jigokulogs | August catchall.

"Mnnn, you're one to talk, you lush," Gojyo said with a bemused smirk to his old friend, playfully looking over the sultry garb now that he could get a better look at it up close. It was true; Gojyo had seemed to clean up quite nicely over these past few months. Or at least he looked like he had his life together in the more classy garb of the Shuten uniform. Well, almost. "Just my work clothes, though the leather is my special touch. A little somethin' special as thanks to a lady friend."

He leaned into the bar table, resting his cheek into the palm of his hand as he lifted his eyebrows with interest at how the other man seemed to nuzzle into him so affectionately. "You did pretty damn good up there. Feels like you're finally starting to get comfortable with it all, yeah? Certainly much better than that first performance a few months back."

Here's looking at you, 'stupid game of strip club gay chicken.'

"How've you been?"

“Do you like it? It’s in the dunhuang style, that mimics bodhisatvas. I modified it myself to fit my frame better. It would be bad if it got caught on my sword.” He smiled warmly. One hand pressing on the leather.

“Its good quality. Though a bit tight. Does your backside get sweaty in it? The leather clothes back home was usually looser.” He leaned against him and ordered a drink for himself and a beer for Gojyo. An order of sashimi and tofu for their Yao.

“I thought of it less as a sexy way for people to want me and more of a way to express a story I want to tell. This routine is based on one my mother used to dance but I adapted my fighting style to it, a mix of dance and marital arts. With a story I wanted to tell.

Besides. I’m a Jin, we’re famed for our beauty. I know I’ll make people want me regardless.” He replied with a giggle and a coquettish wink.

“I’ve been well, if busy. I have a few projects that I’m helping with. Asides from practiceing my performance. Oh I also started dating a friend of mine. We have a lot to work through but I’ve been happy.

How about you?”

"Eh? Me?" Damn, that certainly was a lot that Guangyao had managed to dump on Gojyo all at once. And truthfully, he may have been a bit too foggy-headed himself to process all of it. Hell, he barely realized the way Guangyao was getting all feely. Not that it mattered to him, he was a very tactile person himself.

Wait, did he say he was dating someone?

Damn.

Good for him.

"I've been all right, I guess. Getting around," Gojyo shrugged casually. Nothing he's been doing these days sounds as exciting or life-changing as what Guangyao was going through. "Got my strength back. Also, my weapon. And I guess I had the shit beaten out of me recently?"

Not that that probably wasn't visible with how bruised his face looked. The duds still made him look good, so what does it matter?

"Besides that, I've been mostly stickin' to the casino. I had my hands full teaching all the shitty members in my clan how to gamble something properly. Can you believe how few people know how to play cards in a clan fuckin' dedicated to running the casinos!?"

He complains casually, more than happy to shove a piece of fish in his mouth. Only to shudder slightly as the fin-like ears shot up with excitement.

"Damn! It ain't half bad here."

Jin Guangyao was always a bit chattier when he was tipsy.

"It's good, isn't it? It is an offering for the lovely Yao inside of you. I thought your lady could use some fresh fish." He smiled. Taking a bite of the soft fried tofu. At which his tails began to wag happily.

"Delicious! Perfectly fried!" Koemi's voice rang out from his lips.

He took a moment after to really look at the bruising on his face. His hand pressed on the unscarred cheek, and he began to pour spiritual energy into him.

"You delinquent, what trouble have you been getting yourself into?"

That had managed to hit a part of Gojyo deep inside that rarely reacted. Eyes dilating, bits of blue seeming to peek through in the crimson coloring as he turned to look at Guangyao curiously. The flow of spiritual energy as it rushed through his skin left a familiar warmth, one he hadn't felt since back when he was in Shangri-La. It felt nice, the way he felt his wounds mending.

But he couldn't openly bring that up. No, he wasn't the one in control at the moment.

"This is the second time now," She blinked slowly, head tilting to the side. The buzz of alcohol swarmed her mind like a hit of liquid courage that she would otherwise never have. "You are unnecessarily considerate of my presence."

What a strange human. She hadn't even done anything to help him yet, but he gave her offerings.

“Ah? Why should I not be? There are two of us in my body, and Koemi would like to be acknowledged sometimes. It is painful to live a life and have no one see your presence. Maiden, you deserve respect and consideration.” It was a matter of course. He would do this for any human back home, no matter who they were, he always remembered their likes ands dislikes It was a habit he applied to yao now as well.

He smiled softly and picked up a delicate piece of fatty tuna for her. “If you tell me what your favorites are I can make sure to send some for you.” His eyes were kind. He was after all a person who many believed beneath thier consideration after all.

“I already know A-Jings tastes. It must be wearysome eating junk food all the time.” He said with a wink.

Gojyo's expression seemed to soften with that. The tension and nervousness that Unabara had painted on his features seeming to ease slightly as she listened to his words.

She had lost her trust in others so very long ago. Especially so with humans. It was why she was so eager to pick up the young rambunctious hanyou at the first possible opportunity. But this human was unnecessarily kind, and she still couldn't quite trust it.

None the less she blushed to the honeyed words. They were sweet and kind and something she rarely heard. So even if she couldn't believe them, at least she could still enjoy them.

"This one takes horrible care of himself. Over abuses his capabilities at every chance he gets," She sighs with that, opening her mouth to eagerly take the piece of tuna into her mouth as it was offered. It reminded her of home. it reminded her of the ocean. "For a man who talks about how much he wants to live, he certainly loves to do as much as he can to try and kill himself off early. Ah--"

She opens her mouth again.

More please.

She really was kind of adorable. There was something really girlish about her that he would never have guessed. He could not help but smile drunk as he is. He held out another piece of fatty tuna.

He was happily feeding her. At his core, he loved caring for and taking those who never had that type of care. Perhaps if he made himself useful he would not need to be hurt by them but a part of him really just loved to be able to kind and respectful.

"Ah but that comes with youth. I remember when I was young I thought myself invincible. But that's why we are here to look after him yes? A-Jing is a sweet young man who hides it under a troublesome exterior. I know others like that as well."

Unabara seemed to hesitate with that. She preferred to try once more for another bite of the tune before leaning in and nuzzling against this new drunken human friend. He was warm and surprisingly broad for how small he was.

"He is surprisingly fragile. A child who endured a lot of pain and loneliness," Should she be saying this? Probably not. But her mind was abuzz, and she was caught up in the joys of having a decent conversation with someone. It has been so long, after all. "...Ah. I shouldn't talk about him like that. He'll be upset if he finds out."

She hiccups, only to cover her mouth quickly in embarrassment.

"Promise you won't tell."

He was happy she seemed to be feeling somewhat comfortable with him. He nuzzzled back drunk and affectionate.

“I won’t. I had a feeling he was, He seems to be like me in that regard and I have a penchant for picking up strays, being a stray myself. We can usually sniff one another out.” His fingers carded through their hair gently.

“It is a pleasure to meet you properly as well. Miss.” He said feeding her a bit of week this time. She really was cute. “Have you been liking life here? It is so different from Hakagemachi.”

"Unggh...," She seemed to hum out with that, placing her finger to her chin in a dramatic rendition of thought. She was more than enjoying the drunken affections and warm sense of touch as it had been offered. "Everyhting is so loud and bright and, well, a lot."

She nodded in affirmation with that last statement. Her wide eyes slowly blinked as she looked around to take in all the sights around her. "The young one enjoys it. It provides good distraction and lots of fun through simple pleasures. It reminds him of his home before life got tough again."

She paused, a small, sad smile forming as she closed her eyes and relaxed her body against the young man giving her so much attention.

"I am not used to such things, though. I am used to small towns and rural hospitality. I am used to the wide open sea with only little to embrace. I am used to quiet yet intimate," Unabara looked up at Guangyao, a small melancholy seeming to fall over her expression. "This place is neither quiet nor intimate. It is loud and easy to drown among the many other faces around you. No way to grab attention and stand out. Nor to feel like you matter or mean something."

Exactly something the other soul who shares this body would prefer. But far from anything she ever wanted.

"I am not one who is meant to ever drown."

“I can understand out being loud and bright. Nothing was this bright where I am from. There were lantern lit cities but nothing this bright or loud, I;m getting used to it though.”

He listened quietly still playing with her hair.

“I have never seen the sea. I would love to see it someday. I grew up in a small city but we had a huge river with all kinds of fish.

It really does swallow people up, the noise and bustle.” He smiles fondly.

“No. You aren’t. I can already tell you have a shine and you feel deeply. Perhaps we should set out some time where we can chat. I can make you fish and we’ll make it quiet and intimate. Everyone deserves to have their personhood.”

Unabara didn't trust humans. Their attentions were short, and their motivations were self-focused. The moment something became expected, they overstepped and assumed that it was casually deserved rather than think of why they were allowed the things given to them and the appreciation they should show for it.

But this human was okay. She can understand why one as grand as a celestial fox would have liked him.

With that, she lifted her head, taking in the sight of the fox-eared man with a kind, sympathetic smile.

"This one would like that. It is not often I find an opportunity to be much myself anymore," No. She was Gojyo, and Gojyo was she. Or so it was expected to be back when they had first crossed paths unwittingly in Hakagemachi. But despite being one body, it seemed things went haywire, and they were still two very very different souls. She was still herself. And perhaps, despite losing her body so long ago and all she loved about it, it still meant she could still find time to be herself. "But I suppose I should give my vessel his self back. It is rude of me to hog the spotlight all this festival."

She did spend all night having fun and making her wishes after all.

"Thank you, a young fox, for giving this old lonely soul a quiet ear and delicious fish."

With that, she acted boldly, allowing herself one moment to embrace the impulsivity the alcohol allowed her as she leaned up and kissed Guangyao sweetly upon the cheek.

“I would like that as well. Perhaps you can tell me stories of the ocean and wonders within. Thank you Maiden. It was lovely meeting you. I should order him another beer and some meat to compensate” He blushed softly at the kiss. She really was sweet. And he got a sense of loneliness as well. He could relate.

”Looks like someone made an impression. I Hear she doesn’t like humans all that much.”

Shush. Of course he would respect here. Have some more fried tofu you silly fox.

”Kekekkekekekee” Was her staunch reply as she shoved face fulls of tofu into his mouth.

He looked up, chewing as Gojyo returned

“Welcome, back A-Jing.” He giggled after swallowing.

It was strange, the dissonance Gojyo had felt every time he felt his consciousness fade from his body. But this time, for what was perhaps the first, he almost felt like he hadn't entirely left when it had happened. He wasn't fully cognisant of what had happened, of course. But he knew Unabara had, once more, taken control. And he knew that whatever had just occurred, she had left feeling happy.

And then his senses came to, and he slowly came to the awkward awareness of how he was leaning in, his lips still lightly pressed to Jin Guangyao's cheek.

"Mmm?" He blinked, doing his best to process the scene. "!!! Bleagh! Oh come on!!"

Only to back away quickly in startling realization. Gojyo dramatically stuck out his tongue and winced as he met the older man's serene drunken expression. "What the hell, man? Don't tell me you goin' around seducing drunk youkai while a guy has got his back turned?!"

For shame!

“Oh goodness what do you take me for? Are you sure, it wasn’t you who was happy to see old uncle yao? Its alright to give me a kiss. You know I care dearly for you.” He teased, pushing the new hot plate of chicken karate towards him.

His tails were wagging the teasing was fun too.

“Here I got that for you. Eat up. You still are far too thin, my dear.” He said softly. Before sipping at his own drink.

“Does your face feel better?”

"You wish, you pervy old man!" He says while pointing his finger accusingly at Guangyao. Only to stop at the sight of the offered food and slowly scoot closer again. "... Just cause I'm taking this doesn't mean I forgive you."

It was true, though. Gojyo was skinny for his musculature, height, and build. It had been getting better over the past year, his body filling in slightly. But years of harsh survival conditions made it so that he was reasonably straggly.

"Didn't know you could do that. Qi-manipulation, right?"

He had a friend back home who was able to do such things. Perhaps a friend he had grown too reliant on considering his current state and how he happened to end up like this.

“Am I truly that old or that or that lecherous?” He said laughing, pretending to be mock hurt. A-Jing really was absolutely adorable! But yes, he knew how hard it was for food to stick to your bones when you were always hungry. And doubly so for a man of Gojyo’s height and build.

“Yes, Qi Manipulation. I am a cultivator. It is what we do. Though my powers are half of what they used to be, Tenkohime granted some of it back recently. It is also how I can move my sword like I do. But healing small bruises and things isn’t too bad.” He didn’t mention how different his qi felt in comparison to others. Perhaps it was the yao possession but there was something different about him.

He would tell him if he felt like saying something after all. “I’m getting another drink. I want hot noodles, do you want some?”

"Mnnn," Damn Guangyao and his absolutely valid way of winning him over through his stomach. It worked when they had first met in Hakagemachi and it was still working now. "You sure you can handle another drink? You already seem pretty lushed up."

Not that he was one to talk. But he at least felt he could handle one or two more.

"It's weird. But I think out of all the worlds I've heard about ours has an almost stupid amount in common," The existence of yao, cultivation, science and magic abound. Although Gojyo was able to feel out that his world was a little more scientifically advanced. But still, out of everyone he spoke to, it was interesting that the people he always happened to find the most in common with were the people from Guangyao's world. Maybe it was because it felt like they came from a similar region as well? "I sloppily learned how to sense and read spiritual energy. Mostly through being around a lot of people who already knew how to. Never been much good at any of that fancy power stuff though."

He could control Shakujo pretty well. But that was due to years of practice and experience. But usually he mostly just relied on his brute force and the fact that he was always surprisingly resilient. But considering the type of person he was, he always felt like not being so spiritually inclined was something that was inherently broken about him.

Even if only half, he was still what he was. So why couldn't he do what came so naturally to most others?

“I am good for one or two more. I still have my wits about me.” He laughed.

“It does seem that way. Certain similarities between your world and mine. I would love to learn more about the city you grew up in. I’m originally from Yunping, in the Yunmeng area. We had rivers and fish. It was like this but much less bright. Just as seedy though.

I can show you some basics if you like. Your qi is pretty strong. I also learned by watching people and learning as I went. I never had proper schooling, but i feel like there is another place we connect.” He could understand that, not measuring up to others who could do things so easily but he had to work at tirelessly.

"Yunmeng, huh? Dang. That's just a few counties south of me actually," Gojyo actually seems genuinely surprised by that. Blinking slowly as he processed that, sure enough, Guanyao's world was more eerily similar to his than most. "I grew up just outside the capital. Chang'an in Xi'an county. Though I was pretty far from there when I was last back home.

But I get it. City life can just be like that. Crowded streets, high population, always leads to a seedy underbelly."

He paused, offering an alleviated smile. It was kind of nice, speaking with someone who understood things to a similar degree.

"So you grew up right next to the Yangtze, huh? Right by Wuhan? I crossed it once. It's freaking huge."

Edited 2022-08-27 18:43 (UTC)

“Oh, that is north west of us, I have never been that far past Qishan. I hear it is a lovely melting pot of cultures and the street food is amazing. Aren’t there some beautiful temples there as well?” The city that had the start of the Silk Road with all kinds of trade.

“Yes, and for those like us its life. It is really big! We have boats and a lot of fresh fish. Though the cultivators fly over on swords which makes travel so much easier. When I was young I used to watch them and they looked like immortals to me. But boats are a nice leisurely way to travel. Jin Ling spent half the year there with his jiujiu. So I got to visit when it was time to pick him up. I ended up settling in my paternal ancestral land further east in Lanling. But Yunping was where my heart was. I feel like under all the posh clothing and affected accents, I am just a city boy.” He laughed. The drink was nice and he had lost come of his more stilted polite way of speaking, instead speaking more like he would have talked to Xue Yang.

“Jigoku-Cho feels familiar like that. Like I’m home. I know others who have a harder time transitioning.”

"Dang, all the way that far out east, huh? Never been out in that direction," Gojyo noticed the more casual, less polite tone Guangyao was slipping into, and, well, Gojyo couldn't help but smile with that. Guangyao was just like Gojyo's best friend back home in that way. Despite all the formalities and polite mannerisms, he was just as much a rough-around-the-edges street kid as Gojyo, huh? Flagging the barkeep down, he ordered another round of drinks for them both. He had more than enough money to spare at this point, after all. "Yeah, I keep forgetting that there are people who see life in a place like this as something tough. The longer I live in Jigoku-Cho, the more I feel like it's heaven rather than the hell they keep advertising it to be."

He laughs out with that. People who thought Jigoku-Cho was touch hadn't experienced absolute hell yet. "Maybe that ain't something for guys like us to brag about, though. If anything, maybe we should be jealous of the people who are having a tough time with something like this city."

What would it be like, to live such a life where transitioning into Jigoku-Cho would be difficult?

He was a child the grew up with prostitutes and street kids. Sure he had some scanty meals because his mother worked so hard for them. But towards the end of her life, he worked odd jobs and pretended that he has already eaten to feed her. So He knew the rough life for certain.

"It's hard for some who have never had to go without. I am used to my shitty little apartment, But I know for Huaisang, even the servant's quarters were bigger than our place is. I know it's tougher for him but he's adjusting well. I know I should be jealous, but I've lived my last life being envious of those who never knew any better. Do you know? I am just happy I know the game here.

So I'll dance for them, give them the coquettish little laughs, and the show of my legs if they want. I watched my mother play this game since birth and even when I was rich and at the top of the world, I played it then. I'll smile and laugh and tell them, Oh yes your ideas are the greatest aren't they? You certainly are the most righteous! How can anyone compare to you?

Pretty lies from whore's mouths. Tell them just want to hear so it is all the easier for them to believe." he was pretty into this speech.

He leaned forward to press his forefinger along Gojyo's jaw. "Make them think they have us as they want us. Then we rip their throats out with our teeth yes? Serves them right."

August catchall.

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