( open ) 001

[harimaya]

Who ⬤ Hizen & you
What ⬤ Catchall for March. Open prompts in main post for substories. Closed starters in comments.
When ⬤ All of march!
Where ⬤ See prompts.
Content Warnings ⬤ TBA

SUBSTORY: WELCOME TO THE NIGHT PARADE (I)

("Outta the way, outta the way!"

A group of smaller youkai yell. They might not be big but what they lack in size, they make up for in number in spirit. They push their way through the crowd carrying a portable shrine. It's a diverse group made up of smaller youkai and spirits— little oni, cats walking on hind legs, a one eyed umbrella, something with a face as large as its body, and fish-looking creature that flails across the ground as it makes its way through.

Do you get out of the way? Or do you miss the warning in all of the hustle and bustle?

In the case of the latter, you can expect one of several things to happen…)

A.
(Hizen loudly snaps at you,)

Oi! Pay attention and get out of the way!

(You probably don't want to get caught up with these little guys. Their patience is as little as they are. The shorter the person, the shorter their temper. If you'd like to avoid confrontation, Hizen can suddenly grab your character by the arm and pull the aside. Alternatively, you can just let the crowd crash into you. Maybe he'll help?)

B.
(Or maybe you're helping Hizen with setting up for someone's game stand. Have you noticed that the owner won't actually let either of you help with getting the game part together? Leave that part to them (so they can rig it). You and Hizen can set up the prize wall made up of different masks and toy weapons.

As the little procession goes by, Hizen stops for a moment to stare and mutters,)

The "parade of a hundred demons," huh...

(He sounds like he might know something?)

SUBSTORY: WELCOME TO THE NIGHT PARADE (II)

(It's security detail!

… Or really, it's more like crosswalk duty.

On the night of the parade, you and Hizen will be expected to keep the pedestrians from crossing the street before their turn. Instead, you'll wait for scheduled stops in the parade that will give enough time for people to get to the other side.

Before the parade begins, you'll have to help set up the barrier using cones or barrels or what have you. And the person in charge of overseeing? It's a long-necked woman that keeps looking over your shoulder and telling you the barriers are too close or too far from the street. The crosswalk openings are too narrow or too wide. She keeps picking at everything you're doing! Is this your first night parade? Do you have any idea what you're doing? She asks for help and she gets sent a bunch of fresh lost souls who have no idea what they're doing!

She doesn't even have the courtesy to say this behind your back. She's right there with her long neck, complaining right in your ear. Or Hizen's ear.

And he looks like he's going to snap. )

SUBSTORY: LOOK AT THIS SWEET JACKET

(The first step to any assignment is gathering information. It's time to get to find the bridge in question and meet the client. Hizen checks the writing on one of the columns at the end of the bridge and looks over to you,)

This is it. (This is the bridge.)Looks pretty normal.

(He's unimpressed. But because timing is comedic, as soon as he finishes speaking, a man gets tossed back across the bridge, rolls like a ball, and stops right in front of them.)

...

(Hizen looks down and... looks away. He sure is going to make you take care of the talking first)

WILDCARD.

❀ Hizen is in the Shuten Clan.
❀ If you have another idea for a prompt or would like to plot anything out, let me know
❀ You can check out my intro comment for some ideas, too.
❀ contact; eski | discord: eski#9874 | PM

Comments

[harimaya]

(Hizen is entirely too direct to be looking for answers in weird places so Norimune... just shows him a different perspective.)

... Find the answer while shopping?

[kikuichi]

That's right. You never know what might be hidden. Like a hidden treasure.

[Although, this area probably isn't the type for what he's looking for.]

Among other things, I am looking for a place where we can get supplies. It would be nice to get sword polish.

[He's already carrying his sword with him. Worrying about upkeep should be fine.]

[harimaya]

...!

(Oh. A very fair point. For Hizen, who really doesn't think much about himself... he truly hadn't thought about what to do in case of repairs.)

Have you found any leads?

[kikuichi]

[Please think about yourself a little more, Hizen... If nothing else, who would look after Nankaitarou?]

I've been asking around whenever I can. I'll let you know once I do.

[After he find the lead, and maybe look into it. Or maybe send Hizen to check? Hm, that's a little tempting.]

[harimaya]

(Stop don't remind him.)

... I'll ask around too.

(And if Norimune ends up sending Hizen to check things out for himself then... well, Hizen wouldn't be surprised.)

I'd tell you to stay out of trouble 'til we find someone but... it looks like you're working for the boring guys.

[kikuichi]

[Good. He would Hizen to do that anyway, since they're in different factions. Norimune chuckles.]

Seems like it. But who knows, maybe I might befriend some interesting people in the department? A good company might make the work more bearable.

[Uuuuuugh, government work again. Even if the contents are different this time.]

Hm, before I forget... do you have a place yet?

[harimaya]

The same rundown place as everyone else.

(More or less. )

You?

[kikuichi]

I'm in a building for those in the department.

[Because why not, dump the Enma newbies in one place.]

You're free to come over and visit.

[So he can rope Hizen into doing his chores. And give him reports, too.]

[harimaya]

Bet it's no citadel.

(Dang, does he... miss the citadel already? Hm.)

And I hope your landlord's easier than mine.

(A nagging oni-esque landlord makes it hard to sneak in guests or something. They aren't too smart but they're annoying when they catch on maybe.)

[kikuichi]

It's a lot smaller and sparse. Nothing like our dear citadel. I'll tell you where it is later.

[Even working for the government doesn't give them a good place. Sigh, he somewhat miss his old room.]

They're quite nice, I should be able to get along with them.

[They're still new. He didn't want to test his luck against breaking the rules... at this point. The landlord is probably a stickler for the rules.

Oh, his eyes got drawn by a really nice shop. Is it important for them? Probably not, but he's going to check that one next.]

[harimaya]

(Wow, it must be nice having an agreeable personality that lets you get along with people enough that you aren't worried about making friends or something.

Hizen can't relate. In fact, just thinking about the people he's met so far has him thinking and he'll speak quietly to Norimune,)

... Have you met anyone interesting here?

(Like, interesting.)

[kikuichi]

[Upon hearing Hizen's quiet voice, Norimune matches it. His eyes are still browsing the eye catching displays, arranged to tempt any passer-by into spending. Unfortunately, they're living on a budget right now.]

In person? There's a few, some of them seem pretty interesting to me.

[By whose standards...]

Whenever I meet them again, I'll have a better idea on who I want to work with.

[harimaya]

(He looks ahead at the window but he isn't really looking at anything inside. He's really just avoiding looking at Norimune,)

... I met him here.

("him." Heh doesn't elaborate right away and goes quiet, as if wondering how to explain what he wants to say next. If given a little bit of time though, he'll speak plainly, as if trying to detach himself from everything,)

Izo.

[kikuichi]

[He's silent for a moment, but he glance at Hizen from the corner of his eye.]

... You met him?

[He's aware of Hizen's story. Meeting one's master by chance always seem to bring up emotions. Hizen's case may or may not make it complicated. Or very simple.

But this does bring up the possibilities of meeting other historical figures here. The prosecutor from around the same era as Meiji seem to suggest it... The thought of that man briefly pop up in his mind.]

What happened?

[harimaya]

(The silence means yes. He met him.

And of course it's complicated. Even if Hizen wants to act like it's all easy and not a problem, meeting a former master always brings back emotions. Even the swords that despise their masters can't help but feel something.)

He figured me out. (Of course he did. Even someone as foolish as Izo would be able to put pieces together after seeing their identical swords. Considering their personalities. The small hints that Hizen wears on his person like the bandages carefully wrapped around his neck.) It seemed like he knew about us.

(About touken danshi.)

... I don't know.

[kikuichi]

[The first part... is somewhat expected. Their swords are undeniably distinctive, and it would be impossible to fool all of the masters.]

So, he knew about us.

[That part is a lot more important. It's unlikely for Hizen to give away that information, even on a past mission. That means he learned the information from elsewhere, somehow. Or maybe Okada Izo is particularly bright.

He let out a sigh.]

Well, it's on me for not expecting this. [Meeting old masters in this place.] But what's done is done. Do you trust him?

[harimaya]

(No, Okada Izo is not bright. His story is that of an uneducated man and foolish man. Hizen can't imagine him figuring it out completely on his own without some help.

As for if he trusts him or not...)

...

(He raises a finger to his neck, tugging at a loose bit of bandage,)

It's too early.

(He can't say.)

[kikuichi]

Once you know for certain, inform me.

[Norimune isn't going to stop Hizen from spending time with Okada Izo. They can work separately and take care of themselves.

But emotions are tricky and powerful. He wonders how Hizen will turn out later on.]

Until then... [Look at this widening smile on Norimune's face, before he grab Hizen's hand.] ... let's go shopping!

[You can never escape.]