May 2022 Mini Event

[jigokumods]

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As the Haniwa continue to pop up in the city and the turf war rages on, life goes on in the city.

1. SHUTEN CLAN

Remember the Isonade? Yeah, those guys. The surly shark-dudes who were no doubt involved in some black market smuggling along the banks of the Sanzu. They were too tough to fight off in order to figure out what they were up to, last time.

Well, Toraguma has caught wind of them now. Despite the ongoing turf war, he’s not about to lose out on an opportunity here! He wants his Shuten Clan operatives to scour the river looking for these guys. They will be a lot harder to find without the rabbits’ help, though. If you find them, you are to “inform them” that the Shuten Clan will be taking over their operation. If they have problems with that, well… you know what to do.

Don’t forget that they’re quite strong and that they aren’t too keen on giving up the information on their supply line without a fight. You’ll need to use teamwork to get what you need out of them.

Should you manage your way to their warehouse, you’ll find a fresh shipment of their products: specialized herbs, mineral-rich clay, and rarefied ore. None of these products can be found in the city naturally. The Isonade won’t dare name their primary buyer but they will let slip that all of this is being smuggled into the city from the outer Wastelands.

The Shuten Clan will demand their cut out of this operation, but you may get the impression that this is only one small piece of a much larger shadow creeping over the city…

Art by Alejandro Gonzalez Agudelo

2. SUTOKU ALLIANCE

The death and subsequent “rebirth” of the Daitengu has caused a considerable amount of chaos. Many of the subsidiary tribes have struggled under the weight of uncertainty during this debacle. The Daitengu has decided that an apology tour is owed. It’s good for the sake of the Alliance, after all.

Oh, but they’re not going to be doing it themselves. You, the Sutoku Lost Souls, will be fully responsible for it. ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა

Sutoku Souls are tasked with going to various businesses and tribe centers with an offering of gifts and deference to any and every group within the Alliance who will agree to meet with you. The gifts have been provided by the Daitengu, and are mainly snacks and coupons. Which will not be enough to please everyone. Some clans will demand more and some, in their rage, will try to take their anger out on you. You are an (lowly) ambassador right now, better to turn the other cheek.

This all boils down to be less of an apology tour and more of a bribe tour. What the Daitengu has provided won’t cover everything and you’re going to have to go out of pocket to truly placate the other clans. If you don’t have enough cash on hand, you may be asked to do various unpaid tasks and labors: washing dishes, scrubbing floors, cleaning windows, taking out the trash, serving kids’ birthday parties; any amount of the lowest work you can imagine.

It’s rough! But somebody’s gotta do it

3. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA

The chaos of the Night Parade has caused a resurgence of unaffiliated gangs popping up around Jigokucho. They can usually be found identifying themselves through the use of basic colors and mascots. They are made up almost entirely of violent youths with uncertain futures, who are lashing out at an uncaring world. The antics of the Daitengu, the accusations against the Enma, and the squabbling between Shuten and Tamamo is not inspiring their confidence nor loyalty.

In addition to this problem, the retrieval of the Haniwa is going poorly. Most residents are too uncomfortable to even touch the statues and their appearances don’t seem to be slowing down. There are too many for the Department to collect.

With an abundance of cursed objects in town, the petty gangs have decided this is an ample resource for them. They are using the Haniwa to harass the general public and against one another. They have weaponized the excess Haniwa and are using them as “curse bombs”, hurling them at both each other and the residents they want to intimidate. It’s getting nasty.

It’s the Department’s job to keep the Haniwa figures from falling into the wrong hands and to keep some semblance of order. The official orders from the Office of the Enma are directing all hands to converge against the youth gangs. Use any force necessary and retrieve those figurines.

4. TAMAMO CLAN

How inconvenient! In addition to the complications of the turf war, an extremely important time of the year has arrived for the Tamamo Clan.

It is time for the yearly visit of one of the clan’s greatest benefactors: the Tennin. These Celestial Immortals descend from the Heavenly Realms to spend time (and incredible amounts of money) in Hell’s Playground, Jigokucho. Hell simply offers the sort of delights you just can’t get in Heaven. Due to Tenkohime’s connections with them, the Celestials have had her host them for several years in a row now. She emphasizes how incredibly important it is to keep them happy.

The Celestials want entertainment and delights of every variety. It’s up to the Tamamo Clan’s Lost Souls to entertain them. Your entertainments can take many forms: keeping the Celestials company, putting on a performance, showing off your cooking and skills, tea ceremonies, and other exhibitions. Should you choose the carnal and kinky route for entertainments, know that you won’t be laying down with any Celestials themselves. Oh, no no no, they’re Heavenly, after all! This is still performance, so you may need a partner to help you out.

Keep in mind that the legends are true! The Celestials are deeply deeply fond of peaches. Both literal and metaphorical. 🍑

The Celestials love to chat and gossip, so keeping them entertained is also an excellent way to hear some interesting information. Tamamo artisans will likely learn that many Celestials openly trade with Tenkohime. In fact, the aphrodisiac goods that the Tamamos so famously deal in come, in large part, from the Celestials. Tamamo isn’t the only clan they do business with either. They also have connections within the Sutoku Alliance and are the land owners of several Alliance properties. They are considered one of the primary sources of capital in the real estate market.

Why would the Celestials want properties in a world they literally can’t live in? Doesn’t that just reek of capitalism.

5. TURF WAR (ALL FACTIONS)

The turf war between the Shuten and Tamamo clans is at a simmer right now. Which doesn’t mean that it’s over – not even close. Minor magical traps, similar to those found in the sewer, have been found in Shuten territory. Frustrated Shuten enforcers have been taking out their anger on anyone that so much as looks at them funny. Bars in both districts are regularly getting smashed up. Knife fights are breaking out in the streets. Cars known to belong to members of both clans turn up with slashed tires. There’s even rumors of hits being taken out on higher ranking members.

Watch your step if you’re out and about in either territory. Faction affiliation doesn’t matter when tensions are running high. What’s more, rumors are flying all over about which of the two warring clans is going to be the one to escalate the violence further.

Will tensions boil over at any moment? At what point does the Department of the Enma have to step in? Why haven’t they already?

It’s all getting too much to handle…

6. CURSED OBJECTS (ALL FACTIONS)

The presence of the Haniwa is having increasingly frightening effects. There are whispers about blood coming out of the walls and the floors in apartments, about black ooze pouring from faucets and coming up from storm drains. There are even whispers of terrible household hauntings.

These aren’t just rumors though. Bars are having to close early due to the presence of wailing ghosts inhabiting the toilet or blood pouring from the taps. People run screaming out of alleyways pursued by ghostly hands.

These curses and hauntings seem to be fairly localized; kept to one building or one block at a time. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason as to when these accursed sightings will take effect.

Be careful out there! Who knows what could happen with so much terrible energy running rampant.

Welcome to the mini event!

• If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
• FOR THE PURPOSES OF REWARDS, since all of these prompts tie into the main plot in some way, we will count all qualified threads in this post as 2 point threads!
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Comments

[swordhardy]

[ Hoho... ]

I'm just here to finish my drink.

[ Which he raises toward the other man in a mocking toast before knocking the rim back against his teeth. Between the apparitions crawling throughout the bar and an exorcist, there's no question to him which is the more troublesome—the ghosts here wouldn't have the balls to actually attack him. When it comes to malevolence and spiritual pressure his is superior to whatever the Haniwa are stirring up, filthy as it may be. There's also the fact that like is comfortable with like; a daemon is perfectly at home among cursed things.

This man? Rokurou knows nothing about. He's interesting, which is why the gleam of a golden eye remains fast on him even as the sink continues to leak black and the boards beneath their feet begin to groan. ]

And I'm a paying customer. [ he shrugs, watching the black sludge shrivel beneath that brutal piercing with a manic sort of glee, ] They're not.

[ And apparently they're not yet giving up. More sludge oozes down from the panels of the walls as a wailing cry cuts through the air; Rokurou leans to the left to avoid dripping goo from staining the shoulder of his kimono. Drinks and a show, what fun. ]

[worldbent]

Suit yourself. [A paying customer, huh? Matoba supposes that means he can't really be expected to get rid of this one anyway, even if he wanted to. Unfortunately, most 'paying customers' around here were things he'd rather get rid of.]

[His fingers are still trailing along the walls, but the groaning from the floorboards is getting irritating. That one he caught must have been a 'child' ... He frowns down at the floor, and then up at a rattling in the ceiling. It was everywhere. Sigh.]

In the pipes... This is why I hate taking jobs in the city. [Then, without looking at his familiar, he says,] Go after it.

[The shadows dive between the floorboards for what must be the most cursed Tom&Jerry chase in history, and now the rattling is traveling everywhere- through the floor, up the wall, into the back room. Matoba strolls further in as whatever little malignant goon is making the ruckus gets chased about, causing dust and plaster to get knocked about from the walls and ceiling, this time searching for the proper cause of all this, the thing that has attracted all these malignant wastes.]

[He finds them, haniwa huddled under the bar in twos and threes, their garish hollow eyes not unlike those of his own familiars. He draws a seal, and then glances thoughtfully up to Rokurou, who he's now across the bar counter from. He smiles, and leans against it, dangling the charm in his fingers.] I would hate to interrupt your drink, dear customer, but this might make you feel a little.... uncomfortable.

[swordhardy]

[ Having made himself comfortable, Rokurou watches on as the exorcist works, nursing his drink just as promised. Whiskey warms his tongue and burns in his chest as the lullaby of spirits crying out from the counterattack plays out, with ooze and black receding. It takes the man little time to realize it's the pipeworks... though, Rokurou chuckles to himself, the fact that a young one dripped right out of the sink was a pretty big indicator of that.

The use of shadows is intriguing—he had thought so before, but considers it again when they delve into the pipes to chase out the ghosts like rats. Most exorcists Rokurou knows use vessels that obey their commands, yes, but they tend to be pure spirits. Anything less would be dirty and improper. Very interesting ... but there are surely all types in Hell. He takes another sip, which leaves only a single swallow left in his glass.

He smiles again when the man finds the Haniwa beneath the bar, leaning his elbow onto the counter and resting his chin in his palm. Hello there. ♥ ]

Oh? That's very thoughtful of you. [ that golden eye flicks a look over slender fingers and the charm between them before returning back to the stranger's face, ] Don't worry, something that weak won't bother me. [ his lashes flutter innocently, ] A bit messy, too ... it's been a while for me, but I'm happy to correct it for you.

[ He nods his chin up, ]

Just kidding. Go on, go on.

[ Please, allow him to continue surveying your abilities. This is far more interesting than he expected this evening to go. ]

[worldbent]

Haha, is that so? [He leans off the counter and claps the talisman between his hands, charging it to dispel the haniwa's influence.] ...Perhaps later. I do have a job to finish up.

[What an impudent old fart. These ones were such a pain to work around... And there certainly were a lot of them, around here. Oh well; they were all in the palms of the clan leaders, too. That attitude only went so far when you were equally beholden to a greater power than yourself.]

[Chanting the sutras to activate the ward, purified energy fills the room of the bar; it has a feel like burning smells; whether by Matoba's own energy or otherwise, there's something on the undercurrent of it that's oily and slick. And somewhere in the walls, a pained wail signals the end of wherever that parent youkai had been pinned down, and of the malice filling the bar, sludge receding and turning to dust that will need to be cleaned out from the bar by ...not Matoba, anyway.]

[Whatever effect it was on Rokurou- whether it gives him seasonal allergies or whatever- Matoba seems unconcerned with. At least the haniwa are taken care of, for now... He stoops to check on them, the paper seals wrapped over their forms and- for now- suppressing their aura.]

I should be charging you, too. [Honestly. With the haniwa retrieved, it's time to have them sealed away by the Enma and collect his pay.... But letting this one off the hook after being this annoying just doesn't sit right with him.] I don't want to hear any nitpicks after you've gotten to sit here and watch.

[swordhardy]

[ Despite that earlier claim, the power of his purification is a little bit chafing. That slick hint in its undercurrent is actually its saving grace, the most tolerable thing about it, cleansing energy otherwise feeling like direct sun on a hot day. Nothing that does anything to him in the end except leave a whiff of sting along his flesh, but hot is hot.

Rokurou raises a hand and rubs the tips of his fingers together. It doesn't last, but that lingering sting is almost nice. ]

Why? I didn't ask you to come.

[ Not his job, not his bar. Neither of these men—the owner or the exorcist—is his master. That said, he does have to relent on the matter of quality. As much as he loves to heckle an exorcist, he loves strength in equal amount. Probably more. ]

I don't have any nitpicks. You're a very splendid exorcist, aren't you?

[ After finishing that last swig of his glass, Rokurou leaves it on the counter and finally stands, stretching his arms overhead in long, feline motion. ]

Oh, before? [ nitpicking... ] I really was just kidding. I don't know much about charms, my clan specializes in swordsmanship.

[worldbent]

You don't have that right, [Matoba corrects, unrelenting and precise.] As you are a guest in this territory. As a potential opponent, I would typically have turned down the job with something as irritating as you snooping around, but I have an unfortunate responsibility towards ensuring that these curses do not get any more out of hand. Too lax on my part, certainly, but that doesn't mean you haven't still received information of worth without compensating me for it.

[What a mouth on this one. He exchanges pointed, sarcastic looks with the man, with a cheerless and polite smile. Alas: the first rule of acquisition business is to never to give up something before securing payment, so shame on him, this once.]

[He watches Rokurou rise to his feet and make a show of his indifference, folding his arms into his kimono with the fragile haniwa packaged securely in the grasp of his following shiki.]

...There is a charm specialist, here. [Just sayin'] I would agree, in that case; mine pale in comparison.

But to think, such clans survived the death of the era of swords, huh...? [He wonders if the man has come across either of the spirits, yet. Hadn't he teased that one about finding a proper Master? That would certainly be an interesting pair to match up, wouldn't it.] What a pitiful end that must have been, given the state everyone else is in.

[swordhardy]

[ This exorcist has quite the sharp tongue, doesn't he? The verbal lashing only broadens Rokurou's grin, offering a hint of sharp teeth from beneath curve of lips as he reaches to grab his knife from the cabinet it's still lodged in. Exorcists are usually so dry; at least this one's funny. ]

Snooping around? [ he sheathes the knife at his hip, ] Is that what they call having a drink at the bar now?

[ He hums softly to himself, giving the man's words some consideration. Duty certainly holds meaning to him even now, even after he's been twisted into something otherly and screwed over one master—and while he could easily argue that he didn't force this guy to openly show his hand or that it wasn't snooping when he was brazenly observing, he decides not to. ]

Pitiful indeed. Survived is a generous word. [ back to the main matter at hand, ] I always pay my debts. Since you seem so interested in me, I'll answer three questions. Whatever you'd like. You see, I spent the last of my paycheck on that drink. Couldn't give you money even if I wanted to.

[ He rubs his fingers over his chin, tips tracing over the blotching of black that marrs his skin well beneath the cut of hair that hides half his face. ]

Deal?

[worldbent]

[Exorcists were the same everywhere.... Well, anyway, this one's haughty amusement has earned him something interesting, but he's not going to take such a gift at face value, given what it's coming from.]

[Always a catch, with these ones....] That quickly. Perhaps you should have taken this job, instead of me.

...There's no guarantee you'll answer my questions truthfully. [But his interest is clear. He tilts his head as he considers Rokurou, uncovered eye dragging over the obvious demonic traits on his otherwise human-like appearance. His aura was twisted and malignant, despite his clear sense of self. Somehow, that was even more disgusting.]

[Matoba lets off a tiny puff of breath. He opens his mouth, about to ask him what clan he's in, but-- honestly, he feels like he can guess. Meatheads.]

[Instead, he asks with a considering tilt of his head, and a thin smile.] Amongst us Lost Souls, do you have any ...prior acquaintances?

[swordhardy]

Haha, maybe I should have, but these aren't the kinds of demons I like to kill.

[ No guarantee on honesty, that's true enough—and despite the offer of three questions he doesn't follow up to be good. Whether or not the exorcist believes him is his choice, and he didn't ask for the amendment; Rokurou will be honest, if only because there's no benefit to deception or malicious compliance right now.

Leaning back against the bar, Rokurou tilts his head at the man's first question. An interesting choice. His gaze lingers as he speaks, that golden eye searching without actually asking. He may have seen him work a bit and felt the pressure of his spiritual power, but the guy's still a mystery. "Snooping" hadn't given much of an advantage. ]

I do. Just one that I know well. A few others were in the same city before, but I didn't work directly with them. From where I'm from originally, there are none.

[ He raises three fingers, and then lowers one. Two to go. ]

[worldbent]

I don't take all my jobs for fun either, you know.

[Indignantly, as if Rokurou is implying Matoba was chasing whatever poop demon was wreaking havoc on this bar's plumbing for fun.]

[One problem quantity. Well then. Matoba wouldn't be stirring any trouble with this one just yet, not until he knew whether there might be a mutual connection to avoid. (The same city, hm? He wonders. Hadn't there been something about that...?)]

[That alters his perspective of Rokurou's obviously malignant nature, a little bit, as well. His gaze settles on the man's right eye hidden under his bangs, much like his own- he could have passed for a Matoba, in another age. But whatever curse had taken hold of his body, it seemed it was not something which was warded from the outside.]

It sounds like you were born to a human exorcist clan... How interesting. I am acquainted with another clanhead who became a sort of monster, but he isn't nearly as sociable as you.

So, how long has it been? Since you were human.

[swordhardy]

[ He neither confirms nor denies Matoba's guess about his clan. He'd hinted at the Rangetsu's nature earlier, and there's certainly truth to what he said though there's so much more gone unspoken—but he won't give unrelated information for free now that they have a deal. As for his being a monster ... it's something he can't deny. His mouth twitches, amused, but he doesn't try to rebuff the notion. He's a daemon: what is he if not a monster?

The question that the man does ask is very simple, and Rokurou's actually surprised by it. He cocks his head while studying Matoba again with a touch more scrutiny.

No one ever asks him that.

He pauses, but not out of reluctance to answer the question. Time in Hakagemachi was strange, barely passing at all with the nature of the city. It couldn't have been more than a few months ... he doesn't even think he had a real birthday there. ]

Three years. [ and despite not intending to give any extras, before he's pegged as some crusty old daemon he adds, ] I'm twenty two now.

[worldbent]

[For what it's worth, Rangetsu's answer is one that Matoba was absolutely not expecting.] Three... years?

[He was that young?? Matoba's surprise is plain on his face for a long moment, but then his smile spreads slyly, and a tiny puff of a chuckle escapes him. He has to raise the edge of his kimono sleeve to his mouth in a tiny show of (fake) modesty to muffle his laughter.]

[Three years... Could a human spirit be twisted that quickly? It was an interesting case study in how this place had all sorts, to be sure; even Matoba, as much as he loathed inhuman things, could not say a spirit who'd had so little time yet to lose their sense of self could truly be called that different from a ghost.]

Well then. I suppose that would make us something like classmates, wouldn't it, swordsman-san?

[Gremlin. If Rokurou had truly only known the stuffiest of exorcists, then maybe this was something of a relief, but... could this be called any better?]

[swordhardy]

[ Yes sir I am in fact a toddler daemon.

A toddler that doesn't get the joke; for the first time since they've met, Rokurou's lips downturn. It isn't a frown so much as a pout, brow scrunching at the chuckle that escapes the exorcist. He knows teasing when he sees it—he's the youngest of six competitive boys—but he's always been better at dishing it than taking it. Like, you know, a brat. He is the youngest one, after all. ]

And why's that so funny? I'm stronger than almost all of these old guys without eating anyone, and I've kept my sense of self.

[ He crosses his arms with an almost-huff, defensive. He realizes after that it means they're the same age or thereabouts—so there's something learned there for him, too. It isn't too surprising for his side given that he's met exorcists of all ages. They usually start pretty young. ]

One more question for you.

[worldbent]

[Brat knows brat like younger sibling knows younger sibling....It seems they had yet more in common. Matoba delights in Rokurou's pouting reaction, pleased at finally breaking his haughty demeanor.]

Are you, now? --That wasn't a serious question, [He interjects, just in case Rokurou was the type to be technical.] I must say, I'm much more used to.... long-lived ayakashi. Even half a century might be more believable, but--

Oh, don't let me get you down about it. I'm sure you're very powerful.

[Fufu. He manages to tamp down his own bratty streak, drawing a hand to his chin in thought. It wouldn't do to waste the last question.... He contemplates for a moment, then begins to speak again.] ...Most human spirits who become a youkai are those who die filled with grief or resentment... [His eye rests on Rokurou's blades. Fallen in battle, perhaps? Perhaps it was an ayakashi that felled him. But no- if he died with that much hatred or regret in him, it must have been.......]

Was it an exorcist who did this to you?

[Matoba knows their world too well- knows the politics, the pettiness, and the bitter grudges that clung on and poisoned relations for generations. Humans could give ayakashi a run for their money, in that department- in that, he did not doubt the capacity for such treachery even the slightest.]

[swordhardy]

[ A good thing he clarified, because Rokurou had just opened his mouth to take advantage of the opportunity. Very technical, and extremely fond of loopholes, this one. Even more so when dealing with guys who chuckle at him like that. He is super powerful, thanks!! Don’t say it like that!!

But at that reasoning, it’s Rokurou’s turn to chuckle and rub his chin with a shit-eating smirk. There’s truth enough behind the process of a dying person becoming a daemon, but that’s got nothing to do with him. ]

Does this look like the work of an exorcist…? [ when the lot of you are so pure? —okay, not you, this one is a bit stinky, ] I didn’t die, either. Before, I mean. I have no idea about now.

[ He’s still quite confused as to what Hell is, and what being here means, especially after his last city stint … but it’s neither here nor there. Point is: there was no death involved in this dip into malevolence.

Well. Never let it be said he isn’t a man of his technical word; a question back at a question doesn’t constitute an answer. He taps a finger at the base of the black marring along his throat that creeps up beneath hair that obscures just what’s going on under there. ]

This blight … well, guess you could say I did it to myself, in part. It wasn’t the work of human hands.

[ Is that an answer that invites more questions? Yes. Yes it is. Even if his brother had been a heavy influence on why this happened, technically he didn’t do it. He didn’t even know until years later, so there’s no reason to open that can of worms with an exorcist whose name he doesn’t even know.

With his third answer given, the structure of the question not requiring more than confirming that it wasn’t an exorcist, this debt is paid. ]

Looks like we’re all settled up, stranger. [ he flashes another smile, pushing off the bar in a dusting of fluttering kimono, ] Have fun collecting your dolls. There are a lot more, right?

[worldbent]

Do you want me to answer that? [He can answer a question with a question too, guy!! ...And in all honesty, yes. He could very easily imagine a scenario in which an exorcist botched an attempt to kill a fellow practitioner- out of greed, or jealousy, or some pettiness- and failed to complete the job, leaving a festering and resentful spirit behind which manifested into something powerful.]

[But it is stranger to him for the man to say that he has not died. A live human, becoming an ayakashi....? Most conversions required the death of the body. Whether it was a soul that was left to linger too long and became something else, or a powerful spirit borne from a sudden, violent death or a sorrowful suicide.]

[The alternative was... possession? Matoba's eye squints imperceptibly as he watches Rokurou speak. "Not the work of human hands" turns his mind in that direction; he can't see any telltale waver of a second aura, or the scorched scent of a malicious attachment, but possessions were difficult for even him to always see.]

...I see, [Matoba replies with his bland, courteous smile, clearly curious- but his time to ask was up. He watches as the swordsman crosses the bar and makes to leave. It was a shame not to be able to get a little more out of him, but... He had a feeling they would be crossing paths again. The man seemed to have an interest in meddlesome things, if his insistence on drinking in the company of curses was anything to go by.]

Yes. Whoever or whatever is creating them seems to have a rather endless supply of malicious energy to expend. [His smile brightens, not nicely.] Are you interested? Perhaps you should try collecting them, as well. See what happens.

[swordhardy]

No.

[ He pauses in step to glance back at the exorcist over his shoulder, a glint of gold against a fall of dark hair. That predatory gaze sweeps upward, lingering on the exorcist's pale throat for a moment longer than the rest, with an extra second spared for the ward across his right eye. It shifts to the unwarded one a moment later, eye for an eye, meeting that unkind smile with a vampish smirk. ]

I'm not interested in anything that can't handle me.

[ Turning forward again, sandals scrape patchwork wood floor. Boards creak under his weight until the threshold; a gloved hand rests on the doorframe, returned to normal upon Matoba's swift exorcism, a pale dusting of light from outside breaking through the space and softening the edges of his silhouette. He turns his head again, but it's over the opposite shoulder this time. Another curtain of black to meld into the sharp lines of his profile, lips a near-brush to leathercovered knuckles. A hint of red hue simmers from behind a few breaks inkfall hair, but it's gone just as quickly as it came. ]

But you ... let's meet again when you're tired of playing with dolls.

[worldbent]

[Please, try it, Matoba's gaze dares him, glinting right back as Rokurou's sticks over his throat and then meets his own. It'd be pretty boring for him to have all this bluster and talk and then not even be capable of killing him, wouldn't it?]

[...So much bluster. Matoba's expression flattens mockingly.]

You really have quite the ego, don't you? For a child. [Look. They are the same age, but, it's different when you're an ayakashi!! Infant!! ...Maybe Seiji here just isn't used to a taste of his own medicine.] And elders tell me I am overconfident. Hmh.

[Perhaps he can claim he was speaking of the haniwa, but honestly- Matoba doesn't think he believes that the man can handle those so unaffected, either. The direct effects of releasing their energy was a different level of curse energy that perhaps exceeded what he was expecting. The little disgusting ones they attracted were one thing; the buildup of malicious aura attracted plenty of low-level curses and sickness-bringing ayakashi, but sometimes... Sometimes, you caught a bugger one. In this city, it was unlikely that something like that would enter without attracting the attention of the more powerful clan members, but could it be that the cause of this was one of those types...?]

[Matoba is tugged back out of his thoughts by Rokurou's invitation, igniting his smile once again.]

Haha, is it a date? I'll remember you said that. [When you're complaining about it next time, he doesn't add.]

[swordhardy]

[ A child—that almost makes him laugh. Takes one to know one, right? Something Rokurou almost snides right back, more than willing to act like a child when the mood is right (hey, he is the youngest of six boys), but refrains. There will be more time to tease the exorcist later. Somehow, he gets the feeling that this really won't be the last they see of each other, invitations aside.

... but he does laugh when the guy calls it a date. The daemon's grin widens, eyebrow arching higher with a low cackle of noise that's soft even in the quiet of the freshly purged bar. ]

Like me that much already? [ he was going to be the bigger man and not neg for like, half a second, but that one comes out without a thought. oops. oh well. ] You're not my usual type, but okay.

[ What was that he said about ego? Something Rokurou's decided to ignore completely, clearly. Though this is more born from the fact that he just can't help messing with a good exorcist like this (maybe he is a child). ]

Don't miss me too much in the meantime, alright?