open 🌙 july catchall

[nerine]

Who ⬤ Monts and Various
What ⬤ July Sub-stories and Catchall
When ⬤ Throughout July.
Where ⬤ Here and there in Jigokucho, mostly in Tamamo Territory.
Content Warnings ⬤ The Amazing Mr. Libido and perhaps some sauciness because of Stardust. Will be added as needed.

Notes ⬤ Prompts in the comments!



"Meet me like I'm midnight."

Comments

[swordofhisou]

No, actually. She was doing the job before I got here, but they decided I wasn't a good match as an escort, so they put me there, and she became my superior.

[Which was a polite way of saying 'this girl will be nothing but trouble as an actual entertainer or escort. She says she can fight. Might as well let her bounce' ended up being the decision of the higher ups.]

Plumbing's kind of a nice new thing for me. Been getting used to hot water running like that. Usually had to go to a nice hot spring for the good stuff back home. And yeah, the contract's definitely sketchy, but hey. It's kind of fun too. Of course, I don't have anywhere to be and it's an adventure for me.

[nerine]

I haven't been to a natural hot spring before, but those always sounded great. Something to knock off the bucket list and all.

[There's some youkai out and about in the park, hunting for the bits of stars so Monts makes a turn there.]

I'm glad you're taking it well and enjoying the plumbing! Sometimes I took it for granted, but when I meet people who come from different places with different systems, then well! It always sets me straight.

[There's a gleam in the bushes and she immediately pinches out a Stardust.]

Anyway, what do you suppose these do? They're making me feel perkier, but I just thought it's the shininess that kind of cheers one up.

[swordofhisou]

You really should go. I'll bet you they do an excursion or you could get a bath pass from the higher ups for good performance. It's worth it, though I haven't been to one here yet.

[She put a piece of her own, smaller than Monts' into her bag. She was keeping an eye out, but letting the other girl take the lead. The question made her cheeks heat up something fierce. She coughed once into a hand.]

Uh... they kind of make you more excited about things you're enjoying. Like, a lot more excited. Carefeul not to handle them too long or eat one unless you're ready for that.

[She, uh, might have had an experience, though she wasn't actually saying anything just yet.]

[nerine]

Oh? Oh.

[The expression on Monts' face quickly turns dubious when Tenshi describes the effects of the Stardust. She brings the bag filled with her share up to her face.]

So like, heightening one's mood? Makes... Makes sense I guess?

[She looks back at Tenshi, shrugging.]

I wasn't gonna put it in my mouth though. That's what toddlers or people who would lick lampposts do.

[swordofhisou]

Aheh, yeah. It wouldn't be smart to just eat something you're not entirely sure of the effects of, would it?

[Yeah, she did exactly that. This is how she knew what it did.]

But yeah, it's really kind of a mood elevator. If you are enjoying something, it makes the enjoyment that much stronger. It's kind of strange. I'm guessing they want it since it's basically kinda like a drug? They can probably use it to make people feel really good, which folks would pay for.

You know how they are, selling pleasure and all.

[nerine]

I think it is basically a drug... But you know, it definitely fits what our clan is all about.

[Pleasure, freedom, and power in freedom. Monts waves the bag back and forth, thinking.]

You know... I really ought to inform myself more. Is there anything in Japanese legends about stars and what they signify or how they were used? If that's anything relevant to you of course.

[swordofhisou]

Yeah, basically. So it's probably some sort of ... I guess it's almost definitely an aphrodisiac of some sort.

[Well, it could have that effect anyway. As she was picking up a small piece, she thought about the question. Hmmm...]

So, there's the gods of the stars who were disobedient to the Imperial Line. I sort of remember stories about them, but I don't think I've ever met any of those kami? And I mean, there's the rabbits on the moon, but they're all crazy as heck, so we probably don't need to talk about them.

Nothing that specifically relates to me, though there's definitely kind of a 'thing' between Celestials and the spirits outside of the Earth. I'm not sure that matters to this though.

[nerine]

Hm. Well, whether it matters or not, I just thought there might be more to these than just making one feel fuzzy and pleasant. Normally, that's why there are legends and myths, no? To explain certain things.

I guess it was presumptuous of me to ask though. Not everyone comes from the same culture even if the name might be the same.

[swordofhisou]

It's frustrating how similar my world is to this one. Sometimes I feel like I know exactly what's happening, and sometimes it's irritatingly confusing. Like those stupid Haniwa. They're nothing like I remember.

Still, always feel free to ask. Sometimes? I'm in the right ballpark.

[nerine]

What are Haniwa like where you're from? Or how they're supposed to be?

[Before Tenshi can answer that question though, Monts is tossing a clump of Stardust her way.]

Catch!

[swordofhisou]

So. They're those little statues. But they contain spirits who guard tombs. They're these really annoying, uppity girls who all band together as a military force and insist that people don't look down on them, but most of the time they're just guarding a tomb?

[Yup, totally different from the crap they'd just seen. She caught the piece as it was tossed, barking out a laugh.]

Thanks. Most youkai are just kind of annoying, though a few of them are pretty dangerous. You wouldn't want those ones around.

[nerine]

That at least sounds less spooky and haunting than what we had to deal with.

[Monts shakes her bag of Stardust once again to see if it's suitably filled for the night. It felt full enough, but it's not a bad idea to scour the area for more.]

Where I'm from, I was able to meet some youkai. Uh, there was one guy... He probably doesn't fall under the label though. Do you have anything like a mizuchi?

[swordofhisou]

Also a lot easier to beat up if they're actually causing trouble, since in the end they have physical bodies instead of just being cursed magical energy.

[That got a nasty little grunt out of her. She'd hated that aspect about the haniwa here, because they really weren't 'people.' You couldn't fight them, not exactly.]

Dragon spirits? Yeah, we have them. The gatekeeper at the mansion might be one. She's real cagey about what sort of youkai she is, and she actually doesn't really use their powers so most folks don't know for sure, but there's rumors. Girl's a bit of a martial arts nut. besides her, though, there's Mizuchi around definitely.

[nerine]

That's all huh...

[Of all people, the stupid water dragon hovers around in her mind. Usually, he'd be on the bottom of the list of people she wants to see again, but on the other hand, she can't help but imagine that man blending in so well in this city. He'd probably pop up behind her and Tenshi, trying to butt into their conversation.

She'd probably ask Tenshi to give him a good whack.]

Thanks for telling me about your world. I always have fun hearing what things are like elsewhere.

[swordofhisou]

No problem. I've got a million stories. Most of them I watched from afar, but there's a few really fun ones I got to be involved in personally. But hey, fair's fair. What's your world like?

[She got down on a knee when she saw a glint. A particularly big piece. Not as big as anything the other had found, but it would be enough that they had plenty for their superiors anyway.]

[nerine]

[Monts goes, "Oooh, nice find," and will let Tenshi help herself to that piece before responding to her.]

Mm. Well, I guess my world is both nothing special, but bigger than I thought.

[Vague sure, but that's just how she be.]

I don't think it can compare to here, but I don't think I've seen all there is to see.

[swordofhisou]

Technically? Mine's a lot bigger than I ever saw, but folks didn't leave the islands much, and youkai never left the valley anymore. This town's immense isn't it?

Do you not travel that much back home?

[nerine]

Not that much.

[Monts shrugs again, putting her hands behind her back while looking up at the sky.]

Traveling was expensive and I never had the time for it. But maybe someday...

[swordofhisou]

You could technically think of this whole thing as one grand vacation, after a fashion... though I'm sure that doesn't really work for most people.

[She was distantly aware that a lot of people felt kind of 'abducted' in this place. To her, it had just been washing up on shore after getting her fanny handed to her by a Kappa. So. Basically a Tuesday that had now gone on for a few months. She could be remarkably adaptable at times.]