(open.) goldenseal

[medicative]

Who ⬤ Emily and open!
What ⬤ Monthly catchall - substories, life, etc.
When ⬤ Over March
Where ⬤ Across the city.
Content Warnings ⬤ TBA if needed


sprout. - post mingle

[it's not her scene at all. already on edge, Emily had kept it together long enough to get her pay advance, thanked people kindly, and then bolted. overwhelming, bad for her senses, and so she had gone to the roof, stretched her wings, and flown away. immediately, she had started feeling better, the relief that comes from exercise and movement and being out of an environment that puts her ill at ease.

where she lands, it's away from the nightclub, but she carefully wanders, trying to get her bearings. it's much harder than it appears, in the dimmer light, even with things illuminated by electricity and the life that still thrums through the place. and unfortunately for a person that looks lost, it's all too easy to get spotted by those who might be drunk, might not be, but see virtue in calling out on the street to try to get one more person to join them for fun.]

No thank you, I'm not-

[they don't seem to be willing to accept the first no for an answer. alternatively, you've arrived later, and someone has Emily slung over their shoulder. despite the awkward state of affairs, she is very clearly trying to squirm out of their grasp, more annoyed than anything else about being swept away, and the youkai holding her seems ignorant to how she's trying to get out. or maybe just used to it. ugh. she's not giving up yet though.]

growth. - night parade

[decorating is an important part of being ready for the parade, Emily knows, and for this, she can put her full energy behind it. after failing so miserably at socializing earlier, she's doing her best to remain dutiful here. that means fetching what she's been told to, assisting those who might have shakier footing, or giving gentle but honest advice about what looks best. and of course, for those harder to reach spots, it does help when you can fly up and hover some to affix it in the best spot. this might be why she keeps getting assigned to the trickier bits.

of course, no one can keep being full of steam all the time, and so it is that on break, she's found a good spot to sit down - right on a wooden box, slumped over and clutching onto a water bottle as if it will save her. but hearing any footsteps, she sits up, the flush of exertion in her face still evident.]

Has it been twenty minutes already? Goodness.

[self defense training or not, it's like running a marathon...]

bloom. - work

[she bows her head and accepts the sneers thrown her ways from the other girls - they don't understand why an uptight member of the Sutoku would seek a steadier job with the club that falls under more of the Tamamo purview, but the manager accepts it with a grunt and lets Emily have her work. employment is employment, and she needs funds if she's going to get anywhere, so she'll sell what's most useful right now - her voice. Hotaru is the stage name she chooses for herself, and she does her best to ingratiate herself with the others, learning what the band would prefer to play and what songs they can collaborate on. really, she closes her ears to anything else, keeps to herself - even the most sharp eyed can't find fault with her attitude off stage, and so she'll gain her money carefully.

so, perhaps you've come in to enjoy a leisurely night at a slower pace, and she's in the midst of her set, singing and making the right kind of eye contact with customers. maybe it's earlier, and you work there, early enough to hear the sounds of a minor scuffle in the back that ends with a door slammed and Emily stumbling out of that direction, a bundle in her arms. or maybe it's later, and you're at the bar, and a soft voice comes from your side.]

I wouldn't, if I were you.

[it's the careful grind, after all. there's the idea of quitting and finding a different place, and she has the number of a different club in another district, but...she wants her first paycheck at least.]

wildcard.

[for custom prompts and new ideas and the like. ooc intro if you'd like to plot something specific, or hit me up via PM!]

Comments

[medicative]

[she doesn't notice until it ends, and then jumps to see him there. her powers of observation must need to wake up - usually she's not so distracted when it comes to such things. but it melts into a friendly smile soon after, as she hands the music back to the pianist and promises she'll be around later. they'll turn away to attend to something, and Emily crosses over to Six, glad to see that he kept his word.]

How long were you there? I really didn't notice you come in.

[wray]

Not long.

[ the plain and honest truth. a part of him wishes he'd been there since the beginning of the song, but at least he managed to catch most of it. there's also that thing where he didn't really try to disturb her so he can't blame emily for missing his presence entirely.

his head tilts to one side. ]

Practicing for another performance?

[medicative]

It's work, now.

[and before he can ask:]

I'm not staying terribly long, I decided. Long enough to receive payment and to prove my reliability, and then I'm departing this place to a club run by my...patrons.

[she's not sure how to refer to the Sutoku, since she doesn't consider them her clan or her friends.]

But the work will be the same, no matter where I am.

[wray]

Your patrons?

[ it takes six a hot minute to realize what emily is referring to. when he clues into it, his ears dip low. oh. ]

... Right. As long as they treat you fairly, I suppose.

[ what goes unsaid: or else. or else they're going to be dealing with one (1) angry guard dog, but that will never change no matter where they are. ]

[medicative]

They should. I'm going to see them later in the week to confirm the details and to see their establishment for myself, so nothing's signed and unbreakable.

[unsaid is that someone else is also looking, to give their opinion. the mask still hangs from her waist, after all.]

Have you decided what you want for lunch?

[wray]

[ six doesn't think further input from him is needed so he leaves that be. he knows he can trust emily will tell him should any issue arise, and if he needs to intervene.

for now, he can focus on lunch. something he hasn't really given some thought. ]

I was hoping you would have suggestions. I don't have much of an appetite just yet.

[medicative]

[she could sigh in a bit of disappointment, but instead, motions they can make their way out.]

Well, if you see something and that changes, let me know. Otherwise my only idea is that we get tea, and from there plan our next move.

[wray]

Tea is fine.

[ it's probably for the best anyway, for someone who isn't all that hungry. he begins to walk but tries to keep his pace the same as emily's since he isn't sure where they're headed. ]

Do you have a place in mind?

[medicative]

There's somewhere not too far - you'll know it by the green roof.

[true to her word, only a few blocks down is a little teahouse with a green roof, currently open to customers. it's not too busy, so they're seated right away, and told they can either pick their own tea, or let the proprietor choose for them. she looks at Six, eyebrow raised. does he want to choose?]

[wray]

[ for a split-second there, six was going to turn to emily for suggestions. it's not like he's some serious tea connoisseur but he goes with one that is familiar to him. genmaicha. he remembers having some back at hakagemachi...

he remembers liking it too. ]

How did you find this place?

[medicative]

[the server notes it down, and departs to get them their tea. Emily folds her hands on the table, already more at ease to be out of the Tamamo club - it's a noticeable difference. less tense.]

I was walking around one afternoon after practicing, and decided to take a chance on it. And I could hardly decide what kind of tea to get, looking at the options, until someone took pity on me and came outside to explain that they can do recommendations, allowing the owner to decide for you, depending on the day and your mood.

[she chuckles, looking out the window for a second.]

So I decided I'd keep coming back, when the urge struck me.

[wray]

I see. [ somehow, it feels like he missed out. ] ... I'll let the owner pick next time.

[ he follows her gaze, idly watching what's going on outside the window. this area seems quiet enough. no rowdy oni nor sneaky kappa mulling about. he's not surprised why emily took a liking to it. ]

Was their recommendation any good?

[ he knows it must be, considering she came back and bothered to take him here, but he's so bad at conversations... take pity on him. ]

[medicative]

[she forgives him - she knows him, and that he's trying is enough for her for now. that he chose the tea is another step, voicing what he likes.]

It was. Quite floral, though - more of something for a day when I'm in a less pleasant mood and need to relax. They say they've got a gift like no other for sensing what a customer needs as opposed to what they want.

[wray]

[ a floral type of tea... six can't say he's ever tried one, but he can understand why it helps with relaxation. ]

That doesn't surprise me. It feels as though most shopkeeps around here have their own quirks to help with business.

[ the same can be said for those they met back in hakagemachi too, now that he thinks of it. ]

At least, that's just my assumption...

[medicative]

They do, I think - how else can you stand out unless you can offer something unique? Good taste alone won't do it, not in this environment.

[everyone has an angle, something about them that has to make them special. else they'd be overlooked, and go out of business far too soon.]

"Cooperation" isn't a word in their vocabulary.

[wray]

A far cry from the ones we've met before, huh.

[ then again, hakagemachi's shopkeeps rarely had anyone else to compete against. they were all just simply trying to get by. without those evened odds, it's no wonder business around here feels so cutthroat. ]

... How are you adjusting otherwise?

[ while they wait for their drinks to come, he might as well try to catch up. ]

[medicative]

Mm.

[it's because he's her friend that he can perceive the slight way her expression falls, looking back his direction and glancing down at the table.]

Well enough, all things considered. There's employment, a roof over my head, and food to eat. And no strange youkai liable to pop out of the walls.

[but there's an unspoken but... behind her words, and she smothers it viciously.]

What about you, though? Are they treating you all right, in that department? Are you well?

[wray]

[ when her expression shifts, six tries not to let concern bleed all over everything he does. the smallest hint of this mostly shows in the descending slant of his ears.

he doesn't need her to explain it further. things could be much better, he knows. ]

I understand. [ at least she'll know he gets what she's trying to say. ] The same can be said for me.

[ the basics are all covered. there's shelter, enough food to eat, coworkers he can probably get along with, but who knows when the other shoe will drop. ]

I'll try not to get into too much trouble.

[medicative]

Trying is all I'll ever ask. But if you do find yourself in trouble, I should give you the number to call me on my phone.

[he knows she'll come running, after all.

and speaking of things arriving, the server comes with a tray, setting their tea down as well as two cups. they'll take it upon themselves to pour for each of them, bowing their head and murmuring if they need anything else, just raise their hand.

also, leaving a folded card on the table as they depart. opening it reveals a simple menu of lighter fare to accompany the tea - snacks, really, and not the main focus of the place, but some things pair well.]

[wray]

Your number?

[ whatever clarifying question six wants to ask is interrupted when the server comes back with their orders. both of their chosen teas smell lovely, an interesting blend of earthy tones and floral notes, but the erune's eyes lock onto the card left behind.

his head tilts before he reaches to grab it. ]

I didn't think they would offer snacks. Did you want to get anything with your tea?

[medicative]

Does anything in particular catch your eye?

[go on, Six. make choices for yourself. if they both get something, they can try it, but she's curious to see what he'll do if left to his own devices.]

[wray]

[ emily. you're putting him on the spot.

his ears dip down as he stares at the menu. it's so hard trying to pick anything for himself when there's an added pressure, but maybe it'll be alright to pick the first thing on the menu. tiny tea sandwiches that would go well with any tea. ]

... Will this work?

[medicative]

Of course it will, if you want it.

[her voice is calm, though, and she holds no expectations. he'll have to adjust to having a preference at some point.]

[wray]

[ if you want it, she says, and it takes everything in him not to protest and ask about what she'd prefer instead. ]

Alright. We'll have that.

[ once decided, he tries to catch their server's attention. it's not long before they arrive and take note of six's choice. thankfully it won't be long of a wait but that still gives six and emily some time before their sandwiches arrive. ]

... What are you trying to do here?

[ trying to get him to be the one to choose things. he's only noticing this now. ]

[medicative]

What do you mean? I'm having tea with my friend.

[looking at him, the picture of innocence.]