semi-closed catch-all; only I see all the diamonds

[empression]

Who ⬤ Haru Okumura and various individuals
What ⬤ Catch-all for Tanabata and beyond
When ⬤ Throughout August
Where ⬤ Anywhere and everywhere; locations noted in starter titles
Content Warnings ⬤ Nada yet, but I shall edit accordingly if anything comes up!


[ ooc: Closed starters! If you'd like one, feel free to reach out to me, either via PM or starswept! ]

Comments

sholmes; stage performance

[empression]

[ After the general (and thankfully mostly controlled) chaos of the casino, the air filled with shouts of jubilation and shrieks of indignation or dismay in equal measure, Haru takes a moment - much longer, in all honesty - to go view the performers. Dances, songs... for her, it's soothing to watch, as well as inspiring. If she could, if she hadn't quit ballet years ago...

But no, she'd rather not think like that, instead blinking in sudden recognition as one Herlock Sholmes strides onto the stage. His partner for the evening? A violin.

She's not quite sure what to expect, but she also knows better than to assume it will be comedic. And sure enough, the music he calls forth is lively and passionate and unbidden, it tugs a smile out of her.

When he finishes with a flourish, she's one of the audience members clapping enthusiastically, eyes bright. ]

[retroductions]

[Oh, he is ridiculous in many ways, but Sholmes often treats an on-stage performance with the violin with respect it deserves: utmost focus and precise, passionate playing. Granted, this is not his loyal instrument from home, but rather a borrowed thing for the sake of entertainment, but he makes it sing about as easily as before -- Lieder ohne Worte croons its melody in smooth tones.

When he's finished, the applause always manages to make his ego swell, and he offers the crowd a flourishing bow before he descends off the stage with a single hop.]

Ah, thank you, it is quite nothing at all-

[But as he picks through the crowd, a familiar face catches his eye, and he pauses.]

Miss Haru! I hadn't realized I had the honor of your presence in the audience!

[empression]

I can't say I blame you, Sholmes-san.

[ Her eyes are bright as she shakes her head with a little laugh. ]

There were a lot of people present to be riveted by your performance. If you had noticed me among so many, I would have been very surprised!

Truly-- that was lovely. Thank you.

[ She doesn't get to witness recitals like that very often, and she certainly hadn't expected it here. ]

[retroductions]

Now, now. My profession requires that I have sharp eyes, noticing each and every little detail. The fact that I missed you in the crowd is nothing but a failing on my part.

[And yet this does not appear to sour his good mood one bit. Sholmes places his borrowed violin under an arm and rests his bow across a shoulder. His smile is as bright as Haru's.]

But you are quite welcome, my dear. If you ever wish to hear another impromptu performance, you need only ask. I should hate for my musicianship to go stale in this hell of ours.

[empression]

Oh, whenever you'd like to play, I'd love to hear it!

[ very earnestly. ] I've attended a few musical performances when I was younger, but I haven't had the opportunity to hear much of it now. And if it gives you the space to keep your skills from rusting, I won't hesitate to request it.

[ It's not being selfish if he offers it first, right? ]

[retroductions]

[Not at all. Especially if a man likes showing off!]

Oh, taken to the opera on occasion when you were younger, was it? Or perhaps... to see an orchestral concerto instead?

[Mm, he does miss being able to hop on over to the local music hall for a violin performance or two. But perhaps he has simply not found one in the depths of their new hell yet?]

The space of New 221B [that's what he's taken to calling it] pales in comparison to such venues, of course, but you are always welcome to drop by when the mood strikes you. Myself and Mikotoba will make room for both company and performance alike!

[empression]

Both, to be honest. To educate me in behavior in such public spaces and to enrich myself through acceptable methods.

[ She sounds a little tired, though that's very quickly nudged to the side in favor of a rather fascinated blink or three in his direction. ]

I didn't know you and Mikotoba-san were roommates! Was that just a matter of convenience?

[ Well, she and Shinichi didn't know each other from home and it had just kind of come up as "we hardly have any money sure why not", though that won't last much longer. She has no idea who rooms with whom and why. ]

Megumi; tanabata wish-tying

[empression]

[ Haru finds a quiet sense of comfort in the familiar, humbled by the sheer amount of individuals, humans and youkai alike (or so it seems), who are eager to commit their wish to paper and tie the tanzaku to a branch. She can't help but smile as she observes, before stepping closer to attach her own-- which is when she catches movement out of the corner of her eye and turns her head.

Clad as she is, in her white yukata with the soft pastel flowers, she may blend in with the rest of the crowd but she raises her voice anyway. How could she not greet a familiar face, after all? ]

Fushiguro-kun!

[mahoraga]

[ Megumi is dressed in a yukata as well, but in a maroon red instead of his usual choice of black. With his private personality, his own wish is kept hidden away in his sleeves as he waits for the people around him to clear out. When he's called, he blinks and turns his attention to Haru. ]

Okumura-san ... [ She has a gentle demeanor, and might be one of the least stressful people to deal with in the city so far. Megumi strolls over to her so they can spend some time together. Despite his quiet personality, he doesn't hate company. ]

I'm guessing you're here to tie up your wish? [ He's curious to know what it is, so he starts looking through the tags. ]

[empression]

Ah, yes.

[ He'll find hers not far from Haru herself, written on a lilac slip of paper in careful handwriting. "I wish for the strength to protect those around me." She's aware of what he's doing when his gaze strays towards the tags, making no move to stop him and instead genially clasping her hands in front of her. ]

Did you already tie yours? Or were you looking for a better spot for it?

[mahoraga]

I haven't tied mine.

[ His hands stray to his sleeves subconsciously, which might be a tell that he still has his tags tucked away there. His wish is nothing too scandalous, but he's a private person and a bit shy about it.

He's rather they talk about hers, first. Megumi's gaze falls upon it. He had seen her hanging this one up, so he's going to assume it's hers. ]

You want to be stronger?

[empression]

Yes.

... In many regards, actually, but I think they may all tie together in some way. If I work on one manner, another might improve. But this place isn't as safe as back home was, and I've lost some... methods of defense, you could say, since coming here. So I'd like to do what I can without bemoaning it too much. If you know what I mean?

[ She's glanced down at his sleeves, but then she just as politely glances away, because. He'll talk about his wish if he wants to. ]

[mahoraga]

They return your abilities gradually when you do what you're told.

[ Though he's only about half as capable as he used to be, he has been able to regain two of his shikigami along with his shadow powers. It wasn't very difficult. Actually, Hell happens to be safer than Megumi's world back home, but everyone's circumstances are different. ]

Is it hand-to-hand combat that you want to get better at?

Kazuma; kidnapping/interrogation aftermath

[empression]

[ It's been a long time since Haru's felt this exhausted. It's a similar note to sitting stiffly on her couch, answering the questions of both the police and Makoto's sister over and over and over again, but without the thread of grief and confusion and doubt bundled up within her like a ball of yarn. This...

This had been much more frantic. Witnessing it, struggling to speak to others about it, then everything that had happened with the casino and Majima and the man who decided it had been a great idea to take advantage of the confusion, and her questioning with the Enma official...

It's a blessing of some sort that she's got close-toed shoes replacing her geta, for as odd as they may look when paired with a white yukata given color by purple and blue flowers. But she'd be limping otherwise and she's thinking wistfully of her not-impressive apartment and her bed when she spots what she thinks is a familiar figure up ahead. ]

Ah-- Asogi-san? You're still here?

[karumic]

[Kazuma is on his way back his own apartment, in fact. He's managed mostly to avoid being interrogated himself by virtue of chasing after the kidnappers immediately with Jon Sims and thus being away from Sai no Kawara when the perimeter went up, but he's not any less exhausted for it.

He's as surprised to see Haru as she is to see him.]

Okumura? Are you all right?

[She looks like she needs to sleep for a week. He imagines he looks similar.]

[empression]

Oh-- yes, I'm fine, just a little tired.

[ And she only says that because she can tell if he's asking, she probably looks dead on her feet. Which. Accurate? Yeah! ]

I didn't quite expect a Tanabata celebration and a grand opening to end in such a... dramatic fashion. [ Unfortunately. ]

[karumic]

[Kazuma huffs out a laugh.]

Yes, it certainly changed the entire tone of the night.

[And in the end, they hadn't been able to do anything about Ringo-chan. The poor girl's still being held hostage somewhere and there's nothing anyone can do about it--nobody can traverse the Wasteland.

It's a feeling Kazuma hates. A crime has been committed, someone has been hurt, and Kazuma is utterly powerless about it.]

May I escort you to your lodgings? [After all, there's nothing saying the danger is past, and Kazuma feels the urge to do something useful.]

[empression]

I-- [ She wants to say she'd be fine. She firmly believes she would be. But at the same time, she doesn't even want to think about dealing with any additional problems after tonight. This morning. Whatever time of day it is now. And Kazuma hadn't phrased it in such a way to put her on guard. He hadn't asked her if she needed an escort, just if he could do so. Is there a chance it'll trouble him if she refuses?

Haru hesitates a moment longer, then sighs quietly. ]

You may. Thank you-- I believe I wouldn't mind the company for a little while longer.

[karumic]

[He offers her a rare, genuine smile--rather than the wry smirks he typically wears--if a tired one.]

Of course.

[He really means "thank you," himself. After the chaos of tonight it would be a relief to have a quiet walk with someone he's come to consider something like a friend. Being alone with his own thoughts right now is not an appealing prospect.

As they set off he walks next to Haru and slightly behind, letting her take the lead. He has no idea where she actually lives, after all.]

What happened after the... event? I admit I left the area right after, so I didn't see much of the aftermath.

Nero; City of Rain

[empression]

[ Working in the flower shop has made Haru a little more inclined to learning the territory, so she's taken to exploring Tamamo more when she gets the opportunity. Which leads her to just outside this restaurant with a rather... unusual rule?

Huh! ]

Complete silence, then...? I see...

[ Then she'll take a deep breath and push the door open. ]

[perfectdistance]

[There is the rule for people to be quiet, there's no silence spell over the establishment. There's the usual sounds of people eating, the clink of tableware and dishes. It's cozy in that way small restaurants are when there's just enough people that it doesn't feel crowded, but it doesn't feel like they're alone.

Nero smiles warmly at her, after handing off a dish to another customer. He leads her to an open seat and hands off the menu to her. Today's special is cold soba, and there's a space at the back of the menu where she can write any adjustments or suggestions for future specials.]

[empression]

[ Haru nods a polite thank you, carefully perusing everything before she makes her selection of stuffed mushrooms and the special, as well as the lemon pie. It doesn't feel right to put in adjustments or suggestions when she's brand spanking new to this establishment, but maybe she'll have ideas at a later date. For now, she's still kind of in awe that it's a cozy kind of quiet in here. Almost like white noise, in a way she hadn't ever expected a restaurant to feel like.

Interesting! ]

[perfectdistance]

[It's not exactly the way he runs his shop back home. That's only because it's oppressive silence in the real City of Rain, the list of rules too long and too specific for people to consider speaking to strangers on the street. Within the bounds of hell, this restaurant feels like a respite from the chatter and noise.

He takes the menu from her and gets started. With the way the cubicles are arranged, she can see him slip into the back and start prepping the stuffed mushrooms with practiced ease. Centuries of skill aren't magic, but it might as well be.

The first dish is plated and slid onto her table. The mushrooms stuffed with cream cheese, parmesan, garlic with just a hint of cayenne to give it a kick.]

[empression]

[ It takes all of Haru's strength not to make any kind of exclamation the moment she places one of the mushrooms in her mouth. But??

Oh my god?????

Hello?? It's so flavorful? It's got a kick, which surprises her, but it's subtle enough not to overpower the other spices and flavors and she is already very glad she came in. ]

[perfectdistance]

[ Of course they're delicious. He spent a few hours going over this recipe so it would be as delicious as possible. Looks like that work paid off.

He gives her a pleased smile as she enjoys the appetizer. It's always nice to see somebody enjoying what he's made.

His gaze goes back to the simmering pot of noodles after a moment. Can't risk that going mushy. ]