( open ) 003

[harimaya]

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

Comments

(OTA) POST-MINGLE, IT'S RAINING

[harimaya]

(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.)

[breweries]

[ 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?

[harimaya]

(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?!

[breweries]

[ 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. ]

[harimaya]

(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?

[breweries]

One of them. I work as a bartender at various bars in our district. You could even say that I can be found in everything and everywhere, all at once.

[ he needs the money so he's been working nonstop. nice way to build up rapport with the nightlife scene in jigoku-cho too. this time around he is working at a more lowkey place, soft bossa nova music blaring from the speakers as patrons keep to themselves and happily partake in their drinks.

when shylock takes his place behind the counter, it's as if he's belonged there all his life, the perfectly honed customer-service smile on his face. ]

I do remember owing you an actual cocktail, didn't I?

[harimaya]

(In this thread: Shylock reveals he is a cryptid entity that can be found sipping sake and speaking in vague moonspeak instead of saying anything actually useful.

... Or is Hizen just projecting his issues with another cryptic sword boy onto Shylock. Nah, Shylock is better than that old man.

The bar seems fancy-- far fancier than the dives he's used to enjoying. It almost makes him self-conscious. Before he sits, he pulls his hoodie off over him. While not dripping, it's definitely wet. Underneath, he's wearing... a plain black shirt. Peak Hizen style here. He definitely looks like he belongs here (not).

He folds it once and sets it aside at the end of the counter and looks up when Shylock mentions a drink, )

Yeah.

(He'd enjoyed the last one! And he's clearly interested, even if in his usual, subdued sort of way,)

What're you gonna make?

[breweries]

[ can't really blame him for feeling so self-conscious -- lowkey this bar may seem, but there are a few youkai here and there who are descended from absurd wealth judging from the clothes they wear, and they're even quick enough to throw odd looks at the sopping-wet swordboy when he's not looking.

shylock doesn't pay them no mind. his attention is solely focused on his customer at the moment. ]

I was thinking of making you a cocktail that is more suited for your tastes.

[ he takes a glass and starts polishing it. ]

What sort of flavors do you usually enjoy?

[harimaya]

(Even if he doesn't catch them, he knows they're watching. He knows how people are and when he takes his seat at the bar, he puts his head down on the counter.

Mumbled, flatly,)

... Not picky. (But he lifts his head just slightly to look up at Shylock and the wall of bottles behind him. They look expensive. It's the first thing he notes about them.) As long as it does something, it doesn't matter.

(He'll drink anything if it gives him a little bit of warmth or a burn the way alcohol does. We drink to fill the void in this house.)

[breweries]

[ well, at least his clientele would mostly keep to themselves the entire night. wouldn't want to disturb the peace the bar is offering from the heavy rain outside. so hizen should have nothing to worry about if it's something that bothers him, judging from that glum expression.

shylock points, and the liquor cabinet opens on its own. ]

That's what you said last time, and you weren't wholly satisfied with it, weren't you?

[ the demon juice was something that was requested by tenkohime herself, but not everyone would be into it. ]

I think you could afford to be a little picky just for tonight. I can't possibly serve you a drink you might not end up enjoying. [ it's fine, king... let him treat you right...... ]

[worldbent]

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?

[harimaya]

(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?)

[worldbent]

It is, [Matoba agrees. He glances up at the sky thoughtfully, fingertips held to the air past the edge of his parasol- it didn't look like the rain was going to let up anytime soon, but at least there was no lightning and little wind driving it.]

[He glances back down to catch that aggressive glare from the sword, and feels his smile twitch wider, just the bit. Always with his hackles up, this one. It was almost cute.]

Yes, [He agrees, tilting his head to motion down the road.] I am headed back to Sutoku territory for the night. It would be on my way to accompany you to one of the 100-yen shops to get yourself a proper covering, but if you'd rather stand under this awning all night.......

[Maybe he would. What a shame... Perhaps he'd overestimated this one's sense of gratitude.]

[harimaya]

(He looks out at the rain. It doesn't look like it's going to let up any time and he wonders how bad it would be to just run back to the apartments. He'd pass the same stores along the way so he could buy an umbrella if he really wanted to. Does he want to? He doesn't really need one, he thinks.

... But it would be nicer to not get so wet on the way home. He'd have to hang everything out to dry and if the rain went on into the next day, it would be more a pain waiting.

He tugs at one of the cords on his hoodie thoughtfully and then steps out under the cover of Matoba's umbrella. He mumbles but doesn't make eye contact,)

... Thanks.

[worldbent]

[Ah, so he has finally fed the stray enough to be able to lead him along a little? It's progress, he notes, even with Hizen's averted eyes and sullen slump under his parasol. The parasol was very wet, but it was holding up the rain so far. Hopefully it would stay that way.]

[Matoba turns and continues on his way down the road that led eventually into Sutoku territory, not particularly trying to keep an easier pace to account for Hizen- he'd better keep up, if he wants to stay dry.]

Did the Shuten also induct a new crop of recruits? [Might as well make some little smalltalk! That's Hizen's favorite thing, right?] Had a little get-together, did you?

[harimaya]

(He can keep up. He doesn't mind that he's still getting a little wet in that way that happens when two people share an umbrella, either. It's far better than being without one.)

Mhm. (A hum in affirmation because Hizen is so great at small talk!) Went to some dumb casino.

(New management or not, that casino is dead to him until they can prove it's better than before! He's tired of going back there. No comment on the actual recruits, though. As prickly as he is, he really isn't the type to talk about people who haven't really done anything wrong to him yet.)

Had some drinks. (And then everything got loud and wild as Shuten gatherings do.) ... Not really a party person.

(Obviously.)

[worldbent]

Oh? Do you gamble, Hizen-kun?

[The rain was really coming down, resulting in some deep puddles throughout where there were potholes or dips in elevation in the street. Matoba weaves back and forth on the road to sidestep them, and past youkai rushing past out of the rain.] That doesn't seem like it suits you.

[The drinking does. Matoba smirks a little at his self-aware quip.]

Parties can be quite useful, though. Even if you don't enjoy mingling, there is always the people-watching.

You seem like you would be talented at that.

[harimaya]

Sometimes.

(It's fun having stakes when he has matches with others. There's no harm in a few casual bets over drinks. But he doesn't really enjoy some of the more structured and organized ways.

Ah, but that last little comment is very on the mark. He is, in fact, quite skilled when it comes to watching people. All of the wakizashi seemed to have a knack for spying and sneaking around. Hizen, a natural assassin, had taken to the role quickly and easily after being summoned. He wonders if that's why the government chose him for summoning. Being able to observe others and give evaluations and reports was helpful when he worked for them directly.)

...

(He's quiet; not entirely sure how to respond to Matoba.

He might not be the brightest spirit but his skills in observation are sharp. He casts a glance over at the exorcist. He watches him for a moment and replies,)

You're being friendly. (An observation,) What d'ya really wanna know?

(Because it certainly isn't his likes or interests.)

[worldbent]

Hahaha, am I?

[What a rude little brat. Maybe he was a little too observant, sometimes, but that was a skill that Matobe valued; it was a skill that he could make use of.]

[Matoba smiles brightly despite the gloom of the rain. He also is not ever going to answer that directly, so:] Was there anyone interesting at your little get-together? The Alliance has some interesting new folks, as well.

We all got to watch a movie. Have you heard of films, motion pictures?

[laughitoff]

[Wei Wuxian likes socializing, especially with people in Jigokucho, who mostly don't come from the same place he does, and thus usually won't threaten to kill him mid-conversation. still, he's got less energy for large celebrations than he used to, and something about the gloomy weather had put him in a bit of a grey mood.

he'd ended up wandering after leaving the festivities, and crossed into Shuten territory to get his regular stock-up of alcohol. Sutoku booze is usually cheaper, but Shuten booze gets the job done fast, which is what he's after tonight, to chase away the gloom.

he's got one already-opened bottle in one hand when he ducks under the awning with Hizen, though he's barely started on it. the rest of the bottles clink softly together in the bag slung over his other arm.]

Ack, ack, ack--oh, hi.

[harimaya]

(Wei Wuxian why is your life like that back home...

Someone stumbles into his awning and Hizen hears that familiar clink of glass bottles. He spots the open bottle in his hand and sighs to himself. Great, he's stuck in the rain and he's going to have some weirdo drunk with him the entire time too. Maybe he'll just suck it up and head home in the rain-- )

It's you.

(He should try sounding more surprised or something... but he recognizes this person and that makes things slightly better.)

What're you doing out here?

(He... doesn't know what faction he's in but he knows it isn't Shuten.)

[laughitoff]

[sometime you just make twenty snowballing bad decisions in a row in the name of trying to do good and then you die, Hizen. it's fine, it's fine. that's not even spoilers, 'rejoice, Wei Wuxian is dead!' is the very first line of the novel.

anyway he's alive here in Hell(?), and nowhere near drunk enough for his tastes yet, but it's a pleasant surprise to see a face he parted with on good terms last time. wait, were those good terms? battlefield good terms, anyway, which is more than good enough for him.]

Ah, well, originally I was drinking, because the beer at the theater wasn't nearly strong enough...but then it started really coming down, and at this rate I think more water's made it into my mouth than alcohol. Really not ideal!

It's nice to see you again, though. How are things?

[rough, he guesses, considering the ongoing turf war and the Shuten area's general vibe. but he's not going to assume.]

[harimaya]

(He scoffs. Yeah, he had the beer at the theater before. It's cheap and honestly not that great. It's quantity over quality there and that's how business is done there.)

I'm alive. (His bar is low and in some very vague, dry attempt at making a joke--) ... You are too.

(Looks like he survived the Night Parade and he seems well enough.)

[laughitoff]

Oddly, yes. To my great surprise!

[it's said lightly -- sometimes making a joke of it is how he copes. no one likes for-real actual death talk dropped into the middle of a conversation with an acquaintance, after all.

he fishes in the bag, juggling things in his arms a little, and then offers Hizen one of the bottles. it's not the super expensive classy stuff, but not full demon rotgut either. certainly better than the beer he complained about.]

I'll toast to that continued state, if you will! If you're not in a hurry to get home yet.

[harimaya]

(Oh, so he can roll with Hizen's terrible attempts at humor. A point in his favor. A tiny little point. What really helps is the offering though. What spirit doesn't love a good offering? He looks down at the bottle...)

Alright. (And he accepts it!) I guess I'll let ya stick around a while longer.

(He can share his shelter from the rain. Live another day.)