dreamcrystals | 1st Wish

[T-THAT SHE IS...

This is a really brutal review of his hard work, sheesh.]

But I am one! I'm a god and I'm damn proud of it!

[Humans are so weird-- they pray to the heavens, then refuse to believe when their prayers are answered. Where's the sense in that?]

...is it? [He pauses to mull over the notion, biting at his lip. His cheeks color somewhat at her praise.] So basically what you're saying is I should try to act more like a human would when it comes to getting work? And to focus on my positive traits rather than my assortment of skills?

[ BLOWS OUT A LONG, TIRED SIGH and hangs her head. ]

No. Not that, either. [ although an assortment of skills and positive traits go hand in hand. maybe she's bad at this. she lifts her head and takes his hands, turning her body towards him. ]

Have more confidence in yourself. You don't need to act one way or another, Yato. You're a good person. [ "god," she can hear him correct in her head. ] And... if this really how you want to do it, with five yen prices, I won't stop you. I won't tell you to change anything. I'll support you. I'll figure out a way to make it work this time. I wonder if calling you Yatogami instead of Yato will help at all...

[He wilts a bit at her frustration, hunching up his shoulders even as she holds his hands. He's trying to understand, really he is.]

There isn't much point to my usual shtick anyway when they don't have an economy that uses currencies here. I need to come up with something new. Even if it's just... "being myself." [He's not sure what that'd mean when his previous way of operating has been a representation of himself.] But thanks. It's reassuring to know I have at least one person in my corner in this world.

[And a human at that. He's so thankful it's Hiyori that's here because in truth... part of him is scared, being here without his lifeline. Even if this is supposed to be a dream world, who's to say that it can't affect them in the waking world?]

Not too many people seem impressed with me being a god in the first place, so maybe I do need to pull back on that angle and instead work on my promoting my personality.

[ yeah... he is...

they'll get there. ]

Eh? [ oh. that's... right. there is no currency. five yen means absolutely nothing here. yato CAN'T do it his usual way.

hiyori hasn't let go of his hands (neither has her tail) and she furrows her brow at his gratitude. normally, she would be happy and maybe she is to an extent but he's also too solemn for her to be happy.

what does she do... ]

Yato... is being a god a really big point of pride for you?

[ like how badly he wanted a shrine ]

[He's silently grateful that she hasn't released him, either with her hands or tail. It helps ground him and keep him calm while discussing this tricky subject. Squeezing her hands, he nods slowly.]

It is. It's practically all that I am, Hiyori. It's what I was born for. What my existence has hinged on for over a millennia. Fulfilling wishes for people gives me purpose.

[ "practically"

that's not all he is?? he's--! her hands clutch at his even more tightly. like he's going to disappear. ]

B-but... I thought Yukine-kun gave you purpose, too. He could show up. And it's never too late to find more purpose! It doesn't just have to be fulfilling wishes. You could put a real focus on the things you're good at. Um, like, th-the shibari... thing?

[Glancing down between them, he smiles softly. Ah, Yukine... How he wishes he was here. He'd feel so much better with them both by his side.]

Of course he does. Very much so. Just like you do. But me, as an individual... [He shakes his head, struggling to maintain his smile.] I don't think being knowledgeable at shibari is going to net me a lot of customers. Most people are too bashful to try that with strangers. But you're right. Perhaps there is something I can work at while I'm here. I just need to find it.

[ "just like you do" she can't hold his hands any tighter without yato asking her what's wrong so her heart will just have to flutter in her chest and alarm her. what does that mean. what purpose??

... okay. the shibari was a long shot. it was the first thing she thought of because it STUCK for Reasons. ]

I'll help you find it. We can try a lot of different things. There's so much to do here and you already have a lot of talents. It'll be easy for you.

[Then how about if he were to hold her hand tighter himself? Because that's what he does, finally smiling more genuinely. With her support, how can he possibly go wrong?

He is rather surprised she suggested shibari of all things, though. It makes him wonder.....]

You're right about there being plenty to do! Between the two of us and all the variety of things available, we're bound to figure out something. We'll carve our own path and succeed at setting ourselves up! Thanks, Hiyori!

[Hope you don't mind a hug, Hiyori~]

[ DON'T WONDER. she's still 100% under the impression it's like cops and robbers.

blinking wildly, she looks down at their hands. back up to his genuine smile. and then their hands. smile. hands.

took the words out of her mouth by using touno's saying!!

took the breath out of her, too, with the hug.

she BURNS. her face does, anyway. his SMELL. why is it so nice? her hands hover uncertainly because was that really worthy of a hug? they're hugging. on the roof of their shared cottage.

lksdjglksjdlgkjs. ] U-um! Y, yeah. You're? Welcome? [ he's just showing his gratitude. she would rather have this than his usual antics. this is

alright, it's not.... that bad. sagging slightly, she pats his back. ]

In any case, are you feeling a bit better about everything?

[Ah, true, this is innocent and pure Hiyori they're talking about here. There's probably nothing to overthink. Though his mind still goes places unbidden. He shake his head to clear those thoughts away.

That saying is probably one he picked up from her, no doubt! Thankfully though he seems oblivious to her breathlessness and heated face, attributing it to the chill of the evening. It has him pulling back after the hug to grasp her hands and gently rubbing them to warm them up. She came out here to see him, after all.]

I am. A lot better, truth be told. You make for a pretty good stand-in guidepost. [He beams at her, his own cheeks slightly flushed.]

Did you want to go inside and warm up? We could get some tea or hot cocoa!

[They even have marshmallows!]

[ gonna have to spray him with water.

it's so much to take in at once; yato warming up her hands with his (they are so warm and clammy even in the chill of autumn), yato saying he's feeling better (which was the purpose of her joining him up here after what he said in the journal so that's good. great, even. wonderful), yato saying she's a good stand-in guidepost (she learned from the best, yukine), yato smiling so brightly (oh NO).

she's plenty warm, thanks. all over. she's afraid he can hear her heart hammering away wildly. ]

Cocoa!! [ hiyori blurts out, loudly, latching onto that while trying not to sway from feeling woozy. all the blood has rushed to her face. ] Yes! That. Sounds great. Something hot! Because it's cold!

[ she gives his hands another solid and friendly pat, as thanks for warming them (??), and stands up to all but suddenly wake up in the room below with a gasp and her body shooting upright, journal tumbling off her lap to thunk onto the floor. ]

[Not in this weather...!

Practically heedless of her inner turmoil, he continues manhandling her with his clammy hands with the intention of being helpful, taking care to warm each finger in turn before focusing on her entire hands. Though he does eventually take note of how flustered she seems to be, even if the why eludes him.]

'kay. I thought it seemed like you were getting cold out here. [He starts to reach out to brush the hair back from her face but stops as she pats his hands then abruptly stands up, disappearing back into her body and leaving him alone on the roof in a stunned silence. Blinking at the empty space before him, his mouth faintly hangs open in disbelief and confusion. ...was it something he said?]

Hiyori?

[It's silly to call her name; she's clearly back inside in her body. But it was just so sudden he can't help gawking an extra few moments before collecting his journal and pen, then teleporting down himself. Once inside, he pads into the kitchen to heat up the water, journal getting tossed on the table with a frown. Sometimes, he just doesn't get humans. Or is it just Hiyori?]

[ it's just hiyori. and it's just when-- well.

when she's collected herself (read: isn't so hot in the face he could boil the water on her cheeks) she sheepishly peeks into the kitchen to see yato getting a kettle going. she's fine. act casual. act like you always do, hiyori.

their two favorite mugs appear at his elbow; hers pink and his blue. something she picked up from the pottery place a while back. they have cat tails for handles. a bit of a joke after he was a cat himself. ]

So, um. Who else responded to your advertisement?

[For his part, he greets her with an unassuming smile and starts scooping the cocoa powder into their mugs before stirring in the hot water to the proper consistency. Nice and rich and creamy~

At her question though he makes a bit of a face and snorts.]

Well, I met another god. And a suspicious person wants me to run errands for them in exchange for "Magi-bucks", but I figured what the hell, at least it might help me get my name out there some more.

[ THICC.

it's a curious reaction she blinks at. "a suspicious person." suspect begets suspicious, she supposes. ]

M-magibucks...? [ what the hell ] W-well, yeah, you never know. They might be acquainted with a lot of people.

[ POSITIVE VIBES. ]

I'm curious about the other god. Did you meet Ereshkigal-sama, too?

Edited 2023-11-28 18:18 (UTC)

[THICCOCOA.

With them stirred up all nice and hot, he passes Hiyori her mug and takes up his own for a long sip, leaning against the counter.]

My thoughts exactly. Even I can smell a scam there. [Hell, it practically says "magic" in the name!] Doesn't mean we can't be of mutual use, at least.

[HELL YEAH.]

Not yet. It was some newborn god named Ryu. I get the feeling he's going to have a rough time getting used to things. He seemed like a sensitive sort.

[ THICCOCOA!!!

a "thanks" and a small smile passes her lips before hiyori cups hers thoughtfully and raises her eyebrows in surprise that he can tell it's a scam at all. ]

Mmm. [ she hums as she finally takes a sip and all but melts at the warm, chocolatey goodness.

but it's MISSING SOMETHING. she sets down her mug and searches through cabinets as she talks. ]

Maybe calling yourself a god isn't as bizarre as I thought? There are more here than expected. It's kinda like Takamagahara more than any place on Earth... aha! Gotcha. [ she finds what she was looking for with some marshmallows and rips open the bag before offering it to him. ]

If he's a sensitive, newborn god maybe you should help him out.

[H-Hey, he's slowly learning to be better about these kinds of things...! He's learned to not spend (so much) on useless baubles and to not get suckered by (as many) shady characters.

Watching her smile all warmly fills him with the same, making his chest ache in a good way even as she goes rooting around in the cabinets.]

Toldja so! It seems like there's a number of us here. Seemed kinda odd at first until I thought about how many gods there are in the first place, so it stands to reason there'd be several here as well. [Beaming, he takes a couple marshmallows and plops them in his drink, poking them down to dunk the buggers.]

Oh, trust me, I plan on it. He could use a someone to help navigate being both a god and a person. I might not be qualified for the latter, but I think I can help with the former.

[ baby steps. so proud!

he makes a good point about gods, anyhow. it wasn't one she thought about until now. she puts a couple of marshmallows in her drink as well before folding up the bag tight and setting it on the counter. her mug is picked up again and she watches the little white sugar puffs float in the dark brown liquid idly. ]

I think just having someone to talk to might be all he needs. [ her eyes lift and she offers him an encouraging smile. ]

Qualifications shouldn't matter then, but I know you'll do your best to help.

[He learn! Yay!

Watching her over the rim of his mug, he nods slightly, creating a chocolate mustache above his lips when he pulls away to speak.]

It could be. But if he's new to being a god then he might need a little more hands-on assistance. [He returns her smile with one of his own, taking a sip and munching on a marshmallow.]

Damn right! If I can't help another god, how can I say I'm a proper God of Fortune?

[ the cocoa mustache paired with the smile is too much. she cracks a grin and then laughs into her mug. ] You have something on your face, Yato.

[ hands-on assistance. looks like he could use some hands-on assistance with his messy face. she offers him a napkin, still laughing slightly. cu--

nope. ]

Do most gods need help when they're new? [ her mind wanders to ebisu. he had his shinki when he was reincarnated, didn't he? ]

Hmm? [Blinking at her, he's puzzled for a moment until it dawns on him what she means. He takes the napkin but tries to first get the cocoa off with his tongue, making quite the face as he does so. Feel free to laugh at his dumb ass.]

I can't speak for anyone else besides myself, but... [His expression darkens and he looks away.] While it may not be necessary for us to learn things like a newborn baby, we're still born without a sense of right or wrong. And I imagine those with powers may struggle to control them at first.

[ he's so extra. can't let any food offerings go to waste or something, right? even if he's the one who made the cocoa. she half-laughs, ] You're ridiculous.

[ after handing over the napkin, she snatches it back and wipes at the spots he missed with a focus.

the levity of the moment evaporates like mist and hiyori's hand falls away from his face. it was meant to be a pretty innocent question, but it seemed as though she touched upon something... more sensitive than she thought.

and it dawns on her. yato's memories. her fingers curl and bunch up the napkin in her fist. he has a better sense of right and wrong than most humans now.

to break the somber mood, she gives his mouth one more swipe to bring his attention back. ]

Then, this god named Ryu is just a child?

ME TOO SOB

maRKING MY CALENDAR

THE DAY OF RECKONING...

1/2

END OF AN ERA

IT TRULY IS

why is this thead sad too SOL PLEASE

IT IS ANGSTGIVING

NO!!!!

HAHA...

fluffmas now lmao

FLUFFMAS!!

NO MORE ANGST, ONLY FLUFF OK

ONLY FLUFF FOR XMAS

ALL I WANT FOR FLUFFMAS IS.......

...A HAPPY ENDING QQ

ADACHITOKA I JUST WANNA TALK 🔪

HAPPY END... OR ELSE ❤️

HAPPY END OR PAY FOR MY THERAPY LMAO

WE CAN GO TO GROUP IN THAT CASE SOB

EPISODE 1 PAINGAMI COMMUNITY GOES TO GROUP THERAPY

THE OVA IS JUST NOTHING BUT CRYING

LMFAO GOD FR

IT MIGHT BECOME AN ENTIRE SEASON OF TEARS DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME

JUST LAYING IN AN OCEAN OF TEARS YEAH