( 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

[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...... ]

[harimaya]

(Ah.

Well, Shylock isn't wrong there and he curls up just a little more. )

It was fine.

(He dislikes having attention on him. Even now, he feels like he can feel himself being watched (even if he isn't). It always feels like he's being looked down on.

... It doesn't feel like that when Shylock pays attention, though. It reminds him of the others at the citadel who treat him well. Like Mitsutada and Kasen who make his favorite side dishes when he returns from an assignment. Or like Horikawa and the other wakizashi who grab him for snacks in the middle of the night.

Lifting his head a little more to look at the now open cabinet, he reads the labels and looks at the pictures to see what his options are before settling on one,)

... Yuzu.

(Bright and sweet. Something that grows in warm places is also hardy enough to withstand the cold.)

[breweries]

[ yuzu... a japanese citrus that shylock hasn't dabbled with much before. but no time like the present, as they say, and frankly he's excited to try an ingredient he's unfamiliar with. furthermore, that isn't a type of flavor he'd have expected from hizen, so shylock's itching to know more through the art of bartending.

luckily, he knows an easy enough recipe. he prepares the ingredients firsthand, squeezing a whole yuzu into the shaker and adding in the gin, vanilla extract, simple syrup, and a bit of rind from said yuzu. the shaker then seals itself and starts shaking on its own for a bit while shylock puts ice into the glass, then the shaker opens itself and pours into the glass before shylock tops it with club soda and stirs it, adding the garnishes right after.

there we go, a yuzu gin cocktail. he places the drink in front of the sullen hizen with a smile as his counter starts cleaning up on its own. ]

One yuzu cocktail. Do let me know if it's too your liking -- this is my first time using this citrus fruit, so it might not be as perfect.

[ regardless it should be refreshing, even the gin doesn't get in the way of the yuzu's flavor. ]

[harimaya]

(He's never seen a drink like this made before. He's a simple spirit that settles for sake or beer as they are. He perks up just slightly! Clearly interested in his own, subdued sort of way. He even sits up so he can get a better look at it being made from behind the counter. The magic is a nice touch. Not too flashy but just enough to surprise him.

The final product is... another drink he's never had before. Sitting up straight he looks down at it curiously. He can smell the citrus clearly and he takes his first sip, mindful to take the time to enjoy it instead of downing it all in one go. There's that familiar flavor of yuzu along with something that reminds him of... something sweet and baked (vanilla). Then there's the flavor of something he doesn't recognize but doesn't dislike. Alcoholic, definitely, but hm, the closest he can describe it is the scent of a pine tree (gin).

... Like how the walk up to Ryuogu Shrine must be, he thinks.)

It's sweet.

(But not in a bad way, evident by the way he keeps drinking. It's like a treat! Different from the straight drinks he's used to.)

... The other one was too.

(This is probably just how mixed drinks are, he thinks.)

[breweries]

Many recipes require a bit of sugar to be made properly. It's a balancing act -- if there's a bitter ingredient in the drink, it needs a counterpart to balance it out.

[ taking sweetness of a cocktail makes the drink more tart and the liquor taste sharper. the patron may as well have ordered a straight drink instead of going for something fancier.

but hizen didn't. he's curious about what this western wizard does for a living, and shylock can't help but be endeared. he gets another order, and gets to work while making mindless chatter. ]

That said, there are classic "drier" cocktails such as martinis and margaritas. Would you like to try those as well?

[harimaya]

(Admittedly, he's curious but--)

I'm good for now.

(He still hasn't finished this first drink. He's peering behind the bar and Shylock though, at all of the different bottles full of spirits and twists. He'd never really seen anything like this before coming to Jigoku-cho and even here, he prefers plainer settings.)

Do you usually mix all of your drinks?

[breweries]

[ in contrast, shylock hasn't been to a lot of japanese bars before -- they're call izakayas here, apparently? at least some of them do. fufu, now that's another venture he'd like to explore one day. ]

I do. I've been in the business for... quite a while, I would say. This is the third bar I've ever had to establish, actually.

[harimaya]

Back home, we don't do much. Maybe add a li'l bit of fruit depending on the season.

(Looking down at his cup, half empty.)

... But the sake's always good. Don't gotta add anything to it.

[breweries]

I'd love to try it one day.

[ he wraps up the order -- a simple martini -- and serves it up. ]

What do you usually do back home?

[harimaya]

I stay somewhere else these days. (At the citadel in an unspecified location somewhere in Japan.) A lot of chores and fighting. The fighting isn't bad but I dunno why you'd summon a sword to do gardening...

(Another drink, nearing the bottom of his yuzu cocktail,)

... Don't really get to go home much unless it's for work... 's not a real important place.

(There it goes again. Combine this drink with with drinks from the Shuten party, that country twang begins to come out again.)

[breweries]

[ ah, so it is. shylock had thought he imagined it when he offered hizen the drink at the festival a month before, and now it's here again...

hm. he's hardly a sutoku, but one of the perks of tending a bar is sharing information with one another. it helps that hizen is also not human, so maybe shylock can divulge a little bit about himself as well. the younger soul is already on his way to inebriation, isn't he? should be easy enough to do so long as shylock doesn't prod too hard.

he looks at the near-empty glass. wonder if hizen will want a martini after this. ]

You're from Japan, weren't you? I know that our Master Sage is from Tokyo, but where exactly were you from?

[harimaya]

(He'll never say no to another drink...

He listens. A Master Sage from Tokyo, huh? He's heard of other saniwa (also called sages) from similar backgrounds back home and he perks up, his attention caught once again. If he was more clear headed, he'd wonder about it more but right now, he just feels warm and a little cloudy. He didn't think Shylock would know about Japan much before coming to Jigoku-cho. He seemed foreign and not in that from a foreign country sort of way. He seemed like he was from an entirely different world like the others here.

It's easy enough to coax him into speaking as long as Shylock is careful,)

I was made in Hizen. (The same as his name. It looks like he's named after the place he's from more or less.) But 'm mostly from Tosa.

D'ya know it?

[breweries]

[ the same name? shylock can't help but tilt his head quizzically. ]

Not at all, I'm afraid. The tidbits I know about Japan, I gleaned them from the various sages we summoned into our world.

Could you tell me more about Tosa?

[harimaya]

(Get sword lore some day.

He places a finger on the counter and begins to trace a large shape.)

Japan's an island. Ya got the big one and some smaller ones. (And he traces a smaller shape,) There's this one called Shikoku. 'S already small... and ya got Tosa right here.

(And he traces an even smaller shape inside his imaginary island.)

Ain't got much. A whole lotta sea and a bunch of farmers 'n merchants. Used to have some guys at the top that thought they were real big... or at least, wanted to feel big. (And he taps his finger on the counter as he speaks, thinking,) So they just made everyone smaller.

[breweries]

[ might get it sooner than you think!!

he watches hizen lazily trace islands on his counter. tosa kind of reminds him of southern country, albeit with more unexplored land than sea... ]

And you're neither a farmer nor a merchant, but a fighter.

[ "The fighting isn't bad but I dunno why you'd summon a sword to do gardening..."

huh. ]

You mentioned that you were summoned. To combat what?

[harimaya]

("To combat what?"

He becomes quiet and thinks about the answer. To protect history first and foremost. To protect the past so the humans on earth can have the futures they're meant to have. To clean up after the less experienced and sloppier citadels that complete their missions but leave behind loose ends. To evaluate other sages and assess how much support they deserve from the government they're fighting for. To do whatever he's told and whatever they need for their master to succeed.

...

As many drinks as he's had tonight, there are things Hizen still isn't ready to reveal. He puts his head back on the counter and mumbles, )

Whatever they want.

[breweries]

[ they might be going to somber territory. right then, let shylock brighten up the mood a little. ]

Monsters, perhaps? Or strange phenomena. You see, I too was also chosen to fight for my world's safety back home.

[harimaya]

(Looking up from the counter and squinting,)

You fight?

(Doubt.............)

[breweries]

[ with a sleight of his hand, a kiseru pipe manifests between his fingers. ]

I have my ways.

[ it's tempting to take a puff out of it, but this is a no-smoking establishment, alas :( ]