jigokulogs | June prompts for Lalli (OPEN)

[Sure, it's an indoor beach. And sure, Lalli spent a lot of time looking for a swimsuit that isn't horrendous. He knows it's expected of him to participate in the festivities, and that if he wants to make more progress towards getting his magic back then he needs to get out there and do things.

But Lalli still ends up standing on the sandy beach in his new black swim trunks and some oversized t-shirt with a hood he found while shopping. It looks a little ridiculous on him, but he seems comfortable in it? Or at least, it's not the clothes he's wearing that's causing him to make uncomfortable noises as he stares out at the water in this artificial beach. He knows it's not deep, but he still doesn't like the beach much.]

Do I have to?

[It's more said to himself, but anybody nearby can hear him.]

[Meanwhile, here Hu Tao was, as she stood right by the water. She was no stranger to the ocean, not when she lived in a port city. Granted, the city forbid people from swimming within the harbor but that doesn't mean she didn't enjoy swimming. Placing her hands on her hips in her brand new black swim suit, she was all ready to go into the ocean!

Or at least, that was the plan. As she heard a person nearby, she raised an eyebrow at him. Without even saying a word, she had a vague idea of what this person was like.]

No but it would be nice to go for a swim, right?

What's nice about swimming?

[To Lalli, swimming is just a life skill. Something you know to get from one place to another, and hopefully without encountering too much danger in the water. Plenty of people fish for fun, sure, but to actually go out into the waters? It's just something Lalli doesn't get.

Mind, people do go swimming all the time in his world. He's just not one of them. His cat-shaped soul might have something to do with that.]

Being wet is annoying, it makes clothes stick to you.

Even so, the act of swimming can be fun! It's not everyday that there is a beach one can go to anyway!

[It seemed that her assumptions were somewhat correct. Here, she thought she might be dealing with someone who was shy but as it turns out? Perhaps she was talking to someone who was a stick in a mud?

It seems that she'll have to fun out!]

It makes sense to enjoy it while it lasts.

[Lalli is absolutely a stick in the mud. But Hu Tao isn't wrong either, and even a grumpy guy like Lalli has to admit that she has a point. Beaches- real or artificial- just aren't found in Jigoku-cho. It really would make sense to take advantage of it.

A loathesome idea, but Lalli will accept that reasoning. For now.

He does not remove any of his non-swimwear before walking over to the water's edge and just standing there, letting the water wash over his feet. He's still testing the waters, it's fine. But then he looks back to Hu Tao like 'what now'. He looks slightly less grumpy though, and a bit more curious.]

[This was going to be a lot tougher than she thought. Looking back at the water and then back at Lalli, there were two possible options. Either she let it to and let him stand there or she can convince him to go into the ocean.

Now which of these options will she choose?]

Do you want to go further? There's no need to be afraid of the ocean.

[Leaning in, she was curious to see what he would do.]

[Lalli looks back out to the ocean. It seems calm enough, and there's plenty of people playing in the water. If something was wrong here he would know already. But without his magic, he feels vulnerable and weak. Part of him wonders if this is what normal people feel like all the time, but he immediately decides that's ridiculous. Normal people don't know well enough to fear the unknown.]

There's no whales or dolphins out there, right?

[Spoken like someone who truly isn't used to going out into the ocean.]

[Sensing his hesitation, she wondered how to approach this. Was there more to his reluctance than just being a stick in the mud? She wasn't sure but that didn't stop her from giving him a curious look.]

I don't believe so, I doubt any of them would want to get anywhere near people! That and I'm not even sure if is possible with a fake beach!

[Pause] Is there a reason why you asked?

[Right, it's a fake beach. There's not going to be any animals here besides the people that come to the beach to have fun. Lalli still wouldn't call this 'safe'- nothing is truly safe to him- but 'less likely to end horribly' is a better assumption.

'Is there a reason why you asked?' Well, Lalli doesn't see any reason to lie, so.]

Sea mammals are dangerous. You can't tell if they're infected right away because you can't see them really well through the water. And they're hard to fight off if they attack. Without the protection of a well-guarded boat, you don't stand a chance against them.

[He doesn't sound paranoid or afraid, really. The hesitation is still present, but he's talking about this with about the same attitude as someone might talk about how they don't go to the mountains because the mountains are full of cougars and wolves: it's a known risk, and he's just restating a risk everyone (in his opinion) should be wary of.]

[There were various things that came into mind. She didn't want to say anything but perhaps he came from a world where he wasn't used to fighting? Or a world where it was less dangerous than hers?

Again, she didn't know but she tilted her head as she wondered how to ease his troubled mind.]

Hm...if you're that worried, then I'll manage to fight them off! I doubt any sea creatures would dare want to attack a skilled fighter!

[Granted, she might not be good with her fists but it is enough to warned off enemies! That and was she joking or being serious? That was up for him to decide!]

[Lalli isn't sure how to take that declaration. Hu Tao is very small and doesn't look like a fighter. Is she making fun of him? Questions of immunity come to mind too, but he has to remind himself that the Rash doesn't exist in this world and nobody has to worry about becoming infected by it.

...actually, dolphins and whales might not be as scary, if they're not infected by the Rash.]

You're very small, can you even fight?

You'll be surprised! I'll have you know that I am fairly well known for my fighting skills back home!

[Granted, most of her powers were gone and all she could do was light a small fire. But until then, she was going to deal with fighting with a regular polearm.]

While I might not have my weapon with me, I think I can handle a few sea creatures or two. [Alas, if she only knew what kind of mammals he deals with...!]

[He is still disbelieving. But he has the feeling that now isn't the appropriate time to ask her to actually fight, so instead he points to a nearby setup of a watermelon, blindfold, and stick.]

Can you do that without mistakes?

[He says this like it will prove Hu Tao is a great fighter or something.]

[Which was why Hu Tao raised an eyebrow at him before looking back at the watermelon and then back at him. Well, in that case...!]

I believe I can! It's a simple task that I can do easily!

[And with that, off she marched her way toward the area before giving off a proud smile.]

Please hand me the blindfold and I'll show you what I can do! [This will go well, right?

Mhmm.

[This will go amazingly well.

Lalli will pick up both the bat and the blindfold, and hand her the blindfold first.]

[The moment she was handed the blindfold, she stared at it for a moment. There was some hesitation on her part before she shook her head. There was no turning back now. As she tied it around her head, she gave her hand out toward Lalli.]

And there! Now if you please, could I have the bat...?

[Was he going to regret this? Who knows but Hu Tao was definitely going to have a lot of fun based on how much she was smiling!]

[Lalli has never regretted anything in his life. Ever. (no)

It will be fine though. Lalli isn't smiling like Hu Tao is, but his eyes are a bit lighter and his expression isn't gloomy or anxious. Lalli's just one who expresses curiosity and contentment without smiling, that's all. And as he hands her the bat, he will watch and see if she manages to split the watermelon. It's a strange tradition in his eyes, but it's a tasty one and that makes it acceptable to him.]

[With the bat in her hands, she knows that she has to be careful. The last thing she wanted was to injure anyone that comes in her path. That being said, she slowly started walking in a straight line. Hoping that the watermelon was nearby, that's when she started tapping the ground.

...Granted, the actual location is close by but she wasn't anywhere close to said fruit.]

Let's see...the watermelon should be here, right?

[Lalli is staying far out of batting range, so that's one less potential target Hu Tao has to worry about. He's watching how she taps along the ground, how she gets closer but not close enough to hit it. It's a good strategy! Kind of like feeling out weak parts in a floor or ceiling with a stick.

Lalli decides to help though, because she's veering off in the wrong direction slightly.]

More to your right.

I see, how silly of me. I shall get to it at once!

[That said? As she kept on tapping the ground to see where said object was, she made her way toward the right.] I believe this is what I am looking for!

[Indeed, there was an object toward her direction. But alas, it wasn't what she thought! Hope Lalli doesn't mind her hitting the nearby chair.]

[Clang goes the chair! Lalli looks unimpressed, though Hu Tao can't see him right now.]

...your other right.

This is so much more difficult than I thought!

[She gave a huff before walking to said other right. Again, she kept tapping on the ground to feel where the watermelon was. Finally, when she hit something, he gave a mumble or two.]

Please do tell me that's where the watermelon is. I'm starting to think that the fruit might have walked off without me knowing.

[Well, at least she found the watermelon. Though given how difficult it looks, Lalli is glad he's not the one trying. He would have looked too silly doing it.]

It's there, hit harder.

How wonderful! Now be prepared to be amazed at how strong I can be!

[And just like that, she pointed the bat straight up in the air before putting as much force as she could to hit said fruit! And yet...?]

...I missed, didn't I?

[Because said watermelon was right next to the bat.]

[So amazing. He just stands there for a moment, looking between Hu Tao and the watermelon like he's trying to decide if she's doing it on purpose or not.]

Yes. But it's right there. Try again.

Then, here I go! I'm sure I'll hit it this time around!

[And just like that? As she moved a little toward the side before swinging her bat once more? There was a sound that could be heard. Blinking to herself, she turned her direction toward Lalli before tilting to head to the side.]

...Did I hit it now? Please tell me that I did!

[Now this is something Lalli can actually do! No need to go into the water, and he gets food out of it? Count him in!

Of course, being blindfolded and given a stick might not be the best of choices. Especially not when Lalli veers off to the right slightly and misses the watermelon entirely, instead risking hitting whoever happens to be a bit too close by. Sorry to whoever just got hit, but Lalli can swing a pretty hard swing despite his appearances. Hopefully you didn't get hit in the head.]

Ow! [ she stumbles, dropping the food she’d been holding into the sand. she can feel her back throbbing where this stranger had struck her — but luckily she was sturdier than most…

the loss of food hurts more, somehow. ]

Oh no! Are you okay? Suikawari can be tricky… Do you want to try again? [ she has no hard feelings though! only encouragement. Unless he somehow hits her again. ]

[Mitsuri your FOOD

Lalli does stop when he hears the ow, and he shifts the bat to one hand so he can lift up the blindfold with his other. The loss of the food is indeed tragic though, this is what makes Lalli feel slightly guilty.]

Mmm. It's very tricky.

[He looks to the watermelon, then back to Mitsuri. Then he wordlessly holds out the bat. You try now, he's not great at this and he just wants watermelon.]

[ she’s a little surprised when he holds out the bat to her, looking between it and lalli. ] Are you sure?? It’s part of the fun to hit it yourself …!

[ she has no problem with doing it for him, but it was part of the experience!! ] I wouldn’t want you to miss out on hitting it … If you’re really sure, though, then I guess I don’t mind? But missing once or twice isn’t bad!

I don't mind.

[He wants the watermelon more than he wants to be the one to crack it. Also he's required to participate in these activities but he is only going to do the minimum level of participation. He's a bit of a killjoy unfortunately.]

You can do it.

[It's been nearly a year since Lalli has been back in his world. Several months in Hakagemachi followed by a few in Jigoku-cho, all of which puts plenty of distance between Lalli's world and his current lot in life. One never truly forgets the horrors of the Silent World, but details fade with time and everyday experiences become past memories.

But all of this, it brings those memories back in a rather sharp way. The smell of blood everywhere, the oppressive presence of something else, the need to stay vigilant mentally to keep external threats out. It's a shock to Lalli's system after nearly a year, but recovering his footing is but a passing trouble to him. Much like one never truly forgets how to ride a bike, Lalli finds himself keeping up his mental barriers and carrying on despite the stench and weight in the air. Don't focus on it, he tells himself, just keep moving.

He doesn't have enough of his magic back to protect others with his natural resilience to this kind of an assault, but he can at least keep himself upright and going. And whenever he finds someone lost in the rain of blood, he reaches out for their hand and asks them one question:]

What faction?

[He's always been a guide, so this is fine. Through the rain and Haniwa he goes, getting people to safety. Helping the uncorrupted stay that way is actually a positive change for Lalli, all things considered.]

[At some point during the month, either before or after the horrors of the Haniwa, your character may hear a scratching noise at their window! How odd, what could that be?

Should they choose to investigate, they will see Lalli either standing outside their window or perched on a windowsill, literally pawing at the glass to be let in. He will go for sliding glass doors and porch doors/windows whenever he can, but any window is a potential target.]

[ barton doesn't get many visitors to his sad little enma apartment; there just isn't much room for more than one occupant at a time. looking up from his book, his attention's immediately caught - it does sound like a very cat-like noise, and he likes cats. ]

[ he's only somewhat disappointed to see it's a person instead. ]

[ with a grimace, tossing his book aside, barton stomps over to and flings open the window. ]

What the hell are you doing??

[He is a catlike person, but a person nonetheless and that is definitely disappointing when you're looking for a cat.

When Barton comes over to the window though, Lalli doesn't react much to the cursing. He instead just changes his posture so he has better balance now, since the window is open.]

You're an Enma.

[He's stating the obvious here, yep. Lalli is an Enma too, so it's possible Barton could have seen him around the meetings or the office building.]

... That's right.

[ it is entirely probable - and considering the fact that barton doesn't slam the window shut again, and instead takes a step back, speaks to that. perhaps it's not an explicit invitation, but it is one nonetheless should lalli need more room.

he's folded his arms over his chest, tapping his fingers against his upperarms. ]

But what do you want, that you needed to climb all the way to the window--?

[He does take the invitation, though he stays on the windowsill for now. Last time he actually went into an apartment he was kind of held up like a hostage, no need to repeat that.]

The city streets aren't clearly labeled and they are hostile to newcomers.

[That sure is a way to say 'I got lost' without admitting any fault whatsoever.]

[ that takes a moment for barton to piece together what's being implied, and the logic (or lack thereof) behind it. what do the streets not being "clearly labeled" have to do with --? ]

[ oh, wait. his expression changes to a wry grin with the realization, and he looks like he just might burst out laughing. ]

So you... just decided to go up...?

Yes. Landmarks are easier to see that way.

[But he hasn't seen anything familiar yet which is why he's bugging Barton now.]

June prompts for Lalli (OPEN)

Beachside Reluctance (OPEN)

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Suikawari (OPEN)

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And then... (OPEN)

Window buddy! (OPEN)

before haniwa horrors

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