~Welcome to the Summer Matsuri.~

~Two hours until festival opening-4:pm~
Perched precociously on top of a long ladder Altria hangs one of the few last lanterns on the line,three more hanging on her other arm and two more on the ladder itself.Made of thin white paper and painted with pretty cherry blossoms they are sure to look stunning in the evening.Still dressed in her shinigami uniform she has come to help the temple with the preparations,after finishing her divisional duties early,as she owned a favor to the head priest.Placing two more on the line she considers them for a moment before moving them further apart. Taking a small break as her legs were starting to ache from standing too long she sits on the top step of the ladder,taking in the sight opened before her at this height.

~near the temple~

Shiro is carrying a huge amount supplies, as well as many elaborate looking fireworks. after being asked to help set up for the festival he decided to show his creative side by making his trade mark fireworks. "whew... heavy.... wha-" he stumbles and is trying to keep his balance, "Whoa-whoa-whoa.. Wah!" he almost drops everything but regains his balance at the last second. "ahhhh... that was too close." (note: he's carrying so much stuff he can't see where he's going.)

Enjoying the view from her spot she tucks hair away from her eyes as it gets ruffled by the wind.Having always loved high places she's really comfortable even in the small space of the ladder.Catching sight of Shiro down below she smiles."Heey,Shiro-kun!Are those fireworks?"

Shiro turns round and round trying to figure out where altria is. "um.. yeah... i could use some help... I'm about to drop something!"

Loki is carrying a huge decorative statue that is to be placed on the stage.Huffing under the weight he walks partially blinded by it blocking his view and doesn't see the ladder,walking straight into it with a clang.It shakes and sways violently.Pushed back he tries to see what he walked into.

Laughing as Shiro turns in circles trying to see her she calls out,"I'm up here silly. Hold on,let me get down and I'll help."

Removing the lantern from her arm and hanging on the hook at the side of the ladder with the other two she carefully starts descending down the steps when Loki runs into it with his heavy statue,appearing out of nowhere.The whole ladder violently shakes from impact,raining down the three lanterns.

"Ahh!!"Eyes widening Altria slips,losing her hold on the steps and falls off.There's a feeling of being weightless,wind whistling in her ears followed up by a jarring landing on the row of bushes.Crashing down through them she meets the ground in a much softer landing then what could have been.

"Oww.." Wincing as numerous new scratches make themselves apparent with a sting she shakes her head,trying to clear it.Gingerly checking to make sure nothing broken she tries to get out of the bushes,arms straining but the shock of falling and receding adrenalin high makes them shake with effort without success.After three more unproductive tries she settles for crossing her arms and glaring at Loki or at least what can be seen of him from behind the statue,broken off twigs and leafs sticking out of her hair and clothes.

"Are you trying to kill me?Because that was a very almost successful try just now."

on the side street, shin is under a tree sitting on a big stone with a dango box, eating.

"*munch* Good stuff"


(shin is actually supposed to help in delivering foods..)

Shiro finally manages to peek over the stack of firework supplies and stares at loki and altria. "um... hi?"

Loki laughs nervously."Ahaha,of course not.Sorry.Couldn't see anything over this monster.But all's well that ends well,eh." Gingerly setting the statue on the ground he rubs his sore arms.Catching her glare the effect is utterly destroyed by her disheveled appearance.He tries hard not to laugh but occasional snicker escapes him."Pfftt,hah.Sorry,you just..with the twigs and all." Snickering he helps her out of the bushes.Noticing Shiro with the fireworks he looks at them with open curiosity."Yo.That's some interesting things you got there."

Shiro smiles at loki, although its hidden behind all the fireworks. "yeah... thanks for noticing... I have more, but I can't get them until I drop these off." He has a look on his face that seems to say 'I'd appresiate some help'.

Mikiru is wandering around the street and notices Altria, Loki, and Shiro infront of a temple. He looks around at them a bit curiously at first, but decides it better to just continue passing by. (in thought: 'hm... It is maybe best to let them alone.... It'd be awkward to just swing by so suddenly.') He continues walking by hoping he goes unoticed.

"Hmph." Looking at Loki in annoyance she spends a few minutes pulling out twigs from her hair and clothes.Once satisfied she dusts off her uniform and walks up to Shiro,holding out her hands."Here,let me help you with that."

Shiro carefully hands some of the fireworks and supplies to altria. "phew.. thanks much... now I just have to go over that way and drop them off." he smiles and looks over noticing Mikiru. "huh? hey... isn't that... Mikiru?"

Adjusting her grip on the supplies so it's more comfortable she smiles,"It's no problem,glad to help,"she glances at the broken lantern in the bush,"I'm all done now anyway." Looking around she also notices Mikiru."So it is.Why is he here?"

Mikiru glances up and decides to go over since they had obviously noticed him. "hi.... how's it going?" he smiles happily and seems to have a warm but calm presence about him.

Looking at Mikiru a little warily,she answers carefully."We are helping to prepare for tonight's festival.The temple is having their yearly one,it's a big thing in this area.." Thinking for a moment she sighs and says a little uncertainly,"You should come..it's not something to miss.."

Loki studies Mikiru's appearance in puzzlement,scratching his head at the feeling of having seen this person somewhere before.Then it hits him."You're the guy from the band that gave the concert at the cafe that time,what was the name?Soul something.." He tries hard to remember the name but it keeps slipping his grasp each time.

Mikiru smiles at loki." Souleater? yes... I'm Mikiru Urame... pleased to meet you." he holds out his hand to loki for a handshake. "I'm just wandering around... as well I have nothing to do..."

Loki shakes his hand."Loki Raideno,nice to meetcha." Taking a look at the heavy statue he still has to carry Loki gets an idea."If you have nothing better to do,how about helping with festival preparations?I'll treat you to something as a thank you."

Mikiru smiles, "sure.. I'd be happy to." he looks over at the huge statue near loki. "would you like some help with carrying that?"

"Yes!" Loki beams in happiness."That thing is so cumbersome I run into a ladder making Altria-chan fall of.With two people it should be cake.I was supposed to carry it to the stage by the temple." Loki gestures behind his shoulder at the temple.

Mikiru smiles, "sure! we can head over anytime." Mikiru goes over to the statue and waits for loki.

Shifting the items in her arms she nudges Shiro with her shoulder."Um,where are we to take there?My arms are getting tired.."

Shiro walks over to a shack a little ways away from the temple. he opens the door and places the fireworks inside. "phew... ok.. now time to grab some more!" Shiro turns around and exits the shack. (note: there is so many fireworks in the shack it's kinda hard to walk around in there.)