jigokulogs | [open] no strings attached

Might be surprised at some of the places that can offer a quiet moment.

[But she has a point, and if Billy was truthful there wasn't much in the way of quiet here. Or really much in the city as a whole.]

So far ya've been a lot more "savory" than the rest. [He hummed, looking amused as he balanced his drink on a knee.] So far better conversationalist than most! Any reason I wouldn't be otherwise? 'Side's the fact that you're not part of the fox's crew?

[ He snaps his teeth uselessly behind the cage. This feels way too good for it to be normal...It's fine. Now's not the time for thinking. It's time for enjoying and just letting this happen.

Not that he's just going to lay back and let her have her way -- not yet, anyway. He's still an active participant, shown by how eagerly (a little too eagerly) he helps her with his pants. Beneath he's actually wearing a pair of boxer briefs instead nothing. Even so, it does very little to hide how hard he is already. ]

These, too, right?

[ It'd be weird otherwise. He's just asking because he's being a pain. ]

['He's up' is enough for now. Cheerful and lively can come later.]

Mhmm. Let's go to a stall.

[He likes all the fried foods you can find during this season. The crispy texture does wonders compared to the stickiness he's found a lot of Japanese foods have.

It's also him trying to tug Majima away from the trees and the whispering that is found there. I won't call it subtle because Lalli is not being subtle at all.]

Mm. [He doesn't know the specifics, but... the ayakashi realm was not a good place to be regardless. Add in the circumstances of their arrival, the length of time they were stuck there, the need to partner with ayakashi for survival when they hadn't even believed in them before... He's not going to need much convincing.]

Ayakashi are attracted to the weaknesses in people's hearts. What you're describing... [It sounds like the perfect way to revitalize struggling gods: bring in a food source, keep them miserable, and thrive off of that. Both the humans and the lower level spirits suffer off of it. It's no wonder they had to team up.] ...I've heard of spirits doing something along those lines before, but never at that scale. Invite a bunch of low-rank youkai to pledge themselves to a larger ayakashi for protection, then lock the doors and sacrifice the guests. A one night sort of deal.

...What do you mean, about the dead? Did the ghosts remain behind?

[the change in voice doesn't escape her, and her eyes widen - Karasu, now, coming in to shield as much as Hibiki has done for her in the past. it's considerate in a way she didn't expect, and in her eyes is a clear sense of gratitude that he is. before she will say anything, though, she grabs both their hands and pulls them along, through the door - there's no one in the building, and only then does she let go, looking around to try to find a stairway. if she can be sure the both of them go up there, they'll be safe for now.]

We need to get you higher. The both of you.

[much as it's not her nature to command and direct, at least in this situation, she's got a cooler head than them both for now. if they're taken care of, then she can turn her mind to the other important factor here.]

[it's obvious how Emily's eyes sparkle when she looks around the place. sure, it has a gimmick, but the gimmick is cute, and she thinks that something adorable paired with supposedly great food is worthy of high praise. it's small enough that you could miss it if you weren't looking for it, but that makes her more intrigued to try it out.]

I think it's delightful.

[glancing over the menu, there's too many options that look great...]

Mind if I follow your lead? Just to start with.

[that way if something was great, they both knew, and if it was awful, they'd try it together.]

[ Inside is at least free from the crush of people, although the air is still hot and humid with steam. Maybe that works for Majima though, scales wet and loose rather than constricted in with fear. He wipes his cheek of steam and sweat with the back of his hand. He frowns darkly back at the door they came through as though more brawlers might spill through it at any moment. He's not entirely here, his mind is in Sotenbori being hunted by packs of yakuza trying to take Makoto from him. It's Emily's voice that draws his attention. Talking like she's going to stash them somewhere and leave them to wait, ]

Ya ain't goin' back out there 'til the mist's cleared.

[ He doesn't want to think about the weakness in his heart. It's been shoved in his face many times by the spirits of Hakagemachi, especially the mirror yokai that accompanied the Lake Spirit. He'd been trapped under the water where he could either look it all right in the face or he could drown and drowning had sounded fine. ]

Could never tell what th'onmyouji wanted, us dead or if they just hated th'yokai that much.

[ A numb shrug. The occultists had only talked in riddles and curses. He'd tried to get his hands on one to beat the answers out of them, but his fists were never much use in the yokai town. ]

Time didn't work right. Ya could get caught in these loops. Die a thousand times an' still walk out on th'main road like ya were never gone. Anythin' could happen t'ya, really. Wasn't no place for us.

[ What he needs is to somehow go back in time and stop that hit from ever being discussed. Keep himself and Saejima out of the politics that they didn't understand. Keep his eye, keep his oath brother out of jail, keep them together with Yasuko. But that's not how things work, and even if Hell offered him that contract he wouldn't believe it. All he can do now is suffer his punishments.

But still, he hesitates. He responds when people are earnest with him, he's much more trusting and sentimental than he wishes he was. He scuffs his shoe while the takoyaki cart works on frying up the dough, turning each dumpling. ]

Ain't gotta worry 'bout a guy like me, just some thug who's seen too much shit.

[ It's easy to self-deprecate, he really loathes himself. Started out life as an unwanted street kid, became an unwanted yakuza. All he's good at is fighting and fucking things up. ]

Comes with th'territory.

[ An undignified huff of laughter as he's tugged off. ]

Which ones yer favorite, then?

[ At least there is food here. Hakagemachi had been getting fucking grim in that regard as more and more of the town was washed away by the Lake Spirit. ]

[ She smiles lazily, pushing her hair over one shoulder. ]

Yeah, I'll pick out a couple.

[ The first drink is Caught Off Gourd, a sake and grapefruit cocktail that has that pumpkin color from the dilution of the grapefruit. ]

Let's try this kabocha tempura first.

[ Orders in, she puts her elbow on the little table to rest her chin in. ]

Really, it don't bother ya none, me playin' girly?

[ Not exactly that she'd expect rebuke but she's aware that she's spent their entire time knowing each other as Majima. But Majima is a lot of things. ]

[ It's a nightlife city, it's quietest when the sunrises and all the revelry is done over. Just the workers closing up all the locations, sweeping and hosing down the streets of evidence of the previous night; just so it can all be done up again. ]

The fox crew wanted t'see me done up, if they don't like th'competition they shoulda thought twice.

[ A fangy little smile, crooked and charming. She's no small amount competitive about her skills. Not usually whoring, but she can play host or hostess with her eyes closed after being thrown into the deep end of that industry against her will. ]

My tattoos scare lotsa people, let alone my eye. Couldn't convince a soul in Sotenbori I wasn't yakuza.

[ Goromi gives him a little knowing look of amusement when there's a silent pause before he comes after her. It's not like Majima to be confident in his looks, but it is like Goromi. Confidence is a part of the costume and the allure. She kneels down alongside one of the little stools, her tail draped over the soles of her feet, and she extends a welcoming hand; happy to run her hand along the firm muscle. That's definitely her type when it comes to men. ]

If ya wanna, I ain't gonna complain.

[ She fills a little wash bowl and dunks one of many scented sponges into it before reaching out to run the cool water over Azem's skin. ]

[ With a giggling note she palms his cock affectionately through the fabric, pressing her thumb in to rub at the base. ]

These too.

[ And she'll peel them right off, only to take him all the way into her hand. Her scales are cool and smooth the touch, soft from the glittery oil that was put all over her. A gold bracelet jangles as she strokes him, leaned in close to his chest. ]

Ya might be kinda sweet on me, huh?

[ Oh. He blinks. He'd probably normally ask if she didn't have somebody else to ask but... Well, they're all pretty new in town and a long way from home. Of course she doesn't, really. Still, a little bit of a flush touches his face. ]

Uh, sure. I can take ya to see th'flowers.

[ He runs an awkward hand back over his hair. ]

Name's Majima, by the way.

It's nice to meet you. We didn't have flowers on the colony where I grew up.

[ She's standing up already. If he wants to finish his drink now is the time to do it. She really is eager to go see. Having someone more familiar with what's going on would help a lot. Plus she'd like to get to know him. He seems interesting. ]

[ There's another pause as Azem watches Goromi kneel. That tail interests him and he has to wonder what all it can do. Perhaps something to bring up later. ]

I don't think I could keep my hands off you if I tried. [ He responds with a chuckle, settling down on the stool next to Goromi. He'll have to wait his turn, however, as it's clear he's going first.

The touch feels nice as does the cool water. It's enough to send a little shiver through Azem and cause their skin to prickle. ]

Ah... You know, I don't think I've had anyone bathe me before.

Should've thought thrice, I reckon.

[Hums, he rests his chin on his palm as he leans forward, head tilting to the side. A bemused smile on his lips growing ever larger. Like a cat's almost, sanguine and relaxed, but still warm and hiding layers of mischief beneath it.]

For the tats, ain't nothin' to be turned away from, near as I'm concerned. [A shrug, just as relaxed as the rest of him. Another sip and he leans in closer.]

Whether or not they mark ya don't matter much. What matters in the end is you.

[she shakes her head, folding her hands on her lap.]

You seem happy. That matters to me most - whoever you want to be for the night, if you're happy with yourself, why would that bother me?

[it's very simple, as she sees it. no need to tie herself in knots about a concept that's straightforward - if someone she loves is happy, then does it matter whether they call their self Majima or Goromi or anything else at the moment? they're the same person, the same heart she's been entrusted with holding, and seeing less tension, an easier smile...

like she said. that's beautiful.]

The fish-waffles with mush inside.

[Taiyaki. He means taiyaki. Lalli has learned to appreciate having actual food here, compared to Hakagemachi where he lived on twinkies and instant ramen (and then nothing at all for a little while at the end, when food was scarce), but fuuuuck if he remembers the names of most of them.]

[ This is not the message that has been groomed and beaten into Majima. He has been marked and shamed and he deserves the punishment for prizing anything above the family. It niggles in the back of her mind: what they have been told that they are. Dog, property, weapon.

Goromi pushes the thoughts to one side. It's not her concern, she does not have to be Majima right now. His torment is not part of this costume. Her good eye relaxes, lashes lowered and long with mascara. ]

Now, ain't that sweet. Ya sound kinda sentimental, Mister Archer.

[ She smiles faintly, lifts a hand to his shoulder and plays with the fabric of his shirt. ]

Ya wanna see the whole tattoo, huh? Gonna help me with my dress?

Taiyaki. The mush is red bean paste. Let's get ya one then.

[ He fiddles around with his free arm for his pack of cigarettes, that should help liven him up a little bit. ]

Which clan ya end up in, huh?

Do I?

[ She wonders to herself, gaze downward for a moment but lifting when the first round of food and drink is brought to them. She quirks a smile at the waiter, says thanks quietly before reaching out to swirl her drink a little. ]

In Sotenbori, they were makin' me run this real classy cabaret club. Didn't know how t'do it, but made myself figure out how t'be this real refined host who said everythin' just right an' was always lookin' t'make the customer feel like a king.

[ There's something unsaid in that: that when Majima doesn't know what to do he makes himself figure it out and is willing to dismantle himself to do it. He had already told her he doesn't know what to be in this town, maybe there's some clarity to him in what a pretty hostess does. ]

It's all real phony, me an' the girls just makin' a big fantasy where you're th'most important person around, let ya flash yer cash like ya are. They weren't allowed t'touch th'girls but they were allowed t'throw hands at me and talk t'me like trash.

[ She tilts her head a little, thinking about something, and raises her drink to her lips. Maybe there's some power in being charge of the whole thing as Goromi. Strong enough to throw off hands, pretty enough to invite a good time. ]

Japanese soaplands offer other services, but at th'surface that's what they're for. Cuz it's nice t'have someone take some time on ya.

[ Considering the yakuza own a lot of the soaplands, they don't really think that much about then making use of them. A lot of the yakuza guys end up dating hostesses and soapland girls. Majima had never gotten too invested in any one, but had a favorite or too. He hasn't thought about any of those girls in a long time and for a second it's bittersweet.

Goromi just keeps her hands moving, squeezing soap in slow rivulets before bringing over the little shower head to rinse them away. ]

Been a while since I went too.

[ Because the past three years have been a hell that doesn't compare with Jigoku-cho at all. Maybe she's a little excited to have someone take some time on her too. ]

[ He does throw back his drink quickly, getting up and straightening on his clothes as he moves to join her. ]

S'too bad, flowers are good for your soul.

[ Civilization on the Japanese island takes up a remarkably small amount of the country's footprint, the rest countryside and wild mountains. Surrounded on all sides by ocean, they have a particular appreciation for the power of nature and its spirits. ]

They're real pretty...

[ Just kind of creepy. ]

[open] no strings attached

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