Š¼arĪ¹anna "Š¼onŃŃ" Š¼edĪ¹na (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nerine) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
jigokulogs2022-05-17 08:48 pm
nerine) wrote in jigokulogs2022-05-17 08:48 pm
[Monts is working to keep her head up high, lest her spirits drop below sea level.]
ā SUBSTORY: MOON MEDICINE
ā SUBSTORY/MINGLE: HANIWA AND THE RAIN
ā WILDCARD
ā SUBSTORY: MOON MEDICINE
[The other hosts and hostesses have only vaguely warned the Lost Souls about accepting food from customers, but they were even less helpful when the gyokuto comes by to distribute the mochi. It was left on some of the tables of the booths and Monts, attracted to the brightly colored pink pieces that give her the impression of peaches, pops one or two into her mouth.
And that's when she started to shiver. Great. It wasn't the most extreme, but there's discomfort in her veins and she starts to feel sluggish, which was enough of an indicator for her that the constant cool breeze that hovers over her skin is not normal. She opts to skip the last hour of work and starts wandering back to her apartment room.
If she encounters another Lost Soul, well... She may instinctively reach for the other person's hand because hers are chilly.]
... Ah, sorry. You Shuten or Sutoku?
And if you're Enma, sorry times two.
ā SUBSTORY/MINGLE: HANIWA AND THE RAIN
[Marianna likes the rain.
It's why she isn't opposed to walking through the red light district with a dinky umbrella from the convenience store just to watch the drops splatter against the neon-colored signs of the buildings. Rain is a sign of life and there was something relaxing about knowing how it exists even in hell.
The Haniwa figures that had been popping up were of little concern to her at first. But the further she walks down, the more seemed to stare at her from small corners of each store, the crook of each alleyway. The mark on the back of her neck is stirring, but there's not much she can do.
Something stops her in her tracks at some point.
There's an overturned trashcan and one can come across Monts, looking dazedly at it and then muttering inaudibly to herself.]
... I don't need to see this right now. I don't want this.
ā WILDCARD
[ooc: PM if you'd like to hash something out or if you'd like to have a closed starter!]
Edited 2022-05-18 06:52 (UTC)
[ooc: Continued from here!
Outside the theater, Monts is wearing her casual clothes, a relaxed green dress, dark stocking, and dark boots. Practical, comfortable, yet stylish in a low-key way. She was just browsing her phone before Natori catches her attention.
She waves back and approaches him before his appearance registers to her and... Well, she doesn't have an issue with the hat, grim as it is. The glasses...]
You know, if you're trying to disguise yourself, I think you can do better!
[She's not being unkind, just honest... Please believe her...]
Is there a story behind those I should know before we go watch the movie?
Outside the theater, Monts is wearing her casual clothes, a relaxed green dress, dark stocking, and dark boots. Practical, comfortable, yet stylish in a low-key way. She was just browsing her phone before Natori catches her attention.
She waves back and approaches him before his appearance registers to her and... Well, she doesn't have an issue with the hat, grim as it is. The glasses...]
You know, if you're trying to disguise yourself, I think you can do better!
[She's not being unkind, just honest... Please believe her...]
Is there a story behind those I should know before we go watch the movie?
[ barton is, indeed, enma; however, this wouldn't yet be advertised but for the fastidiously pressed uniform that he wears, if that's enough of a giveaway. he's likely on patrol of sorts, or simply needed to get out and moving - restlessness plagues his bones and has his trigger finger itch. brisk walks can only do so much in the end. ]
Ah!
[ he snatches his hand away. he does wear gloves, so the chill of her hands may not be readily apparently, but he can tell she's not exactly a heated furnace. and while he isn't averse to physical touch, having a stranger reach for his hand - intentionally or not - still has him startling. ]
What's that got to do with it?
Ah!
[ he snatches his hand away. he does wear gloves, so the chill of her hands may not be readily apparently, but he can tell she's not exactly a heated furnace. and while he isn't averse to physical touch, having a stranger reach for his hand - intentionally or not - still has him startling. ]
What's that got to do with it?
[Monts frowns as the tall man pulls away, her fingers curling and uncurling at the absence of the other's warmth. She gives Barton a once over quietly impressed by all the scars he seems to have on his person.
She replies to him casually.]
Well. If you're Enma, then that means you're some kind of cop.
And legally, you have to tell me if you're a cop.
[is it a joke? the world will never know]
She replies to him casually.]
Well. If you're Enma, then that means you're some kind of cop.
And legally, you have to tell me if you're a cop.
[is it a joke? the world will never know]
[ is... is that a law? barton feels embarrassed that he hasn't the faintest clue. but whatever - it's not as if he has that to hide of all things. he likewise levels her with a once-over, as if adjudging whether this person has done something worthy of an arrest. alas, nothing he can discern. ]
Yeah! I'm Department of Enma.
[ barton's eyebrows arc, though this may be difficult to tell what with how his cap shades over his eyes. and now, with a scoff and a rough tone that's meant to be rude, ]
Sure as hell ain't Tamamo, huh? [ his least favorite; but mostly, he did notice that not to be once of her suggestions...! ]
Yeah! I'm Department of Enma.
[ barton's eyebrows arc, though this may be difficult to tell what with how his cap shades over his eyes. and now, with a scoff and a rough tone that's meant to be rude, ]
Sure as hell ain't Tamamo, huh? [ his least favorite; but mostly, he did notice that not to be once of her suggestions...! ]
[ Monts isn't the only one who finds the rain peaceful. For a boy who can't yet take the heat and hides inside on sunny days, the overcast and cool brush of droplets is a relief. Water is the most yin of all the elements, and he's rather fond of it. Enough so that he hasn't even bothered with an umbrella, opting to instead walk through the fall with his hair brushed back out of his face.
What is he doing? Investigating, of course. As an exorcist the haniwa are of concern to him, especially since he gets an off feeling from them. Many of his skills may still be suppressed, but he can still just tell when something is weird. He had been marking where they appear in a quickly drawn map, but they're popping up so frequently now that he's stopped doing that and instead chosen to count their numbers.
He spies Monts and raises a hand in hello. That's about when he notices that she seems ... a bit out of it? ]
Miss Monts? [ he calls out to her as he closes the distance, eyes flicking toward where she's looking, ] Is something wrong?
What is he doing? Investigating, of course. As an exorcist the haniwa are of concern to him, especially since he gets an off feeling from them. Many of his skills may still be suppressed, but he can still just tell when something is weird. He had been marking where they appear in a quickly drawn map, but they're popping up so frequently now that he's stopped doing that and instead chosen to count their numbers.
He spies Monts and raises a hand in hello. That's about when he notices that she seems ... a bit out of it? ]
Miss Monts? [ he calls out to her as he closes the distance, eyes flicking toward where she's looking, ] Is something wrong?
[Mai I need you to know I have a vendetta against his ugly misshapen bucket hat. He insists on wearing them like some sort of hair-focused Superman--]
Haha, they were a gift. I'm told they're the height of fashion. [Or so said the person who pawned them off on poor Chongyun.] But I got so many complaints the last time I covered my face, I figured I had to thread the needle somehow!
[He holds the door to the lobby open for her with a flourish, which in and of itself probably negates anything the glasses do to disguise his identity.]
Haha, they were a gift. I'm told they're the height of fashion. [Or so said the person who pawned them off on poor Chongyun.] But I got so many complaints the last time I covered my face, I figured I had to thread the needle somehow!
[He holds the door to the lobby open for her with a flourish, which in and of itself probably negates anything the glasses do to disguise his identity.]
Mm. Got it...
[She shivers again and wraps her arms around herself. At a glance, Monts is a lithe young woman; she's just left work and is without a jacket since the temperature isn't all that cold outside. It might as well be after eating that mochi.]
Listen, I don't know if this is part of your job or whatever you're doing in that department, but there's been a rabbit? I think? Some sort of rabbit youkai and I ate one of the mochis they were passing out. I think it's...
[A pause. And then suddenly, another question.]
... Hey. A bit of tangent, but do you feel cold?
[She shivers again and wraps her arms around herself. At a glance, Monts is a lithe young woman; she's just left work and is without a jacket since the temperature isn't all that cold outside. It might as well be after eating that mochi.]
Listen, I don't know if this is part of your job or whatever you're doing in that department, but there's been a rabbit? I think? Some sort of rabbit youkai and I ate one of the mochis they were passing out. I think it's...
[A pause. And then suddenly, another question.]
... Hey. A bit of tangent, but do you feel cold?
Edited 2022-05-23 00:51 (UTC)
[Monts blinks and turns to look toward the source of the voice. When she realizes it's Chongyun, she lets out a soft sigh of relief, waving at him to come over.]
Hey. Nothing's wrong... I think? I just...
[She glances back at the trashcan. And then back at Chongyun. She's smiling, but it's a little thin.]
Maybe I've been out in the rain too long. What about you? Are you running an errand?
Hey. Nothing's wrong... I think? I just...
[She glances back at the trashcan. And then back at Chongyun. She's smiling, but it's a little thin.]
Maybe I've been out in the rain too long. What about you? Are you running an errand?
[Next, animal masks Natori and not the cool ones ANYWAY]
I am thinking there are some stories you're gonna have to regale me with regarding your exploits outside of the host club.
[She graciously walks in first (ignoring some youkai who are outside in line for the movie, whispering excitedly to each other. Natori Shuuichi? THE Natori Shuuichi?? Who is he with!?)]
You know, with your movie becoming such a big deal here, maybe if I ever return to my world, I'll end up finding it online, or at least in the cafe. Not sure if the cafe internet service is that far-reaching though.
I am thinking there are some stories you're gonna have to regale me with regarding your exploits outside of the host club.
[She graciously walks in first (ignoring some youkai who are outside in line for the movie, whispering excitedly to each other. Natori Shuuichi? THE Natori Shuuichi?? Who is he with!?)]
You know, with your movie becoming such a big deal here, maybe if I ever return to my world, I'll end up finding it online, or at least in the cafe. Not sure if the cafe internet service is that far-reaching though.
... You think the mochi's done something to you to make you feel cold?
[ readily spoken like someone familiar with this set of facts. but, ah. now why she had been reaching for his hand abruptly makes sense... ]
[ that hand he had jerked away? barton lifts it again, this time in a clear offer that she's welcome to take it, should she like to try alleviating her condition. ]
Not the first time I've heard about this. Had the rabbit warned you at all? Made you sign anything?
[ readily spoken like someone familiar with this set of facts. but, ah. now why she had been reaching for his hand abruptly makes sense... ]
[ that hand he had jerked away? barton lifts it again, this time in a clear offer that she's welcome to take it, should she like to try alleviating her condition. ]
Not the first time I've heard about this. Had the rabbit warned you at all? Made you sign anything?
[ He stops beside her with a scrutinizing gaze lashing over the alley. Just some trash and dirt. Nothing strikes him as strange on the surface ā¦ but that tracks with the rumors heās heard of late. Evil rarely comes out to shake your hand like an old friend. ]
Not quite. I heard rumors of strange activity so Iām investigating the area.
[ Crossing his arms, he recounts, ]
Two women swore that they saw their dead husbands wandering around like possessed zombies. That turned out to be unrelatedāthose men had a torrid love affair, eloped, and ran away together, faking their second death in Hell to escape their wivesābut that lead to a series of people mentioning hallucinations around these buildings. Odd shadows, things out of the corner of their eye that were gone upon a full look ā¦ unusual activity even in the spirit realm. A lot of people have been feeling uncomfortable or upset in general.
[ He can even sense it ā¦ something off. Pinpointing it, however, is the real challenge. ]
Have you noticed anything amiss?
Not quite. I heard rumors of strange activity so Iām investigating the area.
[ Crossing his arms, he recounts, ]
Two women swore that they saw their dead husbands wandering around like possessed zombies. That turned out to be unrelatedāthose men had a torrid love affair, eloped, and ran away together, faking their second death in Hell to escape their wivesābut that lead to a series of people mentioning hallucinations around these buildings. Odd shadows, things out of the corner of their eye that were gone upon a full look ā¦ unusual activity even in the spirit realm. A lot of people have been feeling uncomfortable or upset in general.
[ He can even sense it ā¦ something off. Pinpointing it, however, is the real challenge. ]
Have you noticed anything amiss?
[Her eyes widen a tad, surprised that he's offering his hand this time to her. Monts doesn't take it just yet, glancing between the hand and him.]
I... No. They left it on the tables and I thought it was just a free snack for the hostesses.
[The chill hovering over her skin is making her itch for contact, so her fingertips graze over Barton's palm before enveloping it completely.]
... Yeah. That's a little better. Maybe I should just get gloves after we part ways.
I... No. They left it on the tables and I thought it was just a free snack for the hostesses.
[The chill hovering over her skin is making her itch for contact, so her fingertips graze over Barton's palm before enveloping it completely.]
... Yeah. That's a little better. Maybe I should just get gloves after we part ways.
Always keeping yourself busy aren't you? [She twirls her umbrella in an absentminded fashion and some raindrops fly off.]
That's good.
[If she appears subdued, that's because she is. Although she's listening to Chongyun explain his findings, her eyes surreptitiously glance at the ground and then at the haniwa figurines that stare silently at the duo.
When he asks her if she's noticed anything amiss, she tries to give the young boy a reassuring smile.]
Well, it probably has to do with the figurines right? They called them haniwa... I don't know what those are all about, but it's probably related.
[She's fine. It's okay. Chongyun is trying to get to the bottom of this and she needs to pull herself together.]
That's good.
[If she appears subdued, that's because she is. Although she's listening to Chongyun explain his findings, her eyes surreptitiously glance at the ground and then at the haniwa figurines that stare silently at the duo.
When he asks her if she's noticed anything amiss, she tries to give the young boy a reassuring smile.]
Well, it probably has to do with the figurines right? They called them haniwa... I don't know what those are all about, but it's probably related.
[She's fine. It's okay. Chongyun is trying to get to the bottom of this and she needs to pull herself together.]
[ barton's unsure how to receive that information, and there's a moment in which he looks perplexed. it doesn't necessarily sound like she was misled, or urged into consuming it, but it's a better set of facts than... having something to sign, ignoring it, and then consuming it anyway... ]
Who's "they"? Your employers, clients, the rabbit, what?
[ just to be clear. duty calls, etc. ]
[ an eyebrows raises at her last point. ]
I don't know 'bout that. [ while his voice doesn't necessarily contain venom, he does rattle of these monikers like they're casual fact: ] The snotty, punk brat I talked to didn't seem to be helped any by extra layers.
Who's "they"? Your employers, clients, the rabbit, what?
[ just to be clear. duty calls, etc. ]
[ an eyebrows raises at her last point. ]
I don't know 'bout that. [ while his voice doesn't necessarily contain venom, he does rattle of these monikers like they're casual fact: ] The snotty, punk brat I talked to didn't seem to be helped any by extra layers.
The rabbit of course. I wasn't really warned beforehand that their mochi in particular is for medicinal purposes, but no one was really forthcoming about what it's supposed to fix up.
[Sighing, Monts squeezes Barton's hand as if trying to extract extra warmth.]
Well, I'm not sure what'll help me then.
[And she's not sure if she should suddenly explain her lack of pain to a stranger from an opposing clan too. She can probably skirt around it.]
I don't feel like I'm freezing, but I'm definitely not comfortable. Does that make sense?
[Sighing, Monts squeezes Barton's hand as if trying to extract extra warmth.]
Well, I'm not sure what'll help me then.
[And she's not sure if she should suddenly explain her lack of pain to a stranger from an opposing clan too. She can probably skirt around it.]
I don't feel like I'm freezing, but I'm definitely not comfortable. Does that make sense?
[ barton curls his fingers around hers; it's not a tight grasp, but it's a firm reciprocity. ]
All right. I'll check it out, then.
[ --being in enma really has him feeling a newfound respect for chief inspector nemesis, that much is sure. this business feels like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. even if he's not authorized to make an arrest or anything of the sort, he can, most certainly and enthusiastically, offer some pretty sharp words of rebuke. ]
You can feel uncomfortable without feeling cold, sure. I don't know why anyone would want to fake something as dumb and weird as this...
All right. I'll check it out, then.
[ --being in enma really has him feeling a newfound respect for chief inspector nemesis, that much is sure. this business feels like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. even if he's not authorized to make an arrest or anything of the sort, he can, most certainly and enthusiastically, offer some pretty sharp words of rebuke. ]
You can feel uncomfortable without feeling cold, sure. I don't know why anyone would want to fake something as dumb and weird as this...
It's my job as an exorcist.
[ He watches her face. Even if he isn't the sharpest at times, he would have to be completely oblivious not to notice that something isn't right with her. Whenever he sees her she's normally quite upbeat. ]
Yes, I've been investigating the haniwa. They've been populating at an extraordinary rate ... it's concerning. I don't get a good feeling from them.
[ Speaking of them—he follows her gaze toward the small cluster on the ground. Four of them, staring at them with black hollow eyes. No good. Which is why he sighs, taking a few steps forward and pressing his fingertips together before raising his arms up, crossing his wrists. ]
Just one moment. [ there's a shimmer of spiritual power; it blends, becoming a hexagon that dissipates into a few translucent blue charms. catching them from the air, he slaps one over each haniwa, ] This should help. I've been sealing them as I find them.
[ He watches her face. Even if he isn't the sharpest at times, he would have to be completely oblivious not to notice that something isn't right with her. Whenever he sees her she's normally quite upbeat. ]
Yes, I've been investigating the haniwa. They've been populating at an extraordinary rate ... it's concerning. I don't get a good feeling from them.
[ Speaking of them—he follows her gaze toward the small cluster on the ground. Four of them, staring at them with black hollow eyes. No good. Which is why he sighs, taking a few steps forward and pressing his fingertips together before raising his arms up, crossing his wrists. ]
Just one moment. [ there's a shimmer of spiritual power; it blends, becoming a hexagon that dissipates into a few translucent blue charms. catching them from the air, he slaps one over each haniwa, ] This should help. I've been sealing them as I find them.
[Oh. Just like that? Monts is surprised yet again by Barton's response. ]
... Are you sure? I was just gonna ask if you could walk me back to my apartment first. But if you're going to look for the rabbit youkai...
[There's something reassuring as he firmly holds her hand. She doesn't want to cast any comparisons unless she wants to go to sleep feeling homesick and other complex feelings that revolve around her life.]
Well, it's up to you where you want to go from here. But don't ditch me too soon is all I'm saying.
... Are you sure? I was just gonna ask if you could walk me back to my apartment first. But if you're going to look for the rabbit youkai...
[There's something reassuring as he firmly holds her hand. She doesn't want to cast any comparisons unless she wants to go to sleep feeling homesick and other complex feelings that revolve around her life.]
Well, it's up to you where you want to go from here. But don't ditch me too soon is all I'm saying.
[Blue-green eyes watch as Chongyun exerts his spiritual power. An unusual sight, but not so much for a girl who worked for a witch and for their current surroundings and circumstances. But that also makes her realize and ask:]
Oh...! Did you receive some of your abilities back? And if you're sealing them...
[Against her better judgment, she goes over to one of the figures and picks it up, turning it around in her palm. Nothing unusual, even after Chongyun sealed it.]
Are these little guys possessed then?
Oh...! Did you receive some of your abilities back? And if you're sealing them...
[Against her better judgment, she goes over to one of the figures and picks it up, turning it around in her palm. Nothing unusual, even after Chongyun sealed it.]
Are these little guys possessed then?
What! [ pretty abruptly exclaimed. ] I wasn't gonna dart off, not right this second --
[ meaning, yes: he could likely walk her back to her apartment, before anything else. but. but. that does raise his own question, ]
Unless you think it's going to try to make a break for it?? [ SKIP TOWN? in which case he does have to ditch on the double to hunt a rabbit. ]
[ meaning, yes: he could likely walk her back to her apartment, before anything else. but. but. that does raise his own question, ]
Unless you think it's going to try to make a break for it?? [ SKIP TOWN? in which case he does have to ditch on the double to hunt a rabbit. ]
I'm not sure if they're possessed. It could also be a curse, an enchantment, or just their nature ... whatever it is, I don't like it.
[ He picks one up as well. It's quiet, and it seems to have lost whatever dark influence it's had for now ... how long his seals will last, he can't say. While Tenkohime did grant him a fraction of his powers back, they're that—a fraction. The strength of the haniwa is also unknown. Can they change over time? Does the amount of them matter? So much he doesn't know.
He looks over to the one in her hand. ]
I have some power now, but it's nowhere near enough to seal all the ones I keep finding. [ he sighs. ] They may as well be rabbits...
[ He picks one up as well. It's quiet, and it seems to have lost whatever dark influence it's had for now ... how long his seals will last, he can't say. While Tenkohime did grant him a fraction of his powers back, they're that—a fraction. The strength of the haniwa is also unknown. Can they change over time? Does the amount of them matter? So much he doesn't know.
He looks over to the one in her hand. ]
I have some power now, but it's nowhere near enough to seal all the ones I keep finding. [ he sighs. ] They may as well be rabbits...
[(grumbly BatBale voice) sorry for sparkling.]
Haha, I wish I could say my life isn't that exciting, but... [...Chongyun did punch him off of a bridge. In, y'know. A friendly helpful way.] I'll tell you, but you have to promise to be kind about it. Okay?
[He ignores the whispers like he's an old hat at it (as old as his hideous bucket hat), moseying towards the ticketing attendant without any additional flourish. The poor teenage youkai tearing tickets fumbles the pair he hands over.] Ah, you're going to pirate it? How cruel. Maybe you should've been treating me instead of the other way around.
Haha, I wish I could say my life isn't that exciting, but... [...Chongyun did punch him off of a bridge. In, y'know. A friendly helpful way.] I'll tell you, but you have to promise to be kind about it. Okay?
[He ignores the whispers like he's an old hat at it (as old as his hideous bucket hat), moseying towards the ticketing attendant without any additional flourish. The poor teenage youkai tearing tickets fumbles the pair he hands over.] Ah, you're going to pirate it? How cruel. Maybe you should've been treating me instead of the other way around.
[Monts is mildly intrigued and nods in agreement.]
I'll keep the unnecessary snark out of my commentary, but I may or may not laugh at my discretion.
[Monts takes the tickets for the both of them.]
I don't know much about pirating movies, but the distribution of films has become fairly advanced where I'm from? So I'm really saying that you might become famous in hell and in other worlds at this rate!
But if it's just treating you, we'll definitely get popcorn, exorbitant prices and all.
I'll keep the unnecessary snark out of my commentary, but I may or may not laugh at my discretion.
[Monts takes the tickets for the both of them.]
I don't know much about pirating movies, but the distribution of films has become fairly advanced where I'm from? So I'm really saying that you might become famous in hell and in other worlds at this rate!
But if it's just treating you, we'll definitely get popcorn, exorbitant prices and all.
Edited 2022-05-30 23:05 (UTC)
True. They've really increased in the past few days andā...
[She inadvertently glances back at the trashcan and she sees it again.
A twisted body, limp, unmoving, and the neck all wrong. There's a dry streak of blood trailing from her head and some between her lips There are a pair of eyes blinking at her, those are her eyes. She's not dead, she's staring back at her as if telling her, DO SOMETHING. I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING. I CAN'T MOVE.
I HATE THIS.
Crack.
Marianna's grip around the haniwa figure had tightened to the point that a small crack appeared on its torso. The sharp sound snaps her out of that reverie and she quickly drops the haniwa.]
... Chongyun, I... Yeah. I shouldn't have done that.
[Monts purses her lips and drops to the ground in a squat and grips her umbrella for dear life.]
These are bad news.
[She inadvertently glances back at the trashcan and she sees it again.
A twisted body, limp, unmoving, and the neck all wrong. There's a dry streak of blood trailing from her head and some between her lips There are a pair of eyes blinking at her, those are her eyes. She's not dead, she's staring back at her as if telling her, DO SOMETHING. I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING. I CAN'T MOVE.
I HATE THIS.
Crack.
Marianna's grip around the haniwa figure had tightened to the point that a small crack appeared on its torso. The sharp sound snaps her out of that reverie and she quickly drops the haniwa.]
... Chongyun, I... Yeah. I shouldn't have done that.
[Monts purses her lips and drops to the ground in a squat and grips her umbrella for dear life.]
These are bad news.
Page 1 of 3