[open] horsebow moon / catchall

[playfoul]

Who ⬤ Yuri & you
What ⬤ A substory and some gen prompts!
When ⬤ September
Where ⬤ Around town
Content Warnings ⬤ None

I. Bountiful Business

[ As the giant bounty shakes up the weapons market, you'll find Yuri at the shops of arms dealers, examining the heft of a blade or chatting up the shopkeeper with questions that sound less like a customer's and more like a business partner. Perhaps you'll even catch money exchanging hands, a stack of cash tucked away quickly and too thick to be a normal sale.

If he notices you observing him while he's going about his business, he'll smile back disarmingly. ]

Is it my face or is it the weapons you're here to admire?

II. Drifter Grifter

[ Ever the opportunist, the drifter smells generosity and latches on to it. The rugged man can be seen ducking into a homeless shelter in Sutoku to avoid detection after suckering in more bleeding hearts. Anyone here to shake down the scammer or haul him away for arrest will be held off at the entrance by Yuri, questioning the accusations brought against the man. ]

And just what makes you suspicious of him?

[ It's his personal belief to take in anyone down on their luck, no questions asked, which is why he's reluctant to just turn the guy over. ]

III. Muscling Into Sutoku

[ Toraguma's crackdown on youth gangs sent more than a few troublemakers packing with their tail between their legs. The wayward youth now lay low and nurse their wounds...and a few of the delinquents have taken up refuge at the Sutoku shelter rather than return to their troubled homes. ]

[ A. The matron Yuri has put in charge of the establishment is a no-nonsense one-winged youkai, wrangling delinquents with a sharp tongue and efficiently setting volunteers to tasks like collecting bedsheets and packing food. Yuri keeps a low profile for the most part, taking on chores like any other volunteer, but work with him and it'll become apparent he knows the ins and outs of the place. Ask him anything. ]

[ B. Inevitably, the youths fall back on their violent habits. A petty argument escalates into punches being thrown and knives being pulled. A turf fight as if they're on their own stomping grounds. Exasperated, Yuri seizes one of the gang by the wrist in time to prevent a stabbing, but there are more knives being flashed than he has hands for. ]

Wildcard

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Comments

2

[astraledge]

[Gods, this is not what Larcei wants to be doing with herself. She's a swordswoman, a soldier, a liberator... not a chaser of petty criminals.

But she's here, and she made the contract, and... this guy is a grifter. She saw him and he fits the description.]

He looks like the man who's been going around the city swindling people. That's why I'm suspicious.

[playfoul]

If he had swindled anyone, he'd be able to afford a nice, fancy room somewhere else. Are you sure you're not mistaking him for one of the dozen other beggars in the city?

[ Yuri doesn't move from where he stands in front of the door. Sorry Larcei, you're talking to a leader of petty criminals. Yuri is, perhaps unwisely, giving the man the benefit of the doubt. ]

[astraledge]

If he's swindled people, and he's smart, he's not going to be looking for a nice, fancy room. He's going to be lying low in a place like this, where no one will be expecting a man with money to go.

[Except her, that is. And well, probably others in Enma too. But her, because she knows how to hide where people don't look.

...Of course, if she was still in that position, she'd probably want someone like Yuri standing at the door, refusing to let the law in.]

I'm not here to hurt him.

III B i hope this is okay!!

[adversus]

[Marie had grown used to this sort of environment before, so it wasn't any surprise to her that some of the youth had fallen back into violent habits. It wouldn't be the first time, and certainly wouldn't be the last time.

It's why she's quick to react, despite playing with the younger children who had come to like her. Marie darting up from her position from the floor, standing up and approaching the opposite youth from behind. Fingertips wrapping around their wrist, and mimicking Yuri's grasp as she maneuvers her hand to disarm the youth with ease.

The knives dropping to the floor as they gasp in surprise at Marie's presence.]

C'mon kiddos. Let's just relax, and take it easy. You guys are all here for the same reason, so let's just calm down and relax. We can talk about this calmly, without all the punching and the knives.

[Marie had always been the voice of reason, and her calming voice seems to be enough for some of the youth to calm down and remember why they're here. A soft smile spreading upon her lips as some of them begin to back down as well, which makes her even happier.]

Good. I'm glad we understand one another... Don't do that again, okay? Let's just deal with this calmly next time.

[As they begin to disperse, she takes a step forward, and reaches for the knives on the ground. Marie gathering them, before turning her attention to Yuri.]

Where do you want these?

[There's a smaller youkai approaching Marie -- clinging onto her leg, as their big eyes begin to stare up at the knives, and Yuri.]

works perfect!

[playfoul]

[ Thankfully, the worst is avoided when the shelter's newest volunteer steps in. Yuri has to admit, Marie's got a knack for schooling the teens, talking them down and relieving them of their weapons with the sort efficiency that makes him vaguely recall the professor back at Garreg Mach. He lets out an exasperated sigh after they disperse. ]

We'll hold onto them in the storage room overnight. They can have it back when they've cooled their heads.

[ ...Yes, he's suggesting that they give the weapons back to the gang kids. Maybe this violence is something he's wrought on himself.

As he holds out his hand to take the knives, he notices the young youkai clinging to Marie. That's another thing he has to hand to her: becoming the children's fast favorite among the staff. ]

I see you've settled in quickly.

[adversus]

[This situation was all too familiar to her, so she was purely acting on instinct when it came to this sort of thing. Glad that she seemingly stopped the altercation, for now, and silently making a mental note of the youth who were involved in it. If only for her own records, but to also make sure to go and speak to them later when they've cooled off. They definitely weren't bad kids, she knew that much.]

Alright. Honestly, better to just give it to them anyway, since I'm sure they have ways to sneak in other weapons if they got theirs taken away.

[Marie saw no fault in Yuri's idea, to be honest. And with that, she hands him the knives from the scene. Ensuring that they're safely in his hands, before she leans down, and picks up the youkai who was clinging onto her leg. Marie gently patting the youkai's back, and holding her tightly.]

Yeah... It's not bad here at all. If I'm not spending my time protecting little Robin, or Ryouma, I'll definitely put hours into being here. It... reminds me of home, actually.

[She peers up at Yuri, greeting him with that usual, friendly smile of hers.]

How ya faring?

III-b

[worldbent]

[Yuri may not have multiple hands available, but his colleague does.]

[At the drive of another knife, a shadow coils around the youth's feet and stretches upward, one of Matoba's noodly, humanoid shiki winding itself around their body to incapacitate and holding a surprisingly strong grip over their hand. As that one pops up, so do two more around the other teens that were about to get into it, and all three of them flop over like a sack of immobile potatoes.]

Goodness gracious. Honestly, things are a little too exciting around here, hm? [Matoba steps into the room with two fingers raised, and scans the faces in the room with his one eye. The youkai youth, understandably, freeze up at the sight of the exorcist Lieutenant.]

[That's better.]

So, Yuri-san. This is your new project, hm?

[playfoul]

[ Yuri tenses when the shadowy creatures descend on the scene, but they surprise him by swiftly quelling the rabble. He puts two and two together when Matoba announces himself. ]

Handy trick you've got there, lieutenant. While you're at it, think your shadows can escort them to the office?

[ The matron will know what to do with the troublemakers. Yuri lets go of the youth he's been holding. The fight's all gone out of the youkai upon seeing the exorcist. ]

Not officially, no. I've handed this place off. [ If it's his project, he doesn't want his name on it. He'll be getting his hands too dirty from his trade business to touch a precious thing. ] Someone like me is better suited to the shadows.

[worldbent]

Certainly.

Take them, [He barely turns his head to address the shadowy figures before they're hauling up their bounties and transporting them out of the room. Matoba bends over to retrieve one of the switchblades the boys had pulled, and neatly folds it back into the handle.]

I hope they won't be too uncomfortable. Those servants of mine are still a little rough around the edges. [He holds the blade out for Yuri to take.] But that's too bad. You seem like you enjoy taking charge of this sort of thing.

...I suppose what I have heard, though, is a little more important in the grand scheme.

i. bountiful business;

[littleshield]

[ Felix is particularly picky about his choice of weaponry and the craftsmanship of said weapon—especially since he has more than slim pickings available. But, now that time has passed since then, he believes it is only practical to go ahead with purchasing a new one.

He catches sight of money changing hands...and his eyes almost slide away instead to a brilliant-looking blade off to the side because it isn't really his business. He's not the police, fam. But there goes Yuri making that comment of his. He releases a small huff, shifting to place a hand on his own hip. ]

The weapons, obviously. What, you think you're more eye-catching than one of the blades resting around here?

[ Though Yuri definitely has his eye, a familiar sight indeed. All at the same time as the blade that seems to be speaking to him in his peripheral vision (you know, metaphorical phrasing here.) ]

[playfoul]

[ Damn, Felix doesn't pull his punches. At least he's not inquiring after whatever he saw, that part of the distraction seems to be working. ]

So, was I just in the way of your purchase? Here I was, thinking we had a little something.

[ He moves away from the counter, which just means he comes around to Felix's side uninvited. Even leaning a little close as he speaks into his ear. ]

Which beauty has caught your eye then? That over there, perhaps?

[ Yuri can recognize a masterwork when he sees it. ]

[littleshield]

[ Pulling punches? Not in Felix's repertoire. ]

Hmph. Do you really think lines like that will work on me? Just because you are skilled with a sword doesn't mean I'll suddenly go weak in the knees or some nonsense around you.

[ Though, his attention flicks more onto Yuri as he draws further away from the counter because he is not about to ignore his presence. The young male is (unfortunately) actually someone he has been...a bit more interested in associating with since their last bout. Felix communicating this point exactly would be a herculean effort of sorts, even if he refuses to move despite Yuri's uninvited place at his side. Honestly, this isn't some kind of competition, but Felix is getting it into his head that it is, and he refuses to lose.

Yuri daring to lean in a bit gets Felix to turn his head away pointedly like a feline refusing snacks because it is picky. But at the line of questioning, he looks back just a bit, before turning his gaze to the blade once more. ]

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised you've an eye for good craftsmanship. It'd be foolish to only go around with one blade—considering this place there are a thousand reasons as to why and how someone could lose a weapon.

I'm not looking to find out the result of being unprepared in such a scenario. I imagine that's also why you had those daggers with you.

1

[sweetsong]

Your face!

[ there he is, but why is robin here in the first place? seemingly able to just work his way through other youkai and lost souls without being noticed, the young man slips right next to yuri as if he belongs there in the first place. ]

Looks like you're preparing to... um. Defend yourself! Or arm people to defend themselves! Is that right?

[ frankly that's not what he believes, but he rather put on a more polite and pleasant face right now. ]

[playfoul]

Songbird...I didn't expect to find you here. You're not involved in this bounty business, are you?

[ He thinks his heart skipped a beat, and not just because casual flirting feels different with Robin. Why is Robin here? Yuri wraps one arm around him in a brief hug when he comes up to his side. ]

Actually, that's something I wanted to speak to you about. [ If it were anyone else, he'd deflect the question, but this is something he's been mulling over. ] Will you come with me?

[sweetsong]

Bounty business? No, of course not!

[ of course he is, yuri. his next smile is a little forced as he tilts his head to continue the act--- the last thing he needs to do is draw any more unnecessary attention. but the affection and love he feels for yuri is genuine. that robin is here to scout out those who may be trying to gear up the most... feel out danger. not just for the tamamo clan but for himself, too.

because even robin knows that there is such thing as unavoidable conflict. only here, it could be really horrible. ]

Sure! Lead the way.

[ and he leans into yuri, shoulder against shoulder. ]

i...!

[swordhardy]

[ Where else would one find Rokurou Rangetsu, if not at the bar? A man who loves weapons most of all, he's a constant presence in the various shops around all the territories. Even if he doesn't have money, he likes to look. Which is why he has four different knives in his hands when he spies Yuri. And just quietly ogles the other man while he's talking to the man behind the counter.

The passing of money between them isn't missed, but Rokurou doesn't really care what it may be about. Instead, he grins when Yuri notices him noticing Yuri, trying to look innocent while holding a bunch of knives in his hands. Definitely a strange contrast. ]

Can it be both? Didn't expect to meet you here.

[ And the man behind the counter may or may not be shooting him a glare, having already told this knife-obsessed meathead that he isn't supposed to hold the items on display unless he plans on buying them. With money. ]

Planning on taking up the bounty?

[playfoul]

[ Now here's someone he's not surprised to see browsing the weapon shop. ]

Surely I'm more impressive than some knives.

[ He remarks coyly, the grin he returns sharp enough to cut. Yuri's turned his back on the merchant that he misses both the glare sent at Rokurou and the subsequent look shot his direction that read something like, 'You know this guy? Get him to cough up or leave.' ]

The bounty's a pretty price, but no, I'm not part of the rush. [ That doesn't mean he won't capitalize on an opportunity to earn coin. ] You here to throw yourself into the fray?

[swordhardy]

[ Ahhh he's cute. Rokurou smiles back at that sharp grin, chuckling. ]

I don't know. If the guy's as tough as everyone's saying, it could be fun. I wouldn't mind a reward like that either. Could finally buy one of these.

[ The knives in his hands are expensive. He isn't drawn to the pricey ones encrusted in jewels—those blades are actually less expensive than the four in his paws right now. It's the material used for the blades. They're all absolutely exquisite, a perfect forge and blend of ore and steel. The edges are sharp, the hilts crafted with care, and from what Rokurou can eye all of the materials are rare. Unlike the gaudy ornate knives meant to draw the eye of rich buyers, these are more likely to call to the ones who like a clean kill.

Too bad this bitch poor.

That last sentence is also a subtle jab to the man behind the counter. Not today either, buddy. And good luck trying to get him to not hands-on admire them. ]

But if everyone's going it might get annoying. I don't like it when people get in the way of my kill.

iii

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Another knife is stopped by a large blue metal arm, blocking the thrust, sound of metal meeting metal filling the room. The teen is surprised, before the same metal hand holds a vice grip around the youth's wrist as they're lifted a few feet off the ground.

His vents exasperates a sigh. Soundwave had just only arrived at the shelter, only to see the same teens falling back to their violent habit. Primus, it reminds him of the old Decepticon where Decepticons solve their problems with violence.]

That's enough. I do not believe this escalation is needed, here.

[The other teens freezes at the spot at the sight of him. How'd a "giant robot" managed to sneak up on them all perplexes them. But a few gasps in surprise, recognizing Soundwave as one of the volunteer enforcers who stopped their violence earlier in the month.]

[playfoul]

[ Even Yuri, normally hard to catch off guard, is visibly taken aback at Soundwave's sudden and quiet emergence. He's quick to recover, looking around at the stunned faces and remarking dryly. ]

Why don't we listen to our friend and settle down now.

[ A towering, solid-metal friend with a death grip. It's not surprising how quickly the delinquents lose their will. The fight broken up, the teens slink away. Yuri sighs in exasperation and turns to look the robot over. ]

Thank you for that. You had them shaping up real fast there.

[peacewithouttyranny]

Seems that they still remember me back when they were causing trouble at Shuten territory.

[He admits, before gently sets the young gang member down, watching him run off with the others. Granted, who could ever forget a giant mech like him in a place like this.]

They thought they could took me down together when I simply wanted to negotiate with them peacefully. [Three guesses how that went down. His vents let out another exasperated sigh, clearly not the first time his attempt at peaceful negotiation ended up ignored.]

iii-b

[sacrilegiousact]

[It's a few minutes after the fight has settled down, and people have been decidedly kept away from the people they might be tempted to pull a knife on. Akira's not some master martial artist, but he was able to trip and disarm one of the knife wielders who had the bright idea of waving the knife around at people trying to take the knives away, and others broke up the fight more efficiently that he would be able to.

Akira approaches Yuri after all is said and done, glancing at him with... curiosity. A bit of concern, but mostly curiosity.]

You seem like you're used to this kind of thing.

[playfoul]

You get used to it when you've lived where I've lived.

[ The impoverished parts of town were prone to crime and violence. Even in Abyss, the occasional rowdy recruit or drunk fool might let their temper get the best of them.

The delinquents simmer down and the volunteers at the shelter shepherd them away. Yuri gives Akira a smile that's more a grimace. ]

I know you didn't come here to get dragged into this mess. Come with me, I've got what you want.

[ He turns to lead the way to a storage room in the back. ]

i

[psionicmolotov]

[ He actually cracks a slight smile back at that quip. Just for a split second. He is fond enough of this human to allow that much. ]

I was seeing what new worlds have opened to me now that I am on a slightly better paycheck, [ is his response, his tone dry. ] Tragically, power of the kind I am looking for comes with quite the price tag.

And what of you? You look ready to set up your own stall.

[playfoul]

Not sure what you mean. You must have seen wrong.

[ Which is an obvious lie, and he shares with Kimmuriel a knowing smile. Yuri would rather not draw attention to himself as anything but an ordinary customer. Though it's not as if it's much of a secret with Kimmuriel. Someone who commissions hidden pockets can only be up to no good. ]

You've got me curious. What are you after that commands such a hefty price?