Support to repair the recent fire at the Hikawa Jinja shrine flooded in. After all, it is one of the most beloved shrines in the area. Tons of people came with supplies to fix buildings as well as plants resistant to the cold to place around them. The helpers even are going so far as to repair unrelated to the fire’s damages. All hands are pretty much welcome so long as they don’t mind the manual labor.

David joined a number of volunteers trying to replace the scorched roofing on the administration building. The shrine's construction was far different from anything he had touched before, but surely enough, looking underneath the gutters, rafter tails were rafter tails in this or any other country. Quickly taking hold of a reciprocating saw, he cut away the burnt timber, while another man beside him slid the replacement lumber.

A few eight penny nails later, and at least the roof wouldn't collapse the next time the snow hit.

Turning to watch the other volunteers, the young man was surprised, seeing a few familiar faces.

While they did stop the youma from burning Hikawa Jinja to the ground, Sophia can’t help but feel partially responsible for how much it spread. She doesn’t know a thing about repairing buildings, so they have her planting and moving materials from one place to another. Carrying a wheelbarrow of dirt for the new trees, she nods as a hello to David. It looks like she wasn’t the only member of the crew who cared to help out. The whole scene is heartwarming to her. There were so many strangers coming to help out, cooperating together to create something new.

This sunlit shrine, filled with hope was physically painful to be in for him, so he did not intend to stay long. And after that disaster of a dance, he preferred to make this short and sweet, before crawling back into his coffin in that Sanctuary he had changed from being a place of worship, to a place of safety. This place burned at his skin, and that was why he was in his normal great coat, and had added a fedora, fashion be hanged. His glasses were tinted as dark as they could be, even with these measures, but thankfully he could do without the umbrella. And looking all the world over like he was a corpse given breath, Peter held back his distaste for Shinto Shrines, remembering what had last happened, engaging that arrogant prince, and reminding himself that he was Iblis, not Michael...

So far, he had spotted Sophia, and would make sure to swerve by to give her a hand for an hour or so... That would suffice. He estimated he had two before the sunlight would bring about another attack. But for all Sophia always seemed to be there when he experienced those attacks... She also reminded him in some dark way, of her. And then in a brilliant moment, the emptiness returned, and his eyes would be dilated if others saw them. He was still on edge, but at last he knew why he cared for that girl.

He would need to deal with the shrine first, and then let his obsession run it's course. With that, he was making his way for the main buildings, unconciously observing the proper rituals as he did... For the last week, had been the last week that the man had been free of his past.

Everything was in place. The aching numbness was gone. The Void Dragon was with him again... Lorekeeper-Inquisitor lived... His grim determination softened, showing a slight amount of pain, but far more resolve. The Chaos Agent sought out a priest to discuss handing over the briefcase he was carrying. He had liquidated some assets, when he had heard about this place. He was a Catholic, yes, but no Catholic would ignore those who needed his help. The sweet melody playing in his mind was singing to him, the fearful joy within it, and comforting anguish making him feel whole again.

It felt amazing to be this man again.

Rei was standing by a doorway looking outside. She moved a little closer to the edge of the stone that she stood on but winced a little. Unlike the others in the guardian troupe, she was but a mere mortal and her own endurance and energy was pushed to the limit during the incident. It admittedly bothered a little to refer to what happened yesterday as a common fire, as it is an incomplete truth, but then again 'rampaging monster destroys the shrine' wasn't exactly a good headline either.

She felt blessed to see the community aiding her, and numerous others had told her to rest despite her repeated efforts to assist. The cover story was just injuries from the fire and falling structure, another incomplete truth. She exhales a little perhaps for the first time feeling her own peace, however brief it may be. After all, a large burden had been taken off her shoulders.

Meanwhile Yuuichirou Kumada was running around having unusually high energy gathering up debris and cleaning up all over. The older priest male had a clean uniform now though he was rapidly soiling it with his own duties. After being released from the curse he had unnaturally high and seemingly boundless energy that astonished the other volunteers who were aiding in the repairs.

The man that David was working with gives a nod at the completed roof. “Looks good. I think some of the interior got severely burnt in some places. Must have been where the fire started. I might head over there. In the meantime, a girl calls out, “Need more help with the walkways over here!” A man snorts, “I think we need a few more hands with planting. Do you know how many trees they brought in!?”

One of the busy volunteers notices Peter and stops what he is doing to go over. “Thanks for coming out. I think your choices are working on repairing some other building exteriors, fixing up a building interior, walkways, and planting as for things to do.”

Peter quirked a crimson eyebrow, before chuckling. “Ahh, you misunderstand my intent. I come bearing something else for the Shrine. Though thank you for keeping me apprised. I will be with you shortly for dealing with the planting.” Life. Life is what Peter could deal with. Trees gave him blessed darkness to hide in. With some work on them, he could remain as much out of the sun as possible. “But before anything else, I need to drop off something for the shrine. I know not everything can be solved with labour~ Where would I find the person who deals with the shrine's finances?”

The volunteer points at a raven-haired woman standing in the doorway, “Priestess Hino runs this place, so she would know what to do. “ However, he smiles and nods to another gentlemen who is running around with incredible exuberance. “But Yuuichirou Kumada also works here now, so he could probably also help.”

(OOC: I really don't care who posts next... Just somebody, anybody. Otherwise, I'll just write a post about planting trees.)

“Given the importance of what I am dropping off, I think dealing with Hino-Sama would be best for now. Domo Arigato.” He bowed to the most helpful peon who was dealing with him, before turning. His dark aura, only excited, aggravated, and inflamed by both the events of the night before, and his transformation. It would be washing over Rei from here. Which meant that he was not only facing the original Sailor Mars... The woman who was his beloved Celeste's predecessor... He was facing a woman who might just be able to overpower him. Peter's blood ran icy cold at the thought. He wanted to fight her on some primordial level. She was the one. The one who had inspired him to follow Bushido.

And it had been Bushido that led him to Shourido. And from Shourido, to Chaos. He was looking at one of the reasons he had become a Chaos Agent. The Inquisitor stared at the Heathen Priestess, and steeled himself. Rei. How ironic, that was what he was practicing right now. Alongside Yu, and Gi. He approached Rei, being measured, deliberate, hands at his sides, despite the briefcase. “Kon'nichiwa, Guji Hino-sama. Genki desu ka?" <'Good Morning, Lady-Priestess Hino, How are you?' This is incredibly formal.>

After he spoke, he very slowly, deliberately, placed the suitcase on the ground, and bowed. This bow could be interpreted one of two ways. As an insult, as he did not dip very far, and kept his eyes on Rei, but given that he was not only obviously a Gaijin, and had spoken formally, but his reek of Chaos Taint, it could also be an acknowledgement that yes, he WAS her enemy, but he was still polite enough to go through the motions. His slow movements would speak to the fact that he meant her no harm, which he also demonstrated by rolling his sleeves back in front of her, before he spoke again, this time in English.. "If you wish to have a subordinate check me for weapons, feel free. I come in peace, My Lady. You and I both know what I am, and I would like that to not be an issue. I have it under control. You are more beautiful than what I have been told, Lady Hino."

Valdis emerged from some other part of the shrine, her miko outfit was dirty indicating she had been somewhere near dirt…odd with all the snow but with all the damage around wasn’t too out of place. Her hair had fallen from its previous messy bun to just loose, the long purple locks falling past her waist. She had been helping repair the Den of doom, and making sure nothing structural was off…where there was cracks in the stone she repaired it by molting the rock and letting it cool. Either way it shouldn’t be collapsing anytime soon…that and she made sure to remove any evidence of anything ever been down there. If it was ever accidently found she did not want people making the connection that Granny had hid the beast for ages.

Valdis had made herself scarce, unsure of the reaction Granny would have seeing her after the fight. She hadn’t been privy to the fact she fully went youma yet…and was more than likely to be displeased with the path she had chosen. So she had specifically been keeping track of Grannys energy signature and hiding her own as she went about the shrine. But she would need to talk to her eventually so might as well get her while she was in a public setting…public settings always went better. So she made her way towards the large group who had been repairing other parts of the shrine.

She approached Granny from behind about the same time that the one she was now referring to as the Moonie Loonie came up. Her violet eyes narrowed tracking his every move, one ounce of hostility towards Granny and he’d find himself in the youma world before he would know it. Then she’d slap every freaking lowbie in the area and point it in his direction….ok maybe that was a bit harsh….but still. He didn’t seem to be hostile towards her….so Val held her tongue as she went and stood behind Granny. Her arms crossed over her chest. A half a smirk appeared on her face when he said they could check him for weapons, at which point she let out a snort of a chuckle.

”Of course we wouldn’t find it, Moonie Loonie here could pull it out of his ass at any time….However I doubt Granny would hold it against you for that…she keeps me around and I don’t have the redeeming feature of being one of the group.”

She looked back at Granny.

”However like him I would like to know how you are doing….Your movements are still stiff….”

She could help with the recovery of that but she doubted Granny would oblige.

It takes some time for Sophia to notice the guy in the hat, giant coat, and sunglasses is a familiar face. Weird, she thought the weather was actually not too bad today. As both Peter and Valdis approach Rei, she walks over as well. She stops somewhat short when she hears the nature of conversation. Seriously, what was with redheads trying to get in pants of everything that moved? Also, Rei was taken. It was as bad as Kail hitting on Ama. She worked too damn hard to bring Yuuichirou back from the darkness that bound his soul. The hell if anyone going to ruin that relationship and shake Rei’s faith again. Lastly, why did he seem to be so damn self-destructive? On the off chance that went anywhere, that relationship really couldn’t be placed in the category of “healthy”. Really, none of Peter’s past relationships seemed to be in the category, so she is pretty sure that he didn’t even understand that term. Well, she promised to help him on the path to redeem his soul and just make his life better. Healthy life decision councilor, spiritual advisor, and morality mentor. Those are what she would be whether he saw that he needed it or not.

She walks up besides Peter and gives a light smack on the back of the head. “One, she’s taken. Two, do you honestly think that would be a good idea anyway?” she asks. Dropping the annoyed look, she smiles, “So how is everyone doing this lovely morning?”

David started making his way to the group working on the path. Masonry was something he could handle. Starting to dig and prepare the area for pouring fresh concrete, however, he noticed the stirring in the group surrounding...Priestess Hino? He wanted to intervene, but... would that even be wise? The urge to do... something... usually not so nice things, was growing in him lately. He thought back to that Covenant operative, that Class Five, and the incident with Prime Minister Ito.

He turned away from the priestess, and kept smoothing and spreading the concrete.

As Peter approached, Rei's eyes narrow upon his approaching position. She reached into the sleeve of her robe with her stronger arm grasping an ofuda with it in the event it should be needed. The dark aura around him was potent but conflicted. As if two sides were combating each other for control. Would this combat for control bring trouble to the shrine and the innocent souls here? While Rei's physical form was recovering from the endurance of combat, as a middle-aged woman who lacked the regenerative powers of others let's face it, she's taxed, her spiritual power was at a potency that even Valdis, Sophia, and the others who had been frequenting the shrine hadn't experienced. The amount of energy that went into maintaining the wards was hard to be expressed easily.

"I welcome you to Hikawa, but I ask you to not bring trouble to this sacred place." Rei says professionally when Peter makes his appearance. She notes his bow, her reaction to it not entirely obvious, but he face can't help to go slightly red at the comment about her beauty. Her beauty was much lauded among the ambitious minds of young men but pure as the snow she remained.

Yuuichirou happens to overhear the last remark and scowls, though his bushy hair conceals it to obvious sight. He dared not approach however. Contrary to Sophia's belief, Rei was still furious at him for his foolish decisions years ago. Reasonably so at that. If the idea was ever to be entertained, it would require quite some time for things to settle down and cool off. 'Hey I destroyed the shrine but lets go out on the town' usually doesn't work in situations like this.

Valdis' appearance and comments get a side glance from Rei before she focuses back on Peter. That comment suggested that the man was one of the prestigious guardians that were increasing ever so. There was still a discussion to be had with Valdis, at another time.

"If you have business to discuss then allow us to do so within the administrative office." Rei says, noting the unopened briefcase. The prospect of weapons didn't put much fear into her because to kill her was generally an unwise idea with David and Sophia around along with the adverse social impact here. If the Emile was Covenant then his game was either subtle or nonexistent. Frankly, Rei's previous definition of good and evil had been shifting to more gray and thus harder to tell what is right at any given time when dealing with supernatural presences. After all: Yuuichirou was corrupted and turned into a monster but eventually cleansed and made at least free of the youma form.

Rei looks over to David whom was keeping himself busy. She could tell he was bothered by his body language, and he could probably at least sense something amiss. "David! Could you please keep an eye on things out here? Especially making certain that Yuuichirou doesn't pile the materials incorrectly again?" she says gently. This would at least hopefully convey that Rei had a degree of trust and perhaps more amusingly he outranked Yuuichirou in the temple pecking order.

With that Rei made her way through the building and down a hallway to the administrative office. As expected, it is very plain with some family pictures and holy relics hanging from the walls. Several file cabinets, an outdated computer, and other basic office necessities could be seen. Rei approaches her desk and takes a seat, grateful for the western style office chair that she was forced to accept one holiday upon a time ago. When Emile, along with the likely following Valdis and Sophia entered the room, she would patiently look across the desk.

"I believe you are familiar to me, a hospital administrator if I remember correctly? I sense that there may be other reasons for this visit however so as the administrator of this temple it is my duty to see to whatever they may be." Rei says, having chosen a business-like professional tone for the time being. She was still assessing Peter's soul and intent, and still on alert.

There was a sudden motion, his eyes snapping backwards as Sophia approached. His emotions flared, his adrenaline kicking in, and his hand had her wrist caught deftly in an iron grip the moment she snuck up behind him. He was facing Sophia, open palm of his right hand six inches from her throat.

"I had thought this an ambush. Please, I am in enough pain, Mrs. Torres. Holy ground, and the Sunlight? My demon is trying to tear me apart from the inside." He had been infinitesimally close to a disabling blow on his Wyrmling.

"I am no lunatic, Succubus. There are dragons, not bats, in my Belfry." He turned back to Rei, before bowing, more deeply. "Gomen-Nasai. I am on edge. The last time I was in this temple, I was fighting three Senshi, and the Knight of Earth. But that was another lifetime, and in another world."

He grabbed the briefcase, before following silently. Once they were in the office, he set the briefcase on the table, before assuming an at-ease. His eyes were staring through Rei. There was an iciness to them, his heart empty. They had scanned the room when he walked in. He hid his frown. This was no way for a Bishop to be. "You reacted to my compliment. I did not expect that." He was plain, matter of fact.

"I fell into that position, yes. Much like I fell into being the Knight of the Moon. A Youma tried to kill me a few days ago. I ripped the heart out of the chest it sat in." He shrugged, confirming what Valdis had blathered. "I was the Knight of Pluto once, much like I was a Chaos Agent, and a Youma for a time. And then these upstart Covenant, and Zodiac start giving us a bad name." He clicked his tongue, still having enough emotion to show distaste.

"But that is most pointedly not what I am here to do." He looked in the briefcase. "Twenty three million, four hundred and sixty thousand, two hundred and thirty six Yen. Consider it my apology for not being there to kill the Youma that did this." He stared at her. "We may be enemies, because of what I am, but I do not wish you ill will, Hino-San. Your can put the ofuda you were reaching for away. Izumi Hisa can testify that even at my worst, I do not do much more then bare my fangs. Though if you find that sort of thing appealing, I would be happy to demonstrate."

He smirked then. Goading her. He wanted to see what she would do, how she would react. His canines were aching. Usagi had gotten Mamoru, from what he could see. Or else she would not have blushed. This was also goading Sophia too. She had rejected him. He was going to make her see just what a Dragon was capable of. He was playing with them, but good-naturedly, though he had a bit of a sore streak with the two young ones. There was a sense of self-satisfied mirth behind it all.

His taint was coursing through him. He could feel the dragon inside eating what was left of him. Good... Maybe Crucible will silence himself once I am simply a dragon in mortal flesh. "I am not one for volunteering. Far to selfish, but I can help in this fashion."