jikan_rpg | [closed] tanabata blues

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[closed] tanabata blues

⌛ Who: Kaito Nagano and The Real Folk Blues (Setsura Yamaguchi too I guess)
⌛ What: Actually Tanabata
⌛ When: July 7th
⌛ Where: Shibuya, Tokyo
⌛ Warnings: ~~Who knows! It'll probably get spicy or stupid or both~~ Naked people doing the horizontal tango and also maybe a lil teeny tiny bit of body horror 🙂

[ Standing atop one of Shibuya's taller buildings is one (1) Kaito Nagano. It's just a guess, but he's approximated that this is roughly where his apartment complex would stand if he were back home. On the ledge in front of him stands a tall potted bamboo plant. In his hand he has a turquoise-colored paper tag. Some kanji have been brushed onto one side—the empath's wish.

As he reaches forward to hang the paper slip on one of the bamboo's branches, a flood of thoughts clamor in his mind. He's barely been in Nippon for a week, maybe two, yet it feels like an eternity since he last pet his cat, or phoned home, or helped his brother with his homework. The food here is so similar to what he has at home, but the taste becomes bland within bites.

He hasn't eaten since returning from Kyushu.

There's too much familiarity. He feels like he's back in Japan, yet there are no signs of what make Japan home anywhere to be found.

How long will it take to adapt?

Will he adapt?

Kaito finishes adjusting his wish on the bamboo tree before slipping an orange Zippo lighter out of a pocket. With a few flicks, he's ignited a flickering flame—and the paper is set alight. He makes sure to douse the growing blaze before it touches the bamboo's flesh. ]

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[ "These aren't going anywhere," he says, but the truth of the matter is that they are. They are disappearing into her beak at a steady pace that's only interrupted by his snapping and the formation of a sphere of water. She'd hopped back with that and flapped her wings once, canting her head only to direct an eye at him.

Water, hm? If that isn't familiar, the sort of familiar that stirs a particular fondness that she shakes. She hops forward again and pokes her beak into the sphere only to withdraw it and toss her head back, after which she looks at the stranger again.

Her beak isn't full now. ]

I do have some manners, you know.

[ She didn't say anything about her using them, but then, she's a purposeful creature. She's been observing him, listening to him, picking up the little pieces he presents through his mannerisms, his speech, the way he talks to her.

She chuckles. ]

You'd be hard pressed to find anything native here like me.

[ Oho! So she does speak. And look adorable pecking the water bubble. That second part doesn't need to be shared. Kaito shuts his eyes and smiles a bit sharper. ]

That's true. There aren't many ayakashi here in Shibuya.

[ And he has the audacity to wink. ]

Just kidding. No need to throw your head back in disgust again, well-mannered stranger. So does the sparrow have a name? You can call me Kaito. I apologize if my soul lured you all the way up here where there's nothing going on.

[ She kind of wants to throw him over the ledge of the building for some reason. She'd catch him, but it doesn't change the fact that the desire is briefly(?) there. ]

[ His cheekiness and perception aside, she's a woman of her word. She does have some manners and she chooses to exercise them in equal return. ]

Setsura.

[ Just Setsura, and it's not exactly said curtly. ]

You really should do something about that, Kaito-san. You're bound to attract far less mannerly beings than myself. Perhaps not many of the like to which we're accustomed, but one could prove more than enough.

[ She could, but she doesn't do that. ]

I can't. This is my curse.

Edited 2022-07-05 11:06 (UTC)

[ A light shrug follows. ]

As a result, I have to be able to fend for myself. Thankfully, you have a level head on your...

...Spinal... cord. Yes.

[ Golds flick to the remains of his trail mix. ]

Did you like that? I'm afraid I don't have any more, but I can probably make a batch at my apartment. Just need to buy some nuts and seeds and berries...

Edited 2022-07-05 11:06 (UTC)

[ There's an almost oppressive sense of deja vu weighing on her in this moment. A large, bright soul burning strongly, radiantly draws greedy eyes and mouths and hearts from every crevice and corner, be they dark or holy and well-lit. For a human to possess such a soul and be unable to conceal it is easily as good as a death sentence. Many kami would scarcely fair better and youkai -- don't get her started on certain still common practices in this day and age among the more traditional clans especially.

His curse, hm? ]

I can wait.

[ And she accents that nearly hopeful statement with a chirp, her little feet stepping up and down. It isn't just for the food. It isn't often she runs into others who would have the slightest idea what she's talking about when she speaks plainly of spiritual matters and the supernatural, after all.

As for that other matter -- well, she puts a pin in that for a very brief moment. She hops up into the air and flies over to alight atop his shoulder, head canted yet again. ]

Your curse?

[ Kaito ignores the immediate drumming that begins to sound off in the back of his skull when she perches on his shoulder. Instead, he focuses on a spot to his right and snaps his fingers once more.

Water forms a puddle on the floor before surging upwards to create a clear doorway. Within the portal an image of the street below is reflected, as if it's truly an exit leading out to the main road.

Without answering her question, he steps through—and sure enough they wind up in front of the building's entrance. Kaito sets off in a random direction. ]

A curse I willingly invited, but a curse nonetheless, [ he finally replies, hands slipping into his pockets. ] I bargained with someone very powerful and offered my soul as payment. Rather than just taking it then and there, she decided to 'bless' it, leading to the lighthouse beacon mess that it is today.

My guess is that she wants me to die sooner so she can claim her prize.

[ She listens quietly, attentively as Kaito speaks, a deep, violet eye settling on him after they breach the street proper through the portal. Her talons remain curled in the fabric of his shirt. There's no concern on her end about her staying upright, just curiosity about him, his curse, the being that cursed him.

It isn't simply a simple curse, then. He made a contract of some kind. About what, he's left out, but as a night sparrow hanyoukai, as a Hand, Setsura knows curses and contracts intimately. She's tempted to take a closer look, but before that -- ]

The market is in the opposite direction.

[ She chirps. She also knows Shibuya better than him, apparently; though, that has less to do with the aforementioned and more to do with the fact that she's a savvy shopper and been on Gaia for some time. ]

[ But that doesn't detract from her curiosity, the questions rising in the wake of the presented information. What prize was worth his soul to him? She's heard it all, really, but it doesn't make her any less curious. It can tell a lot about a person, what they're willing to offer their soul for.

He conveniently left that part out. She didn't miss that, nor has she forgotten just what he was in the process of doing when she found him. ]

Does your prize have something to do with your wish?

[ Whoops! Kaito pivots on his heel and becomes power walking. ]

Ahaha. I see.

First time in this Shibuya...

[ As they stroll along, Kaito cocks a glance her way and smirks. He'll dance to this tune, for now. ]

Curious little sparrow. Yes. Attachments to my distant home. Ultimately, something I must force myself not to think too hard about while I'm here. It's a difficult task for a worrywart like me.

[ The empath quickly navigates his way to the markets once he's set on the right track, and his first destination is to a fruit vendor. As he fills a bag with berries, he speaks up again. ]

—Do you enjoy the taste of food here? I personally struggle with it. The physicians have told me that it's a stress reaction, but everything here becomes flavorless after a few bites.

Edited 2022-07-07 03:32 (UTC)

[ The question draws her thoughts from his initial answer, but the fruit continues to hold her gaze, which she turns about, eying each berry keenly as he fills the bag. ]

It depends on the food. I haven't had that issue since I've been here.

[ Which isn't to say everything is delicious. She turns an eye to him with that. ]

Perhaps you've been eating the wrong things?

Unlikely. My world is very similar to Gaia, as are the common foods. I haven't bothered cooking since I got here... Just been eating out.

[ Yoink. Yoink. Yoink. He's basically getting a little of everything. Coins hit the table, and he shuffles over to the Nut Stand™. Kaito's rather meticulous with how he selects each item, prodding, sniffing, and eyeing every item before he decides whether to bag it or not. ]

—It's okay. I can fast for a while longer until that's settled. Water is fine.

[ He turns to her, gesturing to the stand. ] Got any favorites?

Edited 2022-07-07 09:59 (UTC)

I doubt they have it here.

[ "It" being her favorite type of nut and not a nut at all, if she recalls correctly. She's looked -- actively looks, even, in whatever city she happens to be.

She ponders her answer, looking at the various nuts at the stand. ]

If they have them in this Nippon, it should be too early for chestnuts.

[ She checks that off her list only to pause. ]

Do you think the almonds here are sweet?

Yeah, chestnuts don't ripen for a little bit. What, are you a fan of peanuts or something? If this Nippon's like home, those would be pretty tough—

[ He freezes. Blinks. Slow-pans to the birb on his shoulder, incredulous. ]

—Wait a fucking second, you're from Earth???

[ Kaito will find Setsura staring right back at him, equally incredulous. How did he deduce such a thing? Just hearing the word "peanuts" -- ]

What made you guess that??

[ He groans. ]

Don't answer my question with another question! I'm a chef!

I know my nuts!!!

[ ... ]

[ Right. There's nothing perverted about his statement. They are discussing nuts in front of a nut vendor's stall and he is apparently also a chef.

She is also not thirteen; and yet -- ]

I didn't mention those nuts!

[ Peanuts. That's what she means. ]

Edited 2022-07-07 10:46 (UTC)

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