thefarshore | Heaven's BBS | Text & Video ~ A Stolen Voice

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Heaven's BBS | Text & Video ~ A Stolen Voice

Posted: May 21st
From: Sousuke Yamazaki

What are shinki?

I’ve not been here long, so I don’t know the truth. Apparently no shinki can. But I’ve experienced enough.

I don’t like it.

We’re shinki. We weren’t told anything upon our arrival. All we knew is that we’re dead and know nothing else. Other shinki probably had the same experience I did: stumble around until someone told me I had to find a god or something before something bad happened to me. We have to rely on whatever our gods tell us as the truth. We’re told we’re supposed to help our gods with their duties and wants and protect them or fight for them. We can’t exist without you; gods give us form and prevent us from fading away. We have to depend on you to survive.

So what are we to you?

I have a god. A Master. He tells me that I’m human more than I’m his shinki. I don’t know if I believe him entirely.

Not all Masters are like that, are they. Some don’t care what a shinki feels. I guess that’s not far from the truth though. After all, shinki are really nothing more than tools to gods. Gods can pick us up simply because they want something from us. Maybe you feel good having us at your side because you think we remind you of something. Maybe you want us because we’re useful to you or you like our looks or fit your fighting style or powers.

But if it doesn’t work out, if we piss our gods off or don’t please them, they’re allowed to discard us like a broken item. Gods can even cycle through us one after another until they’ve found the perfect tool to fit their current needs. And when you’re done, you can throw us away until you’re ready to use us again. Or left to wander for someone else to maybe pick up before we fade away into nothing.

And we have no choice but to come when you call us whether we want to or not. Because we’re nothing without you. We’re valuable possessions to keep close or useful but expendable objects to get the job done.

I don’t know if all gods are aware of this; I know the shinki aren’t. Gods can even steal shinki from another god without asking. Force a new name upon us and give us a new form and power. And if we’re stubborn, apparently blackmail and threats are just as effective. Or you can simply hurt us until we break or get rid of us because we’re not working as you want. Like we’re some kind of toy for your amusement.

We’re told we’re entering a partnership with our gods, but in reality, it only goes one way. We have to choose between vanishing or living as a weapon, companion, prize, tool, whatever, for a god we don’t even know.

If you’re a shinki, think about this. If you’re a god, ask yourself why you have a shinki.

[A video feed flicks on. A full moon glows yellow in the sky above, encircled by spiraling clouds. The edge of a sakura tree billows pink and gentle at one side of the screen, releasing ghost-light sakura petals into the winds that carry them away. It’s silent, some for himself to gather his thoughts, some for letting whoever’s listening to him think. Maybe it is rambling, but the experience he went through…]

So what are our rights? Does anyone want to tell me how this is supposed to work?

All of this may not be something some of you gods care about.

But the shinki should know.

[His is a quiet voice, deep like the dark waters far below the surface of the sea.]

I’m aware I’m probably a rare case; most of the gods I’ve met seem decent. Some of you say you’d never act like I’ve described or think like this towards a shinki. That we can trust you. But we don’t know you. So how can we trust you? Ultimately we have to trust our gods because we don’t know anything else. Whether you use that to your advantage or not is up to you.

It’s a disgusting feeling to know you’re powerless against someone else. I can be stolen and wielded by any god who wants me, regardless of how I feel about it. And if I don’t want that, I have to eternally stick by my Master’s side like a frightened child. We’re not free; we can’t even rely on ourselves because our powers, beyond the borderline, is useless unless directed by a god. I didn’t want this, I don’t know if any shinki does.

[A quiet breath seeps backwards above the screen and the edge of a shirt sleeve flutters into view on one side of the screen. Sousuke’s leaning against the wall beside the window, not in sight, but obviously here if someone feels like talking.]

And if any of you gods haven’t yet learned how to track or trace your shinki, you should start working on that now. Otherwise you're going to find yourself out a useful tool for a while simply because some other god wants to do something different for a change.

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Whether a God or not, I assume people want power to some extent. Gods seem to have more control than Shinkis. At least from what the information is saying.

I suppose. I wonder what they want and why this is even happening. I've only been here shortly.

Indeed, you are right. That isn't a question that will have an answer. However, this information is much more useful than I anticipated. So thank you.

Do you know if anyone has taken actions against this sort of treatment?

Power to be free. Aa, they have more control from what I’ve seen. If they know how to use it well.

I’ve not been here long either; some people have ideas about it, from batteries to replacements to trials.

You’re welcome, I guess. I don’t like bringing it up. It’s pathetic. But the shinki need to know. So whatever.

I doubt it. I don’t even know if the gods knew it was going on before this. Or if they’ll care.

I see. I have yet to meet a god that has show their power.

Huh, I see. You seem rather knowledgeable for someone who has not been here for very long.

Regardless, it is a helpful thing you have done. It offer insight to those who do not know enough. I do agree that Shinkis have every right to know what is going on just as much as a God does.

Eh....? How sad. I suppose it's better not to pry. However, it'd be nice if they'd all at least care a little. It might save trouble in the future. I've heard quite a few stories since I've been here.

Edited 2016-12-01 06:00 (UTC)

Really? Most shinki at least see their god’s power. You’re training to fight alongside your god, right?

I’m only going by my own experiences and what people have told me.

Hopefully the shinki and gods who read this can put it to good use. Even if nothing comes of it, at least they’ll know. Ultimately it’s probably up to the gods or whoever’s above them. Maybe shinki can withhold their skills until things change, but I doubt that will help much. If a god needs to survive and a shinki's standing in their way, I think one has more an edge of getting their way.

What kind of stories?

Unfortunately, I do not know who my God is, much less their power. I've been searching since I got here. I have yet to find answers that suffice my questions so training with them seems rather pointless if I don't know who they are.

I suppose asking around is helpful.

True enough. Being aware is better than being ignorant. Something like that is better than nothing at all.

I've encountered several people talking about being assaulted by someone. I don't remember all the details.

How long have you been here? I was told that a shinki who can’t find their god will have problems. [The real comment is “will fade into nothing” but throwing that at this guy isn’t going to help the situation.]

I don’t know if this is possible, but if you do train with a god, could they ‘adopt’ you or sustain you for a little while? [Yes, he realizes the irony in suggesting that, especially after he’s just fumed over a god forcing him to be his reluctant shinki for a short period of time. But… the main issue here is the willingness of the shinki, not so much becoming another god’s shinki for whatever reason.

After all, Sousuke “chose” under duress to stop resisting the theft, but that was to protect his companion and his own god. This guy has different circumstances.]

Hn. From the reactions I’ve gotten, it sounds like a god assaulting a shinki isn’t common around here and my event was a rarity.

I haven't been keeping track but it was too short to count, honestly. I arrived when that god wanted us to help hand out food and clean.

[ Among other things anyway. He doesn't want to count the days he's here. It's more than enough to agitate him. ]

I see. Do you know what kind of problems I'll face being one without a god?

[ He much would like an answer on that matter. ]

Huh, so it means I still have to pick someone to be "adopted" by. In more ways than one, there isn't much of a choice right now. I don't like being vulnerable.

[ The more he knows the more unhappy he's becoming. However, it's not like this person is at fault. He's giving him information that others have not. It does make sense to find a god for the time being and make use of them. I.t means depending on them for a short time, but that doesn't mean that he can't choose to leave at his own will. He'll have to look into this all more carefully. ]

It is still quite a troublesome thing to hear about, regardless.

That wasn’t too long ago.

[Sousuke definitely understands the irritation of counting the days passed while here. He thought about doing it when he first arrived, but after two days, quickly gave up the practice for his own good and attitude.]

I can’t give you details. I was told a shinki without a god is more vulnerable to ayakashi and fading away, but that’s all I know.

[Let him pause for a moment and mentally ask himself why he used the ‘adopt’ word right there. But he can’t come up with anything better.]

Aa. I don’t want to be vulnerable either. A lot of gods and shinki are ‘assigned’ to each other too. Maybe yours hasn’t found you yet. Someone mentioned something about a shinki information building, but I don’t know anything about it.

[It’s a frustrating time to be stuck in this kind of predicament. But there are those who have it worse off too. Sousuke might have his issues, but he does, at least, have a god and isn’t in danger of being currently orphaned.]

I don’t know how much of the conversation you’ve been following here, but… a lot of the gods are good people. I’m getting reminded of that. So they’ll most likely help you.

[Irony is irony.]

It was very short, honestly. [ Perhaps, it might better for him to adjust to everything and then figure things out when he gets further. ] It doesn't sound pleasant-- turning into a ayakashi and fading away. [ It must be a strange word to use but it sounds logical in the conversation. He doesn't really blame him for using that word. ]

I wasn’t aware a shinki could be without a god for so long. [That makes him curious as to what really a shinki had to rely upon a god for. He knew there are some risks but… This guy obviously isn’t simply a spirit floating around aimlessly. He’s doing things, learning things.] Aa. It doesn’t.

[He should make a point to go to the labor center sometime as well, see what he can find there.] A lot of people gave me information my first day, but most of it was confusing or upsetting. Anything’s better than nothing though. [He wonders if his information’s been helpful to this guy more because of the topic or if it really has been more helpful just in general.]

It’s going to be hard for me to give them the benefit of the doubt right now. Maybe later, when things have calmed down. [As the guy said, given the situation. Every shinki will simply have to figure it out for themselves where they stand on the idea of trusting gods.]

I’m Sousuke Yamazaki.

This is news to me as well. Unfortunately, I can't control what the outcomes are. At the very least, nothing has happened yet.

Somehow it makes it very fortunate for him. Turning into a monster or fading away. These all sound rather unpleasant. ]

To some extent, you are right. Having something to work off of is better than nothing at all.

[ He can't agree more to the statement. However, it still doesn't make him feel any better. In a general sense, he has given him more details than anyone else. Most of the people were rather tight lipped about the information the were giving. ]

True enough.

[ He would add more to it but he decides it's best not to. ]

Ichiru Kiryuu. A pleasure, I suppose.

Be careful. [That’s all he can really say. As the guy said, it’s not something any of them can really control without a god there to claim them as a shinki.]

Aa. [There isn’t much more he can offer him, which bothers him a little. The conversation’s been more a warning than anything else and Sousuke doesn’t know enough about the place to really help in this case.]

Ichiru. I’ll remember that. I know it’s ironic, but I hope you find some stability soon. I don’t want to see this happen to someone else.

I will be careful.

[ Since that's the only thing he can do right now rather than being reckless and jumping into unknown situations. whatever it may be, Sousuke has more or less given him some of the information he needs to know about this world and the residents to some extent. He knows that there's a lot he has to look into. ]

It's quite alright. Thank you for your concern. I will make sure not be reckless and I hope the same as well.

[At the very least, this guy doesn't have to go forward without knowing all of this. It's not easy information and revelation to take in, but it'll help him avoid some god trying to take advantage of him. At least that's the hope.

There's a lot for both of them, hell, all gods and shinki, to look into regarding this event and the possible ramifications it has. He thought it'd be something small, but it's turned out to be a lot bigger.]

Aa. Let me know if you find something out.

I'll see you around.

[ In the end, it worked out for Ichiru to gain information this way. He honestly hopes that he doesn't end up in that kind of position. It would be really annoying for him. ]

I'll keep you informed if I do, Sousuke-san.

Bye Bye.

[That makes two of them.]

Same.

Ja ne, Ichiru.

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Heaven's BBS | Text & Video ~ A Stolen Voice

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