jigokulogs | (july catch-all) oh, the misery

It's a rule! For this bar, anyway. Shylock is very adamant about it.

[ even robin, who loves to take pictures and fiddle around with EMBER and social media in general, isn't allowed. he has to more or less take the drink out of the establishment before he can take a few glam shots and then return... even then, it skirts a line. ]

And it's fine! This drink is on the house. [ a beat, then: ] It's free.

[ because he's already beginning to get his ingredients out. a few clear flasks with white liquid, and one with something light amber inside. ]

I've been trying out different things, so I think you might like this one... maybe not... come sit down.

Isn't that going to get you in trouble, though?

(not that he knows how bars really work on that, does Robin himself pays for it? if he's sure, shin's not going to argue, just coming to the seat the other indicated.

an elbow on the counter, his knuckles pressed against his jaw, shin watches the other with a gentle smile. with his new power, compliments give others a nice warmth and gentle bliss, and he doesn't even realize whether it's 'on' or not when he says it.)

I doubt I'd dislike anything you'd make, Robin. By the way, you look even cuter today?

Nope! Not at all.

[ he knows, with utmost confidence, that other bartenders will sometimes give out free drinks to loosen up customer's inhibitions. here? robin's drinks never contain alcohol; even the virgin versions he's served has made a youkai or two feel like they've gotten smashed over the head.

upon hearing those words... robin blinks. a compliment, yes: but he finds it easier to smile.

and then he blushes. ]

Thanks... haha, it's not like I did anything different today.

[ he pours the light colored ingredient first, then the thicker looking white one second, before filling the rest of the glass with the thinner and fizzier liquid. it immediately froths up, and robin sticks a metal straw into the highball glass before pushing it toward shin. ]

It's a non-alcoholic version of a White Russian! Some green tea and coconut milk, mixed with coconut soda!

(as long as it doesn't get him in trouble.

shin's eyes are mostly taking in everything in the bar, and with the scarlet highlights, he almost misses the blush on robin's cheek. the fact that he didn't does make him smile, and he stretches a bit from his seat to watch what robin's doing.

non-alcoholic is usually not his speed, but alas. he won't say that to someone who's taking care of him so nicely, and it looks rather interesting, all the ingredients together like that. a sip and his expression lightens, childish excitement as he speaks. eighteen years old his ass.)

Wo--Woah!!! This is really good, Robin!! You're really good at this!!

[ both hands over his heart, robin happily bows his head and lets out a similarly excited noise. with a wide smile, the bartender gives shin a nod as he tries to suppress a jump from happening. he's just... thrilled! so proud of himself! ]

I'm so glad! I'll have to tell Mister Shylock about this one.

[ not all go to the board for future makings. some are just experimental, but this one seems like it could work out for later. ]

So um... Shin! How are you? Are you getting used to being here yet?

[ it took robin some time. ]

(STOP BEING SO DAMN CUTE, SHIN'S HEART CAN'T TAKE IT, he's even mimicking the hands over heart motion, just because of robin... this was such a great idea, to come in, and spend some time with the other. his mood is saved.)

Can we smoke here?

(first things first.)

... I'm not sure, actually.

[ robin reaches below the bar and pulls out a clean ashtray. with a gentle nod, he pushes it toward shin. ]

Of course, but we request you not make a mess! That's all.

[ he begins to make his own drink--- though it's a lot more simple than what he just served shin. just a glass of ice water with a slice of lemon and lime. he pops a plastic straw into the glass and takes a sip. ]

Not sure? Is there anything I can do to help...?

Naturally...!

(man, cherry and coconut will be a trip.

he'll smoke and get to the drink afterward, just getting his vice out of the way first so he can enjoy it fully. the massive, saturn-shaped lighter is what adds to the light in the environment, shin taking a considerable drag of the black stick before he shakes his head a little.

shin exhales away from robin, so the sickening sweet smell doesn't stick to him.)

... Not really. It's just trippy to me, the values of this place.

[ he's thankful for that. robin's been fortunate to not smell like smoke leaving work; most of the clientele have been respectful enough to not exhale right back at the young specialist of a barkeep.

his eyes lock onto the lighter, just for a moment. how pretty. shin's prettier, though. ]

Yeah, it's been difficult.

[ robin idly swirls his drink, watching the slices of fruit swim around in the glass. ]

There's an expectation... at least among the Tamamo, when it comes to what we have to offer. You know what I mean, right?

[ it's everywhere. the bars and clubs with their private rooms or dark corners, the aphrodisiacs that have been slipped into drinks at times... scary. a scary world to him. ]

That part doesn't bother me as much as it would anyone else. I'm used to it.

(it's no different from what he has been doing for the past years, after all. truly, the only reason why he hasn't engaged with it is solely hachi's desire for him to stop working as such - it feels dirty to make a contract true in her name while doing the one thing she disagrees with, doesn't it?

smoke leaves his nostril, a tap of the stick to relieve it from ash.)

It's more how... Things that get you in trouble back home are normal here. It's strange, at least to me.

[ robin's quiet at first. a small frown nudges its way across his lips and he tilts his head. ]

Well, that means if you do good things there, it's even doubly good! Right?

[ it's what he wants to believe. yes, robin isn't that ignorant to not notice how most of the more deplorable acts are generally considered to be commonplace. that the red light district is basically all of tamamo's working areas. that there are plenty of youkai and lost souls that participate in rigged gambling, use all kinds of drugs, and practically have no inhibitions, and...

he reaches out with one hand. ]

It means... if you're able to keep yourself in the right, then you'll be stronger than the rest. I think.

(as to be expected from a golden retriever in the form of an adorable vampire... shin can't really imagine anything morally dubious being the target of robin's actions, and his goodness compass is certainly stronger than shin's.

the hand robin offers is taken to shin's lips, cigarette between digits on his free one so he can kiss knuckles.)

"In the right" is a bit subjective, you don't think?

[ with his other hand, he barely covers his lips. the frown is almost immediately blown off his face by that precious act, something that makes his heart quiver inside his chest. he knows he's blushing, too.

shin's too sweet to him. deserved or not, all he can do is take it and just... giggle. ]

Yeah. It is! But that's what I want to believe and it hasn't let me down yet!

What does being "in the right" mean to you, though? I'm pretty sure we might see things differently.

(the giggle makes him smile agaisnt bone, giving the back of his hand yet another pressing of lips.

oof, he's realizing his back hurts. he should put his guitar down.)

As long as you're following your heart.

[ because at least to him, that's the most right anyone can be. ]

'cause if you really believe in it... I guess even if it's... not good? Then at least you're being honest to yourself. That's important.

[ and he gently wiggles his fingers. ]

Oh! You brought your guitar...! Did you just come from a show or something or...

(that conversation could extend into interesting, however uncomfortable territory. maybe he should wait till he knows robin a little better to start picking at his brain, mhm?

and of course, the new topic is welcome, with the case now resting against the counter.)

I was playing in Sutoku territory! It was... Interesting.

How so? [ robin's blinks. ] I hope they liked your music! I feel like out of all the clans, they'd be the most open...

[ he doesn't have a high opinion of shuten, and he's been more helpful for those in sutoku. mostly because a majority of his friends happen to be in that clan as well. ]

I didn't play anything of mine. It feels lackluster without the others...

(nana's voice, nobu's energy, yasu's skills... and with what happened back home, it felt strange to just go ahead and play their songs when he fucked up so bad.)

... I understand.

[ robin's been mostly singing his own solos; ones he's done in the past, ones he can handle with little accompaniment.

it's his turn to take shin's hand, pull it close to his face, and gives it a nuzzle. ]

I'm just glad you got to perform. It's a way to stay bonded to our homes.

I'm trying to figure out if that's what I really want to keep doing, though. Have you given that any thought?

(considering he, too, is a musician. his hand gently caresses the silky skin it touches.)

Nope! Not at all!

[ and he's happy about that. sometimes, brain empty is the best way to live. overthinking can lead to a lot of... not great things. ]

I want to sing. It's what I've been doing since I was a kid! It makes me happy, too... making people smile.

[ though the smiles he receives nowadays aren't always pure ones, but. he'll take it. ]

(he wishes he could be no thoughts, brain empty, but instead he's more - brain notices literally everything, and everything's on fire all the time.

it's fine.)

... So I can find you singing somewhere? I'd love to be serenaded! ♥

Oh! Sure, um... you know, there are times where I want to try songs I've heard before? Or ones that that sound really popular I've never known, so. Maybe I could sing one to you sometime.

[ some are more difficult to do without the proper backup, but there is certainly some kind of magic that he could employ... ]

We could... go back to my place. Or yours! And I could sing you something.

Sorry, Robin, my place is off. I live far and with a roommate, so visits should at least be with a warning beforehand, so she doesn't get caught by surprise... But your place is fine with me, I'll listen to you all night gladly!

(... that is, when robin shifts ends. not that it's a worry, shin comes home at noon most days.)

That's no problem! My place is always open for people who want to visit... and I think it'd be nice to perform for you, too.

[ he has no roommate. the perks of being a good tamamo member. ]

I think I can probably end my shift here and we can walk back together. It's not that far from here. The building is well taken care of and everything, though there's not much in the way of security...

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UP TO U IF HIS POWER IS ACTIVE BTW

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cw sw

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