jigokulogs | In This Crooked Little Town What Is Lost is Never Found

You're committing a crime, I'm just a poor innocent victim.

[yeah, innocent sure

Monts quietly hums a song as they make their way down the street through Tamamo territory. There's no youkai who's out right now that doesn't have a partner or two attached to the hip. When Gojyo asks what she'd like to do, she stops humming and turns to him to speak.]

There's no way I'm gonna refuse fireworks. I believe before that though, there's an actual parade, isn't there?

[Monts takes sighs contentedly, her red flower hair piece, swaying with the movement of her head.]

Hell. I don't know when the last time I watched a parade? Since I was a kid maybe...?

[While she muses over the fact, there are some youkai who have been eying the pair, mainly her with what can only be called malicious intent. They've been tailing the both of them for some reason, being mostly obscured by the crowd.]

Ah, is that the case? A parade, huh?

I saw them in passing once or twice, but I never actually--

[Huh. Did Gojyo ever actually get to enjoy a parade? He never realized that was a thing he hadn't done before. They were there, he spent a lot of his years living in a city, but usually, he was too busy with the events outside such extravagant things.

He immediately stopped that thought by offering a wide grin, catching up with Monts by increasing his pace.]

You know what? Sure. Why the hell not! I'm sure there's plenty of more crime we can commit at the parade~ Guess that's where I'll be holding my unfortunate kidnapping hostage tonight.

[Not that he didn't get that strange familiar sensation of being watched. And he was sure he saw a few of those youkai mugs on the street corner a few blocks back before. ~~They're distinct enough that they're pretty hard to miss.~~ But what the hell? He can ignore it for now. The night was young, and they were here to have fun!]

Never...?

[Monts looks at Gojyo, surprised again at the implication that he didn't have the experience. One way or another, they always seem to surprise each other whether by external happenings outside of their control or by learning what's behind each layer that may not seem significant in the larger scheme of things.

While they're being followed discreetly, Monts, none the wiser, looks at her festival companion thoughtfully.]

... You know what? Let's get some drinks and snacks from one of those standing bars they've got set up. I always feel like munching and sipping on something whether it's a parade or fireworks show.

[Suddenly, her hand reaches out to envelope Gojyo's. The crowd is getting thicker and it would be easy to get separated.]

And let's make sure we find a clear spot to get a good view. I'll throw some youkai off the bridge if I have to so we can both enjoy ourselves.

[Though it's jestful, there is an intention behind Monts's words, as if she wants him to enjoy himself, never mind her.]

Eh?

[Oh? Did Monts take his hand just now?

Well damn.

She was feeling that confident around him now, was she? Gojyo couldn't help but feel a little bit of warmhearted pride. Lightly closing his hand around hers in response, he allowed her to lead him along.]

Ahah, hey now, hey now~ You don't have to go that far just for little old me.

[Not that he wouldn't be amused seeing her try and topple a youkai off a bridge.

Besides, this sort of crowd was probably the perfect way to lose the creeps.]

Wait a sec-- Ain't I supposed to be the one leading? How'd the hostage end up dragging the kidnapper along, eh?

[She was cute with how eager she was; he couldn't help but wish to tease her a little.]

[Monts laughs at him trying to tease her.]

It's because the hostage has a good head on her shoulders and can wrap the kidnapper around her finger if she really tried.

... But you can let go if you want. You just gotta let me know, ok?

[She had decided not so long ago, that part of her happiness was making others happy. If not with large gestures, then just by being there for them, and smiling with them.

Create joy and share it with the other person. Isn't that what her time at the Midnight Grind was supposed to do for her? It wasn't to forget about what she really is (if she can ever comprehend it) but to be able to bear with that pain. And she can bear with it by making it about these small moments.

The standing bar is crowded with various youkai snacking or giving toasts and cheers all around with loud shouts of, "KANPAI!!" Though it seems to be mainly Shuten demons, there's some Alliance members and Tamamo members who wave to Monts (they're getting free drinks from their own customers who are taking them out on dates).

Squeezing into a spot, Monts looks up at Gojyo, finally freeing her hand from his. ]

So what's your poison? You a beer guy? I'm starting to get used to sake myself.

Edited 2022-05-02 00:57 (UTC)

I'm that readable in what type I am, am I?

[He chuckled as he casually leaned into the bar beside her. Surprisingly, he did not let go of her hand, despite her allowing otherwise. At least, not until they managed to find themselves settled against the counter. Tossing a casual nod towards some of the more familiar members of his clan while they only grinned and jeered him over to the party.

It felt strange, so casually being a part of a large 'group' like this. Gojyo always considered himself an outgoing and friendly guy, but usually, there was always that slight sense of being an outcast.

But for now, right here, at this very moment, that didn't seem to be the case.]

But sake isn't that bad either. Only if it's hot and you got some good bar food to go with it.

[Like edamame or pork skewers.

Digging into his pockets, he pulled out a fifty yen note.]

So let's say we'll start with a large shared bottle then and see where we go from there?

[Shit lets get wasted.]

[Since her abilities have dampened, Monts wonders if she really could get wasted or at least feel a stronger buzz from alcohol. The idea of it is intriguing, but it's also why she makes a mental note to herself to take it easy.]

Sure! Sounds good to me.

[She waves to the bartender calling for an order and two glasses and an open large bottle of sake are slid down their way. Some small bites follow soon after (edamame, some pork skewers, and some slivers of tuna sashimi).

And before chowing down, she'll be the one to pour them both drinks.]

There we go. Here's to a long and bright night!

A bright night full of fun and trouble!

[He lifts up his own cup towards the air with a all-too-jovial attitude. Reveling in the bright cheer of it all before downing his first shot in one go.

Some of the others around them had even happened to hear his cheer and mutually jeered out and drank in response to the call.]

Ah! This is good stuff!

[He looked over to Monts, his expression settling slightly as he watched her. Taking a moment to appreciate the way the contrasting lights between the festival and the bar illuminated around her.]

You seem pretty used to scenes like this, huh? I take it you're used to big cities like this?

My home is part of a big city.

[Monts takes a delicate sip of her sake to assess the taste before a longer one follows. It's icy cold and fills her body with a pleasant chill.]

It's one of the bigger ones on the coast and it's... Colorful? Crazy? Well, that's normal for a city anyway.

Oh, and not any youkai or other inhuman creatures that I'm aware of that would be walking around in broad daylight. I think I mentioned it before, but I only started to learn about things that were supernatural or basically not-human a while back.

No youkai, huh?

[It wasn't the first time he had caught word of worlds completely devoid of youkai. Hell, he had a whole conversation about it with quite a few people a few months back. But even knowing that it was so common always felt a little strange to him. Of course there were also the worlds where youkai were considered myths legends and old wives tales. As if the knowledge of youkai were there but kept separate from the worlds of humans as a whole.

Some worlds even had it that youkai and people existed, just on entirely different planes of existence.

There was only one person he came across that said humans didn't exist in their world.

It was a strange thing to think about.

And so he started pouring himself another small glass of sake before making a grab at one of the skewers. Deciding it was best then to just not think too hard about it.]

And a port town at that. Never did get to see the ocean myself. Everywhere I traveled was usually land-locked. Hear the oceans quite the sight.

Sounds like you did a lot of traveling?

[She works on some of the edamame beans as their conversation continues, enjoying their sweet grassiness.]

And well, you get used to it, but the smell of salt in the air is really comforting in its own way. I think that's what's missing for me here besides... Well, everything else.

[From behind the other standing bar customers, a small group of leery youkai is approaching... But they still have time to just chat and enjoy themselves.]

... Still, after being here for a while... It'd be a shame to go back without being able to contact all the people I've gotten to know so far.

[Monts smiles up at Gojyo.]

And maybe, you'd be able to see the ocean because of me.

Now that would be nice.

[It was interesting that he had traveled to cities, mountains, deserts, and forests alike, but not once had he seen the ocean. An inward part of him longed for it. A piece that wasn't quite him. Like a soft siren's song carrying him off to waves he didn't even know.

What would it be like to swim in such waters? To explore depths that most people never got a chance to see?

He had the strangest urge to wear the mask attached to his hip—the one he carried with him at all times.

He resisted, though, only casually holding it with the hand that wasn't occupied with alcohol. He was temporarily so preoccupied with the conversation that he had not seemed to notice the encroaching youkai for now.]

I guess I traveled quite a bit, although unwillingly. I mostly got caught up in a lot of stuff and went for what I think are 'work purposes'?

[Not that he ever considered himself much of a guy to do a decent day's work his entire life. But hey, if he can get fired from it, it must have been a job.

He didn't see a fucking cent of payment, though.]

Sounds like one heck of a road trip. You ought to tell me more about it when—...

[Her sentence is cut off when she notices the suspicious youkai who are talking to some of the other customers pointing at her. She recognizes them as the rude bathhouse visitors and they in turn recognize her.

Before she can say anything else, one of them shouts over the din of the crowd.]

"OI! You're that bitch that kept us from having fun at Tenkohime's bathhouses aren'tcha?!"

"You think we were gonna let that go, HUH!?"

[Monts finishes her sake, muttering under her breath.]

Shit...

--Eh?

[Ah. Right.

There were people following them before, weren't there?

Shit. Gojyo was enjoying himself so much that he almost forgot. His head lifted as he wearily glared over the table towards the approaching group of youkai.

What? Did they want to start trouble that badly?]

Something wrong here, gents?

[He noticed the nervous shift in Mont's disposition. And yet he kept his smirk as his shoulders lounged back. Keeping his stance firmly near Monts--

Just in case.]

[One of them bears his teeth shooting Gojyo an irate look.]

"'Course there is! We got a bone to pick with the girly here"

"YEAH! We were just ready to get hot and heavy at the bathhouse, but just cause some of the gals complained 'bout us, SOMEONE thought using a fucking DILDO was a good idea to tell us off!! Who the fuck does that?!"

[MONTS IS GLANCING AWAY SIPPING AT HER SAKE DON'T MIND HER...

Some of the Tamamo members who are at the bar frown and then their eyes widen in realization when they figure out that yes, it was Monts who was keeping the rowdier and entitled customers at bay. Some of them are giggling nervously in disbelief while the other bar customers look puzzled.

Monts mutters to Gojyo quietly.]

Yeah... That was... My fault... But they were being assholes.

[You offer a huge orgy and suddenly some people are uppity and entitled and rough, of course she wasn't going to stand for it. There were standards to uphold and Tenkohime allowed it!]

[There was a moment of pause from Gojyo as he looked at the disgruntled youkai. His expression was surprisingly straight and severe.

He offered a passing glance to Monts as she seemed to hide her shame over the matter with a pout.

Only to look back up at the large group that wished to gang up on her for the phallic assault.]

--Pfft! Pfheheh--

[Ah.

Ah damn. Gojyo let that slip didn't he?]

[Well, there was no point in holding back how he felt about that story now, was there?]

GYAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Oh man! Seriously? They have to gang up on a single girl because of something like that!? Man! How small were their cocks to be intimidated by a feisty girl with a dildo!?

If anything, they should be grateful a girl is coming at them with one of those! Probably the closest they've gotten to getting close to a girl in any way if anyone asked him.]

Aahah-hah! D-Damn! Seriously!? You're seriously pissed off about something like that???

What? Mad that she came at you with a dick? Would it have been better if it were a blow-up doll or something?

[He turned to months, a wide grin on his face.]

Oh boy. Did you manage to scare a big group of guys like this off with a dick like that???

[Props to you, Monts! Hot damn!]

"H-Hey! Stop laughing, it was a goddamn nuisance!!"

"She wouldn't let up! You tell us that YOU would like a dick slapping your face continuously!"

Pfffff!!

[There is something infectious about Gojyo's laugh that even though her cheeks are flushed with some mild embarrassment... Yeah, you know what it is funny in a stupid way. Monts muffles a guffaw with the sleeve of her kimono and sets down her sake glass to gather her bearings.]

W-Well, they're lucky I don't have enough bite in me right now. I didn't even really bruise any of them, they just never saw it coming!

[in a manner of speaking.....

One of the youkai is redfaced and before anyone can say anything else, he grabs the near-empty sake bottle and smashes it against the bar, sending the glass flying across and down to the ground.]

"You ain't gonna get away with just chuckles! Let's see you laugh after you get glass in your face."

[Oh, that's not good. Monts frowns and instinctively she moves in front of Gojyo as if she's able to do anything.]

Pffftheheheh dude, if a cute girl were hitting me repeatedly over the head with her dick, I'd stop and think about whatever the fuck it was I did to get me in that situation to begin with.

[He can't. Stop. Laughing.

Oh man, it was all too funny.

Or at least it was until one of the idiots decided to be an incredibly lame dumbass and break a bottle open against them as a threat.

Gojyo's reaction was almost instantaneous.

The reflexes of a man who had survived society crumbling and all hell breaking loose two times over now sparking up as he pushed himself away from the bar, ready to make the first move, only for Monts to take a sudden dive in front of him--???]

O-Oy! What the hell--!?

[The other customers are edging away, not wanting to get involved. In a split second, the youkai with the broken bottle swipes at Monts who uses her arm to block, and the small drops of blood that hit the ground indicate that yes, she did get cut, but...

There's no squeal, no flinching; just a grunt as she's pushed back. The youkai that had just assaulted her pauses, noticing her lack of reaction. Monts pulls back her sleeve to check on her arm (to make sure he didn't cut a vein or something; so far, so good).]

Hm. Rude.

"W-What the..?!"

"These Lost Souls Man..."

[Monts pulls down her sleeve, shaking her head and she speaks lightly as if she dealt with a breeze.]

Sorry, Gojyo. Kind of did that without thinking.

...' Tch. Damn. 'S that so?

[Shit, they got Monts, didn't they? As amazed as he would be by her overall lack of reaction to the hit, a more critical issue had been preoccupying him.

Blood didn't bother him. At least most certainly not a quick wound like that. He had seen far worse injuries happen on the fly. Monts would be fine for now, though he may need to dress it later.

Nah, the dumbass who decided to act out in such a stupid matter were the real issue.

--And the fact that he wasn't fast enough to stop it from happening.

His expression lifted as he looked at the youkai that cussed out. Smirking.]

Ahhh? Got a problem with th' "lost souls," do ya?

[It was in an instant that he moved, grabbing for the youkai's wrist in hopes of twisting it back and stealing the bottle from him. Before leaning forward quickly, only to slam his head into his new opponents, solidifying his attempts to get the guy off guard.]

Probably should have thought about that before assultin' them, yeah!?

[If he got the bottle, its jagged edges would all too quickly be jabbed into the assaulting youkai's abdomen.]

[Shit. This was not going to end well, not unless Monts thinks fast. Her experience in being with a rougher crowd hasn't faded away from her yet and she's banking on that to find a solution. There's yelling and shouting as Gojyo takes the broken bottle, though the opposing youkai barely just misses his strike, ripping open its clothing and causing a surface wound. Her eyes dart back to the counter trying to see what her options are.

Thank god, there are two tall and large glasses of ice water, one of them only halfway filled, but still! Better than nothing.]

Alright, that's fucking enough!

SPLASH!!

[And she unceremoniously dumps the ice water on both parties. One for Gojyo (sorry, buddy) and the other, a larger splash for the whole group.]

Everyone, cool down or I'm gonna personally talk to Tenkohime about outright banning everyone involved here who likes being in the redlight district. If you wanna try stabbing me over this, I dare you.

[Her eyes narrow dangerously and she moves in front of Gojyo just in case he tries anything else. He may be able to see, with her hair tied up, the dark ring on her neck moving and sliding across and down her spine, though it doesn't leave its place completely.]

I don't know how to cry, but I'm sure some of you do. Now get lost!

[The cold water seems to have worked as do the judging eyes of the other festival-goers who were just there for a good time, not to witness this sorry state of affairs from the offending group who are darkly talking amongst themselves about backing out.

To Gojyo, Monts mutters to him.]

We'd both get in trouble if we prolonged this. I'm fine, okay?

Edited 2022-05-17 04:54 (UTC)

[Well.

That was certainly unexpected.

Blinking in somewhat stupefied shock, Gojyo could only look at the opposing youkai for a moment before turning back towards Monts.

Shit. Right. Gojyo wasn't in Shangri-La or Hakagemachi anymore. Things didn't work like that here. People were civil ~~mostly~~.

It would look pretty damn bad if he just shanked a guy in the middle of a festival, even if the bastard did start it.

And so he simmered down, scoffing as he dropped the glass and raised his hands in surrender. Glancing off with a complicated mix of resignation and scorned pride. It didn't mean that he was more than happy to let the bastards take the same route and grumble off.

Monts was saying she was fine after that, was she?

Bullshit.

There was a long moment of silence as he stood there, processing the situation before speaking up.]

Let me see it.

[His voice seemed to take a more severe tone. His usual lackadaisical nature completely dropped. Finally, taking a moment to turn and match Monts's gaze.]

Show me you're that you're really fine.

[Because he didn't believe it.]

[Monts eyes don't leave the offenders until they disappear into the crowd, not wanting to cause even more of a scene. Everyone else is happy to just let the whole incident go and get back to drinking and merrymaking the proper way.

When she turns to look at Gojyo, she blinks once and then twice in mild confusion when he asks to see... See what? That's what her expression seems to ask, but then she catches on just as quickly.]

Oh. My arm?

[There's a pause as if she wants to wave it off, say it's no big deal... But her healing factor has been lowered significantly. She reminds herself of this and holds out her arm, pulling back the sleeve. The cuts from the jagged glass are still shiny with blood, but it isn't oozing anymore. Monts looks around for some napkins or something to at least dab it up.]

I should wrap this up, shouldn't I? The seamstresses are gonna be pretty mad at me for messing this up.

[She sounds less than bothered, more bemused than not.]

Though to be fair Gojyo, I think there would have been a lot more blood and guts if it got really out of hand.

Edited 2022-06-01 05:02 (UTC)

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1/3

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cw: light bloodshed

cw: more than light bloodshed

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