jigokulogs | ( OPEN ) this is where it starts

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( OPEN ) this is where it starts

Who ⬤ Samatoki Aohitsugi

deathrespect & open
What ⬤ Substories & mingle prompts
When ⬤ 3.5 and on
Where ⬤ Shuten territory, Night Parade area; all over otherwise
Content Warnings ⬤ Drinking, aphros, missing persons trauma, violence and blood

NOTE: Samatoki is a CRAU from Slumscape and is housing his Oni, Genkei; more info can be found HERE, and his permissions are HERE.

i. ) • ARENA.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

( Nemu doesn't seem to be here, either, and that twists him right up.

Samatoki feels Genkei in the back of his mind; he's watching, the way he always does, feeling like a coiled spring. There's that, at least. The last thing he remembers from before is a full merging, confusion. The rain had stopped, but —

No use in dwelling, Samatoki. Genkei tells him. Get in there.

Samatoki hates feeling like he's obeying Genkei. It's more often than not simply an agreement, but trudging off towards the rest of the party and the fights still feels like he's trotting off to be a good boy.

He's found a drink, at least, keeping an eye on the fights towards the center. )

Fuck, what a match up. That kid's gonna get stomped.

( He'd bet on it, but he has more sense than to bet right now. Blood spills and he can smell it immediately, like incense to herald an offering.

The fighters in the center sure are good at putting on a show, even if the smaller of the oni is getting wrecked. Doesn't know when to quit, looks like. Someone near him, a little close; he regards them carefully. )

You a gambler or something?

ii. ) • RAISE SOME HELL.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

( He's had some drinks. Nothing Tamamo, but their spirits look pretty good compared to the Shuten fare, if he's being honest. Once he gets one of those in his hand, he finds he's liking it more than he thought he would.

So he sucks don one and then another, watching all the revelry around him carefully. Genkei's terribly quiet the more he drinks, which is ... odd, given how much he likes drinking.

He starts to feel a little fuzzy; dumb, eventually. Something's off here, but he doesn't mind it much. Maybe in the morning. He stumbles slightly, bodily into someone close. )

Ah — sorry, you okay?

( He sounds a bit too concerned. )

I didn't step on you, did I? This drink's ... stronger than I thought it'd be.

( But he's upright, still. No swaying or anything, not even slurring his speech. )

iii. ) • SWEET JACKET.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// closed to shuten comrades.

( Hungover; head pounding, mouth dry. Samatoki sucks down water this time, nudging gently the person beside him who's on the same job. The guy with the jacket ahead of them, peacocking a bit with that obnoxious jacket. )

Something's up with this.

iv. ) • NIGHT PARADE.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// closed to hizen.

( Samatoki and Hizen haven't said a word to one another, but they're working in tandem; the oni at the taiyaki stand seems to be content to let the two youngbloods do all the work.

Once they're all done helping with some signage, their payment is a few taiyaki. He burns his mouth on it, swearing: )

Fuck. Why do I always do that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Caramia isn't exactly thrilled with this job but 'stay in your room where it's safe' is sadly not a job the Shuten clan offers. He's been glancing around nervously the whole time, just expecting something horrible to jump out at them at any moment. And the guy they sent him with looks... not well. Possibly hung over? He freezes for just a second when he's suddenly spoken to.

Still, he agrees with the assessment. There's no way that gaudy jacket is being envied by anyone.]

Probably. But...

[He glances at the guy to make sure he's out of earshot.]

Why do you think he's being attacked?

( He shrugs. )

Youkai are weird. Some of 'em operate with ... interesting moralities.

( Or purely out of grief and rage; he doesn't add that, though. )

If I had to guess it's because he owes money. Either that or whatever lives around here is pissed off at men peacockin' around like they don't have bills to pay.

( The last one is a joke, sort of. )

[He nods. Owing money seems pretty likely, although he does wonder why the attacks seem focused around this one bridge. Wouldn't a debt collector be more persistent than that?

But before all of that, Caramia does feel the need to point out the obvious.]

Why would he use this bridge at all? Couldn't he just take the long way around?

[Speaking of Mr. Gaudy Jacket, he's strutting down the street like he's some kind of celebrity, occasionally offering a grin and a wink at attractive passers by. Classy.]

You think a guy like that's gonna take the long way, or the most populated way?

( Indeed this route across the bridge is better lit than the side streets to the other side are. Certainly more people. )

Oi, boss. ( Definitely a joke, that one. ) Did your attackers say anything when they got you?

( He replies in the negative. Not much other than rage and bloodlust. )

... Seems like this bridge ain't gonna end.

Good point.

[Yeah the way this guy just soaks up any amount of attention he gets makes it pretty clear that between being safe and being seen Mr. Jacket will always pick the latter.

And now that they're on the bridge in question it's only a matter of time before something- Oh. Caramia suddenly stops in his tracks.]

Do you hear that?

[A splashing sound. Something is moving in the water below. He nervously glances from one side to the other, wondering if now might be a good time to start panicking.]

Yeah, I do — fuck, look out!

( There's hands over the railing of the bridge, and then there's more movement, a lunging forward and scream from the youkai below.

Samatoki is quick, jumping in to pull Caramia back so the hit's not as hard. )

(They don't say a word to each other and Hizen likes it that way. Unlike a certain spirit that will not be named, Hizen doesn't work particularly well with people. He's impatient, prickly, and easily riled up. But Samatoki seems to be an easy person to work with. He hasn't done anything to annoy Hizen yet and that's saying something in this place.

That said, Hizen's mood seems to lighten up some once the oni offers them food. He watches intently as the oni pours the battle and even fills it generously (!!!) as a reward for their work. Finally set free to enjoy their lunch break, Hizen opens his mouth and is about to bite into his taiyaki when Samatoki starts swearing in pain

and closes his mouth. Instead, he opts to break his in half to release some of the steam first,)

It's best fresh. (So he isn't going to judge him for rushing for the first bite. Despite his flat tone, he's in a good mood right now.) You don't wanna wait for it to get cold.

(And that's! Fine! He says as he takes his own bite.)

I never got sweets much back in Yokohama so it looked good.

( Plus he's been working hard. Let him eat!!

Then he mumbles: )

Getting hungrier than is normal lately, feels like.

(Oh, what a mood, but Hizen isn't going to really mention the fact that sweets are a luxury he's only recently really been able to enjoy for himself.

That last little bit is interesting though and Hizen turns to give him, well... not his full attention but definitely a little more than he had before,)

You usually don't get hungry?

(Aren't humans... supposed to eat though?)

Eh ... It was ... kinda weird in the last joint I ended up in.

( He startles at the memory, hands jerking upwards. Flashbacks he has to will himself out of. )

Can't trust some of it.

...

(He doesn't get what he just saw or what he could mean by something being weird about "the last place." Look, Hizen doesn't know his life story or anything. And sure, the food here can be weird and after the welcome party, he's going to be wary about who he gets his drinks from but

being hungry sucks)

... You like dango?

... Dango's good.

( His grin is small, boyish, with his Oni fangs poking through. )

[ Felix really cannot believe he's doing something like this, but he's not going to just do nothing to work on his role here. So here he is with the other when he gets nudged and just looks positively annoyed. ]

Something like what? The fact that he thinks it's just because of his stupid jacket?

Yeah. I mean, I've seen this kind of shit.

( He takes a drink of water, shakes his head. )

Youkai attacking people for jackets wasn't out of place in the last joint, some days. I just meant I wouldn't be surprised if shit hits the fan over something as dumb as gaudy outerwear.

In a place like this, I wouldn't be surprised.

[ ... ]

It'd just better end up being a fight that's worth the time. As it is, the foolishness being supposedly behind a simple article of clothing is nonsensical enough.

[ Either way, he thinks he's prepared for trouble. Though there is no telling of the scale of it just yet. ]

You're practiced, then.

( Good. He feels Genkei stir in the back of his mind then, perhaps a second too late, to the both of them:

Watch out. )

What are you—Fuck!

( Enter the bridge youkai, claws and teeth bared against them.

Samatoki jerks out of the way, scraping his claws against fabric, skin. )

[ While the stores in Shuten seem to have more melee-specific weapons, it doesn't mean that Felix hasn't been able to find a blade in some other store. Though he would prefer something he is rather used to, he will have to work with what he managed to scrounge up.

Which is better than being unarmed, to be quite honest.

He too manages to hurriedly step to the side, as it would be unfortunate if he got caught in the swiping of those claws. It is entirely possible he may sustain some clothing damage by the end of this, however. ]

Look at that, trouble almost immediately from the start. Let's just get this over with.

[ Immediately, Felix leaps into action, drawing the kind of blade he is relatively unused to in order to slash at the creature in front of them. ]</small.

Hell yeah.

( There goes that Oni bloodlust.

Samatoki braces himself for impact when the assailant turns on him. He takes the hit, laughing through the pain. Swiping in turn, there's blood already. )

[ Well, that was a heart-pounding moment of welcoming tension. The movements his current partner made were also etched in his head, as not something he'll be forgetting anytime either.

It seems that Samatoki possesses some skill. But...the laugh in the midst of it had also brought back some kind of unfortunate memories. Ones that he was not going to forget anytime soon.

But, whatever the case, the two of them have now currently managed to take down the oncoming assailants. So, as they're finishing up, Felix will sheathe his blade. ]

Hmph, what trash.

Did they honestly believe they had a fighting chance?

[ His tone is harsher, sharper now despite the fact the adrenaline is wearing off. ]

At least they went down fighting. I even got a warm-up in.

( He flicks some blood off of his claws; definitely going to need a weapon of some sort. One that isn't a busted microphone.

He looks around then, seeing the jacket guy has absolutely taken off. )

... Fuckin' coward beat feet.

[ Well, that is true. He feels he did get some kind of warm-up in there so he can't disagree. But, Felix does pause when he realizes that, yes, the other man has definitely scampered off to who knows where. ]

Seriously? After all of that trouble, and he still runs off...

[ Honestly! ]

That fool isn't going to get far acting like a coward in a place like this.

Takes all sorts, I guess.

( Although it can be hard to find your way being a sneaky coward.

He flexes his claws, shakes them out, looks over the scene. )

Probably best to get outta here too.

Fine.

I wouldn't want to deal with anymore of those pathetic creatures.

[ Because that's what they are. Pathetic.

Well, whatever. It's all over and done with, which is what matters in the end. ]

I'm going to grab something to eat.

Mind if I tag along?

( Said so casually. Even if he feels awkward asking, he knows the value of making connections in a place like this. )

Fine. I won't stop you.

[ Felix doesn't care much about making connections, but he also doesn't care whether someone decides to come with him. It's not like the man he has been fighting with had acted as a nuisance. ]

Maybe there will be something that isn't trash around here.

( Real friendly, huh. Just as well.

Samatoki follows Felix at the same clip, pulling out a cigarette and sticking it between his lips to light. Hopefully he doesn't mind. )

You explore much around here already or nah?

[ The friendliest guy around! ]

I have, but not everywhere. And you?

[ They're in luck, at least. There's a stall which is nearby so Felix will start heading there as well. And as long as the smoke doesn't fly in his face Felix doesn't care, though he does throw him a brief look to examine the lighter because they don't have that on Fodlan. ]

Feels like I've been out more than I've been at housing. But it's a massive place, so I think we're in the same boat.

( He shakes the soft pack at Felix; an offering. He has no idea if this guy smokes or not, or even if they have similar smokeables where he comes from.

All the same, he takes a seat at the stall. The idea of ramen makes him feel a little ill, and for a moment he considers skipping out on it. The last place he was displaced at had a ramen stand with ... questionable meat.

He asks for takoyaki and tries to keep his face straight. )

[Dazai is leaning against the nearest flat surface, lazily following the fight.]

Not today.

[He wouldn't mind gambling at all - and he'd probably make some money off it, too - but everything here is still new to him, and he's not taking any chances just yet. An advance on their pay, indeed... That's just a debt by another name, isn't it?

Belatedly, he turns to look at Samatoki.]

Yourself? [Here to gamble, or -... Well, the man does look like another oni.] Or are you next in line to fight?

( There's a story there, one he doesn't pry on.

But at his question, Samatoki's lips quirk up in a grin. )

Thinking about fighting more than gambling. I'll probably be more game after a few drinks.

Better not make it so many that you'll be game over.

[Dazai says it for the joke value, really. He honestly doesn't care too much if this gentleman wants to get himself killed, after all. But between the joke and the necessity to forge connections, which at this point he stands the best chance of doing by acting friendly, he couldn't resist.]

Good one.

( It gets a genuine laugh. )

I got more sense than that.

( ... Said as he snatches a drink off a passing oni girl's drink tray. )

In that case, maybe I'll have to gamble on your fight, after all.

[Possibly even in Samatoki's favor! ... But also possibly against him, depending on how this conversation goes.]

I'm Dazai Osamu. May I have your name so I know who to bet on?

Samatoki Aohitsugi. Good to meetcha.

( He takes a deep drink, feeling warmer and more loose already.

Then the oni in his head laughs, ever amused at his host's antics; the laugh is broadcasted to Dazai as well, of course. )

... Man. Shut up, Genkei.

[Of... course. Don't we all have an oni living in our head that broadcasts laughter on a daily basis?

Orrrr not really. Not Dazai, anyway.]

Beg pardon?

Ah. You heard him too?

( Sometimes he can't tell when it's broadcasted out to others, or when it's solely meant for him. )

Fuck. I probably sound fuckin' batshit.

[Well, that is one way to put it. And, frankly, a very accurate way to put it, too.

But telling semi-stranger they're batshit isn't normally the way to build connections - at least: not positive ones - and so Dazai will politely refrain.]

If you are, then clearly so am I, since I heard him as well.

[And Dazai is many things, but batshit isn't one of them. (... Not everyone might agree with that, but whatever.)]

Out of curiosity: who is "he"?

Ehh ... Long story. He's an Oni who lives in my head.

( He chimes in again: I'll never tire of you explaining this. Go on.

Samatoki pulls a face, but continues anyway. )

Name's Genkei. He's a douchebag. Found him in my head in the last joint I got displaced at.

For a long story, you're putting it very succinctly.

[And Dazai appreciates that. It's a fairly crazy story, after all: may as well start with the mere skeleton of an explanation, and build from there.

Especially when there is a lot more being said here than "just" an extreme and possibly supernatural case of multiple identities.]

You've been displaced like this before?

Eh, yeah. Once.

( Which was enough.

Then he laughs wryly. It's a bitter sound. )

Listen to me ... I probably already said way too much, hah.

[Once is certainly enough. Every world you see, every life you live, is one too many, in Dazai's opinion - or it would be for himself. Others do tend to take these things more lightly.]

No... I wouldn't call it "too much".

[In some ways it's not enough, even, and yet Dazai feels reluctant to push for more. Maybe it's because he does think one life in one world is more than enough. Maybe he just needs more time to figure out what he'd even ask about, if he were to start asking questions.]

I suppose we should be glad, then! At least: I haven't yet heard of a lost soul here who gained a bonus youkai upon arrival.

Glad? Maybe for you; you don't have a bonus youkai.

( Watch it, boy. )

Wonder if there's any more'a us here. I can't be the only one ...

And you had one from the start. [By some definition of "start"...] If getting a youkai familiar doesn't happen when you go to hell, I don't see how I'm luckier or less lucky than the next man to end up here.

["Familiar" is definitely not the right word for it, but sue him. It's a funny mental image.]

That said, it's interesting that your oni hitched a ride all the way here...

( You watch it too. Kids these days.

That one's for Dazai; Samatoki barks out a laugh. )

He, ah. ... Has nowhere else. Guess we gotta stick with each other for now, heh.

I hope he at least pays rent.

[Definitely the only problem with having someone live in your head: them not paying you for it.]

If by rent you mean belittling me and commentary on anything I do, sure.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( OPEN ) this is where it starts

i. ) • ARENA.

ii. ) • RAISE SOME HELL.

iii. ) • SWEET JACKET.

iv. ) • NIGHT PARADE.

Sweet Jacket- and I am very sorry

help them both omg

Re: help them both omg

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Sweet Jacket;

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sorry for the late reply! do you wan to skip past fight maybe? or

It's all good! Yeah, we can transition to post-fight. \o/

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i

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