(open) september catchall

[divisors]

Who James Moriarty and...you? Yes, you!
What September log with open prompts!
When Throughout September
Where Everywhere and anywhere
Content Warnings some talk about sex, will update more if needed


(moriarty has two "modes" which is basically just him as a more sociable grad student sort and then his mastermind LARPsona! i'll mark the different "modes" as indicated)

1. SUBSTORY - ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US (nerd mode)

[Hey...are you here checking out this internet cafe with all of its issues, too? Well, someone is already here, dark blue eye makeup and all, putting his hands on his hips as he continues on with some kind of argument with the owner.]

Look. All I want to do is like, put a virus on there. I'm no programmer, but it shouldn't be too hard. If those guys want to steal it, then they'll pay the price. ["I don't want anyone to put viruses on my computers!"] Look, don't you get it? They won't come back if they know that its not worth it, w-what- [And now the owner is just throwing their hands up and walking away.] Come back here! It's totally a good idea! Mathematically sound, in fact! Ugh!

[Don't mind him, he's just going to move to slump in a seat with his head in his hands going UGHHHHHHHHHH]

2. SUBSTORY - BOUNTY HUNTIN' (crime mode)

[Moriarty is playing nice. Of course, he'll be a diligent little worker for the Enma. Sometimes, one has to do exactly what they're told before they can get anywhere - he doesn't have a hold in this world like he did when he was alive, or in that dream of a Singularity, so play nice he must, for the information, at least.]

[Which is what he's doing now, scouring the streets for anyone suspicious, or interesting - even if he recognizes a face or two, that isn't stopping him from walking up, dark eyes narrowed as he says in his most authoritative voice.]

You, there. Tell me what you're doing in these parts.

[And if you're a fellow Enma, he'll simply sniff, unimpressed.]

Are you making any headway in this investigation? One would hope you're not slacking off.

[Mean!]

3. GENERAL - COSMOPOLITAN CALLED THEY WANT THEIR ADVICE BACK (crime or nerd mode, you choose!)

[When he has downtime, a certain someone can be seen browsing through some magazines at a local stall in the Tamamo district - he's bored, obviously. There's a lot to keep his mind on, true, and he is meaning to find out more information, but he, out of curiosity, has picked up what is obviously a trashy romance magazine, complete with 100+ NEW SEX TIPS and IS YOUR BOYFRIEND CHEATING ON YOU? TAKE OUR QUIZ TO FIND OUT stickers emblazoned on the cover.]

[Curiosity killed the catboy, however, and he's making random disgruntled noises as he flips through it, finally stopping at a page - he squints down at it.]

"Cook dinner topless, put a little tomato sauce on your chest, and ask him to lick it off?" [He looks APPALLED.] What kind of nonsense advice is this? Who wrote this?

[And then another flip of the pages, another noise of disgust.]

"Use a ruler to gauge how much his di-" [A look of >:O] That's NOT how you use a ruler!

4. WILDCARD + CLOSED PROMPTS

[holds everyone's hands please please please IF YOU WANT CLOSED PROMPTS PLEASE HIT ME UP VIA DM OR crystal#4450 on discord! I'm also vampirize@plurk! Or just throw a random prompt at this nerd, I'll roll with it!!]

Comments

[divisors]

[That makes him press a hand against the box, pushing it away.]

Research for who? You? I'm not your guinea pig.

[recluserose]

[Why is this version of Professor James Moriarity such a... Child? It's uncanny, how his distrust is just like a high school student who projects their inner turmoil onto her before she can set the record straight.

Amelia raises a brow.]

I'm just sharing. And I meant that it's for you to research.

[She won't push anymore though and the box recedes. She plucks a wagashi made of mochi out of the box and eats it up before acknowledging him again.]

Reading is one thing, but seeing, hearing, and tasting are ways to explore what's unknown.

[divisors]

[Sometimes the Throne of Heroes really does want a young version to be...well, young.]

I don't need to research that stuff.

[He says, quickly, but his eyes are clearly following the box as it moves out of his personal bubble.]

I know what I'm capable of, as a Servant. We're only temporary existences, technically.

[recluserose]

For an "arbiter of evil," you could certainly do to be more well-rounded.

[Be a flexible villain, Moriarty, gosh (also she may be weird and socially awkward, but that doesn't mean she doesn't notice him eye the box; high-school teacher skills and all that).]

But everyone and everything is temporary isn't it? Or are you implying something else?

[One hand reaches up to touch her pendant— she keeps forgetting it's absent, damn. Amelia glances at the Servant.]

Well, you don't have to tell me yet. I offered you a wagashi because I thought that would appease you. I've no ulterior motives, psychological or otherwise. I do understand that my demeanor is hardly personable.

[divisors]

Oh, be quiet. You wouldn't know.

[A little sigh, here he folds his arms, his attention flits to her pendant at the movement of her hand.]

But yes. It's different for Servants. We aren't made to stick around for long at all. Like mayflies. [A pause - he sets the explanation aside for a moment.] Why do you think it would appease me? Your demeanor is fine, by the way. I've experienced worse.

[recluserose]

You were grumpy and if I know anything about people— [Her friends made fun of her for barely getting by on reading others.]

—Sweets are nice. And they can cheer you up.

[She'll even give him a small smile.]

I do have two more and I suddenly find myself not being able to finish them. Someone ought to help me eat them before they disappear like a mayfly.

[divisors]

...

[Another sigh, longer this time, long-suffering.]

Your demeanor is fine, but you're insufferable on top of that. A terrible combination.

[He detaches a hand to gesture - like "gimme, gimme here".]

[recluserose]

I'll consider that a small victory against this budding mastermind criminal.

[She happily gives him the rest of her wagashi.]

Speaking of criminals... It wasn't on my very loose itinerary for the day, but there's been talk of a drifter from the Wastelands. Or claiming to be.

[Her glasses are adjusted as she contemplates.]

The owner of the confectionary store had been complaining about them for taking advantage of their generosity.

[divisors]

Tch.

[He's taking the box, moving in to toss one in his mouth. He chews it. Sweet, as expected...]

Oh? [His voice is muffled as he chews - Moriarty raises an eyebrow.] Yes, I've heard. [And he swallows.] An interesting fellow, it seems. What have you heard about them?

[recluserose]

I heard that this individual claims to have information about the Iron Bear and their request in exchange for it is a hot meal or some money.

Conveniently, they never stick around long enough to say anything.

[It was only a grift, how did it end up like this...]

So, it's a basic dine-and-dash situation, and what better time to implement it when everyone is out for the Iron Bear?

[divisors]

Oh, that's just lazy.

[Chewing on the second one thoughtfully...]

Mm. [Hmmm.] Still. It is possible to make such claims with something behind it. It is also possible otherwise. Probabilities could go either way. So we have a mouse here who simply doesn't want to be trapped.

[recluserose]

So. How about it?

[Amelia stares at him keenly.]

Feel like collaborating to find this scammer? Everyone benefits; we find out if they're telling the truth and if not, they'll await judgement.

[Sutoku newbie and Enma newbie. Together they... More crime?? Yeah, sure.]

[divisors]

Collaborating...?

[He stares at her for a moment like she's grown another head.]

You'd work with me, really?

[recluserose]

[On her end, she's wondering if he thinks that she actually dislikes him. Sure, she called him a pest over Ember, but that was more of her initial impressions. It's not a roadblock to actually just understanding him some more, not just as James Moriarity, or a Servant. Just him.

She raises a brow at Ruler.]

Why not? Two heads are better than one and yours, in particular, is supposedly not too shabby, especially when it comes to the criminal mind.

Since I am without my magic, I am trying to be wise about this matter and not rush into things alone.

[divisors]

[It's one thing to consider collaborating with a young man known as Ruler for one reason or another. It's another to consider collaborating with someone you know is the Napoleon of Crime, the Emperor of Evil. One would think you'd have more smarts, be more aware of the possible threat.]

[Mister Spider, Mister Spider, will you lend me your aid...?]

It's not about my perceived ability. [He says, after a moment.] I could help you out, yes. But you would trust me not to sabotage it for you? We are on different teams, mind...

[recluserose]

Allow me to put it this way.

[The witch holds up two fingers.]

You are either going to cooperate normally, come what may and we both succeed, or get into a dead end. Neutral, hopefully not fruitless.

The other alternative is that you will scheme against me and overcomplicate the situation for kicks or to gain more benefit and the end result of that is that I will learn how to work against you more effectively. Also, I am not afraid to retaliate. Eye for an eye.

[She lays down all the hypotheticals with plainness and simplicity that betrays the audacity of it all.

There's a pause. And then Amelia adds:]

I know some kickboxing.

[divisors]

Ehhh...

[Yeah, he's letting out a sigh at that.]

You really can be a pain sometimes, Miss Steinbeck. [She'll learn how to work against him more effectively, huh?] Fine. I'll play nice. Keep your kickboxing to yourself.

[recluserose]

You sound like one of my students.

[Calling her a pain, stubborn, and obstinate...]

One has to be a pain so they don't get bowled over by high schoolers or magic entities you know. But I'm glad to hear that you're agreeing.

It's not like you were going to read more of those magazines, were you?

[divisors]

I'm a professor, mind you.

[He says, in his twenties. It's fine. Time is great in Fate/ verse. Memories are also great in Fate/ verse.]

...Hey, enough about the magazines. This will be worth more of my time, yes.

[recluserose]

[Amelia visibly rolls her eyes but is about as ready as she'll ever be.]

It should. This will mark our first true work for our respective factions, so let's make it an excellent endeavor.

[That's what she's hoping for at least, but it's all up in the air for now...

Starting with Amelia's lead with the wagashi maker, the information points them further into the redlight district. Walking down the street, the cabaret clubs and gaudy bathhouses are becoming more evident and multiple hosts and hostesses call out to both of them.

"Hey, there cuties! Need more company?"

"Onee-san, you look like you could loosen up!"

"Brother, you wanna hang out with us? We'll make it worth your while!"

Amelia's expression remains neutral but noticeably shifts closer to Ruler whenever she's acknowledged. Instead, she tries to focus on the work at hand.]

Well. I suppose I could ask these people if they've seen the drifter but I also have a feeling our wallets will be lightened if they give us a seat in one of those clubs.

[She's researched the host/hostess rates, damn those premiums are expensive...!!!]

1/2

[divisors]

[Oh, boy. Moriarty also finds himself drifting closer to Amelia as they go along, trying not to meet the eyes of the people calling out to them. As much as he understands what this place is, his primary focus is information. Even through the calls of host and hostesses wishing to draw them in, his eyes are flitting back and forth, assessing, analyzing.]

[However, suddenly, a woman draws close, reaching for his sleeve - Oh, my dear, you clearly need to be with a more experienced woman, yes-? - and he instantly grabs onto Amelia's arm. His expression brightens - he pitches his tone up, ever cheerful.]

Oh, but onee-san is taking real good care of me! Isn't that riiight~

[And he's quickly moving away with Amelia in tow.]

2/2

[divisors]

[As soon as they're out of the woman's grasp, he lets go, the cheerful, boyish expression disappearing, replaced with a sly sort of smile.]

We do need to be careful. [A little light laugh.] You're right, though. They'd rather bleed us of money here before getting information.

[And that would lead them to nothing. Square one.]

Let's try to find someone who isn't trying to get our attention, yes?

[recluserose]

[There is the slightest sense of resistance when Moriarity grabs her arm and the slightest uncomfortable eye twitch at the contact. It's a good thing he lets go once they're out of the main fray of colorful host lane. ]

I'm no great consulting detective, but I can deduce. We can look for street vendors that a scammer would target, ones who have an air of goodwill.

[ There are a few of them, like the carts selling fancy crepes or savory oden for the night workers who need a bite to eat before going back to their shift.]

It'd be harder to scam a host, I'd imagine. They're better at making one spend money then to give it out of the goodness of their hearts.

[divisors]

Yes. A host would turn this grifter away. They want business, after all, in their own right. But one who's heart is soft and willing...

[He's eyeing a few of the vendors down the street, now, humming thoughtfully.]

There might be those like that. There always is.

[recluserose]

[And you know what? Up ahead, there's a depressed looking kaeru nyobo yokai, sitting near her flower stand, sighing heavily. Amelia is fascinated by the yokai. ]

Oh. I believe she's a type of yokai... A frog wife? Well, anyway, one can see the clouds hanging over her head.

[Looks like the scammer's been this way.]