apocalypsehowcomm | [Log/Open] savor every drop

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[Log/Open] savor every drop

Who: Shuten-Douji and You!
When: December 1st - 13th
Where: All around; the Flophouse, dives and bars at nighttime, the docks, and Dogtown (Widowmaker).
Summary: How is an oni settling into this gloomy slice of Americana? Let's find out together.
Warnings: Copious amounts of alcohol consumption, depictions of animal cruelty/death for Entity feeding. And just Shuten in general. Will update if things change.

i. Let's Find a Bar, So Dark We Forget Who We Are

[ It's very funny, to Shuten-Douji, that she's been quite tolerant with the people around her. The crisis that looms over everyone doesn't weigh as heavily on the oni as it should. Though if worse comes to worst, she'll figure out how to proceed from there.

It should be great fun either way.

But for now, the past few weeks have been nothing more than downtime and a period where she takes a backseat to see how things unfold. However, she of all people, can't possibly do that without a good drink or two. Or rather, more.

In the early evenings to the very late hours past midnight, the small young-looking woman of Japanese origin can be found in a bar or a dive trying out the Western nibbles and foods and drinking more than her weight in alcohol, so much so that intrigued locals have started to attempt a drinking contest with Shuten. She's taken on the challenge gladly. So if you happen to be enjoying the nightlife of Gloucester, one can happen upon an amusing scene of a contest in progress, or the terribly messy aftermath of one with patrons either passed out or on the brink of starting a drunken fight with the smug Shuten-Douji. Join her, make a bet, it's all well and good as long as it's enjoyable for her ~~and if you pay for her drinks~~. ]

ii. In the Dark, Our Truths are Revealed

[ At the Flophouse, Shuten is taking up space in the communal space, lounging all over the sofa, just seeing who is coming in or going out. Here, her true visage, horns, and sharp teeth are on display and it appears this is where she's fairly relaxed despite finding ways to enjoy the outside.

So if you're a resident of the Flophouse or visiting a friend, there's an oni who's either napping peacefully or fully awake, nursing some sake (sorry, the room smells like booze), and waving to you cheekily, her voice ever so slightly slurred. ]

Welcome hooome. ♥

iii. CW: Animal cruelty, death | Our Bodies Bound by This Land

[ There's nothing out of place about a dead seagull on the the Docks. Not even two dead seagulls. More than that starts to become a concern and a concern it is because the appearances of the dead birds start to ever so subtly increase over the next two weeks and then pauses.

One is found floating in the water around the docks. Another, its head smashed against the side of a boat. A few days later, a seagull can be found pathetically flopping about, its leg and one wing are broken. It seems to have escaped a rather nasty fate (or someone had let it escape).

Another bird has simply been ripped open with some effort, blood and guts spilling all over, its corpse left to rot on the northeast side of the harbor. This can be blamed on the local gangs that are present around this area and yet this is uncharacteristic of them on the whole. Surely it is just some sick hoodlum trying to get a rise out of everyone?

Anyway, if you happen to be at the Docks during the daytime, Shuten's found a nice space for herself, dangling her legs on the edge and staring up at the sky. There's still a lot of seagulls to watch after all. ]

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[That makes two of them looking out at sea, though Ciel probably looks slightly more awkward what with holding onto a trash picker and a paper bag, hm. Nothing suspicious here...

She does take a thoughtful pause to mull over the question for a few beats, before answering calmly.]

Destruction, maybe, but fear, not necessarily. The former is an objective and physical state, the latter a subjective and mental one; "eye of the beholder", and all that. Given how this city is already frequently steeped in strange and unsettling occurrences, I would imagine that the people living here are more accustomed to them than someone from an average peaceful city. The port and Dogtown are supposedly among the most supernatural parts of town too, according to hearsay.

Just that? [Yuri echoes her, confused.] Is there more...? [Is there something else weird and creepy going on??

She doesn't really mind having to answer any questions though, straightening up in attention.]

Oh--Yes, I did. I woke up under one of the desks all of a sudden... [She trails off, looking faintly troubled by it all] It seems there's quite a lot of us...

[ oho...? curiosity building, Abel is nodding obligingly and already making to rise to his feet, offering her a hand in case she... needs one...... to do the same. ]

A little walk to clear one's head before continuing on with the night's antics sound... um, good! A good idea as any. Shall we, Miss Shuten?

[from wanda's perspective, it just looks like shuten is muttering in her sleep—but wanda's been a mom before, no matter how short-lived that experience had been, and recognizes when sleep is not entirely happening. there is too much awareness taking place.]

Better than being cold.

[she assumes, anyway. anything beats sleeping in the cold.]

Are you comfortable where you are?

Hm.

[ Shuten is weighing her options now that her activities are being investigated. She was never one to hide what she is or what she does unless it's needed; Ritsuka had some good discernment about when and where it was appropriate to use her since the oni was not a stealthy Assassin.

Nor is she going to start now. ]

So that's how it is.

[ So she leans forward, her gaze somewhat leery towards Yuri.]

The cause of death for those birds?

[ And she points to herself. Well... ]

You're looking at it riiiight now. Is that clear enough for you, girl?

Edited 2021-12-21 23:19 (UTC)

[ Shuten opens up one eye to see who had so generously provided for her. The red hair is eyecatching, so she blinks, fully awake. ]

... Why, yes.

[ The oni sits up, rubbing one eye. ]

I'm not one to spurn such blatant kindness, so I suppose I should give you my thanks.

[ There's a sense of pure curiosity from her gaze and she decides just to ask Wanda straight up. ]

Was that magic? There seem to be many flavors of the magic arts amongst us.

Edited 2021-12-21 23:24 (UTC)

[ Shuten doesn't give a clear reaction for a few seconds. Then she sighs and chuckles softly. Truly, she isn't at her best at all in this situation. ]

You've been here a little longer than I have, so I've no reason to disregard your words totally. Of course, it'd be a given that some worthlessly dead birds wouldn't do much.

[ But it's her only start for now; though she'd love to wrap her hands around the throat of a human and split their bones in half, the immediate consequence and backlash would be too much of a bother to deal with by herself. With her natural impulses and having to be beholden to an outside entity, the monster is in a conundrum.

(And in her own way, she still just wants to see if there's anything of worth here, anyone who can keep her whims at bay, just before she goes, "To hell with it.") ]

I'll just have to keep at it slowly then, one day at a time. Isn't that what humans do anyways?

[ She'll take his offered hand. Who is she to not indulge after all?

(also who's paying? The poor saps who lost to her in tonight's drinking contest...)

When they're outside, Shuten lets go of Father Abel's hand and stretches out her own in front of her, fingers entwined. ]

Ah... With this sort of chill that means winter is upon us, isn't it?

[ those poor sods...... Abel can only imagine how much SOMEone is putting toward the bar owner's retirement fund, tonight. at least it isn't him, so-- ha, all's well that ends well!!

it looks like she's surprisingly steady on her feet, so he doesn't give any protest when she releases him on her own accord, watching her stretch in the chilly evening air with a smile. ]

It is indeed...! I quite like winter, Miss Shuten-- any excuse to get bundled up and cozy with some tea... maybe a nice fire in the hearth? Ah, romantic, isn't it~? What about you, do you favor wintertime...?

What else? Hot sake of course.

[ Of course. ]

Though in addition to that, cozying up with another warm body is quite appealing. The way you speak of such frivolities though, you strike me as rather indulgent for a priest, Father Abel.

That's just my personal observation. Considering our difference in perspective, it wouldn't be surprising if you don't come to the same conclusion than I did.

[She shrugs, and gives out a faint exhale.]

Maybe it's the technology, video footage can easily be doctored in this era. Maybe it's social media as a whole, fostering a need to stand out at the expense of everything else. [She's mainly thinking about last month when they had to sort through tiktok videos for supernatural happenings, but the worm game that's entrenching itself around the office is another recent example, hm.] Though I suppose the people can't be held at fault for acting irrationally, when the city they live in is also an irrational place. It's probably part of why their sense of fear is skewered, in any case. There's many cases of mysterious disappearances that get reported to the local police too, and a grand majority of them remain unsolved to this very day.

[...

Has she said too much? Hm.]

Do I...? I suppose I simply have a healthy appreciation for the simple things in life... being able to relax and smell the roses~? Is quite nice!

[ considering Shuten is a self-professed hedonist, perhaps this enjoyment isn't a stretch for her, either. ]

That isn't so strange, is it? And it's hardly my fault if there's more to enjoy this time of year than most, right? Who doesn't like a nice cup of eggnog, you know?

I suppose it isn't at all strange.

[ Shuten is silent for a few more seconds before glancing around to see if there's anyone who may be listening in on them. They're in the clear for now. ]

I enjoy myself wherever or whenever.

[ And very casually she adds on: ]

I've already died before. More than once at this point I'm sure.

[ oh. well.

...that is-- not precisely the sort of answer he had been expecting; Abel blinks in an almost quizzical state of shock, mouth working a few times before he can make his throat produce something akin to words, ]

You've-- died...?

[ the casual nature in which she's stated such a thing is both unnerving and more than vaguely worrying. SHUTEN???? ]

Hm. Well, it sounds like you're not familiar with the tales I'm in. I suggest, that if you're not averse to it, that you do some studying Father Abel.

[ The reign of terror brought about by the oni of Mount Ooe was so strong that even if humans did not believe in their existence anymore, it's not a stretch to look up her name online or in a local library that may have some sort of resource about fairytales around the world. ]

I made quite a name for myself back then you know! You don't get away with being a man-eater without it leaving some kind of impression.

[ considering it's been a good 800 years since Japan existed where Abel's from, and such tales were not exactly in his curriculum when he had been a boy before it vanished off the map-- he might not have thought to look up the legendary oni, perhaps. or oni in general, really-- curious though he might be.

...m-maybe he will be inclined, now.

but what worries him fare more than her renown or fame is the whole dead part-- not because of anything tied to her legend, either. ]

I don't-- I'm afraid I don't quite understand, Miss Shuten... Is it-- is it possible for you to return from death? Maybe because of being an oni?

[ Shuten shakes her head letting out a puff of breath to create cloudy tendrils out of the cold night air. ]

My circumstances after death are somewhat more... Convoluted? Yes, that's a good word. I may need a minute or two throughout our pleasant conversation to find a way to shorten it as to soften your skull.

[ Also, because effort?? She don't got time for effort. Only when she feels like it. ]

I'm more of a magical familiar in my current state. Many important figures throughout history or in legends, who are able to carve out a unique existence are like me.

[ ah yes, please dumb it down for him, Shuten; Abel is painfully smol brain so please give him the Explain Like I'm Five version,

...his brow has knit, some; he isn't sure he is catching what she's tossing his way considering how differently things work where he's from. even things like 'magic' are nothing more than fables to him. Gloucester has been eye-opening, for sure. ]

A 'magical familiar...'

[ he echoes it like it's a foreign term-- it is. ]

What does that mean for you? That-- you can keep returning, even after you've been... ah.

[ She wags her finger at him as if giving an educated lecture. ]

Only under specific circumstances, mind you. It takes a special mage to be able to summon a spirit such as myself!

[ Patting her chest a little proudly on that note. ]

Think of it this way; right now my current physical manifestation is just a copy. A high-level one of course! I remember everything from when I was alive and I have all these neat powers I use to serve my Master. I can bleed, be injured, and die and now with these outer forces beyond any of our control I'm a lot more vulnerable than I usually would be.

[ Though if the 'current' Shuten, this one summoned by Chaldea were to die here... Hmmm. No, she won't entertain the thought. If she doesn't know what happens, that's that. ]

Don't look so glum, my dear Father Abel. If you become so concerned, I'll become softhearted towards you! Perish the thought.

[ a great deal of this, admittedly, goes over his head. it might take a bit of Deep Contemplation to try and puzzle out what this means, and you know what? he doesn't have those brain cells left to fry,

...but what he's taking away from this? is that Shuten has been granted something of a 'second life' (if it can be called that; if 'second' is not the correct number, if any of this make sense at all) and is, perhaps, more 'human' than she's been in a while. ]

Miss Shuten-- do you mind if I ask you something?

[ and though he's asked permission-- he isn't waiting for it, gently nudging at his glasses where none of the concern has bled out of blue eyes. ]

Having a 'master', being a-- ah. A 'magical familiar;' was that something you chose?

[ Shuten-Douji certainly has humanoid features, aside from her (currently hidden) horns and teeth. She speaks with an odd charming quality in a voice consistently colored with alcohol and in a way that makes her even friendlier on the surface. ]

Mm. No, it's more like an assignment I happen to be qualified enough to volunteer for.

[ Something, something, Counter Force, the greater good to preserve human history, something something. ]

But the fact that I can answer a summons probably says something about how willing I am? Though I have said it before, I just do as I please.

[ And if it pleases Shuten, she's happy to serve her Master, Ritsuka Fujimaru until her mission to restore the world is finished. There's plenty to do, many things to see, so many other Spirits to drink with and fight with...

Shuten-Douji is an oni, through and through. And for better or for worse, she just happens to like the human who summoned her. ]

Edited 2021-12-24 00:23 (UTC)

[ Mm, yes. The machines. Having spent time at the other Chaldea base, Shuten is familiar with the advanced technologies the organization has though even at her drunkest, she wouldn't be able to explain heads or tails of it. The current technology in this world is a few degrees removed from what was there though.

The oni listens carefully to the rest of the young woman's explanation, not saying anything for a minute or two. ]

Well, people do disappear every day.

[ And hell, she can do a disappearance rather well. ]

Sounds like the cause of such is doing too good of a job.

[That's one element Chaldea wouldn't have to deal with, at least not when the Grand Order is active. Secret organizations don't need to worry about public opinion when the present no longer exists, and with it, anything that could express it on any significant scale.]

Even people like us. We still don't know how we ended up here or how to willingly leave, but outsiders of our kind have been disappearing, too. We don't have any information other than knowing they can no longer be found or reached, so the best case scenario is just as likely as the worst.

[With that, she lets another pause sit between them.

...]

So knowing how populated this city remains despite all these unusual happenings, and the significant amount of missing people cases that remain unsolved to this very day, bird and man have more in common than one would first assume, wouldn't they.

[She's watching Shuten quite intently now, expression neutral despite the sharper quality of her gaze.]

[Yuri blinks slowly, having not expected to get to the bottom of things so quickly and easily]

...Oh.

[Se opens and closes her mouth a couple times, running her hand through her hair]

But... why?

[ the way she's described it and what he was able to glean from her explanation has him grasping at least some surface level understanding of it, he thinks.

...Shuten is quite the interesting person, isn't she? Abel cannot deny his curiosity. ]

And... what are you made to do, as a familiar? What is this task you're called upon for, if I might ask?

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[Log/Open] savor every drop

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cw: torture, general violence description

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