Week 1.

[azumods]

WEEK 1. As Cynthia had promised, the sun does indeed rise the next morning. Whether you slept or not (and sleeping inside the Pokémon Center you were in before seems totally fine by the attendant), it seems Cynthia kept her word; she left sometime shortly before sunrise, and you haven't been bothered by Team Galactic and those that work for it in the interim. It isn't advisable to return to the headquarters building, however. At least not for the time being. However, a new day does dawn, and with it comes the knowledge that you're in an unfamiliar city, completely on your own. There are several things to be done before you can leave: gathering supplies and provisions, finding maps, obtaining new clothes... Of course, your new "companions" are still with you, and they don't seem willing to leave your side; they'll follow you dutifully, but they still seem...wrong, horribly so, and it doesn't seem to be wearing off. Maybe if you work with them a little...? Try to talk to them, train them, teach them to do things... Who knows? It might do them some good. CURRENT LOCATION: VEILSTONE CITY POKEMON AVAILABLE: WITHIN CITIES MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY [OOC: Welcome to week one of Azume; feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend. Don't forget that a write-up is due this weekend! Feel free to investigate the city as you see fit this week; we ask only that you try to stagger investigations and be mindful of what's already been checked. If you wish to investigate, notify the mods in your comment subject for your top-level and we'll get on it as soon as possible!]

Comments

[hesychast]

[ Oh hello there Kiryu, have a warm smile. ]

Ah not exactly like this, no. [ ... ]

I've traveled often in the company of others during my priesthood, for pilgrimages and the like. Unfortunately there was also the need for protection given the locations I visited.

[takestheblame]

Oh. [For a moment disappointment crosses his face. He's felt lost trying to think of a way to take care Pancham, and so far he's been at a loss of what to do. He'll have to improvise, he thinks] Must have been very dangerous locations if you had to seek the company of others.

[Aren't pilgrimages meant to be by yourself? And to peaceful places? Just what kind of journeys did you have, Shirou?]

[hesychast]

[ Don't feel bad Kiryu, we're all in this boat together. ]

Unfortunately, yes. [ Mum on those locations for now, at least. ] Rich or poor, young or old, near and far, His word and teachings are open to all. Sometimes it's difficult to reach others, but everyone is deserving of salvation.

[takestheblame]

So that's what you do. Delivering salvation to people. [Hm] I should have guessed. Good at mediation and all that...it fits a priest.

[Either a priest or a missionary, and Kiryu has no idea what's the difference between a priest and a missionary]

[hesychast]

Of course—it's my only wish. [ It might just be the light, but his eyes seem to glow with intensity. ]

There's always room for improvement but...I do my best.

[takestheblame]

In a way that could be why you're here instead of in those headquarters alongside everyone else. By restoring spirit to this world, you'll bring salvation to everyone.

[Even if it's not the salvation you usually give...? But it's salvation in some way, nonetheless]

[hesychast]

No. [ And that is very firm, spoken with a gravitas that seems entirely unbecoming of the young boy in front of Kiryu. ]

Though this world is not my own, I still wish to help those here. However, being saved from oppression and achieving true salvation are two entirely separate matters.

[takestheblame]

...you know, you may be right about that. [Hm. Now that he thinks about it...] I dunno what's your concept of salvation in terms of god, but there are three deities in this world, right?

[Maybe messing with that kind of thing could go wrong for everyone. Kiryu seems to be thinking they're deities on the same level than God or something like that]

[hesychast]

[ .................... ]

Yes, so I've heard. Many religions are polytheistic, so it does not surprise me.

[takestheblame]

In that case...talking to them is risky to some extent, isn't it? I don't know how tolerant deities are in terms of common people talking to them, but it'll be like walking on eggshells.

[Or so he supposes]

[hesychast]

Why would you think that? Many gods are humble, but for those who are not, they often can be appeased by other means.

[ Not that he has experience or anything. ]

[takestheblame]

People who don't have peers tend to get somewhat conceited. Gods hardly have peers, even among them.

[At least from what he remembers in religions such as Shintoism. Things are so complicated when it's about gods]

[hesychast]

You sound like you've witnessed such a thing first hand.

[ Go on, go on. ]

[takestheblame]

Not deities, but I do have met people who were considered 'untouchable'. Some may have even thought they were like gods. Power corrupts and so does being alone on top of the mountain.

[Not exactly deities, but close enough, in terms of power and influence. Pretty much deities in society]

[hesychast]

...ah. [Shirou shifts, rising to his feet. ]

Kings, emperors, lords...they're all judged the same in the end. Not only by God, but by history who is a much crueler mistress.