backyardbbq | tiger fun! (closed)

tiger fun! (closed)

[The funny thing about Yokohama is that there are so, so many nooks and crannies that contain evidence of its wild past. It's not uncommon to see a small patch of earth full of trees and nature, but for it to be framed on all sides by apartment buildings or shops. It's a strange amalgamation of 'nature' and 'infrastructure' that is only possible in cities like this, which have existed for centuries and have gradually encroached on the surrounding forests.

Deep within Yokohama exists one such patch of nature, a 'park' about the size of three city blocks. To the north, a train station. The east contains some shops. To the south is a river. And finally, to the west, a school. But interestingly enough, this 'park' has remained undeveloped. No paths run through it, other than the dirt paths made by teenagers cutting through it to get to the stores on the other side. The road that had once existed there had been paved over some time ago, and the stone path from the road to the shrine remains half-hidden under plant growth and dirt.

But should anyone try to follow that stone path, eventually they will reach a small shrine. It's probably about 40 square meters at most, and with much of the interior taken up by the necessities for running a shrine, it's obviously not meant to be a home. But something has made its home there. Something has managed to crawl through the broken rice paper and nestle in to what little space inside is available.

The shrine's exterior is in really bad shape, too. It looks like nobody has tended to it in a hundred years, if not longer. The roof tiles are in dire need of repair, much of the exterior is covered in vines and fallen leaves, and the wood is showing signs of weathering and rot. Even the collection box out front has a busted top, revealing the small cache of coins still located inside.

Yes, this shrine is in a terrible state. Hopefully someone can find it and notice this.]

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[He's just.

going to attempt to reach in, place his hands on the sides of Inaba's face, and then mush her cheeks together.]

Come on, I know you're not that stupid.

Hey, stop that!

[ She gives a rather obvious frown when he squishes her cheeks, swatting him a bit. ]

I'm not dumb but supernatural crap like this is also not my specialty, so cut me some slack!

I guess 'basic observational skills' count as 'supernatural crap' now, huh?

[Atsushi more like Sassushi mirite?

But he does let go of her, and he walks over to sit down on the donations box.]

I have to know though: if you're not into supernatural crap, then why did you fix up my shrine?

[ RUDE

Actually, let her say that out loud. ]

Rude. And the reason why I decided to fix it is because I thought it would look good for the paper.

[ Which is the truth. ]

But if you're saying 'basic observational skills', then I could answer you with this: there's only one deity off the top of my head that's based off a white tiger.

[he seems to perk up a bit at that last part. Atsushi's interests: smart people.]

You're right, there is. But do you really think that white tiger would have a shrine this small? And have it become neglected like this?

Edited 2019-02-09 06:29 (UTC)

Popular deities tend to have more than one shrine. But since that's not the case, let's go with option two: you're a deity that pretty much faded into obscurity due to a few things. Either an incident that caused this place to be forgotten or people wound up going to a bigger, more popular shrine instead.

Am I getting close?

[ She might not like supernatural stuff, but she sure knows quite a bit. ]

That's closer, yes. When the city got built up around this place, people stopped visiting the shrine. I don't actually know what's going on out there nowadays, besides the fact that it's noisier and I see airplanes in the sky sometimes.

[He's smiling as he says all of this, though, as if he's not actually bothered by the story.]

Dazai explained the airplanes to me. They were a lot rarer, back in his time, but I still saw them occasionally. I thought they were dragons, until he explained them to me.

That makes sense... city development sometimes screws other areas over to the point where they're practically abandoned. This place was pretty out of the way, too.

[ She can't help but sigh at that staring up at the sky. It's getting late. ]

I should get going, but I'll come back tomorrow with some help. Before that, though... If you're a deity, you must have some sort of abilities, right?

[ There's an obvious curiosity there, wanting to know. ]

What, turning into a cat isn't enough of an ability?

[There's that teasing tone again. She'll get a real answer afterwards, though.]

There's more, but I can't use them right now. My shrine needs to be fixed up first, and people need to pray to me. Your work here lets me look like this again- [He indicates to himself.] -but everything else is blocked right now.

... If you turn into a cat again, I won't be able to leave. I'll become a shrine priestess and live here forever.

[ She seems to follow up his joke with one of her one, easily falling into line with the quips. ]

I guess I'll have to ask you about more of the details when we get the rest of this fixed. At the very least, once this is cleaned up and everything, I can print information about this place on the paper which might bring others in, at least.

[Welp. Guess who's turning into a cat again.

Also, Inaba will be able to see how he does it: he takes the tiger mask and puts it on his face, and as soon as it's in place he poofs back into cat form.

And then he meows at Inaba. See he's adorable, isn't he?]

[ Ah.

Well, she knew this was a thing but she can't help but sigh and check her phone for a second before scooping up Catsushi into her arms. ]

You know, I was only joking about that first part... I can't stay here with you, even if you might be lonely.

[ But he is very cute like this, so he gets pets. ]

[He knows. He's just teasing her.

He'll show that too, because once she's done petting him he will jump down and go over to his little shrine. He's fine staying here alone, he's used to sleeping in his little home.]

[ She sighs a little bit, running fingers through her hair and smiles when he goes on over to the shrine that's his home. ]

Alright, alright, I get it. I'll head home now, so I'll see you tomorrow, Atsushi. Probably with a few friends.

[ And she waves him goodbye for now, fully intending to do exactly that the following day, even though she didn't actually introduce herself.

Oops. ]

[That's fine, he can get her name later.

But when she returns tomorrow, if she brings friends, Atsushi will stay in cat form. And, for the most part, act like a cat. Though he will supervise any work the group does on fixing up his shrine, because he wants it to be nice and all.

Another interesting fact: the more they fix up his shrine, the more positive this place will feel. Like it's full of positive energy or something.]

[ She does bring some friend in the form of her clubmates! Two of them are guys and two of them are girls, all wearing the same school uniform as she is. Of course, the guys seem to be delegated to some of the actual construction while the girls are here to clean up the floors a little better.

If he pays attention, he'll hear snippets of lively conversation:

"Inabacchan, do we really have to do this?"
"I don't know, am I the one who didn't finish his article on time and have to pick up the fucking slack afterwards? No? Then shut up and work."
"Ouch, that's harsh, Inaban."
"By the way, Inaba, you're usually not the type to do this sorta thing. I mean that's usually Taichi's thing isn't it?"
"Hey!"
"No, you're right, Yui. I don't know what I was thinking, really. Maybe I just thought that if a god really did exist, it could help us with our problem." Inaba smiles a little bitterly. "But maybe I shouldn't rely on a deity to help us."

After she says that, the air grows a little uncomfortable before Iori claps her hands to attention and tells everyone to go back to work before Inaba goes to where Atsushi is, in cat form and decides to just pet him for a bit. ]

Sorry about that if you were paying attention. They're all good people, but they get a little out of hand sometimes.

[ And they are doing good work, so that's a plus. ]

[He is indeed paying attention, and he trots around and watches everyone work the afternoon away. He seems pleased with how clean everything is getting, as well as with the fact that there is no longer a hole in his roof. Nice. He'll have a few tricks to show Inaba later.

For now, he stays in cat form and lets Inaba pet him, letting out a pleased 'prrt' noise as he rubs his head against her fingers. Good job, Inaba, you have earned the praise of a spirit! The blasphemous comment seems to be forgotten.

He does seem more attached to Inaba than the others, though. He'll let them pet him, but Inaba is his favorite.]

Edited 2019-02-10 04:12 (UTC)

[ While the guys don't really pay mind to the cat, the girls seem too, cooing excitedly because they like cute things and giving pets.

Although one of them - Iori - seems to notice the attachment.

"That cat seems to really like you, Inaban! Are you gonna bring it home?" ]

No way. It would be too embarrassing, and I bet he wouldn't let me do that, anyway. Anyway, we're all done here, right? I'll handle the rest here, so shoo. And, thanks.

[ The others just tell her to take care of herself and they'll see her tomorrow before waving goodbye.

Once they're all gone, she finds herself relaxing a little bit. ]

Geez, that girl. . . Anyway, it's all clear if you wanted to change back.

You sure you don't want to take me home?

[That's said from immediately behind Inaba, as soon as he gets the all-clear to change back.

Partially because it's funny to spook humans like that, and partially because he's going to try hugging her from behind if she doesn't freak out and run away.]

[ Inaba isn't spooked because she expects his voice, but she's definitely surprised by the hug from behind, causing her to let out a bit of a surprised yelp when he does, her face turning a bright red as she tries to hide her expression. ]

Well, I can't, right? Since this shrine is your home, you have to be attached to it...

[Sorry Inaba, but he's not sorry. And he's got his arms wrapped around her waist as he props his chin up on her shoulder.]

I can't stay anywhere else for a long period of time, not without worshippers. But with what you and your friends have done, I could go on short trips to visit other places for a few hours. Especially during nights with a strong moon.

[ This is actually really nice and all, even if she barely even knows him. But it's also really really embarrassing. ]

Even if you could go out, I can't just bring you home. My brother and parents would see you and ask questions. Now can you let go of me? This is kind of...

[ It's.

It's really intimate. ]

[As soon as she asks, he'll let go of her.]

We don't have to go to your place. Is there a festival going on? I haven't been to a festival in a long time, it would be nice to go to one.

It's too early in the year for festivals, unfortunately. Everyone is mostly preparing for a completely different holiday.

Yeah? What holiday?

[Someone has lost track of what day it is.]

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