jigokulogs | (open.) goldenseal

Entry tags:

(open.) goldenseal

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!]

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[ Tamamo is just a bead on a thread, lined up with the rest of the clans. The thread they're laced on is easily identifiable: Business. It controls everything in the districts, even Sutoku, because having influence over the utilities is a business itself. Tamamo deals in pleasure, like another little seedy place she knows of, but there's an openness afforded to this one that the other doesn't have.

Aerith's at the bar, a wicker basket in hand with a little picnic blanket sticking out of it. A bottle neck beer is placed in front of her, and as she reaches up to grab it, a soft voice speaks out over the speakers that are pumping the room with music. When Aerith looks over, she purses her lips in thought, immediately identifying the woman. She's seen her work, and knows her name is Hotaru— or maybe something else entirely, but that's her public name. ]

Really? Why not? [ It's a simple question that she seemingly ignores as she places the bottle into her basket. ]

I'm making a delivery. Unless you mean the extra Tamamo spice in there, I think that's part of the appeal for clients.

[ She flashes the woman a knowing smile, kind and sweet, like they're both in on some kind of joke she just made. ]

Oh.

[there's relief in her frame, but it's not enough to dispel the thread of tension through her. the business card in her hand, she's been turning over and over, thinking deeply about pros and cons. so far, her list was even both ways, which helped nothing.]

I was afraid you were unknowingly going to drink that. People should know what they're getting into, after all - particularly when the results can be so...undignified.

[both of them, at some point, get a message handed off to them by a stranger. innocent enough, but perhaps they recognize the handwriting, or just the fact that it's signed "E", and nothing else. asking for a meeting at a certain address, at a certain time. it leads them to the Sutoku apartments - as expected - and asks them to please be behaved. likely also expected.

if they adhere to it, they'll be there at the same time, and thus, be ushered into Emily's tiny apartment and the door shut before the superintendent can catch too much wind that there's surprise guests in the building.]

Sorry for all the fuss and secrecy - I hardly wanted to place a posting in public asking for the two of you, when I'm not sure how to contact you directly.

[that would have been awkward to explain.]

[ A curious choice of words. She looks about the bar, and then shuffles a little closer, as if trying to hide their conversation. ]

Are you... okay? [ Undignified...? ]

Hey, do you wanna come with me?

...Are you certain? I don't want to get in the way of your delivery...

[she is done with her set, though, so she theoretically could...but if this is another prank, she's not here for it.]

Of course! [ Aerith's quip is simply matter-of-fact, and her expression is melting into concern without abandon. ] Why should you stay with a bunch of people who are mean to you?

[it was a simple request. if he could come meet her at the club in the day, she'd take him to lunch - this is no doubt in part because Emily knows well enough Six's habits, and also because it's easier to adjust to a city like this with a friend at hand. so it is that a lunch feels like the easiest thing to ask for.

when he shows up, they'll let him in - she'd told them there would be a guest, and in comparison to the other night, it's just Emily and the pianist, working on a piece together. she's too engrossed in getting the melody right to look over, but it means that he's able to take a seat and wait, if he can. she'll be done soon enough.]

They're not mean.

[the words are automatic, a defense in case anyone's listening in closely.]

They're just...they've been here longer than I and I know my place in that sort of structure.

[it's a pithy excuse, she knows. but if she complains, who'd even care to say a word? it would only make her even less liked.]

[ She's about to respond, brows knitted together still, when suddenly— another worker rolls a barrel out.

It's on a dolly, marked clearly as some kind of bougie wine-beer fusion, and Aerith nods to him in thanks as she stands, hopping off the barstool. The perfect excuse! When she looks to Hotaru, the smile playing at her lips is knowing, and a little coy, as if communicating something the both of them know. She can't talk about it here, but Aerith can still spirit her away. ]

Well, if they're so nice, they won't mind me borrowing you for a while. Push this with me?

[ It's fairly light, all things considered. ]

[she knows an excuse when she sees it, and nods, her expression brightening. the barkeep can let them know, if they come looking - they won't - and she can push the cart along to follow in Aerith's wake. likely they'll just chalk it up to another task given to the newbie. leaving her water and her stool, she goes to grab it, letting Aerith take the lighter load.]

I'll let you lead, since you know the way, miss.

[ Aerith holds the door for her, politely smiling, even as she cheekily responds. ]

Yep, that sounds like what I was planning!

[ On her way out, she waves to the barkeep, grinning in a toothy way. She catches up with Emily, and instead of just leading the way, places the basket on top of the barrel and begins helping push the dolly. ]

You doing okay?

...Better for being out of there, truth be told.

[she takes a deeper breath of the outside air, and shakes her head a little to clear it. now she can smile, friendlier and more genuine than the sorts that get thrown around the place. it's almost an immediate ease.]

[ shylock, too, is working his usual shift at this certain bar; honestly, he could not care less if people from other factions decide to work at one of their chosen territories. work is work, and one has to "get that bread" or however that previous sage from his world would've put it. ]

Oh?

[ he tilts his head at emily-- er, hotaru's voice, his quizzical expression then easing into a smile as he starts pouring a piss-yellow drink into a glass. shaken, not stirred. ]

You should know by now that I know my way around my liquor, Miss Hotaru. Although, this one might not be suitable for most humans, much less winged beings. Would you like a sip and find out?

[ he's serious, even with that teasing smile. maybe. ]

[The party's not his scene either. Focusing on the food and drink, and wallflowering aggressively enough to keep any of his anxiousness at bay, had given him about an hour or two's endurance, but that'd been all-- soon enough, Kamui had taken his chances outside, the cool night air and silence bracing at last after a too warm and too densely attended club.

He's a moment from turning the corner to make his way home when he sees the men following a woman around. A couple of them are oni-- the more boisterous ones, of course-- but as for her...

Well. You don't see winged women every day. It has to be Emily, even if he can barely make her face out in the evening's narrow light. He crosses the street to meet the group with a calm smile on his face, but he does shoot Emily a meaningful look as he approaches.]

Is everything all right here?

[One of the men, recognizing Kamui from their own party, barks out a throaty laugh: Oi, it's Uehara! Finally crawled outta your corner, huh? You know this girl?] Yes, but-- [Ya both gotta get the sticks outta your asses! I got this buddy who can get us into this Tamamo joint...]

(Hizen is a wakizashi and not just any wakizashi either. He's the sword of a killer and is therefore naturally used to the dark. His eyes adjust easily and his senses are sharp at night. This is why it doesn't take him very long to catch on to the fact that something is happening nearby.

... Damn, and he just wanted some fresh air from the crush of being in a crowded building with too many people with too many personalities. This voice sounds terribly familiar though and it drives him to act faster than he would usually. Sure enough, it's that woman. What was her name again... Emily? )

There you are.

(No, he wasn't looking for her but he'll act like it for now.)

Only if you can sincerely vouch to me that it's only a drink. Call me terribly old-fashioned for it, Mr. Bennet.

[she knows one runs risks accepting any drinks around here, which is why she's stuck to water and carefully guards her glass. it'd be like someone to change it, or hide something, all in the name of "relaxation" or fun. she grows more fed up with it every day.]

[shooting him a look back, the men seem lost in their own world, and she mouths a quiet sorry towards him before she musters up enough courage to make something decent up. it's a risk, but he seems like the sort to play along, and she'll apologize enough later...

the look on her face shifts to something irritated, her voice dropping into nothing more than scolding as she marches over to Kamui.]

Kamui. And here I thought you utterly intended to forget about me. Is this where you disappeared to?

[go with it, she silently begs him. go along.]

"Is everything all right" - I was waiting for an hour!

[another of the guys chuckles, muttering something about being in the doghouse.]

[a saving grace, in the form of a bandaged man. immediately, she hastens to his side, glad for the excuse to get further away from the rowdy bunch.]

I'm sorry - I must have misheard the address you said, and then I got so turned around...

[one of the men laughs, and says the more the merrier, they'll take the new guy along as well. Emily, catching Hizen's eyes, has a plea in her expression. Let's get out of here.

she'll play along with anything at the moment to extract herself.]

I'd hardly call that old-fashioned. You are in Tamamo territory, after all. We could put anything in our liquor and no one will be any the wiser.

[ she's just looking out for herself! nothing wrong with that.

as a treat, shylock pours the last bit of the drink in a shotglass and slides it across the counter towards her as he continues decorating the cocktail. just some fruits and berries, nothing too complicated. ]

That being said, I could be making a simple fruit cocktail right now with no suspicious additives. Not everyone comes here with the intent to get drunk right away, after all, and I'm rather proud of this one in particular. [ he beams at her. ] Well?

Almost tossed th' note, I'm gonna be honest.

[ Izō's natural suspicion almost put him off of meeting up at the address. A strange note to meet up at somewhere in a rival faction's territory? Suspicious as hell. The fact that Majima got the same note and the handwriting is familiar enough put him as ease enough to at least go. ]

But I don't blame ya for not blastin' it out for everyone.

This boils down to how much I trust you, yes?

[she takes the shot, but doesn't drink it yet. looks at the color a little critically, and decides if something goes terribly amiss, it wouldn't be the first thing today to do so.

cheers.

she'll take it.]

[ Relief washes over, a cool wave she feels down to the tips of her fingers. Aerith laughs a little bit. ]

I've been seeing you around here a lot, Hotaru, but... you don't really work in Tamamo, do you?

[ It's not like a secret, admittedly, but she gets right to the heart of it with care. Her words are picked gently, as if plucking each one from a sacred flowerbed. ]

Whether you trust me or not does not matter to me in the slightest. I am simply doing my job.

[ and so he watches her imbibe the drink in one go in the corner of his eye, smiling to himself as he serves up the main drink to its rightful customer before preparing another glass.

at first, emily won't feel anything. but then a strange warm sensation seems to spread from the pit of her stomach, making her feel nice and toasty and... sort of bloated? as if she downed a hot drink instead of an icy one. other than that it doesn't seem to mess with her mind at all, save for the slight alcoholic buzz and a fruity aftertaste.

either way, he'll approach her once she makes a face or two. ]

How are you fairing? Good, I hope.

(She's smart, thankfully, and he doesn't have to work hard at making up a story or anything fancy for them. Once she's by his side, he holds out one arm in front of her, a show that he's willing to get between the two of them if he has to.)

Pay attention better next time.

(Of course, that doesn't stop him from scolding her. He can't help it. He doesn't really have any other way of expressing himself,)

We already have plans. (And with that, he makes the sudden move of... grabbing her hand, his grip tight if only because this isn't his favorite idea.) We'll catch up later.

(It's private, just Hizen and the doctor and he isn't sharing.)

No, I don't. I was told I was taken into the Sutoku clan.

[it wasn't really a choice, when she had been there, things explained to her. and she had just accepted it as fact, since what could she do, in hell? her feet still didn't feel like they belonged to the earth yet.]

...But it's Emily, when I'm not working.

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(open.) goldenseal

bloom

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majima and izo.

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six.

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bloom

sprout 🌱

sprout

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