jigokulogs | (open.) valerian

[the place Emily had scouted is in her clan's areas, true, but it's right on the border of another place that belongs to the Enma, so in her mind, that strange area without commitment is her ideal to carry out her plan. it's not terribly large, and it will require cleaning, upkeep - in essence, a constantly moving project, and one she can put herself into. with how distracted the elders had been in the wake of the Daitengu's "death", she had managed to get approval without anyone looking too hard and took command before a loan company would be able to.

but it's not something she can do alone, and nor will she try to. instead, Emily puts word into the whispers of the city, and listens. people manifest - those willing to contribute how they can, those who will give time and effort and work into this space, and it starts to take form. the building is cleaned, and the furniture she's sourced comes in. the materials are accounted for. she's able to sit down with those who'd like to contribute their healing talents and ask the many questions she does to ensure that this can remain the space it's going to be. and she welcomes those who come in either to lend some form of assistance, or just because they're curious as to what it could be, with an open door.

it's not there yet. but it's coming together, and every day, she gets more enthusiastic for the results. to anyone that contributes, they have her utmost gratitude, and she hopes that they are building something that can weather even the turbulent landscape of the factions.

and if not...well. she has a contingency plan.]

[Club Rosolio, in Sutoku territory, is known for their live music, for the acts handpicked by the managers and how they can be new or old on the scene, but nevertheless harmonious. it's better than being known for the temperaments of some of the staff, with the dramatics that take place their own form of entertainment. as it is, Emily just tries to keep her head down and move on, here for her job as a singer and little more, though she does end up playing mediator three days out of six.

in any case, Emily does enjoy her work there, whether she's singing solo through her setlist or performing as one half of La Force, her duet act with Ritsu. really, she takes cues from him on how to behave and how to negotiate with a crowd. compared to some of the others, she's more subdued, slower, but she has some fans of her own and her performances offer a bit of a reprieve from the more intense ones. it means she has a solid place there, and it's reliable to ensure she keeps a decent roof overhead.

when not singing on stage, though, she's occasionally on the floor, mingling with customers as might be required or at the bar getting water before planning her next move. and of course, she might be walking away from a pair of people looking somewhat exhausted, having just defused a situation before it could start. who hired all these people to work under the same roof? who cares about a rug's color so deeply as to fight over it?

still, it offers its own charm, and she won't give up on it yet.]

[for pre-planned starters.]

[for new ideas that don't fit into any category, or attacking any of the substories. ooc plotting if you'd like to map out something specific, or you can hit me up via PM!]

[the clinic's not done, but it doesn't mean she won't see patients. in fact, it means she's there late on nights when she doesn't sing, putting in time to try and finish the dozen small projects that setting up something like this contains. she's immeasurably grateful to Aerith for assisting her, but it's clear tonight that something's on her mind as she puts away supplies, before she takes a breath and decides to speak.]

...Something's not right, Aerith. You've seen those little clay dolls, haven't you?

[the ones that are showing up everywhere.]

[the clay doll they bring to the Department is wrapped in a towel, their skin bristling at the idea of touching this for long. something's not right - something's deeply amiss, and Hibiki has no issue foisting off the creations to become someone else's problem. politics, all of that, it doesn't quite matter at the moment, when they aren't even highly ranked enough to matter, to be in anyone's eyes.

but it's who they see while in line that make the youkai's eyes open a little wider, deciding to delay their inevitable wait in the endless bureaucratic line in favor of calling out.]

Ichimonji.

[that's not Emily's voice. that's older, more weathered, less overtly feminine, and the look in their eyes isn't hers either. her eyes don't have that strange green sheen.]

[it's her habit now to check the arcade machines outside the game center, ever since she'd found Kamui sleeping inside one, just to make sure the incident hasn't repeated itself. so far, it hasn't, but she'll call nothing confirmed until she sees a solid while pass without any absurdity. so far, nothing, and even the tiny residents of Hell who visit them haven't seen a thing. all the better, in Emily's opinion.

which is why it's so unusual to hear some kind of fuss going on in the vicinity, something that has nothing to do with rigged games. curiously, she steps closer, hoping to eavesdrop enough to clarify it's none of her business - or if one of the little ones is involved, to make sure they extract themselves properly. but to trained eyes, perhaps, interest in the content of the disagreement looks like actively wanting to get involved.

that's not the case, but who cares what she wants?]

[He got back from another patrol and on-field investigation earlier, and just finished talking with someone. Although they are collecting the haniwa and passing them over for storage, he couldn't help but feel like it'll build up to something.

Until he heard someone calling out to him with that name. He quickly looks over and sees Emily. Except it's not her, her voice sounds different, as well as the look in her eyes. His eyes widen for a moment.

Normally, just those within the Enma knows his full name. There might be a few outside of the faction, but overall, he's deliberately careful with giving out his name. He walks over to meet Emily... either her, or someone in her body?]

Why, hello. How may I help you, Miss Emily?

What kinda help you need?

( Samatoki helped out Kanae in Hakagemachi with such work as much as she helped him; its the memory of her driving him to do this.

Mostly. )

I can do anything, really.

[There is not an alleyway nor side street in all of Jigoku-cho that isn't rife with points of varying interest. The street Emily has found herself meandering down is no different, dotted with various establishments excelling in both entertainment and distraction. Namely, on her path to the game center, just a little further down the street, she may have noticed a host club with an intricate logo emblazoned on its windows — a crane with blue-tipped feathers, spreading its wings mid-flight. In one of the windows, nestled in the corner, is a plushie variant of this same crane, big and soft and round with little round eyes.

A mascot character for a host club? Well, businesses do love their mascots, so maybe it's barely worth a notice.

At the arcade entrance, where Emily lingers, a man has already mistaken her presence as a willing participant in whatever commotion is currently unraveling within. That man is none other than Sholmes, who turns to her as though magnetized in her direction—]

Madam!

[And waves her over with one hand, the other adjusting the brim of his deerstalker.]

Step into this establishment and lend me a second pair of eyes. A second opinion. After all, I'm of a mind that there's more afoot in this place than what is immediately obvious.

[Matoba glances around the space- a little bare, now, but every business began from scratch at some point. His arms are both concealed, folded into one another, in his kimono sleeves- but he's certainly in a lot less pain now than the last time they met.]

[His gaze falls to Emily, and he bows his head in greeting with a polite and dry smile.]

Word spreads quickly. I came to see it for myself.

[It doesn't seem as if they've had any trouble yet... He takes a step forward, and inclines his head towards his left shoulder.] And for that follow-up.

[ >guy who heard there was a new clinic by Enma territory.

>guy who needs to drink blood to live.

>guy who thought. oh man. blood donations. blood in a fridge? I should check this out.

Emily will find Mika trying to open the door to the clinic one day. He's not breaking in (yet), but the way he looks uncomfortable and suspicious should tell her right off that he's desperate enough to start considering crimes. ]

Not bad darlin'!

[He was working the bar today and slid her the desired water in turn. One of the few perks of the part time job being the free shows. Even more when the show ends with him not having to throw hands. In short, an easy going night where he gets paid is the best kind of night.]

Wouldn't have takin' ya to be an entertainer though. Bit of a polymath aren't ya?

[they don't entirely move like a human does - it's the sense of someone wearing a very well fitted costume, but that's still not their clothes. that, and Emily always carries her wings tucked close as if apologizing for them. this one simply lets them be.]

There's no one here you need to fool. Or...

[and here, their gaze narrows, looking him over head to toe.]

Don't tell me that the fading world got to your mind as well. Not unexpected, but it would explain her reticence to reach forth.

Me?!

[she starts a little, clearly not expecting to be addressed, but being basically commanded instead of asked to do something is pretty much the quickest way to have Emily assist with anything. dutifully, she comes that way, looking a bit concerned but keeping her eyes open.]

What exactly do you need me to look at, sir? What seems to be going on?

[she can't give an opinion without facts to work on.]

[bowing her head back, she greets him with a smile, having just set up what she'll consider to be the desk area for notes and paperwork and the like. it'll remain sparse for a while, as she prioritizes things, but the brightness in her chest can't fade over managing to get some actual healers involved in the project.]

As to the former, that was entirely my intention, and I'm glad to see that people are hearing about things. And as to the latter, I do happen to have an examination room set up, if you'll follow me.

[there's a bed to sit on, and she had managed to stock supplies, and light comes in through the window. washing her hands first, she indicates that Matoba can sit if he likes.]

How have you been feeling lately? No unusual pain or anything seeming amiss?

[that is...definitely someone trying to break into her not even finished clinic. he isn't at the doors and prying at them, but he has the look that means he's casing the place, thinking about it in his mind at the bare minimum, and so she walks quietly closer, before opening her mouth.]

May I help you?

[if he startles, good.]

[she hardly expected to see him here, but even the hardest working souls in this club took time off and brought in others. lifting the glass a little to him in thanks, she sips from it before she can answer the question.]

It's not what I saw myself doing, but it pays. Besides, it offers a bit of a reprieve from tending to the assorted ills and woes of the populace, and lets me have time for my own plans.

[if she joined with an existing medical clinic, her hands would be tied in ways she hated. it had to be independent, even if she had to work so hard towards it.]

And yourself?

[a stranger's words reach Emily while she's in the middle of hanging some shelves, and she jumps, almost dropping the hammer she was using in the process. she should have expected this by now, but somehow, it was always surprising at least half of the time. taking a quick breath, she turns to eye up the man who spoke.]

And who might you be, sir? "Anything" is a rather broad category to volunteer for without your name and skillset.

[he doesn't look like a healer, but she's been surprised before.]

Pfft, yeah, you're right. I just used to help out with a friend's clinic in the last place I was at.

Name's Samatoki, though.

( He pauses. )

I'm mostly a ... performer, not gonna lie, but Hakagemachi taught me a lot.

[He observed how she moves and hold herself. In return, Norimune seems like a regular "person". But he's usually well covered up by his clothes.]

Oh? Hakagemachi, I presume.

[It's probably not the first time this building have seen people meeting by chance, confronting each other (both trivial and more serious) and so forth. Other than a few curious glances, the other youkai seems to mind their businesses.]

Since it's not the first time I've met people who already knows of this old man. And they all mentioned the same place.

[As curious as the situation is, it makes him wonder how much do they all know about him.]

[After a slight pause, Matoba follows after Emily into the more private setting, passing glances around the walls and other doorways as they go. The place wasn't terribly large, but it was perfect for a discreet spot that could administer quick aid for the types of rough-and-tumbles that came through this city. He wonders if it will become overwhelmed if some other Night Parade-like disaster hits. Perhaps they will need some extra resources, in the event of another emergency...]

[He sits on the bed and unfolds his arms from his kimono after a moment of thought, pressing his palm to his left. Beneath the sleeve, it was still bound in bandages, but Matoba had made sure to change them with some regularity and get a peek at how the wound was closing. Reluctantly, he draws the haori back from his shoulder with a draping tug, and then loosens the folded-over side of his kimono to allow the sleeve to sink down enough for his shoulder and arm to be freed.]

Oh, I've behaved myself... [Mostly a truth. He flexes his left hand, as if to sense for any residual tightness or pain coming down the tendons from his arm.] There is a bit of a pull in movement, but I imagine it must be at least partly lack of use. I'm eager to begin my training again.

[Jin Guangyao had already been well aware of Emily's efforts in Hakagemachi to offer aid to the people in whatever way she could, often noting that she stretched herself a bit too thin in her efforts. So when he heard about this project he jumped to put himself at her disposal, both as someone to help with bookkeeping and organization and to learn more modern medical practices. Such a venture would take many hands to make successful, especially a practice that is under the radar such as this one.

Today he was sweeping the office and reorganizing their supplies when he turned to her with a warm smile.]

Oh, before I forget, My roommate Nie Huaisang, has sent some funds for the cause, and the regrets that he cannot come himself. Though he is happy to let others know of it through his hosting work. I have taken the liberty to add the funds to the deposit box and the books.

You did a lot of good work looking after us in Hakagemachi and I want to make sure you have the support here as well, so let me know in any way I can keep assisting you.

[He admired that about her. And the clinic went with his own views of having a socially neutral place where people can be helped if needed.]

[Emily's aid in Hakagemachi had been invaluable so when Soo Won heard of whispers of a neutral clinic he was quick to offer his assistance. He didn't know it was being run by the same person until he visited the clinic. The telepathic chime of surprise from Miyako mirrored the surprise in Soo Won's eyes, which quickly softened into a friendly smile.]

I should have known you were behind this.

[Emily had always been rather generous with her medical services, something he greatly appreciated. He wasn't sure why someone like her was in hell. He had run into Gojyo soon after he arrived so perhaps it had to do with their yokai? Either way he was selfishly happy to see another familiar face.]

It is good to see you again Doctor.

[Yes, of course you, Emily. There is no escaping it now -- you're officially strong-armed into this without any actual strong-arming happening, only the sweeping pull of expectation.]

Now then, that is the mystery I should like to unravel. Come in and see.

[And so Sholmes steps back inside the arcade with the assumption that she'll follow. It is not a terribly large place, at least not compared to some of the more sprawling spaces amid the city, but there are a fair amount of games that none should turn their nose up at. This includes, of course, the obligatory aisle of nothing more than crane games, not terribly far from the front counter.

He turns to face her again, gesturing with a hand to the individuals before them.]

I should direct your attention to the fellows before you -- there!

[The "fellows" he refers to are none other than:

A youkai at the counter, quite well-dressed for the establishment, his fox ears at a slant due to some unknown anxieties. He holds a screwdriver stiffly in one hand; on the back portion of the counter behind him rests an open toolbox. He looks at both Sholmes and Emily, wide-eyed, sputtering out a: W-welcome, did you need any assistance?

The second fellow is actually a small youkai child, holding a huge bucket of coins, proof of someone who has enough skill to wring dry several of these arcade machines. He's barely tall enough to look over the counter, but his indignity makes up for it. He motions at a collection of familiar-looking crane plushies, lined up very purposefully on the counter, face-forward, and declares: I was going to win those out of the machine! All of them! Why'd you take them out?!

The fox-eared youkai shoots him a look, citing, They're defective!

Meanwhile, Sholmes grins at Emily.]

Do you not sense something off here? Some great deceit underway? I should say that there are two shadowy wrongs amid this seemingly mundane scene: someone pretending to be who he is not, and an act of thievery brewing!

(open.) valerian

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