jigokulogs | OPEN ➸ September Catchall

Who ⬤ Matoba Seiji and you
What ⬤ Substories, monthly eye curse, etc. Closed starters in the comments.
When ⬤ Throughout September
Where ⬤ More or less everywhere
Content Warnings ⬤ Will add if needed

A. SUBSTORY 3: DRIFTER GRIFTER - I want that ~~Spiderman~~ Wastelander!!

[What a classic wild goosechase, huh? When Matoba's connections had told him of a certain individual that had been spotted around the city with information on the Iron Bear, he had set to finding this mystery youkai. But every time he gets to a location where the man was said to be, he finds nothing but other angry individuals looking for the same man.]

[Surely he can't be only a mirage...]

[Perhaps the Wastelander got you to pay for a meal or a new pair of shoes, only to leave you down on your luck.] I see... Don't you think this will be a good lesson for you? [Matoba offers you a cheerful smile after hearing your tale.] Never give up your side of the bargain before you get your information.

Shall I assist you in finding him, then?

B. CURSED EYES - The Me in the Mirror Limit first 5 tag-ins, please!
[ooc; If you are tagging in to this prompt, PLEASE READ THIS INFO/PERMISSIONS POST FIRST, thanks! If your character has spiritual awareness, they can tell the spirit in this prompt feels Real Bad.]
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[It's another busy day in Sutoku's shopping districts, with their modern buildings and flashy neon signs. It was easy to feel as though this was a normal shopping district in any human city, with the sort of glamor present.]

[As you pass by the reflective windows of a shop, you might have to do a double-take once or twice when the reflection that stares back at you is missing its right eye. You must have been seeing things- when you look back again, it's normal.]

[Maybe it takes you a few times to notice that your "reflection" moves on from your shadow and along the glass on its own after a while; it seems to be looking for something. But when you stop and try to look at it, you'll instead be interrupted by a voice that approaches you from behind, suddenly too-close to your ear--]

Excuse me. Are you looking for something?

C. SNACK RUN - Even menacing Lieutenants need a day off

[Matoba had earned quite a reputation over his months in Jigoku-cho for being "always on the clock"- it was, perhaps, a part of why he had managed to climb the ranks of the Alliance so quickly. Always dressed for success in either a suit or his clan's traditional kimono, it was perhaps hard to relate more personally to a man who seemed to carry himself as so apart from others in both appearance and speech.]

[But once in a while, you can catch even Matoba Seiji on an off-day.]

[In an adidas hoodie and a casual pair of joggers, Matoba has perched himself on the railing of a walkway overlooking the river at one of the bridge crossings. The Hashihime Clan may have to put up with a Lieutenant's presence now, but she doesn't look much happier about the crumbs from the flaky pastry he's eating, or the flecks of rice from that onigiri, as they fall onto her bridge and waters.]

[Like this, Matoba-san almost just looks like what he is- a bored 22 year old.]

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[ooc; as always feel free to hit me up via my CR meme post, PM or

kitsoru for plotting!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Indeed they do. [ Zhongli has no damn clue about any of that, but he's trying his best?! ] I have an interest and particular taste for the finer things even before coming here. There's something about the craftsmanship and dedication that the artist or builder has that I thoroughly enjoy.

[ Hm he does sense that something's amiss here, but he won't comment on it just yet. ] Looking through all of these things, well, it sets a certain goal that I myself much reach. It's quite useful in helping push oneself to work hard and diligently.

Ahh, so it is admiration for craft...

[Matoba nods in understanding.] Well, I suppose that I can understand that. Well-crafted clothing and tools, and sweets; things such as that interest me as well.

Even this parasol. [Folding it neatly as he draws it down from his folder, he presents it for Zhongli to look at. It was traditionally oiled paper; probably not too different from those used in Liyue.] I had one just like it when I arrived here- it is a traditional pattern used by my clan. But it was... destroyed, in an incident, so I had to find a local master to recreate it.

Splendid, isn't it? Do you prefer traditional things?

[That parasol felt strange, somehow- as if it carried the same sort of charm as the covering over Matoba's eye.]

We are of a similar thought then. It's nice to find another who has a deep admiration for a well-made good whether it be food or an everyday object such as a parasol like this. [ Zhongli takes the offered object with care and admiration almost as if he was handed a golden crown. It was splendidly made, there are no blemishes or mistakes when it was crafted. For him, this is something he would pay full price for. He'll examine it as a hand is drawn to his chin in thought while he does so. ] Hm. No. This is no traditional parasol, I'm afraid. Much like your eyepatch, this is something more. Charmed, perhaps?

[ He's slowly putting the pieces together on what's happening here. ] An incident was it? [ Hm, hm hm. There is a lot more to this human than he realized. Well, after the summoning of that creature he knew Matoba was no ordinary human. But instead of pressing the matter, he'll answer Matoba's question in earnest. ] Liyue is mired in traditions so it's only natural that one who lives there would have some inclinations towards it. I have lived there for...a long time and am drawn to such things naturally.

Shall I recommend you the shop?

[Matoba's smile grows coyly. Zhongli's deeper examination was just another test, just as his questions in the waterways had been. Taking the parasol back into his heads, he carefully opens it back up and hefts it back onto his shoulder.] ...Just a little addition I requested. As I said, it is a tradition of my clan...

A sort of "ward".

[Matoba's eye draws from Zhongli's, and almost to the glass behind him- only to redirect back onto the man's gaze.] This eyepatch is also a "ward" passed down by my clan. Liyue has its share of nasty spirits, doesn't it? ...Chongyun-kun has told me.

[Behind Zhongli's shoulder, a voice begins to whisper from the glass. Its voice was muffled, muttering.]

I would be most appreciative if you did. Perhaps we might go there together sometime in the future? I'd like to see what types of things you would pick out. [ He's certainly curious about this man if nothing else. Getting to know him better might not be such a bad thing. ]

A ward. I see. Then your family perhaps has had a run-in with one of those nasty spirits as you call it then. Liyue has its demons and spirits, yes, but that is what the yaksha is there for.

[ His amber eyes will narrow slightly at the sudden whispers going on behind him. Zhongli will move to turn his attention to whatever it might be, probably the spirit that Matoba is insinuating about no doubt. ]

Certainly. The shop specializes not only in parasols, but also lamps and lanterns, and other paper products. Surely, you would find something pleasing.

[He smiles, ever polite and charming, but there was still some edge to his expression as if he was having this conversation on autopilot while his attention was elsewhere. As Zhongli seems to suddenly become distracted by something and turn his head, Matoba takes a step closer.]

Haha, you could say that. He has never mentioned a "yaksha", either. Liyue seems like quite the interesting place. I am very curious as to just what that is... Shall we go somewhere and chat about it?

[It's a bare attempt to dissuade Zhongli from those whispers, which grow louder as attention is given to them.] Where is it... Where is it...?

...Is something the matter, Zhongli-san?

Hmm it does sound reminiscent of those that exist in Liyue. I would like to see for myself the craftsmanship of such items. But you wish to learn more about Liyue's yaksha? Ah, well, I do know a fair bit of their history-

[ Zhongli will blink at the profoundly loud shouts of the disembodied voice. His head turning ever so slightly towards the source of it. ] Can you not hear it, Matoba? A voice asking about where something is...

[ He doesn't fully turn to face it as his attention remains on Matoba. ] A spirit perhaps?

Yaksha, hm. Protector gods, perhaps...?

[Matoba's eye catches on Zhongli's, and he holds it. It wouldn't do to let his attention wander towards that thing again. He will have to divert him away.]

[So instead, he leans in to whisper close, ensuring that he'll want to keep his eyes on the man.]

It's quite the conniving brat, isn't it? Pay that monster no mind, Zhongli-san, and keep your eyes averted from it, lest it try to take hold of them. Come this way.

[Matoba takes a step back and gestures towards the turn of the street, where the glass windows ended and became the brick foundations of the building again.] That thing is following after me. It thinks that it is very clever...

To an extent, yes. I appointed them protectors of Liyue's lands due to fallen gods' remnants rising from the dead, cursing and haunting our lands. The yaksha are there to cleanse Liyue of these remnants...however, they paid a steep price for doing so.

[ He mutter as he keeps his eyes on Matoba only nodding when he speaks of whatever demon this might be. He'll remain silent as he follows Matoba's lead to the portion of the building made with brick. ] Then is it from your home and has followed you here somehow? Clever would keep it from exposing itself so easily. It seems more desperate than anything else.

OPEN ➸ September Catchall

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