Opportunist Offering [closed]

[Ram]

With a thud on the floor Mika’s head hit the tatami mats then snapped awake. Her tired eyes looked around the room in a brief panic of her hair in disarray and dark circles under her eyes. Morning barely lighting the window panes as she looked around the room. A flashlight with a dim glow was rolled against a wall. Two boxes rested with their lids open but with a crane of her neck, she could see they were left as they were earlier that day. Around the room she looked in dumb silence. Old furnishings of a desk and table, bookshelf and boxes around her with a dull light bulb in the ceiling’s lamp fixture. This wasn’t the tirelessly well maintained Ise. This wasn’t her dorm room on those holy grounds. This was the insides of a small house left in the mountains. The shrine offered to her to fill a dead zone left by the previous miko’s retirement.

She slowly moved to sit seizen but winced at a pain. Removing the covers show that her leg had swollen a bit from the bite marks last night. Touch the tender wound sent another stinging reminder as she quietly hissed. Her stomach grumbled as well when trying to assess what happened last night. She recalled going to points of interest at the shrine grounds to drop of charms to set up a barrier of the area. After which she chased a demon lurking by the lake side and bested it by bludgeoning it with a multilayered barrier wall till a lot of demons came crawling out from nowhere. Mika then remembered running from the floor of creatures when that stranger appeared. Out of nowhere diving in to kill anything within his reach.

It was night and day how that stranger behaved from earlier. His annoying attitude and smart ass remarks falling over to harassing the feeling demons and committing murder on two of them. Yet that look of his one eyed, sky flayed face made her white. She quietly pinched the bridge of her nose and rubbing her eyes to keep awake. The image of his face haunted the rest of the morning. Perhaps some food and meditation would clear out her head but first would be cleaning up. Mika knew she reeked terribly from skipping out on bathing.

Before any of that though, she pulled one of the boxes toward her and dug through it for writing supplies and a blank sheets. With it did she draft up a missive to have sent to Ise for help on what to do. Any senior advice would be worth something for this unique circumstances. Her brush glossing over the negative space for a brief message.

[Requesting experienced and senior insight at Sugawara Shrine of Nara. An unusual demon is found at the shrine with an extremely cursed aura and abilities encountered here. Reply back at your soonest connivence.]

Signing the bottom, the miko folded it up and addressed it to Ise. Her fingers hard pressed after finishing her request. Not even 24hrs of being on the shrine property did she run into trouble. Mika thought she’d be more capable than that. Wondering if someone will come to provide a second opinion. Given the multitude of issues in the country and location of the shrine, Mika knew she had to do some of her own investigations in the mean time for more reports later.

Now all that’s left was to mail it. There wasn’t a post box by the house which meant there was one stationed at the bottom of the mountain side. Mika sighed at the idea but she’ll have to will herself to do it now that she’s by herself. The girl climbed to her feet and gradually made her way to the kitchen. For what little food and grains there were remaining, all Mika could do was make herself a rice porridge and tend to cleaning the bite on her leg while waiting for the porridge to cook.

[gman]

The morning light came through the tears in the outer lining of the tent as Eiji woke up. Feeling sluggish he unzipped the tent and crawled out. Grabbing a tree branch he pulled himself out of his hidey hole. 
Climbing down he stretched his arms out. Looks like Dad didn't show. Well he could always show up tomorrow. For now though he was thirsty. A small hike later Eiji found himself on the riverbank. Kneeling down he cupped his hands and drank from the somewhat clean river. As he drank his reflection looked back at him He didn't usually get to see his reflection. His face was bare, no bandages from the scrap yesterday. It was however still caked in dried blood. 
He didn't have soap so water would have to do. Not even bothering to take off his clothes he walked into the water and began to scrub at his face, using the sleeve of his jacket as a wash rag. 
Twenty minutes of washing later he looked down at his reflection. Mostly clean, and mostly was good enough. Getting out of the water his clothes still soaked he made his way towards the Shrine. Granny would probably want him to check up on this girl. 
Arriving through the back Eiji walked past the small spring. He should probably announce himself. "Miko! Did you die in your sleep or run away?" He yelled out to the shrine house.

[Ram]

She didn’t like the look of the teeth marks when checking her leg over. Probably vaporized the creature with his teeth still sunk in. While it did save the matter of tearing flesh, it was getting to a bad swell. She took a bit to try cleaning it again with another towel found while waiting for the porridge to make progress on the old wood burner stove. Plenty of paper and matches to go around to have something start. Mika tied up the wound again and pulled her sock over it. A stool was nearby so she pulled it up and sat by the stove. The kitchen had a rustic look to it with the stone and wood where not many items were new. Maybe dry items and jars of unknown contents were on the counter. Very country side style to lack notable metal works than some pans and covers.

After awhile she wondered if the stove was even getting hot enough as she lifted the lid on the clay rice pot. Not even up to temp by the way the water say above the grain. The miko grumbled an annoyed sigh and returned the lid and began tossing in more fuel for the fire. The yell breaking the silence nearly got a yell out of her too. About dropping the lid with a clunk to hear someone yelling outside the house. Finding that she cracked it, Mika shuddered in anger and slammed the cracked clay pot lid over the rice. “Don’t tell me…” Grinding her teeth, she carefully moved to the window to peek out to see that sopping mess outside. Mika stepped outside and glared at him, one disheveled miko and to a drenched demon.

“What gives you the impression I’d do either of those things?!” She huffed at him, glaring up at the sloppy visage who haunted her all night. Seeing he did wash the blood off and somehow gained an eye back, she fixed up her slightly torn clothes before addressing that next. “I ask the very same of you! Were you trying to drown yourself next after being an animated corpse last night?”

She still looked none please to see him walking about. Her sleep deprived glare having her eyes go from his own to those taunting chains. They wiggled almost gleefully to mock her as he would no doubt since last night. Her hand moved to swat away one of those very chains from getting too close. 

[gman]

He was a bit taken aback by her appearance, "You look like you haven't slept in a week." The bags under her eyes looked dark. Her attire was also dishevelled and torn. Not that he was one to throw stones, being in a glass house himself. 
"Well you did get attacked on your first day. I imagine you wouldn't feel good about that." Eiji also remembered Granny's opinions on the main branch of Ise. Soft handed. That term came to mind. Though it smelled like she was cooking breakfast. 
"I guess you started breakfast. Good. Granny always did say it was the most important meal." Eiji thought that he would invite himself in. After all Granny made breakfast for him for the past nine months, but this new Miko looked like she was having a rough time, plus the small fact she acted like a little bite sized bitch. "No i didn't try to drown myself! and im not a corpse. Im just a guy. Ill have you know i took a bath in the lake." Eiji said looked offended. Last thing he wanted was her bitching about his particular scent and he still gets an ear full. "Did you at least bandage that wound?" 

[Ram]

The girl quietly grumbled in response to her appearance when the culprit was right in front of her. Her arms folded while hearing him out and trying her best to ignore those weird chains. They looked agitated, or humored, at her expense. Guess one can confirm that he is of the living variety.

Briefly they both looked back at the house. Smoke rising from the pipes. “There were grains found in the kitchen for a meal since last morning. The previous keeper left the house well maintained though there still needs to be some survey work left if anything is in need of repairs or replacement. I have yet to locate bandages so I’ve been making do with some towels from the kitchen to have cleaned and wrapped.” Meaning she has yet to find any bandages for where the previous miko hid them. He seemed awfully familiar with the previous miko to keep calling her granny all the time. Mika glanced at him to try parsing any further relations. “You… are free to have some of the meal if you feel inclined to. Dry off before entering though or leave your sopping clothes outside.” The miko put forth as the pot was rather large when filling it up with rice and water that it’d be much to have for a bowl and waste the rest. There was feeding the last of it to any fish left in the lake.

She did thought about the other events that happened yesterday. Boxing him after getting stared at and following those demons. “Since you’re not doing anything more at this moment, I do have some questions regarding what you know of this mountain as its current resident besides myself.” The girl turned and slowly headed back to the house to try putting some effort to clean up her appearance to straighten up her hair and wash her face. She head headed back in, she stared at the odd man quietly.

“Was the previous miko family to you?” she asked to determined if he was being respectful or if the two were relatives. The way he moved about yesterday was all too familiar with the grounds.

[gman]

Eiji cocked his head in confusion. Then again how would she know where things were around here. "Should be in the bathroom. The mirror thing opens up like a door. Granny kept some of her hair stuff and perfume in there. Should also be some bandages and other nick knacks." It wouldn't be obvious that it was a cabinet, as it was somewhat built into the wall. Eiji didn't know why it was built like that. Maybe build to Granny's specs? Hard to tell. Though Eiji perked up when she offered some of her breakfast. Not that he was expecting her too, that would be silly of him, but he had been somewhat accustomed to coming here and eating every morning. Eiji began to devise a plan to keep this rice porridge train rolling. 
Though there was the caveat of him not being wet. Well he could fix that for a sweet little porrige making angel "Ill go back and change then. See you in a minute." And just like that he was gone. Mika would have about five minutes too herself before he showed back up in a haphazard set up of a different set up of stitched up clothes that looked like he picked em up the side of the road. Panting he let himself in and made himself at home, And Mika was right. He didn't need to be told where to get a bowl and a spoon. 
Filling his bowl to its brim he began to messily eat. "Questions? well lay em on me. As for Granny nah. Just knew her. Been in the area for awhile. I helped her out every now and again. Never did get her name though." He said in-between panting from the marathon run he just did, and shovelling porridge into his gaping maw. "She had me get her groceries every week. and other things."

[Ram]

“A minute? Where exactly are you…” Mika looked back but he was already down the road in less than a minute. “going..?” She apathetically raised a hand to do something but he was long gone. Well, least he shared where those bandages were. Mika hobbled to the bathroom and found the bandages where they were. A bit light though that she doubted there was more. She spent taking her time cleaning and dressing the bite wound for another day that when she came out that homeless turned into some patchwork doll as he came back with food at the table. How’d he even manage all of that?!

“That was… quick.” Mika made herself up one small bowl and took her time eating to appease her empty stomach. The way he was shoveling down the food had her contemplate if that gruel was actually well made. For the hungry, it probably did have a better taste than plain rice.



She left the man to refill his bowl as many times as he wants to. Not once getting up to get more as they sat around the small low table. Those chains seemed to wiggle… pleased at the food. What a strange aura his keeps being. The girl sighed and looked at her hand to see a small string that wasn’t there before. Ah, right. She did say something about a name yesterday.

“Before I proceed with questions, I’ll introduce myself properly since you are the senior resident here and for my negligence of yesterday’s promise. I’m Ajibana Mikazuki, or simply Mika.” She spoke with the string fading once that was taken care of.

“I would request that you share a bit more of this mountainside location. My understanding from Ise was that this shrine was soon to lack a caretaker. The network strives to not have too many neglected shrines and often to not abandon any to dens that come up in the countryside. Nothing said of your presence here so I apologize for taking you for an unrest spirit. My goal is to have this shrine is proper form so Ise would no longer be concerned of this area falling to dens.”

Mika delivered her debrief of what Ise has shared with her but it was clear that she lacked much of the local relations and further topographic knowledge than a mountain. Being delivered here by car from the station didn’t serve much more either in retaining knowledge of what she has seen along the way.

“To that end… how exactly did you come to be here? If the previous miko was in your company I would have thought you both lived on this mountain for some time now.”

[gman]

"Mika huh? Call me Orochi, Everyone calls me that." Eiji said as he quickly finished up the first bowl. He got up without asking and just helped himself like he owned the place, bad habits do die hard. Though he did wonder why she made so much of it. There looked to be at least two more bowls worth of rice porridge in that pot. Sitting back down and slopping another spoonful in his mouth. "No harm no foul. With the spirit thing, Most people assume im a evil spirit, or a guy with bad intentions, and sometimes they are right." As he spoke it was clear he either didnt have the manners or didn't care about talking while he ate. "You're here about those doors then? Huh Granny never really messed with em too much. Or from what i got to see of her. I ain't around all the time. Though have seen some of them dens in the inner parts of the woods, though none recently." Eiji explained as he got up, this time not taking the bowl with him. He wiped off his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt. "As for the area i know it pretty damn well. Considering i live in the wilds outside the shrine." Eiji left out the part about how he got here and how long hes been here, but it was enough to state her thirst for knowledge. hopefully. 

"Granny asked me before she left if i would help the next person they sent here. I agreed as a Favor to her. So, do you need any help?"  Eiji asked in a un-characteristic way. He was halfway hoping she would just turn him down and he could spend the morning sunbathing. But the flip side to that she might pitch a fit about him using the springs, and eating her breakfast, and using the shrine well to get cleaner water than the lake, and other general mooching behaviour.
"Guess the shrine is already in working order. Just gonna wait for something to break and fix it."  

[Ram]

Her head cocked to the side of who this everyone is that called him Orochi. “Everyone as in…who, exactly?” Mika wondered if there were more locals around who would come to visit and considered introducing herself to them along the way. A few mental notes were made about the state of the shrine with Orochi’s inclusion. Groceries would be needed once sure of where to keep the food stored and then the state of the water. Visitors showing up to find him bathing in the lake wasn’t the image of calm to try preserving.

“Nevermind. I suppose one more thing. Why would the previous miko insist on assisting the next person? She could have stayed herself or you have little obligation to than staying outside the shrine grounds.” Mika didn’t understand the relation between the two or why Orochi would uphold any of that. Maybe there was some familial aspect between Granny miko and Orochi here. She contemplated on this as he got up, leaving the bowl and spoon behind.

“Hmm? You’re not taking those to the sink?” Mika asked as he appeared ready to head off somewheres. He did ask if she had anything of help needed. It would get him off the grounds longer to explore and he did know some places. She got up and went to her box of belongings and came back to give him a small notebook and pen and her letter to Ise.

“If you’re going out, drop this off in a mailbox and have the people you go to for groceries sign here.” Mika instructed, not too keen to ask for his help but it would get a few things done quicker. “That or you clean everything you’ve touched on the shrine grounds.”

[gman]

"Everyone as in everyone i talk to. If they know me its by the name orochi." Eiji said this in a matter of fact tone. He really meant it as a little informative quip. However that answer really only begged another question. One that he wasn't going to answer. He had himself a small chuckle at her next question. 
"Well have you ever chopped firewood? Do you know how to season fresh firewood? Place has a wood burner for heat. She didn't out right say it but i imagine living in the confines of a city is a little different that hoofing it out here. You may not have some skills you need. I however am quite accustomed to the environment. Should you need any pointers i can give em to you. Besides i dont see you hauling fifty or one hundred pounds of supplies back to town."

There was an odd sense of pride with that last statement. Yes he was a mule. but one that got to use the hot spring whenever he wanted. Though he did forget his bowl. He did in fact lean down and place his dirty dishes into the sink. When he turned around he was handed a letter and a small notepad. "I wasn't planning on leaving. But if you need something i could.. get it for you." She was already hopping at the opportunity to put him to work. He could handle sending mail, after all he did it all the time for granny. Though the writing down of names was a new one. "Do you want me to pick something up for you? Ill need money for that. Cant pay for food with good will, believe me ive tried. Id also need a list." He did need to go down and grab some more bandages and smokes for himself, but there was a snowball's chance in hell he would be using his own cash to buy stuff for Miko Mika. 
Huh. Miko Mika. Odd sound alike there. 

"Send mail. Get names. I can handle that." 

[Ram]

“I managed a stove, didn’t I?!” Mika retorted back at his mocking chuckle. “Therefore I can certainly figure out a bit more in time.” The small gurl huffed. He continued his sales pitch of laboring around as a groundskeeper which made her feel conflicted that her efforts wasn’t satisfactory to her mentors. What would the higher priest think if she were to grab some homeless out in the wilds and put him to work as is! Mika couldn’t afford to be considered lazy or else she’d certainly be sent back to meditate on her actions to course correct back in Ise.

Quietly she fumed on how to tackle these short comings. He did have a point that carrying hundreds of pounds regularly from town and back is a hassle. There was more to shrine upkeep than scriptures and honing her spirit. Truthfully the shrine spaces were smaller in comparison that one person can spend their morning tending to the grounds in a short hour. Something she’ll have to sort out a means or set up a delivery so it’d make the shrine appear lively and active. A purpose for the public to give bids to the offering box. Speaking of money, he was already quick to ask some out of her pocket. The nerve of him! Mika turned away and went to get her pocket book. Silly her to asl a homeless to go shopping with nothing. Opening it up she held out a five 1,000 yen bills. Reluctantly handing it over till Oroch accept them.

“Here’s 5,000 to handle groceries. Don’t buy something stupid with it. If you get change less than 10 yen, drop it off in the offerings box or use for bus fair.” Mika instructed with the unfortunate fact that the 1 yen and 5 yen coins don’t have much value and become an inconvenience by the amount of loose change. Her wallet snapped shut and she tucked it in her robe. He seemed to accept the terms of gathering names and mailing the letter on the grocery run.

“If I find something off on the grounds, you’ll be the first one to ask,” she slowly took her bowl and spoon and took them to the sink for cleaning. While redundant that Orochi may as well be the only person to immediately talk to, Mika didn’t enjoy having to say it aloud in affirmation.

[gman]

"Im sure you will get the hang of it, but in the mean time ill be around. " Eiji said as he took the money as she offered it. "Stupid, so no meat then? Just more rice and other bare necessities?"  He asked as he made his way to the door. "If thats all ill make my way to town. Not much else to do today as it is." And with that he left. He mulled over maybe buying himself a better pack of smokes with the money he got from her. After all whats another 500 yen missing from the rest of the others? If he only had Five thousand yen then he wouldn't need the cart at all. Well it was time to go for a stroll then.  Eiji walked through the shrine and onto the trail back to town. He wondered if she would get into any more trouble while he was away, Nah she seems like she has a level head, for a Miko that is. 

[Ram]

“At least that much. Meat could spoil for however long you take.” Mika sighed and turned to call back to him as he left the hut. “Nothing too extra! Got that?” That was the last she heard of of him with the sink left running. Regret on parking with that 5k of yen had Mika sulking while cleaning the dishes and pot. So much money potentially wasted on him. She considered going off after him but struggled to stay firm on her choice. Mika wanted him off the shrine grounds. No creepy aura, no creepy stalking, and no Mr. I told you so when he shows up suddenly. Technically that last part hasn’t happened yet but the way his chains taunted her was enough to spell it out.

Didn’t make sense of what happened yesterday that could be chalked up to how dangerous this mountain area actually was. Ise can afford a multitude of wards and carious agents to maintain it. Higher up priests with proactive skills would take tasks around Japan as needed. Those with familiars or measures of divine judgement under their belt in tandem with Shinsengumi officers. The fact his attitude change so quickly was suspicious to where it was difficult on how genuine he is being. Everything tied back to the previous miko imploring him to help the next. Mika couldn’t help but find that the previous miko must has saw her credentials or believed a produce of Ise isn’t sufficient. Mika scrubbed the dishes hard at the notion of this being the case. How else would her mentor then encourage she’d be able to take care of a shrine? This mountainside plot of land far from the main towns. She’ll show them! “I can be resourceful,” the girl grumbled and set the dishes out.

Leaving the shove to smolder so the small house can remain heated, Mika headed out with her tasks in mind. Finish up her survey and then spend time writing more talisman wards. The driving sensation to prove herself out weighing her darkened eye lids. Mika was convinced she wouldn’t need rest till accomplishing this much for today! She then stormed off to the west side of the shrine as the last part of the grounds unchecked.

[gman]

And with that he was on his way. Walking to town was always a long trek, but often it could be entertaining in its own way. It helped keep him lithe thats for sure. But the main question on his mind, Nicotine. He was already gonna buy himself a pack of cigarettes. He had enough of that. But five thousand yen. Thinking clearly he had to bring back some groceries, well mostly groceries. Maybe he could use the change to buy some better quality tobacco. Yeah that was a good idea.  But he would have to carefully shop to come up with the right ratio of groceries to spare change to make this transition work.  He also thought he could just take the whole five grand and disappear for a few months to his little camp sight. But then no hot springs, and free breakfast as well. Damn. That was out of the question. 

About an hour later he came across the postage box for the shrine. He put her letter in there and raised the flag on the side of the box. He wondered who she was writing too? Maybe her family. Gotta let the folks know you settled into a shrine in the middle of nowhere. Having an hour to mull it over he decided that he probably shouldn't try to take her money for his own ends. He should try to make her settling in as smooth as possible. Besides he would just blow through twenty cigarettes as fast as he would, quality be dammed.  The trail turned into a dirt road leading into the small town. Then another thought entered his head, He would blow through twenty smokes, but not forty. Well that was that. He did help her with some Yokai yesterday. That was worth a pack of smokes in any place. A smile appeared on his face as he imagined the the pile of cigarettes that would land in his lap. 

[Ram]

In her wanderings on the grounds lead her down a side path nearly missable by the hedges and stone that serves as a mock roadside barrier to the path. Following this lead her down a short walk from the shrine where water could be heard bubbling. Her came across some changing stalls with rolls of bandages laying in a basket or out on a shelf while the inner tube remains were scattered about with discarded cigarette butts. Mika could feel her face going red at the disgust of the only criminal around for miles to do this. “Wastefully disgusting,” she glared and poked around. The inside looked sad and barren with the left over bandages and cigs lying in the corners. She poked around a bit to find anything but by all means it was a bare changing station.

She shook her head and promised herself to take a broom and spray down the place somehow. However, with a lack of a spout, lake or the hot spring will do to take hot water to splash the place down to any dirt and ash. Speaking of these springs, Mika found them just up ahead. The waters were a questionable color of a murky blue green but carried a strange tainted look as she stared at it. Probably left behind by that homeless fool. Uncomfortable at the thought, she tossed a few charm beads into the water to try blessing the pool. If nothing else to remove some sense of vile from it if she ever dared to enter for a soak.

From here on there was little else than this small secret. It was rather tucked away to be private scenery to view the forest. Thinking back on how Orochi stood there in the road, this may be where he came from on her arrival. She folded her arms to mull over how to care for all this while starring at the tempting steam rising up. Bathing here did look inviting. Mika searched around the perimeter to consider it. Orochi was gone and she could always make a dome to bathe in peace. The idea of cleaning up now felt like a dream when a rolling engine caught her ears. A car? Maybe a first visitor! Mika patted down her clothes and tugged on her face to greet her first visitor and shuffled back to the road.

A sleek brown car with tinted windows rolled up the dirt path and came to a stop. Passing off as an old style escort vehicle a few years back. Out stepped a pair of gentlemen in suits of grey and black with simple white shirts underneath and no tie. One sported a short shaven head and the other a flat top with the sides shaved off and trimmed sideburns. They headed to the back of the car trunk after taking a look at the relatively abandoned shrine. No people, no mikos, no demons.

The grey suited man eyed the lake with a cocked head as they went to the back of the trunk and undid the lock. With the car being too wide from here on past the shrine gate, it was down to old fashioned labor. It was here that Mika walked in on them mid-greeting from the shrine side path. “Welcome to our shrine,” she began. Her voice catching the pair by surprise as one look at the aura from the trunk shifted her tone as the pair quickly reached for their inner blazers. “That is not welcome here. Leave.”