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

[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?

[empression]

Oh, is that what happened... I did receive access to... a friend, I suppose you could say.

[ How does one explain a Persona without sounding insane. ]

But yes. Majima-san said he'd help me try to find someone I could train with, but I've also been trying to look into that myself. Because there are times I won't always have access to a weapon, I'd like to be as prepared as I can be.

[mahoraga]

[ He raises an eyebrow at the mention of 'a friend'. As a shikigami-user, he does wonder if she's the same. He can ask about it later. ]

Is there a particular sort of sparring partner you're looking for?

[empression]

Not in particular, just one who isn't condescending or coddling.

[ And probably someone who isn't going to immediately flatten her, but she doesn't consider that much of a dealbreaker. ]

[mahoraga]

You could always put those types of people in their place.

[ He would find that very personally satisfying. But Megumi is also a boy powered by spite. ]

I'm also looking for another sparring partner. [ So, while he doesn't say it outright, the offer is there. He doesn't consider himself particular condescending or the type to coddle. He also doesn't have any hang ups about fighting women. ]

[empression]

Well, I do need to have the skill to do that first. Axes can't solve everything.

[ HARU. ]

But if that would truly be all right with you, I'd be honored! Do you find yourself in fights often, Fushiguro-kun?

[ This is not accusatory, she is just honestly curious. ]

[mahoraga]

[ Axes probably aren't the preferred choice for simple spars, no... As for whether he finds himself in fights often, the answer is yes. ]

It's not so much that I start them ... [ Sometimes???? He's been working hard to be good. ] People should expect their actions to have consequences.

[empression]

... Yes, I would agree with that. So you had them take responsibility.

[ A sage nod. This makes sense. Megumi continues to be a good boy. ]

[mahoraga]

In a sense.

[ While he does like good people, it's nice that she didn't take some sort of preachy stance about him, lecture him about how fighting is bad. He's heard enough of that. ]

Were you fighting something back home? [ Normal teenagers don't know how to fight, let alone use an axe. ]

[empression]

... Yes. Well, I think the problem should be taken care of by now, but I'm not certain if that's ever truly the case.

Still, I think it's probably a good idea to ensure I can still fight here. Just in case.

[mahoraga]

Of course. You don't want to be dead weight. [ Such a blunt boy he is. ]

The problem you're dealing with back home -- You think it might return?

[empression]

Not this particular problem, no. And if I can make the conditions of my contract come to pass, no similar problem should ever happen again.

[ That would be nice. ]

[mahoraga]

That's if we believe the contracts. But with no evidence, all we really can do is the best that we can.

[ Either the contracts are real, and all their efforts go towards something, or the contracts are a sham, and they're basically working for free. With no way to know for sure, it makes more sense to keep working on the off chance they are real. ]

[empression]

What do you think personally, Fushiguro-kun? That they're real, or that we're being tricked? Or is it just a "work until we know for certain one way or another"?

jk im still here

[mahoraga]

'Working until we know' is really the only choice we have. I haven't seen anyone receive their contract payment, but it might be that it'll take years of service.

[ He's been here 4-5 months, so it's probably not enough time. ]

But it hasn't been bad here ... They haven't asked me to do anything I'd hate doing. And I'm less worried that the people around me will die.

[ Which is a constant worry back home. So, yeah, he doesn't hate it in Hell. ]

plot twist??

[empression]

... Was that really something you came across often?

[ Listen, the way he worded it sounds very concerning? Megumi??? ]

[mahoraga]

[ He tries not to talk too much about himself or his circumstances if he can help it, especially if the topic matter would make someone worry about him, but he let that slip by accident and now this is where the conversation has led. Megumi pauses then gives a sigh. ]

... I guess you could say that. We did what we did knowing we could be killed at any time.

[empression]

May I ask what you were doing, exactly? It sounds as though it was a highly dangerous job...

[ And that is concerning? More than a little?

Sorry Megumi, she's already worried. ]

[mahoraga]

[ Well, what he was doing before has no actual meaning here, so he decides it should be fine to share. ]

I was a sorcerer. We exorcise cursed spirits. Cursed spirits are similar to the youkai here, only most of them want to kill or eat people.

[empression]

Oh! [ She brightens, apparently not at all stunned or dismayed by this. ]

I see! That does sound dangerous, but also like a very important job. That's incredible, Fushiguro-kun! I'm glad you've been able to stay safe so far.

[ The Phantom Thieves weren't exorcists, but she's at least familiar with fighting very malicious monsters. ]

[mahoraga]

I've just been lucky.

[ There are people far more skilled and powerful than he is, who have perished. Megumi decides to move on from that topic, not the type who enjoys talking about himself very much. ]

I should probably hang up my wishes.

[ He fishes them out of his sleeve, slightly less private about them now that they've had a bit of conversation. She'll be able to read them but it's Haru's choice if she wants to ask about them or not. His wishes are to spend time with his sister again, and for Yuuji to be safe and happy. ]