jigokulogs | [closed] blue sea moon / july catchall

[ In a sketchier corner of town where gangs loiter, the sounds of a scuffle can be heard. Shouting, then clanging, then grunts of pain and more shouting. Yuri comes darting out of an alleyway with a pouch that glitters when the light catches it at an angle. In typical Jigoku-cho fashion, a dispute over the stardust had come down to throwing hands.

Glancing around for a hiding place to shake off his pursuers, he finds he's not alone on the street. ]

If anyone asks, you didn't see me.

[ He tells the woman, crouching down to pull open the lid of a manhole cover and intending to slip underground. ]

[All she wanted to do was explore her new founded setting. She wasn't used to this place at all, so she doesn't realize that she's in a sketchy part of town. That is, until she hears a commotion adjacent to her, and it catches her attention. Her eyes catching wind of the boy who runs just beside her.

He looks like he's in trouble, more or less, and she walks toward the area where he's crouch in an attempt to open up the manhole. She can only put two and two together, honestly, given the commotion just minutes ago, as well as what was in his hand. An all too familiar situation for her, given her time with her more... Questionable students.]

Are you in some sort of trouble, kid? I can help you, you know.

[She eyes the pouch that's in his hand, before they trail to Yuri.]

You probably shouldn't steal.

[ He looks at her when she offers to help, a brief, scrutinizing look before his attention snaps back to the ground. ]

Kindly tell them you saw me run the other way, and then I suggest you make yourself scarce on these streets.

[ Getting in trouble with gangs is just a day in the life for him, which is why he doesn't see the need to involve a bystander except to ask for her ignorance. Yuri pries the cover open and slips in to hide.

As for stealing, while he will neither admit to nor reject her claim, his pursuers round the corner with the most awful timing, clamoring about catching a 'thief.' ]

[Honestly, she doesn't like the feeling of this, and it's really all too familiar. She doesn't have time to question him, however, when she suddenly hears his pursuers close to them now. Her eyes luckily no where close to the grate that he just escaped from, which made it easier for her to lie.

This was certainly familiar. She had to do this before, to the students who fell into a life of crime. So it was easy, and almost natural to feign ignorance with that all too calm voice.]

Maybe try the other way. No one here but little ol' me, and I'm certainly not a thief~

[They take her words to heart, luckily, for both their sakes, and they run off into another direction. Marie watching quietly to ensure they're nowhere near them now. Eyes slowly turning toward the grate on the floor, and walking toward that general direction. Easily lifting it up, and actually following him down below.]

Hey kid. Are you... A student by chance?

[ Underground, Yuri hears the footsteps above come to a halt and the woman saying something, then another storm of footsteps as his pursuers chase the false lead.

He's about to slip away through the sewer when the stranger comes climbing down after him. It's so unexpected that he actually stops in his tracks, turning his head back to regard her with wariness and disbelief. ]

You see any schools around here? [ For youkai, maybe there were, but he's pretty sure every Lost Soul signed a contract about working for a faction. ] If this is about the stardust, it didn't 'belong' to anyone. We had a little dispute over who came across it first, that's all.

[There's a pointed stare at him, but she tries her best not to scare him off, or come off as an enemy. That was the last thing that she wanted, especially because she just wanted to help. That natural instinct to be maternal a bit too strong, but still. He was obviously young, and again, she just wanted to help.]

That's not what I meant. Back home... Are you a student?

[Their voices echo a bit too loudly in the sewer, but she pays no mind as she takes a slow step forward. His pursers were long gone, and even if they heard them, she would defend him, despite. Well. Him being a 'thief'.]

I mean, that's fine if there was a dispute about it and all, you look like you can take care of yourself, but... I guess you just remind me of some of my students. I just want to make sure you're alright.

Me. Remind you of your students? Must be one wretched class you're teaching.

[ He might not have set foot in a proper classroom for years now, but he won't pretend any self-respecting student should follow his example. Anyway, his schoolboy days are over. It figures he wouldn't have lasted in that fancy rich kid's academy. ]

If you must know, I'm not a student. So let's spare both of us time and skip the lecture.

[ Because that's what this is about, isn't it? Her offer to help is met with suspicion. ]

Not at all. I work with a lot of students that fall into a life of crime, and have trouble getting out of it.

[She won't mention that she ends up "terminating" the whole gang involved, and what not. She's not really here to lecture him, after all. Just here to make sure that he's safe, and ends up getting home fine. Which is why she takes a step forward, with her hands in her pocket. Just getting close enough so that their only a few feet away from each other now. Marie flashing a friendly smile, as she shakes her head.

She's. Awfully insistent.]

I wasn't planning on giving you a lecture, actually. I'm here to see you home; to make sure you get there safely.

I said it was a dispute. You do know we're supposed to be collecting these things, right.

[ Who is she talking about. Cannot be him. Cough. Yuri takes a step back when she takes a step forward. ]

Just how old do you think I am? [ He doesn't need his hand held. He's been looking after himself since he was like, twelve. His eyes dart to the side as he debates how to make his retreat. ] I have things to do, find someone else to fuss over.

I'm not disputing your dispute, dear. I'm just telling you what I do.

[She stops in place, arms crossed over her body. An all too friendly smile appearing on her face. It's. Surprisingly not fake, and quite genuine despite the situation right now.]

Probably not that young, but probably not that old. I'm sure you can take care of yourself, but I might be of some use to you, if those people come back.

[She can tell that he's trying to make his escape from her, given his eye movement, and she can only smile at him further.]

There isn't really anywhere you can run. We might as well just get out of the sewer together, and then you can run away.

Then I'll give them the slip like always.

[ Please, he's a professional at this. Though he can't say that to her, she'll just take it as one more reason to fret. He watches her, unmoving, trying to gauge her intentions. Her smile seemed genuine enough, it was the insistence that unsettled him. And was she implying that she could fight? Now that would be troublesome. It meant it would be harder to shake her off. ]

What do you even get out of helping me? Besides their eyes on you and a dagger in your back.

[Honestly, she could go at this all day if they wanted, but considering they both had to go home at some point, she simply crosses her arms, and uses her eyes to motion him forward. They could at least start walking while having this conversation. After all, it was dark in the sewer, the only thing keeping their pathing lit, being the dull lights above them.]

Is it so wrong to accept a little bit of help sometimes? Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I have a target on my back. I'm used to it back home, and I'm often the target of people's hatred. It's nothing new to me.

[Simple, and to the point. And the fact that she's unwavering in that can be a bit unnerving, but none the less, she truly meant what she said. She would help, even if he didn't want her help.]

C'mon, let's get you home, uh. Sorry, kid, I don't even know your name. You don't have to give it to me, though, if you don't want to.

[ Fine, if she wants him to move he'll begin walking...only he has no intentions of leading her back to where he lives. She seems to have confused him for one of her students, and he can do without the earful should she discover that he's been sleeping anywhere but proper housing. ]

This is ridiculous. First, quit calling me kid. I'm twenty-four. [ He figures he can push his age without it coming across as a lie. He hasn't lost all the boyish traces of his face, but his makeup surely adds a few years. ]

Twenty-four, hm?

[As they begin to walk, her eyes trail over to Yuri with curiosity. Her eyes giving him a once over, before stopping at his face. Quietly noting that he might be lying about his age, given how young he looks underneath the light and all. But... Even if he is lying, she isn't one to judge.

She's certainly lied through her teeth before, when she had to work espionage when she was younger, and even now, working recon. It brings back memories, for sure.]

My mistake. I sometimes forget that people are older than they look... Or younger than they look. Working in espionage and recon can kind of skew my perception at times.

[There's that friendly smile again. She crosses her arms, though, and hums to herself.]

So, a name? I'm Marie, by the way.

Edited (edits this tag for the 2nd time) 2022-08-19 21:55 (UTC)

You doubt me, don't you? I know what you're thinking. You're not the first to find me suspect.

[ He doesn't believe she's convinced. He realizes how shifty he comes off as, and he won't pretend otherwise if he's to sell the lie. ]

Believe what you will but spare me the coddling. I know a different way out that won't put us in their line of sight.

[ That said, Yuri heads further into the sewers rather than climb above ground. The waterways are all connected if one doesn't mind getting their boots dirty. He's half-hoping she'll give up her pursuit. As for the matter of his name, he's going to dodge the question. ]

If you're a spy, you should know a name is the easiest thing to lie about.

[Even if she does doubt him, all she does is. Well. Shrug. She's sure that he has his reasons to lie, if he was lying. She wouldn't judge him for that, because she's certainly done her fair share of lying.]

Don't worry. I might be an old woman, but I don't judge. After all, I've done my fair share of lying, so I'm probably the last person that will judge, or coddle you about it.

[Marie follows right behind him, arms still crossed in her usual, relaxing manner. This was honestly nothing to her, having gotten her hands way dirtier than this. So, she'll just follow, with an utterly amused look on her face.]

That is true, but my brother is the better spy. I'm too famous in my world now, so I can't even lie through my teeth anymore. I get found out way too easily, so I guess that's why I work recon more often. It's really hard to hide your identity when you look like this, work as a headmistress of the school and wield a big ass scythe.

[She's. Very forthcoming about herself. And it's a wonder why her brother is better at espionage than her --]

That, and I like working with the kids I rescue. It's hard when they don't have families to support them, after such a bad experience.

[She's realizes that she's talking his ear off at this point, and she can't help but laugh to herself.]

Oops. Forgive this old woman and her rambling.

[ That's quite the background she's got there (so thinks Yuri who has a similarly haphazard history). He lets the woman chatter on without interruption, her voice echoing in the tunnels along with their footsteps sloshing in the sewer water as they travel deeper.

Her students must be in for an earful if she's their professor, with a scythe hanging over them to boot. But it does interest Yuri to hear that she has experience with wayward youth, and her passion, while overbearing, seems genuine...

It gets the wheels in his mind turning for how to spin this encounter towards his own purposes. ]

What if these children are difficult? The pay low? An esteemed headmistress like you would work a thankless job like that?

[ Because he knows just the place for her skills, but he has to be certain before he trusts her with the information. ]

[It's a bit of a surprise that Yuri is listening to her in the first place, after he wanted to get away from her, but she is grateful that he is listening. Even if just a little. It cheers this old woman up, and she can't help but flash that friendly smile toward him. Her hand brushing back some of her hair, as a gust of wind passes by them.]

If they're difficult, then I spend extra time with them to help them adjust through that tough period. They get set up with housing, an education, food... All that good stuff. It comes out of my personal funds at times, which I don't mind. I'm content to see them happy.

[There's not a single bit of hesitation in her words at her next bit. A genuinely passionate smile appearing on her expression. Simply shaking her head at the thought of it ever being thankless. It wasn't like that.]

It's not thankless to me. It might be to other people, but not to me. Every kid deserves a chance, you know? If I can provide that, then... That's more than enough.

[ Yuri stops in his tracks and goes silent, running a hand down the side of his face as he debates whether getting her involved will be more trouble than it's worth. The homeless shelter is always short-staffed, and persistent volunteers hard to come by. Heaving a sigh, he finally looks at her. ]

I don't know why you'd go the lengths, but if you feel so strongly about teaching, I...know a place in need of more hands for the kids you're describing.

Got a phone with you? I'll leave you the address. Then we can each be on our way.

[Just like him, Marie stops in her tracks. Attention turned toward him, as she tilts her head to the side in curiosity. Worried that there might be something wrong with him, and the words nearly slip out. But they trail off as soon as he speaks -- blinking a few times in surprise.]

Yeah, I got one.

[She's not going to question anything else. She knew that she was good at her job, that much was certain, and she can't help but smile as she opens up her notepad.]

I'm ready, but I hope to see you again. Even if I might get on your nerves.

[Look at that shit eating grin on her face.]

Yeah, yeah. Don't count on it.

[ He'll be there despite what he says. He lists off the address and phone number for the headmistress to take down. Before he departs (alone, thank you), he has one last piece to add. ]

Just tell the youkai in charge 'Yuri' sent you. They won't ask too many questions.

[ So there she has it. His name given willingly if a bit reluctantly. Yuri is turning away even before he finishes the sentence. He doesn't want to see that grin of hers grow any wider. ]

[closed] blue sea moon / july catchall

@marie

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