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]

[ 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. ]

[empression]

[ She's trying not to read them, out of respect, but it doesn't mean she's not very curious about them. Especially... plural? If he has more than one wish... more to care for? Or just desires he hasn't had the chance to fulfill? ]

... Is it all right if I ask what yours are?

[mahoraga]

[ There's some hesitance but it's Haru's fault at all. Megumi just finds talking about himself a very awkward thing. Eventually he sighs and tells himself she's going to read the tag anyway. After tying his tag to a branch, he finally speaks. ]

Just for my friend to be safe, and to spend time with my sister again. It's nothing very extravagant.

[ He says that, but there's a certain distance to him - a tinge of melancholy, even if he tries to downplay it.

And that friend who is named on the tag, so she might recognise if she's met him. ]

[empression]

[ She blinks at it, very curiously. ]

Yuuji... ah, Itadori Yuuji-kun?

Is he, er. Well, he does seem to be the type who might get into conflicts...

[ SHE'S DOING HER BEST TO BE DIPLOMATIC BECAUSE HE WAS REALLY SWEET. ]

[mahoraga]

All he does is get into trouble.

[ Said in the flattest tone, which implies they are quite familiar, if anything. Anyway, anything concerning Yuuji, he wants to know about. ]

You've met him?

[empression]

I have, yes. I visited the ah... Pleasure Palace, to see the performances, and I overheard him arguing with the bartender over drink prices. It did get smoothed over eventually, and he was very friendly and considerate afterwards.

[ A good boy. ]