[Hanging his laundry... Such a responsible lad. Matoba just has his shiki do all the housekeeping for him.]
[Matoba gives a low chuckle to Megumi's reply, and picks up the yukata to unfold it out for the dog shiki. It was black, with striking red higanbana printed along the hems- over the upper left sleeve, there were several tears. The blood had been washed out some months ago, but traces of it- and the bullets that had torn through it- could certainly still be picked up.]
Yes. I was wearing this yukata the night our boss was assassinated. ...Or so we thought, at the time. I entered into combat with a number of armored soldiers who we now know to have been haniwa wearing stolen kappa armor, and controlled by Haniyasu-no-kami.
[He glances down, pointing out the spot in the sleeve.] I was shot by one of the hihīrokane bullets, here. Unfortunately, the bullet pierced through, so I do not have one on-hand... currently.
[Though, Hizen wasn't likely to trust him with it without him present, anyway. Oh well.] Strife-san was present when you were checking the tunnels, isn't that right? You should check his sword, as well. It's certain to still contain traces of Haniyasu's scent.
[ Megumi takes all this information in with a nod. It's not information he knows about, but at the time of Daitengu's funeral he had only just arrived. He clearly was not present for the assassination. It's all valuable information to have, to help him understand what's going on around him. It isn't something he gives Matoba credit for enough, but his senpai has always been an excellent source of information. ]
I'll ask him.
[ Cloud, that is.
The dogs give a whine, and Megumi - in tune with their thoughts and emotions - understands the meaning immediately. ] The scents aren't similar.
[ While a disappointing fact to learn, it doesn't look like Megumi is finished. He has thought of something else. ]
Do you want to come with me to my apartment?
[ There is a clear reason for this, but with Megumi's general allergy to talking, the offer seemingly comes out of nowhere and can come off much more personal than their usual relationship allows. ]
Oh? [It's a dead lead, but that's still good information. It meant that their two groups of enemies were not necessarily in close contact with one another, if they were not even carrying the same scent signatures.]
[Matoba leans back on the veranda to contemplate that for a long moment, only to be taken back out of his thoughts by Megumi's sudden invitation.]
[It was certainly unexpected, to say the least. Matoba looks at him for a long moment of subtle surprise, as if trying to decide whether it was a joke or not. (He shouldn't; the boy had never shown an inclination for joking.) But after that moment, his bafflement slowly melts into a mischievous smile.]
Do you really think that that is a good idea, Fushiguro-kun? I will ask strange things of your roommates.
[ There's a lull in their conversation as Matoba processes the invitation, and the longer he takes to respond, the more awkward Megumi starts to feel. There is a reason for this! He's about to elaborate further so there are no misunderstandings between them, when the older man finally speaks.
And the response he does get is a bit annoying. ]
Could you not do that ...? [ He doesn't think anyone will be home, but on the off chance they are, he doesn't want to imagine the weird tangents Matoba and Yuuji might go off on. ]
[The choice is yours, Megumi....... To take the risk, or not. Matoba folds back up the yukata that he had brought with him, and hands it off to a shiki who surfaces from under the eaves of the veranda, whisking it away with them.]
Your roommates are not members of the Sutoku Alliance, correct? ...It would be good to have an idea of what sort of connections you are making with the other clans. [He folds his hands in his lap, smiling from the corner of his eye.]
A connection-of-a-connection is always a useful thing to know.
[ There's a flat look at that. No, he would not believe him, and he has to resign himself to Matoba asking his roommates strange questions. ]
They are from Enma. One of them I met here, and the other ... [ There's a pause, like he doesn't know if he's allowed to say this or not. Then again, Yuuji's introduced them like this for a while, so it must be true? That must be the kind of relationship they have. ] is my best friend from home.
[ Megumi moves on quickly, not wanting to talk about his roommates that much. ] You're not going to go telling other people, are you?
[ Even if their relationship is a strange one, he's only inviting Matoba over to his apartment because there is some trust there, from the time they've spent together. Him living in Enma is not something he really wants everyone around him to know. ]
[You see... You already knew the answer in your heart, Megumi...]
Enma? That's pretty useful. [Matoba sighs, rubbing at his chin. He can already feel the reaction he'll be getting to that, so... He looks over, and sees the teen's discomfort.]
[Such difficulty with admitting these things. He smirks. It was familiar, in a cute way. But given that Matoba took such lengths to avoid being too connected to Natori as well, he couldn't really blame him. It was simply the smartest way to conduct oneself, to hide your weaknesses.]
Well.... It's a pretty minor detail all things considered, but in general there is no reason to reveal personal information of my allies unless I expect that it is already known, or if there is something of decent expense to gain from it, [Is what Matoba answers, bloodless and honest to a fault.] And it would have to be of worthy expense. Given the fact that we are united by clan membership, betrayal would bear a high price.
...Then again. If it was something worth giving my life over for, I suppose a little piece of information like who you know wouldn't even be on my mind.
[He beams up at his junior.] So, shall we go? I suppose there must be some purpose to revealing these things to me, to make it worth your while.
[ The response he gets from Matoba is as expected. He can expect the older man to be self-serving before anything else, and he doesn't fault that way of living. It also meant that he can understand and predict him better. Either way, it isn't like the fact that Megumi is living in Enma is juicy gossip or anything, so he doubts it will ever come up.
They've talked way too much for his liking, so he starts to move, eager to move things along. ]
This meeting just reminded me I have something worth investigating as well.
[ But he's tired of talking, so he starts to make his way down the steps of the temple. ]
[ Once down the steps, Matoba will find a bicycle tied to a pole - clearly Megumi's form of transport getting here.
There's just this pause, as he contemplates how this is going to work. They could walk to Enma, but he would have to hold his bicycle the whole way, and it's much slower and more annoying than riding. He could just cycle and leave Matoba to walk, but then he'd have to sit around and wait for his senior to finally show up.
He just gives Matoba this flat and awkward look. ]
[Matoba follows after Megumi, and they leave the temple grounds out the main gate and the broad stone stairs to where it let out into the bustling and tightly-packed shopping district. It was amazing how the atmosphere of the temple almost made one forget about the claustrophobic city around it...]
[When he finds that Megumi has stopped in front of a bike, he glances down to it, expecting the boy to untie it so that they would walk along.]
[...Until he asks that. He turns to Megumi with a flat look.]
I decline.
[And with his thin, annoying little smile, adds,] I'll meet you there. Unless you would like to walk?
[ Inside him are two wolves: One wants to ride off and get home as quickly as possible even if it means leaving Matoba behind, and the other feels like he should do the polite thing and walk with him. It's very, very tempting to ride away, but there's a little voice inside him (that of a gentle and sweet girl) reminding him to be nicer to others. ]
Fine. Let's walk ... It's just slower.
[ Bratty complaints now out of the way, he unlocks the chain to his bicycle and starts moving towards the Enma district.
[It's true that inside him are two wolves, at least...........]
[Whether he picked the white one or the black one, Matoba seems pleased with the choice.] Shall we, then? [Megumi's impatience visibly amuses him. For a man who was equally impatient, he had learned that sometimes taking the slow route got you what you wanted.]
[As they walk, Matoba is happy to chitchat about this or that, which might be better or worse than uncomfortable silence, depending on Megumi's perspective. He points out a few good sweets places; as they pass a seemingly empty storefront, Matoba insinuates that interesting individuals can be seen coming and going from there in late hours of the night.]
[When they get to the Enma district, he has less to say. He doesn't travel the Enma streets as often as he does Sutoku or even Tamamo (land of fine dining), but he is looking about subtly and taking in the atmosphere. It was an interesting place; the shinigami were interesting beings.]
It's mostly office buildings with some eateries for the Enma members. Would be nice to have more parks.
[ Parks to cycle in and bring his dogs to. Overall, he doesn't mind it too much. It certain suits him way more than Tamamo or Shuten do. ]
But Yuuji finds it boring here. [ Which is why that boy has requested to take up patrol shifts in Shuten as well, even if he's not always welcome there. Megumi leads them to a humble apartment building, securing his bicycle and making his way to the second floor. He opens the door for Matoba. ]
Come inside. [ It's a simple living space with one room and a bunch of indoor plants. Some parts are messy, while others are pristinely neat, as if the people living here have some opposing demeanors (but live in harmony, given the matching slippers by the door). Megumi sighs at the hoodie thrown casually on the couch and picks it up, starting to fold it. ]
If you're missing the greenery, I have recently taken the initiative to get a few of the languishing parks in our territory planted, [Matoba cheerfully comments.] With the help of an acquaintance. Why not come and take a look when you are not occupied, sometime?
[Megumi ought to know exactly who that is, but Matoba hasn't shown his face in the flower shop just yet. He and Aerith were still keeping their partnership quite mum, considering some of the things they knew at the moment.]
[Yuuji, hm... Matoba will keep that name in mind. He follows Megumi up the stairs to his apartment, and glances around after slipping his sandals off in the entryway to pad around in tabi socks. Well, it certainly looked like an apartment lived in by a bunch of teenage boys.....] Nobody home? Too bad. [Matoba parks himself on the couch and glances around with a smile.] I will have to meet your friends another time.
[ At Matoba's mention of that project, someone does come to mind. He does like nature and calming sceneries, so he doesn't mind that at all. There's a nod at that. ]
You really don't have to. [ It sounds like it would be an annoying exchange! There's a sigh at that, and Megumi returns to business, stepping into his bedroom. If Matoba looks through the door that's ajar, he'll note that there are two single beds pushed together, and a body pillow and poster in the likeness of a beautiful, scantily-clad blond lady. Megumi gives no explanation for any of this.
He emerges from his room with a red backpack in hand. ]
You reminded me that Yuuji has an item we can investigate as well. He was hauling several of those haniwa statues in this before he surrendered them to his leader.
[ So if the clothing was showing no connection, he's wondering briefly if the faint scent of the Haniwa statues might. Megumi places the bag on the table, clasping his hands together and summoning both his dogs. ]
Of course I don't have to. It would be to my advantage to.
[He smiles as Megumi slips off into his room- sure, he's curious, but the posters of hot babes, while he supposes are pretty normal for teenage boys, are not the sort of interesting things he's looking for. There doesn't seem to be any evidence laying around of jujutsushi powers or spells, though, just a faint sensation as there would be in any dwelling where someone with power resides. It could just as well belong to Megumi himself.]
[Oh well, Matoba sighs, breaking his concentration to watch the boy return with a backpack and listening to his explanation.] ...I see. Quite foolish, but, we all have seen how that turned out already.
Your theory seems like it could be sound. Perhaps some sediment or residue remains from the clay on the inside of the bag. [Matoba watches as Megumi summons his shiki- such an interesting way to summon, those handsigns. Certainly, handsigns were used among some schools, where he came from, but not by many he had ever seen directly.] ...You are unable to summon without those signs, correct?
My shadow technique works without them, but hand signs are necessary to summon any shikigami.
[ Megumi settles on the couch, sitting in a casual way despite his usually polite demeanor (aka, manspreading) and resting his hands on his knees. He watches the dogs as they investigate the bag, their tails wagging slowly as they work.
There is someone he knows back home who lost their technique after losing a hand. He knows he'll be quite crippled if he didn't have the use of his hands and fingers. Megumi glances at the older man with some curiousity now, almost like he's asking for some sort of guidance given that Matoba is the more experienced exorcist. ]
[And thus, a weakness, should Megumi's loyalty ever be compromised. Noted. Matoba also watches the dogs work.] I do not have any requirement save the necessary spiritual energy necessary to summon into each of my own servants. I can only divide down my power but so many times... Luckily, each one does not take very much effort, and they are self-propelling once given orders, until they are dispelled.
But, they do have their disadvantages... They are quite simple. Oh well- that is the tradeoff to servants who will not be able to chance betraying you.
[Glancing to the side, he tilts his head.] ...For your technique, or our investigation?
[ Megumi listens keenly, taking in Matoba's explanation. He's never met another person who uses shadows as a medium to summon shikigami, so anything he can learn about Matoba's technique can help him better understand his own. Both their shikigami are similar in that aspect. Though the dogs behave like dogs, enjoying a pet and treat, they do not tend to stray from the basic commands that Megumi gives to them. A part of him, as they had spoken about a few months back. ]
My technique. For the investigation, we'll see what the dogs come up with.
[ Speaking of the dogs, one of them gives a grunt, glancing at Megumi. He seems to understand their meaning immediately.
Maybe they can leave the conversation about his technique for later, then. ]
So it looks like the dolls have a similar scent to the kidnappers from the Iron Bear.
[Matoba is about to say something, with regards to his thoughts on Megumi's abilities- but he pauses as the dogs seem to have found something.]
So then, that confirms it.
[Matoba's expression remains neutral as ever, but there's the slightest seriousness to his thoughtful face. If Kaneguma was in cahoots with these twisted old gods, then what plan were they trying to hatch by luring the Lost Souls out into the Wastelands? Were they trying to leave the city defenseless so that they could launch another attempt at attacking the Enma or Underground? Or were they trying to capture the Lost Souls themselves for some purpose?]
[Either way, it feels like a trap and a misstep to send their people into the Wastelands, but it was a difficult argument for the Sutoku to make, that they should leave Kaberou's daughter to her fate.]
[Perhaps he should consult with the Daitengu.]
Let's keep this within the clan for now. It's likely been surmised by others as well, but if we are being lured out by our enemies, we should stop to consider the possible results more carefully.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Matoba gives a low chuckle to Megumi's reply, and picks up the yukata to unfold it out for the dog shiki. It was black, with striking red higanbana printed along the hems- over the upper left sleeve, there were several tears. The blood had been washed out some months ago, but traces of it- and the bullets that had torn through it- could certainly still be picked up.]
Yes. I was wearing this yukata the night our boss was assassinated. ...Or so we thought, at the time. I entered into combat with a number of armored soldiers who we now know to have been haniwa wearing stolen kappa armor, and controlled by Haniyasu-no-kami.
[He glances down, pointing out the spot in the sleeve.] I was shot by one of the hihīrokane bullets, here. Unfortunately, the bullet pierced through, so I do not have one on-hand... currently.
[Though, Hizen wasn't likely to trust him with it without him present, anyway. Oh well.] Strife-san was present when you were checking the tunnels, isn't that right? You should check his sword, as well. It's certain to still contain traces of Haniyasu's scent.
no subject
I'll ask him.
[ Cloud, that is.
The dogs give a whine, and Megumi - in tune with their thoughts and emotions - understands the meaning immediately. ] The scents aren't similar.
[ While a disappointing fact to learn, it doesn't look like Megumi is finished. He has thought of something else. ]
Do you want to come with me to my apartment?
[ There is a clear reason for this, but with Megumi's general allergy to talking, the offer seemingly comes out of nowhere and can come off much more personal than their usual relationship allows. ]
no subject
[Matoba leans back on the veranda to contemplate that for a long moment, only to be taken back out of his thoughts by Megumi's sudden invitation.]
[It was certainly unexpected, to say the least. Matoba looks at him for a long moment of subtle surprise, as if trying to decide whether it was a joke or not. (He shouldn't; the boy had never shown an inclination for joking.) But after that moment, his bafflement slowly melts into a mischievous smile.]
Do you really think that that is a good idea, Fushiguro-kun? I will ask strange things of your roommates.
[It's not a threat, it's a promise.]
no subject
And the response he does get is a bit annoying. ]
Could you not do that ...? [ He doesn't think anyone will be home, but on the off chance they are, he doesn't want to imagine the weird tangents Matoba and Yuuji might go off on. ]
no subject
[The choice is yours, Megumi....... To take the risk, or not. Matoba folds back up the yukata that he had brought with him, and hands it off to a shiki who surfaces from under the eaves of the veranda, whisking it away with them.]
Your roommates are not members of the Sutoku Alliance, correct? ...It would be good to have an idea of what sort of connections you are making with the other clans. [He folds his hands in his lap, smiling from the corner of his eye.]
A connection-of-a-connection is always a useful thing to know.
no subject
They are from Enma. One of them I met here, and the other ... [ There's a pause, like he doesn't know if he's allowed to say this or not. Then again, Yuuji's introduced them like this for a while, so it must be true? That must be the kind of relationship they have. ] is my best friend from home.
[ Megumi moves on quickly, not wanting to talk about his roommates that much. ] You're not going to go telling other people, are you?
[ Even if their relationship is a strange one, he's only inviting Matoba over to his apartment because there is some trust there, from the time they've spent together. Him living in Enma is not something he really wants everyone around him to know. ]
no subject
Enma? That's pretty useful. [Matoba sighs, rubbing at his chin. He can already feel the reaction he'll be getting to that, so... He looks over, and sees the teen's discomfort.]
[Such difficulty with admitting these things. He smirks. It was familiar, in a cute way. But given that Matoba took such lengths to avoid being too connected to Natori as well, he couldn't really blame him. It was simply the smartest way to conduct oneself, to hide your weaknesses.]
Well.... It's a pretty minor detail all things considered, but in general there is no reason to reveal personal information of my allies unless I expect that it is already known, or if there is something of decent expense to gain from it, [Is what Matoba answers, bloodless and honest to a fault.] And it would have to be of worthy expense. Given the fact that we are united by clan membership, betrayal would bear a high price.
...Then again. If it was something worth giving my life over for, I suppose a little piece of information like who you know wouldn't even be on my mind.
[He beams up at his junior.] So, shall we go? I suppose there must be some purpose to revealing these things to me, to make it worth your while.
1/2
They've talked way too much for his liking, so he starts to move, eager to move things along. ]
This meeting just reminded me I have something worth investigating as well.
[ But he's tired of talking, so he starts to make his way down the steps of the temple. ]
no subject
There's just this pause, as he contemplates how this is going to work. They could walk to Enma, but he would have to hold his bicycle the whole way, and it's much slower and more annoying than riding. He could just cycle and leave Matoba to walk, but then he'd have to sit around and wait for his senior to finally show up.
He just gives Matoba this flat and awkward look. ]
Do you want to ... ride in the back?
no subject
[When he finds that Megumi has stopped in front of a bike, he glances down to it, expecting the boy to untie it so that they would walk along.]
[...Until he asks that. He turns to Megumi with a flat look.]
I decline.
[And with his thin, annoying little smile, adds,] I'll meet you there. Unless you would like to walk?
no subject
Fine. Let's walk ... It's just slower.
[ Bratty complaints now out of the way, he unlocks the chain to his bicycle and starts moving towards the Enma district.
we can handwave the distance there idk?? ]
no subject
[Whether he picked the white one or the black one, Matoba seems pleased with the choice.] Shall we, then? [Megumi's impatience visibly amuses him. For a man who was equally impatient, he had learned that sometimes taking the slow route got you what you wanted.]
[As they walk, Matoba is happy to chitchat about this or that, which might be better or worse than uncomfortable silence, depending on Megumi's perspective. He points out a few good sweets places; as they pass a seemingly empty storefront, Matoba insinuates that interesting individuals can be seen coming and going from there in late hours of the night.]
[When they get to the Enma district, he has less to say. He doesn't travel the Enma streets as often as he does Sutoku or even Tamamo (land of fine dining), but he is looking about subtly and taking in the atmosphere. It was an interesting place; the shinigami were interesting beings.]
Do you find that this place suits you?
no subject
[ Parks to cycle in and bring his dogs to. Overall, he doesn't mind it too much. It certain suits him way more than Tamamo or Shuten do. ]
But Yuuji finds it boring here. [ Which is why that boy has requested to take up patrol shifts in Shuten as well, even if he's not always welcome there. Megumi leads them to a humble apartment building, securing his bicycle and making his way to the second floor. He opens the door for Matoba. ]
Come inside. [ It's a simple living space with one room and a bunch of indoor plants. Some parts are messy, while others are pristinely neat, as if the people living here have some opposing demeanors (but live in harmony, given the matching slippers by the door). Megumi sighs at the hoodie thrown casually on the couch and picks it up, starting to fold it. ]
no subject
[Megumi ought to know exactly who that is, but Matoba hasn't shown his face in the flower shop just yet. He and Aerith were still keeping their partnership quite mum, considering some of the things they knew at the moment.]
[Yuuji, hm... Matoba will keep that name in mind. He follows Megumi up the stairs to his apartment, and glances around after slipping his sandals off in the entryway to pad around in tabi socks. Well, it certainly looked like an apartment lived in by a bunch of teenage boys.....] Nobody home? Too bad. [Matoba parks himself on the couch and glances around with a smile.] I will have to meet your friends another time.
What did you want to show me?
no subject
You really don't have to. [ It sounds like it would be an annoying exchange! There's a sigh at that, and Megumi returns to business, stepping into his bedroom. If Matoba looks through the door that's ajar, he'll note that there are two single beds pushed together, and a body pillow and poster in the likeness of a beautiful, scantily-clad blond lady. Megumi gives no explanation for any of this.
He emerges from his room with a red backpack in hand. ]
You reminded me that Yuuji has an item we can investigate as well. He was hauling several of those haniwa statues in this before he surrendered them to his leader.
[ So if the clothing was showing no connection, he's wondering briefly if the faint scent of the Haniwa statues might. Megumi places the bag on the table, clasping his hands together and summoning both his dogs. ]
no subject
[He smiles as Megumi slips off into his room- sure, he's curious, but the posters of hot babes, while he supposes are pretty normal for teenage boys, are not the sort of interesting things he's looking for. There doesn't seem to be any evidence laying around of jujutsushi powers or spells, though, just a faint sensation as there would be in any dwelling where someone with power resides. It could just as well belong to Megumi himself.]
[Oh well, Matoba sighs, breaking his concentration to watch the boy return with a backpack and listening to his explanation.] ...I see. Quite foolish, but, we all have seen how that turned out already.
Your theory seems like it could be sound. Perhaps some sediment or residue remains from the clay on the inside of the bag. [Matoba watches as Megumi summons his shiki- such an interesting way to summon, those handsigns. Certainly, handsigns were used among some schools, where he came from, but not by many he had ever seen directly.] ...You are unable to summon without those signs, correct?
no subject
[ Megumi settles on the couch, sitting in a casual way despite his usually polite demeanor (aka, manspreading) and resting his hands on his knees. He watches the dogs as they investigate the bag, their tails wagging slowly as they work.
There is someone he knows back home who lost their technique after losing a hand. He knows he'll be quite crippled if he didn't have the use of his hands and fingers. Megumi glances at the older man with some curiousity now, almost like he's asking for some sort of guidance given that Matoba is the more experienced exorcist. ]
Do you have another suggestion?
no subject
[And thus, a weakness, should Megumi's loyalty ever be compromised. Noted. Matoba also watches the dogs work.] I do not have any requirement save the necessary spiritual energy necessary to summon into each of my own servants. I can only divide down my power but so many times... Luckily, each one does not take very much effort, and they are self-propelling once given orders, until they are dispelled.
But, they do have their disadvantages... They are quite simple. Oh well- that is the tradeoff to servants who will not be able to chance betraying you.
[Glancing to the side, he tilts his head.] ...For your technique, or our investigation?
no subject
My technique. For the investigation, we'll see what the dogs come up with.
[ Speaking of the dogs, one of them gives a grunt, glancing at Megumi. He seems to understand their meaning immediately.
Maybe they can leave the conversation about his technique for later, then. ]
So it looks like the dolls have a similar scent to the kidnappers from the Iron Bear.
no subject
[Matoba is about to say something, with regards to his thoughts on Megumi's abilities- but he pauses as the dogs seem to have found something.]
So then, that confirms it.
[Matoba's expression remains neutral as ever, but there's the slightest seriousness to his thoughtful face. If Kaneguma was in cahoots with these twisted old gods, then what plan were they trying to hatch by luring the Lost Souls out into the Wastelands? Were they trying to leave the city defenseless so that they could launch another attempt at attacking the Enma or Underground? Or were they trying to capture the Lost Souls themselves for some purpose?]
[Either way, it feels like a trap and a misstep to send their people into the Wastelands, but it was a difficult argument for the Sutoku to make, that they should leave Kaberou's daughter to her fate.]
[Perhaps he should consult with the Daitengu.]
Let's keep this within the clan for now. It's likely been surmised by others as well, but if we are being lured out by our enemies, we should stop to consider the possible results more carefully.