thefarshore | [video]

From: Vesta
Date: December 24

[Being an old-timey Japanese person, Ayumu's unfamiliar with Christmas Eve or Christmas traditions. What she is acquainted with is New Year's and it's coming up very soon. Since her return from the dead, Ayumu's been too busy recovering from her ordeal and its fallout this month to really announce herself.

Between returning to the Shinsengumi and getting affairs in order at her own temple, Ayumu simply hasn't had the time or energy to dedicate to making all the social calls she'd like. There's something she's been thinking about doing, however, and Ayumu's running out of time to do it.

So here is a video of a very solemn and subdued looking Ayumu Yamazaki in a plum-blossom patterned kimono with her hair done up in a sleek bun. The eyepatch over her left eye is absent today, revealing the facial scarring marring her brow and the drooping lid in stark clarity. Her posture is straighter than it's been in quite some time. She appears to be seated at a kitchen table, her hands clasped neatly in front of her.

After a moment, Ayumu begins to speak quietly and evenly in the Kyoto accent she hasn't used since her first time here as a goddess.]

Hello. My name is Ayumu Yamazaki. I'm also known as Vesta and have gone by Lady Yumi on this shore in the past. I'm aware that many of you do not know me. Many of those that do are not aware that prior to my life here as a shinki, I was once a goddess. It's because of those who were once here but have long since passed on or vanished that I am speaking now.

[Ayumu bows her head briefly in a moment of silence before lifting it once more.]

On New Year's Eve, I'll be holding a candlelit vigil at my temple to honor and bid a proper farewell to those who've left us, whether it be through choice, death, or unknown forces. A new year awaits us all, one that may prove to be full of better prospects but I believe that in order to greet it fully with open arms, we must first let go of what binds us in the past. If anyone would like to do the same, you are all welcome to join me at my temple.

[Ayumu includes directions to her temple in the western district. When she's done, she bows deeply to the camera then straightens up. Just before the video cuts out, there's the sound of a very demanding meow coming from off-screen.]

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[Archer notices the different speech pattern immediately. He didn't know about Ayumu, not until this post, but he's been worried after seeing her talk about what the shinki are.]

I will join you. It's a good idea to hold such vigil, even if most of us don't remember whom we've lost.

Thank you. I think it's best to step into the new year weighed down from the past as little as possible. Amends can be difficult enough to make without being haunted by ghosts of past regrets.

[And she does regret the pain she's caused others throughout her life. As a rule, Ayumu takes back nothing or at least tries not to. Taking something back's impossible to do, once something is said or done, it's in the air forever, remembered. But amends and forgiveness? Those are obtainable goals to work for.]

That is true for everyone.

[Archer has a feeling that his past has been full of regrets. He's been doing well so far, without truly losing anyone important to him. Aside that Caster's stunt.]

Have you settled in?

[Ayumu remembers that stunt. Or at least, how it'd affected Archer. The condolences and comfort offered had been genuine.]

As well as can be expected I suppose. I'm still getting my temple in order and working on making amends with those who've been hurt. At least, I only have one shinki to attend to right now and he spends half his time with his other god.

[Taking on noras is such a natural occurence for her that she doesn't think anything of mentioning it. One of the most loyal, capable shinki she's ever had happened to be a nora.]

I think it'll take a little more time to find a proper routine but I'm getting there.

[A pause.]

But how about you, Archer-san? How are you doing?

[Archer is aware, as well as of the fact they reacted the same way to their gods' return.]

I'm glad things are better for you, and that you have a shinki. Having company helps a lot.

[Archer has nothing against nora, several of the shinki he does know are nora themselves.]

I've been fine. [he catches himself and corrects hastily. As he does so the earring he's wearing catches light; it's identical to the ones Caster's wearing.] No, I've been better than fine.

[Ayumu chuckles and smiles. She hasn't met Caster face-to-face to be able to recognize the earring but she can certainly see that Archer seems to be in relatively high spirits. It's honestly a good look on him and nice to see.]

I'm glad to hear that. And thank you. I greatly appreciate that.

[It's refreshing to talk to someone who isn't just going to yell at her right now. But then again, Archer's been in a better position than most to see just how much she'd been struggling with her life as a shinki. He'd caught her at some of her worst moments but still shown her patience and understanding.]

It really means a lot to me.

[Archer inclines his head.]

I do not think it's right to judge after knowing only one side of the story. Unfortunately it's hard to consider anything without bias when feelings are involved.

[While he can be judgemental he prefers to consider his opinion carefully, his feelings put aside.]

All that aside, if you need help with figuring out modern appliances, or if you're in the mood to try some modern recipe, I'll be happy to help.

[Ayumu's grateful for the willingness to suspend judgment, even temporarily. There's too much weight crushing down on her already and she's barely able to bear it as is. Maybe in the future, once she's had time to recuperate and regain her strength, she'll be able to stand firm and weather it.]

Thank you. It's a complicated situation.

[And a complicated life, too, really. There's a reason she craves a simpler, quieter existence so much.]

That'd be very helpful. I still struggle a lot with understanding how things work here. Trying out some new recipes sounds nice, too.

Circumstances are rarely as simple as they seem. But enough said.

[Archer doesn't want to continue this topic. He thinks Ayumu could use a distraction from her thoughts, hence the offer. What's better than cooking up a storm.]

I can come by anytime, to share recipes and to help.

[Moreover, Archer is really going to introduce Ayumu to cutesy food.]

I'd like that very much. It's always nice to have company.

[Especially in the kitchen. For all the problems she'd had with Hakkai, she misses having a cooking friend to prepare meals together with.]

I might have some recipes you could try, too. I know a couple of old dishes that seem hard to find nowadays.

[Ayumu will be positively enchanted by cutesy food.]

[video]

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