( 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

( closed ) for daylight

[harimaya]

(This guy keeps going on about his cool jacket. Really, he really loves his jacket and he's absolutely convinced it's the jacket's fault he can't cross this bridge which... sounds ridiculous if you ask Hizen. But this guy keeps insisting it's because of his really cool jacket and turns around to show off the design on the back.)

...

("It's a really cool jacket!" He says again.)

...

("I said--"

Hizen can't take it anymore,)

-- We heard you the first twelve times! (Seriously, how much time have they wasted listening to this guy and his jacket? It seems secondary to his actual problem.) Say it again and I'll...

(throw you into the river myself he's about to say but maybe Daylight should interrupt. Hizen has never pretended to be good with people. In fact, he's made it very obvious that he's poorly suited for interacting with most! But Daylight looks like he might be better suited for the social aspect of this task. He's got that tiresome "I like people" and "I'm positive" energy to him. )

( closed ) for ryouma

[harimaya]

(Hizen can't keep walking around the city in tattered and dirty clothes. It really isn't much money to start with but there's enough to feed himself for awhile and if he budgets around a little… yes, he can probably afford a change of clothes.

He can be found in one of the second-hand shops in the city. The shop is small but incredibly cramped, packed from wall to wall with clothes on hangers and in bins with no order or reason. A lot of the fashion is loud, tacky, and outdated but it's cheap and that's all that's most important.

While diving through one of the racks, the shop owner emerges suddenly and Hizen pulls back. Ittan-Momen rises in the air and hovers around, watching Hizen with beady eyes. Is it... suspicious? Well, Hizen just glares back and growls,)

It's not like I'm here to steal anything.

(He's an honest customer?! Ittan-Momen then swerves to look right at the other customer in the shop. Hello, Ryouma. What about you? Are you up to no good? Can you really blame the keeper for being nervous when two swordsmen from different factions are in his little shop?)

( closed ) for nehan

[harimaya]

(Hizen is running errands for the clan, delivering some orders to a favored sake shop in a certain part of the city. It's grunt work, hardly anything special, but it's easy for now. No doubt, he'll have to help carry said deliveries later but that's a problem for the Hizen of the future.

While he's looking for the shop, he spots a familiar (or rather, unfamiliar) looking youkai.)

...

(He could easily just let Nehan go without ever acknowledging him but this is the guy that paid for his drinks and offered him a job... It wasn't a bad first impression? It's enough for Hizen to acknowledge him.)

... It's the new youkai.

(He still isn't sure about that but you know, this place is full of weirdos. He'll roll with it. Also worth noting, Hizen has since found some new clothes. He still looks largely unassuming but at least he looks somewhat cleaner.)

( closed ) for norimune

[harimaya]

(He knows Norimune is here. The issue is just tracking him down again. He asks around enough and Norimune has probably heard of some Shuten punk with an edge looking for him. Luckily, this isn't some rascal looking for a fight but a familiar face that finally finds his old comrade--)

Oi.

(He's making a line straight for Norimune now. He has him in his sights,)

I can't tell if you're trying to be hard to find or not.

[kikuichi]

[For what it's worth, Norimune have been behaving. He's taking in the sights, learning where things are, before he consider his next possible step. Can't risk any dangerous moves if he doesn't know how to safely escape. Or if nothing else, looking for where to find supplies.

He looks over from window shopping, a there's quite a number of shops in this area. He blinks, before he smiles.]

Oh? I'm just simply looking around. There's a lot to see around here.

[If this is literally any other situation, he would love to browse around to his heart's content. Alas, he have to keep track of his time and his surroundings.]

What brings you here?

[Either it's something important, such as information, or Hizen got annoyed at him.]

[harimaya]

(Don't smile at him like that.)

"One flower?"

(Someone saw Norimune on the network.)

[kikuichi]

It's the simplest one I can think of.

[His other ideas are too fanciful, grandiose, to use. He opens his fan, moving it slightly.]

My ears are open.

[If Hizen wants to say something, he better speak.]

[harimaya]

How much are you going to tell people?

(There's no point trying to hide the fact they're from Japan. Their names, their dress, the swords they carry... it's obvious already and if it wasn't, it would surely come out naturally given some of their familiarity with things here. But the year they're from? The fact that it's far enough in the future that others might find it worth noting...)

[kikuichi]

The year is the most I'll say on there. Who knew there are quite a wide range of people here with us?

[He's willing to play the act of an old man, living in more "rural" areas. It's not that far off from staying in the enclosed citadel, until they're deployed on their missions. He stares at Hizen.]

Among the Enma, I wouldn't mind telling them I retired from our old workplace.

[That he used to work for the government in their world, since that's basically what their reassignment is. Whether they believe it or not, they're all in the same boat here. Only their words and whatever they have on them as proof of it.]

[sunborne]

-be unable to help you out! [ thankfully, day seems to have a sense of timing and quickly butts in, looking at hizen apologetically before he looks back at their subject. he's clearly put off at not getting a chance to brag about his jacket and day tries to smooth over that: ] We want to do what we can to aid you, mister, but we need to know more about the circumstances of your incidents.

It's for, um, documentation's sake. Yeah! [ day is getting flashbacks to his first paired mission with nightbreak, when she had ended up threatening to break the arms and backup arms of their contact if they didn't simply tell them what they needed to know.

they got the job done at the end, sure, but sharp mission debriefing note of 'possibly improving personal diplomatic skills for the sake of future missions' outcome' always stuck with him. he does get where hizen is coming from - how can someone be so obsessed with a jacket? it is a human thing he missed? - but tries to get some information and peace of mind for them. ]

Have you ever noticed anything during the attacks? Attempts to pull the jacket off you or noises and sounds while getting away?

[ that seems to work! it gets the guy to actually think about something besides his jacket - to an extent. he assures the pair that he did everything he could to protect his clothing item - can't lose this good drip, after all!. - but did hear something while fleeing retreating from the bridge... ]

... Cursing? You heard a 'shit ton of of cursing' from under the bridge? [ huh. day frowns after he notes that down on his comically tiny notepad before looks to hizen and tilts his helm, lowering his voice to try and keep this between the two of them.

(not that it'll be hard. the guy notices a wrinkle in his jacket and is fussing loudly over it.) ] I guess that's a start. Should we bring him along? I don't like the idea of bringing a civilian along to a place that's proven to be dangerous but, um, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try and draw the source out. What do you think?

1/2

[harimaya]

...

(Is it really going to be all? He watches Norimune for a moment. He's watching you, old man. But fine, he concedes that the year isn't terribly offensive as long as that's all they're sharing. His shoulders relax some,)

Everyone's from all over the place. I've never heard of anything like this before.

(They're truly in foreign territory here. As for that last bit though...)

[harimaya]

You're with the big guy?

(Enma?)

[harimaya]

(He immediately shuts his mouth, crossing his arms and just settling to glare at Jackie. Because his name is Jackie now. I've decided.

It's nice to know that Hizen was right. Day really does seem to have a better handle on dealing with people than Hizen does. With that in mind, he's able to bite down on his tongue and settle for tapping his finger on his elbow impatiently.

Finally, they catch a break though and the tension in Hizen's shoulders visibly eases. Oh, thank gods, they finally have a clue.)

Some sort of oni...?

(But he can't imagine an oni being under a bridge. They're usually on top of the bridge, ready to fight off and scare any travelers. No, this doesn't quite add up and Hizen's brows knit together, clearly thinking. In this town where youkai and spirits roam freely, could it be something from a story...?

He casts a glance at Jackie. Should they bring him along?)

Give me your jacket.

("Hell no!")

Either give it to me or you're coming with us!

(This way, they don't have to drag any civilians along and they can still go into the dangerous place.)

1/2

[kikuichi]

Indeed. It's certainly a first for me as well.

[At most, there's those distorted timelines. But those stick to people that's actually around in that time period.]

[kikuichi]

[He close his fan with a light snap.]

In the Department of the Emma, yes. That's where they put me in.

[From one government to another, why. Oh, he'll do his best to do (less) work, but he's already wondering if it's even entertaining.]

[harimaya]

... Heh.

(Was that... a laugh? It isn't much but for Hizen standards, that half chuckle is a lot. He's clearly amused hearing about Norimune's faction.)

Welcome to the Night Parade, II;

[littleshield]

[ When Felix had been told he would be part of security detail, this is not what he had imagined. Hizen isn't the only one about to snap.

In fact, Felix is seeing red and it is a goddess' grand miracle he has kept his mouth shut for so long before the vitriol just begins to spill. ]

Enough!

I don't know who the hell you are but right now, I don't give a damn. If you keep running that big, oversized mouth of yours we may as well knock all over the barriers and call it a day. Now, are you going to shut it and let us do our jobs or are you going to squawk until your face implodes from the amount of distraction you are causing us?

[ God. Damn.

That overseer looks appalled at hearing a rookie day speak like that at them so it's hard to tell whether they're gearing for a tongue lashing or just humoring him. Whatever the case, Felix gets back to work. Though he will cast a glance to see how well his partner is faring. ]

[harimaya]

(She pulls her long neck back, bunching up and raising it up high so she's more "tall" than spread out. She looks at Felix with utter disbelief. How dare this fresh meat speak to her like that? Do they know who she is?

(no one important. don't worry. but she's been riding on them not knowing.)

Despite Felix's outburst in their defense, Hizen doesn't look impressed. If anything, he just looks even more tired now and he kicks one barrel into place with his foot. Don't worry, Felix, it's not you, it's just the way Hizen is. After some time, he seems to calm down some and grumbles,)

... I'm going to snap her neck.

(Just when she was about to resume her snooping, her neck does a sudden swerve away from them.)

[littleshield]

[ When Felix noticed her looking like even more of a wild goose than usual, he can only think one think for certain:

He hates it here.

Anyway, as Hizen kicks a barrel into place he just imagines the barrel being that overseer's face. It's fine, they can both be cranky and sullen about it. ]

It's pretty tempting, isn't it? Really, who does she think she is?

[ Thank goodness it is suddenly mercifully quiet from overseer goose lady. ]

[harimaya]

Someone who's been here longer.

(That's what! Considering all she's done is harp about them being fresh and having no idea how things are done. It would also explain why they're stuck with these lower jobs,)

... This is more like heavy work than guard work, too.

(Maybe on parade night it'll be different but as it is right now? It's just using a bunch of newbies for easy labor.)

( closed ) for dazai

[harimaya]

(The Shuten clan is known for being rowdy and no doubt, they'd caused enough of a stir at the party but Hizen is more.... well, tired. Even with the promise of drinks, he'd been more reserved. He downs his shots regardless of taste or quality, he holds himself well enough when challenged, and despite his own muted personality... he seems used to the noise and chaos. So it isn't like he's completely out of place among the clan! He just isn't going to warm up to them because they're supposed to be his "clan."

As the party begins to wind down with different factions calling it a night and others opting to move to new locations, Hizen also slips away from the main group, his pay in hand. Everything is worth it for the right price and he isn't getting paid for going to the clan's second-third-however many parties.

What he finds is a quieter place. A small, narrow shop filled with smoke from a grill, a tv playing monotonously in the background, and a moderate selection of drink. There are some regulars sitting at the center of the bar, chatting away with the owner and a certain familiar face. Ugh.

Hizen makes a point to sit as far from Dazai as possible before ordering his drink. )

[littleshield]

And had her ego grow bigger than her body as a result.

[ He huffs. Some people really do ease into power trips after being on the bottom rung for so long. ]

Hmph. I'm insulted that they dare would deign us such dirty work and call it security detail. At the very least they should've called it what it is. Someone would be bound to take it regardless.

[ Felix has a certain skillset and he is absolutely flummoxed and pissy that it doesn't get utilized because somebody lied about the genre of tasks. He already dislikes the situation enough as it is. ]

[sunborne]

[ at this point, most people would realize the irritation radiating from hizen and the pleading look from daylight would mean that maybe, just maybe, parting with the item of clothing would be for the best. because it could be the best drip in the world but enough individuals would have common sense to call it when they see it and hand it over, allow the proper authorities to handle the situation you've find yourself in.

you would think that and yet-

fine! i'll go with you two to the bridge! ]

What.

[ what. ] What? That's- That's not safe at all! I'm sorry but I think-

[ i think i have a right to confront the asshole who wants to rough me up and ruin my jacket! i got this baby customized and everything. ain't no one is gonna ruin this drip and not get an earful from me!'

day sighs and his usually friendly demeanor wavers as he counts to ten, realizing that this is what emergency aid must feel during his shift in the medbay. ]

[kikuichi]

[With sudden speed, he bop Hizen on the head with his folded fan. He would appreciate the rare Hizen's chuckle, but not at his expense!]

And where did you end up in?

[kaientai]

[ ryouma hadn't exactly announced himself when he'd come in, but that was intentional. the last shopkeeper had been extremely pushy (see: it was arguably a shakedown) and he was hoping to avoid a similar confrontation.

looking through a rack of assorted everything, he happens upon something that has so many cut-outs in it that he's not entirely sure how anyone is supposed to wear it. or maybe it's for a youkai that isn't even human-shaped and he's thinking about this all wrong...? what a time to get the feeling you're being watched. he shoves whatever that was back onto the rack and holds his hands up in front of him. ]

I'm just looking!

[ this is the first time he realises he's not the only person here (besides the owner) too. one would think he'd be a little more alert in neutral territory but if experience hasn't changed that habit, nothing will. he starts heading towards the door anyway, intending to just squeeze past the ittan-momen and hizen and leave while he has the chance... ]