ᴏᴘᴇɴ ▸ out of the deep waters and all its intricacies.

[wray]

Who ⬤ Six & you.
What ⬤ The Kappa Round-up, as per the Enma's orders.
When ⬤ After the Night Parade; soon after the Enma's order goes out.
Where ⬤ Around the city.
Content Warnings ⬤ Violence, most likely.

i. cyberkinetic
( OPEN TO OTHER ENMA MEMBERS )

[ six thinks that it was only a matter of time before such an order was issued.

things have been going well. too well, in fact, with hardly any hiccups in between. the night parade almost felt like a complete lie, a fabricated scenario meant to reassure everyone involved that there was nothing wrong. not even his experience with the strange drug from that bunny doctor can match up with how everything is right now — a complete mess in every sense of the world.

not only did early preparations do nothing to prevent the tragedy from happening, but now the department of enma has been deployed to do clean-up of the unsavoury kind. while six himself has reservations about the order, he knows that it's barely worth the effort of going against it. if he doesn't help with rounding up the kappa and everyone else involved with them, he knows that the enma can just as well send someone much worse to do the job itself.

he'd rather avoid that, if he can. ]

OPTION A - ASSIST.

[ it's almost funny how quickly he has to play the part of a loyal lapdog, the way he doesn't bother asking any questions and instead just focuses on getting the job done. he stalks along the streets of jigokucho in search for any kappa that are hiding or are currently on the run. he's quick and efficient when it comes to rounding them up, knocking the ones he caught unconscious rather than causing them too much harm.

it's a different story when it comes to the ones who do struggle against his attempts though. he doesn't even bother holding back.

if you happen to pass his way, he might gesture for you to come closer with a jerk of his head. ]

... There are some hiding over here. [ this building, this particular alleyway, or anywhere else. ] Mind giving me a hand?

OPTION B - HINDER.

[ of course, not everyone has to agree with what's happening. six knows this. he understands. it's never going to be easy for everyone to harm someone who is just trying to run away, but that's exactly why he has to be the one who does it. if it isn't going to be easy for others, the least he can do is be the bad guy so no one gets in trouble for the lack of action.

he can always worry about the consequences later.

or you can make it his problem now, by confronting him and standing in his way just before he grabs another kappa to knock out along with the rest. ]

Don't get in my way. You either help or stay out of this.

ii. fireflies
( OPEN TO ALL )

[ it doesn't surprise him that there are those outside of his faction attempting to help the kappa too.

if he happens to find you hiding the kappa at your place or catch you in the middle of the act of letting them escape, he'll attempt to put himself in between you and the way out. he assumes an offensive stance, claws out and ready to strike if he must. ]

... Don't be stupid.

[ a warning, a threat, and everything else it could in between. his voice is low and even, but if one pays close enough attention, it almost sounds like he's struggling to remain neutral. after all, despite admitting that he'll do what must be done, it doesn't mean he has to like it.

this is one of those moments where that's practically obvious.

the last thing he wants to do is to hurt someone who is only trying to do good things. ]

If you hand them over, no one will know you were ever involved.

iii. reconfigure
( OPEN TO ALL )

[ once all is said and done, six doesn't immediately retreat to his assigned quarters. he roams around the neon-lit city streets with no rhyme nor reason instead. he didn't come out of that scuffle completely intact (shallow cuts and purple bruises), but the physical aches hardly compare to the mental ones. his exhaustion runs bone-deep, even more so now that he's been all over the place without giving himself any respite.

somehow, it almost seems as though he's punishing himself. not only for what he just did, but perhaps for other unknown reasons that he keeps close to his heart. when his body leans against the closest thing — a wall, a street light, a random object — keen ears would hear him mutter quietly to himself. ]

Is this enough, I wonder... How do I make up for what I've done?

[ even if you try to catch his attention now, it doesn't seem like he's going to notice. it might take a few attempts, given just how absentminded he is right now. ]

iv. wildcard me, baby

( ooc. sometimes i forget six is a chuuni edgelord. but let me know if you need something specific from me!

in terms of specifics, six can be found stalking the streets of the city in search of the kappa or anyone attempting to help them. he is fully decked out in his eternals uniform plus the weapons he has on his person. i'm happy to write custom starters if none of the ones above ping you so pls feel free to pm me. 💜 )

Comments

[wray]

Are you stalling?

[ behind the mask, six's eyes have narrowed, and his entire stance has grown more tense. it's similar to a cat that's getting ready to pounce on its prey. while six isn't interested in unnecessary violence if it can be avoided, he's also equally not interested in fooling around. ]

I fail to see how giving them liquid courage will make a difference. In the end, aren't you just prolonging the inevitable?

[ in a way, six is too. he could have skipped the formalities to go straight for the offensive, but instead, here he is, trying to reason with the other man.

it's almost as if he's buying time. ]

[wray]

[ someday implies that this encounter isn't going to be a one-time thing. six has experienced yuuji's unconditional kindness before, of course, but he wonders if he should spare this one the trouble. ]

What is there to talk about?

[ six can understand the logic, he thinks, behind wanting to be around others who are going through the same thing as you are. while he can't say that he himself will be able to understand another person's feelings, he supposes there is a comfort to be found in knowing that someone is just as miserable as you are. if he can give that much to yuuji, then maybe it won't hurt to stick around for a little while.

that doesn't mean things are going to be easy when it comes to unpacking his own emotions, which are a mess. ]

The Enma's orders left no room for doubt. I acted as I needed to and I apprehended as many Kappa as I could.

[ it all sounds like excuses to him. his fingers tighten their hold on the drink. ]

I don't have the right to feel guilty over what I did.

[wray]

[ six is no stranger to others harbouring so much hatred for his existence too. he's dealt with it for most of his life, especially when he was younger, so by now this kind of thing is just a part of his reality. not that it makes it hurt any less, because it never gets any easier despite how much he's used to it. ]

I— [ his pace comes to an abrupt stop, gaze downcast and averted from dimitri's line of sight. ] I'm not a good person. Never will be.

[ he says it as a matter of factly that it leaves no room for discussion. there's so much more that he isn't revealing, but he doesn't think this is the right time nor place. ]

Where is our next destination...?

[ if he can focus on following the enma's orders, then he doesn't have to explain why he thinks the worst of himself. ]

[stubboarn]

[ he's quiet for a while, and then he reaches out to pull him back. ]

Six, wait -

[ he doesn't have the right to do this; after all, they've just recently met and barely know each other outside of work. but dimitri knows that loneliness, and he feels compelled to respond to it. ]

- I don't ... won't claim to understand what makes you say such a thing. That is not for me to know.

... but I wish for you to understand ... you can take heart in that I consider you as someone who is capable of goodness, for as much weight my words carry here.

[ he lets go of him then. dimitri keeps it to that, because he could very well go on and overstep. but he understands it, he really does. he has never considered his life to be his own, after all. ever since duscur -

anyway. it doesn't bode well to dwell on such things early in the day. ]

[wray]

[ maybe it doesn't bode well to dwell on such things, but it seems six has trouble with just letting it end there, especially given what dimitri just told him. it's strange. this isn't the first time someone he barely knows has said the same thing, and he simply can't wrap his mind around it — what makes people say this? what is it about him that makes people consider him as someone good?

he doesn't turn to face dimitri, not even when the other lets him go. ]

Have I... done anything to warrant such a positive view of me?

[ given their interactions so far, the thing that stands out the most is both of them rounding up innocent youkai just because they were ordered to do so. six doesn't see how that would contribute positively to the other's opinion of him. ]

You don't know what I've done, or what I'm capable of. [ maybe it's a good thing, that his power was taken away once he arrived here, because who knows just how much worse things could get if he still had access to it— ] How are you convinced that I'm capable of being good?

[stubboarn]

... if we allowed ourselves to be defined by who we were, none of us will have a chance to become the best versions of ourselves.

My story hasn't been a pleasant one, either. Everyone who knows it eventually forms a ... view of myself that isn't always good; and it can't be helped. [ dimitri looks away. ] I have lost friends and family over it.

Misfortune finds us all, Six. But you are here, alive and well. If you had wanted to be cruel you would've done that from the beginning. That you chose not to means you are capable of something more than being terrible, and that is good.

If nothing else, I will be here for you.

[wray]

[ If nothing else, I will be here for you.

six has no idea what he can even say in response to that. somehow it's unfair... how can dimitri say something like that without missing a beat? it's almost as if—

he stops that train of thought right there before he goes down a rabbit hole he isn't in the mood for just yet. maybe it's for the best they leave it be right where it is now. ]

... For your sake, I hope you won't regret saying that.

[ and that's that, he begins to move again, heading down the street in search of their targets. he figures dimitri will correct him on where they need to go if he's heading the wrong way. ]

[stubboarn]

[ dimitri smiles. ] Forgive me, but I intend to keep my word. Whether you like it or not.

[ he is awful, in his own sincere way. and perhaps he will come to regret it, but having faith in other people is part and parcel of living, as far as dimitri is concerned; he has to have it, because he doesn't have it for himself, always believing that his life is not his own.

he moves forward with six, not much to say after that. he withdraws a note book from his pocket, with his notes on leads and suspected and known alliance businesses. ]

... let's take a detour here, and head north. There's another Alliance-owned business there that we ought to check out.

[sweetsong]

In general? Or do you mean not safe with you?

[ robin quietly joins six in leaning, his head turned so that he can keep an eye on six. not out of fear that he might be attacked by his furry-eared conversation partner, but because if he's in worse shape than he's letting on...

he's not the strongest but he'll do what's needed to help someone in distress. ]

I'll only head home if you promise to let me go with you to yours. That way, I'll know you'll be fine.

[ and he can be stubborn too. ]

[breweries]

I'm not the only one who's delaying the inevitable here. After all, we could've skipped the pleasantries altogether and apprehend the two of us straightaway.

But you didn't.

[ he stands his ground, his smile unwavering. ]

And so, I will be honest -- I'm exhausted. But not as tired as the two parties standing in conflict in front of me right now, so the least I should do is offer some reprieve if only for a little while.

[ without turning around, his hand reaches for the doorknob and twists it open. the kappa could have chosen to escape inside, but they didn't, too frozen in place in sheer fright. ]

[ahost]

[ following orders blindly— that's what they've been doing since the second they arrived at this city. often itadori questioned himself: why should they follow a leader who imposed himself on them, but truth be told— he respected the enma. he can't judge whether he has good intentions or not, it's too early to see, but he appreciated the raw honesty he held in his words, actions and promises. everything is in black and white, forward and straight to the point. maybe their leader is seeing something they couldn't see yet. maybe they should have more faith in him.

nevertheless- ]

You have every right to feel guilty about it. We were manhandling people who are defenseless and most likely innocent. We don't know what will happen to them. Whatever it may be, it's all on us.

[ it didn't mean they should lose their own sense of judgment. they are allowed to have their own feelings, their disagreements and doubts. that's one thing yuuji is still holding on to, and he's assuming is what six gave up on. ]

All I'm saying is ... suppressing those emotions will backfire on you in the worst possible moment. You might want to think of a way to let it out.

[ he's addressing himself, too. itadori didn't have the best record in holding on to a healthy coping mechanism, but he can tell this place is about to test him in ways he's not prepared for. ]

So, whenever you're ready ... I'll hear you out.

[wray]

[ maybe one of these days six will understand why dimitri chooses to bother with someone like him, but today is not that day. at least he's thankful that his fellow comrade is now focusing on the task at hand, no matter how shitty it may be. an order is an order, and it's better than wallowing in things he can barely make any sense of.

he glances at the notebook dimitri pulls out and briefly wonders if it's the same one he uses to keep his jokes in. ]

Oh? [ his ears perk up, eyes locking onto the path they now have to tread. ] You don't suppose their members are going to try and intervene, do you?

[ he already knows the answer to this one, but still, a guy can hope for an easy pick-up. ]

[wray]

[ there's a part of six that wants to say it's the latter, but he keeps his mouth shut. he remembers his first encounter with robin and wonders if there's any point in trying to tell him he'll be fine. sighing, he can't help but shift his weight just so he's more balanced, but he does appreciate that the other offered himself up as extra support. ]

I— [ he pauses again, changes his mind. ] ... fine. Then once you've brought me home, you'll be on your way.

[ he takes that as his cue to try and stand on his own two feet again. there's a bit of swaying but nothing he can't handle. it's once he doesn't think he'll fall flat on his face that he begins the short trek home.

he is definitely favouring his left side, but he tries not to worry about it. ]

[stubboarn]

I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

[ dimitri sighs. ]

That being said, they must know how this looks to other faction members. And they must already know we're out here making the rounds. I don't think a few Enma members coming around should arouse any suspicion to anyone anymore.

[ not that it'd make their jobs a bit easier, but still .... ]

[wray]

[ it's not as if the other man is entirely wrong. six could have just gone ahead and arrested them both once he had the opening, something he'd done so many times already over the course of the night, but— something about this encounter strikes him as wrong. it's the first time he's visibly seen a kappa cower in plain sight. it reminds him of darker times, days he'd rather forget about rather than dwell on it right here and now.

slowly, he lowers his guard. the claws remain on hand but he's no longer brandishing them with an intent to attack. ]

Fine. One drink, and then I'm taking the kappa with me.

[ he doesn't make the first move, waiting for the kappa to stop being so scared and scuttle inside before he follows after them. a part of him finds this whole situation ridiculous, but he can't deny that his exhaustion at this point is bone-deep.

if he can get away with one encounter not needing to turn into a fight just by doing this, then he's willing to give it a chance. ]

[wray]

[ when six laughs, it sounds closer to a strangled noise. it shouldn't really surprise him that yuuji knows exactly what to say in this moment, because the one he knew was the same too — just as good as singling out the problem six can't put into words and then finding out the solution for it. the only problem is... ]

It isn't going to change anything even if I hold nothing back. The Kappa will remain locked up, and it's all because of us.

[ it's not the first time he's heard of the advice. if the goal is mostly so he can feel better, then he's just not sure if he deserves that much, especially given what he contributed to. ]

... Next time, perhaps. [ he lifts the drink up. ] This will have to do for now.

[ time to drink the rest of it. once he's done, he doesn't put it away just yet. ]

What about you? How are you faring?

[wray]

... It'd be better if they do.

[ he murmurs quietly, almost too quietly. it's harder to stomach what they're doing when the kappa remain defenseless, but if they fight back, if others fight alongside them, then at least that's better than just giving up without trying at all. with fists tightly clenched, he presses on regardless.

whatever trace of regret he might have ghosting all over his features is gone by the time they get closer to their destination. ]

Just up ahead, right?

[sweetsong]

[ not hard for him to tell that six is certainly avoiding placing too much weight on his injured side, and robin moves over to his right. that way he can lean that way, keep pressure off of it, and not encounter the discomfort of someone's presence there. ]

Great! [ back to being cheery and bright, just happy that six would listen to him. ] So where am I taking you?

[ one hand goes to six's lower back as he uses his other to take the erune's right wrist and pull it over his shoulder. the easiest way for him to offer support. ]

[ahost]

[ all he can do is reassure six that he's not alone in this, and itadori hopes that could offer some sense of relief to his troubled mind. he really does hope so, otherwise this night will end in a bitter tone. alas, he spared six from any further harassment, finishing off the last bite of his pitiful dinner and now intending to keep his end of the deal. it still didn't feel right to leave that boy behind, on his own, but the sorcerer understood at times you just need a moment to breathe, think and compose yourself again.

he stretched his arms over his head, exhaling a small puff of air. ]

I'd saaaaay ... I'm coping? But I know there are some matters I need to deal with. I've been brushing a lot of things under the rug, so I really need to take my own advice and face them.

[ even when he really, really doesn't want to. with a smile, he reached over to rest a hand on six's shoulder. ]

Let's get together sometime, yeah? When things calm down.

[wray]

[there are the beginnings of a protest at the tip of six's tongue, but they die before they get anywhere. robin is already offering his support and he isn't really in a position to deny it, especially when he realizes that it'll be much easier this way. he sighs quietly and simply looks forward. ]

Near the Enma's territory. There's an apartment complex...

[ he has the address but he figures giving directions to where they need to go is much better. he'll have to rely on robin to lead the way a little and he'll do his best to correct their course if they happen to go the wrong way. ]

[wray]

[ the suggestion to meet up again when the timing is much better makes six perk up a little, mostly because he didn't expect something like that to be offered. he remains silent for a few moments while he considers it, and then eventually, he decides there's no harm in agreeing to it. after all, he already knows that yuuji is a good person who has no ulterior motives. ]

Ah... sure, if the timing works out for the better next time. I wouldn't mind that.

[ he realizes that the other has finished his sandwich so he knows what that means. soon enough, he'll be left alone with his thoughts and it's really not that appealing of a prospect now that it's happening soon. he doesn't know how to admit out loud that being around someone else did help alleviate the mess that is his emotions right now.

quietly, he stands up, unfinished drink still in hand. ]

Do you want to head back together? We're probably headed the same way, so...

[strikingchords]

The Department will not care.

[he doesn't care, either -- at least, he doesn't care whether Six will follow all the implications of that comment. he's pretty sure the Kappa will care, not to mention the rest of the Sutoku Alliance -- it's not like he's taking instructions from them to protect their own, either, but he knows exactly how thrilled everyone isn't with the treatment the Kappa are getting.

most importantly, he cares. and he's not going to suddenly change his mind about that.]

Nor will I desist.

[it's the same cool head and stubborn, unwavering commitment to action that Six saw below in the city sewers. Lan Wangji is as still as stone, his face cold and his affect more that of a statue than of a prepared combatant. but something in the way he's holding himself (that complete of a freeze has to take incredible muscle control, actually) might tip as experienced a fighter as Six off that his motionless state could change at any time.

...but, that doesn't mean he wants to. out of respect, he'll give this a chance to be easy.]

What is your response?

[breweries]

[ to shylock this is just another day for him -- or at least that's what it looks like on the surface. even if he has an ulterior motive cooking up in his head he doesn't let it show on his face, as he leads them inside and flicks on the lights.

shylock works at different tamamo-owned bars, and this one sure fits the bill. the interior is high-class, the lighting dim, and judging from the liquor hidden away in cabinets, terribly expensive. but the owners aren't here at the moment so it's fine. totally fine.

he walks towards the bar, looking as if he truly belongs there. the kappa shuffles over to one of the bar seats and sits down with a sigh. ]

Now, what would you like to have? [ he's also pertaining to six, whichever the masked man decides to do upon coming inside. the kappa, meanwhile, is a little indecisive and shy at first for being in such a fancy place, but with a bit more gentle nudging from the wizard, he settles on a little cucumber cocktail. ]

[ahost]

[ with a tilt of his head, one corner of his mouth hooked up into a slow smile. the glitter of delight in his eyes was far too revealing even behind his growing exhaustion. honestly? he didn't wish to intrude more than he already did, but if it's coming out of six himself— he'll happily accept it.

god knows itadori could use the company. once again, hoping for a better end to this emotionally draining night. ]

Sure! We might end up living nearby.

[ if that's the case, six might get more than what he bargained for. itadori is like a feline— feed him once and he will never go away. in this case, give him enough attention and the forced friendship begins. with his hands tucked inside his pockets, he waits for the other to join his side before they started walking ahead.

that's when it hit him- ]

Oh. You never told me your name!

[wray]

[ lan wangji's cool and steady response doesn't come as a surprise to him. after all, this is the same attitude he encountered when they both managed to escape the collapsing underground by the skin of their teeth. on the one hand, he appreciates that someone is at least standing up for the kappa, but on the other... ]

I was hoping we could have avoided this.

[ that's all six has to say on that matter. while he respects the other man's decision, he isn't about the come out of this empty-handed. he's the one who strikes first, already in a position that makes it easy to charge at lan wangji (and he knows that if he hadn't, the other man would have likely beaten him to it). he remains mindful of the kappa when he brings his arm down in a sweeping arc, aiming to claw at lan wangji's chest.

a warning strike, really, as if gauging how he's going to react. ]