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

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.

That's already happened to me, you know.

(because some of us break rules and live in shuten. oops.

that little noise makes shin sigh in admiration. robin's truly sunshine, isn't he? a little beaming light in a place that seems committed to darkness itself. how can he not crave to press a million kisses on his skin?

-- robin, again, maybe consider... what you're saying...)

... We'll see. I sleep on a futon, so I don't mind sleeping anywhere. Whatever's more comfortable to you.

... you don't say.

[ robin's tone shifts slightly, from the one that could make a rainbow appear out of nowhere, to something a little cooler. still sweet, but with an edge. as he turns his head slightly to look at shin with the corners of his eyes, robin hums lightly. ]

Well. Um! If you ever run into problems... take a picture of whoever's causing them, and... just show me sometime, okay?

[ the building is in sight and they're almost at the entrance of the building. ]

Honestly, I like... I miss snuggling with others in bed. A teddy bear doesn't quite work all the time.

Don't worry, they didn't hurt me. Just my ego.

(which is, well, absolutely fine with the fact that he's not strong. after all, this is shin. being frail and small is part of what gives him that look, and -- he's not supposed to grow taller, anyway. that's why he's skipping way too many meals. even if he had the strength, he would have no stamina.

and he's got a little army behind him now. no need to involve sunshine in it, is there?

this is robin's space, so he's letting the other lead.)

I'll gladly sleep next to you, on that case... Who were you snuggling with?! Should I get jealous?!

(he wouldn't, and the laughter punctuates that.)

[ inside they go. it's a rather clean looking place already, something that robin's already used to. it was the previous apartments that made him a little worried at first until he met his neighbors, and then it was a lot better for him. ]

I'm on the second floor! I always take the stairs. Something about elevators and youkai and things being haunted.

[ he opens the door into the building and holds it for shin, letting go once the other enters. ]

And nooooo, don't be jealous! I've been pretty lonely... um... but it's okay.

[ up the stairs and down the hall, and he'll stop in front of his door. ]

... Is that a thing? Yokai hunting technology? Should I be more worried?

(he hasn't even heard of the umbrella yokai yet. a naive, naive child. it's with respect that shin makes his way into the apartment. despite everything, he forgets to leave his shoes at the door, but he does remove the guitar out of his shoulder.

it's time to find a spot on the floor and have robin take the stage.)

cw sw

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject