jigokulogs | closed | call me snoopy 'cause i'm putting my nose where it don't belong

( The night is young, at least by Ritsu's standards; their meeting time is probably closer to midnight in actuality, so sorry if any of you are a little tired—but stealth requires quiet and darkness, and the less people awake, the better.

How they're all here can be a little muddy, but Ritsu's familiar vaguely with all of them—Ryouma and Lan Wangji are the two he's less familiar with, but both of them had good talking points and a good air about them at the meeting following the Daitengu's assassination. Chongyun is gung-ho and a nice, kind boy, and Shylock saved him, once, so he's fine, too.

Ritsu lets them get to know each other a little, at least get introductions out of the way, before he clears his throat. He doesn't really like being in the center of attention all that much, not like this anyway, but... well, he IS the one who was like "hey who wants to go check out the place now that the ban's lifted" so he should probably, like, make an effort. )

'kay, so... That Shiki chick mentioned they'd keep doing patrols down here, so we should try to be careful not to get seen. They probably aren't gonna kill us for just takin' a look around, but it'd be hard to explain why a bunch of guys are just strolling 'round the underground, and while tonight's not the only night I'm free to poke my nose where it doesn't belong, we shouldn't take any chances.

( That'd probably go for any time of day, actually. Especially with their... crew. They're kind of mismatched, now that he's thinking about it. Damn. )

Anyway... ( ... ) Anyone got anything helpful to offer up.

( will someone PLEASE rescue him from leader duties, he was not meant for this, this is why he didn't win the king spot in requiem. )

[ midnight is more than good enough for shylock -- he is a night owl anyway, given his profession, and the idea of investigating the sewers for himself has crossed his mind since that talk with tenko-hime and the meeting, so.

he won't step up as a leader of this little group, because one should really reconsider letting a western wizard preside over things, but he will speak up first nonetheless. ]

Well, thank you for gathering us here tonight, Ritsu. [ he gives the idol boy a genial smile, and to the other guys as well. ] I do hope that it is not a bother for letting us Tamamo folk look into the Underground for a spell. I give my condolences to the late Daitengu and I wish to find out more about those harrowing circumstances myself.

[ and also because he wants to see the sewers for himself if it fits tenkohime's vision, but. that's a story for another day. at least chongyun is here to make it less suspicious...? not that shylock is planning anything nefarious while they're there. ]

Now, shall we proceed?

[ even if he wasn't made of magic, ryouma has never really operated on a schedule to begin with so midnight works just fine for him as well. he's not in a rush to volunteer for leadership but he's prepared to step into that if he needs to; he has the experience, after all. ]

I've always been better at asking for forgiveness than permission~.

[ whoever ends up in power can give him a boring lecture about it later, if they want. ryouma would prefer more eyes on the problem and good relations between the factions — it's about time he got better acquainted with the tamamo anyway. ]

I've got maps. Which—... ah. Knew I was forgetting something...

[ he pulls his phone out of his pocket and starts tapping away at it. shortly, everyone should receive a message with several photos in it. ]

It's not exactly practical to stop and unroll ye-olde-paper-map, you know?

[ he finds this terribly amusing. he's also focused on the relevant parts of the underground; no need to go handing out everything all at once. ]

[Lan Wangji takes out his phone and studies the bright square of its screen with a tiny frown on his face. he's not used to the idea of any maps but paper yet, and receiving information in this manner is still exceedingly strange to him to begin with. still, he's not entirely unfamiliar with the phones, at this point. he was linked a kaomoji dictionary by their dearly departed leader, and with the same diligence he applies to everything else, he's put it to use.

among all those here, he's likely the one who'd have been most likely to protest at their late start. the Lan Sect sleeps at 9 pm every night that it's possible, with an absurd clcokwork schedule that draws them out of bed at 5 am every morning to follow. but there are exceptions to that, like anything else, and the most notable are during their searches for dark creatures or doings: the well-named Night Hunts.

in this instance, in a very real sense, they are chasing a kind of ghost.

once he's confident he'll remember the map, he glances up to survey their mixed crew of Sutoku and Tamamo, giving no clue whether he has an opinion on its composition. he's led a group before, in the sense of being the one at the vanguard of a gathering. but whether he means to lead or guide or simply do what he thinks is right, it'd be strange for him to not move first once he's ready.]

We should move quickly.

[he'll suit words to action, inclining his head to the group before turning and walking purposefully away from it. he trusts at least one of them in particular to keep up.]

[ Evil knows no rest, be it at midnight or midday—Chongyun typically works on a cycle of waking at 6am most mornings, as those hours are precious for training. However, the late excursion doesn't bother him. He's much too invigorated by the prospect of investigation and exploration, looking quite bright-eyed and fresh-faced over where he stands listening to the others. Ever since the assassination he's been gunning for more, eager to finally get Underground to begin sussing out pieces of an ever-growing puzzle. Restless is a good word for it.

Will they find anything? Who knows. But they certainly can and should try. Though he's not forgotten Tenko-hime's orders, Chongyun's thinking less about those right now ... the fact that some investigating of the Underground is an advantage for what she wants isn't lost on him. He does sneak Shylock a glance, considering he's the other Tamamo here who knows of her orders ... but it's not like they know one another well. He decides to keep silent about it.

Chongyun looks from one face, to another, to another, to another. All familiar. Some more than others. He gives a bow to all at once, pressing his fist into the opposite palm in respectful greeting. ]

I look forward to working with you all. And thank you for the map! [ indeed, most helpful; he had taken the time to glance at it, but will better study it underside. ] Perhaps it would be wise to break into smaller groups, and reconvene at certain locations or times—?

[ —except Master Lan is already on the move?! Chongyun blinks, slippered feet moving to follow, because little blue-and-white dressed shadow must follow the bigger blue-and-white dressed man. Fair enough, they can discuss more inside and under more cover. ]

( Ooh, maps... Ritsu taps slowly on his phone to bring it up, stepping after Chongyun only to drape onto him like some kind of freaky youkai—lead him while he pays attention to this he can't multitask this way without being slow, ok???

Mmm, it makes sense the generators are higher up; he wonders how light security detail actually is and where it's concentrated. A hum. )

Not a bad idea, Chokkun... A pair and a trio, or two pairs and someone going off on their own...? Ahh, but I think it'd be best to at least have one partner... ( His voice gets softer as they head in—or down, he supposes, technically speaking.

It's sort of what he expects: a little dark, a little musty, water and sewer and ugh never mind he hates this place. Maybe he should go back to not caring about other people, he didn't have to go to gross places like this back then... no, that's not right, and he squishes it immediately. Like three levels of this though.... Secchan would be bitching sooo hard if he were here. Thank god he's not. ) Meeting back up around the stairwells... Or whatever they use to get down further than this... I hope it's not stairs, that's way too tiring... That'd probably be a good reconvening place, so let's make finding the way down our goals first and then spreading out second, so we can all find our way back to each other.

( The maps'll help with that, too... Ryouma the mvp rn )

[ shylock looking at the two teens like wow they look like they are good friends

regardless, despite his aversion to modern technology, he will have to admit that having maps on these smartphones is a lot more convenient than carrying a feeble piece of paper around. give shylock a minute to tinker with said map on his phone as he follows the ragtag group... ]

I can go with whomever. I don't mind.

[ the sutoku so far are composed of people that shylock likes, so he's positive that he'll gel with the ones he hasn't conversed with until now.

and... yeah, the sewers reek. dunno what they all expected. but this is exactly why shylock's been having some doubts about the turf war itself, albelt for petty reasons? but just because it's petty doesn't mean it's completely irrational. ]

I'd like to take a closer look at the waterworks portion of the underground if we still have the time, but... [ he zooms in at the bottom-most part of the map and taps his finger on it. ] I didn't think this place could go so low. Why would they place offices here in the first place?

[ that's like, so depressing?? literally no sun down there... ]

Edited 2022-04-16 15:53 (UTC)

I'd like to take a look at the waterworks myself, so maybe if we decide to split up later we can head that way. I agree with heading down together and splitting up afterwards; that sounds like a good plan.

[ it's a plan, which is usually something ryouma never has, so it's something! for his part, he seems unbothered by where they are, more interested in seeing what he can see. incidentally, it's a sewer. doesn't mean it's not curious! ]

And I imagine the people who live here are at home here.

[ which is one reason he's opposed to the idea of outsiders coming in and just trying to claim the place for themselves, but that's why he's here. ideally, he'll be another step toward finding a way to help. but since they're walking along anyway... ]

I'm guessing we're all here for more or less the same reasons? In any case, if you're here because there's also an opportunity for a competitive advantage, it's not like there's anything wrong with that.

[the work of a cultivator is in haunted houses and graveyards, among rotting bodies and unquiet ghosts. for all his fastidiousness in his personal life, Lan Wangji seems unbothered by their dreary surroundings, very capable of compartmentalization in service of getting the job done.

he doesn't comment on his motivations for being here, but it hasn't escaped his notice that the Tamamo's presence could well give them exactly the competitive advantage that Ryouma is citing. he's decided to stay neutral on that particular issue, for now -- another faction gaining control over this territory is theoretically bad news for Sutoku, but he's not sure how he personally would prevent it. and at the moment, he's thinking of it more as a hunting ground.

the waterworks would have been his first choice to investigate, but he's very interested in those levels below, as well... one of the first things he asked for in the city was access to the Enma's records of what's down there. even if such things being buried in bureaucratic red tape is not unusual, the fact that his latest inquiries are still getting him nowhere makes him wonder.]

If moving separately, each group should warn others of interference. The Enma are likely still present.

[that conviction might explain his eagerness to be on the move. he's not necessarily going to stick to one area if he finds evidence that points him in a different direction, but he'll see how everyone separates themselves and do what's needed; he has no interest in messing up the activities of the group as a whole.]

[ Why is he suddenly Ritsu's cane?? Not that Chongyun complains about it at all; he wraps an arm around Ritsu's waist with a sigh, offering his support and guiding the other boy along while he looks at his phone instead of their surroundings. Surroundings that grow danker as they descend; the scent of water grows crisper in the air, as does some mustiness from the nature of it being beneath the earth. There's also some stink. Stink that will likely only get worse the deeper they get.

As Chongyun looks around in the growing dark, one of his earlier questions about the Underground is almost immediately answered: this .... this is where the poop goes. ]

I would just like some answers. The Underground has always been a point of interest, hasn't it? [ between the red tape, forbidden areas, and now the assassination... the chance to finally see it can't be missed. even if he is indeed regretful of the fact that it's where the poop goes. ] We can text each other of their guard-posts and patrols. [ after a slight moment of consideration, ] I personally would like to cover as much ground as possible.

[ He'll go anywhere. If he plans on seeing it all, it doesn't much matter where the first stop is.

He gives Ritsu a sidelong glance. ]

Am I going to be carrying you the whole time?

( What kind of question is that after he's gone and make sure Ritsu's so comfy against him? )

Mmmm-hmm, so let's pair up, Chokkun. ( ...He'd been thinking about what other factions might stand to gain from sneaking around here too, especially after the chitchat he's heard around the bar he works at with Emily as of late—but he hadn't thought either of the Tamamo who decided to come along would have any designs on it.

He still doesn't, but he'd be lying if he hadn't considered that they shouldn't split up by factions. ) Ah, and Sakamoto's right—the kappa like it down here 'cause it's dark and wet. I can do without the second, but I love how dark it is, too ♪

( vampire nature and all, )

But 'kay, so that's three for givin' the waterworks a good look-over and one "doesn't matter". ( And Ritsu... is more or less the same way. ) We can check over them while we're moving downwards, then.

( Ritsu's not just looking at maps, though. Tapping... slowly... Okay.

Ryouta, Chongyun, Shylock, and Lan Wangji all get an invite to undrgnd. It's now their private group chat, for communication purposes!! Satisfied, he flips back to the map pictures. )

...I think a way down's that way ( glancing up—left, maybe? ) so let's get there and get this search going.

So the kappa love the dark and damp, then...

[ the more shylock knows. he'd done his best to rescue a kappa back when enma was wrangling them up... maybe he should've hidden them in a wine cellar instead? ah well.

his phone is already out anyway, but he's surprised at this new "group chat" feature, which he will tinker around a bit once more as they turn a left corner and down a-- hm. a stairwell is visible from where they're at, but: ]

Shall we take the stairs? We might be easily spotted if we take the elevator when it stops at every other floor.

[ it's a hassle, but it's too much of a risk earlier on. ]

Ah... I'm going to have to get used to that.

[ he's not used to people knowing who he is yet. servant paranoia dies hard.

he's also keeping mental notes this time and that's more enma-related suspicion just volunteered. ~~please continue validating him.~~ ]

I didn't think it was always up for grabs until recently, but funny about the timing. So much for "order"; they might as well have said they're turning a blind eye to things around here. Worse comes to worst, act like we caught you Tamamos poking around where you don't belong. Bet they won't look twice~

[ hiding in plain sight is how he survived as long as he did. ]

Edited 2022-04-17 09:12 (UTC)

[Lan Wangji sticks with the group, heading for the stairs and keeping his eyes and ears on high alert -- if this were a D&D adventuring party, he'd be rolling a new perception check every few steps. something just feels off about the environment down here, with the oppressive air lying heavy over everything. this isn't an underground tomb, but it is the grave of the kappa who died down here so that whatever this plan was could

he'll pause for a moment at the bottom of the stairs to make sure he understands the new group chat function, and his eye does linger for a moment on Ritsu leaning on Chongyun. there's a feeling that wants to be nostalgia tugging at his throat as he watches the dark-haired youth draped against the painfully correct blue and white. he does not indulge it to let it develop further.

when the time comes for a turning, he'll be satisfied with however the others want to split up, he thinks. there are things to keep an eye on in all combinations of this group.]

[ Weak to dark-haired mischievous gremlins, Chongyun further resigns himself to his fate with a sigh and carries Ritsu after Lan Wangji and toward the left. If it’s going to be like this, he’d rather just give Ritsu a piggyback ride the whole way. It’d be easier. He could just be a koala navigator. ]

The stairs sound like a good idea. Better to attract less attention. I’d rather not get arrested, fake or otherwise.

[ You know, just in case they are caught and their acting skills aren’t up to snuff. He’s not in the mood to end up in real jail … though, belatedly, he realizes that might be the best route to finding the most evil spirits in the city. That’s been pending on his investigation list because of no good leads.

That’s an idea for another day.

Swapping groups every so often and covering more ground that way—seems like a good enough plan. Chongyun has no complaints about it, just nods to it, moving further into the darkness. If it’s between sun and shadow he’ll take shadow as well, the cold growing as they descend quite pleasant. These kappa have the right of it, aside from the whole poop business.

The lights are few and far between. He pauses at the end of another tunnel that has several branching pathways to glance at the others. ]

Then, should we split here?

( ...Well, he doesn't have to suffer the embarrassment of holding Ritsu for long--when the split pathways come up, he slouches off of him and stretches. He's not that tired, after all. It's night-time, and while he's getting used to daylight hours, he still likes keep late hours more.

And picking here to split off at? That's not a bad idea at all. )

Already throwing us under the bus, Mr. Rider? [ shylock lets out a chuckle. ] Let's hope it won't come to that. Playing pretend or not, I do wish to maintain camaraderie with the Sutoku so long as we're here.

[ he has a lot of sutoku cr okay, he likes y'all enough. in any case, he did say he needs to check out the actual sewers for himself, so off to the waterworks he goes. ]

[Lan Wangji personally won't be satisfied until he can see everything down here for himself, and his glance will follow Rider and Shylock before he moves to keep pace with Chongyun and Ritsu, at least for now. he wonders what each group will find, and whether they'll all keep sharing whatever is discovered.

encouragingly, based on the interactions so far, he has a fairly positive feeling about it. but there isn't enough information to say.]

Ah... only as an act, of course!

[ sometimes he has a suspicious face but he means well~ ]

I hope it won't come to anything like that either, but who knows? Especially the farther down we go...

[ he definitely wants to get a look at those offices at some point, but first the waterworks... ]

closed | call me snoopy 'cause i'm putting my nose where it don't belong

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