(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

[no_kyouken]

[ He shifts his shoulder so that he can also encapsulate Izo. Honestly, it does remind him of when it was him and Yasuko and Saejima. He'd been alone out on the street before he found them. Emily is strong like Yasuko too. He finds himself strangely in Saejima's role, with Izo much more like who he used to be... But that's fine. There's a solid balance there. His face dips down, emotional.

Ah shit. A couple tears drip down his cheek and he blinks at them rapidly, lips pursed. They all feel it in their own way: that they don't deserve anything good and they deserve some time in Hell. It hits him hot in the chest how much he's letting down everyone he's left behind, but he'll have to do his best to take care of these two instead. ]

[medicative]

[he's invited, and both of them are moving to accommodate him, a very necessary part of this equation, so that they can all be wrapped up in warm arms and an embrace. they shoulder all of this together - physically and as much emotionally as they'll all allow. she needs them, both of them, and like this, everything that clings onto her back feels like it's a little farther away. just enough room to breathe.]

...thank you.

[for listening. for being here. for knowing her in the first place, and not looking away now. for letting her reach out to take their hands metaphorically, and even if they stumble, screw up and fall down...it's not the end. for now, the people she has to look out for the most are right next to her. the rest will somehow reveal itself.]

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō lingers for a little while, his cheeks burning. There should be no shame, but it's hard for him to choke down his own feelings of absolute unworthiness. If they find worth in him, he'll try to see it, too, just for their sakes. He'll fight tooth and nail to protect them and everything they have

Ignore the fact his eyes are damp when he backs off. He quickly wipes his face on his sleeve and tries to put on his usual tough face. ]

'Course...Yer a damn sight better'n I ever was. What kinda asshole would I be if I told ya t' fuck off for that?

[ A bigger one than he already is, that's for sure. ]

[no_kyouken]

[ He kisses each of their temples and then he backs off to go gather himself at a window. Normally he'd probably pull out a cigarette, but he knows it's Emily's space and she won't want the smell. He straightens his shirt instead, fiddling with the way it's tucked in and the way his necklace lays at his throat. ]

We been through enough shit... Better if we stick together...

[medicative]

[frankly, she doesn't entirely agree with the idea that she's better - there are enough stains on her hands that she deserves the wretchedness that came her way. but for now, she won't protest their words, will try to take them for what they are. acceptance, care, the idea that she doesn't have to keep watching her back right now. that alone is worth more relief than she can express.]

Was that ever in question?

[after finding them again, a miracle twice over, was there a question of letting go? never in her mind. the look on her face is no longer pained, distressed - they've calmed her, and the soft smile she has can only be called fond.]

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō takes a deep breath to compose himself, wiping at his eyes again. Now is not the time for his emotions to overwhelm him. He doesn't want to make this about himself. ]

Nah...Never. Y'all ain't never gettin' rid'a me now.

[ It's a bit of a self-deprecating joke and he forces himself to grin through the flood of emotions in his chest. ]

[no_kyouken]

[ As everyone reconfigures themselves from a bout of softness, he feels ready to turn back around. Although he still clears his throat awkwardly, ]

Anyway. Better make sure ya have our numbers. This is kinda a rough town for a lady.

[ She really shouldn't come look for them in Shuten territory, in his opinion. ]