The Wind Beckons

Truth to be told, Akane surely didn’t expect to meet another shinki, she was just visit on her free time, but meeting the guidepost right away was.. Odd. 

“I don’t believe Yato-sama have any business with Fujin-dono. I am here on my own.” She stated, her eyes shifting from the interior of the shrine to the regalia that had approached her. 

“I see.” He said softly, his eyes seemingly judging her. A Shinki running off alone? What a joke. Shinki were meant to be by their Master’s side at all times. There was no such thing as free time or meandering. “Well. Word of advice, young one. It’s better to always be by your God’s side no matter what situation they’re in. Don’t ever let your guard down and never let your mind wander. I know you may enjoy free time or wandering around. But in the end it won’t help at all.” 

“Hm~.” Itsukushiki was eyeing the young woman who had approached one his Lady’s shrines with an expression of curiosity. It was not often that a Shinki approach without their God. 

“What brings you to Lady Fujin’s shrine, young one?” He asked the newcomer. He did not intend to be disrespectful, more that he could tell that she was a much younger spirit than he by posture and expression alone. “Does your Master have any business with her, by chance?” He asked as he stood up from his seat on the chairs and walked down onto the stone courtyard, hands in his pockets.

      🌸– “Ah, forgive me,” with a bow that doubled as both apology and introduction, the Exemplar was swift to remedy the issue, “I am called Kazuma. ‘Chouki’ by vessel. You’ve no need to thank me, I’ve only done what is proper. It wouldn’t do to leave you without aid, Fujin-dono.”

     Although he spoke with all due courtesy, with a polite expression to match, the good humor hardly seemed to reach Kazuma’s eyes. Since the moment of the Goddess’ arrival, he had felt a sense of unease. He put no blame upon her, however, but rather the news she had inadvertently carried with her.

     “I don’t mean to be rude, but could you perhaps describe the Ayakashi you encountered? I’m curious if what blighted you is similar to other reports I’ve received this week.”

She wasn’t taken aback by his comment at all. In fact, she expected something of the sort. It was only natural that he’d be worried by such a thing.

      🌸– Kazuma’s gaze shifted to the newly arrived Shinki in time to offer him a polite, albeit brief, gesture of greeting. As Itsukushiki’s master had insuniated, however, now was not the time dawdle with formalities. A blighted God should not be left to suffer over pleasantries.

     “Please, right this way,” with a motion of his hand, the Exemplar indicated the two should follow him as he turned, heading off in a westerly direction. “We have a number of wells on the premises that bear blessed water, you’ll find no shortage of such among any of Lady Bishamonten’s shrines, I assure you.”

      As he arrived at one of the aforementioned wells, expansive enough to qualify as a small pool, Kazuma stepped aside to allow the deity room to maneuver. “Help yourself, please. I sincerely doubt my master would object to offering aid to the Wind Goddess herself.” And if Bishamon did for some reason protest, Kazuma was best suited for placating her after the fact.

It was Itsukushiki who stepped forth and drew water from the shrine using a nearby ladle. “Lady Fujin, please extend your arm.” He said softly and nodded as she did so. “This may sting a bit, but by now you’re well aware of that.” He said as he poured the water over her arm. 

She winced as the water made contact with the blight, a burning sensation enveloping her body. Thankfully it soon subsided and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you for your kindness.” She said with a smile to the War God’s Shinki. “I will be sure to repay my debt to your Mistress some day.” She said as she chuckled softly. 

She then pat her much taller Shinki on the arm. “And thank you for your assistance.”

Itsukushiki merely gave a nod before retreating a bit to give Fujin some room to speak. 

      🌸– While centuries serving Bishamon had meant Kazuma saw his fair share of Gods and their extraordinary talents, it wasn’t a common sight for one to arrive without warning amidst a whirlwind. If the deity wished to make a lasting first impression, she certainly succeeded, so much so that a moment of stupefied staring occupied him before her words sunk in.

     “…Spring?” Green eyes flicked to the unsightly blight spreading across the God’s arm. With a start, Kazuma straightened, offering her a hasty bow. “Ah, forgive me! Yes, we have a spring you can use, of course. I have to ask, however–is the source of your blight internal or external? I ask only out of necessity.” A God blighted by their Shinki might have been unsafe for his master’s Shinki to see, but a blight inflicted by Ayakashi was commonplace enough to pose no threat of unease.

“You have my thanks.” She said before grunting in pain. She had been blighted many times, but it was never any less painful. “And it is External. So you have no reason to be afraid. I encountered a storm of Ayakashi earlier in the day and while I was able to exterminate them, I did not escape unharmed.” She managed to stand up straight. “My name is Fujin, The Wind Goddess. Perhaps we can have a more formal chat later.” She said before almost falling over, only to be supported by her Shinki at the last moment.

“I thank you for the kindness you have shown my Master.” The man with light purple hair said softly. “I am Itsukushiki. Lady Fujin’s Head Shinki. Now if I may impose, where is the location of your spring? I shall guide her there.” He then lightly bopped Fujin on the head. “Don’t go running off like that again.” 

Tagged by: @guidcnce Tests is here: Link

Your archetype is the defender.

traits: loyal, selfless, guardian, youthful, honest, unguarded, courageous.

The defender is most commonly used to symbolize the motivator, or the helping hand of the chosen one/the main protagonist. they would give their life for what the believe in, and is invested in every relationship they build. Friendship means everything to them, no matter how insignificant their interactions were. They are selfless, and caring, and try their best. They will always mean it when they apologize, and they love so openly and fiercely that it can be heartbreaking when people take them for granted. 

“That would have to be amazing to see. I have to say I’m quite jealous I did not get to see such a thing with my own eyes.” Hitochi smiled. “Not to say I haven’t seen plenty of wonderful things being built, like sanctuaries for animals that need a home.” The humans that would build such places held a spot in his heart always.

“Another question, what is one of you favorite animals? One that is still around today?” He hates that extinction was a thing, sometimes it just had to happen while other times it was forced by the human race.

I feel like I got nothing done today... and yet I had no drafts to reply to.

Any other day, Fu would have probably passed over the shrine below her. But this wasn’t any normal day. 

With a whirlwind, she appeared at the entrance of it. Her vibrant red hair billowing freely. “Excuse me.” She said to the man she had likely started by appearing so suddenly. 

┄  ☣ Fu? It did make sense as a shorthand for the deity’s full name  - not to mention that, of all people, Ekibio had the least reason to object to what someone would prefer to be called.   ❝V-Very well - er - ‘Fu’. M-May I ask why - er- why you’re standing s-so far away? I - uhm - I promise I d-don’t bite.  ❞   ☣ ┄  

┄  ☣ …Well, this was certainly awkward. The god of wind didn’t appear threatening in the slightest     ( unless her hair was made red by the blood of her enemies - oh dear, best not to think about that ) and, to their knowledge, they didn’t appear threatening either… So why stand at such a distance? Perhaps the other deity disliked being close to people? Am I doing something wrong…? What if that was the reason for the distance - had they already screwed up?    ❝ T-The - er - p-pleasure is mine, Fujin-dono. E-Ekibio is - er - i-it’s fine, m-more people call me that than my - er - m-my full name.❞  ☣ ┄  

“This, my lovely Shinki; is exactly how NOT to behave.”

“I dunno. I find it hilarious.”

“That Yato kid is a total dweeb!” 

“Last I checked, you were a kid too.”  

“Yeah! But I’m a cool kid!”

“And I’m Carmen San Diego. Guess where I am!” 

“Fujin-sama! Itsuku is picking on meeee!”