jigokulogs | ( open ) 003

Entry tags:

( open ) 003

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 | Flat

[ 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. ]

[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?

[ 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.)

[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.

[ The voice calling out brings pause to action, his hand is extended out, fingers just a couple of centimeters from making contact. No, he wasn't merely looking at the figure but his intention was to pick it up. Although now briefly distracted he looks towards the person attempting to get his attention and then he glances back at the figure. He has a choice, his expression doesn't hide that he is considering both. Slowly he leans forward, and just when it seems he will touch the odd clay figurine he stops. ]

Isn't there a request to retrieve these for the department?

(Mini Event: Turf War)

(Tensions between the Tamamo and Shuten have always been an issue. Someone had pointed it out to Hizen a while ago that maybe... Tenkohime and Toraguma had a history or something? Well, it's all just a rumor as far as Hizen is concerned. Still, with the fighting picking back up again, he finds himself more troubled these days.

He never asked for this promotion. He isn't even sure how he got it if he's being honest. But with things picking up, he's sent out to keep an eye on some Shuten grunts here and to bail another group out of trouble there.

In a contested area on the border of Shuten and Tamamo's territory, a brawl breaks out. Some younger Shuten members, their judgment impaired with alcohol and youthful pride, go after some Tamamo workers. They yell something about them playing tricks and scamming them out of their money. It was all a trick! Get them drunk, say some nice words, and keep pouring before they can even say stop while charging insane prices. They refused to pay, they tried to get their money back, and... well, it looks like the Tamamo have finally hired some more muscle, huh?

The Shuten members are just low-bit thugs. There's no skill. They're the type of punks that get by on strength alone. When faced with skill, they aren't much. They can be taken down easily enough but that doesn't stop them from getting up and trying to fight more for the sake of their pride.

Hizen sighs. Having finally found one of his groups... and deep in it, too. What a drag. )

Oi! (The small-time youkai look over to see who's calling them this time.) Causing trouble?

(They try to explain themselves. They were scammed! Tricked! They're just teaching a lesson. The kitsune snap back from the sidelines that they did no such thing.)

What a pain in the ass... (He steps in front of his subordinates, hand resting on his sword, ready to go,) I ain't listening to no fox.

You. (The familiar face. Jack.) Is it true?

Edited 2022-05-22 12:07 (UTC)

( June: Beach Event )

(He wishes he could just enjoy the beach in peace instead of it having to be a huge social event. Instead, he's surrounded by more people than he'd like and as usual, he has his orders from the boss to do more... things. What the even is volleyball and why do they care so much? He's watched it and it seems like so much effort.

The only thing he's really looking forward to is being able to eat and drink but he'd rather do it with other company than with everyone. Ugh, he's too introverted for this. He's too much of a wet noodle for these things and he knows it. His beach style is about what you'd expect. Dark swim trunks, a red, short-sleeved hoodie, and... even at the beach, he keeps his neck covered. At least this time, it's a little neater than what it would usually look like but it's still haphazardly wrapped.

He still finds himself gravitating towards a certain tiki bar. He notes that the drinks being made for the event are different from the ones he's had before. A lot of these look more colorful. There are little umbrellas in some of them. Everything looks more tropical? It all feels very summery. He gets closer and closer until finally, he can snag himself a seat at the end of the bar when most people are invested in a volleyball match or something.

He watches Shylock prepare a drink, obviously curious about what it is this time.)

( June: Beach Event )

(As expected of Hizen Tadahiro, he skips most of the more social events and goes straight for the food and drinks. It might not be a real beach but it sure feels real. Even the sun feels like it's burning when he stays out too long (it sure is a good thing he has sunscreen).

He chooses his flavor (cherry and lemon) and waits as the yuki-onna in charge works to make the perfect shaved ice. It probably also feels cooler around the yuki-onna's stand if only because of whatever magic they have going on in the area. Makes sense when you're a snow spirit because how else are you going to survive the beach?

And yes, Hizen is getting the largest size they have because he's a glutton.)

( June: Cursed City )

(It isn't Hizen's style to retreat and hide safely while things fall apart around him. This isn't how he was trained. When all things go to hell, he has to go out and do everything he can to make things right. He doesn't know how he can stop the curse. This isn't like trying to correct a failed timeline and yet, he's watching everyone fall into frenzies around him and it brings back too many troubling memories.

It makes him worry about one person in particular and he hasn't heard anything from him recently. He knows Norimune is going to be working with the rest of the Enma to rescue and contain the curse or whatever it is those stuffy guys are but he doesn't care about what the Enma are doing. He cares about what Norimune is doing and it isn't like him to ignore him like this.

The city is huge but he's resolved to find his comrade. After what feels like forever in this blood rain, he sees a familiar figure and makes a line for them,)

Oi! You bastard! Answer me when I call you!

[In the inky darkness, there were dozens of eyes.]

[All of them were looking, watching, as Matoba made his way through the city, a pilgrimage from warded space to warded space, fulfilling his duty as an exorcist. Muttered words could be heard around him too, muffled into the night, but if one stopped and listened carefully their words could be made out past the rumbling groans--]

....Eye.... Where.. is it..... right eye........

[Even though he had evaded its attack already, the curse seemed to be feeding off the energy that had flooded the city, and was stalking him through its gloomth. ...Let it, Matoba had decided, dismissing it with an empty laugh at his own expense as he plods through the streets with purpose, made sluggish and ragged with overexertion. As long as it followed the rules- and it would- its hunger and rage could fester unimpeded on the cursed energy radiating from the Kaigou-no-bou.]

[After all, that strength would only be reflected back onto Matoba, himself.]

[ A point of pride for Kim is his ability to distinguish between his strengths and his weaknesses. It had taken quite a long time for him to actually get to that point, but at the age of forty-three, he likes to think that he's finally managed it. He's effective enough in a fight; he has passed his firearm tests, knows the basics of hand-to-hand and has certainly survived in many a fight, from breaking up unruly drunks to dangerous shoot-outs between warring gangs, to being caught as an undercover cop and being alarmingly faced with a group of very righteously angry and very violent people. He can handle himself there. He knows he can.

These beasts prowling the streets are a different story. With that in mind, Kim resolved to do what he could, which was not to stake his claim on the frontlines and instead do what he was good at: organizing what needed to be done and investigating to the best of his abilities. The Kineema made this task much easier, capable of speeding away or speeding over the monsters in its path. But from time to time, Kim had to stray from its safe shelter. In this case, he had a dolly filled with supplies to deliver to a hideout filled with frightened ayakishi, their home unreachable save for through an alleyway too narrow for his vehicle to get through. So off Kim went, peering around with his sturdy flashlight before venturing forward.

What he wasn't expecting was a beast that made its home not in the alley itself, but in the alley's shadows; evading the laws of matter themselves as a creature, inky-black and horned, with a single glowing eye set deep into its skull and a wide, fanged maw suddenly leaps out of the darkness with a sound like nails against chalkboard.

Kim falls with a heavy thump as it ensnares both of his legs in a massive claw and he lets out a yell of surprise, immediately scrabbling for his firearm and is stymied when a second claw comes crashing down to pin his arm to the ground. He writhes in its grasp with all his might, a collection of flailing limbs and sharp knees and elbows, powered both by instinct and his own strong desire to live as he grasps for what he can to hurl it at the creature.

It doesn't seem intent on killing him, or at least not yet -- just on dragging him away. Regardless, it's impossible not to hear him shouting himself hoarse, frightened and furious in equal measures, and determined not to find out exactly where the beast wishes to carry him. ]

Threaded | Flat

✩ substory#1

Shuten territory

1

(OTA) POST-MINGLE, IT'S RAINING