metafictions | jigokucho

[ He doesn't know it, but Kamui always makes Aerith's life a little easier. Maybe it's the balance he affords her by bringing actual normalcy into her bubble, or maybe it's just that she considers him a sweet, friendly guy.

His response to the elderly youkai however gets a quick, subtle shake of the head from Aerith— they've already been trouble, but admittedly, he probably doesn't know that yet. Oops. In truth, she's dragged him into something difficult. ]

The merchandise... well, I was wondering if you could tell me—

[ A fan appears into the youkai's hand, raised high about her head. Think carefully, her gaze implies. ]

...If anyone would buy them?

[ A moment of silence follows before—

Kamui is thwacked on the head. Immediately, a bloom of bright hot anger surges through Aerith, and she pushes the woman's arm down and away from him quickly as possible. It's not often that genuine anger crosses her features, but she can't help it. ] Hey!

That's for encouraging her, [ The old woman speaks plainly, then gestures back where Kamui had just came from. Her voice is coarse like a frogs, as if speaking from within a bubble, and without the angry flurry of ribbit-y cries from before. She's obviously a heavy smoker, too. ] No one will buy cursed objects like that. Leave before you get in trouble with someone angrier than me.

[ That seems unlikely, Aerith thinks to herself, looking aside to Kamui. ]

[As soon as he speaks he regrets it. There's a look on that elderly youkai's face that spells trouble even before she arms herself with that fan, arm poised to strike at any moment: Kamui finds himself eyeing her apprehensively.

For good reason. Apparently.]

Ow!

[It doesn't hurt physically-- not that badly, anyways-- but there's really nothing more demoralizing on this or any other earth than getting whupped by an auntie. Kamui recoils, taken utterly aback. His knight in shining armor separates them right away, but he's still gingerly rubbing the top of his head where she'd smacked him. (Why is he the only one getting hit, by the way. Help.)]

O-obasan, please... there's no need for that... we'll just sell our wares elsewhere.

[He can see there's no winning with this woman. He gives Aerith an apologetic glance, but it can't be helped: the woman's expression seems to say, you're not selling your wares ANYWHERE, as long as she's got a say.]

[ There's a surly sort of worry on dear ol' obaasan's face as Aerith immediately starts ushering Kamui away, pocketing the haniwa that she had been offering up. Apologies are already in her expression, but she turns to give a short, fluid bow to the old woman, and keeps shuffling him away.

It's strange. Aerith sees it quickly, but does Kamui? As they make their way further from her, she speaks to him. ]

Did you see that?

[So much for their expert sales team.

Kamui's gaze is still fixed on the old woman-- maybe she'll follow the fan up with a slipper after all, to really convince them to get out-- so he catches the concern in her expression as Aerith hustles them away from the whole scene.

He casts a glance back in the direction of the clearing, the elderly youkai's turned back as she leaves. He hadn't imagined it. Frowning, he nods in reply.]

I certainly did. Sure, she could simply be some superstitious old woman but...

[He taps his chin and directs his eyes to the little statue in her pocket.]

I've felt something off about these since they began to show up. Something strange. I can't really place it.

[ Ah, right. Well. ]

That's what I wanted to tell you. Emily and I worked together to figure out where they're from, and—

[ Kamui's obaasan senses are spot on. They aren't moving fast enough, and so a slipper rockets just barely between them, missing the pair by... not very much, in truth. Aerith immediately gets behind Kamui and starts pushing, hard. ] Ugh, fine. Let's mosey!

[ She pushes him past a lamppost just in time for them to dodge the other slipper. Phew! ]

They're curse! The haniwa.

[NOT LA CHANCLA. At least he doesn't get smacked twice on the same day?!?!

He stops after they're safely beyond the lamppost, looking over his shoulder at Aerith, who's still got her hands on his back.]

I assumed it'd be something like that. [That or the little dolls were just... evil. Either way: very weird energy.]

Did you ever find out where they came from, though? That's what I'd want to know most.

Edited 2022-07-03 15:09 (UTC)

[ Now that they're out of slipper range, she moves to walk in front of him. Poor Kamui, always the back up dancer. ]

We did. [ Hmm. Long story, but she'll go for it. ] I found out the clay they're made with is from the Wastelands. We should check it out some day.

[ From her tone, she clearly means soon. ]

Emily mentioned to me that the rabbit woman who sells drugs... She's getting her supplies from outside, probably the Wasteland, too. So, she went back and asked her... and, honestly? Kind of sounded like a threat. She said, "Leave this alone." Kamui, something's going to happen again. I just know it.

The Wastelands? [Not this again. He picks up the pace to catch up to Aerith's side-- just because he's the backup dancer doesn't mean he can't keep up with her footwork.]

Last month, there were Wasteland smugglers getting mixed up with Shuten black market operations. It sounds like a lot of yokai just can't leave well enough alone.

[Kamui shakes his head, sighing: the sound of a blown gasket or a kid's toy broken irreparably or a hard drive fried beyond saving. Much as he hates it, it can't be helped right now.]

I think you're right. But what's the chance the faction leaders will be willing to send a team out there? Much less any of us?

Of course not. [ She's got her knuckles to her hips already, shoulders squared as if ready for a fight, and a twinkle in her eyes. It's the gaze of a woman who has already made up her mind. Staring straight ahead, she doesn't even need to look at him to convey her serious she is about this. ]

Whatever is out there isn't going to play by the rules, just like them. So! Why should we? Waiting for a moment hasn't worked before. No way we're waiting for some kind of signal. We just have to go, right after them!

But where, Aerith? And how?

[Much as he's in agreement-- something needs to be done, before they're faced with another catastrophe like the Parade-- there's precious little to start from. And what are they facing, anyway? A curse? The war in the underground spread all the way to the outskirts of hell? ~~no kamui just the curse~~]

We don't even know how to get outside, much less what to do there, or where to begin investigating, or even how dangerous it is. [He frowns at the back of the woman's head.] We should act. But we can't act blindly.

[ He's got her, there, she admits. She stops, silent. Listening, and agreeing. Still... ]

You agree, though. So... let me know if you hear anything more, okay? What was the deal with those smugglers you mentioned?

[ At least he's got her thinking a bit more rationally? ]

I will. We won't get anywhere if we aren't sharing information, after all.

[And while he hadn't found out much about the isonade-- other than the fact that, yes, they do go down really fast if you kick them in the shark nads? It's still something.]

The isonade. They... never gave up their buyers or their suppliers. Not even under threats from Toraguma. [And they were summarily dealt with, is the unspoken conclusion.] I had no idea about the rabbit woman, though. How many other youkai are getting mixed up in this?

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