Minato "Minakami" Suizenji (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
watermemory) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
jigokulogs2022-05-08 07:00 pm
watermemory) wrote in jigokulogs2022-05-08 07:00 pm
[ OPEN ] double trouble
Who ⬤ Tamamori, Minakami, and whomstever (that's you)
What ⬤ Substory 2 and 4, and a couple other options
When ⬤ Throughout May
Where ⬤ All over
Content Warnings ⬤ None that I can foresee. Will edit if it crops up.
This is a duo open post involvingfuckdogramagra and watermemory, because these two idiots are stapled at the hip at the moment. Harass one or the other or both, though let us know if you’d rather not have threadjacking occur.
Starters are in prose, but can tag in brackets if you prefer.
[ A: Substory #2: Vend Me A Dream ]
[ Location: Various (see below) ]
If anyone asks, this is Minakami's fault for agreeing to lend the shirime a hand—in his defense, he was startled and doesn't know how to say no to these things. Also in his defense, it sounded like a simple favour at the time.
Minakami and Tamamori can be found going round in circles downtown:
— ...in an arcade, trying to win a specific plushie from a crane game for an inugami's chew toy.
— ...at a drugstore, looking for a particular brand of hair conditioner for a nozuchi (What's the difference between regular and leave-in? Did it say what fragrance it wanted? What does hair porosity even mean?).
— ...down sidestreets and alleyways, chasing down a hapless tsurubebi to catch in a lava lamp. Sounds like some cabaret owner is redecorating and insists she needs it for atmosphere.
— ...trying, and seemingly failing, to help a hinnagami take a selfie. It’s likely they’ve forgotten exactly why they were doing this one, but they sure are giving it their all still.
— ...and generally getting hopelessly lost. Tamamori’s complaining that his feet hurt and Minakami’s usual good humour is bleeding away at the seams.
-
[ B: Substory #4: Haniwhat? ]
[ Location: A plaza in Sutoku territory. ]
Well, this one’s Tamamori’s fault, though Mina’s not free of sin for going along with it either. Despite getting cranky and tired by the end of the shirime’s runaround, it’s done its job at getting them situated in Jigoku-cho, and Minakami’s unease at seeing yokai everywhere (when he’s only been told cautionary tales about them and has had nothing but bad experiences with the one spirit he’s had contact with) has somewhat abated. Maybe things are less weird and bad than they seem!!
Which is why the duo can be found at an outdoor table not far from Tamamori’s apartment building. Normally there’s street performers or some kind of noisy event at this plaza, but right now it’s relatively quiet. There’s the remains of konbini snacks and onigiri on the table, and way too many soda cans for just two people.
Minakami has a small stack of books next to him (he’s already found a lending library willing to give a Lost Soul a library card), peacefully reading up on burial customs and ancient pottery. Tamamori has one of the haniwa figurines propped up on the table, rather having a very intense staring match with it, or trying to examine it. Not that he has any reason to be more suited to that than Minakami, but he’s apparently taken this self-appointed task very seriously. At odds with that is maybe the haniwa’s ‘embellishments’—the clay figurine appears to have a very small black felt cap, that looks like it would be from an old-fashioned school uniform. There’s even a tiny badge on the hat brim made from foil.
Spiritual sensitivity? Awful nightmare vibes? What’s that? It’s just a little guy.
-
[ C: Other: this was easier to pull off when they were kids ]
[ Location: Around the Sutoku apartment complex; the hallways, or lobby, or wherever else. ]
There’s no real rule saying that people from other factions can’t hang out. However, ‘hang out’ is a little too generous of a term for the ongoing shenanigans in Tama’s shiny, new Sutoku apartment. Mumbling voices at all hours, that quiet down just before the building superintendent makes their rounds, Tama poking his head out of his room’s door and checking down either end of the hallway before opening it for any reason at all... there’s even an incident with music playing a touch too loud, complete with the muffled sounds of people trying desperately to quiet it down.
It’s all pretty suspicious, and frankly, painfully obvious to his neighbors, no doubt. You could say something, give the duo tips on how to actually pull this stupid grift off, or just complain about the noise.
-
[ D: Other: happy birthday to the ground ]
[ Minakami-specific ]
[ Location: Shuten apartment foyer. ]
Despite the fact that he's made other living arrangements, Minakami been ducking back into his assigned flat every so often, whether to keep up appearances of abiding by the residency rules, or respond to Shuten obligations when they come calling, or store stuff that doesn't fit in Tama's place, or—in this case—to check his mailbox. There's rarely anything there, which he supposes is a consequence of doing everything through the telephone thing, but this time...
Jigoku-cho has adapted fast to the influx of "Lost Souls", and for a functioning, thriving modern city, that means marketing. And mailing lists. Truly, Hell is where data harvesters go. Somehow, his personal details got into the system, and after a little confusion of dates (it's June where he comes from, but May here), eventually the backlog of spam had to go somewhere.
Minakami can be found at the dingy foyer, his mailbox open and overflowing with advertisement fliers and promotional cardstock. He's carrying a shoulder-bag with one hand, and in the other hand he has a cheery-looking card recommending he spend his special day at a Tamamo-run spa (price 25% off for couples!). A tinny little mechanism is singing a legally-distinct version of Happy Birthday.
While his face is a difficult read at the best of times, it is more inscrutable now than ever.
What ⬤ Substory 2 and 4, and a couple other options
When ⬤ Throughout May
Where ⬤ All over
Content Warnings ⬤ None that I can foresee. Will edit if it crops up.
This is a duo open post involving
fuckdogramagra and watermemory, because these two idiots are stapled at the hip at the moment. Harass one or the other or both, though let us know if you’d rather not have threadjacking occur.Starters are in prose, but can tag in brackets if you prefer.
[ A: Substory #2: Vend Me A Dream ]
[ Location: Various (see below) ]
If anyone asks, this is Minakami's fault for agreeing to lend the shirime a hand—in his defense, he was startled and doesn't know how to say no to these things. Also in his defense, it sounded like a simple favour at the time.
Minakami and Tamamori can be found going round in circles downtown:
— ...in an arcade, trying to win a specific plushie from a crane game for an inugami's chew toy.
— ...at a drugstore, looking for a particular brand of hair conditioner for a nozuchi (What's the difference between regular and leave-in? Did it say what fragrance it wanted? What does hair porosity even mean?).
— ...down sidestreets and alleyways, chasing down a hapless tsurubebi to catch in a lava lamp. Sounds like some cabaret owner is redecorating and insists she needs it for atmosphere.
— ...trying, and seemingly failing, to help a hinnagami take a selfie. It’s likely they’ve forgotten exactly why they were doing this one, but they sure are giving it their all still.
— ...and generally getting hopelessly lost. Tamamori’s complaining that his feet hurt and Minakami’s usual good humour is bleeding away at the seams.
-
[ B: Substory #4: Haniwhat? ]
[ Location: A plaza in Sutoku territory. ]
Well, this one’s Tamamori’s fault, though Mina’s not free of sin for going along with it either. Despite getting cranky and tired by the end of the shirime’s runaround, it’s done its job at getting them situated in Jigoku-cho, and Minakami’s unease at seeing yokai everywhere (when he’s only been told cautionary tales about them and has had nothing but bad experiences with the one spirit he’s had contact with) has somewhat abated. Maybe things are less weird and bad than they seem!!
Which is why the duo can be found at an outdoor table not far from Tamamori’s apartment building. Normally there’s street performers or some kind of noisy event at this plaza, but right now it’s relatively quiet. There’s the remains of konbini snacks and onigiri on the table, and way too many soda cans for just two people.
Minakami has a small stack of books next to him (he’s already found a lending library willing to give a Lost Soul a library card), peacefully reading up on burial customs and ancient pottery. Tamamori has one of the haniwa figurines propped up on the table, rather having a very intense staring match with it, or trying to examine it. Not that he has any reason to be more suited to that than Minakami, but he’s apparently taken this self-appointed task very seriously. At odds with that is maybe the haniwa’s ‘embellishments’—the clay figurine appears to have a very small black felt cap, that looks like it would be from an old-fashioned school uniform. There’s even a tiny badge on the hat brim made from foil.
Spiritual sensitivity? Awful nightmare vibes? What’s that? It’s just a little guy.
-
[ C: Other: this was easier to pull off when they were kids ]
[ Location: Around the Sutoku apartment complex; the hallways, or lobby, or wherever else. ]
There’s no real rule saying that people from other factions can’t hang out. However, ‘hang out’ is a little too generous of a term for the ongoing shenanigans in Tama’s shiny, new Sutoku apartment. Mumbling voices at all hours, that quiet down just before the building superintendent makes their rounds, Tama poking his head out of his room’s door and checking down either end of the hallway before opening it for any reason at all... there’s even an incident with music playing a touch too loud, complete with the muffled sounds of people trying desperately to quiet it down.
It’s all pretty suspicious, and frankly, painfully obvious to his neighbors, no doubt. You could say something, give the duo tips on how to actually pull this stupid grift off, or just complain about the noise.
-
[ D: Other: happy birthday to the ground ]
[ Minakami-specific ]
[ Location: Shuten apartment foyer. ]
Despite the fact that he's made other living arrangements, Minakami been ducking back into his assigned flat every so often, whether to keep up appearances of abiding by the residency rules, or respond to Shuten obligations when they come calling, or store stuff that doesn't fit in Tama's place, or—in this case—to check his mailbox. There's rarely anything there, which he supposes is a consequence of doing everything through the telephone thing, but this time...
Jigoku-cho has adapted fast to the influx of "Lost Souls", and for a functioning, thriving modern city, that means marketing. And mailing lists. Truly, Hell is where data harvesters go. Somehow, his personal details got into the system, and after a little confusion of dates (it's June where he comes from, but May here), eventually the backlog of spam had to go somewhere.
Minakami can be found at the dingy foyer, his mailbox open and overflowing with advertisement fliers and promotional cardstock. He's carrying a shoulder-bag with one hand, and in the other hand he has a cheery-looking card recommending he spend his special day at a Tamamo-run spa (price 25% off for couples!). A tinny little mechanism is singing a legally-distinct version of Happy Birthday.
While his face is a difficult read at the best of times, it is more inscrutable now than ever.
no subject
Ah, sorry, sorry- it wasn't noise, was it? [ He's been trying to get better about that- it took him a day or two to figure out the knobs on the cheap stereo he bought on a lark with, well, Minakami's money -but the guilty smile makes the obvious, well, more obvious. ] He's a friend of mine, um, staying over for dinner. [ Just. Ignore the unmade futon also visible in the background, sat next to a much more tidied-up one halfway in the room's thin closet space. ]
no worries about the tdm thread, feel free to drop/handwave away!!
[ Kim should probably know better than to enter an apartment outnumbered by two people whose intentions and dispositions he doesn't know. For all he knows, the two boys are secretly demons who won't take kindly to some old man meddling in their affairs. But his own partnership with someone in a different clan than him and his own past of trying - and failing - to hide old boyfriends from meddling eyes and sour landlords has made him a little soft, he supposes.
That, and he's heard about the ways of the clans here. The Alliance may allow them to get off with a stern reprimand, considering the fact that their leadership still appears to be in shambles. But the other leaders of this city seem less... forgiving, perhaps. ]
Don't worry, you're not in trouble -- and I don't mean to stay long enough to invite myself over for dinner. [ There's a flash of something across his face. Humour, perhaps? It's hard to tell. He glances over at Minakami. ] But you managed to avoid trouble in that brawl, back there. I'd hate for you to find trouble with our hosts instead.
[ He hopes that that makes it abundantly clear what he's here to talk about. The jig's up, boys! ]
no subject
[Minakami throws an apologetic look over his shoulder, dropping the bag by the shoerack before backing up a step or two to let Kim into the flat -- then standing awkwardly by Tamamori with his back to the wall. Two people in the apartment granted to newcomers were already bumping elbows at any given moment, just barely not claustrophobic due to familiarity. Three people is definitely too many.]
[Minakami's lucky, or maybe really unlucky as of right now, that he cannot see a dressing-down coming from a mile away. Besides him being squarely in Madam's blind spot, his parents are, if anything, more serenely mildmannered than he is. There'd been some admonishments from the town doctor when he'd been alive, but that was a long time ago, and the man had plenty on his own plate to deal with as it was. And... well... the less said the better about some other parental/authority figures back home.]
[Given that, he looks surprised, and cracks a small smile at first:] Ah, you remembered-- I do appreciate you looking out for me. I'm glad you got out safe, too.
[Aaand then the smile freezes on his face. Mina's eyes slide over to look at his friend. ANY INPUT, BUDDY OLD PAL?]
no subject
I-is it really that dire? [ For a myriad of reasons, Tama hasn't left the 'Sutoku territory' much. In fact, he's been pretty reluctant to wander at all, worried about getting stranded somewhere with no sense of what to do. If he saw an actual oni, his blood would probably evaporate, and leave him as a husk. Tama turns his gaze up to the side of Minakami's face, brows knit seriously. ] If it is, then...I really don't want us being split up. [ It's not just digging his heels, though, because he looks back at Kim with a pleading look. ] They can't get upset if we rented our own space, could they? Surely other people don't do well living alone, and there's...neutral, or mixed places, so maybe that would be... [ It'd mean Tama would need to get going on employment, but that's not as bad as being alone. ]
no subject
[ It's only to be expected, when people start wailing on each other with crowbars and swords. Which still seems incredible to Kim. He never thought in his life that he would be stuck in a battleground where people were actively swordfighting around him.
That said, he's sympathetic to the compulsion to stick together. A familiar face in a strange place can be a wonderful thing. Setting out on your own is petrifying enough underneath ordinary circumstances, but doing so in a place like this, with youkai flocking around them and violence in the streets? Newcomers need all the comfort they can get. ]
A rental would at least put you outside of the prying eye of our landlord. But in the meantime... you boys must have caught onto the fact that this wasn't allowed, yes? If you're going to break the rules, you're going to have to be smart about it. No more loud music. No coming in without the other there, so you have plausible deniability. Make friends with your neighbours and get them to cover for you, if need be.
[ His eyes flick behind them. ]
And put that futon away as soon as you're not using it. I could see it from the doorway.
no subject
I-I'd heard that there was some sort of stalemate between Tamamo and Shuten [Hard to miss that from Shuten's side, even for a newcomer], but -- we've seen people still meeting cross-faction, and... I didn't know how bad it had gotten.
[In retrospect, the brawl must have been the bubbling-over of tensions built up over time, not just an overreaction to the "deceased"'s "miraculous resurrection", or their subsequent accusation. Hindsight, 20/20...]
[Mina bows stiffly at the rest of the lecture, not least at the remark about the futon that he'd thought he'd put away properly. He does look sideways at Tamamori; even if he's reluctant to pitch the idea, it's probably smart:] ...I don't need to stay over so often, if it'll get you [ok, both of them,] in trouble -- we can talk on the telephone, right?
no subject
No-! [ 'Smart ideas' would be discussing this without Tama's neighbor present, but he's, as ever, an emotional firecracker, puffing up a frown and looking Minakami dead in the eye. ] You're the one I'm worried about getting in trouble...! I'm lucky enough to be somewhere that people would give me a warning- [ Thanks by the way Kim he'll verbally appreciate that more once he's finished shutting this idea down. ] -but I don't want you getting killed off in Oni land if it's this severe! I've- [ 'Seen you die enough' would be incredibly harsh to say, so he bites it back, looking sorry for even thinking. His head turns back to Kim, that same flicker of an apology there for seeing the snap, but he's too 21 to actually say it with his mouth words right away. ] Thank you for worrying. You didn't have to stick your neck out, but I appreciate that you did. [ Tama rubs the side of his face with his hand, displacing the glasses atop his head. ] ...I have to find a good-paying job, that's all. We be careful until then, and then get our own place...
no subject
[ If not for their physical safety, then for their emotional well-being. It's not as though Kim spends a great deal of time confessing his feelings to Harry - in fact, he doesn't think he's spoken once to him about how he truly feels about this place - but it puts him at ease simply to have him nearby, and had done wonders for how rattled he had been his first day here. He crosses his arms and sighs, seeing that his warning has had its desired effect, but that it's gone perhaps a little too far in the right direction. ]
Just take a breath. I don't mean to fearmonger. I don't believe execution is in the cards just yet. [ He offers them a wan smile, meant to reassure. ] It's simply that gaining that negative attention from the clan leaders is unwise, especially when we still have yet to see how they punish transgressions. By all means, meet in public. Talk on the phone. Visit each other. But this? [ He gestures at the second futon set-up. ] This requires more caution than you've shown. That's all.
no subject
...That's right, we've known each other since we were children. I'm not intending to-- we'll be more careful, I promise.
[It's clear that he's... genuinely startled at Kim speaking this candidly, after having sussed these two idiots out. He knows his aunt has her own unique situation that the extended family had looked the other way over (not in a bad way), but Madam's reaching out to him about this kind of thing has been more tacit comments and... lending him lesbian lit like Two Virgins In The Attic. Which was very kindly intended but. not. applicable. In more ways than the obvious.]
[This might be too personal an interjection, but: If Kim's doing them this solid, Minakami would like to return it somehow.] Could I ask who your partner is? In case we're caught up in the same... the same action. I can try to look out for him too.
im personally sorry for this kim
C-can you really talk about that in this era...?? [ Is that. Does the future? But. Wait. Words change meanings all the time, he knows this just as well as any other writer worth their weight in rice, but also he has never even had the faint possibility of...an adult even talking vaguely in this direction. If indeed Kim is, which Tama isn't sure on, but also desperation is at play. Madam didn't even try to give Tama the Two Virgins In The Attic book, so he's even further behind- but he does immediately grip Mina's wrist, even with how flustered he suddenly feels. ] Having a partner, I mean. I know things are different here, but- but that's... [ Maybe the future is cool???? ]
LMAO DON'T BE, HE DESERVES IT
You must be less subtle than you think, Kim, he tells himself, because you've just been clocked. ]
Oh -- no, you misunderstand me. We are police officers. Or were, back where we're from. He's my colleague. [ His eyes dart between the futon on the ground, Tama immediately reaching out to Mina for reassurance, the suddenness of how flustered he looks and it clicks. ] Are you two...? [ He remembers being that age, the death sentence it felt like for anyone to get even a hint about who he truly was, what he coveted, what he feared to reach for. It's what makes him add, hastily, ] It's quite all right if you are.
no subject
Let his innocence on the inimitable reality of Detective Harrier Du Bois exist for like, five more minutes.) He gives an embarrassed nod back, and doesn't immediately notice Tamamori's turning into a corncob next to him until he makes a grab for his hand.]What...? [Minakami hadn't actually picked up on the other possible meaning of "partners", not until Tamamori brings it up and the short but loaded pause from Kim. Even then, he says quickly:] Oh, uh. S-sorry for the misunderstanding.
We-- I-- that is... [Oh buddy no, even if Mina comes from the utopian time before Facebook, he can't really say "it's complicated" about a boy he's cohabiting and cooking dinner with. But if Tamamori's actively fossilizing next to him, one of them needs to take point.]
It's not... As Tama said, people don't. Talk about such things, where we're from. Some people here seem freer about this kind of thing here, but...
1/2 i will do the more serious response to this in the AM but i have to churn this stupid part out
He's going to get blacklisted. This officer is going to blacklist him somehow. Did they have a blacklist in hell? He was going to make it on it. He was going to be on hell's blacklist, never getting published and known to the world by one singular ridiculous mistake made in haste and his grandmother would just sigh at him and his life is over forever. Tama Mizumori, only lived to see his twenty-first year, on account of dying to death in hell eternally. ]
2/2 actually i did it anyway i guess
It takes him a moment too long to respond, blinking out of the temporary fugue, and staring up at Kim almost like it's the first time he's seen the man in a week. ]
So, wait, I was wrong? [ THIS IS THE WRONG THING TO RETURN BACK TO A CONVERSATION WITH BUT HE HAS GIVEN UP CONTROL OF HIMSELF TO THE VOID. ]
no subject
Kim has always been known for his legendary composure both on the field and off of it and his ability to go through practically any situation without showing an inkling of emotion that he doesn't wish to. Which is why it surprises even him when a bark of surprised laughter escapes him at Tama's painfully sincere question. His hand flies to his mouth to cover it and he clears his throat, though his voice wobbles with barely concealed mirth. ]
Khm. My apologies. I know this -- this can't be very funny to the two of you. You're just...
[ Oh, god. They're idiots. They're young fools. It's spectacularly endearing, and Kim can't wait until he's back in the safety of his own apartment so that he can dissolve into laughter. Here, Kim finds himself at a cross-roads: he can out himself in return, or he can let these kids suffer. He's never particularly prone to discussing his sexuality with anyone. It is not a secret, per se, but nor is it something he advertises. He considers the options before him for a moment. ]
Well, yes. You were wrong. I am not in a romantic relationship with my colleague in the police, no.
[ Ah, fuck it. ]
But... I suppose I must congratulate you on your perspicacity. I am a homo-sexual, yes. Though I prefer not to advertise the fact, so if either of you decide to let that slip, I hope you're willing to face the repercussions. [ He makes it sound more threatening than it is; the repercussions would manifest themselves as facing Kim Kitsuragi's intense disappointment and judgment. Non-lethal, not life-shattering, but very, very unpleasant. ]
Your secret is safe with me. So please don't die of a heart attack, [ he says, addressing Tama. ] I've had a very long day, and having to deal with that would be very inconvenient.
no subject
[He can't help feeling vaguely affronted at Kim laughing at them. His best friend is experiencing a rapid-onset existential crisis in the dark night of his soul and you're laughing, Kim Kitsuragi!!!!!]
[He squeezes Tama's hand, in some effort to bring him back to earth. Maybe the reminder of the very-congealed contents of the pan now will?] Eh... Tama, you should probably rescue the eggs.
[To Kim:] We wouldn't dream of -- that is, you're keeping our secrets, we'll keep yours. Erm... Should we call you 'officer,' or...
[It's not that he has a necessarily rosy view of the police -- on one hand, they didn't do anything for certain incidents back home... on the other hand, inaction in one of those cases was at least the best thing they could have done. Still, even if he also can't quite believe police in another time or world would be any more effectual, he's willing to give Kim the benefit of doubt.]
no subject
this poor hotplate is having a character arc all its own in these threads]This is...the first time I've- [ Weirdly, he seems much more capable putting his thoughts, words, and homosexuality in order with a task at hand. ] -been perceptive, possibly ever in my whole life...! [ Being smart is for chumps. Knowing things is for fools. He will instead return to living the blissful life of an idiot. ...gods, he's going to have to make apology food because of this. ] We've never met someone else who was- this is new, so I don't imagine we would have many people to tell, at least...
no subject
[ He's equally comfortable with both; Kim is a bit casual for more polite young people, but here, they're all equals. There's really no point in standing on ceremony, especially as their first proper meeting has been so... unorthodox. Really, Kim hadn't intended to out himself when he came knocking on their door. He'd simply been moved by their panic to do so and was now feeling a little uncomfortable himself, as though the situation had managed to spiral wildly out of control. ]
I understand your reservations, [ he says with a small sigh. ] Homo-sexuality was legalized a couple of years before I was born, where I'm from. Which means that we wouldn't face arrest for it, but it certainly did nothing to protect us from other ramifications.
[ Kim wasn't exactly in the closet. But he wasn't out of it either. He was keenly aware of the ways in which everyone knowing could make his life more difficult and had no intention of making things more complicated than they had to be. ]
They do seem to be more accepting of it here, though I haven't looked deeply into it. You two will have plenty of time to feel things out.
[ Of course they're comfortable with it in Hell, Kim thinks to himself, wry. He knows a certain sort of person who would have an absolute field day with that nugget of knowledge. He offers them a small smile, though, remembering his own trepidation and joy when he'd gone to his first homo-sexual bar. ]
And plenty of time to meet other old homo-sexuals. If your home is anything like my own, we do exist and thrive -- just a little outside the public eye.