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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[ 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.]

Valentine's Day.

[ She just says it as nonchalantly as possible as if she could not give a single flying fuck about it. ]

Vaentine's Day! I know about that holiday! Dazai-san was very popular with the ladies, so he always got tons of chocolates. But he wasn't interested in any of it, so he usually gave it all to me.

You like chocolate?

[ She says that in a way that sounds a little baffled; Inaba didn't expect a deity to like chocolate. Even more so since he's a tiger deity. ]

Anyway, you keep mentioning this 'Dazai', was he the person who visited you before me...?

I like all food.

[It is the best offering to give him honestly.]

Yeah, he used to visit me a lot. He stopped coming around a while ago though, so I guess he moved somewhere else. Or died.

[He pauses, tapping his chin thoughtfully.]

I can't remember what date he said it was back then...It was definitely after the war though. How long ago was the war?

I'll remember to bring you food next time.

[ ALSO I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE TO LOOK UP JAPANESE WARS NOW

which is when she finds herself humming inquisitively as she rests a hand under her chin, thinking a bit. ]

Also which war? There's a few that Japan was involved in, but the most recent one was the Battle of Amami-Oshima which was... about nine years ago? In 2001. Unless you're talking about the really huge one - ah, World War II, and that ended in 1945. It's 2010 now.

I dunno which war. I just remember people coming to my shrine and praying for their husbands and sons to come home. It was probably more than one battle, though.

. . .

[ She's quiet for a moment before clapping her hands together. ]

Let's not talk about all that sort of depressing stuff right now. Valentine's Day is coming up and we should be talking about cheerier things! Like. Did you ever have romantic feelings with anyone?

[ Inaba Himeko: here for the gossip. ]

[He's suspicious of you, Inaba. But she just gets a raised eyebrow before he answers.]

It depends on what you mean. Do you mean for humans? Because for other gods and spirits, it's a bit more complicated than 'romantic feelings'.

I mean just in general. But I guess I can jump off of that - what do you mean by "it's more complicated"...?

Well, we all live a lot longer than you'd expect, so relationships have to keep that in mind. spirits and gods fall in and out of love all the time, and it can get awkward if you don't follow certain rules about it. Rules about who can date whom, if you can have sex or not, what to do about children made from specific unions, stuff like that. I usually avoid it, for the most part.

['For the most part'.]

"For the most part"...?

[ Although she is definitely listening to all of this carefully and keeping it in the back of her mind for future reference. ]

[Oh boy, someone looks a bit embarrassed now.]

I-It's not important. We're fighting right now, and our fights can last for a century or more. You probably won't see him.

Oh, so there is somebody.

[ She sounds pretty interested, a smirk sliding onto her features a little bit. ]

Must be nice...

I already said it's complicated!

[Oh look, he gets up on his heckles like a cat too.

Also, he's jumping up onto the roof of his shrine to pout a bit.]

[ Oh my god is actually really accurate at this moment and she can't help but snicker a little bit. ]

I'm sorry! I just wanted to tease you a bit!

[ Just going to yell that out for him to hear. Besides, teasing someone about their love life is better than thinking about her own nonexistent one. ]

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