jigokufever | (OVERFLOW) AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

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(OVERFLOW) AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

1. SHUTEN TERRITORY - Muscling In

art by tohdraws

In the aftermath of the curse crisis, the Shuten Clan forgave a bunch of protection payments in the region, and helped cover the costs for rebuilding. Unfortunately, some of the street gangs in the area are much less civically minded. They have used the Shuten's relaxed policies as an opportunity to turn their own screws on the local business owners. These unaffiliated youth gangs have been much rougher with the locals, and have been asking for even larger collection fees. This has pissed off the folks who are just trying to get their lives and businesses back on track!

Unfortunately, the opening of Sai no Kawara in the underground drew so much of the clan's focus and manpower, that the issues up top just slipped through the cracks. Until now! Toraguma is in a bad mood and is looking for people to take it out on: the youth gangs will do just fine.

Volunteers are being solicited to join the regular Shuten enforcers in driving these interlopers out of Shuten territory. The gangs are wise to the usual Shuten tactics, though, and they're prepared for a fight. They are also appealing to the influx of Lost Souls: they act as though they're the victims of the factions' power struggles! They propose that taking up arms against the Shuten Clan will win them favor with the other groups in the city. (It will look less good with the Shuten Clan, should you be assigned to them.)

Fight with the Shutens, or with the gangs. Either way, a fight is coming.

2. TAMAMO TERRITORY - Throat Goat (NSFW)

at by akai riot

This prompt is overtly sexual in nature. Please use the proper NSFW labelling in your top levels and threads.

While the Palace of Sai in the underground is doing well, that doesn't mean the other businesses in the Tamamo Clan's collection have been slacking. One of the least "classy" soaplands has decided they're going to hold a contest to drive up business for themselves! They are partnering with some of the other sex clubs in the area for the sleaziest of events.

The Hyottoko Cup is looking for volunteer participants! The competition is pretty straightforward: a ruler is drawn on the throat of each participant and an array of members is presented to swallow. Whichever contestant can take the guests deepest and longest will take home the "coveted" Hyottoko Cup! Ok, there's a little judge favoritism involved too, so put on a show.

The guests have likewise been pulled in as volunteers, with instructions that they don't have to make this easy on the participants. Guests are provided with special seals that they can use for the length of the competition to enhance their natural assets. For those lacking the equipment entirely, there's a seal for that too.

Have fun and play nice.

3. TAMAMO TERRITORY - Strike a Poise (GEN)

Other businesses looking to jump start this month's earnings are also getting in on the spirit of competition! Businesses less oriented towards sexual service have come together as a means to draw in the high dollar clients, and one local club has proposed something old school.

Sign up for the Poise Contest, where contestants are placed into more and more ridiculous geta while tasked with serving drinks to the guest. Spills are expected, and the guests are cheerfully kitted out with cheap club-branded ponchos to protect their clothes. (Marketing, am I right?) While spills are expected, the contestant will lose points for each of the spilled drinks. Try to keep your balance as you attend to increasingly absurd drink orders. The intensity of the traditional footwear will only make your job that much harder.

Do you have what it takes to pour a champagne fountain while wearing teetering tengu geta? Prove your balance and dexterity is the best and the take home prize is some sweet cash. For Lost Souls freshly in the city, the chance to win some extra money can't really be passed up, huh…

4. SUTOKU TERRITORY - Jigokucho's Got Talent

Ever since Moonday's beloved singer – Ringo-chan – was kidnapped at the Tanabata festival, the band has had to cancel all of their scheduled gigs. Unfortunately, they were a hugely popular act, booked solid in most of the Sutoku Alliance's various nightclubs. This has left a ton of empty spots that need to be filled quickly, before the crowds get upset and demand… refunds.

That's where you come in, Lost Souls! Desperate promoters and talent bookers are literally grabbing Lost Souls off the street and begging, pleading, with them to perform a set for the night. They just need to have something to fill the space Moonday would have otherwise occupied. At least give the crowd something to see!

Acts do not need to be of the musical variety. Any performing talent is accepted, no matter how esoteric or bizarre! If it can fill out a 15-30 minute set, the club owners will be happy and the customers will at least see something interesting; even if it's a bad kind of interesting. So get on stage and show this city what you've got!

( Help us fill our time slots, please! We're desperate! 😩)

5. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA - Sticky Paws II: Outta the Bag

The Enma Department is busy: they have a kidnapping to investigate, a primordial god to pin down, and the crisis of their ever-shifting public image to manage. However, crime never sleeps and is always there to add to the troubled Department's workload. Worse still, we thought this little crime spree was over six months ago! But here it is again, much to the Enma's chagrin.

Cat cafés are a popular tourist attraction all across Jigokucho. About six months ago, a gang of bakeneko infiltrated several of the cafés to rob customers occupied with kitty bliss. Wallets, jewelry, and anything else those sticky paws could snatch away were being picked in droves. The cat capers are afoot once more!

Are you a hapless victim of these furry thieves, or are you helping the Department of the Enma track down these cat burglars? Unfortunately, the bakeneko are exceptionally clever and are using a seal to disguise their secondary tails. This makes them look just about like any normal cat. Better make sure your lead is good, or you'll be chasing down an ordinary Felis Catus. Soft to pet, but not going to return your pilfered cash.

Of course, the café staff might be in on this caper too… It's never easy to tell who's getting a cut of the profits. Be careful who you trust out there.

6. ALL OVER - The 100 Billion Yen Man (PLOT RELEVANT)

The local TV news has been announcing that Kaberou Kannazaki – the legendary finance wolf and the father of kidnapping victim, Ringo-chan – will be making an announcement this week. People have flocked to television sets throughout the city; at the squares, around TVs in bars, electronic stores, each other's phones, and any other venue with a connection. The kidnapping has been a highly public ordeal and the talk of the town. Many of the locals were present at the festival and witnessed the crime. They want to hear what the word is!

The public doesn't have to wait long. Wolf-eared Kaberou sits at a press desk, surrounded by microphones, and dazzled with flashbulbs. He clears his throat and, as he begins to speak, he is direct and to the point; not unlike a wolf lunging for the throat.

"As of today, I am issuing a bounty on the man known as the Iron Bear, who has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of my daughter, Ringo Kannazaki. The payout to the party responsible for bringing me Iron Bear, dead or alive, is 100 Billion Yen. Individuals or groups, I don't care. Just bring my daughter back to me, and the money is yours."

Well! The Department of the Enma's hopes of an orderly investigation have been dashed, but this is certainly an opportunity for anyone brave enough – or, more accurately, stupid enough – to traverse the Wasteland. Maybe one of you out there will find the legendary Iron Bear and bring him to some form of justice.

Local businesses are quick to leap at this opportunity, too. They begin to aggressively push sponsorships at would-be bounty hunters. Weapons? Armor? Survival gear? All at discount prices! Each faction has their interest in collecting the massive bounty as well. They will all be putting a lot of pressure on recruits to get ready to head out to the Wastes.

If you just got here? Well, it would definitely be in your interest to start finding gear, and finding people willing to collect that bounty with you. It could mean a big step forward toward your eventual contract, after all.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

First of all, big thanks to our discord chat for the "Throat Goat" prompt idea. Stay golden, gang.
IF YOU'RE TOP-LEVELING A NEW CHARACTER, post it ~~here!~~ HERE!
Characters already in the game can top level as well.
Threads here can be considered game canon.
Characters can be recruited to do work for any faction until they're given their official assignment.
If you have any questions about the TDM content, please ask them here! You can find information on the story so far here!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
Reserves are open until September 5th.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Newbies from post one

TAMAMO TERRITORY: Throat Goat (VERY NSFW)

[ To many, this sort of competition would reach the height of embarrassment. For some, a chance to let loose and display their sexual talents for the world to witness.

For Shenhe, it was just another day.

Roping her into it didn't take too long, even if it involved some manipulation once the staffers discovered she wasn't knowledgeable on how the world worked very well. This didn't just extend to the new Hell she's found herself in: Even back in Teyvat, she was a clueless outcast attempting to learn more as each day went on.

Whatever the case might be Shenhe is seated down in a seiza, arms covering her bare chest and as nude as the day she was born. Whether roped into it or willingly going along with it, somehow you've ended up in front of Shenhe on stage during the competition. ]

Greetings. I am Shenhe. Please take good care of me. [ It comes out monotone, both because of how Shenhe is and because it's exactly what she was told to say. ]

TAMAMO TERRITORY: Strike a Poise

[ To many onlookers' surprise, Shenhe finds little to no difficulty in balancing herself on the geta. They may be a footwear unfamiliar to her, but the shoes she wore regularly combined with her martial arts training to give her an impressive amount of dexterity.

The same can not be said for her temporary "coworkers", though any drinks they've spilled are quickly caught and attended to by Shenhe herself. It's enough that one of the contest staffers has to say something to her and stop her, because how were they meant to deduct points if Shenhe's meddling made it hard to tell who spilled what?!

Still, even Shenhe could not keep things up for too long. All it took was one distraction, one misstep, until a drink slips from her hand. She catches it just fine, but the contents end up spilled right onto you. Oops. ]

...Apologies.

WILDCARD

[ Have a prompt I didn't include that you want to, or an idea I didn't consider? Use it here! For contact purposes you can DM this account or find me on Discord @ miki 🎤#1130 ]

Edited 2022-09-02 03:31 (UTC)

a. muscling in

Not this shit again...

[ "Shuten," youth gangs. sides of a conflict. none of this (onslaught) of information will answer any lingering questions he has about this unfamiliar place, these unfamiliar faces, his state of being. alive or dead? these others, sentient or no? death, something to concern himself with, or a fleeting inconvenience?

faced with a youth gang member brandishing a pipe in his direction for emphasis isn't really the time to ponder, and pushing it aside as though its little more than an inconvenience probably isn't endearing him to the gang's cause. ]

Look, I don't know why I ought to join-

[ it earns him a punch to the face. kinder than the business end of the pipe, but Otonashi wastes no time in grabbing the shirt of the young gang member and returning the hit in kind. the issue?

there are more of them and one of him. step in? silly commentary about how maybe that wasn't the time for words? ]

b. strike a poise

[ it's simple enough: a job, a task for the promise of money. there's almost no question about his agreement to try; Otonashi ought to try to be self-sufficient.

carrying a drink housed in a tall, ornate container, he shuffles carefully in the taller-than-he'd-like geta sandals, sparing a quick downward glance (more of a glare, really) at them. his first few passes go decently well. ]

I'll take it over mass thievery, I guess... [ muttered mostly to himself, something almost centering, and self-reflective at the very least.

there's a lot of almosts here, until yet another almost save ends with him stumbling, desperately trying to catch the drink, and spilling the majority of the container's contents on himself before he stumbles to the side.

ah well, he's probably fine. ]

... At least I spared your clothes?

[ right on time: a sheepish, somewhat forced laugh. he might be giving anyone nearby (you?) a somewhat defeated look, too. who comes up with this stuff anyway? ]

c. wildcard!

( something else? have ideas for another prompt? this dead dude (that doesn't know his situation fully!) is always tired but willing to help. I'm totally up for anything, willing to hash stuff out and write other top-levels. just let me know! )

1. 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏

(manjiro "street gang conflict" sano, blowing off such an opportunity? never, ever.

bizarre, though, isn't it? going from being the boss, calling shots on who to fight and when, to being told what to do. not exceptionally fond of it in any way, but one does what one can to find their own footing, climb to the top from somewhere, even if that's the ground. it's temporary. soon, he'll return home, to his precious tokyo manji gang, and everything will be fine. besides, what a great opportunity to make his name all over again - 'invincible' is a title that must be earned, and a possibility just fell from the sky just like that.

it hardly looks like he's trying to recover it, though. with his back against the front of a store, he stares as the fight breaks through, a lollipop swirling around his mouth as empty eyes scan the scene. the pleas of mercy from the gang do nothing to soothe nor soften the hearts of the volunteers, much less mikey's. his patience instead runs thinner, and unceremoniously, his steps lead to the tallest of them, mikey's lack of height exacerbated - until his foot meets their temple, and they fall on the ground unconscious. patting his hands, he gestures to the others, cracking knuckles.)

You like to fight, right, fuckers? Then let's fight.

(if one takes the time to read his jacket, it'll make more sense. on the back, the words 'tokyo manji gang' stand out with the symbol of the manji proudly embroiled. on the right arm, "run hard manji gang of fools", "leader of the manji corps" on the left. ah...)

2. 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒆

(he's spoiled to the bone, but you know what's a great motivator? having money. with money, you can eat. when you eat, you get the best sleep known to men, given by the gods themselves. mikey's set isn't that artistic in anyway, it's a "simple" martial arts presentation, with boards being placed higher and higher, even when it gets ridiculous to watch when mikey's tiny. yet, he cracks them, an example of flexibility and expertise - working at it since he was three and actually living in his family dojo undoubtedly helps on top of shounen anime prodigy.

he'll come out, stretching his arms above his head and yawning. one can catch him here, but otherwise, soon mikey joins the crowd, his laughter booming as he chortles at a particularly bad number. they can probably hear it, but mikey's so overtaken by laughter there are even tears pooling in the corners of his eyes.

oh, well.)

3. 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒘𝒔

(he's here more due to the sweets the café offers than the cats themselves. the little money he's made with kicking boards into another dimension already melting as he orders the biggest parfait they have in store. with his poor memory, the jury's out on whether he's heard about the incidents, and either way goes.

it's not important. of utmost urgency and relevance is that he has his daily quota of way too much glucose right in front of him, his mouth open and ready to receive a spoonful when he feels fur rubbing against his pocket. the look he gives the cat isn't related to the money sitting within it, but the mere possibility it might jump on the table and rob him of a cherry.)

Fucking order one yourself? With how shit's weird here, I ain't gonna be surprised if you can. Shoo, shoo.

4. 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓

(silence, other than the TVs turning and the volumes increasing as he strolls through the streets. it's a miracle that mikey comes into a sports shop right as the announcement rings everyone's ears, shoppers with their hands hovering over the shelves and sellers with a scowl on their faces, calculations almost tangible. a billion yen, huh? that's good money, and in his situation, he doesn't see himself passing it up.

so, he'll gather new hand bandages, and that's about it as gear. once he hears someone approaching the same aisle, black, dull eyes look up before he gestures to the television.)

You goin'?

5. 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅

(or wildcard me to your heart's content. i would love it. you can catch me at newmeatjb if you'd like to plot, though!)

(mikey's not abandoning his jacket, nor is he thinking in any way of having toman be less than it ever was. members are missing by the hundreds, but two founding ones are in front of him, and so is a captain. things could be bleaker.

he hasn't ignored how all of them have been acting strange, the looks they give both soft and concerned all the same. the way they seem endeared to death, but also as if they're taking something fragile ever so longingly in their hands, nostalgia sparkling in their eyes.

makes mikey think perhaps he did change a lot over the years. did he give up? he couldn't have, not when there were still people who held him in reality like a boulder. or perhaps they just miss the little things he did when he was younger, and that justifies it just fine, but his intuition won't let rest that something is wholly wrong.

there are more pressing matters at hand. mikey sits across the three of them, his leader position intact, and here's where it gets weird.)

I know I'm younger than you three. I know things probably have changed over the years y'all have experienced and I haven't. None of that is important right now. What is important is where are we going from now on. Are you still mine, here in Hell?

[Takemichi has been through A LOT lately. His messes piled up long before he landed here, however, and most of them have arisen from his own incompetence. The fact that he's made it this far, that despite everything he's still sitting next to Draken and Mitsuya, still looking up at a Mikey who believes in something... It makes everything else seem trivial.

As long as he isn't alone in this place, it can never truly be hell.

That's why he doesn't hesitate, doesn't waste a single second considering his other options. Proper etiquette would be to wait until after Draken and Mitsuya answer, but Michi opens his mouth the very second Mikey shuts his.]

Of course! [He bellows, leaning so far forward that it's a miracle he doesn't tip over.] If we all work together, we'll get our wishes in no time!

[And the content is spilled right onto this particular woman. A guest that has been watching for a while, after leaving the more... Sexual-orientated competition earlier. This, while not exactly Soundwave's scene, at least was partly entertaining watching people struggling to balance themselves and spilling drinks everywhere, until one is spilled on the holoavatar.

There doesn't seem to be a reaction from the avatar (though given the mask and visor, it's hard to get a read on his expression anyway), but the avatar eventually does tilt up towards Shenhe. In a monotone, though modulated voice to fit his human appearance:]

You seem to be doing well before this. Guess your luck has ran out?

[Soundwave doesn't sound too bothered by this at least, despite the top of the avatar's head is dripping wet.]

▶ ( KNUCKLEDUSTER )

I'll pass.

[ it's a bit funny, in his opinion, how things don't change even in hell. it's almost like he never left, really, if it weren't for the horns and tails and what-have-you. it's still a bit hard to swallow basically being shoved in the plot of a manga.

more importantly, he's staring down a three-pair, all shiny leather and masks to accompany the tap-tap of the ringleader's pipe on the ground. sure, most people would maybe appreciate the chance to earn some street cred with these factions or whatever, but mitsuya is not quite most people. he's already got a name on his back, so he's not quite eager to appeal to others. if mitsuya there's a chance to avoid a fight, then he'd honestly rather not bother.

they, however, do not appreciate their offer being turned down. something something shuten power struggles, and he's preparing to sidestep and continue on his way before a hand comes down around his arm-

and mitsuya decks the guy in the face, pipe clattering to the ground as he hits the floor ass-first with an unflattering noise. ]

I said not interested. You need me to say it again?

[ one on three...well, he's honestly had worse odds thus far. ]

▶ ( CROSS-STITCH )

[ naturally, scraps have their downsides. the bruises, the aches, and of course- the tattered clothes. he tugs at a newfound hole in his pants, one in his shirt, and mitsuya sighs so softly you wouldn't guess he was just throwing hands. naturally, this is an easy enough fix, but a quick pat proves the backup sewing kit he keeps on hand outside of fights is missing.

he's got a bit of cash left, however, so. ]

Hey.

[ yeah, you. either you just dragged yourself out of a fight yourself, or just had an unfortunate accident- either way, you're sporting some similar holes. mitsuya eyes them for a second, before looking up. ]

You know where I could find a fabric store? Or anywhere I can get a sewing kit. I'll fix ya up, in exchange.

▶ ( MANHUNT )

[ that, he thinks, is a lot of money.

then again, some people will not hesitate to pay any price for the ones they love...or something like that, because the way this guy acts just doesn't sit right with him, makes his lips twinge downwards in a frown and his shoe tap impatiently on the floor.

it's not really his fight, not his person to protect, but his wallet is empty and if it means dragging someone out of a conflict they don't belong in? sure. why not. if anything, he feels a bit of pity, seeing as how whoever that girl is is probably just collateral damage.

weapons, though...hard pass. he brushes past them, past the eager hands trying to show them off, and eyes up the protective gear instead. they called that place the wastelands, right...? ]

If they're pushing survival gear, it's probably pretty rough out there, huh? [ acting like it's going to be like a rough camping trip in the wilderness, or something. he picks up an undershirt, branded as particularly durable and sweat-wicking, casting a glance towards the nearest person. ] Half these people are gonna bog themselves down carrying ten tons of weapons, then it's just gonna go to shit.

▶ ( WILDCARD )

got something else in mind? pm me, or hit up

lupical!

everything that kills me makes me feel alive

[ it still feels...surreal, in a sense. coming from watching a fight between two of the men in front of him, utterly enraptured by the fists and legs flying and yet missing when they shouldn't. it's what makes his shock evident at first, seeing mikey here- shorter. younger. without the absolutely lifeless look in his eyes, without the blood of his friends embedded in his knuckles and under his fingernails.

( this? this is how mikey should look, before he lets things swallow him whole and he becomes something he's not. )

he doesn't know, and part of him screams he should tell him. he deserves the truth, deserves to know, and yet mitsuya can't bring himself to do it. not when the question makes his chest constrict in familiarity and longing. mitsuya merely sits, next to a man who should be a ghost, and still wonders how the fuck he got here.

but hell, he isn't going to complain. ]

C'mon. Don't ask questions you already know the answer to.

[ he smiles, easygoing as always despite the turmoil brewing inside, and leans back in his seat. ]

You can't escape from your responsibilities that easy, Mikey. Where else would we go, anyway?

(mikey isn't the one mitsuya is talking to, not in a million. that isn't how that conversation would start, he's sure. but he so happens to be turning around the corner when the familiar voice hits his ears. one he has heard extensively throughout the years, one that took the first steps into the real world of delinquency with him. the voice of reason, his most trusted mediator.

and a smile comes to his lips. one by one, the manji is showing. mikey, takemichi, kenchin, and now mitsuya. naturally they'll be in hell together.

with silent steps, mikey moves in stealth behind the taller one, hands calloused and rough, but strangely, the smell should kickstart mitsuya's memory. red bean paste, from all the sweets he eats.)

Guess who.

Already followed you to Hell, why would I go anywhere else?

[Draken is surprised by the question, as if there was another answer. He knows Mikey changed, he knows letting him leave was a bad idea, but still. He loves the damn kid.]

I'll always be by your side.

(shuten's worse and worse, and shin couldn't be any happier that he no longer inhabits it. unfortunately, though, the place does match some of his aesthetics, so he is once again walking the streets down to ~~hot topic~~ a very nice store that is in pair to his 2000's japanese rock trash aesthetic, just going to grab a few shoes. why not, right? some of us have a lot of money, none that he is keeping in him aside from the exact amount he'll spend. no trauma there.

but huh? this boy's getting jumped, absolutely fearless - and shin kind of wants to ask about his hair dye, that color is nice. he'll meddle, just a little bit.)

Left dude's hair needs five years of treatment and it wouldn't be enough, neither would bleach be if we were trying to remove his stench. Middle dude has the most attitude but no backing it up, so we know he might be compensating for something. (yes he said what he said) Right dude... Not even trying. You are the human equivalent of a participation award.

(watch as they bend in confusion to the sharp rib pain, or the enormous, inflamed pimple growing on the tip of their noses. shin's created a diversion, so if mitsuya wants to take advantage of it, he can go for it... and shin'll help a little on that too, the reverse bit of his power that causes a bit of emotional wellbeing and confidence turned to the other.)

Not you, though. Your hair is great. Give me the brand if you can.

[ no, it definitely wouldn't be mikey. not when the last he'd seen of mikey was him tossing blows at takemichi, a dull look in his eyes and unrestrained viciousness in his limbs. no, the person he's talking to is friendly enough, as opposed to the people he'd been dealing with before.

they offer him an answer, decline his offer in turn, and cast a curious glance over his shoulder before they turn to leave-

and then there's someone behind him. a presence, a touch, a familiar smell ( mikey, can't you wash your hands first? ), at that voice mitsuya freezes.

mikey can probably see his muscles tense for a brief moment as it sets in, as mitsuya finds himself struggling for a brief moment. it doesn't feel right, because shouldn't he be getting his skull kicked in right now? and why does he sound so, so...like himself.

...and then he relaxes, tentatively, acting like the surprise just got to him as he tilts his head back, internally bracing himself. ]

...Who else would smell like adzuki? You haven't already spent all your money here on sweets, have you?

[ the big brother in him is tragically kicking in. ]

(he knows. everything he's told, he knows. however, there's relief escaping from his exhale, albeit he shows none in his face, all microexpressions controlled. god knows what kind of person he is in the future, and given how they've been staring at him, he could only hope. he can feel the waves crashing and pulling in his brain, and god only knows how much self-control the mikey they have harbors within himself, or whether he gave up altogether.

unimportant, however. childishness aside, his cheeriness at bay, it's tokyo manji's invincible mikey posture, and the charisma leaking from every word, every gesture. keeping himself together gives way to ease, smiles pulling from the corners of his lips once he stands up proudly.)

I can only thank you, and there is no way I could ever want to escape you or my obligations. Tokyo Manji's my all, and it has always been, and it always will be.

(hahahaha.)

Here, we'll stand one for all and all for one as we have always had, but our numbers clearly have taken a hit, and I've seen people be capable of shit that no human should be. We can't take chances. If it feels like trouble, call me immediately and make sure you'll be able to find each other easily. I decided we should pool our money to find a house we can all be in. All in agreement?

Edited 2022-09-04 06:10 (UTC)

(of course it's mikey, who else could it be? it's just his friend, his beloved leader, whose life he's sworn to. if it hasn't been for kenchin's and takemichi's reactions, mikey could have grilled mitsuya for answers on why his back feels heavy and demanded reasons as to why that tension even exists in the first place. he's smarter than that, however, and right now, he really does not need to know.

so, as any toman founding member, poor mitsuya. mikey's hands drop, arms securing themselves before he hops to wrap legs around him from behind. perfect napping stance, so he can take one as mitsuya finds a place for them to sit and talk.)

Almost. Find us a bakery, I'm just gonna nap and we'll talk when we're there.

(yeah he's not murdering anyone.

nor is he awake. bye, mitsuya.)

["Tokyo Manji's my all."

It true, a traitorous voice in the back of Takemichi's brain supplies, but not in the way Mikey means it. He hasn't met a single adult Mikey who wasn't detrimentally obsessed with Toman. It's scary to think about because it makes him doubt whether he's even capable of saving him.

He can't afford to look scared right now, so he doesn't think about it. It's so much easier to just focus on actions. He'll think when he's dead.

Toman House, it is!]

Can we have bunkbeds?

Mitsuya? Mitsuya!

[Takemichi waves excitedly as he rounds a rack of multitools and races to his fellow captain's side. He already has a purchase bagged and settled under his armpit: a package of knee, elbow, and wrist pads.]

Didn't think I'd see any of you guys in this section. Maybe I should've though! [He chuckles, though he clutches his gear tighter.] Mikey's the only one who'd laugh at me for shopping here.

[ mitsuya bounces that about in his mind for a few seconds, mind sinking back to the past few months- the years since they had last seen mikey before the series of current events. for that, he remains silent, gaze flickering to takemichi for a brief moment before back to mikey. no, he can't bring himself to protest.

doesn't think he'd really want to, despite it all. ]

A house, already...aiming pretty big, as always.

[ and to think, several weeks ago he was apartment hunting. how much can two 18-year-old's, one 16-year old, and a 15-year-old provide in terms of house money...? an interesting thought, that flies out the window a few seconds later. ]

Bunkbeds...? [ mitsuya is blinking, leaning over to get a better look at the younger's face. bro??? ] Oi, Takemitchy...we're a bit old for that, don't you think?

[ not to mention, he grew up with siblings and fully understands the need for a room to yourself, thank you. ]

[ really, he wouldn't use violence if he didn't have to- but if there's one thing he knows very well, it's that street punks tend to lack a penchant for letting go of things. teach a lesson to whoever disrespects you, and all that. he's been there.

he gives his hand a shake, reclenching his fist as the idiot on the ground nurses his surely broken nose. his friends, naturally, aren't very happy about that, and mitsuya cracks his knuckles with only a little bit of aggravation in his expression- picking a fight wasn't really how he wanted to spend his first few days here, but shit happens.

shit like the...commentary from the peanut gallery? it stuns them all enough to turn, and this scrawny stick of a guy is tossing out burns left and right like he's getting paid for it. it's...kind of impressive, really. ]

Uh...thanks. Not too sure they sell it in hell, though.

[ why one guy looks like he suddenly needs a full acne treatment and the other is grimacing like he just got socked in the ribs, mitsuya has no idea, but if the opportunity is being offered? he's gonna take it. and by take it, he means up and shove his boot straight into acne-boy's stomach, earning a sharp cough and sending him right next to his gloriously broken-nosed leader. joker #3, looking up from his clear stomach pangs, opts to stare between the two attempting to pick themselves up and mitsuya himself, before coming the obvious conclusion that his luck fucking sucks.

rather than sit around waiting for them to pick their egos back up off the floor where they dropped them, mitsuya opts to roll his shoulders before stride over to the errant intruder. ]

Picked a shit place to hang out, since you don't seem itching for a brawl. Wanna ditch?

[ how does one describe this kind of situation? unreal? impossible, perhaps? but it's definitely happening. it's like he's staring at a time machine, gone two years in the past, and now he's standing next to someone he was supposed to follow forever.

it's hard to dwell on these kinds of intrusive thoughts when you're getting grabbed, though, as mitsuya finds with a surprised choking noise as he finds limbs coiling around his person. god, that is a whole-ass teenager hanging off his back right now. ]

Hey, Mikey-!

[ so this is what draken used to deal with...he's truly stronger than any US marine.

mitsuya wobbles for a second before straightening up, craning his head to try and see what's going on, only to feel the soft inhale and exhale of somebody clearly not among the waking world. his hands fall in disbelief, before he finally lets out an exasperated noise, almost fond. well, he's been given no choice in the matter.

after a moment of bracing himself and getting back up, here he is, waltzing down the street with a goblin attached to his back. it takes a bit of wandering, not quite attuned to the smell of freshly baked goods like mikey is, but eventually he finds one. luckily, his hands are free enough to open the door...

now, the important part. ]

Time to wake up, your Majesty. We've arrived at your destination.

(even that interjection didn't reach his ears.

quite a refreshing nap it had been, though. dreamless, seamless, easy. too used to having backs as pillows - baji's, draken's, mitsuya's on a pitch. it's good that mikey was so damn specific, it gives his nap more time to reach full cycle like that, and the combo of the aroma of baked goods and the voice against his eardrum wakes sleeping beauty with ease.

he snuggles a bit against the shoulder, a yawn grounding him to reality before tiny feet reach the floor. alright, he said he'd talk here, right? in a bit. two milkshakes and some chocolate cake should do it, and there goes his money once more. that makes - a lot more tugs to kick.

once they're sitting that mikey speaks.)

Let me guess. You're just like Kenchin and Takemitchy. Two years older of me?

(at least give people some time before you just throw shit like that, mikey...)

Wh- Takemitchy?

[ well, he definitely wasn't expecting a few familiar faces here, but hell if he's complaining. guess they had the same idea, in the end. a smile slips across his face as he stands up to meet him, letting his gaze fall to the bag he's toting around. ]

Of course he would. None of us are built like he is, after all.

[ the smile turns a little bit bitter, like he's thinking of something he shouldn't, but the other probably knows regardless. shake it off, mitsuya. ]

Shouldn't be surprised you're heading out there, huh. What's in the bag?

[The wary flitting of his eyes from Mitsuya to the shop's exit and back are a good indication that Mitsuya's right. Takemichi knows plenty, and he's already combatting his guilt over lying to Mikey.

When Toman's former leader doesn't pop into the store right then, however, he relaxes some and pulls his purchase out of its bag. The heavy duty pads and wrist guards are black with red highlights. Because that color combination is clearly the coolest one.]

It's kind of embarrassing, but it felt kind of silly for me to swing a sword around and the shields were really heavy, so...

[Hahaha...]

I thought this might help. You know, like in zombie or apocalypse movies.

[ if he doesn't look at the unruly mop of blond hair closely enough, it's almost like carrying luna or mana- moreso luna, size-wise. for a minute, his chest tightens up unpleasantly, before he finally exhales as the teen at his back finally drags himself out of slumber to slink to the floor.

he watches mikey order with some sense of forlorn nostalgia, a small smile playing at his lips. he still really doesn't understand what the hell is going on, but apparently hell can shave some years off you...or something. sitting in a booth, mikey on one side and him on other, the smell of chocolate and burnt sugar in the air...it's...nice.

if only things could have stayed like that back home. ]

They're both here, too, huh?

[ somehow, all of them ending up in hell together feels ironic. mitsuya leans a bit on the table, condensation dripping down the milkshake glass in front of him. heck of a question, but not any weirder than seeing mikey basically de-age. ]

Pretty much. I'm 18 now. [ 2 years past having his shit get kicked in by the guy in front of him. time flies. ] Not any more successful after graduating, though, if you were curious.

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