jigokulogs | open: boogie nights

Entry tags:

open: boogie nights

Who ⬤ Harry and the unfortunate people he crosses paths with
What ⬤ Substories and Begging
When ⬤ Mainly the first week of arrival
Where ⬤ Around town
Content Warnings ⬤ Mentions of drug use

I. Money, please! (night after the partying)

[ Harry is in a bind, one which he only thinks is fifty percent his fault. When you break down the math that percentage makes a lot of sense! He had a fifty percent chance of doubling his money, and a fifty percent chance of losing almost all of it. He just fell on the wrong side of fifty because the fates are cruel. The more logical part of his headspace urged him to not gamble it all, but they couldn't stop him from gambling period. History repeats and he's in the same predicament as when he woke up to reality for the first time a week or so ago.

Luckily, he has a time-tested approach to getting more cash. One he readily employs as he looks out for people who look like they at least have some spare change and asks: ]

Hey, you look well to do. I'm a little down on my luck at the moment - can I have some money?

[ Who wouldn't say yes to a 40-something man with *incredible* handlebar facial hair who looks like he's coming down from a day long hangover? Please say yes. ]

Substory: High Definition

[ The rabbit's drugs are surprisingly potent considering his tolerance. The first time he took it he rationalized it as doing it for the advancement of scientific research. The surface level truth was he wanted a hit after being sober for almost a couple weeks. His body still aches from the gunshot to his hip, but that pain is flattened by the first time he takes the drug. When he reports his survey and asks if he could get more, the rabbit tells him all he has to do is report his experiences again.

The next drug he takes turns the whole world black and white, no different than the grainy film reels he (apparently) loves to watch. A voice in his head tells him of the low-budget adaptations of Dick Mullen novels looking just like this, steeped in a gritty *noir* aura that is irresistible to anyone with a passion for genre fiction. It seems only fitting then that he should play up the part. Digging around in the trash nets him a musty old brown overcoat (with a few faded stains on it that he doesn't notice) and his meager cash is enough to buy a cheap novelty detective's fedora to sit on his head.

With that he takes to the streets, notepad and pen in hand, approaching people with a simple "Evening. Mind if I ask you a couple questions?"

The yokai he asks twists her head to a 180 degree to meet him, back still turned, and barks a laugh in his face before continuing on her way. Harry shrugs, knowing this is part of the process, then looks to his next target -- you. ] Hello. I need to ask you some questions, if you have a few minutes to spare?

Substory: Sweet Jacket

[ Now this man's jacket is not *nearly* as sweet as Harry's FUCK THE WORLD leather jacket (which, sadly, did not make the trip to Hell with him) but he can respect a man's right to his fashion choices. As such, he volunteers to chaperone the man across the bridge as a bodyguard. They don't make it more than half-way before three men rush up to them and threaten to kick Mr. Cool Jacket's ass. No way to get past them either. Luckily, Harry has a plan guaranteed to work: ]

Look, over there!

[ Apologies to the poor soul he is pointing at - if you stop he's about to say something *very hurtful* about your fashion choices as a diversion. It's enough for the three men to look with him, even if they have no idea what the big deal is. ]

[ ooc: if you want a special prompt or to plan anything out, feel free to PM me. would especially be interested in an atrocious karaoke thread with one or two people who want to party. ]

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[ COMPOSURE - His clothes are inoffensive and wildly ordinary. Not really a great target.
CONCEPTUALIZATION - You just need to *sell* it as distasteful to the eyes. ]

Look at *that* guy's jacket. That faux-fur lining bushing up around the hood, walking around like he *murdered an animal*. [ He raises his voice, booming loud: ] What kind of message are you trying to send?! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

[ The three men continue to look at him, but their scowls have weakened to confused glares. Other people on the bridge stop to stare at the commotion too. ]

I'm.

[Wait. Is this a bit? Oh god, he's not good at bits. There's a beat of silence that's slightly too awkwardly long-- a skull rolling by on the ground even mutters to itself that it's literally just a green jacket, man,-- before Kamui can come up with a clever enough retort.]

I'm very sorry. I shouldn't have left the house with such an... offensive jacket. I could remove it, and-- [his eyes flicker to the other man, who gives him a desperate, meaningful look] --have this gentleman discard it.

On the other side of the bridge.

[Nailed it.]

[ RHETORIC - The skull has a point.

One of the men in the group waves their hand, expression softening to sympathy. "No way man. That's a pretty nice jacket you got there! I think the fur lining around the hood is a nice touch."

Another sniffs hard. "If there's anything getting thrown over the bridge, it's these two." ]

Wait, hold on. Let's be reasonable about this!

[ The men don't wait. One of them lunges for the man in the sweet jacket, grabbing his arm. The second aims a punch straight to Harry's face.

REACTION SPEED - *WHIFF*! You take a sharp side-step and he misses, his whole body lurching forward with his fist striking at the air.
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - You take the advantage, shoving at his side with both hands. He's unable to do anything but get bodied by the might you put into it.
VISUAL CALCULUS - Miscalculation: at the trajectory he's going, he will collide with the man you accosted. ]

Shit, look out!

[Thanks, guys, it is a nice jacket.

However, everything happens far, far too quickly for Kamui to give a reply: his mouth's still hanging half open when the two men move to strike. A moment later, the man Harry's shoved is coming right at him.

So it's a good thing that his own reflexes are tip-top, too. Kamui reacts quickly, using the momentum of the man Harry's shoved against him. With an instinctive strike and another hard shove to redirect him, he escapes without being barrelled over-- at the expense of the man, of course. Who... goes right over the bridge, landing in the water with a loud and unceremonious splash.

If he wasn't involved before, he certainly is now.]

Ah... [He only gets a second to be dumbfounded: their buddy in the sweet jacket has taken this as a sign that it's time to start SWINGING. He manages to swipe at the man who's seized him with his free hand, but he's not much of a fighter-- the two of them have begun grappling and drawing even more attention to the whole group. Kamui casts Harry an entreating look.]

Help me break them up-- we have to go, soon.

[ SAVOIR FAIRE - Damn, this kid has *sick moves*.
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - Focus, dinky! Your man is getting thrashed. ]

Right!

[ He meets Kamui's look and then rushes at the man grappling with Mr. Sweet Jacket.

VISUAL CALCULUS - Time freezes. You see the two men in the midst of an uncoordinated slap fight. Sweet Jacket doesn't have a clue how to throw a punch, but his opponent? He's about to sweep a hand under his armpit and hoist him over the bridge.
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - Go for that hand and restrain him.

Like a viper in the grass, Harry's arm lunges and catches the wrist of the attacker. Then, with a jerk to the left, he twists the attacker's arm behind his back in a sharp hold. Sweet Jacket jumps backward, free of the attack for now, and Harry throws his free arm to hug the attacker across his chest.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - Not a great hold, but it'll stop him for a few seconds while he writhes.

Harry lets out a heavy roar as the man tries to shake him off, throwing his head to Kamui. ]

Go! Get that idiot in the jacket out of here!

[Harry doesn't have to tell him twice. The other man's brute strength is enough to hold the attacker, but not for long.]

Right...

[He'll catch up, won't he? Without another word, Kamui grabs the still-bewildered Sweet Jacket guy by the elbow and wheels him over to what'll hopefully be their escape on the opposite end of the bridge. He stumbles along as best as he can, following Kamui's lead.

Unluckily for the three of them, knocking someone into the water was more than enough warning for true real guardians of the bridge: the hashihime. As their first attacker emerges from the river, gasping for air, a pair of beautiful, pale-faced goddesses surface too. Their long, dark hair sticks to their skin, and they're visibly pissed.

Sweet Jacket, of course, is stupid enough to keep calling them haters. They've made it across, but they're not that far away. Yet. Annoyed, Kamui nudges him hard in the side--] Please shut up. [--and turns back to Harry on the bridge.]

[ PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - As your new partner carts off the man in his jacket, you shove yourself and the man in your grasp into the railing. The force is enough for you to throw him over, sending him tumbling as the first man rises up from the water.

INLAND EMPIRE - And as he does, a beautiful monster rises from the depths of the river where she makes her home. There is no mistaking her fury.

HALF LIGHT - She wants to fucking kill you, Harry. ]

Holy *shit*!

[ It's enough to get Harry stumbling back, cold terror pouring over him with the force of a tidal wave. Why must women come out from the ocean to terrorize him? (Why does he even think they are?) He's not sticking around to find out.

Harry pivots and bolts toward the other side of the bridge, finishing the crossing with his heart racing faster than his feet carrying him. He runs straight past Kamui, screaming- ] FUCKING RUN, SEA MONSTERS ARE AFTER US!

[Honestly, it's a sight to behold, for better or for worse. Kamui and their companion can only watch in mute horror as the hashihime crawl up the heavy wooden posts that mount the bridge above the river. Jacket's finally gotten the idea: he takes a few nervous steps back as they crawl onto the bridge itself, streaming water from their long hair and their fine, but waterlogged robes.

Kamui doesn't need his abilities for this one. The fury they radiate is like nothing he's ever seen-- and boy, is it ever visible.

And then he feels a breeze go by. Is-- wait a minute, is he just-- Kamui holds a hand out uselessly to Harry as he sprints off, but he's already on his way.] Wait! [HARRY DON'T LEAVE HIM WITH THIS GUY!!!

Kamui turns back to the bridge, and the encroaching hashihime. They're looking a little bit like two Sadakos right now, which is more than enough motivation for his next step. Seizing his charge by the arm, Kamui follows suit, both men running as fast as their legs can carry them after Harry.

Shrilly, in the distance: And STAY off!]

[ REACTION SPEED - You get to the other side and then some, running far enough that the sea witches are at a distance. Can they follow you? You throw your head over your shoulder to see.
PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - No sea witches in sight. The other two men are coming right up on your tail, huffing as they get their cardio of the day in.

He slows his steps and comes to a stop, blood rushing and chest pounding in terror. It gives Kamui and their mutual friend in the jacket to catch up, Harry hunched over with hands gripping thighs to anchor from falling over. ]

Oh shit. Shit, what the fuck. Fuck! Are you guys ok? Fuck, th- those were witches. Sea witches!

[His blood rushes in his ears as they run, and run, and run. After what feels like an entire marathon's worth, the two catch up to Harry and slow to a stop.]

Y-yes, I'm fine...

[Thoroughly winded, Kamui slumps back against the wall of a nearby building, trying his very best to get his breath back. The man in the jacket's doubled over in a posture just like Harry, however-- breaths coming in quick gasps, nervous sweat dripping off his forehead.

Kamui glances between the two before his eyes settle back on Harry.] If I remember my mythology right, they're very powerful. And they hold very strong grudges. [shifting his gaze to the man:] Did you do something to upset them?

[The man straightens up again, wheezing a bit less now, though his face remains bright red from exertion.

Nah, they just hate my jacket. They just don't get it, man! That's why I hired your buddy as a bodyguard!]

Your... jacket? Is that really all this is about?

[ HALF LIGHT - He knew. This fucker knew about the devil women! ]

The *fuck* - you KNEW about them?! [ Harry's red face burns, exhausted of his fumes and gaining new ones rapidly. ] Why didn't you tell me?

[ SWEET JACKET - "Because you wouldn't have helped me! You're not the first person I've asked, and they all turned me down when they heard of the Hashihime's."

LOGIC - Probably because no one wants to deal with grudge holding monster fish. A grudge he has likely passed onto you.

ENDURANCE - Wömen of the river will now have their sights on you. ]

You asshole! Now they're going to be after us.

[Wow. Just... wow. Kamui gives the man a withering glare that screams, in all but words, that he's not mad, just disappointed.]

And you never stopped to wonder why they all turned you down?

[How is he going to cross the bridge around this part of town now? Kamui sighs wearily, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers. What a headache this is all becoming.]

Give us one reason why we shouldn't tell Toraguma that you've been deceiving members of the Shuten clan.

[He casts Harry a sidelong glance. Kamui never actually confirmed they were both Shuten-- they are clanmantes, right?]

[ ESPRIT DE CORPS - Interesting. Did he know you were both of the same clan, or was it a hunch? Premonition?
LOGIC - Perhaps deductive reasoning. You *do* come across as more likely to be of Shuten than anything else going off the characteristics. ]

[ SWEET JACKET - "Wait, hang on, there's no need to involve the Toraguma! Come on guys, be cool."

HALF LIGHT - Oh, that does it. Lay into this asshole and show him just how *cool* you can NOT be. ]

We've been *extremely cool* about you not being upfront with all the details, you dick. We just saved your ass back there! I should throw you over the bridge for this.

[ SWEET JACKET - "N-No, wait, I'm..." he trails off, face pale and in a cold sweat. Then, he does a sharp turn and bolts. "I'm sorrrryyy!"

VISUAL CALCULUS - It doesn't take a genius to see that he chose to run in the direction you came from. Aka, the bridge.
LOGIC - That's... not going to end well for him.
AUTHORITY - Let him go. Better to leave him to the witches. ]

Yeah, go fuck off idiot! Your jacket's not even that cool anyway!

[ COMPOSURE - Hey now, let's not get extreme. Leave the jacket out of this. It did nothing wrong. ]

Is he...

[Yup. Yeah. He... really is just hightailing it back to the bridge, isn't he. There's a beat of silence as Kamui stares skeptically after Sweet Jacket, running right back into the sea witches' watery clutches; eventually, he disappears, sure to be chucked into the river very very soon.

Kamui cranes his neck to catch one last glimpse of him before he relaxes. He's a patient guy, sure, but he's not nearly altruistic enough to go help. Much less when the man's given them so much trouble already. He'll have to deal with the consequences himself.

Uttering a nonplussed little hum:] I suppose that's that. Sorry: it doesn't seem like he'll keep his word and pay you.

[He turns his eyes back up to Harry once more.]

I'm Kamui, by the way. Kamui Uehara. [raising a brow:] I thought Shutens, plural, might sound more convincing. Did I guess correctly?

[ REACTION SPEED - Uehara? That's the name of the guy who told you about bowling! ]

Yeah, you did! Real good intuition there. Aaand, I think you might be the guy who promised me a round of bowling. [ He points to himself with a childish grin. ] *Tequila Sunset*. More commonly known by my given name, Harrier Du Bois. Or just Harry.

That's right, too.

[Hey, he remembered! Kamui smiles up at him-- Harry's grin is funny enough to be contagious.] It's good to meet you in person. [Peering into the distance, after Sweet Jacket--] ...And that we survived our meeting in person. Please clue me in sooner next time.

[It's a good sign, sort of. Now he knows what sort of allies he has in Shuten, and that they can more than hold their own.

As for the bowling.] I haven't forgotten my promise: I found an arcade in the Sutoku district that's got a bowling alley in it.

[ SHIVERS - To the east, a man runs across a bridge to get to the other side. He jogs with panic and fear, then stops. Two men get in his way. They've been waiting for him. ]

Excellent! How about a couple quick rounds? If you don't have any other plans at the moment.

Well...

[On one hand, Harry did just get him in trouble. On the other-- when is anybody else going to invite him out bowling? Certainly not anytime soon. Kamui nods. It'll be fun.

(And if Harry's really forgotten how to bowl, they can always set up those bumpers.)]

Why not? Let's go, Harry. I'll lead the way.

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open: boogie nights

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wow i thought i tagged this MY BAD

NP!!

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