🎵 Like a masseur, smoothing it out, working it out 🎶

[infernaltouch]

⌛ Who: Korollan and you!
⌛ What: Korollan just going on and about, studying Nippon and it's quirks, learning about the people and refugees, trying his best to adapt
⌛ When: late July
⌛ Where: Mainly around Nihonbashi and Yoshiwara, but can be caught in other areas.
⌛ Warnings: Possible mentions of gore and torture, possible mentions of descriptions of hell and hell torture. Koro isn't one to go into gritty detail, but he may make a brief mention. Please let me know if you'd like for me to brief should the situation come for it, or to avoid it altogether.



Gritty ass vibes got me hypnotized

It's late at night in the dorms. Most are asleep, but perhaps a few night owls can be found walking around after a night of drinking, or partying, or wandering around aimlessly in a sleepy state.

They all have their reasons. And perhaps one particular poor soul might find themselves traversing the dorm halls at night, down the dark hallway with doors closed, people sleeping inside. But one particular door, however, appears to be ajar, light coming from inside. The poor sap might be curious or simply needing to pass by, but nonetheless, they find themselves getting closer to the opened door. Just as they might be a few feet away, a disturbing, demonic roar can be heard from in the door. Seconds later, the sounds of scurrying feet and unsettling giggles can be heard, as a few tickle mehehes scatter out of the door, fear on their faces.

Dare the night owl investigate?

Somehow you put the magic on me

Right. First things first. Use your stipend to buy necessities. Clothes. Hygiene products...what else? Luckily, Koro doesn't need food, so he's managed to save up some money which could be an advantage at some point.

Koro can be seen traversing around Nippon, sticking out like a sore thumb due to his height and deadpanned expression. His face is void of emotion, making him hard to read. Is he angry? Annoyed? Tired? Lost? None can know for sure, and yet when one finds him looking at something in particular, one thing is easy to know for sure. He's curious. The way he concentrates his gaze on something shows his interest. He can be found looking at items in a shop, reading a cafe menu, people watching, holding two items in both of his hands, trying to decipher them, staring at posters of attractive people selling a product.

Where will you find him?

And what will you do when you see a spade shaped tail sticking out of him, wagging?

You make me wanna hold you tight, tonight

Humans.

Humans...are interesting. Small, fragile, fleeting. Interesting, for despite their short lives, they do whatever they can to shorten it further. Daredevil acts, poor diet, poor habits...its all so intriguing to the incubus.

One of Koro's favorites hobbies is people watching. Learning about them, studying them. It's always a fun way to pass the time, watching humans live their lives and wondering what they're thinking about. As Koro walks around Nippon, he does just that, observing the locals and refugees as they interact. The demon himself takes mental notes of the areas he visits, wanting to retain as much information about Nippon as he can. But something curious and equally upsetting catches his eye.

A refugee, he thinks. Resting, or perhaps even napping. In a poor position. It makes the professional masseur and human body expert cringe, watching that refugee strain their skeletal structure for a moment's rest...

Koro tries his best to mind his business. But this was an absolute crime. Sighing, Koro slowly approaches the resting refugee, gently placing a hand on their shoulder. Oh, he could absolutely feel the knots just from that light touch, but he restrains himself. For the time being.

"...I'd say you'd catch a cold sleeping out here like that, but I'm more worried about the hunch you're possibly forming." His voice is soft and monotonous, but deep, as one would expect from a man like him.

[ooc: dear god please forgive my rushed writing and poor grammar, I've been distracted nonstop all day by people, and could not concentrate at all. I'll probably be going back to edit things here and there but otherwise, please bear with the awkward writing for now u_u]

Comments

Somehow you put the magic on me

[gentledawn]

Xingchen is seeking fresh ingredients for his teas when he is distracted by a precious pair of puppies, walking side by side with their mistress on colorful leashes. He bends down to welcome the little ones, rubbing their ears and patting their bellies until the trio moves on to complete their chores. Then, as he straightens, he sees a very peculiar, tall man.

With...a tail? He cocks his head and, since he is staring rudely, he decides to introduce himself.

"Hello, friend." Xingchen bows fully at the waist, every motion graceful, practiced, "I am Xiao Xingchen. Are you a stranger to Nippon too?"

YOU MAKE ME WANNA HOLD YOU TIIIGHT TONIIIGHT

[infernaltouch]

[ooc: fuck me it's a catchy song okay]

"Ah..."

Well he wasn't staring directly at the so called Xiao Xingchen, but rather at the pups that walked by.

A product of humans, were they not? Descendants of wolves, and somehow the humans could turn them into this. Koro wants to be mad, but...at the same time he was entranced. Humans produced their own form of magic, didn't they? In the form of horrific beasts turned small and docile. As he watches them wag their little tails, his own slips out and wags in solidarity...

And then quickly disappears when he notices someone speaking to him. Shit, was he found out?? He flinches a little, but his expression stays, and he stares back at the source of the noise, noticing a familiar face.

"Oh. The calligrapher."

>:3

[gentledawn]

"We spoke?" Xingchen blinks in surprise and thinks back. It's not as if he has messaged many people, so that must mean this is...

The masseur! Maybe? He gets so confused when he encounters some people in person. The writing style just...doesn't...match their form. But that only makes him curious to know them better.

"You are the incubus?"

Yes, he asks that out in the open without shame, standing before the demon in his pure white robes with flowers in his hair.

Re: >:3

[infernaltouch]

"Yes." He responds almost immediately, his voice sounding rather...stern. Almost a hiss. "It was indeed a huge mess. There was ink all over that bus. I sure hope they clean it up."

Koro places a hand gently yet firmly on Xingchen's shoulder, and leans forward into his ear.

"Hey. Keep that on the downlow maybe." He murmurs. "I can't exactly have my cover blown like that."

Sweet summer child. He has yet to know about the yokai and hanyo that reside around here.

[gentledawn]

"Did I cause an accident?" Xingchen's brow knits in worry and he freezes under the hand on his shoulder. The breath against his ear tickles and he flushes, the color easy to see considering his pale skin and attire.

"I didn't mean to cause you trouble." he blinks slowly, dark eyes seeking out Koro's face, "Why do you need to hide yourself? Everyone is welcome as long as you don't cause another harm."

[infernaltouch]

"I don't recall unholy spawns of hell to ever be considered part of "everyone" when it comes to 'everyone is welcome' philosophies." Koro sighs before backing away from Xingchen.

"Anyways, yes. I'm the in- I'm Koro. We spoke, or rather I texted you on the magi-comm." Koro then forms a peace sign with his finger, announcing with that quiet voice.

"Koro-koro-chaaaaaan." It's sounds so jarring the way he speaks it with such a monotonous voice, it almost sounds sarcastic.

[gentledawn]

"..." he can't exactly argue with that logic. Demons are usually shunned and for good reason, but Koro has been upfront with him and, as far as he can see, he hasn't caused anyone any harm.

"Koro, I believe everyone deserves a chance. If you live here peacefully, I will protect you." Xingchen does have Shuanghua on his back - more so for the sword's company than for any need to defend himself.

[infernaltouch]

"..............."

Koro shuts his eyes and inhales though his nose.

Pure. Too pure. Too soft for this world. Humans are just...so, so easily trusting. It's ridiculous.

"Seconds. Mere seconds." Koro steps forward, once again looming over the smaller man. "We only met for a few seconds. Yet here you are making some form of oath to me. Are your lives really so short that a few moments equal to years and years of a formed bond? Can you even protect me?"

With a swift movement, Koro attempts to grab Xingchen's shoulder once again, and if successful, squeeze a particular area that may be unpleasant and stiff for the average person. And stiff it would certainly feel if his attempt succeeds. "...If you can't even take care of yourself?"

[gentledawn]

"I choose who I protect. If you prove yourself worthy, what more can I ask of you?" Xingchen doesn't grab for Shuanghua, though the sword sends him a warning vibration. He allows himself to be grabbed - just for the sake of proving his point. Koro won't hurt him.

Right? His expression tenses and he flinches at the pain that radiates from the place Koro grabs. He could lash out, he could use his sword to separate Koro's arm from his body, but he is a peaceful man at his core and so he keeps his cool.

"I can take care of myself." his words are stiffer, softer, "I don't want to hurt you."

[infernaltouch]

"Can you? With that many knots in your shoulder? You shouldn't be feeling pain like that."

Tsk tsk. But nonetheless, Koro sighs, and lets go. His voice becomes slightly softer, too. Albeit it's hard to tell considering just how void of emotion his voice, no, his entire being is.

"...I appreciate it." He coughs as he finally notices the attention they're attracting with their...odd and tense conversation.

"We should find a less crowded place to talk."

[gentledawn]

"I manage." Xingchen weakly interjects, rolling his shoulder when he is released. Worry is always dogging his heels and with it comes tension. He tries to find ways to relieve it, but it never truly dissipates.

Unless he is fast asleep beside his Zichen. Then and only then does he feel complete peace.

"Trust is a gift." he murmurs, "If you misuse it, it will disappear."

With that, he turns and leads the way to the nearest garden. He had just visited the flowers and decided which would produce a fragrant tea. There are benches where they can sit, undisturbed, under some lovely trees.

[infernaltouch]

A rather feisty one, wasn't he? Koro may have seemed rather tense and annoyed...one would think. Maybe. Who can say?

But inside he was amused. It was rather endearing. To be sassed at by someone. Hell, this young man even knew Koro was a demon and still talked back.

A much more intriguing interaction than sheer terror and agony. It's been at least ten minutes, and not once has Koro seen the back of Xingchen's throat. A nice change of scenery.

Right, right, follow the pretty boy. Koro, curious of this refined and a bit too innocent man, follows him to a nearby garden where the demon is overwhelmed with the fragrance of flowers hitting his nose.

Another change of scenery from the horrible world he was once used to. Koro finds himself staring once again, admiring the different colors and shapes of the flowers. These, too, were partially cultivated and formed by humanity, right? Even if humans didn't realize it, they truly had their own form of magic.

Aaaand there goes Koro's tail again, slipping out of the disguise and swaying happily.

[gentledawn]

He can be feisty, yes, when he is speaking about his beliefs. Koro can have that feistiness working in his favor or Xingchen can be keeping an eye on him and finding ways to imprison or exorcise the demon. Really, being friends is better - and easier.

The garden helps him regain his calm and he sits down on a wooden bench, smiling at the butterflies enjoying the blooms. And is that a little fuzzy bee too? His smile broadens and he reaches out to hold the bee's flower still so the small creature can rub itself in the pollen.

"Go make your honey." he murmurs when the insect buzzes into the air. It's then that he notices Koro's tail for a second time and he pats the seat beside him.

"Will you sit with me?"

[infernaltouch]

The tail once again disappears once Koro snaps back to reality. Wow he really needed to stop doing that. He looks over at the strange human, staring for a moment. Just...trying to figure him out. While staring, Koro walks over and does as he's suggested.

There is silence. It's a bit awkward, but there's some kind of peace in it. As if words are simply not needed right now. Just a moment of peace to wash out the tension that happened just minutes ago. But finally, Koro speaks.

"You. You're a swordsman, are you not?"

[gentledawn]

He doesn't mind the silence or the peace it brings. The birds are singing and there is the hum of life all around them. This is why Xingchen loves gardens. There is never a dull or empty moment.

"I am. I was trained by my master, Baoshan Sanren."

Which likely means nothing to Koro. He lays Shuanghua across his lap, resting a hand on the ornate sword.

"I am a Cultivator."

Explaining that might be a bit awkward, though he stands by his earlier words.

Genbu? Is dumb and is honest. Koro? Appears to seem wise but is secretly dumb

[infernaltouch]

Koro's eyebrows rise just a bit, showing his curiosity and confusion.

"You...farm using a sword?" Well that was a surprise. Koro thought this man fought with a sword but he actually farms?

Then again, this man really did seem a bit different. His clothes and hair style, and later his name, made it clear he was from China, many many years ago. And yet, he felt different. Not like the humans of Koro's earth. There was even an air of something inhuman about him. Something magical. Perhaps he was from a different kind of world altogether.

A world where swords are used to cultivate crops! Fascinating.

You make me wanna hold you tight, tonight

[sundayshoes]

Johnny has his reasons for being out, though it's not like he'd come right out and say what they are. Instead, after being out with Slow Dancer the appaloosian steed found a grassy spot to lay down and rest, and this troublesome blond being the cowboy he was made himself comfortable against her. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep like this, arms resting back behind his head and his "hat" pulled forward over his eyes.

Now it's not to say that even in this state that Johnny was unaware of anyone being near, it's more like he didn't feel any sort of danger. So when he feels the hand there may have only been an instinctual flinch before pushing his hat up off his eyes to peek out at the stranger in question.

"I've been in worse, but thanks for the concern."

[infernaltouch]

"..."

Korollan stares at the stranger, examining him. He's been in worse? No wonder he has all those knots. His hand lingers on the blond before finally pulling away. Kuro was on his feet, squatting when he first laid his hand on him, and now he sits back on his bottom, resting his arms on his knees.

He was curious to say the least.

This was rather... interesting attire. Koro could swear he saw an outfit like that somewhere on an advertisement back in Tokyo, but he doesnt dwell on it for long.

Sighing, the incubus pulls his light jacket off his body, revealing his masseur uniform top underneath. He then places said jacket onto the blond stranger.

"So you just decide to sleep out here? In the open? A bug could land on you and bite you. A boar might find you."

[sundayshoes]

The offer of the oversized jacket wasn't unwelcome, in fact it felt nice and warm draped over himself. Cozy, safe. With the stranger making himself comfortable Johnny had removed his hat and began to run his hand through his hair.

"It seemed as good a place as any, besides Slow Dancer here wanted some company." At the mention of bug bites there was a slight rise of colour to his cheeks, "Are bug bites really all that bad?" Malaria? Never heard of her. "Boars could easily be handled."

It's now that the blond is getting a better look at the other's outfit, thinking for a moment. It didn't seem like something he was familiar with, but it certainly did have a look to it didn't it?

"That outfit doesn't look all that casual, are you a professional of some sort?"

[infernaltouch]

Koro exhales out of his nose. Is he...surprised about something?? What could it mean?? His eyebrows seem to have lifted just slightly, too. Perhaps the blond napper may have answered an intriguing question.

"Glad you noticed. I'm a masseur. Well, the proper term is massage therapist, but masseur is just less of a handful for me to say personally." Koro gives a thumbs up. "Also masseur is French. Makes it sound fancier and sexier."

Very important that Koro makes himself seem sexy.

[sweet_malanore]

[Nephelea's long ears and eyebrows give away that she's most certainly not human, but still mortal. And she was just a little tired, hunched over like she was at the table, trying hard to relax. She'd slept poorly the night before, but that was no excuse.

Surprised, Nephelea jumped a bit and looked to the side where Koro was.]

I'm so sorry, I hope I wasn't snoring!

[She'd want the earth to swallow her whole in that case.]

[infernaltouch]

Oh, like an elephant screaming.

[Koro stares blankly for a moment.]

...You weren't. Which is surprising, considering your sleeping position would have restricted your airways some.

[He tilts his head.] Are you feeling alright? So be so tired to sleep like that in the middle of the day...

[sweet_malanore]

My apologies; I didn't sleep very well last night, and I'm afraid the tiredness is chasing after me something awful today.

[His sense of comedic timing does leave something to be desired, and his flat delivery a bit jarring, but Nephelea is the consummate professional. She can adapt.]

Thank you for checking in on me, I didn't want to be asleep in public!

[infernaltouch]

[An opening!]

So...your sleeping wasn't intentional. And you say you didn't sleep well last night? If it's due to some personal problems, I won't pry but... [His hands were already squeezing, as if desperate to grab something.] would it by any chance be a more... physical problem? Tossing and turning? Discomfort while sleeping?

[sweet_malanore]

Oh no, no personal problems. I believe I just slept odd. These pillows aren't exactly made for people with eyebrows or ears like mine.

[She laughed gently.]

It's kind of you to ask; most people are fine brushing such things off and going to the next subject.

[infernaltouch]

[blink blonk]

Eyebrows...? Why would it affect...never mind. I suppose I do seem strange for seeing so much in a stranger's sleeping troubles.

[Koro unzips his jacket and opens it, revealing his lilac uniform inside. Alas, with his credentials back home, the clothes were his only proof of his profession.]

I'm a masseur. I've been one for a long time. I'm rather obsessed with nitpicking these kinds of things.

[sweet_malanore]

Is that right? I could use your services right now, if I'm being quite honest. No one likes a grumpy courtesan, even if she is beautiful.

[She turns in her chair to consider him, ears flicking up and down as she thought.]

[infernaltouch]

Oh? That was fast. Usually people are hesitant.

[This wasn't an unwelcome surprise by any means. Any interest in his work always made him feel fuzzy inside.

But that excited blank stare soon turns into a sad blank stare.]

Now I wish I had my parlor. My current dorm is no place to provide such services. I can't seem to find any related work either.

[sweet_malanore]

Whyever would they be hesitant? A massage is quite nice, especially one offered. I'm sorry to hear you've no place to do so. I live in an apartment, would that be large enough? My bed makes a poor table, I'll admit.

[infernaltouch]

[Koro ponders for a second. This woman is inviting him to her home. Could be a trap. But also a good opportunity.]

Bed? It'll definitely be better than a futon. Unless yours is a futon as well?

[sweet_malanore]

A futon doesn't hold me as well, and it is hard to be comfortable on one. The bed is far more suitable for me, and even better, I can fill it with pillows!

[Or a god, but that was neither here nor there. Nephelea stood and stretched her arms over her head, then reached a hand out to Koro.]

Shall we go? It isn't far from here.

[infernaltouch]

[Welp. Time to find out if it's really a trap or not. Koro takes the woman's hand and helps her up. From there...he just stands, waiting to be shown the place.]

Very well. Lead the way.

[sweet_malanore]

[Not missing a beat, Nephelea leads him by the hand down a few streets and up into one of the assigned apartment buildings. Her apartment is small, but neat, a bed behind a screen to keep it from being a focus point. ]

It's a bit of a mess, [It was incredibly clean]</small so please forgive me for bringing you up here so quickly. How would you prefer me? I know some prefer nudity, others prefer towels.

[infernaltouch]

[Like a cat in a new home, Koro moves his head around, curiously taking in the sights of the woman's home.]

Oh...I don't think we properly introduced. I'm Korollan. You can call me Koro.

[sweet_malanore]

I am Nephelea Autumnsong. It's a pleasure, Koro.

[It was a small apartment, but she'd decorated it as much as she could, putting a canopy over her bed with sheer red fabric that she had tied back onto the bed posts. Likely to keep it from getting in her way before she slept.

There were comfortable throw pillows scattered about the bed, and these she pushed off into the corners.]

Will this be alright? I'm used to undressing, but if that isn't what you do, then I'm fine with however you'd like it.

[infernaltouch]

Nephelea...

[Koro repeats, memorizing her name. He gives her a polite nod.]

By all means. Undress as much are you are comfortable with doing. I'm not sure if there's much I can do for you on a bed like this, but I'll do all I can. I'll step out for a moment.