[OPEN] You clean out your junk-drawer; you mop up some blood

[selfishwish]

Who: Momiji Sohma and you!
When: Aguril 23
Where: Around Aefenglom: The Shopping & Harbor Districts
What: After his first full moon and some exciting dreams, Momiji gets to experience his first real monster change! (It bites.)
Warnings: Mild body horror (teeth); underage drinking, technically

1. Shopping District

[Momiji'd had a toothache since the night of the full moon--except not quite. It was difficult to describe exactly. His teeth didn't hurt so much as the roof of his mouth, almost under them, a steady, boring ache. It had started as a mild throb, around when the sun had set, then grown steadily worse ever since. It was still there after he'd come to from the dream, then almost too much to bear the day after.

Then, today, he woke in a haze and coughed and stared down at his hand and the spots of blood and at his four front teeth scattered across his pillow. In the bathroom mirror, once he's finished panicking, he can see the start of new ones beginning to emerge in their place--bigger and already curving in a way a human's shouldn't as they force their way into the light.

And it still hurts! Not quite as much as before, but enough that he can't simply throw himself back in bed and pretend this was all another bad dream--

This is how the Rabbit ends up poking through the unlicensed apothecaries in the Shopping District, one hand covering his mouth, the other jingling cune coins in his pocket as he looks over dried herbs and teas and other pain remedies. He can't afford most of the fancier-looking ones, and he's not sure about some of the cheaper offerings. There are quite a few unidentifiable powders.

He's about ready to give up, when he spies a display of roots and other forage hanging against a wall, and impulse hits. Without even thinking, he stands on tip toes to snatch a longer, firmer looking one from its bin and immediately pops it into his mouth and begins gnawing vigorously.]

Mf--ahh...[Weirdly enough, it really helps, and the blond visibly relaxes some, chewing away--until he looks up to find the apothecary staring pure venom across at him.] I'mf gonna pay forf it.

[He snaps back, mouth half-full.]

2. Harbor District - Outside the Sly Seadog

[He's supposed to have an early shift waiting tables, towards the evening, but he goes in only to beg off for the night. By now, the pain's a little less pronounced, and his new teeth have emerged far enough that he's at least not ducking his head and hiding his face each time he speaks.

But--he's just not up to it after the past week. And how's he supposed to face guests without a sunny smile? Clearly, people come to the Seadog for the warm service.

He gets yelled at, but apparently he looks haggard enough for his excuses to be believable, too, because come sunset he can be found sitting out near the front of the pub with a mug of cider one of the bartenders pressed into his hand. He's reasonably sure it's not the kind of cider he's supposed to be drinking, either, but the hint of warmth it offers is nice. He alternates between little sips of that and nibbling at the (now rather worn) root he's carrying with him.

If anyone happens to take notice of the teen hanging outside a sailor's bar, he'll wave them down and chat as if it were the most normal thing in the world. If his mug's empty, he might also suggest that if they're stepping inside they could ask if the barkeep will refill it for him...]

Comments

[selfishwish]

[In his defense, Momiji has literally never not been able to afford a thing before.

Until, that is, this precise moment. The teen's gnawing comes to an abrupt halt as he processes both that (reassuring) bit of info about what he's biting into and then the (horrifying) price-tag attached to it. Some quick mental math, and...yep, that's only about four-and-a-half weeks of wages for him!

Also: exponentially more than he has in his pockets just now.]

Oh. 'Kay...um, but since it's so expensive, people probably don't buy a whole one at a time, right? Soo, maybe I could just buy--the bit with teeth marks?

[He'd try to smile innocently over the suggestion, but that's too hard right now. The end result's a rather brazenly pleading look, instead.]

[clothes]

[ oh dear... at the other end of the spectrum, akutagawa has spent most of his life homeless, a sickly orphan on the street. sure, he doesn't begrudge those more fortunate than he ever was, but most of them have never made such a blatant attempt at bamboozling him like this! no one likes free things more than rich people, huh? akutagawa couldn't be less amused even if he tried.

welp... akutagawa gives poor (heh) little momiji the most condescending, frigid stare imaginable. his thoughts are completely readable on his face: this kid is an absolute lunatic. that cheeky, beseeching stare of his is just downright weird.]

You and I both know that is not how it works. If you are refusing to pay, then say so right now. I'm sure one of your organs would be sufficient enough to replace this root you destroyed, unless you have some other method of payment you conveniently forgot to disclose.

[selfishwish]

That makes more sense than trying to sell one weird radish for, like, a hundred-million yen!

[The puca whines plaintively, forcefully shaking his head. By now, he's tearing up and worrying at his lower lip instead of the root he can no longer afford to gnaw on.

At that mention of organ-theft, his eyes widen anew and he takes a hurried hop back. He really has no idea if the dog-guy is serious, but he looks scary enough to be.]

I... I could give you an IOU? I get paid again next week! I wasn't trying to cause trouble, h-honest--

[It has already been a very long day, and right now it is taking all the willpower he can muster not to bolt for the door or dissolve into a crying fit.]

[clothes]

[ this kid... while his new doggy-senses have given him a multiplied sense of empathy, 5,000 times zero is still zero, so he isn't moved by the way momiji's sweet little eyes begin misting over as he bites at his cute wittle wips. in fact, akutagawa even frowns, clearly not amused in the slightest.

this is...bad. this place is unlicensed, mrs. minotaurfucker insisted there would be slow traffic today. most of the teenagers akutagawa knows are professional assassins or at the very least, have no qualms with committing crimes. this kid has probably never even seen a dead body. what a wuss. ]

Save your crocodile tears for someone with a soul.

[ narrowing his eyes, he steps forward, looming over the tiny little momiji. ]

Will an IOU pay this shop owner's bills? Will she be able to buy food, or blankets, or water with a piece of paper that only says you will pay her back?

[ does he need to be such a dick about this??? probably not. and now that he thinks about it, a brat like this probably doesn't have anything of value to leave as collateral. ]

You weren't trying to cause trouble, but that's exactly what you have done. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't turn you in to the authorities right now.

[ CROSSING HIS ARMS AND SCOWLING. he is genuinely curious as to why a teenager would want to steal a root of all things. this particular one isn't even "the good stuff". surely, there are more worthwhile things to snatch, even from a shop normally manned by an old lady...? ]

[selfishwish]

[Unfortunately for Akutagawa, they aren't crocodile tears--or by now Momiji would be making much less of a scene, for how little sympathy it's earning him.

Instead, the cold response pushes the teen over the edge from "teary" to "outright sobbing." The apparent tabling of any plan to harvest his kidneys appears to have nixed the risk of him running, at least, but he hiccups and paws at his eyes all the same, trying to keep enough composure that he can still be understood when he speaks:]

'Cause--I'll pay it back, promise! I don't have that much on me, but I'll come back! I wouldn't just take something-- [He manages to keep it together long enough to fumble out the little coinpouch he's been using to keep up with his wages, plus the loose cunes in his pockets, offering them up in outstretched hands. There's...maybe all of 6,000 there altogether, a couple days' wages minus what he pitched in for dinner the last few nights.]

I'm sorry. I didn't know it would be that much, a-and my teeth hurt so bad, and then I just saw it and--I don't even know why I thought it would help. I just grabbed it before I could think about it!

[Though, whatever the root of the impulse, it had worked. By now, his new incisors have roughly halfway emerged, already a hint too long and too curved to look convincingly human. But the pain as they continue erupting is so muted now that he barely notices it over the panic that's set in.]

[clothes]

[ g o d . he supposes he knew this would happen, akutagawa seems to have this effect on people after all. still, he didn't think the kid would actually full-on ugly cry like this. if he had a heart, it would be saddled with guilt right about now. good thing he doesn't-- but there's just enough of something there that compels him to watch momiji's response, turn his words over in his peanut brain, and sigh deeply.

akutagawa turns around, heading for the sales counter. ]

Cease your caterwauling and come over here. Now, before I change my mind.

[ he stoops down behind the counter, and rises moments later with a piece of paper that smells overwhelmingly of spices and a thick piece of pointed graphite no doubt used for jotting down orders. akutagawa sets the items on the sales counter with a little more force than necessary, and watches momiji with a pointed, expectant gaze. ]

[selfishwish]

S-sorry--

[Alright, he just. Needs a second.

A few deep breaths to steady himself while he dries his cheeks and eyes against the sleeves of his shirt. It's maybe not as hop-to as Akutagawa would like, but it does mean that he's not fighting to hold back fresh tears when he finally pads up to the counter. He gives the turnskin an uncertain, wary glance and then sets down both the money he'd produced before and the nibbled-on root.]

I-...I can give you my address or where I work now if that'd help. Or--if you need any help around here, I don't mind running errands or whatever to help pay it off...

[Though somehow he gets the sense that the dog-guy won't be that excited for a solution that involved him hanging around longer. Still, now that he's not actively worried that Akutagawa's going to throttle and/or dissect him, there's enough shame creeping in that he can't help but volunteer. Obviously the guy'd thought he was some kind of brazen shoplifter; probably he'd just really wanted to protect the apothecary!]

I'll come back and apologize to the owner, too, if you know what days she's in.

[clothes]

[ surprisingly, akutagawa doesn't rush the boy along further, waiting quietly until momiji has enough of himself collected to approach the counter. at the offer of money and the remnants of the root, he first shakes his head before pushing the expensive vegetable back towards him. ]

Your transformation doesn't seem to be coming along as painlessly as one would hope. At any rate, no one is going to buy something with such an unseemly bite in it. Returning it would only be a waste, so you might as well keep it.

[ after that, he slides the paper and graphite forward as well. ]

Save your apology for the owner. Leave her a note detailing your situation, along with your correct contact information. If you try to deceive her or me, I will not hesitate to find you and shove the largest root I can find down your throat.

[ and as for the money... ]

Do you have access to food and shelter until the next time you are paid?

[ akutagawa may be a jerk, but he isn't going to knowingly put a young teenager in a position where they'll be starving or cold. he doubts that's the case, what with the coven being so meticulous in providing for those who emerged from the mirrors, but one must never assume. not with these matters, anyway. ]

[selfishwish]

Mn, right. Got it.

[Momiji simply nods and takes a moment to lean over the counter and write out a brief explanation and apology. At the bottom, he appends his name, where he's staying, and a note listing the days he usually works at the Seadog.

Then he pushes it back across the counter for Akutagawa's approval, with only a little wince at the latest threat. He's going to take it as a positive sign that they're getting less grisly.]

It's alright. I'm staying with my cousin, and I get tips at work, so...I'll be okay. [He manages a somewhat shaken smile at that. Akutagawa acts tough, but he's concerned about his well-being! Clearly he's not entirely scary.] You're not going to get in trouble with the owner for letting me take it, are you?

[clothes]

[ akutagawa watches momiji like a hawk as he writes, silent but scrutinizing as if he could somehow divinate the truthfulness of the words on the paper. while his forte is definitely not negotiation or manipulation, akutagawa is good at telling when he's being bamboozled; the boy definitely isn't bamboozling him, much to his relief. honesty is refreshing, especially when coming from his line of work.

he could do without the waterworks though. ]

Alright. If the shop owner chooses to make arrangements with you, you had better not complain. I imagine this root will last you for some time, so don't do anything foolish like this again-- especially on my watch.

[ indeed, akutagawa just wanted to watch out for the store. he's the meticulous sort who believes anything worth doing is worth doing right, and he'll stake his life on a job well done. yup, that's all it is, he isn't a somewhat decent person deep down or anything!!! especially when it comes to dumb, pitiful kids...!! ]

I wager I would get in even more trouble for putting a contaminated food item back among the rest of the products. There's no need to worry about such a thing at this point. You cannot un-bite what has been bitten.

[selfishwish]

S-sure. I'll be way more careful, promise--

[He's definitely learned his lesson about looking for a price tag, first.

By the time he finishes filling out his note, the rush from the fear and his swelling fight-or-flight instinct has started to taper off, and he just feels drained--and also like his teeth still sorta hurt. So, once Akutagawa confirms that the root's a lost cause, he scoops it back up and (somewhat sheepishly) digs back in. But he does at least pop it back out long enough to add:]

So-o...I should get out of your hair, prob'ly. Sorry again for the trouble.

[It's hard to peg the wide-eyed look he gives Akutagawa as he starts edging for the door. It's partly wary, still, and partly curious. He can't quite decide whether the turnskin is actually as frightening as he seemed at first and just decided that stripping him for parts would be more extra work than it was worth--or if maybe he was just being so cold and fierce as part of his job. (...like a guard dog! Just because they growled and barked at strangers didn't mean they were bad!)]

And, um. Thanks??

[clothes]

You have nothing to thank me for.

[ akutagawa glances down at the note's signature to catch the boy's name. momiji, huh... he'll have to remember it. maybe even check up on him one of these days-- again, not because he's secretly pretty okay deep down!!! ]

Now, off with you, before I change my mind about all this.