[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

[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?

[psionicmolotov]

My eyes must be failing me then. I see connections where there are none. [ His voice is tinged with amusement. He doesn't smile, but the look in his eyes makes it quite clear that he understands that Yuri would like to be discreet. ]

I am interested in the creatures and ingredients that produce such potent toxins as they sell here. [ He gestures to the weapons he was looking at before; they gleam or even boast in their design that there is some other bite they carry, with unhealthy colours and oil-slick sheens and carved patterns of venomous creatures. ] For those who do not jealously guard their secrets, they ask for prices that far outstrip the weapons themselves.

[ But he understands. It is a craftsman's pride. And demons do not lack for pride. ] It is a good deal, however, since I am buying knowledge that I can use. But knowing that I am not being cheated does little to ease the strain on my purse.

[playfoul]

[ Yuri's smile becomes more a smirk, pleased that Kimmuriel had picked up on his intentions. Come to think of it, they were on the same wavelength back during the game of cards, too. ]

So you're not only a tailor, but an apothecary as well. [ Of poisons, no less. ] I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. Those hidden pockets of yours must conceal something.

[ Briefly, he wonders if the recipes the other's seeking are run through black market channels, but he'll table that thought until they're in a private room. There was still the matter of price. ] Were no merchants under the Alliance willing to cut you a deal?

[psionicmolotov]

I am capable of many things, much as I am sure I do not know everything about you and what you can do. But nothing is gained from showing your hand all at once. [ There's value in being generally overlooked. He intends to continue to take advantage of that. ] I prefer to remain in the shadows. It is much more comfortable.

[ His answer to that would be: yes of course, because apparently selling knowledge of some poisons over the table is too much for even demons?? ] Some already have, which eases the costs somewhat. But as you might imagine, different merchants have agreements with different factions, and I believe the variety is worth the cost. [ The merchants who did trade with the Department and the Tamamo clan had proven particularly effective in getting him the last few ingredients he had needed to bring his recreation of drow poison together. ]