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PSL (closed)
[The shop had finally settled again. It was a bit of a relief, because it hadn't anchored to a world in nearly two weeks, and Watanuki's food stores had started to run low. A shopping trip would be in order, mostly to replenish his nonperishable before the shop set out looking for another world in need of his help.
Usually Watanuki could guess when a move was about to happen, but sometimes it happened out of the blue. Like this last move, which had come so soon after arriving in the previous world. That usually meant that his services were in dire need and that people's souls were calling out to him, even if they didn't quite know it themselves yet. Watanuki would just have to wait for them to come to him.
His first visitor, at least, wouldn't take too long to get there. Watanuki always had a sense of when someone was to arrive, and as soon as the shop's gates had opened and revealed itself to the busy streets of Yokohama he had felt the impending arrival of a customer. It was enough to pique his interest, because he didn't usually get a visitor on the same day after a shop move. Someone was very perceptive, it seemed.
By the time his guest would arrive, Watanuki had already set up some tea in one of the sitting rooms. The summer was at its end, and the cool breeze felt nice enough that Watanuki had decided to open the movable doors to reveal the backyard, which was still bathed in the greens of summer. They could stay cool without the need of an air conditioner that way.
From there, he waited. He had a feeling that his guest was a particularly clever one, so he felt sure that they would find their way to the sitting room on their own.]
Usually Watanuki could guess when a move was about to happen, but sometimes it happened out of the blue. Like this last move, which had come so soon after arriving in the previous world. That usually meant that his services were in dire need and that people's souls were calling out to him, even if they didn't quite know it themselves yet. Watanuki would just have to wait for them to come to him.
His first visitor, at least, wouldn't take too long to get there. Watanuki always had a sense of when someone was to arrive, and as soon as the shop's gates had opened and revealed itself to the busy streets of Yokohama he had felt the impending arrival of a customer. It was enough to pique his interest, because he didn't usually get a visitor on the same day after a shop move. Someone was very perceptive, it seemed.
By the time his guest would arrive, Watanuki had already set up some tea in one of the sitting rooms. The summer was at its end, and the cool breeze felt nice enough that Watanuki had decided to open the movable doors to reveal the backyard, which was still bathed in the greens of summer. They could stay cool without the need of an air conditioner that way.
From there, he waited. He had a feeling that his guest was a particularly clever one, so he felt sure that they would find their way to the sitting room on their own.]
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[As he spoke those words, Watanuki glanced upward, his gaze settling on one of the pointed corners of the shrine roof. There was a small smile on his face, one that often appeared when he was talking about the supernatural. It was a look of nostalgia, one that someone might wear when talking about an old friend of theirs.]
The one who lives here is one of rest and peaceful passing. It likes to have its fire lit at night, so that wandering souls can find their way here and pass on before the morning light. It's a rather sad undertaking, but this one seems to like the job.
[Which was why Watanuki had insisted that Oda stay at the shop that night, incidentally.
And with the fire lit, Watanuki picked up the staff once more and held the lantern over the fire. As if by magic, a small bit of the orange flames poofed into existence within the lantern itself.]
Think of this as written direction to this location. Now we must give those directions to someone who needs it.
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So the spirit here liked hanging out on the roof? Dazai wondered, perhaps cynically, if that invitation for spirits to move on was open to all, or if there were certain caveats. At some point, he really did need to separate his understanding of human behavior from a spirit's motivations.
Perhaps sooner rather than later. The leap of that tongue of fire was certainly not tied to any physics he knew of, further underscoring the point that the old logic he knew of didn't necessarily apply to wherever they were wandering off to this time.]
So it's a flaming carrot on a stick. [Dazai peered close, thumbing his chin as he examined the lamp, and nodded sagely.] Gotcha.
Mind, if this lamp's a sign post, what's stopping those who'd want to steal this from coming here directly? Do they want a special invitation of their own?
[Because that's what it sounded like.]
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[Congrats Dazai, you get to shoot any malicious spirits who might be looking for entry into a temple. Watanuki said that with a calm smile on his face too, acknowledging the danger while also not being afraid of it.
With the lantern lit, Watanuki lifted the staff up once more, holding it in a way that was more conductive to walking.]
Stay alert. We don't have far to go, but anything can happen in that time. We should be done by sunrise, unless something goes wrong.
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[Gun out! Or, more specifically, he tucked his hand in his coat, readying himself to whip out the pistol when needed - if they did come across anyone human on the walk, he'd rather not have to go through the song and dance of explaining why he held a gun and maybe passing it off as a well-made toy.
If they started walking, he'd check his watch to calculate how many hours were left until dawn broke. In this case, his usual insomnia and irregular sleeping habits worked to Watanuki's favor.]
Of course, anything and everything could always happen. Normally, that's what makes things interesting, but I think it'll be better if any gate crashers stayed away for now. Otherwise, I'll have to make them pay extra for keeping us away from dinner!
[Yes, he remembered that offer. Dazai might actually need it if he ended up draining himself tonight.]
Mind, if you're expecting that kind of probability, do tell: is that fire carrot actually that strong to attract a special kind of baddie? With the assumption that even the spirit world has some sort of structure to it based on power levels.
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There are those who consume the souls of the dead. They would love to find a steady source of human souls to feast on. They aren't special in the way you mean, but they can be troublesome and I don't want to bring misfortune to the spirit who lent us their fire.
[And, you know. Protecting the souls of the dead and all.
As they walk, Dazai will be able to feel a sense of anxiety start to creep up. It was like the two of them were safe within the light of the lantern, but if they dared to stray away from it then they would find something nasty waiting for them in the shadows. And indeed, Watanuki will comment on them quietly eventually.]
Pay no mind to the little ones, if you feel them. It's the big ones we need to worry about.
[Dazai will be unable to see these spirits, but Watanuki does look slightly paler.]
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[The warm tone would clue Watanuki in that it was a compliment.
It didn't take long for a defensive smile to appear on Dazai's lips as he subconsciously stepped closer to the lamp. Indeed, he hoped this errand didn't take long: eight hours of preternatural cold seemed rather uncomfortable.
At least they didn't risk the lamp itself going out with a puff of wind. Maybe.
It was with that thought that Dazai asked where exactly they were going, figuring that Watanuki would decline answering if that knowledge was detrimental to this assignment, before peering into the darkness surrounding them. All the while, his finger was on the pistol's trigger.
Watanuki's expression meant they might encounter bad news pretty quick.]
I presume the big hungry ones leave colder spots?