come_sailaway | 鬼KYOKAN

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鬼KYOKAN

Who: Castor, Pollux, and maybe you?
When: September 16
Where: At the edge of the shoreline on the beach
Summary: A sacrifice for Jenny!
Warnings: It's an animal sacrifice but the actual thing isn't like, graphic.

Once the preparations are complete in the mid-afternoon, Castor and Pollux will gather anyone who's interested in attending and begin the sacrifice. As royalty among humans and ancient gods themselves, they are willing to offer a gracious demonstration of how to pay your respects to the gods, beginning with a prayer, but anyone who decides to stay is encouraged to participate—whether by talking with one another or tossing seeds during the ritual, anything so that they could be considered involved themselves.

Once anybody who stops by is ready and quieted down, they will lift their arms to the sky to call upon "Jenny" — a goddess of storms. Just imagine it goes something loosely along the lines of: "We, the Dioscuri, know of your search— while we hope that today's offering pleases you, know that we will reunite you with your brothers. In return, we ask that when we quit this voyage, you offer us, the passengers, your shelter alongside them as we return to where we should be."

Only the ones who don't piss her off is kind of an unsaid implication, but really, it seems like a fair enough trade, right?

The star of the show is a local boar that the two of them brought down together. Next to the makeshift altar, it can be found dressed up in what looks like a very fluffy pink silk scarf, which is tied in a ribbon around it's belly. Once it has agreed to the sacrifice, it's cooked over the open fire, and a certain amount is set aside especially for Jenny—the rest, though? Once the meat has finished cooking, it's distributed among everyone else in attendance, as well as any mangos and other foodstuffs that the guests might have their eyes on. No matter what you decide to accept, you're told that it should be finished by evening.

And when the feast is complete, everyone is invited to participate in games. Whether it's sprint races, jumping competitions, spear throwing, or... frisbee because proper discus' probably aren't available here and Castor sure as hell isn't letting a human touch his, everyone is encouraged to take part and enjoy themselves. (Including if anybody would like to make their own top-levels too!)

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[ ah...

come to think of it, even after jinx told him about believing in the dioscuri he hadn't really considered that she and pollux probably... won't get along. and it seems that sure happened. he could ask more but he could also just about guess, this might be like gogol all over again, and he knew how that ended. ]

He won't kill you. [ despite not knowing the other god well, he could hope he wouldn't lose his temper that much. ... though, gods don't even need to be in a mood to smite. ] First of all, I wouldn't let him. But what was this 'truth bomb', exactly? [ that sacrilegious? ]

Oh, I'll tell you exactly what happened! (again, looking pretty excited to let him in on the whole ordeal.) —Okayokaykokay, so I saw they were doin' the whole "Jenny thing", right? And y'know how I feel about her and I thought," Hmmmmm... maybe I oughta step to the side and let 'em do their thing without my bad energy muckin' it up."

And you agree that's the most responsible thing to do when you don't like someone, right? You just walk away from it and keep negativity out of everyone else's... thing or somethin'. So, Pollux comes by, offers me a meal, thanked them and you like I always do.

(she pauses for a moment to make sure she's not talking TOO much before starting the story again by twirling her braid.)

Then get this: Castor comes by and didn't greet me when I politely said hey to him. Then went to ask Pollux why she is wastin' her time on me since I didn't participate. Sooooo I explained nicely why and he called me pathetic. Can you believe that?! What a way to talk to someone, huh?

(any other time, she would be showing anger over this but jinx is still in all grins over this story.)

The whooooole time he was talkin' down to me and heh, you know how I get when someone does that. Then I decided to tell him what's what. That if he keeps goin' on and on with treatin' humans like crap, they'll just betray him. And it'll be all his fault if people stop belivin' in 'em and all of Pollux's niceness will be for nothin'.

(with a hum and a little giggle, she stops twirling her hair and tying the cloak securely on her. she leans back while letting herself hanging from the branch using her legs; upside-down like a monkey. )

He got soooo mad, called me a "filthy bitch" and had some kind of god weapon thingie. You should had been there!! It was a real riot...!!

Edited 2022-09-22 21:05 (UTC)

[ he listens to this and…

yeah, he can pretty much practically see the scene play out in his head, how well he knows jinx and how volatile she is, what he knows of castor’s temperament. what he knows of kindness from the both of them, even from what little he knows about castor, the man had still been patient and careful with a small wisp. there’s a frown as he simply listens for a while, watching her carefully.

then swings upside-down to join her, letting his own braids fall loose, but careful to keep ahold of his cloak and her. ]

I think you might be right, I should have been there. Or, if that had escalated, I really should be… remember that you can call for me at any time, my name, or pray even silently and I would be able to hear it.

[ well, if he wasn’t there he still doesn’t exactly have the full picture though he now knows jinx’s story. there must have been a reason why castor was so enraged, was there…? unless he could simply be such an egoist to let a human hurt his pride so, but he suspects there might be more to it than that, or it’s true, a god calling himself a guardian or guide shouldn’t smite disbelievers for contempt. probably. he can’t claim to know these gods well, he still doesn’t quite approve of a life sacrifice. ]

I could talk to him. You don’t have to see him or be around him at all if he’s so disagreeable. You recall how much you hated Miss Caitlyn, right? And now the two of you have a truce… similarly, let’s simply avoid Mr Castor. You don’t have to give him the time of day, if he so insults you.

[ it’s so easy for contempt or rage to spark, he knows this. well, he’s not much of a god anymore. maybe all he really has are words, if he could talk to people. ]

Teh... — You don't gotta tell me twice.

(there's hurt behind those words she just spat out. it seems all of her gloating wore off and now all that's left is someone who's wounded. she shuts her eyes and then shields them with her forearm. jinx can feel her emotions boiling up to the surface but again, still trying to play the tough girl role. although even with that, her voice is giving her away with how it trembles in her speech.)

If I wanted someone treat me like that I would just ask the Cap to... dump me back in Piltover and have the stupid Topsiders throw trash on me or... shove me around. (a beat.) Well, actually... they'll just throw me in prison and have me rot in a cell. I'd prefer that than... being treated like some bug waitin' to be stepped on. When all I wanna to do is just... live like everyone else.

(...)

When will I stop being so stupid? — I can try as hard as I can to follow the rules and be as good and sweet but it's doesn't matter in the end. People still won't like me 'cuz I'm different.

(and then in a mocking tone:)

"What makes you different makes you strong". Heh, yeah fuckin' right, Vi. Stupid Fat Hands. What does she know...?

Jinx, you’re not being stupid. It’s not about following rules… probably. The both of you had insulted and been hurtful to each other, maybe the two of you both had done and said things you shouldn’t have. But it’s fine, it’s not necessarily the end of the world—people can fight, people can have misunderstandings, just like us, remember?

But if you want to try, I don’t think it’s impossible for the two of you to reach some understanding. Or maybe you don’t have to, perhaps the two of you simply wouldn’t be good as friends or as a worshiper… and that’s fine too. You don’t have to worry about it right now, all right? [ he loops his arms around her shoulders, as tricky as it might be upside-down, gently presses his cheek to hers, simply trying to offer as much warmth and comfort and touch like this. ] We could talk about it later. Just… you don’t have to talk to him for now, and that’s all right.

[ because honestly the more he’s thinking of this the more it really is like jenny all over again. jenny’s insult ended with her death, then with trying to drown jinx—what he really wants to avoid above anything is jinx attempting the same with castor. or also likely, castor potentially…

no, he’ll try to talk to him before anything might happen. ]

(the comfort he gives her is definitely need. it's enough for her to uncover her eyes and... some tears were shed. not like a river or anything drastic but a tear or two. she smiles to him and press her cheek to him in return but then swings herself back up. if they continue to be upside-down like this, all the blood will rush to their heads and that won't be good.

there's a sigh of defeat but she nods to his words. venti may be/is a drunkard bard a lot of times and he does questionable things here and there. but he is a wise one and it makes sense for him to. he's been around for so many years and most likely seen all that there needs to be seen.

so whenever these situations occur or she has questions, jinx is always so attentive to listen to his views and even follow his advice -- to look at things in another way. he is the very few on the ship who would take the time to open a door to a different perspective. they may not always be one hundred percent correct but she trusts his guidance regardless he suggests she should follow others.

but there's something about how his brain works she finds so intriguing. ekko is a brainiac too and she enjoys picking at his thoughts but in a lot of ways, he is similar to her on certain views. when someone hurts you, you hurt back. kick their ass, spit out vemon, and show no mercy. he is a zaunitie just like her and it's just their way of zaun. so to see and hear someone like venti, it's... such a foreign concept and despite knowing him for months -- it's still mind boggling to her.)

Guess I'm just tired...is all.

(tired of the judgmental, tired of people not understanding her. she knows it'll always be a thing with new passengers hopping on aboard day in and day out. but it doesn't make it less... exhausting. what's the point of getting to know people and make new friends if they'll just immediately label her as "a problem" without scratching the surface of what she's all about? it makes her not wanting to try.)

I know that feeling well. [ is it something like chronic fatigue, or the simple silly laziness of a bard who really would rather nap through centuries than do much else sometimes? time, people, events, places, even wine might blur together through eras. people he’s fond of, he could drink with a few days, weeks, then move on, then he might sleep, then they might be gone.

but he can’t help but be fond of them regardless, and someone like her. right-side up again he could wrap his cloak more securely around her, hum a few bars of ‘dear friend across the river’, simply stay there for a moment if this might help. a moment of quiet to try to settle her, while making sure she might stay here rather than hunt something down or attack like a furious creature. ]

It’s all right if you don’t get along. Not everyone has to. Funnily enough, I think he’s rather annoyed or upset by me too~

That means we’re rather in the same boat, hm?

(since venti is fidgeting over the cloak that's on her, she uses this opportunity to give it a look over. sure, she saw it when she revealed his gift but after that, she was so focus on venti's well-being. so she takes a moment to touch the tail end of it -- rubbing the material between her fingertips.

thinking more on this cloak, it's... surprising he is lending it to her to have around her shoulders like this. even if it's just for this little moment only, it's still comes in a bit of a shock to her. jinx imagine he wouldn't let anyone touch it or wear or anything. and knowing how highly important this robe is, she feels honored. her attention falls back to him and once more, she looks a little stunned.)

Huh? Upset with you? Why? I mean... I guess Gods can dislike other Gods. But you're insanely nice. (...!) — In fact, I don't think I've ever seen you mad. Is that an emotion you can do?

[ the cloak is important to him, but it’s practically so war-torn and brown and not-cutesy it almost clashes with the rest of his look. still, he thinks nothing of sharing it with her—like he had his story, like he had so much and would still. ]

Hm… [ wow uh, he actually has to give this some thought. had he ever really actually been angry with someone?? he kind of gets the feeling he totally has been, shouldn’t it be impossible not to be at least sometime during one’s life? but somehow, he can’t even think of an instance coming to mind. ]

I’ve probably been before. Someday in the past. [ man, he’s just so easy-going it’s practically disgusting or unbelievable. but that’s partly why he wants to try to balance jinx out somewhat, when she’s nearly exactly the opposite. ] And I wouldn’t describe myself as ‘nice’. Actually, I think I’m really selfish in a lot of ways. You probably should know.

I’ll tell you, if you’ll follow me and perhaps leave Mister Castor alone for a while all right? Maybe the two of you could cool down just for a little. What if we go for a swim?

(is it strange a part her wants to witness him getting a little ruffled? maybe not full on bloody rage but maybe stomping his feet around with his nose up in the air. it'll probably be so out of character for him, she might laugh than taking him seriously.

but... is he selfish? she remembers him being that way at one time but it's hard to place a time he was. these months had so many different troubles. and with her trying to determine what part of her day is real or not, is no sunshine walk in the park.

the suggest of swimming makes her entire body stiff and quickly she shakes her head to decline.)

Nononono... — L-Let's not swim. I don't like... big... pools of water. Can we do somethin' else?

[ oh— right, there’s still that. honestly, they both share wariness of water, but he is actually trying to recover from it… somewhat. for various reasons, but also he doesn’t quite want to be limited from fear. ] Ah—

No, there’s actually a way I’ve found to enjoy the water that’s a little less risky!… I think. And a little more fun. [ what does that even mean?? ] I could show you and then you can decide, if you want! Or we could do something else of course.

(she is horribly skeptical because how can one be in a wide open space of water and nothing else considered fun? the possibility of swallowing the ocean to fill your lungs, airwaves closing and suffocating, and feeling completely helpless while your insides burn. thinking back on it raises the unwanted anxiety within her but... she tires to hear him out at least?)

... W-What's that?

[ well he too had been nearly drowned that once, he knows that feel. … he’d forgotten if he’d ever told jinx about that, but well. nearly-drowning-buddies!! ]

Hm…

Have you seen a sumpter beast yet? Not to worry, they can be quite tame, people in Sumeru would use them as transport. And they like to cool down in the shallow waters. We can join them!

A-Are you sure they won't... drag me in the water?

(he did say they are a beast, right? whose to say they won't grow tentacles like jenny and hold her down at the bottom? but she tries to chalk that up to irrational thinking. venti would never send her to her doom on purpose. accidentally, maybe.)

They’re not so aggressive, you’ll be fine! [ . . . well, all right, they do attack if provoked but, ] … You’ll be fine as long as you stay with me and be gentle with them. [ which, ‘be gentle’ is always rather questionable with her but.

maybe the point is to try to distract her for now with a mix of something she’s rather intimidated by, to overcome a bit of fear, and simply show her something new to take her mind off of something like vengeance. so for the meantime he could take her hand, gently slip off the branch and lead the way towards the shallows of a river nearby that would lead towards the sea, where he’d recalled seeing a small family of fat shaggy sumpter beasts bathing and grazing. normally gentle giants, almost wooly mammoth-y, and genuinely tame-able especially if offered fruit or treats.

he’ll stop and let jinx observe them from a distance before they might approach closer though. ]

(stay with him and be gentle, got it. jinx feels she can do that much. so she allows him to take her hand and guide her to this said river/sea. along with him, she looks on at the beast from afar and she can't help but to shrink a little within herself. it's not so much she is afraid of the beast, no not at all. if she had her weapons, she'd probably fight with it if it decided to show aggression.

it's more so the water itself she is focusing more on. standing right here with him seems okay but she knows in time, they are going to inch closer and closer to it. and that alone is enough to have the nerves crawling along her skin.)

...

(the grip on his hand tightens slightly as she tries to brace herself for him to lead closer. ... hopefully the beast won't transform into jenny or jenny herself will rise from the waters.)

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鬼KYOKAN

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Forgot about that cloak whoops

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