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

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

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. 💜 )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ --ah. it seems that shylock has lowered his guard a little too much. but taking a kappa back to his place would prove more trouble than it's worth (mostly because his roommate is part of the alliance itself), so the least shylock would do is take the poor thing to the back of the bar for at least one night before figuring out where to go from here...

but now, all he can do is give six a sardonic smile. ]

I suppose you won't make the same offer to my little friend here?

[ the kappa cower behind shylock, visibly trembling and tired. it's been a long, long day, but of course law does not rest. ]

[ there's barely any rest for the weary and wicked. members of the enma department have been on the clock since the parade has been in full swing, and of course they'd be all over the place after the daitengu's assassination. what six wouldn't do to just call it a day and look the other way, but he has a job to do.

(that, and he doesn't want to find out what's going to happen if he messes this up. there's too much at stake for him.) ]

It doesn't work like that.

[ six's steely gaze is locked on the trembling kappa, but he isn't making a move just yet. his voice betrays a tiny bit of exhaustion, however, as if he's said this line too many times today. ]

We were asked to bring all Kappa Tribe members in for questioning. You don't have to get involved.

I don't intend to. I was merely going to give this poor kappa a single drink before I... well.

[ never mind that. truth be told, he doesn't know where he'll take the kappa after that. bringing them back to his place is just asking for trouble, but surrendering them to the kappa doesn't seem right either. ]

Are they only to be brought in for questioning, or is there a harsher punishment awaiting them?

[ the enma can be rather stifling (read: utter killjoys) at times. still, he has to make sure that proper justice is being served nonetheless. ]

[ when asked about a harsher punishment, six couldn't hide his hesitation — the way he briefly looks at the ground before steeling his resolve once more. ]

Questioning and interment. Those are what was specified in the Enma's orders. As far as I'm aware, harsher punishment shouldn't be on the table.

[ they were granted permission to use any force necessary to accomplish the task, but he's already holding back on that much. he can't say the same for other members of the department, however... ]

Are you really going to hand the kappa over after giving them a drink?

Somehow I doubt that.

[ even with the mask on, it's hard to miss the beat of hesitation from the younger man. it surprises shylock, to be honest; he'd thought that the department is composed of stuffy old officials who wouldn't know what fun is if it were dangled in front of them, and even now he still has that impression of them. the fact that they're able to have a civil conversation at all is...

well. he can't help but smile a little. even in times of duress, there's always something interesting around the corner. ]

I wonder. Let me ask my friend here.

[ he turns to the kappa and asks, and they vigorously shake their head. reluctant six may seem, but the mask and claws doesn't make him look less intimidating at all. ]

It seems that I shouldn't let them go. What a conundrum I've found myself in. [ and yet he sounds too casual about it... that's a western wizard for you. ] Well, then. Maybe some alcohol will help give them the courage they need.

[ then he turns to six with a smile, ] And you're welcome to join us, of course. In case you have no trust in me at all.

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. ]

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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ coming to an establishment like this one isn't something six does often, nor would he usually come here out of his own free will, but seeing as he has a job to do... he doesn't bother looking around much; if this place isn't supposed to be open at this hour, it's not his responsibility how the other man will be dealt with later on.

he hovers close to where the kappa takes a seat but doesn't claim one himself. ]

... Just water is fine.

[ even on a good day, alcohol isn't his first go-to. it dulls the senses too much for his liking, and he needs to be alert just in case anything happens. ]

[ it's closed, and the owners won't be coming in until tomorrow, so the less they know the better. shylock can absolutely clean up after themselves once they leave.

assuming that they'll all leave amicably, that is. the kappa's still unnerved with the enma member hovering over him, but they manage to take a sip of their drink anyhow. it's a shame that six would rather stay sober, but shylock slides a glass of water towards his direction regardless.

no music, no nothing. just the sound of glasses softly clinking against surfaces. it's a somber mood all around until shylock decides to break the ice. ]

Are they all guilty?

[ the silence feels just as thick as the tension, almost suffocating in a way. six has experienced plenty of situations like this before so it hardly bothers him, but he knows the kappa nearby isn't doing too hot. here's hoping the alcohol will ease their nerves. (maybe that's too much wishful thinking.)

he reaches for the glass of water, not quite drinking it just yet. ]

No. I highly doubt it. Most of them are likely just collateral damage.

[ he knows this, and yet... ]

Even still, I doubt the Enma would react kindly if we start making exceptions.

[ even kappas need their alcohol fix, so long as cucumbers are thrown into the mix. despite their nervousness, the kappa seem to like shylock's concoction, and takes their time savoring it. that drink might be their very last, depending on how harsh the department will be towards the innocent. ]

Were you about to? Frankly, I'm surprised that I'm able to talk to one of you this amiably.

[ it brings a small smile to this wizard's face. but man, times like these really makes him wish he could smoke right now. ]

It must be odd, encountering someone from the Tamamo who is merely trying to help them. I would've gone ahead and hid them someplace face had you not intervened.

[ a soft, polite laugh. to be honest, he didn't have a single idea what to do with the kappa once they're in the clear, so maybe getting caught by six might be a good thing after all...? ]

Why? Were you expecting us to blindly follow orders?

[ in a way, six can understand the assumption. it's not like he's going out of his way to defy it, but all he has are excuses in the end. he has no good reason for why he isn't openly going against what the enma wanted. sure, the reward at the end of his contract is tempting, and yet... ]

You aren't the first to try and hide them. It's not that strange.

[ after all, the kappa are innocent, aren't they? most of them, at least. ]

Most wouldn't turn a blind eye to injustice.

Well, who wouldn't? But you must forgive me for assuming so. The fact that there's someone like you who did not want to do this in the first place is reassuring.

[ shylock is not one for law and order at all, so he's always lowkey apprehensive of the authorities. it comes with the territory. ]

But no, I was talking of my status as a member of the Tamamo clan. One would think that most of us would turn a blind eye to this, but...

[ he looks at the kappa, who's still enjoying their drinking and pretending that he's not overhearing their conversation. how cute. ]

It's the least I can do.

Moreover, the kappa aren't the only once in the Alliance, aren't they? It is not fair that they're being persecuted when the victim is a tengu.

[ six can't help but wonder if his reluctance is any better, especially since he's still carrying out the enma's orders. it's not exactly the most reassuring behaviour when he hasn't run into anyone from the department who was more openly against what was going on.

he sighs quietly. ]

I don't believe they're trying to pin the murder on the kappa. They were just... [ how should he put this. he barely knows what's going on either. ] Their tribe was building something underground, and you saw what happened at the parade.

It's too convenient.

[ then again, it can also be an accident too, but who knows at this point. ]

[ too convenient indeed, but an accident shouldn't be ruled out earlier. maybe the enma -- at least the ones in six's position for the time being -- are just as in the dark as the rest of them. ]

The wrong place at the wrong time. But the underground is the kappa's home, isn't it, little one?

[ the kappa is by no means little, at least in their species' standards, but they nod nonetheless. their drink has been drained, delicious as it is, and they just look down, not sure what to do from here on out.

shylock looks at them and sighs, then turns to six. ]

I'll take your word that no harm will come to them should you take them away from questioning. My kind may not have a rigid moral compass, but we do have standards. [ he did decide on taking the kappa in by sheer whimsiness, after all. he's unpredictable that way. ] If the Department decides to punish them all regardless... well. You'll have to hear from me.

[ he smiles. ]

Do we have a deal?

[ now that the kappa is done their drink, six expects shylock to hold up his end of the bargain. there should be no attempts to intervene when the erune settles a hand on the kappa's shoulder, making them flinch. what the man wants six to promise is difficult to keep, because it's not like he has much say in the matter, but... ]

I can't claim to know what the Department is up to, but rest assured I'll do my best to see that no harm will come upon them.

[ he won't know about his fellow policemen getting all violent-happy, but. he's going to try his best regardless. ]

The name I was given is Six. You can come look for me if anything happens.

[ he urges the kappa to get up so they can leave. ]

[ the kappa gulps, then turns to shylock who only returns their trepidation with a smile. as if to say, "yes, for now, you can trust this man." ]

My name is Shylock, and I most certainly will.

[ and with that, he takes a small bow. ]

Do come again sometime.

[ the kappa then nods, takes one look at six before following him out of the premises without nary a complaint. looks like the cucumber cocktail helped, after all. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

fireflies;

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