be able to see Kimi dressed in a red graphic tee and simple sweatpants, barefoot in a small kitchen space that's definitely been worked on more than Kiwami's has. It's bustling with all sorts of things, from the clearly expensive and fine quality like a set of knives... and then also a turner spatula with a little cat face instead of regular lines. By the time Ginia has arrived, he's set some soba noodles to one side and has some broth cooking on low. It's shrimp tempura he's working on right now, although he pauses when he hears her come in.]

Hey, Jitsumi? That you?

[with Kimi's reply, Ginia is already on the way to the door before she stops and considers her attire. There's nothing wrong with gym shorts and a t-shirt. It's been a long, stressful day, she's comfortable in her room, who could fault her? There's noting wrong going to Kimi's room dressed such. Considering how unplanned the situation is, she has no personal expectations for what he wants to wear aside from have some clothing on.

Or not, hell, whatever, it's his room and she wouldn't find eyecandy unwelcome.

Overthinking. It's definitely overthinking as Ginia stalks back to her closet. She doesn't have the energy to dress any nicer for an impromptu visit, but she throws on a pair of blue denim shorts and a comfortable cat print hoodie over her t-shirt. There. Better. Ginia pockets her phone and steps into a pair of white flats before leaving, letting the door lock behind her.

(It's not that she doesn't trust anyone or thinks anyone will enter without her permission, but the security of a place that's entirely her own private place still brings an immense amount of peace of mind.)

Even though he knows she's on the way, Ginia still knocks before entering. Her stomach gurgles at the smell of shrimp. Sure, shinki are always hungry, but she hasn't eaten since returning from the compound. Food is welcome. Ginia steps out of her shoes and sets them against the wall before entering further, curious but not wanting to pry.

It's a very colorful space, certainly compared to hers, but Ginia isn't surprised either. Work is their life and she hasn't seen much of him outside of it, but this feels like a reflection of his personality. He's vivid and lively and her life is brighter with him in it.

...That almost came to an end, didn't it.

Ginia's expression is a little distracted as she makes it to the kitchen, a smile at the sight of him. So he doesn't have to get distracted from cooking, Ginia takes out her phone, typing and playing a message.]

It's me. Whatever you're cooking smells delicious.

Soba! Well, no, the soba is sort of- on hold, now I've moved onto the tempura.

[Relaxed, he flicks one hand through the air before going back to what he was doing. Tempura is something he needs to keep an eye on, if he wants to get it right. Or maybe that's just him.]

I thought you might want something to eat, since you're coming over to visit. There's no better food than soba to eat, honestly, so it felt like the perfect thing. Wanna take a seat, or?

[A part of her wants to protest. it's a lot of work, he didn't have to do that for her, but he's already cooked and there's no taking that back. Besides, it's clear Kimi enjoys cooking, and when she's truly honest, she likes being cooked for.]

Thank you. Can I watch? I'll stay out of the way, promise.

[If there's one thing she misses from her previous temple, it's watching someone cook. Sure, she's competent enough to help peel vegetables or help stock in the kitchen, but there's too much work to do to stay idle. There's something nice about watching a good cook work. It's something to admire.]

Unless you plan on sneaking into my room, you'll probably be stuck watching me cooking anyway, heh! So knock yourself out.

[He manages to flash her a smile over his shoulder before he gets back to the shrimp. Considering how busy everyone else tends to be, there's not often a chance for regular workers to watch the kitchen get to work. Kimi in particular, or at least while he's casually cooking like this, seems to keep fidgeting. A bounce of his heel against the floor, a faint song he keeps starting to hum-sing before he abruptly cuts off to do it in his head...

[It's probably energy drinks which keeps him moving after a hectic day like the one they've just add.]

[As he finishes the last of the tempura, he calls back to her.]

Feeling like movies or video games? Figured might as well enjoy something tonight before falling asleep.

On second thought, maybe I'll sneak into your room and look for your porn.

[Hah. Nah, it's probably easier looking through his browser history. Ginia leans out of the way against a counter and watches. He's adorable when he's fidgety and she takes a stealthy picture, smiling a bit to herself. It's nice. Isn't this what couples do? Would he mind if she came over more? Do they even really have the time? A tiny sigh escapes as her gaze falls downward, looking up as he speaks to her.]

What do you have? I'm not really choosy, though I haven't played a lot of video games. Mostly rhythm games and visual novels.

Oh my. All you need to do is ask.

[Because yeah, most of it is definitely in the computer at this point. Gotta keep up with the modern age and all. While he messes with the presentation of the bowls, Kimi shrugs.]

I got a lot of everything, most that I haven't finished yet recently. Uh, a few horror games, some of those really technical combat types... Oh, there's a fun game where you just go around taking pictures of fantasy animals.

[Pausing, he taps his bottom lip with the chopsticks he has.]

Which sounds sort of nerdy when I actually say it out loud... A farming game? I just grab whatever is popular or looks fun at the time, so I have a bunch of stuff.

[Horror is out of the question on a good day. Though on a good day, maybe it'd be less scary watching him play. After everything today, a combat game seems like it'd feed too much into her stress. On the other hand, taking pictures of fantasy animals sounds like a great time on any day.]

Taking pictures of fantasy animals sounds pretty cute.

I guess I'm looking for any kind of distraction.

[Her chest feels tight again. Ginia's fingers tap along the back of her case, trying to stave off a growing feeling of dread. It feels like she's drowning. The day should have felt triumphant in some way, but there are only more questions, more unsettling revelations.

She won't be a dark cloud in such a bright room, she won't drag Kimi down with her.

But it's hard feeling strong right now, so maybe it's time to count on someone else. Mi, many, no one here is alone. Ginia waits until Kimi's hands are free, until he's not doing anything too time sensitive or dangerous. She steps behind him and wraps her arms around his waist, holding him close as her face presses against his shoulder. He's warm and real and without their stab vests in the way, Ginia presses fully against him.]

Sorry I'm weak. [She signs in front of him.] Bear with me.

[Listen, Ebisu, your shinki have been instructing Waver in the fine art of Omiyage. Don't ask how he pulled this off... perhaps he's learned a bit of miracle working from your shinki. Perhaps it's magic.

Since food is the general gift of choice, a couple crates of premium Kona coffee beans are delivered and one crate of a selection of wines for the moments everyone needs a glass. Ebisu gets a set of macadamia nut chocolates for himself. Compliments of Waver, and by extension, Iskandar's temple.

For Waver's two friends among the old shinki, he includes a small personal gift too. There's a set of cufflinks for Terumi and concentrated perfumes for Natsumi.]

When you have a moment, I have something to show you. (╯✧∇✧)╯

Then you'll like this. It's a kind of spin off from this other really popular series- one of the more action ones. But apparently people liked the designs so much, so the company actually took a risk in making something a little different. It's pretty...

[Kimi stops himself when he feels her stepping closer, and only waits for a moment so that she can adjust against him before he reaches up to gently curl his fingers against her hair. His other goes downwards, resting against her fingers.]

Of course. It's okay to be weak.

[Is it? Ginia laughs harshly, a huff of hot air across his shirt and skin. She leans a little into his hand, holds him tighter though careful not to squeeze him too much. She hits hard. She knows her strength. Maybe she doesn't know her strength. Strength and weakness, her scale of herself is broken when what is normal? What's the baseline to judge herself against?]

My second temple was full of fighters. I thought it was where I belong, what I wanted.

[Her signs spill from her hands. Strangely, it doesn't hurt as much as she thought it would to think about those months. It'll still take awhile for all the embarrassment and shame to burn off, but it doesn't ache as much.]

They were faster, stronger, I couldn't keep up. Or maybe it was all in my mind, I don't know. I made a lot of mistakes there.

[Maybe one day it'll be easier talking about it. Right now, looking back on those months still feels too embarrassing and shameful. Ginia tries to refocus and tie together the stray thoughts drifting around. It's a level of honesty she's not used to, but bottling everything will eventually suffocate her and her gods too.]

I didn't learn it was okay to be weak until I came here. I guess I'm still getting used to the idea. There's a lot I'm getting used to still. But coming here was the best thing to happen to me. I guess it's the case for everyone here from what I've heard.

[And I could have lost everything. It's nothing she needs to say; Kimi was there, he knows. Her breath skates across him again. Ginia glances at his neck, traces up to where it connects into his jaw.]

...I really want to kiss you right now, but I'm afraid of making the same mistakes again.

Edited 2019-03-21 20:09 (UTC)

Ebisu's Inbox

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April 1st

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Omiyage after the beach trip

April 26th | Text to Kimi

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