Day 72 :: [OPEN]

[bastionpc]

Who: Everyone
Open: Open
When: Day 72
Where: The Skyway
What: Out on the Skyway is a farm. On that farm are supplies and plot coupons.
Format: action
Warnings: cows

[On day 72, whoever happens to be exploring the Skyway will come across a farm! It is rather large, with several overgrown fields, a huge barn, some chicken coops, and a farmhouse.

It is undisturbed for the moment, though it would be advisable to make any stop here quick. Monsters are never that far away.]






((OOC: There will be several different areas each character can explore and find things. Please choose only one area of the farm per character for your characters to participate in. Your characters can interact with anyone else in that particular area.

Teamwork may be needed to accomplish goals in this post.))

Comments

[yinyangfox]

The best start. [ The onmyoji chuckles and shakes his head. ] Your distress is not so much about the egg, is it. You are adjusting to your surroundings, you are displaced and confused. It is all a lot to process and you are fretting because you do not know what else to do. So, why not focus on this for now? Let everything else fall into place, you just distract yourself with the here and now.

Right now, you've only got this to worry about. If it is a helpless animal, you have to take care of it and by association, yourself. If you are not well, you cannot take care of the hatchling. If it is indeed a monster, then we will figure things out from there. If it can be wrangled or rehabilitated, I and the others will help you.

Meanwhile, taking on this responsibility shows to the others that you are adjusting, that you are collecting your wits and they do not have to worry about you. You will not be a risk or a hazard. That is important to you, is it not? To prove to yourself and others that you are strong enough for this?

[individuates]

[He stops in his tracks because he has been completely and utterly floored by everything that Seimei has said. Not one part of it is incorrect; therefore none of it is contradictable. Ordinarily they would have attacked for the sake of attacking – you breached our defenses, we’ll breach yours - or argued back in an effort to bolster their own. It’s much easier for two people to talk one person into silence. But Kaoru’s not with Hikaru anymore, and he fears that any falsehood he attempts to construct will be quickly demolished with another arch of those eyebrows of Seimei’s.

Since arriving in this place, he has never wanted to be seen as weak, or in need of assistance. He’s sixteen, he’s not a child, nor is he the only one to have been thrown into this situation. All of them have. He is not special in any regard. And since throwing himself on the floor and tantrumming like a child until he is returned home is out of the question, he has had to turn his efforts to dealing with this.

He seems to be making a decent fist of it, or at least that’s how he hopes it seems. He hates the idea that he might cause people to worry about him... but in reality, it feels as though he is barely keeping his head above water.

Then there is the second issue of forming connections – any connections – in this place. He learned a long time ago that anyone outside of his close family could – would – hurt him, and he and Hikaru had wound up becoming the most bratty children and callous teenagers simply because they didn’t want to be hurt. Simply because they knew that the best prevention was to hurt Them first. Joining the host club had helped him grow out of that thinking, but the suspicion remained deep, and transformed into a fear of being left behind. Because although not all people have bad intentions, it still hurts when they leave. He’s dealing with that pain even now. And maybe that’s part of the reason he’s so worried about it. He doesn’t want to open himself up to that all over again. He’s scared of it.

All this and he has absolutely no idea what to say to Seimei in response to all that. He’s not sure how he’s supposed to react. So he swallows, and bows his head slightly.]

I... I understand. Thank you, Seimei-san.

[yinyangfox]

[ The onmyoji pauses, looking at Kaoru in thoughtful silence before nodding and rolling a shoulder towards the Bastion. ]

You are always welcome, Hitachiin-san. I understand what it is to feel out of place and lost in the tide of what everyone else seems to handle better than oneself. I felt very much the way you do now, before I even got here. Where I am from - or when, I should say - I lived under constant suspicion and all of my actions were questioned, regardless of how skilled or qualified I was.

To have people constantly scrutinizing you is stifling. It is an enormous relief to shrug off that burden. I will miss many things, and some people, but I will not miss their stares and whispers. So, in order for you to escape stares and whispers in this place, you must learn to adapt, and convince others to look elsewhere out of concern. You can convince them you are strong and adult and well within your ability to move without supervision usually restricted to children.

[ He turns, continuing to walk, though he keeps his pace comfortably ponderous for Kaoru to catch up and follow alongside. ]

And in those times when you question your ability to hold on, or feel you cannot carry the weight of grief or loss or fear or loneliness, I invite you to come to me. I cannot speak for others. I can assure you, however, that you will never find judgment when speaking to me. You will find understanding, and I will always be willing to console or comfort you. I do not mind if that is my role...I may need consolation myself, at times.

[individuates]

[the egg remains cradled against Kaoru’s chest, his head still bowed. He’s not sure what else to do to show his gratitude. In the beginning, he had thought to some degree that turning to anyone else would mean turning his back on Hikaru, on home, on everything else. He had tried going it alone and it simply wasn’t working out as he wanted.

He wanted to be brave, but that didn’t mean he had to be foolish. The two were easily confusable but it was entirely possible to have one without the other. And with bravery, strength would come.]

Thank you, Seimei-san. [he repeats it again anyway, even though he sounds like a broken record. He’s never really confided in anyone other than Hikaru. It’s kind of a big deal.]

And I may screw up sometimes but I also- - [He lifts his head... only to find that the onmyoji has already moved along.]

S-Seimei-san, wait for me!

[yinyangfox]

[ Chuckling softly to himself, Seimei continues with sure strides, listening idly to the chicks chirping at one another in his sleeves. Arching one of those ever expressive brows, the onmyoji tilts an ear towards Kaoru. ]

Remember, Hitachiin-san! When you want people to see strength, you smile. No matter how you feel inside, a casual manner and cocky smile allays most fears. sometimes, even your own.

[individuates]

[Kaoru's pretty much caught up and is following along a step or so behind.]

I haven't felt much like smiling lately. But I'm good at it! I'm sure I'll manage. [He still finds it slightly hilarious-slash-adorable that Seimei's sleeves are still cheeping, and that has a smile from him already. Kaoru's a sucker for cute things.]

Ah, and just Kaoru is fine, Seimei-san, if you're comfortable with it. I don't mind.

[yinyangfox]

Hm... [ The onmyoji smiles faintly, staring forward as they walk, his expression thoughtful. Eventually he nods in agreement. ]

Then you may just call me Seimei.

[individuates]

[Kaoru's a strange one. He's a pretty international kind of guy, so he's pretty used to addressing people by first name... but when it comes to Seimei it feels a bit weird for some reason. He rubs the egg absently with one hand]

...please remind me if I forget. I might still tag the "-san" back on out of habit.

[yinyangfox]

You may call me however you feel most comfortable. I will no doubt forget as well. It is rare for me to relax honorifics. I have only ever done so for one person in my life...

[ He sighs softly, gazing forward and shifting the weight of the crate in his hands. ]

I suppose I should be relieved that I was always isolated from others. At least I had less to lose than some people.

[individuates]

[Oh. That's how it is. But then Kaoru supposes it's a little different with Seimei being from the far and distant past and all.] [Kaoru casts him a sidelong glance]

...less to lose in general, or in coming here?

[yinyangfox]

I'm not sure... [He pauses in thought, then shakes his head and continues. ] Less to lose at all. I lived alone, in an estate tended very rarely. I had no servants, no family, and no friends save one. I was not welcome in polite society because people were afraid of me, and I did not even live inside the walls of the capitol, as other onmyoji did. I lived on the outskirts. My only company, most of the time, was a butterfly, and shikigami, when I chose to summon them.

[individuates]

Ah... Mmm. [He's not sure quite what to say. He feels like it would be really presumptuous of him to comment when he knows next to nothing about Seimei who, by the way, is so wise and all-knowing that he feels even more like the kid over here. He’s holding onto the little bits of information he gets thrown, though.]

We… [he does this thing, sometimes, where he starts speaking in the plural when he talks about the past. He hasn’t spoken much at all about Hikaru since he came to the Bastion, but this is a force of habit.] I guess we were lucky in that although our family wasn’t always there… they were always around, if that makes sense. Very lucky, considering what brats we were. But it was still lonely, even with there being two of us.

[he looks away again, another pout forming on his lips]

I can’t imagine how it would have been to be all alone, though.

[yinyangfox]

[ He smiles faintly, arching a brow and nodding as he listens. Seimei himself never - NEVER - talks about his past or private life. Here, however, in this place where nothing of life before seems to matter, what point was there in being secretive? There was no parallel world of demons hiding from human prejudice that he had to protect, no abnormality, great or small, that would matter to this motley crew. And talking felt better than being quiet, especially when the young man seemed to -need- to talk. About anything. ]

That is alright...Kaoru. [Saying the red-head's name sans honorific felt so terribly inappropriate...but he tries.] I sympathize with the loss of your family. I lost mine at a very young age, but... [He trails off for a moment, uncertain, before continuing with marked hesitation. ] Well, suffice to say it was my own fault.

[individuates]

E-eh? [careful, Kaoru. Dropping that egg in surprise sounds like exactly the sort of thing an Ouran kid might do.] But- How- -

But you’re so nice, Seimei-san. How could it be your fault?

[yinyangfox]

Nice? [ The onmyoji grins, tilting his head to regard Kaoru before chuckling and looking forward again, careful with his own fragile cargo. ] Well, thank you.

My father is...was...a human. My mother was not. She was Kuzunoha, the kitsune. Because of what I am, half kitsune, I see things for what they truly are. But, when a kitsune's identity is recovered, they are compelled to flee. So when I recognized my mother for what she truly was, she left my father and I. And my father was grief-stricken. We went into the Shinoda forest to find her. She granted me the rest of my powers, but could not return. My father and mother left me. I have been alone ever since.

Many hands went into raising me, but after that, no one really mattered.

[individuates]

What- - You- - Eh?

[...Seimei. You need to stop doing this to poor Kaoru. Maybe it's the lack of sleep, maybe it's due to not actually knowing Seimei's full name and picking it up elsewhere, but there's no way he could ignore that backstory.



Hold. Onto. The egg. Kaoru.]

You... you're that Seimei? Abe no Seimei? [in the meantime he has screeched to a halt again while he processes this. You're practically a legend to him. One of those mystical figures of the past. Like Merlin.]

[yinyangfox]

[ Seimei had stopped as well, turning to stare at Kaoru blankly for several moments. He forced a small smile, ducked his head in a tiny nod/bow and questioned the red-head. Rin had known what an onmyoji was, but so far, no one had known -him-. ]

I do believe I introduced myself as Abe no Seimei, but yes. So far as I know I am the only Abe no Seimei of any reputation, at any rate. Head of the Mikado's court of onmyoji. Not that it matters anymore.

[individuates]

Not to me you didn't! [he does a little sway on the spot, freeing one hand to clutch his head dramatically] You just kind of... sidled up and started chatting! By the end I'd already picked up your name from other people and thought it would be awkward to ask!

Explains a lot though. Jeez.

[yinyangfox]

Then that was a grievous mistake on my part and I beg your forgiveness! [ the onmyoji hurriedly bows his head over the chicken crate, rising to stare with raised brows at Kaoru. ] I should not make excuses for myself; I suppose I am just as rattled by this abrupt change in my life. Yes, as far as I know I am "that" Abe no Seimei. Unless there was another one after me...the likelihood is very low.

[ He glances to the side a little uncomfortably, anxious to know whether it was fame, or infamy, that maintained his name into the future of Japan. Would he have stayed a good person, had the world not been ended? Would time have made him a villain? He decided not to ask. Sometimes it was better not to know. ]

I hope you will not treat me differently for that knowledge...

[individuates]

[he can't help laughing a little bit] Seimei-san, we're all going through some Stuff right now. I never introduced myself to you either, so I guess we can let it slide.

[He'll figure out what that means later. It is kind of awesome but he's not going to get stuck on it, like some people he knows. He just starts walking again.] Not gonna lie though, I imagined you'd be a bit different. I thought you'd have a long black beard - the flowing kind, that you'd twirl on occasion. [Hard to remember sometimes that under that ridiculous get-up you're just like a normal person!]

[yinyangfox]

A...A long black beard? [ The onmyoji blinks rapidly, shaking his head as he keeps his steps steady. ]
No, no I don't think so. Maybe if that were the fashion, or if it were more dignified? Do I really look like I should have a beard? [ He asks, laughing faintly and cocking a brow.]
I think not. Besides, I don't have the complexion for it. If I tried growing one in, too much hair on my face and people really would think I was a fox!

[individuates]

Well, there are a lot of drawings of you with one. Not my fault the artist got it wrong. It was a long time ago, any way. I'm sure people assumed a lot of things about how things were then.

[he still turns to look at him though, assessing him.] Mmm, and you're completely right; it would confuse the eyes. Even if it was in fashion, which it isn't. I think those beards have had their time, and that time was long, long ago.

[yinyangfox]

Well, I am from a long, long time ago, at least to some people. So maybe...before all of -this- happened, beards went into fashion and I grew one? If so, I think that was a terrible decision. Maybe that's what caused the cataclysm? [ He jests, grinning at Kaoru. ]
I made such a disastrous fashion decision, all of time and space exploded. Hm? It makes as much sense as anything else at this point.

[individuates]

Generally speaking, beards are associated with scholars. And villains. As for poor fashion decisions, they don't mean the end of the world, Seimei-san. [even Kaoru's not that bad. He's clearly having a harder time dropping that honorific than he thought, though.]

...I'm still far from accepting it's all gone, though. [he can't manage that yet]

[yinyangfox]

A world and all the lives within it cannot simply cease to be, Kaoru-san. [ He purposely emphasizes the honorific as a reminder that the red-head had offered to drop them in favor of friendly familiarity.] Whatever happened has an explanation we simply have not yet received. Energy is forever, and people and worlds are composed of energy. You don't have to accept that it is all gone, you just have to accept that you may no longer be part of it.

[ The onmyoji sighs softly, fingers tightening around the crate of chickens, wood creaking under the pressure before he relaxes his grip. even he has difficulty taking full confidence in his words. His beliefs, once absolute, are challenged by this strange place and the overlapping time frames of those appearing at the Bastion. ]

So long as you believe in something, it is true. If you believe everything and everyone you care about is safe somewhere, then they are. You simply cannot reach them right now. That is all, Kaoru. So you must be strong and endure.