khuioduan | [ photo + text ; open ]

Hi, Sheena! I’m helping my friend. His name is Yato and he’s a god in Japan and he’s homeless because he doesn’t have enough believers and money to build a shrine! Poor guy, you should’ve seen his face when he told me his story.

We’ve been putting up posters in the city and giving out business cards but it hasn’t been working well, and then Tony and Conan told me the internet can reach billions of people so there!

If this still doesn’t work I might have to start screaming at people, but I don’t want to start another riot, ha ha!

Yato... I think I spoke to him a while ago. Is he the one who spoke about the Far Shore and the Near Shore?

[ She's still trying to understand it. ]

But he's trying to raise money by granting wishes to people?

[ And thanks to her marketing experience, she can see exactly why he's been failing at getting people to ask him about them. ]

Yeah, that's him! [ Whispers conspiratorially: ] I asked if there are places like The Shore Around The Corner or The Shore That Only Looks Far But Not Really. He just gave me a look. Ha ha!

Yup, he grants a wish just for one copper rhinn. It's crazy -- I wouldn't even sweep someone's floor for that amount! Apparently it's symbolic? He has this fancy bottle for his coins, although by my calculations even if he fills it to the very last inch, he still wouldn't have enough. Shrines are expensive! Like revolutions.

[ Sheena's just going to sigh before shaking her head and letting out a small chuckle. ]

I don't know about you sometimes, Ilda.

[ Said all Big Sisterly-like. ]

Does he actually grant a magical wish? Or answer a prayer? [ Uh-oh. Sheena has just entered "business-mode". Which disappears pretty quickly as her look becomes solemn. ] And don't knock sweeping a floor for a low amount. Sometimes you do better by volume.

[ A big, big sigh. ]

You don't have to tell me about wars being expensive--in more ways than one.

[ Ilda laughs, too, but her expression's a little sheepish. She doesn't have a big sister, but her mom has that expression about her sometimes, so she knows what it means, Sheena. She loves you, though? ]

Well, he says he can grant anything as long as it's within his power... is there really much of a difference between a magical wish and a prayer, though?

[ She feels the same, Ilda. Welcome to her family. ]

Hmmm... [ She's thoughtful for a moment. ] In my opinion? Yes. Usually wishes are for the person making the wish and prayers are for others. Of course, there are those who do the opposite in each case.

[ A pause. ]

Does he have any proof that he can grant wishes? That may be why no one is answering those ads; they think it's fake.

[ Ilda looks thoughtful as she takes in Sheena’s explanation. It does make sense that way. ]

Well, he’s a god, so... prayers should count, too. I’ll ask him and make sure!

Hmmm... so he should make a fancy show of his powers, as proof that he can do this whole wish-granting thing? [ A beat — an idea strikes! ] We can make a video! Of him doing all sorts of cool stuff! Like jumping off rooftops and walking on water!

[ Believe it or not, Sheena is actually a pretty spiritual person. ]

They should, but you never know.

[ Then she's shaking her head almost violently. ]

No. Nothing like that. It's not his god-hood that's in question, but whether he actually grants wishes. Has he ever granted a wish for you? Or anyone else? That kind of proof.

[ Now Ilda frowns. She'll let you in on the problem, Sheena. ] Welllll... I didn't ask for anything difficult, though. It was just for him to take my photos on a rooftop. We just haven't done it yet because I've been hiding out after that... er, incident. But that's not exactly awe-inspiring, is it?

I did think about just running a donation drive, but he's very particular about how he earns that rhinn. [ Pouts. Because a charity event would be much easier than this! ]

[ Okay. She's going to shift gears for a moment because she likes you, Ilda. Her voice is soft when she speaks. ]

Ilda...you don't have anything to be ashamed of. [ Yes, she's heard about it. Although, if she had been there, she knows she would have tried to stop the girl. Even if she had to sit on her or knock her out. ]

And what do you mean it's not awe-inspiring? A god taking someone's picture for them? I would think that's pretty awesome. Wouldn't you?

[ Ilda clearly looks relieved that Sheena knows about the riot yet is still her friend, but her tone is subdued when she replies. ] Still, it was pretty bad. There are... things I don't like about the church and stuff, but I don't want people getting hurt.

... well, if you put it that way. [ She perks back up. ] That would actually be a good story, don't you think? A god takes photos of the girl who tried to wreck some god's temple? No hate, just love and forgiveness and awesome photos?

[ Sheena's smile is still gentle. Everyone makes mistakes, you know. ]

Ilda, haven't you realized something? Even though there were certain circumstances, you're not using them as an excuse. You feel bad about what happened, and you're not just brushing it aside.

Believe it or not, that's a good thing.

[ Sheena's smiles grows bigger. That hadn't actually been her thought behind the suggestion--she had actually been thinking he isn't above doing even simple things--but it sounds like it's something Ilda needs.

Someone to forgive her before she can forgive herself--which is actually pretty far from simple. ]

That could work--especially if he is pretty good at taking pictures.

[ Ilda smiles shyly. That's a really nice thing for Sheena to say. ]

Thank you, Big Sister.

I think he is? I mean, he says he's a god, so he has to be good at things, right?

[ It's also true. ]

You're welcome, Little Sister.

[ And she'll chuckle. ]

Being a god doesn't exactly mean he'll know what to do, you know. [ She has issues with gods and goddesses, but Yato actually seems a decent sort. ] But I have the feeling he's been here long enough to figure it out.

[ photo + text ; open ]

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