01 - a cassock would probably be very heavy if it were drenched like this

[paladaddy]

Who: Shiro Fujimoto, plus anyone who happens to come across him
When: Very shortly after his arrival
Where: The plaza
Style: setup is prose, but I am open to prose or action
Status: Open to everyone!

In the plaza that afternoon, there was a man. He appeared to be middle-aged, around fifty or so, though his hair had gone almost completely grey already. He was also very obviously a priest of some sort, what with his priestly garb and the rosary hanging around his neck and all.

Said old man also happens to be drenched from head-to-toe, and he doesn't look too happy about that fact.

He was very obviously confused, and he took a moment to look around and take in his surroundings, following the trails of coral to the huge piece right in the middle of the plaza. There he stopped and stared at it in disbelief. Then he took a cloth out of one of his pockets, removed his glasses, and attempted to clean the water droplets from the lenses. Of course, the cloth was wet too, so it just smeared around the water and did little to help. The man frowned at this, but he still put his glasses back on.

Finally he looked back at the big coral in the middle, and he said, "Well. This sure is...something." He was talking more to himself than anyone around him, but he could easily be heard.

He has a lot of questions, and once he's done staring in disbelief at the coral, he'll be looking for friendly faces in the crowd to bug for answers. He's still convinced this is the afterlife, though this isn't what he expected to find in heaven (or hell).

Comments

[spacecase]

[Arf Arf, what's that? A new person? He's dressed slightly odd, it rather reminds her of Night's exorcist jacket, yet it's still different. Jade's ears perk up, twitching curiously in Shiro's direction as she finally decides to gather an armful of towels and approach him.]

Hello! I think you need a few of these right now. [And she holds up the towels to his level.]

[paladaddy]

[Oh hey, a helpful young lady! The ears do make Shiro pause for a moment, but considering how she's being helpful instead of outright trying to kill him he figures she isn't a threat. Or possibly she's not even a demon, since ears alone don't make someone a demon.

He takes the towel gratefully and wiped off his face before using it to clean his glasses better.]

Thanks. I wasn't expecting to go for a swim today.

[Oddly enough, he doesn't remember passing through any water, but since the city is underwater maybe he just forgot that part.]

+1 obnoxious death god

[symmetrophile]

No one does, when they first arrive. You'll need one of these, too.

[And suddenly, it's that guy approaching to join Jade in greeting the sodden, bespectacled man, coolly offering one of the Welcoming Committee's brochures.

Wow, that sure is a crazy dye job. Kids these days, listening to their awful music and apparently bleaching bone-white stripes in their hair around one side of their head.

That golden gaze of Kid's slides Jade a sidelong glance, mutely.]

[spacecase]

...When did you get here and how did you even know I was here?

[Creep!!! But other than that, she smiles at Shiro. Brief, sort of awkward, but obviously friendly.]

But he's right, there's a bunch of information in there that you'll need for living here. --Oh, that's right, most important thing to know is that you're stuck here.

[keepsthefire]

[And passing by that old man was a much younger one but likely familiar one, albeit with a couple more years on him than Shiro would have remembered. Rin took a pretty regular path through the plaza whenever he was working or going home, but he'd stopped looking at new arrivals months ago. There was always a chance one of his friends might still show up, but after Yukio's disappearance he really wasn't holding his breath anymore.

It had gotten to a point where it hurt more to keep hoping, and was easier to just deal with them as they came, if they showed up at all.

Point being, even though he walked by the plaza that afternoon on his way home from a early shift, tail out, hands in pockets, earbud headphones blaring too loud music in to his ears, he completely went past the very confused priest and didn't even look up.

Yup. Rin Okumura just completely passed his father after not seeing him for almost two years. Herp-a-derp.]

[paladaddy]

[Shiro had already been checking the plaza out for a friendly face, since he sure as hell wasn't going to stand there all day until he drip-dried, but he nearly overlooked Rin as well. He wasn't expecting to see an older version of one of his sons just strolling through like nothing was wrong with the world. This is mostly because Shiro still thinks he is dead and this is the afterlife.

It's Rin's tail that catches Shiro's attention first. He's familiar enough with demons that he knows they tend to hide their tail, especially if they're mostly-human like that. By then Rin had walked by completely, so Shiro only sees the back of Rin's head, which admittedly is generic-looking enough that Shiro can reasonably ignore his thought of 'is that Rin?'

He ends up deciding to go bother Rin anyway, since a demon would more likely know the answers to the questions Shiro has anyway. Plus there is still that nagging thought at the back of his mind, despite how impossible it should be, and he has to find out if it's a case of mistaken identity or not. Weaving around the coral is difficult when someone doesn't know the paths, though, so he ends up calling out to Rin to get him to stop.]

Oi, wait a second!

[keepsthefire]

[Rin actually didn't mind being helpful to new arrivals, and he did stop from time to time, especially if one called out to him.

But it was a bad case of "one of those days" where not enough sleep, a long day at work, a desire to just get home and chill for a while combined with the fact that his music was way too damn loud and resulted in...

Rin continuing to walk on.]

[radiantwingedone]

[ Well.

Being soaked would be the first thing to take care of. Don't mind Duke bringing a towel over. ]

... Can take care of water in cloth as well, if would like.

[paladaddy]

[Towels are indeed useful, even if he can only dry off his face and hair right now.]

It's alright, I'll find a dryer later.

[After he finds clothes to change into while he launders this set. He seriously doubts that his personal things were brought here too.]

[radiantwingedone]

... Hotel has free rooming for a week, and clothing shops in this area are also without cost.

[ Don't forget to dry the glasses too- ]

[makainoou]

[Having just woken up a little while ago, a certain half-demon is out on the prowl for food. Unfortunately, this isn't the half-demon that would be glad to see this (or any) newcomer.

In fact, on taking in that priest's garb, he grimaces in distaste.]

Great, now we're getting religious types.

[paladaddy]

[The religious comment doesn't faze him, he's used to demons being less-than-welcoming. He's also a little distracted by those ridiculous antenna-things Laharl has.]

Good afternoon to you too.

[makainoou]

[They aren't ridiculous, they're part of the most awesome hairstyle anyone could wish for.]

That better be sarcasm. You don't need to throw in any optimism.

[snagglefang]

[Before Shirou can react, suddenly Kuro is running up to him, one moment as a normal-sized house cat and the next as a giant beast. The sudden change in size startles a few people, but Kuro doesn't care.

Because Shirou was here.]

Sshhhiiiiiiiroooooouuuuuu!!!

[That was loud. Enjoy your oversized, demonic cat, Shirou because it looks like he's crying now.]

[paladaddy]

Ku-

[he doesn't even manage to say Kuro's name before he is pounced on. Seriously, that might work with Rin, but Shiro is a normal human and will probably have broken ribs from this.

His voice sounds muffled and strained when he speaks again.]

K-Kuro...Please get off me...

[snagglefang]

[Oops, sorry. He's gotten a little too used to Rin being able to walk off his pounces. But hearing Shirou gasp for air he moves off him quickly-- at least enough to let the poor man breathe.]

He noses the side of Shirou's face, out of concern.] Shirou! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you! Are you okay?

[pierrotdemonique]

Now the fact that Yuri had appeared in the city, living, breathing, as if she had never died somehow it doesn't surprise him the least bit to see Shiro here. Somehow, Mephisto had thought that the man would have ended up in Gehenna thanks to his father's doing but... who was he to question fate? A part of him is relieved, truth be told. Relieved to see Shiro alive... though perhaps being in Vatheon would be more of a half-life.

At any rate he approaches from behind, graciously sweeping up a towel from a bewildered local's hands (they're still not used to him). "It certainly is, isn't it, Shiro? Have you ever seen anything as fascinating as an underwater city?" he asks by way of making his presence known. Should Shiro turn, he would find the all-too-familiar demon with the towel held out and his parasol over his shoulder.

[paladaddy]

Truth be told, Shiro is torn. On the one hand, it's nice to see a familiar face in a place like this. On the other, Mephisto can be annoying as all fuck when he wants to be.

"It's not that fascinating," he said as he took the towel from Mephisto, "I've seen plenty of things that look just as unbelievable."

He took a moment to dry his face, and then he asked, "Is this the afterlife?" Because as annoying as Mephisto can be, Shiro actually trusts him to some extent. It may not be a straight answer, but it will be an honest one.

[pierrotdemonique]

Well when you surround yourself with the usual crowd of demons and spirits, perhaps it's true that there are other things that could have been quite as fascinating. Mephisto will give him that much at least. There's a shrug there as he lowers the parasol, placing two hands over the tip of the handle as soon as Shiro takes the towel from him.

That question is a hard one to answer. First off, he's certain he isn't dead... but the fact that this city doesn't seem to have rules as to who lives, who dies and who stays head... he really isn't certain what to answer. "I'm sure you would have considered Gehenna to have less water and more fire and brimstone, hm?" he finally decides to answer. "However, you've landed yourself in a rather curious space. This city is called Vatheon and it has some rather... interesting... rules."

[fistfullofmagic]

[While not strictly the friendliest person, Dhaos had always been taught that assisting older people is the polite thing to do. Granted, these teachings had not factored in shorter-lived species, but the concept still applies.

Hi old man, don't mind the blond guy who's taller than Mephisto. He's just here to offer you a towel.]

[paladaddy]

[Wow so tall. Shiro takes the towel and gives Dhaos a friendly nod.]

Thanks.

[fistfullofmagic]

[Dhaos smiles slightly in return.]

It is no trouble. Do you need further assistance?

[heartandsoul]

[Wow so Rin pulled this gal out of the library to meet his dad??

This is weird! She didn't hear much about Shiro before, just that he's a priest and he died to save Rin, so surely he has to be a good person.

Still, she's kind of nervous about meeting him, this is her boyfriend's dad, what if he doesn't like her???

So, Shiro, here's your son's girlfriend live and in the flesh, hands behind her back and fidgeting somewhat nervously.]

...Um, hello, Father Fujimoto.

[keepsthefire]

[Rin is a few steps behind her, having stopped to check on the microwave that Night had said was making weird noises, but oddly finding nothing wrong with it.

But since that was finally done he was free to approach behind her and make proper introductions.

And take Maka's hand so she knows he's there and she doesn't have to be afraid of Shiro.]

Dad, this is my girlfriend. Maka Albarn.

[paladaddy]

[At this point Shiro is noticeably dressed down from what he had been wearing before. But he's dry, and that's what matters.

He takes a moment to look over Maka, considering her carefully. A first glance doesn't really tell him much about her character, so he can't really judge how good of a person she is. Even though Rin is all grown up, Shiro is still protective of him. He doesn't want some harlot breaking his heart.

He could troll Rin like he did with Night, but he decides against that, because this is as much about what Maka thinks of him as it is about what he thinks of Maka.]

Maka, hmm?

[This is his poker face.]

So how did you two meet?