July-August Catch-all

[threateningly]

Who ⬤ Sannan & whomstever!
What ⬤ Open starters including mini-event & Tanabata + closed starters in comments
When ⬤ July & August
Where ⬤ All over the DAMN place
Content Warnings ⬤ Possibly NSFW topics and vampirism.


July I. Enma Rumblings (Crackdowns - 2 pts)

[He's not sure how things ended up quite this way, considering he's only been here a month or so, but he's ready and willing to take diligent action if it gets him somewhere and makes him something. Being paired up makes things easier, so he looks to his partner as they stand outside of the place where the bust will shortly commence.

Is it a stakeout? Are they just about to burst in and crack some heads? One thing's for sure: He has his game face on. He's somber and quiet as usual, but a smile occasionally pulls at the corners of his mouth as he watches the door for signs of movement.]

Any moment now, I should think...


July II. Job Acquisition (Gen)

[The dojo he saw in his early days here turned out to be sorely in need of an instructor versed in various sword styles. As Sannan knows no less than two, he thought he might apply. It turned out for the best, because now he's in his "working interview". He stands with a solid wooden sword in hand, as his last opponent of several stumbles back out of the way. With a well-placed thunk to the back of their knees, he makes his last point. He sweeps his hair back out of his face with a small smile, just adjusts his glasses with a finger.]

Who's next?


August I. Tanabata Pleasures (Pleasure Palace - 1 pt)

[Well. He isn't a party animal by any stretch, but he was a member of the Shinsengumi, and they were (arguably) a rowdy bunch at the end of the day. He decides to go with the flow, perhaps thanks to a lingering bit of Stardust in his possession finding its way into some sake, and finds himself looking for company here.

He sips carefully on a drink or two, bought at moderate prices compared to some on the menu. This emboldens him, and he makes polite conversation with whoever takes a seat beside him at a bar or table of choice.]

...Has anyone ever told you you have beautiful eyes?


August II. Tanabata Treasures (Tanabata - 2 pts)

[Once the Tamamo-adjacent fun is done, Sannan decides to really take part in Tanabata traditions. He gazes at the stars, dressed in a crisp and beautiful turquoise and green yukata patterned with gold ginkgo leaves. There seems to be something catching his eye as he gazes up in somber silence at the stars, and he won't notice right away if someone tries to get his attention.

When he snaps back to attentiveness, he looks both slightly ashamed of being caught off-guard and moderately sheepish about being caught staring at the stars.]

...I'm sorry, did you say something?


August III. Tanabata Wishes (Tanabata - 2 pts)

[Sannan knows what he wants to say, what the dearest wish of his heart is. He wants everything he worked for before, and for his contract to be fulfilled. But that's wishful thinking in the highest, and he knows it. It's impossible. He doubts he'll ever get there, somehow, even with intensely hard work. What makes him believe that is something he'll only share with the cause of the thought, and they probably won't catch him doing this.

So he sits alone, indecisive about what to write, brush and paper in hand as the stars reflect off his glasses once again.]

It might be easier if I stop thinking so hard.

Comments

August II. Tanabata Treasures

[bunnii]

[Ever the hard worker, Nazuna had his hands full from the moment he realized they were going to be allowing people to perform for the event. Fortunately he didn't have to prepare a song-- he had a perfect one already in his repertoire. And he had someone to help him pull it off. Once the performance was done, he hung around by the stage greeting guests and offering a bit of harmless fanservice-- and an advertisement for one of his fellow Tamamo Clan members' flower shop.

Seeing a familiar face amongst the crowd, he grins and pulls a flower from the display; holding it out in front of Sannan with a wink.]

Another lovestruck viewer captivated by my performance~♪

[That's what he gets for acting dazed and confused in the wake of Nazuna's sparkling Hell debut.]

[threateningly]

[Lovestruck? Sannan manages a little laugh as he takes the flower, twirling it between his fingers. He needs to come back to himself.]

Nito-san. It was a beautiful song.

[He'd actually managed to forget that Nazuna was an idol, considering he didn't know what an idol was before he came here...]

[bunnii]

[Being able to make people smile and laugh is the best thing Nazuna could have hoped for out of this event.]

Ehehe… thanks Sana-chin.

[It feels weird being praised on his own without his unit here. But—]

I would have liked a little more time to prepare. It’s been a while since I’ve been on stage. But it seems like it was a success anyway~

[threateningly]

[Sana-chin, what? He looks at him for a moment, bewildered, then laughs quietly.]

You must be an incredibly hard worker, or incredibly talented. I won't pretend to know which, though I'd like to find out sometime.

[He tucks the flower into the front of his yukata and arranges it neatly so it looks nice peeking out there.]

August III

[perfectdistance]

[Nero doesn't know what to say. His wish is his payment, so it's hard to know what to write down on this slip of paper. There's a lot of things he'd like, but there's very little he wants enough to wish for it. It's usually about making his own way, with his own hands.

The idea of putting it on somebody else's power... that's weird for him.]

Nothin' bad about thinking it over.

[Maybe don't listen to the wizard who can't decide on anything.]

[threateningly]

[Same for Sannan, so he struggles with his own wish. He isn't one to pin things on wishes, either, he's a man who deals often in absolutes and self-made means. He wants to grasp things himself, too. He absolutely understands.

He glances up to see Nero, then smiles faintly.]

It's hard to know what you want when you don't ask for much.

[perfectdistance]

I'm used to just workin' for the stuff I want. Y'know?

[Having the option to wish for it? That's new for him. Somehow the blank piece of paper feels like one of those heavy decisions he should consider carefully.]

[threateningly]

Indeed. I can understand that entirely. If I can't take it with my own hands, I'm not sure I want it.

[If that sounds weirdly ominous, he's sorry.]

august i

[shittylittle]

[It's officially break-time for Aster, given that he's been working the floor pretty hard; having to fake laugh and flutter his eyelashes for so long is exhausting in its own fashion, absolutely.

...But then Sannan speaks up, even as he sips at his mineral water, and Aster can't help himself. Let no opportunity go untouched, especially once he realises that it's a familiar face beside him at that.]

They have! But I never get tired of hearing it from kinsmen, either ♡ Has anyone ever told you that your glasses really enhance your facial bone structure?

[He makes a point of turning fully towards Sannan then, legs crossing pointedly and smile coquettish, especially with the snagglefang that pokes out.] You're even more handsome face-to-face! I didn't expect that, with how good your picture looked on that...App? Mm!

[threateningly]

[Oh, the glasses? He never really thinks about how they might make him look. The notion makes him smile.]

No one has, no. Thank you. If I take them off, I find I'm too powerfully attractive.

[A joke.]

You're too kind. I've been meaning to contact you, but I've been... occupied, as I'm sure you have been as well. What did someone call it... the "hustle"? We're all working hard, aren't we.

[shittylittle]

Really? That's disgraceful, to be honest. I know you'd be dangerously handsome without them, but I feel like the round frames really draw attention to your eyes.

[He leans in a little, mouth twisted in thought as one delicate hand reaches over to adjust said glasses, before withdrawing just as quickly.] Anyway ♡ Now we've made contact, despite both being super busy~

Though...

Does that mean that you want to do a little science tonight? Would you really let me spirit you away for a while like that, knowing the risks~? Huhu ♡ I won't say no, but we might get our outfits a little messy if we're not careful...

[threateningly]

Aha. It's fortunate.

[A little laugh at the glasses adjustment, which he allows without protest. This may or may not be honest compliments, but he's enjoying it. He does like the glasses, after all. Flattery will get Aster everywhere.]

I'm a man of science, at this point. Why would I even dream of turning the opportunity down? Then again... It's not entirely what I came here looking for. If you wouldn't mind actually keeping me company for a while, we could accomplish two things at once, for me.

[Sip.]

You're welcome to take advantage of whatever you need, too.

Closed to Azula - Crackdowns

[threateningly]

[He couldn't be happier to be partnering up with Azula, actually, considering she's competent and capable enough. He's eager to see what she can actually do, as much as he's eager to see how he himself will operate without the Fury issues rearing their head. How long has it been since he fought as himself, and not a shadowed version? This target was chosen for its likelihood to break out into a fight, after all, and Azula was chosen specifically for the same purpose.

He's a strategist, a pragmatist. He has some things to learn, and some things to prove.

So after a while of waiting, he nods to his companion, who takes up the position opposite him. With little effort, the door should open inwards, and their targets should be just inside.

He regrets missing his Fury strength only insomuch as it's a little harder to take doors down here, but it still falls before the both of their combined efforts in a single hit. He sweeps into the room, a thumb poised to bring a sword from its sheath, all the while raising his voice. It's the bark of an officer, a soldier, someone self-assured and in his element.]

This is a raid! We'll be taking custody of everyone by order of the Enma!

[itstillhurt]

[Well, he seemed to have the talking well in hand, so she needn't bother. Instead, she's concerning herself with something more practical. Some yokai were making their way to the back to try and run.

Azula, it turns out, is agile. Quite agile. She leaps above the heads of the yokai in front, still responding to the sudden intrusion, and runs along the wall to carry her to the back of the room, landing neatly on her feet between the fleeing criminals and the second door. She restrains the impulse to share a mocking taunt, and instead makes a point of leaning against the door she's now blocking.]

Closed to Zhongli - Tanabata

[threateningly]

[Sannan spots Zhongli well before he approaches him. He's hard to miss, really, even though Sannan is a little distracted by trying to pin down his wish. And seeing Zhongli may or may not add additional distraction. He's hesitant to bother him because he doesn't know exactly what to say, and whether or not it'll be welcome. He'd like it to be welcome. All things kind of come in their own time, so when he does finally finish writing his wish and Zhongli is near the bamboo, the timing is right.

He forgets the flower tucked over his ear, but he does smooth a hand over his yukata before heading to the bamboo... and Zhongli.]

Good evening.

[brokebitchmountain]

[ Aside from losing all his money Zhongli's been having a pretty good time with all the festivities and random celebrating to partake in. It's only when he's near to where the wishing tree is that there's a stoic and otherwise blank look upon his features. It's only when Sannan's voice cuts through the silence that he turns to regard the man in full.

He's somewhat surprised, after their last encounter, to see the other speak so casually to him. But he did seem like a rather unflappable type of man, so if he's not too terribly embarrassed then Zhongli won't be either. He does give a nod with a small smile. ]

It is, yes. How are you faring tonight?

[threateningly]

[He probably should be embarrassed, honestly, but he might not actually have an ounce of shame left in his body. He's more... intrigued by the enigmatic man, and wants to know more about who he is, where he comes from... why he reacts the way he does. That's for another night, though. Tonight's a night for peaceful things, wishes and hopes and making connections.

So Sannan smiles faintly and nods back.]

Well, thank you. I've spent the requisite time agonizing over my wish, like everyone else. Is that where you are?

[brokebitchmountain]

I have been trying to decide on what to wish for, yes. It's a bit hard for me to really pinpoint what it is that I could, or should, wish for.

[ He's not really sure what he wants to do, honestly. ]

To think that such a simple concept would require so much thought.

tanabata pleasures Obviously,

[sicklysweet]

[Oh. It's him again, though he looks far less like he's about to die this time. Owen's almost disappointed. Almost. He gives Sannan a once over, propping his chin on his hand and smirking.]

They haven't. At least not since I replaced one of them.

[Nobody really calls him, or any part of him, beautiful to his face. Akira had, but they were a bit of an odd duck.

His eyes narrow, his smile going thin. He's technically supposed to be working, showing the patrons a "good time", but he's not really concerned about that terribly much...]

Are you just trying to flatter me with pretty words, sir?

[threateningly]

[Calling him sir is so funny coming from someone who he's merely threatened that Sannan actually laughs and gives him his immediate attention. If Owen is supposed to be working, he can help him at least look productive.]

No, you're quite striking. I didn't get a chance to notice your eyes before. [Thoughtfully:] I prefer the red one to the gold one. Dare I ask how such a replacement came about?

[sicklysweet]

[Don't worry, Sannan, he won't respect you for very long.]

Oh? The red one is the one I was born with, so I suppose you at least have decent taste.

["Striking" is probably something other people would find flattering, but Owen has a hard time believing the sincerity. He's not that bothered about his appearance anyways, because that's not the point.]

I took the eye of another wizard, and decided to be kind and let him have one of my own. I'm not sure if you would have seen him around - he's working for the Enma now.

[Because of course he is.]

Closed to Ryouma - July Enma prompt

[threateningly]

[The alley Sannan steps into is dark, dank, dreary, and perfectly suited to a man with a degree of murder probably in his near future. But the person he's meeting isn't the target. He knows they can't be seen talking about what they're going to talk about, so he has to be as nonchalant and normal as possible. However, that doesn't mean he has to show up through conventional streets and walkways. He knows it's best to make no tracks for something like this.

So he emerges from one cramped, deserted area into a less cramped, equally deserted area. With a smile on his face, he waits. Because he's really not done teasing Ryouma about death and dying, somehow.

He should be here any minute now...]

[kaientai]

[ ryouma looks even more like the man he used to be dressed as he is today. while that might mean little to sannan overall, the outfit manages to be largely the same across the multiverse. might as well be comfortable! the most notable thing is that he carries two swords now when he'd only had the one the first time they'd met. considering he never even draws the one, this might seem silly.

ryouma is just as casual and relaxed as always though, despite appearing at the entrance of a dark and potentially dangerous alleyway. he's always been like this. appearing is also not entirely an exaggeration, since a good way to avoid being followed is to simply not be seen until the last moment. servant perks! ]

[threateningly]

[Things have been getting interesting, but leave it to Ryouma to momentarily distract Sannan by being more interesting than the situation at hand. He's not surprised so much as he feels something oddly familiar in the appearance of the man who all but materializes in the alleyway. Two swords. Traditional clothing. Probably a smug expression coming, if Sannan were to guess. But it's still a guess. Ryouma's an enigma in small ways that greatly matter.

He keeps his voice low and his eyes scanning around for any signs of disturbance or movement.]

You got here quickly. I thought you'd have another engagement or two before you got around to me.

[Smirk.] Nice to see you intact.

August III

[21towin]

Sometimes it's best to just wing it and go with your gut.

[He chimed in next to the stranger, looking his own charm over for a few more moments, before shrugging. He doesn't have a clue either. Perhaps Billy should heed his own advice? Wishes had never really been things he put much stock in regardless.

Wishes to the stars? Less so.

It's a pretty thought, all the same.]