jigokulogs | Work Ethic (May Open Subplot/Event)

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Work Ethic (May Open Subplot/Event)

Who ⬤ Tenshi (

swordofhisou) and you!
What ⬤ Subplot & General Content for the Month of May
When ⬤ Throughout the Month of May
Where ⬤ Various Locations
Content Warnings ⬤ Possible Hallucinations, Porno Mags, Possible Mild Violence, Mentions of Prostitution (but no actual prostitution)

1) Doing Her Job... (Non-subplot/event)
In theory? Tenshi was actually good at what she was doing. And what was she doing, you might be asking? She was standing inside of a brothel in a good quality dress that permitted freedom of movement. Her hands were resting on the pommel of a shinai whose blunted bamboo tip rested on the ground. She had a bored look on her face as she stood there, just quietly waiting. Yep, she'd pulled security duty at one of the low-rent houses of entertainment, which was pretty much just about the best job for someone with her skillset, particularly as it wasn't a place where trouble was likely to occur. She was just there to show that security was there, thus keeping the honest folks honest.

Of course, this translated to her being more than a little bored, so she had to stifle the occasional yawn, which got her a look from the madam and a shrug of sort of apology. She was still working on the whole atmosphere of professionalism thing. At the same time? Nobody was stopping her from talking, as long as she kept her eyes on things, so ... feel free to come pester her. It would at least keep her day from complete monotony.

2) Turf Wars (Event-Related/possible violence)
Here she was, in the tunnels again. She was actually trying to keep quiet about it. Trying was the operative word. She had a proper sword, mostly because you didn't send someone down into this without actually arming them, not that she was actually planning on bringing the edge to bear. Yes, she enjoyed a good scrap, but she was pushing into Shuten turf right now and, after getting her ass handed to her by some jerk named Izo, she might have become more than a little aware of her own current mortality. It was shameful, but that wasn't about to stop her from participating in the only interesting thing going on right now.

She glanced over at her partner and whispered. "You plant the thing. I'm going to keep a look out." Of course, whether or not planting traps deeper into Shuten territory was actually going to help the turf war remained to be seen, as did whether she could do it successfully or not.

(OOC: Open to any faction here, though Tamamo obviously makes sense. Shuten is viable too, if you want a rumble. I'd prefer it be to only moderate injuries and one faction beating a retreat however.)

3) End of The Snipe Hunt (Sub-Plot Related)/Freaking out over a porno magazine.
"Oh you have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?!?" she was shrieking at the top of her lungs, staring at the cover of a magazine with the most positively affronted look on her face. She had been at this for hours. She'd done favors she didn't want to talk about. She looked sweaty, tired and irritated, all wrapped up into one, and she was probably in debt to some freaking Zashiki Warashi a district over just to finish the job, but at this point? She had it in her hands, and she looked about ready to tear it up.

"I want to beat that little pervert senseless!" What the hell was so important about the magazine? Don't worry. It was really stupid.

4) Collecting Trouble (Plot-Relevent)
She'd been staring at the Haniwa like a starving soul at a buffet for the last week, poking at them only to have visions of haniwa faces dance in her dreams every night. It was starting to piss her off, and at this point she was finally done with it.

"Whoever is behind this? They're taking their dear sweet time with this plot of theirs and it's pissing me off," she said as she reached down to grab one of them. "Fine, let's start poking the badger and see if we can drag this tanuki or whatever out of hiding? You in? Collect as many of these as we can and give 'em to the Enma? Don't care if they reward me. I wanna piss off whoever put these here so we get to the next stage of this fight. This one's already getting boring."

...uh... k, their face currently looked like a haniwa to her, but she was coping. Whatever. Stupid dolls.

Wildcard)
Go for it. Whatever you please. No major harm, and if you're wanting anything specific outside of the norm, just send me a PM first.

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"The way things are going we'll probably be seeing whoever is behind this here pretty soon."

That's encouraging, right? Though what happens when someone that powerful reveals themself could be more of a problem. They'll deal with that when they come to it. For now she has a job to do and she will get these things off the street. As many of them as she can. With help the task is slightly more manageable.

"You would think that, wouldn't you? Stupid, blasted Haniwa everywhere, screwing with my dreams. This is getting more than a bit much, so they'd better be about to hatch their master plan. I want to kick their butt." Which was something of a statement about her usual approach to things. Still, at least she was knuckling down and being useful about this particular problem.

She gave a bow to one of the Haniwa. "Never hurts to at least try to be respectful. In case they're the real thing," she muttered, before rising and reaching for it to pick it up. "Oh, if you haven't handled one of these before... you might see some weird crap." Like her with a haniwa face. She was already imagining what Julieta would probably look like.

"What do you mean the real thing?"

She's collected a few of these to take back to the office. She's seen a few hallucinations for sure. The weird things never seemed to end. Even if they took care of this problem she was resigned to be faced with something entirely new. She'd stick with people who seemed to know what's going on. Just to be safe she imitated the bow.

"The Department is collecting these for research and safekeeping. If you don't mind."

"Well, they're funeral protectors. Spirits possess the clay figures and they're entombed and enshrined with the dead, or put in sacred places to protect them. They take on humanoid form when they need to, and they're kind of a spiritual army of sorts where I come from." Also, they were annoyingly loyal and sticks in the mud about the whole things if you asked her. "So it's really weird to see them here just around, and filled with cursed power. But, in case there's actually a spirit in there, you bow respectfully, maybe clap to get their attention so they know you're coming."

It almost seemed antithetical to what they were supposed to be, and while she really wasn't as knowledgeable as some, this one was one she did understand. Walking over after bowing, she picked up the Haniwa and winced, looking around nervously. Yep. That was definitely Julieta with a Haniwa face right now. She just sighed. "Ugh, yeah. Let's get these over to the Enma. I'm pretty sure the folks in Tamamo don't actually want to deal with them." They had Onmyoji, but that didn't mean they wanted to deal with how many there were.

"Just hope the plan wasn't to get all of these in one place. I hate helping other people's plans instead of doing my own."

"Having them all in one place. Even if it's not intentional, something could go wrong, but at least it will be contained."

She doesn't believe there are malicious intentions involved. There hasn't been any suggestion of such a thing that she's aware of. She'll reserve her judgement until she's a higher rank and she's able to see more.

Tenshi assumed malice, but that was old habit given the way that youkai could behave with their plots. Deep down, she suspected that these dolls were part of some bold plan, but she wasn't quite quick enough to figure out what it was they were driving at. It might be clearer soon. Either way? If it caused a breach in Enma headquarters? Well, they brought it on themselves and it wasn't her problem, was it?

"Yeah, I figured that was the general idea. And it's not like this is some silly turf war thing. The Tamomo don't want them, so might as well be a good little citizen, eh?" Hey, she could behave now and again.

"I think we all want that to be over with. We have enough other things to deal with. Has any progress been made?"

She's glad to hear Tamamo clan isn't misusing them in any way. Even with as little as she knows about them she knows they shouldn't be messed with. They should put them away and keep them there.

There was a momentary pause there while the two of them were starting to walk. Her lips thinned into a line and she grimaced. Fuck. She actually had to think about this for a second. Finally, she sighed. "We're playing by the rules, if that's what you mean. I can't really say anything else, I'm pretty sure. But no bodies in the streets. Nobody wants this getting too messy."

Well, ok, 'nobody' here meant the higher ups, but nevertheless she could at least tell the cop that they were trying to behave themselves. Just keeping my nose clean, officer.

[ She's already cooperated plenty. Julieta isn't too concerned if she doesn't want to tell her everything there is to know. It's at least somewhat comforting to know nothing has gone too wrong down there. If that's the case she will continue to stay out of it. ]

You've been very helpful. I'll see what we can do as far as compensation.

[She considered that for a moment. Did she want compensation? Hmmm.]

You know, I'm usually the sort of person who's not about to pass up on getting paid for what I do. More money means I buy more fun things, but for getting these things off of the streets maybe we can just go with a little consideration from the cops? Doing business is easier when you don't hork the local police off too much.

...

But if you insist, then just buy me lunch.

I really do. It's appreciated when someone cooperates for once.

[ The department will probably cover the cost for her. She'll just need to find and fill out all the correct forms. Then wait for her request to be approved. It was a worthwhile investment to her. ]

In fairness... I'm really kind of shitty at the whole "Being in a gang" thing. But that's fine. The Tamamo like to be nice and clean about their dealings, so why not cooperate once in a while?

Besides... these stupid things feel like they're kind of a problem. I just figure that we haven't seen the last of it is all. If I get lunch out of it? Bonus.

Thanks for the heads up. I guess I'll be watching for something to happen.

[ In the mean time she'll just keep collecting. It feels better than doing nothing when they're actively being a problem. ]

Yeah, might as well be prepared just in case, and for now we can grab these. See what they manage to do to fix this. I'm not in a position to exorcise much anyway.

How long you been here? Just kind of curious.

Edited 2022-06-16 01:47 (UTC)

It's... been a few months.

[ She hasn't really thought about it too often. It's been too long already. They're keeping her here and away from what they promised her. Just like she was warned. But there's nothing she can do about it so she'll have to go along with it for now. ]

Ah, ok. that's not too long. [And as if she realized what she'd said in a brief moment of empathy, she coughed.] Sorry, that's the immortal in me talking. I'd probably be able to stick it out here years as long as I wasn't actually bored.

Time kinda doesn't matter the same way when you're as old as me.

I haven't had any problems with boredom here so far. How old are you?

[ It's kind of been not so bad. She's met people. Tried new things. Her job is tolerable. It's almost a break from what she had to deal with back home. ]

Yup, this place is plenty interesting. Lots of stuff to get into.

[The question, though, made her blink. She started to think, and it was clear she was counting on her hands. She stopped and counted again. The third time, she sighed and shook her head. The problem was that she really did at times have a very mortal's perspective on matters, and so remembering more than a lifetime ago came with a lot of bluriness and she'd lost track of how many years she'd been in heaven.]

Uh, so... I don't actually know. I lost track. But I remember the bakufu if that means anything? It's been a while. I know that.

[She was probably more than a century old, but who knew for sure. Like most spirits, she probably dated from before the Hakurei Barrier's establishment in the 19th century, but she'd never really remember.]

No that's not familiar to me. Can you tell me about the bakufu?

[ Something to keep her mind occupied at least. All this going on around her had her paranoid about what could be coming for her. It was better if she could keep talking. ]

Military government. The Shogun was in charge, and the Emperor was more of a figure-head, depending on who you ask, though they always have much more pull in heaven. It's... complicated.

There was some sort of fight about it going on at some point, and nobody I ever meet from the modern era mentions a Shogun, so I assume they lost? [She shrugged, trying to think back.] Politics wasn't exactly my forte? I think there's a guy around here who might actually know a lot more about them, but he's a dick.

Sasuke had been working non stop to collect the stupid little figures when he hears this lady's yell, and it makes his eye twitch. He turns to where the yell came from and looks her over, she looks... Not ok.

"What's wrong?"

He'd been gathering the Haniwa, and she'd been gathering... the gods only knew how much bullcrap. Something about a pencil case. Something something, a basket full of mackerel. Now she was there, a full day's work to get a magazine and she'd managed to acquire it and she was brandishing the thing like a weapon. Ok, she was being careful not to dent it because she wanted to finish this but she was thrusting a porn magazine at this complete stranger, complete with the very lovely peach on the cover.

'Millions of Peaches' the title read.

"This! This effrontery is what I spent all day getting for some perverted youkai! Can you believe this?" It's just a peach, tenshi. Oh right. She's wearing one on her hat isn't she? Maybe she loves fruit?

Sasuke looks at the magazine and raises an eyebrow.

"That... Why would the yokai need you to get that?"

He's so confused. So confused. It looks like porn, but also... Weird porn.

"It's pornography and they're a pervert, of course. We work for and with perverts all the time," she said, rolling her eyes in a grand way and brandishing it again. It was... just a peach. That's all it was. The cover had a pretty little peach looking peachy and fuzzy. What was so special about that?

"But why a peach? Do they know just how embarrassing and sacrilegious that is?!?" Uh, most people probably wouldn't until they found out just how much Celestials liked peaches apparently.

Sasuke stares for a moment. Why does she care so much about the peach? "It seems to be a good way to cover up things that not everyone should see."

"No... no, you don't get it. Peaches are the food of immortals in heaven. This place is a hell like I know. This is probably some scandalous rag about celestials and that's just... it's blasphemous, you know!" She huffed as she said it. "Besides, I'm a celestial. And .... what... what if I'm in it!"

She's not.

Ah... That would explain a lot.

"Want to check if you're in it then?"

"I'm supposed to hand over a copy to him pristine... but there was another. I suppose I could buy a second, but why would I want something perverted about peaches?" That said? She was walking over to do it, pulling out the money. "This is just for research purposes, you hear me? Nothing perverted. Especially if I'm in it. That'd just be weird."

"Absolutely, lady." She might be a pervert or something, but at least she's not being that weird. That weird.

She grunted. Ok, he wasn't pressing the issue. This was embarrassing enough as is. Putting the money into the machine, she caused yet another to trundle forward. When it jammed, she gave the thing a good, stiff slap, getting it to fall down. Taking the dispensed artbook out, she held one under her arm and opened the wrapper on it.

...

And proceeded frown. "What the heck is this? This isn't celestials. It's a whole of pictures of people's butts?!?" Nope, absolutely did not get it.

Ah... Peaches. Makes sense.

"That makes sense, peaches do look like people's behinds."

Except peaches are a bit more tasteful.

"..."

Her jaw dropped and she stared at him. Closing the magazine, she looked at it, and finally she saw it. Her eyes widened and then she just looked a little offended.

"Ugh, that is so perverted. They're a sacred food where I come from. The peaches of immortality. Baaaah. I'd kick his butt for this, but I have to finish this stupid job."

Sasuke stared back. Raising an eyebrow at her face, before he speaks.

"Everything changes depending on where you are; and a job well done is worth it."

She sighed oh so grandly and just sagged defeated for a moment. "Bah. You're right. If I turn it into him, I'll probably get at least some little favor eventually, and I already went this far didn't I? I spent all day getting the dumb thing." A snort. "This whole town's full of pervs. Just saying."

Sasuke nods, at least they agree on something. "Too many perverts."

"I mean... it's hell, so I shouldn't be surprised that there's a bunch of perverts here, but seriously." A shrug and she scowled. "Whatever. the sooner this kappa has it in his hands, the sooner I don't have to worry about it anymore."

"Go give it to him, and you'll be free."

No more peaches and butts.

She groaned and finally relented. "You're right. Soon as he has it, I'm done with this crap. Alright, I'm going to go give him the stupid magazine so I don't have to worry about it anymore," she muttered before glancing over. "Uh... I didn't catch your name properly. Tenshi Hinanawi."

"Ah... Apologies, I'm Uchiha Sasuke." This was a weird way to meet someone, because of peaches. "I't s pleasure."

"Mmm, yes. A pleasure. We should taalk sometime when I'm not getting magazines for perverts," she said, giving him a sweeping bow and an attempt at a roguish grin before waving and heading out.

(OOC: I think it's a good place to wrap. I need to remember to throw her at poor Sasuke at the festival!)

[ her interest is piqued when she hears the name 'enma' -- but she's more than a little put off when it ends up being about the haniwa... again. ]

Tenshi-san! I understand your frustration, but I don't think it's a good idea to 'poke the badger'... What if it only makes things worse? [ mitsuri approaches her, gingerly placing a hand on the other woman's arm. ] If you'd like I could take it off your hands for you?

[ truthfully, the haniwa she'd been transporting had been slowly rubbing off on her too, but she isn't about to leave tenshi alone in that! ]

[She was glaring at Mitsuri with a squint before she recognized her voice. The Haniwa in her hands was screwing with her vision, which meant she was seeing the wrong features, everyone looking like Haniwa. But her voice was recongizable.]

Oh, it's you Mitsuri. Sorry, it's messing with my head, stupid cursed dolls.

I'm listening, though. How do you think this could get worse? Not breaking any of them. I'm pretty sure that's suicide.

"Not used to handing smut, are ya?"

It was said with a teasing smirk. Billy couldn't really say that he was all that happy about the ultimate end goal of the request. But pay is pay, and it was rather benign when compared to literally everything else. "Just a bit o' harmless fun."

"No, of course not. I'm a celestial!" she muttered angrily before gripping her forehead and shaking that blue head of hair aggressively. She wasn't shouting or crumpling the magazine at the very least. Had to actually finish this job. But, oh she wanted to punch a youkai.

"Besides, it's peaches! Peaches, do you get what that means?" Uh, she didn't get that it meant butts, hilariously enough.

"I do! And there ain't nothin' wrong with enjoyin' a peach here and there. Fact I just might later."

He lets out another bark of laughter. Oh dear, this girl might just be a bit too easy of a mark to tease. "Do you know what it means, darlin'?"

If not before then she clearly does now! Really there were quite a few colorful people here. More than just the youkai. He calms down a bit, leaving a smile on his face. The job was tedious before, but this just made the whole scavenger hunt worth it.

Ugh, why was this guy laughing so much? This wasn't funny! She seethed for a second. "They're divine food! Celestials eat peaches, so this is a pornography about celestials. That's just distasteful and wrong!" she said, before looking at the thing and frowning. No, it was sealed in a wrapper. he wanted it pristine.

"What else would this be about?"

She didn't get it! That gets another fit of laughter from him. Oh good lord, this was far too sweet. He can already feel his teeth hurting.

"Nah, that ain't it. Well, maybe there's some o' 'em celestial folk in it. But it ain't gonna be just 'em."

Should he tell her? Should he go ahead and buy another one just to show her? Goodness, it almost feels like he'd be corrupting someone that way. That, or watch her have a meltdown? Hm....

Pause. She stopped railing for a second when he just kept laughing and then he went and said that. she looked at it, and nope. she did not see the reason people associated peaches with butts. Not yet... but soon soon.

"If this isn't about Celestials, what is it about? What the heck's the deal with peaches?" she said, squinting at him accusatorially.

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Work Ethic (May Open Subplot/Event)

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4 !! (i'm assuming they'll exchange names at some point in the other thread - )

Yup! Safe assumption!

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