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

[ 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...

If it won't get you in trouble, we can get going!

(all he does is to gesture with his head, putting off the cigarette even though he knows he'll probably get another one lit on the way. tsk, tsk.)

... But you're safe, right? A lock on the door and everything?

Of course I'm safe! The owner is... hehe, he's very strong too. Way stronger than me. He'll make sure things are locked up.

[ as robin makes his way around the bar, he disappears for a moment to grab his bag--- a little pink one that he slides over his shoulder. ]

Okay! Like I said, it's a pretty short walk. You just follow the little fox statues with the purple scarves. They're so cute.

[ and he grabs shin's hand after he's done with that first cigarette, to pull him along and out the door. ]

Good! I think Tamamo is safer than other places, but I'd be really mad if something happened to you!

(there's something so nice to hearing robin talk. like he's so excited and happy about everything he retells, a little sunshine drop on hell.

everything's such a little adventure, and once their hands come together, shin dares to intertwine their fingers, bringing the back of robin's hand to his cherry tasting lips for a lingering kiss.)

Like yourself! ♡ Ah, hey, do you mind if I crash? I'm not looking forward to going all the way home. I can sleep anywhere.

Definitely safer than other territories that's for sure! You won't get randomly approached by one of the drunken Shuten oni, trying to shake you down for no reason...

[ or get grabbed or pinched by one, but he doesn't really like talking about those things.

he fawns and blushes as he makes a gentle noise--- feathery and light that is just the barest whisper of a giggle. being kissed on the hand like this, out in public? even though there aren't many at this time, because most are already in their favorite places getting wasted or other things.

but he leads them, following the stone foxes, towards an apartment building that isn't quite as big as the ones meant for newer lost souls. it's shorter and out of the way, seemingly more contemporary and better taken care of on the outside. ]

Oh, sure! You can sleep with me if you'd like. I also have a couch, but it's a little small.

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