Catch-All

[getting_better]

Who ⬤ Bishop + You
What ⬤ May Substories + Event
When ⬤ May
Where ⬤ All over the damn city
Content Warnings ⬤ blood, fighting for shuten things

Comments

Substories

[getting_better]

Substories 1 - Don’t Stop him now

[ With more and more of inhibitions coming undone with each passing day, Bishop was keen to volunteer for the experiment of the gyokuto regardless of the detrimental effects that come with such a dangerous experiment. In this case, he thought nothing was occurring after consumption of the curious sweet – save perhaps the thought that he could make a better mochi – but then his thoughts quickly started to race at a pace that for him was also strange….then came the sudden burst of energy.

It started with light stretching, then some more stretching, then he started to jog in place, and now he’s sprinting through the streets and free running wherever he can – regardless of whether or not he really shouldn’t like leaping through food carts, farmer’s market stalls, running across the dividing walls of domestic homes, and then climbing up and down any drain pipes and fire escapes he can reach. In his defense, no food was wasted, no goods harmed, and he didn’t jump into any apartment rooms or yards where he’s not supposed to. He’s just being a great nuisance.

Although he does occasionally leap out of nowhere he spots someone doing some kind of petty crime – pick pockets, shop lifters, punks hustling some kids, or kids bullying kids, breaking up fights, or ending them if Shuten folks are in over their head, or perverts doing what’s expected of their lot.

Someone should really try and stop him. Or not. At least try and sit him down or something. ]


Substories 2 – Broken Supply Chain

Okay, so – there’s the photograph that I have to get by getting food for that hitobashira, and it has to come from this specific vendor – who wants the contact of this office worker, which I can get from a aosagibi that wants a bag of –

[ He leans in to the notebook he’s writing on and squints - ]

…..spicy ground pork seasoning number two, that I can get from shibaten who in return wants a limited edition super robot gachapon, but its not out yet but I can get it from a hiyoribou - [ Inhale ] - who is asking for a particular brand of fertilizer, which I can get from –

[ And this trend continues as Bishop mutter out loud, which shouldn’t really be unusual as people often read their to-do list out loud. What is unusual is, he’s doing this while sitting on top of a broken washing machine. ]

-and I can get that from fudakaeshi who wants a new pencil case. So.

…

Who the hell gave me this????

[ Referring to the washing machine he’s sitting on. ]

Brocken Supply Chain and the Great Snipe Hunt

[swordofhisou]

I don't know who gave you that, but I know someone who showed me a picture of that stupid thing and said they had a good lead on a shipment of fresh mackerel, and I'm pretty sure someone wanted that. I don't know.

[That babbling came from someone else who was looking through a wad of paper she was going over and frowning. He wasn't the only one who was getting sent on this freaking snipe hunt. She looked irritated.]

What do you say we tag team? I get you to my guy and we haul this thing over there, and maybe we can say we did it together? I just want this stupid job done. You're trying to get the thing for that one guy who's asking about the vending machines right?

[Easier said than done. She wasn't even sure the mackerel was near the end? Who traded mackerel for pencil cases?]

[getting_better]

[ He turns to the voice and listens to her proposition, rubbing his eyes the his face. Doing this for hours was tiring and annoying. ]

I am, and I don't mind. The more hands, the better.

[ Because he may actually snap if someone tells him they want Tenkohime's under garments or something. ]

I'm called Bishop. You?

[swordofhisou]

[She nodded over at him, the tiredness mirrored in her own features. This whole situation was onerous at the best of times, so she was definitely not loving the possibilities the longer she did this alone.]

Tenshi Hinanawi, but Tenshi's fine. Yeah, the sooner we get this crap done, the sooner it's done, dumb as that sounds. I just want to stop doing a string of favors.

[She got over to the washing machine, waiting for him to join her. Good news, at least? She was stronger than she looked. Not superhuman right now, but definitely strong for her size.]

[getting_better]

Before we get to that -

[ He moves off the machine and puts his note book down for her to see. ]

- we should compare notes and information. Maybe there's a way to circumvent some of these annoyances.

[ He'd call them clients under more normal circumstances, but he doesn't give a flying fuck anymore. ]

[swordofhisou]

Uuuuuuugh. Fine.

[She gave a long suffering sound before putting her notes down. They were messy and a little garbled, but it was clear from some of them that they'd been down the same rabbit hole for a while. she might have skipped a step or two (or forgotten the requests), but most of them were there.

As for that mackerel, she'd completely forgotten that one of her own notes hinted that there was a zashiki warashi downtown who wanted to prepare a mackerel feast for their kappa hosts, and who happened to have some outdated school supplies the kids had never actually used.]

It's like a maze of crap, isn't it?

[getting_better]

Maze, list, mind map, spider web, whatever -

[ He pours over their list, taking note of certain trades and their corresponding sources and receiver. ]

- its crap. Just crap. If this was arranged by a god, or the fucking Daitengu again, I am kicking them in the dick.

[ He really wants the opportunity. Don't make him beg. ]

Okay. I think I have the makings of a somewhat reasonable trade...route. Thing. Whatever. I have a plan. First up is getting rid of this thing, but we can save ourselves a load of trouble if we go to the fella first then tell him to come back with equipment to roll this thing there.

[ Giving the machine a swift tap with his foot. ]

1

[psionicmolotov]

[ Kimmuriel didn't even realize the guy running around like a maniac was his contact at first; he's moving from place quickly enough that the drow, going about his business, just sort of tunes it out.

But, well, when he's actually trying to look at things it becomes significantly more of a nuisance. Bishop will find a closed umbrella smacking his leg as he leaps through a market stall, and Kimmuriel giving him a glare as its source; whether that will actually stop him is, uh. Debatable. ]

What is the matter with you? [ Is there something in the water?? ]

Re: 1

[getting_better]

Aaaaaghhhh!

[ His body sort of froze as leapt, causing to fall and unceremoniously roll to a crashing stop as he held his leg. ]

Owowowowowowowowowowowowowow! That smarts! Hey what's your deal, asshole!

[ He says swinging behind him in a fit of rage, heavy accent coming out only to stop to see who it is. ]

Oh. Hi. What?

[ He asks as if he weren't hopping around like a loon. ]

[psionicmolotov]

What do you mean, 'what'? You are the one running around all over the place. And interfering with my business, I might add.

[ Speaking of which, he's gonna pay for his mushrooms before something else weird happens, so he'll just conduct that transaction while he's talking. ]

[getting_better]

[ He turns to the stall and to the startled customers, the curious onlookers, and the annoyed clerk before standing. ]

How am I interfering? I've stopped three pickpockets, two hustlers, one bullying, and a drug dealer. And that was just in the last three hours!

[ He says this while twitching and accompanied by gestures fitting for what he just described. ]

I've been nothing but a contributing upstanding member of society. Also are those mushrooms? I know a great recipe for mushroom and bacon soup.

[psionicmolotov]

Do you expect that listing your deeds will impress me? [ He sort of holds his bag of mushrooms conspicuously away from Bishop like he's expecting the human to snatch them and go haring off again.

Which, like, Bishop IS giving off that vibe, so. ] What I will be doing with these is none of your business.

And you just leapt through a stall. Never mind all your other... [ Gestures disdainfully ] ..activities. Surely this cannot be normal for you.

[getting_better]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW~ But sooouuppp~

[ He's staring intently at the bag now, and if his imaginationg could be broadcasted it's showing all the ingredients he'd need and the way he'd prepare them as if he were on a childrens TV show. ]

Oh yeah, I know. I ate one of those mochi that reeeeaaaaally suspicious gyokuto was handing out and the next thing I know, I'm moving - like - twenty times faster. Or maybe everything is slower? Hey! Quick check! When I do this am I super quick??

[ And he starts to do jazz hands at a normal pace that's expected from a human but this one just has the right amoung of MANIC to it. ]

Event

[getting_better]

Event – Shuten Clan Prompt A – Chum in the Water - Open to All Clans

[ For once, Bishop isn’t the unhinged hot mess of a person he’s been, instead he’s quiet and calm still wearing the signature smile he sports on a daily.

He’s going around city to ask questions, sightings of a certain group of yokai, but with little to no eyes on even a scale of these isonade – his search is proving to be a challenge for the demon hunter. Even retracing his steps has proved to yield little save the multiple haniwa’s he encounters and promptly surrenders to the nearest Enma office if he can. Otherwise, he puts the damn thing somewhere it won’t disturb anyone.

But things aren’t as bad as it looks, he has some leads – things he’s willing to share with other fellow Shuten on the hunt or with whoever thinks might be useful to him in the end. ]

Event – Shuten Clan B – Reelin’ them In - Locked to Shuten Clan Members

[ Eventually he catches sight of the isonade meeting under a bridge in the shadows before sneaking off to another part of town way down the river, before going in the opposite direction to do something else. He was unsure if they were trying to lose him but he could see their numbers growing steadily – along with whatever they’re carrying.

It was clear he needed back up for this, so it was time to flex his position in the clan – even if it’s just a step above the rank and file. Time to head home and pick up a few things….and folks. ]

Hey, I got a lead and I need extra hands. Preferably hands packing heat. The tougher and bigger the better. Maybe a harpoon gun as well.

[ A subtle way to say, this is gonna end with a bloodbath. ]

Event – Shuten Clan C – Deadliest Catch - Locked to Shuten Clan Members

[ And a bloodbath it was, as within seconds of surrounding the group he marked and making their declaration and demand for them to surrender, the first isonade immediately whipped out a weapon. Then the second, third, did the same and so on and so forth. Really, why do they always fight?

The twisted smile on his face as he drew his katana said he was delighted they always chose violence.

He’s swift and violent going for crippling slices and precise disorientating strikes, opposite to the onis he brought – larger bruisers built like tanks that charged and met the scaly yokai head on. ]

If you all surrender now, I promise to only beat you to an inch of your life.

[ He taunts ducking a wild haymaker then countering with a slash to the bicep. ]

Okay, then. Going in dry!

[ And he charges on, not intimidated in the least by their size and strength because frankly – he’s dealt with worse. The biggest problem anyone would face at this point – how to get Bishop to STOP. They need some alive after all. ]

Deadliest Catch;

[littleshield]

[ Beasts, the lot of them.

There is only one end for thoughtless creatures who can do nothing else but stand in their way:

Defeat and death.

Felix does note Bishop's look on his face, disapproving. Felix won't stop him from killing most of them because sometimes that is what you have to do in a life or death battle. But, all the same, he will aim for at least one to be spared. ]

Hmph. As expected, these creatures are far too foolish to do anything else other than charge mindlessly instead of open dialogue.

[ But Felix has seen them before, and knows their moves. They are stronger, but Felix has speed on his side. He aims a slash towards the back of legs that Bishop has cut, in order to help disable that one, though has to barely duck out of the trajectory of a charging creature. It looks like they're really mad now that the two are putting up quite a fight! ]

so sorry for the late reply - work and Elden Ring has me in a death grip

[getting_better]

[ He made a quick turn following up on Felix's attack, running, climbing, then leaping over whilst cutting the shoulder of the isonade to render them useless for the rest of the fight. ]

Can't expect them all to meet the minimum requirements to fight me.

[ Two isonade's see their downed comrade and rush Bishop who's changed his stance, simply swaying from side to side as the two swing and kick. Between these strikes, Bishop counters with shallow and precise cuts with each one done making it more difficult for each yokai to strike. ]

All good~

[littleshield]

[ To say that the downed isonade is helpless to fight back is completely and wholly accurate. Felix doesn't keep himself from leaping right onto it's back to evade another strike from one of the few remaining ones still on their feet. But Felix lashes out mercilessly, the blade cutting into its side and then across its chest, making it stumble back. ]

The only requirements they seem able to pass end up making them proficient in 'how to die a foolish death'.

[ As he sees this, he slams his foot into a face of the one who tried to get its bearings back so it could charge, knocking it off of its feet before he brings his blade down to keep it on the floor alongside its other similarly downed ally. ]

[getting_better]

Well, don't kill them-

[ He says before swaying back and cutting across the chest of one of his current foes, then turning around and doing the same to the other. ]

-not all of them at least. We need them to talk after all.

[ With his current foes down on the ground he ran for the his next quarry only to stop short, and turn right around. ]

Reinforcements!

[ A few more isonade show up, this time armed with pipes, knives, and knuckle dusters. He captured their attention with good number chasing him as he free ran his way across the battle, ducking under swings and kicks, and having the isonade fumble into and over their reinforcements. ]

[littleshield]

Don't worry. I won't kill all of them. But how about teaching them a lesson?

[ They're rabid, monstrous beasts who deserve to die, but he knows that they'll need at least one or two left over for the purposes of the mission. Either way, he's going to beat them into submission if they don't die.

Unfortunately, it seems like more have shown up. But...he will pull his blade out, giving it a slight swing to flick off some blood. ]

You know what they say about such trash. The bigger they are, the harder they'll fall!

[ Felix runs over to join them, and in fact moves with ease out of their own retaliatory movements. The dark-haired male has excellent reflexes and speed to thank for that. For a moment he'll even sheath his blade, and then swing with his foot to land a kick into the legs of the creature in order to unbalance it...and cause it to crash into another isonade. Essentially making those two look like fools and increase the amount of fumbling going on here. ]

Closed Logs

[getting_better]

For Jullieta

[getting_better]

[ The search for the isonade is proceeding, but not at a pace he’d like. Feeling now the limitation not having his usual powers, Bishop has come to realize how reliant he’s gotten on them – how his skills have dulled or perhaps not even as sharp as they should be.

There was a time he didn’t have them, and those times were trying but manageable. Where was that agent from that time? That soldier? Who was this person wandering the streets, frustration blossoming in his chest and impatience festering in his mind?

There’s a proper way to do this and he hasn’t failed in that, but the results – or lack of them – spoke volumes. Furthermore, the mistake he made three days ago hung over his head like a dark cloud. There were images in his head running on repeat like a bad movie and he’s an audience captivated but only because it’s his story – as much as he’d like to deny it. ]

Get it together, Bishop.

[ He had a job to do, and while he still dislikes the circumstances he has to march to this beat. Just another thing to hang over his head. He walked along the river bank, his foot tapping a rock that scuffed his perfectly shined shoes which was the perfect mundane and petty thing to push his anger over the edge. He kicked the stone hard which flew straight to a haniwa that suddenly appeared, thankfully just missing it to his relief.

After a long sigh of relief, he straightened his jacket, cleaned his shoe, picked up the haniwa and brought it to the Enma HQ. It was nearby after all. Entering the familiar chaos of a law enforcement office – and sticking out like a sore thumb especially since a good amount of the officers remember him from their last encounter – he, gently, put the haniwa down on the reception desk….not that anyone really even attempted to assist him. Well, one tried but the clear new guy was pulled by an officer who glared at Bishop and had a hand already reaching to the baton at his side.

Bishop simply sighed and waited uncomfortably with the haniwa hoping to get processed. One of the familiar faces though caught his attention and he waved with a grin, a quiet message of “get over here before I break someones face”. Hello Julieta. ]

[sharpestsword]

[ So many of these things had been coming in and yet there were still so many more to find. They couldn't seem to keep up. She glanced down at her tablet for a reminder of how much longer her shift was going to be today. Overtime seemed likely at this point. There was a sudden rise in tension among those around her that didn't quite register until she found the source of it. She hadn't heard anything from him in a while and had started to wonder if he'd lost interest. Her lips compressed into a line when she realized he'd seen her. She took a deep breath and exhaled, then placed yet another one of those cursed things in a box. ]

Thank you for bringing this to us. If you see any more let us know.

[getting_better]

If I see more? You're joking right?

[ He raises a brow at her as if she said something stupid or crazy. These things pop up like mushrooms, literally anywhere at anytime. How the Enma hope to contain it, he doesn't know. ]

How are you guys even containing these things? From what I found out, it's impossible. Especially if you're keeping a lot of them in one place.

[sharpestsword]

Tell me what you know. We can go somewhere private if you like.

[ The box is handed off to another officer who disappears further into the building. She can't get rid of it soon enough. As soon as she gets the chance she's going to wash her hands, as if that will help. It sounds like he has some experience with these things. She needs to get it out of him and if he gives her trouble about it she's going to be unhappy again. ]

[getting_better]

[ Her request tells him not even the Enma have this thing unraveled. He sighs, disappointed but surprised - in fact its the fact he was right that disappointed him.

He gestured to the door then lead her into a nearby alley, far enough from the street to not be heard but close enough to spot anything or anyone approaching. ]

So where to start?...Well, first off these things aren't evil spirits or any kind of upset spirit. Atleast I don't they are. The seem more...primal. Raw.