open ► march catchall.

[cutcloud]

Who ⬤ chongyun & you.
What ⬤ substories, working hard for the $$$, general day-to-day, let's build 🌈 friendships 🌈 and hold hands 💋
When ⬤ throughout march.
Where ⬤ mainly tamamo territory, with a dash of sutoku and enma.
Content Warnings ⬤ light nudity, language, slapstick violence.

will add closed starters as well, feel free to hit me up for a private prompt.


◐ i. (substory 1; evening; tamamo territory — open to all )

[ A tall building, painted black, boasts neon-pink and green sprawl across its brick walls. Despite night having barely fallen, the inside of the club is dark, still calm because its just recently opened its doors to welcome patrons. The music is low, a baseline throb to the clank of chains and whips; women with bright red lipstick and high heels linger at the bar, chatting casually, and men dressed in dark colors begin to pander to what guests have already arrived. What are you looking for? What do you like?

As far as BDSM clubs go, it’s beginner level. An introduction for newbies; it’s why the doms linger by the front, flirting with guests, wanting to build new relationships with clients. Not all of them—behind the scenes a huddle of new doms have been admonished for failing to be properly domineering. Complaints from unsatisfied guests have come in as of late and the boss is getting desperate. Anyone, everyone, please show these kids the right way to force someone into submission!

Enter: someone who is going to completely misunderstand the assignment.

Force a spirit into submission? Who better to teach these wet-eared youths than an exorcist? There are many ways to purge spirits, but naturally, one must quell it first. Which is why Chongyun strides up, straight-faced and cool, 160cm of icy poise as he snaps a thin red rope between his hands. Binding with charmed rope works extremely well for corporeal spirits, he explains to the group, who nod eagerly.

Perhaps you’re someone who’s wandered in—on purpose or by accident, maybe that extremely eager receptionist grabbed you off the street—or maybe another Tamamo. Either way, this young man with clear blue eyes and cool expression comes up and gives a short bow in greeting. The red chord is wrapped around his arm, hot color a sharp contrast to his cold palette. ]

Excuse me. I’m looking for a volunteer—would you be willing?

◐ ii. ( any weekday; late night; tamamo territory — open to all )

[ It’s growing late, and a neon-bright gentleman’s club wrapped in panels of tatami mat and smooth bamboo open for companionship sitting on the crossroads of territories hums with activity—trussed up in richly patterned fabrics, low tables, cushions, and delicate ukiyo-e paintings, the clasped hands of eager managers and the low giggles of entertainers promises … something. Anything you want. Conversation, flirtatious gazes, bated breaths and rich flattery (information, rumors, veiled threats), customers are king within the cocoon gauzy curtains and velvety daybeds.

Within the nest at a short table kneels a young man. Downy hair pushed back to show off a pleasant face, clear blue eyes, light lashes—they match the cool veining beneath his pale skin, a mapline that works over knuckle and delves beneath wrist. Unlike the rich kimono that several of the women wear, he’s styled in soft whites and trimmed blues, a snowy visage against the heated backdrop—his thaumaturge wear has been exchanged for a delicate Chinese style of dress, drawing a handsome figure with fine lines that’s softened by the touch of cusped youth.

In the end, he hadn’t been able to escape customer service jobs completely. Tolerant of today’s assignment, Chongyun can’t find it in himself to complain when companionship isn’t the worst thing sold in the club. They offer more—the managers usher workers into private rooms as quickly as they turn over drinks—but he’s begun to get used to Tamamo’s methods. He can ignore it, instead focusing on his own role. ]

Hello. [ he greets with a small nod of the head—maybe you’ve just come in, or maybe you’ve been occupied on the other side of the club and got bored with the giggling girls plying with compliments and wine—either way, Chongyun glances up from beneath his lashes, expression cool, contrary to the wide-plaster smiles printed on most faces. ] Do you want to play?

[ He gestures in front of him: three cups, a small pad, a pen, and a coin. He’s not entertaining anyone right now, cushion in front of him open for the taking, because most of the youkai and spirits are hesitant to approach him. Intimidation? Perhaps. He had thought his inborn trait defunct here, but it seems that the weak-willed spirits still find it difficult to come close. ]

◐ iii. ( weekend; afternoon/evening; tamamo territory — open to all )

[ Weekend rush—the novelty café is bustling, each and every waiter dressed in various costumes swamped with tables and guests to entertain. Compared to the sex clubs only open late at night, this café sees more foot traffic despite only offering cute boys in cute clothes and sweet desserts—right now, their fat pancakes are the hottest thing on the street! Limited time only, served with honey, butter, and your choice of ice cream. Better get them now or you’ll never have the chance for such deliciousness again!

Chongyun had been dragged in that morning, told that because he was so difficult to place that he needed to shut up and deal with what he could do, and shoved into a costume. We’re short on hands, get to work. So, the newly minted catboy had been forced out onto the floor as a server, dressed in short shorts, a button up shirt, a collar, a tail, and a fluffy pair of cat ears.

Barely even looking at the customer at his table, Chongyun tries to disassociate from reality completely while giving his welcoming spiel, ]

… W, welcome home master, nya. [ this is a fever dream, ] We have a meow-tastic menu for you today. [ this is a fever dream, ] You’ll definitely want to wet your whiskers on our limited edition pancakes. [ this is a fever dream, ] The rule is, if you finish your whole plate, you get a kiss from your cat. Nya.

[ He’s disassociating so hard that he’s actually staring straight at the wall, so embarrassed by his lines that he just. Can’t look at who he’s even talking to (which only makes this worse if you’re already an acquaintance). Stifling a sigh, he closes his eyes, trying to pretend he’s somewhere else completely. ]

Unless master wants something else. Your wish is my command…… nya.

[ That last nya is so resigned. This cat… he is tired. ]

◐ iv. ( anytime; tamamo territory — tamamos only )

[ Maybe running himself ragged working so many jobs had been a mistake.

It’s a thought he has after retreating to one of the back break rooms in one of the quieter clubs. Leaning over the communal sink, Chongyun washes his face, water from the faucet freezing cold. Icy enough that enough scrubbing have turned both his lips and fingertips blue—it blends into his scheme, so isn’t extremely obvious, but he doesn’t look well. Exposure to the “heaty” elements of Tamamo’s territory has taken its toll; sinking down onto the couch, the young exorcist begins to wilt, looking quite unwell.

If it were just work this would be nothing, but …

Between working and using all of his spare time to learn everything he can about Jigoku-cho that he can in an atmosphere he can’t deal with, he’s been burning the candle at both ends. Evil waits for no man—so he’s been hunting for it heartily through the streets, while trying to scrape for as many funds as he can save, as a cushion. Everything is so expensive that it feels almost dangerous to have no funds. What if there’s an emergency?

Head throbbing, Chongyun tries to peel open the slippery packaging of some painkillers without avail. His fingers feel clumsy and his focus isn’t quite there—it’s a fever he doesn’t even realize he has—and eventually he gives up, dropping the still-intact packaging onto the table. Then glares at it, childishly, as if that’ll somehow get the tabs out of the packaging and into his mouth.

When the door to the Tamamo only communal space opens, he startles, standing up right away as though he shouldn’t be there, ]

A… apologies, I’ll get out of your way.

[ He moves toward the door to let the new person have some privacy in the room, but the ground… ends up… moving…

Or, as you guessed: Chongyun flops over, sprawled across the floor with a dazed oomph. ]

How’d that happen…?

[ Comes his confused voice, muffled into the floor, where his face is still planted. Sorry you had to meet this mess when you were probably looking for a place to relax, huh… ]

◐ v. ( substory 3; earlier March; river bridge — open to all )

[ The young exorcist, dressed neatly in cottony white trimmed with blue, stands at the edge of riverbank while gazing up at an arching red bridge. The man with the jacket had stayed behind for his investigation—though Chongyun expects he just planned to harass more people about his sweet jacket and how he’s been personally attacked over fashion. It doesn’t really matter—he doesn’t need to be here for an initial assessment.

Curious, Chongyun explores the underneath of the bridge and then walks across it himself. No issues, not even an angry bubble in the rushing waters beneath. There are more people passing over the bridge as well, completely freely, not a one being attacked. Chongyun’s sure—he stepped back to watch, guard raised, just in case the supposed attacker decided to target someone else.

But… no. Nothing. Lost souls come and go without a problem. They actually give him weird looks for being so studious, watching all of them pass with an even expression and barely blinking.

Chongyun hums, leaning against the railing in the middle of the bridge, peering down once more to try and pick out something amiss in the water. Why would the guy make such a fuss to everyone if he hadn’t been attacked? It would be remiss of him to just brush the guy off, even if Chongyun isn’t exactly convinced that a jacket could make someone irresistible to haters. What if something actually happened later? That would be his responsibility for negligence.

Musing, out loud, voice carrying enough for anyone nearby to hear (and answer), the young man questions to the air, ]

Could an evil spirit really be attracted to someone’s jacket…? Maybe it’s the jacket itself that’s possessed?

◐ vi. ( daytime; convenience store; sutoku territory — open to previous cr )

[ Convenience stores… are a marvel.

Liyue had no lack of stores, of course. There were merchants along the harbor, constant trade coming in from ships passing through, stalls and shops that sold wares from nearby towns to distant lands. Yet this convenience store is different. There’s no contracts, no haggling—one merely walks inside and places the items they want in a basket, and then checks out at a register. No haggling. No negotiating. Prices are labeled and reasonable.

And inside—so many things! Food, stationary, first aid, hygiene products … Chongyun had spent a whole day exploring them upon first walking into one. Refrigerated rice balls with all of their ingredients clearly labeled? What more could someone like him, who only takes his meals cold and must avoid anything “heaty”, ask for? A place where one can get supplies at any time. So far, it might be one of his favorite things.

Speaking of supplies—it’s morning when he goes to stock up on ice packs. Tamamo territory has proven difficult to navigate with his particular condition, and without Mist Flowers or Qingxin he’d been at quite a loss until discovering the ice packs sold at convenience stores. Little packaged squares of ice that can be reused a few times, if you take care.

He has three baskets. Two are already filled with ice packs, and he’s in the middle of clearing out the freezer and filling the third when he notices a familiar face. ]

Oh, hello there. [ he seems in an extremely good mood as he continues to drop ice pack after ice pack into his baskets … who on earth needs so many ice packs… 60, 61, 62, 63… ] It’s good to see you. How have you been?

[ He pauses, reaching into the freezer only to find his fingers grasping nothing. With a frown he draws his hand back and blinks, ]

.... Is that all?

[ Apparently 63 ice packs isn’t enough?? ]

◐ vii. ( daytime; end of March; enma — open to all )

[ He hadn't expected to end up back in this building so soon. Like the day he arrived, the lines are long, and administration continues to churn its wheels. Take a ticket, wait in line. Only, this time, he isn't registering—the young man is waiting on line at the inquiries desk, which is thankfully not too far into the building. It's part of the main lobby where plenty of people loiter, though the fact that they could be from any territory and that they may be eavesdropping for scraps of information isn't lost on him. It doesn't particularly bother Chongyun either way, but he does make note of it.

Patiently, he waits on line until his ticket is called; he places it politely down onto the desk before turning his attention on to the poor person who's been answering the questions of Lost Souls all day. It's mostly directing them toward certain areas, really, and general questions like Am I dead? or Where do I live? Nothing crazy. You'd be surprised how similarly people who show up in Jigoku think; priorities are priorities, in the end.

If you're that poor Enma employee covering the front inquiries desk, have a young man with clear blue eyes studying you for a moment before speaking. ]

Excuse me. Where are all of the evil and extremely malicious spirits being held? It doesn't seem that they're amongst the general populace, and I would very much like to see them.

[ ... or perhaps you're just someone nearby, overhearing this young man quiz the poor office worker about evil spirits. Where are they? Is there a secondary location for spirits too evil to be allowed free to roam? Where would they be kept, if there were a place where they needed to be segregated in?

If you're that nearby person, he'll finally step away from the desk with a resigned sigh after getting absolutely no answers from the person working. He sighs, looking fairly disappointed. ]

Did I really wait on that line for no answers at all..?

[ He just wants!! To find!! The evil spirits!!! ]

Comments

[apathie]

[the moment the tub is filled to a level that nehan is satisfied with, he wipes his hand off with his coat and turns to chongyun.]

Clothes off. If you jump into the tub with them, you'll only catch a cold-- meaning, your temperature will rise, and you will actually be ill. Given your condition, you're well on your way to it.

[then he crosses his arms over his chest-- he realizes he's missing something, and what exactly it is. so it's a good thing he immediately rectifies that:]

I am a medic, so any time someone undresses before me when I'm acting in my capacity as one, they're assumed to be my patient. And right now, you're my patient.

[cutcloud]

[ He almost smiles when Nehan reads his hesitation as shyness instead of what it actually is—dread of the heaty evils. It doesn’t actually bother him to disrobe in front of another man, even if he doesn’t particularly feel like he needs a chaperone to take a bath either.

Still—it is good to know that the man is actually a medic. That explains quite a bit, actually. ]

I see. Fate really has been generous.

[ Generous to me, anyway. If he’s going to be a big mess in front of anyone twice… what are the chances?

He tugs off his under layers, peeling down dark navy and folding each piece neatly. After casting one more dubious look at the tub, he finally sinks in, looking every bit as wary as a puppy having its first bath.

And sighs when he realizes that it isn’t as bad as he thought it would be. ]

[apathie]

Of course it would be fated, but I doubt it's anything so benevolent as to be generous. [because nehan's feelings on fate are terrible and complicated, because fate is terrible and complicated.

and he too resolves to be similar to chongyun, waiting for his patient to sink into the tub before scooping up some water from the tub and pouring it over the boy's head.]

Soak in here while I find a place for drinks, and change the temperature in this place. Do not leave.

[he doesn't even wait for chongyun to respond before he's already turning to leave the bathroom, coat fluttering behind him.]

[cutcloud]

[ Generous … to me!!! But he won’t argue, watching the swish of Nehan’s coat as the man turns and strides out as water drips into his eyes. Now his hair’s all wet…

Do not leave—those are the doctor’s orders, so Chongyun complies, taking the time to clumsily wash his hair through the throb of headache. His cheeks are warm, his throat is warm, his body is warm; he sighs, feeling the ache settle in his muscles.

After this, he’s going to need to figure out a better plan. Dunking in cold water at every Tamamo sink, turns out, wasn’t a great idea.

Zzzz … he starts dozing in the tub, waiting for the other man to come back. ]

[apathie]

[let it never be said that nehan doesn't work fast. he is back within twenty minutes, because he ran. of course he did. really, the longest part about his trip was waiting for the staff to give him his damn order.

in one hand, two cups of regular bubble tea, and in the other, two bottles of water.

he fishes the packet of painkillers from chongyun's clothes, before pocking the boy in the cheek to wake him.]

Sleeping in the tub is a deathwish, little cloud child. Come, I have treats for you. [for emphasis, he raises the cups of bubble tea.]

[cutcloud]

[ Chongyun’s waking from that snooze is drowsy—hasn’t he only been gone 5 minutes?—but the word treats has him perking like a dog hearing a cheese wrapper.

He grabs for one of the large fluffy towels on the rack by the tub and cocoons himself inside, eyeing the treat with obvious interest. ]

What is it?

[ Comes closer…. ]

[apathie]

Bubble tea. [he pulls out one of the cups and sticks the straw into it before holding it out to the boy.]

Milk in strong brewed tea, with tapioca balls at the bottom for the so-called bubbles. Don't drink too quickly, or you may choke on them.

I wanted a smoothie or a milkshake due to the high yin content in milk, but this works just as well, I suppose. [not to mention, he cant find a damn shop for them in the area. he's seen shaved ice but he needed more milk than they offered.] The high concentration of milk and the cold preparation should balance out the yang of the black tea, but hopefully they brewed the tea cold, anyway.

[cutcloud]

[ Bubble tea...

Chongyun takes it into his hands, curiously, giving it a little shake to watch the bubbles swirl around inside. It's true, milk is yin, and it does look light in color. Curiously, he presses the top of the straw between his fingers and takes a long sip so he gets one of those bubbles in his mouth too. ]

...! [ he chews it happily, and then swallows. ] It's good.

[ Sweet, but not too sweet... and it's chewy... and cold. Basically: everything he likes. So, his eyes brighten, and his fever's momentarily forgotten. ]

[apathie]

[satisfied with the enthusiastic approval-- as enthusiastic as chongyun is, in any case-- nehan pops a pill out of chongyun's blister pack and hands it out for him to take.]

What did we learn today? [well, even if he asks that, nehan will still tell him because chongyun has... a hard head, it seems.]

Applying cold to your skin only hurts you, when the problem comes from the inside. To combat yang coming from your own core, you need to take in yin, because there's this little barrier called your skin.

[cutcloud]

[ Even with this “lesson” he isn’t going to indulge in anything heaty, as usual, but he will probably … stop the random dousing. He has indeed been enlightened that it’s not the wisest course of action, even if desperate times call for desperate measures. ]

… sometimes it is the most effective course of action. The pain is irrelevant. [ but he bows his head, contrite. ] But, I will take much more care. I don’t want to cause problems for others.

[ Dutifully takes the pack to take his medicine… at least washing it down with milk tea makes it nice. ]

[apathie]

Wrong. [nehan pokes chongyun in the cheek again.] If you only jump into a pool of cold water, you end up shivering, and thus creating more body heat.

An ice pack to the forehead is the only thing necessary, but you need to ingest your yin rather than attempt to absorb it through your skin. It's not the right way.

This condition of yours is new to me, but that doesn't mean I don't know how to treat it. [after all, dealing with qi imbalances was part of his training as a medic in the clan.]

[cutcloud]

[ Shizun… 🥺

He wants to dispute, but Nehan is a medic… and an elder. It would be pretty disrespectful to someone who helped him to argue, so after puffing his cheeks up for a minute, Chongyun finally relents. ]

Okay.

[ He will just have to be even more diligent in avoiding the heat traps all around Tamamo… no easy job, but necessary.

Turning, he quickly dresses once more before taking back up the bubble tea. ]

Thank you.

[ He bows, deeply. Which ends up making him a little dizzy… whoops… ]

[apathie]

[the erune sighs heavily, and places his hands on chongyun's shoulders to steady him. dumb kid. eager, but really not that bright.]

It's time you sit in the tub again, if you cant keep yourself steady on your own. Take your tea with you.

I'll just be here to make sure you don't tip over and drown in the water.

[cutcloud]

No, I just—moved too fast, is all.

[ He doesn’t really want to get wet again, and his hair’s already washed—and now fluffing up as it dries—so, while holding tight to his bubble tea, ]

I’m feeling better. [ bubble tea … hmmm. a strong contender for his new staple snack. ] How much do I owe you?

[ … money, that is, as he once again pats his pocket and takes out his little money pouch. not only did Nehan pick up several drinks for him, he’s also really gone out of his way. ]

[apathie]

[omnipotent save him from silly children. nehan already raises his hand to reject any monetary recompense, before he realizes that he can use this. he can use chongyun's rigidity in this.

because honestly? this sort of thing will get tiresome eventually and he will have no patience for it.]

You owe me your guarantee that you will listen about what I have to say regarding your condition, and not be so stubborn about it anymore.

[cutcloud]

… … … that isn’t in my pouch.

[ He’s going to listen!! To what he can!!

But considering the man is so insistent, Chongyun quiets for a moment in contemplation. There has never been a cure for his condition, but maybe … if he’s familiar with this… ]

Will you sit with me for a while? I would like your opinion on … other symptoms of my condition.

[ He takes another long sip from the bubble tea as he steps toward the main body of the apartment once more. No need to stand in the bathroom if he’s good on the soaking now, yes? ]

[apathie]

[nehan sighs. stubborn child.]

Fine, then. [first, he has to make sure that the tub is draining, before he takes up the rest of the supplies and brings them to the apartment. he places them on the closest counter, but he brings the second cup of bubble tea for chongyun to take once he's done with the first.]

What do you want to know?

[cutcloud]

That isn't for you?

[ He nods towards the second bubble tea that Nehan has so kindly provided. At the very least, he should have a drink too! Chongyun still has a good amount in his cup since it's so big. So, before he continues on with his questions, ]

You should have it. It's really quite good.

[ Growing friendship over bubble tea... the idea alone makes him a little happy. ]

[apathie]

I know what bubble tea tastes like. I just prefer something else. [for emphasis, he slides the cup towards chongyun.]

Now, ask me your questions.

uses my best 🥺icon

[cutcloud]

I insist.

[ He slides the bubble tea back, stubbornness rearing its head again. Sure, he might know how it tastes, but it's rude for Chongyun to drink alone. If their cultures really are similar, surely the man must understand this. ]

You're in my house, so you're my guest now. I'll make something for you if you don't want it. [ Nehan, do you really want this guy in the kitchen, working with the stove right now? ] Please.

[apathie]

[nehan sighs. chongyun is giving him the puppy-dog eyes, and being so insistent. but he's also making a smart move, threatening to work while he's ill, knowing full well that nehan doesn't want him to create a disaster.]

Very well.

[he takes the cup back, and takes a small sip. a small baby sip, just to satisfy chongyun.]

Can we continue with the conversation now?

[cutcloud]

Yes.

[ Satisfied, Chongyun sits at one of the chairs at his table. The bubble tea comes with, kept between his palms as he takes another long sip and happily chews the bubbles. That part is the most intriguing—they're so ... chewy. ]

There are times when I get too overheated that I black out, but I still... act. What should I do in those cases?

[ Because that's when all of the Embarrassing Stuff really happens. ]

[apathie]

You'll need to give me more details than that. [nehan avoids the pearls for his next sip, because he doesn't want to swallow them during a conversation.]

How do you act when your yang becomes uncontrollable?

[cutcloud]

[ Does he really have to ... he'd really rather not ... but, Nehan is a medic, and the details are important. So Chongyun puts on a thick face as he recounts, ]

To name a few ... I have danced on tables with my greatsword, stolen food from other peoples plates, hugged strangers, I stole a girls' shoe recently... and wore it as a hat. Chased my friend and accused her of being an evil spirit. Jumped on stage at a concert, took someone crowd-surfing ... I don't remember much of any of these incidents, but. [ he takes a deep breath, ] The people around me definitely remember.

[ He looks at Nehan hopefully—maybe there really is a better way to stop this...?! ]

[apathie]

... So, you act like a drunk? [excuse nehan, this is actually kind of a letdown. he thought it was dire, like potential death, or illness, or even an outburst of yang energy that will hurt people. not...

well, not acting like an idiot who doesn't know their limits while drinking.]

You act like a drunk when you cant suppress your yang energy... and you harm yourself to keep it down and save face.