[pcs] ramen man

[ritualization]

[i'm lazy i'm not gonna add an image here]

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first week, early sometime

[ritualization]

[So if he happens to wander by the altar room at some point, there's a familiar large green man hanging out there!

...For a very long time.

Way longer than is probably reasonable considering the use of said room, and it does not look like he's moved from the same spot for the entire time. Hm. If he happened to wander by multiple times, Ishikirimaru has been there pretty consistently for... oh, a couple hours.

This time, though, he finally stands up, and on realizing there's someone else nearby (or just sort of nearby), he glances over with an apologetic little smile.]

Ah- I hope you weren't waiting for this to be unoccupied.

[but let's be honest, even if it's been occupied at any other point, he didn't acknowledge it.]

[nosediving]

[Shang Qinghua is used to moving about. He flits in and out of the many rooms the temple has to offer, so he glimpses Ishikirimaru's presence in the altar room more than a few times. By coincidence, his latest visit to the altar room is the moment that Ishikirimaru has chosen to stand up.

He shakes his head once.]

There are many other things that can be done in this temple. It looked like you were meditating, so I did not want to disturb you.

[ritualization]

I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

[That comes with a warmer smile, and a grateful little nod of his head.]

It does take quite some time to pray for this number of people.

second week, when was this, monday? monday

[ritualization]

[moving from this thread bc this is more pc territory so why not!!

anyway, Ishi hums thoughtfully at that question, moving to take a seat.]

Ah, well... to begin with, have you spoken with many of our hosts?

moonday

[nosediving]

[Yeah!! But not so much for Shang Qinghua, who frowns.]

Not many. It wouldn't be good to make blind offerings and risk offending one of the great gods.

[ritualization]

So long as you choose the correct ones, it isn't terribly difficult; those I've met so far have been easy enough to speak with.

week 2, saturday

[ritualization]

[hey jae where can he come across a brick, you tell me!!

but wherever it happens, Ishi pauses on spotting him, giving him a nod and an apologetic little smile in greeting.]

Good evening. ...I hope today was not too much, all things considered.

[nosediving]

[The heavens.

Perhaps the altar room would be most fitting. It'd certainly add to the atmosphere wrought by the trial. Shang Qinghua offers Ishikirimaru a smile, albeit with a furrowed brow.]

Unless another miracle occurs, we will lose an irreplaceable soul in the coming week. That day might be too much. But for the time being, this one truly admires your noble spirit and respects your decision.

[ritualization]

All we can do for now is pray, I suppose... but I certainly appreciate hearing that.

[That comes along with a slight bow, there.]

It is a relief to know that enough of us were willing to listen.

third week, sunday

[nosediving]

[Here is Shang Qinghua in the armory with a sword in his grasp. One hand holds the hilt while the other holds the blade up by the flat side for his examination. His face is blank, but he can be heard murmuring to himself.]

. . . after all, there's no system here to put a limit on what I can do. But can someone as low-powered as this cross that boundary even in another world? Hard work is about all that I can do . . .

[ritualization]

-considering a bit of practice?

[Ishikirimaru tilts his head slightly as he approaches, observing both him and his sword.]

There may not be that much time left here, but it is always worth putting in the work, regardless.

fourth week, saturday

[nosediving]

[He's in the altar room again, staring off into space rather than looking around with purpose. Toward the end of the trial, he'd made himself scarce and watched everyone's reactions. Perhaps this is his sequestering away to give everyone some much needed space.]

[ritualization]

...Qinghua-san.

[ishi approaches quietly, moving more slowly than usual, still all burritoed up. he had business here, at some point, but the way the man's staring into space like that is a little concerning.]

Did you come here for solitude, or do you mind the company?

fifth week, friday

[nosediving]

[As noon approaches, Shang Qinghua can be found in the armory yet again. He seems less sure about being there this time around—in fact, he looks as if he's waiting for someone or something. His head snaps in the direction of the entrance when Ishikirimaru enters.

Upon recognizing him, Shang Qinghua's shoulders relax slightly.]

Sir, are you here to train?

[ritualization]

...I am, yes.

[he looks very tired, like he slept poorly or not at all, and his eyes are still slightly red-rimmed. sword dad is... having a bad day, but he gives him a nod nevertheless.]

I take it you are here to do the same?

w5, saturday

[ritualization]

[you said he might be in the psychic's den right

so is ishi, because this seems like a good enough place to come to for some guidance, beyond the altar room... but he's not doing much. he is just idly flipping through a book explaining the use of some of the fortune telling tools, clearly not actually taking in any of the pages he's looking at.

honestly he looks a little bit dead inside but that's fine. his right hand has a bandage around the knuckles that was not there earlier.]

...Qinghua-san. I am afraid I may not be very good company, right now.

[he sounds exactly like he looks: not great!]

[nosediving]

[the smell of incense is, in a way, soothing. it's for this reason that shang qinghua seeks out the psychic's den. upon entering, his gaze travels from the book to the bandaged hand, then finally to ishikirimaru's face.

with an impassive expression, he blinks. then he smiles wanly.]

It was a difficult evening for everyone. Some peace is long-deserved, so I won't say too much.

[he doesn't mind company, but ishikirimaru can probably use the quiet of this sanctuary, away from all the noise and chaos.]

sixth week, saturday

[nosediving]

[here they are in the study. shang qinghua stands in the doorway as he regards ishikirimaru with a look of polite calm. if he's angry or disappointed, he doesn't show it.

at the same time, he hasn't many words to say.]

Sir . . .

[ritualization]

...Qinghua-san.

[he glances up and gives him a tired nod, gesturing for him to enter.]

I suppose I have much to apologize for, but-- first I should say I am sorry I suspected you, last week. I was pressing every Ambition follower I knew trying to learn more, as I am sure you guessed.

seventh week, tuesday

[nosediving]

[has there been a more peaceful wing than piety's? the cathedral is truly something else.

ishikirimaru will find shang qinghua in the dormitory wing. specifically, he's in one of the rooms with his hand on the writing desk, looking at the space between the paper and writing supplies. his expression is pensive, but his head snaps up once he hears the sound of the door opening.]

Sir, are you looking for a place to stay the night?

[ritualization]

I suppose I could use one still, yes, but-- I am also simply looking around.

[he's not here to invade his space, though ishi does look pleased to have come across him.]

I am not interrupting your concentration, am I?

w7, wednesday

[ritualization]

[we're doing it we're going full stupid where nobody else will know about it

by which I mean these sure are convenient staircases between floors in the temple! ishi is just starting to head up one when he glances ahead and spots someone familiar headed down, and pauses to give him a little wave.]

Qinghua-san. It seems we are developing a habit of running into each other, lately.

[nosediving]

[indeed! shang qinghua's expressionless face blossoms into a smile when he sees ishikirimaru, and in his moment of apparent joy he doesn't watch his next step.]

S—ah!

[so he steps on the edge of a stair and pitches forward, barreling straight into ishikirimaru. it's a miracle he didn't tumble and crack his head open on the way down.]

w7, sunday

[ritualization]

[so! after all that discussion...

ishi has made tea and come to find a local brick, carrying the pot and two cups on a small tray; wherever he finds him, ishi offers him a little nod.]

Qinghua-san. May we speak, or have you had quite enough of company for the day?

[nosediving]

[the kitchen is probably packed at this time, so shang qinghua can be found in the study again with a sheet of paper set on the desk in front of him and a ballpoint pen in his hand. he looks up, freezes, and unfreezes to smile.]

If it's you, how can I refuse?

[he gestures for ishikirimaru to take a seat.]