tabularasa_rp | Change is in the Air (OTA)

[It's the first time that Tifa's been able to visit the Shrine in a while, and to her surprise, it's... different. Not at all like she remembers it being. It's bigger, more elaborate, and... well, there aren't quite enough words to describe what she thinks of it. She kind of liked the smaller shrine, to be honest. It felt homier, warmer, and built by the shrine maiden herself.

So, when she arrives on the other side of the bridge behind Heavenly Blanc, she takes a moment to gawk at the sight, brows raising and eyes going wide before she shakes it off and crosses, not quite sure where to go from here. She's even forgotten the reason she had decided to come, having experienced some strange phenomenon lately and wanting to ask about it.

That is, until she hears Parsee's voice, forcing her to spin around until her gaze lands on her, and her expression twists, trying to hide the confusion.]

Yeah, it's... um... different? [One way to put it.] How long's it been like this?

Not long. I haven't quite been keeping tabs of the 'tonks' but I'd say only a few days, if ... days really exist yet? It's a recent change.

[Liar. She'd been counting tonks this whole time. She guessed it was maybe two or three days right now. She was just past the the wrathful stage and managing to start accepting this slowly.]

Think the Void's trying to put a bunch of these all together. Like one big complex? Only it doesn't really know which belongs where. Bit Viridi's stuff, Melinoe's... it's all getting mixed together with mine too.

ngh...

I kinda liked the smaller shrine...

[It's mumbled under a breath and buried even further beneath a hand, as if someone could be listening in. She probably shouldn't be saying stuff like that out loud, lest they want the world to break it down so that it is a smaller shrine... She wouldn't put it past the Void, to be honest.]

Well, on the bright side, at least you won't be running the shrine all on your own now?

I definitely prefer it. It's more suited to what I was, but at the same time we're trying to change things. So I'm... trying to be understanding.

[Really, Greek stuff was NOT her style, so this was taking some very obvious effort to get past and over. For now, she was at least calmer.]

You're right. I can twist Viridi's arm to help and I've got this little jerk here to help with my cleanup. [She gestured to the broom.] So... what brings you here?

[Tifa's composure suddenly changes to one more tentative, obvious in how she slowly closes the distance between her and Parsee. She'd come down here for a reason, but now that she's here, that reason is starting to feel crazier with every extra second that passes.]

Uh, actually, I wanted to ask you something... [she begins slowly.] Do your powers work around here at all?

My ... powers? In the dream place, yeah... but not here. I still can't do those things normally.

[She started to walk towards Tifa quietly when she said that, getting up so close that the concept of 'personal space' wasn't involved. Leaning up on her tip-toes to be closer to eye-level with the tall fighter, she let her eyes flash a fierce, unnatural green.]

Do you feel jealous right now? I can't see your jealousy... so if you don't, it's not that. But ... why do you ask?

[Because yes. She'd done something, but it definitely wasn't a normal Hashihime thing.]

[Tifa's no stranger to the idea of no personal bubble, so she matches Parsee's gaze with her own curious one.]

No... wouldn't say that. More like... things are lining up a little more than usual?

[Yeah, definitely sounds a little crazy.]

I know it's probably nothing... but I came here a lot to pray, so I thought maybe... maybe you were able to do something to help out.

Like everyth... wait...

[She looked at her carefully and leaned in really close to Tifa, like she was trying to see something. Parsee really didn't have a good sense of personal space. She really didn't. After a moment, her eyes widened and she leaned back.]

That actually worked?!? I... When you were using the punching bag, I decided to answer one of your prayers. I mean... there's only so much you can do for your friends back home, but I tried to ... uh... give you a blessing.

That... that didn't seriously work did it? I can't usually do that!

A blessing?

[Sure, she had been praying, but she honestly wasn't expecting anything to come out of it. With how their powers work here (or don't work), she was only doing it because it was something that made her feel a little closer to home. Perhaps some small part of her hoped that some higher being would hear her and listen, but this is unexpected.

Not unwelcome, of course.]

I mean, I dunno... could just be my imagination, but... Cloud and I had the weirdest luck with one of those, uh... giant birds earlier. Thought it was just a coincidence.

[...]

So, does that mean your powers do work here?

[She's confused.]

So... I don't think it was your imagination. I felt like I had a lot of 'something' and I just sort of put some of it into you. [She was trying not to make it sound weird and failing miserably.] But I don't know what it was supposed to do.

But I guess 'good fortune' would make sense. Generic kami give that kind of blessing. Any spirit with a shrine could, I guess? It's sort of ... well, like I said. Generic.

My powers still don't work here. I really do only have power over envy. But ... I might have something? Unless what you're doing is changing e somehow. [she looked nervous.] But that can't be right.

[She worried her lip a little. Because if they were impacting her purpose but not her nature, what did they want of her? What did Tifa want?]

Sorry if it ends up being a problem.

[Tifa levels her gaze with Parsee, sensing her anxiety, and takes the girl's hands in her own with a firm but reassuringly warm grip.]

It's not a problem. Who's gonna say no to a little bit of luck?

[If she hadn't, then the afternoon might have ended a little differently. If anything, it was more useful than hurtful.]

Sounds to me like you're getting something back! That's good, isn't it?

Believe it or not, I know a few. Karmic balances and all. But not most people.

[She fidgeted and looked down at her fingers. She almost wanted to do it again. To test if she kept Tifa's day good. She wasn't quite sure how she felt right now, but she didn't feel bad.]

I... think I'm getting something. Maybe not back? But I'm getting something alright, if this is real. I guess... I guess I don't need to worry about fading.

Fading?

[The choice of words is a tad concerning, but Tifa tries to keep it light anyway. Her laugh is a touch breathy, if not a bit worried, but still genuine.]

Where would you even go?

Youkai are ... defined by our concept. We come into being because of it. It's the truth behind us, and our purpose of being. So, there's always a concern. If you cease to have a purpose as a spirit, or if your purpose goes away, maybe you just... fade.

[She made a little 'poof' motion with one hand.]

I've always wondered if I would still exist if I wasn't jealous, but I don't know that it works lie that here.

[That's dark...]

Can't imagine I know what that's like, but... can't you find a new purpose? Nothing's set in stone!

[She isn't sure that's how it works, but if she can find a new reason to fight, then surely Parsee can, too.]

[Japanese mythos was admittedly a bit dark at times.]

I... so, back home? It'd never really be a problem. Everyone "stays in their lane" back home. If you're a bridge princess you don't buck that. You're a spirit of jealousy and you run with it.

So, it's just fearful speculation. But there's this uh... old thing. Purification magic. [she leaned against one of the altar's sides.] It's purification magic. They would do it to appease a spirit, keep them from becoming youkai. I think they used to think it could work on one probably. If they survived it...

Think of it like a coin. Two sides. So, maybe?

but here? I'm pretty sure now that I'm fine. [She shrugged] This place doesn't obey my world's rules. It has its own, making its own, and it clearly wants me to stick around... so maybe I can flip the coin?

Or you guys can believe in me enough to flip it.

I think you're well on your way to that.

[Tifa says it with complete confidence in her voice and her posture, eyeing Parsee with a fixed and leveled gaze that fires up with conviction.]

You might not even need us to help you with that. You just gotta believe you can do it.

[She sighed and smiled over at Tifa when she said that. It was kind of a sad smile. It was nice of her to say that, but Tifa seemed to have a knack for bolstering people that sort of way.]

Heh. I think I actually really do need the support, but ... I have it, which is weird and it's good. It means I can believe it more easily, and maybe it can actually happen?

For now, I seem to have some sort of weird ability that's harmless, so ... yay?

[Tifa will still support Parsee, even if she thinks that she could do all of that on her own, given time.]

Well, make sure you spread the wealth! Much as I love a little bit of luck, other people could really use it more than me.

[Aerith. Cloud. They're the ones who come to mind first.

With that out of the way, she looks around at the shrine once more.]

So, prayers still work the same way they always have?

You are pretty badass. I doubt you actually need the luck that much.

[She laughed a little as she said it before turning back to the shrine and tapping her lips. The actual shrine itself was unchanged. However... there was a proper western altar of some sort. Hmmm....]

You know, what I'm thinking is we might as well use the altar. You still write your prayer down there and put it and a sacrifice on the altar. I read the prayer and we burn it? Ugh, fire still doesn't completely work does it?

[Tifa pulls out a slip of paper from her pocket. She came prepared!]

Not quite, but it's better than eating it, right?

[Or is that still a thing....]

Yeah... not eating it. That got real old real fast. Haha. [She laughed and dragged her hand through her hair.] But I noticed something.

When I shouted at the water clock long enough, it eventually started keeping time ... better? I bet if we expect and push it to burn, eventually? Fire will work on the altar at least.

[Tifa looks between the altar and the piece of paper between her fingers.]

Huh... no harm in trying, right? I could give it a shot...

[She has no idea what to expect, if anything, but at least they could say they tried.]

Right, so we'll try that. It won't burn this time. I almost guarantee it. But what you might want to try, if you want fire to actually work right? We tell the fire every once in a while what it's supposed to be doing.

...

Worked with the clocks. You know I wonder if we could lie to the Void and convince it to do things differently?

Seems to have a mind of its own, so I don't see why we couldn't try.

[She's got a pen between her fingers now, pulled from her pockets, and once she finds a solid surface to write her wish on, she scribbles it down.

I wish for the people of Sector Seven to stay safe and for its rebuilding to be quick and easy. That everyone will have enough food and water to feed them.

Folding it up carefully, she then turns to Parsee.]

Alright, let's light it up!

Change is in the Air (OTA)

afterrrr the thread in the gym

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sorry I've been so slow lately 😥

No worries! I think most of us have been slow. been a helluva month

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pushing to a wrap! 😎

I'm pretty good wrapping here ^-^. We'll have all kinds of fun things in Feb