genessia | Singles Night @ Bright Sky Diner

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Singles Night @ Bright Sky Diner

It had started as a joke, but gradually more people were showing interest in the idea, and so Singles Night became a thing. It would be fun, the managers said, and it would hopefully gain some revenue. The event would have been advertised around the city, so when the night came, the staff there were waiting for a good turn out. They'd certainly gone to some effort.

MAIN AREA

The main part of the diner had been changed into an area made of larger tables to encourage mingling. Here there were buffet tables set up, and the lighting was warm and friendly. Light jazz music played very softly in the background to keep the atmosphere buzzing and happy. Maybe people would meet the love of their life here, or maybe they'd just meet a new friend.

BOOTHS

The booth along the walls of the restaurant remained as they were, but the lighting above the tables was muted for a more intimate feel. These areas of the restaurant would be quieter and there was no need for anyone to be nearby unless they were seeking a little more peace. These tables are ideal for people who have found someone they'd like to get to know a little better. It's relaxed, but pretty romantic, with candles on the tables too. These booths include table service, with quiet but friendly wait staff.

OUTSIDE AREA

Now this is the special place to be. The outside area of the diner has been transformed into a romantic and cosy place. Fairy lights decorate the fencing, and there are warm blankets on the benches too. This is a perfect place for those who want to cuddle up. After all, what better way to warm up than to sit side by side and admire the stars with the charming stranger you've just met?

[This is a mingle post! Feel free to add your characters anywhere you wish. Good luck on finding the one, making new friends, or trolling the singles. Have fun!~]

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Phew. That was a relief. With that out of the way, he went and sat next to him, leaning his staff on the bench and settling down. He glanced over, seemingly pondering whether to copy Koumyou's posture, but didn't quite take it that far and just rested his hands on his lap.

"I'm... Umm... I-I'm Bracken."

"Oh! Right! Names!" Koumyou sounded like he'd totally forgotten that part of the whole... meeting someone new, ritual. "Well hello, Bracken. I'm Koumyou Sanzo. You have to use the whole thing, though. Or just Sanzo."

It was swiftly becoming a very routine disclaimer.

They were practically two awkward birds of a feather.

"Sanzo?" he repeated, trying to make sure he said it right. "H-How come you're here?"

"Well, I don't know. I died, you see, and then I woke up... oh! You mean the party!"

Right! The party!

"...I actually have no idea."

He started confused. How did dying bring someone to a party? Then sad, because he had died...? And then, really, he still didn't have an answer to the actual question.

"Y-You... died?" he asked quietly

"Oh, yes," Koumyou nodded, "I definitely died. I don't think it has to do with the party, though. I think I just sort of wandered in because the lights are pretty."

As far as he was concerned, the party was far less concerning than the dying part.

"B-But, how did you die...? And... And why are you here, i-if you died?"

"Apparently this world likes to interrupt the cycle of reincarnation," Koumyou shrugged, "I don't know. You're the first person I've met who was surprised to hear I hit the ground one moment and woke up on this world the next. I was a bit perturbed about it until I found out my son is here, too. Now, I'm glad."

"R-Really? Usually... Usually when people d-die, they come back as s-someone else... On their world." He paused, thinking it over. "A-Are you in a new b-body now?"

"As a Buddhist priest, I was pretty surprised, myself," Koumyou chuckled at that. "But, no. Same body, same duty, and thus, same name."

After a momentary pause, he asked a little excitedly, "Y-You're a priest, too?"

Koumyou laughed at that, though it was a gentle sound, not a mocking one.

"Yes, of the highest rank; 'Sanzo'. Though as a Sanzo, my duty is to guard a holy relic, not to lead or spread Buddhist teachings. Which is good, because I'm an awful teacher!"

"Sanzo is a title...? I... I thought it was your n-name!"

He was surprised, but interested, sitting up a little straighter and focusing on him. "A-Abel is a priest, too. And Cassian. A-And... Xelloss. Priests are really nice."

"It is! Well, it's part of my name. Or more like... I am my title," Koumyou laughed again, because he knew the whole concept was weird. He folded one leg over the other, inside his robes. "I've met Abel! Nice fellow. And I think I've spoken to Cassian; he was charmingly grumpy."

He meant the charmingly bit. His own son was even grumpier.

"My son is here, as well. He's also a Sanzo priest, though few get to know him well enough to call him 'nice'."

Koumyou didn't even mention Ukoku. Best not to even bring that unholy mess of a Sanzo up at all. It would just give him a headache, with how badly he'd screwed that situation up. An awful teacher indeed!

He nodded along in agreement, bright-eyed. So Sanzo had met some of the same people. That was nice. He seemed a lot more comfortable than when they first met, swinging his legs a bit idly as he listened intently.

"I-I've heard other people say h-he's grumpy, too..." He furrowed a brow, not really seeing it himself. But he didn't take offense, smiling again, "B-But, I think he's really nice."

He tilted his head. "D-Does your son get c-called 'Sanzo' too?"

"Oh yes, he doesn't even like people using his full name, I don't think. But that's what the homyo is for, or holy name. It's to differentiate us, without reducing the fact that we are Sanzos. Just calling me Koumyou would strip what I am. Koumyou Sanzo means, you know, 'that' Sanzo, instead of 'the Sanzo with the long braid'," he drew his braid over his shoulder to illustrate the point; it was very long! "Or 'the Sanzo with the cowlick'."

"K... Koumyou, Sanzo..." he repeated carefully. It was a foreign language to him, and the pronunciation slightly different than what he was used to. He might have to say it if there were more than one Sanzo walking around.

The smile faded slightly, though. "Th-Then... What happened? D-Did you get really sick?"

"I wish," Koumyou could have still taught Sanzo some of the basics from his death-bed, at least. He sighed.

"Someone... tried to kill my son when he was only thirteen. I shielded him."

And thus, died in his place. Ripped into pieces.

That wasn't what he was expecting to hear, and his face clearly showed it, both surprised and sad. It wasn't as if he'd never heard of bad things happening, but it was difficult to understand. He sounded more distressed when he spoke.

"Why... Why would someone try to h-hurt him?"

"Ah, a very complicated question, that one is," Koumyou sighed, and tipped his head back to look up at the stars, and the moon. And maybe at a dark bird on a tree branch. "Why indeed?"

"I-I'm sorry," he said, a little teary-eyed, like somehow he was taking responsibility for it. In some ways it was hard to imagine. In others, he knew what it was like.

"B-But... But, now you get t-to be with your son again?" he asked, his voice a little whiny, but hopeful.

"Yes, indeed!" Koumyou perked up at that topic shift. "That's why I don't mind being here, and still being me, after all. I am so very proud of him, and now I get to tell him so, over and over, for as long as it lasts. He is the one person I would deny my reincarnation for."

He lightly brushed the back of his hand over his eyes. At least there was a happy ending, even though it seemed like a really sad story.

"I-I bet he really likes h-having his dad again."

"I think he does, yes," Koumyou managed a gentle smile. He was really good at those.

He could imagine, a young teenager having their father back. He finally returned to a reserved smile.

"I-Is your wife here, too?"

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