thefarshore | Heaven's BBS

Posted: May 23rd
From: Eros

[His tone is measured and purposeful, determined.]

Gods are powerful. No matter who we are, there's strength in all of us, terrifying strength we might not even understand. We can choose to control it, abuse it, and use it for whatever purpose suits our needs or the needs of the people.

But shinki aren't given that same choice.

As you might've heard... my shinki had a new name forced upon him while he was still in my care, by a god who couldn't have cared less and saw him as a tool. You heard what he had to say regarding freedom and rights and some of you even addressed his questions. ... You know he's afraid. You know that your shinki have wondered the same exact things from the moment they stood by your side. Whether we're trustworthy or kind or even worth their effort.

After all, we're strangers to them. And like it or not, we might as well be their biggest threat.

So... why not change that?

I want to form a defense team; a group dedicated to protecting shinki and their integrity. They shouldn't have to rely on us for their lives. They deserve proper rights and freedom and choice just as much as we do. And if any other gods believe the same, then I'd hope you'd consider working with me.

As for any shinki listening in: you aren't a tool. You're you before you're anyone else. If there's anything you need to say, tell me. I'll listen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What... what if I was given a second name by someone I trust, to save my life in battle? I keep hearing others speak of "nora" often with disdain. Are they really reviled by many? What if our original god casts us out for being tainted?

[There's a long pause, with some soft but anxious breathing behind it.]

Did I make a mistake...?

As far as I know, becoming a nora...

[He doesn't want to say it's bad, because he doesn't even know that for sure. Still... instinct tells him it might be strange.]

It's frowned upon. But if it seemed like you had no other choice, then I can't be one to judge you.

[He doesn't know the details after all.]

Like I said though, it should have been your choice from the start. And if you felt safer making that decision for yourself, then that couldn't have been a mistake. Being alive doesn't make you "tainted."

It was my choice, even under duress. I was helping another god and his shinki, without my own god present. An ayakashi attacked me, and to keep me from being destroyed, the other god named me with my consent. My new form allowed me to escape.

[There's another long pause, then a soft sigh.]

He offered to revoke the name when the battle was over. I... I don't know why I told him I would keep it. It wasn't out of obligation. Maybe it's only because he's been kind to me.

Does your original god know?

... no. I'm afraid he might cast me out. He's not a cruel man, but he's very stern and our relationship is a bit tense.

Do you trust him? Fear him?

I do trust him, and I'm not afraid of him, but....

[So many of these long pauses as he tries to process thoughts and feelings. Sorry, Rin.]

He's so... distant. He said he doesn't want any harm to come to me and that's why I haven't seen combat with him, but what good is a shinki if they can't help their god? I worry if he's so detached from me, it will be nothing for him to cast me out even though it will leave him without any shinki.

Being detached like that does no one any good. You're a team. And if you can't function like one, then you both might as well be independent and defenseless.

But that isn't your responsibility, at least from my standpoint. Your god named you, promised to protect you... He should be the one helping you before all else.

He decided to test my abilities by attacking me. Not with the intent to harm, but still... I can't fight well on my own with my magic. I think my spells were meant to support from the back lines in a battle. So he likely still sees me as weak and in need of coddling.

He attacked you? [When he considers him weak?] Did he warn you?

He did, but it wasn't much warning. I assume he wanted to see how I'd react in an emergency. I doubt he would've harmed me, at least not more than minor injuries, but it was quite startling.

[Rin can understand that reasoning, assuming it's true. Keeping his teammates and friends on their toes ensure they won't slack off and that they'll remain in top condition for fair competitions. But this isn't innocent competition they're talking about. They're dealing with magic and powers the likes of which some of these people here only ever dreamed about.]

It's one thing if you trust him, but he needs to be able to trust you. If he can do that, then there won't be any need for coddling and surprises, even second guessing.

And if you trust him as much as you say, then the first step to earning his trust in return could be by telling him the truth about what happened to you.

Speaking from experience, you won't be doing anyone any favors by keeping everything inside, especially from your god.

[And that's what he was afraid to hear. He can't argue Rin's logic, but not knowing what he faces when Arikado learns that he's nora is terrifying. It's not the man he fears, it's the possibility of rejection, of loneliness. Did he do this to himself because he needs to be anchored to more than one person, just in case someone else he cares about disappears?

His fear is crystal clear in the unsteady breathing on the line, the shakiness of his words when he dares to speak again.]

I-- I'll try. I'm sorry to... to bother you like this....

[It's obvious the subject is touchy for this stranger, but Rin isn't entirely sure how he can go about trying to console them, especially if he can't even see them face to face. But he's already made a promise to himself to be more useful, especially for shinki, so... it's a start.]

It's not a bother.

[A beat]

I want to make sure you're in a comfortable situation. In the end, it'll be your decision whether you choose to stay in this sort of relationship between two gods or not.

If they give you strength, stay with them. As long as you're honest.

Heaven's BBS | Voice

[ANON BUT VOICE (so Rin can ID the accent later)]

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