[OPEN] boop

[mobileforces]

⌛ Who: Higuchi Ichiyo and YOU!
⌛ What: Various dangerous shopping and dangerous bathing prompts
⌛ When: First half of February
⌛ Where: Tokyo and Yokohama
⌛ Warnings: TBD


1 | Shop Til You Drop | Shibuya, Tokyo
A
[Higuchi was excited about the clothing vouchers, her own wardrobe in need of a real bump and not just whatever discount clothes she could afford with what little she's been able to earn so far. It was such a nice change of pace to be in an actual department store, even if the styles were still pretty dated. And on this occasion, whether it was planned ahead of time or not, she's found herself shopping alongside a fellow refugee.]

Do you think there's an upper price limit? The voucher doesn't specify, but some of these are really expensive! And really pretty...

[Does "outfit" include accessories? Shoes? Naturally she should be trying to get the most bang for her buck, especially when she's not the one paying!]

B
[But after just one hour, she starts to feel pretty tired. Dizzy, even. When was the last time she ate? Just two hours ago, right? She's only managed to pick out one thing, but she's already getting tired.]

Hey, wanna go ring this up and finish the rest later? I'm starving... I think lunch might have been too small.

[Of course, they'll be in for a surprise when they leave and find that time has flipped to being the morning of the next day...]


2 | Mixed Bathtime | Yoshiwara, Tokyo
[Higuchi was still getting used to the idea of having to use a public bath every single day. But she really didn't want to get used to the idea of not bathing every day, so she always made sure to make time for it. However, on this particular day, the baths seem to be pretty crowded. And not wanting to wait in line, she went to a smaller bath on the far end of the district.]

[She doesn't yet realize why this particular bath isn't very popular -- it's a mixed bath, so both changing rooms just lead to the same bathing area. And so she steps out, tired, and quickly washes up so she can relax in the water for a bit. It's not as nice as an outdoor hot spring, but it was still pretty relaxing. Honestly, compared to back home, this world was a little bit like a vacation.]

Ahh... that's better.

[Now the question is -- does the person sitting next to her also know this is a mixed bath? or is that a mystery to them as well?]


3 | Seems Sus But Okay | Port Market, Yokohama
[In one of the lower levels of Yokohama's Port Market, Higuchi is shopping for some new weapons. She's already spent a pretty penny on finding bullets compatible with her current handguns, but she'll need to be more realistic if she wants to be able to stay armed here. Which is why she's browsing a shop advertising low price magi-tech weapons.]

Gee, some of these are kinda... intense. Is that a gun attached to a sword? Does that seem counterproductive?

[Of course, weapon shops aren't the only things someone can find down here, and it's hardly the safest place to be browsing. And while Higuchi hasn't noticed, it seems someone has been following her around the market. Will you step in? Or maybe just shop alongside her to make sure she gets out safely? After all, at a glance, she doesn't look like the sort of person who would be able to stand up against the type of criminals who run this place.]


4 | Wildcard
[Hit me with whatever!! Higuchi tends to stick to Yoshiwara, Nihonbashi, and Yokohama's Port Market, so any prompts in those areas are fine!]

Comments

2

[thesettingsun]

Nothing like a good soak in a hot bath, right?

[Oh, he absolutely knows it's mixed bathing. He's more surprised to see Higuchi here specifically.]

1/2

[mobileforces]

[That voice tho]

[mobileforces]

Wh--

[IMMEDIATELY covers herself and sinks deeper into the water. God, if only it were murkier.]

Wh-Why are you here, sensei!?

[thesettingsun]

The line at my usual bathhouse was too long.

...So I'm guessing you didn't know this was mixed bathing.

[poor higuchi.]

[mobileforces]

...I didn't, no.

[Sinks... lower... if only her hair was longer, she'd be at least a little covered?? She didn't even think to bring her towel this far.]

Are we-- are we the only ones in here?

[thesettingsun]

Looks like it. Would this be less awkward with more people...?

[Being naked with a bunch of strangers and your hot roommate is different from just being naked with your hot roommate.]

[mobileforces]

No! ...maybe? I-I don't know, but-- don't look over here!

[She should've stashed a gun on her smh]

[thesettingsun]

[It'd rust??]

I'm not looking!

[Angles his whole body away from her. He can behave, yessir.]

[mobileforces]

[3D print a plastic gun, problem solved!!]

[But while he may not be looking, he may see something odd seemingly trailing over from where she's sitting... specifically: sparkles and shoujo-love-bubbles just floating off around her like a goddamn shoujo manga. The water is even taking on a bubblegum-pink hue.]

G-Good! I'm not looking either.

[Says the liar who is absolutely taking a little peek over at him. She's far too obvious about it -- turning abruptly only when she realizes how clear the water is.]

3!

[protectorofsmiles]

Oh, Genbu noticed. There indeed has been someone that was following this young lady around. He didn't want to assume anything at first, after all he's been wrong before. But sirens have been going on in his head. He needed to do something. At least to bring it up with her, casually. He had no doubts the woman was capable of defending herself. Why would she be shopping for weapons of she wasn't?? She had to be aware, at least.

Finally, he overheard something she said, and found an opportunity. He strides over, grin on his face, acting as if everything is right with the world.

"Heya, miss! Couldn't help but overhear! I dunno about the gunblades here, but where I come from, the gun part helps put "oomph" into the blade part, so ya can really give your foes the what-for! Maybe it's similar here?"

[mobileforces]

[Hold on, she needs a moment to take in the fact that this man is like two feet taller than her.]

Uh... huh. M-Maybe? But I don't see how you could really aim if you're busy swinging a sword.

[protectorofsmiles]

Well ya don't do both at the same time! Ya shoot when ya need to, and then swing the sword when you need to! But when you're swingin' the sword, the gun part can also add more strength to your swing! Yanno what I mean?


...well the gunblades back home anyways. Not sure if it works the same here!

[Genbu is doing his best to act oblivious, trying to think of a way to rely the warning.]

[mobileforces]

Oh, I see! You use the recoil from the gun to power the swing of the sword... that's pretty inventive, actually! Especially for one as heavy as this. Swinging it with any amount of force would take a lot of arm power, even if you can lift it.

[Thankfully, Genbu's presence seems to have a positive effect. He's so intimidating at first glance, that the one watching more or less seems to give up and dip. For now, at least.]

It still probably wouldn't be very practical for someone like me. It needs to at least fit inside a suitcase, or I can't really take it anywhere.

[protectorofsmiles]

[Okay, Genbu's intrigued.]

A suitcase?? Why would ya carry a suitcase around? Wouldn't ya rather have the weapon on ya person so you can whip it out when needin' to? I usually carry my trusty axe around on my back! I look sooooo cool takin' it out, ya know!

[Genbu looks around. ...The guy seems to be gone. Strange.]

[mobileforces]

Understandably, most people would be scared or uncomfortable around someone if they just saw them holding a machine gun at their hip. Besides, there's an element of surprise, too. People underestimate you if they think you're unarmed.

[Much like what's happening with the man following her, no doubt. He wouldn't be doing so if he knew she had at least five guns hidden under her clothes.]

[protectorofsmiles]

...Huh. Damn, this place really is different from my world, huh.

Where I come from, everyone has their weapon visible on their person. Even the stealthier types! Ninjas with daggers? Right on their sides.

[Genbu points to his back.] I myself have a big axe I carry on my back at all times. Rather than have 'em underestimate ya and attack anyways, better they see ya mean business and leave ya alone altogether! Like that guy that was followin' you around that just left!

...Ah...

[Well so much for being casual and discreet.]

[mobileforces]

[Yeah, that last part kind of throws her off--]

Wh-What? Someone is--

[She quickly looks behind Genbu, only to redirect and... hide behind him. She's small enough, this works. When she speaks next, it's quiet -- who knows just how many people down here are working together. She can't let herself be overhead. Of course, even this guy right here could be part of it... she needs to be careful.]

How long were they there? Did they see you?

3

[darkdisgrace]

[Higuchi might not have noticed... but Chuuya certainly has. He was down here looking to find some things himself, and he'd noticed Higuchi's presence shortly before he noticed the oddly lingering stranger.

Pointedly, he pushes his way through the shoppers to make his way to her side.]

Why attach a gun to a sword anyway? Wouldn't the recoil wear on the sword?

[mobileforces]

Oh, Chuuya-san!

[She definitely hasn't noticed, if her demeanor is anything to go by. She lights up when she sees him! ...literally, the sparkles just kind of Happen whenever they're together now. At least they only last a few seconds at a time.]

Ah, I didn't even think about that... I was thinking, how would you even aim this? It's too heavy for this kind of shooting power, making it practically useless. Except for people who just want a cool weapon to carry around, that is.

[This is totally not a dig at Chuuya and his cool sword (yes it is).]

[darkdisgrace]

[Oh... the sparkles continue. Cute.

Chuuya kind of likes it though-- it's nice to know she likes having him around.]

Honestly, I don't even know. Not that I'm much of a marksman.

[He knew how to shoot a gun, but he never carried one for obvious reasons. He shoots her a flat look at the dig, shaking his head.]

There's nothing wrong with having a cool weapon, but if you can't use it, what's the point?

[He leans a little closer-- objectively, it might look to a stranger as if they're far closer than friends.]

It looks way too heavy to be practical in a firefight to begin with, never mind aiming it.

[mobileforces]

I wonder if it's intended as a last resort? Something to surprise your enemy with if you're ever cornered? But I still can't see how it's really... p-practical.

[Chuuya?? You're too close?? More sparkles.]

[In the near distance, a man starts talking into a phone-like device, before turning out of sight. Hm.]

But this still isn't the weirdest thing I've seen here. There's a gun on the wall that just shoots out a mace on a chain.

[No really.]

[darkdisgrace]

[Chuuya's paying attention to the man in his periphery, though he's also taking a moment to stare at the macegun with a look of utter confusion.] ...Now that's just obscene. What the hell's the point in shooting a mace?

[As for how close he is... He's about to get even closer. He tucks one hand lightly around her waist as an excuse, voice dipping into a whisper.]

There's been someone following you. He left, but I'm not sure if he was on the phone calling for backup or something else.

[mobileforces]

--what?

[Her own voice, a tense whisper to match his. She very nearly turns to look -- but stops herself. They can't be obvious if they're possible being watched.]

What did he look like? Did he look like he was with the Market? And-- and.... did you really need to put your hand on my waist to tell me this?

[#priorities]

[But also she's sparkling again Chuuya plz.]

[darkdisgrace]

[Honestly, it's a good thing they're of similar height. their positions look natural, to anyone passing by.

That being said, there's a hint of pink to Chuuya's cheeks at Higuchi's question. He knows he should have asked, but--]

I don't know if there's more than one in the crowd. The best way to keep this for your ears only is to act like a couple, right?

[...And okay, not that he was complaining about touching Higuchi like this at all to begin with, but it really is for a reason okay!]

[mobileforces]

C... c-couple...

[Oh, here come the shoujo love bubbles. The guy who runs the stall is baffled, but snickering at them nonetheless.]

Y-You're right, that would be the easiest way. But... if I can get a good look at them, it might just be nothing. I've been doing odd jobs around the Market for the past few weeks, and... there's been a bit of hazing. But nothing too bad! So they might just be teasing me.

[When you're in the mafia working alongside Akutagawa, your sense of "nothing too bad" is pretty skewed.]