⛤our town. [ An easy way to catch a mischievous little creature's attention is to be something new and shiny, and that's certainly the case for this visitor from out of town.
He's understated in his affluence but nonetheless wears it on his sleeve, his whites impeccably white and unwrinkled, and most importantly to our little creatures, jewelry clean enough to catch the sun. They test the waters by buzzing around his general vicinity, making quick tugs at his impressive ponytail and strangely pointed ears, that sort of thing. His reactions are little more than just waving them off like the annoying bugs they are, so it seems pretty safe to take things up to the next level. Right?
Right!
The gentleman is minding his own business outside a local cafe with a book in hand when it's time to strike. Before he knows what's happening his vision's clouded by a particularly colorful scarf, tiny hands making quick work of untying the finely woven braid of red, white, and gold thread keeping his hair up. He manages to pry the scarf off in time to turn and catch sight of his assailants, but that only helps their accomplices unpin and snag a dangling golden earring. ]
Hey! Hey!
[ Satisfied with their haul for now, yet another scarf is tossed his way as they zoom off. He catches it before it can blind him a second time, and both his book and coffee are abandoned as he's up to make chase. ]
⛤tempting fate. [ Why is this stranger here in the first place, you ask? Well if you actually do, he'll say he's a scholar of the esoteric and may not elaborate much otherwise. Something about stars and weather patterns? Weird.
You may, however, find him sitting on the ground not far from these geode giveaways, a few of them cracked open and being heavily scrutinized under some kind of magnifying glass. Oh! He must be here to study the rocks! That makes sense.
What makes a little less sense is that this guy has no less than four green geodes and three purples sitting around him while he carefully studies a yet unopened one. He looks pretty unenthused about the whole thing to boot. Can "esoteric studies" give you a leg up in this game...? ]
⛤lost links. [ The stranger doesn't seem to be doing so hot as the month goes on.
The catalyst seems to be a sword he now takes with him everywhere. The scabbard is a regal looking red, white cord woven around its handle, and an as of yet unknown blade--he hasn't unsheathed it. Only held it like something precious, never letting it leave his side even for a moment. Weird a comfort item as it is, one might expect it to bring. Well. Comfort. But it seems to be doing the opposite, his mood visibly falling further and further as the days go on and yet he clings to it all the tighter.
Now, while some may consider it merely strange, others might consider it suspect. It's a weapon, after all. Who'd trust some weirdo from out of town with one while he's looking more and more like something's about to snap in him?
And snap it does. An unlucky someone's voiced those opinions, tossing in something or another about whatever they've lost, whoever they've lost, how do they know this obvious psycho isn't the one who's done something?
Then they try to grab the sword away from him.
And the stranger's fist meets a local's face. ]
⛤wildcard. [ You know the drill! I'm open to so much, let's plan, or just Go. It's the wild west out here this month. ]
[ Claude knows that he has something of a reputation around town, one that's largely deserved. He's been a layabout and a cad, a drinker and a smoker and a gambler, and has behaved in several untoward ways. But he still doesn't consider himself a bad person, deep down.
Which is to say, he's not the sort to stand by twiddling his thumbs when someone's face is getting punched in. The problem is, though, that he can't say that the guy getting punched didn't deserve it. So instead of jumping into the fray, he strolls in with a clap of his hands, mouth curved in a bright smile. ]
Whoa now, my friends! [ The way the other locals look at him, it's abundantly clear that they do not, in fact, consider him a friend. ] Just because this fellow is new around here is no reason to try and steal from him. Is that really the reputation you want Aldrip to have? Home of scoundrels and thieves? Gerald, I think your mother would have a thing or two to say about this.
[ He turns to the stranger with a quick wink. ] And I'm sure you won't have any reason to continue this fight if they leave you well enough alone, hm?
[ The stranger freezes at the first sign of someone approaching at a much more casual pace than any of the others, grip still tight on the scabbard while his eyes are trained on...someone else the locals don't seem to like, judging by the looks and sounds in his peripherals.
It gets everyone else to stop too, though, which is helpful. Gerald especially when he's called out, huffing in irritation and letting his grip loosen just enough for the stranger to yank the sword back.
Which Gerald is none too pleased until the stranger speaks up, ] Correct.
I had only been going about my day, and would like to continue doing so without further incident.
You heard him. Now go on and leave this poor man alone. He didn't come all this way to steal a trinket or two. I'm sure he could have done that well enough wherever it is he's from.
[ It's done under duress, but the crowd does eventually disperse (though not before Claude cheerfully promises to give away a secret or two, which he does with apparent glee), leaving Claude and the stranger standing alone in the middle of the road. ]
On behalf of Aldrip, I apologize for their behaviour. People here can be terribly small-minded sometimes. [ He presses one hand against his chest and bends in a shallow bow, his other hand making a dainty flourish. ] Claude von Riegan, at your service. And what is your name, stranger?
[ He doesn't quite let his guard down until most everyone's gone and moseyed off, and even then there's still a tight, protective grip around the sword he'd just taken back. This man--Claude, as he says--did step in to help and all, but it's unclear whether it was out of the kindness of his heart or some other agenda.
The stranger shakes his head, as if to dislodge the thought. When did he get so paranoid? ]
I am Abe no Seimei. [ His own bow back is much more spartan, but the intent is there. ] ...Thank you. For coming to my aid.
It would seem I've come at a bad time for you all. Tensions have been running unusually high as of late.
This place has never taken kindly to those who don't fit the mold that's been laid out for them, I'm afraid, [ Claude says with a lofty shrug. A scant five years ago, he would have hotly defended the people here to his last breath. But these days, it's become clearer and clearer to him that the people of Aldrip would rather live their small, happy lives without ever bothering to look out. ]
And no thanks necessary. I'd say that I'd hope others would do the same for me, but I think that's rather unlikely. [ He winks at Abe no Seimei, a quick flutter of a thing. ] But it's true that things have been going especially poorly lately. Things have been going missing, lately. Big and small. People too. Everyone's on edge.
[ He crosses his arms, rocking back on his heels as he surveys his new companion. ]
But I am curious... what brings you here? If I were you, I'd be packing up my bags and leaving first thing tomorrow morning.
Most people don't. Especially not in a group, no matter the size.
[ Such is the nature of humanity, but Claude here doesn't need a misanthropic dissertation thrown at him so soon after doing someone a favor.
Maybe Claude wants something in return, maybe not. Doubtful he'd be telling Seimei to get out of town if there was something he had in mind to cash in, so, sharing the basics probably wouldn't hurt. ]
Rumor spread quickly that the recent haul from the local quarry was hiding some unusual qualities. I came to investigate those rumors. [ A considering pause. ] There's nothing to them, by the by. Simple quartz from uneven formations however many thousands of years ago they crawled up this high into the earth, resulting in all the different colors.
...With that out of the way, I may very well take your suggestion.
Good for you. I really ought to do the same. Things here have all gotten a bit weird these days.
[ Still, he feels reluctant to leave. He's not sure why. There are plenty of sensible reasons for him to stay; this is where his friends and community are, this is where he has a job, a home, stability of a sort. But it feels deeper than that. Like the idea of leaving even temporarily is... wrong. Something is gluing him here.
Seimei here isn't in the same boat. At least he can leave. ]
Rumours about our quarry, huh...? That would be the most excitement this place has seen for a long time. [ He plants his hand on his hip. ] Pity there was nothing to them. But in exchange for the favour I paid you -- maybe you'd be willing to regale me with stories of the world outside of this poky little town, and precisely what rumours drew you here.
[ There's a quiet snort at things getting 'weird' these days. He hasn't even been here that long and he can attest to that. If a local says it he really should get out as soon as he can. ]
Mm...a story or two seems like a fair trade. Perhaps it will give you that final push.
[ Or maybe it won't. Something's certainly been keeping him here longer than he initially planned, and it bothers him that he can't put a finger on what it is. Or, it does in the brief moments of clarity he gets to realize that, hey, yeah, he's just a visitor here isn't he? Why hasn't he packed up and reported back home?
Maybe it will! I don't know why I've hung around for this long, honestly, not when there's a great big world out there to explore. One that you can tell me a little more about, my friend!
Over some food and drink, I think. I'm absolutely famished, and I prefer not to dine alone when I can help it. On my dollar, of course.
[ He leads the stranger down the winding path, until they reach a small restaurant, another one where he seems to know the young woman behind the counter; he greets her with a friendly, flirtatious air, and some bread is set down between them for free. The food here is a rustic, homey affair, but there's a little something for everyone. ]
Perhaps you can start off by telling me where you're from -- and how you got into the business of inspecting rocks for a living. I assume it's for a living. Most of the idle rich have other ways to spend their time.
[ Hades had just stepped out on to the street with a takeaway coffee in hand when the fairies, fleeing with their loot, crash right into him. The doctor goes reeling; the fairies go cartwheeling through the air. Miraculously, only a little bit of coffee ends up splashing out. Both fairies and man are stunned for a few seconds, giving the foreign visitor time to catch up. ]
Can't a man drink his coffee in peace? [ Hades complains, grimacing at the drops fallen to the ground. ]
[ No, Hades. No he cannot. A handful of fairies flit behind Hades' head to hide, as if both the buzzing of their wings didn't give them away and the man giving chase didn't absolutely see where they went.
In the short time it takes the man to catch his breath, the fairies will follow Hades' head should he try and move out of the way. ]
[ Hades tries vainly to sidestep one way then the other but fairies are small and nimble: they continue to use him as a shield. With a sigh, he gives up. ]
It has been more frequent lately. I don't know what's gotten into them.
[ He tries turning his head to look at them. ]
Stop bothering our visitor and give back what you took.
[ The fairy closest to Hades' line of sight tells him just what they think of that idea: 'pbttthhhhht!'
Bafflingly they then zip right out in front of the men, a few of the others joining in to fly tight circles around them as if herding them even closer together. And when they do, with all the speed and precision of multiple tiny hands, the hair tie they had in tow is wrapped around both Hades and Seimei's wrists, topped off with multiple impressive knots.
The fairies only get enough distance to properly admire their work before busting out into tinkles of laughter. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
expiationmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationlogs2024-03-09 08:37 am
abe no seimei | onmyoji
⛤our town.
[ An easy way to catch a mischievous little creature's attention is to be something new and shiny, and that's certainly the case for this visitor from out of town.
He's understated in his affluence but nonetheless wears it on his sleeve, his whites impeccably white and unwrinkled, and most importantly to our little creatures, jewelry clean enough to catch the sun. They test the waters by buzzing around his general vicinity, making quick tugs at his impressive ponytail and strangely pointed ears, that sort of thing. His reactions are little more than just waving them off like the annoying bugs they are, so it seems pretty safe to take things up to the next level. Right?
Right!
The gentleman is minding his own business outside a local cafe with a book in hand when it's time to strike. Before he knows what's happening his vision's clouded by a particularly colorful scarf, tiny hands making quick work of untying the finely woven braid of red, white, and gold thread keeping his hair up. He manages to pry the scarf off in time to turn and catch sight of his assailants, but that only helps their accomplices unpin and snag a dangling golden earring. ]
Hey! Hey!
[ Satisfied with their haul for now, yet another scarf is tossed his way as they zoom off. He catches it before it can blind him a second time, and both his book and coffee are abandoned as he's up to make chase. ]
⛤tempting fate.
[ Why is this stranger here in the first place, you ask? Well if you actually do, he'll say he's a scholar of the esoteric and may not elaborate much otherwise. Something about stars and weather patterns? Weird.
You may, however, find him sitting on the ground not far from these geode giveaways, a few of them cracked open and being heavily scrutinized under some kind of magnifying glass. Oh! He must be here to study the rocks! That makes sense.
What makes a little less sense is that this guy has no less than four green geodes and three purples sitting around him while he carefully studies a yet unopened one. He looks pretty unenthused about the whole thing to boot. Can "esoteric studies" give you a leg up in this game...? ]
⛤lost links.
[ The stranger doesn't seem to be doing so hot as the month goes on.
The catalyst seems to be a sword he now takes with him everywhere. The scabbard is a regal looking red, white cord woven around its handle, and an as of yet unknown blade--he hasn't unsheathed it. Only held it like something precious, never letting it leave his side even for a moment. Weird a comfort item as it is, one might expect it to bring. Well. Comfort. But it seems to be doing the opposite, his mood visibly falling further and further as the days go on and yet he clings to it all the tighter.
Now, while some may consider it merely strange, others might consider it suspect. It's a weapon, after all. Who'd trust some weirdo from out of town with one while he's looking more and more like something's about to snap in him?
And snap it does. An unlucky someone's voiced those opinions, tossing in something or another about whatever they've lost, whoever they've lost, how do they know this obvious psycho isn't the one who's done something?
Then they try to grab the sword away from him.
And the stranger's fist meets a local's face. ]
⛤wildcard.
[ You know the drill! I'm open to so much, let's plan, or just Go. It's the wild west out here this month. ]
iii!
Which is to say, he's not the sort to stand by twiddling his thumbs when someone's face is getting punched in. The problem is, though, that he can't say that the guy getting punched didn't deserve it. So instead of jumping into the fray, he strolls in with a clap of his hands, mouth curved in a bright smile. ]
Whoa now, my friends! [ The way the other locals look at him, it's abundantly clear that they do not, in fact, consider him a friend. ] Just because this fellow is new around here is no reason to try and steal from him. Is that really the reputation you want Aldrip to have? Home of scoundrels and thieves? Gerald, I think your mother would have a thing or two to say about this.
[ He turns to the stranger with a quick wink. ] And I'm sure you won't have any reason to continue this fight if they leave you well enough alone, hm?
no subject
It gets everyone else to stop too, though, which is helpful. Gerald especially when he's called out, huffing in irritation and letting his grip loosen just enough for the stranger to yank the sword back.
Which Gerald is none too pleased until the stranger speaks up, ] Correct.
I had only been going about my day, and would like to continue doing so without further incident.
no subject
[ It's done under duress, but the crowd does eventually disperse (though not before Claude cheerfully promises to give away a secret or two, which he does with apparent glee), leaving Claude and the stranger standing alone in the middle of the road. ]
On behalf of Aldrip, I apologize for their behaviour. People here can be terribly small-minded sometimes. [ He presses one hand against his chest and bends in a shallow bow, his other hand making a dainty flourish. ] Claude von Riegan, at your service. And what is your name, stranger?
no subject
The stranger shakes his head, as if to dislodge the thought. When did he get so paranoid? ]
I am Abe no Seimei. [ His own bow back is much more spartan, but the intent is there. ] ...Thank you. For coming to my aid.
It would seem I've come at a bad time for you all. Tensions have been running unusually high as of late.
no subject
And no thanks necessary. I'd say that I'd hope others would do the same for me, but I think that's rather unlikely. [ He winks at Abe no Seimei, a quick flutter of a thing. ] But it's true that things have been going especially poorly lately. Things have been going missing, lately. Big and small. People too. Everyone's on edge.
[ He crosses his arms, rocking back on his heels as he surveys his new companion. ]
But I am curious... what brings you here? If I were you, I'd be packing up my bags and leaving first thing tomorrow morning.
no subject
[ Such is the nature of humanity, but Claude here doesn't need a misanthropic dissertation thrown at him so soon after doing someone a favor.
Maybe Claude wants something in return, maybe not. Doubtful he'd be telling Seimei to get out of town if there was something he had in mind to cash in, so, sharing the basics probably wouldn't hurt. ]
Rumor spread quickly that the recent haul from the local quarry was hiding some unusual qualities. I came to investigate those rumors. [ A considering pause. ] There's nothing to them, by the by. Simple quartz from uneven formations however many thousands of years ago they crawled up this high into the earth, resulting in all the different colors.
...With that out of the way, I may very well take your suggestion.
no subject
[ Still, he feels reluctant to leave. He's not sure why. There are plenty of sensible reasons for him to stay; this is where his friends and community are, this is where he has a job, a home, stability of a sort. But it feels deeper than that. Like the idea of leaving even temporarily is... wrong. Something is gluing him here.
Seimei here isn't in the same boat. At least he can leave. ]
Rumours about our quarry, huh...? That would be the most excitement this place has seen for a long time. [ He plants his hand on his hip. ] Pity there was nothing to them. But in exchange for the favour I paid you -- maybe you'd be willing to regale me with stories of the world outside of this poky little town, and precisely what rumours drew you here.
no subject
Mm...a story or two seems like a fair trade. Perhaps it will give you that final push.
[ Or maybe it won't. Something's certainly been keeping him here longer than he initially planned, and it bothers him that he can't put a finger on what it is. Or, it does in the brief moments of clarity he gets to realize that, hey, yeah, he's just a visitor here isn't he? Why hasn't he packed up and reported back home?
...Where is home, come to think of it? ]
no subject
Over some food and drink, I think. I'm absolutely famished, and I prefer not to dine alone when I can help it. On my dollar, of course.
[ He leads the stranger down the winding path, until they reach a small restaurant, another one where he seems to know the young woman behind the counter; he greets her with a friendly, flirtatious air, and some bread is set down between them for free. The food here is a rustic, homey affair, but there's a little something for everyone. ]
Perhaps you can start off by telling me where you're from -- and how you got into the business of inspecting rocks for a living. I assume it's for a living. Most of the idle rich have other ways to spend their time.
our town
Can't a man drink his coffee in peace? [ Hades complains, grimacing at the drops fallen to the ground. ]
no subject
In the short time it takes the man to catch his breath, the fairies will follow Hades' head should he try and move out of the way. ]
Is this a common occurrence here?
no subject
It has been more frequent lately. I don't know what's gotten into them.
[ He tries turning his head to look at them. ]
Stop bothering our visitor and give back what you took.
no subject
Bafflingly they then zip right out in front of the men, a few of the others joining in to fly tight circles around them as if herding them even closer together. And when they do, with all the speed and precision of multiple tiny hands, the hair tie they had in tow is wrapped around both Hades and Seimei's wrists, topped off with multiple impressive knots.
The fairies only get enough distance to properly admire their work before busting out into tinkles of laughter. ]
no subject
[ He doesn't know how they did it, but now he can't even drink his coffee. The day has just gone from bad to worse. ]
Come back here! Untie us!! I have patients to attend to!
[ He jerks at their impromptu bonds, accidentally dragging Seimei over a step or so. The coffee sloshes around dangerously in his hand. ]
no subject
[ Too late, dragged. Thankfully he just manages to keep himself upright, trying to grab at the coffee-holding hand in an attempt to keep it still. ]
Careful! The last thing we need is an even bigger mess!
no subject
I am sorry you had to experience this during your visit to our town. These dratted fairies...
[ He carefully tries to twist one of his wrists out of the hair tie. The fairies have done a good job though; there is hardly any slack. ]
I don't suppose you have a pair of scissors on you?