jigokulogs | ( open ) here I am, swollen red

That's true. It's quite common in the countryside where I live, where children still inherit the family business with a sense of pride and fulfillment. [...Case in point.] In the cities, it's more typical for everyone to have some hired-on office job, for children to go off and find their own work in turn... That is the modern way of the world. Like many things, traditions have changed.

[Once served, Matoba eagerly pulls the saucer towards him and enjoys the aroma for a moment before removing the paper bag of sweets from his sleeve. Unrumpling it, he produces two daifuku onto the plate and smiles cheerfully down at his spread.] An excellent afternoon snack, wouldn't you say?

[Picking up the saucer, he gives the tea a little blow, listening to Shylock's reply. Aggregating knowledge, hm...? He sips at it, letting the aroma of the tea fill his senses contentedly before pulling it from his lips again.]

Human lives are brief, and so we change the things around us impatiently, hoping to leave something behind for those that will follow. The world changes so quickly, in the eyes of an ayakashi, doesn't it?

[ shylock nods in agreement, both at the remark regarding unchanging tradition and matoba's idea of a nice snack. it does look rather good, although shylock realizes the amount of daifuku the human had eaten during their teatime... could it be that matoba has quite the sweet tooth? looks like owen will have some sort of competition now.

(except not really. owen will probably win what with the amount of sweets that guy can consume. lord.) ]

It is as you say. I told this fun fact to Mr. Natori on the network the other day, regarding wizard theater. You see, there is an all-wizard theater troupe that used to perform at the national theater in Western country, and it would take them centuries just for rehearsals and production. The actual play then takes about one year to be performed.

[ so... yeah, can you imagine human movies going on for that long? human attention spans would tap tf out. ]

It is fascinating to see that humans have found a way to make theater performances more accessible through the use of their technology. That being said, I don't wish to get more into it than I already do. Smartphones may be convenient, but I'd rather take an arrow through the window, wouldn't you agree?

Edited 2022-05-15 16:48 (UTC)

[Secret charm point unlocked........ Though most associates who found themselves around Matoba and food often enough found out pretty quickly; rarely was he one to have something to eat without something sweet involved, even if at the end. Matoba enjoys the fragrance of his tea a moment, and then takes a nice bite from the dumpling.]

Oh? Right, that film of his came out recently.. [Munch, munch. Matoba makes a bit of a face when remembering it, like he said it with some disapproval, but shrugs it off soon enough to listen to the rest of the story.]

...That is some dedication, I suppose. [Matoba's reaction might not be quite as exhausted as Natori's, but it still reads typical.] ...All that time to prepare, and only one showing? Seems a bit wasteful, but I suppose ayakashi are ones primed to examine the beauty of ephemerality.

I do enjoy many electronic forms of entertainment just fine, games and the like, but there are times when I wish to enjoy something simpler. [He smiles, lidded, acknowledging Shylock's little prod.] Well, I'll remind you that you said that, the next time I have need to do so.

[And, at least, until his shiki returned to carry messages for him. Speaking of cursed little fellas, Matoba glances towards another haniwa that has appeared suddenly on the counter of the bar, several seats down, and frowns.]

...I see that you are having the same troubles as everyone else.

Edited 2022-05-15 19:08 (UTC)

[ how come you bitches don't ever talk about each other what the fuck ]

Yes, that is one way of putting it. To their credit, their shows have an incredibly high production value. Naturally magic is utilized in their performances, and even the audience can be involved. A simple switch of clothes in one scene, chairs might start flying around in the next, and some people may be forcibly put to sleep.

Fufu. One of my fellow wizards from the West already has tickets for the next show, which won't be for another hundred years. And it'll be even more spectacular than the last.

[ it's so fun!! not that matoba would know what fun is if it ever shot him in the head. ]

Well, if you do decide to give your arrows another shot, might you aim for my heart next time?

[ HEHEHEHEHEHE

but oh, it looks like they have another guests. shylock tilts his head at the haniwa, before grabbing a small tablecloth from under the counter and walking over to cover it up. sighs. ]

To be honest, I am at a lost when it comes to dealing with these adorable little things. [ he chuckles. ] Do you have any theories as to why they have been appearing everywhere as of late?

[Because BITCHES are LOYAL, SHYLOCK!!! And also you haven't asked him specific questions, so. Plausible deniability.]

A show using magic does sound like an entertaining performance, [Matoba muses, but alas, at a cost no human could afford. Too bad, that.] Although if they are forcing audience members to sleep, I'd probably be eaten, anyway. [Tch. Whatever Shylock, he has plenty of fun without your vices.]

[His eye slides to rest on Shylock, taunting him, his smile devious.] Be careful what you wish for, Shylock-san- or I'll have to remind you of your words, when you're speaking your last.

[See? He has plenty of fun.]

[Alas, the haniwa are really ruining the mood in here... A nagging and quite nauseating aura fills any space they appear in, and the bar was so exception. He frowns at the little figure until Shylock covers it up, and slips out of his seat to go and have a look at this one again.] I may have some ideas, but for now they are merely theories. If anyone truly knows why they are appearing here, and how, I have not yet caught wind of it. ...Do you know the significance behind the use of a haniwa, normally?

[ coward. what's a little nibble between friends? ]

I look forward to it, assuming that you'll live long enough to remind me.

[ HAH.

but anyway, while matoba inspects the curious figure, shylock is going to pour some wine into a little shotglass and place it in front of the haniwa. because it's still a customer, he supposes. ]

I recall someone saying that they're effigies usually found on burial mounds. Which is why I am wondering if they have anything to do with the Daitengu's death... or un-death, as we would now call it.

[Dohoho.... Matoba is pinching his fingers over a ward, but given how numerously they seem to be multiplying in this bar alone, it felt as if he might use up all his energy just to seal the ones here. Were they attracted to this gathering spot of ayakashi?]

That is correct. [And an interesting theory... Matoba hums.] ...Perhaps there is someone unhappy with the fact that the Daitengu survived. Well, besides those simply irritated with being tricked, I mean.

[He turns to look at Shylock.] Have you ever visited the outskirts of town, Shylock-san? Or heard of what lays beyond the city's fortifications?

[ they can't have gathered here in particular because of the nonhumans that choose to be here. a huge majority of landmarks in jigoku-cho would've qualified. ]

I heard that it was a complete wasteland out there. I have not looked further into it, since I have more important matters to attend to.

[ he then meets eye contact with matoba. ]

Are you implying that someone out there might be responsible for all this?

[Shylock's eye contact makes Matoba smile, the delighted and playful one that he wears when someone is interested in something he knows.] A wasteland it may be, but it seems that there are some spirits who might prefer that harsh way of living... If it means that they might exist outside of the bounds of this city's clan structures.

...I thought it very odd, to be honest. [He plays with the rim of his teacup for a moment, then lifts it to sip,] Ayakashi here are so.... rigid. Societal. It is nothing like many of the unruly ayakashi we deal with, in the human realm.

But it became much clearer, as I heard more of what lays outside city limits, that perhaps that is because the maddened ones that go fleeing off into our world are those who will not or cannot abide by this way of living. Those who have lost their sense of selves, or are too unruly to follow orders.

But the truly powerful ones... Those were chased off from the human world long ago. [His eye narrows thoughtfully, watching tea leaves dance in the cup.] Where did they end up?

[ he listens, since matoba knows a lot about this world's culture compared to him. that is rather odd, now that he thinks about it. it isn't like youkai and wizards are one and the same, but -- societal jigoku-cho may be, everyone here is provided with food, water, and entertainment. why would anyone want to leave all that for a desolate wasteland? ]

...It could be that another city-like structure such as Jigoku-cho exists out there. I recall that there are different levels of hell in your religion, as well.

[ that's totally out of shylock's ballpark, though. ]

That is a possibility, [Matoba nods, pondering it as he stirs at his tea idly with a little sugar spoon.] A settlement, perhaps, to give a more agreeable name? If there are enemies banded together somewhere who are united in their discontent with the city, then I imagine they are moreso 'the-enemy-of-thine-enemy' than anything. Particularly if they have the temperaments of the ayakashi I have come across, when investigating the edges of town.

[It wasn't somewhere he wanted to be for long, reeking of exorcist blood and without much of his power, still. He sips at his tea, enjoying the delicate flavor.]

...I have wondered of that, as well. [His eye flicks to the side, as if it's not really a subject he wanted to bring up in present company, but- well.] This city is devoid of human dead, and yet there is no shortage of sinners on Earth to fill the realms of purgatory and punishment, surely.

[ ...see, this is why shylock likes raking up the sutoku affection points. they always have new info and are willing to divulge them if one appeases to them. ]

Oh? Are they that different from the other youkai we encounter on a daily basis here in Jigoku-cho? It'd be delightful if you could bring along photographs of them along with the landscape of the edge of town for those who don't have the time to look into it themselves, like me.

[ how he still manages to sound chipper, nobody knows. that's just how he rolls. ]

But with regards to the human dead... I don't believe that we Lost Souls have truly died. [ he looks to matoba again. ] Do you?

Photographs? [Matoba chuckles softly as he sips at his tea.] Shylock-san, if you are that curious, you should see interesting sights with your own eyes.

[Tsk, tsk. He's not an errand boy, wizard. The Alliance were all merchants of information, and Matoba offered for free only what he believed would yield fruitful results. Speaking of that, though...] ...You know, cats make excellent agents. [hm] Perhaps you should try hiring one of those clan bakeneko to bring you something interesting to look at.

[He finishes off his cup of tea and pushes it back towards Shylock. He'd gladly take another as they chat, but he meets Shylock's smiling gaze at his question and gives a soft breath of a snort.] Of course not.

[Leaning in across the counter of the bar on his elbows, Matoba lowers his voice- soft, conspiratorial, and just a touch playful.] ....Where do you think we are, Shylock-san?

Or, we could go together. [ suggesting it as if there's absolutely nothing wrong with that arrangement whatsoever. ] I shall find time for us to set off.

[ maybe he could get murr to go with him instead? hm, yes. either way, it'd be a nice little date at the edge of town. how exciting...!

and it's because of his excitement that he returns matoba's conspiratorial smile with his playful own. ]

Hell, of course. Or at least part of it. But don't you find it strange that some of us don't even remember how we arrived here?

[Matoba blinks once, mild surprise crossing his features. Investigate, with this troublesome creature? He might not have the insurance that came with investigating with a member of his own clan, but they were not explicitly at odds, either. .....It could be fruitful, only if it was intriguing enough to keep his interest. With interest, came agreeability... That was what he had learned so far, of this wicked and unpredictable ayakashi called Shylock.]

[He leans thoughtfully on his propped hand, and appears to consider it.] We could, [He agrees, with a light and pleasant tone to his voice.] There are so many interesting rumors going around, these days. It would be more fun to investigate them yourself, after all. And I must admit, [They're already leaning into it, those dangerous smiles of theirs, so why not?] I am as curious to see you at work.

...I do wonder about that. [He tugs back, just enough to keep the tension at bay.] Hell... Perhaps its construction is not as the legends have told it. Of course, the likelihood that most of us have died seems quite low. But because of that, perhaps this city is not a place for those who have truly died, and since none of us have received judgment, it can't really be said that we are being punished, either.

I didn't expect you to be so agreeable. [ a light chuckle. he was so ready to be rejected outright, you know? good thing matoba isn't that heartless <3 ] And I am just as curious to see you and your abilities in action, if you will let me. It is what you would call a "cultural exchange", correct?

[ sort of. either way, if there is anyone whose kink is Knowing All The Information, it's matoba. shylock will have quite a time with this strange, strange little human.

now, as for this other discussion. shylock barely acknowledges the tension between them, but he smiles nonetheless at the exorcist's words. a hopeful one, at that. ]

That is most reassuring to hear. I don't mind a small detour when this realm has been quite exciting so far. Moreover, I still have an important job to do for when my contract is fulfilled.

Do you?

Why, Shylock-san, you think I wouldn't want to spend time with you? [Matoba smiles sunnily, and tilts his chin on his crossed hands.] I wonder what sorts of abilities will become necessary, in a rough place like that. We will have to see, won't we?

[He certainly does have an idea, already. Kim had scoped out the area already with his partner, he had been told, and gave him an overview- rough and tumble. Outcasts of clan society. Violent temperaments to be expected. And a sort of survivalist mindset that allowed them to persist on the edges of the Wastes...]

[Matoba wondered what sorts of things the youkai out there saw on a daily basis. Wonders how they might be bartered with, or... convinced to provide insight.]

[Shylock's view of their stay was predictable, for an ageless ayakashi who saw the passage of time here as merely an amusing pastime. The bastard knew. He was just trying to get a rise out of him.]

I have a great many plans, [He agrees, and finally detaches himself from the counter, a signal of finality.]

[Reaching into his kimono sleeve, Matoba draws out the change to pay for his tea.] ...The Tamamo clan really does carry the finest quality in teas and apothecary, I must say. Are you planning to rotate your offerings? I will come by and sample more often. Unless, of course... [He glances to Shylock's "guests" again, pensive.] ...We are all brought to ruin, sometime before that.

... Shylock-san, are you familiar with warding spells?

[ yes, they'll have to see. it's no different from being sent out to missions back on his world to investigate the phenomena around the great calamity, so at least shylock will know what to expect...? or maybe not. shylock loves surprises too <3

he'll graciously take the payment, thank you. ]

Yes, the menu does change every... well, every time I'm in the mood for it. [ his bar is almost like a box of chocolates that way. ] Need I remind you, Mr. Matoba, that this is a bar and not a teahouse, and thus I look forward to the day when you can finally indulge in one of my perfected creations.

[ a wide, genuine smile stretches across his face. please, as if they're all not ruinous already. but that's part of the fun. ]

As for your question, I do know what warding spells are, but it's hardly a specialization of mine. Why do you ask?

Libations are something I save for special occasions. Partaking too often will only lead to it becoming dull, I think. [That's not the real reason and they both know it, but Matoba also doesn't necessarily think that Shylock will try anything with his drinks- not without some cause, anyway. Simply the very risk of being affected by alcohol was enough.] But I look forward to trying one of your concoctions, Shylock-san. Something sweet enough for my tastes, I hope.

[Warding is not one of Shylock's specializations... What is, he wonders? Perhaps he will get to find out, when they have their little adventure, but for now Matoba slips from his seat and strolls cautiously towards the haniwa.]

It is one of mine, in a sense. Although Natori-san is more talented in that area than I am, actually.

But perhaps I may offer some assistance with this ...problem. Unless you are pleased with the negative auras gathering in your bar? [He is, after all, an ayakashi. Maybe he was fine with that, but even the youkai in this city seemed to want nothing to do with these haniwa. It probably wouldn't be good for his business...] --No strings attached. Consider it my contribution, for providing such a fine place to gather.

[ a rather convenient excuse for abstinence, but shylock will take it. no pressure at all. regardless, he really can't wait till matoba gives in on his own accord -- and he will take note of sweeter cocktails very soon. ever the sweet tooth, isn't he.

but anyway, shylock brightens at matoba's offer. ]

The influence of the haniwa might not be easily solved as of right now, but some assistance in restoring the peaceful ambience of the bar would be very much needed. [ he'd mention that once again, he did not expect matoba to offer in the first place given his overall demeanor, but shylock will keep that notion to himself. he does a small bow. ] Regardless, I look forward to do more business with you in the future.

[Every little thing had a purpose- Matoba might say 'no strings attached', but that was as a matter of specific repayment; it was still a gesture of goodwill towards the wizard that would shape their relationship in the longrun. Whatever personal feelings he might have towards wizards and what they were, it was genuine when he called Shylock a valuable contact, and the bar, a valuable place.]

[From his sleeve, Matoba draws a spelltag between his fingers, and aura begins to seep into it with his concentration and chanting, activating the spell.] This spell will target and repel malice from any ayakashi that attempt to cross your threshold, haniwa or otherwise. My experiments have have shown that the haniwa manage to erode even spells such as these rather quickly, so whoever is sending them our way may perhaps be actively targeting any attempts to evade them.

Unfortunately, without more information, there isn't much I can do about that.

[Matoba walks towards the entrance to the bar, and posts the spelltag on the frame of the door- there it seals itself against the entryway, protecting whatever entered.] ...If you notice it beginning to weaken, do give me a call. Regular maintenance seems to help.

[How tiring that was... But, he had a shortlist of locations that he would revisit, to renew their seals. The bar would be there, somewhere.]

( open ) here I am, swollen red

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