jigokulogs | [open] no strings attached

[ This guy seems popular. While Julieta didn't sit down intending to interrupt, she can't help but overhear his stories. Her head tilts toward him with interest while she quietly sips her drink. One long leg crosses over the other. She eyes her glass warily but doesn't notice anything tasting off about it. When she looks back to the man again she lets out a breath. She's been told it would be good for her to meet more people. ]

So where are you from? That sounds kind of familiar.

[ He muddles behind his drink for a moment, trying to decide what to say. There's the full answer and then there's the simple answer. ]

Japan, Tokyo. Home district's pretty similar t'this place.

[ The long answer is that he was banished from Kamurocho, has been in rival territory in Osaka for years before he was captured and possessed by a yokai into a broken yokai town. Now he's here. ]

I know not everybody's real at home though. What about you?

Oh, so you're from Earth. I was just reminded of a certain syndicate out near Jupiter that we used to deal with. I moved around a lot so I can't really think of any place I particularly call home.

[ She's very much still not used to this place's anything but she's adjusting. There are plenty of things to appreciate. If this is all so familiar to him then perhaps he could be of help ]

[ Oh, so you're from Earth. Gonna be one of those nights, huh. ]

That's too bad, it's nice havin' a little place in th'universe.

[ There was an apartment in Tokyo that his best friend shared with his sister. That's what Majima thinks of, the shitty little place where they used to drink beer and listen to the radio and eat dinners with Yasuko. But Saejima is in jail now and he doesn't know where Yasuko is, so sometimes he imagines it empty instead and that breaks his heart.

He smiles, a bit sadly. ]

Maybe I can look forward to that when I retire from military life. Though I'm not sure where I would go. Who knows, maybe Japan?

[ It would be nice. The way things are going if everything is to plan it could be a while. Her work is only just beginning. The future is more promising than it was. If she can secure her reward once she leaves her then it's even better. ]

[ Ah, a military girl in a yakuza town. That's fucking unfortunate. A little amusement sits in his mellow expression. ]

Little bit'a everythin' in Tokyo.

[ Then again that relies on anyone getting out of here. Majima doesn't believe it, yakuza don't give up anything they can get use out of. He's not going to say that at the moment though, doesn't seem necessary. ]

Who knows, they made all those flowerin' trees grow in town. Maybe ya can see plenty of it here.

I was wanting to go see them. Would you join me, ah...

[ She realizes she's not always good about introductions. Most social situations are a bit out of her comfort zone. It's always been easier to focus on a mission than navigate relationships. This place isn't giving her much of a choice but she's starting to feel like she doesn't mind that part of it so much. Certain other things she can do without. ]

My name's Julieta.

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

These are like the ones from your home?

[ This is a good opportunity for her. There are so many things she's missed out on. It can be hard to know where to start so it helps when there's a festival for everyone to participate in. For now she won't even think about whatever faction rivalries exist here. She just wants to have a good time. ]

For th'most part. They're all over Tokyo.

[ He shuffles along uncertainly for a moment before he offers her his arm. It seems like the thing to do for the whole experience. It's not exactly just that the flowers are beautiful, it's also about being in the moment because life is impermanent and you'll only get so many of those moments. Enjoying it with someone is just a slice of that. ]

Ya want some tea or somethin'? The make all kindsa stuff with th'petals.

[ She takes his arm. It's not often that she gets escorted like this so she'll enjoy the opportunity. Her attention is on the trees and how beautiful they are. And the voices. Was she hearing things? He manages to distract her with the question. ]

Sure. I haven't had one like that before.

[ They walk a little further until they inevitably hit one of the small stalls offering sakura petal goods. He talks to a wizened little yokai who is offering up tea from a big bamboo vat. He accepts the paper cup and offers the first one to Julieta. He accepts a second one for himself and hands over a few coins worth. An authentic taste of Japan, a subtle flowery aroma and flavor, sweetness of sugar, a slight taste of saltiness.

For him anyway, it really does take him back to Tokyo for a moment. It's something he really only would have indulged in during the season itself. He looks down into the liquid pensively for a moment, ]

What do ya think?

[ She takes the cup to her lips murmuring thanks before she breathes in the aroma. Taking a sip she nods and goes back for more. It really is nice to be able to stop and enjoy something like this. Her tired eyes start to light up a little bit. ]

It's really good. I never thought I'd see something so beautiful in a place like this.

[ That's nice. Earnest. He can't help himself from smiling a little. He's glad she gets it, really, that these are the good things in life. He misses when he did simple things like this with the Saejima siblings. He just misses them in general. ]

Gotta enjoy it while it's here.

[ He agrees mildly. ]

Gone before ya know it.

And you're sharing it with me. I'm honored.

[ It really means a lot to her. She smiles back. Maybe they could find somewhere to sit. She looks around and grabs a spot as a couple is leaving. It is kind of a romantic atmosphere. She might not have a boyfriend with her but at least she's not alone. ]

[ He sits down with her. He's curious about her, piqued by the picture the formal military woman makes when she smiles like that. He hesitates for a moment and then curls his hand around hers, lifting his gaze to check with her that it's all right. ]

So ya don't have flowers on th'colony... [ He broaches curiously, ] What's there instead? Somethin' that's nice about it.

Yeah it was all urban and rundown.

[ Something nice? That's a tough one. She considers it for a few before she continues. ]

The people I found, at least some of them. The ones that gave me food and shelter. I wasn't there for very long. One day I met a mercenary who took me with him away from there and taught me how to fight.

[ The people. That's kinda sweet. Majima knows what she means though. He can think of a few people from childhood neighborhood who had been kind to him where his parents weren't. The occasional pocket change or invitation to eat. That was back when he was alone, before he met his oath brother and his sister and finally had something like family. ]

Was he a good guy?

[ Some mentors are more cruel than not, he knows how it can be. ]

Not good at all. But he was kind.

[ Thinking about him is a little bittersweet. It's been a long time since she's spoken to anyone about things like this. Normally she wouldn't be caught dwelling on the sentimental. She wouldn't normally consider an outing with someone she just met at a bar either but here she is and she finds herself enjoying it. ]

What do you do here?

[ He huffs a small laugh. Ok, he can get that too. ]

I'm uh... family man. With th'Shuten Clan.

[ He's not sure if that euphemism will make sense to her, but it's a step removed from outright calling himself a gangster. ]

I ain't real 'good' either.

[ And more kind than he should be if he doesn't want to lose everything one day. ]

Edited (what a brainfart) 2022-05-19 06:23 (UTC)

They put me with the Department so you better not let me catch you getting into trouble.

[ She doesn't go out of her way looking for it. Trouble finds her all on its own just fine. She really would hate to have to turn on him but it wouldn't be the first time it's happened. She'll do her job as long as she's here. If nothing else it gives her a sense of purpose. ]

[ A wry smile. ]

Dunno, probably can't promise that. But I know ya got a job t'do.

[ It's never the goal to get caught, but things don't always go the way you plan. ]

I might like to see what you can do.

[ Ideally in a different context than that. Some of the men she used to work with were much... wider than him but by now she knows better than to underestimate people. She's had plenty of experience with that on both ends. Noticing some petals on his shoulder she reaches out to gently pick them off. ]

Something on your shirt...

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