come_sailaway | When the guidepost is away...

Entry tags:

When the guidepost is away...

WHO: Yatogami and you!
WHAT: Exploring the ship, meeting new people
WHEN: Rest of November
WHERE: All over the place

[Note: Yato has some passive powers at play because he’s a god. Unless he draws attention to himself he cannot be noticed by humans who don’t have some sort of connection with him. They will also not remember his name nor the fact he was part of an interaction until they have a connection. Other creatures though, are fair game. If you have questions don’t hesitate to ask.]

To say he was disoriented when he opened his eyes was a bit an understatement. Yato opened his eyes and found himself resting comfortably on a couch of some kind. He couldn’t remember. He was fighting and then... did he die?

He drew in a deep breath and let out a low, pained groan. It didn’t feel like he was dead. Yato sat up slowly, he could already tell under his clothes he was bandaged in a few places. That didn’t stop him from unzipping his track shirt and pulling his t-shirt away to look down. He could feel another up under the fringe of his hair. Bandages, no blight. Okay, he could work with that.

“Rekki!” He called, holding out his hand, presumably to catch something and...nothing.

I. Deck

Catching Yato early in his voyage around the vessel would have him looking around and calling out for someone. “Kazuma?”

At both ends of the deck he’d hold out his hand and call again. “Rekki!”

Nothing. Absolutely disappointing. “Bishamon is going to kill me.” He muttered under his breath.

Presumably, those he would run into would be humans he had yet to draw their attention and he would offer a smile. “Hello!” He greeted, literally out of nowhere. “Don’t suppose you’ve seen a guy, about twenty, glasses?” Hopefully he wouldn’t startle them too much.

II. Fate’s Design

“How can you be so stupid and eat all my chips!” Yato lamented, using his fist to pound lightly on the slot machine, like it’s the slot machine’s fault he’s just unlucky. It was a good thing there were many chips in abundance really.

“I swear, if she’s thinking of me right now-” He banged on the slot machine again as he lost, again. It was somewhat noisy and easy to attract people’s attention like that at he rate he was going.

III. Atrium

It was there that Yato was melting into the background, collecting his thoughts while perched on a banister. How it was he got in that exact position might be a mystery.

Humans wouldn’t catch sight of him sitting there, drooped with exhaustion and his brow furrowed in worry.

IV. Everywhere Else

This was a less than ideal situation really, he appeared to be trapped on a ship disconnected from everything the best he could tell and completely unarmed. Again.

Yato had on his biggest smile in that moment. He didn’t have a pen or paper in hand, nor did he have a phone number that he knew of so it was going to have to be old school.

He would approach everyone and anyone, no matter what they were doing. “Hi!” He chirped brightly. “I’m Yato, local god of fortune, let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”

Yato was very much not in the mood for this. He was tired, his body ached and this was not the best day. All the same, he would do his best to smile and engage the public, seeking out human connections.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He sighed a little bit and nodded. ]

You told me to talk to him, but I hadn't done it yet so I didn't interfere at all. Whoever managed to free your friend, I can't say how they did it. No idea.

[ He's still getting his bearings but he isn't sure what to do about this situation. ]

If I knew who was responsible, I would tell you. [ Maybe. ]

[A headtilt. Fair enough. How puzzling. The Captain? No. Impossible. ...? MAYBE. PROBABLY. Well, okay the Captain would have reasons to do it. Since Chase murdered Crichton and Bash kind of hated him and was an obviously conflict bargaining chip.]

[Nobunaga's just thinking. So very much.]

[How does the Captain know his childhood name?]

[.... No, that's stupid, HISTORICALLY most people probably had plenty of records.]

Are you trapped here, or are you like the Dioscuri?

[That isn't a non-sequitur. The answer very much dictates Nobunaga's line of thinking and responses, because he truly doesn't understand gods.]

I haven't seen any way out, aside from jumping overboard.

[ So, he's trapped. He also looks like he's trying to place the Dioscuri, but alas foreign deities aren't ones he knows. He barely knows all of the one in Heaven in Japan as it is. He's barely spent any time there. ]

I didn't try it. I must be here for some reason.

There's no way out. It would just kill you, which is a hard reset to waking up in your bed and going through the drill again. Even if you get eaten, the same thing happens. All in tact, no scars. Unless you die too often, and then something gets taken in punishment. I'm told.

That is what Pollux said too. That she's here for the reason they're anywhere, to help guide lost sailors.

I suppose our goals align then. For now.

[ He absorbs that information, he's not sure that he can die that way nor is he sure he can be punished but he'll wait and see if it comes to pass. ]

I exist to fulfil the wishes of humans. So if I'm here, someone needed me to be here. I just don't know who it was, or what they need.

[... but... ????]

Is it because I'm a Demon King?

[He's.... not even a literal demon king. He knows this and yet...]

My wish was fulfilled, but you don't think you did it?

But I told no one else.

I think that just applies to the gods, humans exist to be humans. I don't know why you're here, or who solved your problem but it's them you owe your gratitude to.

[ He nods his confirmation. ]

It could've been good luck for all I know, but I truly didn't take any action on your request yet.

[So much headtilt thinking it over in every possible angle he can.]

[Nobunaga is a human. Just a normal human. With a regular normal human soul.]

[He's heard that and yet even believing it... mostly... somewhat-ish...]

[Maybe he's just looking at it wrong. Instead of thinking of it as paying what's already been done...]

[Wormholes? Reverse time. Paying in advance for the future. Wormholes are so tricky!]

[A nod!]

Then it is your future. And I cannot repay that version of you except by repaying this version.

So I will help you. And your future will surely solve what I wanted. How clever. To set me to help this version of you in the past when you need it more. I see. [Whoosh.]

[Don't worry it makes sense to Nobunaga.]

[ ...What? His future self would solve a problem from then? ......What?!

It was pretty rare that Yato was at a complete loss for words but honestly he doesn't know what's going on. Best not to dwell on it. ]

I will not turn you away if you want to be of help to me. [ He smiles a little bit, but really, what?! ]

All I really need from you is to remember my name. Yato. You've got that right?

Yes.

I can also spread your name to others. [He is an overachiever after all.]

[ Great! All weirdness aside, he's somehow managed to find a follower. His day is looking up! ]

Please do, and if you need anything, or the others don't hesitate to tell them. I'm here to listen to their wishes. May our fates be intertwined.

Easy enough.

For the most part what most everyone will wish for is freedom. As this has always been my dream, it's no different here. I asked for it of the ghosts, but it is also true for the living.

Everyone's idea of freedom is different. Just as what they ascribe their imprisonment to differs. You should make sure to read the binder in the library. It will explain much.

My Astrogator feels especially trapped and I cannot convince her she is freed. She is like Ieyasu once was. A caged bird who can only see the cage, not the ability to use it to take her to greater heights. I will keep working at this.

To free everyone from themselves, you might differ in technique. I hope you can show me how to do it even better.

Freedom huh? [ It's a worthy goal and an instinct he understands very well in fact. There are some human emotions he can't stand, but freedom is one he gets deeply. ]

I'll read it. [ That's an easy promise because he'd like to know what they're dealing with, with this strange ship he's been confined to. ]

I might not be able to do anything about the ship right now, but if it's her feelings you're concerned about... [ There is a slight pause. ] You're a human, right? Honestly, for most people the most important thing is to talk through everything with others. Humans are not very good at that, but they have the capacity to save each other in a way someone like me can't.

Am I?

[Yes. Yes, he is.]

[He just has troubles admitting that. To himself. Out loud. In general.]

[But sure. He understands the theory. Klaus saves him, he saves Klaus. He can sort of save/free Ari by being himself and vice versa.]

I want to explore the stars and conquer Delos. To free her heart and mind without freeing her directly from here, that I can do. To free her directly from here... that's a task for gods. Beyond my current power. But if gaining more is what is required, then I will continue to accumulate. Same as ever.

I've heard the wish and I will do everything I can to free people from this place if that's what they want.

[ He doesn't know how he's going to do it yet, but he'll do his very best. ]

I wish you the best of luck with her.

Maybe just their hearts. To see this place less as prison, and more as a vehicle.

Ah... thanks. She's pretty smart, I'm sure she'll manage eventually.

You don't feel trapped to be here?

[ Based on what he's heard it's a pretty common sentiment. He isn't sure he feels that way himself, not yet at any rate. ]

I come from Hell... so... no.

I don't envy the me that's stuck there either. He'd be exceptionally jealous of this version of me.

And I get to explore, meet people from the future when my dream is achieved, and I haven't had to murder anyone yet. And even if I die, I come back to life.

People have sold their souls for less.

[A beat.] I thought I had.

But she comes from what might as well be Heaven. The celestial realm. Paradise. So of course it's a downgrade for her. And probably for most others. If you're familiar with the Catholic idea of Purgatory... it's like that here, I suppose.

Oh, yeah, nasty place. [ He's been, it's not going to be winning any travel awards anytime soon. ]

Wouldn't recommend selling your soul, but I suppose it's a transaction as anything else. [ Ebisu would be proud hearing him talk like that. ]

I haven't seen that place. It's not somewhere I can go. I can only see the heavens where the gods are and it's not that great. [ He nods, scoffing lightly. ] Yeah, everyone knows about that guy. Marketing genius.

It wasn't the best idea I ever had, but I didn't think I had one. Finding out I do and it's being used here was pretty weird.

Eh? So Purgatory is a guy?

That sounds strange, I mean I can't speak to where you're from but Izanami is not one for giving up on souls. She does nothing but take. [ She almost kept him too. ]

No no. [ He chuckles lightly at that. ] I mean that god, the Catholic one. Huge following. Best-selling book. We could all be so lucky.

Tenth year of the Tenshou. Maybe she got weakened. I was kind of war with them.

Jesus? [A small laugh.] I only met some of his followers. [As Yato probably knows. Since Nobunaga had some pretty famous pacts/treaties with the foreigners to start up cathedrals and orphanages before he was killed. Even aside from the whole Mt. Hiei and anti-Ikkou Ikki thing.]

She seemed to have no problems a few months ago.

[ He huffs lightly. ] Yeah, mainland god who isn't going to bother coming around. Not that many followers in Japan but...[ Still more than him. Not really fair is it? ]

Aren't you from centuries later? Even gods heal eventually and get stronger. I assume.

[Blinks.] What happened? I have no allegiance to him, but I helped them set up churches and some shit. Did that really do nothing? Why?

They heal, certainly. I don't know about getting stronger without getting reincarnated and as far as I know, she's never done that.

[ He shrugged slightly. ] Well I mean on his front, unlike Bishamonten, he didn't bother to come to the island. As for his followers, I guess it kind of did end up being nothing. There isn't much of a presence.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject