jigokulogs | ( open ) 003

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Who ⬤ Hizen Tadahiro & you
What ⬤ Catchall for May & June
When ⬤ May
Where ⬤ See prompts
Content Warnings ⬤ N/A for now

SUBSTORY 1: MOON MEDICINE

(It was just mochi. How dangerous could mochi be? There's a reason why mochi is up high on Hizens' list of favorite foods and it's because mochi has never done him wrong.

… Yeah, this definitely isn't his brightest moment and in his defense, he never pretended to be particularly smart.

It's a warm, sunny spring day but Hizen is bundled up in his hoodie and a scarf. No matter what does, he can't fight off this chill and even being out in the sun isn't helping. Desperate, he tries to buy a hot drink from a vending machine if only so he can have something to warm his hands with and

it just takes his money without giving him anything. He tries one more time and gets the exact same result! He can be found sticking his arm up the slot, shaking the machine, or punching it. Sensitive to being watched, he turns his head to see you. Yes, you and snaps, teeth chattering,)

What?! (He's defensive,) Stop looking!

(And please don't perceive the fact that he's literally shaking while he yells at you.)

SUBSTORY 2: VEND ME A DREAM

(They had to retrieve a photograph of a certain host and then bring a hitobashira some takoyaki from a particular vendor that required waiting in an obscenely long line that never seemed to move. After getting the takoyaki, they had to go to a cafe and find a kitsune who was actually a very offended tanuki who asked them if they tried the vending machine alley on the other side of the city. When they get to the alley, they find a strange vending machine in the place that should have had the vending machine they were looking for. It looks like it's been replaced with one that just gives ominous mystery items instead.

His body is small and can only hold so much frustration before he explodes. He lets out a yell when he sees the vending machine,)

Aaaaaaaah! (He kicks at it which makes it beep and flicker,) Where the hell is it?!

(An entire floor full of vending machines and the right one isn't even here.

Maybe you were already with Hizen on his quest. Or maybe you were also led to the hall of vending machines. Or you just heard about this weird place and want to try your luck for unrelated reasons.)

SUBSTORY 4: HANIWHAT?

(He isn't the most sensitive person, even back home when he knows what to look out for. It's easy for most things to slip past him if he isn't paying attention, especially in Jigoku-cho where there are so many things happening, a strange occurrence here and there can be overlooked. But these dolls are strange. He isn't an expert on them but he recognizes them for what they are. They're old; far beyond in his time or knowledge. At first, he hadn't thought much of them but the more he noticed them, the more uncomfortable he became.

These things just feel bad to him. They make him uncomfortable and put him on edge and when he hears that the Enma are calling for them, he's relieved. Good riddance. He has no idea what they're up to but it isn't going to be his problem.

But everyone is so nosy. Everyone wants to push their luck and see what they are. They touch them, they move them around, they treat them roughly, and it just makes him feel anxious. When he sees you checking one out, he snaps,)

Oi. Leave it alone.

(He's clearly irritated,)

You're gonna get in trouble if you keep messing with it.

GENERAL: SHUTEN TERRITORY

(Hizen can be found checking out some of the weapons stores in Shuten territory. He isn't looking for a new weapon— he's perfectly content with his own sword, thank you very much. But when your true form is your sword, weapon maintenance is important. He's shopping for oil, cloth, and other things to take care of himself and he's also asking around to see if anyone can recommend a good smith but no one really wants to give out their source. Instead, they keep trying to sell him a new sword,)

I told ya already, I'm not interested.

(Yeah, but they really don't want to give out their suppliers. It's bad for business, you know?)

I don't give a shit about that. I'm just looking for a guy that can fix things.

(Well, if your sword is broken then might they recommend this one here? It's quite popular with the new recruits—)

I'm not broke!

(Kind of a weird thing to yell but yeah.)

OPEN TOP LEVELS

I'll be adding more top-levels and linking them here so they don't end up lost in the other comments,

⟡ Post-Intro Mingle: (It's raining, it's pouring)

WILDCARD

❀ If you have another idea for a prompt or would like to plot anything out, let me know
❀ Plotting comment here
❀ contact; eski | discord: eski#9874 | PM

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ it was a sight that's hard to ignore, and yuuji would've intervened a lot sooner if he recognized that boy from the first glimpse, but he didn't. instead, the sorcerer was a mere spectator of a public tantrum between a small group of other strangers, contemplating if he should stop that crazy man or not. you know? perhaps he should do his job and restore order or whatever. the enma way and all. he should— but he just walked out from an all-night shift and he's ... tired.

the moment he realized who that guy was, yuuji perked up a bit and pushed through the crowd, making his way toward hizen. he didn't even flinch when the other barked at him, merely smiling. ]

Those things can be annoying, huh? Let me help you out.

[ from a closer perspective, yuuji noticed something is off— but chose not to comment yet. ]

(He's so cold he's angry and look... at this point, a part of his sleeve is stuck on something in the machine's slot and he can't get out. This is truly embarrassing but instead of feeling warm from his embarrassment, he's still cold.

Ah, it's that kid though. He recognizes him from the funeral but he can't help but snap again,)

I d-don't need help!

(Ah, his teeth are chattering to the point he really can't help but stammer and that's stupid. God damn human bodies are annoying sometimes. You get a little cold and you end up having to sound like an idiot too? Terrible.)

-- Just trying t-to get what I paid for.

[ a blink- ] Are you ... shivering?

[ he didn't wait for an answer, instead he moved closer and peeked over the other's arm. it didn't take him long to realize this boy is— stuck. he muttered 'hold on' under his breath, and what seemed like a dumb idea at the start, which involved yuuji shoving his arm along with the other, somehow ended up with him freeing hizen from this tiny prison.

alas, he may have ripped off some fabric around the sleeve in the process. a small price to pay as hizen can always buy a new hoodie. considering how close they are, their shoulders touch briefly, and yeah— that boy is actually shivering.

but ... it's so warm out here? how is it possible to even feel this way? with a confused frown, yuuji dismissed the vending machine dilemma for a moment. ]

Are you sick or something? You're having a weird case of the chills here.

[Some of the dealers were a bit on edge already because apparently an Enma had made their way here, but were quickly mollified by his friendly demeanor. It seems like he just wanted a new weapon and they were suddenly all more than happy to help him.

Cain was oblivious to the tension his presence brings, but he's at least observant enough to know these people were trying to rip him off for a shoddy product. He knew his swords at least...

Luckily he heard someone else yelling, and it was about swords, so a figurative light bulb went off in Cain's head. Perhaps he was a local down here, and knew more where he could find something relatively decent?

He could find the man by sound at least, and squinted in the direction he thought the man was.]

Hey, I heard you're looking for a sword-do you know anyone trustworthy down here that might have something affordable?

No.

(And he tries to will himself to stop. He holds his breath and tries to think warm thoughts. Kotatsu, hot tea, warm sake, a good hotpot...

And now he's just tense. He freezes, body locking into place as he tries to restrain himself. He hates this. It's embarrassing. It's so embarrassing, he wants to fight. Yuuji reaches in to grab his arm though and what he feels catches him off guard. For the first time in hours, he feels warm Yuuji is close to him and for a brief, rational side of him thinks, "Well, of course, humans are warm."

Still, he dislikes being close to others and once he's free, he immediately pulls himself away and feels the chill settle in again.)

I'm fffine. (In a poor attempt to keep his teeth from cahttering, he just ends up hissing his words,) 'S just cold outside or something.

(It is, in fact, not cold.)

("Oh, so you have money then? Might I interest you in--" The keeper tries again and Hizen slams his fist on the counter in frustration,)

That's not what I meant!

(And it's then that the owner has had enough. The fine! If his goods aren't good enough for Hizen then he can try somewhere else but he won't find a greater deal here and it won't be here later when Hizen comes crawling back.

Hizen hisses when someone else approaches him. He's clearly in a poor mood after this interaction and it's just Cain's misfortune that he's caught Hizen at a bad time,)

I'm not looking for a sword! (He's yelling,) There's nothing wrong with me!

[Cain just held his hands up. He couldn't see the guy but he could tell when someone was losing their shit.]

Hey! Woah. Sorry, I think there's been a misunderstanding here. My bad, really. I don't think there's anything wrong with you. I just need a sword and you seemed to know a lot...how about we leave these gentlemen alone and talk somewhere quieter, okay?

[Cain held out a hand for him to shake, as long as the man didn't mind it was a little bit off from where he actually was.]

You're lying.

[ -his tone is oddly casual despite calling the other's bullshit. with a tilt of his head, yuuji stood there with his hands on his hips, unsure if he should just— drag that guy to a nearby clinic against his will or not. hizen is one of those stubborn people who would put up a fight, even if it's not in their best interest to retaliate, and they might not have the luxury of wasting time with endless negotiation. the temperature drop is not something they should downgrade; it can be fatal.

but, how can he help him? hizen's guard is up, heavily loaded with cannons and a massive 'do not touch me' sign on top. hmm. ]

A terrible liar, too.

[ a friendly tease. he then starts unbuttoning his jacket, tugging and shrugging it off his shoulders. it's not a heavy fabric, more fitted for a light breeze in a spring's morning— but he offers it to the other anyway. ]

You should head back to your apartment if you're not feeling well. Is it close?

[ barton had just purchased an iced coffee from a nearby vending machine, notably without issue. the can clunks into place, and he retrieves it, snapping back its pull tab with a gratifying tssshk. well, it would be gratifying, if it weren't for the massive amounts of noise coming from his right. ]

[ barton peers over, and admittedly, does stare. this looks like impending vandalism. ]

What's wrong with you? Cut that crap out.

[ the kicking, punching... the shaking... all of the above... ]

(Reference.)

(After the welcome parties and slipping away to get away from the exhausting energy of the Shuten crowd, he ends up caught out in the rain. Ah, he really thought he could beat it before it got too heavy but now he's out without an umbrella, his hood pulled up over his head, and taking cover under the awning of a building.

He holds his hand out to catch some of the rain and frowns. It doesn't look like it's going to let up any time soon. Maybe he should just bite the bullet and make a break for home.)

[ shylock hasn't had the time to mingle with the newbies much, unfortunately. the karaoke session coincided with his schedule at one of the more lowkey bars in the tamamo area, so he had to leave the mingle pretty abruptly.

it's too bad, because business today seems to be rather slow tonight. doesn't help the fact that it has just started raining cats and dogs outside that shylock had to squint at the window to see who else is stuck in the rain at this hour--

ah. look what the cat dragged in.

smiling to himself, he slides away from his post at the bar and walks out the door as quietly as he could, hoping to surprise hizen with his usual alluring voice ever so close to his ear. ]

Leaving so soon?

You do get into the most difficult situations, don't you?

[Out of the gloom of the rain tips a familiar bullseye-patterned parasol- holding up remarkably well for being made of paper- and Matoba's smiling face beneath it. Was the little sword on his way back from the Shuten shindig...? Well, no matter.]

You don't have anything for the rain? [Matoba looks him up and down. Obviously not, and... he doesn't really expect that of him, either, but after a moment, Matoba seems to come to a decision and gives a little sigh, tilting his parasol towards Hizen.]

...Very well. Shall we head to the stores to find you something?

[Work is done for the night and Monts is thankful because she wasn't particularly comfortable looking at the shirime who was asking for help obtaining a certain item while at the club. She didn't promise immediate results, but assured them that she'll look into it.

Presently, she was just planning on heading home passing by the usual line of vending machines, but the young man yelling at them gives her pause. Leaning backwards she peeks to see what the heck is up and watches Hizen vent his frustrations.

When the noise dies down she calls to him, curious.]

Hello! Let me know if you're drunk, mad, or both!

Edited 2022-05-09 04:16 (UTC)

[At some point, Norimune and Hizen crossed paths during their respective errands of errands. Somehow, their same initial request split off in two different directions? And ultimately converge somewhere, and now they decided to team up.

Norimune's checking out the other vending machines, mostly to see what they have here. Because hey, maybe they have something neat in them? He can spare some changes for them. And who knows, maybe the one they're looking for is among them? He looks over when he overhear Hizen's frustrated yell.]

Not that one, I take it.

(His temper is short, his general personality is unpleasant, and he is coming down from an angry high right now. When you're the spirit of a sword, the last thing you want to hear is someone suggesting your true form might be flawed or need to be replaced. It's a personal insult! One that he takes particularly personally, too.

He glares at Cain and doesn't say anything else for a moment. One might even think he was counting down from a hundred or something just to regain his calm. He's self-aware. He knows how he is. And he knows Cain isn't the problem so he tries... to recenter himself. Tries.)

Fine.

(It's more forceful than he means to and he just grabs his purchase (already bagged) from the counter and leads the way out the shop. Looking back, he snaps,)

Hurry up before I change my mind.

(Hey, I just met you (recently) and this is crazy but don't call me out for who I am maybe?)

(This is, in fact, exactly the kind of person he is, though. Yuuji would have to drag him kicking and screaming to a clinic because he knows he isn't sick. He knows what's wrong with him. It's that danged mochi and he's too embarrassed to admit it out loud.)

Shut up.

(Ah, but--)

W-what're ya doing--

(Except he knows exactly what he's doing and bro, if he's going to be embarrassed, the least his body can do is actually feel warm from it.

He doesn't get this kid. He's so nice that it's weird (it's not).)

... 'S out by the other Shuten places.

(And they're out in Sutoku territory more or less. He looks down at the jacket suspiciously. It's like he expects there to be a catch? He's still shaking, though, to the point he just feels tense.)

(He's shaking so hard from the cold and anger that he feels like he just leave his body right now. Holy shit how can any physical body possibly contain itself when you're shaking this hard? He could just project himself into a whole out of body experience right now.)

The hell?!

(Seeing Barton with a drink on the first attempt after this dang machine ate his money three times pisses him off. He's so pissed.

(He never pretended to be a smart spirit.)

Teeth chattering,)

Can it-t-t. This is between m-me and this piece of junk!

(He punches the machine! It beep, beep, beeps and flashes.)

[Honestly, he's had way worse. Hizen hadn't even threatened to murder him yet. Besides he appeared to be-trying to restrain himself? At least that's what it sounded like. But the man finally stomped his way out of the shop and Cain followed the sound of his footsteps, relieved he didn't have to argue any further.

Once they were a good distance away, Cain turned towards him-he hoped-and held out a hand again.]

Listen, I know it sounds weird but can you shake my hand? I can't see you until I do. Don't wanna run into you or anything by accident.

(Hizen is used to dirty work. He is an assassin and a spy, skilled at observing enemies and taking them out in the dark quickly. His vision and hearing are as sharp as he is but right now, he's off duty. He isn't paying particular attention when he hears the bar door open. He figures it's just a customer leaving and he makes a point to avoid eye contact and not look. What he doesn't expect at all is for that person to lean close and whisper--

He jumps and scurries away. He dashes right out into the rain and stares at Shylock, eyes wide with surprise.

Yeah, Shylock scared him.)

What the hell?!

(It's a familiar sight and Hizen scowls. It's times like this that he really hates being seen.)

It's just rain.

(He downplays it. He refuses to make a bigger deal out of it than it really is. It's not like he's going to rust standing out here in the rain for a little while.

He looks at Matoba's umbrella, eyes narrowing and regarding it and him carefully. He knows better than to think Matoba is kind. (He reminds him too much of that man and Hizen will never forget what he did.) He doesn't move, feet firmly planted where he is.)

Aren't you going somewhere?

(Why go out of his way?)

(He yells one more time for good measure because his fury is bigger than his body and he needs to let it out some how. With that out of his system, he can finally answer even if it's short and snappy,)

I'm pissed! (He kicks the machine and it just lets out a sad beep beep...) I've been working since this afternoon!

(And now it's night time! It's night! He's hungry! He's tired! He's angry! )

[ oya, he didn't expect the spirit to get so easily spooked. don't mind shylock chuckling to himself, now. ]

You'll get soaked through at this rate. Let's warm you up.

[ he waves his hand, beckoning hizen back and into the warm and cozy bar. come in, come in. ]

(The one they're looking for is not among them but maybe there's a rumor about a certain vending machine in a certain row and how if you push a certain button, it'll grant you a fortune for what you're looking for... not that Hizen believes in that!!!)

No!

(He feels like he's going insane and he kicks another machine that lets out a sad beep beep noise and dims.)

I bet it isn't real! We don't even know what the hell we're looking for.

(He has a hand to his chest, Shylock! His heart is beating harder than it has in weeks but he's quick to calm himself. The rain keeps a hot head pretty cool, you know? He looks at Shylock and then up at the bar's sign. He hadn't even realized... but Shylock had said he worked at a bar, right?

He's getting soaked. The longer he stays out like this, the bigger of an inconvenience he'll be when he finally goes someplace and well... Shylock is okay. He's fine. Hizen could have worse company.

Cautiously, he takes a step towards the bar and another. Like a stray taking it's first wary steps into any new place...)

... This is where you work?

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✩ substory#1

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Shuten territory

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1

(OTA) POST-MINGLE, IT'S RAINING

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sub-story 2: vend me a dream

Vend Me A Dream

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1/2

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