Momiji Sohma (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
selfishwish) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
middaeg2019-09-09 11:48 am
selfishwish) wrote in middaeg2019-09-09 11:48 am
Entry tags:
[OPEN] AEFENGLOM: Too broke to play around like the soldiers do
Who: Momiji and anyone still in Aefenglom!
When: Septeril 8 - 15
Where: Aefenglom, at various locations around the Shopping & Residential Districts
What: After accidentally contracting a significant amount of debt last month, Momiji puts himself to work.
Warnings: N/A; will update as needed.
Aefenglom was just full of new experiences, Momiji was finding, and the latest and most mundanely unpleasant of these was debt.
By his own calculations, scribbled in the back of the diary beneath his pillow at Kyo's apartment, he began the month of Septeril still owing 34,542 cunes--to be paid exclusively to the order of one local apothecary, after an unfortunate adventure in transformation and quasi-shoplifting. The shop's proprietress had been kind enough when he'd appeared to plead his case, hat in hand, the week after, but only to the point of letting him off without interest if he paid by the month's close. (For some unfathomable reason, she hadn't been eager to let the puca boy who'd already taken to nibbling her wares work off what he owed in-house.)
So, come the first day of the month, he makes the rounds in the Shopping District, following wanted ads and word of mouth. And though the results are a patchwork, by the end of the week there is a sort of routine:
1. The Snapped String
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have him at The Snapped String until mid-afternoon, fiddling in several senses of the word. The work itself, tragically, is boring. One of the shop-attendants hunches over some stringed instrument--because he can fake having a handle, at least, on anything big enough to fit in his arms--and tightens and loosens it here and there, until he's allowed to play through a range of notes. And then the attendant stops him and corrects some small mistake, and Momiji turns his head and yaaawns.
But: Often enough, there are customers in too much of a hurry to wait to have their lutes or violas or what-have-you tuned while they observe. And when there are boarder instruments of that sort, there are toys that a rabbit can filch while waiting between customers. It would be rude to call it "slacking off"--he's getting paid to play them, anyway, and the music has to be good atmosphere for the shop!
The best days are when someone leaves a violin (or anything close enough to double as such). No sooner is the String's attendant done seeing to it and the client's back turned than Momiji sneaks 'round to claim it and plant himself in his favorite seat by the shop entrance and be a horrible little show-off. He's just making sure it gets a...thorough testing before it goes back.
Even better if there are potential ensemblemates to be recruited! Anyone else trying to make it through the workday at the String will quickly become familiar with Momiji's eager suggestions that this would be much more fun if they just tested a bunch of the instruments together! It doesn't really matter if the other party doesn't actually play the instrument in question or that they might come from worlds with completely different musical traditions. Surely they can figure something out!
He will not be dissuaded, at least not without pouting for the entire rest of his shift.
2. Victorious Secret
The rest of the workweek, Momiji starts the day off early at another local apothecary, where tasting the stock is actually encouraged and compensated, thank you very much.
Between that and the fact that the job is one step removed from dress-up, plus involves romping around in pajamas all-day, the young puca is quite certain he's found his true calling in Aefenglom. Admittedly, he's not the best fit for some of the more...sheer-cut spells the shop has on offer. But the resident alchemists are good about picking out display samples for him that fall more into the "cutesy nightgown" or "shorts and sleepshirt" or occasional "pajamas with feet" categories than anything else. And if they occasionally come with a little more lace or a higher hem than one would normally go about in public in, Momiji doesn't seem to notice.
Indeed, he's perfectly happy to help out greeting customers and fellow test subjects once the business-day has gotten into swing, scurrying over to introduce himself and help them find whatever tincture they're looking to try on for the day!
It's the oddest thing, though: By the end of the week, anyone looking close might notice that, occasionally, a potion changes more than the Rabbit's outfit. A particular nightie doesn't quite suit his coloration, and a half-second later he's a little more of a strawberry-blond than he was a moment prior. Or the sizing is a little off, and--wait, nevermind. Though, wasn't he a couple inches shorter, before?
It can be a tiny bit disconcerting, not least of all because Momiji himself doesn't seem to notice. And the changes bleed back out of reality almost as soon as they come, so that it could always be the light playing tricks, at least most of the time...
3. Particularly Good Finders
Then, after his day-job comes to a close each afternoon, Momiji heads for the friendly neighborhood puca-detective outfit. It's a close second to the Secret for his favorite new spot: The puca staff are spectacularly disorganized, and he's never entirely sure if anything sitting out on any given desk is a clue or part of a case file or lunch. But they're always very eager to gossip about their latest leads, and Momiji is a little bit in awe of each of the detectives. He hasn't met many of his own kind (or at least his new kind) around Aefenglom just yet, and it's a refreshing change.
But as for the job: They send him packing back out into the street with a small sheaf of thin files, each with names and addresses of potential clients or tipsters. Well--there are names and addresses, if he's lucky. Occasionally, there's just a clipped-on note with a description of someone who stopped by the agency to make inquiries--or, sometimes, just an unflattering doodle by whoever greeted them, attached to a brief description of where they'd said they could be found.
His task is to follow-up where information is still missing, to confirm where there's a real case (or, failing that, an interesting distraction) to be had. Nine out of ten, estimating generously, are dead ends, when he can even find the person he's supposed to be talking to. But, as a result, he can be found tromping all around the city until the sun begins to set, arms usually full of papers. He may stop to ask you directions. Or just as likely, whether you've seen (e.g.) a dragon around here lately who has some kind of nose wart--no, wait, maybe that's just his nose--and also bright blue scales, and he's rude and his breath kind of smells like eggs?
Or, you can catch him turning back in at the agency once his evening hunt is done, just before supper. By then, even Momiji's energy is run down, and he drags himself out of the shop like he might curl up on any nearby flat service for a nap. It's fun for a lark, but he really doesn't know how Tohru (and, well, basically everyone else) does this whole "work" thing every single day, back home...!
4. [Catch-All]
[Feel free to catch Momiji anywhere else around the city, for ideas that don't fit well within any of the above prompts. Also, N.B. that bracket-style tags are perfectly welcome and lovely, as well!]
When: Septeril 8 - 15
Where: Aefenglom, at various locations around the Shopping & Residential Districts
What: After accidentally contracting a significant amount of debt last month, Momiji puts himself to work.
Warnings: N/A; will update as needed.
Aefenglom was just full of new experiences, Momiji was finding, and the latest and most mundanely unpleasant of these was debt.
By his own calculations, scribbled in the back of the diary beneath his pillow at Kyo's apartment, he began the month of Septeril still owing 34,542 cunes--to be paid exclusively to the order of one local apothecary, after an unfortunate adventure in transformation and quasi-shoplifting. The shop's proprietress had been kind enough when he'd appeared to plead his case, hat in hand, the week after, but only to the point of letting him off without interest if he paid by the month's close. (For some unfathomable reason, she hadn't been eager to let the puca boy who'd already taken to nibbling her wares work off what he owed in-house.)
So, come the first day of the month, he makes the rounds in the Shopping District, following wanted ads and word of mouth. And though the results are a patchwork, by the end of the week there is a sort of routine:
1. The Snapped String
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have him at The Snapped String until mid-afternoon, fiddling in several senses of the word. The work itself, tragically, is boring. One of the shop-attendants hunches over some stringed instrument--because he can fake having a handle, at least, on anything big enough to fit in his arms--and tightens and loosens it here and there, until he's allowed to play through a range of notes. And then the attendant stops him and corrects some small mistake, and Momiji turns his head and yaaawns.
But: Often enough, there are customers in too much of a hurry to wait to have their lutes or violas or what-have-you tuned while they observe. And when there are boarder instruments of that sort, there are toys that a rabbit can filch while waiting between customers. It would be rude to call it "slacking off"--he's getting paid to play them, anyway, and the music has to be good atmosphere for the shop!
The best days are when someone leaves a violin (or anything close enough to double as such). No sooner is the String's attendant done seeing to it and the client's back turned than Momiji sneaks 'round to claim it and plant himself in his favorite seat by the shop entrance and be a horrible little show-off. He's just making sure it gets a...thorough testing before it goes back.
Even better if there are potential ensemblemates to be recruited! Anyone else trying to make it through the workday at the String will quickly become familiar with Momiji's eager suggestions that this would be much more fun if they just tested a bunch of the instruments together! It doesn't really matter if the other party doesn't actually play the instrument in question or that they might come from worlds with completely different musical traditions. Surely they can figure something out!
He will not be dissuaded, at least not without pouting for the entire rest of his shift.
2. Victorious Secret
The rest of the workweek, Momiji starts the day off early at another local apothecary, where tasting the stock is actually encouraged and compensated, thank you very much.
Between that and the fact that the job is one step removed from dress-up, plus involves romping around in pajamas all-day, the young puca is quite certain he's found his true calling in Aefenglom. Admittedly, he's not the best fit for some of the more...sheer-cut spells the shop has on offer. But the resident alchemists are good about picking out display samples for him that fall more into the "cutesy nightgown" or "shorts and sleepshirt" or occasional "pajamas with feet" categories than anything else. And if they occasionally come with a little more lace or a higher hem than one would normally go about in public in, Momiji doesn't seem to notice.
Indeed, he's perfectly happy to help out greeting customers and fellow test subjects once the business-day has gotten into swing, scurrying over to introduce himself and help them find whatever tincture they're looking to try on for the day!
It's the oddest thing, though: By the end of the week, anyone looking close might notice that, occasionally, a potion changes more than the Rabbit's outfit. A particular nightie doesn't quite suit his coloration, and a half-second later he's a little more of a strawberry-blond than he was a moment prior. Or the sizing is a little off, and--wait, nevermind. Though, wasn't he a couple inches shorter, before?
It can be a tiny bit disconcerting, not least of all because Momiji himself doesn't seem to notice. And the changes bleed back out of reality almost as soon as they come, so that it could always be the light playing tricks, at least most of the time...
3. Particularly Good Finders
Then, after his day-job comes to a close each afternoon, Momiji heads for the friendly neighborhood puca-detective outfit. It's a close second to the Secret for his favorite new spot: The puca staff are spectacularly disorganized, and he's never entirely sure if anything sitting out on any given desk is a clue or part of a case file or lunch. But they're always very eager to gossip about their latest leads, and Momiji is a little bit in awe of each of the detectives. He hasn't met many of his own kind (or at least his new kind) around Aefenglom just yet, and it's a refreshing change.
But as for the job: They send him packing back out into the street with a small sheaf of thin files, each with names and addresses of potential clients or tipsters. Well--there are names and addresses, if he's lucky. Occasionally, there's just a clipped-on note with a description of someone who stopped by the agency to make inquiries--or, sometimes, just an unflattering doodle by whoever greeted them, attached to a brief description of where they'd said they could be found.
His task is to follow-up where information is still missing, to confirm where there's a real case (or, failing that, an interesting distraction) to be had. Nine out of ten, estimating generously, are dead ends, when he can even find the person he's supposed to be talking to. But, as a result, he can be found tromping all around the city until the sun begins to set, arms usually full of papers. He may stop to ask you directions. Or just as likely, whether you've seen (e.g.) a dragon around here lately who has some kind of nose wart--no, wait, maybe that's just his nose--and also bright blue scales, and he's rude and his breath kind of smells like eggs?
Or, you can catch him turning back in at the agency once his evening hunt is done, just before supper. By then, even Momiji's energy is run down, and he drags himself out of the shop like he might curl up on any nearby flat service for a nap. It's fun for a lark, but he really doesn't know how Tohru (and, well, basically everyone else) does this whole "work" thing every single day, back home...!
4. [Catch-All]
[Feel free to catch Momiji anywhere else around the city, for ideas that don't fit well within any of the above prompts. Also, N.B. that bracket-style tags are perfectly welcome and lovely, as well!]
3
[Fionn's smile is amused, but his curiosity is definitely piqued. He shakes his head.]
In my experience dragons are often rude, but no, the rest of it doesn't ring a bell.
[And he's just casually plucking the paper to have a look for himself. He does hand it back after a moment though.]
Now what inspires you to seek out dragons, if you don't mind my asking?
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[This particular assignment was just starting to frustrate Momiji, but the familiar face perks him right back up, and he grins.]
It's for work. I joined a detective agency! [Small pause for dramatic effect.] ...as a part-time administrative assistant.
So-o, I'm supposed to find this dragon and ask if he still wanted their help, but no one around here's seen him so far! And they didn't 'xactly give me an address to go to...
[Indeed, the file Fionn plucks up to skim is singularly unhelpful. There's a hasty, unkind sketch of the would-be client in blue ink, making him look somehow both borderline feral and rather dopey all at once. There's really no telling what was supposed to be going on with the nose thing, either.
The notes scribbled alongside report briefly that the figure pictured had inquired about some unspecified missing property just over a week prior and mentioned working odd jobs around the part of the Shopping District Momiji's making inquiries in--a less-vibrant section, nearer to the Harbor. Unfortunately, by the sound of it, the initial interview was derailed when the client grew agitated, and the puca who'd done the intake became very convinced he was going to be eaten.]
It's prob'ly just a dead-end, but it's my last one for today, so...
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[Fionn skims the paper before handing it back. It's not a lot to go on. Still... it's intriguing.
Or possibly Fionn is just bored.]
Well, surely someone here must know something about him.
[He takes a moment to glance around at the immediate area. A seedy tavern, several fishmongers, a blacksmith's shop, and a questionable apothecary...]
Let's try the blacksmith first. If you're hiring dragons for odd jobs, there's a good chance it's a job that requires strength.
[And he's just... heading that way. Because obviously this is totally his business.]
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[The former gets a little tiresome at times, admittedly, but he's pretty great at the second one!]
Mn, you'd think they would! [He's not expecting Fionn to pivot directly from that to jumping into his quest, but when he does the Rabbit only quirks his head in surprise and then scampers to catch up. It'll be less boring, making the last of his round with someone to talk to, anyway, and the detectives wouldn't mind him having someone else pitch in, right?]
Oh, okay! That makes sense--let's see!
[He darts ahead to open the door into the smith's shopfront and let Fionn in first. Inside, the place is somewhat sweltering from the forge set off in the back of the building, and what look like two (human) apprentices are still hard at work, one with hammer in hand. But it's gotten late enough that there are no actual customers around--too late for starting on any new orders, most likely. So, their entrance draws immediate, blunt acknowledgment from the (bald, burly, and amply bearded) smith observing his helpers:
"Aye?"]
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Good afternoon! My young friend and I were hoping you might help us out with a little problem we have.
[The man is already shaking his head. "No time to take any new jobs. Try back in a week."
But Fionn just waves a hand as if to brush aside such concerns.]
No, no. Nothing like that. We're looking for someone actually. A dragon. We've heard that he may have taken on some odd jobs for you in the past.
["Dragon?" The man frowns, immediately on guard. "Why? What's he done?"
Fionn shrugs casually and gestures to the Puca next to him.]
Oh, I haven't the faintest idea. Momiji here is the detective. But we do have a picture.
[He says as though that sketch would help anyone ever.]
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[Momiji eagerly bounds along just a half-step behind, and, when Fionn mentions the picture, he hops forward to offer it up to the blacksmith. (Fionn referring to him as "the detective" makes him brighten several shades from "cheery" to "positively radiant.")]
I'm with Particularly Good Finders, and he came by our office asking for help? So, we just wanted to see if he'd been by recently--that's him, right?
[The smith stares down at the doodle for a moment, scoffs, and then presses it back into Momiji's hand. There's obvious recognition, at least, but also an immediate, guarded look.
"Aye, that's Suileach. Used to pay him to help haul in coal and steel or pitch in with tempering--with that frost breath of his. Haven't let him around in here in ages, though."]
...oh. [Momiji frowns. The dragon had definitely been by Finders before then, so--] Is it okay if we ask why not?
["Wasn't safe to have indoors," the smith huffs bluntly. "Always had a temper, but he started picking fights with the lads every time he'd come in, snapping at ya over nothing. Ended up freezing the damn forge solid, one time--figured he was getting the Cwyld, like as not."
"They turn fast, dragons."]
...oh. [Momiji's radiance has quickly started to dim. Whether the smith is right or not, that's not a promising start to their search...] Um, do you know where he works now, instead?
["I wouldn't know about work--think Florian down the street let him take the back room in his place, though. Alchemist's shop, down on the corner over that way."]
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[He ponders that for a moment. Fionn can think of a few reasons an alchemist might want to help out a dragon, so it's definitely a good lead.]
Thank you, we'll try there next.
[Before he leaves though, he takes a quick glance at some of the weapons hanging on the wall.]
Hmm... quite good work. I may return after all. A week, you said?
[The man is surprised at the shift in conversation and the compliment, but gruffly admits Fionn has 'a good eye' and confirms that yes, he could safely take a new commission in about a week.
With that, Fionn turns back to Momiji.]
Well, we didn't find him, but I think this is a promising lead. Shall we see what the alchemist has to say?
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[Still, Momiji's enthusiasm is a little more restrained as they hit the street again and head for the corner store. Like many of the shops in this corner of town, it's plainly seen better days, but the sign above the door is well-kept: Etchings of vines and leaves ring its mouthful of a name, "Florian's Fine Flora & Philters."
As advertised, the inside of the shop is ringed with displays of plants and flowers, some fresh cut or dried and some overgrowing their pots or trellising up walls and shelving. An older Witch with silver hair and a wispy mustache sits behind a counter laden with the shop's actual alchemical equipment.]
'Scuse us! [Momiji chirps, hurrying over and holding out the dragon's picture once again.] I'm with Particularly Good Finders. Do you know if this dragon was staying here recently?
[The Witch had barely looked up in their direction when they entered, and at first the stare he turns on Momiji is dull. The moment he spots the doodle thrust under his nose, however, his eyes widen.
"Is that Suileach? Have you seen him?" Before the puca can answer, the lean man has reached across the counter to seize him by the collar, voice rising, accusatory and a touch desperate: "Who's looking for him?"]
no subject
I think we can be civil, don't you? We certainly don't want any trouble.
[The alchemist looks from the hand grasping his wrist in an iron grip to the spear strapped to Fionn's back and decides that it's... probably not worth it.
"S-sorry. I meant nothing by it. Just, um, worried about a friend. You understand."
Fionn releases him, and the old man leans back, trying not to look nervous and failing miserably.]
Of course I understand. Now, perhaps you might tell us about your dear friend Suileach?
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2
So the girl makes her way through the store, stopping for a moment as Momiji seems to be taking one of the potions to change outfits, but..
.. wait. Huh? Isn't.. something different? The closer Asahi gets, the more she feels like the other is kind of taller than the last time they met.. Just slightly? Maybe?
Not like that can be true, no way anyone grows that quickly. So she shakes her head, instead trying to draw his attention. ]
Um.. hey. [ She sounds a little awkward. Asahi has never been good with social interactions with people she doesn't know well. ] Remember me?
[ Granted, she doesn't look exactly the same as last time - she doesn't have the pair of wings she had over in that other city. ]
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[A chime above the boutique's door sounds at Asahi's entrance, and the puca boy's geared himself up to play greeter before he actually spots who it is that's walked in. He is, though, good enough with faces that he lights up with recognition as soon as he turns. Actually getting her name takes a second's fumbling, though:]
...Asahi, right? We met in that dream, before, or...[Whatever it was.] In Dorchacht.
[She doesn't look quite the same, but then again he's missing a cottontail and fur here in the waking world, too. He has also, in fact, sprouted a few extra inches at the moment: The flowered nightshirt he's showing off had looked a little more like a short dress than intended on his actual frame; like this, he's just tall enough that it stops short of the matching shorts.]
You rescued me!
[He says with obvious, light-hearted gratitude. In point of fact, he maybe spent most of that dream getting rescued, until he made it to the sewers, but still.]
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It's only after a moment that Asahi realises she may have been overthinking that slightly too long without saying anything in return, and she looks a little embarrassed because of it when she does finally reply. ]
Ah.. Yeah! Kind of? I mean, it wasn't that big of a deal or anything.
[ Which is kind of her downplaying herself, but in a way she herself believes. Even if she hadn't interfered, surely he could've ran out on his own eventually. ]
I didn't know you worked here. Then again, I'm still kind of new here.
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[He shrugs, smiling brightly. If he notices the too-long pause, it doesn't show.
Nor does he seem to notice when he turns to glance back at the shop's shelving and displays, and his added height melts away, leaving him just barely cresting five feet again.]
I just started last week! They were hiring a bunch of new people to try out their pajama potions? [...not the official brand name.] I dunno if they just started selling them or what.
Oh, but! Were you looking for anything? I can grab one of the alchemists.
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[ The last thing Asahi wants right now is to discuss stuff available in this store. With anyone, really. Her face lights up a faint pink, and she wildly shakes her head until she feels like she's momentarily gotten the idea out of his head.
Not that the next part isn't just as embarrassing to her to say, but at the very least it's better than talking about the store itself. ]
I.. I'm not really here to buy anything? I.. uh.. [ Gosh, this is hard to say. She has to clear her throat and suck in a deep breath. ] I saw you and wanted to check up on how you were doing.
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[This is, fortunately for Asahi, a touched "aww" and not a disappointed one. He's mostly been trying to find enough to keep busy with not to have to dwell on what had happened in Dorchacht (or what's happening now), since then. It's too much, when there's so little he can do besides wait on news from the mirrorbound who went back in-person.
But it was horrifying enough that the impulse to check up on people makes perfect sense. Out of consideration, he'll muffle any giggling over how flustered she looks behind one hand.]
I'm alright, though, promise. I got to the sewers after we got split up in the dream, and it was pretty safe down there. [There might have been some getting abducted and nearly sold in between those two, but, you know. Details. Though, speaking of, with those feathers Asahi had stood out even more obviously as a Monster than he had:]
...Did you get away from everything okay?
no subject
Thankfully the way he puts it now makes it sound like he was relatively alright though, so that's instead a relief to her. She slowly nods at his question. ]
Yeah. The other people from here who also went over there were pretty helpful. [ Even if one beat up a guy in front of her, but sshh.. ] But I guess in the end both of us had the same idea about not wanting to go back there, huh.
[ Considering they're both here rather than on the mission. ]
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[That answer dampens his smile somewhat, though he makes a valiant effort to keep it up.]
I'm not that great at being sneaky, so...I probably would've gotten in people's way, sorta.
[Which is to say, also, that he hadn't even considered going as part of the Aefenglom Apology Team. (Or, by the same token, ignoring the Coven's request that its dignitaries try to remain diplomatic.)]
I hope everyone who went's being careful...
[That's as optimistic as even he can be about it.]
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3
as if that wasn't bad enough, someone is out to get everyone who is a particularly good finder. it turns out, a little girl who lost her doll asked for the agency's help once-- three years ago, to be exact. of course, at the time they denied her case. now that she's old enough to get an allowance, she used her funds to enlist in some new help. shimmerin' shine admired her dedication, and sent out the best of the best to carry out this sick and twisted revenge.
...except, when akutagawa arrives, wearing a rubber clown mask to conceal his identity, he's rather surprised to see momiji manning the office. ]
Ah, Momiji.
[ he notes, his voice muffled and garbled by the mask. ]
I see you are hard at work.
[ well, he was hard at work, now he's being accosted by some fuckwad in a droopy clown mask holding a mysterious bag. (it's only glitter! ) ]
no subject
As the door opens, he's idly sorting through some files and contemplating whether he could pull off wearing a deerstalker into work. He expects to see either a walk-in client or one of the detectives back when he looks up, but instead there's...
A malnourished clown?
One that knows his name, apparently! Not creepy.]
Oh...hi?? The detectives aren't in right now, but...do we know each other?
[The clown's voice is familiar, somehow, but through the mask he can't quite place it. Probably the rest of Akutagawa's outfit should be a clue, too, but he's pretty distracted by the clown get-up and the bag he's toting around. So, he'll just point out warily:]
You're kinda dressed up like a bank robber.
no subject
--That's right, my identity... Admittedly, I'm surprised you don't recognize me, but I suppose it can't be helped. Perhaps it's better you not realize who I am just yet.
[ after all, he's on a mission. a very sparkly mission that's going to itch. ]
At any rate, I can assure you I'm not here to steal anything. I myself am working, after all. By the way, were you able to make arrangements with the apothecary?
[ why is he casually chatting with his victim?! ]
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[It clicks then, and Momiji experiences a whole range of emotions in quick succession. There's initial surprise, then a fleeting moment of concern that the apothecary sent Akutagawa to shake him down, then relief when he realizes that's highly unlikely. And then he remembers that he never got the turnskin's name.]
The dog-guy from the potion shop! Hi! Sorry, I couldn't see your ears behind the mask at first.
[That's apparently enough to get his guard down. He scoots his chair up close to the desk he's at and leans over, grinning, chin rested in the crook of his joined palms.]
Mmhm, she's letting me pay it off this month! She was really nice. Are you still working for her? [A pause, as he processes that bit about Akutagawa being on the job, too.] Oh, did she need help with finding something? I can take down a memo for the detectives...!
[He's already breaking out a pen and pad to take everything down, beaming eagerly. His bosses'll be so excited for the new case, and maybe it'll help make up for everything else with Akutagawa's!]
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[ he hates dogs! so much! but he's honestly convinced he isn't a mere dog, but a legendary ancient prehistoric wolfbeast... after all, it would make sense that someone as powerful as he is would be more than just a housepet.
despite his identity no longer being a secret, akutagawa keeps the freaky mask on, though his stance relaxes somewhat. his free hand finds its way into his coat pocket, as close to casual as he can be. ]
I see. That's quite generous of her, yes. Such kindness is rare in my experience, so do not waste it. As for me, I did agree to come and help her close the shop at night, so she may go home and rest earlier. Apparently she was impressed with how I handled your situation, so I was far from in trouble.
[ ah, why he's here... that's right... akutagawa enjoys the thrill of the chase when assassinating a target, but unfortunately, this isn't assassination. no, it's much worse. akutagawa just needs to get one thing straight... ]
And what of you? Do you work here regularly? Are you close with the other detectives?
[ not that it matters, akutagawa is still going to glitter the shit out of him in a bit, but momiji is otherwise innocent. he deserves a running start. ]
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[Alas, that just makes Momiji grin a little wider, thoroughly unawares of the danger he and every non-sparkly surface in reach are staring down here. (The mask is still a little weird, but if Akutagawa's already told him who he is, it seems silly to assume he's up to no good!)]
I won't! I've already got it like halfway paid off. I'm glad everything worked out, like that-- [Is not how most people would describe "working three jobs to pay down debt on a vegetable," but eh. Most of his new gigs this month are pretty fun, and he won't even have sore feet at the end of today!]
Mn, every afternoon! I just started, but everybody's been super nice! And the cases are really exciting, but I don't think I'm allowed to talk about'em without permission...
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Very good.
[ akutagawa watches as momiji lights up while describing his new friends. it's almost a shame. ]
There is no need to describe your work to me. I can easily imagine what sort of work you and your companions get up to.
[ akutagawa is quite well acquainted with detectives and police. being a literal serial killer does that to you.
speaking of which, back to business. akutagawa takes a step forward. ]
You know, Momiji... While your companions may be super nice right now, that wasn't always the case. Do you know why I am here?
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[That last observation does manage to draw a slight pout from the otherwise cheery Rabbit. His rounds for the agency have already given him the opportunity to hear a few...skeptical comments about the detectives' propriety and overall professionalism. And in his humble opinion those have all been, if not outright slander, at least a very one-sided version of the truth! Great detectives were supposed to be a little idiosyncratic!
Still, as for the mystery staring him in the face right now:]
No-o...I'm still wondering why you're dressed like a goth clown!
[He teases good-naturedly. He's pretty sure Akutagawa's trying to be a little scary again now, with that somewhat ominous step forward, but. It's no use; Momiji's decided he seems like a Good Boy. (He has also, incidentally, been too busy with work to hear much about the hit-and-run glitterings around the city just yet...)]
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