jigokulogs | (open) smile sick and smile kind

SEPTEMBER 2022 SUBSTORIES.
i. can't download a clue
SUBSTORY #2.

[ what should have been a simple delivery of muscle against thieves and a sweetly crooned coercing into a protections deal has swiftly devolved into ... well, this:

an oni — dressed like she's lived and evolved along with this version of hell, yet a thousand years slain and naturally resistant to the progression of time — sat in front of one of the net cafe's computers, clicking, clicking, clicking. on the screen is a game.

or maybe a quarter of one, the rest covered pixel by pixel in dozens of pop-ups. she sighs, heavy and long. ]

I just don't get these things ... is this supposed to be fun? If I broke it, maybe I'll try another one ...

[ well, she's here. she may as well go down the line. ]

ii. dogged the bounty hunters
SUBSTORY #4.

[ treasure earned fairly with cunning and hard work is hardly worth an oni's time. nevermind the fact that she cares more for rarities and beauties than sums and riches, a bounty is rarely the sort of business shuten would involve herself in, even in the periphery of its politics and regardless of the number of zeroes at the end of the reward.

the reason she lends herself here, as well as with the wanted grifter, is in the name underscoring these mission trails.

iron bear.

it makes her wonder. but most of all ... it makes her sympathetic towards her dear clan leader, the one who wore his heart on his sleeve for her and confided in her company.

so she's here, cleaning up. sweeping the rabble away so as to keep things simpler for the big blue oni and his already-clouded thoughts. a favor from her to him, she figures. a heel descends on the skull of one fuming bounty hunter, and his fury goes out like a light.

but here's his mentor, come to the rescue, more balanced than his protégé yet still caught by the hysteria of one hundred billion yen, yelling about how much they need that money. ]

You really shouldn't try to play on the heartstrings of an oni, dear. All you'll be hearing soon is screeching anyway.

EMBER 3.0 ORIGINAL COMMENT.

ASSASSIN (1000~?)
SHUTEN
☆ AS CIVILIZED AS A WILD ANIMAL

✓ ✕

( PREVIOUSLY. )

you know just how to deal with me, do you?

that makes me curious about you, too. just what sort of hero are you?

i'd love for us to get a little serious...

Edited 2022-09-14 03:43 (UTC)

I'm not certain I would go so far as to say that.

A hero though...

...You certainly enjoy moving fast, don't you? Most might choose to wait until after the second or third date. But... I'm not much of one to refuse a lady's request.

[A bit of joking, just enough to gather his thoughts over the evident interest. Right, he dug this hole himself, hadn't he. Perhaps he hadn't taken such a forward dive.]

you remind me of a cat, or a bird, fluttering away before i can get too close

it makes me want to catch you in my claws

of course, we can always wait until after i take you up on your offer for that date ♡

[ what she's threatening, exactly, like everything about her, remains a mystery... ]

[He puzzed over her words for a few moments extra. Before catching himself and stopping the attempt. What was going on her in head is, largely, a mystery. To him, most certainly to others. He could be at it all day, no she really did remind him too much of a few folks he once knew.

There was both a mixture of good and bad in that.]

Learning to fly, or slink away, is a useful skill to have. It could help a cat escape a cage. Or a bird from the jaws of a snake.

Changed your mind, did you? Well, a date it is then. We can see where things take us from there. You might just end up satisfied in the end.

[All the better for him and his health, Billy figured.]

i haven't changed my mind at all

but i can hold myself back one more night before dragging you into something a little more fun

when would you like to take me this time, sweetie? and not that i mind all the extra attention, but ... do you know anyplace a little more welcoming to oni? if those slinking foxes of yours stare at me any harder, i don't think i could continue to behave

How considerate of you.

The foxes had been bothering you, had they? My apologies. I can certainly think of a few other places. Should it agree with you, how about we make it mid-day this time? Your clan has a stable we can meet at.

it just makes it more difficult to keep my promise to you, that's all

[ through the perspective of clan rivalry, maybe she's playing right into the stereotype, but shuten's fox-incited agitation is a graceful one. a playful one.

when playful means hot and exciting, anyway.

puzzlement comes in a long pause between replies. then: ]

oh? what exactly do you have in mind, dearie? there'll still be drinks, won't there?

Fancy yourself a woman of your word, do you? Well, I most certainly would not such an auspicious lady to reneged on her word.

[Much less one that promised whatever form of entertainment and excitement she was craving. Shuten is a real mystery sometimes. Someone that was difficult to read at times.

Another reason for him to be uneasy around her. As a marksman, as an outlaw, as someone who has to rely on being able to determine the motives of others.

Shuten would most likely never cease to stop setting off those alarm bells in the R-complex of his brain.

That was also why there was a small amount of amusement and, maybe, just a tiny bit of pleasure from that long pause of hers. He'd managed to catch her off guard, did he?

A smile.]

You needn't worry. There will be plenty of drinks. I had just figured to make things a bit more off beat. Again, only if you wish it.

[And maybe catch her off guard again. In person this time.]

( PREVIOUSLY. )

oh my, did that naughty ibaraki tell you something she shouldn't have?

to tell you the whole truth, i get the feeling a certain burly blue oni might obliterate anyone claiming that name undeservedly anyway

I'm actually from heaven, so I might have heard a few stories about the Shuten Doji causing a ruckus before my time. Though ours is a bit different, I'm pretty sure. I didn't need Ibaraki to go shouting about how she could beat up some silly Celestial to know about Ibaraki, even if the difference was definitely a bit surprising. she's nothing like the one back home.

Oh yeah. He was part of that old story too, wasn't he? No, you're probably right. He probably wouldn't let someone pretend, unless you were them. But you're not from this world originally right? So you're Shuten, but not the Shuten here?

Kind of like they have Celestials here. And they're kind of dicks about me being one.

( PREVIOUSLY. )

[ the truth is, it never matters what choice one makes on shuten-douji's profile — it's a lose-lose, engaging at all spells doom. like escaping a predator that hunts by movement and scent, it's best to remain inert, to be boring enough for her to pass over. ]

no offense meant, dearie, but can you fight at all? you've hardly any meat on your bones

oh, why? are you worried i'll catch a cold?

[ Discarding away appeal now would be an obvious attempts to lose allure; it would only serve to deepen interest. It would be pointless, besides, he would prefer to have the spotlight of attention on him. For better or worse. Of course, he still hopes for the better despite having a tint of awareness. No, she may not be the same Shuten Douji he can find within the pages of text, he knows of differences, but there is reason enough to be wary.]

Would it make a difference? What's a human to an oni, anyway? Meat or not, it likely means very little. Unless you're feeling peckish.

[ That's what amounts to a joke here. ]

Now I have to wonder if oni are vulnerable to illnesses. Wouldn't that be something?

[ his mystery strikes her then, and she wonders if he would have answered her question in earnest were she anyone else. oni love to brawl, and shuten is no exception — it's better for him, probably, if she assumes the boy would fall apart if treated roughly. ]

not for you just yet, sweetie

fufufu ... oh, it would be. oni are the cause of disease, after all. harbingers of plagues and epidemics

or at least, that's what they used to say

for an oni to be sick is far too ironic, even for me

[ The short answer is no. The full answer is far more complicated and attributed more to his whims and fancy. There is nothing to be gained, nor would he garner favor through lauding his own ability and accomplishments. There is much for him to learn through his life journey. Besides, actions do speak louder than words, and all that. ]

Yes, I am aware of what's been said and documented in stories. Not only disease but they're also followed by disaster and misfortune. So I do suppose it would be far too ironic, although who knows given the present circumstances. Ah, but I won't speculate.

Now, as for there being no plans to consume me. Yet. What about something else? Before you ask if we can meet, then I would prefer to extend that invitation first.

How about it?

Just be sure to leave your herald's mantle at the door.

( PREVIOUSLY. )

where's your enthusiasm, honey?

better yet, could it be you've only just learned what oni really are?

I still don't know much about you just that you can be really scary!

but then some of them like you and the other girl oni on here are really attractive too!

so it's a risk you're willing to take ... is that what you're saying?

my, what a bold move. it makes me want to take a bite out of you here and now

and then you say scary stuff like taking a bite out of me.

that's just the way oni are, dear

sure you want to go down this road?

it's a really exciting road.

[ it's really too bad these things happen over text — what's really the point if she can't hear that fear-tinted thrill in the other's voice, let alone see it? ]

an odd one, aren't you? messed up, even

i'm not sure what kind of softhearted oni or youkai you've met up until now, but you really ought to be careful

you'll get yourself eaten like that

i know i'm messed up. i'm used to playing with dangerous women.

they didn't literally eat people though.

then it seems a brand new world has opened up to you

after all, you're in hell now. just turn the corner and there's a youkai barely holding back from pouncing you

but i suppose you're looking for a pretty one to do it, hm?

i don't want some big ugly bastard to touch me. and i've managed to avoid it so far.

you're beautiful though.

we'll see how long you can last before i get to you, then

in the meantime ... try a little self-preservation, won't you? hilarious as that is coming from an oni

[ "I'm in danger" except she's the one inviting it. ]

i've kept myself in one piece this long. don't worry about that.

oh good

i hope you're as forward in person, then

if you happen to see me out and about ... don't be shy

i'll try not to be shy when i see you at least.

( PREVIOUSLY. )

"maybe"? you don't sound so sure about this...

call me, ibaraki. let me hear you say it

I am! I am really certain!

[Shuten! Shuten why... why do you have to tease her so!? Saying aloud is one thing, but to do so in public?

The banana does a quick look around... then another. Then a few more for good measure.

And then, yeah, she calls. Just as expected.]

...Shuten?

[ shuten's voice comes clear, the angle of her chin in the fresh air as she walks; the cadence and cushioning of her words against the walls of their private apartment obviously absent. ]

Just as I thought. So I wasn't imagining the hesitation in your voice...

[ text is ever so tricky for an ancient, unchanging thing like her. ]

Could it be ... Are you feeling shy all of a sudden, Ibaraki? You're the one who approached me first, you know.

[What follows in response is a mess of sputters. Embarrassed, high-pitched, and an opposite tone to Shuten's.]

No, of course I'm not hesitant or shy! Not at all!

[There's a few stares and hushed whispers being sent her way. Making the oni quiet down... just a little.]

It's just... Mmph, fine..! I might have gotten- I did get- excited. From your picture.

[Kill her, please. Just end her now.]

[ the growing smile in her words is evident, then. ]

There. Good girl ... you know that's what I like to hear, Ibaraki.

[ the ends of her words curl and fray, just a hint of breathlessness on their trails. whether from the thickening heat of the conversation or the walk on her way there: who can say? ]

Won't you send me one of yourself?

[Ah- Shuten just praised her! A sense of elation began to fill her. It left a sort of sweetness that even the most sugary of snacks couldn't beat. The way Shuten's voice sounded over the phone, so close to her ear, the breathlessness in it. The heat and way it slid into her senses sent a shuddering, heated thrill through Ibaraki.]

A picture?

[Well, up until that. A picture of herself? To match Shuten's? Could she do that? Could she manage it?]

...U-Umu- very well.

[Give her a moment, she's going to run around to find a private spot to do this. The sound of her heavy breathing and pattering of feet could be heard on the other end of the line. Along with a few shouts here and there.

Moments later Shuten gets sent this.]

...Do you, like it?

[ in all likelihood, hers was a fluke, taken with the help of some poor soul or another, the threat and seduction in the angle of her bobbed hair, sharp horns coercing their aide. the same effect, like her magic-imbued charms, works its way through ibaraki now, she figures, listening to the sounds of effort on the other end.

when she receives the picture, she smiles. ]

How good of you ... You're being sooo obedient, Ibaraki.

[ this one bites a little, whispered through the the edges of her fangs. praise turned teasing, taunting. ]

It makes me want to see how far I can push you...

[Another shudder, an even greater sense of fulfillment at the perceived compliment. One that was mixed with some unease at the edge to her voice. One that signaled that Shuten was scheming something.

Something exciting potentially. Something meant to tease Ibaraki herself.]

Shuten--?

[There was a hint of whine in Ibaraki's voice. Whine and barely contained excitement. To have her voice so close to her sensitive ears but unable to feel the heat of her breath.

It made her pine for more of her.]

Mm... d-don't tease me like that... Sh-Shuten.

[Not when she felt as worked up as she is, following her trip to the arena. Not with how everyone's been acting around her.... Teasing her, make her feel hot and excited. And now Shuten was...]

Are you almost here?

[Can Ibaraki hold out? Such impatience.]

( for any and all september things. as a note, i'm doing substory #3 with individual starters, so hit me up via pm or plotting comment for one! otherwise, this is also where you can surprise me with a wildcard starter. ♡ )

(open) smile sick and smile kind

open, substories.

open, ember 3.0.

for billy.

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for tenshi.

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for xingqiu.

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for chris.

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for ibaraki.

Re: for ibaraki.

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closed starters.