jigokulogs | [open] a real nightmare

[It took Dante forever and a fucking day to figure out what he would wear. Contrary to popular belief, Dante used to put a lot of effort into his appearance prior to the soul-crushing depression. He was a triple threat in his younger years. Handsome, charming, and fashionable was how people used to describe him before he hit the bottle harder than a drunk prom date. He really let himself go over the years, but Dante never had to worry about gaining flab thanks to his unique biology.

Nevertheless, all this preening and shit feels foreign to him now. He could barely recognize the man in the mirror after shaving off the scruff and trimming his hair a little. Dante looks pretty damn good whenever he gets off his lazy ass to take care of himself. You would think that fact alone would be enough to get him to do so but alas, the man is lazier than a sloth in summer.

Finding the right outfit doesn't take long, especially since Dante planned on wearing his signature red duster. However, he incorporates it with this dignified ensemble underneath for the hell of it. It's not every day he gets the chance to look nice, right?]

Do I honestly need a reason to ask you out?

[He asks with a faint smirk as he studies Majima from head to toe. There's a hint of mischief in his gaze, nothing malicious but Dante is clearly feeling playful.]

Nice look. It suits you.

[Feeling more than a little peckish, Dante gestures for Majima to follow as they search for a table.]

[ It hits him strangely to be told he looks nice. Majima generally considers his physical appearance a lost cause. He can never do anything about the eye he's missing. The wound is always going to be there and the eyepatch only obscures the damage, not the knowledge. But... he had put it together with Dante in mind... so it feels good to have done that part well. It's a convoluted path to a little pride but he gets there.

He is also... very aware of Dante. Listen, not a lot of this Western type of handsome floating around Tokyo or Osaka. Even if there were, they wouldn't have been asking out any banished yakuza. It's a little baffling to him and he doesn't feel like he's really pinned down what Dante is thinking. ]

Wouldn't have really thought I was your type.

[ Goromi might have been cavalier about how out of his league she is, Majima is... not that. ]

[To be fair, sometimes Dante doesn’t even know what he’s thinking. It’s a common theme at of late ever since he got the chance to meet “Goromi”. He’s painfully out of his element here but he hides it well with his usual charm. Even so, this is one of the rare times he actually tries to hit on a guy for once. While Goromi is 100% all woman and then some in his heart, he’s really curious about Majima overall. He wants to see where this goes even if it means possibly getting suplex by the gangster.]

Yeah? Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.

[He gives Majima a cheeky little wink before finally finding an empty table by the window. All eyes are on them, especially the youkai folks. They know who the hell they are. Dante has done enough prize fighting to make a small fortune ever since he arrived here. He’s trying to save up on cash in hopes of opening up a bounty hunting service in town. While being in a clan has its perks, Dante misses being his own boss.]

But don’t worry, I plan on remedying that.

[He gestures for Majima to take a seat, all the while fighting to urge to pull out his chair in a gentlemanly fashion. Listen, his mother didn’t raise a slouch. Dante knows his manners but he barely uses them. Although, Goromi certainly got the royal treatment last time.]

I’m just surprised you accepted. I figured I annoyed you.

[ That's fair enough. He doesn't know Dante at all and Dante knows a version of himself that isn't even a real person. It had felt good at the time, over the Night Parade, to just let go and have some fun but he's also made himself a couple of awkward messes. Majima himself isn't particularly clear about what the right etiquette should be for all this. He sits, arranges the heavy weight of his tail so that it's comfortable, and then turns his attention back to Dante hesitantly. ]

...Most people are at least a little annoyin'.

[ Majima is world weary. Exhausted in a way he doesn't know how to describe after losing his eye. It's not something he talks about, so it never really gets put out there just what he's so tired and put upon for. He'd rather people thinks he's just annoyed with them personally rather than explain himself to anyone. Depression is a bitch, maybe Dante knows something about that. ]

But, uhm. Guess I already played my hand that ya aren't so bad.

[Maybe it’s that world-weary persona that appeals to Dante the most. Goromi is fun and all but she’s nothing more than illusion created to hide the pain much like Dante’s silly antics. That honestly could be it, especially since Dante is just as tired deep down. He endured a lot since the Temen-ni-gru incident, enough to write a full length novel and then some. While he’s hesitant to talk about any of that shit, that faithful night at the top of the tower haunts him to this day. Dante never forgave himself for not saving his brother. While some claim that Vergil was beyond saving, Dante desperately wanted to believe otherwise. However, by the time he found the resolve to save Vergil, he was already too late. His failure to save the only family he had left in the world haunted his every step.

That is until he met Nero, his…his nephew.

While he’ll probably never admit it but meeting Nero was the best thing that could’ve happened to him. He wasn’t alone in this cruel dark world anymore. That cheeky brat really did save him from himself.]

Yeah, but I figured you had to like me or else you wouldn’t have come.

[He says before flagging down a waitress to bring them some alcohol. Even though this is a semi classy joint, Dante isn’t much of a wine drinker. He typically likes vodka and whisky more but sake is a close second along with shōchū. He blames Musashi for that since she constantly orders that stuff whenever they’re out drinking.]

You don’t seem like the type to put up with bullshit on your spare time.

[He rests his chin within his hand and gives Majima a lazy smirk.]

I would ask what you like about me but that would be boring. So let’s spice things up a bit.

[He leans in a little closer.]

What do you don’t like about me?

Edited 2022-05-21 03:00 (UTC)

[ Maybe he finds a bit of bullshit a little entertaining. He gets pushed into the role of responsibility because he knows the yakuza well, but he's just a dumbass hooligan himself. From that perspective, he likes what he sees; when he gives himself the permission to see it. The list of positives is solid, whereas the disapproval list boils down simply, ]

Ya don't like to do what yer told. It's gonna cause trouble down th'line. So it's a little smarter not t'be in your blast radius.

[ Yet, here Majima is anyway. He does not claim to be all that smart, actually. He looks up when the waiter stops at their table, whiskey is always the answer with Majima. It's the snake possessing him that has the love affair with sake. ]

Rules are meant to be broken~ [Dante practically sings in that breathy timbre he’s known for.] What can I say?

I’ve always been a rebel at heart.

[While that might be true, that doesn’t quite explain why Majima is here. Isn’t he concerned about linking up with a disaster like him? There’s bound to be some fallout eventually. Dante has made it well known that he doesn’t give a fuck about this yakuza stuff. Yet even so, Majima is right here. It seems someone likes rebellious forty-year-olds.]

Just admit it, you like rebels.

[He teases before snatching the the entire bottle of whisky from the waitress rather than the glass. This is going to be a hefty bill tonight but Dante doesn’t mind splurging.]

Bad boys are always sexier, right?

[He pours Majima’s glass first before his in a subtle sign of respect. They might be the same rank in the clan but Majima been a gangster longer than him.]

Edited 2022-05-21 03:53 (UTC)

[ Majima opens his mouth to say something but it doesn't even come to him. He has no defense for himself. No one has ever really talked to him about his taste in men before. It's not something you discuss with your yakuza buddies. It's something that can be tolerated by the yakuza as long as it's kept silently behind closed doors. So while Majima has no problem with the reality of his sexuality, it becomes much more complicated to him when someone wants him to say things out loud.

He accepts his drink, a little flush in the face. ]

Didn't swear up t'meet losers, did I.

[ Obviously he romanticizes outlaws. Defiance and strength and unruliness. He takes a small sip of that drink before he can get any more embarrassed. ]

[Is Majima getting a bit flustered now? Cute.

Dante can't help but grin like the little gremlin he is. Internalized homophobia is a thing and all, but thankfully they're on the same page here. He doesn't care what anyone thinks about him, especially not some gaggle of punks like the yakuza. Dante grew up on the not-so-kind fringes of society. He's an outsider, so he can't relate with Majima in terms of his ties to the yakuza. However, he is glad to know Majima is quite aware of his tastes.

That makes everything so much easier.]

Neither did I, bad boy.

[He blows a kiss to Majima before taking a generous sip of his glass. This particular brand of whisky has a hint of caramel to it that makes it a little sweet but not overly so. It blends surprisingly well with the oaky notes but it's a tad dry.]

That's why I'm with you.

Edited 2022-05-21 13:42 (UTC)

[ He can't help it, laughter bubbles out of him. Maybe it's because he was genuinely uncertain about how this conversation would go and now the tension is broken, but he just doesn't laugh like that very much anymore. That's probably a point in Dante's favor. ]

All right.

[ He agrees to this assessment when he's stuffed the laughter back down, but the amusement lingers in his expression. ]

Then it's your turn, to pick something ya don't like.

[ It was probably for the best that they snagged that whole bottle, they are a pair of half-demons with a high alcohol tolerance between them. ]

[That dorky laugh baffled Dante at first but it was so infectious that he started laughing too. For someone who looks so menacing and dangerous, Majima sure does have a funny laugh. Maybe it's because he's half-snake or something but man, Dante can't stop grinning now.]

Alright, alright. Lemme see--[He studies Majima for a long while, idly pondering what to say. There are a lot of things he likes about Majima so far. However, there is one thing he doesn't necessarily like. It's no biggie or anything but it's something Dante noticed about Majima.]

You're bossy.

[He states with a half-hearted smirk.]

A little too bossy sometimes but it's kinda cute, I guess.

[ This checks out. That Dante does not do as he's told, and that Majima tells him what to do too much. Majima definitely isn't offended by the assessment. Goromi especially is incredibly bossy, knows what she wants and will have it. ]

Got in th'habit when I was runnin' th'cabaret clubs. Even th'most experienced staff still act like clueless kids sometimes and need ya t'come clean up for 'em.

[ He often talks like he hated that job and that helping lead the Shutens now isn't what he wants but in reality he's always trying to help and support people. Get them on the right track, get them the right skills. If that comes out domineering sometimes, so be it. ]

Ain't gonna get less bossy.

[ For the record. He outranks Dante as it is and he'd have to really fuck up to lose Toraguma's attention now. Not that royally fucking up is out of the question, this is Majima we're talking about. ]

Edited (sweet double negative) 2022-05-22 01:22 (UTC)

Makes sense.

[He can't help but smile as he sips his glass. Majima is a hard worker through and through, but imagine having to work with a bunch of idiots every night. It's no wonder why Majima can be so bossy at times, but thankfully Dante finds it oddly charming. Though, Majima sometimes can irk his nerves occasion.]

You're lucky I like you, bud.

[Dante finishes the rest of his glass with a satisfying sigh before pouring himself another glass. However, he's quick to fill Majima's glass too.]

Also, do you prefer steak or seafood? This restaurant is pretty good with both.

So ya put up with me tellin' ya what t'do, an' I put up with ya not doin' it?

[ Is that how this is supposed to work out? Now that they've talked about it that way... sure. Why not.

Although there is always the problem of Nishitani, who has already shown he will gladly show his teeth at people who buck Majima's direction. That's an entirely different conversation that Majima is not ready to have.

So he thinks about food instead. ]

I haven't eaten a steak in ages.

[ That kind of meat is prohibitively expensive in Tokyo when you're just a low tier yakuza. ]

Only place t'eat in Hakagemachi was the convenience store an' one ramen shop. Kinda nice bein' around real restaurants again.

Edited (sweet mobile typo) 2022-05-22 03:02 (UTC)

Sounds about right. So, do we have a deal?

[Yeah, why not? Dante is willing to make things work with this little compromise. While he's a bit hardheaded sometimes, he typically means well. The same goes for Majima and his inherent bossiness.

As for the topic of Nishitani, Dante really doesn't know what to say about that dude but he's curious. That loudmouth changed his fucking tune so fast, and Dante knows it had nothing to do with him. However, he'll inquire about all that when the time comes.]

Ew, convenience store steak?! That doesn't sound good at all.

[Japanese-inspired convenience store food is nice and all, but Dante isn't fond of eating that crap. If he's going to destroy his gut, let it be something greasy with loads of mozzarella cheese on top.]

Then how about we both order steak? It comes with a decent salad and some tasty veggies.

[Dante isn't much of a vegetable person but even he has to eat his greens.]

Edited 2022-05-22 03:17 (UTC)

[ Hm? Majima pretends to give this consideration. Yakuza never accept any deal at the jump, it is customary to make the other person sweat for it a little. But when he looks back up, his smile is a little rakish. He'll even raise his glass to it, ]

Deal.

[ For good or bad, Dante doesn't know the half of what was horrible about Hakagemachi. The convenience store food was not even among the worst offenses. Majima has a rule about not talking about the ramen incident over food, so he's sure not mentioning it now. ]

It was this one 7-Eleven, still runnin' in th'middle of an abandoned yokai town. Not much else to choose from. [ A small shrug. ] Mostly lived on cigarettes an' whiskey anyway though.

[ He occasionally still does depending on how dark his mood gets. ]

So I'm lookin' forward to somethin' nice.

[ Thanks for the dinner, old man. ]

[Dante can't help but roll his eyes as Majima pretends to think about it. It's a fair deal and Majima knows it. That's why Dante doesn't look too concerned. It's a "Yes" or "No" question. Even if Majima declined, they would still be good enough friends and enjoy dinner nonetheless.

Dante is cool with whatever but he can't stop himself from grinning now.]

Asshole. [He mutters before flagging down the same waitress from earlier.] Two steak dinners with a salad for me and my friend here.

[He was briefly tempted to refer to Majima as "aniki", but that probably would've ruined the mood.]

Medium-rare, btw. I doubt there's any man in Jigoku-cho who would want to ruin a fine slab of meat by turning it into overcooked leather.

[That parting comment wins a smirk from the waitress, who's a youkai, of course. Some pretty red-head fox lady who's been giving them the eye. The two of them make a striking pair, especially since Majima here has a friggin tail.]

You really should give the cancer sticks a rest, ya know.

[He teases once the waitress jots down their order onto her notepad.]

Whiskey is a healthy enough choice but cigs? Nah!

[ He is an asshole, and he smiles blithely in response to Dante's grin. Assholes must be someone's type. His attention flicks up to their server with patient attention, they are eye-catching and they're in the Shuten chain of command. She's probably wondering if they're going to be a problem for her later. He quietly sips his drink while Dante quips with her. He won't be explaining to Dante at the moment that his yokai has been known to like raw meat of a particular kind. ]

Runnin' cigarettes was my first job when I was... dunno thirteen? Yer gonna be hard pressed gettin' any yakuza t'stop.

[ It's a deeply ingrained cultural thing for the yakuza. They'll give it up over their cold dead fingers, to be quite honest. ]

Pretty sure I ain't all th'way human anymore anyway.

[ If he was, he wouldn't be able to handle how much Chijoku smokes, drinks, eats. ]

Edited 2022-05-23 00:09 (UTC)

[Dante might be half-demon and all, but he still prefers his meat semi-cooked. His more demonic side could probably eat meat raw but that's something Dante isn't ready to explore yet. The keyword here being yet. He probably won't have much a choice in the future since this is yokai town.]

Really? That's a better task for a kid than devil hunting.

[He was rather young when got into the whole mercenary business. Young and violent for the most part. He had no real authority figure in his life minus a few badass women he met along the way.]

Well, no shit. [He can't help but grin as he regards Majima.] You're kinda like me.

Edited 2022-05-23 00:28 (UTC)

No devils in Tokyo t'hunt. Just regular old assholes t'fight.

[ Majima was one of many unwanted children who ended up out in the streets. The Japanese government has some issues with getting out its social services, it has a preference for simply pretending problems don't exist rather than taking action. It's excellent recruitment material for the yakuza. So Majima spent his childhood fighting for everything, on his own. That's how you get the feral in front of you now; a sensitive and loyal feral whose potentials were squandered by an uncaring world. He went looking for purpose in the yakuza and ended up like this instead: down an eye and alone again. ]

Got there a little different, but sure. I don't mind bein' half-yokai. Some of th'other people from Hakagemachi aren't so down on it either.

[ Not everyone though. Some of the possessed still long to be free of it. ]

[Ironically enough, Dante used to be just as feral. He grew up on the fringes of society in a hellishly dark world comprised of violence and strife. Poor Dante had to grow up quickly to survive. As long as his father's demonic blood flows through his veins, he'll always be a target. That's just something he's grown to accept, especially nowadays.

However, he can only imagine how hard Majima had it. Just the idea of being some normal kid growing up in such a grimdark world makes him a little uneasy. It doesn't seem fair, honestly. At least Dante was a friggin demon and all.]

So, you sorta like it? [He questions with an arched brow.] Forsaking one's humanity for power is a common theme as of late.

[Dante almost lets out a scoff as he thinks of Vergil. The two of them are long overdue for a talk. If Dante ever sees his brother again, they're going hash things out with words rather than swords. That's a promise.]

The snake isn't listening to us now, is it?

[This is an A and B conversation, so the damn snake can "C" her ass out of it.]

[ Majima coughs into his drink. Haah, well, ]

He's always listenin', he's just gotten polite enough not t'interrupt every five minutes.

Oh yes, I am exceedingly polite.

[ The snake isn't normally visible when one isn't looking. But when he speaks up, people tend to start looking and that is when the ghostly serpent is perceived. He's wrapped all around and through Majima, a knot of thing that is impossible to undo. ]

We were gonna die in Hakagemachi, if we didn't do somethin'. Wasn't really about human or yokai. But we... got a good partnership goin' on. We're both gettin' what we want.

[Dante can't help but make a face once he hears the serpent. Snakes are cool and all, but talking snakes give him gross biblical vibes. It's bad enough that his parents named his brother and him after a fantastical god-fearing poet but this snake business takes the cake.

Even so, Dante can't complain too much about the dumb snake. If it wasn't for Chijoku, Majima probably wouldn't have survived.]

If that's the case, I guess I can Venmo snakey's portion of the bill.

[He's joking, of course. Dante has this entire dinner covered.]

Well, I can certainly relate to that. My devil side doesn't speak to me, but I always feel its presence as clear as day. It's oddly...comforting sometimes.

[Even when in Devil Form, Dante is still Dante. He has complete dominion over his body and mind regardless of what form he takes. It's kind of fascinating.]

Gochisousama.

[ The snake says wryly. As long as he's getting fed and boozed, he's really not that inclined to cause a disturbance. It's that Nishitani fuck he wants to mess with. Majima's mouth just twists into a slightly embarrassed little smile. ]

Guess ya understand then.

[ Majima is not a big talker about feelings, so that's probably as close as he's going to get with that sentiment. Chijoku has his back, no matter what. Their fortunes are tied together and they're determined now to see what they can do, where they can go.

Maybe that has a lot to do with why Majima decided to come out tonight. Jigokucho is difficult. It's so much like home while not at all being home, but it's a place where he's free and a place where he has some control and power in his situation. He's doing his best and trying to find himself again. ]

Yeah, yeah.

[He tries his best not to crack up but he does. Chijoku has a dry sense of humor that only a seldom few can appreciate. Thankfully, Dante is among the few.]

Now scram, scaly. I'm trying to flirt with your handsome friend here.

[He laughs before taking a generous sip of his glass again. It takes a while for the alcohol to kick in but after several glasses of whisky, he's starting to feel a little buzzed.]

That I do, in more ways than one.

[A grin lingers upon his lips before he suddenly asks the next question.]

So, what do you like about me?

[open] a real nightmare

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