[OPEN] someone please suggest cut text and subject title for me

[mahoraga]

Who ⬤ Megumi and awesome people (YOU)
What ⬤ May catch-all - substories, IC Mingle log, Megumi's part-time job, anything else that comes up
When ⬤ Throughout May
Where ⬤ Various places
Content Warnings ⬤ N/A - will add as I go


SUBSTORY #1: thanks mods i happen to love body heat meme

[ This is just about the last time he takes free food from anyone, even if they look like a harmless rabbit. Curse his slight fondness for rabbits. While Megumi went a good half hour with no side effects, the chill gradually sets in after that, his long-sleeved clothing and large collar that usually keep him fairly warm no longer making the cut. The worst part is, the effects set in right in the middle of the busy pavement. He would be able to deal with this better if he could wrap himself up at home.

Megumi tries to tough it out for as long as he is able to, arms wrapping around himself as he tries to keep the shivers at bay. He doesn't particularly like to draw attention to himself or make people worry about him, but it's hard to walk normally when the chill seems to have permeated every inch of his body. ]

What did she feed me ... [ Another day he wishes he could summon Divine Dog. Their fur would actually feel divine right about now.

Eventually, his hands seem to seek heat on their own, grabbing the sleeve of someone nearby to give them a light tug closer. ]

SUBSTORY #2: the one with the butts and wild goose chase

[ As if life couldn't get any harder, upon Megumi's refusal to help it with its pointless request, the shirime in all its eye-in-butt glory has taken to following him around, harassing him with its request incessantly.

"So, you'll help me, right? Hey, are you listening? Will you help me? I want the A5! You'll help me, right?"

There's only so much of being followed around and pestered that a boy can take. He doesn't even know which vending machine the shirime is talking about and it keeps ignoring the question when he asks.

There's only one way to solve this problem: Pawn it on someone else. Though he feels a little bad about this, there's no other choice. Megumi addresses whoever might be nearby, thumbing at the silly-looking yokai who's following him. ]

You. Can you help him?

IC MINGLE #1: welcome wagon

[ Megumi doesn't particularly care about movies, preferring to spend his evenings with a good book. When he does watch movies, it's when he's being roped into it by someone else.

He doesn't have much interest in using the movie ticket but it also feels like a waste to throw it away when someone else might want to use it. Anyone who's hovering around the theater will be approached by a tall young man with a deadpan expression. He straight up puts his ticket in your hand. ]

Here. Enjoy.

IC MINGLE #2: haniwa dolls

[ As the night goes on, and the partying locals and lost souls continue to drink themselves silly, a lot of people are focused on having a good time and paying less and less attention to the sporadically emerging dolls. They were creepy at first, but after the fourth time you see one popping up, it becomes a bit easier to ignore, apparently. It's because people are paying less attention that they're being less cautious and allowing themselves to be exposed to its cursed effects.

At a local nightclub, a fight seems to have broken out, a wolf demon randomly breaking out into some paranoid hysteria about everyone else's faces changing, and charging at the other patrons with his sharp claws. At the center of it all is a haniwa figure, and though Megumi's spiritual senses have dulled immensely, he can still pick up its off-putting, dreadful aura.

The other patrons, some also succumbing to the hallucinations, are obviously going to return in kind. A bottle thrown by one of the angry patrons sails through the air towards your character. Before it can hit, they'll be yanked to the side by a young man with dark hair. ]

I have to get rid of that figure. [ He turns to the person he's grabbing now. ] Go somewhere else.

[ He can handle this!!! (Allegedly ... )

ooc: As a note, Megumi is a helpful boy who will be trying to remove the statues as advised by Enma. He might succumb to the effects after a while and i'm happy to plot it out with whoever ]

PART TIME JOB: book shop boys (later in the month)

[ Megumi has found a part-time job at a local bookstore in the Sutoku Alliance. There are books of all sorts available, and the colourful and upbeat members of the staff (with the exception of .. Megumi, who stands out with how quiet he is by comparison) are always ready to help out.

A: If your character looks unsure of what they want to browse, they'll be approached by a quiet young man in a blue apron, who will point at one particular book in the non-fiction section. ]

This one wasn't bad.

[ The title reads 'Everything You Need to Know About Concrete Engineering'. That's ... so boring, why would anyone (who isn't a builder) ever read it??? ]

[ B: Or, if your character happened to wander near the shelves behind some bashful yuki-onna who quickly takes off and leaves, they might get falsely accused of a book-related crime.

Megumi will approach them with a book in hand (a romance story, apparently) and open up the cover. Written on the pages are the romantic exchanges between two regular patrons, who have chosen to trade their love notes through this one book.

The latest one reads "There isn't a day I go on without thinking about you. I long for the touch of your fingers, to hear the sound of your voice. My heart can take no more of this cruel fate that separates us."

Love between enemy faction members? Whatever, he doesn't care. Megumi looks very unimpressed. ]

Please have your love affair somewhere else.

[ OOC: Do something else with me??? You can reach me via PM or at charsiu (feel free to add) ]

Comments

[rainswords]

[ There is no prior interaction between them, nothing to draw experience from to understand the bookshop clerk's character but he does appear to be wholly serious and diligent. However, that's not enough for Xingqiu to feel assured he can make a case for himself; he does have irrefutable, if embarrassing, proof that he is not the culprit. He opts instead to continue down the route taken, Megumi can figure things out on his own. Besides, this is far more entertaining.

As the book remains open to the page covered in romantic scribble, Xingqiu lifts it out of Megumi's grasp. Holding it against his arm, he flips through it swiftly as only someone familiar with the novel could. Finally, he reaches the text he has been in search of: ...if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.. He points taps at this with his index finger as he shows Megumi.

He averts his gaze momentarily, demure and coy if only to look up through thick lashes. ]

Though I am overjoyed we've managed to exchange but a few words, I am not prepared to speak of sentiment. Not here, not while I feel out-breath, not while my heart beats so swiftly.

[mahoraga]

[ this is grade A trolling

Many months of being the butt of pranks have left Megumi in a constant state of skepticism, always waiting for the punchline in confusing or awkward interactions. As it is, he's just met this other boy and has no idea what his usual personality could be, so he truly has no idea if this is a prank or not. What is real? He doesn't know anymore!

There's a certain pomp to the way the other boy speaks that could indicate that this is a farce, but once again, since he doesn't know him, he has no way of knowing for sure.

There are only two ways to respond to this alleged confession:
1) Tell them to knock it off and go troll someone else.
2) Be sensitive to their feelings and let them down gently.

(Accepting the confession is not an option because he is happy to die alone. )

The latter is what Megumi chooses, because he's naturally considerate. He doesn't want to risk hurting anyone's feelings today. The incredulousness and annoyance in his countenance eases up, the look on his face becoming gentler but much more hesitant. ]

Look ... [ This is awkward! He looks like he can barely get words out, the skin of his cheeks taking on a light tinge of pink. ] I'm not ... looking for anything like that right now. You should probably find someone who can appreciate your feelings more.

[rainswords]

[ Again commitment to this ruse that doesn't allow him to veer off and finally admit the truth. Xingqiu is ready to take this as far as he can, a hawk–dove game in which he is the only one playing. Seeing visible embarrassment only serves to spur him on and despite rejection, the gentleness of words speaks of consideration.

How kind.

Truly kind.

It's almost enough that he is tempted to come clean; honestly, he is seeing that very same road that Megumi is looking down. Content to die alone as the true object of his affection seems forever blind to obvious adoration. Oh, well, it be like that sometimes... Maybe while he's here he can ask about a book on youkai to take on one of those many not dates he goes on.

He finds himself sighing and closing the book, acceptance, that's the next step. Perhaps if he could hear the same words, if he was finally rejected properly then he could move on but not everyone is observant. Perhaps he likes that brand of foolishness. It's kind of cute. ]

I understand. You cannot reciprocate my affection, even while here away from the troubles of our worlds.

But love isn't something that can simply be transferred. True affection cannot be traded or bought.

[mahoraga]

[ With Xingqiu's dedication to the role, he more or less has Megumi believing that this is an actual confession that he's been saddled with. It's not a situation he wants to be in or has any experience dealing with. All he can do is give his honest thoughts. ]

You shouldn't be giving your affection to someone you barely know. You don't even know what sort of person I am.

[ Implying that he is a Bad Boy when he is actually a pure bean. ]

[rainswords]

[ Proving that he is capable of dedication (though unfortunately, he does not direct all his energy to worthwhile causes), Xingqiu does not drop the act. It's far too late, he has traveled too far down this road to go back now. Besides, there was never any expectation that he would get this far; it's kind of amazing really. He had expected the other teen to call him out at some point but so far it hasn't happened.

There is just something genuine, even gentle, under an aloof and cool layer.

Wait a minute...

He doesn't need to devote much thought to the obvious ploy being presented, instead, he is coming to some realization about himself. Everyone has a type, and so does he, this is the kind he enjoys teasing.

Well... the act must continue. ]

There is no helping what the heart wants, perhaps we were meant to cross paths so I could take your hand in mine.

[mahoraga]

[ So he is XQ's type of trolling target huh ... ]

I don't think that's a good idea. [ Holding someone's hand is fairly intimate and it's only going to make the situation worse. He would usually take a more blunt approach and say 'No thanks', but he doesn't want to genuinely hurt someone's feelings today.

Though, this persistence is making him slightly suspicious. Especially since the other boy seems to be reciting cheesy lines you would find in movies. ]

Is this how you always talk ...? [ Hmmmm ]

[rainswords]

[ It would appear that no amount of charm or fancy words would draw the boy before him closer; typical, of course, this is the type. He can cause flushed cheeks, awkwardness, and discomfort but he can't ever quite seal the deal. Although that's getting ahead of himself, perhaps that may be too much. He is actually grateful in this situation nothing is being reciprocated otherwise things were liable to go from awkward to strange. Not so much for himself. ]

Typically? Why? Is there something wrong with my manner of speech? Is it my word choice?

[ He sighs, lightly bringing a hand to his forehead. ]

About what I said before, you seem aghast. Shall I clarify? I don't intend to physically hold your hand, it was merely a way to express that I would lead you on a new experience after becoming acquainted.

But I understand. There is no place for me here. [ His hand lowers to brush over his own chest. ] I'll need time to recover, rejection is painful.

[mahoraga]

[ Well, whether that bit about holding hands was figurative or literal, his answer would still have been the same. He doesn't generally mind making a new friend, but he doesn't think he'll ever be ready for the sort of relationship he's assuming Xingqiu is trying to propose.

Either way, it seems ...that Xingqiu has finally accepted that rejection? Megumi does feel a tinge of guilt. He still can't get a read on whether or not Xingqiu is being serious or if he's just playing a prank, but with his naturally sensitive personality he lends towards being considerate of other people's feelings. ]

Will you be okay?

[rainswords]

Once wounds heal pain may be forgotten.

[ The book had not been entirely discarded, it remained in his other hand but now it is once again held in two as it is offered back to Megumi. With all the scribbles across pages it had lost some value. He does consider the attempt to restore it but it all depends on the price they can settle at. It's all negotiation from here. ]

This book, for now I shall return it to you. Perhaps one day I may return for it.

[mahoraga]

[ This has been a very confusing experience. He still can't quite tell if Xingqiu was being serious or not. Either way he is a very eccentric boy. ]

Sure ... [ The book is received back? He considers, for a second, pointing out that since Xingqiu had (alledgedly) vandalized this book he should purchase it, but he decides against that. It feels a bit mean given that he just rejected his feelings. So, Megumi is just going to tell his boss about the ruined book and ... absorb the cost of it if it comes to that. ]

Feel free to keep browsing. [ This should be the end of the interaction??? And what a strange and stressful one it was. He doesn't really want to see this boy again sryjsktuk ]

[rainswords]

[ That is one expensive book that he wishes he could add to his collection but alas it is horribly vandalized. He will return another time to seek it if the price comes down. After all, he would have to put in a lot of work to attempt to restore it. For now, he would have to wave goodbye to it. It pains him so and momentarily he does genuinely appear distressed, with a sigh and a brush of fingers across his forehead. He would have to let it go.

He is also going to hope that Megumi figures things out on his own. Then he can own up to his misconduct, naturally, he would take responsibility. For now, it is time for him to depart. ]

I thank you but I have suffered an immense disappointment. I think I shall go for now.

[ A slight bow of his head and he is going to make his departure. That book, that first edition, what a terrible fate. ]

/end

[mahoraga]

[ Perhaps someday Megumi will get a clue. For now, he is resolved to avoid short boys with blue bob-style hair. It's too awkward to deal with, sorry. ]

Alright ... The exit is that way.

[ And they part ways on a weird note ............ ]