June 2022 Event

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

1. SWIMSUIT TROUBLES (1 POINT)

As the city goes through its daily motions, the heat bears down harder and harder while bringing out some increasingly overheated behavior from the local population. Summer is here and the natives are flocking to the shopping district: both as a respite from the scorching temperatures and to stock up on the needed supplies to beat the heat.

That means one noticeable problem: the bathing suits left on the racks aren’t the most fashionable at this point! Suits are scarce and what is left over are the skimpy, the oddly-patterned, a size too small, or all of the above. Then again, you are probably just feeling lucky you aren’t in the Shuten Clan, who have been provided their own precious supply of freshly laundered tiger stripe bikinis. And nothing else.

You may be able to borrow around within your own faction, where the pickings might not be so slim, but are still unlikely to match your personal style. Better hope you ran out to buy something nice when the Daitengu first announced the party.

2. BEACH GAMES (1 POINT)

The indoor beach facility that the Alliance has provided is extraordinary. It’s massive! It seems to extend to the size of an entire soccer field. With the combinations of Kappa tech and Tengu magic, the experience has been made as close to a natural one as anyone could ask for. The heat of the beach feels true to the real world, the sand is white and pure, and the waves rolling in and out are just like the mortal realm. Even the palm trees and beach scrub seem entirely authentic. The vibe is immaculate.

Each faction has their own area set up for meeting and mingling but everyone is welcome to let loose and interact among all the groups.

SHUTEN CLAN

The Shuten Clan has set up their beach fort with food and drinks. The drinks on offer are a particularly strong Oni beer and a few spirits (especially sake). These drinks have been mixed so that anyone who imbibes them will feel a heightened sense of competition and the need to prove themselves!

There are plenty of opportunities to show off:

• Learning surfing with a few knowledgeable Oni.
  
• Volleyball matches.
  
• Shoulder chicken tournaments.
  
• Beer pong.
  
• Drinking contests that never seem to stop.
  
• And friendly scuffles with some of the Shuten who are feeling more rowdy than usual.

In particular, the volleyball matches appear to be the Shuten Clan’s sport of choice. They’re taking these matches deathly serious. With all powers allowed in play, the game is truly deadly with how powerful, how fast, and how fierce those spikes and volleys are. Hold nothing back and leave it all in the ring!

Toraguma himself is here in his tiger striped best! He’s observing the games and taking note of which Shutens do well and which ones shame the clan with their defeat. He’ll give out rewards to those he thinks are exemplifying the pride of the clan. Don’t worry though, if you’re not up to snuff you won’t be punished; except with Toraguma’s obvious disappointment.

TAMAMO CLAN

The Tamamo Clan doesn't disappoint either. Their tiki bar is set up with a far greater variety in stock than the Shutens. Every drink seems to be made to that Lost Soul’s exact tastes. Watch out, this may compel you to pound them back more quickly than normal. The drinks will make you feel much closer to those around you — either in camaraderie, or something more intimate. The Tamamos have arranged a number of floats, inner tubes, and water wings lounging in the water. Enjoy your time together!

When you aren’t relaxing, the Tamamo Clan has also arranged huge buckets of water balloons and have filled their water guns. The instructions are clear: whether sniping from afar or going in on a full assault, go nuts. Especially against the Shutens. Lady Tenkohime herself has a high-caliber, sniper-grade water rifle with her at her lounge chair. She will occasionally pick some unlucky soul to fire off devastating rounds against. She is not soaking them in just water, of course. This is the Tamamo clan’s patented ‘perfume’, which inspires the most amorous feelings.

Finally, the Tamamo have also inspired a spicy wet t-shirt contest. It’s essentially a sexy beauty contest, but given the variety of bodies and hidden ‘talents’ tucked away under everyone’s clothes, it should prove interesting! Tenkohime has described the simple rules:

• One must wear the provided white shirt and only that shirt.
  
• The crowd will soak them down.
  
• And the crowd will judge how well they pull it off.

SUTOKU CLAN

The Sutoku Clan has been given free reign on a fleet of jet skis and paddle boats; perfect for two. There are boogie boards and larger inner tubes ready to be attached to different jet skis. Just be careful, ok?

A large snack bar has been provided with cheerful yokai behind the counter ready and willing to serve up your heart’s desire. There are some strange candies towards the end of the bar, they taste a bit funny but once you eat one you’re compelled to have a few more. These sweets will give you the power to breathe underwater. What is the meaning of this power? Well, you’re in the Alliance, after all, you figure out what’s under the waves.

Sutoku games include things like kan jam and frisbees, but Sutoku Souls are also very much encouraged to participate in the Shuten Clan’s volleyball tournament. Much to Toraguma’s frustration, the Alliance has planted a Tengu referee who seems to really favor the Alliance players over his own. Use your powers liberally.

The Daitengu is in attendance with sunscreen marks on their mask, for some reason. They’re being a total busybody, as usual. They’re really taking the time to chat up Tenkohime and Toraguma, even if the two want to rip each other’s throats out. Could a resolution to the turf war be on the way? One can only hope!

ENMA DEPARTMENT

The Enma is instructing the members of the Department to volunteer (aka voluntold) for lifeguard duty. The shifts are short — it is ultimately a party — and participation will net you both free food and drink from any of the vendors, as well as license to let loose for the rest of the party! The fare provided by the Enma vendors is pretty staid, but it does fill you with the odd need to run down the beach shallows in slow motion. Not sure what that’s about.

There is one further task that is expected of the Enma Department: suikawari. It is a big deal and to be taken seriously! This is the Enma’s favorite beach activity and the only diversion that he cares about. Your guess is as good as anyone’s, but it’s probably because the game resembles a form of execution. Regardless! Every officer is expected to do at least one round of the game as a form of initiation to the Department itself. Captain Shiki hosts the game in the absence of the Enma. Someone should tell her to chill out with that whistle, though.

3. BONFIRE (1 POINT)

As the hosts of the event, the Sutoku Alliance has set up a massive bonfire as the sun begins to set and stars light up the magical sky. There’s a romantic feeling in the air. Things seem as chill as they ever could be, there are no Haniwa in sight! Things feel peaceful for the first time in a while.

A final happy hour is declared, with free libations for everyone to close out the night. It’s time to finish this party in style. For anyone particularly watchful, they may spy the extraordinary sight of Toraguma and Tenkohime together. Off in the shadows while the party rages on, they are sitting together and watching the waves roll in. What could they be discussing? It will remain a mystery, getting any closer to them would be a deadly mistake.

The evening closes without any major incidents. Nothing seems like it could spoil the mood. It almost feels too good to be true.

4. AND THEN... (2 POINTS)

As all the party goers change back into their clothes and exit the facility, there is a rumble of thunder over Jigokucho. The stars are quickly swallowed by a darkening sky and the ground shakes. A minor earthquake? That’s not unheard of but the sky above is looking threatening. Evil. Darkness washes out over the entire city, none of its many bright lights able to cut through. Something is wrong. Something is happening.

A warm rain begins to fall, spattering across you and your surroundings. It becomes quickly apparent that you are not doused with water, but with blood.

The silence is shattered suddenly when a scream cuts across the whole of Jigokucho. An accursed miasma pours out from every direction. Then you see them: the Haniwa. They are everywhere, gazing from every direction, pressing in. Something has gone terribly wrong.

Captain Shiki is the first to act. She makes a call to Kaigo no Bou, but what she hears is enough to freeze her in her tracks.

The containment center deep beneath the tower where the Haniwa were being stored has been compromised. All of the cursed energy that was stored there has leaked out into the city from below. The guards below are dead. No one is answering their radio. It is not just the containment center that has been compromised, but all of Kaigo no Bou.

Captain Shiki struggles to remain calm as she gives out orders. Her entire command structure has been decimated, but she has to keep these people safe. She urges everyone to seek shelter, immediately. Everyone needs to partner up and stick together.

None of the faction leaders present arguments and they enforce this ruling with their Souls. They direct everyone to make their way back to their home base. Shuten to the Arena, Tamamo to Mizukume, and Sutoku to Konoha. There, their faction leaders can protect them.

As for the Enma officers: they are on rescue duty. You will be heading out into the city to rescue as many people as possible from the nightmarish effects of the cursed energy on the city. Captain Shiki will act as their point of command at the indoor beach.

Good luck, everyone.

5. IN THE CURSED NIGHT (2 POINTS)

A rain of blood is sprinkling all around you. It pings off sign posts and garbage bins, it splatters wetly onto the concrete and your face. The scent is pungent and thick; spoiling. It is soaking in to your hair, your clothes, your skin. It is driving you mad: your pulse spinning, breathing short.

There are noises in the impenetrable darkness. Fox feet on the pavement, crow wings shifting on a perch, a stranger's cruel laughter. The dark energy that has swallowed you is bemused by your smallness, is lurking at the edges and waiting for the moment to strike. Hold tight to your fellows, lest in the darkness another hand be placed in yours. Do you know who you walk with? What you walk with?

The Haniwa are watching you from every surface; crowded together as one with their empty eye sockets and open mouths. Their dark eyes turn to follow where you go as you stumble through your nightmares and your delusions. They breathe in your suffering on the air.

Beware the onibi, they will lead you astray.
Beware the grasping hands in the trees.
Beware the whispers in the distance.
Beware the slope to the river.
Beware. Beware.

Welcome to the June event!

• Art by astrono77153462
  
• Special shoutout to vandalisto for coming up with the meat of this event; the beach party. They approached us with this as a player plot, and it was good enough that we made it into the full event for the month. Excellent work, Vandal!
  
• If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
  
• If your character participated in the volleyball games, see here! If they participated in the wet t-shirt contest, see here!
  
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Comments

aerith gainsborough 💐 ffvii 🦊 tamamo

[everblooms]

you don't want to hurt me ( beach games )

i.
[ Attending the beach party in a sweet, vintage number in a shade of pink similar to her bow, Aerith has somehow also procured a giant, floral pattern parasol. What completes the look is a red sarong, and heart shaped glasses. You can thank the local doctor Emily for the 'fit. She's happy to share the shade of her parasol with anyone who asks, and has extra sunscreen for authenticity. Can they even tan in an artificial sun...?

She'll start her day off by soaking in the sun, and eventually move onto sand castle building! She makes attempts at big, sprawling castle structures, but also seems to find them getting lost to the wind. She could use some help: she was never a mud pie kind of girl, for as rambunctious as she is. ]

ii.
[ On the other hand, she definitely has interest in the jet skis Sutoku has procured. Initially, she's a little unsure of them, but after seeing a few people get on without issue... well, looking pretty in the passenger seat is what she does. As such, any lone Sutokus looking to get on the jet skis will come to be approached by a brunette with her hair in a rope braid, her green eyes shimmering with anticipation, and her brows knitted just slightly in uncertainty. A little bit of fear is playing at her expression. Still, she asks, very sincerely. ]

Can I ride with you?

[ It doesn't matter if you've never met her before. It's a good bonding exercise...!? ]

iii.
[ Following her adventures with the jetskis, Aerith jumps into volleyball: Maybe you're her opponent, or maybe you're watching her come back from a crushing defeat after finally getting mad enough to really get competitive. She's surprisingly brutal when she's mad, and her trashtalk is pretty adorably mean, so the show is good. Hit her up afterwards?

And of course, she's at the pool, wading through the water in a floatie ring. Knock her in, pull her down, hit her with a beach ball or drag her into a watersports game— she's up for it all. Before that, however, Aerith relaxes in the pool, leaning back to soak up all the energy... ]

vi.
[ Eventually, it will all get to be a little too much for her. At that point, you'll find her off to the side, thumbing through her contacts on her phone in an effect to contact someone else to hang out with them directly. Interrupt her? ]

see how deep the wound lies ( bonfire )

i.
[ When the bonfire is lit, and the drinks are going around, Aerith takes a quiet moment to herself to stare into the blaze for a time. It's warm, and the sensation of camaraderie that's puncturing through the friendly rivalries today should leave her feeling closer to everyone. Instead, however, she keeps to the side, somehow managing to look and feel lonelier than usual. Even the clan leaders have found someone to sit by; but it's hard to tell what she's thinking as she watches the flames. ]

ii.
[ Of course, not one to dwell for long, Aerith will eventually settle in next to someone whether she recognizes them or not. So long as there's an empty seat near them, she happily takes the spot and starts chattering away. ]

Did you have fun today? [ It comes with a smile, as if knowing the answer is already yes. ] It's nice, don't you think? Nothing bad happening for once... Just the waves, the fire and a day well spent! Phew. I'll be feeling that volleyball game for a while, though.

unaware, i'm tearing you asunder ( and then... )

[ i.
Guess who spoke too soon?

Redressed in her classic pink dress and red biker jacket, Aerith immediately knows that something terrible is happening. When the spiritual energy ruptures like a volcano, it brings the pain. With the earthquake comes the blood rain, and even though she's soaked to the bone, poor girlie here just can't help herself. Captain Shiki explicitly tells them all to go to Mizukome, but Aerith won't listen. It's probably not a surprise to anyone who knows her, but she thinks rationally enough in the moment because just days before, she had spent some time locked in a bleeding bar with a man with a funny sense of humor. She's done her sensory deprivation training for this.

The big picture to her is that something has to be done. The time to act was before the explosion of negativity, not now, but looking back won't do her any good. In this moment, she has to secure the future. ]

Over here! C'mon!

[ Any lone Tamamos will find Aerith by their side eventually, or ushering them in the direction of Mizukome. As she rushes through the chaos, she gets a sense of deja vu over all this. Still, she's present enough to shot out simply: ]

I know a short cut! This way!

ii.
[ On the flipside, anyone not aligned with Tamamo and on this side of the pond is probably doing work for Enma or the same thing Aerith is doing. As such, she'll recruit help eagerly, running up to someone with a worried expression on her face. ]

Hey... [ Already, she sounds concerned and apologetic. ] Think I can borrow you for a bit? We lost someone in Tamamo's crowd. I've been looking but, two pairs of eyes is better than one, right?

[ At least she knows her limit. ]

if i only could, i'd make a deal with god ( cursed city )

[ oocly, i would like to plan these out so we can have an idea of what we'd like to do with our thread and i can tailor it to your wants or needs! i'm happy to have aerith help people out as much as possible. as such, please hit me up on the ooc plotting meme, through a PP @ hagclub, or a PM to this account. I'm happy to play this as abrstractly or literally as you like, so please just let me know.

Wildcards are also super encouraged here! Go off. ]

CLOSED STARTERS

[everblooms]

[ i'll be popping my closed starters under here! ]

for megumi.

[everblooms]

[ The open sky splits and lets the downpour coat the sidewalks, the streets, buildings and lights in gore. It's a nightmare in itself for Aerith, who only stares up as the throngs of people make waves around her, pushing and shoving and screaming to make way. Reinforced Staff in hand, her face is covered in blood and her clothes are sticking to her and... she's decided to make her way to Emily, of course.

This means separating from Cloud. It's a mutual understanding that they have to do their own things to pop off and solve this, but... Beneath the surface of calm she wears that open sky giving way to nightmares and terror is enough to keep her anxious. The streets of Sutoku are emptying, but it only takes one person to bump into her, and knock her to her knees to make it all come undone. The blood splashes all around her, drenching her further, making her dirtier, as a mix of dirt and blood splatters onto Aerith's face and arms. The sky breaks. The rain comes down heavier than before, somehow, as if someone is dropping buckets from the rooftops. She breaks.

In the alley way is where she can be seen, at the very end of it, where she's sat herself up against the wall to recollect her mind as best she can. Raising her staff up, she tries—

She tries—

...She tries and over and over, Pray does not hold. ]

No...

[ It sprinkles light dust down from the heavens, but it doesn't stick, and the spell flickers out like a dying firefly. With it, her hopes die, and she wonders if this is it. As the light dies, something comes to life. Ghostly images of children, all of them playing hide and seek, spread across the street, peeking around corners and joyfully playing with one another.

Where's Aerith? one asks. None of them respond. It feels like a knife in her chest, loneliness crushing her more and more with the recollection of being forgotten, or left behind. The last one stuck in the game. ]

The open sky... [ Her voice is wavering, taut with exertion. She's tired, and the longer she stays there... the longer the alley way seems to get. ] It's your fault...

[ Once again, it's all been taken from her— and all she can do is try. Maybe it's better to give up, she reasons, staying still, trying to reason with her panicked breathing. Maybe it's better to give in. ]

for izuku.

[everblooms]

[ It's been a long few weeks. The past month has been sleep deprived, and terribly hard to navigate as a result. Aerith, however, is determined to see this through. She's making her way to the closest landmark to try out some incense; a bundle is in her pockets, tied up tight and ready to be lit—

except she can't get to it.

What Izuku will spy, wherever his vantage point is, will be the image of a familiar looking woman with a long, brown braid and pink dress. There is no comforting smile on her face, but anxiety and anger flaring up. Around her are two strange, hooded figures, like ghosts— and they will not leave, even as she cries out for them to stop. They tug at her, pulling, and she tries to keep her feet to the ground, but she's being swept away, slowly but surely...

Looks like it's time. ]

for sephiroth.

[everblooms]

[ A curiosity will find him. That isn't uncommon, out here. The streets are deserted, save for two bodies: Sephiroth, and this particular Mysterious Specter. It glides toward him with something like recognition, twisting this way and that way. It wants to eat away at his memory, and his selfhood, to replace it with the knowledge of what must come. This place is not on the map that has been set out for him. It is but one lone specter, however.

Quietly, Aerith emerges from a tunnel. In her hands is the Mythrill Rod, and her expression is tight with suspicion. ]

...Can you feel it, too?

[ She's begun to wonder. ]

for barok.

[everblooms]

[ Aerith had not "fled" Emily's apartment, though some may have looked at it that way. She'd left quickly, in desperate need to accomplish a goal. The first round of the incense is done, they think, and now it's a matter of testing it. Aerith knows exactly who would be best for this. His honesty is a weapon and a virtue, something she respects greatly. He will tell them if they must continue work or not.

The tunnel from Sutoku to Enma on the western side has more structure to it. It's been repaired after the Night Parade, given more stone and whatever else it needed to stand strong. Aerith stands center of it on the other end, waiting. She wears a smile and carries an umbrella, though her expression is marred by dark circles and exhaustion. He should know the signs of hard work.

He enters the crossroads and comes out on the other side.

It is dry. There is no rain, only a church. It is desolate and broken, in the middle of a junkyard where remnants of an industrialized city rest. It is a graveyard for innovation, where metal has come to rust. The roof is caved in, like someone's beaten it in, and it is abandoned. There's no denying that.

He can stay and inspect the trash. Nothing will come up, but he'll see the name "Shinra" labeled on much of the scrap metal. None of it is very interesting, really, but it'll tell him that he isn't in Kansas, and he'll realize that even digging to find her will yield no results, if he tries.

The inside of the church yields a number of things to inspect, however. This, too, has been destroyed. Floorboards have been torn from the ground, exposing the dirt beneath and letting sunlight bless the nature that's starting to overtake it the building. Pews have been ripped from the wooden floor, propped up and discarded. The stained glass windows are half covered by tables, by pews. Sunlight filters in, golden yellow rays like a spotlight upon the single patch of yellow lilies in full blossom.

The remaining pews are few, but crowded together. There's a cross, with an open coffin beneath it. The lilies seem oddly inviting. There is still no Aerith, however.

The question is, now what? ]

for emily.

[everblooms]

[ The belly of the beast does not look like you would think it does.

When Emily comes to, she will find herself in a clinical looking space, industrialized as it maybe. A lifetime of medical experience may tell her this is a laboratory, for testing, with blue-gray steel walls and floors and unnatural green lighting emanating from empty tubes. They bear warning signs at their top and bottom, and though most are empty on the inside, their glass walls reflecting only herself back in them, there is one that is not.

In the center of this great, wide room is a vantage point where a man with glasses is watching. Though the glare of the lights block out his eyes behind the lenses, his expression is twisted into a caricature of ghoulish delight. He speaks. ]

What a shame! I would have liked to her to survive the night, but at the very least, we can preserve our precious specimen. Doctor Dyer, would you do the honors?

[ The glass tube is lit up blue, and inside is a wooden mannequin.

Her face is painted into a neutral expression, corpse-like impassivity. Her brown hair down up in a rope braid, with a pink ribbon at the back. A necklace with a flower pendant hangs from neck. ]

The first step to any autopsy is to identify the body, doctor.

[ There is a keypad by the door.

_ _ _ _ _ _ ]

bonfire - i

[identitycrisiscore]

[ Cloud, for his part, is similarly wiped out - a long day of volleyball in the name of the Daitengu - and a brief detour that left him catching the wet t-shirt contest (after which he was, presumably, a bit scarce to find afterward!) - Cloud has rejoined the festivities with the sun winding down and the fire roaring. It doesn't take much to pick Aerith out of the crowd, she has a pretty distinctive aesthetic that's hard to miss, even in beachwear. ]

[ He slows his gait a bit when he realizes he's catching Aerith on her lonesome - and looking pensive. It's not entirely his style, but he's got a bit of liquid courage in him, himself, after today's festivities, so it may come as a shock that Aerith finds a certain blonde-haired friend of hers sneaking up on her and putting a hand on her shoulder. ]

Hey. Aren't you the one who's supposed to be getting me to smile? [ There may be the faintest twitch at the corner of his lips as he says that - which is probably Aerith's clue that he's tuned into her, at least a little bit. ]

[everblooms]

[ The boys have been doing this a lot to her, lately, she realizes. Sneaking up on her and speaking suddenly, as if knowing she's going to have a teasing remark to make. A jolt of surprise rolls through Aerith like the ebb tide at Cloud's touch. Turning her head to look up at him, the open-mouthed stare she wears melts into a small smile. She looks to the sand— it glistens as the fire dances. Sometimes twists in her gut, and she feels like she's been pulled back down to the ground. She had been in danger of drifting away, hadn't she? She wonders. ]

Aww, Cloud. [ Raising her head back up, she's grinning— finally. ] You want to see me smiling?

[ She's only teasing. ]

Aren't I blessed? It's the star volleyball player for Sutoku taking time out of his day for little old me!

i

[mahoraga]

[ Let's hope Aerith hadn't worked too hard on that sandcastle, because a large black wolf steps over, gives her creation a good sniff, then decides it would be kosher to just walk right over it. Yes, the sand castle is now destroyed and there are paw prints everywhere.

From a meter or two away, there's a soft and neutral voice from beneath the shade of a beach umbrella. There, a young man is lounging away from everyone and dressed in a regular shirt and pants (so, not at all festive for a beach day). Megumi had let the dogs out on a friend's insistence, and since they don't normally cause trouble, he wasn't paying them his full attention. ] Wait, don't --

[ He only noticed what had happened after it was too late. ]

Oh. [ Oops. ]

[everblooms]

[ Who is this, Aerith thinks, tilting her head to peer over to the wolf with no inclination of moving. It's not hard to guess that most people might be put off by something as big as a wolf wandering over to them suddenly, but she thinks of Nanaki, smiling to herself. ]

Hi! [ The warm, fond smile on her face is as inviting as a smile can be, and Aerith reaches out to try and touch the wolf...

Except— ] Hey!

[ Her castle is beset on all sides by paws. Aerith had moved to try and intercept, but she supposes as she looks down at the carnage to her artistic vision that this is probably as much of a shape it's going to hold, now. Sighing, she sits back down and pouts.

By the time someone comes to see what it's all about, the destruction is too great to look at. Think of all those little court jesters now, laid to rest in their mushy, sandy graves. (No court jesters were hurt in the making of this thread, except perhaps Aerith.) ]

Hey... [ One of her hands raises to disappear into the fur coat of his wolf, rubbing friendly if slightly downtrodden disappointed little pats in for the animal. ] Don't worry about it. It wasn't going to stay in place anyway.

[ Probably. ]

beach party, i

[disagree]

[ eula's not looking too shabby in her black two-piece and light-blue jacket that said LIFEGUARD at the back, a pair of dark sunglasses perched on her nose as she strolls along the shore for... something. at least her shift as a lifeguard won't be too long, so for now she's scouting for other things to do for when she's finally free.

poor aerith, though. can't be that hard to make a sandcastle, yet the wind and water kept messing her ongoing creations up. eula tilts her head. ]

Is this your first time? [ making one, that is. ]

[everblooms]

[ Aerith is looking respectfully. Lowers her glasses down a little to get a better peek at Eula and everything, in fact, before smiling a little sadly. ]

You can tell, can you? [ She can swim, but playing like this... is completely new to her. It had seemed like something fun to do, but... ]

Does that mean you've done it before?

ii. bonfire;

[littleshield]

[ Today has been a long day of extracurricular activities and whatnot, but Felix has more or less sat down at some point. He's only human, after all.

Nevertheless, he's not too interested in associating with many of the many people hanging around at the party, so he doesn't bother sitting near them either. When Aerith sits down near him and asks, he simply lets out a scoff. ]

Fun isn't what I'd call it.

[ But, maybe. ]

It is nice not to have been dealing with some form of idiocy.

[ There's a small pause. As someone who has been participating in the volleyball activities himself, he certainly had noticed her efforts. ]

You went all out in that game. I'm not surprised if you'd be 'feeling it'. Though you made it clear you were an adequate challenge, I suppose.

[everblooms]

[ It is good, she thinks happily, to see him well, and to hear his snarky voice. Felix isn't someone she's managed to keep in contact with, but part of her had wondered how well he was following the Night Parade's disaster. ]

It was fun, and you know it was. [ She shoulder checks him gently, knocking her's against his with a knowing little smile. ]

From you... maybe that's a compliment. [ She can almost picture it as one. She can't help but tease. ] Thanks. You're no slouch yourself... I had fun watching you. You know, you don't come off like a Shuten guy, but knowing how hard and quickly you work... it makes sense.

bonfire i

[horrifictie]

[ He wasn't going to join the bonfire at first. The amount of drinks being passed around unnerved him, desperate to stay sober despite the last couple weeks of consistent nightmares. A built-in urge to take a swig called out to him by the hour and he was fighting it with all his will. He was in the middle of weighing his options, thinking of leaving early, when he notices a familiar woman sitting by her lonesome. Air-something? She was so helpful to him when they met and then he acted insane, as he always does, and fled.

With a plan in mind, he grabs a drink and makes his way over to her. Then, while she's still staring off, he foists it in her direction. ]

Drink?

[everblooms]

[ You know, she should be less surprised by this, now. People she's helped always have a habit of coming back around— not in the interest of getting a favor, but merely to be kind. It's humbling, to exist with such warmth in her life.

So, Harry's voice breaks her lethargy. It tugs Aerith back down to the sand, and she turns her head to look at him, staring directly into his eyes. Studying him for a moment, she takes in the sight of his world-weary face, and... Looks down, as if to hide her expression. He looks better, she muses to herself. Maybe it's his voice, or his posture, or the color in his face. Maybe it's all three. She doesn't know for sure.

Aerith raises his head back up to look at him again, revealing that a reserved smile had swam across her lips; she can't hide that she's strangely relieved any longer. It's nice to see someone doing better. She can't believe she's stood out here to dwell when the present has been so worth living in. ]

Yeah. Thank you. [ She's grateful. For the distraction, or the company? It's both, in truth. With a nod, she accepts the glass then drinks from it... and Aerith is surprised to find it burns when it goes down. Everything she's snagged from the bar has been on the fruitier side than this, but she takes it like a champ, all things considered. (Or her tolerance is already heightened— a few shots will do that to you.) Maybe this is more Harry's speed...? She'll have to ask Shylock about this later. ]

No greeting before the alcohol? [ She's ribbing with friendliness and a warm smile despite the light strain in her voice. ] It's really good to see you, Harry. You look better.

[ She means it. Everywhere might be up from tripping in an alleyway with a stranger, but that doesn't mean that still isn't better. ]

wildcard; curse purification stuff!

[worldbent]

[This was not going to be doable.]

[Reality said as much, and yet Matoba was still moving. Despite the likely internal damage from being tossed around like a ragdoll by the Matoba clan's curse, despite the fact that he wasn't sure which blood was his or the rain anymore, he's still dragging himself through the city streets, going from place to place of shelter in order to re-secure and re-ward the places that were counting on his power.]

[As usual, it was up to him alone.... He was the only one that could do this.]

[--Maybe. A faint glimmer of holy power on the fringes of his awareness makes him stumble in a step, where normally it would have only been a short pause in his gait. Unsurely, he turns his head towards the source, and tries to sharpen his vision- blurring far too often now to be practical- in that direction.]

[This was Tamamo territory. Could that source of purification be...?]

[He moves before he can fully think it through, moving on the strength of his purpose alone. It was a better plan than anything else at the moment; if nothing else, maybe he could force him to shore up his right side, and...]

Scatter! [He banishes the field of negative aura before him with a burst of aura, hoping to attract the attention of whoever, he hopes, that is.]

ii. jet skis- tdm experience say that driving something you dont understand works wonders for cr

[fuckdogramagra]

[ In all honesty, Tama has been watching the jet skis with awe and envy ever since he realized they were, like, Sutoku's- the most extreme thing he's ever ridden was on the back of Minakami's old, beaten bike...unless you counted the twins' driving...but the tangible possibility of driving any sort of motorized vehicle himself is exciting!! A real civilian watercraft, and one without all the uncomfortable weight of war attached to it-

But for all he's been fantasizing while staring at them, he hasn't expected to actually do it. He has a handful of water-breathing candies and free reign to use them, but it's not til Aerith speaks up that he snaps out of his indecision. His eyes immediately startle, still not used to even the vintage-styled bathing suit on a girl, but manages to not look like a creep by just adjusting his sunhat and trying to keep focused on the jet ski rentals. ] Ah, um...I don't really know how to ride them, either. I want to, but...

[ No. Minakami got to ride in a motorcar twice already. All he got was chased by some sharks! He is not letting this opportunity pass him by!! He spins on his heel, just as uncertain but trying to put up a brave front. ] There's water-breathing candies, and there's people watching the water- it should be safe still, right? Surely they're telling people how to steer them, I can't imagine everyone here knows how...

iii. volleyball

[kikuichi]

[Turns out Aerith's next opponent is none other than Norimune. He have already got a few matches under his belt, and most likely already established his cheerful old man act by now. So he gives Aerith a friendly wave once he sees her, but his eyes look quite serious.

He's here to have fun, but it doesn't mean he'll hold back.]

Hello, Miss Aerith! Here's hoping this old man can be a good match.

beach party, i

[nerine]

[For this beach party, instead of a swimsuit, Monts is opting for a pure look, specifically in the form of a classic white summer sundress. Aerith's attempts at sand castles are very admirable and if it wasn't for that and recognizing her from their network conversation, Monts would have passed her by. Instead, let's give some feedback:]

You definitely need to add some water to the sand if you want the structure to keep... It's a bit of a pain, but if you have a bucket of sorts, I don't mind hauling some over.

And then... - ii

[blackabyss]

[Of course when things turn sideways, Fumikage is choosing to ignore the orders to find shelter in favour of helping others get to safety. He's been training to become a pro hero, and the urge to rush in and help others is instinctual to him. And with the darkened sky, he and Dark Shadow are able to move easier than in the bright sun, doing their best to help direct others and keep the Haniwa at a safe distance away.]

[He pauses when he hears someone call out to him, and he turns to see the woman in the pink dress. Someone was lost? He nods to her.]

I can't say for certain if I've seen anyone, but I can definitely help find them.

[Beside him, Dark Shadow pipes up.]

Make that three pairs of eyes!!

beach games (i)

[himbosupreme]

[Oh, was that a sand castle? Cain was walking along the beach (still trying to keep an ear out for the sound of any trouble) in his 'Suns Out Guns Out' top, when he came across what he assumed was someone building a castle in the sand. He lived in a river town, so there was usually little opportunity to do something like this.]

Oh, hey! You want any help with that?

[Besides, the mystery person seemed to be struggling. Hopefully Aerith wouldn't mind him looking in her general direction to hastily cover up his affliction.]

and then (i)

[hellborne]

[ despite how well they were faring before, jack knows that they are quickly reaching their limit. the cursed energy is corrosive to the mind, and the heroic spirit finds themselves unable to think of a plan in the midst of the cries of starving children that they know is only in their mind.

so when aerith calls out, her voice cuts through jack's panic like a sword. they snap their head towards the source of the sound, eyes as wide as plates. ]

T-this...which faction are you with?!

cursed city.

[medicative]

[she's not where she was - or well. that door wasn't there before, where it might have been. heavy, dark metal, and rusted, but opens silently - leading to a staircase. it goes down - the glow of firelight at the base of them, but no warmth.

but there is no rain. that's a bonus.]