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What
?

I thought it resembled your face Do you disagree?

[why is THIS the first thing he's hearing (receiving???) from Matoba after they EMOTIONALLY GUTPUNCHED EACH OTHER]

Dont send me weird things

I assumed a mobile phone would blow up if you touched it

[He feels nothing :)]

It isn't weird, it is cute

Why?

It's not cute

Where are you getting these? [who do I need to yell at?]

An acquaintance of mine assisted me in adjusting some settings on my phone

He also acquired these images for me They seem quite useful

You're going to use up all of your monthly text messages on images of cats. There's probably worse reasons to go into debt with ayakashi but I can't think of them right now

Is there such a limit? I suppose it was too good to think charge by the minute wouldn't apply here That's a shame

Charged by the message, even! Which is why this is my last message on the subject
o(*￣▽￣*)ブ

Edited 2022-03-16 02:17 (UTC)

[He turns his fucking phone off.]

To Master Natori,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I wanted to thank you for your assistance on the bridge the other day. And, once again, I wished to sincerely apologize for ...... what happened. I still can't find the right words other than apologies, only that I hope you are feeling in good health. If you required any medical attention, please allow me to pay for it.

I have also prepared a replacement for the glasses that you tragically lost due to my recklessness. While I don't have much experience selecting frames, the saleswoman assured me that these are extremely popular in the city and well worth the extra expense. You should receive a delivery soon.

I look forward to the next time we meet and hope that our next investigation goes more smoothly.

Your friend,
Chongyun

[ And, true enough, eventually a runner talented in finding lost souls with only a name and vague description drops off a small box that's only big enough to hold a pair of frames. Inside, Natori will find this .... "charming" pair of specs. Enjoy!!!!!! ]

Hi Chongyun-kun! Thank you for the well wishes, but as I said the other day, please don't worry about it! I'm looking forward to the next time we work together, and I'll have you to thank for my new glasses when we do.

[And then he sends a selfie where he's wearing the ridiculous glasses... He's worn weirder for pay, he can pull off a single photo to make a teen boy feel better.]

Until then, Natori (ナトリ)

[He's signing his name in katakana out of paranoia re: putting his full name anywhere in writing in the ayakashi realm. Being an exorcist sure is exhausting.]

[The wards don't protect against that which set them. Early in the morning at the end of May, Natori wakes to a slender, shadow-like shiki waiting patiently for him by his bed, long neck craned over to stare down at him with its mask-like face.]

[Ohayou, Shuichi-san ♥︎]

[Whether Natori dispels it or not, whether he does so on accident or not, the shiki is clutching a letter, written on a regular sheet of paper and folded into precise thirds. It is sealed shut, with a simple spell.]

I hear your clan is playing host to the gods, these days. A Natori's work is never done.

[Natori surfaces from sleep with an immediate awareness that something is in the room with him. His eyes snap open to see the shiki hovering far too close to his face. Although he recognizes it nearly instantly, years of habit take over; he rolls to the side both to avoid the strike that (probably) isn't coming and to grab for the chains of paper dolls he keeps in arm's reach when he sleeps. As they make short work of the shiki (it may mean him no harm, but it's the principle of the thing) he sits up in bed to read the letter.

Matoba gets a paper doll with a message written on it in curt, familiar handwriting.]

Congratulations on getting your shiki restored to you.

[Poor shiki-kun.... Getting punched just for doing his job, as usual!! This is why they don’t like you, Master Natori!!]

[Or wouldn’t, if they were capable of feelings.]

[Dutifully, another message arrives stubbornly by shiki-delivery by the time Natori is up, another letter sealed carefully.]

The Natori house’s congratulations are appreciated. Have you engaged with them, yet, Mr. Celebrity?

[Acknowledge the topic you stupid himbo!!]

[By the time the shiki returns, Natori is fully awake and getting dressed. He's irritated but not surprised to receive a response; it wasn't like Matoba to just give up when he wanted something, but at the same time he had hoped that this wouldn't need to be an actual conversation.

He doesn't bother dispelling the shiki this time, just takes the letter and reads it. He writes his own response on the back and hands it back to the shiki without a word (or a ward; he's not going to bother sealing it).]

I'm happy to report that the Akeboshi Koutarou continues to receive rave reviews, even from the Celestials. I suppose that's not much of a surprise to you?

Not at all. I’ve always heard that the realm of the gods is quite vapid and care-free.

[Of course he wants something. Why would he be speaking to him otherwise?]

However, it seems they have their fingers in some interesting pies. Have you tasted any of them?

[ pls pretend they became friends and exchanged contacts??? ]

Do you know someone named Matoba Seiji?

[oh look it's his friend Fushiguro-kun--]

Yes. Is he bothering you?

No ...

Well, says a lot that you would immediately make that assumption. [ what exactly has matoba done ]

He can be very persistent when it comes to powerful spiritually-sensitive teenagers. But if what you're asking is if we're from the same place, the answer is yes.

He did ask me a lot of questions.

Is there a reason he is interested in ... spiritually-sensitive teenagers? [ that is kind of weird, what is this. ]

It's a recruitment drive. The Matoba clan is powerful, and stays that way because its leader is constantly looking out for "useful" people to join its ranks. They're something of the local powerhouse in our region. Or, well, not unlike the way the Shuten operates either.

Oh. So it's like that. I don't really want to join a clan.

Has he tried to recruit you as well? [ With his sharp memory, he remembers Natori mentioning that no one in his family has the sight, so he's unlikely from any existing clan. ]

He tried. I disagree with his way of doing things. [And also they were both teenagers, so the fact that it was a first year high school student trying to recruit a second year didn't help. At the time, Shuuichi assumed that Seiji was making fun of him.] If you tell him you're already part of one, he might let up, but it's honestly no guarantee.

I already told him I'm the head of a clan. That must be why he's never asked me.

[ just 1 text ago he said he doesn't want to be part of a clan u_u he moves on, without explaining. ]

What do you mean by 'his way of doing things'?

Edited 2022-06-09 12:51 (UTC)

[That doesn't strike Natori, himself a clan of one, as an inherent contradiction, just a sign that there's something more complicated going on there. Fushiguro doesn't strike him as the sort to dodge a direct question, but it's easy for a direct question to be answered with something like "long story" or "it doesn't matter" if he doesn't want to talk about it. Natori just files it away for later.]

The Matoba clan absorbs smaller houses in exchange for protection. Matoba-san oversees the 11 old houses as well as countless smaller defunct clans, which includes access to the family techniques under their umbrella. As the head of a clan, you're a more valuable person to recruit, even if he doesn't ask directly.

That's part of what I mean.

That sounds like a real pain. [ MORE PEOPLE MORE PROBLEMS. ... He doesn't see the appeal. ]

Is he just out to make his clan the strongest one around? [ curious about matoba's goals... ]

More like he wants to keep it the strongest one around. [And not (just) for crazy shounen powerlevel reasons; he has subsidiary houses to keep safe, with the fates of hundreds of people riding solely on his shoulders.] I don't know if it's the same where you come from, but many exorcist houses are on the decline, with their spiritual abilities growing weaker or in some cases losing the ability to see ayakashi at all. Most of them choose to flock to the Matoba clan for protection, so the Matoba are responsible for their safety as well.

I see. I can understand why he wants to recruit strong people, in that case.

[ A leader's job is to protect. It's not something he thinks about very often because he's never had ambitions for leadership, but now that he does think about it, that's a good way to protect the most people. Something to think about, at least -- and he will, with his introspective personality. ]

With the exorcists on the decline, doesn't that mean the cursed spirits can attack people more freely?

Yes and no. A lot of ayakashi are losing power as well. A combination of a lack of belief and development in the more remote parts of Japan... but then again, that also leads to the spirits that remain encroaching more on human territory. We're getting different sorts of calls than we used to, to a smaller community.

So the strength of the ayakashi is dependent on people's belief in them?

[ It's different where he's from. ]

For some of them, yes. Particularly kami, but also for any type of ayakashi that feeds off of interaction with people, or the old traditions or nature. Is it not the same where you're from?

[AFTER SEEING THIS]

You really have no business chiding me about any dealings with Natsume-kun.

[after several "..."s]

It was just a joke.

I'm sure. So when you are dragging him around meetings and jobs for your convenience it is a joke, and when I request his assistance a single time it is inappropriate. How very interesting. You know, Natori-san, I always wondered how it was that you met Natsume-kun to begin with. Could it be you were scouting after all?

I took a nap in the grass during a shooting break and he tripped over me while looking for his cat, actually. [Which is easy for him to say all high and mighty, if he puts aside everything that came afterwards.]

Remind me, did you request his assistance? Or did you strong-arm him into going along with what you wanted?

[Yeah, he's totally going to believe it just happened like that.]

How convenient that you were there at that moment. Of course, he had two choices. You know very well my position on leaving someone like that to be left to his own devices. It would be better that way, and yet I still gave him a condition to remain free. Do you think I don't hear about how many meetings you have taken him to? How about the time you took him along to the Yorishima residence? Or the time at the Hakozaki mansion? Shall I continue?

[Natori isn't going to take the bait to debate each and every instance that he and Natsume have ended up in contact with exorcists-- for one thing, he hasn't done anything wrong (lately), and for another, Matoba wouldn't believe him anyway. Not after he reads those chilling words in the middle of the message: remain free.]

It isn't your call to put conditions on every teenager you happen to meet, Matoba, no matter how useful they are to you. It wasn't back then, and it isn't now.

[...]

[Fine. If he wants it to be this way. Fine.]

You have always had the choice to walk away.

[✔ Read ]

Hey. Ya doin' all right?
Wanted t'ask ya about somethin'.

Better than I was a few weeks ago, at least. What can I do for you, Majima-san?

There's a certain kind've yokai that I keep runnin' into.
Chijoku says they're Ungaikyō, mirror spirits.
Need t'keep them outta my head.

[ He cannot stop Natori from speculating as to why that might be, but boy he wishes he could. ]

[He certainly can guess, but there's no need to pry. He switches to business mode immediately.]

I see. Are they confined to their mirrors or are you coming across them in the street? And do they appear to be different spirits each time or are there repeat visitors?

I met some in Hakagemachi
And again durin' th'rain.

They come out of the water. Tried t'drown me twice now.
Dunno. Even with Chijoku they get their hooks in me too fast.

[ He does know why, he is just disinclined to discuss his fracturing mental health unless he has to. ]

Ah, so they're using the water as their reflective surface...

[And they gained a taste for toying with Majima in the place where he was before, then either the massive cursed energy of the blood rain enabled them to cross the border into Jigokucho or else similar ayakashi took advantage of the vulnerability. As far as Natori's concerned, there isn't much difference whether they were ultimately manifestations of the blood rain or ayakashi who would be in the city normally-- they're dealt with the same either way.]

If they're that fast, the best thing to do would be to carry around protective wards to try to fend them off if they appear again rather than trying to seal or exorcise them. I could provide you with some shikigami that could work in a pinch, but [he waffles over this next bit for a few minutes, both for selfish reasons and not, before deciding that his first duty as an exorcist is to give the best advice he can.] my wards aren't functioning anywhere near where they should be. I can refer you to another exorcist for that.

[(He's switched to using 'watashi' for 'I' instead of 'ore'; old habit of being polite when doing proper exorcist work.) After a moment, he follows up with another text:]

There may be some complications with Chijoku if you go to the person I'm thinking of, however.

Can't hide I got him or nothin'. But I got plenty'va cash if that smooths things over?

It's more that you should be prepared for... [Hmm. How to summarize.] You dealt with onmyouji in that Hakagemachi of yours, right? Matoba-san is a powerful exorcist, but even among other spellcasters he's known for his hatred of ayakashi. He should still help you, but he's going to look down on the two of you for your partnership.

[He might not normally be that blunt about it, but considering that Majima said he was dealing with ungaikyou... He attaches a contact card anyway.]

If you'd rather not deal with him, I can still offer my services. But he's in a better position to offer what you'll need than I am.

[ Tch, those assholes... Well. Fine. ]

Give it a try. Thanks.

Let me know if it doesn't work out. I'll get you what I can in that case. [And also yell at the boyfriend for being an asshole.]

You'll never guess what I'm doing at the festival right now

[He thinks about not answering... but c'mon they both know he's going to answer.]

Terrorizing your Sutoku kouhai?

Playing with Natsume-kun 😻

What

[RING RING, MOTHERFUCKER]

[riiiiiing]

[riiiiiiiiiiing]

[riiiiiiiiiiiiiiing]

[click.]

You have reached the voicemail of-- Matoba. Please leave your message at the tone.

BEEEEP

[Immediately hangs up and dials again.

And also starts tossing paper dolls up into the air to scope out the festival grounds.]

[About a minute and a half after Natori's missed phone call, and his ensuing panic, another text finally pops in.]

[(Sending photos over data in a crowded festival is hard, okay! The service here is so throttled.)]

[It's a selfie of Matoba, giving a little V with his fingers while in the other hand is perched this extremely handsome gentleman. (In the back of the photo, he might be able to just make out a quarter of Minakami's very, very confused face.)]

Isn't he cute?

[The paper dolls find Matoba quickly enough- alone, in full festival yukata, and lapping at a candy apple in the thick of the crowds. He watches one of the paper dolls do a loop-de-loop around his head, and holds his hand out for it to land, smiling at the warmth.]

Hello, there.

Edited 2022-07-14 21:59 (UTC)

[Natori keeps one eye on his phone as he pushes through the festival, trying to figure out how he's going to spot Natsume and Matoba in a crowd of ayakashi. He slows to a stop once the picture pops up, catching his breath as he looks down at it and puts the pieces together.]

...You've got to be kidding me.

[As Natori starts to hunt-and-peck his way through a cranky reply, he suddenly straightens up as he feels the spiritual ping from the doll. A few stands over, the doll briefly settles on Matoba's outstretched palm. After a moment, it alights again and starts drifting leisurely through the crowd, without any sense of urgency and always at eye level. Easy to follow.]

[Ah, and there goes his little leader.]

[Matoba smiles to himself, stroking his thumb along the animated paper before it takes off in front and makes his way strolling through the festival. He was sure Natori couldn't be too far with how long it had taken the dolls to find him, but he sees that his message was read, and even briefly saw the bubbles of a reply.]

[But one doesn't come, and instead Matoba follows the servant back to its master, looking grumpy as ever in the glow of the lanterns. Oh, and even dressed for the occasion. He smiles to himself from behind his treat. What a rare sight.]

You're not working today? [He mumbles from around mouthing about the candy apple. It has his lips stained red already. The brat. He probably isn't even going to finish it. He never does.] The perks of fame, hm?

[He can tell that the doll is coming back with company, so he doesn't bother sending his response over text. Instead, he waits, arms crossed with a small frown of annoyance.

It doesn't occur to him how long it's been since Matoba saw him looking like this-- in a yukata at a festival, no fake glasses or hideous bucket hat, a romance star in full summer inaka boy mode-- but he does notice that Matoba looks a little different than normal. It takes him a second to place it. Once he does, he blinks, momentarily distracted from the scolding ex shtick.] ...Isn't it even easier for an ayakashi to grab your hair if you have it up like that?

[Which isn't to say it's bad, just that it's different.]

Anyway, very funny. You got me. [translator's note: he uses 'wagahai' here just to show he gets the joke, and also to express that it isn't funny or clever.]

Hm? [Matoba looks up from his candy to glance behind him, with the effect of flicking the ponytail with the jerk of his head. It sways.] What about it?

...Ahaha, you don't seriously think any of the smallfry here would dare something so rash, do you? [To attack an Alliance Lieutenant in the midst of another Sutoku-hosted event... He nibbles at the edge of his treat, cracking off a piece.] Though it would amuse me to see them try. And start another war.

[He walks until he is close enough for them to be side by side, and beams merrily at the wording.] Oh, but did you see that charming smile~? I was going to buy Nana-kun a grilled squid, but it seems he's more interested in chicken skewers. Alas...

[Matoba seems to truly lament this fact, and sulks into his candy.] ...Anyway, since you have nothing better to do than chasing me down with dolls, shall we? [Meaning: You're free, right?]

No, I suppose not. Especially not after we've just negotiated the end of one. [And everyone gets to play around in the stinky sewers again. Insane, but whatever.

He rolls his eyes in exasperation (and just exasperation, if asked) as Matoba starts cheerfully baby-talking about someone else's cat, and doesn't notice that they've fallen into step alongside each other until Matoba just invites himself along.] Shall we what, buy food for a cat you met? [that is NOT A REAL SUGGESTION, SEIJI] ...Well. I guess it's nice to have the opportunity to go to a yatai while we're here. [Meaning: yes, let's.]

[Shouldn't have asked, then.] Oh, did you see a grilled squid stand? [His head swivels this way and that.] I suppose I was just going to get more yakiniku for him instead, so I hope Suizenji-san has not gone too far...

[Yakiniku, then. That's where they're headed.]

[They can follow the trail of grilled meat quite easily as they walk. The Shuten clan has a great many grilling yatai set up throughout the festival, big-shouldered oni with hachimaki about their horns stuffed into the small carts and turning the skewers. Matoba invites himself up to one with empty seats, and considers his candy apple for a moment before helping himself to set it stickily on the side of an empty dipping dish.]

--Oh. That's right. [Before it's crushed at his waist when he sits, Matoba plucks a vividly fuchsia pinwheel-striped petunia from his obi, and holds it out to Natori. It's already looking a little battered, like he's had a number of adventures with it tonight already.] Here you go.

I've bought enough snacks for cats. [Like Natsume's fat glutton (affectionate). The last time he's been to a festival like this was with Natsume and the cat, in fact, though that was within the human world with the ayakashi on the sidelines. It is an interesting experience, watching the reverse. Natori finds himself enjoying it, even if they're apparently going on a mission for a stranger's cat.

Natori pulls his nose as Matoba plops the half-eaten candy apple down in a viscous mess, pausing as he takes his seat.] Ugh, are you going to keep eating that? [Never mind going from candy to yakiniku, he's already accepted that shift, but going back? He makes a mental note to 'accidentally' knock it off the counter. He's eyeing the options when there's a very colorful, slightly crumpled flower suddenly thrust in his face.] --What is it?

[A nasty laugh wracks Matoba’s body.] That "kitty" is not a cat. Letting yourself be dragged around by something that low-class is pretty sad, you know.

[But whatever, Natori is the expert in wearing shameful behavior like a badge. He ignores the daggers from both Natori and the stall-runner, who reluctantly and eventually acknowledges them with a grunt.] What? I paid for it, [He scoffs as the menus are tossed at them, a Sutoku Lieutenant and a Tamamo nobody, both nothing impressive to an oni, both humans with the stench of exorcism. He takes it, and then stares at Natori’s question like he’s stupid.]

… A flower. [Squint.] Have you been drinking?

Mhm. [Except for how Sensei is more powerful than anything Matoba (or Natori himself) could hope to obtain!! But there's no need to argue it; he and that fat beast have settled into... more of an understanding than he'd have expected.

Also excuse you, yatai-san, Natori is not a nobody.]

No. [He scowls, and does not blush. It's simply the cast of the lanterns around them.] I mean, why do you have it? Why are you giving it to me?

Oh, I bought it on a whim. But you know I’m not very good at keeping things alive, so it seems to me that it would suit you more.

[The flush of purple suits the blue of Natori’s yukata perfectly, if he were to say it plainly. He glances at it with a smile, and then returns to his menu.]

[Hmmm…. Would Nana-kun prefer chicken livers or thigh pieces…? Matoba mentally maps out a meal for a cat he’s probably not going to catch up with the rest of the night, half listening to Natori grumble beside him.]

Four chicken loin. Four liver. Two beef tongue, four negi, and two bacon-asparagus.

[Take a guess how many of those are actually for him.]

...Alright. [Natori looks at the flower again before tentatively taking it. It doesn't feel like there's anything particularly magical about it, so for good or not it seems like it's just a flower.

...He doesn't have his bag on him, but tucking it into his obi feels like making a particular kind of statement. He puts it down on the counter alongside the menu before putting in his own order (one grilled chicken, one bacon and quail eggs) and waits for the oni to turn back to the food.]

...You must really be sucking up to this cat. You know the bakeneko have started to talk about you?

[So cagey… Matoba sighs to himself. Just a flower, and he even overthinks that. That said, he wonders if he really doesn’t know where it came from. Aerith-san was one of his colleagues, after all.]

Nana-kun isn’t a bakeneko, [Matoba sulks, then turns in a hushed and serious tone, leaning towards Natori.]

Really….? Do they like the snacks? Should I bring more salmon or chicken? Which one do they like better?

[The earnestness of Matoba's reply makes Natori hesitate to tell him what the bakeneko were saying-- there's a creepy one-eyed exorcist who will give you free food if you tease him! Matoba is so rarely earnest about anything. After a moment:]

They haven't mentioned. Just that a man that matches your description will give out food. [Pause.] So they must like whatever you bring them, if they're telling each other to look for you.

I see…

[Phew… What a relief. Well, good word of mouth among the cats would certainly help them get past whatever reservations they had about the curse’s aura, right…?]

[Matoba gives a little puff of relief, and watches the skewers turn on the grill.]

Then, perhaps even after the curse’s increased influence, it will not be too difficult to get close to them again…

[He gazes into the glow of the charcoal, looking a little more peaceful. This night was going quite well so far, all things considered.]

[The curse, huh... Matoba hadn't outright confirmed that it was here the last time Natori asked, but that seems to settle it. Of course it would come up when he's worried about the impact it had on the cats. Natori sips at the glass of water that the oni apathetically shoved their way, and considers asking about it. Instead, he gently pushes the flower over to make room for the skewers, especially since he knows Matoba won't be eating most of them.]

I guess not, if you always bring this much food with you. So that's what your promotion money goes to, huh?

Don't be ridiculous. I have a number of ventures to spend that on.

What the clan invests in me, I invest in the clan. [He tugs over his own lukewarm water, and sips.] I pay for these with the money from my side job.

[Which was also... from the clan, but at least it wasn't what was directly coming from his promotions.] Of course, you don't have any need of, ah, good luck charms.

[A smile curls his lips. It is hazy and warm, even hotter in the yatai than it is outside of it. But he doesn't mind it, somehow.] And you are just plugging away, hm? Coasting off work that was already done and not much else.

I wonder when Tenkohime will put you to work, a little.

Excuse you. I work hard at the host club, you know. [Because it does take some effort to keep up the act when Matoba arrives, though maybe working "hard" is a bit of a stretch. It's always come easy to him, the pretending.] But I suppose she values this face of mine more than anything else.

[He's wondered, sometimes. If his abilities were still limited for a reason. If there was something about him not giving it his all that caused her to hold back his techniques in exchange. Or if it was truly just more profitable to have the actor instead of the exorcist.

He doesn't have to ask the same question of Matoba. Like always, Seiji was surely giving his all to the clan.]

...Does the Daitengu meet with you? When they return something to you.

Are you really shameless enough to call that work. [Matoba scoffs, gulping water to stave off the heat, and happily makes room on the counter when the first set of skewers is pushed towards them.] ...And yet you put the least effort into it. Even foxes are fooled by your cheap smile, I suppose that is worth being impressed by.

[Matoba picks up one of the asparagus skewers and blows on it gently, taking a bite.]

Mm? ...Yes, when they can. Haha, well, they have been "dead" or ...incapacitated for a few of them, though, so I have had some unorthodox meetings.

[Actually, the most unorthodox of them all have been the ones the Daitengu was present for. The tennis up on the roof was quite fun, though.]

Because they were with someone else, or...? [He can't imagine that, say, Matoba knew that the Daitengu was alive before anyone else did because the Daitengu had to be the one to return his wards in person, but truthfully, his own meetings with Tenkohime are also what he would call "unorthodox" to the extent that he wouldn't be able to guess what a normal meeting is meant to look like if he tried. It could be quite literally anything.] I'm going to guess that at least the Daitengu doesn't flirt with you.

[Natori starts nomming on his own skewer, watching them pile up in front of Matoba with a hint of fondness.] So are you going to go around with a fistful of skewers in one hand and the apple in the other?

Yes. The Tengu elders handled some of my early meetings. And after the recent mission, the Daitengu had to call me from the hospital.

Of course, when they were able to meet with me. Well...

[He cheerfully munches the rest of his asparagus.] The Daitengu seemed to really enjoy themselves, just as they did during the volleyball.

[???? He doesn't explain further.]

[Matoba continues to chew through his food, and when the rest of his skewers are finally delivered, he finishes off his current one to gather them.]

Don't be ridiculous. [He reaches over for a napkin, and begins to neatly bundle all the chicken ones up for Nana-kun.] I'm not an animal.

Well. That's diligent of them. [The look Natori gives him is less questioning than it is cautiously tired; if Tenkohime's methods are any comparison, he's sure there was some nonsense going on.

In any case, he watches Matoba bundle up his skewers as he fiddles with the stem of his flower, ultimately tucking it in his obi so that the head is still visible. If it hadn't been for the photo, Natori would have sworn the cat was just some excuse Matoba came up with to see the festival. (Cats like fish, right? he asks, failing to keep a straight face as he points to a goldfish scooping game.) He keeps his hands tucked into the opposite sleeves of his yukata, and enjoys himself despite himself. It's been a while since he could just wander around a festival like this, not worrying about any of the ayakashi around them.

He nibbles at some grilled corn and watches Matoba watch the crowd.]

[Work that had to be done had to be done, if you were alive, Matoba insisted, making it ever clearer just why he was part of the Alliance. Their dinner goes by with similar matter-of-fact chatter, and when they're roaming the aisles of the festival in search of a cat they may or may not even still be present, it continues.]

[Matoba stops to watch the goldfish game with undue seriousness at Natori's suggestion, but decides that a live goldfish wasn't as interesting as some prepared food. He makes this declaration with the same seriousness as he had addressed Natori's teasing about the bakeneko with.]

[If he's self aware about it, he's never shown it. Not then, not now.]

[The night wears on and he seems to eventually, somewhat dejectedly, admit that they are probably not going to find the cat again. But by then they have already been walking about for long enough to forget mostly about it, and Matoba ends up stooping to leave the skewers for a small circle of bakeneko by the Tamamo stalls instead, waving and cooing to them and embarrassing Natori in front of his senpais, the cats.]

At least there are no fireworks to hide an assassination behind, this time, [Matoba dryly remarks as they stand shoulder to shoulder on the edges of the crowds, bathed in the dark glow of lanterns as the Daitengu makes their announcement of the truce. They're standing close and his head is cocked, near-tilted to Natori's shoulder.]

[Natori does his best to be looking elsewhere as Matoba drops off his leftovers and makes baby talk at his senpais. (I don't know her dot gif) But aside from that, it's... It's nice. It's a nice night, and a nice end to the festival. He snorts at Matoba's comment, digging his elbow into Matoba's side.]

Don't jinx it. With their luck they'll get hit by a big chunk of falling stardust. [He's keeping his voice low, and therefore the only option is to lean in to mutter into Matoba's ear. A perfectly innocent and normal thing to do. He doesn't straighten up again. The sideways glance accompanying his smirk lingers longer than the sarcastic aside as well; he watches Matoba out of the corner of his eye instead of looking up at the stage.

He's very aware of the flower in his obi. He feels flushed in that carefree way of boyish summer nights, after just a few hours of them getting to ignore everything else that was going on in favor of a wild goose chase around the festival. After a moment of his heart pounding in his ears, his right hand casually slips into Matoba's left where they both hang at their sides, hidden by their yukata from a crowd that isn't watching them anyway.]

Edited (I'm shallow I just used that icon) 2022-07-20 03:11 (UTC)

Please, do not tempt fate.

[Matoba grumbles. The last thing he needs to deal with tonight is another all-nighter of politics, half covered in blood, and another ruined yukata. In fact, he was going to strangle Ryouma if this led to another assassination. He's deciding it. He'll just take power his damn self.]

[...While he's distracted in his worse-case-scenario power fantasies, he doesn't even notice how close Natori is until he feels the brush against his hand, and then the warmth of fingers interlocking. Blinking once, his head turns- Natori is on his left, as is customary, so it hardly takes much for their eyes to meet, his own lightly baffled.]

[How long has it been since he saw such an open gaze from him? Long enough he can barely remember, he thinks, but he's too distracted to put the thought into it. He can feel the other man's breath against his bottom lip, and his own almost quivers.]

CAW CAW

[The shiver of panic over the crowd as the Tengu familiars swoop in at the Daitengu's closing remarks breaks the glow of the moment and Matoba's hand breaks free from Natori's with the same smooth movement which he uses to draw an ofuda from his sleeve, guard raised with the hairs on the back of his neck. It takes a moment to take in the situation, but after immediately turning his gaze on the Daitengu- who looks perhaps troubled, but not alarmed- his eye narrows.]

--I suppose Sakamoto-san did mention there would be detractors, [He mutters under his breath, and slaps one crow away who dares to go for his hair pin.] Ours.

[Matoba doesn't pull away. When their eyes connect, the look in Matoba's sole visible one isn't a rejection. They always have to take steps this way, both of them inching along a little further until they're both in deep enough that they can close their eyes and let it happen. Matoba is close enough that Natori can still smell the hint of yakitori lingering after a few hours of carrying them around the festival. He's filled with a sudden inexplicable fondness, one that makes him smile before he takes that last small step to bring them back together.

And then some ayakashi ruin it. Natori reacts as instinctively as Matoba does, breaking away from Matoba to give them both room to maneuver.] --Magpies? Really? [For Tanabata??? This is what's interrupting them from--

He stuffs his hand into his own sleeve for his paper dolls with more force than is really necessary, then tosses them into the air around him. He knows without having to say anything that Matoba is going to have to break off and do crowd control, knows that even if he weren't a lieutenant the brief moment they had was broken, but he doesn't want to be the first one to step away. It's silly and childish of him, and a stupid thing to be thinking in the middle of this crowd, even if the birds seem more focused on being nuisances than causing any actual danger. But still.]

[The bird Matoba swipes next with an ofuda dissipates and loses its form with a wavering, pathetic squawk, and flutters about as a spirit orb before floating back off in the direction of its master, or so Matoba supposes. He watches it with a sharper eye and a bit more bloodlust than is strictly necessary for such a weak thing.]

[Honestly.]

... Your dolls should be able to distract them. For the time being; I must fetch orders from my boss. [He sighs in deeply through his nose; he's all back to cold and clinical, not a trace remaining of the playful, troublesome imp that was Seiji. But he still looks back to Natori as he steps away and smirks, perhaps a glint of fondness remaining in his eye.]

Don't get pecked. No glasses to shield you, hm?

Mm, [Natori agrees succinctly, eyeing what he can see of the Daitengu through the crowd. This wasn't a deadly attack, but it was still something that needed to be handled. It was equally something that Natori didn't need to worry about. Wasn't that just the way they always went: Matoba had his responsibilities to his clan, and Natori was free to waiver on his own, to commit or cut out as he pleased.

The dolls swirl in front of him, keeping the birds away, but he's able to still roll his eyes at Matoba's parting words. Still fond despite himself.] Go tell that to your boss.

Don't let your little fellow foxes be pulled in by this ruse.

[It's a hint. He won't be saying any more.]

inbox

[text/image?? does this count as a curse]

yes.

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text/action-ish, ᴜɴ: ᴊᴜᴇʏᴜɴ ᴄʜɪʟɪ — ( pre-night parade )

un: akeboshi

[ac..tion/text]

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text; un: fushiguro

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text | touches this inbox AGAIN

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un: majima

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text; he will never be free

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now it's a phone call

:)))

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text/image/action?? whatever this is now

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